Odessa R‑VII board approves 95% Group reading program, tech class and audit contract; sets calendar extension

The Odessa R‑VII Board of Education approved several staff and program recommendations and took steps to meet state reporting and calendar requirements at its recent regular meeting.

Board members voted to adopt the 95% Group reading intervention as the district’s Title I resource, approved a new high school technology maintenance class, recommended continuation of the district audit contract with Gurding, Corte & Chitwood CPAs, and accepted a job description to create a database/system manager role that will centralize student information system (SIS) and core data responsibilities. During the meeting administrators also confirmed the district must extend the school year to May 23 to meet state-required instructional hours after missed days.

The district’s Title I team presented the review that led to selecting 95% Group. Teachers piloted three programs (referred to in district materials as SIPs, Reading Horizons and 95% Group) and scored them on classroom fit, instructional materials and available manipulatives. The presentation said 95% Group scored highest because it includes teacher manuals, manipulatives and an online component that can carry student data across grades and buildings. The superintendent’s packet and the presenter noted the online license fee is approximately $2,700 per year and that some physical materials are a one‑time purchase. The board made a motion to approve the adoption and recorded a motion and second; the motion passed.

The high school’s technology maintenance course, presented at first reading in February, was approved at the meeting. Administrators described it as a hands‑on course intended to give students practical, career‑aligned experience and noted it supports student‑run services and applied learning; the board moved, seconded and approved the course.

On district audit services, administration reported that an RFQ was issued to nine firms and two bids were received. The district recommended continuing with Gurding, Corte & Chitwood CPAs, which has served as the district auditor for the last three years; board members moved and seconded that recommendation and approved it. One board member asked about the cost difference between bidders; the presentation noted the lower bid was roughly $7,000 less than the other proposal.

Administrators also presented a proposed job description that combines the district’s database/SIS and core data duties into a single role to reduce reporting errors and improve data accuracy for accountability measures (APR). Board members discussed how centralizing that responsibility could reduce human error in state reporting and improve the district’s performance metrics. The board moved to accept the job description and approved it.

On the academic calendar, district staff said accumulated snow days required the district to add minutes and that the final day of school will be extended to May 23 as a half day so the district will meet the state statute for required hours; staff described this as a necessary scheduling adjustment rather than a separate board motion.

Administrators also briefed the board on planned maintenance projects (field and parking work, track and gym projects) and invited feedback on high‑school gym floor design options; the floor design discussion was informational and no formal action was taken.

The meeting concluded with a motion to hold an executive session pursuant to statutes cited in the meeting as chapter 610.021; the board moved, seconded and the roll call reflected affirmative votes to enter executive session.

Votes at a glance 95% Group (Title I reading intervention): Motion to adopt 95% Group for Title I intervention; motion and second; outcome: approved. Presenter noted annual digital license ~ $2,700 and one‑time materials purchase. High school technology maintenance class: Motion to approve new course; motion and second; outcome: approved. District audit services: Motion to award audit services to Gurding, Corte & Chitwood CPAs (recommended continuation); motion and second; outcome: approved. District received two bids; one bid was about $7,000 higher than the selected firm. Database/system manager job description: Motion to accept job description creating a combined SIS/core data role; motion and second; outcome: accepted. Board reorganization date: Motion to set the Board reorganization meeting after seating new members April 18; motion and second; outcome: approved. Executive session: Motion to go into closed executive session citing chapter 610.021; motion and second; roll call affirmative.

No motions were recorded on the gym floor design (informational discussion) or the DESE survey plan (administration recommended using the state DESE survey to meet MSIP requirements).