Each of the Wichita Falls ISD board members said in work session discussion Tuesday that it was time to make some big decisions.
Despite that conviction, they deferred to a later date all decisions asked of them during a 90 minute discussion about the Choice Program and facility issues.
They even disagreed with Superintendent John Frossard’s perception that they’d made a decision — rejecting the option of expanding the Choice Program to include pre-k through 12th grade — and asked that decision be considered deferred like the rest.
Frossard said afterward he still feels like the district is on track for having a bond election in the fall.
The WFISD board is grappling with ways to save the district enough money to cope with state budget cuts, to give substantial raises to employees and to build its savings account.
Under Frossard’s leadership, board members are beginning the process by considering changes to the district’s unique and costly Choice Program.
That raises other questions: Should WFISD transition to attendance zones? A middle school concept? Consolidate schools? If so, which ones? How much money would it save?
And what about the high schools? Keep them all? Close one? Build new?
The district’s goal is to come up with plans in all these areas, run it all by a community team for input and craft a bond election — all by November.
“The timeline was tight. I knew that going in,”
Frossard said.
He hears no community consensus on any topic, he said.
After receiving new data earlier in the month about how the district would look without the Choice Program, board members said they can’t make decisions until they have facility data about building capacities and structural concerns.
That data won’t be available until an architect firm is hired to advise them.
In a meeting Monday, board members approved the ranking of four applicants — led by Bundy, Young, Sims & Potter Inc., of Wichita Falls, the same company that designed the district’s most recent buildings and remodels — with which the district will now begin negotiations.
In a work sheet called “Choice Program Decision Points,” Frossard asked for a decision to accept, reject, revise or defer continuing to offer transportation for specialty programs, like Hirschi’s International Baccalaureate program, Kirby’s IB Middle Years Program and Zundelowitz’s Leadership Academy.
Board members opted to defer.
Board members also chose to defer on the issue of returning to former attendance zones, with or without modification.
Board member Dale Harvey said he has heard all sorts of opinions from community members but they all culminate in one request.
“They say, ‘We just want you to make a decision.’ I think that’s what the public wants,” Harvey said.
“Nobody likes to be in limbo,” said board member Bob Payton.
Payton asked Frossard if he could pinpoint the size of a pay raise for teachers in the next budget cycle if the board waited to decide school closures.
“Would you be able to bring us a budget? Is there enough wiggle room to find us (money for raises)?”
“Wiggle room?” said Frossard, stiffening in jest. “In this district?”
The recently prepared staffing study would be key to substantial savings, he said. “If we can address our staffing ratios, starting immediately, it will help us look at staffing compensation,” he said.
Even though the work session resulted in no major decisions, Frossard said board members are close to decisions on eight or nine of the 11 points he wants.
Since changes to the Choice Program haven’t been considered since it began in 1998, a person could say the district is progressing well, Frossard said.
“Some might say we’re moving at lightning speed,” he said. “It doesn’t feel like it all the time.”
Follow Ann Work on Twitter @AnnWork1.
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Comments » 18
Wichita_Willie writes:
These people have been sitting on the board for how long now? Two, three, four years? And still no one will make any decisions.
Personally I just don't get this PC stuff like calling Zundy a "Leadership Academy". Why not just let it be what it really is, a junior high or middle school.
And even if a student chooses Hirschi because of the IB program, is it really the responsibility of the district's tax payers to foot the bill to bus them there?
meatman52 writes:
I agree with wichita wille ,it's time to make a decision. Why don't we just get rid of this crazy choice program and go back to attendance zones,it worked for years. Is choice mandated anywhere from BIG BROTHER,the answer to that is NO. Please cut this big expense and get the employees some well deserved compensation.Its time to scrap the choice program and all this busing.
strlcuckoo22 writes:
Anyone taking bets on a "bond issue" passing?
USpatriot writes:
It will all depend on who it helps more, Rider, or Old High. Either way, it will always be the other schools fault and the kids that are in it.
meatman52 writes:
can we please stop thinking about old high,rider and hirschi and do what's best for all students and teachers.
taxman writes:
It all boils down to money or the lack of it. I know where WFSID can get some of those needed funds, and they won't have to look very far.
At the next board meeting just look to your right, board members, and ask the good Rev. Reginald Blow about his tax bill that he hasn't paid to the City, County and of course WFISD for going on 10 years!
As of this morning he owes $27,404.55.
Look it up yourself at:
http://www.wichitatax.com/AccountSear...
and search owener name "Blow Reginald" and "New Hope Church"
Yes, the church is tax exempt, however New Hope (Reginald Blow) has 7 OTHER properties that aren't located with the Church on Wichita and Corwin St.
Of those 7 four of those properties where owned by Harold Blow before being deeded to New Hope Church. I guess New Hope was hoping that the transfer to a church would elimate or stop taxes from being charged...Hoped wrong.
