Public Meeting Agenda: September 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH A QUORUM

2. OPENING ACTIVITIES

2.A. Invocation

Presenter: Michael Nix, Dolen Baptist Church

2.B. Pledge - US / Texas

Presenter: Shepherd ISD JROTC and Color Guard

2.C. Staff Recognition

Presenter: Erin Goad, District Librarian and Communication Specialist

2.D. Student Recognition

Presenter: Erin Goad, District Librarian and Communication Specialist

3. PUBLIC HEARING

3.A. Public Hearing to Discuss 2024-2025 First Ratings based on School Year 2023-2024

Presenter: J.W. Kirkham, CFO

4. PUBLIC FORUM

4.A. Open forum for comments from the public.

5. REPORTS AND INFORMATION

5.A. Conservator Report

Presenter: Trish Hanks, TEA Conservator

5.B. Leadership Team Report

Presenter: Jason Hewitt, ED.D., Superintendent

5.C. Strategic Compensation Update

Description:

Presentation of the work that is being done in Shepherd ISD moving toward a Strategic Compensation plan and the potential impact on teacher recruitment and retention. (P2: 2.1.4)

5.D. Monthly Financial Report for August 2025

Presenter: J.W. Kirkham, CFO

5.E. Report Only of Contracts for 2025-2026. Teachers, Nurses, Librarians, Counselors, and Administrators.

Presenter: Drew Escamilla, Assistant Superintendent of HR and Student Services

Description:

Annually, contracts are recommended and approved by the Superintendent. Previously the Board voted to give the Superintendent the hiring authority over these employees.

Chapter 21 of the Texas Education Code (TEC) requires specific full-time professional and administrative employees and school nurses to be employed by a probationary or term contract. These contracts are often referred to as Chapter 21 contracts. The law mandates specific rights and administrative procedures for each type of Chapter 21 contract. term contract employees' statutory due-process rights above and beyond that provided by the U.S. Constitution before terminating, discharging, or non renewing those employees.
A probationary contract is for one year only; it may be renewed for two additional one-year periods. Discharge can occur for failure to meet the accepted standards of conduct for the profession. Board action is not appealable.
A term contract may not exceed five school years. The discharge must be for reasons contained in the district policy. The teacher/administrator is entitled to a school board hearing. The decision can be appealed.
Non-Chapter 21 contracts are given to people in positions that do not require certification or are on a DOI exemption (Local Certification)
NSPIRE candidates - these people are not yet certified and are in our NSPIRE program and not subject to Chapter - 21 rules and regulations.

Please see the following list attached for contract recommendations made by the Superintendent.

6. GENERAL CONSENT ITEMS

6.A. Consider approval of minutes from August 21, 2025.

Presenter: Kristie Reeves, Superintendent and Board Secretary

6.B. Consider approval of the Student Travel Form for students to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana from October 29 - November 1, 2025.

Presenter: Jason Hewitt, Ed.D., Superintendent

6.C. Consider approval of the Shepherd ISD Comfort Canine for the 25-26 school year

Presenter: Drew Escamilla, Assistant Superintendent of HR and Student Services

Description: Shepherd ISD will continue the limited Comfort Canine Program with the presence of a trained "therapy" dog on campus. Rebecca Endtricht and her canine Duke will serve as the designated Handler and Comfort Canine for the District.

6.D. Consider approval of the Shepherd ISD proposed class size waiver in accordance with the district’s District of Innovation plan for the 25-26 school year.

Presenter: Drew Escamilla, Assistant Superintendent of HR and Student Services

Description: It is recommended that the Board approve a class size waiver in response to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) class size requirements, in accordance with the District of Innovation (DOI) plan approved in April 2022. This district approved waiver will provide the necessary flexibility to exceed the state-mandated class size limits while ensuring continued alignment with the district’s educational goals and instructional strategies.

6.E. Consider approval to ratify the DOI Certifications for staff hired 2025-2026

Presenter: Drew Escamilla, Assistant Superintendent of HR and Student Services

Description:

The following staff are hired under the DOI - Local Certification Process.

ACP/Alternative Certification Program. NSpire is the SISD in-house degree & certification program.

SPS

Leticia Garcia Lopez: Degreed: Enrolled in Teachworthy ACP. Seeking Certification in EC-6 and Bilingual.
Vianey Castilla: NSpire Cohort 1: Expected Completion and Certification 12/2025. Seeking Certification in EC-6.
Carolyn Cruz: NSpire Cohort 1: Expected Completion and Certification 12/2025. Seeking Certification in EC-6.
Jessica Salas: NSpire Cohort 1: Expected Completion and Certification 12/2025. Seeking Certification in EC-6.
Abigail Tarrant: NSpire Cohort 2: Expected Completion and Certification 12/2025. Seeking Certification in EC-6.
Rachel Garrett: NSpire Cohort : Expected Completion and Certification 12/2025. Seeking Certification in EC-6.
Erin Majors: Degreed: Enrolled in TxTeachers ACP. Seeking Certification in EC-6.
Gwen Gaia: Degreed: Out of State Cert. Seeking Texas Certification in EC-6.

