January 23, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  It has been found and determined that in accordance with the policies and orders of the Board, the notice of this meeting was posted publicly at the Administration Building in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Section 551.001 et. seq., and that all of the terms of said article have been fully complied with and that the 72-hour notice required has been properly and correctly given.

Description:  At this time, the Board will listen to comments from the public and others regarding both agenda action items and items that are not on the agenda. No action may be taken on non-agenda items. Public participation is limited to the designated open forum portion of a regular meeting. Any person wishing to address the Board concerning an item on the agenda for an open meeting must register with the Board secretary by email at egilpin@hfhorns.net no later than 10:00 a.m. the day of the Board meeting.  Any person wishing to address the Board concerning an item not on the Agenda can register with the Board Secretary at any time prior to the Board meeting.  Speakers will not be permitted to criticize HFISD employees, whether addressing the Board on an Agenda item or a subject not on the posted Agenda.

Description:  By Texas Education Agency statute, it is a State requirement that all school districts be audited by an independent firm on an annual basis. This audit is rigidly and strictly controlled through auditing procedures standard to all Texas school districts, with every effort made to present a thorough, non-biased and non-aligned picture of the annual operation of the district.

The audit for the year ending 08/31/2022 was performed by Gary Davis of the firm West, Davis & Company. The audit report will be presented at this time.

Description:  As a result of the ongoing bond projects, the board will continue to receive monthly updates and information throughout the life of the projects to their completion.
The administration, architects, and/or the CMaR will discuss general items and answer questions for the board.  In addition, specific items will be discussed relating, but not limited to, the construction progress to date, and approving potential change orders.  
 

Description:  Consider and, if appropriate, take action on the Level 3  grievance.  The grievance hearing will be conducted in closed (executive) session, in accordance with section §551,081(a)(2), Texas Gov't. Code.  Any action, decision or vote referable to this grievance will be taken in open session.

The Board of Trustees may elect to consult with its attorney in closed (executive) session, both before and/or after the grievance hearing, regarding the legal aspects of grievance, as permitted by section §551.071(2) Texas Gov't. Code.

Description:  House Bill 3 brought about sweeping changes in education in the state of Texas.  Board goals are one aspect of these changes.  Therefore, the Texas Education Agency was tasked with developing rules and guidelines for new board goals.  So each evaluation year, the board adopts new goals.
Each school board in the state is required to adopt three goals: one early childhood literacy goal; one early childhood math goal; together the two goals are referred to as EC-LM; and the third goal is a college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) goal.  The administration will present the proposed goals for the next evaluation year.

Description:  The TAPR (Texas Academic Performance Report) provides information of students in each school district in Texas. The reports also provide extensive information on school and district staff, programs, and student demographics. 

Description:  In keeping with the state’s 60x30 TX goal, the School Finance Commission recommended establishing a preK through 12th grade goal of at least 60 percent proficiency at TEA’s "Meets" standard for 3rd grade reading and math and 60 percent of high school seniors graduating either college or career ready. School boards must review the progress of each plan at least annually at a public meeting by doing the following:
•    Receive annual/interim updates that contain the board outcome goal     and progress measure being monitored along with 5 year deadline     targets. 
 

Description:  At its April 25, 2022 board meeting, the HFISD board of trustees voted to terminate its food service contract with Aramark.  Over the past years of the service agreement, the district has operated food service at a significant loss with Aramark.  Therefore, the board authorized the superintendent to bring food service back into district operations. The district entered into an inter-local agreement with Hardin-Jefferson ISD to share certain operational components—mainly directorial services—to manage both districts.
The administration will present the food service projected revenue through December 2022 and share projections for the remainder of the year.
 

Description:  In 1998 HFISD began discussions to enter into an agreement with the Hamshire Community Water Supply Corporation (HCWSC) for the construction and operation of a wastewater treatment plant.  On March 7, 2003 the HCWSC and the district finalized the 15-year lease agreement and sale of one of three cells in the plant to HCWSC.  The agreement was amended on June 22, 2009 to include a one-year payment from the district to HCWSC in the amount of $1,200 a month totaling $12,000.  On July 30, 2015, the West Jefferson Municipal Water District (WJMWD) became the new owner of HCWSC and permit holder of the wastewater treatment plant.
In 2018, the district began new negotiations with WJMWD on the waste water permit and facility ownership.  The two entities did not finalize and execute a contract in 2018, but continued operations under the 2009 agreement.  WJMWD would like the board to reconsider entering into the 2018 contract agreement.

