Westwood Way
Happenings In Panther Nation - August 2019
This summer, Marla and I spent a wonderful week relaxing at the beach in the Orange Beach area. Every day we spent time sitting on the beach watching and listening to the waves as they crashed onto the shore. As I watched, my focus shifted to how the majority of the sand stayed intact when the water washed over it.
Being curious, I began to research how sand particles stick together, and I discovered some pretty cool facts!! Water molecules are not attracted to many surfaces but are strongly attracted to each other. A bead of water is actually a bunch of water molecules sticking together, and this is caused because of a phenomenon called surface tension. If the right amount of water is added to sand, the water sticks to each grain of sand and forms what is called “interstitial liquid bridges” between each grain of sand. These liquid bridges are held together because of surface tension, and that is what keeps the water and sand in place!!
Reflecting on this, I believe there are many ways to apply this principle to Westwood ISD. Just like the beach is composed of many grains of sand, our district is composed of many staff members serving in a wide range of responsibilities. And just like the waves crashing onto the beach, we will have challenges that will face during this year. We have the choice to stand alone and face the challenges by ourself, or we can choose to develop “bridges” that will connect us as a Panther Family and we will meet the challenges standing together!
We have had a fantastic start to the school year, and we have witnessed a unity that surpasses what many have ever seen! But if we don’t focus on the “bridges” that hold us together, this unity will be broken apart just like the grains of sand when too much or too little water is introduced. I believe the “bridges” that hold us together are things such as shared vision, trust, communication, and honesty. Combined, these are the elements that create healthy relationships, and ultimately, healthy relationships are the “bridges” that hold us together.
I encourage you to continue to focus on growing and developing relationships and ensure that the “bridges” holding us together remain Panther Strong!!
Wade
School Board Update
During the August Board Meeting, the following items came before the School Board:
Tiffany Carwerll presented the annual Federal Programs update in which she reviewed program intent, funding, and areas of focus.
Dr. Kyle Penn presented a financial update in which he reviewed the 2018-2019 budget-to-date and reviewed the proposed budget for the 2019-2020 school year.
All district and campus handbooks were acknowledged as presented.
The School Board unanimously approved the budget amendment as presented.
The School Board unanimously approved Dr. Don Rice as delegate and Dr. Carolyn Booker as alternate delegate to the TASB Conference.
The School Board acknowledged teacher contracts as presented.
During the August 15 Special Board Meeting the following items came before the School Board:
Michael Page, Chairman of the WISD Facilities Advisory Committee, presented a recommendation to the School Board to call a facility bond in the amount of $40 million for the November 5 election.
Brian Grubbs, Financial Advisor SAMCO, presented an overview of the financial impact and tax implication associated with a $40 million facility bond proposal for the November 5 election.
The School Board unanimously approved calling a $40 million facility bond for the November 5, 2019 election.
During the August 27 Special Board Meeting the following items came before the School Board:
The School Board unanimously approved the budget amendment as presented.
The School Board unanimously approved 2019 certified appraisals as presented.
The School Board unanimously approved the 2019-2020 budget as presented.
The School Board unanimously approved a Maintenance and Operations tax rate of $1.0683.
The School Board acknowledged teacher contracts as presented.