TEXARKANA, Texas - The Pleasant Grove Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the purchase of $235,000 of instructional materials to improve their libraries in a regular meeting Thursday night.
PGISD librarians conducted an inventory of the libraries and recommended adding new and updated instructional materials, including
books.
"One of the things that we're working on here is building a stronger culture of learning and reading," Superintendent Chad Pirtle said. "And one way to do that is to have really good books for our kids to read. Our librarians have gone through our libraries and given us some recommendations. And I will tell you that this is not the most expensive option or the second most expensive option that they presented. But it is certainly not an insufficient option."
The board also approved the purchase of a new campus radio system, as well as an asynchronous remote learning plan to be submitted to the Texas Education Agency.
The radio system will be updated, providing better coverage and radios to all campuses, buses and the central office.
The cost of the radio system from Procom Communications Systems is $35,494, but due to a safety grant funding nearly $35,000 of that, PGISD will only incur an out-of-pocket cost of $575.
The asynchronous remote learning plan will now be submitted to the TEA. The district expects the approval process to take about 30 days.
The TEA requires a minimum of 180 minutes of academic content engagement for remote asynchronous students in grades Pre-K-5, and a minimum of 240 minutes for grades
6-12.
According to Pirtle, enrollment is up to 2,240 students, with about 16.5% being remote learners, down from previously 20%.
The board also listened to an updated construction report on the Margaret Fischer Davis Elementary School delivered by Nabholz construction firm manager Chris
Tyler.
Tyler said the cafeteria, media center and Pre-K and kindergarten classes have been checked off their punch list, while first grade, second grade and the gymnasium are expected to be completed by the week of Sept. 28.
A change order for $50,450 was added to the Guaranteed Maximum Price in order to complete the landscaping on the exterior of the building, in addition to around $30,000 that was also approved by the board to install improved ceilings.