The Community Based Instruction (CBI) Class at Italy High School displayed their unselfishness at the Italy School Board of Trustee’s monthly meeting held Monday night. The CBI class, taught by Kelly Vernon, won the football signed by more than two dozen Dallas Cowboys at Italy’s Homecoming in October. The class donated the football to the school district at the meeting.

“It feels right to do this,” Ms. Vernon said. Larry Eubank, school board president, accepted the football with heartfelt thanks to the class.

In other business, Jimmie Malone, superintendent, named Penny Rossa as November Employee of the Month.

Rossa, mother of two daughters, has taught school in Italy, Abbott and Highland Park. Currently, she teaches sixth grade at Stafford Elementary.

Malone said she is secretary of the District Improvement Committee. “She is always accurate, detailed and specific. In the classroom, she is the epitome of the consummate professional with the kids. We are glad she is here.”

Following a brief executive session, the board hired Eric Wilson as Business Computer Information System (BCIS) instructor for 2008-2009. He replaces a teacher who recently resigned due to health reasons.

The board took no other action involving two other items in the executive session.

Council member Paul Cockerham told the board how he appreciated the Veterans program at Stafford Elementary.

Eubank said the program involved every grade at Stafford. A separate veteran’s program was held later at the high school He said Dana Hamby and Scott Herald did a good job getting that program together as well.

Eubank said he was also impressed with the Homecoming activities. He said, “Monica (Boyd) worked her tail off getting the parade lined up. There are a lot of others that helped that need to be thanked.”

Despite its success, Eubank said that perhaps the district should form a committee for next year’s homecoming activities.

David Wood, interim business manager, presented financial reports to the board. The district has received 17% of its expected budget and has expended 21% of its budget. Malone said student enrollment is 624 as of Nov. 12. The district budgeted for 582 students. He explained that refined average daily attendance is about 97%.

He also presented a spreadsheet to board members outlining gate receipts for volleyball and football games. Net receipts for both sporting events totaled approximately $3,000.

Malone also said an additional bus route has been added in the afternoons.

The count in October, he explained was as high as 95 students on a 72-passenger bus if all eligible students had been on there at one time. There is not an additional salary for the route since maintenance personnel are driving the bus.

Malone said he met with Clover Stiles regarding a Gold Guild Club. The purpose of the club, he explained, was to create more school spirit, not only in sports but in academics as well. Elizabeth Evans, AEP aide, will be sponsor of the group. The club, he explained, would meet the same requirement as other school clubs.

The board also discussed, at length, funds from the Tax Rate Election. Kevin Witte, technology director, discussed the various possibilities available to upgrade the Internet service with fiber optic lines between the two school districts. Malone said they were working on this issue daily.

Mark Souder Sr., representative from the Italy Lion’s Club, told the trustees that the club will be awarding $250 scholarships this year. He said they eventually plan to increase that scholarship amount. He said the recipient(s) are expected to be active in the community as well. Sporting activity would be great but he said they were searching for more service-oriented individuals.

He also noted the Lion’s first annual barbeque planned for February.

The next meeting of the Italy School Board of Trustees is set for Monday, Dec. 15.

Cheryl Owen and Ricky Boyd were not present at the meeting.