The Quitman ISD Board of Trustees approved several action items Monday night, including out-of-state travel for the district’s FFA leadership team, budget amendments tied to district growth and food service costs, and the 2026-27 teacher pay scale.

Trustees approved a June 3-5 leadership retreat to Broken Bow, Oklahoma, for Quitman FFA officers. Agricultural science teacher Brenley von Reyn said the retreat helps students build leadership and teamwork skills.

“They come back different kids, and they come back as a team,” she said.

The board also approved the district’s 2026-27 pay scale for teachers, counselors and nurses. Administrators said the change was required because updated state rules prohibit uncertified teachers from receiving the same starting salary as certified teachers. The district adjusted the noncertified salary schedule by $500.

Trustees approved more than $532,000 in payments related to 2025 bond payment and later approved a $1.235 million budget amendment for a real property purchase.

New Board President Royce Patterson called the acquisition an investment in the district’s future.
“Our job as a board is to make sure that this school system is prepared into the future,” he said. “It’s a good piece of property that’s going to help this district continue to grow.”

The board also approved a $97,000 food service budget amendment because of increased participation in school meal programs and rising food costs.

Trustees additionally approved a routine resolution allowing the Wood County Tax Office to calculate the district’s no-new-revenue and voter-approval tax rates for the upcoming year, along with the junior high library book order list after a 30-day public review process.

Assistant Superintendent Bryan Hurst also presented the district’s annual safety and security audit during the meeting. According to the report, 98% of surveyed staff members said students feel safe at school, while 99% said they personally feel safe on campus.

Hurst highlighted safety improvements made over the past five years, including assigning a school resource officer to each campus and expanding security staffing.

“We’ve quadrupled our security staff,” Hurst said. “We’ve also incorporated guardians and conducted several trainings at the school with the police department.”

The audit recommended continued improvements to communication systems, additional radios for outdoor activities and expanded perimeter fencing around the junior high and high school campuses.

Trustees also heard the annual report from the district’s Student Health Advisory Committee. Nurse Stephanie Vance said the committee focused this year on increasing student engagement through a health and wellness summit that included guest speakers, mental health resources and interactive activities.

“The students really liked it,” Vance said. “It was a good way to cover those topics but also keep them entertained and engaged.”