Harmony ISD Trustees
ISD Tax collected at 99 %; Assistant Band Director  sought
By JOHN SPARKS

 

Meeting in regular session, Monday, October 15, the board of trustees of the Harmony Independent School District heard a report that tax collection for the district stood at 99 percent for the year. Trustees also approved a recommendation by Superintendent Jed Whitaker that a search be conducted to secure an assistant band director. In addition, trustees approved the hiring of an aide for the pre-K program in which there are 34 students enrolled.

Whitaker said the highest teacher load was being borne by the district’s band director with 172 band students currently. This means the band director not only has a full schedule of 6 periods each day, but after school responsibilities with the marching unit as well.
 

Whitaker said it is unlikely a suitable assistant director candidate would be found at this time of year, but he felt it important for Harmony to be in the marketplace. Trustees agreed, so a search will begin. Whitaker also sought the addition to the staff of an aide for the Pre-K program. That program has 34 students (17 morning and 17 afternoon in the half-day program) and one teacher.
 

The transportation director presented an inventory and tracking report on the district’s busses to trustees. The district transports children to and form school in 12 routes as well as to academic and sports events and special field trips.
 

Whitaker reported a violation of a wastewater emissions regulation by the district last February and March due to a machinery breakdown. He anticipates a fine to be levied by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Whitaker said this is the second such incident at the district in his memory.
 

Two public meetings were conducted in conjunction with the meeting, the first regarding the adoption of a “goods-in-transit” tax and a second on the District’s evaluation report by the “Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas.” Whitaker reported the evaluation resulted in a “Superior” rating.
 

Trustees approved of the nomination of David Clay for a seat on the board of directors for the Upshur County Appraisal District.
 

The board members were reminded of a state mandated training session for ISD board members on goal setting and team building. The meeting is scheduled for October 22 and will be a joint session with the trustees from Union Grove.
 

The next regular meeting of the Harmony Board of Trustees will be Monday, November 26. A special meeting of the board can be called with 72-hours notice.