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November 17, 2025 Board Briefs
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The Taylor ISD Board of Trustees met for its Regular Meeting on Nov. 17. Highlights from the meeting include:
- Legacy ECHS senior Emma Liles is selected as the Superintendent 1+ Coin of Excellence student recipient
- Legacy ECHS teacher Kelly Windham is selected as the Superintendent 1+ Coin of Excellence staff recipient
- TISD receives clean audit report from Singleton, Clark & Company P.C
- New teacher academy supports early career teachers with supports and development
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1.A. Public Hearing for Overview of Accountability
The Board heard from the Chief Academic Officer, Megan Zembik, regarding a Targeted Intervention Plan at Main Street Elementary and a Turnaround Plan at Taylor Middle School. She shared a summary of both plans, demonstrating how each campus is building a long range plan for demonstrated student success.
RECOGNITIONS
Superintendent 1+ Coin of Excellence - Student
Legacy ECHS senior Emma Liles earned the Superintendent 1+ Coin of Excellence for students in November. LECHS Principal Erika Cantwell said Emma models Legacy’s Pillars of Academics, Leadership, and Service.
“Today we are celebrating a Legacy student who truly embodies what it means to go above and beyond, a student whose heart, leadership, and service make our school and community better every single day,” Principal Cantwell said. “As our Student Council President, she leads with grace, positivity, and purpose. She gives her time to volunteers, always finding ways to give back and inspire others.”
Superintendent 1+ Coin of Excellence - Staff
The Superintendent 1+ Coin of Excellence for staff recipient also came from Legacy ECHS: teacher Kelly Windham. Principal Cantwell said Ms. Windham is an integral part of the school, serving on the school’s leadership team, managing the campus website, planning events, and co-designing the school’s positive behavior system.
“We often say she’s the heart of our campus and it’s true. Ms. Windham pours her heart into everything she does. She teaches her students that their voices matter, and every day, she helps them find confidence to use those voices,” Principal Cantwell said.
“Her classroom is filled with love, laughter, and learning, and her students' success proves that relationships and results can thrive together. She lifts everyone around her with small acts of kindness and big doses of joy,” Principal Cantwell continued.
REPORTS
Priority 4: Efficient Financial Stewardship - 2024-2025 Financial Audit
A representative from Singleton, Clark & Company P.C. presented the 2024-2025 Financial Audit to the Board of Trustees, stating his team found no issues with the district’s financials, including the audit of the district’s child nutrition program.
The representative said the audit was “unmodified,” which is the most favorable result and indicates the district’s financial report is accurate and completed with fidelity throughout the school year.
The representative thanked CFO Jina Self and the Finance Department for their hard work and during the lengthy audit process.
Priority 2: Exceptional Workplace Climate - New Teacher Support
Director of Teaching and Learning Abby Turner shared an update on UT THRIVE, Taylor ISD’s new teacher mentor program designed to support early career educators in their first two years of teaching.
This year, 22 early career teachers are participating in the program, each paired with one of 21 trained mentors. Through a partnership with UT Austin, THRIVE provides high-quality professional development and ongoing support to help teachers grow and feel confident in their roles.
Research shows that many new teachers leave the profession by their fifth year. THRIVE aims to change that by offering meaningful, consistent support throughout a teacher’s early journey, including:
For New Teachers:
- New Teacher Academy
- One-on-one mentor support
- Learning walks throughout the year
- Targeted professional development
For Mentors:
- New Mentor Academy
- Monthly communities of practice
- Individual coaching
- Access to a mentor toolkit
THRIVE is already strengthening connections, boosting instructional skills, and helping ensure every new teacher feels valued and supported at Taylor ISD.
Priority 2: Exceptional Workplace Climate - Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) Update
This year, the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) expanded to include more core teachers across Taylor ISD, giving even more educators the opportunity to earn additional compensation based on their performance.
TIA, a statewide initiative from the Texas Education Agency, is designed to increase teacher pay by recognizing highly effective educators and creating a pathway for teachers to earn a six-figure salary based on their growth and impact.
Taylor ISD is proud to be one of the highest-paying TIA districts in the region, with designated teachers eligible to earn up to $25,115 on top of their district salary.
For the 2024-2025 school year, 36 Taylor ISD teachers earned one of the program’s three performance designations. This includes:
- 20 teachers designated in the 2023-2024 school year
- 16 additional teachers designated in the 2024-2025 school year
With these new recognitions, Taylor ISD exceeded its Strategic Scorecard goal: 41% of eligible teachers qualified for a TIA designation this year, surpassing the original target of 35%.
This progress reflects the strength of our teachers and the district’s ongoing commitment to elevating, supporting, and retaining outstanding educators.
Priority 4: Efficient Financial Stewardship - Expenditure Projection Plan (EPP) Update
CFO Jina Self and Executive Director of Maintenance & Operations Ron Verano presented on the district’s Expenditure Projection Plan (EPP). The EPP is a long-range planning tool designed to help Taylor ISD forecast future capital and maintenance needs. The EPP evaluates asset life cycles, district growth, and upcoming facility priorities to ensure resources are aligned with what matters most: Student learning, safety, and reliable operations.
The plan helps the district:
- Align investments with high-impact priorities that support students and staff
- Coordinate facility and maintenance planning across departments for equity, sustainability, and strong fiscal stewardship
- Integrate long-term needs with annual budgets and facilities plans to support transparent, informed decision-making
In essence, the EPP serves as a districtwide roadmap, a detailed “to-do” list, of major facility needs and anticipated timelines. By understanding when key systems or structures will require updates or replacement, Taylor ISD can plan proactively and manage resources responsibly for years to come.
ACTION ITEMS
Consideration and Approval of a Resolution Canvassing the Returns and Declaring the Results of a Bond Election and VATRE Election; and other matters in connection therewith.
The Board of Trustees canvassed the results of the Bond and VATRE election on Friday, November 14, ahead of the regularly scheduled board meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA - Approved unanimously
9A. Minutes
9B. Tax Report
9C. Monthly Financial Report
9D. Purchasing Approval
9E. Acknowledgment of Annual Cooperative Fees Report
PERSONNEL ITEMS FOR ACTION - Approved unanimously
10A. Resignation of Personnel
NEW BUSINESS
Consideration of Extension for Superintendent Hiring Authority, as Described in Policy DC(LOCAL), from November 17, 2025 through January 26, 2026 - Approved unanimously
Consider and possible action regarding proposed contract with program/project management professional services provider, Project Control of Texas, Inc., for 2025 Bond Construction Projects and/or other construction projects authorized by the Board pursuant to Texas Government Code Ch. 2254 - Approved unanimously
You can watch the full meeting at this link.