Rockwall, TX (December 12, 2023) – NOTE: Board meeting summaries highlight different agenda items. For more information on every agenda item presented, click the following
link www.rockwallisd.com.
Board of Trustees Recognitions
The Board of Trustees recognized outstanding individuals and groups for the following accomplishments:
o Stella Birdsong, a Sharon Shannon Elementary student, is the District holiday card winner. Her teacher is Ms. Jessica Salazar. Stella’s piece was selected for the Rockwall ISD holiday card from artwork submitted by elementary schools across the District.
o The 2023 Class of the Rockwall ISD Leadership Academy, the 7th cohort, completed its program on November 7. 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. Seventeen grants to 48 educators from all 23 campuses won grants totaling $37,193.68. Approximately 11,920 students will benefit from the grants. With this cycle of Innovative Teaching Grants, the REF has provided a total of $626,651 in funding for 362 grants involving 1,200+ educators impacting more than 110,810 RISD students.
Superintendent’s Report
During the Superintendent’s Report of upcoming events and accolades, Dr. Villarreal mentioned a recent JROTC site visit by an official representing the Air Force, who visited both Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High Schools to review facility spaces. Last month a Marine representative visited the District. The District awaits next steps in the JROTC program application process.
Board Approves 2024-2025 Academic Planning Guide Substantial Changes
The Board of Trustees approved the 2024-2025 Academic Planning Guide Substantial Changes.
Approval of Bond-Related Projects
The Board of Trustees approved the following Bond 2021 projects:
o Cain & Williams Middle Schools Construction Project IGMP – The Intermediate Guaranteed Maximum Price (IGMP) for the Cain and Williams Middle Schools Construction Project in the amount of $1,147,093.
o Utley Middle School – Phase 1 Construction Project GMP – The Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the Utley Middle School Phase 1 Construction Project in the amount of $15,896,883.
o Rockwall-Heath High School Multi-Purpose Field Project Completion – The final acceptance of the construction project completion.
o Rockwall and Rockwall-Heath High Schools Ninth Grade Campuses Network Infrastructure CSP– The Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) contract award to Global Asset in the amount of $523,115.60 for the Ninth Grade Campuses network infrastructure project.
o Ninth Grade Campuses, Rockwall High School, Rockwall-Heath High School and Rochell Elementary School CSP for Computer Hardware and Installation – The approval of a Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) contract award to Riverside Technologies, Inc. in the amount of $3,369,546.36 for the computer hardware and installation for Ninth Grade Campuses, Rockwall High School, Rockwall-Heath High School and Rochell Elementary School.
o Potential Future School Site Contract with Civil Engineer Firm – The approval of a contract with Civil Engineer Firm to perform a flood study and downstream assessment services for a potential future school site for a purchase in excess of $100,000.
o Rochell Elementary School Network Infrastructure CSP – The approval of a Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) contract award to Global Asset in the amount of $169,977.60 for the Rochell Elementary network infrastructure project.
Approval of District Votes for the Board of Directors of the Rockwall Central Appraisal District
The Board of Trustees approved casting the District’s votes for the 2023-2024 Rockwall Central Appraisal District’s Board of Directors Election for Vicki Wallace and Lorne Liechty.
Approval of Nomination to Serve as a Board Representative for the Rockwall Economic Development Corporation
The Board of Trustees approved Trustee Jim White to serve as a Board representative for the Rockwall Economic Development Corporation.
Draft of 2024-2025 School Calendar Presented
District leadership presented a draft of the 2024-2025 School Calendar for information. The draft calendar will be posted to the District website for online public comment and feedback from December 12-January 2. A final draft calendar will be presented for possible action at the January board meeting.
Resolution Related to SB 763
The Board of Trustees expressed appreciation for the years of ongoing efforts by our school volunteers to serve our students and our staff. As part of the District’s Strategic Plan, community partnerships are a priority for Rockwall ISD and we look forward to a continued strong relationship with volunteers. The Board of Trustees approved continuing to provide school counseling services for Rockwall ISD students by state-certified school counselors. Per the Texas Education Agency (TEA), School Counselor Certification Requirements must include the following:
• A school counselor must complete an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP).
• A school counselor must hold a master’s degree from an institution of higher education accredited by an accrediting agency, as recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
• A school counselor must complete the required School Counselor: Early Childhood-Grade 12 content pedagogy test.
• When serving special education students, a school counselor may provide a comprehensive school counseling program in accordance with Chapter 33 of the Texas Education Code to all students, including special education students and serve on the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).
Submitted press release
Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees Update: Highlights from meeting of Monday, December 11, 2023 added by Melanie M on
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