Thank you. Good evening. It's Wednesday, 09/24/2025. The time is 05:00. This is a regular monthly board meeting of the Keller ISD Board of Trustees. All trustees are present. Ready for the pledges. Bryce. Pledges are some of the outstanding students from Trinity Springs Middle School. Immediately following pledges, principal Alicia Morton will come to the podium and introduce her students. Now I'm gonna introduce these lovely individuals. So we have Addie, Cameron, Bella, Maddie, Micah, Peyton, Hudson, Jordan, and Kalani.
These individuals yes, please. This is part of our group of students that is, in our PALS class, so that stands for Peer Assisted Leadership. So they do a lot of leadership opportunities on our campus, they even go over to TMI and support some of their students and mentor some of the students coming up to us. They run, our announcements so they do all kinds of events and they create videos for that. In addition, they do our recycling, they do the flag, they raise the flag each
day at our campus. They are a great addition to the culture here at Trinity Springs. So thank you all and I'm glad y'all got the spotlight tonight. Alright. Now please join us for a word of prayer, Vice President Washington. Please bow your head. Heavenly father, we come before you today humbled and grateful for the blessing of living in a nation that acknowledges you as our foundation. As president Reagan once reminded us, if we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. Lord, help us never to forget.
In this community, in this school district, in our daily lives, we face choices between right and wrong. Remind us father that each of us plays an important part in this greater picture. Guide us to be a part of the solution, not the problem. As representatives of the district staff, families, and children, may we carry out our work with integrity, compassion, and wisdom. Lord, mold us in your image, strengthen our faith so that in all things we remain faithful to you, our anchor, our guide and our hope. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you. We're gonna move into awards.
Bryce. In your board packet, you'll find student staff achievements on pages three through five. Photos will be taken directly following each award inside the boardroom in front of the backdrop in the Southwest corner, where our board members will join the award recipients for a quick photo. During this time, we do ask that guests remain in the seating area, and we invite you to take any personal photos outside in the courtyard following the awards portion of the agenda. All group photos taken inside the boardroom will be shared via the Keller ISD Facebook page. Before we begin, a quick note that we had planned to honor our hard at work employee of the month this evening, but due to a family emergency, she was
unable to attend, so we'll plan to recognize her at a future meeting. To get us started, though, tonight, I'd like to ask trustees Erickson and Coker up to join employee engagement coordinator, Jennifer Love, to celebrate our latest HR staff recognitions. Thank you. First off, I wanted to just, remind everybody that our substitute teachers play such a vital role in Keller ISD by keeping the learning going strong when our teachers need to be out. We're always looking for caring, committed individuals who make a real difference for our students and schools while enjoying a more flexible schedule. And if you know anybody that would like to, apply, please do a more flexible schedule.
And if you know anybody that would like to, apply, please do so on our website. With that being said, we are very proud to recognize Valerie Grossel as this month's RBFCU Substitute Spotlight winner. For over five years, Ms. Grossel has been a dependable and positive presence in Keller ISD classrooms, playing a vital role in supporting students' learning whenever a teacher is away. She was nominated by Meredith Ramirez from Keller High School who shared, Valerie is the kind of sub that every campus wants to work with. She is kind, reliable, consistent, and always a trooper even on the craziest of days.
So please join me in recognizing and congratulating Valerie Grassl out of this well deserved recognition. Congratulations, Gina Valerie. And, to all the district substitute teachers who show up every day with flexibility, dedication, and a commitment to our student success, we deeply value the important role that you play in our schools. For our next award this evening, may I please have Doctor. Wilson come forward to help recognize our first Keller ISD Star Educator Award winner for the year. Oops, not yet. Wait. This month's recipient is a librarian at Parkland Elementary School and Lone Star Elementary School. She was nominated by Parkland Principal Tammy De Leon, who shared the following: From the
moment students walk into her library, they are welcomed into a space that is vibrant, inclusive and alive with curiosity. She has completely revamped the library with forward facing rows of books, an organization system that makes sense to a child, and a simplified yet welcoming environment. Not only that, but she consistently designs learning experiences that go far beyond the service level engagement, creating lessons that align with grade level standards and other content areas that extend to deepen the knowledge they gain in their classrooms. Let's learn a little bit more about our winner from this brief video. Oh, just kidding. It's there somewhere.
There it is. I was a classroom teacher for fourteen years. I saw the various strengths of all the different librarians that I had watched as a classroom teacher, and so I took their strengths and have now put them into my library, and those are the things that I do. So a book tasting is like trying samples at a restaurant. And so miss Paris has set it up like a restaurant over here. But instead of food, you're going to try different books to see which ones you might like. Today's lesson, we did a book tasting and it was a way to introduce, the students to new books that we have gotten, in the library.
I told them how to preview a book. What do you like about this book? They're able to talk about the illustrations within the book. They were able to talk about it's a familiar author and then also relate it to other books that they have read in the past. It's also important for me to create lessons that, support classrooms. So I'll teach research skills, how to look for information, how to use the tools that we have in the library that they may not have in their classrooms as well. I like coming to library because, like, I just like to read books because it
brings me to a whole new world. Miss Paris is, like, nice. I like, like, her expressions when she's reading and stuff, and I really like coming here, and she's a fun teacher. I feel like it's important for me to create a space that is welcoming. This is their space. It's not my space. It's a library for all. It's the heart of our school. There's always a book or an adventure waiting for them. Please help me congratulate this month's Keller ISD star educator award winner, Parkland and Lone Star Elementary librarian, Nancy Perez. This year we're thrilled to continue highlighting amazing learning that takes place in our classrooms
with the Star Educator Award program. As a winner, Nancy will receive $500 to spend on her libraries. Congratulations again, Nancy. Next up, we're excited to honor a very deserving campus for their efforts in health and wellness. May I please have Secretary Campbell and Trustee Rankeve come forward for this recognition. Further this year, Heritage Elementary School earned the distinction of being named a Healthy School recognized campus by the Texas A and M AgriLife Extension Service, an honor that highlights the school's commitment to fostering healthy lifestyles among students, staff, and families. To achieve this recognition, campuses must host a Walk Across Texas event and engage in
both youth and adult health programs throughout the year. These initiatives aim to improve health outcomes by encouraging regular physical activity, nutritious eating, and overall well-being. Heritage Elementary went above and beyond, surpassing their goals for physical activity hours and healthy eating promotion, setting a new benchmark for wellness within the community. Not only is Heritage the first school in both Keller ISD and Fort Worth to earn this designation, it's also just the second school in all of Tarrant County to do so. This evening, we're excited to recognize the efforts of the school's leadership team, including Heritage
Elementary School principal Kimberly Paul, assistant principal Erin Meador, And former campus coach Sarah Hsu. Also joining us from Texas A and M AgriLife Family and Community Health Division, we want to welcome and thank Krista DeSinfano. This recognition is a testament to Heritage Elementary's leadership and dedication to student and community
well-being. Thank you to the Texas A and M AgriLife team for partnering with Heritage on this initiative, and congratulations again to HES and everyone involved in in making this program a success. And finally, for our last award this evening, will Vice President Washington and Trustee Kelly please join Director of CTE, Bodie Carroll, as we highlight the state state achievements by some of our aspiring agricultural students. Well, good evening, board. Tonight, it's my honor to recognize a remarkable group of students from Keller ISD who achieved at the very highest level in agricultural education.
This past spring, Keller ISD students competed in the Texas FFA career development and speaking development events, and many of them advanced to the state level. These competitions require months of preparation, teamwork, and leadership, and they showcase the very best of our agricultural programs in Keller ISD. At this time, I would like to recognize our current students who advance to the Texas FFA State Career Development events. Competing in the Floriculture event is Liliana Escalante and Zoe Zavac. Competing in home site evaluation is Jenna Watts and Madison Anderson.
Competing in horse evaluation is Issa Sharkey, Logan Lewis, and Sailor Walters. Competing in land evaluation is Elise Hamby, Isaiah Izak, and Sami Krasinski. Competing in Livestock Evaluation is Caroline Mercer. Competing in Nursery and Landscape is Kayla Baucom and recent graduate Sydney O'Chang. Competing in plant identification is Carson Mercer, Kinsey Gibson, and Sydney Wooten. Competing in poultry evaluation is Demi Grider and Emerson Greenie. Competing in Wildlife and Recreation Management is Anya Fields, Kaelin Torres, Madison Bryant, and Mallie
Ingram. And competing in note quality products is Claire Wilson and Grace Spivey. Of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible dedication of our FFA advisors who give countless hours to mentor and guide these students. Please join me in thanking missus Kaylee Carter, mister Hunter Bagwell, and missus Jenny Kiggins. We have three more advisors who couldn't be with us tonight. I'd also like to recognize mister Bryce Gerhardt, mister Peyton George, and miss Kendall Wallace. We also wanna take a moment to recognize and acknowledge several Keller ISD graduates who competed at the state level this past spring.
These students have since moved on to college, but we want to ensure their accomplishments are honored tonight. Their names are listed on the screen. If you could help me give these students a round of applause. Finally, I'd like to make a very special recognition. This past summer, Keller ISD graduate, Mackenzie Whitehead, was named the state champion in senior prepared public speaking in the plant science category at the Texas FFA State Convention. This is an extraordinary accomplishment as she competed against the best speakers from across the state of Texas and rose to the very top. We're incredibly proud of Mackenzie's achievement and the example she has set for current and
future FFA members in Keller ISD. Mackenzie's away at college taking classes at Texas A and M, but if you could thank you. But if you could, help me give Mackenzie a round of applause. On behalf of Keller ISD and the Board of Trustees, I want to extend our congratulations to all of our FFA state qualifiers, their advisors, and their families. Your accomplishments highlight the strength of agricultural education in Keller ISD and demonstrate the excellence, leadership, and determination that define our students. Please join me once again in celebrating these outstanding students and advisors. Ready for the community spotlight, Brian?
Sure thing. We know that, Keller ISD wouldn't be the destination, for excellence that it is, but the incredible support of our community. For tonight's community spotlight, we're excited to welcome back the Keller ISD Council of PTAs to share some updates with us. I'd like to invite Mary York up to the podium. While this is her first year as president of KCPTA, she's no stranger to leadership having served in many roles in the organization over the years, and we can't wait for her to share what our campus PTAs have been up to as the school years got underway. Thank you so much and good evening. My name is Mary York, council president for the school district's PTA's.
Because we value the partnership between the superintendent, school board, community, and PTA, and because we count on your continued support, I want to give you a brief update on the work that we've been doing. Oh, oops. How do I do the next slide? Sorry. Okay. Perfect. Okay. Now that I know what I'm doing. The mission of PTA is simple, from the local level all the way up to national PTA, to ensure every child's potential become a reality. Day in and day out, volunteers work tirelessly in their schools and communities to further
that mission. Overwhelmingly, research indicates that children are more successful when their parents and the community come together to influence the quality of their education. When children are more successful, it trickles down to our schools and communities for the short and the long term. Our district has 37, PTAs in our council with over three fifty executive board members and 7,770 members. Our goal for council this year is for those membership numbers to be over 10,000.
We would love to have one voice for every child in our district. At its core, PTA is a membership association that advocates. Without members, our mission is impossible to accomplish. Numbers give power to our voices when collaborating with other agencies and in legislative advocacy. An active, involved, and informed membership can speak effectively with a united voice for all children and youth in each community and across the state of Texas. Additionally, at the local and council level, the strength of the PTA rests in the
utilization of its people resources to provide programs and projects that benefit youth, parents, schools, and communities. We invite you to join a PTA or more than one this year and to encourage all faculty members and anybody in your community to do the same. We at council have angel memberships at every level to fit what works best for you. I'd like to thank our current Angel members who have joined our local PTAs. Colin Hodges, Corey Wilson, Sherry Mueller, Julie Sizemore, Kevin Hood and Jennifer Erickson.
Our partnership is so important that Texas PTA celebrates every council with a Golden Apple Award when the superintendent, district level administrators and all trustees join. Additionally, each campus can be a Golden Apple Award winner if 100% of their full time faculty joins PTA. Over the past six weeks, PTA volunteers have dedicated their time to kick off the school year with a bang, planning welcome back staff luncheons, meet the teacher events, walk the schedule food trucks, membership drives and fundraising drives.
Over the summer, Keller Council used $25,000 of Casey's Kids funds to buy backpacks and school supplies for the back to school bash. We have set aside $15,000 each for our school nurses and our counselors. And we will be connecting this week with them to see how best we can spend that money to serve their schools. We're also currently planning a parent program on smart media use for our kids. It is our hope to continue to grow those numbers and be able to give
back even more. This year's Casey's Kids Fun Run is on March 7 and our goal is to raise $50,000 We look forward to another year of working together for the good of what's most important, our students. Please know we are here to support your efforts as well as the community and our local schools. And do not hesitate to call on the PTA whenever we can help. We are always here. Thank you so much for your time. Are there any questions for me? Awesome. Thank you very much.
I appreciate it. Would you like to, brag a little on the award? Didn't y'all just receive an award? Oh, yes. It was for our work from last year. I believe Adeline had talked about it last time she spoke, but, we had achieved the platinum award, for our efforts at our district at the state level. It's basically a checklist of like how many, members we have, what our increases year over year, how many local councils are in what we call good standing.
And last year we had all 37. Right now we're standing at 20 schools that are in good standing. We wanna get that number all the way up. But it's so we basically got all of those things as well as our community outreach. The Casey's kids really pushed us over the top to that platinum level because it's such a big community wide event not just in our schools. Thank you. I'll give a, a brief president's update. First of all, thank you all for being here and, for those watching online.
I also wanna thank those that responded to the district's invitation to participate on one of the various committees that were approved at the last meeting. For transparency's sake, the committee list will be presented and considered for, review and approval at the October board meeting. We still have, a number of vacancies, I believe. So, appreciate everybody that signed up. I'm pleased to share, that initial investigation has begun on establishing an endowment program to
help secure long term financial stability for the district. Many districts either have one or are working on establishing an endowment program. Done properly, this could be worth millions over time. It can be used for educator pay raises, enhancing fund balance, and other initiatives. And for those that have sent emails to me about the lawn care or lack thereof at some of our campuses, please report that our new landscaping company has begun working to ensure all campuses are kept mowed and looking presentable.
The goal is to have each campus mowed once a week. Is that correct? Okay. I also wanna highlight, that we had a record number, 42 actually, of our teachers that earned their ESL certifications. This certification strengthens their ability to support English learners and furthers the district commitment to ensuring our multilingual learners have the certified support they need. So congratulations to those 42, individuals.
That's a record number, actually. And lastly, I just wanna report that board members were all actively visiting district campuses and attending various campus events. This is one of the ways we stay engaged with the students and educators and the community we serve. Doctor Wilson. So I will keep it brief as well for superintendent's report. Just wanted to let all of you know that the library book preview list has been posted for community review. It's up for thirty days. The final list will then be brought forward at our October 23 meeting, for your
final approval. Speaking on the land on the landscape, I had a quite couple questions. And if you drive around my neighborhood, there's some grasses out there that this type of year will spring up and be a foot long overnight. King is it King Ranch? So King Ranch grass. That's the fastest growing grass I've ever seen. And what I can tell you is, on a once a week schedule, they can mow on a Friday and it will be a foot high on Sunday. The good news about that the good thing about that grass is it's not long lasting.
So it'll die off here in a few weeks, so hang with us while you see some some straw that's growing out in the middle of our of our campuses. Another note, I did wanna highlight another accomplishment from our staff. So at the beginning of this year, we hired we weren't able to fill all of our positions, so we actually hired long term subs this year instead of adjuncts. And the goal was to get them in, to get them in, get them going, get them set up with a class, and then get them certified.
