LISD Academic Advocates

1. Call to Order and Pledge. The meeting was called to order at 7:12 P.M. At that time the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

2. Minutes. The minutes were read from the January 30, 2006 meeting. Chris Cavalli moved to accept the minutes. Ray Cowperthwaite seconded the motion.

3. Treasurer's report. The beginning balance as of November 28, 2005 was $2259.32. There was income of 2 memberships for $10.00 and one expense for a scholarship of $250.00 for Josh York. The ending balance as February 27, 2006 was $2019.32.

4. Committee reports. No applications have been received as of February 27, 2006.
April 24, 2006 will be our last meeting for the school year. The scholarships will be presented at that time.

5. Speakers. Tony Dale and Martin Thomen spoke to us as candidates for the State Board of Education District 10. Both discussed the responsibilities of the position: approving state curriculum standards and determining textbook adherence to the standards as well as approving state testing standards. A major responsibility is management of the $22 billion permanent school fund which pays for approved textbooks. Additional Republican candidate,Cynthia Dunbar of Richmond (near Houston), was invited, but did not attend.
Tony Dale is a Republican. He lives in Avery Ranch and has a daughter in Kindergarten. He is a former Army officer. He served an appointed position on the state's Textbook Review Panel in 2004. Mr. Dale would focus on better management of the textbook fund.
Martin Thomen is running on the Libertarian ticket. He graduated from UT two years ago with a major in Middle East Studies. He has taught English in the Middle East. He has also been an intern at the US embassy in Turkey. Mr. Thomen would like school finances to be handled at the local level.

6. Announcements. The next meeting will be March 27, 2006.

7. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Hosier
Secretary