Congratulations, WHS Senior Class of 2013!

More than 500 Weatherford High School students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas at the WHS Graduation Ceremony June 6 inside the Fort Worth Convention Center.

For additional photos from the event, please visit the WISD Photo Gallery (photos by DERIK MOORE).

Board members approve portable building purchases for Austin, Curtis campuses

[Top Photo] The proposed locations for two portable buildings at Austin Elementary; and [Bottom Photo] the proposed locations for two portable buildings at Curtis Elementary (photos courtesy of Google Maps).

Members of the Weatherford ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the purchase of four portable buildings that will address overcrowding issues at both Austin and Curtis elementary schools as part of Tuesday’s special-called meeting in the District Services Building Boardroom.

Total cost for these four portable units – including delivery, installation, skirting, perimeter fencing, computer networking, ramps, and sidewalks – is $440,400. The estimated completion date is August 1.

“This is a temporary solution to a long-term problem,” newly-elected Board President Paul Paschall said, referring to the District’s projected enrollment increase over the course of the next 10 years.

Although each portable building contains two classrooms per unit, WISD Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Hanks said he is not 100-percent certain which grade levels may move into them.

“Historically, as in the case of Wright Elementary, we try to place the upper grade level (i.e., sixth grade) into the portables,” Dr. Hanks said, “but nothing has been determined yet for Austin and Curtis.”

Dr. Hanks also said another drawback to having to bring in portables is that students and staff members will have to enter the main buildings throughout the course of the day to eat lunch, get a drink of water, and to use the restroom facilities.

“These portable units will not be plumbed,” he added. “However, they will be heated and cooled as well as have the necessary technology infrastructure and additional materials that promotes a learning environment.”

In other action, the Board elected new officers for the 2013-14 school year. The new officers include Paul Paschall, Board President; Kip Hooks, Board Vice President; and Ashley Conlon, Board Secretary. Other Board members include Gail Wirtanen, Dave Cowley, Jeff Geyer, and Dr. Joshua Tarbay.

The next regular-scheduled Board meeting will be June 20 in the DSB Boardroom beginning at 6 p.m.

Weatherford ISD hires new head boys basketball coach

Bridgeport High School head boys basketball coach Brian Miller was recently hired as the new head boys basketball coach at Weatherford High School.

Miller, who was a member of the SMU basketball team from 2001-05, helped Bridgeport win more games in the past two seasons than it did the previous four seasons.

“We look forward to having Brian as member of our WISD coaching staff,” WISD Executive Director of Athletics Richard Scoggin said. “He has a proven track record wherever he has coached and, since he played at the collegiate level, there’s no question he knows every aspect of the game.”

Besides Bridgeport (2010-13), Miller had other coaching stops at Grapevine High School (2008-10) and Griffin Middle School at The Colony (2006-08). He also worked with students in grades 6-12 for two summers as part of a First Baptist Church Lewisville internship in 2006-07.

Miller played high school at Lewisville High School from 1997-2001. He was named a Class 5A First Team All-State selection his senior year, as well as a three-time All-District and All-Region selection.

During his junior year of high school, Miller was the leading scorer and was named 2000 on the LHS Regional Tournament Team.