SMITHVILLE I.S.D.
The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, September 15, 2003 beginning at 6:00 P.M. Items discussed or acted on by members included the following:
1. Communications from the Public – There were no public communications.
Consent Agenda – Peggy Walicek motioned to approve items 2 through 9 as listed on the Consent Agenda. Kamron Saunders seconded, and the motion carried 6-0. The Consent Agenda consisted of the following:
2. Minutes of the August 18, 2003 regular board meeting and the August 25, 2003 special board meeting.
3. Disbursements for the month of August 2003
4. Financial Statements for August 2003
5. Investment Report
6. Tax Collection Report
7. Bastrop Special Education Coop Shared Services Agreement
8. Designate Fund Balance
9. Band Instrument and Equipment Bids
10. Construction Status Report – Mr. Sage briefed the Board on construction progress at the new high school.
11. Superintendent’s Report – The Superintendent advised the Board of a minor bus accident that occurred earlier in the day.
12. District Technology Report – John Harkrider, network administrator for the District, reported to the Board on the status of technology within the District. Included in the board packet was an extensive report on current inventory of equipment at each campus.
13. Class Size Report – State law mandates that a 22 to 1 student teacher ratio is maintained at the Kindergarten through 4th grade level. The Superintendent advised the Board that S.I.S.D. is in compliance and within this required limit.
14. Site-Based Committee Membership Reports – Board policies BQA and BQB address site-based planning and decision-making in the district. At the beginning of a new school year, the district site-based committee is reorganized to meet the requirements of policy. The Board was provided a list of the reorganized committee.
15. 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.
16. 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 for the First Six Weeks
i. Approval of Scissor-lift bids
j. 4-H Extracurricular Participation Agreement
17. Disposition of Unused Computer Equipment – Due to purchase of many new computers with bond funds, an excess of computer equipment exists. Disposal of school district assets require board approval, therefore, John Harkrider is requesting permission to conduct an auction of unused computer equipment, as well as authorization to utilize the most cost effective method to dispose of any unsold equipment. Howard Burns made a motion to approve the auction of unused items and disposal of unsold equipment in the most cost effective manner. Mike Wittrock seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.
18. Approval of UIL Eligibility Waiver – Kevin Shipley, high school principal, is requesting approval from the Board of a waiver that would allow advanced students who take advanced courses to receive a waiver for eligibility purposes in the event that they fail one six weeks. It is believed that this would encourage students to attempt advanced courses more readily. Mike Wittrock motioned to approve the UIL Eligibility Waiver as presented. With a second by Howard Burns, the motion passed 6-0.
19. 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. Kamron Saunders entered a motion to approve the investment policy without changes and to adopt the resolution as presented. Mike Morgan seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.
20. 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. Peggy Walicek seconded the motion, and it passed 6-0.
21. Consider adoption of Board goals established at Board training on August 25, 2003 – On August 25, 2003 the Board conducted a goal setting meeting which was facilitated by representatives from Region 13. Included in the board packet were the goals identified at that meeting. Howard Burns motioned to approve the Board goals as presented. Peggy Walicek seconded, and the vote passed 6-0.
22. Adjournment – The Board adjourned its meeting at 7:10 p.m.