Is it frugal for Comal ISD to build three swimming pools at a time of recession? in other words, is Comal ISD being fiscally responsible with taxpayer money?
Does Comal ISD abuse the Rule of law?
Is Comal ISD in the LEASING\Real Estate Business?
NEWS RELEASE
Board of Trustees - Jan. 28, 2010
MEETING SUMMARY
COMAL ISD school Purchase of proposed high school site approved
SOURCE: cisd -The board approved the proposed resolution authorizing the purchase of approximately 68 acres on the south side of FM 2252, approximately .2 miles west of IH 35 for approximately $1.4 million. The purchase is funded through Bond 2008.
Comal ISD architects and engineers have inspected and reviewed this site finding it to be suitable for a future high school site, but funding for a new high school would have to come through a future bond issue. The proposed attendance zone would include the area north of the Cibolo Creek (including Garden Ridge) northward to the south New Braunfels area.
Purchase of proposed high school site approved(again)
The board approved the proposed resolution authorizing the purchase of approximately 68 acres on the south side of FM 2252, approximately .2 miles west of IH 35 for approximately $1.4 million. The purchase is funded through Bond 2008.
Comal ISD architects and engineers have inspected and reviewed this site finding it to be suitable for a future high school site, but funding for a new high school would have to come through a future bond issue. The proposed attendance zone would include the area north of the Cibolo Creek (including Garden Ridge) northward to the south New Braunfels area.
COMAL ISD school Board approves consideration of earnest money contract 
source cisd -The board approved a proposed earnest money contract in the amount of $4.5 million for the purchase of two properties located on either side of the future Kinder Parkway off of Borgfeld Road. One property is a 30 acre tract with an intended use as a middle school site, and the other property is a 42 acre tract, which is contiguous to Comal ISD’s existing 38 acre tract and increases the size of that property for a possible high school site of 80 acres. The total proposed acquisition is 72 acres.
WHERE ARE THE DETAILS?
COMAL ISD school Board renews superintendent’s contract
source CISD -Comal ISD Superintendent Dr. Marc Walker’s contract is currently set to expire June 30, 2012, and the board approved a year extension through June 30, 2013.
What are the specifics of this transaction?
Board approves district, campus 2009-10 improvement plans
source cisd - Annually, the board has the responsibility to ensure district and individual campus improvement plans are developed, reviewed, and revised for the purpose of improving student performance. The board approved the district and campus plans as they were presented for the 2009-10 school year. To view the updated district improvement plan and each campus improvement plan, please visit http://www.comalisd.org/About_Us/District_Improvement_Plan.asp. The Comal ISD regular school board meeting on September 23.
Comal ISD Construction report - Construction projects are moving along in Comal ISD. Bond 2005
The Bond 2005 projects including Freiheit, Startzville, Goodwin Frazier, Timberwood Park, Morningside, Arlon Seay, Johnson Ranch and Oak Creek elementary schools, Mt. Valley and Smithson Valley middle schools, and the conversion of CIS to Church Hill Middle School are all completed.
Ceiling grid installation and exterior work are still in progress at Rahe Bulverde Elementary School, but finishes have started in several areas of the school. Students are expected to be in the new RBES in January.
Foundations are poured and sitework continues at Clear Spring Elementary in New Braunfels.
Bond 2008
At Canyon High School, the press box, detention pond, CATE building, bleacher expansion, field house expansion and spring field house are complete. Masonry work continues on the two-story classroom wing and foundation work is ongoing in front of the school. The pool is scheduled to be finished soon.
The pool at Smithson Valley High School along with the pool building, animal barn, student parking lots, new public water line, renovation of existing ag building, the press box, the new ag building and the bleacher expansion are all complete. Drilling the foundation piers for the new wing is ongoing and so is fencing and drainage work. The pad for the field house addition is also complete.
Comal ISD - MEETING SUMMARY
The Canyon Lake High School field house expansion is up for bids as of Sept. 24, and the sitework and site utilities are ongoing for the ag barn.
