HoweEnterprise.com
January 24, 2022
7
Soup Scoop
Howe ISD Superintendent Kevin Wilson address to the Board of Trustees Monday night included a review of board 5-year goals which were set two years ago. With COVID putting a hold on the traditional process, he reviewed what in essence is the first annual review. The first goal was to increase the percentage of third grade students to a “Meets or Above” score on STAAR reading. The goal was 58 percent which did not meet the ISD goal overall.
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“I’m not making excuses, but please understand that it’s been very disruptive in the educational process the last two years,” said Wilson to the board. “Primary reading is critical for our kids. So, we have a lot of work to do in that area to get caught up. I don’t consider it a failure, but it is a benchmark, and we have some work to do to get caught up.” He specified that the 5-year goal mark will not be adjusted. Goal number two was evaluating the overalls scores for all students which Howe ISD did meet overall. Goal number three dealt with growth and due to no testing in 2020, it was not measured. Goal number four was to increase the number of graduates that are college, career, or military ready. They met their goal in three of the five categories. Wilson said the Texas Education Agency changed the criteria which makes it harder to meet the criteria from when they set the goal. The graduation rate was met in four of five areas which is on track for the 98 percent goal in 2025.
“If you’ve been watching the news, it was a surprise to no one and we were hit just like the rest of the state and surrounding states,” said Wilson.
During the fall, the Howe ISD Suschool was in the 30 perintendent -40 range of students Kevin Wilson with COVID and ended Friday Jan. 14 with 51 cases. Several of which had dropped off during the week. Wilson said the last surge lasted about four weeks and hoped that they were halfway through the current surge. The tax collection report saw the ISD collect $4,995,000 which is 98.4 percent. When including delinquent taxes, penalties, and interest, it came to $5,065,000 for a total tax collection of 99.78 percent which Wilson says is slightly behind where they were a year ago. Wilson recognized Freddy Holcomb during the meeting who donated a photo to hang in the board room of the Howe High School graduating class of 1919. Holcomb also donated a wall hanging of George Washington. At the end of the meeting, the board renewed the contract of Wilson for another term.
Local Scout to install and dedicate flag pole at Community Center
Howe ISD ended the month of December with 1,238 students. Compared to November it’s four students less. The attendance was significantly improved throughout the fall as it steady rose and finished with 1,161. However, the January sickness rate was sky high, and the attendance rate plummeted. Since the last meeting in November, Wilson accepted the resignation of Bill Jehling and Mason Jenkins. He reminded the board members that are up for election that they would need to file by Feb. 18 with a ballot position drawing on Feb. 28. The first day of early voting is April 25 and the last day of early voting is May 3. Election day is May 7. Wilson gave a COVID update which saw a significant outbreak over the last two weeks.
Caleb Wahrmund, a local Boy Scout working on his Eagle project will place a 30’ flag pole at the Community Center. It will fly three flags and include solar lighting. Permanent lighting could be placed, however. The total cost is just under $350. Staff photo.
