COLLEGE STATION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING

AMC High School Lecture Room

May 15, 2007

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.  ELECTION ISSUES

Administer Oath of Office to Elected Board Members

President Tim Jones pulled this item from the agenda due to the fact that the election results have not yet been canvassed due to a 5-day waiting period following the election to allow for the return of overseas military ballots.  A special meeting will be scheduled for 5/22/07 to canvass the election returns and swear-in the re-elected board members:  Garland Watson, Mary Broussard, and Randall Pitcock.

 

D.  RECOGNITIONS

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

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized AMC High School Principal Ron Fox who introduced 2006-2007 Student Council President William Wright, 2007-2008 Student Council President Sia Mahajan, and 2006-2007 Senior Class President Omar El-Halwagi.  Dr. Leslie Schueckler, Principal of Timber Academy, also introduced Katie Jeter, Timber Academy Student Council President.  The students led the audience in the pledges and the moment of silence.

 

D-2.  Staff

Interim Personnel Director Chrissy Hester recognized 2007-2008 Support Person of the Year Nominees:

 

  • Rhea Aleman representing the Alternative Education Programs
  • Sandra Bass representing Cypress Grove Intermediate School
  • Sonya Bland representing Rock Prairie Elementary School
  • Debbie DeFiore representing Pebble Creek Elementary School
  • Kim Farrell representing the Curriculum & Instruction Department
  • Terri Gardner representing A&M Consolidated Middle School
  • April Godfrey representing A&M Consolidated High School
  • Pat LaBarbera representing Forest Ridge Elementary School
  • Terrie Samuelson representing Southwood Valley Elementary School
  • Susan Van Duyne representing the Operations & Maintenance Department
  • Zelene Vasquez representing South Knoll Elementary School
  • Diane Walter representing College Hills Elementary School
  • Karen Westbrook representing A&M Consolidated Middle School
  • Vicki Whitworth representing South Knoll Elementary School
  • Jonelle Wilkins representing Cypress Grove Intermediate School
  • Ellen Wilson representing Oakwood Intermediate School

 

2006-2007 CSISD Support Person of the Year Margie Persons announced the 2007-2008 CSISD Support Person of the Year.  One of the school’s students writes:  “I think she should be picked for the Support Person of the Year because she has done outstanding things for us.  She is more than a secretary, she is a great listener because it seems like every student goes to her with their problems.  We are so attached to her that we call her “Mamma”.  She is one of the reasons I haven’t dropped out of school and why most of the students graduate.  Thank you and just know that if they don’t give you that award, I’ll try to get the students to pitch in on an award for you.”  The College Station ISD 2008 Support Person of the Year is Rhea Aleman!

 

Board President Tim Jones recognized 2007-2008 Teacher of the Year Campus Nominees:

 

  • Lily Moreno representing College Hills Elementary School
  • Jody Rodriguez representing Pebble Creek Elementary School
  • Don Weir representing Rock Prairie Elementary School
  • Amy Anderson representing South Knoll Elementary School
  • Andrea Poehl representing Southwood Valley Elementary School
  • Joey Medlin representing Forest Ridge Elementary School
  • Mary Powell representing Oakwood Intermediate School
  • Margo Kersten representing Cypress Grove Intermediate School
  • Lynna Loviette representing A&M Consolidated Middle School
  • Caroline Jones representing College Station Middle School
  • Christi Cheshire representing A&M Consolidated High School
  • Gwen Elder representing A&M Consolidated High School
  • Linda Olivarez representing Alternative Education Programs

 

