TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY

1701 North Congress Avc.* Auslin. Texas 7K701-14 l >4* 512/463-9734* FAX: 5 12/463-9838* hilp://www.tca.slate.U.us

Jim Nelson
alion

Memorandum

TO: THROUGH: FROM: DATE:

Jim Nels(

Ron McMichdel jffl Karen January 10, 2002

SUBJECT:

Buffalo ISD

In a letter dated December 22, 2001, the president of the Buffalo Independent School District Board of Trustees requested that a master be assigned to the district. This request followed local board action in which trustees voted 5-1 in support of the request for a master. In response to that letter and subsequent telephone conversations, staff members from our School Governance Unit conducted an on-site assessment on January 8-9, 2002. The assessment team verified the existence of school governance problems in Buffalo ISD. Specifically, the team found that board members are often split 4-3 on issues. The trustees told the assessment team that they brought in the superintendent to improve the budget and to "clean house." Particular district personnel seem to be at the core of current unrest in the district, and that unrest has filtered into the community. The board wants the master to advise them regarding specific personnel decisions. The learning environment is being affected because of this instability. Two, and possibly five, board members plan to resign from the board within a short period of time. Documentation in some detail is provided in the two memos and the letter attached. Based on the school district's request and the assessment team's findings, the team recommended that a master be assigned to Buffalo ISD. Ron Rowell agrees with the recommendation, and I support it also. Upon your approval, a letter will be prepared assigning a master to the school district.

Attachments

Preparing Children, Promoting Excellence

Memo
To: Karen Case, Associate Commissioner Quality, Compliance, and Accountability Reviews

From: Ron Rowell, Senior Director ty* School Governance, EEO, and Complaints Management Date: January 10, 2002 Re: Buffalo Independent School District

Brenda Rudd, Jo Frazier, and I have met and they informed me of their findings during their visit to Buffalo ISO on January 8-9, 2002. They were sent to the district to interview board members, the superintendent, other administrators and staff members, and community members, if necessary. The visit was not because of a signed complaint letter to the agency but because of a letter signed by the board president requesting the placement of a master in the district as the result a vote by the whole board at the last board meeting. The vote to request a master was 5-1 in support of this agenda item. The memo from Brenda outlines their findings during the visit. The team is recommending the placement of a master in Buffalo ISD and gives reasons for this recommendation. I would like to also add that during my telephone conversation with the superintendent and board president earlier this week, I was told not only were two board members going to resign regardless of what actions the agency might take but because of pressure the board members were receiving from the community there might be a total of five board members resign from the board within a short period of time. This could seriously jeopardize the total education environment in that community and negatively affect the students and staff in the district. Therefore, I support the recommendation of the investigative team and ask that you consider the placement of a master in Buffalo ISD.

Texas Education Agency

Memo
To: Ron Powell, Senior Director Complaints Management, School Governance, and EEQ From: Brenda Rudd WM Date: Re: 1/10/2002 Buffalo Independent School District

Jo Frazier and I made an assessment visit at Buffalo ISP on January 8-9,2O02. We interviewed 6 ofthe 7 board members, the superintendent, business manager, a parent, the athletic director and a middle school teacher. (I tried twice to contact the 7th, but met with no success. I will continue to try to talk with him. Two board members are determined to resign. In fact, one has tendered his resignation to the board president who is the other resigning member. These resignations should be on the January 21 agenda- The resigning members are part of a sometimes 4-3 split. I got the impression the board will appoint replacements. The board members agreed that they brought in the superintendent to improve the budget and "clean house/' They agree that the budget is now in the black, and technology is fantastic. The superintendent and at least most members agree that there is a need to "clean house." Certain personnel seem to be at the core ofthe current unrest which has filtered into the community. The board wants the master to advise them that those personnel decisions should be in other words, they want that protective umbrellaAlthough one might be inclined to let Buffelo take care of its own problems, instruction is being affected by the turmoil. More than one individual attested to this. Because the students are being affected, and because ofthe instability

on the boar4 that will be present at least through the May election, recommend that the board's request for a master be grantee).

Page 2

'

K6-y^ I' !/
708 Cedar Creek Road Buffalo, Texas 75831 322-3765

Buffalo IndependentSchool District

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December 22, 2001

Mr.jJim Nelson -Commissioner of Education i^ Te\s_Education Agency 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78701-1494 Mr. Nelson: Please accept this letter as a formal request for the Texas Education Agency to assign a "Master" to work with the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo Independent School District. At the request of our President, Ms. Leon has been in contact with both David Anderson and Sandy Lowe from your agency to seek assistance for our Board. At this time our Board is experiencing disagreement and conflict regarding goals for, and direction to, the Superintendent - as well as the roles and responsibilities of individual Trustees. The Board met in a special session held at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 22, 2001 and approved this resolution by a vote of 5 to 1 with one Member absent. This resolution hud been drafted with the advance assistance of our school district attorney Sara Leon. Sincerely yours,

Eddie Harcrow Board President

Every Child is Gifted, Every Child is a Gift!

TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY

1701 North Congress Ave.* Austin, Texas 78701-1494* 512/463-9734* FAX: 512/463-9838* http://www.tea.state.tx.us

Jim Nelson
Commissioner of Education

January 11, 2002

Members of the Board of Trustees Mr. Paul Vranish, Superintendent Buffalo Independent School District P. O. Drawer C Buffalo, Texas 75831-0703 Dear Members of the Board and Mr. Vranish: In a letter dated December 22, 2001, the president of the Buffalo Independent School District (ISD) Board of Trustees requested that a master be assigned to the district. This request followed local board action in which trustees voted 5-1 in support of the request for a master. (One trustee was absent for the vote.) In response to that letter and subsequent telephone conversations, staff members from the Texas Education Agency's School Governance Unit conducted an on-site assessment in the district on January 8-9, 2002. The assessment team verified the existence of school governance problems in Buffalo ISD. Disagreement and conflict among trustees along with a lack of understanding of the role and responsibilities of the board of trustees have created the problems. The team found that board members are often split 4-3 on issues. The current unrest in the district has filtered into the community, and the learning environment is being affected because of this instability. Based on the school district's request and the assessment team's findings, I am compelled to exercise my authority to intervene. Accordingly, I am assigning Dr. Bob Browning as Texas Education Agency master to oversee Buffalo ISD. Agency staff will be present at the next scheduled board meeting to introduce the master to the members of the board of trustees and the administrators. Dr. Browning's background includes his current position as professor of educational administration at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas; superintendent of schools in Waxahachie, Hallsville, and Elysian Fields ISDs; and other administrative posts. Additionally, Dr. Browning has served as a monitor/ master to other Texas schools. His expertise and experience in the area of school governance will greatly benefit Buffalo ISD.

Preparing Children, Promoting Excellence

Members of the Board of Trustees Mr. Paul Vranish, Superintendent Buffalo Independent School District Page 2

In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), Section 39.131(e), the role of the master will be reviewed every ninety days. The master's duties will include but not be limited to the following: Attending board meetings, including executive sessions, to ensure that the most critical actions of the board of trustees are given high priority and are addressed in a timely manner Planning and presenting training sessions for board members and district administrators Coordinating with Region VI Education Service Center to develop plans and strategies for improvement Ensuring that appropriate communications take place among the board of trustees, the administration, and the community Reporting on a monthly basis to the Department of Quality, Compliance, and Accountability Reviews regarding the district's activities and progress.

In accordance with the statutory provisions of TEC, Section 39.131(e), the master: May direct an action to be taken by the principal of a campus, the superintendent of the district, or the board of trustees of the district May approve or disapprove any action of the principal of a campus, the superintendent of the district, or the board of trustees of the district May not take any action concerning a district election, including ordering or canceling an election or altering the date of or the polling places for an election May not change the number of or method of selecting the board of trustees May not set a tax rate for the district May not adopt a budget for the district that provides for spending a different amount, exclusive of required debt service, from that previously adopted by the board of trustees.

Members of the Board of Trustees Mr. Paul Vranish, Superintendent Buffalo Independent School District PageS

The cost of the master's services will be paid by the district in accordance with TEC, Section 39.131(d). The fee shall be $50 per hour (not to exceed $400 per day) plus necessary travel expenses not to exceed the state per diem rate. Failure to make timely payments to the master may result in appropriate amounts being deducted from the district's Foundation School Program funds. The master will keep me apprised of conditions in the school district and the degree of cooperation shown by the board of trustees and the administration. I expect that the cooperation and the efforts of the board and the employees will result in favorable reports. Any questions regarding the assignment of Dr. Browning may be addressed to Dr. Karen Case, Associate Commissioner for Quality, Compliance, and Accountability Reviews, at {512} 463-8998. Sincerely,

/Jim Nelson Commissioner of Education

cc:

Bob Browning Master Thomas Poe, Executive Director Region VI Education Service Center Ron McMichael, Deputy Commissioner Finance and Accountability Karen Case, Associate Commissioner Quality, Compliance, and Accountability Reviews John Matysek, Senior Director Accountability Evaluations Ron Rowell, Senior Director School Governance, EEO, and Complaints Management David Anderson, General Counsel Legal Services

01/11/02

16:08 FAX 512 475 3665

TEA

iooi
***

***

TX REPORT

TRANSMISSION OK TX/RX NO CONNECTION TEL SUBADDRESS CONNECTION ID ST. TIME USAGE T PCS. SENT RESULT 3574 99033223091

01/11 16:07 01*15 4 OK

Texas Education Agency

Accountability and School Accreditation 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 7B701 (512)463-8998 (512) 475-3665-Fax

