Update from the Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees meeting of Monday, November 17, 2025

Rockwall, TX (November 18, 2025) – The following is a summary from the Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees monthly meeting of Monday, November 17, 2025.

Recognitions

The Board of Trustees congratulated the Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School Bands for advancing to the UIL State Marching Contest. Both programs continue to represent Rockwall ISD with excellence, showcasing the hard work and dedication of student musicians, directors, and families.

Each year 247 6A marching bands compete to earn a spot in the UIL State Marching Contest. Out of those 247 bands only 41 were selected to participate this year. To compete at the state contest, bands must first earn a Superior rating at their UIL Region contest to advance to one of the 10 Area contests. Each Area contest then advances one band for every five bands that qualify. Rockwall High School placed third and Rockwall-Heath High School placed fourth in Area finals both advancing to the UIL State Marching Contest. This is the first time in school history for the Rockwall-Heath band to compete at the state contest. Rockwall HS previously competed at the state contest in 2018.

Congratulations to the drum majors and directors representing their programs:

• Rockwall High School, drum majors Lillian Kalinovic, Chloe deMoville, Max Smith, Landon Sulc and their directors Brandon Downs, Carol Downs, Hunter Purvine, Makenzie Paul, Russell Lancaster, Trey Lewis, and Ricardo Trejo.
• Rockwall-Heath High School, drum majors, Sebastian Sanchez, Keyra Gonzalez, Bailey Lundberg, and Angel Noriega-Lorenz their directors Chris Loyd, Trevor Kay, Kelley Powell, Anissa Macias, Bastian Wood, Joseph Guzman, and Megan Benavidez.

Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Approved
The Board of Trustees approved the annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. A representative from the auditing firm presented the report. Audit highlights include:

• An unmodified opinion was issued on the financial statements – in other words, the highest level of assurance an auditor can provide an opinion on.
• No material weakness in internal controls were identified.
• The fund balance of the General Fund decreased $7,299,994. This was primarily due to increased teacher and staff compensation, the opening of two new ninth grade campuses, hiring new staff to accommodate on-going student enrollment growth, and strategic one-time uses of fund reserves for critical projects within in the District. However, the decrease noted in the General Fund was $5,457,227 less than the $12,757,221 revised budget, demonstrating that the District performed better than anticipated for the fiscal year.
• The Child Nutrition fund balance decreased $525,994 primarily based upon increases in food costs driven by inflation.
•  The Debt Service fund balance increased $2,271,819 primarily due to increases in state aid driven by hold-harmless provisions passed in Senate Bill 2 related to property tax relief, specifically the increase in the mandatory homestead exemption.

Approval of a Resolution Canvassing the Returns and Declaring the Results of a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election Held on November 4, 2025
The Board of Trustees approved the canvassing of election results pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Texas Election Code and Board Policy BBBB (LEGAL) which states, “a board shall convene to conduct the local canvass at the time set by the presiding officer not later than the 11th day after election day.” Canvassing results of the Rockwall ISD VATRE from Rockwall County, Kaufman County, and Collin County were presented and approved.

Superintendent Update
As part of the Superintendent’s Update, Dr. Villarreal read the following letter to the community expressing appreciation for the successful passage of the recent VATRE Election:

On behalf of the Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees and our entire district, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our community for supporting the recent VATRE election. We recognize that any request involving taxes is a serious and difficult ask, and we deeply appreciate the trust you have placed in us.

We also want to give a special thank-you to our parents, business leaders, and community members who stood with our teachers and staff throughout this process. Your encouragement and support mean more than you know.

Your support directly strengthens our schools. As outlined during the election, these funds will be dedicated to teacher and employee compensation, as reflected on tonight’s agenda, as well as safety, security, and special education. These priorities reflect the values of our community and our shared commitment to ensuring every student learns in an environment where they can thrive.

We also want to reassure our community that we will steward these resources responsibly and transparently.

Thank you again for your continued partnership and for standing with Rockwall ISD. Our community makes excellence possible, and we are grateful for your support.

Board Approves 2026-2027 Academic Planning Guide Substantial Changes
The Board of Trustees approved the 2026-2027 Academic Planning Guide Substantial Changes.

District and Campus Improvement Plans Approved
As required each year, the Board of Trustees approved the District Improvement Plan to guide district and campus staff in improving student performance for all student groups at all schools. The District will post the approved plans on www.rockwallisd.org and campus websites by the end of the week

Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) Report Presented
In compliance with the applicable Board policies and Administrative Code sections and subsections, District leadership presented the 2024-2025 FIRST to the Board of Trustees. Highlights of the report include:

• Rockwall ISD received a “Superior” rating for the 23rd year in a row – the highest rating available.
• Rockwall ISD’s “District score” equaled 98 – 2 points shy of a perfect score.
• The data that the 2024-2025 FIRST report is based upon data from the 2023-2024 school year.

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 2025-2026 Rockwall Central Appraisal District’s Board of Directors Election for Sedric Thomas and David Billings.

