COLLEGE STATION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

April 20, 2004

7:00 p.m.

 

A.  CALL TO ORDER

President Marc Chaloupka called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with six members present.

 

B.  DECLARATION OF QUORUM

President Marc Chaloupka, Vice-President Tim Jones, Secretary Mary Broussard, Trustees Steve Aldrich, Larry Johnson and Susan Lowy were present.  Trustee Dayne Foster was absent.

 

C.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG AND THE TEXAS FLAG

Steve Johnson, Superintendent, introduced Joe Hastings, a teacher at Oakwood Intermediate School, who introduced Student Council Representatives that led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas Flag.  The students recognized were 5th graders Mani Singh and Peyton Austin and 6th graders Maci Cmajdalka and Devin Place. 

 

D.  MOMENT OF SILENCE

The Oakwood students led the audience in a Moment of Silence. 

 

E.  DISTRICT RECOGNITIONS

E-1.  Students

a.  College Station Middle School MATHCOUNTS Team

On Saturday, March 27, 2004, the College Station Middle School MATHCOUNTS team participated in the state MATHCOUNTS competition in Austin.  Out of 284 competitors, Jeffrey Chen had the second highest score on the individual portion of the test, but then he beat the first place contestant in the countdown round to become the state champion!  Jeffrey will be part of the all-star team representing Texas at the National Competition in Washington, D.C. in May.  In team results, the College Station Middle School team comprised of Jeffrey Chen, Becca Yasskin, Rahul Srivastava, and Alex Liu came in fifth place out of more than 50 teams competing at the state competition!  In addition, Miss Jones (the faculty sponsor) won a computer.

b.   HOSA (Health Occupations Students Association)

Health Occupations Students of America is a student organization associated with the Health Science Technology Program at A&M Consolidated High School.  These students have trained all year for the opportunity to represent themselves and their school at regional, state and finally the national competitions.  The national competition will take place in Orlando, Florida in July.  Congratulations to the following HOSA State Competition winners from A&M Consolidated High School:  4th Place – Brynn Hayes (Clinical Specialty), 4th Place – Esther Eng, Lauren Richardson, Hayley Tseng, and Carly Wright (Creative Problem Solving).  Congratulations to the following students attending A&M Consolidated High School who will compete at Nationals in Orlando on June 22, 2004:  1st place – Amber Masso (Pathophysiology), 2nd Place – Jennie Hess (Sports Medicine), and 3rd Place – Muriel Bonneau, Radhika Kainthla, & Dana Schneider (Medical Reading Team).

c.   National Student Leadership Conference

Richard Miller Aldrich, a student at A&M Consolidated High School, was recently selected to participate in the National Student Leadership Conference, an extraordinary leadership development program for outstanding high school students.  Miller had the opportunity to study, experience and develop skills and traits that define and identify a leader.

d.   Texas State Junior Classical League Convention 2004 Results

Sixteen A&M Consolidated Latin students competed with 90 other schools from all over the state at the 63rd Annual Texas State Junior Classical League Convention at Earl Warren High School in San Antonio, Texas, April 2-3, 2004.  All sixteen students received awards for their performance on the Pentathlon.  The Pentathlon is an academic test that covers Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Derivatives, and Culture, which all competitors must take in Latin.  Summa Cum Laude recipients are Laura Jilka – Level 1, Jonathan Reibenspies – Level 2, Nathan Savir – Level 3, Alan Schueckler – Level 4, Amanda Schuller – Level 3, Jennifer Schuller – Level 3.  The students receiving recognition as Maxima Cum Laude are Jeanette Kovach – Level 3, and Amber Mastrobattista – Level 2.  Magna Cum Laude recipients are Joseph DiMichele – Level 4, Emeka Ede – Level 2, and Dan Morpurgo – Level 2.  Cum Laude recipients are Kevin Crabb-Nishimoto – Level 2, Christopher Machen – Level 4, Frank Raushel – Level 1, Jennifer Schmitt – Level 2 and Aaron Scott – Level 1.

e.   Treasures of the Texas Coast Children’s Art Show

Oakwood Intermediate School wins both regional titles in the Treasures of the Texas Coast Children’s Art Contest.  Sixth grader, Monica Greene and fifth grader, Patrick Lewis were two of Texas’ 48 regional winners.  The Texas General Land Office receives over 7200 paintings each year for this contest and only 49 winners are chosen, two from each Texas congressional region and one grand prize winner.  All winning paintings will be displayed in the Texas State Capitol May 27-June3 and reproduced for the 2005 Treasures of the Texas Coast calendar.

 

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

None

 

G.  HEARING OF EMPLOYEES (Non-Agenda/Agenda Items)

None

 

H.  CONSENT AGENDA

Agenda Item J: Approval of Minutes; Personnel: Agenda Item L-1: Consider Approval of Resignations/Retirements, Agenda Item L-2: Consider Approval of Employments, Agenda Item L-3:  Consider Approval of Contract for Administrator; Business Affairs: Agenda Item M-1: Consider Approval of Purchases through the Department of Information Resources (a) Mobile Training Lab for Staff Development and (b) Software for Career Technology,  Agenda Item M-2: Consider Approval of Monthly Financial Reports (Reports Covering the period of March 1-31, 2004), Agenda Item M-3: Consider Approval of Monthly Budget Amendments which cover the period since last Board Meeting totaling $14,011.578; Elections: Agenda Item N-1: Consider Approval of Appointment of Election Officials and Agenda Item N-2:  Consider Authorization of Administration to negotiate and sign contract with Texas Voting Systems, Inc.

