001I'd like to call our meeting to order. It is 6:01 uh and declare that we do have a board quorum present. Uh the mission of Brazport ISD is to graduate each student to be future ready. If you will please stand for our invocation which I'm going to ask done today and then our pledges of allegiance uh the illustrious Mr. Atkins. >> That's right. Heavenly Father, Lord, uh we just pause right now just recognize your presence and uh Father, just to give thanks and praise for for taking care of us and uh for blessing us in so many different ways, Father, as we get close to the new school year, Lord, we just lift up every campus, every child, every employee, every family that that we get to work with. Father, just pray that it would
002be a safe and just a a wonderful year making just wonderful differences in the lives of of everybody that we get to touch. Father, we pray for tonight through the things that we discuss and the decisions that we make. We look for you for guidance and just pray that we be directed in the right ways before we fle. Please join me in the pledges to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all >> the flaggisible seat at this time in accordance will be local. The board will provide an audience with individuals who have signed with me to address the board. Uh tonight we do not have anyone. So we will move on to our next item. Our next item are
003our action items. Public comments will be allowed before a vote is taken on each action item. Our first action item is to schedule a public meeting to discuss the 2526 budget and the 2025 proposed tax rate. Ludy Canino. >> Thank you. Good evening board members and ladies and gentlemen of the public. Uh tonight we are presenting information related to the district's 2025 26 proposed budget and tax rates as required by chapter 44 of the Texas Education Code. School districts must follow specific procedures before adopting a budget and tax rate, including publishing notice and holding a public hearing. This presentation provides an overview of the proposed tax rate and the next steps in the adoption in the adoption process. Chapter 44 of the Texas Education Code outlines the requirements school districts must follow when adopting a
004budget and tax rate. This includes publishing public notice and holding a hearing that includes specific statemandated information. Since January, the board of trustees has received regular updates during scheduled meetings to ensure transparency and provide opportunities for feedback. The proposed 202526 budget includes a 2025 tax year rate of 6822 for maintenance and operations and 2153 for interest in syncing resulting in a total tax rate of 8975. This represents a 5 cent decrease from the previous year's uh rate. Including this year's reduction, the district has lowered the M tax rate by a total of 35 cents over the past six years, demonstrating a strong ongoing commitment to long-term fiscal responsibility. Certified property values were received on July 25th, 2025, initiating a 60-day window in which the district must adopt a final tax rate. As part of the
005tax rate planning process, the administration explored the option of adopting three disaster pennies pennies under state law. This option could have generated approximately 5 million in additional revenue and after careful consideration, the administration has decided not to pursue this option at this time. As shown on the budget planning calendar, August 18th marks the final step in our budget development process. At the board meeting on August 18th, we will officially adopt the 2025 tax rate in the 2026 budget, bringing this year's budget cycle to a close. The administration recommends that the board vote to schedule and publish notice for a public hearing on August 18th, 2025 at 6 p.m. at which the 2025 tax rate and 2026 budget will be presented for formal consideration and adoption. >> All right. Do we have any questions from the
006audience? I'm sorry. >> Looks like the answer. thought it was going to be double. Should we read out them just in case someone decides to watch the video and before they write an article or should we just rely on the presentation? >> I don't know. >> Tax rate will lower. So last year's uh tax rate was 0 9508 and the proposed rate that will be published in the notice will be 8975 and that is a reduction of 0533. So that's a little over 5 cents. >> All right. Any questions or comments from the audience before we move on the recommendation? All right. We have a recommendation to hear a motion. >> I move that we schedule a vote uh for August 18th for the tax rate. >> It's been moved by Mr. Schwartner. Do I
007have a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by Miss Quar. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> All opposed by nay. All right. That carries. Next item that we have under our action items is student personnel p personal communication devices, electronic devices. Man, I've been waiting for this J. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. So, this will be a two-part uh presentation. The first part will be board policy FNC local and the second part will be the student code of conduct. So, we'll begin with the framework for House Bill 1481. Good evening. Due to recent 89 due due to the recent 89th legislative session, House Bill 1481 was signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. House Bill 1481 bans student use of personal communication devices during the school day in Texas
008public schools. To align with House Bill 1481, our local policy FNCE local is in need of the board's approval for updating. A copy of the updated version of FNC Local has been provided in in your board book for your reference. In alignment with House Bill 1481, students may not use personal communication devices during the school day and are subject to disciplinary action if they violate this restriction, including confiscation of the communication device. Exceptions to the restriction are for students with individual education plans or programs, 504 plans, or to comply with a health or safety requirement imposed by law or as part of the district or campus safety protocols. Additionally, the superintendent shall develop regulations to implement this policy and annually the superintendent shall report to the board on the implementation and compliance of this policy.
