July 12, 2021 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting
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I. OPENING - CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE(S) OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION
Description:
UNITED STATES FLAGI pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all. TEXAS FLAGThe amended (HB1034, effective June 15, 2007) pledge of allegiance to the Texas state flag is:"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee,
Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible." |
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II. OPEN FORUM
Description:
Persons desiring to address the Board of Trustees must fill out a speaker's card and submit it to the Administrative Assistant to the Board prior to the meeting. No presentation shall exceed three minutes. The Board cannot deliberate on any subject matter that is not included on the agenda.
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III. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION
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III.A. Consent Agenda
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III.A.1. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Description:
Background:
The following minutes are provided for your review:
Minutes become official when approved by the Board of Trustees. Recommendation: Approve the minutes of the meetings as presented. Board Action: Board Approval |
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III.A.2. Financial Reports
Description:
Background:
Financial reports for the previous month are presented. Administrative Considerations: None Recommendation: As desired by Board Board Action: As needed
Attachments:
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III.A.3. Bank Signatures Changes
Description:
Background:
With the recent changes at the Junior High and High schools, new signatures need to be submitted for the district's bank account. The approval can be accomplished through the Consent Agenda. Administrative Considerations: The new signature information is needed to update the banking records. Board approval is required. Recommendation: Board approval. Board Action: Board approval. |
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III.A.4. Consider Approving 2021-22 MOU with TVCC
Description:
Background:
The Superintendent will present the 2021-2022 TVCC Dual Credit Partnership Agreement. Administrative Consideration: Consider and take action. Recommendation: Board approval. Board Action: As desired by the Board. |
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III.A.5. District Property and Casualty Insurance Coverage
Description:
Background:
The District Property and Casualty Insurance is on the July Agenda Calendar. Administrative Considerations: The Assistant Superintendent, Jeff Fisher has provided the Board with the information for this item. Recommendation: As needed. Board Action: Board approval. |
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III.A.6. Greenville ISD Regional Day School Program for the Deaf Shared Services Arrangement Agreement
Description:
Background:
A proposed agreement has been received from Greenville ISD's Regional Day School Program for the Deaf Shared Services Arrangement. Administrative Considerations: Rains ISD's Special Education Department has had continuing agreements with the Regional Day School Program, in order to have access to their services in the event they are needed. Recommendation: Approve the Greenville ISD's Regional Day School Program for the Deaf Shared Services Arrangement Agreement, as presented. Board Action: As desired by Board. |
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III.B. Business and Finance
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III.B.1. WAG Report
Description:
Background:
The WAG Report is provided by the Assistant Superintendent of Finance. Administrative Considerations: This report keeps the Board apprised of the district's current financial status. Recommendation: As needed Board Action: Approval is not required for this report, unless action is needed.
Attachments:
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III.B.2. Rains County Appraisal District-2022 Budget
Description:
Background:
The Rains County Appraisal District annually prepares a proposed budget that is presented to RISD for approval, according to their budget calendar. Administrative Considerations: As available, the RCAD proposed budget will be presented. Recommendation: Board approval. Board Action: Board approval. |
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III.B.3. Salary Considerations
Description:
Background:
July 1 begins the new year for 12-month staff. When possible, the board will normally approve pay increases for the new fiscal year at the June or July meetings. Timing is determined by the availability of funding information for the new year. Legislative years tend to be more difficult. Final RCAD numbers will usually not be available until the end of July. The district uses preliminary numbers until July 25. Administrative Considerations: School funding formulas received minor adjustments from current law. Many variables go into the estimation of school funding. Most of these can be quantified within a reasonable range. The major unknown in the current budget cycle is the number of students who will return from the pandemic. Recommendation: The staff who qualify receive the following increases: Support pay increase by 3.5% of the midpoint. Administrative/Professional pay increase by 2.5% of the midpoint. New Teacher scale with an average increase of 3% be approved as presented. Authorize Superintendent to make equity adjustment within the pre-approved district scale. Board Action: Board approval.
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III.B.4. Consider Setting Date for Budget Workshop
Description:
Background:
Assistant Superintendent, Jeff Fisher has placed this item on the Agenda. Administrative Considerations: Consider setting a date for the 2021 Budget Workshop. Recommendation: July 22, 2021, or July 23, 2021. Board Action: Board approval needed. |
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III.C. Curriculum & Instruction
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III.C.1. 2020-2021 End-Of-Year Grade Reports
Description:
Background:
The 2020-21 End-of-Year Grade Reports have now been finalized. Administrative Considerations: Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Rachel Bounds will present the reports to the Board. Recommendation: This report is for informational purposes only. Board Action: No action required.
Attachments:
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III.D. Superintendent Reports
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III.D.1. District Activities & Projects
Description:
Background:
The Superintendent will share information with the Board on district activities and projects. Administrative Considerations: Any items that would require Board action will be presented along with the report. Recommendation: As needed Board Action: As needed |
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III.D.2. Report of Disbursements
Description:
Background:
A report on the payment of bills is provided under this item. Administrative Considerations: The payment of bills is only reported to the Board. Recommendation: No action required Board Action: No action required
Attachments:
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III.D.3. Communities In Schools Partnership Agreement
Description:
Background:
Superintendent Johnson will share information with the Board on the Communities in Schools Partnership Agreement. Administrative Considerations: None Recommendation: No action required. Board Action: No action required. |
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III.D.4. Dress Code Considerations
Description:
Background:
This item was requested to be placed on the agenda by Junior High Principal, Jennifer Melton, and High School Principal, Lindsay Morgan. Administrative Considerations: Consider the changes to the JH & HS dress code as presented. Changes are noted on the attached proposal. Recommendation: Board approval as presented. Board Action: Board approval.
