June 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM - Regular Meeting
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1. Call to Order
Description:
Call to Order Time: Invocation by: Board Members Present: Board Members Absent: Region 5 Personnel Present: Guests Present: |
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2. Region 5 Staff Presentation
Description:
Lisa Yoes will present information to the Board on LASO (Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities) as well as Bluebonnet Learning.
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3. Appoint Newton County Board Member (Position 2)
Description:
Consider appointment of Newton County Board Member, Connie Hughes, who has submitted her resume for appointment. Upon approval, she will complete the term of Jimmy Hicks, whose resignation was approved on February 26, 2025.
Motion by: Second by: Vote: |
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4. Oath of Office
Description:
The following newly elected/appointed board members will take the Oath of Office.
A Statement of Officer form will be completed and filed prior to taking the oath. |
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5. Election of Officers
Description:
In accordance with Policy DBA, "...the Board shall recognize and elect a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary."
Nominations for the Chair of the Board: Motion by: Second by: Vote: Nominations for Vice-Chair of the Board: Motion by: Second by: Vote: Nominations for Secretary of the Board: Motion by: Second by: Vote: |
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6. Discussion/Information Items
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6.A. Executive Director Report
Description:
Dr. Terrier will report on the Service Center and Districts within the Region.
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6.B. TASA/TASB Convention (txEDCON25)
Description:
Board members will be asked to provide their availability for attending the September 11-14, 2025, txEDCON25 Convention in Houston, Texas. Housing and registration opens at the end of July, which is prior to the next board meeting.
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6.C. TAESC Conference Update
Description:
The Texas Association of Education Service Centers Conference (TAESC) has been redesigned into a joint conference with the Quality, Leadership & Synergy Conference (QLSC). The first one will take place in 2026 in Houston. Region 5 is scheduled to take part in the planning of the 2030 conference, at which time it will be held in Galveston. More information will be shared once available.
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6.D. Food Service Cooperative Bid Items
Description:
Hiland Dairy Farms has been awarded the Milk and Dairy bid for Region 5 Food Service Cooperative for the 2025-26 school year. The new contract will begin July 1, 2025, and will remain in effect through June 30, 2026. All other Food Service Cooperative bids were rolled over and will remain the same for the 2025-26 school year.
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6.E. August Meeting - Joint Meeting with Superintendents
Description:
Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 10:00 a.m. is recommended for the next Board meeting to be held at Region 5 ESC. This meeting/public hearing will be held jointly with the TASA Superintendent Study Group.
The Board is required to meet periodically with superintendents, members of local school districts, and representatives of institutions of higher education. Immediately preceding the regular August 27 board meeting, board members will have a luncheon meeting with superintendents and any school board members they wish to invite, as well as any other guests. |
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6.F. Personnel Changes
Description:
Dr. Terrier will report on employment, retirements, and resignations of staff since the previous board meeting as shown on the attached report.
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7. Approval of Minutes
Description:
The Board is requested to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Motion by: Second by: Vote: |
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8. Financial Management
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8.A. Investment Portfolio Report
Description:
As required in Policy No. CBF the Executive Director will present a detailed report on the enclosed investment portfolio for Board approval. Motion by: Second by: Vote: |
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8.B. Statement of Operations; Budget Amendments; Budget Proposal for Fund 499 Org 808; Check Register; and Checks Over $10,000.
Description:
The Executive Director and the Director of Financial Operations will review the Statement of Operations, budget amendments, budget proposal for fund 499 and org 808, check register, and checks over the amount of $10,000 (copies enclosed) for approval.
Motion by: Second by: Vote: |
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8.C. GASB 54 Fund Balance Assignment/Commitment 2024-25
Description:
Consider approval of the GASB 54 Fund Balance Assignment/Commitment as presented.
Motion by: Second by: Vote: |
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8.D. Proposed Salary Schedule for 2025-26
Description:
Consider approval of proposed salary schedule for 2025-26. No changes have been made since Board approval in April 2024.
Motion: Second: Vote: |
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8.E. Proposed Salary Increase
Description:
Request approval of a salary increase of 4.5% from the pay grade midpoint for all pay grades. The estimated difference in salaries from school year 2024-25 to 2025-26 is $179,810.
