[00:00:01] >> GOOD EVENING. WELCOME TO THE DEL VALLEY ISD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING FOR MARCH THE 25TH. [I. Call to Order] MY NAME IS PRESIDENT WEGNER. CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT A QUORUM IS PRESENT AND THAT NOTICE OF THIS MEETING HAS BEEN POSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT. THE TIME IS 6:15. IF WE CAN NOW STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, I'D APPRECIATE IT. OH, WAIT. I APOLOGIZE. LET'S START OVER. GILBERT TO COMING. [LAUGHTER] LET'S LET THEM DO THEIR PLEDGE. [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU. >> [MUSIC] >> [APPLAUSE] >> [MUSIC] >> [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING US PERFORM FOR YOU TODAY. [APPLAUSE] WAIT, ALI. COULD BE REAL QUICK. DOWN HERE. [BACKGROUND] >> BIG SMILES. >> TOUGH GUYS. >> WONDERFUL [APPLAUSE] [00:05:07] >> I'M SORRY. >> WELL DONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING THIS [INAUDIBLE] NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS PUBLIC COMMENTS. [III. Public Comment] INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO PARTICIPATE DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT SHALL SIGN UP BEFORE THE MEETING ENDS AS SPECIFIED IN THE BOARD ON PUBLIC COMMENT AND SHALL INDICATE THE AGENDA ITEM ON/OR TOPIC ON WHICH THEY WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. AT NO TIME WILL A TRUSTEE RESPOND TO AN INDIVIDUAL ADDRESSING THE BOARD. HOWEVER, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF MEMBERS ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF MEMBERS MAY APPROACH EACH PUBLIC FORUM SPEAKER AND REPORT BACK TO THE SUPERINTENDENT. INDIVIDUALS' COMMENTS TO THE BOARD SHALL NOT EXCEED THREE MINUTES PER MEETING THIS EVENING. VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY WILL BE THE TIMER. SHE'S GOING TO NOTIFY YOU WHEN YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE LEFT AND THEN CALL YOUR TIME AT THREE MINUTES. WE HAVE ONE PUBLIC SPEAKER, AND IT IS MISS JESSICA MARQUEZ. SHE IS SPEAKING ON; LET'S SEE. THE BUDGET. THANK YOU, AND WELCOME TO THE PODIUM. CAN YOU PUSH IT UNTIL THE GREEN LIGHT TURNS ON? IT SHOULD BE THE BUTTON ON THE BOTTOM RIGHT. CENTER RIGHT. THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU, MA'AM. THREE MINUTES STARTING. YOU'RE READY. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, SUPERINTENDENT, AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES. MY NAME IS JESSICA MARQUEZ, AND I AM SPEAKING AS PRESIDENT OF DEL VALLE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. THE PROCESS IS NOW UNDERWAY TO ESTABLISH A BUDGET FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. AS PART OF THIS PROCESS, WE WATCH THE SUPERINTENDENT'S INFORMATIONAL VIDEO HIGHLIGHTING THE NEED FOR COST REDUCTIONS IN THE DISTRICT BECAUSE THE PER STUDENT FUNDING ALLOTMENT COMING FROM THE STATE, IS WOEFULLY INADEQUATE AND HAS NOT INCREASED SINCE 2019. IT IS A SHOCKING $1,300 BELOW WHAT IS REQUIRED TO HAVE KEPT UP WITH INFLATION. SOME OF THESE BUDGET REDUCTIONS, WE HAVE BEEN TOLD, WILL COME FROM STAFF ATTRITION. IT WILL BE OF RELIEF TO MANY TO HEAR THAT THEIR JOB IS NOT ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK, BUT THAT RELIEF IS QUICKLY TEMPERED BY THE REALITY THAT THE WORKFORCE WILL BE ASKED TO DO MORE WITH LESS. MORE WITH LESS IS THE RESULT IN MORE PRESSURE ON EMPLOYEES AS THEY WRESTLE WITH THE EVEN GREATER WORKLOAD DURING A TIME WHEN WE ARE HEARING MUCH ABOUT THE INCREASE IN HIGHER EXPECTATIONS, INCREASE IN ACADEMIC RIGOR, GETTING READY FOR STAR, ALL OF THE THINGS. IT IS ALSO HARD TO SEE A LANDSCAPE OF BUDGET CUTS WHERE CLASS SIZES CAN BE KEPT UNDER CONTROL. IN VIEW OF INCREASED PRESSURES, THERE MUST BE COMPENSATION INCREASE FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. DBA WANTS TO SEE A 3% INCREASE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. A 3% RAISE IS A HUMBLE ASK AND REPRESENTS AN INCREASE THAT WOULD KEEP UP WITH THE PACE OF INFLATION IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. TO DO ANYTHING LESS THAN THIS ON COMPENSATION WOULD DAMAGE MORALE AND LEAD TO AN EXODUS OF EMPLOYEES. THE DISTRICT SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD A HIGHER TURNOVER RATE THAN THE ONE WE ALREADY HAVE, WHICH IS HIGHER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE. >> ONE MINUTE. >> THE DISTRICT HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO HIGH FUND BALANCES FOR MANY YEARS. I HOPE AND TRUST THAT THESE SAVINGS WILL BE DRAWN UPON DURING THESE POLITICALLY CHAOTIC TIMES, WHERE WE CAN'T RELY ON THE STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO RIGHT BY OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT, MISS MARQUEZ. NEXT ON THE AGENDA, [IV.A. Superintendent's Comments] WE HAVE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S COMMENTS BY DR. GUTIERREZ, PLEASE. >> GOOD EVENING. AS WE RETURN FROM SPRING BREAK, I HOPE ALL OF OUR FAMILIES AND STAFF HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REST AND RECHARGE. WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO FOSTERING A POSITIVE AND ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT AS WE ENTER A BUSY SPRING SEASON. SINCE OUR LAST BOARD MEETING, I'VE CONTINUED MY REGULAR CAMPUS VISITS, AND I APPRECIATE THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO HAVE JOINED ME. IT'S INVALUABLE FOR BOARD MEMBERS TO WITNESS FIRSTHAND THE LEARNING TAKING PLACE WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS, [00:10:03] ENSURING INFORMED DECISIONS THAT BEST SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS. OUR FOCUS REMAINS ON CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT WHILE KEEPING STUDENTS ENGAGED AND EXCITED ABOUT LEARNING. OVER THE PAST MONTH, I HOSTED OUR TEACHER ADVISORY COUNCIL, WHICH PROVIDED AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS TO COLLABORATE WITH OUR CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION LEADERS, LED BY OUR NEW CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER, DR. KATRINA BAILEY. THROUGH A PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY, WE WORK TOGETHER TO GUIDE THE PATH FORWARD FOR OUR SCHOOLS. I CONTINUE TO EMPHASIZE FOUR KEY PRIORITIES FOR OUR CLASSROOM. GRADE APPROPRIATE ASSIGNMENTS, RIGOROUS INSTRUCTION, DEEP STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, AND HIGH EXPECTATIONS. THE TEACHER ADVISORY COUNCIL PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN DRIVING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, AND I DEEPLY APPRECIATE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO PARTNER WITH THIS COUNCIL. [NOISE] ON MARCH 10TH, WE WELCOME DR. LESLIE VASQUEZ AS THE NEW PRINCIPAL OF CREEDMOOR ELEMENTARY. MY FIRST VISIT WITH HER LEADING THE CAMPUS SHOWED HER STRONG COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. SHE ACTIVELY ENGAGES IN CLASSROOMS WITH A PORTABLE DESK, ENSURING VISIBILITY AND PRESENCE ACROSS THE SCHOOL. HER ENTHUSIASM IS INSPIRING, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE POSITIVE IMPACT THAT SHE IS GOING TO BRING TO THE CREEDMOOR COMMUNITY. NOW, ON TO CELEBRATING OUR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS. FIRST, WITH OUR GIRLS POWER LIFTING. THE TEAM HAD FIVE ATHLETES QUALIFY FOR STATE, AND THEY MET JUST BEFORE SPRING BREAK WITH DEL VALLE'S OWN SUZY ESKETHA, EARNING A FIFTH-PLACE FINISH ON THE PODIUM, AN INCREDIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENT. ADDITIONALLY, ON MARCH 11TH, ALONGSIDE SEVERAL BOARD MEMBERS, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF CELEBRATING OVER 700 DVHS AND EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED A 4.0 GPA. THEIR DEDICATION AND PERSEVERANCE AND FOCUSING ON THEIR ACADEMICS IS INSPIRING. OUR DISTRICT ALSO CELEBRATED READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK IN EARLY MARCH. I WANT TO THANK THE TRUSTEES WHO TOOK THE TIME TO VISIT CLASSROOMS AND TO ENGAGE AND READ WITH OUR STUDENTS. THIS EVENT REINFORCES THE IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY THROUGH ENGAGING READ-ALOUDS AND CLASSROOM INTERACTIONS. FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO THE PARENTS WHO ATTENDED OUR COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS FOCUSED ON OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS. THESE DISCUSSIONS PROVIDED VALUABLE INSIGHTS INTO BOTH THE EXCITEMENT AND CHALLENGES STUDENTS AND