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