DENISON ISD BOARD NEWS

Denison Independent School District

1201 S. Rusk Avenue, Denison, TX 75020

April 16, 2013

Published for DISD employees on the morning after school board meetings

Denison ISD Board of Trustees President Jay Watkins called to order the Regular Meeting of the Denison ISD Board of Trustees on April 16, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. in the Bruce T. Hibbit Board Room of the Administration Building, located at 1201 S. Rusk in Denison, Texas.  Regan McClure of Terrell Elementary School led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Dr. George Hatfield gave the Invocation.  Minutes from the previous meeting were approved.  All routine business was approved. Under communications, Dr. Henry Scott reminded board members and all present of two exciting DISD events set for tomorrow (Wednesday, 4/17/13), honoring students, teachers and the entire district:  1)Texas Scholars awards luncheon at Loy Park Arena starting at 11:30 a.m., co-sponsored with the Denison Chamber of Commerce, honoring all DHS graduating seniors who have met the recommended course requirements set forth by the State of Texas; and 2) the DISD Employees’ and Families Appreciation Picnic at 4 p.m., also at Loy Park Arena, honoring and thanking Denison teachers, staff and families for the great and important jobs they do to ensure learning and success for all Denison children. Dr. Scott also reminded everyone of the Rachel’s Challenge community-wide rally scheduled for May 3^rd. He noted that the goal is to fill Munson Stadium with Denison families, students, friends, community leaders, church groups and school supporters who want to continue to instill a culture of kindness and compassion throughout our schools and community. Additionally, Dr. Scott pointed out the new mytexasschool.org site that is now on the front page of the DISD website, with links to important, exciting, helpful and very beneficial information for families of students as well as teachers and community members. He urged everyone to visit the site on a regular basis. Dr. Scott also reminded board trustees of the regional workshop on May 21^st that offers 4.5 hours of board credit training.  

2013 Budget Amendment. Upon recommendation by Mr. Lee McNair, the Board of Trustees approved the Budget Amendments for the 2012-13 Budget as presented, resulting in a total 2012-13 budget of $47,710,750.

Appointment of Secondary Department Chairpersons.  Upon recommendation by Dr. George Hatfield, the Board of Trustees approved the recommendations of the secondary principals for 2013-2014 department chairpersons, as outlined and presented, with Dr. Cavin Boettger, high school principal and Mr. Alvis Dunlap, middle school principal, making the following recommendations of teachers to serve as department chairpersons for school year 2013-2014: Denison High School: Fine Arts - Amy Jordan; Foreign Languages - Rosana Goodwin; Language Arts - Lou Chandler; Mathematics - Jennifer Brown; Science - Allen Mobley; Social Studies- Staci Schneider; B. McDaniel Middle School: Language Arts- Janice Grams; Mathematics – Mel Hander; Science - Stephanie Matthews; Social Studies - Susan Arthur; Special Education - Vickie Mitchell.

Request to Use DHS Baseball Field. Upon recommendation from Lee McNair, the Board of Trustees app0roved the request from the summer baseball league to use the DHS baseball field. It was noted that League play runs from late May through July 15^th. The DHS Baseball coaching staff has and will continue to assist in the efforts of this organization and the goals set forth. The coaches have also agreed to help with maintenance throughout the period requested, and team administrators will oversee the facilities during practices and games.

Consider Out-of-State Travel Request from DHS Theatre Arts Dept.  Upon recommendation by Dr. Henry Scott, the Board of Trustees approved the request for out-of-state travel for the DHS Theatre Arts Department. It was noted that the requested travel will be to take a group of students to the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska, and that the non-budgeted funds needed for the trip will be raised by the Theatre Department.

