The DISD school board met on Tuesday and approved agreements, donations and heard reports, as well as Chevo Lumbrera being sworn in as school board member.
The board approved the agreement with the Hale County Juvenile Probation Board to provide Juvenile Justice Alternative Education services for DISD students for the 2023-2024 school year. The program was successful this past year and it was determined that it should be renewed.
Donations from several groups and businesses were approved. Those include $100 from Rogers & Sons Feedyard to FCCLA; $100 from RS Feedyard to FCCLA; $250 from the Oglallala Quilter’s Society to FCCLA; $1,000 from HTFCU to the Senior Class; $2,064 from the Baseball Boosters to DHS ball; and $1,500 from the Ladies’ Golf Association to DHS golf.
In other business, the board voted a possible December 2023 one-time lump sum payment be included in the 2023-2024 budget for all DISD employees ‘contingent on budget availability’ and to be approved at that time by the board before payment is made.
In other action, the board approved electing a delegate and an alternate delegate candidate to attend the delegate assembly during the 2023 TASA/TASB Annual School Board Convention.
Board members Mary Flores was named the delegate and Justin Edwards will be alternate.
Mike Huseman presented the 2023-2024 proposed budget to the board and it was tabled. The public meeting phase was incorporated into the regular meeting.
Huseman also discussed district taxpayer property values.
Stacy Boozer presented reports, which included the Gun Free School Report, Safety Audit Finding, Board Adopted Goals and Accountability Report and RIPICS plan. Additionally, she updated trustees on grant applications and awards for ESSERIII, ESSA and IDEA Part B.
Trustees approved the updated Gifted and Talented Students handbook and the DISD Grading Policy for the 2023-2024 school year.
Other policy updates approved were Local Board Policy 212, which addressed ad valorem taxes, accounting/ inventories, safety program and risk management, maintenance, unemployment insurance, competitive bidding and sealed proposals, leaves and absences, admissions and student welfare.
DISD enrollment at the end of the 2022-2023 school year was 1,093. First Step had 71 students; RES, 451 students; DMS, 270 students; and DHS, 301 students. The end of 2021-2023 school year showed a total of 1,145 students.