SMITHVILLE I.S.D.
BOARD BRIEFS
MAY 20, 2002

 The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, May 20, 2002 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 role as public notary, administered the oath of office for newly elected School Board Trustee Peggy Walicek.  Elected Board Member Mike Davis was not present at the meeting to receive the oath of office.

 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 Trustees.  Peggy Walicek nominated Craig Williams for president, with a second by Linda Rooks.  Mike Wittrock motioned that nominations cease, seconded by Howard Burns.  Mike Morgan nominated Mike Wittrock for vice-president, which was seconded by Peggy Walicek.  Craig Williams motioned to cease nominations, seconded by Linda Rooks.  Mike Wittrock nominated Peggy Walicek for secretary, with a second by Mike Morgan.  Linda Rooks motioned for nominations to cease, seconded by Craig Williams.  The vote passed 6-0.

 3.      Employees of the month for May - The two employees selected as employees of the month for May are Carolyn Detrixhe, teacher at Smithville Elementary, Diane Hanna, paraprofessional, also at Smithville Elementary.  They were present at the board meeting to receive recognition.

 4.      Communications from the Public – The Board heard from Howard King regarding the decision to incorporate the drill team with the band.

       Consent Agenda – Mike Wittrock motioned to approve items 5 through 9 as listed on the Consent Agenda.  They consisted of the following:

 5.   Minutes of the April 15, 2002 regular board meeting, the April 17, 2002 special board meeting, the April 18, 2002 special board meeting, the April 19, 2002 special board meeting, the April 20, 2002 special board meeting, the April 29, 2002 special board meeting and the May 13, 2002 special board meeting.

6.      Disbursements for the month of April 2002

7.   Financial Statements for April 2002

8.   Investment Report

9.   Tax Collection Report

 10.      Construction Status Report - 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.

      At this time the Board moved to agenda item #17.

 17. New sewer line for Junior High Field-house – In early April, Randy Hanke with Best Construction Services advised Bobby Hennesey, Director of Maintenance for the district, that M.J. Mechanical plumbers had discovered that the existing sewer drain line did not meet the standards for elevation fall for adequate draining, creating the necessity to place a sewer line from the new Junior High Field-house to the sewer manhole on 7th Street. The cost to the district will be approximately $8,500.   Mr. Hennesey was present at the meeting to answer questions from the Board.  Mike Morgan made a motion to award the contract to Rabroker mechanical contractor to supply materials and labor to install a 6” PVC drain line from the south end of the new Junior High Field-house to the existing City manhole located approximately 100 feet east of Wilkes Street on the south side of 7th Street.  Mike Wittrock seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.  The Board then returned to agenda item #11.

 11.      Preliminary TAAS Spring Testing Report – Board policy EKB [Legal] requires the superintendent to report all assessment test results, with appropriate interpretations to the Board.  During the spring semester of each school year, Smithville students in grades 3-exit level take the TAAS test in the spring.  Darnell Schreiber, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, along with principals from each campus, was present at the meeting to present the Board with test results and interpretations.

 12. First Draft of the 2002-2003 Budget – Sharon Eaves, Director of Business, presented the Board with the first draft of the budget for next school year.

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

 14. Letter from Carole Keeton Rylander – This very positive letter regarding the school district was received from Carole Rylander of the Texas Comptroller’s Office.  It was included in the board packet for information only.

15. Tentative June Agenda Items – The tentative items to be included on the June agenda are:

            a.  School Climate Survey Report

            b.  Review Board Operating Procedures

            c.  Technology Status Report/Technology Plan Update

            d.  Cafeteria Food Item Bids

            e.  Review Draft Proposed Budget

            f.  Call for public hearing on proposed budget

            g.  Review District Crisis Management Plan

            h.  Recognition of Outstanding Students for the Sixth Six-Weeks

            i.  Facilities Report

            j.  Construction Status Report

            k. Student Code of Conduct/Dress Code

 16.      Superintendent’s Report – The superintendent briefed the Board regarding activities for the final week of school, vacancies in the faculty, and transition of administrators.

 18. Approval of audit firm – In accordance with Texas Education Agency requirements the district needs to have an annual financial audit performed.  Due to the implementation of GASB 34, Sharon Eaves, Director of Business, recommended continuing the services of Gindler, Chappell, Morrison, CPA, PC, as they are familiar with the basic operations of the district.  Mike Wittrock motioned to approve the engagement of Gindler, Chappell, Morrison, CPA, PC as the district auditor for the fiscal year 2001-2002.  Peggy Walicek seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

 19. Drainage problem by the Main Cafeteria – Due to continuing drainage problems in the area behind the Junior High on Bishop Street, as well as complaints by area residents, it has become necessary to install a drainage pipe to alleviate flooding in that vicinity.   The school district will pay for the pipe itself, to be installed in the area of 9th Street behind the Junior High, at an estimated cost of $9,280.  The City of Smithville has agreed to cover any installation fees.  Linda Rooks made a motion to proceed with the installation of drainage pipe in the Junior High/Bishop Street area as presented.  Mike Wittrock seconded, and the vote passed 6-0.