Excavation and building pad construction are ongoing along with site utilities at Garden Ridge Elementary School.
Drawings are in progress for Church Hill Middle School and the project is scheduled to bid out in January 2010. At Canyon Middle School, interior remodeling is ongoing. The foundation has been poured on the addition and the contractor is waiting on structural steel.
Construction on the new wing of Spring Branch Middle School is underway.
The foundation has been poured, steel erected and masonry walls are under construction for the kitchen expansion at Goodwin Frazier Elementary.
Board approves purchase of elementary school site
The board approved the resolution to consummate the purchase of a little more than 25 acres of land in the Vintage Oaks subdivision on Hwy 46. The site is located about 300 feet west of the Vintage Oaks amenity center and is being purchased for approximately $7,500 per acre.
Board declares old Goodwin Primary school as a surplus
The board declared the property at 1297 Church Hill Drive in New Braunfels (the old Goodwin Primary School) as surplus for sale or trade, which allows the district to begin accepting bids for the property.
Once Memorial High School is completed, the former Goodwin Primary will no longer be used to educate Comal ISD students or house district operations. With board approval, the district may dispose of the property for fair market value.
For the last couple of years, CISD has rented half of the building out to the city and county to house college courses. At this point, district officials have stated there is no need for CISD to continue using the building.
Are the Johnson Ranch Developers “misinformed”?→ Johnson Ranch Elementary School; As a reflection of the commitment to providing the full community lifestyle, the developer donated a 16-acre school site to Comal ISD for a new elementary school. The convenience of the new $15 million Johnson Ranch Elementary School will allow kids living in Johnson Ranch to walk or bike to school without ever getting on a major highway. The Johnson Ranch Elementary will open in the fall of 2009 and is expected to ultimately be comprised solely of Johnson Ranch residents.
Jan.2009: IS the Johnson Ranch Residential Development Project delayed, again, Yet,the Johnson Ranch area CISD elementary school PK-5 project going forward? With the recent downturn in the economy, does Comal ISD need to remain as aggressive in its new building projects? On August 2008: Thomas Bloxham, assistant superintendent of Support Services, provided a construction update on the 13 Bond 2005 projects. Rahe Bulverde Elementary’s renovation has been delayed because the new Johnson Ranch area elementary in Bulverde is getting started later than anticipated. The district was trying to get Johnson Ranch open in August 2008 but was delayed due to city(Bulverde,Tx) and developer issues over the last couple of years. The school will open in August 2009 instead. Once it opens, the district will move a large portion of Rahe Bulverde’s students to the new school (Johnson Ranch) making it safer for RBES to undergo a major renovation.
August 27, 2008-Comal ISD hires more "Construction Manager at Risk". Why? Is it because they want to wash their hands clean when it comes to spending taxpayer $$ aka
NO ACCOUNTABILITY of how our money is spent??
In other words, if one were to ask to have access to view copies of details of how our money was spent in building a school, Comal ISD would not be able to provide information. The construction company hired would be a private business, not a governmental entity, therefore, they would not 'have' to allowed taxpayers to see any documents. Is it possible Superintendents, and board members to make 'handshake' deals behind closed doors?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Construction Updates: Approval of Construction Manager At-Risk for the Construction
'construction manager at-risk was approved for the construction'
A construction manager at-risk was approved for the construction of the Oak Creek area elementary. Baird/Williams Construction, the company that built Freiheit Elementary, was hired to manage the Oak Creek school that is scheduled to open in August 2009. Oak Creek is located between IH 35 and Goodwin Lane on the north side of New Braunfels. Action was postponed on approving a contractor for the Johnson Ranch area elementary until a board meeting in January.
The board approved the purchase of 15 acres off Hwy. 46 East near the Avery Park subdivision just outside of New Braunfels. The land will be used to build an elementary school in the next bond issue. Total purchase price is almost $390,000.
