The Dublin ISD School Board swore in new officers and filled a vacancy during Monday night’s regular board meeting.
The meeting began with the recognition of numerous student accomplishments (see photos next week) and Superintendent Rodney Schneider commending the decade of service of the outgoing Jeff Weaver (who was leaving the board following the May 1 election), listing many accomplishments that have happened in the district while Weaver was on the board.
Incoming board member James Moore and returning board member Raymond Salinas then stepped up and were sworn in to office and took their seats on the board.
A resignation letter from Charlie Bradberry (who won a seat in the May 1 election) was then read. In it, Bradberry cited “unprecedented activity in business” and other demands as making it impossible for him to continue serving. He stated that he and his wife, Susan will continue to “enthusiastically support” the district.
Pat Leatherwood moved to accept the letter, stating his appreciation of Bradberry’s nine years of service. The vote was unanimously carried. (Kent Crouch was absent)
Leatherwood then moved to have Jeff Weaver take the unexpired term left by Bradberry, saying that he had the next amount of votes in the election.
Anjelica Salyer seconded the motion, opening the floor for discussion.
Moore questioned if appointing Weaver to the position would undermine the wishes of voters in the recent election.
It was reported that the person appointed to Bradberry’s seat would go up for election next May for a three-year unexpired term.
Weaver was voted to fill the position with Moore voting against.
The board then considered the officer positions with Leatherwood proposing the current officer return to their posts: Jeff Weaver as president, Kent Crouch as vice president and Raymond Salinas as secretary. There were no other nominations so those nominations were carried
The board also unanimously recognized Raul Diaz, Daniel Escobar, Maeleigh Geijsel and Mackenzie Mathis for graduating DHS with an Associate’s degree from Ranger College earned in dual credit classes. (It was announced later by DHS Principal Norma Briseno that 70 students earned a combined 510 college credit hours.)
Athletic Director Bob Cervetto was also unanimously recognized for his 12 years of service at Dublin ISD and 41 years in education. Cervetto, who will officially retire on June 1, expressed his gratitude but said “it’s never been about one guy,” commending the hard work of the other coaches and students. He also expressed his support of Coach Greg Hardcastle, saying that “none of the kids lost a day’s workout” in the transition.
During the report agenda, Schneider said the school has received unofficial results in STAAR tests with several the same or better as the last results. He also commended the staff, health team and leadership team for their work in making sure that the district didn’t close once for a COVID outbreak.
He also referenced the summer feeding program that served 1,000 meals daily to make sure that kids were fed, stating that the program is returning this summer. (See story on page A1.)
Construction projects and the next year’s budget were also discussed with Schneider stating that reimbursement funds might be able to get the AC units replaced at Dublin Elementary and that the school may get reimbursed by COVID grants for the deep cleaning it did regularly to combat COVID.
Weaver asked about building tennis courts for the benefit of the school’s players.
Moore said he would like to see some infrastructure work done, citing the condition of the pavement behind Dublin Secondary. He also asked about checking into roofs, asking if there had been leaks.
Schneider also addressed COVID-19 protocols, saying that masks will remain optional for staff throughout summer. He also said that the school might review some of its safety guidelines with the drop in flu experienced last year. He said the mask mandate would not be a consideration unless the school had to, but the school might continue some of its other sanitation efforts. The board was informed that the next school year would look more normal with a return in the third week in August.
The board also unanimously approved an amendment to the 2020-2021 budget to replace the Secondary School band hall flooring (currently 20-year-old carpet) with a rubber flooring,
There was also a vote to amend the District of Innovation Plan which stated that the calendar end date would be no earlier than May 1. This date doesn’t reflect the senior class of 2021, who graduated on May 7, so the change was being made to bring the current year into alignment. The vote carried with Moore against.