Stadium Update As mentioned at the board meeting this week, a draft of the plan for press box guests has been developed. The attached schedule indicates the possible guest list. At this time, the guests on the list have not been contacted. We are currently designing press box passes that will be sent to the guests with their invitation. Please note that the invited guests are school board members, scoreboard sponsors, and employees participating in a perfect attendance drawing. In addition, Dale Fontenot confirmed that Troy burns, Fair Play Representative, stated that the 25 second field clock has been hard wired and is working at this time.

Latest Budget Woes On Thursday, July 16th, Cheryl Hernandez received a communication from Tom Patton, TASBO Representative, indicating that this year the High School Allotment Funding is now a part of “TIER 1” funding. This change will require us to reclassify salaries and expenditures to the General Fund that had previously received their own separate funding. Therefore, our budget deficit has increased to just over $4,000,000. We will be in close contact with you as we receive more information.

Request for Distribution A political candidate has requested to distribute political advertisement at the PN-G home football games. The attached email from Billy Curl informs you of advice from our legal representatives as well as practice from Nederland ISD.

Transportation Report For the past two years, the district has been allowing students to pay for bus transportation if they did not live in the bus zoning area. If there is available seating on a bus, students pay $25 per month to ride the closest bus to their residence. The attached email from Larry Lee indicates that although student participation in this “pay-to-ride” program has declined, the district still received $1,135.00 for the 2008-2009 school year.

PN-G High School Reports Dr. Marc Keith has submitted the attached reports for the 2008-2009 school year:

1) Drug Testing Report 2) UIL Athletic Participation Report 3) Discipline Survey

LANWalton Report LANWalton has submitted the attached construction update report for July 17, 2009.

July 17, 2009

Junior Achievement Cindy Westfield, Executive Director of Junior Achievement, sent the attached letter outlining the size and scope of the program within our district last year. We truly appreciate the time and effort that the Junior Achievement volunteers give to our students within the district.

Legal Fees The June, 2009, invoice for legal fees from the Schwartz & Eichelbaum firm is attached for your information.

Recent News The following articles are provided for your review.

1) Requirements for Official Minutes 2) Board & Administrator for School Board Members August, 2009 3) Leadership Team times July, 2009

2009 Press Box Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Groups 8/28 Barbers Hill

School Board

9/4 Crosby Texas Petrochemicals LP

I.B.E.W. Local Union 479 9/11 Texas City * BASF

TOTAL Huntsman TechCorr USA

9/25 LCM Extreme Bounce

Vacuum City Signature Group

10/2 Nederland Neches Federal Credit Union 10/16 Vidor ** Five Point Federal Credit Union

10/30 Ozen *** Perfect Attendance (Employee) * Parent night for Football team and Cheerleaders ** Homecoming *** Parent night for Band and Indianettes

From: Curl, Billy Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:52 AM To: Randall, Lani Subject: Distribution of Campaign Literature Dr. Randall, I received a request from a candidate for a county political office to distribute flyers at a PN-G football game or games this fall. I checked with Amy Magee at TASB Legal. Because credit unions and one of our chambers of commerce have distributed gifts that contained advertising, Ms. Magee believes we would not have grounds upon which to deny the request from the political candidate. We would however, retain the authority to designate the place and manner of distribution. I also spoke with Nederland ISD administration. Advice from their counsel was that distribution of such literature in the parking lot was permissible, however, distribution within the gates of the stadium was not. Please let me know if you have any objection to me advising the candidate that they may not distribute literature within the stadium nor may they impede access at the gates to the stadium, however, distribution of literature on the parking lot would not be prohibited. BC

MEMORANDUM

To: Dr. Lani Randall, Superintendent Billy Curl, Asst. Superintendent Cheryl Hernandez, Business Manager From: Larry Lee-Coordinator of Transportation Date: July 15, 2009 Subject: Non –Eligible Student Transportation * * * * * * * * * * * * The total fees collected for non-eligible students paying to ride the bus for the 2008/2009 school year is $1,135.00. This is a decrease of $1,103.00 over last years total of $2,238.75. Even though we experienced decrease, this is money we would not have received if the district did not offer the bus “pay-to-ride” option for our patrons. Larry S. Lee

