Big Sandy ISD-Upshur County public meetings in 2024

Regular Meeting

The Big Sandy ISD-Upshur County school board will hold its regular December meeting, where members are expected to approve the minutes from the November 11 meeting and the superintendent’s evaluation instrument. The agenda also includes routine items such as recognizing students of the month, reviewing financials, and discussing enrollment, with no major policy decisions scheduled.

• Approve minutes from November 11, 2024 School Board Meeting
• Approve the Superintendent's Evaluation Instrument

The board approved the Superintendent's Evaluation Instrument. A motion to approve the minutes from the November 11, 2024 meeting was tabled.

• Approved the Superintendent's Evaluation Instrument
• Tabled approval of the November 11, 2024 School Board Meeting minutes

Public Meeting

The Big Sandy ISD-Upshur County board will hold a public hearing to discuss the District FIRST rating during its December 9, 2024 meeting. The meeting begins with a board dinner at 6:00 PM and adjourns after the hearing.

• Public hearing on District FIRST rating

The meeting included a public hearing regarding the District FIRST Rating. No substantive decisions or actions were recorded other than the adjournment of the meeting.

• Adjourned meeting (Passed)

Regular Meeting

The Big Sandy ISD-Upshur County school board will meet on November 11, 2024, to conduct routine business including approving minutes, recognizing students of the month, and discussing curriculum updates. The board will also vote on purchasing remaining exterior security cameras and adopting the 2024-2025 District Improvement Plan.

• Approve minutes from October 24, 2024 meeting
• Purchase remaining exterior security cameras
• Approve 2024-2025 District Improvement Plan
• Recognize Students of the Month (Elementary, Junior High, High School)
• Approve SHAC members for 2024-2025

The Board approved the District Improvement Plan for the 2024-2025 school year and the purchase of remaining exterior security cameras. The Consent Agenda, which included the October 24, 2024 meeting minutes, was also approved.

• Approved Consent Agenda, including October 24, 2024 meeting minutes
• Approved purchase of remaining Exterior Security Cameras
• Approved 2024-2025 District Improvement Plan

Regular Meeting

The Big Sandy ISD Board will hold its regular meeting on October 24, 2024, to conduct routine business including approving the 2024-2025 Threat Assessment Team, reviewing financials, and acting on consent agenda items such as interlocal agreements and quarterly investment reports. The meeting also includes recognition of Student of the Month awardees and updates from district leadership.

• Approve the 2024-2025 Threat Assessment Team
• Approve Wood County Interlocal Agreement on Tax Collections
• Approve Upshur County Extension Service for 4-H Resolution
• Approve Longview Region Day School Program for the Deaf Shared Services Arrangement
• Approve minutes from the September 9, 2024 Regular Meeting

The Board approved the 2024-2025 Threat Assessment Team and passed a consent agenda containing several routine reports and agreements. The meeting also included the recognition of students of the month for September and October.

• Approved Consent Agenda (including Quarterly Investment Report, Wood County Interlocal Agreement on Tax Collections, Upshur County Extension Service for 4-H Resolution, Longview Region Day School Program for the Deaf Shared Services Arrangement, and September 9, 2024 meeting minutes)
• Approved 2024-2025 Threat Assessment Team

Regular Meeting

The Big Sandy ISD-Upshur County school board will hold its regular September 9 meeting to approve routine minutes, financial reports, and annual education documents. No major policy decisions or new spending are listed on the agenda.

• Approve minutes from August 12 meeting, August 29 public hearing, and August 29 special meeting
• Approve Annual Investment Report
• Approve TEKS Certification for 2024-2025 school year
• Approve Attendance Committees for Big Sandy Elementary, Junior High, and High School
• Approve Gifted and Talented (GT) Student Handbook for 2024-2025

The Board approved the TEKS Certification and the Gifted and Talented Student Handbook for the 2024-2025 school year. Additionally, the board approved attendance committees for the district's elementary, junior high, and high schools.

• Approved Consent Agenda (Passed)
• Approved TEKS Certification for 2024-2025 (Passed)
• Approved attendance committees for Elementary, Junior High, and High School (Passed)
• Approved Gifted and Talented Student Handbook for 2024-2025 (Passed)
• Changed October Board Meeting date from October 14 to October 24, 2024 (Passed)

Public Meeting

The Big Sandy ISD-Upshur County board will hold a public meeting to take action on the 2024-2025 school budget, tax rates, and an interlocal agreement with the City of Big Sandy. The board will also consider a budget amendment and adjourn the meeting.

• Consider Interlocal Agreement with City of Big Sandy to install a radio repeater on city property
• Budget Amendment #2
• Adoption of Budget for the 2024-2025 School Year
• Adoption of Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Tax Rate
• Adoption of Interest and Sinking (I&S) Tax Rate

The Board approved the school budget for the 2024-2025 school year and set the corresponding M&O and I&S tax rates. Additionally, the Board approved a budget amendment for the previous school year and an agreement to install a radio repeater.

• Approved Interlocal Agreement with City of Big Sandy to install a radio repeater on city property
• Approved Budget Amendment #2 for the 2023-2024 school year
• Approved budget for the 2024-2025 School Year
• Approved M&O tax rate at $0.6669
• Approved I&S Tax rate at $0.1513

Public Meeting

The Big Sandy ISD-Upshur County board will hold a public hearing to review and discuss the proposed 2024-2025 budget, maintenance & operations (M&O) tax rate, and interest & sinking (I&S) tax rate for the upcoming school year. No other substantive decisions or actions are listed on the agenda.

• Public hearing on 2024-2025 budget, M&O tax rate, and I&S tax rate

The board conducted a public hearing regarding the 2024-2025 Budget, Maintenance & Operations (M&O), and Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rates. No substantive decisions or votes on these items were recorded in the minutes.

• Adjourned meeting (Passed)

Regular Meeting

The Big Sandy ISD board will meet August 12 to act on several items, including an interlocal agreement for a School Resource Officer program with Upshur County, Chromebook and technology purchases, and a resolution to conduct its own tax calculations. The board will also discuss a Wall of Honor and facilities, and hold a public hearing on the 2024-2025 budget and tax rates.

• Interlocal agreement with Upshur County for School Resource Officer Program
• Chromebook purchase
• Technology purchases using E-Rate funding
• Adoption of resolution to conduct district tax calculations
• Public hearing scheduled for 2024-2025 budget and tax rates

The Board approved an interlocal agreement with Upshur County for a School Resource Officer program and authorized several technology acquisitions. Additionally, the Board scheduled a public hearing for the 2024-2025 budget and tax rates.

• Approved Interlocal Agreement with Upshur County for School Resource Officer Program
• Approved purchase of Chromebooks
• Approved technology infrastructure purchases using E-Rate Funding Program
• Approved resolution for Big Sandy ISD to conduct its own tax calculations
• Set August 29th, 2024 for public hearing on 2024-2025 Budget and M&O and I&S Tax Rate
• Approved Region 7 E-Agreements for 2024-2025 school year
• Approved T-PESS and T-TESS Appraisers for 2024-2025 school year
• Approved Employee and Student Handbooks

Budget Workshop

The board is meeting to conduct a budget workshop. The agenda also includes an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

• Budget Workshop
• Executive Session regarding appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee

The meeting consisted of a budget workshop and an executive session regarding personnel. No substantive decisions or budget approvals were recorded in the minutes.

• Adjourned meeting (Passed)

Regular Meeting

The Board approved several expenditures over $25,000 for security enhancements funded by Safety and Security Grants. Other actions included approving a budget amendment and designating hazardous bus routes for the upcoming school year.

• Approved purchase of additional security fencing (Safety and Security Grant Cycle 1)
• Approved purchase of outdoor security cameras from Howard (Safety and Security Grant Cycle 1)
• Approved purchase of additional access control points from CMT Security (Safety and Security Grant Cycle 1)
• Approved purchase of a sheriff's office campus link repeater (Safety and Security Grant Cycle 1)
• Approved purchase of environmental sensors (Safety and Security Grant Cycle 2)
• Approved purchase and construction of a maintenance yard awning
• Approved Budget Amendment #1
• Approved resolution on Hazardous Bus Routes for the 2024-2025 School Year

Special Meeting

The board met for a special meeting to address the hiring of a new secondary principal. The board approved the appointment of Helene Cortinas to the role.

• Approved the hiring of Helene Cortinas as the new secondary principal

Regular Meeting

The Board canvassed the May 4 election results and appointed new officers. The Board also approved several equipment purchases and resolved to change how property taxes are collected via Upshur County.

• Canvassed May 4 Trustee Election: Seth Jewell (108), George Strub (102), Kathryn Vine (90), Kelsey Sheeley (62)
• Nominated Seth Jewell as Board President
• Nominated Jamey Childress as Board Vice President
• Nominated Mary Lingle as Board Secretary
• Approved purchase of bus cameras to replace outdated ones
• Authorized sale and disposal of district furniture and equipment
• Approved $25,000 for an IDF Server Closet contingent on grant funding
• Terminated Taxing Interlocal Agreement and approved resolution requiring Upshur County to collect property taxes

Regular Meeting

The Board approved professional teacher contracts and several district administrator appointments. The Superintendent was authorized to employ professional personnel through September 9, 2024. A proposal regarding the Miss Big Sandy High School selection process was tabled.

• Approved consent agenda, including March 21, 2024 minutes and Quarterly Investment Report
• Authorized Superintendent to employ professional personnel from April 8, 2024 to September 9, 2024
• Tabled Miss Big Sandy High School Selection Process
• Approved professional teacher contracts
• Approved District Administrator Contracts, including hiring Andrea Blavier (Director of Special Programs), Kelly McQueen (Elementary Principal), and Steffany Jewell (Elementary Assistant Principal)

Regular Meeting

The Board approved the 2024-2025 school calendar (Option #2) and finalized the order and contract for the May 4, 2024, school board election. Several teacher resignations were accepted, and action on district administrator contracts was tabled.

• Approved 2024-2025 School Calendar Option #2
• Approved Order of Election for May 4, 2024 for three board places
• Approved Election Contract between Upshur County and Big Sandy ISD for May 4, 2024 election
• Certified the Superintendent to the Region 7 Advisory Committee
• Approved resignations of Jarret Van Curen, Matthew Johnston, Jessica Sobey, Rolondo Moody, and Luan Warton
• Tabled District Administrator Contracts until April 8, 2024
• Approved consent agenda, including February 12, 2024 meeting minutes

Regular Meeting

The Board approved a resolution allowing volunteer chaplains to serve the district and accepted the resignation of a secondary counselor. Additionally, the board approved a retirement incentive application and rescheduled a March meeting.

• Approved resolution to allow volunteer chaplains at Big Sandy ISD
• Approved consent agenda, including January 8th meeting minutes
• Rescheduled March 11, 2024 meeting to March 21, 2024
• Accepted resignation of Secondary Counselor Bradley Armendariz
• Approved amended resolution and application for retirement/unused state days incentive

Regular Meeting

The Board approved a contract extension for the Superintendent and called for school board elections in May. Additionally, the Board authorized the purchase and financing of two school buses and approved the 2022-2023 financial audit.

• Approved Superintendent evaluation and contract extension to June 30, 2027, at $130,000 per year
• Called for school board election on May 4, 2024, for terms of Seth Jewell, Kathryn Vine, and George Strub
• Approved purchase of two school buses with seatbelts from Rush Truck Center
• Approved financing for two school buses with Austin Bank, Big Sandy Branch
• Approved 2022-2023 Financial Audit
• Approved District Improvement Plan
• Approved Consent Agenda, including Quarterly Investment Report, Enrollment Report, and Dec 11, 2023 minutes