The Board President or his/her designee will call the roll of members.

Students from Smithville Elementary who have received the most Tiger Tokens for the month will lead the group in the pledge. Those students are:
Renata Andrade-Soto
Ian Rodriguez
Levi Williamson
Samuel Eller
Ady Martinez Muniz
Penelope Saunders
Avery Johnson
Bridger Little Nuehaus
Joshua Washington 
Christian Brueggmann
Cataleya Martinez Sandoval
Rhett Neumann
Victoria Flores Tamayo
Rylee Paragas 
Novalie Tharp

Each nine-weeks the middle school and high school faculties select an outstanding student from their respective campus.  Students are rated on a scale of 1 to 10 on such criteria as grades, honesty, enthusiasm, cooperation with teachers and their peers, class participation and leadership.

Poppy Shuler and Easton Moore, both sixth graders, have been chosen as outstanding students for the 3rd nine-weeks from Smithville Junior High. Poppy is the daughter of Thomas and Toby Shuler, and Easton is the son of Brandon and Karry Moore.
Outstanding students chosen from Smithville High School are twelfth graders Amanda Wood and Konner Namken.  Amanda is the daughter of Steve and Lisa Wood, and Konner is the son of Courtland and Sheila Namken.
Congratulations to these students for their outstanding achievement!

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 or more exceptional students 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 Tigers of the Month for this month are Loretta Warriner, Erin Huggins and Liam Dutil.

Smithville I.S.D. had a terrific showing at the Greater Austin Regional Science Fair on February 22nd.

We would like to recognize the students who placed as follows:

3rd Grade:
2nd place-Nicholas Gil, Kale Waneck, Cody Haney (Soda Explosion) (Kunz)
2nd place-Barrett Barrientos, Kyndall Smith, Keely Garrison, (The Dissolving Bath Bombs) (Kunz)
2nd Place-Collins Lawrence, Cora Williams, Sawyer Robbins (What Frozen Dessert Melts Faster) (Kunz)
2nd Place-Blake Hilbig, Gwen Magden (Favorite Treats) (Kaatz)
2nd Place-Weston Dominy (Rainbow Rubber Eggs) (Kunz)

4th Grade:
1st Place-Case Williams (The Big Bubble) (Rogers)
1st Place-Adyn Pera (Potatoes and Light) (Brockenbush)
2nd Place-Bailey Goertz, Kallie Herschap, Adlee Taylor (Expanding Orbeez) (Brockenbush)
2nd-Braxton Staton (Raising Rye Grass) (Rogers)

5th Grade:
1st Place-Alice Schwanke, Dakota Perez, Addison Wendel (Water Colors) (Armstrong)
2nd Place-Zoey Clanton, Aubree Meadows, Mason Buckner (Apple, Lemon and Potato Circuit) (Armstrong)
2nd Place-Aubrey Harper, Vincent Trevino, Kylie Gonzalez (Clear Liquid Evaporation) (Armstrong)
2nd Place-Lucas Gibson, Camora Coleman, Caree Oertli (Penny Project) (Armstrong)
3rd Place-Lyzander Lucher, Aiden Rogers, Zayver Hibbens-Terrases (How Far do Ballons Go) (Armstrong)

 

Tiger Award recipients are nominated by peers.  Each campus and department will nominate a representative.  Final nominations will be voted on by a select committee.  Each campus and department will have an award winner that will be recognized at the board meeting every 9-weeks. 

Tiger Award winners:
Ashley Ladewig - Brown Primary Paraprofessional
Crystal Heimann - Smithville Elementary Teacher
Christie Mick - Smithville Junior High Office Paraprofessional
Mark Broadway - Smithville High School Teacher
Guadalupe Barragan Luna - Child Nutrition

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. 

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".

State law requires that a record be kept in the form of official minutes on each meeting held by a governmental body and that these minutes be approved at the next regular meeting.
Attached are the minutes from the February 24, 2025 regular board meeting.

Monthly reporting of financial position in relation to the budget.  The Board is provided monthly financial statements.

Meet legal reporting requirements for investments.
In order the meet legal reporting requirements for investments, the Board receives quarterly reports on District investments.

The Board has requested a monthly status report of earned state aid in relation to the budget.

The Board has requested a monthly status report of earned state aid in relation to the budget.

Attached is the Tax Assessor-Collector's Report.

The business manager, Stacy Tiner, will review the financial disbursements for the previous month with the Board of Trustees.  No action is required.

The Superintendent will update the Board on important issues pertaining to the District.

March Superintendent Report

• District enrollment as of Friday, March 28, 2025 is 1840 students with a daily attendance rate of 92.72%.

• The 2025-2026 calendar approved by the Board at the February meeting will be distributed to the Board members, with the May 4th date added.

• Smithville ISD Welding students who are rising juniors, will have the opportunity for  students to engage in work-based learning internships and the chance to connect with professionals in the welding field for the summer of 2025. Four students will work in a paid internship for six weeks full time and will have the opportunity to potentially work part time during the school year if they are successful in the internship. This collaboration will provide invaluable hands-on experience. Dr. Logan, Mr. Copeland, and Mr. Torrey are in process of collaborating with TCS on the student application process which will begin in mid April. 

• The Tiger Band will be performing at the PAC in Bastrop at 1:30 on Thursday, April 3rd.

• PreK has a music program on Friday, April 4th at 10am.

• 3rd Grade has a music program on Friday, April 4th at 2:00 p.m.

• Friday, April 18th is Good Friday and is a holiday for staff and students.

• Friday, April 24th is also a staff and student holiday.

• Spring sports are in full swing.  Please come out and support your Tigers and Lady Tigers!

• Board member continuing education hours will be reported at the regular April meeting.  You have access to your continuing education progress report on your mytasb account.  Training is available online through Region 13, Vector Solutions (SafeSchools) and various other websites.

• Teachworthy Update - SISD received some federal funds that we were able to use to begin the 1st Cohort.  The district reviewed application and administrative staff chose 4 candidates that h;ad a significant number of college credit and would be able to complete the program in a timely manner.  We will be exploring the timeline for Cohort 2.

• Statement from the Superintendent: Smithville, Texas - Smithville ISD’s primary focus is to provide the highest quality education and support the needs of our students, staff, and families. While we respect and appreciate the work of our legislators in addressing community issues, we want to ensure that public statements accurately reflect the views and priorities of Smithville ISD.  At this time, the District has no concerns related to students behaving as anything but typical children.  Rep. Gerdes contacted Superintendent Cheryl Burns to ask if there were any litter boxes for students on District campuses.  Burns informed Rep. Gerdes that there were not, but as a courtesy to Rep. Gerdes, Mrs. Burns made the extra effort to walk the campus to confirm that there were no litter boxes. We encourage open and transparent dialogue between all stakeholders and appreciate the opportunity to clarify our position.  As always, we welcome conversations with policy makers to ensure that our schools’ needs are accurately represented and effectively addressed.

• The Tiger Insider is at your seats.

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

Dr. Logan, Assistant Superintendent, will give a regular progress report/update on the Smithville I.S.D. Strategic Plan.

Alta Yevett Alexander addressed the Board in public communications at the regular February board meeting regarding the Smithville Southside History Project.  This project is being sponsored by the City of Smithville.  Ms. Alexander asked to be placed on the March agenda to allow her to speak about the project in more depth.

Administrators from the high school review and edit the course catalog on an annual basis for the upcoming school year.  A report will be given to the Board of Trustees and updates or changes will be noted.  Most changes are typically due to legislative mandate and the course catalog provides information for students and parents to select required courses as well as elective courses.  The information is also used to determine staff and budget.

Tentative items to be included in the April meeting are:

a.  Financial Report  
b.  Superintendent’s Report  
c.  Smithville ISD Strategic Plan 2023-2027 Update
d.  Update from BEFCO Engineering about the SISD drainage project
e.  Consider Custodial Contract Renewal
f.  Consider Approval of Certification of Provision of Instructional     
     Materials Survey 2025-2026
g.  Resignations and Employment of Certified Personnel

Consider adoption of an order authorizing and providing for the defeasance and redemption of certain outstanding obligations of Smithville Independent School District; authorizing the execution of an escrow agreement; and containing other provisions related thereto.

In accordance with Texas Education Agency requirements and law the district is required to have an annual financial audit performed.  In 2021, the Board of Trustees voted to approve the firm of Armstrong, Vaughan & Associates, PC.  The Board voted to renew the contract in January 2023, and in January 2024.  The recommendation is approval once again for the 2024-2025 school year.

The District is required to bid for depository services every two years.  However, if the district is eligible and elects to extend the current contract, Board action is required. The Board approved First National Bank as its depository in May 2021.  The District has received outstanding service from them and it is our recommendation for the Board of Trustees to extend the depository contract with First National Bank of Bastrop for the period September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2025.
The District is eligible for another two-year extension to end August 31, 2027.  Administration recommends extension of a contract with First National Bank of Bastrop.

This will be a recurring agenda item.  No action is required at this time.

In reference to Education Savings Account.
 

The Superintendent would like to inform the Board of the resignation of Valerie Breeden, a teacher at the high school, effective the end of the school year.

No action is required.

According to Board Policy DC [Local], the Superintendent has the authority to make recommendations to the Board regarding the selection of all personnel.

The administrators of the district have submitted to the office of the superintendent their recommendations for contract renewal of existing certified staff members.  The Board of Trustees is the final hiring authority for certified contract employees for Smithville I.S.D. and will act upon the recommendations for renewal of certified staff as presented by the Superintendent.  According to Texas Government Code §573.062, employees affected by the nepotism laws would have to abstain from voting on the contract (or salary) of a spouse or family member if that action applies only to the individual and is not taken regarding a bona fide class or category of employees.  Therefore, according to code, we will need one motion for approval of faculty contracts.