COLLEGE STATION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES WORKSHOP MEETING

AMC High School Library

January 15, 2008

5:30 p.m.

 

               

A.     CALL TO ORDER

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

 

B.  DECLARATION OF QUORUM

President Tim Jones, Vice President Mary Broussard, Secretary Randall Pitcock, Trustees Charlotte Slack, Garland Watson, and Marc Chaloupka were present.  Trustee Steve Aldrich arrived at 5:39 p.m. 

 

C.  WORKSHOP SESSION

C-1.  Receive Report from Kristeen Roe, Brazos County Tax Assessor/Collector

Superintendent Eddie Coulson introduced Kristeen Roe, Brazos County Tax Assessor/Collector.  Ms. Roe was recently hired as Tax Assessor/Collector and wanted the opportunity to meet the trustees and answer any questions they might have.  Ms. Roe stated that her agenda is to take care of business every day; while serving the public first and secondly, serving the taxing entities.

 

Ms. Roe pointed out that College Station has requested a substation for some time now.  They have checked into that and it would be cost prohibitive and not necessarily the best use of tax monies because the office would have to be duplicated exactly.  Although two area offices will not happen, she did share with us the information that work is being done and plans are being made to move the tax office.  The tax office must stay in Bryan because it is the county seat, but her recommendation is to find real estate on the line, but still in Bryan.

 

C-2.  Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding the selection process for the Long Range Education Plan

Superintendent Eddie Coulson led discussion regarding the Long Range Educational Planning Committee.  The committee will have 30 members plus the cabinet, with the majority of its members being community members.  Trustees should submit 2-3 names to administration by 1/22/08.

 

C-3.  Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding 2007 Bond Program

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball who reported to the Board regarding the 2007 Bond Program. 

 

Mr. Ball updated the Trustees on the CS Middle School Track project.

 

Mr. Ball reported that with the Board approval of the Guaranteed Maximum Price and project budgets on Creek View Elementary School, Athletic Facilities Renovation Project, and Grounds Relocation Project, a “Notice To Proceed” has been issued to Pepper Lawson Construction L.P. on these projects.  The combined project budgets for these three (Creek View, Athletics, Grounds) projects are approximately $1 million under the original planning allocations.

 

Mr. Ball reported that the current cost estimates from Pepper Lawson indicate that the total estimated cost of the project exceeds the original planning allocation by approximately $1.3 million.  These additional costs are attributable to the following actors:

·        Expanded scope to meet student needs

·        Construction sequencing geared toward minimal disruption of educational activities

·        Challenges presented by the site, e.g. uneven terrain, close proximity to flood plain

The student population at College Hills has unique needs unlike any other CSISD elementary school.  In order to meet these unique needs, the scope of the project has been expanded by approximately 4,000 square feet.  This space is devoted to special needs classrooms.

 

Technology upgrades have occurred.  Land has been acquired with the purchase of 46.02 acres at the corner of Greens Prairie Trails and Royder and a lot at the corner of Gilchrist and Walton.  Closing is scheduled for 1/17/08 for a 43.6 acre tract at the corner of William D. Fitch and Rock Prairie Road.

 

Mr. Ball reported that we can deliver what we’ve promised the taxpayers and still have funds in contingency for other projects.

 

C-4.  Discussion regarding AMC High School Graduation Ceremony

President Tim Jones led discussion among Trustees regarding the high school graduation ceremony and functional piece of doing graduation.  Some trustees expressed confusion and disruptive feeling when “tapped out” at the ceremony while handing out diplomas.  Suggestions of having the Superintendent or High School Principal hand out all diplomas to students during the ceremony were discussed. 

 

D.  ADJOURNMENT

Without objection, Tim Jones adjourned the workshop meeting at 6:57 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

TIM JONES                                                                RANDALL PITCOCK                  

PRESIDENT                                                              SECRETARY