October 16, 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:  No persons signed up for Open Forum.

Discussion:  The RISD Board of Trustees entered into Closed Session at 5:31 p.m. under Texas Government Code 551.074 Personnel, 551.076 and 551.089 deliberation Regarding Security Devicesor Security Audits.  The board reconvened to Open Session at 6:35 p.m.  The Board of Trustees reconvened into Executive Session for a second time at 7:38 p.m. and returned to Open Session at 9:11 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:  President Jerry McCarty, on behalf of the RISD Board of Trustees, expressed his appreciation to Mrs. Theresa Cowling, Mr. Jakeb Goff, Mrs. Kim Cody and Mr. Brett Haugh, campus principals, for being a special group of leaders for our district.  He commented each is making a difference every day in fostering a positive climate and culture for our students and staff and wanted them to know that the board sincerely appreciated their leadership and dedication.

Discussion:  Board members reviewed the 2023 Tax Rolls received from Bowie Central Appraisal District.  Total Taxable Value is $ $332,896,844; Gross Tax Levy $3,115,914.15; Less Tax on Frozen Items is $468,140.03; Plus Frozen Tax $384,583.98; Plus Late Penalty Gain is $3,499.66; Total Tax Levy $3,035,857.76.

Discussion:  Cash Flow, Revenue, and Check Register for August 2023 was reviewed by Board members.

Discussion:  Enrollment for September was reviewed showing RISD to be holding steady and up by 42 students over the final enrollment for 2022-23 and up 35 students over last year same time.  Snapshot date is October 27, 2023.

Discussion:  Robyn Hervey, English as a Second Language Coordinator for the District, presented the Annual Report of Education Performance for 2022-23.  RISD supported 9 Emergent Bilingual students in grades PK-9.  Five (5) students were assessed for academic progress and seven (7) students were assessed for TELPAS and English Language Proficiency.  One (1) student met the requirements for reclassification and exited the program.  All ELAR teachers with an Emergent Bilingual student were ESL certified.  The ESL Teacher & TELPAS Coordinator attended all required training in 2022-23 and has all the required ESL and testing certifications.  Mrs. Hervey expressed her appreciation to the Board and Dr. Burns for their continued support of the program.

Discussion:  Jennifer Robinson, RN, presented the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) Committee Annual Report.  She reviewed details related to the Student Cafeteria Survey for Grades 4-12. Questions included: number of days a student ate lunch in the cafeteria; what would need to be changed in order for the student to increase the amount of times they ate in the cafeteria each week; and what was their favorite food item served in the cafeteria.  Additionally, she presented various concerns expressed by the students, changes that have been and have not been made to date, and current issues on milk and food inventory needed to meet student's needs.

Discussion:  This RFP for Custodial Services and/or Floor Services Contract went out on September 6, 2023.  Contracts were asked to be submitted no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023.  Four (4) proposals for both services were received along with one (1) proposal for floors only.  The proposed rubric was used looking at price, annual proposed increase, staff pay, bonuses, how staff would be assigned for work day/night, and total number of staff needed, among other criteria.  Director of Operations, Matt Wommack, conducted on-site visits to two school clients for two of the submitted companies.  Selected vendor is Walsh.  Board member Bryan Strand requested that the new vendor come in and do a "super clean" in order to get the district caught up on cleaning.

Discussion:  Information for casting of votes not received by BCAD.  No action taken.  Will place on November 2023 agenda.

Discussion:  RHS Principal Brett Haugh detailed the travel for RHS FFA to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN.  Travel will begin on October 30 to half-way point and stay in Joplin, MO.  Next leg would be on through to IN to Convention.

Discussion:  As part of our continual series on "celebrating" those staff members who are not part of a given appreciation day/week/month, staff highlighted from September 25 - October 13, 2023 was shared with the Board.

Discussion:  The "Did You Know" graphics for September 29, October 6 and October 13, 2023 were shared with board members.

Discussion:  The first intruder audit of the 2023-24 school year was conducted at Redwater Elementary School on October 10, 2023. No findings were reported.  Audits are now being conducted by TEA.

Discussion:  HB 3 mandate requires that county sheriff's hold semi-annual meetings with police, fire, school districts, EMS and others.  The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 7 at 6:00 p.m. at the Bowie County Courthouse Central Jury Room.

Discussion:  Meeting with the Redwater Youth Sports Association was slated for October 17, 2023.  Being changed to October 25, 2023.

Discussion:  In addition to the October 2023 Facilities Report, members received the Priority HVAC List, Campus Facilities Surveys, School District Bond Election Process and Deadlines for May School District Elections.  Board Member Sarah Robinson requested updates on gate completion.  Discussion on potential bond election led to the decision of May 2025.

Discussion:  Teacher Survey results were reported.  Have a mandatory TIA meeting for Admin and Principals at Region VIII on November 14, 2023.

Discussion:  On October 18, 2023, Tina Veal-Gooch and Brett Haugh will be presenting at the Region 8 Leadership Summit for principals on our branding and marketing campaigns. 

Discussion:  Dr. Burns shared information on proposed Senate and House bills for the Special Session.  She also mentioned if teachers received legislative raises, RISD should also consider support staff raise.

Discussion:  The Cybersecurity Training is required to be completed no later than December 15, 2023.

Discussion:  All attending October 2023 Board Meeting are able to attend the Fall NTSBA.  Will check on the others if they can attend

Discussion:  Board Member Clint Duncan and Superintendent Dr. Kelly Burns shared with others the sessions and information received during their attendance of the TASA/TASB txEDCON23 Conference.

Discussion:  RISD has confirmed with Rhonda Crass to conduct the "Team of 8" Training on Monday, January 22, 2024.  All eight members must be in attendance to receive credit for training. Dinner at 5:30 p.m.. with training beginning at 6:00. This will be a 3-hour training as required.