001He he said at his granddaughter. >> Um before we begin the meeting, we're going to do a little special thing for um a special person here. So, if you'll just give us a second. >> Very special. What's going on? >> Um, this is this is our board administrative assistant and she does so much for us. And tomorrow is administrative assistant day, I believe. And so this is perfect timing. We decided to go together and get her a card and a little gift card so she and her husband can go out for a nice little dinner sometime. And we'd like to present Monica Hall with this. And I think it is a surprise. And she does things like putting all the receptions together as well. She does lots of stuff in the district, not just for
002us. >> Yeah. No, she likes she is the the cog that runs this district. >> Hey. >> Yes, sir. I was trying >> two more. >> Thank you. >> She had a hard time. Oh, John is um he's at a granddaughter's concert tonight. >> He hated to miss. All right. And we're just in time. That was that was pretty good timing. Um I'm like I'd like to call this meeting to order. It's April 21st, 2026, 6:00 p.m. We're glad to have everyone out tonight. And we know it's just because you love to come to schoolboard meetings. That's why everybody's here. But but thank you for coming anyway. You get a little little good taste of it because in just a few minutes we'll do what most of you are here for and that's the good
003things that are happening. But before that, we're going to have um the pledges that are going to be performed by the students of Fairview Jewel Elementary School and our invocation by Miss Samantha Wilson. Everyone, please stand. I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Now for the Texas pledge. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge algiance to the Texas. One state under God, one indivisible. >> All right. If you guys will join me for prayer. Father, we're so thankful for this day that you have created. Um, I'm thankful for the new mercies that you give us every morning. I pray that as we make the decisions for the districts that we
004can do things to glorify you, bring unity, um, and just a great education for the kids here at Hers Cove. We thank you for all the things that you've done and we give you all the glory in Jesus name. Can I OUR mission statement is going to be read tonight by Ma. >> We'll we'll get it. I'm sorry. That's okay. The mission of Coppers Cove ISD is to provide exceptional opportunities for each student through exemplary instruction which inspires academic success, personal excellence, and responsible citizenship. Thank you. Got it. Now, >> do we have any citizens comments? Okay. So, we're on to good things. And so if our board would go down here, we'll get that started. All right, Madam President, ladies and gentlemen of the board, Dr. Hawkins, we have a a decent list of
005recognitions tonight of some pretty incredible things happening in the district. The first one that we'd like to start with tonight is a student at one of our junior high campuses who is looks like more than a third of the way done with high school. Logan Freeze from Cons Junior High. Three, two, one. One more. Two. >> If you if you didn't hear over the applause, >> I can't hear. So, if you if you weren't able to hear over the applause, Logan has nine high school credits already, also in junior high. >> Our next rec our next three student recognitions are all groups who have done some pretty incredible things. First, the Fair Joel Elementary archery team. So, this group became the first CCI archery team to advance to the NASB state archery tournament and scored
006a team high 2142 while they were in San Antonio. Smile for me. 4 1 2 Congratulations. >> Way to go. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. Good job. >> Our next group for recognition tonight, the traffic clears out a little bit. From Co Peppers High School, the girls powerlifting team had several powerlifters who advanced not only to the THSWPA regional competition, but all the way to the state championships. All right, everyone right here. Three, two, one. One more. One, two, three. Our final group of student recognitions for tonight is also high school and is the boys powerlifting team which just like the girls has several athletes who qualify for the THSBA regional championships and some who advanced to the state championships. I'm going to have all three of those scoot over here. That way. Okay, we're
007good. Trader, you're good. I'm just banning and um I'm supposed to take one small step to your right. >> Right there. >> All right. Three, two, one. >> One more. One, two, three. As we move into staff recognitions tonight, we've had several campuses that have earned some prestigious honors this year. The these honors that we're recognizing tonight are from the educational results partnership to the state honorable one of the top performing elementary schools in the state of Texas. We have three camps awards tonight. We will recognize each one individually. First, Fairview Jewel Elementary, which was made to the honorable list in 2021. Rock >> 3, two, one. Four. One, two, THREE. >> The next campus being honored uh was named to the East Texas Honoral not once but twice in the last two years with
