MWP-ISD Approves New Band Uniforms     By Myrtleann Anderson ~ Staff Writer ~~ The Monahans News, March 2, 2007

The Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD School Board met on Tuesday, February 20, with Superintendent Keith Richardson, President Larry Bryant, and board members Dave Poynor, Ray Rankin, Pasty Carrasco, Bo Rose, Donna Garcia and Bill Clayton present.

Monahans High School Board Director Jeff Whitaker spoke to the board concerning the purchase of band uniforms from the Fruhauf Uniforms Inc. for 2007-2008 school year.

Daniel French, a Monahans High School band student, modeled a sample of the new uniforms as Whitaker explained its design attributes to board members.

"This is a new concept in uniforms that a lot of bands have started using," Whitaker explained.  "It is a very innovative design.  Besides the insignia on the front of the uniform's jacket, it also comes with an attachable, double-sided breastplate.  There is a different design on each side of the plate.  These three designs give us something that looks good with both the green and white pants.  With the two pair of pants and the reversible breastplate, we can have six different looks for the uniforms.  

After viewing the uniform and passing around different samples of hat plumes, the board approved the purchase of new uniforms at a cost of $111, 753.00.  The budget was amended to cover the expenditure.

In the absence of Architect Monte Hunter, Richardson gave the board an update on the construction at Sudderth, Walker Junior High, and Monahans High School, along with plans for the construction at Tatom Elementary.

"In the last two days, frames for eight classrooms have gone up at Sudderth," he said.  "Construction crews are at the stadium field house working to correct the drainage problem, and asphalt is down at both the junior high and high school tracks."

"We have a concept for the Tatom construction."  he continued.  "The classrooms and hallways are designed in a rectangle shape, with the gym toward the back."

"This concept gives us everything we wanted and leaves room for us to expand.  The first two concepts didn't leave us any room for expansion.  The concepts may change a bit, but design wise we are where we want to be.  Everything is new at the school except the third grade addition." 

"Construction is on schedule," Richardson told the board, "even though a few days were lost during the bad weather."

"I have a question about all that grass around the circle drive at Tatom," Clayton told Richardson.

"Why can't we make that circle drive into a parking lot?" he asked.

"If we could turn that area into a parking lot, there wouldn't be as much madness going on with the traffic around the Villa Apartments.  Driving would be less of a headache and less crazy.  Kids are always darting everywhere, and you can't watch for all of them," he added.

Richardson said it was something to consider.

Student enrollment has increased during the last month but is still down 35 students over last year, according to Richardson.

In other business, Arlice Wittie asked the school board to approve his bid of $1000 for the old Anthony's Building, Lots 15 and 16, Blk. 33, Original Town of Monahans.  Wittie wrote on his bid that the building would be used for storage.

Bryant told Wittie, "I hate to see the building sell just to be used as a storage facility."

"I do have personal uses in mind for the building," Wittie responded, "But I also want to use it to do something in the downtown area.  The building has been empty for 20 years.  There's a major leak in the roof, and pigeons have roosted inside the suspended ceiling.  The building is not getting any better just sitting there," he explained.  "Everyday we wait the hole is still in the roof, and the pigeons are still going in it.

"I will not let the building stay as it is right now.  I have a vested interest in seeing the downtown area improved.  I worked on the Main Street committee, and one of their main concerns is that nothing is being done with the vacant downtown buildings.  We need to get the building cleaned up so it doesn't reflect badly on the downtown area."

The bid was approved.

A bid of $3,283.32 submitted by James Linn for Lot 2, Blk. 7, Original Town of Monahans, 308 S. Doris was approved.

A bid of $ 500 by Tony Archibeque for one acre in G&MMB&A, Sec. 66, Blk. N, 1100 W. Sealy was not approved. 

A bid of $1,535 by Ronald Reece for 32 properties, owned or partly owned by the school district, was tabled until someone could assist him in straightening out his bid.

The 2007-2008 school calendar was adopted.  According to Richardson, the school year will start two weeks later next year, and the school calendar was adjusted to compensate for the late start.

The call for an election on May 12, 2007, for the purpose of electing school trustees 2 and 4 was approved.  Election judges were also approved.

Renewal of one-year contracts for assistant principals, counselors, diagnosticians, liaison officer / AEP director and technology coordinator for the 2007-2008 school year were approved.

The nest school board meeting will be held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, March 20.