HISD Board receives audit report
The Hallettsville ISD Board of Trustees held a regular meeting Monday evening and received the annual financial audit report for the year ending Aug. 31, 2023.
Representing Roloff, Hnatek, and Co. L.L.P., Yvette Castro covered the district’s balance sheet and its focus on the general fund.
Castro provided a summary of the entire including financial results.
We were able to issue an unmodified opinion on the financial statement. Its the highest level of insurance we can provide as auditors,” Castro said. “We noted nothing significantly deficient of the activities required and in the compliance section there were no instances of non-compliance with any state or federal laws.”
Recognition:
Prior to the start of the meeting, the board recognized Hallettsville High School students Sydney Kuecker, Brenna Scott and Macy Pustka, who all won places in the recent Texas Voice of Democracy essay contest sponsored by Lavaca Memorial VFW Post 6382.
Also recognized were employees from Devon Energy Corporation for nominating the Hallettsville ISD schools and allowing the district to winning the Devon’s 150th Ripken Foundation STEM Center Award.
Reports:
Regarding reports, City of Hallettsville administrator/secretary, Grace Ward, informed about the process for correcting the street drainage problem around the high school and elementary campuses. Ward said she anticipates work to begin sometime in early February.
District superintendent, Dr. Jo Ann Bludau, presented the first draft for the 2024-25 school calendar and went over the various days for school attendance as well as teacher workdays and holidays. Bludau said the board will vote on the calendar in January or early Spring.
The board also received reports in regards to attendance for the 2nd six weeks, new buses, college and readiness as well as a State of the District report from Bludau.
Instructional Reports:
Instructional reports were presented by HISD executive director of student services, Trina Patek, who presented English as a Second Language (ESL) annual evaluation reports.
Dr. Mandy Bucek, executive director of curriculum and instruction, reported on the LASO grant application.
Financial Report:
The district’s chief financial officer, Farrah Jernigan, presented the financial report and said 33.89% of the 2023 taxes have been collected amounting to about $3 million. Jernigan said last year at this time the district collected 37.47% and in 2021, it was 42.62%. She said she is not sure why the percentage collection is lower for this year.
Jernigan reported the general operating balance was $1.04 million as of Oct. 31.
Action Items:
Although Roloff, Hnatek and Co. L.L.P. requested permission to seek proposals for audit services, the board decided seek bids from other auditor firms as well.
The board approved the construction of telephone consultation agreement between HISD and Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell and Munoz, P.C.
Following executive session, the board approved the hiring of Ashley (Schmidt) Jett as a Junior High special education teacher.
In other action taken by the board:
• Approved the HISD Opioid Antagonist Medication process.
• Approved the installation of Aruba APs district wide by Insight Public Sector.
• Approved an agreement of the purchase of an attendance credit, and delegated authority to the Superintendent to oversee the agreement.
• Approved Update 122 to the TASB policy manual affecting local policies.
Board president, Brian Smith presided over the meeting with board members Brian Henneke, Holly Cliffe, Dennis Herring, Justin Smith and Ryan C. Bludau present for the meeting.