Thank you. We're running just a little bit later than we were planning.
Katy ISD · Special Meeting
Katy ISD Special Meeting, May 31, 2016
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The Board will now convene an open meeting. Today is Tuesday, May 31, 2016, and the time is 521 p.m.
The Board met earlier this evening in closed meeting.
By law, any action arising from discussion in a closed meeting must be taken in a subsequent open meeting.
Mr. Tom Gannell, Chief Operations Officer, will you verify that we're in compliance with the provisions of the Texas Open Meeting Law in regard to the notice of this meeting?
Mr. President, we are in compliance.
compliance. Thank you. Just we have a new visitor today, Mr. Gunnell. Normally we have the
superintendent, Mr. Faley, here. However, due to his recent retirement, Mr. Gunnell is assuming
his position. And because we as a board value the administrative input and the administrative
ideas, Mr. Gunnell will be here until we find us a new superintendent. Thank you, Mr. Gunnell,
for being in the hot seat. And that moves us to our first one, our action item of 4.1,
consider naming a board alone finalist for the position of superintendent for
schools I have a general statement to make and I'd like to make a general
statement and explanation for our public the board is posted for the meeting
tonight an item to consider naming a finalist for the position of
superintendent of schools we are not at this stage of our process and will not
be taking any action at tonight's board meeting we will be posting this item for
all meetings, both regular and special, until such time as the Board is ready to take action.
Since the posting is done in advance of each meeting, we simply need to include the item
to give the Board an opportunity to take action and move forward with the process when the
time comes.
So I'm sorry if you're here for that item, but that one's not going to be discussed today.
And that moves us to item 4.2, consider and discuss approval of the Canvas of the May
May 24, 2016, Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees Election Recount for Position
1.
The Katy ISD held its regular election for trustees on May 7, 2016.
The Board canvassed the results of the election at a special meeting called May 18, 2016.
At that time, I informed you that a recount of the vote for Position 1 had been duly requested
by Joe Adams and approved. The recount was conducted on May 24th 2016 because
the recount changed the number of votes received by the candidates for position
one although not the ultimate outcome of the race. Under state law the board must
conduct another canvas for the position reflecting the vote tabulation by the
recount committee. May I have a motion to canvas the results for the May 24th 2016
16 recount for position number one mr. president miss Fox I move that the board
of trustees canvass the results of the May 24 2016 Katy independent school
district Board of Trustees election recount as reported by the recount
committee and declares the winner of position one is George Scott with 1479
vote I have a motion by Rebecca Fox a second by Courtney Doyle that the Board
of Trustees approves canvases the results of the May 24, 2016, Katy Independent School District
Board of Trustees Election Recount as reported by the Recount Committee and declares the winner
of position one as George Scott with 1,479 votes. Any discussion? Hearing none, we'll proceed to vote.
All those in favor raise your right hand and say aye. Aye. Those opposed? Motion passes 7-0.
That moves us to 4.3, consider board certification the May 7th, 2016, Katy Independent School
District Board of Trustees election for position number one.
Ms. Dole?
Ms. Dole?
I move that the Board of Trustees certifies the May 7th, 2016, Katy Independent School
District Board of Trustees election for position one, whereby George Scott was duly elected.
Second.
I have a motion by Courtney Dole, second by Ashley Vann, that the Board of Trustees certifies
the May 7th 2016 Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees election for
position one whereas George Scott was duly elected congratulations mr. Scott
any discussion hearing then we'll proceed to vote all those in favor raise
your right hand and say aye aye those opposed motion passes 7 to 0 now that
moves us to the oath of office I think we're gonna have a special guest today
Mr. Scott if you'll come up. Judge Kenneth Cannata will administer the oath
of office to newly elected board member George Scott.
Please raise your right hand and repeat after me.
I, George Scott.
I, George Scott.
Do solemnly swear.
Do solemnly swear.
That I will faithfully execute the duties.
That I will faithfully execute the duties.
Of the Office of School Board Trustee.
Of the Office of School Board Trustee.
For the Katy Independent School District.
For the Katy Independent School District.