Port Neches-Groves High School Drug Testing Report

2008-09

Testing Dates Number Tested Negative Positive January 31 30 1 February (2 dates) 67 62 5 March 37 35 2 April 36 34 2 May 7 7 0

Totals 183 173 10 Demographic Information: for positive test results 9 Male students 1 Female student Classification – 3 Sophomores, 4 Juniors, 3 Seniors

UIL Steroid Testing Results:

Testing Dates Number Tested Negative Positive April 65 65 0

Port Neches-Groves High School

1401 Merriman Port Neches, Texas 77651

(409)729-7644 Ext. 1102 FAX (409) 722-7371

mkeith@pngisd.org

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Principal Secretary Marc Keith Burnette Webb

July 14, 2009

UIL Athletic Participation Report

2008-09 2007-08 Female Male Female Male Baseball 56 54 Basketball 39 40 39 52 Cross Country 16 12 21 11 Football 193 186 Golf 13 14 10 12 Soccer 39 44 41 48 Softball 28 28 Team Tennis 11 9 9 18 Tennis 21 16 21 17 Track 36 63 52 59 Volleyball 39 40 Total 242 447 261 457 Combined Total 689 718

Port Neches-Groves High School

1401 Merriman Port Neches, Texas 77651

(409)729-7644 Ext. 1102 FAX (409) 722-7371

mkeith@pngisd.org

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Principal Secretary Marc Keith Burnette Webb

July 14, 2009

Discipline Survey 2008-09

2008-09 2006-07 Incident Occurrences Police Contacts Occurrences Police Contacts

Suspicious person on campus 1 1

3 0

Weapons 0 0 2 2 Vandalism 6 0 4 4

Theft 8 5 5 2 Assault 0 4 4 2

Tobacco Use 4 4 6 6 Alcohol Use 1 1 1 1

Drug Use 9 7 49 30 Student School

Violence 0 0

36 25 Disorderly Conduct 10 5 4 4

Trespassing 3 3 6 4

Totals 42 30 120 80

1

Construction Update Report

July 17, 2009 Stadium:

• Punch list is being processed. The General Contractor claims 90% complete. • Close out documentation has been issued to the Architect for review. • Technology work continues in the Press Box.

PNG High School

• The roof decking is in the process of being installed on the new addition. (See left picture below)

• The sub grade for the new batting cages/concession is complete. (see right picture below)

• Roofing on the existing buildings is 40% complete. • Demolition of the Planetarium continues. • The above ground acid waste systems are being installed up to the 2nd floor Lab

Rooms. • Chill and hot water piping is being installed in the existing building and in the

new addition. • Work in the restrooms in the Boy’s Gym continues. • CMU work continues in the south side around the CATE area and

office/classroom areas. • Demolition and rebuilding of the Girl’s Athletic Director area continues. • Concrete has been placed in the new Girl’s weight area and restrooms.

2

Groves Middle School• The aluminum storefront system is being installed on the south side including the exterior

windows. (see left picture below)• The speakers for the sound systems have been installed in the two Gymnasiums. (see right

picture below) • All of the HVAC equipment has been set on all of the mezzanines in the buildings. The chill

water piping from the gym mezzanine to the chillers is complete. • Sidewalks have been formed at the Gymnasium area. • Grading is being done for additional paving on the west side of the kitchen area. • HVAC duct work continues on the west end of the buildings. • Steel stud walls are being installed in the Administration Area and on the exterior walls.

Port Neches Middle School

• Steel studs continue to be installed on the interior of the building. (left picture below) • HVAC duct work continues. The spiral duct has been installed in the Gym. (right

picture below) • Split face CMU is being installed at the rear of the Cafeteria. • Domestic and fire suppression systems meter vaults are being installed at the entrance. • The ceiling deck and bar joists in the Gymnasiums are being painted. • Ceiling and in wall conduit systems are being installed throughout the new buildings. • Domestic water copper piping and above ground piping systems are being installed. • Plywood decking is being installed over the tongue and groove decking down Main

Street.

3

Renovations• Duro-Last Roofing has submitted the close out documentation for the roof

Projects for review.

