Crystal Garcia

The board meeting included the recognition of students who were recipients of the Legacy Scholarship. A public hearing was conducted regarding the proposed budget and tax rate for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, covering the compensation plan, revenue projections, and expenditure breakdowns for various funds including the general fund, food service fund, facility assessment fund, bequest fund, and debt service fund. Additionally, the meeting featured announcements regarding graduation coverage, upcoming fine arts events, summer camp opportunities, a new clear backpack policy, and the district's back-to-school bash.

The board conducted a work session discussing structural concerns at Gilbert Elementary, including the potential engagement of an engineering firm for evaluation and repairs. Additionally, the board reviewed a state-mandated low attendance waiver, a library materials collection list, and a secondary math curriculum adoption. Other topics included the renewal of the Renaissance Star 360 assessment platform, a service delivery agreement with Communities and Schools of San Antonio, and a professional services agreement for mental health and addiction recovery support.

The board conducted a budget work session for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Key topics included the proposed compensation plan, a recommendation for a one-time retention payment for eligible full-time and part-time staff, budget projections for the general fund, and the preliminary tax rate. Public comments were heard regarding salary increases for hourly and professional staff and the request for a standard step increase for teachers. Board members and staff discussed the impact of state funding, inflation, and the importance of maintaining a healthy fund balance while considering permanent salary increases versus one-time payments.

The board meeting focused on a budget workshop for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, including discussions on legislative impacts from the 89th Texas legislature, teacher retention allotments, compensation plans, and staffing alignment. Key topics included budget projections for the general, debt service, and child nutrition funds, average daily attendance data, enrollment trends, and teacher demographics. The board also reviewed the Teacher Incentive Allotment and discussed the district's strategy for managing staffing attrition through position consolidations and realignment of duties across campus and central office departments.

The board discussed several items including the approval of a contract with Carnegie Learning for secondary math curriculum and professional development. The investment report and budget report for the quarter ending March 31, 2026, were reviewed and approved. Additionally, the board authorized the purchase of a new chiller system for Kingsboro Middle School, awarded a contract for multi-function printer services to Toshiba Business Solutions, approved phase three of safety film installation for middle and high schools, and awarded a contract for an IP-based public address and intercom system at Harlandale and McCullum High Schools.