OEDC Briefs
The Olney ISD Board of Trustees moved briskly through financial, academic, and facilities updates at its Oct. 27 meeting, approving the district’s annual improvement plan and taking key steps toward paying off the 2017 bond early.
Board President Summer Branum opened the meeting with routine business, and trustees approved last month’s minutes. No public comments were offered.
Financial Position Strengthens
Superintendent Matt Caffey reported that the district’s QSCAB certificate of deposit matured on Oct. 24 and was rolled into the Wichita Falls First National Bank sweep account. The consolidated fund now holds just under $6 million and is earning about $700 per day in interest at a 4.503 percent rate.
Trustees reviewed the monthly check register, asking for clarification on several items, including a line for “University of Texas membership dues,” which staff confirmed were related to UIL. The board also discussed the district’s purchase of drug and alcohol testing kits used for student athletics and for staff requiring CDL certification.
The district has migrated to a district-wide license for the instructional software Quizzes, after individual campuses requested broader access. The junior high campus is expected to receive a credit for its prior site license.
Trustees unanimously approved the financial report.
UIL Enrollment Snapshot Approaches With UIL snapshot day looming on Oct. 31, Dr. Caffey updated trustees on enrollment trends that could influence athletic division assignments. Olney High School reported 188 students— above the previous cutoff for the Division I/ Division II split. Trustees discussed statewide enrollment shifts, particularly in larger districts affected by the voucher program, and how those changes may impact UIL realignments.
Transition, Campus Progress Reviewed The board reviewed the annual transition report, noting staff efforts to navigate recent federal FAFSA system breaches and glitches in the Apply-Texas college application portal. Dr. Caffey said early preparation helped mitigate delays.
Trustees also heard that Olney High School continues to receive recognition, including its designation as a U.S. News “Top School” for 2025.
District Improvement Plan Approved Representatives of the district improvement committee outlined several updates, including: -100 percent completion of socioeconomic forms following enhanced parent communication.
-Added vertical alignment sessions during August and January professional development.
-A new Parent Portal Night to help families access digital tools.
-Tracking extracurricular participation to reach a goal of 95 percent student involvement.
-Calls for more consistent campus discipline procedures and communication.
The board unanimously adopted the District Improvement Plan.
Bond Payoff to Maintain Tax Rate Dr. Caffey briefed trustees on the plan to pay off the district’s 2017 bond at the earliest allowable date in February 2026—a key promise tied to maintaining the INS tax rate at 19 cents following passage of the 2024 bond.
The district has $1.85 million available toward the payoff. An additional $269,398 will come from reserves. Once the bond is retired, all INS collections will be applied to the 2024 bond. Bond counsel will prepare a redemption resolution for board action in December.
Facilities and Construction Dr. Caffey reported that the ballpark project has spent about $73,000 to date. Concrete work is complete and the site is ready for steel installation. The district expects the project to be finished before the start of spring baseball.
Trustees also reviewed a short tutorial on budget codes that will now appear regularly in board materials.
Library Acquisitions
and Other Action
The board approved this year’s library acquisition list, which had been previewed in September. Trustees also approved a delinquent tax sale deed for a property at 401 West Grove.
Finally, the board cast votes for five nominees to the Morton Appraisal District Board of Directors, completing an annual requirement.