SMITHVILLE I.S.D.

BOARD BRIEFS

JULY 17, 2006

 

 

The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, July 17, 2006 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 moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. 

Craig Williams seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.  The Consent Agenda included:

 

2.         Minutes of the June 19, 2006 regular board meeting

3.         Disbursements for the month of June 2006

4.         Financial Statements for June 2006

5.         Investment Report

6.         Tax Collection Report

7.         Student Accident Insurance Bids

8.         Athletic Bids

9.         Bond Payment

10.       Budget Amendment

11.       Approve a Resolution regarding Extra-Curricular Status of the 4-H organization

 

12.       Superintendent’s Report – The Superintendent updated the Board on important issues 

pertaining to the District including possible endorsement of TASB Board of Director candidates and upcoming training sessions at Region 13. 

 

13.        Second Draft of the 2006-2007 Budget – Richard Boehm, Director of Business, presented   

the Board with the second draft of the 2006-2007 school district budget.

 

14.        Spring TAKS Testing Report – Cheryl Burns, Director of Curriculum and Instruction,

presented a comprehensive report on TAKS Testing results from tests administered on all

campuses in Smithville ISD in the spring of 2006.  This report allows the district staff to disaggregate the data by sub-groups, grade levels, and subject in order to plan for improvement in the future in the area of student performance.

 

15.        Texas Primary Reading Inventory Report – Cheryl Burns, Director of Curriculum and
       Instruction, presented a report outlining the results of the reading inventory given to
       kindergarten, first and second graders at Brown Primary.  The report indicates the
       reading levels of the students in those grades.  The district staff uses the information
       to make instructional decisions for reading improvement.

 

16.       District Exit Interview Report for Summer 2006 – This was an information item included

to make the Board aware of the results of exit interviews conducted on employees who resigned from the District at the end of the 2005-2006 school year.

 

17.       Tentative August Agenda Items – Tentative items for the August meeting are:

a.       Superintendent’s Report

b.      Public Hearing on Proposed Budget

c.       Adoption of 2006-2007 Tax Rate

d.      Adoption of 2006-2007 District Budget

e.       Employment of certified personnel including Director of Special Education

 

18.              Parent request for student transfer relating to Board Policy FDA [Local] – The Superintendent has received a letter from the parent of a senior requesting that his son be allowed to attend Smithville ISD even though he is no longer a resident of the District.   Although transfer students are not accepted on a regular basis, the Board does have authority to grant transfer on a case by case basis.  After reviewing the circumstances, Mike Morgan moved to allow transfer of the student to Smithville ISD, with a transfer fee incurred, for the 2006-2007 school year.  Mike Wittrock seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

 

19.       Call for a Public Hearing on the 2006-2007 BudgetState Truth in Taxation laws require

the school district to publish a public notice of public hearing to discuss the proposed budget and proposed tax rate for the new fiscal year.  Legally the budget must be developed on or before August 20th, 2006 and adopted by August 31, 2006.  Peggy Walicek motioned to call a public hearing on the proposed 2006-2007 district budget and tax rate for Monday, August 21, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Howard Burns, and the vote was 6-0 in favor.

 

20.         Consider renewal of auditor’s engagement contract for 2006-2007 audit – The firm of West,

Davis and Company was selected to perform the 2003-2004, and 2004-2005 fiscal year school audits.  The District has been very satisfied with their services, and as it is a good practice to stay with an audit firm for three to five years, the Director of Finance is recommending that the District employ West, Davis and Company to conduct the 2005-2006 school audit.  Howard Burns moved to continue the audit services provided by the firm of West, Davis and Company.  Mike Wittrock seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

 

21.        Approval of Teacher Appraisal Calendar and AppraisersThe Board must approve the

district appraisal calendar and the list of administrators trained to evaluate teachers.  Teachers must be evaluated annually by trained and board approved appraisers.  For the 2005-2006 school year, the District plans to continue to use the state-adopted appraisal system, the Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS).  Mike Wittrock motioned to approve the list of PDAS appraisers and the 2006-2007 appraisal calendar as presented.  Howard Burns seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.  The list of appraisers is as follows:

            Gary Sage, Superintendent

            Cheryl Burns, Director of Curriculum

            Jim Manning, High School Principal

            David Edwards, Junior High Principal

            Ana Murray, Elementary Principal

            Nina Brinker, Brown Primary Principal

            Walter McLoughlin, High School Assistant Principal

            Steve Schroeder, Elementary Assistant Principal

            Kristi Mickelson, Junior High Assistant Principal    

            Barbara Maresh, Brown Primary Assistant Principal

            Micky Virdell, Director of Special Programs

 

22a.     Resignations of certified personnel – The Superintendent informed the Board of the

following resignations: Kathy Rainosek, Allegra Hobbs, Mercy Silcox, and Lori Williams.  No action was required.

 

22b.     Employment of certified personnel – The Superintendent recommended employment of Jimmy Henry, teacher coach at the high school, Heather Long, teacher at the high school, Heather Albrecht, teacher at the high school, Mike Stubbs, teacher at the high school, Cathy Sherrill, teacher at the junior high, Sandra Odom, teacher/coach at the junior high, and Allison Burns, teacher at the elementary.  Peggy Walicek made a motion to approve employment of the recommended personnel for the 2006-2007 school year.  Mike Wittrock seconded, and the motion carried 6-0.

 

23.       Adjournment – The Board adjourned its meeting at 7:17 p.m.