SMITHVILLE I.S.D.
BOARD BRIEFS

SEPTEMBER 16, 2002

 The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, September 16, 2002 beginning at 6:00 P.M.  Items discussed or acted on by members included the following:

 A.  Public Communications

 1.      Communications From the Public – There were no public communications.

 B.  Consent Agenda

 Consent Agenda - Peggy Walicek motioned to approve Items 2 through 9, with a revision in the minutes, as listed on the Consent Agenda.  Mike Wittrock seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.  The Consent Agenda consisted of the following:

2.      Minutes of the August 19, 2002 regular board meeting
3.       Disbursements for the month of August 2002
4.       Financial Statements for August 2002
5.       Investment Report
6.       Tax Collection Report
7.       Region IV Interlocal Agreement-Texas Cooperative Purchasing Network
8.       Athletic Equipment Bids for Spring Sports
9.       Musical Instruments and Equipment Bids

10.  Construction Status Report – Sam Best, construction manager, and Steve Rogers, project manager, were present at the meeting to update the public and the Board on the progress of construction of the new high school and junior high field house.

11.  Report of Annual Computer Bids for the District – John Harkrider, network administrator, reports to the Board on an annual basis regarding the solicitation of bids for computers, which is done at the beginning of every school year.  Mr. Harkrider advised the Board that he plans to order 28-30 computers at this time.

12.  Texas Primary Reading Inventory Summary Results – The 75^th Texas Legislature required the Commissioner of Education to adopt a list of assessment instruments for diagnosing reading skills and comprehension development.   Karen Scherrer, Brown Primary principal, and Deborah Mayer, Director of Curriculum, provided the Board with the results, and interpretation of the data, of the Texas Primary Reading Inventory, a reading assessment administered to kindergarten, first and second graders.

13.  Superintendent’s Report – Mr. Sage updated the Board on the condition of the cheerleader injured at last Friday’s football game.

14.  Nurse’s Report - Included in the board packet was a monthly report of cases seen through the nurse’s office at all campuses for the month of August.

15.  Site-Based Committee Membership Reports – This report was unavailable at the time of the board meeting.  It will be provided to the Board at a later date.

16.  Class Size Report – State law mandates that a 22 to 1 student teacher ratio is maintained at the Kindergarten through 4^th grade level.  The Superintendent advised the Board that S.I.S.D. is in compliance and within this required limit.

17.  Teacher Certification Status Report – Texas Education Code §21.057 and Board Policy DBA [Legal] require the superintendent to notify the parents or guardian of each student in a classroom that is staffed by a teacher who is inappropriately certified or uncertified for their classroom instruction assignment.   Furthermore, the school district is required to make teacher certification information available to the public upon request.  A complete listing of teachers in our district, their teaching assignments, and their certification status was included in the board packet.

18.  Tentative October Agenda Items – The tentative agenda items for the October board meeting are:

a.  Employee of the Month
b.  Construction Status Report
c.  Superintendent’s Report
d.  Approval of District and Campus Improvement Plans
e.  Accelerated Reader Report
f.  TASB Delegate Report
g.  Secondary Campuses Student Council Reports
h.  Outstanding Students of the First Six Weeks

 19.  District Exit Interview Summary for Summer 2002 – At a previous board meeting, the Board expressed interest in the reasons that were being given by employees for resigning employment with the District.  The Superintendent reviewed the exit interviews that were given and did a summary of the results for the Board.

 C.  Action Items

 20.  Red Ribbon Week Resolution – Red Ribbon Week is a nationally recognized effort to educate citizens on drug awareness.  Smithville ISD campuses schedule special activities during this week to educate students of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.  Smithville ISD has been asked to join with the City of Smithville to establish the period of October 20^th through October 26^th as Red Ribbon Week.  Peggy Walicek motioned to approve a resolution to join with the City of Smithville to establish October 20^th through October 26^th as Red Ribbon Week.  Mike Morgan seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

 21.  Request from Masonic Lodge #421 to lay a cornerstone on the site of the new high school campus – The Superintendent has received a request from members of the Masonic Lodge to be granted permission to place a cornerstone on the new high school.  After considerable discussion among the Board, as well as input from members of the Masonic Lodge, Peggy Walicek entered a motion to approve the request of the Masonic Lodge to lay a cornerstone at the new high school.  Linda Rooks seconded the motion, and it carried 4-2 with Mike Wittrock and Mike Morgan opposing.

 22.  Investment Policy Review – Law requires that the investment policy and the investment strategy shall be reviewed on an annual basis. According to Board Policy CDA [Legal], the Board must adopt a written instrument stating that it has reviewed the investment policy and investment strategies and that the written instrument so adopted shall record any changes that were made.  Mike Wittrock motioned to approve the investment policy without changes and to adopt the resolution as presented.  After a second from Peggy Walicek, the vote passed 6-0.

 23.  Review Approved Providers of Investment Training – In accordance with Section 2256.008(a) of the Texas Government Code, the local governing body must approve sources of training relating to investment responsibilities.  Mike Morgan motioned to approve the recommended independent sources of investment training as presented.  Craig Williams seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

 24.  Approval of Bus Purchases – In order to meet the transportation needs of the District, Mr. Hennesey, Director of Transportation, is recommending the purchase of one 77- passenger bus for regular transportation.  Mr. Hennesey plans to come back to the Board for approval of an additional bus in a future meeting.  Mike Wittrock made the motion to approve the purchase of a 77-passenger bus.  Peggy Walicek seconded, and the motion passed 6-0.

 At 7:45 P.M., the Board entered executive session to address personnel issues.  They returned at 8:20 P.M. with no official action taken.

 25a. Resignations of personnel – Mr. Sage advised the Board of the following              resignations:

              Joyce Harvey – Director of Food Services

            Darlene Heckmann – math teacher at the high school

 26. Adjournment – The Board adjourned its meeting at 8:20 P.M.