SMITHVILLE I.S.D.

BOARD BRIEFS

APRIL 21, 2008

 

The Smithville I.S.D. Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, April 21, 2008 beginning at 6:00 P.M.  Items discussed or acted on by members included the following:

 

1.         Recognition of Cross X Debate State Qualifiers, Skills USA State Qualifiers, and the Tiger Bands for their Sweepstakes win – The Board took this opportunity to recognize the Cross Ex Debate and Lincoln Douglas Debate participants who advanced to state competition.  Those participants are: David Wehr, Garrett Morell, Kyle Lastovica, Chris Leonardi, Aaron McManus and JoshuaAnn McRee.  The Board also congratulated the following Skills USA team members who qualified for state competition with their projects: Morgan Murphy, Titus Oliver, Summer Ridenour, Chris Fuqua, Logan Sweeny and Ryan Mills.  Additionally, the Board recognized the both the high school Tiger Band and the junior high Tiger Band for earning “Sweepstakes” upon receiving all 1’s in Marching, Concert and Sight Reading their U.I.L. competition.

 

2.         Employees of the Month for March – Staff members chosen as Employees of the Month for March are Lindsay Stephens, teacher, and Janice Rogers, campus nurse, both from the high school.  Ms. Rogers was present at the meeting to receive recognition from the Board.  Mr. Stephens was unable to attend.

 

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

 

            Consent Agenda – Kamron Saunders moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Howard Burns.  The motion carried 5-0.  The Consent Agenda included the following:

 

4.         Minutes of the March 24, 2008 regular board meeting

5.         Disbursements for the month of March 2008

6.         Financial Statements for March 2008

7.         Investment Report

8.         Tax Collection Report

9.         Student Transfer Requests

10.       Student Insurance Proposal

 

11.       Superintendent’s Report – The Superintendent advised the Board of an agenda item concerning an exemption policy for semester exams at the high school that will be included on the May agenda.  He also suggested that the Board consider revisiting the current student transfer policy at a future meeting.

 

12.       Grades 3, 5 and 8 Reading TAKS Testing Results for Spring 2008 – Cheryl Burns, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, provided the Board with results of the first administration of the TAKS reading test for 3rd, 5th, and 8th grade students.

 

13.       Tentative May Agenda Items – Items that will tentatively be included on the May agenda are:

            a.  Recognize DECA State and International Qualifiers

            b.  Employment of Certified Personnel

            c.  Resignations of Certified Personnel

            d.  Superintendent’s Report

            e.  Oath of Office for new board members

            f.  Reorganization of the Board

            g.  Set transfer tuition limit if available

            h.  Delegate Assembly selection for the TASB Convention

            i.  Board Self Evaluation

            j.  Outstanding students for the fifth six-weeks

            k. Employees of the Month for April

            l.  Consider exam policy for high school

            m.  Review plans for Ag. Facility

 

14.       Consider Revisions to Student Dress Codes for Elementary and Secondary

Campuses – The student dress code is reviewed annually by the administration, campus site-base committees, and the district site-base committee.  The dress code for the 2008-2009 school year, with very minor changes, was presented to the Board for review and approval.  Kamron Saunders moved to approve the elementary and secondary dress codes as presented.  Mike Morgan seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

15.       Meal Prices for 2008-2009 – Due to increased food costs as a result of rising fuel prices, etc., the district must evaluate current meal prices and determine new rates for the coming school year as needed.  After much research by Candy Biehle, food service director for the district, a 25 cent to 40 cent increase is being proposed in various meal prices.  Howard Burns moved to approve the meal price increases as presented.  Samella Williams seconded, and the vote passed 5-0.

 

16.       Contract for Canine Contraband Detection Services for 2008-2009 – The District has been under contract with InterQuest for canine contraband detection services since 2002.  The contract is renewed on an annual basis, and is up for renewal at this time.  Kamron Saunders moved to continue the use of canine detection for contraband and to renew the contract with InterQuest to provide those services.  Mike Morgan seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

17.       Consider Revision to School Calendar for 2007-2008 – May 2, 2008 is a scheduled early release day according to our current school calendar.   The district has been notified of changes in the TAKS testing schedule, which include May 2nd as a testing date.  School officials feel that having an early release on that date will not provide a productive testing environment for students.  Therefore, it is being recommended that the early release date be changed to May 9, 2008.  Mike Morgan moved to alter the current school calendar by moving the scheduled May 2nd early release day to May 9th.  Howard Burns seconded the motion, and the vote was 5-0.

 

18a.     Resignations of Certified Personnel – The Superintendent informed the Board of the resignations of Suzanne Allison Burns, James Little, and Nichole Garner.  No action was necessary.

 

18b.     Employment of Certified Personnel – The Superintendent recommended employment of Randel Vaughn as Athletic Trainer for Smithville ISD.  Kamron Saunders motioned to employ Randel Vaughn for the 2008-2009 school year as recommended.  Mike Morgan seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

19.    Adjournment – The Board adjourned its meeting at 6:53 p.m.