Troup trustees approve administration contracts
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

Felicia Kenrick (right) is Troup's teacher of the month. Presenting the award at Monday's board meeting is Melanie Johnson, elementary dean of students.

Trustees approved the contract extensions of several administrators at Monday night's regular meeting of the Troup ISD school board.

Following an executive session, members approved twoyear contracts for Derek Driver, Ava Johnson and Debbie Moxley, campus principals; Dr. Katie Preast, executive director of curriculum and instruction; Dewayne Brown, executive director of support services; John Eastman, athletic director; Shannon Capps, executive director of technology and libraries; and Jill Spearman, business manager.

One-year contracts were approved for Brian Clements, assistant high school principal, and Judy Daniel, child care director.

In other agenda items, trustees also approved a budget amendment for the purchase of middle school weight room equipment in the amount of $40,354, a service contract renewal with Johnson Controls for $21,106 per year, and a budget amendment for a variety of fencing projects costing $5,612.72.

Brionna Wagoner (left) and Autumn Bell are middle school and elmentary students of the month. See other students of the month, page 3B.

Trustees also called for an election for places 6 and 7 on the school board, currently held by Johnny Johnson and Bill Lacy. Both have filed to retain their seats.

The election will be May 12 with both early voting and Election Day voting held at the Cameron-J. Jarvis Troup Municipal Librar y. The board approved a joint election agreement with the City of Troup and an interlocal agreement with Smith County for this year's election.

The city and school will hold a joint election in one location, with the county providing equipment and staff. Residents of Cherokee County who live in the Troup school district will have to cast their vote for school board at the Troup Library.

The board also approved the proposed 2007-08 school calendar and, in a related issue, OK'd the application for six early release day waivers from the Texas Education Agency. According to the calendar, school will begin on Aug. 27, and graduation will be May 30. Students will be out Nov. 19-23 for Thanksgiving (including staff development days on Nov. 19- 21) and Dec. 24 through Jan. 2 for winter break. Spring break will be March 18-22.

The early release (12:30 p.m.) days planned for 07-08 are Oct. 19, Dec. 20-21, March 15 and May 28-29.

Trustees also approved consent agenda items and several updated legal and local policies from the last legislative session.

In administrative reports, trustees accepted written reports from technology, daycare, athletics and curriculum and heard oral reports from Brown and Spearman. Brown updated the board on ongoing projects, including renovations to the baseball field, while Spearman reported January's tax and interest revenues.

Students of the month and teacher of the month were presented, including Brice Clark, 12th grade; Dalton Puckett, kindergarten; and Felicia Kenrick, elementary instructor. Brionna Wagoner, eighth grade, and Autumn Bell, third grade, were unable to attend the board presentations.

In recommending the board members accept the bid from Pro Maxima for the purchase of weight room equipment, Supt. Marvin Beaty said he believed the school would have "the premiere junior high and high school girls weight room in the state." The weights will be machine-oriented as opposed to free weights because that would be safer for younger athletes, as well as permitting workouts without a spotter.

Beaty also said the facilities would be available to P.E. classes and other students, as well as faculty and staff, when not being utilized for athletics.

The service contract renewal with Johnson Controls covers high school building chillers and district HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) needs.