Construction highlights Needville ISD meeting

The construction, and more specifically the design plan, for the new high school drew the most attention during the Needville ISD board meeting Wednesday.

SHW Architects said there is an opportunity to set the tone for students and staff with the new high school and some important elements to achieve this desired tone include utilizing natural light by incorporating more windows, which studies have shown increase the mood and attentiveness of students.

The design of the classrooms was also taken under major consideration by the architects. The goal was to provide teachers with classrooms they can structure to better fit their teaching methods and provide them with an office space.

Students' desks will imitate ones used in colleges to provide an environment that will promote a higher standard of learning for students.

Curtis Rhodes, superintendent, presented the Board a policy update that increased the capabilities of criminal history background checks so that deeper investigations into persons can be done, and a new state policy requiring schools to educate students about dating violence.

Other actions included postponing Needville Middle School's roof repair because a survey is being conducted with a report expected at the next regular meeting.

It was announced that the elementary attendance rate is a little above 98 percent, and that there are 16 new fifth-graders and 13 new sixth-graders in the middle school this year.

An additional bus route has been added, totaling 21 routes. This additional route in an in-town route so elementary students will arrive home sooner once released from school.

Rhodes said despite a few “first week wrinkles” the schools are functioning well. “We've had a really good start,” Rhodes said. “The students and teachers are working very hard.”