TASB Manual Trades Compensation
Plan
The Board tabled a recommendation to adopt a manual trades
compensation plan for 2005-06, as developed in cooperation with the
Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). TASB Compensation
Specialist, Charlie Nitschmann, explained to Board members and the
audience that the new compensation plan includes seven pay grades
(the current system utilizes four separate pay tables), with each
pay grade assigned a minimum, maximum, and mid-point salary. The
mid-point salaries are based on market values and are used to
calculate future pay raises for each respective pay grade. The
compensation plan includes a 2.25% general pay increase for 2005-06,
with other equity adjustments and modifications bringing the overall
increase to 2.6%. Board members thanked Mr. Nitschmann for his
presentation before voting to table the recommendation to allow
Board members more time to study the plan.
Brazosport High School Roof
Replacements
The Board of Trustees approved a change order to the Brazosport High
School additions and renovations project, totaling $429,803, to
incorporate roof replacements for the vocational building and the
library and auditorium.
“Boot Camp” Agreement for
2005-2006
Trustees approved an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement and
Memorandum of Understanding for the Juvenile Justice Alternative
Education Program. The agreement between Brazoria County and the
eight school districts in Brazoria County will facilitate operations
of the “boot camp” program for the 2005-2006 school year.
Sale of Qualified Zone Academy
Bonds (QZABs)
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 QZAB debt,
with a total repayment cost (including principal and interest) of
$6.4 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 have 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.
Proposals for Health Plan
Administration Services
Board members approved awarding a contract to Aetna to provide
health plan administration services for the District’s self-funded
health plans. Executive Director of Business Services, Michael
Abild, told Board members that the District’s Insurance Committee,
with the assistance of Bob Marder, with Marder Benefits, Inc., had
thoroughly reviewed the proposals, and felt that Aetna’s aggressive
pricing; the availability of the Aetna medical and pharmacy
networks; and its extensive claims processing, plan design, and
consulting expertise combined to offer the District an excellent
value. The District’s current plan administrator, TASB (Texas
Association of School Boards), will continue to administer the
District’s health care plans until Aetna’s contract begins on
September 1, 2005.
New Brazosport High School
Baseball Field
Board members approved awarding a contract to Drymalla Construction
Company (Drymalla) for the construction of a new baseball field at
Brazosport High School. Ron Bailey, with the District’s architects,
PBK Architects, Inc., explained to Board members that adequate funds
were simply not included in his firm’s estimate of $595,000 that was
presented to Board members in March. The error came to light when a
proposal to construct the project, totaling $1.7 million, was
received from Drymalla. Mr. Bailey reported that representatives
from PBK, Drymalla, and the District had recently met and identified
$307,600 of potential savings, which could potentially reduce the
new facility’s cost to $1,341,059. Board members reviewed the
proposed savings at length, as well as options for financing the
shortfall, before voting to award a contract totaling $1,438,609.
Construction of the new facility will begin immediately, with
substantial completion scheduled by year-end.
CM At-Risk For Lighthouse
Learning Center
The Board of Trustees voted to approve awarding a contract to
Drymalla Construction Company to serve as Construction
Manager-At-Risk in connection with upcoming additions and
renovations at the Lighthouse Learning Center (Alternative Placement
Center).
Enrollment Report
Ron Speir, Executive Director of Administrative Services, presented
Board members with a District enrollment report as of May 26, 2005,
reporting a 2-student increase over a corresponding date last year.
Mr. Speir also reported that inter-district transfers (transfers
from other school districts) were up by 17 students over the same
time last year, while intra-district transfers (transfers between
campuses) currently total 761.
Ney/Roberts Attendance Zones
The Board of Trustees received an update from Ron Speir, Executive
Director of Administrative Services, regarding strategies being
considered to relieve student overcrowding at Elisabet Ney
Elementary School. Mr. Speir reported that the zoning change
between Elisabet Ney and O. M. Roberts Elementary Schools presented
to the Board at the May meeting does not now appear to be necessary
and will not be recommended for the 2005-2006 school year.
Nevertheless, the District will allow students residing in the area
west of Highway 332, bordered by Oak Drive South and Medical Drive,
to attend Roberts Elementary on a voluntary basis for 2005-2006, to
the extent space is available. Mr. Speir concluded his presentation
by suggesting that the Board may want to revisit this issue next
year to see if enrollment trends justify an attendance boundary
change.
2005-2006 Budget Workshop
The Board held a workshop to review a preliminary budget for the
District’s 2005-2006 fiscal year. Michael Abild, Executive Director
of Business Services, reported that the District expects to have
more resources available in 2005-2006, due to an increase in taxable
property values of approximately $270 million (resulting in an
increase in General Fund tax revenues of approximately $3.6 million)
and a projected reduction in “Robin Hood” payments for the upcoming
year of approximately $1.1 million. Mr. Abild stated that increased
salary and benefit costs represent the largest increase in the 2006
operating budget; including a $1,000 salary increase for teachers
and other professional personnel and a corresponding average 2.25%
increase in wages for other employee categories, an increase in the
beginning teacher salary to $37,000 (currently $36,200), and health
insurance and other benefit cost increases totaling approximately
$286,000. The preliminary budget also reflects budget reductions,
totaling approximately $1.65 million, primarily the result of lower
“Robin Hood” costs. Mr. Abild explained that approximately $270,000
of General Fund reserves will be required to accommodate a “balanced
budget.” The District’s preliminary tax rate has also been
increased by five cents ($0.05) to reflect additional debt service
requirements associated with the “Primary Bond.” Superintendent
Okruhlik closed the workshop by encouraging Board members to contact
his office or Mr. Abild with questions or concerns and by stating
that the Board would revisit the 2006 budget at the July 5 meeting.
Student Voluntary Drug Testing
Policy
Director of Public Information/Communications, Stuart Dornburg,
reviewed a draft policy for a voluntary student drug testing program
with Board members. The policy requires that consent to the drug
testing program must be obtained before a student in grades 9-12
will be allowed to participate in any after school extracurricular
activity or obtain a permit to park on campus. Additionally,
parents of students not otherwise participating in the drug testing
program may request that their students participate. Sanctions
imposed by the policy include notification of parents, conferencing,
counseling, and the following suspensions:
