Welcome back to our monthly School Board meeting newsletter! This edition brings you some highlights of the CISD School Board meeting that was held on September 14, 2026. Our goal is to keep you connected and informed each month. |
- Superintendent, Dr. Yvonne Munoz gave an election update on CISD’s Board Vice President, Alison Judkins, district. Dr. Munoz spoke on the upcoming October 29, 2026 TASB Board Presentation in Uvalde.
- Director of Academic Services, Dr. Boothe, reported to the Board on the district’s ratings and gave a high-level overview of Campus Rating Construction and District Rating Calculation. The 2026District Rating is a C (i.e., 75). CES scored a D, CMS scored a C, and CHS scored a B. CES did earn a distinction in fourth grade reading. CHS has a 72% CCMR rate and a 98.9% graduation rate. Students have almost completed MAP testing for K-8 reading and math, and other teachers have completed TIA-related assessments on a new platform, TEKSready. Teachers are meeting weekly to go over instructional strategies, lesson plans, and assessment data. The first professional development day will be September 18th.
- Director of Health/Safety/Communications, Emily Steffek, informed the Board of the need to replace certain AEDs. Mrs. Steffek announced the upcoming Drug Free Comfort Event: National Night Out, which honors first responders. The Board was informed of the completion of the 2023-2026 School Safety Audit and District Audit Survey report. The Fall 2026 School Safety and Security Committee meeting was held. The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) window opened September 1st.
- Comfort Elementary School Principal, Michael Skinner, gave an update on the 447 enrollment number at CES. CES has practiced a lockdown drill and a fire drill. CES changed the third-grade team from a three-way switch to a self-contained 15 classroom and one set of team teachers. Students are being served by needs during Advisory.
- Comfort Middle School Principal, Jolane Maddox, reported that CMS currently has and enrollment of 230 students. CMS continues drill practice with a first semester lockdown drill utilizing the new PA system. Academically, all CMS students now have a math and reading lab in addition to CORE classes to further support students’ academic growth. This past week, the middle school hosted CISD’s first Coffee with Comfort Teen Lifeline Coffee Chat, which welcomed all CISD parents and staff to meet our Teen Lifeline and HCCADA partners and learn about the ways we’re working to support the mental health and wellbeing of our students.
- Comfort High School’s principal, Sarah Womble, reported an enrollment of 314 students for the 2026-2027 start to the school year. CHS also continues running safety drills and door checks while academically conducing BOY assessments and holding weekly PLC meetings with teachers. The high school reported on current students taking college courses through dual enrollment partnerships with Angelo State University, McMurry University, St. Phillips College, Tarleton Sate University, and OnRamps through UT. Campus organizations such as FFA, FCCLA, building trades, and MCJROTC keep CHS students active and involved.
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- Athletic Director, Jay Rieken, reported on the Football season opening with a 32-29 victory over Brady. JV and middle school football continue with JV playing Sept. 24th and middle school’s scrimmage on Sept. 1st. Cross Country season opened and have upcoming meets in Harper and Junction. Deer volleyball wrapped up a tournament in Johnson City and are off to a 4-0 start.
- Technology Director, Jennifer DiGiacinto, stated the focus has been on helping teachers, creating high school dual credit student badges, supporting Clever logins, and implementing new software.
- McLemore custodial services reported on continued safety training and reviewed for the Board a high-level overview of facilities cleaning schedules.
- Director of Operations, Trent Wilson, reviewed the facilities and grounds updates including the CMS gym floor being ready for paint, reported on Hellas starting on softball fields, spoke on replacing the AC in the Varsity Field House, and covered being in communication with Spectrum on new athletic field scoreboards. Mr. Wilson updated the board on quotes for retrofitting buses with three point seat belts at a cost of $31,233.50 per bus.
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- The School Board approved the recommendation to appoint Jake Smiley as the designated officer responsible for calculating and reporting the no-new-revenue tax rate and the voter-approval tax rate as determined by state law.
- The School Board approved the recommendation to approve the proposal of an interest and sinking (I&S) rate to pay debt service that exceeds the minimum debt service tax rate as defined by the Texas Tax Code and the Texas Education Code. The Board finds that the District's minimum debt service tax rate is $0.1657 per $100 valuation, and that the proposed interest and sinking tax rate of $0.31300 used to pay debt service exceeds the minimum debt service tax rate by $0.1473 per $100 valuation. Additional revenue generated by the proposed rate will be used for lawful debt service purposes, including: the payment of scheduled and recently issued debt obligations and the maintenance of prudent debt service reserves.
- The School Board approved the recommendation to approve the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of $0.9524, which is effectively a 5.46 percent increase in the tax rate.
- The School Board approved the recommendation to approve the Board Operating Procedures as presented.
- The School Board approved the recommendation to approve the Investment Policy Review Resolution as presented.
- The School Board approved the recommendation to adopt Policy Update 127 as presented.
- The School Board approved the recommendation to cancel the November 3, 2026 General Election for the Comfort ISD Board of Trustees Districts 1, 3, 4, & 7 as presented.
- The School Board approved the recommendation to approve the Legal services Retainer Agreement Walsh Gallegos as presented.
- The School Board approved the recommendation to approve the Certification of Compliance with Certain Laws pursuant to Texas Education Code §39.008, as enacted by Senate Bill 12 of the 89th Texas Legislature, and authorize the Superintendent to submit the approved certification to the Texas Education Agency by the required September 30, 2026 deadline as presented.
- The School Board approved the recommendation to authorize the Superintendent to Enter into Interlocal Agreements with Purchasing Cooperatives and the Associated Resolutions as they become necessary.
- The School Board approved the recommendation to accept the 2023- 2026 Safety and Security Audit Results as presented.
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CISD Vision: Excellence through Cultivating Hearts and Minds
CISD Mission: Comfort ISD ensures all students receive a premier education and exceed state standards. We desire excellence for all children; find and develop the individual talents of every child; and cultivate hearts and minds by teaching integrity and responsibility and empowering students with knowledge to develop into productive citizens.
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