New playground equipment, reconfiguring elementary classes and staff compensation took center stage at the Monday, April 18 meeting of Taylor Independent School District trustees.
The board approved the purchase at Naomi Pasemann Elementary School of playground equipment because the current playscape needs “significant repair,” said Superintendent Devin Padavil.
The new items will include sun canopies to shield students from the elements. It makes up two separate play areas, one for the smaller children and one for older pupils.
“It’s multipurpose in that way,” Padavil said. “It also comes with rubber surfacing on the ground instead of wood chips which is safer, because when that surfacing is missing kids get hurt.”
In other business, the board approved the reconfiguration of elementary schools to create campuses for grades one through five at Pasemann and Main Street Intermediate School by August 2023.
“We have brought this recommendation to you in previous board meetings and reached out for community feedback through surveys,” said Padavil. “Our recommendation is to use next school year to get Main Street Intermediate ready to suit the needs of all students grades one through five and, in the process, transition the campuses.”
When asked if a future bond referendum would have an effect on the campuses, Padavil said, “A future bond would modernize, but not keep the district from having a reasonably suited building for elementary grades one through five.”
“I think this is a very positive move,” said board member Anita Volek. “It’s been talked about for many years and I’m very excited to finally pull the trigger on it.”
She added, “I think it’s something the community will appreciate and have a huge benefit for students and eliminate the multiple transitions they’ve had to go through with different campuses.”
In other business during the meeting at Main Street Intermediate, Padavil discussed using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER III, funds for school supplies for all elementary students.
The board also discussed staff compensation for the 2022-23 school year.
“We need to get on the high end of this and move aggressively forward,” said vice president Shorty Mitchell.
He motioned to approve staff compensation option three for the 2022-23 school year, which was seconded by secretary Thomas Rohlack and carried with a unanimous vote.
