The Dublin ISD School Board received information Monday, Feb. 26 on potentially building a greenhouse as part of the agriculture program expansion project.
Ag Teacher Sophie Hayhurst presented two options for the board – one greenhouse is a larger option with a double bay where modern day growing concepts such as hydroponics and aquaponics can be taught to students.
Attached would be a headhouse, an addition to a greenhouse that serves as the “work center” and typically includes storage and office space without reducing growing space.
Hayhurst said the project would last at least 20 years before it needed significant renovations.
With the greenhouse, she said, the community would also become involved as they could have a fall and spring plant sale.
Design number two would offer a little less space, but still would be functional. Currently, DISD has 32 in floral design classes, busting at the seams, Hayhurst said. The greenhouse project would allow expansion in this area, even potentially giving a pathway and certification in agricultural topics in the future.
“If you like design number two, we can be like everyone else. If you like design number one, we will make Dublin different. We will start to make a difference,” Hayhurst said.
There was no action on the item since it was a presentation only but the board will discuss funding in the future out of local reserves.
The board also canceled its May 2024 election since candidates incumbent candidates Bob Cervetto, Raymond Salinas and James Moore are unopposed.
After closed session, the board unanimously voted to extend the following contracts for teachers: Leslee Chapman, Jamie Clark, Jessica Criswell, Kennedy Doggett, Mary Haggard, Jodi Gilbert, Julie Ivie, Elizabeth Krey, Kim Leatherwood, Donna Lewis, Stephanie Mendez, Cassidy Miller, Veronica Pantoja, Celeste Riney, Tara Roberson, Charlotte Robertson, Jeri Li Thompson, Angela Balvantin, Ida Beam, Clara Dower, Riley Dunlap, Kimberly Hare, Nancy Johnson, Karina Kunkel, Tommie Shubert, Rhonda Stephen, Aletheia Thornton, Christine Watson, Melanie Zinck, Wes Benfer, Marcella Bledsoe, Susan Boucher, Shawn Bradford, Steve Carroll, Susan Diciccio, Derek Dunlap, Stephanie Evans-Voyles, Wesley Grisham, Sophie Hayhurst, Kaley Herms, Pamela Kasinger, George Ann Landreth, Lisa Leatherwood, Tember Lowe, Rosalinda Martinez, Dara Murphy, Rebekah Pack, Jaclyn Perry, Darren Price, Tyler Sattler, Stacy Smith, Ryan Thornton, Kaylene Vanbebber, Maria Velazquez, Lisa Weaver, Katrina Brister, Emily Akard, Patrice Christian and Krista Todd.
Those with probationary contracts include Kaylyn Craig, Brianna Hatcher, Vanessa Longoria, Matthew Asebedo, Delayne Bradshaw, Melissa Gill, Elana Azua, Tonya Yoho, Troy Sparks, Rebecca McDougal and Christy Welch.
Non-certified teachers (those who have a teaching degree but are not certified in the area they are teaching in) include Courtney Amidon, Jenna Brazeal, Linda Carrillo, Kristin Martinez, Maricarmen Pantoja, Morgan Adams, Brenda Juarez, Barbarita Ortega, Rhonda Price, Jessica Rudloff, Jessica Shelton, Mallory Sutherland, Ross Young, Jamel Anderson, Kandis Dorman, Jeffrey Morris, Regina Rasberry, Tatiana Robles-Figueroa, Shelby Rhyne Skinner, Aimee Spharler and Kyla Swenson.
The board approved a resolution to accept chaplains as volunteers.
Superintendent Melissa Summers explained that though they has several counselors on campus and teachers with counseling certifications, having volunteer chaplains in the event that they were needed would, in her opinion, be a good thing.
“We are blessed to live in a small town where we have a relationship with our pastors,” Summers said. “I don’t have a doubt that any of our pastors would come help if needed.”
The board made revisions to the district local policy regarding academic achievement class ranking, taking out language regarding pre-AP classes since they are no longer offered and foundation program since it’s outdated.
The District of Innovation plan was also amended to take away a required warning before a criminal trespass could be issued.
Currently, a person must receive one warning for vocally berating employees before a trespass can be issued.
“I don’t think any of our staff should ever be treated like that,” she said.
The board unanimously approved a resolution in support of a fair and transparent accountability system.
“This whole accountability system is all over the place currently. The commissioner [of education] has not determined what the accountability system will be. They just know that all schools will still take this test. We don’t know what the passing standards will be on this test. We don’t know what the methodology will be to calculate scores on this test but go out there and get after it,” Summers said. “That’s why I would like us to adopt this resolution just saying we need a good accountability system, but this up in the air stuff is not fair to school districts.”