Hawkins ISD Board of Trustees
School start date delayed one week; ’07-’08 budget hearing August 27
By JOHN SPARKS

At the regular meeting of the Hawkins Independent School Board Monday, August 6, trustees approved a delay of one week for the start of instruction for students. The delay was prompted after trustees heard a revised construction and renovation schedule for on-going work on all three campuses. For the students, classes will begin Tuesday, September 4. Trustees again heard a briefing on the construction progress from Brice Davis of Thacker/Davis Architects.
 

Trustees Shane Bogard and Clayton Atteberry were absent.
 

The original calendar for the ’07-’08 school year called for a Monday, August 27 start-up for students. But, the unusually rainy weather and a problem with moisture in the concrete foundations/floors of existing buildings have delayed the schedule for the $15-million campus construction and improvement program. Superintendent Dan Rose said “the remainder of the school calendar could also be subject to additional adjustments.”
 

Davis explained the interior renovation work in existing buildings lost a month of the planned schedule to the moisture problem. Davis said the contractor and sub-contractors have crews working ten hour shifts seven days a week, but even at that, he advised trustees all flooring will not be down in the high school by September 27. In answer to a question regarding the hiring of additional workers, Davis said there “simply is no additional labor out there that brings the skill and workmanship needed for this work.”
 

On the positive side, Davis reported the Band Hall and the field house were punched out last week and are ready for use. As for the other facilities, the Elementary School will enter the punch out stage first, followed by the Middle School and then by the High School.
 

Hawkins Mayor Sam Bradley expressed an interest in any excess dirt from the construction program. He suggested the dirt would be used as leveling fill for the soccer fields at the Youth Sports Park. Superintendent Rose had prepared a draft interlocal agreement. Thacker Davis and general contractor WRL will assess any needs for dirt in the on-going construction program and the City will make arrangements for the transport of any dirt that is deemed surplus.
 

In other action, trustees approved a proposed contract with Jay Youngblood, attorney for the coming school year. Youngblood’s former firm which has served the district for the past several years is moving. Youngblood is establishing his own firm which will provide legal counsel to the district.
 

Trustees are next scheduled to meet Monday, August 27 at 7 p.m. for a public hearing on the budget and tax rate. The September meeting will be held Monday, September 10 at 7 p.m. A special meeting of the board can be called with 72-hours notice.