A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of Center Independent School District (CISD) was held on Thursday, February 11, 2016 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Center Independent School District Administration Board Room located at 107 Private Road 605 Center, Texas 75935.
1. Call Meeting to Order and Establish a Quorum
James Greer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and declared a quorum.
Present: James Greer; John Henry Holloway; Daphne LaRock; Sharon Nelson (arrived at 6:01 p.m.); Traci Willoughby; Dan Wilkins; Rayford Copelin, Deputy Superintendent; Tammy Lemoine, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction; Betty McDaniel, Director of Finance and James Hockenberry, Superintendent
Absent: None
Visitors: Tina Byrnes, Southwest Foodservice Excellence; Collen Doggett, East Texas Press; Matt Gregory, CHS Administrator; James Guest, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson; Richard King, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson; Jimmie Johnston, Southwest Foodservice Excellence; Chris Maggard, Southwest Foodservice Excellence and John Manual, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson; Debora Riley, Shelby County Tax Collector; Lindsey Tipton, Southwest Foodservice Excellence; Steve Synder, Light and Champion and Doug Whitt, SAMCO Capital Markets, Inc.
2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Dan Wilkins gave the invocation and Traci Willoughby led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Public Comments/Audience Participation
None
4. Presentation from Southwest Foodservice Excellence, LLC
Tina Byrnes, Director of Dining Services, provided an overview of the Child Nutrition Program. CISD and Southwest Foodservices Excellence (SFE) have been working together approximately six (6) years and Dr. Hockenberry indicated that this is by far the best year with SFE.
5. Presentation of Delinquent Tax Collections
Mr. John Manual of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLC presented a report to the Board regarding delinquent tax collections for the period of September 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016. The firm, with the assistance of Shelby County Tax Collector, has been able to collect in excess of $238,000 for CISD.
6. Future Facility Construction and Renovation Update
In the absence of Danny Berry, Dr. Hockenberry provided and update on the future facility construction and renovation projects. There are four projects: Center Middle School (CMS) weight room, CMS dressing room/field house, CHS tennis complex and CHS agricultural science building. The CMS weight room project is estimated at $80,000 for demolition and construction expenses. The CMS dressing room/field house project is estimated at $78,000 for new roof, HVAC as well as electrical upgrade. The District will be monitoring both projects closely.
The designs and costs associated with the two (2) remaining projects (CHS tennis complex and CHS agricultural science building) will be presented at the next Board meeting.
A motion was made by Daphne LaRock, seconded by Traci Willoughby to approve the renovations to the CMS weight room for $80,000 and the renovations to the CMS dressing room/field house for $78,000.
The motion carried 6-0.
7. Potential Bond Refunding Program and Consider Adopting an Order Authorizing the Issuance of Refunding Bonds, Establishing the Parameters for the Refunding and Delegating Authority to the Administration to Complete the Sale of the Refunding Bonds
Doug Whitt with SAMCO Capital, presented an analysis regarding bond refunding and the savings for the District. By refunding current bonds, Center ISD will realize an approximate savings in the amount of $200,000 over the remaining life (six years) of the bond.
A motion was made by Sharon Nelson, seconded by John Henry Holloway to adopt the order authorizing the issuance of refunding bonds, establishing the parameters for the refunding and delegating authority to the administration to executive the final documents.
The motion carried 6-0.
8. Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Sharon Nelson, seconded by Traci Willoughby to approve the consent agenda consisting of the minutes from the special meeting on January 11, 2016 and a regular meeting on January 14, 2016, the Investment Report (2015-2016), the Tax Collection Report (January 2016), the Financial Reports (January 2016) and the student overnight activity trip.
The motion carried 6-0.
9. Consideration to Change March 2016 Regular Board Meeting Date
The regular Board meeting in March will be held on March 10, 2016.
10. Preliminary Review of 2016-2017 School Calendar Options
The two (2) calendar options for the 2016-2017 school year were presented. Dr. Hockenberry is soliciting feedback from the staff and Board and suggested a link could be added to the website for input from parents.
11. Proposal to Increase the Number of CISD Police Officers
Dr. Hockenberry proposed the District increase the number of officers in our police force by two (2) officers. One (1) officer would be added as soon as possible but no later than the 2016-2017 school year. The second officer would be added for the 2016-2017 school year.
A motion was made by John Henry Holloway, seconded by Traci Willoughby to hire two (2) additional officers by September 1, 2016.
The motion carried 6-0.
12. Consideration and Approval to Amend the Cheerleader Constitution
A motion was made by Traci Willoughby, seconded by Daphne LaRock to approve amend the Cheerleader Constitution.
The motion carried 6-0.
13. Consideration and Approval of Addendum to the Chaparral Constitution
A motion was made by Daphne LaRock, seconded by Traci Willoughby to approve the addendum to the Chaparral Constitution.
The motion carried 6-0.
14. Consideration to Approve the 2016-2017 Student Transfer Agreement
A motion was made by Sharon Nelson, seconded by Daphne LaRock to approve the 2016-2017 student transfer agreement as presented.
The motion carried 6-0.
15. Permission to Solicit Bids for Internet Service
A motion was made by Sharon Nelson, seconded by John Henry Holloway to authorize Administration to solicit bids for internet services.
The motion carried 6-0.
16. Consideration and Approval of 2016-2017 Instructional Materials Allotment and TEKS Certification
A motion was made by Sharon Nelson, seconded by Traci Willoughby to approve the Instructional Materials Allotment and TEKS Certification for the 2016-2017 school year.
The motion carried 6-0.
17. Closed Session
James Greer called for a closed session at 6:57 p.m. under Texas Government Code §551.071, §551.074 and §551.129 for consideration of employment of contracted personnel, resignation/retirement and extended emergency sick leave.
18. Open Session
The Board returned into open session at 7:21 p.m. No action was taken in closed session.
18.1 District Employees and Officers: Texas Government Code §551.071, §551.074 and §551.129
18.1.1 A motion was made by Dan Wilkins, seconded by Traci Willoughby to approve the employment of contracted personnel as recommended by Superintendent Hockenberry.
Kristin Bell, CTE Sports Medicine Instructor/Athletic Trainer – CHS
The motion carried 6-0.
18.1.2 There were no resignations/retirements to be presented.
18.1.3 There were no extended emergency leaves to be presented.
18.1.4 A motion was made by Traci Willoughby, seconded by Daphne LaRock to approve the evaluation of the Superintendent and a two (2) year extension of the Superintendent’s contract until February 10, 2021.
The motion carried 6-0.
19. Adjournment
A motion was made by Dan Wilkins, seconded by Traci Willoughby to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 p.m.
The motion carried 6-0.
