Board member, officers confirmed and students recognized

The last regular meeting of the PISD Board of Trustees during the 2021-2022 school year was marked by several important items.

Linsey Harwell, mother of Payton and Hunter and wife of Joseph Harwell, president of City National Bank, took the oath of office replacing board member Vicki Rockett who is retiring.

Harwell’s reasons for becoming involved on the school board are those of many parents. “We need to invest in our kids. I think we need to be involved in our kids’ future,” she said.

A business instructor at NTCC, she hasn’t had any school board experience and expects to learn a lot.

Greg Miller was reinstated as president of the board, Christian Yantis as vice president, and Bryan Berry as secretary by the other board members, who expressed satisfaction with their leadership.

The board recognized the PISD 2022 Valedictorian and Salutatorian, Stephanie Ornelas and Joselin Abrego Cisneros, respectively. Ornelas was also recognized as the Highest Ranking Graduate of 2022, and both were presented with awards of these achievements.

Superintendent Waldrep expressed the appreciation of the school to Pilgrim Bank for the 2022 Senior Signs placed at the Pilgrim Plaza by the students of the Interact team.

He also stated that though enrollment is down one from last month, it is up eight from the same time last year.

Action items included approval of the Board of Trustees Operating Procedures (rules) for 2022, approval of signatures for new board officers for accounts at Pilgrim Bank, approval of the summer school payroll budget, and the low attendance waiver for the date of Mar. 11 due to stormy weather; all were passed by the board.

Also approved was the proposal from BWA architects. Though not a contract, this will form an agreement of commitment that BWA architects will be contracted, should progress on the school construction work continue.

The Board also approved the purchase of new cafeteria equipment as requested by the child nutrition department. This includes a humidified holding cabinet/ heater for the high, middle, primary, and elementary schools, pass-through coolers, serving lines, a 40 quart mixer, and ovens. Included will be upgraded printers, office equipment, small wares, and staff uniforms as well. The approved purchases will be from Kirby Restaurant Supply and Triple E Electric in the amount of $245,601.