008House Street Elementary School earning the honor in both 2024 and 2025. ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE. RIGHT HERE. 34. Never mind. >> We're good. And our final campus for tonight, Mark Walker Elementary School, take a small step to your right, sir. this evening. All Right. Wow. A lot of a lot of you stayed. I'm kind of amazed. But there's there's some exciting things going on in our meeting, right? >> Yeah. >> We're waiting. >> Well, the next exciting thing is coming right up and uh our administrative reports. We are announcing the 2026 2027 principles. So the moment everyone's been looking for um let me just say that you know this is it it's been a pleasure uh to be in this school district and I say that with all humbleness and sincerity because what I found is
009some exceptional people and uh when you have exceptional people And that gives kids a chance for exceptional opportunities. And so, um, we we as always in all school districts, we have folks that that come along and then go other places. Uh, Mr. Grammar, we're we're talking, >> he he's waving to the crowd over here. He's he's riding off in retirement. He's been the president of the TASSP this past year and continues uh through the spring. and and we appreciate your service, CHARLES. And so when he came to me and started talking about retiring, um I'm a I'm a real strong believer in and I and I try to preach this and I try to hold up to what I told the board of trustees that um every day I will work to make an impact
010on those I serve. And so I have no problems with saying that every day is a job interview. And so once we started having positions open, I I did get some, you know, some advice, you know, cuz superintendent job is the easiest job in the world to do, right? Cuz cuz everybody knows how to do it cuz when when there's a job or position open or something, somebody wants to give me advice on it. And so I think we're going to make some people happy. So just bear with me. Um but but really and truly that that notion of every day being a job interview um and and being in our district when you think about the district and what makes Copper College special to me, one of the things that I have seen that
011really is ingrained in in my experience this past year has been the number of alumni. I mean, we we went to the boots and buckles and this young guy right here, goodlook man sitting on the front row right here, uh, got a huge honor and as an alumni and so that that whole trend of being a dog. Now, first of you going to say, well, you're kind of an immigrant, Dr. Austin, and that may be true, but I also think when you come here and you pour your heart into this place, you can be a dog no matter when you got here. you got here as quick as you could. Some of us have been here longer than others. Okay. And so, Mr. Mr. Grammer's replacement at the high school, I'm very very honored of
012what this gentleman is going to bring to that high school. Uh, great leader and he's a better human being. And I think when you start with somebody that's a good person, the rest of them can come. Jeff Shannon, please come out. I MEAN, you know, they laughing and and when your child gets in trouble, y'all be booing him, too, right? No, we're we're extremely extremely blessed. He he graduated here. He's alumni. Uh he he's invested in this community and uh there's some great things going to continue to happen at Copper Cove High School. So, we look forward to that. And you can't leave cuz we got some more some more announcements on the way >> and speech speech. >> You got >> I'll just say this. I mean, I've been in the district a long
013time. I uh I don't take this assignment to this position lightly. I mean, I feel like we've got some really good people that that are at the high school and I've worked throughout my years. Um, just kind of knowing, getting to know people. That's the biggest thing with me is just I'm a people person, you know, and I'm just uh really excited about working with the people there and making sure that we uh make it the best place for kids. And so that's always been the focus, right? And so um that has always been my philosophy, continue to my philosophy until I retire one day. And uh so I'm just my own and I'm I'm make sure that the high school is what it is. Speaking of making tough decisions, you know, when when Jeff
014came to me and talk to me about his career goals and the trajectory of where he wanted to be, uh you know, I went to cop junior high and I knew the decision that I was making was going to make some people mad. you know, I walked in the room, everybody's like, "Hey, here comes our call. Good to see you." And then, you know, when we delivered the news, it wasn't for you. It was an emotional moment. And I think that says something about the investment that Jeff has with the people he serves. He he's a very relational person and that's what we're looking for at the high school. Somebody that's relational, that loves kids, that's bested, is committed. So, moving on to the next open opening, and some of this is a shuffle. Uh,
015we have a a lady here that's been an AP in the district uh for longer than she's been a principal. Uh, but uh, Miss Heather Peacock, please come on up here. So, you know, I I I take great commitment in the fact that I I was able to name her as principal of of May Stevens uh over there and she's done an exceptional job this year. And so, we we've looked strategically about uh our district and next year she's going to be the principal at CPE. It wasn't that long ago that she was being named principal and so now here we are. >> Yeah. A year later. Um I I'm I'm excited. I'm a little nervous. I'll be honest. Um it's it's like tripling the size of what I've done this year, but um I
