January 16, 2024

Here are the highlights from the January 16, 2024, school board meeting: 

  

The meeting opened with a call to order by President Aletha Kruse at 5:30 p.m. with a quorum present. Rev. Deana Lowe, First United Methodist Wolfe City, led the invocation, and the GHS NJROTC presented the colors.    

 

Presentation of the GISD Vision Statement by Lamar Elementary third-grader Presley Beene.  

 

Recognition  

  • Recognition of Greenville ISD Board of Trustees for School Board Appreciation Month 2024
  • Recognition of 2nd 9wks GISD Super Teachers 

 

Open Forum and Public Comment for Agenda Items   

  • Loren Saxton spoke about the Maintenance Tax Note (MTN) change order that the board will be voting on as an agenda item later in the meeting. Mr. Saxton is a member of the MTN Committee and stated that he had reviewed and approved each of the invoices/projects being paid at this time.

 

Open Forum and Public Comment for Non-Agenda Items   

  • Betty Mondy spoke to the board about community trust issues in regard to the board. She encouraged the board members to interact more with members in each of their districts.

 

Comments from Individual Board Members   

  • Bonnie-Jean Stewart thanked everyone for all the gifts of gratitude given in appreciation of the board this evening.
  • Roger Livingston thanked everyone that is attendance this evening. He also stated that he can’t do what he does as a board member without all of our students, staff and community. He enjoys the work daily as a board member.
  • Anji Taylor expressed her appreciation as a new member of the board and thanked everyone for all the items given this evening.
  • Tish Woodruff thanked everyone for all the goodies and the appreciation shown to the board.
  • Anne Haynes thanked everyone in the crowd and those that stepped up to the microphone this evening to speak. She thanked everyone past, present and future, for all they do.
  • Mike Rackley praised the culinary arts students that prepared and served a meal to the board prior to the meeting. He encouraged everyone, that if you haven’t had an opportunity to go and have a meal prepared by our students, to do that as soon as you can. You won’t be disappointed.
  • Aletha Kruse wrapped up the board comments by saying thank you and that the board doesn’t do what they do for recognition, but it is so much appreciated. President Kruse also thanked Sharon Boothe on behalf of the board for her years spent as superintendent and that the board will miss her but wish her the best during her retirement. The board then presented Ms. Boothe with a bouquet of flowers and a gift of appreciation from the board.

 

Reports/Discussion Items 

Teacher and Learning  

School Leadership and Student Support 

  • Early College High School update. ECHS Chancellor Rebekah Russler along with some of the ECHS students, and teacher Taylor Kline gave an update on the program. Students each shared personal testimony about what the program means to them and what it will do for their future.
  • A Discipline update was presented by Deputy Superintendent Wes Underwood. You can view the presentation here.
  • The GISD Bully Policy update was presented by Deputy Superintendent Wes Underwood. You can view the presentation here.
  • Strategic Plan update – You can view the presentation here.

Campus Improvement Plans (CIP) and District Improvement Plans (DIP)

  • The District Improvement Plan and the Campus Improvement plans were presented. You can view the presentation here.
  • Consider approval of the 2023-2024 Campus Improvement Plans and the District Improvement Plan. The board voted 7- 0 to approve the plans as presented.

 Governance 

  • Review and Discuss School Board 2024-2025 Annual Agenda Calendar

 

Action and Discussion Items   

  • Consider Approval of the 2024-2025 GISD Academic Calendar. Tabled
  • Consider Approval of Maintenance Tax Note (MTN) change order #1. The board voted 7-0 to approve with one change of a $30K contingency instead of $60K moving forward.
  • Donation policy was reviewed by Dr. Anderson.
  • Acceptance of anonymous donation to the GHS Boys Basketball team for uniforms (CDC Local) in the amount of $2500. The board voted 6-1 to approve as presented.
  • Acceptance of donation from Rebecca Wilson in the amount of $353 to pay chapter fees for the GMS National Junior Honor Society. The board voted 6-1 to approve as presented.
  • Consider approval to remove Sharon Boothe from all GISD Financial Accounts. The board voted 7-0 to approve as presented.

 

Consent Agenda:   

 

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

  • Monthly Financial Report
  • Quarterly Investment Report
  • Consider approval of payment of Pearson Legal Invoice
  • Board Minutes:
    • December 12, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. – called board meeting
    • December 12, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. – Regular board meeting
    • December 15, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. – Called board meeting
  • Consider approval of vendor list
  • Consider approval of contract with Hunt County Voter Administration to conduct the May 4, 2024 School Board Trustee Election for Places 5 & 7
  • Order of May 4, 2024 School Board Trustee Election
  • Notice of May 4, 2024 School Board Trustee Election

 

Closed Session – The board entered into closed session at 10:07 p.m.   

 

Action on Closed session items:  

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

 

Future Agenda/Information Items:   

  • Board Secretary report   

 

Future meetings:   

  • Regular Board meeting – February 20, 2024
  • Called Board meeting – Superintendent interviews TBD

 

Adjourn at 10:29 p.m.