The Italy School Board of Trustees tabled 2011-2012 teacher, librarian, counselor, and administration contracts at its monthly meeting held Monday evening.

Following a lengthy executive session, the board reconvened into open session at 9:40 p.m. to make the motion.

The trustees will interview superintendent candidates Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Cheryl Owen, board president, said they would most likely name a lone finalist on Thursday.

In other business, Charles Williams, interim superintendent, said four residents have signed up for two seats in the school board race: Paul Cockerham (I), David South, Mark Stiles and Eric Thompson.

He reported enrollment has risen slightly with 589 students enrolled as of March 11. Average daily attendance is 95.98 percent.

The board also approved a waiver for the bad weather days.

Williams said students missed five days from school and noted two bad weather days were built into the calendar. He said students would go to school on those days. The waiver request is for the three other days.

Williams said he has still not received approval from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) regarding the class ranking policy.

He said TASB assured him the policy, already approved by the local board, would be available by this meeting but noted he was unable to reach the representative by phone.

The board also approved a donation of $7,440 from Stiles to pay for a SAT preparatory class for senior students.

Williams said this cost covers the material, the program and a teacher to monitor the program. He said this prep material, without a doubt, helps students raise their SAT scores.

He said several citizens are donating t-shirts to students and faculty. He said Barry Byers designed the artwork, Stiles donated the shirts and Thompson is doing the screening at cost.

Williams said Stiles also donated a portable public address system for the baseball and softball games.

Financially, the district has realized 63.23 percent of its revenue and expended 52.39 percent of its expenditures.

Tammy Gillespie, business manager, said the staff has done a great job keeping expenses down. Williams said local tax collections are good despite the economy.

They also approved minutes form the previous two meetings and financial reports.

Jane Medrano, reading/language arts teacher at Stafford Elementary, was named Employee of the Month by Williams. He said her principal, Tammy Wallis, sang her praises noting that Medrano is a dedicated teacher, a role model and team player.