Wylie ISD School Board Meeting Recap
February 9, 2026
Monday night’s Wylie ISD Board of Trustees meeting reflected both appreciation and accountability — recognizing the people who keep the district moving each day while also addressing finances, academics, safety, and long-term planning.
February Recognized as “Love the Bus” Month
The meeting opened with the board approving a resolution proclaiming February 2026 as Love the Bus Month, honoring Wylie ISD transportation staff for their daily commitment to student safety.
Transportation Director Ricky Bacon shared why the recognition matters:
“A lot of early mornings, a lot of late nights… bus drivers, mechanics, and routers do a lot of work behind the scenes. We just want to give them some recognition for all their hard work.”
Below is the full proclamation as adopted by the Board of Trustees:
LOVE THE BUS MONTH 2026 PROCLAMATION
WYLIE ISD TRANSPORTATION
4502 Antilley Road
Abilene, TX 79606
Phone: 325-255-1912
February 9, 2026
LOVE THE BUS MONTH 2026
WHEREAS the yellow school bus is a trusted and familiar symbol of public education and student safety across communities nationwide; and
WHEREAS school buses comprise the largest form of mass transportation in the United States, safely transporting millions of students to and from school each day; and
WHEREAS research consistently shows that the yellow school bus is the safest mode of transportation for students, carrying approximately 26 million children daily; and
WHEREAS yellow school buses are designed and manufactured to meet stringent federal and state safety standards, and school bus drivers receive extensive training and ongoing preparation to protect the students in their care; and
WHEREAS the yellow school bus provides equitable access to education for students in rural, suburban, and urban communities, including students with special needs; and
WHEREAS student transportation supports educational opportunity by enabling participation in academic programs, extracurricular activities, field trips, and school-sponsored events; and
WHEREAS the use of school buses helps reduce traffic congestion, improve roadway safety, and lessen environmental impact by decreasing the number of individual vehicles on the road; and
WHEREAS the professionals who plan, manage, maintain, and operate school transportation systems demonstrate daily dedication to student safety, reliability, accountability, and service;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Wylie Independent School District recognizes and values the essential role the yellow school bus plays in education and in the life of our community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Wylie Independent School District hereby proclaims the month of February 2026 as LOVE THE BUS MONTH, and encourages students, families, staff, and community members to join in recognizing and appreciating the contributions of our school transportation professionals and the vital service they provide to student well-being and success.
Financial and Bond Updates
Chief Financial Officer Kathryn Bristow presented the January financial update, noting continued fiscal stability.
Key highlights included:
January payroll totaled $3.16 million.
The district completed its second payment to Communities In Schools, totaling $164,000 for the year.
Bristow emphasized the value of that partnership, saying:
“We still find great value in it. It just makes sense for us, and it’s been really good.”
Bond activity for January totaled $3.97 million, leaving $128.5 million remaining. Expenses and revenue continue to track favorably compared to the same time last year.
Academic Performance and TAPR Public Hearing
The board held its required public hearing on the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR), with Assistant Superintendent Terry Hagler presenting highlights.
“Every test, every grade, we always outperform the region,” Hagler said. “We do that because we have very high expectations of our students, and they meet those expectations.”
Highlights included:
100% STAAR participation, a first for the district.
Third-grade students exceeded board goals, with 75% meeting grade level in reading and 66% in math.
Graduation rates remain strong at 95.9%, with dropout rates below 1%.
Hagler added:
“Our student growth data shows our kids are continuing to move forward.”
College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) remains an area of focused improvement. Executive Director Reagan Berry shared:
“This is the place where we don’t quite meet our goal yet, and it’s where we need to be the most intentional.”
District leaders outlined expanded dual credit opportunities, improved tracking systems, and targeted student support.
Election and Calendar Actions
Trustees approved a contract with Taylor County to conduct the May 2, 2026 school board election.
The board also approved the 2026–27 academic calendar, which includes early-release days aligned with instructional minutes and student travel needs. Superintendent Joey Light noted:
“They wanted to start earlier, which surprised me. But the staff overwhelmingly approved it.”
Library Book Approval
In compliance with Senate Bill 13, the board approved 931 new library books following a 30-day public review period.
Hagler emphasized the care taken by librarians:
“They take this responsibility very seriously. They are very diligent in selecting these books.”
Daily Prayer Resolution
The board approved a resolution not to adopt a designated daily prayer period, while meeting state requirements.
Assistant Superintendent and Counsel Tommy Vaughn explained:
“Students already have the protected right to pray or meditate voluntarily. We don’t feel like it’s broken, and it’s not our place to regulate that.”
Superintendent Light added:
“It felt more restrictive than what we already have in place, and we don’t want our students to be restricted.”
Safety and Transportation Compliance
Trustees approved a required resolution affirming that each campus will have at least one trained armed safety officer, meeting House Bill 3 requirements.
The board also received an informational report related to Senate Bill 546, addressing three-point seat belts on school buses. Bacon explained:
“When you magnify this across the state, there’s going to be a long waiting list. It’s not as simple as it sounds.”
The board acknowledged that full compliance is not currently financially feasible and will submit required documentation to the state.
Bond Projects and Facilities Updates
Trustees approved a $272,000 HVAC controls upgrade at Wylie High School to replace aging systems.
Light explained the need:
“You can’t even get parts for some of these controls anymore. We’re trying to make sure everything is functioning properly.”
Updates were also shared on South Elementary roadway improvements, athletic facility upgrades, the Ag building nearing completion, and additional projects across the district.
Student and Campus Highlights
Campus leaders shared highlights including state-qualifying swim events, historic basketball seasons, Unified Robotics teams advancing to state, fine arts recognitions, expanded CTE offerings, and upcoming UIL competitions.
Families were reminded of 8th Grade High School Preview Night on February 19, which will introduce academic pathways and CTE opportunities to incoming students.
From honoring transportation professionals to planning for the future, the February board meeting reflected steady leadership and a shared commitment to student success across Wylie ISD. It’s great to be a Wylie Bulldog.