M I N U T E S Regular Meeting Board of Trustees SISD Education Center Board Room June 19, 2001 MEMBERS PRESENT Brenda L. Castañeda, President; Barbara Perez-Peña, Vice President; Alfredo Solis, Secretary; Alex Vidales; Isela Rosales; Martha Contreras; Guillermo Gandara; Don P. Schulte, Superintendent MEMBERS ABSENT None CALL TO ORDER President Brenda L. Castañeda called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All members were present. A quorum was present. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: RETIREMENT CEREMONY Armando Sanchez, Secondary Teacher of The Year, assisted Minerva Baumann with the retirement awards. Kathleen Antwine, Barbara A. Brister, Lydia Campos, Mari Cardenas, Patricia Dillon, Dorothy S. Finch, Kay J. Gentry, Doreen Howey, Kathryn A. Lesly, Barbara E. McCarthy, Manny Molina, Betty A. Peck, Joaquin Rey, Charlotte C. Smith, Agnes Walker, Nonna Zambrano were all recognized for their many years of service to the District. RECOGNITION OF FORMER BOARD MEMBERS Bruce A. Truesdale and Irma Sanchez were recognized for their years of service as Board members of the Socorro Independent School District. Mr. Truesdale and Mrs. Sanchez were each presented with an engraved bell. RECESS A recess was called at 6:20 p.m. for a reception in honor of the retirees and former Board members. The meeting resumed at 6:38 p.m. BOARD HONORS James Ryan, Elementary Teacher of The Year, and Armando Sanchez, Secondary Teacher of The Year presented the board honors. Sierra Vista Elementary School first grade student, Adrienne Telles, was recognized for her courage. Adrienne is awaiting a liver transplant and has inspired so many with her tireless courage. Davon Jackson, a fifth grade student at Sierra Vista, was not present but was recognized for helping raise $450.00 to help Adrienne Telles. Socorro High School sophomore, Manny Diaz, was recognized for placing seventh, running hurdles, at the state track and field finals in Austin. Montwood High School senior Jason Arce, regional high jump champion, was recognized. Also recognized was Montwood High School student Anita Quirino for placing seventh in the 1600-
meter run at the state meet. Monique Ortega, a Montwood High School sophomore, was recognized for having the second fastest performance in the state and fourth in the nation in the 3200-meter run at the state track competition in Austin. Track coaches and assistants, Joe Vasquez, Dean Cardon, John Heinlein, Steve Barrera, Ben Guevara and Ernie Espinoza were recognized. Samantha Carillo and Vanessa Duran were recognized for their winning essays on What Ethics Means to Me. Rene Encina was recognized for his performance at the Texas Solo Ensemble Contest. Also recognized for receiving a Division One Rating were the Socorro High School Quartet, Stephen Fernandez, Hector Gallegos, Priscilla Guerrero and Rene Encina. Nancy Burney, who teaches second grade at Jane A. Hambric School, was recognized for her second place award for an essay on creativity in schools. Lorena Diaz and Margie Elaine Virchis were recognized for successfully completing the District s administrative intern program. Montwood High School teachers Cheryl Ferguson, Frances Black and Douglas Black were recognized for being honored by New Mexico State University. They were all recipients of the 2001 French Annual Improvement of Secondary Teaching Award. OPEN FORUM Irma Sanchez, former Board member, expressed concerns about the activities of Board members. Mrs. Sanchez also expressed concerns about the redistricting process. Jean Stinnett, a school counselor, reported on the many activities and responsibilities of District counselors. Ms. Stinnett requested that counselor employment contracts be extended from 197 days to 202 days to help increase efficiency. Velia Lomeli, representing her son who is a 4 th grade student at Benito Martinez Elementary, expressed concerns about her son s academic performance and feels that he is being treated unfairly by campus personnel. Mrs. Lomeli distributed supporting data to Board members for their review. SUPERINTENDENT S REPORTS: TAX REPORT Mary Benham, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, presented the tax report for the month ending April 30, 2001. Collections for the month of April were $226,323 for a total year-to-date of $35,426,465 and in the prior years it was $29,299.45 with a year-to-date of $637,945. Tax collections at this time are at 96.45% and last year at this time it was at 97%. INVESTMENT REPORT Mrs. Benham presented the investment report for the quarter ended April 30, 2001. The beginning book value on February 1 was $128,788,685 and the ending book and market value is $120,350,182. CONSTRUCTION REPORT Raymond Smith, representing CF Jordan, provided the Board with an update on current construction projects.
