August 15, 2023 at 5:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  The open session of the meeting will adjourn. The Board of Trustees will reconvene in closed session pursuant to one or more of the sections of the Texas Open Meetings Act (Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code). The Board of Trustees will reconvene in open session to take any final action, decision, or vote on a matter deliberated in executive session.

Description:  The Highland Park Independent School District is required to hold a public hearing before adopting property tax rates for the 2023-24 school year.
In accordance with the Texas Comptroller's of Public Accounts, "Truth-in-Taxation", a school district must publish a "Notice of Public Meeting to Discuss Budget and Proposed Tax Rate" in a local newspaper. The notice must appear in the newspaper no later than 10 days or earlier
than 30 days before the date of the public meeting.

Description:  A consent agenda groups the routine, procedural, informational and self-explanatory noncontroversial items typically found in an agenda. These items are presented to the board in a single motion for an up or down vote after allowing anyone to request that a specific item be moved to the full agenda for individual attention. Items not removed may be adopted by general consent without debate. Removed items may be taken up either immediately after the consent agenda or placed later on the agenda at the discretion of the assembly.

Description:  The recommendation is that the Highland Park Independent School District Board of Trustees approve the following gifts presented for August 2023.

Description:  The following Human Resources Report is presented for approval for the month of August 2023.

Description:  Highland Park Independent School District appraises teachers using the Self-Directed Appraisal System (SDAS) model. Each year the board approves the SDAS appraisal calendars and the list of appraisers.  The 2023-2024 SDAS Appraisal Calendars and List of Appraisers are attached and submitted for your consideration.

Description:  We would like to recognize our Facility Services staff with a proclamation designating Sept. 6, 2023 as Facility Services Appreciation Day in HPISD.

Description:  Options to Reduce Local Revenue in Excess of Entitlement
A district with local revenue in excess of entitlement has the following five options available to reduce the district’s revenue level under TEC, Chapter 49:
1) Consolidation with another district as provided by Subchapter B;
2) Detachment of territory as provided by Subchapter C;
3) Purchase of average daily attendance credit as provided by Subchapter D ("Option 3");
4) Education of nonresident students as provided by Subchapter E ("Option 4"); and/or
5) Tax base consolidation with another district as provided by Subchapter F.

Districts, including Highland Park ISD, have historically selected Option 3. Successful elections conducted under TEC, former Chapter 41, carry over into TEC, Chapter 49.
The District has submitted to TEA its intent to reduce the property value for the 2023-24 school year using Option 3. 
 

Description:  Each year the Board is required by TEC to select an option to reduce local revenue in excess of entitlement.  The option for HPISD is the purchase of average daily attendance credit as provided by Subchapter D ("Option 3").  In conjunction with this requirement, Boards are also required to delegate the authority to obligate the school district under chapter 49 to the superintendent and the superintendent must be the person that submits the contract to TEA via the Excess Local Revenue module.

The Administration recommends that, for the 2023-2024 school year, the Board delegates contractual authority to obligate the school district under Texas Education Code (TEC) §11.1511(c)(4) to the superintendent, solely for the purpose of obligating the district under TEC, §48.257 and TEC, Chapter 49, Subchapters A and D, and the rules adopted by the commissioner of education as authorized under TEC, 49.006. This includes approval of the Agreement for the Purchase of Attendance Credit or the Agreement for the Purchase of Attendance Credit (Netting Chapter 48 Funding). 

Description:  The attached order authorizing the defeasance of certain outstanding bonds authorizes the Superintendent or the Assistant Superintendent for Business Services, as "Authorized Officers", to defease up to $5,000,000 in par amount of the 2016 Unlimited Tax Bonds.  The District has the ability to choose the maturities and the defeasance date and also authorizes an escrow agreement.  The District can execute the defeasance at any time. 
The District has the opportunity to use monies in the I&S fund balance to defease the $5M of debt discussed above, thereby reducing the principal amount of outstanding bond indebtedness and also reducing the amount of interest paid over the current life of the bonds.     
Fiscal Note:
 Up to $5,000,000 from the I&S Fund Balance

Description:  This capital improvement proposal will provide security lighting for Lot H for the safety of our students as they arrive early in the morning or leave late at night. Lot H is located on Hyer St. between Westchester and Preston.
Fiscal Note:
GMP for $412,582  

Description:  Various gift funds will be used to install 33 open athletic lockers with an integrated seating area and a bottom drawer for storage. This would also include installing flooring, replacing lights and doors, and re-painting walls. The estimated cost of the project is $96,817.10. If approved, this project will take 2-3 weeks to complete.

Description:  The HPISD Student Code of Conduct is updated and Board-approved annually, then posted on the HPISD website.  Because this is a legislative year, the proposed edition for 2023-24 is adapted for HPISD from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) model which includes legislative changes from 2023 as well as unique local changes. The proposed Code of Conduct has been reviewed by District counsel and campus and District administrators.

Description:  TASB Update 121 includes revisions to legal policies based on legislative and regulatory changes. Changes to local policies offered for consideration address the following topics:  Fixed assets, Integrated pest control, competitive bidding, competitive sealed proposals, 

The recommendation is that the Highland Park Independent School District Board of Trustees approves the first and final reading of the revised local policies as recommended by TASB Policy Service in TASB Localized Policy Update 121.

Description:  Attached is the Ordinance to adopt the 2023-24 Tax Rate for the Maintenance & Operations Budget and the Debt Service Budget.  

Budgets and proposed tax rates have been reviewed by the District Finance Committee; all appropriate notices have been posted and/or published; and a public hearing has been held and completed as required.
Fiscal Note:
General Operating Property Tax Receipts are projected to be $167.0M
Recapture is projected to be $89.5M
Debt Service Property Tax Receipts are projected to be $32.9M  
 

Description:  The District is expecting an update on STAAR performance data.  HPISD will give an overview of information released.

Description:  HPISD administration will present an update on the progress made during the summer months on the ELAR framework. Robyn Hartzell will be present to give a brief update and answer questions.

Description:  HPISD administration will present an update on the progress made during the summer months on the Math framework. Dr. Brafford will join the meeting virtually to give a brief update and answer questions.
 

Description:  The Texas Education Code 37.108 requires each public school district in Texas to complete a safety and security audit at least every three years with the current three-year cycle ending in August 2023.  The Code also requires that the audit report be reviewed by the District Safety and Security Committee, be presented to the Board and finally, be submitted to the Texas School Safety Center. Reviewed by the District Safety Committee on August 9, 2023, the attached report is submitted for the Board's review. Following Board review, it will be submitted electronically to the Texas School Safety Center prior to the due date of September 15, 2023.

The 2023 District Audit Report will be shared with the Board during closed session.

Description:  The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 59, requires each law enforcement agency report all activity regarding seizures of property or proceeds for that fiscal year.  This report has been forwarded to the Texas Attorney General as required.  This report indicates that the HPISD Police Department has not received any property or proceeds pursuant to Chapter 59.  The report also reflects that the HPISD Police Department has also not expended any funds nor does it maintain a balance of funds pursuant to Chapter 59.

Description:  The Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International announced Highland Park ISD has received the Certificate of Excellence (COE) award based on the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2022.  The award represents a significant achievement by the school district, and it reflects the commitment of the District to meet the highest standards of school financial reporting.