MINUTES

Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

August 3, 2001

Call to Order:

Board President Kerry Goodwin called the meeting to order at 10:03am in the Superintendent's Conference Room. The following board members were present: Roseanna Davidson, Zena Pearcy, Mary Sue Welch, and Frankie Swift.

Introduction of Attendees:

James Lambert, Debra Nesbitt, Lauren Newton, Judy Schauer, Malcolm Cleveland, Barney Schulz, Ken Miller, Susan Houghtling, Charlotte Duke, Miles Fain, Carol Vaughan, Cyral Miller and Phil Hatlen.

Future Board Members Present:

Jesus Bautista from El Paso, Deborah Louder and Otilio Galindo, from San Angelo, Texas.

Public Comments and Open Forum:

Zena Pearcy made a public comment: She and Dr. Hatlen just returned from a Board Meeting of the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (formerly known as Texas Commision for the Blind) (TCB). Phil spoke at the meeting regarding our Post Secondary Program and represented us very well. Positive comments were received from Terry Murphy and other Board Members. This is a cooperative program between TSBVI and TCB. Dr. Peters (Tyler, Tx.), Dean, stated that he is aware of monies that could assist the educational portion of the program. General Land Office had no representatives present. Phil Hatlen stated there was a concern in the sale of Avenue A property and the amount of money we will receive to build the apartment building. Barney Schulz stated that we had anticipated receiving $400,000, and the appraisal was $475,000. The sale was made to another state agency. The General Land Office is required not to purchase over the fair market value. They will have significant reductions for renovations bringing the apartment complex back to the original state it was in before it was cut up into smaller apartments. The apartment building has a very high renovation cost associated with it and they have discovered asbestos in the building that must be removed. The net that will be available to us is approximately $310,000, which is a concern.

Zena Pearcy added that it was apparent the Board Members were excited about the Post - Secondary Program for the educational component because it is not just for rehab for learning how to have eye skills, etc., but that they actually get these kids some true remedial study that will assist them into work settings and on to college. Phil Hatlen stated that Ed Kunz advised him that they had 16 students in the college prep program at Criss Cole this summer and only 6 were literate. He felt literacy will be a big issue in the Post Secondary Program.

Frankie Swift stated that Bill Gates is funding Technology grants and requested the School check into a grant to fund the purchase of computers, laptops and software that is accessible to the students.

Roseanna Davidson commented that the Deafness systems use federally funded Post -Secondary Programs. It is being used in Big Springs/El Paso/Howard College areas called SWIFD (South West Institute for the Deaf). It may be worthwhile to investigate their procedure in obtaining funding and if they have any form of certification to award students.

No additional Public Comments were presented.

Consideration of Approval of Minutes of the March 30, 2001 Board Meeting:

Frankie Swift moved the minutes of the May 31, 2001 board meeting be approved. Zena Pearcy seconded the motion. The motion to pass was unanimous.

Consideration of Approval of the Operating Budget 2001-2002:

Roseanna Davidson introduced Barney Schulz to present the Budget. Barney Schulz reviewed the Operating Budget Resources and Operating Budget Summary, that details the expenditures for which approval is requested. For the benefit of the new Board Members, he explained each line item and answered all questions. Roseanna Davidson stated the Budget Resource packet lists all the sources of funding for the School for the Blind, grants and contracts, capital budget resources and Legacy resources for a grand total of $16,781,456.00. The Budget Summary indicates how funds are coded and expended. She stated the budget format has improved and is easily understood.

Barney Schulz explained the Bond Election coming in November. He stated that Proposition 8 states that funds to renovate, repair facilities and needed equipment for the State of Texas. The Bond issue is $850,000,000 for a six year increment. We submitted our budget needs for the next 10 years. The funding included to fund major renovations to the school, replacing dormitories, independent living facilities, and heating and air condition systems. We should receive about $5,000,000 during the second year of the biennium (2003). Voters will vote in November; if yes, we will plan to use monies on September 1, 2003. If not, we will review with the Legislature to look for other sources of funding. Kerry Goodwin recommended that the School prepare a sample letter to the editor article for each Board Member to take to their local newspapers to support it.

Dr. Phil Hatlen advised the new Board Members that the building they were meeting in was built in 1916 and is in serious need of major renovation. The Legislature recognizes this and the total of the 6 year period is $22,600,000 in that bond. This is an old building and it is extremely hard to maintain. We are included in Proposition 8 on the ballot, but our agency is not mentioned. Therefore, voters will not be aware of our position. Awareness of information to the voters is needed.

