001Good evening and welcome. My name is Taylor Kingman, president of the board of trustees for St. Angelo ISD. I would like to welcome all of you who are present at tonight's regular board meeting, as well as those who will be watching the recording online or on our public access channel. Today is May 18th. All items on tonight's agenda have been posted as required by state law and most items um have been discussed in our earlier pre-aggenda board workshop. As a board, our work includes setting goals, hearing reports from our superintendent, approving budgets, contracts, and personnel items, and making policy decisions for the district. Please keep in mind that this is a mean of the board held in public, not a mean of the public. These proceedings are recorded and will become part of the district's
002permanent record. To help us maintain a clear recording, please refrain from speaking while others have the floor and please silence your cell phones. Thank you for being here and for your support of SASD. We do have a quorum although we do have a couple guys folks missing today. Um and we'll begin with the first item on our agenda which is our invocation. Dr. Stuart Abramson, vice president of congregation Beth Israel is going to help us with that this evening. Thank you and good evening. Please join me in a moment of reflection and prayer. Heavenly Father, we come before you with gratitude for the opportunity to serve the children, families, teachers, and citizens of St. Angelo. We ask for your wisdom and guidance over this school board, our administrators, educators, and every person entrusted with nurturing
003and empowering our youth. Grant us the understanding that education is more than a transfer of knowledge. It is the formation of character, the cultivation of truth, and the preparation for future generations to live with integrity, compassion, and purpose. Bless our teachers that they may inspire curiosity, discipline, and a lifelong love of learning. Help every student discover their gifts and use them not only for personal success, but for the good of others and the betterment of our community. Guide the decisions made in this room where it happens tonight. Let them be marked by fairness, wisdom, and courage. And may justice and righteousness shape every policy and decision. Where there are disagreements, grant respect. Where there is uncertainty, grant clarity. Help us remember that the values we model, honesty, responsibility, kindness, humility, and service teach as powerfully
004as any textbook. May our schools be a place where truth is honored, every child is valued, and moral character is strengthened alongside academic achievement. We pray for unity within our community for the shared commitment to raise a generation that seeks wisdom, loves what is good, and serves others faithfully. May all that is done here tonight reflect what is right, honorable, and beneficial to all concerned, but particularly for the students entrusted to our care. Amen. >> Thank you. Next on our agenda, we have our pledges to the United States and Texas. And we have three fifth graders from Bonum Elementary. Ava Lavas, Ari Hunt, and Brier Ali are all going to be here. And they're going to help us lead us. So everyone please stand alsible with liberty and justice for all. to the Texas one
005and indivisible. >> Go on. All right. Now, we're going to start with some recognitions we have for this evening. and coach Chant is going to help us with our state individual and team qualifiers. Thank you, Dr. Cman. Dr. Moran, board of trustees like to introduce the state qualifying team doubles team from Central High School. here. Here before you have Adithy and Hannah who were three-time district 26A champions over their high school career, four-time regional qualifiers, the 2026 regional bronze medalist, the 2026 6A state qualifiers, and an overall record of 46 wins and eight losses for the entire school year or season. So today we have Adithi Portera who is also the saludiatoran of the Central High School 2026 graduating class and Hannah Harton. Let's give them a round of applause for an outstanding season. Coaches
006for the tennis team are Bren Abz and Amanda Weaver. Girls are going to go first. >> You bet. You bet. Thank you. Next we have the central ladyat gymnastics team. Come on ladies. So this year's team um finished up with their 26th district championship, their 26th regional championship, and finished fourth at state championship in Odessa. The roster for the team is uh senior Ava Bard who was a regional vault champion and ninth place vault at the state championship. Senior Allison Garnett was a region bar champion, the floor champion, and the all-around champion. And then at the state competition was fifth on bars, fifth on the floor, seventh in the all-around, and is number six in the graduating class of the 2026. Um, senior Cela Young was a regional beam champion and state championship. She was
007seventh on the vault. Senior Addison McDuffy. Junior Michael Mock. Sophomore Serena Lopez, who finished fourth on the floor at the state championship. Sophomore Mala Morrison, sophomore Sophia Pash, freshman Elena Majarez, freshman Bella Niggoistics. I should have asked my wife how to say that. And freshman Ronnie Rios. Again, um just another outstanding year for our gymnastics team. And the head coach is Tony Walker. Ladies and gentlemen, the girls gymnastics teams from Central High School. Congratulations. Congratulations. Next, I'd like to bring up the boys gymnastics team from Central High School. This year's boys team won their 18th district title and 20th regional title and qualified as a team to the state championship for the 30th consecutive year and finished fourth at state overall. Roster includes sophomore Emanuel Armadarez, senior Nick Atkinson who was first team all district
008and all region. Freshman Caleb Crawford, junior Carson Edwards, who was first team all district, all region, and second team all state. Junior Aiden Freeman was second team all district and all region. Senior Carson Freeman. Junior Wyatt Picket. Senior Brady Stewart, first team all district, all region, and second team all state. And Val Victorian of the 2026 class for Central High School. Senior Kaden Stewart, first team all district and all region. and senior Adam Williams. Ladies and gentlemen, the boys gymnastics team from Central High School state qualifiers once again for the 30th consecutive year. >> Coach for the Bobcats is Kern. Thank you. >> Y'all can come this way. It's okay. All right. Next, we have recognition of the San Angel D teachers of the year, and Shannon Schwarz is going to help us with that.
009>> Good evening, Dr. Kingman, Dr. Moran, and members of the board. On Friday, May 8th, we had the pleasure of recognizing our St. Angelo ISD teachers of the year honores and named the St. Angelo ISD Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year. Tonight, we're honored to recognize two exceptional educators whose passion, leadership, and dedication make a lasting impact on the students of St. Angelo ISD. Through their commitment to student success and the meaningful relationships they build each day, they represent the very best of our profession, and we're proud to celebrate them this evening. First, we're going to recognize Miss Christina Vanmort from Golad Elementary, who is named the San Angelo ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year. Miss Vanmort is known for her unwavering commitment to students and her genuine compassion for every child she serves.
010She thoughtfully tailor instruction to meet individual needs, creating a classroom environment where students feel truly supported, valued, and capable of success. Her leadership, professionalism, and collaborative spirit contribute to a strong campus culture built on respect, teamwork, and shared purpose. Through innovation, flexibility, and a willingness to always go the extra mile, Miss Vanort creates meaningful learning experiences that leave a lasting impact on both students and colleagues. Please join us in congratulating Miss Vanwart one more time. Awesome. And now we recognize Mr. Christopher Walker from Lake View High School, who was named the St. Angela ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year. Mr. Walker consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication through both his visible leadership and behind the-scenes contributions to campus life. He brings learning to life through hands-on realorld experiences that make complex concepts engaging and relevant for students.
