October 26, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  Employee Recruitment/Retention 
Background: The Human Resources team will present information on the recruitment, hiring, and retainment of staff for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years. Information on district onboarding, Camp Comal, and employee benefits will be presented as well as certification of teachers with the District of Innovation plan. 2023-2024 K-4 class size information will be presented in alignment with the District of Innovation Plan. 

Description:  Safety and Student Support  
Background: The administration is presenting the first reading of the proposed updates to Board Policy CKE(LOCAL) and DH(LOCAL). The proposed policy updates will put in place the guidelines for a Commissioned Armed Security staff and Contracted Commissioned Armed Security staff if the school district in partnership with law enforcement agencies is unable to meet the requirement of an armed security officer on each campus during school hours. 

Description:  Facilities/Growth & Planning 
Background: In alignment with Collaborative Vision and the DIP Strategic Objective: Complete capital projects as approved by the voters and in support of the long-range plan. The presentation will cover 2021 Bond Projects in progress and the design schedule for 2023 Projects.   

Description:  Facilities/Growth & Planning 
Background: The District receives two demographic reports per year, once in the fall to review the current enrollment and a second in the spring to look at the following year. Bob Templeton (Zonda Home) will provide a look at the latest housing and demographic report based on 2nd quarter 2023 data.

Description:  Since September 6, 2023 the BMS attendance boundary committee has met three times to develop a recommendation for the school’s boundaries. Tonight, the administration will provide an update on the committee’s work to date, along with a look at the next steps moving forward. 

Description:  Background: TexPool & LoneStar Investment Pools require a Board Resolution to update Authorized Representatives listed on the accounts.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the following Business Staff as Authorized Representatives on the Pool Accounts: Glenn Graham, Jenny Hale, Nicole Blanchard, and Justine Swick as presented.

Description:  Academic Success/Instruction 
Background: In accordance with Board Policy CDC Local, any gift with a cost or market value of $5,000 or more shall require Board approval. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the Donation to Kinder Ranch Elementary School in the amount of $6,500.00 to supplement field trip cost from the KRES PTSA as presented.

Description:  Academic Success/Instruction 
Background: In accordance with Board Policy CDC Local, any gift with a cost or market value of $5,000 or more shall require Board approval. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the Donation to Canyon High School Tennis Program in the amount of $5,995.00 to purchase Ball Machine from Canyon ABC as presented. 

Description:  Academic Success/Instruction 
Background: Comal ISD seeks a qualified consultant to assess the current College, Career, and Military Readiness program and design and develop strong and affectual recommendations for the future of the program. The program aims to prepare our students for successful transitions into higher education, careers, and military service. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve a College, Career, and Military Readiness Program Consultant as presented. 

Description:  Employee Recruitment/Retention
Background: District Administration seeks approval for additional Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) Appraisers. A T-TESS calendar and list of appraisers was approved by the board in August of 2023 and there have been additional appraisers that have received certification since August. The additional appraisers must be approved per Local Policy DNA. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve additional T-TESS appraisers for the 2023-2024 school year as presented. 

Description:  Facilities/Growth and Planning 
Background: The roofing project at Spring Branch Middle School is complete. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the Deductive Change Order and Acceptance of Work for the Roofing Project at Spring Branch Middle School as presented.

Description:  Facilities/Growth & Planning
Background: As Comal ISD grows, the need to sell and buy land is critical to the long term planning of the District. It has been several years since the District has solicited Real Estate services; therefore, we are completing the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process for Real Estate Brokerage/Realtor Services. In September 2023, the District received proposals for Real Estate Broker / Realtor Services. Three firms responded to the request and were evaluated for the following criteria: experience of the firm and personnel in providing real estate services to ISD; local experience and references; fee structure and rates. Two of the firms presented strengths in different ways, which would be a resource to the District: 1) CBRE brings their knowledge of national markets and sophisticated software tools and, 2) Legacy has a deep understanding of the local community.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the Real Estate Brokerage/Realtor Services RFQ24-01 as presented.

Description:  Facilities/Growth and Planning
Background: This is the 5th GMP with Dawson Construction and will address 17 of 18 elementary campuses. Timberwood Park has a conflict with the sewer line, which is still being resolved. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve GMP 5 for elementary school playgrounds as presented.

Description:  Facilities/Growth and Planning
Background: As we prepare to complete multiple projects in the summer of 2024 & 2025 to attract the most qualified contractors and maximize the value of each project, we're recommending Construction Manager at Risk (CM-R) as the construction delivery method for these projects.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve Construction Delivery Method for Reinvestment and Infrastructure Projects at Multiple Campuses as presented.

Description:  Academic Success/Instruction 
Background: The District has refunding bonds from Series 2015A and 2015B that become callable on February 1, 2024. The District may have the opportunity to refund those 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, interest rate and minimum savings. 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 of Trustees approve the Order Authorizing the Issuance, Sale and Delivery of Comal Independent School District Unlimited Tax Refunding Bonds in One or More Series at One or More Times, Levying a Continuing Direct Annual Ad Valorem Tax for the Payment of the Bonds; Authorizing an Authorized Representative to Approve the Amounts, Interest Rates, Prices and Terms Thereof and Certain Other Agreements, Procedures and Provisions Related Thereto; and Approving Other Matters Incident and Related Thereto as presented. 

Description:  Academic Success/Instruction 
Background: The Education Agency requires an annual independent audit to be performed by an external auditor. The resulting audit must then be approved by the Board of Trustees and submitted to TEA within 150 days of the prior fiscal year's close. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the 2022-2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report as presented. 

Description:  Facilities/Growth and Planning 
Background: To support the 2023 Bond and the construction of Middle #9 in the Canyon feeder pattern, the District has been looking for land around the Mayfair development.  

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the land purchase for Middle School #9 as presented. 

Description:  Facilities/Growth and Planning 
Background: In alignment with District Priority 6, and in support of the ongoing work identified in the 2023 Bond Program, we have completed the second step of a 3-step process in the selection of Construction Manager at Risk (CM-R) for the construction projects scheduled to start in May of 2024. 
 
Step 1: Approval of the Construction Delivery Method: Construction Manager at Risk (CM-R) delivery method approved at the August 24, 2023 Board of Trustees meeting
 
Step 2: Selection of Construction Manager: Solicit proposals from qualified Construction Management firms and select the most qualified Construction Manager at Risk (CM-R) utilizing a procurement process pursuant to Texas Government Code §2269. 
 
Step 3: Approval of a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP): Contracted CM-R to develop defined scopes of work and solicit bids for the assigned project. Ultimate costs negotiated, in tandem, with District personnel and contracted architects, to ensure the best value to the District. 


Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the Construction Manager at Risk for Elementary 21, Elementary 22, Elementary 23, and Middle School 09.