Note: This is an overview of some of the items on the March workshop and meeting agendas. This recap does not include every item on the agenda. Official meeting minutes will be made available on www.csisd.org following approval at the April board meeting. A video and audio recording of the meeting will be made available within seven business days of the meeting at csisd.org.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The College Station ISD Board of Trustees met Tuesday, March 8. The following discussions and actions are of note.
WORKSHOP
2021 Bond Update: Chief Financial Officer Amy Drozd and Executive Director of Facilities Jon Hall updated the board regarding progress associated with the 2021 bond election.
In November, CSISD voters approved the sale of three propositions totaling $78,125,000. The bond propositions provides significant renovations to A&M Consolidated High School, Southwood Valley Elementary, Pebble Creek Elementary and Cypress Grove Intermediate.
In addition, this bond package contains projects to update and modernize the district’s infrastructure in technology, heating and air conditioning, and safety and security. Funds for land purchases, buses, fine arts instruments, an ag science center to house animals, and natatorium renovations are also included in this bond package.
The larger projects beginning in the summer of 2022 include phase 1 of renovations to both A&M Consolidated High School and Southwood Valley Elementary.
The presentation, which includes information regarding timelines associated with all the projects can be seen at the following link.
LINK: March 8, 2022 Bond Update
Report on Budget Development for 2022-23: Chief Financial Officer Amy Drozd made an initial presentation regarding the development of the 2022-23 budget.
The board reviewed updated 2021-22 budget numbers and the first draft of revenue and expenditure projections for the 2022-23 fiscal year. Various scenarios for the 2022-23 budget were presented with assumptions of enrollment growth of 2.7% and overall property value growth of 4%.
CSISD will continue to review staffing and budget requests, monitor and adjust revenue projections, and update expenditure projections over the next four months. The 2022-23 budget and tax rate will be adopted at the August board meeting.
Report on Academic Achievement and Class Rank Committee: Executive Director of Secondary Education Tiffany Parkerson gave a report on the progress of the Academic Achievement and Class Rank Committee.
This committee began work in September to consider the board’s local policy EIC, which governs Grade-Point-Average (GPA) calculation, the weighted grading system, and graduation honors with the understanding that no current high school students would be impacted by any proposed changes. Any changes would be implemented with the graduating class of 2027 (current 7th-graders).
The committee has reviewed the current board policy EIC (Local), examined this policy in comparison districts, and learned about the implications of GPA and college admissions.
The committee has come to consensus on the four decision points they have been tasked to explore.
First, the committee has come to consensus around a three-tiered, weighted grading system. Tier 1 would include advanced placement (AP) classes, while Tier 2 would consist of Advanced courses and Academic Dual Credit courses. All other courses would be considered Tier 3.
The second decision point in which the committee has come to consensus is the grade points associated with each of the three tiers. The new system would award a maximum of 6.0 grade points for Tier 1 courses, a maximum of 5.5 grade points for Tier 2 courses, and a maximum of 5.0 grade points for Tier 3 courses. Currently CSISD has a two-tiered weighted grading system. Tier 1 courses include Advanced Placement (AP) and advanced courses, while Tier 2 consists of all other courses, including academic dual credit classes.
The committee also came to consensus on the courses to be included when calculating a student’s GPA used for class rank. The recommendation is that the calculation will include the eight highest semesters of the four core subject areas and the two highest semesters of languages other than English.
Previously, the GPA calculation included grades from all subject areas. However, the allowable exclusions did not ensure the GPA calculations to be consistent across the graduating class. The purpose of this policy is to set parameters on how the district compares students with each other based on course rigor and academic achievement. The recommended changes create a more equal basis on which to calculate the individual student performance compared to others in their graduating class.
The final decision point addressed the portion of the policy surrounding local graduation honors. The committee recommends applying the current honor graduate ranges to the new three-tiered conversion system. To be recognized as an honor graduate, students must achieve a GPA of 5.0 or better for Summa Cum Laude, 4.8 to 4.99 for Magna Cum Laude, and 4.5 to 4.79 for Cum Laude.
The committee feedback will be taken to edit Board Policy EIC(Local). A complete recommendation, including policy changes and implementation timeline, is expected to delivered to the Board of Trustees in April, with potential action May.
MEETING
Approval of New Administrator Contracts: The board approved the hiring of three administrators: Shelly Rice - Director of Early Education, Chris Neely - Director of Business Services, and Douglas “Stoney” Pryor - CSHS Head Football Coach and Athletic Coordinator.
Approval of Retention Stipends for 2022-23: The board approved a resolution approving retention stipends to be paid to eligible staff who were employed and actively worked during the 2021-22 school year and returned for the 2022-23 year utilizing the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.
The stipend will be paid over two equal installments in August 2022 and January 2023. The total amount of the two stipend payments will be $2,000 to teachers and other campus professionals and $1,000 to all other staff, including auxiliary, paraprofessionals, administrators and other professionals.
Also included in the resolution is a hiring incentive for high-need Special Education teachers and professional assessment staff, also utilizing ESSER funds. The incentive amount of $1,500 would be paid over two equal installments.
Purchases/Bid Approvals:
- Approved the purchase and installation of classroom interactive boards from Avinext in the amount of $3,181,816.22 using 2021 Bond Funds.
- Approved the purchase of technology devices for high school and middle school staff from Avinext in the amount of $739,079 using 2021 Bond Funds.
- Approved the purchase of auditorium lighting upgrades from Covenant in the amount of $258,427.19 for AMCHS and $62,477.23 for CSHS using 2021 Bond Funds.
- Approved the Request for Proposal for painting and painting services to four vendors for a period of 30 months with the option to extend for two additional one-year terms.
- Approved the Request for Proposal for purchasing and installation of carpeting and ceramic tile to be to two vendors for a period of 30 months with the option to extend for two additional one-year terms.
- Approved the resolution to pay employees for missed workdays due to the closure of the district because of inclement weather on Feb. 3 and 4.
- Approved Weaver and Tidwell, L.L. P. to conduct the annual financial audit for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2022.
Authorized the superintendent to negotiate with CR Systems related to roof repairs and replacements because of the hail storm in April 2021 in an amount not to exceed $3,792,920 utilizing the General Fund.
- Approved the resurfacing of the running track at A&M Consolidated Middle School by Paragon Sports in the amount of $155,406 utilizing 2021 Bond Funds.
- Approved the purchase and installation of a boiler for the district natatorium from Entech Sales and Service in the amount of $138,579 utilizing 2021 Bond Funds.
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