011A strong collaborator and problem solver, he supports fellow staff members, contributes to campus initiatives, and helps foster a culture of teamwork, innovation, and pride. His classroom reflects genuine care for students, creating an environment where students feel challenged, supported, and empowered to grow by embedding critical thinking, collaboration, and world real world problem solving into daily instruction. Mr. Mr. Walker ensures students leave his classroom prepared with the skills and confidence needed for success beyond high school. Please join us in congratulating our secondary teacher of the year, Mr. Christopher Walker. One, two, three. So, thank you both. All right. Next, we're going to do recognition of our Property Casualty Alliance of Texas Honore. And I guess Shan's going to do that one, too. >> Yes. Hello again. Tonight, we're proud to recognize Mr. Wesley Smith, St. Angelo ISD's
012wellness coordinator for being named the recipient of the spring 2026 well-connected wellness coordinator award during the spring campaign thrive. This award recognizes Mr. Smith's outstanding efforts to engage and support San Angel ISD employees through the district's wellness program wellness Wednesdays. His dedication to promoting health, wellness, and work life balance has made a meaningful impact on our difference makers across the district. We're grateful for the care, encouragement, and leadership that Mr. Smith provides each day as he works to enhance the well-being of our staff and support as well as a healthier St. Angelo ISD community. Please join us in congratulating Mr. Wesley Smith on this well-deserved recognition. One, two, three. All right. Next, we're going to have recognition for Sanel ISD difference maker day. And soon is going to help us with that one. >> Good
013evening, Dr. Kingman, Dr. Bran, and members of the board. For our final recognition this evening, St. Angel is proud to recognize the many community partners and local businesses who helped make the fth annual SISD difference maker day such a meaningful celebration for our staff. Earlier this month, following an official declaration by Mayor Tom Thompson, St. Angel joined with community partners to celebrate Differencemaker Day on May 8th. It's a day dedicated to honoring more than 1,800 employees, excuse me, who make a difference in the lives of more than 12,200 students every single day. Differencemaker Day was created to recognize and celebrate the incredible St. Angel staff members who faithfully serve students and families each day. From teachers and par professionals to bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers, counselors, and more. These people faithfully show up each day
014to serve, support, and care for our students. Their work happens often very quietly behind the scenes, but their impact is felt everywhere. And throughout the day, more than 30 community organizations and businesses showed their appreciation in incredibly generous ways by adopting campuses and departments across the district and providing meals, snacks, goodies, gifts, treats, I did have a picture, but I don't have it right now. Um, sorry. Several of these partners supported multiple campuses while others contributed to districtwide giving all the staff members, you know, a refle giving all the staff members a little treat and a thank you. Tonight, we would like to sincerely thank all of our difference maker day community partners for the care, generosity, and encouragement they showed our employees. Their support reminded our staff that this community sees them, values them,
015and appreciates the work that they do for our children every single day. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next on our agenda is public comments, which we had no one sign up this evening. So, we're going to move on to information items. And our first is going to be a bond construction update. And Brooks Wer is going to with KFW architects is going to be up here to help us with that. Good evening. Uh Dr. Brandon, Dr. Gomez, Dr. Moran and school board. Um pleasure to be here. Um a quick update on our two of our projects. Uh what you see here is the um Lake View concession building. Uh it was I think at our last meeting we had just received a bid and y'all had approved uh uh contractor uh Lee
016Lewis. They are currently uh they've submitted the the plans for permit and are uh beginning mobilization. So y'all should start seeing some construction fencing going up next week um and progress starting shortly after that. So um we're working with the city at this point in time and answering any questions they have and um and ready to really get this one kicked off in short order. Um here you can see the aerial view of the concession building. Then here is a u another view. This these are very sim these are the same that I saw showed you last time except we just kind of plug some people in just kind of give it give it a little bit of life. Um some everyone wearing their lake view colors um get going in to see a game.
017Um and then here we have uh Fannon Elementary School um with a rendering of the of the 12 classroom building and the playground out front. And you can see there uh the large overhang as the exit um in the background to exit out the out of the building and they'll work their way down uh to the playground or to the existing sport court. Um we are working feverishly to finish our drawings uh and documents by May 29th. uh at which point we will turn them over to the construction manager at risk uh Lee Lewis and they will begin pricing and permitting as well. And uh we look to have a guaranteed maximum price shortly after that May 29th deadline and for them to start construction during the summer and uh and and get get to
018work. We've we've had several meetings with them um about progress, how best to facilitate their progress and how best to facilitate their work at the school um given that it's kind of a tight site and stuff, but we're we're working through a lot of those problems and uh they've been a great great team and a great resource and we're looking forward to to a successful project here. So, here you can see the uh rendering of that and then another view from was kind of going around the corner. um kind of not shown here is that sport court with the high fence. Um and then this is sort of the exit entrance into that 12 classroom building. Um you can see sort of that gray change that we're working with as it sort of works its
019way down to the playground. And so sort of uh so we created some monumental stairs for them to kind of uh to access the building as well as some limestone blocks for sort of some seating as well as uh ramps and the like for accessible access. So do you have any questions? Sorry, I kind of blew through that really fast. >> When do we need to be pushing dirt on the Fannon U project to have it ready by August of next year? >> We are hopeful that we can start uh moving dirt um shortly after July 4th. >> And that's a it's a 12-month project. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> 12 and change. Yes. I think they I think they have till July 15th. All right. >> So, >> 12 and a half month project.
020>> Yes. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> That's my question. >> All right. Thank you, Brooks. Thank you, Mr. Wer. >> Um, next, Dr. Gomez, update on academic programs. Dr. Keeman, Dr. Moran and members of the board. This evening for our academic update, we wanted to follow up and report on our walkthroughs for the 2627 school year. So for middle of the year, after I shared uh the breakdown of our data K through high school, Dr. Self and Mr. Colinbach shared about walkthroughs, action steps all around our culture of coaching in St. Angelo ISD. So, while we're proud that we now have a complete data dashboard that captures our walkthroughs, um, unfortunately, we don't have data, hard data to compare the number of walkthroughs last year to this year because the system
021wasn't completely built out. However, going back to that point of pride, this year there were a total of 2,987 walkthroughs conducted by our campus principles and our campus assistant principles. That's really a testimony of their leadership and prioritizing being in the classroom because believe me, there's always someone that needs a minute of their time. So, they had to be very intentional on calendaring to be in classrooms. Um, now while we don't have a complete system, we have comparisons. So, that's up 60% from the 20 um from the school year before 2425. So again, we're very proud of their intentionality and very thankful for their leadership. Now, as you've heard us say, it's not about just being present that moves the needle academically. We're committed to that culture of coaching. Even from the district level, we
022too have coaches. Um I personally meet with my coach every two weeks on the district's teacher incentive aotment plan. So that's just one example. As you know, we partner with the service center. So both our principal managers, they too have coaches. It's about the followup and what you do with the information to be committed to being better. So that's what we refer to as feedback loops. It's not just check the box. I went in the classroom. I did a walkthrough. It's about assigning action steps and teachers really using the information to refine their craft. And so 92% of those feedback loops for the action steps were completed out of that 2,987 which again really says a lot about our leaders commitment uh to instruction in the classrooms and there were a total of 2,631 action
023steps assigned. Now I know everyone is eager knowing okay thank you for that. Can we talk student outcome data and we are very eager to share that with you. Last Friday the district completed the endofear testing window. Uh you know before that a few weeks we was it was the mad dash of star and all the things. So especially for high school it's been like a blur of testing that just kind of runs together. So before the June board meeting you will get an update from me and Friday facts about our EOI data. We too are digging into that with a very deep dive. I spent about 45 minutes today on a Zoom with our K1 partners as we looked at our MClass data. So, I'm eager to report that to you and also want
024to remind you of our testing windows for state data. On May 22nd, we will have end of course preliminary data and then May 29th, we will have grades 3 through 8. So, we'll share further as soon as we have that available. Thank you, Dr. Gomez. Any questions? Yeah, obviously we're everyone's looking forward to the end of year and the star data. So, not that that's end all beall, but where we are at the moment, that's an important. >> Absolutely. Just thought >> look forward to that end of the in June. >> I just thought it was really important to recognize those leaders because their intentionality shows through. So, thank you for that. >> Absolutely. Thank you. Um, all right. The next we have elementary attendance boundary map fall 2027. I know we have some of
025the committee members here. I want to thank you all for all being here. Um, but I'm going to turn that over to Dr. Moran to present. >> Thank you, Dr. Kingman. And as uh technology gets it all set up tonight, uh the board is going to hear a report that summarizes weeks and weeks and weeks of work by a number of our community members. Um we'll go into that into the report in a moment, but if you served on that committee and you're here tonight and you're willing to stand and let us thank you, please do so at this time. If you served on the committee, please stand. Thank you for being here. There were about 70 committee members, but um and we're thankful for each one of them, but busy schedules, I'm certain, uh
