Trustees Approve Salary Increase, Campus Repairs and Upgrades

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Skidmore-Tynan ISD was held April 16, 2007, in the Skidmore-Tynan School District Event Center Board Room.

Speaking in the public forum portion of the meeting were Arnulfo Gonzales and Sid Arismendez. Mr. Gonzales presented a petition to the Board expressing concerns about the school dress code regarding long hair and the wearing of earrings by male students. Mr. Arismendez asked that he be allowed to bring a past grievance before the Board.

TASB Salary Study Consultant Mr. Charlie Nitschmann gave a brief presentation reviewing compensation plan scenarios for 2007-08.

Superintendent Dr. Brett Belmarez reported that plans were well underway for the June 1st Commencement Ceremony and that a speaker had been tentatively selected.

Action items addressed in the meeting included:

Consideration and Possible Action to Approve Reimbursement for Legal Retainer Expenses to Mr. Rick Olivares for Representation at Bee County Grand Jury (Mr. Rick Olivares). This item was approved by a 3-2 vote with Keith Petrus and Ken Haggard dissenting.

Consideration and Possible Approval of Employment Contracts for Teachers, Counselors, Nurse, Librarian and Diagnostician. This item was approved unanimously.

Consideration and Possible Approval of the Recommended Compensation Plan for the 2007-08 School Year. Per administrative and TASB recommendation, Trustees unanimously approved a 4% teacher salary increase.

Consideration and Possible Approval of Proposal for Repairs to the Old Gymnasium. Trustees learned that the estimate for proposed repairs to the old gymnasium came in significantly under budget. This item was approved unanimously.

Consideration and Possible Approval of Expenditure(s) for the Football Stadium Renovation Project. This item involved the renovation and expansion of Bobcat Stadium in preparation for the fall football season. The proposed plan includes the expansion of both Home and Visitor-side seating and the addition of several walkways to the Home side bleachers. The proposal was approved unanimously.

Consideration and Possible Approval of Personnel Recommendation(s) Trustees approved the hiring of the following new employees:

Jesse House, formerly of Bloomington ISD, High School Coach and Social Studies
Karen House, formerly of Bloomington ISD, High School English and Speech
Carmen Speis, formerly of Woodsboro ISD, Junior High History and Science
John Matus, formerly of Pettus ISD, Junior High Special Education
Leah White, formerly of Mathis ISD, Junior High English.

The next meeting of the S-T ISD Board of Trustees is scheduled Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at 6:00 p.m.