009More information regarding the specific details of and regulations for application of this board policy will be provided in the following presentation and recommendation of the student code of conduct. At this time, it is the recommendation of the administration that the board approve board policy FNCE local as presented. >> Question from the board. I have a couple. What do we where do we keep confiscated phones? These are not cheap devices. Having a collection of these 10, 15, 20 of them by the end of the day seems like a pretty big risk. >> Yes. Do we Do we have a a lock box? Do we have a >> safe? I mean, they're not just be in somebody's drawer. >> We'll we'll have the designated area per campus. I know that we do have safes at that are
010being used at Freeport Intermediate right now. That's their practice this year. They were brought to the office and put in the safe until the end of the day and then they were taken out. So, yes, the campuses are are right now developing where those are going to be housed to ensure that there's no lost or stolen property. We understand. >> Should we mark them in some way so we know who sues and all that? >> Yes. >> My personal opinion based on, you know, I think we probably should just have the parent come pick them up first and be done with this and and make that the same as all the other ones. Just make them come up there every time they get it so we don't have to hold them. But I know that
011could be tough too as well. But um I think it needs to be the quicker and sooner we can get them out of our hands probably best. Um, >> and I'll speak more to this in in the student code of conduct section. I'm going to put a big pause on all of our outlined guidelines so that we can take it a little deeper dive into the the stages of the process. So, yeah, I to me it's it's parents probably knew they took it, so make them come get it and be done with this thing. Um, how many doctor's notes are we expecting? We have communicated to doctors in an area that this may be coming. >> Never know. >> Do we know of any I mean how many 504 plans do we have that require
012some type of device or cell phone or do we have any currently written that way? >> I I don't I can't say off of that. I know we have a few that have iPads and things like that, but I don't I can't imagine a phone is and if it has communication device, I guess it could be a communication device, but >> um yeah, I think the next thing is how many they say a lot of those switches. >> Yeah. Medical marijuana all of a sudden everybody's got a doctor's note, right? So, um, but yeah, I think that'll be interesting too to see if >> how many go this route too as well and what a qualified position means and all those kind of things too as well. So, but it is it is a little
013ironic when a kid hasn't need any special modifications for the first nine years of his schooling then all of a sudden year 10 when we have a personal communication device that the kid's medical condition changes. I think that gets to play in that as well. >> So, I know we've been, you know, we've kind of been plugged into this this thing and talked about it some I assume have we already started communication with with parents and I'm sure that'll be covered extensively, you know, as as we get closer or we get any feedback or >> we've not received any. We did send a communication out a few weeks ago. Uh and then we have this flyer ready after board approves it that that's going to be part of the new story and go out on
014social media also. So uh students are are aware of >> I got two calls the the day that that went out and said because they know I'm on the board. They're like what what's going on from students? >> Yes. >> Call your uh call your congressman. call your state legis >> one other and I've thought about this because I mean I I've seen it in the workplace and the issues when we try to what do we are we giving any additional instruction to teachers about their own personal use of cell phones and when I mean I know that's kind of hard to do for for adults and but I mean from a From the perspective of students, them knowing that there's it's not allowed, I would hate to see any type of abuse from potentially
015from from teachers to where, you know, it's sending mixed messages. And I don't know if we if we can emphasize that in some way with our our teachers and to I'm sure they will probably knowing that this is going to I think I would think they would be kind of sensitive to their own use. >> Yeah. Our expectation of teachers that they are engaged with the students and teaching classes and and not I think the intent of this bill was really to keep kids from being distracted from being engaged. And we certainly don't want teachers being distracted from being engaged because they're on their phones. U especially if they're on social media and things like that. There's not. But uh it's kind of like um Uh Mr. Reinhardt used to bring a big cup of
016coffee in his room every day, you know, uh but students couldn't bring cups of coffee in their room, but the teacher could because he was a teacher. So So it's, you know, so I think there's some of that in play, too, is that, you know, I'm not an adolescent. I'm I'm an adult and I can use my phone responsibly. Uh but so we're not going to ban teachers from phones, but I I do think we don't expect teachers to not engaged with teaching students because of their colle and this is just from a long time of experience um sometimes we decided we're not going to worry about enforcing that in here you know in our class and you know my wife and I were discussing this she said how do you do that In my
