Public Meeting Minutes: December 12, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

Discussion:

The roll reflects all board members present.

2. Pledge to the Flag/Moment of Silence

3. Citizens Comments (limited to 2 minutes per speaker)

Discussion:

No comments.

4. Approval of Agenda

Attachments: (1)

12-12-23 ACS BOE Agenda

12/6/2023 at 11:28 AM

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion Passed: Motion to approve the agenda Passed with a motion by Dr. Dale Viox and a second by Ms. Lyle Conley

Benjamin: Yea
Conley: Yea
Dunn: Yea
Viox: Yea
Williams: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

5. Reports

5.A. Chairman's Report

Discussion:

I want to encourage board members to visit our schools and see the super talented students that we have in plays, concerts, sports, etc., even the Grinch was spotted today visiting elementary schools.
Thank you to board members (past and present) for years of diligent work in supporting our students, schools and Superintendent so that we can continue to offer our students the best opportunities. As we move forward with opening up registration to students outside our school district, we will continue to offer the best opportunities with the same stringent standards/requirements that have always been in place since the inception of the school district.
There is such cowardice in people in the community that use social media platforms to downgrade moving forward with these wonderful opportunities. However, said individuals have opportunities to speak to the board at our public meetings but never show up. All of our employees work very hard to have individuals make disparaging posts based on misinformation as well as to encourage others to do so on social media.
Apologies should be made to faculty, staff and students.
Commendations to the board for the stance to defend the decisions made for the betterment of our employees and students.
Mr. Dunn joined by saying that the community needs to base their decisions on facts and that the board's goal is for the greater good of our students.

5.B. Superintendent's Report

Discussion:

Employees
- Employees were honored last week with a Q2 holiday lunch and news of their holiday bonus.
- The executive staff continues to go above and beyond and for that I'm grateful.
- Mrs. Davidson has become an integral part of assisting principals and the middle school.
Board Members
- Thank you for your support this semester and all that we have accomplished in these ever-changing times.
- CO Holiday lunch will be next Wednesday, December 20th at noon.
2025-2026 Instructional Calendar
- The Superintendent Leadership Roundtable (SLR) has proposed several calendar configurations based on past calendars and feedback from their colleagues.
- Once a calendar configuration has been selected and additional feedback from peers is received, we will conduct a stakeholders survey for feedback/input.
- Mr. Hill is the point person for the calendar and works with the SLR calendar committee to propose a calendar for board approval in March or April.
Top Work Place
- Once again, ACS has been named a Top Work Place.
- It's an honor that our employees' perception of ACS is that it is a Top Work Place!
- Top Work Place banquet will be this Thursday night at a new venue downtown and we will find out where or if we are ranked.
Vouchers
- A lot of work has transpired and continues since releasing our stance on vouchers.
- Media interviews from three TV stations and the New York Times.
- Dr. Viox is also scheduled to be interviewed as TSBA President by the New York Times and Chalkbeat as we near this legislative session beginning in January.
Other Areas of Importance
- 2024-2025 Budget Process; The budget calendar is on the agenda tonight for board approval.
- An Employee Recruitment Fair is being organized for February 20th and will be advertised soon by Dr. Clark. College and university job fairs begin in the spring.
- The Employee Intent Form will be sent out in early January for staffing projections for the 2024-2025 school year.
- Registration/Non-Resident window open (February) ties back to our budget development/process based on the number of students who register within our boundaries and how many meet the criteria for non-resident admission.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

5.C. Financial Reports

Attachments: (1)

December 23 Board Budget Report

12/5/2023 at 9:00 AM

Discussion:

Financial reports accepted by the Board.

5.D. Legislative Liaison

Discussion:

No report.

6. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion Passed: Move to approve the Consent Agenda Passed with a motion by Ms. Lyle Conley and a second by Dr. Dale Viox

Benjamin: Yea
Conley: Yea
Dunn: Yea
Viox: Yea
Williams: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

6.A. Approval of October 24, 2023 Minutes

6.B. Policy 6.201 Compulsory Attendance and Withdrawal

6.C. Resolution 2023-26 of the Arlington Community Schools Board of Education Amending the 2023-2024 Schools Budget

Attachments: (1)

Resolution 26-2023 - Budget Amendment within categories - DECEMBER 2023

12/3/2023 at 7:39 PM

6.D. Resolution 2023-27 of the Arlington Community Schools Board of Education to Approve Revised 2023-2024 School Fees and Field Trips

Attachments: (1)

Resolution 27-2023 - School Field Trips and Fee - DECEMBER 2023

12/3/2023 at 7:40 PM

7. Business/Recommended Action Items

7.A. Resolution 2023-28 of the Arlington Community Schools Board of Education to Adopt the Harris County Department of Education Master Agreement and to Authorize Participation in the Harris County Department of Education Purchasing Cooperative

Attachments: (1)

