[00:00:02]
[Regular Board Meeting on November 21, 2024.]
REGULAR BOARD MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.THE TIME IS 5:30, AND A QUORUM IS PRESENT.
DOCTOR STENSON, PLEASE CONFIRM THAT THE MEETING WAS DULY CALLED AND A NOTICE OF THE MEETING WAS POSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT.
>> YES, MR. DREES. WE DID POST AND ADVERTISE THIS MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.
>> ALL RIGHT. WE WILL NOW CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.
SPECIFICALLY 0.074 PERSONNEL, 0.072 REAL PROPERTY, 0.071 CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD'S ATTORNEY, AND 0.076 SECURITY.
THE TIME IS 5:31. HOW Y'ALL DOING? THE TIME IS 7:00 PM, AND WE WILL NOW RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.
I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON BILLY POPE, PRINCIPAL OF CHENEY HILLS ELEMENTARY.
I LIKE THAT NAME, TO INTRODUCE THE STUDENTS WHO ARE WITH US TONIGHT.
>> GOOD EVENING. PRESIDENT DREES, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DOCTOR STENSON, MEMBERS OF THE CABINET.
I'M EXTREMELY PLEASED TO INTRODUCE TWO OF OUR MOST EXCELLENT CARDINALS FROM CHENEY HILLS ELEMENTARY.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU LANDON WARNER AND HIS PARENTS, EDITH HERNANDEZ RAMIREZ AND BRIAN GUEREZ.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO INTRODUCE ANNABEL REYES AND HER MOTHER, YOLANDA RODRIGUEZ ANJU NOIA.
LANDON WILL LEAD US IN OUR PLEDGES FOLLOWED BY ANNABEL, WHO WILL BE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STUDENT EXPRESSION. WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE?
>> 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.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS ANNABEL AND I'M FROM CHENEY HILLS ELEMENTARY.
I AM GLAD TO BE HERE WITH YOU AND TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF.
HOPE SQUAD IS A GROUP OF STUDENTS THAT LOOK OUT FOR OTHERS.
I AM PROUD TO BE A HOPE SQUAD MEMBER BECAUSE I CAN HELP OTHERS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE SAFE AND KNOW WHO TO TALK TO IF THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND I WILL CONTINUE TO HELP OTHERS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING ON HOPE SQUAD. THAT'S AWESOME.
>> WE'VE NOW COME TO THE AWARDS AND RECOGNITION PORTION OF OUR EVENING.
MR. THOMAS. I THINK IT'S YOUR TURN.
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT DREES.
PHIL BECKMAN WILL LEAD OFF OUR FIRST TWO RECOGNITIONS THIS EVENING.
>> THANK YOU, MR. THOMAS. TO MAKE THE PRESENTATION, I INVITE VENION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, DR. SHERA WADE TO THE PODIUM.
>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT DREES, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND DR. STENSON.
IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO RECOGNIZE CITY POINT CHURCH AND THEIR SUPPORT OF BENION ELEMENTARY.
[00:05:02]
CITY POINT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH THEIR PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR SCHOOL.THEY CONTRIBUTE IN NUMEROUS WAYS, SUCH AS VOLUNTEERING TO MENTOR WITH ACADEMY FOUR, SPONSORING LEARNING WITH LEGENDS, WHICH REQUIRES READING INITIATIVES WHERE RETIRED EDUCATORS WORK WITH KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS IN EARLY LITERACY SKILLS.
THEY PROVIDE ATTENDANCE INCENTIVES EACH NINE WEEKS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GRADE LEVEL AWARDS, AND ORGANIZING BACK TO SCHOOL BASH THAT PROVIDES STUDENTS AND PARENTS WITH ESSENTIAL ITEMS LIKE BACKPACKS, CLOTHES, SCHOOLS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, SHOES, ALONG WITH CLASSROOM SUPPLIES FOR TEACHERS.
THE CHURCH ALSO DELIVERS SONIC DRINKS TO TEACHERS MONTHLY AND PROVIDES MEALS FOR OUR MATH AND READING NIGHTS.
THEY ALSO SUPPORT OUR LUNCH AND LEARNS WITH SESSIONS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS WITH BREAKFAST AND LUNCH.
ADDITIONALLY, SHARON WYNN REPRESENTS THE CHURCH ON THE SCHOOL'S PTA EXECUTIVE BOARD.
OUR COLLABORATION WITH CITY POINT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH POSITIVELY IMPACTS THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AT JACK S BENION.
I WANT TO ADD, WE HAD A GREAT TIME LAST NIGHT AT THEIR COMMUNITY MEAL, WHICH PROVIDED A LOT OF TURKEY AND FIXINGS, SO THANK YOU TO CITY POINT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
>> NOW, YOUR PARENTS CAN TAKE [INAUDIBLE].
>> WE ARE ALSO PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE CREEKTONE CHURCH FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND ONGOING SUPPORT OF HOLDA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY AND RICHLAND HIGH SCHOOLS.
CREEKS STONE CHURCH NOT ONLY PROVIDES PRAYERFUL SUPPORT WITHIN THEIR CHURCH, THEY SUPPORT HOLDA HEIGHT STAFF AT A BACK-TO-SCHOOL SERVICE.
ALSO, THE CHURCH PROVIDES HOLDA HEIGHT STAFF WITH SUPPLIES AND GIFTS ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED.
THIS YEAR, THE CHURCH HAS SET UP A BENEVOLENCE FUND THAT THE SCHOOL HAS ACCESS TO IF NEEDED.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR WORK WITH HOLDA HEIGHT, CREEKS STONE CHURCH PROVIDES MEALS FOR THE RICHLAND HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM.
AFTER EACH MEAL, THE CHURCH DELIVERS AN INSPIRING CHARACTER LESSON.
COACH DANNY HENDERSON, RICHLAND HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL COACH SAID, CREEK STONE'S MEN'S MINISTRY SUPPORT OF RICHLAND BASKETBALL IS NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING.
WITH SINCERE GRATITUDE, WE RECOGNIZE CREEKS STONE CHURCH FOR THEIR ONGOING PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT OF HOLDA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY AND RICHLAND HIGH SCHOOLS.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, PASTOR BRANCH JUST CELEBRATED NINE YEARS.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE IN THAT CAPACITY.
>> CONGRATULATIONS [INAUDIBLE].
>> ALSO, HIS WIFE SHANE IS A BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION SPECIALIST AT KILLER.
IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO GRAB HER ON THE WAY OUT TO SEE IF SHE WANTS TO COME SHE WANTS TO COME WORK FOR US.
WE'D LOVE TO HAVE HER. OH, IT'S NORTHWEST. I'M SORRY.
[00:10:07]
>> I BELIEVE IT'S STILL YOU, MR. THOMAS, ISN'T IT?
>> I AM BACK. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON LISA MASTER TO COME TO OUR NEXT RECOGNITION FOR US, PLEASE.
>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT DREES, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR. STENSON, SUPERINTENDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE CABINET.
IT'S AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BRING BEFORE YOU TONIGHT A BIRDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CROSS-COUNTRY ATHLETE WHO VERY MUCH EXCELLED IN HER SPORT THIS FALL.
LET'S KEEP IN MIND SOPHIA IS A FRESHMAN.
SOPHIA WAS A DISTRICT 68 CHAMPION AT A TIME OF 18TH 507.
THEN SHE GOES ON TO COMPETE AT REGIONALS IN LUBBOCK AND IMPROVES HER TIME TO 181810 AND IS A REGIONAL CHAMPION IN LUBBOCK.
THEN SHE GOES ON AND COMPETES AT THE STATE LEVEL IN ROUND ROCK AND IS A FOURTH PLACE MEDALIST, AND CONTINUES TO IMPROVE HER TIME TO 18 15.
WE ARE VERY PLEASED AND HONORED TO BRING HER BEFORE YOU TONIGHT AS A DISTRICT CHAMPION AS A REGIONAL STATE CHAMPION AND A FOURTH-PLACE MEDALIST AT THE STATE MEET.
ACCOMPANYING SOPHIA TONAS COACH JEFF HUDAK.
JEFF HUDAK AND THE ASSISTANT CROSS COUNTRY COACH AMBER TOP MAY I ADD OR BOTH VSD PRODUCTS.
>> I'M PROBABLY EMASCULATE MYSELF I'LL SAY THIS YOUR TIME OF 18 15 RAN YESTERDAY IT WAS 280.
>> SINCE I'M DOING PICTURES, I MIGHT AS WELL JUST STAY UP HERE GOING.
I'M GOING TO ASK DANNY DIETRICH IF HE'LL COME LEAD OUR NEXT RECOGNITION.
>> PRESIDENT DREES AND TRUSTEES, DR. STENSON AND CABINET MEMBERS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND SHARE A GREAT SUCCESS WITH YOU FROM THE FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT.
THE UIL ST BAND CONTEST STARTED ALL THE WAY BACK IN 1979, AND IS THE HIGHEST-LEVEL COMPETITION, A TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND CAN PARTICIPATE IN.
RD SD, HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BANDS HAVE MAINTAINED A HIGH LEVEL OF ACCOMPLISHMENT WITH REGULAR ADVANCEMENT TO THE STATE CONTEST SINCE THEIR FIRST SHOWING BACK IN 1992.
OUR MARCHING BANDS COMPETITION SEASON INCLUDE A NUMBER OF CONTESTS, INCLUDING A UIL REGIONAL ASSESSMENT AND AN AREA-LEVEL COMPETITION.
WITH APPROXIMATELY 205 A HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE, COMPETING AT AN AREA COMPETITION, 38 OF THOSE BANDS ADVANCED TO THE STATE COMPETITION WITH ONE OF THOSE ELITE BANDS BEING THE RICHLAND HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND.
WE CONGRATULATE THE ROYAL MARCHING BAND ON ITS ADVANCEMENT AND 15TH PLACE FINISH, PUTTING THEM IN THE TOP 7% OF THE FIVE A HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BANDS IN THIS STATE.
WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE GREAT SUPPORT GIVEN BY OUR PARENTS, OUR CAMPUS ADMINISTRATION, CABINET MEMBERS, AND YOU BOARD MEMBERS AS WELL.
IF THERE ARE PARENTS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT HAVE COME TO SEE THEIR KIDS, PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED.
WE ARE ALSO VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE GUIDANCE AND THE TALENT OF OUR HIGHLY TALENTED AND DEDICATED BAND STAFF, INCLUDING HEAD BAND DIRECTOR, MR. MIKE PICKERELL, ASSISTANT BAND DIRECTORS, ANTHONY RIVERA AND ELIZABETH PERRY, OUR PERCUSSION DIRECTOR, NATHAN HAWK AND OUR COLOR GUARD INSTRUCTOR LAURA ROGERS.
[00:15:03]
WE DO HAVE SOME STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES WITH US TODAY IF YOU GUYS WILL TURN AROUND SO THE BOARD CAN SEE YOUR AWESOME FACES.IF YOU JUST WAVE AT THEM AND LET THEM KNOW WHICH ONE YOU ARE. HERE WE GO.
I'M GOING TO SAY YOUR NAMES NOW.
KENDALL ARINA IS ONE OF OUR DRUM MAJORS.
GOOD. CASEY LARSON IS A DRUM MAJOR.
SYDNEY ALEXANDER IS A GUARD CAPTAIN.
SAVANNAH FREEMAN IS OUR BAND PRESIDENT.
