Rockwall ISD trustees outline single-tax proposal to boost pay; adopt phone ban policy and student code of conduct

Rockwall ISD trustees on Tuesday discussed a single-item voter authorization aimed at boosting teacher and staff pay while addressing special education and school safety shortfalls, and they approved a student personal-communication-device policy and the district's 2025'26 student code of conduct.

The board heard a detailed presentation from district staff about the district's budget, the effects of House Bill 2 on teacher pay, and a proposed single ballot proposition that would raise about $16.5 million if voters approve it. "We are very appreciative to the legislature for investing $8,500,000,000 into public education," the staff presenter said while summarizing the state legislation and its limits. The district's proposal would appear on the ballot as a 12-cent maintenance-and-operations (M&O) tax-rate increase but, after recently completed debt refinancing that reduces the interest-and-sinking (I&S) rate, the district projects a net increase to taxpayers of about 4 cents. The district estimated the net cost at roughly $160 annually for a $500,000 home if voters approve the proposal.

Why it matters: Trustees and staff said the district continues to lag peer districts on pay, in part because House Bill 2 targeted smaller districts and excluded many positions from the state's teacher-pay definition. The presenter said the bill allocated more state aid to smaller districts and left Rockwall with remaining unfunded costs, including an estimated underfunding of special education in Rockwall of about $7 million per year and school-safety costs underfunded by over $2 million per year.

What the VADER would do: The superintendent's staff proposed adopting a 2026'27 compensation plan in advance so staff and the public know the proposed salaries before an election. Under the plan presented, if the VADER passes, teachers would receive increases from three buckets: the state (House Bill 2), the district's previously adopted 3% increase for 2025'26, and the VADER increases (ranging by years of experience). The presentation projected that roughly 64% of VADER revenue would go to teacher and staff compensation; other amounts would be used for special education and to meet school-safety needs. The district said if the VADER is approved, teachers would receive a one-time payment immediately equal to their VADER increase and that increase would be rolled into base pay for 2026'27.

Timing and next steps: Staff recommended the trustees consider a resolution at the district's August 18 meeting to adopt the tax rate and the 2026'27 compensation plan (subject to voter approval). If the board calls the election and voters approve, the district would place the measure before voters on Nov. 4, 2025.

Public comments: Dozens of residents spoke during the public-comment portion. Several speakers urged trustees to proceed with the VADER to retain teachers and support staff. Rachel Cutting, a library media specialist, said, "librarians are teachers," and urged the board to include library staff and other excluded positions in pay solutions. Multiple parents and residents said they had lost teachers to neighboring districts and supported the single-proposition approach because it would be clearer and smaller than last year's package.

Efficiency audit: The board opened a public hearing required by Texas Education Code 11.184 and heard an audit presentation by Claire Wooten of the audit firm Weaver. Wooten summarized peer comparisons drawn from 2023-24 TEA data and said Rockwall had lower total revenue per student ($10,001) than peer districts (about $11,562) and the state average. The audit also showed Rockwall's payroll is a large share of spending and that students-per-teacher and students-per-staff ratios are higher than peers.

Board actions: Trustees approved updated policy FNCE(Local) to comply with House Bill 1481 (student use of personal communication devices) and approved the 2025'26 student code of conduct. The district also took routine consent-agenda actions. The board recorded unanimous votes of those items with one absence on each.

What the policies change: The FNCE(Local) update implements the new state prohibition on student use of personal communication devices on campus during the school day while listing statutory exceptions (for IEPs/504 plans, health or safety needs, and similar circumstances) and a recommended district exception for students enrolled in dual-credit courses. The code of conduct was updated to reflect recent legislative changes (for example, changes to discipline rules for vaping and extended in-school suspension reviews).

Where the board left it: No VADER was called at this meeting. Staff recommended a reduced, single-proposition VADER be placed on the November ballot if the board follows the proposed timeline. The board also directed staff to publish an FAQ and related materials about the device policy and to post audit materials and handbook revisions online.

Endnote: Trustees emphasized they had held extensive community outreach (the district reported more than 130 stakeholder meetings since December 2024) and framed the single-proposition approach as a response to community feedback requesting a simpler, more specific ballot measure focused on pay, safety and special education.