Fax
To: Fax:
Phone:

Mr. Paul Vranish 903-322-3091

From:

Karen Case

Phon* 512-463-8996 Date: Pages January 11,2002 4 including cover page H Please Reply Please Recycle

D Urgent

D For Review

Q Please Comment

Texas Education Agency

Accountability and School Accreditation 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78701 (512)463-8998 (512)475-3665-Fax

To: Fax: Phone:

Mr. Paul Vranish 903-322-3091

From:

Karen Case

Phone 512-463-8998 Date: January 11, 2002 4 including cover page

D Urgent

D For Review

D Please Comment

D Please Reply

D Please Recycle

TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY

1701 North Congress Ave.* Austin, Texas 78701-1494* 512/463-9734* FAX: 512/463-9838* http://www.tea.state.tx.us

Jim Nelson
Commissioner of Education

January 11, 2002

Members of the Board of Trustees Mr. Paul Vranish, Superintendent Buffalo Independent School District P. O. Drawer C Buffalo, Texas 75831-0703 Dear Members of the Board and Mr. Vranish: In a letter dated December 22, 2001, the president of the Buffalo Independent School District (ISD) Board of Trustees requested that a master be assigned to the district. This request followed local board action in which trustees voted 5-1 in support of the request for a master. (One trustee was absent for the vote.) In response to that letter and subsequent telephone conversations, staff members from the Texas Education Agency's School Governance Unit conducted an on-site assessment in the district on January 8-9, 2002. The assessment team verified the existence of school governance problems in Buffalo ISD. Disagreement and conflict among trustees along with a lack of understanding of the role and responsibilities of the board of trustees have created the problems. The team found that board members are often split 4-3 on issues. The current unrest in the district has filtered into the community, and the learning environment is being affected because of this instability. Based on the school district's request and the assessment team's findings, I am compelled to exercise my authority to intervene. Accordingly, I am assigning Dr. Bob Browning as Texas Education Agency master to oversee Buffalo ISD. Agency staff will be present at the next scheduled board meeting to introduce the master to the members of the board of trustees and the administrators. Dr. Browning's background includes his current position as professor of educational administration at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas; superintendent of schools in Waxahachie, Hallsville, and Elysian Fields ISDs; and other administrative posts. Additionally, Dr. Browning has served as a monitor/ master to other Texas schools. His expertise and experience in the area of school governance will greatly benefit Buffalo ISD.

Preparing Children, Promoting Excellence

Members of the Board of Trustees Mr. Paul Vranish, Superintendent Buffalo Independent School District Page 2

In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), Section 39.131 (e), the role of the master will be reviewed every ninety days. The master's duties will include but not be limited to the following: Attending board meetings, including executive sessions, to ensure that the most critical actions of the board of trustees are given high priority and are addressed in a timely manner Planning and presenting training sessions for board members and district administrators Coordinating with Region VI Education Service Center to develop plans and strategies for improvement Ensuring that appropriate communications take place among the board of trustees, the administration, and the community Reporting on a monthly basis to the Department of Quality, Compliance, and Accountability Reviews regarding the district's activities and progress.

In accordance with the statutory provisions of TEC, Section 39.131(e), the master: May direct an action to be taken by the principal of a campus, the superintendent of the district, or the board of trustees of the district May approve or disapprove any action of the principal of a campus, the superintendent of the district, or the board of trustees of the district May not take any action concerning a district election, including ordering or canceling an election or altering the date of or the polling places for an election May not change the number of or method of selecting the board of trustees May not set a tax rate for the district May not adopt a budget for the district that provides for spending a different amount, exclusive of required debt service, from that previously adopted by the board of trustees.

Members of the Board of Trustees Mr. Paul Vranish, Superintendent Buffalo Independent School District PageS

The cost of the master's services will be paid by the district in accordance with TEC, Section 39.131(d). The fee shall be $50 per hour (not to exceed $400 per day) plus necessary travel expenses not to exceed the state per diem rate. Failure to make timely payments to the master may result in appropriate amounts being deducted from the district's Foundation School Program funds. The master will keep me apprised of conditions in the school district and the degree of cooperation shown by the board of trustees and the administration. I expect that the cooperation and the efforts of the board and the employees will result in favorable reports. Any questions regarding the assignment of Dr. Browning may be addressed to Dr. Karen Case, Associate Commissioner for Quality, Compliance, and Accountability Reviews, at (512) 463-8998. Sincerely,

/Oim Nelson Commissioner of Education

cc:

Bob Browning Master Thomas Poe, Executive Director Region VI Education Service Center Ron McMichael, Deputy Commissioner Finance and Accountability Karen Case, Associate Commissioner Quality, Compliance, and Accountability Reviews John Matysek, Senior Director Accountability Evaluations Ron Rowell, Senior Director School Governance, EEO, and Complaints Management David Anderson, General Counsel Legal Services