Athens Independent School DistrictHome of the 4-Day Instructional Week

I. Call to Order/Certify Notice/Establish Quorum

Mr. Eugene Buford, 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: Mr. Eugene Buford, Mr. Bryan Barker, Mr. Chris House, Mrs. Gina Hunter, Mrs. Alicea Elliott, Mrs. Margaret Richardson

Members absent: Mr. Freddie Paul

Also present were: Cathy Kirkland, Director of Special Programs; Tony Brooks, Technology Director; Ginger Morrison, Deputy Superintendent; Barry Choate, Executive Director of Maintenance & Operations; Kelley Lee; Staci Gold; Brooke Brock, Director of Special Populations; Randy Jones, Chief Financial Officer; Zac Harrell, Athletic Director; Randy Bullock; Kennedy Ard; Lisa Ramsey; Tori Hargraves; Nicole Cornish, AHS Principal; Chris Tinsley; Officer Adam Parkins; Gail Carnes, Executive Assistant and Dr. Janie Sims, Superintendent

II. Invocation was given by Mrs. Gina Hunter.

III. Pledge of Allegiance was given to the national and state flags.

IV. Audience Participation

No one signed up to speak.

V. Annual TAPR (Texas Academic Performance Report) Hearing

Athens ISD held a hearing for public discussion of the 2021-22 Annual TAPR (Texas Academic Performance Report). Cathy Kirkland, Director of Special Programs, presented the Board of Trustees the 2021-22 accountability summary of the district and all five campuses. No one signed up to speak.

VI. Delinquent Property Tax Collections Report

Staci Gold, Attorney with McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, presented the delinquent property tax report. Ms. Gold gave a brief overview of the total revenue from tax collections, cumulative tax collections, and the delinquent tax collections owed to Athens I.S.D. Ms. Gold also shared the status of delinquent collection for the past four years.

VII. Information/Discussion Items

A. Administrative Report – Facilities, Grants

Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims informed the Board of Trustees of the grants that have been approved and other grants, such as safety and security, which are being prepared. Dr. Sims also gave them an update on playoff games that were hosted at the high school and some future dates of more playoff games. She also reported information presented at a Superintendent’s meeting showing student growth numbers in neighboring school districts.

B. AMS MAP Testing Data

Cathy Kirkland, Director of Special Programs, reported results of the alternate district-selected seventh grade reading instrument.

VIII. Action Items

A. Consider Out of State Student Travel for AHS FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) Members

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mr. Chris House that trustees approve the out of state student travel for AHS FCCLA member/s as presented. Motion carried 6:0.

B. Consider Resolution Regarding Employee Compensation During Periods of Emergency School Closure and Granting the Superintendent Certain Authority Related to Employee Duty Days and Compensation

Motion was made by Mrs. Gina Hunter and seconded by Mr. Bryan Barker that trustees approve the resolution regarding employee compensation during periods of school closure due to weather and granting the Superintendent certain authority related to employee duty days and compensation as presented. Motion carried 6:0.

C. Consider Expenditures Over $50,000

1. Purchase of Two School Buses

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mr. Bryan Barker that trustees approve the purchase of one gasoline engine school bus and one diesel engine school bus from Longhorn Bus Sales in the amount of $262,130.00 as presented. Motion carried 6:0.

2. Updated Scope, Cost and Timeline for the Renovation of the Athletic Complex

Motion was made by Mr. Chris House and seconded by Mrs. Alicea Elliott that trustees approve the athletic complex renovations including the installation of softball field and baseball field turf in the amount of $6,915,334. as presented. Motion carried 6:0.

D. Consider Appointment of Auditor for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Ending June 30, 2023 and the Following Four Years

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mr. Bryan Barker that trustees accept the proposal for audit services from Pattillo, Brown, & Hill, L.L.P. for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 and the following four years as presented. Motion carried 6:0.

E. Consider Granting Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent Final Authority for Selection of Personnel from March 1, 2023 until August 31, 2023

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mrs. Gina Hunter that trustees approve to grant the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent final authority for selection of personnel from March 1, 2023 until August 31, 2023 as presented. Motion carried 6:0.

F. Consider Food Service Management Company Contract Renewal with Taher, Inc. for

2023-2024

Motion was made by Mr. Chris House and seconded by Mrs. Margaret Richardson that trustees approve the contract renewal with Taher, Inc., the first of four allowed renewals, as presented. Motion carried 6:0.

G. Consider Adoption of TASB Policy Update 120, Affecting (LOCAL) Policies:

CKC(LOCAL): Safety Program/Risk Management - Emergency Plans

DC(LOCAL): Employment Practices

FNG(LOCAL): Student Rights and Responsibilities-Student and Parent Complaints/

Grievances

FO(LOCAL): Student Discipline

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mr. Chris House that trustees approve the additions, revisions, or deletions of (LOCAL) policies as recommended by TASB Policy Service and according to the instruction sheet for TASB localized policy manual update 120 as presented. Motion carried 6:0.

Consent Agenda

A. Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held on January 23, 2023 and Special Meeting Held on February 13, 2023

B. Financial Statements for the Month of January 2023

C. Adopt Agreement with Henderson County Elections Division to Conduct Athens ISD Trustee Election on May 6, 2023

D. Adopt Resolution Authorizing Joint Election Agreement Between the City of Athens and Athens ISD for May 6, 2023 Election

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mr. Bryan Barker that trustees approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried 6:0.

X. Executive Session Discussion

A. Employment/Resignations of Contract Employees-Texas Gov't Code 551.074

At 7:26 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 8:48 p.m.

XI. Executive Session Action – Open Session

A. Employment/Resignations of Contract Employees - Texas Gov't Code 551.074

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mr. Bryan Barker that trustees approve the professional personnel contract for: Andrea Lee. Motion carried 6:0.

The following resignations have been approved: Tammy Clemmons, Rebecca Habibelahian, Norma Thompson, Kristen Deupree, Angela St. Valentine, Bree Treadway.

Motion was made by Mr. Chris House and seconded by Mr. Bryan Barker that good cause did not exist regarding Mark Chalk’s separation from employment with the District and authorized a report be made to the State Board of Educator Certification that Mark Chalk has abandoned his contract with the District. Motion carried 6:0.

XII. Adjourn

Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.