July 31, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Discussion:  The meeting was called to order and a quorum announced at 5:31 p.m. by President Jerry McCarty.

Discussion:  There were no persons signed up for Open Forum.

Discussion:  The RISD Board of Trustees entered into Closed Session at 5:32 p.m. under Texas Government Code 551.074 Personnel, 551.076 and 551.089 Deliberation Regarding Security Devices or Security Audits.  The board reconvened to Open Session at 6:29 p.m.

Discussion:  At 6:35 p.m., prayer and pledge was led by Bryan Strand.  Motto, Vision, Mission and Belief Statements were read by all Team of 8 members in attendance.

Discussion:  Director of Finance Tess Baker gave an overview of the ASCENDER Conference held on June 27-29, 2023 in San Antonio, TX.  Attending were Tess Baker, Lori Bristow (Payroll/HR) and Ashley Eason (Accounts Payable).

Discussion:  Athletic Director Brandon Layne and Girls Athletic Coordinator Michael Henderson gave a summary of the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) Conference which was held July 16-18, 2023 in Houston, TX.  He included a brief detail from each coach on what sessions they attended along with take aways the group hopes to implement during the upcoming school year.

Discussion:  Athletic Director Brandon Layne discussed the recent UIL water bulb rule which went into effect immediately and how its implementation is affecting all sports, etc.

Discussion:  Board members reviewed Cash Flow, Revenue and Check Register for June 2023.

Discussion:  As part of the Budget Update, Board members reviewed documents detailing the $40,000 current homestead exemption and the $100,000 homestead exemption which will be voted on during the November 2023 election.  Redwater ISD will use the $100,000 template for budgeting purposes.  It is anticipated that RISD may adopt a deficit budget much like many Texas school districts have chosen to given the legislative changes and lack of funding for public schools.  Certified values were just received and will be presented during the August 14, 2023 Budget Workshop.

Discussion:  Lee Ann Corbin, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, updated Board members on the assorted Summer Learning Programs held June 5 - July 21, 2023.

Discussion:  Brett Haugh, Redwater High School Principal, detailed the proposed changes to the Student Handbook for the 2023-2024 school year.  Assorted changes addressed: Parent opting student out of Advanced Math in Grades 6-8; Tutoring/Test Preparation; Parent Review of Instructional Materials; Student in Foster Care; Student who is homeless; Compulsory Attendance Exemptions; Documentation after an Absence (Parent Notes); Bullying; College/University Admission and Financial Aid; Dress & Grooming Policy; Tik Tok Use; Medicine at School; Unassigned Opiod Antagonists; Physical Health Screenings/Examinations; Repeating a High School Credit Course; Requesting Administration of STAAR/EOC in Paper Format; Safety; Preparedness Training - CPR and Stop the Bleed; Visitors to School; Freedom from Bullying Policy; DAEP for Vaping.

Board Member Bryan Strand encouraged leadership to make sure there is a strong level of communication done on Vaping and the DAEP discipline associated with each offense.  The communication must be clear and often to both kids and parents.

Discussion:  Redwater Intermediate School Principal, Jakeb Goff, will be working with staff to review three (3) options for Traffic Pick-Up/Drop-Off for the upcoming school year.  One will be selected and a video produced for RIS parents/guardians.

Discussion:  Members reviewed the annual contract with the Buddy Alford Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) along with the DAEP Handbook and billing.

Discussion:  Members reviewed the 2023-24 Compensation Plan.  There is a possibility that after the action taken on the plan, there may be a revised plan presented in August, if needed.  Bus Driver additional pay is not currently in the plan given RISD is unsure where the budget will be with the new homestead exemption and the new SSA program.

Discussion:  Assistant Superintendent Corbin did a step-by-step review of changes associated with the 2023-24 Professional Development Plan.

Discussion:  RHS Principal, Brett Haugh, reviewed changes to the Student Code of Conduct for 2023-24.  They include information on:  Reporting Crimes, Security Personnel; Students with Disabilities; Mandatory Placement for Misconduct that Requires DAEP Placement; Explusion; Harrassment.

Discussion:  Mrs. Corbin reviewed the RISD proposed Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) Appraisal Calendar and List of Appraisers.

Discussion:  Approval must be given annually to the 4H Sponsor from the Bowie County Extension Office for an approved adjunct faculty member in order for RISD to count 4H students as excused extracurricular absences and collect ADA for them during shows.

Discussion:  Given that RISD does not have the funds to employ three (3) or more armed guards/deputies, a Board Resolution is required to show that our local plan is to utilize our guardians for this purpose and in order to comply with the new HB3 statute.

Discussion:  Ratification of a previous motion during the July 19, 2023 Board Meeting must happen in order to reflect the correct TIPS # of the vendor.

Discussion:  Presentation of brick quote for RIS as discussed during the June 2023 meeting.

Discussion:  Director of Bands, Dillon Davis, will make efforts to sell surplus items to other districts who may be interested.

