Noting that a quorum is present, I hereby call this work study meeting of the Board of Trustees of Katy Independent School District to order.
Katy ISD · Work Study Meeting
Katy ISD Work Study Meeting, February 16, 2026
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- 0:07 to 0:34 1. Call to Order
- 0:34 to 1:35 2.Pledges of Allegiance
- 1:35 to 9:23 3.Public Comment
- 9:23 to 9:44 4.Closed Meeting
- 9:44 to 10:30 5.Reconvene from Closed Meeting – The Board will reconvene from Closed Meeting.
- 10:30 to 1:23:34 6.Reports
- 1:23:34 to 1:33:04 7.1 Discuss and consider future Board approval of naming the North Transportation facility as recommended by the Naming Advisory Committee.
- 1:33:04 to 1:36:29 7.2 Discuss and consider an Order Authorizing the Issuance of Katy Independent School District Unlimited Tax School Building and/or Refunding Bonds, as Term Rate Bonds and/or Fixed Rate Bonds in one or more series; setting certain parameters for the bonds; authorizing a Pricing Officer to approve the amount, the interest rate, price, including the terms thereof; and certain other procedures and provisions related thereto. 7.2 Discuss and consider an Order Authorizing the Issuance of Katy Independent School District Unlimited Tax School Building and/or Refunding Bonds, as Term Rate Bonds and/or Fixed Rate Bonds in one or more series; setting certain parameters for the bonds; authorizing a Pricing Officer to approve the amount, the interest rate, price, including the terms thereof; and certain other procedures and provisions related thereto.
- 1:36:29 to 1:37:41 7.3 Discuss and consider Board approval of an Order approving a new term rate period or fixed rate period for all or a portion of the Katy Independent School District variable rate unlimited tax school building bonds, series 2021C; and approving other provisions relating thereto.
- 1:37:41 to 1:41:23 7.4 Discuss and consider Board approval of a Resolution Expressing Intent to Defease/Redeem Certain of the District's Outstanding Bonds.
- 1:41:23 to 1:45:05 7.5 Discuss and consider Board approval of a Resolution Declaring Intention to Reimburse Project Expenditures.
- 1:45:05 to 1:55:04 7.6 Discuss and consider Board approval of the December 2025 Financial Reports.
- 1:55:04 to 2:03:19 7.7 Discuss and Consider Board adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Acquisition of Land and improvements for Waller County Appraisal District.
- 2:03:19 to 2:12:55 7.8 Discuss and consider Board approval of the February 2026 budget amendments.
- 2:12:55 to 3:31:45 7.9 Discuss and consider Board approval for the design of the Opportunity Awareness Center.
- 3:31:45 to 3:34:54 7.10 Discuss and consider Board approval of a contract for the construction of Elementary School #49
- 3:34:54 to 3:36:39 7.11 Discuss and consider Board approval of Amendment Two to the Stewart Builders, LLC. contract related to the comprehensive renovations at Polly Ann McRoberts Elementary School.
- 3:36:39 to 3:40:03 7.12 Discuss and consider Board approval of an agreement with SPARK and Katy Independent School District for Bear Creek Elementary School.
- 3:40:03 to 3:40:47 7.13 Discuss and consider Board approval of the proposal for the Building Management Control System replacement at Tompkins High School.
- 3:40:47 to 3:43:20 7.14 Discuss and consider Board approval of the proposal for the chiller replacement at the Taylor High School Natatorium.
- 3:43:20 to 3:47:35 7.15 Discuss and consider Board approval of the renewal of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Risk Management Fund Casualty Program for Plan Year 2026-2027.
- 3:47:35 to 4:10:56 7.16 Discuss and consider a resolution supporting the free exercise of religion in Katy ISD schools.
- 4:10:56 to 4:21:05 7.17 Discuss and consider a formal reconsideration request of the library book, Cat Kid Comic Club.
- 4:21:05 to 4:30:08 7.18 Discuss and consider a formal reconsideration request of the library book, Fake News Phenomenon
- 4:30:08 to 4:30:30 8. Consent Items
- 4:30:30 to 4:32:19 9. Information Items
- 4:32:19 to 4:32:31 10. Future Meetings
Full transcript
Automated transcript, not human verified. It is a way to find a passage, not a quotation.
1. Call to Order
Today is Monday, February 16, 2026, and the time is 5.02 p.m.
Dr. Gorgorski, will you please verify that we are in compliance with the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act with regard to the notice for this meeting?
Mr. President, I do confirm we're in compliance with the provisions of the Texas Open Meeting Act for our meeting tonight.
2.Pledges of Allegiance
Then we will proceed on to our Pledges of Allegiance.
Thank you.
Do we have any scouts in the audience this evening?
All right, one scout.
If you want to come forward, you can.
if not hi all right well we're glad you're here with us tonight we'll now
3.Public Comment
move on to public comment at this time the Board of Trustees will give members
of the public an opportunity to speak in accordance with the Katie ISD board
policy BED local as defined by board policy speakers who signed up by 2 p.m.
on Monday February 16th 2026 provided their first and last name mailing
mailing address and list the number of specific agenda items you intend to address, designate
whether you reside in KDIC and if you have children in KDIC schools, will be allowed
to address the board.
Speakers that fail to sign up in advance with the required information will not be called
to speak.
At the outset of public comment, about 5 p.m., speakers that properly signed up in advance
will be called forward individually and allowed to address the board on posted agenda topics
only.
Speakers who signed up to speak on posted agenda items will be allowed three minutes
to speak and if a speaker is not finished speaking at the end of their three minutes the audio will
turn off if speakers wish to share written material with the board please provide 10
copies to the secretary for board services before the meeting begins for board members the
superintendent chief communications officers and permanent record if a speaker has not attempted
to solve a policy solve a matter administratively through proper channels as stated in board policy
the presiding officer says he shall advise the speaker to seek resolution through the appropriate
policy. Finally, pursuant to Texas Government Code section 551.074 and
551.0821, the board will not permit the presentation of personally
identifiable information regarding a student and will not discuss the
appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or
dismissal of a public officer or employee or to hear a complaint or
charge against an officer or employee. Should a speaker wish to address one of
these issues they must do so through the appropriate local grievance policies fng local
dgba local cke local or gf local our speakers will be called forward in order they signed up to speak
and tonight our first speaker will be haley somerfelt followed by sarah allen
welcome hello board members my name is haley somerfell i'm a student at katie high school
I'm here today to talk regarding agenda item 7.16.
I urge you to vote for this resolution regarding SB11.
SB11 states that districts have to pass a resolution on if they are going to allow for a period of prayer during the school day.
Our district has previously protected students' right to religion and expression as we have a very diverse district.
And I urge you all to continue to do so.
up. Students and staff do not shed their right to the First Amendment at the doors, and I know y'all
know this, so continue to protect it. Other large districts similar to us have chosen to make a
decision regarding this, similar to the one y'all proposed on the resolution tonight, and I would
highly encourage y'all to vote for that. Students should be able to pursue and practice their own
religious belief, and if we pass a period for it, it doesn't align with all the religious beliefs
and could lead some students to feel left out, hurt, or discriminated against.
By choosing not to create a period of worship during the school day,
our district chooses to preserve the unity of all religious backgrounds
and different unique faiths.
Choose to pass this resolution to continue to make all students feel loved and respected.
Thank you.
Thank you.
We'll now have Sarah Allen, followed by Grace Dong.
Sarah Allen all right then Grace dong and then our next speaker will be David green members of
the board good evening my name is Grace dong and I'm a student at Jordan high school and I'm also
here to speak on topic 7.16 I also wanted to affirm my support for the board's current draft proposal
on Senate Bill 11, supporting the decision to not adopt any additional policies.
As outlined in the resolution, the right to religious expression is already predicted by federal doctrine,
and as a student who grew up in this district, I feel that KDISD has always upheld existing protections adequately,
creating an environment where students of different religions are currently able to form their own clubs and organize,
while also maintaining a respectful space for non-religious students or students of different beliefs.
I believe that adopting an additional policy as outlined in Senate Bill 11 would be unnecessary as it would potentially place stricter restrictions on religious expression by requiring opt-ins and specified times.
And this could also result in unnecessary confusion and pressure about the role of religion in public schools.
As a student, I support KDISD's existing commitment to freedom of expression.
To prevent setting precedents for unnecessary or restrictive legislation in the future, I respectfully urge the Board to affirm the resolution as outlined, as currently proposed, regarding Senate Bill 11.
Thank you for your time and for considering the voices of students like me.
Thank you. Our next and final speaker will be David Green.
Good evening everyone and thank you so much for working on President's Day.
I asked to talk about 7-4 and 7-8.
So as always I could be wrong, I mean I read it and I try to be detailed.
It looks like we're paying we're proposing to pay take 30 million dollars and use it to pay back
What we borrowed that's seven four
Then in seven eight it looks like we're moving three million to cover a shortfall in the health insurance budget
And we're also confirming that we're spending a four point two million
For some lights in this building and another two million and change for some new let's be honest really big TVs
They're needed, right?
The needed assessment was done.
We need these things.
Not disputing that at all.
What I'm questioning though is the timing.
We heard last month that there are some teachers who are really struggling, some support staff
who are really struggling with the cost of healthcare.
I mean, there's a shortfall in the district's budget of $3 million and there may be another
one.
But again, teachers and support staff, they're struggling.
They're hitting hard.
They're having to make those literally life choices of, you know, sometimes catastrophic
of do I do this?
Do I pay this bill?
Or do I pay the insurance bill?
And then, God forbid, something happens and I have to go to the hospital or whatever,
can I afford it?
Can my family afford it?
So for me, I guess my question is, is there a way to, instead of spending the $30 million
dollars to pay back a loan early which my understanding is that's completely
optional is there a way to instead take that money and use it to help shore up
and maybe reduce the costs that our teachers and our support staff have to
pay on the insurance I don't know if that's even possible but I mean if we've
got 30 million of the bank that we don't need and we wanted to put it to paying
back a loan is there a better way to to allow us to retain and take care of the
staff and teachers that make our district great so that's what I would
just ask all to is there a way to explore is there a way to look into it
take that time and just you know maybe it's not possible I mean I know trustee
Cozzella is really good with the policy so maybe she's gonna say it's not
possible I don't know but there's got to be a way to take care of our staff and
this might be one of those ways thank you so much for your time everyone thank
you this concludes the open forum portion of our meeting the board will
4.Closed Meeting
now convene and close meeting as authorized under sections 551.001 of the texas government code for
the following purposes texas government code 551.071 and 551.129 the board will now reconvene
5.Reconvene from Closed Meeting – The Board will reconvene from Closed Meeting.
in open meeting today is monday february 16th 2026 and the time is 5 45 pm on behalf of my colleagues
I welcome everyone to this evening's work-study meeting. Each board member received the agenda and documentation for this meeting on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
The board will receive information and recommendations from staff, administration, and the superintendent on these agenda items at tonight's meeting.
Board members will be able to ask questions, receive answers, and should be prepared to take action.
The board has just reconvened from closed meeting and in accordance with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, any action arising from discussions in a closed meeting must be taken in an open meeting.
There is no action to take, and so we will move on to Section 6, Reports.
6.Reports
And first we'll have a report on career and technical education, specifically the Katy ISD Livestock Show.
And our presenter will be Ms. Jeannie Kniehrm, Director of Career and Technical Education.
Good evening, President Redmond, Board of Trustees, and Superintendent Grigorski.
Thank you for the opportunity to share a brief overview of how the KDISD Livestock Show comes together each year.
What I want to highlight tonight is not just the event itself, but the year-round planning, coordination, and student learning that make it possible.
The KDISD Livestock Show is one of the most impactful hands-on learning experiences we
offer our students.
Through this program, students develop leadership skills, take on responsibility, and build
financial literacy in a real-world setting.
They learn how to care for animals, manage timelines, work with buyers, and represent
themselves and their schools professionally.
At the same time, the Livestock Show strengthens our partnerships with families, local businesses,
breeders and community members who consistently show up and support our students.
students. Because of its size and complexity, this is not an event that comes together in
a few weeks. It requires thoughtful, year-round planning and coordination.
During my time here as CTE Director, student participation and the funds raised for our
students have increased significantly. Last year, we surpassed the $1 million mark for
the kdisd livestock show this year our add-ons will close next monday february 23rd at five o'clock
so this year's totals are still not finalized however as of three o'clock today
this year's livestock show has raised one million two hundred and one thousand dollar thousand
thousand three hundred and thirty six dollars.
I also want to point out that this is the first time in many years that every single
student who participated in the livestock show received at least one hundred dollars
and that is thanks to our wonderful community.
community.
This level of success is only possible because of the continued generosity of our buyers
who recognize the value of the livestock show and its lasting impact on our students.
Many of our buyers return year after year building lasting relationships with students
and reinforcing the importance of community support, responsibility, and trust.
trust. Their support is not just a financial investment, but an investment in our students'
growth and opportunity. Beyond the financial impact, the livestock show teaches students
about stewardship and accountability. Understanding where the money comes from, how it is managed,
and what it represents. These are lessons that extend far beyond the show ring and stay
with our students into their future.
The livestock show, like I said, is a year-round, it takes all year round to pull it off.
This slide shows us how the livestock show truly operates year-round.
Following the show, we move immediately into closeout.
We review the event, we complete payments, we update our handbooks, and we reset our barns.
In the spring and early summer months, we focus on planning and procurement,
from steer selection and purchasing to securing our judges.
As we move into the fall, students begin purchasing their animals,
barns are prepared, and animal selection takes place.
Finally, from November through February, we enter our show season, which includes our
progress show, our livestock show, and of course, our auction.
To give you a sense of the level of coordination involved, the livestock show is managed as
our year-round operation.
In February and March, we complete a full post-show review, finalize payments, update
procedures and prepare facilities for the next cycle in April student payments
are processed they love getting their checks by the way steer razors purchase
their steers and items needed in the barns are repaired and replaced from May
through July we continue to ensure that the barns have the necessary equipment
and materials needed the steer razors select their animals and we secure
judges for our progress and livestock shows then we move into the start of
school with August through October students are purchasing their animals
and their plants and they let us know their intent to participate in that next
in that year's livestock show they select the event that they want to
participate in from pigs goats lambs broilers rabbits floral and horticulture
and we continue to prepare the barns for animal arrival. In November we are busy
preparing the arena and the pavilion for the progress show which leads us into
December and January. In December our students participate in the progress
show which gives them the opportunity to practice showing their projects to
judges and begin using that valuable feedback that they receive to prepare
for our livestock show in February. In January, students who raise chickens
select their chickens and students participating in the horticulture show
pick up their plants. In addition, our students who raise rabbits have their
rabbits tattooed for the show. We are also busy finalizing all the logistics
for our big event in February. February culminates with the livestock show week
and this year it was a full week we started on Monday ended on Saturday with
our auction and the it's a result of an entire year of planning preparation and
student effort throughout the entire season season students develop
responsibility financial literacy time management and communication skills
while learning how to plan care for and present a long-term project from start
to finish. Now I'd like to introduce two of our students from Katy High School. We
have Sam and Chase who want to explain how the livestock show has made an
impact on them. Good afternoon everyone my name is Samantha Weathers. I am
currently serving as the Katy FFA president as well as the area 3 FFA
FFA Association President, where I am honored to serve about 17,000 members in the Texas
FFA.
Just a little bit about my participation in the livestock show.
I have raised rabbits for all four years.
I've made auction three out of the four years with my sophomore year being named Grand Champion.
After auction that year, I walked away with about $10,000, which really set me up for
success with all of my future projects. I've raised a total of 30 rabbits, 150 chickens,
and two hogs across all of the shows that I raised for, so that's definitely a help with
all of the things that that entails. I also participated in a horticulture show this year
where I was eighth in the record keeping category. All this to say that the KDISD Livestock Show has
really set every single person that participates up for success in their
future and it's taught us so many things especially with myself I plan on
attending Texas A&M University to double major in poultry science and
agricultural education in hopes of becoming a teacher back here at Katy
High School to be a FFA advisor for the future generations of FFA members so
So thank you so much for all that you do for the district and all of our FFA members.
Good afternoon.
My name is Chase Comiskey.
I am also a four-year senior in the KDFFA's vice president.
Over the past four years, I've gotten to raise two goats and two lambs for the KDISD Livestock Show.
Going back to my freshman year, I heard a lot of parents and stuff say that when I told them I was an FFA,
they'd always say, well, those FFA kids are different.
They're special.
And I never really knew what that meant.
And then now, being a senior, finishing up my last livestock show this past week,
it kind of made me realize what that means, that this is about hard work.
It's about responsibility and not being able to quit.
All these things take a lot of work and effort.
Through Sam's speech, we saw that she's raised a lot, and I've gotten to raise six animals.
and so I've seen the work it takes to do something like that.
And so I think, and I've heard this quote quite a bit,
and it's hard to leave something, sorry, you know it's good when it's hard to leave something.
And this week's definitely been a little harder than most, you know,
leaving something like the KDIC livestock show because it's been so special to me.
I mean, it's taught so much to me, and I've learned so much from it.
Thank you.
Pulling off a million-dollar event like this requires collaboration across the entire district.
It involves every high school campus, multiple district departments, hundreds of students
and parents, and dozens of vendors, breeders, and judges.
Most importantly, it relies on the continued support of our Katy community – buyers,
families and partners who believe in what our students are learning.
Those two students you heard from tonight, there's so many more just like them.
Thank you for your continued support of career and technical education and
the opportunities that it provides for our students.
We are incredibly proud of the work that our students and staff put into this
program and we appreciate our board's ongoing commitment and support to making
experiences like this possible and now I'm happy to answer any questions that
you may have mr. president miss Fox can you explain to us what the green hands
are and then have a follow-up question yes so the green hands are their first
year and it's a special competition so they get to compete as green hands and
And that's saying this is my first year as an FFA member, and they have special categories and competitions throughout all the LDE and CDE events that they attend.
You know how that started?
Like how, you know?
I do not know.
I wish I had all the students.
I know.
Every time I see green hands, I know they're freshmen, but I don't know.
Okay.
Okay, my second thing was I was going to ask Samantha and Chase,
but, I mean, the livestock show, rodeo, the parade, all of it is phenomenal,
and you've led us through a year's long worth of work.
But in addition to that, our FFA students take on leadership roles,
and then what do they do from now until the end of school?
Because people, they go when they're done now, but they aren't.
What happens?
What are some other things they do?
So year-round they're participating in competitions. So they do their leadership
development in the fall and then in the spring they do career development events. In fact,
we have many students that are out competing today that were participating in the livestock
show this week, you know, last week and then at the auction on Saturday and they hit the road
going to competition this morning. This will be my last thing. Thank you so much for the
presentation I tell employers everywhere the hardest working kids are in FFA hire
an FFA student because they know how to collaborate how to communicate
leadership how to work hard they go to see those they feed their animals at 5
in the morning and 5 in the afternoon and they do all the other things in
between they're just incredibly gifted and when we were meeting them on the
the parade route this on Saturday they shake hands they introduce themselves
and you know you're just like hi to everybody on the truck and they're just
like shaking your hand who are you what mrs. Fox it's nice to all those
incredible eye contact incredible leadership incredible students and
they're out there on the floor helping and meeting people and everybody has a
job to do and they just step right in just really really really impressive
Thank you.
Mr. President?
Mr. Champagne?
All right.
First of all, Jeannie, that was a really good presentation.
And I just want to say something.
Kudos to you.
I know this is your last day.
You may not have wanted me to say that, but I did.
So I will just say to you, when you were sitting there at our table while we were having lunch
and during the auction, the show of care and concern that you had for each of the students
up there in auction making sure that you know like rooting for each individual kid and hoping that
we get you know as much money as we can for them and all that and just your personal touch on that
is very meaningful to me and i think that everyone around you knows that about you and you're going
to be really missed now that aside what i'd love to say too is i was there almost every day during
during the livestock show from not Monday, but Tuesday to Friday and Saturday.
And what I love so much as you kind of hit on it is the family involvement
and just seeing everyone just pulling for each other.
And even the kids from the different schools,
even the ones that are competing against each other and everything,
are kind of helping each other, rooting for each other.
And something I never noticed before is that there's a lot of parents there
that their kids have already graduated.
and they come back as mentors to the other kids and I know there I saw people
there I know have jobs but they've taken off that day because they're mentoring
some kid with a goat or something like that and it's it's just a whole
representation of how something really should work you know where every you
know there can be so much success and the million-dollar my only question
I have is do you know how many kids are enrolled in FFA and KD ISD we have I
want to say it's five thousand four hundred and seventeen I may be off by
one just curious but that's our AG enrollment and then we had six hundred
and forty nine students participating in the livestock show it was really fun
That's a really well put together event and I always enjoy it.
I recommend anybody to, you know, everyone can go to that.
So it's really fun to see.
Thank you.
Mr. President.
Ms. Cuzela.
Thank you.
I also want to commend you on, you and all the teachers
and sponsors of FFA and the students, when you go
to these, to the livestock shows the whole week, love of God
and country is very prime of place there and that's a big deal and I think that's
why maybe the kids are the way they are I love it and like trustee champagne
said there's family such a it's a great beautiful environment so I appreciate
that and I remember last year when I was able to make more of the shows the
livestock shows the the judges who come who are from out of state would make
these statements before they began judging introducing themselves and
complimenting what an amazing FFA livestock show we have and that it's very
highly regarded across the nation I would say that's the feeling I got from
these judges that were from all over so thank you
any other questions for mister we're so thankful for you and what you've done in
our district and we wish you the best of luck as you get to go be closer to your grandkids
all right we'll now move on to item 6.2 the 2026 2027 budget update
and our presenter will be chris smith our chief financial officer
all right well good evening uh president redmond dr grigorski and trustees i've got good news for
you right out of the bat i'm not talking about any numbers tonight so that should uh should please
you um but i want to talk about the objectives we've started the budget process back probably
right after we adopted the budget and informally we started it earlier this year this calendar year
with our enrollment projection enrollment projection of that that i'll speak about here
in a minute but that's when we formally started this is my first update you're also going to be
hearing we're developing a staffing plan you'll see some numbers for the first time next month
that infuse the staffing plan into those numbers but before that staffing plan is uh is approved
i did not spend any time putting that together because it's too early
But obviously one of our objectives is to have a balanced budget.
We want to have competitive compensation.
We want to maintain the health of our health plan,
and I'll try to speak on that a little bit later tonight.
And a high priority on student and staff safety.
And then finally, plan for opening new schools.
