Post ISD school board met Tuesday, August 9, 2022. All three principals and all board members were present except board member Rick Tadlock.
Post Elementary Principal Hayden Walters reported that both Antelope Alley nights were successful. Currently, 33 students are signed-up for Pre-K. Walters anticipates a few more student enrollments on or before the first day of school. 340 students are registered to attend Post Elementary this school year, a decrease from last year’s enrollment. The staff is reduced by two teachers as well.
Post Middle School Principal Kaitlin Jeffrey thanked the school board members for the luncheon they provided the staff during in-service. Jeffrey commented that she is looking forward to the school year.
Kent Price, Post High School Principal, reported an increase in registration of high school students at 217, which is 12 more students than last year. Price expressed appreciation for the program presented at the district office that day.
Special Services Director Dr. Regina Weiss stated that the new counselor, Stephanie Valdez, will be an asset for the school district. Valdez comes to our school system from Lubbock Cooper. She will join Serna Voss in assisting students with their social and emotional learning. Weiss advised school board meeting attendees regarding the new behavioral program at Region 17 District office, Handle with Care.
Superintendent Cassie Petty addressed the gathering on behalf of Coach Wright. Wright was at a volleyball game. Forty-eight boys registered for football, 34 girls registered for volleyball, and 17 students registered for cross-country (10 girls and 7 boys). The girls have started their volleyball season, and a football scrimmage is scheduled Friday at Colorado City. The first cross-country meet will be the last part of August.
Petty expects an increase in the total number of students this school year. Post High School welcomes the addition of two new staff who will serve the district through teaching and coaching the youth. Kortney Mosley will teach World History and coach. An English teacher is the other new addition bringing the campus staff to 129 members. School safety is an ever-present priority and will be given the utmost attention by every staff member. All doors will remain locked. Throughout the year, there will be updates on safety procedures, a weapons training survey will be sent to the staff, and Guardians are onstaff. Principal Walters and Coach Wright have completed the Guardian training. Post Middle School will provide a safe place for students to keep their cell phones during the class periods. High school students will be required to keep their phones in their backpacks. Students can use their phones only in the Commons area, not in the classroom or hallway.
CFO Jeff Baum began with a positive progress report stating that the property evaluation is up 20 percent from last year’s evaluation. Total average daily attendance, projected to be 653, is a reduction of 50 students. With these figures, the proposed tax rate for the 2023 tax year will be 1.4246 per $100 value. The projected revenue will be $9,131,807, which is down more than one-half a million dollars; the expenses will remain the same. The school’s budget is balanced, and an expenditure allotted for a salary increase to all staff.
School board meeting attendees voted to approve a new dress code for all students. Nancy McDonald moved to accept the dress code, Tim James seconded it, all approved.
The proposed tax rate of $0.8546 for budget maintenance and operation and $0.57 for debt service, totaling $1.4246, was voted upon, and approved. Last year the rate was $1.6334, making this a $0.2088 decrease from the previous year. A public hearing regarding the tax rate and budget will be August 23 at 7 pm.
Memorandum of Understanding with Garza County regarding protocol for evacuation procedures of incarcerated or detained individuals at the Garza County Jail, to school buildings was voted on and passed. The board clarified that the memorandum was not applicable during any school day and would only apply to non-school hours. Jett Lott made the motion to accept the agreement with Garza County. McDonald seconded, and all agreed.
The public meeting to discuss the budget and tax rate will be August 23, 2022, at 7 pm. The next regular board meeting will be September 13, 2022, at 7 pm.