Minutes of Regular Board Meeting September 12, 2017

The Board of Trustees
Texas City Independent School District

Members Present:	Hal Biery, President
David Moss, Vice President
Melba Anderson
Dickey Campbell
Nakisha Paul
Mable Pratt

 Absent  		 Bryan Thompson

 Present:	         	Dr. Rodney Cavness, Superintendent
Susan Myers, Deputy Superintendent of Education
Margaret Lee, Assistant Superintendent for Business & Operations

			Florence Adkins, La Marque Middle School Principal
Erica Allen, Principal of Heights Elementary
Anne Anderson, Director of Instructional Programs 
                                   James Banks, Executive Director of Technology
			Stephany Brown, Assistant Principal of La Marque Primary
Dr. Terri Burchfield, Executive Director of Support Services
Keyonna Butler, TCISD Student
Lisa Campbell, Director of Student Data
 			Debbie Fuller, Principal of Guajardo Elementary
			Tony Furman, Principal of Levi Fry Intermediate 
Joseph Figarelli, Director of Fine Arts
Felicia Garrett, Principal of Levi Fry Intermediate
Marion Godeaux, Executive Director of Maintenance 
Jack Haralson, Assistant Director of Maintenance &Operations
Marcus Higgs, Executive Director of Human Resources
David Hodgins, District Attorney Thompson & Horton LLP
Nathan Jackson, Director of Stu. Outreach Intervention
Don Jones, Assistant Principal of Woodrow Wilson
Holly LaRoe, Principal of Texas City High School 
Adriana Lyle, Executive Administrative Assistant
Patti Martin, Principal of La Marque Primary
			 Ricky Nicholson, Principal of La Marque High School
Wendy Patterson, Principal of Roosevelt Wilson Elementary
Donna Peterson, Director of Special Education
Matthew Salley, Principal of Kohfeldt Elementary
Barbara Sharp, Director of Finance
Julie Southworth, Director of Sec. Education
Janai Smith, TCISD Student
Leland Surovik, Director of Athletics
Melissa Tortorici, Director of Communications
John VanDever, Director of Nutrition Services
			Sharon Williams, Principal of La Marque Elementary
Susan Wilson, Principal of Calvin Vincent Headstart
Kelley Woods, TCISD Parent

A Regular Board Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Texas City Independent School District was held Tuesday, September 12, 2017, beginning at 6:30 PM in the Simpson Education Support Center Board Room.

1.	First Order of Business		
A.	Announcement by the President whether a quorum is present, that the meeting has been duly called and notice of the meeting has been posted for the time and manner required by law

Mr. Hal Biery, President, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Biery announced that a quorum was present, that the meeting had been duly called, and notice of the meeting had been posted in the time and manner required by law.
		
2.	Pledge & Invocation

Mrs. Mable Pratt, Board Member, led the pledges to the flags.  
Ms. Melba Anderson, Board Member, gave the invocation.
		
3.	Public Forum

One-community members spoke during Public Forum 

•	Mrs. Janai Smith, Community Member, spoke regarding:
1.	The relocation of La Marque Schools due to Hurricane Harvey 
2.	La Marque Primary half-day vs. full day Pre-K.		
4.	Action		
A.	Discussion and possible board action to approve Resolution extending time for approval or disapproval of pending application from Gulf Coast Ammonia LLC, Texas Comptroller File No 1147, for Agreement for Limitation on Appraised Value of Property for School District Maintenance and Operations Taxes

Mrs. Margaret Lee, Assistant Superintendent for Business & Operations, reviewed the Gulf Coast Ammonia LLC’s request for an extension to December 31, 2017, for the Board to take final action on their pending Agreement for Limitation on Appraised Value of Property for School District Maintenance and Operations Taxes. Mr. Dickey Campbell, Board Member, made a motion to accept the request for an extension from Gulf Coast Ammonia. Mr. David Moss, Vice President, seconded the motion. The motion carried 6/0.
		
B.	Consider approval of minutes for Board meetings held 8/1/17, 8/8/17, 8/15/17 and 8/30/17

Ms. Melba Anderson, Board Member, moved to approve the minutes held 8/1/17, 8/8/17, 8/15/17 and 8/30/17.  Mr. David Moss, Vice President, seconded the motion. The motion carried 6/0.
		
5.	Information Items		
A.	Consider services of Chapter 313 consulting team consisting of Jigsaw Consulting and Powell & Leon for future Chapter 313 agreements

Dr. Rodney Cavness, Superintendent, explained that TCISD is contracted with Moak Casey & Associated and O’Hanlon, Mccollom & Demerath to negotiate and provide consultation during the application process with Gulf Coast Ammonia LLC. Dr. Cavness is recommending the use of Jigsaw Consulting and Powell & Leon to provide similar services for future and upcoming Chapter 313 consulting and negotiations.  The District will continue with the current team for the completion of the Gulf Coast Ammonia Agreement. The company will submit an application fee with their 313 application. The application will cover the cost of the service provided by Jigsaw Consulting and Powell & Leon, so there is no direct cost to the District.

