December 11, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Regular Meeting & Public Hearing

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 5:39 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 6:35 p.m.  A second Closed Session was held from 8:43 p.m. to 8:53 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:  Tess Baker, Director of Finance, conducted the Public Hearing on RISD's rating for the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST).  She shared the District Score was 100% with an A (Superior Achievement) Rating and did a quick review of various indicators which are included in the data to determine the district status.

Discussion:  Lee Culpepper, with Critical Response Group (CRG), was unable to attend. He will be invited to join us for presentation of his company at another time.

Discussion:  Josh Jordan, Area Manager with Walsh Services, shared with the board his appreciation for trusting their company with the school custodial work that is needed.  His office is at Rivercrest ISD which allows him to be in very proximity to RISD, if any key issues should arise.  Additionally, he gave detail updates on:  employee transition/staff hiring; new equipment installed; staff trained on supplies; QR code system expected to be fully operational by December 15; logistics finalized for regular deliveries; employee uniforms to be ordered; employees using contract scope of work with minor adjustments being made to increase productivity and quality; deep clean expected during Christmas break; misting system.

Discussion:  Lee Ann Corbin, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, presented the Accountability Report for 2023.  Items reviewed included:  Student Achievement Domain (STAAR Performance, CCMR, Graduation Rate; School Progress Domain (Academic Growth, Relative Growth); and Closing the Gaps Domain.  RES, RIS, & RJHS principals spoke on their campus numbers.  Mrs. Corbin spoke on both district and RHS numbers.

Discussion:  The Professional Development Update was presented by Lee Ann Corbin, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction.  Her report included a by campus detail on what PD programs have been done to date and through which provider.  Additionally, details were given on PD opportunities made available to staff via the Informational Technology Department. Mrs. Corbin shared that the District is working toward all teachers incorporating writing into their instruction using the strategies taught through district-wide professional development to support student achievement on STAAR and post-secondary life. Success will be measured using STAAR RLA and English 1 and 2 EOC. The district goal for all STAAR assessments is 90% approaches, 60% meets, and 30% masters, with 70% mastery of the ECR.

Discussion:  Cash Flow, Revenue, and Check Register for November were reviewed by Board Members.

Discussion:  Investment review shared what current rates are at presently and that RISD is currently earning 5.44% onto ur General Operating account as of November 30, 2023.

Discussion:  Enrollment for November was reviewed showing RISD with 49 students over the enrollment figure for the same time last year and 44 students over the final enrollment number for 2022-23.

Discussion:  Budget Amendments have been updated to include costs associated with statewide travel for Band.

Discussion:  In the absence of Tim Holt, CPA with Thomas & Thomas PLLC, Scott Murray and Austin Hunnicutt presented the Annual Financial Audit Report.

Discussion:  In the absence of Tim Holt, CPA with Thomas & Thomas, Scott Murray and Austin Hunnicutt presented the annual Financial Audit Report

Discussion:  Dr. Kelly Burns presented details on recent changes to HB 3033.  The Public Information Act now allows governmental bodies to designate up to 10 non-business days during a calendar year. For a school district, the designation of non-business days must be made by the board of trustees as per Tex. Gov't Code § 552.0031(f).

Discussion:  Redwater High School Principal, Brett Haugh, presented updates to the RHS Improvement Plan.

Discussion:  Redwater Intermediate School Principal, Jakeb Goff, presented updates to the RIS Improvement Plan.

Discussion:  Dr. Kelly Burns detailed the need for the title change on the auxiliary pay range for pay grade 6 in order to recruit more skilled maintenance workers.

Discussion:  As part of our continual series on celebrating those staff members who are not part of a given appreciation day/week/month, staff highlights from November 15, 2023 through December 11, 2023 were shared with the Board.

Discussion:  As part of our continual "Did You Know" series, social media graphics which were posted on November 17, November 24, December 1 and December 8, 2023 were shared with the Board.

Discussion:  The Intruder Audit Dashboard was shared with Board members.  To date, we have had six (6) audits during 2022-23 and 2023-24 with no findings and no corrective actions needed.

Discussion:  Anticipate having a meeting in the coming week on allocated funds of $787,326 from Cycle 1 for Safety and Facilities Enhancement (SAFE) in order to make a determination of what RISD needs exist which said funds can be applied to.  Board members suggested more perimeter lighting to be considered.

Discussion:  Discussion was held on details of HB 900. Currently, oral arguments on HB 900 have been heard by the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals.  No ruling has yet been made.  Member Bryan Strand has requested to see a list of the books.