Thomas Bloxham, assistant superintendent of Support Services, provided a construction update on the 13 Bond 2005 projects. Three of them are currently running behind. Smithson Valley Middle’s renovation project has been waiting for a spectic system permit. That approval is imminent and construction will start soon. Most, but not all of the $8 million project will be completed by August 2008, which is a few months later than initially projected.
Rahe Bulverde Elementary’s renovation has been delayed because the new Johnson Ranch area elementary in Bulverde is getting started later than anticipated. The district was trying to get Johnson Ranch open in August 2008 but was delayed due to city and developer issues over the last couple of years. The school will open in August 2009 instead. Once it opens, the district will move a large portion of Rahe Bulverde’s students to the new school (Johnson Ranch) making it safer for RBES to undergo a major renovation.
Thomas Bloxham said the RBES renovation project will cost the district more than it anticipated in Bond 2005 because the scope of the project has expanded. The school board is considering several construction options. One idea is to see if the Bulverde Community Center and Bowling League, currently situated between the Rahe campus and the Bulverde campus, would be willing to trade properties with Comal ISD so Rahe Bulverde Elementary could be housed on one contiguous property. District officials will be meeting with community center officials in mid-January to explore the possibility.
The board also approved a 30-year lease extension for a 200’ x 200’ ground space located in a designated area on the west side of the Smithson Valley Middle campus.
The Comal ISD school board members all support a 2008 school bond.
Will this cause taxpayers property taxes to go up? YES
• Homeowners are stuggling with the economy, so are Comal County taxpayers willing to vote for a school bond that will only raise our property taxes?
Comal Independent School District Board Meeting Minutes
→ ComalISD Board Meeting Minutes aka COMAL ISD BOARD BOOK
Board Meeting Minutes - December 13, 2007 meeting
Bill Swint called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM at the Comal ISD Support Services Building. A quorum was present; notice of this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551.
Board Members Present:Dan K. Krueger, *David Spencer, Carolyn Miller, Bill Swint, Frank Baker, Donna Holmes, Carol Keller, *David Spencer arrived at approximately 6:25 PM
Administrators Present: Marc Walker, Thomas Bloxham, Debra Smith, Jodi Duron, Janet Levine, Peggy Fuller, Kari Hutchison, Guillermo Nieri, Beth Wallace, Armando Maese, Jim Rodrigue, Becky Walker, Sandra Shelton, Chris Trotter, Brad Brown, Link Fuller, Patti Vlieger, Tammy Lind, Maggie Hanna, Janice Tubb, Sharon Richardson, Joni Coker, Ross McGlothlin
Members of the Press: Roger Croteau, San Antonio Express-News, Georgia Fisher, New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung ;
Marc Walker presented academic calendars for the next two years, which were developed in collaboration with the New Braunfels ISD. Calendars were then reviewed by the administrative cabinet, principals, and the superintendent’s advisory committee. Calendars are similar for both years and have 177 instructional days and a combination of staff development and workdays totaling 10. Dr. Walker recommended both calendars be approved as presented.
Upon a motion by Dan Krueger, second by Donna Holmes, the Board approved the 2008-09 and 2009-10 calendars as presented. - For: 7 Against: 0 Absent: 0 -
5. Approval of Construction Manager At-Risk for the Construction of an Oak Creek
Area Elementary School
Thomas Bloxham presented proposals for a construction manager at-risk for the new
elementary school in the Oak Creek area of New Braunfels. Following evaluation of the
companies who submitted proposals, Marc Walker recommended hiring Baird Williams Construction Company for this project. → Upon a motion by Dan Krueger, second by Frank Baker, the Board approved Baird Wiliams Construction as the construction manager at-risk for the construction of an elementary school in the Oak Creek area of New Braunfels.
