By Wyndi Veigel
Staff Writer

Campus and districtwide improvement plans were discussed during the Nov. 23 school board meeting.

For the high school, additional science tutors will be used to help boost TAKS scores, according to Farmersville High School Principal Wayne Callaway.

“Our strengths are being recognized,” he said.

For the junior high, Dr. Scott Farler, principal, praised the students and teachers for a job well done in the areas of math and science.

“We have made a lot of improvements in these areas,” he said.

Improvements for the junior high will include providing accelerated learning and tutoring for math, additional tutoring for science, computer-based programs and personnel to facilitate accelerated learning of at-risk students and focusing on the retention of Spanish-speaking paraprofessionals to provide support for students and to translate for parents.

Other improvements will include sixth- and seventh-grade students taking a year of reading, GT students meeting daily with a GT teacher, and pursuing truancy in a more timely manner.

As a proactive step to providing extra help for students who need it, teachers for each grade will begin meeting once a month.

The junior high school also has a PTO this year, which will continue for next year.

Farmersville Intermediate School Principal Hazel Johnson said FIS is “trying to bring the at-risk students up to where they need to be.”

The school will be having reading labs in the morning, and the K-5 teachers will meet every Friday.

At Tatum Elementary School, thinking maps (a technique used to help students visualize what they are thinking) to teach writing will be used.

The board also approved a technology plan for 2010-’13.

Director of Technology Wiley Sullivan discussed placing more multi-media materials in libraries.

Sullivan also discussed sharing between the Rike Library and the school library as well as increasing online security.

During the superintendent’s report, Jeff Adams discussed upcoming work on the Tax Rollback Election (TRE).

“We will be taking a great deal of time on this in the spring,” he said. 

The next school board meeting will be held at noon Dec. 14 due to the Christmas holiday.