SISD Board Report
Monday, October 16, 2006
  

Board Members Present:  Debbie Burnett, Mae Burton, Sue Frazier, John Hendricks, Cathy Renshaw

Board Members Absent:  David Kennedy, Al Zorrilla

*Presentations from the Public: 

·          Pam Sanna addressed the board regarding the benefits of block scheduling.  Her students have benefited in many ways from block scheduling, including longer class periods allowing for a more thorough understanding of math and time to complete experiments in science classes. 

·          Melissa Flanders and Kathryn Thompson also addressed the board in favor of block scheduling.  Class periods are longer, which is an advantage to math classes and electives, including band.

·          David Reymond   also supported block scheduling and addressed the board.  He thinks the majority of the student body and faculty are in favor of block scheduling; however, if the district decides to do away with block scheduling, he has figured out a compromise schedule.

*Action Item:

·          The Board approved the naming of the two new elementary campuses as follows: 

·          The new campus currently under construction in the north part of Sherman, near Dillingham Intermediate School, shall be known as Percy W. Neblett Elementary School; and

·          The new campus under construction in the south part of Sherman, near Binkley Park, shall be known as Henry W. Sory Elementary School.

·          The Neblett and Sory families were presented with an artist’s rendering of the new campuses.  Sue Frazier and Al Hambrick shared with the audience the biographical information of Messrs. Percy W. Neblett and Henry W. Sory.

·          Mr. Sory expressed to the board and the public how grateful he is to receive such a wonderful award and he is honored to be included with Percy W. Neblett.

·          Mrs. Charlotte Neblett Douglass addressed the board and the public on behalf of her parents and thanked the many community members who campaigned to have a Sherman I.S.D. campus named in Mr. Neblett’s honor.  She said the Neblett family will remain committed to the elementary school and they are grateful for the opportunity and proud to be in the company of Mr. Henry Sory.  Mrs. Percy Neblett also thanked the community.

*Superintendent/Board Dialogue:

·          Thomas O’Neal introduced Michelle Burton, SHS Senior Counselor, who explained the National Merit Scholarship program.  Four SHS students have earned National Merit recognition, as follows:  Allison M. Cooper, National Merit Semifinalist; Courtney Boothe, David Bost, and Blythe Early, National Merit Commended; and Allison Cooper, National Achievement Semifinalist.SHS

·          Dr. Hambrick presented Douglass Learning Center with a certificate in recognition of the student performance in the Alternative Education Accountability System.

·          Dr. Hambrick awarded a certificate to Reid Wightman, Gifted and Talented Teacher of the Year.

·          Connie Baker presented a Gifted and Talented Program Report.

·          Chuck Edwards, Director of Maintenance, presented a PowerPoint presentation showing the construction progress.

*Action Items:

• The Board accepted the 2006-2007 Campus Improvement Plan as presented for each campus.

• The Board accepted the 2006-2007 Revised Technology Plan as presented.
• The Board approved the acceptance of gifts totaling $23,055.00.
• The Board approved the Resolution for Tax Increment Financing Zone Number 3 as presented.
• The Board approved expenditures and revenue for the month of September 2006 in the amount of $3,847,830.80.
• The Board approved the purchase of the three (3) year PLATO Software subscription as presented.
• The Board approved the purchase of a data network switch box and one file server, as presented.
• The Board approved the purchase of the Read Right Program as presented.
• The Board approved the waiver request on a 2005 property tax account as presented.
• The Board approved the Budget Amendments for Debt Services as presented.
• The Board approved the Budget Amendments for General Operating Funds as presented.

*From Consent Agenda:

• The Board approved the Class Size Waiver as presented.

*From Closed Meeting:

• The Board approved a probationary contract for a new teacher.
• The Board acknowledged the Superintendent’s acceptance of a teacher’s resignation.

*The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.