Reprint from the Progress Times - September 21, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

MCISD shuffles architects in construction projects

A request to change the mechanical and electrical engineer for the upcoming renovations/additions projects at Mims and O’Grady Elementary Schools was unanimously approved at the Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) Board meeting September 12.

The project architect asked that their contract be amended to indicate Pete Garza, Jr. Consulting Engineer, Inc. as the consulting engineer for the projects. This firm was also involved in the original construction of those campuses.

Board members voted unanimously to select Javier Hinojosa Engineering for the design of parking lot expansions at Veterans Memorial High School. The $26,000 in fees for this will come from the bond issue proceeds since the work is needed due to the planned construction of a new fine arts building at the campus. The new building will eliminate some parking that needs to be replaced elsewhere on campus. The board also voted to seek competitive sealed proposals for the parking lot projects. The selection criteria and committee was also approved as a part of the motion.

The budgeted amount for the parking lot expansions is $330,000. Board members unanimously agreed to change architects for a renovations project at Mission High School that is a part of the $57 million bond issue. They agreed to have the board facilities committee interview architects that had previously submitted proposals to do renovation work on any of the current bond issue projects as well as the architectural firms currently working with the district.

The meeting of the board of trustees began with a recognition of each district campus that has earned a Texas Education Agency (TEA) rating of "recognized" or "exemplary". The exemplary campuses are: Midkiff Elementary, Mims Elementary and Waitz Elementary. The recognized campuses are: Mission Jr. High, Alton Elementary, Bryan Elementary, Castro Elementary, Cavazos Elementary, Leal Elementary, O’Grady Elementary, Pearson Elementary, Salinas Elementary.

The recognitions were followed by a presentation of the district’s state assessment results by Nelda Rios, director for testing and evaluation. Incentive plans for cycle two of the Governor’s Educator Excellence Award Program were approved unanimously. The campuses participating in cycle two of this incentive program are: Alton Elementary, Cantu Elementary, Cavazos Elementary, Leal Elementary, Castro Elementary, Marcell Elementary, O’Grady Elementary, Waitz Elementary.

The agenda item selecting names for the new elementary school and new middle school was tabled, as was a related item on the mascot and school colors for the middle school. The vote was unanimous. These items will be discussed further in committee meetings.

After meeting in executive session, the board unanimously approved two items authorizing administration to advertise the sale of property. One area consists of about six acres of land along Conway just north of Five Mile in Alton. The second area is just over four acres of land on Conway about one-fourth to one-half mile south of Salinas Elementary. A related item regarding the lease of farmland at Conway and Five Mile in Alton was also approved. Board members requested a six month lease since six acres of the land in the lease is a part of the acreage that is being put up for sale.

The lease is to Thompson Farms in the annual amount of $1,100. Unanimous approval was given to supplemental instructions for the new elementary school currently under construction at 2 1⁄4 Mile N. Trosper Road. This item upgrades the roof to be built from a 10-year guaranteed roof to a 20-year roof. The cost of the upgrade will still keep the project within the budget allotted for the project.

The board voted unanimously to seek competitive sealed proposals for the bond issue related renovations and additions to Cantu and Leal Elementary Schools. They also approved the selection criteria and the review/ranking committee to be used as well. A similar item relating to some required asbestos removal that will be required as a part of those projects was also approved unanimously.

After meeting in executive session, no recommendation was brought forth for consideration to fill the director of bilingual/ESL education position. The board voted unanimously to adopt new Board Policy FNA (LOCAL).

This was required in order to comply with the new Religious Viewpoints Anti-discrimination Act. This policy lays the groundwork to be used by the district for the creation of a limited public forum at campuses for student speakers at school sponsored events and commencement ceremonies. Administration will now begin the implementation process with campus leadership.

First reading was approved for changes to Board Policy DEA (LOCAL) as well as the Localized Policy Manual Update 80. The changes in DEA (LOCAL) impact the amount of compensatory time an employee can accrue as well as the time allotted to use the compensatory time. Update 80 impacts several policies. Second reading and adoption for both of these items is anticipated in October. The cooperative agreement with AmeriCorp Youth Harvest was unanimously approved. The district will pay $21,288 for 14 high school students to participate in this program. It engages the students in community service through tutoring and will also give the students a professional job experience.

After being pulled from the consent agenda for separate discussion, an out-of-state trip for the Mission High School band was unanimously approved. The band plans to travel to Orlando, FL to participate in performances at Disney World, including the Electric Light Parade. Funding will come through fundraising, band boosters as well as out of pocket from band participants. This item was separated from the consent agenda to allow for a discussion about the lack of use of school colors in uniforms, team shirts, and the dress of students and staff as they represent their school. Some board members felt it was inappropriate for any teams, clubs and organizations to move away from the use of school colors in their team related wardrobes.

An interpreting services agreement with A Sign Language Company was unanimously approved. This will provide sign language services in the classroom for instructional assignments for one student. The scheduled assignment fees are $35 per hour. More will be charged for any after school needs and emergency services.

Board members agreed to cast their 165 votes for Amador Requenez to represent Mission on the Hidalgo County Appraisal District. Requenez is currently representing Mission.

The district will renew its unemployment compensation program with TASB (Texas Association of School Boards). The proposed rate is $57,653. This is a decrease of $14,627 over last year’s rate. This item was approved unanimously. Board members approved the disposal of obsolete items as surplus. The items will be taken to Bond and Bond to be sold at auction. If any assets cannot be sold there, they will be disposed of as scrap or trash.

A $9,000 cash donation was approved by the board. This was from the Mims PTO to the Mims campus.

Unanimous approval was given to a resolution relating to an inter-local participation agreement between the district and the Region Eight Education Service Center. This involves participation in their purchasing cooperative.