Rockwall, TX (June 19, 2023) – NOTE: Board meeting videos are available for viewing within 24-hours of the meeting at www.rockwallisd.com.
Recognitions
Congratulations to the 6A State Track and Field Champions from Rockwall ISD:
• Claire Lowrey, Rockwall High School Senior, is the Class 6A UIL Girls High Jump State Champion. The Texas Tech signee won the Class 6A state title in the high jump, clearing 5’10” and beating the defending state champion. Lowrey tied for 10th in the nation with her mark of 5’10”. She cleared 5’10” in her last six meets this season after jumping a personal best of 6’0” in 2022.
• Dyson Wicker (not present), Rockwall-Heath High School Junior, is the Class 6A UIL Boys Pole Vault State Champion. Wicker cleared 17 feet for the first time while winning the 6A state title in the pole vault with a mark of 17-0.25, the nation’s eighth-best mark, breaking Rockwall-Heath’s school record. Wicker also cleared 16-8.75 this year at the New Balance Nationals Indoor meet.
Public Hearing to Discuss the District’s Annual Budget and Proposed Tax Rate for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year
In accordance with the Texas Education Code Section 44.004(c), Board policy CE (Legal), and the Open Meetings Act, the District published the required notices of the date, time, and location of the public hearing to allow for public input on the proposed budget and tax rate for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Approval of the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Annual Operating Budget for the General Fund, Child Nutrition Fund and the Debt Service Fund
The Board of Trustees adopted the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Annual Operating Budget for the General Fund, Child Nutrition Fund and Debt Service Fund. The adopted budget will be posted on the Rockwall ISD website.
Board Approves Official Naming of the Rockwall High School Ninth Grade Campus and Rockwall-Heath High School Ninth Grade Campus
The Board approved the naming of the ninth grade campuses as Rockwall High School Ninth Grade Campus and Rockwall-Heath High School Ninth Grade Campus, in accordance with Board policy CW (LOCAL). The ninth grade campuses are scheduled to open in Fall 2024. Earlier this month, Mrs. Shanon Zais was named principal of the Rockwall High School Ninth Grade Campus and Dr. Jeff Chandler was named principal of the Rockwall-Heath High School Ninth Grade Campus.
Approval of Project Completion for the Rockwall High School Gymnasium Floor Replacement Project
The Board of Trustees approved the completion of the Rockwall High School gymnasium floor replacement project. The general operating fund paid the construction costs.
Approval of Competitive Sealed Proposal Contract Award for the Dr. Gene Burton College and Career Academy Culinary Sink Addition Project
The Board approved a contract award to Concord Commercial Services, Inc. for $156,559.00 for the Dr. Gene Burton College and Career Academy culinary sink addition project. The general fund will pay the construction costs.
Approval of Recommendation for Grant Right-of-Way Dedication and Public Utility Easement Requests to Joyce Properties from the School Site Located at 1050 Williams Street
The Board approved the terms of right-of-way dedication and easement requests to Joyce Properties from the Rockwall ISD school site generally located at 1050 Williams Street, Rockwall, Texas 75087.
Approval of an Interest Rate Swap Transaction Relating to the Rockwall ISD Variable Rate Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, Series 2006
The Board approved an order delegating District officials the authority to adhere to the ISDA 2020 IBOR fallbacks protocol in connection with the interest rate swap transaction relating to the Rockwall ISD variable rate unlimited tax school building bonds, Series 2006.
2021 Bond Program Update and Long-Range Planning Update
District leadership provided an update to the 2021 bond program, including the impact that inflation has had and continues to have on the overall bond program and the long-range planning necessary to keep pace with accelerating student growth.
Due to the Accelerated Timeline, Many New Construction Projects are on Schedule
Soon after the November 2021 bond election passage, District construction planning leaders began to schedule and coordinate efficiencies in anticipation of predicted inflationary increases. Like families, the District, too, realized the unprecedented rise in goods and services, particularly in construction costs and materials. Because of the accelerated project scheduling, bond projects on schedule include:
July 2023:
• RHHS Tennis building project completion;
• RHHS Practice field project completion;
• RHS fire alarm project completion;
• RHS intercom project completion; and
• PACs Audio/Visual Renovations project completion.
August 2023:
• Middle School #4
September-November 2023:
• Cain Middle School & JW Williams Middle School Classrooms Additions, Fine Arts, Cafeteria, Library, Athletics Renovations including the construction of gyms
Spring 2024:
• Utley Middle School Additions Phase 1 & 2 of 3 include Fine Arts, Cafeteria, Library, Athletics Renovations including the construction of gyms
Opening Fall 2024:
• Rockwall High School Ninth Grade Campus
• Rockwall-Heath High School Ninth Grade Campus
Opening Fall 2025:
• Middle School #4
• Rochell Elementary School
Unprecedented Inflation Exceeds Contingencies, Impacts Some Planned Bond Projects
District leaders reported the producer price index (PPI) soared 24.1% from June 2020 to June 2021. By December 2021, the increase had moderated slightly but still totaled 19.6% for the year. Construction inflation significantly outpaced consumer price inflation (CPI) for the past two years. Often PPI was three to five times higher than CPI, which was already at 40-year highs. As a result, construction budgets far outpaced the $40 million in contingencies initially allocated in the 2021 bond program. So much so that even with the $40 million budgeted, project costs are currently approximately an additional $100 million more. (See below.)
To help mitigate costs, overcome the projected deficit which includes funding specified projects, and utilizing the remaining 2007 and 2015 bond savings, the District identified bond projects for budget reductions to help the overages due to inflation. The identified budget reduction projects include capital improvements to existing buildings, a high school gym for Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School, Linda Lyon classroom addition and Utley Middle School Phase 3 of 3 classroom renovations. (See below.)
Deferred 2021 Bond Projects, Accelerating Student Enrollment Growth Means More Long-Range Planning
Currently, Lyon, Garcia and Stevenson Elementary Schools are over capacity. At this time, long-range demographic student enrollment reports indicate the need for three elementary campuses and another middle school. Any deferred projects (UMS Phase 3 of 3 and high school gyms) and capital needs from the 2021 bond would also need to be addressed, as well as possible renovations to the existing Rockwall and Rockwall-Heath High Schools.
The update provided by District leaders was informational only. No action was taken.
School Safety Update for 2022-2023 School Year
In compliance with state requirements, the Student Services Department reported the Texas School Safety Center conducted Intruder Detection Audits at 21 campuses during the 2022-2023 school year. Specifics related to the Intruder Detection Audit were discussed as permitted by law in the executive session and per the Safety and Security Committee.
Board Appoints Rockwall ISD Board Member to Rockwall County Juvenile Board
In compliance with the Texas Human Resources Code 1552.2051, a Board of Trustees member serves on the Rockwall County Juvenile Board. The Board appointed Dr. Sherry Packer to serve on the Rockwall County Juvenile Board.
Approval to Amend a Bad Weather Day in the 2023-2024 School Calendar
The Board approved moving the bad weather day on February 16, 2024, to April 8, 2024, in response to Texas Education Agency guidance regarding a safety plan for students and staff relating to the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Rockwall County will be near the center of the total solar eclipse path.
RHS and RHHS Class of 2024 Graduation Ceremonies Announced for May 29, 2024
The graduation ceremonies for Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School Class of 2024 are scheduled for the same date. Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School graduation ceremonies will be on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at the Curtis Culwell Center, Rockwall High School at 1 pm and Rockwall-Heath High School at 7 pm, respectively.
Submitted press release.
Rockwall ISD Board Update: Highlights from Board of Trustees June 19, 2023 meeting added by Melanie M on
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