Regular Board. Meeting

Transcription

1 Regular Board On August 14, 2018 the Alvin Independent School District Board of Trustees met for a Regular Meeting at the Central Administration Building, 301 E. House Street, Alvin, TX with the following members present: Nicole Tonini, Cheryl Harris, Tiffany Wennerstrom, Earl Humbird, Julie Pickren Regan Metoyer and Vivian Scheibel. Superintendent Gilcrease and other administrative staff were also present. ITEM # 1, 2 & 3 - CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE President Tonini called the meeting to order stating that a quorum of Board members were present, notice was duly posted, and the meeting was called to order in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Section Trustee Wennerstrom gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. ITEM #4 GREETERS The Greeters for the evening were members of the Alvin High School Jacketeers. They attended Trend Setters Officer & Leadership Camp during the summer and received numerous awards. Members recognized were as follows: Dance Officers: Hannah Stuart, Aleah Barajas, Anna Van Dine, Emma Geiman, Kelsey Hill & Cynthia Keene. Social Committee: Joselyn Saenz, Bethanie White, Ashlynn Moore, Laura Poole and Madalyn Savage. ITEM #5 STUDENT & STAFF COMMENDATIONS Commendations were recommended for the following: Meeting August 14, 2018 Alvin High School Choir Solo & Ensemble Camren Lopez 3 Rating Abby Kotz 2 Rating Ben Miller 1 Rating Noah Bartley 1 Rating Brennan Dahl 1 Rating & Outstanding Performer Alvin ISD Business Office Awarded the Meritorious Budget Award for excellence in the preparation and issuance of its school system budget for the 5 th year in a row Awarded Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting 5 th year in a row Awarded Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting 5 th year in a row ITEM #6 PRESENTATION Relay for Life Debbie McDonald and Pam Leitner with Relay for Life thanked the Board of Trustees for the use of Alvin ISD facilities and presented them with a token of appreciation. ITEM #7 OPEN FORUM INFORMATION ONLY Ms. Deshauntia Benn addressed the Board of Trustees regarding transportation procedures and guidelines and the safety of special education students. ITEM #8 - REQUEST TO CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A-I President Tonini asked that Item C be removed from the Consent Agenda and voted upon separately. Trustee Pickren made a motion to approve Consent Agenda Items A, B, D, E, F, G, H and I. Trustee Harris

2 Page 2 ITEM A REQUEST TO CONSIDER BOARD MINUTES The following Board minutes were presented to the Board of Trustees for approval: June 12, 2018 June 27, 2018 July 19, 2018 August 8, 2018 Aug. 2, 2017 ITEM B REQUEST TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF FUND RAISING SALES A list of fund raising activities of $10,000 or more were presented for approval. ITEM C REQUEST TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF PROPERTIES IN TRUST President Tonini asked that this item be pulled from the Consent Agenda. ITEM D REQUEST TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF REQUESTS FOR PROPOSAL Maintenance Custodial Supply RFP Bid packets were distributed to 150 vendors for supplies, chemicals and equipment with 10 vendors responding. A non-exclusive ward was requested with the option to award for an additional year. ITEM E REQUEST TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CONTRACTOR CONSULTANT PROPSALS 36 proposals were received for service commodity codes as classified under the Contractor Consultant Proposals (CCP) for a one-year non-exclusive award with the option to renew for an additional two years. ITEM F REQUEST TO CONSIDER DISTRICT INVESTMENT FIRMS AND INVESTMENT POLICY/TRAINING SOURCES Annually, the Board is required to review the investment policy, brokers/pools/investment firms and investment training sources to be used for the next calendar year. The following list of qualified brokers, pools and investment firms that are authorized to engage in investment transactions for the calendar year: Global Financial Services Lone Star / First Public TCG Advisors /TD Ameritrade Texas Class / Public Trust Advisors Texas Term / PFM Asset Management LLC Texpool / Federated TexStar / JP Morgan Wells Fargo Sources for investment training for Investment officers: ASBO Association of School Business Officials First Public, LLC/PFM Asset management GFOA Government Finance Officers Assoc. HCDE Harris County Dept. of Education Public Trust Advisors Region IV Education Service Center TASA Texas Association of School Admin. TASB Texas Association of School Boards TASBO Texas Association of School Business Officials Texas State University / Texas State University Hobby Center for Public Service University of North Texas Center for Public Management Weaver, LLC Whitley Penn Certified Public Accountants ITEM G REQUEST TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO POLICY FNG/GF (LOCAL) FOUR LEVEL GRIEVANCE FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS The policy will change from three levels to four levels to give the students and parents an additional opportunity for remediation. The following grievance levels were recommended and will go into effect for the school until the Board revokes such authority by further action. Level 1 Principal Level 2 Director Level 3 Associate/Assistant Superintendent (Cabinet Level Panel) Level 4 Board of Trustees ITEM H REQUEST TO REVISIONS TO POLICY DGBA