So this past week, we recently had five of our six now, six of our long term subs who have become certified and have moved over to full time employees. So I appreciate the support of our human resources department and then obviously the work that, that the campuses do, to make that happen for our teachers. Finally, I do wanna just spend a few minutes talking about enrollment. It's we got an email this afternoon that we had officially reached the six week mark, which is is a little surprising to me.
I didn't think it was already six weeks, but at that point I'll have, mister Allison share just a real quick update with us. Thank you, doctor Wilson. I apologize, that you're gonna have to listen to this this evening. On our enrollment, there are three different measures of enrollment we have to take a look at. There's our general, number of noses in seats, our average daily attendance number, and then what's known as WADA which is our weighted average daily, attendance and where we get
the weightings. We are about, 1,200 students lower this year than we were last year. I know I've had questions on how does that impact budget. When we budget, we budget based on a refined ADA, a process that TEA uses. So we're we're sitting at about, 30,448 students as of last week. We budgeted at 29,853, so we're close to our budgeted number.
We also, worked very diligently on our campuses in HR as enrollment came in and they were, very proactive calling parents to determine who was there, we were able to not fill, over 15 to 20 positions before school even started to right size staff for our enrollment was there and, continued to to work through that that process. So from a budgetary standpoint, where we'd like to see more students, I think our
projections are are close as long as our ADA stays up. We're seeing continued trends where our incoming kindergarten class is several 100 students smaller than our outgoing senior class. And that's, not only a a Keller trend, but a a trend across the state of Texas and the country as a whole. We did see, a a little greater migration out of our nine through 12 this year than we've seen over the last several years.
Not a significant number, but a little higher percentage. We won't know until later in October when some of the six week data is reported at TEA and made available to the school districts to be able to track why, where have those students gone. If they move to another school district, we'll be able to track that. If they're in a charter, we're able to track that. If it's homeschooling, it's a little more difficult for us. But, hopefully, later in the fall, we'll be able to give you a better insight
onto where our trends are. And I would anticipate as we look long term, we will continue to lose at least for the next three to five years probably a thousand students a year just based on birth rates and what we're seeing as, incoming rates for our kindergarten classes and our and our outgoing. Our bubble is right now at that 09:12. Once this ninth grade graduates, then we begin to see those students that the smaller
kindergarten classes move up and we'll we'll begin to see smaller numbers of our high schools as as well. Right now, they've been fairly flat. So thank you, John. It's that's not only an issue as as he mister Allison stated, but that's an issue that we see surrounding us. You get up in the North E North Dallas, and then in our area in Northeast Aaron County, it's the price points are very high. And so we are we are seeing a decline along with our peers. Those folks that are growing are actually the ones that are building out and have,
much more affordable housing or housing that's, it's it's new housing instead of having to go in and retrofit. So, we're monitoring it, but I'm but I'm happy to say that our budget and our finance team did a great job making sure that we were prepared. So with that, I am concluding our superintendent's report. Thank you, doctor Wilson. Moving to, as we begin the rest of our meeting, I'd like to highlight the school board meeting protocols. Any violation to these expectations, could result in a request to be removed from the
meeting. No signs are allowed as this presents a safety concern. Applause, heckling, bullying, and verbal disturbances of any kind will not be allowed or tolerated during the meeting. Please refrain from side conversations during the meeting as it serves as a distraction to others. Attacks of a personal nature and name calling against district staff and board members will not be tolerated. Members of the public will not be allowed to approach or walk in front of the dias at any time during the meeting unless invited to do so.
We now move into audience with individuals. We have 25 individuals sign up. The business of the board begins with audience with individuals. This portion of the meeting is specifically for members of the public to address the board. Your input is encouraged and will always be thoughtfully considered. Please address your comments to the board as a whole rather than to the audience or any individual. Trustees may not respond to audience questions or inquiries. Specific complaints or grievances against an individual should be addressed through the grievance process and
not in this venue. We expect everyone to act civilly and with respect. Individuals who wanted to speak were required to sign up before the meeting began. Pursuant to board policy BED local, the amount of time each speaker receives may be adjusted for effective meeting management. Tonight, each individual will have one minute to address the board. A timer will be visible on the screen and will change color to indicate that you have thirty seconds remaining. Each speaker will be speaking from the stand alone microphone to your left.
In order for speakers to hear when they are called and be heard, we will ask that audience members remain quiet and respectful of everyone. Bryce will be calling each individual up to speak as well as an individual who will coming up next so you can make your way to the microphone and be ready when it's your turn. Bryce, please, start. Sure. We have, Stuart Rennie followed by Debbie Lee. Hold on just a second, mister. It's Mike. You need to fix this for everyone. Well, I'm Yeah.
I'm gonna use this. Test. Test. So we're down to using this. Well, then, welcome back. With apologies to Theodore Geisel. That Timmy d, that Timmy d, we do not like that Timmy d. He does so like big bills and plans. We do not like them, Timmy d. We do not like to pay your fees. We do not like them here or there. We do not like them anywhere. We do not like big bills and plans. We do not like paying for your scams. We do not like them in a school. We do not like them in a court. We do not like them here or there. We do not like them anywhere.
We do not like big bills and plans. We do not like them, lawyer man. We will not pay you if we can, nor pay for your hate of trans, nor for your greed, nor nationalist greed, not for your hate nor your endless greed. Not in a school, not in a court, not in a district who you extort. We will not pay you here or there. We will not pay you anywhere. We do not like how your bills be. We do not like them, Tim Ede. And as I said, you buy a system and it needs $207,000 more equipment, that's
pretty poor planning people. Next is Demi Lee followed by Laura Romano. Thank you. I strongly oppose the approval of legal counsel for Tim Davis and Jackson Walker in the case referenced on agenda item 10 h. Specifically, what does this legal representation cover? Does it date date back to 2022 or 2023 when efforts to divide the district allegedly began? Does it include the lawsuit against AG Paxton regarding redacted invoices and who authorized this?
Does it include services being funneled through the law firm to enjoy, to avoid transparency? Does this vote retroactively legitimize unappraised contracts and services by tying them into this case? Mister Burt recently posted on social media that it is it was his impression based on conversations with the board members that he would continue to handle open cases. Keyword impression, not consent.
Laura Romano followed by Peter Romano. Test. Test. Test. My name is Laura Romano. I'm the very proud mother of two Colorado ISD students. We have been an active volunteer in their schools for the past three years. That's why we've been listening with increasingly alarmed financial reports of this district. Reports that carry the same message, we are facing a budget crisis. We've seen nonessential programs cut. We have seen good teachers flee the district. We know that there are more cuts looming on the horizon. And yet, despite the continued hand bringing from this board, it has continued to waste our tax dollars. We have given Tim Davis blank check after blank check, and thanks to him and
his legal advice, we are now embroiled in another ridiculous and embarrassing lawsuit. Nothing screams a commitment to transparency and honesty quite like suing to block the release of public records. And now we're here tonight to vote on another blank check. How much more money are we going to waste? How many more programs and teachers will be lost to pay his bills? If you care about the budget, your students, and your staff, the answer is very simple. Fire Tim Davis. Peter Romano followed by Matthew Mucker. Matthew Mucker followed by Barbara Brewer. Good evening. My name is Matthew Mucker. I'm sure most of you know me by now.
I'd like to talk briefly about item 11 d on the agenda resolution regarding a period of prayer and reading of religious religious texts during the school day. Folks, let's call this what this is. This is political theater. Unfortunately, this is political theater on the part of the state legislature who are forcing you to participate in their show. Does anybody really think that kids aged kindergarten through twelfth grade are gonna use a period of, time to, pray or read religious texts during the school day? The implementation details required by this law are onerous and virtually impossible to implement.
And if you guys vote for this, there's no way you're gonna come out of this without egg on your face when the implementation just implodes. Alright? In my opinion, the only practical effect that this would have is that this would lengthen the school day for our teachers and our students with really no practical benefit. I encourage you to vote against this resolution that you are forced to vote on. Barbara Brewer followed by Eric Krile. Good evening, trustees. I'm a KRC supporter, a taxpayer, and I'm tired of watching this board waste taxpayers' money. Since December, this district has spent over $250,000 on legal fees, and we can't see
the invoices? That is unacceptable. Tim Davis pushed this district to split in two, and I traveled to Austin. Lawmakers in Austin didn't just reject the idea, they laughed at it. And how is how are we sending attorney general Ken Paxton simply because he didn't like his legal opinion? General Ken Paxton simply because he didn't like his legal opinion. More more wasted dollars. This isn't one bad call. It's a pattern. Bad advice, hidden invoices. Look. If this wrong board wants to call themselves Charlie Kirk, then call me Candace Owens
because I will keep exposing every lie, every bad decision decision, and every dollar you waste until taxpayers get the truth. Eric Krile followed by Brandon Buebick. Well, good evening. I'm here to discuss the two tab appointments you'll be voting on in the next couple of months. I've been nominated by the conservation districts and a handful of school boards. I began attending your board meetings in January to get a better understanding of the challenges facing KISD. Two things I've noticed are funding issues and the desire for local control. As I know you're aware, Tad Institute is a freeze on all existing residential properties
and will not reappraise until '27. Now that we have some data, I've prepared a packet for you to read through. I understand Tad's desire to provide tax relief to citizens. All schools should strive to achieve it. But tax relief is not Tad's responsibility. That's done through the tax rate. Tad's here to value property. Regarding local control, I value it. And where we can, we should aim to solve problems on the local level and avoid Austin's one size fits all approach. The truth is much of Tarrant County has declined in value. And I understand when values go down, hard decisions must be made regarding rates. Tad should make it easier, and yearly appraisals will ensure the most accurate data.
I'd ask for your vote when it comes time. Appreciate it. Brandon Bebeck followed by Richard Gottlieber. Good evening, and thank you for all that you do for our district. When people stop talking, that's when that's when we that's when we get violence. This is a quote from the late Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated this month by a coward, who would not engage in civil discourse. Far too often, we are seeing youth in our nation become radicalized by ideologies that preach violence that ends that the ends justify the means. These ideologies are based on feelings and not facts, emotions over truth.
We need a better way. We need to help teach our children that you can have civil discourse and debate. We may not always agree, but we must recognize the humanity in each other and that violence only begets more violence. I've spoken with teachers and administration in our district, and three of the four high schools have active debate teams. Fossil is the only school without one. There needs to grow more we need to grow and support these more. I am asking that the district establish an annual KISD Charlie Kirk debate invitational.
Richard Gottliebber followed by Rachel Jenkins. Trustee Coker recently said, Chatt GBT can help you here if you really are in search of truth. So I asked, the Keller ISD board of trustees have several members who are currently involved in lawsuits. These suits involve Tim Davis. Why would they continue retaining him given that he was involved in the creation of this situation that they are now being sued for? This is the response that he gave me. The question of why KYOSD's board members continue to retain Tim Davis despite his central role in creating their current legal predicament suggests either poor judgment, unwillingness to acknowledge mistakes,
or a commitment to the controversial policies that led to these problems in the first place. Given that taxpayers are funding both the legal problems Davis helped create and his ongoing representation, the decision raises fundamental questions about accountability and responsible governance in public education. So based on that response from Chad GbT, it seems that the truth, as trustee Koger calls it, points to not retaining him as legal counsel for the board. I'm curious if the board will listen to trustee Koger's advice tonight. I'm also here to hear what you have to say about recess. I'll be honest. When I saw it on the agenda, I thought I was talking about a break
because you just said recess. Time. Give him the context. Rachel Jenkins followed by Caitlin Grumatsky. Hi. I just want to call on board members to please remove the, from the consent agenda, the topic on Tim Davis. I think we, as a district, should deserve the right to understand why, Tim Davis deserves another blank check. He's wasted a lot of money. He's given poor advice. He gets himself into legal con conflicts. Now he seems to represent Keller ISD by suing Ken Paxton rather than the impression that he only represented the board.
So I don't see how he's allowed to do that, but that could be legal stuff that I understand, which I fully admit. But still, it's been very clear that he only represents the board, and it's very important that he only represents the board, but he's suing in the name of Keller ISD District. I, as a district member, want to see those unredacted invoices. I think it's a load of baloney that it's so redacted. On the point of prayer, I believe that's the parent's responsibility at home. Please don't increase time at school because I want that time with my kids at home to I can do it at home myself. It belongs to the parents' responsibility.
Thank you. Time. Caitlin Gromatsky followed by Anne Potts. Sorry. Hello. I'm Caitlin. I'm a student at Keller High School. I'm the vice president of our TBSA chapter there, and most importantly I'm a Christian. And today I'm here to talk about the importance of having prayer in our schools. By running for prayer we're giving this generation and each generation after us the choice and right to embrace their faith within these schools. And I believe that America was founded by people who thought of the power of prayer as so important, and they often express the importance of prayer by their daily
lives and governance of this nation. And George Washington once stated it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor. And we also have so many assemblies within our country which use prayer every day such as Congress, the Supreme Court, and even our school board here. And I just believe it's very important and it's a choice and I think that people should have those choices. So thank you very much. May God bless each and every one of you. Thank you. And thoughts followed by Robin Anderson.
Most of you ran on transparency. Yet tonight's agenda and even this one minute limit on public comment shows how little transparency and community feedback are actually valued. Parents deserve to know what you're voting on. Instead, we get vague language and almost no detail. Take item 10 h. It hides behind the consent agenda approving Jackson Walker and expenses over $25,000 That could mean this lawsuit, future invoices. We don't know because we don't know anything about Tim Davis because you have hidden all of it. My opinion is that this is a shady attempt to hide a mistake when you guys never voted to retain his counsel when he moved to Jackson Walker.
The only thing you've ever voted on is to retain Cantley Hanger. So, I think this is a sneaky way to try to fix Chuck's mistake, because Tim Davis gives you bad advice all the time. Additionally, item 11 d, this isn't a policy. It's a promise to adopt one later about prayer and scripture. But you've given the public no plan, absolutely no details. We have no idea how you'll do this. We have no idea how you'll ensure that it won't take up, curriculum time. We have no idea how you'll ensure Time. Robin Anderson followed by Jennifer Ramsey. Jennifer Ramsey followed by Matt Strong.
Matt Strong followed by Mary Ann Weatherhead. Okay. I'm also against the 25,000. But it can't be divorced from, I think, a needed discussion on the other lawsuit filed this week against the attorney general. And I think there's multiple questions we need answers to. One is, did the board authorize Tim Davis to file this lawsuit? If so, when was this debated? And why is this board so afraid of Tim bill Davis' billing practices that they're willing to spend more of our money, not Tim day not Tim Davis' money, to continue to hide it from the taxpayers? If the board has no respect for the ruling from the attorney general, will the
board agree to accept a verdict in Travis County, or have you committed the taxpayers to the expense to possibly take this all the way to the Texas Supreme Court? And finally, why are we not as a district doing an RFA for hiring attorneys for these lawsuits? Why does it always seem we never question paying Tim Davis in court for things Tim Davis wants to hide or appears Tim Davis helped cause? And by the way, we've had more than 24 speakers in other meetings given more than one minute. I can't help it as a coincidence, mister Burt, that you knew the topic here and you limited us to one minute. Marianne Weatherhead followed by Catherine Woods.
