At its first regular trustees’ meeting of the school year, Blanco ISD shined the monthly Spotlight on the cheerleaders of Blanco High School: Captains Paxston Koehl and Callie Culton, Payton Savarino, Kati Petri, Abbie Culton, Charlsey Smith, Callie Jane Nance, Danielle Oliver, Ashlyn Stephens, and mascot Kristin Watt. Principal Dustin Barton introduced the cheerleaders and enumerated the awards the squad won at Universal Cheerleader Association Camp and Competition. Several cheerleaders were selected to perform at upcoming events such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City.

Superintendent Dr. Buck Ford reported that work has been completed on Blanco Middle School air-conditioner upgrades. Funding from last spring’s bond issue and a State Energy Conservation Grant of $85,000 made the projects possible. Seven aging air-conditioning units were upgraded in classroom areas, and the gym and computer server rooms received new systems. Pictures of the new units in the gym are available online in The Bell newsletter. Dr. Ford also reported that a new school bus has been added to the fleet.

Upcoming dates to put on the calendar include two early-release days. On December 12, 2012, school will close at 12 noon to enable Blanco Middle School to host UIL competition. On March 27, 2013, school will again close at noon for a UIL competition at Blanco High School. Dr. Ford also reminded trustees of the TASA/TASB Convention in Austin September 28-30, 2012.

Vanguard Contractors representative Joel Benjegerdes gave trustees an update on construction/renovation on the Blanco Elementary School campus. Paving is complete on the bus turnaround and the new parking lot, and masonry work is complete on the new cafeteria’s exterior. Painting is expected to begin on the interior of the cafeteria by the end of this week. The cafeteria is expected to be operational after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Progress continues on the east classroom wing, which has been framed and sheathed. Ductwork is 50 percent complete. The west wing is a little farther along, with ductwork 70 percent complete and painting scheduled to begin within the next 30 days. Benjegerdes said that anyone who wanted to get up at 4 a.m. on Tuesday morning, September 11, could see the slab being poured for the gallery of the original Mission-style building. He said he has been in touch with the Blanco Historical Commission to get input on the plan to have a display case of artifacts unearthed in the renovation placed in the gallery. There is also a plan for a Memorial Wall in front of the building, which will display the original Masonic Marker as well as the Historical Marker. The property and the stonework for the building were donated by the Masons. Benjegerdes also informed trustees that site supervisor Bill Burroughs is back on duty after a brief hospital stay.

At the conclusion of the meeting, trustees Darrel Wagner, Matt Herden, Kirk Felps, Troy Immel, Charles Riley, and Tim Nance posed for a photo. Bernie San Miguel was not present.