001Okay. This uh October 7th, 27th meeting of the board of trustees, Berles Independent School District is now called to order at 5:30. This meeting was duly posted and all legal requirements were met and a quorum is present. Welcome to employees and guests. Ashley, I have two cards. Is that correct? >> Okay. The board uh encourages public comments during public the public comment section of the meeting. Anyone wishing to speak must fill out a card prior to the meeting. Comments are limited to five minutes per person and the public comment section will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. The board may not discuss any issues that are not posted on our agenda. The board may defer agenda items discussions until the appropriate time during the meeting. The board asks that citizens not present complaints
002or concerns regarding individual employees or students at this time as the district has a compliant I'm sorry has a complaint policy that must be followed before the concern is addressed with the board. Okay. Um Samantha Steinbart. Okay. Yes. Samantha. >> Yes. >> Have the timer here and I'll try and I'll try to give you a minute whenever there's a minute left and I give you a warning that there's a minute left. >> All right. Good evening. My name is Samantha Steinbart. I'm a teacher here in the district and I've been recently recognized as one of this district's TIA master educators. Um, more importantly, I have the privilege of also being a mom to one of our first grade students, and it's my experience as a mom that brings me here this evening. I want to
003bring your attention to something I feel we must start to partner together to accomplish by whatever means necessary. I've been an educator for 10 years, and as an educator, I would summarize my mission statement as this. Academic growth is my job, but human growth is my passion. I want every student to know that I care about them first and foremost as human beings. And that means caring for every student. Not just the ones who sit still and listen, or the ones who make the best grades, or even the ones who are the kindest in class, but also the ones whose mouths and bodies may run like motors, whose minds and choices may not always feel like their own, and those who may struggle emotionally. I ask your attention tonight to shift to our ever growing
004neurode divergent population, particularly those students with ADHD and autism. According to the Kids Count Data Center and the Annie Easecy Foundation, approximately 14% of students in Texas have ADHD, up from 8.6% 10 years ago. If this trend repeats, we could expect approximately 20% of our students to have ADHD in the next 10 years. Additionally, Texas is currently estimated to have a rate of 1 in 28 students with autism, higher than the national average of 1 in 31, which is also expected to grow. As governments continue to cut funding, parents are hearing more about what we can't do. um in public schools causing further destruct and trust in public education. So it's essential that we figure out what we can do for these families. Currently teachers across the state receive little to no training on what
005working with neurode divergent students actually looks like. Um and everyone involved is at a disadvantage because of it. Most importantly, our kids. Teachers are given packets of information every August. But no matter how perfectly a teacher may track those accommodations, they do not help us to fully understand the why behind the behaviors or needs of the child. This increases the likelihood that these students are assigned labels based on surface level behaviors by both peers and the very adults that are doing it for the kids. In training, we are told to remember that every child is different. But how can we honor those who are different if we aren't seeking to understand them? Instead, many assumptions often associated with these students are that they are lazy, that their parents don't care, that they are intentional troublemakers,
006or that they simply don't care themselves. And in my experience, these assumptions couldn't be further from the truth in most cases. In the words of child psychologist and author Dr. Ross Green, kids who can do well will. But what does that mean? The idea is that the children with challenging behaviors often don't present these behaviors as a choice, but due to a lack of skills. Further, it's the notion that kids meet expectations or if they can meet expectations, they will. But the adults in their lives are responsible for identifying barriers and helping them overcome them. So, how do we help children if we don't actually understand the barrier itself? According to a report released earlier this year by the Texas Education Leadership Lab at UT Austin, nearly one in five school districts in Texas are
007consistently non-compliant with IDEA mandates despite regulations to guarantee special education students, which can include students with ADHD and autism, and appropriate education. So, what can we do to start lifting this burden amongst a growing studenttoteer ratio, a growing sped population, a jit-anded special ed shortage of teachers, and a lack of funding? I spent a majority of my son's life learning about him with my most intensive period of seeking understanding occurring during his kindergarten year when I had suddenly become a single mom. I have read books. I have taken classes and I have listened to podcasts to better myself as a parent and in doing so I have found that I have also become a better teacher. Um, I have learned about students similar to my son, how they process the world with various stressors, what
008helps them to feel successful. And with that knowledge, I've been able to be more proactive in managing student behavior, more confident in my own ability to help those students grow academically, and more easily able to see my more challenging students for exactly what they are. Children who need more help, maybe more care, and who may need more effort on our part to understand them. So, I ask, what can we do? There are so many teachers and other um district professionals I have spoken to who have said they would gladly participate in helping to provide training and understanding these students across the district. And I tell you as both a teacher and a mom that when a teacher works to understand a child from the inside out in place of recycling unsuccessful strategies or assigning them
