Here are the highlights from the August 15, 2023, school board meeting: 

The meeting opened with a call to order by President Aletha Kruse at 5:30 p.m. with a quorum present. Pastor William Smith, Center Point Christian Church led the invocation and the GHS NJROTC presented the colors.  

Recognition: 

• Recognition of the 2023-2024 GISD Birthday Card Artist Brilee Baker.
• Recognition of GISD Impactful Partner – The 50+ vendors that attended the 2023 GISD Convocation/Vendor Fair.

Open Forum and Public Comment for Agenda Items 

• Loren Saxton gave a report on behalf of the Maintenance Tax Note oversight committee on the most recent projects and invoices completed.

Open Forum and Public Comment for Non-Agenda Items 

• There were no comments from the public. 

Comments from Individual Board Members 

• Bonnie-Jean Stewart commented how great the school year has started and how much she enjoyed this year’s Convocation.
• Aletha Kruse reported that her own kids have had a great start to the school year. She also read a heartfelt letter from a teacher that her child brought home welcoming his students to class and what they can expect during the school year.
• Anji Taylor made a comment about how great the Meet the Lions event was and that she loved seeing the band particpating.

Reports/Discussion Items 

• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to adopt the current year tax rate by ordinance setting out the M&O and I&S rates at an overall $0.9692.
• CFO Coy Martin gave a summary of the ESSER funding.
• The board voted unanimously (7-0) for an additional one-time $2,000 incentive for all GISD employees hired on or before August 14, 2023 and will receive it in their September 13, 2023 pay.
• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to accept the ESSER funding report presented by CFO Coy Martin.
• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to adopt the board operating procedures manual as presented.
• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to appoint board member Anji Taylor as the delegate for the TASB Convention and Aletha Kruse as alternate.
• The board discussed and shared their opinions about future bond elections. The board will meet again at a called meeting on Friday, August 18 for another discussion and possible vote.
• The board shared their opinions of installing metal detectors at Greenville High School.
• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the second and final reading of Policy 121 affecting (LOCAL) Policies.
• GISD Police Chief Ramon Rodriguez discussed the GISD Attendance Initiative being supported by the department on all of our campuses.

Action and Discussion Items 

• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to approve a Resolution to Declare a Good Cause Exception for House Bill 3 and the Armed Security Officer Requirement.
• Cosmetology Donation by Misti Little - Policy CDC (LOCAL) – Misty Little presented to the board a check for $4,600 for the GHS Cosmetology Department at GHS in memory of her daughter Cheyenne Little. The board voted unanimously (7-0) to accept the donation for the cosmetology department.
• Donation of an 800 Pound Wolverine Robot from the DFW International Airport Bomb Squad Unit - Policy CDC (LOCAL). The board voted unanimously (7-0) to accept the donation for the GHS Robotics Department.
• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to accept the certified Appraisal Roll for the 2023-2024 School year received from Hunt County Appraisal District.
• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the purchase over $75,000 for Property, Casualty, Auto, Legal Liability, and Worker's Compensation Insurance in the amount of ($1,324,342.00).
• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to approve a purchase over $75,000 for Special Education Cameras in the amount of ($154,842.45) as listed in the Maintenance Tax Note projects.
• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the purchase over $75,000 -for Chromebook Lease Renewal in the amount of ($222,417.55). 
• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the purchase over $75,000 for Marker Learning up to the amount of ($99,500.00).
• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the purchase over $75,000 for Sunbelt Staffing Renewal up to the amount of ($420,000.00).
• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the purchase over $75,000 for Spotter Staffing Renewal up to the amount ($350,000.00).
• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the purchase over $75,000 for the TEA Mandated Window and Door Security Film in the amount of ($267,512.65).
• The board voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the purchase over $75,000 for The HELM ABA LLC up to the amount ($110.000.00).

Consent Agenda: 

The board voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the following items on the consent agenda. 

• Quarterly Investment Report (4th Qtr.)
• Quarterly Financials (4th Qtr.)
• Monthly Financial Report
• Consider Approval for GISD to dissolve the current Alliance Bank CD in the amount of $250,000 and reinvest back at Alliance Bank with Coy Martin, Sharon Boothe, and Brenda Russell as the signers and full authorization
• Consider Approval of Vendor List
• Consider Approval of Board Minutes:
  • July 18, 2023 at 5:30 P.M.- Regular Board Meeting
  • August 1, 2023 at 5:30 P.M.-Called Board Meeting
• Consider Approval of T-TESS list
• Consider Approval of Exclusive District Beverage Services
• Consideration and/or action to approve an Agreement for the Purchase of Attendance Credit (Option 3 Agreement) and to delegate contractual authority to the Superintendent.

Closed Session – The board entered into closed session at 7:05 p.m. 

• Consider Approval of Professional New Hires and Ratification of Employment Contracts as Recommended 

Future Agenda/Information Items: 

• Board Secretary report 

Future meetings: 

• Quarterly Membership Luncheon at Fletcher Warren Civic Center, September 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

• Regular Board Meeting - September 19, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m. 
• TASA/TASB Convention-Dallas, Tx. - September 28 - October 1, 2023
• Superintendent Summative Evaluation/ Set Goals for the 2023-2024 School Year (October)

Adjourn at 7:21 p.m.