Post ISD School Board PISD receives “Superior” FIRST rating
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By Dakota McDonald/Post Dispatch—
Superintendent Heath Dickson announced that Post ISD received a “Superior” rating of 90 points from the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) at the recent school board meeting.
Through FIRST, Texas public schools are rated on a 100-point scale on the quality of financial management practices. Post ISD was deducted 10 points due to an outstanding amount of money owed in bonds.
In accompanying reports, Dickson informed the board that Managing Director for Specialized Public Finance Incorporation Vince Vialle, who spoke to the board at the September meeting about refinancing bonds, locked in a 1.45-percent interest rate which will save the school approximately $1.8 million over the life of the bond, a 32-percent increase in previously estimated savings.
Dickson also updated the board on the purchase of 2.47 acres of land behind the Post Beverage Barn located on East U.S. Highway 380 which will be used as an agriculture farm for Post ISD students. With the $38,000 purchase officially closed, the school is looking into converting the pre-existing barn into an area to house pigs. Dickson said the farm is expected to be ready for use as early as next year.
With the Post Middle School campus recently rated as Improvement Required (IR) through the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the board approved a target plan which is thought to aid the school in receiving a passing grade through improving STAAR results on math, reading and writing exams. Schools labelled IR have a campus performance which is deemed “unacceptable” by TEA. If the campus misses the target score in student achievement but still checks off student progress, or vice versa, the school can still rank as having “met standard.”
In reports, Dickson announced that the Denmark wind energy company over the Antelope Flats project will be submitting a supplemental payment of $71,899 before Jan. 31. Construction on the wind energy project is to start in 2023.
With the West Texas Comanches forfeiting the Bi-District game due to Covid-19 benching over eight of their players, Dickson explained to the board that playoff games cannot be rescheduled; therefore, the Antelopes will be advancing to the area round. Dickson clarified that the only game that can be rescheduled is the state game, which must be played before Jan. 16. State games are currently scheduled for Dec. 16-18 for 1A through 4A advancing teams.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Dec. 8.
