HISD board addresses short agenda
The Hallettsville Independent School District Board of Trustees met in a regular meeting Monday evening addressing a short agenda.
Regarding Hallettsville High School hosting a practice UIL Academics meet, the board a received a request from principal Mason Briscoe to conduct early release at noon for all school campuses on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
Briscoe said the high school will be hosting the UIL Academic competition that would start at 1 p.m. and end around 6 p.m.
“We’re hosting this practice meet to help us get ready for district competition, which we have to host next year,” Briscoe said. “It’s a revenue boost for UIL Academics, plus it brings competition for our students to help them get ready to advance to the next levels.”
Briscoe said this is the second year to be hosting the UIL Academic practice meet. He said last year they had eight schools compete and this year there will be 10 schools coming to the event.
In regards to a second item, the board approved changing its Monday, Oct. 14 meeting to Monday, Oct. 21.
According to HISD superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Bludau, the reason for the change is due to October 14 being a school holiday for Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day.
The board approved the change and will meet on Monday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m.
Financial Report
The district’s chief financial officer Farrah Jernigan reported 97.88% of the 2023 taxes have been collected through August with a current collection of $8,838,973.26.
Board president Brian Smith informed the board that Dr. Bludau and Farrah have been working toward a different method of reporting the financial report in board meetings.
“We’re trying to get the board meetings sped up and getting consent agendas to where when we go to the financial report it will not take as long,” Smith said. “When we get the boardbook and if we have any questions on finances previous to the meeting, we can contact Farrah. This would be a way to shorten the length of time of our board meetings.”
Reports
Bludau reported on the current project of the student drop-off loop at the elementary campus.
“The Phase I project is finished with parents driving in the regular drive and instead of taking the short loop will be able to make the entire loop,” Bludau said. “They are now working on Phase II (center area) where eventually all vehicles will enter from one side and then switch back to divert all the traffic off of Ridge St.”
In other reports, Bludau reported on staffing guidelines, the Career, Technology and Education (CTE) audit with Region III and looking into a review to changes in the sick leave bank policy.
Briscoe reported the UT OnRamps Year in review, which entails students taking courses in high school to earn college credit.
He said the high school offers English to senior students and History to junior students.
Briscoe said the average cost of a college course is $387.40, but the cost offered to students taking college credit courses at HHS is $149.
TASB Business Recognition
The board recognized Lavaca Medical Center and the TDECU Hallettsville Branch with the Texas Association of School Boards Stand Up for Texas Public Schools.
Both businesses were instrumental in the recent emergency drill held in August involving the hospital, first responders and the school district.
Board president Brian Smith presided over the meeting with board members Brian Henneke, Holly Cliffe and Sharesce Sydney present for the meeting.