August 4, 2020 at 6:00 PM - Special Meeting

Description:  At regular meetings, the Board shall allot up to thirty (30) minutes to hear persons who desire to make comments to the Board.  Persons who wish to participate in this portion of the meeting shall sign up from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., indicating the topics about which they wish to speak.
 
Public participation is limited to the designated open forum portion of a meeting.  At all other times during Board meetings, the audience shall not enter into discussion or debate on matters being considered by the Board.  No presentation shall exceed two (2) minutes.  If the total number of speakers seeking to address the Board at a meeting is excessive, the per-speaker time limit may be reduced.

Specific factual information or recitation of existing policy may be furnished in response to inquiries, but the Board may not deliberate, discuss, or make any decision on any subject not on the agenda.

Recommendation:
Presentations  which include negative comments/complaints regarding personnel should be heard in Executive Session as provided by Texas Government Code Section 551.074.  This will insure the protection of the rights and responsibilities of all persons involved.

Description:  This item has been placed on the agenda to present the opportunity for budget discussion.  Mrs. Hawkins should be present to give the highlights of the budget and answer questions, if needed.

Description:  State law mandates each school district to discuss and set a maximum proposed tax rate for the purpose of publishing the notice for the public hearing.  The rates are still being discussed/reviewed due to a discrepancy in the Certified Values issued by the local Appraisal office.  The rates will be presented and discussed before the proposal.

Recommendation:
It is recommended the Board set a proposed M & O Rate for the 2020-2021 school year at X.XXXX
It is recommended the Board set a proposed I & S Rate for the 2020-2021 school year at .XXXXX
The proposed total tax rate is X.XXXX

Description:  In order to be more efficient with the Board members’ time, we are proposing that we combine the two meetings and address the budget amendments/budget adoption/tax rate adoption AND any normal business on August 31st. 
 
Recommendation:
It is recommended the Board move the regular August meeting from Monday, August 17th, to Monday, August 31st at 6:00 p.m. 

Description:  Operation Connectivity is a joint effort among Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Legislature, and TEA to provide students with a device and reliable internet connection.  This allocation of funds was announced on July 20th.  The program will provide matching funds for districts to facilitate purchases of necessary devices and hotspots.  TEA has worked with Region 4 Education Service Center to secure reduced prices with vendors via the bulk order program.  Matching funds will be based on the number of economically disadvantaged students in the district.  In order to participate in this bulk purchase option, the district must enter into an interlocal agreement by August 4th, 2020 with Region 4 specifically for technology purchases under Operation Connectivity.

Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Board approve and enter into the Operation Connectivity Interlocal Acquisition Agreement and authorize the superintendent and other appropriate district personnel to take all necessary actions under such agreement. 

Description:  TEA has recently allowed that districts may adopt resolutions by local action that prohibits students in remote learning from participating in UIL activities or classes that are open only to those participating in UIL activities. Further, it is allowed that a district may prohibit remote learners from participating in certain elective classes if such classes involve an in-person skills demonstration or lab sort of requirement. A resolution as to QCISD's decision not to allow remote learners to participate in these activities is attached.

Recommendation:
It is recommended that board adopt the attached resolution prohibiting remote learners from participating in UIL activities and certain other classes for the period of time they are in remote learning.