Tidehaven ISD
District Program and Facilities Advisory
Planning Committee Meeting/Board Workshop
January 6, 2009 

Summary of Meeting 

The meeting started at 7:00 p.m. with Dr. Suzanne Wesson welcoming the members, guest, and board members.  There were 16 members and 3 board members present. 

Dr. Wesson briefly reviewed the last meeting and gave an update on the events that have occurred since, including the advertising for Request for Qualifications for Architect.  Six companies replied to the advertisement.  Criteria for the qualifications was provided ahead of time.  On December 30, 2008, a committee met and narrowed the candidates to three.  These three candidates will make their presentation to the Board of Trustees on January 8, 2009 during a special board meeting.  The Board will rank the candidates and present the top firm’s name to the District’s attorney, who will negotiate a contract for services.  At the Regular Board Meeting, January 12, 2009, the chosen architectural firm will be announced. 

Dr. Wesson then introduced Gerald Wendel, Public Relations Chairperson, and Scott Cheek, Political Action Committee Chairperson, to those members who were not present at the December meeting.  The members reviewed the purpose of each committee, including stating, again, that board members and school employees are allowed to provide only facts, once a bond election is called. 

Mr. Lewis Wilks, Financial Advisor, was rescheduled to make his presentation on January 20, 2009 at the next Facilities Meeting. 

The members used the rest of the meeting time to discuss questions they feel will be asked by community members throughout this process.  The need to hold meetings with various organizations, such as Parent/Teacher Clubs/Organizations, was discussed and the members think this a vital step towards providing a better understanding of our current programs and facilities and the decision to pursue a bond election.  The members discussed how to answer questions from the perspective of an employee or board member, who can only provide facts and then from the perspective of a committee member who does not fall under these categories.  Members who are not school employees or board members are allowed to provide opinions and facts. 

The committee members decided to have their next meeting on January 20, 2009 in the High School LRC.  The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.