COLLEGE STATION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING

CSISD Board Room

April 15, 2008

7:00 p.m.

 

A.  CALL TO ORDER

President Tim Jones called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. with seven members present.

 

B.  DECLARATION OF QUORUM

President Tim Jones declared a quorum was present with seven members.  President Jones, Vice-President Mary Broussard, Secretary Randall Pitcock, Trustees Charlotte Slack, Marc Chaloupka, Garland Watson and Steve Aldrich were present.

 

C.  RECOGNITIONS

C-1.  Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and the Texas Flag, and a Moment of Silence

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Oliver Hadnot, Principal of College Station Middle School.  Mr. Hadnot recognized 8th Grader Chaiss Matthews and 8th Grader Celina Malave.  The students led the audience in the pledges of allegiance and the moment of silence.

 

C-3.  Students

a.  2008 Yearbook Yearbook – Advisor Stormy Hickman

The A&M Consolidated High School Yearbook staff has been recognized by Taylor Publishing with an Award of Excellence honoring its accomplishments in yearbook design and coverage.  The A&M Consolidated High School Yearbook is featured in the 2008 Yearbook.  Judges selected the A&M Consolidated High School yearbook among the best.  Congratulations to Laura Blomstedt, Johny Fisher, Ivan Garcia, Marylou Garcia, Jessica Garlick, Alli Glover, Shayne Hassel, Elle Hawthorne, Anna Maline, Katherine Mason, Stephanie Mason, Brian Nock, Kim Rife, Michelle Schuett, Hannah Smith, Julie Thompson, Taylor Thomson, Samantha Villacin, Caitlin Walker, Casey Wilhelm, and Kris Wulfson.

 

b.  AMC FFA Students – John Templeton

A&M Consolidated High School FFA students represented the chapter at the 2008 Houston Livestock & Agriculture Mechanization Show.  Students constructed two gooseneck trailers from raw materials to a finished product, wherein they received a Blue Ribbon for the 5 Bale Gooseneck Hay Trailer.  They also restored a 1946 Farmall B tractor to its original condition, for which they received a Red Ribbon.  These students put in many hours including late nights and weekends to finish the products by show time.  The tractor restoration team completed their project at 12 midnight the night before the competition with finishing touches.  This dedicated group of students accomplished new goals for the AMC FFA Chapter.  Congratulations to James Balthrop, Travis Benden, Dusty Blum, Blayne Cochrane, Mark Ethridge, Stephen Hines, Ian Love, Michael Massey, Tyler McFarland, Will Rooney, Reese Rosser, Jonathan Villasana and Garrett White.

 

c.  AMCHS SkillsUSA State Competition – Teachers Bart Taylor and Scott Faulk

The SkillsUSA contests consist of technical information tests as well as hands on production, troubleshooting and application.  Congratulations to John Goen – 1st place for Action Skills; Jessica Gantt, Taylor Thompson, Katheryn Cunha and Devin Place – 2nd place team for Broadcast News Anchor Team; Steve Manning – 2nd place for Computer Maintenance Technical Information Test; Jessica Simon, Matt Garberding, Kyle Hobson, Cody Taylor, Michael Howard, Henry Inovejas and Kelvin Trinh – Superior for Computer Maintenance Computer Case Mod Projects; Henry Inovejas – 1st place for Computer Technologies Technical Information Test; Alex Liu – 3rd place for Computer Programming Competition; Annie Lin – Superior for Graphic Communication Digital Project; Jose Contreras – Superior for Graphic Communication Digital Project; Adam Garrett – Judges Choice, Superior for Media Tech Pre-produced Video Projects; Jennifer Glover and Maria Villa – Superior for Media Tech Pre-produced Video Projects; Jay Robinson – Superior for Media Tech Pre-produced Video Projects; Ryann Coombs and Morgan Moss – Excellent for Media Tech Pre-produced Video Projects; Irene Georghiades – Excellent for Media Tech Pre-produced Video Projects; Arjit Mahapatra – Excellent for Media Tech Pre-produced Video Projects; Kara Schoenemann – Excellent for Media Tech Pre-produced Video Projects; Brandon Strain – 2nd place for Technical Computer Applications; John Scroggins – 1st place for Technical Computer applications Technical Information Test; Ben Peacock – 2nd place for Technical Computer Applications Technical Information Test; Adam Garrett – 1st place for Television Production Technical Information Test; Jay Robinson – 1st place for Television Camera Operator Technical Information Test; Arjit Mahapatra – 2nd place for Television Camera Operator Technical Information Test; Andrew Jarrett – 2nd place for Web Page Design Technical Information Test; Rafik Massoud – Superior for Web Page Design Project.