Attachments:
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III.D.5. Parent Level III Grievance
Description:
Background:
A formal grievance has been filed by a parent, on behalf of their child. Administrative Considerations: Information will be shared at the meeting, as available. Recommendation: As needed. Board Action: As desired by Board. |
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III.E. Discuss and Consider Resolution of the Board Regarding ESSER III and Policy CB(LOCAL)
Description:
Background Information:
Texas school districts received the news that ESSER Ill funds would be available immediately on April 28, 2021. The U.S. Department of Education's (USOE) initial grant award notice to Texas makes immediately available two-thirds of the total federal appropriation. The remaining one-third of ARP (ESSER Ill) funds will be released to schools upon USDE approving the state plan.
There are many requirements that must be met before the application is submitted. There are also numerous guidelines that will be constantly monitored throughout the grant period (until 2024) which will involve random validation submissions. One of those requirements is input from very specific stakeholders. Rains ISD will utilize the plethora of input received from all stakeholders throughout 2020 and 2021. However, more input is needed before the application can be submitted. The RISD July Board Meeting serves as a public meeting and public comment will be received before submitting the plan. Federal guidelines require public notice. This can be met in several ways. RISD utilizes several methods. However, it is recommended that a policy be in place which addresses how the district will provide the required public notice regarding federal grants and award for consistency. Therefore, the Superintendent requests that the Board approve a Resolution which would update CB(LOCAL) which states the following: The District shall provide public notice of federal grant applications through an information item at a Board meeting and by publishing information on the District's website. The District shall make available opportunities for public input as required by law or the granting agency.
Administrative Considerations:
None Recommendation: Recommend approval of Resolution of the Board regarding Policy CB(LOCAL). Board Action: Board approval.
Attachments:
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III.F. Review and Update RISD Return to School Guidance
Description:
Background:
Review and update RISD Return to School Guidance for 2021-22. Administrative Considerations: Recommendation: As desired by Board. Board Action: As desired by Board.
Attachments:
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IV. PERSONNEL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION
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IV.A. Personnel Changes/Update
Description:
The following is for review only and does not require board action:
Employment:
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V. CLOSED SESSION
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V.A. Personnel, Texas Government Code § 551.074
Description:
TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 6. Section 551.074. Personnel MattersSection 551.074 authorizes certain deliberations about officers and employees of the governmental body to be held in executive session: (a) This chapter does not require a governmental body to conduct an open meeting: (1) to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee; or (2) to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee. (b) Subsection (a) does not apply if the officer or employee who is the subject of the deliberation or hearing requests a public hearing.267 This section permits executive session deliberations concerning an individual officer or employee. Deliberations about a class of employees, however, must be held in an open session.268 For example, when a governmental body discusses salary scales without referring to a specific employee, it must meet in an open session.269 The closed meetings authorized by section 551.074 may deal only with officers and employees of a governmental body; closed deliberations about the selection of an independent contractor are not authorized.270 Section 551.074 authorizes the public officer or employee under consideration to request a public hearing.271 In Bowen v. Calallen Independent School District,272 a teacher requested a public hearing concerning nonrenewal of his contract but did not object when the school board moved to go into executive session. The court concluded that the school board did not violate the Act.273 Similarly, in James v. Hitchcock Independent School District,274 a school librarian requested an open meeting on the school district’s unilateral modification of her contract. The court stated that refusal of the request for a hearing before the school board "is permissible only where the teacher does not object to its denial."275 However, silence may not be deemed a waiver if the employee has no opportunity to object.276 When a board heard the employee’s complaint, moved on to other topics, and then convened an executive session to discuss the employee after he left, the court found that the employee had not had an opportunity to object.277 263 TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 551.0726. 264 Id. § 551.073. 265 See Act of Mar. 28, 1973, 63d Leg., R.S., ch. 31, § 2, 1973 Tex. Gen. Laws 45, 46 (former article 6252-17, § 2(f), Revised Civil Statutes). 266 See, e.g., Dallas Cnty. Flood Control Dist. No. 1 v. Cross, 815 S.W.2d 271, 282-83 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1991, writ denied). 267 TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 551.074. 268 Gardner, 21 S.W.3d at 777; Tex. Att’y Gen. Op. No. H-496 (1975) (construing predecessor to Government Code, section 551.074). Closed Sessions 2012 Open Meetings Handbook • Office of the Attorney General |
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V.B. Student Discipline, Texas Government Code § 551.082
Description:
TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE § 551.082
Sec. 551.082. SCHOOL CHILDREN; SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES; DISCIPLINARY MATTER OR COMPLAINT. (a) This chapter does not require a school board to conduct an open meeting to deliberate in a case: (1) involving discipline of a public school child; or
(2) in which a complaint or charge is brought against an employee of the school district by another employee and the complaint or charge directly results in a need for a hearing.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply if an open hearing is requested in writing by a parent or guardian of the child or by the employee against whom the complaint or charge is brought.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 28, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
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VI. BOARD CORRESPONDENCE, HANDOUTS (As Available)
Description:
The Superintendent has placed this item on the agenda for the purpose of sharing miscellaneous correspondence/information item(s) that may be of interest to Board members.
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VI.A. 2021 TASA/TASB Conference Information
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