[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6092273,"mediaKeyId","2855503-90df6b6d4b3c9abb7d99092b9c5fe510","parentId",2855503,"title","Board roundup: key votes March 31 — reading materials, staffing, calendar and contracts approved","audioSeconds",696,"startMs",14387000,"endMs",15083000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2855503-90df6b6d4b3c9abb7d99092b9c5fe510&start=14387&end=15083","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2855503-90df6b6d4b3c9abb7d99092b9c5fe510/thumbnail_14387000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6092273/Texas/Board-roundup-key-votes-March-31-reading-materials-staffing-calendar-and-contracts-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092273-2f8f6ea18759674ecd68b8ccddfa41c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770659196&Signature=ncGyUpMurx5yzbZ5CchXC8~Sm7o0~yvKGPcDvunHtJe1RB3xKqZwj7uoQVFMD73We91h-Hp9BmYcKx8BiY-tfJ2H5IlEC-zE6sNEn8rMCF5lE1Hwpr7weSVhdVQOFfmOAb7ha-xz4NtTKekz8Fq~doxceUG4TmLauQkxLCFQOqrfk4JhA-zxhA0qS4PS4DDhuzulozvy4ptMpSCU358PQC6Ia91Wkb1FsGjlmxp8bBQJFHsLPiBE7EWWJ15b-rEa3Sgo~BCPexbBC70EPWOTF9Htf0dvxMafmHy1z86xM0egZ358Dx12ulbTf5PT4sw8Cv5~1OULaQIdXXf3-AE--Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Eagle Mt-Saginaw ISD","date","2025-04-03T01:15:54.437Z","article","This summary lists the board’s formal actions and outcomes from the March 31 Eagle Mountain‑Saginaw ISD Board of Trustees meeting. Items below are taken from the meeting’s official action sequence and reflect the motions recorded on the meeting record.

Votes at a glance

- Contingent‑fee legal services agreement (youth social‑media usage litigation): Board authorized contingent‑fee counsel and petitioned the attorney general for expedited review; final approval of the contract package was recorded as carried (vote recorded in transcript as 6–1). The agreement is a contingent‑fee arrangement; district obligations occur only if the litigation is successful.

- Fiscal year timing resolution: Board approved a resolution changing the district’s fiscal‑year timing to address summer payroll and cash‑flow timing (motion carried 7–0).

- Joint election agreement with Tarrant County Elections Administrator (May trustee election): Board approved contracting with the county to run the district’s May election (estimated cost just under $40,000) (motion carried 7–0).

- Special meeting to canvass May election: Board set a special meeting for canvass on May 13, 2025 (motion carried 7–0).

- Class‑size waivers (pre‑K through 4): Board approved submission of required class‑size waivers to the Texas Education Agency where needed (motion carried 7–0).

- Additional staffing for 2025–26 (including 33 elementary FTEs and 7 positions to finish Eagle Mountain HS): Board approved the staffing package (motion carried 7–0). Staff said funding for the 33 elementary FTEs is estimated at approximately $2.607 million; the positions were previously board‑approved but not funded.

- K–5 reading instructional materials (2025–2028): Board approved K–5 reading instructional materials (motion carried 7–0). Staff described bilingual materials, professional learning plans and multi‑year funding approaches.

- Award playground resurfacing contracts (multiple campuses): Board awarded turf/playground resurfacing contracts to Grand Landscapes and SYNLawn across listed campuses; total contracted amount not to exceed $2,211,935.53 (motion carried 7–0).

- Instructional calendar amendment (2025–26): Board approved converting four scheduled student half‑days to full student holidays to be used for PLCs, teacher planning and professional learning (motion carried 7–0).

Other routine consent and procurement actions were approved on the consent agenda, including approval of region contracts and procurement items as listed in the board packet.

