April 27, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  Goal # 4 Recruit, Develop and Coach Talent
Background: The District is working with UBC (Universal Benefits Consortium) on the 2023-2024 Health Insurance Plan through Cigna to ensure the best rates for our employees. Administration will have final plan proposals for health and dental insurance plans.

 

Description:  Goal #5: Allocate resources in the most effective manner to maximize student achievement
Background: A winter freeze in December 2022 damaged the redundant chiller at Davenport High School beyond repair. This operational failure resulted in the emergency purchase of a replacement chiller to mitigate further issues.  The lead time for the equipment is thirty-eight weeks resulting in the Superintendent’s authorization to move forward with the purchase.
 

Description:  Legal Requirement
Background: In 2017, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1566 that amended TEC 11.159. Under prior law, Boards announced continuing education credit hours at the last regular meeting of the Board of Trustees held during a calendar year. Now, these hours must be announced at the last regular meeting held before an election of trustees (April for a May election). The President shall announce the name of each board member who has completed the required continuing education, who has exceeded the required hours, and who is deficient in the required hours.
 

Description:  Goal #1 Maximizing Academic Performance
Background: Per Texas Education Code §89.1250, summer school will be provided in Comal ISD for Emergent Bilinguals entering kindergarten and first grade in the 2022-23 school year. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve the summer school schedule for Emergent Bilinguals entering kindergarten and first grade in the 2022-23 school year.
 

Description:  Goal #1 Maximizing Academic Performance
Background: In accordance with Texas Education Code, §31.004, Comal ISD is required to certify annually to the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the Commissioner that students have access to instructional materials covering all Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for all required subjects, except physical education. Additionally, in accordance with 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §66.105, Comal ISD required to certify that they protect against access to obscene or harmful content in compliance with the requirements for certification under the Children's Internet Protection Act, 47 USC §254(h)(5)(B) and (C).  

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve the 2023-24 Allotment and TEKS Certification Form.

Description:  Goal #1: Maximize Academic Performance
Background: TASB Update 120 is presented as a First reading for the Board’s consideration and input. Update 120, provided by TASB Policy Service, has no district- initiated changes but contains many of the LEGAL policies included in this update that were affected by legislative and regulatory changes. Most of the LOCAL policy recommendations in this update are intended to clarify current policy language. LEGAL policies provide the legal framework for key areas of district operations; they are not adopted by the board. The Update 120 LOCAL policies that need careful consideration are:
CB(LOCAL): STATE AND FEDERAL REVENUE SOURCES
CKC(LOCAL): SAFETY PROGRAM/RISK MANAGEMENT - EMERGENCY PLANS
FNG(LOCAL): STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES - STUDENT AND PARENT COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES
FO(LOCAL): STUDENT DISCIPLINE

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve TASB Update 120 as presented.

Description:  Goal #5: Allocate resources in the most effective manner to maximize student achievement
Background: The current agreement with the District’s external auditor has expired. The District issued a request for qualifications to obtain the services of a public accounting firm for the annual audit for fiscal year 2022-2023 with renewal options for subsequent fiscal years. The most qualified firm is being presented for consideration and approval.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve the submitted ranking and authorize the administration to enter negotiations according to final ranking and delegate authority to the Superintendent to enter into an agreement pending successful negotiations.
 

Description:  Goal #5: Allocate resources in the most effective manner to maximize student achievement
Background: The ten classrooms in the five portable buildings being placed at Davenport High School will be outfitted with the same furniture as the main campus building classrooms.  The FF&E presented aligns with current District standards and has been procured from Meteor Education through District subscribed purchasing cooperative contracts.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve the purchase of furniture, fixtures, and equipment as presented.
 

Description:  Goal #5: Allocate resources in the most effective manner to maximize student achievement
Background: This 2021 Bond project consists of installation of safety and security film at twenty-nine campuses. The contractor ranking for the evaluated proposals is submitted for consideration for District staff to enter negotiations with the top ranked contractor.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve the submitted ranking and authorize administration into enter negotiations according to the final ranking and delegate authority to the Superintendent to enter into an agreement pending successful negotiations as presented. 

Description:  Goal #5: Allocate resources in the most effective manner to maximize student achievement
Background: This 2021 Bond project includes the parking lot reconstruction at Spring Branch MS.  It consists of the demolition of the front existing asphalt parking lot with concrete curbs and reconstruction of the parking lot in concrete pavement. The contractor ranking for the evaluated proposals is submitted for consideration for District staff to enter negotiations with the top ranked contractor.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the submitted ranking and authorize the administration to enter negotiations according to final ranking and delegate authority to the Superintendent to enter into an agreement pending successful negotiations.
 

