001I >> Mr. Russ usually does that. [Music] Tim >> got this wrestling team and they are the student wrestling team >> and then you just invite them up and they'll >> Hey, Emily's garden up from somewhere. >> Never mind. We're good. It just turned on. I'm looking. I was looking. Susan wasn't there. Brad was there, but they're not going to be there. >> Okay. We ready to go? >> Yes, sir. I'm ready. >> You guys ready? >> Yep. >> Thank y'all. we call the regular meeting for the month of August already on the brink of starting school regular board meeting. Um we have a quorum but uh Mr. Alford, Miss Vic will not be with us this evening. They've got out of town obligations. We appreciate everybody that is here. Um and on behalf of
002the board, welcome to you and anybody that's joining us online. Y'all know the thing to do with your phones if you hadn't already done that. Uh, as a brief reminder, the board's role is setting goals, listening to reports from superintendent and staff, approve budgets, setting tax rates, which we'll be doing tonight. U, approve personnel recommendations, make policy decisions. The board does not make management decisions. Management of the school district is the business of the superintendent and his staff. So, uh, one of the other things we do, and it's, uh, it's great that we're tonight having the person that sort of initiated us doing it, Pam Watts, is going to visit with us about the mission statement. >> Thank you, Mr. Russ. Our mission statement reads as follows. Midway ISD focuses on providing a learner centered
003environment to engage and challenge students. Staff and students alike can utilize advanced technology and innovative programs throughout all campuses. These words are not just something we recite. They express the heart of what we strive for every single day. And it is our people who make this mission possible. For months now, we've seen Texas public education take hit after brutal hit, leaving it underfunded, under fire, and far too often undervalued. As our state leaders keep insisting we make bricks without straw, it becomes harder each day to provide wealth for our people and our programs. However, that said, earlier this year, our facility study committee leaders stepped forward as a reminder of Midway's most priceless resource and one that can never be taken away, our people. And I want to say thank you again to the committee,
004our leader, Jordan Barry, and the other members that served tirelessly for a year going into end top to bottom of this district. I want to thank you again. But they remind us not that. Holy cow. That wasn't me. Our people rise up and overcome even the most impossible challenges. Our people show up, dig deep, and give generously for the good of everyone in Panther Nation. Our people embody the innovation, commitment, and excellence that define our district. Our mission statement is more than a thoughtful saying. It's the ideal we strive for, the standard we live by, and the cause to which our people of Panther Nation are clearly, deeply, and continually committed. Thank you. silence. I would ask each of you to pause with me and choose engage in prayer, reflection, mediation, contemplation. Thank you. It
005is um quite an honor we got tonight folks for the pledge. School hadn't even started. >> And I see how many folks are on the team. >> No, no, no. >> 35. How many are here? >> 20. >> Okay. This is the newest UIL 6A wrestling program in the state of Texas coached by Tim Kai Clark. Tim Kai, you want to come on up? And coach Andrew Gomez. Go. Coach, even though school hadn't started yet, these wrestlers, >> these athletes are here to lead us in the pledge. Folks, y'all want to come on? Y'all want to do it from there? >> No. Bring them up front. >> That's what I said. Come on up front. >> Yeah. Come on. >> It's a good looking group. >> All right, we're up. >> Somebody's got to start.
006I aliance 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. >> Good job. >> Thank you all. >> Folks, y'all need to y'all need to get in a better line. You're gonna get used to this because you're gonna be pooping a lot. >> Emily, get Yeah, there you go. That's one heck of a turnout for the first year. >> Yeah, that's awesome. Love it. [Music] back there. Right here. There you go. >> Okay. Ready? Everybody ready? Now get in close. >> All right. Ready? One, two, three. [Applause] Thank you. [Music] Okay, folks. And after the pledge, we always have recognition. And tonight, even though we're not in school yet, we still have a couple of recognition
007items that are not student oriented, but more school oriented. >> Dr. Odima. >> Thank you, Mr. President. We are proud to celebrate in three of our campuses for being named to the 2024 Texas Honor by the Educational Results Partnership. This recognition places us among the top performing schools and districts in Texas based on objective student achievement data from the past years. Let's recognize our campuses. First, Spring Valley Elementary. [Applause] South Elementary [Applause] and Chapel Park Elementary. [Applause] These campuses are among just 12% of all schools in Texas recognized for closing achievement gaps and improving outcomes for all students especially historically underserved populations. Additionally, Midway ISD was also named to the educational results partnership honor role as a district, one of only three districts in ML County to receive this recognition, placing us in the top
00816% of districts locally and among just 63 districts statewide. This is a tremendous honor and a direct reflection of our educators do every day. Please join me in congratulating our campus leaders and teams for this out. >> Wow. [Music] And we continue with the recognition. At this time, we're also excited to recognize several Midway ISD schools and staff members who were honored in this year's Waco Tribune Herald, part of Texas Readers Choice Awards. These awards are voted on by members of our community and the results speak volumes about the trust and pride families place in Midway ISD. Let's celebrate the winners. Principles, if you'll join me when I announce your name. For best public elementary school, the community voted Midway Elementary as the winner. Congratulations and her team. >> Woodway. Let's go. Woodway. Come on.