Approval of Board Resolution for One-Time Employee Payment Following VATRE Passage
The Board of Trustees approved a one-time payment for all current full-time, permanent Rockwall ISD employees as a direct result of the community’s recent approval of the Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE). This payment reflects the District’s commitment to allocate new VATRE funds exactly as communicated throughout the election process—toward compensation for teachers and staff.

Employees will receive the same amount in their ongoing salary increase for the 2026–2027 school year, which will also count toward Teacher Retirement System (TRS) credit.

The official resolution approved by the Board of Trustees is included below.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
ROCKWALL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
November 17, 2025
BOARD RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Rockwall Independent School District has always been and will remain committed to providing the best possible educational opportunities and staff for its students while at the same time being good stewards of available public funds; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees wishes to provide Rockwall ISD employees a one-time retention incentive compensation payment for their continued service to the students and school community of Rockwall ISD; and

WHEREAS, the Board anticipates that the District has budgeted funds available to allow for a one-time retention incentive compensation payment to every full-time, permanent Rockwall ISD employee; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees elected to exclude the Superintendent from the employees eligible to receive the one-time retention incentive payment and therefore will not receive this payment; and

WHEREAS, a public school purpose will be served by the payment of a one-time retention incentive payment to full-time, permanent District employees, in order to demonstrate support of its employees, enhance employee morale and support the retention of employees; and

Now therefore it be resolved by the Board that:
1. The Board authorizes the payment of a one-time retention incentive payment equal to the amount approved by the Board of Trustees at the regular board meeting held on August 18, 2025; and
2. Each current full-time permanent individual–with the exception of the Superintendent–whose employment began on or before November 4, 2025 and who is still employed with the district; and
3. The payment of this one-time retention incentive payment will be for the purpose of incentivizing continued service to the District; and
4. The payment of this one-time retention incentive payment is expressly conditioned upon there being sufficient monies to support the payment of the one-time retention incentive payment, and in the absence of sufficient funds, as determined by the Superintendent, this payment shall not be paid; and
5. The Board finds that a public purpose and a benefit to the Rockwall ISD exists in the payment of this one-time retention incentive payment.

Adopted by the vote of the majority of members of the Board of Trustees of the Rockwall ISD present and voting at an open meeting of the Board on the 17th day of November, 2025 at which a quorum was present.

Approval of Consultant Design Services and Project Delivery Method for District Construction Project – Rockwall-Heath High School Roof Replacement
The Board of Trustees approved the consultant services and project delivery/contract award method for the Rockwall-Heath High School roof replacement project. Services will be paid out of the Rockwall ISD 2021 Bond authorization.

Approval of Consultant Design Services and Project Delivery Method for District Construction Project – JW Williams Middle School and Maurine Cain Middle School Site Improvements Project
The Board of Trustees approved the consultant services and project delivery/contract award method for site improvement projects at JW Williams Middle School and Maurine Cain Middle School. Services will be paid out of the Rockwall ISD 2021 Bond authorization.

Approval of Consultant Design Services and Project Delivery Method for District Construction Project – District Network Operations Center (NOC) HVAC Project
The Board of Trustees approved the consultant services and project delivery/contract award method for the Rockwall ISD District Network Operations Center (NOC) HVAC Replacement Project. Services will be paid out of the Rockwall ISD 2021 Bond authorization.

Approval of Purchase Pursuant to Board Policy CH Local for Purchase in Excess of $100,000 from Board-Approved Cooperative Purchasing Program for District-Wide Grounds Keeping Services
The Board of Trustees approved the recommendation to solicit quotes from an approved purchasing cooperative for district-wide grounds keeping services. The district’s Operations and Maintenance leadership team periodically review departmental operational performance and the ability to meet expectations on an ongoing and consistent basis within the resources allotted. The leadership team recently reviewed an option to contract with an outside vendor to provide our grounds maintenance services. Based on the scope proposed that can be provided for approximately the same cost as a district run program, the Operations department recommends moving forward with an outside vendor to best meet the district’s needs and expectations for grounds maintenance services. Project costs will be paid out of the Rockwall ISD general operating fund (Fund 199).

Approval of Project Completion for the Rockwall High School Ninth Grade Campus and Rockwall-Heath High School Ninth Grade Campus Construction Projects
The Board of Trustees accepted the project completion of the Rockwall High School Ninth Grade Campus and the Rockwall-Heath High School Ninth Grade Campus construction projects. Both projects were funded through the 2021 Bond Authorization and were completed $1,771,920.00 million under budget.

Approval of Request for CSP 2526.09- 001 for Security Camera Replacements at Multiple District Locations
The Board of Trustees approved a contract award to NextGen Security, LLC in the amount of $106,356.00 for security camera replacements. Project costs will be paid out of the Rockwall ISD general operating fund (Fund 199).

Draft 2026-2027 School Calendar
District leadership presented a draft of the 2026-2027 school calendar to the Board of Trustees for consideration. Pending Board feedback, a final draft will be posted online in December for employee and public feedback.

Press release submitted by Luci Mouton, Rockwall ISD, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News. Courtesy photo.

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