For: 7 Against: 0 Absent: 0
6. Construction of Johnson Ranch Area Elementary School
Thomas Bloxham reported that competitive sealed proposals were received from general
contractors on December 11. Mr. Bloxham requested additional time to evaluate the proposals and check references. Marc Walker recommended the Board postpone action until January 17, 2008. Upon a motion by Dan Krueger, second by Frank Baker, the Board postponed approving a competitive sealed proposal to construct an elementary school in the Johnson Ranch area until January 17, 2008.
For: 7 Against: 0 Absent: 0
7A. Approval of Consent Agenda Items
Upon a motion by Dan Krueger, second by Donna Holmes, the following items were approved from the consent agenda:
7B. Board meeting minutes of November 15, November 27, December 4, and December 5,
2007
7C. Financial Statement and Expenditures for November, 2007
7D. Monthly Tax Office reports for October and November, 2007
7E. Adjunct Staff Member Status for Comal County Extension faculty for 2007-08
7F. Textbook Adoption Committee of: Janet Levine, CO/Superintendent’s Designee/
Committee Chair; Joanna Henry, CO; Amy Littleton, CO; Jackie Morin, FES; Tamera
Tidwell, ASIS; Stacey Robinett, RCES; Myrna Grimm, CES; Georgeann Stoore, RBES;
Kelly Bingham, HLES; Nancy McDonald, SES; Pamela Perez, BBES; Trista DeLa Cruz,
GFES; Cathy Stelzer, STZES; Sean Maika, TPES/MES
7G. High School Allotment Goals for 2007-08
7H. Purchase of Eduphoria curriculum management software
7I. Purchase of Scholastic Read 180 licenses for Smithson Valley and Canyon high schools
(C. Keller abstained)
7J. Child Nutrition Smallwares Bid for 2007-10 as presented on pages 58-69 of the agenda
For: 7 Against: 0 Absent: 0
8A. Construction Report
David Swain submitted a written report summarizing the status of Canyon Lake High School from the 1999 bond project. Mr. Swain’s report also covered 2005 bond projects at Startzville Elementary, Freiheit Elementary, Timberwood Park Elementary, Goodwin Frazier Elementary renovations, Church Hill Middle renovations, Morningside Elementary, Mountain Valley Middle, Johnson Ranch Elementary, Arlon Seay renovations, Smithson Valley Middle renovations, plans for Rahe Bulverde, and plans for Oak Creek. Thomas Bloxham’s Power Point presentation updated the Board on current construction projects. Mr. Bloxham stated that renovations at Smithson Valley Middle School would not be finished by the start of the 2008-09 school year.
What does a COMAL ISD "Project Consultant" do?
Why are there “General Improvements” of an undisclosed amount to Bill Brown Elementary that the district plans to sell in the near future? How is this showing good stewardship to the taxpayers?Homeowners are stuggling with the economy..Read more) - Do accountability issues exist in Comal ISD? What is Comal ISD doing with taxpayer MONEY$$?
Does Dan Krueger's Comal ISD School Board position have some influence on kitchen equipment purchased for Comal ISD schools?$$$
Did you know ??...The district will receive at least The grant,in partnership with agencies and community groups, will focus on promoting healthy students and preventing violence and alchohol and other drug abuse.
Comal Independent School District
Board Meeting Minutes
October 24, 2007
Bill Swint called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM at Church Hill Middle School. A quorum was present; notice of this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551.
Board Members Present: Bill Swint, Frank Baker, Donna Holmes, Dan K. Krueger,
David Spencer, Carolyn Miller
Board Members Absent: Carol Keller
Administrators Present: Marc Walker, Thomas Bloxham, Debra Smith, Janet
Levine, Deb Mahone, Peggy Fuller, Kari Hutchison,
Tracie Moos, Billy Becker, Guillermo Nieri, Beth Wallace,
Armando Maese, Jim Rodrigue, Joe Jones, Ed Monroe,
Bobbie Supak, Dirk Butler, Colin Rowe, Chris Trotter,Tammy Lind
Members of the Press: David Rauf, New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung
Note: From 5 – 5:45 PM, the Board toured Church Hill Middle School. The regular meeting
began at 6 PM in the District Support Services Building.
