During their monthly meeting last Monday, the Mineola School Board discussed two important subjects; revision of the district drug testing policy for UIL participants and upgrading the signs along the Loop. By the time the meeting had concluded the board had recommended changes to the revised drug testing policy and voted on the sign upgrades.

Following the opening invocation and introductions, Superintendent Kim Tunnell read a proclamation from the governor recognizing the efforts of school principals. All principals and assistant principals of Mineola schools were present for the proclamation with the exception of elementary school principal Jeni Massey.

The main issue that was discussed was making possible revisions to the drug-testing policy for students participating in extra-curricular activities. The board discussed the current policy and what changes could be made to it.

The current policy requires a student to be suspended from UIL activities for 30 days following a positive test. The student undergoes a second test following the suspension. A second offense carries a 60-day suspension and a third offense will result in a lifetime suspension barring the student from activities for the duration of their high school career. These tests are not required by the UIL.

Athletic Director Joe Drennon spoke to the board about the policy and possible revisions. He did not request immediate changes but suggested that revisions need to be made in the best interest of the students.

Drennon said suspensions were over-sweeping and did not take into account the different schedules of UIL activities. Drennon said what might be a four-game suspension to some may be a full to season to others. He also suggested a counseling program could help the student deal with the situation as well as help them with better decision-making in the future.

The board made the recommendation on changes to be added to the policy which included fairer ways of spelling out punishment and a new counseling program. There was no action taken on the current policy following the discussion but the policy will be revised and presented to the board during their November meeting, according to board member Dr. John Abbott.

Other discussion revolved around the replacement of the school district marquee sign on the corner of Patten Street and the Loop. There was no final decision, but the board did approve the placement of a new sign in front of the stadium to provide more visibility.

The new digital sign will cost approximately $42,000 and is intended to be almost two-thirds funded by sponsors being sought for the sign. There were three other options that included moving the sign from the corner which would cost approximately $19,000 for the monochrome display and $23,000 for a color display. The other option was a new sign with monochrome display for $34,000 to be located near the stadium. There was no vote on a contractor to complete the project.

Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations William Bjork presented information items as a well as distributed the 2016 Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) report of the 2014-2015 Mineola School District. The school district received a perfect score in the FIRST report and the 2015-2016 report is still under review.

Regarding the financial report, Bjork stated that the first payment to Ideal Impact, an energy consulting firm, had been made and the amendment added to the budget. The school district was also up $400,000 relative to the budget, according to Bjork. There was no tax collection for the previous month but collection will begin next month.

Tunnell added that enrollment had increased by five students and that attendance was at 96 percent. Although the attendance was more than 95 percent, Tunnell believes improvement can still be made in that area.

Beyond the major discussion of the evening, the board voted on five action items in the agenda. The FIRST report, which was reviewed earlier in the meeting, was approved along with the amendment to the budget regarding the payment to Ideal Impact. The school district’s emergency and campus improvement plan, both of which were influenced by the District of Innovation Plan, were also approved.

Claycomb Associates, an architect firm, was approved for a five-year contract for any possible structural improvements in the future. None are pending currently.

In other news:

The resignation of school nurse Tennette Iley Vann was accepted by the board. She has taken a job in private practice.

School board member Dr. Kyle Gully was absent from the meeting.

All action items on the agenda were approved unanimously.