Hawkins ISD Board of Trustees
Bus purchase approved;
Gym floor contract OK’d
By JOHN SPARKS

 

Meeting in regular session Monday, November 5, trustees of the Hawkins Independent School District approved the purchase of a new 77 passenger school bus and selected a bid for replacement of the gymnasium floor at the elementary school. Trustees also adopted a plan to issue permanent identification badges to all school personnel and acknowledged the outstanding inspection report for the food services operations.

Board President Ed Tunnell and member Edwin Simmons were absent. Wende Haney conducted the meeting.
 

HISD maintains a fleet of 12 busses to service the seven routes throughout the district as well as student field trips, sports events and other extra curricular activities. The district follows a replacement program that calls for the purchase of a new bus nearly every year (four in five years). Two possible purchases of 77-passenger vehicles from state approved vendors were presented—a Blue Bird for $83,898 and an International at $82,167. The Blue Bird was selected (if still available) because it has a Caterpillar engine. The district will also equip the bus with camera and radio at a cost of approximately $2,500. In addition, there is an $800 fee for the State BuyBoard.
 

Superintendent Dan Rose reported that repairs to the high school gymnasium have been completed and the district is observing a recommended seven-day waiting period for the finish to set. The same contractor was approved by trustees to replace the elementary school gym floor at a cost of $56,329. That work is expected to be completed by mid-December.
 

Rose also presented an update on the continuing construction saying “good progress is being made.” The new classrooms for the elementary school should be available in mid-January, the new cafeteria at the end of January and the new gymnasium in February.
 

Responding to trustees’ concerns about security and safety on campus, the administration recommended the adoption of an identification system for all district personnel, secondary students and for visitors to the campus. Electronic, picture ID badges will be issued to all staff members. The badge system features a scanning program for the entrances to all three campuses and can be utilized with a time clock reader. Trustees approved purchase of the equipment and initial supplies at $10,697.
 

During the last legislative session, a law was passed requiring the Texas Department of State Health Services to inspect all school kitchens twice a year. The first inspection of the kitchens at HISD took place October 31 and no violations were found. Trustees recognized Donna hall, food services manager and her staff for their continuing excellent work.
 

The board also recognized Laurie Pattillo, who has completed a 45-hour training program in environmental education, Bob Behnke and this year’s BRATS team which returned from competition with “Best Job of Designing,” and the full administrative and teaching staffs for 100% achievement of “Highly Qualified” status.
 

An off-agenda item was discussed concerning policies regarding student fund raisers. The item will be added to a future agenda for possible action.
 

In other actions the board:
- Entered into an Interlocal agreement with the Wood County Tax Assessor/Collector for tax collection services at a cost of $49,328.
- Cast the district’s 893 votes for Al Harris to serve on the board of directors of the Wood County Appraisal District.
- Reviewed Texas Association of School Board policy updates.
- Approved budget amendments to purchase 1) a new bus and 2) the identification system.
 

Goods-in-transit tax adopted
At a special meeting of the Hawkins Independent School Board on Monday, October 10, trustees approved an ordinance that will retain a property tax on goods-in-transit and accepted a settlement from Nationwide Insurance for replacement of the elementary school gym floor which was damaged by accidental flooding. Trustees also voted to repair and refinish the floor of the high school gymnasium for $15,000 and to accept an insurance settlement of $63,693.22 for damages to the elementary gymnasium which was damaged by flooding in April.
 

Superintendent Rose and Business Manager Robert Fair reported on a perfect score and a “Superior” rating in the Financial Management Performance Report required by the state.
 

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the HISD Board of Trustees is set for Monday, December 3 at 7 p.m. A special meeting may be called with 72-hour notice.