Devine school board holds ground-breaking for bond projects

Outside Ciavarra Elementary in Devine, contractors are removing material and replacing it to create the foundation for the new elementary office/administrative area. This is one of many projects approved by voters in the bond election.
“They are waiting on approved testing of material before they start filling it back in, and then construction on the foundation will begin,” said Superintendent Todd Grandjean. Contractors are required to dig down to a certain soil profile which includes clay, and because soil is so sandy in this area, they had to dig this deep to see where the clay profile begins. A structural engineer will then create the slab design based on soil samples. Photo by Kayleen Holder.

By Anton Riecher
An official groundbreaking ceremony for $11.255 million in construction and renovation at Devine ISD’s four campuses was conducted April 29 by the school board.
“It just does our hearts good to see that there is some activity started on the many projects that we want to see done with our district,” said board president Nancy Pepper during the invocation preceding the school board meeting.
District Superintendent Todd Grandjean gave a report on the work stemming from the 2023 bond issue approved by voters.
“We’re really excited to kick off the next chapter for Devine ISD,” Grandjean said. “Today’s groundbreaking isn’t just about construction. It’s about progress, teamwork and a shared commitment to giving out students the very best.”
Grandjean thanked the community for its support in passing the bond issue.
“By doing this we are able to move forward with the projects that will make our school safer, stronger and better equipped in the future.”
During the meeting, Damion Ratley…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Devine ISD budget process on hold pending Texas Legislature decision

By Anton Riecher
Passage of House Bill 2, stalled in the Texas Legislature, could bring Devine ISD $1.5 million more in its next budget than current school funding legislation on the books, school district financial director Shannon Ramirez told the Devine school board Monday.
“People in my world are getting a little bit nervous because it’s not really moving,” Ramirez said.
Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2 establishing a $1 billion private school voucher program Saturday.
HB2 represents a $7.7 billion investment in Texas public education. It increases the basic per student funding allotment from $6,160 to $6,555, provides raises for experienced teachers and overhauls special education funding for students with disabilities.
Ramirez told the board that HB2 represents significant changes to the school funding system including a 40 percent to 75 percent gain toward teacher salary increases. She encouraged supporters to get in touch with their state legislators to urge passage.
Presenting her report during the board’s second budget workshop in preparation for the next school year, Ramirez said there were no big surprises in the district’s complementary property values delivered last week.
Property values went up about $60 million, representing about $400,000 more in tax collection, she said. That amount should cover what is anticipated in raises under the new budget.
“It was pretty typical,” she said. “It was back to pre-COVID, pre-audit property values.”
Ramirez said that an anticipated drop in the interest and sinking account means the board should be able to reduce that tax rate “a penny or two,” now that the district is moving ahead with projects financed under the 2023 $11.255 million bond issue.
Following the meeting, Superintendent Todd Grandjean told the Devine News that the majority of school finance involves salaries.
“You never really have much control over it,” he said.
However, Devine ISD has been successful in managing its fund balance to the point that the board is considering capital improvements such as tennis court and softball field upgrades – “things we really need to catch up on,” Grandjean said.
“We’ve also been able to add money into bond projects that we didn’t have to include in the tax increase for the community,” he said. “So, in the end, much of this relies on what the state is about to do with House Bill 2. They can hurt us or they can help us. Right now we’re sort of in a holding pattern.”
Another capital outlay project that depends on the pending legislative action is $330,000 for buses. Over the last five years the district has funded bus purchases through grants from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in a program designed to get older, less fuel efficient vehicles off the road.
Grandjean described the resulting price break as “buy two, get one free.”
“If the buses cost us $130,000, there was times we would get up to $80,000 applied to a new bus,” he said. “That was an amazing financial move that we were able to capitalize on. That won’t be in the budget forever.”
In other business, Keith McLemore, a compensation consultant with the Texas Association of School Boards, presented a salary survey review comparing Devine ISD to 14 other Region 20 school districts including Lytle, Natalia, Pearsall and Hondo.
The survey shows that while Devine ISD is very competitive in salaries for young teachers, the same cannot be said when it comes to older, more experienced educators, McLemore said.
“You have a comfortable lead at years zero through five,” he said. “You are right at market for years 10, but you start lagging at years 15 through 20.”
Many school districts prefer to “recruit strong early” to build their teaching ranks. However, McLemore recommended keeping salaries aligned with the market across all experience levels.
In action by the board, a resolution to cover salaries during the April 28 school closure due to a city water emergency passed 4-0.
“Hourly employees are the ones most affected because teachers are on a contract for 10 months,” Grandjean said.
The state does not require the district to add a school day to balance the schedule for the lost day, he said.
The board also voted 5-0 to accept booster club funding to cover a portion of purchasing a cooling station for athletic events. The station, costing more than $13,000, is required by the University Interscholastic League as a place where heat stressed athletes can rest and be evaluated before returning to the field.
Board members Keri James, Chris Davis, Henry Moreno and Nancy Pepper established the quorum for the meeting with Alixana Buvinghausen arriving after the emergency closure vote.

