COLLEGE STATION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING

CSISD Board Room

February 19, 2008

7:00 p.m.

 

A.  CALL TO ORDER

President Tim Jones called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. with seven members present.

 

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 Principal Carl Dethloff of College Hills Elementary School and Principal Tami Laza of South Knoll Elementary School.  Dr. Dethloff introduced 4th Grader Zakia Smith, 3rd Grader Samantha Mallen, 2nd Grader Tanner McNamara and Pre-K student Tyndall McNamara.  Ms. Laza introduced 3rd Grader Zeke Cadena, 4th Grader Gabriel Cadena and 4th Grader Eric Pillai.  The students led the audience in the pledges of allegiance and the moment of silence.

 

C-2.  Campus Artwork

Trustees enjoyed and complimented the student artwork displayed in the Board Room.  The work was provided by Southwood Valley Elementary art students taught by Teacher Sharon Holt, Forest Ridge Elementary art students taught by Teacher Suzanne May, South Knoll Elementary art students taught by Teacher Amber Herbelin, and College Hills Elementary art students taught by Teacher Norma Numoz.

 

C-3.  Students

a.  All-State Band

Yong Eoh was selected as a member of the Texas All State Band.  Yong is an A&M Consolidated senior flutist with the Tiger Band.   

 

b.  All-State Orchestra

Yong Eoh was selected as a member of the Texas All State Orchestra.  She will perform with either the Texas all State Ban, or Texas All State Orchestra in February at the annual Texas Music Educator’s Convention in San Antonio.

 

c.  All State Choir

Teacher Travis Angel recognized Kaylie Kahlich who was selected for her second time as a member of the Texas All State Choir.  Kaylie is a junior this year.  Mr. Angel recognized Chris Lewis was selected for the third time this year and is a senior and finally Michael Wolfe is a junior and was selected as an alternate.  These students earned the right for the audition by placing in the top 15 at the Region Choir Auditions and the top 5 at the Area Audition.  They are required to learn new music for each of the three auditions and sight-read.  Only 450 students from across the state are chosen for the All-State Choir.

 

Superintendent Eddie Coulson reported that Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball attended the Texas Music Educators Convention in San Antonio, representing CSISD as well.

 

D.  BOARD

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

Secretary Randall Pitcock reported that the Finance/Facilities Committee met on 2/18/08 regarding 403b Regulation IRS changes, portable building needs, General Fund, RFQ for Audit firms, and RFQ for Architects to assist the Long Range Education Planning Committee.

 

Trustee Charlotte Slack reported that the Visioning and Strategic Planning Committee met with Representative Fred Brown to discuss legislative issues that affect CSISD.  Trustee Slack expressed concern regarding the recent proposed Language Arts curriculum.  Approval would take Texas back to 1997.  Trustee Slack urged those concerned to contact their State Board of Education elected official – Don McLeroy.  Trustee Slack also shared that she had written an article which had been published in the Texas Lone Star Magazine, representing CSISD.

 

Trustee Marc Chaloupka reminded colleagues of the Grassroots Training Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 3/11/08 in Huntsville, Texas.

 

Secretary Randall Pitcock expressed appreciation to the City of College Station City Council who recently voted to extend Eagle Drive which will greatly benefit CSISD and the opening of Creek View Elementary.

 

Superintendent Eddie Coulson expressed appreciation to the City of College Station for the completion of the road construction at the corner of Welsh Avenue and 2818.  Dr. Coulson announced that the district was scheduled for a Safety and Security Audit beginning March 3rd.

 

Dr. Coulson announced that CSISD will be hosting a “We’re Ready Fun Run” at Central Park on April 19th beginning at 8:00 a.m.  This family event is to promote wellness and is a district-wide health initiative.

 

Dr. Coulson briefly updated the audience on the College Hills Elementary construction project.  The trustees have received updated cost estimates, have been informed of the hiring of an Urban Developer (to assist with saving trees), and updated on the design of the canopy.