009Just a name change. [Music] >> Come on. Let's go. for the best public school, River Valley Middle School. [Applause] >> Dr. Heather and the RBM staff for best public high school. Midway High School earned the title once again. Congratulations, Principal Alison Smith and MHS team [Applause] to Coach J was voted teacher in central Texas. >> Wow. Let's go. [Applause] >> Mr. teaches at River Valley Middle School and is a standout leader for our students. >> Awesome. >> And finally, Midway, who is recognized as a favorite or best place to work, a testament to the amazing culture built across our schools and departments, Dr. Ashley. Congratulations [Applause] to all of this year's honores. These awards reflect our community's appreciation and support. We're so proud to see you guys. >> Thank you, Dr. Rodima, I think those
010uh recognitions and awards that that uh helps explain why we have all the students that we have here that get all the recognitions they get. It's because of those folks and those campuses. So, we appreciate that. Uh we have uh >> Mr. Russ, if I might, I apologize. May I? >> Sure. >> So, we had meet the teacher tonight in in the midst of other things we're doing and I'm looking at elementary campus principles and assistant principles and others. We uh if y'all want to This is a public meeting. You're welcome to stay if you'd like. >> Absolutely. >> But if you would like to be done with your evening, there'll be no offense taken from the DAS. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Go meet the teachers. >> I'm I'm sorry he had to
011say that. I thought y'all knew that coming here already, but thank you Dr. Allen. Thank you. >> Thank you. No, I I didn't know >> information items. We've got um a few that um board might have questions or discussion on or you might not. If you do, then we'll take those up now. And if not, uh we'll move on to our monthly finance report under the presentation discussion. All right. Hearing none on the information items, uh Wesley Brooks, um you're going to tell us the good news and the not so good news, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Good evening, uh members of the board. Um on page 645 of your board packet, um is this month's financial report. Uh the general fund statement of revenues and expenditures. So this is for the month of uh
012July, the first month of our fiscal year 26 um year. You can see there on the left the side group of columns there is the month ended for July 31st 2025 compared to the right side there July 31st of 24. Uh you can see our adopted budget um there on the the left side there is $3.5 million deficit that was adopted in June uh for the fiscal year 26. Um we did have budget amendments last month already for some projects um that were budgeted last year but didn't get completed so they carry forward this year. here. I think the roofing project, the middle school was one of the larger ones and the um access control doors as well. So, actually that 3.5 starts out at 4.2 um for uh for the new year. Um I
013do also have some uh property tax um information. Uh we got received our certified values um at the end of July. Um and so the fifth page of your uh financial report, you can see there are um net taxable property values. Uh just a history of the last several years from 2016 uh through the current year. Our property values um actually did drop uh from uh 2024 uh to this year about 4.6%. Um and uh the main reason for that, well really the main reason for that is the increase in the homestead exemption. So these numbers do assume that that uh constitutional amendment will pass in November as it most assuredly will. Uh in addition to that, there were a lot of um uh property protests uh that went to the appraisal review board and
014there were more uh uh reductions in those than normal and so we did see a reduction there. Um you can see there the the red line uh denotes the commercial and industry properties in the district and the blue line the residential. Um you can see how they kind of starting to diverge here the last couple years. The homestead increase in homestead exemption is part of that. Um uh also uh like I said the protests and our industrial values uh do continue to grow. They actually grew um I believe three or 4% um and residential dropped 15% uh from last year. Uh you can see just historically there um on that the bar graph there on the right um in 21 22 23 you know we had double digit increases in property values. Last year was
015more what we normally see 5% and then this year uh the decrease of 4.6%. Um our commercial properties make up almost 60% of our um taxable values. Um >> wow compared to our residentials at 40%. Uh the next page uh shows a list of our top 10 taxpayers uh currently. Um a lot of the you know familiar names there. We did add one coming in at number two. There is the graphic packaging, the paper recycling plant. Um Amazon's our largest taxpayer, 378 million in value. The graphic packaging is at 266 million. Uh that will continue. It's in in construction in progress. That'll continue to to increase over the course of of the next year. Um, any questions on our property values? >> Okay. >> Can I ask a question on the budget in general? >>
016Yes. >> Since it's here, um, I I was looking back through I can't remember. Do we do we budget based on a certain WADA and a certain average daily attendance? Because I know there's some of the new things that the legislature created that are not based on water, but they're based on attendance in some other way. Do we do we have targets for those that we look at trying to hit? Do you know what they are right now? >> We do. Um, so like for a specific aotment or just >> Well, just in general, like if there's is there a lot of number that we try to hit? I'm I'm I'm I'm starting to try to think more more I guess as a marketing person trying to think of okay, what does because one of
017the only ways that we can actually increase operating revenue around here is to increase our WADA. And so what is what does it do to to help you know how does it help us to bring in 50 more students, 100 more students, something like that? And so what do we budget based on for Wada? >> Our WADA is about 11,000. >> Yeah. >> Um and this was was a little different because you last year's number were pretty flat from the year before and so we just budgeted um just basically identical WA ADA numbers from from the prior year. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Other questions for Wesley on the finance report? >> All right. Thank you, Wesley. We appreciate that. Um, Senate Bill 13, also known as library materials. Um, Dr. Odima, a short fuse
018on this one. And by that I mean the legislature passed this, the governor signed it in the law and the time for school districts to get into compliance with it is >> immediately short. >> Yes. >> Immediate. Yes. >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Russ and members of the board. Tonight, uh we'll talk about Senate Bill 13. uh review that bill a bit um talk about Midway's response to that and then give you our recommendation for an immediate adoption of policy because we're required to do that before the start of school because it goes into effect September 1st. Um so quite a quick turnaround on on that piece. to begin. Um, Senate Bill 13 relates to a school district's library materials and catalog and the establishment of a local school advisory council should
019the district choose to do that. It relates to parent uh rights regarding um access to the library catalog and access to a parent's child's library materials and um whether or not they're able to check those out. It was passed on June 30th and goes into effect on September 1st. The the bill has essentially five components that we'll talk about tonight. Um we'll uh specify what each of these components are and then also talk about our response. So to begin um it addresses an enhanced uh parent access and rights. That means um parents now have the right to view all student records and um identified in this bill is that uh parents have access for library checkout records. Um they also should have access to the school library catalog. Our parents already had access to that.
020Um but this uh law identifies that specifically. Um they are also able to submit a list of materials that their child may not check out or access um outside of the school library or outside of a classroom. Actually, um, districts that have an online portal or a a management system, an online management system for those books also must show parents a record of each of the students, uh, checkout library checkout records. The second component is a statemandated library collection standard. Um, this is not something that we do, but it's something that the Texas State Library and Archives Commission does, and they'll have that ready for us by April 1st of this school year. um that uh new library archive um standard will identify some language specifically about harmful, sexually explicit, indecent, profane, the terminology that's
021been um debated from time to time. Um they'll clearly identify that and the definition of those things. Um they're also going to outline what library materials it applies to. So basically includes all things that may not have been included in previous um standards. So, library and classroom materials that which would be library type materials that are in classrooms. Um, digital cataloges, mobile apps, things of that nature that may not have been mentioned in previous standards. Um, it will recognize parents as the primary decision makers. We've seen that trend in other legislation as well. Um, and then it ensures transparency and um, protects against removing material solely on the basis of ideas or the author's background. The third component is uh new procedures for library library material acquisition. Uh previously a librarian might create a list
022based on standards for selecting library materials that our district had and was approved and followed other standards um widely used for collection um standards and the librarian would purchase those materials. Now, the board of trustees will approve all new or donated materials with exception of things that we already own in our collection um that are just replacement items. We would uh promo propose those materials and make them publicly viewable for 30 days to the public, the community. We'd post that on our website to make those available. We would make those available to the board um in a information item, the uh board meeting prior to um a a vote um a consent meeting and then uh TEA's developing a model policy for us to follow. We haven't seen that yet, but that's in the works.
