Zavalla ISD Board of Education Meeting Highlights – April 28, 2025
The Zavalla ISD Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 28, at 6:00 p.m. Vice President James Barge called the meeting to order and presided in the absence of Board President Jamie Dykes. Board members Joe Bridges, Jackson Kotz, Carryl Carrel, and Chris Shives were also present.
Three current candidates for school board seats — Carrie Curtis, Ashley Jarman, and Jaime West — attended as part of the audience, along with a number of citizens and teachers. No public comments were submitted.
The meeting proceeded through the agenda items:
Campus Reports
Elementary Principal Matt Varner updated the board on end-of-year activities, including upcoming field trips and ongoing efforts to align teaching methods across grade levels to avoid repetitive instruction. He addressed concerns about student attendance, attributing recent declines primarily to illnesses, as discussed in the previous meeting. Board members inquired about strategies to improve attendance, and Principal Varner assured them that all available options, including incentive programs, were being utilized.
Secondary Principal Glen Vaughan reported a current attendance rate of 93% for grades 6–12, noting that some classes had dropped as low as 73%. To address this, the school has implemented hallway posters highlighting attendance rates to raise student awareness. When asked about truancy issues, Principal Vaughn reported that he and Chief Denby had conducted home visits, including an incident where a student fled into the woods upon their arrival, despite the parents being home. Board member James Barge remarked, “If he is well enough to run when you show up, he was well enough to be at school,” questioning the justification of illness as an absence reason.
Vaughn further noted challenges with pursuing truancy cases through the courts. Board member Chris Shives offered to address the matter directly with the judge but requested that the necessary paperwork be filed first. Vaughn and Chief Denby committed to submitting the documentation the following day.
Administrative Reports
Superintendent Dr. Zach Crawford provided an update on maintenance, transportation, and construction projects, with no major issues reported.
Business Manager Alice Boulware presented the district’s financial report, stating that the accounts were in good standing. She reminded the board that end-of-year purchases for the upcoming school year were underway and raised concerns about the upcoming expiration of bond funds, which will conclude in August 2026. She also highlighted enrollment and attendance challenges: while enrollment stands at 271 students, the Average Daily Attendance (ADA) is only 249. Since funding is based on ADA, even small fluctuations significantly impact the district’s budget.
Other Business
A facilities use request from Zavalla Prairie Community Connection and Pineywoods Beyond Foundation for the use of the athletic complex in September was tabled, pending the school’s finalization of its own schedule for the facility.
The board voted to table Board Trustee Training until after the upcoming election, allowing new members to participate in scheduling. Additionally, the May board meeting was rescheduled to Monday, May 12, to coincide with canvassing election results, seating new members, and conducting regular business.
Executive Sessions and Personnel Actions
The board entered a brief executive session to discuss personnel matters and later approved the hiring recommendations made by the principals.
A second, longer executive session followed. Upon returning to open session at 10:23 p.m., the board took the following actions:
- Amended the faculty hiring motion to include an omitted candidate (unanimously approved).
- Passed a Good Cause resolution.
- Approved a 5% salary increase for Superintendent Dr. Zach Crawford, with Jackson Kotz abstaining and Chris Shives voting against the measure.
The meeting then adjourned.