Why is voting to retain Tim Davis and Jackson Walker buried in the consent agenda as routine business? Anyone who has been paying attention knows that this legal relationship is anything but routine. Mr. Davis and Jackson Walker are at the heart of lawsuits currently facing some trustees in the district. If these services and the associated costs weren't controversial, the invoices would be available to the public with minimal redactions. Instead, FME must attempt to obtain them by public information requests, but those are blocked by the same legal legal counsel. Then when the attorney general rules that the invoices need to be provided, again, legal
counsel refuses and uses taxpayer dollars to sue on behalf of the district. This is not transparency. It is a conflict of interest in hurting Keller ISD. It is draining dollars that should be spent on students, teachers, academics, and facilities. Instead of approving a continued relationship with mister Davis, initiate a request to for proposal for new legal counsel. Legal counsel that did not provide the advice or were not involved in decisions that led the decisions that led the district and trustees to being in legal jeopardy. Time. Captain Woods followed by Brian King. Our district is still healing from the pain caused by the plan to split Keller
ISD. That proposal shook our community deeply creating uncertainty and division. Many of us hoped that that issue would be behind us, yet recent actions have made rebuilding trust more difficult. Healing requires openness and transparency. When decisions happen behind closed doors over little explanation it leaves families wondering what's next and erodes confidence in leadership. Hiring Tim Davis through a consent item to defend the Rump Board in the Thoma violation case is the opposite of transparency. There should be discussion on this item. Agreeing to pay Tim thousands more should be discussed in view of the public. We all want a district where every student has opportunity and where resources are shared
fairly. To move forward the board must commit to clear honest communication and actively involve the community in decisions that impact us all. It's vital to put any plans to divide the district fully to rest with a public and binding commitment. We must focus instead on uniting and strengthening Keller ISD guided by the voices of parents, educators, and neighbors. We need our school board to show that they are committed to all of our students from both sides of the railroad because we aren't going Tom. Brian King followed by Heath Shiflett. Good evening. I fully support the district continuing to fight the lawfare against our community. These attacks are based on hearsay and politics.
The evidence is so thin the plaintiffs had to abandon their current lawsuit and file another in a more favorable jurisdiction. On the matter of prayer in public schools, I think it is a beautiful opportunity for kids to honor the supreme architect of the universe. It offers a moment of reflection, fostering inner peace and resilience in a fast paced world. For many, it's a chance to connect with their values, find comfort, and build a sense of community. Embracing prayer in school supports emotional well-being and teaches kids to find strength in moments of stillness preparing them for a balanced and meaningful life. Thank you for all you do for our children, and God bless you all.
Heath Shifflett followed by Milton Weatherhead. Hey, guys. My name is Heath. I'm a junior at Keller High School. So 11 d regarding your period of prayer. There's a way less controversial, less interventionist alternative to this, and that's to encourage the students to make this an after school club. It allowed kids to choose whether or not this impacts their school day. It's far less controversial while still allowing kids to do this thing that you want them to do, and I invite my fellow student to lead this club. Ten h, Jackson Walker LLP, legal defense lawsuit, and all that. I'll give you a reason more than you need to decline, to to not vote
for this. And it's simply that these are the guys that you use to do the bad thing that you did. This is like a drug lord trying to trial with a brick of coke. These are the guys that you use to try, you know, the school district, do all this, like, terrible offensive stuff, open a whole bunch of wounds that we're still really working through, and you're gonna use them again in in some convoluted attempt to close them. This is arguably one of the most contradictory things I've I've seen out of this board in my short time of paying attention. I hope you consider this. Thank you. One one person in stock can support this, man. Shouldn't vote for this. Milton Weatherhead followed by Doug Hines.
Hello. I'm a parent of two students from Keller ISD, and I'm here, on item h from the consent agenda for Jackson Walker. This needs to be open for discussion. In 2023, Charles Rancliffe signed an agreement with them that clearly was not discussed among the public and among the board? And how did some of the questions that need to be asked if it gets
brought in front of everyone is how did Tim Davis get selected in the first place or did Tim Davis select to represent? Who approved his hiring? Where's the schedule of fees? Why the delay in monthly billings from December until late spring when the money was piling up and it wasn't getting on the check register? Times. A lot of holes. Doug Hines followed by Rainey Hawes. Good evening. Doug Hines, Keller resident. I'm here, speaking this evening in support of the proposed prayer time resolution establishing specific
times across all KISD school campuses for the opportunity for students and teachers to pray and read the bible or other religious texts. Doing so will allow time for the participating students and teachers to nurture spiritual growth along with their academic and physical education during their formal public education on a strictly voluntary basis, which is prescribed by the actual Texas code, but I don't have time to read. In other words, it allows God in prayer to complete for the harp to compete for the hearts and minds of the students and teachers along with their secular studies in public schools rather than being banned at the front door as has been the case for the past sixty plus years in America.
Further as the recent martyrdom of Charlie Kirk has, shown, there's a great renewal and revival of interest in the bible and its teachings now, and it's a great time for further growth in Keller and the rest of the country by adoption of this prayer resolution. I urge you to do so. Thank you. Lainie Hawes followed by Sayedah, Bilqhi Sayed. Hello. I'm Lainie Haas. The agenda item approving all expenses over $25,000 to Tim Davis is about as clear as mud. There are absolutely no details, no explanation, no resolution for us to see. All of you will be violating your fiduciary duty to this district by voting on
this item tonight with without clarity as to what it is you're signing us up for. We should never be signing up for unlimited spending on anything ever, especially in perpetuity. Why even create a policy requiring approval for purchases of over $25,000 if you plan to vote around it? Also, please vote no on the resolution that's required by SB 11 that will require every campus to create a prayer and scripture reading period on campus every day. All of our children and staff already have every right to pray and read their scriptures on campus. And all of you need to read the law word for word.
Aside all of my ideological concerns set aside, the requirements laid out in this law are absolutely unworkable. The law is a mess and the burden will fall on our already overburdened educators. Sayed is Buki Syed followed by Brian Ketchum. Good evening, trustees. I'm Syedah Syed, and I'm the candidate of talent appraisal district board of directors. I'm the only candidate who have the experience, knowledge, of duties and function of appraisal review board. I was one of, the former review board member. Currently, as of July 2024, the TAD board of directors appoints the members of ARB.
No country serving TAD board of directors or the potential candidate has this type of experience. Since January 2025, I have attended all the TADs closed door entity meetings. I attended these meetings on behalf of those entities who cast votes for my candidacy in in the last election. They include Collierville, Crowley, Banbrook, Halton City, Richland Hills, Grapevine, Haslet, Azle, White Settlement, Grand Prairie, Fort Worth ISD, Arlington ISD, and Everman ISD. Going forward, my plan is to implement the recent changes by the eighty ninth legislative
session within the Texas Property Tax Board focusing on uniform and needs of property. Brian Ketchum followed by April Shiflett. I want to come here tonight and share a few things that's been weighing on me, not in anger, but a genuine concern. I reached out to this board three times the past year. Once was about KWell, and I said, I can't believe you're closing it. It's a big asset for the community and the I mean, for the staff, and I was told there wasn't enough money to keep it. Then I came back and I said, hey. The air conditioning is not working in my classroom, in the shop, or in my wife's school of freedom, and, it's still not working. I still haven't had air conditioning for six weeks in the shop, and my wife
still has the portable air conditioning unit that's not keeping up. But I was told that repairs are coming. We don't have manpower to repair everything at once. And then the email about insurance costs, and I was told we just don't have enough money. But then we're gonna pay Tim Davis more money with a blank check. I just don't get it. And then the other day, I got a phone call from a private company that did a public records request, and I got my cell phone. I called back today, Bryce, so I checked. And And I said, can you verify you got my number from public request, my cell phone number? And they said they did, and they verified it. So you can give out my public information, but you won't release this information that
the district is spending money on. I don't April Shiflett? Hi, y'all. I'm April Shiflett, Keller High School mom to three. SB 11 is not ready for a vote. I mean, there's nothing even to vote on. There isn't even a concept of a plan. This is not a well thought out idea. The risks far outweigh any benefits. I urge you not to respond emotionally for once. Think about this. Think it through. Look at the districts who have already been are already being sued for ignoring the establishment clause of the first amendment.
We, as Keller ISD families, know better than anyone what happens when the right side of the dais or your left. Let emotions rule the day. Seventy five percent of our children were kicked tried to be kicked out by you. This we lost thousands of dollars due to your frenzied drama and disregard of our students. Maybe the faculty and staff on the West Side smiles and nods when they see you on campus, but they remember. Don't let drama rule the day. Put kids above your agenda. Thank you everyone for participating.
Let me so now move into public hearing. Doctor Wilson. Yes. Mister Allison is going to, update us on the public hearing with regard to our tax rate. Thank you, doctor Wilson. I've just got a few pieces of information that, I'd like to go over this evening. Give me a second to pull it up. Yeah. Thank you. First up is just key budget timelines. And what I really want to point out in, the timelines. So toward July 1 fiscal year, you all are required to approve a budget by
the June. And if you look at some of the key details that are necessary for us to be able to finalize a budget, we don't receive those until after you've been required to present those budget. We talk about this, each time. It also impacts our ability on projecting, in June what our tax rate would need to be to be able to fund, the proposed budget. So just wanted to to again highlight, how some key information dates impact us.
Funding for schools, there's really two tiers. The first is the primary funding that we're all familiar with, which is the basic allotment. It did increase by $55 per student, this year, that's the first increase since 2019. As we discussed, in the spring, there's a little bit of a slight of hand in that, dollars 55 per student because if you look at the tier two, which is known as the enrichment. So when we think about, districts with their, golden and copper pennies, the legislature froze
the value of the golden penny this year. So each year that golden penny value was set to incrementally increase. So the way they came up with the $55 is by freezing the golden penny revenues, and then being able to shift part of the funds that they subsidized for, districts that, were not subject to recapture to fund the 55%. But those are our two tiers that we look at in our taxation. Golden pennies, just as a reminder, Keller is currently using our maximum eight golden pennies.
The key to the golden pennies and why they're called golden is that they're not subject to recapture, so a 100% of that revenue that's raised in Keller from the golden pennies stays in Keller. We then have the copper pennies. Copper pennies are subject to recapture. So approximately 60% of the revenue stays in Keller and 40% is sent back to the state as recapture. We're currently using 5.83 copper pennies, and we have access to 3.17
copper pennies through, a tax approved VATER at some point in time in the in the future. So to give you an example, under current assessed valuations, three copper pennies would generate about $9,300,000. Keller would get to keep about 6.5. Tax rate elements as we look at, what are some of the the key components, as we develop and propose a tax rate. As Billboards, you really have very limited capability in in adjusting your tier one and
tier two funding. You hear the term MNO or maintenance and operation, and that supports the district's operations, that's compensation, supplies, materials. It's everything that has to do with our day to day operation. The I and S, or interest in sinking fund, is what generates the fund to pay off our, bonded debt. I and S has very limited spending options available to school districts. It's specifically geared toward voter approved bond debt.
Then the real key that's very difficult for many folks to understand is the MCR, which is the maximum compressed tax rate. And this is something that TEA issues to school districts. There's a formula that they use that establishes both the ceiling and the floor for a school district. So when we receive our MCR, it's telling us that this is a maximum as well as if you want to go below the MCR, a board may do so,
but you will forfeit, the comparable state portion of funding. And it's then offset, by your copper pennies. So for us to go below the NCOR, we would lose, copper pennies, forever. Once that happens, it would have to go back to a vote to regain those copper pennies. So what they've really created is that poison pill for school boards, and that you can't go above what we're establishing, but if you go below, you're going to pay
a penalty by where we'll reduce the state funding, and you're going to end up having to increase your your local funding. So Keller's, MCR is point six one six nine, which, this year because of the changes to, the state funding formula as well as compression was identical to our MCR last year. It made it difficult in the spring for us to project the tax rate just because we didn't know what the MCR would be.
Legislature was still out. We didn't know what would happen to golden pennies if there'd be any increase to basic allotments, some of those those functions. So no new revenue. This is, an area that I get questions on every year. The no new revenue rate is essentially the tax rate that would produce the same level of MNO revenue as the previous year. It is not part of the calculation for MCR. It is not part of the school finance formula, is its own separate requirement that we calculate it and post it, but it does not have, any bearing in the
other calculations. For Keller to adopt the no new revenue rate would require the district to reduce revenue from our current budget of just under $8,000,000 So each year, the district's allowed to tax at the MCR plus the gold and copper pennies. And as I said, if, we go below the MCR, which a no new revenue rate would put us below the MCR, we'll lose 3.881 copper pennies. Adopting a no new revenue rate after the approval of the budget, in essence, creates
a deficit budget. There is no possible way after contracts have been issued, classrooms have been staffed to cut that amount of money out of the budget that has been approved. So the maximum tax rate that the board could levy, based on, the MCR with MNO, our enrichment, and our maximum on our INS would be 1.16398. That's the maximum if you elected to do so.
The proposed tax rate, that you'll be voting on later in the agenda is, for an m and o rate of point seven five five two and an I and S of point three three, and that is identical to last year's. So, where our tax rate would be at, 1.0852 would be flat, in comparison to the 24 or 25 tax rate. This gives you just a a look at what, the the tax rate history has
been since 02/2014. So if the proposed tax rate is adopted, you would then see 20, the 2025 would, again be flat, to the 2024. So with that, I will be happy to answer any questions. Thank you, John. Mhmm. So now is the, time for the public to have an opportunity to provide input or comments on the proposed tax rate. No individual signed up to speak specifically on this item. And if you would like to speak, you'll have three minutes to address the board
on this topic. Your hearing is not a time for question and answer nor is it a dialogue between the speaker and the board. This is your opportunity to provide input and comments on the hearing topic. If anyone would like to speak to the report miss Doctor Allison just presented, please make your way to the microphone. Not seeing anybody. The public hearing is closed. As we move into the consent agenda, I would like to, pull two items from the consent consent agenda.
I would like to move item 10 c, the approval of purchases exceeding $25,000 to item e one and move item 10 h to item 11 e two. That being the case, do I have a motion to approve the consent item minus those two items. I'll make a make a motion to approve moving those to action.
Second. Okay. We have a a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? All opposed? Can I see see let me see that again? All in favor? All opposed? Motion passes seven zero. Thank you. Alright. So first action item is the approval of the tax rate resolution for the twenty five twenty twenty six, fiscal year. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. Any discussion? Yes. So this is I'm I'm assuming we're talking about the tax rate.
Right? Alright. So last year, I was part of building the district's budget alongside many others here on the dias. At that time, we had to explain to the public why adopting no new revenue rate wasn't possible. That explanation included walking through the difference between how Tarrant County conducts appraisals versus how the state calculates them as well. It It also included many conversations with constituents where we made clear to the administration that there was an expectation that moving forward to seriously consider the no new revenue rate as a priority when designing the budget.
To my understanding, virtually every district around us has lowered their tax rate, yet somehow we couldn't. I recognize the financial that school finance is complicated, but it's incredibly difficult to explain to our taxpayers while we are keeping rates higher while our neighbors are effectively lowering theirs. This is made even harder when in the same breath they see us ignore opportunities such as ignoring an RFP to secure new insurance broker and reduce costs. The optics matter, and right now, they reflect a board that isn't doing everything it can to control the expenses and find creative solutions. The truth is the status quo is broken and has been for a long time.
I also understand, that adopting the revenue rate would mean losing our copper pennies. I agree that the system is flawed. It absolutely is. Just a school finance overall's flawed. We've reached the crossroads in my opinion. At this point, this decision needs to be taken back to the people. Our job should be to to should our job should be to make the case to them to clearly communicate the benefits of recapturing those copper pennies and let them decide. To be clear, I would support returning the copper pennies to the district. But until we can demonstrate that we truly keep doing everything we possibly can to reduce costs rather than defaulting to the status quo, I believe the decision which should
rest with the people. They need to determine whether we're we've earned the right to keep those pennies. I cannot in good conscience support the proposed tax rate. Might be recognized? Yes. Yeah. Go ahead, Randy. I support the, the tax rate. If we adopt a tax rate that's below the maximum compressed tax rate calculated by the state, As Mr. Koker said, we will lose our copper pennies, but we lose them forever. That's a bad decision that will impact future school districts, our school district, school board
going forward. That's a bridge that we burn that we don't wanna burn, in my opinion. And listen to mister Allison's presentation, if we go below the MCR, we lose state funding and it could well cost us $8,000,000 in revenue. We don't have that money to waste. We don't have that money to lose. So I think that although I agree that the system is flawed, I think that it is what it is. We have to make the best of the situation, and the best decision here is to go ahead and adopt the tax rate.
