Governance

Business in Texas is booming, and with new companies moving in, 313 agreements between businesses and school districts for tax breaks are becoming more and more popular. What are they, and what does my district need to know if we're approached to enter into one? We’ll discuss the typical types of agreements from wind farms to cryptomining facilities and tell you what you need to know in order to understand these industries and their potential value to your district.

This webinar will discuss the specifics of these agreements and detail what superintendents and school boards should know before they enter into one. Already been approached with a proposal? This webinar explains the steps that boards must take to successfully execute and continue their 313 agreements.

This 30-minute webcast is presented by Emma J. Darling.

Every new School Board wants to hit the ground running and look like pros at their first board meeting. This introductory webinar will provide you with the information you need to pull off flawless meetings.

Attendees receive one hour of Tier 3 credit. 

Topics Covered:

• Agenda Writing
• Motions and Consent Agendas
• Open v Closed Sessions
• Cancellations, Special and Emergency Meetings
• Open Forum

This webcast is presented by Matthew Coleman.

Many districts have to contend with emergencies arising from property damage caused by weather. Frequently, the emergency is made worse by an insurance company's denial of the district's insurance claim.

We are going to discuss three action items you can implement right now to put your district in the best position to deal with an insurance company when such an emergency happens.

This 45-minute webcast is conducted by Darryl W. Pruett.

Your district is in the market for a new superintendent. Many of us have never participated in a superintendent search. What are the legal parameters and potential pitfalls? Where do you begin and what are your legal options? Learn the honest truth about hiring a new superintendent from a school attorney who does not do searches.

Topics to be discussed:

Ground Work

• What qualifications are required?
• Options to fill an immediate vacancy.

Hitting the Road

• Deciding upon search options: Do we want to go it alone or use a search firm?
• Legal ramifications for searches.
• What is the role of the board?
• How are firms hired?
• What should be included in search firm contracts?

On your Way

• Creating legal Interview questions.
• How to insure confidentiality.

Selecting the One!

• Salary and contract negotiations.
• What legalities apply to hiring?

 This 1-hour webcast is conducted by David P. Hansen. 

Designed especially for Superintendent Secretaries who need to be in the office, our webinar series is packed with information vital to the unique responsibilities of the increasingly demanding position.

Part 1: The Open Meetings Act,  Board Meetings and Trustee Demands, and District Liability

Part 2: The Public Information Act, Student Records and FERPA, and Record Retention Practices

Webcast is presented by Heather R. Rutland.

You can bet that bidders will bristle when they’ve been out-bid, but thanks to the Public Information Act, their bark is worse than their bite. Buy yourself some peace of mind with this 30-minute essentials training, which will cover the basics of PIA requests for bidding documents. Learn when and why you can sometimes keep documents confidential to protect your bargaining position, and what you’ll need to do when the bitter bidder requests any and all documents relating to the better bids.

The May elections are coming soon, and requests for election documents under the Public Information Act are coming even sooner. Elect to keep yourself up-to date with this 30-minute essentials training! Your ballot applications, campaign finance reports, voter records and other election documents have loads of confidential information, and during this webcast you’ll learn about the PIA and Election Code requirements you need to know when dealing with requests for those documents.

Two’s company and three’s a crowd, especially under the Public Information Act. Everything gets more complicated when a third party’s information has been requested under the PIA, but this 30-minute essentials training will teach you how to deal with that unwanted third wheel. Learn how and when you need to notify third parties, why you might want to keep their information confidential, and how to navigate a PIA request involving confidential third-party information.

With the new school year just around the corner and the legislature’s recent passing of House Bill 3033, there are several essential Texas Public Information Act updates that require your District’s immediate attention. Please join us in a brief half-hour webinar as we discuss what actions your District must take to ensure compliance with the TPIA’s brand new requirements relating to response timelines under House Bill 3033. This webinar will also share options, a draft resolution, useful tips and common pitfalls in your District’s handling of public information requests.

The May trustee election will be here soon! This webinar will review important steps and deadlines in a trustee election.  We will review: ballot creation, challenges to candidacy, polling place rules, election judges, working with your county elections division, canvassing the votes, conflicts of interest, and canceling an election.

The session provides both new and experienced Trustees with essential knowledge regarding school construction procurement. We cover the Board’s responsibilities in construction procurement and provide essential information to help each trustee to make the best decision for their school district.

Topics include:

• Selection of Construction Methods
• Hiring Architects
• Hiring Contractors

 
We also discuss basic ethical requirements of a Trustee in connection with the construction procurement process. 

This webcast is presented by David P. Hansen.

Trustees will receive 1 hour CPE credit.