SMITHVILLE I.S.D.

BOARD BRIEFS

MARCH 28, 2005

 

 

The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, March 28, 2005 beginning at 6:00 P.M.  Items discussed or acted on by members included the following:

 

1.      Recognition of Band Solo & Ensemble, and Cross-X Debate State Qualifiers – The Board took this opportunity to congratulate members of the Tiger Band who qualified to compete at the State Solo & Ensemble contest.  They also recognized the Cross X Debate members who qualified to compete at the state level.

 

2.      Outstanding Students for the Fourth Six-Weeks – The Board recognized Cara Cabrera, eighth grader from the junior high, for being chosen outstanding student for the fourth six-weeks.  Also recognized were Caitlyn Trousdale and William Duncan, outstanding students from the high school campus.

 

3.      Employees of the Month for February – Employees of the Month for February were Rebecca Munsch and Beatrice Flippo, both from the high school.  Ms. Munsch and Ms. Flippo were present at the board meeting to receive certificates of appreciation from the Board of Trustees.

 

4.      Communications from the Public – There were no public communications.

 

Consent Agenda – Mike Wittrock moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.  With a second by Peggy Walicek, the motion carried 7-0.  The Consent Agenda included:

 

5.      Minutes of the February 21, 2005 regular board meeting

6.      Disbursements for the month of February 2005

7.      Financial Statements for February 2005

8.      Investment Report

9.      Tax Collection Report

 

10. Superintendent’s Report – The superintendent updated the Board on important issues pertaining to the district including possible construction of a new concession stand at Barry Field and information on school finance and state legislation.

 

11. Grade 3 and 5 Reading TAKS Testing Results for Spring 2005 – Cheryl Burns, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, provided the Board with results of the first administration of the TAKS reading test for 3rd and 5th grade students.

 

12. Tentative April Agenda Items – Tentative agenda items for the regular meeting in April are:

a.   Employees of the Month for March

b.   Superintendent’s Report

c.   Student Transfer Requests

d.   Resignations of Certified Personnel

e.   Employment of Certified Personnel

f.    Recognition of DECA State and International Qualifiers and PAX/PALS Students

g.   Review Board Policy CDA [Local] regarding investment of district funds

 

13. Consider Extension of bank depository contract – The district is required to bid for depository services every two years.  However, if the district is eligible and elects to extend the current contract, an executed copy of the Board Resolution for Extensions needs to be filed with the Texas Education Agency.  Heather Wilson, Director of Finance, indicated that SISD is very pleased with the services of First National Bank, it’s current depository, and recommended that the current contract be extended for two years.  Mike Morgan moved to award the depository contract for the period September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2007 to First National Bank.  Kamron Saunders seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.

 

14. Revision and Creation of Board Policy FFAB [Local] – Current practice by the district is to require tuberculosis testing for all students new to the district.  At this time, there is no local board policy to support this practice. In order to provide policies that are in line with the standard practices of the district, the superintendent recommended that a policy be created to include the requirement for tuberculosis testing for all new students.  Kamron Saunders made a motion to approve the policy as presented.  Mike Wittrock seconded, and the vote passed 7-0. 

 

15. Approve Textbook Committee Selections – Board policies EFAA [Legal] and EFAA [Local] address the selection and adoption of textbooks for the district.  The district is required to submit a report of textbook adoption by the board to TEA no later than April 1, 2001.  Howard Burns made a motion to approve the textbooks recommended by the textbook selection committee.  Peggy Walicek seconded the motion, and it passed 7-0.

 

16. Consider adoption of 2005-2006 school calendar – The district site based committee

prepared two draft calendars based upon information received from the campuses of the district.  The Board was made aware of the desire to begin school (if permitted by law) prior to the week of August 21st.  The legislature may pass a bill that will force all schools to start after Labor Day.  The district is, however, wishing to proceed with a state waiver request to begin prior to the week of August 21st.  Mike Wittrock moved to approve Draft 3 calendar as presented, and to proceed with application for a state waiver as required.  Also included in the motion was the approval of Draft 2 calendar providing for a start date after Labor Day if the legislature so mandates.  Kamron Saunders seconded the motion, and the vote was 7-0.

 

17. Review and approval of staffing patterns for 2005-2006 – The Superintendent provided the Board with a projected staffing pattern for the 2005-2006 school year.  This document includes proposed teacher/student ratios and reduction in staff.  Peggy Walicek moved to approve the staffing pattern as presented, with the understanding of the possibility of additional reductions depending on budget decisions.  With a second by Mike Morgan, the motion carried 7-0. 

 

18. Cancellation of Regular Election of the SISD Board of Trustees – Under Section 2.051-2.053 of the Texas Election Code, an election may be cancelled if all candidates for election are unopposed.  All candidates for the regular election of the school board in May 2005 were certified unopposed by the Secretary of the Board, so it is the recommendation of the superintendent that the election be cancelled.  Howard Burns motioned to cancel the regular May election of the Board of Trustees as recommended.  Peggy Walicek seconded the motion, and it carried 7-0.

 

      The Board entered into closed session at 8:00 p.m. and returned at 9:02 p.m. with no official action taken.

 

19a. Consider Contract Renewal/Non-Renewal of Certified Staff – Mike Wittrock motioned to

       approve contracts for existing certified employees as recommended by the  superintendent.  Mike

       Morgan seconded, and the motion carried 6-0 with Howard Burns abstaining.

 

19b. Resignations of Certified Personnel – The Superintendent advised the Board of the following

        resignations:

            Paula Sage – English teacher at the high school

            Becky Munsch – English teacher at the high school

            Steve Battles – teacher/coach at the high school

            Jacob Hawthorne – Special Education teacher/coach at the high school

            Billy Floyd – history teacher/coach at the high school

            Nacom del Toro – math teacher at the high school

            Teresa Wilson – BCIS teacher at the high school

 

            No action was required.

 

19c. Employment of Certified Personnel – Howard Burns moved to employ Wayne Childs, Justin  

       Wiley, Adolpho Ponce, Billy Hill and Katherine Rainosek for the 2005-2006 school year as

        recommended by the Superintendent.  Peggy Walicek seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.

 

20. Adjournment – The Board adjourned its meeting at 9:05 p.m.