CISD moves ahead with security plan

Clarendon CISD trustees continued efforts to improve school security during their regular meeting August 13.

The board approved motions to contract with Hohe Design Group for architect services on the Security Improvement Projects and passed a resolution selecting Huseman Builders, Inc., to provide construction manager-agent services for those projects.

Superintendent Mike Norrell told the Enterprise that the primary focus of the projects is to build vestibules for the main entrances to all three school campuses – elementary, junior high, and high school.

“The goal is to make those entry areas even more secure,” Norrell said. “We already have buzzer systems on those entries.”

The elementary and junior high vestibules will be developed inside the existing structures. The high school vestibule construction will involve enclosing the existing breezeway connecting the high school and the junior high.

“It will be bricked to blend in with the existing architecture,” Norrell said.

The project architect is working on the design details and budget now, and the school plans to have the project completed before the Christmas break, Norrell said.

In other school business, trustees toured the district’s facilities to see the improvements made during the summer and discuss future improvements.

Employee salaries for 2018-2019 were approved as presented, and the board voted to set the proposed tax rate at $1.17 per $100 valuation, which is the current rate. A budget hearing and tax rate adoption meeting was set for August 27.

The board accepted proposals from Property Casualty Alliance of Texas (PCAT) for Auto, Liability, and Property Insurance Coverages for 2018-2019, from Ricoh for the district copier and printer contract, and from Gandy’s Dairies for the milk for the cafeteria.

The appraisal calendar and appraisers for the 2018-2019 school year and the Code of Conduct were approved, and Norrell presented a report to the board on the A-F Accountability rating.

Bids on tax delinquent properties were accepted as presented for lots in Clarendon and Howardwick.

Contracts of employment were approved for the following individuals: Carlos Camarena, Christopher Woodcook, Brian Fritz, and Dennis McMenamy.