Gatesville ISD board approves college MOUs, mobile dental services, instructional materials, E-rate contract and 2026–27 calendar
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Summary
The Gatesville ISD board approved several partnerships and routine items including MOUs with Temple College and Hill College, a transition of some dual-credit courses to Angelo State, renewal of a mobile dentist MOU, instructional materials expansion, an E-rate technology contract and next year's calendar.
The Gatesville ISD board approved a slate of partnership agreements, instructional materials and contracts at its meeting, voting to continue dual-credit opportunities and student services while adopting next year's school calendar.
Board members approved a memorandum of understanding with Temple College's Texas Bioscience Institute to continue dual-credit opportunities for Gatesville High School students; presenters said two students are currently enrolled and two more are expected in 2026–27. Speaker 5 described the Temple partnership as "routine," and the board adopted the MOU by voice vote.
The board also approved a new MOU with Hill College to meet a Texas Education Code requirement that districts offer material partnerships to prepare seniors for college-level math and English and to code eligible courses under CCMR accountability. Speaker 8 said Hill College will provide curriculum support and faculty collaboration to improve TSI (Texas Success Initiative) outcomes.
On dual-credit course delivery, the board approved a recommendation to move three coursescollege algebra, statistics and English 1301/1302from UT OnRamps to Angelo State University. Speaker 8 said the change will allow math courses to be offered on a semester basis (so seniors can take both college algebra and statistics) and provide closer faculty support in English for issues such as student use of artificial-intelligence tools. UT OnRamps will continue to provide US history, chemistry and biology.
The board renewed an MOU with the Department of Human Services to continue an annual mobile dentist program that will visit primary and elementary/intermediate campuses for three days in April; Speaker 13 said students receive free cleanings, fillings and referrals when needed and that the agreement extends through 2030.
The district approved its annual instructional materials list and certified that the adopted materials cover the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills). The board also approved an expansion of the Bluebonnet program, using state-designated Bluebonnet funds to expand reading and math resources for younger grades, a move staff said was based on teacher recommendations and classroom observations.
On technology, the board authorized the district to contract with Technology for Education (TFE) for E-rate Category 2 equipment, cabling and licensing. Speaker 7 said the total contract award to TFE was $146,000 and the district's roughly 20% share was about $29,260.
Finally, the board approved next year's calendar ("A" version). Superintendent (Speaker 3) highlighted an added fall break (a four-day weekend around Sept. 8–9), alignment of spring break with nearby districts and embedded bad-weather days so the district can avoid making up minor closures.
All of the listed items were approved by voice vote during the public meeting. The board then moved into executive session.
