Denver City School Board Meets September 19; Members discuss several issues including setting school colors

by Eric

 

Holding a regularly scheduled monthly meeting, the DCISD School Board joined together on Monday, September 19th at 6:15 PM in the board room to discuss current items within the district.

The first item of business on the agenda was to discuss construction updates.  The school’s architect, Craig Wallace, was unable to attend the meeting so Superintendent Gary Davis provided the board with current updates that he was aware of on the progress of various construction projects.

First on the update date list was the two junior high gyms. The new floors are in place, the painting is finished, carpet on the walls is complete, and the basketball equipment is all in place.  The only item that remains incomplete is the seating.  The bleachers should arrive and be installed by the end of October.

Mr. Davis was also asked about any updates on the ag farm.  He informed the board that there was some dirt work taking place, but that they were still waiting on Excel Energy to move electric poles.

Board member, Connie Lozano, also asked about the high school.  Davis let the board members know that there should be some progress visible to passer-byes by December.  Bids should be going out in October for various projects.  He also informed the board that the district had secured a consultant, and they had already met with Craig Wallace.

The next item that Mr. Davis presented was protecting the Tradition of the School Colors.  He reminded the board that the official school colors are Red and White with light gray being added many years ago.  The color of this gray was compared to that of duct tape gray.  Davis explained to the board that he had met with Athletic Director, Steve Taylor as well as other administrators explaining that from this point forward black would not be a part of the school’s colors.

Davis did go on to say that there would be a few times where black would be the only choice.  All school groups have been informed that any items being considered for ordering that deviate from red, white, or gray, must have the Superintendent’s prior approval.

The board was presented with the decision on whether to make this a procedure or a policy.  Several board members weighed in on this discussion and how much of it would fall on Davis for approval.  Johnette Mansur commented, “I do not want to put any more on Mr. Davis than we have to.”

The board members finally reached a consensus that they wanted to see the school color issue become a policy.  With a motion from Brian Sutton and a second from Robbie Underhill, Davis informed them, that with the help of TASB, he would develop a local policy for them to consider at the October board meeting.

Curriculum Director, Kristy Kostelich, presented information to the board on Performance-Based Monitoring Analysis System (PBMAS).  Out of 41 indicators that were looked at, DCISD did as well or better than the state on 37 of the areas.  The four areas that need improvement where an action plan will need to be put in place are No Child Left Behind, Special Education, ESL, and Career & Technology.

Kostelich was also seeking the board’s approval of District and Campus Improvement Plans.  She informed the board that these plans are supposed to be fluid plans across the district that are continually being worked on and revised.

Cindy Bessire, Four County SSA Director, advised the board that there had been a local policy 106 update for special education.

Davis, Bessire, and Shannon Bressler discussed some future intentions of the district concerning the FCSSA.  Currently DCISD is the fiscal agent for the FCSSA.  Davis was asking for the board to approve a letter to be sent to the superintendents of the other school districts in the FCSSA about the district’s intent to withdraw as the fiscal agent for the co-op.  For additional information on this, see the article in this week’s edition from Davis.

The board was presented with information for approval concerning the local DEAB policy.  This policy concerns auxiliary employees and their accrual of compensatory time.  When these employees accrue extra time, they have to take it within a certain time period or they lose it.

Davis asked the board to approve a policy allowing auxiliary employees to roll over accrued hours from year to year as long as they remain employed by DCISD.  If an auxiliary employee with accrued hours should choose to leave DCISD, then they would only be paid for up to 80 hours of time.  Board member, Robbie Underhill, made a motion to approve this policy and Johnette Mansur seconded this.

After this, Superintendent Gary Davis presented personnel items that included new hires and resignations.

New hires welcomed to the district included Kristian Torres at YCFL and Sarah Childress at the Pool.

The resignation that was accepted was JoAnn Carpenter at Kelley.

The only reassignment presented was Ramona Valdez moving from Dodson Primary to Kelley Elementary.

During the August board meeting, members went in to executive session to discuss a Gift Surface Deed.  Davis asked the board to approve the acceptance of this gift which consists of the land at 10th and Brady.  The deed gives DCISD permission to use the property for organizational or recreational sports as they deem fit to use it.  This land was deeded to DCISD by Occidental Petroleum.

In the Superintendent’s Report, Davis updated the board on TASB convention plans that included hotel accommodations and travel arrangements.

To wrap up the public meeting, Superintendent Gary Davis reminded the board about the date for the Public Hearing on FIRST.  This meeting is set for Monday, October 17, 2016 at 6:15 PM in the DCISD board room with the regular scheduled meeting to immediately follow.

After all the items on the agenda were discussed, Brian Sutton made a motion to go into executive session to discuss a few items.

The next board meeting will be held on Monday, October 17th.

Board members Connie Lozano, Brian Sutton, Russell Dial, Johnette Mansur, and Robbie Underhill along with Board President Brad Woosley were all present. Joey Rodgers was not in attendance.

 

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