Rockwall, TX (March 21, 2023) – The following is a Rockwall ISD press release summarizing Monday night’s (3/20/2023) RISD Board of Trustees meeting.
NOTE: Board meeting summaries highlight different agenda items due to limited audience opportunities at Board meetings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 and congratulated these outstanding individuals and groups for the following accomplishments:
Williams Middle School Art Selected for State Display – Proudly displayed at the Bullock Texas State History Museum as part of Youth Art Month is the artwork of three Williams MS students. Their artwork was selected from a field of more than 100 pieces submitted. Congratulations to the following students and their teachers:
-Colt McKenzie,
-Brynley Hergert,
-Irene Diaz, and
-Teachers Maria Shah and Barrett Clark.
Six student-athletes placed at the UIL 6A State Wrestling Championships – Congratulations to our state champion, Jarrett Stoner, and the following student-athletes that represented Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School in their respective weight divisions:
-State Champion Boys’ Jarrett Stoner of RHS,
-3rd Place Boys’ Jake Moon of RHS,
-4th Place Girls’ Megan Edwards of RHS,
-5th Place Girls’ Kylie Wood of RHS,
-5th Place Girls’ Audree Willess of RHS, and
-5th Place Boys’ Nathan Burchfield of RHHS.
Student-Athlete Competes at UIL 6A State Swimming Meet – Congratulations to Abigail Hood from RHHS, who placed 4th at the UIL State 6A Swim meet in the 100-yard butterfly.
Communications Department Wins State Awards – Each year, the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA), comprised of 900 members, recognizes school communicators and departments for outstanding print and electronic media work. This year, more than 1,700 entries competed in the contest. The Rockwall ISD Communications team of Renae Murphy, Alyssa Suniga and Chris Curtis collectively won two Best in Category medals, five Gold Star Awards and three Silver Star Awards at the 2023 TSPRA Conference.
Finance Department Recipients of the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Presented by the Association of School Business Officials International – Each year, Jamie Tomalin, Executive Director of Finance, and Bobby Vaughan, Director of Accounting, along with all members of the Finance Department, complete the annual independent financial audit. An Annual Comprehensive Financial Report is released annually and submitted to the Association of School Business Officials Certificate of Excellence Award program. Rockwall ISD has earned the ASBO Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Award since 2016, reflecting continued financial reporting and transparency excellence.
Finance Department for the Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations from the Texas Association of School Business officials – The Award of Merit was established in 2009 to recognize Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and education services centers that are committed to following professional standards in the acquisition of goods and services. The TASBO Purchasing & Supply Management Research Committee evaluates the award criteria each year to ensure it represents the latest best practices. They then review new and recertification applications. For 2023, only 71 recipients met the stringent standards to qualify for the award.
Technology Department Director of Instructional Technology and Director of Technology Infrastructure Recently Featured in EdTech Magazine – Eric Moreno, Director of Infrastructure and Rikki Smith, Director of Instructional Technology and Library Media, were recently spotlighted in the EdTech online magazine for the presentation at the Texas Computer Educator Association (TCEA) conference. Eric and Rikki presented two sessions at the conference.
Legislative Conference Update
Board President Linda Mitchell Duran provided the Board with an update on the recent Legislative Conference in Austin, Texas. Board of Trustees President Duran, Vice-President Amy Hilton and
Secretary Jim White, along with Superintendent Dr. John Villarreal and Chief of Elementary Schools Dr. Mary Johnston, attended the conference and then met with legislators in the capitol to
communicate the Rockwall ISD Legislative Priorities.
Status of Legislative Process Regarding Compensation
Dr. Villarreal also reported that the District continues to monitor the legislative session paying particular attention to those bills filed for increased teacher pay and school funding. A final
District compensation plan continues to hinge on the legislature’s actions as they meet through May 29, 2023. Dr. Villarreal said, second only to the priority of safety, the District’s continues
discussing teacher and staff compensation with legislators. The District awaits legislative direction from the state while considering compensation and benefit suggestions made by teachers
and staff during recent Lunch & Listen sessions at all 23 campuses in Rockwall ISD. As a reminder, the District historically provides competitive salary increases based on years of experience and additional health insurance premium contributions for employees of approximately $100 a month or $1,200 annually when compared to surrounding districts. In addition to salary increases, the District has also provided one-time incentive retention pay for all employees totaling $7,700 for the past four years combined. Rockwall ISD has a strong commitment to providing a compensation package in alignment with the District’s legislative priorities for the 2023-2024 school year.
