Walter Berringer

The board meeting included a presentation and discussion regarding the Balance Scorecard, which aligns with the Strategic Plan for 2027. Key discussion points focused on establishing clear goals, measures, and actions across four primary priorities: student excellence and academics (including objectives like ensuring every student grows one year every year and addressing college/career readiness, student engagement, and social-emotional well-being); recruitment and retention of quality staff; parents, families, and community engagement; and financial integrity and effective operations. The financial segment addressed maintaining a path toward a balanced budget by the 2029-2030 school year, noting the current deficit. It was also established that updates on the Balance Scorecard progress will be provided at every subsequent board meeting.

The meeting included public comments where attendees discussed political candidacy for the Texas House District 93 and expressed concerns regarding the appraisal district's reappraisal frequency and the legal theories surrounding a board vacancy appointment process following a resignation. Key reports covered the results of a districtwide intruder detection audit conducted by the Texas Education Agency, noting findings that require corrective actions and staff training, with specific details to be addressed in executive session. The operations report provided updates on construction and bond projects, detailing significant progress at Wayside Middle School, including final landscaping and the completion of furniture and supply delivery in preparation for staff entry in January. Updates were also given on the Dick and Heidi Elkins Agriculture Complex, focusing on utility installation and preparation for vertical construction, and on the Sagenolon High School project, which involves rerouting existing utilities before foundation drilling can commence.

The meeting began with the recognition of a dedicated employee, Jimmy T, from the general maintenance department who recently passed away, acknowledging his five years of service and commitment, especially during emergency situations. A significant portion of the discussion involved the partnership with Community Link, detailing the wraparound services provided to families, including assistance with housing, job searches, food support, and counseling. The district was recognized as the 2023 Community Partner of the Year by Community Link. The finance report focused heavily on legislative projections impacting the district's revenue, specifically regarding the golden penny yield increase tied to Tier Two Level One funding, and various proposed property tax reduction strategies from the State Legislature. Concerns were raised regarding potential negative impacts on the basic allotment from property tax adjustments and the potential effect of House Bill 2 on the appraisal cap for fast-growing districts needing to issue debt for building construction. Furthermore, the financial implications of proposed education savings accounts (vouchers) were discussed. Finally, an update was provided on school safety measures, noting that district personnel were actively engaged in discussions in Austin regarding funding for safety requirements, such as additional law enforcement or armed security staff.

The meeting included reports on board member continuing education, where all members exceeded the required training hours. The finance report discussed the legislative impact on the upcoming budget, noting that proposed funding increases, such as the $90 increase to the basic allotment and $4.6 million district-specific increase, were insufficient to cover inflation and safety needs. Updates were provided on several legislative bills related to school finance and safety funding, highlighting concerns that proposed amounts do not meet district requirements. The operations report detailed significant construction progress on Eagle Mountain High School, including academic building finishes, courtyard development, and gymnasium work. Stadium construction, including press box structure and field house CMU block work, is also underway, although the Elizabeth Lopez Hatley Elementary School project is currently 18 days behind schedule, with recovery plans being developed. Maintenance updates covered proceeds from an auction, completion of the 2021 freeze projects at HCTC, landscaping, and in-house work by the paint, carpentry, and plumbing departments, which resulted in substantial cost savings. The plumbing department also addressed sewer gas issues at Elkins Elementary School and performed significant roof drain and water line repairs. Finally, an update on the Gold Star Transportation agreement indicated the conclusion of the initial three-year term, with two one-year options remaining.

This document is a Quarterly Report for 4Q19 by the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District. It provides an overview of national and local (DFW area) economic conditions, a detailed analysis of the EMS ISD housing market from 2010-2019, including home sales by transaction type, average new versus existing home sale prices, and new housing activity. The report also includes a ranking of DFW ISDs by annual closings and a ten-year enrollment forecast by elementary and secondary campus, projecting growth up to the 2029-30 school year, driven by a strong housing market within the district.