COLLEGE STATION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING

CSISD Board Room

December 18, 2007

7:00 p.m.

 

A.  CALL TO ORDER

President Tim Jones called the meeting to order at 7:10 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 and the Texas Flag, and a Moment of Silence

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Rock Prairie Elementary Principal Mike Martindale who introduced 2nd grader Sam Crockett, 3rd grader Zephyr Seagraves and 4th grader Patricia Martinez.  Dr. Coulson also recognized Pebble Creek Elementary Principal Donna Bairrington who introduced 4th graders Candace Copeland, Cason Lohman, and Tre Terrell.  The students led the audience in the pledges of allegiance and the moment of silence.

 

C-2.  Recognize Campus Artwork Displayed

Trustees appreciated the artwork adorning the walls of the Board Room provided by Pebble Creek Elementary School students taught by Art Teacher Julie Zapalac and Rock Prairie Elementary School students taught by Art Teacher Karen Dean.

 

C-3.  Students

a.  Transportation: Past, Present & Future Competition

Three Cypress Grove Intermediate students won top awards in the “Transportation: Past, Present and Future: contest sponsored by the Texas District of the Institute of Transportation Engineers.  Cypress Grove Intermediate Teacher Jan Fechhelm introduced Melissa Finley, Chair of the Texas Future Engineer Committee, who presented the student awards.  Congratulations to:  Sarah Petrus – 2nd place, Parker Samuelson – 3rd place, and Kelly Williams – Honorable Mention.

 

D.  BOARD

D-1.  Board Directions and Reports/Announcements/Superintendent Reports

Trustee Charlotte Slack complimented Superintendent Coulson regarding “Monday Messages” – a new electronic communication effort.

 

Trustee Slack commented that one of the initiatives of the Vision and Planning Committee is to meet with legislators in an effort to develop a relationship so that information may be shared during legislative sessions that could be helpful to legislators while considering state-wide issues that affect public education. 

 

President Tim Jones reported that a closing on property that pertains to the College Hills reconstruction project that is part of the 2007 Bond Program is up-coming.

 

Superintendent Eddie Coulson reported that a Joint Meeting with the City of College Station will be scheduled for 1/22/08 and a presentation by Clear Creek ISD is scheduled for 1/22/08.

 

D-2.  Consider approval for Eddie Coulson to teach an on-line course at Sam Houston State University for the Spring 2008 semester

Superintendent Eddie Coulson reported that Administrators at SHSU have asked him to consider teaching an on0line class at Sam Houston State University during the spring 2008 semester.  According to Dr. Coulson’s contract, any outside employment must be approved by the Board prior to accepting such employment.

 

The opportunity to work with other professionals, glean new ideas from others and the experience of teaching in an on-line environment should be of positive impact to the district.

 

MOTION 3840:  I move approval for Eddie Coulson to teach an on-line course at Sam Houston State University for the Spring 2008 semester, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Charlotte Slack and seconded by Trustee Marc Chaloupka.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

President Jones commented that this opportunity is a great reflection on Superintendent Eddie Coulson.

 

E.  HEARING OF CITIZENS

None

 

F.  HEARING OF EMPLOYEES

None

 

G.  CONSENT AGENDA

 

