In a special session beginning at 5:00 p.m., the ROCKWALL ISD Board of Trustees voted 7-0 to hire Casey as athletic coordinator and head football coach at Rockwall Heath High School after a presentation of the candidate's record, including a 2023 Arkansas state championship.
Texas / School Districts / ROCKWALL ISD
After public comment and a student-services briefing on operational and legal issues, the Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees voted down a resolution to adopt a districtwide period for prayer or religious-text reading required by Senate Bill 11; the motion failed by show of hands, recorded as 0 in favor, 5 opposed, with 2 trustees absent.
Texas / School Districts / ROCKWALL ISD
Two parents urged the Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees to avoid adopting school‑sponsored prayer under SB 11, warning it could privilege a single faith expression, invite legal challenges and create administrative burdens; trustees did not deliberate on the subject during the public comment period.
Texas / School Districts / ROCKWALL ISD
District officials reported a record 79% AP passing rate and growth in advanced academic participation, including increases in AP exams administered (3,239) and dual‑credit enrollment; officials noted IB enrollment numbers and a minor reporting error in AP scholar counts.
Texas / School Districts / ROCKWALL ISD
At its Feb. 16 meeting the Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved multiple construction and procurement contracts, TEA waivers, a resolution continuing pay during emergency closures and a formal nomination of Superintendent John Villarreal for TASB Superintendent of the Year.
Texas / School Districts / ROCKWALL ISD
District multilingual services presented an annual bilingual/ESL update: 66 home languages reported (top three Spanish, Amharic, Arabic), bilingual programming was extended through fifth grade, and 268 students reclassified out of the emergent bilingual program last year.
Texas / School Districts / ROCKWALL ISD
Three community members described LifeWise Academy, a volunteer-run "release time" program they say will offer off-campus, privately funded Bible lessons for Rockwall ISD students and asked the board to allow coordination with school principals; the board received the comments and took no formal action.
Texas / School Districts / ROCKWALL ISD
District assessment director Katie Braden briefed the board on the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR), reporting an accountability rating of 89, attendance of 94.6% and zero reported dropouts in the 2023-24 data; TEA reports and campus improvement plans will be posted on the district website.
Texas / School Districts / ROCKWALL ISD
After returning from closed session, the Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the superintendents annual evaluation and a slate of administrative items including an HVAC equipment purchase, a roof design contract, the 2026-27 calendar, the order of election and local policy updates; all motions passed with recorded votes of 6 in favor, 0 opposed and 1 absent.
Texas / School Districts / ROCKWALL ISD
Trustees approved a broad set of policy revisions on governance, procurement, personnel, safety and instructional materials but excluded DEC (bereavement) pending additional data on participation, days and cost; the board will revisit DEC at the January meeting.