Wylie ISD Board of Trustees Meeting Recap
March 2, 2026
Meeting at a Glance
Unified Bulldogs Recognition: Junior high students honored for robotics success and unified program leadership.
Mentors Care Program Update: Students shared powerful stories about the impact of mentoring relationships.
Bond Activity: Board approved several infrastructure projects including roadway improvements, campus paving, and lighting for the high school practice field.
Technology Bond Authorization: Trustees approved moving forward with additional bond funds for device refresh cycles.
Campus Reports: Principals shared updates on student achievement, attendance, and upcoming activities across Wylie campuses.
Personnel: Trustees approved a one-year contract for a new employee for the 2026–27 school year.
The Wylie ISD Board of Trustees met Monday evening at the Wylie Early Childhood Library for their regular monthly meeting, beginning with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance before moving into recognition, reports, and district business.
Throughout the evening, trustees celebrated student success, heard powerful stories of mentorship, and continued moving forward on major bond projects that will shape Wylie campuses for years to come.
United Bulldogs Recognized for Unified Success
(Unified Bulldogs with School Board)
One of the highlights of the evening came early as trustees welcomed students from the Junior High Unified Bulldogs program, which brings together students across campuses to participate in unified athletics and robotics.
Teachers and program leaders shared how the program continues to grow across Wylie ISD. What began at the high school level has expanded to the junior highs, creating opportunities for students of all abilities to collaborate, compete, and build friendships.
This year’s robotics competition season was especially memorable. The program advanced three teams to the state competition, with one team ultimately bringing home a gold medal at state.
“These students have done a fantastic job,” program leaders told the board. “They’ve handled a lot and supported each other through the entire journey.”
Students recognized during the meeting included:
Bella Ashlock
Ray Barrientes
Kaiden Hallon
Lilah Anderson
Jacen Sockwell
Truitt Barnheart
McKinlee Keith
Natalia Saenz
Aubrey Calvo
Lawson Adams
Leah Ramos
Luca Martinez
Jayden Rangel
James Betteridge
Catherine Sanchez
Hunter Thomas
After being recognized individually, students gathered for a group photo with board members and district leaders.
Superintendent Joey Light praised the program’s growth across campuses.
“Seeing the unified program grow from the high school down to the junior highs has been incredible,” Light said. “It’s a powerful reminder of what happens when students support each other and work together.”
Moments like these are part of what makes the Wylie community special — students lifting each other up and discovering what they can accomplish together.
Mentors Care Program Changing Lives
(Mark Blakely Presenting to School Board)
Another meaningful portion of the meeting came as Mentors Care director Mark Blakely shared an update on the program’s impact across Wylie High School.
Now in its fifth year, the Mentors Care program pairs students with community mentors who meet weekly during the school year. The goal is simple but powerful: provide an additional layer of support for students navigating life, school, and their future.
Students are referred by teachers, counselors, or administrators and then matched with a mentor from the community.
“We pull students through referrals and pair them with a mentor who meets with them weekly,” Blakely explained. “Sometimes students just need someone to talk to — someone who will listen and encourage them.”
The results speak for themselves.
So far this year:
77 students served
76 community volunteers
Nearly 900 hours of mentoring logged
100% of students meeting attendance expectations
100% of seniors graduating
79% decrease in disciplinary referrals
Blakely told the board that while the statistics are encouraging, the real impact happens in the relationships built between students and mentors.
“We’re an extra layer of support for parents,” he said. “Sometimes kids will listen to someone outside their family in a way they might not at home. The message is the same — it’s just delivered by a different voice.”
Two seniors, Sofia Valdez and Lucy Weber, spoke to trustees about their experiences in the program.
(Sofia Valdez)
Valdez shared how her mentor helped her gain confidence in pursuing a future in healthcare.
“My mentor supported me academically, emotionally, and personally,” she said. “She helped me believe that my goals were possible.”
Weber described Mentors Care as more than a program.
“When I think about Mentors Care, I don’t think about a program,” she said. “I think about a space where I feel safe and seen.”
She continued:
“In a world of negativity, having someone who truly hears you is everything. That’s what Mentors Care is — support, guidance, and hope.”
Trustees expressed appreciation for the program and the many community members who volunteer their time as mentors.
Board president Miller Loudermilk reflected on the program’s growth since its launch shortly after the pandemic.
“There’s no amount of money you can put on the impact this program is having,” Loudermilk said.
(Lucy Weber)
Bond Activity and District Improvements Continue
Trustees also reviewed progress on the district’s voter-approved bond projects, which continue to bring improvements across multiple campuses.
District leaders shared that Wylie currently has over $125 million remaining in bond funds as construction and projects move forward.
Several projects were approved during the meeting.
FM 707 Roadway Improvements
Trustees approved a contract with Bontke Construction for $481,842 to complete roadway improvements along FM 707 near the future South Elementary campus.
The project includes:
A new deceleration lane for safer campus access
Updated striping and signage
Coordination with TxDOT and the City of Abilene
The current speed limit in the area is 75 mph, but the project will include updated school zone signage and traffic adjustments to improve safety for students and families.
Campus Paving Projects
Multiple campuses will receive parking lot repairs and improvements this summer.
Projects approved include:
West Junior High: $392,355 for additional staff parking and parking lot repairs
West Elementary / West Intermediate: $1,065,795 for parking lot reconstruction and traffic flow improvements
Early Childhood Campus: $213,700 for parking lot replacement
Wylie High School: $2,995,660 for parking improvements near the fieldhouse and transportation facility
All projects were approved unanimously by the board.
District leaders emphasized that many of these improvements are designed to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion during pickup and drop-off times.
High School Practice Field Lighting
Trustees also approved $259,000 for lighting at the Wylie High School practice field.
The new lighting will support:
Band practices
Baseball and softball workouts
Soccer and football training
District leaders noted the field is used heavily across multiple programs, and the new lighting system will allow students to safely practice earlier in the morning and later in the evening.
Technology Device Refresh
Trustees also approved an order authorizing the issuance of additional bond funds for student technology devices.
The district previously used part of the bond allocation to place devices in students’ hands. As those devices begin aging out, the district plans to use the remaining authorized funds to refresh technology over the next several years.
District leaders said the plan allows devices to be replaced gradually as they age, keeping students equipped with reliable technology while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Looking Ahead
The meeting concluded with campus reports highlighting strong attendance, academic progress, and student engagement across Wylie schools.
As the district moves into the spring semester, trustees expressed gratitude for the continued support of families and community members who help make Wylie schools thrive.
From students building robots to mentors investing in the next generation, the evening served as a reminder of the many ways the Wylie community comes together.
And as always, moments like these reinforce a simple truth across the district:
It’s great to be a Wylie Bulldog.
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