O.I.S.D. School Board... taking care of business

With six board members, the tax assessor/collector, three reporters, two students of the month with three family members in tow, and seven members of the community, Oakwood's regularly scheduled business meeting was standing room only this month.

The Elementary student of the month is Trisdon Bynum, a third grader with good grades and a love of school plays. Bynum is going to the national Little Dribblers Basketball tournament in Levelland, Texas and his baseball team was fourth in state in TTAB Baseball. He and his football team made it to the Hot PWFA Super Bowl as well. Bynum also participated in UIL this year. After he graduates from UT, he plans on becoming a pro fisherman.

The High School student of the month is Alias Sardaneta. Not only does Sardaneta do well in his classes at Oakwood but he is also taking classes at TVCC that will earn him 12 college credits when he graduates. He participated in football, power lifting, track, UIL, and UIL One Act Play this year. Sardaneta brought home a medal last week for honorable mention All Star Cast for his role as a warden in the play The Valiant. After high school, he will continue to go to college but is undecided about a career.

Richard Scoggin's Superintendent's report included the calendar of upcoming events. Among those events, is a mobile dental unit coming out to the school on April 22. This vehicle is fully equipped to assess and correct the dental problems of the students. Parents will, of course, have to give permission to be seen by the dental professionals. They except private insurance, CHIP, Medicaid, and cash payments. Scoggin also reminded everyone of the upcoming elections and the School Bond in particular.

During Board President Mack Botard's consent agenda, the tax collection report was given, as was the acknowledgment of the recent receipt of several yearly grants. They were the Fitness gram Grant, SSI Grant, and The Blinn Grant.

In the action agenda report, Botard and Scoggin went over the TEA Low Attendance Days Waiver, the TEA Missed Instructional Days Waiver, and the Local Board of Trustees Certification Form for 2010. All were approved. Also approved, was the 2010 Textbook Committee. Those teachers assigned to the committee are first grade teacher Kim Scoggin, second grade teacher Stephanie Lucio, third grade teacher Debbie Stanford, fifth grade teacher Rose Henson, and Jr./High school English teacher Lisa Holt. These teachers will be responsible for the books students will receive next year. Also in this report, Debbie Stanford was named the O.I.S.D. Investment Officer and will continue to monitor the school's investments with Lone Star Funds. At this time, the interest is about 2%. The Board also approved the renewal of the school's insurance policy with Texas Monarch Management Corporation that covers students involved in sports. This year it will cost the school $8500.

In closed session, the Board approved the renewal of teacher contracts for next year. They also approved one non-renewal, two retirements, and one resignation.