Shiner Gazette
Shiner ISD
Shiner

Shiner ISD discusses Senate Bill 763

  • File Photo
    File Photo

    Shiner ISD board directors discussed how Senate Bill 763 will impact the district when they met Monday, Sept. 18, and the got update on the 2023 bond project work.

    Senate Bill 763 allows Texas schools to use safety funds on unlicensed chaplains to fulfill needed counseling roles on school campuses. If approved, school leaders will need to make a decision by the end of March.

    “This is kind of a controversial bill,” Superintendent Alex Remschel said. “Schools can either hire or have as a volunteer a chaplain on campus. In our current policy, we are able to bring on extra counselors and local clergy in instances that we need support. We’ve already done this anytime we have a tragedy or mental health crisis. We’ll be continuing the path that we’ve currently been doing.”

    The scope of work on the school’s bond project will add five additional classrooms in junior high school wing, add an additional Career and Technology classroom at the agricultural barn, and expand the girls’ athletics area and cafeteria dining space.

    “Our architects are very close to being totally done with drawings for the bond project,” Remschel said. “Their goal is to have all the drawings correct before October and then our construction manager can take those plans and go out for bids. Our contracts are all done and we’re ready to start rolling with the bond projects.”

    In other business:

    • There are currently some memorial trees on the Shiner ISD campus that will need to be relocated to make room for planned parking expansions, Remschel said.

    • Shiner ISD’s safety audit has been completed, and the new student resource officer was wrapping up training now and should be on duty starting next week.

    • Shiner ISD currently has an ending cash balance of $7.16 million.

    • Enrollment numbers show there are 699 students enrolled, overall. Last semester, there were 691 students enrolled.

    • UIL practices have started at all campuses. The Elementary UIL Students Meet will be Friday, Oct. 6, in Moulton and junior high students will meet Oct. 7 in Moulton.

    • Book fair for elementary and middle school students begins next Monday, Sept. 26. High School football opens district play on Friday, Sept. 22.