Now we're not opening a new school for the 26-27 school year,
but our budget does go for a couple of months where we'll have
for the elementary 49 where we'll have a couple of months
July August and September where there's expenses associated with those two new
schools but nothing for the 26-27 school year budget assumptions are taxable
values we're budgeting is relatively flat or 2% you'll see some numbers on
the next presentation that show where we've averaged well over 5% in fact I
think it's 8% sorry I don't know that number right off the top of my head I
I should, but I don't right now, but it's been substantially higher than that.
It's a very conservative.
Taxable values no longer really matter that much when it comes to the general fund,
but it's very important on the debt service fund or the interest and sinking fund.
Enrollment projections are flat.
We're budgeting 95,279 students next year.
That's actually a dip from where we are right now.
at 95 512 that's where we were as a Friday afternoon but I'll recall if
you'll remember we budgeted ninety seven thousand one hundred sixty one students
and seven months ago or just under seven months ago if you'd have told me I would
have I would have said that's a very conservative enrollment number and so it
was shocking that we do are falling significantly short of that and you're
You're going to see when Ms. Rios comes on the budget amendments that she's making an amendment for that smaller revenue.
Again, less students, less revenue.
But we're building for flat or just a little dip again next year.
Staffing units, we're going to right size.
Again, if you have 1,600 students less than we thought we would, we have more staff than we need.
And so we're going to be right sizing that or having less staff.
Nobody's losing their job.
but there will be positions that are on campuses now that may not be necessary,
and we'll right-size that as we move forward with staffing.
Again, that's our largest percentage.
Compensation and benefits, that's always a big subject.
That's where we spend our money, and I'll show you that on the next slide.
And then, of course, tax rates.
Tax rates are driven by the state of Texas, by and large.
Ninety percent, we're building the same budget the same way with the same staffing formulas, et cetera, that we always do.
and that's going to probably yield around 89 to 90% in salary and benefits.
Again, the next largest expenditure we have is utilities, then software, probably then fuel for buses.
Very obvious things that are very big ticket items when it comes to things that we actually spend in the district
when it comes to travel and co-curricular activities,
et cetera, like uniforms, et cetera,
is a very, very small percentage of what we spend.
We have reduced the budget, the interest,
the tax rate over the last eight years by 38 cents.
That's the state using their surpluses
to drive the tax rate down.
That's not necessarily,
it is not putting money into our classroom.
room. It's just putting additional money into the taxpayers pockets by lowering
that tax rate. Um, but that has been a
a nice thing that the state's done to our for our taxpayers by lowering that
tax rate
state and local unknowns. I like to refer to this as the good, the bad and
ugly. The good is, is we're in a good financial position. You also are audit
last month. We're still maintain a healthy fund balance above where we're
slightly above where we would like our goal to be. We have enough fund balance
to carry us through and not having to do a knee-jerk reaction. That's good and
obviously we don't we want to keep a fund balance because we don't want to
have to borrow money before our tax dollars come in. There is a page on our
website where we discuss fund balance at length and show some charts and graphs
and what the fund balance is all about, et cetera, if anybody's interested.
We do have a property value audit that we're working on now.
In fact, Dr. Gorski signed that a couple of weeks ago.
That was sent to the comptroller's office, and it may take them the next six weeks
or it may take them the next six months, depending on their workload.
But we do think that that will generate some revenue.
Until they actually sign off on that, we're not going to amend the budget for that.
but we do think that that'll be a benefit when it's when it's approved
attendance rate is up through the first semester that's a good thing even though
enrollments down it's still good to have the attendance up on the students that
are here that's better for obviously financially but most importantly more
than that is kids learn better when they're at school declining maintenance
and operations tax rate I expect to see that going again we were level this year
because the state passed on the increase in the homestead exemption,
but I expect that interest rates will be getting worked down in the future.
The bad, flat enrollment.
That's a shock.
Again, I probably wasn't born yet the last time we did not grow,
and we've been the fastest growing district in the state,
and that has come to a halt.
Now, the other part of that is enrollments down statewide,
wide and so there actually is something on this next part on their allotment
caps that could benefit like right now we are members of the or we receive the
fast growth allotment because there's a cap on that fast growth allotment that's
cost this district about I'm going to say between seven and nine million
dollars over the last several years because there's a cap meaning that the
fast growth enrollment districts are eating up so much of it they've they've
busted the budget and so everybody gets prorated down the good news is enrollment statewide is
down that maybe our reduction in our slower enrollment and reduction enrollment will be
offset because there there may be some room under that cap to maybe keep us level we won't know that
until may uh chars and compa continue to go down uh the ugly is stagnant revenue this board
This administration cannot affect our revenues.
We are at the mercy of what happens in that pink building in Austin with state law that determines how much school districts statewide get to spend their money.
So when and that's all done in Austin.
So unfortunately, we cannot control that. And it has been stagnant.
We did get a little bit of shot this last session that made up for three sessions that we did not receive any funding,
but there were strings attached to it, and it was not to the level to, you know,
I've referenced it to a three-foot ladder, but we're in a 10-foot hole.
And I speak to statewide when I say that.
It's a three-foot ladder, 10-foot hole when it comes to statewide, that stagnant funding formulas.
us the district's closely monitors expenses you'll hear mr. Hines give the
financial report you've heard it many times we're having under spending we're
going to continue to monitor those we've right sized for staff on our staffing
and operations and programs for the lesser enrollment projection and again
no new campuses in 2627 but we will bring on elementary 2049 in probably
those expenses will probably hit in May and then ramp up as we get closer to
September 1 in the at the end of the 26-27 budget.
That enrollment growth talked about that property values very conservative that
you'll hear from Mr. Robert here in a minute and state funding we still are
facing inflation and state economy that has plenty of money but has not passed
that along to schools so we're done with uh here in february um you're in with this top presentation
we're about to hear from mr robert on the long-term debt plan uh which is there our interest
in sinking portion of our debt budget and then in march um assuming we are able to move forward with
the staffing plan the way that uh we're working towards and we can put those numbers together
between now and spring break uh you'll hear an update of how that's shaken out and you'll see
what the first glance to the bottom line is it's still very young we won't adopt a budget until
august so we've got plenty of time to do that and then we'll take a break off in april look a little
bit closer in may take june off and then in july you'll really start seeing it shape up to what
we'll be recommending as a budget in august and uh that is my presentation i'm glad to answer any
questions any questions work thank you mr. Smith the slide about stagnant
revenue obviously that's something we can't control and I appreciate you
clarifying that but we could we can control costs to a certain degree and
what kind of effort is there it's not fun to trim budgets and trim things that
we're used to but can you talk to any efforts that are being looked at to try to do that so we don't
have to do it last minute sure i'm real proud of the uh my colleagues or other administrators in
the district because i always look at it as it would be easy for chris smith to balance the
budget but i would consider that being a butcher and it takes neurosurgery to balance a budget
without hurting student success and student learning.
And our board has been tasked, our board and our administration has been tasked with that
to try to do things and strategically do things without hurting things in the classroom.
Again, with the staffing plan that's being developed now, we're basically taking into
account that we have probably too much staff now because of our surprises in enrollment.
We're trying to get that back.
You saw that we, in comparison to the other districts near us, we don't have a spending problem.
We all have a spending problem when it comes to stagnant revenue.
And if it weren't for the need for increasing healthcare costs or the need to give a raise, we'd be fine.
Those are the two things that drive, that make it tough.
and there's a balancing act between taking care of those inflationary needs and affecting student learning,
and I think our administration has done a very good job with that, and unfortunately it's going to have to continue to work that way.
Okay.
Our budgets are out.
The campus budgets are out.
Those are pretty cut and dry.
Campuses have not lost anything in their campus budgets or their allocations.
The baseline department budgets are out and we are zero-based budgeting all our special projects and overtime, etc., etc., from the administration standpoint.
The cabinet-level departments, we're zero-basing those.
No reason to zero-base a utility budget, right?
Right.
But on all that other stuff, we are.
And that's taking a little bit more work, but we're trying to and to put it together smartly to as best we can again
strategically without hurting student learning
So yeah, traditionally I remember asking about zero base budgets. Maybe I don't know when when that was a while back
and that's done maybe
Periodically, I think you had answered so now right now is that something new that you're yeah
Yeah, we kind of do that every year when it comes to those baseline increases or what it takes to have a district grow or special projects.
Those are kind of baselined every year, but we're going to do a little bit closer in more detail.
We're forced to.
Yeah.
But we don't baseline a campus's budget and ask them to go justify how many coloring books and number two pencils they get.
That's not a good use of anybody's time.
Okay, but you said special projects from an administration standpoint that you're zero-based budgeting?
Yes.
The administration runs that for all the departments, so it's not just people in this building and departments in this building.
It would be things like everything from custodial supplies, travel, et cetera, et cetera.
Okay.
Thank you.
Ms. Champagne?
Mr. President.
Mr. Smith, I just have a question for you, and this is just your opinion.
But why do you think that we're building all these new homes,
and yet our enrollment is stagnant?
My thought is maybe it's just a balancing act between the older neighborhoods
kind of remaining dormant and not growing
and balancing out the newer kids coming in.
I think it's a combination of things.
It's statewide that it's happening.
It's nationwide.
that it's happening. There are enrollment things that are affecting campuses, districts that have
smaller schools that they're closing schools. We're not near that, but we are challenged. I
think it has a couple of things. It has to do with interest rates. You know, it's just, you know,
if I'm going to retire, I'm not going to move right now because I still have, you know, less
than three percent on my mortgage rate and if i move i'm gonna have to get a higher one right and
so i think people are staying still and then also i can speak as a dad who's got a child that's
buying his in his wife's first house and they are not getting the house that they wanted because of
interest rates you know and so that i think both of those things are affecting uh sales uh that
that we've been very good at regenerating in.
I think micro schools,
all of those things are affecting stuff nationwide.
Oh, and also low birth rates.
We're at historically low birth rates
and we've been seeing that coming
and those are now hitting our kindergarten level.
So we're exiting more students as we graduate
that are coming in as kindergartners nationwide.
Mr. President, may I say one more thing?
Yes.
So I know I kind of harp on this sometimes about advertising for kindergarten,
but I have been seeing that.
I don't know if Dr. Burns has been doing that on our Facebook page.
So I do think we need to continue to sell our kindergarten
because if you don't know, you don't know.
If you're a parent out there and you're trying to decide
which kind of school to put your five-year-old in and you have lots of
options you can hold them home school or you charter school or you can private
school or you can public school and it's just you know everyone else fishes
there you know the private school advertised for themselves and I think
public school needs to do the same I appreciate the effort in that I have
noticed it I like it mr. president I have a question so when we're looking at
the demographics and the enrollment data you're kind of alluding to that we're
what is that telling us when we're that's coming from PASA right PASA and
then our data business intelligence office in technology who's over peens
they study the GIS I don't remember what GIS stands for right now but between the
two of them we work out the enrollment number that we shoot for and it's been
And we've done a very good job with that until this year, over the years that I've been here.
A very good job.
Surprise.
And we're looking at a $17 million, $17.5 million shortfall of decrease in the amount, which is not insignificant.
And we'll get to that later when we talk about our budget amendment report.
but and that's that's taking over 1,800 kids is that around about the number
that we're looking at I think it was 1,640 vacillating between that 1,600 to
that 1,800 number up and down and it's concerning why are we looking at the
property values you know that was one of the other things I was I was thinking
thinking about of when we're talking about those tax revenues coming in are we seeing a decline in
home prices are we seeing I mean if we're looking at 2020 values we can't really base anything off
of that off of the surge of people coming in with those cash offers that were coming in from the
west and the east all over the place surging into Texas so are we seeing a decline or stagnation in
home values you may be able to answer this or Miss Timmy may be able to answer this too of what we're
seeing with home prices and whether they're moving at the same speed that we could maybe
anticipate that for revenues yeah i read stuff that the the public can read i don't get the
information from the appraisal districts who keep up with that on a transactional basis
never done that not sure i'd know how but i you know what i do read in the rears is
Yeah, there's not as many transactions for buying or selling homes.
And in some areas, home prices are down.
In some areas, they're up.
What will that entail at the end of the year?
I don't know.
So we don't, like, follow that or trend that data?
We don't have the staff to do that.
And the, no.
Mr. President.
Ms. Fox.
Ms. Thank you for the presentation.
I am looking at the slide that has the pie chart on it.
It says payroll is 89.
You said 89 to 90 percent is payroll of our budget.
Mr. Yes, ma'am.
Ms. And I remember in years past where it was around mid-'80s, right?
And so that tells me, and correct me where I'm wrong, that we have cut and cut and cut
everywhere we can while making sure that we have the people necessary to deliver
world-class instruction to our students so as the payroll percentage increases
that means that we've cut everywhere we can I remember it's like trim trim is
that is that accurate yes ma'am right yes that's so when people say well just
cut the fluff sorry ninety percent of our payroll I mean ninety percent of our
budget goes to people and and I know that you know our staff are a little bit
concerned now with what's gonna happen with repurposing staff and the new
staffing plan which we don't have yet here at this table but but we're
grateful for all of our staff and I'm sure we will figure that out but they
also that health care and how much part of the health care that we also include
to conclude, is that reflected in the payroll piece?
It's not just salary, but it's also the part that we contribute toward healthcare.
Would you remind me, the state requires us to pay how much of healthcare and then we
contribute how much?
$225 per month per employee, per participant.
That's the state requirement.
That's the state requirement.
That's the state requirement.
$225 per month per participant.
Yes.
Per employee.
And how much do we pay?
We pay $385 per month per participant.
Yes.
Do all districts do that?
Most districts pay more than the $225,000.
I do know some neighboring districts that only pay the $225,000, the minimum amount.
But most districts pay above that.
They have to to try to keep their benefits.
And in addition to the $385,000, Ms. Fox, I want to say that over the last, I don't remember, I don't have that schedule picture in it.
it's over the last eight or so years we pumped in over 90 million dollars of additional in addition
to the 385 a month to keep that health plan healthy in other words as once covid started
our health plan was doing great rocking along just fine and make you know and balancing itself and
then it started hemorrhaging cash the district has put in cash in addition to the 385 a month
to the tune of 90 million over 90 million dollars over the last several
years that's really just indicative of what's happening in health care
throughout every industry right yes so we know health care costs are at a
horrific level and yet our district continues to pour money to help keep our
costs down as much as possible doesn't mean we're not going to stop looking for
or ways to help.
But, okay, I just wanted to talk about that 89% to 90%
and how that has climbed pretty significantly
since I've been looking at these numbers for a few years.
And the vouchers or ESAs, if I'm being exactly correct, right,
those start next year?
August.
In August.
In August.
So are we factoring in that on how many, we don't have any idea how many people will choose to go that route.
So that also will affect our budget, and it's an unknown?
It's an unknown, and it could affect it.
It may not the first year based on the amount of availability that's out there, but it is something that we're watching.
But right now we have no way to know.
No way to know.
Okay.
Thank you very much.
But PASA did take that into account when we were building it, just more conservative, if you will.
Mr. President?
Ms. Dill?
On the whole voucher thing, though, like the first year, it should be very inconsequential across for any one school district
because of the cap and the priority that they're giving to low-income and special need.
It shouldn't be huge. I would expect now years from now
I have no idea how it's going to go, but I would think it would be not be a factor
No one really knows. Thank you. It's not any more of a factor than immigration, which I really think is why we have
1700 or 1600 under enrolled. That's what I that's what we've talked about already
Thank you a follow-up question. Mr. President. Ms. Galvin when you talk about right sizing. Could you help me?
understand exactly what that means i'm seeing i see the chatter on social media and i see the
concern from teachers and staff so would you be able to help walk us through what that actually
looks like sure we we budgeted to grow we budgeted 97 161 students which was about i'm not mistaken
it was about a 1700 student increase and that didn't happen we had less students
and so every year as we grow as a district grows we were adding a small school district a sealy isd
every year with with with students and with those students we had needed more bus drivers
more custodians when we open new schools, et cetera, and just teachers.
And so as we grew the size of a small school district every year, we were adding those.
This last year we planned to grow.
We added to our staffing plan to accommodate that growth, and the growth didn't happen.
And so now with our staffing plan, we're taking that back.
We're taking that into consideration that we don't need that amount of staff.
Now nobody's getting terminated, etc.
What we're doing is just cutting those back.
And through attrition and people moving on, etc.,
we may not be able to right-size all in one year,
but over time we will be able to right-size without having to, you know,
terminate people because we don't need them.
But right now I would say that we have a staffing plan that was adopted in March
that was more than we needed.
because our enrollment didn't meet the demand, first time ever.
So when you talk about the enrollment not meeting the demand,
I would assume that that is alleviating pressure off of certain areas in the district
that maybe had felt that or anticipated to feel that with those increase in numbers.
So are we looking at particular programs?
Are we looking at particular classes?
Are we looking at particular things that we're going to then pull back on
because the need and the pressure is no longer there it's been alleviated for
the time being not you know withstanding any further pressure being alleviated
moving forward but just with what we're looking at what we can anticipate do we
see that happening with our specific classes or anything like that is there
anything you're looking at pulling back on well we're pulling back on
departments pinned without hurting students we're pulling back on again
just the number of bodies that are out there because we have 1,800 less or 1,600 less kids
than we thought we were going to have. If we're successful in that, then that takes care of itself
without having to go in and do stuff that we really don't want to do. That's not good for kids
either. But we don't know what areas we're not seeing the pressure?
I guess I'm not following your question. I'm sorry.
so mr president um can i ask a question yeah go ahead are you are you asking our what areas like
what programs do we need to cut scale back or the administration is suggesting we scale back
i would assume yeah because i would assume that you're seeing an increase in pressure on that
program which is why you're growing it by hiring more teachers hiring more staff hiring more people
to then service that program well if you don't have the that that pressure then you're not gonna
Yeah, that's a good question and we discussed that in our Finance Committee. Dr. Grigorski, did you want to answer that?
So there are sometimes there are pressures because we've grown a program larger than we need and there would be
Possibly in the future less students being served by a program
That's one part of it there to kind of as Chris used the term their right sizing
So when we see a decrease in the number of students served in a program we can decrease the number of employees in there
The other part that we are taking a look at in the budget are any program that we have, we're taking a look at it and we're seeing which programs could maybe go through a model change.
Not just right-sizing the number of employees in there, but can we change the model?
So last year we brought before the board as part of this is we talked about instructional coach model, a model we had in place for a number of years.
and we looked at that and we re-evaluated and said no we can make an
adjustment to the instructional coach model change the model still deliver the
services that schools need not harming kids you've heard mr. Smith say that a
few times that's our goal we don't want to harm our programs and our kids and
our learning and our teachers but there are times we can look at a program and
maybe make a program shift one of those most recently was looking at our EB or
or emergency emergent bilingual programs,
that'd be your ESL and bilingual programs.
Making a program change in there
on how we educate the kids and how we staff for that,
there is a savings to be had in that as well,
and it's a program change.
Something that didn't get discussed in there,
we're taking a look at our software programs.
Okay, now those technically school programs, it's software.
If you look at the pie chart that Mr. Smith showed,
software is a huge driver.
It's very expensive. So we're going through a software audit. We're looking at that. We're looking at our usage usage reports
Can we consolidate can we find something better or different?
We're not quite there yet on that. I don't have an update to provide about software, but that's another program area. We're taking a look at
That answers it that's what I was looking for is trying to figure it out and I would agree with trustee Cuzela
I feel like we had discussed this
pretty hotly
debated and talked about this, not just here, but in the Houston media about what immigration
policies from the Fed were going to look like. And it looks like we're seeing some of that now.
So it's unfortunate that we're seeing the numbers that we're seeing. And I'm sure that you guys can
right-size that and fix that. So thank you.
Mr. President, I have one more question.
I don't know if this is the place for it, but maybe 7.10 would be better.
But in a bit we're going to talk about approving a construction contract for a brand-new elementary school.
And when we're talking about decreased enrollment, people are going to ask,
why are you building a new elementary school that would hold just about 1,300 students when you're losing them?
but we're not losing students all at one school right
this is your question it's it's not fair for me to ask mr smith right children are still coming
people are still building houses and buying houses and coming to that far northwest quadrant of our
district so when that comes in a few things i don't want people to think well just don't build
a new school what what would you say to that i think everything you're saying mrs fox is correct
it's we're 181 square miles and if it were that easy to look at 80 schools and
try to just figure out where our kids come and where are they growing we may
be able to do that I don't think that day is today when we have a what I would
call hyper growth north of 10 and west of 99 anyone driving out there knows
what I'm talking about hyper growth out there so we will be
looking at we'll need to do an ABM out that way with elementary 49 that'll be
coming to the board as our usual practice we'll probably see something around that in may and june
looking at where that growth is but we also believe that there are economic forces that are
causing other areas not to regenerate as fast mr smith mentioned some of those so once interest
rates are more favorable our demographers tell us they will see similar patterns like we used to
have where families are moving around houses are for sale things are moving and we expect those
schools to regenerate in there you know at some point the board could take a look at an entire
abm shift for the district should we want to do that i don't think that day is today but at some
point we will have to look at that and every district does as you get closer to build out
every district has to look at abm shifts and see where they go but right now there would be no way
to take the hyper growth that's up on our north and west and shift all those kids either east or
south to fill up schools down it just doesn't work that way we'd be busing children miles and miles
we would because both 40 elementary 47 and 48 now called buddhany and cross are full yes i think
cross has almost 1200 kids in it and buddhany has a thousand and so there's no place to put more
children moving in in those schools and so our neighboring districts are closing
schools and I know that must be such a heartbreak to them but we still have you
bet good capacity at our schools that great things happen I think there's
something to remember about a community you know I mean public ed is founded on
the community school and that neighborhood school and we pride
ourselves in that that we've got these neighborhood schools for which the
families who live around that school that's where they attend and they love
their school it would be a shame to start having to do busing and move
people around and take it out of that kind of community school environment for
which all of our families enjoy but we'll see one day what happens but we'll
bounce back mr. Smith I do want to thank you I know conversations we've had in
the Finance Committee and throughout the year about what we can do to return back
towards a balanced budget and continually reaffirming that we want it
to our desires that it would affect the classroom and the minimal as minimally
as possible to stay away from programs and stay away from reducing staff and
all those kinds of things and so encouraged this year to know as we go
and look at okay what are those best practices that maybe other people have
done that i mean when you're growing right they say right as the tide raises it lifts all the
ships and we've been a fast growth growth district and that provides some margin to be able to do
things above and beyond the money that is normally provided for us and as we do work to returning to
that balanced budget having to make those hard decisions that i appreciate you in the
administration and our leaders here that they don't you almost uh went in tears when we were
talking the other day the responsibility of making those decisions and how it could affect a kid or a
teacher or a staff member somewhere and so i i don't want to share that to embarrass you but
but to share with our communities the weight of where we decide dollars go
is not lost or minimized by anybody in this room
that has that ability or authority to influence the budget.
