Apr 22, 2025 Board Meetings

>> YOU'RE WELCOME. IT HAS BEEN OUR PLEASURE SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

[00:25:03]

NEXT UP, WE HAVE COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS.

[V.B. Communities In Schools]

DR. MARK CANTU.

>> GOOD EVENING AGAIN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR. GUTIERREZ AND OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS EVENING WE BRING COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS BEFORE YOU TO SHARE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

I'M GOING TO READ A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEM, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE AWAY SOME OF THE PIECES I KNOW THAT TALKS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM THAT'S IN THE PRESENTATION.

BUT COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS SERVES OVER 3,500 SCHOOLS WIDE, AND LOCALLY, THEY SERVE OVER 100 SCHOOLS IN ABOUT SEVEN DISTRICTS IN CENTRAL TEXAS.

THE ORGANIZATION HAS A STRONG TRACK RECORD OF INTEGRATING STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES WHILE FOCUSING ON ATTENDANCE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, AND OF COURSE, THE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELL BEING OF THE STUDENTS THAT THEY SERVE.

IN ORDER TO ENHANCE AND STREAMLINE OUR STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES WITH REDUCED FUNDING THE ADMINISTRATION IS RECOMMENDING A TRANSITION TO THE CURRENT SOCIAL WORK SUPPORT MODEL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS.

THIS EVENING, WE WILL HEAR THE PRESENTATION WITH A RECOMMENDATION POSSIBLY IN THE MAY BOARD MEETING.

WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO THE CEO OF COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS FOR THE CENTRAL TEXAS AREA, MISS SHARON VIGIL. [APPLAUSE]

>> MICROPHONES AREN'T MATE FOR SHORT PEOPLE SO TELL ME IF YOU ALL CAN HEAR ME OAKY.

[FOREIGN] GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS SHARON VIGIL AND I AM THE PROUD CEO OF COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS.

BEFORE I TELL YOU ABOUT OUR PROGRAM, LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO DAVID.

WHEN DAVID ENTERED HIGH SCHOOL, HE WAS ALREADY BEHIND.

HE HAD BEEN HELD BACK A YEAR.

HIS MOTHER WORKED MULTIPLE JOBS, AND UNRELIABLE TRANSPORTATION OFTEN MADE HIM LATE OR ABSENT. HIS GRADE SLIPPED.

HIS ABSENCE PILED UP AND EVENTUALLY DAVID GAVE UP AND STOPPED COMING TO SCHOOL ALTOGETHER.

ONE AFTERNOON, HE WAS CAUGHT TRESPASSING AND ENDED UP ON A FAST TRACK TO TRUANCY THAT IS WHERE HE MET OUR PROGRAM MANAGER FROM COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS.

TOGETHER, THEY BUILT A PLAN NOT JUST TO CATCH UP ON GRADES, BUT TO REBUILD HIS CONFIDENCE, TO ADDRESS HIS MENTAL HEALTH, AND TO RECONNECT HIM TO SCHOOL.

THROUGH THE CIS MODEL, DAVID RECEIVED CONSISTENT ONE ON ONE SUPPORT TO HELP HIM PROCESS THE STRESS AND HIS FEELING OF ISOLATION.

HE GOT CONNECTED BACK TO SCHOOL.

HE RECEIVED RESOURCES LIKE FOOD AND CLOTHING, AND HE JOINED ONE OF OUR MENTORSHIP GROUPS, WHERE HE FELT LIKE HE BELONGED.

THESE ARE NOT BAND AIDS.

STUDENTS NEED MENTAL HEALTH THEY ALSO NEED PROTECTIVE FACTORS.

STUDENTS DON'T NEED JUST ONE SOLUTION, BUT THEY NEED VARIOUS SOLUTIONS.

TODAY DAVID IS ENROLLED IN A TECHNICAL COLLEGE, TRAINING TO BE AN ELECTRICIAN, BUILDING A NEW FUTURE FOR HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY.

TODAY'S PRESENTATION, YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT THE CIS IS INTEGRATED STUDENT SUPPORTS AND HOW WE DID THIS WORK ALONGSIDE OF DAVID AND HIS FAMILY.

THE CIS MODEL IS EVIDENCE BASED, MEANING IT'S BACKED BY NATIONAL RESEARCH IN YEARS OF PROVEN RESULTS.

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT SHOWING UP, IT IS ABOUT SHOWING REAL IMPACT THAT LEADS TO GRADUATION AND ACHIEVEMENT IN LIFE.

OUR APPROACH IS ALSO COST EFFECTIVE.

DISTRICT INVESTMENTS ARE MATCHED AND OFTEN EXCEEDED IMPORTANTLY, CIS SUPPORTS THE FULL SPECTRUM OF MENTAL HEALTH FROM PREVENTION TO EARLY INTERVENTION AND CRISIS DIRECTLY ON CAMPUS.

OUR MODEL IMPROVES ACADEMIC OUTCOMES AND LONG TERM ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE THAT IS THE LONG TERM IMPACT THAT WE WANT FOR ALL DEL VALLE STUDENTS.

OUR MODEL USES AN INTEGRATED STUDENT SUPPORTS APPROACH THAT'S DATA DRIVEN, INTENTIONAL, AND ALIGNED WITH THE DISTRICT OUTCOMES, AND WITH YOUR CAMPUS OUTCOMES.

WE START BY ASSESSING THE NEEDS BOTH AT THE CAMPUS AND AT THE STUDENT LEVEL, AND THEN WE DEVELOP TAILORED PLANS FOR EACH CAMPUS.

WE ARE NOT A COOKIE CUTTER APPROACH.

WE ARE NOT A ONE SITE FITS ALL.

WE ARE RESPONSIVE TO WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING DAY IN AND DAY OUT ON CAMPUS.

WE TRACK PROGRESS, MAKE ADJUSTMENTS, AND EVALUATE OUR RESULTS WE TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SUPPORTING STUDENTS.

WE PLACE HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND TRAINED STAFF DIRECTLY ON CAMPUS 100% OF THE TIME.

EACH YEAR, WE BEGIN BY WORKING CLOSELY WITH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TO CONDUCT AN ASSET MAP AND NEED ASSESSMENT.

WE LOOK BOTH AT THE STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES OF EACH CAMPUS.

THAT INFORMS OUR TIERED APPROACH.

TIER 1 SUPPORTS ALL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THROUGH BASIC NEEDS.

THAT MEANS THAT EVERY STUDENT ON THAT CAMPUS HAS ACCESS TO ALL OF OUR TIER 1 SERVICES.

[00:30:05]

TIER 2 PROVIDES SMALL GROUP SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS NAVIGATING GRIEF, SELF REGULATION, OR PEER RELATIONSHIPS.

OUR TIER 3 OFFERS INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTS, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, FAMILY OUTREACH.

IT'S A COMPREHENSIVE MODEL THAT MEETS STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE, AND IT ALIGNS WITH YOUR MULTI TIER SYSTEM.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A FULL SPECTRUM FROM PREVENTION TO EARLY INTERVENTION TO CRISIS RESPONSE.

NOT ALL STUDENTS ARE IN CRISIS RESPONSE MODE, BUT WE CAN STOP THAT WHEN WE IMPLEMENT THE CIS INTEGRATED MODEL.

CIS IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED ON CAMPUS TO OFFER A RANGE OF SERVICES.

BUT WE ALSO MAKE SURE TO PROVIDE PROTECTIVE FACTORS INTERVENTION.

NOT ONLY DO WE WORK WITH STUDENTS THAT HAVE ANXIETY OR FACING GRIEF AND LOSS, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT STUDENTS NEED MENTORS, THAT THEY NEED TUTORS, THAT THEY NEED PARTNERSHIPS.

STUDENTS NEED ALL OF THIS, NOT JUST ONE OR THE OTHER.

WHAT I WANT YOU TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS IS THAT NOT ONE THING IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER, BUT THAT EVERY PROGRAM THAT CIS PROVIDES IS GOING TO MEET STUDENTS WHERE THEY'RE AT SO THAT THEY GET EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED DIRECTLY ON CAMPUS SO THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

THIS RIGHT HERE HIGHLIGHTS JUST HOW COMPREHENSIVE CIS SERVICES REALLY ARE.

WE ADDRESS MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THROUGH CONFLICT RESOLUTION, CRISIS INTERVENTION.

BUT WE ALSO PROVIDE MENTORING.

WE PROVIDE ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, BUT THIS IS JUST ONE PIECE.

WE ALSO PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

WE PROVIDE SUMMER PROGRAMMING.

WHEN THE SCHOOL RINGS, I KNOW WE WERE JUST HEARING A SONG ABOUT SUMMER, WELL, CIS DOESN'T GO ON BREAK.

WE PROVIDE SUMMER PROGRAMMING DIRECTLY ON CAMPUSES SO THAT THE SUMMER LEARNING SLIDE DOESN'T IMPACT STUDENTS.

YOU HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR REACH, AND WE HAVE BEEN A TRUSTED PARTNER IN CENTRAL TEXAS FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS.

TODAY, WE OPERATE IN SIX COUNTIES ACROSS SEVEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND IN 103 SCHOOLS SERVING STUDENTS FROM PRE K THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION SETTINGS.

WE ARE A PROVEN PARTNER.

YOU'RE NOT TAKING A CHANCE ON US BECAUSE WE HAVE THE DATA TO SHOW CLEAR IMPACT.

>> MANY PEOPLE KNOW CIS FOR OUR WORK WITH INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS, AND THAT INTENSIVE ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT IS PART OF OUR CORE PROGRAMMING.

BUT WE ALSO SATURATE ENTIRE CAMPUSES, 93% OF STUDENTS THAT ATTEND A CIS CAMPUS GET CIS SERVICES.

WE SERVED 64,000 STUDENTS ALONE IN CENTRAL TEXAS, AND OVER 8,000 STUDENTS RECEIVED ONE-ON-ONE MENTAL HEALTH CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORTS.

THESE STUDENTS WERE FACING SOME OF THE COMPLEX BARRIERS.

THEY'RE FACING FAMILY CONFLICT, HOUSING INSTABILITY, AN INCARCERATED PARENT, BUT CIS IS ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO ALL STUDENTS.

ADDITIONALLY, WE DON'T RECREATE SYSTEMS, BUT INSTEAD WE BUILD PARALLEL PROGRAMS. WE BUILD BRIDGES, WE PARTNER WITH SDVY NINE COMMUNITY PROVIDERS AND TAP INTO LOCAL EXPERTISE, BECAUSE LET ME TELL YOU, FRIENDS, THAT THERE IS NOT ONE ORGANIZATION OR ONE POSITION THAT CAN DO THE WORK ALONE.

WE NEED A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT TO SURROUND STUDENTS SO THAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE.

OUR MODEL IS ABOUT LEVERAGING WHAT'S ALREADY GOOD IN THE COMMUNITY AND MAKING SURE THAT THAT'S ACCESSIBLE ON CAMPUS FOR STUDENTS.

SO WITH OVER 151,000 HOURS OF DIRECT SERVICE AND MORE THAN 2000 HOME VISITS, WE MEET STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHERE THEY'RE AT.

LAST YEAR, WE PLACED 164 FULL-TIME STAFF MEMBERS DIRECTLY ON CAMPUS.

WE BROUGHT IN 727 MENTORS, 84 SOCIAL WORK INTERNS, AND 89 AMERICORPS MEMBERS.

ADDITIONALLY, CIS HAS A LCSW PROGRAM WHERE WE HELP OUR STAFF RECEIVE THEIR LICENSED CLINICIAN CERTIFICATION.

AS ONE OF ONLY TWO NON-PROFITS IN TEXAS THAT RECEIVES DIRECT APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, CIS IS HELD TO AN EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH STANDARD, AND WE WELCOME THAT EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

EACH YEAR, OUR DATA, FINANCIAL PRACTICES, AND PROGRAM OUTCOMES ARE REGULARLY EVALUATED BY TEA TO ENSURE WE MEET THE STATE'S EXPECTATION FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND IMPACT.

THIS MEANS OUR OUTCOMES ON ATTENDANCE, ACADEMIC, MENTAL HEALTH, AND BEHAVIOR,

[00:35:01]

AND GRADUATION ARE NOT JUST SELF-REPORTED.

TEA HAS TO VALIDATE OUR DATA EVERY SINGLE YEAR BEFORE WE CAN SHARE IT OUT PUBLICLY.

SO WE ARE NOT JUST A PARTNER, BUT WE ARE A PROVEN, VETTED, TRUSTED PARTNER OF THE COMMUNITY.

I'M NOT GOING TO RUN THROUGH THIS THROUGH THIS EVIDENCE, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DO WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU IS THAT TEA EVERY THREE YEARS RESEARCHES CIS.

THEY DO A FULL THIRD-PARTY EVALUATION TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE ARE COMMITTING TO IS WHAT STUDENTS ARE RECEIVING.

WHAT WE FOUND IN THE LAST EVALUATION IS THAT CIS IMPROVES MENTAL HEALTH.

ATTENDANCE, ACADEMIC SCORES.

A SECOND STUDY LOOKED AT STUDENTS THAT WERE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO JUST RECEIVE GENERAL CASE MANAGEMENT, NOT THE CIS CASE MANAGEMENT.

THE RESULTS ARE CLEAR THAT CASE MANAGEMENT ON ITS OWN DOES NOT LEAD TO MEANINGFUL CHANGE OR ACADEMIC OUTCOMES.

THE INTEGRATED STUDENT SUPPORT CASE MANAGEMENT IS WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE.

WE'VE BEEN EVALUATED SINCE 2005, AND HERE'S THE RESEARCH.

THEN AGAIN, WE WERE EVALUATED IN 2007 TO 2011.

BUT WHAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL IS A RESEARCH THAT JUST CAME OUT OF HARVARD AND CORNELL.

THIS STUDY FOUND THAT CIS, AND PARTICULARLY, HAD A STRONG IMPACT IN HIGH-POVERTY SCHOOLS LARGELY THROUGH IMPROVING ATTENDANCE.

ADDITIONALLY, USING 20 YEARS OF DATA FROM OVER SEVEN MILLION TEXAN STUDENTS.

SO WHAT THEY DID IS THEY STUDIED THE IMPACT OF CIS WITH A CONTROL GROUP IN TEXAS.

THEY STUDIED SEVEN MILLION STUDENTS.

THEY LOOKED AT THE COLLEGE BOARD AT THE WORKFORCE BOARD.

THEY WORKED WITH TEA.

WHAT THEY FOUND WAS THAT STUDENTS WHO ATTEND A CIS SCHOOL FOR FOUR YEARS EARNED 1,500 MORE ANNUALLY BY AGE 26, THAT ADDS UP TO $100,000 MORE IN STUDENTS POCKET THAN SOMEONE THAT DID NOT GO TO A CIS CAMPUS.

THAT ALSO MEANS THAT THERE IS A 9,000 MORE IN TAX CONTRIBUTION PER STUDENT THAT GOES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

HARVARD AND CORNELL ESTIMATED THAT WHEN CIS IS SCALED AT A SCHOOL DISTRICT, THAT REDUCE THE INCOME GAP BETWEEN LOW AND HIGH POVERTY SCHOOLS BY 20%.

I KNOW I SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT DATA, AND MY TEAM ALWAYS WARNS ME ABOUT THIS.

BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT.

YOU'RE NOT TAKING A CHANCE.

YOU'RE CHOOSING A PROVEN PARTNER WITH OUTCOMES THAT HAS DRIVEN RESULTS.

OUR MODEL HAS BEEN VALIDATED BY DECADES, BY TEA, AND WE WOULD BE SO FORTUNATE TO WORK ALONGSIDE OF YOU TO SUPPORT ACCELERATE AND CONTINUE THE PROGRESS OF DEL VALLEY.

CIS STUDENTS ARE GRADUATING AT HIGHER RATES THAN BOTH THE STATE AND CENTRAL TEXAS AVERAGES.

STUDENTS STARTING BELOW 80% ATTENDANCE WHEN THEY WERE PART OF CIS, WHEN THEY ENDED AT CIS, HAD A 23% INCREASE, WHICH MEANS THAT WE BROUGHT THEM TO OVER THE 90% THRESHOLD.

WE TOOK THEM FROM CHRONICALLY ABSENT TO BEING FULLY PRESENT.

I ALSO WANT TO SHOW YOU THAT WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE IS THE PROGRESS OF EMERGING BILINGUAL STUDENTS COMPARED TO THEIR ENGLISH PROFICIENT PEERS.

AS YOU WILL SEE IN THIS DATA, OUR EMERGENT BILINGUAL STUDENTS STARTED BELOW WHEN THEY TESTED FROM THEIR ENGLISH COUNTERPARTS, BUT AFTER CIS, THEY WERE ACHIEVING ABOVE.

THAT IS EQUITY. I'M GOING TO SAY THAT AGAIN.

THAT IS TRUE EQUITY.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR MENTAL HEALTH, BUT I WANT TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU.

WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE IS POWERFUL.

BECAUSE AMONG STUDENTS WHO STARTED WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY, WORKING WITH CIS, 94% SHOWED A DECREASE IN SYMPTOMS BY THE TIME THEY EXITED CIS SERVICES.

THESE ARE NOT JUST SELF-REPORTED FEELINGS.

THESE ARE BASED ON VALIDATED CLINICAL TOOLS LIKE PHQ-9, WHICH WE USE, AND GAD-7.

AND THE SUPPORT DIDN'T END THERE; 91% OF THE STUDENTS WHO HAD AN ACADEMIC NEED IMPROVED IN THEIR ACADEMICS.

