LISD Academic Advocates

1. Call to Order and Pledge. The meeting was called to order at 7:15 pm at the Cedar Park High School library. At that time the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

2. Minutes and correspondence. The minutes were read from the February 23, 2005 meeting. Several minor spelling/grammar corrections were noted. Chris Kay moved to accept the minutes with the changes. Ray Cowperthwaite seconded the motion.

3. Treasurer's report. The beginning balance was $1519.20. There were 2 memberships for $10.00 and a donation of $5.00 for a total of $15.00 deposit. The ending balance was $1534.20.

4. Committee reports. The scholarship committee received applications from 4 students and 1 teacher.
The senior projects for Cedar Park and Leander need judges. There are four different days you can do this. You can judge from 1 to all 4 days. Call Pat Pewthers if you are interested.
Destination Imagination involves children from grades K-thru college levels. This is a great program to get children to think outside of the box. You can see the enthusiasm in the children's faces. There were 400 judges this year at the area competition.

5. Speakers. Dianna Pharr and Susan Bushart, parents in the Eanes ISD. Dianna and Susan met while working to obtain services for their special needs children. They began investigating district funding sources and expenditures for special needs and gifted and talented children and learned about getting this information through the Texas Public Information Act. As their expertise grew, other parents asked for help in tracking down expenditures related to athletics and other school activities. Ms. Pharr began the website Keep Eanes Informed to help people in the district become more aware of the actions and policies of the school board and the district administration. She regularly attends board meetings and provides information about them on the website. Both Ms Pharr and Ms Bushart have become passionate supporters of school district and government accountabilty through their experiences and encourage citizens to make good use of the available laws and regulations to learn more about how our elected officials do the public's business and to hold them accountable for their actions. Places to get information:
Keep Eanes Informed
Texas Attorney Generals Office - 2004 Public Information Act Booklet
Attorney General of Texas - Greg Abbott
Texas Attorney General Website
Freedom of Information Act- for Federal information
Texas Public Information Act- State information
Office of Civil Rights (Federal)


6. Announcements.
Next meeting is April 20, 2005. Speaker is to be announced.


7. The meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Hosier
Secretary