Look. We don't lose them forever. We have to go back to the people to get them back. That that's true. So, I doubt we're gonna get them back. Well, I mean, that would be for the people to decide. I mean, we and that's my point. My point is is that we set up here and we have discussions about costs and money management and being efficient and doing all those things. So whenever it comes time to actually do those things, we're scared to take action. We've seen that before. Now granted, we've done the district has done a good job of cutting unnecessary items. I mean, we really have.
I mean, I think before last year, it was over $40,000,000 annually that was cut, but we have to it you can't we can't just keep cutting things and that'd be our actual solution. It it is broken. And if the answer is to keep doing what we've always done, cut, cut, cut, not be innovative, expect the state to come in and save us, that system is proven not to work. And so I'm getting I I don't know about you, but I get a lot of pressure from people who are concerned that we're not paying attention to the other creative things that we can do, that we are just expecting that the taxpayers to
come in and and put the bill all the time. And I can't say that I disagree with them. I mean and this is me with not act talking as a trustee, but talking as a taxpayer. Like, I expect us to be doing creative things. There are so many things that we can do that we're not doing, and all I ever hear is, oh, well, you know, that's just not how we do things. I don't care. I I don't care. There are other ways to do things. There are more creative ways to do things, and we're not talking about reinventing the wheel. We're talking about just following what other industries are doing.
And I understand the limitations. Right? But there are things that we can do. And so until until we get ourselves in a position where I can confidently look at taxpayers and say we have done everything we possibly can. We just can't lower your taxes. I can't support it. K. I take your point. You make some good points. The the point that I would like to make is that if we're gonna adopt a no new tab no new revenue tax rate, that needs to start in the budget process before we start the budget process, not after we pass the budget.
So we can look at this going forward, but but right now, it is what it is. So the budget the budget has been set. We've hired the staff. We know what the expenses are. So we can't go backwards and have a no new no no new revenue tax rate and make it work. Well, I think that's the point I'm making is that, last year, I understand you're on you're on the board at this time, but these conversations we're having last year as an expectation of trying to plan for an a lowering of tax rate year after year as much as we possibly could.
And so right now, what we're doing is we're essentially going to the taxpayers and saying, hey, we're not gonna lower anything. And I'm not I'm not talking about no new revenue. We're just not gonna lower anything. And at the same time, we have, again, our neighbors doing the opposite. So, I don't think we have a lot we don't have a strong leg to stand on here to just say, it's a status quo. Let's just go with it. I I don't think we do, and that's why I can't support it. Chris, why didn't you bring it up earlier in the process? It's kinda like insurance and waiting until August or September to talk about insurance.
It's too late in the year at that point. You've been on board this whole time. Why didn't you bring it up in October, November, December? Almost once last year. It was. About October, November, December of last year. You had the tax rate? Yes. What you wanted to do creatively? What When when we were having these discussions last year before you're on the board and and that's I I said that twice now. When we're having discussions last year, there was an expectation that as we were proposing the budget, we're posing for a reduction in the tax rate. Like, that that needs to be planned for in the budget. And we we let the professionals do what they do, and I understand it's it's
a complicated issue. It is. But, I mean, with the way the state does it, and John House and I have talked about it extensively. It is a complicated issue, but there was an expectation that was set and known that we need to have a lower tax rate. And now we're sitting here being told that we can't have a lower tax rate. And on the insurance comment, I started that having those conversations over two years ago. I tried to get it done in November and December, and I kept earlier in November and December. I had tried to get it done actually in May. I was trying to get this done, and I kept being told, you know, we
got time. We have time. We have time to the point where I was told we have no time. So, again, I'm not really in this position where I'm really concerned about the he said, she said thing. I have I can tell you that these conversations have been happening and they have happened. And at some point, we have as the elected officials, we have to take a stand and say, listen. These conversations happen. We all know they happened. It's time to tighten up the belt and make it happen. And if that means that we have to go back to the voters to get our copper pennies back, then that's what we do.
And that's what I'm that's what I'm proposing now. I would argue we tightened the belt two years ago, and it's now well beyond that. But I think that the committee structures, if we can get the people appointed on the committees that they can be finalized next month, this could be something that I could think of three committees that could look at this and have it on there. So that would be a way to get the feedback, but I don't see cutting off our nose to spite our face essentially and reducing our avenues for funding when we don't have enough already at this time. So that's the status quo. The status quo has always been that. Let's just wait till next year, wait till next year, wait till next year.
I'm not interested in wait till next year anymore. I didn't say that. I said have the committees do it. I would follow-up in between meetings and make sure it happened to have the committees look at it. So I think if we just are proactive throughout the year and do that, then we could probably make find a solution together. So, we we had this discussion last year, you know, at the same time about the the no new revenue rate and why we couldn't get there. And and, mister Allison has gave a great presentation then as he does now. You know, I I think and and you kinda hit the nail on the head. So did mister Allison.
It's really weird how we do our budgeting and then how we basically set the tax rate and how those two are disconnected from one another. And I think, you know, as part of kind of an exploration within, you know, when these budget committees would begin to kinda look at, how do we begin to tie those two together so that they're not disjunct from one another? Because it it is a little odd. It sets a conversation up almost every year for us to be like, well, we don't understand why the rate is one thing when we were talking about another rate in an earlier time for something else. Having said that also too, when we talk about taxpayers, you know, it's kinda like
this abstract thing, like, it's a taxpayer. But taxpayers are teachers. They're substitutes, they're our paraprofessionals, they're our crossing guards, they're retirees. And, you know, when you look at what the new revenue new new revenue rate is versus the rate that we're proposing to adopt tonight, there is some cost savings for those those individuals. We talk about how how ways that we can basically help our educators, and one of those ways is being mindful of the taxes that the district takes in. And, and again, like I said before, I think the timing of this is a
little off. But I think at the same time, we need to be mindful when we say taxpayers who we're talking about and what this rate represents to them in terms of the money that they bring into their household income. And, and I think for that, you know, again, because we've had this conversation before, I am not, supportive at all of this proposed tax rate. Any other comments, questions? I I do agree that this is, we're in kind of this back ass backwards type situation. We approve the budget based on one set of facts, and then the tax rate
comes out. So I I I agree with both points. We're just, and going forward, this needs, like Charles said, to try to find a way to bridge that gap. I wanna back up for just a moment because I got ourselves a little out of out of sequence. We took a a motion based on the public hearing number that doctor Allison presented. And, so now, doctor Allison, I'm gonna give you the opportunity to, review and make your make your recommendation, and, I'll let the the motion and the second stay.
But, doctor Allison, I'm sorry. Go ahead. The administration recommends that the board of trust trustees approve the tax rate resolution as presented with a total proposed tax rate of 1.0852 for $100 of value. Thank you. Any other further further discussion? Yeah, John, I do I agree with with both sides as well, and having this knowledge prior to approving a budget would be super helpful and and that's at state level. But again, I I I know how hard everyone's worked on the budget and getting
it to where it is now and cutting 40 to $50,000,000 in the budget has been very challenging and, at this point I don't know that cutting another 8,000,000 would be, helpful. It would greatly hurt our students and our teachers at this point. I do agree that status quo doesn't work. I don't like status quo, and I do agree that our committees could be very helpful, in helping us come up with a a solution, between now and next year. So, with with your recommendation, John, for the for the current tax rate, that's to
that's essentially so that we have a balanced budget. Right? That's correct. Yep. So is there room to do some sort of tax reduction? I understand we may have to make some adjustments. But is there room to do some sort of tax reduction so So that we can at least show people that we are in good faith trying because that's that's the issue. That's a difficult question to to to answer. Yes. You could you could lower the tax rate. It's going to necessitate that we make those cuts now, or it would have to be a deficit budget. So would it be possible is there a deadline on a report, supporting this?
Yeah. We've actually Tad would like us to, have it in yesterday. So I'd I'm sorry. I'll answer that. Tad had actually, given miss Williams until this evening, to go ahead and report that. Okay. So what is the like, for example, at what rate is any amount that we lowered? Was that sort of the main copper pennies, or do we have some room to do some sort of produce a little bit without losing any copper pennies?
You you would be unable to drop below the MCR on, really, the the only latitude you have is with your INS funding, which is debt service. And how much room do we have there? Which would impact the ability, as we talked about earlier, to do an additional refunding, which would offset the burden to the taxpayer at a much higher number than reducing, say, to to to point three one or point three zero because you're you're you're
talking that debt over a number of years. Like, the last the the refunding we did, managed to, you know, eventually will save our taxpayers in in the tens of millions. So the the the area that you'd be able to adjust would be INS, and it might without being able to do the research, it might it would it would impact our payment schedules, which I I don't know what that ripple effect would be
at this point. I I couldn't answer that question without more research. Hey, Chris, not to interrupt you. I'm sorry. Bryce, is there any way that we can put that breakdown back up on our screens that show that MCR so we can kind of stay on point with what Chris and doctor Allison are speaking about? Thank you. So I I don't have it on on this slide, but the the previous slide here shows you that the m and o is set, at the $6.01 $6.09, which is the MCR. Then you have the enrichment, which is the golden pennies, which we have.
The the INS is so so those two make up the point seven five five two. So you would be giving up enrichment or you'd be going below the the MCR, which has has the same impact. The INS would be the only area you could lower. And as I said, I don't know how that would affect the the the payment schedule. It would definitely impact our ability to do any any refunding in this fiscal year
to be able to offset long term tax, tax relief to to the community. Yeah. And well, refunding essentially is you build up enough to just walk me through what refunding is. So what what we did with the refunding is we were able to take, a series of the bonds that do not have penalty for paying off early or within a window where we could, in essence, prepay against those.
And because of that, it offsets the cost of that interest over the life of the bonds. Right. But as long as the tax rate remains where it is, it you know, thirty years from now, fifteen years from now, you might be able to see some more relief if we don't do more bonds. But if we do more bonds, they and definitely see no real relief. So if I understand it correctly, what we really need would Actually, if you look at the the the payment schedule, the the bonds are, set up so that you're
paying your, like, technology, that's not a thirty year bond. That's a three or three to five year bond. But if if you look at where our bond payments are, and I don't have that chart, you'll see there's after, this this next budget year, we begin to see a a pretty good drop, in our our payment schedule. And the reason that's set up to do that would be in anticipation of another bond. So as as the payment schedule would diminish, you'd be able to issue new bonds
without having to increase taxes. Yeah. But the tax rate would remain the same. So effectively It depends on it depends on the bond issue. But it sounds to me that we that effectively taxpayers would never actually see any relief because if we're It depends on the size of the bond issue that the board approves. Yeah. Okay. So there's no real way for us to gauge on on what percentage we can lower the INS rate? I I couldn't off the cuff say if you reduce it by two tenths or two two hundreds, what what what that impact would be to the payment schedule at
this point. Okay. So do we know, in generalized terms, how much excess do we collect in the INS versus our payments? Our INS is is gauged toward, what our payment schedule is. And then when the board approved the the refunding component, it it would allow us, if the market is correct, the potential to do do a a refunding. So our INS has to meet, the ability to pay off off the debt ratio
at that point in time. Right. So but it I mean, it's like any it's anything else. Right? So so it's a it's a tax rate that you're receiving, and it's a percentage of your budget, that's going for a specific purpose. So in generalized terms, if it's if our debt payment is a million a month, I'm just making numbers up, but we may be generating 1,300,000.0 a month or 1,100,000.0 a month. And that's when essentially when you have an excess, if I understand it correctly, that extra $100,000 in that example is going to allow us to do a refunding and
pay off bonds early. Am I understanding that correctly? There there's really no excess because we're we we can't charge more INS than it takes to meet the the debt. Okay. So if that's You can't you can't stock you couldn't keep it at point three three even if so let's say after next year and again, I'm just using a number because I don't have it in front of me, that our INS could drop to point two five. You can't keep it at point three three and build, and build that revenue stream.
It has it has to to match what your your debt payment, schedule looks like. So it sounds to me like we have no wiggle room. So if we were to drop it to point three one, for example, we would be able to make our debt payment. We would it would be, that's what I I can't answer to you if you dropped it a a tenth or two tenths, where that would impact us on on the on the debt schedule. Well, I guess that's what I'm I'm having trouble understanding, is if if our INS
can only be at the rate that's necessary to make the to make the debt payment, then it sounds to me like we we couldn't lower it at all. The The the ability there and it's, for both refunding and when we used to be able to defeasance. So if the the market conditions are correct, you'd you'd be able to, address some of that future debt. So is it possible that you could do point three two, as you said or
point three one? We would have to look at the debt schedule to see what, what that capability would would would look like. It would mean no ability to do any refunding. Okay. So we really we really would just have no time to do that research, obviously, is what I'm hearing. So, I I I can't give you that. We have to go to bond counsel off off the cuff. So, my suggestion is going to be, for what it's worth moving forward that that
we have these conversations as a board maybe a month earlier, or as soon as possible so that because I think people are paying way more attention to this stuff now, and, I know I am. So I think it's important that we don't we don't we don't cut run up against the wall of anything, whether it be insurance, this, anything. We need to have more time to be malleable and get this data because I don't like the idea that I'm setting up here, and I have questions about the
legitimacy of this. And I'm not saying that the numbers are wrong or you're wrong. What I'm saying is is that I have these questions, and we can't get answers in a timely manner to make it to make good decisions. And I don't think that's fair to the taxpayers. So, that's my suggestion for what it's worth for future years. I would also ask the board if, a parameter to reduce taxes or no new revenue, when we bring the parameters typically in October to the board on here are the things we know are impacting our budget, that is the time to add them.
It has to be done upfront. So as an example, instead of us cutting 10,000,000, if the board had designated that the budget needed to be based on no new revenue in October, we would have cut approximately 18 to 20,000,000 out of this year's budget to be able to to do that moving forward. So from a budgeting standpoint, we'll need that direction earlier rather than later to be able to to achieve that goal. I would I would add one other thing on on on all of this and, we can certainly we we can certainly have those conversations.
We had so if we go back to the last legislative session, we did not get HB2 passed until June. And even when HB2 passed, the specifics and how the the system was going to function, we did not know. We still weren't sure what, what what depression was going to look like, we weren't sure how the the, what we were going to be able to use the additional allotments for, what we weren't gonna be able to use allotments for.
We didn't know, Tad's advice at that time was keep your keep your valuations flat. That has changed since then. All of our variables that we have to use to to set a budget were still up in the air and it wasn't anybody's fault. I'm not even blaming the ledge. It was just a function of that's when they got it done and there was a lot of work that then had to go in to say, okay now how does this work? This works legislatively, this works, this is what your intent was, now we have to put this in practice.
And how does this work? There was a lot of shifting. There was a lot of shifting of dollars when you're looking at gold and copper pennies. Any new revenue we got, the $55, that's not new money. That was a shift from your gold and copper which then changes changes how how we budget. So we had to go out there with this is what this is what our best estimate is. And I will tell you on the tax rate that that we looked back in June, that was the based on the best information we had.
That was the based on information that, what we are disadvantaged and it's it hit it hard this year, is having the July 1 budget. So point well taken, that July 1 budget is a crunch and being able to crunch that up and then our fiscal year is different. I know purchasing is challenging. I know, Kristen and finance team, that fiscal year of July 1 is challenging. And so it does get us off schedule and it does disconnect, this conversation that we're having tonight with passing the budget.
