COLLEGE STATION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING

CSISD Board Room

July 18, 2006

7:00 p.m.

 

A.  CALL TO ORDER

President Tim Jones called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. with six members present.

 

B.  DECLARATION OF QUORUM

President Tim Jones declared a quorum was present with six members.  President Jones, Vice-President Mary Broussard, Secretary Randall Pitcock, Trustees Charlotte Slack, Garland Watson and Steve Aldrich were present.  Trustee Marc Chaloupka was absent.

 

C.  RECOGNITIONS

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

Acting Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized AMC High School Principal Ron Fox who introduced students who led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, the Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas Flag, and a Moment of Silence. 

 

Mr. Fox introduced Forest Ridge Elementary Second Grader Jordan Fox, Forest Ridge Elementary First Grader Evan Fox and Olivia Fox, who is the Class of 2007 Kindergarten at Forest Ridge.

 

C-2.  Staff

a.  Special Needs Driver of the Year

Deborah Johnson, CSISD bus driver, was honored as the Special Needs Driver of the Year by the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation during its 33rd Annual Conference and Trade Show held in South Padre Island, Texas.  She received a plaque, travel bag and monetary award for her outstanding dedication to her students and community.  Director of Transportation Bill Conaway presented the award to Deborah Johnson.

 

D.  BOARD DIRECTIONS AND REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/ SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

President Tim Jones commented that he misses the student artwork that adorns the walls of the CSISD Board Room during the regular school year.

 

Acting Superintendent Eddie Coulson commented on the success of the CSISD summer programs that have already occurred and referenced that Summer Day Camp is ongoing, as well as the fact that JumpStart begins the last week in July 2006.

Dr. Coulson reported that CSISD has hired approximately eighty (80) new teachers and they will be welcomed with New Teacher Induction on August 1-4, 2006 at Cypress Grove Intermediate School.  Returning teachers return on August 8th and school begins on August 15th.  We also have our next regular scheduled board meeting on August 15th.

 

Dr. Coulson also commented that trustees have received an invitation to the Administrative Leadership Dinner on July 24th at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Chrissy Hester.

 

E.  HEARING OF CITIZENS (Non-Agenda Items)

Dr. Nancy Bertsch, Co-Chair of the Living Wage Coalition, addressed the Board of Trustees regarding salary proposals.

 

F.  HEARING OF EMPLOYEES (Non-Agenda Items)

Bobby Slovak, CSEA President for 2006-2007, addressed the Board of Trustees regarding salary schedules.

 

Mary Howell, President Elect for CSEA, addressed the Board of Trustees regarding salary schedules.

 

Sara Cutshall, Teacher at Oakwood Intermediate School, addressed the Board of Trustees regarding salary proposal.

 

Betty Munion, Teacher at South Knoll Elementary school, addressed the Board of Trustees regarding salary proposal.

 

G.  CONSENT AGENDA

Agenda Item H – Board:  Agenda Item H-3:  Consider approval of Board Meeting Dates for the 2006-2007 school year; Agenda Item I - Approval of Minutes – June 20, 2006 Board Workshop, June 20, 2006 Regular Board Meeting, June 29, 2006 Special Board Meeting, July 11, 2006 – Board Workshop; Agenda Item J – Curriculum & Instruction:  Agenda Item J-1: Consider approval of the 2006-2007 CSISD Code of Conduct – annual approval; Agenda Item K – Personnel:  Agenda Item K-1:  Consider approval of Resignations/Retirements, Agenda Item K-2:  Consider approval of Employments; Agenda Item K-3: Consider approval of Teacher Observation and Appraisal Calendar – Annual approval; Agenda Item L – Business & Operations: Agenda Item L-6: Consider approval of a purchase through the Houston Galveston Area Purchasing Cooperative (HGAC) of one 53 passenger Thomas special needs bus with air-conditioning and wheel chair lift for a total cost of $69,450.00 – to acquire one additional special needs bus; Agenda Item L-7: Consider approval of Competitive Sealed Proposals for: (a) Property and Casualty Insurance (b) Student Accident Insurance – consideration of annual insurance policy renewal proposals; Agenda Item L-8: Consider approval of the adoption agreement for the First Financial Administrators, Inc. 457 Master Retirement Plan for Part-time, Seasonal and Temporary Employees – Routine plan document update to maintain continued compliance with the Internal Revenue Code as amended;  Agenda Item L-9: Consider adoption of a Resolution Approving Independent Sources of Instruction Relating to the Investment Responsibilities – Public Funds Investment Act requires Investment Officers to receive continuing training from sources approved by the Board; Agenda Item L-10:  Consider approval of Bids: (a) Milk and dairy products – RFB #6-016 (b) Bread products – ITB #3289 – annual bids; Agenda Item L-11: Consider approval of Monthly Financial Reports – reports covering the period of June 1-30, 2006; Agenda Item L-12: Consider approval of Monthly Budget Amendments – Amendments covering the period since last Board Meeting. 

 

MOTION 3725:  I move approval of the Consent Agenda, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Vice President Mary Broussard.  The motion passed with six ayes, zero nays, and one absence.  Trustee Marc Chaloupka was absent.

 

H.  BOARD

H-1.  Discuss conducting a Board Effectiveness Audit

President Tim Jones stated that discussion on this agenda item had taken place during the workshop session prior to the regular meeting.  The item had been posted on both agendas in the event that time did not allow for discussion during the workshop setting.

 

H-2.  Discuss Superintendent Search and Selection Process

President Tim Jones stated that discussion on this agenda item had taken place during the workshop session prior to the regular meeting.  The item had been posted on both agendas in the event that time did not allow for discussion during the workshop setting.

