Weekly Bulletin

From the office of Rickie Harris, Superintendent
Board of Trustees’
Weekly Bulletin
For April 13 - 17, 2015
For You to Know:
This week I completed the Walk-Through of all campuses within the District, visiting each and every classroom.
As I have previously shared, a great deal has been accomplished in our schools. However, there is still much work
to be done.
Otherwise, the majority of this week has been spent on Operations, focusing upon functioning more efficiently
as a District and maximizing the use of our funds to educate our students.
----I have contacted State Senator Robert Nichols regarding House Bill 1759. In general, the bill proposes spending
$800 million in extra state revenue to help equalize funding inequities that currently exist among the state’s
more than 1,000 school districts. That is in addition to the $2.2 billion that the House has already appropriated
for public schools for the 2016-2017 state budget. I shared, via a message, that WOCCISD would like for him to
support HB 1759 and push for approval. It could possibly bring more than $1 million to our district. We will be
watching this bill as it moves through the legislative process.
This week I also had the opportunity to meet with Lanie Brown, Constituent Services Representative to U.S. Representative Brian Babin. The purpose of the meeting was to seek assistance in appealing the decision to deny
forgiveness of our FEMA loan. The meeting resulted in a very encouraging conversation. Although no promises
were offered, we will hope for some type of relief.
----We have received our first round of fifth and eighth grade STAAR Reading Test Scores. At this time, we are still
compiling the data. We do know there is more work necessary in order to reach our goals.
----The District’s On-Line Auction conducted by Rene Bates, Auctioneers, Inc. ended this week. Fifty-eight out of
68 lots sold, earning $6,540. Maintenance will schedule and monitor the removal of the sold items next week.
----Last weekend, West Orange - Stark High School students competed in the UIL Academic District Meet at
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High School students earning medals at the UIL District Academic Meet are Claydra Rhodes, Felicia Amy, Breanna Istre, Brittany
Barclay, Kaylyn Roberts, and Emma Dorantes. Bryan Buzbee is
not pictured.
Page 1 of 3
“One is Too Small a Number to Achieve Greatness”
John Maxwell
From the office of Rickie Harris, Superintendent
Board of Trustees’
Weekly Bulletin
For April 13 - 17, 2015
Orangefield High School. The Journalism team placed first in Team Competition. Brittany Barclay placed first in
Headline Writing, second in Feature and Editorial Writing and fourth in News Writing. Kaylyn Roberts placed third
in Feature Writing and fourth in Headline Writing. Felicia Amy placed second in News Writing. Emma Dorantes
placed sixth in Editorial Writing. Claydra Rhodes placed sixth in Poetry and Bryan Buzbee made the All Star Cast
in One Act Play. Students placing first through third will advance to the Regional Academic Meet which will be
held April 25. The students are sponsored by Meri Elen Jacobs, Journalism; Ebonique Celestine, Poetry; and Rob
Nash, One Act Play. I would like to congratulate the students and their sponsors on a job well done.
-----
This week, West Orange - Stark High
School hosted the District 24-AAAA
Track & Field Meet on Monday and
Wednesday. I was able to attend the
meet and see our students perform.
Athletic Director Cornel Thompson and
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Page 2 of 3
“One is Too Small a Number to Achieve Greatness”
John Maxwell
From the office of Rickie Harris, Superintendent
Board of Trustees’
Weekly Bulletin
For April 13 - 17, 2015
his staff are to be congratulated on a well-organized and very
polished event, in spite of weather conditions. Next week, WO-S
will also host the Area Track & Field Meet. The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 23.
Mustang District Champions include, left, the Girls 4 x 400 Meter Relay
Team consisting of Taylor Colbert, Mercedes Fezia, Adreama Beverly, and
Betty McDonald. Other Mustang District Champions are pictured on previous page: David Bundage, left, 800 meter run; Will Johnson, 300 meter
hurdles; and Aaliyah Teel, 100 Meter Dash and 400 Meter Dash. In total, 17
Mustang athletes qualified for the Area Meet in 16 events.
----The WO-S Alumni Foundation presented the Technology
Employee of the Month Award to Technology Director
Elvis Rushing today in recognition of his service to District students and staff.
----Next week, we will administer STAAR tests in grades
three through eight. The schedule is as follows:
• Monday, April 20: Grades 5 and 8 Math
• Tuesday, April 21: Grades 3, 4, 6, and 7 Math; and
Members of the WOCCISD Alumni Foundation are pictured with
Grade 8 Social Studies
Elvis Rushing, center, and Superintendent Rickie Harris, far right.
• Wednesday, April 22: Grades 3, 4, 6, and 7 Read- Alumni Foundation Members Trisha Stroud, Elena Swanton (and
ing; and Grades 5 and 8 Science
daughter) and Linda Platt - Bryant.
----The Orange County Finals of the Stark Reading Contest will be held next Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m. at the Lutcher
Theater. Winning students from each of the five Orange County High Schools will compete for additional scholarships in Interpretative Reading and in Declamation.
----
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“One is Too Small a Number to Achieve Greatness”
John Maxwell