Unofficial Minutes of Regular Meeting - September 28, 2020
The Board of Trustees - Athens Independent School District
A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Athens Independent School District was held Monday, September 28, 2020, beginning at 6:00 PM in the Administration Building Board Room, 104 Hawn Street, Athens, Texas.
In order to advance the public health goal by avoiding social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), there will be no public access to the location described above. The public can participate by going to the following link:
https://zoom.us/j/99385393645?pwd=dTNVU1BvVHBScGVScmg4L24rUjhldz09.
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I. Call to Order/Certify Notice/Establish Quorum
Mrs. Alicea Elliott, President of the Board of Trustees, announced a quorum of Board Members was present and called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Members present: Mrs. Alicea Elliott, Mr. Eugene Buford, Mrs. Margaret Richardson, Mr. Chris House, Mr. Freddie Paul, Mrs. Gina Hunter, Mr. Robert Risko
Members absent: None
Also present were: Tony Brooks, Technology Director; Ginger Morrison, Assistant Superintendent of School Operations; Jami Ivey, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Accountability; Barry Choate, Executive Director of Maintenance & Operations; Lisa Howell, BAE Principal; Nikki Mason, SAE Principal; Claudia Stiles, CAE Principal; Jennifer Risinger, AMS Principal; Nicole Cornish, AHS Principal; Gail Carnes, Executive Assistant and Dr. Janie Sims, Superintendent.
Present by Zoom: Brooke Brock, Director of Special Populations; Cathy Kirkland, Director of Federal Programs; Tim Hensley; Jason Iglehart; Jennifer Livingston; Kendra Hensley; Edward Wilbanks
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II. Invocation was given by Mr. Eugene Buford.
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III. Pledge of Allegiance was given to the national and state flags.
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IV. Audience Participation - Anyone wishing to make a comment to the Board about an agenda item must email gcarnes@athensisd.net by 5:30 p.m.September 28. Comments will be read aloud by the Board President at this time.
No one signed up to speak.
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V. Information Items
A. Administrative Reports - COVID-19 Related Issues
Dr. Janie Sims, Superintendent, reported to the Board of Trustees that the scoreboard would be up and running this week with improvements. She asked Tony Brooks to give an update on the technology equipment and the security upgrades. Dr. Sims also reported enrollment is still increasing, the number of declarations of in-person instruction has also increased, and AISD will be submitting their asynchronous learning plan this week.
B. Assessment Overview
Jami Ivey, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Accountability, provided the Board information on the NWEA and MAP assessment tools.
C. Campus Testing Data Reports
All five campus principals presented the Board the beginning of the year testing results for math and reading. This report included the number of students tested, the number of students tested remotely, and the number of students above and below their achievement level.
D. District / Campus Strategic Plans
Ginger Morrison, Assistant Superintendent of School Operations, presented the annually reviewed and updated District Improvement Plan and Campus Improvement Plans. Mrs. Morrison stated that the district improvement plan and all campus improvement plans are aligned with Athens ISD Strategic Plan.
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VI. Action Items
A. Consider Selection of Auditor for Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2020, 2021, 2022
Motion was made by Mr. Robert Risko and seconded by Mrs. Margaret Richardson that trustees approve the proposal for audit services from Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P. for the three fiscal years ending June 30, 2020, 2021 and 2022 as presented. Motion carried 7:0.
B. Consider Renewal of Workers Compensation Insurance
Motion was made by Mr. Eugene Buford and seconded by Mrs. Margaret Richardson that trustees approve the workers’ compensation insurance proposal from Deep East Texas Self Insurance Fund for the three year period of 10/1/2020-9/30/2023 with an annual premium of $97,762 as presented. Motion carried 7:0.
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VII. Consent Agenda
A. Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting Held on August 24, 2020
B. Financial Statements for the Month of August 2020
Motion was made by Mr. Chris House and seconded by Mr. Eugene Buford that the consent agenda items be approved as presented. Motion carried 7:0.
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VIII. Executive Session Discussion
A. Employment/Resignations of Contract Employees - Texas Gov't Code 551.074
B. School Safety Audit – Texas Gov’t Code 551.076
At 8:14 p.m., the Board President announced that trustees would adjourn to executive session as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code and/or Education Code concerning any and all purposes permitted by the Act. Should any final action, final decision, or final vote be required, then the final action, final decision, or final vote shall take place in open session. The Board returned to open session at 9:36 p.m.
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IX. Executive Session Action – Open Session
A. Employment/Resignations of Contract Employees– Texas Gov’t Code 551.074
B. School Safety Audit – Texas Gov’t Code 551.076
Motion was made by Mr. Robert Risko and seconded by Mr. Chris House that trustees approve the professional personnel contracts for: Megan Walker and Kulsoom Saqib. Motion carried 7:0.
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X. Adjourn
Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
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