Board Meeting Minutes September 26, 2017
A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Refugio Independent School District was held on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Administration Office, 212 West Vance Street, Refugio, Texas, with the following members present: President Jorge Jaso; Secretary Andy Rocha, T. Wayne Price, and Kelley Walker. Absent: Vice-President Ethel Garza, Lorraine Garcia and Eugene Lewis.
Also present: Melissa Gonzales, Superintendent.
Staff present: Twyla Thomas, Brenda Schumann, Katie Green, Brandon Duncan and Lisa Herring.
Others present: Brian Heinhold, Chris Martin, and James Rath – Weaver and Jacobs Constructors.
President Jorge Jaso established a quorum of members present, welcomed guests, and called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
Mrs. Kelley Walker led members and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance.
During the Superintendent’s report, Mrs. Gonzales discussed the following: Enrollment update Principals’ reports: Refugio Elementary School – Mrs. Thomas reported that the first week of school is off to a great start with all things considering; several donations are continuing to flow in for the students. Refugio High School/Junior High School Mr. Duncan reported that the first week of school is going well for the students; some issues that arrived are weather related with students walking from one building to the other; Mr. Purcell will be here on Monday, October 1, 2017 to provide every teacher that teaches core subject information on the ability to use DMAC. Financial information – monthly bills. RISD Calendar of Events – October, 2017 Date of October Board meeting – Special Board meeting in the planning for October; Regular Board meeting Tuesday, October 24, 2017. Athlete Schedules – RHS Lady Cat Basketball Schedule 2017 General comments on the state of the District Safety and Security Audit Update on Bond 2015 projects.
Eugene Lewis entered the meeting at 5:30p.m.
Katie Green reported to the Board the Safety and Security Audit summary of results for Refugio ISD. The Refugio ISD Safety and Security Audit were conducted on May 16-18, 2017. There were key commendations district wide and key recommendations district wide. Weaver and Jacobs Contractors Brian Heinhold, Chris Martin and James Rath reported to the board on the Bond 2015 project. Refugio Elementary School will be set back with construction a couple of months due to Hurricane Harvey and Refugio High School will be around three months behind schedule. There is a lot of damage to both buildings and at this time insurance companies from both parties are working to get all details completed to get the projects started again.
Motion by Mr. Andy Rocha, seconded by Mrs. Kelley Walker to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation that Refugio ISD terminate the construction services contract with TASB and Sledge Engineering. All voted for 5-0
Motion by Mr. Andy Rocha, seconded by Mr. T. Wayne Price to approve the proposed change orders #43- Deduct for utilizing Plenum Duct in Multi-Purpose Room; #44 – Remove and reinstall feeders sore serving Area H Science Building; #45 – Additional duplex outlets requested for copy machines; #47 – Provide and install under counter refrigerator and plug in the Nurse’s clinic. All voted for 5-0.
The following consent agenda item was approved by common consent: A. Approve minutes from July 27, 2017, and August 31, 2017 regular board meeting as presented and August 2, 2017, August 14, 2017 special board meeting as presented and August 30, 2017 emergency meeting as presented.
Motion by Mr. Andy Rocha, seconded by Mr. T. Wayne Price to approve the Superintendent’s request to reduce the number of days of required service without reducing educator’s pay, pursuant to Section 21.401(c) of the Texas Education Code. All voted for 5-0.
Motion by Mr. Andy Rocha, seconded by Mr. Eugene Lewis to nominate by resolution Kelley Walker and Jorge Jaso to the Refugio County Board of Directors. All voted for 5-0.
No action taken on Item #8
No action taken on Item #9
Mrs. Gonzales informed the Board that she has visited with several people the past few weeks regarding the situation of Refugio County and Refugio ISD. Congressman Kevin McCarthy Senator Ted Cruz Bryan English – Senior Advisor for Senator Ted Cruz US Congressman Blake Farenthold Senator John Cornyn Mike Morath – Commissioner of Education Steve Rhoads – Vice President for Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
______Jorge Jaso, Board President Andy Rocha, Board Secretary