The Hemphill Independent School DIstrict Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. for a regular Board Meeting in the HISD Administration Office with the following members present: Kim Scales, Andrea Procella-Heslip, Carl Beall Jr., Tammie Cox, Gary Parks, and Tommy Whittington.

Also present were Stephen English, Kelli Barnett, Amanda MCcClelland, Annette Johnson, Jeremy McDaniel, Stephanie Harkness, Scott Dyer, Tod Stark, Dalw Wilkerson, Cassy Whitsitt, Shelley Fisette, Sunny Whittington, Amanda Smith, Chanda Pattillo, Summer Ford, Shelly Starr, LaDonna Clark, Jennifer Moody, Dawn Procell, Morgan Hart, Meleesa Davis, Henry Alvarado, Stephanie Wilkerson, Sadie Ramsey, Skipper Eberlan, Carrie English, Heidy Griffin, Sharon Ray, Ron Ray, Blaire Craven, Melanie Kellum, Tod Stark, Brittany Laurence, Kelsey Powell, Malcom McKinley, Kevin White, and Veronica White. Kim Scales, Board President, called the meeting to order and established a quorum at 6:00 p.m.  with all members present. Carl Beall Jr. gave the invocation. Kim Scales led the Pledge to the Flag. Tommy Whittington recited the Hemphill ISD Mission Statement.

Of the visitors present, Heidy Griffin spoke to the Board concerning packing the classrooms with too many students. Dawn Procell spoke to the Board concerning cutting positions and only having three teachers per grade level in elementary school. The Board then adjourned for Executive Session allowed by Gov. Code 551.071 (Private Consultation with the Board’s attorney on any or all subjects or matters authorized by law). a.Discussion of employee hires, resignations, reassignments and discipline, including campus administration, Superintendent and professional educators and auxiiary personnel. The Board convened into Closed Session at 6:15 p.m.

The Board returned to Open Session at 6:30 p.m. Open Session (Action Resulting from Closed Session), Level III Grievance Hearing. Blaire Craven, Legal Counsel for Hemphill ISD, presiding officer for the Level III Grievance Hearing, presided over the Level III Grievance starting at 6:32 p.m.

The Level III Grievance Hearing was requested by Sharon Ray to be heard in Open Session. Sharon Ray presented her statement. Stephen English presented his rebuttal. Adjourn for Executive Session allowed by Gov. Code 551.071 (Private Consultation with the Board’s attorney on any or all subjects or matters authorized by law). Discussion of employee hires, resignations, reassignments and discipline, including campus administration, Superintendent and professional educators and auxiiary personnel. The Board convened into Closed Session at 6:47 p.m.

The Board returned to Open Session at 7:08 p.m. 1.Discussion/Action on Level III Grievance Hearing in Closed Session, (if any). Kim Scales, Board President, presiding officer, asked for a motion on the Level III Grievance Hearing. There was not a motion, so Kim Scales declared, due to the absence of a motion, the Level II Grievance decision was upheld.

At this time, Kim Scales presented a plaque to Tommy Whittington for his service on the HISD Board of Trustees. Stephen English, Notary, administered the Oath of Office to Tammie Cox and Dale Wilkerson.  

Adjourn for Executive Session allowed by  Gov. Code 551.071 (Private Consultation with the Board’s attorney on any or all subjects or matters authorized by law) and Gov. Code 551.074 (Board deliberation concerning appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, or dismissal of public offices or employees). The Board convened into Closed Session at 7:14 p.m.

Returned to Open Session at 7:19 p.m. Consideration/Discussion/Action of Reorganization of Board Officers. Tammie Cox nominated Andrea Procella-Heslip for Secretary, Gary Parks seconded, passed unanimously. Marty Griffin nominated Carl Beall Jr. for Vice President, Tammie Cox seconded, passed unanimously. Gary Parks nominated Kim Scales to stay President, Andrea Procella-Heslip seconded, passed unanimously.

Facilities and Construction update. Middle School Update - Malcom McKinley. Malcom McKinley reported to the Board that the completion should be around the end of July and move in should be in August.  Consent Agenda. Motion by Carl Beall Jr., seconded by Andrea Procella-Heslip, passed unanimously. Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting April 20, 2023. Bills, Financial Reports, and Investment Reports for the month of April 2023.  

Stephen English, Superintendent, presented the Superintendent’s Report. High School 2020-2021 253, 2021-2022 266 2022-2023 230. Middle School 2020-2021 293, 2021-2022 278, 2022-2023 248. Elementary School 2020-2021 336, 2021-2022 351, 2022-2023 334. 2020-2021 total 882, 2021-2022 total 895, 2022-2023 total 812. Class counts: EE - 3, PK - 47, K - 59, 1 - 60, 2 - 58, 3 - 56, 4 - 51, 5 - 54, 6 - 62, 7 - 65, 8 - 67, 9 - 61, 10 - 62, 11 - 43, 12 - 64, Total - 812.