SIS

Mateo Fernandez: NSpire Cohort 2: Expected Completion and Certification 12/2025. Seeking Certification in EC-6.
Stephanie Hopkins: NSpire Cohort 2: Expected Completion and Certification 12/2026. Seeking Certification in EC-6.
Stephanie Price: NSpire Cohort 2: Expected Completion and Certification 12/2026. Seeking Certification in EC-6.
Shalonda Lee: Degreed: Enrolled in Texas Teachers ACP. Expected Completion and Certification 12/2025 Seeking Certification in EC-6.
Megan Lewis: Degreed: Enrolled in Teachworthy ACP. Intern Year
Ashley Barlow: Enrolled in iTeach ACP. Passed Certification Test, Will test STR Seeking SOE.
Chandra Barrios: Enrolled in iTeach ACP. Seeking Certification in 4th Grade Math.
Halie McAdams: Enrolled in WGU. Expected completion 12/2025.
Gavin Trejo: NSpire. Seeking Certification in 4th Grade Math
Danae Walding: iTeach ACP. Certified Sped, Will take PPR

SMS

Lisa Barber: Degreed: Enrolled in iTeach ACP: Seeking Certification in SPED.
Catheryn Wheeler: Degreed: Enrolled in ITeach ACP. Seeking certification 4-8 Science.
Michele Kimmons: Degreed: Certified Challenging Certification in Math.

SHS

Dionna Saravia: Degreed: Enrolled in Texas Teachers ACP. Seeking certification 6-12 ELAR.
Ashley Hawkins: Degreed: Enrolled in Texas Teachers ACP. Seeking certification CTE.
Amber Blazek: Webcentric: Intern Year
Leah Hensarling: Enrolled in iTeach ACP. Seeking Certification in Life Science 7-12.
Jordan Alford: Enrolled in Webcentric. Seeking Certification in Health Science.
Jacob McAdams: Enrolled in Webcentric. Seeking Certification in English 7-12.
Rachel Reynolds: Enrolled in Teachers of Tomorrow. Seeking Certification in Theatre EC-12
Jake Rutherford: Enrolled in iTeach ACP. Seeking Certification in Social Studies 8-12
Damon Parrish: Enrolled in Texas Teachers of Tomorrow: Seeking Certification in Social Studies 4-8
Verania Martinez: Enrolled in Texas Teachers of Tomorrow: Seeking Certification in LOTE-Spanish EC-12
Angela Romero: Enrolled in iTeach ACP: Seeking Certification in LOTE-Spanish EC-12
Natalie Ludwig: Enrolled in West Texas A&M PACE. Seeking Certification in Agricultural, Food, and Natural resources 6-12
Cate Scanlan: Enrolled in iTeach ACP. Seeking Certification in Science 7-12
Calah Bebee: Enrolled in iTeach ACP. Seeking Certification in Health Science
Maurice Stephenson: DOI ROTC
Edward McDonald: DOI ROTC

6.F. Consider approval of the 2025-2026 Campus Improvement Plans

Presenter: Tammie Hewitt, Director of Teaching and Learning

Description: Consider approval of the 2025-2026 Campus Improvement Plans for Shepherd High School, Shepherd Middle School, Shepherd Intermediate School and Shepherd Primary School.

7. FINANCIAL CONSENT ITEMS

7.A. Consider Approval of Expenditure(s) Greater than $50,000

Presenter: J.W. Kirkham, CFO

7.A.1. District Wide Remaining Camera Upgrade/Replacement (High School, Middle School, Intermediate, 1 @ Warehouse)

7.A.2. District Wide Cafeteria Braziers – (240 – Child Nutrition/Food Service Fund)

7.A.3. District Wide Intercom (Intermediate & Primary)

7.B. Consider Approval of Policy — PURCHASING AND ACQUISITION – CH (LOCAL)

Presenter: J.W. Kirkham, C.F.O.

8. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

8.A. Discussion and possible action regarding an amendment for the purchase and installation of Smart Interactive Flat Panels

Presenter: J.W. Kirkham, C.F.O.

8.B. Discussion and possible action to approve the revisions to the existing 2025/2026 Compensation Plan.

Presenter: Drew Escamilla, Assistant Superintendent of HR and Student Services

Description:

See page 6. Proposed changes are marked in yellow. Adjustment to the payscale of Non CDL Bus Driver and Bus Monitor.

8.C. Kristie Reeves will read aloud, and the Board will accept the Certification of Unopposed Candidates for Other Political Subdivisions (Not County).

Presenter: Kristie Reeves, Superintendent Secretary

8.D. The Board vice president will read aloud the Order of Cancellation and the Board will consider to approve the cancellation for the election to be held on November 4, 2025.

Presenter: Kristie Reeves, Superintendent Secretary

9. CLOSED SESSION

9.A. 551.074 Discussing personnel or to hear complaints against personnel

10. ANNOUNCEMENTS

10.A. Next regularly scheduled meeting on October 16, 2025.

10.B. District Activities

Presenter: Kristie Reeves, Superintendent and Board Secretary

11. ADJOURN

September 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting

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