Goodrich academic calendar approved

The Goodrich ISD School Board met Thursday night to review testing results, and approve purchases and the new academic calendar.

Midyear growth tests showed data shows that Goodrich ISD has not kept up with the average rate in Texas, but showed improvement in certain areas. 

The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) measures math, reading and science. Students were tested at the beginning of the year and have now received results from a midyear testing.

“What we are shooting for and kind of looking for is kind of a 50% range,” Goodrich principal Aubrey Vaughan said. “We know that we have gaps that continue to be an issue, so we are working toward closing those.”

Second grade math struggled, while kindergarten math was closer to the state average. Vaughan said a change in teachers at the first grade level could be a reason for struggles in the second grade.

“This is growth based upon the state of Texas and the students of the state of Texas,” Vaughan said. “When you look at the individual student, the majority of the students I would say are probably around 80% and actually growing, which is good. They just haven’t quite met that expected growth for students in the state of Texas.”

Third grade reading and math both performed well, while fourth grade and fifth grade reading also excelled. The sixth grade struggled, but seventh and eighth grade tested well. On the high school level, most English classes scored high, as did algebra II.

Business manager Sarah Bacica reported that Goodrich received a title one school improvement grant. Received last year as well, the grant is for $43,000. Bacica said the funds will go to cover teacher boot camps. More information is still on the way for applications submitted into other safety grants.

Goodrich ISD superintendent Daniel Barton met with a window film company that will soon send a quote. The board later approved a purchase not to exceed $13,000. That project will be paid for with safety grant money. The district is also looking into an updated intercom and bell system throughout the schools.

“What we want to do is tie it into that new phone system,” Barton said. “The (intercom and bell) system itself is very antiquated that we are currently using. The other system shouldn’t be too expensive and if you can tie it into that phone system, it becomes a network, so you can actually be off site and on your phone and do an announcement for the school. More importantly, in the ag building, we have to call down there because the P.A. doesn’t work down there. This frees us up and it is not too expensive, but a heck of an upgrade.”

The board voted to approve the 2024-2025 academic calendar. The calendar begins on Aug. 1 with a teacher work day, while students begin on Aug. 12. Bacica said this calendar includes more four-day weeks that is popular with students and staff.