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SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES HOLD MONTHLY MEETING

June 21, 2016
 
The Granbury ISD Board of Trustees held its monthly meeting on June 20, 2016.
 
Dobie Williams, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, offered a positive budget update with the expectation of presenting a balanced budget proposal at the annual budget workshop in July. Williams indicated that preliminary data from county appraisal districts indicate higher property values than last year, but a final determination on tax rates will not be possible until the school district receives certified values in late July. The assistant superintendent also reported that all campuses and departments submitted budget requests with no increase in allocations. In addition, the upcoming budget presentation will include various options on employee compensation.
 
Regarding personnel, the board approved the appointment of several professional staff members. Robert Herrera was named the new principal of Nettie Baccus Elementary School, and Kendra Fisher will lead the choir program at Granbury High School. The board also received notification of employees resigning or retiring and approved a request for catastrophic sick leave for one district employee.
 
Trustees took no action of superintendent Dr. James Largent’s evaluation and contract because not all board members were in attendance. These items will be considered at the board’s July monthly meeting.
 
Board members approved a proposal from the Institute of Urban Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington to conduct a feasibility study for district-owned properties at 600 W. Bridge Street and 210 N. Jones Street that currently comprise the GISD Administration Annex and Weatherford College Education Center at Granbury.
 
The study will take into consideration several factors: potential expansion of Weatherford College; move of GISD administration to Crossland Ninth Grade Center; historic nature of Decker Gym; potential conveyance to City of Granbury of open space and football field on north end of the property; reuse/repurpose of remaining school district buildings on property. With a budget of about $37,000, the six-month study will be conducted by an interdisciplinary team of six members with background and skills in construction, valuation, architecture, and planning. The team will conduct site visits and analysis, stakeholder engagement, market analysis, and additional research.
 
The board adopted new facility usage fees for the GHS Bagby-McMahan Performing Arts Center as well as GISD athletic facilities. The increases follow major renovations to these facilities and also reflect the need for trained staff to operate equipment in some areas.
 
Trustees called a regular election for November 2016 for Places 5, 6, and 7 on the school board. Board members also approved a contract with the county elections administrators to conduct joint elections with counties, municipalities, and other local governmental entities. General information about the upcoming school board election is available on the GISD website at www.granburyisd.org/election.
 
Reports made to the board included:
 
  • Dr. Largent announced that facility construction at the high school is progressing on schedule.
  • The superintendent reported that 87 teachers qualified for additional compensation through the new Granbury Teachers Excellence Initiative (GTEI), which allows teachers to build a portfolio in order to pursue extra pay beyond any general base salary increase for instructional personnel. The program, which began in the 2015-16 school year, includes three main components: professional development/collaboration; student experience/campus culture; student achievement/enrichment. Teachers must be in their second year in GISD, maintain a minimum number of absences, and be rated proficient or above in all areas of the teacher evaluation system. Overall, 35% of eligible GISD teachers will receive GTEI pay, which becomes part of the teacher’s salary and will carry forward. The incentive pay will also calculate for the employee’s retirement benefits through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
  • Financial statements, cash flow and investment report, a report on categorical purchases between $50,000 and $100,000, and a bond expenditure report for May 2016 were presented to the board by Williams.
Board members approved minutes from the last regular meeting, budget amendments, technology purchases, and a bid for renewal of maintenance, repair, and operations supplies and equipment. Trustees approved recycling out-of-date textbooks, and the board also extended the deadline to resell delinquent tax properties through a public auction and extended sale through the Hood County Appraisal District. In addition, Chris Tackett was appointed to be the trustee representative on the Granbury ISD Education Foundation board of directors for the next year.
 
Donations reported to the board included: $748 from the Acton Elementary School PTO for a fourth grade field trip; $452 from the Acton Nature Center for an AES field trip; $1,300 from the Tides Foundation for AES art; $975 from the Pirate Soccer booster club for team travel; $237 from the Lady Pirate Soccer booster club for team travel.
 
Trustees will next meet for a special meeting on Friday, June 24 at 2:00 P.M. and then again on Monday, July 25 for the annual budget workshop and regular monthly meeting. Board meetings are held in the GISD Board Room located next to the Administration Building at 600 W. Pearl Street.
 
 
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