023So, we would adopt um those policies and procedures, but there's a timeline and then it goes through the board of trustees before we're able to purchase or u use donated materials in our libraries moving forward. It also um formalizes a challenge and appeal process. We currently have a challenge process. This goes a step further and ask TEA to develop a form. So, there's a universal form in the state. um for everyone to challenge a book. So when TEA um creates that form, uh all districts would adopt that form. Challenge materials would be restricted from student access during the review process. Um the challenge committee would have a designated protocol to follow uh while the review is going on. There's a designated timeline that's uh named in statute. The committee decision um can be appealed to
024the school board. a typical grievance type process um that's identified in statute as well. Um as far as the outcomes go, what's identified um in the legislation is that if the book is removed um by the the board, then uh teachers would remove all copies from classrooms as well as from the library collection. And if the book is retained, um future challenges are barred, um until the second anniversary of the board's final vote. The fifth provision um is the optional provision in the legislation and it says that districts may establish a local advisory council. this um school library advisory council, the Slack um committee is formulated very similarly to the shack committee, the student health advisory um council. Um so we're um allowed to create that if we choose. We must create that if it's
025requested by 50 parents or 10% of our enrolled families, whichever it's fewer. For us, that would be 50. Um the council's duties would require um reviewing acquisitions and removal decisions. The part of this challenge committee process um it would uh be a committee that would uh be majority parents. They would be appointed by board members. It's a it's a board advisory committee. Um they would meet at least twice a year and post agendas and recordings and uh follow open meeting act things that the SHA committee would traditionally do. So, uh, this is Midway's response to these, uh, protocol. Uh, thus far, we feel like we were, um, positioned to do some, uh, really pretty quick responses thanks to, uh, Sarah Collins and our librarians who have been at this work really already. You may remember
026that House Bill 900 came out um a year or so ago and there were some things that we already had to put in place to look at classroom collections and there was some language that changed that we updated some policy and things because of that when we looked at library books previously. Um so we've been at work on some of these actions already. So as far as that first uh component the enhanced parent access there were three things we needed to look at library collections classroom libraries and then also digital libraries. And then we also needed an opportunity to put information out for parents so that they knew where to go to and how to access this information. So to address this um for library collections, we do have a a digital uh platform already
027in place. Destiny flet is how we access digital materials um through our libraries. That's our catalog, our check-in checkout system. So this is already in place. Um, in fact, right now on our website prior to any of this happening, any person could go to the Midway Library Services page and type in the Destiny Falllet platform, um, a book search. So, you could search any title and it would pull up any book that's listed in our cataloges. Um, so any campus, any place, you don't have to have Midway login. However, we're able to flip a switch and a parent guardian um can log in with their parent guardian email that's registered through eShool and they can see the books that their student has access to. So, we were able to turn that on fairly quickly. Um
028and we have a procedure for parents to follow to do that. Sarah Collins has created that uh step-by-step sheet already and we have that posted. So, now they're able to see their their individual child's library checkout records. um they can access their child's school library catalog and they can also restrict student access. Here's a little bit of what that looks like. So after a parent logs into the Falllet collection, if they go to the far left here, they could type in a title. In this case, fishing is the subject that searched. Pulls up all the books on fishing. Um to the right hand side of this, you see that there's the ellipse, the three dots. And if you click on that, a little uh menu pops up and it says do not check out this
029book and then to this particular student. So your child's name pops up there. You click on that and then it puts the little Ghostbuster sign on there to block that book for your child to check out. You also can look every every title would that Midway owns or that has access to in this collection would follow. But if you look at that note that's in the middle of the page, if it's grayed out, it says um um not available in this site or elsewhere. I can't read that from here, but that means that it's not at your child's school. So there might be books in this list that are only available at the high school or not available on your child's campus. So they wouldn't have access to that book anyway. So if there's a
030little gray note, you don't have access to it. So they can block a child's book um from this menu that they already have access to. So, in this instance, when we search the title French Revolution, you can see that several of these titles have already been blocked by the parent. Um, and there's a little menu that pops up that says, "Do not check out to this child." So, when the librarian goes to scan the book and check out the book, they know don't check this book out to this particular student. On the left hand side, you see a menu in blue. The top uh magnifying glass is the search bar. If I go to the next icon, the book, that is the current books that are checked out. The next clock down is the history
031of books. So they can see every book that the child has ever checked out from the library this school year. And then the last button, little ghostbuster sign, is any books that they the parent has blocked that the child doesn't have access to. The best thing is we already own the system. We didn't have to pay anything to turn this on. So that's a win because our next option was going to cost us $16,000. So this is huge. And even though it's a couple of steps, it's a win. So excited about that. Thank you librarians and Sarah Collins for figuring this out quickly. So our second bucket that we wanted to pay attention to was classroom libraries. So I mentioned House Bill 900 earlier. Sarah and the librarians have been working the entire like spring
032semester to figure out a solution and teachers have been working actually throughout the summer to catalog books that are in their personal classroom libraries that students might have access to. And then teachers have been getting um professional development sort of swap time, comp time for cataloging their own books in their classrooms. We're using a platform that we actually already had access to because it's part of a database that we already subscribed to um called Textquest. So, Teaching Books allows a teacher to go in and scan a book in their classroom or enter an ISBN number for a book in their classroom and it adds that book to a teacher's um teaching books web page. And so that page has a link and on that link every book that's in the teachers classroom library collection um
033those books are listed there. When the parent goes to that link that the teacher provides, they can click on the book, they can read more about the book, and if they choose to not let their child access that book that's in their teacher's classroom, they're going to send an email to the teacher. So, we're going to keep this loop very tight so that it's a an email. It's a communication between the parent and the teacher. So there's not extra people in the middle to go between and the the parent and the teacher have direct communication over which books that they might not want their um child to have access to. So that takes care of library collections. That takes care of classroom libraries. The last thing we needed to look at were digital libraries. So