 

d.  BPA State Leadership Conference – Teachers Dianne Rister, Kathy Fisher and Terri Castro

Forty-one AMC High School students competed in individual and team events at The Business Professionals of America State Leadership Conference which was held March 5-8, 2008 in Dallas, Texas.  The National Leadership Conference will be held in Reno, NV, May 7-11, 2008.  Congratulations to Max Bowman – National Qualifier for Fundamentals of XHTML, Rachel Flores-Meath – received special recognition in the open, General Competitive Events and in Information Technology Concepts she placed 2nd and in Administrative Support Concepts, she placed 7th; Ali El-Halwagi – National Qualifier for Database Applications; Jimmy Hemmer – National Alternate for Java Programming; Andrew Keating – National Qualifier for Database Applications; Erica Liu – National Qualifier for Graphic Design Promotion; Kelsey Mills – National Alternate for Fundamental Accounting; Jessica Mitter – National Qualifier for Advanced Interview Skills; Pranitha Patil – National Qualifier for Spreadsheet Applications & Analysis; Keri Wood – National Qualifier for Fundamental Accounting; Emily Wu – National Qualifier for Keyboarding Production; Liz Blomstedt, Max Bowman, Alex Liu, Emily Wu – National Alternate for Web Application Team; and Seth Carstens, Jae Han, Mengxiang Jiang, Robby Nevels – National Alternate for Software Engineering Team.

 

e.  Destination Imagination State Meet – Teacher Sally McKnight

Five students from Oakwood recently competed in the state Destination Imagination meet, and placed sixth in their division.  Congratulations to Alex Coopersmith, Sidney Garrett, Thomas Morgan, Stacia Roberts and Kathryn Unger.

 

f.  Duke Talent Recognition

Twenty-one AMC Middle School and thirteen College Station Middle School 7th graders have qualified to attend state and national recognition ceremonies for students meeting the criteria of the Duke Talent Identification Program.

 

The students in the Duke program are allowed to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test that is normally taken only by college-bound juniors and seniors.  To qualify for an invitation to the state recognition ceremony, the student must have scored at least 520 on the math or 510 on the verbal portion.  To qualify for the National Recognition Ceremony the student must have scored at least 650 or higher on math or critical reading section of the SAT and/or a minimum of 28 on the ACT.  Congratulations to AMC Middle Schoolers Gabriella Abou-el-kheir – State and National recognition, Jared Alexander – State recognition, Shankara Anand – State and National recognition, Camille Aucoin – State recognition, Olga Belyanina – State recognition, Kaley Brauer – State recognition, Teresa DeFigueiredo – State recognition, Deyu Deng – State and National recognition, Lauren Gray – State recognition, Viivi Jarvi – State recognition, Vilja Jarvi – State recognition, Kelli Klein – State recognition, Matthew Lawler – State recognition, Wanda Lipps – State recognition, Harrison Park – State and National recognition, Kensen Shi – State and National recognition, Nathan Smith – State recognition, Erin Taylor – State recognition, Samantha Wang – State and National recognition, and Kelly Zhou – State recognition.  Congratulations to College Station Middle Schoolers William Bonds – State and National recognition, Amy Deng – State recognition, Anne Finch – State recognition, Angelique Gratton – State recognition, Kevin He – State recognition, Eric Lan – State recognition, Alec Lindner – State recognition, Jacob Mathews – State recognition, Jeana Nam – State recognition, Janet Ni – State recognition, Mei Xuan Tan – State recognition, Akshans Verma – State recognition, Amanda Yang – State and National recognition.

g.  MATHCOUNTS – Teacher Caroline Jones

At the State MATHCOUNTS competition held Saturday, March 29th in Austin, AMC Middle School’s team placed third in the state.  Team members are Kevin Li, Kensen Shi, David Deng, and Yongin Choi.  In addition to the team award, Kevin Li placed 4th overall as an individual.  More than 300 schools and almost 2000 students in Texas participate in MATHCOUNTS each year.  Of these 288 students advanced to the state competition.  Only the top four students go on to compete at the national level.  As a member of the national team, Kevin will join three other students to represent the state of Texas at the national competition to be held May 9-11 in Denver, Colorado.

