[{"_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",6605261,"mediaKeyId","2987105-4130ecd27280dd8fc364eb78c54e6583","parentId",2987105,"title","Rockwall ISD board approves three campus leaders and renews staff contracts","audioSeconds",736,"startMs",706000,"endMs",1442000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987105-4130ecd27280dd8fc364eb78c54e6583&start=706&end=1442","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987105-4130ecd27280dd8fc364eb78c54e6583/thumbnail_706000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6605261/Texas/Rockwall-ISD-board-approves-three-campus-leaders-and-renews-staff-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605261-bdec9f50a619fc7248dec32c75b4e4d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770830768&Signature=KCtZkTa~9dlY6onVTcXazUkDxRWnALRu~57ofgJnlQGRdv7c1rMQAT4aT0SPNuyUdKPBSowRFM3ZLNQxX4BqSN5PVwwt3WQckgLYC7wmMuMzRc5emRCEHsNBIuR37PReeX0MVxuHghGQmFOZf5FU3U3bIbS80m6xAP9qCiL5hPn26PUAKXkyltsQJ68IedDtQmeQSGK1Hwpk1wawC1WVPhBJBcGXCGAZuHEb-Q9z9JaLlg8Hr0Li1VerC52UgVzeh9hGgZ8EruWLGxU0BNIcRKrNTbDuqDULpd5jy7CCV6LZmM-h~JBKrubimcwSj~x0QNieo0YQPsJZ8xPgzS6XTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockwall ISD","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees on Tuesday evening approved recommendations to hire three administrators and renewed contracts for district staff.

The board voted to approve Bronwyn Vaughn as principal of Linda Lyon Elementary School, Christie Hudspeth as principal of Dorothy Smith Pullen Elementary School and Amy Sparks as the district’s director of special education. The board then approved renewal and extension of employment contracts for both non–Chapter 21 and Chapter 21 personnel (administrators, teachers, counselors, library media specialists and nurses).

Why it matters: Leadership appointments and contract renewals affect campus operations and services students receive, including special education supports that the district said are a priority.

Appointments and remarks
- Bronwyn Vaughn: The administration recommended Vaughn for principal at Linda Lyon Elementary after noting 27 years in public education and prior assistant-principal roles. After the vote Vaughn said she was “grateful for the opportunity” and that Linda Lyon “exemplifies all the values that I hold dear.”

- Christie Hudspeth: The board recommended Hudspeth for Dorothy Smith Pullen Elementary, citing experience as an assistant principal, ESL coordinator and recognition from the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association. Hudspeth accepted the recommendation and thanked mentors and family.

- Amy Sparks: The administration recommended Amy Sparks as director of special education, citing more than 20 years of experience in special education roles including principal and instructional coach. Sparks thanked the board and said she was “honored to return to my passion of special education.”

Contract renewals
The board approved renewals and extensions of employment contracts for non–Chapter 21 staff and for Chapter 21 personnel (the latter category includes teachers, administrators, counselors, library media specialists and nurses per the board book). The administration stated the renewals were presented as listed in the board packet.

Votes and procedure
Motions and seconders were called from the dais for each appointment before the board took voice votes. The meeting record shows the chair calling for the vote and the presiding officer announcing the result with the recurring phrasing recorded in the transcript: “All in favor? Aye. That’s 7 4 0 against and 0 absent.” The transcript repeats that phrasing for multiple votes; the board book and the clerk documented the motions, seconds and the announced tallies during the meeting.

What the district said: Administrators who presented the recommendations highlighted each candidate’s campus leadership experience and district participation in Rockwall ISD leadership programs. The director of special education recommendation emphasized inclusive practices and specific special-education leadership experience.

