SISD discuss bond, summer construction updates

The Shiner Independent School Board members discussed bond, construction updates and summer facilities projects at the May 20 SISD board meeting. 
“On the construction side, things are going to start moving pretty quickly,” Superintendent Alex Remschel said. “Our contractors want to demolish the cafeteria area pretty fast. They will be coming in after 10 a.m. on Friday. 
The focus this summer is the demolition of the stage and creating more cafeteria space. They also want to expand the girl’s weight room and the career and technology building on the back side. That’s their primary focus this summer and they want to get it done prior to us going back to school.”
As construction is underway within the next few months, there will be safe passages for those using the school during the summer.
“There will be orange fencing inside to make sure everyone is going the right way,” Remschel said.
There will also be replacements of the sewer line. Previously, the line was installed at six inches, but now it needs to be eight inches. 
In terms of the summer facilities project, SISD will be getting new paint jobs around campus. 
“There will be paint work on the main campus at the back hallway where the locker rooms are,” Remschel said. “The marquee will also be repainted as it has faded over the years. Interior paint at the old gym is also underway.”
The parking lot will also be painted. 
New lighting will also be installed on campus as well.
“It’s been brought up multiple times that we need new lighting in the visitor parking lot,” Remschel said. “The City of Shiner has told us that they will run power to two lines. They will also drill and set the post for us, so we will have two high powered LED lights that will illuminate that area.”
The Junior High work room will also be getting new cabinets to make room for more storage. 
There will be new doors on the back side of the school by the agricultural building to increase security as well.
Other items on the agenda included:
• Recently, a member from the Texas Education Agency came and did an intruder audit. The audit showed that all doors were secured and all safety measures have been put in place. 
• Action was taken related to SISD’s Instructional Materials. Science and Career and Technology will be getting materials. Also all materials are state approved.
• School board incumbents Julie Gamez and Jared Boedeker took the oath of office for Place 1 and Place 7 respectively. Dan Stafford was appointed as the new president. Tim Kalich and Julie Gamez will remain as vice president and secretary respectively. 
• The school made payments to repair the A/C on the Comanche buses. Four new instruments for the band were also paid off.
• It was reported that school enrollment numbers are at 687 students. The district lost two students since the last board meeting.
• Some preliminary budgeting plans for the 2024-25 school year was discussed. There will be cuts made on the School Health and Related Services funding. Remschel aims to go to a court hearing to dispute these cuts. Cuts have also been made to the DeWitt-Lavaca County Special Education Cooperative to the tune of about $1 million.
• The Shiner High School One Act Play was recognized by the board for winning State Championship at the Austin 2A Conference meet.