Rotan School Board meeting Dec. 16, 2019

The Rotan school board met for a regular meeting at 7 p.m. Monday night.

Present for the meeting were Vice President Britt Sipe; Secretary Monica Carillo; members Millie Warren, David Posey and Hunter Helms; Superintendent Greg Decker; Principal Jody Helms; and District Counselor Katrina Jarvis. Member Rodney Denton was absent.

Principal Helms presented elementary and junior high students who won medals in Universal Interscholastic League Academics .

Reorganization of the board was approved, moving Sipe to president and Hunter Helms to vice president.

A bid from Milton Wood on foreclosed property was approved.

A proposal for the Senior Class trip to New Braunfels was presented by students and approved by the board. The estimate for the trip was $5,905, to be paid out of the Senior Class  fund.

The purchase of house and property located at 804 E. Johnston, for $28,900, was discussed, then tabled until appraisal district records for the property could be attained. The property would be used to house school staff.

Principle Helms reported on the finals test schedule and maintaining the district's Texas Education Accountability rating of 80.

Jarvis reported on donations and gifts for families in need, and read a letter from a grateful recipient. She also reported that ACT will be February 15.

Decker discussed bringing in consultants to prepare for issuing a bond and putting together a packet for using Chapter 313 tax abatement funding; UIL alignment and the district position; the possible purchase of equipment; plumbing; evaluations; and moving board meetings to the second Monday of the month.

The board then discussed the vacancy left by the resignation of member Guy Nelson and reorganization of the board. They voted not to fill it, approved 3 to 2. Posey and Sipe opposed.

The board then went into closed session.

Decker said the superintendent evaluation and contract is to be put on the agenda and discussed at the next meeting, scheduled for January 13.