School adds additional teachers

The Comanche Board of Education met in regular session July 12.

The board approved various routine consent agenda items including the minutes of the regular board meeting held in June, activity fund reports, and the treasurer’s report. The board also approved various designations and authorizations for federal programs. Also approved were FY 22 and FY 23 encumbrances in the general fund, building fund, and the child nutrition fund.

The board accepted the superintendent’s recommendation to hire John K. Townsend and Krystal Doucet for middle school positions, Heather Hamel for a high school English position, Autumn Hawkins and Laura Green for elementary positions.

The board also approved a contract with the City of Comanche for a full-time resource officer to be on site at our campus beginning in August.

Bills said the safety of the students and staff is of utmost importance. Based on the April SRO survey results, 86% of respondents indicated that having a SRO on campus would benefit students and staff. It is an additional safety measure to layer with the other precautionary measures.

The district needs to fill one route driver position for the upcoming year and is also in the process of securing speech services for students.

Contract amounts for certified and non-certified 12-month employees were approved. Superintendent Bills reported that the preliminary general fund balance estimate is approximately $725,000, a major increase from Fiscal Year 2021. Bills noted that the fund balance is influenced by the use of stimulus funds and a major increase in gross production revenues.
Board members were reminded that the increase in gross production revenue is all chargeable against state aid funding in the new fiscal year.

Bills shared with the board the district’s common goals. The two areas of focus are student advocacy, and improving communication with staff, students, and parents. Student achievement and learning is more likely to occur when there is open communication between families, students, and teachers.
Last year the district improved communication through the updated webpage communication system and the school app. This year the district wants to continue that focus and will have a transportation app as well. The community should be looking for information coming soon.

High school students will continue to have the option to enroll as virtual students. The district will continue to utilize stimulus grant funds to provide a licensed professional counselor. Superintendent Bills informed the board that she will share an updated Return to Learn Plan at the August meeting as updates are required for future federal funds. Bills indicated that the district will continue to pursue various strategies to keep students healthy and provide quality learning opportunities.