Ending: For detailed motion language, implementation steps, contract amounts and follow‑up tasks see the district’s posted agenda packet and the full meeting minutes. The board directed staff to proceed with implementation steps tied to each approval and to return with updates as needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 31, 2025 Regular Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","This summary lists the board’s formal actions and outcomes from the March 31 Eagle Mountain‑Saginaw ISD Board meeting.","taxTitle","EAGLE MT-SAGINAW ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",13549,"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},6092278,"Board approves 33 FTEs to restore elementary 22:1 target, finishes Eagle Mountain HS staffing and converts four half‑days to teacher holidays",1226,10571000,11797000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2855503-90df6b6d4b3c9abb7d99092b9c5fe510&start=10571&end=11797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2855503-90df6b6d4b3c9abb7d99092b9c5fe510/thumbnail_10571000.jpg","/articles/6092278/Texas/Board-approves-33-FTEs-to-restore-elementary-221-target-finishes-Eagle-Mountain-HS-staffing-and-converts-four-halfdays-to-teacher-holidays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092278-f29bf572e02804bdabc394a462ff354b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770659196&Signature=g6Ws9Ylbeg0nQx0w-M70K90y03nXQDmxja8EqrWtUBq6AArPPBlnlrrVeikuLzp-iMbvSXYtGQ0vGXNuOwnVz-7rSKstEQgj0vZvgnmiFUB1XQWuVThQsTYAm716B1bwNogOcag-X-VYDA17ZrhAF7YsHQQrlDM9z-nDJS2cm0hmaDYTc1K7XaVXVSkq8LOxmyt4y9fV4jvOIsEyU0mgQ2z4PRKwdZOeaMKXBYdLRnGeaaINL-ARI53ur4CX6KWOV1w3KRtvHOH51RgDgxcFQ-RKAV9~614oIkra7gz96GcsBrTpu9aUNDSDnfUbEho2zVbTH3~mPmPqdhZvZcbjIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees on March 31 approved staffing and calendar changes intended to reduce class sizes, finish high‑school staffing and give teachers more structured planning time.

Elementary class size and staffing: District staffing presenters told the board that returning pre‑K through fourth grade to a 22:1 target would require unfreezing and funding 33 FTEs that had previously been board‑approved but not funded. The district estimated the recurring cost of restoring those positions at roughly $2.607 million in total; staff explained many of the positions are already authorized but require funding allocation. Staff described the demographer’s projections and the need to monitor reenrollment and summer movement before finalizing classroom assignments; principals and HR will work to place staff and adjust as actual enrollment is verified.

Secondary and Eagle Mountain High School: District HR staff said middle‑ and existing high‑school staffing needs can be balanced using internal transfers and frozen positions, but Eagle Mountain High School requires seven previously approved frozen positions to be unfrozen to finish staffing for the campus and provide senior‑year services. Trustees approved the additional staffing and the release of specific frozen positions as presented.

Instructional calendar amendment: The board approved an amendment to the 2025–26 instructional calendar converting four scheduled student half‑days (September, November 7, February 13 and March date referenced) into full student holidays while retaining teacher work time for PLCs, classroom preparation, and professional learning. Staff said the change aims to reduce the budget impact of low half‑day attendance percentages, to provide structured professional learning windows, and to maintain the district’s required instructional minutes. The board approved the calendar amendment by recorded vote (motion carries 7–0).

Board action: Trustees approved the additional staffing package and the calendar amendment during the meeting’s action items. The staffing request and calendar change were adopted as presented; HR and campus leaders will finalize placements and room assignments ahead of the 2025–26 school year.

Ending: HR and operations staff said they will continue to track enrollment, classroom capacity and facility needs and return to the board if further adjustments or waivers are needed.","Trustees on March 31 approved unfreezing 33 elementary FTEs to restore a 22:1 pre‑K–4 target, approved seven additional positions to finish Eagle Mountain High School staffing, and converted four student half‑days into full holidays to create structured teacher planning and professional‑learning time.",{"_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},6092282,"Special programs report: district sees rise in special education referrals, evaluations and specialized‑class enrollments",533,9099000,9632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2855503-90df6b6d4b3c9abb7d99092b9c5fe510&start=9099&end=9632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2855503-90df6b6d4b3c9abb7d99092b9c5fe510/thumbnail_9099000.jpg","/articles/6092282/Texas/Special-programs-report-district-sees-rise-in-special-education-referrals-evaluations-and-specializedclass-enrollments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092282-8112e2f65b5eb83199ef7daba0da29ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770659196&Signature=nODyXyVO62sHDvzFNJF4h~-QcRCzGBFvghfPINOwRCSkKEL7weVFQFYGdjsRzRbGutof5S7Mb0TWBy6Zfm0rJ2wOs8RZABbd49HXaf3rfErN510y6J79ToNCqN0hNfLJ0BICH43kr9eM8Vn9dv6Xgiv-QEML~dxHop-LN6-cNc6sUAK88fwQxKJO9H4uxGLHJmfpazE6cTTq8RF~bomNq2VPcX7zPhXSDpyvUspAf~rCdXX4ugAQiQFljejKXdCBcsPJ-7J1fNsv6EPDqCFcZRIeVcuUoQCSXqOoenFh~BHwLbhtVbJZob~WrlqjCSVVyj1uKyta-CtrtwKJFsT-Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Eagle Mountain‑Saginaw ISD special programs department reported to the board March 31 that special education referrals and initial evaluations have risen sharply this school year and that the district now serves about 4,365 students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Dr. Hughes (Special Programs presenter) told trustees the district completed 1,011 initial evaluations last year; year‑to‑date the district has completed 663 initial evaluations with another 232 pending at the time of the report. Staff said federal and state timelines require most initial evaluations to be completed within 45 school days, a process that averaged about 20 staff hours per evaluation and roughly $1,500–$2,000 in district cost per initial evaluation — costs for which the district receives no dedicated state or federal reimbursement.