Agenda Item H - Approval of Minutes – November 19, 2007 Workshop Minutes, November 19, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes, and December 6, 2007 Special Meeting Minutes;  Agenda Item I – Curriculum & Instruction:  Agenda Item I-5:  Consider approval of Parenting Education Waiver and Innovative Course Application (Parenting for School Age Parents I & II and Diversified Career Preparation I & II ;  Agenda Item J – Personnel:  Agenda Item J-1:  Consider approval of Resignations; Agenda Item J-2: Consider approval of Employments; Agenda Item K – Business & Operations: Agenda Item K-6: Consider Appointment of the following individuals to serve as representatives of College Station ISD on the Board of Directors of the Brazos County Appraisal District: (a) Mr. John Flynn (b) Mr. Steve Arden; Agenda Item K-7: Consider authorization of the purchase Internet connectivity services from the Trans-Texas Videoconference Network (TTVN) through our Interlocal Agreement with Texas A&M University; Agenda Item K-8: Consider authorization of purchase of two trucks and two cargo vans for the Operations Department through the Houston Galveston Area Purchasing Cooperative (Vehicles for Operations Department budget plan for current year); Agenda Item K-9:  Consider responses to Request for Bid for Door and Lock Hardware (hardware for Maintenance Department); Agenda Item K-10: Consider approval of interest payable to taxpayers in accordance with Section 42.43 of the Texas Property Code as a result of cases filed in the District court of Brazos County, Texas as follows: (a) Interest payable to TOC-DS Company, ET AL in the amount of $154.56, (b) Interest payable to SPRINTCOM in the amount of $233.07, (c) Interest payable to Texas Huntington Apartments LTD in the amount of $227.92, (d) Interest payable to AT&T Mobility LLC in the amount of $1,110.07 (interest payments in accordance with adjudicated settlements); Agenda Item K-11: Consider approval of Monthly Financial Reports – Reports covering the month ended November 30, 2007;  Agenda Item K-12: Consider approval of Monthly Budget Amendments – Amendments covering the period since last Board Meeting; Agenda Item L – Elections:  Agenda Item L-1: Report on School Board Continuing Education (HB 2563 passed in the 80th Legislative Session amended TEC Section 11.159 to include reporting board training hours at the last regular meeting of the calendar year.

 

Agenda Item K-5: Consider Approval of Building Use Request was pulled for discussion by Trustee Marc Chaloupka.

 

MOTION 3841:  I move approval of the Consent Agenda, as presented minus Agenda Item K-5.  The motion was made by Trustee Marc Chaloupka and seconded by Vice President Mary Broussard.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

I.  CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

I-1.  Consider approval of Policy FNA (LOCAL) – STUDENTS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Greg McIntyre who reported to the Trustees regarding Policy FNA (LOCAL).  In August, the CSISD Trustees discussed HB 3678 which required school districts to take immediate action to adopt a local policy on student expression.  Following discussion, the Board adopted the State recommended local policy which addressed HB 3678, also called the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act (RVAA).  Due to the short timeline, the administration and the Board agreed that an alternate FNA local policy should be studied and possible recommended for consideration at a later date.  The recommended policy FNA complies with RVAA while containing key provisions to better match district practice.  The RVAA addresses four general areas of student expression:  (1) freedom of religious expression (2) student speakers (3) class assignments and (4) freedom of association.

 

The recommended policy FNA (LOCAL) addresses student introductions so that:

 

MOTION 3842:  I move approval of the recommended policy FNA (LOCAL), as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Marc Chaloupka and seconded by Vice-President Mary Broussard.  The motion passed with six ayes and one no.  President Tim Jones voted no.

 

I-2.  Consider approval of new courses at AMC High School for the 2008-2009 school year

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Greg McIntyre who reported regarding proposed new courses at AMC High School for 2008-2009.  The consideration of new courses at the high school is the reflection of continued work to meet student needs through (1) dual credit and (2) career technology.

 

MOTION 3843:  I move approval of new courses at AMC High School for the 2008-2009 school year, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Trustee Marc Chaloupka.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

I-3.  Consider approval of new courses for 6th through 8th grade for the 2008-2009 school year

Superintendent Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Greg McIntyre who reported regarding recent state graduation requirement changes.  The State board passed the new recommended graduation plan of 26 credits in November of last year, resulting in the new recommended plan prescribing 26 of the 28 possible credits.  In an effort to offer some flexibility in student schedules, the district implemented two immediate steps: (a) night-school options for high school students were expanded and (b) the Principles of Science and Math course was added to reinforce math and science skills necessary for success in Algebra I and Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC).  The option of awarding high school credit to select courses at the middle school level was studied in depth over the past summer and fall and is a proposed consideration for the 2008-2009 school year. 

 

MOTION 3844:  I move approval of new courses for 6th through 8th grade for the 2008-2009 school year, as presented.  The motion was made by Secretary Randall Pitcock.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

I-4.  Consider approval of payment to the Schlechty Center for Leadership and School Reform

Superintendent Coulson reported that CSISD is completing the third year of a three year contract with the Schlechty Center for Leadership and School Reform.  During the course of the first two years approximately 86 staff members including teachers, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Coaches, campus administrators and Central Office administrators have participated in SCLSR conferences to increase our knowledge regarding increasing student engagement.