Board Approves Superintendent Contract
The Board approved the superintendent’s contract.
Approval of the 2023 Strategic Plan Goals
The Board of Trustees approved the 2023 Strategic Plan Goals. The following goals will serve as direction for the Strategic Plan Committee as they develop a five-year plan:
· We will provide authentic and innovative learning experiences for every learner.
· We will ensure a safe and civil environment that is responsive to the needs of our diverse community.
· We will attract, recruit, develop and retain high-quality professional staff.
· We will ensure continuous improvement through maximizing fiscal efficiency to address growth.
· We will partner with our community to enhance the learner experience.
Approval of the 2023 Strategic Plan Committee
The Board of Trustees approved the 2023 Strategic Plan Committee members of community leaders, business leaders, parents, students, teachers and campus and District leadership.
Webb Named Rockwall-Heath High School Head Football Coach and Campus Athletics Coordinator
The Board of Trustees approved naming Coach Rodney Webb as the Rockwall-Heath High School Head Football Coach and Campus Athletics Coordinator. Coach Webb has 32 years of high school coaching experience, including 20 years as a head football coach, athletic director, or campus athletic coordinator.
Coach Webb comes to Rockwall ISD from Highland Park ISD, where he has served as the District Athletic Director after a state football championship run at Denton Guyer. He led the Guyer
football program to the state semifinals in 2020 and the state championship game in 2021. Coach Webb is no stranger to Rockwall County. He established a legacy of seven successful seasons as the Head Football Coach and Campus Coordinator at Rockwall High School and five years as Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Royse City. Coach Webb also served as the Texas High School Coaches Association President from 2018-2021.
Approval for Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) Contract Award for the Rockwall High School and Rockwall- Heath High School Access Points Replacement Project
The Board of Trustees approved a contract award of $432,739.00 to Global Asset for the Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School Access Points Replacement Project. The general operating fund will pay for the project costs. This project anticipates receiving an E-rate award of approximately $216,369.50.
Approval for Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) Contract Award for the Rockwall High School and Rockwall- Heath High School Ninth Grade Centers E-Rate Project
The Board of Trustees approved a contract award of $228,664.40 to Global Asset for the Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School Ninth Grade Centers E-Rate Project. The 2021 bond
program will pay for the construction costs. This project anticipates receiving an E-rate award of approximately $114,332.20.
Approval for Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) Contract Award for the Rockwall ISD Technology Infrastructure Project
The Board of Trustees approved a contract award of $209,296.30 to Global Asset for the Rockwall ISD Technology Infrastructure Project. The general operating fund will pay for the construction costs. This project anticipates receiving an E-rate award of approximately $94,183.34.
Approval for Construction Manager At-Risk for Utley Middle School Construction Project
The Board of Trustees approved a contract award to Northstar Builders Group for the Utley Middle School Construction Project.
Issuance and Sale of School Building Bonds and Order Authorizing the Issuance Establishing Parameters for the Sale and Issuance of Such Bonds
The Board approved the $200 million authorization and $78,510,000 in refunding bonds based on the Administration’s developed cash flow projects and analysis to help determine the optimum timing of bond sales. This process helps save district taxpayers from paying additional interest costs and helps utilize authorized bond dollars efficiently. Based on current bond projects and anticipated projects in the short term, the Administration believes that this bond sale is necessary to have the cash balances on hand to complete the approved bond projects.
Approval of Board Policies
The Board of Trustees approved the policy update 120 from the Texas Association of School Boards and revised Policy DNA (LOCAL).
Approval of Texas Education Agency Low Attendance Day Waiver
The Board approved the TEA Low Attendance Day Waiver for Jones Elementary School. On November 18, 2022, many student flu cases resulted in an attendance rate of 84.3% for the school day. The 2021-2022 yearly average attendance rate at Jones Elementary School was 93.7%.
Submitted Press Release
Rockwall ISD Update: Board of Trustees March 20, 2023 Meeting added by Melanie M on
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