Newly reelected Trustees sworn in for new terms

The Ector County ISD Board of Trustees held its May Workshop on the 13th. A recap of the agenda is below.

1.      Roll Call. Wayne Woodall was absent.

2.      Verification of compliance with open meetings requirements.

3.      In her opening comments, Superintendent Dr. Keeley Boyer told Trustees last Friday was “Big Check Day” with 412 ECISD teachers earning more than $4.6 million in Teacher Incentive Allotment awards. She played a video of the deliveries for the audience. She added that the district held an elementary school track meet earlier today, the idea of one of our students.   

4.      There was no public comment.  

5.      Report/Discussion Items

A.      Trustees heard a report on the Gifted and Talented Plan for 2025-26. The Texas Education Agency’s goals for students in GT is to demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research and communication through innovative products and performances…of professional quality. This year, 3,381 or just over 10% of students are in G/T. The program aims for the GT student population to closely reflect the demographics of the District’s overall enrollment. Through the use of universal screeners (in kindergarten, 3^rd grade, and 5^th grade; next year will add 2^nd grade), and the fact that information about and access to GT testing for all students in ECISD is available, the number of referrals of students to G/T is improving. G/T services in kindergarten through 2^nd grade are done through clustered inclusion; in 3^rd grade through 6^th grade, it is a pull-out service (120 minutes weekly) and in clustered classes; in middle school it is Honors classes or the Choice program International Baccalaureate (IB); and in high school it is International Honors, Honors, and Advanced Placement classes or the Choice programs of Career & Technical Education and IB. A few of the other services offered by ECISD’s G/T program are Camp SIP, chess tournaments, and Super Saturday conference. Teacher support and professional learning, parent and community communication, and secondary supports and programming were this year’s focus areas. Next year, additional student support through targeted training for teachers, counselors, and parents will be added.

 

B.      Researchers from Texas Tech University discussed with Trustees a study of ECISD attendance. This project, which intends to dig down to the root causes of chronic absenteeism, is funded through a grant and comes at no cost to ECISD. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of school days in a year. The research team has conducted initial interviews with ECISD stakeholders and next year will incorporate family and parent voices to understand what is happening in Ector County. National research shows there are environmental issues in play with absenteeism: poverty, health issues, transportation, housing instability, food instability, as well as school issues like climate, discipline policies, curriculum disengagement, and peer belonging. Teachers and principals are positive factors. During the 2024-25 school year the Texas Tech team worked with 13 ECISD campuses, conducting interviews and focus groups with principals, teachers, attendance clerks and central office staff. Nationally, many schools have seen a sharp rise in absenteeism since covid. In ECISD, the transient nature of the oil and gas industry, family mobility, and efficacy of district supports like the Community Outreach Center (COC) play in a role in how local schools are impacted. Data show absenteeism trends reveal themselves as early as the first six weeks of the school year. Data also shows strong teachers tend to have fewer student absences, so what do they do that keeps kids in seats? Other findings from this first year of study: there is a consistent knowledge of reporting processes among teachers and clerks, and the COC is valued among campuses. The district can use the information gained through this multi-year project to work with families for root causes, and from it create a plan to improve attendance.

 

C.      Trustees received an update from School Nutrition Services. ECISD’s School Nutrition Services works with the goal of providing access to meals in a welcoming environment. Community Eligibility Provision is the formal way of saying breakfast and lunch are offered free to every student, every day. The USDA covers the cost of 81% of meals served and the School Nutrition department covers the remaining 19%. Monthly averages are more than 266,000 breakfasts and nearly 350,000 lunches served. Both of those numbers are up. Why pizza every day? It is one of the students’ favorite items and offering pizza every day has increased the number of students eating at school. Each day a second entrée is offered in addition to the pizza. Other a la carte items give students choices and help cover the costs of the department. In all cases, menu items must meet very stringent health guidelines. The department employees a total of 235 staff members. It offers TASN Certification Stipends as well as other retention strategies for keeping employees. School Nutrition connects with the community through the annual Food Show and digital media efforts. Improvements to serving lines, updated kitchen interiors, new security equipment, and modernized kitchen equipment are happening now and planned for more locations in the future.

 

6.      Action Items

A.      Trustees voted 6-0 to approve the Order Canvassing May 3, 2025, Board of Trustees Elections Results. Dr. Steve Brown (Position 5) won reelection. Three other Trustees, Delma Abalos (Position 2), Chris Stanley (Position 4), and Bob Thayer (Position 7) all ran unopposed.

 

B.      The four newly reelected board members received certificates of election, filed Statements of Officer, and took their Oath of Office.

7.      There was no closed session.

8.      At the close, Trustee Dawn Miller offered congratulations to the 200 ECISD students who graduated from Odessa College this past weekend, a testament to the partnership between ECISD and OC to offer dual credit opportunities throughout high school.

9.      The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.