S-T ISD Trustees Authorize Proposals for Campus-Wide Improvements

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Skidmore-Tynan ISD was held June 11, 2007, beginning at 6:00 PM in the Skidmore-Tynan School District Event Center Board Room.

The board recognized the following members of baseball team who received post season honors: Ricky Gutierrez, 1st Team Pitcher; Jared Kimball, 1st Team Outfielder (unanimous); Ben Mengers, 2nd Team 1st Base; Chris Hall, Honorable Mention 2nd Base; Mark Cuellar, Honorable Mention Catcher; and Noel Solis, Honorable Mention Designated Hitter.

In the Superintendent's report, Dr. Brett Belmarez congratulated the saxophone trio of Cody Coker, Alan Hinojosa, and Victoria Lopez who earned a 2nd Division rating at State competition. Dr. Belmarez noted that a TDCJ crew would be available this summer to help with facilities improvements, various summer camps were about to get underway, stadium upgrades would begin within a week, at that a site survey would be conducted to assess unforeseen drainage issues as they related to the bond financed campus-wide facilities improvements.

Action items addressed at the meeting included:

• (Agenda Item 6A) Consideration of Appeal for the Dismissal of an Untimely Filed Grievance by Mr. Sid Arismendez c/o Mr. & Mrs. R.S. (Mr. Rick Olivares). After considerable discussion, this item was postponed until the June 19 special meeting.

• (If the Appeal of Item 6A is Successful) Action Regarding the Student/Parent Complaint of R.S., as Discussed in Closed Session (Mr. Rick Olivares). This item was dropped from the agenda per the postponement of "Item 6A."

• Consideration and Possible Action to Declare the Superintendent of chools as Designee for Construction Change Orders (as needed) up to the Purchasing Limit in Board Policy CH (Local) This item was approved with a spending limit set at $17,000.00 cumulative per project. Purchases in excess of this amount require board approval.

• Consideration and Possible Approval to Allow Staff and Consultants to Proceed with Document Preparation for the Possible Issuance of Bonds (Southwest Securities). This item was approved.

• Consideration and Possible Approval of Donation from Prosperity Bank and Approval of the District's Portion of the Purchase of a New Scoreboard at the Football Stadium. This item was approved. Dr. Belmarez publicly thanked Prosperity Bank president, Mickey Lofton, who attended the meeting.

• Consideration and Approval of a Resolution Declaring Intention to Reimburse Certain Expenditures with Borrowing Proceeds in an amount Not to Exceed $3,900,000.00, and Resolving Other Matters Incident and Related to Such Election. This item was approved.

• Consideration and Possible Approval of Proposal for Professional Services: Architect. Trustees agreed to accept proposals for campus-wide parking improvements and covered walkways, construction of a career center, an elementary pavilion, additions to the middle school and other campus improvements.

• Consideration and Possible Action to Accept Prevailing Wage Rates. This item was approved.

• Consideration and Possible Approval of Personnel Recommendation(s). Trustees approved the hiring of High School Social Studies teacher, Toni Tungate, formerly of Kingsville ISD; High School Physical Education/Coach, Jesse Adrian Pena, formerly with Kenedy ISD; and High School Chemistry teacher, Amanda Hubbard.

• Consideration and Possible Approval of TASB Delegate for the 2007 TASA/TASB Annual Convention. Trustee Keith Petrus was named delegate to the convention. Rick Olivares was selected as an alternate.

The next meeting of the S-T ISD Board of Trustees is scheduled Monday, July 16, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. in the Events Center Board Room.