Trustees approve Ag farm improvements
The Friona Independent School District Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, August 14, 2017 to discuss a lengthy agenda, which included a discussion about the current tax rate, the FFA Ag farm, and the disbursement of Permanent School Funds.
After a length discussion the trustees proposed a tax rate of $1.04 per hundred.
“We are proposing lowering the tax rate,” stated Superintendent Dr. Pam Ray.
A proposed tax rate vote will be held Monday, August 28 at 7 p.m. at the FISD Administration Building.
The board was introduced to the new Primary Principal Jill Trollinger. She comes to Friona from Bushland ISD. When asked how the transition was going Trollinger stated, “Everything is going smoothly.”
Friona Elementary Principal Travis Victory reviewed with the board the current staff changes as well as the adjustments he is implementing this school year. Breakfast will be served at 7:45 a.m. in the gym to give more instructional time.
“Our motto this year is ‘We Got Grit!’”, stated Victory. He went on to tell the board, “I am so thankful for Friona.”
Junior High Principal Jesse Galdean addressed the board and informed them that things were going well and that the Open House was a success with lots of people in attendance.
Galdean plans on working with the Student Council to be more involved as well as implementing an incentive program for students. He also stated that his priority was to work harder with the struggling students with the Intervention/Enrichment program.
“I am honored to be here,” said Galdean.
Ricky Barnett addressed the board concerning the Ag farm east of Friona. He has a number of donors that want to see improvements. He requested that the board match funds raised by donations and stated that at this time $15,000 has been collected.
Barnett had estimates on giving the barn a facelift, which included the lamb, goat and pig barns. These estimates included reskinning the metal siding, concrete footers, awnings, and new doors. He stated that the facelift could be completed in 30-45 days from the day funding was allowed.
The board discussed exactly what could be done and determined that they could contribute $20,000 from the Permanent School Fund.
Board President Becky Riethmayer was elected to be the TASB delegate at the TASB Conference in Dallas October 6-8.
The board reviewed minor changes to the Employee Handbook/Technology and Student Handbooks for 2017-18 and approved the firm of Johnson and Sheldon PLLC for the upcoming audit on September 28 and October 16-20.
Interquest Canines Detection for Northwest Texas will once again be serving as the company of choice for canine searches in the school system.
Funds from the Permanent School Fund will be used to finish the WTRT phone project and to purchase two new dishwashers for the junior high and high school. The WTRT project will be approximately $20,000 and the dishwashers will be approximately $31,000.
Alan Monroe was named to serve on the Board of Directors of the Parmer County Appraisal District before the board went into closed session.
The FISD Board of Trustees will meet in regular session on Monday, September 11, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.
