Bastrop ISD reports accountability gains, adopts updated student code of conduct and approves budget and policy items

Bastrop — Interim Superintendent Christy Lee and district staff reported academic gains, approved policy and budget actions, and updated voters and the public on bond construction progress at a Bastrop Independent School District board meeting held in August.

The most prominent item was the district’s finalized 2025 accountability results. Jennifer Eberly, a district staff member who presented the finalized TEA accountability data, said districtwide measures rose across multiple domains, producing a 10-point increase in the district’s overall accountability score to 71 (a C). "We're 1 of those guys, yay," Eberly said, noting Bastrop saw notable campus-level gains including a 14-point jump at Bastrop High School and a 17-point jump at Cedar Creek High School.

Why it matters: Eberly said the largest gains came in the "closing the gaps" domain (a 21-point increase), which translated into two full letter-grade shifts for the district when combined with growth in other domains. She also noted that three campuses — Cedar Creek Middle School, Lost Pines Elementary and Camino Real Elementary — were limited by a TEA cap rule (the meeting referenced the district’s 3F/3D rules), meaning their computed scores were capped at the lower thresholds (59 or 69) despite higher underlying calculations.

Operational, budget and policy actions

- Student code of conduct: The board adopted the 2025–26 student code of conduct as presented by Dr. Morris, the district’s director of student services. The updated code incorporates changes from the recent legislative session cited in the presentation, including prohibiting personal communication devices during the instructional day (except by approved medical exemption), adding authority to remove a student from class after a single significant disruptive or abusive incident, expanding the allowable length of in-school suspension to up to 10 days per offense (with requirements for comparable academic/behavioral services), and permitting expulsions for false alarms or certain Title 5 felonies committed off campus. Board members asked how the new ‘‘return to class’’ plan will work; Dr. Morris said the commissioner issued a two-page return-to-class form to be completed by an administrator and that the plan must be put in place when a student re-enters the classroom.

- Staff development waiver: The board approved a staff development minutes waiver that allows the district to bank up to 100 minutes per school year (used historically for catastrophic events, late starts or other disruptions) consistent with state rules on instructional minutes.

- Tax rate and budgets: Chief Finance Officer Mike White presented the proposed tax-rate package the board will formally adopt at the September meeting. The proposal keeps the interest-and-sinking (I&S) rate at 40.1 cents and a maintenance-and-operations (M&O) rate at 0.6669 (figures presented by staff). White said the calculation reflects state-mandated compression related to recent increases in the homestead exemption and the district’s certified values as of July. The board approved presenting that proposed rate at the public adoption meeting in September.

- Child Nutrition Fund: The board approved an amendment to the 2025–26 Child Nutrition Fund budget. White said the department is transitioning from an outsourced model and the district is establishing a baseline operating budget (approximately $9.3 million as presented) now that hiring and equipment planning are further along. He added the district spent more than $1 million on kitchen improvements this year and that federal revenues could vary.

- Compensation and positions: Chief Human Resources Officer Diana Green presented four narrow amendments to the 2025–26 compensation plan, including reclassifying one food-service leadership role, adding stipends for two new middle-school athletic trainers, creating a new energy and environmental manager position, and clarifying language for librarians and instructional coaches. The board approved the amendments.

Facilities and bond update

Executive Director of Facilities Mr. Rasberry provided a multi-site bond update. Highlights included: - Adelton Elementary: reported 100% complete and in the builder warranty phase. - Mina Elementary, Phase 2: roughly 34% complete (CMU, framing and MEP in progress); a beam-signing ceremony occurred. - Bastrop and Cedar Creek Middle School additions: about 45% complete; track resurfacing and field work underway. - Riverside and Creekside middle renovations/additions: renovation components complete and additions roughly 70% complete; scheduled for December 2025 completion. - Bastrop High School additions/renovations: ~11% complete with a new 38,000-square-foot classroom wing and competition gym under development. - New Police Administration & Operations facility (includes child nutrition warehouse/print shop/staff development space): roughly 42% complete, scheduled for March 2026.

Rasberry thanked construction partners for supporting HVAC and other issues during the school opening. Board members praised the pace of work and noted Cedar Creek High School’s addition was on time and on budget.

Other actions and governance

- The board adopted a resolution to establish a School Library Advisory Council (SLAC) and approved a slate of voting and advisory members; meetings will be posted as open meetings. - The board approved policy updates tied to recent law and district practice, including the local policies implementing the district cell-phone rule and UIL participation criteria (district-enrolled students only). - In closed session, the board returned to open session and approved an amendment to a resolution declaring a good-cause exception for HB 3 (motion carried). The board also selected a superintendent search firm (motion text recorded as "I move to select Lester Krogs of the superintendent search firm"). The meeting record shows motions carried by voice vote; specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the public minutes.

Votes at a glance (actions approved)

- Consent agenda: approved (motion carried) - Staff development minutes waiver (2025–26): approved (motion carried) - 2025–26 Student Code of Conduct: approved (motion carried) - Proposed tax rate to present in September: approved (motion carried) - Amendment to 2025–26 Child Nutrition Fund budget: approved (motion carried) - Amendment to 2025–26 compensation plan: approved (motion carried) - Resolution to establish School Library Advisory Council (SLAC): adopted (motion carried) - Policy revisions to FNCE local, FD local, FM local, EFB local: approved (motion carried) - Resolution amendment declaring good-cause exception for HB 3: approved (motion carried) - Selection of superintendent search firm (motion recorded as selecting "Lester Krogs"): approved (motion carried)

Who spoke (selected)

- Christy Lee, Interim Superintendent (district staff) - Jennifer Eberly, District staff member (presented 2025 accountability) - Dr. Morris, Director of Student Services (presented student code of conduct) - Diana Green, Chief Human Resources Officer - Mike White, Chief Finance Officer - Mr. Rasberry, Executive Director of Facilities and Support Services - Kendra Mok, Director of Leadership Development and School Improvement - Rachel Talapore, Director, Child Nutrition (present in budget discussion) - Andrea Vino, Director of Community Relations - Molly McClure, Community member and retired board member (open forum speaker) - Billy Moore, Retired board member (recognized) - Zane Riley, 5th-grade student speaker (Colony Oaks Elementary)

Ending

Board members and district leaders closed the meeting by thanking staff, construction partners and community sponsors; interim Superintendent Lee said she will return with a summary of staff feedback collected during transition meetings and will continue school visits through September. Several trustees encouraged continued focus on curriculum implementation and campus supports as the district moves toward next year’s accountability goals.