026interfere with people's ability to to attend tonight. Are we ready to go? >> All right. So, tonight, um I'd like to share with you the proposed elementary attendance boundaries for the 2728 school year. And let's see if I can navigate this. Uh there we go. Okay. So, in the presentation, I'll overview why we are intending to reszone and answer that question. We'll talk about current elementary attendance boundaries, where we stand currently, the process that we went through, the committee on academics stewardship and efficiency. We called the case committee. We'll talk about the proposed elementary attendance boundaries for the fall of 2728. And I think that's important to note. It's not for this fall, but the following year and then our next steps. And so to answer the reason why we're proposing to reszone, it's very
027simple. Uh we have we will have 12 remaining elementary schools for the 2728 school year. And because we have gone from uh 17 campuses down to 12 campuses in three years, it's become necessary to do that. And the reason we've clo had to close campuses is because of declining enrollment. So just keep that in mind. That really is the driving force. And so let's take a quick look at our current elementary attendance boundaries. And uh although the map is um not real dialed in, if you zoom in a little bit, you can see that uh Buoie and Reagan are included in this map and they'll close at the end of next school year. The 26 27 school year will be the final year for those two campuses. And as you look at this map, you'll
028notice a couple of things. One, the red lines outline the different colors of the each of each elementary boundary. And in a moment, when you see the updated and proposed elementary map, you probably have one in your hand. And if you don't, there are some on the table. Uh the red lines represent current boundaries, but the colors represent the proposed attendance boundaries. So you'll see a difference in the proposed map. Also tonight, uh the board has a data sheet that reflects our current data at the 14 elementary campuses. And at the top, I believe it's blue and at the bottom it's green. And so blue being the current elementary boundaries, green being the proposed. And when you look at this sheet, I'd like for you to take a moment and uh recognize a couple of
029things. First of all, each of these contains a column with capacity. So you can see the capacity of each of the facilities that are listed. And on this slide at the blue top portion, you'll notice that both Buoie and Reagan are highlighted because they are the campuses that will be closing. But you can see the capacity. You can also see the early education prek numbers that are assigned to specific campuses in the district, not all of the campuses. This will be important because this is our way to actually balance eventually. When we talk about the proposed map, you'll notice some of the campuses are at 97%. But that won't be the case when we move some of these early ed uh prek students. You'll also notice that that uh sheet contains the total number of
030students on each campus. It contains uh information that will give you utilization percentages to the far right. And finally, the economically disadvantaged percentage, which is very important to us as we look at trying to make sense logically of the utilization and the economically disadvantaged percentages. To get feedback and involve our community, we convened the case committee. And the case committee uh was made up of nearly 70 individuals, as I mentioned a moment ago, that were willing to serve. and we met six times uh this spring and the the charge that the case committee was given is here on the screen. Uh it was to ensure that any proposed boundary adjustments are data driven. So we tried to stay away from emotional decision making or protecting uh a certain agenda of a person or a group
031but really look at the data driven uh what is the what are the numbers telling us to be transparent. We had great conversation uh a lot of wrestling with certain u decisions and working through that to be fiscally responsible and aligned with the long-term sustainability of St. Angelo, the question we ask is, will this plan stand the test of time? And there's some information there about the case committee specifically, but a couple of highlights on that is that we know that no attendance boundary or map is perfect. It's not possible to create a map that perfectly balances in every way, but the committee did an exceptional job considering options, providing thoughtful input, and ultimately reaching consensus on a recommended attendance zone map. Um, demographers from Zonda Demographics and our facilitator Dr. Eddie Coulson led us
032through six meetings and I provided a summary of those six meetings for the board. you'll see there and as well on this screen. We'll share this with you as a board so you can go back and review it if you'd like. And and the the map and the information will be made uh public. We actually sent it to the committee on Friday. We sent it to the board for review on Friday, but uh Miss uh Shannon Schwarz and her staff are going to publish this on our website so that everyone in the community can look at it and study it. So you can see the the six meetings there and the things that we did in each of those meetings. So now let's take a look at the proposed attendance boundary map. And again going
033back and reminding you that the red lines represent current boundaries and the colors represent the proposed changes. Keeping in mind that uh a couple of things. one, the current fifth grade class that will be leaving fifth grade to go to sixth grade will be larger than the incoming kindergarten class. So, the numbers you're seeing or the zones that you're seeing here are proposed taking into account that our demographics and our projections show a continued decline in enrollment over the course of the next 5 years. And so if there are any numbers that seem high to you, rest assured, we've looked at that and those numbers are only going to trickle down over the next few years. Um, and again, this is not for this coming year, but for the 2728 school year. And um maybe
034a just a side note as we look at this um and you study it, you'll notice that some of the some of the little areas like Reagan Elementary, you'll notice is broken into thirds and that is just north of the loop. Some of that is being captured by Fort Koncho with most of the San Justinto uh former zone uh would go to Fort Koncho. The eastern portion of Reagan would go to Bradford and the northern portion of Reagan would go to Golad. And that was kind of a pinch point for us as a committee. You'll notice also Bair uh reaches up and grabs a little bit of the old eastern section of Sanino zone. You'll notice that uh Lamar stops at the loop whereas in the past it creeped up in kind of a gerrymandering
035fashion um into uh what is now the Green Glennmore area. So a lot of thought went into this. There was a lot of push and pull on what would be best. We tried not to move kids if we could help it. And we also tried not to move their feeder patterns to their middle school or high school. In some cases, some students uh will be moved but not many. Um and with the new campuses like McGill's capacity is increasing. We're projecting more kids at that campus because of that. Uh Fannon will also uh actually will have about the same number of kids but um Fannon McGill and then Crockett. Crockett increases its size because of the additional uh classrooms there on their campus. So what are our next steps? Well, we want the board to
036digest this map and really think about um the practicality of the numbers. And so this sheet gives you those numbers that are projections and uh we'd like for the board to study that and come back in June. Here's our our hope that we can come back in June with the board's uh consideration as a next step of adopting and the proposed elementary attendance boundaries or at least discussing it in depth so that we can consider that so that we can gain some finality and begin uh communicating this with our our public. I think I think we've made a good decision to give our public a year's uh time to prepare and adjust and uh digest this. And then the next major conversation for the board and uh the district will be middle school feeder patterns.
037And the reason that this is important, it becomes pretty obvious when you look at your map. If we have 12 elementary boundaries and we have three middle schools and we're trying to balance our elementarymentaries and then ultimately our middles uh because I think the board is aware that Glenn is at 1,260ish students. Uh Lincoln is just under 800 and Lonear I think 775 or something like that. But there's a pretty disparaging difference between Glenn and the other two. We'd like to try to balance those if we can. And if we look at 12 elementaryaries, it makes good sense to have four elementaryaries feeding a middle school. And so we're going to need to talk that through and have good conversation. So, what I'd hope to do is come back in June and propose action on
038the attendance boundaries and then open up deeper conversation with the board and we'll prepare you for that between now and then uh by pushing information out to you to uh digest and and think about in June. Have a conversation about the middle school feeder patterns and then consider that maybe in July or June or July. I mean, we could do it either one. But if we can nail those things down before the August school year begins, I'll feel a lot better about it. I think our par our parents will as well as they make decisions. And then we have to have a really good and thorough conversation about uh our transfers. Now, I've I've been through this process before, and uh this is this is important because our parents and our families deserve for us
039to have a really good and healthy conversation about transfers, how we're going to transition from our current state to 12 elementaryaries that are pretty full, and how we do that fairly for families. And so between now and then, our staff is generating scenarios, real life scenarios for parents and families and trying to work through those conversations so that we can come to the board and have an open and transparent conversation here at the DAS and make decisions. The transfer policy is an administrative function. It's not a board function, but this is a big enough discussion for our community that it needs to happen, I believe, with the board and at the board level and with the community. And we together need to make a decision that we all feel good about so that going into
0402728, we know number one which zones we have, which feeder patterns we have, and parents can understand what the transfer transition is going to look like. And as long as we get that done and and discuss it and look at all the options, I think we'll make a very good decision that will land softly with the community, it's not easy. We're we are changing the dynamics for for families and that's not easy and I acknowledge that. So with that, uh really that's that's kind of the um update on the map. And again, thanks to the committee for the thoughtfulness and all of the things that uh they added to the conversation as we brought you this proposed map. I appreciate Zonda demographics and also Dr. Coulson for committing time to help us make a good