Student Overnight Trip Requests: FFA to Brenham June 14 - 27 State Brahman Show, FFA to Texarkana June 25 - 30 National Brahman Show, Varsity Cheer to Huntville June 5 - 7 Cheer Camp.

Personnel Update - Resigned: Kim Hearn - Elem. Teacher, Kathryn Pay - Middle School Teacher, Roderica Johnson - Sp Ed Paraprofessional, Kaye Guthrie - Half Time Sp Ed Teacher, Mev Guthrie - Half Time Sp Ed teacher, Shannon Bishop - High School Teacher.

Campus Academic Reports / Principal Reports: Each Principal reported on their campus. Athletic Department Report: Tod Stark reported on athletics. Maintinence and Transportation Report: Skipper Eberlan reported on maintinence and transportation.

Scholarships Report: Scholarship Night May 22, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria. As of today, the total is $337,444 for 28 students. Graduation: K - May 25 at 9:00 a.m. in the Hornet Gym; Senior Graduation - May 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Hornet Stadium, weather permitting.

HISD Education Foundation Awards: Scott Simmons ( HS Agriculture) $3,000, Carrie English ( HS Geometry) $205, Marcie Welch (Elementary K, STEM) $1,000, Morgan Hart (Elementary K, STEM) $1,000, Kristie Vick (High School Spanish) $1,141, Total $6,346.

Facilities and Construction Update: Summer Work - Skipper Eberland reported on summer work. Timber Sale Agreement Report - Mr. English reported on the agreement. Stephen English, Superintendent, presented the Superintendent’s Recommendations. Discussion/Action to approve the Sabine County Shared Service Arrangement Aggreement.

The Board approved the Sabine County Shared Service Arrangement Aggreement on a motion by Andrea Procella-Heslip, seconded by Tammie Cox, passed unanimously.  

Discussion/Action to approve rescind a resignation from Heather Moody for employment for the 2023-2024 Middle School ELAR  Teaching position. The Board approved to rescind a resignation from Heather Moody for employment for the 2023-2024 Middle School ELAR  Teaching position on a motion my Carl Beall Jr., seconded by Marty Griffin, passed unanimously.

Discussion/Action to approve/grant hiring authroity for contractual employees to Superintendent for May (remaining days), June, July, and August. The Board approved to approve grant hiring authroity for contractual employees to Superintendent for May (remaining days), June, July, and August on a motion by Carn Beall Jr., seconded by Marty Griffin, passed unanimously.

Discussion/action for accepting resignations, employing personnel, reassignment of personnel, or terminating/non-renewal of personnel, if necessary.  

The Board approved to employ Erica Powell as a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant for the SCSSA and Heather Moody as a Middle School ELAR Teacher ona. motion by Marty Griffin, seconded by Andrea Procella-Heslip, passed unanimously.

Adjourn for Executive Session allowed by Gov. Code 551.071 (Private Consultation with the Board’s attorney on any or all subjects or matters authorized by law) and Gov Code 551.074 (Board deliberation concerning appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, or dismissal of public offices or employees). a. Discussion of employee hires, resignations, reassignments, and discipline, including campus administration, Superintendent and professional educators and auxiliary personnel. b. Discussion of Board Relations Between the Members of the Board of Trustees and the relationsip of the Board of Trustees with the Superintendent of Schools.

The Board convened into Closed Session at 8:31 p.m. And returned to Open Session at 9:55 p.m.

 Open Session ( Action Resulting from Closed Session) Discussion/Action on Items Discussed in Closed Session, if any. There was no action taken.

Approval of Budget Amendment #8 for the 2022 - 2023 School Year. Amanda McClelland, Business Manager, presented Budget Amendment #8 for the 2022 - 2023 School Year.  199 00 5744 00 000 3 00004 - $6,346.00; 199 11 6399 00 999 3 11004 - $(3,000); 199 11 6399 01 999 3 11004 - $(205.00); 199 11 6399 02 999 3 11004 - $(1,000); 199 11 6399 03 999 3 1104 $(1,000); 199 11 6399 04 999 3 11004 - $(1,141.00). To amend budget for Hemphill ISD Education Foundation.

The Board approved Budget Amendment #8 for the 2022 - 2023 School Year on a motion by Marty Griffin, seconded by Andrea Procella-Heslip, passed unanimously.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:56 p.m. on a motion by Gary Parks, seconded by Tammie Cox, passed unanimously.