February 20, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Garrison ISD School Board

Discussion:  The board president called the meeting to order at 5:36 PM. A quorum was present and due notice had been posted and published. 

Discussion:  Chase Rambin led in prayer.

Discussion:  Mr. Berry gave a presentation on the current Old High School Renovation to answer some questions about the change in timeline. Mr. Spivey updated the board on facilities.  The indoor batting cages were completed. Emergency Egress gates have been installed and almost completed.  Region 7 safety walk-thru found no findings. We are working on the communication horns and making sure that announcements are heard.  
 

Discussion:  Dr. Hill & Mr. Spivey were available to answer any questions regarding bills from the previous month. 

Discussion: 
Dr. Hill presented the budget report. 

Discussion:  There were no donations.

Discussion: 

Mrs. White presented the elementary board report. This month, we are proud to celebrate Mrs. Debra Cramm as our Texas Farm
Bureau Teacher of the Month! PTO hosted the Daddy Daughter Dance. Over 120 tickets were sold. Fun was had y those in attendance. We celebrated Mrs. Phillips for counselor appreciation week. She goes above and beyond for our school. All MOY Testing is complete, data meetings are in progress to adjust instruction and tutorial times. 4th grade is planning a writing boot camp the week of Feb. 24th. Reading Horizon Curriculum implementation is going well. Our first grade MOY dyslexia screeners showed improvement from prior years. The first grade MAPs
scores were also higher than in prior years. Mr. Massey gave the MS board report.  Benchmark testing was complete at the end of January.  Basketball has finished and now students and coaches are gearing up for track.  GT has three robotics teams who are building and programming robots. Student council is working on their spring service projects: paper recycling for GES & GMS.  GMS Valentine's dance was a fun and memorable night for our students, thanks to the PTO for sponsoring them. Cheer tryouts were a success. He then reviewed upcoming dates. Mr. Compton gave the HS board report. All teacher TTESS observation/evaluations are complete. The mock STAAR test was completed. Teachers are game planning for the STAAR test. OAP- District will compete on Mar 14^th in Carthage.
Prom is at Mast Hall Mar 22^nd from 7 to 11 PM. The Academic UIL  District Competition is April 3^rd at SFA. 72 students are attending the BETA Convention in Grapevine. The Noble Scholar Reception is Monday, March 31^st @ 6PM at SFA Grand Ballroom, with 27 GHS students to be recognized.
Boys Basketball had a record of 12-14 and finished 5^th in the District. Girls Basketball had a record of 20-10 and finished 3^rd in the District.  They played San Augustin in Bi-district and finished their season. Garrison Powerlifting Meet will be Thursday, Feb 13th and Friday, Feb 14th, and we expect over 300 lifters. The Regional Meet for Girls is in Commerce Feb 27 & 28 and for Boys in West Rusk on Mar 6^th. Gavin Pollard was named to the THSCA Football Super Elite Team and the Texas Sports Writers 2A All State Team 1st team DL Gavin Pollard, HM Offensive Tackle & HM Defensive Jabrahlyn Jones. Baseball, Softball, Golf, Tennis & Track are preparing for and have started spring events. Cheer tryouts were on February 12, 2025.
Band Directors attended (February 12-15th) the Texas Music Educators Association Conference in San Antonio. Symphonic Band is currently working on music to prepare for a potential festival performance in May. Wind Symphony is currently working on UIL music as they prepare for their pre-UIL performance on March 4th in Troup. HS/MS majorettes are gearing up for auditions for the Fall of 25.
We currently have 8 high school students who are trying out for Drum Major this year and getting ready for preparation classes.
The following students participated in the Fort Worth Livestock Show & Rodeo Heifer Show:
Lexis Williamson - Class Winning Dairy Cattle
Abigail Wlliamson - Class Winning Dairy Cattle
Georgia Vance - 2nd place Angus Heifer
Scarlett Vance - 5th place Charolais
Rylie Fuller - Exhibited Limousine heifer
Caly Blacksher - Exhibited Hereford heifer
Khash Frankens - Exhibited AOB heifer
Floral Design completed Valentine’s Day arrangements & made Valentines Cards for the Nursing Home. Garrison FFA members helped serve at the Wiley Hotel’s First Friday Luncheon.
45 Students receive their Veterinary Med certificate in Mrs. Amos Vet Med class.

Discussion:  Mr. Spivey gave the superintendent's report. Mid-Year PEIMS was submitted before the deadline. At the time it was submitted, only 15% of schools in Texas had completed it. TIA recipients will be announced in late February to early March.  He also reported on the Panola Dual Credit policy. We are working on making sure all of our paraprofessionals are certified. The emergency operations plan was uploaded to Sentinel One.  The interviews for the life-skills positions are completed. The parent meeting for driver's education was a success.  We are looking at two sessions.  

Discussion:  Mr. Spivey presented the TASB policy update 124.  Approval for this update will be presented next month. 

Discussion:  The Garrison Independent School District Board on this date, February 20, 2025, resolved to nominate Mr. Reid Spivey, Superintendent of Schools for his/her exemplary and visionary leadership toward improving student performance in our schools.

Discussion:  The board president adjourned the board meeting into a closed session at 6:43 pm pursuant to the following sections of the Texas Open Meetings Acts 551.072 and 551.074.

Discussion:  The board returned to open session a 9:11 PM.