Board Notes: October 15, 2009
Article Date: October 15, 2009
McKenna McGaugh has overcome challenges and become a better person because of it. And last night Garland ISD Trustees recognized those achievements by presenting the fifth grader with their Evidence of Excellence Award.
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Born hearing impaired, McKenna was always embarrassed to wear her hearing aid, talk to others about her condition or the surgeries she had undergone to remove cancerous tumors. Then, in 2007, McKenna traveled to Florida’s Clearwater Marine Aquarium and met Winter – a bottlenose dolphin who has a disability of her own. Winter was caught in a crab trap and lost her tail. She was not expected to survive, but did, and Winter’s story inspired McKenna.
Before meeting Winter, McKenna would never wear her hearing aid. But after seeing the dolphin swim around its pool with assistance from a prosthetic tail, McKenna thought about her situation and came up with a pretty simple answer.
“She's not shy to show her stump, so why should I be shy to show my hearing aid,” she said.
McKenna has worn her hearing aid ever since.
Trustees also named Babetta Hemphill director of student services. She replaces Theresa Williams who last month was named director of special programs.
In other agenda items, consent and non-consent, Trustees:
- Received information on the Oct. 24 International Fine Arts Celebration
- Received completed 2008-09 Campus Improvement Plans
- Received information on the 2009-10 Campus Improvement Plans
- Recognized Garland's EcoLab for "Visions for Learning Grants"
- Reviewed calendar
- Approved through consent agenda:
- Minutes of Sept. 17 board meeting
- Budget transfers and admendments to the 2009-10 adopted budget
- Tax refunds
- New bids: electrical technology products; playground equipment; custodial supplies (warehouse); basketball uniforms and equipment (girls and boys); chiller and boiler repair services; irrigation supplies (warehouse); Hewlett Packard servers and cabinets; musical instruments, supplies and repairs
- Renewal bids: Special Events Center public relations, arketing and advertising services (second-year option); Cisco Systems equipment (fifth-year option); small roof repair services (second-year option); apparel (T-shirts, shirts and uniforms, second-year option); leased warehouse space (third-year option); two-way, hand held radios (third-year option); hazardous materials and related professional consulting services (second-year option); electrician services (second-year option)
- Increase in award: summer flooring (increase in award)
- Approved 2010-11 Choice of School calendar
Adminstrative Appointments
| Name | New Position | Previous Position |
|---|---|---|
| Babetta Hemphill | Director Student Services |
Program Administrator Student Services |