 

Trustee Steve Aldrich announced that he has not filed for re-election and does not plan to.

 

E.  HEARING OF CITIZENS

None

 

F.  HEARING OF EMPLOYEES

None

 

G.  CONSENT AGENDA

Agenda Item H - Approval of Minutes – January 15, 2008 Board Workshop Minutes, January 15, 2008 Regular Board Meeting Minutes, January 22, 2008 Special Board Meeting Minutes;  Agenda Item I - CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION:  Agenda Item I-3:  Consider approval of K-5 Math Textbook Adoption; Agenda Item J - PERSONNEL: Agenda Item J-1:  Consider approval of Resignations; Agenda Item J-2:  Consider approval of Employments; Agenda Item J-3:  Consider approval of Administrator Contracts; Agenda Item K - BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS: Agenda Item K-3: Consider approval of the contract for the sale of real property.  The contract is summarized as follows: Real Estate contract – Fee Simple and Public Utility Easement, by and between College Station Independent School District as Seller and the City of College Station, as Buyer, for the sale of approximately 2,567 square feet of land located at the northeasterly corner of the intersection of FM 2818 and Welsh Ave. and the sale of a public utility easement on 1,935 square feet of land located at the northeasterly corner of the intersection of FM 2818 and Welsh Ave. for a total purchase price of $6,957 – land necessary to complete the Welsh/2818 road widening project; Agenda Item K-4:  Consider approval of Building Use Request – Calvary Chapel Aggieland; Agenda Item K-5:  Consider approval of Monthly Financial Reports – Reports covering the month ended January 31, 2008;  Agenda Item K-6: Consider approval of Monthly Budget Amendments – Amendments covering the period since last Board Meeting;  Agenda Item L - ELECTIONS:  Agenda Item L-2: Appointment of Designees for Filing Purposes; Agenda Item L-3: Consider Approval of a Joint Resolution of the City Council of College Station and the Board of Trustees of the College Station Independent School District order joint elections for City Council positions and CSISD Trustee positions 6 and 7 on May 10, 2008

 

MOTION 3853:  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 nos.

 

I.  CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

I-1.  Consider adoption of the 2008-2009 Calendar

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Clark Ealy, Executive Director for Accountability and Planning.  Dr. Ealy reported that with the goal of developing the most instructionally appropriate school calendar for the 2008-2009 school year, DEIC (District-wide Educational Improvement Council) developed four draft calendar options.  After gathering feedback and further study, DEIC reduced the number of options to two.  CSISD placed Calendar Option 1 that ends in June and Calendar Option 2 that ends in May online for public feedback.  After DEIC processed the online feedback, they recommended Calendar Option 2 for approval. 

 

MOTION 3854:  I move approval of the calendar as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Secretary Randall Pitcock.  The motion passed 7-0.

 

President Tim Jones commented regarding legislation that takes local control away from school districts.

 

I-2.  Consider approval of the District Improvement Plan Goals and Objectives

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction and Personnel Greg McIntyre.  Mr. McIntyre reported that DEIC (District Educational Improvement Council) has the responsibility of recommending to the School Board the District Improvement Plan each year.  Mr. McIntyre reported that the goals and objectives recommended by DEIC are largely the same as in years past.  This consistency serves as a testament to the district purpose of success:  to ensure that each student is academically successful and that the unique academic, social, and emotional needs of each student are met in a safe learning environment.  Supporting this consistent focus are objectives which center upon reducing the achievement gap, encouraging commended performance, and opportunities for all CSISD employees to enter the dialogue on behalf of high expectations and school culture.

 

Trustee Marc Chaloupka expressed dissatisfaction with the goal process and the outcome of the process.  Discussion occurred.

 

Trustee Charlotte Slack expressed the desire to add an additional statement to the DIP Goals and Objectives pertaining to communication.  Discussion occurred.

