Rockport-Fulton ISD board approves budget reclassification, special-education bus purchase, safety MOUs and low-attendance waiver

The Rockport-Fulton Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Oct. 16 on several routine but consequential measures, including a reclassification in the general fund, purchase of a special-education bus, renewal of law-enforcement memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and submission of a low-attendance waiver to the Texas Education Agency.

The board approved a general-fund budget amendment to move the district’s appraisal-district expense from one function code to another so that the district’s per-pupil core-cost comparisons align with peer districts. The amendment was introduced by Kathy Henderson (business office) and the motion to approve was made by Trustee Yarnell and seconded by Trustee Randall. Trustee Yarnell moved the motion as recorded: “I move that we approve the general fund budget amendment as presented.” The motion carried 7-0.

The board approved replacing an 18-year-old special-education bus with a Thomas Bus model matching most of the district fleet. The purchase price presented was $155,000, with a not-to-exceed amount of $160,000; funding will come from IDEA-B federal grant funds. Trustee Yarnell moved the bus purchase, seconded by Trustee Randall. The motion carried 7-0.

The board approved two interlocal agreements with local law-enforcement agencies: an interlocal agreement with Aransas County and a memorandum of understanding with the Fulton Police Department. Trustee Austin moved approval of the Aransas County interlocal agreement (seconded by Trustee Yarnell). Trustee Austin then moved approval of the memorandum of understanding with the Fulton Police Department (seconded by Trustee Burton). Both motions carried 7-0. Superintendent Dr. Austin noted the agreements include an explicit incident-command statement identifying the sheriff’s office as the on-scene incident commander when the sheriff responds, consistent with local response practice.

The board also authorized submission to the Texas Education Agency of a low-attendance waiver for Sept. 24, 2025. District staff reported that a threat against Rockport Fulton High School on that date led many parents to keep students home; the district reported attendance that day as “63.29” (as stated in the meeting record). If TEA approves the waiver, the district’s attendance for that date will be replaced with the prior year’s average (reported in the meeting as 93.86). Trustee Burton moved the waiver submission; Trustee Randall seconded. The motion carried 7-0.

Finally, the board approved the consent agenda as presented (motion by Trustee Yarnell, seconded by Trustee Randall), and recessed into closed session at 7:37 p.m.

Votes at a glance
- General fund budget amendment: motion by Trustee Yarnell; second Trustee Randall; outcome: approved 7-0. Note: reclassifies appraisal-district expense to function 99 for state comparison; reason given was to align district reporting with peers.
- Purchase: special-education bus (Thomas Bus), $155,000 (not to exceed $160,000); funding: IDEA-B federal grant; motion by Trustee Yarnell; second Trustee Randall; outcome: approved 7-0.
- Interlocal agreement: Rockport-Fulton ISD and Aransas County; motion by Trustee Austin; second Trustee Yarnell; outcome: approved 7-0.
- Memorandum of understanding: Rockport-Fulton ISD and Fulton Police Department; motion by Trustee Austin; second Mr. Burton; outcome: approved 7-0.
- Low-attendance waiver (Sept. 24, 2025) to TEA due to safety threat; motion by Mr. Burton; second Trustee Randall; outcome: approved 7-0.
- Consent agenda: approved (motion by Trustee Yarnell; second Trustee Randall); outcome: approved 7-0.

What the votes mean
The appraisal-district reclassification changes how certain district expenditures are reported for state-level core-cost comparisons. The bus purchase will be paid from federal special-education (IDEA-B) funds. The approved MOUs formalize coordination with local law enforcement and include language that the sheriff’s office will assume incident command when it responds. The TEA waiver, if accepted, will prevent a single-day attendance drop tied to the Sept. 24 threat from lowering the district’s official attendance metrics.

No motions failed or were tabled during the meeting.