• Renovation/Plumbing work continues at all the Elementary Campuses. Completion of work is as follows:

West Groves Education Center 100% Port Neches Elementary 90% Taft Elementary 90% Van Buren Elementary 80% Ridgewood Elementary 70% Woodcrest Elementary 70% Groves Elementary 40%

Toilet fixtures have been installed in the restrooms and are ready for the toilet partitions at Van Buren Elementary.

Exterior plumbing lines are being installed at Port Neches Elementary.

New plumbing lines are being placed under the building at Ridgewood Elementary.

New plumbing lines have been installed in the boys and girls restrooms at Groves Elementary. Walls are being replaced and tile will be installed.

The B

oard

Min

utes

July 15, 2009

Requirements for Official MinutesTexas Education Code section 11.0621 imposes special requirements on schoolboards in the preparation of minutes of meetings. First, the minutes must reflect“each member’s attendance at or absence from” every board meeting. Many, if notmost, boards already prepare minutes that reflect who is present at a meeting, butmay not always specifically note who is absent.

Additionally, the minutes must also specifically address the board’s acceptance orrejection of the superintendent’s recommendations regarding hiring professionalemployees. Thus, any motion to employ someone other than the superintendentshould be in the form, “I move to accept the superintendent’s recommendation toemploy _________, subject to assignment.” For contractual employees, that motionshould also include language specifying the type and term of the contract; ordinarilythat will mean something on the order of “on a one-year probationary contract for___ months.”

Finally, the minutes of the Board’s regular meeting in December—or the last regularmeeting in a calendar year—must “reflect whether each trustee has met or is delinquentin meeting the training required to be completed as of the date of the meeting.”Since training requirements are generally tied to completion within a certain timeafter the person takes office, the truth may be that no one is delinquent in Decemberof a year, unless someone taking office in May of a year failed to complete therequired Open Meetings Training within 90 days of taking office. Trustees elected inNovember will not be delinquent on that training until the following February.

Remember that minutes do not have to reflect a detailed description of the board’sdeliberation, but they must include the verbatim motion that was made and thevote. It is also highly recommended that any documents the board of trustees used,reviewed, or approved related to a particular item at a particular meeting be maintainedfor at least four years, either as exhibits to the official minutes for that meeting or asthe agenda packet for that meeting.

SCHWARTZ & EICHELBAUMWARDELL MEHL AND HANSEN, P.C.

information@edlaw.com • 800.488.9045w w w. e d l a w. c o m

Advising administrators and boards in the U.S. and Canada for more than 23 years. WWW address: http://www.lrp.com © 2009 by LRP Publications, Inc. REPRODUCTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER IN WHOLE OR PART IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.

August 2009 Vol. 23, No. 4 Editor: Jeff Stratton

Supplement to LRP Publications, Inc.

Use the board majority to avoid micromanagement of the administrator

Board Member Rick Maloney, University Place (Wash.) School District, said that in his board’s experience, micromanagement of the school staff usually takes place when the board strays from its meeting agenda.

To prevent problems, the board has agreed to take a very specific action whenever an individual member takes a meeting discussion in a direc-tion that is not the intent of the board, Maloney said. “Our fix is to use Roberts Rules to bring the conversation back from the edge,” he said. “When debate goes astray, we ‘Call the question.’” Using this process, the board majority is asked to curtail the debate and vote on a motion to continue.

“If the majority wants to hear more from the board member, that’s fine,” Maloney said. “If the

majority wants to move on, that’s a clear signal to the individual member that we don’t want to do whatever he wants the board to do.”

Look at it this way the next time a single board member dominates board discussion with a pet is-sue: Is there a compelling board interest in allowing a member’s filibuster to waste valuable meeting time on an issue in which the board has no interest?

“More often than not, what the individual mem-ber wants the board to do was micromanage some-thing that is of individual interest to that board member,” Maloney said.

Respecting and using the board majority, Malo-ney said, is the one thing his board does to keep itself from micromanaging and to bring the full board back to acting the way they’ve agreed to. n

Former union leader sues board member for talking ‘out of school’A lawsuit by a former school employees union leader targets a Des Moines (Iowa) Public Schools’ board member for allegedly using a blog to tell people she’d been fired, according to the Des Moines Register.

