Chillicothe ISD trustees approve phone, paging contract

MARK POTTER

VERNON RECORD

CHILLICOTHE – Chillicothe school trustees held a monthly business meeting on Monday, Jan. 9 during which they approved a contract for a phone and paging system.

Trustees approved a motion to award a contract to Spectrum for the purchase of a new phone and paging system as well as to buy out the district’s present contract with Austen Consultants for such services. The district will pay for the purchase interest-free for five one-year contracts on a monthly rate of $1,387.67. The motion was made by Mark Williams and seconded by Mike McClellan, which was approved unanimously.

Following a short executive session, trustees in open session approved a budget amendment for present Tax Collector/Superintendent Secretary Patti Williams and Eva Sanchez, who will take over Williams’ position later this year and a salary adjustment for Sanchez. The budget amendment was approved with a motion made by Mark Williams,  seconded by Chris Canales and approved by unanimous vote. The salary adjustment was approved by unanimous vote on a motion made by Mark Williams and seconded by Byron Horn.

Consent agenda items were approved by unanimous vote including payment of bills and minutes of two prior board meetings. Action on a contract with Pritchard & Abbott for a computer system lease agreement was tabled until the February meeting.

Seth Tabor of Rolling Plains Management Corporation gave a presentation about the need for a child development center in the community. He said the Chillicothe Hospital District has the means to fund the construction of such facility due to wind farm revenues and that RPMC has agreed to administer its day-to-day operations. Tabor said he was not purposing anything at this time, but wanted to inform the school district about how those organizations could bring such a facility to Chillicothe.

Trustees were presented “thank you” cars and candy by principals Katy Tabor, elementary school; and Brenda Dunlap, high school, in celebration of Board Appreciation Month. The theme this year is “Moving Forward.”

Dunlap presented her principal’s report. She reported that the high school had an enrollment of 80 students and average daily attendances rate of 95.4 percent. She said the second semester had started and that the UIL Congress Debate team competed the previous week with Grayson Hord placing seventh overall. She reported that the Chillicothe Project Show would be Saturday, Jan. 14 and that the basketball teams were beginning district play. Dunlap congratulated senior Wesley Daniel for signing up with the U.S. Navy.

Elementary School Principal Tabor presented her report, which stated that enrollment was set at 118 students with a 94.4 percent average daily attendance. She said letters would be sent out to students regarding attendance and that summer school could be held in August due to testing scores coming in late. She said that UIL awards would be presented Tuesday, Jan. 10.

Present at the meeting were Supt. Tony Martinez and trustees Horn, Seth Baird, Mark Williams, McClellan, Canales, Susan Madl and Cheryl McGlocklin. Also present were Tax Collector/Superintendent’s Secretary Patti Williams, Eva Sanchez, Baker, Dunlap and Tabor.