Diboll ISD trustees approve pay scale hike for 2007-2008

During the Tuesday night regular meeting of the Diboll Independent School District (DISD) board of trustees, members were addressed by several parents and high school students who were suspended earlier in the month for entering the high school for a prank. The parents, along with a number of the students involved, apologized to not only the board members, but also the entire population of the school and the community. The parents speaking did not condone the actions of the students and agreed [students] needed to receive punishment, but asked the board to consider policy changes for the manner in which the entire incident was handled. This was an open forum item; therefore, there was no action from the board other than to receive the parents' comments. The students involved have been placed in AEP, will serve 40 hours community service and pay restitution.

Interim Superintendent Brent Hawkins introduced the 2006-2007 Ladyjack basketball team and their coach and gave recognition to the team for an outstanding season. Each member of the team was presented a certificate of appreciation as well as a standing ovation by the large audience in attendance.

In other action, board members approved a hike in the teacher pay scale for the 2007-08 school year, which will see new beginning teacher salary at DISD at $34,500.

"To keep in line with other districts, we must offer a first year teacher a more competitive salary in order to attract them to our campuses. By increasing the scale, it will not only benefit those newcomers, but other faculty members as well." Said board president Trey Wilkerson.

Approval was also given for the following items:

€ A fee increase from 15 percent to 20 percent for the fee assessed on delinquent taxes. That action followed a report to the trustees from John Manuel, an attorney for Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP.

€ Doubled the district mileage rate paid if hauling a trailer, such as is done frequently by the agriculture department, and approved the purchase of a chiller unit for the high school building not to exceed $105,000 in cost.

€ Certified that there would be no need for a May election since two candidates officially filed for two open positions. Incumbent Lynn Pavlic and newcomer Ruben Esteves will be declared as elected and will be sworn in sometime after May 12.

€ Enter into an interlocal contract with the Houston-Galveston Area Council Purchasing Cooperative, a way the district can obtain products at a lower cost.

Superintendent Hawkins reported that the Diboll Even Start Family Literacy Program would benefit from a $250,000 grant from the Texas Education Agency to keep the program going. All Even Start funding had recently been cut from the federal budget, leaving local programs scrambling for funding sources. Charlotte Morris, program director, gave the board a report on the outcome of the recent technical visit that evaluates the program. She reported only a few minor adjustments needed to be made and most all have been completed.

Hawkins also reported that Lisa Jeffrey had been named as the Pre-K through fifth-grade principal for the district. Trustees also approved contract renewals for many faculty members including Jeffrey, and for Terry Gray, who will serve the district as an assistant principal.

Other classroom teacher and non-administrative professional personnel contracts were approved by the board, as were the resignations of the following employees: Ernestine Conley, Ron Soma and Kaye McElroy, Diboll Junior High; Frank Lane and Mindy Richardson, Diboll High School; Anna Sturgeon, Temple Elementary; Gala Canada, Diboll Primary; and Kayla Martin, special services.

President Wilkerson also, on behalf of the board, bid farewell to board member Jay Wyatt, who after 22-years of service on the board, will retire at the end of his term. "I chose not to seek re-election to the board because the time and travel involved in my job, does not allow me time to devote my full attention and presence to the position." Said Wyatt. "I have enjoyed my association with past and present board members, the staff and faculty, students, their parents and the community. I'm not leaving town, I'll be around, just not in this seat."