And I think that's something our community should know,
is that the people in this room recognize that this budget affects
families and children and our employees and from the things that we hear whether
it's insurance or a program that made a life change in their child or whatever
it is and so I it is a burden that I know your team is wearing nobody wants
wants to be in a deficit nobody wants to do anything that is not financially
responsible and at the same time how long do how long can our our savings
last and we don't want to make a cut and then funding increases or attendance
interest rates drop and attendance increases and that funding comes back
and so just I appreciate the hard work that you do in the sleepless nights you
have and the people in this room that do that and as a board I think we've
communicated we desire to have a balanced budget we desired to provide
the best education for our kids and we want to have provide the best benefits
and have the best things we can do for our staff too so keep bringing us those
recommendations that achieve those things when I move on to 6.3 budget
update in debt service and I'm gonna introduce Jeff Robert Jeff Robert is our
our municipal advisor, our financial advisor.
He works for Hilltop Securities.
I guess he's been with us for almost 10 years now, if not 10.
And he eats, breathes, and sleeps bond issuance and public finance stuff.
And then Rick Witte with Jackson Walker is also in the audience,
our bond attorney for when we do issue bonds.
and the items that you're seeing tonight was written by Mr. Witte and his firm.
And I appreciate their expertise, especially Mr. Roberts,
and I think you're going to be impressed with the way he's going to talk to you tonight
about our interest in sinking fund, that fund of the budget.
Thank you, Mr. Smith, President Redman, Dr. Gorski, trustees.
I'm going to kind of start with talking about what we've done over the last year
with regard to the financings that we've done,
and then also kind of where we are currently
and then what we're projecting for the future.
So this last year, this time last year,
if you'll recall, the construction cash flow schedule
kind of dictated that we'd need about $250 million for projects,
but we had the board approve a $450 million parameter
just in case the legislature did something
that made sense for us to go ahead
and try and tap into as many hold harmless funds as possible. Since that time, obviously the
homestead exemption was increased from $100,000 to $140,000. The exemption for over 65 and disabled
was increased as well up to $200,000 and as a result there was a lot of hold harmless funding
that was available only for bond issues that were sold and closed prior to August 31st of 2025. So
So we did go ahead and sell the entire $450 million.
I believe this was the recap that I had sent when we did the issuance itself,
so hopefully it looks familiar.
I did add the very bottom bullet.
The bond issue will receive a projected $60 million
in hold harmless funding over the life of the issue.
So had we only done $250 million,
that number would have been about $32 million that you would have received.
So by doing that extra $200 million, we're getting an extra roughly $28 million
million that otherwise would have had to have been shouldered by the local taxpayer.
Talk a little bit about, we refer to it as ASAHI, which is an acronym for Additional
State Aid for Homestead Exemption Increases.
Back in 2015, the exemption increased from 15,000 to 25,000, in 21 it went from 25 to
40,000, in 23 from 40 to 100,000, and then most recently up to 140,000.
And you can see kind of on that third row of that table what the percentages are for each of those different levels of ASAE.
So if you go over the blue shaded amount, you're getting roughly, what is that, about 7.6, 7.7 percent subsidy on all of the bonds that were issued prior to that August 31 date.
Now, back in 23, the legislature allowed for all bond authorizations to be eligible for hold harmless.
I think they felt like that maybe was getting it's expensive so they only allow for the debt that was issued
prior to that
2025 date to be eligible and just at the bottom to give you an idea of how big that line item now is in your
INS budget this current year
We're projected to receive about 36 million dollars of old harmless funding from the state of Texas to make up for those
homestead exemption increases
We talk about redemptions and defeasance.
I'll start by saying you can see at the top that over the years since 2017,
the district has paid off over $87 million in principal,
saved an additional $25.4 million in interest.
So it saved a lot of money for KDISD taxpayers by paying off bonds early.
Remember, this is on the INS side of the budget.
budget, so only INS dollars have been used to do these defeasance, but the process that
we've gone through previously is that we would not have our local taxable value yet from
Harris County.
We don't have the state values.
We only get those at the beginning.
We just got those a few weeks ago.
So we make projections and we try to be conservative on those projections when we set the tax rate.
Well now if your tax collections are in excess of your scheduled payment, they are going to reduce the amount of hold harmless funding that you receive on a dollar for dollar basis.
So really what this means is we're probably going to have to get a little bit more aggressive in our budgeting, which is something you typically don't want to do.
but in order to maintain hold harmless dollars we need to make sure that the
tax rate is justified based upon the scheduled payment so with that being
said we're not going to be in an instance or environment where we're
going to have excess collections that we can use for defeasances you can still do
cash defeasances with interest earnings on the INS fund or INS fund balance
itself so we are we do have a defeasance parameter tonight but it won't be
utilized like it has in the past with regard to using excess collections.
Mr. Smith referenced the assumptions that we're using. As he mentioned, you'd grown
quite a bit from 2021 to 2025. You can see in that column inside the box on the right.
This last year it was negative, but that's completely associated with the increase in
homestead exemptions. That number would have been positive by a couple of percentage points
if not for the homestead exemptions.
For the next few years, we're just assuming 2%,
three years after that, 1%, and then taking it down to zero.
So we feel like these are very, very conservative tax base assumptions
for the INS projections we'll show you in a second.
So where we are currently, the blue line on the graph
is the projected INS tax rate just for the bonds that we've issued up to this point.
We did $450 million last year,
250 million initially back in 2024, so we have 106 million remaining to be issued.
That green line shows what the projected INS tax rate will be after we issue the remaining
106 million dollars of authorization.
And then you can see how the tax rate drops off by quite a bit, and that would allow for
capacity for a future election, or the board at that time can decide whether they want
to lower the tax rate.
There's different options, but obviously that would leave a lot of capacity for a future
authorization. So the next slide just shows if we hypothetically looked at an
eight hundred and fifty million dollar election based upon those conservative
tax base assumptions we could maintain the 39 cent INS tax rate for an eight
hundred fifty million dollar authorization and then in the future
either again have capacity for another authorization or you could do something
with the tax rate at that time. So this was just to kind of show that we're not
only looking at what we're doing with the remaining authorization but where
where we'd be for future authorizations as well.
And then interest rates, I know, were discussed.
This is a graph that I like to use.
It's the bond buyer 20-year index, geo index for tax-exempt bonds.
So what this shows is they look at 20 different A-rated bond issues
or higher on a weekly basis,
and this is the average 20-year rate for those bonds.
And so the white graph in the background goes all the way back to the early 80s.
And then over to the right, you can see where we are currently.
You can also see where rates were during COVID when they were all the way down close to 2%.
And then the blue graph just shows what this index has done over the last year.
I will point out, I know that a lot of folks get fixated on Fed action.
Whenever they lower the overnight rate, it is just that.
It's the very short end of the yield curve.
So I believe they lowered it twice for maybe 75 basis points.
While we did see interest rates come down a little bit,
they didn't come down by the same amount that they took action on.
So when you see the Fed take action, that normally impacts the short end of the curve.
Hopefully the long end of the yield curve follows, but that's not always the case.
And then Mr. Smith referenced Mr. Witte's documents.
I just wanted to kind of summarize what is included in the parameters
and the new money parameter order we'd be looking at up to the remainder of the authorization,
a refunding parameter that requires 3% present value savings,
and we wouldn't extend the term on any refinancing that we looked at,
a remarketing order.
We have one Series 2021C variable rate issuance that we need to reset the rate on this summer.
The redemption and defeasance parameter is the same as it's been historically,
it's the $30 million.
And then again, the reimbursement resolution just in case there's items that need to be purchased or projects completed prior to the issuance of future bond issues.
That just gives you the ability to reimburse your general fund should you make the decision to use any of those dollars.
And that's all the information I had.
If there's any questions, I'm happy to answer them.
Thank you.
Mr. President.
Ms. Cazale.
Thank you very much.
It's a little hard for me to follow all the details.
It's an amazing science that you do.
But I did catch, you said there was a,
I think it was slide seven perhaps,
an $850 million, you were using an example I think.
So I just wanted to understand, that's a big number
and people's eyes should look and where is that coming from?
Where did that come from?
So basically that number, what we decided,
because I believe the election back in 23 was for $840 million.
806.
That was what passed.
Okay, yes.
The total that it was for was, I believe, $840.
And so we had just said, what if we come close to duplicating that amount?
Would we have the ability to do that?
That was just kind of what we were looking at.
That is certainly not a number that we want to put out there and say, this is what you're going to do.
It was just to give you an idea of what the future issuance capacity is.
And, again, it was tied to what that total election amount was in 2023.
It's truly a model.
Yes, ma'am.
There was no other basis.
Yes, ma'am.
Just clarifying.
Thank you.
And then the, I don't know the term, the real big acronym.
ASAHI.
ASAHI, thank you.
Thank you. And you were planning for $36 million this coming year?
This current year we're in right now.
This current year?
Yes, this current year that we're in right now, you're receiving on different bond issues, different levels of ASAHI.
On the most recent $450 million, you're getting those percentages that you see there in blue.
And so when you add all of the hold harmless funding up for all of the district's outstanding bond issues,
This current year you're getting 36 million dollars. Okay, and as a slide three, okay. Yes. Thank you
Where is forgive me? Where is that placed? Maybe this mr. Smith? Where is that?
Number held or I know it's not a budgeted number, right? It is. Where is it sitting?
when you adopted the budget, yeah
for the
INS fund or the debt service fund you had taxes
and state revenues for Asahi.
And if you'll recall, we adopted a pretty large deficit
in our debt service fund budget,
and I said the tools that we have to calculate that Asahi are all different.
We have three tools, four if you include him.
He was right.
But when in doubt, we're conservative,
and so we went to the lesser of all three of our tools, other three tools.
Tonight we're rectifying that because now those other three tools are showing
what he was showing back in August when we adopted that budget and so it's
significantly more Asahi dollars. We just not don't have to be conservative now.
But yes it was it's a line item in the budget and I actually when I speak about
the budget to the groups I make reference that they're not really paying
for helping us build buildings they're paying for the fact that they're they're
passing along a homestead exemption which reduces our taxable revenues and
they're making up for it yeah that's what that's for which is good thank you
very much those those CPD values that you see on the on the top row of that
chart that's what makes it very difficult to project is because the
district just got those two weeks ago so you set your tax rate back in August
September and you're basing it on projections for all of these different
values and admittedly it was difficult it wasn't terribly difficult to project
the impact of the hundred forty thousand dollar homestead exemption but the over
sixty five and disabled exemption was something that they had not done before
that made it a little bit more difficult sure yeah I respect that thank you and
and mr. Robert mentioned that CPTD value getting that the first week of February
February. Now that we have that, the rest of the amendments tonight that Ms. Rios will be presenting
reflect that. So it helps our general fund a little bit because we were conservative,
like it helps us win a little bit. And again, when we don't know, we're going to lean towards
conservative. We don't want to come back and say, that's $4 million the other way. We'd rather
bring more money.
any other questions mr. Rob I know that this is maybe outside but the question we get asked a
lot as a board is you mentioned the defeasance and being able to pay off a bond we would choose
to do that because it would decrease the interest be able to pay it back further and make our
taxpayer dollars go further could we instead take that and use that money
instead of paying that off and say we want to give a raise to our teachers or
no as I mentioned we only use INS collections in order to do defeasances
make bond payments or anything in the law states and mr. Whitty's here and
could could jump in if I'm mistaken but the law states you can only use INS tax
collections for the repayment of voted bonds within the district so that can't
be used to supplement your your M&O budget in any way in other words there's
two different buckets you can't pay outside of either bug it it would be
breaking the law to use funds from from the INS to pay cranes and operations
could use maintenance operations to pay for buildings but that's taking money
away from the classroom and putting into a building we can't take money for
buildings and stuff and pay for people.
Correct.
Go.
All right.
That was a quick question.
Mr. Redman?
Ms. Champagne.
I would like to say thank you for asking that question because I know very well and good
that you know the answer to that question.
But I do appreciate that because a lot of people even, you know, I'll put myself in
that same situation before I was ever on the board, didn't know that.
and you see all these things like this at a meeting and you say wow 30 million
dollars you know as the gentleman said and the public forum that it just seems
logical that we could you know if you didn't know better that we could just
divide that 30 million dollars between all the teachers and they could get a
substantial raise this year I just wanted to say thank you for asking the
question and I just want to say for public record mr. Redmond knows the
answer to that question he's doing on the behalf of the public so that
everyone will also know the answer to that question thank you mr bachman thank you board
just to tag on just so we can answer the other part of that the gentleman asked about just
anyone listening the teres funds uh which is what we're using this doesn't have to do with you but
that we're using for the lights and the scoreboards that people keep talking about
they're what we're using to pay for the lights and scoreboard and the tourist funds can only
be used in a very specific geographic area which is meryl center is included so that that's why
it's being pulled from that which is okay if it's a need and we can't do anything else with that
money in the tourist fund that's perfectly said ms gizella and i appreciate you saying that
and that also again it will reduce our utility bill which will free up dollars that can go into
the classroom. We're doing everything we can on that, but I appreciate you pointing that out,
that we can't, we have to spend that on this block and not, we can't put that money towards raises.
Any other questions, comments board? Thank you very much, we appreciate the update tonight.
We'll now move from section six to section seven, discussion items, and the first item for
7.1 Discuss and consider future Board approval of naming the North Transportation facility as recommended by the Naming Advisory Committee.
discussion tonight. Item 7.1, discuss and consider future board approval of naming the
North Transportation Facility as recommended by the Naming Advisory Committee. And our
presenter is Dr. Andrea Grooms, Chief Communications Officer.
Andrea Grooms, Chief Communications Officer of the North Transportation Committee.
Good evening, President Redmond, trustees, and Superintendent Gorgorski. The Community Naming
Advisory Committee comprised of parents whose children are served by the North Transportation
Center, two board trustees, and a namesake convened on January 22nd to review nominations
submitted by the public for the naming of the North Transportation Center.
The committee composition and the review process aligned with recent updates to CW local policy.
After reviewing and discussing the nominations submitted by the public, the committee selected
I have selected a name to recommend to this board for consideration this evening.
That name is William Kaiser.
Mr. Kaiser's family is behind us and before I ask them to stand and be recognized, I am
going to ask that the board please listen to a biography submitted by the nominator
that shares some information about Mr. Kaiser and his legacy.
That biography is going to be read by Ms. Dolores Hernandez, our communications manager, and she is at the podium.
William Bill Robert Kaiser devoted his life to public service, integrity, and caring for others.
He dedicated more than two decades to students of transportation, ensuring children arrived at school safely and returned home to their families each day.
Bill began his tenure as director of transportation for KDISD in August 1985 and faithfully served in that role until his retirement in June 2007.
For nearly 22 years, he was responsible for one of the largest and most visible operations in the district, getting thousands of students to and from school safely every single day.
He understood that for many students, the school bus is their first and last contact with the district each day, and he approached that responsibility with seriousness, care, and a calm, steady presence.
Kaiser's leadership in KDISD was not only operational, it was innovative.
Bill was instrumental in bringing air conditioning to Katy ISD school buses, making the district one of the first in the area to utilize bus air conditioning.
This was not a superficial upgrade. It significantly improved the daily experience and safety of students and drivers in the Texas heat.
He was also a strong supporter of in-house daycare for bus drivers, recognizing that transportation professionals are often parents and caregivers themselves.
By advocating for solutions that supported drivers' families, Bill helped the district recruit and retain quality staff, building loyalty and creating a more stable and caring work environment.
Bill also believed deeply in educating students about safety.
He was responsible for the Katie the Bus educational program,
designed to teach elementary students how to ride the bus safely and confidently.
Through this program, young children learn rules, expectations, and best practices in an engaging way,
helping prevent accidents and reduce anxiety for students and parents alike.
like. Bill, the son of Madeline and John Kaiser, grew up alongside his brothers John and Michael.
He earned a business degree from the University of Nebraska and chose a path of service,
joining the Army, joining the United States Army. Stationed in Germany, he developed both a lifelong
long passion for transportation and a deep love for the woman who would become his wife, Mary.
While serving in Germany, Bill became fascinated by how people and goods move safely and reliably,
a curiosity that became his calling. He later completed a master's degree at the University
of Houston-Clear Lake, preparing him to lead in the complex and critically important field
of school transportation. He spent the majority of his career in public
education, first as assistant director of transportation for Houston ISD and then
as director of transportation for Katy ISD. William Bill Kaiser leaves behind a
a legacy of love, kindness, and public service.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Kaiser,
a devoted educator of 31 years,
14 of which were spent in KDISD,
by their children, Kristen Azari and Kevin Kaiser,
and his grandchildren, who are here this evening.
Thank you, Ms. Hernandez.
And joining us this evening as shared by Ms. Hernandez is Ms. Mary Kaiser, Mr. Kaiser's
daughter, Kristen Azari, son, Kevin Kaiser, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.
And I ask that the family please stand to be recognized.
Thank you.
Mr. President.
Ms. Fox.
To the Kaiser family, we're just so happy for you all to have this honor in memory of Bill.
He was an incredible, he had such incredible contributions to KDSV and all who knew him loved him.
um as mary i know this is hard and also very very rewarding and i just have to say your grandchildren
are the best behaved children ever they've been sitting there since before 5 p.m listening to
budget presentations i dozed off myself but so happy to see you all and um it'll be great when
we get you there. Mr. President. Ms. Champagne. Yes, I just want to say, you know, I read a lot of, you know,
all of the submissions and the application and all that. So impressive all the things that he did and
a lot of it I wasn't aware of, but I just, I was going to say the same thing about the
grandchildren and they were so well behaved, but I want, this is, this seems kind of a silly question,
but to me it's a very important question and I you know I talked to Dr. Gregorci
about this so I know he's William Bill okay it's very important that you know
you can name the school either William or Bill and I only know I don't I mean
this facility I only say that because I use a different name too than my first
name so I just want you to be aware I hope that you know that you can put bill
so anyway yeah I just I just want you to know that so I don't know why that's
important to me anyway I'm very happy for you congratulations it's nice to see
your beautiful family here dr. Gorky where is this facility located like a
Are there street names?
Good question.
I don't know the street number, but it's in that high-growth area we just talked about.
So it's up there off of Loganbow Road, right next door to Freeman and Nelson and Youngblood.
About as far north as you can go before you leave Katy ISD.
Very needed.
You bet.
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
Well, I would say congratulations.
I didn't know it until I was reading this, but Bill was the transportation director when
my mom drove a bus in about 88 through 90.
I was a benef, benefited, not benefactor, benefited from the childcare.
I would go there before school and would then have a bus take me to Cimarron Elementary.
and Katie the bus was how I learned about bus safety there at Cimarron
Elementary and so I did not know the effect that he had had on my family but
I texted my mom just now and she said he was he was great so congratulations and
thank you all so much for being here tonight board any more questions all
right thank you we will now move on to item 7.2 discuss and consider an order
7.2 Discuss and consider an Order Authorizing the Issuance of Katy Independent School District Unlimited Tax School Building and/or Refunding Bonds, as Term Rate Bonds and/or Fixed Rate Bonds in one or more series; setting certain parameters for the bonds; authorizing a Pricing Officer to approve the amount, the interest rate, price, including the terms thereof; and certain other procedures and provisions related thereto. 7.2 Discuss and consider an Order Authorizing the Issuance of Katy Independent School District Unlimited Tax School Building and/or Refunding Bonds, as Term Rate Bonds and/or Fixed Rate Bonds in one or more series; setting certain parameters for the bonds; authorizing a Pricing Officer to approve the amount, the interest rate, price, including the terms thereof; and certain other procedures and provisions related thereto.
authorizing the issuance of Katy Independent School District unlimited
tax school building and or refunding bonds as term rate bonds and or fixed
rate bonds in one or more series setting certain parameters for the bonds
authorizing a pricing officer to approve the amount the interest rate price and
including the terms thereof and certain other procedures and provisions related
there to our presenter will be Chris Smith our chief financial officer all
All right, well, this should be pretty quick because you just heard us talk about it, but that item is for the issuance of new money and refunding bonds.
It authorizes the district to do those two things.
It delegates the pricing authority to the superintendent and or me.
It gives us a maximum amount of money that we can issue.
The maximum amount is only $106 million until something goes back to the voters.
and it allows us to basically refund anything that comes up for refunding.
We have a refunding on the horizon or a refinance that we think will save some significant dollars,
and we will be acting on that later in this year.
The delegation of that authority is for one year, so through the February of 27,
and in February of next year we'll be doing the same thing with these same items.
It will be a little different because we'll be further down the road,
But it will be very similar to this as it has been for the last ten years looking back
It's been items like this just the dollar amounts vary
but that's
That's that that
6.3
Any questions board
Mr. President so just so for the public in me this is a normal
Step and vote agenda item
through the course of a bond as we're getting to the end, correct?
Yes.
I mean, we do this every year?
Every year for the last probably 10 or 11 years.
And, again, so this time last year it was $450 million instead of $106 million for new money
because of what Mr. Roberts spoke about.
So those kind of amounts change.
The things that we may mention as far as what may be eligible for refunding
or what we made the fees etc those will change year to year but by and large these four items are
annual okay thanks mr president is there any way that we can get this handout that we got at the
finance committee meeting for all the board members
we can upload that okay i think it would be helpful to everybody else um kind of give you
a summary of 7.2 7.3 7.4 and 7.5 and um and then um so the 7.2 is just we're authorizing
these tasks on this paper there's like five of them um we're giving that authorization
to the administration to make these financial decisions without coming to the board
so i think it would be great if we could get this for everybody on the board
Any other questions?
All right, let's move on to item 7.3, discuss and consider board approval of an order approving a new term rate period or fixed rate period for all or a portion of the Katy Independent School District variable rate unlimited tax school building bonds, series 2021C, and approving other provisions relating thereto.
7.3 Discuss and consider Board approval of an Order approving a new term rate period or fixed rate period for all or a portion of the Katy Independent School District variable rate unlimited tax school building bonds, series 2021C; and approving other provisions relating thereto.
And Mr. Smith, you will be our presenter again.
Okay, as Mr. Robert mentioned, those are in a term rate mode that currently expire on August the 15th of 26th of this year.
This authorizes the tendered 2021 seed bonds to be remarketed in a term rate or converted to a fixed rate.
It also delegates the pricing officers, which is myself and the superintendent, to do that transaction this summer.