1. Approval of Agenda
Upon a motion by Donna Holmes, second by Carolyn Miller, the Board approved the agenda as presented by the administration for the meeting of the Comal ISD Board of Trustees on October 24, 2007.For: 6 Against: 0 Absent: 1
2. Public Hearing on Schools FIRST, Financial Accountability Rating
Debra Smith reported that for the fifth year in a row, the District received the highest rating of Superior Achievement, under the State’s financial accountability rating. Every school district in Texas is required to announce and hold a public meeting to distribute a financial management report that explains the District’s performance under each of the 21 indicators in the School First system. A superior rating is the highest standard given to districts that meet at least 19 of the 21 performance standards; Comal ISD passed all 21 standards to earn the superior achievement rating. Board president Bill Swint asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment; no public comments were made.
3. Audience Participation
Laura Linhart-Kistner, executive director of the Comal Public School Foundation (CPSF), invited
Board members to the CPSF’s Cajun Celebration on November 17 at the Kay Harrison
Auditorium, located in the New Braunfels Scooter Store.
Ronda Parsons, Canyon Lake and parent of a Smithson Valley High School student, addressed
the Board regarding the “A,B,C” grading system and the impact on a student’s GPA.
Thomas Parsons, Smithson Valley High School student, addressed the Board regarding the
“A,B,C” grading system (versus numeric grades) and the negative impact on his college
scholarship opportunities.
4. District Demographics Report: Student Enrollment Projections, Attendance Zones,Construction, Strategic Planning, and Facilities to Accommodate Student Growth
Strategic Planning: Marc Walker presented a draft of the District’s Strategic Plan, which was developed based upon input from approximately 350 individuals (Board members,
administrators, and community members). Do you know that 'certain community members' are appointed by the board members and superintendent?The plan identified the following seven areas:
student performance, student growth/facilities, technology, communication, fiscal management,personnel, career and technology. During the next several months, the Board and administration will incorporate specific objectives and finalize the plan.
Student Enrollment Projections, Attendance Zones: Nancy Cobb, the District’s demographer,updated the Board on projected student enrollment. Ms. Cobb’s report indicated that the District had grown by about 5.5 percent each year since 2003. Current enrollment is approximately 15,100 students, and Ms. Cobb’s report projected about 22,000 students by 2014. Nancy Cobb’s report also included a review of attendance zones for 2008-09 and 2009-10.
In 2008-09 the following changes occur:
Timberwood Park Elementary opens PK-5; Specht Elementary becomes PK-5 and boundaries change Morningside Elementary opens PK-5; Comal Elementary boundaries change Arlon Seay becomes PK-5 elementary school; 5th graders return to their elementary schools at Bill Brown, Rahe Bulverde, and Specht; Bill Brown and Rahe Bulverde boundaries change Mountain Valley Middle opens 6-8; Smithson Valley Middle boundaries change; all 6-8th graders in Rebecca Creek and Startzville boundaries begin attending Mountain Valley middle (no grandfathering)
All middle school students (6-8th) living in Specht’s boundaries start attending Smithson Valley Middle (no grandfathering); Spring Branch Middle boundaries change In 2009-10 the following changes occur:
Johnson Ranch area elementary opens PK-5; Specht and Rahe Bulverde boundaries Change
Oak Creek area elementary opens PK-5; Hoffmann Lane Elementary boundaries change
Maps will be attached to and made part of the official minutes.