LEXIE ENGLISH IS THE WOODWIND CAPTAIN, AND THEN GRAYSON MANN IS OUR BRASS CAPTAIN.
WE ARE SUPER EXCITED AND PROUD OF OUR RICHLAND HIGH SCHOOL ROYAL MARCHING BAND.
>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE ONE MORE MARK. MR. THOMAS.
KATIE BOWMAN WILL LEAD OUR LAST RECOGNITION.
AS WE JUST HAD A GLYNN UP HERE, AS A MAJOR, WE'VE GOT ANOTHER GLYNN THAT'S GOING TO BE COMING UP TO ACCEPT RECOGNITION.
THE BURGLAZ D FINANCE DEPARTMENT LED BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DR. MISSY GLYNN, HAS RECEIVED THE ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS INTERNATIONAL MERITORIOUS BUDGET AWARD.
THIS AWARD REFLECTS BSTS COMMITMENT TO SOUND FISCAL MANAGEMENT AND BUDGETARY POLICIES.
NOW YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT WE RECOGNIZED THEM LAST YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME TO GO AFTER THE PATHWAYS AWARD.
THAT'S A STARTING POINT BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH THAT GOES INTO GETTING THIS AWARD.
WE WERE GOING TO DO THAT BECAUSE YOU CAN DO IT FOR TWO YEARS, BUT ERIN GRIFFIN, ONE OF THE STAFF OF OUR DEPARTMENTS, DECIDED SHE DIDN'T WANT TO JUST GO THE PATHWAYS.
SHE DID THE EXTRA WORK AND GOT US ALL THE WAY TO THE FINISH LINE FOR THIS MERITORIOUS BUDGET AWARD.
I WANT TO ASK ERIN GRIFFIN, VERONICA JENKINS, WHO HAS A BIG ROLE IN THAT AND DR. GLYNN TO COME FORWARD AND CONGRATULATE THEM FOR THIS JOB WELL DONE FOR OUR BUSINESS PART.
>> BIG NIGHT FOR THE GLYNN FAMILY, AS WE JUST RECOGNIZE HER DAUGHTER.
>> ERIN JUST HAPPENS TO BE A RICHMOND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE ALSO.
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US TONIGHT FOR THIS PART OF THE MEETING.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO STAY FOR THE REST OF THE BOARD MEETING OR FEEL FREE TO LEAVE AT THIS TIME.
WHY DOES NOBODY EVER STAY? [LAUGHTER]
>> OUR AUDITOR HAS MULTIPLE OBLIGATIONS TONIGHT AND HAS REQUESTED TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE AGENDA.
TO ACCOMMODATE THEIR REQUEST, WE WILL PROCEED TO ITEM 1.2, 2023-'24 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT NOW.
KATIE BOWMAN, WOULD YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE WHO IS HERE WITH US TONIGHT?
>> YES FROM OUR AUDITING FROM WEAVER.
WE HAVE STEPHANIE WILSON, SO SHE WILL COME FORWARD TO HER PRESENTATION. THANK YOU.
[00:20:06]
SORRY, I'M NOT QUITE THE DYNAMIC SPEAKER THAT JACKIE GONZALEZ IS, BUT WE WILL MOVE FORWARD.
SORRY ABOUT THAT. AS SHE MENTIONED, I'M STEPHANIE WILSON.
I'M A DIRECTOR IN THE FOURTH AUDIT DEPARTMENT AT WEAVER, AND I'VE BEEN ON YOUR AUDIT FOR MULTIPLE YEARS NOW, ALONG WITH JACKIE GONZALEZ, WHO IS THE PARTNER ON THE ENGAGEMENT, WHO WAS UNABLE TO BE HERE TONIGHT, BUT WE ARE VERY HAPPY EITHER WAY TO SHARE SOME GREAT RESULTS FOR YOU THIS YEAR.
ALONG WITH JACKIE GONZALEZ AND MYSELF, WE HAD BRANDON CAPERS, WHO IS THE SENIOR ASSOCIATE ON THE AUDIT, ALONG WITH NINA MILLER AND SOME OTHER ASSOCIATES AND SUPPORTING STAFF MEMBERS WHO HELPED US GET TO THE FINISH LINE.
WE DO HAVE 20 PLUS US LOCATIONS, ABOUT 1,600 TEAM MEMBERS THAT WE WERE STARTED IN TEXAS, AND GOVERNMENT AND NONPROFIT CONTINUED TO BE ONE OF OUR PRIME INDUSTRY PRACTICE AREAS FOR THE FIRM.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE OVERALL.
WE HAVE 300 GOVERNMENT CLIENTS, 40 PLUS CITIES, 50 PLUS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND 50 PLUS GFO AWARD RECIPIENTS.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR AUDIT PROCESS.
SO THIS YEAR, WE DID PERFORM OUR AUDIT IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED AUDITING STANDARDS AND GENERALLY ACCEPTED GOVERNMENT AUDITING STANDARDS AS WELL.
WE DID ALSO PERFORM A SINGLE AUDIT OF YOUR FEDERAL AWARDS BECAUSE YOU DID RECEIVE MORE THAN 750,000 IN FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
WE DID PERFORM A SINGLE AUDIT OF THOSE IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM GUIDANCE.
WE ALSO PERFORMED TESTS OF BIRDVILLE'S COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF LAWS, REGULATIONS, CONTRACTS, AND GRANT AGREEMENTS, INCLUDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE PFAA OR PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT, AND CERTAIN TSA STATE COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR AUDIT TIMELINE.
WE START WITH OUR INITIAL AUDIT PLANNING, OF COURSE, DISCUSSING WITH STAFF AND MANAGEMENT DIFFERENT CHANGES AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT HAVE OCCURRED DURING THE YEAR.
WE PERFORMED OUR INTERIM FIELDWORK IN JUNE AND CAME BACK OUT FOR FINAL FIELDWORK IN SEPTEMBER AND THEN BETWEEN SEPTEMBER AND NOVEMBER, WE PROVIDED A DRAFT TO MANAGEMENT FOR REVIEW.
WE DID MEET WITH DR. STENSON EARLIER THIS MONTH TO PRESENT THE DRAFT, AND THEN WE ARE HERE TODAY, OF COURSE, PRESENTING THE FINAL REPORT TO YOU ALL.
[NOISE] SORRY. AS PART OF OUR AUDIT, WE DO PERFORM A RISK-BASED AUDIT.
WE FOCUS ON SPECIFIC RISKS RELATED TO THAT AUDIT, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE GRANT REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES, STATE FOUNDATION SCHOOL PROGRAM, REVENUE AND RELATED ESTIMATES, AND PAYROLL AND PAYROLL-RELATED LIABILITIES.
WE ALSO IN EACH AUDIT THAT WE DO IDENTIFY SIGNIFICANT OR FRAUD RISKS AND DESIGN RESPONSES TO THOSE.
WHAT WE'VE NOTED HERE IS MISAPPROPRIATION OF ASSETS, MANAGEMENT OVERRIDE OF CONTROLS, AND REVENUE RECOGNITION.
THAT TO SAY, WE DID NOT NOTE IN OUR PROCEDURES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, ANY OF THESE ITEMS, BUT WE DID DESIGN RESPONSES SPECIFICALLY TO ENSURE THAT.
WE ALSO FOCUS ON SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES, SUCH AS STATE FOUNDATION REVENUE, PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE NET PENSION LIABILITY, THE OPEP LIABILITY, THE LEASE LIABILITIES AND RELATED RIGHT OF USE ASSETS, AND SUBSCRIPTION-BASED LIABILITIES AND RATE OF USE ASSETS, JUST ENSURING THAT THE INPUTS AND VARIOUS ASSUMPTIONS APPEAR REASONABLE.
AGAIN, WE HAD NO ISSUES THERE.
SOME ADDITIONAL REQUIRED COMMUNICATIONS.
WE HAD NO MATERIAL ERRORS IRREGULARITIES OR LEGAL ACTS NOTED, NO TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO DURING THE YEAR, FOR WHICH THERE IS A LACK OF AUTHORITATIVE GUIDANCE OR CONSENSUS.
NO DIFFICULTIES OR DISAGREEMENTS AROSE DURING THE AUDIT.
NO INDEPENDENCE ISSUES NOTED, NO CONSULTATIONS OR REQUESTS FOR A SECOND OPINION, AND NO MATERIAL ADJUSTING JOURNAL ENTRIES.
THESE ARE THE TWO VERY IMPORTANT SLIDES.
YOU'LL SEE HERE THAT WE DID ISSUE AN UNMODIFIED OR CLEAN OPINION, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ASSURANCE THAT ISSUE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR CAN PROVIDE.
WE ALSO HAD NO MATERIAL WEAKNESSES, NO SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES, AND NO NON-COMPLIANCE MATERIAL TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
[00:25:02]
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE ALSO PERFORM AN AUDIT OF THE FEDERAL AWARDS OR MAJOR PROGRAMS. THIS YEAR, WE DID AUDIT THE CHILD NUTRITION CLUSTER AND SPECIAL EDUCATION CLUSTER OR IDA.AGAIN, WE HAD ISSUED AN UNMODIFIED OR A CLEAN OPINION.
YOU WERE CONSIDERED TO BE A LOW-RISK AUDITEE THIS YEAR.
WE HAD NO MATERIAL WEAKNESSES, NO SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES, AND NO AUDIT FINDINGS, WHICH IS GREAT, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT.
HERE, ALSO, WE DO PERFORM CERTAIN PROCEDURES RELATED TO IDENTIFIED RISKS JUST BASED ON THE NATURE OF THOSE ITEMS, SUCH AS PAYROLL AND JOURNAL ENTRY TESTING.
WE DO REVIEW THE PAYROLL REGISTER FOR THE YEAR, THE EMPLOYEE LISTING, AND LOOK AT ANY OVERTIME PAID THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, ANALYZING THE TOP 10 OVERTIME EARNERS, AND TOP 10 PAID EMPLOYEES THIS YEAR AS WELL, YEAR-OVER-YEAR AND NOTED NO EXCEPTIONS OR ISSUES.
WE ALSO LOOK AT JOURNAL ENTRIES, ANYTHING THAT APPEARS TO BE INDICATIVE OF FRAUD, ANYTHING THAT APPEARS TO BE OUTSIDE OF EXPECTATIONS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, AND AGAIN, HAD NO EXCEPTIONS.
IN RESPONSE TO CHILD NUTRITION AND SPECIAL EDUCATION, WHICH I MENTIONED EARLIER, THOSE PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION TO THE DETAILED TRANSACTION TESTING THAT WE DO, WE ALSO LOOK AT THE COMPOSITION OF COST, THE TYPES OF DISBURSEMENTS, ALLOCATIONS OF COST, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, AS WELL, AND NOTED THAT ALL COSTS CHARGED THOSE PROGRAMS APPEAR TO BE CONSISTENT WITH EXPECTATIONS AND COMPLIED WITH THOSE COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS.
WE DID ISSUE ONE NEW STANDARD OR ONE NEW STANDARD WAS IMPLEMENTED IN THE CURRENT YEAR, WHICH WAS GAS 100, ACCOUNTING CHANGES IN ERROR CORRECTIONS.
THIS REALLY HAD NO IMPACT ON THE DISTRICT IN THE CURRENT YEAR BECAUSE THERE WERE NO CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES OR ESTIMATES AND CERTAINLY NO ERROR CORRECTIONS, BUT IT IS NOTED IN THE REPORT.
SOME FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE YEAR.