So, all of that to say, I I don't want to charge a cent more or a thousandth of a cent more than we absolutely need to to run this district and run it effectively for kids. That's the goal. I wish I wish we could go back and, and reduce it further but but again that's gonna be 8,000,000 is gonna be hard to find right now and 8,000,000
is going to be people. There is there's not enough stuff anymore. I do agree that I I love the idea of exploring additional revenue streams, and we've had some some conversations about that, some positive conversations about that right now. And I think that's a great function of a budget committee. And if if we the responsibilities that that I put in, when mister Burke and I were working on those, that was one of those things. So, good conversation, but I just wanted us all to be aware that that that
there was another wrench thrown in at the last minute by, by the state that is is something we have to consider as well. So just to to point out, the early budget parameters would would be critical, but to to give a definitive, this is what we believe the tax rate would be, The earliest because of the MCR not coming out till the August, we could project it. This year, we project it and thought it'd be a little lower. And when we got it from the state, it was a it was a little
higher. And that was across the state as as district looked at the template. So we could come in August with a discussion around tax rate if we've had the budget parameters set earlier in the year. I think it's to to your point, because of of the information we receive, based on the certified tax rules important because then we know what's what what, each cent generates, as well as as the MCR. So that's something we could, look at is being able to bring the the the
first discussion of it at the August meeting. Yeah. And I I think to doctor Wilson's point, I mean, I I think if we were to have those conversations, mister Allison, I think it would be helpful because then you could begin to weigh cost savings to the taxpayers. And, again, taxpayers are teachers and payers and subs and all that. But also then, what is, you know, what is the the cost to the district? And then, you know, I think the board is in a better position at that point to begin to to weigh those. I think we had a a good discussion. I would just echo and then we'll close it.
We'll take a vote on the, we don't wanna charge taxpayers anymore than we absolutely have to. I think at this point in time to, it's almost a choice between taxpayers or students and educators in the classroom, you know, based on the budget that was passed. I think miss Erickson made a good point in terms of the budget committee can start to look at some of these things. I don't know why or when, the budget year fiscal year started on July 1.
It almost sounds like that's more problematic than what it might solve. I don't know, but maybe that's an opportunity to just take a look. I'm I'm not suggesting it. I'm just saying, you know, July 1. I don't know how we got to July 1. I'm not even sure what it was before July 1, but, maybe that's an opportunity for people to take a take a take a look at it as well. If no more questions, we'll take a vote. All in favor of the tax rate, doctor doctor, Allison proposed?
All opposed? K. Five two. Our second action item is the approval of the annual investment report and approval of resolution adopting investment policy and strategy. John? I'll let missus Williams take this one. I have your name on with that here. Thanks. Please see the annual investment report and approval to adopt the investment policy on page 46 of your board book. Per board policy CDA local, the board must review the district's investment policy every year. All district investments must comply with the public funds investment act whose key points are
included in the district's investment policy. Investment strategies focus on safety, liquidity, and diversification. Investments must ensure the preservation of capital, meet anticipated cash flow needs and must be diversified to reduce the risk, to any one investment type. The Public Funds Investment Act and district policy CDA local specify the investment types in which the district may invest. For the twenty twenty five fiscal year, investments were diversified among three public funds investment
pools as well as certificates of deposit. There have been no changes to board policy CDA local since the previous year. The district earned investment income of 5,500,000.0 in fiscal year 2025 compared to a 6,400,000.0, income in the previous year. Interest rates decreased in September, November, and December 2024 and the amount of bond funds available for investment decreased as well during the year, contributing to this reduction in investment
income. As of 06/30/2025, the market value of all outstanding investments totaled a little over a $123,000,000 The portfolio average return rate for the 2025 investment pool was 4.74%. This return rate is often compared to the ninety day T bill bond equivalent rate, which was 4.57%. Therefore, the investment pools were performing at a slightly higher level than the T bill
rate. The administration recommends that the Board of Trustees approve the investment policy and the annual investment report as presented. And I'll be happy to answer any questions. May I have a motion? So moved. And a second, miss Erickson. Any discussion? Any questions? Thank you. All in favor? All opposed? Thank you. Seven zero. Thank you, Kristin. Thank you. Our third action item is approval and adoption of revisions to local policy e f b, that was previewed at an earlier meeting. Bryce? Yeah. On page 62 of your board book, you're opening an update, to local policy f
b. We previewed this in August. Since that's Only update has been made on page 12 of the policy. Originally, it stated that the board was responsible for notifying teachers if a library material was deemed inappropriate. We updated that to state that the board or designee, to be more consistent with the the verbiage and the rest of the policy. I'll be happy to take any questions on this, but the administration recommends that the Board of Trustees approve this policy as presented. Can I have a motion? So moved. And second? Oh, that was me. I'll second it. Discussion, Chris? Yeah. I would like to recommend that we amend the original motion to approve EFB local
with the inclusion of language within the acquisition procedure section that states that the district will send the parents of all KISD students an email notifying them when a list of books has been posted for the thirty day review. I'll second that motion. Could we could we repeat that, please? Repeat your motion, please. Sure. I would like to recommend that we amend the original motion to approve EFB EFB local with the inclusion of language within the acquisition procedure section that states the district will send the parents of all KISD students an email notifying them when a list
of books has been posted for the thirty day review. So we have a a motion for amendment. Do we have a second? I gave it a second. Any discussion on the amendment? Would this mess up the one that's already posted? No. This would the only if if this is approved, you would approve the policy as presented with the change that adds that on page, 68 of your board book under the acquisition procedure section. So we will still be able to vote on library material next month then?
It's already been posted to the public for thirty days. Yes. So that No email will be required. That's what I'm trying to say. Correct. We are still operating under the other other the old policy, I would say. It'll be going forward after. Yes, ma'am. Not impact that. Yes. Any further discussion? All in favor? All opposed? Six six one on the amendment. And we have the Yep. So so you voted to, include that line. You still have to vote for the policy as a whole. Sorry. Modify. So you voted you voted on he he so you amended, the policy.
So you voted to amend, and now you have to vote for the policy with that amendment included, if that makes sense. Yep. Yep. Sorry. So we need a vote on the amended policy. Yeah. Even right. Yeah. That's correct. Yeah. That's kinda what I thought. Okay. Thank you. Two votes. Sorry. Alright. So the it was six one on the amendment. So now we'll vote. The original motion. Right. Has been seconded. Correct. To include the amended version. Correct. Yeah. All in favor? All opposed? Seven zero. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Bryce. And I gave John that bad advice.
I'm sorry, mister Bert. That was my fault. Thank you, Bryce, for catching me. A fourth action item is the approval of a resolution regarding a period of prayer and reading of religious texts during school day. Doctor Wilson? Yes. So during the eighty ninth regular session, the Texas legislature passed Senate Bill 11 amending the Texas Education Code to authorize the Board of Trustees of a public school district that is not operated that is not operated by or affiliated with a religious organization
to adopt by record vote on a resolution a policy requiring every campus of the district to provide students and employees with an opportunity in a period of prayer and reading of the bible or other religious text on each school day. School boards must take a recorded vote within six months of the law's effective date. The vote determines whether to adopt a resolution for daily prayer and religious text reading. If adopted, we must follow Texas Education Code 25.083, which includes written consent must be required from participating students.
No use of public address systems for the activity are allowable. Non participants must not be within hearing range and instructional time will not be disrupted. Again, this recommendation would be to adopt the resolution requiring us to implement the to write the policy. It wouldn't actually be for the policy itself. So the recommend the administration recommends that the board of trustees consider adopting the resolution as presented. May I have a motion? So moved. And a second? I'll second it. Charles moved it. I second it. Okay.
Charles made the motion and Chris seconded it. Any discussion? Waiting for everybody to jump on the mic, like, all night. Wow. So, Corey, why is it the district's recommendation that we move forward with this? So the district recommends that you consider. Okay, so it's not the district's recommendation that we So the district is required to bring this well as a board of trustees you guys are required to consider this. Consider adoption of the resolution. So I'm bringing it forward so you guys are are able to do that.
Gotcha. Okay. Mister and Matt. Do we have a sample policy of what this will look like? Have we looked at other districts that have already made this decision, voted for, voted against? Do we have a safer policy? We do. Okay. Has our district legal counsel provided any insight on what this potentially could cause? As far as constitutional challenges and things of that nature, has our legal given us any advice whatsoever? None of the potentials that I'm aware of.
The advice was if a suit is brought then it would be the responsibility per statute of the attorney general's office to defend the district. Okay. Do we know how much it's gonna cost and if we I mean if the participants cannot be the non participants cannot be in earshot of those participating It sounds like to me this is either gonna have to be before or after school. Correct? Correct. So if that is the case and I read the whole policy.
It it's a mess. I'm gonna be real honest with you. Art is a mess. So, and I'm I'm not also I'm also not a lawyer. So to interpret it myself is is very challenging. But if if a teacher is not allowed to participate, are they going to be nailing the door? Are they gonna be outside? Like, do we have to pay them now to come early or to stay after? So it it would have to be within a reporting period. So teachers typically report thirty minutes before the instructional day starts and then they're they're
typically on staff thirty minutes after. I can foresee this being one location and I'm just speculating now, because I would have to write we would have to work with our staff, and our principals to write the resolute, the practices with the regulation. Would I anticipate, just off the top of my head, it would be an administrator's responsibility. Okay. So we would have to have an administrator from every campus that agrees to it or they're gonna be forced to? It will be part of their job description and part of their responsibilities. Okay, so they'll be forced to participate?
As far as their job description? Sorry. It's the enforcement of making sure that the kids who enter have permission so it's not we're not going to be we're not forcing staff to participate, in a period of prayer or religious reading of religious texts. That is not So they just need to man the area to make sure the movie is coming in Yeah, they will have to do student management and the logistics management of that just as they do with with any other student event. Are we gonna potentially have, like, a rapture system that they're going to have to,
like, sign the parents in and out of or, like, a background check if parents are essentially allowed in the room, which is what I read? So I'm not the parent portion, it it would follow all other procedures, for visitors on campus. Okay. So it would just, like, go through the typical, like, rapture program or something like that? Any any other any other any typical procedures we use for for visitors of any other event. Okay. So like the teacher would be able to handle that. We wouldn't need an extra front staff to like run the rapture system?
No I don't anticipate that. I can't I can't say again I would have to get the regulations in place and work with the team to put others before I can give you a definitive, but I don't anticipate that being an issue. So how will the policy respect the rights of, like, all students, like, either Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist? How will we ensure if they're all in one area? Is that teacher going to be responsible? So the the teacher is not responsible the teacher is responsible for, behavior on campus,
student code of conduct, not for the content. So within within one location, my understanding of the bill is you have one location for all faiths. And it is it is we are we are providing a space. That's it. That's the extent. And then managing, access, because only those students who have permission may may access it. And then also, making sure that the logistics are such that students, who have not
signed up may not overhear the activities. So, hold on. Sorry. I just want to go back to something real quick because it just popped in my head. So when the school opens I'm just gonna have to use the school that I know. So Parkwood Hill, their doors open at 07:15. Our and their school day starts, I believe, at 07:25. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. So 07:15 is when the teacher has to be there. Correct? Typically, yes. Yeah. Okay. So if we were doing if if we implemented the policy and we created a space for our students, faculty, whoever, to come play, would that start at 07:15 or
would that have to be thirty minutes sooner because they cannot be in earshot of people that are not participating? So but the statute doesn't specify. It's a period of time and so we would determine what that period of time is. Okay. And just like as if if you're if you're familiar with, as you all are, having kids in the district or had had kids in the district, you'll have teachers that have morning duties, you'll have teachers that have afternoon duties, anticipate this being another duty station. So when they report, again, I I wouldn't speculate as far as what the time
would be because that would be a local decision. Well, and I'm I I hope you're you're understanding my point here. There's a lot of unknowns. We don't know what that's gonna look like for after school. There are so many things my daughter does after school right now in in intermediate school. She's there until five almost every single day with all the things that she's involved in. So if this were something to where it's gonna be after school, then that could potentially be very wrong because you can't be in earshot of the people that are not participating. If we're doing it beforehand, it has to be before 07:15.
So that's before that thirty minute window that you're talking about because, again, it cannot be an earshot of people who are not participating and I don't know what that room looks like. I don't know if it's a broom closet or if it's a cafeteria. I don't know what that looks like. I don't think any of us know what that looks like. And I don't know if we're trying to solve a problem because right now we are our our students, our staff, everybody already has a constitutional right to pray individually or in groups during non instructional time anyways. So I'm asking and I I move that we table this item until we have a a clearer picture of what this is going to look like.
I say to table it, we have a sample, policy that's written up, let us really digest that, know what that looks like, answer a lot of these questions because I have many more. But just for the sake of time, especially for everybody who's been here hearing all the other, subjects we've been talking about tonight, there there's been a lot of questions from our community. And it's not saying I mean, again, I'm in a Christian conservative household. We pray. We pray all the time. My kids are probably praying before every single test. So, I mean, there there's nothing stopping our children from exercising their right to pray,
get on their knees in the middle of the hallway if you want to do what you wanna do. But there there's nothing stopping them from doing that. So for us to put a policy in place when we have our neighbors to the West who have already voted on this, and they have the same policies in place, and they they have also recognized that their students and their admin and everybody else has the constitutional right to pray however they see fit. So they they voted no, to this resolution. So, I think before we hastily make a decision to implement something that we don't
fully understand, especially with the fiduciary responsibility that we have on this district where money is already bleeding out everywhere, that we make sure we understand the cost to this district before we implement something like that. That's all I'm asking. So if we can agree on that, I move that we table this. I'll second that motion. So there's a motion on the on the take on the floor to, table this item and a second. Any discussion? Yeah. So you're right, Chelsea. We we have religious liberty in this country.
Thank god. But the the reality is, to my understanding, the reason this was even discussed to begin with and why it started getting discussed in the Texas legislature in the beginning was because even despite that religious liberty, there were there were certain schools and certain districts that were denying that religious liberty. And so all this really is, based on my interpretation of it, is the state coming in and may requiring each board to take a stand on since they're saying we're going to guarantee religious liberty in our schools, and we have a mandated time
in place where you can do that in non instructional hours. And I don't see a problem with that at all. If anything, it validates what our what our constitution stands for. So, I like the fact that it, it forces districts to allow a time for religious expression in the schools. And it's it's basic it's in it's strictly on a, and that it's not at will. Right? So, it's not forcing anyone to participate. It's giving them a place to participate so they so choose, and it's forcing us
to give them a place to do that. And, I think that's a good thing. I don't disagree. I don't disagree that it's a bad thing to pray. Again, Cory, have we had any grievances against our school that we're not allowing children to pray? Not that I'm aware of. Okay. So we don't need to take the 1% and make policies towards that. I'm just saying. We don't have that issue here. But what we do have, actually, I'm not gonna say that. You're gonna say that. So what you have to understand is this policy is not very clear how it's
written. And and I don't disagree with the, the concept of giving children a a space or admin or whatever to pray. We already have those opportunities. But in order to be responsible to our constituents, to their money that they pay towards this district. All I'm asking I'm not saying say no today. All I'm asking is that we know financially how this is going to impact our district, what it's actually gonna look like. Let us get some more information before we just say yes.
That's that's all I'm asking. So number one, we'll never know how it's financially gonna impact the district until it does. There's no way to know that. There's no there's no studies to determine at what rate this is gonna happen or what it's gonna cost. I mean, we have lots of frivolous lawsuits that jump on over all the time. So, I mean, people can sue us for anything. That that, yeah, that could happen, but it doesn't mean that you you cower away from something because of its culture and and and understand. Understand. From, like, teacher standpoint. I understand. This isn't voting on a policy. This is a resolution to have them draft the policy.