 20. Approve Application for a new TIF Grant PS11 - On April 18, 2002 the TIF board announced a new grant for public schools. The purpose of the grant is to provide technology advancement for Alternative Discipline campuses. According to the RFP our school district will qualify for a grant up to $35,000 for DAEP (Boot Camp). The money can be used for purchasing computer equipment to help students in Boot Camp not lose instruction time or credits. The grant will permit the purchase of classroom computers. The grant submission deadline is June 7, 2002 and the award notification date is July 1, 2002. There will be a ten percent cash match required by the grant.  A requirement of the grant is that the Board of Trustees must approve and authorize the school district to submit the application for the grant.  Peggy Walicek made a motion to approve and authorize the school district to submit an application to the TIF board for the grant PS11.  Linda Rooks seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

 21.      Appointment of Integrated Pest Management Coordinators - In accordance with Board Policy CLB [Legal] the District is required to designate an Integrated Pest Management Coordinator to oversee pest management procedures.  Bobby Hennesey has been the IPM Coordinator since 1996 and is certified.  Mr. Hennesey would like to add Javier Gutierrez in addition to himself as IPM Coordinator at SISD.  Mr. Gutierrez received his certification in July of 2001.   Mike Morgan motioned to appoint Bobby Hennesey and Javier Gutierrez as Integrated Pest Management Coordinators for Smithville ISD.   Craig Williams seconded, and the motion passed 6-0.

 22.  Board Self-Evaluation – No action was taken on this item.

 23.  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.  This item was brought before the Board at the April meeting, but was tabled so that more information could be obtained regarding staffing and budget impact.  Coach Todd McCauley has volunteered to oversee the program, which would be open to incoming 9th graders through 12th graders.  The proposed charge to the athlete is $50 each for a comprehensive program including weight lifting, conditioning and teamwork concepts.  Proposed hours are 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Thursday beginning on May 28th and ending July 18th.   At this time, there is a projected enrollment of 50 athletes.   Estimated supply cost is $500, and a stipend of approximately $2,000 for Coach McCauley’s services, which will be paid from the funds collected.  Mike Wittrock entered a motion to implement the Summer Conditioning Program at Smithville ISD as presented.   With a second by Linda Rooks, the motion carried 6-0.

 24. Delegate selection for the TASB Convention delegate assembly - The TASB Delegate Assembly is a crucial component of the Association’s governance structure.  Each active member (school board) of the Association is entitled to have a delegate and an alternate attend the Assembly and cast our district’s vote on action items coming before the Assembly.  The TASB Convention this year is September 27th – 30th, 2002 and will be held at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.  The 2002 Delegate Assembly will meet on Saturday, September 28th, 2002.  Craig Williams motioned to nominate Peggy Walicek as delegate for the TASB Convention, with a second by Mike Morgan.  Mike Wittrock motioned to amend the motion to nominate Linda Rooks as alternate delegate for the TASB Convention with a second from Craig Williams.  The Board voted first on the amendment, which passed 6-0, then on the original motion, which carried 5-0 with Peggy Walicek abstaining.

 25. Annual Review of Written Reports - On an annual basis, the Board of Trustees of each school district shall, after soliciting recommendations from each campus-level committee and the district-level committee, consider the number and length of written reports that employees of the district are required to prepare.  The Board took no action on this item.

 26a.Resignations of Certified Personnel – The Superintendent advised the Board of the following resignations:

            Alysha Currie – Teacher at Brown Primary

            Jennifer Baird – Teacher at the Elementary

            Martha Gardner – Teacher at the Elementary

            Donald Poe – Teacher at the Junior High

            John Williamson – Teacher at the Junior High

            R.L. Duke – Teacher at the High School

            Seth Kenton – Teacher/Coach at the High School

            Sandy Miller – Teacher at the High School

 26b.Employment of Certified Personnel – The Superintendent recommended the employment of Laura Schaatt as a teacher at Smithville Elementary for the 2002-2003 school year.  In agreement with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Craig Williams motioned to employ Laura Schaatt for the 2002-2003 school year.  Mike Morgan seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

 27.      Adjournment – The Board adjourned its meeting at 8:17 p.m.