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Whitehouse ISD Board Notes

Posted Date: 06/09/26 (04:59 PM)
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Board Notes

June 9, 2026

 

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 and Consider Approval of Special Education Director
2. Discuss and Consider Approval of Holloway 6th Grade School
Principal
3. Discussion of Personnel
 

J. W. Holloway, Assistant Principal Named

Whitehouse ISD announced the hiring of Stephen Cox as Assistant Principal at Holloway 6th Grade Campus. Mr. Cox most recently served as Principal of Central Heights High School and brings more than a decade of leadership experience focused on student success, academic excellence, and positive school culture.
 

Open Forum

We had no participation in the Open Forum.
 

INFORMATION ITEMS

Student Health Advisory Council Annual Update

Jodi Bullard, PhD, RN, ACUE, gave a review of all that the Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) accomplished this past year. She talked about the end-of-year Adulting 101 and Final Field Day, which was a great success in its first year. It allowed the students to practice interview skills, discuss budgeting, and have hands-on experience with basic vehicle maintenance. She also talked about the TAPF High School Wellness Cord that students could qualify for before graduation.
 

Budget Update

Maintaining our commitment to fiscal responsibility requires transparency. During the meeting, Clint Ray provided an update on the district's current financial position and the factors shaping the development of the 2026-2027 budget. One of the unique challenges school districts face is the need to adopt a budget before all funding variables are finalized. Clint and his team continue to do an outstanding job balancing known information with anticipated changes to ensure Whitehouse ISD remains financially responsible and well-positioned for the future.
 

Dual Credit Update

Dr. Taylor provided trustees with an overview of Whitehouse ISD's dual-credit opportunities and the partnerships that make those programs possible. Trustees received an update on the district's ongoing collaborations with Tyler Junior College and East Texas A&M University-Commerce, which provide students with opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school. These partnerships continue to expand academic opportunities and support students as they prepare for college, careers, and life after graduation.
 

ESSA Consolidated Grant - Intent to Apply

 

2026-2027 CTE Innovative Services for Special Populations Grant - Intent to Apply

 

First Reading - Update 127 Affecting LOCAL Policies

  • 9 local policy revisions 
  • Compliance with the 89th Legislative Session 
  • Second reading in August
 

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 Budget Amendment (Action approved)
6. Consider Authorizing the Chief of Human Resources Officer to accept resignations on behalf of the Superintendent and School Board (Action approved)
7. Consider Approval of Region VII Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
B. Consider all Matters Incident and Related to the Issuance and Sale of "Whitehouse Independent School District Unlimited Tax Refunding Bonds, Series 2026", including the Adoption of an Order Authorizing the Issuance of Such Bonds and Establishing Procedures and Delegating Authority for the Sale and Delivery of Such Bonds (Action approved)
C. Consider and Approve Action to Authorize the Installation of Video and Audio Monitoring Equipment in Self-Contained Special Education
Settings as requested by the School Board, pursuant to State Regulations to Begin Recording on the First day of the 2026-2027 School Year and end on the Last Day of the 2026-2027 School Year, including Extended School Year Services (Action approved)
D. Consider Approval of Proposal for Audit Services (Action approved)
 

CERTIFICATION OF UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES, MAY 2, 2026 GENERAL ELECTION FOR WHITEHOUSE ISD

A. Certification of Unopposed Candidates (Action approved)

 

OATH OF OFFICE AND STATEMENT OF SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES

A. Administer Oath of Office
B. Administer Statement of Elected Officers
 

XII. REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD

A. Election of President - Dr. Todd Raabe remains President.
B. Election of Vice President - Al Flanagan remains Vice President.
C. Election of Secretary - Holly Conaway remains Secretary
D. Set Date of Meetings - to view these dates, visit: www.whitehouseisd.org/schoolboard
 

Action on Closed Session

Board Approves Blaire Buchanan as Special Programs Director.

Mrs. Buchanan brings extensive experience in special education, student support services, and district leadership. Previously serving as Director of Special Programs for Chapel Hill ISD, where she led Special Education, Section 504, and MTSS initiatives while supporting campuses in meeting the diverse needs of students.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Buchanan has been committed to building strong systems of support, collaborating with campus leaders, and ensuring students have the resources and opportunities needed to succeed. Her experience as a district leader, coordinator, and school psychologist provides a strong foundation for serving the students, staff, and families of Whitehouse ISD.
We are excited to welcome her to Whitehouse ISD and look forward to all she will contribute to our students, staff, and families.
 

Board Approves Ashley Groppel as the next Principal at J. W. Holloway 6th Grade Campus.

Mrs. Groppel brings a wealth of experience to our district, most recently serving as the Assistant Principal at Tyler Legacy High School, where she has excelled in master scheduling, curriculum implementation, and instructional leadership. Her background includes serving as a Coordinator of Special Services and Educational Diagnostician in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, as well as a strong foundation as a classroom teacher and coach. Academically, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications, a Master of Education in Special Education, and earned her Principal Certification from Texas A&M Commerce. With her deep expertise in student interventions, professional development, and collaborative leadership, we are confident Mrs. Groppel will inspire excellence and foster a supportive environment at Holloway. We are excited for the incredible future ahead under her leadership.
 

REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

A. Summer Hours

District Offices will be open from 7:30 - 5:00 Monday - Thursday throughout June and July.

B. Graduation Recap

Wildcat Stadium remains our preferred graduation venue because it allows us to celebrate our graduates without placing limits on guest attendance. Simply put, there is no indoor venue in East Texas large enough to accommodate our graduation crowd without requiring ticket restrictions. Our goal is to provide every graduate the opportunity to share this special occasion with as many family members and friends as possible.

C. July Board Meeting/Board Room Update

We will not have a July board meeting. Our next board meeting will be on August 10. Our maintenance crew will begin burying the audio/video cables 12 feet from the stage to the podium.
 

Adjournment

Want to know more?
You can view this board meeting in full on our Whitehouse ISD School Board YouTube channel.