041decision. Questions from the board? >> Any questions from the board? I agree with you, Dr. May. I just think getting the information to our community is I'm glad that we've given a lead time of a year for people when as far as these school closures have gone. You know, last meeting we talked about the financial impact to the district on that, but that it was still the right thing to do for our parents and our students in the district. But I think giving as long a lead time as possible for them to digest where how to make the decisions about transferring and where they understand where they're going to be going to school. Um I think the longer they have to digest that, the better. And I'll go back to the original commitment I I
042gave the board a couple of years ago when you hired me, and that is we want to make every one of our elementaryaries an outstanding place for our kids, every middle school an outstanding place, and every high school an outstanding place. And uh I think I think we're doing that. We're on our way. And uh I'm encouraged by some of the preliminary academic data that we're getting, but um you know, this isn't easy work, but uh it's valuable work and it's the right work so that every one of our students walking through our doors can can sit in a classroom with a great teacher under a great principal. And um and I'm excited about the opportunities that we as a district have. >> Other questions? All right. Thank you, Dr. Moran, and thank you, committee
043members, for being here. Um, all right. All right, with that, we're going to move on to consent items uh A through E. And that's our minutes from our April 13th uh 2026 pre-agenda and our April 20th, 2026 regular board meeting, our approval of new library book titles for the 2526 school year. Bids for the child nutrition department, RFP 2721, which was dairy. uh bids for the child nutrition nutrition department uh RFP 2716 which is our direct delivery and consider terminating agreement with the third party Medicaid billing provider all of which we discussed last week. Any board comments or questions on the consent items A through E? Do I have a motion to approve consent items A through E? >> Make a motion to approve consent items A through E. >> I have a motion for
044Mr. Gyos. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> And a second from Mr. Dindle. Any further board comments or questions? All in favor say I and raise your hand. >> I. >> Motion passes. 5-0. All right. Next, we're going to conduct our finance and audit committee workshop in our new order of things. And I'm going to turn it over for Mr. Dindle for that. >> Thank you, Dr. Cayman. Uh those uh finance and audit reports begin on page 75 if you want to reference that in your uh word book. Uh actually the combined statement of revenues and expenditures begin on page 77. They show a committed fund balance at this point of $4,892,000 $892,29 of which four million a little over four million of that's committed to uh capital projects that we have
045going on right now. and we'll see that money uh uh be uh used as we uh progress through uh uh the years moving forward. Also on that uh on that same page, it shows our unrestricted fund balance of 48 million 35,170. Uh that is our unrestricted fund balance of right now. That keeps us in line with the state's uh guidelines that they want us to keep at least three months of our uh of funds in an unrestricted fund balancing uh in in order that we uh cover any sort of shortcome that uh that comes into our money uh revenue stream uh moving forward. There's no questions on that uh committed and and unrestricted fund balance. We can move to page 80 which is a general fund revenues and expenditures for April. We're in the eighth
046month of our budget cycle right now. That means we should be about se 67% of revenues and uh expenditures. Right now revenues are at 72.5% slightly ahead as the state continues to make us whole uh basically through the end of the year uh end of our uh budget cycle anyway. And our expenditures right now are at 65.6% 6% which puts us in line with uh an eightmonth of a budget cycle. So we should be right in line with that uh uh with that number right now. If there any questions about the general fund revenues and expenditures balance right now. Okay. If not, page 81 through page 103 is our check register for April. Lots of transactions in there. Uh if you've got any questions or see a check that you have any question about, again,
047you can you can refer to Dr. Brandon, get a hold of him. Um, and he can answer any questions about uh any any question you might have about a particular check or not. Again, those are all the checks that the district has issued in April. So, not sure anybody has any questions right now. Uh, if not, we can move to page 104 through 108, which is our investment report for April. Total amount invested right at the moment is $477,832,1123. Uh interest earned uh and uh overall was uh for the month of April was 1,495,820 $29.36 of which interest earned in the general fund was $219,73040. Most of that interest income is coming from our bond proceeds uh as we move forward and that obvious obviously that will will dwindle as we uh complete bond projects
048in the years to come. Interest rates uh for this cycle are 3.64% to 3.82%. Not for sure if anybody has any questions about the April investment report. If not, page 109 contains our tax collection report for March. We usually run a month behind on that report uh due to the reportings with the uh Tom Green County Appraisal District, but the uh our tax collection report from March shows our 2024 collection rates were at 95.86% at this point and our 25 2025 collection uh through March was 95.31%. So we're about a half% behind um uh 2024 and we'll see how that makes up. It usually comes out a little the the previous year is a little higher because we collect uh some of the uh delinquent funds and so that's that that's how uh that half
049percent is actually uh realized later on have no colle if no uh questions about the tax collection report we can move to page 110 through 112 which is our April POS over $20,000 um a lot of projects in there we're beginning to see some fund uh some funds come out for bond projects as we move forward. Lots of stuff in there. We'll probably see a lot more this summer as we get to uh our purses for the beginning of the year get quite quite quite busy as we move forward. But if there are no click if there are no uh issues with that April P report that should rep conclude our reports for the month and I'll turn it back over to you Dr. Kingman. >> Thank you Mr. Dentle. All right. Next, we're going
050to move to our action items. And our first action item is to consider the bills, accounts, and financial statements from April 2026. Um, do I have a motion? Dr. Cayman, since it's fresh on our minds and we've gotten all that, just went over it. I'd move to uh approve the bills and account statements for April of 2026. >> I'll second. >> A motion for Mr. Dindle and a second from Mr. Gagos. Any further board comments or questions over the bills, accounts, and financial statements? All right. All in favor say I. And please raise your hand. I >> motion passes 5-0. All right. Next, Dr. Brandon is going to help us with consider guaranteed maximum price with Lee Lewis Construction. And that's a separate sheet at your desk, I believe. >> Dr. MR, Dr. Kingman, members
051of the board. As part of the bond 2025 projects, Lee Lewis Construction was selected as contractor for Glenn Middle School, Central High School, and Lake View High School construction projects. Uh during the design phase of the Lake View High School construction and renovation, it was determined that several projects could be completed completed sooner than anticipated and pro provide improve student safety using portable buildings. So, as you look at that, um we know that the um JOTC building is set to be remodeled. So, to move up the timeline in construction, um we discussed putting in portable units, classrooms, and a set of restrooms where ROC could move and use those facilities for the year, and they could start the remodel of that building sooner. Additionally, as the contractor moves into the Lake View locker room area,
052coaches offices and student locker rooms, um, they need a place to go, right? They still have to change. They still have to go to the wait room, dress out for athletics. So, there are two portables at Fannon. Those have to be moved out of the way to start the cafeteria project on site at Fannon. So part of the bid is also not only the portables for JOTC uh but also to drop those two portables, move them from Fannon to Lake View, set them up on the north side of the turf room between the current field and the turf room. Uh set those and then those would become uh locker areas. Uh training, one of them could be used for the trainers and then also for the coaches. the boys would dress out in the turf
053room uh is what we've discussed at this point. Uh but the pricing does include uh not only setting those up, providing electrical, providing water, sewer, sidewalks, ramps, internet connection, all the things that the students would need coaches um for through the um construction project over the next year and a half. So that's why you see a little higher price tag on that. uh the lease on the two of the portables we own. The others would be rented and but we will save enough in the uh construction cost uh to offset the cost of the not the full 600 but of the lease on the other portables and then those would be picked up and taken back by the company that we're leasing those from at the end of the construction project. Since this is one
054of the guaranteed maximum prices, we don't have the overall guaranteed maximum price yet to share with the board for Lake View because that's still in design with Park Hill and Lee Lewis. But since this pricing is back, we do need board action for a guaranteed maximum price for the portable project. >> So, I just want to make sure I've heard everything correctly. So is this is so to facilitate the projects at Lake V being done quicker and to um they at some point we were going to have to probably use portables in the project along the way for a period of time cuz we're going to eventually redo those spaces and they were going to have to be in different places um at least temporarily. We're just going to do speed that up and move
055them in there initially so that we can get those projects done quicker and then back into the designated classroom or locker room spaces quicker. >> Yes, sir. Okay. >> So, Merl is the total number of portables that we're going to put there are going to be four. >> Yes. with a well yes uh the the setup for ROC includes um uh two classrooms but it also includes a large space that they can use for marching. >> Okay. >> Now they may not be throwing the rifles up in the air. Yeah. >> Uh right. But it would give them enough room for all the cadets to be in that space so that they could do their uh marching exercises. And it also includes a full uh set suite of restrooms, boys and girls. Okay. um to
056be used at the same time. >> And these are going to be temporaries, I guess, for that way they can start their remodel of their of their new built. >> Yes. >> Okay. And then the other two for when we start um and we're going to get two more for athletics, >> right? For the >> We own those two. So, we're going to rent the two for ROC and then move those from Fan and the other two from Fannon to >> Yes, sir. to Lake View. Okay. And then those are they gonna have are they gonna have Well, you can't put showers in there, can you? >> No. No. >> No. We wouldn't be adding showers. >> Just really a changing space for the kids when they start working on their own. >> Okay. All
