CCAISD bond process is underway

By Becky Brewster

The process to sell the CCAISD bonds is underway.  Superintendent Dalia Benavides reported that all the paperwork to complete the bond rating process had been submitted to Moody’s. A bond rating is a grade given to bonds that is basically like a credit score which shows the bond issuer’s financial strength and its ability to pay a bond’s principal and interest in a timely manner. The bond rating can also influence the interest rate for the bond issue.  Benavides reported that the bond rating should be provided to the District by July 26.  The Board called a special meeting for July 28, 2016 to accept the rating and authorize the selling of the bonds. By that time, the Certified Taxable Values will be provided to the District.  Benavides reported that the Planning Committee had met with the architects to discuss instructional spaces needed for the new campus with a follow-up meeting scheduled for August 2. Benavides also reported that the surveying of the site is scheduled for the week of July 25.

The trustees also authorized a budget amendment to move extra funds from the security camera project to IT supplies.  The $31K will be used to purchase interactive monitors to replace the obsolete smart boards in the classrooms. Four smart boards bit the dust this past school year, and the repair and maintenance is no longer supported by the manufacturer.  These new interactive monitors will be able to be relocated to the new campus once it is completed.

The Board then adopted the TASB Policy Update 105 to incorporate the transition to “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA) which replaces the 2002 “No Child Left Behind” initiative. ESSA includes provisions that are supposed to help ensure success for students and schools. According to the ed.gov website, the law:

• Advances equity by upholding critical protections for America’s disadvantaged and high-need students.

• Requires—for the first time—that all students in America be taught to high academic standards that will prepare them to succeed in college and careers.

• Ensures that vital information is provided to educators, families, students, and communities through annual statewide assessments that measure students’ progress toward those high standards.

• Helps to support and grow local innovations—including evidence-based and place-based interventions developed by local leaders and educators—consistent with our Investing in Innovation and Promise Neighborhoods

• Sustains and expands this administration’s historic investments in increasing access to high-quality preschool.

• Maintains an expectation that there will be accountability and action to effect positive change in our lowest-performing schools, where groups of students are not making progress, and where graduation rates are low over extended periods of time.

The Board received the following personnel action report in their Board information packets:  New Hires: Regina Wike (Teacher) and Desirae Brewster (Teacher).  Resignations: Priscilla Urias and Charles Wilson.  Supt. Benavides confirmed that she had also hired a new Assistant Principal, Keith Reyes, who began his duties on July 1.

In other business, the CCAISD Board members:

• Renewed the Student Accident Policy for 2016-2017.

• Authorized soliciting bids for fuel for 2016-2017.

• Approved the stipends for various positions within the District.

• Adopted the Student Handbook for 2016-2017.

• Approved the 2015 Delinquent Tax Roll showing a 97.85% collection rate with $197,573 in taxes remaining delinquent as of June 30, 2016.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here