Public Meeting Agenda: November 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH A QUORUM

2. OPENING ACTIVITIES

2.A. Invocation

Presenter: Chester Holloway, First Baptist Church Shepherd

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 FORUM

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

4. REPORTS AND INFORMATION

4.A. Conservator Report

Presenter: Trish Hanks, TEA Conservator

4.B. Leadership Team Report

Presenter: Jason Hewitt, ED.D., Superintendent

4.C. Monthly Financial Report for October 2025

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

4.D. Delinquent Tax Collection

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

4.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.

5. GENERAL CONSENT ITEMS

5.A. Consider approval of minutes from October 16, 2025 regular meeting, October 21, 2025 special meeting, and November 11, 2025 special meeting.

Presenter: Kristie Reeves, Superintendent and Board Secretary

5.B. Consider approval of 2025 Fall Library Collections - Book Orders.

Presenter: Erin Goad, Director of Communications and Library Services

5.C. Consider approval of Ratification of DOI Certifications for staff hired 2025-2026

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

Description:

Item Description / Detail - Also See DOI Teacher Certification Section on page 2

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

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

SIS

Stephanie Hopkins: Degreed: NSpire: Expected Completion and Certification 01/2027. Seeking Certification in EC-6.

SMS

Allyson Margison: Degreed: Enrolled in Teachwothy: Seeking Certification in Math.

5.D. Consider approval of Membership in Walsh Gallegos’ Retainer Program.

Presenter: Jason Hewitt, Ed.D., Superintendent

6. FINANCIAL CONSENT ITEMS

6.A. Consider Approval of Expenditure(s) Greater than $100,000

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

6.A.1. Purdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott LLP

6.B. Consider approval of Request for Proposal (RFP's) #2026-001 Academic Supplies, Equipment, & Services, RFP #2026-002 Auxiliary Supplies, Equipment, & Services, & RFP #2026-003 Athletic Supplies, Equipment, & Services

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

6.C. Consider to approve the Budget Amendment as presented.

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

7. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

7.A. Discussion and possible action to approve the Annual Financial Report

Presenter: J.W. Kirkham, CFO

7.B. Discussion and possible action to approve the 2025 Certified Tax Roll as submitted.

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

7.C. Discussion and possible action on Policy Update 126.

Presenter: Jason Hewitt, Ed.D., Superintendent

7.D. Consider and discuss casting votes for the San Jacinto County Appraisal District Board of Directors by resolution.

Presenter: Jason Hewitt, Ed.D., Superintendent

8. CLOSED SESSION

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

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS

9.A. Next regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 6:00pm.

9.B. District Activities

Presenter: Kristie Reeves, Superintendent and Board Secretary

10. ADJOURN

November 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Web Viewer