HERE YOU'LL SEE THE GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES BY FUNCTION FOR 2024.
AS YOU WOULD EXPECT, OF COURSE, INSTRUCTION CONTINUES TO BE THE LARGEST FUNCTION, 56.6%, AND HERE YOU CAN SEE FOR 2023, IT WAS 56.5, SO VERY CONSISTENT AND AS WE WOULD EXPECT.
HERE YOU'LL SEE THE GENERAL FUND REVENUES BY SOURCES FOR 2024 AND 2023.
FOR 2024, YOU CAN SEE THAT STATE PROGRAM REVENUE AND TOTAL LOCAL AND INTERMEDIATE SOURCES CONTINUE TO BE THE MAJORITY OF YOUR REVENUE AS EXPECTED.
VERY SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR WITH 52% FOR STATE REVENUE, WHICH IS PRIMARILY THAT FOUNDATION SCHOOL PROGRAM REVENUE, AND THEN LOCAL AND INTERMEDIATE SOURCES, WHICH IS PROPERTY TAXES.
THEN FOR 2023, THEY WERE VERY SIMILAR WITH 56% COMING FROM LOCAL SOURCES AND 39% COMING FROM THAT STATE PROGRAM REVENUE.
HERE YOU'LL SEE SOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
WE DID HAVE FULL COOPERATION OF STAFF, DISTRICT-WIDE.
I DON'T THINK THAT SURPRISES ANYBODY ON THE BOARD.
WE HAD COMPLETE TIMELY AND ACCURATE RESPONSES TO ALL OF OUR AUDIT REQUESTS.
WE DID HAVE A SUCCESSFUL AUDIT, AND, OF COURSE, ISSUED AN UNMODIFIED OR CLEAN OPINION.
WE HAD NO MATERIAL WEAKNESSES OR SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES.
NO FINDINGS IDENTIFIED IN TESTING OF COMPLIANCE OR CONTROLS OVER COMPLIANCE.
YOU'LL SEE HERE WE DID NOTE PREPARATION OF AN ACFR IN THE CURRENT YEAR.
THAT'S AN ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT.
IF YOU COMPARED THE TWO REPORTS FROM LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR, THIS YEAR IS MUCH HAPPIER.
IT INCLUDES SOME STATISTICAL INFORMATION, TRANSMITTAL LETTER AND VARIOUS EDITIONS LIKE THAT.
I KNOW A LOT OF WORK WENT INTO THAT, AND SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT EFFORT.
THEN ON HERE, WE'LL ALSO SEE WHAT WE COULD FOCUS ON.
AGAIN, WE HAD NO SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES OR MATERIAL WEAKNESSES.
CERTAINLY, NOTHING TO REPORT THERE, SOME THINGS TO FOCUS ON IN THE COMING YEAR.
JUST CONTINUING TO MONITOR AND REFINE THOSE PROCESSES RELATING TO SEGREGATION DUTIES, AND INTERNAL CONTROLS.
CONTINUING TO REFINE PROCESSES RELATED TO CAPITAL ASSET ADDITIONS AND PROPERTY TAXES TO ENSURE APPROPRIATENESS OF BALANCES AT YEAR-END, AND ALL OF THAT.
VERY SUCCESSFUL AUDIT, CLEAN OPINION.
THOSE ARE THE KEYS. [LAUGHTER]
>> THANK YOU. WE LOVE HEARING THAT.
>> JUST VERY QUICKLY, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN AUDIT OF FINANCES?
>> WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE AUDIT OF FINANCES?
[00:30:01]
>> TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND CLARITY.
>> TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY, AND THAT'S REQUIRED OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IS THAT CORRECT TO HAVE AN AUDIT TO SHOW TRANSPARENCY FOR THEIR FINANCES?
>> JUST FOR THE RECORD, I'M NOT ASKING YOU, BUT PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE AUDITS? THE STATE DOESN'T REGULATE THEM.
IF THEY CHOOSE TO DO THAT'S FINE, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.
>> YOU'RE GOOD. GREAT. THANK YOU.
>> WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO PRESENTATIONS TO THE BOARD.
WE HAVE A BOND CONSTRUCTION DATE, SUMMER BOND PROJECTS.
MISS DEGAGIONI, I SAY THAT RIGHT.
I ALWAYS WONDER IF I SAY THAT RIGHT.
HANG ON JUST A MOMENT. AS NO HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK DURING THIS PART OF THE MEETING, WE WILL GO ON TO THE NEXT ITEM OF OUR AGENDA, WHICH IS YOU. [LAUGHTER]
>> GOOD EVENING. MR. DREES, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR. SISON.
WE HAVE OUR REPORT FOR THE SUMMER PROJECTS.
AS YOU KNOW, WE COMPLETED PAINTING AND FLOORING AND SEVERAL OF YOUR CAMPUSES THIS SUMMER, INCLUDING NORTHRIDGE ELEMENTARY, KARRIE F. THOMAS, PORTER ELEMENTARY WALKER CREEK.
BIRDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL AND WATAUGA ELEMENTARY.
ALL THE WORK WAS COMPLETED IN TIME AND CORRECTLY AND ALL PUNCH LISTS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED.
WE HAVE SOME WORK THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE COMPLETING OVER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.
THIS IS EXTENSIVE WORK AND FINDINGS AS WE DID.
WE WILL BE REPLACING THE CLEAR-STORY WINDOWS AT BIRDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL WITH NEW WINDOWS AND FRAMES.
WE ARE GOING TO BE ADDING A LOGO AT THE WATAUGA ELEMENTARY GYMNASIUM, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE REPLACING ALL DAMAGED SPINAL WALL COVERING IN THE BATHROOMS AT NORTHRIDGE ELEMENTARY AND KARRIE F. THOMAS.
WE WILL BE COMPLETING THAT WORK OVER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY WHILE STUDENTS ARE OUT.
JUST AS SOON AS STUDENTS GET OUT, WE'LL GET IN AND OVER THOSE TWO WEEKS, WE'LL GET THE WORK DONE.
OTHER THAN THAT, EVERYTHING'S IN GREAT SHAPE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> AWESOME. I LOVE A SHORT REPORT.
ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, AIRIE.
NEXT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION ITEMS. NUMBER 1 IS DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE FOR WAREHOUSES, CHILD NUTRITION AT THE PLAZA AND RICHLAND CENTER WAREHOUSE.
MRS. BOWMAN, AND MISS DEGAGIONI AGAIN.
>> TODAY, WE JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE WAREHOUSE REPLACEMENTS, AND THERE'S TWO OF THEM, THE ONE AT THE PLAZA FOR CHILD NUTRITION, AND THEN ONE AT THE RICHLAND CENTER WAREHOUSE.
I'M GOING TO START WITH THE PLAZA.
AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE TAKING BUILDING 100, WHICH IS WHERE YOUR PLC IS, AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE SOME OF THE AREA THAT IS UNDEVELOPED IN THAT BUILDING TO TURN IT INTO A NEW CHILD NUTRITION WAREHOUSE.
IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE BUILDING, THE PLC AREA IS IN THE FRONT, AND THIS IS PART OF THE INSTRUCTION AND ADVANCED ACADEMICS DEPARTMENT.
THE AREA IN THE REAR WHERE THERE IS A EXISTING LOADING DOCK, WE'RE GOING TO TURN INTO THE CHILD NUTRITION WAREHOUSE, WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN HOUSE, A LARGE COOLER FREEZER FOR THE ENTIRE DISTRICT.
THE WORK IN THIS AREA IS PRETTY LIMITED.
THERE IS AN EXISTING LIFT STATION IN THE BACK OF THE BUILDING, WHICH WE'RE GOING TO TAKE OUT OF THE BUILDING AND RELOCATE, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE ADDING SOME DOORS TO ALLOW FOR TRANSITION AND ADDITIONAL STORAGE ACROSS THE HALLWAY.
THE ONLY OTHER THING WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING IS TAKING ABOUT 01,500 SQUARE FEET AND TURNING IT INTO A SPECIAL EDUCATION WAREHOUSE.
SOME OF THOSE MATERIALS ARE CURRENTLY HOUSED AT THE MAIN WAREHOUSE, AND THIS IS MATERIALS THAT CAMPUSES NEED TO GAIN ACCESS TO MORE REGULARLY.
WE'RE LOCATING IT HERE SO THAT WAY THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ACCESS IT.
THAT'S IT. ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT? YES.
>> HAVE YOU GOTTEN THE REPORT BACK ON THE FOUNDATION FOR THE FREEZER SUPPORT?
>> WE DID GET THE SCANS SO WE KNOW HOW THICK THE SLAB IS.
THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO FIND ANY GRADE BEAMS SO WE'RE HOPING THAT WE CAN SINK THAT FREEZER COOLER AND GIVE YOU MORE CAPACITY WITHIN THAT BUILDING.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, AREY.
>> OKAY. MOVING TO THE RICHLAND CENTER WAREHOUSE.
AGAIN, THIS IS PART OF THE NEW RICHLAND CENTER COMPLEX, AND THIS IS THE AREA THAT IS LOCATED KIND OF FREE STANDING NEXT TO THE STAIR CYCLE ON THE FURNITURE BUILDING.
AGAIN, THIS AREA THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED FOR A WAREHOUSE.
THIS AREA THAT I HAVE CIRCLE THIS AREA THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE FENCING IN AND PROVIDING A FENCED IN STORAGE AREA FOR THE WAREHOUSE AS WELL.
THIS IS A MAIN BUILDING. YOU WOULD COME IN BY THE BOTTOM.
[00:35:02]
WE WOULD HAVE A SECURE VESTIBULE.YOU HAVE A COUPLE OFFICES IMMEDIATELY OFF OF THAT, AND ONE OF THE MAIN OFFICES WITH RECEIVING WINDOWS SO FOR PEOPLE COMING TO VISIT.
THERE'S A KITCHENETTE, MEETING ROOM AND TRAINING ROOM, AS WELL AS SOME RESTROOMS THAT WE'RE ADDING.
THEN AS YOU GET INTO THE MAIN WAREHOUSE AREA, WE HAVE A SPACE FOR A CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION STORAGE THAT WILL OPEN TO THE BACK.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THE MAIN WAREHOUSE ITSELF IS WIDE OPEN SO THAT YOU CAN ACCOMMODATE AS MUCH STORAGE AS POSSIBLE.
THIS WILL BE DESIGNED WITH RACKS TO ADD STORAGE SPACE.
THESE BREAK ROOMS AND RESTROOMS IN THE BACK ARE EXISTING, SO WE'RE LEAVING THEM INTACT.
THEN WE'RE JUST ADDING WHAT LABELED AS AN OFFICE, WHICH IS KIND OF A TOUCHDOWN SPACE FOR MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING THERE, IS A SHARED SPACE.
THE BACK, THE AREA DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE LOADING DOCK WILL BE USED FOR TEXTBOOK STORAGE AS WELL.
THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IS PRETTY MINOR.
WE'RE JUST CONCENTRATING MOST OF IT TO THE FRONT.
WE DO HAVE SOME SLAB REPAIRS IN THAT BUILDING, IF YOU RECALL, THERE WERE SOME HEAVING, SO WE'RE GOING TO BE REPAIRING THAT.
THEN THERE'LL BE SOME LIGHTING AND VENTILATION THAT GOES WITH IT.
>> IS THERE SOME PLUMBING UP FRONT?
