November 17, 2025 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 3 working days 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 to, but not limited to, consideration of extending the CMaR’s substantial complete date, the construction progress to date, and approving potential change orders or bids. In addition, the board will consider approving a sewer treatment project, additional fencing, and other possible improvements.

Description:  In the wake of an extreme teacher shortage, school districts, institutions of higher education, non-profits, and state agencies have looked for innovative ways to close the teacher hiring gap.  Looking through this lens, Hamshire-Fannett ISD has partnered with U.S. Prep, Region 5 Education Service Center, and Lamar University to develop teacher residencies within the district and hopefully capitalize on the recruiting opportunities available in hosting teacher residents. In addition, the district has developed six pathways to teaching certification.

In the 89th Legislative Session, House Bill 2 was passed requiring all teachers in grades K-5 to be certified by 2026-2027 and those in grades 6-12 by 2027-2028. The commissioner of education has created rules allowing for an exemption from these requirements and delayed them until the 2029-2030 school year.

The administration will review what HFISD is doing to prepare for certification requirements. In addition, the administration will also discuss the certification delay and application process to approve certification delay.
 

Description:  Each month until application submission, the board of trustees will receive a status update regarding TIA. District administrators have been attending TIA training and work sessions via webinars and in person in preparation of applying for TIA.

The administration will highlight the activities since the last board meeting and relate those to the TIA Pacing Guide. This will help board members to continually gage the progress of work administrators are doing with TIA.
Major Activities:
October 23, 2025 Growth Measures Meeting ESC 5
October 3, 2025    TIA Committee Meeting
October 10, 2025    TIA General Teacher Meeting ESC 9

Description:  Annual open enrollment begins in December. First Financial our third party administrator for employee benefits, notified us that Met Life would be increasing the dental rates.
Dental rates for employees are currently $30.61. Beginning 01/01/2026, the new rate will be $32.75. A $2.15 increase per month per employee. Currently 181 employees take the dental. Annual increase to the district in the amount of $4,669.80.

Description:  At its October 20, 2025 board meeting, the Board of Trustees adopted a revision to its DOI plan for flexibility in the grievance process. As a result, three policies require adoption: DGBA, FNG, and GF. 
In addition, at its November 17, 2025 meeting, the board learned of certain evaluation requirements for the Texas Incentive Allotment which eliminates less than annual evaluations for designated teachers. This requires an examination and revision of LOCAL Policy DNA.
 

Description:  Update 125 includes revisions to legal framework documents based on regulatory changes, including amendments to the Texas Administrative Code. Changes at Update 126 are based almost exclusively on legislation from the 89th Regular Legislative Session. Unless otherwise noted, references to legislative bills throughout these explanatory notes refer to Senate Bills (SB), House Bills (HB), or House Concurrent Resolutions (HCR) from the 89th Regular Legislative Session. All referenced bills have already gone into effect unless otherwise noted.

Description:  In accordance with Section 6.03(e) of the Property Tax Code,  I have enclosed the ballot of the nominees for the Jefferson Central Appraisal District Board of Directors for the 2026-2029 term of office.

New legislation has implemented staggered terms, so only two of the five appointed positions on the Board of Directors are up for re-election.  You may cast all of your votes for one nominee or distribute them as you wish among the nominees.

If your entity would like to submit nominations for the Board of Directors, you must do so by resolution adopted by your governing body and file it with the Chief Appraiser prior to December 15.  

Description:  House Bill 3 of the 86th Legislative Session brought about sweeping changes in education in the state of Texas.  Board goals are one aspect of these changes.  Therefore, the Texas Education Agency was tasked with developing rules and guidelines for new board goals.  So, each evaluation year, the board adopts three required goals regarding early childhood literacy and math (EC-LM), and college, career, and military readiness (CCMR).
The administration will begin the discussion of proposed goals for the next evaluation year.
 

Description:  At its October 20, 2025 meeting, the Board of Trustees received an update from the long-range facility planning committee’s initial work. As part of the initial work, the committee made a recommendation to the board to conduct a demographic study.
The committee will discuss the process for making a recommendation to the board for a demographer to service the district for a demographic study.

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:  Due to age and life cycle, the high school chiller needs to be fully replaced. We have reached out to EPS HVAC Services in Beaumont for a quote. They have provided a quote of $167,873.79. We plan to order and install the new chiller by spring break, around March 9th
.
With the board’s approval, we will proceed with the purchase. This
replacement will ensure years of stability. Additionally, we will include a
maintenance warranty, which is not covered in the initial cost. This warranty will support the unit’s upkeep to ensure it reaches its full life cycle. The new unit will feature treated coils, which are essential due to the sea air in our area. I believe this will be the best purchase for the district.

Description:  The Board May Convene into Closed (executive) session, in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, TX Govt. Code 551.001, Subchapters D and E or Texas Govt Code section 418.183(f).  Before any closed meeting is convened, the presiding officer will publicly identify the section or sections of the Act authorizing the closed meeting.  All final votes, actions, or decisions will be taken in open meeting.
 

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.