M I N U T E S Regular Meeting Board of Trustees Education Center Board Room July 23, 2002

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1 M I N U T E S MEMBERS PRESENT Craig A. Patton, President; Martha Contreras Vice President; Alex Vidales, Secretary; Brenda L. Castañeda; Guillermo Gandara; Barbara Perez-Peña; Isela Rosales; Dr. Don P. Schulte, Superintendent MEMBERS ABSENT None CALL TO ORDER President Craig A. Patton called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM. All members were present. A quorum was present. BOARD HONORS (PRESENTED BY ROBERT CASAO) Security Guard Moises Garcia and Special Education Aide Criselda Gonzalez, who responded quickly when a student had a seizure while eating lunch last spring, were recognized. Troy Herbort, head of the Socorro High School Drama Department, who started a local chapter of the Cappies review program, which teaches students to review other school s shows and gets them published in the local media, was recognized. The following members of the Assistant Principal s Academy were recognized for the hours that they ve earned: Robert Abdou, Isabel Andreson, Carlos Amato, Kim Baxter, Jesus Beltran, Lucia Borrego, Rosemary Carreon, Jesus Chavez, Susan Cook, Carmen Gonzalez, Lucy Guzman, Sam Hogue, Janet Levine, Cynthia Luna, Belinda Lujan, Bernadette Ochoa, Irma Rodriguez, Leticia Salas, Maureen Tipton and Oscar Troncoso. The following members received completion certificates: Elena Acosta, Ellen Brewer, Elizabeth Foust, Robert Hood, Chelaine Marion, Valerie Montoya, Lorena Sandoval and Jean Tenison. Four SISD schools (Col. John O. Ensor Middle School, Capt. Walter E. Clarke Middle School, Myrtle Cooper Elementary School and Vista Del Sol Elementary School) were recognized for receiving a total of $4,700 from the Texas Successful School Award System. Three Americas High School graduates Jorge Escobedo, Jose Esparza and Tim Shaughnessy) were recognized for bringing home the SkillsUSA-Vocational Industrial Clubs of America s second highest national award. OPEN FORUM Robert Valles addressed the Board to follow up on his two requests for information from the District. He stated that he is not asking for information regarding personnel issues, only on the fine arts programs. Mr. Patton stated that the Open Records Act is a very complex set of laws and suggested that the District s attorney speak directly with Mr. Valles to explain which records can be provided and which records cannot be provided. Ron Thompson addressed the Board regarding character qualities in leadership. Mr. Thompson stated that various administrator s in the District have made decisions which have adversely affected the education of students.

2 SUPERINTENDENT S REPORTS TAX REPORT Mary Benham, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, provided Board members with the tax collection analysis for the month of June The collections in June for the current year total $128, with year to date totaling $40,502, The prior year taxes collected in the month were $115, and year to date prior year was $957, The tax collection in April was at 97.99%. Tax collection at the same time last year was 98%. CONSTRUCTION REPORT Miguel Teran, of CF Jordan, updated the Board on the progress of construction projects in the District. Mr. Teran reported on the status of on-going projects as well as new projects. Mr. Teran reported on: Bill Sybert Elementary; Loma Verde Elementary; Montwood High School Fine Arts Facility; Salvador Sanchez Fine Arts Facility; Hueco Elementary classroom additions; H.D. Hilley classroom additions; Socorro Middle School Fine Arts Facility; El Dorado High School; PK-8 Ranchos Del Sol; PK-5 Expandable El Paso Hills; Alterations to the Montwood High School Field House; and the Socorro High School training facility. MAINTENANCE REPORT Mario Aguilar, Assistant Superintendent of Operational Services, reported on the activities of the various maintenance departments in Operational Services. Mr. Aguilar provided Board members with highlights of projects taking place during intercession in preparation for the new school year. He also reported that he presented the building permit for El Paso Hills at the Socorro City Council meeting and they unanimously agreed to waive 80% of the permit fee, an $8,000 savings to the District. Mrs. Perez-Peña raised concerns regarding the cobblestone that should have been removed from Ernesto Serna School. Discussion took place regarding the structural problems at some of the other campuses. Mr. Aguilar reported that the District is currently working on those issues. CONSENT AGENDA The administration withdrew one name from the Employment of Personnel from the consent agenda and a correction was made regarding the Board Meeting Minutes. (July 16, 2002 was replaced by July 9, 2002) Martha Contreras requested that item E-4 (Bid for Vehicles CSP No ) be withdrawn for individual consideration. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Barbara Perez-Peña to approve items on the consent agenda. The motion carried unanimously. Items approved under the consent agenda are the minutes of the June 10, June 18, June 24 and July 9, 2002 Board of Trustees meetings; employment of personnel (with the exception of one name which was withdrawn by the administration); budget amendments; payment of bills; and awarding of bids (Property Valuation Appraisal Services, Science Laboratory Equipment II, Cafeteria Supplies, Socorro Student Activity Complex Sound System Upgrade, Remote Telecommunications Equipment, Ted Houghton Drive & Loma Verde Drive Street & Drainage Improvements). Mrs. Contreras raised safety concerns regarding the bid for District vehicles (Crown Victoria). Mr. Vechione reported that these vehicles are 2003 models. Dr. Schulte stated that the Administration will look into the safety issues of these cars prior to any purchases. A motion was made by Barbara Perez-Peña and seconded by Isela Rosales to approve the bid award as 2

