YISD to offer full-day Pre-K

HANS LAMMEMAN STAFF WRITER

HANSPLAMM@GMAIL.COM

Yoakum ISD will begin offering full-day Pre-K to students following a unanimous vote from the school board on April 11. The district approved implementing the all-day program starting in August for the 2022-2023 school year.

While the board had applied for waivers to continue half-day Pre-K programs in previous years, the trustees agreed the district’s facilities were now sufficiently prepared for the change.

“Our Pre-K teachers do a great job. If we can get them there for a day, we can get the kids there and get them aligned with our curriculum already going right into kindergarten,” said YISD Superintendent Tom Kelley during the meeting. “It is better for our kids. That is the bottom line.”

Kelley explained after the meeting he felt the district is equipped to provide quality full-day preschool education to its students since bond funds were utilized to enhance YISD facilities.

Yoakum Primary Annex School Principal Patrick Brewer said he believed the school had adequate space for the additional pre-k classes. He estimated the extra workload would require three teachers and three aids.

Kelley expected the district would not struggle to find quality staff to serve the community’s preschoolers.

“I was on the fence (about retirement),” said Brewer after the vote. “I’ve got too much loyalty. I told Mr. Kelley, I’m going to stick it out to help get the good transition going.”

HVAC and electronics maintenance Representatives from Schneider Electric updated the school board on the scope of work for a project pertaining to HVAC replacements, sports fields lighting and much more. The project aims to maximize energy efficiency, update aging infrastructure and provide appliances with simpler maintenance.

The presentation shared the improvements could cost the district about $6.4 million, with an estimated annual budget investment of $250,000. Estimated savings over a 20-year partnership were $4.3 million, about $215,000 estimated annual savings.

Board Member Darlene Renken emphasized this project would be replacing aging systems, some of which are over a decade and a half old. Schnieder Electric expects to present the final project scope in May and the board to vote for approval on June 13.

NEW HIRES AND RESIGNATIONS The board voted unanimously to approve three new hires and six resignations. Jason Appelt was approved as DeWitt-Lavaca Special Education Coop director. Kristen Temple will be joining Yoakum High School as a biology teacher and Aaron Villarreal as the new assistant band director.