Board approves 2025–26 calendar, policy updates, purchases and waivers

SAN FELIPE-DEL RIO CISD — The San Felipe-Del Rio CISD Board of Trustees on Monday, March 24 approved a package of calendar, policy and procurement items, voting unanimously on each motion.

Trustees adopted the administration's recommendation to approve calendar Option A for the 2025-26 school year with one provision: site-based committees will review teacher comments and may adjust RTI (response to intervention) dates before the calendar is finalized. The administration told trustees Option A had received 352 of 616 survey responses (57%), and board members instructed campus representatives to gather teacher input on RTI timing before final implementation.

The board also approved several policy and administrative items during the meeting's business sessions:

- CE Local (Annual Operating Budget): Board approved first and final reading of a revision aligning the district fiscal year to July 1–June 30. - EIC Local (Academic Achievement/class ranking): Board approved the second reading of the revised policy that clarifies which courses count toward class rank and adds a limit on dropping or adding courses after the fourth week of the first grading period of each semester. - TASB Localized Policy Update 124 (part 1): Board approved policy updates affecting financial/fiscal management, investments and intellectual property. - 2024–2030 Strategic Plan and the superintendent evaluation instrument: both were approved as presented.

On procurement and waivers, trustees approved two purchase orders on the consent agenda: a Daktronics scoreboard purchase for Cody Wardlaw not to exceed $30,603 and body armor (plate carriers with ballistic inserts) from U.S. Armor Corporation not to exceed $46,200. The board also approved submission of the district's 2024-25 request for maximum class-size waiver exceptions to the Texas Education Agency; administration said a February 25 snapshot showed 22 classrooms with counts exceeding TEA ratios, and eight classes then required waivers.

Other personnel and administrative approvals carried unanimously, including updated job descriptions and evaluation forms for several coordinator positions, adjustments to the district compensation plan (including moving HRIS coordinator pay grade), the personnel report of new hires/resignations/retirements, and approval of teacher and administrator contracts discussed in closed session.

Votes at a glance (selected): - Approve 2025–26 calendar (Option A) with site-base review of RTI dates — approved (motion seconded; motion carries). - CE Local annual operating budget, first & final reading — approved (motion by Mr. Alito; second Amy Haines). - EIC Local (class ranking), second reading — approved (motion by Ms. Webb; second Becky Chavez). - Daktronics scoreboard PO, not to exceed $30,603 — approved (consent agenda). - U.S. Armor body armor PO, not to exceed $46,200 — approved (consent agenda). - Submission of maximum class-size waivers (2024-25) and compliance plan to TEA — approved. - Employee job descriptions and evaluation forms (coordinator positions) — approved. - District compensation plan updates (administrative professional pay grades) — approved.

Why this matters: the calendar approval affects staffing, testing and family planning for the 2025-26 school year; the class-size waivers and compensation-plan changes affect classroom assignments and pay structure; purchases affect campus facilities and staff safety.

Administration will post the adopted calendar and policy revisions and continue the site-based review of RTI dates; the waiver packet will be filed with TEA as approved.