009a label, it can change the world for that child. When just one teacher can be a positive voice, it shifts a little light in the way others see them, the way their peers may treat them, and most importantly, how the child may see themselves. Our Berles families deserve to know with confidence that our district sees every child, that we seek to understand every child, and that we truly are doing everything we can. Thank you. Okay, Eric Cryle. board. Good evening, Eric Cryle. First time I've been down here to speak to you guys. I um you guys probably should have gotten the ballot on uh October 22nd. I'm one of the four candidates for the Taran Appraisal District. Um I live up in the northwest part of the county up around HLlett. So, I wanted to
010come introduce myself, give you a little bit about my perspective, tell you about me because I didn't I didn't make it to you guys last year. Um, so let's see. Married uh stepfather to a soontobe driving 15year-old and a 18-month-old that runs around the house and causes me a lot of headaches and wears me out, but but I enjoy it. Uh, for my career, I'm a firefighter. Um, city of Dallas. I've been doing that for 18 years. And for the past year, year and a half, I've been involved in uh this appraisal district process. So, all that said, let me tell you a little bit about what I believe. I believe the legislaturator's intent is for yearly appraisals. After watching many hearings during this legislative session on property taxes and appraisals, many of the comments
011were directed toward this interpretation. I believe in local control and we should always aim to solve our problems locally when possible. It's best to avoid Austin's one-sizefits-all approach to problem solving. And in regard to all the issues with the Taran Appraisal District that I know you're all aware of, um it is a locally manufactured issue. And three, yearly appraisals allow homestead exemption to function as designed during an appreciating market. And when it's a declining market, such as now, taxpayers can get the immediate impact of a reduced property values. What do I know? I know the reappraisal plan that's currently implemented can impact bond capacity and the ability to refinance to a lower rate, thereby costing taxpayers more in interest. I know this is a political appointment, and political appointments are based on relationships with candidates.
012And I know I have the desire to do this job and do it well. So, what have I done? Like I said, I spent the last 10 months going around the cities and schools throughout the county to understand the challenges the reappraisal plan has placed upon you guys. I've worked to build relationships throughout the county with various CFOs, superintendent, boards, and council members. And finally, I read chapter six of the property tax code because I was bored one evening and I found out that the conservation districts in the county, so that the largest is Tarant Regional Water District, uh Vidian in Arlington, Caris down in um Crowley, they can participate in the appointment of board members, but only if they request to do so. So, in 47 years, they've never requested to do so. So,
013I set out on this mission to get them to participate. and after lobbying him in um I was able to convince them to participate this year. So that's why when you see the ballot this year and the vote allocation, you'll notice that the uh conservation districts have vote this year. Um I've been nominated by Mansfield ISD, Northwest ISD nominated me. Um Eagle Mountain, Sageno, city of Waga. Um and for those of you unfamiliar, like I said, I ran for this last year. didn't do it. But um I've had the tenacity to stay with it and I believe I've improved as a candidate. Um I have a resume here that I'm going to leave to the secretary, but you know, you guys have 11 votes this year and I know most of your votes are in
014Johnson County, but uh when you guys do take the opportunity to vote, I'd appreciate your consideration. So I thank you all so much for your time. Okay. The board of trustees of the Berles Independent School District will now adjourn into close session at 5:40 for the purpose of consideration of matters for which closed sessions are authorized by Title 5, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code. 2.084 whereupon the superintendent at the request of the president of the board of trustees will present for the board's consideration or discussion the following matters. Consider teacher administrator employment or other appropriate personnel matters. Deliberate a negotiated contract for a prospective gift or donation. Deliberate the use of security personnel devices andor audits. Uh, the intruder detection audit, deliberate a matter regarding a student or student discipline, deliberation regarding real property and
015consultation with attorney. Good evening. The board of trustees of the Burlesen Independent School District will reconvene to open session at 6:49 p.m. We have one item to take care of from the close session. I recommend that the board of trustees grant the board president the authority to approve new hires between now and the next regular board meeting in November. The board will consider ratifying those hires at the next meeting. I need a motion. >> Okay, Orion. I need a second. Pat. Thank you. All in favor? I see none opposed. Motion passes. Okay. If you'll rise for this uh 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. Honor the Texas flag. I aliance
016to the Texas one state and indivisible. >> Now it's time for our special recognitions with Dr. Hill. >> Good evening everyone. Tonight we are recognizing our student groups and campus PTOs for their donations to the Berles Opportunity Fund. I'm going to begin with our student groups. Whenever I call your campus name, if you will come up and we're going to get one group photo. So beginning with our Academy of Leadership and Technology at Mound for their $150 donation. Yep. We have Berlesen High School Student Council, $500 donation. Centennial High School, $500 donation. And the Game Development Design School, National Honor Society, and Junior Honor Honor Society, $53 donation. No competition there at all. They're just just a coincidence, I'm sure. So, our student groups and PTOs alto together um raised $6,63. So, this is the
017first portion of that. So, Caitlyn, is that good or do we need to will that work? >> They gave a th000 instead of 500. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Berles High School donated a thousand instead of 500. >> Sorry, >> there we go. YEAH, >> they just take a knee. >> Oh, perfect. >> Look at that. >> Can I put you You want me >> between VHS and Centennial? Let's go right there. >> Okay. Ready? Everybody look here. One, two, three. Thank you guys for coming. >> Thank you students. That's awesome. And next up we have our PTOs. >> How are you? >> Beginning with Academy at Nola Dun PTO $500. Y'all want to come up whenever you hear your campus name? >> Okay. Uh, Academy of the Arts at Bransom PTO $250. Frasier Elementary 500.
