The Wylie ISD Board of Trustees met Monday, May 11, for its regular monthly meeting. The evening included student recognitions, financial and bond updates, campus reports, upcoming graduation information and several board action items. The public agenda included board action on minutes, monthly financial reports, the 2025-26 auditor, a Taylor Electric Coop property proposal, canvassing the 2026 school board election and nominating Cameron Wiley for consideration as a TASB Board of Directors candidate.
Student Recognitions Highlight Wylie Excellence
The meeting opened with a celebration of Wylie students who continue to represent the district at a high level.
Destination Imagination
(Kim Cheek)
Kim Cheek recognized Wylie’s Destination Imagination program, which is sending five teams to Global Finals after success at the regional and state levels. Cheek praised the students, coaches and volunteers who continue to build a strong tradition in the program.
Teams recognized included:
Department of Facetious Affairs
Screaming Beetle Tacos
It’s Hardly Prepared
Roaring SpaghettiOs
Golden Girl Gang
Cheek noted the creativity, engineering, technology, science and fine arts work represented across the teams, while also recognizing the many volunteers and former Wylie DI students who continue to pour back into the program.
State Champion Powerlifters
Coach Arthur recognized two Wylie powerlifters for outstanding seasons: Arielys Perez Rivera and Carson Martin.
Perez Rivera became Wylie’s first girls state champion in powerlifting. At the state meet, she competed in the 105-pound weight class and recorded a 275-pound squat, a 205-pound bench press, which set a state record, and a 275-pound deadlift for a 755-pound total.
Martin, competing in the 242-pound weight class, finished with an 800-pound squat, a 570-pound bench press and a 630-pound deadlift for a 2,000-pound total. Coach Arthur also shared that Wylie had 37 regional qualifiers, 19 state qualifiers and the most state qualifiers of any program in Texas this year.
Hope Willis Recognized for Tennis State Championship
Coach Cherry introduced Hope Willis, a two-time state champion who completed an undefeated spring tennis season. Willis went 18-0, won six tournaments and defeated top-level competition from both 5A and 6A programs throughout the season.
Coach Cherry praised her consistency and competitiveness, noting the difficult path she faced at state and the high level of play she brought throughout the spring.
Open Forum
During open forum, community member Marta Hollowell thanked a Wylie maintenance employee, Harold, for being proactive and communicating with neighbors before fence work near West Junior High.
Wylie High School freshman Caleb Gosdin also addressed the board to thank Wylie ISD, the CTE program and several staff members for helping him discover new career interests and opportunities before his family’s upcoming move to California.
Board Action Items
The board considered and approved several action items during the meeting.
Monthly Financial Reports
Kathryn Bristow presented the monthly financial reports, including bills, cash position, bond activity, expenses and revenue.
Highlights included:
April payroll totaled approximately $3.4 million.
Cash balance as of March 31 was approximately $33.5 million.
Bond activity began April with approximately $123 million, with $2.6 million spent during the month, leaving approximately $121 million at the end of April.
Overall expenses were at approximately 59.76 percent of the budget.
Revenue was at approximately 74.82 percent of the budget.
Bristow said the district remains in a strong position, with revenue and expenses tracking well at this point in the year.
Auditor Selected for 2025-26
The board approved using the district’s current audit firm, Hankins, Eastup, Deaton, Tonn & Seay, for the 2025-26 school year. Superintendent Joey Light noted the firm’s familiarity with the district and the value of continuing that working relationship.
Taylor Electric Coop Property Proposal
The board approved moving forward with a proposal from Taylor Electric Coop to purchase 8.17 acres of district property north of the ag farm for $15,000 per acre, pending final approval by Taylor Electric Coop’s board.
Light explained that the property has limited use for the district because of existing utility easements and terrain. The agreement would also help provide a more direct feed for power and internet service, which is expected to improve reliability.
