April 15, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Regular Meeting & Public Hearing

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

Discussion:  No persons signed up for Open Forum.  Board Member Bryan Strand asked that timing of Open Forum be reviewed for possible change and was discussed.

Discussion:  The RISD Board of Trustees entered into Closed Session at 5:38 p.m. under Texas Government Code 551.074 Personnel, 551.076 and 551.089 Deliberation Regarding Security Devices or Security Audit.  The board reconvened to Open Session at 6:28 p.m.  Members went into a second Executive Session at 8:08 p.m.  They reconvened back to Open Session at 9:41 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:  The following students were recognized for their achievements:
*Lily Anderson, Carlee Robinson & Kylee Rowland, members of the RHS Powerlifting Team who competed at the Texas High School Women's Powerlifting Association State Championship.  Kylee took 2nd Place out of 13; Lily earned 8th Place out of 15 and Carlee took 9th Place out of 12;
*Dragon TV Crew Members who have worked hard for the past 2-3 years to get Dragon TV to a Broadcast Excellence standard and who received the Broadcast Excellence Award at the STN Conference.  They are: Greer Early, Ella Godwin, Carly Kennedy, Zoe Knighton, Leighla Pearcy, Keith Roadcap & Shae Woolery;
*Zoe Knighton for receiving the Best in Texas Award from Texas Association of Journalism Educators, the Superior Broadcast Story Award from Texas Association of Journalism Educators and earning 2nd Place in Human Interest Story from Student Television Network;
*Mackenzie May for being elected a FCCLA State Officer;
*Riley Plunkett, Trevor Smith and Chloe Taylor for being recognized in the Young Writers nation-wide contest based upon imagination, creativity and use of language;
*RHS Winterguard Team who were named the Silver Medalist during the NTCA Regional AA Championship.  Members are:
Aubry Andersson, Reagan Bulkley, Emily Drawdy, Leighanna Gilbert, Addison Hash, Katelyn Jennings, Jackson Moncrief, Murphie Rossum, Londyn Slaton, Samantha Stacy, Chloe Taylor, Emma Waddell and Director Cooper Moncrief.
 

Discussion:  Assistant Superintendent Lee Ann Corbin shared the results of the evaluation of the effectiveness of accelerated programs for the 2022-23 school year in accordance with TEC Code 29.081 (b-3).

Discussion:  Board President Jerry McCarty announced the status of continuing education requirements for current Board members. 
TEAM BUILDING
At present, the collective Board of Trustees & Superintendent have not completed the annual team-building requirements.  We have scheduled to complete on May 23, 2024.
CYBERSECURITY
All board members have completed the annual training on cybersecurity during December 2023.
ADDITIONAL CONTINUING EDUCATION
All board members have each completed their respective additional continuing education requirements.
SEXUAL ABUSE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND OTHER MALTREATMENT OF CHILDREN
All board members have completed this biennial training.  They will be required to repeat the training during the August through May 2024-25 school year.
TJ Anderson on March 26, 2022; Clint Duncan on September 30, 2023; Jerry McCarty on July 2, 2021; Erik Narens on July 2, 2021; Sarah Robinson on March 25, 2022; Brad Rosiek on July 2, 2021; Bryan Strand on April 26, 2021.
UPDATE TO THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE:  POST-LEGISLATIVE
All Members have completed the requirements for Post-Legislative Update to the Texas Education Code.
TJ Anderson on December 7, 2023; Clint Duncan on December 7, 2023; Jerry McCarty on April 14, 2024; Erik Narens on April 14, 2024; Sarah Robinson on June 24, 2023; Brad Rosiek on June 24, 2023; Bryan Strand on December 7, 2023
SCHOOL SAFETY
All members have completed the biennial training on school safety.  They will be required to repeat the training during the August through May 2024-25 school year.
TJ Anderson on September 11, 2022; Clint Duncan on September 12, 2022; Jerry McCarty on September 13, 2022; Erik Narens on September 18, 2022; Sarah Robinson on August 31, 2022; Brad Rosiek on August 4, 2022; Bryan Strand on September 12, 2022
EXCEEDING REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION
The following Board Members exceeded the required amount of continuing education training hours.
TJ Anderson - 8 hours; Clint Duncan - 11 hours; Sarah Robinson - 22.5 hours plus was a member of the TASB Board Officer Institute in July 2023; Brad Rosiek - 14 hours; Bryan Strand - 9 hours

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

Discussion:  RISD is currently earning 5.40% on the General Operating Account.  For monthly reporting, a detailed comparison of revenue to budget was added.

