June 28, 2021 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  It has been found and determined that in accordance with the policies and orders of the Board, the notice of this meeting was posted publicly at the Administration Building in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Section 551.001 et. seq., and that all of the terms of said article have been fully complied with and that the 72-hour notice required has been properly and correctly given.

Description:  At this time, the Board will listen to comments from the public and others regarding both agenda action items and items that are not on the agenda. No action may be taken on non-agenda items. Public participation is limited to the designated open forum portion of a regular meeting. Any person wishing to address the Board concerning an item on the agenda for an open meeting must register with the Board secretary by email at egilpin@hfhorns.net no later than 10:00 a.m. the day of the Board meeting.  Any person wishing to address the Board concerning an item not on the Agenda can register with the Board Secretary at any time prior to the Board meeting.  Speakers will not be permitted to criticize HFISD employees, whether addressing the Board on an Agenda item or a subject not on the posted Agenda.

Description:  As a result of the ongoing bond project, the board will continue to receive monthly updates and information throughout the life of the project to its completion.

The administration, architects, and/or the CMaR will discuss general items and answer questions for the board.  In addition, specific items will be discussed relating, but not limited to, an overview of the design development book, the design of gymnasium bleachers, construction timeline, possibly setting a special meeting, the community bond committee, etc.
 

Description:  At its April 26, 2021 board meeting, the Board approved the hiring of LaBiche Architectural Group to begin the schematic design phase of a concession building. In addition, the board decided it possibly wanted to ask the community to support a second bond in November 2021 to pay for the concession building. 

The Board’s deadline to call an election for November 2021 is August 16, 2021.  This discussion and possible approval will give district administrators more direction to begin the necessary steps to develop a bond proposal. 

Description:  Hamshire-Fannett High School has participated in counseling services since the 2019-2020 school year.  The program is currently funded through a grant Samaritan received to partner with local high schools.  The grant period will last two more school years.
The board will receive information about the program, until 2022-2023.

Description:  Hamshire-Fannett ISD recognizes the need to expend Pre-K services through a paid program.  Research shows that by getting students in school earlier, the gaps in students’ early education knowledge and skills diminish. 
The board will receive information about the cost and scope of the services.

Description:  The 2020-2021 STAAR test was given this year to all students in Texas. The state will not rate schools and districts based on their results. Results should be used to help districts, campuses, and parents diagnose areas of learning loss of their students from the pandemic which disrupted school operations in many fundamental ways.

High School students still need to pass all of their EOC test in order to graduate. STAAR test were not given during the 2019-2020 school year because of the pandemic.

Hamshire-Fannett STAAR score comparisons to the region and state will be
presented.

Description:  The US Congress has passed laws pertaining to emergency funds, and the use of those funds, stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief funds, or ESSER, were given to states in three parts.  The latest allocations are now ESSER II and III.

Districts must quickly develop plans to address areas such as returning to face-to-face learning, students’ learning loss, and the continuity of learning if schools face closures.  The grant applications and plans are due July 27, 2021.  District administrators will discuss the planning process and identified areas of need for funding allocations. The four main areas being addressed are learning loss, instructional continuity, social emotional learning (SEL), and community engagement.
 

Description:  In keeping with the state’s 60x30 TX goal, the School Finance Commission recommended establishing a preK through 12th grade goal of at least 60 percent proficiency at TEA’s “Meets” standard for 3rd grade reading and math and 60 percent of high school seniors graduating from either college or career ready. School boards must review progress of each plan at least annually at a public meeting by doing the following:

• Receive annual/interim updates that contain the board outcome goal and progress measure being monitored along with 5 year deadline targets. 

An interim update on early childhood learning progress measures will be presented:
Goal 1: Progress Measure Reading- (3rd Grade)
Goal 2: Progress Measure Math- (3rd Grade)
 

Description:  The Board of Trustees have been supplied detailed background information regarding each item of business on the "Consent Agenda" if one is so indicated or it has been discussed at a previous meeting of the Board. All items will be acted upon by one vote without being discussed separately.  If requested by a Board member, individual items may be removed from the"Consent Agenda" to be discussed and voted upon separately.  All items are as recommended by the Superintendent.

Description:  In conjunction with Hamshire-Fannett ISD Board policy, it is a requirement that the minutes of the previous Board meeting(s) be approved by the Board at a subsequent Board Meeting.

