Anthony Smith

The board certified candidates as unopposed for the upcoming trustee election and subsequently cancelled the election. Discussions were held regarding the Coleman High School HVAC renovation project, though no final decisions were reached due to bid costs exceeding expectations. The board adopted the 2026-2027 school calendar, the Bluebonnet curriculum for Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry, and approved the renewal of the food service management contract with Southwest Foodservice Excellence, LLC. Furthermore, the board approved student insurance coverage, the instructional materials allotment and TEKS certification, an adjunct faculty agreement, and various budget amendments. Personnel actions included accepting multiple staff resignations, releasing an employee from a dual assignment contract, and hiring new personnel for the 2026-2027 school year. The meeting concluded with reports from school principals and a review of financial statements and check payment lists.

The board accepted a personnel resignation, approved a TEA waiver for a missed school day, and passed a resolution declining to adopt a policy related to Senate Bill 11. Additionally, the board approved the adoption of the Bluebonnet Learning ELA and math curriculum, rescinded a property ownership relinquishment, and approved various budget amendments. Reports were provided regarding the district's Texas Academic Performance Report, the receipt of the LIFT grant, and individual campus activities. The board also held a closed session regarding personnel, extended and renewed various administrative contracts, and reviewed financial reports and enrollment data.

The key action item discussed during this special meeting was personnel, specifically the consideration and subsequent hiring of Kenzie Krause for the 2025-2026 school year, commencing on January 5, 2026.

The Board of Trustees conducted business during this special meeting. Action items included calling the School Trustee Election for May 2, 2026, for positions Place 1, Place 2, and Place 3. The Board selected competitive sealed proposals as the delivery method for the Coleman High School HVAC renovations. Further delegation was granted to the Superintendent to rank proposers for the HVAC project and return with recommendations. The Board adopted the current prevailing wage rates for Coleman County for construction projects authorized in the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. A board workshop involved a 'Team of 8' School Board Training session. In a subsequent action item, the Board extended the Superintendent's contract by one year following an executive session for evaluation.

The meeting included a public hearing regarding the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) Report, where Coleman ISD received an A Superior Achievement rating based on 2023-2024 data. Action items involved the presentation and subsequent approval of the 2024-2025 Audit Report, and the approval of the contract with James E. Rodgers and Company, P.C. for the subsequent year's audit. Board reports included updates from campus principals. Discussion items covered the superintendent's evaluation scheduled for January 26, 2026, and scheduling the required Team of 8 Board Training for February. Information items addressed the results of a recent intruder detection audit (no issues found), implementation of compliance for Senate Bill 8 regarding locker room access, and the determination that the reversionary clause cannot be removed from the Novice ISD property deed. The Board also reviewed financial documentation, including check payments for December 2025 and the Financial Statement as of November 30, 2025.