001Here we go. >> Good evening. Like to call this meeting to order. Welcome everyone. It's good to see so many faces out there. Let's put smiles on them, huh? There you go. Uh let's begin with our invocation and pledges. Roger, >> please rise if you're able. [Music] Lord, as we gather tonight, let us pause to reflect on the first week of the new school year. We are grateful for the safe start to this year, and we give thanks to our our SW police department for protecting and helping our community so that our students and families arrive and leave safely each day. We also recognize our bus drivers who are the first and last faces many of us, many of our students see each day. Their kindness and dedication help our children begin and end their
002school day on a positive note. We also give thanks for our child nutrition department who has already served thousands of meals this first week, nourishing not only our students but in some cases their families as well. Their work strengthens both the body and spirit and ensures that no child learns on an empty stomach. May this first week be a reminder of the teamwork and dedication that make our district strong and may tonight's meeting be guided with wisdom and unity as we continue working for the success of every student. We ask all these things in your name. Amen. >> Amen. I pledge 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.
003I aliance to thee, Texas. One state under God, one and indivisible. >> Thank you, Rich. Okay, recognitions. >> We have some amazing recognitions today and Jenny is gonna lead us in those recognitions and we're going to be doing it a little bit differently. We're going to actually come over here um for the recognition. We have a beautiful backdrop that we're going to >> So, first off, we have a couple athletic recognitions. On behalf of Southwest ISD athletics department, it is with great pride and deep appreciation that we present this Special Olympics unified red ball to the Southwest ISD school board. This red ball awarded by the South Texas Special Olympics Association is more than just a symbol of athletic achievement. It represents unity, inclusion, and the power of sport to bring people of all abilities
004together. It represents our district's commitment to creating a school environment where every student is valued, supported, and given the opportunity to shine on and off the field. The athletics department would like to thank the school board for its continued support of inclusive programs and unified sports initiatives across our campuses. Without the board's leadership and encouragement, meaningful opportunities like these would not be possible. Our [Applause] Southwest IC athletics department is also proud to announce that our district is one of only 19 in Texas to receive the Texas Way District of Distinction Award. This honor presented by the Texas High School Coaches Association, Athletic Directors Association, UIL, and two words character development celebrates schools that embody the core values of the Texas way, respect for others, control of self, and spirit of competition. This recognition reflects our
005commitment to building student athletes of character who compete with integrity and honor. We thank our school board for their leadership and support and we are honored to present a commemorative banner as a symbol of our shared values and dedication to developing not only champions but leaders in life. [Applause] Tonight we are also proud to recognize the campuses and staff who earn distinctions in the latest TEA accountability ratings. These achievements represent the dedication, growth, and hard work of both our students and staff across our district. When I call your campus, will the principal please come forward? Sun Valley Elementary Principal Mon'nique Lauda. [Applause] Sun Valley received two distinctions, comparative academic growth and comparative closing the gaps. [Applause] Indian Creek Elementary received one distinction. Principal Rio House, please come forward. The distinction they were recognized for were
006comparative academic growth. >> No. Okay. Hidden Cove Steam Academy. They received two distinctions, reading and comparative closing the gaps. [Applause] Big Country Elementary received four distinctions. Academic achievement in math, comparative academic growth, post-secary readiness, and comparative closing the gaps. Principal Selena Paloma Scott, please come forward. Awesome. [Applause] Congratulations. >> McNair Middle School also received four distinctions. Academic achievement in social studies, comparative academic growth, post-secondary readiness, and comparative closing the gaps. Principal Jonathan Cruz, please come forward. [Applause] Thank you. >> Awesome. He says he's going to get all seven next year. >> I'm going to go back to Indian Creek who received one distinction. Um, comparative academic growth. Principal Richard Rios, please come forward. I can go. >> Scobby Middle School received two distinction postsecary readiness and comparative closing the gaps. Principal Alexander Modell, please come
007forward. Congratulations. [Applause] Southwest High School received one distinction comparative closing the gaps. Principal Amanda Wagner, please come forward. [Applause] and CSTM High School received two distinctions, comparative academic growth and secondary readiness. [Applause] We would also like to recognize the division of curriculum and instruction for earning a fivepoint overall increase in the official TEA district ratings for the 2425 school year going from a 72 to a 77. We are knocking on that B. [Applause] >> So I as the curriculum team to come up because our curriculum team is small but mighty. So I come up [Applause] all campus. We have over 1400 students and when you see all these staff members that we have it's not enough but you all do a tremendous job and it's a heavy lift and every year you've been making some
008tremendous promise to leave. [Laughter] So truly on behalf of the board and senior staff just want to say thank you. Thank you for your hard work because just like we are knocking on that and I have no doubt that we're there making a game is not easy. So you're one of the highest seas in Barrett County. So very proud of all your hard work. [Applause] Go that way. Perfect. Thank you. [Applause] >> And those are all the recognitions. >> Okay. Congratulations to all on behalf of the board. We're totally excited about you all and and we thank you all uh for all the hard work you all do. Uh anybody sign up? >> Okay. >> We we can do the this and then before the consent agenda vote. >> Okay. >> Yes, we do have
009somebody signed up. So I'm going to go over the southwest citizens be heard rules of engagement. When addressing the audience during the public forum, speakers commentary must hear to the following. Everyone must model courtesy and respect. Speakers shall not employ profane or threatening language or or nor shall they engage in any personal attacks. The public has the right to make critical and harsh remarks. However, the expectation is that the message delivered by the speaker is done so in a constructive manner with a collaborative purpose. In accordance with board policy PD local, the board shall not deliberate or respond to any subject that is not included on the agenda posted with notice of the meeting. Speakers who have signed up to speak on a specific agenda item must focus their own comments on the posted agenda
010item. We have one person who has signed up to speak tonight for general public comments this evening. I would like to invite Miss Castro. You have three minutes to make your public comment. To come up [Music] Good evening, President Sylvester uh Vasquez, members of the board, Superintendent Dr. Ball, senior staff and community. I am Nicolas Castro. I go by Nicole and I am the president for the Southwest TSTA local. I am currently employed at Sun Valley Elementary as a dyslexia therapist and I have been there at the district for 23 years and proud. I would like to introduce our officers. Alexis Zamora, she is our uh vice president at Creewall. Uh Cindy Thomas, uh our secretary at uh Southwest Elementary. And then we have Jessica Aragon who was not able to attend um and she
011is our treasurer. So um those are our officers for this year. We are very eager uh to support the teachers, the staff members, and especially our students. That's what we're here for. We have had a very good working relationship with the district for many years and will continue to foster that relationship. Thank you very much for having us here. [Applause] Okay. Well, the remaining parts of the meeting will not be as exciting as the beginning was. So, at this time, I'll take a quick break and if anybody would like to leave, we're not writing names down. Okay. >> The rain stops. >> So, okay. like to continue here with the consent agenda. Board members, you've had those 30 items or so before you. Anyone have any questions or any item that they'd like to have
012pulled? >> I move. >> Second. Hearing none. I have a motion and a second. All in favor for the consent agenda, please say I. I. All >> oppose. Same sign. Motion passes. Thank you. Okay. Now, for the items of information, we'll begin with construction. >> Yes, sir. We're going to we're going to wait till September to update the board on construction with the next subcommittee. Uh there's not a whole lot of changes that we started school. We came up to the wire on getting our certificates for some of those elementary campuses, but right now we're uh still in the middle of construction, so there's not a lot to report today. So, we're going to wait till September to give a full update. >> Okay. Thank you. Monthly tax report. >> Yes, sir. We're we're right
013at 98% collection. So that's that's our target. So we're uh about 2% higher than we were last year at this time and still we have a couple months to finish up to get to that 99 that we like to have >> to finalize taxes for this last fiscal year. >> Good job, Scott. >> All right. All right. >> Okay. Financial report, investment report, anything you want to bring up? No, sir. >> Okay. Questions? Anyone? report of gifts and bequest enrollment report. Want to say anything about that? >> We are we are doing good on our enrollment every day. We cons continue to have more students uh register. So we're we're seeing the the progress of all the new buildings and subdivisions and apartment complexes. review purchases over 50,000 state assessment and accountability update. >> We
014do have that um curriculum and instruction is going to give a report. Everybody has a handout. Also again want to reiterate that there has been a lot of progress made on this. Um even though it is a C uh we're very close to our B and lots of progress being made. You saw many of the campuses that were recognized uh for their distinctions. So very proud of them. Many campuses went up a letter grade. So we'll have a report by Lisa Boly. [Music] >> Good afternoon, Mr. President. Steam board members, Dr. Ball. So, today we're going to report out on our uh preliminary test star results. They're called preliminary because they have not been filtered for accountability. So, we're going to be looking at those star results from from the spring of 2025 to start.
