Saturday's Internet Edition, 12:08 PM, July 31, 2010.
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| A great place to be in 100 degree heat.... The city swimming pool is a great place to escape this week’s soaring temperatures. The pool is open 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.,Tuesday through Sunday. And they will accept private party engagements in the evenings. Swimming lessons can be arranged by calling the pool at 283-2475. |
- Trustees of Culberson County-Allamoore Independent School District met last Thursday evening and the session was literally a tester for everybody.
It seemed that as trustees considered nearly every agenda item, there was an air of apprehension.
Trustees, after looking at budget expenses and projected revenues, as presented by Dr. Karr at last months meeting, were considering the prospects of asking voters to approve a 13 cent tax increase so that the district can bring salaries up so that they would be in line with surrounding districts and so that the district could improve on some of their facilities and maintenance problem areas.
Trustee John Clark immediately commented, “I’d be against this idea and I think it would never fly in the community.”
Board president Lisa Cottrell fired back at Clark saying, “John what we need is a spirit of cooperation so that what we’ve started in the district can continue into the future. We don’t need a trustee taking shots at the rest of the board.”
What the numbers reflect is that fixed costs continue to rise and payroll costs amount to approximately 80% of the budget. With declining funds from the state as a result of declining enrollment, the district must raise additional money in order to fund pay increases and to improve on facilities and increasing utility costs.
Trustee John Clark commented that nothing should be done until, “I see the proposed budget and have an opportunity to go over it line by line.”
Yet, the District’s CE (Legal) policy, which is a mirror of the Texas Education Code, clearly states, “The superintendet shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, a proposed budget for the district. That budget shall be presented by the date set by the Texas Education Agency, which is August 20.”
In the end, trustees took no action on the proposal but are expected to address the subject again at their next meeting, currently set for July 29th.
Another agenda item which created some discension on the board was the matter “Board approval to be required for hiring, promoting and terminating all CCAISD employees.” This item had been tabled at last months meeting and was placed on this agenda again.
Following heated discussion, trustees voted 4 to 3 to approve the motion. The 4 trustees for the motion were John Clark, Robert Morales, Romy Ramirez, and Paul Uranga. The three against the motion included Lisa Cottrell, Lupe Alvarado and Angie Gonzalez.
It should be noted herein that this action contradicts the Texas Education Code and the District’s DC (Legal) policy. That policy states that the superintendent is the sole authority on hiring, terminating and promoting and that he brings those recommendations to the board for their approval. If the board does not like some of the recommendations, the superintendent brings additional recommendations until the board is satisfied.
Following a behind-closed-doors executive session, trustees reconvened in open session and amended the earlier motion from all employees to contracted employees.
What this means is that if the superintendent finds a teacher to fill a critical position, he cannot hire that teacher until a board meeting is convened so that the board can act. In the interim, the teacher may accept another position in another district.
According to the Texas Education Code and district policy, the superintendent is the district’s cheif executive officer and, as such, he should be allowed to fulfill his role.
Charlie Nitchsmann, of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), appeared before trustees to present the results of the TASB Salary Audit of the district.
The audit compared our district to 13 surrounding districts, however, they did not include the likes of El Paso, Socorro, Midland, or Odessa.
What the audit revealed is that of the 13 districts compared, CCAISD is the lowest paid for first year teachers. About $8,000 below the highest paid district, Iraan.
The audit also revealed numerous other areas where CCAISD is way below the other districts. The only area where we were on par was superintendent and principal salaries.
Nitchsmann suggested that the district needs to get away from tieing teacher salaries to the state base. In fact, he suggested an option which would get our staff closer to the other districts and away from the state base. The option would cost the district about $105,000.
Trustees accepted the report and asked Nitchsmann to work with Superintendent Mancha to see how much of the recommended proposal can be worked into the budget proposal for next fiscal year.
With regard to other items on the meeting agenda, trustees took the following actions:
* On the matter of whether to continue self funding the district’s health insurance, trustees heard a report submitted by Deborah Faulknor, of Wells Fargo insurance, that sated, “You need to fire me!”
Trustees, after discussion, opted to terminate the self funding program and instead opted to go with the state’s TRS health insurance program as it will cost less and yet provide the same coverages.
Because the district opted to cease self funding, Superintendent Mancha will not retract the letter he sent to the state back in March signaling our intention to go with the state plan.
* Trustees accepted bids from the following companies for the services indicated.
Fuel/Fuel Products: Van Horn Oil & Propane;
Internet: Windstream;
Cannines: Interquest Detection Cannines;
Athletic Insurance: Texas Monarch Athletic Insurance - final year of a multi -year contract;
Dairy/Dairy Products: Gandy’s.
* And, trustees scheduled another session for July 29th before concluding the meeting.