Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees: Recognitions, Construction Updates, Tax Rate, COVID-19 Local Leave Benefit

Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees: Recognitions, Construction Updates, Tax Rate, COVID-19 Local Leave Benefit

ROCKWALL, TX (August 17, 2021) The following is a Rockwall ISD press release summarizing last night’s RISD Board of Trustees meeting.

NOTE: For information on every agenda item presented, please view the Board meeting videos available at  www.rockwallisd.com.

Board of Trustees Recognitions

The Board of Trustees recognized outstanding students and student groups for the following accomplishments:

Rockwall-Heath High School Black Hawk Robotics Team UIL 6A State Champions – For the 4th year in a row, the RHHS robotics team won the State UIL Championship. Under Coach Leslie Reese, the team was undefeated in the competition, earning them the Texas Cup and the ‘Coolest Play of the Day’ award.

Review and Presentation of the Rockwall-Heath HS Cafeteria-Dining Addition

District leadership presented information to the Board of Trustees regarding the schematic design for the RHHS cafeteria-dining addition as the first phase of basic services. The schematic design presentation, for information purposes only, included:

  • Site plan – a graphic representation of the existing structures and site overall.
  • Floor plan – a graphic representation of the proposed addition to be constructed.
  • Furniture plan – a graphic representation of possible use of space.
  • Exterior rendition – a 3D graphic representation of the proposed addition to be constructed.

Construction Projects Update

The Board of Trustees heard a presentation by the District’s Operations Department regarding the current status of various facilities projects:

  • Bond Construction Projects
  • Future Bond Planning
  • New Campus Construction – Lupe Garcia Elementary School
  • Interior Renovations to Existing Campuses
    • Elementary Restroom Renovations: Nebbie Williams, Hartman, Jones, Springer, Pullen, Amy Parks-Heath, Cullins-Lake Pointe
    • Middle School Restroom and Interior Renovations: Williams, Cain
    • Cullins-Lake Pointe Elementary School Interior Renovations
    • Ag Facility Renovations
  • Exterior Landscaping Upgrades
  • Repairs and/or Improvements to Athletic Facilities – Tennis court resurfacing
  • Technology Infrastructure Upgrades
  • Civil Site Improvements
    • Rockwall HS Retaining Wall Project
  • Aquatics Center Source Capture
  • Transportation Fuel Canopies
  • HVAC and Other Major Mechanical Replacements – Aquatics Center HVAC
  • Winter Storm Repairs
    • Dr. Gene Burton College and Career Academy, Rockwall-Heath HS, Pullen ES, Hartman ES

Board Approves 2021 Tax Rate for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year   

The Board of Trustees approved a Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate decreaseby 3.64 cents or 3.87% from the prior year’s M&O rate. The Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate is the same as the previous year’s rate.

The total tax rate (M&O plus I&S) is decreasing by 3.64 cents.  The breakdown of the proposed tax rate is shown below:

2021 (This Year)     2020 (Last Year)

Maintenance & Operations                   $0.9036                 $0.9400

Interest & Sinking                                  $0.3700                 $0.3700

TOTAL TAX RATE                                $1.2736                 $1.3100

NET DECREASE                                   ($0.0364)

 

Board Approves Resolution Regarding COVID-19 Local Leave Benefit for Employees     

The Board of Trustees approved establishing an additional eight (8) local paid leave days related to COVID-19 for all full-time employees who test positive and provide a medical certification document with positive test results. Employees may use the Local COVID-19 Leave before using their accrued leave. The Local COVID-19 Leave shall be available effective July 1, 2021, and shall remain in effect through December 17, 2021.

 

JROTC Update

Alison Belliveau, Executive Director of Career & Technical Education and Principal of Dr. Gene Burton College and Career Academy, presented an update regarding the District’s exploration of applying in the future for a JROTC program at both Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School. The District will conduct site visits to other Texas JROTC programs this Fall to review the facilities required for the program. The next steps include submitting an application to JROTC, conducting site surveys and space availability at RHS and RHHS as this plan requires additional facility space. If the District’s application is approved, Rockwall ISD is placed on a school candidate list by the JROTC, which requires a formal two-year planning process.

Submitted press release by Rockwall ISD, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News. 


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