MINUTES

ARP INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

SEPTEMBER 11, 2006

ARP HIGH SCHOOL LIBARY

The Board of Trustees for the Arp Independent School District met in Regular Session on September 11, 2006 in the Arp High School Library at 7:00 p.m. with the following members present:

                                                            Mr. Dennis Ford                                   President

                                                            Dr. Montza Williams                 Vice President

                                                            Mrs. Patty Campbell                 Secretary

                                                            Dr. Earnest Stroupe                  Assistant Secretary

                                                            Mr. Eltara Tyiska                      Trustee

                                                            Mr. Jack Lacy                          Trustee

Others present:  Mr. Toney Lowery-Superintendent, Mr. Zane Beck-Business Manager, Mrs. Joy Rousseau-Curriculum and Technology Director, Dr. Fred Zachary-Interim High School Principal, Mr. Dwight Thomas-Junior High Principal, Mrs. Johna Huse-Elementary Principal, Mr. Kyle Waldron-Maintenance Supervisor, Mrs. Wendy Popescu-High School Math Teacher and Mrs. Yolanda Bruney-Administrative Secretary.

Also present:  Mr. Rohn Boone (Boone & Boone Construction), Mrs. JoAnn Andrews (Linebarger & Assoc.), and Mr. Byron Davis-Parent

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dennis Ford, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

INVOCATION:  Given by Dr. Montza Williams

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS:  Mr. Dennis Ford, Board President certified “the provisions of The Open Meeting Act, Section 551.001 et.seq. of the Texas Government Code have been complied with in connection with public notice of this meeting and a quorum is present.”

OPEN FORUM:   Mr. Byron Davis introduced himself as the parent of two children who have enrolled at Arp Junior High and Arp Elementary respectively.  He expressed his concern relating to the school budget. Mr. Davis stated his wife asked about electives for their son’s schedule at the Junior High and was told that Spanish was not an elective due to not having a Junior High Spanish teacher. Mr. Zane Beck responded first to Mr. Davis (having spoken with Mr. Davis via telephone earlier) and stated that Arp I.S.D. has added state mandated items, i.e. salary increases. In addition, the district has $150,000.00 for overall computer updates and utility costs are up $300,000.00.  Mr. Lowery stated that Arp I.S.D. pays our teachers $1,700.00 above state based rate and we are very interested in hiring a Spanish teacher for the Junior High campus.  Mr. Beck stated our effective tax rate went down in 2004 and increase property values gave us a decrease in state funding in 2005. Mr. Davis expressed his overall concern and said he would like to make an appointment with Mr. Beck to meet with him at a later date.  Mr. Beck acknowledged his request in agreement.

ACTION ITEMS: 

5.1     Approve minutes from the August 14^th, and August 19^th  board meetings and public             

hearing and board meeting on August 28^th.  Dr. Williams made the motion to accept the minutes as presented.  Dr. Stroupe seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0.

5.2     Consider approving payment of bills for August 2006.  Dr. Stroupe inquired about the payment to the bookkeeping consultant. Mr. Beck advised that  it is for  the Special Education Coop. He also asked about the payment for palm pilots and Mr. Lowery responded that these are for the administrators for teacher evaluations. Mr. Lacy inquired about the payments/services on air conditioning units and Mr. Waldron responded that the units are 1970 models.  Dr. Stroupe made the motion to approve the bills as presented.  Dr. Williams seconded the motion.  The motion passed 5-0. Mrs. Campbell abstained.

5.3     Consider financial and tax reports.  Dr. Williams made the motion to accept the financial and tax reports as presented. Mrs. Campbell seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0.

5.4     Consider approving renewal on property insurance.  Mr. Beck advised the Board of Trustees that the renewal of the 2006-2007 property insurance is $25.00 less than last year.  Mrs. Campbell made the motion to approve the renewal of the property insurance coverage with Hibbs- Hallmark and Company.  Mr. Lacy seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

5.5     Consider awarding contracts and purchase orders for Arp Elementary School addition.  Mr. Rohn Boone presented a detailed list of contract award recommendations on twenty-four bid packages based on specific work elements.  Mr. Boone stated 90 bids were received on September 7^th and most of the contractors listed have worked on past projects with Boone and Boone. In addition, Mr. Boone stated that every recommended bidder was the lowest bid submitted.

Mr. Lacy asked how many flooring bids were received and whether or not USA Flooring submitted a bid.  Mr. Boone replied that three flooring bids were submitted, however USA Flooring did not bid, as they are not bonded.

