MINUTES

Meeting of the Board of Trustees

Marlin Independent School District

Marlin Middle School Cafeteria 6:00 p.m.

May 18, 2010

Call to Order - Board President, Lowanda Sias called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Moment of silence was observed. Pledges to the American Flag and the Texas Flag were led by members of the MHS National Honor Society.

Roll Call - Roger Nutt, Lisa Silvas, Tania Baker, Sonja Washington, Lowanda Sias, David Lawson and Steve Johnson. A quorum was established for the meeting.

Public Comments and Audience Participation - None

Administer Oath of Office - Anita Grote, Notary Public administered the Oath of Office to the following trustees: Roger Nutt, Single Member District B, Tania Baker, Single Member District E, and Lisa Silvas, At Large Un-expired Term.

Election of Officers Seating of the Board - Ray Matthews, Superintendent opened the floor for nominations of Marlin ISD Board President. Motion was made by David Lawson to nominate Lowanda Sias as Board President. Roger Nutt made the motion that the nominations cease. Motion seconded by Tania Baker. Voting in favor of the motion were: Roger Nutt, Lisa Silvas, Tania Baker, Sonja Washington, David Lawson and Steve Johnson. Lowanda Sias abstained from voting. Motion carried by a vote of 6 for the motion and 1 abstention.

Board President, Lowanda Sias then opened the floor for nominations of Marlin ISD Board Vice-President. Motion made by Sonja Washington to nominate Roger Nutt as Board Vice-President. Steve Johnson made the motion that the nominations cease. Motion seconded by Tania Baker. Voting in favor of the nomination were: Lisa Silvas, Tania Baker, Sonja Washington, Lowanda Sias, David Lawson and Steve Johnson. Roger Nutt abstained from voting. Motion carried by a vote of 6 for the motion and 1 abstention.

Board President, Lowanda Sias then opened the floor for nominations of Marlin ISD Board Secretary. Motion made by David Lawson to nominate Sonja Washington as Board Secretary. Roger Nutt made the motion that nominations cease. Motion seconded by Tania Baker. Voting for the motion were: Roger Nutt, Lisa Silvas, Tania Baker, Lowanda Sias, David Lawson and Steve Johnson. Sonja Washington abstained from voting. Motion carried by a vote of 6 for the motion and 1 abstention.

Marlin School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) - Pat Chavers, Marlin ISD Food Service Director addressed the trustees and presented the annual School Health Advisory Committee report. Introductions of committee members present were made and handouts were given to the board members. Her report included an overview of accomplishments, compliance requirements, concerns, strategic plan, SHAC history, goals, State Legislated requirements and a resolution stating SHAC recommendations concerning recess for elementary students.

Contract/Lawn Tech - The current contract between Marlin ISD and Lawn Tech was discussed. Athletic Director, Keith Willis addressed the board with his concerns over the current lawn care system that is in place in the district. He indicated that he had met with Lawn Tech to express his unhappiness with the services and job performance being rendered by the company. He requested a plan for the future from Lawn Tech. Coach Willis expressed to the board that he felt the district should stay with Lawn Tech until the end of the current contract in the fall. At that time, it was suggested that the district implement a more systematic and productive system of managing the district�s athletic fields.

Steve Holland, Falls Education Cooperative Director also addressed the Board. He expressed an interest in implementing an Athletic Field Maintenance program. The program would use former and current students. He indicated he would be meeting with Coach Willis to discuss tentative plans of maintenance, goals, and expectations for the project.

Consent Agenda - Motion made by Steve Johnson, seconded by Roger Nutt to approve Minutes of the Notice of Workshop held April 20, 2010 at 5:30 p.m., Minutes of the Regular Meeting held April 20, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. and the Monthly Financial Report. Motion carried unanimously.

Budget Amendment(s) - Motion made by Roger Nutt, seconded by David Lawson to approve budget amendments as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Date, Time, Place For Public Meeting On Budget and Proposed Tax Rate - Motion made by Roger Nutt, seconded by Sonja Washington to set June 15, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in the MMS Cafeteria as the date, time, and place for the Public Meeting on Budget and Proposed Tax Rate. Motion carried unanimously.

Approve Proposed Tax Rate To Be Published in Notice For Public Meeting - Motion made by David Lawson, seconded by Steve Johnson to approve the tax rate of $1.04 for M & O and $0.10 for I & S for a total tax rate of $1.14 to be published in the notice for the public meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Approve to Publish Public Meeting By Means of Local Media - Motion made by Sonja Washington, seconded by Tania Baker to  approve to publish the Public Meeting Notice to discuss Budget and Proposed Tax Rate by means of local media.

Cell Phone Allowance - Motion made by Steve Johnson, seconded by Tania Baker to approve cell phone allowance of $50.00 per month to the following select employees:

Superintendent

Elementary School Principal

Middle School Principal

Marlin High School Principal

Athletic Director

Maintenance Director

Motion carried unanimously.

Resolution By County Appraisal District for the Purchase of Land and Building - Motion made by Roger Nutt, seconded by Sonja Washington to approve a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of  Falls County Appraisal District to purchase land and a building for the CAD as required by Texas Property Tax Code Section 6.051. Voting for the motion were: Roger Nutt, Lisa Silvas, Tania Baker, Sonja Washington and Lowanda Sias. David Lawson and Steve Johnson abstained. Motion carried by a vote of 5 for the motion and 2 abstaining.    

Audit Engagement Proposal for 2009-2010 Fiscal Year - Motion made by David Lawson, seconded by Steve Johnson to approve Audit Engagement Proposal with Kirk & Richardson, P.C. for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Motion carried unanimously.

Personnel Matters - Board President, Lowand Sias announced at 6:47 p.m. that the board would go into closed session under Texas Government Code 551.146. The board reconvened into open session at 7:38 p.m.

Superintendent�s Appraisal, Goals, Directive, Contract, Compensation, etc. - No action taken

Resignation of  Superintendent - Motion made by Roger Nutt, seconded by Sonja Washington to accept the resignation of Ray Matthews, Superintendent effective June 30, 2010. Motion carried unanimously.

Consider Appointment of  Interim Superintendent - No action taken

Employment Of Personnel for 2010-2011 - Motion made by Roger Nutt, seconded by Steve Johnson to approve the employment of the following personnel for 2010-2011:

Kevin Compton  Coach/Special Education Inclusion (MMS & MHS)

Kim Harris    Coach/Science  (MHS)

Rhonda Milton  Social Studies/(MHS)

Motion carried unanimously.

Resignations - The board recognized resignations as received and accepted by Ray Matthews, Superintendent for the following:

Marilyn Holland, Falls Education Co-Op /Speech Pathologist

Jimmy Jones, Assistant Principal MHS

Adjournment - Board President, Lowanda Sias adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m.

_______________________

Board President, Lowanda Sias

____________________

Board Secretary, Sonja Washington