SMITHVILLE I.S.D.
BOARD BRIEFS
APRIL 15, 2002

 The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, March 15, 2002 beginning at 6:00 P.M.  Items discussed or acted on by members included the following:

 1.       Employees of the Month for April - The two employees selected as employees of the month for April are Cookie Evanicky, teacher at Brown Primary, and Javier Gutierrez, maintenance employee for the district.  They were present at the board meeting to receive recognition.

 2.       Recognition of outstanding students for the fifth six weeks - The Board recognized the outstanding students for the fifth six weeks from the Junior High and High School campuses.   Representing the Junior High was Jessica Roudebush, eighth grade daughter of Tina and William Roudebush.  Junior Clinton Burns, son of Marilyn and Cliff Burns, and Senior Devon Smith, daughter of Bobbie and Robert Smith, were chosen from the High School.

 3.      Communications from the Public – There were no public communications.

 Consent Agenda – Howard Burns motioned to approve Items 4 through 10 as listed on the Consent Agenda, with a second by Peggy Walicek.  The motion carried 6-0.  They consisted of the following:

 4.    Minutes of the March 26, 2002 regular board meeting, the April 2, 2002 special board meeting, the April 8, 2002 special board meeting, and the April 9, 2002 special board meeting

5.      Disbursements for the month of March 2002

6.   Financial Statements for March 2002

7.   Investment Report

8.   Tax Collection Report

9.   Student Transfer requests for 2002-2003

10. Fall sports athletic bids

 11.      Construction Status Report (New high school, field-house, and junior high canopy - The superintendent has been preparing monthly construction status reports in order to keep the Board and the community informed about construction progress.  This report was included in the board packet. 

 12. Board Self-Evaluation – The Board conducts a self-assessment once a year in order to strive to improve their governance of the District.  The Board uses a survey instrument and process recommended and developed by the Texas Association of School Boards.  All team members are asked to complete the self-assessment survey and return it to President Craig Williams no later than May 6, 2002.

 13. Tentative May Agenda Items – The tentative agenda items for the May meeting are:

            a.  First draft of the 2002-2003 budget

            b.  Oath of office for newly elected board members

            c.  Reorganization of the Board

            d.  Delegate selection for TASB Convention

            e.  Consider bidding for audit firm

            f.  Consideration of Student Code of Conduct and Dress Code for next year

            g.  Annual review of written reports

            h.  Facilities inspection report

            i.  Board Self-Evaluation

 14.      Consideration of alternate #3-Finish our to Vocational Building at New High School – After numerous meetings between the construction manager and the vocational/building and trades staff regarding the new vocational facility, both parties felt that a reasonable agreement had been reached detailing the finish out, (alternate #3), of the new building.  Sam Best, construction manager, presented the Board with results of the collaborative effort to cut costs of construction of the new voc-ed building.  Mike Morgan motioned to accept Alternate 3 as presented by taking $65,000 out of the interest on bond money and $54,232 from the contingency fund.  Craig Williams seconded, and the motion carried 4-2 with Davis and Burns opposing.

 15. Award of the contract for additional seating capacity of the football stadium – As part of the bond project approved by the community in 2001, we have been making renovations and improvements on the current campuses.  One of the goals was to increase the seating capacity at the football stadium.  Bids were obtained following proper bidding procedures, and a recommendation was brought before the Board by Bobby Hennesey, Director of Maintenance.   Craig Williams motioned to authorize negotiation with Sturdisteel to add 288 seat bleachers to the Home side and 288 seat bleachers to the Visitor side of the football field.  Howard Burns seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

 16.      Consideration of carpentry bids - The proposals for the new Junior High School Field-house were opened on February 14, 2002 at the administration building in Smithville.  Awards were made on all scopes of work except carpentry at the board meeting on February 18, 2002.   The carpentry package was re-bid on April 2, 2000.   Sam Best presented the bids to the Board.  Linda Rooks motioned to award the carpentry contract to Penta Constructors for $16,790 for the junior high field-house.  Peggy Walicek seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

 17. Tax Abatement Request by the Smithville Masonic Lodge – Joe Robinette was present at the Board meeting on behalf of the Masonic Lodge to ask that the Board honor the Lodge’s request to be relieved of their obligation to pay property taxes in the school district on their meeting facility.  Howard Burns made a motion to adopt a resolution to exempt the W.J. Nixon Lodge from ad valorem taxations as presented.  Peggy Walicek seconded, and the vote passed 6-0.

 18. Adoption of school calendar for 2002-2003 – Local school districts may establish any school calendar they choose that meets a few minimum requirements established by the Texas Education Agency.  After input from the District and campus site based committees, as well as administrative and central office staff, the superintendent recommended a calendar for the upcoming school year.   Peggy Walicek moved to approve the proposed school calendar for 2002-2003 as presented.  Mike Morgan seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

 19. Set transfer tuition fees for 2002-2003 school year - Recent changes in state law and subsequently Board Policy FDA [Local] now require the board to determine annually and within statutory limits the amount of tuition to be charged for transfer students.  Howard Burns motioned to set the student transfer tuition fee for 2002-2003 to $1500 per student.  Mike Morgan seconded, and the motion passed 6-0.

20. New Summer Strength and Conditioning Program – The UIL Legislative Council approved a referendum ballot proposing a summer strength and conditioning program conducted by school coaches.  At the conclusion of the 2001-2002 school year school coaches may conduct strength and conditioning programs under specific conditions spelled out by UIL.  After discussion by the Board, Craig Williams motioned to table agenda item #20 regarding implementation of the Summer Strength and Conditioning Program at Smithville ISD until a future meeting.  Peggy Walicek seconded, and the vote carried 6-0.

21. Media Honor Roll Resolution – The Texas Association of School Boards annually sponsors a media honor roll in three categories: print, radio, and television.  Local school boards may make nominations to TASB to recognize local media to be honored.  Linda Rooks entered a motion to approve a resolution to place the names of the Smithville Times and editor Metta Johnson on the statewide Media Honor Roll sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards.  Peggy Walicek seconded the motion, and it carried 6-0.

      Executive Session – The Board entered executive session at 8:50 p.m. and returned at 10:15 p.m. with no official action taken.

22a.Resignations of Certified Personnel – The superintendent advised the Board of the resignations of the following personnel:

                           Barbara Puyear – Assistant Principal at the Elementary

                           Karen Kisko-Low – Speech Therapist

                           Rita Stephens – Teacher at the Elementary

                           Carolyn Detrixhe – Teacher at the Elementary

22b.Discussion of superintendent candidates – This was done in executive session.

23. Make any necessary decisions regarding Executive Session – There were none required.

24. Adjournment – The Board adjourned its meeting at 10:15 p.m.