February 22, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  Facilities/Growth and Planning
Background information: In alignment with Collaborative Vision and the DIP Strategic Objective: Complete capital projects as approved by the voters and in support of the long-range plan. The presentation will cover 2021 Bond Projects in progress and the design schedule for 2023 Projects.  

Description:  Quarterly Investment Report for the Period Ending December 31, 2023 
Background: Per Board Policy CDA and Public Investment Act of Texas, Governmental Code 2256.023, the Quarterly Investment Report is being presented to the Board of Trustees for review and consideration of approval. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the report as presented.

Description:  Single Purchases Over $50,000.00
Background: The Purchasing Department is planning for the purchase of equipment and materials for Athletics, CTE, Curriculum, Fine Arts and Library Supplies for Bulverde Middle School. These purchases will include many items necessary to complete the interior of the campus and support programs once the construction is completed. The identified items must be procured timely to allow for delivery prior to the campus opening. In accordance with Board Policy CH (LOCAL), any single budgeted purchase of goods or services that costs $50,000 or more requires Board approval before a transaction may take place. As such, there may be multiple approvals brought before the Board in the coming months. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve up to a $2,800,000.00 purchase for equipment, materials, and supplies for Bulverde Middle School as presented. 

Description:  Donation from Sterling-Turner Foundation 
Background: Sterling - Turner Foundation is proposing to donate funds in the amount of $20,000.00 to Pieper Ranch Middle School to supplement cost for Student Activity Classroom Resources and Technology. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the proposed donation from Sterling - Turner Foundation as presented.   

Description:  Donation from Sterling-Turner Foundation 
Background: Sterling - Turner Foundation is proposing to donate funds in the amount of $20,000.00 to Pieper High School to supplement cost for Student Resources and Security.  

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the proposed donation from Sterling Turner Foundation as presented.   

Description:  Donation from Bill Brown Elementary School PTA 
Background: The Bill Brown PTA is proposing to donate a Perfecta 2400 STP Poster Maker and Design Center 2300 program with the value of $8,049.00 to Bill Brown Elementary School. This item will be used by campus staff to support instruction and campus activities.  

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the proposed donation from Bill Brown Elementary School PTA as presented.   

Description:  Donation from Indian Springs Elementary School PTSA 
Background: The Indian Springs Elementary School PTSA is proposing to donate funds in the amount of $30,000.00 to Indian Springs Elementary School to provide financial support for special projects and programs including Classroom Resources, Garde Level Classroom Specials, Library, Principal and Faculty Programs and to purchase consumable items.  

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the proposed donation from Indian Springs Elementary School PTA as presented. 

Description:  Donation from Wolfpack Athletic Booster 
Background: The Wolfpack Athletic Booser is proposing to donate an Inflatable training hill in the value of $9,670.00 to Davenport High School Athletics. This item will help athletes develop speed, power, endurance and strength. All sports within the Athletic Program will benefit from this donation. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the proposed donation from Wolfpack Athletic Booster as presented.   

Description:  Facilities/Growth and Planning 
Background: In alignment with Board goals and procedures the Board must accept all construction projects before final payments are made. The following projects have been reviewed by our design/engineering teams and internal teams, all closeout materials have been provided to the District and we’re ready to close these projects: 

Description:  Facilities/Growth and Planning
Background: When a new utility service (water, electrical, gas, etc) is run to a building the utility provider requires an easement to install and maintain these services. At Morningside Elementary School, the waterline easement was never recorded and we’re moving the waterline as part of the playground project which requires we update the easement on this property.  

Description:  Background: In late January, Meteor Education displayed several pieces of educational furniture at their booth in the TASA conference in Austin.  Since the furniture is thereafter considered used, Meteor has offered the furniture to Comal ISD as a donation. Several pieces, including desks, chairs, and collaboration furniture would be beneficial additions to campuses around the district.  

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the donation of furniture from Meteor Education as presented.

Description:  Background: As the Board adopted TASB Policy Update 121 on September 21, 2023 and Policy CKEC, the update in Update 121 to CKEC(LOCAL) needs to be rejected by the board since an alternate policy was adopted. TASB Update 122 includes revisions to LEGAL policies based on updates to the Texas Administrative Code. Most of the LOCAL policy recommendations from TASB in this Update are intended to clarify current policy language and are reflected in the following LOCAL policies:

CQB(LOCAL): TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES - CYBERSECURITY
CSA(LOCAL): FACILITY STANDARDS - SAFETY AND SECURITY
DC(LOCAL): EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
EHB(LOCAL): CURRICULUM DESIGN - SPECIAL PROGRAMS
EHBC(LOCAL): SPECIAL PROGRAMS - COMPENSATORY SERVICES AND INTENSIVE PROGRAMS
EHBCA(LOCAL): COMPENSATORY SERVICES AND INTENSIVE PROGRAMS - ACCELERATED INSTRUCTION
FEA(LOCAL): ATTENDANCE - COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE
FFAC(LOCAL): WELLNESS AND HEALTH SERVICES - MEDICAL TREATMENT
FFB(LOCAL): STUDENT WELFARE - CRISIS INTERVENTION
FL(LOCAL): STUDENT RECORDS

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent to reject CKEC(LOCAL) from TASB Policy Update 121 and adopt TASB Policy Update 122 as presented.
 

Description:  Election contract for election services 
Background: The proposed contract for services for the May 4 Board election are similar to past contracts with the County Clerk and will ensure that the District complies with Texas law with respect to this election. The proposed contract submitted for approval contains an estimate of costs but cannot be finalized until the election costs have all been determined by the County. Only the actual expenses directly attributable to the District under the contract with the County may be charged to the District. The District’s requirement to pay its fair share of the cost of the joint elections will not be fully determined until the District has received the final invoice; however, the District is expected to pay a deposit against the full cost. Payment of the balance will be in accordance with Section 2251.031 of the Texas Government Code and the District’s payment procedures as set out in Board Policy CHF (Legal).

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve the contract for election services with the Comal County Clerk. 

Description:  Background: To comply with SB 763 which requires board action by March 1, 2024. Section 3 of SB 763 states the board "shall take a record vote not later than 6 months after the effective date of the Act on whether to adopt a policy authorizing a campus of the district or school to employ or accept as a volunteer a chaplain under Chapter 23" of the Texas Education Code.  The enclosed resolution is intended to satisfy this requirement in SB. The proposed resolution includes the following points:

• The district does not prohibit chaplains or other faith-based persons from employment or volunteer opportunities,
• The district affirms its current employment and volunteer policies and practices, and
• The district is not going to expand its current policy and practices concerning employment and the use of volunteers and scope of volunteer services under Chapter 23.  

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve and adopt the resolution as presented, in accordance with Senate Bill 763, and that the resolution be attached to the minutes of this meeting.
 

Description:  Employee Recruitment/Retention
Background: In preparation for campus staffing allocations for the 2024-2025 school year, the administration is presenting to the Board of Trustees a current staffing analysis and a request for additional staffing. Our district is projected to grow by 898 students in the next school year. As we reach approximately 30,235 students, we will need additional teachers to meet the growing and changing needs of the district. Administration has been reviewing demographic projections and the district’s budget to formulate the staffing recommendation. This request will be the first of two staffing requests as we know this early timeline will allow campus principals the staffing allocations they need to appropriately recruit and hire qualified teachers. 

Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Trustees approve additional staffing allocations for the 24-25 school year as presented.