RESOLUTION 2023-28 - HARRIS COUNTY DEPT. OF ED. COOPERATIVE WITH EXHIBIT

11/27/2023 at 3:08 PM

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion Passed: Motion Passed with a motion by Mrs. Kay Williams and a second by Ms. Lyle Conley

Benjamin: Yea
Conley: Yea
Dunn: Yea
Viox: Yea
Williams: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

7.B. Resolution 2023-29 of the Arlington Community Schools Board of Education to Adopt a Legislative Agenda for 2024

Attachments: (1)

Resolution 29-2023 - ACS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA - DECEMBER 2023

11/30/2023 at 7:53 AM

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion Passed: Motion to Approve Resolution 2023-29 of the Arlington Community Schools Board of Education to Adopt a Legislative Agenda for 2024 Passed with a motion by Dr. Dale Viox and a second by Ms. Lyle Conley

Benjamin: Yea
Conley: Yea
Dunn: Yea
Viox: Yea
Williams: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

Mr. Dunn states, with the assistance of Ms. Speakman and Ms. Williams, ACS has created the 2024 Legislative Agenda for board approval on the following:
- Opposes Publicly Funded Vouchers
- Opposes A-F School District Grading
- Supports Full Funding for Special Education Programs
- Supports a Legislative Pathway for Persons with Industry Certifications and at Least 5 Years of Relevant Work Experience to teach Career and Technical Classes
- Opposes Legislative Retention Requirements Based in Full or in Part Upon Mathematics Proficiency on Standardized Tests
Dr. Viox states, that this is the most important piece of a board to safeguard public education. TSBA has developed a very comprehensive package with talking points for employees and the community to discuss these items and others with our legislators.
Ms. Conley concurs with the comments and encourages all to contact legislators in support of these items.
Ms. Williams applauds Ms. Speakman for her guidance in assisting with the preparation of the agenda and Mr. Dunn for his role and the importance of being the Legislative Liaison.
Chairman Benjamin, as always, we need to continue to advocate for our students. Once the Legislative Agenda is approved, it will be made available online for the public to help support our agenda.

7.C. Approval of Budget Planning and Preparation Calendar for Fiscal Year 2025

Attachments: (1)

BUDGET CALENDAR FY25

11/27/2023 at 10:56 AM

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion Passed: Motion to Approve the Budget Planning and Preparation Calendar for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Passed with a motion by Mr. Jonathan Dunn and a second by Dr. Dale Viox

Benjamin: Yea
Conley: Yea
Dunn: Yea
Viox: Yea
Williams: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

Chairman Benjamin encourages each board member to do and indepth review of the proposed budget and to pose any questions/additions to be considered during individual scheduled meetings with the appropriate personnel in advance of budget approval.

7.D. Recommendation to Approve the Architectural/Engineering Services Agreement for the Arlington High School Softball and Football Fieldhouses with 4F Design, P.C. for the guaranteed price of Five Hundred, Twenty-Seven Thousand, One hundred and Fifty Dollars ($527,150.00)

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion Passed: Motion to Approve the Architectural/Engineering Services Agreement for the Arlington High School Softball and Football Fieldhouses with 4F Design, P.C. for the guaranteed price of Five Hundred, Twenty-Seven Thousand, One hundred and Fifty Dollars ($527,150.00) Passed with a motion by Ms. Lyle Conley and a second by Dr. Dale Viox

Benjamin: Yea
Conley: Yea
Dunn: Yea
Viox: Yea
Williams: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

The softball locker room will be directly behind their dugout.
The football field house addition will be located from the goal post and curve to the guest side of the field.

7.E. Approval of Interlocal Agreement for Student Transportation Assistance between Collierville Schools Board of Education, Arlington Community Schools Board of Education, Bartlett City Schools Board of Education, Lakeland School System Board of Education and Germantown Municipal School District Board of Education

Attachments: (1)

FINAL INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR STUDENT TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE - WITH ATTACHMENT

12/8/2023 at 10:40 AM

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion Passed: Motion to Approve the Interlocal Agreement for Student Transportation Assistance between Collierville Schools Board of Education, Arlington Community Schools Board of Education, Bartlett City Schools Board of Education, Lakeland School System Board of Education and Germantown Municipal School District Board of Education Passed with a motion by Mrs. Kay Williams and a second by Mr. Jonathan Dunn

Benjamin: Yea
Conley: Yea
Dunn: Yea
Viox: Yea
Williams: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

8. Adjourn

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion Passed: Move to adjourn Passed with a motion by Mr. Scott Benjamin

Benjamin: Yea
Conley: Yea
Dunn: Yea
Viox: Yea
Williams: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

Merry Christmas to All!

December 12, 2023 Minutes Approved on January 23, 2024

_____________________________________
Scott Benjamin, Board Chair

_____________________________________
Jeffery G. Mayo, Superintendent

December 12, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting

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