All right, any other questions from the board?
Amy?
Yeah, thank you.
So this is board members.
This is just talking about remarketing orders to set the deal terms, remarketing agent, that kind of thing.
Yep.
All right, no more questions.
7.4 Discuss and consider Board approval of a Resolution Expressing Intent to Defease/Redeem Certain of the District's Outstanding Bonds.
We'll move on to 7.4.
discuss and consider board approval of a resolution expressing intent to defease
or redeem certain of the district's outstanding bonds so we've chose 30
million dollars of defeasances those can be found at different maturities
throughout the series 2016 B and those are listed 2016 a 2016 B 2016 D 2017 or
2021c again if from a layperson's perspective if you could picture those as different credit cards
if you will and if you had a the ability to pay down a credit card you would identify which ones
paid the higher interest rate so you could pay them down and save your self-interest uh when
you defease bonds essentially that's what you're doing and we've been very successful at that
i think that with what's happened with uh with the senate bill i can't remember the number it's
going to make it more difficult but if we do see an opportunity we would like to reduce
and pay down debt like with interest savings etc to reduce interest expense to our to our taxpayers
mr smith this is one of the things that was mentioned in that when you mentioned
the new law or one of the things mentioned in the presentation was that we were disincentivized
to pay those off early and that had to do with kind of that that Asahi or that
the reason we issued that those bonds in August to the tune of something along
lines of if we were to pay it earlier and that were to go over our normal
collections we would be penalized that amount for the year when we made that
payment so this would be authorizing or this would be authorizing to the fees
but it needs to be very beneficial in terms laid out if we're going to do this
and we will we would make that decision in August likely well we have to do it
30 days we'd have an estimate in August if we were able to identify some but we
would have to be very strategic of that because we don't want to cost ourselves
state funds we'd love to lower our interest rate I mean our interest
expense but we are playing at the mercy of that law and so we'll have to be even
more strategic one other question I should have asked this in our Finance
Committee meeting but I didn't so I'm gonna ask it now is there is there a
time frame that this that seven point four is gonna last for is it just the
board just voting it for the flexibility in August is this like a year like you
know like 7.2 is for one year is this for a year or is this just for august it would it basically
just for august there could be some opportunity that presents itself outside of august but
very unlikely especially in the environment we're in now okay and so you won't be coming to the
board in august you'll just make these we're saying you can make those decisions on your own
Correct.
Without coming to the board.
Correct.
Mr. President?
Ms. Cuzela.
And I apologize.
You probably answered this already, but where did the $30 million approximate come from?
That's been an annual amount that we've targeted to try, and we've not been able to reduce that much.
But we've just used that $30 million as a placeholder.
It's a good number that you've used before.
Yeah, it may be $11 million one year, maybe $6 million one year.
I'd love to, as a taxpayer, I'd love for it to be 30 so we could reduce interest expense, but that's just the amount that we choose.
Practical number to use.
Okay, thanks.
No more questions.
7.5 Discuss and consider Board approval of a Resolution Declaring Intention to Reimburse Project Expenditures.
We'll move to 7.5, discuss and consider board approval of a resolution declaring intention to reimburse project expenditures.
And this is on there really, I would say, as an abundance of caution.
We have enough bond proceeds to pay the contractors who are building those schools now.
But if by chance we did not, it allows the general fund to pay it.
And then when we sold those bonds, we would be able to repay the general fund back.
So there are several reasons why, but if there was a reason why we didn't have the cash in construction proceeds,
we could pay with the general fund, pay ourselves back once we issued bonds or got that cash available to pay our general fund back.
Do you mind if I ask a question?
We've done that for the last 10 years and we've not had to use that.
It's only there as an abundance of cost.
So we don't take precious general fund dollars out of the classroom.
Is there a limit, do you mind Mr. Smith, is there a time limit that we have to pay the
general fund back?
I'm going to ask Mr. Whittier on that.
Is it three months?
I mean, sorry, I don't remember.
That's okay.
We talked about that and Mr. Whitty and I did last week, but I don't remember the amount.
Rick Whitty and Jackson Walker have been here on council for 25 years.
There's no limit that they can get stale.
So if we go a long time without using that particular one, we'll just come back.
Oh, no, I'm sorry.
To pay back.
Like if we did use if we did use this if we authorized this and we did use some of the general fund
What is the time frame that we have to pay the general fund back?
Again, it's probably a concept that's stale.
What we do is we get you to adopt it now, and if we go a year or more,
we'll probably come back and have you adopt another one just to cover the same bonds.
That's not what I was asking.
Ms. Reed, I think what she's saying is let's say we use this,
and the general fund pays for some expenses in July of this year.
How long would it be until when we issued bonds or had the bond proceeds available, could we reimburse ourselves?
I would think at least two years.
Okay, that long?
Yeah.
Okay.
What I mean by stale is we get way out there.
Sure.
And you're thinking about or spending dollars.
We may come back to that.
But we're good for now.
Okay, thank you.
Mr. President, I'm sorry.
Ms. Guzel.
Just to be clear, this, maybe I read this even more carefully this time around, but we've always had this in place.
This resolution, in case, and the $100 million, there's no way in the world we would be doing, where did that number come from?
Again, I use the words abundance of caution.
If we're going to go through the exercise, why put it at $5 million?
Because what happens if you need six?
Okay, it's just a scary thing.
There's a hundred and that's not gonna happen very unlikely. It's just in there is
Thank you
Well, mr. Smith part of part of the reason you shared with us when we had our finance committee was we have a hundred and six
Thousand dollar I'm sorry hundred six million dollars of outstanding bonds that we have not sold
And so if it got to where we weren't selling that we'd be able to use that
Any other questions word
All right. Thank you very much. We will now move on to item 7.6, discuss and consider board approval of the December 2025 financial reports. Presenter will be Jamie Hines, Assistant Superintendent of Finance.
7.6 Discuss and consider Board approval of the December 2025 Financial Reports.
Good evening President Redmond, Trustees, and Superintendent Gorski. You should have
below you, in front of you, your financial reports for the month of
December, including your financial statements, your construction report, tax
report through December 31st as well as the check register and donation report
for the month of December just to review our financial statements include
include our expenditures our revenues and our changes in fund equity as well
as an analysis of all of our expenditures by both function and object
I'm going to go through a few of the items that we've been talking about or that Mr.
Smith has been talking about tonight as we go through this, but just to kind of preface
it as I usually do, these financial statements are through 33 and a third percent of our
fiscal year, four months of our fiscal year.
So as we look at these on the first page of this, looking at our expenditures, the
first thing I'm going to do is just look at all of the expenditures that are
above that 33 percent. And you can see that we're at 32 percent on payroll
expenses, which is our our biggest one. Same place we were at last year. And as
We are underspending fairly significantly this year, just as we did last year.
One other thing I'll just bring to your attention is on our other operating expenses.
It's at 16%.
You can see it was at 18% last year.
That really comes down to the fact that we have a large property insurance bill that we'll make in March,
so expect for that to just remain fairly low.
One other thing on the next page where we have the analysis by function,
THE ONLY THING I'M GOING TO LOOK AT ON THIS PAGE ARE WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF FUNCTIONS THAT ARE OVER THAT 33%, SPECIFICALLY SECURITY AND MONITORING SERVICES, AND THAT'S DUE TO JUST SOME OVERTIME EXPENSES, AND MRS. RIOS IS GOING TO BE FIXING THAT WITH A FUNCTIONAL ALIGNMENT A LITTLE LATER TONIGHT.
and also on our data processing services.
And, of course, that's something we bring to you, you know,
month after month in the first year or the first half of each fiscal year
just because we have a lot of our software contracts
that we're fulfilling during the first few months.
So that will remain a little bit higher,
and then we'll start taking it down in a few months.
I also want to just bring up a couple of things on our construction report,
which are our capital expenditures.
Again, Mrs. Gassman is going to be bringing to you Elementary 49 tonight, which is going to show about a $12 million savings over on that contract, bringing our underspending up a little bit more in that Proposition A of the 2023 bond.
So that's good news, but we still have some big projects left on that.
So the other thing I wanted to just point out is on our tax report.
Before I do that, obviously, you all brought it up already on the TERS, but you'll note that it's at about $17.8 million right now.
And then those projects, the LMC and ESC lighting, as well as the LMC display boards, without that, that's going to be about $6.2 million.
And that's going to bring that down to about $11.5 million within that TERS fund.
fund. So the only other thing, and it's only because it's off from the prior years, I'm going
to go into the tax report this year. This is through December 31st, and usually we'll start
collecting taxes pretty heavily in December. This year, you can see we're at 28% of collections,
whereas if you saw the prior year, we were at about 43%. So that's a significant difference.
The reason goes back to what Mr. Robert was talking about in terms of that homestead exemption.
In 2025, we had a homestead exemption going from 100 to 140,000.
Whenever that happens, the counties send out the statements a little bit later than usual, and that will end up us collecting a little bit later.
just going back to 2023 the one prior to that when we went from from 40,000 to
a hundred thousand at the same point at December 31st we were at 26% so we're
tracking exactly like we have in prior years and at the end of the year all of
our collections were at the same level so nothing to worry about that about
there that's all I've got for this item but I'd be glad to answer any questions
questions for you.
Mr. Board?
Mr. President?
Mr. Champagne?
Ms. Thank you very much.
I just want to say, because the public probably doesn't hear this
or see this, but I'm looking at the facilities, the construction,
and on the Booney and the Cross Elementary, under budget by, you
know, $11 million each about, that is really commendable.
I don't know, I guess Ms. Cassman and her team and all that, but the rising cost of
things in construction and labor and all that, I think that's remarkable.
I see that there's other places where there's a little bit over or whatever, but it'll end
up balancing out.
I just really appreciate the hard work with that.
Yes, ma'am.
And from our perspective, when Ms. Kastman does a fantastic job there, when we do have overages in other places, we have the problem.
So it's much better for the district.
Mr. President.
Ms. Cuzela.
Thank you, Mr. Holmes, for explaining the tax report.
That makes sense.
I appreciate that.
It's good to have savings, for sure.
and I totally respect our our teams but that means we have an extra 22 million
dollars that we actually over asked perhaps of the public and that that's
where I come from so I just wanted to look for that and and be sensitive to
that that's a lot actually in my mind so if I'm reading the reports correctly we
We have $30 million overall savings available from the 2020, excuse me, yeah, 2023 bond,
the $806 million bond.
And then we have another $11 million savings total still left over from the 2021 bond rate.
So, okay.
Okay, and then the miscellaneous capital projects, there's approximately $16 million sitting there.
So I add those three and it's about $57 million available, correct?
I mean, that's how I should be viewing this, right?
Okay.
Okay.
And because we have had a lot of different ways of that coming, the board approves the expenditures for that money when it wasn't.
used for the intended purpose
So that that comes before us. I'm speaking also for the public to hear right
And we're going to see some of that tonight little bits here and there right, so there's 57 million to spend on
Well, I didn't do the categories, but mostly it comes from proposition a's I would assume
which are which are buildings and
and whatnot.
So when we're starting to talk about a new OAC building
or I don't know what else will come up,
we have $57 million sitting here that could be used,
but just on capital projects.
And again, when Mr. Roberts spoke tonight,
he had two sales of that $106 million remaining in the authorization,
one for $56 million and one for $50 million.
If at this time next year we haven't identified any projects or we are able
to make our budget the board can decide at that time not to issue those bonds
and it will not give a Dr. Gorski and I won't and Mr. Robert won't move forward
with the bond sale or will I have identified something like we've done in
the past where we built out of project savings we built Randolph and Davidson
it's an elementary with those project savings so if we were continue to
explode on the north side then we may say okay well that's less money we need
to ask our taxpayers next time we can use that fifty seven million dollars
towards an elementary school fifty yes yes or not issue the bonds that's the
right way to look at it in my eyes and not everybody understands that I just
want to make that point that we're very careful with that fifty seven million
and prudent with the issuance of maybe a future bond it should be if it should be considered thank
you you know the questions on seven point six board thank you then we will move on to seven
7.7 Discuss and Consider Board adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Acquisition of Land and improvements for Waller County Appraisal District.
point seven discussing consider board adoption of a resolution authorizing the acquisition of
land and improvements for Waller County Appraisal District. I'm going to go ahead
and read the recommended action and then I'll go through some details. It is
recommended that the Board of Trustees approves or disapproves the attached
resolution to authorize acquisition of land improvement and improvements for
Waller County Appraisal District. Waller County next to us is obviously one of
of the counties that collects taxes on behalf of KDISD.
I have to give you an idea of how much of that is KDISD.
KDISD represents 15% of the overall jurisdictional amount
of the amount of taxes that are collected.
Those come from KDISD.
And as they've grown, they're requesting
to increase the size of their facilities and in the proposal they are asking to
purchase land and improvements for 2.3 million as well as undertake renovations
for 7.9 million that's a total of about 10.2 million for the entire facility or
this to approve three-quarter or 75% of their jurisdictions must vote to approve
approve or not respond to the request.
The impact to KDISD's overall expense that we give to Waller County
would be about 132,000 each year.
Well, the first year as the county grows, that could possibly go down.
But that represents around 21% of our overall
amount that we give to the county chair board we discussed this briefly in our
in the Finance Committee meeting I had talked with our local commissioners
court and other school boards that are here in Water County and I think I don't
think anybody is disagreeing that Waller County is growing like crazy and does
need more space throughout the time as information has been asked for it would
seem that that we could have some more information as far as actual costs
comparisons what other options are available and so the the one thing if
if you're not following what's happening in waller county uh it's growing a lot uh and
there there are school boards and local municipalities who have voted no while saying
nothing bad about waller county appraisal district but bring us back a package that we can support
and know that it's all the things have been looked at and considered and so i share that with you to
say some of those groups have said it's not ready if you haven't been paying
attention to it or looking at it that would be my recommendation would be that
we disapprove it to hope that they bring us something back soon that is something
that we can sign our name to and when our payments increase we know that is a
wise use of funds any questions so what prompted it to be on it what was the
trigger for this to be here it was issued that once this notice was sent
out we had a certain amount of time I don't remember the 30 days or something
like that that if we do not take action it's automatically approved so we either
have to vote yes no or if we do nothing it's a yes vote and they're obviously
pushing to have us make a decision the appraisal district yeah I appreciate I
don't I'm not real excited about this to be frank when I read it and I would want
a whole lot more detail and more vetted information i guess more opinions and a little more marinated
i guess is kind of what you said because once we build something we're stuck in perpetuity
paying so it's not just this fixed cost in this first year it's every year after
Yes, ma'am, that's correct. Whatever proportion of the overall tax burden for the entire county is, our percentage of actual taxes that come from KDISD, whatever that percentage is, we are responsible for that percentage of their overall budget.
So this would increase their budget by increasing our burden to them.
So I would encourage you if you reach out to someone there in Waller County and find out, do your homework to see if there is something that has changed or something that you would want to bring back to us next week when we will take a vote.
Any other questions?
Yes.
Mr. Champagne.
Would you consider removing this from the consent agenda then?
I do what?
I mean we can ask for it next week.
I realize that.
Yeah, if there's new information.
I mean if somebody brings new information we could remove it, but if there's nothing
new.
But if we vote for the entire consent agenda we vote for it.
So we need to come up to disapprove it.
The motion would be to not approve it.
As of right now that would be the resolution.
Is that right?
Or would we need to do?
If you removed it from the consent agenda, then it would be, if you did disapprove, if you then removed it, then that would be essentially voting that you approved it.
Because nothing being sent back to them would be a vote.
If we removed it to take a standalone vote.
But we could make the motion, we could make the motion to just say we disapprove it, and when we approve the consent agenda, it would not be approved.
That's exactly right.
So that would be the recommendation is that it will say we are not approving it
Approving the item would be disapproving the resolution
May the resolution will be written will that we're not approving or changing the resolution. Yes. Well, it said yes
And if and if that's not it
We will pull it separately and write a separate one
We'll make sure the legal counsel that all that works that we are not approving it. It would be filled in and that
So when we approved it, that's the only opening on there.
Oh, it says disapprove.
I got it.
Yeah.
Mr. President, I know Waller County is growing leaps and bounds as, you know, we've seen for decades.
And so I know there must be need there.
But I appreciate very much that we get more concrete information and see, like, where's the money going?
what's the need instead of just like land and improvements is not enough for
me either so not it's always a no it's just what are you asking for and that's
what I've heard from most everyone else that's already looked at it and voted on
it was they recognize the need this did not meet their all the information they
were just due diligence is needed yeah I did speak to a Waller County official
this week and he said they'd be bringing us more information so any other discussion board all
7.8 Discuss and consider Board approval of the February 2026 budget amendments.
right then we will move on to item 7.8 discuss and consider board approval of the February 20
26 budget amendments our presenter will be miss Esperanza Rios director of budget and Treasury
Good evening, Board President Redman, Board of Trustees, and Dr. Krakorski.
Tonight we present budget amendments for the General Fund, Debt Service Fund,
Tourist Fund, and Capital Projects Fund.
For the General Fund, we present a budget amendment to adjust the district revenues.
Local and state revenues are being increased by $13,540,720.
to recognize adjustments based on taxable values from the comptroller and updated certified tax
levy from the county tax offices. State revenues are being decreased by $17,590,311
to recognize updated student demographics and decrease enrollment data.
A revenue budget adjustment for dual credit reimbursement is being submitted in the amount
of $384,625, which will be offset by the same expenditure amount.
The district will be expensing $3 million for the health insurance expenses as opposed
to processing a transfer to the self-insured fund.
This is a process the district has used for the past several years to support the health
insurance fund.
The remaining budget amendments are functional offsets.
These functional offsets include staff development, printing costs, reallocation of growth units based on the district needs, and alignment of salaries across functions, student incentives, department, and structural supplies.
The approval of these amendments result in a decrease of $4,049,588 to the general operating fund balance.
For debt service, we present a budget amendment to adjust district revenues.
local revenues are being increased by $2,971,075 to recognize adjustments based on updated certified tax levy from the county tax offices.
State revenues are being increased based on the update and the additional state aid for homestead exemption, ASAHI.
The approval of this amendment will result in an increase of $10,646,858 to the debt service fund balance.
For the TURS fund, we present a budget amendment in the amount of $2,029,233 for a display board replacement at the Merrill Center, $1,801,775 for lighting upgrades for the Merrill Center, and $2,447,431 for the lighting upgrades for the Education Service Center.
For the capital projects fund, we are presenting a budget amendment in the amount of $3,423,547
for the renovation at Hayes Elementary, which was approved at the January board meeting.
We are also presenting a budget amendment in the amount of $640,643 for the life safety
upgrades at Seven Lakes High School, Rhodes Elementary, and Franz Elementary, which was
approved at the October 24th and the December 25th board meeting.
The approval of these amendments will result in no impact to the capital projects fund balance
any questions
questions board
Mr.. President, who's Gazelle? I just want to make sure I'm understanding that the the for the net four million that were
pulling from the general fund based on
It's amendment number ten
So that so it says there because of the update or the the demographic basically low enrollment
low enrollment data we took a hit of 17.5 million but that was offset by the
local revenue updated taxable values etc when we got 13.5 million so the net is
is the four is it most and it's mostly enrollment the hit all enrollment the
student demographics so so it's 17.5 million it was the hit for this under 1600 600 1600 student
enrolled that that's the that's the quantifiable value and the impact that they have that are
being done their um funding that they get for for being considered whatever the special correct so
at first i thought it was just 10 but it must have been all the special uh stuff for so 17.5 million
Wow. Okay. Thank you.
Board, any other questions?
I wanted to, I'm sorry. I have just, I want to declare a petition.
What is our current deficit right now? What are we sitting at?
To date?
29 million. Once all of this goes through, we're done with this, then, so we're only, I say only, we're increasing the deficit
by $4 million, yes?
In the general fund, yes, ma'am.
In the general fund.
Okay, I just wanted to double check.
That's what I was trying to confirm.
Thank you.
So it's $29 million, and as Mr. Hines pointed out,
we're having some significant underspending,
so that's going to soften that.
And if we don't continue that underspending,
then the deficit of $29 million will not be revealed,
just like last year.
Okay.
All right, thank you.
Mr. President.
Yes, folks.
books so help me understand this our enrollment decreases so we get less
funding because we have less children because we get paid on daily attendance
but we also have less expenses because we have less children but it's not
really an offset because we budgeted for staff enough for all of those children
we thought were coming but in the future next year we will adapt for that that's
That's the right-sizing that we keep talking about in the district.
I'm sorry, I can't hear you.
It's the right-sizing that we keep talking about in the district,
is that, yes, we did anticipate that, but since we didn't, nobody lost their job.
So next year we're going to go ahead and right-size that
to where we need to be in enrollment for those programs for the district.
And do we also believe that people won't lose their jobs?
we will be able to absorb our current employees with our with our current
enrollment I believe so but I right mr. shush mr. Schist answer that yeah we
might not need a job fair or something if we have enough teachers here we'll
just have to see how that pans out I guess but but no one's losing their job
but there's no guarantee that you will have the exact same job at the exact
same campus as we shift with enrollment that's what we're guessing yeah I'm not
I'm not guessing I'm I'm pretty sure that's how that works okay okay good
because people like I'm losing my job no no we don't lose good people well we'll
we'll keep you and I need some find a place for you to be to make a great
impact on students so yeah okay thank you
Ms. Calhoun.
But we talked about this in the finance meeting as well,
and it was one of those things that you can't anticipate,
but then, I don't know,
we keep tabs on the amount of homeschoolers that we already have,
and we can kind of assess what that trend line looks like via PASA.
They do the demographic reports.
We keep track of that and we can see the trend line is going up and we can see how that impacts our numbers here.
So when we're looking at now ESAs flying out the door, I think they've hit their cap.
I believe it was 100,000 students and I think that they've hit it by now.
I believe, I'm not 100%, but I'm pretty sure.
So there's no way for us to anticipate any kind of potential further loss.
Am I understanding that correct?
There's no possible way.
That's correct.
Okay.
I mean, it would be kind of like when we did, when charter schools came on, right?
We kind of didn't know what that would look like.
This is kind of just the next wave of those kind of things.
Do we know if there are any new charter schools that are coming up?
I believe that I figure we track that as well.
We do track that.
We get a report from TEA about any proposed charters.
I do not have a report right now of any new proposed charters being considered in KDISD.
Do we get a report on private schools as well?
potential new private schools no no okay so private schools is complete unknown
charter schools because it's public we still get kind of a report on what
that's gonna look like but we haven't we do not have anything given to us telling
us that there's gonna be any new openings of charter schools coming up
for the next year no I don't have anything right now that okay thank you I
I appreciate it.
