Rockwall, TX (August 22, 2023) – 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.
Recognitions
Congratulations to the students and student groups recognized by the Board of Trustees for the following accomplishments:
Extended School Year 2023 Mentors – The ESY Mentor Program, which began in 2018, supports and works with students with disabilities by providing a peer mentor.
• This summer, eight secondary students volunteered a total of 372 hours.
• National Champion FCCLA Fashion Design Competition Team – Congratulations! Under the guidance of their advisor, Mrs. Renee Aube, the FCCLA Fashion Design Competition Team attended a national competition this summer. Three students competed and placed first in Fashion Design and Fashion Construction categories. This marks the third year that at least three Fashion Design National finalists competed at the conference, but this is the first-ever sweep by Rockwall ISD!
• Madison Glenn – RHHS, 1st place, Fashion Design, Level 3
• Holland Henderson – RHHS, 1st place, Fashion Construction, Level 3
• Isabella Lopez – RHS, 1st place, Fashion Design, Level 2
• State Art District of Distinction Award – The Rockwall ISD art educators are state champions! The Texas Art Educators Association recently awarded Rockwall ISD as a District of Distinction. More than 1,200 districts were eligible to apply for this award, and only 68 districts earned this outstanding honor for the 2022-2023 school year.
• UIL Solo and Ensemble State Medalists – Congrats to Ryan Payne and Cale Bragg from RHHS who are musicians ranking in the top 3% in the state! In late May, students from around the state competed at the UIL State Solo and Ensemble contest in Austin. To qualify for the state contest, students must perform a Class 1 Solo from memory or a Class 1 Ensemble and earn a Superior Rating at the regional level. Of the thousands of musicians who performed at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest, only 3% earned an Outstanding Performer award.
• National Communication Award – Superintendent Dr. John Villarreal recently received the 2023 Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award. The award recognizes one district leader annually for their outstanding leadership and support of school public relations and communications.
Approval of the Board of Trustees Operating Procedures
The Trustees approved Board Operating Procedures.
Approval of the Designation of Non-Business Days for Purposes of the Texas Public Information Act
The Board of Trustees approved the designation of non-business days through December 2023 for purposes of the Texas Public Information Act as required by new state law, which amends Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code by adding Section 552.0031. The statute, effective September 1, 2023, clarifies business days and requires establishing non-business days under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA).
Approval of Guaranteed Maximum Price for Middle School #4 Construction Project
The Board of Trustees approved a guaranteed maximum price of $90,797,602 for the Middle School #4 construction project. The 2021 bond authorization will pay construction costs.
Approval of the Change Order to Competitive Sealed Proposal Contract Award for the Rockwall-Heath High School Multi-Purpose Practice Field Construction Project
The scope of the proposed change order is to relocate the water line and re-connect to the original loop. The relocation was not included in the original scope of the overall project. This scope of work brings significant value to the District as it will allow the District to continue to irrigate the campus site without interruption or future concerns regarding the underground infrastructure. The cost of the additional proposed scope is $84,694.16. The District still has $20,000.00 in unused owner’s contingency to contribute to the cost of this change order. The 2021 bond authorization will pay construction costs.
Approval of the Change Order to Guaranteed Maximum Price Related to Rockwall High School Ninth Grade Campus Construction Project
The scope of the proposed change order is to construct the 24’ southern roadway section of North Country Lane. The additional scope of work brings significant value to the District, providing added capacity for traffic flow and avoiding future escalation costs due to inflation. The cost of the additional proposed scope is $413,559.00. The 2021 bond authorization will pay construction costs.
Board Approves Decreasing 2023 Tax Rate by 19.54 cents for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year
The Board approved lowering the overall tax rate by 19.54 cents for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The 2023 Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate is decreasing by 18.54 cents, or 14.3%, compared to the prior year’s rate. The Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate decreases by $0.0100 to a total of $0.3500 per $100 of valuation. The District can lower the I&S tax rate while managing the increased debt payments due to property value growth and recent refunding transactions approved by the Board that have reduced annual debt obligations.
The total tax rate (M&O plus I&S) is decreasing by 19.54 cents. The breakdown of the 2023 tax rate is shown below:
| 2023 (This Year) | 2022 (Last Year) | |
| Maintenance & Operations | $0.6692 | $0.8546 |
| Interest & Sinking | $0.3500 | $0.3600 |
| TOTAL TAX RATE | $1.0192 | $1.2146 |
| NET DECREASE | ($0.1954) | |
Board Approves District’s Wealth Equalization Plan for 2023-2024
The Board of Trustees approved the Option 3 Wealth Equalization Plan for the Purchase of Attendance Credits (Netting Chapter 48 Funding) with the Texas Education Agency.
Board Approves Delegating Contractual Authority to Superintendent for Chapter 49 Status
The Board of Trustees approved delegating contractual authority to obligate the school district under Texas Education Code (TEC) §11.511(c)(4) to the Superintendent to Purchase Attendance Credits to Net Against Chapter 48 Funding.
Board Approves Policy CKE (LOCAL) and Deletes Policy CKEC(LOCAL)
The Board of Trustees approved policy CKE(LOCAL) and the deletion of policy CKEC(LOCAL) in accordance with the approved Armed Security Officer Resolution passed on August 7, 2023.
Submitted press release
Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees Special Meeting from August 21, 2023 added by Melanie M on
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