 

L.  BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

L-1.  Consider establishing meeting dates for Public Hearing on Budget Adoption and Tax Rate for 2006-2007 fiscal year

Acting Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Mike Ball, Deputy Superintendent for Business & Operations, who reported that state law requires that the district’s budget for the 2006-2007 fiscal year be prepared on or before August 20, 2006 and adopted by the Board of Trustees on or before August 31, 2006.  The Truth In Taxation Statutes also requires that a Hearing be held in which the budget and tax rate will be discussed.  Mr. Ball recommends that CSISD publicize August 15, 2006 as the date for the Public Hearing on Budget Adoption and Tax Rate for 2006-2007 fiscal year and $1.37 per $100 in valuation to give the Trustees the option to levy the four cent Enrichment Tax.

 

MOTION 3726:  I move approval of August 15, 2006 as the date for the Public Hearing on Budget Adoption and Tax Rate for 2006-2007 fiscal year and $1.37 per $100 in valuation.  The motion was made by Trustee Charlotte Slack and seconded by Vice President Mary Broussard with six ayes, zero nays and one absence.  Trustee Marc Chaloupka was absent.

 

L-2.  Consider approval of salary schedules, benefits and rates of salary increase for various employee groups for the 2006-2007 fiscal year

Acting Superintendent Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball.  Mr. Ball, representing the administration, recommended that the Board of Trustees of College Station Independent School District consider approval of the salary schedules as presented, a salary increase of $2,500 plus $1,055 for teachers, nurses, librarians and counselors with more than 20 years experience, an increase in salary for the 2006-2007 fiscal year in the amount of five percent of current 2005-2006 salary levels for all employees not covered under the provisions of HB1 for teachers, nurses, counselors and librarians, and a district contribution toward the cost of employee health insurance for the 2006-2007 fiscal year of $325.00 per full-time employee per month.

 

MOTION 3727:  I move approval of the salary schedules, benefits and rates of salary increase as presented plus an additional 2% increase for teachers, counselors, and librarians.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Trustee Garland Watson.  The motion failed with two ayes, four nays, and one absence.  Trustee Steve Aldrich and Trustee Garland Watson voted yes.  Trustees Charlotte Slack, Randall Pitcock, President Tim Jones and Vice President Mary Broussard voted no.  Trustee Marc Chaloupka was absent.

 

MOTION 3728:  I move approval of the salary schedules, benefits and rates of salary increase for various employee groups for the 2006-2007 fiscal year as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Trustee Garland Watson.  The motion pass with six ayes, zero nays and one absence.  Trustee Marc Chaloupka was absent.

 

L-3.  Consider granting administrative authority up to a maximum of $100,000 to the Acting Superintendent or his designee to authorize the procurement of necessary supplies and equipment for the repair or replacement of a cooling tower at AMC Middle School

Acting Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball who reported to the trustees that a cooling tower at AMC Middle school has failed.  The maintenance staff is continuing to provide some cooling to the building by pumping water into the tower at the same rate that water is leaking from the tower.  A replacement tower can be acquired through the TCPN State Purchasing Cooperative at a cost of approximately $91,000, including delivery and installation.  The immediate attention to this tower is necessary so that air conditioning service to the building can be provided when school begins in August. 

 

 

 

MOTION 3729:  I move approval of granting administrative authority up to a maximum of $100,000 to the Acting Superintendent or his designee to authorize the procurement of necessary supplies and equipment for the repair or replacement of a cooling tower at AMC Middle School.  The motion was made by Trustee Randall Pitcock and seconded by Vice President Mary Broussard.  The motion carried with six ayes, zero nays, and one absence.  Trustee Marc Chaloupka was absent.

 

L-4.  Consider approval of the District’s Wealth Equalization Plan for the 2006-2007 fiscal year under Chapter 41 of the Texas Education Code

Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball reported that based on current law, CSISD is expected to be subject to the wealth equalization provisions of Chapter 41 of the Texas Education Code (TEC) for the 2006-2007 fiscal year.  Current law also requires that the District’s wealth equalization plan must be approved by the Commissioner of Education before the tax rate can be set.  The details of such an agreement continue to be discussed between personnel representing CSISD and Bryan ISD.  New provisions of House Bill 1 have delayed the calculation of the figures needed to finalize a potential agreement.

 

MOTION 3730:  I move approval of the District’s Wealth Equalization Plan for the 2006-2007 fiscal year under Chapter 41 of the Texas Education Code as presented and/or a combination of options.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Trustee Garland Watson.  The motion passed with six ayes, zero nays, and one absence.

 

L-5.  Consider a proposal from VLK Architects to provide professional services associated with the compilation of cost estimates and other appropriate data necessary for the evaluation of a potential bond proposal

Eddie Coulson, Acting Superintendent, recognized Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball who reported to the Board regarding the services that are currently being provided for CSISD by VLK Architects.  The District has been engaged in a planning process to determine the needed response to growth in student enrollment.  As a part of that process, the need has arisen for professionally developed cost estimates on various potential construction scenarios that could be considered for inclusion in a potential bond proposal.  VLK Architects has been involved in assisting the Planning for Growth II committee and the trustees in the planning process.  A request has been extended to VLK Architects for a proposal to provide the cost estimates needed in order for the Board of Trustees and the administrative staff to evaluate the construction scenarios that are under consideration.  Mr. Ball reported that after discussing cost estimates with Architect Steve Aloway, Mr. Aloway stated that the estimates would be provided as part of the facility study. 

 

 

 

 

O.  ADJOURNMENT

Without objection, President Tim Jones adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

TIM JONES                                                                RANDALL PITCOCK

PRESIDENT                                                              SECRETARY