Any other discussion, Board?
Thank you.
7.9 Discuss and consider Board approval for the design of the Opportunity Awareness Center.
We will now move on to Item 7.9,
Discuss and Consider Board Approval for the Design of the Opportunity Awareness Center.
And our presenter will be Ms. Lisa Kastman,
our Executive Director of Facilities Planning and Construction.
Good evening, President Redman, Trustees, and Dr. Gagorski.
I have four items this evening.
The first is the presentation of the design development for the new Opportunity Awareness Center.
Please note that some of the slides in your presentation show more detail than in the public view.
Tonight we're going to hear from Emily Cray, the Assistant Superintendent, School Leadership,
Jeanette Coleman, the Principal, and then Brad Ewing of VLK will make the presentation.
Hi, good evening, President Redman, Board of Trustees, and Dr. Gorgorski.
We're excited to share with you some work that we have been doing to look at our design
for our new Opportunity Awareness Center.
It's part of our ongoing opportunity to look at the ways that we are innovating some of
our campuses and looking at ways that we can serve our students in the most efficient way
possible and so making sure that we're making the changes that are necessary to help be
also good stewards of that.
So I will turn it over to Ms. Coleman to talk a little bit about the Opportunity Awareness
Center. Good evening, I'm Janelle Coleman. I'm the principal at the Opportunity Awareness Center,
or better known as OAC, right? That's what you hear us as. So we are the Disciplinary Alternative
Education Program for KDISD. We serve students as young as kindergarten all the way through 12th
grade. So we serve a wide range of students. Students who come to us have broken, they've
violated the Texas Education Code or the Student Code of Conduct. So that's kind of the scope of
of kiddo that we're talking about when we talk about this building I also
wanted to take a second to shout out we have several OAC staff members who have
given up their Monday night to come and listen to this discussion so thank you
guys for being here now Brad you in the field okay good evening president Redman
Board of Trustees dr. Dabrowski and behalf of the okay architects we're
We're excited to present the design development for the Opportunity Awareness Center.
I'm joined tonight by project architect Lynn Hrabatsky and our principal in charge, Charles Johnson.
Tonight, the goal is really to review the overall layout and the building organization,
key interior and exterior design concepts, and the schedule as we move forward into construction documents.
What you can see here is a view from above at Katy Fort Bend Road, just east of Rhodes
Stadium.
During design, some of our priorities were to provide safe circulation, controlled entry
points in a school environment that feels supportive but not institutional.
We're separating movements for different users, simplifying wayfinding, and ensuring staff
staff can maintain appropriate supervision.
The new building will share the adjacent parking area with Road Stadium.
As we look at the site plan, you can see that the circulation is intentionally separated
to support operations for age-appropriate arrival.
The secondary students have a dedicated drop-off area, as you can see there on the plan north
served by double stacking north access drive and a separate security vestibule.
Elementary students drop off at the main entry on the south plan south with also
a double stacking access drive. Staff and visitors will utilize the existing Rose
Stadium parking area. The overall idea is that the predictable movement and the
clear entry control will minimize conflicts with the two different age
age groups that are accessing this building. As, and they can see the floor
plane right? Yes. So the buildings organize into three contained zones.
Really there's a there's a secondary school wing on the plan north and then
there's also an elementary school wing and then it contain admin suites. So this
separation really helps the age-appropriate organization of the
building. One of the key planning principles that we discussed with the design group was flexibility.
So the rooms are designed as multi-purpose spaces so they can support multiple learning
configurations, interventions, and also large group meetings. Supervision was also a major design
driver. The security office is right there at the central node of the secondary corridor,
and it's also supported by two flex admin offices so staff have maximum
visibility into the secondary circulation zone for the elementary
wing it has natural light exterior windows and provides direct access to
outdoor space also one thing to note is that our construction delivery this
building is going to be we're looking at a pre-engineered metal building and that
choice really supports the construction efficiency to help maintain
project costs while still allowing us to create a strong school environment. As
you can see here this is the interior corridor of the secondary wing. You know
we strive to look to do really resilient materials and some of the same materials
that you see in a lot of the other school buildings here in Katy ISD with
the tile wainscot to help uh help maintenance and uh keep the environment uh nice and bright
uh we're gonna look here at a typical classroom interior corridor or typical classroom uh this
is set up just like all the regular classrooms that we typically do for secondary school
uh and providing a nice environment for instruction
Here on the exterior, the goal is really providing a building that was welcoming, durable, and
appropriately scaled while still reinforcing clarity and structure to how the campus functions.
We also look into consideration of how the aesthetic of the surrounding buildings like
Legacy Stadium and the Schall Center to have that all tie in with each other.
Here you can see the view from the Katy-4 Bend Road, and this is the secondary wing entrance.
So moving forward, we'll be looking at moving into construction documents and looking for board approval in July of 26,
and construction to begin in August of 26 with the project completion of June 27.
And with that, if you guys have any questions,
we'd like to answer anything that you guys are wondering about.
Thank you.
Mr. President.
Ms. Champagne.
Yes.
I'm just curious about some things.
How large, how many square feet is this building?
It's just under 20,000 square feet.
and then when I look at it from the aerial view so I'm sure all of these
things have been already thought about but you see the entrance you know from
the Katy Fort Bend and County Road and all that and that's oftentimes you know
where we're going in there for football games and things like that.
Is it, do you, does anyone foresee any kind of traffic type problems with, the
school gets out at a certain time but people are also arriving early for you
know band and football games and all that. So I'm sure that we've already
thought about that but I'm just wanting to know what kind of thoughts have gone
to that I don't mind jumping in on that one I think by the time kids and staff
is dismissed I think it'll be okay in terms of when the crowds are coming in
the bands and drill teams and those guys they get there a little bit early but
they wouldn't that wouldn't interfere with traffic there at the school I think
will be okay okay and then I know this is a silly question but I just have to
ask it when I look at the in inside of the building you know the layout that
you'll have where do students eat you're gonna eat they're gonna eat in the classroom
so everyone's just gonna bring their lunch
no ma'am so we are again we've got a kitchen uh at the current site uh which is there at the
what used to be the btp um so we've got a kitchen there so we'll continue to use that kitchen
and like we do at Merchant's Way,
we'll bring food to the students
and they would then eat there in the classrooms.
So there's not a cafeteria,
nor is there a kitchen at the new facility.
Saves a lot of money too.
There wouldn't be any reason to have two kitchens
within a short distance of each other.
So yeah.
So where, this is kind of silly,
but where will we just put the lunches?
Because at the building that we saw,
the Merchant's Way,
there's actually an area
where there were tables and chairs and there was a place that we put the food down and people could come and get it and all that.
Right.
It's a little bit different over at Merchant's Way because the kiddos do sit there.
The idea is that many of them sit there in that cafeteria area, the idea of socialization and all those kinds of things.
I think in this design, we'll probably do something like that off the main hallway.
I feel pretty comfortable.
The food service team is, if nothing, they are flexible and creative, and I think they'll be able to pull it off.
Mr. President.
Ms. Fox.
So many questions.
It's probably going to be like a pinball machine here.
So I see a classroom interior view draft here, and there are no exterior windows.
but in the building design I see exterior windows and knowing that
natural light is very important for students is this just Rick we think
about this Rebecca that's not really good yes some of the one of the key
design elements was bringing in the natural light but not creating a
distracting environment for the classroom and so you can see the clear
start the way that roof is shaped it brings natural light deep into the
corridor which then each one of those classrooms has a transom window that
brings that natural light in they're up high yeah okay good I'm a little
surprised it's gonna take a year to build you said it's prefabricated
structure yes structure okay so it's gonna take a whole year that's what
we're budget estimating right now that could come in different we take our bids
Okay, okay, good. I really appreciate, come relax, this is really just comments here.
I appreciate Dr. Gregorski's innovative thinking on everything that can happen when we're talking
about the budget creeping creeping creeping toward 90% salary and benefits
for our people that how do we make the best use of our dollars and our
facilities that our community has already invested in and this is part of
that to me feels like part of that right sizing where we will provide for our OAC
OAC students, brand new building, rethink, reimagine where they will receive their instruction
and be well cared for and free up that OAC current, OAC building for the expansion of
those students from Miller, which are waiting lists for many of those programs, and for
for what the future looks like,
the opportunities that we'll bring to students
that we haven't even thought of yet,
that we'll have that building to be able to expand
and all be there together.
And did you show the map that shows like,
Raines is here and that one?
Maybe, I'm the only one that has it.
That one, right?
So where it says Raines Academy,
the current OAC building is just on the other side of that.
So really it's at the same spot as far as getting children to and from school.
It's on the same property, and it makes so much sense for it all to be there together.
And so as I look at this, I know that for some of our staff, they're thinking, oh, no, where will we put all our children?
I'm excited for this, and I know that you will do whatever your shirts say.
I can't remember right this minute, but that's about expanded ideas, new and reaching kids where they are and all of that.
And I know this building will serve you well and that you will deliver incredible instruction and serve our children very well in this new building.
And I'm excited to see what you do and I'll be there to visit.
it and so i'm excited about this idea and the possibility of right sizing so that we have more
opportunities for all our students in all the things that they want to do i just found out today
that a family i know is bringing their children back from private school back to public school
so they can go to miller because the private school doesn't have miller and so um i mean
that miller career center could when i'm thinking about this my numbers are very very
basic but if we have 10 high schools 3 000 kids in each high school ish 30 000 kids 11th and 12th
graders have the opportunity to go to miller that's 15 000 children who could go there for
something that they really are interested in they don't all choose it
but we need more space for more students to be able to do what they love and so
very excited about all of this mr. president I agree Miller is bursting at
the seams but there is a cost to a different student group that I'm
concerned about um so just to be clear i want to make sure are we still designing this oac that's
it's half the size of the facility that they're in today roughly is that fair or no even smaller
even smaller than half yes because that building the original one has a bunch of different programs
in there so true there were some behavioral people in there right correct yeah okay but so it's
but it's fair to say this is a pretty big difference facility wise that this
wonderful staff is used to and that are the kids that are in need like it or not
the public school system we have all different kinds of kiddos and we still
will have them coming and I I'm concerned with servicing them the way
they need to be so I hope that there are brains around this to figure this out
because this is all based on the fact that you want to deliver off-campus
suspension online if I mean please correct me so so instead of a full day
of off-campus suspension where we have every kid in the building we're now
going to slash it in half so they can go half the day at home and these are kids
with addictions probably difficult home life perhaps not everybody so that
that's my concern and why I'm asking these questions I don't know if we were
able to you know sure there's savings but it's at the cost of a kid no we are
definitely thinking about all of those sorts of things and looking at the
programming that is essential for students we know that
students are at the oac for a variety of reasons um and and really that piece of how do we ensure
that we have the right transition programs while they're there but also so that they can transition
back to their home campuses and be successful on that comprehensive campus those are all pieces
that we're continuing to look at and exactly what the model looks like is one that we're still
continuing to refine yes but they're still but what's changed is half of their suspension is now
not supervised we're but we're still looking at exactly what the model will
look like it won't it won't necessarily look like that for all students as we
look through it mr. president I just I want to clarify because I'm a little
confused so we don't know what the model is gonna look like it no we we have a
variety of options that we're looking at with the model that we're looking at
this floor plan of how it can look one of the benefits that we have is that we do have the
current oac building for the next school year and so we're working to replicate this floor plan that
we're looking to build in the current floor plan so that we have that transition year of what that
looks like in our current building and with facilities and how that will look um in there
prior to moving in in our 2728. how quickly are we transitioning to expand miller career if we're
also in the process of trying to figure out what model we're going to go with i'm i'm not trying
to be rude about it i'm really trying to understand how we're going to be juggling both of these
with kids that to trustee casella's point who absolutely are going to need more supervision
than just an online and that seems kind of crazy um is it accurate okay then
that's fair that's a fair question is that accurate or not are we going to
have students that are at the OAC also online for half of their day or for any
part of their day at home or can I ask a question is it prudent that we pump the
breaks a little bit and see how the staff likes this new model and how it benefits our kids before
we go through and build a building based off a model that we don't know if it's going to work or
not i don't know i think where some of the confusion is when you talk about a model is we're
talking about serving it would be accurate to say every kid being served at the oac is being served
in a DAP okay they always see is a discipline alternative education program
it's not a suspension program it is a requirement for some children to attend
a DAP now with that said remember not every kid that goes to the DAP is the
same exact type of kid so what we are currently developing with some
flexibility from the state of Texas to give us this with some ways we can
and educate kids is customizing a program that kids will be treated differently, even though
they're all in a DAP. So you can't just say a kid who is special needs is going to be exactly
served the same way as a kid in Gen Ed. It's two different types of kids, both required to be at
the DAP. Same thing goes for types of kids that are placed in a mandatory placement. There are
There are kids that are placed in mandatory placement by state law, and there are kids that are over there on permissive placements by state law.
There are kids over there that I would put in a category of maybe dangerous.
Then there are kids over there that make a one-time mistake and have never been in trouble in our school system before, but the state law mandates they go to a DAP.
So with that, we are designing a complete program for all sorts of kids, and we're thinking differently.
We're thinking more efficiently on how we can do that in a way that meets all student needs who have to go there.
That's fair, and I hear you, and I appreciate that.
but when we went and did merchants way which now serves I believe it's 185 of
our adult special needs students right yes am I correct on those numbers ages
18 to 22 18 to 22 Katie plus so we did that so and behave we have the program I
mean we had an idea of what that program was going or we had a plan of what that
program was going to look like i i'm i'm just concerned i i'm a little concerned that we don't
have a full understanding right now and do we have a time okay stop with that do we have a timeline
of when we're going to have a plan that's confirmed of like what that's going to look
like for expanding miller and then doing the new oac do we have a timeline i think where there's
still some confusion maybe in the communication we've had tonight is to say we don't have a plan
We do have a plan.
Multiple plans.
We have a plan to serve all the children, and within that plan would be different programs for different kids, depending on the type of kid we serve.
Okay.
But we do have a plan, and it's ready to go, and we know and we are confident that this building will meet the needs of those children in the future.
Dr. Gorski, can I add to this?
You bet.
We do have a plan.
A lot of it is a timeline of showing all the design and also discussing the plan when we also have staff that we need to also deploy the plan to and train.
There's a lot, like you said, we're going to offer different options for students based on the reason for their placement over there.
And I think that is the type of differentiation that needs to be made.
We've been studying the data over the past three years of the students, the number that we have placed there at any given time,
the reasons they have been placed and perhaps how we could have they could
have served their DAP placement differently the real consequence is
they've been removed from their current campus and they cannot access any
location in Katy ISD so they are removed from their campus their schooling their
friends what we want to look at is how can we be even more more intentional
when they do have a temporary 30-day placement 45-day placement we want them
to go back to their campus home campus and be successful and the way to do that is to not
jeopardize their academics and so what we've been looking at is how can we serve them while they are
removed from their home campus but they retain their teachers they retain their classes they
retain their whether it's cap ap or whatever and if they're special education how can we better in
a smaller setting serve their accommodations and i think this is also being sensitive to our parents
and guardians of the students, and like Dr. Grigorski said,
sometimes they make one bad decision,
and sometimes we need to be cognizant of that
and sit down and discuss how can we best serve this student.
They're still removed.
They are taken away from whatever their classes are,
their friends, their activities,
but we're tailoring it even at our alternative placement school,
just like we tailored their education at Merchant's Way,
Raines Academy, Project Tite, Miller,
all the things that we're doing,
And that's what's going to make our district special even our kids that sometimes make a poor decision
That's a variable and the variable is what got you there in the first place
What got us where in the first in the DAP the student who has gotten into the DAP program the variable there of what?
what kind of
Service they're gonna get educational service. Let's call it is
What why are you there in the first place? That's the variability there that yes, that's
whether or not it runs the gamut whether like the decisions they made it's a
permissive it's just a permissive it's just constant bad decisions on the
campus where it's finally okay you're gonna go do a permissive or it's a
mandatory it was a felony of some type alcohol drugs maybe weapons that does
happen and so we want to look at that where it's the first time for decision
they've never been in trouble before, what can we do differently and offer them with the goal that we reinstate them back at their home campus,
where they feel like they're going to be successful and it hasn't been so disruptive.
I understand that this may seem a little arduous and a little nitpicky to pull this apart,
but I can look at the staff that's sitting in the back and I can read their body language.
I can see when they're nodding their heads or when they're shaking their heads.
So they're wanting to hear this as well because these are the students that they're servicing and so I know that it's it's kind of a
Can be a pain to pull this apart and it's like why are you asking all these questions?
Because and I know you understand this I'm just trying to I think it's the timing miss Calhoun
I think a lot of it is if we were to go into detail tonight
This is scheduled for tomorrow with miss Coleman and her staff after school
They're gonna go over the design and what the model looks like and then we have a whole host of
of principals, about 80 of them, that we're going to be working with them in March to
really go over the model.
Because it's going to change how they do the placement.
So there's a lot involved.
I think it's going to be really unique.
I think it's going to be good for the kids.
I think our parents are going to be very receptive to it.
And I think it's just one more positive example of how we want to meet all of our kids' educational
needs.
And I can understand that.
And when we ask these questions, I just want to make sure that we're asking the questions
that maybe somebody else may not ask the question tomorrow because for whatever reason i think that
they are i think that they're here tonight in support and i think it's great that you're here
i think that shows the type of staff they are very um cohesive and i also know miss coleman she
is a great leader and she's going to be talking the model and explaining it and dr craig may be
there as well i don't know but i do know the information is coming this was to present it
to y'all tonight to see the location what it looks like inside but i assure you it's going to be a
very successful model that we implement with that i'm good i'll leave it to anybody else who wants
to ask questions mr president so i i know this staff will make it work and when they understand
it but you all cannot present it to staff before you present it to us because staff calling us and
that's not knowing anything is blindsided as we've heard the term before and um mrs calhoun if if you
had attended the learning walk when we went to OAC you would kind of understand a whole lot of the
things that you're asking questions about the same and I'm so sorry I have three children that do
need my attention so I apologize that I wasn't there that was not intentional to discredit or
to ignore anyone I do have a great growing family that I am trying to attend to so I apologize you
were in school during the time we did what my children were doing that day is not for discussion
here in the merchants way when you miss that I am so sorry my family is not for
you to do okay mr. president miss Simi thank you I think miss Cuzela had okay
can I ask after her I said one yes miss Cuzela hijacked a little bit so I do
have a few more questions sorry and I respect that I have a lot of questions
and I was on the tour at OAC so I have think that is completely irrelevant and
And I'm sorry that that was discussed.
So I was there.
And I'm still asking questions.
Do we know the percent?
You're talking about one-time offenders a lot.
And I get that.
They're a different student.
Do we know the percentage of how many we service at the OAC that are one-time offenders?
Yeah.
So we, with Sherry Ashhorn's office, we have looked at all that data, as Leslie said, over the course of several years.
and really it's roughly over 60% of our students are typically and I don't mean
just one-time offenders many more of our students are one-time offenders but
really have infractions that are of our lower level kind of as we kind of line
out which ones are more significant maybe than others even though they're
all classified in that level four category so about 60% of them are kind
of that of a lower level piece that might have so a little more flexibility
Okay and indeed so forgive me they're gonna have a half a day unsupervised or
supervised? No we haven't we haven't looked at we're not looking currently at
a half day model with that piece. So what then why is this half the size or less
than half the size then? Right so as Dr. Gorgorski said we're looking at some
different options with some virtual pieces for some of our virtual where is
is that happening the with the virtual option would happen with them not it on campus right
so unsupervised correct like but wherever they want to be is that am i understanding that
correctly well ultimately that would be that would be part of the conversation as we look at
placements um with parents as a virtual option for them for that parent as an option yeah and so
that's my concern i know i'm not targeting you or anything but that's the concern i would sign up for
i would offend so i could have then half a day or a day or i don't know what you're going to come up
with and be online and i don't have to be at campus there's a lot of students who'd sign up
for that so how are we going to control that what i would offer is we've just started an entire high
school that is a virtual option exactly today was a school day or no it wasn't a school day all of
our kids were unsupervised i guess today so there are times when children cannot be in school and
behave effectively i don't know where this supervision piece comes from but we like i said
we're starting an entire virtual high school where any child can join choose that if that's the right
model and that's what we're saying with children that may have to attend a dap for a reason we're
going to figure out what best fits that kid's needs and we're going to model for that we're
We're going to do it very efficiently.
Okay, can I ask you a question?
Oh, sorry, go ahead.
That's okay.
Are we still staffing it by half?
We are looking at what staffing looks like to meet the model of this current plan with this building.
So we have looked at how to change the staffing model for that.
Is it roughly half, Dr. Gavarsky?
Where are we at with that?
I have not seen the actual staffing plan for next school year or a future school year yet for that building.
But it will be considerably less, absolutely.
Less kids will need to be served in the building.
You also have to remember when we're talking about the size, there is no cafeteria, there is no library, there is no gymnasium.
So those parts of the building have been deleted from this model.
But those are also things we believe we can still educate a child effectively without those things.
Okay, and so my concern, right, our product, if you will, is a student and their success.
And I don't want a population of students that has served so very well at the current OAC, it does an outstanding job, to suffer.
and typically when a student goes online and we have a virtual high school which
that's a whole nother rabbit trail to talk about but those students are
different we're talking about kids who've broken the code and and or just
play management plan so I that's my concern I want them to be successful and
sometimes they need high supervision typically when someone is breaking a
rule right an offense well and i can assure you everyone involved in the project from district
staff to campus staff all of us we absolutely all are invested in the students being successful
that is part of it and so we have students who who break rules for a variety of reasons
um and so trust me all of us have that as our as our main intention of making sure that our
students are successful um in a variety of ways and and thank you uh we the board approved
expenditure for a design and that's what we've just paid for here tonight but we are we haven't
had seen any it's uncomfortable for me with us particularly something that is so different and
i personally not sure i really agree with the this whole virtual option um to know to move forward
here without any dollar signs about how much this is costing and how we're
financing it. Where, what are the ideas maybe preliminarily of how we're
financing this? Where is this coming from?
I have to go back to our previous presentation and whether or not it was
discussed. We're looking at a total all-in cost of somewhere around $10
million dollars I think that's been shared with the board previously and
we've talked about a proposed way to pay for this if I'm not mistaken mr. Smith
using capital project dollars dollars that had been interest from bond sales
that's in our capital project it was noted that amount amount that's there
tonight which would be more than sufficient to fund a 10 million dollar project we have 17
million there right now capital projects okay i mean i haven't heard any of that conversations
i'd like to know more about that thank you let's see okay thank you um okay so
ms hack and you said maybe i didn't hear you correctly you said the goal was
i guess is the goal for students to retain teachers from their original campus
Yes, we've moved more and more to that model.