Meet Robert Hildt: Devine ISD candidate Q&A series

ABOUT ME: My family came to the United States from Austria in 1867 and became farmers in black creek area of Medina County.
I graduated from Texas A&M University, College Station with a Bachelor of Science Degree and was commissioned second lieutenant US Army Field Artillery in Dec 1987.
I served 24 years active duty and did two combat tours in Mogadishu, Somalia and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Decided after the military to become an educator helping students with learning disabilities and language barriers.
I have 4 years of service in my teacher’s retirement account at Bandera ISD in early childhood and middle school. After Bandera ISD worked at Medina Valley ISD as a school bus driver. Decided to go back into education and became a student at Alamo College as a Social Science and English Support Language (ESL) student working towards teacher certification. In addition to being a student, I am very active at Texas A&M Alum with the 12th Man Foundation for Athletics scholarships and the Presidents Foundation – Heritage Society for Sul Ross Scholarships. I am very dedicated to helping students find a way to afford college and achieving their educational goals in life. Help me educate my kid and your kids together in Devine ISD.

Please see our article under Top News with all voting dates and times, as well as additional candidate questionnaires as part of this series.

Meet Chris Davis: Devine ISD Q&A series

Chris Davis Q&A

  1. What do you believe the role of a school board member is? Why are you interested in serving ?

Role of School board

Set the vision and goals for the district

Adopt policies that give the district direction to set priorities and achieve its goals

Hire and evaluate the superintendent

Adopt and oversee the annual budget

Continue reading “Meet Chris Davis: Devine ISD Q&A series”

Meet Candace Esparza: Devine ISD Candidate Q&A series

1. What do you believe the role of a school board member is? Why are you interested in serving?

A school board member is essential in shaping a district’s educational vision and policies. They help set standards for education, manage budgets, and advocate for students, parents, and staff. Working closely with teachers and the community is crucial to making sure every student has the opportunity for a quality education. I’m eager to serve because I truly care about education and believe that every student deserves the resources and support, they need to succeed. My background and dedication to community service motivate me to make a positive impact in our district’s educational environment.

Continue reading “Meet Candace Esparza: Devine ISD Candidate Q&A series”

Renee Frieda: Devine ISD Candidate Q&A series

  1. What do you believe the role of a school board member is? Why are you interested in serving ?

I appreciate this question as there is often confusion surrounding board responsibilities. All newly-elected board members attend state-mandated training on their role/responsibility to focus on student academic success. I am thoroughly committed to the mission of preparing our young people for their future success.

Continue reading “Renee Frieda: Devine ISD Candidate Q&A series”

Sign up for Devine Prekinder Roundup before Sept. 1st

The child must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2025 in order to register for Head Start/Pre-K.
**Be prepared to submit the following information to register your child:

  1. Shot Record
  2. Official Birth Certificate
  3. Proof of Residence
  4. Proof of Income for 12 months (ex. 2024 – 1040 tax form)
  5. SNAP Benefits Letter
  6. Child’s Social Security Card
  7. Federal Assistance (Medicaid, TANF, WIC, etc)
  8. Photo ID of parent/guardian registering child

UNDERWAY…Early Voting ongoing, May May 3rd Devine ISD election day

Devine ISD elections
Davis, Frieda, Esparza and Hildt vie for 2 seats

Devine ISD is hosting their annual trustee election on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Early voting started on Tuesday, April 22 at central office.
There are four candidates seeking the two At-Large positions. The two candidates who get the most votes will win the positions which are for a three year term.
Candidates include Chris Davis (incumbent) and Renee Frieda (incumbent), Candace Esparza, and Robert Travis Hildt. Frieda (incumbent), Candace Esparza, and Robert Travis Hildt.
Carl Brown, District 2 is unopposed.
All registered voters living in the Devine ISD school district boundaries may vote for the 2 positions from the 4 candidates.
Early Voting dates and hours are: April 22-25 plus April 28-29, all at the DISD Central Office from 8 am to 5 pm daily.
Election day voting is from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Sat. May 3 at the central office as well, 605 W Hondo Ave, Devine.

Local kids Statebound!

800M Regional Champion, Warhorse “Devo” Dixon will lead Devine to State for the second time this year as he also qualified in cross country earlier this year. Kourtni Geyer of Devine who advanced in pole vaulting, also setting school records along the way.

3200 m runner Diego Reyna, of Lytle who claimed 2nd place at Regionals, trailing the champion by only a couple of seconds. Good luck to all at State!

Devine teen faces 2 felony charges after student collapses in vaping incident

Devine PD and EMS was dispatched to a Devine school bus on Wilson Drive this past April 9. One student was transported to Medina Regional Hospital while another student will face 2 felony charges.
“A 14 year old female fainted and was unresponsive for 3-4 minutes. It was learned that she had used a vape and collapsed shortly afterwards,” said Lieutenant Chris Andrews…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get INSTANT online access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!