>> THERE IS NOT PLUMBING UP FRONT, BUT WE'RE JUST ADDING A COUPLE OF SMALL PICTURES, SO WE'RE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT EXTREME COSTS OR ANYTHING.
>> OF CURIOSITY, IT'S RUNNING OUT TO THE FRONT? WHERE'S THE PLUMBING RUNNING FROM?
>> WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN THAT FAR YET.
WE'RE JUST GOING TO PRESENT IT TO YOU.
BUT IF WE WOULD WE WOULD PROBABLY RUN TO THE FRONT, EVEN THOUGH AS I SAID BEFORE, THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT AREA HERE THE SLAB THAT NEEDS TO REPAIR.
IF WE NEED TO RUN TO THE BACK, WE WILL BE ACCESSING BELOW THE SLAB AT THAT POINT.
>> WE HAVE RECEIVED ESTIMATES FROM LEE LEWIS FOR THE COST OF EACH ONE OF THEM.
THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR THE CHILD NUTRITION WAREHOUSES AT 2.8 MILLION AND THAT INCLUDES THE COST OF THE COOLER AND FREEZER ASSEMBLY, WHICH WE KNOW WILL BE PURCHASED DIRECTLY BY CHILD NUTRITION FROM FEDERAL FUNDS.
WE'VE INCLUDED 10% OF SOFT COSTS TO INCLUDE SOME OF THE GEOTECHNICAL WORK AND SOME OF THE TESTING THAT WE'LL NEED TO DO, AND THAT RESULTS IN A TOTAL OF JUST UNDER $3.1 MILLION.
>> IRENE, DID YOU ALREADY DEDUCT THE AMOUNT OF THE COOLER AND FREEZER FROM THAT?
>> NO, IT'S IN THERE. THE COOLER AND FREEZER IS ESTIMATED IN THIS NUMBER AT 1,000,000.5.
>> 1,000,000.5 WILL COME FROM THE CHILD NUTRITION FUNDS OF THAT 2.8?
>> YEAH. DOES ALSO INCLUDE CASINO ROOFING THAT BUILDING.
THE RICHMOND CENTER WAREHOUSE, THE CONSTRUCTION COST IS 2.7, AND THAT INCLUDES RE ROOFING THE BUILDING, WHICH IS IN POOR CONDITION.
AGAIN, AND THESE ARE COSTS THAT LEO HAS PROVIDED, THIS INCLUDES SOME OF THE COSTS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE SLAB ISSUES.
IT INCLUDES THE SITE IMPROVEMENTS, FENCING, ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR OUTSIDE STORAGE.
AGAIN, THE ROOF REPLACEMENT, AND THEN SOME FRONT ELEVATION MODIFICATIONS TO FIT IN WITH THE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR THAT IS GOING TO BE ADDING THE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE SO THAT IT ALL BLENDS IN TOGETHER.
FOR A TOTAL COST OF JUST UNDER $2.8 MILLION.
>> YOU'LL NOTICE FF&E IS BLANK, AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THOSE NUMBERS INTERNALLY WITH RACKING, AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO NEED SOME EQUIPMENT FOR IT.
WE HAVE AROUND 300,000, IS THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THE RICHLAND CENTER WAREHOUSE FOR FF&E.
THEN ON THE CHILD NUTRITION WAREHOUSE, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF EQUIPMENT, BUT IT'LL BE PURCHASED WITH CHILD NUTRITION FUNDS, JUST LIKE DOCTOR STENSON MENTIONED.
ONE OF THE THINGS, IRENE ALWAYS GIVES US REALLY GOOD ADVICE, AND SO WE HAVE TO BID THE FREEZER VERY CAREFULLY BECAUSE FEDERAL REGULATIONS ARE EXTREMELY STRICT.
IN ORDER TO COMBINE THE TWO TOGETHER, SO WE HAVE THE PROPER WARRANTIES AND EVERYTHING, WE'RE THINKING THAT WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE'LL BID THE FREEZER, AND THEN THE INSTALLATION PIECE OR PARTS OF IT WILL BE COMING NOT OUT OF FEDERAL SO THAT LEE LEWIS CAN HANDLE THOSE PIECES.
THAT'S WHY DR. STENSON WAS SAYING, THERE'S ABOUT 1,000,000.5 OF THE FREEZER, WHICH IS PROBABLY WHAT IT'LL BE, BUT WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT PORTION IS GOING TO BE FEDERAL AND WHAT PORTION IS GOING TO BE COMING OUT OF THE TOTAL DOLLAR.
THAT'S WHY WE GAVE YOU THE TOTAL AMOUNT.
>> IF APPROVED, WE'LL BE BACK HERE IN DECEMBER FOR FINAL APPROVAL AND THEN WE'LL GO INTO CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND WE HOPE TO FINISH THIS BY THE END OF FEBRUARY.
WE CAN BID BY MARCH, PRESENT TO YOU A GMP IN APRIL AND CONDUCT CONSTRUCTION DURING THIS SUMMER.
>> GOOD PRESENTATION. ANY QUESTIONS? YEAH.
>> NOT SO MUCH A QUESTION, BUT HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL BE THE LAST PRESENTATION WHERE WE REFER TO IT AS THE RICHMOND CENTER.
[00:40:04]
WE'LL HAVE A NEW NAME HOPEFULLY, AND I'M HOPING THAT ALL THE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND EVERYBODY WILL START REFERRING TO IT BY THE NEW NAME.ONCE IF THE BOARD APPROVES THE NAMING OF THAT CENTER, I'D APPRECIATE YOU MAKING SURE THAT BECOMES PART OF THE LEXICON OF THE DOCUMENTS AND THE PEOPLE SPEAKING ABOUT IT BE HAPPY TO. THANKS.
>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION MYSELF ON THAT.
THE ROOF AT THE RICHLAND CENTER IS SOON TO BE RENAMED.
IS ANY OF THAT GOING TO COME FROM RENT PROCEEDS FROM THE OTHER ENTITIES THAT ARE IN THERE?
>> CURRENTLY, WE'VE JUST STARTED COLLECTING RENT, SO THERE'S NOT ENOUGH REVENUE AT THIS POINT TO COVER ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
>> BUT WILL THERE BE BY THE TIME WE'RE TO THAT POINT?
>> ONLY ABOUT A THIRD OF THOSE BUILDINGS.
I THINK WE'RE GENERATING ABOUT $600,000 A YEAR SO WE COULD, BUT IF YOU REMEMBER, A LOT OF THE REASON WE DON'T SPEND A LOT OF THE RENTAL MONEY IS SO THAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE PERIPHERAL OF THE BUILDING, AND I DO UNDERSTAND NOW, WE CAN ALWAYS REIMBURSE OURSELVES AT A LATER TIME IF THE BOARD SO CHOOSES TO DO THAT.
BUT I DON'T KNOW BY THE TIME WE HAVE THIS IN PLAY THAT WE'LL HAVE ENOUGH REVENUE COMING IN TO BE ABLE TO REALLY MAKE ANY KIND OF A DIFFERENCE IN IT. GOOD QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHERS? THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. AS WE ALREADY TOOK CARE OF NUMBER 2, WE'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER 3, VENDOR BOOTH AND EQUIPMENT STORAGE WITH RESTROOMS, THE SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL FIELD AT BIRDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL. MS. BOWMAN.
>> YES, SIR. SCOTT NIVEN IS HERE THIS EVENING TO GO OVER THE INFORMATION.
IF YOU REMEMBER, WE FOUND THAT BIRDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL NEVER REALLY HAD A VENDING BUILDING FOR FOOD AND DRINKS AT THE BASEBALL SOFTBALL FIELD.
IT WASN'T BUILT MANY YEARS AGO.
THEY'VE BEEN USING, AND SCOTT COULD GIVE YOU A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT, JUST A STORAGE BUILDING.
I BELIEVE WE NEEDED TO PUT IN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS.
WE'RE BRINGING YOU A PROPOSAL THIS EVENING JUST TO SHOW YOU WHAT THAT IS.
IN ADDITION, THE BASEBALL SOFTBALL FIELDS DON'T HAVE RESTROOMS INSIDE THAT AREA.
WE HAVE BEEN ASKED BY MANY PEOPLE AT SOME POINT IF WE CAN POSSIBLY PROVIDE SOME RESTROOMS. WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE SEVERAL DIFFERENT PIECES WITH THIS PROPOSAL.
>> YES, THIS IS KIND OF AN OVERVIEW OF RIGHT NOW WHERE WE ARE IN THE PLANNING STAGE.
YOU CAN SEE THAT THIS WOULD ACTUALLY GO INTO THE AREA IN BETWEEN THE SOFTBALL AND THE BASEBALL FIELD BEHIND THE STANDS, KIND OF THAT CENTRAL COURT AREA.
WE NOW HAVE IF YOU'VE BEEN BY THERE, THERE'S PRESS BOXES ON EACH SIDE, AS WELL AS THIS WOULD GO RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE KIND OF A LITTLE BIT BACK.
BUT IT WOULD HAVE A VENDOR AREA WHERE YOU COULD ACTUALLY WHERE THEY COULD SERVE IN THIS AREA, WOULD HAVE IT DIVIDED BY BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL.
THEY COULD HAVE THEIR OWN STORAGE AREA FOR WHEN THEY HAD SOFTBALL GAMES VERSUS BASEBALL GAMES, AND THEN YOU HAVE YOUR RESTROOMS THAT WOULD GIVE GIVE PEOPLE DEFINITELY A CLOSER PLACE, HUGE RESTROOM AND THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S WHO'LL HAVE TO HAVE CUSTODIAL CLAWS.
THEN WE'LL HAVE TOWARD THE REAR, YOU'LL HAVE STORAGE BOTH FOR BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL, SO THEY CAN KEEP SOME OF THE THE REQUIRED EQUIPMENT AND EVERYTHING THERE.
IF YOU RECALL YOU HAD TWO OLDER VENDOR BOOTHS, ONE ON EACH SIDE ON THE BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL.
THIS WOULD REPLACE BOTH OF THOSE AND PUT THEM INTO ONE BOOTH.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, IT'S ABOUT 32 BY 36.
THIS IS ACTUALLY AN AS BUILDING.
DO YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE?
>> WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER SLIDE.
>> OKAY. LET'S DON'T GO THERE.
WHAT WE WOULD DO IS THE AS BUILDING [OVERLAPPING]
>> OKAY. THE AREAS BUILDING RIGHT NOW WOULD BE 559,000 ROUGHLY, AND THAT INCLUDES INSTALLATION.
IT'S A THREE PIECE BUILDING THAT WOULD COME IN.
THEY WOULD INSTALL IT THAT HAS PUT IN CONCRETE AND HOOKING UP TO ELECTRICAL AND SEWER, THAT WOULD ALL BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE INSTALLATION.
WE WOULD HAVE SOME ENGINEERING THAT WE NEED TO GET DONE, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE MEETING ALL THE CITY CODES AND GETTING OUR PERMIT, AND THERE'S SOME ARCHITECT FEES AS WELL.
GOING THIS AND THIS WHOLE PROJECT HAS GOTTEN A LITTLE BIGGER THAN WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT TO GET EVERYTHING WE NEED IN THERE.
WITH THAT, IRENE IS GOING TO PERFORM MORE OF THE ARCHITECT SERVICES THAT WE NEED, SO I'LL BE COMING BACK TO YOU NEXT MONTH WITH HER PROPOSAL FOR THAT.
BUT THAT'LL MAKE SURE WE CAN GET THROUGH THE ENTIRE CITY PROCESS.
