PALESTINE —
Westwood Independent School District Board of Trustees tabled an agenda item to appoint a trustee to represent the school district’s District 1 due to the lack of potential candidates during its regular meeting Monday at Westwood Elementary School.
The board members discussed the open position and possible candidates and plan to put the item back on the agenda in December.
Westwood ISD Superintendent Dr. Ed Lyman encouraged anyone who is interested in serving to call the school district to check to see they may live in District 1.
Some of the streets in the district include Avenue A through Avenue C in Westwood, as well as First Street through Eighth Street.
Longtime school board member Carey McKinney resigned from the board effective Sept. 30 after moving out of the district. In total, McKinney served 14 years from 1988 to 1997 and from 2007 until Sept. 30 of this year.
“It was a life experience — it was something good for my personal and professional growth,” McKinney said in a phone interview with the Herald-Press Monday. “I served with a lot of good board members, administrators and teachers and we tried to do a good job for the students and taxpayers. It’s a good district and I wish everyone well.”
Also during Monday’s school board meeting, board members approved a resolution to maintain Westwood ISD’s right to exercise eminent domain.
Lyman said the resolution came out of the last session of the Texas Legislature and could be used to expand any of the school campuses, if needed.
“I don’t believe we have used eminent domain in the last 20 to 30 years and not sure if we would, but if we don’t sign it, we forfeit the opportunity,” Lyman said before the vote. “I would hate to tie the hands of future boards.”
Board members John Tilley and Dr. Don Rice abstained from the vote.
During the open forum, the board heard from Westwood Junior High School parent Sherry Richmond, who asked the board to consider reimbursing WJHS cheerleaders for the $100 fee that was to be used for a deejay for pep rallies.
The board’s function is to listen to comments and formal action cannot be taken during the open forum.
In other action, the board:
• APPROVED bids to upgrade WIFI at primary and elementary campuses.
• ADOPTED the 2011-12 Financial Audit Report.
• APPROVED consent agenda items.
• TABLED “Proud Panther” award candidates.
• HEARD campus and district improvement plans.
• HEARD information related to superintendent and board’s “roles and responsibilities.”
• CONSIDERED the new Texas Association of School Board’s superintendent evaluation document. The evaluation is scheduled for January.
Local News
WISD seeking trustee for District 1 position
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