Trustees approved the following resolution designating the name of Middle School #4 as Ursula Rakow Middle School. The school is part of the 2021 bond program and is scheduled to open to 6th-8th graders in August 2025. The school is Rockwall ISD’s fourth middle school.
ROCKWALL, TX (March 25, 2025)
Board of Trustees Recognitions
The Board of Trustees recognized and congratulated the following students and staff for their accomplishments:
Rockwall High School Artwork Featured at Bullock Texas State History Museum
Congratulations to Marichel Lopez and Paisley Pierce, along with their teachers, Justin Clumpner and Annie Perdue! Marichel and Paisley’s artwork was selected by the Texas Art Educators Association for display at the Bullock Texas State History Museum throughout March. Their pieces are among just over 100 student artworks from grades K-12 chosen for this prestigious exhibit. The featured students will be honored at the museum’s annual awards ceremony.
Dr. Gene Burton College & Career Academy Law and Order Team Earns State Medals
Congratulations to the Law and Order students from the Dr. Gene Burton College & Career Academy (GBCCA) who competed in the Texas Public Service Teacher Association State Competition. Out of 500 competitors, 40 GBCCA students qualified to participate. Several of them placed in the top three in various events, showcasing their outstanding skills and dedication. Congratulations to the following students and team advisors:
Opening Statements: 1st Place – Keaton Steen; 2nd Place – Kaylen Pruitt
Closing Statements: 3rd Place – Lily Mark
Female Law Agility: 1st Place – Aalyah Schafer; 2nd Place – Mikayla Shiflett
Booking Procedure: 3rd Place – Zoey Smith
Crime Scene Search: 2nd Place Team: Isis Hollis, Natalie Duncan, Clarissa Avila;
3rd Place Team: Bella Buchannan, Mabry Mills, Andrea Espinoza
Team advisors: Don Williams, James DuPuch, Dan Nelson, Karyn Nyholm, Keith Allen, and Marcia Hasenyager
State UIL swimming medalist
Congratulations to Olivia Roberts from Rockwall High School and Coach David Partenheimer. Olivia competed at the state meet and placed 3rd in the 500 Freestyle. Olivia is a junior and has qualified for the state meet all three years of high school. She has committed to swim for Texas A&M University.
State UIL wrestling medalists
Eight Rockwall ISD student athletes representing Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School either medaled or placed at the recent University Interscholastic League State Wrestling Championships. Congratulations to the following students and coaches:
Rockwall High School and Coach Baylor Steward (Note: This is the first time in 20 years that Rockwall had four boys place at the State Wrestling Championships.):
Leona Layne – 3rd place
Dario Petrucelli – 3rd place
Dominic Wilson- 2nd place and State Finalist
Timmy Fitzgerald- 4th place
Hunter Gordon- 2nd place and State Finalist
Rockwall Heath High School Girls Wrestling and Coach Arman Mansouri:
Zamariya Williams – 5th place
Rockwall Heath High School Boys Wrestling and Coach Shane Seleznoff:
Nathan Burchfiel – 3rd place (Nathan is a 3-time State Qualifier and a 2-time State Placer)
Rockwall ISD Communications Department Wins Big at State Competition
The Rockwall ISD Communications Department earned 16 state awards at this year’s Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) competition, which recognizes outstanding work in print and electronic media. TSPRA, with over 900 members, received more than 1,800 entries, all judged by independent, private-sector professionals based on their individual merit. Competing in the 15,000-40,000 student category, Rockwall ISD earned:
State Finalist Crystal Award for the Rockwall ISD Job Recruitment Campaign.
Two Best in Category Medals (ranked #1 in the state) for the I-30 football poster and a Rockwall High School softball photo.
10 Gold Star Awards, 1 Silver Star Award, and 2 Bronze Awards.
Congratulations to the Renae Murphy, Sarah Rak, Luci Mouton, and Chris Curtis!
Board Approves Superintendent Contract
The Board approved the superintendent’s contract.
