January is Board Appreciation Month

In January each year, school districts across Texas recognize the volunteerism and community service exhibited by school board officials. To learn more about the IISD Board of Trustees, access http://irvingisd.net/board.

Capps Honored as Teacher of the Month

Georgene Capps, special education teacher at Clifton Early Childhood School, was honored as district Teacher of the Month by the Irving ISD Board of Trustees. Capps graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. After working as an accountant for Piggly Wiggly grocery stores, as a bookkeeper, and as a full-time mother, she began her teaching career as a substitute in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. A graduate of the alternative teaching certification program through Region XI Education Service Center, she earned certification in elementary EC-4 and special education EC-12. Capps has nine years of teaching experience, all of them with Irving ISD at Clifton.

Edwards Recognized as Employee of the Month

Karen Edwards, former secretary to the purchasing director and now secretary to the associate superintendent of academic services, was recognized by the Board of Trustees as district Employee of the Month. Edwards joined Irving ISD as an instructional aide at Houston Middle School in 1993. She became data processing clerk at Houston in 1995. Edwards then advanced to the position of campus secretary in 1999 at Davis Elementary School, then Kinkeade Early Childhood School, and finally at Lamar Middle School. In 2008, she transferred to the Administration building as the secretary to the director of purchasing and was named secretary to the associate superintendent for academic services in December 2011.

Farine Student Wins State Contest

Hanna Allen, fourth grader in the dual-language immersion program at Farine Elementary School, was congratulated by the Board of Trustees for winning a national essay contest through National Association of Bilingual Educators (NABE).

For her winning essay – written in Spanish – Allen will receive a $1,000 award and be honored at the NABE national conference in Dallas in February. Read her complete essay, including the English translation, online by accessing http://irvingisd.net/HannasLetter.

Principals Honored on State Level

Photo 11 –Brenda Bingham (center), Principal at Hanes Elementary School, is congratulated by Trustees President Heather Ashley and Superintendent Dr. Dana T. Bedden for being selected as 2012 Regular Educator of the Year by Region X Texas Council of Special Education Administrators.

Photo 12 –Desiree Arias (center), principal at Austin Middle School, is congratulated by Trustees President Heather Ashley and Superintendent Dr. Dana T. Bedden for being selected as 2012   Distinguished Administrator by Texas Music Educators Association.

Consent Agenda

Approved minutes from meetings on December 12, January 5, January 9, January 10, and January 12… approved financial statement for November 2011…approved January amendment to the 2011-2012 budget…approved supplements to Irving ISD tax rolls…approved master service agreement for internet services and providing for other matters related to the subject… approved agreement between Irving ISD and the KickStart kids…approved design development phase for Crockett Middle School…approved design development phase for Lively Elementary School…approved final payment application and closeout documentation for Brandenburg Elementary School bond construction project…selected method of procurement for district-wide cafeteria drinking fountain addition project…amended contract with Corgan Associates for district-wide cafeteria drinking fountain addition project…rejected proposals for Travis Middle School roof repair and replacement project.

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Discussion Items

Approved Irving ISD Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011…Moved to forward Dr. Bedden’s request for reimbursement of attorney fees to the Board Executive Committee…Approved election, renewal and resignation of employees as recommended by the superintendent of schools…Confirmed decision to elect two school trustees at large and five from single member districts…Accepted gifts and donations to the district for the month of December.

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Noon Work Session

Discussed development of staff deadline to notify district of retirement to qualify for payment of local sick leave and exemplary attendance days upon retirement…Received a report on e-rate submissions…Received Big Decisions instructional update…Received report on Johnson Middle School tours and field trips…Continued discussion of 2012-2013 school calendar development…Received atrium renovation project update…Received update on School Messenger…Discussed Mandarin Chinese pilot program and future plans.

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For detailed information regarding individual agenda items, access Boardbook on the IISD website at http://irvingisd.net/boardagenda.