Trustees review district’s Texas Academic Performance Report

The Wills Point ISD Board of Trustees met for the final time during the fall semester Dec. 14, hearing a series of district reports from Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Accountability Amanda Wallace before turning the page to the second half of the 2015-’16 school year.
After the traditional pledge to the flags, interim superintendent Randy Hancock, serving at his final meeting due to the hiring of Scott Caloss as the new permanent superintendent, took to the floor to offer up some final thoughts before his departure.
“I want to say thank you to this board, and thank you to the folks that are sitting out there (in the crowd). What an honor it has been for me to be a part of this. I can’t believe I’ve only been here four months. It seems like I’ve been here a long time, but not for bad reasons, it’s because I was so eagerly accepted from you and everyone in this district. You don’t see that everywhere you go. That’s not the norm in today’s education world,” said Hancock.
“I was met with open arms, with trust, and with an eagerness to work together. I commend you as members of this community, as members of this board and as members of this school district – thank you. From the moment I arrived, I tried to stress let’s focus on the kids and I’ve been pleased to see that over and over. It just means so much to know that people remember why we’re here. I’ve been pleased that this board has taken an active role in taking care of the kids in this school district. I guess my parting words to everyone would be don’t forget why you’re here. Don’t let differences, don’t let challenges – because we know we’re going to have them – don’t let those things sidetrack you know and remember why you’re here…God bless you and thank you for letting me a part of this school.”
Board members and administrators in attendance reciprocated Hancock’s words, thanking him for his service to the district and support over the past four months since taking the interim position.
Trustees and attendees were then presented packets giving an overview of both district and campus goals, as well as snapshots offering insights on 2014-’15 student profiles, staff profiles, and post-secondary readiness. A complete list of reports is available to the public by visiting www.wpisd.com and selecting the Accountability Information on the left side of the page.
Highlights offered up in the report include that the district has seen an increase in attendance, from 95.7 in 2012-’13 to 96.1 in 2013-’14 and the dropout rate falling by .1 percent over the same period.
District enrollment for 2014-’15 was reported at 2,429 (including every grade level from early childhood development through 12th grade), with 9th graders having the most students (219).
In other business:
-The board has two scheduled meetings for the month of January. The first will be a special meeting Jan. 5, which is set to include approval of a contract for incoming superintendent Scott Caloss. The second meeting on Jan. 11 will be the regularly scheduled January meeting.
-Trustees left an item listed as “consider revision to policy DK (local)” tabled.