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The NBISD Board of Trustees met on April 14, 2025 for a regular meeting.
Highlights of this meeting’s Agenda include:
- Conveyance of Real Property (Old New Braunfels High School) to New Braunfels Youth Collaborative
- Report from the Superintendent Student Advisory Council
- Report on Implementation of Strategic Plan and Profile of A Learner – Future Focused 2030
- Discussion of 2025 Silver Unicorn Name
- Discussion of the Renewal of SSC Custodial Services Contract (Bond 2021)
- Consider Approval of Yellow School Buses (Bond 2021, 2024)
Conveyance of Real Property (Old New Braunfels High School) to New Braunfels Youth Collaborative
The New Braunfels ISD Board of Trustees has approved the conveyance of the building that formerly housed New Braunfels High School and the NBISD Administration Center to the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative (NBYC). This move will mark a new chapter for the historic property which will continue to retain its legacy of serving the youth of New Braunfels.
NBISD currently owns the properties located at 407 W. Mill Street, and 430 W. Mill Street, which has been designated as historic property. The building has served as a center for education in some form or fashion since its opening in 1855 – from the schooling of various grade levels to the housing of central office staff – the property has served our youth for almost 200 years.
“We will be maintaining all the requirements to keep it a historic landmark,” said Stacey Dickey, Executive Director of the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative.
Report from the Superintendent Student Advisory Council
The New Braunfels ISD Board of Trustees Good Governance Handbook and Board Operating Procedures emphasize the importance of student voice in district decision-making.
During the meeting, students from the council were recognized and provided a presentation to the Board of Trustees to express their concerns and feedback about what they think the district can do better.
NBISD launched the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC) this year to strengthen this commitment. The SSAC serves as a bridge between the student body and district leadership, providing students a platform to share insights on policies, programs, and decisions that directly impact them. This initiative ensures that student perspectives play a vital role in shaping the future of NBISD.
The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council provides a platform for student voices to be heard and valued in our school district’s decision-making processes. The council offers diverse perspectives on educational initiatives and issues, fostering a collaborative environment where students can actively contribute to the continuous improvement of their schools and community. Through open dialogue and innovative ideas, the council aims to enhance the educational experience and well-being of all students.
Report on Implementation of Strategic Plan and Profile of A Learner – Future Focused 2030
In November 2024, the New Braunfels ISD Board of Trustees approved the district’s strategic plan, Future Focused 2030. NBISD is continuing to develop the plan’s initiatives and strategies and is also working on the creation of a district Profile of a Learner.
It’s important to note both the differences between Future Focused 2030 (the strategic plan) and the Profile of a Learner and also how these initiatives complement each other. The Profile of a Learner is meant to serve as the district’s north star to guide our vision as we prepare for the future. It also will articulate the skills, characteristics, and mindsets students need to thrive in their futures. It will serve as a guidepost for prioritization and making aligned decisions. The strategic plan will then articulate the strategies and actions to achieve this future vision. The strategic plan will also allocate resources and drive implementation in order to bring the Profile of a Learner to life and will serve as a source of accountability to the community for the promises made in the Profile of a Learner.
While developing the Profile of a Learner, NBISD leaders gathered and analyzed data through conducting student focus groups and day in the life activities of students to understand what a typical learning experience is like for NBISD students. This data was used at two evening design sessions where members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, the District Leadership Team, and 50+members of the NBISD community gathered to discuss:
“What are the essential skills, characteristics, and mindsets that learners need to possess in order to be future ready?”
The following competencies emerged as the top characteristics the group believed should be instilled in our students through their educational experiences at NBISD.
The NBISD Community has also dedicated a significant amount of work toward developing the initiatives and strategies of our strategic plan as well. We conducted an evening session in March with 45 NBISD staff and community members where teams aligned on the current state of pillar goals, discussed pressing challenges, reviewed research and resources to spark innovative thinking, and brainstormed many possible paths forward.
The March Design Team session resulted in a broad range of interesting and innovative ideas as well as the engagement and investment of stakeholders that are key to the success of the next phase of Future Focused 2030 implementation.
Here are the next steps in continuing to develop both the Profile of a Learner and Future Focused 2030.
Discussion of 2025 Silver Unicorn Name
A committee was formed and discussed that the Silver Unicorn be renamed to represent the district rather than a mascot due to the opening of Long Creek High School. The Silver Unicorn Award has been given for the last 60 years and was awarded to Marisol Padilla and Albert Aguirre Jr. on Monday night.
“The Silver Star was the general consensus for the committee,” Minus said. “We landed on this because of the emblem that represents our district today.”
However, the board will still need to approve the new name when it appears as an action item on the May Board Agenda.
“It was the consensus that the committee members came up with, but with the caveat that if it was an alumni of a Unicorn or Dragon, the trinquetes or pins will be a Unicorn or Dragon. It’s a prestigious award for a community member, so they may not be a Unicorn or Dragon.” – Kim Goodwin
Discussion of the Renewal of SSC Custodial Services Contract (Bond 2021)
NBISD selected the custodial company Southeast Service Corporation (SSC) during the 2022 school year, through a formal RFP solicitation (RFP 22-05). This solicitation was written as a one (1) year contract with up to four (4) renewals. If approved, this renewal would be NBISD’s third renewal on the original contract.
This renewal for the upcoming school year has a cost increase of 3.3%; in part due to the opening of the new Lamar Elementary, Legend Point Elementary, Two Rivers High School relocating, New Braunfels High School Phase I and Long Creek High School additions. These additions have added half a million square feet on buildings.
The total cost of this renewal will be $4,016,455.32, this increase is as follows: $110,247.34 for CPI increases, $485,784.59 for net building square footage increases, and $79,596.08 for custodial equipment at new bond financed campuses. The $79,596.08 in custodial equipment will be funded through bond program budgets.
Consideration and Approval of Yellow Student Buses
The Board of Trustees approved the purchase of five yellow student buses. This need was recommended by the NBISD Transportation Department.
“We will nearly have every route covered with air conditioned buses,” said Paul McLarty, Chief Financial Officer.
As part of the 2021 Bond Program and the 2024 Bond Program, funding was included for the purchase of new yellow school buses. This is the final purchase for the 2021 Bond and the start of the purchases for the 2024 Bond. The purchasing cooperative, BuyBoard, was utilized for this purchase.
In evaluating the current Yellow Buses and fleet needs, our Transportation staff has identified current resources and future vehicle needs. The 77-passenger buses are the traditional long buses utilized for General Education Routes, and the 54-passenger or 48-passenger buses are used for Special Needs routes. The smaller buses are outfitted with a wheelchair lift and tracks with anchorage for three wheelchairs. The following five school buses are recommended for purchase to allow for fleet uniformity and efficient maintenance:
- Longhorn Bus Sales 77-passenger C3411 CE School Bus – Quantity 2 at $157,785 each = $315,370
- Longhorn Bus Sales 54-passenger C2608 CE School Bus – Quantity 3 at $157,510 each = $472,530
Upcoming School Board Meetings
The next regular board meeting will be held on May 12th at 6:00 pm. If you would like to make a public comment at an upcoming board meeting please fill out the request form.
Learn more about the New Braunfels ISD Board of Trustees on our website where you can find recordings and agendas from past board meetings.
