WISD BOARD MEETING REPORT
by
Frank Hobin

Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the
Winnsboro Independent School District
Westbrook Building
October 26, 2009 – 7:00 p.m.

 

Present:
Clara Ziegler – Vice- President (presiding), Sandra Strickland - Secretary, Members: Robert Langhoff, Chris McElyea, T.R. Mills, Kraig Yarbrough & Superintendent - Dr. Mark Bosold

Absent: Don Beaty – President

NOTE: A SPECIAL MEETING was held at 6:45 p.m.

The Board met to hear the: Financial Management Performance Report and WISD’s Rating under the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), presented by Mrs. Mary Ann Lanier, Business Manager. This report contained 24 indicator / tests, mandated by TEA to measure fiscal accountability in school business, statewide.

WISD rated “SUPERIOR” for the school year 2007/2008. This is the 7th year that WISD has achieved the highest rating.

Included was a list of reimbursements received for meals, lodging, transportation, fuel and other expenses by the Superintendent and Board Members for the 12 month period:
Superintendent Bosold: $4,444.73
Member Langhoff: $1,320.59
Member Beaty: $1,609.04
Member Mills: $2,933.35
Member McElyea: $711.67
Member Strickland: $1,609.04
Member Wadle: $1,745.64 (resigned)
Member Zeigler: $1,609.04
Member: Yarbrough: (not applicable)

The Districts Administrative Cost Ratio = 0.0984 (acceptable 0.1401)
Ratio of Students to Teachers = 13.4766 (avg. #. 108.18 teachers - 1,458students)
Ratio of Students to Total Staff = 6.7627 (avg. # 215.59 staff – 1.458 students)
Total General Fund Balance: $1,594,728

A G E N D A

1. Call to Order
2. Invocation and Pledge to the Flag, previously led by: Member Chris McElyea
3. Audience Comments – None
4. Approval of Consent Agenda Items: APPROVED, without discussion:
------A. Minutes from previous meeting (s).
------B. September Reports of Bills Paid and Tax Collection Report:
2008 Total Collections $4,478,027.62
2008 Uncollected Tax $146,457.59
Collections Rate 96.8%
...... September Collections:
...... 2008 Collections: $10,063.79
...... Previous Year Collections: $7,234.64
...... Penalty & Interest: $4,591.02
...... Attorney Fees: $4,035.05
...... Total Collected: $25,924.50
...... September Disbursements:
...... WISD General Fund: $21,889.45
...... WISD Interest & Sinking Fund: $ 0.00
...... Linebarger Law Firm: $4,035.05
..... Total Disbursed: $25,924.50: prepared by Mrs. Patricia Teague.
------C. Budget Amendment(s): prepared by Mrs. Mary Ann Lanier.
------D. At Will Employment of Janie Brooks, LeAnn Jones – Custodial, and Bruce Thompson – Transportation
------E. Certify 2009 Tax Levy Roll
------F. Approve 2009 – 2010 Textbook Committee
------G. Adopt TASB Board Policy Update 86
------H. House Bill 3646 Salary Increase for Teachers, Principals, Librarian, Counselors, and Nurse

– The Board has determined a public purpose and requires all unearned portions be reclaimed if a teacher, principal, librarian, counselor, or nurse leaves the District.
(Note: Superintendent Bosold mentioned that this had to do with Federal monies.)

5. Superintendent Reports
------A. WHS Students of the Month: (Note: bio’s courtesy of Assistant Principal Darren Swanner)
--- Alex Langhoff, Class Officer and Varsity Cheerleader. Parents: Robert & Coundi Langhoff. Future Plans: To attend Texas A & M University and major in Horticulture or Landscaping.
--- Matthew Armstrong, All “A” Honor Roll, 4th Grade through Junior year, Beta Club Officer. Parents: Leroy & Julie Armstrong. Future Plans: To attend The US Air Force Academy, or Texas A&M, and major in Engineering.
--- Congratulations & Plaques were presented to the Students, (Board Member Langhoff proudly
presenting the plaque to his daughter) and Vice-President Ziegler expressed the Board’s
thanks to the Parents, for the excellent job they’ve done with their children.
------B. Kudos for Kids, presented by Secretary Sandra Strickland
------C. Curriculum Report – Library Update by Mrs. Torri Miller. Along with a brief presentation of the District’s new electronic filing system, she expressed that one of the District’s primary goals was to teach the students how to be successful navigators in the vast world of information. Students, Teachers, Librarian, and Parents are all involved.
6. Student Matters
------A. The complaints of Jessica and Bobby Stephens were not addressed due to no-show of the complainants.
------B. Complaint of Sylvia Rogers relating to a school counselor, was addressed in a closed session.
7. Items of New Business
------A. Consider / Action on: 2008 – 2009 Financial Audit, by Arnold, Walker, Arnold & Company. Mr. Andrew Arnold presented a brief summary of the Districts finances. The District was given a “Clean Audit” with “No Findings”. : As Recommended: APPROVED
------B. Consider / Action on District and Campus Improvement Plans for 2009 – 2010. Dr. Bosold led the discussion with a short demonstration of an electronic program“TAKSCOPE” that the District is using. Rice University developed the program, and it's said to be very user friendly. It’s designed to increase the test scores of the K – 5th Science Program. Following the Superintendents demonstration, Administrators from each of the Campuses presented their improvement plans:
------ WES Goals: Improve Reading, Writing, and Math skills of their Students. Maintain Student Safety.
------ MMS Goals: Maintain Student Motivation, Continue using Vertical Teaching, Use ongoing technology,
and solicit Parent communication. Parents are called everyday if their Student is absent. Maintain a Safe and Orderly School.
------ WHS Goals: Improve Student performance. Continue Student Services in selecting and entering colleges and post graduation opportunities, including WHS’s college financial aid and vocational / business placement assistance. Maintain a safe campus, despite enduring the recent inclement weather. Students are being transported on buses to outlying buildings, on rainy days.
------ Vice-President Ziegler thanked all of the Administrators, Teachers, and Staff for their hard work,
& As Recommended: APPROVED
------ C. Consider / Action on the Nomination of Candidates for Board of Directors for Hopkins and Franklin County Appraisal Districts. Paul Stewart nominated as the Hopkins County Candidate, and Dan Noteware nominated as the Franklin County Candidate. As Recommended: APPROVED
8. Adjournment: at 8:05 p.m.

----NOTE: Next Scheduled Regular WISD Board Meeting is November 16, 2009, at 7:00 p.m.
(Normally the Board meets on the 3rd Monday of the month, at the Westbrook Administrative Building.)
--- Note: Holiday Schedule: Mon., November 23rd Early Release Day
--- Tue. November 24th Staff Dev./Teacher Work Day
--- Wed. – Fri. Nov 25 – 27 Thanksgiving Holidays