017mind, that's a state law. Now, they have to they have to implement that. So, we've got to, you know, be sure that that's well understood. There's no there's no gray area anymore. It is what it is. >> Yeah. And um as as you know, we've had policies in place for classroom teachers that the authority to confiscate phones or to call in assistance for students. Phones were being distraction. And that's why we believe that this is really a huge government overreach is that this is not an issue in our district at least that needed to be solved with a total ban on cell phones. Uh we so the classroom is not going to be an issue. I don't see as being an issue. It's in the hallway uh in the cafeteria uh in areas where there's
018large student gatherings is where um it's it's going to be a bigger issue of monitoring >> and even even the organizations I know there'll be some adjustment because past years walking around it's kind of it's been used as a tool also for communicating you know there's a a change in practice time or game time >> that you know QR codes. >> We've got QR codes all over the hallway to walls, you know, times for student organizations to meet. Yeah. So, >> the the law says when they enter the school buildings when it cost so on the bus, they're able to use their phone, right? >> It's not banning it from the bus. It's banning it from this campus. school day. And then when we have our coaches and sponsors talk about how how reliably we've
019become on sports team to coming up with an alternative for that. >> Yeah. Go ahead. Yeah. stand up. >> So for for SportsU, the the good thing is it's an app, but it's also computer-based. And so our we're not moving away from SportsU. We like it because it's a it's one tool that we can spread across that the parents don't have to learn different tools. Uh but it also allows our the students could access it through their uh Chromebook. And as an alternative backup, if we see uh issues with uh that communication, that emergency communication to students, which would be, you know, lightning and and we're going to be here, uh then the next piece then would be to create uh an email distribution list within your program, just like what we send out, you
020know, to principles or teachers or whatever. They could do the same thing within their program. Um to me, those are the two best uses for it. It's just a matter of changing the the notifications in your um SportsU account to to also get emails, >> which is what we did before sports. >> But I mean, at least we let people know >> there are some of our coaches don't know what we did three years ago. >> We talked about that >> on the coach's door, right? >> We talked about that on the 25th. >> I mean, coach Poland would personally come to my door. Hey, game's been cancelled, you know. >> But it's always it's always good to give a solution to a problem, don't >> you know? >> Let's digress a little bit. So,
021we have uh a recommendation from the administration that the board approve policy FNC local as it is presented. Do I hear a motion? I'll make a motion. Been moved by Mr. D. Do I have a second? >> Second. Second by Mr. Schulty. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> All opposed by nay. All right, that carries. Next item. Carry on. Good. >> All right. Thank you guys. That's the toughest one so far, but we'll jump into a few more student code of conduct changes for this year because there were significant number of changes. Good evening again. In alignment with board policy FO, local and district goal, BISD learning environments will be safe and conducive to learning. It's my pleasure to present the Brazport ISD student code of conduct for 2526. This year's
022student code of conduct does have significant changes in comparison to past years. For for this year, we will be using the TASBY model handbook primarily, which is the recommendation of our legal council given the large number of changes and the timeline for revisions prior to school starting. Tonight we will review some of the major changes in the code of conduct. A highlighted and final copy of the student code of conduct have been provided to you in your board book for reference. All right. The primary purpose of a student code of conduct is to establish clear expectations for student behavior, outline consequences for misconduct, and provide a framework for maintaining a safe and productive learning environment. Aside from the student code of conduct, which will be written in our code of conduct, there is one additional
023document that we expect to receive by the first day of school from the TEA. Uh the TEA has been mandated to give us a report identifying each law relating to school discipline that was amended or added by the 89th legislature. And after receiving this, school districts must provide to each student and the parent the prepared report. We have not received this document from TEA yet. >> It's in the mail. >> Those are all the laws that apply to our code of conduct. on this just to be uh to begin we'll take a quick look at the school district's authority and jurisdiction. The new code of conduct does outline where the school district has authority. As you can see, there are many situations that exist outside of the regular school hours and outside of school events.
