Region 15 Education Service Center
Weekly Newsletter - March 2, 2020
Good Monday,
I want to make sure that you have seen the TAA letter from TEA regarding the Novel Coronavirus monitoring. If you have not, we have sent it to your safety and nursing contact. It is also located on the TEA website. As serious as the situation is, the best measures are good personal hygiene and cleaning practices.
If you have school closures for any reason, please let us know as we have been required to let TEA know.
Thank you,
Casey Callahan, Ed.D.
512-269-9372-cell
Superintendent Services
Primary election reminder - March 3rd
Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) Training at Region 15
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 – 10:00 A.M.
Tim Regal, TEA Associate Commissioner of Instructional Support
Districts can still submit a letter of intent for TIA email tia@tea.texas.gov
Districts can also change cohorts after they submit a letter of intent email tia@tea.texa.gov
Please click link to register for the TIA session - Session #036021
School Board Training – EISO
(Evaluating and Improving Student Outcomes)
If ALL board members and the superintendent attend the training, you will be able to receive credit for both EISO (required every other year) and Team Building.
Please contact Laura Strube for more information.
TRANSPORTATION DIRECTORS MEETING
APRIL 2, 2020 - REGION 15 - MEAL WILL BE SERVED - Christie Hebert - Austin DPS will be here with LAWS & RULES - Register Here
Texas School Safety Center Video Series
Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment Trainings
Behavioral Threat Assessment and Digital Threat Assessment is scheduled for April 21-22, 2020 at ESC 15. Registration links are available below.
Behavioral Threat Assessment - April 21, 2020 (meets state mandate for threat assessment team training)
Digital Threat Assessment - April 22, 2020 (not required but highly recommended)
Courses are free of charge and you do not need to attend one to attend the other.
ESC 15 2ND ANNUAL SAFETY SUMMIT-JUNE 18, 2020 REGISTER HERE
LOCAL ACCOUNTABILITY WEBINAR!!!
Districts interested in applying for the Local Accountability System are encouraged to sign up with one of the two webinars offered this spring by TEA.
Accountability
This hour-long webinar for ESC 15 will introduce district responsibilities,statute requirements, local accountability system plan development, how to get started, and more! Time will also be allotted for participant questions.
March 6, 20201 p.m. Register Here: https://bit.ly/37xNVZU
Summer Food Service Annual Training
Summer Feeding Putting the Pieces Together training that will include program basics, meal service, site operations, program finances, program operations. Application Lab after class for anyone needing assistance with Summer Feeding Application.
March 25, 2020 9:00am-3:00pm Session #035237
Financial Management for Child Nutrition Program
This class covers a variety of financial management topics such as tracking expenditures/revenues for program and non-program foods, completing the Paid Lunch Equity Tool, Adult Meal Price calculator, Resource Management Summary, annual Financial Report, and Child Nutrition Procurement procedures.
April 28, 2020 9:00am-12:00pm Session #035847
https://txssc.txstate.edu/videos/legislative-guidance-series
March Monthly Reminders are located at the end of the newsletter.
Laura Strube
325-481-4065
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Business and Finance
If your district is interested in a TRE in the future, you will need to read this report:
House Bill 3 Efficiency Audit Guidelines - http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/Documents/Publications/Policy_Report/6365_HB3_Efficiency_Audit_Guidelines.pdf
Update to TEA Summary of Finance for 19-20: Property Values & Tax Collections: In the TEA Summary of Finance, the property values will reflect the preliminary results of the property value study (January) and the updated M & O tax collections will use the Fall PEIMS budget data submitted this year. These updates are to both the LPE and DPE side of the SOF calculations. They will affect payments beginning this March (for those districts that are scheduled to receive payments in March). I strongly recommend you check your district’s payments to see if you were impacted greatly. To do so, click here and go to Foundation Payment Schedule. https://tealprod.tea.state.tx.us/fsp/Reports/ReportSelection.aspx
According to TASBO, these updates reduced state cost by approximately $674 million and increased the amount of funding going out through the transition grants to approximately $615 million.
Full Day PreK Waiver deadline has been extended until April 6 - https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/house-bill-3-hb-3-implementation-extension
Dyslexia - MOE relation - TEA posted a letter concerning the overlap of PIC 37 (dyslexia) and IDEA MOE. Note: TEA is asking you to track the special education portion of PIC 37 separately using a local code.
Clarification Regarding House Bill 3 Dyslexia Allotments, Use of PIC 37, and IDEA-B LEA MOE
ESC 15 was told this week of a public school district (not in Region 15) that is currently experiencing an “audit” from the Fair Labor Standards Bureau because of a complaint from an employee concerning overtime payments. This could cost that district a large amount of money if they are found to have not followed the Fair Labor Standards Act. KNOW the LAW! Here is a workshop for you.
March 25, 2020 - FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT Training. This is a TASBO sponsored workshop and registration is through TASBO. Recommended for any personnel that works with payroll and/or approves timesheets - HR Directors, payroll staff, secretaries, principals, business managers, superintendents.
https://members.tasbo.org/web/TASBO/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=PER304_52
Public Funds Investment Training - TASBO - April 29, 2020 - In San Angelo - registration is through TASBO.
https://members.tasbo.org/web/TASBO/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=1161_40
Henri Gearing
830-683-7615
henri.gearing@esc15.net
Curriculum and Instruction
TEA 2020 ACCOUNTABILITY UPDATE
March 5, 2020
9:00 AM-12:00PM
See Flyer HERE for more information.
