I. Call to Order/Certify Notice/Establish Quorum

Mr. Robert Risko, 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. Robert Risko, Mr. Eric Smith, Mrs. Gina Hunter, Mr. Eugene Buford, Mrs. Renda Garner, Mr. Freddie Paul, Mrs. Alicea Elliott

Members absent: None

Also present were: Jami Ivey, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability; Ginger Morrison, Director of Federal Programs & Human Resources; Tony Brooks, Director of Technology; Nikki Mason; Nicole Cornish; Jennifer Nicholson; Bridget Scott; Cathy Kirkland; Kendra Hensley; Claudia Stiles, SAE Principal; Reagan Adair; Chera Lambright; Bonnie Pearson; Shelia Hardin; Sandy Carter; Sherry McPike; Tim Hensley; Becky Rogers; Jane Johnson; Henry Tracy, AHS Principal; Steve Van Cleave; Holly Allen; Nick Rosenberg; Colleen Bradshaw; Rita Currington; Taylor Hennig; Kathy Davis; Jodye Dalrymple; Grace Holcombe; Katie Kirkland; Shar’Lon Lane; Chelsey Hall; Randy Jones, Chief Financial Officer; Jake Shirley; Jen Risinger, AMS Principal; Barry Choate, Director of Operations; Shannon Pursley, CAE Principal; Cynthia Baker; Joy Cumby; Jennifer Livingston;

Dr. Janie Sims, Deputy Superintendent; Gail Carnes, Executive Assistant; and Blake Stiles, Superintendent.

II. Invocation was given by Mrs. Gina Hunter.

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

IV. Campus Performance Recognition

Dr. Janie Sims, Deputy Superintendent, presented banners to two campuses displaying their distinction designations awarded by Texas Education Agency. Athens High School was awarded distinction designations by TEA for student performance in five areas: Academic Achievement in Mathematics, Academic Achievement in Science, Academic Achievement in Social Studies, Postsecondary Readiness, and Top 25 Percent: Comparative Closing the Gaps. South Athens Elementary was also awarded distinction designations by TEA in two areas: Postsecondary Readiness and Top 25 Percent: Comparative Closing the Gaps.

Information/Discussion Items

A. Administrative Reports

1. First Six Weeks of School

Superintendent Mr. Blake Stiles stated that we had a smooth start of school. He mentioned the current bond construction was still finishing up in some areas and there was a preliminary meeting about the Pressbox.

2. APEF Update

Dr. Janie Sims, Deputy Superintendent, introduced APEF board members who were present: Kari Wilmeth, Rita Currington, and Cody Craig. Mr. Craig informed the Board of Trustees of the upcoming APEF fundraiser on November 3, 2018. He also thanked the Board and Athens ISD administration for their support.

VI. Action Items

A. Consider Request for Maximum Class Size Waiver

Motion was made by Mr. Eugene Buford and seconded by Mr. Eric Smith that trustees approve to apply for the maximum class size exception waiver for first, third and fourth grades at South Athens Elementary as presented. Motion carried 7:0.

B. Consider Resolution for Audit Process for Credit-By-Examination Assessments

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mrs. Gina Hunter that trustees approve the resolution for the university audit process for all CBE assessments used for kindergarten through grade 5 acceleration as presented. Motion carried 7:0

C. Consider Expenditures Over $50,000

1. Consider Purchase of Special Needs Bus

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mr. Freddie Paul that trustees approve the purchase of a 53 passenger special needs school bus from Longhorn Bus Sales in the total amount of $97,136.00 as presented. Motion carried 7:0.

2. Consider Purchase of Regular Bus

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mr. Eugene Buford that trustees approve the purchase of a 77 passenger regular school bus from Longhorn Bus Sales in the total amount of $97,868.00 as presented. Motion carried 7:0.

D. Consider Out of State Student Travel

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mrs. Renda Garner that trustees approve out-of-state travel for the Athens High School Choir to travel to New Orleans, Louisiana next April 26-28, 2019 to enhance their musical, historical, and cultural knowledge and understanding as presented. Motion carried 7:0

E. Consider Naming the New AHS Gym Facility

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mr. Freddie Paul that trustees postpone the naming of the new AHS gym facility until next month. Motion carried 7:0

VII. Consent Agenda

A. Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held on August 27, 2018

B. Financial Statements for the Month of August 2018

C. Consider Approval of Hazardous Two-Mile Transportation Policy

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mr. Eugene Buford that the consent agenda items be approved as presented. Motion carried 7:0.

VIII. Executive Session Discussion

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

At 6:38 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 7:53 p.m.

IX. Open Session - Executive Session Action

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

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mr. Eric Smith that trustees approve the professional personnel contract for:

Heather Brooks

X. Audience Participation

No one signed up to speak prior to the meeting.

XI. Adjourn

Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.