EVERY YEAR, WE SURVEY THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT DATA, BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT WHAT PARENTS AND STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ARE PROGRAM.

SO I WILL NOT READ THESE TO YOU, BUT THEY ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE.

THE LAST THING THAT I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH IS THAT WE ALSO SURVEYED OVER 1,700 SCHOOL STAFF, AND THEY TOLD US WHERE CIS SUPPORTS MATTERED THE MOST.

THEY SAID MENTAL HEALTH, SELF ESTEEM, AND BASIC NEEDS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. SMALL PASS.

[00:40:06]

>> GO AHEAD. SORRY.

>> THIS INFORMATION SESSION IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY TODAY.

OF COURSE, THIS IS PENDING BOARD APPROVAL FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH.

I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT. I JUST WANTED TO THANK MISS BEHE FOR BEING HERE AND SHARING THAT STORY WITH US OF THE INFORMATION.

>> ACTUALLY, DOCTOR CANTU, I HAVE QUESTIONS.

AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE'VE BEEN GETTING MANY EMAILS IN REFERENCE TO US POTENTIALLY SWITCHING.

AFTER I ASK MINE, I'LL OPEN IT UP TO THE BOARD.

BUT FOR STARTERS, I THINK ONE OF THE LARGEST CONCERNS IS THE EXISTING SOCIAL WORKERS, AND IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, AND PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, SHARON.

ARE YOU ALL WILLING TO HIRE OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEES? WHAT'S THE PROCESS FOR THAT, PLEASE?

>> YES. WE HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATION WITH THE DISTRICT, AND IF THIS IS APPROVED, I PERSONALLY WOULD LOVE TO COME AND SPEAK TO YOUR SOCIAL WORKERS.

WHAT OUR PLAN IS IS TO GIVE YOUR CURRENT SOCIAL WORKERS THE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL FOR AN INTERVIEW? I AM ALSO COMMITTED THAT, DEPENDING ON WHERE THEIR CONTRACT ENDS WITH YOU, THAT EVEN THOUGH WE MAY NOT HAVE A CONTRACT SIGNED WITH YOU, CIS WILL GO OUT OF POCKET AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A GAP IN PAY.

WE WANT PEOPLE WHO ARE PART OF THE COMMUNITY TO SERVE OUR CHILDREN. IT IS OUR GOAL.

WE KNOW THAT WHEN PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE OUR CHILDREN AND HAVE THE LIVED EXPERIENCE LIKE OUR CHILDREN SEE AND RECEIVE SERVICES, THAT WE SEE A MAJOR IMPACT. SO YES.

WE WOULD OPEN UP THE INTERVIEW PORTAL JUST FOR THEM.

THEY WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL, BUT WE DO NOT PLACE ANYONE ON CAMPUS WITHOUT PRINCIPAL APPROVAL.

SO PRINCIPLES WOULD BE PART OF THAT CONVERSATION.

>> GOOD TO KNOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

BOARD, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, TRUSTEE PENTOA? SECRETARY GUARDIAN.

>> SO I SEE WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND DATA TRACKING.

CURRENTLY, WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THAT? WHO TRACKS THE DATA? IS IT THE SAME ACROSS THE DISTRICT, OR IS IT A CAMPUS DOES THEIR OWN THING WITH OUR SOCIAL WORKERS? WHAT'S THE ACCOUNTABILITY THERE?

>> I'M GOING TO SPEAK FOR MISS BIDDINS AND THE CURRENT DIRECTOR WHO IS ALSO WITH US.

WE DO TRACK SOME OF THE DATA.

WHAT WE CAN SHOW IS A COMPARISON OF THE DATA THAT WE DO CHECK SO WE CAN BE VERY CLEAR WITH THE BOARD.

BUT YOU ALL HAVE THAT INFORMATION BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISIONS.

>> ANYTHING FURTHER?

>> I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. SO YOU'RE GOOD. THANK YOU.

VICE PRESIDENT LI. STE BURTON, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? TRUSTEE FRANCO?

>> SO A COUPLE OF GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCESS.

FOR MISS, YOU MENTIONED THEY'LL HAVE THE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL FOR AN INTERVIEW.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE GUARANTEED AN INTERVIEW.

THEY'LL HAVE THE RIGHT OF FIRST REAL TO COME IN FOR AN INTERVIEW.

THEY STILL HAVE TO PASS YOUR PROCESS AS FAR AS YOUR MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR TO YOU FOR YOU TO HIRE THEM?

>> THEY NOT ONLY HAVE TO PASS THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, BUT THEY HAVE TO PASS THE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK THAT IS EXPECTED.

THEY HAVE TO GET FINGERPRINTED.

WE HAVE TO OBVIOUSLY, THEY'RE HIRED BY YOU ALL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO DO THAT AS A VENDOR.

>> GOT YOU. GENERALLY SPEAKING, AND NOT GOING INTO SPECIFICS.

BUT DOES CIS PAY ACCORDINGLY, GENERALLY SPEAKING, AS FAR AS THE SAME OR LESS, OR MORE THAN THE DISTRICT?

>> WHAT I WILL SHARE WITH YOU IS, FIRST, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SO WE USE SOMETHING CALLED PAY SCALE, AND PAY SCALE THEY REVIEW OUR PAY SALARIES.

WE HAVE SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR LIKE YOU ALL WHERE WE HAVE BANS AND WE PAY BY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

CIS EXCEEDS THE MIDPOINT PAY, AND USUALLY, WE ARE ABOUT THREE TO 5% ABOVE THE MIDPOINT FOR A NONPROFIT WORKING IN SOCIAL SERVICES.

WE DO NOT GET FUNDED LIKE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

I KNOW THAT YOU ALL ARE AWARE THAT ER FUNDS WHEN THEY WERE USED NATIONALLY AND LOCALLY TO PAY FOR TEMPORARY POSITIONS.

WHO WANTS TO COME FOR A TEMPORARY POSITION? IN ORDER TO ATTRACT PEOPLE, THEY HAD TO INCREASE PAY.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING WITH A LOT OF OUR SCHOOL PARTNERS IS THAT THEY CANNOT KEEP UP WITH THE SR PAY.

SO I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ALL ARE PAYING YOUR SOCIAL WORKERS.

ALL I KNOW IS THAT CIS HAS BEEN WORKING FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS TO BE ABOVE A LIVING WAGE.

THREE YEARS AGO, WE GAVE NEARLY A 17% PAY INCREASE TO OUR PROGRAM MANAGER.

[00:45:01]

EXECUTIVE TEAM DID NOT GET PAY RAISES THAT YEAR.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD, AND ULTIMATELY, UNFORTUNATELY, WE DO NOT GET FUNDING LIKE SCHOOL DISTRICTS DO.

>> UNDERSTOOD. THEN MY UNDERSTANDING AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, DOCTOR CANTU.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THESE CURRENT SOCIAL WORKERS ARE IN THE TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM FROM TEXAS; THEY FALL UNDER THAT SAME PENSION SYSTEM.

>> IF THEY'RE CURRENT EMPLOYEES, THEY RECEIVE TRS.

WOULD THEY BE RECEIVING TRS IF THEY MOVE OVER TO COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS?

>> WE ARE NOT PART OF THE TRS SYSTEM.

>> GOT YOU. UNDERSTOOD.

>> QUESTION ABOUT YOUR PRESENTATION GENERALLY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

>> WE DO HAVE A 41K THAT WE PROVIDE, AND WE ALSO PROVIDE UP TO A 3%.

WE ALSO PAY FOR FULLY PAY FOR OUR STAFFS' HEALTH INSURANCE, AND WE ALSO PROVIDE $200 ADDITIONAL SO THAT THEY CAN COVER THEIR FAMILY A MONTH.

WE TRY TO MAKE UP FOR THAT BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS AGAIN TO THE SAME FUNDING LIKE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> UNDERSTOOD. THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.

QUESTION ABOUT WELL, I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING, I THINK AMUSING SCHOOLS IS VERY GOOD WORK.

BUT I DO HAVE A QUESTION YOU MENTIONED AMERICORE.

AND THAT YOU HAD A LOT OF AMERICORPS VOLUNTEERS? WHAT SORT OF STUFF DOES AMERICORE DO FOR YOU ALL?

>> SO WE ACTUALLY HAVE TWO AMERICA CORP GRANTS.

THE FIRST GRANT IS MENTORSHIP AND TUTORING.

BUT AMERICORPS IS NOT ALONE ON A CAMPUS.

THEY HAVE A PROGRAM MANAGER THAT SUPERVISES AN AMERICORPS.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE AN AMERICORPS GRANT THAT IS CALLED A MENTAL HEALTH CORP. THREE CIS AFFILIATES GOT TOGETHER AND RECEIVED A GRANT TO EMBED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY WITH AN AMERICORPS PROGRAM.

>> GOT YOU. ALONG THOSE LINES, ARE YOU AWARE THAT ABOUT SIX DAYS AGO, UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY CUT 2000 MEMBERS OF AMERICORPS THAT SPECIFICALLY WORK WITH COMMUNITIES.

>> I DO, AND WE ARE NOT PART OF THE NC.

OUR FUNDING COMES FROM A DIFFERENT PIPELINE.

I AM IN CLOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH SENATOR CORNYN AND ALSO WITH VOICES FOR SERVICE.

I JUST WENT TO NATIONAL TO ADVOCATE FOR AMER CORP, AND AT THIS POINT, WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT OUR AMERICORPS FUNDS ARE SECURE.

>> GOT YOU UNDERSTOOD, BUT DO YOU HAVE SOME SORT OF BACKUP PLAN IN CASE BECAUSE WE NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH? THAT SAYS AS THINGS ARE HAPPENING.

>> ACTUALLY, I HAVE ONE OF MY BOARD MEMBERS HERE, AND WE ARE FACED WITH DIFFICULT DECISIONS AS WELL, AND SO WE WILL BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION ON FRIDAY.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF WRITING ANOTHER GRANT WITH A LOCAL FOUNDATION, AND WE WILL BE REQUESTING $2,000,000 TO BE ABLE TO KEEP OUR AMERICORPS SERVICES.

WE'RE APPLYING, AND I CAN COMMIT.

I WISH I COULD TELL YOU WE'RE GOING TO GET IT.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE RIGHT NOW.

>> MADAM PRESIDENT, I HAVE A GENERAL STATEMENT.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE THAT I PREPARED.

I CAN EITHER DO IT NOW OR I CAN DO IT AT THE END. HOW DO YOU PREFER?

>> AT THIS TIME, NO, I'D PREFER TO WAIT ON THAT. THANK YOU.

>> UNTIL THE END OF DELIBERATION HERE.

>> FOR RIGHT NOW, LET'S STICK TO QUESTIONS.

HOW LONG IS YOUR STATEMENT?

>> OH, NO, WE CAN AS LONG AS I GET MY CHANCE TO SPEAK AFTERWARDS. THANK YOU.

>> ARE THERE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? GO AHEAD. THANK YOU. TRUSTEE BURTON.

>> HOW DO YOU TRACK THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT YOUR CIS WORKERS ARE SEEING IN A SCHOOL? IS IT WEEKLY? IS IT MONTHLY? IS IT BY GRADING PERIOD?

>> IT'S DAILY. WE CURRENTLY USE STUDENT'S STATE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, AND EVERY SINGLE TIME A SERVICE IS GIVEN TO THAT STUDENT BY THEIR IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WE RECORD IT.

EVERY YEAR, WE HAVE TO PRESENT THAT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WITH ALL THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDED TO TEA.

>> IS THERE A QUOTA THAT IF CIS MEMBERS ARE NOT MAKING, THAT Y'ALL REACH OUT TO THEM TO REQUEST THEM DO MORE RESEARCH OR WORK, OR WHATEVER?

>> IF OUR PROGRAM MANAGERS ARE NOT MEETING THEIR CASE MANAGEMENT NUMBERS, WE HAVE LAYERED SUPPORTS FOR THEM.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE IS A PROGRAM DIRECTOR, WHICH IS SOMEONE WHO COMES IN AND SUPERVISES THEM AND HELPS THEM GET ON TRACK.

BUT SOMETIMES IT'S DIFFICULT.

SOMETIMES CAMPUSES HAD A CRISIS, AND SO THEY NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NOW HAVE FOR THREE YEARS IS CALLED A PSS.

IT'S A PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST WHERE WE CAN DEPLOY STAFF TO HELP OUR PROGRAM MANAGERS GET THEIR CASE MANAGEMENT NUMBERS UP.

>> I GUESS THAT GOES TO MY NEXT QUESTION, WHICH IS THE ANSWER IN REGARDS TO IF THERE'S TOO MANY STUDENTS OR THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT NEED TO BE SERVICED GROWS TO AMOUNT THAT ONE CIS MEMBER CANNOT HANDLE ON CAMPUS.

[00:50:01]

I TAKE IT THAT PSS GETS INVOLVED IN THAT AS WELL.

>> THE PSS IS INVOLVED, BUT THAT'S WHY WE HAVE LAYERED SERVICES.

WE HAVE THAT PROGRAM MANAGER.

WE MIGHT HAVE AN AMERICORPS MEMBER.

WE MIGHT HAVE AN INTERN.

WE ALSO HAVE A MALE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM THAT WE LAYER IN.

ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT CIS IS THAT WE HAVE AN ENTIRE SYSTEM OF SUPPORT THAT WE'RE ABLE JUST TO LEVERAGE WHEN A PROGRAM MANAGER NEEDS HELP.

>> AWESOME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, TRUSTEE BART DOES THAT CONCLUDE YOUR QUESTIONS? YOU'RE GOOD. VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY.

>> MY QUESTION IS MORE FROM A FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

WHAT IS THIS GOING TO LOOK LIKE FOR THE DISTRICT IF WE DO DECIDE TO SIGN IN WITH CIS COMPARED TO WHERE WE'RE AT NOW? WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WE ARE IN A BUDGET DEFICIT.

ONE OF THE REASONS WE WANTED TO BRING CIS ON WAS TO DECREASE SOME OF OUR BUDGET SO WE CAN HAVE MORE MONEY FOR RAISES AND OTHER PROGRAMS FOR KIDS TO DIRECTLY IMPACT OUR KIDS.

WHAT IMPACT WILL CIS HAVE TO OUR DISTRICT IN A FINANCIAL STATEMENT?

>> THE PARTNERSHIP REQUIRES ABOUT 41,000 PER CAMPUS TO PARTNER.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE PAYING OBVIOUSLY THE SALARY OF CIS, AND THEN, OF COURSE, ANY SUPPLY MATERIAL AND THINGS THAT THEY NEED.

I WANT TO SAY THAT THE OVERALL SAVINGS IS CLOSE TO HALF A MILLION.

IT'S ABOUT 470, SOMETHING THOUSAND WITH SALARIES ALONE.

>> ANYTHING FURTHER ON THIS SIDE? YOU WANT TO COME? TRUSTEE PENTOHA.

>> EARLIER, YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT YOU HAVE HIGH QUALIFIED STAFF ON CAMPUS. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? IN SHORT, WHAT I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IS YOUR PROGRAM MANAGERS, WHAT IS THE REQUIREMENT TO BECOME A PROGRAM MANAGER?

>> WE'LL TELL YOU THAT CURRENTLY, WE DO NOT HAVE A PROGRAM MANAGER THAT HAS LESS THAN A BACHELOR'S DEGREE.

I KNOW THAT THAT'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY IT SAYS THAT A MINIMUM OF A HIGH SCHOOL IS REQUIRED.

FIVE YEARS AGO, WE DID A LISTENING SESSION.

WHAT WE HEARD FROM FAMILIES WAS THAT FAMILY MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS COULD ALSO HELP THEIR CHILDREN.

WHEN CIS REQUIRED THAT WE HAVE A MASTER'S OR A SOCIAL WORK DEGREE, WHICH WE'VE ALWAYS HAD, THAT IT CREATED AN EQUITY BARRIER FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BE INVOLVED.

WE REALLY WORKED WITH THE COMMUNITY AND LISTENED TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE DID AWAY WITH THAT BECAUSE WE WANTED TO BE FULLY INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> BUT WE ALSO HAVE LCSWS.

WE HAVE LPCSS.

WE HAVE LMSWS.

WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO WENT TO COUNSELORS.

WE ALSO HAVE FORMER TEACHERS WHO SAID, I LOVE CIS, AND SO LET ME BE A PART OF THAT.

WE DO HAVE A WIDE RANGE, BUT WE ALSO HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS UNIT WHERE THEY ARE LCSWS, LPCS, AND THEY ARE SUPERVISORS.

IT IS THE REASON WHY WE'RE ABLE TO BRING INTERNS WHO ARE TRYING TO GET THEIR SOCIAL WORK DEGREE TO WORK WITH CIS BECAUSE WE HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE CREDENTIALS THAT ARE NEEDED.

WE CURRENTLY WORK WITH OVER 50 INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, PROVIDING SOCIAL WORK INTERNS TO CIS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. THEN THE NEXT THING IS, YOU MENTION LCSW PROGRAM THAT INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION HAVE ACCESS TO THAT. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT SOMETIMES WE HAVE STUDENTS THAT NEED MORE THAN ONE-ON-ONE SCHOOL COUNSELING.

OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS UNIT IS ABLE TO PROVIDE UP TO 16 FREE COUNSELING SESSIONS TO STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR FREE.

