[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",6544918,"mediaKeyId","3395558-8b9627715df93ef314e479685255487d","parentId",3395558,"title","Teacher urges Rockwall ISD board to restore midterms and finals for grades 7–12","audioSeconds",192,"startMs",2248000,"endMs",2440000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3395558-8b9627715df93ef314e479685255487d&start=2248&end=2440","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3395558-8b9627715df93ef314e479685255487d/thumbnail_2248000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6544918/Texas/Teacher-urges-Rockwall-ISD-board-to-restore-midterms-and-finals-for-grades-712","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544918-0ae973adea2a36e396b10ea5814aeac5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770964872&Signature=P4K18z~dZ~mYTzC9dXR5SxjmC-jzWDyA1C5efBXR1G1e~p8tDCCeTQoH9PpWPdhlX4wfrHDAyNY9z6cy6BpbqGFf8Ya8tc2HWP~Zh1DRtUiPDBsCll0ZBWYhd0Kj~7zvxvccnXr862AERnNNEX2PNePV72X8pPOWe5TY5DM4acdNKkPz~EOYjZaF~YSugzP6NIKaa~AQbGkT3E70xDH9miA2paqjwdX6fymS-nCWBDbDwtsViDvumzhPVEfNJJRZhf~HKhHhMBgTlBdI9KpLmaaTF~LWDd~hspwp7ktyDvFuJ2TsswX5q75duJ6aQJWwnwPuSwzUgnkiezf0fV4N-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockwall ISD","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","During the board’s public‑comment period, Katie Tanner, who identified herself as a teacher and long‑term substitute in the district, urged trustees to bring back midterm and final exams for grades 7–12 beginning next school year.

Tanner said midterms and finals provide a visible “finish line” for students and teachers and argued that without them the end of the semester loses focus. “Midterm exams and final exams give students and teachers a finish line that they can work toward,” she said. She expressed concern that when standardized testing such as STAAR becomes the perceived finish line, secondary students lose motivation for classroom work that extends past testing windows.

Tanner recommended that exams be teacher‑made and carry meaningful weight in the gradebook. She suggested placing exams at 20% of a semester grade rather than lower percentages such as 7 or 10 percent, which she said allow students to fail an exam without affecting overall semester performance. She also asked the board to consider built‑in retake opportunities and schedules to help seniors who might be at risk of not graduating because of an exam failure.

The board did not deliberate on Tanner’s request during the public comment period; trustees noted that public comments prompt staff review and, if appropriate, an administrative response later. The board’s public‑comment policy restricts deliberation on matters not posted on the agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockwall ISD - Board of Trustees - May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Rockwall ISD teacher and long‑term substitute urged trustees during public comment to reinstate midterm and final exams for grades 7–12 and recommended exams count for a larger portion of semester grades and be teacher‑created.","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},6544924,"Rockwall ISD outlines summer programs, sixth-grade move to middle school and Branching Minds rollout",452,2610000,3062000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3395558-8b9627715df93ef314e479685255487d&start=2610&end=3062","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3395558-8b9627715df93ef314e479685255487d/thumbnail_2610000.jpg","/articles/6544924/Texas/Rockwall-ISD-outlines-summer-programs-sixth-grade-move-to-middle-school-and-Branching-Minds-rollout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544924-4d50a131a4f7d174bf3e91134f45803a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770964872&Signature=hCXRnfSonBTWr3hH2xTaptoayvlWXPBLm2wHQ3lyJVJ7Im8Eq4iRL8hh~H5DtliFSUFZz4UKdnlYaQDqcHJxGwhsE~0zG1fKtfS4bQEzRLACgnxQ16eGcCS8EQWE~U8f5lu4OcTEdCGrAl3d9kuZlq9wvngvxA2GxEDkTfweYhAPY1pC54ksIyGIavJM7cVc~fbIANhJpwVnnbIza7x817g~RX9c3n8w6CwMzYGajAddl6BRAJeWa~dmgDR80u9CjanPTP5xVf0bWms3rafrI~qG~9R6UAerRbuGyGfOxXzNTB4QR4cYOPPcYVL8yjAG~qvw60DtXZ4a-0Rgmjwhjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockwall ISD academic leaders on Tuesday provided an update on summer 2025 programs, professional learning for staff and a multi‑year plan to move sixth graders into middle schools beginning next fall.

