President's Report
Bob Ogle President
August 15, 2011 Regular Meeting
The meeting opened at 6:30 PM with The Board leading the Pledge of Allegiance and Pledge to the Texas Flag. There were no commendations this month.
There were 4 visitor comments this month, but no comments from professional organizations.
Mina and Robert O’Connell came and spoke on behalf of home school students. They requested the district allow home schoolers to take select and occasional classes from the district. They provided information regarding their experience with this in Florida as well as information from several other districts in Texas that allow this relationship between public schools and home schools. They pointed out that it is a local decision and policy would need to be drafted. They provided a folder with sample policies/information from other districts.
- Rich Sena came and spoke regarding the possible bond proposal. He spoke as community member and as someone who had served on the Long Range Planning Committee. He felt the there were political issues to consider and had concerns that there were only 84 days from this meeting to the bond election if ordered for November. He asked the board to compare the economies of 2004 when the last bond was passed and this year. He did reiterate that the committee felt strongly about a new Fabra.
- Catherine Ferrell also spoke on behalf of home schoolers. She pointed out that she had included information in the packet we received earlier about funding and Texas Education Code. She indicated that the law had originally been adapted for potential drop out students who might need to attend public school only part time.
- Doug Harzler also spoke as a community member and member of Long Range Planning Committee regarding the bond. He expressed concern for the amount of $94 million being too big for the community. He felt a November bond would be difficult and suggested reconvening the Long Range Planning Committee and possibly even suggesting 2 bond packages. He also commented about adding WiFi capabilities to the board room for access to people not attending the meetings.
Assistant Superintendent of Finance Bruce Revell conducted the 2nd budget hearing and went over tax reports which showed BISD to be pretty much on target for this time of year. There were no comments from the audience regarding the budget, so the board adopted the budget as presented. The budget will be $61,823,640 and the fund balance for the general fund is estimated to be $8.2 million. Tax collections were a little ahead of last year by 65% and donations (as part of the Consent Agenda) amounted to $6,185.07 this month.
Dr. Cockrill mentioned that 31 new teachers had been in training and there 55 various staff developments scheduled over the next 2 days. He then allowed others from Central Office to give reports relevant to their areas. Sandra Radtke gave a presentation on the TAKS scores and accountability ratings. She pointed out the changes that occurred this year, which affected all districts in Texas. The district is rated Recognized this year with the following schools’ individual ratings: Boerne High School - Recognized, Champion High School – Recognized, Boerne Middle School North – Acceptable, Boerne Middle School South – Recognized, Cibolo Creek Elementary – Exemplary, Curington Elementary – Acceptable, Fabra Elementary – Recognized, Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary – Exemplary, Kendall Elementary – Acceptable. She highlighted the exemplary elements for each campus, since each campus scored exceptionally well overall. Reasons for possible declines in ratings from last year had to do with the Texas Projection Measure (TPM) being eliminated and a few areas where only a few students might not have met the required mark.
Dr. Biediger, co-chair of the SHAC (School Health Advisory Committee) presented. By law, the Board must consult with the SHAC. She updated the Board on committee activities over the past year. Most noted were the bills passed by the 82nd Legislature that the district must pay attention to. There are 5 new house bills and 6 new senate bills. The district is already in compliance with each new legislation. Dr. Biediger pointed out some great accomplishments such as Fabra Elementary receiving an $8,000 grant for a sun shade for the playground. Discussion also followed regarding other elementaries applying for similar grants. Dr. Biediger pointed out that many grants were available. This particular grant was very competitive and Fabra was one of 2 Texas schools out of 33 across the nation to receive the grant. Sub-committees expanded their focus this year. Dr. Biediger is stepping down as co-chair, and Carrie Green will take her place.
Following was a very lengthy conversation regarding the possible bond issue. This discussion carried on from previous discussions held from the bond workshop that the board held the prior week. The administration provided the board with more detailed reports with line item expenses for each portion of the bond. The board received another tax rate analysis at the actual rate we are receiving taxes, which had a more favorable outlook, even on a possible $95 million projected bond amount. For any of the analyses received, there would appear to be no tax increase on the I&S side with the $95 million proposed. All principals and the 2 academic deans from BHS and CHS were in attendance in the event questions were asked. They all received a number of clarifying questions, including enrollment numbers, growth, the needs at the elementaries and further explanations of larger items (gyms, CATE area, band hall, etc.) Jeff Haberstroh also provided another handout comparing the cost of building some gyms and elementary schools in the Northside and Northeast ISDs to the listed costs on the proposed BISD bond. At the conclusion of discussion, Jeff Haberstroh said he would file the appropriate permits in the event the board decided to pursue a November bond. The discussion ended with the likelihood of a another special meeting on August 29th to decide what to do about calling a bond.
Jennifer Christianson was named the delegate for the Delegate Assembly of the TASA/TASB conference in September/October. Committee reports followed:
Alan Rich pointed out that the audit committee was lined up to be on track for presenting its report and looking into areas of possible improvement by the time they need to later in the fall.
Jennifer Christianson pointed out that the Boerne Star published the back to school information in Spanish after Marcy Voss, Elizabeth Nolen and Vanessa worked hard to get the information translated. Parents would be available at meet the teacher nights with shirts and buttons to help out any families needing help in Spanish. These were all based on suggestions from the prior year. A meeting would be set for September to work on the goals established last April.
The Consent Agenda was approved with a couple changes. It included the budget amendments, approval of vendors for charter bus services, interlocal participation agreements, and Math GPS, approval of the PDAS Appraisal Calendar, changes to the Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook for 2011-2012, first reading of TASB Update 90, and substitute pay schedule.
Craig Radtke asked the board to pull out DEC Local for consideration at a later date. He will also look into wording in policy FNF related to wording changes in the Drug-And-Alcohol Testing Policy. TASB changed wording that should have also been reflected later within the policy. Additional changes were to the substitute pay schedule. The proposed amount for certified substitutes’ pay was changed from $75 to $80 and approved then as part of the Consent Agenda.
Additionally, short conversation ensued regarding the location of the Policy Online on the BISD website as referred to in the Student Code of Conduct. Also, Jennifer Christianson and Bob Ogle had different comments regarding the dress code and male hair in the Student Handbook. Sandra Radtke gave a short explanation of how the hair length had come to be through different superintendents. The item would be looked at possibly for next year.
Under Unfinished/New Business the board was apprised that work began on the BHS entrance/intersection in June and that there was a 25% chance it would not be completed by school start; however, all parties were well aware and looking for solutions. The board also approved changes to the BISD local graduation requirements such that the Technology Credit be expanded to allow credit for successful completion of all CTE classes. Don Tillis also updated the board on a chiller that had just gone out at BMSS. They would have a temporary fix for the next day and a solution within several days.
The meeting ended accepting 2 resignations and hiring 7 new teachers. Carla Hartman and Fristin Montague resigned.
The following were hired with one year certified administrator probationary contracts: Amy Coale, replacing Denita Lewis, Michelle Hubbard, replacing Jill Oxford, Brittney Kerr, replacing Kristin Montague, Robert Martin as new German teacher for BHS, Sarah McCoy, replacing Linda Chitwood, Brandee Morvent, replacing Peggy Lindenborn and Dr. Maria Rosen as a 4th grade dual language teacher at Fabra. The meeting ended around midnight.
Respectivley Submitted,
Board Secretary