Board Approves Naming Middle School #4 After Longtime Educator
Trustees approved the following resolution designating the name of Middle School #4 as Ursula Rakow Middle School. The school is part of the 2021 bond program and is scheduled to open to 6th-8th graders in August 2025. The school is Rockwall ISD’s fourth middle school.
Resolution of Honor
Whereas, Ursula Rakow has been a dedicated and highly respected resident of Rockwall, Texas, since 1973;
Whereas, her distinguished career in education spanned more than 50 years, beginning with five years as a classroom teacher in Indiana and four years as an English as a Second Language online teacher before moving to Rockwall and serving the students of Rockwall Independent School District for 42 years from 1975 through 2017;
Whereas, throughout her 42 years in Rockwall ISD, serving as a science educator and department chair for 29 years, teaching at all three middle schools—Utley, Cain, and Williams—where she inspired countless students with her engaging lessons and passion for science, playing a vital role in shaping curriculum, mentoring teachers, and advancing district-wide instructional initiatives;
Whereas, she was known for her engaging lessons, sense of humor, and ability to build strong personal connections with students, inspiring generations of learners to explore and excel in science;
Whereas, Ursula Rakow’s impact extended beyond the classroom through her work on curriculum development, teacher training, district strategic planning, and hiring committees, demonstrating her deep commitment to the growth and success of Rockwall ISD;
Whereas, her exceptional contributions earned her numerous accolades, including District Secondary Teacher of the Year, multiple Campus Teacher of the Year awards and recognition as the Most Inspirational Teacher;
Whereas, her tireless dedication to education has left a lasting impression on thousands of students, teachers, and families in the Rockwall community;
Whereas, in keeping with the established tradition of naming schools in honor of distinguished local educators and community members;
Now, Therefore, be it resolved in grateful appreciation for and recognition of her extraordinary service, the Board of Trustees of the Rockwall Independent School District hereby names its fourth middle school to be forever known in her honor as Ursula Rakow Middle School.
Approval of Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) Contract Award for Rockwall High School Multi-Purpose Facility Building Envelope Repairs
The Board of Trustees approved a contract to Precisions Roofing in the amount of $255,000.00 for the Rockwall High School Multi-Purpose Facility Building Envelope Repairs. Funds from the 2021 bond authorization will underwrite the project.
Approval of Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) Contract Award for Springer ES and Pullen ES Roof Replacements
The Board of Trustees approved a contract award to Precisions Roofing in the amount of $1,854,000.00 for the Pullen ES Roof Replacement Project and CS Advantage in the amount of $1,863,000.00 for the Springer ES Roof Replacement Project. Funds from the 2021 bond authorization will underwrite the project.
Approval of Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) Contract Award for Wi-Fi Infrastructure Upgrade for 5 Elementary Schools and the Dr. Gene Burton College and Career Academy
The Board of Trustees approved a contract award to Global Asset in the amount of $647,086.56 for the possible future purchase of access points and cabling pending available District funding and authorize the District to apply for federal e-rate reimbursement funds. At this time there is not an identified funding mechanism to cover the proposed project costs. This agenda item allows the District the ability to apply for e-rate funding to help offset the costs if a funding source is identified in the future. It is anticipated that this project will receive an E-Rate award of the remaining Category 2 funds of approximately $52,722.
Approval of Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) Contract Award for Wi-Fi Infrastructure Upgrade for 3 Middle Schools, Aquatics Center, and Wilkerson Sanders Stadium
The Board of Trustees approved a contract award to Global Asset in the amount of $333,930.69 for the possible future purchase of access points and cabling pending available District funds and authorize the District to apply for federal e-rate reimbursement funds. At this time there is not an identified funding mechanism to cover the proposed project costs. This agenda item allows the District the ability to apply for e-rate funding to help offset the costs if a funding source is identified in the future. It is anticipated that this project will receive an E-Rate award of approximately $166,965.35.
Approval of Parameters Relating to Contracting for Electric Services
The district’s current energy price through provider Gexa is $0.06664/kWh and the current energy contract is set to expire on May 31, 2025.