The board recessed for lunch at 11:45pm.

The board reconvened at 1:30pm.

Barney Schulz resumed providing information on the budget presented for approval. Kerry Goodwin requested information concerning allocation of funds for new buses and vans, why is it necessary to continue to lease buses if we are purchasing new? Barney Schulz stated the lease is a lease purchase payment, which is four years old. The budget reflects payments on that contract, not a new contract. This year is the last year on the lease plan.

Malcolm Cleveland discussed travel expense reimbursement for Board Members. Necessary expenses included all expenses of departing and returning for meetings. Categories include: registration, transportation (air fare, cab fare), meals, lodging, phone calls and any other incidentals. Actual cost of meals and lodging or a per diem status will be reimbursed. Actual cost of mileage is reimbursed at $0.28 per mile, from the Board Members' home to the school or to and from the airport. Airline tickets and vehicle rentals are directly billed. Within the first year, Board Members need to obtain a particular number of hours Board training, which is all-reimbursable. Anyone who is visually impaired will be furnished the reimbursement cost of a traveling companion, if needed. Roseanna Davidson made a motion to approve the budget. Mary Sue Welch seconded the motion. The motion to pass was unanimous.

Development of the Superintendent's Appraisal Process and Instrument:

Roseanna Davidson requested this topic be tabled until the September 21^st meeting, despite the concerns of Ms. Nesbitt, HR Director. Ms. Nesbitt explained that the appraisal instrument would have to be distributed shortly after the September meeting, by which time the data related to performance measures would be available for the Board to use in completing the appraisal by the November meeting. Since it would be unlikely that

there would be sufficient time at the September meeting to completely discuss, draft, and adopt a new instrument, the existing instrument will probably have to be used for one more year. Mary Sue Welch made the motion to use the old appraisal and instrument. Frankie Swift seconded the motion. The motion to pass was unanimous.

Performance Appraisal of the Internal Auditor: Roseanna Davidson, recommended this item be tabled until the September 21 meeting. Zena Pearcy seconded the motion. The motion to pass was unanimous.

Other Business:

None

Adjournment:

Roseanna Davidson moved that the meeting adjourn at 2:00pm. Frankie Swift seconded the motion. The motion to pass was unanimous.

__________________________________________ __________________

Mary Sue Welch Date

Board President

__________________________________________ __________________

Bruce Best Date

Board Secretary

__________________________________________ __________________

Charlotte Duke Date

Recording Secretary

POST MEETING AGENDA

SWEARING IN OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS:

Phil Hatlen stated that we have been honored to have Roseanna Davidson and Kerry Goodwin on the Board for a number of years. They were both honored at a dinner and given a photograph of the school, along with their name plates. The gavel was given to the President as a memento. Dr. Hatlen stated that the School will consider other ways to honor the two outgoing Board Members within the next two months (trees, benches, etc.) and will want them back for a dedication when something is permanently placed on the campus to remember them by.

Roseanna Davidson made an appreciation speech regarding the school; then Kerry Goodwin made a speech reflecting his years of service. He said that a previous Board Member stated (when she left the Board), "In being a Board Member, do no harm and leave the school better off when you leave for the sake of the children."

Kerry Goodwin, President of the Board, passed the honor and title of Board President by the swearing in of Mary Sue Welch, Vice-President. At the next Board Meeting, a new Vice-President and Secretary must be elected.

The newly and re-appointed Board Members were sworn in by Kerry Goodwin by reading the Oath of Office: Frankie Swift of Nacogdoches, Mary Sue Welch of Dallas, Jesus Batuista from El Paso and Deborah Louder and Otilio Galindo, from San Angelo, Texas.

BOARD DIRECTIVES

August 3, 2001

Kerry Goodwin recommended that the School prepare a sample letter to the editor article for each Board Member to take to their local newspapers to support Proposition 8.

Frankie Swift requested the School check into a grant (re: Bill Gates, etc.), to fund the purchase of computers, laptops and software that is accessible to the students.

Roseanna Davidson commented that the Deafness systems uses federally funded Post-Secondary-Programs. It is being used in Big Springs/El Paso/Howard College areas called SWIFD (South West Institute for the Deaf). It may be worthwhile to investigate their procedure in obtaining funding and if they have any form of certification to award students.

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Last Revision: July 30, 2002