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The Johnson City Independent School Board met in regular session Monday, July 7th, 2009. After passing the consent agenda, the board began review and discussion of policy updates. The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) recommends that each school board review for possible adoption all policies that were amended during the legislative session. At this time, the only policy under consideration regarded changes to the leaves and absences policy for district personnel. The board decided at this time that no significant changes be made to the policy.

The board then discussed approval of a policy regarding non-school use of school facilities. A subcommittee was formed to review current district policy, research what other districts are doing and consider the ramifications, if any, of changes to current policy. Randy Brodbeck, Greg Wessels, and Matt Pletcher will serve on the subcommittee. Next up for adoption was the Region XIII Regional Day School Program for the Deaf Shared Services Agreement. Since the dissolution of the Special Education Co-op, of which JCISD was a member, the district has had to forge its own agreements with special education service providers. This agreement, which the board approved, will continue services provided by the program to deaf students in the district.

Consideration of the 2009-2010 salary schedules followed. The board was presented two schedules: one with a pay raise, and one without. Currently, the schedule remains the same as last year’s schedule. The board is awaiting the decision from Texas Education Commissioner Rob Scott’s determination on whether funding from the federal stimulus plan can be used to supplement pay raises for full time teachers, nurses, librarians and counselors. His determination is contingent upon whether the federal government will allow stimulus funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to be used for these pay raises. If the federal government approves, a $1000.00 pay increase could be awarded to Johnson City ISD full time teachers, nurses, librarians, and counselors.

The stasis over the use of federal stimulus dollars for pay raises effected budget discussions as well. Since 85% of the overall budget is allocated toward salaries, the board cannot make any reasonable decisions on other budget items until the salary issue is resolved. Therefore, the budget workshop was postponed until the determination is made.

On August 18th, an immunization clinic will be held at the LBJ Elementary/Middle School Cafeteria. From 9:00 am-3:00 pm, any student currently enrolled in JCISD can get missing immunizations or fulfill the new immunization requirements as set forth by the state. The school nurse has already contacted the parents of those students who need immunizations in order to meet new state requirements. For further information, contact Shannon Helmke, LBJ Elementary principal, at (830) 868-4028.

Superintendent David Shanley reported that he had received a copy of a letter community members had sent to the Blanco County Appraisal District. No action was taken; his report was for information purposes only. Next, Shanley gave a status update on the Student Code of Conduct, Parent/Student Handbooks, and Campus Improvement Plan. Because of changes made during the legislative session regarding these issues, the board will await word from TASB before changing any of these documents. However, the board expects to approve these documents at the August board meeting.

Finally, the board went into closed session in order to discuss hiring of personnel. Once back in open meeting, the board announced the following new hires/position changes: Melissa Wood, Social Studies teacher/coach at LBJ Middle School; Jud Jarrett, Math teacher at LBJ High School; and Kirstan Schrader, 4th grade teacher at LBJ Elementary.