CCISD board of trustees hold annexation hearing, recognize educators of the year
CCISD holds public hearing for annexation, votes to raise lunch rates
By DAVID J. HARDIN
Cove Leader-Press
On Monday the Copperas Cove Independent School District Board of Trustees held a public hearing regarding the petition submitted by Belpas Inc. Belpas is requesting the detachment and annexation of school territory consisting of 335.83 acres of land from Lampasas Independent School District to the Copperas Cove Independent School District.
Bill Bednar of Belpas, Inc. presented the petition to CCISD. Bednar, along with Wesley Atkinson, who owns the land in question, hopes both school districts' boards will approve the detachment and annexation so it can help students and families who have to travel far to get to school.
The main goal of this petition is to move Mr. Atkinson’s territory from Lampasas ISD into Copperas Cove.
“The transfer process can be quick if both school boards agree, however if the two boards reach different decisions the process will take time,” Bednar explained to the board. There were no other speakers at the public hearing and updates will be presented as they are available to the board.
At Tuesday night's regular school board meeting, the board voted to increase the cost for lunches by 10 cents across the board at the elementary and secondary levels for 2016-2017.
Superintendent Joe Burns told the board that it is a struggle every year because of the federal funds that are given to CCISD for the reduced lunch program, and so to stay in line with federal standards to keep prices near or comparable to what the reimbursement rate is for reduced lunches, the rates must change. If CCISD does not comply, then penalty will be non-reimbursement from the federal government. For three out of the last four years, the district has had to raise the price of reduced lunches. Starting next year, lunches for elementary will be $2.40 and for secondary lunches will be $2.60.
The board also approved a new professional contract to June Crawford to be the district's director of finance. Crawford will work alongside Glenn Graham, who is the Executive Director of Business Services for CCISD.
Crawford is coming from Waller ISD near Houston and served as their assistant business manager.
“Both Waller and Copperas Cove School ISDs are roughly the same size, so this is ideal for me,” Crawford said, adding that she is happy for the opportunity to work at CCISD.
Crawford has two bachelor's degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington, one in Business Administration/Management and the other in Business Administration/Accounting.
The board also approved several purchases, the first of an oven/steamer combination for Mae Steven Early Learning Academy from the Mission Restaurant Supply, in the amount of $22,604. Another purchase was for a hot/cold serving line for Fairview/Miss Jewell Elementary School and Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy from the Tex Restaurant Supply, Inc. in the amount of $41,209.21.
The trustees also approved the purchase of a Voice Over IP telephone
System for Copperas Cove Junior High School. The system will allow automated routing of incoming phone calls with a direct connection to other CCISD campuses. CenturyLink gave a quote of $124,860.31 is working with Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) Cooperative contract.
The board also approved changes to the order for roof replacements and repairs to Martin Walker Elementary School, and Copperas Cove Junior and High Schools which was approved in a previous meeting. Also the board authorized Burns to enter into a contract as to the delivery method for renovations at the agriculture facility, and negotiate contracts with the contractor with the valued bid to the district.
The trustees gave the okay for a 2016-2017 contract with Communities in Schools. This a program designed to help kids with tutoring and other essentials. However, Burns pointed out during the workshop on Monday that Impact Aid funds are diminishing and there is no guarantee there will be money each year for the program.
Prior to the start of Tuesday night's meeting, the district recognized all CCISD nurses as a part of National School Nurse Week. They also recognized the volunteers and business partners that helped make the Copperas Cove Special Olympics a success. The trustees also honored the groups and entities involved in helping with Shattered Dreams, an anti-drinking campaign which was held prior to prom at Copperas Cove High School.
Students were recognized, including Elle Fox who represented CCISD at the National Drive, Chip and Put Tournament at the Master’s in Augusta, Ga. Fox placed 2nd in the nation and is a student at Copperas Cove Junior High School.
Kayla Kirkpatrick and Jason McGuire were recognized by the Central Texas Incredible Kids Club for outstanding achievement in the classroom as well as being very active in the Community.
The district named its Rookie Teacher of the Year, Angela Murphy of Martin Walker Elementary. Winner of the Elementary Teacher of the Year went to Nancy Zimmer-Clark, who teaches at Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy. Winner of the Secondary Teacher of the Year went to Archie Franks, who teaches at S.C. Lee Junior High. The paraprofessional of the year award went to David Dees of Williams/Ledger Elementary.
Nominees from each campus for these awards were also present and received recognition as well.