Rockwall, TX (February 20, 2024) – NOTE: Board meeting summaries highlight different agenda items. For more information on every agenda item presented, click the following
link www.rockwallisd.com
Special Session Meeting
The Board of Trustees toured the Rockwall High School Ninth Grade Campus.
Monthly Meeting
Board of Trustees Recognitions
The Board of Trustees recognized outstanding individuals and groups for the following accomplishments:
Bob Bullock Texas State Museum Art – Congratulations to Rockwall High School student Bradi Weideman and her teacher, Bri Myers-Chadwick. Bradi’s artwork was selected for display in the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum by the Texas Art Educators Association for the month of March. Only 100 pieces of student artwork from grades K-12 statewide are selected to be on
display. The students who have their artwork on display are celebrated at the annual awards ceremony at the museum.
Rockwall-Heath Cheerleaders Two-Peat National Champions – The Rockwall-Heath High School Varsity Cheerleaders competed in the National Cheerleader Association National High School Competition in January. Heath won the National Championship in the Varsity Intermediate Large Crowd Division. This is the second year in a row for Heath cheer to win the national title. Heath cheer has won a national title in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, and now 2024 making them five time National Champions! Congratulations to the Rockwall-Heath Varsity Cheerleaders and their coaches Amanda Jones, Glenna Crain, Kaley Stewart, Rileigh Goldsmith, and Bryan Moss.
Drone Team Qualifies for Nationals – The Dr. Gene Burton College and Career Academy Drone Team Airship Academy 1034A participated in two regional competitions and placed first in both events. These wins qualified the team for the National Championships. The competition, called Recon, Rescue & Firefighting Challenge, consists of tasks in the air and on the ground to
put out fires in buildings. Congratulations to the team sponsors: Leslie Reese and Robert Erwin. Congratulations to students:
Jozy Bartis – RHS
Isabella Botero – RHS
Isaiah Fosnight – RHS
Karina Gilbertson – RHS
Grayson Gilpin – RHS
Sammy Hernandez – RHHS
Elias Jahner – RHS
Jaston Lopez – RHS
Brenden Mahan – RHHS
Gabriel Manak – RHS
Noah Mazrani – RHHS
Hudson Nabors – RHS
Zora Nat – RHHS
Tannis Palmer – RHHS
Jaylon Parish – RHHS
Amandeep Singh – RHS
Rachel Wells – RHS
Angela Williams – RHS
Approval of Superintendent to Provide Instructional Services at Baylor University Summer 2024
The Board of Trustees approved the superintendent to provide instructional services at Baylor University Summer 2024.
Public Hearing for the 2022-2023 Texas Academic Performance Report
District leadership presented the 2022-2023 Texas Accountability Performance Report information as required by the state.
2024 Facilities Bond Committee Update
Committee facilitators provided an update of the committee’s work and progress. As of the Board meeting date, the committee has met twice. District administrators have presented information regarding the State of the District, 2021 Bond Projects, Demographic Reports, School Finance 101 and an overview of facility needs. The committee members will now focus on specific projects in small group work.
2024-2025 Budget Update
District administrators presented information about the annual operating budget for Rockwall ISD, which begins on July 1 of every calendar year and ends on June 30 of the subsequent calendar year. Typically, beginning in late fall-early spring, district administration conducts regular budget workshop meetings to discuss the budget process with the Board of Trustees. Ultimately, state law requires that the budget is adopted prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year (July 1).
Approval of Bond-Related Projects
The Board of Trustees approved the following Bond 2021 projects:
o Cain & Williams Middle Schools Construction Project GMP – The Final Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the Cain & JW Williams Middle School Construction Project in the amount of $74,983,280.00.
o Audio Visual Hardware and Services Competitive Sealed Proposal for the Ninth Grade centers, Rockwall High School, Rockwall-Heath High School and Rochell Elementary Replacement Projects – The contract award in the amount of $1,652,467.15 to ProComputing Corporation for the AudioVisual Hardware and Services for the Ninth Grade Centers, Rockwall High School, Rockwall Heath High School, and Rochell Elementary Project.
Approval of Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) Contract Award for Walk-in Cooler/Freezer Replacements at Pullen ES, Springer ES, Jones ES and Hartman ES
The Board of Trustees approved a contract award to GEM Mechanical in the amount of $424,999.98 for the Walk-in Cooler/Freezer Replacements for Pullen ES, Springer ES, Jones, and Hartman ES. Project costs will be paid from the District’s Child Nutrition Fund Program.
Approval of Recommendation to Contract with Vendor to Provide Repairs to Rockwall High School Cooling Towers
The Board of Trustees approved a contract award to Texas Air Systems in the amount of $141,695.00 for the Rockwall High School Cooling Tower Replacement Project. Project costs will be paid from the District’s General Operating Fund.
Approval of Employee Pay During Emergency Closure Due to Winter Weather
Rockwall ISD, acting in the best interest of the health and safety of students and staff, ordered the emergency closures of all district facilities on January 16, 2024. Per Board policy DEA (LOCAL), the Board of Trustees approved a resolution continuing wage payments to all regular employees for those workdays affected by the closure.
Approval of Texas Education Agency Low Attendance Day Waiver
The Board of Trustees approved the Low Attendance Day Waiver for Dorothy Smith Pullen Elementary School. In January 2024, there was an increase in the number of absences due to illness. This resulted in significantly low attendance rates at Dorothy Smith Pullen Elementary School. The 2022-2023 yearly average attendance rate for Pullen Elementary School was 95.3%. The days the District is requesting a waiver are:
January 22, 2024: 84.13%
January 23, 2024: 85.07%
January 26, 2024: 83.87%
Approval of Texas Education Agency Staff Development Minutes Waiver
The Board of Trustees approved the Staff Development Minutes Waiver for the 2024-2025 school year. TEA offers a Staff Development Minutes Waiver that provides for a maximum of 2,100 total waiver minutes to use for professional development. Districts may choose how to apply their approved Staff Development Minutes Waiver (early release, late start, all-day staff development, or a combination). This waiver is only applicable to the 2024-2025 school year.
Notice of Election for the May 4, 2024 General Election for Board of Trustees in Places 1, 2, and 3 Information
District administration presented the Notice of Election information as required by law for the May 4, 2024 Board of Trustees election for Places 1, 2 and 3.
Board Approves Contracts for Election Services
The Board of Trustees approved the election services contracts with Rockwall and Kaufman counties for the Board of Trustees election on May 4, 2024. The approximate cost of the election is $30,000.
Submitted press release by Renae Murphy, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News
Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees Special Meeting and Monthly Meeting Monday, February 19, 2024 added by Melanie M on
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