Alto ISD posts 76% passing rate for 3rd grade on TAKS
Board recognizes academic UIL students Monday
BY LELAND ACKER

After congratulations were made to the middle school and elementary school students who participated in the district UIL Academic Meet, the campus principals made their reports concerning the results of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) testing on their campuses during Monday's meeting of the Alto ISD Board of Trustees.

Melody Witt, elementary school principal, said 76 percent of Alto third-graders passed the test.

"Thirteen did not pass the test, but we feel good that we will get those to pass on the second go-round in April. We are working to get them caught up," Mrs. Witt said.

Mrs. Witt then boasted about the accomplishment of the elementary school winning the district UIL Academics championship.

"It was during football season, so we were concerned about going to the game, then turning around and making it to the meet," she said. "We have beautiful children, who are smart and want to learn, and sweet teachers willing to help."

Mrs. Witt also informed the board she is still having to file truancy cases, some of which are repeat offenders.

Kelly West, middle school principal, noted that fifth and sixth grade students compete in the elementary division of UIL Academics and the middle school had a hand in the district title as well.

"I am proud of all of our kids," she said.

Mrs. West also told of how proud she was of student Gerald Salzarulo and how he conducted himself in the finals of the county spelling bee.

"He has suffered hardships, but he is always smiling," she said. "When he got second place, he immediately hugged the girl from Rusk who won. I believe it was a genuine congratulatory hug. I was impressed."

Middle school posts 90%

passing rate on TAKS

Mrs. West told the trustees that Alto Middle School had a 90 percent pass rate on the TAKS test.

"The few that didn't pass only missed it by a question or two," she said.

Alto High School Principal Donald Patton discussed the extra-curricular activities which will be taking place with the high school students. The one-act play team, under the direction of Emily Chidester, will compete in district March 28-29. He listed numerous students who competed in agriculture competitions at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and reminded the trustees that the Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show will be held March 29-31.

"Our students will enter 47 animals and 35 shop projects," he said.

Superintendent Dr. Ray DeSpain said Alto High School was down to eight seniors who still have not passed the exit-level TAKS test.

"That's down from the 18 to 19 we started out with," he said.

Dr. DeSpain commented on other extra-curricular activities, including baseball, softball, agriculture, track and field and the high school student council.

"Mrs. (Rosezene) Moorman has taken that group and they are doing a fine job with community service and fundraisers," Dr. DeSpain said, noting how they began the year by painting the entire high school.

The only action the board undertook during Monday's meeting was the ratification of new mathematics textbooks and approving the accounts payable.

The board also renewed the district's employees' contracts for 2007-2008. Sherry Dover was named administrative assistant.

The Alto ISD Board of Trustees will meet again at 7 p.m. Monday, April 16, at the Alto ISD Administration Building.