November 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  The Board President or designee will call the meeting to order.

Description:  The Board President or his/her designee will call the roll of members.

Description:  Students from Smithville Elementary who have received the most Tiger Tokens for the month will lead the group in the pledge. Those students are: first-graders Mackenzie Arpero, Levi Armstrong, Christopher Bailey, and Knox Bledsoe; second-graders Andrew Anderson, Adison Balderas, Zoe Arellano Hernandez, Camila Aguilar Jaimes; third-graders Pi'erre Blackmon, Blayne Bennett, Rylan Blackwell, and Emilee Alvarado; fourth-graders Jeremiah Bennett, Emma Beard, Zayge Biles and Austin Andrus; and fifth-graders Kase Beard, Tessa Barragan, Luis Arce and Laneton Bisland.
 

Description:  Smithville Elementary School is excited to celebrate outstanding students with the "Tiger of the Month" recognition.  Elementary staff nominate students who exhibit characteristics such as kindness, strong character, and helpfulness.  Each month, one exceptional student is honored by the campus, recognized at the school board meeting, and receives a special yard sign to proudly display at home. Our Tiger of the Month for November is Giovanni Roberson, a student in Mrs. Cartledge’s third-grade class.  Congratulations, Giovanni!

Description: 

Description: We would like to recognize the following students, and their sponsors, for their outstanding accomplishments:

Smithville Tiger Band for a successful marching season, placing 1st in the Giddings Bandtoberfest and advancing to area:

• Band Directors - Wayne King, Cathy Sherrill and Luke Marx
• Drum Majors - Callie Ruyle, Shelton Espinoza and Lyla Vinklarek
• Color Guard Captain - Melanie Villalobos

Cross Country athletes who advanced to Regional competition:

• Coaches Steve Fobert and Gary Krause
• Zacaria Hibbens, Kimberly Ibarra, Julieta Huerta, Will Metcalf, Justice Pritchard, Christian Razo-Carter, Maddox Rivera, Elaynah Romero, Parker Sturgess, Cassandra  Velazquez, Melanie Villalobos and Jayden Waters.

Description: 

The Superintendent and Board wish to show our gratitude to Danette Perez, coordinator of the ACE program, and her legion of staff and volunteers for the hugely successful Trunk or Treat event, held on October 25th.  Much planning and effort goes into this activity to benefit the students and children of our community, and it is greatly appreciated.  

Description:  Dr. Bethany Logan will hold a Public Hearing on the proposed Smithville Elementary School Targeted Improvement Plan and the Smithville Junior High School Targeted Improvement Plan.

Description:  Citizens wishing to address the Board of Trustees have so indicated by listing their name on the Communications from the Public sign-in sheet located on the table at the entrance to the boardroom. Those signing have given a brief indication of the topics to be addressed.
Comments to the Board of Trustees under this provision will be limited to three minutes. The members of the Board of Trustees will listen to citizen presentations during this portion of a regularly scheduled meeting, but they will not comment or participate in a discussion of the topic. 

Description:  Board members routinely approve items on the consent agenda as a group.  Board members have the option to ask questions regarding any of the items listed under "consent agenda".

Description:  State law requires that a record be kept in the form of official minutes on each meeting held by a governmental body and that these minutes be approved at the next regular meeting.
The minutes from the October 20, 2025 regular meeting and the October 29, 2025 special meeting are included in the board packet.

Description:  Monthly reporting of financial position in relation to the budget.  The Board is provided monthly financial statements.

Description:  In order to ensure legal reporting requirements for investments, the Board receives quarterly reports on District investments.

Description:  The Board has requested a monthly status report of earned state aid in relation to the budget.

Description:  The Board has requested a monthly status report of earned state aid in relation to the budget.

Description:  Attached is the Tax Assessor-Collector's Report.

Description:  SISD business manager, Stacy Tiner, will review the financial disbursements for the previous month with the Board of Trustees. No action is required.

Description: 

As required by Board Policy BJCD, the Board shall evaluate the Superintendent and prepare a written evaluation at least annually.  As specified in TEC 21.354, locally developed appraisal processes and performance criteria must be approved by the Board. 

It is recommended that the locally developed instrument, developed collaboratively with the Superintendent and Board, which is based on successful execution of the SISD Strategic Plan and aligned with Texas Superintendent Competencies, be approved for use beginning in the 2025-26 school year.

Description:  The Superintendent will update the Board on important issues pertaining to the District.

• Enrollment Update
• UIL Realignment
• Upcoming Events

Description:  As required by the Texas Education Agency, an annual audit of financial information is conducted to assure that all legal requirements are being met, and sound fiscal responsibility is maintained.  The audit was conducted by Armstrong, Vaughn and Assoc, P.C. Kim Roach, who is a Principal with Armstrong, will present the audit. 

Description: 

A regular progress report/update on the Smithville ISD Strategic Plan. This month’s update will focus on Priority 3 - Stakeholder Satisfaction and Engagement.

Description: 

An overview of the timeline, process, current status, and next steps regarding development of the 2026-2027 instructional calendar will be presented.

