February 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting
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A. Call to Order
Description:
The Board President or designee will call the meeting to order.
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B. Roll Call
Description:
The Board President or designee will call the roll of members.
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C. Student Led Pledge of Allegiance
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:
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D. Board Recognitions
Description:
Each month, the Board takes the opportunity to recognize excellence among our students, staff, and/or school community.
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D.1. Smithville Elementary Tiger of the Month
Description:
Smithville Elementary School is excited to celebrate outstanding students by introducing the "Tiger of the Month" recognition. Elementary staff will nominate students who exhibit characteristics such as kindness, strong character, and helpfulness. Each month, one exceptional student will be honored by the campus, recognized at the school board meeting, and will receive a special yard sign to proudly display at home. The Tiger of the Month for Smithville Elementary is:
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D.2. SHS All-Region Band Area Qualifiers
Description:
The following students advanced to the Area level in the all-region band competition:
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D.3. Staff Recognition
Description:
Amanda Janssen, Music Teacher at Smithville Elementary School, is being recognized for her outstanding efforts and accomplishments with the SES music program.
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E. Public Communications
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, or six minutes if requiring the use of an interpreter. Unused minutes may not be accrued by another speaker.
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. |
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F. Consent Agenda
Description:
Board members routinely approve items on the consent agenda as a group.
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F.1. Minutes
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.
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F.2. Financial Statements
Description:
Monthly reporting of financial position in relation to the budget. The Board is provided with monthly financial statements.
Attachments:
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F.3. Investment Report
Description:
In order the meet legal reporting requirements for investments, the Board receives monthly reports on District investments.
Attachments:
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F.4. State Aid Comparison - Budgeted vs. Earned
Description:
The Board is provided a monthly status report of earned state aid in relation to the budget.
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F.5. Earned vs. TEA Payments
Description:
The Board is provided a monthly status report of earned state aid in relation to the budget.
Attachments:
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F.6. Tax Collection Report
Description:
Attached is the Tax Assessor-Collector's Report.
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F.7. Financial Report
Description:
The business manager, Stacy Tiner, will review the financial disbursements for the previous month with the Board of Trustees. No action is required.
Attachments:
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F.8. Approve Renewal of Membership in the Region 10 ESC Multi-Region Purchasing Cooperative for 2026-2027
Description:
The Region 10 Multi-Region Purchasing Cooperative organizes and administers the child nutrition cooperative purchasing and commodity processing program for recipient agencies located in the state of Texas. Authority for such service is granted by Section 8.053 of the Texas Education Code, Chapter 791 of the Texas Government Code, and Chapter 271, Subchapter F, of the Texas Local Government Code. The goal of the cooperative is to obtain substantial savings on food service items through volume purchasing. There is no fee to join.
Attachments:
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F.9. Budget Amendment - 2023 Property Audit
Description:
In January 2026, the District received notification of an $621,727 total gain from the 2023 taxable value audit. It is recommended that the Board approve the use of committed fund balance in the amount of $46,629 for fees to Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott LLP’s 2023 property audit.
Attachments:
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G. Information Items
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G.1. Superintendent's Report
Description:
The Superintendent will update the Board on important issues pertaining to the District, including:
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G.2. Receive a Report from Zonda Demographics
Description:
A demographic study was recently completed to evaluate historical enrollment trends, current and pending development within the district boundaries, and project future enrollment in SISD. Zonda Demographics will provide an overview of the methodology and findings associated with this study.
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G.3. Smithville ISD Strategic Plan Update
Description:
Dr. Logan, Assistant Superintendent, will give a regular progress report/update on the Smithville I.S.D. Strategic Plan. This month's focus is Priority 2 — Staff Satisfaction and Engagement.
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G.4. Instructional Materials Adoption Update - Secondary Mathematics
Description:
Smithville ISD is undertaking an instructional materials review and adoption process for the 2026-27 school year in accordance with Texas state law, TEA guidelines, and SISD Board Policy, with final selection authority resting with the Board of Trustees.
As part of this cycle, the high school is reviewing mathematics materials. The process involves secondary math teachers and district curriculum staff on the HQIM Adoption Committee that evaluates materials using an established rubric, conducts sample lessons, and gathers campus feedback before presenting a recommendation for board approval. To ensure vertical alignment across grade levels, Smithville Junior High School (SJHS) is simultaneously participating in the same review process, allowing the district to make coordinated, coherent instructional decisions that support student learning from junior high through high school. |
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G.5. Receive an Update on SB 546 - Required Seat Belts on School Buses
Description:
Senate Bill 546 of the 89th Legislative Session requires that Districts make a budget limit determination not later than the end of the 2025-26 school year regarding the cost to equip each bus operated for use by the District with three-point seat belts. All buses purchased after September 1, 2017 include seat belts; however, buses purchased prior to this date may not. An update regarding estimated costs associated with implementation of SB 546 and next steps will be provided to the Board.
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G.6. Tentative Agenda Items
Description:
The following items are planned for the March 2026 agenda.
