Willis ISD board approves sign‑on bonus, safety system purchase, construction contracts and boundary plan

At its Feb. 12 meeting the Willis ISD Board of Trustees voted on multiple items spanning personnel incentives, safety technology, construction procurement and attendance boundary changes. The board approved each listed motion; most votes were unanimous and a number showed 6–0 tallies on the record.

Votes at a glance - Bilingual teacher sign‑on bonus: Approved. Motion: approve at least a $1,000 sign‑on bonus for fully certified bilingual classroom teachers hired for 2025–26; payment in September subject to completion of the school year and reimbursement if a teacher leaves. Mover/second: Moved by Board Member Parsons; second by Coach Perry. Outcome: approved, vote 6–0. - Raptor emergency management and enhanced Raptor visitor hardware: Approved. Motion: purchase Raptor Emergency Management (includes Raptor Alert, team assist, drill manager, accountability and reunification modules) plus mobile Raptor Visitor hardware (iPads, wireless printers) and wearable Alertis buttons; one‑time cost presented as $334,403.50 with recurring annual software fees ($13,440 for Visitor, $35,750 for Emergency Management). Mover/second: Moved by Scott Carson; second by Coach (Charles) Perry. Outcome: approved, vote 6–0. The district indicated SAFE Cycle 1 grant funds will cover initial purchase and recurring costs through 2026–27, with a budget plan to cover ongoing costs thereafter. - 2025–26 academic calendar: Approved. Motion: adopt the drafted 2025–26 Willis ISD academic calendar (community survey favored option A). Mover/second: Moved by Chad Jones; second by Cliff Williams. Outcome: approved, vote 6–0. - CC Hardy Elementary targeted improvement plan (TIP): Approved. Motion: accept superintendent’s recommendation and approve CC Hardy Elementary’s targeted improvement plan required to exit the federal comprehensive support and improvement designation. Mover/second: Moved by Scott Carson; second by Cliff Williams. Outcome: approved, vote 6–0. - District of Innovation (DOI) amendment (depository exemption): Approved. Motion: amend the DOI to allow an exemption to Texas Education Code sections governing school depositories so district may extend its current depository term rather than immediately rebidding; staff cited limited local options and the administrative burden of a full bid now. Mover/second: Moved by Chad Jones; second by Scott Carson. Outcome: approved, vote 6–0. - Expedited FF&E procurement for new middle school (Calphe/Calpee): Approved. Motion: authorize purchases through specified vendors (central purchasing alliance/Fort Bend ISD RFP) for furnishings, instruments and equipment needed for new middle school and associated campuses, in amounts exceeding $50,000 (not‑to‑exceed figures shown in board packet). Mover/second: Moved by Scott Carson; second by Nikita Lagway. Outcome: approved, vote 6–0. - Geotechnical/materials testing vendor pool: Approved. Motion: create a pool of geotechnical and material testing vendors (award to top four respondents and future best‑and‑final pricing process; board approval required before contract award). Mover/second: Moved by Chad Jones; second by Scott Carson. Outcome: approved, vote 6–0. - Additional topographic surveying (West Belt) for Willis High School parking lot: Approved. Motion: approve West Belt Surveying for additional topo survey services, $2,500, to support parking‑lot expansion and related site work (paid from bond funds). Mover/second: Moved by Cliff Williams; second by Scott Carson. Outcome: approved, vote 6–0. - Stewart Builders early GMP (Elementary No. 7 partial package): Approved. Motion: approve early guaranteed maximum price (GMP) package No. 1 presented by Stewart Builders LLC for Elementary No. 7 in the amount of $1,930,406 (to clear/prepare site and secure long‑lead mechanical equipment). Mover/second: Moved by Chad Jones; second by Nikita Lagway. Outcome: approved, vote 6–0. - Change Order No. 2 (civil engineering revisions) for Elementary No. 7: Approved. Motion: approve Stantec change order for civil redesign services to accommodate off‑site detention and revised access, $12,925 (paid from 2022 bond funds); staff said long‑term project savings were expected. Mover/second: Moved by Cliff Williams; second by Scott Carson. Outcome: approved, vote 6–0. - Attendance boundary decision for three middle schools (Option A): Approved. Motion: adopt Option A for attendance boundaries for the district’s three middle schools (board cited majority community and committee support; Option A aligns feeder patterns and reduces disruption). Mover/second: Moved by Scott Carson; second by Cliff Williams. Outcome: approved, vote 6–0. - JROTC out‑of‑state trip (AFJROTC drone teams to Batesville, Mississippi): Approved. Motion: authorize AFJROTC to travel April 3–6 for the national all‑service aerial drone championship with 10 students and two chaperones. Mover/second: Moved by Chad Jones; second by Nikita Lagway. Outcome: approved, vote 6–0.

How the board voted Most motions recorded a unanimous approval on the public roll call (“motion carries” reported as 6–0 on the record). Individual aye/no votes were not recorded on the roll for each trustee in the transcript; the board’s shortened roll calls and standard practice produced the single recorded tally for each motion.

What the approvals mean - Safety and compliance: The Raptor purchase was presented as a near‑term compliance and capability upgrade to meet TEA guidance on silent panic alert technology and to add accountability, reunification and improved real‑time notification across district devices. - Staffing and recruitment: The bilingual sign‑on bonus aims to recruit and retain certified bilingual teachers; administration said funds were available for the stipend and additional budget review would follow. - Capital program moves: Several bond‑fund procurements and contract actions were approved to maintain schedule on campus openings, long‑lead equipment procurement and site work for new and renovated facilities. - Boundaries and enrollment: Option A for middle‑school boundaries will be implemented to align feeder patterns and manage projected growth; the district said it will continue community outreach and planning as housing development unfolds.

Provenance and evidence The actions and outcomes above are recorded and supported by the board meeting transcript and verbal motions recorded in open session on Feb. 12, 2025. The transcript records the mover and second for each listed motion and the board’s public announcement of the vote tally and outcome.

Ending Board members asked staff to publish the approved calendar and to bring forward additional details on bilingual staffing and the Raptor implementation timeline. The board scheduled a March 19 follow‑up for some recommended instructional material actions.