Board Meeting – May 17, 2016

Pledge of Allegiance led by Woodway Elementary Students The Pledge of Allegiance was led by veterans Carl and Nicole Govan, and student representatives of the Kindness and Compassion Club at Woodway Elementary.

Recognitions Midway High School Alumnus and MISD Education Foundation Diamond Level Partner Mrs. Suzi Pagel, Director of Corporate & Community Development, introduced Mr. Brian Townley, a Midway High School class of 1988 graduate. Mr. Townley was honored and recognized by the Board of Trustees for his generous contribution of $20,000 to the Education Foundation.

Business Professionals of America National Competitors Impressively, 50 Midway High School BPA students competed at the state conference, and 17 students advanced to the Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference in Boston to compete against the best across the nation. The Board honored Alex Waitley, Corrie Cubos, Hannah Wang, Nathan Allen, Christiana Kaul, Kiara Lozano, Kassidy Buth, Matt Shillinglaw, and Jordan Turner for competing at the national level.

The following students placed at the national level: Jay Bartz, Paige Huggins, Madeline Johnson, Keaton Loudamy, Jon Ly, Nathan McBride, Matthew Rieger, and Colby Janecka. Congratulations to Jordan Turner as a National Champion winner. BPA sponsors are Tanya Lacy and Dana Null.

International Science and Engineering Fair Competitor At the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair last weekend, MHS junior Edward Kim won first place and Best of Category in Biochemistry for his project, “Highly Sensitive Single Mutation Detection of EGFR by Bridged Nucleic Acid,” which can be used to detect cancer in a very early stage via highly sensitive DNA mutation detection. Edward won $8,000 in cash prizes, a trip to India, and he will have an asteroid named for him by MIT.

Edward is supported by AP Chemistry Teacher David Morrison and Instructional Specialist Kathy McMillan.

NASP National Archer This item was postponed until next month.

UIL State Golfer The Board recognized senior golfer Mia Ayer for her third appearance at the UIL State Golf Tournament. The girls head golf coach is Harvie Welch and Keith Mikeska is assistant coach.

UIL State Swimmer Congratulations to senior Neil Wachtler as the first Midway swimmer to compete at the UIL state meet at the 6A level. Head swim coach is Dan Marlin and assistant coach is Kayla King.

State Powerlifters Three Midway High School athletes competed in the Texas High School Powerlifting Association State Meet. Congratulations to Karla Esquivel, Erica Mancha, and Treston Womack. Coaches are Mark Villareal and Zach Hurst.

State Water Polo Team The Boys’ water polo team won the West Region Championship, earning a spot in the TISCA state tournament at Texas A&M University. The team finished the season tied for 13th in the state. Head Coach is Dan Marlin. Assistant Coach is Baylor Teaching Assistant Alexis Crocker, who was named West Region Coach of the Year.

Team members are Ethan Alford, Braden Bain, Wes Baker, Mark Ferguson, Mark Gible, Minsoo Kang, Chris Kazanas, Brendan Kearney, Nick King, Brady Langdale, Calvin Morgan, Minh Nguyen, Jonathan Norris, Nick Robinson, Captain Jack Saxon and Captain Cooper Shafer.

All-State and Academic All-State Athletes The Midway School district is well known for achievements in athletics and academics. This spring has been no exception, with 19 students receiving All-State or Academic All-State honors in their individual sports. The district’s all-state winners are:

Boys golf: Parker Anderson, 6A 1st team Academic All-State

Girls golf: Mia Ayer, 1st team All-State

Swimming: Neil Wachtler, All-State in 100 Backstroke, 200 Freestyle and Academic All- State – Jack Saxon, Jonathan Norris, Madeline Schwarz

Boys Soccer: TASCO Academic All-State: John Alexander, Clark Buchanan, James "Jimmy" Cook, Charles Counts, Jesse Echevarria, Benjamin Matthews, and Jose Fernando Vega

Girls soccer: Academic All-State: Hannah Miller, Alysson Vasquez, Sierra Sabido, Regan Baccus, Audrey Johnston, Alex Waitley

Extra Mile Award Winners The Extra Mile Awards honor hard-working employees who go above and beyond their job duties to support students and peers throughout the school year. The Board recognized the following Extra Mile Award winners: Isabel Salazar, auxiliary worker at Woodway Elementary; Jim Doak, Midway High School ISS paraprofessional; and Jennifer Wilkerson, Woodgate Intermediate teacher.