2006-2007 Elementary Teacher of the Year Maureen Haggerty, who also was named 2006-2007 Region VI Elementary Teacher of the Year and a finalist in the state competition, announced the 2007-2008 CSISD Elementary Teacher of the Year.  This year’s CSISD Elementary Teacher of the Year writes:  “It seems as if I have always wanted to teach.  Evan as a young child I can remember knowing that I would be a teacher when I grew up.  As an elementary student, I had the most amazing learning experiences.  My most influential experience, as trivial as it might sound, was researching extinct shark species.  Although researching was important, what remains etched in my mind was the GIGANTIC stuffed paper model that I was encouraged to create, that hung from the classroom ceiling!  Another important factor throughout my childhood that motivated me to become a teacher involved frequent visits to my father’s junior high school science classroom.  As a child, I remember clearly my amazement with the animals in his laboratory.  It was a common occurrence for me to walk around with a large boa constrictor wrapped around my shoulders.  However, it was not until my father and I spent time talking about our shared beliefs of teaching and learning that I realized that my philosophy could truly impact the lives of students.  The simple belief that all students deserve quality experiences at school that meet their individual needs served as my guiding goal.  It was at that point in my life I became determined to go to college to become a teacher.”  The College Station ISD 2008 Elementary Teacher of the Year is Amy Anderson!

 

2006-2007 Secondary Teacher of the Year Jamie Bassett announced the 2007-2008 CSISD Secondary teacher of the Year.  This year’s CSISD Secondary Teacher of the Year writes:  “’Who you are is more important than what you know.’  My class repeats this statement before leaving the classroom.  It embodies the heart of what I want my students to understand.  Most definitely, I want them to be successful with mathematics.  It would be even more wonderful if I could instill in them the same love for math that I have.  But above all of this, I want them to value honesty and kindness and to know the joy that comes from working hard and accomplishing something.  How can I best instill this in my students?  I believe it is by being that kind of person – by becoming a living example for them.  As I seek to create a supportive and respectful environment, it comes more from who I am than from what I know.  So many people have impacted my life professionally and personally.  Whether through staff development trainings or through casual conversations after school or just a listening ear on a Saturday afternoon walk, the ideas and concern of others have shaped my thoughts and beliefs.  As other people share their lives with me, I grow and change.  As I grow and change, I have more to offer those around me, primarily my students.  And they, too, are investing in the lives of others.  What they have to offer will make an impact on those around them.  When my students graduate and get jobs as air conditioner repairmen or nurses or teachers or lawyers, will I know they are honest?  Will I trust them with my house key?  With my health?  With my children’s education?  I believe it is important for students to be academically successful.  I strive to help them attain that goal.  But more than academics, I believe a person’s character is a better indicator of success outside of school.  If all of my students perform well on state-mandated tests or live up to a national standard of achievement, others may say that I’m a successful teacher.  However, the rewards I find in teaching come from seeing my former students in the community living their lives with integrity.”  The College Station ISD 2008 Secondary Teacher of the Year is Caroline Jones!

 

Cake and Photo Break started at 7:38 p.m.

The Regular Board Meeting resumed at 7:57 p.m.

 

E.  BOARD

E-1.  Consideration, discussion and possible action regarding the reorganization of Board Officers for the 2007-2008 school year

 

MOTION 3780:  I move approval of the following slate of Board Officers for the 2007-2008 school year effective June 1, 2007:  Tim Jones as President, Mary Broussard as Vice-President, and Randall Pitcock as Secretary.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Charlotte Slack.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nayes.

                       

E-2.  Board Directions and Reports/Announcements/Superintendent Reports

President Tim Jones commented and referred to an Attorney General opinion that pertains to joint elections for school districts and cities.  If a school district cannot or does not make arrangements to have a joint election with a municipality, then the school district must hold a joint election with the county.  These arrangements would affect terms lengths of trustees.  Superintendent Eddie Coulson will seek legal advice regarding this issue.

 

Superintendent Eddie Coulson thanked the community for the support in the passage of the School District Bond Election on May 12, 2007.

 

Trustees Charlotte Slack recognized Dr. Nancy Thornberry, Principal of Pebble Creek Elementary School, and acknowledged Dr. Thornberry’s dedication and service to the children of College Station.

