MINUTES

ARP INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

FEBRUARY 9, 2009 7:00 p.m.

ARP HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY

The Board of Trustees for Arp Independent School District met in Regular Session on February 9, 2009 in the Arp High School Library at 7:00 p.m. with the following members present:

Dennis Ford	President
Montza Williams	Vice President
Patty Campbell Earnest Stroupe	Secretary Asst. Secretary (arrived 7:17)
Eltara Tyiska	Trustee
Jack Lacy	Trustee

Also in attendance: Toney Lowery-Superintendent of Schools, Laurice Marshall-Business Manager, Ernie Haire-Elementary Asst. Principal, Wendy Popescu-Elementary Principal, Lynn Poffinbarger-Consultant, Johna Huse-Curriculum Director, Fred Zachary-High School Principal, Randy Copeland-High School Asst. Principal, Joy Rousseau-Technology Director, Dale Irwin-Athletic Director, John Hardy-School Attorney, Dwight Thomas-Junior High Principal, Kristy Thomas-Junior High Counselor, Sharon Keith-Elementary Counselor and the following teachers: Lisa Cole, John Arrington, Jennifer Arrington. Employees: Mary Lou Holland, Patricia Parnell, and Yolanda Bruney-Superintendent’s Secretary.

Other visitors: Vince Alibrando, Melanie Kilman, Bruce and Debra Dowden, and Andriana Govea, and David Banks.

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

II. INVOCATION: Given by Montza Williams.

III. FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: Roll Call: Certification that “the provisions of The Open Meetings 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.”

IV. OPEN FORUM: In honor of President’s Day, the following elementary students recited the U.S. Presidents to the Board of Trustees: Marissa Alibrando, Adam Govea, Kayleigh McClure and Brett Irwin. The students did an outstanding job!

Minutes of February 09, 2009 page 2 of 4

V. ACTION ITEMS:

5.1 Approve minutes from the Regular board meeting of January 12, 2009 Jack Lacy made the motion to approve the minutes as presented. Patty Campbell seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

5.2 Approve expenditures for January 2009. Eltara Tyiska made the motion to approve the expenditures as presented. Montza Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

5.3 Consider approving financial reports of cash investments and tax collections. Patty Campbell made the motion to approve the financial and tax reports as presented. Montza Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

5.4 Consider approving the increase of selected Junior High Cheerleaders. Mary Lou Holland, Junior High Cheerleader sponsor presented her request to the Board of Trustees. Patty Campbell made the motion to increase the number to sixteen (16) cheerleaders and one mascot commencing the 2009-2010 tryouts. Eltara Tyiska seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-2. Montza Williams and Jack Lacy opposed. Dr. Stroupe abstained.

5.5 Consider approving Trustee election for School Board on May 9, 2009. Jack Lacy made the motion to approve the Trustee election on May 9, 2009. Earnest Stroupe seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0. (see attachment)

5.6 Consider approving Vivian Phinny as Election Judge with two assistants for the Trustee election on May 9, 2009. Montza Williams made the motion to approve Vivian Phinny and two assistants. Patty Campbell seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

5.7 Consider approving Yolanda Bruney, Melinda English, Ellen Wofford, Laurice Marshall and Johna Huse for early voting clerks for the Trustee election. Montza Williams made the motion to approve the early voting clerks as presented. Patty Campbell seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

5.8 Consider approving 2009-2010 District School Calendar. Jack Lacy made the motion to approve the 2009-2010 District School Calendar. Patty Campbell seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-1. Montza Williams opposed.

5.9 Consider approving revision to Local Attendance Policy FEC. Montza Williams made the motion to approve the revision to Local Attendance Policy FEC defining “extenuating circumstances” as presented. Jack Lacy seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

5.10 Consider approving rescheduling March Board meeting to March 2, 2009

due to Spring Break. Patty Campbell made the motion to approve the

March Board Meeting moved to March 2, 2009 due to Spring Break.

Montza Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-1. Jack Lacy

opposed.

Minutes of February 09, 2009 page 3 of 4

VI. INFORMATION ITEMS:

6.1 A.E.I.S. (Academic Excellence Indicator System) Report. Johna Huse presented the A.E.I.S. report to the Board of Trustees.

6.2 A.Y.P. (Adequate Yearly Progress) Report. Johna Huse presented the A.Y.P. report to the Board of Trustees.

6.3 Representatives from U.T.Tyler, S.F.A, Kilgore College and Longview Economic Development Corporation on campus March 3, 2009 to meet with Arp H.S. Seniors.

6.4 Elementary Field Trip Grant awarded to second grade from Target, Scholarship America in the amount of $800.00

6.5 Texas High School Redesign and Restructuring Grant valued at approximately $140,000.00 awarded to Arp High School. This program is a Texas Education Agency funded program overseen by the Texas Initiatives Division of ESC XIII in Austin, Texas

6.6 Update on High School Math and Science progress.

§ Jennifer Arrington addressed the Board on the Math department progress including benchmarking; TAKS scores compared by mock TAKS test, formed focus groups consisting of remedial and commended groups. In addition to after school tutorials, a new Learning Support math class has been initiated, new tutorial software implemented and daily in-class tutorials. Very positive progress.

§ Lisa Cole addressed the Board on the Science department progress

stating that mock TAKS tests were given and students in need are placed in science tutorials, individualized plans are in place for students based on objectives missed. Hands on labs of all facets are in progress with students and our elaborate lab facilities are being utilized to reach needed objectives with students. Very positive progress.

VII. BOARD COMMENTS: Dr. Stroupe expressed his appreciation to both teachers for presenting valuable information and answering concerns on behalf of the School Board relating to our students.

VIII. CLOSED SESSION: Texas Government Code 551.074 The Board of Trustees entered into closed session at 7:31 p.m. and returned at 8:45 p.m.

8.1 Consider Administrative Contracts:

§ Earnest Stroupe made the motion to extend the following employee contracts ending June 2011: Dwight Thomas, Shirley Irwin, Dale Irwin, Randy Copeland, Donna Lowery, Sandra Chesshir, Ernie Haire, Kristy Thomas and Sharon Keith. Patty Campbell seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

Minutes of February 09, 2009 page 4 of 4

§ Patty Campbell made the motion to extend the following employee contracts for two years ending June 2011: Wendy Popescu and Joy Rousseau. Earnest Stroupe seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

§ Patty Campbell made the motion to extend the employee contract on Fred Zachary for one year ending June 2010. Earnest Stroupe seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

§ Patty Campbell made the motion to extend the employee contract on Johna Huse for one year ending June 2010. Earnest Stroupe seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

IX. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Dennis Ford called for a motion to adjourn. Jack Lacy made the motion. Montza Williams seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

________________________________ ATTEST: ______________________________

Dennis Ford Toney Lowery

Board President Superintendent of Schools