SMITHVILLE I.S.D.

BOARD BRIEFS

NOVEMBER 21, 2005

 

 

The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, November 21, 2005 beginning at 6:00 P.M.  Items discussed or acted on by members included the following:

 

1.      Recognition of Cross Country State Qualifier – The Board took this opportunity to congratulate freshman Stacey Ziats for advancing to state competition in cross country. 

 

2.      Outstanding Students for the Second Six-Weeks – The outstanding student for the second six-weeks from the junior high is sixth grader Jaycee Dawson.  Chosen from the high school were freshman Katie Lucia, and junior Dusty Eddy.  All students were present at the board meeting to be recognized.

 

3.      Employees of the Month for October – The Board congratulated Vickie McQueen and Denise Behrens for their selection as Employees of the Month for October.

 

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

 

Consent Agenda – Mike Wittrock moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.  Howard Burns seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.  The consent agenda included the following:

 

5.      Minutes of the October 17, 2005 regular meeting

6.      Disbursements for the month of October 2005

7.      Financial Statements for October 2005

8.      Investment Report

9.      Tax Collection Report

10. Multi-Regional Purchasing Program Resolution with ESC Region 2

 

11. Superintendent’s Report – The Superintendent updated the Board on important S.I.S.D. issues including the upcoming Central Office Christmas Social and win/losses for the Tiger and Lady Tiger basketball teams.

 

12. TASB Delegate Report – Delegate Kamron Saunders was unable to attend the board meeting, so this item was tabled until the regular December meeting.

 

13. Tentative December Agenda Items – Tentative agenda items to be included in the December meeting are:

a.  Employees of the Month

b.  Superintendent’s Report

c.  Superintendent’s Evaluation training

d.  Superintendent’s Self-Evaluation

e.  Wellness and Health Services regarding Board Policy FFA [Local]

f.  TASB Delegate Report

 

14. Approval of School District Financial Audit – As required by the Texas Education Agency, an annual audit of financial information is conducted to assure that all legal requirements are being met and sound fiscal responsibility is maintained.  The audit was conducted by West, Davis & Co., certified public accountants from Austin, TX.  Mr. Gary Davis was present at the meeting to present the Board with the 2004-2005 audit.  Mike Morgan motioned to approve the 2004-2005 audit as presented.  After a second by Howard Burns, the motion carried 5-0.

 

15. Approve a Resolution to Authorize Tax Resale – McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, P.C., delinquent tax attorney for the District, has requested authorization by resolution to place several properties, currently held in trust by S.I.S.D., up for sale for less than taxes, penalty and interest due against the property.  These particular parcels had previously been placed for sale with no minimum bid received.  Craig Williams moved to approve the resolution as requested by McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, P.C.  Mike Wittrock seconded the motion and it carried 5-0.

 

16. State Compliance Monitoring – The 78th Legislature assigned responsibility for monitoring state programs, including Bilingual Education/English as a Second Language, Career and Technology Education, Dyslexia, Gifted/Talented Education, Optional Extended Year Program, Pre-kindergarten Notification, and State Compensatory Education, to local Boards of Trustees.  Cheryl Burns, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented the Board with a state monitoring guide demonstrating Smithville I.S.D.’s compliance with all state programs.  Mike Morgan made a motion to approve the report as presented.  Michael Goertz seconded, and the vote passed 5-0.

 

17. Change board meeting dates due to holidays – Due to conflicts between holidays and

regular meeting dates, it is necessary to reschedule regular board meetings for December, January and March.  Mike Wittrock motioned to change the regular monthly board meeting date for December 2005 to December 12th, 2005, for January 2006 to January 17th, 2006 and for March 2006 to March 27th, 2006.  Craig Williams seconded the motion, and it carried 5-0.

 

18. Voting for Bastrop County Appraisal District Board of Directors – In order to maintain representation for Smithville on the Bastrop County Central Appraisal District Board of Directors, the Board must cast its votes for a candidate.  Howard Burns moved that the School District cast all 470 votes for Mike Morgan by approving the voting resolution contained in the board packet.  Mike Wittrock seconded, and the vote passed 4-0, with Mike Morgan abstaining.

 

19. Parent request for student transfer relating to Board Policy FDA [Local] – The Board has received a letter from a parent requesting that her daughter, a senior at the high school, be allowed to continue attending Smithville ISD while residing in Bastrop, due to the fact that the student has attended S.I.S.D. since seventh grade.  After discussion, Mike Wittrock moved to allow transfer with a full tuition fee of $1,329.  Mike Morgan seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

20. Consider Date for Board Training Session in January – In order to provide an opportunity to discuss board goals, board vision, and the future of Smithville ISD, the Superintendent requested that the Board set a special meeting date for that purpose.  January 23, 2006 was unanimously agreed upon by the Board and Superintendent.

The Board entered closed session at 7:15 p.m. and returned at 8:05 p.m. with no official action taken.

 

21a.Resignations of Certified Personnel including Brown Primary Principal – The

     Superintendent informed the Board of the retirement of Karen Scherrer, principal at Brown

     Primary, effective December 16, 2005.

 

21b.Employment of Certified Personnel including Brown Primary Principal and Junior 

      High Counselor – The Superintendent recommended employment of Nina Brinker as

      principal of Brown Primary, and Darla Vinklarek as junior high counselor for the remainder

      of the 2005-2006 school year.  Howard Burns moved to employ the above personnel as

      recommended.  With a second by Mike Wittrock, the motion carried 5-0.

 

22. Adjournment – The Board adjourned its meeting at 8:08 p.m.