 

MOTION 3472:  I move approval of the Consent Agenda, as presented.  The motion was made by Steve Aldrich and seconded by Mary Broussard.  The motion carried with six ayes.

 

I.  BOARD

I-1.  Committee and Representative Reports (CSISD/City Liaison, DEIC, PAC, Finance/Facilities, Wolf Pen TIF, Superintendent Evaluation Oversight, Education Foundation, Policy/Board Operation, Safe Routes To Schools, Policy Council for Head Start)

 

Trustee Steve Aldrich stated no report for the CSISD/City Liaison Committee.

 

Trustee Mary Broussard stated no report for DEIC.

 

Tim Jones reported that PAC discussed budget reductions for CSISD and the impact of those reductions. 

 

Tim Jones stated no report for the Finance/Facilities Committee.

 

Marc Chaloupka reported regarding the Wolf Pen TIF Committee.  The committee has met and at the meeting discussion occurred regarding the status of the Wolf Pen Creek project, discussing existing trails throughout the project area and additional planned trails.

 

Susan Lowy stated no report for the Superintendent Evaluation Committee.

 

Trustee Tim Jones announced that Trustee Dayne Foster was not in attendance at the board meeting because she was attending a Recognition Ceremony honoring Ann Ganter as a Woman of Distinction awarded by the Girl Scouts.  Trustee Foster reports regarding the Education Foundation Committee regularly at board meetings.  Trustee Tim Jones stated no report for the Foundation Committee.

 

Larry Johnson stated no report for the Policy/Board Operation Committee.

 

Susan Lowy stated no report for the Safe Routes to Schools Committee.

 

Susan Lowy reported regarding the Policy Council for Head Start.  The committee was updated on the new federal guidelines which require safety restraints for all Head Start students.  The law also requires that a bus monitor ride the bus with Head Start students at all times.  These guidelines were effective January 2004 and complete compliance is necessary by 2006.

 

Marc Chaloupka reported regarding  the Legislative Advisory Committee.  Trustee Chaloupka represents CSISD in this endeavor.  He had attended a meeting on 4/3/04 and the next meeting is scheduled for 5/22/04.  The discussion at the meeting centered around speculation regarding the Special Legislative Session and finance issues.

 

K.  CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

K-1.  Receive Report on Third Grade TAKS Results

Clark Ealy, Director of Program Assessment, Evaluation and Accountability, presented a report to the Board of Trustees regarding College Station Independent School District student performance on the 3rd Grade TAKS reading test.  Third grade students took the Reading section of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test on March 3, 2004.  Third grade students must pass the Reading section of the TAKS in order to be promoted to the fourth grade.  March 3rd was the first opportunity to take the test.  Students who did not pass the March test or who were absent will have two more opportunities to take the test:  April 28th and June 29th, 2004.  There are nineteen students who need to re-take the TAKS test.  Dr. Ealy pointed out that the standard of the TAKS is being raised.  CSISD students overall performed very well on the first take of the 2004 TAKS test.  Although the higher standards will be phased in through 2005 and then become the new standard, Dr. Ealy compared CSISD’s 2004 scores with the 2005 standards and reported that CSISD students scored 95% based on those new standards.  President Marc Chaloupka stated that these results are a credit to teachers and staff.  He thanked the staff for their efforts in working toward the goals that had been set regarding testing and acknowledged that this is a work in progress and will continue to improve until “no child is left behind.” 

 

M.  BUSINESS AFFAIRS

None

 

O.  BOARD DIRECTIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS

President Marc Chaloupka announced that a Workshop for the Board of Trustees is scheduled in Huntsville through Sam Houston State University and Region VI on Wednesday, 5/12/04. 

 

Trustee Tim Jones addressed the frustration felt as a Board Member regarding local representation in Austin during the current special legislative session.

 

Trustee Larry Johnson and President Marc Chaloupka encouraged everyone to vote on 5/15/04 in the CSISD School Board Election.

 

Superintendent Steve Johnson commented regarding the atmosphere in Austin and the feeling of a lack of importance to fund education.

 

Trustee Steve Aldrich stated that the “No New Taxes” slogan for Texas is beginning to hurt Texans.

 

Superintendent Johnson stated how proud CSISD is of Ann Ganter, Director of Public Relations and the Education Foundation, and her representation of the district.  He commented that she and several employees that regularly attend Board meetings were absent tonight because they are in Temple at the Recognition Ceremony to honor Ms. Ganter.

 

P.     EXECUTIVE SESSION

None

 

R.  ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION 3473:  I move to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was made by Tim Jones and seconded by Mary Broussard.  Without objection, President Marc Chaloupka adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

Marc Chaloupka                                                        Mary Broussard

President                                                                   Secretary