MFISD alters drug test plan
Richard Zowie/The Highlander
Alex Payson, left, accompanied by his wife Kathy, right, follows the procedure presented by Krystal Dunk, Marble Falls ISD superintendent administrative assistant, to be recorded as a member of MFISD Board of Trustees on Monday, July 17.
By Richard Zowie
The Highlander
A new trustee took his seat on the Marble Falls Independent School District (MFISD) Board of Trustees on Monday, July 17, while the trustees voted for a student drug-testing plan that will save the district almost $3,000.
A business office employee also received special recognition at the meeting.
Drug-testing program
The trustees approved using Southwest Consortium as Marble Falls ISD’s drug testing provider for both the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years. It was one of two companies that submitted bids.
SWC’s cost of $41,840 is almost $3,000 less than the current provider, Forward Edge, which would’ve cost $44,560.
Marble Falls ISD officials contacted officials at Lake Travis ISD and Dripping Springs ISD and (which were not on Southwest Consortium’s reference list) but still received “glowing references.”
“It’s a reduction of dollars,” said Jeff Gasaway, assistant superintendent of operations at Marble Falls ISD, “We’ll have more money to spend on drug testing and on options. They come with bilingual representatives that can work with some of our students, should there be a language barrier. This isn’t dissatisfaction with our company we use, it’s making a move that we feel is fiscally responsible as well as giving us an opportunity to look at a provider who says they’ll bring more resources into our district. Should this not work out, we have left things in place where we can transition back if we ever needed to.”
Hemond certified
The trustees recognized David Hemond, who works in the business office, for completing requirements to be a Registered Texas School Business Administrator.
Lisa LeMon, Marble Falls ISD director of business operations, said Hemond did coursework and put in years of training in each area of specialization.
On its website, the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) describes this certification as a voluntary program designed to educate those seeking excellence in their profession and also to recognize standards of professional competence.”
Payson sworn in
Krystal Dunk, Marble Falls ISD superintendent’s secretary, administered the oath of office to new school board member Alex Payson, who then took his seat on the board.
Payson, founder of Numinous Coffee, was appointed to replace Rick Edwards on the board.