Mr. Smith reported on the status of the following projects: combo school, cafeteria expansions, parking lot expansions, classroom additions and the new Pre K-8s, Pre K-5s and El Paso Hills. Mr. Smith also reported on the status of pending activities such as re-roofing and library expansions. USP PROGRAM REPORT Cynthia Nations, USP Director, provided the Board with an overview of the Urban Systemic Program. Ms. Nations reported that the program is a three-district collaboration that consists of Socorro ISD, El Paso ISD and Ysleta ISD. EFFECTIVE SCHOOLS REPORT Kathy Antwine, Director of Research and Analysis, provided the Board with a report on the results of the Effective Schools Evaluation. Mrs. Antwine is retiring and Dr. Schulte commended her for many years of service and dedication to the District. BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS REPORT Susan Olson, Director of Budgeting, provided the Board with a detailed report on the budget development process. Mrs. Olson reported on campus requests, department requests, estimated expenditures, estimated revenues, compensation plan status, start-up costs for new campuses, tentative calendar for Board workshops and the adoption of the 2001-2002 budget and property tax rate. Parent Herb De La Rosa requested that the budget department provide notice to the public about upcoming meetings. AQUATICS CENTER REPORT Tom Ruiz, Director of Student Activities Complex, reported on the activities of the aquatics center detailing the different programs that bring in new revenue to the District. Discussion took place regarding fees and transportation costs. MAINTENANCE REPORT Richard Garza, Director of Operational Services, reported on the on-going activities of the maintenance department such as installation of tiles, grounds keeping, land scraping, locating portables, stadium lights, air conditioning, duct work upgrades, gas line testing and the recycling program. Alfredo Solis requested a written report on the activities at Ernesto Serna School. Barbara Perez-Peña inquired about the report on Elfida P. Chavez School. Dr. Schulte reported that the results of the engineering analysis report should be available within a week to ten days. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Barbara Perez-Peña and seconded by Alfredo Solis to approve the May 8, 2001, May 17, 2001 and May 22, 2001 minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously. BOARD MEETING CALENDAR The administration presented a new Board meeting calendar reflecting meetings be held once per month on the third Tuesday of each month. Mr. Solis clarified that this calendar is to establish the regular meetings and does not preclude the Board from calling any special Board meetings as needed. Parent Herb De La Rosa recommended the administration allow community input for the Board meeting calendar and that if one meeting per month is carried out, set some time constraints for the length of each meeting.
A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Guillermo Gandara to approve the Board meeting calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously. AMENDMENT OF POLICY BE The amendment in Policy BE reflects the change from two Board meetings per month to one Board meeting per month. A motion was made by Alfredo Solis and seconded by Barbara Perez-Peña to approve the amendment as presented. The motion carried unanimously. RECLASSIFICATION OF COORDINATOR OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS Ed Gabaldon, Director of Personnel Services presented the Board with a reclassification of the Coordinator of Information Systems. The administration recommended that the position be reclassified to the I-7 Level. A motion was made by Barbara Perez-Peña and seconded by Guillermo Gandara to approve the reclassification as presented. The motion carried unanimously. WAIVER REQUEST Anne Garrett, Director of Special Programs, presented the Board with a waiver request for consideration. Benito Martinez Elementary School has operated a school-wide project type of Title I programming for more than five years. This has been made possible through a waiver to the 50% or above free and reduced lunch numbers rule granted by the TEA. A motion was made by Isela Rosales and seconded by Barbara Perez-Peña to approve the submission of a waiver request to the TEA as presented. The motion carried unanimously. SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT Susan Kelch, Director of Special Education, presented a Shared Services Agreement between the Regional Day School Program for The Deaf (El Paso ISD) and Socorro ISD for Board consideration. A motion was made by Barbara Perez-Peña and seconded by Isela Rosales to approve the agreement as presented. The motion carried unanimously. ACADEMY OF CAREERS IN EDUCATION RESOLUTION Marie Cox, Career & Technology teacher, presented the Board with an overview of the ACE program and presented a resolution for consideration. A motion was made by Alfredo Solis and seconded by Barbara Perez- Peña to approve the resolution as presented. The motion carried unanimously. AGREEMENT WITH EL PASO AREA TEACHERS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Mrs. Benham presented the Board with an agreement between the El Paso Area Teachers Federal Credit Union and the District for use of an ATM machine at the Education Center. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Barbara Perez-Peña to approve the agreement as presented. Parent Herb De La Rosa suggested extending the service to all of the campuses. Discussion took place about the fees involved in the use of the ATM machine. Claudia Green, President of the Credit Union, explained that the ATM machine was coming from the El Paso Independent School District offices and since the EPISD is vacating a building downtown, they no longer need the machine. The motion carried unanimously. CONTRACT LEASE AGREEMENT WITH UTEP Ron Leiman, Director of Athletics, presented a lease agreement for a UTEP Drum and Bugle Corp show at the Student Activities Complex for Board consideration. Montwood High School Band Boosters will be operating concession stands and UTEP has agreed to use the entire Socorro ISD police force. A motion was made by Alex Vidales and seconded by Alfredo Solis to approve the contract as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
