[{"_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",6740951,"mediaKeyId","5595904-52193546352be43f0d65bb341bb9d1af","parentId",5595904,"title","Board adopts library-materials policy updates to comply with Texas' SB 13; procurement lists and parent access required","audioSeconds",979,"startMs",5754000,"endMs",6733000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5595904-52193546352be43f0d65bb341bb9d1af&start=5754&end=6733","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5595904-52193546352be43f0d65bb341bb9d1af/thumbnail_5754000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6740951/Texas/Board-adopts-library-materials-policy-updates-to-comply-with-Texas-SB-13-procurement-lists-and-parent-access-required","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6740951-b6cfcd943a124ebe728c356e411ba115/orig.mp4?Expires=1770547995&Signature=gwZN7j4~Wtl64GVjZMX4n3MRgVsT~lILgMicP7d8jnzWuttUWjWnd5d7M2ei2Oc3rhDr6WxoXDYRy7yewTc5TlQ-VweAqfzD-OqOvVgi0l4ELDNpa8DlArP~gJ54Il5E-sqrrK6wgKvM-JH-B~SuSE8ac7Tq02DpNn7RQvbKky~rQT~rDYWcu3KjhXccwjHTXUWEaOZRt5StC6SJDFJ8ayiz3qSrJB~cfYpJxCO0DGUsAbrBwxZLDG4E8ot1SYVJ19pW8oSkQEND-PPIXic8vvII9oAF5HpDTly5BqJOxZLB13BAbCLaRaFGhz5J4DGBh8c6Xs2TVloAwruZQHvQ5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockwall ISD","date","2025-08-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Rockwall Independent School District Board of Trustees on Aug. 18 approved updates to EFB(LOCAL), the district policy on school library materials, to comply with Senate Bill 13.

Ricky Smith, director of instructional technology and media services, told trustees the key changes require that proposed procurement lists (including donated materials) be made publicly available at least 30 days before the board vote; that campus library collections be accessible online through the district library-management system (Destiny); and that parents and guardians be able to formally identify materials they do not want their child to check out. Smith also said the policy requires that challenge-committee meetings be recorded, that minutes and agendas be posted in advance, and that teachers be notified if a challenged item is removed from a campus library.

Why it matters: The revisions add procedural and transparency steps to the district's existing library processes. Trustees asked about whether approval would be for an entire procurement list and were told there will be procedures for board review and possible adjustments. The administration said donated materials and new purchases added to the catalog are covered; classroom instructional materials remain governed by separate instructional-materials rules.

Board action: After a short break to allow trustees to review the policy text, the board voted 7-0 to adopt the updated EFB(LOCAL). The administration will publish procedures and timelines for posting procurement lists and will configure the Destiny system for parent-notification emails of student checkouts.

Selected quote: \"The board's vote, the recommended procurement list must be made publicly available for at least 30 days,\" Ricky Smith told trustees.

What the policy does not do: The update governs materials added to the district library catalog (purchased or donated) and formalizes the challenge and removal process; it does not change instructional-material selection rules for classroom libraries, which the administration said are treated separately.

Sources: Presentation and Q&A on EFB(LOCAL) updates during the Aug. 18, 2025 Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees meeting; staff comments from library and instructional-technology leadership.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockwall ISD - Board of Trustees","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees voted unanimously Aug. 18 to revise Rockwall ISD's library-materials policy to meet new state requirements under Senate Bill 13, including public posting of proposed procurement lists and expanded parent access through the Destiny library system.","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},6740956,"Rockwall ISD leaders condemn antisemitic flag found at Heath High; community leaders call for accountability",2720,48000,2768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5595904-52193546352be43f0d65bb341bb9d1af&start=48&end=2768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5595904-52193546352be43f0d65bb341bb9d1af/thumbnail_48000.jpg","/articles/6740956/Texas/Rockwall-ISD-leaders-condemn-antisemitic-flag-found-at-Heath-High-community-leaders-call-for-accountability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6740956-6e4efea6f759dc638b8c306a950d08bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770547995&Signature=JYEYO0GUQ0rv~8SL-dsg4Aq9U1uaZxZ1qdI3s23WeFBKLe87IVPF-gKAhVj014IQ-DqnzRF~34IB~731FNFRlaQ7xwZ4vT1rEIin-yLMOLDJjHBXvc9JvDXuQ1QIedM11PmF5HgkgG4c6199HAi1BE2zEIw2mQHXISg9cBqFXi8EA3abwwQH~kSd9wdS6Ui881JcT37EPusotZEvnHWbLVb-4f9QG13RSv1aM2vrB-Z-h01iC1-nmXptZSfmudDB1smD9PBZOsJNAmISxbHTUk9UXZ7j~vkqJg3qmS2Xf7uHK-IFQ4ZOHMyqnhyII4rym41isPm0PFDa~SqaBlnJzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockwall Independent School District on Aug. 18 publicly condemned the display of an antisemitic flag found at Rockwall Heath High School and said the district is working with law enforcement and municipal officials on an investigation.

Board President Frank Consselman said at the start of the meeting: \"The display of an anti Semitic flag on our campus is a hateful act that does not reflect the values of our district, period. Acts of anti Semitism or any form of hate for that matter have no place in our schools or in our community.\" He thanked students who reported the incident and said the flags were removed \"promptly\" after being discovered at approximately 6:40 a.m. Saturday.

Community response and calls for action: Several public commenters asked the district to make clear safety and accountability steps. Brian McNeil, mayor of McClendon Chisholm, told trustees that silence is not an option and quoted Dietrich Bonhoeffer, saying, \"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless.\" He expressed support for the Heath mayor and law enforcement as they investigate.

Other residents who spoke described fear and trauma in the wake of the display and urged the district to respond with both clear condemnation and educational steps. Kacen Huddleston said the flag \"represents genocide, the persecution of millions,\" and urged the district to pair a firm response with educational programming so the community understands why such symbols are unacceptable.

What district leaders said they would do: The board thanked local law enforcement and municipal officials and asked the public to provide tips and information to help identify those responsible. The initial public statement emphasized support for students and for the district's Jewish families.

What this does not yet include: The board's public remarks described cooperation with law enforcement but did not announce criminal charges or identify suspects at the meeting. Trustees and commenters repeatedly urged investigation and accountability; the district said the investigation is ongoing and encouraged witnesses to come forward.

Sources: Opening remarks at the Aug. 18, 2025 Rockwall ISD board meeting and public comments from local officials and residents.","Rockwall ISD publicly condemned the display of an antisemitic flag found on the Rockwall Heath High School campus and said it is working with law enforcement and municipal officials on an active investigation.",{"_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},6740958,"Rockwall ISD sets proposed tax rate, calls November VATRE and adopts compensation plan contingent on voter approval",2949,836000,3785000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5595904-52193546352be43f0d65bb341bb9d1af&start=836&end=3785","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5595904-52193546352be43f0d65bb341bb9d1af/thumbnail_836000.jpg","/articles/6740958/Texas/Rockwall-ISD-sets-proposed-tax-rate-calls-November-VATRE-and-adopts-compensation-plan-contingent-on-voter-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6740958-73a4a47037ed80c732ef8c848ab786cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770547995&Signature=InAN3VQDZNcfzHzViQ6R-ub4FIa1TNZW1u454mD4s04JSfrtjSOAIVX3Ty~1~xe5D691b9qvcol0eGe3V3V2ojvVhBb0aHITtr9sRBYRsKyoXIJKiGQO4umgHSF2x5PAZB9j6OJ5-cRcnDeTISz-lqm4Ij2vrvNNEC3Hy9zGo0dzpsB0ECTAWS15wepUMKE3~iu0fKjoOqnUfg4MVfxKYT-qSKsgegb1RrhxXWNfPH4lMxegnQb96cEqjVsJfgf57v5vNGF58D8SacF0v4sXjrcobq5tsVyhce5jrWOfz72C4XA4QXwc7rQwjPpSFwneVM68alqAsOMRGCHPyDGwXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockwall Independent School District Board of Trustees on Aug. 18 set a proposed total tax rate that will require a voter approval tax-ratification election in November and approved a compensation schedule that would take effect if voters ratify the rate.

Board President Frank Consselman opened the public hearing on the district's proposed 2025-26 budget and tax rate and turned the presentation to David Carter, who reviewed certified property values, tax-rate compression rules and the district's compensation proposal.

Carter said the district's final certified taxable value rose to about $16.1 billion and that an anticipated homestead-exemption change would reduce the adjusted taxable roll to about $15.4 billion, producing adjusted growth under 2.5 percent and removing the typical maintenance-and-operations (M&O) compression. He summarized the administration's tax recommendation as a proposed M&O rate of 0.7869 and an interest-and-sinking (I&S) rate of 0.28 for a total proposed rate of $1.0669 per $100 of assessed value, a 4-cent net increase from last year's rate of $1.0269. \"The average taxes on the average home ... would increase by $160 per year, roughly about $13 a month,\" Carter said.

The presentation noted the VATRE request is the full 12 cents a district may legally ask voters for on the M&O side; because the district restructured debt and lowered its I&S need, the net change to taxpayers would be about 4 cents.

Why it matters: Trustees and multiple public speakers framed the VATRE as a bid to address staffing and program shortfalls. Public commenters'many of them teachers'urged approval to increase pay and retain experienced staff. Noelle Cummings, a 21-year Rockwall ISD teacher, told the board, \"A yes vote on the VATRE means that we can maintain and, in some cases, restore vital programs and staffing that directly impact our students.\" Several other speakers described turnover and the district's pay gap versus comparison districts.

What the board approved: After the public hearing and discussion, trustees voted 7-0 to approve (a) the resolution setting the proposed fiscal-year 2025–26 tax rate that exceeds the voter-approval threshold, (b) an order calling a special joint election for the VATRE, and (c) the district's 2026–27 salary and compensation plan contingent on voter approval of the VATRE. The board also approved related finance items required by the Texas Education Agency, including an option 3 wealth-equalization plan (purchase of attendance credits) and a delegation of authority to the superintendent to submit required agreements to TEA.

Compensation details and timing: The board and administration described teacher compensation as three buckets: pay included in House Bill 2 (state funds, varying by years of service), a Board-approved 3 percent raise previously adopted for next year, and the proposed VATRE local adjustments. If voters approve the VATRE, the administration said the district would provide a one-time incentive payment corresponding to the VATRE increase in November, then roll that increase into permanent pay for 2026–27. The district estimated the VATRE pay adjustments would range roughly from $3,000 to more than $5,800 by years of experience; combined with state and board-approved increases, total increases across the three buckets range \"anywhere from $4,500 up to just shy of $13,000,\" Carter said. The administration also proposed using VATRE dollars to restore parity for positions excluded under HB2 (for example, librarians, nurses and instructional coaches) and estimated roughly 115 positions had been excluded from HB2 funding.

Board action and vote counts: The motion to set the tax rate and adopt the related resolution passed on a voice/hand vote recorded as 7-0. The motion to call the special election (the VATRE) passed 7-0. The motion to adopt the 2026-27 compensation plan, contingent on VATRE approval, passed 7-0. Several other finance motions related to TEA reporting and local compliance also passed by recorded votes (counts noted below).

What the approvals do not do: The board's action set a proposed rate and authorized the VATRE; it does not change current pay until and unless voters ratify the VATRE. The compensation plan approved by the board is contingent on the VATRE and was described as being posted publicly to provide transparency to staff and the community.

Next steps: The VATRE will be placed on the November ballot as a joint special election if election officials proceed as outlined; the district said it will continue community outreach and post detailed compensation charts on the district website. If voters approve, the district plans the one-time incentive in November and implementation of the new base salaries for 2026-27.

Votes at a glance (board-recorded tallies): set tax-rate resolution: 7-0; order calling VATRE special election: 7-0; adopt compensation plan (contingent): 7-0; option 3 wealth-equalization plan (purchase of attendance credits): 7-0; delegation of authority to superintendent to execute TEC chapter 49 agreements: 7-0.

Sources: District presentations and public comments at the Aug. 18, 2025 Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees meeting; statements and figures presented by Mr. Carter and by public commenters.","The Rockwall Independent School District Board of Trustees on Aug. 18 set a proposed tax rate that exceeds the voter-approval threshold and authorized a November voter-approval tax-rate election, while approving a 2026–27 compensation plan that would take effect only if voters ratify the rate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts library-materials policy updates to comply with Texas' SB 13; procurement lists and parent access required

Rockwall ISD leaders condemn antisemitic flag found at Heath High; community leaders call for accountability

Rockwall ISD sets proposed tax rate, calls November VATRE and adopts compensation plan contingent on voter approval