
DISD Board calls election, backs Byrd
With barely enough members present to form a quorum Tuesday night, the Dalhart ISD school board still met in frigid weather to discuss the upcoming trustees election, Superintendent Jeff Byrd’s contract, progress on the Intermediate School construction, and the usual district business items.
With Eric Diaz, Maegan Frische and Curtis Lockhart absent, that left trustees Bob Bailey (president), Jared Gordon (vice-president), Joni Atha (secretary) and Reynaldo Encinias (trustee) in attendance. Following the recognition of several student groups, the board received reports from Dalhart Independent School District administrators. Byrd reported that current enrollment was 1,777, up 55 students from the same date in January 2024, a sign that the district is growing, slowly but surely.
Byrd also discussed the Intermediate School project. “Before Christmas, they were 33% complete, but it’s obviously beyond that now,” he said. “Bob (Bailey) and I were just out there last week, and a lot more has been done.”
Bailey concurred. “They’re ready for sheetrock in some places,” he said.
The men agreed that weather conditions may slow the current pace somewhat, but they are satisfied with the rate of progress being made.
Following routine approval of minutes and payments, the board moved on to the upcoming election. The terms of Atha and Lockhart are expiring, and application packets are available now for interested candidates. The deadline to file is 5:00 p.m. Feb. 14.
A qualified candidates must be, at minimum, e a registered voter in the Dalhart ISD; a resident in DISD for six months and a resident in Texas for 12 months prior to the filing deadline; at least 18 years of age on the first day of the term.
The election will be held May 3 at City Hall, 205 Rock Island Drive, Dalhart.
In final business, following Executive Session, board members voted to extend Byrd’s existing three-year contract by one year, to June 30, 2028, and increase his salary by $7,500 effective July 1.
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