Of the State of Texas.
Of the State of Texas.
and will to the best of my ability
preserve, protect, and defend
the Constitution and laws of the United States
and of this state
so help me God.
Congratulations.
You can chime in outside right there.
I'll go.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
All right, this moves us to Section 6, considering elect officers for the 2016-2017 Board of
Trustees Office of the President.
Nominations are open for the position of President.
Mr. President.
Mr. Dubrow.
I like to nominate Rebecca Fox for the office of president
Nomination was made by Henry de brel to elect Rebecca Fox as president. Are there any other nominations?
The chair will entertain a motion to close nominations
Are you
Gonna get the full motion read
It's on the bottom of page four.
Very last line.
Okay.
Mr. President, I move that the Board close nominations for the Office of the President.
A motion to close nominations was made by Henry DeBrell, second by Courtney Dahl.
Those in favor raise your right hand and say aye those opposed say nay the nominations are oops. I'm sorry all those raise
Right and say aye aye
those opposed
The nominations are closed by a seven to zero vote
Nominees shall vote in the order in which they were nominated a nomination was made by Henry deBrell
that the board elect Rebecca Fox
for the officer president of the Board of Trustees for the 2016-2017 school year.
All those in favor, raise your right hand and say aye.
Those opposed, nay.
Motion.
Our nomination is approved by a 6-1 vote.
Nominations are open for the position of Vice President.
Vice President.
Mr. Griffin.
I nominate Ashley Vann for the position of Vice President.
A nomination was made by Charles Griffin to elect Ashley Vann as Vice President.
Are there any other nominations?
Having none, the Chair will entertain a motion to close nominations.
NOMINATIONS?
MS. DOYLE.
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD CLOSE NOMINATIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF
LAW.
SECOND.
I HAVE A MOTION BY COURTNEY DOYLE, A SECOND BY BRIAN
MUHALSKI TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS.
All those in favor of closing the nominations, raise your right hand and say aye.
Aye.
Motion passes 7-0.
A nomination was made by Charles Griffin to elect Ashley Vann for the Office of Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the 2016-17 school year.
All those in favor, raise your right hand and say aye.
Aye.
Aye.
Motion passes 7-0.
Congratulations Mrs. Van, Mrs. Vice President.
Nominations are open for the position of Secretary.
Mr. Michalski.
I nominate Courtney Doyle for the position of Secretary.
A nomination was made by Brian Michalski to elect Courtney Doyle as Secretary.
any other nominations yeah I'm sorry I'm an a president I move that the border
closed nominations for the office of secretary a motion to close nominations
was made by Charles Griffin seconded by Brian Mahalski all those in favor to
close nominations raise your right hand to say aye aye
I should pass a seven to zero Brian Mahalski nominated Courtney Doyle for
for the Office of Secretary. All those in favor, raise your right hand and say aye.
Aye. Congratulations, Secretary Doyle.
Have we voted that? I forgot to vote.
I did not vote. A nomination was made
by Brian Mahalsky to elect Courtney Doyle for the Office of Secretary.
All those in favor, raise your right hand and say aye.
All right, seven to zero. Congratulations. There's so many words on this page, just bear with me.
Nominations are open for the position of treasurer. Mr. President, I'm sorry, I'm going to quit calling
you Mr. President by the end of this term. Okay. Madam President. Mrs. Doyle. I nominate Brian
Mahalsky for the position of treasurer. A nomination was made by Courtney Doyle to elect
Brian Mahalski as treasurer. Any other nominations? The chair will entertain a
motion to close nominations. Can I make that motion?
Madam President, I move that the board close nominations for the Office of
Treasurer.
MS.
Thank you, Chair.
Motion to close nominations was made by Courtney Doyle, seconded by Brian
Michalski.
All those in favor of closing nominations, raise your right hand and say aye.
Okay.
Okay.
A nomination was made by Courtney Doyle to elect Brian Michalski as treasurer for the
2016-17 school year.
All those in favor of Mr. Michalski being treasurer, raise your right hand to say aye.
Aye.
Motion passes 7-0.
