Board Member and Region 16 Staff attendance will be recorded. 

A copy of the March 21, 2025, regular meeting minutes are included in this agenda as an attachment.

The process for filling a vacancy for the ESC Board of Directors was reviewed during the March 21, 2025 Board Meeting.  The required vacancy notice to all district superintendents was also emailed on March 17, 2025.

Dr. Tanya Larkin recommends the appointment of Mr. Larry Appel for Place 3 after the unfortunate passing of Mr. Lawrence Bussard.  

Mr. Larry Appel, appointee for Place 3 ESC Board of Directors, will be administered the oath of office by Mr. David Schaeffer, Board Chairman.

The Head Start Program Performance Standards (45 CFR Part 1301.2) states that the Governing Body must approve or disapprove of the following policies and procedures:

Child Development Associate (CDA) Training and Credential (45 CFR Part(s): 1302.91(e) 
 

Mrs. Leslie Callahan will discuss requests from Head Start/Early Head Start districts regarding transportation waivers.  

Region 16 Head Start/Early Head Start is requesting the Office of Head Start to approve Castro County as a medically underserved county in Texas with a population of less than 1,000 people living in the county, with no available preschool program for the children in the local school district.  When approved by the Office of Head Start, the 50% of enrollment will be exempt from the enrollment expectations with the Office of Head Start.

Service Area program highlights will be reviewed by the Executive Leadership Team.    

Copies of the Financial Reports through March 2025 are included.  Questions or observations regarding these reports are invited prior to or during the Board meeting. 

 

The Investment Report for the current fiscal year through March 2025 is included as an attachment.  Questions or observations regarding this report are invited prior to or during the Board meeting.  

Special Revenue Funds for 2024-2025 will be presented as information.

In accordance with Board policy, proposals were received for the items presented below.  Detailed proposals and recommendations are included.  All proposals are the low proposal or only proposal for the items, unless otherwise noted.

AEPA recommended the following vendors for the ESC to consider.  Detailed AEPA evaluation documents are presented.  The Administration recommends the Board approve the following vendors in the respective product categories, in accordance with the approvals and recommendations from AEPA and that the Administration be authorized to negotiate and enter into contracts it deems to be in the best interest of the ESC. 
 

Plains Land Bank has expressed interest in donating beef jerky snacks for the School Safety Summit, with a value estimated between $625 and $650.    

Region 16 ESC conducted a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process for audit services for 2019-2020 and awarded the services to Bolinger, Segars, Gilbert & Moss, L.L.P.  We have used them since then, and they continue to provide an outstanding service.  The Auditor Engagement Letter is included as an attachment.

The 2024-2025 Superintendent Focus Groups concentrated on specific program needs directed at current contracts and learning gap needs.  Recommended pricing, revision of services, and contracts for new services were finalized and presented to the RAC Executive Committee on April 16, 2025.  

Region 16 ESC contracts with TASB every three to five years to conduct a market study on salaries of all pay grades and job classifications.  The most recent study was conducted during the 2021-2022 fiscal year.  In years when a market study is not conducted, the Administration works with TASB to determine appropriate salary box adjustments for the subsequent year.

The pay grade minimums, midpoints, and maximums reflecting this increase are included as attachments.  Current ESC policy also allows the ESC Executive Director to make other adjustments as necessary to remain competitive in hiring and retaining staff.

The ESC currently provides eligible ESC employees with a medical insurance contribution of $450 per month, which covers all but $561 of the "employee only" plan offered by West Texas Blue Essentials HMO.  However, it does cover 100% of the TRS ActiveCare Primary plan, which is currently $401 per month.  Employees choosing this option can use the remaining amount towards the premiums for other benefits.  

The ESC currently provides eligible ESC employees with a short-term disability core insurance benefit where the ESC pays 100% of the premium. The current cost to the ESC is approximately $29,800 per year.

Provision is made in the official notification for the calling of a closed session under the provisions of Chapter 268, Subchapter D, Section 551.074 of the Government code for discussion of Items 15 and/or 16.  Any action will be taken in open session. 

The personnel reports are enclosed as Exhibit 9, pages 66-69.  

Exhibit 9, page 70