[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6198876,"mediaKeyId","3842050-8bb4a6a552591c117380204817b534e7","parentId",3842050,"title","Boerne ISD trustees authorize action on Aquatics Learning Center contract and approve personnel report","audioSeconds",84,"startMs",228000,"endMs",312000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842050-8bb4a6a552591c117380204817b534e7&start=228&end=312","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842050-8bb4a6a552591c117380204817b534e7/thumbnail_228000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6198876/Texas/Boerne-ISD-trustees-authorize-action-on-Aquatics-Learning-Center-contract-and-approve-personnel-report","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198876-ec97f6904cd589fe4f8fd9b61e54137e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092956&Signature=mqoTFAknyO8vkfkka8t-G6fkr09SYKn~8M5lvfjoyc5iW3C3tkkyKhstF94jqiKBoPtOb8DMeAdHEScu0KRLUSoJ7O5nqEK6AIXTZkGUjsc4bpMj9M9Tc7mtkKewY1q9W2jTh3dOsOOG9DU1jdKEF5ATNLA~fovf-kgaI3JnL7M~8UTH1xvDRcrn0Zh69hzwiAnpmRnvkBTZnvRFgyWXF0p2c7CxEKkpSqykFJJ9Mjr6Xyv3Z4C5VOA~6lhTebCJOhE--a7Pr0cUbGHtn1DI3cYhl9~~DuvovqKdMkHslrd2mFL6l0qC4gqGTWLJBDSCE0ISyB92p4e0wxg4zBgUOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boerne ISD, TX","date","2025-06-17T00:53:58.727Z","article","The Boerne ISD Board of Trustees convened a closed session on June 9 under the Texas Open Meetings Act to discuss employment matters and legal issues related to the Aquatics Learning Center project. The closed session cited Texas Government Code §551.074 (personnel matters) and §§551.071 and 551.129 (consultation with counsel on legal and certain security matters).

When the board returned to open session at 9:21 a.m., Kristi Schmidt, the board president, asked the board to consider action on items discussed in closed session. A trustee moved “to proceed as discussed in closed session.” A second was given and the board carried the motion by voice vote; the minutes show the motion carried.

The board then considered routine personnel items. A motion to approve the personnel report as presented was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. As part of the personnel approvals, Dr. Kristin Kraft, the superintendent, announced two administrative promotions: Jessica Schultz was approved as principal at Voss Middle School and Lauren Sanders as principal at Viola Wilson Elementary. Both new principals spoke briefly at the meeting.

Jessica Schultz said she was “very much looking forward to a growth opportunity” and that she looked forward to continuing to work with families she had known for years. Lauren Sanders said she was “excited about transitioning from the high school to the elementary,” described her family’s ties to the community and said she was “excited to serve with my new team at Wilson Elementary.”

No additional action or details about the Aquatics Learning Center contract were disclosed in open session beyond the board’s motion to proceed as discussed in closed session. The board adjourned at the end of the meeting by a seconded motion and voice vote.

Ending — The board’s open‑session minutes record approval to proceed on the Aquatics Learning Center matter as discussed in closed session and the approval of the personnel report, including the two principal appointments; the minutes do not contain additional public detail about closed‑session deliberations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June Workshop meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After a closed session on employment matters and the Aquatics Learning Center project, the Boerne ISD Board voted to proceed as discussed in closed session and approved routine personnel items including two principal appointments.","taxTitle","BOERNE ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",13520,"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},6198881,"Boerne ISD workshop outlines budget gaps after House Bill 2; staff proposes voter‑approval tax plan and pay increases",2238,1746000,3984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842050-8bb4a6a552591c117380204817b534e7&start=1746&end=3984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842050-8bb4a6a552591c117380204817b534e7/thumbnail_1746000.jpg","/articles/6198881/Texas/Boerne-ISD-workshop-outlines-budget-gaps-after-House-Bill-2-staff-proposes-voterapproval-tax-plan-and-pay-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198881-c2cb5f268d35e3fc0c8b1135f1b161ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092956&Signature=dlaMBojF12MOpFy7WI21AlGF4WT4NU5OJ6Yla9nN-w2v1UIo6iPAKBqBpbzNKiudhCybU1~HiRHz6fBSwfHfMi7kZcxNhpK~dgWQBfhrEG7rO2sUdkZx6H3lIe3Tka8rcypWGuFe98t0wyoIsPHVeXa4wItnybcf9bzwo56B6YD7etD36AeeU3g6ibr4NJe8ym4CQ8~kfkEH9CCoMCP9R19eOieuUT~2HKN7Av9fh0IEeObPv9DVIkEFMmJfC-afu2fqRovvoRjtob0oQDYzVolrbbsH-bf5se-5odCwPHzIIWJOA0yua1Zy2feoja9Re8YE1JXdkXUyU3JH9YtkJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a June 9 workshop, Boerne ISD staff gave trustees a final briefing before budget adoption on the financial effects of recent state legislation and local options to fund a compensation and capacity plan.

Wes (district finance staff) and other presenters summarized changes created by House Bill 2, estimating new state revenue streams and offsetting losses. The district estimated $3,000,000 in revenue from the teacher‑retention allotment (a $2,500–$5,000 per‑teacher allotment as implemented locally), about $470,000 from a support‑staff allotment, and other additions including roughly $450,000 for special‑education initial evaluations, $350,000 for expanded school‑safety allotments, $1,100,000 for a basic‑cost allotment and roughly $940,000 from an increase to the basic allotment. Offsetting those gains, staff said House Bill 2 eliminated a prior “hold harmless” compression payment the district had been receiving, which the district estimates reduced its state funding by about $2,400,000.

Wes told trustees the district has identified roughly $1,500,000 of internal reductions and currently projects approximately $8,900,000 in available recurring funding for the 2025–26 budget if the board adopts a plan that includes three additional local “golden pennies.” That three‑penny proposal would generate roughly $4,300,000 in net local revenue, staff said; without the voter approval the district’s model would leave an estimated $1,000,000 deficit under the recommended priorities.

Clayton Benford, the district’s bond and election counsel, described mechanics and risks of a voter approval tax ratification election. He said the election would be a single proposition presenting a single tax rate and dollar amount for voter approval on a uniform election date and would be decided by a simple majority of those voters (50% plus one). Benford and staff described additional procedural choices (for example, how the board could adopt an interest‑and‑sinking, or I&S, rate together with a maintenance‑and‑operations, or M&O, increase while preserving certain protections if voters reject the proposition).

Staff presented a “competitive and strategic financial plan” (CSFP) focused on compensation. Key proposals: raise starting teacher pay toward $60,000; increase paraprofessional starting pay to $16 per hour and auxiliary starting pay to $15 per hour; provide a 3% increase for other professional staff; deploy targeted retention stipends; and increase the district’s contribution to employee health‑insurance premiums. Staff estimated compensation and benefit changes would cost about $6,000,000 if the three golden pennies are approved and about $3,900,000 without them. The district also reported a TRS (Teacher Retirement System) employer premium increase, which staff estimated would raise district healthcare costs by roughly $690,000 for the coming year.

Presenters recommended several operational priorities to accompany compensation, including a $250,000 contribution to capital replacement, a $100,000 projected increase for property insurance, and increased campus non‑payroll budgets; staff said those commitments would produce a balanced budget if the three golden pennies are approved and a manageable $1,000,000 deficit if they are not.

The workshop also covered proposed changes to facility‑rental fees. Patricia Flores from maintenance explained the district currently collects roughly $200,000–$300,000 annually in rental fees and that proposed hourly rate increases would move Boerne ISD closer to peer districts’ rates. Trustees raised community‑access concerns and recommended a phased or tiered increase rather than an immediate doubling of many fees; staff said they would return revised rental terms that include insurance requirements, limits on long‑term campus occupancy and conditions for large events requiring law‑enforcement presence.

No final vote was taken at the workshop. Staff said they will present a budget for adoption at the next meeting and may place a voter‑approval tax ratification election on a future ballot if the board directs them to do so.

Ending — The budget adoption vote and any board decision to call a voter approval election are scheduled for upcoming meetings; staff said they will return materials and final resolutions after tax‑valuation numbers are certified and after further consultation with the district’s bond counsel.","At a June 9 budget workshop, Boerne ISD staff reviewed House Bill 2 funding changes, a $2.4 million loss tied to elimination of a hold‑harmless provision, and proposed a competitive strategic financial plan backed by three locally approved \"golden pennies\" and targeted pay raises.",{"_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},6198886,"Boerne ISD hears briefing on joining nationwide social‑media litigation over youth mental health",542,578000,1120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842050-8bb4a6a552591c117380204817b534e7&start=578&end=1120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842050-8bb4a6a552591c117380204817b534e7/thumbnail_578000.jpg","/articles/6198886/Texas/Boerne-ISD-hears-briefing-on-joining-nationwide-socialmedia-litigation-over-youth-mental-health","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198886-6e71dae91263225c86039d1f9019df81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092956&Signature=hm9LwFbZwypX9LLEjRuuMWb7eWEANxc-PU9LMYjs3PFgTpj1CV5guQua-l12AriRG73tQseqUJQS4gJmbk5CUzMKAEQxg6BhrTCcG9r02AwFs8NojDftRwNP2oLVFuSUkmigWOf-B0g3UKRRgRD~GekTd8zYOhm-YFln-vqSTOQd0idrRwN4xsFf8AAcJFF0s1lZnNEd9RvPwwUZQW7Ouo1R-7lZCLjjFyzYvIVaq-58H0EtWF5RJ-WCXcGXOPrCBzQdUKVb5cRTwRfrT-vmd8W7fTzDDpAs5jRZ8jRZUuixksh5t98-~g-d-7eZa1UGZQiSkCBIyNFpBpvN2NkqBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Krista Pomeroy, a district staff member, briefed the Boerne ISD Board of Trustees on June 9 about pending multi‑district litigation that would seek compensation from major social media companies to offset costs the district attributes to student mental‑health impacts and related operational needs.

Pomeroy said the litigation targets the “big 5” platforms — Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Snap — and is framed around allegations that platform algorithms create compulsive use that harms students’ mental health and interferes with schools’ educational work. “This discussion is not about eliminating social media, rather it’s about addressing the addictive nature of the algorithms behind the social media,” Pomeroy said.

The presentation summarized three plaintiff groups in the consolidated litigation: personal injury plaintiffs, school districts and local governments, and state attorneys general. Pomeroy told trustees the districts participating as of May 1 represent roughly 2,200,000 students nationwide and that more than 500 school districts have joined the litigation across the country. She said joining the suit would require little or no upfront cost from the district; attorneys expect fees would be contingent on recovery. Pomeroy said district staff anticipate producing roughly 30–50 hours of records if the district joins, though the law firms partnering with a vendor (identified in the presentation as Mo Casey) would handle much of the data collection.

Pomeroy listed categories of damages and costs school districts are seeking to recover, including hiring additional counseling staff; time spent confiscating student cell phones and responding to incidents; added information‑technology resources for monitoring; curriculum revisions; and additional learning supports for students with declining academic performance. She also noted federal legislative activity she called relevant: a bipartisan Senate bill often referenced as “Kids Off Social Media,” which includes proposals for a minimum age of 13 and parental controls and would create school responsibilities for monitoring and filtering that could impose additional costs on districts.

Trustees and staff discussed risks and timing. Pomeroy said attorneys expect court proceedings to begin in October and that, if the district were to join, it would not pay costs if there is no recovery. Board members asked about legal exposure, timeline and staff burden. Dr. Kristin Kraft, the district superintendent, confirmed the board wanted to gauge interest before involving outside counsel: “We wanted just to have the discussion opportunity here,” she said; staff will consult with district legal counsel as a next step.

Pomeroy also described local supports the district has already deployed — training for staff on social‑media safety, parent guidance, assemblies on digital citizenship, monitoring tools such as Lightspeed and P3, and a monthly Police and Community Together (PACT) group that includes the district, Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, Boerne Police Department and local nonprofits. Rick Goodrich was cited as one of the PACT contacts who helps coordinate community supports.

Trustees did not take action at the workshop. Several trustees said they were supportive of pursuing options that could secure funding and change platform behavior; others urged caution about litigation but acknowledged the district’s continuing commitment to student mental health. Dr. Kraft and staff said the topic will return as an agenda item at the board meeting next week after consultation with legal counsel.

Ending — The board’s next formal step will be for district staff to consult counsel and bring a recommended course of action back to the board at a future meeting; no decision to join the litigation was made on June 9.","Boerne ISD staff briefed trustees on a pending multi‑district lawsuit against major social media platforms alleging addictive algorithms harm students; trustees expressed interest and staff will consult legal counsel and return the item to a future agenda.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Boerne ISD trustees authorize action on Aquatics Learning Center contract and approve personnel report

Boerne ISD workshop outlines budget gaps after House Bill 2; staff proposes voter‑approval tax plan and pay increases

Boerne ISD hears briefing on joining nationwide social‑media litigation over youth mental health