Navasota approves raises, move forward with bond designs
Navasota ISD board of trustees continue to compensate staff with higher pay rates and substitute teachers, substitute cafeteria staff and bus driver are the latest to reap the benefits at a special meeting Tuesday, Aug. 6.
The board approved an increase for substitute teachers with a high school diploma or GED from $60 a day to $80. College graduates substitute pay increases from $65 to $90 a day. Certified teachers receive a daily pay increase from $70 to $100.
Certified long-term subs beyond 10 consecutive days of employment will spike from $100 a day to $130.
Cafeteria substitutes see a pay increase from $55 to $75 a day.
The board also reached an agreement with Gold Star Transit that will increase bus driver pay to $17 an hour.
“As a recruiter for Gold Star Transit the increase in starting pay to $17 an hour for bus drivers is heavenly,” said Diane Layne.
Navasota is also moving forward with the next steps in the bond process approving designs for several new projects. Once designs are approved the next step is to approve the price of the projects.
Some of the designs approved include the rock gym located at Brule Elementary. The plan is to renovate the gym completely including renovating the existing floor. There will also be a new concession area built and a locker room and office for Navasota soccer. Renovations will be completed as close to its original design as possible embracing the history of the building.
The metal gym at Brule will see some renovations as well including a fitness room, renovated bathrooms to become ADA accessible and a visitor’s locker room for soccer.
Brosig Auditorium is also expected to receive much needed attention. Some of the renovations include making the building ADA compliant including wheelchair lifts to access the second floor and the stage.
The second floor will be renovated to include a dressing room, and a sound and lighting booth. The stage will also be extended with new lighting and sound throughout.
An extension to the north side of the auditorium will include dressing rooms with renovated restrooms and a loading dock.
The restrooms in the front entrance will also have a makeover including more fixtures including toilets and urinals.
Plans were also discussed for the new agriculture livestock barn but were awaiting input from the ag department before proceeding.
Navasota ISD superintendent Dr. Stu Musick also brought forward the discussion of renovating athletic facilities.
Musick stated that athletic facilities weren’t included in the bond that passed in 2017 and no money from the bond has been used for athletic upgrades.
“Our thinking at the time is that we just passed the bond and needed to complete bond projects first before we could address issues such as turf on the football field, a new video board and so forth,” explained Musick. “We didn’t want to be accused of using bond money for athletic facility repairs or upgrades. We want to be transparent throughout the process.”
He discussed that there are immediate needs, future needs and things the athletic department would like to have. Musick explained taking care of athletic facilities is part of having a school.
Some of the immediate needs include repairing the elevator at Rattl er Stadium, new turf on the football field and having the track resurfaced. One of the main necessities according to Musick is rebuilding tennis courts. The tennis courts were demolished over the summer to make room for bond projects.
Since the tennis courts were demolished for the bond project, school board member Paul Malek suggested new tennis courts be included in the bond.
“We have the money in the bond that will cover the construction of new tennis courts and not blow our budget so we should shift that cost to the bond,” said Malek.
Improving athletic facilities will have the school set as for as facilities go for several years said Musick.
The board didn’t take any action but asked Mu-sick to go ahead with getting numbers together and having them presented at a future meeting.
Navasota will host a “Rattle Session” at the Progressive Center, 615 West Virginia Street in Navasota Monday, Aug. 19, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend and join in on various discussions including bond project updates, dual credit and dual enrollment collegiate high school opportunities.