[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6650485,"mediaKeyId","2506334-ae286b05392280f0b00e5d2c0fed1a3c","parentId",2506334,"title","Votes at a glance: Key actions taken by Goose Creek CISD board on March 3, 2025","audioSeconds",783,"startMs",6097000,"endMs",6880000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506334-ae286b05392280f0b00e5d2c0fed1a3c&start=6097&end=6880","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506334-ae286b05392280f0b00e5d2c0fed1a3c/thumbnail_6097000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6650485/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Key-actions-taken-by-Goose-Creek-CISD-board-on-March-3-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650485-d21a9c5660dd3d80532cd460c79c96a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967157&Signature=JL5vPp3ieVgs8VEn4r9nTh0ErPgQubESo2m507oQ6mbMRgkG2Qux97YX6JbhWzG99sgJlYWXig0Ojf8m0Wt1vVzZL~a1X5u~quvVv~BaQXIGBXQ5wEXggBQe~KNIkUvIxhV5ggyDjjmmNyGFjR0m9yYKAwFi4tTgePwCGBdgjrnJUf7KFNmIKtsegUhJ50bkXwEhz6Q96~iCspduMsMljSmVIk0P0-c7kF7SzKhTjDGHzpVb2Hrok-E1V2nXs7C7~32sCuOCOzkZchMs1vx6wldIp8mwsGqvz9NYF45tFDBExM7kGzTjTdkuIItcfQ7uCTAR7-Pq9a6x5WT6Eh4J0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Goose Creek CISD, TX","date","2025-03-05T18:19:44.283Z","article","This \"Votes at a glance\" roundup summarizes formal actions taken by the Goose Creek CISD Board of Trustees on March 3, 2025. Items below are drawn from the board's agenda and the public meeting record.

- Order canceling election for single-member districts 1, 2, 4 and 5 (agenda item 7a1). Motion presented as consent item and approved as part of consent (motion accepted; roll call unanimous on consent items as recorded for items 1, 2, 3 and 5).

- Low attendance waiver for Travis Elementary (agenda item 7a2). Approved as part of consent.

- Adoption of Goose Creek CISD educational specification standards (agenda item 7a3). Approved as part of consent; staff presented the Title 19/TEA‑related educational specification document to meet TEA requirements.

- Bluebonnet Learning as an option for math and English language arts curriculum materials (agenda item 7a4). Motion to approve made by Miss Guy, seconded by Mr. Renteria. Vote recorded as 6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention. Staff to convene curriculum review committee and confirm cost details (IMA funds expected to cover materials).

- Tax refunds (agenda item 7a5). Approved as part of consent.

- Personnel elections, resignations and retirements; administrative selections (agenda item 7e). Approved; vote recorded as unanimous (7–0).

- Adoption of contingent-fee legal service contracts and selection of outside counsel (agenda items 7f and 7g). Motions to approve were moved and seconded; board approved these contracts unanimously as presented.

- Districtwide intruder-detection audit report findings and required alternative security measures (agenda item 7h). Administration recommended approval; board voted unanimously to adopt the measures.

Meeting process notes: trustees pulled item 7a4 for discussion and separate vote; other consent items were approved together. Several items were moved and seconded from the floor; motions were approved either unanimously or with the single abstention noted above.

For readers seeking the full minutes or individual roll-call entries, the district's official minutes and recordings provide the formal record of each vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 3, 2025 – Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved consent items, curriculum adoption, personnel actions, legal contracts, and security audit recommendations. Vote results and key motions are listed below for quick reference.","taxTitle","GOOSE CREEK CISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",13516,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":46,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650488,"Board approves Bluebonnet Learning as an option for math and ELA after public comment on religious content",6040,840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506334-ae286b05392280f0b00e5d2c0fed1a3c&start=840&end=6880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506334-ae286b05392280f0b00e5d2c0fed1a3c/thumbnail_840000.jpg","/articles/6650488/Texas/Board-approves-Bluebonnet-Learning-as-an-option-for-math-and-ELA-after-public-comment-on-religious-content","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650488-765973cba4ef1e99388518bcb3dfb63a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967157&Signature=Z3rsQQzBZEg1ld0nDt~qTnsKyKW85wsmNPh9z1OUxQDD5fxvmt-SazWqWdsMEFb9gsBYp6doy41bwt9UCIY1RJ5Azpgu1rRy~zeFaPqUjXh-9xgXhjhTglH3Jovh~YrZeI5AEfzfWkjK0JZ5tL9ykIRwuJeSB2ac9XHch02fwUkq5npbIGynCErep4R9qkPMKzKNUAHWIk8Tnf2DbcnSWRopQINS-Kal4gBIWJlr8H6al-eiY7v6wnKQBXX0x68AgxZ1Qt6vargTkVF3Z8DGeqJIWsLLAqoFboU3Nq2ZMhJe4RdyfVTSro6rlcaAZdbU1kyzIiKu6nmMZ2kVxdvKYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees approved Bluebonnet Learning as an option for math and English language arts during the March 3 Goose Creek CISD board meeting after a period of public comment and board discussion about potential religious content in the materials.

Public comment included three speakers who addressed the board during citizens’ participation. Marga (Marge) Matthews urged adoption of a curriculum she referred to as the \"bluebonnet curriculum,\" emphasizing literacy and character development and arguing the program is secular and focused on reading. Miss Holland also spoke in favor of the Bluebonnet Learning materials, saying the package would provide teachers with ready-made lesson plans and stronger phonics instruction. Nicholas Rice associated himself with earlier speakers and pointed trustees to the Texas Education Code, saying in part that Texas law requires public schools to teach content from both the Old and New Testaments (first referenced at 00:20:22).

Trustees discussed the specific concerns raised by speakers. Board member Miss Jackson Martinez told the board she had reviewed the Bluebonnet materials and found no broad religious proselytizing in the sections she examined but noted isolated references that merited committee review. Staff acknowledged one concrete example of concern: a hymn—\"Amazing Grace\"—appeared in a Bluebonnet unit. Staff said the hymn could be replaced in the district implementation if trustees and curriculum review committees determined a substitute was appropriate.

District staff told trustees the anticipated costs for materials would be covered by the district's Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA) and that printing costs were expected to be in the modest per-student range (staff estimated an additional $20 per regular general-education student for printed materials in initial calculations). Staff also said they were still confirming details for the English language arts portion and planned to proceed cautiously.

During board discussion, trustees emphasized the district's existing process for curriculum review and indicated they would use committees and transparency to address specific parental concerns. \"If a parent saw some kind of passage or something they had concern with and they have an active participation, they can say, 'hey I want my child to see something different for this or I have a concern,'\" staff said, noting the materials are publicly accessible.

The motion to approve Bluebonnet Learning as an option for math and English language arts passed with six trustees voting in favor and one abstention. The motion was made by Trustee Miss Guy and seconded by Trustee Mr. Renteria. Staff said procedures would be followed to remove or substitute any narrowly identified material deemed inappropriate for district classrooms.

Why it matters: the approved action makes Bluebonnet Learning an available curriculum option in the district and prompts local review procedures for materials flagged by parents or trustees. Trustees relied on curriculum staff assurances that the IMA would cover costs and that committees would address specific content concerns.

Provisions cited in the meeting included a trustee reference to Texas Education Code §28.002 during public comment, which addresses the state's academic content requirements, and staff referenced TEA guidance on instructional materials procurement.","Following public comments raising concerns about religious content, Goose Creek CISD trustees approved Bluebonnet Learning as an option for math and English language arts; staff said the district would review and replace any explicitly religious material identified by committee review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650493,"Goose Creek CISD faces $6.8 million shortfall; staff offers tiered cuts and options to balance budget",422,1922000,2344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506334-ae286b05392280f0b00e5d2c0fed1a3c&start=1922&end=2344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506334-ae286b05392280f0b00e5d2c0fed1a3c/thumbnail_1922000.jpg","/articles/6650493/Texas/Goose-Creek-CISD-faces-68-million-shortfall-staff-offers-tiered-cuts-and-options-to-balance-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650493-f7b55f699638cbc977d8b287f86daf8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770967157&Signature=AkSFro5h89VaWLFFDgXy4JicLkUe4T2VMMEwNiBzogSnnqX7qs9cIC96Q-2COb1g~YylM4e97EUMmCVAyJekKOuIYNEH~i1wKE4L2SWiEDnFLLsXe1NfZVNp1wMCwgXwLxNvtjXs2YVhTpVj0i-epmDtRi32lOOOhVZxV5-HKE2CkbfCnvIJ9wRFGs2ZqkH028-vEyHYzr7ElDz~SMpebjL3SHf214m85Q2~QkxqTaZzS4pphE1l2OmtNNRHcrF6ySaQt0XKc2XDL6hR8p~LPMwhpXpBNQ9z2nVxHP9nVuvvg-X0~UM7bASHMHCR4ZOdectc3DyUNR7skZdU~ut~ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Goose Creek CISD trustees heard a detailed budget update on March 3 outlining a projected $6.8 million beginning deficit for the 2025–26 fiscal year and a menu of possible reductions to close the gap.

The district presented the shortfall as the result of several factors, including the board-approved 4% general pay increase this year, a penny reduction in the tax rate that reduced revenue by about $1.5 million, a health insurance shortfall listed at $3.5 million, and a decrease in average daily attendance that lowered revenue by roughly $640,000. Investment earnings and several one-time transfers offset some of the gap, but the net beginning deficit remained $6.8 million.

District staff grouped potential reductions into two tiers. Tier 1 items—presented as more feasible—total about $2.7 million and include tighter controls on consultants and conferences, eliminating certain software (about $100,000), adjusting custodial staffing at smaller campuses (estimated $200,000), restricting district vehicle (\"white fleet\") use beyond a 30-mile radius, and district- and campus-level percentage budget trims (roughly $1 million). Tier 2 items—more controversial or operationally challenging—total roughly $3.0 million and include library-service restructuring (shared librarians at small campuses), reducing some PLC periods/adjusting secondary schedules, possible changes to the virtual school, consolidating low-enrollment program offerings, and reductions to clerical or other district-level positions.

Even if trustees adopted all tier 1 and tier 2 proposals, the district would still be about $1.1 million short, which district staff said would require eliminating roughly 24.5 additional positions to reach a fully balanced budget without drawing on fund balance.

\"Over the last two years we've reduced 302.5 positions, which equates to almost 8% of our full-time employee staff,\" said Doctor Bollinger (staff member) during the presentation, citing the difficulty of finding further savings in year three of reductions. \"Only one group out of six in our committee exercise hit the $6.8 million target, and that plan relied on unrealistic cuts.\" (first referenced at 00:32:02)

Chief presentation lead Miss Clark (staff member) summarized recent district actions and the drivers of the current deficit: \"We did pay a 4% general pay increase for all employees, and we also implemented $13,000,000 in budget reductions, including non‑campus positions districtwide...\" (first referenced at 00:23:06). She and Bollinger told trustees that health insurance costs—highlighted as a significant pressure—were being rebid in the spring and could still fluctuate.

Trustees pressed staff for clarifications on several proposals. Board members asked about the white-fleet mileage policy—enforcement of taking vehicles home only within a 30-mile radius—and requested an analysis of how many district vehicles and employees would be affected. Staff said they would provide an address-based analysis showing which employees live outside the proposed radius and noted that enforcing a tighter policy could reduce mileage and long‑term replacement costs.

Board members also asked about library-service restructuring; staff said the proposal would raise enrollment thresholds so some small campuses would share a librarian, similar to existing shared staffing models. Trustees asked for numbers and impact analyses before committing to service changes.

District staff discussed the virtual school as a potential savings option but cautioned about operational and regulatory consequences. Staff said state rules tied to how the virtual campus was originally established limit the district’s ability to convert closed enrollment to open enrollment without state action. They noted that closing virtual school could limit options for students who currently rely on that program unless alternate arrangements are made.

Trustees and staff discussed one‑time options as well, including the sale of surplus district properties (examples cited: the former Baker site and the old bus barn). Staff warned that property sales provide only temporary relief and that real estate in practice can be illiquid and slow to convert to budget relief.

Timeline and next steps: staff proposed bringing more fleshed‑out options back to trustees and requested direction on whether to aim for a special meeting (proposed March 24 or April 1) or to finalize the reduction plan at the regular April 7 meeting. Staff emphasized April 7 as the target date to approve a reduction plan in time to finalize staffing and adopt the budget.

Trustees repeatedly emphasized a preference against further teacher cuts. Several board members asked that staff rely on attrition wherever possible and present analyses that minimize classroom reductions. Staff confirmed the district will continue to use the attrition model as part of the staffing-reduction approach.

Why it matters: the board's decisions on reductions and the compensation plan will affect staffing, program offerings, and services across Goose Creek CISD for the 2025–26 school year. Staff said if the legislature does not finalize school finance changes prior to budget adoption, the district cannot adopt a budget based on prospective state legislation and would have to plan under current law.

Evidence from the meeting indicates trustees face limited options: a combination of service reductions, tighter operational policies, limited one‑time asset sales, and potential position eliminations if state revenue increases do not materialize.

Ending note: staff will return with detailed analyses (head-count impacts, campus-by-campus effects, cost calculations) and proposed board decisions at upcoming meetings; trustees must adopt a course by the April board meeting to finalize budgets and staffing.","At its March 3 board meeting, Goose Creek CISD staff told trustees the district is projecting a $6.8 million budget deficit for 2025–26 and presented tiered reduction options that together still fall short of balancing the budget without eliminating additional positions.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Key actions taken by Goose Creek CISD board on March 3, 2025

Board approves Bluebonnet Learning as an option for math and ELA after public comment on religious content

Goose Creek CISD faces $6.8 million shortfall; staff offers tiered cuts and options to balance budget