Sharyland ISD board approves tax rate, multiple contracts, personnel actions and purchases in evening meeting

Sharyland Independent School District trustees voted on a series of routine and business items during the meeting, approving the district’s tax rate for 2025, multiple contract renewals, personnel actions and several purchases.

The board adopted a property tax rate of 0.9575 for tax year 2025. Board member Hector Rivera moved to approve the tax rate; the motion passed by voice vote with the board recording the outcome as 6-0 in favor. Administration noted that the district’s no-new-revenue tax rate calculation is 0.860423 and that homestead-exemption changes were a factor in the rate-comparison worksheet.

The board also approved a resolution formally designating the district officer responsible for calculating the no-new-revenue and voter-approval tax rates; the motion to designate Jaime (CFO) was moved by Andrew Riddle and seconded by Hector Rivera and passed 6-0. Trustees approved an order authorizing the defeasance and partial redemption of a portion of the district’s outstanding unlimited tax bonds; that resolution was moved and seconded and passed 6-0.

On personnel and executive-session actions, the board voted to approve the administration’s personnel report, including certified staff assignments, resignations and employment contracts for the 2025–26 school year; the motion, moved by Andrew Riddle, passed by voice vote (recorded as 7-0). Trustees also approved a motion allowing administrators to seek external employment contingent on verification that such work does not conflict with House Bill 3372 or district policy; that motion passed by voice vote (recorded as 7-0 at the time of the vote).

The consent agenda — which included August 2025 month-end bills; tax collection, investment and delinquent-tax reports; budget amendments; previous meeting minutes; and multiple RFP renewals and agreements — was approved on a single motion. The consent motion listed items 11a through 11e and 11g through 11r (see agenda list); the motion, made by Julio Cerda and seconded by Dr. Oliveira, passed 7-0.

Other business approvals included: - Renewal of employee voluntary insurance products (no rate increase reported) — approved 6-0. - Renewal of the district’s ASO/TPA (medical administrative services) with Blue Cross Blue Shield for year 2 with a 3.5% administrative increase (estimated at roughly $18,000) — approved 6-0. - Renewal of pharmacy benefit management services for year 2 (no administrative price increase) — approved 6-0. - One-year extension with UniFirst for employee uniforms and custodial supplies for $106,005.42 — approved 6-0. - Purchase of one 12-passenger van for the district’s STEPS program to transport students for job-site rotations and community skills training — motion passed 6-0. Administration said the van does not require a commercial driver and will support in-district and out-of-district placements. - Purchase of five replacement engines for 2014 model school buses from Holt Truck Centers to extend the fleet’s service life (administration estimated engine replacement could add approximately five years to bus life) — approved 6-0. - HVAC filter replacement services (monthly or staggered schedule, per contract) — approved 6-0. - Final payment and change order for a parking-lot paving project at Garza Elementary to United Builders ($31,123.20) — approved 6-0.

Board member Megan Sullivan reported on attendance at TASB events and her acceptance into a TASB leadership cohort; trustees recognized Sullivan’s external training and general board professional development.

Record of formal motions and outcomes (selected): - Motion to approve consent agenda (items 11a–e, g–r): moved by Julio Cerda, seconded by Dr. Oliveira; outcome 7-0 (passed). - Motion to approve delinquent tax collection report (07/01/2024–06/30/2025): moved/seconded; outcome 7-0 (passed). - Motion to go into closed session under Texas Government Code sections listed on the agenda: outcome recorded as 7-0 (passed). Closed session items listed included personnel (Tex. Gov. Code §551.074), student discipline, security (§551.076), real property (§551.072) and attorney consultation (§551.071). - Motion to approve administration personnel report and contracts for 2025–26: moved by Andrew Riddle; outcome recorded as 7-0 (passed). - Motion to approve designation of officer to calculate no-new-revenue and voter-approval tax rates (Jaime): moved by Andrew Riddle, seconded by Hector Rivera; outcome recorded as 6-0 (passed). - Motion to adopt tax rate of 0.9575 (effectively recorded as an 11.29% increase vs. the comparison rate on the motion form): moved by Hector Rivera; outcome recorded as 6-0 (passed).

The board adjourned at 8:25 p.m.