COLLEGE STATION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING

CSISD Board Room

November 20, 2006

7:00 p.m.

 

A.  CALL TO ORDER

President Tim Jones called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

 

B.  DECLARATION OF QUORUM

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

 

C.  RECOGNITIONS

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

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized AMC Middle School Principal Chris Scott 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. Scott recognized Eighth Graders Rowana Mohamed El Bakari, Elijah Smith, and James Taylor.

 

C-2.  Recognize Campus Artwork Displayed

The art collection displayed in the Board Room was provided by art students at AMC Middle School, taught by Art Teacher Jack McKenzie.

 

C-3.  Students

a.  Texas Business and Education Coalition

Oakwood Intermediate and Pebble Creek Elementary have been selected as 2006 Honor Roll Campuses by the Texas Business and Education Coalition.  The schools were identified by having a higher percentage of students meet the Commended Performance standard on TAKS in all subjects over the last three testing years (2004, 2005 and 2006) when compared with campuses of similar demographics.  The TBEC model follows the Just 4 The Kids model by looking at students enrolled for three years rather than just the one year that the state uses.

 

b.  Standard and Poor’s

Cypress Grove Intermediate School has been recognized for their work in reducing the achievement gap between White student performance and both African American and Hispanic student performance by Standard and Poor’s.  To be recognized on this list the school has to not only reduce the gap between White student performance and African American or Hispanic student performance by at least 5 points, but both the white and minority group performance must improve over the previous year.  Cypress Grove was the only school in that list to reduce the gap between white students and both African American and Hispanic students.  Cypress Grove showed improvement and reduced the gap in 5th Grade reading and math performance from 2003-2004 to 2004-2005.

 

C-4.  Students

a.  2006-2007 Texas All-State Orchestra

Congratulations to Elizabeth Furuta and Brian Liu, AMCHS Orchestra students, who auditioned and were selected to the 2006-2007 Texas All-State Orchestras.  Elizabeth and Brian will perform with the Orchestras in San Antonio at the annual TMEA Convention in February.  Elizabeth ranked second in the state for Violins.

 

D.  BOARD DIRECTIONS AND REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/ SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Superintendent Eddie Coulson reported that a Board Retreat is scheduled for 11/29/06 at Pebble Creek Country Club.  TASB Consultant Rita Gibbs will lead the retreat.

 

Dr. Coulson also reported that great things are going on in CSISD.  Campus efforts to engage students is occurring at Lincoln Center in a desire for a closer connection to the community.

 

Thanksgiving Holidays are scheduled for November 22nd -24th, Wednesday through Friday.

 

Secretary Randall Pitcock reported that the Finance/Facilities Committee has met regarding the Auditor Exit Conference.  The district received the best rating possible – a qualified opinion.

 

E.  HEARING OF CITIZENS (Non-Agenda Items)

None

 

F.  HEARING OF EMPLOYEES (Non-Agenda Items)

None

 

G.  CONSENT AGENDA

Agenda Item H - Approval of Minutes – October 17, 2006 Workshop Minutes, October 17, 2006 Public Hearing Minutes, October 17, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes; Agenda Item I – Curriculum and Instruction:  Agenda Item I-1:  Consider Approval of Policy Update 78-as presented with no change on FL (Local);  Agenda Item J – Personnel:  Agenda Item J-1:  Consider approval of Employments; Agenda Item K – Business & Operations: Agenda Item K-4: Consider approval of an Interlocal Agreement between College Station ISD, Bryan ISD and Hearne ISD for the sale or lease of equipment, supplies, services or other assets, Agenda Item K-5:  Consider approval of the tax roll for 2006, Agenda Item K-6: Consider approval of Monthly Financial Reports – reports covering the period of October 1-31, 2006;  Agenda Item K-7: Consider approval of Monthly Budget Amendments – Amendments covering the period since last Board Meeting. 

 

MOTION 3752:  I move approval of the Consent Agenda, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Marc Chaloupka and seconded by Trustee Garland Watson.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nayes.

 

K.  BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

K-1.  Receive Report from Diane Dahm, Director of Child Nutrition Services, regarding Child Nutrition Services and Wellness

Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball recognized Diane Dahm, Director for Child Nutrition Services who presented a Report to the Trustees regarding Child Nutrition Services and Wellness.

 

Director Diane Dahm reported that there have been many studies showing that a hungry child cannot learn, so the Child Nutrition Department views themselves as an important part of the educational process.  The department goals are to:

  • Build Healthy Minds and Bodies through Child Nutrition
  • Provide students with quality meals at a reasonable price
  • Follow dietary guidelines provided by USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)

 

Child Nutrition is also a business and is a federal USDA program oversees in Texas by the Texas Department of Agriculture.  Our contract with the state to run the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs means that we will:

  • Serve lunch and/or breakfast that meets meal requirements
  • Maintain proper sanitation standards
  • Comply with record keeping requirements
  • Provide meals to all children
  • Provide free and reduced-price meals to eligible children
  • Accept and use government food commodities
  • Comply with financial requirements and provisions
  • Operate the program on a nonprofit basis

 

“Child Nutrition’s main job is to serve the students and staff of College Station ISD!” reports Ms. Dahm.

 

K-2.  Consider approval of lease financing quotes

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball who made a recommendation to the Board regarding lease financing.  During the October 2006 Regular Board Meeting, the Trustees authorized the purchase of school buses and other vehicles for the Transportation Department for a cost of $579,974.  The financing of those vehicles is planned via the use of a three year capital lease.  A Request for Quotes has been circularized to interested financial institutions seeking quotes for a capital lease financing contract.  Quotes from eleven respondents were received.  The quote from Citimortgage, Inc. appears to be the best value for the District considering fixed interest rates and insurance coverage.

 

MOTION 3753:  I move approval of the proposal from Citimortgage, Inc. to provide lease financing in the amount of $579,974 with a fixed interest rate of 3.91 percent for a term of three annual payments with the first payment due at closing.  It is further recommended that the Board authorize Michael Ball to execute any documents necessary to close the transaction.  The motion was made by Trustee Marc Chaloupka and seconded by Trustee Charlotte Slack.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nayes.

 

K-3.  Consider approval of an Interlocal Agreement with the City of College Station for the purpose of a joint project for drainage improvements in the area between Pebble Creek Elementary School and Pebble Creek Park.

Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations Mike Ball presented information to the Trustees regarding an Interlocal Agreement with the Cit of College Station.  The area between Pebble Creek Elementary School and Pebble Creek Park has experienced some chromic drainage problems during recent years.  The problem affects both the property owned by College Station ISD and the property owned by the City of College Station.  The proposed Interlocal Agreement would authorize the two entities to work together on a drainage improvement project to address this problem.  Both entities would share equally in the costs of the project.  The City has provided the design specifications.  CSISD would administer the project by handling the bidding and contract administration during the course of the work.  The total cost of the project is not expected to exceed $100,000; thus each entity is committing up to $50,000 in the proposed Interlocal Agreement.

 

MOTION 3754:  I move approval of The Interlocal Agreement Between The City of College Station and College Station Independent School District For The Construction of Drainage Improvements To Pebble Creek Park, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Vice President Mary Broussard.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nayes.

 

N.  ADJOURNMENT

Without objection, President Tim Jones adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

TIM JONES                                                                RANDALL PITCOCK

PRESIDENT                                                              SECRETARY