016love new challenges and um excited to get started. put some things in place I'd like to see happen >> and and we are we're excited to to see this and you know sometimes you know things just you know we shuffle things around and and and that's not all change change is is sometimes a good thing and so Miss Gravitz is a Cove alumni come on up Robert and uh and and she is a cove high Hey, if you got a blue purse, you know, blue is the way of my heart. Okay, so come on up. She is she is going to May Stevens and uh I I know that in working with Robin, she's got a heart for kids and uh you know, I I think May is one of the greatest jobs. I got
017a kid in Florida that's that's going to graduate from going to be a teacher. She said, "Dad, what should I do?" I said, "Work with the littles. I I mean that is that is God's calling. And so Robin, at this time you you can do just a little and then you know we're we're losing somebody. Roger has served us at uh Coppers Cove Junior High and and done a great job this year and and he for some reason I don't I think he missed pine trees and mosquitoes because he's going back behind the pine curtain in East Texas and and we wish him well and appreciate all that he's done. And that all opened up. Y'all notice that there there's none none of us immigrants that's coming into all this shovel. that's attributed to the
018power and the things and the people that's going on here. So, Dr. Rebecca Shook, so Dr. show is going to be uh heading up cold junior high and uh the things that she brings there unequivocally without a doubt is going to bring success to that campus. Uh number one, how long you served in the district? 32 years. DECADES the service and and I know that that it is different between going from the elementary to the junior high and these things but when when you look at the body of work that she brings to the table Rebecca shut could be anywhere and she's going to be successful. We're very excited about what's coming to Conquer Cove Junior High. So, is that all of them? >> One more left. >> And and I'm very proud of this
019person here because with Dr. Shut coming to the junior high, that leads an opening at Fairview Jewel Elementary. And uh once again, every day is a job interview. uh this person and and and the job that Dr. Chuck has done is is very uh you know when where's coach s coach southern when when you know when he hits 52 years of service in Texas high school you know coach Southern's a winner and and his programs win and so it's real easy to go inside when you have success you know when you have when you have disappointment You don't ever look inside, right? But when you have success, you look inside in athletics or anywhere else. And so for the past years uh at at Fairview Jewel, you know, that was the first campus that I
020visited when I became superintendent of the district and and Curtis calls me and we talked on the phone and he says, "Where do you want to start?" I said, "I'm going to start at Fairview." That was intentional uh because there there was great things going on there. And so in order to keep those great things going on there, um there's an employee here that has has done the things that she needs to do to pay her dues. And she's paid her dues and it's time for her to move up because she's been part of this success. And she is a bulldog as well, an alumni. Vanessa, come on down. I got a little bit out, but there's no doubt. and you won the fan award tonight. Great job on that. That's not all those things
021are going to happen. Very, but I didn't give Dr. Sh an opportunity to say anything. So, she thought I'd missed her. So, you got anything you want? >> I just want to say I'm honored to take on this um this week and um you know, I I'm proud to be a bulldog and and I'm here to serve kids and and do what's best for our district. excited for Vanessa Tammer opportunity. >> So that is a segue into Vanessa. >> I'm I've been honored and blessed to serve for four years with Dr. Shek and her Joel has a special place in my heart to have great staff and students and I look forward to continuing this work. So just a funny >> at the job FAIR dreams come true at the CCIS and literally I pulled
022her over to the side and I said hey everyday is a job interview So we job interviewed right there and then she came back and and job interviewed with with Dr. Cwley and and Dr. Shook and uh I know that winning is going to keep happening there. I'm I'm very proud of very and what's going to go on there. So at that point uh you can see a lot of work has been done and thought into putting this team together. I'm very excited. We got great people and great leaders here and uh conversely great things is going to happen to kids. So with that said, we got a lot of work to do. Uh we we got to we got to get an AP in in her position and we'll be announcing that in the
023coming days. But other than that, to each of you who have been a leader and invested in our kids, thank you for all you do. We appreciate it. God bless. Hey. 3 2 1 Okay, now now comes the mass Congrats. Um, everybody, we still have a meeting we need to conduct. So, y'all y'all are welcome. If you need to leave, you're welcome to leave it. You know, it we'll cry, but it's okay. head up. We understand we have we had we have out of town visitors. Y'all can y'all can see um John Jeff's twin brother that's just leaving. Take it y'all. Jeremy Jeremy turn around and look at everybody. Don't call me. >> He came up to say hi to me tonight cuz um Jeremy and Jeff were one of my son's really good friends.