3 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: ASSOCIATION OF GENERAL CONTRACTORS (AGC PRESENTATION) Gary Olmstead, Executive Director of the AGC, introduced Director, Tim Counts, who provided Board members with highlights of the AGC Apprenticeship Training Program. MONTWOOD WELLNESS CENTER Dr. Gilbert Handal provided Board members with in-depth information regarding the Montwood Wellness Center. Dr. Handal reported on the many aspects, components, objectives and the integration of health care and education of the Wellness Center. Mrs. Contreras expressed her concerns regarding the payment of the Center s custodial and utility bills by Socorro ISD. Mr. Gandara expressed concerns regarding the difference between the Kellogg Clinic and the Wellness Center and the needs of the residents in the Lower Valley. Community members provided input as to the need in the Montwood High School and Americas High School feeder patterns and the district as a whole. Mrs. Perez-Peña commended Dr. Handal and the Wellness Center on their programs and accomplishments. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT WITH TEXAS TECH FOR MONTWOOD WELLNESS CENTER Charles Vass, Area Executive Director, stated that the Administration s recommendation was to table this item. Discussion took place regarding the contract and the importance of communicating information to Board members. Community member, Betty Vigil signed up to address this agenda item. Ms. Vigil has been a volunteer with Socorro ISD for twelve years and stated that she was in opposition to the termination of the contract. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Alex Vidales to approve table the agenda item. The motion carried with Guillermo Gandara, Alex Vidales, Martha Contreras and Craig Patton voting aye and Barbara Perez-Peña, Brenda Castañeda and Isela Rosales voting no. The meeting was closed for a short recess at 8:17 PM. The meeting reopened at 8:30 PM COMPENSATION PLAN Susan Olson, Director of Budgeting, presented the Compensation Plan for Board consideration. Mrs. Olson stated the Administration s recommendations as: for teachers, librarians, nurses and speech therapists an $800 increase in entry level for all teacher pay blocks; for teachers with 28+ years an additional $200 for a total of $1,000; for administrators a 2.5% increase off the midpoint and all others a three percent increase off the midpoint. Glenda Hawthorne, President of the Socorro Education Association, signed up to speak to this agenda item. Ms. Hawthorne thanked the administration for the work and planning that went into the compensation plan. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Alex Vidales to approve the Compensation Plan as 3

