Interim superintendent reports enrollment growth, bond timing and SB11 requirements for prayer time

Interim Superintendent Travis Motel updated the board on enrollment, safety reviews, bond timing and pending state requirements.

Motel said week‑19 enrollment was 10,497 students, an increase of 603 over the previous year, and average attendance is about 95.7% (the district budgets at 94.5%). He reported the district has passed intruder audits conducted by Region 13 and the Texas Education Agency and noted a reunification training led by the I Love You Guys Foundation.

On finances, Motel said the district is preparing for its fourth sale tied to the voter‑approved 2023 bond program: the credit rating meeting had occurred and staff expect pricing in February and receipt of funds in March; funds from this sale are earmarked to construct Elementary No. 9. The administration also reviewed long‑range planning activities and said the attendance‑zone advisory committee will meet to compile town‑hall feedback and bring an updated recommendation to the board in February.

Motel also briefed trustees on Senate Bill 11, which requires school boards to adopt a resolution by March 1 if they choose to designate a time on campus for prayer and reading religious text. He said the district already allows voluntary individual prayer and pointed out that any designated time would have to be offered at all district campuses, occur during noninstructional time, be in a private monitored location, and require parental consent for participating students.

What happens next: staff will continue long‑range planning work, incorporate boundary feedback, and return to the board with recommendations on updated attendance zones and bond‑sale implementation timelines.