So you're asking for them to draft the policy that we haven't voted on to ask them to do yet. So that's that's all this is. So what's gonna have to happen is they're gonna draft the policy. They're gonna present us to the board in the future, if I'm correct me if I'm wrong on this, and then we will have discussions, and then it's on the policy, voting on the policy, all that at the future date. No. I'll I'll I'll correct you. It's actually voting on this to implement this. So, yes, they would write a policy, but we're effectively implementing the policy before the policy is approved. Approve. So then you adjust an amendment policy as necessary.
How I read it. So, I mean, if we need further clarification, I I wish there was a way that we could get clarification on that, but that's not We we have to approve every policy. They don't get to write a policy, can't blanch with us approving it. This is a resolution This is a resolution To instructing them to write a policy that will then come to us to discuss the same way we are now. If we vote no on this, then they don't drive a policy. No policy has to be passed. I, doctor Wilson, if we could get clarification on that, is there can we just
have a a short time to where we can clarify that, please? So That a policy has to be the policy will be given back to us to then vote on it? So it yes. You would have I would have to bring a policy towards we'd have to do a preview. My understanding is and then I should correct me if I'm wrong, but we would have to do a preview and then we would have to, put it up for action at the at the next meeting. Is that accurate? Yes. I mean, we could that's yes. I mean, the the board could choose to do that. The the verbiage in the resolution seems to exist suggests that the board is committing
that the policy shall be adopted. Mhmm. So The logistic of how that works out, whether we still bring it to the board to vote on, but they're committing to adopting a policy. Yeah. That's right. Resolution. Yeah. So but but no policy Thank you so much for clarifying that. No. Excuse me. The policy every policy has to be approved by the board before it can be implemented. You you need to bring you need to bring a policy. Yeah. Yeah. So in that what that policy looks like, we won't know until the John, can
you pick him up, please? Me. Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse us. This is, we're having deliberation here on the board. Can you move in, please? Security. Thank you. Right. So just like what you were saying to clarify, how the how the the legislation was passed was that the resolution that we passed tonight is saying that we will. Not that we're going to have a policy come back and then we revote again. It's that we will adopt the policy without it even being written.
Understand. I mean, I do believe there's a lot of people in this room that attacked us on a resolution on the detachment. Right? Saying that you could just unresolved because you can. That's the whole point. So we pass a resolution that that it will be drafted. If it's drafted and if it's not something that the majority of the board the majority, because it's something we don't wanna adopt, we can unresolved 100%. Again, I just don't understand what what this But we won't get a we won't get a policy draft. Can I can I read through a couple of questions, please? Whereas, if this resolution is approved by a majority vote, a policy shall be adopted
requiring every campus of Keller ISD to provide the prayer and reading time described above. So if we adopt this resolution, in the resolution it says a policy shall be adopted requiring every campus of Cal ISD to provide prayer and reading time. So if we adopt the resolution, we're essentially saying we are gonna adopt the policy. Yes. We don't want to adopt the policy. Yes. We can say no. Yes. We can. I know we can. You can un resolve. What I what I what I see is that we will still get the policy
for review. The policy the vote tonight, up or down, if it's if it's affirmative, we'll instruct the district to create a policy. The policy will have whatever parameters the district need needs to meet these minimum requirements. Time, place, process. If that policy, correct me if I'm wrong, does not meet with board approval, then
the policy preview will be amended until we get to a point. The the resolution is a timetable, attached to it, and there's, again, not specifics about what that policy has to include other than, beyond this topic necessarily. So you could still yeah. You could come back and revise, choose to, adopt a policy whenever you choose to. Any other so we have a a motion and a second to table this, take a majority vote. Any other do we have any more questions, comments on that motion?
I have no questions in general about it. Do you wanna do the motion first on tabling before my questions on the agenda? We have a motion to second to table. Yep. So let's do let's deal with that let's deal with that one first. So all in favor of tabling the motion that's been made, please raise your hand. When the table fails, now we'll revert to the original motion to the, district's recommendation that we consider adopting that we pass the resolution.
Any other discussion, miss miss Erickson? Yeah. So I'm very concerned about the impact on our staff and and secondarily to our students because of more work put on plates of admin of central administration at the campuses and the staff. So I understand we haven't done any work on it. There are some policies the AG can do, but, in terms of looking at adopting this policy, this will require work from central admin. Right, doctor Wilson? Yes. Okay. And then it'll then require work at the campus level to figure out how to
implement it, who's gonna do it, what room will work on their campus because the cafeteria is already used for breakfast, the gym is already used for housing staff. You're probably down to the library at that point? It it would depend on where it is. So Okay. So it would create an extra burden on the staff during the day, either before or after. Adding the duties, it would create extra burden on staff who are already doing all the other duties that are required to open and close the school. That's why they're there thirty minutes ahead of time. Is that right? So there will be additional duties.
That's correct. Okay. Does this help prepare students to learn or be ready for the STAAR test in any way, shape, or form? So none of the no. It's not a it's not a STAAR related bill. Okay. Does it help with TEKS and our students learning what they need to learn in their grade levels? The bill is not associated with the TEKS, no. Okay. Does it help with student outcomes in either achievement or growth to do this and add burden onto our staff? That would I not to my knowledge. Okay. I would venture to just put my point out there, to answer your question that
any any student who wishes to participate in a peripheral environment, for the benefit of gathering syllabus or whatever will definitely affect in a positive way their student outcome. So, but, mister Burt, they already have access to that. They have access to bible clubs. I know at my daughter's school, there's a very active bible club that is available for students. There are opportunities within the district. We have made that a possibility for our students already. Isn't that correct? Yes. Okay, so this is basically a redundant requirement that we're gonna require staff to spend
time developing, monitoring, maintaining, policing the door to make sure that the right kids get in and the other kids don't get in. It just seems like a waste of time and resources when our students already have this opportunity and our staff already do and they're already sponsoring clubs to help our students in this way. Any other questions, comments? Yeah. I'll make another comment. I just wanna make sure that this community understands that every single person up here purports to be a Christian. Okay? Everybody here has can pray anytime they want to. We're not required to pray before this board meeting, but we do.
That's not in a policy, but, I mean, we do it. But one thing I wanna make very clear, understand that we don't have to make this decision right now. This is not something that we have to put across the dias right now. I want you to know about the climate and the politics that are coming up here soon and why this is getting pushed. And I'm so sorry that our district, instead of saving us money and helping us understand what this gonna this is going to do to our administrators, this is asinine. This is absolutely asinine, you guys.
And I'm telling you, it is hard. It is hard to sit up here day in and day out, especially when I hear one of my fellow trustees tell me we need our our administration to give us this information sooner. Well, how about you come here over the summer and actually do your job? So you guys, I'm sorry because you know they're gonna pass it. I'm gonna end it with there. But I am a Christian and I do pray. My children pray. We have as as I'm I'm just annoyed. I'm sorry. Any other questions, comments? All in favor? All opposed? Four three.
Thank you. So we're into consent. Right? We're gonna move into items. Oh, let's take a, a ten minute recess for, yeah, we'll just take a ten minute recess, and I'll let her go with that. I'll be back. Thank you. Alright. The board is back in session at 07:25. We'll now move to consideration of items pulled from consent agenda. We'll start with item 10 C.
Purchases over $25,000 Here we go. Good evening, board. On page 17 of your board book, you will find the approval of purchases exceeding $25,000 which is being brought to you in accordance with CH Local. The spreadsheet on page 18 lists those purchases for your consideration. The administration recommends that the board of trustees approve these purchases as presented. Do I have a motion? So moved. And a second. I'll second.
Thank you. Discussion. I asked, that that this item be be moved actually into, further discussion considering some of the the large dollar amounts. Okay. And, so nothing in particular. Just maybe go down. We have a 2,000,000, 1,200,000.0, 207 doll anyway, if you could just kinda go through, a little bit on those. Don't I spend a lot of time on it, and then particularly where the funds are coming from that pertain to those items.
Sure. Absolutely. The first item is for TriLamb Roofing for 2,129,000.000 for storm related roof damage at Central High School, and this is being paid for with insurance funds. So this isn't coming out of our general fund. The second item, which is also storm related roof projects for Timber Creek High School, for 1,214,000.000 and this also is insurance funds. This is not general fund. The installation of an access gate at the KISD Ag Barn, so we'll have secure entrance at that location, is being paid for out of our bond funds.
The third one which is for curriculum instruction from education resource group is an independent data analysis and accountability reviews and performance evaluations to help leaders make informed decisions that improve outcomes and organizational effectiveness. The platform will also analyze the financial data and assist in financial decisions. This is being paid for budgeted, general funds. The following one, safety and security. The first one is to Global Guardian for systems redundancy to continue activation where there's an alertist failure district wide.
This is being paid for out of general funds as well, which has been budgeted. The second item the reader covers to avoid those accidental activations from the badges getting a little too close to the readers, for the panic readers district wide will be paid for out of grant funds. So So that will not be coming out of general fund. The, next one for safety and security is the bidirectional amplifiers for Sunset Valley, Ridgeview, and Parkview Elementary Schools to Airwave Technologies, again, for 185,000 is being paid for out
of grant funds. That's not coming out of general funds. The following the last item is HVAC repairs on the east and west units that are natatorium, and this is $52,413, and this is being paid for out of budgeted general funds. Is there any other questions? So I think, when we talked last, last meeting particularly on the grants, that was our safety and security team, going to bat using grant money. And that EPC and T, relatively small dollars, but is that something we already use?
That's a cooperative that we're using this particular vendor office, usually a shareable contract from another district, that we're members with. It affords us the ability to share contracts with other districts. If I could take the opportunity, Mr Burke, ERG is a subscription that approximately three years ago the board approved, we took a couple years off, it gives us the ability to compare our budget and academic performance against other Texas schools and to do
a deep dive in both financial and academics, in comparable school districts so that it really gives us a good benchmark on where we are performing in those areas against similar school districts across Texas. So we found the information to be very valuable, it actually on the financial side helped us with some of our early decisions on budget reductions, and because we haven't done it for a couple years, we felt this was a good year to to reinvest, get that information again, and and be able to track, how we benchmark against
other school districts. Alright. Thank you. Any other questions, comments, concerns? Okay. All in favor? Thank you. All opposed? Seven zero and ten c. Thank you. We will now move to item 10 h. The approval the, the approval of Jackson Walker as LLP as counsel for defendants, etcetera. In well, I'll just read it. In cause, 236367284.
That's 25 pending in the February in approval of expenses over $25,000. Do I have a motion? So moved. Do I have a second? Second. Discussion. If I may just start real quick. We, I know this is gonna be a lively discussion, say the least, which is fine. So I'm just gonna make a couple of quick points and then I'll I'll come back and maybe make some some other points, as the subject, as it unfolds.
So just, to my colleagues up here, I'm sure there'll be a temptation by some to broaden this discussion beyond the boundaries of the agenda topic. Just as a reminder to to my colleagues that we should try to keep the discussion focused on the motion, that's been made and and seconded. Third, I would just remind my colleagues that some of the discussion points that may come up or be asked or whatever, may be related to pending litigation matters and
cannot be discussed. So there may be a question that won't be an answer or the answer will be it relates to pending litigation. So I trust to be understanding on that. And, I will do my best to, let the discussion free flow, but if it gets too far, off topic, I I will intervene as necessary to bring us back to the agenda topic. So, I think, I have some other comments, but, I I just open it up
now to those who have questions. Well, I'll go ahead and start if that's okay. When the district employed, in house counsel, when the district employed in house counsel, total legal expenses, including salary, benefits, and outside counsel, averaged approximately $803,000 over the final three years of her service. After transitioning to board only general counsel model, which was the proper structure to relieve conflicts of interest, The district's total legal cost fell to about $703,000 through the end
of the most recent calendar year ending in June. Importantly, that figure includes 92,000 for the RSM monitor prior of the prior administration, which was not a actual legal expense. Moving that audit cost to total legal expenditures were closer to $611,000. Prior to the recent waiver for this lawsuits and excessive FOIA request, the district's legal burn rate or, say, cost was only about 4 to $5,000 a month under this current structure. This is all public information. It's sourced directly from the district's check registers and the KIC pay scales.
For context, the average hourly rate for a specialized attorney in education law is a recognized specialty, Begins around $500 an hour and can run as high as a thousand dollars per hour in the DFW Metroplex. By comparison, the district's outside counsel charges roughly $450 per hour, which is below an even starting average with specialized legal expertise in this market. In short, our current arrangement with outside counsel is not only more cost effective than the previous in house model, but it also firmly is below the prevailing market rates. Just as importantly, it is legally necessary to preserve the independence and avoid conflicts of
interest between the board and administration. And to just changing law firms in the middle of ongoing litigation, to me is quite frankly, we use the term asinine. I think what's happened, in my opinion, is that there's been emotionally charged discussions around what's currently happening in the district because, I mean, emotion people just don't wanna necessarily look at the facts and the data. I'm a very data driven person. I spent many hours going over that. I think you guys saw that on the the insurance discussion. And I did not put these numbers together.
We actually had a citizen to put these together, and we actually published them on the website to go ahead and do the work for everybody that didn't wanna do it themselves, which I think is awesome. So I think it's important that when we as we're having these discussions, that it's something that's fact driven and not emotionally driven. In those situations do you typically see do you typically see anyone changing attorneys in the middle of active litigation unless, of course, they're just not doing a good job? Pending results so far, I would say, I'm pretty good. And if or if it's a there's a cost issue.
There's not a cost issue. And if anyone has any numbers to say otherwise, I would love to hear them. But for the record, again, this is all from public information. It's from the district's check registers and KSD payscales. And the website you can go, there's actually cool infographic along with more information on the data. Ironically enough, it's interesting. I don't necessarily know I approve of the name, but it's 10davisischeaper.com. So it is published right now. Everyone can go to it. That's where they sent me this information from. So I think it'd be interesting for people the the general public and everyone else
in the audience to go there and actually look at the numbers themselves as opposed to listening to a bunch of emotional rhetoric that just isn't backed by facts. Thank you. Mister Campbell? I'm gonna be unemotional. I'm just gonna speak to the facts. While I understand the need for legal representation and the petition for removal case, There is a correct way to do this and this agenda item is not the correct way. First, the agenda item is attempting to engage the legal services of Jasmine Walker LLP without a valid board approved terms of engagement agreement in place.
Our current retention agreement with Jackson Walker dated 03/02/2023 does not comply with state law, Texas education code, or local policy because it was never approved by the board. Texas education code section 11.151 specifies that the trustees on an independent school district constitute a body corporate. Unquote, this board can only act as a body corporate and this board only exists as a legal entity when meeting in quorum and in session.
No single trustee can transact business on behalf of the board. Therefore, our current retention agreement with Jackson Walker is invalid. We must have a board approved terms of engagement agreement with Jackson Walker before contracting for professional legal services. Second, there are no supporting documents for this agenda item. This is standard procedure. B E local policy regarding the consent agenda states that quote, the board shall be furnished with background material, unquote.
The background material should have at least included the first page of the petition for removal, the current status of that case and an estimate of the cost involved in litigation. Even if they're only estimates. If we had a properly executed retention agreement with Jackson Walker, that should have been included also. But we do not have that. From local policy BDD, quote, services to be performed and reasonable fees and expenses to be paid by the district to outside counsel shall be set forth in writing between
the district and the attorney or attorneys unquote. We have no idea what these fees and expenses will be for this agenda item. A properly executed terms of engagement agreement should include fees and expenses, designate who is the client, the scope of the representation, and the procedures for terminating that agreement. Third, a properly executed retention agreement, board approved retention agreement, is an important first step in protecting the district before engaging in professional legal services.
And that retention agreement should always be public record for the sake of transparency and accountability. To demonstrate the importance of a properly executed terms of engagement agreement, our current agreement with Jackson Walker is mentioned in the footnotes of exhibit A in the petition for removal case in connection with the RSM model. Quote, however, no provision in Davis' Jackson Walker engagement letter provided his firm the authority to unilaterally enter uncapped contracts on behalf of KISD, unquote.
