June 27, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  Background: The Superintendent will present the 2024-2025 Board Calendar.

Description:  Background: Board President Russ Garner will lead discussion on board assignments to district committees (Comal ISD Council of PTAs; TASA and TASB Delegate and Alternate; School Health and Advisory Council (SHAC); Comal Education Foundation; Safety and Security Committee; Audit Committee; District Site-Based Decision Making Committee (DEIC)

Description:  Background: In alignment with Collaborative Vision and the DIP Strategic Objective, give an update on 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:  Background: Administration presents the Comal Commitment Quarterly Report in alignment with the Collaborative Vision 5-year plan.

Description:  Background: Administration is providing an update on GT and AA services.  Under Section 29.123 of the Texas Education Code (TEC), the Texas State Plan guides services for gifted/talented students. Districts must adhere to these standards, which are aligned with state law and SBOE rules. The effectiveness of these services, as per the state plan (6.8), is assessed annually, with results shared with the board of trustees and parents. Data from evaluations informs updates to district and campus improvement plans (TEC §§11.251-11.253). 

Description:  Description: Safety & Security  
Background: In May 2024, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) conducted Intruder Detection Audits which resulted in corrective actions. The District is required to provide notice to the public at the next regularly scheduled board meeting that Intruder Detection Audits finding will be discussed. 

Description:  Background: Comal ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) is presenting to the Board of Trustees an annual report detailing 2023-2024 SHAC goals, progress, and achievements in the areas of fitness and physical activity, school gardens and nutrition, mental health and safe schools, and district wellness (Comal Fit). SHAC goals for 2024-2025 will also be shared.

Description:  Description: Strategic Priority 1: Academic Success/Instruction
Background: Administration is providing an update on 2024 STAAR 3-8 and EOC performance for Comal ISD. STAAR measures the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum standards and provides districts with analytical resources to support the teaching of the state mandated TEKS curriculum. 

Description:  Description: Investment of District Funds
Background: Board Policy CDA and the Public Investment Act of Texas Government Code require the Board of Trustees to review annually the investment policy and strategy as adopted by the Board and approve any changes. On June 22, 2023, the Board approved the annual investment policy and strategy. Proposed changes to Policy CDA (LOCAL) are included with the Action Item Final Reading/Adoption of TASB Policy Review on June 27, 2024. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the annual investment policy and resolution as presented.

Description:  Description: Investment of District Funds
Background: The Public Funds Investment Act of Texas Government Code (2256.008) requires each investment officer to attend 8 hours of training per a two-year period. This training shall include education in investment controls, security risks, strategy risks, market risks, diversification of investment portfolio, and compliance with the Government Code, Chapter 2256 from an independent source approved by the board.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the sources for investment training as presented.

Description:  Description: Investment of District Funds
Background: On June 22, 2023, the Board approved the list of qualified brokers to be used for the 2023-2024 year.  On January 25, 2024. The Board approved additional brokers to be used to allow for better diversification and investment potential.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the following brokers/dealers as presented.
 

Description:  Description: Investment of District Funds
Background: Board Policy CDA and the Public Investment Act of Texas Government Code require the Board of Trustees to annually adopt authorized individuals that can perform investment functions for the district. The individuals noted in the attached resolution are the employees who deal with the district’s investments on a routine basis. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the resolution naming the authorized employees to perform investment functions as presented.

Description:  Description:  Federal Entitlement Grants
Background: Board Policy CB Local requires the district to provide notice of federal grant applications through an information item at a Board meeting and by publishing information on the district’s website.  

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees review the Federal Entitlement Grants proposed use of funds.
 

Description:  Description: Contract Award
Background: The Construction and Planning team has posted a competitive bid opportunity for the BBES Chiller Project, evaluated proposals, and is recommending this project be awarded TBD. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the award and contract for the BBES Chiller Project as presented.
 

Description:  Description: CH Local 24.25 Fiscal Year Expenditures 
Background: CH Local Policy (newly updated) states that the Board of Trustees may approve budgeted purchases exceeding $200,000.00 prior to purchasing. The measure of this recommendation is to eliminate the need for future Board of Trustee approvals for the included purchases only during the 2024-2025 fiscal year. All purchases will be procured in accordance with Board Policies CH Legal and Local.  
 
Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve submitted budgeted purchases exceeding $200,000.00 as presented.

Description:  Background: The Texas Department of Agriculture recently approved the 24/25 Food Service Management Company Contract. The Board of Trustees must approve for the District to enter this contract as the contract will exceeds Policy CH Local threshold. 
 
Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the recommendation for Food Service Management Company contract between Comal ISD and SFE as presented.

Description:  Description: Facilities / Growth and Planning
Background: In alignment with District goals, and to continue support for student safety, we have assessed the exterior doors and propose making repairs this summer.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the transfer of funds from associated accounts as necessary to meet the spending authorization of $1,050,000.00 and for the Administration to work with vendors approved through state-coordinated purchasing contracts to complete this project as presented.

