Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees monthly meeting update

ROCKWALL, TX – Jan. 20, 2021 –

NOTE: Board meeting summaries highlight different agenda items due to limited audience opportunities at Board meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Board meeting videos are available for viewing within 24-hours of the meeting at www.rockwallisd.com.

Board of Trustees Recognition Month

January is School Board Recognition Month in the state of Texas. On behalf of the entire District, Superintendent Dr. John Villarreal thanked the Rockwall ISD School Board for their dedication and service. As elected officials, who serve without pay, the Board of Trustees are the crucial link between the community and the classroom. The Rockwall ISD Board members are responsible for an annual budget of $192 million, 17,100 students, more than 1,900 employees, and 22 campuses. Board members include Board President Jon Bailey, Board Vice-President Russ Childers, Board Secretary Jim White, Stephanie Adams, Chris Cuny, Linda Mitchell Duran, and Amy Hilton. “We always appreciate our Board of Trustees, but this year especially, they have served above and beyond as we faced a pandemic together that altered our school operations for safety but not our resolve for educational excellence,” said Dr. Villarreal.

Board Approves Rockwall ISD Priorities for the 87th Legislative Session

The 87th Texas Legislative Session convened January 12, 2021, and ends May 31, 2021. Many Texas public school districts are in the process of considering their legislative priorities. The Board of Trustees approved the Rockwall ISD Legislative Priorities for the 87th Texas Legislature.

Parent Commitments for Spring 2021 Third Quarter Period

District leadership provided the Board of Trustees with information related to parent commitments for the Spring 2021 3rd grading period in-person and remote learning by campus. Approximately 70.65% of families chose In-Person Learning, while 29.35% chose Remote Learning. The commitment to change window for the 4th grading period will open Tuesday, February 16, 2021, and close Tuesday, February 23, 2021.

Order of Election for the May 1, 2021 General Election

The Board of Trustees approved the Order of Election for the May 1, 2021, General Election to elect trustees in Places 1, 2, and 3.

2021-2022 Instructional School Calendar Approved

The Board of Trustees approved the 2021-2022 Rockwall ISD Instructional School Calendar.

District Participates in State COVID-19 Rapid Testing Project

District leadership presented information to the Board of Trustees regarding Rockwall ISD’s participation in the K-12 COVID-19 Testing Project, a partnership between the Texas Education Agency, Texas Department of Emergency Management, and Texas Department of State Health Services. The state project allows Texas schools to administer rapid COVID-19 testing to students and staff voluntarily. Conducting rapid tests on campuses provides an additional screening tool to identify students or staff who have the virus with the overall goal of reducing the spread of COVID-19 on our campuses. The tests and necessary supplies are provided at no cost to the District through the K-12 COVID-19 Testing Project, and there is no cost to any student or staff who voluntarily consents to be tested. District nurses will conduct staff testing while student testing will be administered at campuses by healthcare providers as part of a Children’s Health School-Based Telehealth appointment. All testing requires the consent of the individual or parent/legal guardian.

Board Approves Locally Funded Extension of Leave for District Employees

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the funding for a COVID-19 employee paid leave program. The need for a locally-funded paid leave program results from the expiration of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act that expired on December 31, 2020. The District resolution allows employees up to 10 sick leave days, when required to quarantine or as a result of a positive COVID-19 case or when caring for an individual due to COVID-19. The effective date for the locally funded benefit is January 5, 2021, through June 30, 2021. The potential budget impact is $165,000 for the Local COVID-19 Leave Benefit.

Submitted press release edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News.

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