by MELISSA PERNER
the ozona stockman

After a lengthy executive session, the Crockett County CCSD Board of Trustees voted to renew one-year administrative contracts for 2010-2011.

The unanimous vote, during the Feb. 24 regular meeting, was for OHS Principal Benny Granger, OMS Principal Houston Hendryx, Ozona Elementary Principal Amanda Jackson, College Readiness Coordinator Susie duBois and ESL Testing Coordinator Tonya Poindexter.

Superintendent Chris duBois said this aligns all administrative contracts to one-year terms, including OHS Dean of Students Matt Gutierrez, Athletic Director Robert Hernandez and Technology Director Keith Harmsen.

NEW ELEMENTARY

FURNITURE APPROVED

The board approved a bid from Lone Star School Furnishings of $326,074 for new furniture, delivery and assembling at the new elementary school.

“This place will look ultra-modern. This is the best looking stuff on the planet,” duBois said.

Board members were presented with a sample of a student’s desk that is adjustable in height and scratch-resistant.

However, duBois said he has received offers from TLC Academy in San Angelo and Irion County ISD to buy the used furniture.

“We can use a good third of the current furniture in other areas as well,” duBois said. “I’m impressed how well our kids take care of things.”

Board Member Dwight Childress said it was time for Ozona to receive something new, since money from the district is sent to other schools in the state.

Everyone around the state is getting new schools, new furnishings and we’re paying for it. Why don’t we get something new?” he said.

“It’s a shame to go into a new building without new furniture,” added Board Member Harvey Sanchez.

Construction of the new school continues. The building is close to being able to accommodate tours for teachers and staff, duBois said.

The board gave permission for four more basketball goals in the new gym at a cost of $29,000. These four goals will be practice goals to go with the two main goals.

“This project is going to finish, unless there is a big, fat weather delay, this project is going to finish on time,” duBois said.

RAINWATER HARVEST

The board approved allowing duBois to present a price on rainwater harvesting for the new elementary school, after hearing a presentation from Gary Bryant of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office and Soil Conservationist Ty Williams.

Bryant said the new school is in the right phase to begin implementing a rainwater harvesting project, and that there is potential to save water and have the system for educational use.

“We can teach these kids to save water and utilize it,” Bryant said. “Students can get out there and be hands-on. We’re teaching them to use the materials they have.”

Cost for the system is estimated to be around $25,000, but that grants are available to help offset some of the cost, as well as getting donations, Bryant said.

The system could potentially save around $1,000 a year on water costs, Bryant said. Menard ISD currently uses a system and has used theirs for irrigation and made garden beds.

“The potential time is now due to the building not having any concrete slabs yet. The land is flat, the buildings are tall, so we could do it with gravity flow,” Bryant said.

The project would not affect the school’s building schedule. Plus, the 30,000-gallon tank could be architecturally designed to match the building, Bryant said.

“If developed right, this could really become a teaching tool,” duBois said.

“It’s just crazy not to do it,” Childress added.

NEW SCHOOL GRAPHICS

During his report, duBois gave a presentation of Eyeful Art, a company out of Houston that does wall and floor graphic designs.

duBois said the Davidson Gymnasium needs re-flooring this summer and he is wanting to paint and brighten up the inside of the building as well.

Eyeful Art will come in for a month and work on custom graphics for the gym, the gym floor, the new elementary school and gym, as well as other buildings in the district, duBois said.

The board agreed to allow duBois to pursue a cost for this project. duBois said a minimum of $31,000 worth of work is needed to get the company to come for the summer.

CALCULATORS PURCHASED

The board verbally approved the purchasing of Texas Instrument Calculators for every Ozona High School student. Cost will be around $25,000.

Money will come from the OHS Allotment fund. Granger said the proposal came from the OHS Site-Based Committee and the OHS Math Department.

“Currently, we have sets in the classroom. However, when students don’t have their own calculator they often don’t finish their homework,” said Ronny Clayton, OHS math teacher. “I think it will help our kids tremendously. With these calculators, there will be no excuse for them to not finish their homework.”

These calculators can also be used during TAKS tests, as well as in science classrooms, Granger said. The school bus, yellow-colored devices will have barcodes and students will be responsible if they are misplaced.

“I think if we can help our math and sciences out, then we need to do it,” said Board Member Tom Anderson.

Other approved agenda items:

• Shared Services Agreement with Region XV Regional Day School Program for the Deaf.

• Purchase of an adapted bus for $90,804 with federal stimulus money.

• 2010-2011 Official School Calendar.

• Staff Development Waiver 2010-2012 to apply for three additional staff development days for the 2010-2011 calendar.

• Campus and District Improvement Plans for 2009-2010.