In the Loop with the Sup
August 2021
Dear CISD Staff, CISD Families, and Community Members
At the August Board Meeting, I announced that I will be retiring in December. This decision is bitter-sweet. The decision is "bitter" in the fact that I will be leaving my Caldwell ISD family and the community in which I have built very meaningful relationships, but "sweet" that I am leaving with our district in such a great place. I am so proud of the dedication, innovation, and just good 'ol hard work from our staff and students to shape what this district is today. What a blessing it has been to serve as your Superintendent.
The Board approved to have TASB (Texas Association of School Boards) begin the Superintendent search. This process will begin within the next couple of weeks, and a final decision for the next Caldwell ISD Superintendent will be announced by the new year of 2022. I am confident that TASB and our School Board will select the perfect fit for Caldwell ISD.
Caldwell will always be near and dear to me, and I will always be grateful to have had the opportunity to serve you all!
Sincerely,
Andrew Peters.
August 2021 Board Brief
The Board Meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM with the pledge and prayer.
Public Input - Community members offered public input in regard to concerns of current bus routes and for and a mask mandate.
*Due to the Public Input with the concerns of a mask mandate, the board approved to move to Action Item F/m/Covid-19 Protocols. The action item was in reference to possibly giving more days of sick leave with paid time for CISD employees who were lab-confirmed COVID positive. The Board agreed this was a discussion to be continued if the need arises, but not action was taken. The Board and Superintendent Peters did not have an action item for a mask mandate and stated there was no plan to implement a mask mandate.
Public Hearing -
*Budget and Proposed Tax Rate - Approving the new tax rate was discussed, and the tax rate would be a New Business/Action Item/F/b on the agenda.
Superintendent's Report (Information Only)
*Enrollment Report - The enrollment of Caldwell ISD is now at 1,807. This is an increase from last month, and Mr. Peters believes that enrollment will continue to grow due to more housing, better facilities, and a high rating for the district in academics.
*Bond 2018 Report - The facilities are mostly complete with the Junior High School weight/locker room still being finished. Caldwell Elementary cafeteria will need a new sewer line, and that project is currently underway. The fault of not including the sewer line in the drawing for the school is being determined, and the payment for fixing this issue will be discussed. The payment will be held until the situation is fixed.
*Facilities and Transportation Report - Mr. Beavers, Director of Operations, updated the Board on the current district projects.
*Legislative Update Training - There will be updated information when training is available for Board Members.
*Finance Reports - A review of July finances were discussed.
New Business (Action Items)
*Consideration of 2022 Budget - There was no action for this agenda item because the 2022 Budget had already been approved.
*Consider a Resolution Adopting the Tax Rate for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year - The School Board unanimously approved the new tax rate of $1.185 for the 2021-2022 school year. This tax rate includes a maintenance and operation rate of 93.5 cents and an interest and sinking rate of 23 cents.
*Consider and Approve Delegate to TASB Convention - The Board unanimously approved that Pam Evans will attend the TASB Convention.
*Consider and Approve Contract with Texas Association of School Boards for Superintendent Search - The Board unanimously approved the contract with TASB to conduct a search for a new superintendent. The process of searching, interviewing, and hiring was discussed. Butch Felkner from TASB and member of the National Association of Superintendent Searches (NASS) will lead the search and anticipated a new superintendent would be announced by the end of November or beginning of December. The new superintendent would begin the new position in January of 2022.
* Consider and Approve Assisting City of Caldwell with Road Improvements - The Board unanimously approved assisting the City of Caldwell in funding road improvements. The district will give $45,000 toward repairs on Gray and Bear Streets. Mr. Camden White, Caldwlel City Manager, told the Board that with the assistance from CISD it would help to free up other money to put toward future road repairs.
*Discuss Non-Bond Facility Improvements - Tennis courts and the turf projects at the softball and baseball fields were discussed. The timeline of completing the softball and baseball fields were of concern in regard to the timeline, but the project should be completed on time if started early. The bus barn is complete except for lighting. There was no action on this agenda item.
*Proposal for Extended Program Management Services for Non-Bond Projects - The Board discussed extending the district's contact with Owners Building Resource, LLC of Bremond, which is the firm that has been providing program management services for the district. There was no action on this agenda item.
* Consideration of Replacement of Auditorium Seats - The Board unanimously approved to replace the seats in the high school auditorium.
* Consider and Approve Change to Meal Rate Reimbursement for Staff and Students - The Board unanimously approved increasing the meal reimbursement rate for staff and students.
*Review of FIRST - Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas - The Board reviewed and discussed the district's rating of a B due to the district showing hail damage money from the insurance company before it was spent. Superintendent Peters said he planned to appeal the rating.
* Consider and Approve Resolution to Approve the Burleson County elections Administrator to Adopt Hard Valley's New Voting Equipment - The Board unanimously approved to adopt Hart Valley's new voting equipment.
*Consider and Approve Homeschooler in Sub-Varsity UIL Activities - The Board unanimously approved to allow homeschool students to participate in sub-varsity UIL athletics and other UIL activities. The CHS principal, Dr. Justin Turner, Athletic Director Boone Patterson, and Fine Arts Director Cody Knott collaborated with Ross Bardin, a homeschool parent, to create guidelines to allow homeschooler participation. The new guidelines state that the homeschooler must have no more than two extracurricular activities per day, must play sub-varsity for one season or competitive period, must be a homeschool student for at least two consecutive years, take a proficiency exam to participate, such as in band, and pay a fee for participation, which will go to uniforms and other items required for the activity.
Consent Agenda
*The Meeting Minutes and Budget Amendment to Establish Sub Fund for Non Board Project were unanimously approved by the Board.
Executive Session (Closed)
The August 23, 2021 Board Meeting adjourned at 10:30 PM.
IN THE NEWS WITH CALDWELL ISD
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Caldwell ISD
Caldwell Independent School District was officially established as a public school district in 1923 and serves the northern and western portions of Burleson Country. In 1990, Caldwell ISD became the largest school district in the county that serves approximately 1,800 students and is comprised of four campuses: Caldwell Elementary (PK-3rd), Caldwell Intermediate (4th-6th), Caldwell Junior High School (7th-8th), and Caldwell High School (9th-12th). The district also has a District Alternative Education Program and an Alternative Center of Education.
Caldwell ISD is the home of the Hornets. The official colors are Texas orange and white. Texas UIL classifies Caldwell ISD Hornets as a 3A district.
Email: info@caldwellisd.net
Website: https://www.caldwellschools.net/
Location: 203 North Gray Street, Caldwell, TX, USA
Phone: 979-567-2400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaldwellISD/about/?ref=page_internal
Twitter: @CaldwellProud