August 26, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting
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A. Call to Order
Description:
The Board President or his/her designee will call the meeting to order.
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B. Roll Call
Description:
The Board President or his/her designee will call the roll of members.
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C. Pledge of Allegiance
Description:
The group will recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
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D. Public Hearing
Description:
The school is required by state laws and board policies CCG [Legal] and CE[Legal] to conduct a public hearing on the proposed budget. Any taxpayer of the District may be present and participate in the meeting.
Under board operating procedures the Board will decide at the beginning of the meeting whether or not the hearing will be to (1) gather input only or (2) dialog with the public. Unless the Board takes action to declare the meeting a dialog with the public, all hearings will be gather input only meetings. According to law, the public notice of the hearing must be published at least 10 days but no longer than 30 days before the date of the public meeting. The public notice of this hearing was published in the Bastrop County Advertiser on August 15, 2024, which is 11 days before the hearing. Notice of this hearing has also been posted on the District website. Mrs. Burns and Mr. Sanchez will make a short presentation of the 2024-2025 proposed budget. The public will be invited to participate in the presentation and the Board will hear all comments provided by the public.
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E. Public Communications
Description:
Citizens wishing to address the Board of Trustees have so indicated by listing their name on the Communications from the Public sign-in sheet located on the table at the entrance to the boardroom if the meeting is done in person, or at the link provided on the published board agenda if conducted remotely. Those signing have given a brief indication of the topics to be addressed.
Comments to the Board of Trustees under this provision will be limited to three minutes. The members of the Board of Trustees will listen to citizen presentations during this portion of a regularly scheduled meeting, but they will not comment or participate in a discussion of the topic. |
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F. Consent Agenda
Description:
Board members routinely approve items on the consent agenda as a group. These are routine agenda items. Board members have the option to ask questions regarding any of the items listed under "consent agenda".
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F.1. Minutes
Description:
State law requires that a record be kept in the form of official minutes on each meeting held by a governmental body and that these minutes be approved at the next regular meeting.
Attached are the minutes from the July 15, 2024 regular meeting and the August 12, 2024 special workshop.
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F.2. Financial Statements
Description:
Monthly reporting of financial position in relation to the budget. The Board is provided monthly financial statements.
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F.3. Investment Report
Description:
Meet legal reporting requirements for investments.
In order the meet legal reporting requirements for investments, the Board receives quarterly reports on District investments.
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F.4. State Aid Comparison - Budgeted vs. Earned
Description:
The Board has requested a monthly status report of earned state aid in relation to the budget.
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F.5. Earned vs. TEA Payments
Description:
The Board has requested a monthly status report of earned state aid in relation to the budget.
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F.6. Tax Collection Report
Description:
Attached is the Tax Assessor-Collector's Report.
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F.7. Budget Amendments
Description:
Budget Amendments allow for properly appropriated funds for the necessary expenditures of the District. Budget Amendments on the function level require Board approval.
The business office provides monthly monitoring and reporting to the Board of Trustees of potential areas that require amendment and the reasons they are necessary.
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G. Information Items
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G.1. Financial Report
Description:
The business manager, Sean Sanchez, will review the financial disbursements for the previous month with the Board of Trustees. No action is required.
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G.2. Superintendent's Report
Description:
The Superintendent will update the Board on important issues pertaining to the District.
August Superintendent Report
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G.3. SISD Curriculum Corner - STAAR Results
Description:
Dr. Logan, Assistant Superintendent, will present the Board with curriculum and program area highlights on a regular basis. The purpose of each presentation is to keep the Board informed of the academic progress within the district and on campuses.
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G.4. School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) Update
Description:
Dr. Logan, Assistant Superintendent, will facilitate a discussion of roles, responsibilities and guidelines for SHAC in the 2024-2025 school year.
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G.5. Safety and Security Update
Description:
Dr. Bethany Logan, Assistant Superintendent, will report to the Board on measures being taken in the district to address safety and security for students and staff.
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G.6. Tentative September Agenda Items
Description:
a. Financial Report
b. Superintendent’s Report c. Review and Approve District and Campus Improvement Plans and Performance Objectives d. Personnel |
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H. Closed Session
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H.1. Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071, consultation with attorney regarding the agreements with the contractor for the construction of the Junior High School
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I. Action Items
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I.1. Consider Approval of Sheriff's Sale Lots 6, 7 and 8, Block 3, Eagleston Addition, Smithville, TX
Description:
In 1923, a landowner conveyed title to another individual on Lots 6, 7 & 8, Block 3, Eagleston Addition, Smithville, Texas. Then in 1927, there was a Delinquent Tax Suit in Cause #1636, filed against the original owner for all three lots. Next, a Sheriff’s Deed conveying Lots 6, 7 & 8 out of the same individual to Smithville ISD was filed in V. 85, P. 13 in 1928. Apparently, there was a suit filed at some point because the landowner had paid the redemption premium and the taxes. However, the redemption certificate was lost and never recorded in Bastrop County (per the Deed in V. 1017 P. 523). Several other things happened, but no one ever got title policies along the way. So in 1999, a Deed (Vol. 1017, Pg. 523) for Lot 8 from Smithville ISD to the heirs of the individual whom the title was conveyed to is filed by Surety Land & Title and it cleans up Lot 8 ONLY. Nothing was ever done on Lots 6 & 7. BUT the heirs of that individual deeded Lot 6 in 2005 and Lot 7 in 2000 to another party. She is trying to sell Lot 6 and her home is on Lot 7 and she’s been paying taxes on both of those lots for several years. At some point after 1999, Smithville ISD taxes started being collected by the Bastrop County Tax Office. Joyce Schanahls at the Bastrop County Tax Office dug in their records and all 3 lots stayed on the tax rolls in the original landowner's name. So based on the old copies attached it is believed that she redeemed all 3 lots and all 3 should have been deeded back to her by Smithville ISD. To clear this up, there is a need for a Deed from Smithville I.S.D. to the current owner on Lots 6 and 7, Block 3, Eagleston Addition, Smithville, Texas. It will need the same type of wording as the Deed from Smithville ISD to the heirs in Vol. 1017, Pg. 523. The deed requested for signature is attached.