015So, we're looking at Bear County comparisons, looking at the large comprehensive school districts that are in Beay County. So, we are looking at third grade math first. So you can see we've uh we have some work to do at third grade math when we look at all students tested. So we are at the sixth place there which is a little slide but we know that we are working very hard on that and have implemented lube bonnet so we can have fidelity to our instructional math program. So that should we're working very hard on increasing that score. Our fourth grade math, you can see we are in fourth place. And our fifth grade math, you can see we're in fifth place. And we know from data that we have from other places, whenever you're out for
016an extended time, math is actually the piece that comes back the slowest u for students that uh so we're still seeing the effects of COVID as we look at our upper grades. So, in sixth grade, we're actually in third place. In seventh play, seventh grade, we are in third place. Um, there was a change in the requirements for middle school. Now, our students that are in the top tier as fifth graders are now being placed in advanced math. So, our top tier seventh graders are now not taking seventh grade math. So that is reflected in these lower numbers at seventh grade. Those top tier seventh graders are now taking eighth grade math. You can see we are in fourth place for eighth grade math. And then our top eighth graders are included in our algebra
0171 scores which we'll see in a minute. Moving on to third grade reading. You can see we're in fourth place overall. Fourth grade me read reading. We're in fourth place. Fifth grade reading, we're in third place. Sixth grade reading, we're in third place. Seventh grade reading, still in third place. Right behind North Side Northeast. Eighth grade reading, little dip there. We are in fifth place for eighth grade reading. And then as we and we move to science. Remember we have invested a lot of work into our science program. In fifth grade we are now in fourth place and in eighth grade science we are actually in seventh place. So we're still working hard with uh fidelity to that program and get improving the performance for our eighth graders in science. Moving on to eighth grade
018social studies. You can see we're in sixth place for eighth grade social studies. Looking at just our firsttime testers who took the end of course tests, you can see algebra 1. We are uh toward the bottom. Lot of work there to be done. Our biology in seventh place. Lots of work there to be done. We've invested a lot of uh different materials in our science program at the high school level also to help bring those scores up. Our English one we are in fourth place. Our English two we are in third place. And our US history we are in fifth place. So let's talk about ratings because those scores all were taken by the state filtered and statistically different kind of calculations run. and we're going to talk about our overalls compared to the other
019districts. Uh just a reminder, there is a significant changes since the last time we had scores uh overall rating scores A throughF to report out because in 2023 we had the big refresh and it changed how the district letter grade is calculated. It's no longer calculated with the same kind of formula as high schools are. It's now each campus contributes a percentage to the scores. Uh there was a huge change in how our CCMR scores were calculated and significant changes in the domain three closing the gaps which is 30% of the overall. And then in 2024 we had more changes because we had significant changes to the tests where we changed to STAR 2.0 type questions. We incorporated writing into the reading tests and the science and social studies also had constructed response items. So
020significant changes and we had the lawsuit and we have just received our 2023 overall ratings in April and 24 and 25 were just released last week. So, as you can see, we have the all the official ratings that have been released since April. And for 2025, we are at 77 for our overall score, right below northeast and southside where who are only one and two points respectively uh different from us. So, we are right there. There are no B or A districts in among the large comprehensive districts in Bear County. So hopefully we will be the very first to have fe that is the goal for this next year. So is there any questions? >> Thank you Lisa for always presenting it in a nice easy format and getting it to me right away. So
021appreciate all your hard work. You're welcome. >> Thank you. online auction results. Thomas briefly. So, the district had our online auction that was governed through Lemon's online pros auctioneering that we've been using the past 16 years since I've been here. So, uh the auction ran from July 15th to July 24th, 2025. We grossed the district $50,568, which We actually received the check today. The net total was $40,454.440. The auction consisted of 157 lots of just surplus items. There were three buses in it and the majority of it was surplus computer equipment that was no longer usable district. So it's 40,454. Thank you. budget and tax rate update. >> Scott also has some information um with a little presentation that he'd like to share with us. >> Brief. Thank you, Scott. >> Well, good evening board
022members, Dr. Ball, senior staff. Tonight, we are one week away from approving our budget for the 2526 school year. seem like this one has been going on forever with all the changes, but we're in the home stretch, so it's very exciting. So, here we go. All right. So, tonight we're going to talk about kind of how we got to the budget. The budgets that we are presenting to you all will be the ones we are presenting next week and then we'll also do a little tax talk and then kind of figure out what the next steps are. So, here we go. Budget assumptions. We've seen these since March. Um, this is what we use to create the budget. So they pretty similar to last last presentation. So all right. So you also notice that I
023did scale down the slides a little bit. You guys have an extra slide in your packet. So disregard that second slide. I wanted to speed things up. So anyway, so here we are in the projected revenue slide. We have a projected revenue of 101 181.4 million. So, majority of those that increase comes in the uh the foundation entitlements that are are used for us to flow through to the teacher raises and the other raises that were uh created this past legislative session. So, that's where most of our increased revenue will be coming from. And with that revenue, this is how we will spend it. This is our projected labor. We are looking at about an estimated payroll about $147 million. Um, this includes all the raises that you guys approved last last time. This this
