SMITHVILLE I.S.D.

BOARD BRIEFS

JANUARY 17, 2006

 

 

The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 beginning at 6:00 P.M.  Items discussed or acted on by members included the following:

 

1.      Recognition of Tiger Band Members named to All-State and members of the Tiger football team named to Academic All-State – The Board took this opportunity to congratulate Jonathan McNutt and Timothy Lowery, members of the Tiger Band, for being named to the All-State Band.  They also recognized Derek Smith and Randy White for their selection to the Academic All-State football team. 

 

2.      Outstanding Students for the Third Six-Weeks – The outstanding student for the third six-weeks from the junior high is sixth grader Katelyn Warnke.  Chosen from the high school were sophomore John David Hancock, and junior Kasey Kellar.  Katelyn and John David were present at the meeting to receive their certificates, however, Kasey was absent due to her participation in a Lady Tigers basketball game.

 

3.      Employees of the Month for December – The Board also congratulated Lindsay Stephens, teacher at the junior high, and Lynn Doty, principal’s secretary at Brown Primary,  who were chosen as employees of the month for December.

 

4.      Communications from the Public – Ms. Althea Avent requested that the Board consider her for employment with Smithville ISD so that she may work off school taxes currently owed to the district.  Ellen Owen, representing the district’s delinquent tax attorney, provided the Board with an update on the last six years of delinquent tax collections, as requested by the trustees at a previous meeting.

 

         Consent Agenda – Peggy Walicek moved to approve items 5 through 10 as listed on the Consent Agenda.  Kamron Saunders seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.  The Consent Agenda included:

 

5.      Minutes of the December 12, 2005 regular board meeting

6.      Disbursements for the month of December 2005

7.      Financial Statements for December 2005

8.      Investment Report

9.      Tax Collection Report

10.    Bond Payments

 

11.    Superintendent’s Report – The Superintendent updated the Board on important issues pertaining to the district including a waiver filed to excuse low attendance due to weather, disclosure statements to be filed by members of the Board, and upcoming Board training.

 

12.    District Benchmark Testing – Cheryl Burns, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, gave the Board results of the second district-wide benchmark testing, which was completed in November

 

13.    District and Campus 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.  Ms. Burns reported to the Board on the status of those plans. 

 

14.    TELPAS Report – The Texas Education Agency has implemented a new monitoring system of English Language Learners (ELL) in response to No Child Left Behind law.  This is a test that is administered to ELL students and reported to the Board on an annual basis.  Cheryl Burns presented to the Board a power point presentation on how SISD ELL students performed on the 2004-2005 TELPAS.

 

15.    Tentative February Agenda Items – Tentative items to be included on the February agenda are:

         a.  Employees of the Month

         b.  Superintendent’s Report

         c.              Report on Board member continuing education hours

         d.  Administrative contract reviews/extensions

         e.  Review and approval of staffing pattern for the 2006-2007 school year

         f.  Call for regular school board election

         g.  Consider purchase of two new school buses

         h.  Adoption of Board Policy Update 77

 

16.    Late Arrival for Senior Students during TAKS Testing Days – Jim Manning, 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.  Peggy Walicek seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.

 

17.    Review and adoption of Board Policy FFA [Local] – State law requires that every school district establish a local policy that addresses nutrition, wellness and physical fitness of their students.  The Board drafted a policy to establish this policy at a previous meeting.  The final draft was included in the board packet for review.  Mike Morgan moved to approve Board Policy FFA [Local] as presented.  Howard Burns seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.

 

         The Board entered executive session at 7:35 p.m. and returned at 8:37 p.m. with no official action taken.

 

18a. Resignations of Certified Personnel including Director of Business – The Superintendent advised the Board of the resignation of Joe Alvarez, Director of Business.

 

18b. Employment of Certified Personnel including Director of Business – Mr. Sage recommended employment of Richard Boehm as Director of Business for Smithville ISD.  Howard Burns motioned to employ Mr. Boehm as Director of Business through June 30, 2006 beginning on January 30, 2006.  Peggy Walicek seconded, and the vote passed 7-0.

 

18c.  Superintendent’s Evaluation – Mike Wittrock moved to approve the formative evaluation

   as presented to the Superintendent in executive session, with a one-year extension to his

   previous contract.  Peggy Walicek seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.

 

18d. Superintendent’s Contract – Craig Williams entered a motion to approve the

         Superintendent’s contract as agreed upon by the Board of Trustees and the Superintendent. 

         With a second by Kamron Saunders, the motion passed unanimously 7-0.

 

19.    Consider authorizing the Superintendent to arrange for a contracted election

         agreement with Bastrop County – Upon employment of an elections administrator, the

county of Bastrop is now offering its services to conduct all elections for the Smithville ISD Board of Trustees for a minimal administrative charge.  The county will also have Direct Recording Electronic Systems (DRE’s) available for lease to the district.  DRE’s are now required by law to be available to handicapped voters in all polling places.  Mike Morgan moved to authorize the Superintendent and Board President to seek an agreement with the county of Bastrop for election administration and DRE machine availability.  Kamron Saunders seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.

 

20.  Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m..