COLLEGE STATION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES WORKSHOP MEETING

Administrative Conference Room

November 19, 2007

5:30 p.m.

 

               

A.     CALL TO ORDER

President Tim Jones called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. with seven members present.

 

B.  DECLARATION OF QUORUM

President Tim Jones, Vice President Mary Broussard, Secretary Randall Pitcock, Trustees Charlotte Slack, Garland Watson, Marc Chaloupka, and Steve Aldrich were present. 

 

C.  WORKSHOP SESSION

C-1.  Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding the 2007 Bond Program Update

President Tim Jones welcomed everyone and recognized Superintendent Eddie Coulson.  Dr. Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball who reviewed updated information as it pertains to College Hills Elementary, Creek View Elementary, and Athletic facilities.

 

C-2.  Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding the 2008-2009 Draft Calendar options

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Executive Director Clark Ealy who led discussion with Trustees regarding four 2008-2009 Calendar options as generated by DEIC.  The Trustees desire feedback from the community.  DEIC members will gather feedback on the options and report at the January DEIC meeting.  DEIC plans to make a recommendation to the Board at the February 2008 meeting.

 

C-3.  Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding Update 81

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel Greg McIntyre who briefly discussed Update 81.  No issues were discussed.

 

C-4.  Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding Policy DEE (per diem)

Deputy Superintendent Greg McIntyre discussed compensation and benefits reimbursement for employees other than the superintendent.  Language in policy that pertains to rates of reimbursement will be changed to reflect that the rates will change according to the state reimbursement rates.

 

The Board Workshop was recessed at 6:44 p.m.

 

The Board Workshop reconvened at 8:08 p.m.

 

C-5.  Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding Policy FNA (RVAA)

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Greg McIntyre who discussed the process for adoption of Policy FNA.  CSISD was required to adopt a policy prior to the start of the 2007-2008 school year.  With such short notice, CSISD adopted the FNA Model policy contained in the House Bill out of default.  Since that time more information has been gained and conferences attended.  Because of that, CSISD Administration now recommends that CSISD adopt the Walsh-Anderson FNA Model policy.  This bill addresses four general areas of student expression:  freedom of religious expression, student speakers, religious expression in class assignments, and freedom of association.  The law requires a district:

o       To treat a student’s expression of a religious viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner as nonreligious speech,

o       To adopt a policy establishing a limited public forum for student speakers at all school events at which a student is to publicly speak,

o       To evaluate class assignments containing religious content by ordinary academic standards; and

o       To allow students to organize religious groups and meetings to the same extent that students are permitted to organize non-curricular student activities and groups.

 

C-6.  Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding Safe Schools Project Agreement with Region IV

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel Greg McIntyre who reviewed the Region IV Safe Schools Project Agreement that would provide a more comprehensive criminal history check on employees.

 

C-7.  Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding Texas Property Tax Code Section 11.253 and its applicability to College Station Independent School District as it pertains to a potential property tax exemption for certain goods in transit

Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball offered a brief explanation regarding Texas Property Tax Code Section 11.253 and its applicability to CSISD as it pertains to a potential property tax exemption for certain goods in transit according to House Bill 621.  The default position on this issue is if the Board does nothing, then the exemption automatically goes into effect.

 

D.  ADJOURNMENT

Without objection, Tim Jones adjourned the workshop meeting at 7:00 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

TIM JONES                                                                RANDALL PITCOCK                  

PRESIDENT                                                              SECRETARY