April 17, 2025 – Regular Board Meeting
Board Doc Agenda
Board Meeting Video
D. Recognition of Staff and Students
1st Place Letters about Literature Texas Contest
- Shireen Valasagandla, Ridgeview Middle School
1st Place Texas Science and Engineering Fair
- Arya Hirsave, Canyon Vista Middle School
- Arnav Saraf, Canyon Vista Middle School
- Amrit Arora, Pearson Ranch Middle School
2nd Place Texas Science and Engineering Fair
- Rithwik Nair, Westwood High School
- Arham Khan, Pearson Ranch Middle School
- Arjun Kanutala, Walsh Middle School
- Pranav Tanniru, Walsh Middle School
3rd Place Texas Science and Engineering Fair
- Suhaan Khan, McNeil High School
- Gargi Sharma, Round Rock High School
- David Pan, Westwood High School
- Pranshi Mehta, Canyon Vista Middle School
Staff Recognitions
Excellence in Enrichment – Advanced Awesome Educator Award Focused on Student Belonging
- Raine Maggio, Enrichment Department
- David Baird, Enrichment Department
2025 RROCK Teacher Residents
- Catherine Bakken
- Abby Walker
- Macy Tanner
- Raymond Ton
- Karissa Davila
- Krystal Gundy
Introduction
- Michelle Dean, Joe Lee Johnson Elementary School Principal
F. Superintendent Reports:
F1. 2024-2025 Budget Update
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Dennis Covington updated trustees on the district’s current financial picture, including areas where the administration has been able to reduce spending. Those reductions have brought the deficit to $22,000, down from $3.891 million as of Feb. 25.
F2. 2025-2026 Budget Update
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Dennis Covington updated trustees regarding the district’s proposed budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Pending state legislation related to funding for full-day Pre-K and safety and security, among other items, means that a definitive budget proposal for the district may not emerge until the current legislative session ends in May.
“We seem to be in good shape, we’re hoping to be in better shape,” Covington said. “We’re still monitoring them [legislators] every day. We will still be working and monitoring, and we will come back with a balanced budget.”
The Finance team will develop budget scenarios and return them to the trustees on May 8. The superintendent’s proposed budget, including a compensation proposal, will come to the board on May 15. Trustees must pass the budget by June.
F3. Construction Contracting Methods
Director of Purchasing Danny Poolman provided information on the construction procurement process and the policies that inform the board’s approval of contracts. Construction contracts of $100,000 or more and any single budgeted purchase of $500,000 or more must be submitted for approval to the board. Local board policy requires administration to provide a report on all construction projects and their delivery methods.
“Our main goal is compliance, to keep everything legal and above board,” Poolman said. “Our job is to keep us entangled in all that red tape, and to ensure that the procurement process is fair and equitable.”
F4. 2024 Bond Update
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Dennis Covington updated trustees on the progress of the 2024 Bond Program. As the work continues, updates will be provided quarterly.
- The first tranche of $350 million was sold in January and February. The district received the funds in late February and was then able to start the work.
- The district has finalized the purchase of the property at 9900 Spectrum Drive, which will house the new CTE center. Round Rock ISD now owns the property. The Request for Quotes process has been initiated, and district staff had a walk-through on April 16 with architects. The next step is for the architects to submit proposals for renovating the space.
- The district will purchase new furniture for 15 elementary schools.
- The district has ordered 25 new buses; all will include seat belts.
- The district is in the process of hiring construction staff whose only assignment will be to work on Bond projects. This will reduce the cost of the contract for the external bond management team.
F5. Firearm Safety
Round Rock ISD Chief of Police Ryan Urrutia spoke to the board about how the district is fulfilling the requirements of House Bill 3, which states that schools must provide gun safety to parents and students. The district’s police department and the safety and security team will provide resources and options for gun safety training. These resources will be distributed online at community and district events and trainings.
F6. Let’s Talk
Chief of Communications Anne Drabicky gave an update on the district’s Let’s Talk data from September 2024 to March 2025. The board discussed the differences between customer types and reviewed the data of the 140 submissions routed between schools, departments, and the trustees themselves. Trustees will receive quarterly reports regarding Let’s Talk usage.
G. Discussion Items
G1. Board Student Outcome Goals Time Tracker
The board focused 16.5% on student outcomes.
G2. First Reading of TASB Policy Update 124
The district’s general counsel reviewed the first reading of the TASB Policy updates. Update 124 contains local policies that require board action and adoption notification before the district can incorporate the revisions into the online policy manual.
G3. Two-Way Communication Update – Trustee Markum
The trustees discussed ways to better communicate directly with the community, families, staff and students. One of the board’s goals is to be more available to receive feedback and input from staff, while staying within the legal constraints for board members and without increasing staff members’ time and workload.
G4. Legislative Committee Update – Trustee Markum
Trustee Markum reviewed legislative updates related to Senate Bill 260, House Bill 29, and House Bill 2, among others. The trustees voiced their support for public education and those who continue to advocate for it.
G5. Student and Staff Recognitions on Student Outcomes – Trustee Markum
The board discussed reorganizing and updating the criteria and policies around student recognition. Board members and administration will meet to discuss possible adjustments that could tie future student recognitions to the relevant board goals or to widen the criteria for more opportunities for younger students to be recognized.
H. Action Items for Consideration By Consent
The board approved 5-0.
Next Meetings:
May 15 – Regular Board Meeting