[00:45:02]
WE'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE PERMITTING AND HOPEFULLY, WE CAN GET THROUGH ALL THAT WITHOUT MUCH ADDITIONAL COST AS THE CITY MAY REQUIRE.BUT THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND WE NEED IRENE ON BOARD AS WELL AS OUR ENGINEER TO GET US THROUGH THAT.
THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW AS FAR AS TIMELINE.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT PROBABLY 2-3 MONTHS DEPENDING ON HOW LONG IT TAKES US TO GET THROUGH THE CITY, AND THEN THE BUILDING WOULD BE BUILT BY AREAS AND THEN BROUGHT TO SITE.
DURING THAT TIME, WE'D OBVIOUSLY WANT TO WORK AROUND THE SEASON THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO THE CONCRETE AND SOME TEAR OUT ON CONCRETE OR REPOURING, PUT IN SOME PIERS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
>> THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE ARE AT THIS POINT.
THIS IS JUST KIND OF A PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION TO SEE IF YOU GUYS HAD ANY THOUGHTS OR QUESTIONS.
BUT OVERALL, ESTIMATING ABOUT 665,000.
>> FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT, WE WERE HOPING TO REQUEST FROM THE BOARD.
WE HAVE JUST UNDER $300,000 REMAINING IN THE 22 BOND FOR THE TURF AND PRESS BOX PROJECTS.
THEN WE WERE GOING TO REQUEST THAT WE UTILIZE A SMALL AMOUNT OF THE INTEREST EARNINGS ON THE 22 BOND, WHICH RIGHT NOW WE HAVE AROUND EIGHT MILLION AFTER ARBITRAGE AVAILABLE TO US, WHICH WE WOULD NEED ANOTHER 300 AND 350,000 TO FINISH OUT THE PROJECT, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY SEE WHAT THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO DO IN REGARD TO THAT.
>> WE'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT THE SUMMER?
>> YES. TO HAVE IT UP AND RUNNING, IT'S GOING TO BE DURING THE SUMMER, BECAUSE GETTING TO THROUGH THE ENTIRE CITY PROCESS IS GOING TO BE THE GOOD NEWS IS, OUR PRESS BOXES ARE GOING TO UP AND RUNNING WHEN SEASON STARTS.
THEY'RE ACTUALLY ALREADY UP OVER THERE. AGAIN, MR. TOLBERT.
>> QUICK, AND MAYBE I PICKED UP ON SOMETHING.
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VENDOR SITE AND A CONCESSION SITE?
>> WELL, IT DEPENDS ON TO MAKE SURE WE MEET ALL PROPER CODES AND GO THROUGH CITY PERMITTING.
THIS IS MORE OF A VENDOR BOOTH BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT DOING A LOT OF COOKING AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
>> OKAY. WHAT KIND OF MATERIAL HAVE YOU PRICED IN AS FAR AS THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING?
>> WELL, THE EXTERIOR, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SEEN SOME OF THE OTHER AREAS BUILDINGS OVER THAT ARE IN THE LOCKER ROOMS. THEY ARE THE BRICK. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THIS ARE WHAT WE PURCHASED A FEW YEARS AGO.
WELL, IT'S BEEN MORE THAN A FEW YEARS AGO.
THE VENDING BUILDING THAT'S AT RICHLAND HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD, AND THE LOCKER ROOMS THAT WE HAD THE ARIES BUILT THOUGH.
>> THEY ACTUALLY COME IN WITH THE FOUNDATION ON THE BOTTOM AND YOU JUST DROP THEM IN TO THE SIDEWALK AREA.
IT'S REALLY KIND OF A NICE PIECE.
>> YOU'RE ALLUDING TO MANY THEY WANT MASONRY WALLS?
>> THAT'S BEING ANTICIPATED AGAIN?
>> YES. THE ANTICIPATED WILL BE A MASONRY TYPE PRODUCT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER? THANK YOU, MR. HUGH.
>> ALL RIGHT. WE'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER 4, PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENTS AND RENOVATIONS, SUMMER 2025. MS. BOWMAN AGAIN.
>> YES, WE HAVE JOHN HUGHES, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES HERE AND ADAM DALTON.
I BELIEVE HE HAS DONE A PRESENTATION FOR YOU ONCE BEFORE.
I'LL LET JOHN KIND OF FILL YOU IN, BUT WE'VE BEEN WORKING TO TRY TO UPDATE PLAYGROUNDS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND JOHN'S BEEN DOING A LOT OF ASSESSMENTS, SO I'LL LET JOHN KIND OF FILL YOU IN ON THAT.
>> WELL, GOOD EVENING. VERY PLEASED TO BE BRINGING ANOTHER ROUND OF PLAYGROUNDS TO YOU AS INFORMATION TONIGHT.
ACTUALLY, IT'S THE LAST ROUND WE BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO BE BRINGING TO YOU, SO THAT'S GOOD.
I LIKE TO BRING AN ACTION ITEM TO YOU FOR APPROVAL OF WHAT WE'RE PRESENTING TONIGHT NEXT MONTH.
AS KATIE MENTIONED, ADAM HAS BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN THE PLAYGROUNDS, AND HE MANAGED THOSE THIS SUMMER THAT WENT IN.
HE'S ALSO BEEN LOOKING OVER, MANAGING OUR SECURITY FILM AND SECURITY FENCING. ADAM.
>> THANK YOU, JOHN. I APPRECIATE IT.
THANK YOU ALL. LET'S TALK ABOUT PLAYGROUNDS.
THE LAST TWO YEARS FROM 2023 TO NOW, WE'VE MANAGED TO DO WATAUGA, SPICER, NORTHRIDGE, GREEN VALLEY, BENAN THOMAS, AND STOWE.
SOME OF THOSE ARE RENOVATIONS, SOME OF THOSE ARE NEW PLAYGROUNDS.
THIS IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH.
YOU CAN SEE, IT'S REALLY BEAUTIFUL, GREAT SHADE.
WITH THE TURF, IT REALLY STANDS OUT.
THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE ONES WE JUST COMPLETED THIS SUMMER.
AGAIN, WE TACKLED SEVEN IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
[00:50:03]
WHAT I'M PROPOSING IS TO TACKLE ANOTHER SEVEN FOR 2025; HARDIMAN ELEMENTARY, HOLIDAY HEIGHTS, PORTER, WALKER CREEK, WEST BIRDVILLE, SMITHFIELD ELEMENTARY.SOME OF THESE ARE NEW. WHY ARE WE DOING NEW ONES?" THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE.
WELL, NOT ALL THAT I'M PROPOSING ARE NEW PLAYGROUNDS.
SOME, YES, ARE NEW PLAYGROUNDS FOR THE OLDER SCHOOLS.
WE'RE TRYING TO BRING ALL THESE SCHOOLS TO THE DISTRICT STANDARD, AND ADHERE TO SOME OF THE ADA COMPLIANCES THAT ARE OUT THERE.
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET'S GO AHEAD AND JUMP IN.
>> WE'RE SUGGESTING ONE NEW PLAYGROUND TO REPLACE THE OLD EQUIPMENT.
WE'RE ALSO REPLACING THE WOOD CHIPS WITH TURF TO MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY, AND THEN THESE WILL ALSO GET TWO CANOPIES.
HOLIDAY HEIGHTS, IF I COULD DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SCREEN WHERE YOU SEE THE STANDING WATER.
THAT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. WE DON'T WANT THAT.
BUT HERE'S WHAT WE DO WHEN WE PUT IN TURF.
BEFORE WE PUT IN TURF, WE PUT IN A DRAINAGE SYSTEM, THEN TURF ON TOP.
THIS ELIMINATES THE STANDING WATER.
HOLIDAY HEIGHTS, WHAT I'M RECOMMENDING IS TWO NEW PLAYGROUNDS WITH TURF AND TWO CANOPIES.
ON THIS ONE, TWO NEW PLAYGROUNDS ARE NEEDED WITH TURF AND SOME ADA COMPLIANCE WORK.
WE'LL USE THE EXISTING CANOPIES THAT WE HAVE HERE.
THEY'RE IN GREAT SHAPE. THERE'S NO NEED TO REPLACE THESE.
BY THE WAY, WHEN I'M GOING THROUGH THESE, I'M LOOKING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED.
I DON'T WANT TO SPEND MONEY WHERE WE DON'T NEED TO, BUT THESE NEED TO BE REPLACED.
THERE'S SOME ADA COMPLIANCES, LIKE I SAID, THAT WE NEED TO JUMP INTO ON THOSE.
WALKER CREEK. WALKER CREEK ONLY HAS ONE PLAYGROUND.
WE ARE RECOMMENDING ONE MORE PLAYGROUND AT WALKER CREEK.
THIS WILL BRING THEM TO TWO TOTAL, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TURF BOTH OF THEM.
AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE BOTTOM SCREEN OF THE SHADOW ON THAT TARP, IT'S REALLY NOT SHADING ANYTHING.
SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS COME BACK WITH A BIGGER CANOPY THERE.
AGAIN, BOTH PLAYGROUNDS WILL HAVE CANOPIES AND TURF.
WEST BIRDVILLE. THE PLAYGROUNDS, THE EQUIPMENT IS FINE THERE.
HOWEVER, WE NEED TO DO TURF ON BOTH THE PLAYGROUNDS, AND THEN A CANOPY FOR THE OLDER KIDS' PLAYGROUND.
I WALKED THE YOUNGER KIDS' PLAYGROUND DUE TO ITS LOCATION, AND WITH THE BUILDING NEXT TO IT AND THE TREES, IT GETS ADEQUATE SHADE.
I'M NOT SUGGESTING WE PUT A BIGGER CANOPY THERE, A CANOPY OUT ON THE OLDER KIDS' PLAYGROUND.
ON THIS ONE, BOTH PLAYGROUNDS WILL RECEIVE TURF, AND THE BIGGER KIDS' PLAYGROUND WILL ALSO RECEIVE A TARP.
NOW, UNFORTUNATELY, THE TREE YOU SEE TO THE RIGHT IS DYING.
IT WILL BE COMING DOWN NEXT WEEK.
IT IS AN ASH TREE AND IT HAS THE EMERALD ASH BEETLE, WHICH IS RAVISHING THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.
THAT UNFORTUNATELY IS COMING DOWN AND THAT CREATED A LOT OF SHADE FOR THAT SECOND PLAYGROUND.
COMING IN WITH A TARP WOULD SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS THERE.
THIS EQUIPMENT HERE, EVEN THOUGH IT'S OLD, IT'S IN GREAT SHAPE.
ALL THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING HERE IS TURF, AGAIN, CANOPY, AND THEN SOME ADA COMPLIANCE WORK.
IF YOU NOTICE ON THE BOTTOM LEFT PICTURE, THERE'S NO PATHWAY TO THAT PLAYGROUND.
SO WE'D BE PUTTING IN AN ADA PATHWAY.
THAT LEAVES US WITH THE TOTAL COST OF WORK FOR SEVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IS 1,271,981.
NOW, THAT INCLUDES A DISTRICT CONTINGENCY OF 10%.
[00:55:02]
WHY DO WE NEED CONTINGENCY? WELL, THIS IS THE THINGS THAT WE CAN'T SEE WHEN WE GO UNDERGROUND.WE HAD ONE THIS PAST FEBRUARY WHERE WE WERE GOING IN, THEY WERE PUTTING IN PIERS.
