Rockwall ISD trustees approve contracts, waivers and security resolution; nomination to appraisal district board confirmed

The Rockwall Independent School District Board of Trustees approved multiple administrative and financial items at its Sept. 22 meeting. Most items were approved by unanimous voice vote with little discussion. Key actions taken by the board included:

Chromebook and desktop contract (CSP2425.06-002): Administration recommended awarding a contract to Riverside (Riverside Technologies) for Chromebooks and desktops for Garcia, Hamm, Hayes, Reinhardt and Shannon elementaries. The presentation stated the lowest responsive proposal was $1,454,518.75 and that funding will come from the 2021 bond program. The board approved the contract; a motion to accept as presented was made and seconded and the vote was recorded in favor (6-0-0).

Audio-visual upgrades (CSP2425.06-01): The district solicited proposals for audiovisual upgrades for Garcia, Hamm and Reinhardt elementaries. One vendor, Lockstep Technology, submitted a proposal in the amount of $420,564.23. Administration compared unit pricing to prior similar procurements and recommended award. The board approved the recommendation (voice vote recorded 6-0-0).

Project completion — Herman E. Utley Middle School: The board accepted final project completion for the Utley Middle School renovation. The presenters said the original contract award to Northstar Builders Group totaled $15,896,883; a deduct change order of $541,928 was applied, yielding a final contract amount of $15,354,955. The board approved project closeout and authorization for the senior chief finance officer to execute final payment (approved 6-0-0).

Nomination to Rockwall Central Appraisal District (RCAD) board: The board approved a resolution nominating Cedric Thomas to serve on the Rockwall County Central Appraisal District board of directors. The administration said there is no budgetary impact and the district must submit nominees by Oct. 15 per Texas Property Tax Code Section 6.03. Trustees adopted the resolution by voice vote (6-0-0).

Join 1GPA purchasing cooperative: The board approved joining the 1GPA purchasing cooperative for the 2025–26 school year. Administration said there is no charge to participate and any purchases would use existing contracts; approval recorded 6-0-0.

Texas Education Agency class-size waivers: Administration presented teacher-to-student maximum class-size waivers for pre-K through 4th grade based on enrollment as of Sept. 5; the district presented 28 waivers on Sept. 5 (the presenter said this count is lower than last year’s 39 at the same point). The board approved submitting the waivers to the Texas Education Agency as presented (6-0-0).

Renewal of good-cause exception for armed security (HB 121 compliance): The board reviewed and renewed an alternative standard (a "good cause exception") allowing Rockwall ISD to use retired law enforcement officers and other contracted armed security personnel at campuses where commissioned peace officers or SROs are not available. Administration referenced Texas Education Code Section 37.0814 and recent changes introduced by House Bill 121 that require an annual renewal. Trustees approved the renewal and adopted an accompanying resolution (6-0-0).

Contracts for election services: The board authorized contracts for election services with Rockwall County, Kaufman County and Collin County for the Nov. 4, 2025 election (the presentation noted early voting Oct. 20–30). Trustees approved the contracts (6-0-0).

Consent agenda: Minutes, financial information, personnel actions, off-campus physical activity programs and district educational improvement committee approvals were included on the consent agenda and approved by the board (6-0-0).

Several items presented were funded from the district’s 2021 bond authorization; administration noted funding sources on the relevant slides. The board took votes by voice or raised-hand roll call and recorded each item as approved with a 6-0-0 tally unless otherwise noted.