COLLEGE STATION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

July 20, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

CSISD Board Room – 1812 Welsh     

 

A.  CALL TO ORDER

President Randall Pitcock called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and declared a quorum was present with six members present.

 

B.   DECLARATION OF QUORUM/WELCOME

In attendance were President Randall Pitcock, Vice President Valerie Jochen, Secretary Paul Dorsett, Trustees Carol Barrett, Charlotte Slack, and Jeff Harris.  Trustee Garland Watson was absent.

 

C.  RECOGNITIONS

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

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized  FFA President Victoria Pilger, Secretary Calli McIntyre, and Reported Colton Hanson.   The students led the audience in the pledges and the moment of silence.

 

C-2.  Students

a.  FFA Awards – Teachers Britina Robinson Pesak, Lisa Pieper, Sheridan Clinkscales and John Templeton

The A&M Consolidated FFA Chapter received the prestigious Gold Emblem rating at the 82nd annual Texas FFA Convention held July 13-16, in Corpus Christi, Texas.  The Gold Emblem rating is only bestowed upon the top 10 percent of FFA chapters in Texas.  Chapters that received the Gold Emblem rating actively implemented the FFA mission and strategies.  These chapters improved their chapter operations by using a program of activities, which emphasizes student, chapter and community development.  The Consol FFA Chapter also ranked third in the state FFA chapter contest.

 

Also at the convention two members were awarded the Lone Star FFA Degree.  The Lone Star FFA Degree is the highest degree bestowed by the Texas FFA.  It recognized the members’ agricultural awareness, leadership, career development and active involvements in the FFA Organization.  Members also participated in the Texas FFA Agriscience Fair. 

 

Honored are:  Nikki Barnett – FFA Gold Emblem Rating, Voting Delegate; Jordan Brown – FFA Gold Emblem Rating, 1st place Team Botany; Paden Denman – FFA Gold Emblem Rating; Colton Hanson – FFA Gold Emblem Rating, 1st place Individual Botany; Mitchell Isbell – FFA Gold Emblem Rating, District Officer; Kristen Kasper – FFA Gold Emblem Rating, 1st place Team Zoology; Austin Livingston – FFA Gold Emblem Rating, voting delegate; Calli McIntyre – FFA Gold Emblem Rating, 1st place Team Botany; Victoria Pilger – FFA Gold Emblem Rating, 1st place Team Zoology, Lone Star Degree Award, Area Officer; Alexis Roach – FFA Gold Emblem Rating, Voting Delegate; David Rooney – FFA Gold Emblem Rating, 1st place Individual Zoology; and William Rooney – FFA Gold Emblem Rating, Lone Star Degree Award.  Congratulations to Thuc-Khanh Park.

 

C-3.  Staff

a.  Raytheon “MathMovesU” Math Hero Award

Math Hero Awards are a component of Raytheon’s MathMovesU program, a national initiative designed to engage middle school students in math and science through a variety of programs including, contests, live events, scholarships, tutoring programs and more.  Ms. Park was selected from a field of 111 nominations.  She will receive a $2,500 award and a matching grant of $2,500 for AMC Middle School.

 

C-4.  Recognize Campus Artwork provided by students from CSISD Elementary Enrichment Summer School students

Student artwork adorned the Board Room walls and was enjoyed by all.

 

D.  BOARD

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

Trustee Charlotte Slack commented on how impressive the Poverty Simulations staff development sessions across the district have been.  She thanked the administration, teachers and staff for “making it happen”.  She expressed that it was a powerful experience to participate.

 

Superintendent Eddie Coulson reported that the Board would be attending CRSS training on 8/26/10 beginning at 8:30 a.m.  He also announced that there would be a Board Workshop presenting the rezoning recommendation on 8/30/10 at 7:00 p.m.  School starts on 8/23/10 and a “Back to School” rally was held on 8/13/10 for all CSISD employees. 

 

 

 

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

None

 

F.  CONSENT AGENDA

Agenda Item D – BOARD:  Agenda Item D-2:  Consideration, discussion and possible action related to joining the Texas School Coalition for the 2010-2011 school year; Agenda Item G – APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 20, 2010 Workshop Minutes and July 20, 2010 Regular Board Minutes ; Agenda Item H – CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION: Agenda Item H-2: Consider approval of Student Code of Conduct for the 2010-2011 school year; Agenda Item H-3: Consider approval of Local Identification Agenda Item I - PERSONNEL:  Agenda Item I-1:  Consider approval of Resignations;  Agenda Item I-2: Consider approval of Employments; Agenda Item J - BUSINESS:   Item J-4: Consider approval of Monthly Budget Amendments; Agenda Item J-5:  Consider approval of Monthly Financial Reports;

 

MOTION 4212:  I move approval of the Consent Agenda, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Charlotte Slack and seconded by Trustee Jeff Harris.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

H.  CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

H-1.   Receive Report related to an American History Grant

Superintendent Eddie Coulson introduced Dawn Baletka, Navasota ISD administrator.  She reported to the Trustees related to “The Mystery and Power of History: More than Words on a Page” – the Teaching American History Grant.  The grant is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.  The purpose of the grant is to improve student achievement by enhancing teachers’ knowledge of traditional American history through intensive ongoing professional development in both content and research-based teaching practices.  Grant participants for the 2010-2011 school year are:  Bryan ISD with 17 teachers and 1 district level coordinator, College Station ISD with 14 teachers, and Navasota ISD with 14 teachers and 1 district level administrator.

