SMITHVILLE I.S.D.
The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 beginning at 6:00 P.M. Items discussed or acted on by members included the following:
1. Recognition of Tiger Band member named to All-State – The Board took this opportunity to recognize Kristina Kelley, senior Tiger Band member who was named to All-State Band, a prestigious accomplishment.
2. Outstanding Students for the Third Six-Weeks – The Board recognized those students chosen from the Junior High and High School as outstanding students. Bridget Nelson, eighth grader at the Junior High and daughter of Keith and Dee Ann Nelson, was recognized by the Board, as was junior Janet Navarro, daughter of Jane Navarro, and freshman Darren Bunte, son of Bert and Dana Bunte, representatives from the High School.
3. Employees of the month for December – The employees of the month for December are Mitch Wulff, a teacher recently retired from the Junior High, and Denise Behrens, Superintendent’s Secretary. Both were present at the meeting to be recognized by the Board.
At this time the High School Student Council, PALS, Junior High, Elementary and Brown Primary students made presentations to the Board in honor of School Board Recognition Month, including a display of “robotics” by Brenda Wallace’s third grade G.T. class.
4. Communications from the Public – There were no public communications.
Consent Agenda – Peggy Walicek motioned to approve Consent Agenda Items 5 through 11 as presented. Mike Wittrock seconded, and the motion carried 7-0. The Consent Agenda consisted of the following:
5. Minutes of the December 15, 2003 regular board meeting
6. Disbursements for the month of December 2003
7. Financial Statements for December 2003
8. Investment Report
9. Tax Collection Report
10. Budget Amendment
11. Bond Payments
12. Superintendent’s Report – Mr. Sage updated the Board on issues pertaining to the District, including the withdrawal of Elgin ISD from the Bastrop Special Education Cooperative and Board training opportunities.
13. District Wide Benchmark Testing – Cheryl Burns, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, gave the Board results of the first district-wide benchmark testing, which was completed in November.
14. Campus Improvement Plan Status Report – A format has been designed for a mid-year status report, which allows the Board to monitor the implementation of the Campus Improvement Plans. Those status reports were included in the Board packet for the Board’s information.
15. Technology Auction Report – At the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees in November 2003, the Board authorized Smithville ISD to schedule an auction to dispose of obsolete equipment. The Board was provided a report of equipment sold, and revenue received from the auction.
16. Tentative February Agenda Items – The tentative agenda items for the February meeting are:
a. Employee of the Month
b. Superintendent’s Report
c. Call for the Regular May Election
d. Report on Board member continuing education hours
e. Administrative contract reviews/extensions
f. Review and approval of staffing pattern for the 2004-2005 school year
17. Approval of the 2003-2006 Technology Plan – In order for the District to be eligible for E-rate funding, and to be in compliance with No Child Left Behind, the District is required to have a plan in place, and approved by the Board, for long and short range technology planning. John Harkrider, Network Administrator, submitted to the Board for approval a technology plan for the District. Mike Morgan moved to approve the technology plan as presented. Peggy Walicek seconded, and vote was 2 to 5, with Williams, Morgan, Wittrock, Saunders and Goertz opposing. Mike Morgan then moved to amend the original motion to the following: to approve the technology plan as presented with state funds from fund 411 to be included in the funding sources for technology as described in the plan. Peggy Walicek seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
18. Late Arrival for Senior Students During TAKS Testing Days – Kevin Shipley, High School Principal, is requesting permission from the Board to allow 12th grade students to arrive late to school on TAKS testing days for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. This would allow staff members to serve as test administrators and/or hall monitors during the testing period, when they would normally be in class monitoring 12th graders, who are not required to take the test. Kamron Saunders motioned to approve the request to allow 12th graders to arrive late on TAKS testing days, and to apply for a waiver from TEA to meet state requirements. Mike Morgan seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.
19. Consider purchasing school buses for next school year – Evaluation of the transportation fleet and projected needs for the next school year is routinely done in January, as it takes 6-9 months after placing an order to take delivery of a new school bus. Bobby Hennesey, Director of Transportation and Maintenance, is requesting purchase of one 8-passenger van and two 77-passenger buses to meet transportation needs for next year. Howard Burns made a motion to approve the purchase of one 8-passenger van and two 77-passenger buses to be used for student transportation services for next school year. With a second by Peggy Walicek, the motion carried 7-0.
20. Consider approval of bus bids – At a regular meeting of the Board, the District was authorized to solicit bids for disposal of four buses deemed to be no longer viable for transportation use. Two of the four buses received bids, two received none. Mike Wittrock moved to accept bids received and authorize negotiation for sale the two remaining buses. Peggy Walicek seconded the motion, and it passed 7-0.
The Board entered executive session at 7:50 p.m. and returned at 8:30 p.m. with no official action taken.
21a. Superintendent’s Evaluation – The Board delivered the Superintendent’s evaluation in closed session.
21b. Superintendent’s Contract – The Superintendent is currently in the first year of a three-year contract that expires on June 30, 2006. According to state law, the Board employs a superintendent by contract to serve the school district for a term not to exceed five years. Craig Williams motioned to extend the Superintendents’ current contract for one year. Mike Wittrock seconded, and the vote passed 7-0.
22. Adjournment – The Board adjourned its meeting at 8:31 p.m.