In their December 7 meeting, the Canadian ISD Board of Trustees received reports on cybersecurity issues with the District’s network that were addressed; were informed of off-campus problems with students accessing inappropriate content on their school devices, and how those problems were being addressed; and received an update on repairs to the CHS Auxiliary Gymnasium and to the track.

• Mathers Hale provided a cybersecurity report with information regarding efforts to protect the District’s network and devices. He is currently finalizing a Multi-Factor Authentication that should thwart many external threats to the system on the school user end. Hale also provided information regarding the backup server he assembled over the last year from some of our existing equipment. Backing up the network each night doesn’t require the processing speed capacity that running it requires, thus the use of our older existing equipment. His efforts not only protect data from a natural disaster or ransomware attack, Superintendent Pulliam said, but does so at a greatly reduced cost than if he had used new parts, saving the District around $100,000.

• Pulliam also reported on a recent incident in which some students accessed inappropriate content on their school devices after school hours and off school grounds, while connected to non-school WiFi. Historically, the District has not provided device-based filtering for internet access away from the school network. However, Pulliam said, last school year (2022-23) the staff found an app-based filter that could provide that added layer of protection. Due to compatibility and instability issues with the operating system, the app had to be removed prior to the start of this school year.

The app developers have since resolved the compatibility issues and Mathers is pushing out a remote install for all devices. “While we are not required to provide this additional layer of protection when devices are away from our network, we believe it is in the best interest of protecting our students,” Dr. Pulliam said. “Regardless, the district will communicate with parents to inform them of this specific incident and emphasize the importance of monitoring students on the internet whether it be on school or personal devices. We are also looking to schedule optional parent sessions to share tools and strategies for monitoring and limiting internet access for school and personal devices.”

• Trustees made a site visit to Wildcat Stadium to inspect the track, following the completion of base repairs and rubber surface application in September. The painting and marking crew completed their work this month, and “The track looks and feels great,” Dr. Pulliam said.

Dr. Pulliam also reported on repairs to the CHS Auxiliary Gymnasium. “The Board was provided with an updated cost report for the construction defect repair project. The French drain installation is complete, the concrete forms are being poured this week and we’re hopeful the covering sidewalk will be poured this week, pending possible winter weather later in the week.”

In addition, he said, the waterproofing application and gym floor installation are complete; and staining, painting, and marking of the court surface was to have started the next day. “If all goes as planned with the painting/marking and recommended curing time,” he concluded, “we will be able to start using the court by the end of this month.”  

• Supt. Pulliam presented a list of the District’s fleet inventory with mileage and information regarding mechanical issues experienced this semester. Five mechanical issues were reported this semester while operating school vehicles, including two that required borrowing a bus from other districts. One of these incidents involved an electrical issue (blown amperage fuse) and the other involved a transmission issue in which the bus would not shift gears. Two of the other issues also involved a similar shifting issue on separate buses but the drivers were able to safely operate the buses to get home. It is possible there is a manufacturing defect with a control module being affected during wet road conditions. Another issue involved an oil dipstick not being locked into place allowing some of the oil to escape and spewed over the engine and engine compartment cover.

In action items, the board: Approved the 2023 Financial Audit conducted by Coy Barton, CPA, which indicates a healthy financial standing for CISD, with the necessary practices in place to prevent fraud and minimize wasteful spending. They also approved the auditor engagement letter for the firm to perform the 2024 CISD audit.

In other agenda items:

• Troy Seagler from Region 16 was on hand to formally present the Region 16 School Board of the Year plaque.

• Registered Enrollment Report: CISD’s overall enrollment increased by 3 to 792 since the November meeting, Dr. Pulliam reported. The district’s end of the year enrollment for 2022-23 was 827 and the December 2022 enrollment was 824. Average daily attendance increased as well since November, from 94.9 percent to 95.5 percent.

• The board conducted its annual required Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) public hearing. The FIRST accountability rating system ensures that Texas public schools are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices. CISD earned the top rating of Superior with a score of 100 (passing is 70).