Tidehaven ISD
District Program and Facilities Advisory
Planning Committee Meeting/Board Workshop
February 3, 2009

Summary of Meeting 

The meeting started at 6:45 p.m. with Dr. Suzanne Wesson welcoming the members, guests, and board members.  There were 15 members, 1 board member and 1 guests present. 

Dr. Wesson updated the committee on events that have taken place and upcoming dates the committee needs to be aware of.  At the last board meeting, Vinson and Elkins was chosen to provide bond counsel services.  On January 25^th, Dr. Wesson, Tommy Boyett and Steven Kaspar visited the TASA MidWinter Conference exhibit hall.  While there, they were able to speak to many organizations and companies about their services and supplies.  The group concentrated on architectural information and building and construction supplies.  On February 10th, Albert Soto, architect, will begin his assessment of the needs involved in the renovation of the current high school.  Mr. Soto will make some preliminary suggestions to the committee on February 17^th.   

Debra Taska presented the committee with a preliminary fact sheet and opened the forum up to discussion of what we could improve or add to her data.  The committee spent time discussing what to include, keeping in mind that only the facts can be presented.  Several suggestions were made and a number of concerns were raised.  Ms. Taska made note of these and will provide more information at the next meeting. 

Dr. Wesson informed the committee that she had received information from the Matagorda County Tax Assessor that Equistar has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will not be paying their school taxes for the current year.  This will be a loss of approximately $500,000 for the district.  Dr. Wesson discussed that this will mean the district will be looking at ways to offset this amount, including assistance from the state with this issue. 

The committee will meet again on February 17, 2009 in the High School LRC.