Willis Independent School District

The board approved a variety of district purchases including teacher laptop replacements, classroom Promethean boards, campus radio standardization, CTE lab computer refreshes, and instructional materials. Other approvals included the TASB insurance renewal, the competitive sealed proposal delivery method for the Turner Elementary campus expansion, a deductive change order for the WHS parking lot project, employee disclosures, and the TASB local board policy update. Additionally, the board received progress monitoring updates on HB3 and the 2025-2026 NWEA MAP end-of-year assessment report. Following a closed session regarding personnel, real estate, and legal consultation, the board approved the 2026-2027 compensation plan and salary scales.

The board discussed preliminary budget projections for the upcoming school year, including ADA trends, voucher impacts, property value growth, and potential tax rate compression. Key agenda items included a proposed compensation package for teachers and staff, analysis of baseline non-payroll expenditures like property insurance and security, and fiscal risk strategies. Additionally, the board reviewed the sustainability of the district's self-funded health insurance plan, the status of debt service and child nutrition funds, and engaged in a question-and-answer session regarding regional compensation competitiveness and insurance market alternatives.

The board meeting included student recognitions for the Student of the Month program. The consent agenda covered approvals for testing, adjusting, and balancing, deductive change orders for construction projects, design-build delivery methods, commissioning agents, and various memoranda of understanding. Progress monitoring updates focused on HB3 goals and the Texas College Bridge pathway. Other business involved reports on health insurance, financial metrics, and capital project status, including the acquisition of a 94-acre tract. During the closed session, personnel matters and the appointment of the new Willis High School principal were addressed, followed by a decision to approve the annexation of the new property into the City of Willis.

The board meeting included recognitions of students of the month and assistant principals. Public comments addressed the need for greater support for special education athletic programs. Consent agenda items covered instructional materials, library book purchases, CTE course additions, district agreements, and facility projects including HVAC renovations, fire alarm systems, and parking lot expansion. Discussions focused on curriculum progress monitoring, class size reduction strategies, and data reporting. The board approved contracts for staff, a grant award for ECSE educators, the purchase of new high school instructional materials, and the determination that a new gymnasium qualifies as a school building. Additionally, the board authorized a one-time employee retention incentive, approved the sale of district real property, finalized a scoreboard project for the stadium, and completed a quarterly self-evaluation focusing on governance goals and meeting efficiency.

The board conducted a workshop to review and update district policies, including board operations, business services, personnel, and instruction. Key discussion topics included transitioning to standardized boilerplate language for cost efficiency, adjusting approval thresholds for purchasing and facilities, and revising student grading and GPA calculation policies. The meeting also included an initial budget workshop for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, focusing on the current year surplus, proposed employee retention payments, enrollment projections, staffing requirements for a new elementary school, and debt service comparisons with neighboring districts.