B.	Review for Approval of New Positions in TCISD

Mr. Marcus Higgs, Executive Director of Human Resources, recommended adding one REACH Credit Recovery Teacher 2017-2018 at La Marque High School. This new position will be funded with 100% title funds.
		
C.	Review 2017 Accountability Ratings

Mrs. Susan Myers, Deputy Superintendent of Education, reviewed the 2017 State Accountability Charts for TCISD and the district’s campuses. Each chart presented depicts how the campus/district performed on each of the four accountability indexes. Index 1 measures Student Achievement; Index 2 measures Student Progress, Index 3 measures progress toward Closing the Achievement Gap, and Index 4 measures Postsecondary Readiness.  Mrs. Myers explained that under the current accountability system, each campus/district receives the rating of Met Standard or Not Met Standard. The district and all district campuses rated have received the rating of Met Standard for 2017.
		
D.	Review for approval the TEA Missed School Day Waiver for Hurricane Harvey

Mrs. Susan Myers, Deputy Superintendent of Education, reported that due to the effects of Hurricane Harvey, TCISD students missed the following scheduled school days:

August 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, and September 1, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Subsequently, we will submit a waiver request through the TEA Waiver system, which will allow us to include 420 waiver minutes for each of the ten missed instructional days. 
		
E.	Review  request for Designation  of TCISD Trustee to Serve as TASB Delegate and Alternate

Item 7.C. was pulled to be voted on separately.

7. C.  Designation of TCISD Trustee to Serve as TASB Delegate and Alternate

Dr. Rodney Cavness, Superintendent, presented a request from TASB asking the school board to select one delegate and one alternate to serve as a TASB Delegate. Mr. David Moss, Vice President, made a motion to select Mr. Hal Biery as the Delegate that would represent TCISD and Ms. Nakisha Paul as the alternate to serve. Mrs. Mable Pratt, Board Member, seconded the motion. The motion carried 6/0.
		
F.	Review Implementation of Hurricane Harvey Student Relocation Plan

Mrs. Susan Myers, Deputy Superintendent of Education, explained that several of our facilities sustained substantial damage from the flood waters associated with Hurricane Harvey. Due to the length of time, it will take contractors to remediate and repair La Marque Primary, La Marque Elementary, and La Marque Middle School, Mrs. Myers stated that it would be necessary for us to relocate the students enrolled on those campuses. Mrs. Myers presented the following  relocation plan: 

		
G.	Review August 2017 financial reports

Mrs. Margaret Lee, Assistant Superintendent for Business & Operations, presented the following financial reports:		
			
1.	General Fund Operating Statement		
2.	LFAA Operating Statement		
3.	Nutrition Services Operating Statement		
4.	Expenditures by Function - All		
5.	Expenditures by Function – 1XX		
6.	Expenditures by Function – Head Start		
7.	Check Register – All		
8.	Check Register – Head Start		
9.	Investment Report		
10.	Tax Collector Report		
H.	Review contracts requiring Board approval

Mrs. Margaret Lee, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations, reviewed the following contract for approval. 
		
1.	Edgenuity – Site Licenses $54,575		
2.	Soaring with Eagles – 21st Century Program $205,000		
3.	TASB Unemployment – Unemployment insurance $44,125		
4.	YAMO – 21st Century Program $52,000		
I.	Review contracts less than $50,000

Mrs. Margaret Lee, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations, reviewed the following contracts for approval with the value greater than $50,000:
		
1.	Capture the World Photography – 21st Century Program $15,000		
2.	Coast 2 Coast Soccer – 21st Century Program $26,400		
3.	Bailey Military – 21st Century Program $40,000		
4.	Developing Minds – 21st Century Program $10,000		
5.	Discovery Streaming – Streaming Resources $10,160		
6.	Golf Scholars – 21st Century Program $12,000		
7.	K B Meals – 21st Century Program $0		
8.	Painting with a Twist – 21st Century Program $15,000		
9.	Unique Learning Systems – STAAR Alt II Curriculum $15,994		
10.	UTMB – 21st Century Program		
11.	Weaver Assurance – Engagement to prepare revised audit schedules relating to Valero settlement $8,000
		
J.	Present Facilities Report

Mr. Danny Duran, Powel Environmental, explained that Powel Environmental handles environmental remediation and demolition work. Mr. Duran began by saying that they started with the drying of water damage, then proceeded to content manipulation, testing moisture and the cleaning of anything that was touched by the water, finally demolition which may expose other areas that may need to be addressed before any reconstruction occurs. Currently, there is not a set schedule, Mr. Duran explained that they are still in the drying process. 
		
6.	Business/Legal/Finance Consent Agenda

Mr. Dickey Campbell, Board Member, moved to approve items A, B, C, D (1-10), E (1-4), and F (1)). Ms. Melba Anderson, Board Member, seconded the motion. The motion carried 6/0.
		
