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Board approves construction contracts, bus purchase, emergency-pay resolution and other items in unanimous votes
Summary
At its Jan. 21 meeting Rockwall ISD trustees approved a slate of action items including project completions for two elementary projects, consultant contracts for multiple facility projects, purchase of new buses, emergency-closure pay resolution, the 2025-26 district calendar and routine election and personnel items.
Rockwall Independent School District trustees voted Wednesday to approve a package of construction, procurement, personnel and administrative items. Many motions passed unanimously among trustees present; Trustee Jim White was recorded as absent for all roll calls.
Key approvals (motion makers and seconds are listed where given):
- Superintendent teaching assignment: Trustees approved the superintendent providing an instructional course for Baylor University in summer 2025. Motion by Mr. Consselman; second by Mr. Du Bois. Vote recorded as six in favor, none against, one absent.
- Project completion, Springer and Hartman elementary serving-line replacement: The board accepted project completion and authorized final payment on a previously awarded contract. Motion by Mr. Britton; second by Dr. Miller. The administration reported a $15,000 deduct change order, reducing the contract from $334,594 to $319,594 and that construction costs will be paid from the Child Nutrition Fund (Fund 240).
- Project completion, Amanda Rochul Elementary School: Trustees accepted the substantial completion and authorized final payment. Motion by Dr. Miller; second by Dr. Packer. The board was told a deduct change order of $1,141,034 will reduce the April 2023 contract amount of $38,576,101 to a final contract amount of $37,434,869; costs charged to the 2021 bond authorization.
- Consultant and delivery method approvals (competitive sealed proposals or cooperative contracts) for multiple facility projects: trustees approved consultant design services and project delivery methods for roof replacements at Springer and Pullen elementaries (Armco Industries); HVAC equipment replacement at Springer, Hartman and Jones elementaries (SS McClure & Associates); building-envelope repairs at Rockwall High School multipurpose building (Armco Industries); and a sewer-line repair at Utley Middle School (cooperative purchase). Motions were made and seconded; all passed with six votes in favor, none opposed, one absent. Administration said the work will be paid from the 2021 bond authorization unless otherwise noted.
- Purchase of school buses: The board authorized administration to solicit cooperative quotes for new buses to meet route growth and seat-belt/amenity requirements. The district estimated a projected total cost around $1,600,000 (about $160,000 per unit) to procure multiple 77-passenger buses and said final purchases will be charged to the 2021 bond authorization. Motion by Mr. Councilman; second by Mr. Du Bois; vote six in favor, none against, one absent.
- Utley Middle School sewer-line repair: Trustees approved consultant and delivery agreement for a sewer line replacement at Utley Middle School and directed administration to pursue quotes with the intent to perform the work in summer to minimize campus disruption. Motion by Mr. Councilman; second by Dr. Packer. Administration said the affected pipe is an older cast-iron run beneath the building that requires removal of slab and replacement of several hundred feet of piping.
- Emergency-closure employee pay resolution: The board adopted a resolution continuing regular wage payments for eligible employees for the district's Jan. 9-10, 2025 emergency closure, with overtime rules for nonexempt employees consistent with policy DEA Local. Motion by Dr. Miller; second by Mr. Councilman. The resolution specifies exclusions (employees on unpaid leave, substitutes not on regular duty schedules and employees restricted from working due to physician notes) and directs the superintendent or designee to approve payments and keep time records.
- District calendar 2025-26: Trustees approved the 2025-26 district calendar that includes a July professional-development start, a student first day of Aug. 12, a fall break (professional development exchange days), spring break aligned with Collin College, and 170 days of instruction with 187 teacher contract days. Motion by Dr. Miller; second by Mr. Britton.
- Order of election for May 3, 2025: The board set the May 3, 2025 Rockwall ISD general election date for Board of Trustees places 4 and 5. Motion by Mr. Councilman; second by Mr. Du Bois.
- Superintendent annual appraisal and consent agenda: Following a closed session the board approved the superintendent's annual appraisal and accepted the consent agenda, both by recorded roll call with six votes in favor and one absent.
Board members who voted yes in roll calls were: Amy Hilton (board president), Frank Consselman (vice president), Grant Du Bois (trustee), Stan Britton (trustee), Dr. Bart Miller (trustee), and Dr. Sherry Packer (board secretary). Trustee Jim White was absent for recorded votes.
Most items were routine approvals tied to the district's 2021 bond program or ongoing operations; the administration provided summaries of funding sources and change orders when applicable.
