Melissa Coats, Quitman ISD director of federal and special programs, presented the results of the 2023-24 Texas Academic Performance Report Monday night.

Four of the seven subjects tested were above state and region scores in the elementary school; six out of eight were above in junior high; and all six were at or above the state and region scores in high school.

Elementary school principal Kelli Fortner presented recent results of two mock STAAR tests; one was given to elementary students in November and the same test was given in February.

While many groups did show some growth, the test displayed a need for more focus in math, as it showed 41% approaches mastery, 9% meets and 2% mastered in November, and 69% approaches, 31% meets and 7% mastered in February.

Fortner said the need is being addressed by intervention groups, individual test goals for students, and Region 7 math specialists coming to the school to give teachers model lessons, plans, feedback, etc. 

“Math…is kind of our focus area for this year,” said Fortner.

The board also awarded two Top Dog Awards. The first was to the Quitman Rotary Club for its efforts in hosting blood drives, finance presentations for the students, scholarships and more.

The second award was given to the Quitman Proud Blue Band for its efforts while on a recent trip. Superintendent Chris Mason, who received an enthusiastic and grateful phone call regarding the band’s kindness, said students stopped for lunch while on the way to a solo and ensemble contest. While at the restaurant, a woman walked in with several children, one of whom was having a birthday; after asking permission from the little girl’s mother, high school band director Michael Barron gathered all the students together and they all regaled her with “Happy Birthday.”

“When we talk about being a Bulldog, it’s going out of your way to serve, it’s going out of your way to make people feel included, and valued, and our Proud Blue Band did just that,” said Mason.

The board voted to contract Elite Refinishers to refurbish the junior high gym floor for $28,010. They also voted to purchase a new cooler box for the elementary school from Reliance Refrigeration and Restaurant Supply for $176,995. The board also voted to approve Jackson Construction as their recommended construction manager at risk, should the recently proposed bond pass. 

Mason says that, aside from replacing flooring in the maintenance barn from a water leak in January, there are “no big, major projects going on.”

March’s student showcase was for 16 high school students in Leann Cross’ marketing class, who got to go to the American Airlines Center in Dallas and learn from the center’s marketing team “what it takes, on that side of the basketball game, to make everything run smoothly.

Pledges were given by 8th grade students Sophie Camp and Reagan Watson.

The board also voted to adopt the proposed 2025-2026 district calendar, which provides two days off during the Old Settler’s Reunion, should the three “flex days” be fulfilled as proposed. This time off, said QISD Assistant Superintendent Bryan Hurst, is “so we can have a good community event there.”

They also canceled the May 3 school board election, as there were no contested seats. Mason says that student attendance is 96.09%, which he says is a “really good number” since it also comes after several viruses circled the area in January. The board will be posting for open positions within the district soon.