 

h.  National Merit Scholarship Finalists

To advance to Finalist, a Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier qualifying test performance.  The Finalist and a school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, which includes the student’s self-descriptive essay and information about the student’s participation and leadership in school and community activities.  All Finalists will be considered for National Merit Scholarships to be offered in 2008.  Congratulations to Andrey Belyanin, Wesley Chapkin, Jeffrey Chen, William Chen, Dale Delucia, Alexander Ivanov, Georgia Lagoudas, Christopher Lewis, Alex Liu, Clare Lynch, Wesley McDougal, Ignacio Olivera, Rebecca Phinney, Indrajit Sehbi, Samantha Walker and Rebecca Yasskin.

 

i.  Texas Math & Science Coaches Association – Teacher Jamie Bassett

Four students from A&M Consolidated High School attended the TMSCA (Texas Math & Science Coaches Association) State Meet on Saturday, March 15th.  The four students were senior Jeffrey Chen, sophomores Rajeev Kinra and Saum Chaudhuri, and freshman Bruce Zhang.  Contests at this meet are run by grade level and classification.  These students were thus competing against other 5A students in their grades.  Jeffrey Chen placed first in 12th grade Mathematics, sixth in Number Sense, seventh in Calculator, and fifth in Science.  His overall results placed him as the top senior in the competition.  He was named the “Top Gun” and won a $1000 scholarship.  Rajeev Kinra placed sixth in 10th Grade Mathematics.  Saum Chaudhuri placed sixth in 10th grade Science, and Bruce Zhang placed eighth in 9th grade Science.  Chaudhuri had the top Chemistry score among the 10th grade science students (the Science test consists of equal parts Biology, Chemistry, and Physics).  The combined math scores of the competitors gave them the fifth highest team score in the Mathematics contest.  Despite having only four competitors and the fact that two of them only competed in two of the four contests, their total scores placed them twelfth out of 25 schools in the 5A division at the meet.

 

j.  Texas Math & Science Coaches Association – Teacher Jan Fechhelm

Five students from Cypress Grove Intermediate School traveled to San Antonio to compete in the state Texas Math and Science Coaches Association (TMSCA) meet.  Only students who had scored at high levels on district UIL meets were qualified to attend.  There were over 2000 6th, 7th and 8th grade students there, from all across the state.  Cypress Grove had students who placed in the top 25 in three different events: Hoseok Jeung took 19th place in Number Sense and 23rd place in Calculator; and in Science, Connor White, got 16th place.  Other students who participated were Emily Miaou, Abilasha Gokulan, and Sam Welch.

 

D.  BOARD

D-1.  Board Directions and Reports/Announcements/Superintendent Reports

Trustee Charlotte Slack commented regarding the success of the recent Education Foundation’s “50 Men Who Can Cook” event.

 

Trustee Slack also reported that she had been in San Antonio testifying regarding “changing the school accountability system”.

 

Trustees Charlotte Slack and Marc Chaloupka are serving as Board representation on LREPC (Long Range Educational Planning Committee).

 

Superintendent Eddie Coulson announced that the 1st CSISD Fun Run is scheduled for Saturday, 4/19/08 at 8:00 a.m. at Central Park.

 

Superintendent Coulson also expressed his appreciation for Ann Ganter and her leadership of the CSISD Education Foundation’s “50 Men Who Can Cook” event.

 

E.  HEARING OF CITIZENS

None

 

F.  HEARING OF EMPLOYEES

None

 

