Request Made To Begin Twirl Program

The Wills Point School Board heard a request to start a twirling program at the regular meeting held on Monday night.

During public comments, Mary Lindsey, a teacher at the middle school, volunteered to act as a sponsor at the junior high level to begin a twirling program. Lindsey said the start-up would not require any funding from the district. She also cited a tradition of having a twirling program in Wills Point, and scholarship opportunities available to twirlers.

The board took no action and there was no further discussion.

The board voted to take no action on a Level III grievance filed by Elvis Diaz. The grievance stemmed from a traffic incident in front of the primary school that led to a verbal confrontation between Diaz and another parent.

The board also voted to withdraw from the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program Co-op. The program costs the school district $91,000 a year, plus the cost to transport students to Grand Saline. Wills Point participates in the co-op with Grand Saline, Edgewood, Fruitvale, Canton and Martins Mill.

Speaking after the meeting, superintendent Joe Oliver said that for the small number of students Wills Point sends to the program, it was not cost effective. Beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, Wills Point will use a local facility for those students.

In other business, Oliver relayed a request to the board regarding 1.7 acres the district owns in Hiram. The College Mound Fire Department has inquired about the availability of the property in order to build a satellite fire station. The board will consider the request at the next meeting.

The board also voted to approve contracts for all teachers, counselors and nurses.

The next meeting was set for Monday, April 20.