Marlin ISD transitions back to five-day calendar
A regular meeting of the Marlin ISD Board of Directors was held Feb. 3. The board voted to return to a five-day calendar due to missing school for water issues.
Missed school day waivers were discussed during the meeting. The lack of water impacted the entire community making it impossible to safely and effectively operate schools. Students are required to be in attendance 75,600 minutes. School was missed Jan. 22, 23, 24 and 27.
He stated submitting a waiver is for technical TEA purposes. Students missed eight days due to necessity. Henson requested approval to seek the waiver but thinks it’s important to come to school to make up the hours. To recapture lost learning time during the 2024-2025, students will return on Fridays, Feb. 14, Feb. 21, Feb. 28, March 28, April 11, April 18 and April 25.
In the absence of President Billy Johnson, Byrleen Terry presided over the meeting. The Board of Managers present were Kathleen Barrett, Rosalyn Dimerson, Misty Ehlers, Winnette Outland, Marsha Ridlehuber, Byrleen Terry and Dr. Henson, Superintendent of Schools.
The Board went into closed session to discuss the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property to include 130 Coleman St. and Legion Field.
After returning from closed session, the meeting resumed with Superintendent’s Reports. Jesse Bustamante provided updates at the high school, vocational building, and band hall. He noted the press box construction at Legion Field is progressing and Bulldog bronze sculpture has been mounted. The final review of the design development document for the new gym will be in late February.
The Maintenance and Transportation Operations Facility construction is progressing. Bustamante announced competitive seal proposal seeking contracts for maintenance, repairs, alterations, renovations, remediation and minor construction services for Bond 22 projects.
Dr. Stacy Parker reported on the Lone Star Governance Progress. Forty-six of the 51 seniors have demonstrated College level English Proficiency through Texas College Bridge. The students are on target in the first/second semesters. The other 10 percent are still progressing with hopes that all seniors are completed by May and those who are not, will be closely monitored. There is a compliance for College Career Military Readiness (CCMR) tracker. Students taking the college Bridge courses will also take the entrance exams in a partnership with MCC to administer the TSI exam. Ninety-two percent of the seniors are completed with the math portion. The College Bridge platform doesn’t require face-to-face interaction with teacher. No seniors are pursuing Career Readiness. A 3rd party attendance partnership with CAISS K12, will oversee the absenteeism intervention campaign. The district’s attendance goal is 96 percent every day. Low attendance affects financial impacts. Reported flu cases are up to seven.
J. Adam LeJeune, Director of Technology, noted Wi-Fi /Internet uptime is 99.9 percent, exceeding goal. Replacing take-home Chrome books are iPad classroom carts used 3rd-11th grades. His suggested increased teacher awareness of appropriate device care and usage.
Niki Edwards presented the academic common assessments are given three times a semester with higher leverage from previous six weeks. Dr. Henson charged the teachers to moving 5 percent across every STAAR testing area. Letters will be sent to parents (3rd-12th) soon and PreK-2nd next week to let the parent know exactly where the student is, including graduation status, coursework, attendance, recommended summer school. Parents are encouraged to check the Parent Portal. Edwards expressed she was extremely pleased with the scores of students outpacing student scores from the previous semester. Dr. Henson expressed level of satisfaction for the growth, however, does want to improve the growth to 80-90 percent.
Norman Jones, Executive Director of Human Resources, noted the District Calendar Committee met to develop 2025-2026 District Calendar. Four drafts were presented included (1) 4-day calendar and (3) variations of a 5-day calendars. A survey is available online for feedback. Approval of the calendar will be determined at the next Board meeting.
Marsha Ridlehuber moved to accept the consent agenda, seconded by Rosalyn Dimerson, the motion carried. The meeting adjourned.