Wylie ISD trustees addressed leadership appointments, academic performance, budget planning and tax rate adoption during their Monday, Aug. 18 regular meeting — the first of the 2024-25 school year.

Trustees welcomed Craig Needham as the new Executive Director of Fine Arts, succeeding the recently retired Glenn Lambert. Needham brings experience from Arlington ISD and previous roles in McKinney and Richardson ISDs. They also recognized Shawnell Bradshaw as the first principal of Hartman Early Childhood Learning Center, which opens this month to serve the district’s youngest learners.

Mary and Ron Warkentine were honored as the first Wylie Way Award nominees of the school year. The couple has volunteered for more than 30 years with the Wylie Community Christian Care Center, including five years as co-directors. Their long-standing dedication has supported countless families through food, clothing and housing assistance.

Student achievements across several programs were also recognized, including Wylie East’s Solar Car Challenge and SkillsUSA teams, as well as Wylie High’s SkillsUSA Robotics national competitors, HOSA international first-place winners in medical innovation, and FFA students earning the Lone Star Degree.

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By Chad Engbrock | [email protected]