Trustees consider upgrades, bond issue
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

Troup ISD trustees held their regular monthly meeting Monday and have scheduled a special board meeting for May 1. That gathering will include a tour of the high school weight room and middle school gym dressing rooms as a follow-up to a presentation by John Eastman, athletic director, about proposed upgrades.

In a night of few action items, trustees also heard a report from Jennifer Stewart, financial director, about the possibility of refunding $2,085,000 from the 1998 bond series.

This would allow the district to sell new bonds at a lower interest rate than the 4.97 percent issued in 1998, resulting in a significant savings to annual debt service.

The district could choose to apply the savings to its debt service equally over the life of the bonds, or take the majority of the savings upfront over the first three years of debt service. The first alternative would result in $210,710 savings at a 3.90 percent rate; the second would offer $161,746 with a 3.95 rate.

Assuming an annual growth of four percent for the district, both proposals could lower the Interest & Sinking rate from its current 13.3 cents to 3.3 cents. Supt. Marvin Beaty pointed out that the district could maintain its current rate and pay the bond off early, adding to the savings.

Stewart said her recommendation would be to pursue the second alternative and have the upfront savings. The cost to apply for the refund program is $2,300.

Stewart's presentation was informational only; the board will consider the bond refund as an action item at the May special meeting.

At the direction of Supt. Beaty, Eastman and members of his staff examined the overall athletic program and its facilities for improvements and came back with recommendations in two areas.

Eastman's proposal includes new weight equipment and weights at the high school, as well as some painting, light work and the addition of record boards and a wall of fame.

Eastman said the current weight room set up is approximately 15-18 years old and he felt there was more modern equipment that was sports specific, as well as safer.

He said 20 to 25 percent of the weights could be retained but he proposed replacing the majority of the plates as well as purchasing new racks and other equipment.

"The equipment we are proposing is not the most expensive, but it is nice and it maximizes what we are trying to do here," said Eastman.

Eastman also suggested upgrades to both high school and middle school dressing rooms, including new floors, painting and at the middle school, petitions for showers and toilets.

Trustees will tour the high school and middle school facilities at the special meeting before acting on the recommendations.

At that meeting, trustees will also consider an addition to local policy establishing guidelines for carryover time off for both contract and non-contract employees. Beaty presented the information Monday but the board will review the proposal and act on it later.

In action items, the board approved:

- application for the Vision 20/20 federal grant in collaboration with New Summerfield ISD;

- the sale of struck-off property;

- the district's participation in the Texas Association of School Board's cooperative purchasing program;

- moving the board's regular monthly meeting in May to the 13th, at which time the board will canvass the May 10 election results.

The board also recognized students and employees of the month.

Elementary student of the month is James Jackson. Principal Debbie Moxley described James as a wonderful student and said they were glad to have him as a new transfer. She said the fourth-grader was polite and always took care of his business.

Middle school student of the month is Derrik Maestas, who is also new to the district. Principal Ava Johnson said Derrik is a wonderful band student who has already made many new friends and that he has won several reader of the month awards.

High school student of the month is Kayla Bright. Principal Derek Driver described her as very active including band, theater and academic UIL events. As part of the One Act Play, Bright has received three best actress awards.

Johnson also presented the teacher of the month award to Cheryl Parsley. Parsley splits time in the classroom and coaching, and Johnson praised her for "doing anything you ask." Parsley has taught seventh grade language, eighth grade English and social studies.

Shannon Capps, technology director, recognized paraprofessional of the month Marci Hamilton. After 24 years with the district, Capps said Hamilton has done everything from driving a bus, serving as a P.E. aide and both classroom and office substitute. Hamilton is currently responsible for the dayto day operations of the middle school library and is integral to her staff, said Capps.

NOTE: All student and employee of the month photos will be published in next week's Tri County Leader.