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. Chris House, Mrs. Gina Hunter, Mr. Bryan Barker, Mrs. Alicea Elliott, Mrs. Margaret Richardson, Mr. Freddie Paul

Members absent: None

Also present were: Tony Brooks, Technology Director; Brooke Brock, Director of Special Populations; Ginger Morrison, Assistant Superintendent of School Operations; Jami Ivey, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction &Accountability; Nikki Mason, SAE Principal; Lisa Howell, BAE Principal; Cathy Kirkland, Director of Federal Programs; Claudia Stiles, CAE Principal; Nicole Cornish, AHS Principal; Randy Jones, Chief Financial Officer; Barry Choate, Executive Director of Maintenance & Operations; 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

No one signed up to speak.

V. Information/Discussion Items

A. Administrative Report – COVID-19 Related Matters, Chapter 313 Agreements

Dr. Janie Sims, Superintendent, reported to the Board of Trustees the number of active cases in our schools and the latest information the district has on the Chapter 313 agreements.

B. STAAR Assessment Update

Jami Ivey, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Accountability & Instruction, informed the Board that given the impact of COVID-19, all districts and schools received a label of Not Rated: Declared State of Disaster for the 2020 and 2021 accountability ratings.

C. District / Campus Strategic Plans

Cathy Kirkland, Director of Federal Programs, gave the Board of Trustees a summary of the district and campus strategic plans, which included areas being addressed, initiatives and highlights of all of the campuses.

D. Bilingual/ESL Program Evaluation

Cathy Kirkland, Director of Federal Programs, communicated to the Board the goals of the bilingual/ESL program and the process of identifying these students. She also gave them an overview of the program structure, professional development, evaluation process, and parent communication.

VI. Action Items

A. Consider Out of State Student Travel for FFA

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mrs. Margaret Richardson that trustees approve the out of state student travel for the FFA members to attend the 94^th annual national FFA convention as presented. Motion carried 7:0.

B. Consider Expenditures Over $50,000 – Consider Vape Detectors

Motion was made by Mr. Eugene Buford and seconded by Mr. Freddie Paul that trustees approve the purchase of 39 Halo vape detectors and cable with installation from J & L Technology in the total amount of $55,999.00 as presented. Motion carried 7:0.

C. Consider Nominee to Henderson County Appraisal District Board of Directors for Term Beginning January 2022

Motion was made by Mrs. Gina Hunter and seconded by Mr. Bryan Barker that trustees nominate Jess Laird for the Board of Directors of the Henderson County Appraisal District Board of Directors for the term beginning January 2022 as presented. Motion carried 7:0.

VII. Consent Agenda

A. Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held on August 23, 2021

B. Financial Statements for the Month of August 2021

C. Consider Additional Certified Appraisers

D. Consider Approval of Waiver to Use Alternate 7th Grade Reading Instruments

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mr. Freddie Paul 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 6:53 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 8:41 p.m.

IX. Executive Session Action – Open Session

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

Motion was made by Mrs. Margaret Richardson and seconded by Mr. Bryan Barker that trustees approve the professional personnel contracts for: Demi Cumby, Jamie Ackerman, Carol Immel, Angelea Womble. Motion carried 7:0.

The following resignation has been approved: Sherlyn Fulkerson

X. Adjourn

Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.