Alto ISD buys new school bus
BY LELAND ACKER

Lee Pearman and Jay Jones were sworn in as Alto ISD Board of Trustee members during Monday's regular meeting of the school board. Dr. Ray DeSpain, superintendent, wasted no time in getting them busy.

Freddy Johnson was reelected as board president. Greg Duplichain was re-elected vice president and Britton Tilley was re-elected as board secretary. All were elected by unanimous votes.

Alto Police Chief Charles Barron addressed the board concerning school security, saying currently the Alto Police Department handles all of the school's security.

"We do the best we can, but we can't be here all the time," Chief Barron said. "I would like for the school to consider creating its own security or law enforcement department."

Alfred Danhiem canvassed the votes from the school board election.

Principals Melody Witt, Kelly West and Donald Patton each gave a report on their respective campuses, saying TAKS test scores have improved, but they are still not satisfied. Alto school officials have the Texas Education Agency's "exemplary" rating as a goal.

Gas bill resolved

The board approved the accounts payable, including a $1,100 gas bill to the city, which previously had been assessed at $11,000.

Maintenance Director Kim Bradshaw said the city employees were reading the meter correctly, but the decimal had been misplaced.

The board voted to keep their accounts at Bancorp South and Lone Star Investment Pool. The board also voted to purchase a new Thomas school bus for $70,250.

The board accepted the resignations of science teacher Rosezene Moorman, who has accepted a position closer to home in Douglass, and Sonia Howell, school nurse, who is returning to school.

The board hired Kay Kattner (elementary reading), Erica Tiedt Hunt (high school science), Richard Wilson (high school paraprofessional), Laverne Sessions (elementary special needs paraprofessional), Allison Threadgill (middle school paraprofessional computer lab) and Sheena Sturrock (elementary paraprofessional).

The board will meet again at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 18, at the Alto ISD Administration Building.