018Hike Elementary 10,000. Hughes Middle School PTO 500, Kerr Middle School PTO 1000, Steam Academy Stribbling PTO 700, Steam Middle School PTO 250, Taylor Elementary PTO 250. Thank you guys. I >> love those matching shirts, ladies. >> One, two, three. So total staff raised $19,534 making BISD's BOF donation this year $26,137. Thank you. >> Next, I need a motion that the board of trustees adopt the order of items for the October 27th, 2025 agenda as presented. Sean, thank you. Second, Mike. Thank you. All in favor? I see none opposed. Motion passes. Now, it's time for comments from individual board members. Do any of you have anything that you would like to share? >> I do. Big surprise. Big surprise. Um, one of the things I wanted to mention, I've started my campus visits and I did
019a couple this last week and I'm getting some more scheduled, but I found out something that I didn't know that we need to broadcast everywhere. and that is that Collegiate High School is the top 1% of high schools in the state of Texas. They are doing they're knocking the socks off over there. So, um I know we're doing it other places, but I haven't been there yet. So, but um really enjoyed getting to meeting some students over there. Found found that one of their new people that's in the office u was one of my first grade students. She had to tell me she was because she didn't look like that in first grade. But anyway, um I just love getting out on the campuses. Thank y'all for uh when I contact you, letting me come
020because u I just like to know what's happening so I can spread the word because we've got wonderful things happening in our district. We >> do. Absolutely we do. >> Uh I did want to remind the board of one thing, two things. Uh number one, we have uh state uh cross country meet. I believe it's Friday morning. Am I correct on that in Round Rock and uh we've got some people going down there to participate including the CHS varsity girls uh team, the team qualified and is running uh Friday morning. So that's exciting. And then both of our bands on both sides of town uh both made it out of the district competition and are competing at the area uh round this Saturday, November 1st. Isn't that right, Kevin? I was a week behind. I
021was thinking it was two weeks away. That was November 1st. And man, where did the time go? So, uh so if uh you're not uh candy crushed the next morning, want to get up and come on out, they're both competing Saturday morning. So, Great. Okay. Next, uh we need to adopt an order authorizing the issuance of refunding bonds, establishing the parameters for the refunding and delegating authority to the administration to complete the refunding. Brenda. >> Yes. Good evening, board members. I have an early financial action item. Uh Doug Wit is here with Samco. He's our financial advisor and he is going to share some information with you so we can talk about an early redemption and a refunding opportunity. >> Thank you, Brenda. It's really good to be back. Appreciate the opportunity. I think we
022have a presentation up here. Let's see if There it is. All right. So, it's good to be with you. Um you've been very active in debt management as we call it over the years. uh we have another opportunity in front of us uh to take advantage of market conditions, take advantage of your debt position to reduce that debt position and save interest cost. >> And is it on >> Brenda usually breaks that? >> Yes. Well, >> I know no one's ever accused me of being Mr. Technology either. >> Yeah, Brenda either. Sorry. >> All right. So this is our outstanding voted bond debt service position from bonds that have been issued previously. At the bottom there's a ledger uh 2011 15 16 17 building 17A and then the 2020 refunding was a refunding at the
023very lowest uh levels of interest rates we've ever seen in our lifetime uh during the pandemic. So you'll see a box at the top. uh we're collecting revenues in excess of our uh principal and interest. So in 2026 it lands at about 19.6 million. We have about 35.6 million. So when you combine that with the 5.9 million that you have in your INS fund balance, we will be able to just pay some bonds off early. Um, but in addition to that, some of these bonds in here are now coming up from a time schedule that's given to us by the federal government that can be refunded. So the one series of bonds that has a call date in February of 2026, we can 90 days prior to that here in the fall of 2025 refund
024it uh and then also for a portion of it just pay it off early. Okay. So, you have been doing this, this is just a fiveyear history. Uh, at the top, the two 2020 refunding, you refunded about $20 million worth of bonds for just under $4 million of interest cost savings. Uh, then you did a taxable refunding that was 16 million for $10 million worth of savings. In 2022, you continued that trend where you paid off bonds early, 6.5 million. Uh, and then you also when we did these bonds back in 2018, we purposely used a tool that we have in our toolbox called a variable rate bond. And that variable rate bond has an earlier call provision, an earlier ability to pay it off early than traditional fixed fixed rate bonds. You took advantage