IF THE FAMILY STILL NEEDS MORE, THEN WE WILL PROVIDE MORE, BUT OUR GOAL IS ALSO TO GET THEM CONNECTED TO ADDITIONAL PARTNERS SO THAT IT'S NOT JUST ONE PARTNER PROVIDING ALL OF THAT SUPPORT.

WITH THIS PROGRAM, WE ALSO PROVIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE SAW TWO SUICIDE IDEATIONS AT A LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.

CIS WAS THERE PROVIDING CRISIS SUPPORT TO PARENTS, STUDENTS, TEACHERS.

WHEN THERE WAS A DEADLY CRASH OF BUSES, CIS WAS THE FIRST SERVICE PROVIDER DIRECTLY ON THE CRASH SITE.

WE WERE ALSO AT THE HOSPITAL AND WE PROVIDED NEARLY A MONTH OF CRISIS SUPPORT DIRECTLY TO THAT CAMPUS, AND WE CONTINUE TO DO OUR REGULAR CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. THE LAST QUESTION I HAVE IS, YOU MENTIONED PAY SCALE. IS THAT ONLINE?

>> YES. YOU CAN LOOK AT PAY SCALE.

IT'S A SYSTEM, BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

IT'S REALLY EXPENSIVE.

[LAUGHTER] IT LOOKS AT ALL OF YOUR PAY BANDS,

[00:55:02]

AND IT TAKES NATIONAL AND LOCAL, AND IT TELLS YOU ALL THAT.

>> LET ME RE-ASK THE QUESTION.

AS THE DISTRICT, WE HAVE A PAY SCALE, I CAN GO SEE FIBERS OF EDUCATION OR THE POSITION I'M IN.

I CAN SEE THE WINDOW.

WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS IF I WANTED TO FIND OUT WHAT I WOULD GET PAID WHERE CI IS, I HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT SERVICE TO THE IDENTIFIER.

>> WHEN YOU APPLY FOR A JOB, WE LOOK AT YOUR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, AND THEN WE CALCULATE THAT AND BASED ON THAT BAND, THEN WE MAKE YOU AN OFFER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> I JUST WANT TO GET CLARIFICATION.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WAS THAT WE ARE NO LONGER PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES TO OUR STUDENTS WITH GOING THROUGH CIS, AND I JUST WANT YOU TO CLARIFY THAT THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

WE WILL STILL BE PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES TO OUR CHILDREN.

>> I UNFORTUNATELY DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOUR SOCIAL WORKERS CURRENTLY PROVIDE.

I CAN'T SPEAK ON THAT.

BUT THAT'S WHY I CAME TO SHOW YOU WHAT WE PROVIDE.

>> IF SOMEBODY CAN ANSWER IT BECAUSE THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING.

I KNOW SOCIAL WORKING IS A BIG UMBRELLA OF MANY THINGS.

I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT, WE'RE TAKING AWAY SOCIAL SERVICES, WHEN, IN FACT, WE'RE NOT, I FEEL LIKE WE'RE ACTUALLY PROVIDING MORE THROUGH CIS.

IF SOMEBODY CAN CLARIFY THAT OR PROVIDE SOME MORE INFORMATION.

>> I LIKE TO THINK OF IT AS HOW DO WE PROVIDE STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ACROSS AN ENTIRE SPECTRUM, BECAUSE OUR SCHOOL ALSO HAS TIERED SERVICES.

WE WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS, WITH OUR ADMIN TEAM, WITH OUR PCLS.

SPEAKING FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, THIS MIRRORS THE THINGS THAT WE PROVIDE.

BUT I THINK WHAT IT ALSO DOES IS IT BRINGS A NETWORK OUTSIDE OF THE DISTRICT THAT WE CURRENTLY MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO, THAT WITH CIS, WE MAY HAVE.

>> I GUESS MY LAST QUESTION WOULD BE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND STAFF THAT ARE OUT THERE, IF THERE IS A SERVICE THAT YOU FEEL LIKE WE'RE NOT PROVIDING A PARTICULAR SERVICE, PLEASE BE VERY SPECIFIC BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR KIDS DO NOT LOSE ANY SERVICES BY DOING ANY TYPE OF TRANSITION IF WE DECIDE TO GO THIS ROUTE, PLEASE SEND US AN E MAIL BECAUSE SOCIAL SERVICES IN GENERAL IS A HUGE UMBRELLA.

WITHOUT KNOWING THE SPECIFICS, WE CAN'T REALLY TARGET TO ENSURE, HEY, NO STUDENT IS GOING TO BE LEFT BEHIND IN THE SERVICES.

IF YOU DO HAVE A SPECIFIC ITEM THAT YOU DO NOT SEE CIS DOING, THEN WE CAN HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AND SEE HOW DO WE GO ABOUT TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES, BECAUSE THE LAST THING WE WANT TO DO IS NOT PROVIDE SERVICES TO OUR CHILDREN.

I WANT EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE NOT A BOARD THAT IS HERE TO DO THAT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. I DO HAVE AN INITIAL QUESTION MYSELF.

YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER NOW, BUT IN THE NEXT PRESENTATION, WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW IS, WHAT ARE OUR AREA DISTRICTS DOING THAT SURROUND US? DO THEY HAVE SOCIAL WORKERS? ARE THEY EQUALLY PAID, THAT THING? HOW MANY OF THEM ACTUALLY USE CIS, THINGS LIKE THAT? THANK YOU. ANYTHING FURTHER?

>> YES.

>> SORRY. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? ACTUALLY, AT THIS POINT, GO AHEAD. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. WE'VE HEARD A LOT FROM THE COMMUNITY, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I WANT TO START BY SAYING THANK YOU TO THE MANY EDUCATORS, STAFF, AND FAMILIES WHO TOOK THE TIME TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF.

I'VE ANSWERED MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS REGARDING THIS ISSUE, READ EVERY EMAIL, MANY OF THEM MORE THAN ONCE.

WHAT'S CLEAR IS THAT PEOPLE ARE DEEPLY INVESTED IN THE WELL-BEING OF OUR STUDENTS AND THIS DISTRICT.

THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE TRANSITION AWAY FROM LICENSED SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS AND OTHER CURRENT MENTAL HEALTH STAFF IN OUR DISTRICT TOWARD A GREATER RELIANCE ON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT CIS IS A GREAT AND HIGHLY RESPECTED ORGANIZATION DOING IMPORTANT WORK IN TEXAS.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT PITTING ONE GROUP AGAINST ANOTHER, BUT RATHER UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES IN ROLES, TRAINING, AND OUTCOMES SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE'RE SETTING OUR STUDENTS UP.

WHAT I'VE HEARD, AND I THINK BEARS REPEATING, IS THAT LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH STAFF CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY THE DISTRICT PLAY A UNIQUE AND DEEPLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE LICENSED PROFESSIONALS TRAINED IN MENTAL HEALTH AND ABUSE RISK, PROVIDE LONG-TERM THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT, AND RESPOND IN MOMENTS OF CRISIS.

THESE AREN'T SUPPORT STAFF, THEY ARE SAFETY NETS.

WHILE CIS PROVIDES VITAL SERVICES LIKE MENTORSHIP, ATTENDANCE SUPPORT, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS, [NOISE], THEY ARE NOT A CLINICAL REPLACEMENT.

THEIR STAFF OFTEN CARRY DIFFERENT CREDENTIALS, SERVE DIFFERENT NUMBER OF CASE LOADS, AND HAVE A DIFFERENT SCOPE OF PRACTICE.

BOTH GROUPS OFFER VALUE, BUT THEY ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE.

OUR COMMUNITY IS ASKING THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS.

WHAT SERVICES WILL BE LOST OR DIMINISHED IN THIS TRANSITION? WHAT CAN CIS LEGALLY AND PRACTICALLY DO,

[01:00:03]

AND WHAT CAN THEY DO? MOST IMPORTANTLY, HOW DO WE ENSURE STUDENTS DON'T FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS? HERE'S WHAT I'M ASKING THAT WE, AS A BOARD, TAKE TIME TO FULLY REVIEW THE CIS CONTRACT, TO UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE, THE STAFFING MODEL, AND THE ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO KNOW WHEN WE CAN BRING TOGETHER DISTRICT LEADERSHIP AND CIS REPRESENTATIVES TO HAVE A TRANSPARENT, COLLABORATIVE CONVERSATION, NOT TO RE LITIGATE DECISIONS, BUT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S STILL POSSIBLE AND WHETHER THERE'S A MIDDLE GROUND THAT ALIGNS WITH OUR BUDGET, BUT STILL PROTECTS THE SERVICES OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS RELY ON.

I BELIEVE THERE'S A PATH FORWARD THAT RESPECTS OUR FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND KEEPS OUR STUDENTS' NEEDS AT THE CENTER.

BUT WE NEED TO BE CLEAR-EYED ABOUT WHAT'S CHANGING AND INTENTIONAL ABOUT THE IMPACT.

>> ANYTHING FURTHER, BOARD? THANK YOU FOR THAT STATEMENT.

NOW, LET'S SEE.

THE NEXT ITEM THAT THE COMMENTS WERE ABOUT IS THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

[VIII.B. Board Operating Procedures (Part 1 of 2)]

IF WE CAN GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 8B, I'D LIKE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION BOARD.

VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY, SINCE YOU WERE ON THE COMMITTEE, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO DEFER TO YOU.

>> SORRY. IS HE SAYING SOMETHING?

>> NO.

>> FIRST, I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THE EMAILS AND FOR THE FACEBOOK AND THE TEXTS AND THE CALLS.

I REALIZE THAT FOLKS ARE PAYING ATTENTION, SO I GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE NOT OFTEN THAT WE GET ANYONE PAYING ATTENTION TO BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU ALL FOR DOING THAT.

THAT BEING SAID, MADAM PRESIDENT, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE OUT AND HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THAT PARTICULAR ITEM REGARDING COMMUNITY PUBLIC COMMENTS.

YES. I DO HAVE A QUESTION FOR LEGAL.

I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH OUR LEGAL TEAM REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR ITEM AND WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T DO BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING THE LAW BECAUSE THOSE WERE SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT WE WERE VIOLATING PEOPLE'S RIGHTS, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S NOT THE CASE BECAUSE YOUR OPINIONS AND YOUR CONCERNS ARE VERY VALID, AND THE BOARD NEEDS TO HEAR THEM.

IF THAT'S OKAY, CAN WE PULL THAT ITEM OUT BEFORE WE HAVE ANY ACTION TAKEN ON THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY. ARE THERE ANY OTHER? GO AHEAD, TRUSTEE FRANCO?

>> [INAUDIBLE].

>> I'LL GET THERE. THANK YOU.

>> WHEN YOU SAY PULL ITEM OUT, ARE YOU REFERRING TO ITEM D?

>> NO. I'M REFERRING TO OUR BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURE.

>> CORRECT, IN WHICH LETTER, IS IT, LETTER D, THAT WE'RE PULLING OUT?

>> I DON'T HAVE THE PAGE NUMBER.

>> SORRY.

>> YES. ITEM D. THANK YOU.

>> POINT OF CLARIFICATION, MADAM PRESIDENT.

>> YES, SIR.

>> WE'RE PULLING OUT A SPECIFIC ITEM WITHIN THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES, IS THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING?

>> YES.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO, BECAUSE I THINK EVERYTHING ELSE WAS OKAY.

THERE WAS A COUPLE OF CHROMATICAL THINGS THAT WE NEEDED TO ADDRESS.

I WAS SENT THAT INFORMATION, WHICH I HAVE NO ISSUES WITH.

DO YOU WANT TO GO OVER THOSE CHROMATICAL THINGS? SORRY. I THINK DAMIEN HAD SOMETHING TOO.

>> WHAT I'M HEARING IS WE'RE PULLING TO AMEND AND THEN VOTE AS AMENDED?

>> YES, SIR. [BACKGROUND].

>> OUR ATTORNEY IS SUPPOSED TO BE HERE 7:15-7:30, SO WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH HER.

HI. THERE SHE IS. LOOK AT THAT.

THANK YOU. MY GRAMMATICAL CHANGES WOULD BE ON PAGE 14 OF THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES THEMSELVES.

IT'S 138 OF OUR BINDER.

NUMBER 10, THE THIRD PARAGRAPH IN REFERENCE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS ON THIS RESPONSE, BECAUSE SHE TRACKS; IT SHOULD SAY HE/SHE, PLEASE?

[01:05:01]

PAGE 16, THERE IS, LET'S SEE, LOWER CASE ROMAN NUMERAL FIVE.

TRUSTEE SHALL SIGN IN AT EACH CAMPUS AND IT HAS A PERIOD AND IT SHOULD BE EITHER A COMMA OR JUST REMOVE IT COMPLETELY. I HAVE NO PREFERENCE.

PAGE 23, WHICH IS PAGE 147 IN OUR BINDER.

ITEM B SAYS, THE BOARD CAN IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIVE ACTION STEPS BY PROCEEDING WITH A MAJORITY VOTE IN CLOSED SESSION.

WE DON'T VOTE IN CLOSED SESSION, SO THAT NEEDS TO BE OPEN, PLEASE.

THAT'S ALL I HAD, ACTUALLY.

>> MADAM PRESIDENT, WE ARE OPENING TO DISCUSSION BECAUSE I DO HAVE SOME DISCUSSIONS OR QUESTIONS.

>> I'M SORRY. CAN YOU REPEAT THAT, PLEASE?

>> QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION; ARE WE OPENING TO DISCUSSION OR NO?

>> SURE.

>> AWESOME. LOOKING THEM OVER, I THINK WE WERE ALL IN THE WORKSHOP, AND GENERALLY SPEAKING, I THINK THESE ARE GREAT, MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I JUST HAVE SOME GENERAL CONCERNS ABOUT, I BELIEVE, IT'S SECTION 5.

[OVERLAPPING].

>> I'M SORRY, CAN YOU GIVE ME PAGE NUMBERS?

>> I BELIEVE IT'S PDF PAGE 127, WHICH I DON'T KNOW IF THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE SAME IN YOURS, BUT ELECTRONICALLY, IT'S PDF PAGE 127.

IT'S PAGE 3 APPARENTLY OF THE ACTUAL BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURE.

SECTION 5C3, STARTING WITH C, BOARD AGENDAS AND CORRESPONDING DOCUMENTS WHEN POSSIBLE, WILL BE UPLOADED TO BOARD BOOK 7 CALENDAR DAYS PRIOR TO THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING.

THEN GOING ON TO SECTION E, SHOULD A MEMBER WISH TO REMOVE ANY ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA, THEY MUST DO SO SENDING AN E MAIL TO THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND SUPERINTENDENT AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING.

IF A TRUSTEE DOES NOT TIMELY REQUEST TO MOVE AN ITEM OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA, THEY CAN MAKE A MOTION AT THE MEETING WHICH MUST BE APPROVED BY A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD, WHICH THAT THEN LEADS INTO EXHIBIT A.

THESE ARE ALL TIED TOGETHER. EXHIBIT AI-A, WHICH IS TOWARDS THE VERY END.

I DON'T KNOW THE PAGE. I'LL GET TO IT.

>> CAN YOU GIVE ME A PAGE NUMBER ON THAT ONE, PLEASE SIR?

>> I'M SCROLLING UP. IT IS PDF PAGE 149, BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURE, PAGE 25.

EXHIBIT A, THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES FROM ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER SHALL BE FOLLOWED AT BOARD MEETINGS.

I-A, QUESTIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ASKED AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO A BOARD MEETING WILL BE SUBJECT TO A POINT OF ORDER AND TRUSTEES ASKING THE QUESTION MAY BE ASKED TO PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE QUESTION WAS NOT ASKED PRIOR TO THEM.

I READ ALL OF THOSE TO SAY THAT [NOISE] WHILE STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE HAVE THE INFORMATION PUBLICLY AVAILABLE, 72 HOURS, IT ONLY ASKED FOR THE AGENDA AND ALL OF THE BACKUP, WHICH I SEE AS AN ISSUE, BUT WE CAN TAKE THAT UP LATER.

HOWEVER, IF MY CONCERN HERE IS THAT IF FOR SOME REASON, WE DON'T GET A LOT OF DETAIL FROM, VIS A VIS, THE COMMUNITY, THE SCHOOLS CONTRACT, THINGS ALONG THAT NATURE, WITHIN A DECENT TIME PERIOD, HOPEFULLY STAFF WILL ALWAYS GIVE IT TO US WITHIN SEVEN DAYS, IT'S ON THE BOARD BOOK, BUT IF WE DON'T, AND FOR SOME REASON, WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK THAT WEEK, WE HAVE A STACKED WEEK WITH WORK, WE'RE ON VACATION, AND WE GET TO IT ON 72 HOURS PRIOR, LET'S SAY WE GET HOME 72 HOURS PRIOR TO THE BOARD MEETING, AND REVIEW THAT INFORMATION, AND WE DON'T GET A QUESTION IN WITHIN 48 HOURS, MY CONCERN IS THAT WE COULD ESSENTIALLY BE, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY CENSORED, BUT WE COULD ESSENTIALLY FOR NOT HAVING THE INFORMATION ADEQUATELY AND AHEAD OF TIME, WE COULD ESSENTIALLY NOT BE ALLOWED TO ASK A QUESTION THAT WE COULD WE COULD HAVE ASKED.

I THINK THAT WE SHOULD EITHER EXTEND OR REMOVE THESE TIME LIMITS OF 48 HOURS FOR US TO BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS OR ENSHRINE IT IN THESE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES THAT ANYTHING THAT STAFF IS GOING TO BRING TO US NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT SEVEN DAYS AHEAD OF TIME.