057right. Thank you. >> They still would have water restrooms, just not shower spaces in the portables. >> Okay. >> Dr. Brand, maybe I've heard this previously, but this should expedite the process by about five months. >> Yes, sir. >> Completion. Okay. Any other questions? >> Start this. >> So, this would be in place for the August school year. >> Yes. That's one of the reasons that we needed to take action this evening so that we could order those so have them on site during the summer, have them set up, pour the sidewalks, all the hookups, uh, so that they would be ready for students in August. Other questions? Sorry, other questions. All right. Do I have a motion? I'll make a motion to recommend delegating authority to the superintendent or design to finalize and execute
058a guaranteed maximum price in the amount of 636,889 for the Lake View High School portable package. >> All right, I have a motion for Mr. Gigos. Do I have a second? >> A second. >> And a second from Mrs. Duncan. Any further board comments or questions? My only sorry, one last question. This would be um this amount would be covered in the budget for this bond project. Correct. Because we're going to be doing this anyway. We're just approving it ahead of the other stuff so we can be >> ready to rock and roll. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And our expectation is that it still comes under um the amount for the total Lake View construction. >> Any other board comments or questions? All in favor say I and raise your hand. All gonna say
059the same. Motion passes 5-0. All right. Dr. Gomez, District Innovation Plan. Dr. Keeman, Dr. Moran, and members of the board, you have the full copy in front of you. I know we've discussed this previously, but as we go through one final time um this evening, I really want to recap the proposed changes that are identified in blue for you. So, as you're aware, we began this process back in February with the district's CBAS committee where we discussed the legislative changes that really most impacted our renewal. So, it's a reminder that um an approved district of innovation plan is up to 5 years. So, we were up for renewal anyways, but then this past summer in the legislative sessions, it brought forward several things that we needed to change in our plan for 26 2031. So,
060um, you will see there on the first page, uh, there's no changes because there it's still all in black just as in as in our current plan and is for public transparency on the district's website. So no changes to planning and decision-m district level planning and decision-m and campus level planning and decision-m where our district is committed uh beyond what the state requires for the district site base and the campus site base because we also have the community-based accountability system where we hold ourselves accountable for more than what the state does. So we're keeping all of that in the plan as we currently have. um teacher certification. This is a big one of change there. So this is what we first discussed with our stakeholders in CBS and which we've shared. Um now again on
061the third page that you have, you see everything in black. That's the way it's written in our current plan that the district requests an exemption from Texas Education Code 21.003A 003A where certifications are required. No changes to that language. But when you look at the next page, what the legislative session put into effect um this past summer was that beginning in the 2627 school year and beyond, K through five reading and mathematics teachers must have the appropriate content certification. So requests for alternative qualifications are not allowable. We had a great discussion with our CBS committee of what that could and would mean for our district. Now, we're proud to say in St. Angel, we've always held really tight regardless of the fact that we had a district of innovation plan because we believe that a
062certified teacher is the best candidate to have in the classroom. But as you know, with a national and a state shortage for teachers, this is not an easy task. So um but we put in there the exact law and what we would no longer be able to do um based on statute. Then you will see effective in the 2728 school year and beyond all foundational subject areas reading English language arts math science and social studies must have the appropriate content certification request or certification and again request for alternative certification is not allowable. So 26 27 K5 it's a type for reading and math. 2728 goes all the way through the grades including secondary in core foundational areas. Again we've been having conversations with principles well in advance and with CBAS. So, um, in in the
063case where a teacher outside of those areas might be hired based on our existing plan, the district would not uh have to submit state permit applications or other paperwork because of the DOI. What's really important to know though is that the district would continue to communicate with the board, but most importantly with parents. If their uh child was with an uncertified teacher, then the district would communicate this as parents need to know uh in those situations and we currently do that. So the blue, just to recap, that's the changes from the legislative session and then the black, we all have that in our current plan. I know that was a great area of change and we've discussed it, but I want to pause rather than go through the rest of the plan to see if
064you have any questions on teacher certifications. I don't know Farah, maybe it's me, but on on the exceptions for teacher certifications where um I guess it'd be part B in exceptional in exceptional circumstances when a certified educator is not found for a unique or innovative class, the district may submit a request for local certification. So, we can do that still. >> Yes, we can for the areas outside of the one stated by statute. So that's in our current plan. It's not in here because we can't move it forward. But for example, you've heard us talk about career and technical education. And that's really how District of Innovation first evolved. So a district could hire by local certification an educator that had a lot of experience from the field to teach those specialized classes. Also in
065the new language when we talk about innovative courses, we already come to you whenever we add an innovative course to our course catalog. So we still have the ability under the the proposed plan for renewal to continue to do that outside of those core foundational areas that the legislative session has said is no longer allowable. It's just we changed the wording a little bit in this renewal to explain that we understand we can't do it in core areas but we would like to still do it for innovative and CTE courses. Yes sir. And so in those cases Mr. Gagos that is that's what it's referring to in C. If we were to hire an individual under the local certification, then we would not submit the state permits. >> And just for our public, the the
066best example of that is like our welding shop. >> Absolutely. >> We've went and hired folks from uh the field. >> Yes, sir. who were certified welders and they now teach at our high schools um and do an excellent job of teaching real life skills to where they um people actually know what not that people teaching welding before didn't know what they're doing but they actually know how to do it in the field and so and that's really where we've used district district of innovation previously and my understanding reading this is that's really where we well the state legislature won't won't let us use it anywhere else but we will continue to use it basically like we have previously. >> Yes, sir. Another great example, um we just had the pinning ceremony with Howard uh
067last week and um so we've been able to hire nurses from the field that weren't certified teachers, but there's no one better to teach those courses for CNAs than someone that has experience in the field. That's another example alongside welding. Okay. So, we've spoken a lot on the next se section, excuse me, on grievance processes. This is simply in blue because we've already made the adjustments to our legal and local policies, but when our last application was submitted, the legislative session had not um imposed a necessary timelines. The district is committed to the most timely early resolution as possible. We are not trying to do anything with grievance processes but resolving the issue at the lowest level as soon as possible. However, this past legislative session um caused some administrative burdens really extending the resolution
068process. So that's why we've added it to the renewal for 26 through 31. And that's why you have a lot of blue in that. This is exactly what I've shared previously and what we discussed formally last week. So, I'm going to pause there to see if you have any questions as you look that over. Okay, I'm going to keep moving forward uh to the next section, transfer of a student. There are no changes in our renewal from our current plan in this area. Then moving on first day of instruction there are no changes except if you will flip the page and see section 4 we've simply instead of inserting a date we've listed the second Monday of August calendars change annually as you know so previously we had a date in the plan well to
069be more aligned to upcoming calendars we've said uh that we will begin school no earlier than the second Monday of August. So that's the only change to that. Uh also it's really important to know it says this in our current plan. It moves forward in this renewal that it does not affect the number of contract days for teachers. So really the greatest impact previously under DOI gave schools the ability to not have to start school the last Monday in August and then go later. This allows us to still be aligned with our local university, which is very important important with our partnership um to finish school by May so that those having summer courses or summer plans have the ability to do so. And all we did again was change to a more broader statement
070rather than listing a date. Then there's no change on um our current plan and the renewal on the minimum attendance for class credit. If you will move to the next page under class size, there's no change to what we have in the renewal. There's one addition. So, I want to clarify the district. We currently share weekly enrollment numbers with the board. We will continue to do so. Um, we very much feel that we try to meet the 22:1 ratio. However, we don't feel that if you go over one or two students that that is ineffective for class size as long as we have a qualified teacher. In a time of hiring shortages, we would rather go over the ratio by one or two students and we pay a local stipen approved by the board of
071trustees to have the most qualified candidate rather than trying to put an uncertified notqualified individual just so you stay in the 22:1 ratio. So, the only thing that we've changed here is through the whole time that we've had our approved plan, we've still continued to submit the waiver for class- size ratios. You don't have to when you have the approved DOI plan. So, we've just included that with the approved plan. We would not complete the waiver to tea. That's the only change. And then lastly, as we finish up, you've already done this this evening, but you've approved library book purchases. So, library books through Texas Education 33.026 is the exemption we are seeking with this addition. We already promote transparency in St. Angelo ISD by posting for 30 days public comment on any library purchases.
