DISD OKs contracts, pandemic matters

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The Dublin ISD School Board hired teachers, extended the Superintendent’s contract and decided on COVIDrelated matters during its regular meeting Monday night.

Following a brief executive session, the board members in attendance unanimously approved to hire teachers Michelle Boucher, Cindi Castillo, Brenda Juarez, Michael Ruiz, Jennifer Turner and Thomas Zmeskal and certified administrator Brandy Carr. (Board members Charlie Bradberry, Kent Crouch and Anjelica Salyer were absent.)

A second executive session was held to discuss the contract of Superintendent Rodney Schneider following his evaluation. Schneider remarked that it is customary to hold evaluations in closed session but he always opted to have his own in open session as a show of transparency. Board members commended Schneider on his performance as leader and the performance of the administration underneath him, saying that they put in more effort even during this difficult year.

“A lot of schools have taken the easy route,” said Pat Leatherwood. “Dublin has been the exception from the beginning with starting the school year early.” He said that students in other districts may find themselves behind in the future but believes that Dublin students will be better equipped due to the dedication of DISD faculty and leadership.

DISD Board President Jeff Weaver remarked that the only two goals not met related to the uncertainty of the future (due to the current pandemic) and not due to Schneider’s performance.

Schneider commended his staff for their efforts and the community for offering their support, saying that events like the semi-final games recently hosted at the new stadium (and brought thousands to Dublin) would not be possible without the community backing the school as strongly as it does.

Leatherwood moved to extend Schneider’s contract by one year (making the expiration Jan. 2026) and gave authorization to negotiate the salary as appropriate.

The board also approved a pandemic response plan that would allow for the continuance of academic and food services in the event of shutdown or shelter order. Schneider and the board stated their strong preference for keeping the school open, noting that its better for instruction and safer.

“CPS reports seem to be growing all the time with unemployment and pressure from COVID,” Schneider noted.

The new plan would require teachers to work at the school while producing plans, but that daycare would be provided to any that would need it.

The board also approved extending COVID Emergency paid sick leave through June 30, 2021. The sick leave covers 10 paid days for staff that have to quarantine. This paid leave is available to staff that have not already had to draw sick leave for a COVID quarantine. The board was adopting the policy as Congress had not acted on renewing the leave yet but any federal order would supersede the board’s action.

The board also approved the sale of the lot on Travis and Post Oak by the old Memorial Stadium which was formerly used for game night parking. Three bids were reviewed with the highest being $31,000 by Keith Nichols to whom the sale was awarded.

The purchase of air conditioning units for the Dublin Secondary Gym was also approved with Schneider saying that recent leaks on the main gym floor appear to be due to the 21-year-old units. The cost will be $79,000 to replace all the units at once.

Schneider also reported that the school had ordered the videoboard that will be installed on the scoreboard with all but $20,000 of the $115,000 cost covered through sponsorships sought by Athletic Director Bob Cervetto.

Schneider also reported a clean financial audit, attributing the success to the professionalism from business manager Kassi Eads all the way to people like Randy Shipp taking money at athletic events.

The Board also voted to seek a waiver for all general teacher appraisal requirements through the Texas Principal Evaluation and Support System, in light of all the extra strain educators face due to the pandemic. “Right now, we’re trying to get kids caught up,” said Schneider. “That’s how we’re measuring success.”