June 26, 2007 - Preliminary District Budget for 2007-2008 Includes Salary Increases  
 
Superintendent Pat Forgione has advised Austin School Trustees that the Administration and Education Austin have reached a tentative agreement, pending Board approval, that would raise the salary for beginning teachers in 2007-2008 to $40,240 a year. Last year, the starting salary for beginning teachers was $38,190.

Salaries for teachers, librarians, counselors and other designated employees are proposed to include a District-funded increase of $1,310, plus an additional $390 generated from the recent Legislative session. The total increase of $1,700 for these employee represents a 3.9 percent increase over the previous year.  
 
The starting salary of $40,240 would include base pay of $39,790 a year, plus a $450 stipend for attending pre-service training, prior to the start of the school year.  
 
Under terms of an earlier agreement reached with Education Austin last year, all other District employees would receive a three percent pay increase for the 2007-2008 school year, pending Board approval.  
 
Trustees will consider these tentative agreements as deliberations on the Preliminary District Budget continue.  
 
"Both the Administration and Education Austin are very pleased with this tentative agreement, and look forward to the Board's endorsement.  
 
Following a Public Hearing held Monday evening, Trustees continued their discussion about the District's spending priorities for 2007-2008. The Preliminary District Budget that Dr. Forgione presented to Trustees totals $762.9 million in expenditures in 2007-2008, and would be financed through a combined tax rate of $1.1780 per $100 of assessed property value, including both school operations and repayment of bond debt.  
 
Dr. Forgione has stated that, "The most important element for student success is a highly qualified teacher, backed by first-rate professional development and instructional support, in every classroom." Therefore, Dr. Forgione said a major element of the Preliminary Budget is the compensation package for teachers and other employees. In addition to the proposed employee pay raises, the Preliminary Budget includes full District funding for all employees' health insurance coverage, and a pilot for implementation of a teacher and principal strategic compensation plan at nine campuses.  
 
Adoption of the final District Budget, and accompanying tax rate, is scheduled for August, following another Public Hearing by the Board of Trustees.  
 
Forgione Named Region XIII 'Superintendent of the Year'  
 
Board Vice President Vincent M. Torres announced that the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) has named Austin School Superintendent Pat Forgione as Superintendent of the Year for Region XIII, the Central Texas area representing 59 school districts in 16 counties.  
 
The next step in the process is for TASB to select five state finalists in August. The Texas Superintendent of the Year will be announced at the TASB convention on September 29.  
 
"On behalf of my colleagues on the Board, I extend our congratulations to Dr. Forgione on this first important step," Vice President Torres said. "We have always known that Austin ISD has an outstanding leader in Dr. Forgione. It's time now for all of Texas to get to know him as a premiere urban educator."  
 
Dr. Forgione has been Austin School Superintendent since August 1999.  
 
Apple At Work Bond Program  
 
Trustees awarded the following contracts for projects of the 2004 Apple At Work Bond Program:  
 
• Funding totaling $247,800, through Austin Energy, for installation of occupancy-controlled thermostats in 633 portable classroom buildings.  
 
• Ceda-Tex Services for $96,600 for improvements to playscapes and swing structures at Gullett and Reilly elementary schools; and Manley Contracting for $52,851 for similar work at Sanchez Elementary School.  
 
• CGE, Incorporated, for $57,900 for drainage improvements surrounding the running track at Pearce Middle School.  
 
• OK Crawford Roofing for $440,000 for roof repair and replacement at Bedichek Middle School.  
 
• Thermal Mechanical Contractors, Inc., for $80,457 for boiler replacement at Kocurek Elementary School.  
 
• Troy Bonnet Construction, Inc., for $1.4 million for renovations at Highland Park Elementary School, including roof and window replacements, exterior lighting, drainage improvements, heating and cooling system replacement, ceiling replacement in corridors, casework, and security upgrades.  
 