024Later on, I will identify a few changes resulting from the passage of House Bill Six that Razesport ISD had direct impact on the 89th legislative session uh to continue to keep our schools safe. One of the major changes this year is with chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code. Um and that is that is what primarily governs the pseudo code of conduct. Previously, districts could use district of innovations plans to exempt certain sections of chapter 37. Um, however, with this year's change, we are no longer able to uh exempt things such as the campus behavior coordinator position. In the in the past we have exempt this because we have a campus of 2400 plus students and naming one person as the campus behavior coordinator does create challenges but we can no longer exempt it. So
025we will be naming each uh campus will have a designated campus behavior coordinator. The dress code is outlined in the code of conduct and after reviewing the campus with the campus administration, we have determined that maintaining the current dress code is appropriate for next school year. This makes it easy for everyone to maintain consistency across grade levels and campuses districtwide. So, a little more on the area that we hit on. This is a section on House Bill 1481. We'll now review our House Bill 1481 mandate process for personal communication devices. The new Texas state law went into effect June 20th, 2025 with school systems required to adopt a written policy. by September 18th in alignment with House Bill 148 1481 and FNCE local adopted just a few minutes ago. We will review the key guidelines
026outlined in our student code of conduct for 2526. Those key requirements again are that students shall not use personal communication devices during the school day. Students shall store the devices in accordance with the method established by the district. The district may authorize the use of personal communication devices for the purposes outlined here and mentioned earlier. And unauthorized use will result in disciplinary action. After discussions with campus administrators and reviewing our 2425 practices, we have modified our previous year's practices to school. I'm sorry, previous year's practices fit the new requirements by the state. Students may bring the device to school, which was an option that we we could have exercised either way or not, but students may bring the devices to school each day, provided the device is silenced or off and stored in a bag,
027locker or backpack. We elected not to purchase lockup pouches, rather work with our stu students on storage of their devices. Uh next, the term school day had to be further defined and since most ES already considered upon entry into the building in the morning. As the start, campuses will continue this model. Of course, training will happen the first week of school and ongoing reminders will take place. The devices will remain put away until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the day. Our consequences currently are outlined in a progressive way and are meant to provide minor first offense consequences to allow students to collect their phone themselves if the rule is violated on the first offense. Parents will be notified each time the rule is violated. The second offense would require a parent to
028come to the campus to pick up the device. And if the rule is broken a third time, the parent will be required to pick up the phone and the student will receive campus discipline for repeatedly violating the rule. And this was discussed at length with our campus principles, specifically our high school campus principles. So this was uh a collaborative effort to develop a consequent scale. Additionally, campus administrators and teachers are working to review deescalation strategies for students who may elect to engage in non-compliant behavior. Any student who refuses to relinquish a telecommunication device on request by a staff member or administrator will be subject to further disciplinary measures in accordance with the student code of conduct. This may include inschool suspension, out of school suspension, or other disciplinary actions as appropriate. Devices that are confiscated
029and left unclaimed will fall under the Texas Education Code 37.082, which states after 90 days, unclaimed devices may be disposed of. Parents and guardians will be given reasonable written notice prior to disposal. All right, shifting gears a little bit and before we move on, just want to remind you that we do consider mitigating factors when making determinations for student discipline. Those include self-defense, lack of intent, the students discipline history, a disability that substantially impairs a student's capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness, the students status under foster care, and also a student's status as homeless. Those are the six areas that were required to review prior to assigning discipline. All right, some other updates coming out of uh the legislative session. Um House Bill six changed from last year's mandatory DAP assignment for possession of an ecigarette
030or vape to a new strategy they've implemented where you have the option of sending the student to a discretionary DAP assignment or placing the student in inschool suspension for a period of at least 10 days. Of course, we always go back to the mitigating factors when determining placements of DAP or ISS and as well as reviewing the number of days based on those mitigating factors. Now moving to exciting topic of inschool suspension. So just give you the overview in the past uh probably 20 years in school suspension had no limitation and then two years ago the commissioner determined that the suspension terminology meant for inschool or out of school which is a three-day maximum. So, for the past two years, we've been held to a three-day maximum for in school suspensions and uh really that
