AISD trustees renew contracts
By Melinda L. Lucas
After meeting in closed session, Albany ISD trustees renewed all teacher contracts except for two at the end of the regular meeting on Monday, April 19.
A motion to “accept the contract proposal list as presented by the superintendent,” made by Kelly Head, seconded by Ginny Ivy, passed with a 5-0 vote.
Included in the list are three staff members with “employment agreements.”
Part of the motion covered letters of assurance to the current support staff.
District of Innovation
On superintendent Jonathan Scott’s recommendation, the board passed a resolution to approve the district of innovation plan for another five years.
Scott explained that although the current plan doesn’t expire until 2022, the district is allowed to update the plan at any time.
“One of the fears is that legislation might not allow this type of plan in the future unless it’s already in place,” said Scott.
Two primary benefits of being a District of Innovation are that districts have more flexibility in start dates and who is employed to teach career and technology classes, Scott said.
In addition, an update can add third party insurance options for staff members in addition to what the state provides.
The resolution passed unanimously on Monday starts a process that includes a public hearing, committee appointment, committee meeting, and another public forum, all of which has to be completed by the June board meeting.
Other Business
•The board passed a resolution supporting a state requirement that public notices be published in newspapers rather than allowing them to be posted on websites only, in opposition to a bill that had been introduced in the Texas House of Representatives.
•Scott commended principals, stating that there has been a recent rise in complaints from parents about student discipline, and that he feels the administrators have responded appropriately.
•NSES principal John Gallagher stated that at the time of Monday’s meeting, there were three elementary staff members and one student who had tested positive for COVID, an upswing from recent months.