034online resources. So currently we have removed access for our digital collections outside of Destiny Flet that's our library catalog because we do have access to some online resources through that collection because um currently we do not have an online resource epic books tumble books things like this that allow parents to manage their child's access. So when we find an online platform that will allow a parent to log in and manage their child's access to a book, we are happy to begin using those again. But right now, parent access and parent management is not allowed. So according to Senate Bill 13, we can't use that. So we've turned those off. So we've limited what we can't control um and what uh parents won't have access to. All of that information and the other information that's available
035or needs to be available um is being stored in the library information hub which is basically our library services website on the main uh accessible from the main um web page dropown menu. So in programs and services on the main midway website there's library services tab that you can click on and these things are on that that main page so parents can quickly and easily get there. Sarah's already created some step-by-step pages on how to access all of these uh pieces and what to do when you get the information and how to um either choose books for your child or check the checkout history or um block things if you need to do that. So, that was component one. Component two, the statemandated library collection standards. This really has very little that we need to
036do except to follow it when it's published. Currently, we'll continue to use the um the guidelines that are um identified in EFB local. It's very similar to things that we already follow in the previous um EFB policy, but when we adopt EFB local, we'll follow those um comprehensive guidelines. And then when it's updated by the Texas State Library Archives Commission, we'll follow those guidelines as well. We should see new ones in April. As far as the um third component, the new library procedures, we've begun looking at um and proposing timelines for what that process would look like in the fall and look like for you um the board who would begin approving those book um procurements. So, it looks something like this in September and October. Actually, they probably have it ready right now because
037the librarians are ready. Um the library staff would thoroughly uh review and evaluate the desired books for purchase on campuses. Um they would finalize any requests and look at the acquisition list. They would submit that to the board for review. We would also want to publish that publicly on our website and through our our campus um pieces so that all parents and anybody who was interested would be able to look at that list while the board was looking at it. So we'd probably put it as an information item um for the board. So that has to be out 30 days prior to a a vote um by the board and then in this timeline by the November board meeting you would have seen it for 30 days. The public would have seen the list for
03830 days. Um we would have taken feedback and questions at any time. The board um could get information from community input. you're you could um look at u rejecting any book that you thought didn't need to be on the list and then in that November board meeting we would look at approving or rejecting the final list um and moving any books off of that list that we didn't believe needed to be purchased and then after that meeting we would be able to move forward with purchase proposed changes what What what changes might we propose >> to remove a book from the list? >> Just remove it. Not not to add anything. >> I suppose you could add if you liked. >> If you I think if you if you added a book to the list,
039it would probably have to go back to the 30-day approval policy with the uh send it back to the community and start the 30-day process again. So if you want >> and we would send it through all the check engines again >> add it in September if you want to add a book >> but that's mainly designed for things that we might want to take off that are already >> essentially >> not that I'm proposing to do that I just my role is >> right right good question all right so that's what a sample timeline might look like the fourth compon component the um challenge process we currently have a process. Um we would look at adopting um the process that is currently written in the EFB policy that we would be recommending tonight. And
040then um once TEA uh completes their challenge form, we would add that to our website and use that form um as it was needed. And then the fifth provision, this is the optional component is the local school advisory council for the libraries. Um this is one that we're proactively reviewing um the feasibility of establishing a Slack in advance of a formal community petition that requires us to do that. So we're looking at the advantages of doing that and the the requirements of doing that. But we're also awaiting further guidance from state to ensure that um we would uh fully align with the requirements of that committee. To date, we're still missing some pieces of um policy, both legal and local, because as you know, there are many, many things that have changed since the 89th
041legislature um finished their main session and we don't have all policies updated yet. So, we are moving ahead with as much information as we have to date. So for that reason, tonight the administration is recommending that we uh move forward with the EFB local policy. That is the alt version, which means we would not adopt a Slack committee at this time. The reason we would move forward without the Slack committee is that the two policies side by side only differ in this Slack committee. The the other four components are identical. Um, the Slack committee is an option, but it's not a requirement at this time, we can begin it at any time. Um, but because we're missing a little bit of legislation and because it's brand new and we're in a bit of a squeezed
042timeline, there's still some debate about a couple of things. Um, one is the language of the TASBY policy. There are a couple of lines where um there is question as to whether or not the TASBY policy agrees completely with the law as it uh reads. So um we're looking to see if those things um end up being changed and if they agree with one another as to who has the last recommendation to the board before um it moves on. There's also a question as to whether or not there are other policies that will be updated before there's actually a slack. For example, BDB, it's actually legal and BDF legal identify other advisory committees. BDF actually names the SHA committee. So, we believe that a Slack committee will probably also be named in future versions of
043the BDF policy. We won't see the TASBY policy until September, maybe October as far as when we've gotten a notice of when the update might happen that you would see and then adopt. So, we're in early days um as far as seeing what the interpretation of this law might look like and what their um recommendations are for us adopting policy moving forward. So, we're not completely certain of what that's going to look like yet. Um also once we commit to a slack committee we are committed to that for three years whatever we put in policy. Um on the upside, the um access now available to parents through the other four components that we'll be adding allows for a great deal of transparency, control, and management over the individual book selection selection for their student. So
