Lone Star - Oakwood detachment plan presented to two school boards

Barbara Johnson The BISD School Board waded through a full agenda at their June meeting on Monday evening.

Early in the meeting, Barbara Johnson made a presentation to introduce the idea that some residents in the former Lone Star ISD, located in the Flo community, are planning to petition for detachment from Oakwood ISD and annexation into the Buffalo and Centerville school districts. Pointing out that many students residing in that area already transfer to CISD (17) and BISD (44), Johnson stated, “Property owners are taxed in a district they choose NOT to attend... We feel there is justification for detachment and annexation.” Johnson stated that Lone Star ISD was an independent school district until legislation in 1971, when, “it was forced into Oakwood ISD.” Ms. Johnson identified the organization seeking the petition as “formerly the Flo Community Taxpayers Association.” Trustee Willie Gilliam stated, “This is like to have seen happen a long time ago,” but Johnson was advised that the proposal is going to be a ‘tough sale’ in OISD, which just passed a bond for a new building project and will not want to give up any of their tax base. She promised to be back in a few months with a petition in hand.

Other highlights included finalizing the contract to build a state-of-the-art track and football field, setting the date for Substantial Completion of the new high school, hearing preliminary results of the TAKS tests, and adopting the dress code for the coming school year.

The Board heard a lengthy facilities report before making a decision to set the "Substantial Completion Date" for accepting the new building from the general contractor, Boone & Boone Construction. After questioning construction consultant Jim Hanks and architect Paul McCullough, and considering ADA compliance issues, contract duration dates, and the remaining items on the punch list, the Board proposed June 8th as the official SCD. Hanks concluded, "With retainage, you're delivering that building to the community $42,698 under budget."

In another facilities- related decision, the board heard from ATG Sports Facilities Constructors president Don Bolinger and went over details of the contract to build the track, all-weather football field and stadium seating at the new campus. Assured that the NCAA-quality track will be "one of the finest tracks in the state of Texas", the Board voted unanimously to approve the $1.72 Million contract. Construction is to begin July 1 with a target completion date of October 1, 2010.

Stressing that her report was based on "very preliminary" estimates, Academic Coordinator Tracy Gleghorn presented the district's TAKS results for the 2009-10 school year. "These scores should mostly bring a smile to your face," she predicted, then explained that the elementary and junior high campuses appear to have earned a Recognized rating. Scores at the high school were much improved over last year, and it appears to be Acceptable and very close to Recognized. Finally, Gleghorn stated that the scores were above state averages in every group and the preliminary results suggest that the district as a whole would be Recognized. Offi- cial ratings will be announced in late July or early August.

The district's student dress code was discussed at length, the Board's decision was to keep it as was in the previous school year.

In other business, the Buffalo Press and Buffalo Express newspapers were presented with plaques recognizing them in the TASB 2010 Media Honor Roll. Consent agenda items were approved. The district renewed their contract with Ample Computer. Finally, the Board was notified of the resignation of three teachers: Louise Anderson, Amber Riddell, and John Forrest.