On a day when America pauses and remembers the lives lost on 9/11, the Weatherford ISD Board of Trustees did the same prior to its meeting Monday, Sept. 11.
The Weatherford Kanga Singers, led by choir director Abigail Weaver, gathered to sing the National Anthem for those in attendance, and the board then honored its School Resource and Community Service Officers, the Weatherford Fire and Police Departments and first responders.
“Because of these right here, we are the safest school district in the state,” Board president Mike Guest said. “When you take your kids to school, the biggest fear is that they are away from you and you can’t protect them anymore. We never have that here.”
Guest went on to say that many agencies contact Weatherford ISD to follow its safety plan because of its success.
Shortly after, Cynthia Ortiz, the Parker County Relations Officer, introduced Chris Bosco, Group Manager with Freese and Nichols, who gave trustees a look at the details of the Parker County Transportation Bond and future plans.
The county is seeking $130 million to improve safety and traffic congestion and commissioners recently called for an election to be placed on the November ballot.
“We are always looking for opportunities to partner with entities and advance projects to get more state and federal funds coming to Parker County,” Bosco said.
Many of what is being considered and planned for is the expansion of I-20, reconstruction and addition of off-ramps, and dedicated turn lanes on farm-to-market roads throughout the county.
“There has been an uptick in accidents on,” Bosco said. “Parker County grew over 34 percent from 2010-2022 and is ranked sixth in the U.S.”
Of interest to the district is the extension of FM 730 by Mary Martin Elementary School to make it more of an urban road. Also of interest is additional ramp access near Weatherford High School and Bethel Road.
Bosco said there are 32 total projects and when asked if there was a timeline on when some of these could be completed, the timeline varied from as little as five years to as long as 10.
Board member Jeff Ford said he hoped the county was thinking about the future and not just the present.
“This is great for the people who are here now but what about the people who are coming?” he asked rhetorically. “It feels like we don’t always do that.”
For more information on the bond, visit www.parkercountybond.com.
Trustees then heard about updates on the Grizzard Regional Institute of Technology (GRIT) construction progress. Weather permitting, the building will be “going vertical” on Sept. 25 and is currently on schedule and within budget despite some “hurdles.”
The board next meets on Sept. 25 when members will receive a Legislative update and training.
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