044we believe parents are going to have a great deal of management for their child. We also have removed digital resources that parents can't manage. So that shouldn't be um an issue. We also are adding um many steps in the material procurement process. Um in addition to it being approved by the board, it is also going to go to the community for a 30-day feedback process. So anyone that has an interest in looking at those lists will have that opportunity um with or without um an additional committee. So we have opportunity for public feedback in addition to parental um management of their individual ch child's book. So, um, with policies and documents still being developed, um, and a three-year commitment being what, um, we would be committing to at this point in time, uh, we think
045that our best step moving forward is to implement those four, uh, components at this time, see if it meets the needs of students, parents, and community, and then wait and see what the policies develop into before we commit to anything else. see if this fits our needs and then see what else uh we do need after we've looked at this process and assess how it's going. >> What questions do you have >> for from the board? >> We have this on the consent agenda for the board to potentially approve this policy as proposed by the administration. So you can ask them now or you can pull that from the consent agenda and ask them then. >> I I have two questions. >> Sure. >> Man, this seems like a lot of work that we're going
046through in a short amount of time and I'm greatly appreciative that we're able to do that. Um I'm interested to know will we will we be able to to track or to know say after a year the extent to which any parents have even made use of any of these tools? Like are we are we going to be able to know is this does this juice as far as >> as far as the tracking >> I know we have to do it but are we going to know hey is this really meaningful >> Sarah do you know is there a tracking mechanism on the back side of these >> yeah I mean I appreciate the fact that we already had the tools and it was somewhat I mean it was a lot of work I'm
047sure for Sarah because I I can visualize realize how we have to connect these authentication systems together and all of that, but I just I think it's it's worthwhile to understand, hey, this is seems like a a busy work assignment from the legislature to us to some degree maybe. But then again, we're not a not a district that I think has had library issues either in general. So, um, the other question about the online resources that we've had to sort of all pull down the the book online book resources because I know that >> I I know my kid at least has talked about reading and using some of those. Are we >> is that blocked like actively firewall kind of blocked where even even that iPad device at home wouldn't be able to access
048those resources or is it just like how how >> That's right. It would be blocked through our iPad. >> So, it's it's actually blocked. It's not just that we stop subscribing to it. >> A parent could still access Epic Books through their own home account. >> On their home device. >> Okay. But but on our iPad device anywhere blocked. Okay. >> Right. >> Okay. >> Because we don't have control. >> I get it. Yes. >> We'll keep asking for it. >> We've reached out. >> Also a lot of work. >> Yeah. >> Do you uh uh do you have a plan to communicate this new opportunity to the parents? And >> Yeah. Um, our our teachers will communicate directly with classrooms K2 through newsletters to get information out. We can send out a district post,
049but it would come it's a smaller circle if teachers communicate with their their classrooms. Um, and then our third through 12th grade teachers um are posting it on their classroom information folder in Schooly. So when they have their how to contact me and their classroom information um any of their their classroom links would be there. And then we'll we'll post um how to access all of those library services to parents. And there's nothing preventing parents from doing this at any point during the year as many times as they want. If a parent wants to raise questions about a book in October and then another one in December and >> two more in January, I mean, this is an ongoing process, right? >> That's right. And in terms of going forward, the way that the the
050new acquisitions process would work, do we do we envision that's a a once a year thing? Is it a fall and spring thing? Is it a I mean, I I just I don't know how often a teacher says, "Man, this would be a great resource to have." Yeah. So, the librarians um traditionally would purchase like large orders of books, like upwards of like a thousand in an order. Thousands in an order. Um I mean, and some are teeny tiny um elementary books, but thousands in an order three to four times a year. And we know that that's not going to be possible with this level of procedure. So, they know that that is changing. So we'll we'll do as many times as possible that's reasonable for you all to have that that process in place.
051>> When you say three or four times a year, is that multiple copies of the same list of titles >> or different books >> different titles? I mean, um, we've we've talked about different ways to add, um, these books so that it makes the most sense and it's the easiest way to sort through for people who don't do this on a for a profession on a daily basis. Like, if it's another book in a series and it's a series that the district already owns, is there a way to help you identify that? That's an okay thing. We don't need to scrutinize. um or if it's something similar to another title. If it's an additional copy of something another campus already has, that's kind of a no-brainer, we should be able to do that. So, we've
052talked about ways that we could make this simpler in the process for um adding titles to to libraries, but new books come out all the time, and they like to keep the titles fresh for students, so they'll continue to be interested in checking out new books. >> So, good point. that people still read magazines and do those play into this >> in schools? I don't know. I don't know how much we purchase magazines in our elementary and high school libraries. Does anybody know campus principles? >> Don't know. >> We'll find out. I don't know >> if we're not doing it. That's fine. I was just wondering how those would >> That's clearly a a frequent >> Yeah. >> frequent thing. >> I don't know because if we were vetting magazines by the time we got
053through this process, they would not be relevant. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> you can have the January issue in May. Yeah, that's not going to be fun to read. >> Can we start reviewing Mr. Wit's Facebook page, too? >> Oh, please. You should definitely. >> All right. Thank you. >> Any questions on Senate Bill 13, folks? >> Okay. Thanks. >> Thank you, Becky. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, Sarah. Uh, next agenda item, House Bill 121, another gift from the uh, 89th regular legislature. Dr. Allen, >> good evening. We're going to talk a little bit about armed personnel on campuses and good cause exception for SRO's. And so, um, let me talk to you a little bit about the background. So, there are a number of Texas education codes that speak to this. If
054you'll go ahead and advance that for me. Thank you. Um, it requires the board to ensure that at least one armed security officer is present during the regular school hours at each school campus. Requires that the armed security officer be a commissioned peace officer. Okay, that's the bullet point we're going to spend most of our time talking about. >> Provides the option of claiming a good cause exception if the district's non-compliance is due to the availability of funding or qualified personnel. That you've seen and we did that back in 2023 and that all ties back to the 88th regular. What they did in the 89th regular was House Bill 121 that requires the board to examine this good cause exception annually. So every year we'll come back and talk about whether or not we still
