[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6550742,"mediaKeyId","5383660-04293a032bff5fc1cb11986520480044","parentId",5383660,"title","Board briefed on Policy Update 125; local changes target board committees, attendance and extracurricular eligibility","audioSeconds",276,"startMs",7122000,"endMs",7398000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383660-04293a032bff5fc1cb11986520480044&start=7122&end=7398","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383660-04293a032bff5fc1cb11986520480044/thumbnail_7122000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550742/Texas/Board-briefed-on-Policy-Update-125-local-changes-target-board-committees-attendance-and-extracurricular-eligibility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550742-5985496017e7d9f222ab0350e5f9ea55/orig.mp4?Expires=1777533300&Signature=lXmrThMMElFkkp9z6MxcL6enAVqw9wW2hsjA-nNAyGjHpK6gU5ofM1LBL~3n0Zo7V-nrkCIr2ShL4x1~h88QEHiOqjnNJ97P3Wgq155BfrjLGnEI7Pw8AWnF-4VGBlIl8ZTlTOLXgg9lPETvim1~P9HTMms9q1Xxa6gsGDTIeCxX4MFxAWACQ~80GHHEf8THXmGmxKkcXGoU6l8dUaRnxnXwl~KVlLc-~5ZKAYw6wmPLWJPObUaGSIzUQdtDwkoB6hUNC3zCi-xp0QkCdKg~4jexQAwWNoa7vQ8CUC7tOp1yI4artgE46q7Z-Zxh3k6WCFPHzY61ZjhvppSRKTVPyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-14T23:07:24Z","article","WAXAHACHIE — District administration briefed trustees on Policy Update 125 and two additional local policy items that require near‑term board action on student eligibility for activities.

What changed in Policy Update 125

Mr. Cagle (district counsel/staff presenter) and Miss McCutcheon summarized recommended local changes. Key points included:

- BDAA (board officers): Minor language edits to remove a provision that allowed the board to assign a district employee to provide clerical assistance; the superintendent noted staff assignments are an administrative function.

- BDB / BDF (board committees and advisory committees): BDB local will clarify the distinction between board committees and advisory committees and set formation and dissolution processes for board committees. BDF local will be added to house provisions about advisory committees, including formation, purpose and dissolution.

- EI local (partial credit): Language clarified how partial credit is awarded for a semester in which a student does not earn a passing grade; specifics move from a combined grade approach to an averaging method.

- FDE local (data and discipline): Bullying will be added to tracked offense types for required reporting; the presenter said this is largely a formalization of data already tracked by the district.

Near‑term policy items

Cagle and the superintendent noted two policy changes not technically part of Update 125 that the district must address before Sept. 1: whether students enrolled in private schools (including home schools) are eligible to participate in district extracurricular or curricular activities. The recommended draft would make non‑district private/home‑schooled students ineligible for WISD activities; administration indicated it would present final language for board action at the next meeting.

Ending: Trustees were briefed and asked to review the packet materials; administration expects to return with proposed policy language for formal approval at the next meeting cycle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Waxahachie ISD Board Meeting 7-14-25","oneSentenceSummary","Administration summarized Policy Update 125 changes that clarify board vs. advisory committees, adjust officers' duties language, and propose local revisions to attendance credit and data tracking; the board was also briefed on two near-term policy decisions affecting extracurricular eligibility for private and home‑schooled students.","taxTitle","WAXAHACHIE ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14390,"location","Texas","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6550747,"Special education report: dyslexia identifications rise; district serves more than 400 students in separate‑settings programs",810,6143000,6953000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383660-04293a032bff5fc1cb11986520480044&start=6143&end=6953","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383660-04293a032bff5fc1cb11986520480044/thumbnail_6143000.jpg","/articles/6550747/Texas/Special-education-report-dyslexia-identifications-rise-district-serves-more-than-400-students-in-separatesettings-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550747-4c23e3e9d910a5be26e40a618989110d/orig.mp4?Expires=1777533300&Signature=G0h~jCBcO0xOhsRA4LsfBoCHcwtSb-x6ofNj26U3~1QffPRih7Ui-zCFzgKl8SaMuYDr-3a5iHSxasmZXpjSySdDD6rNgtFOPB3K5VvhCX5kc3asVNuyhjS0NFvOfpas68av5nCmj~3d6GCbi0P55M~EneLbnbwaLLYO4MegATQp3KKg4XGdY7jQ7lEf~eXD3f9jwUqV4PkkmRmMbKOLOdUAtKMGMIX6lQtVpI35q3cXoCFFwt-RQn67Ef1PFtg6~hJ-2-bwG56l-KDgdwGpjDyw52SUDYpP15ZuwASvS2EH7sg2DoVdRsPhGUb2vsBFQXZmsFi2HyIMiusxDHHwXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WAXAHACHIE — The district’s special education director updated trustees on caseload growth, program composition and goals for the coming year.

Dyslexia and caseload growth

Miss Edmonson reported that following House Bill 3928 and related district evaluations, students identified under dyslexia categories increased from about 918 to roughly 1,266. Of those, the director said 804 students have completed targeted instruction and now receive accommodations under Section 504 or special education as appropriate.

Program totals and service models

Edmonson summarized the district’s continuum of services: in‑class inclusion models, resource/modified instruction and separate‑setting specialized classrooms. She provided program headcounts: ECSE (early childhood special education) at Turner serves about 62 students; PBSE/positive behavior support programs serve about 65; Structured Learning Environment (SLE) serves about 103 students; life‑skills programs (students with significant intellectual disabilities) are the largest group. The district’s transitional 18‑plus program moved locations to Coleman and was renamed EXIT (Experiences in Transition); staff said the program focuses on post‑secondary and job skills.

Workload and process improvements

The department reported more than 1,500 ARD meetings at the 10 elementary campuses and hundreds more at junior‑high and high‑school levels; the director said ARD scheduling and teacher time represent significant administrative work. The department piloted Goalbook—a tool to align IEP writing and reduce ARD prep burden—with 40 teachers who used the program over 5,000 times during a five‑month pilot.

Goals

Edmonson identified priorities: refine the referral process, reduce unnecessary referrals through improved MTSS and continue recruiting and retaining special education staff.

Ending: The board received the update and asked no major policy changes; staff will continue to refine referral protocols and report back on Goalbook implementation and staffing retention.","The Special Education department reported a rise in dyslexia identifications from about 918 to roughly 1,266 students after state rule changes and district evaluations; the department serves over 400 students in separate‑setting programs and outlined staffing and ARD workload.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6550752,"Bond 2023 progress: Hancock nearly finished; Findlay and Prop C projects continue over summer",558,5853000,6411000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383660-04293a032bff5fc1cb11986520480044&start=5853&end=6411","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383660-04293a032bff5fc1cb11986520480044/thumbnail_5853000.jpg","/articles/6550752/Texas/Bond-2023-progress-Hancock-nearly-finished-Findlay-and-Prop-C-projects-continue-over-summer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550752-ea9b07b8ca115331f7ac7d57f85f2afb/orig.mp4?Expires=1777533300&Signature=ds50qapqZZ5HPHB5ZkZdemCvVrdObPys3zd1IVFek-q9vdjAs08KqTOpg9ZzdKm~qXzhqFVmSsIPMq~aVkMU0UlXSkKx44bG6xF6efDcgoVO7q4hbZS51xxJ~mtg5fnmnd1EvPOBN~0B486UeuOtTz8yTssY8sN1vBSVAk2BrGi4WKn5n4Ef7eCvQAMNCqSvVZH5nuzjfZcNj5jVlh7unehpltW9gcl9ixRskvIdpBvIhmQC6p4MPUi76x12THZqclovaixQOHVE0JENN5ufGsmIXxmDx~mMnf0LfUsaGwUcwucEefTY2Rp5Lr2JaVpee42rM6nWU9w7NP3Q3fjhLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WAXAHACHIE — District construction staff provided a status update on Bond 2023 and Proposition C projects, telling trustees progress is steady on multiple campuses with most work targeting completion before school starts.

Hancock Building and athletic work

Mr. Mott, the district construction manager, told trustees the Hancock Building is about 98 percent complete; punch‑list and hardware work remained. He said field house locker rooms and related football/track work are on a schedule targeting late October for completion and that a power line relocation and undergrounding had delayed some field work.

Findlay Junior High and interior work

Findlay Junior High is roughly 75 percent complete, Mott said. He described front panels, new aluminum exterior panels and interior finishes: library flooring installed, wall tiling, painting and stage renovation. Concrete flat work and exterior site work had been delayed by rain.

Proposition C and other campuses

Prop C projects have produced visible classroom and hallway work: new flooring, hallway renovations and restroom updates (tiling and epoxy floors) intended to reduce maintenance needs and improve longevity. Felty Elementary geothermal and chiller work is nearing completion and the district planned commissioning and startup with contractors in the coming days.

Readiness for school start

When asked about readiness, Mott said he is holding contractors to an August 1 target date for campuses to be ready for staff; several projects could finish earlier, but the district is keeping August 1 as its deadline. Most work is being performed by outside contractors; in‑house maintenance will address ongoing painting and minor items.

Ending: Trustees thanked staff for the update and asked staff to continue to report progress. Mott said he would return to the board with updates as punch‑list and commissioning progress continues.","District construction managers reported Hancock Building is about 98% complete, Findlay Junior High about 75% complete and Prop C campus renovations progressing; staff projected August 1 readiness for campuses and provided timelines for remaining work.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6550756,"Board approves three hires; easement passes with one abstention in consent vote",348,2646000,2994000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383660-04293a032bff5fc1cb11986520480044&start=2646&end=2994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383660-04293a032bff5fc1cb11986520480044/thumbnail_2646000.jpg","/articles/6550756/Texas/Board-approves-three-hires-easement-passes-with-one-abstention-in-consent-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550756-ef7853cb96eef14cafcc741faa51cf3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1777533300&Signature=AVuY6o8KHdck37Yk7hsvtiKxWojr0tFBhww1jn1C76BdwheAQ47AmkDNdiP1TGBSqMbTTlavOKRDfe9~nZzuULiYVjKxiey6hX0wCffkbVDCmiyPLtjEymzGWtjBAvfR5m0TcWOgtqopK10Ge0oXtIZwU6Va~dVZ4GZeMGydI15Tbr-UyAPhExh6h~bqoBIAZNdR~k4DBqYPr59NSr~Zyej3vJ6dNCYsoWHNAF4SuWtueZF06yJyDusF7QikM3thm8GK4i8veGnGcIw8jA95Kd7khEG~n~0hv9CCmjUzwHtdKd7WeOmtRBAcR58jAPB4FApSkJtjnEhBTQ0a~gfELw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WAXAHACHIE — At its open meeting trustees unanimously approved three personnel hires and approved a land easement with one board member abstaining from that vote.

What the board approved

- Rebecca Lockridge was approved as director of public relations. The superintendent recommended Lockridge, citing communications experience and community ties. Motion to approve: Mrs. Tillman; second: Mrs. Kriegel. Vote: 7–0.

- Brandy Morris was approved as director of curriculum. The superintendent recommended Morris based on two decades of experience leading curriculum and assessment work. Motion to approve: Mr. McCutcheon; second: Mr. Pitts. Vote: 7–0.

- Ben Bridges was approved as principal of Findlay Junior High. The superintendent recommended Bridges, noting campus fit and continuity concerns. Motion to approve: Mr. Kriegel; second: Mr. Cooper. Vote: 7–0.

- A land easement related to property surrounding Waxahachie Creek High School was approved after the board moved the item from the consent agenda for separate consideration. One board member announced a conflict of interest and abstained; the motion carried 6–0 with one abstention. Motion to approve: Mrs. Bridal; second: Mr. Scofield. Abstention: a board member who identified themself as an authorized signer on one of the easement grantor documents.

Consent agenda

The remainder of the consent agenda (items a–l and n–bb) was approved by roll call, motion and second; the board recorded a 7–0 vote.

Why it matters: The approved hires fill key leadership positions in communications, curriculum and campus leadership, which the superintendent said will support district priorities. The approved easement clears a legal matter related to property around a new high school site and passed despite an abstention to avoid conflict concerns.

Speakers and procedure

The superintendent presented the employment recommendations; trustees moved each item, recorded seconds and voted on each motion according to standard procedure. The board publicly recorded motions and vote tallies as part of the meeting minutes.

Ending: All three employment recommendations and the consent agenda items passed; staff will proceed with onboarding and implementation steps for the newly hired administrators and execute the approved easement per district legal counsel.","The WAXAHACHIE ISD Board approved hires for director of public relations, director of curriculum and principal of Findlay Junior High (all 7–0). A land easement related to property around Waxahachie Creek High School passed 6–0 with one abstention; the consent agenda otherwise passed 7–0.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6550762,"WISD trustees workshop options to repurpose Coleman Building, weigh licensing, costs and possible sale",1438,313000,1751000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383660-04293a032bff5fc1cb11986520480044&start=313&end=1751","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383660-04293a032bff5fc1cb11986520480044/thumbnail_313000.jpg","/articles/6550762/Texas/WISD-trustees-workshop-options-to-repurpose-Coleman-Building-weigh-licensing-costs-and-possible-sale","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550762-630e4427c5bda5e676f23925972afd1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1777533300&Signature=cukkkoWpSuBiayDMDjWvQ7M2-QanWUhn3xJMx~8EB02PIG1zDJbHaenPLaxGy5G7ZAiAWgiYWNFwduAaFo-VblqHsN2pdpLXKqj7TzuS5fr6JE23WsNWI-CzrwMKF-prQVIhBLp6DtBCZ8-H34ZJkXp~tF3EgyD1jYb-XVX9Q1knxhaybK0p~~aGz9ovsxbhKs4WGcUv-dybn3H3822cd09-E7PX6pdiTwf0D0GnUzTzs9Kyc1sqN0PmrUSSScJoVJ4LONf7xpU-OeceEDk3FbrDW79fd7IAxC~wEaOD1JBEdMfxu8U34s7ZwKwzuJODcd5IAdqh2KX17C1n44WXvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WAXAHACHIE — WAXAHACHIE ISD administration presented trustees with a range of options for the future use of the Evelyn Coleman Building, a roughly 303,000-square-foot campus that the district opened as a high school in 1970 and now houses programs including the discipline alternative education program (DAEP), the TLI program and several centralized services.

In a workshop presentation, Mr. Collin, a district staff member, told trustees the district is considering consolidating administrative functions at Coleman, relocating pre‑K or the Little Chiefs Academy (the district childcare program), expanding special education and technology spaces there, or the outright sale of part of the property and reinvestment of proceeds. “No magic bullet, magic pill on any of this,” Collin said while inviting board feedback.

The district provided specific space and cost figures. District staff said the Coleman complex totals about 303,000 square feet under roof (excluding athletic fields and courts). The administration footprint considered for consolidation is roughly 16,500 square feet of office space (13,400 square feet in the main building and two portables of about 1,500 square feet each). Staff estimated roughly 34,500 square feet of additional office/coded space across TLI and special education. Bond funds labeled for Coleman total about $6 million, the presentation said.

Why it matters: Coleman is a large district asset that could relieve overcrowding in other campuses or raise capital if sold. Trustees pressed staff about licensing, equity of access for students, demolition and renovation costs and operational impacts.

Key proposals and constraints

- Move pre‑K into the northern A/B hallways at Coleman and put consolidated administration in the southern segment. Pre‑K currently occupies 18 classrooms at Turner; Coleman A/B halls have about 24 classrooms. Staff noted that moving pre‑K would require TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation) to expand the campus license before the program could operate there.

- Relocate Little Chiefs Academy to Coleman. Little Chiefs has licensed seating for roughly 85 children and a waiting list the presenter said exceeds 100. Staff said moving Little Chiefs would also require license expansion, playground construction and kitchen facilities; the playground cost was estimated at about $200,000. Some board members and staff said Little Chiefs expansion could serve both staff incentives and childcare needs for students who are parents.

- Consolidate administration and selected centralized teams (PEIMS, registration, portions of special education and technology) at Coleman to create a single campus for district operations, alleviating use of portable buildings that now serve as first impressions for families registering students.

- Sell a portion of the Coleman property (about 20 acres as outlined in district maps) as raw land. A realtor-provided estimate put the raw‑land value near $9.5 million; staff said site demolition of existing structures could cost $1.75–$2.0 million. Construction estimates cited an approximate $475–$500 per square foot figure drawn from a recent comparable in Prosper ISD, which staff used to illustrate that selling Coleman and replacing administrative space could leave the district “upside down” by roughly $2.5 million for a 20,000-square-foot new build after demolition costs.

Licensing, timing and facility condition

Staff emphasized that either moving pre‑K or Little Chiefs would not be immediate. Each relocation requires TDLR clearance and physical upgrades to meet childcare licensing (playgrounds, segregated entrances and badge control, food service/kitchen). Collin noted playground and fencing designs that would use a currently fenced cafeteria area and link to existing gym access, but added that the license-expansion timeline is uncertain.

Trustees questioned the current physical condition of Coleman. Collin acknowledged the building has long‑standing issues but said some problems are mitigated when a facility is used for administrative rather than instructional purposes. He told trustees that certain items—roofs, HVAC and fire alarm upgrades—have been addressed previously and that the district would accept some shortcomings “as is” if administration moved there, relying on phased repairs rather than a major renovation bond.

Costs and bond money

Staff flagged bond Proposition C money available for Coleman renovations and said they would be reluctant to use those funds on administrative finishes after promising voters a set of renovation priorities. A rough estimate of site demolition ($1.75–$2 million) plus new construction costs drove the presenter’s argument that a straight sale does not obviously produce capital to replace square footage the district would lose.

Board reaction and next steps

Trustees asked for more precise cost estimates, architect drawings and state‑licensing input before any final direction. One trustee asked staff to obtain a “true number” for renovation versus new construction; Collin said additional detailed work with an architect and childcare licensing officials was required and that he did not yet have a timeline. The district also said it would continue to scout off‑campus office space as an alternative to renovating Coleman or building new administrative space.

The board did not take any formal action during the workshop; Collin and other staff were asked to develop more precise cost estimates, involve architects and childcare licensing officials (TDLR) and return with refined options.

Ending: Trustees characterized the discussion as an early-stage planning workshop. Staff said they would follow up with licensing conversations, architect cost estimates and a clearer schedule before bringing a recommendation to the board.

","District staff presented multiple options for using the 303,000-square-foot Evelyn Coleman Building, including consolidating administration, relocating pre‑K or Little Chiefs Academy, or selling the property; staff outlined licensing, construction and demolition costs and said timing is uncertain.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board briefed on Policy Update 125; local changes target board committees, attendance and extracurricular eligibility

Special education report: dyslexia identifications rise; district serves more than 400 students in separate‑settings programs

Bond 2023 progress: Hancock nearly finished; Findlay and Prop C projects continue over summer

Board approves three hires; easement passes with one abstention in consent vote

WISD trustees workshop options to repurpose Coleman Building, weigh licensing, costs and possible sale