031was an interpretation of the rule and it was clarified this year uh in the legislative session. So, the clarification uh yielded us the opportunity to use inschool suspension as needed. There's no maximum number of days for inschool suspension uh which is what it used to be a couple years ago. Um, so we do have to have a review of a student who's going to be in there more than 10 consecutive days. That's not a typical thing that happen in our district, but it is it isn't a very good opportunity for us to bridge the gap between we were maxed out at three days of ISS or OSS or DAP and that's a huge jump. So really value this this change that we could use the inschool suspension more than just a simple three days at
032a time when needed. Uh, next big piece, out of school suspension. There were some changes. I don't know if you guys are familiar with this, but uh, we were limited on out of school suspension for kids below grade three or students who were homeless. Uh, which did create some challenges on occasion. But as you can see from the two middle bullets there, um, basically they could be suspended for assault, drugs, or weapons. Now, those two middle bullets allow us that if we need to, if there are if there's conduct that threatens the health and safety of others or if there's conduct that results in repeated disruptions to the classroom. So, for our elementary principles, that was a needed relief. It's not often that that needs to happen, but on occasion there is a suspension needed
033and those parameters hold true for homeless students as well. So those provisions did allow us some more flexibility for OSS as needed. We will continue uh to maintain the board's uh desire to keep 10 additional discretionary placements outlined. that we will keep those as mandatory placements. So, as as you can see, this makes our code of conduct far stricter than most and shows that we value and protect the classroom. So, our our campuses and teachers are grateful for that. And I do want to be clear that these are not the Ten Commandments. That was your joke, Mr. Schul. You did well. Thank you. All right. So, just getting close to wrapping this up. There are levels four, five, and six in our code of conduct. And those are the major offenses and they're outlined there.
034And those are offenses where we have no option. Uh we shall place students in the DAP or LLC in our lighthouse or maybe at the JJ, which is the justice juvenile alternative education program. So they are listed in the code of conduct for those major infractions. And before we wrap up, a little brag time for B D. With our advocacy at the state level, BISD introduced three areas of concern regarding off-campus threatening behavior that were not identified as punishable by school districts. our influence and voice was heard. And House Bill Six now outlines three areas of off-campus behavior that are mandatory DAP infractions. And those include the off-campus arrest for deadly conduct, uh, disorderly conduct involving a firearm, and the events of unlawful carrying of a weapon. And that would be a class A or
035B misdemeanor. Brazesport ISD continues to set the standard with our district goal of ensuring the learning environments will be safe and conducive to learning. At this time, the administration recommends that the board of trustees approve the 2526 student code of conduct as presented and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. >> Any questions from the board? Mr. Whitehead. So, our new code of conduct which is has model plus whatever been added with our personal cell phone and all that. Um, was that you said the lawyers recommended not having as much stuff in it anymore cuz I noticed that the big a big difference is the uh details on the offenses on level three, four, five. That's quite a big quite a big difference. So, >> right. >> Will that be covered
036in in administrative ray? I guess. >> Yeah. So, the plan this year is to is to have an administrator reference guide for those levels. We're going to work on sorting out all the things that have moved or changed and creating a secondary document possibly to merge everything next year. Um, so the the campus administrators like having the levels referenced so that they can if you do this, you get this. If you do this, there's still some flexibility in the range on those consequences, but it helps them categorize. So, we're referencing last year's manual some, but we do plan to provide them uh an additional reference guide for levels. does by not having it in the code does it affect our ability to enforce those? >> Actually, there's there's broader flexibility in the new one because
037they're they're maintained in a very general way. Uh what we do kind of narrows the scope a little more to categorize. But if if you're familiar with the code of conduct, levels two and three pretty are pretty open to everything up through inschool suspensions. And and in here you'll see almost every infraction is open to almost any consequence. And what we built was an opportunity to give guidance to administrators and some clarity to our parents. and we'll we'll continue to have that. Um it's just not uh something we have right now to start the school year with. >> Does uh I noticed there that I think it was on the telephone situation. Um at least 10 days in ISS. Is that >> for the vapes? for the vape. >> That's just for the is that
