Hallettsville ISD

Trustees elect officers

Smith to continue as HISD president

  • Brian Henneke takes his oath of office as a trustee for the Hallettsville Independent School District. The swearing in ceremonies took place at Monday’s HISD board meeting. Henneke has served on the board for the past seven years and will continue as the board’s vice-president. Conducting the swearing in ceremonies is HISD superintendent’s secretary Sheryl Mikeska. Photo by Trina Patek
    Brian Henneke takes his oath of office as a trustee for the Hallettsville Independent School District. The swearing in ceremonies took place at Monday’s HISD board meeting. Henneke has served on the board for the past seven years and will continue as the board’s vice-president. Conducting the swearing in ceremonies is HISD superintendent’s secretary Sheryl Mikeska. Photo by Trina Patek

    The Hallettsville ISD Board of Trustees met in a regular meeting Monday evening and held an election for positions on the board.

    The current officers were re-elected and will continue in their respective positions for the district.

    Board president Brian Smith will continue to preside over the board, while Brian Henneke will continue serving as the vice-president and Holly Cliffe as secretary.

    Henneke was also sworn in for another term on the board and the newest member of the board Jon Lamson took his oath two weeks ago.

    Agenda

    The board addressed a short agenda during the meeting that included approving a resolution appointing Lavaca County tax assessor/collector Deborah A. Sevcik to calculate the 2025 effective tax rate and rollback rate for Hallettsville ISD.

    The board voted to table handicap and drainage improvements at this time.

    Following executive session, the board reviewed transfer applications and approved as discussed.

    Reports

    Hallettsville High School principal Mason Briscoe presented the idea to the board of possibly moving senior graduation one week earlier in the future.

    Briscoe presented the pros and cons regarding the earlier graduation and this matter would be looked into further to see if the board would approve it at a future meeting.

    The district’s chief financial officer Farrah Jernigan presented a timeline report on Voter Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) that would allow the generation of additional revenue for its day-to-day operations, which would include salaries, programs and other needs for the district.

    Regarding another item brought to the board for future consideration was presented by HISD superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Bludau in regards to policy options related to extracurricular activities and proposed revisions to local policies.

    Bludau said the policy options are given for their consideration and will be needed to be addressed at a future meeting.

    HISD executive director of curriculum and instruction Dr. Mandy Bucek along with HISD executive director of student services Trina Patek and the principals Stephanie Grahmann (HES), Marissa Maes (HJH) and Mason Briscoe (HHS) presented a prelimnary report on STAAR/EOC preliminary results.

    They reported on areas the students did well in as well as some areas that are need of improvement. Overall, they were all pleased with the results.

    In regards to the financial report, Jernigan reported the district has collected 97.44% of the taxes through May amounting to $9,395,489.28.

    Recognition

    Prior to the start of the meeting, the board recognized HHS students who participated in the UIL State Track and UIL State Academic meets.

    Danna Jansky was recognized for competing in the UIL State Track Meet where she placed 6th in discus.

    Also recognized for participating in the UIL State Academic Meet were Adalyn Pohl, who competed in two events at state and finished 6th in Ready Writing, Sydney Kuecker, who placed 6th in Persuasive Speaking and Brenna Scott, who finished 6th in Spelling.

    Board president Brian Smith presided over the meeting with board members Brian Henneke, Holly Cliffe, Jon Lamson, Ryan Bludau and Dennis Herring Jr. present for the meeting.