MISD announces election for board, hears reports

n By elizabeth richardson

Staff Writer

 

The Marlin ISD Board of Managers met Dec. 12 in the Marlin Middle School Library with President Billy Johnson presiding.  Board Managers present were Misty Ehlers, Byrleen Terry and Dr. Darryl Henson, Superintendent of Schools. 

The Lone Star Governance recognitions included Student of the Month Esteban Nunez; Teacher of the Month Max Martinez; and Employee of the Month Rhonda Milton, Elementary Dean of Students. 

Superintendent’s Reports followed. J Adam LeJeune, Director of Technology presented the E-rate Workshop, a federal funding program for libraries and schools that provides discounts for certain telecommunications services and internal network equipment. Marlin ISD is filing for telecommunications and for internal connections funds, specifically reconfiguring the WiFi infrastructure at the Elementary and Middle Schools.

Dr. Sharon Deloach, Director of Student Services, noted there are 168 English as a Second Language (ESL) students and twelve certified teachers. Re: Texas Administrative Code, “A local education agency that does not have the appropriately certified teachers for their required bilingual education and/or ESL programs must apply to TEA for a bilingual education exception and/or waiver” which was submitted in November.  The action plan is to reflect efforts to recruit additional certified teachers to the district and support teachers seeking certification.

In other matters, Dr. Henson reported the district’s strategic plans to include active coverage/media mentions and state recognition for outstanding education communication. Dr. Henson stated, “In reference to the disparaged article written in the Washington Post regarding the Marlin ISD outstanding testing performance, ended up a win-win for the district with 8.6 million views.”  

The Texas School Safety Center conducted an Intruder Detection Audit at Marlin Elementary in October. The audit evaluated whether a campus is accessible to an unauthorized individual and was conducted as a part of Governor Greg Abbott’s school safety directives for all school systems following the Uvalde tragedy. 

Report findings were presented by Dr. Henson. No corrective action was required regarding intruder access through exterior doors at Marlin Elementary. Upon entering the front offices, required identification was checked against on electronic database and visitor’s badges were provided. However, the campus had two classroom doors that were not closed or locked which is not in compliance with the district policy. A plan of development is to train all campus staff and especially substitutes that all classroom doors must remain closed and locked.

Marlin ISD Financial Report was presented by Dr. Henson. The General Fund YTD revenue is $5,968,570. Food Service ($284,354) and the Investment Reports ending balance ($3,637,681.87) were presented. It was noted the district is compliant with its investment policy according to the 1987 Public Fund Investment Act.  

Also presented was the resolution expressing official “Intent to reimburse” meaning the district may incur expenses related to Bond 2022 prior to the arrival of bond funds. The resolution permits the district to reimburse itself for any bond related expenses up to $3,000,000 as capital expenditures. It was proposed that Dr. Henson and Dr. Stacy Parker-Knight will oversee the selection and approval of members of an underwriting syndicate for the negotiated sale of MISD Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds. Vendor UMB Institutional Banking Services Underwriting Syndicate Unlimited Tax School Bonds was recommended by Superintendent Henson.

Jesse Bustamante, Director of Human Resources/Special Projects noted a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was released Nov. 22, 2022, to solicit statements from qualified design-build firms. Schneider Electric was selected as vendor for the bond projects at Legion Field. The proposed project scope includes turf and track, scoreboard and sound, perimeter fencing, bleachers, press box and general athletic facility renovation/upgrade. In addition, under the same guidelines, Schneider Electric was selected to provide professional design and construction services for the new Maintenance and Transportation Operations Facility to be relocated on Green St. Construction will include covered bus pad for 20 buses and 7 white fleet vehicles, wireless internet, office spaces, repaved parking lot, HVAC, large conference room and additional amenities. Contract negotiations are upcoming in January 2023.

Dr. Henson reported the Texas Association of School Boards has provided local education agencies with Policy Update 119, a comprehensive collection of federal and state statutes and regulations. In accordance with policy, Dr. Henson also moved that the Board call a May 2023 regular election for the Marlin ISD Board of Trustees in District 1 and two at-large positions. Application filing to place name on the regular Board of Trustee election ballot is Jan. 18 to Feb. 17, 2023, at 5 p.m. Two trustees will be added in 2024 and 2025 and three in 2026. Visit the website marlinisd.org for additional information.

Byrleen Terry moved to accept the agenda consent items. Seconded by Misty Ehlers, the motion carried. With no further business, the meeting adjourned.

The Marlin Democrat

251 Live Oak St
Marlin, TX 76661
Phone: (254) 883-2554
Fax:(254) 883-6553