March 7, 2022 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting and Board Workshop
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I. OPENING - CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE(S) OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION
Description:
UNITED STATES FLAGI pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all. TEXAS FLAGThe amended (HB1034, effective June 15, 2007) pledge of allegiance to the Texas state flag is:"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee,
Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible." |
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II. OPEN FORUM
Description:
Persons desiring to address the Board of Trustees must fill out a speaker's card and submit it to the Administrative Assistant to the Board prior to the meeting. The Board cannot deliberate on any subject matter that is not included on the agenda.
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III. WILDCAT ROAR
Description:
Rains Junior High will have a presentation for the Wildcat Roar.
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IV. CLOSED SESSION
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IV.A. Personnel, Texas Government Code § 551.074
Description:
TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 6. Section 551.074. Personnel MattersSection 551.074 authorizes certain deliberations about officers and employees of the governmental body to be held in executive session: (a) This chapter does not require a governmental body to conduct an open meeting: (1) to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee; or (2) to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee. (b) Subsection (a) does not apply if the officer or employee who is the subject of the deliberation or hearing requests a public hearing.267 This section permits executive session deliberations concerning an individual officer or employee. Deliberations about a class of employees, however, must be held in an open session.268 For example, when a governmental body discusses salary scales without referring to a specific employee, it must meet in an open session.269 The closed meetings authorized by section 551.074 may deal only with officers and employees of a governmental body; closed deliberations about the selection of an independent contractor are not authorized.270 Section 551.074 authorizes the public officer or employee under consideration to request a public hearing.271 In Bowen v. Calallen Independent School District,272 a teacher requested a public hearing concerning nonrenewal of his contract but did not object when the school board moved to go into executive session. The court concluded that the school board did not violate the Act.273 Similarly, in James v. Hitchcock Independent School District,274 a school librarian requested an open meeting on the school district’s unilateral modification of her contract. The court stated that refusal of the request for a hearing before the school board "is permissible only where the teacher does not object to its denial."275 However, silence may not be deemed a waiver if the employee has no opportunity to object.276 When a board heard the employee’s complaint, moved on to other topics, and then convened an executive session to discuss the employee after he left, the court found that the employee had not had an opportunity to object.277 263 TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 551.0726. 264 Id. § 551.073. 265 See Act of Mar. 28, 1973, 63d Leg., R.S., ch. 31, § 2, 1973 Tex. Gen. Laws 45, 46 (former article 6252-17, § 2(f), Revised Civil Statutes). 266 See, e.g., Dallas Cnty. Flood Control Dist. No. 1 v. Cross, 815 S.W.2d 271, 282-83 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1991, writ denied). 267 TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 551.074. 268 Gardner, 21 S.W.3d at 777; Tex. Att’y Gen. Op. No. H-496 (1975) (construing predecessor to Government Code, section 551.074). Closed Sessions 2012 Open Meetings Handbook • Office of the Attorney General |
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IV.B. Student Discipline, Texas Government Code § 551.082
Description:
TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE § 551.082
Sec. 551.082. SCHOOL CHILDREN; SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES; DISCIPLINARY MATTER OR COMPLAINT. (a) This chapter does not require a school board to conduct an open meeting to deliberate in a case: (1) involving discipline of a public school child; or
(2) in which a complaint or charge is brought against an employee of the school district by another employee and the complaint or charge directly results in a need for a hearing.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply if an open hearing is requested in writing by a parent or guardian of the child or by the employee against whom the complaint or charge is brought.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 28, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
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IV.C. Security, Texas Government Code § 551.089
Description:
TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE
18. Section 551.089. Deliberations Regarding Security Devices or Security Audits; Closed Meeting. Deliberation Regarding Security Devices or Security Audits; Closed Meeting Section 551.089 provides as follows: This chapter does not require a governmental body to conduct an open meeting to deliberate: (1) security assessments or deployments relating to information resources technology; (2) network security information as described by Section 2059.055(b); or (3) the deployment, or specific occasions for implementation, of security personnel, critical infrastructure, or security devices. .354 TEX. GOV'T CODE ANN. § 551.089(2). 354 TEX. GOV'T CODE §551.089. Chapter 2059 of the Government Code relates to the "Texas Computer Network Security System" Id. §§ 2059.001-.153. Closed Sessions 2012 Open Meetings Handbook -Office of the Attorney General |
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V. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION
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V.A. Consent Agenda
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V.A.1. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Description:
Background:
The following minutes are provided for your review:
Minutes become official when approved by the Board of Trustees. Recommendation: Approve the minutes of the meetings as presented. Board Action: Board Approval |
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V.A.2. Financial Reports
Description:
Background:
Financial reports for the previous month are presented. Administrative Considerations: None Recommendation: As desired by Board Board Action: As needed
Attachments:
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V.A.3. Audit Engagement Letter- Rutherford & Taylor
Description:
Background:
The audit engagement letter is on the Agenda Calendar for March. Administrative Considerations: An audit engagement letter has been provided by Rutherford, Taylor, and Company, P.C. Recommendation: Approve the audit engagement letter as presented by Rutherford, Taylor, and Company, P.C. Board Action: Board approval.