024includes the uh health insurance addition. It also includes a couple of other positions that are not in the the budget that we were able to add at the last minute there. And that's it. So, as we look together, this is our entire budget for the 2526 school year. We're looking at again 181 million in revenue, 184 million in in expenses with about a $3.4 million deficit. So that is what we're looking at. It's way different scenario than last last year's budget that we presented at this time. So we are we in a much better place. Any questions on this one so far? >> No. I think just a comment I'd like to thank the team because to get it down this this much it took huge efforts huge efforts and I think that u it
025was a combination of lots of senior staff members principles departments working together um so board support um to make these changes so we can we're not there yet but um I feel confident that we will be getting there so in the future we can bring a balanced budget And also on a side note, the federal funds that we talked about last last month have been approved but not allocated yet. So we're we're still we think we're going to receive and so they're not going to be part of this budget. So I know last month we talked about that. So So we're in good shape there. So all right. So that with the fund balance that puts us at about a 54.5 million estimated fund balance at the remaining of the 2526 school year. So we
026are in about the same shape we're in right now. So we'll spend a little bit of our fund balance projected. So we should be in good shape. We still meet our criteria of three months. So >> what what is three months? >> Three months is let's see 36 million something like that. >> Okay. >> All right. Moving on to the child nutrition budget. We have a little bit higher budget than normal. Um they're looking at a $19 million budget this year with got increased uh CAC CAFP supper program as well as some marketing that they're going to to purchase and some additional equipment. So that's the budget we'll bring to you next next week. Now we have our any questions on child nutrition budget by the way. Moving on to the debt service budget. This
027one is a uh a budget that um had a little bit little bit was uh kind of controversial with the uh with the legislative h legislative year because they um we're talking about allowing districts to do the fees in or if you're if you're earning too much revenue and whatnot. So, we we uh went back, Brandon and I went back, we looked at the the numbers, and we feel very confident to come back and and recommend the same tax rate that we had last year. And that will generate $33 million, which will definitely cover our INS collection and allow us to do other feasants that we'll talk about later on tonight. So, any questions on >> So, tonight we're going to bring the next 4.5 million. What that's going to help do is we always
028continue to try to buy down debt. That'll give us some space when we purchase that next 50 million that was out there and continue to work towards later on in the future setting up the next bond. So the more and more we can pay off debt. So we are asking the board to keep our net tax rate the same. We'll get a little bit of excess collection but use that to actually pay down more debt. All right. And with that, our tax rate will be the same as it is this year. It'll be at $1.15.98. And that was advertised in the newspaper last week. So, met all of our criteria from that standpoint. So, that is what we're looking at recommending next week. All right. Any questions? >> This tax rate will also be taking
029place that they're going to be moving the homestead homestead to 140,000. We're pretty positive. already calculating that that's going to move when they voted for in November. So our our voters uh should see a a reduction in their taxes based on if they claim the homesteading >> they're taking the value. Oh yeah. All right. So, upcoming events next next week, like I said, we have the public hearing for the budget and tax rate. Then we'll have our regular board meeting where you all will approve it hopefully and adopt the tax rate. And then September 1st, we start all over again with a new fiscal year. So, there you go. Any questions? >> All right. >> Thank you. Okay. Admin 7A, consider the approval of the communities and schools of San Antonio for CST STEM High
030School for the 2526 school year. >> Got this. >> Just want to make sure this was on. Um, so you have seen our communities and schools contract before. So this is an addition to it. As you know, this year um with CASTM reaching about right under 250 students, we made a decision to not have a full-time social worker there. But we know that social work and mental health and social services are important to all campuses and all students. So, we wanted to ensure that they had a quality service there. We have a great partnership with communities and schools. So, they were able to provide us a um a social worker to come out to the campus and work with them like they do at both of our two comprehensive high schools and our four middle
031schools. So, this would be in an addition to that contract that was already signed previously and that would be for $41,000 um 4137510 this year to make sure that CAS STEM also receive the social services that the students need for this year. So >> and so typically they would use that for a social work pay and so it's a little bit less than what a full-time social worker would be but so they were able to afford this in their budget. Any other motion? >> A second. >> Have a motion and a second. Any other questions? >> Hearing none. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose. Motion passes. Thank you. Consider approval of revised 2526 castm high school calendar. >> Spartan also has >> CASTM is very popular with me this year.
032Um, so for CAST STEM, as we were going through policies and laws, um, and any type of changes that happen with legislature, we noticed that the CAST STEM calendar ended on March 14th. And there is a Texas education code that says that schools, public schools, unless they're DOI, cannot end before uh, I'm sorry, not March, May, May 14th. Sorry guys, >> CAST STEM students, it's May. So, um, we wanted to extend the one extra day to May 15th to ensure that we follow all Texas Education Code guidelines. >> Start getting out of school on May 15th. >> And remember, we started so much earlier. We actually end for the regular comprehensive the week after. >> Any other questions? >> Oh, I'm sorry. I Second. >> There's a motion second that we approve the revised 2025
0332026 castm high school calendar. Any questions? Hearing none. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose. Motion passes. Thank you. >> Okay. Business and finance. >> Mr. Chris has a lot of items today. >> Yeah. So, I'm I'm delegating tonight. Thomas, you touched a few of them. >> So the first item uh item A is consider approval of amendment number three for the new central office project. So with this uh amendment three is when we originally demoed all of the area for central office to go in. One of the things that went down was the old quanza hut which was our ground sprew shop. So this amendment we've been working with the county uh trying to make sure that we get the the permitting and and the flood plane stuff squared away.