055have a good cause exception for not having commissioned peace officers on all of our campuses. So as a reminder, what we currently do is we have SRO. Well, hang on. They don't let me get ahead of it. So next slide. Currently what we have is MISD police officers of five, two at MHS, one at each middle school, and then Chief Foley. And then we have campus safety and security specialists. We have nine of those, one at each, one at each elementary, and one at Midway High School. Our safety specialists do not meet the specific qualifications of commission peace officers. However, it's worth noting that five are retired law enforcement. One is a corporate safety officer, one's a former adult probation officer, one is a a former private security officer, and one's former military. In addition
056to that, they do all the training with not all all, but they do almost all the training with our officers. So, when officers train, they train. Um, so, uh, that would put us in a position where we have to look at whether or not we have a good cause exception. We believe we do as a district based on finances. So, we received additional uh safety dollars from House Bill 2 in the amount of $286,664. There was an unfunded mandate associated with HB33, which required us to put a breaching tool and ballistic shield on every campus that is costing us $50,000, which means new additional funds provided by the ledge for 2526 is $236,664. For us to take our current campus safety and security specialists and turn them into SRO that we would have at least
057one on every campus would cost us about $1.2 million. And that is detailed for you on the left hand side of the breakdown. Um the total new revenue from the state was $236,664 which leaves us with a loss of 969,666. Therefore, it's the administration's recommendation that we continue to claim this good cause exception allowed by HB3 due to the availability of funding. Um, the board will have an opportunity to act on this in the consent agenda as we have a resolution included and that is item 83. Um, but the numbers are are pretty plain on this. It is mostly associated with the cost of equipping and preparing those officers should they uh make that transition. And right now that cost is just not feasible for the district. And so we'll be recommending that we continue
058to claim that good cause exception. I can take any questions that board members may have at this time. >> So that the good cause exception simply means we'd be able to continue doing what we've been doing. >> Yes, sir. What we'd be doing is claiming an exception to the requirement that we have commissioned peace officers on every campus. We would keep the model we currently have. Okay. Is there anything else? That term sounds like a loaded legal term. Uh, no offense to my lawyer friends. Is there is there anything else there that could come back to haunt us? >> The way the statute's written, the board's allowed to claim this exception. So, I >> um we are no more or less in a bind on that now than we were from 2023 when we first
059did this until now. >> This new law just requires us to revisit annually. >> Okay. What I would say there, Rick, is it it's significant to me that the legislature put it in place in 23 and after two years of experience of what school districts did or didn't do under it with regard to claiming good cause exception based on money or lack of people or both. They didn't come in and change the ability to claim a good cause exception. They just said, "Dists, y'all got to look at it annually and see whether you that's where you still think you are. So, I I think that's telling. Other questions for the superintendent on that one, folks? All right. If not, we we had a special call meeting. The next two items are basically continuations as it
060were the agenda items that we had in the special called meet or special meeting. Um, I don't know that we need to take up real property in here or go into close session on that from here, but we do still need to talk about as a discussion item. And then we've got, excuse me, a possible action item on calling a bond election for the November uniform election day based based on what we were talking about at the end of that meeting. And maybe to move this meeting along, let me ask the board since we only have five folks here. We know that we have a hard deadline if we're going to call one for that November uniform date of Monday the 18th at 5:00 pm. I know that Mr. Alford and Miss Vic will be
061back in town. What's the board's appetite for having a special called meeting on Monday so we've got the entire board to consider this item? >> I'm good with it. >> I'm good with that. But I decision is gravity without a full board present. So >> yeah, Mr. Green, >> I would concur with Miss Watts. >> Well, and I wouldn't endeavor to speak for them. I just I just know that the last time I did talk with them about it, I think Miss Vic was uh certainly amanable to attending a Monday meeting and I think Mr. Alford was also. Only question is >> what time I've >> But four five sounds like, >> right? >> Yeah. I don't think 459 will cut it. >> I've kept the day open in my calendar knowing this might be
062an option. So, I'm good whenever that day you need it. >> Yeah, I'm free all day. >> Do y'all prefer to try to start it like at 11:30 and do it over the lunch hour? >> Yes. >> Sure. Mr. >> Mr. Aler says yes. >> He He is ghosting us. He is ghosting us. Yeah. No. No, he's not. He's listening in. Thank you, Brad. >> Yeah. >> Um All right, then. Then let's plan on doing that. How's that? >> That'll that'll that because to me it's also important that we have the full board there and u give everybody a chance to now. Now, I mean, we can continue discussing it here if y'all want to do that or we can just wait and take it up Monday. >> Well, I I do have a question
063if I could. >> Absolutely. >> Because of what something that happened in the conversation in our special called um that Dr. Allan had said about um so so so one of my concerns is I know that as we sort of put off put off this decision there's a lot of um deferred maintenance and technology pieces that people like Jesse Garin are saying uh you know that blood pressure is kind of ticking up a little bit and wanted to make sure we get this done. So, what can you clarify for us the idea that if we um if if if this is something that the board were to decide we might wait a little longer until May, >> we would still have some ability to use those funds during the current fiscal year to offset some
064of those some of those maintenance issues and technology things. Tell us how that works. >> Let me talk through that for a second. Maybe even talk >> and I'm not presupposing board action here. I'm just asking that. >> Let's say hypothetically that there was a decision to um wait until May for a number of different reasons, right? What that would do is the board would then repair things as they break throughout the course of this current school year and then if the board were to take action on a bond and the bond would be approved by the voters, there is a legal mechanism by which we could reimburse ourself for a legally allowable cost out of bond funds. So what you have seen in the recommendation from the committee is for example mine did $9
065million for technology repairs. I would I want to remind the board that some of those numbers project five years forward. So it's both now and moving forward. >> So we don't need $9 million today is is what I'm getting at. So what that would do is put the district in a just kind of break fix mode. We're going to kind of maintain status quo. If something breaks we'll fix it. We'll keep track of those cost and then if the and then if the board were called for election in May and if that election were to be approved by the voters, we can then reimburse oursel for legally liable cost after the fact. >> I think that's helpful just in the conversation. So, thank you. >> Yes, sir. And that that applies to all those deferred
066cost and all the rest of that, >> right? >> All right. So, before we move on to the consent agenda, anything else on this one or we'll just take it up Monday. Y'all want y'all want to have have the meeting start at 11:30? >> Yep. >> Good with that. I >> think so. >> Brad, you good with that? >> Yeah, I'm good with that. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. >> Are we doing that in here? >> I would think we would be. Um, >> and would that be a streamed meeting? >> That be a streamed meeting? I just >> I I have no reason why it wouldn't be. >> Okay. I just It seems like an important thing. So, I would want to make sure we have a good >> Yeah. >> from a transparency