PARENTS FACE DURING THIS CRITICAL TRANSITION. WE WILL INCORPORATE THIS FEEDBACK AS WE STRENGTHEN OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH FAMILIES AND ENHANCE OUR SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE. AS WE ENTER THE FINAL MONTHS OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, LET'S CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE EVERY STUDENT ENDS THE YEAR WITH GROWTH AND SUCCESS IN THEIR LEARNING. THANK YOU. >> MUCH APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. NEXT UP ON THE AGENDA, [IV.B. Monthly Financial Reports] WE HAVE THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORTS. MS. DINA EDGAR, PLEASE, MA'AM. >> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT WEGNER. DR. GUTIERREZ, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. THIS EVENING, I'LL BE HIGHLIGHTING THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE MONTH ENDING FEBRUARY 28TH. THE REPORTS WILL BE DISCUSSING INCLUDE INVESTMENTS, TAX COLLECTIONS, YEAR TO DATE, BUDGET BY FUNCTION OBJECT, FUN BALANCE, AND THIS MONTH WE'LL ALSO REVIEW OUR YEAR TO DATE GRANTS AND BOND FUNDS. STARTING WITH THE INVESTMENT REPORT, THIS SLIDE SPEAKS TO OUR PORTFOLIO POSITION WITH A WEIGHTED AVERAGE YIELD OF 4.2%, VERY SIMILAR TO LAST MONTH. NINETY-FIVE AND A HALF PERCENT OF OUR OVERALL DISTRIBUTION DOES REMAIN IN THE 0-1 YEARS TO MATURITY. WE HAVE RECENTLY HAD SOME LONGER TERM INVESTMENTS MATURE AND WE REINVESTED IN SHORTER TERM SECURITIES. WE HAVE ABOUT 4.5% IN LONGER-TERM VEHICLES BETWEEN YEARS. THIS NEXT SLIDE OUTLINES THE SECURITY DIVERSIFICATION BY VALUE AND PERCENT OF PORTFOLIO. OVER 64% RESIDES IN OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT POOLS WITH 11% IN MONEY MARKET FUNDS. IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, THE DISTRICT EARNED 1.3 MILLION IN INTEREST EARNINGS WITH ABOUT 10 MILLION EARNED FISCAL YEAR TO DATE. THIS NEXT REPORT IS TAX COLLECTIONS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, EARNING 9.5 MILLION FOR THE MONTH, AND THAT'S QUITE SUBSTANTIAL FOR FEBRUARY. IN LOOKING AT OUR YEAR TO DATE BUDGET BY FUNCTION, WE HAVE SPENT ABOUT 68% OF OUR BUDGETED EXPENDITURES AS OF THE END OF FEBRUARY, STILL TRACKING TRENDING ON TRACK. THIS EVENING, I DO HAVE A BUDGET AMENDMENT BEFORE THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL A LITTLE BIT [00:15:03] LATER ON IN THE MEETING TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS THAT ARE NEEDED BETWEEN FUNCTIONS. HERE'S A VIEW OF THE BUDGET BY OBJECT CODE. I CONTINUE TO MONITOR PAYROLL EVERY MONTH AND WE ARE AT 69 CENTS SPENT YEAR TO DATE. OUR FUND BALANCE POSITION REMAINS UNCHANGED AT A FAVORABLE 154,000 AS OF FEBRUARY 28TH. NOW MOVING ON TO OUR STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS REPORT. OF THE 9.3 MILLION WE'VE BEEN AWARDED, 3.6 MILLION HAS BEEN DRAWN DOWN AS OF JANUARY 31ST, LEAVING ABOUT 5.5 MILLION REMAINING THROUGH SEPTEMBER. IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE GRANTS RUN ON A FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR, NOT ON THE SAME FISCAL AS THE DISTRICT, SO THEY DON'T EXPIRE JUNE 30TH, BUT WE HAVE UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER TO SPEND THESE FUNDS. THE 2019 BOND REPORT STARTED THE FISCAL YEAR WITH A BUDGET OF 27.9 MILLION. WE'VE SPENT 12.2 MILLION AS OF THE END OF FEBRUARY, WHICH REPRESENTS ALMOST 44% OF THE BUDGET. THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE 7 MILLION OF ENCUMBERED FUNDS. IF YOU INCLUDE THAT, THAT BRINGS THE PERCENT TO 69. THEN, ONTO OUR 2022 BOND FUNDS, WE HAD A STARTING BALANCE OF 224 MILLION, SPENDING 55.6 MILLION AS OF 228, WITH AN ADDITIONAL 156 MILLION ENCUMBERED FOR ONGOING PROJECTS, THE MAJORITY OF THAT BEING HIGH SCHOOL, TOO. LEAVING A BALANCE OF 12.2 MILLION. JUST TO KEEP IN MIND THE BOND BALANCES, THEY ROLL OVER FISCAL YEARS, AND SO DO THE ENCUMBRANCES. SO THAT'S UNLIKE THE GENERAL FUND. THAT IS WHAT I HAVE FOR YOU THIS EVENING. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. I SEE A QUESTION WITH TRUSTEE, PANTOJA. >> THANK YOU. THIS SLIDE SAYS 2022. THE PAPER HERE SAYS 2020. >> THAT WAS MISTAKE, AND I SAW IT TODAY. >> JUST MAKING SURE. [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ARE THERE FURTHER QUESTIONS? >> THE STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS- IS THIS ALL WE HAVE, OR ARE THESE MOST SIGNIFICANT ONES? >> THESE ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ONES. [LAUGHTER] >> I WAS JUST CHECKING BECAUSE I WAS LIKE, THAT'S A SMALL LIST, BUT OKAY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, BOARD. ARE THERE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? NO. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS REPORT. THANK YOU FOR THE QUARTERLY UPDATES THAT YOU'VE INCLUDED. LET'S SEE. MOVING ON. [V.A. Committee Updates by Board Trustees] WE ARE AT DISCUSSION ITEM COMMITTEE UPDATES BY BOARD TRUSTEES. ARE THERE ANY COMMITTEE MEETINGS THAT HAVE MET IN THE LAST MONTH? GO AHEAD. THANK YOU. >> WE HAVE [OVERLAPPING] FOUNDATION, WE HAVE THE GOLF TOURNAMENT ON THE THIRD. PLEASE IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED OR WANT TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN ALSO SUPPORT, PLEASE LET US KNOW. I KNOW IT OR OUR NEW ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO HELP GET CONNECTED THERE. THERE ARE SOME EVENTS ALREADY ON ELSE CALENDARS AS WELL FOR THE REST OF IT. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. ANYTHING FURTHER? I DON'T THINK THIS WAS A BIG MOTION. >> JUST THE COMMENT. YOU ALSO HAVE SEEN THE EMAIL THAT HAD THE, I THINK YOU MENTIONED AT THE UPCOMING EVENTS AND MONTHLY MEETINGS FOR THE FOUNDATION. I THINK IT'D BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS WHO HAVEN'T MET THEIR NEW BOARD MEMBERS TO MINGLE ON TUESDAY. IF YOU CAN, IF NOT, ATTEND ONE OF THEIR BOARD MEETINGS. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. ANYTHING FURTHER? MOVING RIGHT ALONG, WE ARE AT THE CONSENT AGENDA. [VI. Consent Agenda] DO I HAVE A MOTION TO PASS THE ITEMS ON THIS CONSENT AGENDA? >> I'LL MAKE THE MOTION AS PRESENTED. >> TRUSTEE PANTOJA MAKES A MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND? VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY SECONDS. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SHOW OF HANDS? MOTION PASSES 7-0. I DON'T KNOW WHY I COULDN'T DO SEVEN, BUT OKAY. MOTION PASSES 7-0. THANK YOU FOR THAT. LOOK AT US, JUST CRUISING. LET'S SEE. NEXT UP, ACTION ITEMS GOING TO BE DISCUSSED, CONSIDER, [VII.A. Discuss, Consider and Possibly Act on Approval of Proposed Mini Pitch Soccer Partnership] AND POSSIBLY ACT ON APPROVAL OF PROPOSED MINI-PITCH SOCCER PARTNERSHIP. BOARD, IF YOU WILL, REMEMBER, THIS WAS PRESENTED LAST MONTH. THANK YOU. >> MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, WE ARE JUST SEEKING APPROVAL SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE MINI-PITCH DEVELOPMENT THAT WOULD BE LOCATED AT DAILEY MIDDLE SCHOOL. [00:20:08] >> BOARD, AT THIS TIME, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY? >> I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION. I JUST HAVE A COMMENT. I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. I THINK IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BRING SOMETHING TO THE COMMUNITY THAT ALREADY LACKS INFRASTRUCTURE AND WRECKS IN TRANSPORTATION. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S CLOSE. IT'S IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I THINK THAT A LOT OF FOLKS ARE GOING TO WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND IF NO OTHER DISCUSSION, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED. >> ACTUALLY, I DO HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION, I BELIEVE FROM TRUSTEE FRANCO. >> YEAH. GENERAL COMMENT. I ECHO THOSE SENTIMENTS. I THINK THIS IS FANTASTIC FOR THE COMMUNITY. IT'S GOING TO BE AMAZING. I DID HAVE ONE QUESTION THAT I PRESENTED PREVIOUSLY I DIDN'T SEE RESOLVED, BUT THIS CAN BE MORE OF A COMMENT. AS WHEN THEY'RE BUILDING THIS THING, IF WE CAN BRING IN OUR CONSTRUCTION FOLKS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL TO BE A PART OF IT, SO THEY CAN GET SOME REAL HANDS ON EXPERIENCE. >> YES, SIR. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR OUR STUDENTS, BUT I ECHO THE SENTIMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN SHARED ALREADY. THIS IS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR NOT ONLY OUR STUDENTS, BUT OUR FAMILIES, OUR COMMUNITY. OUR HOPE, AS WE HAVE DISCUSSED IS THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY EXPAND THIS THROUGHOUT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT. WE ARE A LARGE SCHOOL DISTRICT GEOGRAPHICALLY, A GROWING SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND THIS WILL MEET A NEED THAT WE HAVE, AS TRUSTEE WOODY LEDESMA STATED, THIS IS INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE DO NOT SEE WITHIN OUR DISTRICT BOUNDARY. >> THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT OR YOU GOOD? THE MOTION WAS MADE BY VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE PANTOJA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND? I KNOW. SORRY. MOTION PASSES 7-0. NEXT UP ON THE AGENDA WE HAVE [APPLAUSE] THAT'S A BIG DEAL. GOOD JOB. DISCUSS, CONSIDER, [VII.B. Discuss, Consider and Possibly Act on Approval of Electric Bus Grant ] AND POSSIBLY ACT ON APPROVAL OF ELECTRIC BUS GRANTS. MR. STEPHEN ALFS. >> COVERED AT LAST MONTH'S MEETING, WE DO HAVE MEMBERS OF HIGHLAND HERE AS WELL AS OUR DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION. WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR TONIGHT IS SIMILAR TO THE MINI-PITCH FOR APPROVAL. THEN THAT WOULD GIVE THE DISTRICT THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH DOCTOR GUTIERREZ, OUR CFO, MS. EDGAR, AND NEGOTIATE WHAT THE END RESULT IS WITH HIGHLAND, BUT THIS IS A APPROVAL OF THE GRANT UNDER THE EPA GUIDELINES AT THIS TIME. >> THANK YOU. BOARD, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? DO YOU HAVE A MOTION? >> I HAVE A COMMENT. I THINK THAT THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US AS A DISTRICT AND AS A COMMUNITY TO LOOK INTO ALTERNATIVE WAYS OF SUSTAINABILITY AND INVESTING INTO THIS. I THINK THIS IS A GREAT START FOR OUR DISTRICT. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS AND MANY MORE OTHER RENEWABLE OPTIONS IN THE FUTURE. WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> TRUSTEE FRANCO, LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING? >> YEAH. AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS FANTASTIC. SUSTAINABILITY ASPECT IS AMAZING. THIS IS MORE OF A COMMENT. IF THERE'S ANY WAY THAT WE CAN GET STUDENTS INVOLVED AS THE BILLING IS GOING ON, THEY CAN LEARN ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY ABOUT THE ELECTRIFICATION OF VEHICLES AND WHATNOT. THIS WOULD BE A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY, NOT JUST FOR THEIR GROWTH NOW, BUT THEIR GROWTH IN THE FUTURE TO CARE ABOUT THE PLANET. >> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE. DO I HAVE A MOTION? >> I'LL MAKE THE MOTION AS PRESENTED. >> TRUSTEE PANTOJA MAKES THE MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND? TRUSTEE WRIGHT HAYWOOD MAKES THE SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SHOW OF HANDS? THREE, 4, 5, 6. NOS, DO I HAVE ANY NOS? ONE. THEN ANY ABSTENTIONS? NO. MOTION PASSES 6-1. NEXT UP ON THE AGENDA, [VII.C. Discuss, Consider and Possibly Act on Approval of Purchase over $50,000 to replace cameras and access control for Baty ES] DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND POSSIBLY ACT ON APPROVAL OF PURCHASE OVER 50,000 TO REPLACE CAMERAS AND ACCESS CONTROL FOR BETTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, PLEASE. MR. STEPHEN GONZALEZ. >> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT WEGNER, DR. GUTIERREZ, BOARD OF TRUSTEES. WE ARE HERE ASKING FOR APPROVAL FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE BETTY CAMERA SYSTEMS AS PRESENTED LAST MONTH. >> THANK YOU. BOARD, ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM? DO I HAVE A MOTION? TRUSTEE WRIGHT HAYWOOD MAKES A MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND? TRUSTEE PANTOJA MAKES A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, BY SHOW OF HANDS? [00:25:01] IT'S SEVEN. GOT IT. THANK YOU. SEVEN TO ZERO. THAT MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT UP, WE HAVE DISCUSS, CONSIDER, [VII.D. Discuss, Consider and Possibly Act on Approval of Purchase over $50,000 for Zayo as the District’s Internet Service Provider and Expansion of Services to High School #2] AND POSSIBLY ACT ON APPROVAL OF PURCHASE OVER 50,000 FOR ZAYO AS INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER AND EXPANSION OF SERVICES HIGH SCHOOL NUMBER. ONCE AGAIN, MR. STEPHEN GONZALEZ. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. ASKING FOR APPROVAL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIBER LINE TO [INAUDIBLE] AS PRESENTED. >> BOARD, COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? DO YOU HAVE A MOTION? TRUSTEE FRANCO MAKES THE MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY MAKES THE SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR BY SHOW OF HANDS? THAT IS 7-0. UP NEXT, WE HAVE DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY ACT ON APPROVAL OF EXTERNAL AUDIT SERVICES. [VII.E. Discuss, Consider & Possibly Act on Approval of External Audit Services] MS. DINA EDGAR, BACK AT THE PODIUM. THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, AGAIN. THE DISTRICT IS REQUIRED TO HAVE AN INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL AUDIT OF ITS RECORDS EACH FISCAL YEAR TO COMPLY WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES, STATE LAW, AND TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH BOND COVENANTS. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE AUDITING FIRM SELECTED ALSO PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN AN ADVISORY CAPACITY TO THE FINANCE TEAM. DEL VALLE ISSUED PROPOSALS FOR EXTERNAL AUDIT SERVICES IN 2020. THE BOARD APPROVED PATTILLO, BROWN & HILL FOR THE '21, '22 FISCAL YEAR WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR FOUR SUBSEQUENT YEARS. IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE BOARD TO APPROVE AN ENGAGEMENT LETTER EACH YEAR SO THAT THE AUDIT CAN BEGIN PRELIMINARY TESTING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE END OF THE YEAR AUDIT. THIS RENEWAL REPRESENTS THE THIRD OF FOUR RENEWAL EXERCISED. THE ENGAGEMENT LETTER HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN YOUR BOARD PACKET THIS EVENING FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. BOARD, DO I HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE, DO I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE? >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED. >> THANK YOU. VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY MAKES THE MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND? TRUSTEE FRANCO MAKES THE SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR BY SHOW OF HANDS, PLEASE? THREE, 4, 5, 6, 7. PASSES 7-2-0. THANK YOU. NEXT UP, THANK YOU. [VII.F. Discuss, Consider and Possibly Act on Approval of Budget Amendment #1 General Fund] DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND POSSIBLY ACT ON APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE FOR THE GENERAL FUND. THANK YOU. >> YES, MA'AM. THIS ITEM IS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION OF A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE GENERAL OPERATING FUND TO RECOGNIZE ADDITIONAL TAX COLLECTIONS AND AN INCREASE IN THE CHAPTER 313 PAYMENTS FROM TESLA. WE ARE INCREASING EXPENDITURES ACROSS FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES TO ACCOUNT FOR PREVIOUSLY FUNDED SR3 POSITIONS THAT HAD TO BE ABSORBED IN THE GENERAL FUND WHEN THE FUNDS EXPIRED ON SEPTEMBER 30TH OF THIS FISCAL YEAR. THIS AMENDMENT IS BASED ON PAYROLL ACTUALS THROUGH THE END OF JANUARY AND THEN PROJECTED OUT THROUGH JUNE 30TH. >> PERFECT. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, BOARD, ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE, DO I HAVE A MOTION? TRUSTEE PANTOJA MAKES A MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND? TRUSTEE FRANCO MAKES A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR BY SHOW OF HANDS? MOTION PASSES 7-0. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LASTLY, ON OUR ACTION ITEMS, DISCUSS, [VII.G. Discuss, Consider and Possibly Act on Approval of Modifications to the Board Operating Procedures] CONSIDER, AND POSSIBLY ACT ON APPROVAL OF MODIFICATIONS TO THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. THIS IS THE ITEM THAT WE MET FOR OUR LAST WORKSHOP. THOSE WERE SENT OUT ON FRIDAY TO THE COMMITTEE. WE AS A BOARD RECEIVED THEM ON MONDAY. AT THIS POINT, I WANT TO KEEP IT BRIEF BECAUSE THIS IS A FIRST READING, BUT ALSO ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? >> A COMMENT. FIRST, I WANT TO THANK ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF THAT PARTICIPATED IN THIS. I THINK WE DID A REALLY GREAT JOB. WE GOT A LOT DONE. I WOULD ASK IF WE COULD POSTPONE THIS TO THE NEXT MEETING THAT WE HAVE, SO WE CAN GIVE THE BOARD MEMBERS AMPLE TIME TO REVIEW THE CHANGES AND MAKE SURE THAT WE FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT WAS SAID THAT WAS ACTUALLY WRITTEN DOWN. MY MOTION IS TO POSTPONE TO THE NEXT MEETING. >> ACTUALLY, WHEN I SPOKE TO STAFF TODAY, MY REQUEST WAS THAT WE INCLUDE THIS LIKE AN HOUR TO TWO IN PART OF OUR NEXT WORKSHOPS SO THAT WE CAN DISCUSS WHAT WAS SENT TO US, RATHER THAN DO IT AT A REGULAR BOARD MEETING. DO YOU ALL HAVE ANY OBJECTIONS TO THAT? TILL LATER. TABLE IT TILL LATER. I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR. [00:30:02] YES, SIR, TRUSTEE FRANCO. >> I HAVE A CLARIFICATION. YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT FIRST READING. IS THAT PART OF A TECHNICAL PROCESS THAT WE'RE HAVING TO DO OR THAT'S JUST A WORD? >> IN GENERAL. >> DO WE NEED TO HAVE A SECOND AND A THIRD READING, I GUESS? >> NO, WE DON'T. BUT IN GENERAL, THAT'S THE REASON EVERYTHING'S RUNNING SO SMOOTHLY TONIGHT BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN ALL THIS BEFORE, AND WE WERE ABLE TO ASK OUR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS. NO, IT'S NOT WRITTEN SOMEWHERE, BUT THAT'S JUST STANDARD. >> FOR CLARITY, WE'RE CONSIDERING THIS MEETING AS LIKE OUR FIRST. >> REVIEW. >> THAT MAKES SENSE. >> WE'RE JUST GOING TO PUSH IT TO A WORKSHOP OR SOMETHING. >> IT ACTUALLY IS IN OUR BOARD OPTS THAT WE AT LEAST HAVE A FIRST READ ON PRESENTATIONS, SO IT IS PART OF OUR PROCESS. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> I JUST WANTED TO SHARE IT. WE SPENT AS A TEAM FOUR PLUS HOURS ON THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR THE WILLINGNESS TO SPEND THAT TIME AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, AS WELL AS THE STAFF WHO WERE ALSO PRESENT. IT'S CONVERSATIONS LIKE THAT AND INVESTING THE TIME, IT'S THAT INVESTMENT THAT IS GOING TO PAY OFF SIGNIFICANTLY. I THINK IT ALREADY IS, AND IT'S PROBABLY EVIDENT BY THOSE WHO ARE TUNING IN OR THOSE WHO ARE PRESENT. IT IS GOING TO RESULT IN BECOMING A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEAM OF 10, AND I CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING ONE DAY THIS TEAM BEING A BOARD OF THE YEAR. THANK YOU ALL. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY MADE THE MOTION TO TABLE. DO I HAVE A SECOND? TRUSTEE PANTOJA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR BY SHOW OF HANDS? ONE, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. MOTION PASSES 7-0. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. AT THIS TIME, THE NEXT ITEM IS OUR CLOSED SESSION SO THAT WE WILL NOW ADJOURN INTO [VIII. Closed Session] CLOSED SESSION UNDER THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT: TGC 551071, CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL, 551.076, DISCUSSION OF INTRUDER DETECTION AUDIT, DISCUSSION OF PERSONNEL IS UNDER 551.074. WE'RE GOING TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER SUPERINTENDENTS' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONTRACT RENEWALS FOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF WITH PROBATIONARY TERM AND CHAPTER 21 CONTRACTS FOR SCHOOL YEAR '25/'26, 551.071, AND 551.074, REVIEW AND CONSIDER SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS TO TERMINATE PROBATIONARY CONTRACT PROFESSIONAL STAFF AT THE END OF '24-'25 SCHOOL YEAR IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE DISTRICT PURSUANT TO TEC 21.103. WE HAVE TGC 551.071 AND TGC 551.074, REVIEW AND CONSIDER SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS TO PROPOSE NON-RENEWAL OF TERM CONTRACT PROFESSIONAL STAFF AT THE END OF '24-'25 SCHOOL YEAR, PURSUANT TO TEC 21.206. NEXT UP, CONSIDER SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION REGARDING POSSIBLE HIRING OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, CONSIDER SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION REGARDING POSSIBLE HIRING OF DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, AND LASTLY, REVIEW AND APPROVE EMPLOYMENT RESIGNATIONS AND TERMINATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF. ACTUALLY, THERE'S ONE MORE, I APOLOGIZE. CONSIDER SANCTIONS FOR ABANDONMENT OF CONTRACT. THE TIME IS NOW 6:49. THANK YOU ALL. THE BOARD HAS ENDED ITS CLOSED SESSION AT 8:52 PM. CALL IT TO ORDER IN OPEN SESSION. AT THIS TIME, OUR ACTION ITEMS ARE GOING TO BE: A, DISCUSS, CONSIDER, [IX. Approve Action Items Discussed in Closed Session] AND POSSIBLY ACT ON SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION FOR CONTRACT RENEWALS FOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF WITH PROBATIONARY TERM AND CHAPTER 21 CONTRACTS FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2025-2026. DO I HAVE A MOTION? >> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION FOR CONTRACT RENEWALS FOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF WITH PROBATIONARY TERM AND CHAPTER 21 CONTRACTS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR OF '25-'26. >> A MOTION WAS MADE BY VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY. DO I HAVE A SECOND? TRUSTEE WRIGHT HAYWOOD, MADE A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND? ONE, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. ALL THOSE AGAINST, RAISE YOUR HANDS? ANY ABSTENTIONS? ONE. THE MOTION PASSES 6-0-1. WE ARE NOT TAKING ANY ACTION ON ITEM B OR C. ITEM D, [00:35:06] DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY ACT ON SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDATION REGARDING POSSIBLE HIRING OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS. DO I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE? TRUSTEE PANTOJA. >> I MAKE THE MOTION TO ACT ON SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION OF HIRING TONY CORDOVA AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE. DO I HAVE A SECOND? VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY SECONDS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SHOW OF HANDS? ONE, 2, 3, 04, 5, 6, 7. MOTION PASSES 7-0. THANK YOU FOR THAT. NEXT ON THE AGENDA, WE HAVE DISCUSSED, CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY ACT ON SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION REGARDING POSSIBLE HIRING OF DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SERVICES. DO I HAVE A MOTION? >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION REGARDING THE HIRE OF THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, MR. JEFFREY. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT, VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY. DO I HAVE A SECOND? TRUSTEE PANTOJA SECONDS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ONE, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. MOTION PASSES 7-0. DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND POSSIBLY ACT ON EMPLOYMENT RESIGNATIONS AND TERMINATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF. DO I HAVE A MOTION? >> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYEE RESIGNATIONS AND TERMINATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF AS PRESENTED IN CLOSED SESSION. >> THANK YOU. FIRST BY VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY. DO I HAVE A SECOND? TRUSTEE WRIGHT HAYWOOD SECONDS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, BY SHOW OF HANDS? MOTION PASSES 7-0. AT THIS TIME, WE DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING. THERE ARE NO SANCTIONS FOR ABANDONMENT OF CONTRACTS. NEXT UP IS NEW BUSINESS, FUTURE BOARD AGENDA ITEMS. DO WE HAVE ANYTHING, BOARD, THAT YOU WOULD LIKE HAVE FOR NEW BOARD OR FUTURE BOARD AGENDA ITEMS? HEARING NONE, MAY I CALL FOR A MOTION TO ADJOURN? >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY HAS MADE A MOTION. I SEE A SECOND FROM TRUSTEE PANTOJA. THE TIME IS 8:55. DO I HAVE EVERYBODY AGREEING TO THAT? >> [INAUDIBLE] >> SEVEN TO ZERO. MOTION PASSES ON ADJOURNMENT. >> YOU HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. THANK YOU. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.