Description:  The District must update and maintain its policies with the most recent legislation and educational regulation changes.  In your packet of information, you have been provided the Update 126 Local Policy Overview.
The information included in the board packet is a summary of each of the policy changes. The update includes changes to the following local board policies: 

• BE (LOCAL): BOARD MEETINGS
• BED (LOCAL): BOARD MEETINGS - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
• CJ (LOCAL): CONTRACTED SERVICES
• CJA (LOCAL): CONTRACTED SERVICES - BACKGROUND CHECKS AND REQUIRED REPORTING
• CLE (LOCAL): BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, AND EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT - REQUIRED DISPLAYS
• CQB (LOCAL): TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES - CYBERSECURITY
• CQD (LOCAL): TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES - ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
• CSA (LOCAL): FACILITY STANDARDS - SAFETY AND SECURITY
• CV (LOCAL): FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION
• DBD (LOCAL): EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS - CONFLICT OF INTEREST
• DEC (LOCAL): COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS - LEAVES AND ABSENCES
• DFBB (LOCAL): TERM CONTRACTS - NONRENEWAL
• DGBA (LOCAL): PERSONNEL-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS - EMPLOYEE COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES
• DH (LOCAL): EMPLOYEE STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
• EEP (LOCAL): INSTRUCTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - LESSON PLANS
• EFA (LOCAL): INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES - INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
• EHBAF (LOCAL): SPECIAL EDUCATION - VIDEO/AUDIO MONITORING
• EIA (LOCAL): ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT - GRADING/PROGRESS REPORTS TO PARENTS
• FA (LOCAL): PARENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• FEF (LOCAL): ATTENDANCE - RELEASED TIME
• FFAC (LOCAL): WELLNESS AND HEALTH SERVICES - MEDICAL TREATMENT
• FFB (LOCAL): STUDENT WELFARE - CRISIS INTERVENTION
• FFF (LOCAL): STUDENT WELFARE - STUDENT SAFETY
• FFG (LOCAL): STUDENT WELFARE - CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
• FNG (LOCAL): STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES - STUDENT AND PARENT COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES
• FO (LOCAL): STUDENT DISCIPLINE
• GF (LOCAL): PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
• GKA (LOCAL): COMMUNITY RELATIONS - CONDUCT ON SCHOOL PREMISES

Description:  Tentative items for the December meeting include:

• Strategic Plan Update: Priority 4 - Financial and Operational Systems
• Update on the 2026-2027 Instructional Calendar Development Process 
• Approval of TASB Policy Update 126
• Approval of the 2024-2025 Financial Audit
• Approval of Library Acquisition Recommendations
• Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Smithville Education Foundation
• Superintendent’s Self-Evaluation Submission to the Board
• Distribution of Superintendent Evaluation Materials

Description:  The district is in receipt of a request from Ellen Owens, Tax Assessor/Collector for the Smithville Independent School District, for approval of the attached document in accordance with Texas Property Tax Code 26.09(e).  This document requires that the Board of Trustees approve the original certified tax levy.

Description: 

The Bastrop County Appraisal District is governed by a five-member board of directors which is elected by the governing bodies of the taxing entities in Bastrop County.  Board members serve two-year at-large terms, which begin on January 1st of even numbered years. Chapter 6 of the Property Tax Code allows each tax unit to cast votes for the Board of Directors of the Bastrop Central Appraisal District in proportion to their tax levy. 

At its regular meeting in September, the Board of Trustees nominated Justin Bezner to be placed on the ballot for BCAD Board of Directors. The Smithville Independent School District is allocated 322 votes out of a total of 5,000 to cast for the candidate of its choice.  The vote must be conducted at an open meeting of the Board of Trustees. The deadline to return a signed resolution of votes cast is December 15th.

Each nominee must receive at least one of the allocated votes to be appointed.  Following the tally, the two candidates who receive the largest cumulative vote totals will be appointed to the Board of Directors. Included in the board information is a voting entitlement for each of the taxing entities in Bastrop County, and a voting resolution.

Description:  Consider approval of the Smithville Elementary and Smithville Junior High Targeted Improvement Plans as presented at the public hearing.

Description: 

Each  year, course offerings are reviewed to determine compliance with state requirements, evaluate effectiveness in meeting student needs, and consider whether additional new courses are needed to meet the needs of students. With the expansion of our Welding Program, additional courses are needed in order to expand our opportunities for students. New courses proposed include:

• Practicum in Manufacturing 2: Advanced Gas Tungsten ARC (W451)
• Precision Metal Manufacturing 2: Advanced Pipe Welding-AMSE Sect. IX (W453)
• Practicum in Manufacturing + Extended Practicum 3: Welder Qualification (W179)

Description: 

As a result of recently enacted TEC §21.055, a School District Teaching Permit (SDTP) allows Texas public school districts flexibility to employ individuals who do not hold a standard teaching certificate for specific teaching assignments. 

SDTPs are issued under the authority of the Commissioner of Education and require Board approval. To qualify, an individual must:

• Have served or been employed by the district as a paraprofessional for at least 180 days during the previous calendar year.

• Be currently enrolled in a postsecondary program leading to a bachelor’s degree.

• Be on track to earn a bachelor’s degree and receive a probationary certificate within three years of receiving the SDTP.

It is recommended the Board approve SDTPs for Angela Zoch-1st Grade, Ashley Rogers-4th Grade, and Brylee Johnson-7th Grade

Description:  According to Board Policy DC [Local], the Superintendent has the authority to make recommendations to the Board regarding the selection of all contractual personnel. 
Dr. Ealy is recommending the hire of William McCabe as a teacher at Smithville Junior High School. Mr. McCabe holds a Bachelor's degree and valid Texas teaching certification.