The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, May 21, 2001 beginning at 6:00 P.M. Items discussed or acted on by members included the following:

1. Oath of office for newly elected board members – Denise Behrens, acting in her capacity as a public notary, administered the oath of office for the newly elected School Board Trustees. They are:
        Mike Morgan – Place 5
        Mike Wittrock – Place 6
        Howard Burns, Jr. – Place 7

2. Reorganization of the board – Board policies BDA [Legal] and BDA [Local] specify that the board will elect a president, vice-president, and secretary at the first meeting after each election and qualification of employees. Peggy Walicek made a motion to elect Craig Williams as president. The motion was seconded by Howard Burns. Mr. Burns motioned that nominations cease, which was seconded by Linda Rooks. The motion carried 5-0 with Craig Williams abstaining. Peggy Walicek motioned to elect Mike Wittrock as vice-president, with a second by Linda Rooks. Howard Burns motioned that nominations cease, seconded by Craig Williams. The motion carried 5-0 with Mike Wittrock abstaining. Peggy Walicek then motioned to elect Howard Burns as secretary. Mike Wittrock seconded, and Craig Williams motioned for nominations to cease. After a second by Linda Rooks, the vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0 with Howard Burns abstaining.

A. Recognitions

3. Band and U.I.L. recognitions – On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Smithville I.S.D., Board President Craig Williams presented both the high school and junior high bands with a Certificate of Recognition for their "Sweepstakes" award at U.I.L. competition. Chad Taylor and Ashley Wittrock, drum majors for the High School Band, were present to accept the certificate for the High School Tiger Band, and Michelle Owens and Emily Quitta-Carney accepted for the Junior High Tiger Band.

The Board President also presented a Certificate of Recognition to the High School UIL Academic Team to recognize members who qualifed for regional and state level competition.    Brandon Patterson was at the meeting to receive the certificate on their behalf.

B. Communications from the Public

4. Communications from the Public – The Board heard from several members of the Jeddo community in support of the proposed sale of the Jeddo School by the school district to the Jeddo Cemetery Association. The speakers were as follows:

Tony Spears, Garrett Trayhan, Ken Baker, Marlon White, Lester Jacobs, Ellison White, Dion Laurent, Monita White, and Robert Jenkins. The Board also heard from Mary Pierce, a registered nurse representing the Health Department supporting immunizations of students by school districts.

The Board then decided to change the order of the agenda and address the following three agenda items.

25. Consideration of Jeddo Cemetery Association proposal to purchase the old Jeddo School Property under provisions of the Local Government Code §272.001(b)(4) – On October 16, 2000 the Board passed a motion to sell the Jeddo School property within six months after it was clear that Smithville ISD did indeed own the property. It has been determined that the school district does own the property, therefore, the issue before the board at this time is whether or not the Board wants to accept the proposal for development of the Jeddo School property by the Jeddo Cemetery Association. Peggy Walicek made a motion that the Board accept the proposal for development of the Jeddo School property by the Jeddo Cemetery Association and authorize the superintendent to bring an appraised value, a contract, and a deed to the next regular board meeting for action by the Board to close the sale of the property to the Jeddo Cemetery Association. Mike Wittrock seconded the motion, and it passed 6-0.

16. Consideration and approval of the schematic design for the new high school – Following the voter approval of bonds to construct a new high school, the school district moved forward with a five phase process for construction which includes: 1) schematic design, 2) design development, 3) construction documents, 4) bidding and contract negotiation, and 5) construction. Architects George Austria and Brad Pfluger along with civil engineer Scott Dukette were present at the board meeting to present the schematic design for the new high school. Linda Rooks motioned to approve the schematic design as presented. Peggy Walicek seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

14. New High School Construction Report – The superintendent provided the Board with the monthly high school construction report in order to keep the Board and community informed on construction progress of the new high school.

