Centerville ISD extends Cathy Nichols contract three more years

The Centerville Independent School District Board of Trustees completed the superintendent evaluation in executive session of the CISD regular Board Meeting on January 27, 2010 and agreed to extend Superintendent Cathy Nichols’ contract for three more years. Fall of 2010 will begin Nichols 4th year as superintendent of CISD, the same position previously held by her father Pete Lagrone.

The CISD held its meeting the CHS library with all Board members present with the exception of Tuffy Loftin. Before the meeting was called to order, Board members were given a certificate of appreciation for their service to the district by Junior- Senior High School Principal Bob Loomis and Elementary Principal Jason Jeitz. Also, Board members were given gift baskets form CISD administration. Jeitz presented each member with letters written by elementary students in appreciation of their service.

The Board reviewed the investment policy and made no changes. Assistance Superintendent Carole Dickey informed the Board she and Nichols had completed their required investment training for the year. Dickey then presented the invest report stating that interest rates on CD’s are 2%, based on the school depository. All investments are currently in certificate of deposits.

The use of the old gym was approved for the Douglass Alumni Tournament on April 2nd and 3rd with the stipulation security would be provided by the Alumni Association.

The Board called for the Board of Trustee Election on May 8, 2010 for positions # 6 (Craig Smith) and #7 (Danny Lacey). Election judges were appointed. Cathie Largent for Early Voting; Dan Wingerson for the Centerville site; and Steve Huebner for the Leona site.

The Cheerleader Constitution was approved. Changes made to the constitution included: Captain & Co-Captain must have a year experience on Varsity; Jr. High Captain & Co-Captain must be an 8th grade student with one year experience; each candidate must obtain a minimum score of 50; all payments for camp and other expenses must be paid by the deadline; cheerleaders are not eligible for letter jackets until they have completed the football and basketball schedule; and the cell phone policy in the student handbook will be followed by the Cheerleaders.

Preceding the School Board meeting was a public hearing held to discuss the Academic Excellence Indictor System and the School Report card for 2008-2009. Centerville ISD was rated Recognized, Centerville Junior Senior High School was also rated as Recognized, and Centerville Elementary School was rated as Recognized. Gold Performance Acknowledgements were received by the District in Texas Success Initiative in ELA, Texas Success Initiative in Math, and the Recommended High School Program (Class of 2008), College – Ready Graduates (Class of 2008), and Commended in Writing. The Elementary School received a Gold Acknowledgement for Commended on Writing and Commended on Science; while the Junior- Senior High School received Gold Acknowledgements for Attendance, Recommended High School Program (Class of 2008),College – Ready Graduates (Class of 2008), Texas Success Initiative in ELA, Texas Success Initiative in Mathematics, and Comparable Improvement in Reading/ELA.

The attendance rate for the district in 2008-09 was 96% with the total enrollment being 722. Of the 701 students, 9.8% were African American, 10.7% Hispanic, 79.6% White, 0.7% Native American, and 0.7% Asian/ Pacific Islander. Thirty seven percent of the students are economically disadvantaged.

The total staff consists of 121 with 52% being teachers, 5% professional support, 2.5% campus administration, 1.7% central administration, 10.7% educational aides, and 28% auxiliary staff. Fifteen percent of the teachers hold a Master’s Degree. The average number of years of experience for teachers is 12.9. Teachers have an average of 9.0 years of experience with the district.