I THINK AS A VOLUNTEER BOARD, I THINK IT'S ONLY FAIRER TO US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO REVIEW THESE THINGS.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF LIMITS HERE THAT ARE BASICALLY PIGEONHOLEING US INTO EITHER NOT BEING ABLE TO READ THESE THINGS AT ALL OR JUST NOT BEING ABLE TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.

THAT'S MY CONCERN.

[APPLAUSE].

[01:10:08]

>> [OVERLAPPING]. EXCUSE ME. HAVING FOUGHT FOR THAT FOR ALL OF THE YEARS THAT I HAVE, I SUPPORT IT.

ALSO IN HERE, I'M GOING TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, VICE PRESIDENT LEDESMA WOODY.

IT SAYS IN HERE IF WE DON'T GET IT SEVEN DAYS PRIOR, IT'S AUTOMATICALLY PUSHED TO THE NEXT MEETING.

CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE THAT IS?

>> IT'S UNDER MEETINGS, I THINK.

I'M NOT SURE. IT DOES STAY THAT IN THERE.

IF WE DON'T HAVE DOCUMENTATION SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO MEETING THAT THAT ITEM WILL BE PUSHED OFF TO THE NEXT. [OVERLAPPING].

>> IT'S AUTOMATICALLY PUSHED.

>> CAN I ASK THE QUESTION OF WHY SECTION 5C3C EVEN EXISTS?

>> IT'S TO MAKE OUR MEETINGS MORE EFFICIENT.

>> NO, THAT SECTION ACTUALLY SAYS THAT THE STAFF MAY GET US THE INFORMATION SEVEN DAYS AHEAD OF TIME.

BUT IF REGARDLESS, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THAT ITEM ANYWAYS, THEN WE DON'T NEED THAT SECTION.

>> THAT WAS MAINLY FOR THE [OVERLAPPING] LEGISLATIVE TYPE OF UPDATES THAT COME IN LAST MINUTE IF SOMETHING CHANGES IN DATE AND WE HAVE TO REALLY QUICK RUSH.

THAT'S WHY WE DID ASK FOR OUR STAFF TO PROVIDE ONLINE WORKING DOCUMENT SO WE CAN SEE THE CHANGES AS THEY COME.

BUT WE SHOULD BE GETTING THE MAJORITY OF OUR INFORMATION SEVEN DAYS PRIOR.

BUT IT DOES ALLOW FOR STAFF TO MAKE THOSE LAST MINUTE ADJUSTMENTS DEPENDING ON IF SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN OR SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS AT SOME POINT.

IT GIVES THEM THAT LEEWAY TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO US.

>> YOU SEEM TO KNOW THAT PARTICULAR SECTION BETTER THAN I DO, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

CAN YOU CLARIFY FOR ME EXACTLY WHERE IT SAYS THAT WE WILL PUSH THAT ITEM TO THE NEXT MEETING IF WE DON'T GET IT SEVEN DAYS AT EVENTS?

>> SOMEWHERE. I'D HAVE TO LOOK. ANYBODY FINDS IT FOR ME?

>> I BELIEVE IT'S ON A SECTION 5.

WAIT, NEVER MIND. NO.

>> COULD YOU READ THE SECTION FOR ME IF YOU DON'T MIND BECAUSE I'M NOT FINDING IT.

>> I'M NOT DOING A SEARCH. I KNOW IT'S IN THERE SOMEWHERE BECAUSE THAT WAS A PROBLEM THAT WE HAD IN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

WE WANTED THE ADDRESS.

SORRY, FOLKS, THIS IS TAKEN.

I SAID THAT I KNOW IT'S IN HERE SOMEWHERE BECAUSE THIS WAS A CONCERN THAT WE HAD WITH OUR PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, SO MADE SURE THAT THAT WAS ADDED.

BUT I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S AT.

I HAVE TO LOOK. PLEASE BEAR WITH US.

>> IF WE CAN FIND IT, I WOULD MOVE TO AMEND THE DOCUMENT.

OUR LAWYER IS HERE SO YOU CAN PROBABLY DO IT FIRST PRETTY QUICKLY TO AMEND THE DOCUMENT TO SAY EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

>> [INAUDIBLE]

>> I APOLOGIZE. IF WE CAN'T FIND IT, I WOULD MOVE TO AMEND THE DOCUMENT TO REFLECT YOUR STATEMENT, TRUSTEE WOODY, THAT ANY INFORMATION THAT IS NOT SUBMITTED SEVEN DAYS PRIOR IS AUTOMATICALLY MOVED TO THE NEXT MEETING.

>> CAN I SAY SOMETHING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> EXCUSE ME. TURN OFF YOUR MICS, PLEASE, IF YOU'RE NOT SPEAKING. THANK YOU.

>> WE HAD A BOARD WORKSHOP ON BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WE WENT ALL OVER THESE.

WE GOT THESE WITH PLENTY OF TIME.

WHY ARE WE DISCUSSING ALL THESE CHANGES AGAIN WHEN WE HAD A BOARD WORKSHOP SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS TO WORK ON OUR BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WE'VE HAD THIS DRAFT FOR A WHILE TO REVIEW AND LOOK AT.

BUT NOW WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE CHANGES HERE WHEN WE HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO DO THIS.

I'M GOING TO PUSH BACK A LITTLE BIT.

YES, WE HAVE LIVES, IT HAPPENS, WE GO ON VACATION.

I STILL MAKE THE TIME TO READ THE AGENDA AND ALL THE DOCUMENTATION THAT COMES WITH IT.

[APPLAUSE].

>> WE FOUND IT. TRUSTEE FRANCO, IT IS ON PAGE 5, ITEM 6.

THE LAST SENTENCE SAYS, ANY ITEM WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION/MATERIALS WILL BE PUSHED OUT TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.

>> SORRY, PAGE 5, ITEM 6.

>> OF THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURE.

>> I SEE PAGE 5, CORRECT, NOT SECTION 5?

>> PAGE 129, IF YOU'RE FOLLOWING ON THE COMPUTER.

ITEM 6.

>> ITEM 6, I'M READING IT.

TRUSTEE SHALL INFORM THE BOARD PRESIDENT OR SUPERINTENDENT.

>> NO, SIR. ITEM SIX IS BOARD MEMBER CONDUCT DURING MEETINGS, GENERAL MEETING CONDUCT.

[01:15:02]

REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETINGS ARE GENERALLY HELD ON THE THIRD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH.

AGENDA PACKETS ARE E MAILED TO THE TRUSTEES NO LATER THAN THE PRECEDING TUESDAY, WITH ALL SUPPORTING MATERIALS FOR ANY ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION BY THE BOARD.

ANY ITEM WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION MATERIALS WILL BE PUSHED OUT TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.

>> I'M SORRY, MADAM PRESIDENT, I'M NOT TRYING TO BE DIFFICULT, BUT MY ITEM 6 DOES NOT SAY THAT.

I HAVE SECTION A.

THAT'S SECTION 6. GOT YOU.

>> DID YOU FIND IT?

>> AGAIN, I WOULD JUST PUSH BACK THE TERM PROPER DOCUMENTATION TO ME IS EXTREMELY SUBJECTIVE. THAT'S A PROBLEM.

I WOULD SAY THAT IF YOU WANT TO STRIKE THE WORDS WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION, ANY ITEM WITHOUT MATERIALS, WITHOUT BACKUP WOULD BE PUSHED TO AN NEXT REGULAR MEETING, BUT WITHOUT PROPER IS EXTREMELY SUBJECTIVE.

>> I PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT THE WAY IT IS TO PROVIDE THAT LEEWAY TO STAFF IN THE EVENT THAT WE DO HAVE SOME LAST MINUTE CHANGES.

DOES ANYBODY CARE TO MAKE THE AMENDMENT.

>> WELL, I DO WANT TO SAY SOMETHING.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE TIMES THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION WITHIN THAT TIMEFRAME WHEN IT'S RELATED TO THE BUDGET.

BECAUSE OFTENTIMES WE'RE MAKING THOSE ADJUSTMENTS UP UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE, WHETHER IT'S A BUDGET AMENDMENT OR IF IT'S AN UPDATE.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE'RE GOING THROUGH BUDGET PLANNING RIGHT NOW, AND SO WE'RE GETTING UPDATES TO THE TEMPLATE ALMOST EVERYDAY.

THERE ARE SOME EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT 98% OF THE TIME, WE'RE GOING TO AIM TO HAVE EVERYTHING WITHIN THE BOARD BOOK WITHIN THE SEVEN DAYS, AND I'VE COMMUNICATED WITH THE TEAM.

IF IT'S NOT READY, IF WE DON'T HAVE THE PRESENTATION ATTACHMENT MATERIALS READY, THEN IT'S GOING TO BE MOVED TO THE FOLLOWING MEETING.

BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION WITHIN THAT SEVEN DAY WINDOW.

WHAT I'M ASKING IS FOR UNDERSTANDING AND FLEXIBILITY, SPECIFICALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE BUDGET.

>> I'D ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO WORK WITH STAFF, AND WE DO HAVE MENTORS FOR OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS.

THE MENTORS ARE ASKED TO REACH OUT TO THEIR MENTEES AND ASK, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS? LET'S HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

WE DO NOT HAVE A WALKING QUORUM; IT'S JUST BETWEEN THE MENTOR AND THE MENTEE.

WE ALSO HAVE STAFF THAT WILL REACH OUT TO INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS AS WELL.

WE ARE TRYING TO DO OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY BOARD MEMBER IS AS INFORMED AS POSSIBLE WITH DOCUMENTATION, WITH TALKING TO STAFF.

THESE OPERATING PROCEDURES ARE JUST TO MAKE THESE MEETINGS GO BY MORE EFFICIENTLY.

THAT'S THE MAIN GOAL FOR THIS OPERATION.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEY.

>> WE DIDN'T GET A MOTION TO AMEND THE AGENDA.

>> WE DON'T HAVE TO.

AT THIS TIME, WE'LL BE GOING TO CLOSE SESSION FOR CONSULTATION WITH OUR LEGAL COUNSEL,

[IX. Closed Session (Part 1 of 2)]

INCLUDING THE MOU WITH DEL VALLEY ISD EDUCATION UNDER 551.1.

THE TIME IS NOW 7:38.

[BACKGROUND].

I JUST PUT EVERYTHING BACK THERE. LET ME SEE.

ON THE AGENDA ITSELF, IT SAYS THE SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED OR CONSIDERED UPON WHICH ANY FORMAL ACTION MAY BE TAKEN ARE LISTED VIVID LOW.

ITEMS DO NOT HAVE TO BE TAKEN IN THE ORDER SHOWN ON THIS MEETING NOTICE.

WITH THAT, WE DECIDE I MADE THE DECISION TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT I FELT LIKE WE WERE GETTING VIA E MAIL.

THIS ISN'T UP FOR DEBATE.

IT'S REALLY NOT UP FOR DEBATE.

THIS IS A BOARD MEETING WHERE WE'RE CONDUCTING OUR BUSINESS, AND I'M NOT TRYING TO BE DIFFICULT.

[BACKGROUND].

>> HEY, EXCUSE ME.

THIS IS A BOARD MEETING, AND WE RESPECT ALL OF YOUR TIME, AND WE RESPECT YOUR OPINION.

LISTEN, WE RESPECT YOUR OPINION.

WE ARE TRYING TO CONDUCT OUR MEETING, SO PLEASE BE COURTEOUS TO US AS WELL.

[BACKGROUND].

>> WE DON'T THOUGH. THERE'S OVER 60 PEOPLE THAT WANT TO SPEAK.

>> FOR THE STUDENTS THAT WANT TO SPEAK, CAN YOU COME AND GIVE ME YOUR NAME? I'M NOT GOING TO BE YELLED AT. THANK YOU.

[01:20:01]

IF YOU WANT TO FIND YOUR CARDS, I'D APPRECIATE IT.

IF I MAY HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE.

SINCE I CALLED US TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:38, I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO OPEN SESSION AT 07:44 WHILE WE HEAR OUR STUDENTS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

I'M SORTING THEM OUT, AND THEN I CAN CALL THEM TO THE PODIUM.

[BACKGROUND]

[01:25:23]

EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU.

MY QUESTION FOR THE STUDENTS.

DO YOU ALL HAVE PREPARED SPEECHES? IF I GIVE YOU ALL TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK, IS THAT SUFFICIENT?

>> THREE MINUTES.

>> EXCUSE ME. I'M SPEAKING TO OUR STUDENTS. THANK YOU.

DO YOU ALL HAVE PREPARED SPEECHES? CAN YOU ALL DO IT IN TWO MINUTES? THREE.

INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH

[III. Public Comment]

TO PARTICIPATE DURING PUBLIC COMMENT SHALL SIGN UP BEFORE THE MEETING BEGINS AS SPECIFIED IN THE BOARD PROCEDURES ON PUBLIC COMMENT, AND SHALL INDICATE THE AGENDA ITEM 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 AND BOARD.

INDIVIDUALS' COMMENTS TO THE BOARD SHALL NOT EXCEED THREE MINUTES PER MEETING.

THE BOARD SECRETARY WILL ALERT YOU AS TO WHEN YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE LEFT, AND WE CALL TIME WHEN YOU'RE DONE.

ISABELLA BADER, SPEAKING ON SOCIAL WORKERS, LIBRARIANS, AND SPEAKING.

>> MS. WILSON HELPED ME A LOT, AND I WOULDN'T BE AS HAPPY WITHOUT HER.

>> GO AHEAD.

SHE HELPS ME TO FEEL MORE FOCUSED AT SCHOOL.

SHE IS VERY TRUSTWORTHY AND PROVIDES ME WITH A SAFE SPACE.

SHE IS A GREAT THERAPIST.

PLEASE DON'T TAKE HER AWAY FROM US.

>> NEXT, WE HAVE METTE SEGUIN, AND I APOLOGIZE, I MIGHT NOT HAVE SAID THAT RIGHT.

METTE SEGUIN. [APPLAUSE]

>> HI. MY NAME IS METTE SEGUIN.

WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE CHANGES, IT MADE ME FEEL FRUSTRATED AND SAD.

I KNEW I NEEDED TO SPEAK UP BECAUSE OF A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL, YOU'RE LOOKING AT A KID WHO FINALLY BELIEVES SHE CAN DO ANYTHING AND MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

MS. MIPO HELPED ME, AND I FEEL LIKE I CAN BE ALL OF ME.

IT'S HARD TO FEEL DIFFERENT.

I USED TO FEEL LIKE I DIDN'T FIT IN BECAUSE OF MY HEARING LOSS AND CELIAC.

I ALSO DEALT WITH ANXIETY ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS.

IT'S BECAUSE I CAN HANDLE MY ANXIETY THAT I STARTED GETTING BETTER GRADES TO MY TEST.

THANKS TO WHAT MS. MIPO HAS TAUGHT ME, I'M ABLE TO LOVE EVERY SINGLE PART OF ME.

MY CONFIDENCE HAS GROWN.

I'M HERE FOR EVERY SINGLE KID WHO IS IN THE SAME STUCK POSITION I WAS IN, FEELING LOST AND STUCK.

THANKS, MS. MIPO.

I DON'T FEEL THAT WAY ANYMORE.

PLEASE THINK ABOUT THIS DECISION.

ALL KIDS DESERVE PROFESSIONAL HELP.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE ANGEL GARCIA VEGA.

THANK YOU, SIR. [APPLAUSE]

[01:30:26]

>> [FOREIGN] [APPLAUSE]

>> NEXT STEP, I HAVE GAVIN SPEAKING ON CARE.

DO WE HAVE GAVIN? THANK YOU.

SEBASTIAN FROM HILLCREST ELEMENTARY, [APPLAUSE] SPEAKING ON OUR NEED FOR SOCIAL WORKERS AND LIBRARIANS.

>> HELLO. I AM SEBASTIAN, ONE OF HILLCREST ELEMENTARY'S STUDENTS.

HILLCREST SHOULD HAVE A LIBRARIAN AND AN ADDITIONAL SOCIAL WORKER LIKE MRS. MANAGE. WITHOUT A LIBRARIAN, A LOT OF STUDENTS WILL NOT KNOW HOW TO READ LIKE OTHER STUDENTS DO.

WE NEED A LIBRARIAN BECAUSE THEY HELP US FIND BOOKS AND HELP US WITH ANYTHING THAT IS IN THE LIBRARY.

MS. WESTFALL HAS PROVIDED ALL THE SUPPORT WE NEED IN OUR LIBRARY.

I AM LEAVING HILLCREST THIS YEAR, BUT THE STUDENTS WHO ARE STAYING DESERVE A LIBRARIAN WHO IS GOING TO HELP THEM.

OUR FEELINGS ARE THING IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES, SO WE ARE THANKFUL TO HAVE WHEN SOMEONE CAN HELP US, LIKE MS. MANDY.

WE ALSO NEED OUR SOCIAL WORKERS BECAUSE THEY HELP US A LOT.

THEY EVEN HELPED ME WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH A LOT OF DIFFICULT STUFF IN CLASS WITH OTHER KIDS.

I AM THANKFUL THAT HILLCREST PROVIDED THAT SUPPORT FOR ME WHEN I NEEDED IT.

MS. MANDY HELPS US AND SUPPORTS US THROUGH EVERYTHING.

WE NEED THEM AND WE LOVE THEM.

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THEM.

WE NEED MS. WESTFALL AND MS. MANDY AT HILLCREST.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. NOW WE HAVE CARLOS TORRES ACOSTAS, SPEAKING ON, HE SAYS, I CAME FOR THE LIBRARY, SOCIAL WORKS.

