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March 24, 2015
The Granbury ISD Board of
Trustees heard a report on bond construction at Granbury High School during its
regular monthly meeting on March 23, 2015.
Scott Barnes, construction
manager for the Buford Thompson Company, reported that construction was going
well despite weather delays from recent snow days and rain. Subcontractors are
about two weeks behind on the new ninth grade wing but had adjusted the construction
schedule to meet August 2015 occupancy. Steel work is underway to allow for the second floor construction to
commence.
Work is nearly complete on
the new southwest parking lot at the corner of Pearl Street and Howard Clemmons
Road; this lot will host bus transportation and the marching band grid. Also under construction is the new career and
technical education center at the rear of the building as well as locker rooms
in the field house, Pirate Gym, and James Wann Sports Center.
Also regarding bond
expenditures, trustees approved a $1.2 million expenditure to fund furnishings
at the high school: the new ninth grade
wing (including student desks and chairs, presentation stations for classroom,
and bookshelves); new teacher areas including desks, chairs, work tables, and
conference area; cafeteria chairs and tables; coffee bar; office spaces and
reception areas in the new ninth grade wing; and the new learning commons area
(library). The
new furniture is all research-based and will meet student and teacher needs
utilizing new technology.
Superintendent Dr. James
Largent stated that the furniture expenditure would be the first of several
phases under the 2013 bond program. Future projects will cover the new career and technical education center
as well as existing areas of the high school.
The board approved a waiver
request to be submitted to the Texas Education Agency regarding missed
instructional days due to bad weather and hazardous road conditions. School was closed on February 23-24 and again
on March 5. School will now be held on
designated makeup days Friday, April 3 and Monday, June 1. The waiver would eliminate the need to make
up the third missed day. The request
will be sent to TEA, but approval is not automatic.
Trustees also adopted a
resolution to compensate non-exempt employees for the third day that the
district was closed due to hazardous road conditions. Two of the days will be made up on dates
designated in the school calendar (noted above).
In personnel matters, the
board received notification of the retirements of six employees at the end of
the school year.
Reports made to the board
included:
- Dr. Largent announced that, at the request of GISD,
state representative Jim Keffer filed House Bill 3970 providing flexibility to school
districts that have instructional time that exceeds the minimum required by the
state. These schools would be allowed to cancel school for up to ten days
annually for bad weather without waivers and built-in bad weather makeup days.
Districts must notify TEA of any school closing. Students will benefit by more
instructional time, Largent said. GISD schools already exceed the state minium.
- Board secretary Dr. Barbara Herrington announced that all trustees have met their required continuing education hours.
- Financial statements for January 2015, cash flow and
investment report for January 2015, bond expenditure report for February 2015,
and a cooperative management fee report for fiscal year 2013-14 were reviewed
by assistant superintendent Dobie Williams.
Board members approved
minutes from the last regular meeting, budget amendments, and bids for athletic
trainer supplies and equipment and grounds equipment and repair services. Also approved was the instructional materials
allotment for all subject areas and grade levels. The board also adopted new local policies
resulting from a policy review session held with district and campus
administrators last October.
The board also extended the
depository contract with First Financial Bank for the 2015-17 biennium and set
meeting dates through June 2016.
Donations reported to the
board included $340 from the tennis booster club for team travel and a $500
grant from the Meadows Foundation to Crossland Ninth Grade Center.
Trustees
will next convene for their regular monthly meeting and compensation workshop on
Monday, April 20. Board meetings are
held in the GISD Board Room located next to the Administration Building at 600
W. Pearl Street.
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