Motion: Second by: Vote: |
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8.F. Consider Architectural Alliance, Inc. Contract
Description:
Consider awarding a professional services contract to Architectural Alliance, Inc for the preparation of architectural and engineering plans for the fourth floor remodel of the Education Service Center.
Architectural Alliance, Inc will provide complete architectural and engineering services, including schematic design, design development, construction documents, and related coordination as shown in the attached agreement. Cost for the services are $22,500; $1,050 for reimbursable expenses, with the total not to exceed $23,550. Motion by: Second by: Vote: |
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8.G. Consider Hiring JOC Vendor - Apex Alliance LLC
Description:
Consider awarding Apex Alliance, LLC for remodel of the fourth floor at Edison Plaza to accommodate programmatic and operational needs. The method of procurement would be Job Order Contracting through the Southeast Texas Purchasing Cooperative, as approved at the April Board meeting. The project is in compliance with applicable procurement laws and regulations.
The amount of the project is $174,346. Motion by: Second by: Vote: |
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8.H. Southeast Texas Purchasing Cooperative Bids
Description:
Consider approval of Job Order Contract (JOC) Requests for Proposals to be issued through competitive bidding process with awards based on ESC evaluation metrics (estimated release: August/September 2025).
Motion by: Second by: Vote: |
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9. Administrative Management
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9.A. Health Insurance Coverage/Benefit for 2025-26
Description:
It is recommended that the Service Center, as a member of the TRS Active Care Group, continue to contribute toward full employee only health coverage. It is recommended that this contribution be $540 per month per employee, which is an increase of $15 as a result of an increase in premiums.
If an employee declines Active Care coverage, then it is recommended that the ESC offer $160 per month to declining employees for use toward other ESC insurance benefits (example: dental, vision, cancer, flexible spending account etc.). If the amount of optional insurance selected is above $160, the employee will be required to cover the difference. If the amount of optional insurance is less than $160, then no other amount is due to the employee. The $540 per month will consist of a state contribution of $75 per month per individual to the ESC toward health coverage. It is recommended that the ESC contribute the additional $465 per month per individual. If an employee chooses ActiveCare 1-HD, the difference between the cost of employee only and the contribution from the Service Center can be used toward other ESC insurance benefits (example: health savings account, flexible spending accounts, dental, vision, cancer, etc.). At a cost of $4.75 per month per employee, it is recommended that the service center will provide TeleHealth coverage through Recuro (previously through MDLive at a cost of $5 per month, per employee). Motion by: Second by: Vote: |
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9.B. Life Insurance Coverage for 2025-26
Description:
It is recommended that the Service Center continue to provide employee life insurance coverage in the amount of $25,000 at a cost of $1.00 per month, per employee.
This would bring the ESC insurance contribution to a maximum of $545.75 per month per employee. Motion by: Second by: Vote: |
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9.C. Use of Attorneys for 2025-26 School Year
Description:
In accordance with the policy BDD Local, Region 5 ESC requests approval to retain the following attorney firms during the 2025-26 school year, if needed:
Motion by: Second by: Vote: |
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9.D. 2025-26 Compensation for the Executive Director
Description:
The Board is requested to consider the compensation of the Executive Director for 2025-26 pending employment authorization from the Commissioner of Education. Item previously tabled on April 30, 2025.
Motion by: Second by: Vote: |
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9.E. Executive Session
Description:
If, during the course of the meeting, discussion of any item on the agenda should be held in a closed meeting, the Board will conduct a closed meeting in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Government Code, Chapter 551, Subchapters D and E.
Before any closed meeting is convened, the presiding officer will publicly identify the section or sections of the act authorizing the closed meeting. All final votes, actions, or decisions will be taken in open session. Motion to conduct a closed session: Second: Vote: Beginning Time: Motion to return to open session: Second: Vote: Ending Time: Action on items considered in Executive Session: Motion: Second: Vote: |
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10. Adjournment
Description:
Motion to Adjourn: Second: Vote: Adjournment Time: Minutes taken by: |