Schools - page 3

The Orangefield Independent School District (ISD) board has approved a new salary schedule that includes a 3% raise to the midpoint of district employee salaries. Superintendent Shaun McAlpin highlighted the board’s commitment to supporting staff, stating, “This is an opportunity to put some money in their pocket to help out. This will help us take care of our staff and, in turn, benefit our students.”

The decision followed a lengthy salary workshop and a special school board meeting on Monday, where the Board of Trustees and the superintendent spent over two hours finalizing the details of the new pay structure.

The 3% midpoint raise ensures that all employees in similar positions receive an equal pay increase. Initially, the board considered a range of 1-3% for the raise, depending on available payroll funds. After careful deliberation, they opted for a maximum of 3%.

This adjustment marks a slight increase from the previous two years, during which employees received a 2.5% raise.

In addition to the salary raise, the updated schedule introduces a new Child Nutrition Secretary position, which was previously approved by the board, and the hiring process has been completed. The board also approved an increase in the daily rate for long-term substitutes, setting it at $100 daily.

Another proposed change includes annualizing pay for support staff, such as maintenance and custodial crews. This change would provide these employees with a consistent monthly income while still allowing for supplemental pay for overtime. It is also expected to simplify and expedite the district’s payroll process.

Bridge City Independent School District (BCISD) is happy to share that Bridge City Elementary and Bridge City Intermediate have qualified to serve free breakfast and lunch to ALL students for the 2024-2025 school year, thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). No meal application is needed for these schools to receive this benefit – all BCE and BCI students are eligible.

Families with students at Bridge City High School and Bridge City Middle School should still complete a meal application to see if they can receive free or reduced-price meals. Be sure to include everyone in your household on the application. Applications can be completed online here.

More information on this program and Free and Reduced-Price Meals is available online here.

The 5th Annual Backpacks and Cuts event will be held Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM at Destiny Church, located at 3423 Martin St. in Orange. Destiny Church and Hair & Co. sponsor the event.

Clear, mesh and regular-style backpacks and supplies will be distributed to children in grades K-12. One backpack per student, and items per student are limited. Students must be present to receive backpacks. No registration is needed.

The LifeShare Blood Center will conduct a blood drive and give out supplies & other goodies.

Haircuts will be provided by Hair & Co.

At the July 1, 2024, school board meeting, the Vidor ISD School Board approved Devan Dart as the principal of Vidor High School. Dart had been the principal of Oak Forest Elementary for the last three years.

“I am excited for this opportunity and ready to continue the tradition of excellence the previous principals before me have instilled. I look forward to working with our staff, parents, and community members to ensure we are providing every opportunity for all of our students to be successful. I love this town and the community, and words cannot express how grateful I am to serve Vidor High School!”

Dart is returning to the high school where he was the assistant principal for four years before going to Oak Forest.

WOCCISD is offering its Read and Roll program on Tuesdays at Navy Park and Thursdays at 802 Bluebonnet in Orange from 11:45 A.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The remaining Tuesday and Thursday dates are July 2, 9, and 6, and the remaining Thursday dates are July 11 and 18. Lunch is provided by the Summer Feeding Program.