School Board Members Recognized
    By Myrtleann Anderson ~ Staff Writer, The Monahans News, January 20, 2006

The MWP-ISD school Board met in regular monthly session on Tuesday , January 17th, with President Larry  "Bear" Bryant  presiding. Board members present were Dave Poynor, Kay Rankin, Patsy Carrasco, Donna Garcia, and Bill Clayton.

The Board recognized  the 2005 Regional Championship Lobo Football Team, and then Superintendent Keith Richardson presented each school board member with a framed certificate of appreciation in honor of "School Board Recognition Month."

The certificates read: "In grateful appreciation during School Board Recognition month honoring the board members for their dedicated leadership in public education and continuing service to the children of this community."

The schools principals gave each of the board member a gift basket in honor of the occasion.

Rocky Rives of Smith and Rives PC firm presented an audit report for the 2004-2005 school year. Rives told the Board the District's net assets went up from 8.2 million in 2004 to over $10 million in 2005. Capital assets, everything costing over $5,000, were listed at nearly 20 million dollars. Rives told the Board the overall financial condition of the school district was excellent.

A special board meeting was set at 5pm on Thursday, January 26th, so the Board can meet with architect Monty Hunter to discuss proposals for hiring a construction manager. Richardson advised the Board that Hunter will present the board a monthly report for the duration of the construction projects.

The Board went into Executive Session to discuss renewal of several employee contracts. After reconvening the Board approved the renewal of the following one-year contracts: Coach Mickey Owens, athletic director; Glenna Applewhite, assistant superintendent; Linda Schulz, business manager; Kellye Riley, Daryl Skinner, John Horak, Colleen Smith, Jeff Jones, Carla Tucker, and Chad Smith, school principals, Cyndi Stricklin, special education director, and Jeff Whitaker, band director.

Enrollment figures for the district are up 33 students from last year's enrollment of 1956 students.

Richardson gave report on the Open Meeting Act and Public Information Act Training, which all board members are required to complete, effective January 2006.

He told Board members there was a website at www.oag.state.tx.us, which provides a course for the required training. The site provides a certificate that will show that course for the required training. The site provides a certificate that will show that board members have completed the required course.

The Board approved compensation benefits for a leaves and absences proposal presented by Richardson. The proposal approved by the Board establishes a District sick leave pool for voluntary donations by District staff to assist an employee suffering from a catastrophic health condition or caring for a family member with a catastrophic health condition.

In order for an employee to be eligible to participate in the sick leave pool, they must have exhausted all available paid leave, suffer from a catastrophic health condition or care for a family member with a catastrophic health condition and provide medical certifications.

Keyed by Jason Dimm Senior