Description:  District administration has been approached by a representative from Apex Pipeline to explore the possibility of a property easement agreement.
The district administration would investigate the possibility and requirements of an easement agreement, and possibly allow third party surveys to determine easement feasibility.
 

Description:  Each year the state reviews and considers changes to the travel and mileage rates.  Periodically, the state of Texas increases its rates. 
Discussion of the district’s travel and mileage rates.

2019 State Rates           Adopted and Prior HFISD Rates in 2019
Travel: $51/Day             $40/Day ($30 Prior in 2019 before adoption)
Mileage: $0.54.5/Mile      $0.52/Mile ($0.50/Mile Prior in 2019 before adoption)
Current State Rates
Travel:        $72/Day
Mileage:    $62.5/Mile    

Description:  The Board of Trustees have been supplied with detailed background information regarding each item of business on the "Consent Agenda" if one is so indicated or it has been discussed at a previous meeting of the Board. All items will be acted upon by one vote without being discussed separately.  If requested by a Board member, individual items may be removed from the"Consent Agenda" to be discussed and voted upon separately.  All items are as recommended by the Superintendent.

Description: 

In conjunction with Hamshire-Fannett ISD Board policy, it is a requirement that the minutes of the previous Board meeting(s) be approved by the Board at a subsequent Board Meeting.
A copy of the minutes is included in each Board member’s agenda packet for perusal and awaits Board action.

Description:   It is a customary and accepted Board procedure as a standard order of business at regular Board meetings for the Board to take action in relation to the approval of expenditures for the elapsed period since the last Board meeting.

Pertinent information relating to the financial condition of the District and the resolution of district indebtedness is provided for Board perusal and utilization.

Description: 

It is a requirement of TEA accounting procedures that the annual budget be amended as necessary throughout the budget year.
The Board has been provided with the necessary documents for the budget amendment for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

Description:  Attached is a draft of the policy that will need to be updated based on the district's responses to the survey emailed to the district in early October.

Description:  Update 120 includes revisions to legal policies based on updates to the Texas AdministrativeCode. Recommended changes to local policies address the following topics:

•  Emergency plans
•  Student and parent complaints/grievances
•  Student discipline

For select districts, Update 120 may also include one or more local policies addressing the following topics:

•  Board elections
• State and federal revenue sources
•  Health and life insurance
•  Employment
•  School day

CB(LOCAL): STATE AND FEDERAL REVENUE SOURCES
CKC(LOCAL): SAFETY PROGRAM/RISK MANAGEMENT - EMERGENCY PLANS
FNG(LOCAL): STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES - STUDENT AND PARENT COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES
FO(LOCAL): STUDENT DISCIPLINE
 

Description:  The Texas Education Code §12.1101 requires charter requestees to submit to each school district’s President of the Board its application for charter. The Board President and Board determines the charter’s impact and responds appropriately to the Texas Education Agency its findings by way of the application process.

Description: 

All investments made by the District shall comply with the Public Funds Investment Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 2256, Subchapter A) and all federal, state, and local statutes, rules or regulations.
Not less than quarterly, the investment office shall prepare and submit to the Board a written report of investment activities for all funds covered by the Public Funds Investment Act. This report shall be presented to the Board within a reasonable time after the end of the period.

Description:  The district currently has one or more vacant positons.  Interviews are currently being conducted, and the Superintendent will bring recommendations for the position(s) to this Board meeting, if feasible.

Any action, decision or final vote with regard to any matter considered in such closed session, shall be made in open session.

Description: 

The District currently has one or more vacant positions.
Interviews are currently being conducted, and the Superintendent will bring recommendations for the position(s) to this Board meeting, if feasible.

Description:  It is possible that one or more resignations could be in the process of being submitted to the Superintendent.
If received, the Superintendent will present letters of resignation for board information.