THANK YOU, SIR. [APPLAUSE]

>> HI, I AM A STUDENT FROM HILLCREST.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A LIBRARIAN.

THE FACT THAT WE DON'T ALWAYS SHOW UP.

THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE LIBRARY WORKS AND HOW IT'S ORGANIZED.

HAVING A LIBRARIAN MEANS WHEN WE HAVE SOMEONE TO DEPEND ON WHEN WE NEED HELP TO FIND A BOOK, ENJOY, WE CAN GO TO SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THE LIBRARY, WHICH MAKES US LOVE READING EVEN MORE.

SOCIAL WORKERS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO STUDENTS WITH THEIR EMOTIONS.

THEY ALSO HELP STUDENTS WHO HAVE PROBLEMS AT HOME.

THEY HAVE HELPED ME WITH MY EMOTIONS.

THEY HAVE HELPED ME TO CALM MYSELF DOWN WHEN I FEEL NERVOUS.

WE FOCUS ON ONE THING AND A COMPLEX.

THE OTHER STUDENTS AT HILLCREST DESERVE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY THAT I HAVE.

I AM HERE TO USE MY VOICE TO SPEAK FOR ALL THE STUDENTS IN HILLCREST WHO NEED THE EXTRA HELP.

WE NEED SOCIAL WORKERS AT HILLCREST AND MS. WESTFALL IN OUR LIBRARY.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. NEXT UP, WE HAVE J GARCIA VAGE.

ALSO, FROM HILLCREST SAYS, I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE LIBRARY.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT UP, WE HAVE IZIEL FLORES FROM HILLCREST ELEMENTARY.

>> [FOREIGN] [APPLAUSE]

[01:35:10]

SAYS I CAME HERE TO EXPLAIN HOW OUR SOCIAL WORKERS AND LIBRARIANS ARE IMPORTANT.

IZIEL. [APPLAUSE]

>> HI. I'M CELO FLORES RAMIREZ, A STUDENT AT HILLCREST.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE LIBRARIANS AT HILLCREST.

WHEN HILLCREST DIDN'T HAVE LIBRARIANS, READING WAS NOT FUN.

WE WERE NOT ABLE TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO CHECK OUT BOOKS.

HAVING A LIBRARIAN AT HILLCREST, WE NOW HAVE SOMEONE THAT CAN SHOW US THE FUN IN READING.

THE LIBRARIAN SHOWED US BEEN STACK, AND AFTER IT ALLOWS US TO LOG IN OUR READING, SHE MOTIVATES US TO KEEP READING.

LOVING TO READ IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE READING PLAYS A SPECIAL ROLE IN OUR EDUCATION.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE SOCIAL WORKERS LIKE IS MANDY AT HILLCREST.

WHEN I TRANSFERRED TO HILLCREST, I HAD THESE BAD THOUGHTS.

NO ONE REALLY NOTICED THEM.

I WAS ABLE TO MEET WITH A SOCIAL WORKER WHO HELPED ME WITH ALL THOSE THOUGHTS.

MANDY DOESN'T KNOW A PLACE FOR HATE GROUP AT HILLCREST, WHERE WE FOUND WAYS TO EDUCATE OUR SCHOOL ABOUT BULLYING AND HOW TO PREVENT IT.

OUR SOCIAL WORKERS MADE A BIG CHANGE IN MY LIFE AND ARE STILL MAKING CHANGES IN OTHER STUDENTS AT HILLCREST.

IF WE DON'T HAVE SOCIAL WORKERS AT HILLCREST, WE WILL NOT HAVE THE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT THAT WE NEED.

>> AJAYA AWARD FROM DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL, SPEAKING ON SOCIAL WORKER ADVOCACY.

AJAYA. THANK YOU.

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS AJAYA AWARD. I'M 18.

I'M A SENIOR AT DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL.

I'VE BEEN RECEIVING SUPPORT FROM MY SOCIAL RECORD SINCE I WAS A FRESHMAN.

I BELIEVE I CAN SPEAK ON THAT IT WOULD NOT BE THE SAME FOR OTHER CHILDREN WHO ARE MY AGE OR YOUNGER TO BE GIVING ANYONE IN THE SCHOOL AND CLAIM THAT THERE ARE THERE TO SUPPORT THEIR MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH.

MISS RAM CHANDRA HAS HELPED ME THROUGH THE LOSS OF PARENT AND THE GROWING PAINS OF TRANSFERRING FROM A CHILD TO A YOUNG ADULT.

IT TAKES A LEVEL OF CREDENTIALS TO BE ABLE TO DO SO.

YOU CAN'T JUST THROW ANYONE IN THE SCHOOL AND CLAIM THERE FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUPPORT PEOPLE IN NOTES IN THAT WAY.

I'M ALSO HERE TO BASICALLY JUST STATE, LIKE I SAID, IT'S UPSETTING TO KNOW THAT HAS BEEN THAT'S THE THING THAT IS EVEN BEING BROUGHT UP THAT GOING TO LOSE THEIR JOBS, AND CHILDREN WHO ARE YOUNGER THAN ME ONCE I GRADUATE WILL NOT RECEIVE THE SAME QUALITY OF SUPPORT.

IF YOU DISAGREE WITH ME, YOU'VE PROBABLY NEVER BEEN THE CHILD WHO'S NEEDED SUPPORT LIKE I HAVE.

>> JACQUELINE CANO, DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL, SPEAKING ON SOCIAL WORKER ADVOCACY.

JACQUELINE. [APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS JACQUELINE CANO MAHIA.

I AM A CURRENT SENIOR AT DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL, AND I'M ALSO PART OF THE ECHS PROGRAM AND A STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICER.

I AM ONE OF THE MANY STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT DIAGNOSED WITH ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

HAVING RESOURCES LIKE OUR SOCIAL WORKER HAS BEEN A GREAT HELP FOR ME.

HAVING SOMEONE AT SCHOOL WHO WILL HEAR ME AND GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS AND PRACTICES TO HELP WITH MY MENTAL HEALTH HAS BEEN A BLESSING.

FOR MANY A THERAPIST IS A LUXURY THAT NOT ALL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERS.

I STRUGGLED WITH THE PROCESS OF FINDING A THERAPIST THAT MY HEALTH INSURANCE WOULD PROVIDE, ESPECIALLY WHEN HAVING TRANSPORTATION TO THESE APPOINTMENTS.

THEREFORE, MY COUNSELOR LED ME TO OUR SOCIAL WORKERS WHO HAD HEARD MY STRUGGLES.

THERE I MET MISS RAM CHANDRA, WHO HELPED ME THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WITH COPING MECHANISMS AND WAS AT SCHOOL WHENEVER I NEEDED HELP.

WITHOUT WITH HER HELP, I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY COME OUT OF THE BLACK HOLE I WAS STUCK IN BEING ABLE TO GRADUATE AS AN ECHS STUDENT WITH AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE IN A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND MAY WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN FULLY POSSIBLE WITHOUT HER HELPY HANDS.

[APPLAUSE] OUR MEETINGS ALWAYS BROUGHT A SMILE [LAUGHTER] TO MY FACE AND BROUGHT MY MOOD UP, KNOWING THAT I HAD AN ADULT AT SCHOOL THAT WAS THERE TO SUPPORT ME.

AS A FIRST GENERATION STUDENT IN OUR COMMUNITY, I HAVE FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE.

THE EXPERIENCED THE IDEA OF PEOPLE BELIEVING THAT MENTAL HEALTH ISN'T AS IMPORTANT AS WE MAKE IT SEEM, WHICH IS COMPLETELY FALSE AS SOMEONE THAT'S EXPERIENCED MANY STRUGGLES UP TO THE POINT WHERE I WAS PRESCRIBED MEDICATION TO HELP.

[01:40:03]

I WANT TO BREAK THE GENERATIONAL CURSES OF MENTAL HEALTH BEING IGNORED AND THROUGH THE SOCIAL WORKERS, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT I'M BEING HEARD.

FINDING OUT THAT OUR SOCIAL WORKER PROGRAM IS BEING CUT FROM MY DISTRICT IS HEARTBREAKING AFTER EVERYTHING THEY HAD DONE TO HELP ME AND OTHERS.

I ASKED FOR EVERYONE TO RECONSIDER THEIR DECISION AND KEEP OUR DISTRICT SOCIAL WORKERS PROTECTED AND SUPPORTED, JUST AS THEY HAVE SUPPORTED OUR COMMUNITY.

>> I DO WANT TO COMMEND Y'ALL FOR GETTING UP AND SPEAKING ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

NEXT UP, WE HAVE JOHN RUIZ FROM I BELIEVE DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL, SUPPORT THE SOCIAL WORKERS.

>> I JUST WANT TO THANK MADAM PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD FOR LETTING US SPEAK.

I DON'T THINK Y'ALL FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE TAKING FROM THE STUDENTS BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE I REALLY LIKE, GET THE GRASP OF WHAT THEY HAVE ON US.

LIKE, COMING FROM A SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLD.

I COME IN EVERY MORNING TO SCHOOL AND TELL THEM GOOD MORNING, JUST TO SEE THEIR FACES AND SMILE, AND HEAR THEIR CONGRATULATIONS ON HOW I'M DOING.

[APPLAUSE] THEY GIVE THE MOTHERLY LOVE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T GET GROWING UP.

I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE SOBER NOW IF IT WASN'T FOR THEM.

I GO IN EVERY MORNING JUST TO SEE THEIR SMILES AND THEIR CONGRATULATIONS SO I CAN CONTINUE TO BE SOBER AND BE HAPPY WHO I AM AS A PERSON TODAY.

I CAN HONESTLY SAY I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE HERE IF IT WASN'T FOR THEM.

KNOWING THE STUFF THAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH.

Y'ALL HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING, BUT Y'ALL AREN'T THERE TO REALLY GET IT.

LIKE, Y'ALL HAVE KIDS, BUT YOU DON'T SEE IT AS HOW WE SEE IT.

LIFE IS HARDER NOW THAN HOW IT WAS FOR Y'ALL.

THERE'S A LOT MORE DANGERS AND PROBLEMS COMING UP THAT Y'ALL DIDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH GROWING UP.

I THINK THAT MOTHERLY LOVE IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE GOING UP FROM WHAT WE HAVE GROWING UP WITH.

I THANK Y'ALL FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. BOARD, I APOLOGIZE.

I'M GOING TO TAKE A POINT OF I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.

I'M JUST GOING TO TAKE A MOMENT. MY MOTHER PASSED WHEN I WAS THREE.

I CAN RELATE AND I HEAR YOU.

THANK YOU. NEXT UP.

LET'S SEE. FOR ALSO FOR CARRIE.

WHO HASN'T SPOKEN ABOUT CARRIE? CAN I SEE IF THIS IS YOURS? I BELIEVE SO. BECAUSE THE NEXT ONE'S DIEGO.

IS THAT YOU? SAY IT AGAIN?

>> JADE.

>> JADE AND GARZA. THANK YOU.

SPEAKING ON CARRIE. [APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD.

I'M JUST HERE TO SPEAK FOR THE TEACHERS THAT HELPED ME OUT AND MY FRIENDS OUT.

BECAUSE IF IT WASN'T FOR THEM TODAY, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T EVEN STILL BE IN SCHOOL AT THIS POINT BECAUSE, LIKE I WAS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, STILL SITTING AT AS MUCH CREDITS AS I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE TODAY.

MISS LEILA, SHE HELPED ME BECAUSE SHE KNEW WHAT I WAS GOING THROUGH AND SHE CAME OUT AND HELPED ME BECAUSE I WAS FILLING OUT PAPERWORK FOR THE SCHOOL THAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO GET BACK TO ME SO I COULD TRANSFER TO THE OC.

BUT I WAS WAITING ON IT AND WAITING ON IT AND I WENT TO GO SPEAK TO MISS LEILA AND MISS LEILA, WHAT'S IT CALLED? SHE WENT UP THERE WITH ME AND SHE LIKE, HELP ME OUT AND WAS LIKE SAYING, LIKE, I'M STILL WAITING ON ALL OF MY STUFF AND STILL HE'S TRYING TO PROGRESS AND GET BETTER AND ACTUALLY GRADUATE AND WHAT'S IT CALLED? IF I WAS STILL AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AND BASICALLY, LIKE ALL DO LET GO, SOME OF THE TEACHERS THAT WE CARE ABOUT OR WHAT NOT.

I'M STILL TRYING TO HELP OUT MY BROTHER AND THEY'RE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

[01:45:01]

I'M STILL THEY'RE HELPING OUT MY SIBLINGS STILL, AND I KNOW MY FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ARE STILL GOING TO GO ATTEND SCHOOL, I KNOW THEY COULD STILL HELP OUT, IT'S JUST PASS DOWN, PASS DOWN.

I KNOW THEY CARE FOR US, AND THEY'RE HERE FOR US, AND THAT'S WHAT I GOT TO SAY.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT UP, WE'VE GOT DIEGO REYES SPEAKING ON CARRIE.

DIEGO REYES SPEAKING ON CARRIE.

>> THANK YOU, THE BOARD FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.

MY NAME IS DIEGO REYES.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT CARRIE, MISS LEILA, MISS GRAND CONSON.

THEY ARE WONDERFUL PERSONS, BEAUTIFUL SOULS, AMAZING WOMEN TO ME.

THEY HAVE HELPED YOU IN SO MANY THINGS THAT I CAN'T EVEN MANAGE.

I USED TO SKIP EVERY DAY, NEVER BE AT SCHOOL.

BUT MISS LEILA HELPED ME CHANGE AS A PERSON AND HELP ME CHANGE AS A SOUL.

SHE HAS MY PAPERWORK ON HER WALL, SHOWING MY ATTENDANCE, WHERE I WENT FROM A 120 ABSENCES TO LESS THAN 40, AND THAT MOTIVATES ME EVERY SINGLE DAY WHEN I SEE THAT.

THE SMILE THAT THEY GIVE ME EVERY SINGLE DAY, IS UNESTIMATABLE.

I HAVE SO MUCH LOVE FOR THEM.

I CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN.

MISS LEILA HAS HELPED ME OUT IN SO MANY THINGS, HELP ME FOCUS ON SCHOOL, HELP ME FOCUS ON WELDING, HELP ME FOCUS OUT THIS PLACE THAT IS NO GOOD FOR ME.

I'VE BEEN IN SOME DARK HOLES.

I'VE BEEN FALLEN VICTIM TO GUN VIOLENCE, KNIFE VIOLENCE AND MISS LEILA HAS HELPED ME OUT.

MOVE ON FROM THEM POINT WHERE I WAS, MOVE ON AS A PERSON, GROW UP AS A PERSON, AND LEAVE A LIFE AS A NORMAL TEENAGER SHOULD.

NO TEENAGER SHOULD EVER WALK AROUND THE STREET, LOOK AROUND THEIR BACK, WORRIED THAT ANYBODY IS OUT TO HARM THEM, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT A TEENAGER LIFE AT ALL.

NOBODY IN THIS ROOM SHOULD WALK AROUND, LOOK AROUND THEIR SHOULDER, FEARING THAT SOMEBODY MIGHT END THEIR LIFE ONE DAY.

MISS LEILA HELPS ME OUT, BETRAY THIS WORLD, HOW IT IS.

SHE TELLS ME I'VE GOT TO AVOID AM MYSELF EVERY SINGLE DAY, EVEN THOUGH NOBODY ELSE MOTIVATES ME.

SHE SEES THINGS IN ME THAT I DON'T EVEN SEE IN MYSELF FROM DAY-TO-DAY, BUT SHE TELLS ME THAT THEY'RE THINGS.

>> YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> YES, MA'AM. SHE TELLS ME THINGS THAT MOTIVATE ME EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I HAVE SO MUCH LOVE FOR ALL THEM.

EVEN MISS ROSE, I KNOW SHE'S NOT HERE.

BUT OH, MAN, I LOVE THAT LADY SO MUCH WITH ALL MY HEART.

[LAUGHTER] SHE IS AMAZING SOUL.

IF Y'ALL WOULD GET TO KNOW HER, Y'ALL WOULD SAY THE SAME THING.

SHE'S GOING TO HELP ME QUIT HABITS THAT ARE REALLY BAD FOR ME, THAT CAN HARM ME AND THEY CAN KILL ME.

SHE'S GOING TO HELP ME STAY SOBER FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS AND ON IN.

SHE HAS SO MUCH LOVE FOR ME, THAT IT'S UNIMAGINABLE.

SHE IS JUST A TEACHER HERE THAT JUST TO GET PAID.

BUT SHE DOES NOT ACT LIKE IT.

SHE ACTS LIKE THIS IS HER ONLY LIFE.

SHE ACTS LIKE WE ARE HER ONLY CHILDREN.

[APPLAUSE] I HAVE SO MUCH LOVE FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE PERSON, EVERYBODY IN HER FOR LISTENING TO ME WHAT I GOT TO SAY.

THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SAY FOR Y'ALL.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE BRIAN WESTFALL, AND HE'S GOING TO BE SPEAKING ON THE HIRING OF NON-CERTIFIED LIBRARY AIDES AT HILLCREST AND CREEDMOOR ELEMENTARY.

[BACKGROUND] THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] ACTUALLY, BEFORE YOU START, I APOLOGIZE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER STUDENTS THAT ARE HERE TO SPEAK? I BELIEVE I GOT THEM ALL. PERFECT. GO AHEAD.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD.