The Board of Trustees previously approved the district’s recommendation to hire Energy Edge as the District’s Energy Procurement consultant. Following this approval, District administration worked with Energy Edge staff to prepare and issue a Request for Proposal
(RFP) document to solicit initial proposals from energy providers.
Energy EdgeSeven proposal responses were received by Energy Edge on November 12, 2024 with contract term options of 12, 24, 36, 48 & 60 months for consideration. Energy Edge presented the initial proposal results to District administration on December 10th, 2024. Upon review of the submitted proposals the 12-month proposals from providers Engie, Gexa, and TXU provided advantageous pricing without locking in a longer term which could reduce flexibility to take advantage of potentially lower rates in the future as the market fluctuates. Energy Edge, District administration, and the District’s legal counsel have reviewed the Engie Resources, GEXA and TXU Energy contracts.
Energy prices fluctuate daily. The pricing for the two proposals under consideration were:
On February 27, 2025, Energy Edge solicited a price check with the three providers listed above. Prices for terms from 12 to 36 months were above the previous set maximum threshold. Energy Edge provided the following factors contributing to the market moving in this direction:
• Run-up in natural gas prices on recent cold weather leading to storage deficits.
• Additionally contributing to natural gas price increases is the uncertainty of tariffs (the US imports a fair amount of gas from Canada).
• Summer scarcity risk is present in both gas and power forward prices. The prediction of a hot summer could further deplete gas reserves for power generation. Any extreme events in ERCOT could strain the grid.
• Exponential load growth from data center expansion for AI, continued population growth, and growth in the oil basin is leading to tighter reserves without increasing new generation (non-renewable).
Energy Edge has been monitoring the market through March 10, 2025 and pricing continues to move away from the delegated maximum kWh limit of .065. As such, a new maximum kWh limit needs to be considered for approval to be able to execute a new energy contract. The Board of Trustees approved the following parameters to be met by District administration:
• Duration of Authority: Through May 31, 2025. Current agreement expires on this date and a new contract must be in place prior to this date.
• Maximum kWh unit price: $0.09500/kwh
Energy Edge will continue to provide electricity market input and recommend a date for a final round of pricing so that pricing can be received and an agreement executed on the same day to lock-in the energy price.
Approval of Board Policies
The Board of Trustees approved Policy Update 124 from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) regarding local policies. The Board also approved revisions to policies EHDC(LOCAL) and FFAC(LOCAL) to include administration of medication for respiratory distress.
Approval of Texas Education Agency Low Attendance Day Waiver for District
The Board approved the TEA Low Attendance Day Waiver District-Wide. On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, there was a large number of absences due to the unusually cold temperatures in the DFW area. The weather in Rockwall was 14 degrees, windy, with a light snow. Rockwall ISD student attendance was significantly low district-wide. The 2023-2024 yearly average attendance rate for Rockwall ISD was 96.681%. The average daily attendance on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 was 83.48%.
Approval of Texas Education Agency Low Attendance Day Waiver for Jones Elementary School and Utley Middle School
The Board approved the TEA Low Attendance Day Waiver for Jones Elementary School and Utley Middle School. District-Wide. On Monday, February 3, 2025, both Dorris Jones Elementary School and Herman Utley Middle School experienced a significant number of absences due to illness resulting in a low attendance rates.
Approval of Delegating Contractual Authority from May 20, 2025, to August 19, 2025, to Make Bona Fide Offers of Employment and to Extend Contracts
Per Rockwall ISD Board Policy DC (LOCAL), the Board of Trustees delegated contractual authority to the Superintendent or his designee during the peak employee-hiring season in order to expedite the hiring process. This recommendation is in alignment with Rockwall ISD’s staffing goal to attract, recruit, develop and retain high-quality professional staff. The Board retains final authority for employment of contractual personnel.
Submitted press release by Rockwall ISD, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News.
Highlights from Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees March 24 meeting added by Editor on
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