EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Comal & New Braunfels ISDs
COMPILED BY LAUREN CANTERBERRY
Comal ISD Meets April 28 and May 19 at 6 p.m. at the CISD District Office, 1404 N. I-35, New Braunfels. 830-221-2000 • www.comalisd.org New Braunfels ISD Meets April 11 and May 9 at 7 p.m. at the NBISD Administration Center, 1000 N. Walnut Ave., New Braunfels. 830-643-5705 • www.nbisd.org MEETINGSWE COVER should investigate the challenges teacher vacancies cause for school districts, according to the letter, and develop recommendations to address the issue. STATE HIGHLIGHT TEXAS In a March 7 letter to Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath, Gov. Greg Abbott directed the TEA to create a task force aimed at addressing ongoing staffing shortages in public schools. The task force NUMBER TOKNOW board of trustees in February, and $4.5 million was allocated to fund the positions. 65 campus-level positions were approved by the Comal ISD
School districts face special education staffing challenges NEWBRAUNFELS & COMAL ISDS Officials are anticipating that their special education departments will likely surpass their budgeted expenses for the 2021-22 school year. During a Feb. 24 board meeting, Comal ISD staff gave an update on difficulties in hiring speech language pathologists and diagnosticians. “While we have felt the greatest impact recently, the staffing shortages have been an area of concern at the state and national level for over 10 years,” said Kristen Lueck, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instructional design for CISD. In January, the New Braunfels ISD board of trustees voted to extend the district’s contract with Trinity Education Services to provide personnel to conduct special edu- cation evaluations. Neither district provided estimates for the cost of these services.
COST OF 4 BUSES EQUIPPED WITH AIR CONDITIONING: $439,000
INFLATION DRIVES
BUS PRICES The cost of replacement buses rose significantly in recent months, and the district faces longer delivery times for vehicles.
14.21% increase
$501,372
SOURCE: NEW BRAUNFELS ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
NBISDfaces risingcosts for newbuses
NEWBRAUNFELS ISD During a March 7 meeting, the New Braunfels ISD board of trustees discussed a plan to purchase four new school buses to replace older vehicles in the fleet. The diesel buses would be equipped with air conditioning and would be the same model purchased by the district in 2021. Clint McClain, assistant superin- tendent of finance and operations for the district, said the price for the vehicles rose significantly since last year due to inflation. Two firms submitted quotes to provide the buses, and Longhorn
Bus Sales was the less expensive option with a quote of $501,372 for four vehicles. In 2021, the district paid $439,000 for four buses, McClain said. “We bought almost the exact same spec bus last year, and it was $15,000 a bus less than it is right now,” he said. “You want to see inflation? There’s a good example there of it.” Board members are expected to vote on the purchase in April, though if approved by the board, the estimated time until delivery of the vehicles will be eight-to- nine months, McClain said.
C E L E B R A T I N G O V E R 3 0 Y E A R S I N T E X A S
Consolidate debt with an RBFCU Mastercard ® Credit Card No Annual Fee | $0 Balance Transfer Fee
98% Customer Recommended Nationally Recognized Energy Program Flexible Floor Plans 10-Year Structural Warranty Build On Your Lot Program
LEGEND POINT
Premier Rate Mastercard Ideal for transferring higher-rate debt.
2% CashBack Rewards Mastercard Ideal for earning unlimited cash back on every purchase.
OVERLOOK AT CREEKSIDE
FUTURE COMMUNITIES:
Apply today at rbfcu.org
• MAYFAIR • SUNFLOWER RIDGE • VERAMENDI
New Homes from the Mid $300s - Upper $400s
Membership eligibility required. Subject to credit approval. Program availability, rates and terms are subject to change. Cash back rewards are not earned on Balance Transfers or Cash Advances. There is no fee for Balance Transfers. Balance Transfers may not be used to pay RBFCU accounts. A Cash Advance fee of up to 2% of the amount of each Cash Advance is charged. Contact the Consumer Lending Center for complete details. RN1236872
CoventryHomes.com
Prices and availability subject to change without notice.
13
NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • APRIL 2022
Powered by FlippingBook