MY NAME IS BRIAN WESTFALL, AND I'VE BEEN A DEL VALLE RESIDENT FOR OVER SIX YEARS.

IN SHORT, I'M APPALLED BY A RECENT PROPOSAL TO NOT FILL OPEN LIBRARIAN POSITIONS IN THE DISTRICT WITH A CERTIFIED LIBRARIAN.

NOT ONLY DOES THIS CREATE BLATANT INEQUITIES IN OUR SCHOOLS, FOR CHILDREN A FEW BLOCKS APART ARE NOT GIVEN THE SAME RESOURCES, BUT IT ALSO SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT YOU DO NOT VALUE THE UNIQUE BLEND OF SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED TO PROPERLY RUN A SCHOOL LIBRARY.

A LIBRARY WITHOUT A CERTIFIED LIBRARIAN IS NOT A LIBRARY.

IT'S A STORAGE CLOSET.

IT'S A COLLECTION OF BOOKS, GATHERING DUST, WITH NO ONE TO CURATE THEM, TAG THEM, ORGANIZE THEM, INVENTORY THEM, AND SHARE THEIR GIFTS WITH THOSE THAT NEED IT MOST.

[01:50:04]

A LIBRARY WITHOUT A CERTIFIED LIBRARIAN WILL BECOME AN AFTERTHOUGHT TO OUR STUDENTS, A PLACE AS INTIMIDATING AS IT IS UNINTERESTING.

AT A TIME WHEN TEXAS RANKS 37TH IN THE NATION IN FOURTH GRADE READING PROFICIENCY, WE DESPERATELY NEED PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN ENGAGE OUR STUDENTS WITH BOOKS AND DEVELOP THEIR LOVE OF READING.

YOU WANT TO TAKE THESE PEOPLE AWAY FROM OUR SCHOOLS? SHAME ON YOU.

BECAUSE LIBRARIES ARE NOT JUST ABOUT TEACHING STUDENTS HOW TO READ.

THEY ALSO GIVE STUDENTS THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

PREVIOUSLY IN MY CAREER, I RESEARCHED US WORKFORCE TRENDS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

MY WORK HAS BEEN CITED IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, WASHINGTON POST, FORBES, AND THE SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.

EVERY YEAR, LINCOLN ANALYZES THOUSANDS OF JOB POSTINGS TO DETERMINE THE SKILLS THAT ARE MOST IN DEMAND BY US EMPLOYERS.

IN 2025, ALONGSIDE SKILLS LIKE AI LITERACY, AND PROCESS OPTIMIZATION, EMPLOYERS MORE THAN ANYTHING WANT WORKERS WHO CAN MITIGATE CONFLICT, BE ADAPTABLE, AND SHOW INNOVATIVE THINKING.

EVERY BUSINESS KNOWS YOU CAN USE TECHNOLOGY AND AUTOMATION TO GET AN ANSWER NOW.

THEY NEED WORKERS WITH THE SOFT SKILLS TO APPLY THOSE ANSWERS TO THE REAL WORLD.

CHILDREN DON'T DEVELOP THESE SKILLS ON A TEST.

THEY DEVELOP THEM IN A LIBRARY.

>> YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> WE DON'T NEED MORE CODERS.

WE NEED MORE COMPASSION.

WE DON'T NEED MORE ANALYSTS, WE NEED MORE TOLERANCE, AND WE DON'T NEED MORE ENGINEERS.

WE NEED MORE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE AUDACITY TO IMAGINE A BETTER WORLD THAN THE ONE WE HAVE.

THIS IS ONLY POSSIBLE THROUGH BOOKS, AND IT'S OUR AMAZING LIBRARIANS THAT GIVE US THE BEST CHANCE OF MAKING IT HAPPEN.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT YOU HAVE TOUGH CHOICES AHEAD OF YOU.

THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

I URGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO HIRE CERTIFIED LIBRARIANS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.

>> [APPLAUSE] NEXT UP, WE HAVE VERONICA WESTFALL, SPEAKING ON SCHOOL LIBRARIANS.

VERONICA WESTFALL. [APPLAUSE]

>> HELLO, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

MY NAME IS VERONICA WESTFALL, AND I'M HERE BECAUSE WHILE I PERSONALLY HAVE NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE, OUR COMMUNITY STUDENTS STAND TO LOSE A GREAT DEAL UNLESS A BETTER DECISION IS MADE.

DEL VALLE IS CURRENTLY PROPOSING TO NOT FILL OPEN LIBRARY POSITIONS WITH CERTIFIED LIBRARIANS NEXT YEAR.

THIS IS AN INJUSTICE TO THE STUDENTS OF HILLCREST AND CREEDMOOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, WHO ARE BEING UNFAIRLY DENIED ACCESS TO TRAINED LIBRARIAN STAFF, WHILE EVERY OTHER SCHOOL IN OUR DISTRICT IS SERVED BY A CERTIFIED LIBRARIAN.

THE DISTRICT IS PROPOSING TO FILL THESE TWO VACANCIES WITH LIBRARY AIDES INSTEAD.

LIBRARY AIDES ARE NEITHER CERTIFIED TEACHERS NOR TRAINED LIBRARIANS; HIRING CERTIFIED LIBRARIANS MATTERS.

IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS LIKE OURS, WHERE 90% OF STUDENTS ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AND ALMOST 50% ARE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, IT MATTERS EVEN MORE.

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CERTIFIED LIBRARIANS IMPROVE ACHIEVEMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS, WITH EVEN GREATER BENEFITS TO DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS.

SCHOOL LIBRARIANS ARE TEACHERS IN THE SCHOOL'S LARGEST CLASSROOM AND INTEGRAL TO OUR EDUCATIONAL EQUITY.

THEY DON'T JUST CHECK OUT BOOKS, THEY CHANGE LIVES.

EVERY STUDENT DESERVES THE SAME OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR LITERACY AND EXCEL ACADEMICALLY THROUGH ACCESS TO SCHOOL LIBRARIES.

DENYING THE STUDENTS OF THESE TWO SCHOOLS A LIBRARIAN MAY HELP THE DISTRICT SAVE MONEY TEMPORARILY, BUT IT WILL AFFECT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND TEST SCORES FOR YEARS TO COME.

YOU DON'T SPARK A LOVE OF READING BY DRILLING STAR PASSAGES, ESPECIALLY NOT FOR STUDENTS WHO LACK BOOKS AT HOME OR CONSISTENT ACCESS TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

THE SECRET, CAREFULLY CURATING COLLECTIONS THAT MATCH THEIR INTEREST.

THINK DOG MAN AND DORK DIARIES, DELIVERING READ-ALOUD LESSONS SO GRIPPY THAT EVEN THE TWO COOL FIFTH GRADERS ARE HOOKED.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE QUACK IN AND IMPLEMENTING SCHOOL-WIDE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS THAT GIVE STUDENTS THE FREEDOM TO READ WHAT EXCITES THEM.

THINGS ONLY A TRAINED LIBRARIAN UNDERSTANDS TO DO. HOW DO I KNOW? NOT ONLY AM I A DEL VALLE RESIDENT, I WAS A TEACHER IN DEL VALLE ISD FOR TEN YEARS, AND AS OF FEBRUARY 3, I HAVE BEEN A PERMANENT SUBSTITUTE IN HILLCREST LIBRARY WHILE WORKING ON MY LIBRARIAN CERTIFICATION AND MASTER'S DEGREE AT UT.

WHILE MY DREAMS OF SERVING AS HILLCREST SCHOOL LIBRARIAN ARE CURRENTLY UPENDED, I AM DETERMINED TO ADVOCATE FOR THE LIBRARY AND LIBRARIAN MY STUDENTS DESERVE.

[01:55:02]

IF THE BOARD CHOOSES NOT TO FILL VACANT SCHOOL LIBRARIAN POSITIONS, OUR STUDENTS WILL LOSE ACCESS TO A VITAL RESOURCE THAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO ALL OTHER SCHOOLS.

EVERY STUDENT IN OUR DISTRICT DESERVES THE SAME OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, GROW, AND SUCCEED WITH THE SUPPORT OF A DEDICATED SCHOOL LIBRARIAN.

I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THE BOARD WILL RECONSIDER THIS DECISION.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE].

>> WE HAVE NICHOLAS SOLIS.

HILLCREST NEEDS A REAL LIBRARIAN. NICHOLAS SOLIS?

>> KAYLEE ERVIN ON HIS BEHALF.

>> THANK YOU. KAYLEE ERVIN, KAYLEE, MAYBE. HELLO. SPEECH THERAPIST.

[APPLAUSE] COMPENSATION AND PUBLIC COMMENTS.

IT WAS ME. I'M TRYING TO MAKE IT TWO WORDS.

>> THE END OF A LONG DAY. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN ON THE BOARD, DR. GUTIERREZ, MY NAME IS KAYLEE ERVIN, AND I'M CURRENTLY WRAPPING UP MY FIFTH YEAR IN DEL VALLE AS A SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST.

I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK TO YOU ON TWO DIFFERENT TOPICS.

I WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY TEAM, AS WELL AS MY FELLOW EDUCATORS AND REQUESTING THAT, I'M GOING TO BE HONEST HERE.

BUDGETS HARD. I KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE LEGISLATOR AND I KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING NATIONALLY.

BUT WE NEED TO BE PAID FAIRLY, AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN STAFF.

I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR A RAISE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES AND TO ASK THAT THE BOARD CONSIDER CAREFULLY DECISIONS REGARDING AMENDING BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES, SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

BEFORE I DO THAT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT A SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST IS.

LAST YEAR, A LOT OF MY TEAM SPOKE AT BOARD MEETINGS.

SOME OF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH US.

[LAUGHTER] SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WORKING WITH STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS WITH SPEECH IMPAIRMENTS.

ROLES ARE VARIED, WE SUBMIT INSURANCE BILLING, THAT'S THE MEDICAID FUNDING.

WE COMPLETE IAP PAPERWORK, WE PLAN AND FACILITATE MEETINGS.

WE PROVIDE SPEECH THERAPY TO ALL OF THE QUALIFIED STUDENTS ON OUR CAMPUSES, AND THEN WE COLLABORATE WITH EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONALS.

WE DO A LOT, AND WHERE OUR ROLES ARE REALLY DIFFERENT DAY TO DAY.

NOW THAT I'VE GIVEN A BIT OF EXPLANATION ON MY ROLE, AS YOU CONSIDER RAISES FOR EMPLOYEES, I ASK THAT YOU ENSURE THAT ANY RAISES ARE APPLIED ACROSS THE BOARD TO ALL EMPLOYEES.

MANY EMPLOYEES WITH LESS TYPICAL ROLES, LIKE SLPS, ARE ON AN ADMINISTRATIVE PAY SCALE RATHER THAN A TEACHER PAY SCALE.

AS SUCH, WHEN RAISES ARE GIVEN TO TEACHERS WHO ARE VERY DESERVING, TEACHERS DESERVE THE WORLD, BUT NOT TO ADMINISTRATIVE PAY SCALES, WE SUFFER.

NOT MY PARTICULAR PAY, THAT'S FINE, BUT OUR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF STAFF IS IMPACTED.

WE'VE LOST SLPS DUE TO PAY.

WE'RE NOT ABLE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN GOOD SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS DUE TO LACK OF COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION PACKAGES.

NOW SWITCHING GEARS COMPLETELY.

LAST YEAR, THE SPEECH TEAM, ALONGSIDE OUR ASSESSMENT TEAM COLLEAGUES, THE LICENSED SPECIALISTS IN PSYCHOLOGY AND DIAGNOSTICIAN, SPOKE FREQUENTLY AT BOARD MEETINGS ABOUT OUR CONCERNS REGARDING STAFFING AND COMPENSATION FOR OUR TEAMS. WE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO.

>> YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO RETAIN OUR AMAZING TALENT AND RECRUIT NEW TALENT.

WE REALLY APPRECIATED THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AT BOARD MEETINGS DURING PUBLIC COMMENT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE OTHER MEANS OF COMMUNICATING WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD OR WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT.

THIS YEAR, MANY OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS APPLIED TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S ADVISORY COUNCIL, BUT WE WERE NOT SELECTED FOR THAT COUNCIL.

WE WERE TOLD THAT THAT'S BECAUSE OUR ROLES DON'T CLOSELY ALIGN WITH THE STAFF ROLES OR THE TEACHER ROLES, AND SO WE WEREN'T ELIGIBLE TO BE ON THE ADVISORY.

OUR VOICES ARE AGAIN NOT HEARD UNLESS WE'RE ABLE TO SPEAK AT PUBLIC COMMENT.

I HOPE THAT YOU TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT THAT BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES, FOR OUR DISTRICT RESIDENTS TO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A VOICE IN THE DISTRICT, AND LIMITING WHAT THEY CAN SPEAK ABOUT IN PUBLIC COMMENT SILENCES THOSE VOICES.

I'M GOING TO WRAP IT UP, ALL EDUCATORS DESERVE A 3% RAISE IF AT ALL FEASIBLE.

THE SLP SCHOOL, PSYCHOLOGISTS AND DIAGNOSTICIANS, AS WELL AS OTHER ASSESSMENT TEAM MEMBERS AND HEALTH PROVIDERS ARE ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE PAY SCALE.

IF YOU JUST GIVE TEACHERS RAISES, OUR SALARIES WILL LAG BEHIND.

>> TIME.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> NEXT STEP, WE HAVE KATRINA VAN HOUTEN.

SHE WILL SPEAK ON EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, GUYS.

SUPERINTENDENT, MADAM PRESIDENT, AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS KATRINA VAN HOUTEN.

I'VE BEEN A HIGH SCHOOL MATH TEACHER HERE AT DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS.

THROUGHOUT THAT TIME, SECURING ADEQUATE AND HIGH-QUALITY MATH RESOURCE STUDENTS HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR US AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

THE CURRENT SUGGEST A RESOURCE, WHICH IS BLUEBONNET LEARNING 1,

[02:00:02]

IS BEING PRESENTED AS A 9-12 CURRICULUM.

BUT IN REALITY, IT ONLY COVERS UP TO ALGEBRA.

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE INSTRUCTURAL NEEDS OF THE FULL HIGH SCHOOL PATHWAYS AND IS MISLEADING TO CLASSIFY IT AS SERVING GRADE 9-12.

I STRONGLY URGE THE DISTRICT AND BOARD TO CONDUCT A THOROUGH REVIEW OF HIGH-QUALITY INSTRUCTION MATERIALS FOR EACH GRADE AND COURSE, RATHER THAN SELECTING SOMETHING THAT SIMPLY CHECKS A BOX.

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ALL STAKEHOLDERS UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT IS BEING PURCHASED, WHICH COURSES WILL AND WILL NOT BE SUPPORTED, AND WHERE THE GAPS REMAIN.

AS IT STANDS, TEACHERS LIKE MYSELF ARE LEFT TO PURCHASE OUR OWN MATERIALS OR BUILD AN ENTIRE COURSE FROM SCRATCH.

THIS IS NEITHER SUSTAINABLE NOR EQUITABLE.

IF THE DISTRICT IS INVESTING IN EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT THESE MATERIALS ARE ACTUALLY ALIGNED TO THE COURSES THAT WE TEACH AND ARE FULLY PROVIDED TO ALL OF US.

PLEASE INCLUDE A CLEAR LISTING OF THE COURSES OFFERED ALONGSIDE WHAT EACH PROPOSED CURRICULUM ACTUALLY COVERS FOR EVERY SINGLE GRADE LEVEL.

THIS TRANSPARENCY WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO SUPPORTING TEACHERS AND ENSURING OUR STUDENTS RECEIVE THE RIGOROUS EDUCATION THEY DESERVE.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN.

OUR STUDENTS AND OUR TEACHERS DESERVE BETTER SUPPORT.

>> JASON WILEY, SPEAKING ON BOARD OPERATING. JASON WILEY.

>> THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

MY NAME IS JASON WILEY.

I WORK AS AN ORGANIZER FOR THE TEXAS STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION AND WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR LOCAL AFFILIATE, THE DEL VALLE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT THIS EVENING.

IRONICALLY, I CAME HERE TONIGHT TO SPEAK AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF CENSORSHIP.

BUT WHAT DID WE RECEIVE? A VERY LARGE DOSE OF CENSORSHIP.

YOU MAY HAVE A RIGHT TO SWITCH THE AGENDA AROUND, BUT IT WAS VERY CLEAR TO THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM THAT THAT WAS DONE WITH THE INTENTION OF DELAYING AND PREEMPTING PUBLIC COMMENTS.

NOW, IT WOULD MAKE A LOT MORE SENSE IF YOU HEARD PUBLIC COMMENTS, THEN TALKED ABOUT THE ISSUES.

NOW, LET ME GET TO MY PUBLIC COMMENTS.

I WAS FILLED WITH HORROR AND DEEP DISAPPOINTMENT WHEN I READ ONE OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO SCHOOL BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

I'M REFERRING TO THE PROPOSAL TO RESTRICT THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION OF BOARD MEETINGS TO ONLY ITEMS LISTED ON THE SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA.

THIS IS THE MOST UNDEMOCRATIC THING I HAVE WITNESSED IN MY 15 YEARS, ATTENDING DEL VALLE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.

IT IS AN OPEN ASSAULT ON THE FREEDOM OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE WORKFORCE TO ADDRESS THE SCHOOL BOARD ON ISSUES OF DISTRICT CONCERN.

IT IS NO EXAGGERATION TO CALL IT CENSORSHIP.

