January 22, 2024 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Description: 

Additional Information and/or Back-Up:

The top priority of Barbers Hill ISD and the State of Texas is keeping students and staff safe every day. The Texas School Safety Center recently conducted an Intruder Detection Audit in BHISD. The audits test whether a campus is accessible to an unauthorized individual. This audit, conducted as part of Governor Abbott’s school safety directives for all school systems following the tragedy in Uvalde, seeks to help districts identify how campuses can improve safety for students, such as ensuring exterior doors are locked. The audit provides us with an opportunity to create a safer learning environment for our students and staff.  All requirements for State door safety audits have been met for the Fall Semester of the 2023-2024 school year.   

We are working closely with our District's School Safety & Security Committee to ensure that we are training all our staff and securing our doors for the protection of everyone at our campuses. The support from the state in conducting the Intruder Detection Audits is just one of the many actions we are taking to ensure our schools are safe. We know that this work does not end, and we appreciate the Board’s support.

Barbers Hill ISD is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for our students and staff.

Description:  Approval of tax refunds over $500 due to an overpayment, erroneous payment, or a correction to the tax roll made by the Chambers County Appraisal District in compliance with section 31.11 of the Texas Tax Code.

Description:  The December 2023 Financial Report is attached for your review.

Description:  TC Energy/Houston PT has requested to make an $200 cash donation with the condition that it be used for the BHHS Choir for Christmas caroling.  Policy CDC (Local) delegates to the Superintendent the authority to accept unsolicited gifts on behalf of the District.  However, any gift that the potential donor has expressly made conditional upon the District’s use for a specified purpose, or any gift of real property, shall require Board approval.

Should the Board accept this donation any items purchased with these funds become the sole property of the District.

I recommend the Board accept the cash donation from TC Energy/Houston PT.

Description:  Staff Development - The DEIC met this month. Recommended and required staff development offerings for this summer were presented and are attached. DEIC members will share these sessions with their campus and make a recommendation for approved offerings at the next DEIC meeting.  A full list of offerings and dates will be available in March.

Description:  Attached please find the proposed budget timeline for 2024-2025.

Description:  In the Human Resources Department, much of the month of January is devoted to analysis and evaluation.  The following items have been completed or are underway:

1.  TASB Salary Study:  Results of the 2023-2024 TASB salary survey are now available.  An analysis will be conducted to help ensure that BHISD wages paid for each position are in alignment with surrounding districts so that we remain comparable and competitive.

2.  Staffing Update: Chloe Yowell, Becky McManus and I will be meeting to evaluate enrollment projections and subsequent growth positions.  We will share with all the principals and discuss additional staffing needs for next year.  Initial requests will be made in February.  We will make a supplemental staffing request in April after we have evaluated course selections at the middle schools and high schools with regard to electives and endorsements under House Bill 5.  We will also meet with Directors and Asst. Superintendents to evaluate any additional staffing needs in each department.

3.  Calendar Options: The 2024-2025 calendar options were presented to the DEIC Committee on Thursday, January 11.  The survey for voting is open to both staff and the community and will be open through January 26, 2024.  We will then take the survey results and present them to DEIC for a final calendar recommendation that will be presented at the February Board Meeting.

4.  District of Innovation:  At the DEIC Committee Meeting on January 11, there was a unanimous vote to reconvene the District of Innovation (DOI) Committee.  There are several areas we are proposing to modify based on the DOI guidelines from TEA.  We will evaluate our bank depositor timeline as well as extending the time new administrators are on a probationary contract.  We anticipate making a final recommendation to the Board in April.

5.  Employment Intention Forms:  These are due on January 31, 2024.  This information will assist us in planning for new staff and growth positions based on the number of employees retiring or resigning. 

6.  Contract Recommendations:  Administrative Contracts will be presented at the March Board Meeting.  All other professional contracts will be presented at the April Board Meeting.