034So, uh, Ken Constructors and RVK and the district staff worked together to to put together the package to bring back a new metal building that would serve as our grounds crew shop so we can store all of our equipment, tractors, trucks, and everything that we have there that we used to have. Ken Con bid this out to the the subs that there on the job. So as a change to like a change order amendment three to the central office new central office project u Ken Con came back with a number of 2,575,000 and that would be a funded through the 2023 bond funds. So, we're district staff is looking for the board to approve amendment number three to the new central office project for that amount not to exceed that amount 2 million 575,000. And
035that building is not going to go in the same location it was before. If you know where the old bus drop off is for the for this building 800 campus, uh where the there used to be portables for boot camp, the building's going to go right there kind of buted up against the building that we're in currently. It's going to help out with not having so much walking and traveling for the guys, but we were also able to utilize the restrooms that were already there from when we renovated building 800. So, >> this should be for your facility maintenance guys, right? Yes. For you guys. >> Yeah. The old hanger looking building. >> Yeah. >> I move. >> Second. We have a motion and second that we approve amendment number three for the new central
036office project not to exceed the amount of 2.575 million and allow district staff to negotiate terms and conditions on the amendment. Questions anyone hearing? None. All in favor please say I. >> I motion opposed safe side. >> Motion passes. Okay. B. >> Yes sir. So for uh this is the consider approval change order number one for the furniture purchase on the new central office professional development building May 20th 2025 the board approved uh Texas Wilson in in an amount for all of the new furniture we're going everything all new in in there they're there during that process there were some questions about the furniture that was in the lobby of the building A which is the boardroom room lobby area. And so there were some changes made and in that change uh going to that
037furniture and uh changing one other thing inside some of the like the overall furniture inside the building, it came up to a a difference of $20,158.74. So district staff work with Texas Wilson. That's the price that came back and we're looking to recommend that the board approve change order number one to the furniture project. uh giving Texas Wilson not to exceed amount of $20,158.74 for a total contract amount of1,17,52.74 questions I move >> second a motion second that we approve change order number one for the change in furniture Texas was that the amount not to exceed 20.158.74 for the total contract amount of 1,17,52.74. All in favor, please say I. I. >> I. >> All oppose, same sign. Motion passes. Thank you. Item C. >> Yes, sir. RFP 2425-129 is the maintenance service and maintenance
038contract for our rooftop HVAC systems. That is a contract that comes up every five years. Our >> comments, are you on C or D? >> I'm sorry. C. >> Yeah. Chiller boiler. >> Chiller boiler. >> Yeah, C. It's all right. >> You're on 13. We need >> jump. So, I'm sorry. RFP 2425-130 is the maintenance of the chiller boiler HVAC systems contract. Again, this is a a fiveyear or it's a three-year contract with two one-year extensions. So our contract for this the current one is up on August 31st of 2025. So uh and we accepted proposals from companies on July 29th, 2025 that would be for a contract period from September 1 through August 31st, 2028 with the two additional one-year options uh if both sides agree to it. The scope of this work includes
039the annual cleaning inspections uh and preventative maintenance program for all the chillers, fan coil units, package units, furnaces, pumps, and boilers throughout the district. The proposal was evaluated based on the the published selection criteria and comfort air engineering incorporated was selected as the best value for the district. So the district is staff is recommending that the board approve the chiller boiler HVAC systems contract to Comfort Air Engineering Incorporated uh for the total amount of 47,500 per year. That's for it's 40 47,500 per years, but it'll be it'll end up turning it's a three-year contract and then potentially two additional ones after that. but they're locked into that annual number. There are things that they may do outside of this contract with like if something like we were to need a new chiller like at McNair
040Middle School, this would be the contractor we would go to. They would quote that outside of this normal service contract, but they would be the ones we use for that. >> It was just the way that that bottom line read like each year extension was going to be 475. >> Yes, sir. Every every year it' be the the contract >> not an additional but it was 47,000. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's okay. >> I move. >> I'll second your >> motion to second that we approve the maintenance contract for the chiller boiler HVAC systems from September 1st, 2025 through August 31st, 2028 with an option of two additional one-year extensions for 47,500 per year to Comfort Air Engineering. Any other questions? Hearing none. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose, same sign.
041Motion passes. Now we can go to the rooftop. Yes, sir. So, this is RFP 2425-129. This is the maintenance rooftop HVAC systems. This is we bid it out on the same time. We try and keep these two contracts together on the same period and and same cycle. So we bid again uh accepted proposals on July 29th 2025. Uh three there were three biders. It's the same contract uh period of September 1 to August 31 of 2028. Scope includes general annual cleaning and inspections as part of the preventive maintenance program for all of our RTUs, furnaces, burners, compressors, condensers, fans, motors, bearings, evaporator cools, and filter changes throughout the district. uh proposals were evaluated based on the published selection criteria and Airststream General Construction Company Incorporated was selected as the best value for the district. So
042the district I mean district staff is recommending the board approve the maintenance contract for the RTU HVAC systems contract to Airststream General Construction Company for the amount of $552,000 per year. It will also be a three-year contract with two one-year extensions if both parties work together questions. Anyone? >> I move a second. the motion and a second that we award maintenance contract for the rooftop HVAC systems from September 1st, 2025 through August 31st, 2028 with the option of two additional one-year extensions for 552,000 per year to Airstream General Construction Company Incorporated. All in favor, please say I. I. >> All oppose. Motion passes. Okay. consideration and possible approval of resolution authorizing the def defiance of certain portions of the district's currently outstanding obligations and other matters related thereof. >> Yes, sir. We are recommending to