H-E-B Excellence in Education Award This year, Midway ISD was one of three state finalists for outstanding small school district (less than 10,000 students) in the 2016 Excellence in Education Awards. Over the last 15 years, H-E-B has awarded $8 million in recognition of creativity and best practices in Texas public education, making it the largest monetary program for educators in the state. The district received $2,500, and is proud to once again be recognized among the best districts in Texas.

Consideration of Election Matters Recognition of Outgoing Board Member – Robbie Jones Mr. Robbie Jones was recognized for his nine years of dedicated service and commitment for serving as board member and secretary to the MISD Board of Trustees.

Canvass Results of May 7, 2016 MISD Trustee Election Midway ISD held an election on May 7, 2016 to determine members for Places 5, 6, & 7 of the Midway ISD Board of Trustees. The Board canvassed and accepted the election results as follows:

Election Election Early TOTAL NUMBER For Candidates Day Day Voting OF VOTES CAST Woodway Hewitt Place 5 Debra Jones Tumlin 57 36 215 308 (33.59%) Pam Watts 133 43 433 609 (66.41%) Place 6 Ivan Green (unopposed) 174 69 564 807 Place 7 Rick Tullis (unopposed) 178 70 581 829

Administer Oath of Office to Newly Elected/Declared Trustees The oath of office was administered to newly elected trustee Pam Watts and declared trustees Ivan Green and Rick Tullis.

Information Items Out of State Trip Request – MHS Cross Country Teams The out of state trip request will be approved at the June board meeting.

Revisions to DEC(LOCAL) Compensation and Benefits – Leaves and Absences Revisions are presented for first reading, and will be adopted at next month’s board meeting. Administration is recommending removing restrictions on local charge days to be used at the employee’s discretion. Administration is also recommending removing the limitation restrictions on use of discretionary leave.

SHAC (School Health Advisory Committee) Annual Report The SHAC annual report was presented to Board Members in the board packet. There were no recommendations that have not previously been submitted to the Board.

Presentation/Discussion Items Student to Address School Board Regarding Use of “Pantherette” in the Girl’s Athletic Programs Midway High School student Miriam McCormick addressed the Board and asked the Board to consider retiring the Pantherettes name associated with girls’ athletics and begin using either Lady Panthers or Panthers to maintain consistency with college, state and district norms. Miss McCormick cited examples where coaches, newspaper articles, and social media used Lady Panthers at times, and Panthers or Pantherettes at other times when referring to the girl’s athletic programs.

President Rusek advised Administration to look into where the name “Pantherettes” is used, see what would need to be changed, determine any expenses involved, and bring this agenda item back in July or August as a possible consideration item.

Financial and Bond Summary Report Wesley Brooks, Assistant Superintendent for Finance, reviewed budget amendments with the Board. He noted a portion of the funding for summer projects will come from a favorable variance in the District’s electricity budget account.

Mr. Brooks also reviewed General Fund projections advising current projections are a slight surplus of Revenues over Expenditures for FY 2016 in the amount of $27,034. Additional state revenue of $750k over budgeted state revenue, as well as, approximately $300,000 in favorable personnel variances account for the majority of the overall favorable budget variance. The increase in state revenue is due to lower than anticipated 2015 Comptroller values (due to the increased homestead exemption) and increases in Special Ed and Compensatory Ed average daily attendance.

