College Station Independent School District

Workshop Meeting Minutes

March 18, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.

Administrative Conference Room

 

A. CALL TO ORDER

President Valerie Jochen called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

 

B. WELCOME/QUORUM

Six board members were present which was a quorum: President Valerie Jochen, Vice President Paul Dorsett, Secretary Jeff Harris, and Trustees Kimberly McAdams, Quinn

Williams, and Michael Wesson. Trustee Carol Barrett arrived at 5:04 p.m.

 

C. WORKSHOP SESSION

C-1. Consideration, discussion and possible action related to the 2014-2015 budget

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent for Human Resources and Business Services Glynn Walker. Dr. Coulson explained that administration is using planning assumptions of: student enrollment will increase 3.5%; property values will increase 5.0%; giving a 1.5% employee pay increase; keeping the district’s contribution to health insurance at $363 per month; and increasing operational costs by 1.0%. All this, knowing that budget additions will occur. Those additions could include: new staff, eduGenuity, Capital outlay, and support needs for - Response to Intervention (RTI), Advanced Placement resources, House Bill 5, and Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA).

 

Employee insurance costs will rise next year - not only premium increases, but increased out of pocket expenses, too. Fund Balance Projections were considered with a 3.5% enrollment increase and a 5.0% property value increase. Discussion occurred.

 

C-2. Consideration, discussion and possible action related to Policy FMG Local as it pertains to student travel

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Director for Student Services Chrissy Hester who works with board policy. Policy FMG Local would simply add Athletics to an already existing policy governing such groups as band, drill team, choir , pep squad and cheerleaders. Trustees should anticipate a vote at the April Board Meeting.

 

C-3. Consideration, discussion and possible action related to school attendance Rezoning parameters

President Valerie Jochen recognized Superintendent Eddie Coulson. Dr. Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent for Administrative Services Clark Ealy who, together with Dr. Coulson reported that community input was received on rezoning parameters beginning in February 2014. The Board is expected to adopt rezoning parameters at tonight’s board meeting - 3//18/14. The committee’s recommendation is expected in May w2014 with attendance zones presented in August 2014. Community input will then be sought and board adoption of those new attendance zones is expected to take place in September or October 2014. New Zones will take effect August 2015.

 

Parameters that have been used in the past rezonings were discussed: 2004 prior to opening of Forest Ridge Elementary in August 2005; 2008 prior to opening of Creek View Elementary in August 2009; 2010 prior to opening Greens Prairie Elementary in August 2011 and College Station High School in August 2012. Current demographic composition of elementary schools was discussed. 2014 Parameters discussion focused on

 

 

Discussion occurred and administration sought guidance from the Trustees as to the parameters needed to guide the work of the rezoning committee. Trustees definitely want comparable composition and designed for growth. Trustees want to maintain at least three Title 1 campuses. Currently those campuses are Southwood Valley Elementary, College Hills Elementary, and South Knoll Elementary. The Board needs to discuss this again. Discussion occurred regarding adding Title 1 campuses. Administration explained that the money received by the district for this distinction is divided among the Title 1 campuses. Adding a distinction to an additional campus does not mean that CSISD would receive more money. CSISD would receive the same funds and would then need to divide those funds among more campuses.

 

Trustee Michael Wesson requested that administration stop communicating in percentages and do in numbers.

 

C-4. Consideration, discussion and possible action related to the Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau natatorium feasibility study

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Clark Ealy who reported to the Trustees related to his service on the BCS Convention & Visitors Bureau - Natatorium Task Force.

 

Dr. Ealy reported that CSISD has been approached various times by swim parents, coaches and organizers in the community. The 2013 Long Range Educational Planning committee looked at various options and studied the potential costs associated with a Natatorium. CSISD decided to not go forward with placing it on the 2013 bond referendum.

 

During Late Fall 2013 the CVB Board of Directors empanelled a Natatorium Task Force. The task force is comprised of members from BCS Convention and Visitors Bureau, City of College Station through a rep from City of CS Parks and Recreation, College Station ISD, City of Bryan through a rep from City of Bryan Parks and Recreation, Bryan ISD, Texas A&M University through Rec Services and other interested individuals. The objectives of the Task Force is to investigate the interest in constructing and operating a natatorium and to hire a consultant to help answer our questions surrounding this type of facility.

 

The Task Force developed a Request for Proposal for a Feasibility Study to include: needs assessment and community engagement, area aquatic provider analysis, market area review, conceptual plan, expense analysis, revenue analysis, site selection, and economic impact. Four respondents are being reviewed and the cost of the study ranges from approximately $55,000 to $69,000. To fund the study, monies will come from BCS Convention and Visitors Bureau that was pledged for this project by the CVB Board of Directors. Both school districts have been asked to participate in funding the feasibility study as it would benefit the districts as well as the cities.

 

Brief discussion occurred.

 

C-5. Consideration, discussion and possible reaction related to the implementation of HB5

President Valerie Jochen recognized Superintendent Eddie Coulson who gave a brief report related to registration of affected students - Eighth graders going into Ninth Grade. Dr. Coulson recognized Director for Student Services Chrissy Hester who reported that all 8th graders are registered and lots of parents attended the conference time spent with their student. Counselors spent about 10-12 minutes per child. Endorsements have all worked out, with Multi-Disciplinary being the endorsement of choice.

 

C-6. Consideration, discussion and possible action related to a Community Based Accountability system

President Jochen postponed this agenda item until it can be posted to a future agenda.

 

C-7. Consideration, discussion and possible action related to a Superintendent Search

The Board moved into Executive Session and the conference room was cleared.

 

D. EXECUTIVE SESSION

D-1. The Board will meet in executive session to conduct a closed meeting to

deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee. The executive session deliberations will be held pursuant to the “Personnel Matters; Closed Meeting” exception to the Texas Open Meetings Act as set forth in Section 551.074 of the Texas Government Code.

The Board went into executive session at 6:37 p.m.

 

E. OPEN SESSION

The Board returned to Open Session at 6:52 p.m.

 

F. ADJOURN

Without objection President Jochen adjourned the meeting at 6:52 p.m.




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President Signature                                    Secretary Signature