September 2026 Board Report

Board Report

September 28, 2026

Items of Interest

Clear Creek ISD presented its annual financial accountability report during a public hearing, highlighting its Superior Achievement rating through School FIRST and a clean audit. The presentation also recognized the district’s finance team for earning two national financial reporting honors for 20 consecutive years.

Board Recognitions

Superintendent Dr. Karen Engle led the pledge with Declan Emmons, a 6^th grader at Seabrook Intermediate, who was recognized as a Clear Creek ISD Hero in the Hallway for his recent one-mile honor run on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 in tribute to the law enforcement officers who lost their lives that day. Declan is a member of Running 4 Heroes, a national nonprofit organization of youth runners who honor the bravery and sacrifice of our nation’s first responders by running one mile for each first responder who makes the ultimate sacrifice. He is the only youth runner in the state of Texas. Watch his meaningful tribute here.

The Board recognized four third-grade students across the district who represent the brightest third graders in the nation and have been selected to join the 2026 Cohort of National Math Stars. As members of the National Math Star program, they will receive 10 years of support, including advanced math learning opportunities, mentorship and guidance, financial support, STEM enrichment experiences, and more. They are: 

• Brendan Snell – Bay Elementary 

• Giovanni Scott – White Elementary 

• Hannah Barkhausen – Campbell Elementary 

• Lillian Feng – Hall Elementary 

Clear Lake High School PTSA was recognized by the Board for being named a 2025-2027 National PTA School of Excellence. They are one of only 321 PTAs and schools nationwide to receive this prestigious designation.

As part of the meeting’s Program Spotlight on Leader in Me in CCISD, five CCISD schools were recognized for being designated a Leader in Me Lighthouse School. This designation is a result of implementing Leader in Me principles and practice with fidelity. Lighthouse Schools serve as exemplars to their community and other schools. CCISD’s Leader in Me Lighthouse Schools are: 

• Armand Bayou
   
• Bay Elementary

• Falcon Pass Elementary

• Landolt Elementary 

• Space Center Intermediate  

Program Spotlight

The Leader in Me Program Spotlight highlighted how CCISD students develop leadership skills, confidence and ownership of their learning as the district advances its Vision 2030 goal of bringing the program to every elementary school. The Board recognized community partners whose generous support makes the program’s continued growth possible. They are:

Houston Methodist Hospital of Clear Lake

Seabrook Rotary

Barrios in honor of Sandy Johnson

AMOCO Federal Credit Union

City of Webster

Doyle Family

Bennett and Dickerson Families

Carl and Colene Joiner

Space Center Rotary

City of Nassau Bay

For the full photo gallery, click here.

Items of Interest

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Engle presented the District Update, highlighting the State of the District presentations and employee listening sessions taking place across all campuses and support facilities focused on academic achievement, beyond boundaries long-range planning, a creating a culture of excellence, and the budget realities facing Texas school districts. She also highlighted student engagement observed during instructional learning walks, the record attendance at the annual Books Alive event, and upcoming high school musicals.

The Consent Agenda, minus Items 14 and 21, was approved unanimously as presented.

Trustee Cejka pulled Item 14 to discuss the district’s transition to Xello, its new College and Career Readiness platform. Director of Counseling and Student Services Kristina Ford highlighted increased parent participation, career exploration tools, and support for families navigating transcript requests. Following the discussion, the Board unanimously approved expenditures with Xello, Inc., for an estimated annual amount of $140,000 through August 31, 2027.

Trustee Cejka pulled Item 21 to discuss class rank, future enrollment opportunities, and student progress in the Clear Tech Virtual program. The discussion addressed how students will share class rank with Clear Brook High School students, eligibility restrictions for valedictorian and salutatorian, and counselor support for monitoring coursework and attendance. Following the discussion, the Board unanimously approved the second reading of local policy revisions relating to Clear Tech Virtual.

Chief Financial Officer Alice Benzaia presented the proposed 2026 property tax rate. The Board unanimously approved a total tax rate of $0.969 per $100 of taxable value, consisting of $0.699 for maintenance and operations and $0.27 for debt service. The total rate remains unchanged from 2025.

Chief Financial Officer Alice Benzaia and district financial advisor Terrell Palmer presented an opportunity to refinance outstanding bonds when market conditions allow for savings. The Board unanimously approved an order authorizing unlimited tax refunding bonds within specified parameters, including a minimum present value savings threshold of 3% and no extension of the bonds’ maturity dates.

The Board moved to closed session at 7:38 p.m. and called back to order at 9:21 p.m.

Item 11.A - Consider Approval of a 4M Towers Land Option & Lease Agreement - was unanimously approved.

Item 11.B – Consider Approval of Revisions to the 2026-2027 Team Operating Procedures – was unanimously approved.

The board meeting adjourned at 9:51 p.m.

To view a video of the meeting, click here

To view a copy of this Board Report, click here.