School Board

that HISD will increase the STARR results in all subjects in Approaches, Meets, and Masters categories

"We're doing fairly well in the approaches (category), but we need to address our meets and masters," said Wilson who indicated that Howe ISD is doing a good job at getting students to the level of subject attainability, but not overachieving "The concept of getting all kids to grow, regardless of where they are, needs to be our push "

Wilson said he liked to see an increase in approaches, meets, and masters for student achievement

Howe ISD scored an 83 in approaches which is above the average Grayson County schools which scored an 82 7 The region score was 79 and the state score was 78

"We're right at the average for our county We'd like to be very competitive within our county We should be above the region and we should be above the state," said Wilson

In the Meets category, Howe ISD was at 52 percent, with Grayson County at 53 9 percent and the region at 53 percent, and the state was 50 percent

"To me, that needs to go up," said Wilson

In the Masters category, Howe ISD was at 22 percent with the county at 23 5 percent, the region was at 26 percent, and the state at 24 percent.

"Our goal needs to be attainable, but I also think we need to push a

Continued from page 1 little bit," said Wilson

Assistant Superintendent Darla Williams told the board that each level has students on the verge of meeting the next level and that if the district can push those students that are in the approaches category and nearly into the meets category, then they could also see the same students from meets to masters

Conversations about ESL (English as a Second Language) students was also a topic and a factor

"We're requiring all of our English teachers to get their ESL Certification," said Wilson "Does that help? Yes Does that have a significant impact of them learning English faster? No We admit that We're willing to spend some money on that if it's going to help "

Newest board member Tamela Shadden spoke precisely about the ISD maintaining a good student-toteacher ratio

"I'm all for setting high standards I don't think there's anything bad with not attaining a goal," said Board President Clint Catching "You want to get your goal, but it needs to be out there where you have to work to get it It doesn't mean to be given that, 'we can do this easy' We've got to work at it and then we can implement as we progress "

The board came to a consensus for the graduation rate to be 98 percent and that the point increases in approaches up three point, five points in meets, and five points in masters If obtained, those goals would get Howe above the county, region, and state averages and assuredly would put them with an "A" grade by TEA

Superintendent's report

Howe ISD Superintendent Kevin Wilson gave a report to the school board that included information that the district made an adjustment to the pre-kindergarten enrollment figure as before each student was counted as a half But TEA now considers them a full student regarding enrollment figures This change increases the enrollment figure to 1,256 which is up from 1,234 a year ago

Of the 13 grade levels, Howe ISD now has seven with over 100 students which was unheard of only five years ago This year's graduating class has 76 Graduation has been set for Saturday, May 23 at 2 pm

Wilson told the board that delinquent taxes 228 accounts right at $99,000 which is similar to the previous year figures Letters were mailed out in July to those that owe The total amount owed to the ISD is $244,000 from 369 accounts Currently, there is $58,000 in lawsuits from previous years The process of collection begins with letters and progresses

To Lawsuits If Needed

Wilson said Stephanie Blankenship resigned her special education position due to personal reasons

He also gave an update on first grade teacher Angela Garner and did not expect her to return to the classroom this year after her recent surgery

City

on each $100 valuation of property for the purpose of interest and sinking on bonds and certificates.

The council also adopted the budget for 2019-2020 in the amount of $3,788,977 which will raise more total property taxes than last year's budget by $76,266.00, and of that amount, $31,783.00 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year.

The council also heard a presentation from Mickey Phillips of the public works department on

Continued from page 1 adopting a water resource and emergency management plan and water conservation plan for the City of Howe to promote responsible use of water and to provide for penalties up to $2,000 and/or the disconnection of water service for noncompliance. This plan will repeal the previous plan adopted in 2009. More information on this will be released in the next few weeks as the ordinance was not officially signed at City Hall as of Friday. Information will be provided on the City of Howe website at cityofhowe.org.

Local food pantry seeking property from city for permanent location

Carolyn Cherry from the board of Feed My Sheep - a local food pantry, spoke to the city council Tuesday night to discuss options for a permanent location for the food bank.

Cherry recommended property near the police station/community center on the eastern edge of the property. She said the food bank needs to be a 3,000 square foot building.

Councilman Bill French said that they need to do some research and figure out what could be a suitable situation for both the city and Feed My Sheep.

Acoustic Harvest being planned as grand opening for Summit Gardens, wedding event planner sought

The Howe Development Foundation and Summit Gardens committee announced that they are seeking an event planner to work on a commission basis Those interested should contact Howe Development Foundation President Monte Walker at 903-532-6080 or mwalker@cityofhowe org

The group also discussed a "grand opening" event to be held in the later part of October Free admission for an acoustic performance from a local artist is being scheduled Seating will be limited with 120 chairs

The venue, Summit Gardens, has been completely remodeled inside and out and is ready for large events such as weddings and concerts The organization would like to hire an event planner before opening the facility up for smaller events such as birthday parties and reunions

The former First Christian Church was originally constructed in 1893 and gifted to the City of Howe 99 years later The building was used as a community center for around 10 years before becoming left unattended for most of this century In July 2015, a "Save the Church" committee was formed to try and renovate the property which had become in very bad shape both externally and internally

The group raised enough money from community members to completely renovate the property including help from Keep Howe Beautiful which is currently constructing a flower garden on the premises

The Howe Development Foundation is a 501c(6) non-profit organization which will operate Summit Gardens as a wedding and event venue All money from the events will be used for maintaining the property and for economic development for the betterment of Howe, Texas