September 19, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  Academic Success/Instruction 
Background: As required by the Texas Education Code §89.1265, administration will provide an update on the district’s Bilingual and ESL programs that will include student academic and linguistic performance data, professional learning provided to teachers and paraprofessionals, and goals of the program.

Description:  Comal Commitment Quarterly Report 1
Background: Administration presents the Comal Commitment Quarterly Report in alignment with the Collaborative Vision 5-year plan.
 

Description:  This presentation is an update on the new Life Bridges facility being designed by VLK Architects.

Description:  Academic Success/Instruction
Background: Administration will present information on Comal U. Each summer, Comal U is offered to provide teachers and staff members with high quality, conference-style learning opportunities aligned to the mission and needs of Comal ISD teachers, staff, and students. All sessions for Comal U 2024 were predominantly facilitated by teacher leaders, aligned to the District’s Collaborative Vision, District Improvement Plan and Board Goals. Comal U also serves as an avenue for teachers to gain Continuing Professional Education hours required by the TEA for certification renewal and maintain the 30-hour local Exchange Day requirement. 
 

Description:  RFP 25-02 Cafeteria Tables
Background: The Purchasing and Child Nutrition Department have evaluated proposals for Cafeteria Tables to replace several cafeteria tables for multiple campuses. This award will be used throughout the fiscal year to continue to support the purchase of cafeteria tables as requested by campus leadership.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the selection and award for the purchase of cafeteria tables as presented.
 

Description:  Employee Recruitment/Retention 
Background: District Administration seeks approval for additional Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) and Texas Principal Evaluation and Support System (T-PESS) Appraisers. A T-TESS/T-PESS calendar and list of appraisers was approved by the board in August of 2024 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/T-PESS appraisers for the 2024-2025 school year as presented.
 

Description:  Remote Homebound Instruction 
Background: Remote homebound instruction provides remote instruction for students who receive individualized instruction through the General Education or Special Education Homebound Programs and in which all requirements of the program are met except for in-person instruction from the homebound teacher.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the TEA Waiver for Remote Homebound Instruction as presented. 
 

Description:  TASB Policy Update 123
Background: TASB Policy Update 123 covers recommended local policy revisions to address several remaining laws from the 88th Legislative Session. Other revisions included in this update are in response to changes to the Administrative Code. As mentioned in the Update 122 overview, some of the new laws required the Texas Education Agency (TEA) or other state agencies to develop rules or guidelines to implement the new laws. Some of those newly developed rules and guidelines impact local policy. Many of the legal policies included in this update were also affected by legislative changes and amendments to state rules that are now in effect. Below are the pending policies:
Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve TASB Policy Update 123 with the removal and exception of policies EF (LOCAL) and EF (EXHIBIT) as presented.

Description:  The district will enter into a retainment agreement for consultation and legal services for the 2024-2025 school year. The retainer agreement allows the district opportunities to consult with law firms. The relationship exists only as to the consultations and additional legal work that are initiated by the District and accepted by the Law Firm pursuant to this Agreement. Retainer Agreements do not impose any duty upon the Law Firm to provide advice or work to the District regarding legal matters absent a request by the District's Board of Trustees or designees for such advice or work on a matter. The Law Firm and the District acknowledge and represent that these Agreements do not establish an attorney-client relationship between the Law Firm and any individual Trustees or Employees of the District.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve a retainer agreement with Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson and Roalson P.C., for the 2024-2025 school year as presented.

Description:  Goal #6: Facilities/Growth and Planning 
Background: Utility Easement to New Braunfels Utilities for electrical service from Guthrie Trail to building. At Elementary School 23, the electrical that serves the building comes from the transformer located along Guthrie Trail. It is typical for a utility provider to have an easement from the right of way (street) to the meter so they can maintain this service.
 
Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the utility easements at Elementary 23 as presented.

Description:  Goal #3: Safety and Student Support
Background: This is the annual agreement between the Comal ISD and the Comal County Sherriff’s Office for the provision of police protection and detention services for the 2024-25 school year. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the Interlocal Agreement for the Provision of Law Enforcement Services as presented.
 

Description:  On May 16, 2024, the school board approved the 2024-2025 Compensation Plan for all employees. Administration has reviewed the district’s current pay structure for transportation employees in surrounding districts. Current market rates have necessitated an adjustment to the original structure adopted on May 16, 2024 to recruit and retain current transportation employees.

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees adopts the 2024 - 2025 Transportation Employment Schedule as presented.

Description:  At the September 12, 2024, Board Workshop, the Board discussed the draft of the legislative priorities.