 

MOTION 3855:  I move approval of the District Improvement Plan Goals and Objectives as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Steve Aldrich and seconded by Trustee Marc Chaloupka.  The motion passed with five ayes, one no, and one abstention.  Vice-President Mary Broussard abstained from the vote and Trustee Marc Chaloupka voted no.

 

K.  BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

K-1.  Consider approval of responses from Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals for Ceiling Mounted Data Projection Systems

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations Mike Ball.  Mr. Ball reported that the 2007 Bond program provides funding for ceiling mounted data projection systems and described the process utilized for the Request for competitive Sealed Proposals and the responses received.

 

MOTION 3856:  I move approval of the proposal submitted by MicroAge College Station to provide Ceiling Mounted Data Projection Systems in accordance with the terms stated in the Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals in the amount of $1,144,112, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Marc Chaloupka and seconded by Vice President Mary Broussard.  The motion passed 7-0.

 

K-2.  Consider a resolution that would declare as follows:  1) That the spectator bleachers in the gymnasium at A&M Consolidated High School are severely damaged as a result of an unforeseen emergency and have undergone major operational or structural failure;  2) That the delay posed by the procurement methods provided for in Section 44.031 of the Texas Education Code would prevent or substantially impair the conduct of classes or other essential school activities;  3) That the Superintendent or his designee are authorized to contract for the replacement or repair of the bleachers by methods other than those required by Section 44.0341 of the Texas Education Code.

Dr. Coulson recognized Deputy Superintendent Mike Ball who reported to the Trustees regarding bleacher damage in the gymnasium at A&M Consolidated High School. 

 

On February 1, 2008, the spectator bleachers in the gymnasium at the high school experienced an unforeseen structural failure during the retraction process.  The highest section of the bleachers is currently leaning against a concrete masonry wall.  The full extent of the damage is unknown at this time.  The bleachers are in an unstable position that prohibits the safe performance of a damage assessment inspection.  Specialized equipment and expertise will be needed in order to place the bleachers in an upright position, stabilize them, and perform a full damage assessment.  The entire gymnasium has been closed to all uses due to the risk of personal injury or further property damage.  The loss of the use of this gymnasium has caused a significant reduction in the District’s ability to provide space for physical education classes and for extra-curricular activities.

 

The Texas Education Code provides discretion following an emergency or unforeseen circumstance to determine that the delay in following normal procurement procedures would prevent or substantially impair the conduct of classes or other essential school activities.  The present bleacher situation related to the gymnasium appears to be appropriate for the use of that discretion.

 

MOTION 3857:  I move approval of a resolution related to the procurement of damage assessments and repairs to the retractable spectator bleachers at A&M Consolidated High School, as presented.  The motion was made by Trustee Marc Chaloupka and seconded by Trustee Steve Aldrich.  The motion passed 7-0. 

 

L.  ELECTIONS

L-1.  Receive Report on School Board Continuing Education

Superintendent Eddie Coulson recognized Beth French, Elections Coordinator for CSISD.  Ms. French reported that Board policy requires that at the annual Board meeting at which the call for election of Board Members is normally considered, the Board President shall cause the minutes to reflect the continuing education hours completed by each trustee.  After the first year of service Board members shall receive at least five hours of continuing education annually in fulfillment of assessed needs. 

 

Place 1 – Marc Chaloupka – 19.50 hours

Place 2 – Tim Jones – 13.50 hours

Place 3 – Garland Watson – 15.50 hours

Place 4 – Mary Broussard – 17.25 hours

Place 5 – Randall Pitcock – 12.50 hours

Place 6 – Charlotte Slack – 39.75 hours

Place 7 – Steve Aldrich – 9.25 hours

 

M.  EXECUTIVE SESSION

None

 

O.  ADJOURNMENT

Without objection, President Jones adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

TIM JONES                                                                RANDALL PITCOCK

PRESIDENT                                                              SECRETARY