024And uh I thought it was Jeff coming up to me. I thought he's kind of dressed down for getting the principal's job and then I realized it was a twin brother who I hadn't seen in a hundred years. Anyway, good guys, good family. All of y'all, we're we're all so proud of you. I don't know if we got to tell each one of you individually how proud we are, but but we are all proud of each one of you and looking forward to to great things. The next thing on the agenda is our NAS update. Uh we some of us went to NAFUS uh which is the n national association of federally Impacted schools. It was in Washington DC. It was during spring break and so Dr. Hawkins um Sam Heather. >> Yeah. And I
025went to that and it was a really really really good meeting. And um I'm going to let everybody I will just add that that it was a really great meeting. We got to see the highlight for me was getting to meet with our representative uh Representative John Carter. And I mean he took all the time in the world with us just talk we talked about everything and what Cove needed and wanted. And uh he's going to help us with um some grants and things like that. And you know that's an opportunity that doesn't come along every day. And so to me that was the highlight of being uh there that that part of a week. But we had lots of great meetings. And I'm going to start with um Sam and add anything you want
026to. This was um obviously my first NASA conference that I've been to. And I think one thing that was super impactful for me to learn was just the sheer amount of people that work hard to make sure that the kids who are military impacted get the money that they need and deserve. Um and so it was really cool seeing just how much work goes into it, how many years this has been going on, and then just how often these people are like lobbying for the fact that, you know, these kids deserve this money. And so, um, I'm excited to continue to learn more. I don't think it's a type of conference that you're a one and done and half, you know, you don't learn anything else. So, I'm excited to work for the district and,
027you know, do what we need to do to make sure that our kids are represented at DC. >> Um, Sam, you mentioned one thing uh at one of the meetings. I don't know if you remember this, but we were we were in talking to one of the staffers of of I think Senator Cornin and um he mentioned something that you said was worth the trip. >> Yeah, absolutely. So, we were um and and they were talking with Judge John Carter um and it was with Judge Carter and we were in there talking and I was on the side talking with one of the staffers and I was just letting him know that because we are so heavily impacted with the military and the veterans who um don't have to pay their um property tax that
028that does impact our income that we get for our school district. And so I was able to talk to him and it was one of his um first days for the the school money. And so he was very interested in learning that that does affect our school taxes. Um and he definitely wanted to make sure that that was known across all of the staff. Um and it was just a great time to be able to talk to him about that. Um and make sure that those kids again were represented um with our representatives. So yeah, that's great. Yeah, I think the thing that was exciting to me about the trip and in every trip, you know, I learn a little bit more. Um, I think that is in life. Um, you know, we we really
029don't deserve a lot. Uh, but we're blessed when we get an opportunity. And I say that from the standpoint of um you know, we learned about uh the Department of Defense and their next round of construction grants. And so um you know, I was I was very attuned to that. Uh yesterday uh that grant was released. And so we've just kind of broke the seal on that grant and we're looking at it from the standpoint of what impacts our kids based on what is our needs. And uh you know w with all grants uh we've got a a a district capital improvement plan that is uh extensive and beyond what we can afford. And so anytime that we get an opportunity uh uh with the grant like that. Um I'm I'm uh excited about it.
