Rockwall Independent School District
Board of Trustees Meeting
March 16, 2015
Regular Session
The Board of Trustees of the Rockwall Independent School District met in regular session on Monday,
March 16, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 600 of the Administration/Education Center of the Rockwall
Independent School District located at 1050 Williams Street in Rockwall, Texas. In attendance were:
President
Vice President
Secretary
Mr. Chris Cuny
Mrs. Linda Duran
Mrs. Stephanie Adams
Mr. Jon Bailey
Mr. Russ Childers
Mrs. Leigh Plagens
Mr. Jim White
Superintendent
Mr. Jeff Bailey
President Cuny called the meeting to order at approximately 6:30 p.m., declaring a quorum in attendance
and the meeting duly called with notice posted according to provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas
Government Code Chapter 551.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Plagens and a second from Mrs. Duran, the Board voted 7 to 0 to adjourn into
Executive Session.
President Cuny adjourned the open meeting of the Board at approximately 6:30 p.m. to immediately
reconvene the Board in executive session under the authority of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas
Government Code Chapter 551.074 and 551.071.
Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074:
Deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline of a public officer or
employee; or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee.
Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071:
Consult with the District’s attorney, in person or by phone, to seek the advice regarding pending or
contemplated litigation, a settlement offer, or on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the District
under Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts
with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.
1.
Consultation regarding Cause Number 15-30190 in the Northern District of Texas
At approximately 7:15 p.m., the President adjourned executive session for the Board to attend a
reception for the Rockwall ISD Academic Decathlon Teams and the State Finalists for the HEB Education in
Excellence program. The President reconvene the Board in open session at approximately 7:30 p.m.
No action was taken following the executive session.
Mr. Jim White offered the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America and the pledge to the flag of Texas.
David Gear, Academic Specialist, introduced members of the Academic Decathlon Teams from Rockwall
High School and Rockwall-Heath High School. Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School both
competed in the Texas Academic Decathlon State Competition in San Antonio, Texas. Rockwall-Heath High
School’s Academic Decathlon team, coached by Kim Blain and Kathleen Shipman, are the 2014-2015 Texas
Medium School State Champions. The team also finished 2nd in Super Quiz. This is the team’s first state
championship and the District’s 6th consecutive Academic Decathlon state title. Team members won a total of 33
medals and brought home $21,550 in scholarship money. Rockwall High School’s Academic Decathlon Team,
coached by Lucas Beville and Marian Hinton finished 13th in State and 2nd in Super Quiz. Team members won a
total of ten medals and brought home $750 in scholarship money.
Mr. James VanDyke, interim Chief Information Officer, reported that on February 23rd thru 26th, the
Rockwall ISD Communication Staff travelled to San Antonio for the Texas School Public Relations Association
Conference. The three-day event culminated with the annual Star Awards dinner where districts are
honored for their public relations efforts. Districts are invited to enter public relations materials that have
been produced during the previous year. Rockwall ISD received 5 Gold Star Awards. The awards are divided
into three division and Rockwall ISD competes with other districts with enrollment between 10,000 and
30,000 students. Examples of gold star honors include the Services & Programs for Students and
Families booklet; Stevenson Elementary Dedication Invitation; Teacher of the Year Dinner Invitation;
Multi-Cultural Celebration Poster; Portrait of Success; Video Promotional. The District also
received 7 Silver Star awards.
Mr. James VanDyke, Interim Chief Communication Officer, recognized Brittany Seymore, teacher,
Rochell Elementary School; Julie Woodard, teacher Pullen Elementary School; Katie Duran, teacher at
Williams Middle School as finalists for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Award. This award celebrates
public school professionals whose leadership and dedication inspire a love of learning in students of all
backgrounds and abilities. Each teacher received a check for $1000 plus their campus will each receive
a $1,000 as well. This competition has only six finalists in the North Texas area with Rockwall ISD having three
of the finalists.
Mrs. Plagens moved to approve the following consent agenda items:
A.
Minutes of regular session held on February 16, 2015 and a Work Session held on
March 2, 2015.
B.
February 2015 Financial and Investment Reports and to file it for audit.
C.
Personnel
the resignation of:
Dr. Michael Copeland
Dr. Debra Koehn
Jaymie McIntire
Karen Martin
Director of Human Resources
Chief Academic Officer
3rd Grade Teacher
English Teacher
Administration
Administration
Rochell Elementary
Cain Middle School
the employment of:
Cory Harvey
Diagnostician
Administration
the Extension of Superintendent’s Contract.
D.
Budget Amendment.
E.
Approved a One-Year Contract Award for Pest Control Services to Rockwall Pest
Control for a One Year Service for the Annual base contract of $27,852.
F.
Approved the Extension of the Depository Contract for an Additional Two-Year
Term with American National Bank of Texas with Existing Terms and Conditions
For Banking Services and Rates Previously Agreed Upon.
G.
Approved DI Digital Imaging & Laser Products, Inc. for the District’s vendor for
RFP-15-01-181 Laser Printer Maintenance and Supplies for a three year contract
with an option to renew at the end of each year.
H.
Approved a Waiver to Texas Education Agency for a missed day of instruction on
Thursday, March 5, 2015.
I.
Acceptance of Donations to the District.
With a second from Mr. Childers, the Board voted 7 to 0 to approve the consent items.
During the public forum for public participation, no one from the audience addressed the Board.
Amy Campbell, Assistant Director of the Texas Association of School Boards HR Services, reported on
the District’s Compensation Plan. Ms. Campbell reviewed salaries, demographics, market and stipend
comparisons with other school districts in our area.
Upon a motion from Mrs. Adams and a second from Mr. Jon Bailey, the Board voted 7 to 0 to approve the
renewal of employment contracts under Chapter 21 of the Texas Education Code for administrators, principals,
teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses and other personnel. (Exhibit “A”)
With a motion from Mrs. Plagens and a second from Mr. Childers, the Board voted 7 to 0 to approve
a one-year contract extension with SSC Services for the 2015-2016 school year and authorize the
Superintendent or Chief Financial Officer to execute the agreement.
Upon a motion from Mrs. Duran and a second from Mrs. Plagens, the Board voted 7 to 0 to approve a
one-year extension with Durham School Services for the 2015-2016 school year with the following
contract changes and authorize the Superintendent or Chief Financial Officer to sign the agreement
on behalf of the District.
1. Reduction of the total contract cost to reflect the compensation of the General Manager
who would become a Rockwall ISD employee as of July 1, 2015.
2. Reduction of the total cost to reflect one half of the compensation cost of a clerical employee
involved in field trip service logistics.
With a motion from Mr. Childers and a second from Mrs. Plagens, the Board voted 7 to 0 to approve
Texas Association of School Boards Policies on the second and final reading. The policies are:
 FD(Local)
Admissions
 FDA(Local)
Admission – Inter-district Transfers
 FB(Local)
Equal Educational Opportunity
 FFH(Local)
Student Welfare Freedom from Discrimination, Harassment,
and Retaliation
Upon a motion from Mrs. Plagens and a second from Mr. White, the Board voted 7 to 0 to refer Texas
Association of School Board Policy GE(Local) Relations with Parent Organizations to a second and
final reading.
During the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Bailey discussed the following



Bond Refunding
Board approved parameters for refunding bonds on February 16th
On March 11th, the pricing of the bonds was approved
Cost Savings of $16,771,525 to Debt Service Fund
The next Bond Committee Meeting scheduled for March 18th will include the following topics:
 Transportation
 Safety and Security
 Athletics
 Fine Arts
 Capital Projects










Top Place to Work
Rockwall ISD was listed as one of the Top 150 Work places in North Texas
the 2014 Survey was conducted by Workplace Dynamics and the Dallas Morning News
Silver Hawk – Silver Jackets Club
Next meeting Friday, March 20th at 9:00 am
Tours of Nebbie Williams Elementary School and Utley Middle School
Legislative Update
61st Day of the 84th Session
Last Friday was last day to file bills
There has been 4114 House bills and 1811 Senate bills for a total of 6,164 bills.
631 bills related to Public Education
 SB1 Reducing Property Taxes by increasing homestead exemptions
 SB6 School Campuses will receive a letter grade A-F not the rating exemplary,
recognized, acceptable, unacceptable
Staff Recognition
Dr. Debbie Koehn is retiring at the end of the month.
Sara Bonser will be the new Chief Academic Officer
Dr. Amy Anderson and Billy Pringle will be the Chief Administrative Officers overseeing the
Administrative Services Department
Chris Cuny
PRESIDENT, Board of Trustees
Stephanie Adams
SECRETARY, Board of Trustees