The department also reported 2,098 students served under Section 504 plans (accommodations), with 1,279 of 2,240 identified dyslexia students receiving direct dyslexia intervention in special education and 961 receiving accommodations via 504 plans. In total, special education enrollment represented roughly 18.2% of district enrollment at the time of the report, an increase of about 11% since 2021.

Special programs staff told trustees the district has about 90–95 specialized classrooms across campuses and noted staffing and facilities remain a high priority as new students move into the district and as children who previously received early‑intervention services arrive without those supports. The department said it has maintained 100% compliance on certain state performance indicators and highlighted transition work including Summer Earn & Learn placements (23 students) and AIMS 18+ employment transition supports.

Ending: Trustees thanked the special programs team and directed staff to continue monitoring evaluation backlogs and to return with staffing and budget implications as planning for 2025–26 continues.","The special programs department told trustees that evaluations, Section 504 plans and special education enrollments have risen, increasing workload and costs; the board heard about program staffing, timelines for evaluations and state compliance results.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6092287,"Board approves new K–5 reading materials; curriculum team details math pilot and cost considerations",547,2832000,3379000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2855503-90df6b6d4b3c9abb7d99092b9c5fe510&start=2832&end=3379","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2855503-90df6b6d4b3c9abb7d99092b9c5fe510/thumbnail_2832000.jpg","/articles/6092287/Texas/Board-approves-new-K5-reading-materials-curriculum-team-details-math-pilot-and-cost-considerations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092287-43e54335de6e38cf3bd53f28f17f1751/orig.mp4?Expires=1770659196&Signature=INE9o51Y1kSwT5lpOe4ecJVq3AnojtBgXg8QzUh6N3MvoCRRZekJNGGTF6AqdHMSvytJ5p9qiaPkHRuhqbePup6pK0HZrFYzwQcz3uRFISdGgNjaSZtqYt2gfVBKvnAZQY1vs6X6Lnt0a5GolWy6lVpQn9Jr2hQetpQo~WXjnHL8eDuBitTFUMGxvK9XGX72BcVdRKelZbQAHvqNI7~YFoFd4gzmiSMNnHOJVpJtl3iNGNEyxPMvPebNK0ilk73Tc-Kt8aE4qiqC8Bx9N4Tw0rowX5MR6KoGpp9j6Hq343s0IR5xZ6VQHmMAR3IUxEqvlDGDILXqt2EYvNOCy1s9bA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eagle Mountain‑Saginaw ISD trustees voted March 31 to adopt new kindergarten through fifth‑grade reading instructional materials for 2025–2028, a staff recommendation that the board approved as part of the meeting's action items.

District curriculum staff described classroom visits and a three‑year rollout plan. Staff said the approved materials include a bilingual‑equivalent component for Spanish‑language instruction, teacher guides, student materials and a professional‑learning package. The presenters said pilot visits to Waxahachie ISD showed consistent Tier‑1 delivery across classrooms, scaffolding for struggling readers, and enrichment for advanced students. Staff emphasized teacher professional learning and instructional coaching to support the transition and noted materials are subscription‑style and will be budgeted across the three‑year contract.

In the same discussion, curriculum leaders reviewed elementary mathematics planning. Staff described current use of a longstanding program (Investigations) plus district‑created supplemental resources, and noted active pilots of a new math program. Presenters said math adoption discussions included teacher feedback collected during school visits and meetings with district leaders. Cost was highlighted: staff said an early estimate for a reading or math curricular adoption had previously been quoted to the district at about $2 million per year, and that vendor negotiations had produced multi‑year pricing options intended to spread costs across budget years. Staff named the approved instructional materials entitlement and district IMTA funds as possible funding sources.

Board action: Trustees approved the reading instructional materials purchase for K–5 (motion carried 7–0). Staff said the district will issue the subscription or purchase order and align year‑by‑year budget accounting to cover multi‑year costs.

