Navasota ISD trustees hear facilities update

BY DAVE LEWIS, Examiner publisher

Meeting for more than three hours in special session Monday night, Navasota ISD school board members heard an update on district construction projects and discussed board procedures and training before acting on personnel matters.

Architect John Haugen spent an hour covering items of concern with construction at High Point and John C. Webb elementary campuses and at the high school and new stadium.

Many of the concerns contractors are addressing have to do with electronic control systems and scheduling, Haugen said. “We were brought a list of issues and concerns,” Haugen said, noting that buildings are not “simplistic in function” and that control systems such as those for air conditioning and lighting should be tailored to specific needs.

Minor construction flaws at Webb and High Point are being addressed, Haugen added, specifically noting control joints at certain points at both campuses. Roofing warranty details at Webb have been addressed and sealing material installation can now proceed, he noted.

Drainage concerns at High Point have been addressed, acoustics affecting the high school band hall and choir room are still being studied, and minor concerns with the stadium elevator, drainage and new gym flooring are also being attended to.

The board spent another hour going over the 17 points of board operating procedures, covering topics ranging from board conduct to open meetings requirements.

Trustees had an opportunity to express their thoughts on these and to suggest changes.

“This helps me understand your concerns,” NISD Superintendent of Schools Jennings Teel told the group.

Another hour was spent discussing the need for board committees and the scope and direction these might take once formed.

Trustees Marilyn Bettes and John Price agreed to work on some committee definitions and present these to the board at the July 28 meeting.

Also discussed was the need for board-administration workshops during which each campus could be represented.

Teel said such a workshop was being scheduled for July 31, with plans to start at 3 p.m. in the district board room.

Board members also approved one minor change in Local Policy FNF, dealing with student interrogations and searches, which the board expects to approve at its next meeting.

Following discussions in closed session, trustees returned to open session and accepted the resignations of Bryan Pauler, Vanessa Coffelt, Randall Pratt, Greta Gammill, Lisa Lara and Leticia Orozco.

Approved for employment were Bridgette Arnold, Heather Sherman, Tiffany Nipp, Jessica Gest, Laura Turner, Kathleen Busa and Calvin Barber.

Barber will be the new baseball coach following Pauler’s resignation.