Linda Rupe, who was a school bus driver and local union leader, filed suit in Polk County District Court against Board Member Jonathan Narcisse and the school district, the Register reported. Rupe contends Narcisse broke a confidentiality agreement she entered with the district after she lost her job in 2008, the paper reported.

Rupe said the district agreed to handle the details of her departure privately and describe it as “layoff due to

restructuring,” according to the Register.

In the civil complaint, Rupe charges Narcisse with e-mail-ing, posting on a blog, and writing in a newspaper column that “Linda Rupe, longtime head of the local AFSCME union, was fired without just cause and the District used taxpayer money to cover it up,” KCCI.com reported.

Narcisse said he would like to comment, but lawyers told him not to, according to the Register. “That’s why they make the big bucks,” he said.

Tip: As a member of the board, you may be called upon to act as the court of last resort on personnel issues. For this reason, avoid commenting on the matter. n

B&A For School Board Members

Police respond to protest at board meetingAfter 200 unhappy people showed up for a

Burke County (N.C.) School Board meeting in support of Superintendent David Burleson, the board president threatened to call the police, WCNC.com reported. Burleson was recently voted out by the board.

“Anymore gestures, and you will be removed from the building,” Board President Tracy Nor-man said.

That reminder didn’t regain control of the meeting, so both Norman and Assistant Super-intendent Rick Sherrill called in the police to remove one protester from the meeting, WCNC

.com reported.Morganton police kept the peace. Citizens

were upset because the board voted to fire Bur-leson, WCNC.com reported. “It’s an outrage,” said parent Kim Smith. “They (the school board) don’t listen to the voices of the community.”

Two lawsuits have now been filed against the Burke County Board of Education regarding Burleson’s ouster — one by Burleson and one by taxpayers, reports Morganton.com.

For more on school boards and public participa-tion at meetings, see “Adopt guidelines to govern citizen participation at board meetings,” below. n

Adopt guidelines to govern citizen participation at board meetings

By communicating a few simple rules for citizens who want to address the board at meetings, the board can maintain control of its meeting. Here are several rules that work in the board’s favor to maintain decorum:

A. Speakers must identify themselves and the topic on which they will be speaking.

B. Each presentation is limited to three minutes.

C. In the event that a large number of people wish to address the board on the same topic, the school board may request that spokespersons be appointed to speak on behalf of a group.

D. The following items are inappropriate for the open forum and will not be allowed:

1. Complaints against individual board members.

2. Complaints against individual employees.

3. Private data related to a student.

E. The president has the prerogative to determine whether or not a speaker is acting within these guidelines.

F. The president may terminate the remarks of any speaker who does not follow these guidelines. If a speaker persists after being asked to stop, that person’s privilege to address the school board will be terminated.

In addition, the school board can inform the public of its right to remove citizens who violate the board’s rules of meeting conduct. Here is the language the Montgomery County (Md.) School Board uses to communicate its rule:

“Under state law, the Board of Education has the authority to adopt and enforce reasonable rules regarding the conduct of persons attending its meetings, as well as the videotaping, televising, photographing, broadcasting, or recording of its meetings. If the presiding officer determines that the behavior of an individual is disrupting an open session, the public body may have an individual removed.” n

Leadership Team Times

Don’t Forget Your tier one trainingAccording to State Board of Education rule, board members must get three

different kinds of continuing education, which are sometimes referred to as Tiers (or Levels) One, Two, and Three.

Tier One deals with Texas Education Code (TEC) updates. Now that the 81st Legislature has adjourned, experienced board members need to receive the required Update to the Code training.

If you missed the Post-Legislative Conference offered in conjunction with the Summer Leadership Institute, make plans to pick up your Tier One training at the TASA/TASB Convention, October 2–4, in Houston. Attendees will have an opportunity to attend a Tier One Update to the TEC session on either Friday or Saturday morning. Check the on-site program for final time and room location.

