We’d like to share a few highlights and key updates from the Board of Trustees meeting held on August 28, 2025. This meeting covered several important topics impacting our students, staff, and overall district planning. As always, we are committed to keeping our community informed, and we hope this quick recap is helpful.
Student Spotlight
We began the evening with our amazing 2nd grade students leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you to Mrs. King and the 2nd grade teachers for preparing these students to represent Blooming Grove ISD so well at our board meeting.
Superintendent’s Report
Enrollment & Attendance
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2024/2025 District Enrollment: 916
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2025/2026 Current Enrollment: 964
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District-wide Attendance Percentage: 98.7%
By Campus
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Elementary: Enrollment 461 | Attendance 99.6%
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Junior High: Enrollment 203 | Attendance 98.3%
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High School: Enrollment 300 | Attendance 97.9%
Bond Planning
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The 2025 Bond was fully funded on 8/22/25 and funds are currently held in TxPool, drawing interest.
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Design meetings with Claycomb Architects are underway. Elementary designs have been finalized, and planning is now focused on the High School and Junior High facilities.
LASO Grant (Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities)
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Blooming Grove ISD is rolling out LASO Grant procedures with a focus on improving mathematics instruction and curriculum.
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This Texas-based initiative is part of the Strong Foundations Planning program, which directs funding toward high-impact strategies to strengthen core instruction and close gaps in key learning areas.
Key Benefits:
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Each participating teacher will receive a $1,500 stipend for their commitment and collaboration in the RBIS (Results-Based Instructional Support) framework.
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Instructional Coaching: Each campus will receive five full days of customized math coaching, including:
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Professional development tailored to grade-level or topic needs
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Classroom modeling of instructional strategies
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Live lesson observations with immediate feedback
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Data-focused sessions to guide teaching decisions and support students
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Safety & Security
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BGISD has contracted with Region 12 to conduct the required three-year Safety and Security Audit.
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Using a third-party ensures a clear, unbiased evaluation of our practices and provides opportunities to identify strengths and address potential areas of concern.
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This process reinforces our ongoing commitment to the safety and well-being of all students and staff.
Annual Budget Amendments
As is standard practice to close out the fiscal year, the board considered budget amendments to align revenues and expenditures.
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BGISD was proud to announce that our projected balanced budget finished the year within 1% of estimates. This is an outstanding demonstration of fiscal responsibility, ensuring that while we are careful with taxpayer dollars, we also meet the needs of our students and staff.
Impact: Ensures financial integrity, reflects fiscal discipline, and demonstrates BGISD’s ability to balance conservative practices with expanding student opportunities.
Revision to the 2025–2026 Instructional School Calendar
The board reviewed and approved revisions due to an HVAC issue at the elementary campus.
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During summer HVAC optimization, condensation was discovered in the elementary duct system. Immediate action was taken, including repairs and air-quality monitoring.
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In the best interest of staff and students, BGISD made the difficult decision to delay the start of school by two days.
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With additional instructional minutes already built into the calendar, these two days were absorbed without extending the school year, leaving additional minutes still available if needed.
Impact: Prioritizes safety while preserving instructional time and compliance with TEA requirements.
Adoption of the 2025–2026 Budget
The board officially adopted the district budget for the 2025–2026 school year.
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This budget builds upon BGISD’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and student success, reflecting both balanced financial planning and student-centered priorities.
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For the upcoming year, BGISD Administration also proposed a balanced budget, a difficult accomplishment given the current challenges in public education funding.
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The budget is based on a refined average daily attendance (ADA) of 840 students. With current enrollment showing growth, the district continues to practice conservative spending and budgeting while still building a plan that meets the needs of our ever-growing programs.
Impact: Establishes the financial framework for staffing, programming, and operations, ensuring resources are aligned with district goals.
2025–2026 Tax Rate Resolution
The board considered and approved the annual tax rate resolution.
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Board Policy CCG (Legal) requires that the tax rate be adopted before September 30 (or within 60 days of receiving certified appraisal rolls), with Maintenance & Operations (M&O) and Interest & Sinking (I&S) components voted on separately.
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The budget must be adopted before the tax rate. Additionally, votes exceeding the sum of the effective M&O rate and debt rate must be record votes with at least 60% board approval, per Tax Code 26.05(b).
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Administrative Recommendation: BGISD Administration recommended adopting a Maintenance & Operations (M&O) rate of $0.69180 and a Debt Service (I&S) rate of $0.4808, for a combined total of $1.1726 per $100 valuation.
Impact: Provides the necessary funding for district operations and bond commitments while maintaining compliance with state law.
BGISD Investment Policy and Investment Officers
The board approved the annual investment policy and designated investment officers.
Impact: Ensures compliance with state financial regulations and allows the district to responsibly grow available funds.
Nomination for Navarro Central Appraisal District Board of Directors
The board nominated Ricky McGraw to serve on the Navarro Central Appraisal District Board of Directors.
Impact: If accepted, BGISD will have a direct voice in property valuation processes, ensuring fair and accurate assessments that affect school funding.
Property Swap with the City of Blooming Grove
The board discussed and supported moving forward with a property swap tied to the Block K property.
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This property has been under discussion for some time, with the district committed to ultimately selling Block K.
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The proposed swap represents another step toward resolution and maximizes the value of district-owned property.
Impact: Positions the district to finalize plans for Block K, aligning property assets with long-term facility and financial strategies.
Elementary School Additions & Renovations – Schematic Design & Design Development
The board received a presentation and approved the combined schematic design and design development for the Elementary School additions and renovations. Claycomb Associates was authorized to proceed into the Construction Document Phase.
Impact: Keeps bond-funded projects on schedule, ensuring expanded and modernized learning spaces for students while maintaining transparency and accountability in construction planning.
Please reverence the Bond Update Email for pictures and details of this project.
This month’s action items highlight BGISD’s continued focus on student safety, fiscal discipline, staff support, and long-term facility planning. Each decision reflects the district’s mission to provide the very best opportunities for students while responsibly managing community resources.