Next steps: Appointees will assume their roles as indicated by the district; contract renewal listings were approved as presented in the board packet.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockwall ISD - Board of Trustees - Apr 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees on Tuesday evening approved recommendations to hire three administrators and renewed contracts for district staff.","taxTitle","ROCKWALL ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14327,"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},6605242,"Board adopts 2025–26 meeting calendar, forms JROTC naming committee and approves consent agenda",229,2132000,2361000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987105-4130ecd27280dd8fc364eb78c54e6583&start=2132&end=2361","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987105-4130ecd27280dd8fc364eb78c54e6583/thumbnail_2132000.jpg","/articles/6605242/Texas/Board-adopts-202526-meeting-calendar-forms-JROTC-naming-committee-and-approves-consent-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605242-54477617f62eb5a3324997c4118aa822/orig.mp4?Expires=1770830768&Signature=C6BaM4egX6Fk-C8xOu6YznNVxKuRiiZnPIdhcCI52Itrz2ijHLjNQmR~F4dvxSzBHdMrWr5pf6qxb6C3qFIwt1uVFx4Qgy31Fk-y-dIc7DpKQLl1RDwqWA1uKgOayXJ1v20Ta3DsClJjjolJQVx5XykY6l631WjRaIsvhlCZWiorMrkOwEfoSUJmxZYF-aNL2-yap4GMoPL2jhaMKSXvmTQ0FdCYfmo~pAem4eISSyL7hzwlqWMPh~tTslMtIzmKjJ2KcS8Z7Nqge~BRnACKonC2HkhCo2NzQtsQOfENgFCnY4MqsesNPH5rQPxoebJ01-Pdc-L1Itg0rlLwEF10tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees approved routine governance items on the agenda, including the 2025–26 schedule of regular board meetings and special work sessions, appointed trustees to a facility naming committee for the Marine Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) hall, and approved the consent agenda.

Calendar approval
Board members were presented with the full schedule of regular meetings and special sessions for the 2025–26 year as published in the board book. A trustee moved and seconded the motion to adopt the dates; the chair called for a voice vote and announced the result.

JROTC naming committee
Administration sought board consideration to form a naming committee under board policy to solicit nominations for a namesake for the Marine JROTC hall in the Jean Burton College and Career Academy. The board nominated and approved two trustees to serve on the committee: Trustee Stan Britton and Dr. Bart Miller (former naval officer, as the trustee was referenced). The naming committee will accept community nominations during April with deliberations planned for early May and a recommendation to the board on May 19, per the presentation.

Consent agenda
The board approved the consent agenda as presented in the board book. During the recorded vote one trustee registered an abstention; the presiding officer announced the tally in the minutes.

Votes and procedure
Motions and seconds were made from the dais for the calendar, naming committee appointments and the consent agenda. The meeting record shows the presiding officer called for votes and announced results using the board’s standard voice-vote process.","Trustees approved the 2025–26 calendar of regular and special sessions, nominated two trustees to a naming committee for the Marine JROTC hall at Jean Burton College and Career Academy, and approved the consent agenda including routine items; vote counts were announced during the meeting record.",{"_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},6605247,"Board approves network and Chromebook purchases for new and renovated campuses",343,5220000,5563000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987105-4130ecd27280dd8fc364eb78c54e6583&start=5220&end=5563","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987105-4130ecd27280dd8fc364eb78c54e6583/thumbnail_5220000.jpg","/articles/6605247/Texas/Board-approves-network-and-Chromebook-purchases-for-new-and-renovated-campuses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605247-61242cae28f71c268771306c86b36424/orig.mp4?Expires=1770830768&Signature=PAK2Mkla4yi2axfQP3TgJ8XRFEknSHXnsb4RzlSw1AUB1YYnzBebkkYebOlcaaULq6ELrBhec4A5pToUqS0WwqS4xdGlYo-kXGJTO~fUQRp2sRfyi5j~M-o1q8bq-ds2OPIhCq7xyNUu9~U1gOD7cJzkiJ1mg2apRTHGMJulhc-8BnfjQlMfy2CzPw0BrVQfhQpe2VOsTM4pHxlB~eawWoPP8RDr6-Wkh87gKqojou0Iit~ET82l0qH9wtZPFi9MBwIS36GKk3Qs1cZNLRVWm8VL3PKD-~NlY1ozZO1-odbtrbAQnhabrwryUh5wRettW~0Opd-wODIKFmXUsEgXvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees approved purchases for network infrastructure and classroom devices for several middle schools and the Jean Burton College and Career Academy.

What the board approved
- Network equipment: The administration recommended and the board approved a contract award to Pivot Global Inc. for network equipment for Kane Middle School and J.W. Williams Middle School in the amount of $116,855. The administration said three firms responded and Pivot Global submitted the lowest responsive proposal.

- Chromebooks and carts: The board approved a contract award for Chromebook devices and carts (RFQ responses from five firms) to Global Asset in the amount of $2,745,844.90 to supply devices for Kane Middle School, Jean Burton College and Career Academy, Reiko Middle School, Utley Middle School and J.W. Williams Middle School. Administration said the purchases continue the district’s rotational refresh schedule and provide initial device sets for newly constructed or renovated campuses.

Funding and procurement
Both purchases were presented as being paid from the Rockwall ISD 2021 bond authorization and were procured through the district’s RFQ process (RFQ numbers cited in the board packet). The district noted the proposals varied in price; trustees asked about brand differences and device durability during discussion.

Board action
A trustee moved and a second was recorded for each item and the board took voice votes; the presiding officer announced the motions passed and recorded the results in the meeting record.","Trustees awarded contracts for network equipment to Pivot Global Inc. for $116,855 and approved a Chromebook refresh and initial device purchase totaling about $2.746 million to Global Asset; both purchases will be paid from the 2021 bond authorization.",{"_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},6605251,"Board approves $1.835 million change order for Kane and J.W. Williams middle schools",859,4342000,5201000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987105-4130ecd27280dd8fc364eb78c54e6583&start=4342&end=5201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987105-4130ecd27280dd8fc364eb78c54e6583/thumbnail_4342000.jpg","/articles/6605251/Texas/Board-approves-1835-million-change-order-for-Kane-and-JW-Williams-middle-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605251-55e62cbabe63502da9df2b5798ef7074/orig.mp4?Expires=1770830768&Signature=XzyFOQEiFbZsd67i3ncvZCrDVfXKqGJH6q8Z6yh5rqvcDf1MoVNCDU7Wnm4M8C~2cmDe9r3HDhVBPWB3tYPtRpae2OtIZSPpvd0UR9msoUUt8riIEkR-6UjGvoiGuSw~71JKT54buwrF7HX3kT9jqomizVlLCNLhKe8GhAQ1fIEm78PkuVvaZTWr1~nUbL8jEh50DDo0geqDZEGskRCy3NzDVC96H8do~bx3ZoTTZvT8-P0hvxR7cEk8vENzk6L5AFrWWv01kGUkblFCIMFC-OrYUQLYIe1aWRk-cPg0AElaEpTy8Wb3LE7aYVIqKgOq5r7mnOM6tlOyZSlNAdgFPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees approved a $1,835,000 change order to the guaranteed maximum price for renovation and addition work at Kane Middle School and J.W. Williams Middle School, the administration told the board.

Why it matters: The change order increases the contract amount for a major bond-funded construction program. The administration said most construction risks had been anticipated but that several unforeseen conditions and jurisdictional code interpretations required added scope and cost.

Reason for change order
Administration representatives described several factors that arose after the board approved the original GMP, including:
- A city code reviewer’s interpretation requiring an added firewall at J.W. Williams, which required structural and foundation revisions within the existing building footprint.
- The need to add an additional drive lane at Williams to alleviate parent-loop traffic congestion on an already constrained site (increase from three lanes to a proposed four-lane configuration for inbound/outbound traffic).
- Unidentified locations of electrical lines and replacement of deteriorated cast-iron domestic water piping encountered during renovation work at Kane Middle School; the district said those replacements were outside the contractor’s original scope because the failures were not caused by contractor activity.
- Overtime and off-hours work to avoid disrupting occupied campuses, and drainage and roofing revisions tied to existing conditions.

Administration recommended the change order, noting that the architects are being asked to participate where the cost may be attributable to design omissions. Presenters said some portions of the $1.835 million are based on contractor estimates and the administration will continue to negotiate final prices; they estimated roughly $500,000 of the amount was an estimate pending final reconciliation.

Funding and context
The administration said the cost will be paid from the Rockwall ISD 2021 bond authorization. Presenters also shared anticipated deduct change orders and other expected adjustments on related projects; the district estimated a combined total of roughly $5.9 million in additional change-order activity across several projects when considering both required additions and anticipated deducts or savings elsewhere.

Board action
A trustee moved and a second was recorded; the board then took a voice vote. The presiding officer announced the vote and the motion passed. The meeting record shows the board approving the administration’s recommendation.

Next steps
District staff said they would continue negotiating with contractors and architects to reduce the final net cost and proceed with the work to minimize schedule impacts to occupied campuses.","Trustees approved a recommended $1,835,000 change order to the guaranteed maximum price for renovation and addition work at Kane and J.W. Williams middle schools; administration cited unforeseen site and existing‑conditions issues including a required firewall, cast‑iron water‑pipe failures and traffic improvements.",{"_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},6605256,"Rockwall ISD previews budget outlook and a proposed 3% compensation increase amid legislative uncertainty",1665,2383000,4048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987105-4130ecd27280dd8fc364eb78c54e6583&start=2383&end=4048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987105-4130ecd27280dd8fc364eb78c54e6583/thumbnail_2383000.jpg","/articles/6605256/Texas/Rockwall-ISD-previews-budget-outlook-and-a-proposed-3-compensation-increase-amid-legislative-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605256-46e3c3f2d73b11282252679f9efb2a3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770830768&Signature=mokHnkgrZV8HaoEEW6K3knKpkHtYjbimRU1upn5Ql20GoIHFbyEL60~9Ry06ylGz4y01SNqpSyT5icQ4hFX9KdIOr0g6WoArWTCMFh7-ZdzSpaknYKX5DX1tgTmfvGElZkx1FmPaRG1X1Dy2Iz7gjnn701taP0N6Hkj9Qd9ImNhllDCOknUrWaIfzgm7IWtRoJhGX6TtOMg7WNBKGkCHBxtPInQPSutigJ6VrIkzZl9Js5ODwvEyuElIW4P6~LcUjM9muRbIm3iNmVCFutsqrrpqg~JsA4t50O-1IQCOoCEbSP3RGDXeCQhHwI8uy7R1TBXWpKxva4aeBQ1UDTUczg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockwall ISD administration presented updated 2025–26 budget projections and a draft compensation plan at the board’s regular meeting, recommending a 3% salary increase for teachers, nurses and library/media specialists while outlining revenue options and possible cost reductions if state funding changes.

Why it matters: The district is operating in a rapidly changing legislative environment; school finance decisions at the state level and local revenue choices will influence pay, staffing, and long-term facility planning in a fast-growing district.

What was presented
- Budget baseline and deficit: Administration presented a base budget that rolled forward current year spending and added operating costs for a planned Middle School No. 4. The base scenario showed approximately $185 million in projected revenue and $189.4 million in projected expenditures; adding operating and staffing for the new middle school adjusted projected expenditures to about $191.6 million and left a roughly $6.5 million deficit under current-law assumptions.

- Proposed compensation plan: The administration proposed a 3% raise for teachers, nurses and library/media specialists and a 3% raise from the midpoint for non-teaching staff. The presentation said each 1% increase costs roughly $1.25–$1.3 million; a 3% package without offsets would raise the budget deficit to roughly $10.2 million.

- Targeted incentives and critical-need stipends: The draft plan includes a $500 signing bonus and increased stipends (from $4,000 to $5,000) for hard-to-fill special education positions and additional stipends for diagnosticians, speech-language pathologists and school psychologists.

- Revenue options and reductions: Staff outlined possible revenue and savings to offset the compensation package, including modest meal-price and after-school tuition increases (estimated to produce about $720,000 from meal-price adjustments and additional revenue from after-school fees), targeted contract renegotiations, and other operational efficiencies. The district also noted it currently provides free after-school care to employees at an estimated cost of about $1 million annually.

- Legislative risks: Presenters summarized ongoing action in Austin. They noted House Bill 2 (school finance) and Senate Bill 1 (appropriations) were moving, and highlighted Senate Bill 4, which would raise the mandatory homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000; the administration estimated that, as drafted, the change could reduce the district’s interest-and-sinking (I&S) tax collections by about $3.4 million because two bond issuances from 2023 ($194 million) and 2024 ($82 million) would not be covered by proposed hold-harmless language. The district is actively communicating with state representatives to seek language that holds prior bonds harmless.

Board discussion and next steps
Board members asked about the per-percent cost of raises, possible enrollment impacts of tuition increases and the timing for final decisions. Administration said it would bring a recommendation to a May 5 special session for tentative approval of the compensation plan (teacher contracts are due back April 9 in the presentation timeline), continue to refine budget reductions, and return with a final budget workshop in June and budget adoption at the June 16 meeting.

What the district did not decide
The board did not adopt the compensation plan at the meeting; the 3% figure was presented as an administration recommendation and the board directed staff to return with refined proposals and additional data, including possible participation impacts of fee increases.","District finance staff presented 2025–26 budget projections, a tentative 3% raise proposal for teachers and certain staff, and potential revenue and reduction options. Board discussion highlighted legislative risks including proposed homestead exemption changes and timing of school finance bills.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rockwall ISD board approves three campus leaders and renews staff contracts

Board adopts 2025–26 meeting calendar, forms JROTC naming committee and approves consent agenda

Board approves network and Chromebook purchases for new and renovated campuses

Board approves $1.835 million change order for Kane and J.W. Williams middle schools

Rockwall ISD previews budget outlook and a proposed 3% compensation increase amid legislative uncertainty