Board Briefing: March 2026

Posted Date: 03/19/26 (03:30 PM)

Board Briefing: March 2026

The Board of Directors convened this month for their regularly scheduled meeting to celebrate district-wide achievements, approve foundational budgets for the upcoming school year, and review progress on student safety and academic performance.

Celebrations

The meeting opened with celebrations

Student Achievement: We celebrated several individual milestones, including Andrew Ramirez receiving the FOX 44 Scholar Athlete of the Week award, Erin Lares winning an essay scholarship, and our VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event) students, two of whom are advancing to the state competition.
Athletics & Arts: Congratulations to the Ravens Boys Basketball team for reaching the Final Four and the One Act Play cast for advancing to the bi-district round.

Committee Updates & District Progress

District leadership and committees provided updates on the strategic initiatives driving our schools forward:

Special Populations & MTSS: Christina Fuller presented a comprehensive report on the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and special population programs, detailing the positive impact these initiatives are having on student outcomes district-wide.
Finance & Facilities: The Finance Committee reviewed the revenue and salary projections that shaped the 2026–2027 budget. While the Facilities Committee did not meet this cycle, the district continues to prepare for upcoming infrastructure milestones.
Community Feedback: The Board shared a heartfelt testimonial from a RAPS parent regarding their positive experience within the district, reinforcing our commitment to family engagement.

Governance & Operational Actions

Several key items were addressed to ensure the continued smooth operation and safety of the district:

Consent Agenda: The Board unanimously approved the January financials, February minutes, and enrollment reports. Essential infrastructure and service requests were also finalized, including a server purchase and necessary HVAC repairs.
Policy & Safety: Initial discussions were held regarding new legislation for school bus seatbelts. Additionally, a draft policy for Artificial Intelligence Use was introduced for board review. The Board also certified resolutions ensuring strict compliance with state real-estate benefit requirements (HB 1707/HB 2).
School Safety: An update was provided on safety audits and initiatives, with special recognition given to the leadership of Chad Rumsey in advancing the district's security planning.

Financial Health & Strategic Outlook

The Board focused heavily on long-term planning and academic benchmarks to prepare for the future:

2026–2027 Budget Approval: Following detailed discussions on bond covenants and restructured positions, the Board approved the revenue, expense, and salary budget for the next school year. Itemized operational budgets will be finalized over the next two months.
Academic Benchmarks: The Board reviewed quarterly data comparing STAAR to SST performance, alongside Spring benchmark data for the Elementary, Quinn, and Meyer High campuses to ensure students remain on track for success.
Board Evaluation: The meeting concluded with a focus on leadership accountability, specifically regarding the Board’s self-evaluation and the Superintendent’s annual evaluation process.

Watch the FULL Board Meeting >

Board Highlight: Rachel E. Pate, Secretary

Rachel E. Pate is Vice President of Economic Development at the Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce in Waco, Texas. Rachel is a Waco native and graduate of University High School.

Since 2016, Rachel has served in various roles at the Chamber and championed the causes of small businesses, women, and historically underserved communities. She is a LeadershipPlenty Institute alumni (Round 6), Leadership Waco alumni (Class 39), Rapoport Academy Public School Board Member, Waco Police Academy Advisory Board Member, and the Lemonade Day-Waco City Director.

Rachel is also a proud mom, lifelong member of Toliver Chapel Church, lover of classic R&B and Motown music, fan of the great outdoors, and a dedicated wearer of Converse’s Chuck Taylor shoes.