In order to accommodate projected student growth, Ms. Cobb recommended the following:
New elementary school in Avery Park area of New Braunfels (to relieve Freiheit)
New elementary school in Canyon Lake area (to relieve Rebecca Creek and Startzville)
New elementary school in Kinder Ranch area (western part of District)
New elementary school in Garden Ridge area (possible closure of Comal Elementary)
Expansion of all middle schools to accommodate 1,298 students each
Expansion of Canyon High and Smithson Valley High to accommodate 2,575 students each Construction: Tom Oehler of SHW Group Architects presented comprehensive information on school site sizes, parking, city codes, ordinances, and sample school site designs. Tavo Reyes,SHW Group, presented preliminary site plans to expand Canyon High School.
Facilities: Marc Walker presented a tentative plan for a 2008 bond election, based upon the following previously established District standards:
Elementary schools: PK-5 (824 maximum students)
Middle schools: 6-8th grade (1,298 maximum students)
High schools: 9-12th grade (2,575 maximum students)
Dr. Walker’s recommendations included the following:
Project Proposed Opening
New elementary Avery Park area of New Braunfels ...... ................................. 2009-10
New elementary Canyon Lake area to relieve Startzville & Rebecca Creek .... 2010-11
New elementary Kinder Tract area near US281/Borgfeld Road....................... 2011-12
New elementary FM3009 area of Garden Ridge............ ................................. 2011-12
Project Proposed Start
Expand/renovate Canyon High to accommodate 2,575 students..................... 2008-09
(18-24 months for completion)
Expand/renovate Smithson Valley High to accommodate 2,575 students ....... 2009-10
(18-24 months for completion)
Expand/renovate middle schools to accommodate 1,298 students
Spring Branch Middle School ....................................................................... 2008-09
Canyon Middle School ............................................................................... 2009-10
Smithson Valley Middle School .................................................................... 2009-10
Church Hill Middle School .......................................................................... 2009-10
Mountain Valley Middle School .................................................................... 2010-11
(18-24 months for completion)
In addition, Dr. Walker recommended that the next bond:
Standardize all elementary school playgrounds
Air condition all elementary and middle school gymnasiums
Provide technology upgrades
Include capital projects and land acquisitions (no detail explanation to the public)
Preliminary cost estimates for the above projects total approximately $239 million. The Board and administration will continue to discuss a possible bond issue at future meetings.
5A. Approval of Consent Agenda Items
Upon a motion by David Spencer, second by Frank Baker, the following items were approved from the consent agenda:
5B. Board meeting minutes of September 18 and 20, 2008
5C. Financial Statement and Expenditures for September, 2007
5D. Tax office report for September, 2007
5E. Certification of Comal County 2007 Total Ad Valorum Tax Levy of $99,524,245.71
5F. Super Freeport resolution to tax tangible personal property in transit which would
otherwise be exempt pursuant to Texas Tax Code, Section 11.253.
5G. Out-of-state student travel for Smithson Valley High School Cheerleaders to attend
national competition in Orlando, Florida, February 7-11, 2008 (3 days absent from school)
5H. Scholastic Read 180 license purchase in the amount of $33,495
5I. Change to elementary grading guidelines as presented on page 49 of the agenda
5J. Changes to Board policy BQA Local as presented on pages 52-54 of the agenda
5K. Grant award and year-one budget for the Safe Schools Healthy Students grant (9/1/2007-8/31/2008)
5L. Tobacco Compliance Grant funds of $5,000 for the 2007-08 school year
5M. Sanitation services bid 07-29 to IESI as presented on pages 70-71 of the agenda
5N. Grant evaluation services RFQ 07-32 to Zajorc Corporation as presented on page 73 of the agenda
5O. Smithson Valley Middle School track bid to Alamo City Constructors as presented on page 75 of the agenda
5Q. Energy conservation resolution (copy attached to and made part of official minutes)
For: 6 Against: 0 Absent: 1
5P. Name of New Elementary School in Johnson Ranch Development
Marc Walker reported that the family of Clyde Johnson, Jr. donated about 16 acres of land to the Comal ISD to build an elementary school in the Johnson Ranch Development near the intersection of US 281 and Texas 46. Mr. Johnson’s family asked that the school be named after him. The name “Clyde Johnson, Jr.” does fit the criteria outlined in Board policy CW Local; however,the policy stipulates that a committee shall be used in the process. Since the land was a donation, Dr. Walker suggested the Board move forward in naming the school after Mr.Johnson, without involving a committee.
