May 23, 2022 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  It has been found and determined that in accordance with the policies and orders of the Board, the notice of this meeting was posted publicly at the Administration Building in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Section 551.001 et. seq., and that all of the terms of said article have been fully complied with and that the 72-hour notice required has been properly and correctly given.

Description:  At this time, the Board will listen to comments from the public and others regarding both agenda action items and items that are not on the agenda. No action may be taken on non-agenda items. Public participation is limited to the designated open forum portion of a regular meeting. Any person wishing to address the Board concerning an item on the agenda for an open meeting must register with the Board secretary by email at egilpin@hfhorns.net no later than 10:00 a.m. the day of the Board meeting.  Any person wishing to address the Board concerning an item not on the Agenda can register with the Board Secretary at any time prior to the Board meeting.  Speakers will not be permitted to criticize HFISD employees, whether addressing the Board on an Agenda item or a subject not on the posted Agenda.

Description:  As a result of the ongoing bond project, the board will continue to receive monthly updates and information throughout the life of the project to its completion.

The administration, architects, and/or the CMaR will discuss general items and answer questions for the board.  In addition, specific items will be discussed relating, but not limited to, acreage for agriculture pasture; bid processes; furniture, fixtures, and equipment; portables; the community bond committee, etc. Specifically, the board will hear information regarding the latest bid opening, value engineering (VE), cost estimates, and may revise certain aspects of the bond project.  
In addition, the board will receive information about alternative versions of the Ag Project Center, and the administration will solicit board feedback.
 

Description:  The US Congress passed laws pertaining to emergency funds and the use of those funds, stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief funds, or ESSER, were given to states in 3 parts. School districts are mandated to analyze and update ESSER use of funds every 6 months.

A needs assessment was conducted in the following manner:1. Surveys to parents, students, and teachers to help the district identify areas of need for funding allocations. 2. The public was given the opportunity for input at board meetings. 3. District and campus administrators also met to look at data and to help execute a plan for the funds. After analyzing data from 2021, the four main areas of need being addressed were identified as learning loss, instructional continuity, social emotional learning (SEL), and community engagement. New surveys were sent out in May of 2022. District administrators will discuss any changes or trends that may have changed with ESSER funds since 2021. The public is given an opportunity for input also at board meetings.

Description:  At its April 25, 2022 board meeting, the HFISD board of trustees voted to terminate its food service contract with Aramark.  Over the past years of the service agreement, Aramark has operated food service at a loss for the district.  Therefore, the board authorized the superintendent to bring food service back into district operations.

The administration is recommending entering into an interlocal agreement to share food service personnel to operate the district’s food service program.  However, the board is being asked to consider multiple legal representation in the interlocal matter.
 

Description:  At its April 25, 2022 board meeting, the HFISD board of trustees voted to terminate its food service contract with Aramark.  Over the past years of the service agreement, the district has operated food service at a loss with Aramark.  Therefore, the board authorized the superintendent to bring food service back into district operations.

The administration is recommending entering into an interlocal agreement to share food service personnel to operate the district’s food service program.  This arrangement will help train district personnel, as well as having the program led by someone who has developed the most successful food service program in the area.
 

Description:  The state of Texas has acknowledged and publicized that a teacher shortage exists. The state perceives the shortage to be at a crisis level, and Governor Abbott directed Education Commissioner Mr. Mike Morath to establish a task force to help address the teacher shortage.

The board directed the superintendent to bring revisions of DC LOCAL for consideration. These revisions would give the superintendent authority to hire certified personnel, which will expedite the hiring process and lessen the chances of losing perspective employees in a time of extreme shortages.
 

Description:  In 2020, the State Board of Education updated the Health TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) to include age-appropriate instruction on sexual and reproductive health in certain grades. Hamshire-Fannett high school requires a half credit of Health in order to graduate, so our S.H.A.C. committee looked at the human sexuality instruction included as a supplement in the Goodheart-Willcox Health textbook that they are recommending. During the January 27, 2022 board meeting, the board of trustees adopted a resolution for the SHAC to look at Human Sexuality Instruction Materials and make a recommendation to the board about which curriculum to use.

The committee would like to recommend the Goodheart Willcox Health Textbook along with the Human Sexuality companion curriculum that accompanies it for High School for the following reasons:

• The Goodheart -Willcox Health textbook is the only one approved by the state board of education.
• Teacher support materials include customizable lesson plans, skills-based activities, parent/ trusted adult engagement assignments, performance assessments for differentiation with rubrics, standards-based grading assessments, and so much more! All materials are editable and can be easily imported into Google Classroom or another LMS.
• Covers topics such as healthy relationships, sexual abstinence, violence, reproductive systems and pregnancy, teen pregnancy and parenthood, and sexually transmitted infections. Content is medically accurate and age appropriate.
• Spanish resources, including an online Spanish textbook, are also available.
• Separate Human-Sexuality Instruction log-ins for students whose parents have opted them in to those lessons.
• A presentation of the Human Sexuality Instruction companion curriculum will be presented to the board.