025of that in 2022 as well. And then in 2025, we did another bond defeasance. And I know those are fancy terms, but paying it off early and redemption and defeasence are pretty much the same thing. Uh, with slight technical differences for me, and that was about 15 million. So, you've literally reduced the interest cost, the interest carrying cost of your bonds in this district over the past five years by over $40 million from this very active debt management process that you've been undertaking. So, here we are today. Uh, I've put this in here by column because our focus now is on column four. Highlighted in yellow are the bonds that I believe we're going to refund and refinance for lower interest uh rates and therefore interest cost savings. And there's a subtle color change down
026there at the bottom. In 2037 and 38, there's about $19 million worth of bond principle outstanding that we can pay off early in February of 26. So that is the focus of the debt management. And if you look to the left of column four, you can see that most of these old bonds have been paid off or near maturity and so forth. You have the one 2017 bond there in column six. Uh and you have a a debt service profile that I showed graphically here that fades and drops off pretty substantially uh for this uh district. So again, just repeating, you have optional redemptions coming up for the 2016 bond. That's the first row there. Under federal tax law, we cannot refinance that until within 90 days of February of 2026. So hence the reason
027that we're here on this timing, interest rates have turned and come back down over the past couple of months, which is good. Uh and then you can see the interest rates in there. um the 20 28 and 30 33 and 38 are at 4%. That's not a terrible coupon rate, but we can lower that some. Um and then the two bonds below that, the 2017, those are callable in August of 2027. So even with this transaction or transactions refunding and early redemption, you will still have what we call optionality flexibility on your outstanding bonds with the 2017s that are coming up in 2027. So you will continue this debt management concept uh into the future. we're not burning anything that we want to hang on to because we have future flexibility with those 2017s as
028well. So the current market yields in 26 283 at the 2038 334. So on the very short from say 2033 and prior 3 and a half% coupons can be refunded for savings. uh when you go all the way out to 2038, 4% coupons can be refunded for savings and that's what we're trying to take advantage of. So, summary of the current refunding analysis, uh there's uh about $83 million worth of bonds to be refunded. Um and you can see at the bottom that the total debt service savings from that is about $6 million. There's a statistic at the bottom that says present value savings as a percent of refunded bonds. My dad was an a teacher and school superintendent. My mom was a school nurse and they're like, "You're talking too fancy. What does this
029mean?" Well, it means $6 million of interest cost savings. But we in our industry have to do a statistic that says if we're getting $6 million worth of savings, is that legitimate for refunding $80 million worth of bonds? And there's a rule of thumb out there that's been in the business that I've been in for 32 years and it's always been a minimum of 3% and that is holding true of this particular uh refinancing. So that would be the parameter that we set to make sure we reach that kind of rule of thumb threshold to make sure that we get the savings that we need from this size of issue. And then even better, the last two maturities, that's 19,165 in red. We don't have to refinance those. We can just literally pay them off
030and reduce all interest cost on those. And that would provide about $8 million of savings on those last two maturities. And then again, this will not be your last opportunity. When you look in column five, six, they're August 1st, 2027 optional redemption prepayment dates. And then you have another one in 28 and then you have another one in 30. Okay. So, what it means for the audience uh is that this district is aggressively paying down on its outstanding bonds that have been approved by voters in the past. It's saving interest costs and it's putting you in a position for whatever your future may be. Uh and so the preliminary schedule events uh we've obviously met with the administration. We're here tonight for the board action item and then we'll go through the disclosure process uh
031for the refunding part of this. We should enter the market maybe in early December, close in December, which is within that 90-day time period. And then the authorization, the second authorization not is to pay some of these bonds off early and that will occur uh in March of 2026, just beyond that February call date. And that's for us to let us collect our taxes in January. Make our February 1st payments, double check that the math that I have on a preliminary basis is in fact the math that we want to utilize and then we will exercise that redemption uh at that time. So there's two motions tonight. One is to adopt the refunding bond order and the other is to adopt the redemption resolution on those 2016 bonds. So with that, I'm answer any questions
032that you may have. It's an excellent opportunity for you. You've been active in this, you know, over the past five years and this is just a continuation uh of that process. This may be just a technicality, but on the schedule of events, are there things that would make that schedule not stay like would that would make that schedule change? Are there is this just a you got to have a certain amount of days between each thing or like is there a chance, oh, if this doesn't happen, then we can't do it by November 11th or we can't do it by >> there's nothing in there that's going to prevent us from going at that schedule. There is some things in there that could say, "Okay, let's play a wait and see, right? We're not we're
