ALL THE BUZZ

We are blessed! At our January meeting, we walked into the boardroom and were showered with gifts and the most amazing handmade posters/drawings for School Board Appreciation Month. We loved them all, but the most rewarding part of serving on the CISD Board of Trustees is watching our students succeed! At this month's meeting, we recognized FFA students, Junior High and High School All Region Band Qualifiers, Burleson County Soil and & Water Conservation contest winners, and Students/Staff of the Month!

Sincerely,

Krista Zwernemann

Caldwell ISD Board of Trustees

The Board meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM followed by the pledge and prayer, led by Pam Evans.

Public Hearing

ESSER Review: Heather Escalante, Chief Operations Officer, held a Public Hearing to discuss ESSER grant spending. The full presentation can be viewed HERE.

Annual Report: Erin Supak, Chief Academic Officer, held a Public Hearing to discuss the 2022-2023 CISD Annual Report. The full annual report is located on the district website HERE.

Recognize Students and Staff

Dr. James Barton, Caldwell ISD Superintendent, recognized Costa Shipley and Joslyn Adams, who were selected as Caldwell ISD’s “February Students of the Month.” Additionally, he recognized Cody Savell as the “February Employee of the Month.”

CALDWELL HIGH SCHOOL QUALIFIERS:

• Eunice Hernandez, Flute, Symphonic Band
• Ceylan Davis, Flute, Concert Band
• Aria Styes, Oboe, Symphonic Band
• Anthony Ramirez-Arroyo, Clarinet, Concert Band
• Maria Medina, Clarinet, Alternate
• Troy Thomas, Bass Clarinet, Symphonic Band
• Michael Butler, Contra Bass Clarinet, Symphonic Band
• Xeo Jimenez, Alto Saxophone, Symphonic Band
• Lander Groves, French Horn, Alternate
• Brody Bellg, Trombone, Wind Ensemble
• Grant Leubner, Euphonium, Symphonic Band
• Luke Canteberry, Euphonium, Concert Band
• Ty’Riana Morris, Tuba, Concert Band
• Hayden Mitchell, Tuba, Alternate

CALDWELL JUNIOR HIGH QUALIFIERS:

• Alina Dimas, Flute, Concert Band

• Emily Lopez, Clarinet, Concert Band

• Isabella Hernandez, Clarinet, Concert Band

• Kellie Triplett, Clarinet, Concert Band
• Brandy Gillar, Alto Sax, Alternate
• JonPaul Papini, Tenor Sax, Concert Band
• Ryder Shahan, Bassoon, Symphonic Band
• Cooper Albrecht, Trumpet, Concert Band
• Rogelio Hernandez, Trumpet, Concert Band
• Isadora Bautista, Horn, Symphonic Band
• Valeria Lopez, Horn, Concert Band
• Nate Murray, Trombone, Symphonic Band
• Coulter Suehs, Euphonium, Symphonic Band
• Emma Wells, Euphonium, Alternate

Lisa Pieper, CHS FFA (Future Farmers of America) Sponsor, recognized Cooper Odenbach, Emily Koch, and Kailey Simon(not pictured), who recently participated in the 96th Annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mrs. Supak recognized the following 2023 Burleson County Soil & Water Conservation District winners:

Poster Contest:

1st - Kyren Plachy (3rd Grade)

2nd - Elizabeth Tomlinson (3rd Grade)

Essay Contest:

1st - Army Panis (6th Grade, not pictured)

2nd Place - Colton Sears (6th Grade, not pictured)

3rd Place - Cloey Russ (6th Grade, not pictured)

Public Input

There was no public input this month.

Superintendent’s Report

Enrollment: The enrollment of Caldwell ISD is currently 1,933 students.

Informational Reports

Finance Reports: Heather Escalante, Chief Operating Officer, presented the December Financial Reports. The full report can be viewed HERE.

Investment Report from Mr. Novak: Kavon Novak, Financial Advisor, reported on the Kovar Endowment Fund, stating that the investments have been good and the current balance is $2,077,000.

New Business (Action Items)

Consider and Approve Investment Policy: Mrs. Escalante presented the district's investment policy. The District is in contract with Prosperity Bank for depository services until July 2025 and utilizes pool accounts for higher interest rates to ensure they make the most of taxpayer funds. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the investment policy as presented.

Consider and Approve Resolution to Pay Employees for the 2024 Winter Weather Closure: The Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution to pay hourly employees for the school closure day due to winter weather. The Board determined that the District will not require employees to make up work missed due to the closure of school facilities or operations as a result of the January 16th freeze.

Consider and Approve Budget Amendment: Mrs. Escalante requested the approval of a budget amendment to allow Child Nutrition to spend down excess fund balance. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the amendment as presented.

Consider and Approve Purchase Over $50K: Mrs. Escalante requested the purchase of approximately $256,000 in Chromebooks using ESSER funds. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the purchase for over $50K.

Consider and Approve 2024 Scholarship Committee: The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the scholarship committee comprised of district teachers, administration, a Board member, and a community member to select the 2024 Kovar Scholarship recipients. The committee will choose 5 students to receive 4 or 2 year scholarships and will award a total of $104,000.

Consider and Approve Credit by Examination Procedures: Mrs. Supak presented the credit by examination procedures for Kindergarten students wanting to skip a grade level. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the procedures as presented.

Call for General Election: The Board of Trustees called for an election to be held on May 4, 2024 for the purpose of electing:

• Two Caldwell ISD Trustee Vacancies (Mr. Cook and Mrs. Chollett)

Application for a place on the ballot should be filed by February 16, 2024.

Consent Agenda

Meeting Minutes: The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the meeting minutes.

Caldwell Independent School District was officially established as a public school district in 1923 and serves the northern and western portions of Burleson County. In 1990, Caldwell ISD became the largest school district in the county that serves just under 2,000 students and is comprised of four campuses: Caldwell Elementary (PK - 3rd), Caldwell Intermediate (4th - 6th), Caldwell Junior High School (7th - 8th), and Caldwell High School (9th -12th). The district also has a District Alternative Education Program and an Alternative Center of Education.

Caldwell ISD is the home of the Hornets. The official colors are Texas orange and white. Texas UIL classifies Caldwell ISD Hornets as a 4A district.

Email: info@caldwellisd.net
Website: caldwellschools.net
Location: 203 North Gray Street, Caldwell, TX, USA
Phone: 979-567-2400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaldwellISD
Twitter: @CaldwellProud

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caldwell_isd/