Jourdanton trustees discuss ‘bonus’ pay




Members of the Jourdanton School Board took a tour of the ongoing construction, prior to their regular meeting on November 14. Contractors accompanied them and met with them afterward when the meeting was officially called to order.

There was a lengthy discussion whether to repair or replace the roof on the band hall and how much to do. There is money in the contingency fund from the project to replace the entire roof, with complete insulation, underlayment and single run metal panels, which prevent damage from many overlaps. Barbara Peeler moved to accept the proposal from Bravo Roofing in the amount of $72,255. Mary Ramirez seconded and Pamela Manning and Amador Lugo also voted for the motion. Jane Andrus and Tricia Taylor were not in attendance.

The trustees also voted to change the sheet rock in the elementary. This will cost $11,748, which comes from the contingency fund also.

There was a report that said there is asbestos under one of the buildings. A report from 1999 says there is none. Superintendent Lana Collavo asked if she could get another opinion to settle the matter. The board approved the request.

President Ramon de Leon then moved to the other business of the meeting. The consent agenda was up for approval and it includes the minutes from the September and October meetings, the business office report, the tax collection report and the payment of bills. The amount in investments in CDs, money market accounts and Lone Star investments and checking for the district totals $10,699,290.31. Tax collection to date is $170,639.41, which represents 3.21%. The total of the October bills is $313,693.21. The agenda was accepted unanimously.

The monthly conflict of interest bills were approved, with Peeler abstaining.

Collavo presented a retainer agreement from the firm of Walsh, Anderson and Brown. For $1,000 per year, they can call for information and if the attorneys do not have to do research, it is a free consult. Also, the district will receive a reduced rate on other services. There is not a minute per minute charge for some services, as with other attorneys. The board voted unanimously to enter into the agreement.

Last year, staff and faculty received a supplemental pay in the month of December, but that came from stimulus money, which is not available this year. However, the trustees discussed providing the “bonus” again this year. Some concerns were voiced about upcoming attorney fees; another thought since they currently had the money, they should give the supplement. De Leon said that he felt they should be prepared for the coming storm and can give bonuses in May. He added that he would rather save jobs than give extra pay. Ramirez said that she knows how it is, but would like to show the employees that they are appreciated. Peeler suggested that they give half the bonus in December and if they are able, to give the remainder in May. Collavo said she didn’t want to call it “half”, and reminded the board that is is not a requirement to give this as part of their salary. They can wait until December to make the final decision. It was agreed to postpone the vote for now.

From the last legislative session, there were several changes that affected the local policies. These include not paying the final payment on any construction until the board had approved the work, having to give 10 days notice, instead of the current 45, if non-renewing an employee contract and method of handling dating violence. The board approved the changes required by TASB.

Collavo directed the trustees to the campus reports and pointed out a few highlights, including the FFA haunted house and Project Grad.

Peeler asked for an accounting of the high school students and senior parents Ms. Trevino has met with in December at the next meeting.

Collavo said that the rooms are reserved for the Winter Governance Conference, which will be held in February 16-18 in Corpus Christi.

Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.



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