Murchison ISD earns "Recognized" rating
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Murchison Independent School District, a school of 152 students, 14 classroom teachers and 17 other staff members, received "Academically Recognized" status from the Texas Education Agency. Recognized is only one rank away from the prestigious title of "Exemplary".

Murchison ISD superintendent Scott Beene said in order to gain Recognized status the students needed to score at least 75% all around on the TAKS tests. The TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) tests were given to students over the course of spring of 2007.

"The rating came out the first of September," Beene said. "I'm very proud of the children and the staff. And we couldn't do it without the parent involvement." Children from Pre-kindergarten level to 8th grade study at the school.

Shirley Rowe, principal of the school, said the rating means a lot to Murchison ISD.

"It confirms what we already know," Rowe said, "that we have a great group of teachers who work very hard with our students."

Beene said of the tests taken there was perhaps one 76 percent score in a single subject, while multiple subjects were answered 100 percent correctly on by many students.

"It's been four to five years of acceptable, and now they're recognized," Beene said. "There are over 1,000 districts in the state and only around 300 of them are recognized or better. Our kids performed very well."

Beene added that the next step was to work toward the final rating of Exemplary.

The new rating isn't the only news at Murchison ISD. Tuesday, September 18 was their Board of Trustees meeting. Beene said a few changes were made to the school during the meeting.

Campus committees, operating organizations that focus on certain parts of the Murchison ISD community, were approved during the meeting. Beene gave a few examples of what types of committees there are, such as the dyslexia committee, the student council and the Gifted and Talented committee.

A date was discussed for a public hearing of the district's financial rating. The rating system seeks to make sure 65 percent of the school's funds go toward the school's curriculum.

"It'll probably be the end of August of next year," Beene said.

A significant chunk of the agenda points was spent on discussing matters of delegates and conventions. Beene said Murchison ISD board members will be reimbursed 44 cents per mile they have to travel for conventions, and up to $11 for every meal they eat while away from Murchison on school business. Because of the expenses, each board member will be restricted to one major conference each year.

There was also talk, Beene said, of forming the Board Procedures Manual. However, Beene added he would be bringing it back in October with needed amendments.