Plainview ISD trustees approve contracts for dual-language curriculum, meals, transportation, bank depository, math materials and Chromebooks

Plainview Independent School District trustees unanimously approved a set of contracts and purchases at a public meeting, including a contract to develop a dual-language curriculum for North Elementary, renewal of the district's TDA-approved food service contract with Southwest Food Service Excellence LLC for the 2025'26 school year, a transportation contract renewal with First Student that adds activity buses, a two-year depository contract award to Happy State Bank, adoption of Bluebonnet Math (the rebranded Eureka Math) for K'8, and the purchase of Chromebooks worth more than $50,000 in aggregate.

The actions were approved by voice or hand vote with the board recording five votes in favor and none opposed on each listed item.

The board's approval authorizes procurement and contract terms that district staff said will affect classroom instruction, student meals, transportation logistics and the district's cash-management strategy. Administrators described funding sources that will pay for the curriculum and instructional materials and explained operational details for transportation and device replacement.

A district staff member presented the proposed dual-language curriculum for North Elementary, describing lesson plans aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the science of reading. The packet included a kindergarten lesson and an overview of a five-day instructional cycle: Day 1 comprehension; Day 2 comprehension and word study; Day 3 foundational skills (phonics, grammar); Day 4 composition; Day 5 cross-linguistic connections. Staff said the program currently covers kindergarten through third grade and is being extended into the next grade at North Elementary. Administrators told trustees the dual-language classrooms had shown a roughly 15% to 20% advantage in reading outcomes compared with English-only classrooms, and recommended using the state's bilingual allotment to fund the contract.

On nutrition services, the administration recommended renewing the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) approved food service contract with Southwest Food Service Excellence LLC for the 2025'26 school year. District food-service staff reported average monthly counts of about 39,042 lunches (approximately 2,297 per day) and 22,004 breakfasts (about 294 per day) and described an after-school snack program averaging about 170 snacks per day (about 2,884 per month). Staff said federal reimbursements average roughly $224,000 per month and that the district qualifies for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows universal free meals based on a base year that applies for up to four years.

Trustees approved the transportation contract renewal with First Student, which the administration said includes a 4.5% rate increase and the addition of nine activity buses to the district's fleet. Staff described 23 regular home-to-school routes, six special-education morning and afternoon routes, two midday routes, and 15 additional activity runs used for athletics and extracurricular travel. The administration reported one minor reported vehicle accident (a fender bender) in the recent period and said First Student provides most fuel costs as part of the contract.

For depository services the board voted to award the contract to Happy State Bank after a competitive solicitation that drew four responses. Chief Financial Officer Randy Mendoza explained that Happy State's proposal bases interest on the 13-week Treasury bill plus 10 basis points, which the district's analysis showed would yield the highest interest for a sample $100,000 balance compared with other bidders. The administration noted transition costs and the longstanding relationship with Prosperity (formerly American State Bank) dating back to 2001, but said Happy State offered a clear transition plan and better projected interest revenue. The recommended contract term is two years with options to extend; staff described a typical solicitation cycle and noted TEA guidance that commonly results in multi-year contracts to reduce operational disruption.

Trustees also approved a curriculum contract for Bluebonnet Math (the publisher's rebrand of Eureka Math) for grades K'8. Administrators said the K'4 elementary materials have been in use for two years and that adopting the vendor's updated package will add materials for the next grades and give teachers continuity. Funding for the math materials was described as coming from an Open Educational Resources (OER) entitlement and a state-approved instructional materials allotment rather than the district's IMA fund.

On technology, the board approved the purchase of Chromebooks valued over $50,000 in aggregate. Staff recommended replacing 155 units using a mix of federal rollover funds and new procurement because of device damage, missing parts and vandalism reported during the districtwide Chromebook rollout; staff said replaced units will be redistributed to cover needs across campuses. The technology team obtained three quotes to compare delivery timeline and white-glove setup services; administrators said vendors had stock and deliveries could arrive within days.

Other actions approved by trustees included board consent for an out-of-state band trip to New York City with travel dates in June (specific dates not specified in the meeting record); approval of the district's 2024'2025 professional development calendar; and adoption of a consensus agenda covering routine items. The board also held a public hearing and call for comment on applying for an ESSA federal grant; no members of the public provided comments.

Randy Mendoza, the district's chief financial officer, summarized the bank-rate comparison to trustees: "Happy State Bank went off the 13 week treasury bill, and they ended up adding 10 basis points on top of that, which kind of made them the highest paying interest bank for us." The board thanked Prosperity/American State Bank for its long service while approving the new depository award.

Votes at a glance (each motion recorded in the meeting): - Item 1: Contract to develop dual-language curriculum for North Elementary (contract >$50,000). Motion approved, 5-0 (mover: Amber; seconder: Mr. Salazar). - Item 2: TDA-approved food service renewal contract for 2025'26 with Southwest Food Service Excellence LLC. Motion approved, 5-0. - Item 3: Transportation contract renewal with First Student (4.5% rate increase; nine activity buses added). Motion approved, 5-0. - Item 4: Award contract for depository services to Happy State Bank. Motion approved, 5-0. - Item 5: Curriculum contract over $50,000 with Bluebonnet Math (K'8). Motion approved, 5-0. - Item 6: Approval of out-of-state travel for the band (New York City, June; funding via boosters/families). Motion approved, 5-0. - Item 7: Approval of the 2024'2025 professional development calendar. Motion approved, 5-0. - Item 8: Purchase of Chromebooks over $50,000 in aggregate (replace 155 devices). Motion approved, 5-0. - Consensus agenda: approved, 5-0.

The meeting closed after the board noted there were no public comments on the ESSA grant application and trustees adjourned the session.