 

J.  BUSINESS

J-1.  Consider adoption of the budget for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2010 and ending August 31, 2011

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Glynn Walker, Deputy Superintendent for Human Resources and Business Services, who reported to the Board related to the logistics of posting public meetings for the purpose of conducting budget workshops related to the proposed budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.  Campus administrators, employee groups and central office administrators have provided input into the budget development process as the budget planning progressed.  The work of these groups combined with the outgrowth of the public budget workshops held by the Trustees has led to the proposed budget. 

 

MOTION 4213:  I move approval of the budget for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2010 and ending August 31, 2011, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Garland Watson and seconded by Trustee Carol Barrett.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

Board Vice President Valerie Jochen acknowledged the tremendous work done by the administration to bring a balanced budget for approval.

 

Superintendent Eddie Coulson also pointed out that College Station ISD is one of seventy-five districts across the state of Texas who has not yet used their discretionary 4 cent enrichment tax. 

 

J-2.  Consider approval of Ordinance Adopting a Tax Rate for the 2010-2011 fiscal year

President Randall Pitcock recognized Superintendent Eddie Coulson.  Dr. Coulson reported to the Board that the proper notice of public meeting to discuss budget and proposed tax rate had been published as required.  He recognized Deputy Superintendent Glynn Walker who explained that the Notice informed the public of the public meeting scheduled “to discuss the school district’s budget that will determine the tax rate that will be adopted.”  The Rollback Rate published in that notice is $1.349883 per $100 in taxable property value.  The recommended rates are as follows:

 

            $1.000050     For the Purposes of Maintenance and Operations

            $0.309883     For the Payment of Principal and Interest on Debt (Debt Service)

 

The proposed M & O tax rate of $1.00005, combined with other State and local revenues, is projected to fund the General Fund budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.  The recommended rate for Principal and Interest on Debt is projected to adequately fund the district’s required debt payments as previously approved by the voters of the district in various bond elections.

 

MOTION 4214:  I move approval of the Ordinance Adopting a Tax Rate for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Charlotte Slack and seconded by Vice President Valerie Jochen.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos. 

 

J-3.  Consider approval of order authorizing the issuance of bonds and other matters related thereto, of the College Station Independent School District Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, Series 2010, in the principal amount of $65,000,000

President Randall Pitcock recognized Superintendent Eddie Coulson who introduced Victor Quiroga, Southwest Securities, who is the district’s financial advisor.  At a duly called election on 5/9/09 the voters of CSISD approved a ballot proposition authorizing the sale of School Building Bonds in the amount of $144,200,000.  All legal requirements for the sale have been met. 

 

MOTION 4215:  I move approval of the Order authorizing the issuance of bonds and other matters related thereto, of the College Station Independent School District Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, Series 2010, in the principal amount of $65,000,000, as presented.  The motion was made by Vice President Valerie Jochen and seconded by Secretary Paul Dorsett.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

K.  ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

K-1.  Consider approval of a Public Utility Easement and Special Warranty Deed for the conveyance, sale, and exchange of land to the City, in consideration for the City’s agreement to construct and install a traffic signal at the intersection of Barron Road and Victoria Avenue.  The land to be sold: a parcel of land at the intersection of Barron Road and Victoria Avenue that would facilitate and flow of traffic at that intersection (“Corner Clip”); and, a parcel of land between Victoria Avenue and State Highway 40, to facilitate the extension of Victoria Avenue to State Highway 40 (“Extension”)

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Clark Ealy who reported to the Board.  The school district is in the process of constructing College Station High School.  At the same time the City of College Station is working in the same area on two important projects for the community:  the widening of Barron Road and the extension of Victoria Avenue to State Highway 40.  In an effort to partner on aspects of these projects, staff members from CSISD and the City of College Station agreed in principle on the following.  In exchange for the school district’s dedication of right of way to the city for the extension of Victoria Avenue to SH 40, the city would pay for the construction and installation of a traffic signal at Barron and Victoria.  The Board approved an Interlocal agreement defining this arrangement at the 3/23/10 board meeting.  The next step in the process is granting a public utility easement and approval of a special warranty deed for the conveyance of land to the City of College Station. 

 

MOTION 4216:  I move approval of a Public Utility Easement and Special Warranty Deed for the conveyance, sale, and exchange of land to the City, in consideration for the City’s agreement to construct and install a traffic signal at the intersection of Barron Road and Victoria Avenue.  The land to be sold: a parcel of land at the intersection of Barron Road and Victoria Avenue that would facilitate and flow of traffic at the intersection (“Corner Clip”); and, a parcel of land between Victoria Avenue and State Highway 40, to facilitate the extension of Victoria Avenue to State Highway 40 (“Extension”), as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Charlotte Slack and seconded by Vice President Valerie Jochen.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

L.  EXECUTIVE SESSION

L-1.  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

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:40 p.m.

 

M.  ADJOURNMENT

Without objection, President Pitcock adjourned the meeting at 8:32 p.m.

 

 

RANDALL PITCOCK                                              PAUL DORSETT                                        

RANDALL PITCOCK                                              PAUL DORSETT

PRESIDENT                                                             SECRETARY