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. Chris House, Mrs. Gina Hunter, Mr. Eugene Buford, Mr. Freddie Paul, Mrs. Margaret Richardson, Mr. Robert Risko

Members absent: None

Also present were: Jami Ivey, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability; Tony Brooks, Director of Technology; Ginger Morrison, Director of Federal Programs & Human Resources; Amber Lindsey; Pamela Smith; Randy Jones, Chief Financial Officer; Angie Davis; Brooke Brock, Director of Special Populations; Nikki Mason, SAE Principal; Shannon Pursley; Lisa Howell, BAE Principal; Nicole Cornish; Tony Sikes; Jennifer Lehr; Jason Iglehart; Rocky Patel; Charlie Combs; Jennifer Livingston; Jennifer Nicholson; Tim Hensley; Alexa Wilcoxson; Morgan Gould; Tomas Salazar; Hunter McGuffey; Maddie Treadway; Ward Wilbanks; Clay Tracy, AHS Principal; Sam DeShazo; Barry Choate, Director of Operations; Robert Becker; Jennifer Trammell Griffith; Dr. Janie Sims, Deputy Superintendent; Gail Carnes, Executive Assistant; and Blake Stiles, Superintendent.

II. Invocation was given by Mr. Chris House.

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

IV. Recognize Principals and Assistant Principals

Jami Ivey, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Accountability, introduced the campus level leaders to the Board of Trustees as the Governor has signed a proclamation designating the month of October as Principals Month. Mrs. Ivey praised the group as being great campus leaders and doing an excellent job for the students of our district.

V. Public Hearing to Discuss the Athens ISD FIRST Financial Status

Mr. Randy Jones, Chief Financial Officer conducted a public hearing to discuss the Athens ISD Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). Athens ISD has achieved a score of 98 points of the 100 points available and has received the status of “Passed” with the rating of “A=Superior”. No one signed up to speak.

VI. Audience Participation

Jennifer Trammell Griffith signed up to speak about issues on September 24^th with her son on campus. Angie Davis signed up to speak about the Texas Classroom Teachers Association.

VII. Information Items

A. Administrative Reports

1. 4 Day Surveys Results

2. Grading System

3. Facilities Projects Update

4. Daktronics Scoreboard Update

5. Friday Lunch Report

Superintendent Blake Stiles reported to the Board of Trustees student and staff attendance since the beginning of school. He also provided them with the 4 day survey results from employees, parents and high school students.

Jami Ivey, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Accountability, presented to the Board information and background of our standardized grading system at the elementary level.

Barry Choate, Director of Operations, informed the Board of items on their prioritized maintenance list and the costs associated with implementing them. He also informed them that the lighting at DSC had been completed and the next item to be installed would be the fence for the PK-3 playground.

Superintendent Blake Stiles also provided the Board of Trustees with information on the status of the Daktronics scoreboard and the Friday lunch report.

B. Chartwells Presentation

Rocky Patel, Chartwells Dining Services Regional Director, presented the Board of Trustees a comparison of the past two years showing an increase in the number of meals served and the current lunch and breakfast participation.

C. District / Campus Strategic Plans

Ginger Morrison, Director of Human Resources and Federal Programs, 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.

D. Parent and Family Engagement Policy

Ginger Morrison, Director of Human Resources and Federal Programs, presented the annually revised and updated Parent and Family Engagement Policy that describes the District’s plans and processes to increase parent involvement in their child’s education.

E. Bilingual / ESL Program Evaluation

Jami Ivey, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Accountability, provided the Board of Trustees information on the Bilingual/ESL Program Evaluation that has to be presented at a regular scheduled board meeting. This evaluation does not have to be approved by the Board.

VIII. Action Items

A. Consider Audit of the District's Financial Records

Mr. J.W. Lambright, Smith, Lambright and Associates, P.C., Certified Public Accountants, presented an overview of the audit conducted of the District’s Financial Records. The report presents the most desirable opinion stating that the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of the District as of June 30, 2019, and the respective changes in financial position and where applicable, cash flows for Athens ISD for the year ended June 30, 2019. Motion was made by Mr. Robert Risko and seconded by Mrs. Margaret Richardson that trustees accept and approve the audit report as presented. Motion carried 7:0.

B. Consider Candidate for Henderson County Appraisal District Board of Directors

Motion was made by Mr. Eugene Buford and seconded by Mrs. Alicea Elliott that trustees cast all 769 votes for Jack Bailey for Place 2 on the Henderson County Appraisal District Board of Directors as presented. Motion carried 7:0.

C. Consider Out of State Student Travel

Motion was made by Mr. Chris House and seconded by Mr. Eugene Buford that trustees approve the out of state student travel for the high school FFA chapter to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana as presented. Motion carried 7:0.

IX. Consent Agenda

A. Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held on September 23, 2019 and Special Meeting

Held on October 14, 2019

B. Financial Statements for the Month of September 2019

C. Quarterly Investment Report

D. Consider Renewal of SHARS Consultant Contract with MSB

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

X. Executive Session Discussion

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

At 7:33 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 8:22 p.m.

XI. Executive Session Action

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

Motion was made by Mrs. Margaret Richardson and seconded by Mr. Eugene Buford that trustees approve the professional personnel contracts for: Michael Taylor and Shaunda Miles. Motion carried 7:0. The following resignation has been approved: Danae Spencer.

XII. Adjourn

Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.