Kathryn Smoak

The East Chambers Independent School District's Improvement Plan for 2025-2026 aims to ensure access to quality education that enables all students to develop their potential and achieve success. Key strategic goals include enhancing academic outcomes in reading and mathematics, maintaining high college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) rates, addressing long-term facilities and infrastructure needs, implementing comprehensive safety measures, optimizing technology integration, actively recruiting and retaining highly qualified staff, fostering open communication with all stakeholders, and strengthening partnerships with parents and the community to support educational success.

The board meeting covered several operational and administrative items, including reports from the superintendent and various department directors regarding curriculum, enrollment, attendance, financial status, and facilities. The board approved the consent agenda, which included service agreements and budget amendments. Additionally, the board passed resolutions for Teacher Appreciation Week, hired new administrative and teaching staff, renewed professional employee contracts, adopted a new curriculum, certified instructional materials, approved the disposal of outdated curriculum materials, and awarded a contract for stadium turf improvements.

The Board received presentations on Career and Technical Education programs and held a public hearing regarding the Texas Academic Performance Report, PEIMS Financial Standard Report, and campus performance objectives. Various administrative reports were presented covering enrollment, curriculum, technology, athletics, and operations. The Board approved administrator contracts, the hiring of a new principal and counselor, and the 2026-2027 school calendar. Additionally, the Board passed a resolution to compensate employees for weather-related school closures, affirmed a resolution regarding Senate Bill 11, and authorized safety fencing improvements.

The board meeting involved Superintendent and Administrative reports covering curriculum, enrollment, student programs, and facilities updates. Key action items included the approval of mosquito control methods, payments exceeding $50,000, and budget amendments. The Board also entered a closed session to discuss personnel matters. Following the session, the Board approved the hiring of an Assistant Superintendent, as well as the renewal of professional and teacher contracts for the upcoming school year. Additionally, the Board authorized updates to district goals, a revised stipend schedule, and the use of cooperative purchasing for the installation of football stadium turf.

The board meeting featured a presentation on interactive zoo-themed educational software. A public hearing regarding the financial integrity rating system was held, followed by a review of the annual financial report. The board received reports from the superintendent and various administrators covering topics such as enrollment, curriculum, and operations. Action items included the approval of an outside auditor for the 2025-2026 school year, the adoption of localized policy updates, and the certification of district innovation personnel. Additionally, the board approved resolutions regarding the TASB Risk Management Fund, budget amendments, and an updated substitute teacher pay scale.