033not as a school financial advisor, we're not traders. So, we're not going to predict markets and we're not going to try to bet here or bet there. When we have an opportunity that's presented to us under the federal tax law time frames that they give us, we usually take advantage of it. But there is a chance that say we get some shocking news between now and December 1st and markets turn around go right back up. We put this thing on hold. No, no problem for the district. And we wait into the next year and we just go kind of day by day, week by week to see if there's a window in that market that we want to take advantage of. But there's nothing going to slow us down uh from that schedule. We have
034the option to slow it down, but I don't see anything derailing us from entering the markets in December. >> Thank you very much. >> No question. Just Doug, I love it when you're on our agenda. I love it when you're on our agenda >> because you >> you typically bring good news. But just kudos to Brenda and her team. Um and look, if we go all the way back to like08 when we spent a lot of time talking about fiscal responsibility and financial transparency, uh $44 million in the last five years and we're stacking another 14 million or so on top of that tonight. We don't talk about this near enough. uh the job that we do manage in our money and uh it is a testament Brenda to you and your office Brett you
035and your staff and I I just thank you guys >> uh for giving us good news and Doug thank you for what you do for us >> to be a small part of it but yes it's uh board decisions uh on tax rate and budget administrative decisions on letting us do these things and putting ourselves in a position uh so it's that consistency that y'all have shown through this entire period that's put us in where we are today. I don't always have that consistency, if you will, of what's the most conservative and best approach for our bond model. And you're right. This is on y'all and on the administration. I'm just a small part of it. So, I do appreciate uh that recognition. >> Thank you. We always love good news and it was it's
036great. Thank you very much. We appreciate that. Okay. So now I need a motion that the board of trustees approve the order authorizing the issuance of refunding bonds and establishing parameters for the refunding and delegating authority to the administration to complete the refunding and take all necessary action thereof. Stacy I hear a second. All in favor? I see none opposed. Motion passes. Okay. So ne next on our agenda cons we were going to consider adopting a resolution authorizing early redemption of the series 2016 bonds. Is that what we just did? We did a refunding. Okay. Okay. Brenda says when Brenda is complete does that mean she's completed? Okay. So we're done there. Okay. So now I need another motion that the board of trustees approve the resolution authorizing early redemption of the series 2016 bonds
037and take all necessary action thereof. Mike second Ryan. Thank you. Second. All in favor then opposed. Motion passes. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. So, the next item this evening is safety, security, and intruder detection audit update with Mr. Steve Logan. >> Well, I'm normally first on the agenda, and I don't have to go after saving millions and millions of dollars, so I'm not sure how I'm going to follow that, but >> darn. Well, good evening everybody. Uh, tonight I do have several safety and security updates to share with you all. Um, the first update is on our TEA random intruder detection audits. At the time of our last board meeting, um, TA had not yet started the audits, but since then, we've had four of our campuses audited. These campuses were GDDS, Hughes, Bransom, and
038Steam Middle School. All of these campuses passed with no findings. And I would like to just once again thank our campus administrators, staff, students for continuing to follow our safety protocols and keeping safety and security as our top priority. Well done. >> Wonderful. That's great news. >> The next update is on our emergency operations plan review. Each year we're required to submit our EOP to the Texas School Safety Center for review. Um, and this year we applied for and were accepted into the voluntary expedited review pilot program. Only six districts from each region were selected to be a part of this expedited program. And I'm pleased to report that the review is complete and our EOP is fully compliant and met all requirements. >> Now, you said that really fast. >> Yes, sir. But as
039I recall, as a percentage about how does that stack up as far as what we've met? >> Um, I'm not sure now because it's changed a little bit over the past couple years, but a couple years ago, yeah, we were in like the top 5% of district. >> So when he says that we are, what was the term you said so quickly? >> Um, fully compliant, met all requirements. >> Fully compliant, met all requirements, just a year or two ago, we were one of only 5% of school districts that that met that standard. We're still I suspect in a smaller percentage in the statewide that meet that that is the standard that we have met that the overwhelming majority of folks don't. So I don't want to gloss over that. That's a kudos to you.
