Meeting in regular session Monday, April 2, the Hawkins Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the expenditure of $46,188 to replace the sign at the main entrance to the school complex from FM-14; were told flooding damage to the elementary school gymnasium floor would be covered by bond or insurance, and heard a progress report on the construction and renovation program from architect Brice Davis.
 

The new facilities under construction and the renovation of virtually all buildings on the campus encompassing Hawkins schools will be complemented by a new sign at the main entrance to the district campus. The new sign will be a computer controlled, electronic model. The Spectrum Horizon L.E.D. sign and accompanying software will be delivered and installed at a cost of $46,188. The double faced marquee can display one line of three foot-plus characters or up to six lines of five inch characters along with graphics and animation in 256 colors. A computer-controlled high-speed wireless communications kit provides for immediate message changes. The current sign is labor intensive and static, requiring a bucket truck to lift an individual to replace the message with individual letters and numbers. The new sign will be charged against the $15-million bond issue approved by voters in December 2005.
 

Trustees heard a report on water damage to the floor of the gymnasium at the Elementary School Complex. The source of the flooding was identified as a water line cap which was removed or damaged during construction activity. Brice Davis, architect, who is overseeing the construction and renovation project at the school district said the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged floor would be covered by the contractor’s bond or insurance.
 

Davis also reviewed progress in the on-going construction and renovation program that has been underway on the campus since January. He said most projects were either on schedule or ahead of schedule. Davis presented samples of carpet selections and paint colors. The elementary school campus will be carpeted in “Cadet Gray” while middle school and high school campuses will have “Academic Blue” carpeting. Trustees approved two other add-on projects to the bond issue budget with the closing in of the bleacher risers on the visitors side Of Lowrance Stadium at a cost of $9,389 and the replacement of a clay pipe sewer line in the sports complex parking lot area at a cost of $7,974. The old line has been a problem in the past.
 

The calendar for the 2007-2008 school-year was approved. Teachers report August 21 while the first day for students will be August 27. Holidays include Labor Day, Martin Luther King Day and Memorial Day. Thanksgiving break is November 21-23; Christmas/New Years is December 24 through January 3, and Spring Break is March 17-21. The school year ends June 5 with graduation ceremonies scheduled for June 6.
 

Superintendent Dan Rose reported tax collections at 94 percent compared with 92 percent at the same time last year.
 

In other action, trustees approved:
- extending depository contract with Bank Texas for an additional two years;
- budget amendment for $500 fee required for “Paying Agent Fee” to handle the I&S Fund;
- hiring of Wanda Stephens as a high school math teacher and the reassignment of professional staff at the high school permitting authorization and creation of a fourth science position.
 

Trustees are next scheduled to meet in regular session Monday, May 7 at 7 p.m. A special meeting of the board can be called with 72-hours notice.