Troup trustees raise salaries for bus drivers
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

Joseph Eckel of Victory Sound Communications Inc. works on installation of a video projection system in the Troup High School Auditorium Tuesday. Victory updated the audio system earlier in the year. The auditorium work is part of a series of summer projects being done at TISD.

Trustees raised the starting wage for bus drivers at Troup ISD to $12, citing the need to offer competitive salaries with area schools. Dewayne Brown, director of support services, reported that the school was short two drivers all of last year and is currently four short for the upcoming year.

"We've been fighting a shortage in bus drivers for a long time. We thought our salary schedule was competitive with those around us, but it's not," said Supt. Marvin Beaty. "And it's not a little behind, it's far behind."

The increase of $3 an hour will cost the district an estimated $25,000 a year, with longtime drivers also receiving an increase up to $15 per hour. Drivers are guaranteed at least three hours a day.

TISD has 10 bus routes, including two city routes. The measure was approved 5-0 at Thursday's regular meeting of the school board. Trustees Kent Lindsey and Melissa Young were absent.

The board also approved $17,680 for several campus con- crete jobs recommended by Brown. Trustee Kent Lindsey voted against the project after first proposing an amendment that would have removed a portion of the planned work. His amendment died and the original motion for all the projects passed 4-1.

Lindsey objected to using school tax dollars to repair city property, in this case the dropof f area at the intermediate school. Brown said the traffic and drainage issues make the area prone to potholes and flooding. The city has filled the potholes in the past, but Brown proposed extending the school sidewalk.

"We have set a precedent spending school tax dollars on property that doesn't belong to us. I personally think that's unethical. I'd like to see the line drawn somewhere," said Lindsey in arguing against the spending.

Brown acknowledged that the property didn't belong to the school, but said "we use it everyday." Supt. Beaty added, "If we don't do it, it's not going to get done."

Lindsey said he understood the dilemma, but said "it's not what our community, the taxpayers, hired us to do."

Lindsey also opposed another agenda item, the tax resale of Troup ISD property to the City of Troup. The city offered $200 for the purchase of a vacant lot on Short Street next to the city park. The property value for the lot is $1,730. The board approved the sale, 4-1, with Lindsey voting no because the property would be removed from the school's tax base.

Beaty also reported to trustees that the district's legal representation, the firm of Henslee, Fowler and Hepworth, was closing its Tyler office. The school's contract is in effect until the spring of 2008. A representative of the firm, however, has opened his own private practice, and Beaty recommended that the school enter an agreement with Jay Youngblood to ser ve as the district's attorney. Trustees approved Youngblood following an executive session; the school can still consult with Henslee, Fowler and Hepworth via phone at the firm's Austin or Fort Worth offices.

Trustees also approved:

-- an interlocal agreement with Region 8 for foodservice purchasing;

-- the auditing services of Halls, Johnson, McLemore, Redfield & Rodrigues LLP for the year ending Aug. 31, 2007;

-- a memoranda of understanding between Troup ISD, Cherokee County Juvenile Board and Smith County Juvenile Board for the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program;

-- renewal of Texas Monarch as carrier for student athletic and field trip insurance, with a change in agents to Marion Turner.

Following an executive session, the board accepted the resignations of Daniel Morgan, Jeremy Thomas, Alice Ralph, Meredith Hamilton and Mollie (Fortner) Dornak, and approved offering contracts to Adam Thomas, Adonna Donovan, Jamye Read and Rita Salinas. Trustee Johnny Johnson abstained on the approval of Salinas.

The board also accepted the mid-year evaluation of Supt. Beaty.

Brown also updated trustees on summer projects, including painting at all campuses and resurfacing the school track. The track project has taken longer than expected due to weather problems and delays, said Brown, adding that it will continue to be closed through July.

Jennifer Stewart, director of finance, gave a report on tax collections and investments. Trustee Lindsey asked if she had any estimates for end-ofyear gains, and she said early estimates showed $400,000- $500,000.

Lindsey pointed out that the budget includes $300,000 as a buffer and asked Stewart what accounted for the additional funds. Stewart replied that oil and gas royalties, along with higher interest rates on investments, was the reason.

"It's a good thing when you lower taxes and still increase revenue," Lindsey said.

Prior to the meeting's adjournment, Lindsey offered a public thank you to middle school principal Ava Johnson for coordinating a recent trip to Washington, D.C. "She did a great job, and this was something she didn't have to do," he said.