CISD hears report on TAP system, other updates

By Jan White
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CROCKETT – Education of staff and students was at the forefront of the Crockett Independent School District Board meeting which took place on Monday, November 14.

After hearing updates on the replacement of two scoreboards in the High School gym, updates on the contract with BookNook, the online tutoring service for students, and approval of the “Rooms” communication app for teachers and parents, the meeting turned to the Superintendent’s Report.

The first item discussed was the passing of the State Security Audit. The Security Audit is conducted unannounced and examines protocols regarding locked outside and inside doors in the schools as well as other security measures. With heightened awareness of school security after the Uvalde incident, Superintendent John Emerich was glad to announce that the schools passed the audits.

Trustees also heard an update on the ESSER, ESSER2, and ESSER 3 funds. Because the resources are ‘specific use’  funds, the school can only use them on designated items. This included the purchase of a couple of buses and student transport vehicles for the schools, and several aides for the campuses.

A lengthy report was heard on the schools’ TAP system. TAP is the acronym for Teacher Advancement Program. The program encourages teachers and school leaders to exercise  “best practices” and to strive to become more effective for their students continuously. Through support provided by master teachers and mentors, a classroom observation process, and participation in weekly “cluster” meetings, teachers worked toward goals specific to their students while simultaneously increasing the value of their instruction.

Assistant Superintendent Brian Aiken gave an update on the 2022-23 Accountability that “grades” schools based on their performances. Aiken also presented the Effective Schools Framework (ESF) for Crockett Junior High and Crockett Elementary Targeted Improvement Plan, which the Trustees voted to approve.

In other business, the Trustees accepted a $1,500 donation from the J.B. and Kathryn  Sallas Foundation to the Elementary School as well as a donation from Vulcraft for the metal used in a trailer-building competition held at the school.

Trustees approved the purchase of a new score table for the dome. The current table is outdated and too small to hold the people needed. It was proposed to purchase a larger digital table which will allow the school to ultimately sell ads that should offset the cost of the table.

Approval was given by the Trustees to change the company the District deals with regarding their bonds. Emerich explained that he and Mrs. Scroggins had built a good relationship with the individual at Live Oak where they previously did business. The broker moved to Frost Bank with one of the stipulations being that he be able to continue to do business with schools. There is no cost associated with the move.

The final business item was to change the date of the March 2023 meeting to March 20 due to scheduling conflicts.