Following discussion among Board members, Frank Baker motioned to table action until
January, 2008, in order to allow the committee process to be followed; Dan Krueger seconded.
For: 6 Against: 0 Absent: 1
6A. Construction Report
David Swain submitted a written report summarizing the status of Canyon Lake High School from the 1999 bond project.Mr. Swain’s report also covered 2005 bond projects at Startzville Elementary, Freiheit Elementary, Timberwood Park Elementary, Goodwin Frazier Elementary renovations, Church Hill Middle renovations, Morningside Elementary, Mountain Valley Middle, Johnson Ranch Elementary, Arlon Seay renovations, Smithson Valley Middle renovations, plans for Rahe Bulverde, and plans for Oak Creek. Using a PowerPoint, Thomas Bloxham showed construction progress at several projects.
6B. Quarterly Investment Report
In accordance with the Public Funds Investment Act, Debra Smith submitted the quarterly report of investment transactions.
6C. Board Policy Update 81 and GBAA Local
Armando Maese reported that policy Update 81 addresses school-related provisions from Legislative action of the 80th Legislature. Several bills prompted revision. Update 81 was presented as a report for review at this meeting and will appear as an action item on the November 15, 2007 Board meeting agenda.
Policy GBAA Local is a new policy referring to large or frequent public information requests.
This policy was also presented as a report for review and will appear as an action item on the November 15, 2007 Board meeting agenda.
6D. Local Education Agency (LEA) Determination of Progress
In accordance with IDEIA, states are required to make determinations on the performance of Local Education Agencies (LEA) programs. LEAs are identified as (1) meets requirements, (2) needs assistance, (3) needs intervention, or (4) needs substantial intervention. For the 2006
Determination of Progress (based upon data from 2005-06), Shanie Bowers reported that
Comal ISD was rated as (1) meets requirements.
7. Closed Session
Board President Bill Swintannounced that beginning at 9:33 PM, the Board would convene in closed session pursuant to Sections 551.071 through 551.084 of the Texas Government Code to discuss items 7A-B.
The Board ended closed session and reconvened in open session at 10:50 PM.
8. Approval of Contractual Personnel
Upon a motion by Dan Krueger, second by Frank Baker, the Board approved employments as presented. A copy will be attached to and made part of the official minutes.
For: 6 Against: 0 Absent: 1
9. Approval of Earnest Money Contract for Land in East Highway 46 Area of New
Braunfels
Upon a motion by Dan Krueger, second by Frank Baker, the Board approved earnest money contracts for the purchase of 15.124 acres of land at a cost of $389,980 plus approximately $20,000 in associated fees and expenses. Will the public ever know the details?
For: 6 Against: 0 Absent: 1
10. Approval of Lease Agreement with Silver State Helicopters to Lease Vacant Comal ISD Facilities
Marc Walker reported that Silver State Helicopters approached the District for temporary office and storage space for its New Braunfels operation. The old central office and food service warehouse met their needs. A one-year lease agreement was prepared by District attorneys, generating an income of $15,795 per month,with an option to renew for an additional year with an increase in rent commensurate with the Consumer Price Index.
Upon a motion by Dan Krueger, second by Donna Holmes, the Board ratified the lease
agreement with Silver State Helicopters.
For: 6 Against: 0 Absent: 1
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:57 PM.
Academics and Sports - Does one outweigh the other?
ComalISD Board Meeting Minutes aka BOARDBOOK
August 27, 2008-Comal ISD hires more "Construction Manager at Risk". Why? Is it because they want to wash their hands clean when it comes to spending taxpayer $$ aka
NO ACCOUNTABILITY of how our money is spent??