038just for the vape or is that >> that's specific to vapes or ecigarettes in campuses uh and on campus? So last year the mand it was a mandatory DAP um and schools across the state um chose to do a little different strategies based on mitigating factors. Um, a student has zero discipline history, uh, and they're a junior in high school and they got caught with a nicotine vape, possibly like in their car or something like that, they would not typically send that student to DAP for a first time offense. They consider discipline history and make logical conclusions with that. So, this year they rewrote it. They're still trying to figure out what to do with vapes. They're not doesn't seem like anybody's really sure what they want to do with it, but at least they
039pulled off the mandatory DAP assignments and now it's a discretionary or 10 days of ISS. >> Okay, >> that's the way the the law is written. >> The way this written for ISS, you know, 10 days and principal monitors the educational progress. I assume that's has been done anyway. I mean, in the past, but uh So, what's my question? If if they're not making educational progress during those 10 days, what happens? I mean, that's that's that's our systems failure at that point. So, the world, how do we how do I mean, it's good that they're they're checking >> to see if there's progress because it needs to be because that's I mean, there there's less distractions at that point. So should be making progress. But I I just wonder why it's written that way. It
040seems >> I think it has to do with reviewing the services that they receive because in school suspension you're typically managed through a non-certified teacher. And so they want to make sure that students are getting the materials they need, the lessons they need, uh that they're not just sitting idly in ISS for we we don't have that problem. So, it's hard for me to really speculate, but I'm going to assume that it's just left in there and and no one's really checking to see how things are going. We I don't anticipate uh we've not done more than a 10day assignment in a long time. I mean, usually if we get a major infraction that we're not sending DAP, the 10day is about the max we would ever use and usually it's the rest of the
041week and maybe the next. If it's beyond that, we're going to send the student to DAP because it it would require it more than likely. So, I don't anticipate we'll be making long. Now, we could get in a situation toward the end of the school year with 15 days of school out as opposed to sending the kid to DAP that we would assign something like a 15 day. >> You know, there was a time though that kid was in ISS and he didn't do his work. was monitored by the teacher who was not completed and he was extended in ISS until that was done. And so, you know, to me that's if you're going to send them there and you're going to give them assignments, then don't let them out when they finish it. I
042went by Mr. Mloud's class and I got a little bit of rocket science. I'm pretty pretty sure that a holiday just got a little bit >> but I mean that's a if we're going to sit and die at death it's got to have a point and you know a lot of them will go in there and sit and so you know and if they sit and don't do their work that's not a major offense But it's the point where they're not getting anything done and uh so do they go to DAB or what do we do with them? >> Well, we do a lot with them. You know, if we get a kid that's apathetic and not doing assignments and things like that. Obviously, our our counselors, our administrators intervene. We look at strategies to
043to motivate. And ultimately, if a student doesn't do their work, they're going to be failing. And that's why we have our uh BSA program to help students in those in those areas. I mean, there's a variety of things we're going to do, but you're right. You know, a student could just decide they're not going to do anything. And they probably aren't doing anything in class if they're not doing anything in, you know, kids seen it. You know, I've seen it. It's the same thing. you know, they're there and oh, I'm in ISS, >> but it's easier in three days to hold them accountable. >> Yeah. >> Because they can usually go without teacher instruction for three days. >> If I'm there for 10 days, >> it's hard. Think about what we're going to be doing
044in rocketry or or physics class >> four to five days from now. Um, so there's got to be a instructional component sometimes to help those kids that are there. But I'm all for do not let them out until they've done the work. >> And you know, it's like you said three days. Yes. And and and for certain everybody's been in the classroom, gets behind everything's going crazy. You got to have a way, you know, we got to make sure that there's a way that uh we check the progress after those three days and we're not doing it. Then the teacher needs to, you know, I don't know if there's a way to report it or something or intervention at that time. >> Yeah. And this new this new update does give us the option if
045they're assigned for three to five days to keep them in there longer. So the the previous three-day limit, you know, it was a It was a mandate. It was an interpretation of the law. Uh so we were three days and you're out or we're going to get, you know, flagged as a a student being in ISS longer than 3 days. Now we do have more flexibility to say you got three days and if you don't get it done, you're going to stay three more days until you do get it done. So it it actually helps us. >> How many students are you on average are you dealing with at any given time? I know every >> which campus uh no our our in school suspension uh it just depends on the time of year you
