There were a lot of numbers discussed at Monday’s meeting of the Quitman ISD Board of Trustees, none more important than the 2023 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) scores. 

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dana Hamrick briefed the board on the recently-received results. The STAAR scores are issued in one of four classifications: did not meet the standard, approaches the standard, meets the standard or masters the standard.

Hamrick presented a breakdown of the four topics on which students are tested: reading, math, science and social studies. The results were a good news story for Quitman ISD. 

In reading, tested in grades 3-8 and in English I and English II classes, Quitman exceeded the region and the state averages in all but two grades for meeting the standard. In math, the region and state averages were exceeded for all but one grade. The science scores bested the region and state averages in the eighth grade and in biology classes, while the social science scores exceeded the averages in the eighth grade and among the U.S. history class attendees.  

As Hamrick explained, “We can take a lot of pride in these scores.”

The meeting opened with a student showcase highlighting the Alternative Education Program (AEP). Two participants of the program – Sara Brust and Landon McCarty – were publicly recognized by the board. Christian Williams and Jesse Bell were also recognized in absentia for their efforts in the AEP. 

As high school principal Jeffrey Tittle commented, “Sometimes life intervenes and prevents a standard high school career, and when that happens we must adjust and support our students just the same.”

AEP principal Crystal Ballard added, “Sometimes young people just need a little extra loving, and we are blessed to be in a position to give it.”

Ballard said there are seven students in the AEP.

Another specialized area briefed to the board was the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. This fall there are 74 students in the program. While 67 of those students are native Spanish-speakers, for the first time other native languages are among the group. They include Vietnamese, Burmese, Albanian and Palawan.

Superintendent Chris Mason advised that the total student population is 1207 (high school 353, junior high 269 and elementary school 584). He remarked on the increasing numbers of students, boys and girls, joining the athletic program. Presently 290 students in junior and senior high schools are in athletics.

The board acted to purchase 28 smart televisions at $62,000, 100 Chromebooks at $30,000 and rubber mulch for both elementary school playgrounds at $29,000. 

The board also acted to unanimously approve Rhonda Turner for the board of directors for the Wood County Appraisal District board.  

Lastly, the board approved a policy for school volunteer program. 

Trustee Royce Patterson was the sole absentee.