Board of Trustees - Minutes
August 1, 2008
Minutes
Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI), was held on August 1, 2008 in the TSBVI Conference Center, 1100 West 45th Street, Austin, Texas.
Call to Order: Deborah Louder, Board President, called the meeting to order at 9:17 a.m. In addition to Ms. Louder, the following Board members were in attendance: Jesus Bautista, Dr. Gene Brooks, Caroline Daley, and Michelle Goodwin. Donna Clopton, Frankie Swift and Jamie Wheeler were unable to attend.
Introduction of Audience: Others in attendance at the meeting included William Daugherty, Superintendent of TSBVI; Carol Vaughan, General Counsel; John Daude, Director of Operations and Construction; Malcolm Cleveland, Accounting Director; Charlotte Miller, Human Resources Director, Miles Fain, Principal of Comprehensive Programs; Barney Schulz, Director of Business, Operations and Technology; Ken Miller, Director of School and Student Services; Michael Wolzson, Director of Information Resources, Susan Houghtling, Director of Planning and Evaluation; and Gay Sikors, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent;
Public Comments/Open Forum: There were no public comments.
Consideration of Approval of Minutes of June 4, 2008 Board Meeting: Michelle Goodwin made a motion that the minutes of the June 4, 2008 meeting be approved as presented, and Caroline Daley seconded the motion. The vote to approve was unanimous.
Consideration of Approval of New Contract Staff: Charlotte Miller reviewed a list of six new teachers, describing their educational backgrounds and experience and the state of "VI" (Visually Impaired) certification for each one. Miles Fain made additional comments about some of them who have prior experience at TSBVI, in other capacities, and Bill Daugherty commented very favorably on one with whom he has worked in the past. Jesus Bautista moved that the Board approve the hiring of all the new faculty, and Ms. Goodwin seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously to approve.
Consideration of Approval of Operating Budget and Personnel Budget for 2008-2009: Barney Schulz presented an overview of the budget documents that were mailed to board members for preview in advance of this meeting. He pointed out that the document entitled "Explanation of Changes" is a summary of all the budgets, by program area, showing the difference between last year's approved budget and this year's proposed budget.
Under Program Cost Account (PCA) 4109, projected Unemployment Compensation costs have been cut in half, from $12,000 to $6,000, due to the fact that TSBVI has not had claims for Unemployment Compensation at the higher level in the last five years. Should that change, the budget provides for a contingency fund (PCA 4111), plus the Board would consider giving the Superintendent the authority to transfer funds between budget codes if necessary, later in this meeting. Also under PCA 4109, the Workers Compensation budget has been increased by a little over $2,000; this amount is dictated by the State Office of Risk Management.
Ms. Louder called for a lunch break at 12:00 p.m. The meeting resumed at 12:35 p.m.
Ms. Louder asked about the budget category called Career Ladder Increases; she believes that the Career Ladder program no longer exists. Mr. Schultz explained that, in the 1980's, the State of Texas had a "career ladder" program for teachers, which was discontinued; but this budget item refers to a career progression for classified staff. Ms. Louder asked whether that term could be changed for clarification, and Mr. Schulz agreed to change the term to "Career Progressions."
Ms. Louder and Ms. Goodwin questioned the fact that the allowance for Technology Repairs has not been increased. Mike Wolszon explained that many of the BrailleNotes and other equipment had become very old, and were replaced during the past year. Consequently, fewer repairs should be needed this year.
Because of the huge jump in gasoline prices this year, TSBVI had already exceeded the 2008 budget allowance for fuel by the end of May. Mr. Schulz explained that the $120,000 figure proposed for 2009 was reached by projecting actual expenses to the end of fiscal year 2008, and then adding a 25% increase for 2009.
Gene Brooks asked whether TSBVI will realize an increased student capacity as a result of the current construction of new buildings. Mr. Daugherty answered yes, and said that he expects that the modernization of the campus will make TSBVI more attractive to the families of potential students, thereby increasing enrollments, and we will be able to handle the expected increase.
During his review of capital budgets, Mr. Schultz said that the long-awaited, campus-wide intercom system is being installed now, and should be completely operational by the beginning of the school year. Dr. Brooks asked whether we have an internet/intranet alert system. Mr. Daugherty said that we do have such a system, but it is not very effective in many situations, because one must be in front of a computer to get the alert; it does not have an audible alert that could be heard by a classroom teacher. Mike Wolszon announced that we now have speakers that can be heard anywhere on campus, thanks to the long-term efforts of Susan Houghtling. Ms. Houghtling explained that, prior to this installation, TSBVI has had a cumbersome combination of four methods of notifying everyone on campus of a "lockdown" or emergency situation. We have Net Send to send a computer alert, but not on all computers; the current intercom system, but not in all buildings; the phone system; and a network of cell phones on which to send text messages.
Mr. Schulz reported that since printing the proposed budget for the Board, he has received some information on changes in "Title" programs ("No Child Left Behind" programs). For Title II-D Technology, the proposed budget is $352; for Title II-A Teacher Training, $6,634; for Title I-A Improving Basic Skills, $38,292.