040Kudos to Mr. Sheay and of course everyone who implements it including a great shout out to all of our campus administrators as well. So job well done to once again be at the top of the game. So thank you. Definitely a team effort. Thank you. Um and then my final update is on our school safety officer program and some training. Um as we reported at earlier meetings, whenever the district has a professional development day and students are not on campus, our SSOs take advantage of this opportunity um to get in some additional training as a group. So on October 10th, our SSO team met at the Fort Worth Police Department uh at their rifle range to receive training from the SWAT team's firearms instructor. And our SSO team lead, Kirk Brandon, reported the training was
041very beneficial to the team and he observed a high level of proficiency by each team member. >> Great. >> That's all I got for tonight. Be happy to answer any questions. >> More good news. That's great. Thank you, Steve. >> Okay. Uh, next up will be an update on the Texas Health Medical Associates Clinic and Mound Elementary School gym construction projects with Mr. Tyler Boswell. >> So, it's not Steve and Tyler. >> Steve and Tyler. >> Yes. >> Dr. Jimmerson, President McNair, members of the board. Thank you for having me tonight. It's my uh honor and privilege to be here to talk to you about our projects. Of course, we had we worked with our partners PBK Architects and Arthur's Building Group. We have a great project team in house. I have to acknowledge Brenda,
042Steve, Courtourtney. U and we also had some in-house work on this particular project where we built all the cabinets that you're going to see in the pictures. Uh we did the the landscaping, Nathan Tollson and his technology group did the access control. So, it was a great project and it's always nice to bring u new life to an existing building uh in for the community and the district. So, with with further ado, I'll talk to you about the chamber building was in 1985. We're actually in closeout. Um the project wrapped up in August. I think Dr. Rashard started on the 27th and we opened the clinic on September 2nd. So, we've been operating as a u health clinic for the community and uh sports medicine for our athletes and students. And with that, I've got
043a lot of pictures to show you. I'll buzz through them as quick as I can, but if you have any questions, there's a stop me or we can uh talk at the end of the pictures for the health clinic. >> Okay, we all remember maybe what it used to look like. Um it sat there quite a while. Um some different views. There were some doors on each end of the building that I'll show you that we closed up. Um completely uh changed the outside and the inside. Obviously, we demodeed all the old concrete um to create new ADA pathways. Um and inside we completely gutted it out um and then treated the outside walls with uh uh with with a treatment to make sure we took care of any kind of moisture or anything like
044that that may have crept in over the years. As you can see, there was some plumbing in the building. We had to relocate those some existing windows. We went back and we spray foam the outside walls to seal that off and then went with back in with metal studs. It is a single pitch roof with wood framing is an existing condition. All the plumbing was redone. We had to access from the outside tunnel underneath and relocate our plumbing inside for for two restrooms that we added. um which is kind of nice because now it's completely serviceable if any soil movement or anything happens there. Um it is a um the slab was um post-tension cables so we couldn't just cut the floor up. I know Stacy you you'll know what that is. And so um
045all the plumbing is external to the building and all new. Um, we infilled the doors, um, pointed all the brick, replaced any cracked bricks, removed the the canopy on the west end and filled in that door. New windows and block fill underneath. And then the all the brick was painted and sealed from the outside. Um, we did dens glass behind stone veneer. And you can start to see in a minute. I'll show you the exterior. Uh when you walk into the interior, you have a waiting room, reception. You go through that door and there's a main hallway um where all the other spaces come off of. We've got a nurses station and adjacent to that is actually a lab. They have a laboratory. We have a X-ray room. This is all lead lined, lead line,
046leadlined um chip rock. um a treatment room, three exam rooms, and then behind the reception area where the staff works, there's two offices, a staff restroom, and then a break room on the right hand side. You can see now again, all that cabinetry was made in-house by our maintenance folks. I'm really, really proud of the guys, Hyram Taylor, our maintenance director. They've done a great job. And you'll see the the landscaping prep and the landscaping was also done by Kurt Mendez and Hyram Taylor on our on our team. So, a great job by those guys. Um, we went with a a landscape that we we don't have irrigation there, so we went with something that is is great. We have pots and things that we water and take care of. But, as you know, around
047the rest of the district, we we really try to focus on that. And I I really hats off to those guys. Um, we have a small utility yard in the back. Um, and then more landscaping, leveling, and grass. You'll see service utilities. We have a new dumpster pin, obviously, new um power from Encore. Um it's got a new gas line, new water line, all all utilities from the street as well. So, really a great project and we we're really proud of it. Um and it's really great to see again an existing structure being used for something that has new life and can really help our students and our community. And that's the road view. So, that's what you see driving down Wilshire. last week, right? >> Yes. Yes. Yes, sir. Um, any questions? >> I'm