OVER THE YEARS, HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYEES, [NOISE] PARENTS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE EXERCISED THEIR RIGHT TO ADDRESS THE BOARD IN PUBLIC FORUM REGARDING ISSUES THAT IMPACT THE DISTRICT.

MANY, MANY TIMES, IN FACT, PROBABLY A MAJORITY OF THOSE TIMES, THOSE ISSUES AND PUBLIC COMMENTS HAVE NOT RELATED TO ITEMS ON THE MEETING AGENDA.

NOW THE SCHOOL BOARD IS CONSIDERING ENDING THIS SPEECH.

YOU HAVEN'T DONE IT YET.

>> PLEASE DON'T DO IT. TSTA AND DVA BELIEVE THAT ANY MEASURE THAT RESTRICTS SPEECH AND RESULTS IN CENSORSHIP IS NOT HEALTHY FOR A DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED BODY THAT IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY WHICH IT SERVES.

WE ARE ALL STAKEHOLDERS, AND WE ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HEARD.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THIS RESTRICTION ON PUBLIC COMMENTS.

LET'S HEED THE WORDS OF THE MOST FAMOUS FOUNDING FATHER, GEORGE WASHINGTON.

"FOR IF MEN ARE TO BE PRECLUDED FROM OFFERING THEIR SENTIMENTS ON A MATTER, THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH MAY BE TAKEN AWAY.

DUMB AND SILENT, WE MAY BE LED, LIKE SHEEP TO THE SLAUGHTER." THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. NEXT UP, WE HAVE DANIEL SEGURA-KELLY, CHANGE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

>> HI, GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

I JUST CAME TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO

[02:05:05]

THE OPERATING PROCEDURES AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO PUBLIC COMMENTS, RESTRICTING THE ABILITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK ON ISSUES THAT ARE CONTEMPORANEOUS IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR DEMOCRACY, AND I THINK THAT THIS PROPOSED CHANGE WOULD LIMIT THAT.

I THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

ALSO REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIME LIMIT BEING IMPOSED ON THE PUBLIC TO REGISTER THEIR INTEREST IN SPEAKING PUBLICLY BY NOON OF THE PREVIOUS DAY OF THE BOARD MEETING.

A PARTICULAR EXAMPLE IS I DIDN'T INTEND TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD UNTIL THIS EVENING WHEN I DECIDED TO COME AND SIGN UP.

THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THIS CHANGE TO OPERATING PROCEDURES COULD LIMIT PUBLIC DEBATE AND THE BENEFIT THAT YOU ALL HAVE TO LISTEN AND HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC.

I'M ENCOURAGING YOU TO NOT MOVE IN THIS DIRECTION TO LIMIT PUBLIC COMMENT.

THINK REALLY CLOSELY ABOUT REALLY, THIS IS A TIME WHEN WE NEED TO BE HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC, WHEN OUR DISTRICT IS BEING TARGETED AND SEEING SO MANY NEGATIVE IMPACTS FROM OUR STATE.

WE NEED TO BE HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS AND HOW THEY WANT YOU TO RESPOND.

>> NEXT STEP, WE HAVE AMIN TONY SPEAKING ON BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AND TRANSPARENCY, PLEASE. [APPLAUSE]

>> A COPY OF MY SPEECH FOR ALL OF YOU.

AS WELL AS THIS.

THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING]

>> MY NAME IS AMINA DOSANI.

I'M A COUNSELOR AT DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL, AS YOU ALL KNOW.

THIS AIN'T NEW FOR ME. I'M HERE ALL THE TIME.

I'M ALSO A DEL VALLE ISD COMMUNITY MEMBER.

LIKE I SAID, THIS IS NOT MY FIRST RODEO.

THIS IS MY THIRD YEAR IN DEL VALLE.

I HAVE COME TO ALMOST EVERY SINGLE BOARD MEETING, SO I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING THIS IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS AND UNHEALTHY AND DISAPPOINTING SITUATION THAT HAPPENED EARLIER.

THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

THE FACT THAT TASK B SAYS, AND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME.

WE'VE DONE THIS IN THE PAST WHEN WE'VE HAD A BOARD MEETING WHERE IF THE AGENDA IS GOING TO BE CHANGED AND AMENDED DURING SESSION, THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A MOTION DONE TO DO SO AND A DISCUSSION, THEN WHEN THERE IS AN AGREEMENT, THEN THE AGENDA CAN BE AMENDED.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TODAY OUT OF NOWHERE, BECAUSE YOU WERE LOOKING THROUGH AND LEAFING THROUGH THE CARDS AND SEEING HOW EVERYONE WAS HERE AND TALKING AMONGST YOURSELF WITH THE MIC OFF AHEAD OF TIME, THEN YOU GUYS TRY TO DELAY PUBLIC COMMENT, THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

THAT JUST RELATES TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PART OF THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

HOWEVER, THE PART THAT I WAS INITIALLY HERE TO TALK ABOUT WAS THE OTHER PART WHERE THERE IS A PATTERN OF CENSORSHIP OF DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND BOARD MEMBERS, AS WELL AS EXCESSIVE CONTROL AND RESTRICTION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION.

WHEN I LOOK AT THE OTHER SECTIONS OF THE PROPOSED REVISIONS.

SOME OF THEM APPEAR TO VIOLATE SECTION 11.13 SUBSECTION J OF THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE, WHICH STATES THE EMPLOYMENT POLICY MAY NOT RESTRICT THE ABILITY OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE TO COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGARDING A MATTER RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF THE DISTRICT, RESTRICT.

I WILL ADDRESS JUST SOME OF THOSE CONCERNING REVISIONS.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT SECTION 5, WHICH INTRODUCES A 21 CALENDAR DAY LIMIT TO PROPOSE AN AGENDA ITEM, SINCE THERE MAY BE SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS THAT MAY ARISE IN THE 21 DAY LIMIT, AND THE BOARD WILL BE BLOCKING ITS ABILITY TO ACT EXPEDITIOUSLY.

WE JUST SAW TODAY IN THE MEETING, THERE WERE VERY CONCERNING THINGS THAT CAME UP.

SECTION 7 DISCOURAGES COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TRUSTEES, STAFF, AND CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY AND INTRODUCES THE SUPERINTENDENT AS A ARBITER OR FILTER OF SUCH INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS.

IT SEEMS COUNTERINTUITIVE TO THE ROLE OF AN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE WHEN THE BOARD MEMBERS ARE TOLD THEY CANNOT SHARE INFORMATION WITH ONE ANOTHER DIRECTLY INSTEAD SETTING THE SUPERINTENDENT UP AS A CONDUIT FOR SUCH INFORMATION SHARING.

THAT IS NOT TRANSPARENT.

FURTHERMORE, SECTION 7, SUBSECTION F INTRODUCES A RULE THAT A BOARD MEMBER MEETING WITH DISTRICT EMPLOYEES MUST BE PRE ARRANGED AND SCHEDULED THROUGH THE BOARD'S EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT.

[02:10:02]

WHY SHOULD A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER BE RESTRICTED IN SUCH A WAY FROM ENGAGING WITH STAFF AND OTHER DIRECT STAKEHOLDERS? IF THERE ARE CONCERNS, THEY SHOULD BE TRANSPARENTLY SHARED AND ADDRESSED IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT TAKE AWAY THAT TRANSPARENCY.

IT IS PUZZLING THAT TRUSTEES WOULD GIVE UP SO MUCH OF THEIR AUTONOMY IN THEIR ROLE IN FAVOR OF SUCH A RULE, GIVEN THE SCHOOL BOARD'S PURPOSE AND ROLE AS A FORM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES AND AS ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE DVISD COMMUNITY, I HOPE THAT TRUSTEES WILL RECONSIDER SOME OF THESE NEW OPERATING PROCEDURES.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE CLAIRE CAMPOS-O'NEAL, SPEAKING ON CHANGES TO PUBLIC COMMENTS AND THEN DEL VALLE ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION MOU.

>> HI EVERYONE. MY NAME IS CLAIRE CAMPOS-O'NEAL, AND I'M A PARENT HERE IN THE DISTRICT.

I WANTED TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW ME.

I KNOW THERE'S SOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS HERE.

I'VE BEEN A VERY ACTIVE VOLUNTEER IN THIS DISTRICT FOR THE PAST NINE YEARS.

I FIRST SERVED WITH THE FOOD IN TUMMIES PROGRAM WITH JUNIOR LEAGUE.

I WAS THE DEL VALLE LEAGUE FOR COATS FOR KIDS WHEN I WAS LIKE SUPER PREGNANT.

I VOLUNTEERED IN THE LIBRARY AT COLLINS WHEN IT OPENED.

I'M ON THE COLLINS PTA, I'M ON THE NEW OJEDA PTA, AND I'M ON THE DEL VALLE ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION.

I SAY ALL THIS JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, I REALLY CARE ABOUT THE KIDS HERE. THAT'S WHY I SHOW UP.

THAT'S WHY I GIVE MY TIME. THAT'S MONEY.

THAT'S WHY I'M SPEAKING RIGHT NOW.

THE TWO THINGS I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ARE PUBLIC COMMENT AND THE MOU FOR THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION.

I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE PUBLIC COMMENT BACK AND FORTH, BUT ALL I KNOW IS THAT I REALLY ASK YOU NOT TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR US TO SPEAK.

I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT IN THIS MOMENT, WHEN THE DISTRICT IS CHANGING, THAT THE BOARD IS LISTENING TO US, THAT THEY'RE LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY.

MUCH HAS CHANGED IN THE PAST YEAR OR SIX MONTHS.

WE HAVE NEW BOARD TRUSTEES, DR. GUTIERREZ HAS BEEN HERE A LITTLE OVER 100 DAYS.

NOW, I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU GUYS HAVE OPEN MINDS AND OPEN HEARTS AND LISTEN TO US AND COMMUNICATE WELL WITH US.

SO THAT'S PUBLIC COMMENT. PLEASE DON'T MAKE IT HARDER. FOR THE MOU.

SO LIKE I SAID, I'M ON THE DEL VALLE ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION.

I WAS FOUNDING PRESIDENT FOR THAT ORGANIZATION.

FOR ALL THAT DON'T KNOW, WE'RE A 501 (C) (3).

WE'RE AN INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT.

WE ARE INDEPENDENT FROM THE DISTRICT, BUT WE WORK ALONGSIDE THE DISTRICT, AND WE RAISE MONEY TO SUPPORT STAFF, STUDENTS.

WE DO TEACHER OF THE YEAR, WE DO STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WE DO EDUCATOR GRANTS.

WE'RE ALL VOLUNTEERS. WE RAISE MONEY FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

OUR MOU IS BEING DISCUSSED AND WE WEREN'T NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS AS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.

WE JUST SAW IT ON THE BOARD AGENDA.

I'M JUST A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I WOULD WISH THAT ALL WOULD COME TO US AHEAD OF TIME AND TALK TO US ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE GOING AND TALKING WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.

WHEN I HEAR LEGAL COUNSEL, I SEE DOLLAR SIGNS, AND I KNOW THAT WE'RE IN A BUDGET DEFICIT.

SO WHY ARE WE SPENDING MONEY ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS? I JUST ASK THAT YOU BE GOOD FIDUCIARIES OF OUR MONEY, ESPECIALLY IN TIMES WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT CUTTING EMPLOYEES AND I KNOW IT'S STRESSFUL, BUT MAYBE WATCH THE $1,000 HERE AND THERE BECAUSE THEY DO ADD UP, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COULD BE A CONVERSATION FOR FREE.

>> HEDDA ELIAS, SPEAKING ON AGAINST CHANGE IN PUBLIC COMMENT PROCESS, QUESTIONS ABOUT PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS.

I DON'T KNOW IT'S LITERACY FIRST, SPECIAL EDUCATION, BTCS, AND LIBRARIANS. THANK YOU.

>> SO I PROBABLY WON'T GET TO ALL THAT.

THANK YOU, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD FOR FINALLY LETTING US SPEAK.

THANK YOU, DR. GUTIERREZ, FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR 100 DAYS OF SERVICE.

THE BIGGEST THING THAT CONCERNS ME, ESPECIALLY ABOUT PUBLIC COMMENT IS THE SIGNING BY NOON ON THE DAY OF THE MEETING.

I'M A TEACHER. CAN'T DO THAT.

THE KIDS WHO ARE HERE, CAN'T DO THAT.

THE PARENTS WHO ARE HERE, CAN'T DO THAT.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO WORK? IS IT GOING TO BE OPEN THE DAY BEFORE ALSO? THAT'S MY QUESTION IS, HOW DOES THIS WORK FOR THE REAL PEOPLE IN THE SCHOOLS? PLUS, THIS WHOLE SHOW THAT WE SAW TODAY WITH PUBLIC COMMENT.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU WERE TRYING TO DO, BUT IT WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY AND IT WAS NOT EXPLAINED CORRECTLY.

THAT SHOWS US THAT YOU ARE PROPOSING THINGS LIKE THIS, NOT JUST TO MAKE YOUR MEETING SHORTER, BUT FOR CENSORSHIP AND THAT IS VERY CONCERNING.

BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES, SOME OF US ARE ABLE TO TALK TO PEOPLE AHEAD OF TIME AND HAVE INFLUENCE.

WITH DR. TIELLE, THE UNION MET MONTHLY WITH HER, AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT WITH DR. GUTIERREZ.

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THIS PUBLIC COMMENT IS WHEN WE CAN SHARE OUR CONCERNS THAT ARE TIMELY,

[02:15:02]

AND NOT ONLY FOR US, FOR PARENTS, FOR STUDENTS AS YOU SAW WHO WERE EXTREMELY ELOQUENT TODAY.

MY CONCERN ALSO IS WITH THE BTCS, THE TESTING COORDINATORS.

WHERE DOES THAT WORK GO TO? WITH OTHER POSITIONS THAT YOU'RE CUTTING, ALL OF THAT WORK THAT THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DOING, WHO WILL HAVE TO TAKE THAT ON? HOW ARE THEY GIVEN THE TIME TO DO THOSE ROLES THAT THEY'RE HAVING TO DO? JUST REALLY UNDERSTANDING, WHAT DO OUR LIBRARIANS DO BECAUSE OUR LIBRARIANS ARE OUR GT COORDINATORS, MY LIBRARIAN AT BATY HAS BEEN REALLY CAREFUL TO ORDER BOOKS THAT ACTUALLY REPRESENT STUDENTS AND THE LANGUAGES THAT THEY SPEAK.

THAT GO TO OUR SCHOOL AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE HAD AUTHORS COME IN TO SPEAK TO OUR STUDENTS THAT REFLECTS OUR STUDENTS.

THAT IS HUGE IN BUILDING ENGAGEMENT.

HE'S ALSO BEEN TEACHING LESSONS ON TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH AND ALL OF THAT.

JUST THINKING ABOUT AS YOU'RE MAKING CUTS, MAKING SURE THAT YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT THESE PEOPLE DO.

THEN MY LAST POINT IS THAT WE DO WANT TO RAISE FOR ALL PEOPLE.

I'M ESPECIALLY CONCERNED FOR MY SPECIAL EDUCATION TAS BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY THAT I CAN MEET MY LEGAL MINUTES IF I DON'T HAVE MY TA.

THAT IS ONE CONCERN.

I THANK YOU ALL FOR GIVING THEM A RAISE LAST YEAR ALONG WITH US, BUT WE WANTED A LIVING WAGE.

I LEFT THE BOARD MEETING LAST YEAR FEELING THAT WE WERE SHORTING OUR ESPS.

IF WE DON'T GET A RAISE, WE'RE STILL DOING THAT. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE JESUS LITA FLORES ON SUPPORT SOCIAL WORKER.

>> [INAUDIBLE]

>> OH, THAT'S UNFORTUNATE. THANK YOU.

CHEYENNE KOERTH, SPEAKING ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS.

>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, DR. GUTIERREZ, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU THIS EVENING.

MY NAME IS CHEYENNE KOERTH, AND I AM THE PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR AT CREEDMOOR ELEMENTARY, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON THE DECISION TO SHIFT OUR DISTRICT EMPLOYED SOCIAL WORKERS TO SOCIAL WORKERS CONTRACTED THROUGH CIS.

I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH CIS AS AN ORGANIZATION, BUT I DO BELIEVE THIS DECISION IS SHORT SIGHTED.

CURRENTLY, CREEDMOOR'S LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER, KIERSTEN HAZELWOOD AND I WORK AS A COHESIVE TEAM TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TO OUR STUDENTS.

WE BOTH PULL STUDENTS.

WE PROVIDE CHECK-INS, WE RUN CRISIS CALLS TOGETHER AND WE COORDINATE WITH ALL OF OUR FAMILIES.

INDEPENDENTLY, SHE HAS COORDINATED, ORGANIZED, AND DEVELOPED OUR STATE AWARDED LATIN DITA FOOD PROGRAM.

SHE STARTED A CLOTHING CLOSET AT CREEDMOOR, THAT HELPS CLOSE OUR STUDENTS WITH THE HIGHEST NEED.

SHE WORKED TO SECURE OUR CAMPUS IS NO PLACE FOR HATE DESIGNATION.

SHE COMPLETES HOME VISITS.

SHE GETS SIGNATURES FOR SPED TESTING.

SHE'S ASSISTED WITH ATTENDANCE TRACKING, REMOVING ATTENDANCE BARRIERS FOR OUR STUDENTS.

SHE'S MET WITH MCKINNEY VENTO STUDENTS ACROSS AUSTIN IN PARKING LOTS TO HELP REMOVE BARRIERS.

