Board Notes | November 11, 2025
Superintendent's Message
As we move into the holiday season, I want to take a moment to thank our students, staff, parents, and community members for the support you show to Whitehouse ISD throughout the year.
This Friday, November 14, is a student and staff holiday, and our Thanksgiving Break will be from November 24–28. I hope everyone takes this time to recharge, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy the cooler fall weather that has finally arrived.
We have so much to be thankful for in Whitehouse ISD, our students, our staff, and a community that continues to support and care for one another.
Enjoy the break, and thank you for all you do to make Whitehouse ISD a special place to learn and grow.
-Casey
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Call Meeting to Order
CLOSED SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551.001, ET SEQ., CONCERNING PURPOSES PERMITTED BY THE ACT INCLUDING:
A. 551.074 Deliberate the Appointment, Employment, Evaluation,
Reassignments, Duties, Discipline, or Dismissal of a Public Employee or
to Hear a Complaint or Charge Against an Employee
1. Discuss Superintendent Evaluation Process
2. Discussion of Personnel
Open Forum
There were no participants in Open Forum
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Recognitions
Student Pledge
Grace O'Neal, a 5th-grade student at Stanton-Smith Elementary led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. National Blue Ribbon Schools, now - the Lonestar Ribbon Award
Earlier this year, Stanton-Smith Elementary was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, a distinction from the U.S. Department of Education celebrating schools for high academic achievement and progress in closing performance gaps.
While the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program was officially discontinued in August 2025, the State of Texas introduced a new recognition, the Lonestar Ribbon Award, to continue honoring schools that demonstrate exceptional performance and growth. Congratulations to the entire Stanton-Smith Elementary staff!
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Information Reports (No Action Required)
A. Teacher Highlight: We highlighted the two RTI teachers at Stanton-Smith Elementary! Mrs. Meeks and Mrs. Hand shared how they build strong connections with students to help them grow in confidence, not only in academics, but in their everyday experiences at school and beyond. Mrs. Meeks shared a quote by Maya Angelou - Over the years, with the type of students who enter our rooms, we’ve learned that they will probably forget what we said, they will probably forget what we did, but they will never forget how we made them feel.
B. Grading Guidelines
Dr. Taylor recently offered insight into Whitehouse ISD’s grading guidelines. These processes are reviewed regularly to help teachers structure instruction effectively and to ensure students clearly understand expectations for learning and achievement. She also shared current data and proposed next steps to continue refining our grading practices, keeping consistency, clarity, and student growth at the forefront of our decision-making.
C. TASB Policy Updates
Dr. Taylor shared information about the latest TASB policy updates, the largest in the organization’s 50-year history. This comprehensive update includes over 200 legislative bills and more than 140 legal code changes impacting district policy. She outlined Whitehouse ISD’s plan for implementing these updates, ensuring all changes are communicated and applied effectively across the district. A second reading of the policy update will take place during the January Board Meeting.
C. School Bus Seat Belts - SB 546 Update
Mr. Pratt shared information about a new state mandate requiring 3-point seat belts on all school buses. The state has asked districts to review their ability to comply, based on available resources, in order to see how they can help with funding. For Whitehouse ISD, the estimated cost to fully equip our fleet would range from $1.6 million to $3 million. To put this in perspective, a new school bus costs approximately $160,000, while retrofitting an existing bus would cost about $35,000–$40,000 per vehicle. One of the challenges with retrofitting is determining whether it’s financially responsible to invest $40,000 in a bus that is more than 10 years old.
ACTION
A. Consent Items:
1. Consider Approval of Board Meeting Minutes (action approved)
2. Consider Approval of Monthly Financial Reports (action approved)
3. Consider Approval of Tax Report (action approved)
4. Consider Acceptance of Donations (action approved)
5. Consider Approval of the 2025 Certified Tax Roll (action approved)
6. Consider Approval of District Improvement Plan for 2025-2026 (action approved)
7. Consider Approval of Campus Improvement Plans for 2025-2026 (action approved)
8. Consider Approval of the Region 10 ESC Interlocal Agreement for
School Nutrition for the 2026-2027 School Year (action approved)
9. Consider Approval of Avant as a provider for Credit by Exam (action approved)
Reports of the Superintendent
A. Election Update
I want to thank the members of our community for taking the time to vote in the November 4th election. I’m proud to be part of a community that values our schools and cares about providing the best for our students and staff. I’m grateful that the majority of voters supported our school funding election, and I look forward to continuing our work together to keep Whitehouse ISD moving forward.
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