School Board Election Canvassed
The board canvassed the 2026 school board election results. Light explained that the final results included three additional mail-in ballots and one provisional ballot that were counted by the Taylor County Elections Office. The additional ballots did not change the outcome.
Cameron Wiley Nominated for TASB Board Consideration
(Middle: Cameron Wiley)
The board approved nominating Cameron Wiley as a candidate to fill a position on the TASB Board of Directors representing Region 14. Light explained that the nomination begins the process, and school boards across the region may nominate candidates before an election is held.
Campus Updates
Campus leaders shared end-of-year updates from across the district.
Wylie Early Childhood
Lisa Salmon shared updates on Circle Progress Monitoring, including additional measures tied to the Teacher Incentive Allotment. She also highlighted a field trip to Hardin-Simmons’ Western Heritage Day, School Lunch Hero Day, appreciation meals, East Junior High students reading character-based storybook projects and upcoming field day and classroom awards.
Wylie East Intermediate
Liz Carey reported on spring review activities, including March Madness review, glow day review, Olympic-style academic activities, an educational egg hunt and positive behavior incentives. She also shared that construction is moving forward and that work on the storm shelter/gym area is progressing.
Wylie West Elementary
Lisa Bessent reported that West Elementary had 671 students and shared updates on fundraisers, end-of-year activities, Teacher of the Year recognition, PrimeTime, Fair Share lunch, bounce house day, field days and upcoming end-of-year events.
Wylie West Intermediate
Mr. Boone reported that West Intermediate had 460 students, which he said was the campus’s highest enrollment point of the year. He highlighted Purple Up activities, field trips, Teacher of the Year recognition for Julie Brown, music programs, reading achievements, Field Day and end-of-year recognitions.
He also recognized retiring music teacher Mr. Jones, who was praised for his impact on students and the campus.
Wylie East Elementary
Caren Christian reported that East Elementary had 735 students and highlighted strong attendance efforts, MCLASS testing, 425 acts of kindness nominations, Purple Up activities, field trips and the campus’s first kindergarten graduation ceremony. She also shared that third-grade students raised more than $1,700 through a keychain fundraiser to support playground equipment.
Christian also noted that East Elementary completed its safety audit, drills and safety lessons.
Bond Project Updates
Superintendent Light provided updates on ongoing bond projects, including Wylie South Elementary, high school additions and East Intermediate work.
Wylie South Elementary
Light said South Elementary continues to move closer to completion. Flooring installation is nearly complete, and the district expects teachers to begin moving in once the certificate of occupancy is received, likely around mid-June.
Wylie High School Additions
Updates included progress on classroom additions, athletic additions and the band hall expansion. Light noted that the existing band hall is being renovated with new ceiling tile, wall coverings, flooring and acoustical materials. That work must be completed before band activities resume in July.
East Intermediate
Work at East Intermediate remains focused on foundation and concrete wall construction, including storm shelter components.
Light also discussed parking and paving improvements near the high school, including additional concrete work near the bus barn, Centennial Field and the show barn area.
Upcoming Graduation Events
The district also reviewed upcoming senior events:
Baccalaureate: Sunday, May 17, at 2 p.m.
Wylie High School Graduation: Friday, May 22, at 7 p.m.
Light noted that graduation preparations are in place and shared information with board members about assisting with diplomas during the ceremony.
Summer Board Workshops and Meetings
The board also discussed upcoming summer workshops and meetings, including budget workshop planning and required board training. Light said the district may use a survey to identify dates that work best for board members.
Meeting Summary
The May board meeting reflected a busy and successful close to the school year, with students recognized for excellence in academics, creativity and athletics; campuses preparing for end-of-year celebrations; bond projects continuing to move forward; and the board completing several financial and governance-related action items.
From Destination Imagination teams preparing for Global Finals to state champions in powerlifting and tennis, the meeting highlighted Wylie ISD’s continued tradition of excellence while also looking ahead to construction progress, graduation and the 2026-27 school year.
See The Full Meeting Video Recording Below: