The purpose of the Center for Effective Districts (CED) is to support TEA and ESCs across the state with three initiatives, Texas Strategic Leadership (TSL), the Effective Districts Framework (EDF) and school board coaching and support. The CED was established in March of 2023 and is granted funded by TEA through April 2025.

The Center for Effective Districts is led by Director, Dr. Mark Cantu. In addition to the director, the CED employs two full positions, a project manager that facilitates major projects and an Operations Assistant that supports office and event operations. TSL was piloted by 11 ESC in 35 districts across Texas during the 2023 - 20204 school year. The Effective District Framework will be rolled out across the state this Fall.  

The TSL team at ESC-20 also falls within the CED and is composed of two team members.  Dr. Chris Galloway is an Executive coach for superintendents, school boards, and leadership teams, and Dr. Jeff Price manages the TSL processes and coaches superintendent and district leaders as the Performance Management and Data Analyst. During the pilot year, the team supported Dilley ISD, Devine ISD, and North East ISD with the creation of a data-informed strategic plan while developing a performance management system. During the 2024 - 2025 school year, the team will continue supporting Dilley ISD and Devine ISD with the implementation of the strategic plan and onboard Uvalde ISD, Hondo ISD and The Gathering Place. 

The CED also provides operational and technical support for the Center for Effective Governance at TEA, which includes board coaching and development. Rachel Gonzales is a technical specialist that provides direct support to the Director of Board Support at TEA. Dr. Delic Loyde and Kathy Ferrell provide coaching and support to aspiring Lone Start Governance coaches as well as direct coaching to school boards across Texas.

For Information Only.

Dr. Alicia Thomas and Mr. Edward Vara have both been elected to the ESC-20 Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning June 1, 2024 and ending May 31, 2027.

Ms. Stephanie Prosser has been appointed to the unexpired term left by Gilberto Gonzalez expiring May 31, 2025.

Dr. Don Mills, Superintendent of Lighthouse Charter School, was appointed by the Commissioner of Education (per Texas Education Code §12.104) to serve as the non-voting Charter Representative for his third term, June 2024 through May 2025.

The bylaws of the Board of Directors provide for the election of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and a Secretary, and each officer shall be elected to serve a term of one year.

The bylaws note the following duties for each position:

"The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at meetings, appoint committees which are not selected by majority vote, and perform other duties as necessary.  The Chairman shall have the right, like other members of the Board, to offer resolutions, to discuss questions, and to vote thereon." 

"The Vice-Chairman shall perform the duties of the Chairman in case of the Chairman's resignation, absence, or disability." 

"The Secretary shall perform the duties as required by law and such other duties as the Board may designate." 

"Each officer shall be elected to serve a term of one year or until the officer's successor is elected and qualified."

Meetings of the Board of Directors usually occur at 1:00 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the even months.  The August meeting will include an optional Budget Work Session at 1:00 p.m. and a Public Hearing at 2:00 p.m.

Listed on the attachment to this agenda item are amendments to the 2023-2024 ESC-20 budget.  Approval of the Board of Directors is requested.

Attached is the list of contracts over $25,000.

Attached is the list of Interlocal Agreements.

Since the April meeting of the Board of Directors, there have been new professional staff hired. Attached is the list of the new professional staff hired.

• Proposal for TSL Executive Coaching Training & Development
• Proposal for Speech and Related Services
• Renewal Proposal for Janitorial Services

The Center’s salary structure consists of pay grades with placement of positions based on a combination of market (benchmark) data, wage inflation adjustment, Center experience in recruitment and retention, and an individual wage model based on multiple job-related factors (e.g., scaled related experience, education, competency, and Division Director discretion). 

The Board of Directors will be provided with a copy of the proposed 2024 - 2025 Salary Schedule at the August 28, 2024, Board Meeting which will include an approximate increase of 3%. 

Of the 3% increase, approximately $97,290.00 is being used for annual individual target pay factors. The remaining, approximately $933,517.00, is being allocated to general salary increases for staff.

The estimated cost of the 2024 - 2025 salary increase is $1,030,807.00

2002-2003
Article 3.50-8, Texas Insurance Code, as a result of HB 3343, established that active, contributing Teacher Retirement System (TRS) members receive an annual state supplemental compensation amount of $1,000.

2003-2004
Article 3.50-8, Texas Insurance Code, amended by HB 3459
Passed by the 78th Legislative Session, Regular Session
Signed by the Governor on June 10, 2003
Established that, effective September 1, 2003, active, contributing TRS, nonprofessional members receive an annual state supplemental amount of $250 (18.75 - 29 hours work week) and $500 (30 hours or more work week). Nonprofessionals are defined by TRS Rule 41.42, Payment of Supplemental Compensation. 

2006-2007
Amends Subchapter D, Health Care Supplementation, Education Code Chapter 22, and adds 42.2513 to Subchapter E, Financing the Program.
Passed by the 79th Legislative Session, 3rd C.S.  Effective May 26, 2006.
Re-named the Compensation Supplementation program to Health Care Supplementation.  Existing statutory language on the amount of the compensation supplementation, as well as the state funding and distribution, is replaced with provisions for a wage increase that provides similar levels of compensation.   

2024-2025
It is recommended that the Center continue to provide a select group (based on TRS definition) of professional, active, contributing TRS members the same supplemental compensation amount that will be granted to nonprofessionals by TEA. The estimated cost of the Center’s supplemental compensation to professional TRS members is expected to cost the Center approximately $35,000.

House Bill 3343, passed by the 77th Legislature, required the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) to implement and administer the uniform group coverage program, known as TRS ActiveCare, effective September 1, 2002. The Center participates in this health care program and eligible staff members include:

• Full-time and part-time employees who contribute to the Teacher Retirement System (regularly working 18.75 hours/week or more).
  • Note:  Employees who are not contributors to the Teacher Retirement System will be required to pay all costs of participation (regularly scheduled to work at least 10 hours but less than 18.75 hours per week).

In 2023-2024, the Center contribution to health care premiums was $376.00 for Primary Plan participants, $388.00 for HD participants, $388.00 for Primary+ Plan participants, and $655.00 for Plan 2 participants.

For 2024-2025, it is recommended that the Center contribution be $426.00 for Primary Plan participants, $437.00 for HD Plan participants, $445.00 for Primary+ Plan participants, and remain unchanged for Plan 2 participants.

• Administrative Information
• Head Start Policy Council Report
• Personnel - Separations (Professional Staff)
• Expenditures in Excess of $25,000
• Investment Report
• Accounts Receivable
• 2024-2025 Budget Development
• 2024-2025 Center Products & Services Fees
• Executive Director's Report

Attached is a list of items that required the signature of the Chairman of the Board since the April meeting of the Board of Directors.

Ms. Debbie Akers, ESC-20 Early Childhood Education Component Director, will provide Head Start Policy Council and Critical Incident Reports.

Attached is a list of checks written in excess of $25,000 during the period of 04/11/2024 through 5/30/2024.

Discussion of the ESC-20 budget development process and related timelines. Additional materials will be provided at the meeting.

Board policy authorizes the Executive Director to establish fees charged for Center products and services. A complete list is included as an extra item.

• Superintendent Changes
• Summer Schedule
• Superintendent of the Year
• School Board of the Year
• Board Team Training (possible dates)
  • August 2, 2024
  • September 25, 2024
  • October 3, 2024
• August Board Meeting - August 28, 2024
  • 12:00 p.m. - Lunch with Center Leadership
  • 1:00 p.m. - Budget Work Session
  • 2:00 p.m. - Board Hearing
  • 2:30 p.m. - Regular Meeting
• Convocation - September 6, 2024