The Sulphur Springs ISD School Board approved the District Improvement Plan for the 2026-2027 school year at its Oct. 19 meeting. The plan's goals include academic rigor, safety and culture, fiscal accountability, community partnerships, recruitment and retention, and facility optimization. Assistant Superintendent Mandy Fenton said the district has a high College, Career and Military Readiness goal and a target attendance rate of 95.9%. She said closing achievement gaps is a key focus.
Hill and Wilkinson General Contractors reported on construction. Phase 2 work is ongoing at the two new Sulphur Springs Elementary Schools, and renovations of existing buildings are almost complete, with final work set for Christmas break. Director of Maintenance Dan Froneberger said auctions of items from the old elementary school buildings are complete, with kitchen equipment auctions to start soon. He said a large piece of playground equipment was bought by Yantis ISD, which will hire a professional company to remove it. The baseball and softball fields have received new grass and locker rooms.
The board also heard updates on the Dual Language Education program, which is split 50-50 between English and Spanish, and on Head Start required training. A waiver is needed for one teacher who is not yet ESL certified. Other approved items include book purchases for campus libraries, SHAC members for 2026-2027, moving the Jan. 25 meeting to Jan. 19, and occupational therapy services not to exceed $95,000 and physical therapy services not to exceed $51,000.