School board recognizes flooring company

The Bandera ISD Board of Trustees met on Monday, March 14 at the Central Administration Building in Bandera for their regular monthly meeting, during which Representatives from Rubber Flooring Systems (RFS) were recognized for their donation of new specialized flooring for the high school weight room.

RFS owner David Smith, son Nick Smith and regional sales manager Oscar Riojas were each presented certificates to commemorate the company’s donation of new flooring and installation. Director of Facilities Operations Dale Heiner praised working with RFS and added his department repainted and made repairs in the room while the old floor was removed.

The installation of the new weight room floor significantly brightened the room and made the BHS weight room a Hill Country showplace for the new flooring system. Student athletes came back from Spring Break to a better, brighter weight room and were very positively impressed, according to Athletic Director Joel Fontenot-Amedee.

Heiner also introduced Texas Solar Chief Administrative Operations Director Jimmy Carter. The company is donating 1,500 square feet of solar panels to Bandera High School to be placed on the roof of the new cafeteria building. Texas Solar is working with Bandera Electric Coop to install the solar array and has also donated the solar application fee to the project.

The rooftop array will generate about 3360 kilowatt hours of solar energy per year at a savings of $4,500 to the school district. Superintendent Gary Bitzkie noted that the installation would also enable BHS Career and Technology students to become familiar with the features of solar energy technology.

Tile replacement and maintenance will also be provided by Texas Solar. Over the 25-year average lifespan of the solar installation, the district will regain one hundred thousand dollars in energy savings.

Superintendent Gary Bitzkie gave his monthly report on enrollment and attendance. BISD currently has 2,328 students enrolled and attendance was reported at 91 percent. Bitzkie was happy to report there were no active cases of COVID-19 in the district at this time.

Students of the Month from Hill Country Elementary Justina Martinez and Anelisa Moore were recognized by the Board.

Teacher of the Month was twenty-three-year district veteran Carla Mata, who works with severe and profound special education students, was also honored.

Food Services Director Bryan Crelia gave a report on student participation in the school breakfast and lunch programs, mentioning the free meals program would be scaled back next year due to the federal government’s reduction in reimbursement.

The board voted to approve the purchase of 22 new replacement cafeteria tables for elementary schools. This purchase would come out of the Food Services account’s fund balance. The BISD Board is required to approve any single item purchase of over $25,000.