COLLEGE STATION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING

CSISD Board Room

January 24, 2007

7:00 p.m.

 

A.  CALL TO ORDER

President Tim Jones called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 Southwood Valley Elementary School Principal Chad Jones who introduced Fourth Grader Kayez Momin and Fourth Grader Isaiah Goodman who led the audience in the pledges and moment of silence.

 

C-2.  Recognize Campus Artwork Displayed

The art collection displayed in the Board Room was provided by art students at Southwood Valley Elementary, taught by Art Teacher Sharon Holt and by art students at Forest Ridge Elementary, taught by Art Teacher Suzanne May.

 

C-3.  Board of Trustees

January is Board Appreciation Month.  Trustees were surrounded with accolades and thank yous.  Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Ann Ganter, Director of Public Relations and the Education Foundation.  Students assisted Ms. Ganter in presenting trustees with a collection of gifts from CSISD campuses.  The students that assisted were 1st Grader Macie Cannon from College Hills Elementary, 3rd Grader Charlie Glover from Forest Ridge Elementary, 4th Grader Travis Hamilton from Pebble Creek Elementary, 3rd Grader Estefan Ayala Rock Prairie Elementary, 3rd Grader Cassidy Lampo from South Knoll Elementary, 4th Graders Kayez Momin and Isaiah Goodman from Southwood Valley Elementary.

 

D.  SUPERINTENDENT

D-1.  Consider approval of litigation dues for the 2006-2007 school year

The Texas School Coalition was organized for the purpose of bringing independent school districts that have an interest in improving the school funding laws for all school districts.  The organization provides research, information, and consultation regarding school finance legislation.  In addition, the Texas School Coalition financed the litigation costs associated with the West-Orange Cove lawsuit, of which CSISD was listed as a plaintiff.  The plaintiffs prevailed in the lawsuit, and the former school finance system was ruled unconstitutional, and as a result of the ruling, the legislature adopted House Bill 1 as the new school finance provision for the state.

 

The effects from HB 1 for CSISD are:  First, the state increased funding to CSISD through the high school allotment allocation and through the $2,000 provided for each teacher, nurse, librarian and counselor.  Second, CSISD will realize a reduction in the 06-07 Chapter 41 payment that it must make to equalize its wealth, and Third, HB 1 did provide the board some meaningful discretion in determining the tax rate for the 06-07 school year.

 

Administration believes that the outstanding litigation costs are legitimate and school districts around the state, including CSISD, have benefited financially due to the litigation. The Court has awarded attorney fees to the plaintiffs; however, the state has appealed this ruling to the Court of Appeals where it currently remains under review.  If the fees are awarded by the state for the attorney costs, each district will be refunded on a pro rata basis the funds that they have contributed toward the litigation costs.

 

E.  BOARD

E-1.  Board Directions and Reports/Announcements/Superintendent Report

Trustee Marc Chaloupka reported regarding the Wolf Pen TIF.  The committee met on 1/23/07.  The hiking trails were scheduled to be completed this past year.  However, the area has had damage from flooding and other weather issues, so the completion is delayed.  A Gateway is being established along Wolf Pen Creek sporting a water feature for which funds have already been allocated.

 

Secretary Randall Pitcock reported regarding the Education Foundation.  The last “No Golf” Tournament will be scheduled for either 4/20/07 or 4/27/07.  Scholarship Night is scheduled for 5/2/07 and Hall of Fame is scheduled for 5/9/07.

 

Superintendent Coulson reported that he had attended the MLK Celebration on Saturday evening, 1/13/07, at the Lincoln Center.  Dr. Coulson participated in the 100 man choir and on behalf of CSISD accepted a City of College Station award of Agency of the Year.  Agency of the Year was presented to CSISD for being an integral part of Lincoln Recreation   

 

F.  HEARING OF CITIZENS (Non-Agenda Items)

None

 

G.  HEARING OF EMPLOYEES (Non-Agenda Items)

None

 

H.  CONSENT AGENDA

Agenda Item I - Approval of Minutes – December 12, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes; Agenda Item J – Curriculum and Instruction:  Agenda Item J-2: Consider approval of Policy Update – DAA Local, FB Local, FFC Local, and FFG Exhibit; Agenda Item K – Personnel:  Agenda Item K-1:  Consider approval of Employments; Agenda Item L – Business & Operations: Agenda Item L-3: Consider approval of purchase of Library Software; Agenda Item L-4: Consider approval of Monthly Financial Reports – reports covering the period of December 1-31, 2006;  Agenda Item L-5: Consider approval of Monthly Budget Amendments – Amendments covering the period since last Board Meeting. 

 

MOTION 3761:  I move approval of the Consent Agenda, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Marc Chaloupka and seconded by Vice President Mary Broussard.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nayes.

 

J.  CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

J-1.  Consider approval of Class Size Waiver

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel Greg McIntyre who reported to the Board of Trustees regarding the need for a class size waiver at the elementary level.  The enrollment in two sections of first grade at South Knoll Elementary School and four sections of first grade at Southwood Valley Elementary School has exceeded the 22:1 class limit.  Each of these sections has 23-24 students.  Each of the campuses is limited in classroom space and cannot expand at this time.  Upon Board approval, a Request for Class Size Waiver will be submitted to TEA for the remainder of the 2006-2007 school year.  To insure the learning needs of students are addressed for the spring 2007 semester, the district will employ a paraprofessional for every two first grade classes which exceed 22:1 to assist in clerical and instructional needs.  The district will order the approved portable buildings and place them on these sites to be used at the start of the 2007-2008 school year.

 

MOTION 3762:  I move approval of the Class Size Waiver as presented.  The motion was made by Secretary Randall Pitcock and seconded by Trustee Charlotte Slack.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nayes.

 

L.  BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

L-1.  Receive Report from Jackie Janacek, Director of Computer Services

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations Mike Ball who introduced Director for Computer Services, Jackie Janacek.  Ms. Janacek introduced System Analyst Casey Neal and Sheryl Welford, Production Specialist.  Ms. Janacek reported information to the trustees regarding the day to day workings of the Computer Services department. 

 

L-2.  Consider appointment of Rhonda J. Cumbie as Investment Officer and Other Authorities Associated with the position of Director of Business Services

Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations Mike Ball reported that Rhonda J. Cumbie is scheduled to begin her employment with CSISD on February 1, 2007 in the position of Director Business Services. Authority from the Board of Trustees is needed for her to serve in capacities associated with that position:  Investment Officer, Authorized Representative for Lone Star Investment Pool Accounts, Authorized Representative for TexPool Accounts, Authorized Representative for Citibank, and Reporting Official with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas along with Michael Ball.

 

MOTION 3763:  I move approval of the appointment of Rhonda J. Cumbie as Investment Officer and Other Authorities associated with the position of Director of Business Services, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Marc Chaloupka and seconded by Vice President Mary Broussard.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nayes.

 

M.  EXECUTIVE SESSION

M-1.  The Board will meet in executive session to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property.  The executive session deliberations will be held pursuant to the “Deliberation Regarding Real Property” exception to the Texas Open Meetings Act as set forth in Section 551.072 of the Texas Government Code.

The Board went into Executive Session at 7:54 p.m.

 

N.  OPEN SESSION

The Board returned to Open Session at 9:23 p.m. and took no action.

 

O.  ADJOURNMENT

Without objection, President Tim Jones adjourned the meeting at 9:23 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

TIM JONES                                                                RANDALL PITCOCK

PRESIDENT                                                              SECRETARY