SMITHVILLE I.S.D.
BOARD BRIEFS
JUNE 18, 2007
The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, June 18, 2007 beginning at 6:00 P.M. Items discussed or acted on by members included the following:
1. Outstanding Students for the Sixth Six-Weeks – The Board recognized the outstanding
students chosen from the junior high and high school campuses for the sixth six-weeks. Lauren Ott was the junior high selection, and Kasey Kellar and Dustin Eddy were the high school selections. The students were unable to attend the board meeting.
2. Communications from the Public – There were no public communications.
Consent Agenda – Mike Morgan moved to approve items 3 through 8 on the Consent Agenda as presented. Samella Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0. The Consent Agenda included:
3. Minutes of the may 16, 2007 special board meeting and the May 21, 2007 regular board meeting
4. Disbursements for the month of May 2007
5. Financial Statements for May 2007
6. Investment Report
7. Tax Collection Report
8. Budget Amendment
9. Superintendent’s Report – The Superintendent informed the Board that Smithville ISD is fully staffed at this time, and also updated them on the employee turnover ratio.
10. First Draft of the 2007-2008 Budget – Rick Boehm, Director of Finance, presented the first draft of the 2007-2008 Budget to the Board of Trustees.
11. Annual Maintenance Report – Zack Harris, Director of Maintenance, conducts a complete facility inspection of all District facilities in late spring of each year and prepares a written report of the findings, as well as a list of future projects. Mr. Harris presented the Board with his annual maintenance report.
12.
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.
13. Tentative July Agenda Items – Tentative items to be included on the July agenda are:
a. Superintendent’s Report
b. Call for Public Hearing on Proposed Budget
c. Athletic Bids
d. Second Draft of the 2007-2008 District Budget
e. Exit Interview Report
f. Student Insurance
g. Approve PDAS Appraisers and Appraisal Calendar
h. School Climate Report
14. Consider Proposal Options for Surveillance System for SHS – Beginning at our March meeting, the Board has been exploring options for installation of a surveillance system at the high school. Several proposals have been presented by Wildcat Ventures, in accordance with requirements determined as a result of discussion with the SISD Board. Craig Williams moved to accept the newest proposal received from Wildcat Ventrues for a surveillance system at the high school. Mike Morgan seconded, and the vote was 3-0 with Brad Hurta and Samella Williams abstaining.
15. Consider renewal of auditor’s engagement
contract for the 2006-2007 school audit – The firm of West, Davis and Company was selected to
perform the 2003-2004, 2004-2005, and the 2005-2006 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 2006-2007
school audit. Brad Hurta
moved to continue the audit services provided by the firm of West, Davis and
Company. Michael Goertz
seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
16. Review
and approve student handbooks for all campuses, Student Code of Conduct,
Athletic
Handbook and District Crisis Management Plan – All handbooks, along with the Student Code
of Conduct and District Crisis Management Plan, are reviewed by district staff on an annual basis and presented to the Board for approval. Craig Williams motioned to approve the student handbooks, Student Code of Conduct, District Crisis Management Plan and Athletic Handbook as presented. Brad Hurta seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
17. Review and approve Board Operating Procedures – Following board elections and
reorganization of the Board each year, the Board reviews their operating procedures to
ensure that all members have input into adopting them. After reviewing their board operating procedures, Mike Morgan entered a motion to approve the board operating procedures, with noted changes, as presented. Samella Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
18. Set Student Transfer Tuition Limit – The Board of Trustees is required to set a tuition limit
for transfer students on an annual basis. The Texas Education Agency directs the
commissioner to establish the amount of tuition that school districts could charge for educating a nonresident student. According to T.E.A., the maximum amount that Smithville ISD is allowed to charge for tuition for the 2007-2008 school year is $2,354. Brad Hurta moved to set the student transfer tuition fee for 2007-2008 at $2,354 per student. Michael Goertz seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Closed Session – The Board entered closed session at 8:40 p.m. and returned at 9:52 p.m. with no official action taken.
19. Board Self-Evaluation – The Board conducts a self-assessment once a year. Each member
of the Board was provided a survey instrument for self-evaluation, which they completed and turned in to the Board President. The results of the Board self-evaluation were discussed in executive session.
20. Review and approve Board Policy Update 80 – Included in the board packet were vantage points and explanatory notes from Board Policy Update 80, a document recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards to help keep our district policies up to date. A motion was made by Craig Williams to approve Update 80 as presented. Mike Morgan seconded the motion, and it carried 5-0.
21a.Superintendent’s Formative Assessment – The Board has adopted an evaluation calendar and
process for the Superintendent that calls for a mid-year formative assessment. Board
members are asked to fill out an assessment form, which is then compiled into a single document. The Superintendent’s Formative Evaluation results are given to the Superintendent in closed session. Craig Williams moved to approve the formative assessment as delivered to the Superintendent in closed session. Michael Goertz seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
21b.Resignations of Certified Personnel – There were no resignations to report.
21c.Employement of Certified Personnel – The Superintendent recommended employment of
the following personnel – Tammie Hewitt, teacher at the elementary, Jimmy Henry, teacher/coach at the high school, Qi Zheng, and Maryellen Williams, teachers at the high school, and Vanessa Chappell, counselor at Brown Primary. Mike Morgan moved to employ the above personnel for the 2007-2008 school year. With a second from Samella Williams, the motion carried 5-0.
22. Adjournment – The Board ended its meeting at 9:55 p.m.