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Meeting Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. SPOTLIGHT ON EXCELLENCE
  • Daelen Edwards - RHS
  • Gloria Torres Gutierrez- RJH
  • Uriel Rizo-Camarena -  RES
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS/AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
5. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
5.A. Campus Reports
5.A.a. Refugio Elementary School
5.A.b. Refugio Jr. High School 
5.A.c. Refugio High School
5.B. District Reports
5.B.a. Academics
5.B.b. Financials
5.B.b.1. 2024-2025 Budget Status
5.B.b.2. Payment of bills
5.B.b.3. Statement of Account
5.C. Student Enrollment
5.D. Operations
5.D.a. Update on track project - Jason Herring
5.E. School Safety and Security
5.F. Mental Health Specialist Report
5.G. General comments on the state of the district
6. BOARD ADMINISTRATION
6.A. January Board Meeting - Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 5:30PM
7. CONSENT AGENDA 
7.A. Minutes from Regular Board Meeting - November 14, 2024
7.B. Consider and approve the budget amendments for the 2024-2025 budget.
7.C. Update to the Investment Policy and Strategies
8. NEW BUSINESS
8.A. Tax Sale Property
8.B. Consideration and possible action with respect to an ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF REFUGIO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT UNLIMITED TAX REFUNDING BONDS; LEVYING A CONTINUING DIRECT ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAX FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE BONDS; PRESCRIBING THE FORUM, TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS INCIDENT AND RELATED TO THE ISSUANCE, SALE, AND DELIVERY OF THE BONDS, INCLUDING THE APPROVAL AND DISTRIBUTION OF AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT PERTAINING THERETO; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PAYING AGENT/REGISTRAR AGREEMENT AND AN ESCROW AGREEMENT; ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR SELLING AND DELIVERING THE BONDS; AND, AUTHORIZING OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS.
8.C. Approve the purchase of CRISIS GO - Safety, Wearable Panic, and Visitor Management Platform.
8.D. Discussion on Hiring Legal Counsel
The Board will consider approval of a Contingent Fee Contract for Legal Services with Lubel Voyles LLP and the Townsend Law Firm related to a dispute with one or more insurance carriers.  As required by law, Refugio ISD hereby provides public notice of the following:
  1. the reasons for pursuing the matter that is the subject of the legal services for which the attorney or law firm would be retained and the desired outcome of pursuing the matter;
    1. The District may be owed additional monies.  It is in the best interest of the District to ensure that the insurance carriers in question fulfill their obligations so that those monies can be used for District purposes.  The desire outcome is that the insurance carriers fulfill their respective obligations.
  2. the competence, qualifications, and experience demonstrated by the attorney or law firm selected under Section 2254.1032;
    1. Lubel Voyles LLP has extensive experience representing school districts throughout Texas, including Alto ISD, Winnsboro ISD, Gustine ISD, and many others. 
    2. Rodney Townsend of the Townsend Law firm is the elected judge of Orange County Court No. 2 and has extensive experience handling large, complex first-party insurance claims.
  3. the nature of any relationship, including the beginning of the relationship, between the political subdivision or governing body and the attorney or law firm selected under Section 2254.1032;
    1. There is no prior relationship between the District and either firm.  This will be the beginning of the relationship.
  4. the reasons the legal services cannot be adequately performed by the attorneys and supporting personnel of the political subdivision;
    1. The District does not currently have any attorneys on-staff.
  5. the reasons the legal services cannot be reasonably obtained from attorneys in private practice under a contract providing for the payment of hourly fees without contingency; and
    1. The District does not have the necessary budget funds to obtain similar services on an hourly basis.
  6. the reasons entering into a contingent fee contract for legal services is in the best interest of the residents of the political subdivision; and
    1. The District believes that a contingency relationship is the most economically prudent decision.  Under a contingency arrangement, the District will not be out of pocket for any legal fees and/or case expenses, and can thus focus its resource on continuing to serve its mission.


 
8.E. Cast votes for Victoria County Appraisal District Board of Directors.
9. CLOSED SESSION - In accordance with Texas Government Code Sections 551.074, 551.075
9.A. Deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public office or employee or to hear complaints against an officer or employee.
9.B. To confer with employees of the school district to receive information or to ask questions.
9.C. Employment of probationary contract employee (s) for the 2024-2025 school year.
9.D. Employment of probationary contract employee (s) of the GSEC Special Education Cooperative for the 2024-2025 school year.
10. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
10.A. Take any action necessary resulting from discussions held during closed session.
10.B. Employment of probationary contract employee (s) for the 2024-2025 school year.
10.C. Employment of probationary contract employee (s) of the GSEC Special Education Cooperative for the 2024-2025 school year.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting

NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

REFUGIO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2024

5:30 P.M.

