HOUSTON – Two schools in the Houston Separate School district were recognized for achievement in the Program of Research and Evaluation in Public Schools at the Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 9. Superintendent Dr. Steve Coker congratulated Principals Ricky Allen and Tony Horton for receiving the honor at the high school and middle school respectively.

“This is big,” Coker said. “This doesn’t just say they’re doing ok. This recognizes outstanding academic achievement.”

The board heard updates from HLES Principal Emily Speck and HUES Principal Shannon Eaton. Speck lauded her staff for their use of the response to intervention plan that focuses on reading to help children achieve grade-level skills. The school staff has set a goal to reduce those reading under grade level by 75 percent.

“We’ve achieved that in every grade except for Kindergarten and we just don’t have enough data on them to determine it,” Speck said.

Eaton reported that the Upper Elementary School had great success with their Reading Fair this month. Over 160 students participated in the voluntary event.

Vice-Superintendent Israel Lee reported to the board on the issue of school bus safety. Lee said that although the winter months and bad weather bring maintenance issues out, “we have the best equipment we possibly can.”

Lee reported that all district buses are now equipped with two-way radios and almost all have air brakes installed. Lee said that some of the buses were older and would need to be replaced eventually, but that the economic constraints on the district did not make replacing them feasible at this time. Lee also said that he would like to have a larger supply of drivers from which to draw and that he would like to see more community members apply for the positions.

Attorney Jimmy Hood informed the board that an opportunity had come about to refinance $2,268,000 in State Aid Capital Improvement bonds at a substantial savings to the district. The bonds will be refinanced from 4 percent to 2.8 percent with the front-end savings going directly to the district’s general fund.

In other matters, the board

- Approved bills and payroll

- Approved producers of equipment for the solar car

- Moved into executive session for disciplinary hearings