SMITHVILLE I.S.D.

BOARD BRIEFS

NOVEMBER 20, 2006

 

The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, November 20, 2006 beginning at 6:00 P.M.  Items discussed or acted on by members included the following:

 

1.      Recognition of Cross Country State Qualifier and Tiger Band Member Named to All-State Jazz Band – The Board congratulated Stacey Ziats for placing 28th out of 110 competitors at the State Cross Country Meet, and fifth place overall at Regionals.  They also recognized Jonathan McNutt for being named to All-State Jazz Band.

 

2.      Outstanding Students for the Second Six-Weeks – The Board commended Megan Seidel, a sixth grader from the junior high, for being chosen outstanding student for the second six-weeks.  Also recognized were Kimberly Burns and Darren Bunte, outstanding students from the high school campus.

 

3.      Employees of the Month for October – Employees of the Month for October were Alicia Turnley, teacher at the junior high school, and Cindy Davis, a secretary at Brown Primary.  Ms. Turnley and Ms. Davis 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 – Kamron Saunders moved to approve items 5 through 10 on 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 16, 2006 regular board meeting

6.      Disbursements fro the month of October 2006

7.      Financial Statements for October 2006

8.      Investment Report

9.      Tax Collection Report

10.  Budget Amendments

 

11.  Superintendent’s Report – The Superintendent updated the Board on progress of the installation of the new marquee at the high school, and also reported on the sale of surplus district property.

 

12.  Tentative December Agenda Items – Tentative Items to be included on the December agenda are:

a.       Superintendent’s Report

b.      Employees of the Month for November

c.       Superintendent’s Evaluation training

d.      Superintendent’s Self-Evaluation

e.       A.E.I.S. Report

f.        State Compliance Monitoring

g.       Employment of Certified Personnel

h.       Addressing the vacancy on the Board

 

13.  Approval of Annual 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 2005-2006 audit.  Kamron Saunders motioned to approve the 2005-2006 audit as presented.  After a second by Mike Morgan, the motion carried 5-0.

 

14. Consider Renewal of Tax Exemption for W.J. Nixon Masonic Lodge – The Office of the

Comptroller requires that charitable organizations reapply for tax exemption at the end of every fifth year of exemption.  Mr. Joe Robinette, representing the W.J. Nixon Lodge, addressed the Board requesting continuation of this exemption by Smithville ISD.  Mike Morgan moved to approve exemption of the W.J. Nixon Lodge as requested.  Howard Burns seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

15. Consider acceptance of Board member resignation, and election of Board secretary – Peggy Walicek, secretary of the Board of Trustees, submitted her resignation from the Board, effective November 20, 2006.  The Board President has no alternative but to accept the resignation, which was formally done at the board meeting.  Ms. Walicek’s resignation made it necessary for the Board to elect a new secretary.  Kamron Saunders nominated Mike Morgan as secretary of the Board.  Craig Williams seconded the motion.  Mr. Williams then moved that nominations cease, which was seconded by Mr. Saunders.  Mike Morgan was elected secretary by acclamation.  The Board decided to take no action on appointing a person to fill the vacancy on the Board at this time.

 

16.  Review and approval of District and Campus Performance Objectives and Improvement Plans – Board Policy BQ [Legal] requires the Board to annually approve district and campus performance objectives and ensure that the district and campus improvement plans are mutually supportive to accomplish identified objectives and, at a minimum, support the state goals and objectives.  Kamron Saunders motioned to approve the district and campus performance objectives for 2006-2007 and approve the district and campus improvement plans as presented.  With a second from Michael Goertz, the motion carried 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 January and March.  Howard Burns moved to change the regular monthly board meeting date for January 2007 to January 16th, 2007 and for March 2007 to March 26th, 2007.  Kamron Saunders seconded the motion, and it carried 5-0.

 

18.  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.  The Board agreed on three possible dates; January 22nd, January 23rd or January 8th.

 

 

19. Approval of Textbook Selection Committee – Board policies EFAA [Legal] and EFAA

      [Local] outlines the process for selecting textbooks for the school district.  The superintendent

      is required to recommend a textbook adoption committee, consisting of 5 to 15 members, to

      the Board.  Mr. Sage recommended approval of the following committee members for 2006-

2007: Cheryl Burns, David Edwards, Cathy Sherrill, Anne Seidel, Lisa Wood, Carol Cullen, Angela Multer, Kathy Craig, Margnna Martin, Heather Albrecht, Walter McLoughlin.  Mike Morgan motioned to approve the members of the Textbook Selection Committee as recommended.  Kamron Saunders seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

20a.Resignations of certified personnel – Mr. Sage advised the Board of the proposed resignation  

      of Julia Scott, teacher at the elementary.  No action was required.

 

20b.Employment of certified personnel – There was no employment to recommend at this time.