Yoakum ISD grants campus access to chaplains

Yoakum ISD (YISD) trustees voted yes on Feb. 12 evening on a resolution accepting chaplains as volunteers on campus at their board meeting at the YISD Administration Building.

This measure takes effect on March 1.

The vote came in response to a new law passed by the Texas Legislature allowing unlicensed religious chaplains to serve in roles akin to school counselors and provide mental health services.

It becomes effective locally, however, school districts must first vote on whether they will allow chaplains to serve in this role prior to their March deadline.

“We use their volunteer services to come to the school for counseling,” Superintendent Tom Kelley said. “This includes leadership roles and their relationships with students. We’ve had chaplains in our schools for years. Youth directors at churches are considered chaplains. For years, you would see them come to have lunch with students and they’re just a positive role model for our students.”

Kelley also gave a safety update, stating that the district had already done exterior door checks on four campuses. Principals are also on track with their lockdowns and the district has made progress on the Guardian Program.

Currently, the district has garnered a safety grant from the state in the amount of $317,090฀for฀the฀school.

The district anticipates additional safety grant funding will be forthcoming in coming months, Kelley said.

The district also reviewed the comptroller’s property value study. The property values across the district came to $1.7 billion, up from $1.4 billion last  year.

In other business:

• Board members Amanda Fling and Rodney Svec and Superintendent Tom Kelley were appointed as representatives to the city and school Summer Recreation Program.

• The tax assessor collected $10.9 million in maintenance and operations and $5.5 million in interest and sinkings.

• Current enrollment numbers are 1,471 students. Last year at this time, enrollment numbers were at 1,510 students.

• One Act Play UIL will come in full swing in March.