SMITHVILLE I.S.D.

BOARD BRIEFS

AUGUST 20, 2007

 

The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, August 20, 2007 beginning at 6:00 P.M.  Items discussed or acted on by members included the following:

 

1.                  Public Hearing on the Proposed Budget and Proposed Tax Rate – The school is required

by state laws and board policies CCG [Legal] and CE [Legal] to conduct a public hearing on the proposed budget and tax rate.  Any taxpayer of the District may be present and participate in the meeting.  The Board held the public hearing as required by law.  There were no comments from the public.

 

2.                  Communications from the Public – Ms. Shirley Adams addressed the Board expressing her desire to see in-town bus routes reinstated.

 

Consent Agenda – Kamron Saunders moved to approve items 3 through 11 as listed on the Consent Agenda.  Mike Morgan seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.  The Consent Agenda included the following:

 

3.                  Minutes of the July 16, 2007 regular board meeting

4.                  Disbursements for the month of July 2007

5.                  Financial Statements for July 2007

6.                  Investment Report

7.                  Tax Collection Report

8.                  Approve a Resolution regarding Extra-Curricular Status of the 4-H Organization

9.                  Athletic Bids

10.              Maintenance and Operation Bids

11.              Budget Amendment

 

12.              Superintendent’s Report – The Superintendent updated the Board on happenings in the District, including the Tiger football scrimmage against East Bernard and Industrial, the new teacher orientation, and the upcoming Back to School Breakfast.

 

13.              Tentative September Agenda Items – Tentative items for the September agenda are:

a.       Superintendent’s Report

b.      Employees of the Month for August

c.       Site-Based Committee Membership Reports

d.      Class Size Report

e.       Teacher Certification Status Report

f.        Technology Report

g.       FIRST Ratings Report

 

14.       Adoption of the 2007-2008 District Budget – The Board is required to adopt an

operational budget before the beginning of the fiscal year, which is September 1st.  Total appropriations for 2007-2008 consist of $13,628,288 for the General Fund, $1,444,139 for Interest & Sinking, and $949,014 for the Special Revenue Funds, which consist of the technology and cafeteria budget.  Howard Burns made a motion to approve the proposed 2007-2008 district budget as presented.  Kamron Saunders seconded, and the vote passed 7-0.

 

15.       Adoption of the 2007-2008 Tax Rate – The Board is required to set a tax rate within 60

days of receiving the certified tax roll but no later than September 30th.  Mike Morgan moved to approve a resolution setting the tax rate at $1.2802, which includes a $1.04 M&O tax rate and a $0.2402 I&S tax rate.  Howard Burns seconded, and the motion carried 7-0. 

 

16.        Consider adoption of Local Board Policy on Student Expression – The 80th Texas

Legislature passed a new law regarding student religious expression.  HB 3678, also called the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act, requires the Board of Trustees to adopt a local policy addressing student expression of religious viewpoints before the start of the 2007-2008 school year.  In keeping with state requirements, Brad Hurta moved to approve the state model version of Local Board Policy FNA [Local] as presented.  Samella Williams seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.

 

17.        Consider revision of 2007-2008 Appraisal Calendar – Due to a late arriving TAKS and       

testing calendar, the appraisal calendar previously approved by the Board required revision in order to avoid conflict with new testing dates.  Kamron Saunders moved to approve the revised appraisal calendar as presented.  Howard Burns seconded the motion, and the vote carried 7-0.

 

18.        Consider nomination for Bastrop Central Appraisal District Board of Directors – This

item was tabled and will be addressed at a later meeting.

 

The Board then moved to Agenda Item 20.

 

20.       Consider student transfer request – The Board was asked to consider a request by a parent

to approve transfer of his two children into the district even though they were currently residing outside the district boundaries.  The parent is a property owner in Smithville ISD, and is currently in the process of building a home on that property.  After consideration by the Board, Kamron Saunders moved to approve the transfer for the two children as requested, with the appropriate transfer fee charged.  Brad Hurta seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.

 

The Board entered executive session at 7:45 p.m. and returned at 8:08 p.m. with no official action taken.

 

19a.     Resignations of Certified Personnel – The Superintendent advised the Board of the resignation of Joanna Garrison and Kristi Mickelson.  No action was necessary.

 

19b.     Employment of Certified Personnel including Junior High Assistant Principal – The Superintendent recommended employment of the following personnel: Benjamin Bourgeois, Patti Moore, and Debra Blackwell as teachers at Brown Primary, Sarah Vinklarek as a teacher at Elementary, Natalie Fikac as counselor at the Elementary, Nancy Moree as a teacher at the Junior High, Rachel McAdam as assistant principal at the Junior High, and Jodene Brodbeck as a teacher at the High School.  Craig Williams moved to approve employment of personnel as recommended.  Michael Goertz seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.

 

21.       Adjournment – The Board adjourned its meeting at 8:09 p.m.