Published: August 04, 2009 02:04 pm      

GIS D rating in erro

Gainesville Independent School District (GISD) Board President Phil Adams addressed the Texas Education Agency (TEA) 2009 Accountability Ratings released last Friday, which rated Gainesville High School (GHS) as “Academically Unacceptable,” during GISD board of trustees meeting last night.

“We are looking into what happened,” said Adams. “We felt we were on the verge of being a “Recognized” school.

Adams said that the formula used by the TEA incorrectly showed GISD had 12 Hispanic students that were in the freshman class of 2004 that did not graduate. “That is why GHS was rated “Academically Unacceptable.” GISD Superintendent Bill Gravitt confirmed the statement.

Adams said of the rating, “It had nothing to do with our people at GHS. It’s nothing our teachers or principals did.”

Adams said he regrets that this happened, but said they are going to get to the bottom of what happened. “The buck stops here.”

“We are appealing this decision to the TEA,” said Adams. “We are not going to let this discourage us.”

In response to a question from board member Tommy Moore, Gravitt said the final TEA 2009 Accountability Ratings are published in October, after any appeals.

Gravitt said, “We have the letter drafted to appeal...we are going to drive it to Austin.”

While board members met in executive session, GISD Public Relations Coordinator Kim Ralston confirmed that the appeal will focus on correcting information for a group of 12 Hispanic students from the 2004-2008 school years. (The TEA classifies students by subgroups for the use of their rating system).

Ralston confirmed that the “leaver code” for one, and possibly more from this group of students is not correct. The “leaver code” includes identification to the state whether a particular student has graduated, not graduated, moved, not passed the TAKS test or not registered for school.

Ralston confirmed that when a student disappears from the system without the correct code or any code being assigned, or if the school has no idea what happened to the student, it may be recorded in the records as a negative event.

During the meeting Gravitt reported that the school facilities are ready for the start of the new school year.

Gravitt also reported that the new sign for the Gainesville Middle School will be placed at the new school before the start of the school year.

Board members voted 6-0 to table discussion and action on the maintenance tax notes until the next board meeting. Business Manager Cindy Tatum will compile and distribute financial information for the next board meeting for discussion and action.

Ryan Morris, First State Bank Senior Vice President presented the investment discussion to board members.

Morris’ presentation included the process of securing deposits, FDIC requirements, cash reserve funds, liquidity analysis, credit and market risk and fund compliance. Morris also compared First State Bank’s financial products, information and numbers to those of TexSTAR.

Gravitt recommended and the board voted 6-0 to table the depository bank action item until the board had more time to look at the information presented and distributed by Morris.

Jeff Koval addressed the board as a citizen, regarding the school dress code and the non-replacement of the GISD band teacher.

Koval said he is concerned that the school dress code is not being enforced. “If it is a rule, enforce it.”

“School is for teaching — out of books and from rules,” said Koval. He said that if you have the rule the youth need to know it will be enforced.

Koval said he is also concerned that the band teacher, Mr. Travis Harris has not been replaced.

“I’m worried about losing a great program in the school,” said Koval, who noted the many awards the band has received. “Can’t we find a replacement?”

Koval said if students start to leave the band it is harder to get them back into band.

Koval asked if the district could not get a substitute teacher or part-time teacher to replace Harris. He said he did not think band teacher Bryan Ferrell can run back and forth and get around to all the schools.

Following the executive session, the board voted 4-1 to take no action on a grievance. GISD board member Will Presson was the dissenting vote.

All board members were present at the meeting. Tommy Moore did not attend the executive session and vote on the resulting action taken from the session

The next GISD board of trustees is Monday, August 17.