PISD Board Briefs – June 17, 2025
June 17 Meeting
The Board of Trustees of the Panhandle Independent School District met in regular session on June 17, in the Boardroom of the Administration Building.
Members present were Nick Kuehler, Kevin Brinkley, Jason Davis, Zach Robinson, Jim Younger and Nikki Biggs. School personnel present were Dr. John Sherrill, Allison Mitchell, Chris MacKeown, Heather Kennedy and Jamie Moore.
Jim Younger gave the invocation after the board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public notice was given of the 2025-2026 federal grant applications. United States Code (USC) Annotated, Title 20, Chapter 70, Subchapter IX, Part C, Section 7846(a)(7), and Public Law (P.L.) 114-95, Every Student Success Act (ESSA), Section 8306, states the following regarding any entity planning to submit a plan or application for a grant: “any applicant, other than a state a state educational agency that submits a plan or application under this chapter or act, shall have on file with the state educational agency a single set of assurances, applicable to each program for which a plan or application is submitted, that provides that: … before the application was submitted, the applicant afforded a reasonable opportunity for public comment on the application and considered such comment.”
No one spoke during the public comments/audience participation portion of the meeting.
The district report was given by Dr. John Sherrill.
• Future agenda items were identified
• The next regular board meetings were scheduled for Tuesday, July 22 and Thursday, Aug. 28, both at 6:00 p.m.
• Monthly Financial Reports, Board Reports, Check Payments, Activity Accounts, Bond Report, and report of current grants were presented
• Preliminary 2025-2026 budget items were discussed, including:
• Salary schedules and comparisons
• Property Values and the PVS results
• 2025 Tax Rates and tax rate compression
• Local Optional Homestead Exemption
• Insurance
• Fund Balance
The student population per each class section was presented and discussed. Concern was shown regarding low population classes.
A resignation from Sabra Birdsong was received by the Superintendent’s office and was presented to the Board. The resignation was received with regret.
The consent agenda and all included items were approved, as presented. It included the minutes of the May 20 and May 23 meetings of the board.
The board approved the third quarter, quarterly investment report, as presented.
The board approved a Local Optional Homestead Exemption of 20 percent for the 2025 tax year, and the 2025 LOHE Resolution.
The board brought back from the table, and approved the “grow Your Own Program Agreement” and the “Grow Your Own Public Purpose Resolution” regarding the creation and expenditure of public funds for the support of a grow your own program within the district as presented.
The board approved to add, revise, or delete (LOCAL) policies as offered by TASB Policy Service for consideration and according to the Instruction Sheet for TASB Localized Policy Manual Update 125.
Upon recommendation of administration, the board approved the employment of Tara Ogletree, Leslie Zundt and Laura Spruell for teaching positions and Jennifer Bandy as the Junior High Principal for the 2025-2026 school year.
Salaries for employees with July 1 contracts were reviewed and considered. The board approved a raise for Chris MacKeown, Allison Mitchell, Rusty Howes, Dane Ashley and Jamie Moore for their respective positions based on the TASB position median midpoint salary of schools with an enrollment of 500-750.
The board performed the superintendent’s mid-year review and approved his salary per the current contract.
There being no further agenda items, the meeting was adjourned at 9:13 p.m. by order of the presiding officer with no voiced objections.
