November 14, 2022 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  A consent agenda is an item listed on the regular agenda that groups routine items under one agenda heading.  This allows the Board to take a unified motion and action on all routine items listed under the consent agenda instead of taking separate votes on each item.

Description:  At regular meetings, the Board shall allot up to thirty (30) minutes to hear persons who desire to make comments to the Board.  Persons who wish to participate in this portion of the meeting shall sign up as they arrive, indicating the topics about which they wish to speak.
 
Public participation is limited to the designated open forum portion of a meeting.  At all other times during Board meetings,  the audience shall not enter into  discussion or debate on matters being considered by the Board.  No presentation   shall exceed five (5) minutes.  Delegations of more than five persons shall appoint  one person to present their view before the Board.

Specific factual information or recitation of existing policy may be furnished in response to inquiries, but the Board may not deliberate, discuss, or make any decision on any subject not on the agenda.

Presentations  which include negative comments/complaints regarding personnel should be heard in Executive Session as provided by Texas Government Code Section 551.074.  This will insure the protection of the rights and responsibilities of all persons involved.

Description:  The district has entered into an agreement with TREA Legal Services Program in the past.  We normally do this in the spring but realized we have yet to renew the agreement although Powell Law Group is billing at the lower rate provided by being a member.  This membership provides free legal consultations on topics that do not require research, writing, or additional work outside of providing advice over the phone.

Description:  The Texas Rural Broadband Coalition (TRBC) is dedicated to working with rural communities to develop and implement solutions for dependable broadband.  There is no charge for joining the Coalition, but it is an act of support in the initiative to get reliable internet service to rural Texas.

Description:  In accordance with the State Property Tax code, 26.09(e), the Board must adopt a resolution each year approving the tax roll for the said year.

Description:  The final documents are ready to be sent to Lion Electric for the manufacture of the electric buses.  Due to the size of the grant, Board approval is suggested.

Description:  The Fund Balance is reviewed each year to determine what the Board would like to designate for specific purposes.  The committed balance is constrained for these specific future needs,  but the constraint can also be removed by board action at any point if the constraint is no longer needed. It is used to identify and summarize district needs that MAY require the use of fund balance. In our total Fund Balance, we have enough money to cover approximately 6 months in expenses.  In our Unassigned Fund Balance (pending passing of the commitments), we have 3.71 months of operating expenses.

Description:  The Board approved increasing the Superintendent's purchasing threshold in May, 2021.  We also have a resolution each year to self-certify the micro-purchase threshold which requires board approval.  TASB has recommended we add the micro-purchase threshold to the policy to avoid the need for an annual resolution.  

Description:  The quote to originally replace the football and gym sound systems was approximately $25,000 dollars.  During the process of making plans we realized that the quote was to simply upgrade the current setup.  Upon further discussions it was determined to solve our issues that additional equipment would need to be upgraded for the desired product.  We have the money budgeted that would cover the cost of the gym replacement immediately and therefore, our recommendation is that we use the current budgeted money for the gym replacement.  We will look at replacing the football sound system at a later date.  Based on the price and the scope of work, Mr. Lewis is recommending that the District select the Sound Towne quote.

Description:  Currently at MUMS we have a need for more chromebooks to support our major tutorial periods during the day.  It is recommended that we purchase 150 more chromebooks and charging stations to be dispersed throughout the district but the majority for the Middle School Campus.  The preferred vendor quote is $49,663.50 so the budget will need to be amended for the purchase of these devices ($50,000).

Description:  The current softball batting cage is not adequate in size or design to accommodate our growing softball program.  This was not included in the budget but has since become a greater priority.  The approximate cost for this facility is $95,000.

Description:  According to Tex. Gov't Code 2269.056 (a) the board of trustees must approve the procurement method which will provide the best value for the district if the project is valued at $50,000 or more.  The Job Order Contracting is the only delivery method which can functionally be procured through a cooperative contract (TIPS).  In anticipation of the said project and recognizing that timing would be crucial, Mr. Lewis has already solicited proposals through the TIPS process which would enable a quicker start should this method be chosen.  If any of the other procurement methods are chosen, the required steps of advertising, bid meetings, awarding the project, etc. would delay the project significantly.  

Description:  If the project and delivery method are both approved, the proposals already received can be considered.

The total of the bids from Geo Surfaces (turf) and Piney Woods Construction and Fabrication (pad, sides) is $93,699.20.  The total is less than the other proposals but should also result in an excellent end product.

Description:  MUMS will be hosting the District UIL Meet that day, only students participating will be required to come to school.

Description:  Upon the board's request the forestry service was called to determine if anything could be done with the High School spirit tree.  The forestry service confirmed the tree was dead and would need to be taken down.  An idea was presented to hire a chainsaw artist to transform the tree into a work of art representing the Bulldog Culture.  The chainsaw artist gave a ballpark figure of $6,000 - $8,000 to complete the project.

Description:  Heather McGregor from Region 8 will provide our "Team of 8" training and our Auditors will give the audit report.  We need to verify the time. 

Kelly Birdwell from Wilf and Henderson will also present the Audit Report at the beginning of the meeting.

Description:  Ms. Joni Jones has taken a group of students to Washington DC for the last few years.  She would like to take a group again this upcoming Summer.

Description:  The top priority of Queen City 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 at one or more of our campuses.  The audit tests whether a campus is accessible to an unauthorized individual.  This audit, conducted as part of Governor Abbott's school safety directives, identifies 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.

We are working closely with our District's School Safety & Security Committee to ensure that we are training all 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 this work does not end, and we appreciate the Board's support.

We acknowledge that parents and community members are likely very interested in the details of the audit results; however, it is in the best interest of the students that we do not share this information to the broader public as it could lead to compromising important campus security information.  Specific details of the Intruder Detection Audit will be discussed in Executive Session and with the Safety and Security Committee.  Queen City ISD  is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for our students and staff.

 

Description:  JK Hileman had several staff changes, they are attached.

Description:  The December Board Meeting date was set during the October Board Meeting for December 12, 2022.