048sorry. >> Oh, thank you, sir. Okay. All right. We'll move on to the next one. This is a great project also. Um, Mound Elementary School, we have a new gym that you approved uh with an alternate to replace some front windows and some light rena to freshen up the front of the building. the the building was built in 1962, 75,000 uh square feet, and we're adding 9,400 square feet to the to the property. We're actually in construction. Schedule's going really well. We hope for good weather, but we're actually in the dry now. Um, and so everything's going on inside. It's it's been quite busy along Thomas and Newton Streets. Uh, but we've managed to to stay in good graces of the community and and get things done. A lot of deliveries. It's a very tight
049space. Um, and Miss Muse has been a gracious host and when we make noise and things like that. So, um, excavation, you can see there on the west side of the building and you can see the tight work area that we really have and how we fill that space up pretty quickly. Foundation, uh, we had 28 peers, um, and, uh, we only had one that we had K, so we got some money back there. I'm saying all this to I know Miss Eisner is is really looking at me too. Um this is our foundation prep. Uh poor day was huge and you can see the building going vertical and it's quite tall. So it's about 24 feet tall. Um you can see the ICF walls, one foot of concrete for a storm shelter. Okay. Okay,
050the roof structure, the roof decking going on. You can start to see the yellow is dens glass for weather proofing. Um concrete on top, rebar mesh, and then concrete on top. The weather proofing, uh dens glass, tar, and then mod bit on the roof. Uh we're actually doing masonry now. The east side toward the school is is fully bricked. Uh the inset panel on the left side is um where they'll be um mound. It'll it'll show and you'll be able to see that probably from Wilshire. It's going to be great >> probably. No, we got to see that from Wilshire. >> Yes, sir. I remember that. Yes, sir. >> I hope that thing lit up at night. >> Absolutely. Which color, sir? >> Inside, it's hard to tell. There's a mezzanine on the far uh
051side where you see the CU block. All the mechanical equipment is upstairs and then obviously full complement of facilities um large enough for the whole school to go in in a vert of emergency backup power. All that's going in now. So that's really where we are with the gym. Uh we're looking to be done early early spring. I don't want to give a date away, but we're looking really good on that. Um and we're tracking kind of in this February March time frame. So it's going really well. And then the front, some light renovations, new concrete, new canopy. Love this picture. Um, there will be landscaping. Uh, these are the new windows. Uh, we're waiting we're waiting probably till about February to bring in some landscaping, but we we did bring in some mulch and
052try to try to dress it up between now and then. Um, so the new windows have really been really been great to see. New bike racks, some views from the inside. Really opened up the spaces as a classroom. Um, conference room. And this is my favorite picture. So, a lot of times during the day, we really can't tell much light's coming in. Um, but at night, if you do the inverse, you can really see the light coming from the building. Now, uh, we're actually working on all of our blinds and things like that now. But, um, I just think that's a great picture. So, Just to draw, if you look center to the right, all those windows, they were there, but they were completely covered. >> Yes, sir. We had about that much visibility. >>
053You couldn't even tell it was a window and it was just completely covered. And I don't know why. Was that a trend during that time? I >> I don't know. I think it it was related to me and I don't know if it's true but that was covered with insulation and um our panel metal panel um due to efficiency. Uh we found some other efficiency opportunities in there. We did some spray foaming and kind of sealed off the sophet the plenum and we felt like we're going to have a really u nice warm or cool space u going forward. It's just now that you see it. First of all, there was no natural light going into any of those classrooms really. Speak of bar panel, which is like the some of our ball fields have
054that >> barn metal >> tin barn metal. It went all across all of those windows. There were no windows. >> And uh, of course, this board said windows. And uh, and what really brought it home was on news. I saw her uh text. She sent a pic of her I guess in your office looking out the window just like oh my god there's and it just looked wonderful. >> So I'm so proud of that. >> I just want to thank the board for making that a priority. Not just the gym which was huge but also bringing some light into that place and giving a great makeover to the front of the building. It was due and man, it looks good. So really, really making What do you think, N? What do you think? >> Oh,
055it's amazing. I've had so many parents stop and tell me at arrival and at dismissal, they'll roll down their windows and they're like, "It looks like a brand new school." They're like, "We're so excited." They love the look and they love watching the progress of the gym. And so, yes, they're our our parents are very thankful. The kids love the windows. Um, they one class has been able to watch two squirrels in tree outside their window. They've named the squirrels, you know. So, but no, we're all very, very thankful. >> Well, >> the teachers in the back of the building are now very jealous, >> as they should be. >> That's awesome. I'm so pleased with how this >> very >> Thank you, sir. If I may, one more second. I'm sorry. I I forgot
