TAKS incentives top Troup board meeting
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

High school teacher Trayce Martin shows off the cash awarded to her by board president Joe Paul McElroy.

Following the annual Thanksgiving dinner prepared by Troup ISD food service ladies, Troup's Board of Trustees met to discuss several matters including plenty of congratulations for the high school on its TAKS achievements.

High school faculty and staff members were applauded for their work above and beyond the call of duty with the students of Troup High School in preparation for TAKS. A total of $6000 in grants and $7000 in cash was awarded.

Praise was also given to the Students and Teacher of the Month. At the elementary campus Kindergar tener Tayler Vance was recognized as well as Jordan Lynn. Teacher of the month was Kimberly Knighton from the elementary campus. The middle school student honored was 8th grader Haley Combs and from the high school, senior Nick Harrison received a pat on the back.

During administrative reports David Denton of WRL, the general contractor for the current expansion and renovation projects, was on hand to update the trustees. With all campuses in their final stages, Denton expects to present to the trustees for final acceptance at the December board meeting.

Board member Bill Lacy gives Shane Chambless his TAKS incentive cash award during Monday night's board meeting.

Dewayne Brown, director of support services updated the board on damage caused to the middle school and high school during the November 1st thunderstorm when lightening struck the building. Damage was extensive to both campuses' intercom systems. He also gave details on the good report received by Food Service during a recent CRE review.

Financial director Jill Spearman advised the board on cash investments and tax collections.

During the Superintendent's report, Marvin Beaty offered clarification to the board concerning items being placed on the agenda as well as requests for reports or analysis to be generated or created.

Under discussion and possible actions items the board approved an educational field trip to Galveston for the 8th grade. While there they will visit historical locations as well as do scientific work through Texas A & M University at Galveston.

Gary Johnson of auditing firm Halls, Johnson, McLemore, Redfield & Rodrigues, LLP gave a good report with no findings to the trustees concerning the finances of the district for the previous year. The report was accepted and approved by the board.

Approval was given for further renovations on the baseball complex. The vote included an abstention from Keith Lindsey. Renovations will include a wall behind the backstop. Beaty discussed the safety issues related with this addition. A retaining wall had previously been discussed but was deleted from the approved plan due to concerns for student safety as well.

Discussion took place over improvements to the girls' softball field. The board directed Beaty to talk with the Little League group about lease extensions and possibly working with the district on the cost of the proposed upgrades. Beaty will bring numbers to the board for a complete new facility as well as estimates for a renovation to bring the girls' field up to the quality of that of the boys'.

The next item for discussion was the replacement of the intercom systems in the middle and high schools. Insurance coverage will cover only a portion of the replacement or repair

costs. Replacement of the systems, not to exceed $29,000, was approved as well as the necessary budget amendment to cover the cost.

A presentation was given of how additional cameras on each campus would provide for better security. The system discussed would add a significant number of cameras to what the district currently has. It is a DVR system that would allow for remote access by designated personnel.

"We want out students to be as safe as possible," Beaty said. "We are just bringing this information to the board for their consideration."

No action was taken on this item. On this agenda, it was only a discussion item.

Approval was granted on a resolution authorizing the board of trustees to approve the bid for the sale of struck-off property. Upon its sale, the district will receive $481 in back taxes.

At the conclusion of the meeting, all consent agenda items were approved as presented.