WISD approves new graduation requirement for current freshmen

     During its regular meeting held Feb. 12, the Waller ISD Board of Trustees heard a proposal from Waller High School (WHS) Principal Kelly Baehren and WHS Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction Kenneth Epting to add an additional requirement for current ninth grade students to be classified tenth grade students. They proposed that in addition to earning the needed credits, current ninth graders must also pass ninth grade English and math courses. This requirement was unanimously approved by the Board and will be effective immediately. It also applies to each class entering WHS after this school year.
     The goal of this requirement is to be sure all WHS students are adequately prepared for tenth grade TAKS. If a ninth grade student has not passed English and math, then they are not prepared for the level and rigor of test questions on the tenth grade TAKS tests. In the event a student is unsuccessful in either English or math and does not receive credit, WHS will offer summer school remediation at no cost. In this summer school program, students will have the opportunity to regain the required credit and be classified a tenth grader by August of the following school year thereby “catching up” with his or her classmates. The board also approved the purchase of new WHS band uniforms.
     The Board made many outstanding District recognitions during the meeting. They included the cheerleading team from Waller Junior High (WJH); students from WHS, WJH, and Schultz Middle School (SMS) who volunteer at Morning Glory Ranch; Houston Chronicle Spelling Bee winners including Tyler Nelson (Holleman Elementary-HES), Ejakhian Obiomon (Jones Elementary-JES), Maggie Pollard (Roberts Road Elementary-RRE), Jessica McGrew (Fields Store Elementary-FSE), and Sarah Friedel (WJH); spelling bee runners-up including Emily Rivenbark (HES), Ebakoliane Obiomon (JES), Jordin Taylor (RRE), Shelby Pavlu (FSE), and Sara DeBerry (WJH); WHS senior Colton Johnson who recently signed a national letter of intent to play football for the University of Texas at Austin; and three RRE teachers (Victor Licona, Alejandro Guarin, and Mandy Schmadl) who saved the live of a woman following a car accident near RRE.
     In information items, WISD Board President Robert Carvell reported that Trustee Bryan Lowe and Trustee David Kaminski had exceeded continuing education requirements.
     In the regular agenda, after lengthy discussion regarding the 2007-2008 calendar, the Board requested other calendar options be available at their next regular meeting scheduled for Mar. 5.
     To end the meeting, WISD Director of Transportation Ed Garner made a presentation regarding biodiesel.
     Important dates noted were: Feb. 19 – Waller ISD Facilities Planning Summation Committee report to the Board, March 5 – Regular Board Meeting, March 12 – Last date to file for a place on the May 12, 2007 ballot, and March 12-16 – Spring Break.