Highlights from Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees Dec. 12 meeting

ROCKWALL, TX (Dec. 15, 2022) The following is a Rockwall ISD press release summarizing the (10/12/2022) RISD Board of Trustees Meeting.

NOTE: Board meeting summaries highlight different agenda items. Board meeting videos are available for viewing within 24-hours of the meeting at www.rockwallisd.com.

Board of Trustees Recognitions

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

o Annabella Wilson, a Doris Cullins-Lake Pointe Elementary student, is the District holiday card winner. Her teacher is Ms. Carrie Hartsell. Annabella’s artwork was selected for the Rockwall ISD holiday card from artwork submitted by elementary schools across the District.

o The 2022 Class of the Rockwall ISD Leadership Academy completed its program on November 15. The participants learned about elementary and secondary curriculum, data walks, school finance, board governance and heard from a principal and student panel during the seven-week program. The Rockwall ISD Leadership Academy allows participants to learn about Rockwall ISD.

o The Rockwall ISD Education Foundation recognized educators across the District for their Innovative Teaching Grants funded by the Rockwall ISD Education Foundation. Seven grants to 25 educators from six campuses won grants totaling $23,343.28. Approximately 3,360 students will benefit from the grants.

Approval of Rockwall ISD Legislative Priorities for the 88^th Legislative Session

The Board of Trustees approved Rockwall ISD’s legislative priorities for the 88^th Legislative Session that starts January 10, 2023. Priorities include School Safety, Teacher Recruitment and Retention, Finance and Public School Funding, Assessment and Accountability, and Academic and Financial Accountability.

JROTC Program Update

Dr. Gene Burton College and Career Academy Principal Alison Belliveau updated the District’s efforts to establish a JROTC program. The District began exploring the possibility of adding an Air Force JROTC program in the spring of 2019. Since then, the District has met with high school principals and conducted site visits to other JROTC programs around the state. In November 2022, the District communicated with AFJROTC Headquarters, conducted a facility space evaluation at Rockwall and Rockwall-Heath High Schools and reached out to other branches. Challenges include:

an AFJROTC school candidate waiting list for the program, and
facility space for classrooms, storage, office and drill pads at the current high schools.

Texas is allocated 71 AFJROTC programs; currently, there are 107 with multiple instructor vacancies. If granted the program, the AFJROTC will approve no more than one unit for Rockwall ISD.

Moving forward in the process in 2023:

Communicate with Army and Marines JROTC,
Submit application(s) to Army, Air Force, and Marines, and
Involve community stakeholders, including elected officials, for support.

Based on the Ninth Grade Centers opening in the Fall of 2024, the District hopes to potentially accommodate a JROTC program.

Board Approves 2023-2024 Academic Planning Guide Substantial Changes

The Board of Trustees approved the 2023-2024 Academic Planning Guide Substantial Changes.

Approval of Project Completion for the Rockwall-Heath High School Dining Addition Project

The Board of Trustees approved the Rockwall-Heath High School Dining Addition project completion. The project was completed for the start of the 2022-2023 school year. The 2015 bond program paid the construction costs.

Approval of Project Completion for the Multi-Campus Storm Repair Projects

The Board of Trustees approved the multi-campus storm repairs project completion. The projects were due to the February 2021 winter weather storm causing significant physical damage across multiple facilities. Construction costs were paid from insurance claim reimbursements and supplemented by the District’s general operating fund.

Approval of Project Completion for the Amy Parks-Heath ES and Doris Cullins-Lake Pointe ES Site Paving Projects

The Board of Trustees approved the Amy Parks-Heath ES and Doris Cullins-Lake Pointe ES paving projects completion. The 2021 bond program paid construction costs.

Approval of Project Completion for the Amy Parks-Heath ES and Doris Cullins-Lake Pointe ES Interior Renovations Projects

The Board of Trustees approved the Amy Parks-Heath ES and Doris Cullins-Lake Pointe ES interior renovation projects. The 2021 bond program paid construction costs.

Approval of Budget Amendment for Strategic One-Time Capital Outlay Expenditures

The Board of Trustees approved a budget amendment for strategic one-time capital outlay expenditures paid by the District’s fund balance reserves for the following purpose:

Approval of Consultant Design Services and Project Delivery Method for Dr. Gene Burton College and Career Academy Culinary Arts Renovation Project

The Board of Trustees approved the Consultant Services and Project Delivery Contract Award Method to Estes, McClure & Associates for the Dr. Gene Burton College and Career Academy Culinary Arts renovation project.

Draft of 2023-2024 School Calendar Presented

District leadership presented a draft of the 2023-2024 School Calendar for information. The draft calendar will be posted to the District website for online public comment and feedback from December 13-January 3. A final draft calendar will be presented for possible action at the January board meeting.

Submitted press release by Rockwall ISD.