The cost of the Goodheart-Willcox Health adoption is $9055.70

Description:  The Board of Trustees have been supplied detailed background information regarding each item of business on the "Consent Agenda" if one is so indicated or it has been discussed at a previous meeting of the Board. All items will be acted upon by one vote without being discussed separately.  If requested by a Board member, individual items may be removed from the"Consent Agenda" to be discussed and voted upon separately.  All items are as recommended by the Superintendent.

Description:  In conjunction with Hamshire-Fannett ISD Board policy, it is a requirement that the minutes of the previous Board meeting(s) be approved by the Board at a subsequent Board Meeting.
A copy of the minutes is included in each Board member’s agenda packet for perusal and awaits Board action.
 

Description:   It is a customary and accepted Board procedure as a standard order of business at regular Board meetings for the Board to take action in relation to the approval of expenditures for the elapsed period since the last Board meeting.
Pertinent information relating to the financial condition of the District and the resolution of district indebtedness is provided for Board perusal and utilization.

Description:  It is a requirement of TEA accounting procedures that the annual budget be amended as necessary throughout the budget year.
The Board has been provided with the necessary documents for the budget amendment for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

Description:  Our K-8 math adoption with Houghton Mifflin runs out at the end of this school year. Some of our teachers wanted to look at another option. Savvas learning was brought in to give a presentation of their math materials. Our K-8 math teachers were very impressed with Savvas learning for math and liked the digital format of it.

The committee would like to recommend using Savvas Learning for math curriculum for the following reasons:

• Would like to align the district’s K-12 math curriculum by adopting the same company (Savvas)
• Savvas has a superior digital platform for students along with hard-copy consumable textbooks for all students.
• Spanish version available
• Teachers have access to all Savvas Learning licenses so they may look at curriculum for any grade level for Savvas licensed materials that HFISD has purchased.
• Differentiated instruction for students at all levels, including SPED      

Possible approval of the adoption of Savvas Learning for K-8 math for the cost of $58,996.80

Description:  For high school Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, the high school adopted Pearson back in 2018. That license runs out at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. The high school science teachers would like to continue using Pearson for the next 2 years until the Science adoption comes up again.

Hamshire-Fannett high school science teachers would like to continue using Pearson for their Science curriculum for the next 2 years. Pearson can help maximize student choices and learning with their superior digital format and tools for the teacher and student. It also aligns with the high school math department, which uses Pearson for their textbook company. The cost of the Science adoption for an additional 2 years is $15,525.50

Description:  State law allows, through Board resolution, the payment of wages to employees who are told to stay home during school closures in emergency situations.  The district has experienced these instances before with the COVID-1p Pandemic, Hurricanes Harvey, Ike, and Rita, as well as ice storms and wide-scale power outages.

In order to maintain continuity of operations and safeguard employee retention during emergencies, the board may consider a resolution in advance of an emergency.  This would allow a swift response to paying wages during the times of school cancellation. 
 

Description:  Staff Salary Schedules for 2022-2023 include:
1 Teacher, Full-Time Librarian and Nurse Hiring Schedule
2 Teacher, Full-Time Librarian and Nurse Salary Range
3 Longevity Schedule for Teachers, Librarians, Counselors and Nurses
4 Administrator’s Salary Schedule (first implemented in 2012 per TASB personnel study)
5 Starting Pay Schedule for non-exempt employees
6 Athletic Stipends
6 Athletics Pay Schedule
7 Extra Duty Stipends

Description:  Board Policy CH (LOCAL) requires budgeted purchases of goods or services costing $25,000 or more, regardless of whether the goods or services are competitively purchased, and requires Board approval before a transaction may take place.

Amazon - original amount $80,000, increase to $130,000 (Additional purchases needed by technology and admin through the end of the fiscal year.)

Midtex Oil - original amount $70,000, increased to $100,000 (March) additional increased needed to $150,000 due the rising fuel costs.

Description:  Joining a purchasing cooperative allows for best practice use of school funds.
As the Board of Trustees voted for the district to return to self-op of its Food Service Program, a Board Resolution and Interlocal Agreement with Region 5 ESC to join theirFood Service Cooperative Purchasing Organization is as follows:

Description:  The district currently has one or more vacant positons.  Interviews are currently being conducted, and the Superintendent will bring recommendations for the position(s) to this Board meeting, if feasible.

Any action, decision or final vote with regard to any matter considered in such closed session, shall be made in open session.

Description:  The District currently has one or more vacant positions.
Interviews are currently being conducted, and the Superintendent will bring recommendations for the position(s) to this Board meeting, if feasible.
 

Description:  It is possible that one or more resignations could be in the process of being submitted to the Superintendent.
If received, the Superintendent will present letters of resignation for board information.