It'll be a long bus ride for Kendleton pupils

The now-defunct Kendleton school district's lone campus will not be used as an elementary school this year.
The Texas Commissioner of Education ordered KISD's closure effective July 1, annexing it into Lamar CISD.
A finding by the Texas Education Agency that KISD did not meet state requirements means 78 pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade pupils who had attended KISD's lone campus, Powell Point Elementary, will now be enrolled at Beasley Elementary in Beasley and Wessendorff Middle School in Rosenberg.
Kendleton ISD students in grades seven through 12 have attended Lamar CISD schools for the past 25 years.
Dr. Thomas Randle, superintendent for Lamar CISD, said during last week's school board meeting that the additional pupils at the pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade Beasley campus means a full-time assistant principal and four or five teachers will need to be hired for that school.
In addition, the music and art teachers, who have been serving Beasley only part-time, will now become full-time, and two double-wide portable buildings with two classrooms each will be added to the campus. Randle said a fifth classroom may be needed as well.
Trustee Richard McCarter reminded staff to track every penny" LCISD spends on KISD separately from LCISD's own finances, for reimbursement from the state.
McCarter also said he's heard an 8,000-acre tract in the Kendleton area will be sold for development, meaning an influx of families and the possibility of reopening Powell Point in the future.
We want to certainly pursue the history of Powell Point School," Randle added, alluding to the possibility of reopening and rededicating" the campus when its time comes.
Board President Sam Hopkins said Lamar CISD needs to make sure the Powell Point campus is well-maintained for just that time.
We're going to get through this and eventually be part of the family, and that's what it's all about," he said.
As part of that goal, LCISD will maintain the Head Start program at Powell Point for two years, and provide one bus to transport KISD elementary pupils and another for its secondary students.
Here's a letter that was sent out to parents of Kendleton students:
Parents,
I would like to be the first person to officially welcome you to the Lamar CISD family. Many of you may already feel like part of the family if your secondary students attend our schools. We would like for you to join us at an informational meeting on Tuesday, August 3 at 6:00 PM at Beasley Elementary.
At their July meeting, the LCISD Board of Trustees approved the Administration's recommendation that students previously attending Powell Point Elementary will attend Beasley Elementary beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. All students entering 6th grade in 2010-2011 will attend Wessendorff MS. Students in grades 7 12 will continue attending Lamar JH and Lamar CHS.
Doris Goates, principal of Beasley Elementary, and Diana Tydlacka, principal of Wessendorff MS, are preparing for a smooth transition for the Powell Point students. They are anxious to welcome each of you and help you feel at home" in your new school.
All parents of school-aged students are invited to attend this special parent meeting on Tuesday, August 3 at 6:00 PM at Beasley. Elementary students and their parents will have an opportunity to visit with Ms. Goates and some of the Beasley staff members. Wessendorff MS students will meet Ms. Tydlacka and review course selections for 6th grade. Representatives from our Food Service, Student Accounting, Technology and Transportation departments will also be available to answer your questions.
Records of students enrolled at Powell Point last year will be forwarded to Beasley Elementary and Wessendorff MS for you. Parents will be asked to update or certify student information currently on file. You will not need to enroll your students.
Students that are not currently enrolled at Powell Point or any Lamar CISD campus can enroll that evening. Students registering for Pre-kindergarten or Kindergarten for next fall can also complete their online registration that evening. You must bring proof of residence, Social Security card, immunization records and a certified birth certificate. Please see the enclosed enrollment information.
We will look forward to meeting each of you soon.
Sincerely,
Thomas Randle, Ed. D.