District project manager reported substantial progress at the new Friendship High School and related athletics: most exterior brick and roofing are in place, auditorium and classrooms are being finished, turf installation and site work are under way, and phasing will require summer scheduling and coordination.
Trustees approved the consent agenda, adopted Calendar Draft B for 2025–26 after a survey of about 1,800 respondents, and approved a recommended pool of architectural firms for 2024 bond projects; one trustee recused from the architectural vote.
Frenship ISD trustees recognized students named to TMEA All‑State ensembles and acknowledged staff who prepared them; administrators highlighted the competitive nature of the selection process and celebrated several multi‑year honorees.
At a public hearing, district staff presented the 500+ page Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) covering STAAR results, graduation and CCMR metrics; the district said the 2024 A–F accountability rating remains pending and posted the report online after the meeting.
The district's calendar committee released two draft 2025–26 calendars that share total instructional minutes but differ on whether Presidents Day is a student holiday; a public survey is open through the next day at noon to collect feedback before the committee meets to recommend a final calendar.
The Frenship ISD Board appointed Tyler Gaines to fill the Place 1 vacancy left by Brad Draper and approved the consent agenda by unanimous voice vote. Gaines was sworn in and introduced his family; the appointment will run through the May 2025 trustee election.
Administrators recommended Nikki Morrison as lead counselor at Memorial, Michelle Lesson as Panther band director and Jason Richards as head football coach; qualifications and experience for each candidate were detailed but formal board approval was not audibly recorded in the excerpt.
Principals from Hershey, Veil and other elementary campuses reported mixed midyear results: modest reading growth in some grades, persistent fourth-grade math weakness, and stepped-up tutoring and small-group interventions ahead of STAAR testing.
At a public work session the Wichita Falls ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved financial reports, budget amendments that add $4,019,280 in revenues, a TEA low-attendance waiver for Feb. 19, and returned from closed session to renew one-year staff contracts.
Texas / School Districts / FRENSHIP ISD
After a district-managed procurement with six responses, administration recommended and the board approved renewal of Blue Cross Blue Shield as the district's fully insured medical plan for the 2026 calendar year; staff said many bids reflected substantial proposed rate increases, prompting the district to go to bid.