July 24, 2023 at 6:00 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 projects, the board will continue to receive monthly updates and information throughout the life of the projects to their 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, consideration of extending the CMaR’s substantial complete date, the construction progress to date, and approving potential change orders.  
In addition, the board may discuss plans for the agriculture space in the long-range plan, potential design changes in Area J, choir and health science rooms.
 

Description:  After 5 years of using the same criteria and a global pandemic, it is
necessary to refresh the A-F system to ensure Texas remains a national
leader in preparing students for success after graduation. TEA has engaged and sought input from thousands of interested individuals including parents, teachers, superintendents, school board members, legislative staff and business leaders to help inform the refresh and to understand how changes will affect school systems and better reflect growth of students.
Prior to 2017, accountability standards and cut points were raised each year. A-F maintained the same criteria which enabled
apples-to-apples comparisons by updating the system less frequently. In the fall of 2023, TEA will release A-F accountability
ratings and alongside the new 2023 ratings, will publicly release the 2022 "What If" ratings for easier comparisons to support
continuous improvement plans moving forward. "What If" ratings for Hamshire-Fannett ISD campuses will be discussed and
presented along with some of the changes in the accountability system.
 

Description:  Student Code of Conduct books and Student Handbooks are to be developed and distributed annually at the beginning of the school year.
Each campus has revised the 2023-2024 handbook and student code of conduct to reflect TASB model. Each Board member has been provided with a brief description of changes, if any were made. 
The Superintendent recommends adoption of the Student Code of Conduct.
The handbooks are subject to Board review, but shall not be adopted by the Board
Changes to the student code of conduct  handbook were given to the Board along with any changes to specific organization handbooks. 

 

Description:  The district owns approximately 11 parcels of land in West Jefferson County, Texas.  Some district properties do not contain structures, nor does the district currently use those properties for any specific purpose.   
The board will discuss its real property assets and possibly decide if it wants to take action to authorize the superintendent to explore sale options and the real estate sale process.   
 

Description:  Truth-in-Taxation guidelines require the governing body of a school district to set a public meeting date to discuss the budget and proposed tax rates.
A "Notice of the Public Meeting to Discuss Budget and Proposed Tax Rate" will be published 10-30 days prior to this Public Meeting.

The School Board shall determine an appropriate date and time for this public meeting. It is recommended that the proposed date for the hearing be set for Monday, August 28, 2023 prior to the regular board meeting at 5:45 pm.

Description: 

The Board of Trustees have been supplied with 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:  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:  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:  Our 6-12 Social Studies adoption with McGraw Hill ran out at the end of the 22-23 school year. Our teachers wanted to look at another option. Savvas learning was brought in to give a presentation of their materials. Our 6-12 Social Studies teachers were very impressed with Savvas learning and liked the digital format of it. This adoption is for 2 years. 
The committee would like to recommend using Savvas Learning for Social Studies curriculum for the following reasons:

Would like to align the district’s 6-12 Social Studies curriculum by adopting the same company (Savvas). We are already using Savvas for Math Curriculum at the high school and Middle School. 

Middle School: 6th grade- Geography, 7th grade- Texas History, 8th grade- US History

High School- World History, US History, Economics/Government

Savvas has a superior digital platform for students along with hard copy consumable textbooks for all students if needed.

Spanish version available 

Teachers have access to all Savvas Learning licenses, so they may look at curriculum for any grade level for Savvas licensed materials that HFISD has purchased.

Differentiated instruction for students at all levels, including SPED 

Possible approval of the adoption of Savvas Learning for 6-12 Social Studies for the cost of $35,463.10 
 

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 Board May Convene into Closed (executive) session,  in accordance with Texas Open Meetings Act, TX Govt. Code 551.001 to discuss the following Items:

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 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.