067standpoint. >> Okay. So, we'll u we'll get that meeting appropriately noticed under the open meetings act and uh we'll take this up at that time. Uh with that said, I'm ready for the consent agenda unless y'all got anything on the other presentation discussion items. Are we going to circle back to uh the discussion of real property that's still on there? >> No, ma'am. I think we're done with that unless y'all tell me that that we need to talk further about it tonight. And if we do, we're going to go into close session. If not now, then we'll wait till the end of the meeting and go back into close session. But I I had nothing else I needed to talk about. But if we >> a point was made in the special call meeting about
068the implications of of one decision and other decisions and I want to make sure we have time to address those different things. >> Do you want to talk about that at the end of the meeting going into close session on it? I mean, if if that what the board wants to do it >> I had a question and I don't know if it's something I can ask here or in close it needs to be in close session question because it involves real property. >> Okay, let's do this then Pam. Let's wait till we get to the end. >> Okay. >> And we'll take a five minute recess and then if we need to go into close session we'll reconvene and go into close session and if not we'll reconvene and adjourn. How's that? >> It's
069one question. I don't think it will take very long, but it is something I need answered. >> Yes, ma'am. Uh consent agenda. We have minutes from July regular and special call meeting. We've got our good cause exception that Dr. Allan just talked about our investment policy, our annual 4 designation, district appraisers, new courses for the high school, uh,ou with Carlton, uh, a resolution on our hazardous traffic routes, our board policy updates for local policies, those were all listed there. Our EFB that Dr. Odima visited with us about a defeasance resolution. Any board member wish to remove any item from the consent agenda? >> That EFB local is the one that the alt one that doesn't have the slack in it. Correct. Okay. Then I don't. >> Correct. >> If not, I'll entertain a motion to
070approve the consent agenda as presented. >> So moved. >> Motion by Mr. Tullus. >> Second by Mr. Green. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> That motion carries unanimously. uh public hearing on proposed tax rate. Who's going to talk about that? >> Mr. Brace, >> do do we do we need to just open the public hearing, Wesley, or do you want to say something first? Uh >> I can just briefly uh talk about the tax rate. So, kind of dubtailing off our discussion on the property values. Our values did decrease. Uh we're not going to see the same property tax rate compression that we had the last few years. So, our M uh tax rate will actually be the same as it was last year. Um 69.69 cents and our INS rate
071will be 24 cents for a total tax rate of 93.69. And that 24 cent uh debt service tax rate does allow for that defeasance uh that was just approved in the consent agenda for roughly $2 to3 million depending on what our tax collections come in at uh for the year. >> I I think the only comment that I might add, Mr. for Russ parenthetical but that I you know one of the things I've been sharing when talking about some of the information that we've been discussing related to facility study committee is I'm not sure everyone recognizes that since 2018 the district has reduced the tax rate for our taxpayers by 38 pennies >> and I just think it's worth reminding folks and clearly some of that's been through tax compression I think we have to
072be careful to give credit where credit's due but in 2010 our tax rate was 28 on the INS side it is now down to 0.24. And during that same period of time, the board built Park Hill, renovated Chapel Park, renovated Rem, renovated MMS. Y'all y'all know all the work that's been done in that time period. I think the MAC came online during that time. And so I ju I only bring that up to say that we that it is a it's quick to assume that school boards just want to raise taxes and build stuff. And this district has had a history long before Chris Allen showed up of being very, very wise in the management and the use of our tax dollars. And so, um, because of that, we have the the great fortune of
073being able to say we've been able to reduce the tax rate while meeting the needs of our students and making sure that they're thoroughly equipped to be successful. And I'm not sure the board gets enough credit for that. Some of you have been here for some portion of that time. Um, and I I think it's a remarkable achievement on the part of this board. It is also remarkable that almost 60% of our tax levies now coming from non-residents. Uh some of that's because of homestead exemption numbers, but it's just one of those blessings that I think we have to be very very um wise in our stewardship over time so we continue to stay in the healthy position we're in. >> Agreed. Sir, >> as we go forward, considering whatever we decide to do with
074the bond, I think it's worth noting that in 2019, we chose to defer some projects that we definitely need in favor of the state taxes because we realize our community needed tax relief that that was a can we kick down the road in favor of of leaving some property tax. >> Yes. And and to to your point, Pam, we told the folks back then because that was $148 million request less than what that facil facility study committee recommended with the promise that if we got that we would lower the INS rate >> and we did. So yeah, uh public hearing, we will uh it's always interesting. We're lawfully have to be in an open meeting to have all the board here, but then how are you supposed to have a public hearing? Is it part
075of your meeting or not? It's an interesting question. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? We'll call the public hearing to order and invite any member of the public who wishes to come address the board uh to come do that. We'd like to set a new record and have one person come do that because we've never had that happen during my time serving on this board. >> It's only been a year or two, right? >> No. Um, >> no pressure. >> Okay. Not seeing any member of the public wishing to address the board, we'll close the public hearing and we'll move on to adoption of the tax rate for 2025-2026. That's the M rate as well as the INS rate. Wesley, I do have one question just because I want to be clear and
076everybody to be clear. So, our M rate proposed for this coming year and next year and and INS rate, those were the same as they were last time. >> They haven't they haven't changed. >> That's true. >> And I and the only reason I bring that up and I say that >> is the language. >> Say what? >> The language here. Yes. Go ahead. >> No. College. >> No, I know where you're going. But go you go. I know where you're going. Because folks, our legislature in their infinite wisdom requires specific language in the motion approving this. And it is, I move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of 0.936900, which is effectively an 8.71% increase in the tax rate. Now, you tell me how that's an
077increase in the tax rate when you just heard the man himself say our tax rates are the exact same that they were last year. But that's your legislature at work. Is there a second to that motion? >> Second by Miss Watts. Any further discussion? >> I'm glad you pointed that out because I was going to as well. >> I just, you know, I mean, I'm all for transparency, but that's You know, if we were trying to swing that the other way, they would tell us we were misleading everybody. >> What grade do you think they would get in their math class with that kind of >> I don't think they could pass midway math. >> Yeah. >> Anyway, all right. If not, any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed?
