New legislation is affecting teacher certification and the hiring process, Pilot Point ISD Director of Human Resources Valerie Wall said at the April 8 meeting.
Starting in the ’26-27 school year, there will be limitations on districts' ability to waive teacher certification requirements through the District of Innovation plan for elementary math and reading from House Bill 2, passed during the 89th Texas Legislature session.
“We are a district of innovation, which gives you a lot of flexibility and freedom in who you can hire,” Wall said. “They don't necessarily have to have a certificate. We ask that they reach certification within three years, and then after three years, we touch base and see how the program is going.”
Uncertified elementary teachers have until June 1 to get certified.
However, she shared that the teachers impacted by the bill are enrolled in a certification program.
“They've been really great about touching base with me and checking in and letting me know where they're at in the process, so I'm really super proud of the work that they're doing,” Wall said.
In the ’27-28 school year, certification will be required for all core curricula, regardless of grade level.
Teachers who become certified are eligible for a onetime $1,000 payment, an added incentive, Wall said.
In addition, the district is working to get teachers ESLcertified within three years, given the large number of students receiving ESL services, to better meet students' needs.
“We’re going to do what’s best for the kids,” Wall said.
Because of the district's growth, several teachers have been hired at all four schools, including a bilingual kindergarten teacher, core curriculum teachers, and teachers in elective and coaching positions.
The district proposed Friends Consulting Group to partner and assist with budgeting, project management and design among other things in preparation for the $295 million bond proposal before PPISD voters that would fund construction of two new campuses as well as current campus renovations and infrastructure.
“Our goal is to take care of business for you and at the same time make sure the transparency and reporting and what you guys want to see,” said Dr. Scott Niven of Friends Consulting Group.
The consulting group, which also works with Aubrey ISD, would be paid 1.2% of the construction contract.
Trustee Amy McEvoy expressed her hesitancy to approve services without additional data from the consulting group and asked for more time to review; trustee Craig Bickers agreed.
“I'm currently an expiring- term board member, so I feel like it would feel uncomfortable to either be making this decision as a sitting board member for the next,” McEvoy said.
Board President Renee Polk shared positive feedback she received from someone who has worked with the group and was on board with hiring the consulting group.
“This approval is based on the contingency, should the bond be approved,” she said. “… It would set them up to be able to be on the ground and running on May 3, should it pass on May 2.”
The item was tabled with Polk voting no, in a 4-1 vote.
PPISD Police Chief Eric Dortch sought board approval on four applications for public safety grants totaling $63,849.42.
If the district wins the grants, the money would be used for active attack response equipment and three specialized training programs.
The board also approved a new exhaust hood vent in the middle school kitchen, not to exceed $88,000.
“The fire marshal has indicated that the kitchen cannot continue operating without properly maintaining a compliant vent hood system,” said Dr. Brant Perry, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services and Operations.
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Alicia Bonnett sought approval to purchase a three-year iCEV Curriculum instead of annually.
“It went from between $8,000 and $9,000 to $24,000 in one year, so the reason I'm bringing this to you is it locks us in for the next three years so that we won't see that sort of price hike,” Bonnett said.
The program is used for the Career and Technical Education curriculum and industry- based certification exams.
The board approved the $78,232.50 cost for the 202627 school year.