Ending: Curriculum staff will coordinate professional learning, principal training and site demonstrations this spring and summer, and will return to the board with implementation updates as classrooms adopt the new materials.","Trustees approved new kindergarten through fifth‑grade reading instructional materials (Amplify) for 2025–2028. Curriculum staff reported pilot visits, bilingual resources and professional learning plans; math transition pilots and multi‑year pricing were discussed along with funding sources.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6092292,"Eagle Mountain‑Saginaw ISD hears bond capacity forecast; board approves fiscal‑year timing change to speed budget actions",7632,48000,7680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2855503-90df6b6d4b3c9abb7d99092b9c5fe510&start=48&end=7680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2855503-90df6b6d4b3c9abb7d99092b9c5fe510/thumbnail_48000.jpg","/articles/6092292/Texas/Eagle-MountainSaginaw-ISD-hears-bond-capacity-forecast-board-approves-fiscalyear-timing-change-to-speed-budget-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092292-8421289cb73ec3e4c24b24fad9334b35/orig.mp4?Expires=1770659196&Signature=olv6A4CWVxmKRPuRKZNu9TePVL4oidWL0KmNm90u2vjsCr8yidA1kDr7z7ZPVyOxBmhdG7eFKUc3U-QGVDTOe5gz7uKLjvy-KTN0VWrmRc1zMlAUnqgHp~TBrLTTH-y1doNdI8n7Qad8LITY4~gxsNbzNDIaZauAu-1U9ezUvC5tG54Ad6SAsstyb~qxdvDepnuwjUX2gVw15flONfxJoTyNrPVeifdoUS1gG2D5BgagpxwuRS3UMt1cTUzSUPQL53ZSL0hbb4naLIMZ1JQInlDxklBqXeMY0MFgX7t3sBSkQIls46U~SaUzsmLNJDRFzUIqLxPTsEom7AtKttdwBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a March 31 meeting, Eagle Mountain‑Saginaw ISD finance officials briefed the Board of Trustees on the district's long‑term bond capacity and the near‑term budget outlook, and trustees approved a resolution to change the district's fiscal‑year timing to ease cash‑flow pressures.

The district has roughly $411.1 million of voted bonds remaining from the 2023 package to sell in scheduled increments; staff estimated a near‑term bond capacity of about $166 million that could be issued as early as August 2025, rising over subsequent years if property values and interest rates move favorably. Officials said recent debt management actions and prepayments have saved taxpayers in the district hundreds of millions of dollars over the last two decades and helped create room for additional authorized borrowing.

The presentation highlighted one major downside risk: pending state legislation that would expand the residential homestead exemption (Senate Bill 4 as discussed by staff). Staff estimated that raising the exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 would remove about $1.1 billion of value from the district's tax roll and therefore reduce available bond capacity and long‑term revenue for debt service. The consultant and district staff noted the final effect will depend on how the legislature defines eligibility for the state’s debt hold‑harmless program and on the appraisal district's reappraisal schedule.

Trustees also approved a resolution to change the district fiscal‑year timing. District presenters said the administrative shift will allow the district to better align payroll and summer expenditures with revenues and to use fund balance deliberately to bridge timing differences while the board completes its 2025–26 budget process. The board adopted the fiscal‑year timing change by recorded vote (motion carried 7–0).

What it means locally: The district can pursue scheduled bond sales without raising the local interest and will continue to sell the remaining 2023 authorization in phased issues, staff said, but the scale and timing of future sales depend on reassessments of property value growth, the final text of state legislation, and prevailing municipal interest rates.

District officials said they will return with updated analyses after the next appraisal cycle and as state legislation moves through the session. The finance presentation included projected yearly capacity numbers under current assumptions; the board did not adopt a new bond sale at the meeting but directed staff to continue planning.

Ending: District finance staff scheduled a follow‑up in the coming months to update trustees on reappraisal results and any legislative action on the homestead exemption and hold‑harmless formulas.","District finance staff presented bond capacity and tax‑base projections and warned that pending state changes to homestead exemptions could reduce local capacity. Trustees approved a resolution to shift the district fiscal‑year timing to help cover near‑term payroll and cash‑flow needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board roundup: key votes March 31 — reading materials, staffing, calendar and contracts approved

Board approves 33 FTEs to restore elementary 22:1 target, finishes Eagle Mountain HS staffing and converts four half‑days to teacher holidays

Special programs report: district sees rise in special education referrals, evaluations and specialized‑class enrollments

Board approves new K–5 reading materials; curriculum team details math pilot and cost considerations

Eagle Mountain‑Saginaw ISD hears bond capacity forecast; board approves fiscal‑year timing change to speed budget actions