Teachers propose campus‑level behavior grants; board told Superintendent fund exists to pilot supports

A group of teacher‑of‑the‑year representatives told the Goose Creek CISD Board of Trustees they want to pilot a campus‑level behavior grant program that would let each campus apply for funds to address classroom and hall behavior.

The proposals came through the Superintendent Campus Connection committee, a district group made up of campus teachers of the year that meets monthly and that has made varying one‑time investments in past years from a superintendent line item. Presenters said the fund has existed for about a decade and ranges “generally $50,000 up to $100,000 depending on presentations and what the need is each year.” They said the new behavior focus is intended to support students who are not currently served by specialized programs but who still disrupt instruction or need targeted, regular check‑ins.

Elementary proposal: the elementary cohort proposed a “behavior response grant” that would allow each school’s PBIS committee to apply for campus‑directed funds. Proposed uses include stipends to train paraprofessionals as registered behavior technician (RBT)‑level supports, positive‑behavior incentives (stores, reward days, house systems), or stipends for paraprofessionals who would check in with identified students regularly. Presenters said the grant would be implemented starting this fall, with campuses evaluating needs, applying, implementing in the school year and reporting mid‑year and end‑of‑year results. Funding level was “to be determined” in the presentation.

Junior‑high proposal: middle‑school teachers asked that middle schools pool their grant allocation to buy a district‑wide hall‑pass management app (SmartPass) that runs on student iPads. Presenters said the app can issue logged hall passes, track restroom usage, identify restrooms with repeated incidents and provide reports to reduce congregating and vaping in bathrooms. Highlands Junior School has piloted the app, presenters said, and middle schools estimated a per‑student price of about $2–$3 for a rollout that would rely on existing issued iPads.

High‑school proposal: high‑school teachers proposed a flexible grant program for traditional and non‑traditional high schools. Examples offered included stipends for an already‑employed teacher to serve part‑time as a student outreach mentor (pull‑out mentor check‑ins, parent outreach, goal setting), PBIS incentives, staff training in restorative practices or peer mentoring. Presenters said each campus application must include a measurable SMART goal and cover a September‑to‑April implementation window so results can be evaluated and shared by mid‑May.

Administration context and funding: district leaders said the Superintendent Campus Connection fund is an established general‑fund line item that trustees have used for targeted initiatives — examples included convocation items in prior years — and is designed to “put the power back in the teachers’ hands.” Trustees were told the committee has proposed roughly $2,500 per campus in examples shown during the meeting and that the overall line item historically has ranged from $50,000–$100,000 annually. Trustees asked whether funds would pay new hires; presenters said the intent is to use existing staff (teachers or paraprofessionals) with stipends when applicable.

Board reaction: Trustees asked for clarification on staffing, stipend levels and whether an RBT at every campus was feasible. Presenters said a dedicated RBT per campus would be a longer‑term “dream” costing an estimated $2.4 million; in the near term, they proposed a stipend model. Trustees asked for clearer budget numbers and implementation detail; Superintendent O’Brien and presenters said the proposal would return to the board later with final numbers and application language.

What happens next: the idea is a pilot for the upcoming school year using the Superintendent Campus Connection fund and will require district staff to finalize application forms, review criteria and reporting measures before funds are awarded.