030That doesn't mean you'll get it. Uh but it's like anything else in life. You know, if you play baseball and you don't never get in the batters box, you're never going to get the ball. And so, um, you know, I've also, uh, watched a lot of people in my life that just didn't give up, too. And so, you know, if we have to apply, we get it on the first try, hey, that's great. If it takes five tries, it's still great. It's um, you know, uh, I I I think at some point u, you know, the opportunities there for us to get that. And you know, our our facilities are are something that we we continue to work on. We're blessed uh that the community invested in in the bond and the three campuses that
031we have there, but we got we got needs beyond that. And so, uh I'm looking forward to that and going through that process. And uh the the good and bad of it is is that the grant closes like in 3 weeks. So what that means is there's a lot of things that's got to be poured into that grant in a short period of time. But you know uh be being able to go and to listen to the Fonta and those people who are are in charge of that and present that to us um definitely give us a leg up on being able to do that and you know we'll we'll see how it goes and be prayerful that uh we'll be blessed. I just want to tell you we went to a series of roundts
032where we discussed with some other groups some of the problems that they were seeing and how they were working with them and we were able to discuss some of our things as well. um just great input on um not even just problems, just um ideas and and how to better engage our folks. And the the big thing is is just showing everyone that they're wanted and needed and cared for, not just our staff, but our kids. Um and and ideas on how to do that. That was such a great um session that we had and working with the groups that were there with us. Um that we had many very interesting things and some new ideas that um like the grants just things we wouldn't have known about so much um had wouldn't have had
033time to plan for without going. Um it's just a a great time to be there and a a great learning experience. >> Yeah. One more thing that I was reminded of when um Heather was talking the MISA group which is a subgroup of Napas. It stands for Military Impacted Schools Association. And that's some of us have the shirts on that their logo or what they say is champions for children. It's it's you know they're champions for all children not just military but it is a military uh group and they give um scholarships every year. Well a few years ago I think about three years ago one time when I came back I mentioned that nobody from Coppers Cove as I as far as I knew had ever applied for it. Well, somebody applied for it
034that year and we got one of those five scholarships that nationwide was given to kids um military kids. And so I was really happy about that that that we were able to receive one one of the five. I mean, it's a big group and and to to have one of our kids uh get that. And by the way, if there's any high school people here that that hear me again, it'll be it'll be, you know, coming up real soon. If it's not out there right now, I'm sure it's probably out there already, but the M it's MISA Misa um scholarship and it's a it's a good scholarship. I think it's either one or $2,000. And you know, it's that that certainly helps. Every little every little little bit helps. So anyway, it was a it
035was a great meeting. Now, on our consent agenda, I'm going to read those items. Um we have um as as you know we have a workshop the week before we have our regular meeting and we had a workshop last Monday. Monday, right? Yeah. >> Um at 5:00 and so um we've we've gone over these items and asked questions so we try to make the public meeting go pretty quickly. So, the board of trustees meeting minutes are part of the consent agenda for March 9th, 2026, a special called workshop meeting. March 10th, 2026 special called meeting and March 23rd, 2026, our regular meeting. Then we have a budget amendment to the 2025 2026 fiscal year fund 199 operating budget. We have um one we have a few items exceeding $50,000. First renewal of Grapemind's Blue Bonnet
036Math Curriculum K through5. It's RFP2109-600-261-1 and it's for $78,87.74. It's from IMA funds. Then we have purchase of educate walk with purpose mathematics instructional materials and professional development for grades six through algebra 1. It's for $78,550 and it comes from budgeted funds. Then we have renewal of the curriculum adoption for the 2026 2027 school year. This is BB number 748-24 and it's for $91,830 and this comes from CTE budgeted funds. Then we have purchase of Amplify Math and Reading Assessment and Professional Development K through8. It's BB748-24 or $105,359.50 from IMA funds. Then um we are to consider and approve to continue engagement with Singleton Clark and Company as the independent financial auditor for Coppers Cove ISD for the 2026 2027 school year. It's the same company that we had this last year. Then consider and
037approve the recommended libraries book purchases and consider and approve the submission of the certification of provision of instructional material survey for the 2026 2027 school year and consider and approve a resolution in support of military children and families. And then we have an outofstate trip the codelate training um June 8th through 20th 2026 in Utah. Those are that it that is our consent agenda. Does anyone have a question or do you want to talk about any of those items? >> Uh there's no changes to any of those uh that we went over. So they're pretty rudimentary items. Um, you know, I think the one that's probably different that's uh we're the most proud of probably is the military children and families resolution there. We're proud of our those who serve and u and so that's
