SCHOOL NEWS
BISD accepts audit, hears concerns about new rating system
By BARBARA GREEN
Bowie School Trustees met for the final session of 2016 Tuesday accepting the 2015-16 audit and hearing about possible issues pending in the 2017 State Legislative session.
The district received a “clean audit,” with no deficiencies reported Stephen Gilland, local certified public accountant who prepared the audit. He touched on the highlights.
The district’s total revenues decreased 14.9 percent ($2.8 million) resulting mostly from a decline in tax revenues and state foundation aide offset by an increase in state and federal funded special revenue programs.
Local tax revenues decreased 5.6 percent ($737,000) state foundation aide decreased by 50.5 percent ($1.5 million. State and federal funded special revenue fund programs increased 27.9 percent $600,000.
The total costs of all programs and services increased 3.4 percent ($594,000) due to increases in costs in several areas with the largest in instruction.
The cost of all activities this year was $18.15 million. Gilland pointed out that $12.47 million was financed with local property tax dollars.
Superintendent Steven Monkres told the board about two major issues discussed at last week’s Texas Association of Mid-size Schools legislative conference in Austin: A-F rating system and vouchers.
The new rating system has not been well-received in the education community and the association is opposed to its implementation. Monkres said the system has no adjustment for different demographics of students.
“We don’t know the rules yet but it appears to be a system set up for failure. It compares districts, noting no difference between Bowie and Southlake ISDs. Any changes will have to come from citizens not just the education community,” said Monkres.
The rating system looks like it will operate on something of a bell curve comparing districts, but not on an equal basis.
Read the full story in the weekend News.
SCHOOL NEWS
Nocona bands ready spring concert
The Nocona Independent School District bands will perform their spring concerts on May 2 in the high school auditorium, 1012 Clay.
The middle school band will play at 6 p.m., followed by the high school band at 7 p.m.
NHS Band Director Erin Hanson has announced she will be leaving after nine years at Nocona to take the assistant director’s job at Hale Center to be closer to family.
Hanson has enjoyed a successful tenure at NHS growing the band numbers and directing the band to marching and concert awards and strong scores.
SCHOOL NEWS
NHS Film Team enjoys success at BAM Festival
The Nocona High School Film team competed in the BAM film festival in Clute, TX this last weekend. The competition was open to all films in Texas High schools and Texas universities. More than 2,000 films were entered and NHS placed two films in the top three and made $750 in price money. They were second in narrative with “Beyond the Glass Eyes” and third in animation with “The Legendary Nut.” In March the film teams had two narratives and one animation make the state finals, placing in the top six films in the state. (Courtesy photo)
SCHOOL NEWS
Gold-Burg OAP rehearses for regionals
The cast and crew of “Interview,” Gold-Burg High School’s one-act play will perform at around 2:15 p.m. on April 26 for regional competition in the Plano Independent School District Robinson Fine Arts Center.
Play Director Linda Fitzner said the day will open with the first performance at 8 a.m. and continue in about one hour intervals with a break for lunch. Gold-Burg has drawn the final play of the day that opens with Sidney high, Slidell, Avery, Brookesmith, Koppel and Gold-Burg.
Two plays that represent the Region 3, 1A one-act play contest will advance to the University Interscholastic League State 1A One-Act Play Meet at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center on May 13.
Admission charge for the regional contest is $5.25 per day and includes a digital ticketing fee, A OAP day pass for access to the full day of show is $15.25.
Tickets are available at seatyourself.com. Seating is limited.
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