 

F.  HEARING OF CITIZENS

None

 

G.  HEARING OF EMPLOYEES

None

 

H.  CONSENT AGENDA

Agenda Item I - Approval of Minutes –April 17, 2007 Workshop Minutes, April 17, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes; Agenda Item J – Curriculum & Instruction:  Agenda Item J-1:  Consider approval of Shared Services Agreement and Contracted Services – annual renewal of contracts with Region VI;  Agenda Item K – Personnel:  Agenda Item K-1:  Consider approval of Resignations; Agenda Item K-2: Consider approval of Employments; Agenda Item L – Business & Operations: Agenda Item L-2: Consider responses to the Request for Bids for Depository Financial Institution for the 2007-2009 biennium; Agenda Item L-3: Consider responses to Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals for Carpet and Tile for A&M consolidated High School; Agenda Item L-4: Consider responses to Request for Proposals for Athletic Supplies RFP #7-017; Agenda Item L-5: Consider authorization of cancellation of State contract Orders for vehicles through Texas Building and Procurement Commission; Agenda Item L-6: Consider authorization of purchases of vehicles through the Houston Galveston Area Cooperative: (a) Vans for Transportation Department and Technology Department, (b) Van for Kids Klub; Agenda Item L-7:  Consider authorization of purchase through the Texas Local Government Statewide Purchasing Cooperative (Buyboard) of Playground Equipment for Pebble Creek Elementary School; Agenda Item L-8:  Consider approval of Monthly Financial Reports – reports covering the period of April 1-30, 2007;  Agenda Item L-9: Consider approval of Monthly Budget Amendments – Amendments covering the period since last Board Meeting.

 

MOTION 3781:  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.

 

L.  BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

L-1.  Consider selecting Architect(s) based on qualifications for the projects in the 2007 bond program and authorizing the Superintendent or his designee to negotiate the terms of contracts with such Architect(s).

Superintendent Eddie Coulson briefly reviewed the selection process for recommendation of Architect(s) and Authorizing the Superintendent or his designee to negotiate the terms of contracts with such Architect(s).  The Board of Trustees called for a bond election of $67,420,000 on 2/20/07.  Included in the bond election are several major projects, including the construction of two new schools, the demolition of a school, the renovation of some of the athletic facilities, and several other capital projects.  A large part of the process of completion of the construction calls for CSISD to identify an architect for the design and construction phases of the projects.

 

Of the eleven architects that responded, a screening committee of Eddie Coulson, Mike Ball, Marc Chaloupka and Randall Pitcock chose three firms to interview.  Three firms were interviewed on 5/10/07 by a committee comprised of Randall Pitcock, Marc Chaloupka, Eddie Coulson, Mike Ball, Greg McIntyre, Clark Ealy, Ann Ganter, David Norton and Royce Thomas.  Based on the information the architects submitted via the RFQ process and the interviews, VLK Architects was the first choice by the committee to recommend to the CSISD Board of Trustees.

 

MOTION 3782:  I move approval of the administration’s recommendation of VLK Architects as the District’s architectural firm for the 2007 Bond Program and authorizing the Superintendent or his designee to negotiate the terms of the contract with VLK, as presented.  The motion was made by Steve Aldrich and seconded by Marc Chaloupka.  The motion passed 7-0.

 

Secretary Randall Pitcock commented that VLK Architects brings knowledge of the District and knowledge of CSISD values to the table.

 

Trustee Steve Aldrich commented regarding VLK Architects help with CSISD during difficult times in the past.

 

President Tim Jones commented that now the hard work begins – the design phase.

 

M.  EXECUTIVE SESSION

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 and to discuss and consider the Superintendent Evaluation pursuant to the “Personnel Matters; Closed Meeting” exception to the Texas Open Meetings Act as set forth in Section 551.074 of the Texas Government Code.

The Board went into Executive Session at 8:10 p.m.

 

N.  OPEN SESSION

None

 

O.  ADJOURNMENT

Without objection, President Tim Jones adjourned the meeting at 10:53 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

TIM JONES                                                                RANDALL PITCOCK

PRESIDENT                                                              SECRETARY