A.	Consider approval of Jigsaw Consulting and Powel & Leon for future Chapter 313 consulting services		
B.	Consider approval, granting an extension to the Superintendent of Schools, authority to hire professional personnel in the month of September 2017		
C.	Consider approval of New Positions in Texas City ISD		
D.	Consider approval of August 2017 financial reports		
1.	General Fund Operating Statement		
2.	LFAA Operating Statement		
3.	Nutrition Services Operating Statement		
4.	Expenditures by Function - All		
5.	Expenditures by Function – 1XX		
6.	Expenditures by Function – Head Start		
7.	Check Register – All		
8.	Check Register – Head Start		
9.	Investment Report		
10.	Tax Collector Report		
E.	Consider approval of contracts requiring Board approval		
1.	Edgenuity – Site Licenses $54,575		
2.	Soaring with Eagles – 21st Century Program $205,000		
3.	TASB Unemployment – Unemployment insurance $44,125		
4.	YAMO – 21st Century Program $52,000		
F.	Consider approval of Gifts / Donations		
1.	Foundation		
7.	Curriculum & Instruction Consent Agenda

Ms. Melba Anderson, Board Member, moved to approve items A and B. Ms. Nakisha Paul, Board Member, seconded the motion. The motion carried 6/0
		
A.	Consider approval of 2017-2018 T–TESS Appraisal Calendar and Appraisers		
B.	Consider for approval the TEA Missed School Day Waiver for Hurricane Harvey		
8.	Future Business		
A.	Future Agenda Items		
B.	Consider report by Superintendent and/or Board members regarding previous or upcoming activities for Board members

Dr. Rodney Cavness, Superintendent, thanked Administrators for all their hard work and the Board for their support.
		
9.	Closed Meeting  - Closed meeting will be held for the purposes authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Section 551.071 - 551.087 concerning any and all purposes permitted by the Act, including but not limited to the following sections and purposes: Texas Government Code Sections:

Mr. David Moss, Vice President, made a motion to convene into a closed meeting under Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 through 551.087. Ms. Melba Anderson, Board Member, seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6/0.  The Board of Trustees entered closed session at 7:29 p.m.
		
A.	551.071  For the purpose of a private consultation with the Board's attorney on all subjects or matter authorized by law		
1.	when the governmental body seeks the advice of its attorney about:		
a.	Pending or contemplated litigation or		
b.	A settlement offer; or		
2.	On a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body, under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas, clearly conflicts with this chapter;		
3.	Consider legal advice regarding Annexation Determination by Texas Education Commissioner regarding La Marque ISD, including redistricting of trustee positions and related transition plan		
4.	Consider legal advice regarding items specifically listed on the Agenda.		
B.	551.072  For the purpose of discussing the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property:		
1.	Consider Annexation Determination by Texas Education Commissioner regarding La Marque ISD and related actions		
2.	Review detachment and annexation of territory		
C.	551.073  For the purpose of discussing negotiated contracts for prospective gifts or donations		
D.	551.074   For the purpose of considering the appointment, employment, resignation, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of a public officer or employee		
1.	Consider hiring of professional personnel;		
2.	Consider renewals, non-renewals, and terminations of contracts for professional personnel;		
3.	Consider Annexation Determination by Texas Education Commissioner regarding La Marque ISD and related actions		
E.	551.076  For the purpose of considering the deployment, specific occasions for, or implementation of, security personnel or devices		
F.	551.082  For the purpose of considering discipline of a public school child, or complaint or charge against personnel		
G.	551.083  For the purpose of considering the students, guidelines, terms, or conditions the board will follow, or will instruct its representatives to follow, in consultation with representative of employee groups		
H.	551.084  Excluding witness for a hearing		
I.	551.087 For deliberation regarding economic development negotiations		
1.	Discuss or deliberate regarding commercial or financial information that the governmental body has received from a business prospect that the governmental body seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory of the governmental body and with which the governmental body is conducting economic development negotiations;		
2.	Deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect described by Subdivision (1)		
3.	Discussion with legal counsel concerning proposed Agreement for Limitation on Appraised Value of Property for School District Maintenance and Operations Taxes with Gulf Coast Ammonia LLC, Texas Comptroller File No.1147		
10.	Reconvene from Closed Meeting

The Board of Trustees reconvened into open session at 7:47 p.m.
		
11.	Consider Action on Items Discussed in Closed Session		
A.	Consider Board approval of professional personnel recommendations

Mr. Marcus Higgs, Executive Director of Human Resources, asked for approval of the hiring of professional personnel as discussed in closed session. Mr. Dickey Campbell, Board Member, moved for approval. Mrs. Mable Pratt, Board Member, seconded the motion. The motion carried 6/0.
		
B.	Consider Board approval of renewals, non-renewals, and terminations of contracts for professional personnel

There were no recommendations at this time.
		
12.	Adjournment		
 
Mr. David Moss, Vice President, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 p.m. Mrs. Mable Pratt, Board Member, seconded the motion. The motion carried 6/0.

Approved: 
	
            ______________________		           __________________________                                                                                                     
            Hal Biery		    	 		Date 
TCISD Board of Trustees 

__________________________ 		_________________________ 
Adriana Lyle, Secretary 			Date 
TCISD Board of Trustees