C. Consent Agenda

Peggy Walicek made a motion to approve Items 5 through 11 as listed on the Consent Agenda. Howard Burns seconded, and the motion carried 6-0. The Consent Agenda consisted of the following:
        5. Minutes of the April 16, 2001 regular board meeting and the May 9, 2001 special board meeting
        6. Disbursements for the month of April, 2001
        7. Financial Statements for April, 2001
        8. Investment Report
        9. Tax Collection Report
        10. Regional Day School for the Deaf Shared Services Agreement
        11. Bastrop Special Education Cooperative Shared Services Agreement

D. Reports and Information Items

12. First Draft of the 2001-2002 Budget – The Board was presented with the first draft of the 2001-2002 school district budget.

13. Report on preliminary personnel pay scale adjustment recommendations by the superintendent – Last year the school board approved an employee compensation system that established pay scales and pay ranges for all employees in the school district except teachers, counselors, librarians, and nurses, who are on a specific step scale to conform to State law. The pay system adopted does not have automatic steps or increases based upon longevity for any employee, including teachers. Instead the superintendent recommends to the Board an amount for employee pay increases as part of the annual budget. The superintendent has conducted a market study to compare the employee compensation in S.I.S.D. with other school districts, with whom we compete for employees. Based upon that data, the superintendent has developed a recommendation for employee pay increases as part of the draft budget. The Board was provided a copy of that recommendation.

15. Tentative June agenda items – Tentative agenda items for the month of June are as follows:
        a) Review of Board Operating Procedures
        b) Preliminary TAAS Spring Testing Report
        c) Technology Status Report/Technology Plan Update
        d) Cafeteria Food Item Bids
        e) Investment Policy Review
        f) Superintendent’s Formative Evaluation
        g) Facilities Inspection Report
        h) District Climate Survey Report

E. Action Items

17. Delegate selection for TASB Convention – Annually, the Board appoints a delegate and an alternate to attend the TASB Delegate Assembly. The delegate casts our district’s vote on action items coming before the Assembly. Mike Wittrock motioned to elect Peggy Walicek as delegate and Linda Rooks as alternate for the 2001 TASB Convention. Howard Burns seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

18. Consideration of employment of audit firm to conduct 2000-2001 School District Audit – The board is required by law to employ an independent audit firm to conduct an audit of the district. Howard Burns made a motion to approve the continuation of the audit services provided by the firm of Gindler, Chappell, Morrison, CPA. Mike Wittrock seconded, and the vote passed 6-0.

The Board took a short break at 8:35 p.m. and returned at 8:43 p.m.

19. Consideration of depository bids and awarding of depository contract – The district is required to bid for depository services every two years. Bid documents were sent out to all banks located within the district boundaries as required and a pre-bid conference was held in order to answer any questions that needed clarification. The bids were received and opened on May 15, 2001 in accordance with purchasing law. Two bids were received, one from First State Bank of Smithville, and one from Community Bank of Smithville. Mike Wittrock motioned to award the depository contract for the period of September 1, 2001 to August 31, 2003 to First State Bank of Smithville. Howard Burns seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

20. Consideration of an amendment to the custodial service contract – The school district contract with Faldyn Maintenance Services was for $29,400 per month for the first year, which included startup equipment costs. The contract states that the contracted price after the first year is $28,081.25 per month for each of the next four years with no increases due to cost-of-living or cost-of-business increases. Faldyn was the only company that did not bid a percentage of increase for cost-of-living index changes. Mr. Faldyn has requested that the school district consider keeping the contract price $29,400 per month for the remaining four years of the contract. Peggy Walicek motioned to amend the contract with Faldyn Maintenance Services to change the contract price for the period July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2005 to $29,400 per month. Linda Rooks seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

21. Consideration of the Student Code of Conduct and Student Dress Code for 2000-2001 – Texas Education Code Chapter 37 requires that "the Board shall adopt a Student Code of Conduct for the District, with the advice of its District-level committee". The law does not require any periodic review or revision of the Student Code of Conduct. However, SISD reviews the entire Student Code of Conduct and Dress Code each year and annually adopts the revised code of conduct. Craig Williams made a motion to approve the Student Code of Conduct and Student Dress Code for 2001-2002 as presented. Howard Burns seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