Description:  Description: Facilities / Growth and Planning
Background: 

• Smithson Valley MS - Roofing and Wastewater 
• Mountain Valley MS - Wastewater
• Spring Branch MS - Wastewater

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) #1 for 2023 System Package 1 as presented.

Description:  Description: Facilities / Growth and Planning
Background: 

• Comal Discipline Center - Roofing 
• Goodwin Frazier - HVAC (admin area)

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) #1 for 2023 System Package 3 as presented.

Description:  Goal #6: Facilities/Growth and Planning 
Background: GMP 3 for Elementary 23 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) as presented. 

Description:  Description: Strategic Priority 1: Maximize Academic Success
Background: The Staff Development Minutes Waiver allows districts to train staff on various educational strategies designed to improve student performance in lieu of student instruction during the school year. The Board of Trustees approved the 2024-25 Academic Calendar that includes four district staff development days. The administration is recommending filing the Staff Development Minutes Waiver for the 2024-25 school year to claim 1,680 instructional minutes for the four district staff development days in lieu of student instruction. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the 2024-25 Staff Development Minutes Waiver as presented. 

Description:  Description: Strategic Priority: CCMR 
Background: Comal ISD partners with Alamo Colleges to provide dual credit courses and the Early College High School program at MECHS. The term of each MOU covers the 2024-2027 three-year cycle.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve both the Dual Credit and Early College High School MOUs as presented. 
 

Description:  Description: Strategic Priority: CCMR 
Background: Under Texas House Bill 5 (HB5) and TEC 28.014, each school district is required to partner with at least one institution of higher education to develop and provide college preparatory courses in English language arts and mathematics. Comal ISD is partnering with Northeast Lakeview for the College Preparatory English and math course. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the Northeast Lakeview College Preparatory Course MOU as presented. 

Description:  Description: Strategic Priority: CCMR 
Background: Comal ISD partners each year with the University of Texas OnRamps program to provide dual enrollment courses to high school students. Through the OnRamps program, high school students have the opportunity to experience a college level course and have potential to earn college credits. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the University of Texas OnRamps Cooperative Agreement as presented. 
 

Description:  Description: Strategic Priority: Student Support / Safety 
Background: Comal ISD partners with Communities in Schools (CIS) to provide services and resources at identified campuses that facilitate the academic and personal success of students experiencing the effects of at-risk environments. This term of this SDA covers the 2024-2025 school year. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the Communities in Schools (CIS) Service Delivery Agreement (SDA) as presented. 
 

Description:  Background: To ensure sufficient security and protection of students, staff, and property, the Comal Independent School District and the City of Bulverde Police Department enter into a yearly interlocal agreement (MOU) for the provision of law enforcement services. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the 2024-25 Interlocal Agreements for law enforcement services as presented. 

Description:  Background: To ensure sufficient security and protection of students, staff, and property, the Comal Independent School District and the Bexar County Precinct 3 enter into a yearly interlocal agreement (MOU) for the provision of law enforcement services.  

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the 2024-25 Interlocal Agreements for law enforcement services as presented. 

Description:  Description: Student Support and Safety  
Background: The district is proposing the annual approval of Comal Independent School District Student Code of Conduct. Proposed amendments will ensure that all legal requirements are met and that the district is aligned with the most recent updates in board policy. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the 2024-2025 Student Code of Conduct as presented.

Description:  Background: The District engaged TASB Policy Services to complete a localized policy review. TASB consultant, Eric Narcisse, conducted the policy review with district and campus representatives. The in-district policy review and Board review occurred on February 8-9, 2024. The district reviewed all local polices through the lens of current practice, expectations, alignment with TEC and legal policies, and responded to questions from the TASB consultant. Overall, 41 policies were suggested for edits. Eric Narcisse returned on May 8, 2024, to present to the Board of Trustees the process and generalized outcomes. This 1st reading was presented on May 16, 2024, of suggested changes to local policies through the review process. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the modifications, updates, and revisions to LOCAL Board Policies as presented.

Description:  Background: A public meeting was held as required under Education Code 44.004 to discuss the proposed 2024-2025 budgets and tax rates. The 2024-2025 proposed budgets are presented for consideration and possible approval as attached. Tax rates will be presented for consideration in September 2024. The Board may approve the listed expenditures within the proposed budgets at the function level. This process will reduce the number of items presented to the Board throughout the year and provide a more efficient method of acquiring needed items.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the 2024 - 2025 Maintenance and Operations, Interest and Sinking and Child Nutrition Budgets as presented. 

Description:  Description: Issuance of Bond 2023  
Background: Bond Proposition A was approved for $560,564,863 and Proposition C was approved for $28,000,000 for a total of $588,564,863. The first $100,000,000 was issued in June of 2023. As Bond 2023 projects continue, there is a need to issue more bonds to fund the projects. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the Order Authorizing the issuance, sale, and delivery of the Comal ISD Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds in one or more series at one or more times as presented.