Come hear Jonathan Delgado from the performance reporting division at TEA go over the potential changes and improvements to the 2020 accountability system. It is a great opportunity to hear about the 2020 accountability system as a whole and to get the updates and changes straight from TEA. Superintendents, principals, counselors, PEIMS coordinators, and teachers are encouraged to attend.
Register at this link: https://mis.esc15.net/sess1.asp?sessNum=034820&type=DATE
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A new Reading Practices listserv was created that will provide subscribers with content and updates regarding the Reading Academies and other reading-related initiatives. Visit the TEA listserv sign up page to join. When you get to the second page in the process, select "Reading Practices" from the Academics section then scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and click on the submit button.
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On March 3, there will be a meeting for GT Coordinators/Leaders regarding the new State Plan. During this session, participants will review the new State Plan for the Education of Gifted Students and begin working on a district plan to meet the new state requirements. Participants should bring a copy of their district's current GT policy, any questions or concerns about their gifted program, and any other relevant documents.
Register at https://mis.esc15.net/CatWksp.asp?type=subject&Subject=Gifted%2FTalented&Wksp_Num=021206.
For questions, please contact Torrey Clay at Torrey.clay@esc15.net or 325-481-4045.
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For your curriculum and instruction needs, please contact
David Bedford
325-481-4023
Data Services
Administrative Services
For Administrative Services assistance, please contact
Robin Graves
325-481-4026
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Federal Programs
2020-2021 CTE Perkins Reserve – Due April 8, 2020
The purpose of the Perkins Reserve grant is to assist applicants in:
- Fostering innovation through the identification and promotion of promising and proven CTE programs, practices, and strategies that prepare individuals for non-traditional fields, and Promoting the development, implementation, and adoption of programs of study or career pathways aligned with state identified high skill, high wage, in-demand occupations or industries.
- Focus Areas 1 and 2: Eligible applicants are cross-sector regional teams that must include at least one intermediary, three school districts, one public institution of higher education, and at least two employers in the region. Regions are defined by the Texas Workforce Commission Workforce Development Areas, and priority points will be awarded to regional teams that include a workforce development board. LEAs, IHEs, and ESCs may serve as fiscal agents for the grant.
More information can be found at TEA Grant Opportunities. Contact Traci Terrill if you are interested in applying for this grant opportunity.
For Federal Programs assistance, please contact
Robin Graves
325-481-4026
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Special Education
If you have Special Education-specific questions, please contact:
Jam Page
Special Education Director
325-481-4054
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March 2020 Monthly Reminders
Accountability and Assessment
TELPAS window
Administration and Leadership
Check TEA/ESC website for update(s) on any changes resulting from the 86th Legislative Session
Develop recommendations for teacher contracts
*SBDM Committees develop campus performance objectives
Review Graduation Program FMH (TASB - LEGAL & LOCAL) on Student Expression/Prayer (TASB - FNA LEGAL & LOCAL)
Principal surveys to evaluate educator preparation program opens to HR staff
Update Ask TED
Charter Specific
Charter Amendments close April 1st
Request for an Indirect Cost Rate for Charter Schools for 2020-2021 survey due to TEA around the end of March
Federal and State Programs
Schedule planning meetings with campus staff regarding grant activities for current and next year’s applications, CNA and CIP
Review professional development participation for Title II, Part A compliance report
Review/implement district/campus improvement plans in accordance with district planning process (TEC§11.251)
Finance
Review student attendance figures as compared to prior year and budget projections
Continue budget process including proposed salary schedule
SHARS Cost Control Report due April 1st
Post metered amounts of electricity, water and gas consumption for which the district is required to pay and aggregate amounts of those services (Government Code, §2265.001(b), House Bill 3693, 80th Legislature, Regular Session)
Food and Nutrition
Child Nutrition USDA Commodity Food Survey closes on March 15th
Child Nutrition Community Eligibility Program Data Submission Deadline is March 20th
Migrant
Distribute Migrant Survey to all students
School Board
*Order of Trustee election and post required notice for May election
Prepare report Trustee training hours prior to May elections with postings as required (TEC§11.159) – April Board meeting
*Adopt district goals
*Adopt school calendar
*Ratify Textbook Committee recommendations (19 TAC 66.104(a); TEC§31.101)
Discuss preliminary budget/budget workshops
Board candidate workshop
*Approve waivers as needed
Notify ESC Field Service Agents of newly appointed/elected trustees
Review Trustee training requirements including 86th Legislative Session additions
Special Education
Perform self-analysis of FY19 MOE (Maintenance of Effort) compliance, using final expenditure data from TSDS PEIMS 2019-2020 Mid-Year reports; gather documentation for exceptions/adjustment, if applicable
FY19 MOE (Maintenance of Effort) Preliminary Compliance Review released by TEA; Respond to TEA with documentation of exceptions/adjustment for decline in fiscal effort, if applicable
2019-2020 Excess Cost Final Calculation based on final, audited 2018-2019 expenditures should be completed (kept locally)
2019-2020 High Cost Fund Eligibility Application (Optional fund source) opens
Monitor special education expenditures from the general fund to ensure on track for MOE (Maintenance of Effort) compliance
Texas Student Data System/PEIMS
Mid-Year data available to customers on March 5th
Classroom Roster winter submission due on March 19th
*Requires Board action/approval