A copy of the minutes is included in each Board member’s agenda packet for perusal and awaits Board action.
 

Description:   It is a customary and accepted Board procedure as a standard order of business at regular Board meetings for the Board to take action in relation to the approval of expenditures for the elapsed period since the last Board meeting.

Pertinent information relating to the financial condition of the District and the resolution of district indebtedness is provided for Board perusal and utilization.

Description:  It is a requirement of TEA accounting procedures that the annual budget be amended as necessary throughout the budget year.

The Board has been provided with the necessary documents for the budget amendment for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

Description:  Each year district administrators must establish evaluation calendars. Once established, those calendars serve as guides for the timeframe in which evaluations will occur.
The Board must approve the district’s appraiser calendars to establish the timeframe for district appraisals. 

Description:  Each year district administrators must recertify to serve as teacher appraisers under the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS).  Administrators, once certification/recertification is completed, may serve as teacher appraisers. 
The Board must approve the district’s appraiser list in order for those individuals to serve as appraisers

Description:  Changes to Federal Grant Regulations.

2CFR §200.320 officially sets the micro-purchase threshold at $10,000 in the aggregate across all federal grant programs for the fiscal year. It also allows the LEA to self-certify a high micro-purchase threshold of up to $50,000 if the LEA is:
• a low-risk auditee for their most recent federal audit; or
• conduct an annual internal risk assessment to identify, mitigate, and manage financial risk.

Changing the micro-purchase threshold to $25,000 would align with our current limit before board approval is required. This would then also allow these purchases to be allowable noncompetitive procurements for federal purchases.
For limits of $10,001 to $25,000, we would only have to notify TEA of the change. Anything above this limit would require written policy and audited financials to be sent to TEA.

Description:  Hamshire-Fannett ISD secured property insurance for the 12-13, 13-14, 14-15, 15-16, 16-17, 17-18, 18-19, 19-20 and 20-21 school years with Landmark American Insurance Co. With the last couple of years being split with two additional underwriters.

Frost Insurance solicited 333 insurance firms on the district’s behalf.

Cyndi White (Frost Insurance Agency) has obtained our renewal premium with Landmark American Insurance Co., Velocity Risk Underwriters and General Security Indemnity Company of Arizona.

Two Options for NFIP - Option 1 - everything stays the same
Option 2 - 10% increase on available building values and 5%
increase on available content values. ($1,840)

Total insurance will increase 7.7% or 8% if Option 2 above is chosen.
Total $924,092.82 (this includes all portables, and we will receive a credit once the Fannett portables are removed)

Description:  All investments made by the District shall comply with the Public Funds Investment Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 2256, Subchapter A) and all federal, state, and local statutes, rules or regulations.

Not less than quarterly, the investment office shall prepare and submit to the Board a written report of investment activities for all funds covered by the Public Funds Investment Act. This report shall be presented to the Board within a reasonable time after the end of the period.

Description:  The current bank depository contract with Texas First Bank and Hamshire-Fannett ISD will expire August 31, 2021. The Depository proposal process was initiated using the TEA proposal form as a guide, modified to meet the requirements of HFISD. The contract will be for two years beginning 09/01/2021 with the option of three (3) two-year term extensions.

The submitted proposals will be opened on June 24, 2021.

Request for Proposals were sent to the following:
Texas First Bank, Winnie
Prosperity Bank, Winnie
BBVA Compass, Beaumont

Copies of the RFPs received were given to the board members prior to the board meeting for their review as well as the evaluation criteria used.
 

Description:  CH(LOCAL): PURCHASING AND ACQUISITION
CV(LOCAL): FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION
DEC(LOCAL): COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS - LEAVES AND ABSENCES
 

Description:  The district currently has one or more vacant positons.  Interviews are currently being conducted, and the Superintendent will bring recommendations for the position(s) to this Board meeting, if feasible.

Any action, decision or final vote with regard to any matter considered in such closed session, shall be made in open session.

Description:  The District currently has one or more vacant positions.

Interviews are currently being conducted, and the Superintendent will bring recommendations for the position(s) to this Board meeting, if feasible.
 

Description:  It is possible that one or more resignations could be in the process of being submitted to the Superintendent.
If received, the Superintendent will present letters of resignation for board information.