By Brian Besch
[email protected]
Goodrich ISD’s regular meeting Monday emphasized STAAR testing, grants, strategic plans and the budget.
Principal Aubrey Vaughan reviewed STAAR ratings from the past year. Goodrich superintendent Daniel Barton said scores were “not anything we are real excited about” and work would begin to understand why they did not meet expectations.
Vaughan explained certain variables for this year, such as math testing that was delayed; the raw score scale increasing year to year; the second year of new test questions; special education qualifications changing, requiring those students to take the full test; and the number of special education students at Goodrich rising from 21 to 46 in 2024.
In addition to the STAAR testing, 16 students took the TSIA2 exam for dual credit qualification. Five of those students passed both sections. Seven students passed the math and seven passed the reading. An additional two students missed qualification by one or two points.
Every year, the district applies for an ESSA grant and works with Region 6 to submit an application. Finance Manager Sarah Bacica said Goodrich will obtain nearly $133,000. Around $87,000 will go toward salaries, and just over $36,000 will go to professional contract services like the website and dual credit classes. Nearly $8,000 will be spent on supplies and materials.
Bacica also gave an update on the budget, warning that some considerations would have to be taken for the new year. Pay raises were recently given to all staff members, and ESSER funds are now depleted. The economy and inflation are working against the district, but interest rates on investments and a higher enrollment are positives.
Last month, the superintendent spoke of a Texas Strategic Leadership grant to design a strategic plan for branding.
“It will communicate out to our stakeholders what we stand for,” Barton said of the strategic plan. “This is a holistic approach and does a better job of communication.”
Barton said Dr. Steve Johnson of Region 6 has an interest in working with small districts, which generally have a large turnover rate. Without systems in place, the district could lack the desired stability.
Johnson has been in education for 53 years. With a grant, all of his services are without charge. He said the exercise will guarantee that a system stays in place, no matter what type of turnover or who is in charge. In the past, he has worked with Bellville and Somerville to establish the program. He said Somerville recently graduated 37 students, all of which either had a job, were accepted in a technical school, or are off to college. The goal is to have the same plans for Goodrich graduates.
“I didn’t do 53 years in this business because of the money,” Johnson said to the board. “I did it because of the kids. I am the oldest of nine children. All nine of us graduated from high school. We know what education can do and I know what it can do for children, because it did it for me. I want to make that happen for other kids. They have the same opportunity I got. That’s why I am here.”
Work will begin soon on putting a plan in place, with Johnson in attendance over many days and groups elected to take part in the plan’s input.
In maintenance, the school’s floors are finished and fencing around the schools has been repaired. The library will have new door with power egress bars, and a cooler for the cafeteria has been repaired from power surges. Walls in classrooms were completed in just nine days. There will need to be repairs on a crack in the brick Barton said he noticed during the hurricane, where it was patched in the past.
In action items, the board adopted a resolution that will reimburse Goodrich ISD for bussing kids within two miles. Also, a Shepherd company was approved for $178,200 to install agriculture building power doors, walk through doors with egress, and a protective gate. It also includes work at the old gymnasium.
The Goodrich board will next meet on Aug. 15.
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