Superintendent gives financial, bond project update
ACT Senior Client Executive Tony Cortez stopped by the school board meeting Monday evening to share how Weatherford has become a national example with ACT for its success with the Aspire program.
The ACT Aspire program, which Weatherford Public Schools began 6 years ago, begins in third grade through 10th grade to monitor student’s progress in key areas and works to help them improve before it becomes too late to correct.
Through this program, Weatherford has raised its average ACT score to 20.54, which is higher than the state average of 18.9. In addition, Weatherford also beat the average of all states which test 100 percent of their students. These states include:
• Alabama — 18.9
• Arkansas — 19.3
• Kentucky — 19.8
• Mississippi — 18.3
• Montana — 19.8
• Nebraska — 20
• Nevada — 17.9
• North Carolina — 19
• Ohio — 20
• Tennessee — 19.4
• Utah — 20.3
• Wisconsin — 20.3
• Wyoming — 19.8
Due to Weatherford’s success with ACT Aspire, they are being used an example of success on ACT’s website and when representatives are speaking with other schools.
The article about WPS can be found at: www.act.org/content/ act/en/k12-educatorsand-administrators/ administratorresources/articles/ higher-standard-forextraordinary-students. html
During the meeting, Superintendent Chad Wilson gave his regular, monthly update.
District funds are looking “healthy” despite state revenue being down, leaving Weatherford with a smaller allocation. This will fluctuate throughout the year as more funding comes in.
The general fund has more than $3 million, which is down from the previous year. However, the district also had the opportunity to pay some expenses earlier this year.
The building fund has about $796,000 after paying for Phase 1 of the press box project. No new revenue is expected until January.
The child nutrition fund also is looking good. The district has received revenue to cover its summer feeding program expenses. This will continue until the end of the year, meaning free meals for Weatherford Students until December 31 or the money runs out.
The bond projects have been slowed by rain, but they are close to finishing the concrete at Gen. Thomas P. Stafford Elementary, formally the new West Elementary site. Workers also are adding standing red beams and ceiling in some areas.
One of the East Elementary safe rooms almost is complete. The project is running about 3-4 weeks behind Stafford, which is within the district’s schedule.
The field house is on schedule to be completed by the end of the month. Next week carpeting and other flooring will be installed.
The district has developed an A/B schedule for the district in case of a COVID-19 outbreak. The principals have been working to develop the schedule so siblings remain on the same block.
“We have no plans of going to that, but we want to be prepared,” Wilson said. “We will let the parents as soon as we can so they are aware of their children’s schedule.”