School works on budget, handles personnel matters

Members of the Houston board of education handled budget and personnel matters during a special session Wednesday, May 8.

The board:

• Unanimously approved a budget amendment and transfer recommendation for fiscal year 2024. In summation, the revenue budget increased by $399,126.54 and the expenditure budget increased by $662,019.98. A transfer request was approved from the General Fund to the Teacher Fund in the amount of $191,893.98 and from the General Fund to the Capital Fund in the amount of $200,000.
• Discussed salary and benefit options for fiscal year 2025 and the future impact of Senate Bill 727. Additional topics included Teacher Baseline Salary Grant, Career Ladder and addressing compression in the schedule.
• Discussed future capital project planning. Topics of discussion included track and field, schematic design (50%) plans for the Piney River Technical Center and potential campus projects.
• Members unanimously accepted the following resignations:
  • Alexis Hunter, as freshman volleyball c-team coach, at the end of the 2023-’24 school year.
  • Julia Sloan, as head pep club sponsor, at the end of the 2023-’24 school year.
  • Melanie Foreman, as high school student council co-sponsor, at the end of the 2023-’24 school year.
  • Madyson Tune, as high school pep club co-sponsor, immediately.
  • Rory Davis, as middle school keyboarding teacher/technology teacher/freshman baseball coach, at the end of the 2023-’24 school year.
  • Jacob Brookshire, as high school physical education teacher /extra duties, at the end of the 2023-’24 school year.
  • Jennifer Johnson, as high school beta sponsor, at the end of the 2023-’24 school year.
  • Missy Reed, as psychological examiner at the Exceptional Child Cooperative, at the end of the 2023-’24 school year.
  • Adam Vandiver, as middle school head baseball coach, at the end of the 2023-’24 school year.
  • Alicia Thomas, as elementary teacher, at the end of the 2023-’24 school year.
  • Dara Jackson, as high school beta sponsor, at the end of the 2023-’24 school year.
  • Auybriana Johnson, as elementary teacher, at the end of the 2023-’24 school year.
• Members unanimously accepted the following employments:
  • Anita Ellis, as early childhood special education teacher at the Exceptional Child Cooperative, for the 2024-’25 school year, pending background check.
  • Alicia Thomas, as early childhood special education teacher at the Exceptional Child Cooperative, for the 2024-’25 school year.
  • Stuart Smith, as high school junior class co-sponsor and high school student council co-sponsor, for the 2024-’25 school year.
  • Billy O’Neil, as high school assistant football coach, for the 2024-’25 school year, pending background check.
  • Benn Sullins, as middle school sixth and seventh grade science teacher, for the 2024-’25 school year, pending background check.
• Board members discussed other personnel matters and Superintendent Dr. Justin Copley updated the board on legal matters.

The meeting began at 4:30 p.m. and ended at 8:37 p.m.

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