Hawkins ISD Board of Trustees
Audit earns “Unqualified”
Opinion; students “SOAR”
By JOHN SPARKS

Meeting in regular session Monday, January 22 the Hawkins Independent School District Board of Trustees heard a report of the annual financial audit which earned an unqualified opinion, received an update on the first semester of the “Accelerated Schools program, and discussed various elements of the construction and renovation program.
 

Mike Taylor, of Rutherford, Taylor & Company, P.C., Greenville, presented trustees with an audit covering the year ended August 31, 2006 saying the school earned the best possible audit report with an “Unqualified Opinion.” Among the points Taylor highlighted were, “The audit found no matters representing material weakness.” He said also the district enjoyed “a healthy fund balance” and an excellent tax collection record. Two of 17 functional spending categories were found to have overspent budget, but he said this was not considered a major finding. He noted that 49 percent of the District’s revenues were spent in classroom instruction.
 

Johnnie Jones reviewed the first semester’s accomplishments in the Accelerated Schools program adopted by the District last year. Brown serves as external coach for the program. Brown explained that in an accelerated school, we believe that the strategies used with “gifted” children work well with ALL children. Instruction is based on the Powerful Learning Framework. Brown reported excellent participation by the staff and administration at the High School where weekly sessions, professional development have dominated the introduction phase of the program. The Vision developed by staff members for the program is “SOAR” “Strive for excellence; Overcome any obstacle; Accept individual responsibility; Reach our Goals.”
 

Brice Davis, a principal in Thacker Davis Architects, Inc., said the initial phases of the construction work have begun on the campus. Davis is working with the Construction Superintendent to minimize disruption of normal activities at the school. However, some changes to the norm will happen. Two activities that will likely be misplaced are the Hawk Relays and the graduation ceremonies for the class of 2007. Alternatives to both events are being developed by the school administration. The Vo-AG expansion phase of the construction has been moved up to provide a storage area for items removed from areas being renovated. Most renovation work will be done after students are dismissed in May, 2007 and before they return in August 2007. That schedule will feature seven-day work weeks and long hours throughout the summer. Davis reported security fencing is installed, many landscape items have been removed, the construction office is in place and the first of many shop drawings have been submitted.
 

A lengthy discussion of the district’s campus security policies and procedures led to a recommendation that the administration develop a plan for board consideration.
 

Rose also reported enrollment data for the district through the end of the 3rd six weeks. The district had a total of 756 students enrolled at the end of the first semester, up 35 from 720 at the same date last year. Rose reported attendance percentages were down during the six week period because of flu and viral health problems.