You can view the deed history here:
http://propaccess.wadtx.com/clientdb/...
and search owner name "New Hope Church" "view details" and then at the bottom "deed history".
I know that 27 grand is a small drop in the budget for WFISD but you and I pay our taxes and I just can't understand how somebody can sit on the board and dictate and vote on how our tax dollars will be spent while Reginald hasn't paid his for going on 10 years!
Good luck with any upcoming bond election!
jetjocky writes:
No decision is a decision. May be a bad one but nevertheless, it is a decision.
As to the Choice program. I am all for it. If your child wants to go to a particular school that is fine with me. You, the parent, figure out how you are going to get them to that school. It is not my job to provide funds to transport your kid around town.
Suggestion to the board - Continue to allow Choice and zero out any funding for transportation after this school year. That will give parents time to figure out how to get their child to the school of their choice. That eliminates any issue over school districts or zones, so no decision on those would be a good decision. Stop subsidizing the transport of children with our tax dollars.
strlcuckoo22 writes:
Has never occurred to my knowledge and doubt if it ever will.
strlcuckoo22 writes:
How much could we save if we dropped the city trash pick up and had Progressive Waste Disposal remove the school's trash?
MSUFan1 writes:
It is concerning that the board wants to champion a tax hike, when a sitting member is behind on his own taxes. Also, is it really wise to wring more taxes out of a declining tax base?
I want our kids to be competitive, but someone has to show me that there is real value in the bond and there is a long term philosophy to address our problems. Deferring decisions while you wait for the staff to deliver information is not giving me much confidence.
If the board needs to time to consider each item and time is limited for the November ballot, then meet every evening until you have a consensus. If you really want what is best for our kids, then work every day until you have a solution.
USpatriot writes:
I agree, but the people of this town cannot let go of this unhealthy cross-town rivalry. It’s the parents (now taxpayers) that keep this rivalry alive. I have witnessed it myself at many sporting activities and other school functions. I am not from here originally, and can only sit back and watch the parents of these kids throw hate, for nothing else just to hate, at other kids on the opposing side, just because they are wearing a different colored uniform.
strlcuckoo22 writes:
Yes sir and with each generation it seems to entrench itself deeper and more bitterly. Where I grew up(MANY YEARS AGO) we had school rivalries but they were never carried off the court or field, in fact we often socialized with kids we had recently battled in a sporting event. But then there was no hatred in our parents for us to learn.
outhousepoet writes:
Clearly, the honeymoon with Frossard is approaching the end. You know it's over when one is on the potty while the other is brushing their teeth.
Eeeuuuuwww.
Speaking of bond elections, does everybody know what tomorrow is?
Yep.
The last day to pay your property taxes in a timely fashion. Don't Blow your chances or you will be hit with a 7% penalty unless......
Do not be indecisive regarding your property taxes. Indecisiveness in the citizenry will not be tolerated and in fact will be punished.
(In most cases)
Now.
Run along and be good citizens.
Nothing to see here folks.
C'ya this summer on the adult slide over at Councilor's Cove, where water is never in short supply.
taxman writes:
I didn't know that tomorrow is the last day to pay your taxes without a 7% penalty. I guess I wouldn't know since I and the vast majority pay our taxes on time!
7% ouch, that just blows me away... That means that a past school board president and current school board members will have just short of $2,000 dollars added to his already outstanding tax bill come tomorrow? If he continues not to pay his back taxes the penalty increases each month all the way to 20% come July.
I am sure that he is down at the tax office right now cutting a check to pay in full his taxes / back taxes / interest / penalty that is due the Citizens of Wichita County and Wichita Falls and of course the students and teachers / staff of WFISD. If not will those parcels be sold on the court house steps come the day after tomorrow? Give him time...he has had over 10 YEARS or longer! Kids that started school when he stopped paying his taxes (including WFISD) are soon to graduate, I think that is enough time!
Wichita Tax Office has defered in the collection of his back taxes. The WFISD defers to take action on choice busing and Reginald Blow defers to pay his taxes. He should also then DEFER to vote on any WFISD school board issue that relates on how our tax dollars are spent!
outhousepoet writes:
You funny, mon! It Blows me away too.
Some guys have all the luck ~ Rod Stewart
Wonder why?
STEELERS writes:
Superintendent Frossard is showing true leadership.
Reginald Blow NEEDS TO PAY his taxes before HE is allowed to vote for any additional bond issues.
meatman52 writes:
Why do these articles always get completely away from what they started out as.Reginald Blow's taxes have nothing to do with the choice program or busing ,or staffing numbers. You can cross that bridge on another day. Let's just stay tuned in on the CHOICE PROGRAM,AND THE BUSING MONEY PITS FIRST.
GrayPatch writes:
Its simple: The article is about Decision making and money. The Choice (s). So in essence we are staying on topic. Read more on what conflict of interest this causes. Most citizens are not happy letting someone eat at their dinner table AND telling them what/how to cook the meal too.
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