Wichita Falls ISD board approves Hershey Middle School turnaround plan, applies for federal 1882 benefits with Third Future Schools

The Wichita Falls Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 5-0 on two items related to Hershey Middle School: adopting a campus turnaround plan and approving an application for 1882 benefits and a contract with Third Future Schools.

Board approval came after district staff presented the plan for submission to the Texas Education Agency and described Third Future's role in operating a turnaround campus. Pamela (staff member) told the board that "TEA has identified Hershey Middle School as a campus that need comprehensive support based on closing the gaps domain 3" and that "a target improvement plan and a termite [turnaround] plan for Hershey Middle School must be approved by the board for submission to TEA." The board then voted to accept the plan and later voted to approve the 1882 benefits application and contract with Third Future Schools, each motion passing 5-0.

Why it matters: TEA-identified turnaround status triggers required planning and submission to the Texas Education Agency and may change how the campus is staffed and operated. Staff said the turnaround plan responds to multiple years of low performance and is intended to bring additional interventions and supports to Hershey students.

Details of the board action and discussion: Pamela presented the recommended turnaround plan and described the campus's identification by TEA for comprehensive support. Board members and staff emphasized this has been a long-term effort: one trustee noted that work on a turnaround approach "has been long in the making" and that district staff have been preparing for several years. After discussion the board moved to accept the turnaround plan; the motion was seconded and passed 5-0.

Later in the meeting district staff returned with the administrative recommendation to approve the district's application for 1882 benefits and to enter the contract with Third Future Schools for the Hershey Middle School partnership. A board member moved to approve the application and contract; the motion was seconded and passed 5-0.

What the district described about implementation: staff described a process that included interviews of potential Third Future administrators, training for selected administrators, professional development for teachers (including trips to observe partner schools), and numerous pass-through arrangements for services such as food service, maintenance, custodial and technology. Pamela said the partner will reimburse the district for many pass-through costs and that special education placements and services were being addressed so "no kid gets left behind." District staff named a schedule of near-term steps, including administrator interviews and training activities before the partner's first day of school.

Next steps and timeline: staff said interviews and administrator training are scheduled in the coming weeks and that Third Future's first day of school for the partnership is planned for early August. The board's motion authorized submission of the TEA turnaround plan and the 1882 application/contract; further details, budget adjustments, and implementation items were discussed as staff follow-up items.

Ending: Board members repeatedly framed the action as a long-awaited step and expressed hope the partnership will produce improved outcomes for Hershey students. The board did not adopt additional spending authorizations in the motions; staff indicated further contract and budget clarifications remain part of the implementation process.