In other words, if one were to ask to view copies of details of how our money was spent in building a school, Comal ISD would not be able to provide information. The construction company hired would be a private business, not a governmental entity, therefore, they would not 'have' to allowed taxpayers to see any documents. Is it possible Superintendents, and board members to make 'handshake' deals behind closed doors? more soon
Jan.2009: IS the Johnson Ranch Residential Development Project delayed, again, Yet,the Johnson Ranch area CISD elementary school PK-5 project going forward? With the recent downturn in the economy, does Comal ISD need to remain as aggressive in its new building projects? On August 2008: Thomas Bloxham, assistant superintendent of Support Services, provided a construction update on the 13 Bond 2005 projects. Rahe Bulverde Elementary’s renovation has been delayed because the new Johnson Ranch area elementary in Bulverde is getting started later than anticipated. The district was trying to get Johnson Ranch open in August 2008 but was delayed due to city(Bulverde,Tx) and developer issues over the last couple of years. The school will open in August 2009 instead. Once it opens, the district will move a large portion of Rahe Bulverde’s students to the new school (Johnson Ranch) making it safer for RBES to undergo a major renovation.
So much for Comal isd demographics 
The Comal ISD regular school board meeting on September 23.
Comal ISD Construction report - Construction projects are moving along in Comal ISD. Bond 2005
The Bond 2005 projects including Freiheit, Startzville, Goodwin Frazier, Timberwood Park, Morningside, Arlon Seay, Johnson Ranch and Oak Creek elementary schools, Mt. Valley and Smithson Valley middle schools, and the conversion of CIS to Church Hill Middle School are all completed.
Ceiling grid installation and exterior work are still in progress at Rahe Bulverde Elementary School, but finishes have started in several areas of the school. Students are expected to be in the new RBES in January.
Foundations are poured and sitework continues at Clear Spring Elementary in New Braunfels.
Bond 2008
At Canyon High School, the press box, detention pond, CATE building, bleacher expansion, field house expansion and spring field house are complete. Masonry work continues on the two-story classroom wing and foundation work is ongoing in front of the school. The pool is scheduled to be finished soon.
The pool at Smithson Valley High School along with the pool building, animal barn, student parking lots, new public water line, renovation of existing ag building, the press box, the new ag building and the bleacher expansion are all complete. Drilling the foundation piers for the new wing is ongoing and so is fencing and drainage work. The pad for the field house addition is also complete.
Comal ISD - MEETING SUMMARY
The Canyon Lake High School field house expansion is up for bids as of Sept. 24, and the sitework and site utilities are ongoing for the ag barn.
Excavation and building pad construction are ongoing along with site utilities at Garden Ridge Elementary School.
Drawings are in progress for Church Hill Middle School and the project is scheduled to bid out in January 2010. At Canyon Middle School, interior remodeling is ongoing. The foundation has been poured on the addition and the contractor is waiting on structural steel.
Construction on the new wing of Spring Branch Middle School is underway.
The foundation has been poured, steel erected and masonry walls are under construction for the kitchen expansion at Goodwin Frazier Elementary.
Board approves purchase of elementary school site
The board approved the resolution to consummate the purchase of a little more than 25 acres of land in the Vintage Oaks subdivision on Hwy 46. The site is located about 300 feet west of the Vintage Oaks amenity center and is being purchased for approximately $7,500 per acre.
Board declares old Goodwin Primary school as a surplus
The board declared the property at 1297 Church Hill Drive in New Braunfels (the old Goodwin Primary School) as surplus for sale or trade, which allows the district to begin accepting bids for the property.
Once Memorial High School is completed, the former Goodwin Primary will no longer be used to educate Comal ISD students or house district operations. With board approval, the district may dispose of the property for fair market value.
For the last couple of years, CISD has rented half of the building out to the city and county to house college courses. At this point, district officials have stated there is no need for CISD to continue using the building.