COLLEGE STATION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

August 20, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

CSISD Board Room

A. CALL TO ORDER

President Valerie Jochen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and declared a quorum was present with seven members present.

B. DECLARATION OF QUORUM/WELCOME

In attendance were President Valerie Jochen, Vice President Paul Dorsett, Secretary Jeff Harris and Trustees Kimberly McAdams, Carol Barrett, Garland Watson and Randall Pitcock.

C. RECOGNITIONS

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

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized students and asked them to introduce themselves. College Station High School Incoming Freshman Andrew Hill and College Station High School Sophomore Morgan Hill led the audience in the pledges and the moment of silence.

C-2. Students

a. Kelsey Warren

Congratulations to College Station High School Junior Kelsey Warren who won the State Championship in the 1600 meter race and in the 3200 meter race on the same day as a Sophomore. Congratulations, too, to Coaches Josh Munson and Robert Androsik.

C-3. Recognize artwork provided by CSISD students

Student artwork was provided by Camp U Discovery. It adorned the Board Room walls and was enjoyed by all.

D. CONSENT AGENDA

Agenda Item E – BOARD: Agenda Item E-2: Consideration and possible approval of a Notice of Bond Election to be held by the College Station ISD on November 5, 2013

* Consideración y posible aprobación de un aviso de la elección que se celebrará por el College Station ISD el 05 de noviembre de 2013; Agenda Item E-3: Consider approval of an Interlocal Government Agreement between College Station Independent School District and Brazos County related to the November 5, 2013 general election

* Considerar la aprobación de un acuerdo de gobierno Interlocal entre el distrito escolar independiente de College Station y el Condado de Brazos relacionadas con las elecciones generales del 05 de noviembre de 2013; Agenda Item E-4: Consideration, discussion and possible action related to endorsing Marilyn Bates, Navasota ISD Board Member as the Region VI TASB Board of Directors representative; Agenda Item G – APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 18, 2013 Board Workshop Minutes; June 18, 2013 Regular Board Meeting Minutes; August 12, 2013 Board Workshop Minutes; August 13, 2013 Joint Meeting with the City of College Station; Agenda Item H – CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION: Agenda Item H-1: Consider approval of Local Identification Criteria for State Compensatory Education; Agenda Item H-2: Consider approval of Campus Improvement Plans for the 2013-2014 school year; Agenda Item H-3: Consideration, discussion and possible action related to the Regional Day School for the Deaf; Agenda Item H-4: Consideration, discussion and possible action related to the proposed 2013-2014 Student Code of Conduct; Agenda Item H-5: Consider approval of an amendment to the Interlocal Agreement for Joint Use of Facilities between the City of College Station (“City”) and College Station Independent School District (“CSISD”) to reflect the transition of Kids Klub operation; Agenda Item I – PERSONNEL: Agenda Item I-1: Consideration, discussion and possible action related to employing Director of Special Services, Molley Perry; Agenda Item J –BUSINESS: Agenda Item J-3: Consider approval of the 2013 tax roll for College Station ISD as submitted by the Brazos Central Appraisal District; Agenda Item J-4: Consider Consider approval of salary schedules for the 2013-2014 school year; Agenda Item J-5: Consider approval of monthly Head Start financial statements and credit card expenditures; Agenda Item J-6: Consider approval of Monthly Budget Amendments; Agenda Item J-7: Consider approval of Monthly Financial Reports

MOTION XXXX: I move approval of the consent agenda as presented. The motion was made by Trustee Randall Pitcock and seconded by Vice President Paul Dorsett. The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

E. BOARD

E-1. Gary Ives, Spring Brook Home Owners Association President who is running for City Council in the November 5, 2013 General Election, addressed the Board of Trustees related to the possible CSISD Bond Election and the possibility of including a natatorium in that Bond. Mr. Ives encourages the school district to continue to work with the City and other entities to build a natatorium to be used by the community as well as the schools.

