September 18, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Discussion:  The meeting was called to order and a quorum announced at 5:30 p.m. by President Jerry McCarty.

Discussion:  One person signed up for Open Forum.
Stephanie Brooks regarding Safety.  Feels that the ease of access to the playground, along with the past three weeks of someone placing "pranks" on the playground to scare the younger children, is something of concern. Shared her appreciation of the RES staff and their actions following the incidents but does feel that extra safety precautions are necessary.  Asks that the playground not be an area that is accessible to the public when students are not in school.  

Discussion:  The RISD Board of Trustees entered into Closed Session at 5:33 p.m. under Texas Government Code 551.071 Consultation with Attorney, 551.074 Personnel, 551.076 and 551.089 Deliberation Regarding Security Devices or Security Audits.  The board reconvened to Open Session at 6:32 p.m.  The Board of Trustees reconvened into Executive Session for a second time at 7:23 p.m. and returned to Open Session at 8:06 p.m.

Discussion:  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:  Board Members reviewed Cash Flow, Revenue, and Check Register for August 2023.

Discussion:  Enrollment for August was reviewed showing RISD to be up by 48 students over the final enrollment for 2022-23 and up 42 students over last year same time.

Discussion:  Dr. Kelly Burns, Superintendent, reviewed with board members an itemized spreadsheet detailing HVAC needs for the future.  The numbers are approximate in quantity and pricing.  Suggestion was made to hire an HVAC company to verify the determination by inspecting each unit, doing a very basic service if needed, and give RISD a report on exact age and state of condition of each unit.  Additionally, board should consider replacing new units in a staggered plan. The spreadsheet also detailed what needs have been included in the 2023-24 budget, what was not included, and safety funds RISD expects to receive but does not yet know how much or when it will be received. Board of Trustees asked staff to get the respective details from Government Capital to move forward on a possible $1.5 million note over 15 years and to prepare a more accurate list of needs for approval during the October 2023 meeting.
 

Discussion:  The RFP for Custodial Services and/or Floor Services Contract was sent out on September 6, 2023.  Contracts are asked to be submitted no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 29.  To date, we have sent the RFP to seven (7) companies and have received interest from three (3) additional companies.

Discussion:  No interest from the Board of Trustees to nominate someone for the position.  No action taken.  Will cast their votes during October 2023 Regular Session based upon Ballot to be received by Bowie Central Appraisal District.

Discussion:  Surplus items from throughout the District include:  Stoves, Vehicles, Lockers, Filing Cabinets.  Will be using Lone Star Auctions online to sell.

Discussion:  Dr. Burns shared with board members how the word "Celebrate" is being used throughout the district and the social media effort to "celebrate" staff members (i.e. teachers) throughout the year along with our approved 2023-24 Recognition Calendar.

Discussion:  The RISD "Did You Know" is a weekly effort to detail fact-based bits of information about RISD, programs and other assorted items, via social media.  We hope our efforts will reach those that may be considering bringing their child to RISD while at the same time allowing our fans to learn information they may not be aware of. 

Discussion:  Dr. Burns attended the first Pastoral Alliance meeting on September 8, 2023.  Discussion was on how RISD and our local churches can work together for our students and staff. 

Discussion:  Intermediate: The brickwork for the front entrance and cafeteria entrance is scheduled for first week of October; door pricing is in process.
Junior High:  Three (3) double door sets will be ordered in September once pricing is obtained; pricing for brickwork at the 7th grade entrance is being obtained in September.
Safety & Security:  KLC is scheduled to begin work to install access control for the gates during the week of September 18.
HVAC:  Servicing of district HVAC units has resumed; the cafetorium, elementary gym, and field house units have been installed; the gym units will be installed within the next week.; four more units need to get ordered - 2 for the elementary and 2 for the 7th grade building; the supplemental rented A/C units will be redutned on September 15.
Kitchen Remodel:  The health inspector has inspected the kitchens with a few concerns ranging from older ceiling tiles to plumbing issues; a contractor has been contacted and we are pending on an estimate; once the board approves the final scope of work to complete and at what pricing, RISD will contact the health inspector for further guidance and scheduling.
Work Orders:  An approximate 115 work orders have been received since August 28, 2023; twenty-five remain outstanding at this time; Work Order issues have been HVAC/Electrical, Trash, Plumbing, Grounds, Pest Control, Building Repair and Door/Window requests.

Discussion:  RISD will begin working with Lone Star Auctioneers to publish online, via their website, surplus items that need to be sold to the general public.  Their services are "FREE" to use under any of the cooperative programs where they are an approved vendor.  LSA contracts are classified as straight revenue-generated agreements, meaning the winning high bid price (gross sale) is all paid to the school district.  They also pay the administration fee (usually 2%) to the cooperative program we choose to use. 

Discussion:  No requests were made and no proposal documents were turned in by the first deadline of August 24, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. or by the extended deadline of August 31, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

Discussion:  TEA has changed the requirements for qualification of students to take STAAR Alt 2 test. This will affect our students greatly as TEA has made the qualifications more stringent.  What this ultimately means is self-contained, life skill students who have taken Alt 2 in the past may now be required to take the regular, grade-level STAAR.

Discussion:  TEA has delayed the release of the 2023 accountability ratings.

Discussion:  RISD had their first administrative Zoom and teacher Zoom meetings with Region 15.  Dr. Burns met with all campuses to share the recorded teacher Zoom for stakeholder input.  Anticipate some concerns as we move forward from both the teachers and administrators.

Discussion:  Dr. Burns shared with board members that Gabbert has sold to Parent Square and will be shutting down the e-note program beginning in October.  Will be rolling out a new system from Parent Square.  It will update nightly with Ascender.

Discussion:  Current Trustee required trainings for the 2023-24 school year.

Discussion:  Cybersecurity Training must be completed no later than December 15, 2023.

Discussion:  Clint Duncan and Superintendent Dr. Kelly Burns will be attending.

Discussion:  Board would like "Team of 8 Training" to be in January 2024, preferably on Monday with no training on Tuesdays or Fridays. 

Discussion:  November meeting will be held on Monday, November 13, 2023.