SMITHVILLE I.S.D.
BOARD BRIEFS

               DECEMBER 16, 2002

 

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

 A.  Board Recognitions

 1.       Employees of the Month for November – The Employees of the Month for November are Paula Sage, an English teacher at the high school, and Cindy Davis, office manager at Brown Primary.  Ms. Sage was present at the meeting to be recognized by the Board.  Ms. Davis was unable to attend due to illness.

 B.  Public Communications

 2.       Communications from the Public – There were no communications.

 C.  Consent Agenda

 Consent Agenda - Peggy Walicek motioned to approve items 3 through 7 on the Consent Agenda as presented.  Mike Morgan seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.  The Consent Agenda consisted of the following:

3.       Minutes of the November 18, 2002 regular board meeting
4.      Disbursements for the month of November 2002
5.      Financial Statements for November 2002
6.      Investment Report
7.   Tax Collection Report

D.  Information Items

8.      Construction Status Report - Sam Best and Steve Rogers, of Best Construction, were present at the meeting to update the Board regarding the progress of construction on the new high school. 

9.      Superintendent’s Report – Mr. Sage briefed the Board on current happenings within the district, including the upcoming PJS trial and information regarding TAKS.

10.  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 November.

11.  Board Goals Status Report - The Board has adopted goals for the School District and approved objectives designed to achieve the goals.  The Board annually reviews the goals and updates them to establish a clear direction for the District.  As a means of reporting the activities and progress of the school district in achieving the goals and objectives established by the Board, the Superintendent prepared a board goals status report and presented it to the Board.

12.  Tentative January Agenda Items – The tentative agenda items for January are:

a.  Superintendent’s Evaluation and Contract Renewal
b.  Consider Purchasing School Buses for next school year
c.  Improvement Plan Status Report
d.  Construction Status Report
e.  Superintendent’s Report
f.   Nurse’s Report
g.  Smithville Community Network Update

 E.  Action Items

 13.  Purchase and Installation of Routers – In order to connect the new high school to the existing network, it is necessary to upgrade the routers currently in use.  John Harkrider, Network Administrator, went through the proper bidding procedures and has brought forth his recommendation for awarding a contract to the Board.  Mike Morgan motioned to award the purchase and installation of routers to MicroAge of College Station.  Peggy Walicek seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

 14.  Consider bids for furniture and equipment for new high school – The construction of the new high school is now at a stage that furniture and equipment must be ordered to insure that classrooms are ready for the start of the school year in our new building.  After many hours of meetings with faculty and staff to determine quantities, type/style of furniture and possible colors, sealed bids were sent to vendors and all bidding requirements were observed.  Linda Rooks made a motion to accept bids from School Specialty for furniture and equipment as presented.   Peggy Walicek seconded, and the motion passed 6-0.

 15.  Consider Adoption of Local Board Policy Update 45-02 – With the beginning of a new era in student assessment called TAKS, and the new federal legislation of No Child Left Behind, the district must align their policies on promotion and retention with the required legislation.  With the help of the S.I.S.D. administrative team, TASB modified and revised EIE [Local] to insure that this policy is updated with current mandates on promotion and retention.  Peggy Walicek motioned to approve adoption of Local Board Policy Update 45-02 as presented.  Mike Morgan seconded, and the vote passed 6-0.

 16.  High School Physical Education Credits – With the change from the block schedule to a seven period day, some students have not had the credits necessary to stay in the trade programs and be approved as PE credits.  Mr. Kevin Shipley, high school principal, is requesting that the Board approve to allow students who are in Ag. or Building Trades for 2 to 3 hour classes to obtain PE credits for these classes, like those students in band and other electives.  Mike Morgan motioned to allow students in 2 to 3 hour courses to substitute these courses for physical education credit as listed in the board packet.  Craig Williams seconded, and the motion was approved 6-0.

 17.  Addendum to the Appointment of Textbook Selection Committee - Board policy EFAA [Legal] and EFAA [Local] outline the process for selecting textbooks for the school district.  The superintendent is required to recommend a textbook adoption committee, consisting of 5 to 15 members, to the Board.  This committee was appointed at the regular November meeting.  However, Denise Ingram, a PreKindergarten representative, was inadvertently omitted from the committee.  Linda Rooks entered a motion to approve Denise Ingram as a member of the District Textbook Adoption Committee for 2002-2003.  Mike Davis seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

At this time, 7:30 p.m., the Board adjourned to executive session.  They returned at 7:54 p.m. with no official action taken.

18.  Superintendent’s Self-Evaluation – This agenda item was discussed by the Board in closed session, and no action was taken.