Attachments:
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V.B. Business and Finance
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V.B.1. WAG Report
Description:
Background:
The WAG Report is provided by the Assistant Superintendent of Finance. Administrative Considerations: This report keeps the Board apprised of the district's current financial status. Recommendation: As needed Board Action: Approval is not required for this report, unless action is needed. |
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V.B.2. Resolution- Regarding Employee Pay During Weather Closure
Description:
Background:
Rains ISD administration is requesting to pass a resolution pertaining to employee pay during weather closure on February 3, 4, and February 24, 2022. Administrative Considerations: Consider passing the resolution pertaining to employee pay during weather closure on February 3,4, and February 24, 2022. Recommendation: Board approval as presented. Board Action: Board approval. |
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V.B.3. Consider Junior High HVAC Bids
Description:
Background:
The Junior High HVAC bids have been received by the Assistant Superintendent and will be provided to the Board for their consideration and approval. Administrative Considerations: Bid information will be available at the meeting, if not sooner. Recommendation: Consider and approve the recommended bid as presented. Board Action: As desired by Board. |
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V.B.4. Approve Proposed Special Meeting: Budget/Tax Rate Workshop Date
Description:
Background:
A proposed calendar of dates was provided at the February 14, 2022, board meeting. The Special Meeting/Budget/Tax Rate Workshop date that was presented must be approved by the Board.
Setting the date early would assist in working around schedules, vacations, etc. in order for all members to be in attendance. Recommendation: Consider approving the dates presented to the Board by Administration. Board Action: Board approval. |
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V.C. Curriculum & Instruction
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V.C.1. ESL Summer School
Description:
Background:
ESL Summer School information will be provided to the Board. Administrative Considerations: ESL Summer School sign-ups are pending. Recommendation: As needed. Board Action: Board approval.
Attachments:
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V.D. Superintendent Reports
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V.D.1. District Activities & Projects
Description:
Background:
The Superintendent will share information with the Board on district activities and projects. Administrative Considerations: Any items that would require Board action will be presented along with the report. Recommendation: As needed Board Action: As needed |
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V.D.2. Report of Disbursements
Description:
Background:
A report on the payment of bills is provided under this item. Administrative Considerations: The payment of bills is only reported to the Board. Recommendation: No action required Board Action: No action required
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VI. PERSONNEL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION
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VI.A. Personnel Changes/Update
Description:
The following is for review only and does not require board action:
Employment:
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VI.B. Contracts: Teachers, Teacher/Coaches, Librarian, LSSP, Diagnostician(s), Speech-Language Pathologist(s), and Athletic Trainer (Report of Recommendations)
Description:
Background:
The list of 2022-2023 approved contracts is provided. Administrative Considerations: The contract recommendations have been made by the Principals, Directors, and submitted to the Superintendent for approval. Rains ISD Board Policy DC(LOCAL) addresses EMPLOYMENT OF CONTRACTUAL PERSONNEL, as follows: The Superintendent has sole authority to make recommendations to the Board regarding the selection of contractual personnel. The Board retains final authority for the employment of the Superintendent, the assistant superintendent, the principals, the special education director, the curriculum director, the business director, the athletic director, the coordinator of health services/school nurse, and any employee hired on a non- Chapter 21 contract. The Board delegates to the Superintendent final authority to employ all other contractual personnel. [See DCA, DCB, DCC, and DCE as appropriate] Recommendation: This is an informational report and no action is required by the Board. Board Action: No action is required by Board.
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VII. BOARD CORRESPONDENCE, HANDOUTS (As Available)
Description:
The Superintendent has placed this item on the agenda for the purpose of sharing miscellaneous correspondence/information item(s) that may be of interest to Board members.
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VII.A. Region 7 Board of Directors Election
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VII.B. TASB theStar Newsletter-February 2022
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VIII. Board Workshop/Training
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VIII.A. Team of Eight (John Rouse)
Description:
Background:
The Superintendent has scheduled “Team of Eight” training for this meeting, which will enable members to receive continuing education hours. Administrative Considerations: Former Rains I.S.D. Superintendent, John Rouse will conduct this training. Recommendation: As needed. Board Action: As desired by Board. |
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VIII.B. School Cybersecurity- KnowBe4
Description:
Background:
TASB requires all school board members to complete 1 hour of cybersecurity training each year. The requirement for school board trustees to complete this training is established in Texas Government Code, §2054.5191. Each school district determines which training is most appropriate for their trustees from a list of published by the Texas Department of Information Resources. Administrative Considerations: KnowBe4 is an approved cybersecurity awareness online training. The KnowBe4 online training session for the Rains ISD Board of Trustees will open on Monday, March 7, 2022, and each board member will have until April 4, 2022, to complete this online training. Recommendation: As needed Board Action: As desired by Board. |
