Board approves construction manager for Jr. High bond improvements
The Hallettsville ISD Board of Trustees met in its regular monthly meeting Monday evening and approved Weaver and Jacobs Constructors Inc. of Cuero to serve as the construction manager at risk for the Junior High Bond improvement project.
Board president Brian Smith said the Grading Selection committee met and discussed two applications submitted with the other from Collier Construction of Brenham.
“We graded them on certain criteria the architect gave us to grade on and it was very close on all ratings,” Smith said. “Both are excellent companies, but Weaver and Jacobs won out on a very close margin.”
In another matter related to the Junior High Bond improvement project, maintenance director Johnny Densman informed the board that an outside air unit that provides air conditioning to the band hall wing at the Jr. High has gone out.
“The original unit is 18 years old and both compressors have gone out,” Densman said.
The board approved a purchase order from Leon’s Electric and Plumbing of Schulenburg for $39,995 for a Trane 20-ton A/C system with gas heat unit.
A request from HHS Student Council sponsor Christen Smajstrla regarding a trip to the National Student Council Conference in Chicago, Illinois on Jan. 31 through Feb. 2, 2025 was approved by the board.
According to HHS principal Mason Briscoe, the trip would involve two teachers and five student council members.
He said the entire trip cost $5,160.21 including air fare, hotel, registration fee and other costs. The conference would include workshops, key note speakers and other matters of interest.
Briscoe said the cost of the trip is already covered.
Reports
In her superintendent’s report Dr. Jo Ann Bludau spoke on the Intruder Detection Audit as well as presenting a report on SAFE grant and safety and security measures in place at the school campuses.
HISD executive director of student services Trina Patek reported HB3 Goals in regards to the instructional report.
Chief financial officer Farrah Jernigan presented the financial report that was provided to board members in advance.
Jernigan reported that 5.83% for 2024 have been collected through October with the total amount collected being $564,417.81.
Presentations
Prior to the start of the meeting the board presented Stand Up for Texas Public Schools awards regarding the TASB 2024 business recognition program to the Dickson-Allen Foundation and Hometown Wellness Clinic.
Dr. Paula Grahmann, with the Hometown Wellness Clinic, provided a presentation involving football teams utilizing a protective device referred to as a “Guardian Cap”.
Grahmann said the cap is worn over the helmet and provides added protection against concussions suffered in football.
She said the guardian cap has been approved by the National Football League, but the NCAA and the UIL have not approved the use during games. However, many high schools and colleges utilize the cap in practices.
Grahmann said Hometown Wellness Clinic along with a grant from the Dickson-Allen foundation has allowed them to purchase the guardian caps for both Hallettsville ISD and Sacred Heart to be used in their football programs.
In another presentation, HHS Ag-Science teacher Mallory Haas introduced the FFA Ag Issues team, who presented a program involving a debate on the advantages and disadvantages of both conventional and autonomous tractors.
The team, who is composed of Aubrey Freytag, Kaisly Bludau, Alyssa Smith, Taylor Yeatts, and Kenley Kalmus did an outstanding job in the presentation and have qualified for area competition to be held later in November.
In other action taken by the board:
• Approved a move of phone services from AT&T to Verve Cloud, Inc.
• Approved Campus Improvement Plans.
• Approved a tax roll and tax levy resolution.
• Appointed members to the School Health Advisory Council.
Board president Brian Smith presided over the meeting with board members Brian Henneke, Justin Smith, Holly Cliffe, Ryan Bludau and Dennis Herring present for the meeting.