Hawkins ISD Board of Trustees
Ozarka tax suit nears settlement
By JOHN SPARKS
Meeting in regular session on Monday, November 2, the board of trustees of the Hawkins Independent School District received word that a law suit brought by Nestle Waters, parent firm of Ozarka Spring Water, is nearing settlement. Superintendent Dan Rose also reported that repairs will soon be underway to correct a leaking roof on the new gymnasium as well as a water seepage problem at the northwest corner of the new facility.
Superintendent Rose and Robert Fair, Hawkins ISD Business Manager have been following recent developments in the Nestle/Ozarka suit challenging the valuation by the Wood County Appraisal District of certain properties at the Ozarka Spring Water plant. Nestle has challenged the valuation dating back to 2004, but the firm has paid taxes to Hawkins ISD based upon that valuation over the past five years. A settlement would mean that the Ozarka overpayment would have to be refunded by HISD. The structure of the terms of that refund will be part of the eventual agreement. Fair said it is likely that an adjustment in the taxes due to the district from Ozarka in February 2010 could cover all or a part of the refund. The funding formula that determines state aid to school districts may well cover all or part of any such adjustment.
Specific terms of the settlement agreement could not be disclosed, but Fair and Rose indicated that they believed settlement is imminent.
Rose provided the board an update on progress to correct problems at the district's new gymnasium. The roof has leaked and groundwater has penetrated into the dressing room area at the northwest corner of the facility that was completed less than one year ago. Rose said the construction firm has been on the scene and is addressing the problems. The gymnasium was a part of a major expansion and renovation program that not only brought the new gym, but also a cafeteria facility and new elementary school classrooms but also improved every existing structure on the campus.
The board also heard a report on a pilot program being developed by the secondary math and science teachers, Debi Crawford, assistant superintendent and consultants. The program combines the two disciplines by establishing practical interlocking relationships between them as a part of the learning experience. The administrators, teachers and consultants were excited about the program's progress after just the first twelve weeks and confident that the program will attract students to Hawkins ISD and eventually be introduced into other school districts.
The board approved a budget amendment that moved $244,252 from the general fund to a federal fund code. The move recognizes the funds as federal stimulus monies. The amendment has zero effect on the fund balance and the dollars were already in the budget for 2009-2010.
Superintendent Rose also advised the board of the rollout of "Partnership for Success," which is described as a series of "fireside chats" involving community leaders, churches, business and the schools. The first in an anticipated series of this outreach to the community will be held at First Assembly of God Church at 102 Harris Street on Monday, November 9 from 6 pm to 7 pm. The public is invited.
The next regular meeting of the Hawkins ISD board is scheduled for Monday, December 7 at 7 p.m. The January meeting of the board has been re-scheduled for Monday, January 11. A special meeting of the board may be held with 72-hour advance public notice.
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