THRALL — A new stadium and an innovative preschool program for staffers’ kids are promising improvements for the Thrall Independent School District, trustees heard this past week.
Bond funding is paying for upgrades to the football stadium, including new lighting and seating, extended bleachers and handicap ramps.
“Everything should be put in place by May 4 … It’s a tight timeline and there’s not a whole lot of room for error, but it’s what we’re looking at right now,” district business manager Blake Schneider told school board members Wednesday.
In addition, a preschool program aimed at caring for the 2- and 3-year-old children of teachers and staff should open this year, director of programs Jolena Pokorny said.
Already, six 2-year-olds are signed up.
In the future, the program could accept babies.
“The licensing for babies is a much more in-depth process,” Pokorny said.
Superintendent Tommy Hooker said the program is another way to retain teachers and staff, but he urged caution.
“We need to take literally baby steps to grow this (program),” Hooker said.
In other business, Thrall ISD has ordered three new school buses that will be ready in May, and trustees approved purchasing a new truck for the high school’s agriculture department.
The current truck shares duties by pulling the band trailer.
Thrall ISD meets the third Wednesday of each month unless otherwise posted.
The next meeting is 6:30 p.m. April 15 at 601 S. Bounds St.
