September 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting
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1. CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH A QUORUM
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2. OPENING ACTIVITIES
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2.A. Invocation
Presenter:
Michael Nix, Dolen Baptist Church
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2.B. Pledge - US / Texas
Presenter:
Shepherd ISD JROTC and Color Guard
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3. PUBLIC HEARING
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3.A. Public Hearing to Discuss 2025-2026 First Ratings
Presenter:
J.W. Kirkham, C.F.O.
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4. PUBLIC FORUM
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4.A. Open forum for comments from the public
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5. REPORTS AND INFORMATION
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5.A. Conservator Report
Presenter:
Trish Hanks, TEA Conservator
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5.B. Report Only of Contracts for 2026-2027. 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.
Please see the following list attached for contract recommendations made by the Superintendent. |
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5.C. Financial Report
Presenter:
J.W. Kirkham, C.F.O.
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6. GENERAL CONSENT ITEMS
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6.A. Consider approval of minutes from the regular meeting on August 20, 2026
Presenter:
Kristie Reeves, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and Board
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6.B. Consideration to approve The Education Foundation of Shepherd ISD’s executive board members and to approve bylaws for the foundation
Presenter:
Todd Davis, Ed.D., Superintendent
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6.C. Consider approval of the Senior Trip to Disney in May 2027
Presenter:
Todd Davis, Ed.D., Superintendent
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6.D. Approve the Shepherd ISD proposed class size waiver in accordance with the district’s District of Innovation plan for the 26-27 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
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6.E. Shepherd ISD Comfort Canine for the 26-27 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.
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7. FINANCIAL CONSENT ITEMS
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7.A. Consider approval of federal expenditures over $50,000 and General and other expenditures over $100,000
Presenter:
J.W. Kirkham, C.F.O.
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7.B. Consider approval of budget amendments as presented
Presenter:
J.W. Kirkham, C.F.O.
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8. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
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8.A. Ratification of the Resolution of Compensation of Employees Due to School Emergency Closure regarding Tropical Storm Edouard on 9/1/2026 and Delayed Start on 9/2/2026.
Presenter:
Drew Escamilla, Assistant Superintendent of HR and Student Services
Description:
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8.B. Consideration and approval of a Resolution by the Board of Trustees of the Shepherd Independent School District providing for the defeasance of certain outstanding obligations of the District
Presenter:
J.W. Kirkham, C.F.O.
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8.C. Consider approval of the 2026 no-new-revenue tax rate and voter-approval tax rate for the fiscal year 2026-2027
Presenter:
J.W. Kirkham, C.F.O.
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8.D. Consider, Discuss, and Take Appropriate Action Regarding proposed Interest & Sinking (I&S) rate for Debt Service that exceeds the minimum amount required for tax year 2026 for the Fiscal Year 2027 for early defeasance of outstanding debt.
Presenter:
J.W. Kirkham, C.F.O.
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8.E. Consider, Discuss, and Take Appropriate Action Regarding Adoption of the Tax Rate for the Fiscal Year 2027
Presenter:
J.W. Kirkham, C.F.O.
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8.F. Consider and take possible action to approve Certification of Compliance with Certain Laws under Texas Education Code 39.008, as enacted by Senate Bill 12 (89th Texas Legislative Session)
Presenter:
J.W. Kirkham, C.F.O.
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8.G. Consider and act upon the Certification of Unopposed Candidates received from the authority responsible for preparing the ballot for the November 3, 2026 General Election, and consider and act upon an Order declaring the unopposed candidates elected and canceling the election for the offices of Trustee, Position 4, and Trustee, Position 5, in accordance with Sections 2.051–2.053 of the Texas Election Code.
The following candidates are unopposed: Mark Barnett — Trustee, Position 4 Rich Irwin — Trustee, Position 5
Presenter:
Kristie Reeves, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and Board
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8.H. Discussion and possible action on Policy Update 127 Legal and Local policies
Presenter:
Todd Davis, Ed.D., Superintendent
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8.H.1. BJCF(LOCAL): SUPERINTENDENT - NONRENEWAL
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8.H.2. CAA(LOCAL): FISCAL MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - FINANCIAL ETHICS
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8.H.3. DC(LOCAL): EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
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8.H.4. DH(LOCAL): EMPLOYEE STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
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8.H.5. DP(LOCAL): PERSONNEL POSITIONS
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8.H.6. DPA(LOCAL): PERSONNEL POSITIONS - PRINCIPALS
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8.H.7. DPB(LOCAL): PERSONNEL POSITIONS - OTHER PERSONNEL POSITIONS
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8.H.8. EHAD(LOCAL): BASIC INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM - ELECTIVE INSTRUCTION
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8.H.9. EHBB(LOCAL): SPECIAL PROGRAMS - GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS
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8.H.10. FFF(LOCAL): STUDENT WELFARE - STUDENT SAFETY
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9. CLOSED SESSION
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9.A. 551.074 Discussing personnel or to hear complaints against personnel
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10. ANNOUNCEMENTS
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10.A. Next regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
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11. ADJOURN
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