E-1. Consideration and possible approval of an order calling a bond election to be held by the College Station ISD on November 5, 2013

* Consideración y posible aprobación de un pedido de llamar a una elección de bonos que se celebrará por el College Station ISD el 05 de noviembre de 2013

President Valerie Jochen recognized Superintendent Eddie Coulson who reviewed information related to a Long Range Planning Committee who met throughout the Spring 2012 to identify capital needs in CSISD. The committee studied the district’s enrollment history and enrollment projections, student demographic trends, and the growth of the City of College Station. Additionally, the group toured the Center for Alternative Learning, the CSISD Technology, Purchasing/Warehouse and Maintenance Offices, and a tour of the current CSISD Natatorium was made available. The committee also studied issues related to school finance, specifically related to the CSISD debt service tax rate. A list of projects was developed by the committee, then prioritized by the committee:

· Safety Upgrades

· Center for Alternative Learning

· Elementary #9

· Technology

· Buses and Vehicles

· Deferred Maintenance

· AMCHS Renovations

· Land Acquisition

Extensive research was done to determine the feasibility of constructing a natatorium. The conversation started by CSISD related to a new natatorium should be continued by the City of College Station, CSISD and other possible partners. Hopefully, enough community interest will be generated over the coming years so that College Station is able to have a large natatorium that can serve our community, including the students in College Station ISD.

The following is a final recommendation of projects to be included in a November 5, 2013 bond election. The projected total cost is $83,500,000.

· Elementary Number Nine: Projected Cost --$20,000,000

The enrollment continues to increase in CSISD, and by the 2015-2016 school year College Station ISD is projected to have an elementary student enrollment of 5,371 students and an elementary school capacity of 5,140.00. Adding elementary school number nine will give CSISD an elementary school capacity of 5,800 students and will allow the district to accommodate the expected elementary student growth.

· Center for Alternative Learning (CAL): Projected Cost - $15,500,000

CAL includes Timber Academy High School (TAHS), the Venture Center (secondary disciplinary alternative education placement program and the elementary disciplinary alternative education placement program known commonly as LEAP.

TAHS meets a tremendous need in CSISD by allowing students to earn high school diplomas in a non-traditional instructional format. TAHS is not a school for students with discipline issues or students who want a GED. It is a school that allows for students to work at their own pace, and, often times, the pace of the students exceed the pace they would experience at a traditional high school. It also allows for opportunities to combine teacher directed instruction, computer generated instruction and small group collaboration as a standard part of the educational process.

· Purchasing/Warehouse Center: Projected Cost - $7,500,000

College Station ISD’s current purchasing/warehouse space is located at 1812 Welsh. As the district has grown, the warehouse space has become insufficient to meet the district’s needs. The district currently rents a number of units in the community in order to store supplies and materials that are necessary for our operation. The proposed new facility will be located next to the district’s transportation center, at the corner of William Fitch and Rock Prairie Rd.

· Renovate Current Purchasing/Warehouse and Technology Department: Projected Cost -- $6,500,000

Moving the Purchasing/Warehouse department from its current location will allow the district to renovate that space in order to provide more large and intermediate sized meeting rooms at the central office building. CSISD cannot meet the current demand for meeting spaces to conduct trainings or hold large meetings, and as the district continues to grow the need for more space will only increase.

· AMC High School (AMCHS) Renovations: Projected Cost -- $3,500,000

The district has recently completed two renovation projects at AMC High School and both of the recent renovations have allowed the district to address both infrastructure (air conditioning, roofing and flooring) issues, as well as renovate some classrooms and common areas. The proposed renovations for this bond will include a foyer for the competition gym, renovated space for the dance team, infrastructure upgrades and renovations to the locker rooms that are within the main building of AMCHS. Also, the renovations would provide for additional science classrooms and lab space.

· Safety and Security Upgrades: Projected Cost -- $3,900,000

Administration met a number of times during the spring 2013 to discuss school safety. Additionally, the Long Range Planning Committee discussed safety and security issues related to CSISD. Based on the needs of each campus, money from the bond will allow the district to construct security vestibules at the five campuses that currently do not have them, install proximity locks on each campus where appropriate, and install security cameras at each campus. Upgrades to the public address systems would also be a part of the bond for better access in emergency situations as well as day-to-day activities.

· Technology: Projected Cost -- $6,100,000

College Station ISD continues to have the need to provide an updated technology infrastructure, as well as provide technological devices to both students and staff.

· Buses and Vehicles: Projected Cost -- $3,000,000

College Station ISD continues to have the need to replace aging buses as the district adds bus routes on a routine basis. Bond money will be used to purchase approximately 25 buses, a new van or suburban for the Career and Technology Department and two box trucks to help the district with deliveries and carry equipment that must sometimes travel with students for events out of town.

