Howe ISD 2020-21

At Monday’s Howe ISD School Board meeting, Superintendent Kevin Wilson informed the board that the graded instruction year has come to an end.

“Parents are by far probably the most happy that it’s over,” said Wilson.

The official last day of school was May 22 and report cards will be mailed out tomorrow, May 26.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott opened schools beginning June 1 for summer school with a lot of restrictions. Howe ISD has tentatively scheduled summer school for July 20-30.

“Hopefully this thing will take a turn in the right direction and we’ll see a decrease,” said Wilson regarding the number of COVID19 cases.

The meal distribution by the ISD during the pandemic has been on a decline as time has gone by. Last week, 174 meals were distributed, whereas in previous weeks, the numbers were 232 and 211.

Wilson said they’ll transition into the summer nutrition program and continue for four weeks with the last distribution coming on June 22.

Data shows that students lose some of the gains during the summer due to being off. Educators refer to this as the “summer slide.” Considering that in-school learning ended in mid-March, educators are projecting significant loss in math and science. This has led to an adjustment to school calendar options for make-up days or weeks if another outbreak were to take place in the next school year. Options include making up weeks during traditional breaks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and even summer, although Wilson indicated summer make-ups are not likely.

In regards to August, Wilson said that he thinks it will not look like a normal August start to a school “It could include anything from kids going half days or every other day,” said Wilson. “I think athletics and band are Howe ISD going to Superintendent look very Kevin Wilson different. I’ve heard discussions of flipping fall and spring sports.”

Wilson is meeting weekly with educators to come up with options for bussing students while social distancing should the mandate still be in place.

If parents are not prepared to send their students to school in the fall, there will be no negative impact and the school will provide some kind of remote learning in that situation.

“Everything is written in pencil right now,” said Wilson. “We’re trying to do the best we can with what we have. I’m hopeful that we’re somewhat normal, but I think it’s not going to be normal.”

Wilson accepted resignations from Debra Smith – HMS nurse, David Smart—HHS Spanish teacher, Kelly Onstott— Kindergarten teacher, Diannah Walker, HMS aide, Kim Floyd— Fourth Grade Teacher, and Alex Braud—Assistant Band Director.

Kim Duncan will move to a First Grade Teacher. Joseph Overby will be moving from high school to the middle school.

The Howe ISD holds the authority to hire teachers from the August board meeting through the May board meeting, however, during the summer months, the board gives Wilson the ability to make hiring decisions to expedite the process for the purpose of not losing out on quality teachers or staff due to time considerations.