Mr. Bautista said that he would like a discussion of the Board policy on budget meetings, and whether it would be possible to schedule the budget meeting in May instead of in the summer next year. Ms. Louder said she would note that as a topic for a future Board meeting.
Michelle Goodwin moved that the proposed Operating Budget and Personnel Budget for 2008-2009 be approved, with corrections. Caroline Daley seconded the motion. The vote to approve was unanimous.
Consideration of Approval to Transfer Funds between Budget Codes: Barney Schulz reminded the Board that this item has been included each year in order to allow TSBVI management to make necessary changes between line items in the budget, without prior approval of the Board. The Board may allow the Superintendent to transfer funds between budget codes, up to a 12.5% limit established by the state legislature. Mr. Bautista made a motion that this permission be continued at the maximum 12.5%, and Ms. Goodwin seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously to approve.
Consideration of Approval of Legislative Appropriations Request for the 2010-2011 Biennium:
Approval of Administrator’s Statement: Mr. Daugherty's statement for the Legislative Appropriations Request was approved with only minor changes in wording.
Approval of proposed riders and special provisions: Mr. Daugherty briefly reviewed the Rider Revisions and Additions Request, which identified funds to be used for specific capital budget items and reflected changes to the 2008-2009 riders appropriate to the 2010-2011 biennium.
Approval of proposed exceptional items: Ms. Louder challenged the request for low vision services, on the grounds that these services are supposed to be provided by the districts. Mr. Daugherty explained that, as it stands, this item addresses an instructional model for new teachers learning to help students maximize the use of what vision they may have. On the other hand, he said that as we build our new facilities, this would be the ideal opportunity to include a low vision clinic. Board members were generally in favor of that idea, but believe that we should charge the districts for those services.
Approval to request an increase in the Superintendent’s salary: Debbie Louder explained that the superintendent's salary could not be increased at this point because it is set by the legislature, which stipulates that his salary may not exceed that of the next highest paid administrator on campus by more than 20%. If Austin Independent School District increases the salaries of its administrators, then TSBVI will do the same, and the superintendent's salary would no longer be highest. Approval of this request would allow the Board to increase the superintendent's salary at that time, within a range set by the legislature.
Approval of method of achieving 10% reduction in 2010-2011 baseline request for general revenue-related funding: Ms. Louder questioned Mr. Daugherty's prediction that a 10% reduction in funding would likely result in a reduction in the number of students served, saying that it would not be acceptable to reduce services to students. Mr. Daugherty pointed out that we are not being asked to make such a reduction at this time, but only to explain how we would achieve such a reduction if it became necessary, and since most of TSBVI's non-direct service areas are already minimally staffed, an agency-wide approach would be the only reasonable way to maintain the school's mission.
Jesus Bautista moved that the Board approve the Legislative Appropriations Request for 2010-2011, as amended. Caroline Daley seconded the motion, and the Board voted unanimously to approve.
Ms. Louder called for a break at 2:45 p.m. The meeting resumed at 3:00 p.m.
Consideration of Proposed Superintendent’s Evaluation Instrument and Process and Development of Goals: Charlotte Miller discussed the instrument developed by the Board in 2007 with guidance from Rita Gibbs, a consultant from Texas Association of School Boards. Ms. Miller noted that the section on priority goals was not completed. Furthermore, several members have joined the Board since that time, and have not received any training in the process. Ms. Miller said that usually the superintendent is evaluated in November. However, we are unable to find a trainer before the September meeting. Mr. Bautista suggested that the evaluation be postponed until the January meeting, allowing time for training in November. Ms. Daley mentioned that the November meeting is scheduled for the week before Thanksgiving, therefore she would not be able to commit to a two-day meeting. Ms. Louder suggested that the board table this discussion until September, at which time the board may develop goals for the coming year and a criterion for evaluation in January. The Board agreed to place this on the agenda for September.
Discussion of a Requirement that All TSBVI Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments Complete All State Board of Educator Certification Approved University Coursework: Mr. Daugherty explained that the practice of "testing out" of courses required for certification of Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments has come under criticism at the legislative advocacy level. Some school districts have decided to disallow testing out, in the interest of thorough training of VI teachers. TSBVI simply requires certification. Mr. Daugherty wanted the Board's opinions about whether TSBVI should adopt a higher standard for our teachers than is currently required. A long discussion about recruiting and training teachers ensued without conclusion, and this subject will be revisited in the future.
Update on Facilities Master Plan: Mr. Daugherty reported on the progress of construction of new buildings on campus. New contractors have been chosen to begin the next phase of construction in early October.
Consideration of Future Board Meeting Topics: Ms. Louder called for suggestions for topics for the next Board meeting, and the following were listed:
- Evaluation of the Superintendent
- Jaye Stepp's auditor classification
- Board budget policy
- Use of service dogs on campus
- SHARS reimbursement
- Cost of Weekends Home (possibly at a future date)
- Safety plan; cell phone usage for emergencies
- Outreach billing of Service Centers (committee)
- Wells Fargo/Broday Trust report
- Training on Advocacy
Announcements: There were no announcements.
Adjournment: Debbie Louder adjourned the meeting at 3:45 p.m
