Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Performance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Principals report midyear gains and staffing challenges at Wichita Falls ISD schools
Summary
Principals gave midyear academic updates: Zundy Elementary reported growth and high levels of student need (90% economically disadvantaged), and BarWise Middle School reported mixed grade-level results and interventions; both principals described tutoring and targeted supports and noted teacher staffing pressures.
Two principals presented midyear academic updates to the board, outlining student demographics, interim assessment results, and targeted supports.
Mrs. Hernandez (introduced as Zundy Elementary principal) told trustees Zundy's student body is 90% economically disadvantaged, with 23% in special education and 43% emergent bilingual. "We are a 6 year nomination for Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase," she said, and reported 1.1.9 growth at midyear with the school aiming for a "B" rating. Hernandez described interventions including tutoring, partner programs with a community health center, and newly formed PTA support.
Kyle Davenport, principal at BarWise Middle School, presented grade‑level and subgroup figures for unit tests and interim assessments, and outlined strategies to improve school ratings. Davenport said enrollment at BarWise had fallen to 773 and that the economically disadvantaged share had decreased to 58.9% while special education increased to about 25.9%. He described weekly PLCs, data-driven tutoring groups, late-bus tutoring sessions, and a two-week intensive review before STAR testing.
Both principals said staff coaching, intervention grouping and region-level support (Region 9) were central to their improvement plans. Trustees asked for clarification on teacher retention and the proportion of long‑term substitute coverage; principals acknowledged ongoing recruitment efforts and use of subs and coaching to build capacity.
The board received the presentations; the district said it will continue monitoring STAR/interim results and return with implementation updates as needed.