 

A regular meeting of the board of Trustees of the Refugio Independent School District will be held on Monday, December 9, 2024 beginning at 5:30 PM. in the Administration Building – Distance Learning Center, 212 W. Vance Street, Refugio, Texas.

The subjects to be discussed or considered or upon which any formal action may be taken are as follows: (Items do not have to be taken in the order shown on this notice.)
Meeting: December 9, 2024 at 5:30 PM - December Board Meeting
Subject:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Subject:
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Subject:
3. SPOTLIGHT ON EXCELLENCE
  • Daelen Edwards - RHS
  • Gloria Torres Gutierrez- RJH
  • Uriel Rizo-Camarena -  RES
Subject:
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS/AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Subject:
5. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Subject:
5.A. Campus Reports
Subject:
5.A.a. Refugio Elementary School
Speaker(s):
Olivia DeLeon, RES Principal
Subject:
5.A.b. Refugio Jr. High School 
Speaker(s):
Chris Hawthorne, RJHS Principal
Subject:
5.A.c. Refugio High School
Speaker(s):
Twyla Thomas, RHS Principal
Subject:
5.B. District Reports
Subject:
5.B.a. Academics
Subject:
5.B.b. Financials
Subject:
5.B.b.1. 2024-2025 Budget Status
Subject:
5.B.b.2. Payment of bills
Subject:
5.B.b.3. Statement of Account
Subject:
5.C. Student Enrollment
Subject:
5.D. Operations
Subject:
5.D.a. Update on track project - Jason Herring
Subject:
5.E. School Safety and Security
Subject:
5.F. Mental Health Specialist Report
Subject:
5.G. General comments on the state of the district
Subject:
6. BOARD ADMINISTRATION
Subject:
6.A. January Board Meeting - Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 5:30PM
Subject:
7. CONSENT AGENDA 
Subject:
7.A. Minutes from Regular Board Meeting - November 14, 2024
Subject:
7.B. Consider and approve the budget amendments for the 2024-2025 budget.
Subject:
7.C. Update to the Investment Policy and Strategies
Subject:
8. NEW BUSINESS
Subject:
8.A. Tax Sale Property
Subject:
8.B. Consideration and possible action with respect to an ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF REFUGIO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT UNLIMITED TAX REFUNDING BONDS; LEVYING A CONTINUING DIRECT ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAX FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE BONDS; PRESCRIBING THE FORUM, TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS INCIDENT AND RELATED TO THE ISSUANCE, SALE, AND DELIVERY OF THE BONDS, INCLUDING THE APPROVAL AND DISTRIBUTION OF AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT PERTAINING THERETO; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PAYING AGENT/REGISTRAR AGREEMENT AND AN ESCROW AGREEMENT; ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR SELLING AND DELIVERING THE BONDS; AND, AUTHORIZING OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS.
Subject:
8.C. Approve the purchase of CRISIS GO - Safety, Wearable Panic, and Visitor Management Platform.
Subject:
8.D. Discussion on Hiring Legal Counsel
The Board will consider approval of a Contingent Fee Contract for Legal Services with Lubel Voyles LLP and the Townsend Law Firm related to a dispute with one or more insurance carriers.  As required by law, Refugio ISD hereby provides public notice of the following:
  1. the reasons for pursuing the matter that is the subject of the legal services for which the attorney or law firm would be retained and the desired outcome of pursuing the matter;
    1. The District may be owed additional monies.  It is in the best interest of the District to ensure that the insurance carriers in question fulfill their obligations so that those monies can be used for District purposes.  The desire outcome is that the insurance carriers fulfill their respective obligations.
  2. the competence, qualifications, and experience demonstrated by the attorney or law firm selected under Section 2254.1032;
    1. Lubel Voyles LLP has extensive experience representing school districts throughout Texas, including Alto ISD, Winnsboro ISD, Gustine ISD, and many others. 
    2. Rodney Townsend of the Townsend Law firm is the elected judge of Orange County Court No. 2 and has extensive experience handling large, complex first-party insurance claims.
  3. the nature of any relationship, including the beginning of the relationship, between the political subdivision or governing body and the attorney or law firm selected under Section 2254.1032;
    1. There is no prior relationship between the District and either firm.  This will be the beginning of the relationship.
  4. the reasons the legal services cannot be adequately performed by the attorneys and supporting personnel of the political subdivision;
    1. The District does not currently have any attorneys on-staff.
  5. the reasons the legal services cannot be reasonably obtained from attorneys in private practice under a contract providing for the payment of hourly fees without contingency; and
    1. The District does not have the necessary budget funds to obtain similar services on an hourly basis.
  6. the reasons entering into a contingent fee contract for legal services is in the best interest of the residents of the political subdivision; and
    1. The District believes that a contingency relationship is the most economically prudent decision.  Under a contingency arrangement, the District will not be out of pocket for any legal fees and/or case expenses, and can thus focus its resource on continuing to serve its mission.


