Karen Fisher

The meeting included a staff presentation on the Adult Education program and the recognition of an outgoing Board member. The Executive Director provided updates on organizational items and evaluation procedures. The Board reviewed the status of Statement of Officer forms, received a summary of the 26th Annual Food and Product Expo, and heard a report on personnel changes. Administrative approvals were granted for an Educator Preparation Program DBA name change to IMPACT SETX and the 2026-2027 calendar and holiday schedule. The Board also approved financial management items, including the investment portfolio report and various fiscal documents such as the Statement of Operations, budget amendments, and the check register.

The board approved a budget amendment to facilitate the acquisition of additional office space. Additionally, the board approved a sublease agreement with B&E Resources, LLC for seven offices on the 6th floor, as well as an office lease agreement with Edison Plaza Partners, LLC for suite 740 on the 7th floor.

This document is a transcript outlining effective strategies for family engagement in schools. It emphasizes partnering with families and communities to enhance student learning and well-being. Key approaches highlighted include structured parent meetings, home visits, comprehensive workshops, diverse communication methods, and staff training to promote collaborative relationships for improved student outcomes.

Key discussions included a presentation on the Social Sentinel Consortium, a threat-alert service for districts, noting that Region 5 created a cooperative to make the service affordable. The Board confirmed that the March board election would not be held as only incumbents filed, and certified the elected members for Places 1, 4, and 7. The Executive Director's evaluation was postponed until April. In financial management, the Board reviewed the investment portfolio, approved the Statement of Operations and budget amendments, authorized engagement with Weaver & Tidwell, LLP, for the annual financial audit services for Fiscal Year 2019, granted authority to seek insurance proposals, approved a revision to policy DEB regarding catastrophic illness definition for the sick leave pool, approved participation in the OMNIA Partners cooperative, and agreed to continue the Job Order Contract with SETEX Facilities & Maintenance, LLC. Information items covered the increased state mileage reimbursement rate and positive results from the Annual Client Satisfaction Survey, where Region 5 outperformed the state average in all measured areas.

The Board of Directors meeting included several significant items. Discussions focused on the potential sublease of office space on the 6th floor of Edison Plaza to B & E Construction, projected to generate $48,700 in annual revenue, and exploring offering remote work options as a recruiting incentive for Distance Learning Spanish staff. Financially, the Board reviewed, adopted, and confirmed no changes to the investment policy and strategies. They also reviewed and approved the Investment Portfolio Report, Statement of Operations, check register, and checks over $10,000. Budget Amendments for ESC local funds as of October 2018 were approved, as was a 2% raise for four part-time employees. Information items covered personnel changes, a report on the Commissioner's visit on October 17, 2018, a review of the TASA/TASB Convention, updates on Board member terms expiring in 2019 and 2020, updates on the Annual Client Satisfaction Survey, and scheduling the next meeting for December 20, 2018.