Freeport Tax Exemption Ms. Kris Collins, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, presented information pertaining to the Freeport Exemption law.  Freeport exemption is an ad valorem tax exemption offered by a taxing jurisdiction for various types of goods (Inventory) that are detained in Texas for 175 days or less  Freeport property includes goods, wares, merchandise, ores, and certain aircraft and aircraft parts.  Freeport property qualifies for an exemption if it is used for the purpose of assembly, storage, manufacturing, processing, or fabricating.  The Freeport exemption is authorized by the Texas Constitution Article 8, Section 1-J and is administered through the Comptroller of Public Accounts.  Texas is one of seven states that taxes inventory

For the 2015 tax year, the taxable Freeport inventory within Midway ISD is valued at $268.7 million based on 38 tax accounts for 30 companies having eligible Freeport inventory. The District currently does not allow for the exemption, and its authorization requires Board consent. Assuming a combined M&O and I&S tax rate of $1.32 for the 2015-16 school year, the total tax relief from a Freeport exemption would reach $3.5 million for the companies that currently have taxable Freeport inventory in the District. The Waco Chamber of Commerce commissioned a study by Moak, Casey, & Associates to evaluate the Freeport exemption and its impact on the District.

Ms. Collins reviewed collaborative solutions including a five year reimbursement scenario to Midway ISD from Freeport businesses. Total 2016 reimbursement would be $3.7 million, followed by $752,450 annual payment for the next four years.

A lengthy discussion was held by the Board regarding the details of the effects the exemption would have on the District’s M&O tax revenue, state aid, I&S tax revenue, and bond capacity.

The Board charged Administration to look past the 5 year reimbursement schedule to determine the impact on the District over the next ten years. This agenda item will be brought back to the Board in June or July for possible consideration.

Employee Opinion Survey Conducted by TASB Mrs. Mary Lou Glaesmann, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, reviewed the highlights of the recent TASB survey of Midway ISD employees to assess employee attitudes and level of satisfaction with their jobs and work conditions.

Overall, Midway ISD employees responded favorably regarding their own job satisfaction. The most important factor identified this year in regard to job satisfaction was relationships with coworkers. The number two reason was meaningful work. Nearly all respondents like the work they do, understand what is expected of them, and feel good about what they have accomplished.

At the district level nearly all the respondents felt the HR, business office, technology, and transportation staff is courteous, knowledgeable, and helpful. Many accolades were given to the increase in satisfaction with maintenance and repairs of computer equipment.

Consideration Items Consent Agenda The Board approved the following items on the consent agenda. 1. Minutes of the April 19, 2016 Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting 2. Budget Amendments B16-1 and B16-2 3. MHS Out of State Trip Request – Family Career and Community Leaders of America 4. Early Graduation Requests 5. Resolution of the Board Regarding Hazardous Traffic Conditions 6. Consideration and possible action regarding the proposed agreement with Holy Contractors as contractor for the Middle School Parking Lot Rehabilitation Project 7. Consideration and possible action regarding the proposed agreement with Pearson Construction as contractor for the CTE Building Addition Project 8. Instructional Materials Allotment TEKS Certification

Acceptance of Midway ISD Education Foundation Grant Funding for Round 30 Grants, Grant Express, and Early Literacy Training Grant Awards Mrs. Suzi Pagel advised the Midway Education Foundation anticipates disbursing up to $12,115 for round 30 grant cycles to fund four grants requests from six campuses and $16,000 to fund the Early Literacy Academy. The Foundation will also provide up to $18,695 dollars to fund 28 Grant Express requests.

The Board accepted a total of $46,810 from the Midway Education Foundation to fund the Early Literacy Academy, Round 30 grant cycle and Grant Express awards granted since November 2015.

Reorganization of Board of Trustees Each year, members of the Board of Trustees must reorganize themselves. President, Vice President, and Secretary should be elected from the seven-member Board.