043the board and asking for approval of what was presented earlier that we defeze some excessive debt collections INS side for $4.5 million. Tonight, this resolution will give us uh basically you'll give us the order me and Dr. Paul and Scott to work with Samco and Mr. Mlany's here. You didn't see him, the young Mlanany. Uh we will work together to determine when get about February 20th after we collect INS tax collections, uh how much we actually could defeat. And so we recommend to the board to approve the resolution to defease the bonds in February. >> I move. >> Second. >> Any questions? Anyone? The district will pay 4,500,000 or more if additional funds are available in defiance towards the refunding bond series 2016. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose, same
044sign. Motion passes. Okay. Your approval of 2025 certified and supplemental appraisal role. >> Yes sir. So, uh, on July 25th, actually a little bit before July 25th, Benny appraisal district sent out our certified values. The first, uh, value they sent out was for the 100,000 home, uh, 100,000 homestead. Uh, and they sent out a supplemental, which was the 140,000 homestead. Uh, so we're asking the board to approve both certified values. As far as tax collections and budget, we're using the 140,000 as our estimate. And so that estimate is about is $6.8 billion is that our will be our value. Uh over the last two years that has our values have gone down because of the homestead and this year it's about 2% decrease but part of the requirement is that we seek board approval for
045the certified values questions. Anyway, >> second. >> A motion and second to approve the and to accept the certified and supplemental appraisal role for tax tax year 2025 for the Southwest Independence School District as recommended. Questions? Anyone? All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose, same sign. Motion passes. consider approval of amendments to the 2025 2026 compensation plan. >> Yes, sir. As we know, we brought a compensation plan. In that plan was a stipen uh list that was approved by y'all uh over this as we continue to get closer to the school year. Uh we had some scenarios that we needed to add some stipens. Example would be the health service stipen uh because we have somebody that's out on leave. So, we're going to have somebody step in. Uh the health
046science lead uh was 5,000 annually. that was actually not intentionally left off, but it was. So, we wanted to add that back on. We're also creating two assistant principal and residents that we discussed previously with with the board. Uh, and so we were putting them back on the pay scale. It says 4B, but they actually should be on pay scale 2A for the assistant principal in residence. So, these will be assistant principles that we'll use based on anytime we have an assistant principal out or principal out or potential openings here in the future. Uh and then the rest of these are all grant-f funded stipens that we need to approve by y'all that these are grants that we have received uh from different uh donors. And so we're asking the board to approve the amendments
047to the the stipens and the assistant principal and resident positions. >> Do we already have >> one of them? We do. Okay. >> One of them we do. We currently have an assistant principal out at the high school with two broken wrists. Any other questions? >> I move. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. The board approved the amendments to the 2025 2026 compensation plan. Any questions? Hearing none. All in favor, please say I. I. >> All oppose. Same sign. Motion passes. Consider approval of the date for public hearing to discuss the 2025 2026 proposed budget and 2025 tax rate. >> Yes, sir. We're recommending to the board that we use next Tuesday, August 26, at 5:30 to have our public hearing to propose the budget and uh tax rate and then
048immediately after that have our regular board meeting, special board meeting to approve the budget and tax rate. >> Questions? Anyone? Can everybody attend? [Music] >> Okay. I entertain a motion. >> Second. >> Motion is second that we approve August 26, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. as a date of the public hearing to discuss the budget and tax rate. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose. Motion passes. Consider approval of resolution adopting investment policy strategy strategy and broker dealer list. >> Yes, sir. Every year that the district's required to review our investment policies. Uh so me and Scott, we look over our policies, see if there needs to be any changes, any legislation that's coming up. Uh and then we also have to look at our strategies to make sure that our strategies
049meet the the law. Uh and then we have a broker dealer list that we use when we go out and we invest our funds. And so there's no really changes to any of our policies, strategies or lists at this time, but it is required for us to get secure approval so we can move forward investing uh in the next school year. >> I move. >> I'll second. >> We have a motion to second that we approve a resolution adopting investment policy, investment strategy, and broker dealer list. All in favor, please say I. I. >> All oppose. Same sign. Motion passes. >> Okay. Consider approval of property casualty and liability insurance for the 2526 school year. >> Yes, sir. We are recommending uh to approve the property casualty and uh and liability insurance for next school
050year. We use Frost as our agent to go out and bid out all these items for us. We actually had some really good uh bids come in. We were able to even increase some of our deductibles on the property. Uh and so we have a uh if you look there, you can see our expiring premium is 2 million and our renewal premium is 1.7 million. So we have almost a $250,000 savings. The auto mode bill did go up, but I know that you know this that we've been buying a lot of new buses and so they're they're not they're ensuring those were a little bit more premium. Uh we've had a couple incidents last year, some bus accidents that drove that, but for everything else, uh we had good rates. And so we're seeing about
