Nov. 15, 2023—The College Station ISD Board of Trustees met Tuesday, Nov. 14 and Wednesday, Nov. 15. The following discussions and actions are of note:
WORKSHOP, NOV. 14
Review of Nov. 7, 2023 Election Results and Timelines
The Board reviewed and discussed the uncanvassed election results from the Nov. 7, 2023 election.
Official election results will be canvassed during the Board workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at noon in the CSISD Central Training Room (1812 Welsh Ave.).
2024-2025 Calendar Development
Tiffany Parkerson, executive director of secondary education, shared the process for developing the school calendar for the 2024-2025 school year and the Board discussed the process and timelines for staff and community feedback.
The Districtwide Educational Improvement Council (DEIC) developed calendar options in November. Based on DEIC feedback, the calendar options were created with consideration to academics, student and educator wellness, educator development, and frequency, timing, and length of breaks. Feedback from the staff on their respective campus will have the opportunity to review draft calendars before the end of the fall semester.
In addition, there will be an opportunity for students, parents and members of the community to give online feedback on the options developed by the DEIC in December. The DEIC will process feedback and present a recommendation to the Board at the regularly scheduled January Board meeting.
Report on Bilingual/ESL Education Program
Patty Ayala, director of special programs, gave a presentation on the Emergent Bilingual (EB) and English as a Second Language (ESL) program.
The report included a demographics, academic progress, reclassification criteria, budget considerations, staffing, and future steps for EB and ESL programs in CSISD.
REGULAR MEETING, NOV. 14
New Middle and High School Courses
The Board considered and discussed new middle and high school course approvals for the 2024-2025 school year.
The following courses were proposed to the Board:
Middle School Courses
- Theatre 3
- Web Communications*
High School Courses
- Dance Ensemble
- Criminal Investigations
- Range Ecology Management/Lab
- Agribusiness Management & Marketing/Lab
- Digital Communications in the 21st Century
- Team Sports Officiating
*To be implemented in the 2023-2024 school year.
Proposed middle and high school courses were brought forward for consideration either to meet state mandated changes or to expand elective offerings.
The proposed courses were approved by the individual Campus Improvement Planning Teams prior to approval by the District Education Improvement Council on November 8, 2023. These courses will be available for student consideration in the 2024-25 school year except where noted.
Child Nutrition Services Report
Bridgett Goodlett, director of child nutrition services, presented a report on child nutrition programs in CSISD.
The department serves approximately 3,100 breakfasts and 8,025 lunches a day. Child-friendly menus are developed to account for state requirements for whole grains, a variety of fruits and vegetables, fats and sodium. Most of the items on the menus are low-fat, whole grain versions of familiar foods that are baked or steamed instead of fried, with portion sizes that are age appropriate to fit a healthy diet.
The department operates self-sufficiently on a non-profit basis with all revenue going back to the department. Revenue supports salaries and benefits, equipment, utilities, supplies, and food and non-food items.
Appointment of Brazos Central Appraisal District Board Members
The Board appointed two district representatives to the Brazos Central Appraisal District Board for a one-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2024.
Approvals
- The Board approved the Agreement for the Purchase of Attendance Credits for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The Board previously considered and approved this item at the August 22, 2023, Special Board meeting. This item is being was reconsidered to correct the required motion language.
- The Board approved the resolution approving the 2023 tax levy as presented, pursuant to the Texas Property Tax Code.
- The Board approved a resolution stating the Board of Trustees has reviewed the district's investment policies and investment strategies.
WORKSHOP, NOV. 15
The Board canvassed results from the Nov. 7, 2023 trustee and special elections.
Canvassed results are as follows:
Board of Trustees, Place 6
Kim Ege: 7,611 votes (100%)
Kim Ege was elected to the Board of Trustees Place 6 with 100% of the votes.
Board of Trustees, Place 7
Geralyn Nolan: 3,881 votes (44.03%)
Heather Simmen: 4,934 votes (55.97%)
Heather Simmen was elected to the Board of Trustees Place 7 with 55.97% of the votes.
Bond Proposition A
7,470 votes FOR (69.35%)
3,302 votes AGAINST (30.65%)
Proposition A passed.
Bond Proposition B
6,623 votes FOR (61.71%)
4,110 votes AGAINST (38.29%)
Proposition B passed.
Bond Proposition C
5,089 votes FOR (47.48%)
5,630 votes AGAINST (52.52%)
Proposition C failed.
Bond Proposition D
5,088 votes FOR (47.54%)
5,615 votes AGAINST (52.56%)
Proposition D failed.
The Board approved the purchase of laptops for student use from Avinext in the amount of $2,308,800 through the DIR Co-op contract DIR-TSO-4159 utilizing 2023 Bond Funds.