May 6,2003

Victoria Hubbard

Linda Newsome

Linda Newsome was recognized as one of five finalists in the Houston Anti-Defamation League’s A World of Difference Institute’s 2003 Teacher Excellence Award. Mrs. Newsome is a long-time counselor at Bess Brannen Elementary School who can be seen in the halls on a daily basis carrying her basket of books and activities to share her lessons of social skills and her message that, “there is no place for hate.” Mrs. Newsome is also a willing volunteer for the after school Learning for Life Club and the Best Club. In nominating Mrs. Newsome, her Principal, Julie Evans, stated that, “Linda’s Extra Mile odometer has certainly rolled over more than once!”

Student and Staff Recognitions
A complete listing of student and staff recognitions is attached to this month’s issue of the Highlights.

May 3 Trustee Election Returns
Board members canvassed the May 3, 2003, Trustee Election returns and declared Jay Grable and Joel W. Welch elected to the Board of Trustees, representing Single-Member Trustee Districts 2 and 3, respectfully.

Oath of Office
The Oath of Office was administered to newly elected Board members, Jay Grable, Joel W. Welch, and Bobby Sharp. Mr. Sharp had previously been declared elected by the Board as an unopposed candidate representing Single-Member Trustee District.

Election of School Board Officers
The Board of Trustees elected the following officers for 2002-2003:
President Jay Luce
Vice President Joe Allen
Secretary Mazie Mack
Assistant Secretary Bobby Sharp

Selection of Construction Manager-At-Risk
Board members voted to engage Drymalla Construction Company to serve as the District’s Construction Manager At-Risk in connection with the construction of the new Velasco Elementary and Lake Jackson Intermediate Schools. A Construction Manager At-Risk provides consultative services during the pre-construction phase of a new school and then acts as the general contractor for its construction. The Board’s decision to select Drymalla was based on a recommendation from a review committee consisting of board members, administrative staff, and the District’s architects.

Sale of QZABs (Qualified Zone Academy Bonds)
Board members voted to approve the sale of $8 million of Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZABs) to Bank of America. Lewis Wilks, with Coastal Securities, Inc., explained that Bank of America’s bid will effectively allow the District to issue $8 million of 15-year QZAB debt, with a total repayment cost (including principal and interest) of $5.7 million. The QZAB program is an interest-free federal loan program intended to finance the renovation or repair of instructional facilities at economically disadvantaged campuses. An application must be filed with the Texas Education Agency and the District must partner with a private company to contribute money, goods, or expertise equal to 10% of the value of the bonds. Dow Chemical Company and BASF Corporation had generously agreed to contribute $800,000 in support of the new bonds. The bonds are part of the District’s $27.5 million “primary bond’ issue.

Review of School Campus Boundaries
Ron Speir, Director of Student Services, presented Board members with an informational report on the District’s current attendance boundaries and campus “feeder patterns.” Mr. Speir explained that the District currently has eleven elementary school attendance zones and that middle, intermediate, and high school assignments are based on each respective student’s elementary school attendance zone. Mr. Speir’s presentation was made in response to inquiries from developers of the new Lake Bend Subdivision, in Clute, and the City of Clute, regarding which elementary school students of the new subdivision will attend. Board members discussed transportation and safety issues associated with the existing attendance boundaries and requested the Superintendent and his staff to study the request.

Other Actions
In other actions, the Board of Trustees approved the official minutes for the March 31, April 1, and April 22, 2003, Board meetings, approved financial statements for March 2003, approved non-resident student transfers, approved awarding contracts for groceries, milk, pizza, paper goods, cleaning supplies/chemicals and water, and received an enrollment report as of May 6, 2003.