Article by Judy Griffin, Forney Messenger

Forney school trustees held a special meeting at 7:00 a. m. Tuesday, July 7. All trustees were present except Keith Bell and Becky Dobbs. The meeting was called to order by board president David Walker at 7:02 a. m. Trustee Greg Pharris gave the invocation. The group led the pledges to the U. S. and Texas flags.

Purpose of the special meeting was to authorize the issuance of two types of bonds. Steven Adams of Specialized Public Finance, Inc. was present to explain the purpose and the ratings of the bonds.

The first item on the agenda was to consider the adoption of an order authorizing the issuance of School Building Bonds, Series 2009. This is a current re-funding of the Series 2000 General Obligation Bonds for savings and restructuring. There was no discussion. Trustee John L. Taylor moved to approve adoption of the order authorizing the issuance of these bonds, with trustee Bruce Benedict seconding. All trustees present voted in favor.

The next item was to consider adoption of a order authoring the issuance of Re-funding Bonds, Series 2009, authorizing the execution of a bond purchase agreement and an escrow agreement, and approving an official statement. This is the issuance of approximately $3 million of new money bonds for technology, along with the re-funding. Pharris moved to adopt the order authorizing the issuance of these bonds, with a second by trustee Charles Treadway. All trustees present voted in favor.

Both of the bonds were negotiated for sale on Monday, July 6 with First Southwest Company (the underwriter).

Next, the school board held an executive session beginning at 7:15 a. m. to consider the employment of professional contract personnel. The executive session ended at 7:38 a. m.

After the board came back into open session, Treadway moved to employ all professional contract personnel as recommended. John L. Taylor seconded. All trustees present voted in favor.

Those employed were Kiala Albright, Lewis Elementary, teacher – first grade; Melanie Benjamin, Administration – Speech, Language Pathology Assistant; Amy Burden, Smith Elementary, teacher – Head Start; David Glasgow, Brown Middle School, teacher – reading/language arts; David Gonzalez, Blackburn Elementary, teacher – fifth grade math; Richard Harris, NFHS, teacher – health, science and technology; and Barbara Knight, Henderson Elementary – teacher, fifth grade.

There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:39 a. m. by unanimous “yes” vote.

On June 29, the trustees employed the following people: Jason Bellows, Blackburn Elementary, teacher – third grade; Ashley Clark, Henderson Elementary, teacher – fourth grade; Susan Conner, FHS, teacher – English; Kristie Crabtree, Claybon Elementary – Assistant Principal; Shafen Crawford, FHS teacher – social studies/assistant coach; Mary Farrow, Crosby Elementary, teacher – fifth grade; Brandi Freeman, Crosby Elementary, teacher, – special education; Gayla Gonzalez, FHS, teacher – special education; Robyn Grossnicklaus, Warren Middle School – Assistant Principal; Heather Jestis, FHS – diagnostician/speech supervisor; Tracy McLeran, Blackburn Elementary – Nurse; Kristen Morgan, Warren Middle School – diagnostician/intern; Angela Patterson, Brown Middle School, teacher – special education; Andrew Potter, Blackburn Elementary, teacher – sixth grade science and social studies teacher; Scott Rowe, Brown Middle School – Assistant Principal; and Bryan Sharkey, DAEP, teacher – math.

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This story and any accompanying photo(s) were originally published in the Forney Messenger and are Copyright © 2009, Forney Messenger, Inc. and have been used by permission. The Forney Messenger is the publisher of Kaufman County’s oldest newspaper and may be found online at www.ForneyMessengerInc.com