SISD Board Gives Updates on School Safety; New Softball Facility; Two New Buses to Fleet

The SISD Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, March 20 at the Hub.

The Public Forum portion was opened.

Description: Any person/ group wishing to address the Board must sign in on the Open Forum list no later than 5:30 pm. Each person will be allowed no more than three (3) minutes. The board may not act on any matter not on the agenda. Per Board Policy GF (Local), members of the public having complaints or concerns may present their complaints or concerns to the Board only after following the procedure defined in that policy. The Board intends that, whenever feasible, complaints shall be resolved at the lowest possible administrative level. If a complaint comes before the Board that involves concerns or charges regarding an employee or student, it shall be heard by the Board in closed session unless the employee or student to whom the complaint pertains requests that it be heard in open session. There was no public input. There was a Lone Star Governance (LSG) update, a revised Quarterly Tracker, and focus on community involvement.

The District is doing well but there is still room for improvement. The First Quarterly Tracker is a a learning curve for the District. Adjustments were made. There are 12 TEA goals that are being scrutizined. It is felt that the District meets the goals and vision. Baselines and targets are being met. On Vision and Goals, we are at a 12 we need more community involvement. Student outcome and adopting Gola Project Measures (GPM) are being met. There is a broad community ownership of this goal

Meets Focus are at a 9. Board, Superintendent Constraints may need to be worked oin regarding broad community constraints. Vision Goal, Meets Focus at a 4. Rock solid job but not yet at a Masters measurement.

Accountability is where preparing to focus, the adopted monitoring calendar is added to the length of student goals at 5 years. Lost 15 points on this one and took a zero/hit but this has been corrected.

Progress and accountability, approaches focus and receives annually, the District will have to learn how to use staff tracker more efficiently. Superintendent’s Evaluation comes in May.

Systems and Processes numbers were lower than anticipated but the calendar had still yet to be modified when the data was mined. However, the District does meet focus in this area...

The District might consider to start looking at possibility of dividing goals within the Board. One of the top three goals is CCMR.

Synergy and team work and community involvement is another.

Next up was the Legislative Update and Call to Action. The dialogue is ongoing regarding vouchers. It’s very important for anyone who has an affinity for public education to know that there are 5 voucher bills in the Senate presently. These education savings accounts would take effect in the 202425 school year. Students who take advantage of the education savings accounts would have to take tests, but the STAAR assessment would not explicitly be required. Private school students would be getting $10,0000 whereas public school receives less per student at $6,100. This measure would hurt rural communities.

The recently constructed Softball Facility is complete. There may be concerns with the completed facility within the community as the locker rooms were just rooms and there were privacy concerns, as well. In September 2020, funding of $80,000 from government capital and was spent for Softball facility. $302,414.77 was spent on project which also included lighting for Football, Softball and other athletic field lighting. Additional $24,000 will be capitalized for Softball facility.

The varsity dressing rooms have same lockers as gym. There are hooks on the wall, just no lockers for sub-varsity players at this time. Folding chairs have been utilized, as there are are no benches at this time. There are privacy walls in place. Superintendent Reports were then given.

Monitoring Calendar Reports Jimmy Bennett, SSMS Principal, gave a presentation. Students are taking plan in Career Investigation and learning design, engineering and computer technology. 28 students will take place at the TMSCA in Arlington.

A Presentation was given by Dr. Kenny Border on Comprehensive Intruder Detection Audit Report

The top priority of Sweetwater ISD and the State of Texas is keeping students and staff safe every day. The Texas School Safety Center recently conducted an Intruder Detection Audit at one or more of our campuses. The audits test whether a campus is accessible to an unauthorized individual. This audit, conducted as part of Governor Abbott’s school safety directives for all school systems following the tragedy in Uvalde, seeks to help districts identify how campuses can improve safety for students, such as ensuring exterior doors are locked. The audit provides the District with an opportunity to create a safer learning environment for all students and staff.

“If you see something, say something.” is the motto. Training schedules were sent to staff right before Spring Break. Training will be continuous with another training session coming up in May

SISD is working closely with the district’s School Safety and Security Committee to ensure that they are training all of the staff and securing doors for the protection of everyone at SISD campuses. The support from the state in conducting the Intruder Detection Audits is just one of the many actions the District is taking to ensure SISD schools are safe. SISD is aware that this work does not end, and appreciates the Board’s support.

SISD acknowledged that parents and community members are likely very interested in the details of the audit results; however, it is in the best interest of the students that we do not share this information to the broader public as it could lead to compromising important campus security information. Specific details of the Intruder Detection Audit will be discussed in the executive session and with the Safety and Security Committee. Sweetwater ISD is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for our students and staff. The Texas Department of Agriculture has received and reviewed the School Food Authority’s (SFA) proposed Food Service Management Authority (FSMC) contract renewals for the 2023-2024 School Year submitted to the TDA on February 17. The contract renewal-as submitted-was approved for execution by the SFA and the FSMC.

$250,000 for 3 campuses, serving lines and tables and chairs to be installed by July. Next up are looking for ovens. Whatever money is left over will be spent on silverware and pots and pans. There will be enough money to revamp all of the facilities.

There is no change in the student accident insurance with AIG and HSR, Inc. The premiums provided are a $12,000 increase over last year because of claims. But the largest year of claims, ext year, should drop ff., This supplemental insurance covers all students at all campuses.

Regarding buses, two new buses will arrive at the end of the month. They are currently having air-conditioning being installed.