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, Mrs. Margaret Richardson, Mr. Chris House, Mr. Robert Risko, Mrs. Gina Hunter, Mr. Freddie Paul, Mr. Bryan Barker

Members absent: None

Also present were: Brooke Brock, Director of Special Populations; Jami Ivey, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Accountability; Barry Choate, Executive Director of Maintenance & Operations; Randy Jones, Chief Financial Officer; Ginger Morrison, Assistant Superintendent of School Operations; Randy Skiles; Lakita Hadnot; Kristi Gore; Officer Dustin Cook; Gail Carnes, Executive Assistant and Dr. Janie Sims, Superintendent.

II. Invocation was given by Mr. Chris House.

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

IV. Audience Participation

Lakita Hadnot signed up and spoke about her views on the due process procedures for students. Kristi Gore signed up and asked the Board of Trustees and Administration to please address the problem of vaping at the campuses. She suggested detectors, more drug testing, and to revisit drug policy and enforcement.

V. Information/Discussion Items

A. Administrative Report - COVID-19 Related Issues, Legislative Update

Dr. Janie Sims, Superintendent, reported to the Board of Trustees that there are zero cases of COVID among staff and students. She also informed the Board that TEA approved all of the missed school day waivers except two. Makeup days will be Friday, April 9, 2021 and Friday, April 23, 2021. Dr. Sims also gave a brief legislative update and informed the Board of the successful auction that was held last Saturday, March 27, 2021.

B. Academic Recovery Plan Framework

Jami Ivey, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Accountability gave the Board an overview of an Academic Recovery Plan to regain learning lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Athens ISD has already built in time this school year in the daily schedule for tutoring students with needs. Along with integrating tutoring into the school day, adding twelve additional staff specialized in reading and math will allow intense and rigorous instruction. Other avenues to academic recovery discussed are smaller class sizes, summer enrichment, and targeted professional development.

VI. Action Items

A. Consider Commitment of Part of Fund Balance to Academic Recovery Plan

Motion was made by Mr. Robert Risko and seconded by Mrs. Margaret Richardson that trustees approve the proposed reclassification of fund balance to provide a committed amount of $2,100,000 for the Academic Recovery Plan as presented. Motion carried 7:0.

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 Mr. Chris House and seconded by Mr. Bryan Barker that trustees approve the resolution regarding hourly wage payment for employee compensation for school closure due to weather on Friday, February 19, 2021, granting the Superintendent certain authority related to employee duty days and compensation as presented. Motion carried 7:0.

C. Consider Expenditures Over $50,000 - Purchase of Two School Buses

Motion was made by Mr. Robert Risko and seconded by Mrs. Gina Hunter that trustees approve the proposal from Longhorn Bus Sales and the expenditure in the amount of $207,860 for two new school buses as presented. Motion carried 7:0.

VII. Consent Agenda

A. Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held on February 22, 2021 and Special Meeting Held on March 8, 2021

B. Financial Statements for the Month of February 2021

C. Budget Amendment

Motion was made by Mr. Robert Risko and seconded by Mr. Freddie Paul that the consent agenda items be approved as presented. Motion carried 7:0.

VIII. Executive Session Discussion

A. Consideration of Administrator Contracts for 2021-2022 - Texas Gov't Code 551.074

B. 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 7:54 p.m.

IX. Executive Session Action – Open Session

A. Consideration of Administrator Contracts for 2021-2022 - Texas Gov't Code 551.074

Motion was made by Mr. Robert Risko and seconded by Mr. Freddie Paul that trustees approve the following administrator contracts. Motion carried 7:0.

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

Motion was made by Mr. Robert Risko and seconded by Mr. Freddie Paul that trustees approve the professional personnel contract for Katherine Gillings. Motion carried: 7:0.

Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims announced the following resignations: Barbara Lamance, Jane Johnson, Sherry McPike, Emily Cain, Saif Castaneda, Amy Fonseca, Shar’Lon Lane, Kinsey Martin, Ken Walker, William Whitehead and Stephen Wickham.

X. Adjourn

Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.