My point here is that when we don't do things the right way, we only create more problems down the road. A few additional key points. One, only one board member currently serving here was here on 03/02/2023, when the Jackson Walker agreement was signed. Number two, the agenda item as presented represents an ongoing and unlimited financial liability to the district. Number three, to approve the agenda item without a current board approved retention agreement with Jackson Walker does not comply with Texas education code, our own local policy, and it
opens us up to even more litigation. We are currently undergoing an annual audit by Weaver and Tidwell, and there was valid reason for legal expenses to be flagged and questioned. In summary, if you want to engage Jackson Walker in the petition for removal case, then I ask you to do it the right way. The first step in this process is to have the board approve new terms of engagement and make those a public agenda item at the October regular board meeting. Alternatively, I am prepared to offer a motion to begin a request for qualifications for
all legal services to Keller ISD and the Keller ISD Board of Trustees. In my view, that is the best path forward that protects everyone's interests but allows us to begin with a clean slate. If Jackson Walker is the best firm to continue the case for the defendants in the petition for removal case, they will have opportunity to show that in the RFQ process. As a trustee, my first consideration is the students and educators of Keller ISD. I do not see any benefit in this resolution to the students, educators, or taxpayers
of Keller ISD. And therefore, I will not support passing. It's agenda item. Thank you, mister Burke. Yeah. That was excellent, Nandi. I would totally agree with everything you just said. I also do not understand based off the language here, and I've asked for clarification earlier this week, and there was no document produced that had it for what this even means to know what we are voting for. I understand the first part but when you say and legal expenses over $25,000 that's ambiguity, that is not clear if that relates just to that suit or if it's in general. So let me back up a little bit.
Now, over the past few months, some of you asked me about the status of Jackson Walker. A lot of you a lot in the audience, some in the community just don't like Tim Davis, period. I have not had any phone calls, any emails, any concerns, over Tim Davis. To to me, it's a nonissue. To my to to the people that, to the people that, I guess, I interact
with is for the lack of a better term, I'm just saying people have not brought this to my attention. We hear it in the communities, certain elements of the of the community, no question about it. But when I've been asked by many of you, my my, impressions or my whatever on Jackson Walker, I presented the idea that there is a time, there is a place for, as you mentioned, mister Campbell, overall conversation about litigate lawyers in general that
serve the district. And we have multiple. We have multiple and to be honest, I'm not sure what all of them do. I have a general idea which bucket they fall in. Doctor Wilson can probably share that better. But I didn't I don't recall after having these discussions with most of you, a great deal of pushback on the utilization of Jackson Walker, for ongoing litigation. Really not much pushback whatsoever. So I take that to mean new litigation or new items or whether who's the
board, attorney going forward, is a discussion for a future day, not tonight. Tonight, we're we are, the agenda is very specific, and I'll give you, the background. But I did wanna get to the point where I'm surprised that the out, I don't know, outrage is probably a little bit too strong but the, surprised by the intensity of the opposition to Jackson Walker continuing to be the board representative and legal
counsel for litigation going forward, having not heard a whole lot of pushback about it. So I'm a little surprised, quite honestly. And for those that think that the point of view of putting it in the consent agenda, okay, maybe it wasn't the right spot, but to me I thought it was a normal course of business. Some of you agree, I I I'm sure. But based on my comments just a minute ago about not getting a whole lot of pushback, from from most of you, that this would be a rather routine matter.
The fact that it's JW, the fact that it's Tim Davis, okay, speaks different but that doesn't change the fact. One of one of you said, well, we can't vote it on in consent because we haven't approved it yet. Well, we don't approve anything in consent until we take a vote. But to answer the question, I'll simply say, for miss Erickson that at issue, and you alluded to it, mister Campbell, is a petition for removal of trustees Bert Washington
and Radcliffe. Fair and simple. And the case number demonstrates that. If you wanna go look it up, I invite you to go look it up. It it's very clear. And from the get go, the majority of the board has known that these claims are are factually unsubstantiated. As per the motion to dismiss the original Mucker lawsuit, The Mucker lawsuit is on hold because the plaintiffs, the remaining plaintiffs, those people, Carrie Moon and team, who have have basically hijacked the good name of the Heritage HOA have continued and they've moved
now this litigation, they've changed the venue, changed scope, and this vote tonight is simply, in public, those of you that want it in public, I whollyheartedly agree, was to ensure transparency and to permit its current counsel to continue representation for the current legal activities. We're not talking new litigation. This is like son of a mucker. This is the same lawsuit that got put on hold, moved to a new venue,
and the same motions to dismiss are equally, equally, apparent or used. So there's nothing new. So to answer your question, that's what this case is. This is specific and it's my understanding, doctor Wilson, correct me if I'm wrong, that this $25,000 does not apply to other legal services or any other professional services that
I'm aware of. So all professional services, those are not subject to, the the I'm looking for Laurie. She already out. So purchases over 25 for professional services are not brought before the board. That's correct. But they are showing up in the check register, just like any other invoice from any other third party. That's correct. Okay. So there's nothing nefarious about the 25,000. It's consistent with how how the district has no one run its business.
This isn't a carve out for Jackson Walker. This is not a carve out for Tim Davis. So that's what that's what the litigation is for. It's a continuation of litigation that's already been started. And quite honestly, when we see the increase in fees, if you and most of you have already looked at the fees related to the two lawsuits that we're involved with, it's it's, it's high. No question, it's high. But whether we pay Jackson Walker or whether we pay somebody else, as Chris mentioned,
$4.50 an hour is pretty darn good, right, quite honestly. And we've actually saved through this model some money. Now, if people continue to sue the district or sue the board, continue to, you know, populate the PIAs like crazy, which everybody has a right to do. That's either gonna cost, litigation or, legal expense, whether it's Walsh Gallego, if it's a district related issue. Correct? Or it's gonna cost, Jackson Walker.
It's gonna be fees to Jackson Walker if the PIA has, is related to litigation, that's ongoing, for the board. So it's either there's nothing nefarious, about it. Now, one can argue and, the, the engagement letter we have is in place. It clearly delineates the cost and, and the services. So in this particular case, in this particular change of venue, we're simply asking for
this motion to be voted on so that existing and continuing litigation can, can continue, with that with that firm. And, again, I call on on Carrie Moon and those others that have hijacked the Heritage HOA Homeowners Association. This can end very quickly. This can end very this can end very quickly. Excuse me. Security, the gentleman in black. Mister president, I have a couple questions.
Then you've been warned. Consider yourself warned. And anybody else in that group, y'all collectively consider yourself warned. Whoever's talking. That would include you, ma'am. Who has to be Oh, it was me. Sorry. I'm sorry. Go ahead. You're fine. I was about to yell at a point of order, a point of privilege there. So I just had a couple questions. So with what we're voting on tonight actually, let me start. Boost him so we can actually ask some of these questions because I actually have
a legal question, that I guess we would have to ask to him or even the district's attorney. It it would be nice especially when we're deliberating something like this that we we have somebody we can ask questions to. But, with what we're voting on tonight, is there gonna be an actual agreement between Jackson Walker and the board for this particular item? Or is it just a revote and he gets to work? Like, there's no there's no written anything that you have to sign.
There's not an email that you have to send back. There's there's nothing? We're gonna take the vote and we will confirm to the firm that the motion, that they've been retained as counsel for this and for this item that's on the agenda. Okay. But not like no other documentation, no agreement about it, there's no The agreement's already in the agreement's already in in place as far as I know. Mister Campbell can argue the fact that it's it's not an agreement. But Okay.
So, basically, you're saying the agreement that we already have in place, there's nothing else that we need to have that we need to sign with Jackson Walker. We just need to have this vote with this one item on our agenda to suffice. Yes. Okay. So no okay. Nothing aside from our agreement already. Okay. So what I don't understand is, has he already been representing the defendants in this on this case already? Yes. I just said that.
Okay. So he has. Is there a reason why we need to have another agreement in place? Or is there is there a reason why we need to vote on analysis since he's already been representing the three? I think it has to do with the change in venue and possibly the change in scope and because it's, specific to three three trustees. Okay. The other the other, as I understand it, was related to trustees plus district. Okay. And and the other and the other one, as I said, has has been placed
on hold while the other, with mister Moon and team have changed the venue Right. Changed the scope to isolate three board members. I was under the impression that the one that is listed on the agenda, that's, that was originally in consent that we moved down to action, that was the Tarrant County. Is that correct? It's in Tarrant. It was That's the Tarrant County one. It it's all Tarrant County. It's all Tarrant County, but it's been filed with in Johnson County with another judge who has I'm I'm gonna lose the terminology, judgeship rights in Tarrant County.
Okay. So he can hear cases and but it's filed in Johnson County. So at some point so if this is the Tarrant County one and this is the one there is a separate that is in Johnson with that judge that has the rights. It's related. It's related. Okay. Sorry. I'm just a little bit confused, because we haven't gotten any updates whatsoever from Tim. So the one that is Tarrant County and the one that we're voting on tonight,
will that venue be changing? Or is it the Johnson County that had a venue change? I'm not sure I understand. Well, I'm hearing it's the wrong one that's on here. Does that make sense? Because I I I do know that there's two. I know they're separate. And so I'm looking for some clarification here. But I I was under the impression that there's one that is Tarrant County, and then there's one that the change of venue went to Johnson. I'm sorry. I got I got distracted here. Excuse me. Sorry. We good? Okay. The vote tonight is specific.
The vote tonight is to approve Jackson Walker for the counsel for the defendants, which I've already named in this case in this court in Tarrant County, period. That's I mean, that's all it is. Yeah. It's it's all it is. Well, no. No. No. And If I split hair you know, if you're gonna split hairs, Chelsea. I'm not trying to split hairs. I'm trying to make sure. Then talk to Tim. I'm all in the same position. Call Tim as We'll have Tim as miss Erickson dismiss the information. He gives the board information. You know how many times I try to get him an executive session?
Multiple. So don't tell me to call Tim because the last time I was here, he chewed me out. Don't tell me to call Tim. Well, I didn't think mister Erickson and mister Campbell had a had a problem. You know, to go down to his office and review invoices, called Tim. Have you called him? Like I just said to you, mister Burt, the last time I tried to get information from him, he said, I do not give information to you. I give it to the Board collective. Yeah. That was an executive session. That's what you just said. But if you have questions outside, you pick up the phone and call him. He said that to me over the phone, so I'm not saying anything that was
said in executive session, but thank you for that. No. You just said you really just said and you tried to approach him in executive session, and you said he speaks to the board collectively because in executive session, he does because it's consultation with the attorney as a board. If you have individual questions outside of that that I approached him in executive session. I said Okay. No. Thank you. So but, no, I I to clarify, I just wanna make sure that we're on the same page. I'm not trying to split hairs with you, sir. I'm just trying to make sure that we are all on the same page so we know. Because your reasoning was that it's because there's going to be a venue change.
And so I was concerned that the one that we're actually voting on is not the one that will have the venue change because I know there are two suits. So I I apologize if I'm coming off wrong, but that that's not my intent. But I think The venue, you know, we can I call it splitting hairs? The the venue from one court to another court within Tarrant County is a is a venue change. Okay. So, you know, changing a judge, changing court. Okay. If excuse me, sir. You're not part of the conversation. You've been warned.
I think the only problem here too, is that not only do we have something that was put in consent agenda and, John, I appreciate you saying that probably wasn't the right place to put it. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that was the wrong place to put it. And there were multiple agenda meetings that were happening that day. And and I know you specifically asked me, like, why didn't you say something? Well, you had other trustees that didn't say anything either. My And I don't dispute that. Right. Nobody.
Nope. Nope. I agree with you a 100%. Right. Right. Went through the agenda review and nobody had any Respectfully. Let me let me finish my point. But the the point is is that, again, with this item being placed on the agenda with no supporting documentation whatsoever, you first of all, you don't put nonroutine items, just so backup branding. Board policy b e states that. It's routine items. This is obviously not routine. But when you did that, that put us in another situation to where we have violated TOMA.
And so I want to make it very clear that we have trustees that think that I I don't know what I'm doing. I I very much do know what I'm doing. And so when you're looking at placing items on the agenda, we need to make sure that we're dotting our i's and crossing our t's because we have literally set ourselves up again for now more lawsuits, more money coming from the district, more division because of the lack of transparency that this is. And whenever that agenda is posted and the community and the board and everybody is
looking at it, you have to have supporting documentation to explain what this is. Not just having a very long description on just, you know, how will I see a letter? It doesn't that doesn't work. So but I appreciate you saying that that wasn't that wasn't correct, and it should have gone down to action. And you already put it down to action, and I appreciate that so we could actually discuss this. But I'm afraid at this point, especially with it already being posted, how it was posted, it's it's opens opened us up for another lawsuit.
So, I I do have the question of and and, again, I don't have anybody to ask here. Is is our board counsel he's supposed to represent the board as a whole. So how is that correct that he could now just represent the three? Is it that you guys would find separate counsel? I I just I don't know how that works. I'm not gonna answer it. I would ask you to call Tim. Call Tim and ask him the question. Here's here's why I'm confused.
I've heard a whole lot of I don't understand what we're voting on. And in the subject line here, it says approval Jackson Walker LLP as counsel for defendants in cause number 236Dash367284Dash25, pending the two hundred and thirty sixth District Court of Tarrant County. And that's what we're voting on. But, I mean, I don't understand how much more descriptive you can get than giving you the exact cause number and what it is and where it is. So I don't think that's a that's a strong argument to say that I don't
know what we're voting on. It literally tells you what we're voting on. I understand that it's it states in the very long description. But, again, you're supposed to have supporting documentation to explain all the things. We also should have had some sort of discussion about this, maybe an executive session, if we could have had that in an executive session to answer some of those questions, but we don't have counsel here to ask. I wanted to verify, is that the right lawsuit? And then also too, we have questions about the agreement. It's not just one sentence and you say, let's go.
There are questions that come off of that, and that's okay to have questions. I understand that, but it's an extension of our current agreement. And so we have an agreement with them, and it states the rate at which we pay them. And this is for the specific instance. We're voting We don't have a current agreement with them. We do not have a current agreement with Jackson Walker. It was never approved by the board. We have a a letter dated 03/02/2023 signed by one board member. No one board member can act for the board. This is a body corporate. I understand, but there's many there are many times that there is board there is
public record of us voting for Tim Davis. So, I mean, at the, again, at the end of the day, it's very common that we vote something here, and then there is one person who signs it, and that's the board president. So at that time, is it accurate to state that Charles Rankly was the board president? He was the board president, but he can't he can't enter the into a board, retention agreement on his own. And I verified this with Tasby legal, by the way, three different times. I understand. How do you This was an ultra various act that's Latin for beyond authority. He can't do that. I'm not I'm not beating up on doctor Rancliffe.
Okay? You don't know what I would You might have well signed that with good intentions. I don't know. Have you But it was not his authority to do that. It's no single trustee's authority to enter into a retention agreement for legal services. That's gotta be done by the board, by a board vote, by body corporate. So we don't have a valid agreement with Jackson Walker. There wasn't an act in the committee. There wasn't a board vote. Again, so I I'm just so we have the the action item here. So, mister president, it seems this has veered off. Are we gonna vote on the action item? Are we gonna talk about all sorts of other things?
