Board approves student travel, bond sale notice and transportation contract; adopts random drug-testing policy

The Roswell Independent School District Board of Education approved several consent and action items during its April meeting, including travel requests for student FFA chapters, initial steps to issue voter-approved bonds, a transportation contract adjustment and a revision to the district’s policy on random drug and alcohol testing for extracurricular participants.

Student travel: The board approved two out-of-state trips requested by Goddard High School FFA. One team will travel to El Reno, Oklahoma, April 28–May 2, 2025, to compete at national events after finishing fourth at the state contest. A second trip to Indianapolis, Indiana, October 28–November 1, 2025, was also approved. Students and chapter officers addressed the board, noting the events’ educational components and the experience they provide.

General obligation bonds: The board authorized a notice of intent to issue the first series of general obligation bonds approved by voters in November 2023. Eric Herron of RBC Capital Markets briefed the board: the district plans a public sale in mid-May for approximately $9,000,000, with a scheduled closing on or about June 4, 2025. Herron said proceeds would fund projects approved by voters while keeping the district’s debt-service tax rate at its current $5.63 level, contingent on a successful sale. The board delegated authority to district officials to award the sale to the lowest bidder after the public offering.

Transportation contract: The board approved an adjustment to the 2024–25 student transportation services contract to replace buses that have reached the district’s 12-year life cycle. The item updates a contract with the district’s transportation provider to maintain regular routes and service for students.

Random drug-testing policy: The board adopted policy revisions clarifying the school year for testing and updating consequences and support options for students who test positive. Under the revised regulation, the district defines the school year for testing purposes as the first day of fall practice through the last day of school; the policy clarifies timelines and allows students who test positive to reduce an initial suspension period by completing a district-provided substance-abuse program at no out-of-pocket cost. Middle-school violations are reset when students enter high school so all freshmen begin with a clean slate under the policy. The board approved the policy after several policy-committee meetings involving coaches, counselors and administrators.

Other routine approvals: The board approved minutes from its March meeting, authorized monthly bills, and approved a contract adjustment for student transportation. The meeting also included informational presentations on project-based learning, summer programs, assessment schedules and construction updates for the new Nancy Lopez school building.

Ending: Most action items were approved unanimously or by voice vote; where the board held roll calls the clerk recorded votes in the meeting minutes. The board paused action on the proposed Nancy Lopez naming survey and did not take any renaming action at this meeting.