046know our middle and intermediate schools there's there's six eight kids maybe at a time in our ISS there's not a lot of kids in in school suspension certain times of the year there's two or three uh you know end of the year you know in the spring >> you may have 10 11 12 kids that are having do a couple of days for some behavior and then of course Brazesville with 2400 students, you know, you you could you get a pretty good size group in there and it's still a small percent, very very small percent. So overall, we don't have an overcrowded ISS facility and and same thing with our DAP. We don't have an overcrowded DAP. Our kids do really good. They really do. They respond and the the strategies that that have been
047put in place are working really well with our kids. I don't say that too loudly because I knock on wood. But we got good kids. >> Do we still do pre and post school deh hall? Is that still a thing? >> We do some Saturday deh halls, uh after school deh halls. A lot of it too they they implement through the right choice programs where students aren't eligible to participate in things if they don't stay out of ISS. And that's a that's a big piece for kids. They're not able to go to the dances and things like that or the right choice right choice celebrations. It's a We do the carrot and the stick uh so to speak and our campuses are really good at it. >> Anybody else? >> Audience? >> All right, hearing
048none. Then uh we have a recommendation from the administration to approve the student code of conduct as presented. Do I hear a motion? >> Moved by Joe. Do I hear a second? >> Second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> All oppose by nay. It carries. Thank you. >> Next item that we have on our agenda under the is the shared services agreement renewal with Independent School District for the Sierra School. Brian. >> Good evening. In accordance with EHBAC legal. is my pleasure to present tonight regarding the shared service agreement renewal that will continue to allow the district more options to provide individualized education meeting the needs of our students. The Sierra Schools program is a shared service agreement renewal with Angleton ISD to utilize three seats for Brazport ISD students in their
049existing contract with Sierra Schools for a day school program. It is designed to provide social and behavioral interventions for students with high demonstrated needs in grades six through 8 and it will continue to be an additional placement option for students in need of more intense support than our current behavioral program called best. We have either been unable who who have either been unable to demonstrate success in other environments. The cost for the program this school year is a little over $124,000. And last school year, all three spots were utilized during different parts of the school year. And we anticipate starting this year with one spot filled, which will leave us room for students that may join us at the beginning of the school year or later on in the school year that demonstrates such needs
050or a returning student perhaps that demonstrates need for such supports. At this time, the administration recommends the approval of the shared service agreements renewal as presented and authorization for the superintendent to sign the agreement. Happy to answer any questions that you may have. >> Is that a year-long placement or is that a kind of a month your month there kind of a deal? Generally students uh students that go there uh they're uh set up with certain expectations and certain goals and some students that demonstrate success are able to work their way back into main campuses but students that um some students continue to need that level of support. So it really depends on student >> it is 6 through 12 grade >> 6 through 12 correct. Yes. So, how many spots is contracting with this
051Sierra group? How many total spots are >> believe they have 10 spots? >> We have three and I believe they may be contracting with one other district as well. >> Oh, are they? Okay, that was my question. and all all of >> house I believe that they're JJ A transportation >> we provide the transportation >> so that's an additional >> correct >> although it's important to note that there are some reimbursements for special education transportation that may not cover all of the costs but at least are somewhat increased and um depending each year uh the Texas education agency releases what's called high cost reimbursement uh number of course they don't release it until the school year has started. So if there's if the cost of education for a student I believe is above three times
052the normal for special education then the district can apply for um reimbursement of those high cost fees but sometime once again we don't know the threshold until after the school year starts. No need to get information. >> Without you, if we truly have four that need our service, if we truly have four that need service, um we can always consult and see if they have a spot available. Um but generally in programs like this, there's not a spot available. So, we continue to work with the students and identify what how we can service the need for the students that's waiting in their current placement. and and then some cases there's other programs available like other day placement facilities that if if needs are high we could explore those as well. >> Do we have a
053an action plan so to speak in in place should that happen? >> Well, we know lots of different facilities and resources and we have worked many years with students that have behavioral needs. So, um we have a great team. Uh we have several uh BCBA certified behavior um people that are able to come and take a look and help us create the plan as we move forward. Yes. >> Move for approval. >> All right. It has been moved by Mr. Corner that we approve the recommendation by the administration and seconded by Joe. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. N. >> Thank you. Thank you. Next item that we have in our action items is the agreement or purchase of credit from the state. Thank you. We have received notification from the
