District Staffing Report Proposes 33 New FTEs to Address Class Size Ratios

The Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District (EM-S ISD) held its Regular Board Meeting on March 31, 2025, to discuss various topics, including staffing reports, communication strategies, and construction updates.

The meeting commenced with a focus on enhancing communication with families regarding upcoming changes. Board members emphasized the importance of using multiple channels, including social media, to ensure that all parents and students are informed. A timeline was established for disseminating this information, with plans to release it the following day.

Following this, the Human Resources report was presented, highlighting the staffing needs for the 2025-2026 school year. Mr. Bogan and Ms. Kern discussed the necessity of adhering to the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) class size limits, particularly for pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, where the ideal ratio is 22:1. They noted that to achieve this ratio, the district would need to unfreeze and fund 33 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, totaling approximately $2.6 million. The board acknowledged the community's desire to return to the 22:1 ratio for younger grades, while fifth grade would remain at 26:1 due to the absence of a TEA cap.

The secondary staffing report indicated that the district aims to reduce the overall class size ratio from 30:1 to 27:1. The team is working closely with secondary principals to assess staffing needs and will utilize internal transfers to balance staff across campuses. Additionally, there are plans to discuss potential adjustments to the high school bell schedule in future meetings.

The board also received updates on construction projects, including the ongoing development at Wayside Middle School. The construction team reported progress on various aspects, including the installation of steel structures and roofing. Concerns were raised regarding a large glass curtain wall in the athletic area of Eagle Mountain High School, which experienced deflection during a recent wind event. The district is currently investigating this issue to ensure safety and compliance with design specifications.

In conclusion, the meeting addressed critical staffing and construction issues while reinforcing the district's commitment to maintaining optimal class sizes and effective communication with families. The board plans to revisit several topics in upcoming meetings, including staffing adjustments and construction updates, as they continue to navigate the challenges of the 2025-2026 school year.