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The DeLeon ISD Board of Trustees became
students during their regular monthly meeting held on Monday, April 17
with Mrs. Pat Koonce's fifth grade science students serving as their
teachers.
Mrs. Koonce's student made a science
presentation on sun spots that included an experiment conducted by
members of the board. Students were needed to help some of the board
as they were challenged to simulate sun spots on their lab table.
Students assisting with the presentation included Kistiea' Ellis,
Brady Gray, Chalie Carlisle, Chelsea Buckley, Kaleb Nowlin, Cody Woods
and Erin Sparger.
Following the presentation the board was
faced with a short agenda of items for their consideration. The board
approved the consent agenda as presented and were provided an update
by each campus principal of the various events that were occurring on
their campus. The major event on all campuses in the coming days is
the administration of the state TAKS test, which will be concluded by
Friday.
The adoption of the 2006-2007 school
calendar and waivers needed for the calendar were the first action
items for the Board. The administration presented the Board with two
applications for state waivers for approval, both waivers concerned
the school calendar.
The first waiver approved by the board
would allow the district to begin the first day of instruction prior
to the statutory authorized August 21 date. The district will seek
state approval to begin school two days early, with students reporting
to class on Thursday, August 17. This date had been selected by the
administration and the district site based committee so that there
would be no conflict with the Peach and Melon Festival.
The second waiver will allow the district
to reduce the number of days of instruction from 180 to 175 to allow
teachers an additional five days of staff development. Tough questions
were raised by the board, including board member Kelly Dickey,
regarding the validity of reducing the number of days of instruction
for students. It was explained by the administration that days for
staff development would be used to allow teachers to work on the
curriculum that is being used in the classroom. The administration
went on to explain that while time would be lost, it would be
recovered by the increased quality of instruction that would result
from the time invested in allowing teachers to work on the curriculum
and receive training to better help students. Both waivers were
approved by the board with a vote of 7-0.
The Board then reviewed the calendar that
was presented by the administration and had been recommended by the
district site based committee. The calendar calls for the first day of
school to begin for teachers on Monday, August 14 and the first day of
school for students will be Thursday, August 17. Holidays are
scheduled for Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving (3 days), and the
Christmas Break will begin on Wednesday, December 20 and classes will
resume for students on Wednesday, January 3. Students will be off on
January 15 for the Comanche County Stock Show and on February 19 for
President¹s Day. Spring Break is March 12-16 and Easter will be given
two days with Good Friday and the Monday after Easter being holidays.
Classes will end on May 23 with Graduation scheduled for Saturday, May
26 at 2:00 P.M. in the new gym. The calendar was approved by the board
unanimously.
The issue of travel reimbursement rates
was then presented to the Board. The district travel reimbursement
rates and stipends had not been consistent with the state
reimbursement rates.
There had also been some inconsistencies
within the district with different programs being paid at different
rates. The district was also not able to charge travel expenses to
various federal programs due to rates not being consistent. The
recommendation by the administration was to tie the reimbursements of
the district with those rates set by the state comptrollers office and
used by all state agencies. The recommendation was approved by the
Board with a 7-0 vote.
The Board then adjourned for a short
break and then entered into closed session at 8:52 P.M for the purpose
of discussing personnel. The Board returned from closed session at
9:30 P.M. and received a recommendation from Dr. Randy Mohundro,
Superintendent of Schools, to employ Amy Kuhns as elementary counselor
for the 2006-2007 school year on a one year probationary contract. The
recommendation and contract were approved 7-0. Ms. Kuhns will replace
Mrs. Sherri Brown who resigned in February.
As matters of discussion, the Board was
reminded of a board training that is scheduled for Monday, April 24 at
Tarleton. The time of the May 8 Board meeting was moved to 5:00 P.M.
due to a scheduling conflict with the Spring Band Concert. The May 8
board meeting will be held in the Central Administration office. The
meeting was adjourned with a unanimous vote at 9:36 P.M. |
