School Board meets

At Monday night’s Jeff Davis County Board of Education meeting, Jeff Davis Elementary School Principal T.J. Mercer recognized the following students as the top Accelerated Reader point earners:
3rd Grade — Dylan Espino Jimenez – 1st Place; Sammi Parker – 2nd Place; Brooklyn Smith – 3rd Place.
4th Grade — MacKenzie Lewis – 1st Place; Cayden Swank – 2nd Place; Bode Lawson – 3rd Place.
5th Grade — Kimber Morrison – 1st Place; Zachary Jarrell – 2nd Place; Sadie Mercer – 3rd Place
School and Community.
School Superintendent Dr. Chris Roppe presented the October attendance report, saying the average attendance for the school system was 93.77%.
Graduation rates for 2025 were recently released statewide, and Jeff Davis High School continues to demonstrate exceptional performance in preparing students for success beyond high school. JDHS achieved a graduation rate of 98.4%, compared to the state average of 87.2%, ranking 10th highest among 194 reporting school systems. This marks the twelfth consecutive year that Jeff Davis County has exceeded the state average, a reflection of the dedication and hard work of teachers, staff and students.
School Nutrition Director Alisa Jones reported high participation rates at both the middle and high schools. Mrs. Jones said for the second year all students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Director of Student Services Garrett White informed the Board that the school district’s Strategic Plan is scheduled for an update in 2026 and outlined the process that will be followed in developing the plan.
Dr. Roppe presented the proposed 2026–2027 school calendar, which was developed and recommended by the Calendar Committee. The calendar will be submitted for approval at the December Board meeting.
The slab has been poured for the tennis field house, red iron is up and metal roof panels have been installed. Skin panels will go on next. They should finish drying it in by next week and Grant’s maintenance team will begin working on the inside. The completion date is on schedule before tennis season begins.
Work at the auxiliary gym was fully dried in as of Nov. 7. All trades are inside working (paint, electrical, HVAC, lighting, and other finishing touches). The building is scheduled for completion before the beginning of Christmas break.
Concrete work at the new primary school is almost complete, water proofing is beginning on the wings, bick work should begin this weekend, grading is ongoing, decking is going up and the project is still on track for summer completion.
Board Policy Adoption will sit for 30 days for public comment with final approval in December.
Adoption of Policy JCDAF: Use of Electronic Devices by Students
Chief Financial Officer Joshua Worth presented the September financial reports which were unanimously approved.
Consent Agenda
The board accepted the resignations of elementary school nutrition assistant Gabrielle Dotson and high school art teacher Jessica Lawson.
The board voted to hire Jada Wells as a Pre-K Paraprofessional, Ashley Taylor as an elementary school nutrition assistant and Shantae King as a Pre-K nutrition assistant.
Dr. Roppe informed the board that he and Tina Nelms will develop the 2026 board meeting schedule to be presented for approval at the December meeting.