 
Subject:
8.E. Cast votes for Victoria County Appraisal District Board of Directors.
Subject:
9. CLOSED SESSION - In accordance with Texas Government Code Sections 551.074, 551.075
Subject:
9.A. Deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public office or employee or to hear complaints against an officer or employee.
Subject:
9.B. To confer with employees of the school district to receive information or to ask questions.
Subject:
9.C. Employment of probationary contract employee (s) for the 2024-2025 school year.
Subject:
9.D. Employment of probationary contract employee (s) of the GSEC Special Education Cooperative for the 2024-2025 school year.
Subject:
10. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Subject:
10.A. Take any action necessary resulting from discussions held during closed session.
Subject:
10.B. Employment of probationary contract employee (s) for the 2024-2025 school year.
Subject:
10.C. Employment of probationary contract employee (s) of the GSEC Special Education Cooperative for the 2024-2025 school year.
Subject:
11. ADJOURNMENT

NOTICE OF MEETING

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

REFUGIO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that on the 9th day of December, 2024 the Refugio Independent School District Board of Trustees will hold a meeting at 5:30 PM in the Administration Building – Distance Learning Center located at 212 W. Vance Street, Refugio, Texas. The subjects to be discussed are listed on the agenda that is attached to and made a part of this notice.

If, during the course of the meeting, discussion of any item on the agenda should be held in a closed meeting, the Board will conduct a closed meeting in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Government Code, Chapter 551, Subchapters D and E or Texas Government Code section 418.183(f).  Before any closed meeting is convened, the presiding officer will publicly identify the section or sections of the Act authorizing the closed meeting.  All final votes, actions, or decisions will be taken in open meeting.  [See BEC (LEGAL)]

Texas Government Code Section:

418.183(f)               Deliberate information confidential under Government Code Sections 418.175-418.182, related to Homeland Security.

551.071                   Private consultation with the board's attorney only when it seeks the attorney’s advice about pending or contemplated litigation or a settlement offer or on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the         Board under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with the requirement for open meetings.

551.072                   Deliberate purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property.

551.073                   Deliberate negotiated contracts for prospective gifts or donations.

551.074                   Deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee or to hear complaints against an officer or employee.

551.075                   To confer with employees of the school district to receive information or to ask questions

551.076                   Deliberate the deployment, or specific occasions for implementation of, security personnel or devices, or a security audit.

551.0785                 Deliberate the medical records or psychiatric records of an individual applicant for a benefit from a public insurance, health, or retirement plan or a matter that includes a consideration of the information in  the medical or psychiatric records of an individual applicant for a benefit from the plan.

551.082                   Deliberate in a case involving discipline of a public school child, or in a case in which a complaint or charge is brought against a District employee by another employee and the complaint or charge directly  results in the need for a hearing. 

551.0821                 Deliberate a matter regarding a student if personally identifiable information about the student will necessarily be revealed by the deliberation. 

551.083                   Considering the standards, guidelines, terms, or conditions the board will follow, or will instruct its representatives to follow, in consultation with representatives of employee groups.

551.084                   Excluding witnesses from a hearing.

551.087                Discuss or deliberate regarding commercial or financial information that the Board has received from a business prospect that the Board seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the District and with  which the Board is conducting economic development negotiations, or deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to such a business prospect.

551.089               Deliberate 1. Security assessments or deployments relating to information resources technology; 2. Network security information as described by Government Code 2059.055(b); or 3. The deployment, or  specific occasions for implementation, of security personnel, critical infrastructure, or security devices.

Education Code Section:

39.030(a)                 Discuss or adopt individual assessment instruments or assessment instrument items.

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