051$180,000 savings in this year's insurance, which was also helps us as we continue to look for ways to save >> questions. Anyone >> I move >> second motion second the board approve the purchase of property casualty and liability insurance through frost insurance for a cost of 2,447,850 for 202526 physical year. All in favor please say I. I. >> All oppose. Same sign. Motion passes. Yes, sir. Yes, ma'am. >> Are we sending out those notices for the students? >> Yes. >> Okay. When are those going out? >> They're going We put we've blasted them all over social media. We put them on uh like even for the sports, we put them on those and then we've sent them all to the campuses. And so, >> and we also >> you sent the paper envelopes you can
052send back. >> I had to check on that. >> All digital >> right now. I think it's all digital because I don't even think that group does paper anymore. So could we maybe you know every kid's taking a folder home. >> Yeah. Create a flyer. >> Yeah. Could you just say a flyer see our website or see this so that they know that they have the option for >> we'll do it. >> And just to show the board we added this. So in order to click onto our website you do have to see this first. Awesome. >> So this was something new that we did this year. So and then you can click on there and get more information. But you can't get past our website. >> Yeah. >> Make sure the parents go to
053like just some kind of thing we can say. Yes. Every parent got this. >> Yeah. >> We can definitely create a flyer. Okay. >> The sports sites and coach Henson and all that. >> Yeah. The sports department. >> I know this. >> I'm just saying it is. It is getting out there. >> I thank you. Okay. Okay. Item K, consider approval of Southwest ASD child nutrition charge policy. >> Yep. We're going to have Winston. He's going to just kind of go over this real briefly. >> Yes. The Dex Texas Department of Agriculture is requiring us to have a child nutrition charge policy. Um, and it has to be distributed to all households if we school year and as as students enroll at Southwest ISD. Um, it's ours is pretty simple because we're C. So all
054the students are allowed to get a free breakfast and lunch. So the only um requirement really we have is the students they want to buy something out of cart then they must have funds on their account or pay cash. And the same goes for adults also. >> So we're recommending the charge policy that Winston just presented that kids eat for free. They do all the cart. They have to have money for that and adults can't charge. It's the rules. Second. We have >> a motion second that we approve the Southwest as the child nutrition charge policy as presented. Questions? Anyone? >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose. Same sign. Motion passes. Okay. Consider approval of -ate RFP2425-128 cyber security pilot program. >> Good evening everyone. Uh we were very fortunate
055to be selected for a a cyber security pilot through USA and the eate program. It's kind of a two-step process. The first is being selected to be able to uh to get bids on it. Um in the US there's only 707 schools or libraries that got selected, 71 in Texas. In our region, there are four ISDs and two charter schools and we're lucky enough to be one of those. Um so the second part of that is actually going through the bidding process to go out and get bids, which we did. Um and so through that process, we are recommending to approve Intex Southwest and their Clear Pass platform uh to add as a security letter for our system. And we're just asking for approval. >> I move second. >> We have a motion, a second.
056The board approved the Intech Southwest as the awarded vendor for RP2425-128. Questions? Anyone? >> All in favor, please say I. I >> all oppose same sign. Motion passes. >> Thank you. >> Okay, that's business and finance. Now, let's do curriculum and instruction. Consider approval of purchase of 95 phonics. Yes, we brought to the board uh last spring 95% and we were able to implement the spring and you're asking for the board to approve the subscription and then also for us to be able to >> stuck. I >> second. We have >> a motion and second that we purchase uh 95 phonics student consumable renewal of online subscription for the 20 25 2026 school year as a supplemental resources not exceeding 125,000. Questions? Anyone? All in favor please say I. I. All >> oppose say sign.
057Motion passes. Okay. Special programs consider approval of purch of purchase of license. >> Yes. So, tonight we're requesting the purchase of student licenses for reading and math for um this is going to support all of the elementary campuses for intervention through K through five and then our required house bill hours in third through fifth grade. This is going to replace the imagine um my path for elementary. Um it's actually going to be a cost savings this year of about $10,000. Um the lasso grant is going to pay for the bulk of it this year with campus title funds that have already been budgeted for supplying the remainder of it. Um and so tonight what we're recommending is the board approve the purchase of EXL student licenses at the cost of $114,375. >> I move. Second
058motion and second that we approve the purchase of EXL student licenses at the cost of 114 375. Questions? Anyone? All in favor, please say I. >> All oppose. Motion passes. Consider approval of stipens for MS class. >> Yes. Southwest is awarded the MS class grant through a lottery process. The goal of this grant is really to address um learning opportunities for emerging bilingual students. Um it's going to focus a lot on the increasing teacher retention academic for you. >> Thank you. Um all four of our middle school campuses are going to be participating and what the grant is going to be funding is uh these siphons for the collaborative learning leaders and the teacher mentors. Um so there's no cost to the district. So, what we're recommending tonight is that the board approve the expected
059amount of $1,250 $1,250 for those that are participating um in the actual grant and research site. I'll second. >> Have a motion and second that the board approve the stip stipen amounts of 1250 $1,250 and $150 for participants in the MS class grant and research study questions. Anyone hearing? None. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose. Motion passes. Okay. to consider approval to award contract RFP 2425-131 for speech therapy. >> Yeah, we are currently seeking to retain uh services for speech therapy services. We requested proposals. Um we did get a number of proposals that came in. Uh they were all evaluated looking at the qualified qualifiers and establishing the criteria that we utilize. Um the additional cost to the district would not exceed $500,000. We are also asking that the district
