COLLEGE STATION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES WORKSHOP MEETING

Administrative Conference Room

June 19, 2007

5:30 p.m.

 

               

A.     CALL TO ORDER

President Tim Jones called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. with five members present.

 

B.  DECLARATION OF QUORUM

President Tim Jones, Vice President Mary Broussard, Secretary Randall Pitcock, Trustees Charlotte Slack, and Marc Chaloupka were present.  Trustee Steve Aldrich arrived at 5:42 p.m.

 

C.  WORKSHOP SESSION

C-1.  Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding policy related to naming of facilities and events

Superintendent Eddie Coulson led discussion related to naming of facilities, portions of facilities, or events.  Draft policy was distributed and reviewed.  The district currently has a practice of NOT naming facilities after people.  To name after a person could be very controversial in the community.  Trustee Steve Aldrich pointed out that the best way to memorialize and recognize someone is through the Education Foundation.

 

Some discussion occurred regarding marketing and advertising techniques, as well as the separation of events and facilities in the way CSISD handles this issue.  Some trustees expressed that events come and go and could possibly be named.  If events are to be named, then there should be a specific process and the request must go through the administration process. 

 

Dr. Coulson will bring a revised draft policy and more information back to the trustees at the July Board Meeting.

 

C-2.  Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding the 2007-2008 Salary Schedules and Benefits Package

Mike Ball and Eddie Coulson led discussion regarding the proposed employee salary schedules and benefits package for 2007-2008.  Mike Ball reported that HB1 of the current 80th Legislative Session is the Appropriations Bill.  That bill is the one that has to be passed since it is the budget.  There has been a huge debate regarding whether to give teachers a salary increase across the board or to base it on an incentive program for a total amount of approximately $850 per teacher.  Decisions were made to do both with $425 to “across the board” raises and $425 to “incentive program” raises.  After language was written, voted on and passed, the formula ($23.93 per WADA) calculates about $398 increase per teacher in CSISD.  CSISD Administrators feel that the amount of $425 received a lot of media attention and that is the amount that was discussed and referred to over and over again in the news.  CSISD proposes a 3% across the board raise and in addition for teachers, counselors, librarians, and nurses an additional $425.

 

After much debate, the Appropriations Bill was finalized and the language “educator” was used instead of “teacher”, although the intent of the legislation is clear that the additional increase is for those employees who are paid from a Teacher Salary Schedule.

 

Adjustments were made to salaries and benefits for Attendance Clerks, Bus Drivers and other part time employees, and Substitute pay based on findings in the Salary Study which was conducted during the Fall 2006. 

 

“The Living Wage” was briefly discussed and President Tim Jones pointed out that the Board has not set “the living wage” as a standard.  Trustee Charlotte Slack stated that the point is that “the community wants us (trustees) to do right by our employees”.

 

Trustees were complimentary of administrators for their work.

 

C-3.  Consideration, discussion, and possible action regarding the 2007-2008 Budget

Superintendent Eddie Coulson and Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball led discussion regarding the proposed 2007-2008 budget.  Mr. Ball reported that for the last decade, property values have dictated the budget and we were always waiting on the values to come in so that we could set our budget.  HB1 from last year’s legislation, the 79th Legislative Session, changed all of that.  The only driver for revenue beginning in 2007-2008 is Attendance.

 

Trustee Marc Chaloupka questioned the need for additional unanticipated portable buildings for the 2007-2008 school year.  Trustees and administrators discussed purchasing portables versus leasing portables.  It was decided that accommodations for the next two years should be temporary.

 

Superintendent Eddie Coulson also discussed the need for $2.5 million to be available in the budget for Elementary Number 7’s operating expenses upon its opening.

 

MOTION 3786:  I move to recess the workshop and reconvene at the conclusion of the Regular Board Meeting.  The motion was made by Randall Pitcock and seconded by Steve Aldrich.  The motion passed with six ayes and zero nayes.  Trustee Garland Watson was absent.

 

The Board Workshop reconvened at 8:32 p.m.

 

C-4.  Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding issues related to construction projects, naming Elementary Number 7, and bond funding including, but not limited to, timeline(s)

Superintendent Eddie Coulson and Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations Mike Ball reported to the Trustees regarding update information as it pertains to 2007 Bond Program Planning Issues.  An architectural firm has been negotiated and signed.  Interviews are in progress to hire a Construction Director.  The Board approved the delivery method as Construction Manager at Risk.  Interviews will be held to hire a construction contractor later in July.  A Special Board Meeting will probably be required for approval of site surveys in order to stay on established timeline.

 

D.  ADJOURNMENT

Without objection, Tim Jones adjourned the workshop meeting at 9:05 p.m.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

TIM JONES                                                                RANDALL PITCOCK                  

PRESIDENT                                                              SECRETARY