Denver City School Board Meets June 19

by admin

The DCISD school board came together for a regular board meeting on Monday, June 19th at 6:15 PM.

The first new business item on the agenda, was a construction presentation by Craig Wallace. He informed the board that the new Ag Farm is about 95% complete. He provided pictures to the board of the new pig and steer barns. They are still working on the pens, steer barns, and steel panels on the inside along with work being done on the wash bays. The original construction included eight wash bays, but these will be split that will double the area.

Wallace also provided the board with information and pictures on the progress of the new high school which is at about 30% completion. The basement blocking of the basement is complete, and steel will be going up by the end of this month or the beginning of next month.  Area around the basement is partially back filled. Included in the basement will be a 14-foot ceiling. In the next month to 60 days, steel will begin going up for the auditorium. The 2nd floor of the school will include a storage area that is equivalent to 4 classrooms. The elevator will reach the roof to allow for easier access for maintenance personnel.

Information was given on the Heating and Air Conditioning system in the new high school. The pipe is welded and all in the ceiling. If all the pipe was laid out end to end, it would be equivalent to about two miles. Board Member, Cody Williams, expressed, “The pipe concerns me. What is the maintenance of this going to be with our water running through these pipes?”  School construction consultant, Dag Azam, and Wallace both assured Williams that this system was top notch and is what is used in many hotels these days. Azam informed the board that all the water is treated and conditioned. He added that each classroom will have its own thermostat.

According to Wallace, if the school went with a system like they currently have, it would require 125 air units to be on top of the roof. This pipe type system should pay for itself in about ten years.

The staff from the administration building was given a recent tour by Wallace and Azam of the current construction. When they entered the area that will include the foyer and the offices for the high school, Irene Pena stated, “There is a lot of wow right here!”

Next on the agenda was a discussion about Student and Staff lunch prices for the 2017-2018 school year. A proposal was made to increase student lunches at the Kelley-Dodson campus from $1.85 to $1.95, increase staff lunches to $4.00, and to leave the Mustang Cafeteria lunch price at the current $2.10. This passed unanimously.

Kellie Adams gave a SHAC report and a FFA Student Welfare Wellness and Health Services report to the board. This committee is made up of teachers, parents, and administration.  Adams said these meetings are well attended and wanted to thank the committee for all their hard work. The SHAC committee held four meetings during the 2016-2017 school year that mainly revolved around safety but also includes nutrition and wellness. DCISD underwent a safety audit in April 2017 where they received a clear report. The SHAC committee will be involved in the writing of the school’s H2S contingency plan where they will be consulting with Oxy about this plan. Adams said that it should be written by mid-July.

In addressing the FFA Student Welfare Wellness and Health Services, Adams informed the board that the SHAC committee would also be writing this plan. Board member David Mitchell asked if there were going to be any changes with nutrition in the schools since there is a new President. Mr. Davis told everyone that he has heard that there will be but has not seen any at this time. Mrs. Adams stated, “The main thing that we hear from students and parents is that the students come home hungry every day.”

South Plains School Workers’ Compensation Program that is provided by Edwards Risk Management, Inc. was next on the agenda. This information was presented by new DCISD Business Manager LaChrisa Rains. She said DCISD has been with this company out of Marble Falls for three years and they have been prompt in helping with any of the district’s needs. Rains also informed the board that DCISD has received a compensation refund check for the last nine years. The company is also offering a 3-year guaranteed rate of .41%. A motion was made by board member Robbie Underhill with a second by Jess Roberts to stay with this company.

A Policy Update 108, affecting (LOCAL) policies, was presented by Davis. The main change was the update of verbiage.

Curriculum Director, Kristy Kostelich, gave a report on the Parental Involvement Policy.  These policies are required for all title programs. Parental involvement for the district is discussed by Kostelich at the Site Base Committee meetings that are held throughout the school year.

DCISD Technology Director Jerry Fortenberry was on hand to talk about the district’s Internet Content Filter program, iBoss. In order for the district to receive e-rate funds each year, they must comply with CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act). This is done by having a filter program in place on all technology that is accessed through the school’s Wi-Fi. In the past, Lightspeed had been the district’s filter system until Google started encrypting so many things.  After about 4-6 weeks, Lightspeed was not able to keep up with all the encryption, so Fortenberry switched over to the iBoss filter system to give it a try. He reported that this filter has been working much better and meeting the needs of the district. A motion was made to approve this change and to continue using iBoss.

Before Superintendent Gary Davis presented personnel items that included new hires resignations, and a contract revision, board member Robbie Underhill made a motion to go into executive session.  Board member Jess Roberts followed with a second.

After a short 36-minute executive session, the board returned to open session where there was a motion made by Roberts and a second by David Mitchell on the following personnel items. New hires welcomed to the district include Erica Wheat – HS Special Education, Patricia Rawls – Kelley 4th reading, Jessica Gonzalez – 6th English, Lauren Hamilton – 6th Reading, Gloria McLuckie – HS Theater Arts, Jeff Boggan – JH Technology, and James “Chief” Bridgforth – DCISD Athletic Director.

The resignations that were accepted included Jennifer Galvan at Dodson Primary and Jordana Minjarez at Kelley Elementary.

Reassignments approved by the board were Joaquin (Jack) Garcia from high school SPED to the swimming pool director, Maggie Ybanez to the Business Office, and Treon Minall to HS Special Education.

In the Superintendent’s Report, Davis informed the board that the Summer Recreation Program was going great and had about 300-340 students attending. He also stated that summer school was winding down and STAAR retests were taking place at different campuses.

Preliminary Budget information was presented to the board by LaChrisa Rains. She talked to them about the District’s Expenditures for Employee’s Health Insurance Premiums for the 2017-2018 school year, the Teacher Salary Schedule, and the consideration of raises for administrators and auxiliary personnel. During this preliminary discussion, Brad Woosley, Board President stated, “I like the fact that we have always been able to provide health insurance for the employees.” Davis informed the board that Texas Governor, Greg Abbott had called a special session and after this session the board will continue to discuss budget information. A budget workshop has been set for the board during late July.

Davis updated the board on TASB Convention information, and New Board Member Training was set for June 27th from 5-7 PM.

The next board meeting will be held on Monday, July 17, 2017 at 6:00 PM.

President Brad Woosley, Vice President Robbie Underhill, along with board members David Mitchell, Jess Roberts, and Cody Williams were present. Johnette Mansur and Russell Dial were not in attendance.

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