AND BECAUSE THE SCHOOL WAS MOVED AT ONE LOCATION.
THERE WERE OLD PIPES IN THERE THAT HAD TO BE RE ROUTED.
SO THOSE THINGS WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S UNDER THERE.
SO THAT CONTINGENCY CAN COME IN AT THAT TIME, SO AS DISTRICT CONTROL.
AND THAT'S IT FOR MY PRESENTATION.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME?
>> YOU HAVE MR. DAVIS FIRST, I BELIEVE.
>> I JUST WANT TO TELL THE BOARD, I THINK WE OUGHT TO REALLY RECOGNIZE WHAT AN IMPACT WE'RE MAKING THESE CAMPUSES BY DOING THIS.
WE'RE BITING THE BULLET, SPENDING THE MONEY, BUT IT'S WELL USED, AND I'M GLAD WE'RE GETTING TO THE END OF THE ROAD HERE.
BUT THANKS TO JOHN AND HIS TEAM FOR GETTING THAT DONE, BUT I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT WE DO THIS.
IT'LL HAVE SOME LONG LASTING RAMIFICATION FOR THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD, REALLY.
BOARD GOOD JOB FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DO THIS AND THE MONEY.
>> WELL, BECAUSE OF MR. DAVIS' YOU'VE BEEN REALLY PREACHING TO DO THIS TO GET THESE PLAYGROUNDS UP TO SPEED.
OUR COMMITTEE MET AND TALKED ABOUT IT, AND WE LOOKED AT IT AND BECAUSE OF YOUR PUSHING.
NO, I'M KIDDING. NO, THESE ARE GREAT PROJECTS.
WE HAVEN'T HAD A RECOMMENDATION YET FOR HOW TO BE FUNDED AND ALL THAT.
THAT PROBABLY THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO SAY INSTEAD OF WHAT YOU DID SAY.
SO THE FUNDING WE'RE HOPING TO BRING BACK NEXT MEETING.
YEAH, I HATE TO POINT, BUT WE'RE WAITING ON AN ARCHITECT TO GET SOME NUMBERS ON SOME OF THE COSTS. I'M NOT PICKING ON YOU.
WE WERE WAITING ON SOME NUMBERS.
WE WERE WAITING TO GET SOME NUMBERS FOR US TO GIVE A FINAL RECOMMENDATION ON FUNDING TO SEE HOW FAR THOSE FUNDING SOURCES WOULD GO.
BUT THEY NEEDED TO BRING THIS TO YOU NOW SO THEY COULD GO GET PRICING AND HOPEFULLY HAVE THESE IN PLACE BY FALL, RIGHT? SO WHEN SCHOOL STARTS BACK IN.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET 2024 PRICING IF THE BOARD APPROVES THEM NEXT MONTH.
AND THEN WE ALSO GET OUR SLOT IN THE MANUFACTURING.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO US LAST YEAR.
WE WERE SCRAMBLING AT THE FIRST OF THE YEAR BECAUSE THAT AS PEOPLE PUT ORDERS IN, IT USES UP THE MANUFACTURING TIME.
AND SO ONE OF OUR VENDORS THAT WE REALLY LIKE ACTUALLY HELD SOME SPACE FOR US LAST YEAR SO THAT WE COULD GET THE FINAL PROJECTS IN.
JOHN WAS ALL OVER THIS, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT, JOHN.
>> OKAY. AND IRENE, I DON'T THINK THAT JOE WAS ASSIGNING ANYTHING TO YOU RIGHT THEN.
HE WAS JUST USING YOU AS AN EXAMPLE.
>> SHE WAS ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY UNDERNEATH HER TO PROVIDE HER THE NUMBERS.
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO UNDER NUMBER FIVE, SECTION 179D ALLOCATION TO EMA ENGINEERING AND CONSULTING.
ANOTHER ONE FOR YOU, MS. BOWMAN.
>> MY AGENDA HAD THAT AS A RESPONSE I THOUGHT WE ALREADY DONE IT.
>> WE HAD THE ABILITY DURING THESE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WITH ENERGY SAVING TYPE EQUIPMENT THAT'S INSTALLED.
OUR ENGINEER, AND MANY TIMES OUR ARCHITECT WILL REQUEST TO HAVE THE TAX CREDIT RELATED TO INSTALLING THAT ENERGY SAVING EQUIPMENT.
IN II DID NOT WANT TO TAKE THAT CREDIT THIS TIME, AND SO THEY'RE ALLOWING ON THE GRIGGS FACILITY, EMA, WHICH IS OUR ENGINEERING FIRM TO HAVE THAT CREDIT.
WE WANT TO BRING THAT INFORMATION THIS MONTH.
AND THEN NEXT MONTH, WE WILL BRING THAT BACK TO THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION APPROVAL SO THEY CAN GET ALL OF THEIR WORK DONE AND THEIR TAX CREDITS COMPLETED.
>> THANK YOU. I'M ALL FOR EVERYBODY TAKING AS MANY TAX CREDITS AS YOU CAN.
YES. ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ONTO NUMBER SIX, NEW COURSE OFFERINGS FOR THE 2025 /'26 SCHOOL YEAR.
THIS ONE IS ACTUALLY DR. CLARK.
EVERY YEAR WE GO THROUGH A PROCESS WHERE NEW COURSES ARE CONSIDERED, AND THIS INCLUDES CONSIDERING COURSES THAT ARE SOMETIMES REQUIRED BY THE STATE, OR COURSES THAT PRINCIPALS OR CONTENT COORDINATORS WANT TO CONSIDER OFFERING, AS WELL AS CTE COURSES THAT OFFER ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSURES.
THE COMMITTEE I ASSEMBLE A COMMITTEE THAT IS COMPOSED OF CENTRAL STAFF AS WELL AS CAMPUS STAFF TO HEAR THE RATIONALE AND THE PRESENTATIONS FOR OFFERING THESE NEW COURSES, AND THEN THE COMMITTEE VOTES ON WHETHER OR NOT TO BRING THOSE COURSES FORWARD.
THIS YEAR, WE'RE BRINGING TO THE BOARD TWO NEW COURSES FOR YOU TO CONSIDER,
[01:00:01]
AND THOSE WOULD BE A AC/DC ELECTRONICS AND A SOLID STATE ELECTRONICS COURSE.THESE TWO COURSES PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO BE WHAT IS CALLED A COMPLETER IN THE MANUFACTURING CAREER CLUSTER BY OFFERING A LEVEL TWO AND A LEVEL THREE.
CURRENTLY, WE HAVE A LEVEL ONE COURSE, AND WE HAVE A LEVEL FOUR, AND THIS ADDS WHAT IS CALLED A COHERENT SEQUENCE OF COURSES SO THAT THEY CAN BE A COMPLETER AND EARN A CCMR POINT.
WE ALSO HAVE A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH TCC AND TEXAS INSTRUMENTS BY OFFERING THESE TWO COURSES, AND IT ALLOWS OUR STUDENTS TO ACTUALLY INTERN AT TEXAS INSTRUMENTS.
OUR STUDENTS CAN EARN WHAT IS CALLED A CHIP MANUFACTURING CERTIFICATION THAT LEADS TO EMPLOYMENT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL WITH A STARTING SALARY AS MUCH AS $70,000 UPON EARNING THIS CERTIFICATION.
IN REVIEWING THE COURSES, WE FOLLOW THESE STIPULATIONS.
THE COURSES, IF APPROVED BY THE BOARD ARE THEN OFFERED, BUT JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE ON THE CHOICE SHEET DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT STUDENTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THE COURSE BECAUSE WE REQUIRE THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE AT LEAST 15 STUDENTS AT A SITE.
SO IT'S 15:1 TEACHER PUPIL RATIO BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY OFFERED.
THEN OF COURSE, WE REQUIRE THAT WE HAVE THE CURRICULUM AND THE RESOURCES, AND SO WE DO AND THOSE RESOURCES WE HAVE THEM, BUT THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS IS ALSO GOING TO BE HELPING PROVIDE THAT.
SO WE HOPE THAT YOU CONSIDER THOSE COURSES FOR APPROVAL NEXT TIME.
>> NOW, IF WE APPROVE THE COURSES, CAN WE TAKE THEM?
>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT. WE CAN ENROLL YOU.
>> YOU CAN COME AUDIT A COURSE ANY TIME, RIGHT?
>> THEY'D BE HELPFUL, I THINK.
>> I TELL YOU WHAT. I DO APPRECIATE OUR CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT, AND THEY'RE FORWARD THINKING REGARDING SEQUENCING AND PATHWAYS.
IT IS CRUCIAL TO BE WORK READY, COLLEGE READY, INDUSTRY READY, AND WITH INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS WILLING TO WORK WITH BISD, THE PARTNERSHIP WITH TI.
I MEAN, IT'S AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STUDENTS, AND I THINK THAT THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SOME OF THE THINGS THAT BISD DOES RIGHT AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE IN THIS DISTRICT, TO STEP OUTSIDE TO GRADUATE AND GO DIRECTLY TO THE WORKFORCE OR DIRECTLY INTO AN AMAZING PROGRAM AT A UNIVERSITY.
SO THE FACT THAT WE'RE ALLOWING THE SEQUENCING TO FOLLOW ALL THE WAY THROUGH, THAT'S TOP NOTCH INSTRUCTION AND PLANNING.
SO THANK YOU TO DR. CLARK AND HER TEAM.
>> SO A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY WIFE AND I HAD A CLIENT FLY IN MAYBE SIX, EIGHT WEEKS AGO FROM CALIFORNIA LOOKING TO BUY DUPLEX.
HE'S A YOUNG MAN IN HIS LATE 20S.
HE WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT HOW CATASTROPHIC IT IS THAT HIGH SCHOOLS DON'T OFFER SHOP ANYMORE.
THEY DON'T OFFER ANY PRACTICAL COURSES.
I'M LIKE, WELL, WE DO IN TEXAS.
WE DO IN BIRDVILLE, AND THEN I TOLD HIM MANY OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE OFFERING.
I'M JUST THANKFUL THAT WE LIVE IN TEXAS.
THANKFUL WE LIVE IN BIRDVILLE DISTRICT, THAT WE HAVE ALL THE AVAILABLE CURRICULUM.
THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? OKAY. WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM J, 2024 TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS CONFERENCE RECAP.
DR. STENSON AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD THAT ATTENDED THE ANNUAL TASA TASB CONFERENCE IN SAN ANTONIO WILL PROVIDE A SHORT RECAP ON SOME OF THE SESSIONS THEY ATTENDED.
THAT'S SHORT. JOE. WHO WANTS TO GO FIRST?
>> I'LL GO FIRST. ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY WERE BUSY.
I COUNTED HERE NINE DIFFERENT PRESENTATIONS THAT I WENT TO.
A LOT OF THE TOPICS WERE TALKING ABOUT REALLY SCHOOL FUNDING.
ONE OF THE VERY FIRST ONES ABOUT SCHOOL BEING UNFUNDED, WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH APPRAISAL DISTRICTS, NOT JUST IN TARRANT COUNTY, BUT AROUND THE STATE, WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT THERE, AND HOW MANY ONE PARTICULAR SCHOOL DISTRICT A CONGLOMERATE OF THREE OR FOUR DISTRICTS THERE, $190 MILLION.
THERE'S SOME RURAL AREAS THAT'S REALLY HAVING SOME GREAT GREAT IMPACT THERE.