078I think that has to be a record vote and the record will reflect that that passed unanimously. Ma'am, um we're going to defer on D, consideration of calling a bond election. We'll have that as an agenda item for our special call meeting on Monday. Consideration of personnel. We have delegated authority to the superintendent. So, I know we need no action to approve any hiring. Anything else we need to take up on personnel like >> abandonment of contract? Dr. Dr.son, will you talk the board through our abandonment of contract this evening? >> Yes, sir. We have a teacher who served in our DA program as a general special education teacher who signed a contract for this coming year and after the um what we call drop dead date of June 30th. uh submitted resignation understood understanding
079that um it was beyond the date that we were required to accept resignation and that we would take him for abandonment if he did not um come to work and first date of report was August 4th and he has not returned to work. So um we are recommending him for your consideration to submit his contract for abandonment. Were there any emergency circumstances? >> No, he we knew he would only be here for another year. Um he's got some u other plans that he's working on. He and his family. Um but he had committed to a year which is when he signed his contract and then um felt that circumstances in his personal life had changed and he was not going to be able to fulfill that. >> Case in point though, Miss Wats, we have
080had individuals resign. We've had emergency situations. We always work with those. This is um if we bring them to you, it's because you know they're truly vanity. >> Fair enough. Thank you. >> It seems like a a DAP teacher is is pretty important position and probably a hard one to fill on such short notice as well. Is that accurate? >> It is. What makes this one especially challenging is that he was special education certified and was our only person in that program special education certified. So, we're having to work to find alternative arrangements to serve our students in that program. Y'all recall this one requires special motion language and it's actually a Texas two-step. So I with that I'm going to take liberty of reading the motion because it's lengthy relatively speaking. I move that
081we issue a finding in accordance with Texas Education Code section 21.21 21 [Music] C2 and 19 Texas Administrative Code section 249.14J. [Music] That good cause did not exist for Aaron Brody to abandon his employment contract with Midway ISD and his actions failed to comply with Texas Education Code provision regarding resignations. Is there a second to that motion? >> Second by Mr. Wit. Any further discussion or questions? Not. All in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Second part. I move that we authorize the superintendent to send a letter to the Texas Education Agency seeking sanctions against Aaron Brody's educator certification for abandonment of his teaching contract with Midway ISD. Is there a second to that motion? >> Second by Miss Watts. Further discussion or questions? All in favor say I.
082>> I. >> Any opposed? >> That motion also carries. Um, we down to superintendent's communications. >> Yes, sir. >> So, I think what I want to do tonight is express appreciation for some of the folks who are sitting the room out in front of us. Y'all, you know that we have 1300 staff and they're all getting ready for 8,800 students to show up and start their first day of school on Thursday the 14th. For some of those kiddos, it'll be their first day in public school and for some of those kiddos, it'll be their last first day in public school and everything in between. One of the things that we work very hard at is making sure that our staff, all staff are prepared, not just in terms of like logistically, but they've had the
083training and that they've had um encouragement that they've been poured into and feel like they're ready to go. And there's a lot of people who have to work on that. But I would like for us just to take a moment uh pause and recognize our teaching and learning department uh led by Dr. Dr. Beckerima for really putting together a series of events that have made sure that our staff is ready and willing to go and it is a team effort. Uh I think that Becky would tell you and you can chime in here in a second if you want but sort of the the point on the tip of that spear is Sarah Collins when it comes to BTSS an event that Mr. Wit attended some of Friday. We appreciate you being able to come
084to that but y'all it's a group effort. Um Ashley the Futurist pulls together lots of community support. We were able to feed people that day for no cost to them. We had a no cost keynote speaker, Dr. John Eckert from Baylor University. And then everybody in the TNL department sitting out there did something to facilitate a session or help get the room ready and this and that and the other. Um Ken was helping work to facilitate trainings uh for our school bus drivers. I mean, everybody plays a part. Emily helps us with communications and helps us square away some of the planning for that event. It's a big undertaking. BTSS isn't the only thing we do, but it's a culmination of a lot of what goes on. Ashley made sure that we had an online
085platform for the required trainings and again that was a collaborative effort that bunch people with their hands in that pot, but there's a lot of people who work very very hard. I chuckle when people ask me, "Hey, what do you do all summer long?" It's like, "Oh my gosh, it's like it's exhausting." So, a lot of people work really really hard on pulling this together. Becca, you want to add anything to that because I know I'm leaving people out and and Ashley be ready. >> It was a great sort of end of our training season. All summer long, these folks have been going, our sessions have been great all summer. Teacher attendance has been fantastic. And like on campus and here, it's been amazing. And the I think every department represented here tonight had presenters
086there. Finance had sessions, HR had sessions, teaching and learning had sessions, there were campus representatives, both administrators and teachers from every campus in the district. So it was a huge event and participation from everybody. So, it's really neat to have everybody under one roof and contributors from all campuses and all parts of the district. So, it's amazing. >> Ashley, I think we missed out. >> No, I think you hit everyone. It's It's a huge collaborative effort. Yeah, it's a huge collaborative effort that takes months of planning and everybody works together to do their part and it makes the lift easier. Everybody's chipping in. >> So, so I think I say all that to say this, we're ready to go >> and we're excited for kids. >> Yeah. So, um, you know, well, I'm I'm our
087our first day tradition is we visit every single campus and we go in and we talk to kids and see what's going on with staff. So, we're we're ready to go. A lot of people's hard work to get us from, you know, you have the last kid cross the stage at graduation in uh what is that? May. And then immediately we're we're on the run to get ready for August 14th. And so, here we are. We're ready and we're excited to start school. >> Dr. You've mentioned community partners and I I just wanted to add a shout out because there there were a lot of businesses and churches and individuals across the district doing all kinds of things to support and encourage our staff. I was seeing the the back to school teacher breakfast that
088Firstwood hosts. >> I know there are many other things going on, but I just want to acknowledge the level of community support that we have outside the district as well. >> Yes, ma'am. And that's it's a big part of all it because it not only provides the kind of TLC that we get, >> but what it communicates to our staff about what it means to be in Midway, >> right? So like there's a value to that and it helps our staff feel well wrapped around. So yes, ma'am. >> All right. We're going to uh take a fivem minute recess. Y'all are welcome to hang around, but I could tell you even if we go into close session, when we come back into open session, we're not going to be doing anything. But if you want
089to stay, it'll still be a public meeting. So we got this Give Caroline back. very very So after speech, We're back in the meeting is Okay. just go ahead and put both of these back on the same >> here. So, I downloaded But the regular