Dr. Gist told trustees the district will offer elementary and secondary summer school programs in June and July including enrichment camps, remediation and credit‑recovery opportunities. She said Summer ROCK currently has about 150 students enrolled at Amanda Rochil Elementary School and described enrichment options such as Arts Blast, Drama Kids, Musical Minds and two robotics camps (Blackhawk and VEX IQ) held at the Dr. Jean Burton College and Career Academy.

On staffing and professional learning, Dr. Gist said 187‑day and 197‑day employees must earn 30 exchange hours over the summer in exchange for permitted leave days in October and November. Completion of annual compliance training before contract start earns nine of those hours, and staff may participate in a mix of in‑person and virtual training opportunities.

A major operational change is moving sixth grade into middle school. Dr. Gist said principals, curriculum coordinators and facilities staff have been planning bell schedules, curriculum adjustments, orientation events for families, and the physical transfer of materials. “We’ve been carefully planning with our principals to welcome our sixth graders to middle school,” she said. The district also told trustees it expects to open Ursula Raycomb (Rayco) Middle School in mid‑June after final facility walkthroughs.

On intervention systems, the administration previewed Branching Minds, an evidence‑informed program intended to streamline multi‑tiered systems of support (MTSS) and intervention planning. Dr. Gist said approximately 2,600 elementary students received tier‑3 supports in 2024–25 and that Branching Minds is used by about 28 districts in Texas. Staff plan to bring a recommendation and purchase request for Branching Minds to the board in June and provide summer training to staff if approved.

Trustees asked clarifying questions about credit recovery delivery (Dr. Gist said it will be primarily online via Edgenuity), the timeline for facility readiness at Ursula Raycomb Middle School, and how staff exchange hours are tracked. The board praised staff for the planning and for efforts to stagger grade reconfigurations over successive years rather than move multiple grades at once.

The academic update was informational; no action was taken. Staff will return with a purchase recommendation and training plan for Branching Minds at the June meeting.","District academic leaders described summer school offerings, professional learning expectations, plans to move sixth grade into middle schools for 2025–26, the opening of Rayco (Ursula Raycomb) Middle School and a proposed Branching Minds intervention platform to be presented for approval in June.",{"_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},6544928,"Rockwall ISD trustees approve multiple contracts, name MCJROTC area and set budget hearing; audit ordered",830,3541000,4371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3395558-8b9627715df93ef314e479685255487d&start=3541&end=4371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3395558-8b9627715df93ef314e479685255487d/thumbnail_3541000.jpg","/articles/6544928/Texas/Rockwall-ISD-trustees-approve-multiple-contracts-name-MCJROTC-area-and-set-budget-hearing-audit-ordered","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544928-bec4ae48c53d8dc7f16238c3205802e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770964872&Signature=BFaBsdRlWf2rBJMjFQi3EXHiIxHm0ukWNLt3oBN5myZwHmUZeD~ztjT5yKpE9rdG-70wzcvi9NGg6vxb2mzVSK7hqQ-hA5rP4M6QNotX3j8YHQn4hrIxqCeDHChCE3Gxt3vnRn~DgjOJiDik3B2K5snEa5FSgexWeEU-VIn272qopKJtQggzDI2FMUD4iOUBj6xQjfaypshgvfPRzf~bZ~CHaQuAOlmZGS0QZYlWZyYQJYOHyX9XLN0XFCqpUcpXIv5SnbcHLwmWbqIeriyL7OxQP0-YbkiSAFujRQxmofsyO7-pBk9iMBSTYrRqLwuYdLflD7hB4ALK4tlbyWQmTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockwall Independent School District trustees on Tuesday approved a bundle of administrative actions including a naming resolution for the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps area at the Dr. Jean Burton College and Career Academy, the hire of a new elementary principal, multiple contract awards funded by the district’s 2021 bond program, adoption of the district’s hazardous-route policy for the 2025–26 school year, and a contract to perform an efficiency audit required under state law.

The board also set the date, time and location for a public hearing on the district’s annual budget and proposed tax rate for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Most items were routine and came with staff recommendations.

Why it matters: The contract approvals advance a planned technology and facilities refresh funded by the 2021 voter-approved bond; the hazardous-route policy determines who is eligible for district transportation reimbursements; the efficiency audit is a prerequisite under Texas law when districts seek to adopt a maintenance-and-operations tax rate; and the budget hearing begins the public process for setting next year’s tax rate and budget.

Key actions and outcomes
- Naming resolution (Item 7A): The board unanimously approved a resolution naming the MCJROTC area at Dr. Jean Burton College and Career Academy “Randolph Junior Hall” in honor of James W. “Jim” Randolph Jr., recognizing his military and educational service. (Outcome: approved.)
- Principal appointment (Item 8A): The board approved Dr. Ashley Graham as principal of Amanda Rochal/Rochell Elementary School (transcript spelling varies). Staff noted Dr. Graham has 19 years in education and prior campus leadership roles in Sunnyvale ISD, Frisco ISD and Coppell ISD. (Outcome: approved.)
- Efficiency audit (Item 9A): The board approved soliciting an efficiency audit in accordance with Texas Education Code §11.184 and recommended awarding the audit to the district’s external audit firm (Weber). The administration said audit services will be paid from the district’s general operating fund (Fund 199). (Outcome: approved.)
- Hazardous-route policy update (Item 9B): Trustees adopted updates to the district’s hazardous-route policy for 2025–26, adjusting walk zones at several elementary campuses and incorporating changes tied to school openings and new development. Staff said the changes are not expected to affect students already receiving transportation services. (Outcome: approved.)
- Bond-funded technology and construction contract awards (Items 9C–9F): The board approved multiple contract awards for classroom and campus technology and infrastructure paid from the 2021 bond authorization, including a Dell contract for staff laptops and cases (Rayco Middle School and district growth), Riverside Technologies for access points at Kain and Williams middle schools, Lockstep Technology Group for audiovisual upgrades, and awards for desktops, laptops, monitors and peripherals to Global Asset and Riverside Technologies. (Outcome: contracts approved.)
- Budget public hearing (Item 9G): The board set the public hearing on the proposed 2025–26 budget and tax rate for the next regular meeting, meeting statutory notice requirements. (Outcome: date and notice approved.)

What trustees said
Mr. Carter, who presented several finance and procurement items, noted that the efficiency audit is required by the Legislative Budget Board guidelines and Texas Education Code §11.184 and said the administration had solicited proposals from firms that perform the district’s annual financial audit. On hazardous-route changes, Carter said updates reflect new sidewalks, development build‑out and the opening of new campuses, and that changes should not affect students currently on bus routes.

Procedural notes
Most items were approved on motions by trustees with a second and were adopted with the board’s recorded outcomes. Several votes were recorded with one trustee absent; staff did not provide detailed per‑member roll-call tallies in the meeting record for every item.

Next steps
Contracts will be finalized and executed by the senior chief finance officer as amended by district legal counsel. Staff will bring the efficiency‑audit engagement and the budget/public‑notice materials forward as the district prepares for the next meeting and the public hearing on the proposed tax rate and budget.","The board approved a naming resolution for the Marine Corps JROTC area, appointed a new elementary principal, authorized several 2021 bond-funded technology and facility contracts, adopted an updated hazardous-route policy for 2025–26, approved an efficiency audit procurement, and set a public hearing for the 2025–26 budget and proposed tax rate.",{"_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},6544935,"Rockwall ISD trustees table easement request from Iron Ranch FATE LLC for Rayco Middle School parcel",182,4411000,4593000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3395558-8b9627715df93ef314e479685255487d&start=4411&end=4593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3395558-8b9627715df93ef314e479685255487d/thumbnail_4411000.jpg","/articles/6544935/Texas/Rockwall-ISD-trustees-table-easement-request-from-Iron-Ranch-FATE-LLC-for-Rayco-Middle-School-parcel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544935-a5358a6de6d3b4dda5d9ad62dab2bcad/orig.mp4?Expires=1770964872&Signature=nNQQcPJuDqfWMN~DD~BNaK~mgzTGS8jMlZs5UBMosAiur7eJbpsNLWmv4FK2nO8TEaUPB1tdQwN2B~KSooQVavRnSLFn10cQO8U8-bnQ~W3HHmobZ-Nu6g1SzCwonvRFFfB54-2mR~5arIrg6YaVN3AQP2Ks~6ls57ChSR5HOTx0VY~Js1dMO50KBlrfb8qFXOXA8QYD6Ofzm6wPIFmMLtsrk3WxaYCg4hVv2M~yViKoXv8Fp2qioIIVhy~bUAOUa5wZjsFitP6dTbGFmu9ZbW3YvDZkXFC-CnPTxPuZF2yJkFMfGbl0NR2GeT9AHCCg4U5QM4Dgj7JDK7kE1h6Sjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockwall Independent School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday tabled consideration of a private sanitary sewer and temporary construction easement request from Iron Ranch FATE LLC that would cross a portion of the Rayco Middle School site.

District staff described a proposed perpetual sanitary-sewer easement of 8,053 square feet (0.1848 acre) along the east side of Rochelle Road and said the developer would pay $23,108.93 for the easement. The recommended payment was calculated using a district baseline of $125,000 per acre multiplied by the 0.1848-acre easement area.

The board paused action after several trustees sought more detail about the price and the draft agreement. Trustee Britton said the $125,000-per-acre baseline appears low and that current market transactions suggest the district’s rubric for valuing land should be updated. “I think we’re probably about 75% low on that price per foot,” Britton said. “Especially when we own the land and they need what we have.”

Mr. Carter, representing the district’s finance, operations and technology department, told trustees the amount was arrived at using a historical per‑acre figure the district has used in recent easement arrangements and that the district’s attorney had reviewed terms with the developer’s counsel. Carter also said consulting civil engineers had determined the easement would not negatively affect future development of the district site and that the developer’s private line would connect to the public sewer at Rochelle Road and Gettysburg Boulevard.

Trustees requested that staff return with (1) the proposed easement instrument in draft form, (2) recent market comparables or updated appraisal support for the $125,000-per-acre figure, and (3) clearer language on post‑grant obligations such as maintenance and restoration of temporarily affected areas. Trustee DuBois and other board members indicated a willingness to maintain the previously-discussed $23,108.93 figure for the current deal if legal and mechanical terms required more time to resolve, but they still asked staff to bring comparative market data and the exact contract language to the next meeting.

Board President Frank Consulman led the discussion and accepted a motion to table the item so staff could provide the requested materials at the next regular meeting.

The developer named in the request is Iron Ranch FATE LLC; the project and the easement remain under review and were not approved at the meeting.","Trustees declined to approve a proposed private sanitary sewer and temporary construction easement to Iron Ranch FATE LLC and asked staff to return with a draft easement and updated market comps for the district land valuation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Teacher urges Rockwall ISD board to restore midterms and finals for grades 7–12

Rockwall ISD outlines summer programs, sixth-grade move to middle school and Branching Minds rollout

Rockwall ISD trustees approve multiple contracts, name MCJROTC area and set budget hearing; audit ordered

Rockwall ISD trustees table easement request from Iron Ranch FATE LLC for Rayco Middle School parcel