G.  CONSENT AGENDA

Agenda Item H – APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 18, 2008 Board Workshop Minutes, March 18, 2008 Regular Board Meeting Minutes, March 24, 2008 Special Meeting Minutes;  Agenda Item I - CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION:  Agenda Item I-1:  Consider approval of Policy Update 82 – A(LEGAL) Replace, AE(EXHIBIT) ADD, AF (EXHIBIT) DELETE, BBB (LEGAL) No policy enclosed, BBFB (LEGAL) Replace, BDAF (LEGAL) Replace, BEC (LEGAL) Replace, BJCF (LOCAL) Replace, CBB (LEGAL) Replace, CCA (LEGAL) Replace, CCG (LEGAL) Replace, CCH (LEGAL) Replace, CDB (LEGAL) Replace, CDC (LEGAL) Replace, CKC LEGAL) Replace, CL(LEGAL) Replace, CNB (LEGAL) Replace, CRD (LEGAL) Replace, CRG (LEGAL) Replace, CS (LEGAL) Replace, CV (LEGAL) Replace, CVF (LEGAL) Replace, D (LEGAL) Replace, DBD (LOCAL) Replace, DBE (LEGAL) Replace, DBE (LEGAL) Replace, DBF (LOCAL DELETE, DH (LOCAL) Replace, DHE (LEGAL) Replace, DK (LEGAL) Replace, EIF (LEGAL) Replace, EK (LEGAL) Replace, EKB (LEGAL) Replace, FEA (LEGAL) Replace, FED (LEGAL) Replace, FFAA (LEGAL) Replace, FM (LEGAL) Replace, FMH (LEGAL) Replace, FN (LOCAL) Replace, FNAA (LOCAL) No policy enclosed, FNCG (LEGAL) Replace, FOCA (LEGAL) Replace, FOD (LEGAL) Replace, G (LEGAL) Replace, GKA (LEGAL) Replace, GKDA (LOCAL) No policy enclosed, GND (LEGAL) Replace, GR (LEGAL) Replace, DRA (LEGAL) Replace, GRC (LEGAL) ADD; Agenda Item J - PERSONNEL: Agenda Item J-1:  Consider approval of Resignations; Agenda Item J-2:  Consider approval of Employments; Agenda Item K - BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS: Agenda Item K-6:  Consider approval of Monthly Financial Reports – Reports covering the month ended March 31, 2008;  Agenda Item K-7: Consider approval of Monthly Budget Amendments – Amendments covering the period since last Board Meeting;  

 

President Tim Jones pulled Agenda Item J-1: Consider approval of Resignations and Agenda Item J-2: Consider approval of Employments for a technical question.

 

MOTION 3865:  I move approval of the Consent Agenda, as amended.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Trustee Marc Chaloupka.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

J.  PERSONNEL

J-1.  Consider approval of Resignations

Agenda Item discussed in Executive Session.

 

J-2.  Consider approval of Employments

Agenda Item discussed in Executive Session.

 

K.  BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

K-1.  Consider selection of architect firms to serve as a resource for the Long Range Educational Planning Committee and/or to provide architectural services associated with new school facilities that may result from that planning process

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations Mike Ball who reported to the Board regarding the selection of architect firms to serve as a resource for the Long Range Educational Planning Committee and/or to provide architectural services associated with new school facilities that may result from that planning process.

 

The submitted qualifications were evaluated and three firms were extended an invitation to interview with the selection committee.  The three firms invited for interviews were Corgan+PBA, SHE Group and VLK Architects.  All of the interviewed firms were well qualified and reputable firms.  The selection committee interviewed the representatives of the firms and evaluated them based on criteria listed in the RFQ.  The firm of SHW Group has extensive experience in bond program planning, design of high schools and other school facilities.  They also have a number of professional staff with wide and varied experience working with Texas public school districts.  The committee concluded that the SHW Group would be the appropriate firm to serve as a resource to the LREPC and to provide architectural services associated with a bond program that evolves from that planning process, with the exception of elementary school facilities.

 

The firm of VLK Architects has a long history of providing excellent service to the District related to elementary school design.  The selection committee concluded that VLK Architects would be the appropriate firm to design elementary school facilities that might evolve from the work of the Long Range Educational planning Committee.

 

MOTION 3966:  I recommend authorizing the Superintendent or his designee to negotiate and execute a contract with SHW Group to serve as a resource to the Long Range Educational Planning Committee and to provide architectural services associated with facilities included in the next bond program that evolves from the work of that committee, with the exception of elementary school facilities.  It is further recommended that the Trustees authorize the Superintendent or his designee to negotiate and execute a contract with VLK Architects to provide architectural services associated with elementary school facilities included in the next bond program, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Marc Chaloupka and seconded by Vice President Mary Broussard.  The motion passed 7-0.

 

K-2.  Consider designating a portion of the fund balance in the General Fund for expenditures associated with future new campuses

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball who reported to the Board that the District’s budget planning process for the past four to five years has included a goal of adding to the District’s fund balance in anticipation of the opening of new campuses, particularly a potential second high school.  While it would not be prudent to plan on spending fund balance or savings on recurring expenditures as a long term solution, our thinking has been that fund balance could be used to provide some time to adjust to new pressures on the general fund budget created by new campus operating costs.  The availability of fund balance will allow the district some time to adjust in an orderly manner to new spending requirements associated with new campuses.  The determination of an amount to be recommended for designation by the Board for expenditures associated with future new campuses was made based on:  One year operating budget for AMC High School - $13.5 million; One year operating budget for typical elementary campus - $2.5 million for a total recommended fund balance designation - $16.0 million.

