Board approves investment policy, calendar, pay incentives, and several purchases; easement with Entergy authorized

The Montgomery Independent School District Board of Trustees at its Jan. 24 regular meeting approved the district's annual investment policy, the proposed 2025-26 academic calendar, an increase to Police Department certification stipends, and several procurement items and an utility easement. Board members also adopted routine consent items.

Key votes and outcomes (motions and seconds as stated in the meeting):

- Consent agenda: Motion to approve the consent agenda was made and seconded; the motion carried (vote not specified on the record).

- Investment policy (CDA legal/CDA local) annual review: The board heard the staff presentation noting the requirement under the Public Funds Investment Act and that the policy remained unchanged since last year. Motion to approve the investment policy was made by Mr. Cameron, seconded by Mr. Dennison; the motion carried (vote not specified on the record).

- 2025-26 academic calendar: Staff described the district's multi-stage calendar process (DAC review, community survey, and alignment goals). The recommended calendar contains 172 instructional days, teachers return Aug. 4, first student day Thursday, Aug. 14, last student day Friday, May 22, and last teacher day Wednesday, May 27. Motion to approve was made by Mr. Robb and seconded by Ms. Turner; the motion carried.

- Police Department certification stipend increase: Trustees approved increasing annual certification stipends for officers from current levels ($250/$500/$750 for intermediate/advanced/master) to proposed annual amounts of $850/$1,700/$2,550. The motion to approve the incentive as presented was made by Mr. Dennison and seconded by Ms. Turner; the meeting record states the motion carried unanimously.

- Marquee (electronic sign) purchases: The board approved purchases to replace marquees at Montgomery Elementary School and Montgomery Junior High School using a single vendor (Universal Signs) after combined bids put the total over $50,000; motion made by Ms. Turner and seconded by Mr. Cameron; the motion carried.

- Testing and balancing/commissioning for Montgomery High School and athletic complex: The board approved a testing and balancing contract for the MHS project (installed boilers, exhaust fans and complex HVAC work) to ensure systems are operating efficiently and warranty issues are caught; staff cited a contract amount of $804,000. Motion made by Mr. Robb and seconded by Miss Ivy; the motion carried.

- District vehicles: Trustees approved purchases for district vehicles (service truck with lift gate and a box truck with lift gate), following an RFP; motion made by Mr. Winn and seconded by Mr. Robb; the motion carried.

- Child Nutrition kitchen equipment and installation: The board approved the purchase of 25 pieces of kitchen equipment for multiple campuses (Montgomery High School, Madly Ranch Elementary, Stewart Creek Elementary and Lone Star Elementary) under federal procurement guidelines using child nutrition funds; motion made by Miss Cameron and seconded by Miss Winn; the motion carried.

- Easement with Entergy: The board authorized an electrical utility easement to transfer an existing easement into Entergy's name for a 20.06-acre tract in front of Maitley Ranch. Staff said Gulf States Utilities previously held the easement and Entergy now seeks to record it; the district will receive $13,365 for the easement, to be deposited in the general fund. Motion made by Mr. Rob and seconded by Mr. Cameron; the motion carried.

The board did not record detailed roll-call vote tallies in the transcript for most items; meeting minutes or the official board packet will be the authoritative roll-call record if needed.