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I.2. Consider Adoption of the 2024-2025 District Tax Rate
Description:
The Board is required to set a tax rate within 60 days of receiving the certified tax roll but no later than September 30th. The Board is also required to conduct a public hearing on the budget and tax rate before setting the tax rate.
The tax rate necessary to fund the proposed 2024-2025 budget is $0.9425 per hundred. That includes an M&O rate of $0.7625 and an I&S rate of $0.18 representing a combined decreased rate of $0.0251 for M&O and I&S from the 2023-2024 budget year. The M&O rate is the maximum rate approved by voters in the tax ratification election held May 14, 2011. The I&S rate is a combined rate to pay for bonded indebtedness & additional debt. The tax rate must be set by passing a resolution from the Board. |
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I.3. Consider Adoption of the 2024-2025 District Budget
Description:
The Board is required to adopt an operational budget before the beginning of the fiscal year, which begins September 1st. Draft 1 and Draft 2 of the budget have been presented to the Board at previous meetings.
The Board is also required to conduct a public hearing on the budget before adopting the budget. The hearing was conducted at the beginning of this meeting.
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I.4. Approval of Expenditure in Excess of $50,000
Description:
The purpose of this agenda item is to authorize the purchase of 1 school bus after September 1, 2024.
The 2024-2025 budget currently has $175,000 budgeted for the purchase of one new school bus. The District would like to proceed with this purchase as budgeted and approved, after September 1st. |
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I.5. Consider Approval of Regulation Approving Self-Certification of Increased Micro-Purchase Threshold for FY 2024-2025
Description:
The Federal Office of Management and Budget issued revised Uniform Grant Guidance updates that allow school districts to increase their micro-purchase threshold, for federal expenditures, from $10,000 to $49,999 if the LEA is a low-risk auditee for its most recent federal audit. This item must be reviewed and approved on an annual basis. This increase will allow Smithville ISD to make annual purchases up to $49,999 without soliciting competitive price or rate quotations if the District considers the price to be reasonably based.
By increasing the micro-purchase threshold, Smithville ISD will be able to continue to work in a more efficient environment when reasonably priced items are obtained.
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I.6. Review and Possibly Approve Smithville ISD Strategic Plan 2023-2027
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I.7. Consider Approval of Required Trainings for School District Staff in Accordance with Senate Bill 1267
Description:
In accordance with the requirements of Senate Bill 1267, the Superintendent shall recommend the District’s professional development plan for all District employees. The Board shall annually review the professional development clearinghouse published by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and annually approve the District’s professional development plan. The District’s professional development plan must:
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I.8. Consider Appointment of Delegate to Represent Smithville ISD at the 2024 TASA/TASB Convention Delegate Assembly
Description:
The TASB Delegate Assembly is a crucial component of the Association’s governance structure. Each active member (school board) of the Association is entitled to have a delegate and an alternate attend the Assembly and cast our district’s vote on action items coming before the Assembly.
The TASA/TASB Convention this year is September 27-29, 2024 and will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. The 2024 Delegate Assembly will meet on Saturday, September 28th. Grant Gutierrez and Josh Magden were voted in as delegate and alternate at our regular meeting in May. However, both have commitments that restrict them from attending. Michael Hancock, Chelsa Vinklarek and Candi Parsons will be going to the convention and Mr. Hancock has graciously volunteered to act as delegate. Depending on the wishes of the Board, we need a formal vote by the Board of Trustees reflected in the minutes. |
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I.9. Personnel
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I.9.a. Resignations of Certified Personnel
Description:
There are no resignations to report.
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I.9.b. Employment of Certified Personnel
Description:
According to Board Policy DC [Local], the Superintendent has the authority to make recommendations to the Board regarding the selection of all personnel. During the summer months, the Board authorized the superintendent to approve hires and sign professional contracts. The superintendent updates the board monthly on those hires. The most recent employment is as follows:
Richard King - Teacher Degree - MS from the University of Scranton Certification - Special Education EC-12, Generalist EC-6, ESL Supplemental EC-12 Years of Experience - 14 years Campus - Smithville Junior High Mark Wolf - Teacher Degree - BS from St. Edward's University Certification - District of Innovation Years of Service - 1 Campus - Smithville Junior High Diego Salinas - Teacher Degree - BS from the University of Texas at Austin Certification - District of Innovation Years of Service - 0 years Campus - Smithville High School |
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J. Closed Session Disclaimer - During the course of the meeting, the Board of Trustees may conduct a closed meeting in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Subchapter D and E. Decisions may be made as a result of executive session.
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