Discussion:  Echo Hills Baptist Church has volunteered to host Baccalaureate 2024 and Redwater United Methodist Church will host in 2025. If a church hosts and is not able to accommodate the crowd, First Baptist Church of Redwater has volunteered to provide their sanctuary.

Discussion:  Details were given on school district choice to use school chaplains.  The House Bill requires every one of Texas 1,192 school boards to take a record vote on the matter. In other words, school boards cannot simply "take a pass" on the question of employing chaplains: they must either affirm or reject the practice. This requires board action and TASB recommends a resolution to ensure clear intent.  Thoughts among members were to consider using chaplains to develop familiarity with students through story reading, counseling as needed.

Discussion:  Superintendent Dr. Kelly Burns met with members of the Dragon Cabinet.  Discussion centered on  how Bond funding works and asked them for their input on facility needs.  Students were also asked to be a part of the community meeting process when those begin.

Discussion:  Dr. Kelly Burns met with RYSA to discuss Bond possibilities and support. Survey was sent to members.  Only three (3) responses to date.

Discussion:  The Superintendent has met with members of the Band Boosters Club to discuss Bond possibilities and support. Survey has been sent with a low number of responses. Will be working in the coming weeks with the Dragon Theatre Booster Club on the same.

Discussion:  Board members reviewed the December 2023 Facilities Report.  Member Sarah Robinson asked for an update on when the gates would be fully functional.  Director of Operations, Matt Wommack, shared that KLC was getting a couple of parts to finish up and the Maintenance Department was planning to do some testing on the main entrance during the Christmas/New Year break.

Discussion:  Discussion on roof replacement for Redwater Intermediate School.  Members were shown roof options.  One (1) bid was received at the time of posting.  Anticipate work to be done during Spring Break '24

Discussion:  Dr, Kelly Burns, Matt Wommack, Rhonda Roberts and Jakeb Goff met last week to discuss best location for the Intermediate SSA classroom to start planning for summer renovations. Also met with Dr. Segers at Maud ISD so he could inform his board and let them know there would be more renovations this summer.

Discussion:  Board members reviewed the newly developed five-year plans for facilities.

Discussion:  An HVAC Checklist for campuses/district was presented for members to review.

Discussion:  Preliminary meeting was held with Claycomb Associates Architects to discuss pre-bond services.  If their company is selected as the chosen architectural firm, pre-bond services are of no charge, even if bond election fails.

Discussion:  Five-year Technology Plan was reviewed.

Discussion:  Staff survey was sent soliciting steering committee volunteers with only three (3) responding.  Will be re-sending to see if more interest is out there.  Member Bryan Strand expressed concern on the continuation of staff time being spent on a possible program that RISD will not be participating in.  He asked that a decision be made on if we plan on continuing to pursue this option.

Discussion:  Summer Nilsson (Daingerfield ISD graduate) spoke at the Region VIII RAC meeting and asked districts to participate in a girls' collaborative group to read her book and discuss the value of words and the fact that words matter. This is a self-esteem builder exercise for girls grades 6-10. We will have our first meeting with her in February. Date to be determined.

Discussion:  Policy EIE (LOCAL) has been approved.  However, the section on Standards for Mastery Grades 1-6 needs clarification.  Instead of referring to classes as "English, Language Arts", it should be English/Language Arts.  TASB has suggested that no action be taken, only clarification of the change to the Board.

Discussion:  December is the usual time for the Board to do a self-evaluation. We will add this to our Team of 8 Training on January 22, 2024.

Discussion:  All members have completed their required Cybersecurity Training.

Discussion:  "Team of 8" training will be held on January 22, 2024, with Rhonda Crass conducting.  All eight members must be in attendance to receive credit for the training.  Dinner will be at 5:30 p.m.  Training will be from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Discussion:  TASB is expected to release information on trustee elections for May 4, 2024 in the middle or end of January 2024.  Trustees up for election on May 4, 2024 will be:  Thomas Anderson & Bryan Strand.  Based on previous years, our timetable will be similar to below.
Monday, December 18:  Deadline to post notice of candidate application filing period.
Wednesday, January 17:  First day to file an application for a place on the ballot or declaration of write-in candidacy for the general election.
Friday, February 16:  Deadline to order May general election and Deadline to file an application for a place on the general election ballot.
Friday, February 23:  First day to cancel an unopposed election.