February 2, 2016 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

1. Announcement by the Board President calling this meeting of the Taft Independent School District to order. Let the record show that a quorum of Board Members is present, that this meeting has been duly called, and that notice of this meeting has been posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551.

2. Invocation

3. Taft ISD Credo and Taft ISD Goals

4. Recognition of Taft ISD Students:

4.A. Business Professionals of America (BPA)

4.B. FFA Students

4.C. Science Fair Winners

4.C.1. Petty

4.C.2. Junior High

4.C.3. High School

4.D. Petty Spelling Bee Winners

5. Closed Session: Board will adjourn into closed session pursuant to the following sections of the Texas Open Meetings Act

5.A. The Board will convene in closed session as authorized by the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. et. seq. TGC 551.071.

5.B. Discussion, including consultation with legal counsel, re issues associated with Track and Field matters, possible retention of experts, authorization of mediation/litigation, and contingency fee contract with J. Cruz & Associates, LLC in regards to same.  

6. Reconvened from Closed Session: The Board will take appropriate action on items, if necessary, as discussed in Closed Session

6.A. Action: Approval of Contingency Fee Contract with J. Cruz & Associates, LLC in regards to possible litigation against Krueger Construction Company and other professionals associated with Track and Field Project.

6.B. Action re: Authorization to Pursue mediation, Litigation, and Retention of Experts in Regards to Track and Field Project.

7. Public Comments: Comments are limited to five minutes per speaker. The Board Secretary will be the timekeeper and will inform the speaker when they have one (1) remaining minute. Should there be more than five (5) people who wish to speak on a particular issue they need to select one (1) representative to speak for them. The presiding officer or designee shall determine whether a person who wishes to address the Board has attempted to solve the matter administratively. If not, the person shall be directed to the appropriate policy, as noted in BED (Local), to seek resolution before bringing the matter to the Board at a subsequent meeting. Pursuant to 551.042 of the Texas Government Code, no Board Member or Administrator may respond to a member of the public, unless such response is a recitation of District Policy or a statement of specific factual information.

8. Items for Individual Consideration

8.A. Discuss and/or Approve Investment Policy.

8.B. Consideration and Approval of an Election Order calling for an election to be held on May 7, 2016 for the Purpose of Electing two Trustees.

8.C. Appoint Custodian for Election.

8.D. Set Compensation for Election.

8.E. Appoint Presiding Judge of the Early Voting Ballot Board.

8.F. Approve Canvassing the Results of the Trustee Election Held May 7, 2016 at a Special Meeting on May 10, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.

9. Consent Agenda

9.A. Approve January Board Meeting Minutes.

9.A.1. Special Board Appreciation Meeting January 19, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.

9.A.2. Regular Board Meeting January 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

10. Discussion

10.A. Election Update and Information.

10.B. Budget Calendar and Status.

10.C. Chapter 313 Update.

10.D. Athletic Department Update.

10.E. Maintenance and Operations Department Report

10.F. Technology Department Report

10.G. Curriculum and Instruction Update    

10.H. Principal's Report: Attendance, Benchmark Scores and PEG Action Plan.

10.H.1. High School

10.H.2. Junior High

10.H.3. Petty Elementary

11. Future Board Agenda Items from Board Members

12. Important Dates to Remember

12.A. Regular Board Meeting Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

12.B. Taft ISD Employee Appreciation Banquet Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.

13. Adjourn