Needville High School Principal Steve Adamson reported that all but two of the 260 Class of 2020 seniors graduated on time, and the other two have since earned their diplomas, resulting in an astounding 100 percent graduation rate.
“That was a lot of effort on a lot of people’s parts,” Adamson told Needville ISD trustees during their recent board meeting.
“We have a high standard anyway, but to maintain that at this time (of pandemic and virtual education), I’m very proud of our staff and everyone who made it possible. This trying time gave us a great opportunity to show the commitment of the community, school district and student body of Needville to the education of our kids. As we say at graduation every year, ‘Once a Blue Jay, always a Blue Jay.’”
Superintendent Curtis Rhodes also commended Adamson and his staff, and said during the last six weeks of the school year, several dedicated staff members “made house calls to alert those who were in danger of not graduating.”
The in-person graduation ceremony was held May 29 at Blue Jay Stadium.
“It turned out good for our kids,” said Adamson. “It was different, but I think our kids really appreciated it.”
Board President Chris Janicek agreed, and extended “big thank you’s” to school administrators, teachers and all staff members “for thinking outside that box” during this time of distance learning.
“I’ve heard so many compliments on the graduation,” he said. “We know that it took a lot. We very much appreciate it.”
“I am extremely proud of our students for sticking with it and persevering in this unusual and unprecedented time in their final nine weeks of high school,” said Adamson. “I am also very proud of our staff and faculty for taking this challenge on and serving our students. They showed great patience and adaptability.”
As of June 3, 97 of Needville High School’s graduating seniors received a total of $1,456,098 in scholarships, an increase of nearly $134,000 from 2019.
“Congratulations to all those who earned scholarships; they were very well-deserved,” said Rhodes. “Many thanks to the students, staff, and everyone who worked so hard for those scholarships, and of course to all those who provided them.”
Returning to school
In his monthly report to the board, Rhodes said the 2020-2021 school year will start as previously planned, at least for now.
“We are starting Aug. 24; I just don’t know if it’ll be at home or in class,” he said. “It’ll be fun, it’ll be exciting, and we’ll figure it all out. Right now, we’re planning to bring everybody back in August like we normally do.”
Rhodes said administrators are meeting and gathering information as they determine the best way to return students to class with as much normalcy as possible.
“So many people ask what we’re going to do, but there’s no answer to that right now. So many things come in to play,” he said. “Nurses and trainers have been an integral part of how you come back, and we’re getting input from all of them. There could be all kinds of options; it depends on what the state is going to allow us to do.”
Rhodes said Needville ISD will receive $220,000 in stimulus money from the federal government, but state revenue for the district for the upcoming school year has been reduced by about $200,000.
“So, it’s basically a wash for us,” he said.
In addition, the stimulus money is in grant form, meaning it can only be spent on certain things.
Pape said the district’s fund balance at the end of last fiscal year was $7.9 million and is estimated to increase to about $8.3 million as of Aug. 31, which is the end of the current fiscal year.
Staff members recognized
Employees with numerous years of service, as well as retirees, were recognized at the board meeting.
Receiving rocking chairs for their retirement are: Jeff Abbe, with 35 years of service; Dovie Peschel, 23 years; Cheryl Hahn, 31 years; and Geradette Buzek, 26 years.
Retiree Jayne Shafer received an engraved clock for her 19 years of service, and those presented with plaques upon their retirement are: Mike Bremer and Deborah Morton, 13 years of service; Jenifer Knezek, eight years; and Patty Young, four years.
Employees receiving pins commemorating their years of service are: Ruben Reyes and Melanie Jahn, 30 years; Glenda Loesch, Sherry Breedlove, Lisa Dibala, Leslie Spacek and Tanya Castenda, 25 years; Felicia Clack, Beatrice Kutej, Cathi Bracewell and Jewel Lovel, 20 years; Janessa Valentine, Laura Faas, Josephine Quintanilla and Teresa Rounsavall, 15 years; and
Lump Mayberry III, Peggy Waldon, Ashley Waters, Rhonda Baker, Erin Wleczyk, Sandra O’Brien, Kristi Gresham, Kendra Galvan, Marcus Mikulec and Amy Rangel, 10 years.
