CCISD Board of Trustees to consider new principals for CCJHS, Clements/Parsons Elementary

By BRITTANY FHOLER

Cove Leader-Press

The Copperas Cove Independent School District Board of Trustees will take action on hiring a new principal for Copperas Cove Junior High School and Clements/Parsons Elementary during its regular meeting Tuesday evening. 

This item had been on the agenda last month, but no action was taken at the time. The district assembled an interview team on June 7 and conducted preliminary interviews. The preliminary interview team consisted of the campus principal at S.C. Lee Junior High School, the deputy superintendent for instructional services and the district superintendent. Three candidates were selected for more interviews on June 14 with a campus-based interview team comprised of five classroom teachers from CCJHS and the district superintendent. The person recommended for hiring according to the agenda packet is Jeff Shannon. 

The board will also take action on the employment of a principal for Clements/Parsons Elementary School for the 2021-2022 school year, with no name listed in the agenda for this position. 

The board will also take action on increasing the amount that CCISD contributes to the district employees’ healthcare coverage. The health insurance premium rates for 2021-2022 have increased and the employee only coverage, on the lowest plan, will have a monthly premium of $420. With the current contribution of $408, CCISD would no longer be able to offer a fully employer paid option for employee only coverage.  Having a fully paid plan is a valuable recruitment tool for the district. As a result, the superintendent recommended that the district health contribution is raised to $420 for a single employee. 

The board will take action on submitting an Intent to Apply Notice to the Texas Education Agency for applying for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) II Funds for the 2021-2022 school year for a total amount of $4,417,749. 

They will also consider approving a list of advanced courses for exemption from the UIL “No Pass, No Play” provision and consider a cooperative program agreement with the University of Texas at Austin to implement OnRamps Distance College Courses. 

Also on the agenda is an item to approve a Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) as the procurement method for the Copperas Cove High School Drainage Improvement Project and the Martin Walker Elementary Drainage Improvement Project. The district has been working with LAN Engineering on various drainage projects throughout the district, and LAN has completed the plans for the drainage improvement at Copperas Cove High School and Martin Walker Elementary School, leaving procurement of a general contractor for the projects. The engineer’s Opinion of Probable Cost is $2,722,657.85 which includes an owner contingency of $247,514.35. After approval, advertising for this project will begin this month, and a contract will be brought to the board for approval at the August board meeting. 

The board will also consider an agreement with the city for police services at Copperas Cove High School. The current agreement with the City of Copperas Cove will expire Sept.30. The new agreement be for the 2021-2022 school year. The terms provide for two full-time certified police officers for Copperas Cove High School. The cost for services for this school year includes an increase of $12,550 from last year, due to salary adjustments as well as increased costs to benefits, for a total contract price of $147,174.00 from budgeted funds.,748. 

The board’s consent agenda includes the approval of more than 50 new hires as well as approval of donations and a purchase exceeding $25,000. The purchase exceeding $25,000 is for the Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy Networking and Access Control for a total cost of $39,865.64. This networking and access control package will provide the campus with all network connections, security connections and access control for designated doors. 

The board of trustees will meet this evening, on Tuesday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Board of Trustees meeting room at 408 S. Main St.