August 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  It has been found and determined that in accordance with the policies and orders of the Board, the notice of this meeting was posted publicly at the Administration Building in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Section 551.001 et. seq., and that all of the terms of said article have been fully complied with and that the 72-hour notice required has been properly and correctly given.

Description:  At this time, the Board will listen to comments from the public and others regarding both agenda action items and items that are not on the agenda. No action may be taken on non-agenda items. Public participation is limited to the designated open forum portion of a regular meeting. Any person wishing to address the Board concerning an item on the agenda for an open meeting must register with the Board secretary by email at egilpin@hfhorns.net no later than 10:00 a.m. the day of the Board meeting.  Any person wishing to address the Board concerning an item not on the Agenda can register with the Board Secretary at any time prior to the Board meeting.  Speakers will not be permitted to criticize HFISD employees, whether addressing the Board on an Agenda item or a subject not on the posted Agenda.

Description:  In 1998 HFISD began discussions to enter into an agreement with the Hamshire Community Water Supply Corporation (HCWSC) for the construction and operation of a wastewater treatment plant.  On March 7, 2003 the HCWSC and the district finalized the 15-year lease agreement and sale of one of three cells in the plant to the HCWSC.  The agreement was amended on June 22, 2009 to include a one-year payment from the district to HCWSC in the amount of $1,200 a month totaling $12,000.  On July 30, 2015, the West Jefferson Municipal Water District (WJMWD) became the new owner of HCWSC and permit holder of the wastewater treatment plant.
In 2018, the district began new negotiations with WJMWD on the waste water permit and facility ownership.  The two entities did not finalize and execute a contract in 2018, but continued operations under the 2009 agreement.  WJMWD would like the board to reconsider entering into the 2018 contract agreement. In 2023, the board and WJMWD finalized the sewer agreement and transfer of property. 
 

Description:  The Board May Convene into Closed (executive) session, in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, TX Govt. Code 551.001, Subchapters D and E or Texas Govt Code section 418.183(f).  Before any closed meeting is convened, the presiding officer will publicly identify the section or sections of the Act authorizing the closed meeting.  All final votes, actions, or decisions will be taken in open meeting.
 

Description:  The district currently has one or more vacant positons.  Interviews are currently being conducted, and the Superintendent will bring recommendations for the position(s) to this Board meeting, if feasible.

Any action, decision or final vote with regard to any matter considered in such closed session, shall be made in open session.

Description:  House Bill (HB) 3372 prohibits school administrators from working with any business entity that conducts or solicits business with the school district that employs the administrator; an education business that provides services regarding the curriculum or administration of any school district; or another school district, open-enrollment charter school, or regional education service center.
There is an exception to the law as is follows: the board of trustees for the administrator’s employing district votes to approve the contract after determining that: 1.) the contract will not harm the district; 2.) the arrangement does not present a conflict of interest; and 3.) the services to be performed by the administrator will be performed entirely on the administrator’s personal time.
 

Description:  This presentation will update the progress toward achieving board goal 4: Hamshire-Fannett ISD will add at least one Skills USA team by December 2025. 
 

Description:  On August 19, 2020 three board members and the superintendent attended Region 5 Educational Service Center’s School Board Conference.  At the conference, Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) was one of the session topics.  At its August 24, 2020 board meeting, the board discussed TIA and the possibility of the district participating in the state’s TIA program. The administration engaged in the planning process in 2023, but stakeholder survey indicated that 75% of teachers were in opposition of TIA. 
At its March 24, 2025 meeting, the board of trustees affirmed its spending plan for TIA because the district received a TIA designated teacher. In addition, at the 2025 Summer Leadership Institute and other meetings, the superintendent and board members saw TIA presentations.
 

Description:  In the 89th Legislative Session, the state Senate passed SB 12, Bill of Parent Rights. Many of the requirements under SB 12 will ultimately manifest into board policies. However, these policies are currently under development by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). 
The board will consider adopting the resolution which will ensure the district is following all SB 12 requirements while board policies are being developed. 
 

Description:  The Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) released Statement 54 - "fund Balance Reporting and Governmental Fund Type Definitions" on March 11, 2009. The new statement is intended to improve the usefulness of the amount reported in fund balance by providing more structured classification.
The attached resolution will meet these continued requirements for fund balance reporting. Fund Balance is designated for an Insurance Deductible in the event of a catastrophic occurrence, any major capital construction item, and 100% of Interest and Sinking fund balance for repayment of bonded debt.

SUGGESTED MOTION: "I move that the Board approve the resolution committing fund balances in accordance with GASB 54 requirements"

Description:  As is required by law, a revenue and expenditure budget must be approved by the Board prior to August 31 each year. This proposed budget is the result of extended research and revision by the Board and Administration, and is reflective of the best efforts possible to accommodate the needs of our district and the interests of our patrons.
Notification of a public hearing on the budget was published as required and the public hearing was held at 5:45 pm on August 25, 2025. The 2025-2026 budget will be presented to the Board at this time for final approval and adoption.

Description:  A public hearing was held at 5:45 pm on August 25, 2025 for the discussion of the 2025-2026 Budget and Proposed Tax Rate.
The 2025-2026 Budget was accepted and approved in a previous agenda item.
The Board of Trustees must adopt a tax rate after publication of the required Notice of Public Hearing to discuss the 2025-2026 Budget and Proposed Tax Rate.
The Notice of Public Hearing for Hamshire-Fannett ISD proposed:

The Tax Rate of: $1.0492

(M&O $0.75520 and Debt Service $0.2940)
The Calculated Rollback Rate is: $1.05143 per JCAD
The No-New Revenue Tax Rate is: $0.94191 per JCAD

MOTION REQUIRED: "I move that the property tax rate of $1.0492 be
adopted. This includes $0.75520 for maintenance and operations and
$0.2940 for interest and sinking to fund bonded debt."

Description:  Hamshire-Fannett ISD secured General Liability, Educators Legal Liability, Automobile, Crime and Cyber Coverage for the 25-26 school year with Ascot Insurance Company, Travelers Casualty & Surety Company of America.
Cyndi White (Frost Insurance Agency) has obtained our renewal premium with Ascot covering all but Cyber and Travelers covering the Cyber Liability.
General Liability and Cyber coverage $39,487 (increase of $1,272 from last year)

Optional Additional Violent Event Coverage (Current Limit: $100K/250K)
Option A: $1MM/$1MM = $763
Option B: $500K/$1MM = $663
Option C: $500K/$500K = $361
Option D - No additional Coverage

Description: 

The Board of Trustees have been supplied with detailed background information regarding each item of business on the "Consent Agenda" if one is so indicated, or it has been discussed at a previous meeting of the Board. All items will be acted upon by one vote without being discussed separately.  If requested by a Board member, individual items may be removed from the"Consent Agenda" to be discussed and voted upon separately.  All items are as recommended by the Superintendent.

Description:  In conjunction with Hamshire-Fannett ISD Board policy, it is a requirement that the minutes of the previous Board meeting(s) be approved by the Board at a subsequent Board Meeting.

A copy of the minutes is included in each Board member’s agenda packet for perusal and awaits Board action.
 

Description:   It is a customary and accepted Board procedure as a standard order of business at regular Board meetings for the Board to take action in relation to the approval of expenditures for the elapsed period since the last Board meeting.

Pertinent information relating to the financial condition of the District and the resolution of district indebtedness is provided for Board perusal and utilization.

Description:  Senate Bill 401 (SB 401) was passed in the 89th Legislative Session. The bill requires each district’s board of trustees opt-out of allowing homeschool students from participating in extra-curricular activities.
The board will discuss policies FD and FM LOCAL and consider adopting these policies. 
 

Description:  The Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) released Statement 54 - "fund Balance Reporting and Governmental Fund Type Definitions" on March 11, 2009. The new statement is intended to improve the usefulness of the amount reported in fund balance by providing more structured classification.
The attached resolution will meet these continued requirements for fund balance reporting.

Description:  Donation of a Paleontologist Presentation for the Elementary valued at $1,200 by Vector Contracting, Inc.

Description:  Board Policy CH (LOCAL) requires budgeted purchases of goods or services costing $25,000 or more, regardless of whether the goods and services are competitively purchased, require Board approval before a transaction may take place.
Throughout the year, these vendors could incur purchases of more than $25,000 in the
aggregate. Some vendors are for contracted services for the year that will exceed$25,000.
An attached list has been provided to show vendor names, amounts and types of expenses associated with each vendor.

Description:  House Bill 1481 (HB 1481) was passed in the 89th Legislative Session. The bill requires each district’s board of trustees to adopt a policy prohibiting the use of communication devices during the school day.
The board will discuss policy FNCE LOCAL and consider adopting the policy. 
 

Description:  It is a requirement of TEA accounting procedures that the annual budget be amended as necessary throughout the budget year.
The Board has been provided with the necessary documents for the budget amendment for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Description: 

The District currently has one or more vacant positions.  Interviews are currently being conducted, and the Superintendent will bring recommendations for the position(s) to this Board Meeting, if feasible.

Description:  It is possible that one or more resignations could be in the process of being submitted to the Superintendent.
If received, the Superintendent will present letters of resignation for board information.