060um uh the board approve being able to add vendors monthly through May 31st, 2030. And that's really just because a lot of the vendors may not necessarily have what we're looking for at that particular time. So we'll continue to seek additional proposals. So tonight the district is recommending the board um award Date Training Services LLC, National Recruiting Consultants, Alliant Health, Firefly Professional Service Providers LLC, Lucky Duck Therapy LLC, Specialized Assessment and Consulting, The Therapy Team LLC, Thriving Learning Team LLC, and Techstar Speech Language Service, or the RFP 2425-131 speech therapy [Music] Don't say that again. >> My move. >> My second. >> Okay. We have a motion that the board award day Services National Recruiting Consultants, Solient Health, Firefly Professional Service Providers LLC, Lucky Duck Therapy LLC, Specialized Assessment and Consulting, The Therapy Team LLC,
061Thrive Learning Team LLC, and Texas Star Speech Language Service Corporation, the contract for the RFP 2425-131 Speech Therapy Services. Any questions hearing? None. All in favor, please say I. I. >> All oppose, say sign. >> Motion passes. Okay. Occupational therapy services. >> Um, also again, we're currently seeking to retain services for occupational therapy services. We did receive a couple of proposals for that particular RFP. Again, we evaluated based on the the qualifiers that we utilize to um evaluate them. Uh the additional cost of services will not exceed $200,000 and the district staff is recommending that the board approve national recruiting consultants and salient health for this particular RFP 2425132. >> I move I second. We have a motion and second that we award National Recruiting Consultants and Salantiant Health the contract for RFP 2425-132 occupational
062therapy services. Questions? Anyone? All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose, same sign. Motion passes. Consider approval to award contract RFP 2425-133 specialed evaluation services. >> Again, this is services for our special education evaluations. Um, we did receive several proposals in this particular RFP. We evaluated them. Um, all of the individuals that did submit, we will be looking to not exceed the $200,000 for the 2425 school year. The district staff was recommending that the board award national cleaning consultants health specialized assessment consulting and driving learning services LLC for the RFP 2425-1 >> questions anyone >> a second >> we have a motion second that we award national recruiting consultants soant health and specialized assessment and consultant and thrive learning services LLC C the contract for RFP 2425-133 specialed evaluation services questions anyone
063all in favor please say I >> I >> all opposed motion passes approval of award contract RFP 2425-134 physical therapy services >> for the physical therapy services we received a number of propos in this particular RFP. Uh all of them were evaluated based on our qualifications. Um we do not anticipate um exceeding the $200,000 for the 2425 school year for this particular RFP. The district app is recommending the board toward national recruiting salient health and specialized assessment um and for the and consulting for the RFP 2425-134. Questions? Anyone? >> Second. We >> have a motion to second that we award National Retreating Consultants, Soant Health, and Specialized Assessment and Consulting the contract for RFP 2425-134 Physical Therapy Services. All in favor, please say I. I. >> All oppose, say, sign. Motion passes. special ed teaching
064services. >> So, this is a new one for us. I've actually never done this before. However, because we still continue to have openings, we have um sought um proposals um for a lot of the same companies to be able to provide um teachers for us on a contracted basis um until we're able to find additional staff. We did receive a couple of proposals. Um, and so at this point, the additional cost of services at this point, we would be looking at not to exceeding $200,000. And the district staff is recommending that the board award national recruiting consultants and salient help for RFP 2425- >> I move. Second >> motion is second that the board award National Recruiting Consultants and Salantiant Health the contract for RFP 2425-135 special education teaching services. All in favor please say
065I. I. >> All oppose. Motion passes. Okay. Consider approval of empowering early childhood special education educators to improve student outcomes grant one-time reimbursement. >> Yes. So, the the district was awarded a grant um but really what it's focusing on is um being able to have newly certified individuals in the prek area. This is one particular area where a teacher that is certified in both general ed and special ed can serve in both capacities for the IEP services. Um and so with this particular grant, we were able to um train and then help individuals um go through the process of becoming certified in both areas. The grant itself will cover the cost um amount of the certification test and the um certification fee. There's no cost to the district. Um and the district is recommending that
066the board approve the one site to eligible prek kinder um educators who have obtained special ed certification. I move. >> I'll second. >> We have a motion and second that the board approved the one-time stipen to eligible prek kindergarten educators who have obtained a special education certification. Questions? Anyone? All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose. Motion passes. Thank you very much. [Music] Okay. >> So, my one more thing is um this Friday night we have a scrimmage. Um so, I just want to let you know that Southwest Legacy and Somerset football will play this Friday at um Legacy Stadium at 7. Um, also on Friday, both of our high schools water polo teams, the boys and the girls will be having games at 9:00 a.m. Um, and just a reminder that
067next Tuesday we do have a special board meeting, but it will start at 5:30 and we'll have a special board meeting. >> 5:30. >> So, it's on the 26th. No, the 2. >> The 26th >> on Friday. >> Wait, wait, which one are you talking about? That's the public hearing >> next Tuesday. Next Tuesday >> the 26th >> special >> on Tuesday. >> Special meeting. >> Okay. Does anyone else have any >> thing they'd like to say before we go into close session? >> No, sir. >> Okay. As permitted by sections 551.001-551.146 of the Texas Government Code and pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.07, 074. We will now go into close session at 7:14. This meeting comes back to session 804. We'll go to item 12. Take appropriate action from items discussed in close session.
068I move that we approve the superintendent recommendation on personnel. >> I second. >> Motion second. All in favor, please say I. >> All oppose. Motion passes. Other business. >> We have a vitamin shot on Friday from 2 to 5. >> That's all I have. >> Anyone have anything board members? Hearing none, this meeting is adjourned at 8:05.