038kind of different. Everything else is just kind of rudimentary school business. Uh but that rudimentary school business is an engine that makes things go. So without it um you know we we wouldn't be able to do the things that we do. So, um, I recommend that from the administration standpoint >> and I just I'm just curious because that's just how I am, who I am. How many of us here got to Copper's Cove because somehow connected with the military? Whether it was our family, friends, dads, moms, >> a lot of people. I mean, it's the majority, right? So, so there's definitely, you know, a reason to love Well, we just love the military here. I know. And it's special to our hearts. Always will be. And we appreciate those that come in and feel the
039same way. You know, like Dr. Hawkins, he said he got here as quick as we could. He knew nothing about I don't think you knew much. You said your grandfather or an uncle or somebody was in the military. >> Yeah. Dad dad was in the Navy. Um served in Korea. um and uh grandfather and my grandfather-in-law grandfather-in-law was in Korea. Um and then my my grandfather was in Guad Canal in World War II. >> So, so most of us have a connection some one way or another and >> the baby off. You know, my grandbaby is at a Elgen Air Force Base in the Panama City. She's a military kid. >> Yeah. So anyway, we're we're uh this this is near and dear to our hearts to everybody here. All right. Does anyone have a
040motion for our consent agenda? >> We have a motion by Miss Wilson, a second by Miss Copelan, and we'll start with um Tim if you will. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. Everyone here, it's a 6-0 vote. Uh the motion uh has been met and we will go on to our action items. first will consider and approve the 2026 2027 CCISD salary and compensation. See board just say that um and for anybody in the audience uh we we did a rather extensive walkth through um that you can see on YouTube. you can go and and watch that from the workshop and and we walk through that. Um and so um it truly is a process uh that this document comes through um to where it it hit the board in the uh in the special call
041workshop meeting. Uh I I think the main thing of it is this is that not only is it a process to get to, it is a process that continues. And uh there's lots of things you'd like to do, just can't do them overnight. And you've got to do them within the funds that you have. And that that makes it extremely difficult. I don't have to remind folks that if you look around the state, you've seen numerous school closures and and and different uh riffs that have been imposed and and people are really struggling with deficit budgets and and we're not immune to that. And uh you know, I also say that um it's important for good or bad. You think things are good, go vote. You think things are bad, go vote. uh let your
042let your voice be heard. Um it is extremely important and it's important in every every office that impacts public schools, charter schools or education in the state of Texas. And uh I just say that the purpose of this has been to try and um align the best that uh can be done in all areas with the market um driven salaries and u you know I I know that I hadn't talked to anyone in the process that don't that don't want to do more or doesn't want to do uh uh something uh but at the same time uh the constraints uh that we have to navigate through this is definitely one that we have to look at long term and I think last year we made some improvements and I think if you look at that
043if you listen to that video uh it's well documented uh those improvements but in your action sheet uh what comes out of the committee's recommendation was uh that's in it's online it's in your packet um there was some changes last year We changed um the auxiliary staff to where you know everything is trying to get to a market and then at at that market you're trying to look at years of service years of service matters education matters certification matters and then all of our salaries are on a scale which is commonly been referred to as the TASBY scale in which I've used over the past 20 years. I've got 20 years experience with that in some shape, form or fashion. And so, uh, that auxiliary scale, we, uh, are recommending that, uh, the aids and
044that's on the back of that booklet that you have is an attachment there that we move to a similar scale that where they're delineated out, uh, in in that regard. Um, and and so the recommendation was a 3% um, of of most of the groups. that was delineated in the package. Um there was also um the uh the rise teachers uh there there's no increase in their pay. Um from that standpoint they have a path forward just as the clerical I'm sorry the auxiliary has a has a path forward. you know, you can go from a jourman to a master uh in those areas and move up in those pay scales based on certification and so can those rise teachers. there's a path forward for more compensation for them that's tied to certification and uh
045and so along those lines uh teachers uh we looked at the market average on them and there's a longevity stipen I'm sorry not a longevity stipen a retention uh stipen uh in there uh for them as well and so um you know I think the other thing that we all have to grapple with is that we're entering an era where this the people sitting at this day is not going to be the ones that make those decisions. Uh there there's coming a time that unless things are changed that these decisions will all be made in Austin and on teacher pay it was greatly made in Austin. And and hey, I'm I'm I'm for that decision, but I'm also for the local control of doing those things, too. and uh you know and we hope and
046pray that somewhere down the line we'll be made whole from the cost of inflation and I don't have to remind everybody here when you fill your vehicle up what's happening and so schools aren't immune to that and so anyway that's you know just kind of a recap of walking through that so any questions >> yes Dr. Hawkins. I appreciate it. You know, it's uh one I want to say the transparency was amazing right this time around. Very much appreciate it. Um you know, I was very heartened at the brief last week. I thought there was some positive things. And my concern is I think what's in here might might be an error, right? because when I compared the 2627 to 2526, there's not much change and I so, you know, we're going to vote on