3 Page 3 (LOCAL) FOUR LEVEL GRIEVANCE FOR EMPLOYEES The policy will change from three levels to four levels to give the employee and supervisors an additional option for remediation. The following grievance levels were recommended and will go into effect for the school until the Board revokes such authority by further action. Level 1 Principal Level 2 Director Level 3 Associate/Assistant Superintendent (Cabinet Level Panel) Level 4 Board of Trustees ITEM I REQUEST TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR OPTIONAL SCHOOL DAY PROGRAM The Options Program operates under a flexible year/day program through TEA. This grant is for supplemental funding for the Options Programs. The application must be made annually. CONSENT AGENDA ITEM C REQUEST TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF PROPERTIES IN TRUSTEE President Tonini requested that this item be pulled and voted upon separately. The following Properties in Trust were presented to the Board of Trustees for approval: Acct. # Legal Des. Snug Harbor Sec. 2, Blk 2, Lot 17 Acres.1749 Total Taxes Due $2, Offer $3, Value $5, Acct. # Legal Des. Acres.1887 Total Taxes Due $1, Offer $3, Value $4, Enchanted Edgewater, Liverpool Block 1, Lot 17 Acct. # Legal Des. Acres.1279 Total Taxes Due $ Offer $2, Value $2, Enchanted Edgewater, Liverpool Block 1, Lot 18 Acct. # Legal Des. Enchanted Edgewater, Liverpool Block 1, Lot 19 Acres.1680 Total Taxes Due $1, Offer $3, Value $3, Acct. # Legal Des. Acres.410 Total Taxes Due $2, Offer $4, Value $7, A0130 D Talley, Block7 Tract 42A5B Acct. # Legal Des. Rowan, Block 13, Lot Acres.6428 Total Taxes Due $3, Offer $4, Value $18,840.0 Acct. # Legal Des. Rowan, Block 13, Lot 16 Acres.1607 Total Taxes Due $1, Offer $1, Value $4, Trustee Metoyer Peterson made a motion to approve the Properties in as presented. Trustee Wennerstrom carried with 6 votes and 1 abstention by President Tonini. ITEM #9 REQUEST TO NAMING A DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE FOR THE TASA/TASB 2018 DELEGATE ASSEMBLY Trustee Wennerstrom volunteered to serve as the Delegate for the TASA/TASB 2018 Delegate Assembly. Trustee Metoyer Peterson volunteered to serve as the Alternate. Trustee Harris made a motion to approve Trustee Wennerstrom and Trustee Metoyer as noted above for the TASA/TASB 2018 Delegate Assembly. Trustee Scheibel ITEM #10 REQUEST TO CONSTRUCTION RISK CONTRACT DELIVERY METHOD FOR HIGH SCHOOL #4 The Competitive Sealed Proposal contract delivery method is the Board approved standard for new construction projects in the District.

