Gainesville — Bond management decisions resulting in interest cost savings of $2 million were among several agenda items discussed during the Gainesville Independent School District (GISD) Board meeting Monday.

The Board of Trustees took action to authorize the administration to refund certain outstanding bonds to lower the interest rates and to provide for interest cost savings, a news release from GISD superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Brasher stated.

The release stated that an authorization by the school board is the first of several potential refunding opportunities the school district will consider in its bond management program.

The authorized refunding may take place over the next six months depending on market conditions and is expected to save taxpayers of the district approximately $2 million in interest cost on a portion of the district’s outstanding bonds, the release continued.

In other business, John Kabongo, mathematics teacher at Gainesville High School (GHS) was named teacher of the month for the GISD.

In his introduction of Kabongo to the board GHS principal David Glancy had praise for the educator.

 “He is one of the best teachers I have ever seen,” Glancy said.

Courtney Stevens, principal at Lee Intermediate, recognized the following students, parents, and teachers for their recent participation in Destination Imagination — an organization which teaches creativity, teamwork and problem solving to students across the U.S. and in more than 30 countries.

Student participants were Jade Connor-fifth grade, Jasper Connor-fourth grade, Isaac Jarrell-fifth grade, Matthew Jarrell-fourth grade, Colby Brasher-fourth grade, T.J. Blankenship-fifth grade and Caleb Neal-fifth grade.

The students competed in the recent “In the Zone” challenge and finished eighth out of 16 teams in their first effort in this program.

Enrollment for the district was reported at 2,787 with district attendance at 94.85 per cent.

Additional agenda items included:

•  Board approval of early voting and election judges.

•  Joint agreement for shared polling on Election Day May 11

• Approval of voting machine rental service agreement between GISD and Cooke County

• Extending the depository contract for funds of GISD to First State Bank.

• Approval of the GISD District calendar for 2013-2014 using previous calendar year as basis for time lines.

• Approval of the purchase of an F-150 Ford truck for GISD police from Glenn Polk Auto at a cost of $25,541.98 plus inspection.

Following an executive session, the board approved teacher and administrator contracts subject to assignment.

Lee Intermediate staff to remain on a probationary contract for 2013-2014 school year are: Claudia Ayala, BJ Banks, Kacie Garcia, Christa Hawk, Andrea Jones and Jena Twiner

Lee staff to move to term contract based on evaluation and prior year experience are: Lindsay Dodson, Chelsea Muse, Keli Royal, Jacquelyn Smith, Melissa Thomas and Karen Wiley.

Lee staff to continue on a term contract for the 2013-2014 school year are: John Martin, Amy Allen, Kelli Bond, Connie Gammons, Dee Dee Godi, Lori Hart, Tracy Henry, Jean Hines, Janet Jay, Joanie Jones, Cynthia Martin, Tamy McGehee, Wayne Molesbee, Tiffany Nichols, Russell Otto, Donna Patterson, Lori Prestage, Nancy Rodgers, Traci Skinner, Johanna Smith and Ashley Webb.

Chalmers Elementary contract recommendations on probationary basis are: Nancy Castorena, Britni Dulock, Laura Gibbs and Sara Mulkern.

Chalmers staff recommended to continue on a term contract for 2013-2014 based on evaluation and prior years experience are: Glenn Fry, Janine Aston, Patricia Baucum Carey Bean, Julianna Blaskovich, Sharlene Bryan, Kathy Burkhart, Tonnie Brown, Juanita Cabral, Nancy  Davidson, Lauren Denison, Dana Dudenhoeffer, Frances Gilbreath, Lindsay Graham, Bethany Harvick, Mayme Haverkamp, Sheri Hinds, Robin Hobbs, Julie Holder, Sherry King, Sheri Kohl, Carla Lawson, Larue Lybbert, Leslie Mitchell, Susie Otto, Krystle Sikes, Michelle Spaeth, Kelly Stogner, Joyce Waltersheid, Donna Wells and Taryn Winters.

Thomas A. Edison Elementary professional personnel to remain on a probationary contract are: Kendra Cheek, Kaly Knight, Kathleen Pyle and Katie Skeans.

Edison staff to be moved to a term contract based on evaluation and prior year experience is Linda Cox.

Edison staff to continue on a term contract for 2013-2014 are: Vance Wells, Karen Bartlett, Diane Baugh, Laura Becker, Donna Bills, Jamie Blumberg, Andrea Byars, Maria Buenos-Aires, Lisa Dieter, Kim Fleming, Jennie Ford, Melinda Fuhrmann, Stacie Hall, Crystal Harvick, Jodie Henderson, Ashley Hines, Tami Hudspeth, Janet Johnson, Jill Linnell, Peggy Marish, Nora Moreno, Teri Neale, Jamie Pulte, Teresa Rodriquez, Bonnie Rucker, Donna Sikes, Jana Stoffels, Keri Tidwell, Gina Thomason, Mary Turbevile and Tina Walbridge.

Head Start staff recommended to continue on term contract for 2013-2014 are: Terry Brawner, Serena Evins, Lorrie Kitchens and Teria Markezinis.

Special Ed contract renewals for one year term contracts for the 2013-2014 school year are: Valerie Alkhafaji, Marla Bentley, Karri Bindel, Chelsie Clark, Jackie Mitchell, Michele Mlinar, Maureen Russell, Kathleen Schroeder and Nell Schoonover,

Recommendation to move to a term contract for 2013-2014 school year in Special Ed is Cynthia Edinger.

Leopard Pride Achievement Center staff recommended to continue on term contract are: Tonya Blackburn, Debra Cooney and Mary Shamburger.