056to acknowledge our other project team. We have Fluger Architects. Dr. David Young is here. Um David was he came in from Abalene, former superintendent from Abalene, works for Fluger, came in to check on us. Uh they've done a great job, great partners with us on other projects. And then also Jackson Construction as well. So I just wanted to make sure that to get that out there and and acknowledge M Dr. Young that came in. Yes, sir. >> So thank you, sir. >> I think that's turning out great. I can't wait till it opens. And they have waited a long time to have a full size real gym with a real >> basketball court. So, >> and Miss Pat, how it connects to the building is going to be wonderful. >> Well, I appreciate it. Love
057working on this stuff. We appreciate you guys. Thank you. >> Thanks, Tyler. Great. Great projects. Okay. The board uh should have received the consent agenda in your packets. Uh I need a motion to approve tonight's consent agenda as presented. Pat. Second. Stacy. All in favor? See none opposed. Motion passes. Now it's time for the monthly financials with Miss Brenda M. >> Yes. >> No. This is not gonna be as exciting, but um I'm going to go over What did you say? >> I was He said we're so excited to hear that. >> I think he said it never is. >> Is that what he said? >> No, he said he's excited. >> That's all right. Um okay, so last time we met was >> was just July. Uh so this is August financial. So it's
058still the beginning of the school year getting started even though I know we're at the uh second six weeks. um revenues um are just at 400,000 just slightly in tax revenue. And then our interest and then our expenditures are at 7.9 million for food service. Uh a slight increase. We're at 69,000 uh for revenues and expenditures at 171 171,000. Uh for debt service uh we are at 142,000 uh for tax revenue that we've received and then our expenditures are 13.8 million. So, that's the payment that we made for our August 1 payment. For special revenue funds, you'll see we're at 55.9%. So, uh the for the month we spent $774,000. That's for our title IDAB uh which is special ed and then um our other uh state and um federal programs. For child care, revenues
059at 21,000, slightly up from last year, and expenditures at 52,000. for capital projects which is oil and gas. You'll see on here our revenues at 149,000 and then you'll see on the capital outlay is the the proceeds for that are going towards the mountain gym. So that's starting to take place. So our beginning balance 1499 14 million99,000 um adding the 150,000 and then the expenditures are at 883. So, our ending balance in oil and gas is 13.3 million. And then payments over 10,000. Uh the details are in your packet listed on there. You'll see the majority out of 199. Um just a reminder, this is back in August. So, when we started opening school, we had quite a few uh expenditures going out. Um and then you'll see some from capital and our workers comp.
060And then our tax report. So um August collections are slight August and September. So the tax office their uh tax year begins October 1st. So it doesn't quite align with our fiscal year. So we just have it as prior year information as we receive those um funds in August and September. And then the construction update. Uh just kind of reiterating what Tyler said. Um we I don't even have the ch the uh Texas Health on here anymore because we have already closed that out. And then the mound project, um the architect fee and then the construction. As you can see, we're still under budget. Um and we'll continue to be there. And that's it for the regular financials. And then I do have two action items. >> Okay. All right. So, um next, Renda, we
061need to consider requisitions uh greater than 25,000. >> I have um two on here. uh one is the AP examinations that um is over 50,000 or 25,000 excuse me that students take of course at BHS and CHS and then one to TEA it's for the teacher incentive designations what that is is we paid that last year they do reimburse us for that but that's for TIA so we have to pay a fee >> and then they give it back to us but we have to pay it up front they don't give it to us till later I know the interest but um but we're going to pay for it so that our kids or uh teachers can be uh TIA certified And then my I think do I have them separate? >> Okay. >> So,
062we'll go ahead and vote on this one, please. >> Okay. So, I need a motion that the board of trustees approve the requisitions over 25,000. >> Sean second. Ryan. All in favor? I see none opposed. Motion passes. >> Thank you. And then my last one, I don't have a a cover or a slide on it, but it's the investment policy resolution. So, I'm required to bring this annually. Um, and I usually bring it in the fall and it's it nothing has changed. We just have Texas class on here, but it's the pools and um the investment policies. It's also got the CDA local that's listed. Um, we of course follow what TASBY requires and what Tom will let us do. So, >> essentially same thing. >> Same thing that we always do. Yes. >> No
063changes. So, just asking for the board for their approval. >> Okay. So, I need a motion that the board of trustees affirm the investment strategies as listed in policy CDA local and approve the attached resolution. Mike second. All in favor? None oppose. Motion passes. >> Okay. Thank you, Brenda. >> Brenda. >> Well, it sneaked up on us. That brings us to the end of our meeting. The meeting is now adjourned at 7:34 p.m. >> See you in two weeks. >> Yeah. Literally.