4 Page 4 The Board must approve any alternative delivery method. Construction timelines and the market place dictate that a change to use the Construction Manager at Risk contract delivery method for future High School #4 is the best value for Alvin ISD. Funding for land and partial design of High School #4 was provided by the community during the 2015 Bond Election. These funds cover the approval of the Construction Manager at Risk. Trustee Scheibel made a motion to approve the Construction Risk contract delivery method for High School #4. Trustee Harris ITEM #11 REQUEST TO AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION RISK FOR JUNIOR HIGH #8 The Construction Manager at Risk method of construction requires the contractors to submit qualifications for the District to evaluate and score. After review and evaluation by the Building Programs Department and the project Architect, Gamma Construction has satisfied the evaluation criteria and submitted pricing that offers the best value to the District. Funding for land and partial design of Jr. High School #8 was provided by the community during the 2015 Bond Election. These funds cover the approval of the Construction Manager at Risk. Trustee Pickren made a motion to approve Gamma Construction as the Construction Manager at Risk for Junior High School #8 and authorize the Superintendent or his designee to review and execute the final negotiated contract. Trustee Wennerstrom seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously (7-0). ITEM #12 REQUEST TO TAX RATE FOR The resolution below was presented for Board consideration to adopt a tax rate for The component breakdown of the proposed tax rate is as follows: Maintenance & Operations $ Interest & Sinking $ TOTAL TAX RATE: $ This recommendation is for the Maintenance and Operations and Interest and Sinking rate in combination to remain the same as the rate. Board Resolution STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF BRAZORIA ALVIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT RESOLUTION SETTING TAX RATE FOR THE ALVIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE YEAR 2018 WHEREAS, the laws of the State of Texas require that the Alvin Independent School District impose property taxes for the education of the students within the District and the State of Texas; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that there is hereby levied and there shall be collected for the use and support of the Alvin Independent School District to provide for the local maintenance and support of general government and for interest and sinking funds for the year 2018, upon all taxable property within the limits of said District, a tax of $1.45 on each one hundred dollars ($100.00) assessed valuation of property, said tax being so levied and apportioned to the specific purposes herein set forth: (a) For the maintenance and operation of the District (General Fund), $1.17 on each one hundred dollars ($100.00) assessed valuation of property; and (b) For the Interest and Sinking Funds, $0.28 on each one hundred dollars ($100.00) assessed valuation of property). WHEREAS, if the Tax Ratification Election required by this increase does not pass, then said tax being so levied and apportioned to the specific purposes herein set forth: (a) For the maintenance and operation of the District (General Fund), $1.04 on each one hundred dollars ($100.00) assessed valuation of property; and (b) For the Interest and Sinking Funds, $0.41 on each one hundred dollars ($100.00) assessed valuation of property). THIS TAX RATE WILL RAISE MORE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS THAN LAST YEAR S TAX RATE. and

5 Page 5 THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS TAX RATE WILL EFFECTIVE BE RAISED BY 9.17 PERCENT AND WILL RAISE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS ON A $100,000 HOME BY APPROXIMATELY $ Notwithstanding the foregoing statement, because of the covenant of the Board made above for the automatic reduction in the debt service tax rate in the event of the District s voters approval of the adopted tax rate at an election to be held on November 6, 2018, the amount of taxes for debt service on a $100,000 home will correspondingly be reduced by $ The result of this reduction is no tax rate increase on District taxpayers in comparison to the 2017 total tax levy. PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 14 th day of AUGUST, Voting for Resolution: Voting Against Resolution: IN CERTIFICATION THEREOF: By: President, Board of Trustees Alvin Independent School District ATTEST: Secretary, Board of Trustees Alvin Independent School District Trustee Scheibel made a motion to approve the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a rate of $ , which is effectively a 1.42 percent increase in the tax rate, based on the increase in taxable values throughout Alvin ISD. Trustee Pickren seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously (7-0). ITEM #13 REQUEST TO CONSIDER CALLING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND ELECTION AND SCHEDULE ELECTION DATES The Citizen Advisory Committee presented to the Board of Trustees on June 12, 2018, a recommendation to call a Bond Election for November 6, Official Ballot will read as follows: The issuance of $480,500,000 school building bonds for the construction, acquisition and equipment of school buildings in the district (including the rehabilitation, renovation, expansion and improvement thereof), and the purchase of the necessary sites for school buildings, including without limitation, for one high school, two junior high schools, two elementary schools, two replacement elementary schools (Alvin Primary and EC Mason), Harby Junior High renovation and expansion, safety & security improvements and equipment throughout the district, and purchase of land for future schools or administrative facilities and levying of the tax in payment thereof. Trustee Metoyer Peterson made a motion to approve the Certificate of Order to call an election for the schoolhouse unlimited tax bonds. Trustee Harris seconded the motion. Motion Trustees commended and thanked the Citizen s Advisory Committee for all of their hard work. ITEM #14 REQUEST TO CONSIDER CALLING A TAX RATIFICATION ELECTION AND SCHEDULE ELECTION DATES Upon the Board adopting a Maintenance and Operations rate of $1.17the District is required to hold a Tax Ratification Election. Official Ballot will read as follows:

6 Page 6 Approving the Ad Valorem tax rate of $ per $100 valuation in the Alvin Independent School District for the current year, a rate that is $0.13 higher per $100 valuation than the school district rollback tax rate, for the purpose of (I) increasing revenue for maintenance and operations and (II) maintaining the prior year s overall Ad Valorem tax rate of $ per $100 valuation. Superintendent Gilcrease noted that calling for a tax ratification is a part of the state school finance law that is an equalization method and a way to increase the M & O budget and decrease the I & S budget allowing the tax rate to maintain the same. He further noted that financial transparency has been the pride of Alvin ISD further noting that the penny swap from I & S to M & O will allow the district to gain approximately 8½ million dollars from the State. Trustee Pickren made a motion to approve the Certificate of Order to call an election for the Tax Ratification. Trustee Wennerstrom ITEM #15 REQUEST TO RESOLUTION The resolution below was presented for approval to affirm the Board of Trustee s commitment to maintain a tax rate, at or below, the current Alvin ISD Tax Rate of $1.45 per $100 of valuation following the voter s potential approval of a Tax Ratification Election. RESOLUTION OF THE ALVIN ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES WHEREAS, the Alvin ISD Board of Trustees is committed to conducting the work of the District in a fiscally responsible way and taxing only to the extent necessary to adequately fund the District and, WHEREAS, Texas school districts tax rates are broken up into two separate rates an Interest and Sinking (I&S) rate that funds the payment of debt from bonds that are used to build and maintain school buildings, and a Maintenance and Operations (M&O) rate that funds everything else including programming, teacher salaries, and utilities; and, WHEREAS, the M&O rate is currently capped at $1.04 per $100 property valuation, but can be raised to $1.17 with the community s approval through a tax ratification election; and, WHEREAS, if the community passes a tax ratification election, Alvin ISD could raise the M&O rate by $0.13, but would also be in a position to lower the I&S rate by $0.13 due to higher valuations and fiscally responsible refinancing over the years; and, WHEREAS, this exchange of pennies, by raising the M&O tax rate and lowering the I&S rate, thus maintaining the current tax rate, would provide Alvin ISD with $8.4 million in additional net operating revenue, which would be attributed to funding school construction, and related costs, and school security measures. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that: Alvin ISD will endeavor to act in a fiscally responsible manner and work diligently to be good stewards of tax payer funds; and

7 Page 7 Alvin ISD believes the voters of Alvin ISD should be allowed to vote on whether a TRE penny swap is in the best interest of the District; and FURTHERMORE, be it resolved that should the Tax Ratification Election be approved by voters: Alvin ISD will reduce the I&S rate by an amount equal to the increase to the M&O rate, thereby maintaining a tax rate equal to or less than the current rate and, Alvin ISD is resolved not to raise the I&S tax rate without future voter action through a community wide election and, Alvin ISD will continue to work to reduce the overall tax rate when it is able to do so while maintaining the high standards of excellence expected in Alvin ISD. ADOPTED THIS 14 TH AUGUST, DAY OF ALVIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT By: Nicole Tonini, President Earl Humbird, Vice President Regan Metoyer Peterson, Secretary Julie Pickren, Position 1 Cheryl Harris, Position 3 Tiffany Wennerstrom, Position 4 Vivian Scheibel, Position 7 ITEM #16 REQUEST TO CONSIDER APPROVAL TO CONTRACT WITH BRAZORIA COUNTY FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION In order to conduct an election the District must contract with Brazoria County. Trustee Wennerstrom made a motion to grant the authority to the Superintendent, or designee, to engage in a contract with Brazoria County for the purpose of holding a joint election on the dates of early and election day voting, associated with the November 6, 2018 General Election. Trustee Pickren seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously (7-0). ITEM #17 REQUEST TO CONSIDER POLICY REVISIONS DNA (EXHIBIT) The new district approved teacher appraisal system, Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T- TESS), has a resolution to approve for the list of appraisers. For T- TESS, the teacher s supervisor or a person approved by the Board of Trustees will appraise the teacher. The principal or assistant principal will be the appraiser unless the teacher requests a second appraiser. A second appraiser could be the Assistant Principal, Associate Principal, Principal or any of the following: Associate Superintendent of Human Resources Director of Human Resources Associate Superintendent of Teaching & Student Learning Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Student learning Director of Curriculum Executive Director / Director of CTE Director/Assistant Director of fine Arts Executive Director of Advanced Academics

8 Page 8 Associate Superintendent for Federal & special Programs Director of Special Education Director of Bilingual/ELL Services Coordinator of Special Education Assistant Superintendent of Professional learning/student & community Engagement Director of Professional Learning Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dean of Student Services Any of the appraisers from the list can be chosen from as long as the appraiser is state certified in T-TESS for the current year. Trustee Metoyer Peterson made a motion to approve the DNA (Exhibit) policy revisions. Trustee Pickren Nicole Tonini, President Regan Metoyer, Secretary ITEM #18 REQUEST TO EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL As presented. Trustee Wennerstrom made a motion to approve all employments as presented. Trustee Pickren ITEM #18 SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT Superintendent Gilcrease reviewed recent and upcoming District activities. ITEM #19 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS No future agenda items were requested. ITEM #20 ADJOURNMENT Trustee Humbird made a motion to adjourn with a second given by Trustee Harris. Motion carried (7-0) Meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Attest: