[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6627130,"mediaKeyId","2730156-366e6ba271efc6ae5518ddf9383731c4","parentId",2730156,"title","Willis ISD approves multiple construction and vendor contracts, moves ahead on ninth grade center and Elementary No. 7","audioSeconds",444,"startMs",11263000,"endMs",11707000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730156-366e6ba271efc6ae5518ddf9383731c4&start=11263&end=11707","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730156-366e6ba271efc6ae5518ddf9383731c4/thumbnail_11263000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6627130/Texas/Willis-ISD-approves-multiple-construction-and-vendor-contracts-moves-ahead-on-ninth-grade-center-and-Elementary-No-7","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627130-76c67091bdc91f1c74f04da0ab907910/orig.mp4?Expires=1770960534&Signature=ZgCF3e-8ywArT1XU4YYgPWW1~dGkaWFCCP1O7g66DUYHS9WKPqkD5~No2gHA~5kv53Bwr2lMH~MQI0YkCbyDwmmubNSO~n6luCJhrHB-pMfk5JKQOSlsgABITJqeLe4Nfl-IH7PPmU7D2qyIy6tOMcEPxHUHMkZyQmESNaRY4dTlDWDy-tdgWocqVS~BHYtP4GNg~lbF-6IH6EcShUf6VhwSisick5sVRFp338S--4jJQMpX~FBkbpPoKUUhV4EM2MjnT-x~0bZNe~ui7HW-L2gzITvu1S7rDFAOr3eFbSFDNDocR-NP0fnOOrKlrx0-WwQOcWF1JYkC7AXQc0nW6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Willis ISD","date","2025-03-21T21:18:48.913Z","article","The Willis ISD Board of Trustees on March 19 approved a package of capital-project and vendor actions that will affect multiple 2020- and 2024-bond projects, a new ninth grade center, and the district’s upcoming elementary No. 7.

Key votes and approvals
- Schematic design for the Willis High School ninth grade center: the board approved schematic-design documents and authorized moving into the design-development phase and subsequent permitting. The architect described a three-story academic stack with a 2,000-seat competition gym, an athletics corridor to link to the existing campus, a dining commons with a view to the football field and CTE, and a central internal stair to improve visibility and supervision. The board approved the motion to proceed into design development 6–0.

- Elementary No. 7: Trustees approved the final design and a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) package with Stewart Builders. The board approved GMP #2 (construction package) not to exceed $35,269,354; combined with previously approved figures, the total GMP/contract figure reported to the board was approximately $37,000,002 (not to exceed $37,000,001.99 in the minutes). The motion passed 6–0.

- Material testing contract for Elementary No. 7: the board approved a contract with ECS Southwest (listed as ECS Southwest/ECS Southwest LLP in materials) for material testing and inspection services for $177,742 (minutes note a typed correction in the board packet; the final approved amount listed on the dais and in the motion was $177,742). Motion carried 6–0.

- Construction audit for Calfee Middle School (RL Townsend): the board approved a professional-services contract for a construction audit of the Calfee (ninth‑grade/Calfee) construction project with R.L. Townsend (not to exceed $39,120 billed hourly) to review pay applications, subcontractor charges and contract compliance. Motion carried 6–0.

- Generator at Brabham Middle School: the board approved Millennium Project Solutions for the Brabham Middle School generator replacement at a lowest-bid amount of $97,327.14. Motion carried 6–0.

- Furniture and technology and other purchases above $50,000 for Calfee Middle School and for Glenn/Brabham (middle schools): several not-to-exceed furniture and equipment orders were approved so the district can begin lead‑time purchases; motions carried 6–0. Board discussion included a request by at least one trustee to review sample desk/table tops and warranties because of wear on light-colored surfaces.

- E‑Rate category 1 and 2 contracts for fiber and hardware: the board awarded fiber contracts and infrastructure hardware bids for elementary No. 7 and the new transportation center and approved selected vendors contingent on E‑Rate approval: Skyrider Communications and Optimum for fiber (total eligible $67,050; district obligation 20% = $14,034.75), TurtleNet, Advanced Networks of Texas and Intex Southwest for switches, access points and UPS equipment (total eligible $361,978.14; district obligation 20% = $72,395.63). Motions carried 6–0.

- Vendor and program contracts: the board approved Contigo Ed (data-analysis services for CCMR outcomes) with Dell Foundation funding offset (contract value $75,800; net district obligation under $20,000 with foundation support) and approved the district’s acceptance of several grant awards (LASSO grants for AP Computer Science and instructional leadership funds for targeted campuses). Motions on vendors and grants carried by affirmative votes recorded in the minutes.

Nut graf: The actions taken clear key project phases—design-development and GMP—and secure required vendor services and hardware so construction, testing and procurement can proceed. Trustees repeatedly approved motions unanimously (typically 6–0), authorizing staff to proceed to the next phases while staff continue to refine budgets and logistics.

What trustees asked for or directed
Board members asked for additional clarity and documentation in a few areas before procurement or acceptance: sample furniture materials and warranty details for classroom desks/tops (trustee concern about light-colored tops scratching over time); precise professional-development costs tied to instructional adoption (curriculum presentation), and continued updates on bonding/timing for the remaining voter-authorized debt issuance.

Ending: With the board’s approvals, district staff said they will proceed with design development for the ninth grade center, finalize construction procurement for Elementary No. 7, place time-sensitive orders for long‑lead items, and execute the approved professional and vendor contracts. Staff will return with guaranteed-maximum-price documents, contractor closeouts and updated cost reconciliations in future board meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Willis ISD Board Meeting - March 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a set of capital and vendor actions: construction and design approvals for the ninth grade center and Elementary No. 7, multiple contractor/vendor contracts (material testing, construction audit, generator, E‑Rate procurements), and several purchases and GMPs required to proceed with campus construction and outfitting.","taxTitle","WILLIS ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",38756,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6627133,"Willis ISD outlines plan to apply for Teacher Incentive Allotment; district to pilot data collection in 2025–26",749,4955000,5704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730156-366e6ba271efc6ae5518ddf9383731c4&start=4955&end=5704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730156-366e6ba271efc6ae5518ddf9383731c4/thumbnail_4955000.jpg","/articles/6627133/Texas/Willis-ISD-outlines-plan-to-apply-for-Teacher-Incentive-Allotment-district-to-pilot-data-collection-in-202526","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627133-5d91dc8f36fc4128508ca352afd7e9ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770960534&Signature=f1aAOuBV61MSBLMTUFtiBziUGEziOYUdPBAOnw0ub8S3FBp~p3AG0Gew~UgTW7XBuherPNxPN5zgfkYCJJGBZCNsY0mRMRM4kOU8xi3CpQxW2IzVR72GPXrz6153IFEpc4xPJAPz7vNa1iWVoQAQehQEzMx4X54-uBbqf7tp20pK0und1kEzvoeBuDR7C9Ux6ZKMIiWkCTWE7e9F8uMWODgAgLiSYTpKfA5AokKllSXob5Zi3ffpsul2o6~vzdoiTQaU7HClQZW98XRfvyacCfqxKCie6oEi1Wiphjv18ze7BswyyQleAYHGOU6IZnfWVzDO130ZuOsWy10dnKKHvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Willis ISD staff presented an overview of the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program and the district’s plan to submit a local TIA application and collect the necessary evaluation and student-growth data.

Susan Clardy, executive director of accountability, research and evaluation, told trustees that House Bill 3 (2019) established a state Teacher Incentive Allotment to provide designated awards to teachers who meet district-approved observation and student-growth criteria. Clardy said Willis ISD’s draft local plan would allocate 90% of any funds earned directly to teachers, hold 10% for continued system development and training, and use a 40% observation / 60% student-growth weighting for year one of the local system.

Nut graf: The district plans a phased rollout: staff said Willis ISD will submit its application by the TEA deadline (April 15, 2025), capture data in 2025–26 for a first cohort, submit those data for TEA validation in fall 2026, and — if validated — disburse allotments to designated teachers in 2027. Staff presented examples of designation levels (Recognized, Exemplary, Masters) tied to different award ranges and explained tax/TRS impacts on lump-sum payments.

Clardy said Willis ISD’s first cohort would focus on tested grades and subjects (grades 3–8 RLA and math, English I/II and Algebra I) and would require teachers to meet local observation thresholds and student-growth measures tied to MAP and STAAR where applicable. She emphasized that an eligible teacher must teach 50% or more in the tested area and have 90% or more of their students with available data.

District and board discussion noted the multi-year nature of the program and the lag between data collection and payout: Clardy said teachers designated in the 2025–26 cohort would receive their first lump-sum award in August 2027, after state validation. Trustees asked clarifying questions about eligibility, the impacts to teacher retirement reporting and the district’s plan to survey teacher buy-in via Texas Tech during the pilot year.

Ending: The presentation was informational: staff said they will submit an application by April 15 and return with updates as data-collection work begins in 2025–26; there was no separate board vote on the program application in the March 19 meeting.","District staff described a multi-year plan to apply for the state Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), including a 2024–25 application step, data capture in 2025–26 and an eventual payout schedule; no final board action on the plan was required that night.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6627139,"Willis ISD board adopts Bluebonnet math and Savvas reading for elementary grades",1253,7381000,8634000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730156-366e6ba271efc6ae5518ddf9383731c4&start=7381&end=8634","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730156-366e6ba271efc6ae5518ddf9383731c4/thumbnail_7381000.jpg","/articles/6627139/Texas/Willis-ISD-board-adopts-Bluebonnet-math-and-Savvas-reading-for-elementary-grades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627139-4d79581b48627ba34444294cf2314ca8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770960534&Signature=e9KbIpTXwoDp7EBi2aoHNhRCXnhjuhC4WnfBoY9HbpRc-kYwD~OBBfvkA-R~GGPVtDelGX3rs0ggkFbGV3AhCFXdPF8Uh7yEVPY65Zwwmn67a~4ZPWhKL3s79k0QF4D0VabM6cFwAG6KWIJEAcrMshLVswtGShTvkX1zf79sHRsYAilSoq5EbTIjaWsaGgsB44lWKb77OAmiz3RAaEoDVao2rP573UQNGnbF4vQE-WsiYTusF0E8k4SiC5UY~HQqq~5mufip7~x86vZTK-yCEyG9TQ8QGSmvJK1enrTyVOtbRVwZ~s52Dfr4igl9aMm0epLqb9iXzl9MJffS0n4ZfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After a multi-week review that included teacher, administrator and community input, Willis ISD trustees on March 19 approved new curricular materials for mathematics and elementary reading and language arts.

Instructional staff recommended Bluebonnet Learning for mathematics (K through Algebra I) and Savvas (referred to in public materials as \"Sabbas\"/Savvas) for K–5 reading and language arts. District staff said the recommendation was based on rubric feedback from teachers, principals and community reviewers during multiple showcases and listening sessions held in the district and at the Region 6 service center. The district presented numeric rubric scores and representative comments to support the recommendation.

Nut graf: Trustees approved the adoption by motion; the adoption launches ordering, training and a rollout plan that district staff said will include vendor-provided foundational professional development and locally planned ongoing training for teachers. Parents and community members who reviewed the materials provided both praise and requests for tactile, offline resources (multiple reviewers asked for printable materials for younger students).

Teachers and curriculum staff emphasized that adoption is only the first step. The district plans to order materials, coordinate professional development with the publishers and Region 6, receive and inventory materials and begin teacher training ahead of implementation next school year. Curriculum staff said some grant awards and external funding will support initial rollout costs and that staff are tracking state procurement windows to ensure timely delivery.

In public comment before the vote, two community members spoke about the materials under review. One speaker supported STEMscopes for math and Savvas for RLA, citing teacher support materials and alignment with recent science adoption. Another parent urged a print-first RLA option (the Bluebonnet RLA entry) to reduce screen time and to give parents tangible materials for practice at home.

Ending: The board approved the superintendent’s recommendation to adopt the recommended high‑quality instructional materials by a voice vote (motion carried 6–0). District staff said they will report back on ordering timelines and professional-development plans at follow-up workshops.","The Board approved new high-quality instructional materials after a months-long review process that included teachers, staff and community reviewers; the board voted 6–0 to adopt Bluebonnet Learning for K–Algebra I math and Savvas (SABAS/Savvas) for K–5 reading and language arts.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6627145,"Willis ISD finance staff warns of lower local tax collections, outlines budget amendment and costs for new campus",0,2286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730156-366e6ba271efc6ae5518ddf9383731c4&start=2286&end=2286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730156-366e6ba271efc6ae5518ddf9383731c4/thumbnail_2286000.jpg","/articles/6627145/Texas/Willis-ISD-finance-staff-warns-of-lower-local-tax-collections-outlines-budget-amendment-and-costs-for-new-campus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627145-260c1c68c7dbec891db9ac4fd6f8f605/orig.mp4?Expires=1770960534&Signature=nFw56FiqcKfDdnbAxe5o-qaFEKpfWns9G2a4vVk~T-fzV7T1zkI9eorPgTp1FTyQcWiKFLrYN8ZpN0FbLt35sMQCsVwickApMXoxg1wfjUnudn4FP9QRFf0GTewV3nP2C8lIrorWjOoDDIHOfvwzm9cKnIpu3T1udDFcDz6e0BbuRM~I2LvJENiw4rLJ4nwq68fdUAy-0AB4icSIwFSm8nWjAZbreqpUNREA0lTz6HJ04h7vm4HBBMC0urFTZYs3NrzKUlVxC~RTssnr9tsUn2Ylh50rx0K0f7Q2R57PExJcTep~NlVxBsrsTGBfs~P8syS76m6w5Abm~-uX6Bfb7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gary Motte, a district finance staff member, told the Willis ISD Board of Trustees on March 19 that the district will amend its 2024–25 budget to reflect lower-than-expected local tax collections after two large corrections to the county appraisal roll and other state-level changes that affect school funding.

Motte said the district had based its adopted 2024–25 revenue estimates on certified tax values it received last summer but later learned the county appraisal roll was corrected to remove a duplicate listing worth about $242,000,000 in taxable value and, more recently, that a newly added account worth about $92,000,000 will be treated as tax-exempt. Motte said those two corrections together will reduce local tax revenue by roughly $1.9 million in current-year projections and that he will bring a budget amendment to the board to reflect the lower collections.

Motte also told trustees that a state property-value recalculation submitted by Montgomery County for certain homestead exemptions could produce additional state funds for county districts. He said Willis ISD has appealed the 2023 calculation and that a successful appeal could yield roughly $2 million for the district; the county has already used the recalculated method for 2024, which Motte said increased state aid to the district in the current year.

Nut graf: The board approved a budget amendment that lowers projected local tax revenue and adjusts state-aid and other line items to align the district’s operating budget with updated property valuations and mid-year state calculations. The changes came as district finance staff also outlined the material budgetary effects of opening an additional middle campus in 2025–26.

Trustees approved the amendment later in the meeting. Motte summarized how the revenue reductions interact with other revenue changes and expenditure adjustments: he anticipates a net general-fund revenue projection for 2024–25 of roughly $89.4 million after the changes, and he recommended adding back a portion of previously budgeted funding for vacant positions now that state aid and other items look more favorable than when the budget was adopted in August.

Motte reviewed enrollment (average daily attendance, or ADA) assumptions used to build revenues: adopted figures reflected about 8,400 ADA for 2024–25, the district’s November recalculation showed ADA above 8,500, and preliminary planning for 2025–26 used an ADA of roughly 8,750 (Motte said he intentionally used a conservative growth estimate). He told the board that any significant change in ADA would materially affect state aid and the district’s capacity to add staff and open the new campus.

Board members asked for clarification on who determines tax exemptions and roll corrections; Motte repeatedly attributed those determinations to the county appraisal district and said the school district does not control property valuation decisions. He also reminded the board that many of the revenue and tax-rate outcomes depend on pending state legislation, including proposals to raise the basic allotment and proposals tied to education savings accounts or vouchers.

Motte described two debt-related actions the district expects to bring forward in April: a defeasance (early payoff) of targeted 2016 bond series debt that staff estimate would use about $4.0 million in cash and save roughly $3.1 million in future interest, and a recommendation to issue a portion of previously voter-approved bonds this summer (with the option to sell part in 2026 rather than all at once) to preserve flexibility and potentially lower borrowing costs. He said the district plans to ask the board in April to authorize the defeasance and to approve a recommended bond issuance approach.

Motte also outlined preliminary cost estimates for opening a new middle-school campus (referred to in materials as Calfee/CALVI in various places): he showed an early $3.6 million estimate in personnel and operations for that campus, with additional one-time and recurring costs for child nutrition, utilities, custodial support and insurance. Motte said those figures are preliminary and that staff will refine them before the August adopted budget.

Ending: The board voted 6–0 to approve the recommended amendment to the 2024–25 general-fund budget, which aligns local revenue and state-aid projections with the updated appraisal-roll changes and the latest state calculations. Motte and district staff said they will bring additional refinements at future workshops as state legislation and certified property valuations become final.","District finance staff told the Board of Trustees the district will reduce its local tax revenue projections after two large appraisal-roll adjustments and outlined a budget amendment to match updated projections while flagging costs tied to opening a new middle campus.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Willis ISD approves multiple construction and vendor contracts, moves ahead on ninth grade center and Elementary No. 7

Willis ISD outlines plan to apply for Teacher Incentive Allotment; district to pilot data collection in 2025–26

Willis ISD board adopts Bluebonnet math and Savvas reading for elementary grades

Willis ISD finance staff warns of lower local tax collections, outlines budget amendment and costs for new campus