4 SUBSTITUTE RATE Susan Olson presented proposed daily substitute rates for Board consideration. The impact of the rate increase on the budget is $150,000. The administration recommended the approval of the daily substitute rates for and the elimination of the current substitute incentive rate schedule. A motion was made by Alex Vidales and seconded by Martha Contreras to approve the substitute rates as TIF GRANT APPLICATION FOR COL. JOHN O. ENSOR SCHOOL Debbie Livingston, Principal of Col. John O. Ensor Middle School, presented a request to submit an application for a TIF grant. The grant is to help increase the proficiency in the integration and use of technology into the classroom. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Barbara Perez-Peña to approve the TIF grant as NOTICE OF INTENT TO CONTRACT FOR LEASE PURCHASE Larry Baskind, School District Attorney, presented a request for authorizing the publication of Notice of Intent to Contract for the Lease Purchase of School District Facilities to be used as a transportation center. Dan Roseveare, Vice President of First Southwest Company, reviewed the use of revenue bonds and credit ratings. Dr. Schulte recommended that the Board include this as part of a future bond issue package to retire this debt as soon as possible. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Alex Vidales to approve the Notice of Intent as CHARACTER EDUCATION GRANT Joanne Houchin, Grant Writer, and Hilda Lopez, Director of Guidance and Counseling presented the Board with information regarding a grant for character education through the U.S. Department of Education. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Alex Vidales to approve the grant as MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Dr. Schulte recommended that the Memorandum of Understanding with the Stupski Family Foundation be tabled. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Brenda Castañeda to table the item. The motion carried unanimously. INCREASE IN GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE (DANTEX CONSTRUCTION COMPANY) Miguel Teran presented information regarding an increase of the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the new PK-5 Expandable/El Paso Hills submitted by Dantex Construction Company. Mr. Teran reported that after all of the bids were opened, the amounts came in higher than expected. There was an added increase in the scope of work from 85% completion of drawings to 100% completion of drawings. 4

5 A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Barbara Perez-Peña to approve the increase in the GMP as presented. The motion carried with a vote of six to one, with the one opposing vote by Alex Vidales. VIDEOTAPING BOARD MEETINGS Minerva Baumann, Director of Communications, presented Board members with an outline of a plan for videotaping Socorro ISD Board meetings. Ms. Baumann stated that this endeavor would utilize existing staff and a small amount of equipment repair and a few supplies which should cost approximately $1,500. Discussion took place regarding the process. Craig Patton shared his belief that as elected officials, Board members should inform the public as to why they are voting for or against something. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Craig Patton to approve the plan for videotaping Board meetings as presented. The motion failed with Martha Contreras and Craig Patton voting aye, Brenda Castañeda, Barbara Perez-Peña, Alex Vidales and Isela Rosales voting no and Guillermo Gandara abstaining. ADDENDUM ITEM: PROPOSED INCREASE TO JC GENERAL CONTRACTORS CONTRACT The administration recommended that this item be tabled. A motion was made by Barbara Perez-Peña and seconded by Martha Contreras to table the item. The motion carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION The meeting was closed at 8:59 PM to discuss personnel issues and to hear a report from the school district s attorney regarding possible litigation against Mekeli Ieremia, Michael Rhinehardt and others to recover School District funds under Texas Government Code Sections and Barbara Perez-Peña left the meeting at 9:35 PM. The meeting was reopened at 10:00 PM. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL POSITIONS Dr. Schulte recommended the appointment of Charles Brown as assistant principal of Montwood High School. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded Guillermo Gandara to approve the recommendation as presented. The motion was approved unanimously. Dr. Schulte recommended the appointment of Miguel Serrano as assistant principal of Socorro High School. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Guillermo Gandara to approve the recommendation as Dr. Schulte recommended the appointment of Carlos Ramirez as assistant principal of Clarke Middle School. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Alex Vidales to approve the recommendation as presented. The motion carried with Guillermo Gandara, Craig Patton, Martha Contreras and Alex Vidales voting aye and Brenda Castañeda and Isela Rosales voting no. Dr. Schulte recommended the appointment of Lorenza Diaz as assistant principal of Robert Rojas Elementary School. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Isela Rosales to approve the recommendation of as 5

6 Dr. Schulte recommended Arturo Gonzales as assistant principal of Myrtle Cooper Elementary School. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Guillermo Gandara to approve the recommendation as presented. The motion carried with Guillermo Gandara, Craig Patton, Martha Contreras and Alex Vidales voting aye and Brenda Castañeda and Isela Rosales voting no. Dr. Schulte recommended Carolyn Thomas as assistant principal of Vista Del Sol Elementary School. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Alex Vidales to approve the recommendation as ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:10 PM. THESE MINUTES WERE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON AUGUST 20,