 

MOTION 3845:  I move approval of payment to the Schlechty Center for Leadership and School Reform, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Trustee Marc Chaloupka.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

K.  BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

K-1.  Consider approval of Annual Financial and Compliance Audit Report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations Mike Ball who introduced Paula Spiegelhaur with Pattillo, Brown and Hill, L.L.P., Certified Public Accountants.  Ms. Spiegelhaur reported that CSISD had been awarded an “unqualified” opinion which is the highest rating you can receive and is considered a “clean” opinion.

 

MOTION 3846:  I move approval of the Annual Financial and Compliance Audit Report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007 as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Marc Chaloupka and seconded by Trustee Garland Watson.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

K-2.  Consider approval of the Quarterly Investment Report for the three months ended November 30, 2007

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball who presented a quarterly report of all District investments that The Act (The Public Funds Investment Act) requires.  The Act further requires that each investment officer receive at least ten hours of continuing education in investment responsibilities.  Mr. Ball reported that he and Rhonda Cumbie both have complied with that requirement.

 

MOTION 3847:  I move approval of the Quarterly Investment Report for the three months ended November 30, 2007, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Marc Chaloupka and seconded by Trustee Garland Watson.  The motion passed with seven ayes, and zero nos. 

 

K-3.  Consider approval of the Guaranteed Maximum Price and authorization for the Superintendent or his designee to execute necessary documents associated therewith and authorization to proceed with the work associated with the following projects: (a) Creek View Elementary School, (b) Athletic Facilities Renovation, (c) Grounds Facility

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball who reported to the Trustees regarding the Requests for Competitive Sealed Proposals that led to a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the construction of Creek View Elementary School.   In consultation with CSISD personnel and VLK Architects, personnel with Pepper Lawson Construction L.L.P., have reviewed the scope of work, reputation of sub-contractors, quality of materials specified, and other relevant factors in arriving at the proposed GMP for the project.

 

MOTION 3848:  I move approval of the Guaranteed Maximum Price and authorization for the Superintendent or his designee to execute necessary documents associated therewith and authorization to proceed with the work associated with the following projects: (a) Creek View Elementary School, (b) Athletic Facilities Renovation, and (c) Grounds Facility, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Trustee Charlotte Slack.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

K-4.  Consider responses to Competitive Sealed Proposals for the following: (a) Labor and Materials for Electrical Wiring for Ceiling Mounted Data Projection Systems and (b) Ceiling Mounted Data Projection Systems

Superintendent Eddie Coulson reported that the 2007 Bond Package includes a cost allocation for Technology upgrades.  A part of that project includes providing electrical outlets to service ceiling mounted data projection systems.

 

MOTION 3849:  I move approval of the response to Competitive Sealed Proposals for labor and materials for electrical wiring for ceiling mounted data projection systems, as presented.  The motion was made by Secretary Randall Pitcock and seconded by Vice President Mary Broussard.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

Superintendent Coulson reported that an additional project included as a cost allocation for technology upgrade in the 2007 bond package includes providing ceiling mounted data projection systems in classrooms.  No responses were received that met the specifications outlined in the RFP.

 

MOTION 3850:  I move rejection of the responses to ceiling mounted data projection systems, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Trustee Marc Chaloupka.  The motion to reject all responses passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

K-5.  Consider approval of Building Use Request

Trustee Marc Chaloupka pulled this agenda item from the consent agenda for discussion as it pertains to liability.

 

MOTION 3851:  I move approval of the Building Use Request, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Secretary Randall Pitcock.  The motion passed with seven ayes and zero nos.

 

M.  EXECUTIVE SESSION

None

 

O.  ADJOURNMENT

Without objection, President Jones adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.

 

 

 

TIM JONES                                                                RANDALL PITCOCK                                  

TIM JONES                                                                RANDALL PITCOCK

PRESIDENT                                                              SECRETARY