Discussion:  Enrollment for March was reviewed showing RISD with 25 students over the enrollment figure for the same time last year and 28 students over the final enrollment number for 2022-23.  

Discussion:  Assistant Superintendent Lee Ann Corbin presented Science Instructional Materials Selection for K-12 as a 3-year adoption.  Grades K-3 will use Studies Weekly; Grades 4-5 will use Discovery Education; Grades 6-8, Biology, Chemistry and Physics will use McGraw Hill; Environmental Sciences will use Savvas; Forensics, Principles of Technology and Anatomy & Physiology will use ICEV.

Discussion:  No action taken due to recent resignation of District nurse.

Discussion:  Hiring of Special Education Director is still pending.

Discussion:  As part of our continual series on Celebrating those staff members who are not part of a given appreciation day/week/month, celebratory highlights for paraprofessionals from March 19 - April 11, 2024.and social media messaging for Assistant Principal Appreciation Week April 8-12, Library Workers Day on April 9 and Paraprofessional Appreciation Day on April 10 were shared with the Board.

Discussion:  As part of our continual "Did You Know" series, social media graphics which were posted on March 22, March 29 (instead of a did you know, we announced our new AD/HC), April 5, and April 12 were shared with the Board.

Discussion:  As part of community meetings, there is an upcoming Pastoral Alliance Meeting and a Facilities Survey was shared with the Superinendent's Dragon Cabinet members.

Discussion:  Board members reviewed staff attendance of various Professional Development sessions during March 2024 via Region VIII ESC.

Discussion:  Board Member Bryan Strand asked that Operations staff address the lighting on the big parking lot.  Very dark in that location.

Discussion:  Board members reviewed the April 2024 Facilities/Transportation Update.  For the May Board meeting we will have pricing for HVAC units at the old High School wing, the Elementary, one unit backstage at the Cafetorium, one unit for the Junior High Field House, and one unit for the Gym locker rooms.
We will also have pricing for Phase 2 or the roof replacements. This will include the 8th grade building and the old High School wing.

Discussion:  Do not have bids yet for Cafetorium Stage Sound Booth.  Should have them by May meeting.

Discussion:  Do not have pricing for Press Box Audio.  Will have them by May/June in order to ensure install prior to Football season.  Issues with Press Box Audio will have no effect on Graduation Ceremony given RISD will be bringing in portable sound equipment for that event.

Discussion:  ClayComb Pre-Bond Services may be presenting at the May Board meeting.

Discussion:  Information was shared with Board members regarding possible action for May on Redwater Junior High School 8th Grade Restroom Remodel.

Discussion:  Details for the Redwater Drainage Project were presented.  Project may move to action for the May board meeting.

Discussion:  Information for the Redwater High School Restroom Remodel was presented to the Board.  Project will be an action item for the May board meeting.

Discussion:  The Redwater Intermediate School Foyer project information was presented.  Project may be considered an Action item for the May board meeting.

Discussion:  Redwater Intermediate School students presented a petition to consider the addition of Soccer as a UIL sport in high school.  Board members encouraged staff to look into the possibilities of working with RYSA or Club League in Texarkana as a possible starter for this program.

Discussion:  All has gone well with the Perimeter Gates.  Rain has caused some issues and staff are looking into possible fixes.

Discussion:  Initial meeting went well.  Participating female students were very receptive to speaking with Ms. Nilsson. She shared that students opened up to her more than she had experienced elsewhere.

Discussion:  Ms. Crass will cover this topic in our Team of 8 training on May 23, 2024.

Discussion:  A complete listing of all end-of-year events was shared with Board members.

Discussion:  Members Bryan Strand, Clint Duncan and Sarah Robinson will be attending.