HISD authorizes BEFCO Engineering, Inc. to solicit bids

The Hallettsville ISD Board of Trustees met in its regular meeting Monday, Jan. 13 and authorized BEFCO Engineering, Inc. to solicit bids for disabled parking and drainage improvements of the parking lot behind the HHS and HES campuses.

BEFCO Engineering, Inc. representative Tim Sanders presented a layout regarding the location of the disabled parking spots as well as a plan for rainwater drainage on the parking lot.

Sanders said what his company is proposing is to add five new disabled parking spots in the back of the school.

“Prior to this, all handicap parking been located on Ridge Street in front of the school and the Texas Department of License and Registration accessibility standards require parking in different areas,” Sanders said.

Sanders showed the suggested areas for disabled parking with two near the Ag building, one at the cafeteria and two spaces on the backside of the elementary campus.

In regards to drainage, the proposed plan would attempt to divert rainwater drainage out to Second street.

“Ya’ll had a recent significant rain with draining coming off the high school building and running toward the Ag building and out to Second street,” Sanders said.

He said the proposed plan would divert the water by placing a new storm inlet in an area to capture the water and divert it underground in two 12-inch pipes with the water draining underground to Second street.

Audit Engagement Letter

The board approved an audit engagement letter with Roloff, Hnatek and Co. L.L.P. for conducting audit services for 2024-25.

According to HISD chief financial officer, Farrah Jernigan, the district has used Roloff, Hnatek and Co., L.L.P. for the past four to five years and they have provided a good service.

Consent Agenda

In an attempt to shorten meetings, a new format has been added to the meeting where reports and other items are combined and provided to board members prior to the meeting.

In the consent agenda, the board approved the tax collection report provided by Jernigan.

Jernigan reported that 48.14% for 2024 have been collected through December with the total amount collected being $4,664,540.51.

The board approved the order of school trustee election for May 3 with Place 4 (Justin Smith) and Place 5 (Brian Henneke) terms up for election.

The board also approved an election contract with the Lavaca County elections administrator for conducting and supervising the May 3 election.

Also, the board approved 2025-26 school calendar with the fall term starting on August 14 and ending on Dec. 18, 2025. The spring term would begin on Jan. 6, and end May 21, 2026.

Reports

HISD executive director of student services Trina Patek reported on the EOC December test results, while HHS principal Mason Briscoe reported on the softball and baseball field improvements.

Briscoe said the bleachers at the softball field have been completed and ready for the season.

Regarding another item involving both the softball and baseball fields, Briscoe and HISD athletic director Levi Montgomery spoke about the bathroom facilities at the fields.

Montgomery said they met with representatives from Sacred Heart School and the two groups decided to apply for a grant to try and restructure the restrooms.

Briscoe added that for this season they are looking for bids from companies to provide portable restrooms during the tournament time of the season.

Montgomery said the Hallettsville and Sacred Heart booster clubs would share in the cost of the portables during the peak of the season.

Junior High principal Marisa Maes provided a report on the Junior High construction and renovations project.

Maes said Weaver and Jacobs Constructors are presently marking off the fencing area and will be fencing the area as well as moving dirt in next week. She said bus drop off and pickup as well as car rider drop off and pickup will have changes involving it.

Following executive session, the board voted to extend the terms on the contract of superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Bludau.

In other action taken by the board:

• Approved a resolution regarding the Lavaca County Hazard Mitigation plan.

• Approved Newline Interactive Displays from James Teleco in the amount of $25,022.64.

• Tabled the adoption of the resolution for submission of grant applications for the State Homeland Security Program and Criminal Justice grants through the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission (GCRPC) with applicable funding matches from the Office of the Governor

• Approved the designation and undesignation for the fund balance.

Board president Brian Smith presided over the meeting with trustees Brian Henneke, Holly Cliffe, Sharesce Sidney and Dennis Herring, Jr. present for the meeting.

Dr. Jo Ann Bludau and Farrah Jernigan, who were unable to attend the meeting, provided input via an audio conference call.