ANOTHER ONE THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT HOT TOPICS IN SCHOOL LAW, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING THERE FAR AS BOND ELECTIONS, LANGUAGE ON THE BOND ELECTIONS THAT WE WERE ALL AWARE OF VERY MUCH SO.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL, LIBRARIES, A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING THERE.
TITLE IX ISSUES THAT ARE NOT IN TEXAS YET,
[01:05:03]
BUT THERE'S SOME NEW RULES, AND OF COURSE, THAT MAY CHANGE AGAIN WITH NEW ADMINISTRATION COMING IN.ONE OF THE BIGGEST TOPICS OF DISCUSSION HERE WAS BUDGET DEFICITS AND THE OPTIONS THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE AND THE OPTIONS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THAT THEY CAN'T CONTROL.
OF COURSE, ONE OF THE LAST THINGS ON SATURDAY WAS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION WAS NOT GIVEN A VERY WARM RECEPTION.
HE WASN'T BOOED, BUT PEOPLE WERE THINKING IT.
BUT HE JUST GIVES OUT FACTS AND DATA THAT MAKE THE STATE LOOK GOOD INSTEAD OF WHAT REALITY TRULY IS.
BUT GOOD CONFERENCE, A LOT OF INFORMATION.
EVERYBODY PREPARING FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT'S COMING UP, AND WHAT POTENTIAL LAWS WILL BE COMING UP BEFORE US.
EVEN I WENT TO A MEETING LAST NIGHT, TALK ABOUT THE UNFUNDED MANDATE JUST IN CAMPUS SECURITY.
DOCTOR SHOW WAS BACK THERE AND I DON'T STILL KNOW HOW WE'RE GOING TO HIRE A SECURITY OFFICER FOR $15,000 A YEAR PER CAMPUS.
THAT'S EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICTS FACING THAT.
GOOD CONFERENCE, LOT OF THINGS GOING ON, WELL WORTH THE TIME.
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS. DR. DENSON.
>> YEAH. GREAT. SO I ECHO A LOT THAT HE SAID.
I THINK NINE OR 10 SESSIONS OVERALL ATTENDED AND GIVEN THE LEGISLATIVE LANDSCAPE, AND IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, WE'RE 54 DAYS OUT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION.
SO THIS CONFERENCE IT WAS VERY TIMELY.
BUT AGAIN, THE UPCOMING SESSION AND INFORMATION ABOUT THAT, LEGAL UPDATES, GENERAL SESSIONS BY THE COMMISSIONER.
ALSO I WANT TO THANK BOB TEMPLETON, OUR DEMOGRAPHER BECAUSE HE DID DO A PRESENTATION WITH US.
WE PARTNERED WITH HIM TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CHANGING ENROLLMENT PATTERNS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND GIVEN THAT DATA, HOW WE AS A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, RESPOND TO THAT SPECIFICALLY WITH BRANDING STRATEGY AND SHARING OUR VISION OF FOCUSING ON COMMUNITY VALUES AND OUR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION, JUST LIKE WE JUST TALKED ABOUT WITH THE PARTNERSHIPS WITH TI.
IT WAS REALLY NICE TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO OTHERS ABOUT WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO, AND HOW WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND OUR FAMILIES.
SO I APPRECIATED THAT OPPORTUNITY.
>> THANK YOU, DR. STENSON. WHO'S NEXT?
>> SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, WE HAD THIS CONVENTION, I GUESS, THE THREE SESSIONS THAT I TOOK THE MOST NOTES ON.
THE FIRST ONE WAS HANDLING SERIAL COMPLAINERS.
THE FOCUS FROM ARLINGTON ISD THAT DID THIS ONE WAS THEY HAD A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY THAT CAME IN AND DID SOME WORK AND CHARGED THEM A LOT MORE THAN THEY AGREED UPON.
THE INVOICES IN HAND, YOU GO BACK AND SAY, WELL, THIS IS MORE THAN WE AGREED UPON, WE'RE ONLY GOING TO PAY YOU THIS MUCH.
WELL, THAT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY THEN TOOK TO SOCIAL MEDIA, AND YOU CAN FIND THESE THINGS EVEN IN THE NEWSPAPER FROM A FEW YEARS AGO.
JUST BLASTING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAUSE THEY'RE BEING WRONGED.
WELL, THEY HAD AN AGREEMENT AND EVENTUALLY, I GUESS IT ALL WENT AWAY, BUT I GUESS THE FOCUS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT IN ARLINGTON WAS THAT YOU CAN'T TAKE THE RIGHT AWAY FROM SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO COMPLAIN.
IT'S JUST A MATTER OF HOW YOU ENGAGE WITH THAT AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS GET THE FACTS OUT AS BEST YOU CAN, AND THE TRUTH WILL WENT OUT EVENTUALLY AND IT DID, BUT THEY DID A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT GRIEVANCES THAT COME UP IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND HOW SCHOOL BOARDS HANDLE THEM AND DO YOU DO IT IN OPEN SESSION? DO YOU DO IT IN CLOSED SESSION, ALL OF THAT.
WE DON'T FACE THOSE VERY OFTEN HERE IN VERBAL, BUT WHEN WE DO, THERE ARE RULES TO FOLLOW, AND SO THEY SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THAT.
SECONDLY, WAS A CHILD SEX ABUSE PREVENTION.
IT'S REQUIRED IN TEXAS THAT A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ATTEND THIS TRAINING ONE HOUR EVERY TWO YEARS.
IT'S REQUIRED THAT A SUPERINTENDENT EVERY FIVE YEARS, I THINK, 2.5 HOUR TRAINING FOR SUPERINTENDENT ON THIS.
OUR NEW EMPLOYEES AND THEIR ORIENTATION, IT'S REQUIRED FOR THE SEX ABUSE PREVENTION CONVERSATION TO TAKE PLACE.
IT'S RECOMMENDED AS PART OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN OUR STAFF, AND I KNOW IT'S TOUCHED ON IN OUR CAMPUSES AND IN OUR DISTRICT.
OUR PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW THAT CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION IS A TOPIC THAT WE'RE REQUIRED, BUT WE WANT TO DO THAT.
[01:10:02]
WE WANT THAT TO NOT TAKE PLACE IN OUR DISTRICT, AND A LOT OF FOCUS HAS TAKEN PLACE ON IT.NINE OF THE LAST 10 YEARS, THEY'VE TRACKED THIS.
THE REPORTING OF CHILD MISTREATMENT, MALTREATMENT.
NINE OUT OF THE LAST 10 YEARS AT SCHOOLS THAT ARE THE NUMBER ONE REPORTERS OF CHILD ABUSE.
>> WAS THE ONE YEAR WHEN WE WERE CLOSED DOWN THAT WE WEREN'T?
>> I DON'T KNOW. MORE THAN LAW ENFORCEMENT, MORE THAN FAMILY, MORE THAN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, IT'S SCHOOLS THAT ARE THE NUMBER 1 REPORTERS OF CHILD ABUSE.
I THINK STAFF EVERYWHERE IS WELL VERSED IN RECOGNIZING THAT AND REPORTING IT AS REQUIRED.
IT'S SAD TO GO THROUGH THOSE TRAINING SESSIONS, BUT IT'S NEEDED THAT WE AS A BOARD BE AWARE THAT THAT'S OUT THERE.
I WENT TO A SESSION, RENOVATE, REPLACE OR REPURPOSE RICHARDSON ISD, WHICH IS MAYBE 10,000, 15,000 STUDENTS LARGER THAN US, DID A SESSION.
THEY'RE DOING A LOT OF RENOVATING, REPURPOSING LIKE WE ARE, BUT RICHARDSON I THINK THEY CLOSED FOUR SCHOOLS THIS YEAR AND DOING ANOTHER SCHOOL NEXT YEAR, SO THEY'RE ALREADY DOING A LOT OF CONSOLIDATION.
THERE'S A LOT OF HOUSING ISSUES WITHIN RICHARDSON.
I THINK A LOT OF REBUILDING AND A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVING TO OTHER PLACES, BUT I THINK THE AVERAGE AGE OF THEIR BUILDINGS IS 56.6 YEARS.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE AVERAGE AGE OF OUR BUILDINGS, AND I THANK GOD FOR THAT THAT WE'VE REPLACED AND RENOVATED BETTER THAN THAT, BUT THEIR FOCUS IS CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT THEIR STUDENTS CAN GET TO THEIR STUDENT GRADUATE PROFILE WITHIN THE FACILITIES THAT THEY HAVE, THAT'S THEIR FOCUS.
LIKE WE DO WHEN WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW BUILDINGS.
WE WANT TO FOCUS ON THAT PROFILE OF THE STUDENT GRADUATE WHEN WE GET THERE.
SHORTLY AFTER THE CONVENTION, DAVE LAMPSON AND I ATTENDED THE FUTURE OF SCHOOL SYMPOSIUM AT AT&T STADIUM.
THERE WERE THREE JUST FASCINATING SPEAKERS.
ONE WAS AN INVENTOR OF AI, A FUTURIST PERSON, JONATHAN PERL.
I THINK HE'S RIGHT WHEN HE SAYS, FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, NO ONE WILL EVER MENTION AI BECAUSE IT'LL JUST BE PART OF WHAT WE DO.
AI WILL NEVER BE MENTIONED AGAIN IN FIVE YEARS.
THERE WAS A GENERATIONAL EXPERT, JASON DORSEY, I THINK SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE HEARD HIM AT SOME CONVENTIONS IN THE PAST, TALKING ABOUT THE LEARNING PROCESS THAT DIFFERENT GENERATIONS GO THROUGH.
I KNOW OUR CLASSROOM TEACHERS ARE VERY AWARE OF THAT THAT STUDENTS TODAY LEARN DIFFERENTLY THAN THEY DID A GENERATION AGO.
THEN THERE WAS A REINVENTION PERSON.
LAST NAME HAD 12 LETTERS WITH YS AND ZS IN THEM.
I CAN'T PRONOUNCE HER NAME, BUT THE ONE QUOTE THAT I WROTE DOWN THAT SHE SAID THAT CAUGHT MY EAR, RIDE THE WAVES OF CHANGE RATHER THAN BEING CRUSHED BY THEM.
WE'RE ALL GOING TO FACE CHANGES ALONG THE WAY.
WE'LL HAVE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES THAT WE'LL HAVE TO ADAPT TO HOPEFULLY NOT TOO BAD, BUT YEAH, WE DON'T WANT TO BE CRUSHED BY THAT CHANGE.
WE WANT TO RIDE THE WAVES OF THE CHANGE.
I DON'T KNOW IF DAVE LAMPSON HAD ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THAT OR NOT.
>> THEY ACTUALLY SAID INSTEAD OF TEACHING KIDS HOW TO CODE, THE NUMBER 1 SKILL SHOULD BE TEACHING THEM HOW TO REINVENT.
JUST CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR REINVENTION, AND I CAN'T PRONOUNCE HER NAME EITHER.
>> THANK YOU, MR. KUNKEL. MR. TOLBERT.
>> I DON'T HAVE MUCH MORE TO ADD.
ALWAYS, THE TASBY LEGAL JEOPARDY IS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF TASBY DOES A GREAT JOB OF GETTING UP AND PRESENTING WHAT'S PRETTY DRY AND BORING TO MOST PEOPLE IN A PRETTY ENTERTAINING WAY.
THEN LEGISLATIVE UPDATES THAT THEY GIVE ARE OBVIOUSLY PRETTY SCARY.
