ECISD trustees visiting new ECMS
Campus nears February completion, superintendent review also planned
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

The El Campo school board will tour its almost-completed new middle school campus, consider the superintendent's contract and pay, and discuss each school's "report card" when trustees meet Tuesday.

The first day of classes scheduled for the new El Campo Middle School is Monday, Feb. 11, but trustees will meet at 5 p.m. at the site on FM 2765 to take a look at progress. The district originally planned to make the switch to the new $17.6-million facility over the Christmas holiday break, but construction was delayed by unusually rainy weather in January and February and again in June and July, and also because of a shortage of brick masons.

After trustees tour the new middle school, they'll meet at 7 p.m. in their boardroom to consider the results of their annual performance review of Superintendent Mark Pool. That review was conducted Jan. 15 in a closed meeting, and should any action on Pool's contract or pay be made, it will occur Tuesday.

The board will also officially review the annual campus "report cards" issued by the Texas Education Agency, which reflect the results of state accountability data released in August.

That data reflects the 2006-2007 school year. While Hutchins and Myatt elementaries were ranked as "recognized," Northside Elementary received an "academically unacceptable" ranking. The middle and high school both received "academically acceptable" ratings.

Trustees will review the report cards and they will then be distributed to parents.

The board will also get an update on how students are doing on the exit-level TAKS exams, statewide tests seniors must pass to graduate.

There are currently 35 El Campo High students who have not yet passed all sections of the TAKS exit-level exams, but they still have two more chances to pass the parts they've failed before graduation.

The El Campo Independent School District board meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the new El Campo Middle School at 4010 FM 2765. The board reconvenes for its regular meeting at 7 p.m. the same day in the ECISD board room, 700 W. Norris. Meetings are open to the public.