Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees Update: Highlights from meeting January 22, 2024

Rockwall, TX (January 23, 2024) – NOTE: Board meeting summaries highlight different agenda items. For more information on every agenda item presented, click the following link www.rockwallisd.com

Recognitions

Congratulations to the following student and community groups that were recognized by the Board of Trustees:

All-State Musicians – Becoming a Texas Music Educators Association All-State Musician is one of the most prestigious honors a high school musician can earn. TMEA All-State students represent less than one percent of the students who start the process throughout the state each fall. Congratulations to the following students:

• Band: Rockwall High School Jano Martinez, Andrew Aulbaugh, Burke Felfe, Collin Goodwin, and Rockwall-Heath High School Landon Reimer.
• Choir: Rockwall High School Brynna Carpenter, Amanda Massey, and Rockwall-Heath High School Reilly Lundbereg.
• Orchestra: Rockwall-Heath High School Marco Longoria.

Rockwall High School Cheerleaders – On January 6, 2024, the Rockwall Varsity Cheerleaders competed in the UIL State Cheerleading Contest. Sixty-four teams competed in the 6A Division. Rockwall High School earned a third place finish in the state competition bringing home the bronze medal. This is the first time in school history that Rockwall High School Cheer has earned a top three placement at the state UIL contest. Congratulations to the Rockwall High School Cheerleaders and their coaches, Crysten Timbes and Kyle Hall.

Community Programs Supporting Students:

Coats for Kids Program – This year, the Coat for Kids program in partnership with the Rockwall Costco provided 352 new coats were to Rockwall ISD elementary students. Special thanks to the following business and organizations for supporting the Coat for Kids Program:

• Chiloso and Culver’s Restaurants in Rockwall.
• Rockwall Breakfast Rotary Club
• Chick-Fil-A North Rockwall (Melissa and Tim Moseley) and the Central Administrative Staff for donating 195 coats (83 from the administration office staff) for our Secondary Students.

Bimbo Bakeries in Rockwall who helped coordinate a community-wide Hunger Relief program in our community. Bimbo Bakeries passed out 100 swag bags, 400 loaves of bread, and other school supplies to families and students in the community. Bimbo Bakeries also donated a check to Student Services for $4,080 to support our students in the district with clothing, coats, school supplies, etc.

Empower 7 and Melanie Cobb who provided our district with 129 student hygiene kits. Each hygiene kit included shampoo, conditioner, hairbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant. Empower 7 has provided over 636 hygiene kits over the last few years.

Yellowjacket Barbershop and Angel Nelson. Yellowjacket Barbershop located next to Hobby Lobby, donated over 300 school supplies items for our students. The school supplies were given to each campus through the campus counselor to help provide our students with needed supplies.

Kiwanis Club and Tarren Oswald. Kiwanis Club provides food for kids monthly at Springer ES, Shannon ES, Garcia ES, Hamm ES, Rochell ES, Jones ES, Reinhardt ES, Cullins ES, Linda Lyon ES, Dobbs ES, and Quest Academy.

Rockwall ISD Central Administration Sunshine Committee and Dana Weller and Luann Hughes who collected lunch boxes for our students. The lunch boxes were taken to school counselors to help students who did not have a lunch box.

School Board Appreciation Month:

Rockwall ISD proudly joins districts across the state in expressing gratitude to our esteemed School Board members. Their unwavering dedication and commitment to service as elected officials make them the voice of our community, prioritizing the well-being and development of our students.

As the link between the community and the classroom, our Trustees shoulder the responsibility of overseeing a total annual budget of $237 million, with 2,100 employees, 23 campuses, and, most significantly, guiding 18,700 students. Additionally, the Board is successfully navigating the 2021 Bond Program, encompassing seven construction projects and substantial improvements, totaling an estimated investment of $410,375,000. Projects include the construction of new Ninth-Grade Campuses, Middle School #4, the replacement of Rochell Elementary, and significant additions to existing middle school campuses. Under the Board’s leadership, academic achievements have reached exemplary levels. Dual Credit student enrollment has increased, and in 2023, students earned an impressive 330 professional career and technical certifications. The impact is broader, with an increase in the number of students recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Notably, the Board’s support of Fine Arts, Athletics, and Career & Technical Education programs has led to a remarkable 97% participation rate in extracurricular activities among secondary students.

Despite numerous accolades, the Board cherishes graduation day the most, congratulating approximately 1,300 graduates as they embark on their post-secondary journey. Rockwall ISD expresses deep appreciation for our School Board members’ tireless efforts and remarkable achievements during School Board Recognition Month. Their leadership continues to shape a bright future for our students and community. Thank you for your unwavering commitment!

Rockwall ISD Trustees: President Amy Hilton, Vice-President Frank Conselman, Secretary Dr. Sherry Packer, Trustee Stan Britton, Trustee Linda Mitchell Duran, Trustee Dr. Bart Miller and Trustee Jim White.

Approval of Superintendent’s Evaluation
The Board of Trustees approved the Superintendent’s annual evaluation.

Approval of 2024 Facilities Bond Committee Members
The Board approved the 2024 Facilities Bond Committee comprised of comprised of parents, staff, local government and community members for the collaborative development of recommendations to meet the demands of continued student enrollment growth and capital improvement needs of the District. The ultimate goal is to develop solutions to be presented to the Board of Trustees at a later date for possible consideration.

Approval of the 2024-2025 School Calendar
The Board of Trustees approved the 2024-2025 School Calendar after receiving feedback from stakeholders. It will be posted to the District website. The calendar includes the following highlights:
• First Day of School: August 12, 2024
• Fall Break: October 7-11, 2024
• Thanksgiving Break: November 25-29, 2024
• Winter Break: December 23, 2024 – January 6, 2025 (for students)
• Spring Break: March 17-21, 2025
• Last Day of School: May 22, 2025

Approval of Texas Association of School Board Policy Manual – Update 122
The Board of Trustees approved Policy Update 122 as a result of changes made to Texas law per Texas Legislative action.

Approval of the Order of Election for the May 4, 2024, General Election to Elect Trustees in Places 1, 2, and 3
The Board of Trustees approved the Order of Election for the May 4, 2024, General Election to elect trustees in places 1, 2 and 3.

Submitted press release.

  board of trustees meeting, Rockwall ISD