MY PRAYER ONE OF THESE DAYS IS NOT A LONG TIME AGO, BUT A WHILE BACK, THE LEGISLATOR COULDN'T STOP MESSING WITH LAWSUITS.
THAT'S ALL THEY COULD TALK ABOUT, AND EVERY SESSION WAS HOW THEY'RE GOING TO CHANGE LAWSUITS TO MAKE US ALL BETTER.
THEN THEY WENT ON TO HOAS AT ONE POINT AND HOW THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO AND SO WE'VE BEEN GETTING THE BRUNT OF IT HERE FOR THE LAST FEW SESSIONS, AND SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT MIGHT COME OUT OF THE NEXT SESSION, PRETTY SCARY STUFF,
[01:15:01]
AND I WON'T SAY WHO IT WAS, BUT A PROMINENT COMMUNITY MEMBER WHO HAD BEEN DOWN TO AUSTIN RECENTLY CAME UP AND HE SAID, WOW, I DIDN'T REALIZE THEY HATED PUBLIC SCHOOLS DOWN IN AUSTIN SO MUCH.HE SAID, THEY'VE REALLY GOT A LOT OF BAD THINGS PLANNED FOR YOU GUYS.
YOU KNOW WE HEARD ABOUT SOME OF THAT DOWN THERE, AND THEN JUST ONE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS SEVERAL SESSIONS TALKED ABOUT THE FACT, YOU KNOW, IT'S OUR OWN FAULT.
MESSAGING WINS, AND THE MESSAGING THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE NOT LIVING UP EXPECTATIONS HAS BEEN PUSHED DOWN OUR THROATS RELIGIOUSLY, AND I THINK WE MISSED THE POINT OF MESSAGING ALL THE GREAT THINGS WE DO IN THE KIDS' LIVES AND STUDENTS' LIVES.
IT'S REALLY FRUSTRATING THAT WHEN I LOOK AT THESE KIDS, I WANT THE BEST FOR THEM AND I KNOW A LOT OF CIRCUMSTANCES THEY COME FROM, AND IT MAKES ME SAD THAT THERE'S PEOPLE THAT WOULD ANYWAY, ATTACK OUR SCHOOLS.
>> THANK YOU, MR. TOLBERT. I GUESS I'LL GO LAST.
I ATTENDED SEVEN DIFFERENT SESSIONS, SO I'M A BIT OF A SLACKER COMPARED TO MR. DAVIS, I BELIEVE, BUT I ATTENDED SEVEN, HONESTLY, I CAN SAY THE BEST TWO THAT I ATTENDED WERE THE TWO THAT WE PRESENTED.
I REALLY THINK, MR. THOMAS THAT YOU DID A GREAT JOB PRESENTING ON OUR MARKETING AND THE BRANDING AND WHAT DR. STENSON ALREADY MENTIONED, SO THANK YOU. GOOD JOB THERE.
AS WELL AS THE ONE ON, I DON'T REMEMBER THE NAME EXACTLY, BUT AVOID BUDGET BUSTING, THAT'S RIGHT.
WHERE MR. DAVIS HELPED PRESENT ON THAT ONE AND HOW MUCH MONEY WE'VE SAVED WITH THE MODEL THAT WE'VE COMMITTED OURSELVES TO.
THERE WAS ONE OTHER ONE THAT I FOUND INTERESTING, THAT WAS A CAMPUS BASED APPROACH TO GET OUT THE VOTE.
I LEARNED SOME NEWS THINGS THERE.
IT WAS RAISED HERE TEXAS, I BELIEVE THAT PRESENTED AT THIS ONE.
I LEARNED THAT OUR CURRICULUM ACTUALLY MANDATES THAT WE TEACH VOTING FROM PRETTY EARLY AGE LIKE FIRST GRADE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT. WHAT'S THAT?
>> THE IDEA IS TO CREATE A CULTURE OF VOTING BECAUSE THAT'S WHY PEOPLE WILL VOTE IS BECAUSE IT'S A CULTURE THAT'S BEEN CREATED FOR THEM.
LOVE THAT IDEA. THEY PRESENTED WHERE THEY HAVE A CARD THAT THEY CAN GIVE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHO CAN THEN GO TO EACH OF THE CAMPUS PRINCIPALS, WHO COULD PRESENT IT TO THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THE TEACHERS.
IT'S A COMMITMENT CARD TELLING THEM WHERE AND WHEN TO VOTE, NOT WHO TO VOTE FOR, VERY CLEARLY, BUT WHERE AND WHEN TO VOTE AND HELP THEM SET UP A TIME TO DO IT.
I THOUGHT IT WAS A PRETTY GOOD TOOL THAT MAYBE WE CAN USE IN FUTURE ELECTIONS AS WELL.
WE'LL MOVE ON THEN TO SEPARATE ACTION ITEMS. NUMBER 1, CONSIDER PERSONNEL ITEMS AS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.
BEFORE WE CONSIDER THE PERSONNEL ITEMS, I WANT TO ANNOUNCE THAT DR. STENSON HAS ACCEPTED FIVE RESIGNATIONS.
DO I HEAR A MOTION FOR PERSONNEL ITEMS?
>> MR. PRESIDENT, MOVE THE BOARD APPROVE IT AND ADOPT ALL PERSONNEL ITEMS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT AND DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.
>> THANK YOU, MR. DILKS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ALL IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT.
IT'S UNANIMOUS. NUMBER 2, CONSIDER RESOLUTION FOR THE ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE TERRAN APPRAISAL DISTRICT. GOT A MOTION.
>> I MOVE THE BOARD ADOPT THE RESOLUTION FOR THE ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO THE TAD BOARD OF DIRECTORS CASTING 161 VOTES FOR BIRDVILLE ISD AS FOLLOWS.
TWENTY VOTES FOR MISS WENDY BURGESS AND 141 VOTES FOR FRED CAMPOS.
DO YOU HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? MR. TOLBERT.
>> I'LL JUST TRY TO MAKE THIS AS QUICK AS I CAN.
THIS MORNING, THERE WAS A LEGISLATOR ON RADIO.
HE HAD MANY MORE PEOPLE LISTENING TO HIM THAN WE'LL EVER HEAR WHAT I'M SAYING IS, BUT HE PUT OUT A COMPLETE MISINFORMATION ABOUT SCHOOLS, AND IT'S FRUSTRATING TO HEAR LEGISLATORS CONTINUE TO PUT OUT MISINFORMATION FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES BECAUSE THEY KNOW BETTER, BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES THAT PASS THE LAW.
THE FACT IS IS THAT THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT SETS THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY.
THAT'S OUT OF OUR HANDS. THAT'S WHAT THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT DOES, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON TONIGHT.
THEN SAID THAT HE'S INTRODUCING A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE.
HE SAID THAT THE REASON TAXES ARE HIGH IS BECAUSE YOUR LOCAL DISTRICTS OR ENTITIES, YOUR LOCAL ENTITIES MAKE THE TAXES TOO HIGH.
WELL, LET ME EDUCATE YOU, MR. REPRESENTATIVE, ABOUT THIS BILL THAT YOU'RE PROPOSING TO SAY THAT ANY TAX RATE WOULD HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE VOTERS.
[01:20:01]
NUMBER 1, THE STATE SETS TWO THIRDS OUR INS, TWO THIRDS OF OUR TAX RATE IS SET BY THE STATE.WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
THE ONLY THING WE DO IS A MINISTERIAL ACT OF APPROVING WHAT THEY TELL US WE HAVE TO DO. THAT'S IT.
THE STATE SETS TWO THIRDS OF YOUR SCHOOL BOARD TAXES.
THE OTHER THIRD, WHICH IS M&O, IS APPROVED BY TAXPAYERS ALREADY.
WHEN YOU HEAR PEOPLE SAY, I LOVE WHAT THIS GUY IS SAYING, BECAUSE NOW THE TAXPAYER CAN BE IN CHARGE, GUESS WHO'S IN CHARGE OF TWO THIRDS OF YOUR TAX BILL FOR THE SCHOOL? THE STATE. THEY SET IT, NOT US. THAT'S IT.
>> MR. TOLBERT, I BELIEVE YOU MAY HAVE REVERSED THE INS AND M&O.
>> I'M SORRY. M&O IS TWO THIRDS.
>> JUST WANT TO CLARIFY. THANK YOU.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? IT'S UNANIMOUS. NUMBER 3, CONSIDER BIRDVILLE ISD PROPOSED POLICY UPDATES AFFECTING LOCAL POLICIES LISTED GKD, DGA, FM, FNAB, GE, AND EHBE. DO I HAVE A MOTION?
>> MR. PRESIDENT, MOVE THE BOARD APPROVED THE REVISIONS THAT YOU JUST STATED.
>> THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS. SECOND?
>> THANK YOU, MS. SANDERS WISE.
>> YES, INDEED. ALL RIGHT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. AND OPPOSED? IT'S UNANIMOUS. ALL RIGHT, NUMBER 4, CONSIDERED TO THE 2023/24 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
>> I MOVE THE BOARD TO APPROVE THE 23/24 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT AS PRESENTED.
>> THANK YOU, MR. KUNKEL. DO YOU HAVE A SECOND?
ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THIS ONE?
>> ALWAYS IMPRESSED WITH WHAT MISSY AND HER STAFF DO. IT'S AMAZING.
WHEN IT GETS THE COMFORT LEVEL, WE SLEEP A LITTLE BETTER AT NIGHT KNOWING SOMEONE'S WATCHING THE DOLLARS AND CENTS, AND IT'S WELL DOCUMENTED, NOT JUST THE AWARDS YOU GET, BUT THE THOROUGHNESS, EVEN WITH OUR AUDITORS, EVEN HAVE TO SAY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO YOU AND YOUR STAFF.
>> YEAH, I HAVE TO ECHO THAT YOU, VIA KATIE'S LEADERSHIP AND MISSY'S LEADERSHIP, JUST GOING A WHILE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ALL THAT THEY DO.
THEY TAKE THE EXTRA STEPS SO PLEASE KNOW THAT WE SEE IT, AND WE APPRECIATE IT.
>> ABSOLUTELY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? IT'S UNANIMOUS AGAIN.
ALL RIGHT, NEXT, WE HAVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ALL ITEMS IN THE CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED WITH ONE MOTION UNLESS THEY ARE REMOVED BY A TRUSTEE FOR DISCUSSION.
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT A BOARD MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA? DO I HAVE A MOTION THEN FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> MR. PRESIDENT, I MOVE THAT THE BOARD APPROVE ALL ITEMS AND THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
>> THANK YOU, MS. SANDERS WISE. DO I HAVE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS. I THINK HE JUST BEAT YOU OUT.
ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? IT'S UNANIMOUS.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORTS TO THE BOARD ARE REPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO THE BOARD FOR REVIEW.
ARE THERE ANY BOARD MEMBERS THAT HAVE COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT CONCERNING THESE ITEMS? OUR NEXT REGULAR MEETING WILL BE ON A THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19TH, JUST SIX DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HERE IN THE BOARD ROOM.
CLOSED SESSION WILL BEGIN AT 5:30 PM, AND WE WILL RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION AT 7:00 PM.
AS WE HAVE NO FURTHER BUSINESS, TO HAVE A MOTION, DO I HEAR A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING?
>> THANK YOU, MS. SANDERS WISE, AND A SECOND?
>> ALL RIGHT MR. DAVIS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT, WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 8:23. THANK YOU ALL.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.