Everything we do, we've kind of phased in gradually.
So what's been, I don't know, at least five years now, what we've tried to really stem
is when students make a poor decision and they are placed for 30 or 45 days at the OAC,
we did not want to continue to disrupt their academic schedule.
Many times the students are in the types of classes that are not taught at OAC, AP courses,
courses, dual credit courses, all the CTE courses, things like that.
So we started making the concerted effort that they would remain enrolled in those classes
because the practice before was they were withdrawn from them and then when they went
back, lots of times they didn't re-enter them.
So we've really changed that model so more and more them retaining their classes that
are not taught at OAC in addition to be able to serving them virtually, they got their
chromebooks they've got canvas we've been able to really flex what the students can do and so that's
what we want to continue to do um moving forward okay so i i hear what you're saying i understand
the the premise behind it i'm concerned about our staff though that are at the oac because that
sounds to me like we're gonna take a hatchet to the staffing levels i don't know i wouldn't call
it that i think we're always looking for efficiencies and for and we've been talking about
about how we are making some of our programs more efficient.
I know we talked about the bilingual and ESL,
and this is a program too
that we're looking for efficiencies.
As far as a hatchet, I wouldn't use that term
because all of the principals
got their staffing plans last Thursday.
And because of the declining enrollment,
there are reductions at most of the campuses
because we're reducing the number of staff
because now it is aligned to what the actual enrollment is.
Is anyone going to lose their job?
No.
Is anyone OAC, even though we may be reducing staff there just as we are at probably all
of the campuses except three, Freeman that's adding a grade level, it's how we work with
them and we wait for the resignations and the retirements and then we get everybody
placed in a home.
What's happening at OAC to make it a more efficient model, is it anything different
than what we're doing at the other campuses to make sure that their staffing is aligned
with what their projected enrollment is going to be next year, which is less than what was anticipated.
Okay, then help me understand if the student, if the idea is the student's going to stay with their original campus teacher as much as possible,
who carries the burden for that student? Which teacher at which campus carries the burden for that student?
It's almost like they're dual enrolled. It's very similar to how we've been doing at OAC. This is nothing new.
Let's say we students there was a couple of them every course they had they had
five AP courses and I think I can't remember what a CTE course that student
they remained enrolled with their home teachers but they can receive academic
support from the content teachers at OAC and that model is something that we
replicate in the summer for at Raines Academy which is our extended year
students that are in credit recovery virtual courses or even if they're in
something the academic courses which are for original credit which are online we
keep academic support teachers at range where they can catch the bus into rains
in the summer to get that academic support when they need it and then work
virtually from home the other time pieces of that are being incorporated
into the OAC model this is very similar to before we moved the rain staff into
the new Raines Academy building we did what we called a soft launch model they
were still in the original building which is the the OAC building they were
upstairs that's where Raines was we implemented the model in the staffing
about two semesters ahead of when they moved in that January so that then we
just didn't drop them into a brand new building because you know Raines looks
looks very different and like oh let's let's let's do this different model they
did it within that building it rains before they moved in we're going to do
the same with OAC sure so but help me understand the the original campus
teachers what does the burden look like if you've got teachers at OAC carrying
it and then you've also got teachers at their original campus carrying it and
that doesn't seem like it's an efficiency either we've been doing a
a while it's through their canvas they all have their canvas courses and they
have their Chromebook so it keeps them in contact with their home teachers with
their home assignments they turn them in and we've even seen even when you're not
placed at OAC or when kids are gosh look at the ad kids last week most of them
didn't go to school for five days they were out there I rounded the corner one
day I was out there and there was four or five of them sitting up against the
wall with their Chromebooks I just kind of said what y'all doing I like over
we're getting some assignments done. They're working remote and getting it in and it's their teachers back at their home campuses.
You see that more and more. Okay, then one other question.
What is our plan if, I know y'all say you want to do what's best for the student,
but what if the parent doesn't agree to a partial virtual
setting?
This is a lot of... How much does the parent have a say? The parent does have a say.
Okay. Yeah, the parent, if for whatever reason, if there's a reason they just
they don't want their child at home then of course we would take them in person
at the OAC but we also have parents because virtual is becoming much more
common now and they're very aware of it and we hear even now they know legacy
virtual is opening can my child do a virtual option it's our pits our parents
have been asking for options as well okay I just want to make sure the parent
has some say in it too and it's not just like we're the ones that decide and your
your child committed an infraction and we get to decide because your child committed an infraction.
Does that make sense?
We always work with our parents.
Okay.
Mr. President.
Ms. Fox.
Ms. Champagne.
I'm sorry.
I'm going to be Ms. Fox.
She may not like the questions I asked on her behalf, but I'm glad you asked that, Ms. Timmy,
because that was actually something that I was going to ask too.
And also to go along with that, if let's say a parent decides,
okay, my child can be virtually schooled, but it's not working,
can we talk to them and let them come back to the physical school?
Absolutely.
You know, they do it a few days and are like, this isn't going to be good.
Even my kids who weren't in OAC, I know a couple of them would not have done well.
And I think, you know, even like us both and our children, that would have been so foreign
to have virtual options.
We weren't doing anything like that.
But it's becoming more and more a part of the world.
Think about legacy virtual.
We're going to have kids that want to enroll at legacy virtual.
We're going to have to monitor them.
If they are not successful in the virtual world, they've got a seat waiting for them
back at their home campus.
And then I just have a couple other questions.
Let's see.
Oh, so I know that this is just a week away, but we're going to have this again in front of us next week.
So I'm going to actually agree with Ms. Calhoun about this, is about having some kind of plan.
Can we see some kind of plan to look at at least for next week?
I don't know.
I know that these may still be up in the air, but like some kind of guesstimation of what a plan could look like.
Yes.
Yes, Ms. Champagne.
We can certainly do something to provide for the board so that you have it in the interim.
As Ms. Hack said, there's a number of other steps that we want to make sure that we have the opportunity to talk to OAC staff, but then other principals later on as well.
So we can certainly provide you all with kind of what our planning has been on that piece prior to next Monday.
I think that might make some of us feel better about this.
I mean, I understand the importance of it,
and I am a big proponent of expanding Miller and all that,
and I love that we found a place to put the OAC,
and I understand the whole, but I also see the other side of, you know,
what is the plan, you know, so.
And it may be what you're going to present to us,
I don't want to hold you to it because I realize this is fluid,
And like you said this is still another over a year away and things could change by that time, too
So I would we can definitely provide you with the draft of what we've planned out
Mr.. President, I'm sorry just be clear there would be
Half the number of or a third of the number of whatever it is the building is much smaller the seats are fewer
So there's less opportunities for a family or a parent to request
supervised
OAC. I mean that's just that's just a well fixed number. And I will tell you our OAC has a finite
amount of students placements in it right now right with that piece so as we as we look at
that and we monitor those numbers weekly as they come out so for example last year when or maybe
it was even two years ago when we had first time vape offenses and everybody went to the OAC and
And so we had to look at our capacity at the OAC
and make adjustments as needed.
And that's what we were wanting to not have to do
as much with some of that, but we do that regularly now.
So we get weekly updates of where that looks like,
and Ms. Coleman and I have conversations
if we need to make adjustments and what that looks like.
So right now the OAC capacity for students
is a finite amount due to different regulations.
But the capacity is being slot, I mean, it's going to be in half at least, correct?
Correct.
That's my point.
Yes, yes.
But right now we don't have any of those other opportunities for students to serve in a different capacity either.
I'm fully aware, and that's the problem that I have, right?
The virtual part of that is what's allowing you to do that.
And we're not talking about ag kids.
We're not talking about virtual legacy kids who can handle all day virtual online.
We're talking about a certain population of students.
And I'll stop.
I think with that, Ms. Cuzela, I want to reiterate the type of kid that goes over there.
I think you're making a huge assumption that every kid that goes to a DAP is the type of kid that is a terrible, horrible, bad kid who needs constant supervision.
That's not accurate.
That's not what our data shows.
There are many kids that go to the DAP as a first-time offender who are just a regular kid or even an advanced placement type kid that serves all types of kids.
And what we're trying to communicate tonight is that we are designing a program that meets the needs of all sorts of kids.
Once again, we are doing so much choice in this district and with some flexibilities now that we have that we can build choice programs that meet all sorts of kids.
And that's all we're trying to communicate tonight, but it seems to always trail back to we're putting
Bad kids out on the street with no supervision
Who can't be trusted to do anything more than go to a place and be locked up all day?
That is not what we're designing and that is not our vision
okay good because when you go to the oac and you tour it it's highly structured it's a very
different environment highly controlled certain entries and exits so there's a reason for that
there is a correctness because there is but it's also very manpower intensive if you notice when
we were touring miss coleman was very strategic on having to play staff to do things other than teach
it is those types of things through the design of the building with vlk and the architects with
with Ms. Coleman and Dr. Craig,
what are some of these safety things
that we have to use personnel to do
at the existing building that we can embed
into the design, which is access controls
and where personnel is located
and control of students and their movement
about the building.
And I think it's gonna work very well.
Can I just ask one more question?
What is the max right now of seats
that we have at the OAC?
see the max right now we hold 120 junior high kids 225 high school kids in about
15 elementary and 15 elementary we have never had 15 elementary at one time I
would like to write that is what the room would hold okay so on state law got
it so 120 225 and 15 okay got it and then what would be the new max seats at
the new location right so looking um and all of those rooms have some flexible opportunities for
them so right now they're not necessarily solely a junior high room or a high school room except
for those elementary classrooms because we do want to keep our elementary students completely
separate from our secondary students so we have two elementary classrooms that would um be upwards
of 60 or 30 as Miss Coleman said that's not an anticipated amount but just
having that opportunity there if need be at some point and then looking at the
secondary classrooms then there are about 180 spaces in secondary that's
junior high and high school combined how often do y'all max out at the OAC for
for junior for secondary right now our right now our enrollment it runs between
180 to 190 right now at this time of the school year right obviously different
times of the school year ebb and flow we're kind of in a busy spot as we go in
the spring and we continue to monitor that to really keep that number really
under 200 or right there around 200 is our goal thanks
Thanks.
Mr. President.
Ms. Fox.
So during COVID, when everyone was home learning virtually,
did our students succeed during that time?
Right?
Not all of them.
Not all of them.
The data would suggest no.
Well, I think we were able to keep people out of trouble
and be able to still.
our teachers taught students virtually for almost an entire year.
I'm not saying that is ideal and we don't want to ever have to do that again.
But being virtual, when you think about students who are there and, you know,
my kids' friends here and there made a decision that wasn't wise.
And AP kids were sent, like, I think the mandatory back then was 90 days.
and it was all 90 days and there was not a you know then we moved to more of a
whatever it is 30 and 60 and in a step down because we found that children were
they that children who for example vaped go for 90 days and they're with children
who are as dr. Gorg or ski said sometimes dangerous or or maybe
maybe confrontational, and it just wasn't a good mix.
So I know that you all have turned that into a, like you have more space now and you're
able to manage all of that.
But when you think about all of the children who have a placement at the OAC because of
a rule, a mandatory placement, I think we can serve those children in innovative ways
and still deliver really great instruction and get give them an
opportunity to earn their way back to campus absolutely that's the goal right
successful reentry back to their home campus all their programs or academics
and that's what we want to focus on and you're right mrs. hack about when we did
the learning walk we we did see a lot of structure mrs. Cosell you're exactly
right a lot of structure my goodness mrs. Coleman does a fantastic job and
her staff there like i was so impressed it really touched me to my core on what what you all are
doing there but it's a big space and there were not many children in every classroom and by design
you have the room to do that and that's great but we i think there would there is an opportunity to
to do the same with a smaller space
because I trust our incredible educators
to deliver great instruction and serve children well.
And if it doesn't work, you'll modify it.
You'll figure it out.
We always have.
Mrs. Fox, I would encourage you,
Mr. Cross shared a link with me.
We talked about it outside of a board meeting,
but just about he shared a link with me about a gentleman that just testified in front of the
senate about how gen z is not as smart as the prior generation and he yeah he feels um it's
because of too much time virtual learning so um that's just something that i would encourage you
to ask mr cross to share that with you because i think that um really opened my eyes to it and if
we have students that maybe the classroom setting is harder for them i would love for the oac to be
able to turn the classroom setting into a win for them i i i will ask him and i think when we do the
ai discussion we'll talk more about how all of that new transition of how things are going to
be delivered without real educators in front of kids which i'm not in favor of but i can see all
kinds of changes coming in the very near future and so I still applaud dr.
Gorg or ski for his innovative thinking on how to serve all the children and
give everybody opportunities to be successful and I believe this is one of
them Thank You dr. Craig so if I'm hearing right we're not gonna necessarily
force a different conversation we're forcing anybody to go into virtual
education parents and families get to choose that because they think that is
best for the kid yes so that'd be a different thing as far as a virtual
education for a high school we are allowing people to school choice for
this if a family was to say this isn't the right selection I can't be home my
kid will be unsafe I'm gonna send a seven-year-old home by themselves if
parents don't know we're not even considering that at all for elementary so for spitballing here
there's a the board saying let's double the budget and build a second bigger building increase the
cost and the expenditures that will ongoing to carry that building does that no okay there could
be expenses cut somewhere perhaps and then applied towards these students yeah i would love to
entertain that or would is there anything that would keep us if this didn't work to go back into
the current building we're not
miller's needs the space we get more money per student allotment for miller too
i mean that's that it's a financial decision is what's happening
also the space there's built onto it mr president what i'm saying is there are many there are many
options here if the board to say hey we want to increase the budget for and
build a tear it down and build a brand new three-story building where it
currently exists the OAC let's let's do that I mean those are those are all
options what we're looking at is what is financially doable what does new state
law that was changed for specific instances like this with more permissive
placements not mandatory lengths of stays so kids should be able to do you
know not with good behavior but those that perform are able to get out sooner
right if I remember correctly so I guess I'm trying to figure out is we're trying
to figure we're trying to look at yes financial decision right because we
whether we like it or not our funds are dropping the state has incentivized us
and told us that if you can do things like this,
we will give you money to educate kids virtually.
We give them the option,
or at least allow them to opt out at times for this.
So I'm trying to figure out what is the better option,
leave them in the building and do nothing,
which is always an option.
We can always do nothing.
That doesn't address our maintenance and operations.
It may leave some money and interest in sinking for a while.
I don't know, I hear a lot of questions, but I'm wondering what direction do we want to
give in regards to this?
Do we want more information about it?
Want to be able to build a bigger building so that we can support the same number of
kids or more kids?
Yeah, those are great questions.
Sorry, I'm responding.
Yeah, I
This affects a student and that's why this is very sensitive to me and these are kids
I mean maybe 60% I don't know. I don't know how I would like to look at the numbers actually if it's
Truly just these not a big deal students. Well then
But I do know the OAC model is extremely
deliberate right
They are there with very high structure for a reason
right so when we we're pulling back on the structure
for these kids some of which need it and yes a parent could request but at
the end of the day we are lessening those spots so there won't be
as many opportunities even if the parent requested
it's a smaller availability correct mr president may i please say something
and i i appreciate what you're saying but let me just say this
What I heard Dr. Craig say, and I think, I don't know if Ms. Coleman said it too, but the goal is under 200 kids, and that's usually what's in there.
So when I add up 180 plus 30, and normally we don't even have up to 15 for elementary, but there is an extra classroom.
So that other extra elementary classroom could end up being a secondary classroom if you had to anyway.
But let's just say, let's just use the 30 plus the 180, so that's 210.
So we can seat 210 kids, and our goal is under 200.
And right now, what you say, we have like between 180, 190.
So we're at that anyway.
So our typical day at the OAC is 180, 190 is what I'm hearing.
What's 360?
That's how many chairs there are, but they're not being used.
She said that under 200 are there.
Actual enrollment is under 200.
Actual enrollment.
Right now.
Yeah.
She said there's 180 to 190, but they can seat 360, but they don't seat 360.
So what I'm saying is on a typical day, we would have enough room for everyone to be in there.
That's what I'm hearing.
Am I correct with that?
So if we just go by what a typical day is at OAC, we have enough room for everyone there.
there and if some of them want to do virtual and it's okay with the parents
and they did one little thing and they're 17 years old or whatever then
they have that option but it sounds like even if they didn't want to do it but it
sounds like most kids will be able to be in that building if we're going by what
it is like today that's what we in next year all our kids are going to be good
and they won't have to go a OAC anyway but but that's what I'm hearing that
that we have enough for on a typical day,
the number of students that we typically have.
Is that correct?
Yes, that's what we're anticipating.
That number is pretty close to what our average day runs.
Just because we have 360 chairs doesn't mean
we're using 360 chairs.
And therefore, Mr. Redman, we don't need an extra floor
and all that.
What about at the end of the year?
Is it still averaging 180, 190, or is it higher
as we get to the end of the year the end of the year does typically run a little
bit higher for a couple of different reasons obviously springtime does bring
out the best in some and so typically though we're still running close to
right around 220 at that point as kind of our highest point but there's a
number of other reasons for that as well right now we have some periods of time
where we can't send students back to their home campus because right now they
they do come over and have teachers at OAC,
even if they're retaining their home campus Canvas.
And there are some times during testing
that make it difficult for us to send students back
to their campuses or during exam time
at the end of the semester.
And so we're trying to work with technology
on some ways to do that,
where sometimes students' placement might be extended
for a little bit during a testing window,
which obviously is not what we wanna have to do either.
So we're working on some opportunities
to make sure that we're not holding any kids longer than we have to just because
of technology and switching back and forth between buildings I guess mr.
resmin so my my reservation is is that we've designed a building off a plan
that our teachers don't know about yet that's my that's my reservation and
maybe miss Kuhlman is completely comfortable with that maybe she had a
ton of input and I just don't know it and maybe the teachers are comfortable
if she did have a lot of input I don't know that would be great to know because
when I heard oh we have a plan where we have this design but we don't have the
plan yet I'm like doesn't that doesn't mean logically doesn't make sense in my
brain but maybe because I'm think with numbers but that's my that's my
hesitation so can miss coleman does your feel comfortable speaking to that i mean she certainly
can come up she's been part of our design process from the beginning piece of that too so yeah so i
think we're just trying to make sure that we're being financially responsible and educating kids
in the best way possible and so i think that um i don't think it's any secret that there's growing
pains is that the right word growing pains um financial pains are our staff and i don't want
speak out of turn but is um pretty used to shifting and adjusting as necessary and so
i mean we're i don't know if that answers your question okay but okay yeah okay
what are the questions
Mr. President, I do want to ask Mrs. Coleman, you've been included in the discussions?
I have been in design meetings, yes.
Okay.
And so you're part of the design process and you talk through, you know your students,
you give them the feedback on, I have students that do this and in the spring it gets really
busy and we really can't have a room full of 25 children.
You're telling them all those things.
Yeah.
So TEC actually dictates a classroom size for an OAC for DAP at 15 to one.
And so that's something that's just dictated by Texas Education Code in general.
Commissioner's rules, I think, technically is the answer.
And your mandatory placements and how long children stay and your requirements for early return, all those things.
You've got all of that.
You know all of that.
And so does Dr. Craig.
So as you're planning things, are they taking all of that into account?
Oh, we talk frequently.
She's very familiar with students on our campus.
So, yeah, we do look at placements.
We're always looking at ways to make sure that kids are returned back to their home campus as quickly as they can reasonably be returned, right?
As quickly as safe and as reasonable.
So, yeah, we do talk through those things.
Okay.
And so as the design is happening with this building, you're being included in how it's going to work, and you're telling them, I'll need more of this, and you understand?
Yeah, we've had several meetings, several discussions about the design.
You're confident I'm confident.
Mr. Edmund.
Ms. Teeming.
do you have any appetite or does the board have any appetite in allowing us to pump the brakes
a little bit and understand we're in a pickle and there's a financial issue here but is there is
i see some wisdom in possibly pumping the brakes and allowing this plan to be implemented for
six months to a year and then going from there then we can have an idea of what
what our facility needs actually are.
I didn't know if that's,
I would feel more comfortable doing something like that.
I don't know if there's an appetite on the board for that,
but I just, I'm concerned,
teachers aspect, parents, students,
there's just a lot of concerns
if we're creating a new plan
and we haven't tried it with our staff yet.
yet so what information would you want to know that would make feel confident
moving forward I'd like to get feedback from the staff that are gonna be
implementing the new design yeah that's only fair and they will they're being
informed of those things tomorrow would you say they're gonna see all this
tomorrow we're meeting with our our teacher and different groups on our campus throughout this
week to discuss um you know a little bit more in depth everyone's been given kind of a broad
overview but we wanted to make sure that the board got it first would y'all y'all be able to update
us after those those things happen this next week sure just from being a former teacher i see a
value in and teachers actually getting to live it before we invest make a huge investment like this
So I think they'll have some input now, I hope, but I also think they would have input like, oh, I wish I would have had the restrooms over here instead of over here, or I wish I would have had a window in this room so then it could be a reward.
Or I don't know. I'm just I'm just saying I just think they might have some input if we give them time to
Actually implement it before we I just see I just see wisdom in
Implementing a plan and then creating a building instead of creating a building and then implementing a plan
So I might be in the minority and that's fine, but that's kind of where my
my issue is.
I can see that.
What I feel like I've heard communicated here tonight
was more of questions about the plan,
not necessarily the blueprints of the building.
Most of it was who's getting sent home, who does this,
the decision to go smaller.
And so my question would be is what's going to change
between now and the six months or whatnot
not if it's presented tomorrow or staff's able to see it have more input
is the answer gonna be we build a bigger building and so that's all I was asking
earlier if we have the budget and we want to say build a bigger building I
mean I guess I'm wondering good but we won't know that right but we don't know
that until we actually see what this looks like first that's that's where I
stand and so mrs. team is what it looks like mrs. Timmy so the questions you
have asked is about the building but we won't have a building for them to test
it out so how will they know if it works if we don't build the building yeah well
I think they said I think someone said earlier they were going to try and do
try and implement this now right to use the footprint of the new building next
year in the existing yes got it that's my thinking sorry does that also include
like the trial run or a test case scenario of working out to where you
have kids that are going home that are working from home is that also going to
be included in that do you mean for next year yes okay I believe that's the plan
so mr. mr. president I'm gonna go ahead and this is how I feel about it if
you're if you're trying to take a let go some sort of poll I feel good about when
when they said that there's usually 180 to 190 kids in there,
regardless of how many seats there are,
it seems like they don't use all those seats.