Nominations are open for the position of Sergeant-at-Arms.
Madam President.
Mr. Michalski.
I nominate Henry DeBrell for the position of Sergeant-at-Arms.
The nomination was made by Brian Michalski to elect Henry DeBrell as Sergeant-at-Arms.
Any other nominations?
Chair will entertain a motion to close nominations.
Mr. President, I only have to say that a few times.
I'm good.
I was called madam a few times during my term.
That's all right.
All right.
I move that the Board close nominations for the Office of Sergeant at Arms.
A motion to close nominations was made by Brian Mahalski, seconded by Ashley and Van.
All those in favor to close the nominations, raise your right hand and say aye.
Aye.
That's a 7-0 vote.
The nomination was made by Brian Mahalski to elect Henry DeBrell as Sergeant-at-Arms
for the Board of Trustees for the 2016-17 school year.
All those in favor of Mr. DeBrell as Sergeant-at-Arms, raise your right hand and say aye.
Aye.
Motion passes 7-0.
This concludes the election of officers.
Congratulations to everyone.
And at this time, we have a presentation for the Passport President.
Mrs. Nowak.
Is it just wing it?
Yes.
Okay.
Like where's the gavel?
We'll do that at a later time.
Okay.
Okay.
You didn't get a gavel?
Well, we cut the budget.
We cut the budget on gavels.
You know, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Griffin, see this?
This will always be here and you can touch it anytime you want.
Thank you very much for your service.
We appreciate your service as our Board President this year.
It is certainly, we understand that it's very time consuming and stressful and like, there's
There's no raise that comes with it and very little praise, but you deserve our gratitude
and we have that.
Anyone else?
Thank the Board President.
But thank you.
Let's, we can keep going.
Thank you.
And this time, thank you for Mr. Griffin.
Mr. Adams, would you join us here please?
We have a little something for you from us and I might need help, board members, so.
So 27 years, 27 years of volunteering.
The sign on the back wall, Be the Legacy, has your name written all over it.
You have been a vital part of the success of KDISD.
Do you remember how many students were here when you started on school board?
About 16,000.
16? One-sixth? And now we have 73, almost 74,000. You have served us with integrity and honor and you've mentored all of us and many other people.
Mrs. Crockett is in the audience, a former trustee, and you mentored her as well, and you have...
Wow, I'm finding that words are so inadequate
for the debt of gratitude that we owe you for
being here. And the foundation on which KDISD is built is
a tribute to you, and thank you.
The words are small and the meaning is big.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart and from all of us.
We owe you deeply.
Thank you.
Madam President.
Mr. Abril.
Mr. Adams, I know I've made several jokes over the past five years
about how you were elected after Noah landed the ark,
about the creation of dirt, and then you were elected to KDIC school board.
But I want you to know that those were made with the utmost respect for your service this community
You were a vital part in building
This community into what it is today
And that's not something that I or this entire or anyone in this room or even outside this room should take lightly
Lightly we are who we are today because of your service as you said there were 16,000 students
when you were first elected and we are one of the largest school districts and
most successful in the state of Texas and that's in large because of your
service I remember so many times and help me with this and if I cross a line
with those sessions though we talk about land purchases from time to time the
wisdom you had in being part of a group that bought land so far out and we're
able to build schools when we need them. The wisdom that you show with some of our policies
and some of the things is tremendous. So I thank you for your service. I thank you for
your mentorship and I believe that this whole community is indebted to your service. So
sad to see you go, but know that your service here has been part of the legacy of KDIs.
Thank you, Mr. Brown.
My turn.
So in the year you were elected, there were 16,000 students in KDIC.
I happened to be one of them.
I happened to be on the stage your very first graduation,
and I am very honored to be at Taylor Stage.
Thank you. There's no other person that I have served with in my many years of leadership
that is such a gentleman and is so far thinking. You were far thinking then and I've seen it
now and you've helped me figure this job out. Don't think you're done with it because I
I have your number.
But I'm going to say I wouldn't get emotional, but it's been a long, busy week.
So I appreciate you.
I honor you.
I value you.