 

MOTION 3967:  I move approval of designating $16.0 million of the fund balance in the General Fund for expenditures associated with the opening of future new campuses using the category provided in the FAR Guide of Account 3590, Other Designated Fund Balance, as presented.  The motion was made by Secretary Randall Pitcock and seconded by Trustee Charlotte Slack.  The motion passed 7-0. 

 

K-3.  Consider approval of acquisition of portable classroom buildings through the Texas Local Government Statewide Purchasing Cooperative (Buyboard)

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball who reported that the district has a need for several portable classrooms for the 2008-2009 school year.  The Texas Local Government Statewide Purchasing Cooperative (BuyBoard) has participating vendors that supply portable buildings available for rental and purchase.  District personnel have evaluated the buildings available through the BuyBoard and have estimated the costs associated with making the buildings ready for occupancy.  The period of time the buildings are expected to be needed has been used as the criterion for making a purchase recommendation or a rental recommendation.  Two years is the maximum time period that has been considered for rental.  Estimated use beyond that time frame has resulted in a recommendation to purchase the building.

 

It is recommended that two portable are purchased for use at AMC High School, lease three portables for Cypress Grove Intermediate School, lease one portable for Forest Ridge Elementary, lease one portable for Southwood Valley Elementary, and lease one portable for South Knoll Elementary.  In addition to the two new buildings proposed for purchase, the portable classroom building that is currently utilized at the athletic complex is recommended for moving to A&M Consolidated High School.

 

MOTION 3968:  I move approval of the acquisition of portable buildings through the Texas Local Government Statewide Purchasing Cooperative (BuyBoard), as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Trustee Charlotte Slack.  The motion passed 7-0.

 

K-4.  Consider responses to Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals for the construction of an Entry Canopy Addition for Southwood Valley Elementary School

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball who reported regarding construction for Southwood Valley Elementary School.  The capital projects budget for the current year includes funding for a canopy at the entrance to Southwood Valley Elementary School.

 

MOTION 3969:  I move approval of the proposal from ADAdek to provide an entry canopy for Southwood Valley Elementary School for a total price of $54,817 in accordance with the plans and specifications advertised in the Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Marc Chaloupka and seconded by Vice President Mary Broussard.  The motion passed 7-0.

 

K-5.  Consider approval of meal prices for the Child Nutrition Department for the 2008-2009 school year

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball who reported regarding the meal prices for the Child Nutrition Department for the 2008-2009 school year.  A price increase of $0.25 per meal for the 2008-2009 school year is proposed. 

 

Due to the outstanding management of the Child Nutrition Department by Diane Dahm, meal prices have been constant since the 2001-2002 school year.  However, food and supply costs have risen significantly recently, partially due to the increased costs of fuel and product delivery.  Additionally, the quality of the meals served has improved and increased the amount of fresh produce and whole grain products offered to students; products which are often more costly.  Third, the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy has required changes that have affected meal costs and reduced options for ala carte profit without increased funding.

 

MOTION 3970:  I move approval of the proposed meal prices for the 2008-2009 school year as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Marc Chaloupka and seconded by Vice President Mary Broussard.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

Trustee Marc Chaloupka commented that he would prefer to see fees as a group instead of individually.

 

L.  EXECUTIVE SESSION

L-1.  The Board will meet in executive session to discuss the Safety Audit.  The executive session deliberations will be held pursuant to the “Deliberation Regarding Security Devices or Security Audits; Closed Meeting” exception to the Texas Open Meetings Act as set forth in Section 551.076 of the Texas Government Code.

The Board went into Executive Session at 8:15 p.m.

 

M.  OPEN SESSION

The Trustees returned to Open Session at 9:45 p.m.

 

MOTION 3971:  I move approval of Agenda Item J-1: Resignations as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Vice President Mary Broussard.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

MOTION 3972:  I move approval of Agenda Item J-2: Employments as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Vice President Mary Broussard.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

N.  ADJOURNMENT

Without objection, President Jones adjourned the meeting at 9:46 p.m.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

TIM JONES                                                                RANDALL PITCOCK

PRESIDENT                                                              SECRETARY