PAYMENT OF BILLS Rosemary Ledesma-Ramirez, Director of Business Services, presented a summary of payments as of May 21, 2001. Total payments made in the month of April total $3,244,568. Payments made through May 21, 2001 total $1,901,538. A motion was made by Barbara Perez-Peña and seconded by Isela Rosales to approve the payment of bills as presented. BUDGET AMENDMENTS Susan Olson, Director of Budgeting, presented a total of eleven budget amendments for Board consideration. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Alfredo Solis to approve the budget amendments as presented. The motion carried unanimously. EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL Ed Gabaldon, Director of Personnel Services, presented employment contracts for the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 school years as well as proposed contracts for promotional level personnel. Mr. Vidales asked if the Safety Officer position is a new position. Mr. Gabaldon indicated that it is a new position. A motion was made by Guillermo Gandara and seconded by Martha Contreras to approve the personnel contracts as presented. The motion carried unanimously. AWARDING OF BIDS Mark Vechione, Director of Purchasing, presented a total of eight bids for Board consideration. A motion was made by Barbara Perez-Peña and seconded by Guillermo Gandara to award the bid for Aquatic Center equipment and supplies, CSP No. 199-0516-1027, to Lincoln Equipment, Water Safety Products, Recreonics, Inc., United Industries, Inc., Adolph Kiefer and Associates and Wristbands MedTech USA for a total estimated award of $70,000.00. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Barbara Perez-Peña and seconded by Alfredo Solis to award the bid for chemicals for the Aquatic Center, CSP No. 199-0516-1031, to Southwest Airgas, Inc., Regal Supply and Chemical, Baron Chemical Company, Inc. and Drummond American Corp. for a total bid award of $40,307.95. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Martha Contreras and seconded by Barbara Perez-Peña to award the bid for cafeteria supplies, CSP No. 199-0416-1064, to Regal Supply & Chemical, Southwestern Mill Distributing, Inc. and Baron Chemical Company, Inc. for a total bid award of $201,283.80. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Barbara Perez-Peña and seconded by Alfredo Solis to award the bid for musical instruments, CSP No. 199-0308-1035, to (Section I: Item by Item) Midwest Musical Imports, Wenger Corp., Capshaw Olivas, Kurland Salzman Music, Brook Mays Music, Interstate Music Supply and San Antonio Music/Alamo Music Center, (Section II Repair) Band Instruments: Capshaw Olivas Music Inc., Bertie s Music, Kurland Salzman Music Company String Instruments: Capsahw Olivas Music Inc. and Kurland Salzman Music Company for a total estimated bid award of $125,000.00. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Barbara Perez-Peña and seconded by Martha Contreras to award the bid for classroom furniture, CSP No. 199-0518-1032, to Business Interiors, El Paso Automated Office & Industrial, The Executive Desk and Virco, Inc. for a total estimated bid award of $350,000.00. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Barbara Perez-Peña and seconded by Isela Rosales to award the bid for janitorial supplies, CSP No. 199-0329-1034, to A.C.W. Sales, Baron Chemical Company, Inc., D. Gilmore Distributing Company, Inc., Discount Equipment, El Paso Supply, LLC, Regal Supply & Chemical, Southwestern Mill Distributing and Unisource for a total bid award of $394,862.90. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Barbara Perez-Peña and seconded by Guillermo Gandara to award the bid for sidewalks
for portable classrooms, CSP No. 199-0615-1076, to Tycon for at total bid award of $36,679.00. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Isela Rosales and seconded by Martha Contreras to award the bid for electrical requirements for portable classrooms, CSP No. 199-0615-1077, to High Point Electric for a total bid award of $59,897.00. The motion carried unanimously. CORRECTION OF WARRANTY DEED Larry Baskind, school district attorney, presented a correction to a warranty deed that was filed in 1998 from Socorro ISD to the Lower Valley Water District to correct the legal description on site for sewer lift station for Board consideration. A motion was made by Alex Vidales and seconded by Isela Rosales to approve the correction warranty deed as presented. The motion carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION The meeting was closed at 8:40 p.m. to consult with the school district s attorney regarding pending litigation and legal issues regarding contracts under Texas Government Code Section 551.071 and to hear a report about Epcon, Inc. v. Socorro ISD, Jeannette E. and Jasmine E. special education cases, a report about land acquisition under Texas Government Code Section 551.072 and to discuss personnel issues under Texas Government Code Section 551.074. The meeting was re-opened at 10:45 p.m. Alex Vidales left the meeting during Executive Session. REAL ESTATE Larry Baskind requested the Board consider purchasing real estate for school sites from Dean and Levy, and authorize Board officers to sign real estate contracts and all closing documents to complete the purchase of real estate as presented in Executive Session. A motion was made by Barbara Perez-Peña and seconded by Guillermo Gandara to approve the recommendation by Mr. Baskind. The motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m. Brenda L. Castañeda, President Alfredo Solis, Secretary