• Kencon Construction Managers Inc., for $1.4 million as the initial Guaranteed Maximum Price for construction work at Lanier High School. Projects include roof replacement, lighting upgrades, and technology wiring.  
 
• G. Creek Construction for $548,496 for purchase and installation of digital audio and video equipment in the Carruth Administration center Board Auditorium.  
 
• Co Com Cabling Systems, Inc., for $91,904 for installation of a closed-circuit television system at Bowie High School.  
 
Trustees also approved designs for additions and renovations at Bedichek Middle School. The major design elements include the expansion of the PE/Athletic dressing and locker rooms, office areas, and restrooms and showers. Additionally, construction of a band hall addition, and conversion of the existing band hall into an orchestra rehearsal hall, and office space for the music program. Other renovations include restrooms, roof repairs, security and lighting upgrades, corridor ceiling replacement, and library improvements.  
 
Recognitions  
 
Trustees recognized and congratulated these staff and students for the following accomplishments:  
 
• Principal Joel de la Garza and Metz Elementary School for being selected the 2006 National HOSTS (Helping One Student to Succeed) Mentoring & Intervention Best Practices Program.  
 
• McCallum High School Girls Swim team member Sierra Tothero who won second place in the UIL 4A State Swim Competition. Her coach is Andrew Baxa.  
 
• Bowie High School Girls Swim Team that won fifth place in the UIL 5A State Swim Competition. Individual awards were won by Jessica White who placed first in the 500-yard freestyle and ninth in the 200-yard freestyle; Allyson Sweeney who too third in the 100-yard freestyle and sixth in the 50-yard freestyle; Jessica Gardner who placed tenth in the 500-yard freestyle. These student athletes, joined by teammate Megan Runyan, placed seventh in the 400-yard relay and ninth in the 200-yard relay. They are coached by Aaron Vohl.  
 
• LBJ High School Girls and Boys Swim Teams which placed in the top five in the UIL 4A State Swim Competition. The Girls Team, consisting of Mariel Polter, Alicia Zhang, Lara Slesnick, and Kylie Ternes, took first place in the 200-yard medley relay. The Boys Team, composed of A.J. Ortega, Matthew Kennedt, Ryan Sittig, Nolan Slesnick, and Daniel Kempf, won second place in the 200-yard medley relay and third place in the 400-yard freestyle relay. In addition to team events, outstanding individual performances included: Alicia Zhang took second in 100-yard butterfly, while Lara Slesnick took fifth in the 500-yard freestyle. Ryan Sittig took second place in the 200-yard IM, and another second place in the 500-yard freestyle. Daniel Kempf earned third place in the 100-yard butterfly, and took another third place win for the 50-yard freestyle. Nolan Slesnick took third in the 500-yard freestyle and fifth in the 200-yard IM. Both teams are coached by Lee Willing.  
 
• Five AISD high schools had individuals recognized as being in the top five competitors in their respective weight classes at the 2007 State Wrestling Tournament. Megan Wade, a student at Akins High School, and Helen Timmons representing Lanier High School, both placed second in the Women's Division. Also in the Women's Division, Crockett High School wrestler, Megan Huerta placed fifth within her weight class. In the Men's Division, Bowie High School's Jordan Wehr placed second, while his teammate, Greg Gogonas, captured third place. Scott Burger, from Anderson High School, also took third place in his class, while Bobby Barney placed fourth. Also placing fourth in his weight class was Charles Bryant, representing Lanier High School. Akins' team is coached by Roy Tambunga, while Kevin Smith leads the Bowie Bulldog team, and Paul Muck guides the Anderson team. At Crockett, David Wimbush coaches the wrestlers, and Blake Bryant works the Lanier teams.  
 
Appointment  
 
Trustees appointed Reynaldo Garcia as the new principal of Webb Middle School. Mr. Garcia had been named interim principal on June 11.  
 
After a July Recess, the Next Regular Meeting of the Austin School District Board of Trustees is Scheduled for Monday, August 13.