Tuesday, 28 Aug 2007

2007 - August 28th

The Royse City Independent School District Board of Trustees met in Regular Session and Public Hearing on August 28, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. in the Black Box Theater, Royse City High School, 700 South F.M. Road 2642, Royse City, Texas.

Public Hearing was opened by Mr. Summers, to hear discussion of proposed budget for school year 2007-2008.
No public discussion was heard.
To hear discussion of proposed tax rate for school year 2007-2008 Mr. Larry Gibbs, citizen, asked the question of what the board intends to do with the money that will be realized from the proposed tax rate.
Discussion was offered by administrators and included: the district is no longer competitive in salaries and benefit packages with neighboring districts. One-third of the teachers that resigned this year left to obtain a larger salary. It was noted that when our Human Resource Department participate in career fairs it was hard to get people interested in our district due to the salary. We want to attract and retain quality teachers and to do that we must stay competitive in salary and benefit package.

Superintendent’s Reports

Construction Reports

RCHS – Mr. Jerry Gallagher
We have very few issues still at the High School. Site work for the new football stadium and auditorium is underway.
Bids were opened this afternoon for the stadium and auditorium, they look good; and I believe the bids received today will allow us to go forward with your plans. Final tabulations will be available in the morning and the district should be playing in the new stadium in 2008, with weather cooperating. Will probably ask the Board to schedule a Special Meeting in order to award bids.
Miss May Vernon – Mr. Nathan Morgan & Mr. Gallagher
School opened with only a few issues. Landscape is being finished and the street is poured.

Enrollment Update – Mr. Randy Hancock—Enrollment figures as of this afternoon are:

Early Childhood up 29 students
Elementary School up 169
Middle School up 30
High School up 119
Our current growth percentage is 8.3% and projected growth for this year will be 10 – 12%.

Bulldog Quarterback Club Presentation – In the absence of Mr. Rodney Sebastain Mr. Crowell reported:
The Quarterback Club has been in existence for three years, first year strong and active, and this year we intend to be strong again. Have raised some $60,000 to help RCHS Athletes. Coach Webb has approximately $20,000 in video equipment purchased by the Quarterback Club. Thanked all of the sponsors and invited everyone as they entered the football stadium to read the sponsor board.

Mr. Hancock thanked the Quarterback and the Band Booster Clubs (Mrs. Sherri Wells, Band Booster Club President) for their continued support to the district. They add extra things to the programs that the district is just not able to provide. Thanks to these hard working people for helping our students.

The board adopted the consent agenda which included the following items:

Minutes of prior meetings
Financial reports
Budget amendments
CSP 06-07-16 High School shop equipment
CSP 06-08-01 Warehouse supplies
Agreement with TEA for the National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Program and appoint Randy Hancock as district authorized representative.

Appointed the following persons to transact any and all banking business on behalf of the District:

Randy Hancock, Superintendent, Jimmy Butler, Chief Financial Officer, Elaine Flowers, Business Office Supervisor and to pass a resolution to that effect.

Appointed Jimmy Butler, Jr. as Chief Investment Officer for the Royse City ISD.

Board hired new employees and accepted resignations as presented by administration: New: Carol Campbell, Instructional Technology Director; Christine Gatlin, RCHS – English; Rebecca Holzbauer, RCMS – 7th Science; Tim Pratt, RCMS – Special Ed; Terri Porter, RCHS - PE Resignation: Reyna Martin - HS

The Board unanimously adopted the proposed budget for the 2007-2008 school year, adopted the tax rate for 2007-2008 year at $ 1.14 for Maintenance & Operation; $ 0.31 for Interest & Sinking.

The motion passed to order a special election to be held on November 6, 2007, according to the terms set out in the Election Order, for the purpose of seeking ratification of the ad valorem tax rate approved above.

The Board adopted Resolutions to enter into joint election agreements with the City of Royse City and the County of Rockwall Country for the purpose of holding joint elections. And voted to enter into an agreement with Rockwall County Elections Administrator, Glenda Denton to facilitate Nov. 6, 2007 Special Election and that she be named judge and early voting clerk for Royse City ISD.

The PDAS Calendar and PDAS Appraisers for the school year 2007-2008 were approved as presented.

The board adopted Board Policy FNA (LOCAL), on first reading, to be in compliance with House Bill 3678 “Student Expression.”

The board voted to end the lease agreement with the First Baptist Church’s use of old middle school building on April 1, 2008.

Review and discussion of Board Policy and Procedures Manual chapter, TASB Convention.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned.