District formalizes consulting agreement with TASBO to clarify instructor roles and seat allocations

Carla Settle, a district staff member, explained on Sept. 4 that the district plans to approve a professional consulting agreement with TASBO (Texas Association of School Business Officials) to clarify the role and compensation rules for instructors of TASBO certification classes. "The professional consulting agreement is an agreement between the district and TASBO to clearly delineate the role of what an instructor does," Ms. Settle said. She said staff members currently volunteer their time to instruct TASBO certification classes and the district uses extra seats provided by TASBO so paraprofessionals and other staff can pursue certification. Ms. Settle said a recent legislative reference (noted in the meeting as "House Bill 33 72") prompted a clearer delineation of what constitutes school business time and whether instructors could receive financial benefit without taking personal time. She said district practice has been to have instructors volunteer time rather than receive direct district-paid financial benefit for those instruction sessions. The board asked no substantive follow-up questions during the briefing; the item was identified on the agenda as item 5e. Administration indicated this agreement would be included in the consent agenda paperwork for board consideration.