Description:  HS Addition and Renovations

Description:  On May 4, 2024, we will conduct the election for the City of Mont Belvieu assuming they have a contested election in May. 

Election day is May 4 with canvassing of the results on Monday, May 13.  The last day to apply for a place on the ballot is February 16.  Early voting begins on April 22.

Early voting for the school and the city will take place at the Community Election Center.  The City of Mont Belvieu will pay the clerks to handle the early voting process for the school and the city. 

On election day, all registered voters with the school and the City of Mont Belvieu will vote at the Leadership Support Center where we will have five electronic voting machines. 

Attached please find the Notice of Trustee Election, the Order for Trustee Election, the Election Calendar, the Election Services Agreement with Chambers County, and the Interlocal Agreement with the City of Mont Belvieu.  The city will approve the agreement at their next meeting.  

Description:  On May 4, 2024, the District proposes to hold an election to issue $378.3 million in bonds for the construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, renovation, expansion and equipment of school buildings, and the purchase of new school buses, and the levy and imposition of taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds. 

Attached you will find the Order of Election.  Specifics for the proposition for $378.3 million can be found in Section 3 of the attached Order. 

Early voting locations, dates and times are outlined in Exhibit B of the Order.

Election day is May 4 with a meeting to canvass the votes on Monday, May 13.  Please note that this is a Special Called Meeting.  Early voting begins on April 22.

Our Financial Advisor, Brian Grubbs, will be at the meeting Monday evening to present a Bond Program Analysis demonstrating no tax increase.

Description:  We recommend adopting the Resolution to Approve a Contingency Fee Engagement Letter with Leon Alcala, PLLC to serve as Bond Counsel, a law firm with substantial experience advising governmental entities in matters relating to the issuance of bonds; finding that such legal services require specialized expertise in laws governing the issuance of bonds and cannot be adequately performed by attorneys and supporting personnel of the District and that entering into a contingent fee contract for legal services is in the best interest of the District because no amount will be paid unless bonds are actually issued or the transaction actually closes; and containing other related matters.

Description:  The Barbers Hill Education Foundation approved ClassVR for three recipients during this year’s grant season. This single purchase for the three sets is $50,000 and requires school board approval.  This purchase is from Bluum USA, Inc. which is a member of the Region V Purchasing Co-op.

Each Class VR Premium Set includes 30 VR headsets, 30 individual hand controllers, and cart units. The total cost is $50,000.00.

Description:  Additional Information and/or Back-Up:

As presented in May as part of our Capital Spending Plan, two new replacement boilers have been identified and address the needs at the High School and MSS.

Willbanks Contractor Support has submitted their JOC proposal and all work associated with the proposal is to be in accordance with TIPS Contract #211001.

High School
Labor and Materials $ 12,989.58
Equipment $ 40,509.50
Total $ 53,499.08

Middle School South
Labor and Materials $ 28,968.00
Equipment $ 41,320.50
Total $ 70,288.50

Total JOC Proposal $123,787.58

Scope of Work: - Furnish labor, equipment, and materials to complete the replacement of Hydronic Boilers as noted below.
-High School - (1) RAYPAK MVB 2004A Boiler with an Inline Circulating Pump
-Middle School South - (1) RAYPAK MVB 2004A Boiler with an Inline Circulating Pump
- Existing boilers will be removed and disposed of by WCS.
- Electrical modifications as needed to support new boilers.
- Perform factory start-up on equipment and provide owner training.

Description:  Additional Information and/or Back-Up:

As presented in May as part of our Capital Spending Plan, this project has been identified and addresses the need at the High School, to replace faulty VAV Terminal valve actuators.

Automated Logic will provide all necessary engineering, software, hardware, commissioning, programming, training and warranty for a complete turn key system. This project will be procured through BuyBoard Contract No. 631-20.:

              $24,500.00 BHISD-HS (40) New BELIMO CMB24-SR-L actuators

Grand Total: $24,500.00

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