Wichita Falls ISD trustees approve TEA waivers, bond-refunding parameters, transportation contract and property sales

The Wichita Falls Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a slate of administrative and financial actions during a regular meeting that included two TEA waiver submissions allowing remote homebound instruction, authorization of parameters for refinancing 2015 unlimited tax school building bonds, an award of the student transportation services contract, and resolutions to place two former elementary properties on the market.

Why it matters: The waivers allow the district to seek Texas Education Agency permission to count remote homebound instruction toward state attendance funding for students whose medical treatment compromises immunity. The bond-refunding parameters give staff authority to pursue refinancing intended to reduce taxpayer debt service; district staff estimated potential savings of roughly $2.4 million over 10 years based on market conditions. The transportation contract represents a vendor change after an 18-year relationship with the incumbent operator, and the property sales reduce district liability costs for unused buildings.

Votes at a glance

- Waiver request — remote homebound instruction (special education student): Motion to submit a waiver to the Texas Education Agency so remote instruction delivered through Google Meet may be counted for state funding for one special-education student receiving homebound services. Action: Approved (motion and second recorded). Vote: recorded in open session as 7–0.

- Waiver request — remote homebound instruction (general education student): Motion to submit a waiver to the Texas Education Agency so remote instruction delivered through Google Meet may be counted for state funding for one general-education student receiving homebound services while traveling for out-of-state cancer treatment. Action: Approved (motion and second recorded). Vote: 7–0.

- Authorization of parameters to refund unlimited tax school building bonds (2015 series): Motion to adopt an order authorizing issuance of unlimited tax bonds and related documents to refinance the district’s 2015 unlimited tax refunding bonds (noted principal balance described in presentation: $40,730,000 outstanding as of Feb. 15, 2025). Staff stated a blended borrowing cost estimate of about 3.6% and a potential taxpayer savings estimate of $2,400,000 over 10 years based on market pricing; the board authorized parameters and discretion to delay issuance if savings do not meet threshold. Action: Approved (motion and second recorded). Vote: 7–0.

- Student transportation services RFP (RFP 2526-01-F-30): Motion to award the student transportation contract for three years with two one-year options to Gold Star Transit, LLC. Final evaluation scores shown in the solicitation materials placed Gold Star at 92.17 and the incumbent (Durham) at 91.59. Staff provided a five-year estimated savings figure and year-one estimated savings of $23,598; committee members reported contacting reference districts. Action: Approved (motion and second recorded). Vote: 7–0.

- Resolution authorizing sale of former Kirby property (surplus property): Motion to approve a resolution authorizing sale of the district’s former Kirby property. Board discussed staggering listings and appraisal timing; staff noted property insurance and liability costs (Kirby insurance cited as $74,369). Action: Approved (motion and second recorded). Vote: 7–0.

- Resolution authorizing sale of former Sam Houston Elementary property (surplus property): Motion to approve a resolution authorizing sale of the district’s former Sam Houston property. Action: Approved (motion and second recorded). Vote: 7–0.

- Proposed applicant pool (for upcoming contracts): Motion to approve a proposed applicant pool and estimate for contracts for the 2024–25 school year procurement cycle. Action: Approved (motion and second recorded). Vote: 7–0.

- Nomination process resolution for TASB Superintendent of the Year: Motion to approve the board’s nomination process for the 2025 Texas Association of School Boards Superintendent of the Year. Action: Approved (motion and second recorded). Vote: 7–0.

Board discussion and clarifications included: - On the bond-refunding item, the district’s financial adviser (Murphy) explained the meeting authorized only parameters for a negotiated refunding; final savings will depend on market pricing at issuance and staff committed to return to the board if projected savings fall below the district’s threshold. - On the transportation contract, board members asked about the long relationship with the incumbent carrier (Durham); staff said references for Gold Star were checked and that the evaluation committee favored Gold Star by committee scoring (4 of 6 committee members supporting Gold Star, two supporting either vendor). Staff noted the district owns its buses and vendors provide operations and software support. - On property sales, trustees discussed timing and the process: appraisals and public-notice requirements were noted as prerequisites before final sale. Trustees also discussed liability from vacant buildings and recent vandalism incidents at empty properties.

Direct clarifications from staff included the TEA rule cited for the waivers (remote instruction not delivered through the Texas Virtual School Network is ineligible for state funding without an approved waiver) and the Texas Government Code citations the board invoked when adjourning to closed session (government code sections 551.074 and 551.072 for personnel and real-property deliberations).

Ending: After these actions the board recessed to closed session to consider personnel and real-property matters. Any final votes required by closed-session deliberations were deferred to open session per statutory procedure.