072We are not asking to change that. However, rather than having to create an action item, a vote every month, we are asking for an exemption from that portion simply due to the large number of materials we deal with from the district. If we were to have any public comment, which for a point of reference is this was the first year uh we had to comply with this. We've had zero public comment on any of our 30-day post. We will continue to monitor. We will continue to post and we will continue to provide updates on any challenged materials. We're just asking to not be required to put the vote every month. So that's the exemption there. I have a question for you. >> Yes sir. So um yes ma'am I'm sorry. >> No it's okay. So
073um the student ratio 22 to1h >> if it reaches 24:1 is that the maximum amount of students >> for um prek through fourth grade. That's when you have to apply for the waiver. in uh fifth grade on up there is no maximum. So that's the difference there. Yes, ma'am. >> So we as a district are we wanting to stay 24 below. So if it ever goes over 25, that's when it says here the district will determine if an additional section should be added instructional support um or if students need to be enrolled at an alternative campus. >> Uhhuh. Yes, ma'am. So we currently do that anytime we hit that we start before 24 we start at 23 again it goes back to we first see what internal shifts can we make among the campus sometimes
074as students come in and out you can make a simple adjustment but there's a lot of factors that have to be taken into consideration there um one super important factor is the relationship between that child and that teacher because that teacher knows them best and if it's more harmful to move the child just to make a ratio number, then it's not in the best interest of that child. But again, we very much already monitor that. It's about do we have a qualified candidate and what's in the best interest of that child. So, we're not trying to um have an out of the required ratio. We're trying to have the flexibility to do what is in the best interest of the child we're serving in the classroom. >> Okay. So, that leads me to my next
075question then. The same way we inform parents about um uncertified teachers teaching their stu their their child, do we also inform the parents if the if there's a ratio high ratio of students in the classroom? >> Yes, ma'am, >> we do. >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. Now currently that and it was very difficult um to hit the number of days but currently statute said uh for 30 consecutive school days you had to to notify well with attendance um fluctuating you can have a class where they might have 23 to one 24 to one but they don't have 30 consecutive days of all students being present. So, >> so um Okay. Okay. Do we currently have several classrooms that are reaching that high ratio? >> So, when we submitted our waiver in the fall, we had
07613 across the district. It's below 13 at the present time. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. Great questions. >> I I have a question that kind of goes along with that. Um so when there's that ratio which is extremely high for a teacher I I understand the teacher saying I'll keep them all because the heart of a teacher to tell a group and I understand the student saying I want to stay but um do we take into account maybe the parents that say you know I really don't want my kid in a classroom that big. Do we have a conversation with do they get to pick? Does that make sense? >> So, I'm I'm not sure I fully understand that they picking. Are you referring to >> Okay, let me Okay, because So, we've
077talked about the teacher. Yes. >> You know, saying >> I'm over 22. Are you thinking of a kindergarten teacher with more than 22? Oh, Lord. Um, and the teacher is saying, you know, I'm two more. I'm not going to send those two babies away. I can keep them. Just give them to me all. I I I know a teacher's going to say that pretty much. Okay. >> And then we're going to compensate her with money. That's great, too. >> And then the kids that would have to move, they're going to stay. They're going to say, "I'm I want to stay with my teacher." But in the big picture, stepping back. Okay. I'm the parent that says, "You know what? I I really I'm not happy that my child is in a classroom with 25 others."
078Do we have conversations with >> Do we give those? >> That's the classroom notification because when you're saying those students would pick to stay, well, there's not like an order. So, like you don't start with student X and say, "Do you pick to stay or move?" So I think that's where it's a your question is a little unclear for me on that. >> I see I see why it's unclear. I think it's for me thinking it's just a really big picture. So and I don't I know this has to do with funding. >> Uhhuh. >> But if we have more than the number and the teacher says I'll keep them. I I I wish that we could look at maybe getting that teacher a tutor in there. >> So again, Miss again, it just goes
079back to qualified support. It I want to clarify, it's not the district's unwillingness due to funding. That's not the issue there. The issue is the most qualified candidate and what's in the best interest of the students. So if that means okay we don't have another certified teacher >> that is not the district's recommendation to create another class just because of this ratio itself. Okay. So then there's a whole number of things outside of the compensation for the teacher from instructional pair professionals and how they're scheduled to other levels of support. But going back I think to your overall question do parents have a say? Parents are always the primary decision makers in those situations. So like what Miss Cardinus was asking, whenever we have to make any classroom moves or we have a situation, all
080parents in that situation are notified. Um and so we do everything possible to accommodate parent request. Sometimes we don't have a a way to accommodate if we were at which we haven't currently this year. I just want to be clear about you can't predict every situation. That's the benefit of consolidating schools where you have more than two grade levels per campus because when you have really small campuses with only two grade levels, you could potentially exceed the ratio by one per teacher but not have a third option on that campus where it's not in the best interest to just change schools and randomly go assign to another grade level across the district. But we do every everything we possibly can to make those accommodations. So that's a positive with consolidating is that >> because I
081I'm big on student teacher ratio and and I really want us to try our best not to have you know and I know we do more than that because I just feel like when there's one adult and 25 kids because you don't have 25 perfect children sitting in their seat doing the work. That's a lot. And I don't and I think sometimes that causes te um teacher burnout. Um children not all their needs are met with even the best of teacher. So, I just want to put it out there that let's as a district really and I'm glad we're consolidating to to look at that because that is what I think about a lot is is every little person in there getting what they need from one human adult, which is challenging. So, thank you
082for looking at that and um let's continue to, you know, let that be something that I'm very passionate about. So, >> that's that's what right sizing does. So, as we've been paying a stipen and tracking the data, this is the least amount of classes we've had over the ratio as we're getting campuses sized and staff for appropriate attendance uh and campus capacity. So the the work of the committee that Dr. Moran shared this evening will further support that. >> I I just have a couple more comments. Um I did some volunteering during uh the STAR testing or preparing for a star testing in a third grade classroom that had students uh under 20 students. And um of course I went in there full of energy, excited, ready. I'm going to help the teacher. I'm help
083the kids. Um, and it just it w it was very hard for me to to see that. I mean, in that classroom, I don't know, I'm getting emotional, but you know, I know that there's a REM resident program, but um I'm sorry. You just had one student over here, I mean, struggling and another student over here picking it up like that. Somebody's going to get left behind. And there's about there was about 16 17 students maybe. And man, I was I was wiped. Looked at my clock barely 11:00. And I thought, these teachers are showing up every single day without help, without an assistant. Somebody else needs to be in that classroom to help. Otherwise, this student that's already, you know, at second base, how how are they going to get to third base? Because
084she's she or he is helping this student over here that's, you know, still at bat or vice versa. If I spend all my time over here with somebody that's quickwitted, how am I going to help this student? So, are we thinking about other ways to assist the teachers like the REM resident program? Is there other ways that we can bring students on to help and assist the teachers in the classroom? Because you're talking about 22 or 24. This was a classroom that had 16 or 17. It's very hard. Very hard. I I agree with you wholeheartedly that teaching is very hard and our teachers are the true difference makers. Uh we're also very fortunate that we have an interventionist on every elementary campus. We do not have enough interventionists on our secondary campuses and and
085that is something that we continue to work to find a way uh to address with the current state of staffing shortages. In terms of are we thinking of ways 100%. And in fact, I'm very proud to share that our district applied for all eligible allotments that were just brought forward this year and received all three from the grow your own from the uh residency which we were already a part of. We just need more of them. So we already have that partnership but we applied also to the mentorship program because it's not about just hiring teachers, it's about supporting and retaining teachers. So, while we were ahead of the ball game by applying for all three, right now my district still had the choice to take part. Um, TEA is making that an upcoming mandate
086in future years. We just need more people going into education in all fields, not just teachers. So, it's definitely hard >> and I know pay is, you know, when you really have when you love what you do. Yes. Pay. Oh, man. Pay is a factor. Of course, we have to get paid. But if you don't have the funds to pay somebody appropriately, it's very tough, too. I know if I hire somebody for $8 and I hire somebody for $18, this person's probably going to work a little bit harder than this one. Not all the time, but I mean, you know. >> Yes, ma'am. So I really really would love to pay our our our pair of professionals and you know the outworld employees better you know so that we can retain the help that we
087need also. But >> it is a calling. I'm glad you got to be in the classroom because it it means a lot um to teachers to know the support. So thank you for your time. Just to make sure so that for what we're looking at on our local just to be clear for for our local innovation strategies as far as class size we are not changing anything from a local standpoint that we are already doing in our district of innovation. I just want to just kind I know we've talked about a lot of different things. I just want to make sure that everyone understands like we're not changing from a local standpoint anything we're doing the last five years in our district of innovation plan. Um, all right. Do sorry, regarding class size, I know
