Live Blog - February, 2009 Board Meeting

Carla Ranger votes against consent agenda!

It's 5:30 and we're here with another live edition of the DISD Board meeting. Remember to refresh this page often.

5:35 - Board members present: everyone!

We're expecting a short meeting tonight. That way, everyone can go to Mayor Tom Leppert's town hall meeting. Leppert, in case you've been living in a hole for a couple of weeks, is proceeding forward with his plan to centralize DISD under the auspices of the City.

Leppert's meeting will be held tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 at Harold W. Lang Middle School - 1678 Chenault Street, Dallas, TX 75228.

Back to the meeting.

Superintendent Michael Hinojosa gave the Superintendent's report. We're getting some "stimulus" funds. This will impact the District's budget--hopefully positively.

We've had the committee reports and we're on to Board resolutions.

Being honored tonight: Hexter Elementary ; Dealey International Academy; Peabody; The School of Health Professionals--all Blue Ribbon Schools.

6:09 - Target Stores is being honored for donating more than $100,000 to renovate the library at Bushman.

6:15 - There are no speakers to agenda items... it's on to the Consent Agenda.

"This board has taken away ... Democratic right [of board members to pull items from the consent agenda," said Carla Ranger. Therefore, she'll be voting "no" on the Consent Agenda.

Not sure that makes a lot of sense, but hey--whatever.

Next up: terminating the lease with Texas Can. Lew Blackburn recused himself and left the room.

Board President Jack Lowe noted that the District's new ethics policy requires board members with conflicts to leave the room while the discussion/vote happens.

Another one, this time regarding approval of the city to act on behalf of the District in matters of foreclosure. Adam Medrano, who works for the city, had to leave.

6:34 - Well, we thought it was going to be a short meeting. We seem to be hung on an agenda item regarding campus staffing formulas and campus non-payroll allocations. Carla Ranger is concerned that employees will lose their jobs.

Everyone on staff has replied that nobody will lose jobs.

"There have been times in the past that we've been told one thing [then later] something else happens," said Ranger.

Ranger is insisting that Jack Lowe guarantee that no teachers will lose their jobs as a result of this agenda item.

The resolution passes.

Next up: another contract with the City and Adam Medrano had to leave the room again.

Hinojosa is going to have to leave for a family commitment. Ron Price notes that the Mayor is speaking at one of his schools.

"I want to make sure I go over there and greet him right," said Price!

6:47 - We're done with the agenda and on to the speakers on non-agenda items.