Cedar Hill ISD extends superintedent’s contract

by Steve Snyder of TODAY Newspapers

Horace Williams can get a little more comfortable now leading Cedar Hill schools.

The Cedar Hill School Board, after having done a performance review of Williams, extended the contract of the Cedar Hill Independent School District's superintendent.

Williams' contract was extended to August 2011, along with the board giving him a 7 percent raise. In dollar amounts, it's an increase of $12,600 a year, from $180,000 to $192,600.

Williams began with the district Feb. 1, 2007, and his initial contract ran through Jan. 31, 2010.

“During the time he has been with us, he has not had a pay raise,” Boardmember Mike Marshall said.

“When we talk about moving toward a world-class district, a lot of improvement has happened that the public doesn't see, and it isn't by chance,” Boardmember Sonya Grass said.

Some members of the board offered similar comments.

However, the vote was not unanimous. Boardmember Amy Allen voted against the increase.

She said it was not about Williams, but about district finances after voters rejected a 13-cent property tax increase last month.

In other action items, the district bought new dishwashers for Highlands Elementary and Beltline Intermediate schools, and made a few recommended personnel changes.

Valerie Kinlaw of Sodexho Food Service updated the board on lunch and breakfast programs in the district, especially the use of and benefits of breakfast programs in the district.

“We have a growing number of students coming into our district eligible for free and reduced-income lunches, and Section 8 families moving into our apartments,” Williams said.

Director of Maintenance Bill Pinson said his staff has completed 95 percent of work order requests from Aug. 11-Nov. 7.