Mr. Lacy inquired about concrete specs and the gauge of the metal.  Mr. Boone stated 90 lb. code requirement wind load, and 24 gauge respectively. In addition, Mr. Lacy asked for total square footage and cost.  Mr. Boone responded 6200 sq. ft. at $108.00 per square ft., approximately $675,000.00

Concerning bid package number 22 and 23 for plumbing and HVAC, Mr. Boone advised the Board that based on the inspection by both himself and his engineers, the existing chilled water system at the Elementary campus has been installed incorrectly and Boone and Boone can correct the existing problems with the installation. Mr. Boone stated they have in mind to use direct expansion, he advised that it might not be the best judgment to say the current chilled water system does not work and explained that initial errors occurred during installation in regard to all aspects of air flow and the additional cost will be the air handler. Dr. Stroupe stated the future savings with a chilled water system is the absence of increased utility costs. Dr. Stroupe recommended identifying a particular room/classroom at the elementary and allowing Boone and Boone to correct the air conditioning problem.  Mr. Boone stated the cost would be approximately $200.00 to $500.00 to test one classroom on the chilled water system, thereby allowing the addition of a chilled water cooling system versus a split system to be decided by the Board of Trustees.

Mrs. Campbell made the motion to accept the recommendations of the Construction Manager (Boone & Boone) and enter into contracts as presented (see attachment-A), contingent upon the plumbing bid not to exceed $45,000.00 of the total amount of Sisson Mechanical, pending the Trade Contractor’s furnishing of bonds, proof of insurance, and meeting the requirements of the contract documents.   Mr. Lacy seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

5.6     Consider approving payment of invoices for Arp Elementary addition. Mr. Lacy made the motion to accept the invoices as presented. Mrs. Campbell seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

5.7     Consider approving payment of invoices for Arp Junior High renovations.  Mr. Boone stated that there were areas in the existing metal roof rusted out, and repairs were completed. Mrs. Campbell made the motion to accept the invoices as presented. Dr. Stroupe seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

5.8     Consider approving tax re-sale property.  Mrs. JoAnn Andrews presented the following:

5.9     Consider sale of used calculators to Arp students.  Mrs. Wendy Popescu proposed to

the Board of Trustees the following Math Calculator Policy:

On a yearly basis, calculators will be evaluated by the math and technology departments to determine each calculator’s end-of-life for service and for use with current instruction. Calculators deemed end-of life will be offered to Arp I.S.D. students who have lost calculators and/or have difficulties purchasing new calculators. The older calculators can be used for homework applications. However, students may be required to share newer calculators in the classroom setting for instruction demonstrations.

The price of older calculators will be set according to the age of the calculator. The cost will be determined by number of years in service times 15%.  For example: 5 year old TI 83 @ $84.00 (original price), will cost the student $21.00

Upon completion of discussion, Mr. Ford called for a motion.  Dr. Williams made the motion to accept the Math Calculator Policy as presented.  Dr. Stroupe seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

5.10  Consider approving 2006-2007 Appraisal Calendar. Dr. Stroupe made the motion to       accept the 2006-2007 Appraisal Calendar as presented.  Mr. Lacy seconded the                                                      .      motion. The motion carried 6-0.

5.11     Consider approving Localized Update 78 from TASB Policy Service. (See attach-  

ment-B)  Mr. Lowery recommended the omission of the “Waiver” statement in regard to inter-district transfer students.  Mr. Lacy made the motion that the Board add, revise, or delete   policies as recommended by TASB Policy Service and according to the Instruction Sheet for TASB Localized Policy Manual Update 78 with the following change of omitting the “Waiver” statement at Inter-district Transfers Code FDA. Dr. Williams seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. 

5.12          Consider election of delegate and alternate to TASB convention.  Mr. Lacy nominated Mr. Ford as delegate and Mr. Tyiska as alternate.  Mrs. Campbell seconded the nomination.  Mr. Ford called for a vote. Vote carried 6-0.

5.13          Consider approving transfer students for 2006-2007. Dr. Stroupe inquired if the campus principal(s) reviews stipulations such as discipline and TAKS scores of transfer students.  Mr. Lowery responded that these factors are monitored, as well as attendance.  Dr. Williams made the motion to approve the transfer students as submitted by the principals. Dr. Stroupe seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0

5.14          Consider increase in substitute teacher pay.  Mr. Lowery recommended the following pay rates for substitute teachers/aides: