SMITHVILLE I.S.D.

BOARD BRIEFS

JANUARY 22, 2008

 

The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 beginning at 6:00 P.M.  Items discussed or acted on by members included the following:

 

1.         Recognition of students named to Academic All-State in various sports, students named to All-State Band, and other state honors – No students were present to receive the Board’s recognition.

 

2.         Outstanding Students for the Third Six-Weeks – The Board recognized the outstanding students chosen from the junior high and high school campuses for the third six-weeks.  Lauren Ott was the junior high selection, and Beth Ashcraft and Ryan Teague were the high school selections.

 

3.         Employees of the Month for December – Employees of the Month for December are both from Brown Primary.  They are Mary Sides, a teacher, and Linda Barta, the school nurse.  Both employees were present at the meeting to be recognized by the Board.

 

4.         Communications from the Public – There were no public communications.

 

            Consent Agenda – Kamron Saunders moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.  Samella Williams seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.  The Consent Agenda included the following:

 

5.         Minutes of the December 16, 2007 regular board meeting

6.         Disbursements for the month of December 2007

7.         Financial Statements for December 2007

8.         Investment Report

9.         Tax Collection Report

10.       Bond Payments

 

11.       Superintendent’s Report – The Superintendent updated the Board on progress of video surveillance installation in the District, gifts, donations and bequeaths to SISD, and bid results from recent equipment sales.

 

12.       District and Campus Improvement Plans Status Report – A format has been designed for a mid-year status report, which allows the Board to monitor the implementation of the District and Campus Improvement Plans.  Ms. Burns, along with the campus principals, reported to the Board on the status of those plans. 

 

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

            a.  Employees of the Month for January

            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 2008-2009 school year

            f.  Call for regular school board election

            g.  Benchmark testing results

            h.  Consider approval of school calendar for 2008-2009

            i.  Consider revision of Board Policy EIAA [Local]

 

14.       Review and Consider Board Policy GKD [Local] – Recently, it has become necessary for the Board to review its policy regarding non-school use of school facilities, particularly the tennis courts in regard to personal gain issues.  Current policy states that school facilities may not be used for personal gain.  After much discussion, Brad Hurta moved to amend policy GKD [Local] to allow the tennis courts to be used for community use when the courts are not being by the students of the district.  In addition, the courts may be rented by application when individuals would like to use the courts for providing lessons in which a fee is charged.  In that case, the district will impose a $10 per hour fee to be paid by the individual providing the tennis lessons.  With a second by Kamron Saunders, the motion carried 7-0.

 

15.       Consider Approval of State Compliance Monitoring Report – The 78th Legislature assigned responsibility for monitoring state programs, including Bilingual Education/English as a Second Language, Career and Technology Education, Dyslexia, Gifted/Talented Education, Optional Extended Year Program, Pre-kindergarten Notification, and State Compensatory Education, to local Boards of Trustees.  Cheryl Burns, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented the Board with a state monitoring guide demonstrating Smithville I.S.D.’s compliance with all state programs.  Kamron made a motion to approve the report as presented.  Mike Morgan seconded, and the vote passed 7-0.

 

16.       Consider purchase of a school bus and maintenance vehicles for 2008-2009 – In order to maintain a reliable fleet and to provide adequate vehicles for transportation services for the next school year, it is necessary to place the order for buses in January.  Kamron Saunders moved to approve the purchase of two 77-passenger buses to be used for student transportation services for next year, to approve the purchase of one maintenance fleet vehicle, and to approve the purchase of one 8 passenger van, possibly two if funds permit.  Howard Burns seconded, and the vote passed 7-0.

 

            Executive Session – The Board entered closed session at 8:07 p.m. and returned at 9:14 p.m. with no official action taken.

 

17a.     Resignations of Certified Personnel – The Superintendent advised the Board of the resignations of Jimmy Henry, Billy Hill and Jody Brodbeck.  No action was necessary.

 

17b.     Employment of Certified Personnel – Employment of Certified Personnel – The Superintendent recommended employment of Rachel Bilardi at the high school.  Mike Morgan moved to employ Rachel Bilardi for the 2007-2008 school year as recommended.  Howard Burns seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.

 

17c.     Superintendent’s Evaluation – This was presented to the Superintendent in executive session, and no action was necessary.

 

17d.     Superintendent’s Contract Renewal – Craig Williams entered a motion to extend the Superintendent’s contract for one year, and to increase his salary at the same percentage rate intended for teachers in the 2008-2009 school year.  Howard Burns seconded, and the motion carried 7-0.

 

18.       Adjournment – The Board adjourned its meeting at 9:20 p.m.