088we are changing things in our district innovation plan. Um, do I have a motion to approve our district of innovation plan? I'll make a motion to approve. It is recommended that the board of trustees approves the renewal of the St. Angelo ISD district of innovation plan to extend DOI status beyond May of 2026, ensuring the district's continued ability to implement local flexibilities to support student achievement and operational effectiveness. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> So, a motion from Mrs. Duncan, a second from Mr. Gyos. Any further board comments or questions regarding the district innovation plan? >> I have a comment right quick. I know that we talked about this personally, but just for the public >> and you've already mentioned it. Every 5 years, you know, you have to um renew renew
089on this, but at any time you can make amendments to the DOI plan. >> That is correct. So, typically um every couple of years there will be something that we bring forward through the CBS committee to consider as an amendment and then bring that forward to the board. But ultimately um we have to get that approval from TEA. >> Any further comments or questions? All in favor say I. All going to say the same. Motion passes 5-0. Um all right. Next, Miss Heert is going to talk to us about increasing in meal prices for the 26 27th school year. Good evening, Dr. Kingman, Dr. Moran, board of trustees, and cabinet. The Child Nutrition Department is requesting to increase the paid lunch meal prices by 25 cents per meal. This request is being made after the
090completion of the USDA paid lunch equity tool requirement. This tool is completed annually and calculates the weighted average of all paid lunch prices charged by child nutrition programs across the United States. School food authorities who on a weighted average charged less than the USDA target weighted average price of $416 for paid lunches in the 2526 school year are to make an adjustment to their weighted average paid lunch price in the 2627 school year. The weighted average is calculated using the number of meals and the price they were charged at each level. So in the 2526 school year, St. Angelo ISD charged a weighted average of $38 for paid meals. This equates to $18 below the USDA target average pricing. In the 2526 school year, elementaryaries paid $3 and secondary paid meals are $3.25. The 25
091increase for paid meals would increase meal prices for elementaryaries from $3 to 325 and the secondary paid lunch meal price from 325 to 350. This increase would move St. Angelo ISD closer to the weighted average. Please note that this does not alter the free meals or the campuses on C. And this request also does not impact reduced meal benefit prices as those prices are set at the federal and state level. And as mentioned last week, just for public information in the 2627 school year, the state will continue to cover the 40 cent charge current that is um charged to families. So they're technically free for the 2627 school year as well. We're happy to take any questions that you may have at this time. >> Yes, ma'am. So, if we do not approve the 25
092cent increase, how will that affect nutrition services? >> That's a great question. So, we haven't had a meal price increase since 2023, June of 2023. And of course, our expenses have not decreased over three years. In fact, um our expenses have continued to increase while our revenues have decreased. Um last year in the tw in 20 February of 2025, many federal programs were impacted by um I don't want to say it wrong, but doge. Um we lost uh our local food service grants. We lost uh supply chain grants equating to over $800,000 that our specific child nutrition program had been used to getting since 2020 postcoid funding for offsetting the costs of food price increases since 2020. I know that we've all gone grocery shopping, gone out to eat, different things like that. Food prices
093have not decreased over three years. Um last year we had the conversation about whether or not to increase. And of course we ultimately made the decision that we we would go another year and look at it and eva every year we evaluate our expenses versus our revenues. And every year the expenses are just are just going up and outweighing the revenues. And as you approved tonight the um increases in just two of our bids, our food bids this year. Uh one of which was the dairy bid. Uh fortunately our dairy bid um only renews every four years. So, we've been fortunate enough to have the same meal price or milk price for about four years, but starting in the 2627 school year, we're going to see an increase of $83,000 and 883,863 just just increasing
094in in milk, which is offered at every single meal. And then you look at the direct delivery co bid cost and all of that going up. And as you can probably assume, I mean, this is only $53,000 in offset. So to answer your question, um if we don't increase it, we're just going to continue to slide backwards. And the child nutrition program, um contrary to what a lot of people believe, we're a self- sustaining program. So our revenues, we're nonprofit, um but our revenues are supposed to cover our expenses. So, it it's a difficult decision and we know that it's it's not all and there's never a right time to make these requests, but it is the fiscally responsible decision to try and stay on top of our expenses versus revenue. >> Other questions? And
095this will only affect just to reiterate the people who are paying for lunch. >> Correct. So, the free and reduced meal um program still stays in place or we have seven campuses who don't even have to fill out free and reduced meal applications. Those seven campuses are also still unaffected, though they continue to receive free breakfast and lunch meals. So, this would just be for the remaining um 13 campuses that are on the free and reduced meal application programs and anybody who either chooses not to um apply for free and reduced meals and then there therefore is defaulted to a paid meal status or those who don't qualify for free or reduced meal benefits. >> Miss A, do you know what percentage uh of our students are receiving either free or reduced? >> Yes. Um,
096currently districtwide free and reduced is around 58% um, districtwide. Um, so that's down from previous years and that was because of Medicaid reduced changes that happened last fall that that occurred but it's down from just over 60%. >> Okay. And do we encourage those folks that uh are eligible to to uh make sure they fill out the forms so they can provide those services? >> Absolutely. And that program is actually available all year long. We do a really big push at the beginning of the school year for the free and reduced meal benefits applications, but you can apply any time of the year. And a lot of families don't realize that if they have uh financial changes throughout the school year, they can um apply re reapply even at any point in the school year.
097um depending on their financial standing um and if it changes or maybe they didn't think they would need the meal benefits or their student wasn't going to eat in the cafeteria, so they didn't put the effort to to apply at the beginning of the school year, but things change. They can always apply online or even reach out to their campus or our office. We're available to help every all all year. In fact, even though it's the end of the school year, they're actually eligible to apply now because there's a grace period benefit for carryover for the first 30 days of school as well. So we're we're always happy to help answer any questions regarding that. >> And from that the federal government comes and makes the program whole with >> that is correct. >> Funny
098shortage. >> That is correct. So the free and reduced um portions of the meals is um funded by the um United States Department of Agriculture and the Texas Department of Agriculture. We receive um funding based on the meal participation u from that to cover the cost of those meals. Yes. >> Thank you. >> You're very welcome. And um I I will say this, having been in a cafeteria for a very long time, I think the cafeteria workers and the administrators, who was ever in the in the cafeterias do a phenomenal job of watching our kids and when you see a kid that continually doesn't go get a tray, doesn't have lunch, I was on the end where we reach out to parents and say, and a lot of them will say, "Well, I didn't know
099how to fill it out. And we the district will call them up there and help them fill it out. And so we're watching I feel confident they are not me anymore watching and we're not um ever going to let a child go days and not eat in a cafeteria. >> Yes, that is correct. We we definitely care about making sure that we feed students. And um we're very fortunate to have cafeterias full of workers who genuinely care about every student that comes through their line. And when we go out there and we stand with them and you know, they know every student by name. At the beginning of the year, it can be a little tough when you have new students, but it really is it really is an amazing thing to watch the connection
100that so many of our child nutrition staff have and they know what sports they're involved in and different things like that. But it it really is. They do genuinely care about their students. >> One one last question. The 416 that was a national average or state average? >> That's national. Yes, sir. >> One last thing. It's been I think it's been about seven or eight years since we started providing the free the free breakfast program for all the kids. And that that has made a tremendous difference in >> yes >> in uh the life the home life of some of these kids because uh they're not singled out. It's everybody gets it so they're not singled out if they can or can't afford it. It's provided to all and it's made huge difference for child
101nutrition as far as some of the kids in the uh that really need it. Uh and I've seen some some uh some great stories where um it's really helped some kids come uh help their potential as far as just getting a a small meal in their in their stomachs before they start the day. >> Yes, that's very true. Breakfast is really important and we will continue the free breakfast program as well. Um, and just a note about free meals. I mean, we we would all love to see free meals, universal free meals. I know that's a hot topic. Um, no one wants that more than the child nutrition department. We would love to see universal free meals and a lot of that comes from advocating to our um, state legislators, which we have reached out
102and done when we were given the opportunity through surveys. I know that there's a really big push through child nutrition programs um state and nationwide to to continue to do that, but a lot of those decisions come from the state legislature. >> Any other questions? >> Yes. Uh you had just mentioned a second ago that uh you realize that a lot of parents don't um know that they can apply at any time during the year. Why do you think that is? and what can we do as a district to inform families a little bit better? >> So, we do a lot of pushing especially through um the second semester and and we actually just sent out um with our registration packets reminders as well. So, we do where we do a lot of um outreach