Complete details about the Tier One training requirement and other useful continuing education information can be found at cec.tasb.org, or by calling 800.580.8272, extension 6142.

oLC Continues to grow Whether you’re looking for free programs about board

service and public schools or courses to satisfy continuing education training requirements, TASB’s Online Learning Center (OLC) continues to expand its offerings to meet your needs. Listed below are some of OLC’s current offerings:

• About Boards and Public Schools• Serving on a Board: An Insider’s Guide to Board Service

for School Board Candidates• Quick Tips for New Board Members• Now Serving (Podcast series addressing rewards and pitfalls trustees face the

first year)• Book Mark (Podcast series about books relevant to school board leadership)• The Board’s Role in Student Performance• What Board Members Should Know about Data• Introduction to Parliamentary Procedures• Preparing for Superintendent Evaluation• Setting Superintendent Performance Goals

Take a few minutes to create an OLC account to receive updates as they become available, or check onlinelearning.tasb.org frequently for new offerings and information.

NSBA SOuTherN regiONJuly 8–10, Little Rock, Arkansas

TASA/TASB CONveNTiON October 2–4, Houston

Timely reSOurCeS• NewBoardMember

Leadership to Go Package (includes Getting Started, Parliamentary Procedure, and Superintendent Evaluation)

• BoardPresident’sLeadershipto Go Package (includes Getting Started, Meeting Preparation, Parliamentary Procedure, and Facilitating Superintendent Evaluation)

Order at tasb.org/store, or call 800.580.8272, extension 2290. Also, find free resources at lTS.tasb.org.

For a complete list of training and events, or to access more details on any of the information referenced in this issue, go to LTS.tasb.org.A publication of TASB leadership Team Services

July 2009

Nine copies of this publication will be mailed monthly to the superintendent secretary to be included in the board packets.

Training events

PLan Convention sessions to attenD beFore You get to Houston Whatever the hot issues are for your leadership team, we have

an easy-to-use tool to help meet your needs. Beginning in early August, use the Personal Convention Scheduler (PCS) to locate specific session titles or speakers, or type in key words to find sessions that focus on your specific needs. Find PCS at tasa.tasb.org, and watch for more details in next month’s Times.

on tHe roaD againby Kay Douglas, lTS senior consultant

In July, we celebrate independence and recognize the event with fireworks! Nothing embodies this more than the efforts districts go to to recognize their employees and to build team spirit.

In June, I visited a district that is making great strides in this area. Before leaving for Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD to do some team building, I checked the district’s Web site to find out what the leadership team had been up to since my last visit. To my surprise and delight, I discovered a page entitled “Whatever It Takes,” which enables the community to celebrate ways in which its staff has gone above and beyond to make a difference. The very simple online process allows employees to be recognized for actions that might otherwise go unnoticed. In this era when employers are attempting to attract and retain quality employees, this struck me as an innovative, cost-free tool to help accomplish this. Superintendent LaTonya Goffney said the page is the result of a district employee’s suggestion.

When I arrived for the team-building session, we wondered if one of the new board members serving in the U.S. Army might not be able to attend because his unit was deploying for training. As a testament to his dedication and commitment, he literally flew back to attend the board training.

During the course of the session, Goffney’s secretary, Cindy Elliott, gave board members this year’s Convention brochure. Goffney realized that the front-cover photo on the brochure was of her and her secretary at last year’s event. I assured her that TASB personalizes each brochure so every district gets one with its superintendent pictured on the front. Okay, so I exaggerated just a bit, but I thought it was fitting that this came as part of the ongoing team-building efforts that are producing such great results in this district.

reminders

Leadership Team Times is produced by the TASB Leadership Team Services (LTS) division. For more information about LTS and its training opportunities and services, go to lTS.tasb.org, or contact Lisa Carothers at lisa.carothers@tasb.org with questions or comments.

Leadership Team Times July 2009

Contact us

iTemS yOu mAy WANT TO CONSiDer FOr NeXT mONTh’S AgeNDA• Adoptadistrictbudget

and set a tax rate.• Reviewthestate

accountability rating report.

DATeS/ACTiviTieS TO rememBer• NSBA Southern region

Conference: Go to arsba.org for details.

• Convention: Housing and registration are open. Hotel deposits due August 28. Details at tasa.tasb.org.

Coming Events

Called Board Meeting (budget workshop) ............................................................................ Tuesday, July 28 @ 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Regular Board Meeting ........................................................................................................................ August 11, 7 p.m. Administration Building Summer Hours (June 1 – August 7): Monday – Thursday 7:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday 7:15 a.m. – Noon