The ESC-20 School Finance Program supports school districts and charter schools by providing training, resources, and technical assistance to strengthen financial management and compliance. Designed for chief financial officers, business managers, directors, administrative assistants, and business office staff, the program helps participants develop practical knowledge of budgeting, financial operations, funding, reporting, and accountability.

Key offerings include the School Finance Academy (SFA), which provides foundational, hands-on training for professionals who are new to school finance or seeking to strengthen their knowledge of school financial operations. Currently, 13 school systems participate in the SFA.
The program also coordinates the Business Manager Cooperative (BMC), which provides members with professional development, technical assistance, legislative and school finance updates, and resources related to federal programs and food and nutrition services. The BMC currently serves 58 school systems across the region.

Through these services, ESC-20 helps educational leaders strengthen financial practices, maximize resources, and support effective stewardship of public funds to improve outcomes for students.

For Information Only.

Mr. Michael Petter and Mr. Randall Bistow have both been elected to the ESC-20 Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning June 1, 2026, and ending May 31, 2029.

Dr. Don Mills, Superintendent of Lighthouse Charter School, was appointed by the Commissioner of Education (per Texas Education Code §12.104) to serve as the non-voting Charter Representative for his third term, June 2026 through May 2027.

The bylaws of the Board of Directors provide for the election of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and a Secretary, and each officer shall be elected to serve a term of one year.

The bylaws note the following duties for each position:

"The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at meetings, appoint committees which are not selected by majority vote, and perform other duties as necessary.  The Chairman shall have the right, like other members of the Board, to offer resolutions, to discuss questions, and to vote thereon." 

"The Vice-Chairman shall perform the duties of the Chairman in case of the Chairman's resignation, absence, or disability." 

"The Secretary shall perform the duties as required by law and such other duties as the Board may designate." 

"Each officer shall be elected to serve a term of one year or until the officer's successor is elected and qualified."

Meetings of the Board of Directors usually occur at 1:00 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the even months.  The August meeting will include an optional Budget Work Session at 1:00 p.m. and a Public Hearing at 2:00 p.m.

Listed on the attachment to this agenda item are amendments to the 2025-2026 ESC-20 budget.  Approval of the Board of Directors is requested.

Attached are the additions to the special revenue fund. Approval of the Board of Directors is requested.

Attached is the list of contracts over $25,000.

Attached is the list of Interlocal Agreements.

• Proposal for Auditor Services
• Proposal for Registration System
• Proposal for On-Site Behavior Classroom Operation
• Renewal Proposal for Speech and Related Services (#24001)
• Renewal Proposal for Speech and Related Services (#24011)

Since the April meeting of the Board of Directors, there have been new professional staff hired. Attached is the list of the new professional staff hired.

The Center’s salary structure consists of pay grades with placement of positions based on a combination of market (benchmark) data, wage inflation adjustment, Center experience in recruitment and retention, and an individual wage model based on multiple job-related factors (e.g., scaled related experience, education, competency, and Division Director discretion). 

The Board of Directors will be provided with a copy of the proposed 2026 - 2027 Salary Schedule at the August 26, 2026, Board Meeting which will include an approximate increase of 3%. 

Approximately $216,532 is being used for benchmarking adjustments due to market conditions and approximately $372,526 is being used for annual individual target pay factors. The remaining, approximately $1,121,797, is being allocated to general salary increases for staff.

The estimated cost of the 2026-2027 salary increase is $1,710,855.

2002-2003
Article 3.50-8, Texas Insurance Code, as a result of HB 3343, established that active, contributing Teacher Retirement System (TRS) members receive an annual state supplemental compensation amount of $1,000.

2003-2004
Article 3.50-8, Texas Insurance Code, amended by HB 3459
Passed by the 78th Legislative Session, Regular Session
Signed by the Governor on June 10, 2003
Established that, effective September 1, 2003, active, contributing TRS, nonprofessional members receive an annual state supplemental amount of $250 (18.75 - 29 hours work week) and $500 (30 hours or more work week). Nonprofessionals are defined by TRS Rule 41.42, Payment of Supplemental Compensation. 

2006-2007
Amends Subchapter D, Health Care Supplementation, Education Code Chapter 22, and adds 42.2513 to Subchapter E, Financing the Program.
Passed by the 79th Legislative Session, 3rd C.S.  Effective May 26, 2006.
Re-named the Compensation Supplementation program to Health Care Supplementation.  Existing statutory language on the amount of the compensation supplementation, as well as the state funding and distribution, is replaced with provisions for a wage increase that provides similar levels of compensation.   

2026-2027
It is recommended that the Center continue to provide a select group (based on TRS definition) of professional, active, contributing TRS members the same supplemental compensation amount that will be granted to nonprofessionals by TEA. The estimated cost of the Center’s supplemental compensation to professional TRS members is expected to cost the Center approximately $40,000.

House Bill 3343, passed by the 77th Legislature, required the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) to implement and administer the uniform group coverage program, known as TRS ActiveCare, effective September 1, 2002. The Center participates in this health care program and eligible staff members include:

• Full-time and part-time employees who contribute to the Teacher Retirement System (regularly working 18.75 hours/week or more).
  • ??????Note: Employees who are not contributors to TRS will be required to pay all costs of participation (regularly scheduled to work at least 10 hours but less than 18.75 hours per week).

In 2025-2026, the Center's contribution to health care premiums was $468.00 for Primary Plan participants, $482.00 for HD participants, $488.00 for Primary+ Plan participants, and $655.00 for Plan 2 participants.

For 2026-2027, it is recommended that the Center's contribution be $499.00 for Primary Plan participants, $515.00 for HD Plan participants, $532.00 for Primary+ Plan participants, and remain unchanged for Plan 2 participants.

Board input and approval is required for the 2025-2026 ESC-20 Head Start Program Proposed Cost of Living increase.

• Proposed Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) — Approximately .635%

Board input and approval is required for the 2026-2027 ESC-20 Head Start Program Proposed Cost of Living increase.

• Proposed Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) — Approximately .635%

Board input and approval is required for the key position of Head Start Director.

• Administrative Information
• Head Start Policy Council and Critical Incident Reports
• Personnel — Separations (Professional Staff)
• Expenditures in Excess of $25,000
• Investment Report
• Accounts Receivable
• 2026-2027 Center Products & Services Fees
• Executive Director's Report

Attached is a list of items that required the signature of the Chairman of the Board since the April meeting of the Board of Directors.

Ms. Debbie Akers, ESC-20 Early Childhood Education Component Director, will provide Head Start Policy Council and Critical Incident Reports.

Attached is a list of checks written in excess of $25,000 during the period of 3/31/2026 through 5/28/2026.

Board policy authorizes the Executive Director to establish fees charged for Center products and services. A complete list is included as an extra item.

• Superintendent Changes
• Summer Schedule
• Superintendent of the Year
• School Board of the Year
• Executive Director Evaluation Update
• August Board Meeting — August 26, 2026
  • 12:00 p.m. — Lunch with Center Leadership
  • 1:00 p.m. - Budget Work Session
  • 2:00 p.m. - Board Hearing
  • 2:30 p.m. — Regular Meeting
• Convocation — September 11, 2026