CISD board gets update on construction projects
The Cameron ISD School Board heard an update from the construction team about the progress of the new Career and Technology Center and renovations to the district’s Ag facilities during a meeting on Monday night.
Dave Pfingsten with EBCO General Contractors and his team updated the board.
There are two months remaining in the contract and the project is currently in budget.
“We are still looking to finish in the contractual time frame,” Pfingsten said. “A lot of stuff is happening and we are working to have a successful project for the community that we can see and enjoy every day.”
He said they are very excited about how the project is moving along and a lot of things are coming along.
The elevator was installed last week and air conditioning is now running in Old Yoe. Flooring is currently being installed and everything is coming together. The restored auditorium is coming together and the seats have been restored and refinished.
Work also continues on the new vet tech center and the welding shop and Ag building. The buildings should be ready for the start of school with the exception of the crane in the welding shop which will be completed in October during the weekends.
The board also discussed the salary schedules for the coming school year. There will be no change in the salary schedule for the coming year with a step increase.
Superintendent Kevin Sprinkles did recommend an increase to the district’s amount they contribute for healthcare from $325 to $400 per month.
“We feel like in order to be in strong competition with other districts we need to bump that up,” Sprinkles said.
Board member Alan Patterson suggested that the district raise the contribution to cover the cost of the high deductible plan for a single person, asking if that would attract new teachers to the district.
“If we want to do that we can adjust to cover the complete cost of that plan and apply it across the board,” Sprinkles said. “That could be a recruiting tool for younger folks coming in.”
The board decided to continue discussion on the topic and look at the budget before making a decision.
The board also discussed considering homeschool students participation in UIL athletics.
Several board members voiced concern over opening the door to allow that at this time. There has been no interest or requests for this in the district at this time.
“At the end of the day would it be a positive or negative in our ability to educate kids,” Patterson said. “At this point I don’t think it is something we should consider. There are all kinds of things to consider including no pass no play.”
Board member James Burkes said he feels that the parents have already made a decision when they decided to homeschool about participation in athletics.
The board decided to not take action to allow homeschool students to participate until there was a request from someone and then the could reconsider.
In other business the board also: heard the business director’s report; appointed the Milam County Tax-Assessor Collector to calculate and prepare no new revenue and voter approved tax rates for Cameron ISD; approved CISD’s professional development plan for 2024-25; approved expenditures and compensation as part of the Teacher Incentive Allotment; appointed John Anderle to the Tourism Advisory Board; approved a new alarm system for Yoe High; and set a date for the budget workshop.