By Larry Briscoe
Correspondent
Thirteen-year veteran school board member Scott Cornuaud announced his resignation Monday night after the regular monthly meeting of the Quinlan Independent School District School Board.
Cornuaud’s resignation is effective May 30.
He said he had seen a lot of improvements in the district and thanked QISD citizens for allowing him to serve in the position since May 2001.
Board President Kenny Stone closed the meeting and asked the board to remain, because Cornuaud wanted to make a statement.
“I am proud of QISD,” Cornuaud said. “And I know the school is in good hands with the current administration and the current board. The kids are always the focus, not personal or political agendas. Our teachers and staff are the best, and I have seen them do more, and give more, while the state cut our budget by millions of dollars.
“I expect, as a concerned citizen, as a parent and as a former board member, that the drug education and character building program currently in place in our district will continue and improve. This country’s war on drugs is a miserable failure. I am sick and tired of seeing good families destroyed by methamphetamine use. I know that regularly educating our kids about this terrible drug will impact our children’s future for years to come. For some of our kids, it may have the biggest impact in their lives, ever.”
“Thank you for everything you have done,” Stone said. “It is a fact you served well,” he said. “You were always here.”
He reviewed Cornuaud’s tenure on the board from the time he was approached for his opinion on Cornuaud’s possible appointment. Cornuaud was reelected each successive election since that time.
Stone credited Cornuaud for starting the drug prevention program at Quinlan ISD. “We appreciate that,” he said.
Supt. Dr. Debra Crosby said she had been in the district for several years and had seen the many things Cornuaud had done for the schools, “…and I appreciate you very much.”
Cornuaud had served as board vice president for several years.
Stone told The Quinlan-Tawakoni News the board would have the option of appointing someone to the position until the next election or leaving it vacant.
Election canvassed
Results of the school board election were canvassed that resulted in new terms for incumbents Eric A. Kleiber in Place 6 and Rusty Case in Place 7.
Incumbent Kleiber won with 109 votes over challenger Rodney S. Wolfe with 90.
Incumbent Case received 176 votes and was unchallenged for a new term.
The trustees were administered the oath of office by Administrative Assistant Kathy Goleman.
Board reorganized
After the board canvassed votes, the annual reorganization of the board followed.
Stone was again elected president. Case was elected to the position of vice president.
Kleiber was elected board secretary.
District advertising
Tiffony Upchurch, director of community school relations, received unanimous board approval to change its advertising policy and utilize marketing opportunities.
Assistant Supt. Chris Taylor said the district would be moving from a no-advertising policy to one that allowed advertising sales.
Upchurch said the effort was to sustain and grow programs and initiatives of the district and to offset state funding shortages.
She said advertising and marketing would be mutually beneficial for approved local businesses and community organizations and would help place dollars directly into the classroom. The plan could place advertising on scoreboards, outfield fences, school buses, print items and more.
Other business
• Business Office Manager Billie Miller gave the budget report showing the district had $1,212,497.22 in revenue for the month; $1,883,775.10 in expenses; and collections of taxes, penalties and interest of $182,389.08. Interest for the month was collected of $495 on investments of $9,430,741.
• The board approved local policy updates as presented by Assistant Supt. Taylor.
• Approval was given to the tax resale properties.
• The board reviewed the resignations of David Chaney, Jessica Brown, Pam Fite, Kristie Moore, Marsha Greathouse, Kelli Kempson, John Kempson, Stoney Patton and Brittney Lamberth.
• The board hired Susan Gonzales for an elementary teaching position at A.E. Butler Intermediate School. Gonzales earned a Bachelor of Science degree in interdisciplinary studies from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Alana Peters was approved for an elementary teaching position at A.E. Butler Intermediate School. Peters earned a Bachelor of Science degree in interdisciplinary studies at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Tina Westmoreland was hired as an elementary teacher at A.E. Butler Intermediate School. Westmoreland earned a Bachelor of Science degree in interdisciplinary studies at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
• All members of the board were present except Kevin Fritch.