054Texas Education Agency that our projected local revenue will exceed our state entitlement for the 2526 school year. This is this determination is based on TA's estimates which rely on projected student enrollment and estimated property values for the 2025 tax year. Last year, the ISD was initially anticipated to theory capture. However, due to tax rate compression, the district ultimately did not owe any recapture payments. Uh for the 202526 TA has once again identified the ISD as a district that may be subject to recapture at this time. The proposed budget does not include recapture payments and none are anticipated. Uh before the board may adopt a tax rate, it is legally required to take action and select a method to reduce local revenue in in excess of entitlement. This step ensures compliance with the Texas Education Code
055section 48.257 and 49.004 and aligns with the state's funding formula. As a district with projected local revenue in excess of our state entitlement, we are required to take action to reduce that excess. The Texas Education Code provides five options available to districts in this situation. Option one is to cons consolidate with another district. Uh two, detach property. Three, purchase attendance credits from the state. Uh four, contract to educate non-resident students from a partner district. And number five, consolidate tax basis with another district. Options one, two, and five are not viable for to our district. uh consolidating or detaching property would reduce our tax base for both uh M and INS purposes. This would decrease our capacity to support future bonds and could require an increase in the INS tax rate to meet our current debt
056obligations. Option three, purchasing attendance credits from the state is the lowest cost option for the district. This involves a direct payment to the state and includes a credit for the amount we pay to our county appraisal district. Historically, Francisport ISD has chosen this option and it continues to be the most cost-effective and administratively feasible solution for us as the next step in this process. If a district has received notification from TEA indicating that it will have local revenue in excess of entitlement, it must take action. Specifically, the district is required to submit the district intent and choice selection form by September 1st, 2025. This form indicates which option or combination of options the district plans to use to re reduce its excess local revenue for the 2526 school year. Submitting this form allows the district
057to begin any necessary preparations for an election under chapter 49 of the Texas Education Code should that be required. The second major deadline to be aware of is January 15, 2026. By that by that date, the district must submit the official agreement or contract to reduce excess local revenue based on the option selected selected earlier. These steps are essential to remain in compliance with state funding requirements and to ensure we can continue forward with our budget and tax rate adoption process. This recommendation must be made exactly as written and recorded in the minutes. Um, the administration recommends that the board of trustees approve the agreement for the purchase of attendance credits with the commissioner of education and delegate contractual authority to obligate the school district under Texas Education Code TEC 11.1511C4 to the superintendent solely
058for the purpose of obligating the district under TEC 48.257 257 and TEC chapter 49 subchapters A and B and the rules adopted by the education and authorized under TEC 49.006 >> and that concludes my presentation. I'd be happy to answer any questions. >> Any questions from the board? >> We have a guess. >> How much we get to get back to the general fund? >> How much fun? >> How much? No. How much? How much we capture might be? >> There is uh no recapture anticipated for next year. It's more of a formality because based on their estimates, we are identified as being a propertyrich school district, but we don't anticipate having to make a recapture payment. Uh this year we for fiscal year 2425 uh you have to do the we have to do
059the same and we're not going to have a recapture payment this year as well. And it's because of the compression of the tax. >> I love I love the options. >> Great options. Any other comments or questions from the board >> in the audience? All right. Do I hear a motion? >> I'll make a motion that we approve the agreement for the purchase of attendance credit of education and delegate contractual authority to obligate the school district under Texas education code 11.1511C4 to the superintendent solely for the purpose of obligating the district under TEC 48257 and TEC chapter 49 subchapters A and D and rules adopted by the commission of education under the TEC 49.0 and you didn't have the mic >> that's been moved by Mr. Atkins there second I mean do I hear quar
060all those Figure in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> All oppose by nay. All right. Thank you, ma'am. >> That's all of our action items. Our next regular scheduled uh meeting is 18th. Thank you all for coming today to the special meeting. Uh unless uh there's a need, we do not have any other items discussed for executive session. >> Okay. That being the case, unless there are any objection, we will stand a journ.