The second phase of construction at the Fairfield high school agricultural science barn, which doubles the size of the facility, got the green light last week when Fairfield Independent School District trustees approved bids for the project.

School board members convened in a regular session during which they awarded bids for the ag barn and security cameras and authorized the reissuance of almost $5 million in construction bonds.

Bids for the ag barn were taken in two ways, as a turn key project and in parts.

The project duplicates the existing facility by adding another 60-foot by 80-foot barn.

Trustees determined that accepting the bid in parts was less expensive, awarding barn building to McLeod Construction of Fairfield for $31,411, concrete to McLeod for $13,950, dirt work to Fairfield Trucking for $7,800 and electrical to Mark Henderson Electric of Palestine for $14,207. Total cost is $67,368.

Turn key bids were submitted by: Long Industries, $74,430 plus dirt work; Mart Inc., $89,732; and Morey's Building and Repair, $68,000.

After conducting a public hearing to review results of the annual financial report card, Fairfield Independent School District trustees approved calling almost $5 million in construction bonds and reissuing them at a lower interest rate.

Result of calling and reissuing the bonds is a savings of $233,488 over the next five years.

The bonds to be called and reissued were originally issued in 2000 to mature over 15 years and bearing an interest rate of 5.8 percent.

Coastal Securities representative Lewis Wilks reports that bonds may be called after 10 years and that because interest rates have dropped the school district will save money with the transaction.

He also notes that a 2.2 percent bond interest rate was available last week.

"I'm going to get you the best we can get," Wilks says.

On a motion by Blake Robinson, seconded by Steve Schauwecker, the board voted to refinance the debt.

A public hearing was conducted before the regular board meeting on the 2007- 08 Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas which shows that FISD achieved a perfect score on the state mandated review.

The review targets 24 indicators, including items such as fund balances, net assets, tax collections rate, academic rating, expenditures, ration of students to staff, percent of expenditures for instruction and investment income.

Superintendent Katie Ryan points out there is some concern over investment income in the future because interest rates have declined.

"This one worries me because we all know our return on investment is not very good right now with interest rates low," the superintendent says. "We have no control over those interest rates."

FISD earns interest on tax revenue that is deposited in time accounts until needed to meet expenses throughout the year.

Trustees approved $38,000 to fund security surveillance equipment for installation at the senior high, junior high, elementary and Dogan campuses.

Vendor for the equipment is Central Texas Cash Register and Video.

A request for security cameras at the high school was made last spring by high school student body president John Horton.

Expenses of $4,234 were approved to replace a popup tackling dummy and "Power Blaster" football practice equipment stolen at the practice football fields on Oak Street earlier this fall.

Trustees nominated five individuals, Mike Fuller, Everette Hewett, Lovie Whyte, Teresa Vandiver and Lisa James to serve on the Freestone Central Appraisal District board of directors and one person, A.L. Atkeisson, to serve on the Navarro county appraisal board.

Appointed to serve on the FISD Health Advisory Council Committee are Carroll Cain, Raz Cook, Kim Crawford, Sheila Dove, Doris Driskill, Tracie Ezell, Nicole Ferrero, Bryan Gawryszewski, Lisa Gibbs, Kerry Hand, Dori Harkcom, Libby Harris, Sheila Johnson, Gwendolyn Jones- Brown, Jimmy Jowers, Debbie Jumper, Twila Lyles, Djuana Pierce, Haley Plemons, Judy Rask, Sheri Reed, Cheryl Roberts, Katie Ryan, Tracey Schlabra, Alicia Smith, Crystal Thill, Amanda Thompson, Kayla Turner, Von Wade and Barbara Welch.

Named to the FISD Textbook Committee are Pam Jowers, Emily Beaver, Elizabeth Partain, Reanna Green, Kristy Richmond, Karla Keaton, Donna Shaw and Libby Harris from the elementary school; Mary Awalt, Nancy Strebeck, Lisa Taylor, Gina Robinson, Kolinda Combs, Christine Manning, Kim Rachel, Andrea Hamilton, Debbie Piske and Bryan Gawryszewski from junior high; and Renae Worley, Donna Landers, Betty Gentry, Sally Whitaker, Bill Crawford, Theresa Matthews, Kathie Maciel, Debbie Piske and Von Wade from the senior high.

Other business conducted by trustees includes:

—Recognizing fifth grade student Vanessa Hidalgo for winning a $1,000 scholarship in a Luminant essay contest.

—Administering the oath of office to school resource officers Billy Barlow and Glenda Bass.

—Hearing campus improvement plans from school principals Von Wade, Bryan Gawryszewski and Libby Harris.

—Approving county extension agent Sarah Mote as an adjunct faculty member.