Welcome back, Willis ISD! If you are new this year, we are so glad you are here and joining our family. This is our once a month district newsletter intended to provide you with an overview of things going on around the district. This edition includes the Board Briefs, which are sent out in the week following the monthly school board meeting (see link at end). We always encourage you to follow us on social media to see all of the amazing things happening in our schools.

In February 2024, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution for the payment of a retention bonus in August 2024. This one-time retention supplemental compensation payment is for continued and unbroken service to the students and school community of Willis ISD. The details of the Resolution are described below. The payments will be scheduled as a separate payment on August 16, 2024.

To be paid to each eligible employee as outlined below. Once the funds are ready to be paid to eligible employees, those employees will be required to sign an agreement noting the understanding they will be required to reimburse the district for the payment if they submit a resignation, are terminated, or are released prior to December 31, 2024.

Should the employee separate from employment either voluntarily or involuntarily, by resignation or termination prior to December 31, 2024, the employee will no longer be eligible for this one-time retention incentive payment, or the employee will reimburse the District for the full amount of the one-time retention payment (if the resignation took place after receiving the funds). To further clarify, disqualification for the payment will include those that separate(d) / submit(ted) their intent to separate and are later rehired, regardless of the date of rehire.

• $2,500 to each Teacher/Professional/Exempt employee with an official employment / start date with the district as of May 1, 2024
• $1,500 to each Non-Exempt / Hourly / Part-time employee with an official employment start date with the district as of May 1, 2024
• $500 to each Non-Exempt / Hourly / Part-time employee with an official employment / start date between May 1 and July 1, 2024

Our website will soon look a little bit different! At the end of this month, we will be making the switch to a new template that will better serve our district and community. For the time being, any updates you need to make to your website, please email them to Melissa Musella at mmusella@willisisd.org. We will train campus and department webmasters in the coming months.

We appreciate your patience as we navigate this launch!

Our upcoming Back to School Bash is quickly approaching and we hope you will join us for a night of FUNDraising with dinner, dancing, and auctions on Saturday August 3rd. Willis ISD Education Foundation exists solely to give back to the Staff and Students of Willis ISD. Our mission is to promote educational excellence and opportunity beyond the scope of the Willis school system by generating financial resources from private funds to provide support for educational programs.

*Please note this is an adult only function- Over 21 Please* Causal Dress

Use the code WISDTeacher$ at checkout for a special Willis ISD staff price. Discount good through July 25th for one time use.

Get your tickets here

24/7/365 MENTAL HEALTH CARE COORDINATION SERVICE FOR WILLIS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS, STAFF, AND THEIR FAMILIES

At no cost to you, Care Solace will quickly and confidentially find available mental health and substance use providers matched to your needs.

• 24/7/365 Multilingual Support - A multilingual team is available 24/7/365 to help you understand options, call providers on your behalf and schedule an appointment.
  
• Care Regardless of Insurance - Connect to care with any coverage including Medicaid, Medicare, and sliding scale options for those without insurance.
  
• Easy Access to Care - Use Care Match, the self-serve website, to find a provider on your own.
  

For more information, visit caresolace.com/willisisd