CCISD board of Trustees approves technology purchases
Fri, 2016-02-12 05:00
News Staff
By DAVID J. HARDIN
Cove Leader-Press
Due to other school districts changing their graduation calendars, moving the dates back one week, the June 3, 2016 graduation date for Copperas Cove High School may need to change, it was discussed at Monday’s CCISD board of trustees workshop.
Because other districts are looking at moving graduation back one week, it has altered the schedule at the Bell County Expo Center.
Usually Cove High school reserves the first Friday of June for its graduation, but now if it is moved up a week it causes some issues. Superintendent Joe Burns and staff are in discussions with officials from the Bell County Expo Center on a resolution and will provide an update soon.
The bulk of the February trustees’ meeting on Tuesday evening was approving the purchases of technological products and services for CCISD schools. Most of the discussion about these purchases were made during the CCISD workshop held on Monday.
The board approved $28,800 to Sole Source/ Teaching Strategies, Inc. for Safe and Civil Schools training for summer professional development. The money goes to help CCISD staff become trainers in the district for management of positive behavior.
The board also approved $59,338 for the SHI Gov. Solutions, Inc. The money goes for a third term of Microsoft EES Licensing Agreement to keep Microsoft Windows and Office software versions current on all district computers.
The board also approved a purchase from Dell for $80,850 standard classroom technology for grades PK-5 includes 150 laptops, five for each 4th grade classroom to be delivered in August 2016. Copperas Cove High School is also purchasing 60 laptops and two computer carts from Dell for $38,394.50. The same purchase is also being made to purchase 60 student laptops at the Avenue E campus.
$47,357.55 is going to CDWG for additional access points at SC Lee and Williams Ledger Elementary due to increased usage of wireless devices, $66,290 to CMC Cabling for upgrading infrastructure at Williams/Ledger Elementary to the networking district standard, $29,406.66 to CDWG for upgrading switches at Williams/Ledger Elementary in conjunction with cabling project, $47,856.28 to CDWG for the purchase of wireless controllers at Williams/Ledger to accommodate Additional access points. The total of all purchases approved by the board is $436,687.49, and all items are within the current general operating budget.
The board also approved a 3 percent employee pay increase and adjustment to employee work calendar.
During the discussion at the Monday workshop, superintendent Burns told the board that last year was a very good year for CCISD the district received about $3.8 million in grants and Impact Aid.
“It is very challenging for us to take that kind of money and put it in the bank, when we have employees that are seeing increases in health care, insurance and other costs of living,” Burns added.“We are trying to get ahead of the game and we are requesting that the board approves a 3 percent employee pay increase for the 2016-2017 school year, and make an adjustment to the employee work calendar 226 days.
The board also authorized Burns to accept competitive sealed proposals for the repair and replacement of the parking lot at S.C. Lee Junior High School, as well as competitive sealed proposals for the replacement of the HVAC System at Hettie Halstead Elementary School
At Tuesday night’s meeting, Altrusa International, Inc. presented a check to CCISD in the amount of $4,347.
The second presentation was to honor Copperas Cove VFW Post #8577 with a certificate for working with students through several contests including the Patriot’s Pen, Voice of Democracy, VFW art contest and honoring three teachers as Teachers of the Year.
Also, the Copperas Cove Independent School Board of Trustees convened on January 28 for a superintendent appraisal meeting in a closed-door session to evaluate superintendent Joseph Burns. The board extended Burns’ contract through June 30, 2021, with a salary of $165, 750 Board president Joan Manning read a statement on behalf of the board.
“Dr. Burns is an extraordinary educator and our school board is honored to work with him as superintendent of schools in Copperas Cove. He is visible, well-liked, intelligent mentor and guide for our students, teachers, staff and community members. We applaud and support his efforts and leadership in our school district and are blessed to have him as a member of our community.”