Description:  Goal #5: Allocate resources in the most effective manner to maximize student achievement
Background: Comal ISD offers a voluntary dental insurance plan to our employees. Employees that do not participate in the District’s medical plan are given an Employer Paid Low Dental Plan of $26.36/month should they choose to participate in the dental insurance plan. All other premiums for the dental insurances are covered by the employees. The provider ranking for the evaluated proposals is submitted for consideration and approval.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve the 2023-2024 Voluntary Dental Insurance plan as presented. 

Description:  Goal #5: Allocate resources in the most effective manner to maximize student achievement
Background: The District engage Dawson Construction to act as the general contractor to implement phase 4 of the HVAC replacement project at Goodwin Frazier Elementary School as part of the 2021 Bond.  The project is complete and will be brought to the board for closeout and to approve the final payment to Dawson Construction.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve the closeout of scope of work related to the Goodwin Frazier ES HVAC project as presented. 
 

Description:  Goal #5: Allocate resources in the most effective manner to maximize student achievement
Background: The District engage R.L.Rohde General Contracting, Inc. To act as the general contractor to install playgrounds at Clear Springs ES, Freiheit ES, Goodwin Frazier ES, and Oak Creek ES as part of the 2021 Bond. This project is complete and will be brought to the board for closeout and to approve the final payment to R.L. Rohde General Contracting, Inc.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board accept the Playground Closeout and approve final payment as presented. 

Description:  Goal #5: Allocate resources in the most effective manner to maximize student achievement 
Background: Danville Middle School PTA is proposing to donate a Poster Printer to Danville Middle School in the value of $5,799.00. This is a one-time donation of a capital asset that will be available for teachers and staff use for the life of the equipment.  

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board accepts the donation from Danville Middle School PTSA as presented. 
 

Description:  Background: Critical Response Group, Inc., proudly proposes a mapping solution born from lessons learned by US Special Operation Forces and successfully transitioned for use by school domestic public safety professionals. Collaborative Response Graphics® (CRGs) are site-specific common operating pictures that enable better communication during an emergency. CRGs combine accurate floor plans, high resolution imagery, emergency response pre-planning, and gridded overlay into one map. Critical Response Group builds CRGs and distributes them to first responders through a variety of software applications and provides the necessary training to ensure full implementation.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve the campus emergency mapping proposal as presented. 

Description:  Description: Goal #1: Maximizing Academic Performance
Background: Texas Education Code Chapter 12A allows traditional independent school districts to access most of the flexibility available to Texas’ open enrollment charter schools. To access these flexibilities, a school district must adopt an innovation plan, as set forth in Chapter 12A and Texas Education Agency (TEA) rules. Following the adoption plan, the district notifies TEA of approval of the plan along with the list of approved TEC exemptions.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the School Board approve the District of Innovation local innovation plan as developed by the District of Innovation Planning Committee (DEIC) and recommends directing the superintendent to notify TEA of the approval of the local innovation plan and the list of approved TEC exemptions as presented.

Description:  Goal #4: Recruit, Develop and Coach Talent 
Background: The District employs full-time professional employees in positions requiring a certificate from the State Board of Education (SBEC), nurses, and other designated employees under a probationary or term contract. The purpose of this agenda item is to facilitate Board approval of these contracts.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve the renewal of probationary and term contracts of employees and administrators for the 2023-2024 school year as presented. 
 

Description:  Goal # 4 Recruit, Develop and Coach Talent
Background: District policy DC Local outlines employment practices of the district regarding the hiring authority of the Superintendent. During peak hiring periods during the school year, the administration requests the authority to offer employment contracts for all contractual positions. In an effort to retain the very best in human talent for our students, the ability to offer employment and secure a signed employment contract in a timely manner is critical to our success. Monthly personnel reports will still be given to the board.

Recommendation: It is recommended by the Superintendent that the Board approve the authorization of the Superintendent or his designee to offer employment contracts for certified or licensed professionals as presented. 

Description:  Goal #5: Allocate resources in the most effective manner to maximize student achievement
Background: The District has bonds from Series 2015 that became callable on February 1, 2023. The District may have the opportunity to refund these bonds at a lower interest rate, saving the taxpayers future interest costs. The administration will be asking the board to grant the superintendent authorization to complete a refunding under certain parameters such as amount and interest rate. This will allow the District’s financial advisor to monitor the market and secure the best rate for the district.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve the Order as presented.