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, Mr. Freddie Paul, Mrs. Alicea Elliott

Members absent: Mrs. Renda Garner

Also present were: Jami Ivey, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability; Ginger Morrison, Director of Federal Programs & Human Resources; Randy Jones, Chief Financial Officer; Brooke Brock, Director of Special Populations; Henry C. Tracy, AHS Principal; Nikki Mason; Lisa Howell, BAE Principal; Jen Risinger, AMS Principal; Kendra Hensley; Tim Hensley; Jennifer Nicholson; Linda Tull; Shannon Pursley, CAE Principal; Jake Shirley; Chris House; Cathy Kirkland; Barry Choate, Director of Operations; Jennifer Livingston; Nicole Cornish; Tony Brooks, Director of Technology; Jason Iglehart; 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. 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.

V. Information/Discussion Items

A. Administrative Reports

1. Testing Data

The campus principals reported to the Board of Trustees testing data by grade and subject matter. For the most part, there was improvement in almost all areas and all grades. They explained their areas of concern and their methods for improvement for each campus.

2. Discussion of HVAC Units

Barry Choate, Director of Operations, informed the Board of Trustees the status and anticipated replacements of HVAC units for the district. All of Athens Middle School units will need to be replaced simultaneously since none have been replaced since the school operation began in August 2000. There are also some issues with units at South, Central and the AHS West Wing. Mr. Choate also provided a list of all units with location, tonnage, type and age of each.

3. Pressbox Update

Blake Stiles, Superintendent, reported that he had received 65% completed documentation from Claycomb Architects and Associates for the Pressbox project and expects to have 95% completed documentation by next week.

4. Adding Paraprofessional at BAE

Brooke Brock, Director of Special Populations, explained to the Board the need to add a paraprofessional for the Life Skills classes at Bel Air Elementary because of the increase in numbers of special needs students.

5. Grant Update

Jennifer Risinger, Athens Middle School Principal, presented to the Board of Trustees information on the School Transformation Grant awarded from Texas Education Agency. The grant is $232,000 and requires the district to work with a TEA approved partner to meet the goals of increasing student performance and attendance, increase retention of new hires, and increase the number of staff and students involved in clubs.

VI. Action Items

A. Consider Expenditures Over $50,000

1. Athens Middle School Grant Funds

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mr. Eric Smith that trustees approve the expenditure of $82,400.31 from grant funds for year one of service with Engage2Learn as stipulated in the School Transformational grant received from TEA as presented. Motion carried 6:0.

B. Consider Personnel Contract

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mrs. Gina Hunter that trustees approve the professional personnel contract and compensation to begin on October 23, 2018 as presented. Motion carried 6:0.

C. Annual Review of Investment Policy and Strategies

Motion was made by Mr. Eugene Buford and seconded by Mr. Eric Smith that trustees adopt the resolution as documentation of the annual review of investment policy or strategies with no changes as presented. Motion carried 6:0

VII. Consent Agenda

A. Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held on October 22, 2018

B. Financial Statements for the Month of October 2018

C. Budget Amendment

Motion was made by Mrs. Alicea Elliott and seconded by Mr. Eugene Buford that the consent agenda items be approved as presented. Motion carried 6:0.

VIII. Executive Session Discussion

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

At 6:45 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 8:28 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 contracts for:

Grace Holcombe

Vanessa Bledsoe

X. Audience Participation

No one signed up to speak prior to the meeting.

XI. Adjourn

Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.