It seems like they use about half of those seats.
And so once I heard that,
I was good with the 210 seats that they are going to have.
Plus, if you look at that, remember spring is more.
I know, spring 220, so that's only 10 extras, and 10 of those will probably, could do virtual
school if they, you know, if they choose to.
But if I could go back to that plan, I know this is going to sound so crazy, but when
I was looking at this, I'm sorry, I thought we were done, so I closed it down.
but I noticed in here on the floor plan
okay because I've seen this before at Windbourne and and so don't think I'm
crazy but like that break room could be a classroom you know that conference
room could be a classroom that large flex room could be a classroom and
And there's another workroom.
Well, the workroom probably can't because it probably has copiers and stuff in it.
But I see at least three rooms.
Because I've seen, have you all been to Taylor lately?
I mean, they have converted every little storage closet into an office.
And they have used, I think the diagnostic office is now a classroom.
So there is other places here.
And if you're saying that at the end of the year you think 220, that's only 10 more than what this is built for already.
And I see at least three other rooms here.
No, it's only built for 180.
I know, but Taylor was only built for whatever it was, 2800 or something.
And they've got, I think, I don't know, 3100 or something like that.
I'm telling you, they have used every little nook and cranny of that school.
I'm not saying that that's optimal, but it's not like it's so limited.
There are other spaces here that can be used.
Do I make any sense about this, Dr. Pervorsky?
Yeah, you can repurpose things.
And, Mr. President, I would add in that when we take the space that is at Miller
and operate it as if it's going to be the smaller spaces,
we could do that now for the rest of the spring semester.
Try it out if we need to as they're building to know that,
hey, I need the bathroom closer or this is happening,
and increase the class sizes maybe where you are now.
Because I agree with Mrs. Champagne that this building would service
mostly the children that we see there,
and I think the virtual could work for many of the children.
and I know that these people are used to change because it changes constantly and
you are used to change and adapting based on your students and a classroom
walls and classroom I mean a building hallways and transitioning students or
logistics but you know what students need and how to serve them and I know
you will make it work whatever building you are in because you're incredible professionals
and I trust you to do that.
And it will have its challenges because every change does.
But if we wait another year, it's another year that students who want to have opportunities
at Miller, who want to pursue a possible career so that they're not going off to college and
getting college debt or they want to try something out before they go to college to see if that's
what they want to pursue we're telling them no it's full you can't come to the miller because
there aren't opportunities and there are more programs that we could offer if we had more space
and those buildings are much more expensive to build so i i don't want to wait i want to
serve all students and give other students who have earned the right not
earned the right but made a mistake they vaped or they or they drank they had a
drink when they were on him you know coming home from a band trip or whatever
I don't know put it in their water bottle whatever they did like give those
students the confidence that we know we can give them by doing partial day they
are partial at home and and let the parents say it was a one-time thing my kids are really good
kid please don't and it's like sorry it's mandatory right those things we have to be adaptable and
that's what you all are it's what you are all of you miss cassman do we we own all that land around
the building too right that's correct um are there any buildings in our district that we haven't
remodeled or added on to because we outgrew them and we needed to change the way programming went?
It's an ongoing thing as the programs change, so just like coming up on McRoberts.
Is there anything with this site plan that would keep us, if, again, just, I'm asking questions,
what if everything goes wrong and for some reason the plan didn't work? Is there anything that would
keep us from extending one way or the other or using the site to expand capacity no not all but
the only thing would be like detention requirements or something but yeah there's some options there
so we could we we continue to grow and interest rates drop and they're building houses
they're building skyscrapers on the north side of katie that a thousand kids move into
and we've got to build 10 new high schools right whatever or just coming up
with scenarios and we need to triple the capacity or quadruple the capacity of
the OAC can we add on to the building we can move forward the design that out
allows us to go out or up so we discussed that but for now if we build a
building this size we are not locked in to paying for and staffing and running a
a large building in the future.
And if the plan were to change, we can add on and build,
just like we've done with Miller there in the back
and Raines Academy and Katie Junior High
in the back of that picture that we're not,
it's not labeled, it should be labeled as a great school.
And then Hutzel is back here and we've done it,
if anything, we're flexible and able to figure it out.
So I would say this entire process is built
that we presented to staff tomorrow.
um we're able to hear about it and maybe there's something that would cause
each of us to vote a different way next week when we consider this uh agenda item i think
was the best best route forward and then we can use our voice as a vote mr president if i may
just in closing on this item just i understand um some of the anxiety and i appreciate the
dialogue and the questions um that's what the board should be doing and trying to get
answers on what we're doing but where I would reassure this board of trustees is
with some of the things I've done as the eight years of superintendent here and
some of the innovations and some of the different things I've had to do that
have worked out fantastically and I'm not gonna let the board down I'm not
gonna let this community down on this project either but if I if I could just
remind you of a few things you mean we did project hike the same way in this
district for 20 or 25 years until I brought forward a different vision for
for the LD Robinson to recreate that.
And working with my teams,
we recreated an entire new Rains Academy
that is entirely different than we had ever done that before
in a new building with different things.
And I can't tell you the number of programs
at Miller Career that we brought on board
over the last three, four, or five years
that have turned out fantastic for our kids.
And then you look at what we've done most recently
recently at Merchants Way with 18 plus that had never been done that way for 100 years in this district.
And we're doing it different now.
And we're doing BTP different than we've ever done it before when we were locked into that small little place over at the OAC building.
And we envisioned something better for our kids and our families.
And we built it and we did it.
And this is what we're doing right now with this project.
And it's going to be as fantastic as every other thing that I just mentioned to you.
I know it's different.
I know some people may not see the vision. I know they may not believe in it
But I think I've got a pretty strong track record of leading us through these projects with our teams
Who understand how to do this better and different that's about the best I can leave the board with
Any more questions
We will move on to agenda item 7 10 discussing consider board approval of a contract for the construction of
7.10 Discuss and consider Board approval of a contract for the construction of Elementary School #49
of elementary school number 49, presenter Ms. Gassman.
All right, so a second item.
As Mr. Hines said, we are like $12 million to the good,
and we had seven bidders this time,
and I know the question is why is it so much cheaper?
We've built this prototype 12 different times.
Dramala has built it eight out of the 12 times,
so they kind of know what you're getting,
and sometimes with these Greenfield projects,
there's less unknowns, so that kind of contributed to it.
I have to give a shout out to my staff, the integrity of our department, people like working with us, and it shows what we're getting for a cost per square foot.
Any questions, Board?
Mr. President, I have a question for Dr. Gorgorski and you maybe.
This is about the agenda.
Sorry, Ms. Cassman.
When we build the agenda, do the items have to go in this order?
Is that a requirement of some kind that that Chris Smith does all the talking at the beginning and these sweet teachers sit here
until 10 o'clock
If we know we're gonna have something that has teachers coming and and giving input and that is it possible to move them up?
We do at times if we know folks are coming and we know people for example
The first thing out of the gate tonight was the nomination
nation. Usually we do finance right away. If we have presenters like we do, we try to get them in
if we can. But we are cognizant of that, but sometimes we don't know who's coming. But
certainly we can start looking at it a little bit more differently when Mr. Redman and I put this
agenda together. Because I noticed that when it's like even a remodel of a school and that kind of
thing, our principals and some of the teachers come and that'd just be, you know, if it's,
I don't mean to hurt Mr. Smith's feelings.
He isn't even listening to me.
Yeah, your stuff is very, very important.
Yeah, finance last.
So on item 7.10, any questions?
Mr. President, just a very small promise, small question.
The ranking sheet looks different.
Was there a reason?
Like it's only cost that you looked at?
It should all be the same.
we try to just model everything of from the previous one but i can look into that for you
yeah but it doesn't detail it per um per architect or proposer like usually we see
uh all the categories and how they ranked per category uh but in this we're only seeing the
cost which i actually like but uh the other criteria that's typical with we do our scene
at risk to show all the different breakdowns but with the csp it's pretty much with the cost
that's probably why then yes different this is CSP because of the type of
delivery method we use Thank You ma'am okay any other questions all right we
will move up Thank You miss Cossman oh well you're still here with us I got two
7.11 Discuss and consider Board approval of Amendment Two to the Stewart Builders, LLC. contract related to the comprehensive renovations at Polly Ann McRoberts Elementary School.
more all right we'll move on to seven point one one discuss and consider
board approval of an amendment to to the Stuart builder LLC contract related to
the comprehensive renovations at Pollyann McRoberts Elementary School so
So this is the second amendment for it in the final GMP.
Similar to Hays, we have additional costs were incurred to the underground plumbing we found when we were doing the camera,
the lines, fire lane and water, Harris County requirement.
And then for McRoberts, we're adding three classrooms for special ed.
Right now they're integrated in another hallway, so it poses some challenges bringing those kids.
So now we'll be able to put everybody in one hallway, and then all of second grade will be able to come into the building.
Any questions, Board?
Yeah, Mr. President.
Ms. Gazelle.
So we're funding it through the bond allocation, 21.9, furniture, 1.2, and then bond project savings, 5.5.
Is that the total of the plumbing issue?
No, it's a combination of all of the above.
You know, the three-classroom addition, restrooms is part of that, and the underground plumbing.
But we're using 5.5 that we weren't planning on.
Correct.
And so I was just curious, where was that from?
All of that, you're saying?
Yes, all of that.
Just whatever.
Pricing was changed, I guess.
For example, we didn't have to do the underground plumbing in the original estimate
because we were not aware of that at the time.
Doing the fire lane, that's a Harris County requirement,
even though the school's been there forever.
Now that we're going in there doing a renovation,
they're making us make those changes.
Thank you.
Any other questions?
7.12 Discuss and consider Board approval of an agreement with SPARK and Katy Independent School District for Bear Creek Elementary School.
We'll move on to 7.12, discussing the board approval of an agreement with Spark and Katy Independent School District for Bear Creek Elementary School.
Yeah, so the Spark group out of the City of Houston, the campus reached out to them and we're going to be working with them on a project to expand that playground in the back.
They're a non-profit, similar to what they've done at Bethke and I believe Windborn.
So once again, just another project for the kids out there.
Mr. President?
Ms. Champagne?
I would just like to say that is so awesome that they're getting this.
I'm so happy with SPARK doing that because I've been over to Bear Creek a few times and
they do have a large area out there to play in.
And I know the community, the neighborhood, and since that school is right in the neighborhood, a lot of neighborhood kids go over there to play.
And, I mean, I think that that's just so cute.
A little cute little school in a sweet little neighborhood that brings the community together.
So I think that's awesome.
We'll be working together with the campus and the architect and the Spark people to get the right elements inside there.
This has been a second compared to what we would normally spend on a.
Playground when we if we were building one would we spend $230,000 is that similar.
It's very similar.
Mr Edmund we don't always do a new playground with a renovation project right so the spark
people they were really excited about this too because spark is a nonprofit so they they
They try to look for areas to build their parks where their other parks don't exist.
And because of where Bear Creek is located, like Ms. Champagne said, center of the community,
they were really excited about being able to do that there where they really feel like they can have a big impact on the entire Bear Creek community.
So it's a pretty cool project, and the school obviously benefits from that as well.
So we're excited about it.
And I'm just going to say, that also really benefits not just the community but that school
school because I've been over there when they've had their carnival a couple of times, different
times, and they turn out for that carnival, but most of it is outside in that area.
Most of it's outside.
They're going to really benefit from that.
I'd love that for that school.
That community and that neighborhood is awesome.
Am I reading this correctly?
That our portion is going to be just $5,000?
The campus, that's part of the agreement with SPARK.
The campus has to come up with $5,000.
and since we're out there doing a renovation,
we're going to see what we can do to help supplement
what their needs are out there.
We're going to see what we can do to help find that $5,000 for that campus?
Is that what you're saying?
No, I think the campus needs to come up with that,
but if there's things that maybe we can help with outside of that,
we're going to try to do that.
Okay, I got it.
Yeah, and we've worked with admin,
so we've talked about that a lot with admin staff,
And then Stan Tech is actually helping provide all the architectural design and that sort of thing.
So they're helping out and throwing that in, too.
So it's a good project.
Any other questions, Board?
All right.
I'm going to step out for one second, and I'm going to let Ms. Fox run the next few.
Thank you.
7.13 Discuss and consider Board approval of the proposal for the Building Management Control System replacement at Tompkins High School.
We'll now proceed with 7.13, discuss and consider board approval of the proposal for the building management control system replacement at Tompkins High School.
Nathan Fuchs, good evening. How are you?
I'm good. How are you?
Good evening, board members and Dr. Grigorski.
Tonight I have two items for your consideration.
The first item is the replacement of the building management control systems at Tompkins High
School.
The existing system is no longer supported by the manufacturer and replacement parts
are no longer available.
This project is included in the 2023 Bond Component Replacements Program and is anticipated
to be completed by March of 2027.
Happy to answer any questions you may have.
Any questions, Board?
7.14 Discuss and consider Board approval of the proposal for the chiller replacement at the Taylor High School Natatorium.
Hearing none, we'll move right on.
Mr. Fuchs with 7.14, discuss and consider board approval of the proposal for the chiller replacement at the Taylor High School Natatorium.
The second item is the Natatorium chiller replacement at Taylor High School.
This replacement is necessary due to ongoing mechanical equipment failures and decreased operating efficiencies.
The project will be funded through the 2021 bond proposition C project savings as anticipated to be completed by October 2026.
Happy to answer any questions.
Yeah, question. Madam Vice President. Yes, Mrs. Thank you. So I just want to make sure I understand. So bond 2021 Prop C did pass, but Taylor wasn't on it. It just was Freeman High School. There's savings in that bond. We're not pulling from 2023 because Prop C did not pass. That's correct. And so we're using bond 2021
2021 Prop C that passed bond savings to address a pool concern at Taylor.
That's correct.
Because we don't, I guess if we had 2023 Prop C funds, I don't know, would you pull from that?
But, okay, I want to make sure that was verbalized.
Go ahead.
It's going to use all remaining funds in that Prop C.
And complete it.
Yes, ma'am.
Thank you.
Mr. Veerling, did you want to say something?
I was just going to reiterate, and I know Ms. Cosella was kind of clearing it up for the community,
you can only use that Prop C money for natatorium components.
So in this one, and Nathan, I'm surprised you didn't say it,
because this is going to save a bunch of money on the backside,
because this piece of machinery is running nonstop.
It drives our guys crazy, and this will help a lot on the energy savings piece too.
Yes, I knew there were people disappointed that Prop C didn't pass for the 2023 bond for that fix at Taylor.
Just wasn't aware it could be pulled forward so far, but I guess it doesn't matter, as long as it's Prop C.
We're looking at, to echo some of Mr. Verling's comments, our natatoriums for the chillers,
our chillers for the natatoriums run pretty much 24-7.
By going to a more efficient chiller, we're paying an extra $18,000 for this more efficient chiller,
but our GOF will actually save $12,000 a year in operating expenses.
So just to kind of echo that.
Any other questions, Board?
7.15 Discuss and consider Board approval of the renewal of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Risk Management Fund Casualty Program for Plan Year 2026-2027.
All right, we'll now move on to Item 715,
Discuss and Consider Board Approval of the Renewal of the Texas Association of School Boards Risk Management Fund Casualty Program for Plain Year 2026-2027.
And our presenter is Lance Nelman, Director of Risk Management.
Good evening, President Redman.
Dr. Gowarski and Board of Trustees. In March of 2025, the Katy Independent School District of
Trustees approved the renewal premium quote for the casualty coverage with TASB Risk Management Fund
for a 12-month period. Renewal premium provides auto liability, general liability, cyber security,
police liability, school board liability coverage for the district at a cost of $542,730.
The Risk Management Department seeks to renew this program, which provides casualty coverage
for the district.
Because the district continues to grow, adding more assets and employees, the renewal premium
is offered higher than an expiring term.
The increased premium is a result of increased exposures related to organic growth, inflation,
and increased reinsurance rates in the marketplace.
place. This program provides commercial auto coverage for vehicles owned, operated, and leased
by the district. Additionally, the program provides a general liability coverage for actions against
the district resulting from the day-to-day operations. Next, cyber liability protection
is afforded in this policy. Lastly, the program extends school board legal liability coverage for
claims related to administrative issues. Enhancements to the existing coverage include
violent acts coverage for expenses resulting from mass incidents at
district locations. This program has been reviewed for adequate adequacy of
coverage, availability of service, and cost. Authority is granted to purchase
the coverage through CRV Legal. It is recommended that the Board of Trustees
approves the renewal of the TASB Risk Management Fund Casualty Program for
for plan year 2026-2027.
Questions, Board?
Mr. President.
Ms. Gazelle.
So you got one.
Just TASB risk management, or TASB offering,
excuse me, was evaluated.
There was no other quote.
I didn't hear what you said at the very last.
I'm choked up.
This is an emotional topic.
Did you get a quote for this from multiple offer vendors? I know I always ask that.
Yeah. And I'm asking this time I thought about exposure. Maybe not now, two years
from now, three years. I mean TASB is successful at this moment in time. What
happens when maybe it's not a great offering anymore? So please. We try to
I think I answered your question in a couple ways.
This is an interlocal agreement
that we access this coverage through.
It allows us not to have to,
with other commercial markets,
we'd have to go out, hire a TBA to handle claims,
things of that nature, so it adds expense.
But I do do an informal search with brokers in the industry,
and every year, you literally can't beat this deal.
Yeah, I realize.
It's a very economical deal,
and they're very experienced in handling school district claims.
So they've done a really good job for us year over year.
I realize that.
I respect that.
But just things can happen if we're dependent on this one.
Well, everybody is, I guess.
We have a problem here because we have one entity.
I'm sorry.
In a worst-case scenario, let's say ASB was not an entity that we could look at,
we would have to go out to the market and look at all available options
that would be presented to us.
And be prepared for something perhaps better.
You never know.
But okay.
Thank you.
Any more discussion, Board?
Thank you, Mr. Nauman.
Thank you.
7.16 Discuss and consider a resolution supporting the free exercise of religion in Katy ISD schools.
We'll now move on to Item 7.16,
Discuss and Consider Resolutions Supporting the Free Exercise of Religion in KDISD Schools.
schools. And I'll be presenting. So Board, you're aware Senate Bill 11 issued that before
March 1st, each school district needed to adopt a resolution that, or not, that would
say whether we are going to move forward with implementing a school district sponsored period
of prayer it incorporated some the requirements or restrictions couldn't be
during instructional time had to have a waiver signed by everybody in the room
had to provide a room at every campus every day of the week for every religion
that wanted to practice it could not be over the loudspeaker can be used in the
PA I'm sure I'm forgetting some of the other ones the waiver had to waive
claims of the First Amendment against the school district and so what we have
here is resolution that believe is a strong affirmation of religious freedom
and KDISD. Our students already have the right to pray individually, to read their
Bibles or religious texts, to meet in faith-based clubs, to live out their
beliefs at school. That has not been something that has been brought to this
board, that accusation that a campus has tried to limit that. I asked my kids and
said, boys if you were praying at school is anybody going to come up and stop you?
and they said no I said if you were having a Bible study at lunch would
somebody come up and stop you they said no I said if in the middle of a test you
got up and walked over to your friend Sam and said hey Sam will you come pray
with me would they stop you and they said yes I said okay because you're a
Christian and they said no because it's a test so it wouldn't be a restriction
on religious freedom but they were able to see a difference and so our teachers
Teachers have the right to practice their faith privately as well.
So as we look at that and consider that, the creation of a Senate Bill 11 period of prayer would essentially be as if we were creating a club.
Just like FCA.
I keep using FCA because that's what I'm familiar with as an example.
They would have to have approval be there.
And so I believe, and I believe most of us on this board would agree with this,
that our faith is guided by our families, our churches, our personal convictions.
I mean, we each may choose to attend worship at a different building or a different denomination.
Many of the history of many of the denominations in America, specifically speaking of Christian,
but other faiths don't really like the government telling them what to do the
direction to take and so we have this resolution and it lays out the documents
our commitment it complies with state law it protects students from pressure
labeling division based on belief some of the students shared it affirms
Voluntary faith, parental leadership, limited government, and the freedom for every student to believe or not without coercion.
And so that's what is presented here today.
And we've all had it since Wednesday.
So we'd welcome any discussion.
Mr. President, I think you should read it so that the public can hear it.
All right.
Katy and Penn School District resolution supporting the free exercise of religion in Katy ISD schools.
Whereas section 250823A-1 of the Texas Education Code permits the Board of Trustees of a school district to approve a resolution on whether to require every campus of the district or school to provide students and employees with an opportunity to participate in a period of prayer and reading of religious texts on each school day.
and whereas Senate Bill 11 requires each school board to take a record vote between September 1, 2025 and March 1, 2026
on whether to adopt such a policy and
whereas none of this was previously necessary here as KDIC has a long history and tradition of allowing students and teachers
to meet at times and manners to pray of their own choosing
and whereas the Free Exercise Clause of First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
The Constitution affords students and school district employees with rights, though not unfettered, to freely exercise their religious beliefs, which may include prayer and reading of religious texts in schools.
And whereas the Board of Trustees acknowledge and supports the rights of students to engage in voluntary, student-initiated, non-disruptive religious expression, including prayer in accordance with state and federal law, including Texas Education Code 25.151, the Equal Access Act, and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
institution. Whereas KDISD does not prohibit religious speech, rather we allow students and teachers to continue to meet and engage in such speech, and we do not want to limit that by placing a time, place, or manner restriction on prayer.
And whereas revising or creating this policy may place very limiting factors around the times a student could pray or read scripture and may have the effect of labeling or separating students by belief.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Board affirms that students retain the right to
voluntary pray, read religious texts, or engage in other forms of religious expression provided
such activities are student-initiated, non-disruptive, and conducted during appropriate non-instructional
time.
Two, the Board directs the Superintendent to continue ensuring that district practices
remain to support religious expression in full compliance with state and federal law.
law. Three, the board of trustees of the Katie Independent School District will not adopt
a policy requiring every campus of the district to provide students and employees with an
opportunity to participate in a period of prayer and reading of religious texts on each
school day as our policy already allow and protect prayer. This resolution shall be recorded
in the board's minutes as documentation of the district's formal action under Senate
Bill 11. Presented and passed this day of February 2026 by a vote of the board of trustees
East Gadeon-Penn School District. Questions? Discussion? Mr. Redman? Mr. Redman? Thank you very much. I was just curious who wrote, like where did the resolution come from? I asked our council if they could find some versions that would affirm what we have done in the district.
and give us a way that didn't require us to put multiple locations on every campus every day.
