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Hawkins ISD Board of Trustees

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Class-size waiver sought;
School vehicle stolen, used in Lindale burglary
By JOHN SPARKS

Meeting in regular session on Monday, Janauary 12, the board of trustees of the Hawkins Independent School District approved of a recommendation to seek a class-size waiver for the district's Kindergarten program and heard a report about the theft of a school vehicle which was used in a burglary. Board members also were presented with details of "Power Reading," a program for students who have difficulty reading.
All seven board members were present.
Superintendent Dan Rose advised trustees of the need to seek a class-size waiver for the district's Kindergarten program consisting of three classes with 22, 23 and 23 students. State guide lines limit class sizes to 22 students maximum, but does provide for a waiver. The trustees expressed concern for the teachers and students of these classes and discussed the possible solutions, including the hiring of a fourth classroom teacher or the hiring of an aid or aides. The situation will be closely monitored by the administration, but in the meantime, the waiver will be sought from the state.
Superintendent Rose also advised trustees a district owned vehicle had been stolen from the campus during the Christmas/New Year break. The thief secured the keys to a 2007 Yukon by breaking into a building where the keys were kept. The vehicle was later used to crash through plate glass doors and a cinder block wall at a convenience store near Hideaway. The store was burglarized. There was considerable damage the the rear of the vehicle. A suspect has reportedly been identified in the case.
Heather Carnes and Gloria Holland presented details of a program directed at middle school students who experience reading difficluties and display the signs of dyslexia. The two teachers said that 15 students are receiving special attention in a program called "Power Reading." The program is modeled after one developed by the Scottish Rite and being used in the Big Sandy School District. Eight sixth graders, four seventh graders and three eighth graders are in the program.
"Punch List Process Drags"
Architect Brice Davis appeared before the board to report on the progress of the close out activities related to the construction and renovation program that has been underway for more than a year. "The program has been in the ‘punch list' phase for several weeks now," Davis said, "it has not been an exemplarly close out." The assignment by the general contractor WRL of an individual to specifically manage this process should help. Davis presented several boxes of paperwork representing warranties, operation and maintenance booklets, and other documents related to the equipment installed.
The district has held back a retainge of five percent of the project cost, or about $700,000, as leverage for final completion of the punch list. Davis estimated work will be completed in two weeks to a month.
Board members were also advised of the Texas Association of School Board's (TASB) Legal Workshop session schedule which includes a class in Tyler on February 17.
In other matters:
- The district received and acknowledged a $500 award from East Texas Prep,
- The Hawkins Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet is scheduled for Thursday, February 19 in the new school cafeteria,
- Post Christmas/New Year break enrollment of 778 is ahead of starting day enrollment of 759. Last year following the holiday break, enrollment stood at 732.
The next regular meeting of the Hawkins ISD board is scheduled for Monday, February 2 at 7 p.m. A special meeting of the board will be held on Monday, January 19 at 7 p.m. This meeting currently has a single agenda item which is the superintendents evaluation by the board. If necessary agenda items could be added to this scheduled meeting. A special meeting of the board may be held with 72-hour advance public notice.

Last Updated on Friday, 10 April 2009 18:08  

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