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Meeting Agenda
A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Student Led Pledge of Allegiance
D. Board Recognitions
D.1. Smithville Elementary School Tiger of the Month
D.2. Recognition of Students Participating in Summer Feeding Program
E. Public Communications
F. Consent Agenda
F.1. Minutes
F.2. Financial Statements
F.3. Investment Report
F.4. State Aid Comparison - Budgeted vs. Earned
F.5. Earned vs. TEA Payments
F.6. Tax Collection Report
F.7. Investment Policy Review
F.8. Review Approved Providers of Investment Training
G. Information Items
G.1. Financial Report
G.2. Superintendent's Report
G.3. Smithville ISD Strategic Plan 2023-2027 Update
G.4. Child Nutrition Report
G.5. Teacher Certification Status Report
G.6. Tentative October Agenda Items
H. Action Items
H.1. Consider Ad Valorem Tax Assessment & Collection Contract Between Bastrop County and Smithville Independent School District
H.2. Nominations for Bastrop Central Appraisal District Board of Trustees
H.3. Personnel
H.3.a. Resignations of Certified Personnel
H.3.b. Employment of Certified Personnel
I. Closed Session Disclaimer - During the course of the meeting, the Board of Trustees may conduct a closed meeting in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Subchapter D and E.  Decisions may be made as a result of executive session.
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
 
Meeting: September 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting
Subject:
A. Call to Order
Description:
The Board President or his/her designee will call the meeting to order.
Subject:
B. Roll Call
Description:
The Board President or his/her designee will call the roll of members.
Subject:
C. Student Led Pledge of Allegiance
Description:
Top Tiger Token winners for the month from Smithville Elementary will lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Those students are:

First grade
Jaelynn Acuna Basilio 
Ariana Bailey
Evelyn Johnson 
Joseph Ragland 
Andrew Stark 

Second grade 
Cayden Swartz 
Nolan Ortiz 
Bowen McNeil 
Ady Martinez Muniz 

Third grade 
Sara Cordova 
Blake Hilbig 
Dylan Cazares 
Baylen Swinney 

Fourth grade 
Samuel Rodriguez 
Alyson Jaramillo Ulloa 
Beau Hudspeth 
Paige Owen 

Fifth grade
David Soto
Joseelyn Perez Jaimes 
Garison Henley 
Richard Valdizon Rubio 
 
Subject:
D. Board Recognitions
Subject:
D.1. Smithville Elementary School Tiger of the Month
Description:
This year, Smithville Elementary School is excited to celebrate outstanding students by introducing the "Tiger of the Month" recognition. Elementary staff will nominate students who exhibit characteristics such as kindness, strong character, and helpfulness. Each month, one exceptional student will be honored by the campus, recognized at the school board meeting, and will receive a special yard sign to proudly display at home. 
The First Tiger of the Month is Lakyn Barrientos, a first-grader in Ms. Halter's class.  Congratulations, Lakyn!
Subject:
D.2. Recognition of Students Participating in Summer Feeding Program
Description:
Smithville I.S.D. had a number of students who participated in feeding the children of SISD this past summer as part of the Child Nutrition Summer Feeding Program.  We would like to recognize those students for giving their time and contributing to the needs of others.  They are:

TRAVIS STEUBING
DEVON UTECHT
DAYSHA BRANDYBURG
ELIJAH BRANDYBURG
VANESSA LEYVA
SHELTON ESPINOZA
FAITH SILVEY
 
Subject:
E. Public Communications
Description:
Citizens wishing to address the Board of Trustees have so indicated by listing their name on the Communications from the Public sign-in sheet located on the table at the entrance to the boardroom if the meeting is done in person, or at the link provided on the published board agenda if conducted remotely. Those signing have given a brief indication of the topics to be addressed.
Comments to the Board of Trustees under this provision will be limited to three minutes.
The members of the Board of Trustees will listen to citizen presentations during this portion of a regularly scheduled meeting, but they will not comment or participate in a discussion of the topic. 
Subject:
F. Consent Agenda
Description:
Board members routinely approve items on the consent agenda as a group.  These are routine agenda items.  Board members have the option to ask questions regarding any of the items listed under "consent agenda".
Subject:
F.1. Minutes
Description:
State law requires that a record be kept in the form of official minutes of each meeting held by a governmental body and that these minutes be approved at the next regular meeting.

Attached for approval are the minutes of the August 26, 2024 regular meeting.
Attachments:
Subject:
F.2. Financial Statements
Description:
Monthly reporting of financial position in relation to the budget.  The Board is provided monthly financial statements.
Attachments:
Subject:
F.3. Investment Report
Description:
Meet legal reporting requirements for investments.
In order the meet legal reporting requirements for investments, the Board receives quarterly reports on District investments.
Attachments:
Subject:
F.4. State Aid Comparison - Budgeted vs. Earned
Description:
The Board has requested a monthly status report of earned state aid in relation to the budget.
Attachments:
Subject:
F.5. Earned vs. TEA Payments
Description:
The Board has requested a monthly status report of earned state aid in relation to the budget.
Attachments:
Subject:
F.6. Tax Collection Report
Description:
Attached is the Tax Assessor-Collector's Report.
Attachments:
Subject:
F.7. Investment Policy Review
Description:
As required by law, the investment policy and the investment strategy shall be reviewed not less than annually.  The Board shall adopt a written instrument stating that it has reviewed the investment policy and investment strategies and that the written instrument so adopted shall record any changes that were made.  CDA [Legal]
Attachments:
Subject:
F.8. Review Approved Providers of Investment Training
Description:
In accordance with Section 2256.008(a), Texas Government Code, local governing body must approve sources of training for the treasurer, chief financial officer and investment officer of the District, relating to investment responsibilities.  Officers must have training every two years and not less than 8 hours of training are required by law.
Attachments:
Subject:
G. Information Items
Subject:
G.1. Financial Report
Description:
The business manager, Sean Sanchez, will review the financial disbursements for the previous month with the Board of Trustees.  No action is required.
Attachments:
Subject:
G.2. Superintendent's Report
Description:
The Superintendent will update the Board on important issues pertaining to the District.

September Superintendent Report

  • Enrollment numbers as of September 13th is 1850 students.

  • Thank you to Sharon Foerster and Sharlotte Seidel with Calibri Logistics, and our Smithville Athletic Booster Club for their support of our veterans and first responders, who were recognized at the varsity football game last Friday evening.

  • Rumor has been circulating on social media that our Tiger T is trademarked.  We would like to correct that misinformation.  The LT has trademarked for the Lady Tigers, but the Tiger T has not.

  • Invitations have gone out to high school Student Advisory Committee members.  The first meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday.

  • We will be posting campus activities celebrating Freedom Week and Constitution Day.

  • Please refer to the Smithville ISD website for the latest news and resources.

Subject:
G.3. Smithville ISD Strategic Plan 2023-2027 Update
Description:
Dr. Logan, Assistant Superintendent, will give a regular progress report/update on the Smithville I.S.D. Strategic Plan.  The update this month will include strategic objectives 2.3, Improve Staff Safety and Well-Being; and 3.1, Expand Opportunities for Parent Family Engagement.
Subject:
G.4. Child Nutrition Report
Description:
Candy Biehle, Child Nutrition Director, will be present at the meeting to report to the Board on numerous activities that she and her staff are involved in throughout the year.  The Child Nutrition department is responsible for the meals programs for breakfast, lunch, the After School Program, and Summer Feeding.  They also offer catering services for school activities on a fee basis.  This department is funded through federal dollars and regularly operates in the black paying for all expenses including salaries and benefits of its employees.
This information report is presented in an effort to keep the Board informed of various programs and activities within the Child Nutrition Department.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
G.5. Teacher Certification Status Report
Description:
Texas Education Code §21.057 and Board Policy DBA [Legal] require the superintendent to notify the parents or guardian of each student in a classroom that is staffed by a teacher who is inappropriately certified or uncertified for their classroom instruction assignment.  Furthermore, the school district is required to make teacher certification information available to the public upon request. No parent notification is required for teachers currently enrolled in alternative certification programs, serving under a one-year certificate, or who are certified under the District of Innovation. 

Eleven members of our staff are employed under non-certified contracts as allowed by the District of Innovation.  Ten employees are enrolled, or are being required to enroll, in alternative certification programs and have not yet met ACP requirements or are teaching outside his/her certification area.  One employee has an out-of-state certificate and is working on meeting state certification requirements. 
Reports will be made as mandated by TEA.
Subject:
G.6. Tentative October Agenda Items
Description:
Tentative items to be included on the October agenda are:

a.  Board Recognitions
b.  Financial Report
c.  Superintendent's Report
d.  Board Recognitions
e.  Public Hearing - F.I.R.S.T. Ratings Report
f.  Curriculum Highlight
g.   Consider Approval of District and Campus Improvement Plans and           Performance Objectives  
h.  Personnel
Subject:
H. Action Items
Subject:
H.1. Consider Ad Valorem Tax Assessment & Collection Contract Between Bastrop County and Smithville Independent School District
Description:
Section 6.24 of the Texas Property Tax Code and the Interlocal Cooperation Act, Chapter 791, Texas Government Code, as amended, authorizes political subdivisions of the State of Texas to enter Interlocal contracts for the provision of tax assessing and collecting services. The County of Bastrop has agreed to provide tax assessing and collecting services for Smithville Independent School District and an interlocal agreement for services is included in the board packet.
Attachments:
Subject:
H.2. Nominations for Bastrop Central Appraisal District Board of Trustees
Description:
As you may be aware, five of the members of the Bastrop CAD Board of Directors are appointed by the participating taxing jurisdictions, the County, the Cities, the School Districts, and the Community College.
 
The current Board of Directors term will expire on December 31, 2024. This is an appointment year for Bastrop, and several stages in the process are subject to a deadline.
 
1.  Taxing jurisdictions nominate up to five members on or before October 15th.
 
2.  Taxing jurisdictions receive a ballot of all nominations on or before October 30th.
 
3.  Taxing jurisdictions distribute their allocated votes to a single nominee or several nominees on the ballot by resolution at a regular session delivered to the appraisal district on or before December 15th.
 
The appraisal district cannot generate the ballot without nominations.  
 
Current board members who have expressed an interest in being nominated are:
 
David Redd
David Glass
William (Bill) Archer
Jeannie Ralph
Justin Bezner
 
Other helpful information: The Board of Directors meets at least once a quarter.  Meetings typically start at 3:00 p.m. and last from one to two hours. 
 
Attached is the Allocation of Votes, a sample Nomination Resolution and Board member selection cycles.

If you have any questions, please let Faun Cullens, Bastrop Central Appraisal District, know as soon as possible. 

Please note that the first deadline for the nominations is October 15th.
Attachments:
Subject:
H.3. Personnel
Subject:
H.3.a. Resignations of Certified Personnel
Description:
There are no resignations to report.
Subject:
H.3.b. Employment of Certified Personnel
Description:
According to Board Policy DC [Local], the Superintendent has the authority to make recommendations to the Board regarding the selection of all personnel.  Mrs. Burns is recommending employment of the following personnel for the 2024-2025 school year:

Philip Rasor - Teacher
Degree - Bachelor of Science from Sam Houston State University
Certification - Science Grades 8-12, ESL Supplemental Grades EC-12, Special Education Supplemental Grades EC-12, Generalist Grades EC-6, Science Grades 4-8
Years of Experience - 9 years
Campus - DAEP
Subject:
I. Closed Session Disclaimer - During the course of the meeting, the Board of Trustees may conduct a closed meeting in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Subchapter D and E.  Decisions may be made as a result of executive session.
Description:

 

During the course of the meeting, the Board of Trustees may conduct a closed meeting in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Subchapter D and E.  Decisions may be made as a result of executive session.

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