And I will miss you.
Thank you, Ms. Vance.
Madam President.
First, I just want to say thank you for being a friend.
and I'd say coming from where we came from we did all right in fact share a
story my dad told me just a couple of weeks ago he was he serves on the board
and in my hometown he's a retired educator now and he was talking to a
Kirbyville trustee and they were talking about the two of us actually saying how
did two boys from Buna and Kirbyville end up on the KDSD Board of Trustees
but you've served it and you served it well for a very long time and thank you
for your service and i personally i just want to thank you for the advice you've given me over the
last four years specifically the year i was board president there were many times where i called you
because i valued your perspective and your experience and your wisdom and you always
gave good sound advice and i certainly appreciate that i wish you nothing but the best from here on
out thank you mr. Mahowski madam president mr. Adams thank you very much
you've given for my children an outstanding education thank you for
looking at the values that this community has you represent the
community thank you very much your leadership guidance awesome and thank
Thank you for being my friend.
Thank you.
Madam President.
Well, there's not much left to be said,
because everybody says,
I keep finding myself in that position, right?
I'm the last one that gets to talk.
So I have to come up with something fabulous.
What people, so I'm going to share
what people don't know about you, that we get to see.
And that is your gentle, quiet,
quiet, but ever so thoughtful and smart, just so smart, advice that you give and your knowledge
of this position and what you've done for this district.
And you sit back and you listen and then you share your wisdom and it's just invaluable.
And it has been these couple of years that I've gotten to know you better in this position
and I thank you for that because it shows me the type of leader I can only strive to be.
And so thank you for setting that example.
And I'm really envious to see who's getting you next
because you have lived your life as a servant,
and so somebody is fixing to be very blessed with your service and your wisdom
and everything that encompasses Joe Adams.
And so I'm kind of envious that they're getting you and I'm sure gonna miss you. You missed all
Mr.. Adams if I could just add a couple more things that I'm listening to my colleagues
We've worked together for 12 years and then before that as a PTA president
you know I used to come to board meetings and and
You know you were board president when Creech Elementary opened and you gave the speech there, and I was brand new and
and experience the same things that Mrs. Vann talks about.
Your family.
You know, when I look at your family and your sweet wife Donna serves alongside you,
you know, it's a package deal.
And watching your grandchildren and your children and the kinds of people they are becoming
and how much they love their pops says a lot about who you are
and how giving and caring you are and I also don't want to miss the opportunity
to say thank you from the state of Texas from school boards and school children
around the state you took on an added responsibility that required a lot of
your time and sacrifice things you had to give up with your family and with
your job to go and make make sure that the values of Katie were spoken into the
people making decisions for every school child in Texas and they saw your
leadership and gave you leadership positions there and we were always
grateful to have you being our representative from Katy and also making
a difference for all children based on the values that you have I'm grateful
for that as well we'd love to hear from you thank you mrs. Fox madam president
board members mr. Cannell I want to thank you tonight for the opportunity to
be able to speak to you. I'm going to miss serving you. I'm going to miss serving the
administrators on both sides. I'm going to miss serving our teachers. And I'm also going
to miss serving mostly our students. And to the patrons, as a board member of this great
district it has been a large part of my life for the past 27 years if you
possibly couldn't remember that it has been 27 years I dare say that if most of
you think back for 27 years some of you were still in school many live somewhere
somewhere else and you hadn't moved to Katy yet for the great school district that we
are.
And others may have been in Katy but attending a school board meeting just wasn't on their
radar screen.
Bonnie, there may be one or two more but you're a notable exception as having been here as
long as I have.
I want to thank this district for the privilege of serving KTISD and I wish
you well in the coming years thank you
come back to the center mrs. van if you'll bring him over to the center
though the pictures have this great Katie
Thank you.
Thank you.
you
when
I think yeah
Thank you.
There being no further business, this meeting is adjourned.
The time is 6.51.
Official documents
Motions and votes
Recorded actions
The motions and votes for this meeting have not been recorded here yet. Whether any were taken is not stated either way. The agenda and the recording above are the primary sources.