Yeah.
So is it a TASB resolution, or I'm just curious where it came from.
I do not believe so.
I did not receive it from TASB.
Okay.
And then I wanted to know, current day, right now,
I remember when I was a sub I remember those days I miss them but
Certain kids could leave at certain times to go out of the classroom to and usually they were at a library
This was in a junior high
To go pray on their own and when it however they wanted to go so is that currently?
Respected for for any student at any time they can leave the classroom. I mean is that how is that?
But I'm curious, I mean, I don't know.
Like if a kid wanted to solve groups of kids who did that at certain times,
and they're like, hey, I like that idea too.
I want to get out of here, and I want to go pray in the library.
Are we respecting that?
Yeah, I need to know a little bit more about the example,
because as I understood it, we don't let any child at any time leave the classroom to go.
Like, for example, during instructional time, they can't just choose.
it's the middle of math class and say hey mrs. Johnson it's time for me to go
down and do my it doesn't work that way it's not that flexible but all of the
things that mr. Redmond read through and explained about non-instructional time
that generally happens in our schools yeah I mean they do that whenever but I
just remember certain faiths and it could be all kinds of different faiths I
I don't know about but they pray at a certain time of day there. That's their faith. That's how they were
They're required to pray as
the religion dictates
Right, I mean so they're allowed at that time right no
I do know that principals have made exceptions on occasion for students not like a blanket thing
I was thinking more of like this blanket thing that any student at any time could walk out, but if a
principal knows about a certain
accommodation they can make there are times they will flex the schedule it's a little easier with
secondary kids than it is with an elementary kid for the kid to miss out on let's say every day at
9 a.m. it's time for reading instruction and that kid leaves so those things generally don't happen
at that but with secondary there's a little more flexibility for those kind of things make
combinations and the reason why I'm asking is well if it's for them then it should be for everybody
if someone came up with that requirement and so the reason why I'm saying all
this is I guess one and I'm just trying to analyze it if you will this is
something very important and I appreciate the wording in here and I
think the I agree with the spirit of it but if we were to do this then are we
precluding those kids who do want to leave and have a certain time if we
wrote it differently is that something we couldn't have incorporated I don't
know does that make sense what I'm asking on it so there's advisory class
that's non instructional that would be what I would think there's what happened
if we were to do that there's a few options in there there's before and
after school there could be a study hall there could be an advisory could be
during lunch so those are usually the kind of flexible times kids have there
for secondary kids like I said elementary very scripted school day they
They don't have the flexibility of that.
But I also remind the board that students also have the right to leave school for up to one hour a day for religious instruction.
And they can exercise that right as well should they want to leave.
Okay.
So if kids wanted to, I don't know, have a little Bible study during advisory, they could potentially do that and work that out with the principal?
I would assume so, yeah.
As long as it's not instructional time.
Yeah, yeah, he's something reasonable accommodations have been made for I don't know last 50 years on stuff like that sure
Have a question
Do our administrators are they aware that the students have the freedom to do this already?
I mean I would assume so but
I
would as well as well as our administrators are aware of
of school policy, board policy.
All the things that we're talking about
are outlined in board policy in terms of freedom of religion
and exercise thereof.
So if there's a student who has been prevented from doing
a Bible study in class, obviously, it's
up to the teacher's discretion.
I would assume.
But if a student's done with their work and they pull out a Bible and they want to do
a Bible study?
I have never heard of that happening, of a student's right to read freely when it's independent
time.
Right.
Whether they pull out a religious text to read or they pull out a library book to read.
Totally up to them.
I've never heard of a student not being able to do that.
but you know you do got to remember this of having an actual Bible study of a
group of students all in class you have students around that student that may
not be so you need to be cautious of those things so it's not just kind of
open freedom this college I would say that part of that's why that number two
the board were directing dr. Gorski to continue ensuring that district
practices remain to support religious expression so part of that would be
saying we want to make sure that our our principals and our and our teachers and
everybody knows what those like trustee Cuzela I appreciate the spirit and
which this is written in I do I'm uncomfortable with some of what I read
in the Senate bill for a myriad of different reasons I do appreciate that I
just want to make sure that our that we're continuing to make that known that
that you do have the right, you do have the ability and the guaranteed right to express your faith.
As long as it's not impeding on another person in a harmful way, in a violent way, then you can do that.
Obviously, I'm a Christian, and I think I'm a pretty good example of one because I need Jesus every day,
literally every minute sometimes.
Sometimes it's very challenging, and yet he chooses to forgive me constantly, even when I have not deserved it.
So I love that this is – I appreciate this.
I just – I appreciate that.
I just want to make sure that our students and our staff know that they have the ability to express themselves with their religion
and what their religious beliefs are freely as long as it's not impeding on anyone else
and mr president and i'd also like to make make it's clear that is during non-instructional
time too right like it would be like like a high school probably like you said enrichment time or
or something like that not necessarily in a classroom but i see reading a bible by yourself
that's that's one thing but having a whole you know group might not work yes
and I would point out this is a resolution Senate bill 11 required that
we have a resolution that either declares our intent to move forward with
not to have the policy not to enact the policy not to even have a date that the
policy would go into a place just that we approve a resolution one way or the
the other and so this is not a policy this is simply a resolution so it's not
putting any of those things in place but absolutely if our students have the
right not if that was rhetorical they do have the right that we say in here
multiple times then we would expect the board the community say administration
administration would expect that they are able to carry that out.
And I do think that there's, when I joke, I literally asked my kid those questions earlier,
all three of them, at junior high and high school, because I want to know, as a 12-year-old,
does he understand the difference between instructional time when I'm doing these things,
is that the appropriate time to have a Bible study which yes but there's also
it's the middle class you do that during we said early advisory period for after
school at lunch I do I always go back to the joke that when talk about prayer in
school and they would say you know there will always be prayer in school as long
long as we have tests. But again, there's that fine line of those times that, again, in the middle
of the test, you're not going to go grab three of your friends and say, hey, come over here and let's
have a prayer group, or let's sit down and analyze the Beatitudes. It's going to be at those
appropriate times that we have laid out this non instructional time it's
non-disruptive as student initiated that I believe all those things our Supreme
Court has continued to define when you whether you look at a coach that's
praying on the sideline whether you're looking at right that student initiated
part comes from that being non-disruptive and so there's a hundred
different ways that you could say what about this time or that time again not a
policy but trying to say that these are the guiding principles for enforcing or
challenging our super incentives to make sure that we continue to support
religious expression and we honor our state and federal laws when we if and
when we pass this resolution would we be as would be sending this out to our
campus principals making sure that they're aware hey we passed this no this
is not policy but this is kind of like a guideline that we are does the
resolution this is what we expect yes if the board would like me to send that to
principals I certainly can't I appreciate the spirit in which this is
written which just confirms that all of this exists now and it's not just we
we vote no because i do like um us sending it out and telling people that there's a lot of
religious freedom in our schools and students have rights and our employees have rights and
the reinforcement of what we've been doing we have fellowship of christian athletes we have
clubs that have religious basis to them there are um we do pray at the pole we have
all kinds of things that are happening and you know whenever there's a tragedy
or a heartbreak at a school you know pastors are allowed to come and be in a
room where people want to go and and you know have someone to pray with or or get
some spiritual you know support and for each other you know our children were
We're very involved with their youth group, and they ate lunch together, and they would meet at this particular time by the lockers and all the things.
I love that this reinforces what we do and that we're not isolating a religion or a specific prayer.
and we're not saying a time to pray because we don't need that.
And I appreciated what the students said,
and I got calls this week from other people asking, you know,
do I need to come speak at a board meeting?
And I said, wait till we see what this looks like,
and you can speak next week.
But I like this, that all of our religions, people, all of our community
and their various religions are honored with this.
Mr. President?
Mrs. O'Connor?
So SB11 honors all religions too,
so it's not precluding any one religion over the other.
I'm just trying to figure out, and I'll do my homework before next week,
more homework to try to figure out the motivation behind this new bill.
It's brand new, and I'm trying to figure out.
We already have religious freedom,
so I'm trying to understand exactly what we're missing here or I'm missing
there's something there's a reason why it was written I'm reading a little bit
here and I'm just not exactly clear-cut and I remember reading this a long time
ago when it was passed wondering what the motivation was so I'm gonna there
must be something right I mean because they wrote it it's brand new so I don't
do you have the author there he's Mays Middleton wrote it senator Mays
Middleton he's a very he writes a lot of conservative and really he's a very
religious man himself so in smart you know so I just I'm gonna try to look at
opinions up do you I thought that too I mean 30 years ago there was the idea of
the limited public open forum announcements in the morning could be
used to the idea that a kid student would be reading the announcements and
if there was any way that they could maybe share a thought or a joke or they
they had any input into what was being said that there might have been a legal opportunity
that they could pray and it was student initiated and that would be a way to put prayer back
in school.
It didn't gain traction, it went into Santa Fe.
If you remember, I don't know, a year ago, 15, 20 years ago, they also did that at a
football game and then it ended up, they put the kibosh on it and said legally you can't
do that.
So I wondered is this a way to reintroduce prayer in schools and to protect maybe that announcement?
Well, no because the the bill literally says it can't be over the PA
Every person in the room has to not just have a parental permission, but basically with an earshot book and so and sign a waiver
on their rights
Yeah, like that you will not bring that against the lawsuit
So there were some of those things I thought well those things preclude it from if the desire was
We want to put a prayer back in school
So no, I may be to force a lawsuit to
Does does this waving of your right? Is it a legal way to?
Enable some things like that and it was like, okay, let's force a lawsuit and make the courts decide
I don't think that's what would really happen, but it is one of the options that I had in my head. I don't know
Yeah, thank you
Any other comments questions
No
All right, then let's move on to item 717 discuss and consider a formal
7.17 Discuss and consider a formal reconsideration request of the library book, Cat Kid Comic Club.
reconsideration request of the library book
Cat Kid Comic. Board, if you remember, we in December, I believe, finalized our
review procedure. Cat Kid Comic was challenged and it ultimately lies with
us taking a vote next week on whether or not it stays in the library or not. Mr.
Mr. President, so this is our first time to do this, and can we know why it was challenged?
I mean, there's no documentation.
There's nothing there to show.
We got it a long time ago.
I was trying to dig it back up, and I don't know where.
It's part of our board policy.
Anytime we get a formal challenge, superintendent's required to give those forms to the board.
So those did go out quite a while ago when we got the challenge.
We just didn't have the board policy in place yet, but if the board would like to I can have
Miss Davies drop those in under the content for you guys again that way
But they did come out it was before Christmas and it was in a Friday update
But we can put both of them in in the and we can do that in the future too if there are
Other formal challenges just so you have it
tell me what it jump me to share a little bit yes so so what is being
shared with us now that we are the committee on a book challenge is the
actual form that is not new so it's the request for reconsideration of
instructional resources library materials that the parent or whoever
this is submitted it just there's a lot to read though but it goes through you
You know, did you read the whole thing?
What are the reasons why you brought this for reconsideration,
site page numbers and such?
And you could read this person's comments.
Explain why do you think that it's harmful?
And then it goes through the checklist, right, of the penal code, if you will.
Is it one for violence or is it one for body burns?
well oh for the book itself I think this individual was concerned that it was too
violent but you'll have to read and interpret yourself that's how I
interpreted it it will be helpful to read this once you get it so this was
submitted you know way back in September so long ago and that you know I think
honestly it would be good if we had the date submitted on these forms you don't
have it that might be a helpful for us to have that why so because I thought it
had to be 90 days so we received this challenge and the in the next one that
the board will discuss as well around September okay so but we could not do
anything about the challenge because our board policy was out of date with current law which
came into effect September 1, which said the board needed to make a future decision how
we do.
So the previous way we had been doing formal challenges could not be used because it would
have been out of compliance with the law.
So once we put the board policy in place, once the board made a decision to become the
the tribunal to review the book and make a decision.
That's when we kicked in this 90-day review.
So that's probably about the same time.
I may have reminded the board, you can pick up the books.
We have them.
That was probably sometime in December.
And then the board reviewed them and then tell me when you want it back on the agenda
to discuss it within that 90 days.
so we're closing in on since we passed the policy board was informed we've got
to make decision on it correct okay so moving forward if anyone's listening or
frustrated maybe they're not it will never be this long we will be more
efficient with this moving forward
Okay.
You're taking it.
Are we also...
It's a pretty prolific book.
Dave Pilkey is the author.
It's a graphic novel of comic strips about a cat.
I mean, it's not...
I guess it's subjective in terms of what someone deems harmful, which is what has...
brought this up as we're reading it. I'm looking at the document right now because they're saying
that, yes, it's harmful. I own the book. I own multiple copies of the book because I have
multiple children who all love Dave Pilkey's writings. I'm going to disagree on this. This is,
yeah, no.
It's a book. It's a comic book.
That's a little silly.
No, I think you should put it back.
I think we should put it back into circulation.
Like this is
a very
well-known author among children.
He's written a ton
of books. I own probably
95% of them.
It's fine.
But that's just my personal
opinion.
I would like to add, I read it also and it kind of reminds me of some things that my
kids used to read too.
You know, there's a little bit of violence even in fairy tales and things like that.
Children realize that this is not, you know, and plus it's about children who wrote it.
I mean they you know it's children wrote the comic so it's like in a child's
imagination so I agree I didn't find it to be harmful but yeah it's just a goofy
book librarians tell me there's a waiting list to get these books into
into kids hands and if kids are going to read it's that comic strip style and they like it
in an instance like this are correct if parents did not want their kid to read this book they
can go in the system and say do not let my kid check this book out could they search out my
author could they say I don't want anything that this author writes very
search friendly destiny inventory they can go in they can put the author's name
and all those books and they can click and it'll come up that their child
whether it's a hard copy book or even the Sora access but you're right this
one's there's a lot of requests in the queue waiting because we've got it old
Mrs. Hack, when a child checks out a book, is the parent notified?
Yes.
Right?
And is the parent notified when the book is late?
And what books their children are reading?
That's how we keep our inventory, yes.
I have parents telling me, stop, I know, I like the kids' treat.
They can opt out of notifications too.
That's an option.
Mr. President?
Ms. Champagne.
I'd also like to add that books are also age appropriate.
What I mean is by reading level.
So like a kindergartner is not going to get this book probably.
Probably not.
That wouldn't even be probably the section they would be guided to
when they come in with their class and their teacher.
Because as I remember in the children's library at elementary school,
They kind of divide it between K through 2 and maybe a little bit of second through fifth.
Early readers and then the upper.
The kindergarten and first graders probably aren't going to even have access.
Not just that it's scary for them, but, you know, it's harder reading.
You know, it's new readers.
They generally get the bigger size books with illustrations.
So I just wanted to make that up too.
Anything else in regards to 7.17 cat kid comic club?
All right.
Mr. President, like mechanically speaking, how are we going to, because usually in a challenge committee we all do our separate votes and it's majority rules, right?
So we're going to have to, this should always be out of consent, I'm assuming, by nature of this vote?
Yes.
The book challenges.
We'll take a separate one.
Yeah.
Or could we give you feedback and you would kind of know how we're leaning and you could
put it in and someone could pull it if they don't agree?
I don't hear any objection to that vote.
Let me just add this.
This might be forever more.
I mean, this is our first.
So maybe forever more we just don't have any consent because we never know what, you know,
which ones would be contested or not.
I don't know.
You know, it could just be a matter of protocol going forward.
Since this is new, that could just be something.
So next week pull it separate.
And then for now on.
Then going forward.
Just have it separate.
All right.
7.18 Discuss and consider a formal reconsideration request of the library book, Fake News Phenomenon
I believe that works.
Then we'll move on to 7.18, discuss and consider a formal reconsideration request of the library book, Fake News Phenomenon.
The book, Fake News Phenomenon, has been challenged.
And it has made it to us that the board gets to decide if it stays in the library or not
And you please tell me the gist of that one
Sure, I read the book did you read it?
How many of y'all were able to read these books? I'm curious
Okay, all right
Oh
The challenge form they are concerned about it being
politically motivated and biased
It's the 20s it the premise I well a lot of what it refers to is the 2016 presidential election and
You'll have to read through it yourself to see you agree
She thinks it's biased and it shouldn't be there
So part of our part of the selection criteria right on our forms
It does say, does it develop the book of balanced collection presenting multiple viewpoints
related to controversial issues?
We always have to have multiple viewpoints on controversial issues.
And this person said no, it's not doing that.
So you will need to read the form.
Right?
My personal feedback on it, I read it and I see what they're saying, you know, but that's
to me that was only a small part of it because it does go back into the fifth
century or the sixth century it talks about the war in France it talks about
the Spanish War it talks about I thought it was really interesting that fake
news has actually been around for a while and it's like they were I guess in
and one of the wars, the war got over-exaggerated to somebody else,
I mean to the other people, and it made people kind of frantic and all this.
I don't know, I just thought it was, I kind of learned something from it
because I never really thought about it, that fake news has just been around for a long time,
and I thought it gave a lot of different perspectives of it.
And it did talk about the 2016, but it talked about it, I thought, from a couple different angles, actually.
But anyway, they talked about other presidents, too.
So I did feel like it was kind of a well-rounded, but that was just my opinion.
I don't know.
We have, our options are more than just return it to the library, keep it from going back to the library.
we can say it's um what are this hack i'll look at you again right we can say it's not appropriate
for a elementary and modified so we would want it to go to a different what are the other options i
forget when the it's retained um for the age group in which it was when it was pulled it can be
retained but modified many times they're like there's some books high school only that we
will retain but they're modified and require parent permission they have to opt in for those
books I believe this one I think we had one copy on the elementary shelves it's
primarily junior high so there's that option and then so when it comes by the
time it gets here again first time we've done this mm-hmm it has been reviewed
through it's been challenged our librarians have looked at it district
all our people have gone through it we've run it through whatever filters we
have that compare our policy legal and then when it makes it here if y'all were
to determine that it is inappropriate at that point like what it is it's still
gonna make it to us and y'all will give us a recommendation or that would give
you all the ability if it check those any of those boxes y'all would go ahead
and just if we were doing an internal review but now when we get the formal
request they go to the school board okay so so now when a book's challenge it
just immediately comes here yes it's looked at requisition form it's it's
taking you through everything is it harmful is it sexually explicit it's
taking through all of those things and that's to help you determine is it in
violation of any of those components mr. president so from what I understand is
is that for it to have gotten onto the library shelf,
it has already gone through the AI and all that.
So it's already done all that, the internal.
Yes, a librarian selected it and opted to purchase just
now that because it's an older book,
it was done before we put the new review process in place.
So that may not have ever been reviewed through.
It would have been probably in the old process in which journal reviews were used.
But generally books that, and I will tell you almost, if they're going on the elementary shelves, junior high shelves, the librarians are reading them.
Somebody has reviewed it, whether it was AI or the librarian.
As far as I know, we don't have a record of it being ever, once it was reviewed by the librarian for purchase.
I don't think it's gone through any type of internal review.
It hasn't been questioned.
So moving forward, the books that are on the library for the most part have been, have
some internal review.
Yes.
And so then some kid checks a book out and it's already been through an internal, and
the parent still doesn't, you know, for whatever reason, doesn't like it.
Okay.
Yes.
And then they can submit the challenge for it to be reviewed.
you mr. president I just I do have some I think are important to consider as you
review the form once you get the form the book challenge form the book opens
and I returned it because I knew there wasn't a copy for everybody but I think
it opens with a very inappropriate example of fake news and it talks about
a pizza parlor in Washington DC called Comet ping-pong and it refers to
Pizzagate which I find very inappropriate if anyone knows now what's
being talked about with Epstein files being released these are just facts and
not all proven yet but that Pizzagate was supposedly a sex trafficking ring
out of a pizza this pizza place so I find it incredibly crazy that they're
opening with this example of course the the author saying it was fake um so i i think this
is very inappropriate for actually any level of kid particularly elementary and i do think
that this is uh biased um so that's my and i'll let you read it if you haven't read it
please make sure you understand what pizza gates referring to and the current news that's coming
out today no I know there's a lot of news and different sources of news but
it's this is I would not want this in the school anywhere
any other discussion on item 718 all right so as we go towards next week each
Each of those will be their own agenda item, at which point
we will accept a motion either way.
Me.
All right.
I'm sorry, Mr. President.
So when we vote, are we voting to retain,
retain but modify, or remove?
It's like a three thing?
Because it's not going to be a yes, no.
It's going to be interesting how we write this.
It would be a motion.
I mean, somebody's going to have to make a motion one way
or the other.
Or a certain way.
So, I mean, we could print one, but it would probably, how about we print one that says retain, remove, or retain but modify with a.
Yeah.
There are three options, and that would, you will have the verbiage for that.
Realistically, as Board of Trustees, we could probably create more options if it comes down to we want to.
But I do think it would probably be good practice to follow what traditionally we'd asked our community to do.
So we'll have those options on there.
Any more questions about maybe that 717 or 718, the procedure?
All right.
Then you'll see 8 is our consent agenda that we would normally have on there,
8. Consent Items
that these would be items that we're not planning to discuss right now
unless somebody were to pull one of these items off.
Is there anything that anybody would like to pull off?
8.1, 8.2, or 8.3?
All right.
9. Information Items
Then we will move on to number nine information items
Donated items list has been received
Madam secretary for member requests have we captured any requests from the board?
Yes, I have a few things
Mrs. Timmy here with me that and y'all's Finance Committee
Y'all got some a bond worksheet a bond summary worksheet the forum explaining the boss
summary 7.2 through 7.5 thank you and then 7.4 was something somebody wanted
now I guess not okay the plan for OAC is something I said something about you
know if we could have some kind of sort of rough draft of a plan and did y'all
have anything else I'm 716 just making sure that the resolution was sent out to
yeah appropriate staff we've said principals mr. president I didn't say it
but I because I didn't want to belabor the whole OAC discussion but could I
have a update on how Jeanette Coleman building is being used right now it's
just I would like to know how it's being utilized they mean later we don't have
to discuss it here am I saying on Mason Road on Mason Road oh sorry I keep
calling your Jeannie Coleman Center I would like to know the utilization of
that building so you have the information requests in this champagne
10. Future Meetings
then we will have our regular board meeting on Monday February 23rd 2026
there being no further business before the board this meeting is adjourned the
time is 10 o 8 p.m.
Official documents
Motions and votes
Recorded actions
The motions and votes for this meeting have not been recorded here yet. Whether any were taken is not stated either way. The agenda and the recording above are the primary sources.