Board addresses budget shortfall

A less-than projected enrollment led to a nearly $3 million budget amendment being approved Oct. 19 by the Weatherford ISD Board of Trustees.

The shortfall in revenue from the State of Texas will need to be recaptured through department budget adjustments and other savings, Superintendent Dr. Sean Scott said, adding that most department budgets usually spend less than projected anyway.

Additionally, other savings and moving of funds should make up the difference but was not yet reflected in the numbers presented to the board. 

Trustees also heard about the targeted Campus Improvement Plans for Crockett and Ikard Elementary schools as well as Tison Middle School from Theresa Pollok, executive director of Curriculum & Instruction. These campuses were identified based on state accountability and school improvement requirements. 

Pollock highlighted that WISD has implemented a “Plan-Do-Study-Act” process that helps to identify both district and campus needs which ultimately leads to student success.

“The core is always teaching first but the second is learning,” Pollock said, referencing how adult behavior,,i.e. teacher and staff advancement, influences student achievement. “However, attacking two curriculums at one time is harrowing.”

What the “Plan-Do-Study-Act” does is build a foundation, put the foundation into place, then evaluate and ultimately decide if the change is making a difference. If it isn’t, then adjustments need to be made. 

For Tison, that focused improvement is in Year 2 with a specific eye on sustained improvement and the strengthening of instructional systems. Conversely, Crockett and Ikard focus is more on targeted support and improvement in student-group needs, evidence-based strategies, and monitoring and adjusting as needed. 

Pollock reiterated that while it may seem individual steps are separated, each initiative is part of one instructional system. Key to the process, she added, is continual feedback throughout to ensure success.

“Support is the key focus and face-to-face feedback ensures we don’t just use a paper checkmark,” she explained. 

Because Texas Education Code required the district to conduct a public hearing on the targeted plan, one was held though no-one spoke. Later in the meeting, a separate item to adopt the plans was approved unanimously. 

Also at the meeting, trustees:

• Heard from Ember McCune, Director of Career & Technical Education (CTE) and College, Career, Military Readiness (CCMR), on the 2026 performance and key areas of focus on CTE and CCMR. McCune boasted about the programs’ successes and the unique offerings that “give every student opportunity.” 
• Heard a campus report on Mary Martin Elementary and a Bilingual ESL program evaluation. Each highlighted initiatives, achievements and challenges and plans being implemented. 
• Recognized all campus principals in honor of October being National Principal’s Month. All were in attendance at the meeting.