22. Consideration of continuation of the D.A.R.E. program in Smithville ISD – For a number of years now, Smithville ISD has participated in the D.A.R.E. (Drug Awareness and Resistance Education) program. Initially the program was largely funded from grants with a small portion of the cost of the Sheriff’s Deputy being paid by the district. The district also receives approximately $5,000 per year in Federal Safe and Drug Free Schools money that we have been applying toward the costs of the DARE programs. The net cost to the district has been approximately $3,000 per year. The Federal grants that have been subsidizing the costs have all expired and the County has been picking up the additional costs over the past two years. The County has given notice to the participating school districts that next year the cost will be passed along to the districts, which will result in substantial increase. The projected fiscal impact on Smithville ISD is $20,000. Due to the fact that national studies indicate no significant long-term impact of the program on drug use among young people, the superintendent is recommending discontinuation of the program. Peggy Walicek motioned to discontinue participation by Smithville ISD in the D.A.R.E. program with the understanding that the superintendent work with the Chief of Police and the School Resource Officer to enhance the Drug and Alcohol Awareness program in Smithville schools. Mike Wittrock seconded, and the vote passed 5-1.  Board member Linda Rooks voted against the motion.

23. Consideration of implementing a Seven-Period Schedule for the High School for 2001-2002 – After receiving less than expected TAAS results for the high school this year, the high school principal and his staff began to aggressively explore options to improve academic achievement. They believe that the instructional schedule may be a problem contributing to the lack of expected progress in campus academic performance. The high school principal and staff are recommending the discontinuation of the eight period block schedule and going to a seven period day. Howard Burns made a motion to approve the request to change the schedule at the high school to seven periods for next year, and to amend board policy EIF [Local] to establish a phase in of credits required for graduation from the current 28 and 29 credits to 23 and 25 credits. Peggy Walicek seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

24. Annual review of written reports – The Board of Trustees of each school district must, after soliciting recommendations from each campus-level committee and the district-level committee, annually consider the number and length of written reports that employees of the district are required to prepare. All site-based committees are recommending no changes in paperwork requirements at this time, therefore the board took no action on this agenda item.

26. Selection and approval of a list of qualified brokers that are authorized to engage in investment transactions with the School District – The district investment policy requires that the board or a designated investment committee shall, at least annually, review, revise, and adopt a list of qualified brokers that are authorized to engage in investment transactions for the District. Two investment firms have submitted qualifications for consideration by the Board to be included in the list of approved brokers.  They are Morgan, Stanley, Dean Witter and Southwest Securities. Mike Wittrock made a motion to approve the list of investment brokers as presented. Craig Williams seconded, and the vote passed 6-0.

27a. Resignations of Certified Personnel – The superintendent advised the board of the resignations of the following personnel:
        Jonna Fleming – Brown Primary teacher
        Sandra Diaz de Leon – Brown Primary speech pathologist
        Julia Scott – Elementary teacher
        Gina Cheney – Elementary teacher
        Susan Johnson – Elementary teacher
        Tammy Long – Elementary teacher
        Maggie Quitta-Carney – High School theater arts teacher
        Craig Culberson – High School special education teacher/coach
        Pam Fieldcamp – Speech pathologist

27b. Employment of New Personnel – Mr. Thornell recommended employment of the following personnel:
        Susan Kalina – Speech pathologist at Brown Primary
        Jason Segel – Theater Arts teacher/coach at the high school
Linda Rooks made a motion to employ the above personnel for the 2001-2002 school year. Peggy Walicek seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

27c. Employment of Nina Brinker as Assistant Principal at Brown Primary – The assistant principal position at Brown Primary School became open when Ms. Mayer was transferred to Central Office and Mrs. Scherrer was employed as the campus principal. The campus selection committee, along with Ms. Scherrer, screened and interviewed applicants.  They interviewed ten applicants, and unanimously recommended Ms. Brinker. As a result of this process and his own interview, the superintendent is recommending employment of Ms. Brinker. Howard Burns motioned to employ Nina Brinker as an assistant principal on a one-year probationary contract for the 2001-2002 school year. Linda Rooks seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

27d. Authorization of a new assistant principal position – Mr. Thornell requested that the Board authorize the addition of an assistant principal position. Craig Williams motioned to approve an additional assistant principal position for 2001-2002. Howard Burns seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

28. Adjournment – The Board adjourned its meeting at 10:12 p.m.

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