The Italy School Board of Trustees took no action after a marathon executive session Monday evening.

The group reconvened moments before midnight and Cheryl Owen, school board president, announced they were taking no action following the executive session. The agenda indicated the group discussed the superintendent’s duties, responsibilities, directives and contract in an executive session with legal counsel.

In other business, the board opened the meeting with a public hearing regarding the financial integrity rating system of Texas.

The district earned a Superior Achievement rating for the 2008/2009 school year. The district scored 75 out of a possible 80 points.

Elmerine Bell addressed the board about changing the name of the Stafford Tigers. She said there are some wanting to change the mascot name.

Bell spoke of forgotten Black school around Ellis County and the significant impact African-Americans have made to society. She said many of the predominately-Black school’s heritages, of the early 20th Century, need to be preserved.

Bell had about a dozen supporters from the Stafford Ex-Students Association in support of her stand to retain the name of Stafford Tigers. She told the board that if they changed the mascot from the tigers, they would be met with protests.

The board took no action since the item was not on the agenda.

Monica Boyd, business manager, was the woman of the hour as Jimmie Malone, superintendent, presented her with a certification from the Texas School Board Association.

He said this noteworthy accomplishment entails many continuing education hours.

As Boyd accepted the award, Malone also named her Employee of the Month for September.

Boyd, a Waxahachie High School graduate, is married to Ricky Boyd, a former school board member and Irving Assistant Fire Chief. Together, they have two grown sons, Ryan and Tyler. The latter is attending the University of North Texas in Denton.

Boyd started working for the district at the elementary school in 1994, according to Malone. She became the superintendent’s secretary in 2006 and then moved to the business manager’s position last year.

During the financial report, Boyd pointed out several areas that would go over budget over the next few months and noted there is no room for “extras” in the budget.

She said the district will have to pay extra for two employees – one who was incorrectly labeled from the previous school and another that just received a Master’s Degree.

Boyd said there is not a female coach qualified to drive a school bus and the district is forced to pay a school employee to drive at time-and-a-half pay.

She added that unemployment rates will be higher than projected due to the recent turnover in staff.

Financially, projected revenues collected are at 91.64% and expenditures are at 91.77% as of Aug. 31.

The board also approved a budget amendment to include a grant in the amount of $26,247 to be used for education. Boyd said this is about $1,500 less than the grant the district received in 2009/2010,

The board also discussed setting aside, in a separate account, a percentage of revenue for the TRE funds, a vote approved by voters in 2008. Tommy Morrison said the board needs to be responsible to the taxpayers.

They said these funds can be used for technology, fleet, roofing, lighting or heating/air conditioning. A portion of these funds are used for teacher salaries.

They said the board should vote as to how to spend these funds.

The board authorized Owen to contact the district’s auditors with financial questions regarding the TRE funds and how much should be set aside.

The board issued a directive to Boyd that the district will use a purchase order system. Boyd said a system is in place, it’s just not always being used.

Owen said that, while she was a teacher, she never spent any money without getting a purchase order first. Marty Haight, board member, suggested the purchase orders be for anything over $50 or $100 because emergencies do arise from time-to-time.

Current enrollment, as of Sept. 15, is 616 students – 22 in pre-kindergarten, 44 in kindergarten, 42 in the first grade, 34 in the second grade, 41 in the third grade, 40 in the fourth grade, 53 in the fifth grade and 39 in the sixth grade. The junior high has 53 students in the seventh grade and 45 in the eighth grade. The high school has 50 freshmen, 64 sophomores, 50 juniors and 39 seniors.

Malone briefly discussed three grant writers he interviewed and said all are extremely capable of doing the job. He discussed various ways of paying a grant writer without them taking a percentage of the grant itself.

Haight told him to get started and get as many grant writers as necessary to get grant money into the district.

In other business, the board approved minutes from two August meetings, accepted the resignation of Gwen Harris and Kathy Hodge, approved an interlocal agreement with Ellis County and reviewed the TASB update 88-First Reading.

Kevin Witte, technology director and both principals presented their reports at the meeting.

Witte said the district has a parent portal on the website that allows parents to access student assignments, grades and absences. He said about a third of the parents took advantage of that feature last year at the high school level. He said participation is closer to 50% this year and has expanded to the elementary grades.

He said teacher pages have been added at Stafford Elementary that will allow parents and students to access assignments.

Witte said Holly Spraberry is now the new technology instructor at the elementary school. Students in the lower grades work in the computer lab at least once a week and students in the upper grades get instruction twice a week.

Witte said the district is now “wireless” and noted that 50 projectors have been installed in the district. He said the remaining few projectors will be installed soon to complete installation.

The technology director said his desire is to start implementing a three-year life cycle for the district’s 330 computers. He said a four-year cycle would work, if necessary.

He said he would begin searching for grants to purchase refurbished or new computers. The board briefly discussed the possibility of laptop computers versus desktops for teachers. No decision was reached.

Tammy Wallis, Stafford principal, said she has implemented a student recognition program and sends a weekly newsletter to parents entitled “Tiger Times.” The honors assembly will continue with a new focus and name – Positive Achievement Winning Students (PAWS). She said students that exhibit leadership qualities now make the morning announcements. She has also implemented Teacher/Para-Professional of the Month and Student of the Month awards.

Wallis said the band program at the elementary is going well and is excited about the computer lab.

Tanya Parker, high school principal said the campus has gotten off to a really good start. She said the dress code is being enforced. She sends out weekly teacher memos and has bi-weekly faculty meetings.

She said Vivian Moreland is heading a recognition program entitled, “We are Italy.” She said this program was implemented several years ago and then dropped.

Parker praised those who helped with the homecoming parade noting that it went well.

Owen told the principals that student and faculty recognition is good but didn’t want them to lose sight of the fact that teaching the TAKS should be the focus.

Following the lengthy executive session, the board adjourned just after midnight.