Quitman ISD school board renewed educational activities and updates to the school board policy at the Sept. 17 meeting.

The board agreed to pay $13,138.50 for an online program for Quitman Elementary and Junior High students, which provides the Accelerated Reader, Early Literacy, Star Math and Star Reading programs. The program is provided by Renaissance Products and Services.

QISD trustees also approved a resolution giving the 4-H members of Wood County extracurricular status.

The 4-H agreement covers the period from Aug. 1 through May 30. Angie Monk and Shaniqua Davis of the Wood County Extension Office will serve as the adjunct faculty members for 4-H.

Trustees then approved Policy Update 111 from the Texas Association of School Boards. The policy addresses administrative codes to set up a method for school districts to determine if students can graduate and get a diploma..

Update 111 also includes board member training and orientation, financial ethics, contractor’s criminal history checks, compensation plan, employee searches and alcohol/drug testing, employee welfare and compulsory attendance.

Board members then went into executive session to discuss personnel issues.

Reports and Consent Agenda

For the student showcase, Whitney Crutcher, who works with the elementary students, visited with the board to discuss the Fab Friday program.

This program teaches kindergarteners through fifth graders coding, robotics, engineering and problem solving.

Crutcher gives the kids projects involving building tasks to complete a mission. The kids work the project each Friday.

She said it teaches the children real-life problem-solving and changes the way they think. Some of the topics include learning about how electricity works, coding for robots and computers and building mazes.

It provides a segue into higher level robotics as they enter junior high and high school, she said.

Quitman ISD Superintendent Rhonda Turner gave her report to the board. Enrollment for the school district stands at 1,120 students.

Business/ financial director Cayla Mars then gave the financial report, tax collection and investment reports for the month of August.

On the consent agenda, trustees approved the Aug. 20 regular meeting and Aug. 27 special meeting minutes. Monthly financial statement and monthly check payments were also approved.

Trustees approved a $750 donation from Denyse and Nancy L. Parnell to the elementary school to be used for students’ supplies and clothing. Board members approved a $155 donation for cheerleader raincoats from the Quitman High School Athletic Booster Club.

The board approved a Brookshire’s Grocery Company donation of $351.90 through the Cash for Class program. This program, which has now been discontinued, gave Brookshire’s customers the chance to sign up to shop for the elementary with a credit from their grocery shopping going toward the school. The donation is funds collected from last year.

Elementary students Arianna Till and Mason Williams recited the American and Texas pledge of allegiances.