Board schedules Holmes High School review, boardroom renovations and policy updates for upcoming meetings

Superintendent Doctor Kraft said the district will bring a series of facility and policy items to upcoming meetings, including a possible rebuild of Holmes High School and boardroom renovations.

Kraft told trustees the numbers for renovating Holmes High School — including kitchen and cafeteria renovations and new athletic facilities — are trending toward a full rebuild being more cost-effective. He said the building committee will review options and that the board will receive a report at the upcoming meeting (committee meeting followed by a board meeting). Kraft also said funds from a James B. Crow leadership award will be used for memorial elements in the boardroom and for boardroom updates; schematic designs will be presented to trustees.

On policy, staff said they are tracking new legislation related to library materials and are awaiting guidance from TASB on policy language. The superintendent said district staff will also bring proposed revisions or clarifications to the district’s cell-phone policy to ensure clarity about permitted use during instructional time and parental communications. Trustees were told the agenda will include a public meeting on the budget and proposed tax rates with an August 26 adoption date set for budget-related action steps.

Kraft and staff framed these items as part of the district’s near-term planning, to be discussed at the building committee and at the next regular meeting.