047it. We're authorizing it. It doesn't say anything about the 3% pay raise. Again, I think this is there's an error in this. >> No, there there's no error. the the document itself did not change other than if you're just looking strictly at the scales, they didn't change except in the area of the par the aid position. Uh but that's the the 90, you know, 95% of the document remains the same. The employee salaries, you're voting on that action sheet that's in your packet. that action sheet is the one that that walks you through what each one of those uh groups of employees were to get. And so um there's a there's a scale we we don't have a step scale. It is a TASBY scale. And so every employee in our district uh that that
048we have out there is on some part of that scale in the continuum that is entered through the HR process. And then like a new new employee, every employee that's that's here at some point was entered into that scale, there's a pay range. And so when when you consider this and you vote for or against like you know if if you're talking I'm I'm a custodian in the district and and u you know you're voting for a 3% pay raise that's 3% of the midpoint that's applied to that person's salary that moves them through the pay range. So yeah, you know, the the employees don't have steps in there, but there is a scale that employees move through. No, >> I'm tracking right. I've got it in front of me and you know, as I
049and I went through it, I only I found only a couple that actually increased. Um, >> yeah, th those were increased based on that. As I told you, as we as we did the studies, there were some entry scales that we bumped up and compressed those pay scales, but 97% of those scales remain the same. And so, u th those scales are they're they're relevant to the salary study that we have. Everybody is at a point. And so when you look at uh people in those pay ranges and they and they're applied to 3% it's 3% of the midpoint with everybody in that play pay range. So the employees in that range move but the scales are just there and they've been refined uh on like 3% of them but for the great part of
050it you know 95% of that document is the same but it's the employees that can consent contingent on the action of your vote allows you to move. I just want to thank you and your staff for the many many hours that you put into this report. And uh last year the employees were given a 3% raise where it hadn't been done in two years I believe, right? >> at least two years. And then this year we're able to give them another 3% raise. And uh we're going through the process to get you where you need to be and where you want to be and where we want you to be, too. So, I just want to thank you and your staff for the many, many hours that you had to put into this. >> Well,
051and I echo exactly what Miss Hoffire is saying. I mean, this isn't me sitting in a dark room making decisions. It's truly a team of people that looks through there and and board leadership has input into it. Um, you know, you've got chiefs and directors and and folks that are put putting input into that thing. And so, um, yeah, it it is a process and as I said, you know, I was in my previous district 10 years and it it took to year six to kind of turn the turn the turn the page on some of that stuff. And I think the main thing that's in there when you see that, you know, 80% threshold of the market, you know, we we that's that's the key that I think folks didn't realize last year's because,
052you know, when you say, hey, what are you talking about, Dr. specifically if you're below 80% of the market median in those jobs, uh your your salary is looked at, it's reviewed, and if you're below 80%, then we look at years of service and it may be that this person is at 72% and you look at them and they've got two years experience and the market median is is uh uh 12 or 15 years experience. Well, they're probably where they should be because you, you know, no one walks in and begins at the the median market value. And so that person that person stays where they are. The the uh percentage of the midpoint is applied to their salary and and you move on. But like last year, there were some folks that was like,
053I don't know, 62% or 72%. And so, you know, they got 12% 14% raises to get them into the ball game of of being in the market because when we looked at them, not only was they below the market median, but they had several years of experience, too, and should not and should have should should be on on a trajectory to do better. And like I say, that that happens over time. And you you flesh some of these things out as you move forward. And then, you know, hopefully as as folks enter into uh these scales, uh they're placed in a in a in a manner that sets them up for success as well. >> And there's no there's no objective measure for getting to a maximum of the scale, is there? For years, years
054of service. >> Yeah. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure nobody's at the maximum. and you say, "What the problem is is when you max out, you can't you can't make anymore because you can't be paid outside the pay range." So, if you're if you're at the top or or for some reason if if there's a a deal to where somebody's outside of their pay range, they're froze. And that's something that we don't want. And when you look across the state, you know, our teachers and you saw the you saw the the market trends on that and how our teaching staff is above and that's a great thing, you know, but also look at a lot of the teacher pay skills across the state. At 20 years or 25 years, they're out.