Commencement Program.  Denison High School: The Commencement Program for the Denison High School seniors will be held on Saturday, June 8th, at 8:30 p.m. The program will be at Munson Stadium, with the stage positioned at the south end zone using both the east and west stands for the audience. Approximately 260 students will be graduating. Commencement speakers will be Mr. Jim Hightower, Class of 1961,who served two terms as Texas Agriculture Commissioner and is a New York Times best-selling author of several books. It was noted that he is a very much in-demand public speaker, delivering more than 100 speeches per year. In case of rain on Saturday night, graduation ceremonies will be moved to Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. If there is rain on Sunday night, the program will be moved to Eisenhower Auditorium and each senior will be issued four tickets to distribute to their family. The doors to Eisenhower Auditorium will be open at 7:00 p.m. and ticket holders will be admitted until 8:00 p.m. From 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. any other persons will be admitted, if seats are available. The number of people attending would be limited to approximately 1500. Normally, we have approximately 5,000 people in attendance. As in the past, school officials are asking Board members to assist with the presentation of diplomas and to also contact Dr. Boettger and advise him as to which diplomas you plan to present. Pathways High School: The Commencement Program for the Pathways High School seniors will be held on Friday, June 7th, at 7:00 p.m. The program will be at Eisenhower Auditorium. Approximately 25 students will be graduating. Mr. Bob Rhoden, Business Services Manager for Texoma Workforce, will be the commencement speaker. The doors to Eisenhower Auditorium will be open at 6:15 p.m. Once again, Board members are invited to assist with the presentation of diplomas, and are asked to call Mr. Lance San Millan, Pathways Principal, at 903-462-7220 and make him aware of those diplomas you plan to present.

Employee Recognition Program. Dr. Henry Scott reported that each year, the Board of Trustees recognizes those employees who are retiring and those who are to receive service pins. The retirees will receive their choice of a rocking chair or a mantel clock with an engraved plate showing the district’s appreciation. As of this date, eleven employees will be recognized as retirees. In addition, 17 employees will be receiving 20-year service pins, one will receive a 30-year pin.

The Classroom Teachers Association, District POPS Council, and the Board of Trustees will host a breakfast in honor of these employees at 8:15 a.m. on Friday, June 7th in the Denison High School Cafeteria. The Board President or designee will present the retirement awards andservice pins at a program in Eisenhower Auditorium immediately following the breakfast.

Report – Personnel.  The following resignation has been accepted, effective the end of the 2012-13 school year: Kelli Lemke – Health Science Occupations at Denison High School. The probationary contract was renewed for the 2013-14 school year for: Luanne Sbarbaro – 8^th grade Mathematics at B. McDaniel Middle School

Bond Program Update.  Mr. Steve Hulsey, Chief Architect, Mr. Chuck Edwards, District Construction Manager and Balfour Beatty Construction representatives were available to present updates on the DISD Bond project, primarily the rapidly progressing work at the new Denison High School, which is continuing on schedule. Various areas of work noted in the presentation included: mechanical, electrical and plumbing in classroom wing and essentially all other areas throughout the facility, roofing and drywall work, load bearing masonry work, various work projects at the gymnasium, classroom wing, athletic facilities and office/administrative area; fine arts wings and continued work on the tennis courts, running track and other athletic site work. It was noted that the concrete work that ties the cafeteria to the main building has been completed, making the upper and lower levels connected. Sheetrock work is underway in the main corridor. The kitchen/cafeteria slab is, as are the slabs in the theatre and vocational areas. Drywall installation is underway in the classroom wing. Asphalt has been installed on the running track, and goal posts and other track and field equipment are being installed with additional work projects/details being completed daily. Upcoming work/projects that should be ongoing over the next month: gymnasium joists and deck, steel in the auditorium, CMU in theatre and vocational areas, complete windows and dry wall installation in various areas, installation of irrigation, posts and fencing at athletic fields, drywall, completion of tape and bed work in classroom wing, begin foundation work for indoor practice facility.

Report: Delinquent Tax Attorney. Mr. Glenn Smith, representing the firm of Linebarger, Groggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP, updated the Board on the delinquent tax collection program. Mr. Smith directed board trustees to the 12-month written report for 2012, noting that the district experienced a good year, with delinquent tax collections up 8%. He also noted that of 101 tax suits filed, 96 were resolved, judgments rendered in 35 cases, 45 properties marked for tax sales with notice given to property owners. He stated that roughly half these were resolved, with about 20-25 properties sold in the final sale. He noted, in the final analysis, that Denison has an excellent tax collection rate of about 97.5%, and that the great majority of Denison property owners pay their taxes on time.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.