TISD decides to stick with masks for students
Superintendent Adam Ivy and Sara Sanders, the district’s nurse, discussed Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent lifting of the mask mandate at the Thorndale Independent School District board meeting March 15 in the administration building.
They told the board that both TEA and UIL advised schools to continue to follow their current COVID-19 plans. The pair said that they think based on current contact tracing guidelines from the CDC, the removal of masks would likely result in a significant increase in the number of students and staff forced to quarantine even if they have no symptoms.
This could result in frequent school closures. At the time of the meeting Sanders and Ivy recommended that no changes be made to current district procedures, but that they would continue to evaluate as circumstances change.
Sanders reported that COVID cases continue to stay low and that things are looking better from a health viewpoint. She added that the county has been very helpful and has worked to make sure any staff members that want a vaccine can get one.
Ivy talked about the growth that the district has seen this year. He said that enrollment is up about 5 percent and with potential new housing developments in the works there is likely to be slow and steady growth in the near future.
The board voted 7-0 to approve the 2021-22 school calendar. Ivy stated the calendar was submitted to the staff for comment and the only requested changes were to better align spring break with other surrounding districts and that change was made for the final draft.
The board voted 5-0 to cancel the May school board election as only two candidate, the incumbents, filed for the May 1 election. The two board members that are up for reelection abstained from the vote.
City Council OKs new officer signing bonus
The City Council approved a signing bonus for new police officers at its March 17 meeting in City Hall. New members to the force will get $1,500 once they sign up to join the city’s police force.
The council also allocated funds for a new ball field in the city.
The city administrator was authorized to OK the spending of up to $10,000 for items and services the city needs and the council gave the go ahead on repairing a backhoe.
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