The Board elected Susan Vick as secretary.

The Board elected Tom Pagel as vice president.

The Board elected Pete Rusek as president.

Consideration of Personnel Selections, Separations, Leaves of Absence, Transfers and Reassignments The Board approved the following professional recommendations for hire: Kurt Salisbury, teacher to Administrator, Middle School Jessica Phipps, teacher, Speegleville Elementary Drew Gehman, teacher, River Valley Intermediate Ana Lowry, teacher, Hewitt Elementary Connie McConal, teacher, River Valley Intermediate William “Alan” Abel, teacher/coach, High School Bonnie Bailey, teacher, At large position Lindsay Benning, teacher, High School Christina Dunnigan, teacher, High School Timothy Hawkins, teacher, Woodgate Intermediate Kappy Edwards, assistant principal, Spring Valley Elementary Miranda Bennett, teacher, Spring Valley Elementary Natalie Ybarra, teacher, At large position Christi Yourman, assistant principal, Hewitt Elementary Sherrie Sanchez, PDS site coordinator 50%, Middle School Kevin Sauer, non-certified professional, Technology Courtney Broaddus, speech therapist, Instructional Services Lanette Perry, teacher, Middle School Austin McClinton, teacher, Middle School Ashlee Lee, teacher (60%), Speegleville Elementary Cara Neathery, teacher, Woodgate Intermediate

The Board noted the following:

Professional Separations: Brooke Jackson, teacher, Middle School Kimberly Wellborn, teacher, South Bosque Elementary Tena Elkins, teacher, Middle School Brittany Moore, teacher, Hewitt Elementary Christen Kimmel, teacher, Middle School Dextor Brent, teacher, River Valley Intermediate Kelsey Glasemann, teacher, High School Nadine Welch, speech therapist, Instructional Services Michael Devenport, teacher, River Valley Intermediate Jessie Fanning, teacher/coach, High School Amy Hall, new teacher, Speegleville Elementary Kathryn Andrews, coordinator of Social Studies, Administration

Professional Transfers Susan Hughlett, PE teacher from High School to Woodgate Intermediate Heather Metzgar, assistant principal from Hewitt to Middle School Sara Rivera, counselor from Woodgate Intermediate to Middle School Wendy Underwood, Special Ed teacher, from Middle School to Woodway Elementary Kappy Edwards, instructional specialist, Woodway Elementary to assistant principal, Spring Valley Elementary Jennifer Young, teacher, from High School to Middle School Jeff Platt, teacher, from Castleman Creek to Middle School Christi Yourman, behavior specialist, Hewitt Elementary to assistant principal, Hewitt Elementary

Paraprofessional New Hire: Nichole Coleman, educational assistant, High School

Paraprofessional Separations: Terri Pratt, educational assistant, Castleman Creek Elementary Beth Tipton, LVN, Woodgate Intermediate Jennifer Fray, educational assistant, Woodgate Intermediate Susan Pardaen, educational assistant, Hewitt Elementary Kayla Cooper, clerk, Woodgate Intermediate

Transfers: Carolyn Wynn, secretary, from High School to Curriculum Office Sharon Davis, LVN, from district to Woodgate Intermediate

Superintendent’s Communication Texas Supreme Court Ruling Regarding School Funding System Superintendent Kazanas summarized the recent Supreme Court ruling that the school funding system is constitution.

The summary [in part] stated “the Texas Constitution placed the responsibility for education squarely with the Legislature. The judicial role is not to second-guess whether our system is optimal, but whether it is constitutional. Our Byzantine school funding “system” is undeniably imperfect, with immense room for improvement. But it satisfies minimum constitutional requirements. We hope lawmakers will seize this urgent challenge and upend an ossified regime ill-suited for 21st century Texas”.

The Superintendent and Board agreed districts need to continue to work hard with their legislators and get the word out to overhaul the current funding system.