CES students highlight leadership Pruitt, Dunn & Evans file for school board
Canton Elementary School second grade students Deon Dekkers, Zane Readdy, Ellie Wilkerson and Annie *** made a special presentation to the school board which highlighted special goals the students and elementary school had set for each month. The students explained to the board how to have a positive outlook and what it takes to be a leader. The presentation also highlighted the growth in reading skills and in other areas.
CISD Superintendent Jay Tullos remarked that the flu virus impacted the attendance rates at Canton ISD.
“The flu epidemic has hit the district. We are typically at 97 percent attendance rate. However, during November and December, the attendance rate dropped to 94 percent. It doesn’t sound like much but it is. Some schools have shut down for a few days, but I don’t see that as a solution. It is not terrible but it is not good,” said Tullos. School districts may apply for a low attendance day waiver if a campus or district’s attendance falls below 10 percentage points below the overall average attendance rate for the prior year due to inclement weather-related, health or safety issues. According to Superintendent Tullos, “CES fell below those guidelines six days in a row and Canton High School fell below those guidelines one day.”
The board approved a joint election agreement with the city of Canton for the May 5, 2018, school board election. The board also approved a contract for election services between Canton ISD and the VZC Clerk. On the Canton ISD school board, Position 1 held by Jim Summitt and Position 2 held by Kenneth Pruitt are up for election. A special election will be held to fill a vacancy for Position 7, held by Larry Davis. Pruitt has filed for re-election with Matthew Dunn filing for Position 1 and Dr. Leslea Evans filing for Position 7. An order for appointment of the election judges and alternates were also approved. Glenn Hillin will serve as election judge and Curtis Barker will serve as the alternate judge if needed.
Slight changes to the 2018-’19 Canton ISD cheerleader/mascot constitution for CHS and CJH were approved. The cheerleader/mascot constitution will now be consistent with the district’s student code of conduct handbook. Small changes in the constitution reflected a change in tryout attire, the number of cheerleaders and attendance rules.
The board also:
—Approved changes to the 2018-’19 Canton ISD school calendar;
—Approved the consent agenda consisting of a meeting minutes from a public hearing held Jan. 22; regular meeting minutes from Jan. 22; financial and budget status reports; a tax collection report; audit services with Rutherford, Taylor & Company and a wavier for low attendance days.
—CISD Employees of the month were recognized. Employees of the month are CES, Brady Gomez; CIS, Shannon Elder; CJH, John Sullivan; and CHS, Randall Yarber;
—Approved a TASB Update 110;
—Approved an extension of administrator contracts for the 20158-’19 school year;
—Superintendent Tullos provided a construction updated on the parking lot and walkway project at Canton Intermediate. Tullos stated that the project is currently under construction.
— Julie Jackson was honored for her 25 years of service to the district. Jackson has announced her intent to retire and received recognition and gifts during the meeting.
—Superintendent Tullos updated the board on a letter that was sent to TxDOT regarding a need for a traffic light on Highway 243 where Canton High School is located. Tullos said the district received a letter stating “why TxDOT cannot undertake the project.”