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H. Action Items
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H.1. New Personnel
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.
It is recommended that the Board approve new contractual personnel as recommended. |
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H.2. Renewal of Administrator Contracts
Description:
Consideration and Action Regarding Administrator Employment Contract Renewals/Extensions. |
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H.3. Certification of Unopposed Status for the May 2, 2026 School Board Election
Description:
Sec. 2.052. Certification of unopposed status: The authority responsible for having the official ballot prepared shall certify in writing that a candidate is unopposed for election to an office (in other words, the outcome is already known due to the lack of opposition).
The certification shall be delivered to the governing body of the political subdivision as soon as possible after the filing deadlines for placement on the ballot and on the list of write-in candidates. The write-in deadline was Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 5:00 pm. |
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H.4. Action to Cancel the May 2, 2026, Regular School Board Election Due to Unopposed Candidates
Description:
The regular board election was scheduled for May 2, 2026. Positions up for election were Place 1, currently held by Chris Hinnant and Place 2, currently held by Grant Gutierrez. All incumbents have refiled.
The deadline to file for a place on the ballot was Friday, February 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Section 2.051-2.053 of the Texas Election Code states that an election may be canceled for one of the following three reasons; 1) Each candidate (for full or un-expired terms) whose name is to appear on the ballot is unopposed; 2) The election is one in which a declaration of write-in candidacy is required; and 3) No proposition is on the ballot. Because each Trustee up for re-election is unopposed, the District is within Election Code requirements to request cancellation of the regular May 2026 election. |
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H.5. Consider Approval for the Award of an RFQ for Annual Financial Audit Services
Description:
In accordance with Texas Education Agency requirements and law, the district is required to have a financial audit performed each year. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for financial audit services was recently conducted, where responses were solicited beginning on January 21, 2026 and proposals were due on February 10, 2026. The committee evaluated the responses using the scoring matrix and will present its recommendation for the annual fiscal audit for fiscal year 2026.
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H.6. Approval of a Resolution Regarding Employee Pay During Weather-Related School Closure and Delay on January 26 and 27, 2026
Description:
On January 26 and 27, 2026, Smithville ISD canceled and delayed school operations due to a freezing weather event. All schools in Bastrop County were closed during this period for safety reasons. The administration recommends that staff salaries not be reduced for the missed instructional time on January 26 and 27, 2026.
Attachments:
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H.7. Approve the Submission of a Staff Development Waiver to the Texas Education Agency
Description:
This waiver allows the district to train staff on various educational strategies designed to improve student performance in lieu of student instruction during the school year. The waiver provides for a maximum of 2,100 total waiver minutes to use for professional development during the school year for districts that provide operational and instructional minutes. If approved by the TEA, instructional time missed on January 26 and 27, 2026 due to inclement weather will not require the use of a bad weather makeup day.
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H.8. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Teachworthy
Description:
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding with Teachworthy establishes a formal partnership with an approved Educator Preparation Program, fulfilling a key requirement of the 2025 legislation for districts seeking teacher certification delays. This partnership provides structured coaching and professional development support for uncertified and alternatively-certified teachers as they work toward full certification. The Teachworthy MOU directly supports the district's certification requirements delay application to TEA by ensuring teachers receive the high-quality training and mentorship required under current state law.
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H.9. Consider Approval of an Application to the Texas Education Agency for a Delay of Teacher Certification Requirements Application
Description:
House Bill (HB) 2 passed during the 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, and was signed into law by Governor Abbott, requiring new limitations to Texas school districts’ ability to waive teacher certification requirements for foundational curriculum courses within their district of innovation (DOI) plan.
Smithville ISD is seeking approval from the commissioner of education to delay implementation of certification requirements for foundation curriculum courses until the beginning of the 2029-2030 school year. |
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H.10. Approve the Submission of a Waiver to TEA for Virtual Homebound Instruction
Description:
In order for the district to be able to provide credit towards attendance and receive ADA funding, students must be in attendance in person. However, in extreme cases, a district may seek approval to provide Remote Homebound instructional services, count the student as in attendance, and receive ADA funding for that student. Currently, there is an individual student who, for medical purposes, requires Remote Homebound as an option as they have recently returned from a hospital.
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H.11. Consider Approval of a Resolution as Required by SB 11 Regarding a Period of Prayer and Reading of Religious Texts on Each School Day
Description:
As a result of the 89th Legislative Session, school boards must consider a resolution related to a period of prayer and reading of religious texts each school day. At the January 20, 2026 Board meeting, an overview of SB 11 and related state and federal laws was provided and discussion was held.
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I. Executive Session
Description:
Pursuant to Texas Government Code exceptions to the Open Meetings Act, the Board will convene in closed session.
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I.1. Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071, Consultation with an Attorney Regarding Legal Matters Related to Construction Issues at Smithville Junior High School |
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J. Open Session
Description:
Possible action regarding matters discussed in executive session.
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K. Adjournment
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