Meridian school board listens to ‘Awesome’ suggestion

• Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune

During the Meridian Independent School District’s Board of Education meeting on Monday, June 17, 2024, the public comment session featured an informative presentation and suggestion from Meridian High School alumni Rubin Felan.

Speaking as a community member, not a Meridian city council member, Felan brought forward a proposal for Meridian ISD to officially adopt 'Awesome,' the beloved but unofficial mascot of the Meridian Yellowjackets, as the school’s formal mascot.

Awesome’s history

Felan began his presentation by delving into the history of 'Awesome,' a mascot that has been part of Meridian's school spirit by name since 1984. The mascot was originally introduced by two Meridian ISD faculty members as a symbol of school pride and community unity.

Over the decades, 'Awesome' has become an integral part of the school's identity, though it was never formally adopted by the school board, Felan said.

Felan presented historical documents and photographs from the original 1950 Yellowjacket yearbook, showing how the mascot evolved alongside the community. He also brought to light the ongoing informal use of 'Awesome' in various school activities and its deep-rooted presence in the hearts of students and alumni.

Community feedback

In his remarks, Felan emphasized the community’s strong attachment to the mascot, pointing to recent social media discussions that had sparked considerable nostalgia and pride among former and current students.

Despite some disagreements over its design and representation, the overwhelming sentiment was one of affection and respect for 'Awesome,' he said.

To reinforce his point, Felan showcased recent efforts by the City of Meridian to enhance community spirit through new street signage featuring the school mascot. The city’s street sign initiative is a trial run to gather input and direction on a new design that not only respects the community pride but enhances traffic safety.

Felan’s proposal to the school board was simple: to formally recognize 'Awesome' as the official mascot of Meridian ISD. He argued that making this mascot official would not only honor the tradition but also solidify a symbol that has already united generations of students and community members.

Due to the district’s rules of the public comment period, school officials and board members could not respond to Felan’s proposal; however, the board members thanked Felan for his presentation.

Reports

The board approved the consent agenda, which included reviewing previous meeting minutes and routine district transfers.

Superintendent Dana Davis presented a detailed report on the district’s summer maintenance projects, which are in progress despite weather delays. Key projects include updating the baseball field, repairing floor and ceiling tiles, and addressing vehicle recalls and maintenance for the school’s activity buses.

The Athletic Director, Jim Kerbow, highlighted the summer workout programs, noting the dedication of students who balance work and training. He also reported on the upcoming sports schedule, with high school football, volleyball, and cross-country practices starting on August 5.

Academic performance Superintendent Davis addressed the board with updates on academic performance, particularly focusing on the initial STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) scores.

While some results were promising, Davis acknowledged areas needing improvement and discussed strategies for better outcomes in future assessments.

An important point of discussion was the adoption of new math curriculum and instructional practices. The board approved the integration of the Carnegie Math Curriculum for the upcoming school year.

This decision is part of a broader effort to enhance math education across all grade levels, supported by additional training for teachers and a grant to assist in implementing these changes.

Board members and administrators also discussed the need for vertically aligned instructional materials and how these would benefit students at different levels of learning.

Superintendent Davis assured the board that the new curriculum, coupled with research-based instructional practices, would provide the necessary support to improve student performance.

Budget and facility planning

The board set a date for a budget workshop to be held on July 15, 2024, prior to the next regular meeting. This workshop will focus on the preliminary budget analysis for the 2024-2025 school year.

Superintendent Davis also mentioned the initiation of a comprehensive facility assessment, which will aid in long-term strategic planning for the district’s infrastructure.

A brief discussion ensued regarding the feasibility of painting versus replacing the high school’s awning.

Executive session

After an executive session, the board approved allowing the superintendent to have the school’s property at 201 Second Street appraised.

Next meeting

The next regular MISD School Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 15, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., preceded by the budget workshop at 5:30 p.m.

The community is encouraged to attend and participate in these discussions.