· Deferred Maintenance: Projected cost -- $12,000,000

College Station ISD has an on-going need to address capital projects that involve mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, roofs, flooring and foundations. Many of the campuses will receive significant attention for capital needs, including large water-proofing projects at College Station Middle School and Rock Prairie Elementary.

· Land Acquisition: Projected cost -- $5,500,000

CSISD anticipates enrolling over 11,000 students in August 2013. Two outside demographic studies have indicated that the probable student population in CSISD at “build-out” is 25,000 students. All projections are that CSISD will continue to grow. As such, we continue to need land in order to build facilities.

MOTION XXXX: I move approval of an order calling a bond election to be held by the College Station ISD on November 5, 2013, as presented. The motion was made by Vice President Paul Dorsett and seconded by Trustee Randall Pitcock. The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

E-5. Board Directions and Reports/Announcements/Superintendent Reports and Announcements

Trustee Randall Pitcock reported that the Education Foundation has met and approved their budget for fundraising. Director Teresa Benden is not only a great local leader, but is involved in a leadership role in the Greater Houston area pertaining to Education Foundations. Employee donation program is kicking off – Jump on the Bus! Reminder that teacher grants have been moved to the fall – September 2013. BCS Foundations are working together to host a Marathon Course that will unveil the new Scott & White Hospital.

Secretary Jeff Harris reported related to a community wide pep rally for AMC High School.

Superintendent Eddie Coulson reported that the CSISD Back to School We’re Ready Rally – We’re Ready 24/7 – was a huge success, welcoming all employees back to work on 8/16/13. Dr. Coulson reminded all that the first day of school for students is 8/26/13.

Deputy Superintendent Greg McIntyre will serve as Interim Principal at Rock Prairie Elementary School as well as his Curriculum & Instruction duties. Also, Molley Perry has been hired as the Director for Special Services.

F. HEARING OF CITIZENS (Non-Agenda/Agenda Items)

1. Rick Starnes, Constable in Brazos County, addressed the Trustees related to a presentation planned for October 8, 2013 and hosted by Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG). This presentation will begin dialogue related to school safety and school shootings.

J. BUSINESS SERVICES

J-1. Consider adoption of budget for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2013 and ending August 31, 2014

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Glynn Walker who presented information related to the proposed 2013-2014 CSISD budget.

MOTION XXXX: I make a motion to adopt the budget for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2013 and ending August 31, 2014, as presented. The motion was made by Secretary Jeff Harris and seconded by Trustee Randall Pitcock. The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

J-2. Consider approval of the Ordinance Adopting a Tax Rate for the 2013-2014 fiscal year

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Glynn Walker who presented brief information related to the adoption of a tax rate for the 2013-2014 fiscal year of $1.32 per $100 valuation – that is 15 cents lower than last year.

MOTION XXXX: I move that the Board of Trustees of the College Station Independent School District, College Station, Texas, hereby levy or set the tax rate of $100 valuation for the District for the tax year 2013 at a total tax rate of $1.320000, to be assessed and collected by the duly specified assessor and collector, as presented. The motion was made by Secretary Jeff Harris and seconded by Vice President Paul Dorsett. The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

K. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

K-1. Receive Report from Clark Ealy, Deputy Superintendent for Administrative Services, related to the 2013 State Accountability Ratings

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Clark Ealy who reported to the Trustees related to the 2013 State Accountability Ratings. A new accountability system is needed and one is needed where a school or district is not rated solely on their lowest performing student group in their lowest performing subject. Also, a goal is to design an indexed system whereby several factors contribute to an overall score, but still identify areas of improvement. Additionally, two things have been added that have not been included in previous systems: student progress year to year and closing the performance gaps. Also, the goal is to design a system that is more closely associated with the federal accountability system, Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and to make a system that is easier for parents and community members to understand.

L. EXECUTIVE SESSION

L-1. The Board will meet in executive session to conduct a closed meeting to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property because the deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the District in negotiations with a third party. The executive session deliberations will be held pursuant to the “Deliberation Regarding Real Property; Closed Meeting” exception to the Texas Open Meetings Act as set forth in Section 551.0742 of the Texas Government Code.

This item was pulled from the agenda and will be scheduled at a later time.

N. ADJOURNMENT

Without objection, President Valerie Jochen adjourned the meeting at 8:23 a.m.

PRESIDENT SECRETARY