055They're topped out. And you know, we don't have teachers retiring at 20 years. Well, some do. you didn't when I was coming along. I mean, I my mentors and my idols in this profession work for 40 years. And uh you know, and so you think about that. You also think about this. These young folks um that that we've hired, we've hired six of our student teachers. they're going to teach for 40 years because they're they're not under the rule of 80 to where they're they're solvent after 5 years invested in the retirement plan. And so, you know, they're they're going to be more people TRS in the state of Texas has made it to where there's more people that's going to be teaching for 40 years. And so, at 20 years and 25 years, they
056max out. That ain't a good thing. We we we want the scales to move. And so we need the legislature to adequately fund public schools to where those scales can move based on inflation. And when they move based on inflation, then people are in that continuum and they don't top out. So every year they're getting something. But in order to do that, you got to you got to have the revenue that we had in 2019. That's the key to that. Anything else? >> Like to ask for a motion then please. >> I'll make the motion. >> We have a motion by Miss Hoffower, a second by Mr. Traber. Uh we'll start with uh Jeff, please. No. >> Yes. >> All right. The motion carries and we'll go on to our next item. Consider and approve
057the Copper Cove ISD board of trustees operating procedures. And >> there's no change since the U workshop on that. Um the the board went through a training uh and we looked at operating procedures now for two years in a row and u and these procedures are aligned with the board policy that we have in the board policy manual. >> I'd like to make a motion that they be approved. >> We have a motion by Miss Hawkower, a second by Miss Copelan, and we'll start uh with Jim. No. >> Yes. >> No. >> Yes. So, that motion also carries. Now, we'll go to uh consider and approve professional contracts. Madam President, trustees, you have in your packet a list of those professional contracts. I recommend those approved as presented. >> Questions? >> Just one, ma'am. Um
058on here there's what's the difference between those are term and not term? >> Yeah. So it's a different type of chapter 21 contract. Okay. uh chapter 21 are in uh the ED code in statutory uh law as to who uh as to what uh the the the rights are in in that contract. And so, uh, in in essence, I guess an analogy would be as you enter into a district, a probationary contract is set over a period of time, uh, for for what the state terms as inexperienced. Um, and so the the inexperienced person can be a person of 40 years that comes into your district, but they're inexperienced in your district. And so, u, you give that person a probationary contract. And with that um the the u unfortunate situation if it doesn't work
059out um the process of those contracts being broken uh by the district stop um in essence with the board of trustees. In a term contract um there is an appeal mechanism that goes to the commissioner of education. Uh so uh to answer that in a in a real brief answer um there they're chapter 21 contracts and chapter 21 of the education code that is put into play with different levels of employee protection. >> Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions comments? >> Do I have a motion on this item? Second. >> We have a motion by Mr. Trager, a second by Mr. Flores. >> Miss Hall Power will start doing it with you. >> Yes. Yes. >> Right. That motion carries unanimously. And if there's nothing else at 7:04, we'll adjourn this. Everyone have
060a good evening. Thank you for coming. Congratulations. >> Thank you very much.