103through social media. We do a lot of email outreach. Um, we work with at risk coordinators um to make sure that they but that they know and some of it may just be not uh reading emails or or or materials. We actually went to open houses this year as requested. Um, there was an event at the Coliseum, forgive me, I can't remember what it was called, but we actually took staff and computers out there so that any families that came that needed assistance understanding how to fill out the application, our staff were on site and present to assist um families with filling out those applications. So, um, some families just genuinely um either know they don't apply or or or don't feel like their student is going to eat in the cafeteria, which is always
104an option. We understand that. Um but we do definitely make um additional outreach efforts. This year was the first year we actually uh went to the coliseum to try and expand those outreach to try and and get more information out there about the free and reduced program. Um especially knowing that the reduced program was only going to be um that they weren't going to have to pay the 40 cents this year as well. And then trying to go to those open houses um as as principles um let us know that they could use that extra assistance. So, we'll continue to do that to try and get out there and um our our office is always open so families can always come to us and just making sure that the atrisisk coordinators, the counselors, the principles,
105the teachers, the cafeteria workers that we continue to work hand inand to make sure that we identify students that can benefit from that program because it's very identification um without overtly identifying somebody is extremely important and making sure that we're we're helping those families in any way that we can. So, we're definitely here to to help however we can and we're open to any um suggestions and and ideas and and expanding that outreach as well. >> Yeah. The other day I didn't know that my son didn't have money in his account and it was just a random conversation. He said, "Um, I got an emergency lunch and I said, "What is that?" He said, "Well, you didn't put money in my account." So, nobody's not going to eat. You know, there's always something for for
106the kids. So, >> yes. Yes, I did. >> So, signing up, um, one thing that we can also encourage, um, in case any parents are watching this too, if you sign up for School Cafe, even if you're not going to use it to add funds to your child's meal benefit account, because we know that that third party vendor charges a fee, we don't charge that fee, but it's a thirdparty vendor that does the online payments, but you can still sign up for an account with your students information, and it'll send you alerts when your balances are getting low. can actually set the alert and different things like that to monitor your students meal balance accounts and different things like that. Um, but yes, we definitely will not let a student uh walk out of the
107of the meal line uh without taking care of them. And we do also um have like angel funds and stuff where people come into our office, they make donations to be able to help cover. We have a policy on how to handle those funds whenever they're donated. They just have to reach out to our office. They can also talk to their cafeteria manager. We can't do it for a specific child because we can't overtly identify any personal information about that student, including their meal balance, but we can do it as a blanket donation, different things like that. So, >> I'm sorry, one more. >> No, that's fine. >> I know you said that there's a four-year contract on the dairy products on the other categories. Are those yearby-year? >> Apologies, I misspoke. It's actually a
108one-year contract with the option of three extensions. I I apologize. So every year we send out an extension opportunity and we review an extension. So if they when they respond back with their extension pricing so they can opt to keep the same pricing or increase. And depending on the the percentage of the increase, we can consider whether or not we're going to go ahead and adopt those meal price increases. But the last uh four years they've um extended their prices so we didn't have to go out for rebid. We have done that in the past though where uh an extension was offered and they came back with the price and it seemed like it might be more beneficial to ex you know to examine and see if there were better price options. So we went
109out for rebid in the middle of uh in the middle. So it's not technically a four-year contract. I apologize. It's a one-year contract with opportunity to extend three separate years one year at a time. So, >> other questions? >> I will add I did speak to a school district the other day that called about their milk prices uh to get a reference because um and and they were paying um almost 40 cents per uh per milk for their milk prices. And they were looking at the same vendor that you just approved this evening who was um almost a little over 10 cents less per milk carton. when you're serving thousands of meals a day, that is a significant difference. And so we are very fortunate to have low milk prices. So while this is increasing,
110we still saw we got confirmation that it's still a good price. So we were very grateful for that confirmation. >> All right. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion. The administration recommends increasing meal prices by 25 cents per paid lunches for the 20 26 27 school year to increase towards meeting federal law requirements for food I mean for school meal pricing and to cover the cost increase to provide healthier meals for our students. The proposed cost for an elementary student lunch would be 3.25 and the secondary student lunch price would be set at $3.50 per meal. Second breakfast meal prices are recommended to be $2.25. A free breakfast will continue to be available at no cost to all students unless regulations change. This is an unallowable expense. Prices charged for reduced meals
111will not change as they are set at the maximum allowable federal rate. Reduced lunches are currently set at 40. Adult lunches are currently $5.25. >> So I have a motion from Mrs. Duncan. Do I have a second? >> A second from Mr. Dindle. Any further board comments or questions? >> Yes. One more. So, in the recommendation, it states the increase is to be able to provide healthier meals. What will change as far as a mills if this gets approved? I'm really glad you asked that question. So, actually, we have been working pretty diligently this year. We actually made several meal changes and and changed products to try and improve the quality. We take um student feedback um annually to to kind of evaluate what's a popular item, what's a not popular item, what items do
112they like the flavor of, what do they not like the flavor of, different things like that. So this school year um we actually had several new items that we were trying. Uh we increased the amount of um Asian flavor options at the request of the students, different things like that. Um tried to increase the variety of of different things like that. So, next school year, we're we're continuing to do that because we don't believe in being stagnant. We're trying to look at local trends or national trends, different things like that. Uh, one of the things that we just implemented at Lake View um in April, what uh they have a sandwich line now, and on that sandwich line, we offer a fresh uh fruit and um vegetable variety every single day. So, every day um
113they get they can choose and they can pick all of them if they want to of the vegetables. So they're they're not only getting the French fry option that they can get um which is reduced sodium um might I add them baked and not fried um but we also um offer uh celery every day or um baby carrots every day and cucumbers and a little a little sandwich salad. So you you're getting your your red orange vegetables at on the line every day. They have the whole uh we have in our regulation we have to meet um certain sub vegetable components every single week which is a red orange a dark green beans um we have to meet um starches and others and all that. So that line has all of those options available every
114single day in a fresh form to students. Um so we're actually expanding that next year to move that to the elementarymentaries. Our serving lines are some of them are are kind of older. we don't have um salad bar wells and different things like that and and doing major salad bars requires additional labor. So, this is a way that we kind of um spoke to TDA and asked for recommendations that we came up with where we could offer fresh fruit fresh vegetable options every day. Um so, we'll be expanding that to the elementaryaries and the middle schools next year, having all those fresh vegetables every day on the line. And then also in addition to we usually only have one fruit option on the line. Um we also tried at Lake View in April and May
115um having an apple or a green a red apple or green apple or a fresh orange every day in additional to a fruit of the day. Um that was like either their favorite applesauce flavor or a frozen which is anytime you see like the strawberry pops their whole fresh frozen strawberries but um different things like that. So we'll have a rotating one every day and we're going to expand that districtwide next year as well. So we have fresh more fresh options there. And of course we'll continue the initiatives of um reduced sodium different things like that. But we are triing some new recipes um homemade quesadillas next year. U we're working on a chicken spaghetti recipe because it was recommended that some a student requested some of that come back. We heard um students were
116wanting um homemade beeferoni back. So we're working on recipes this summer to try and expand all that. So that's what it'll all go towards. Orange shake and bake. >> Thank you. That >> was more information than I think you asked for. Sorry. >> We love it. You're doing a great job. Um, all right. Any other board comments or questions? >> All right. All in favor say I. >> I. All against say the same. Motion passes 5-0. >> Thank you, Miss Huber. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next, uh, Dr. Ram, we got superintendent's recommendations for the 26 27 teachers contracts which were at our uh desk. >> Yes. Each year, most of our teacher contracts come to the board in April. There are a few that are working through certification uh issues. We've included those
117for your consideration tonight. The request is to approve the list as presented. >> Any questions or comments? Do I have a motion to approve? >> Dr. K. Move to >> move to approve the superintendent's recommendations for teachers as presented. And do I have a second? >> Second. >> A motion for Mr. Dendle and a second from Mrs. Duncan. Any further board questions or comments? All in favor say I. I. Raise your hand. Gerard. Thank you. And motion passes 5. Next is uh superintendent's recommendation for the 2627 administrators contracts. >> And so in the same way uh these contracts for administrators have occurred after we've approved the typical contract for administrators in March. These are new and we would ask the board to approve the list as presented. >> Any question on the administrator contracts? Do
118I have a motion to approve the administrator contracts as presented? >> I'll make a motion to approve superintendent's recommendations for administrators contracts. >> Motion from Mr. Gagos. Do I have a second? >> Second from Mr. Dindle. Any further board questions or comments? All in favor say I. Raise your hand. >> Motion passes. 5. Um, all right. We do need to go into executive session under 551.07. 074 which is personnel matters. We will be as quick as possible. All right, we are back from executive session. There were no votes. There was no action taken. Our announcements is that our pre-agenda workshop will be on June 8th and our regular board meeting will be on June 15th. And with that, we are journ.