Discussion:  The creation of this CTE Aide position will not increase the budget. It will reallocate CTE funds from supplies to salaries with no budget increase. It will also allow us to utilize the newly renovated and equipped Ag Shop more as well as plan to begin teaching TC Dual Credit courses on campus.

Discussion:  Enrollment numbers currently project more than the state-mandated 11:1 threshold in Pre-Kindergarten. With the addition of an additional aide, all three PreK classrooms would have an aide. Our current anticipated numbers are 17:2 in two classes and 16:1 in the other class. We did have three (3) aides in the past, but had dropped to only two due to previous school year enrollment numbers.

Discussion:  Enrollment numbers in our elementary Life Skills Class (grades 1-6) have grown. The ratio for Life Skills should be 4:1. Our numbers are currently 16 students, 1 teacher, and 2 paraprofessionals, making us 16:3 thereby putting us short by one adult. The increase is due to families moving into either Redwater ISD or Maud ISD, therefore they are in-district students for the SSA. This increase has not been caused by transfer students.  This position will be partially funded by Maud ISD depending on the proportion of Maud ISD students in the classroom. Maud ISD has been notified of the proposed teacher addition.  Consequently, we will also be moving a kindergarten teacher to the opposite end of the hall so that we can put the second elementary life skills classroom across the hall from the existing life skills room in order for them to have closer access to the new bathroom construction.

Discussion:  No action taken.

Discussion:  This policy update is needed in order to remove standards-based grading at the elementary first grade only.

Discussion:  The RISD School Safety & Security Committee will meet on August 15, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.  New Board President, Jerry McCarty, will replace former President Brad Rosiek on the committee and member Sarah Robinson will continue to serve as the Board Representative to the committee.

Discussion:  Enrollment numbers for district are showing projections at 1,109 for the upcoming school year.  However, final numbers will not be known until the first Monday of the school year which will allow us to determine no-shows who are currently counted on our rolls. 

Discussion:  District Nurse, Jennifer Robinson, has completed the respective requirements needed to be approved by Texarkana College in order for Redwater ISD to start our EMT Dual Credit course.  We are the only school district in the region/area to have such a course.  Work has also been done on the graphic design for the Mobile Classroom unit (Mobile Care Unit).  Design is still undergoing some changes.

Discussion:  RISD will advertise for bids to harvest hay from the Ag Farm via an RFP.  Harvest timeline from approval of bid through next summer cutting (October 2024).  Proposed RFP timelines and approval dates are:  Public Notice in Tribune on 8/9 and 8/16;  Bids due by 8/24; Ag Farm Committee to meet on 8/25; Board action to approve winning proposal 8/28.  Currently checking with attorney on sole proprietors and their requirements for Workers' Compensation insurance.

The Redwater High School Trap Team has approached Principal Haugh on the possibility of using part of the Ag Farm as a Trap Shooting Practice Facility shooting into the 23 acres of wooded area behind the Ag Farm.

Discussion:  Elementary: Kindergarten broken driveway has been repaired.
Intermediate:  Bathroom remodel, band room flooring, and phase one new door installation is complete.  Scheduled painting has been complete.  Will reevaluate when the rest of the scheduled painting has been completed. Gym roof has been replaced.
Junior High: Painting has begun for several rooms being painted and touch-ups throughout.
High School: Phase one of brickwork has been completed; lockers have been removed from English Hall and wall repainted.
Safety & Security:  Power poles for electrical portion of the fence has been installed and inspected.  Waiting on Bowie Cass to attach powers and meters.  Phase one of the new door replacements has been completed.  Phase two will begin in September.
Athletics:  Top dressing on football field completed.
District:  General grading and ditch cleaning in process; HVAC general tune-ups in process.  SPED restroom remodels for SSA are in process.
Ag Farm:  Bridge to back part of farm will begin by August 4.
Lightning Damage:  Fire alarm system affected as well as 3 rooftop HVAC units.  Working to file an insurance claim.

Discussion:  Annual Contract (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024) for substance awareness and detection services. Interquest will provide six (6) half-visits at $320 per visit for the contract period.  

Discussion:  Redwater Youth Sports Association has approached Redwater ISD regarding the starting of a pee-wee flag football program and use of RISD facilities. Discussions are on-going.

Discussion:  Redwater ISD has applied for assistance through Region XV ESC to aid in TIA plan development funded through a Region XV ESC grant.  This grant does not include similar services to private consulting.

Discussion:  This meeting will also be held on Monday, August 14 following the Budget Workshop.

Discussion:  Attending will be Clint Duncan, Jerry McCarty and Dr. Kelly Burns

Discussion:  Sarah Robinson is currently participating in this program.  Staff is asked to look into getting Jerry McCarty enrolled in the program.

Discussion:  Prior to adjourning, Superintendent Dr. Kelly Burns recognized RIS Principal Jakeb Goff for recently being named TASSP Region 8 Principal of the Year.