January 17, 2025 at 12:30 PM - Regular

Description:  Mr. David Schaeffer, Chairman, will call the meeting to order. 

Description:  A copy of the minutes of the October 25, 2024, regular meeting is included in this agenda. 

Description:  The Audit Report for 2023-2024 is complete; a copy is provided for your review.  A representative from Bolinger, Segars, Gilbert, and Moss LLP will be present at the Board meeting to provide an overview of the audit and to respond to questions or concerns. 

Description:  The Head Start Performance Standards (45 CFR) state that the Governing Body must approve or disapprove of the following updated policies and procedures:

Annual Report Policy (Administration - 45 CFR Part(s):  644(a)(2))
Board Orientation (Administration - 45 CFR 1301.5 Part(s):  1305.4(m))
Early Head Start Partnership Agreements - (Administration - 45 CFR Part(s):  1302.53 
Head Start Onboarding (formerly New employee Orientation - (Administration - 45 CFR Part(s):  1302.9; 1302.92;(a)(b)(2))
Self Assessment (Administration - 45 CFR Part(s):  1302.102(a)(2)(b)(2)i-iii)
Training (Administration - 45 CFR Part(s): 1302.92)
Selection (ERSEA - 45 CFR Part(s): 1302.14)

 

Description:  Ms. Leslie Callahan will review the 2024 Community Needs Assessment, as requested by the Office of Head Start/Early Head Start.  A copy is included with this agenda item.

Description:  The terms of office for the following places on the Region 16 Board of Directors expires on May 31, 2025.

Place 3 - Mr. Lawrence Bussard (Dumas) - Counties of Dallam, Hartley, Moore, Oldham, Potter (except AISD), & Sherman

Place 6 - Mrs. Doneice Ray (Amarillo) - That part of Potter & Randall Counties in the boundaries of AISD

Dates:
February 1 - Deadline for advertising/posting of announcements about vacancies
February 1-20 - Candidates file
By March 1 - Deadline for submitting ballots to the ISD Boards
April 5 - Deadline for returning ballots to the ESC
May 31 - Deadline for canvassing ballots
June 1 - New Terms of office begin

Included in this agenda: the official notice calling the election, a map showing the counties by place, and other related information.  Please note that the Official Notice calling the election states that should there be an uncontested election, the Region 16 ESC Board has determined that no election will be held.

Description:  At the August 30, 2024 Board meeting, in accordance with Board Policy CE (Local), the Board approved the commitment of fund balance for the following purpose, with the amount to be determined subsequently:

Description:  $1,212,468

Description:  $2,000,000

Description:  $211,498

Description:  $2,750,000

Description:  Region 16 ESC programs and services highlights will be presented.

Description:  The following interlocal agreements will be reviewed as information.

In the September 30, 2024 Special Meeting, the Region 16 ESC Board of Directors delegated authority to the Executive Director to approve and enter into local agreements with the Texas Education Agency, other state agencies, other regional Education Service Centers, and Texas school districts and charter schools.

Description:  Authorize the Executive Director to execute the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) Agreement with Dalhart ISD, Texline ISD, and Channing ISD and Frank Phillips College and to make non-substantive corrections as necessary.

Description:  Approve delegation of day-to-day monitoring and oversight of the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) to the R-PEP Advisory Board, provided that the Board of Directors retains sole authority to approve contracts obligating the education service center, the budget for pathway operations, appointment and removal of members of the R-PEP Advisory Board, and modification or termination of the Partnership Agreement.

Description:  Mr. Michael Keough will present an update on the EdNet16 Fiber project as information. Included as attachments are examples of two letters of intent (LOI) - one for the consortium only and one for the consortium plus internet; and one letter declining.

A resolution may also be presented and approved during the meeting. 

Description:  Copies of the Financial Report as of November 2024 are included.  Questions or observations regarding these reports are invited prior to or during the Board meeting.

Description:  The Investment Report for the fiscal year through November 2024 is included.  Questions or observations regarding this report are invited prior to or during the Board meeting.

Description:  The special revenue funds are included as information.

Description:  In accordance with Board policy, proposals were received for the following items. Detailed proposals and recommendations are presented.  

Description:  Happy State Bank expressed interest in donating Palace Coffee for Head Start/Early Head Start December staff recognition, in the amount of $522.50.

Old Navy expressed interest in donating $500.00 to several of the ECI Angels on the angel tree.

Description:  In December 2024, AEPA held a conference to review, evaluate, and approve IFB responses received for the product categories listed below.  Upon approving the IFB responses, AEPA recommended vendors to their members for their respective agencies to consider entering into contract.  

AEPA recommended the following vendors for the ESC to consider.  Detailed AEPA evaluation documents are presented.