December 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  Announcement by the Board President whether a quorum is present and that notice of the meeting has been posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551 as required by law.

Description:  "I 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."

Description:   "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible." 

Description:  Our Florence ISD Teacher of the Month is Dr. Peter Acosta, Director of Bands. From his nomination: "Dr. Acosta has clearly taken our band to new heights. He is creative, taking on a new Jazz Band class this year to keep students involved with band who did not want to march. Additionally, he is one of the main reasons our students are showing more school spirit during our fight song and pep rallies. In short, his influence is campus wide and exceptional. Florence ISD is fortunate to have someone with his skill set, passion and care for the students. 

Description:  The Board encourages comments about the district from members of the public.  Anyone who has signed up to speak in advance of the meeting in accordance with the Board procedures may do so at this time.  The Board asks that each participant's comments pertain to district business and be no longer than 5 minutes.  For any member of the public who is accompanied by a translator, your time will be doubled as required by law.  Remember that the Board may not discuss or act upon any issues that are not posted on our agenda.  In addition, the Board has adopted policies to provide prompt and equitable resolution of complaints and concerns for employees, students or their parents, and the general public.  Copies of our district policies and procedures on public comments and filing complaints are available on the district website. 

Description:  Lott, Vernon and Company, P.C. has conducted the annual financial audit report for the year ending August 31, 2025. The Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs at the end of the report provides a summary of the auditor's results. An unmodified audit opinion is considered a "clean" opinion. An unmodified audit opinion of the financial statements is given by the auditor when there are no reservations regarding the data, providing reasonable assurance that the District has followed accounting rules appropriately and that the financial reports are an accurate representation of the District's financial condition. 
Dane Legg will be in attendance to present the report and answer any questions.

Description:  Mr. Birch will provide an update from the Fall Safety and Security Committee Meeting held on December 1, 2025.

Description:  An Unmodified or "clean" opinion was provided by Lott Vernon as previously presented.

Description:  The following local policies are presented for approval. Policies DGBA (LOCAL), FNG (LOCAL) and GF (LOCAL) are not the policies offered by TASB. Instead, these policies were locally created, reviewed by our attorney, and approved in the FISD District of Innovation. Presented are the revised policies in lieu of those sent by TASB as allowed by law.
TASB Local Policy Update 126 First Reading Affecting (LEGAL) and (LOCAL) Policies:
BE(LOCAL) - Board Meetings
BED(LOCAL) - Board Meetings: Public Participation
CJ(LOCAL) - Contracted Services
CJA(LOCAL) - Contracted Services: Background Checks and Required Reporting
CLE(LOCAL) - Buildings, Grounds, and Equipment Management: Required Displays
CQB(LOCAL) - Technology Resources: Cybersecurity
CQD(LOCAL) - Technology Resources: Artificial Intelligence
CSA(LOCAL) - Facility Standards: Safety and Security
CV(LOCAL) - Facilities Construction
DBD(LOCAL) - Employment Requirements and Restrictions: Conflict of Interest
DEC(LOCAL) - Compensation and Benefits: Leaves and Balances
DFBB(LOCAL) - Term Contracts: Nonrenewal
DGBA(LOCAL) - Personnel-Management Relations: Employee Complaints and Grievances (As locally amended per DOI)
DH(LOCAL) - Employee Standards of Conduct
EEP(LOCAL) - Instructional Arrangements: Lesson Plans
EFA(LOCAL) - Instructional Resources: Instructional Materials
EHBAF(LOCAL) - Special Education: Video/Audio Monitoring
EIA(LOCAL) - Academic Achievement: Grading/Progress Reports to Parents
FA(LOCAL) - Parent Rights and Responsibilities
FEF(LOCAL) - Attendance: Release Time
FFAC(LOCAL) - Wellness and Health Services: Medical Treatment
FFB(LOCAL) - Student Welfare: Crisis Intervention
FFF(LOCAL) - Student Welfare: Student Safety
FFG(LOCAL) - Student Welfare: Child Abuse and Neglect
FNG(LOCAL) - Student Rights and Responsibilities: Student and Parent Complaints/Grievances (As locally amended per DOI)
FO(LOCAL) - Student Discipline
GF(LOCAL) - Public Complaints (As locally amended per DOI)
GKA(LOCAL) - Community Relations: Conduct on School Premises

Description:  Per SB 13 and our library acquisition policy, the Board of Trustees must approve all donated or proposed library materials.  The attached lists of books have undergone the district collection development process for any library material that students will have access to in the campus collections. The list also includes books that will be purchased with an FISD Education Foundation grant to replenish the book vending machine at FES. We ask that the board approve the list of books for purchase.

Description:  We would like to recommend Dr. Carmen Varela for the position of Special Programs Coordinator for Florence ISD. Dr. Varela would be taking the position vacated by Jennifer Michalewicz at the end of the last school year. 

Dr. Varela brings two years of experience in administration as an assistant principal and a further two years as Dean of Instruction. Dr. Varela comes to Florence ISD from Hutto ISD and will begin her duties at the start of next semester on January 5, 2026. She has a Doctorate in Philosophy.

Description:  The district leadership will be attending a conference on January 26 in San Antonio. The district recommends moving the meeting date to January 22.