HISD Press Release
January 22, 2010
PRESS RELEASE
Hitchcock ISD Board of Trustees met on
January 19, 2010 and Hears School Report
Submitted by: Mike Bergman, Ed.D., Superintendent
Contact number: 409-986-5514
Hitchcock Independent School District, Friday, January 22, 2010: The Hitchcock ISD (HISD) Board of Trustees met for its regular monthly meeting on January 19th to consider several items of business. In a report type format, the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Susan Thompson, presented the District’s 2008-2009 Annual Performance Report of the previous year’s academic results using the Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS). This report has a multitude of school information including scores from last spring’s TAKS( Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) results. The report reflected increases in performance in many of the subject areas for the various student sub groups; however, improvement was needed in a few select areas.
The Board recognized several student individuals for their accomplishments: Feature Twirler Award: Sunnie Alvarado; DAR Essay Contest winners: Devyn Smims, Ashlynn Hallee, Ernest Stephenson, Janeth Rodriguez, Drager Landry, Emily Desormeaux, Tajinderpal Walie, Nathan Quintanilla, Brittney Johnson, and Venessa Galaviz; Greater Gulf Coast Cooperative Sixth Annual Art Contest winners: Elroy Hensley, Jonathan Silver, Mya Evans, Markeith Cahee, and Rodney Mason. An Above and Beyond Citizen Award was offered by the Board to Chris Armacost, Director of Technology. Following these awards, a Proclamation was presented declaring January as Board Appreciation Month. The four campuses and the Special Education Department honored the Board with gifts of appreciation. HISD would like to thank the Board of Trustees for their thankless hours of time and commitment to the district: Dianne James, President; Monica Cantrell, Vice President; Estelle Holmes, Secretary; Pat Turner, Member; Ted Robinson, Member; Tom Ivey, Member; and Shirley Price, Member.
In action items, the Board approved the 2010-11 school calendar, declared the 45th- day prior to the last day of instruction, and set the March meeting to review contract recommendations for professional employees. The Board also set an open house for the newly opened Hitchcock Primary School building for February 11th between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Several discussion items came before the board for their review. A district auditorium was discussed as a possible addition with reference to a specific location. Additional parking at Hitchcock Primary School was briefly discussed as lots are practically full with just employees. Following discussion of what grades will be assigned to the Stewart Elementary School campus next year, a workshop was deemed appropriate and assigned for February 18 at 6:30 PM to review options on the matter. The Board then opened discussion on taking over at-will hiring and firing and moved to approve the motion. Later in the meeting, the motion was rescinded. Random drug testing was discussed and will be reviewed again in the future.
The Board then adjourned to executive session and after returning at approximately midnight, they acted on several items as discussed. The superintendent’s contract and evaluation were under review and the Board voted 3-3 to extend the superintendent’s contract. The Board heard two grievances, and, as a result, voted to grant the grievances and the relief requested.
Several topics were offered for consideration at the next meeting and adjournment came shortly after midnight.