Agree. Thank you for bringing us back to to center. Alright. Any other questions, comments? Can you explain to us what about the 25,000 that it says? What does it say on the thing? And for expenses over and approval over expenses for for $25,000. The the the plain reading of the text would indicate to me that that applies only to this particular lawsuit and not for any other, legal business done by Jackson Walker. Would that be valid to say that? That is consistent with other professional agreements including the one we have in place with
Jackson Walker, as it is. Okay. Because that's that's important to me. I wanna know that if if we're we're saying that this is for approval of expenses over $25,000, the plain reading of that tells tells me that this that that phrase over $25,000 only applies to this particular lawsuit. The the, removal removal petition. That lawsuit only. It doesn't apply to anything else at Jackson Walker. No. That's not a that would definitely explain what it means. Well, there's no other professional agreement as doctor Wilson stated, that is subject to the
25,000. So anything anything Jackson Walker does, Washoe Diego does, I don't know. There's three or four others. Architects and, demographers and so on. I mean, it's, y'all fall in the same bucket. So there's nothing new. This is simply a clarification and a point to be sure, that there's no no question mark. It's the same. It's consistent. There's no carve out, nothing special, for Jackson Walker. It's not applicable to anybody else. So I think your your reading is, is not correct.
It's true in this case as well. Alright. And you have your My reading is not correct. It it doesn't apply to the suit only or I am correct that it does apply to the suit only. I'm I'm I'm not trying to argue with you. I'm just confused. So the $25,000 applies to this suit only? It's consistent with all of the professional agreements the district has. That's all I'm gonna say. I mean, it's that's what doctor Wilson indicated. So if I I understand what Randy's saying. I I I understand the reading of it, and I would tend to agree with you, Randy, that it's it's for this specific case, because that's what we're that's what
we're voting on. But the John mister Birch point, it almost seems that the whole 25,000 thing there is unnecessary, because it it's not applicable to to other firms that we use or any of those professional services that we use. So it almost seems like it's unnecessary, but, yes, the way it is written, I do I do agree with you, Randy, that applies for this case. Yeah. I I understand now, with your interpretation of it. Right. But not exclusion of others.
But, yes, it it's probably redundant because it it it falls in line with other professional service agreements. Alright. I just wanna, go back to one thing you said, mister Burt, in that it was that your impression was of that. I I don't agree that that's your impression, but we've been asking questions the entire time we've been here about this. And just because there were enough people that you already have the answer for what the what the vote would be doesn't mean that, like, we agreed with it. It just means there was no point.
So Understood. I think that was a mistaken impression. Very well could be everybody, has a different impression sometimes of the same conversation. Security, would you please remove please remove the gentleman in blue? Are you threatening us again? Alright. Thank you. Alright. It sounds like everybody's point's been made. So for the record, I think this is important because I think everyone needs to notice what just happened. Is we really just had someone threaten us and tell us that if we vote not the way he wants, that he's threatened with another potential lawsuit.
So the one that's already suing this. So that's the problem that we have is that we have a lot of these frivolous lawsuits to where when instead of voting us out, which is the action that should happen or if a board is not acting the way you want, there's a there's an element of lawfare that's being attempted to be enacted on the board that requires things like this. And this is why I call them frivolous lawsuits. And we'll see where they go. I think I'm at my point knowing on that, but that's why this stuff stuff like this is important. It's It's why it's important for the board to have its own independent attorney for
reasons just like this. If we wouldn't try to split our district, we wouldn't need to do that. Alright. Excuse me, sir. Yep. I agree agree with mister Coker on this. Alright. All in favor? All opposed? Are you up or down? I'm staying. Alright. So four to four for it, two against it, one I'm staying. Let's see. Alright. We're at the, point of discussion. Doctor Wilson? Yes. So we do have an item for discussion this evening. Doctor Hood has begun working with our principals last week.
Last week, right? Okay. I panicked. I thought it was this week. Last week, we'd had some concerns shared with us, related to recess and the kids abilities to go outside, length those types of issues. But then also what data source do we use to make those decisions, how they're made. And when he and I reviewed that, he took that to the principal group and they all agreed that, the administrative regulation, was in need of a rewrite. And so, we thought we would bring it forth for a conversation just because I
had some questions about it. So I wanted to open it up and and so what what what would you like to what would you like to hear? What can we help answer? Any questions you may have. I just wanna know if you could go ahead and start off with, kind of enlightening us on what the current administration regulation is. So currently, there's a there was a restriction on heat. I believe that the heat index so there's a there's a limit to where kids can go outside. And the the source right now is not a good source.
It's it's it's dated. We have much better sources to say this is a this is a a good temperature to use. It does follow UIL or it does follow, our new one's going to follow UIL? Yes. So so the one that we currently have in place, at one point in time, athletics used temperature, the actual temperature. They no longer use that. UIL now recommends a wet bulb global temperature, which is what is consistent with UIL
district wide athletics and district wide fine arts. So we are we have looked at the potential of changing from a a heat index or actual temperature to that wet wet bulb global temperature. We looked at that this week and had we moved to that, it allows some greater flexibility and it would have allowed our students to go outside for the past last week and this week. They would have been now able to go out every day.
The bigger the biggest issue we have at the elementary level are those students and those grade levels that go out, from twelve to 12:30. Those are the ones if anyone's gonna miss it's typically the grades that go out at twelve or 12:30. So is there a way to adjust that time frame to to make it available? I mean, I know it's you gotta put a lot of kids. Yeah. You you always can. I think the challenge is if you adjust a time frame the the way elementary scheduling works is you have so many specialists that see groups of kids.
So if you if you adjust a time frame it's like a domino effect. There are gonna be groups of kids, that see specialized services or access specialized services who then may not be able to go. The goal and I will tell you from from our perspective, I agree, and I know that our principals agree that, we want kids to get outside. We want kids to get outside as much as they can because I think that's a that's a that's a something that does help them academically and it is good
for them to get out. There has been, there has been some a lot of conversation even at the legislative level as far as what you can and can't do related to recess. I think there's a broad understanding of the importance. The challenge for us is obviously I think we can we can with the refinement of the regulation we can do a much better job related to the parameters around heat or weather. The the it's not just heat that gets us, it's also ozone action days and
then you have the health services component of that that restricts students to to be able to go outside. The other thing that adds in is, the the one thing you learn as an elementary teacher is that you you can't not have you can't put your guard down and not watch all those kids on a playground for very long before something happens. And so you want it's always trying to maximize, the safety aspect, the coverage aspect of it, but then also reserve staff to have those students who aren't able to
go outside for health reasons, or parental choice, for to make sure that they're safe as well. We try to do as much as we can as far as length. I think that's a conversation that our principals and doctor Hutt will be having because transitioning an elementary group takes a long time. If you're gonna trans you guys have you've watched you've, you've seen the transition of a group of kindergarten first grade kids. It can take a little bit of time.
And the what we always try to do is balance our job is to balance the academics, and make sure that the academics and and the the academic services are covered, but then also do the the, allow for allow for kids to get outside. So Is is there a time that you could make it work to to give them more time outside once you get the weather part? Because I I know that when I've subbed before, it's it was more of the
feels like, temperature. It was always a feels like. With the Perry app. Yeah, so the pocket Perry app is what athletics uses. So when you see the lightning delays at the stadium or, at one of the ballparks over at the fields, we actually have a weather station on the high schools. One of our high schools is down right now but it's close to another high school so we're okay. So it's localized whereas you go to a website that's your traditional websites or more global, geographic area.
It's not it's not nailed down to, to a specific site. So but but athletics uses it. They use global. They use wet bulb. And so the thing that wet bulb does is takes into account everything. It takes into account wind, it takes into account, not just humidity, it is not just humidity and heat, which is what limits a lot of the outside activity. Now as related to, time, we can certainly consider that. That's a conversation I would have, that Kevin and, Jennifer would need to have, from
the instructional side in the scheduling, with the principals to make that determination because cause we wanna maximize as much as we can. Yeah. I just had feedback from, the public that, as we know, in elementary school, transitioning our little friends takes quite a bit of time and so it really cuts down on their recess time. So how do we give them the most bang for their buck, basically? Get the wave of people out and help the teachers out. No. I agree. I agree. So, I've gotten quite a bit of feedback on this.
And, just for full disclosure, I do have an eight year old, and so I wanted to talk with him and some of his buddies and kinda get his perspective on on recess. And I think this is instructive. I also think the feedback that we've gotten from parents is instructive. And so, you know, one of the comments was recess is canceled when teachers feel it's too hot. I would argue that I think there's a lot of parents out there, and I think we're talking about this a little bit, about maybe being more clear about how we determine when kids come indoors, when kids come outdoors.
I mean, I I would even suggest, if it's not too difficult, maybe there's some ability to put something up on the web page where a parent can look at that and they know whether or not for that day it's gonna exceed whatever the parameters are. Like, I think that would be really helpful, to be honest with you, so that folks understand when a call may be made. Some other feedback that I got from these fantastic eight year olds, there's nothing fun about indoor recess. It's boring. I can't get my energy out. I can't even listen to the teacher because I have so much energy.
Again, these are real kids, real eight year olds, and they gave me the unvarnished truth here. Outdoor recess, they love soccer, monkey bar monkey bars, and football. It drains all their energy, so they, so I'm sorry. So it it drains all of his energy outside, and he sweats, and he feels better, and he's able to pay attention to his teacher. So, these were a couple of comments that I got. But, again, you know, kids will give you, you know, the unvarnished truth about kind of what's going on. I do know that we try to accommodate them and bring them indoors, but, you know, the research is pretty clear.
I mean, unstructured play outside for the time that we can is good for the kids. And I think when we're talking about discipline issues, focus issues, you know, the ability for us to get our kids outside is great. You know, we have beautiful campuses. I mean, all of them sit sit on over oversized, something like elementary school lots. You know, I think we need to maybe kinda look at what we're doing and and how we communicate that to the with parents. And, you know, the time is really important too. So I know that there was a house bill that they were talking about this legislative session where they would actually codify at the board level how much time kids
get outside. And I'm gonna be honest with you, I actually think it's a good idea whether the ledge does it or not, that we perhaps look at some policy to codify how much time kiddos do get outside. I do know that this is also something that the SHAC committee can weigh into, so I I do know that recess is is part of that. So I'd interested to get some feedback from from those folks as well, but not just the total time, which is what? Thirty thirty minutes? Is that is that right? Yeah. And and how you structure that that thirty minutes, I think, is helpful. I to be honest, I don't think thirty minutes is is enough. I'd like to see it a little bit longer than that, but I understand that
we're trying to get instructional minutes. But these are things that I think we we need to discuss and, you know, the feedback from parents, and it's not just Hidden Lakes or it's not just, you know, you know, some other elementary school. I mean, at the end of the day, I think a lot of parents have questions about why it's nice outside and their kids come home and say, hey. I was inside the entire time. And then I think the other thing too, and I I heard this and I don't know if this is true, but I I just I'm I'm hopeful that we're not penalizing kids with recess. So if kids misbehave, somehow they don't get to go out and do recess.
I've seen some things online where to suggest that perhaps that might be going on at some of our campuses, and I know that we shouldn't be doing that. I mean I think there's other ways to to motivate kids other than take away probably one of their most favorite parts of the day which is to go outside and hang out with their buddies and play soccer and hang out on the monkey bars. Well, and, you know, I have watched that a couple times and, you know, I guess, to your point about, transitioning the kids. Right? It's a lot. And so it it really almost felt that the few times I did it that
when you get there, you go after recess, and all the kids wanna play, and it's it's over just like this. I mean, the minute they they actually get started playing kickball or football or whatever it is they're doing, we played they played soccer, and I played soccer those times with them. It it really felt I mean, I looked at it. I think we only actually got re they actually had recess for, like, fifteen minutes. Right? And that's not enough. That's not enough. So if Bless you. If if at the end of the day, it's one of those things where it takes so long to transition and move them during that period, then I may really
think it's really should should be discussing or entering the recess time to a point where they can get a a good solid thirty minutes of recess and not spend, you know, twenty minutes of it or fifteen minutes of it just going from one classroom outside. So that's my thoughts for what it's worth. And there is research to show that fifth like, fifteen minutes is not enough for a kid to reset. Just I mean, so the American Pediatric Association, I think, recommends twenty or thirty minutes. CDC for all has weighed in on this. I think they recommend sixty minutes. And so there there is guidance out there on how much time these kids need
in order to reset. And again, when we say reset, we're talking about unstructured play. Right? And that pays dividends in terms of developing social skills, conflict resolution, and building empathy for one another, all sorts of benefits. And I think, again, you know, I I I people look at this and, like, what's recess on the agenda? I think it's important. And I think we've received enough feedback for a period of time off and on about, hey, you know, why am I why is my kid not getting recess? Or how do we improve opportunities for recess? That I I do think that it's worth sinking your chops into and maybe coming
up with a policy or or, you know, or an or an app or something like that where the parents can look at it and better understand what's going on. Any other comments on recess? Yeah. Doctor Raincla, I wanted to just suggest something that you said earlier, and I can attest from my daughter's school that, yes, there are some teachers that will punish students by saying that they have to be on the wall for about maybe five minutes of the fifteen minute recess. So, yes, it is a problem. It's something that we've also experienced in elementary school. I too love the fact of giving our babies every opportunity to be outside, get
that vitamin d, play with each other. I mean, it's their one time that they really get to collaborate and be with each other and just, you know, sometimes my daughter is so excited about, recess so she can find her other friends that she's not maybe in classes with too. So they get to share with each other how their day is going, along with jumping off the monkey bars and hurting her her ankle, like she did this week. So, but no. I I'm I'm so glad that we are talking about this. Absolutely. Our SHAC committee is already looking at this.
They're excited about that. They're trying to see how they can incorporate more into, the school day without, interrupting any instructional time. I think that's amazing. And so I also look forward to hearing, some of their ideas on how they can do that and get that done. So Good good discussion. Since this was on the agenda, I've had more comments about positive comments about recess than, just about any anything else, lately.
So I I think it's good. These these kiddos need to be out running around. I have a fifth grade grandson, and he is all over the place. And to keep these kids under wraps, you know, for for a fifteen minute recess or something is for all the points, doctor Randcliffe, you raised, Chelsea, you raised. I mean, these kids need they need energy burn off and, I think there's a payback from some of the studies I I've looked at that actually, as these kids
burn off their energy, they can pay attention better in class, they can perform better in class, and, you know, less behavior problems. So, you know, I think there's a a good opportunity for us to review, whatever we have in place. So, appreciate the discussion. Yeah, John. That's just one thing. I did, promise that I would share some of the information that I found, doing my research. TCU has a program called Link Project and some of the statistics they put forward is, for cognition.
There's a 40% reduction in off task behavior with the extra recess time. 67% of recess time focused on midline crossing physical activities. And then the scores, 10% higher in math and 7% higher in reading. So all in all, a positive, reason to definitely take a hard look at recess. You know, and there's there's way that you can integrate outside play too. Right? I mean, some of these classes, maybe could could go outside where kids could catch some extra vitamin d.
And again, I'm, I mean, I'm probably preaching to choir here, but I think there's maybe part of this this kind of inward look and discussion could be maybe innovative ways to to to leverage, you know, some of the things that we're doing in the classroom and maybe could do a little bit in the outside. So Alright. We're gonna go over, scheduling and upcoming events. Doctor Wilson? Yeah. So here in just a few weeks, we have on October 10, a student holiday. It is, we designate that for elementary parent parent teacher conferences.
October, we get fall break, so teacher student holiday. I will still be working as will some of these folks up here but our teachers and kids will get a nice break. On October 23, we have an next regular board meeting, and then, we have our scheduled meeting for November. And we have, the Band Expo coming up as well. So just shout out to the finalists. Yes. Band expo next Tuesday? Okay? Next Tuesday. Okay. Special note to the French horn player, the Indian Springs band, because he's gonna be
out there and it's gonna be great. I've listened to it many times in my house, many times. So that concludes our agenda items for this evening. We will not have an executive session, so I will take a motion to adjourn. So moved. Heather, moved. I'll second it. Miss Erickson second. Any discussion? All in favor? Seven o. Thank you very much. Thanks for everybody's participation, and thank you all for attending. Time is, 08:30.