SHE IS COORDINATED WITH BRIGHTER BITES, INTEGRAL CARE, SEEDLING, AND SHE'S EVEN MET WITH SUPERINTENDENTS FROM OTHER DISTRICTS IN CENTRAL TEXAS TO SHOW THEM HOW TO REPLICATE WHAT WE ARE OFFERING IN DEL VALLE.

ALL WHILE SHE MAINTAINS A CASELOAD OF STUDENTS THAT SHE HAS WORKED THROUGH TRAUMA, FAMILY TRANSITIONS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND A HOST OF OTHER ISSUES.

SHE WAS VOTED ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY AS CREEDMOOR'S, THIS STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR FOR '24-'25.

SHE IS AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE TO OUR CAMPUS, OUR FAMILIES, AND OUR STUDENTS.

I KNOW ALL OF THE SOCIAL WORKERS IN THIS DISTRICT BRING THE SAME VALUE TO THEIR CAMPUSES IN THEIR OWN UNIQUE WAYS.

ANY OF YOUR COUNSELING TEAM CAN LIST 100 WAYS, THE DEL VALLE LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS AND MASTER LEVEL SOCIAL WORKERS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR DISTRICT'S DNA.

SAYING OUR LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS ARE AN EQUITY BARRIER IS NOT ONLY DISHONEST, IT UNDERMINES OUR STUDENTS.

THEY DESERVED LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS WITH MASTER'S DEGREES.

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT FOR YOUR STUDENTS? CREEDMOOR, ESPECIALLY, STRUGGLES WITH STAFFING A THIRD PARTY ORGANIZATION DUE TO OUR RURAL LOCATION.

WE WENT WITHOUT AN IC THERAPIST, INTEGRAL CARE FROM NOVEMBER TO MARCH, AND I FEAR THAT WE'LL DO THE SAME WITH CIS.

BEFORE THE DECISION TO SIGN AN MOU WITH CIS,

[02:20:02]

DEL VALLE LED THE WAY IN CENTRAL TEXAS DISTRICTS WHEN IT CAME TO MENTAL HEALTH.

WE SAW A NEED IN OUR STUDENTS.

WE PROVIDED THEM WITH MASTERS LEVEL SOCIAL WORKERS.

THIS DECISION TAKES US BACKWARDS.

THE DAMAGE MAY ALREADY BE DONE, THE MOU MAY ALREADY BE SIGNED, BUT I ENCOURAGE THE BOARD TO REVISIT THIS DECISION AND PUT THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS FOR BUDGET CUTS AND NEEDED REDUCTIONS.

IN MY OPINIONS, OUR CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS COULD BE ONE RESOURCE DEL VALLE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE GABRIELLE FREY IN SUPPORT OF LCSWS EMBEDDED AT DVISD SCHOOLS.

>> HELLO MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE TIME TO READ THIS SPEECH TO YOU.

MY NAME IS GABY.

I'M THE NURSE AT HILLCREST ELEMENTARY, AND I WORK REALLY CLOSELY WITH MANDY STALLCUP, WHO IS THE SOCIAL WORKER AT HILLCREST ELEMENTARY.

SHE'S NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT TONIGHT, SO I'M GOING TO READ HER SPEECH FOR HER, BUT I WANTED YOU TO SEE MY SPEECH THAT I WROTE TO SPEAK TONIGHT, BUT I CAN'T READ BECAUSE I'M READING HERS.

ANYWAY. FROM MANDY STALLCUP.

GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

MY NAME IS MANDY STALLCUP, AND I AM A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER AT HILLCREST ELEMENTARY, WHERE I'VE HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

AS A SINGLE PARENT BY CHOICE, I'M UNABLE TO ATTEND TONIGHT'S MEETING IN-PERSON BECAUSE I'M HOME WITH MY TODDLER, CARING FOR HER THROUGH HER BEDTIME ROUTINE.

I'D LIKE TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE FOR READING THIS ON MY BEHALF.

I WANT TO SHARE MY CONCERNS IN FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE ABOUT THE SHIFT FROM DISTRICT EMPLOYED SOCIAL WORKERS TO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES THROUGH COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS.

I WORKED FOR COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS OF CENTRAL TEXAS FOR SIX YEARS AS A PROGRAM MANAGER ASSIGNED TO A CAMPUS.

IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING AND YET CHALLENGING AND EMOTIONALLY DEPLETING ROLES OF MY 15 PLUS YEAR CAREER.

CIS IS WIDELY RESPECTED FOR ITS MISSION, BUT ALSO WELL KNOWN WITHIN THE SOCIAL WORK COMMUNITY FOR ITS HIGH STAFF TURNOVER, SIGNIFICANT BURNOUT AND CONSISTENTLY LOW PAY FOR PROFESSIONALS.

WHILE CIS OFFERS VALUABLE WRAPAROUND AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES, IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE SPECIALIZED LICENSED AND SCHOOL INTEGRATED ROLE OF DISTRICT EMPLOYED SOCIAL WORKERS.

DISTRICT SOCIAL WORKERS ARE LICENSED TO MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, EMBEDDED IN SCHOOL SYSTEMS, ABLE TO INTERVENE QUICKLY, SUPPORT COMPLEX STUDENT NEEDS, AND COLLABORATE CONSISTENTLY WITH STAFF AND FAMILIES.

WE ARE HELD TO RIGOROUS STATE LICENSURE STANDARDS AND ADHERE TO THE ETHICAL GUIDELINES OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS.

REPLACING SOCIAL WORKERS WITH CIS STAFF, MANY OF WHOM ARE NOT LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, COMPROMISES THE DEPTH AND QUALITY OF CARE OUR STUDENTS RECEIVE.

IT CREATES GAPS IN SERVICES, WEAKENS, CRISIS RESPONSE, AND DISRUPTS TRUST AND CONTINUITY OF CARE FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

YOU MAY HEAR FROM CIS TONIGHT THAT THEY PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.

WHAT MAY NOT BE SHARED IS THERE ARE CURRENTLY ONLY THREE LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS COUNSELORS WITH THREE MORE OPEN POSITIONS, COVERING SEVEN COUNTIES AND OVER 100 CAMPUSES.

OUR DEL VALLE STUDENTS DESERVE MORE THAN THAT.

CIS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE SHORT TERM, USUALLY 6-8 SESSIONS.

YET MANY OF OUR STUDENTS FACE ONGOING COMPLEX CHALLENGES SUCH AS GENERATIONAL TRAUMA, IMMIGRATION RELATED FEARS, CHRONIC STRESS, AND GRIEF.

THESE ARE NOT SHORT TERM NEEDS.

THEY REQUIRE CONSISTENT, LONG TERM TRAUMA INFORMED SUPPORT.

SUPPORT THAT THE DISTRICT SOCIAL WORKERS ARE SPECIFICALLY TRAINED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE.

AT A TIME WHEN STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS ARE MORE URGENT THAN EVER, OUR SCHOOLS SHOULD BE EXPANDING NOT OUTSOURCING BECAUSE WE DESERVE NOTHING LESS.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE GEORGE FLORES SPEAKING ON PLC AND SUBSTITUTES, MR. FLORES.

>> GOOD EVENING, SUPERINTENDENT, MADAM PRESIDENT, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

MY NAME IS GEORGE FLORES, AND I'M HERE TO DISCUSS TWO IMPORTANT TOPICS.

FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE RESTORATION OF THE DAILY PLC MEETINGS AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL FOR ALL SUBJECTS.

[02:25:03]

IN 2012, THESE DAILY PLCS WERE ELIMINATED AND REPLACED WITH A FRIDAY PLC TO ADDRESS STAFF SHORTAGES.

WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WOULD RECEIVE A 3% RAISE, TEACHING EXTRA CLASS, AND THAT OUR CLASS SIZES WOULD BE LOWERED.

COLLABORATING WITH MY PLC BECAME MORE DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY WHILE TEACHING AN ADDITIONAL CLASS WITH STUDENT NUMBERS STILL RANGING BETWEEN 30 AND 34 PER CLASS.

AS A RESULT, I'LL OFTEN FOUND MYSELF TRYING TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS LOST TIME DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, BALANCING TEACHING, PROVIDING FEEDBACK, BUT ALSO SIMULTANEOUSLY LESSON PLANNING, CREATING ASSESSMENTS, ALL HAVE BEEN QUITE OVERWHELMING, AS WELL AS FOR MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES.

I BELIEVE RESTORING DAILY PLCS COULD SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE OUR CAMPUS SCORES.

THE SECOND TOPIC CONCERNS THE DECISION MAKERS AFFECTING OUR DISTRICT AS A WHOLE.

WHEN INDIVIDUALS DISCUSS CAMPUS RATINGS, A B, A D, OR AN F, DO THEY TRULY UNDERSTAND TODAY'S STUDENTS AND THE CURRENT TEACHING ENVIRONMENT? IT MAY HAVE BEEN 5, 10, OR EVEN 15 YEARS SINCE THEY LAST TAUGHT IN A CLASSROOM.

ALSO, HOW MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE DO THEY HAVE AS A TEACHER? WHEN DECISIONS ARE MADE TO REPLACE SOCIAL WORKERS WITH COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS TO LEAVE LIBRARIAN POSITIONS UNFILLED, OR REGARDING CAMPUS WALKTHROUGHS, THE PURCHASE OF INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS, AND THE HIRING AND MANAGEMENT OF CAMPUS ADMINISTRATORS, FROM WHAT PERSPECTIVE ARE THESE DECISIONS BEING MADE? TODAY'S STUDENTS ARE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE BEFORE 2020, 2015, OR 2010.

THEY FACE MORE TRAUMA, NEW STRESSORS, INCREASED RELIANCE ON CELL PHONES, TECHNOLOGY, SHORTER ATTENTION SPANS, AND THE IMPACT OF INCREASING STRESSFUL STATE AND FEDERAL EVENTS.

MANY FACTORS INFLUENCE HOW EFFECTIVELY TEACHERS CAN TEACH, INCLUDING STAFF RETENTION, CAMPUS MORALE, PLC COLLABORATION, BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT, AND SAFETY.

THEREFORE, I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD ESTABLISHES A POLICY THAT DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS, SUPERINTENDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM SUBSTITUTE TWICE A MONTH TO GAIN FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE THAT WILL LEAD TO MORE INFORMED DECISIONS AFFECTING OUR STAFF AND OUR STUDENTS.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE LESLIE CAIN SPEAKING ABOUT CUTTING THE SOCIAL WORKER POSITIONS AND NOT HIRING [INAUDIBLE] [APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT.

I AM HERE TO SHARE MY CONCERNS ABOUT LOSING OUR SOCIAL WORKERS AND LIBRARIAN.

OUR SOCIAL WORKER AT HILLCREST, MS. MANDY, IS ESSENTIAL IN HELPING OUR STUDENTS ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL.

I HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH HER THIS YEAR REGARDING FIVE OF MY STUDENTS.

SHE WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THESE STUDENTS AND EVEN HELP US FIND RESOURCES FOR A PARENT FOR ONE OF MY STUDENTS.

HER ASSISTANCE ENABLED ME TO FOCUS ON THE STUDENT'S ACADEMIC SUCCESS WHILE SHE HELPED US MEET THEIR SOCIAL EMOTIONAL NEEDS.

MY STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF HER.

SOCIAL WORKERS ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR CAMPUSES BECAUSE THEY ENABLE TEACHERS TO MORE EFFECTIVELY DO THEIR JOBS.

OUR CAMPUS HAS BEEN WITHOUT A LIBRARIAN FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.

IN THE SPRING SEMESTER, WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE MS. WESTFALL BEGIN AS OUR LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE LIBRARIAN WITH THE INTENT OF HIRING HER AS A FULL-TIME LIBRARIAN FOR THE '25/'26 SCHOOL YEAR.

WE WERE INFORMED THAT WE WILL NO LONGER BE HIRING A FULL-TIME LIBRARIAN FOR OUR CAMPUS ANYMORE.

SINCE MS. WESTFALL BEGAN AS OUR LIBRARIAN, MY STUDENTS HAVE BEEN EAGER TO GO TO THE LIBRARY AND FIND THEIR NEXT BOOK.

THEY HAVE BEEN TRACKING THEIR READING MINUTES ON BEANSTACK AND HAVE COME TO LOVE THEIR TIME IN THE LIBRARY.

I CAN TEACH MY KIDS HOW TO READ, AND I'M VERY SUCCESSFUL AT THAT.

SHE TEACHES THEM TO LOVE TO READ.

[APPLAUSE] THIS HAS HELPED MY STUDENTS BECOME EVEN STRONGER READERS THIS SEMESTER AND HAS HELPED THEM REALLY FALL IN LOVE WITH [INAUDIBLE].

SHE HAS BROUGHT OUR LIBRARY BACK TO LIFE WITH CREATIVE AND ENGAGING LESSON.

OUR STUDENTS STRUGGLE TO MEET THEIR ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL GOALS DUE TO LIMITED ACCESS TO OUTSIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE FROM A CERTIFIED LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES THAT CAN HELP THEM GROW AS A WHOLE CHILD.

SEVERELY LIMITING ACCESS TO THESE SCHOOL SERVICES PUTS AN UNDUE BURDEN ON OUR COMMUNITY, STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND PARENTS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING ANY UPDATES.

[02:30:01]

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE PAYTON PROPOSED STAFF CUTS, SOCIAL WORKER, AND LIBRARIAN ADVOCACY.

>> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, COLLEAGUES, AND DEL VALLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS PEYTON WYNN, AND I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF TEACHING AT HILLCREST ELEMENTARY FOR NEARLY A DECADE.

TONIGHT, I AM HERE TO EXPRESS MY DEEP CONCERN REGARDING THE PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS THAT THREATEN TO ELIMINATE SEVERAL VITAL [INAUDIBLE] IN OUR SCHOOL, INCLUDING SEVERAL OF OUR DEDICATED TEACHING ASSISTANTS, OUR INVALUABLE SOCIAL WORKER, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIRE A QUALIFIED LIBRARIAN AT HILLCREST AND CREEDMOOR.

LET ME BEGIN BY HIGHLIGHTING THE CRITICAL ROLE OUR LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER MANDY STALCUP PLAYS IN THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS.

MANDY IS NOT JUST A STAFF MEMBER, SHE IS A LIFELINE FOR MANY OF OUR CHILDREN.

HER PRESENCE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THE OVERALL MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR STUDENTS, PROVIDING THE SUPPORT THEY DESPERATELY NEED.

I HAVE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF HER SERVICES AND HER PLAY THERAPY ON MY PRE-K STUDENTS.

SHE WORKS TIRELESSLY TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT TO FAMILIES ACROSS OUR CAMPUS.

FOR MANY, SHE IS A SAFE SPACE, A TRUSTED CONFIDANT, AND LOSING HER WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSE LASTING HARM TO OUR CHILDREN AND OUR ENTIRE CAMPUS COMMUNITY.

AS THE LIST OF STUDENTS REQUIRING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CONTINUES TO GROW, THE ABSENCE OF OUR DEDICATED SOCIAL WORKERS WOULD LEAVE MANY WITHOUT THE SERVICES AND TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE NECESSARY TO THRIVE EMOTIONALLY AND ACADEMICALLY.

FURTHERMORE, OUR SOCIAL WORKERS DESERVE THE SAME LEVEL OF SUPPORT THEY PROVIDE FOR OUR STUDENTS, CAMPUSES, AND COMMUNITY, AND THE VERY LEAST THEY DESERVE IS JOB SECURITY AND FAIR PAY THAT REFLECTS THE NECESSARY ROLE THEY PLAY ON OUR CAMPUS.

MOREOVER, THE IMPORTANCE OF A QUALIFIED LIBRARIAN CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.

AFTER HAVING NO FULL-TIME LIBRARIAN FOR A YEAR AND A HALF, MS. VERONICA WESTFALL HAS REIGNITED AN EXCITEMENT FOR READING AMONG MY STUDENTS, FOSTERING THEIR IMAGINATIONS, AND ENCOURAGING CRITICAL THINKING AND A LIFELONG PASSION FOR BOOKS.

WITHOUT A FULL-TIME LIBRARIAN, OUR STUDENTS WILL MISS OUT ON ESSENTIAL STORY TIME AND LIBRARY ACCESS, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE CURRENT SUBSTITUTE SHORTAGE THAT OFTEN FORCES TEACHING ASSISTANTS TO [OVERLAPPING] TAKE ON MULTIPLE ROLES.

THIS SITUATION WILL ONLY DETERIORATE WITH FURTHER STAFF REDUCTIONS, COMPROMISING THE RICH LITERACY EXPERIENCE OUR STUDENTS DESERVE.

ALL DEL VALLE SCHOOLS SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO A CERTIFIED LIBRARY.

ANYTHING LESS WOULD BE A DISSERVICE TO OUR STUDENTS.

ACCESS TO BOOKS AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE NOT LUXURIES, THEY ARE NECESSITIES.

OUR CHILDREN AND TEACHERS DESERVE THE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES THAT EMPOWER THEM TO SUCCEED.

IT IS THE DEDICATED PEOPLE, OUR TEACHING ASSISTANTS WHO DESERVE A LIVING WAGE FOR THE INCREDIBLE WORK THEY DO EVERY DAY.

OUR SOCIAL WORKERS AND OUR LIBRARIANS ARE THE ONES WHO MAKE DEL VALLE SCHOOLS NURTURING AND EFFECTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.

IT IS CRUCIAL THAT OUR BUDGET REFLECTS THIS TRUTH.

IN CLOSING, I URGE THE SCHOOL BOARD TO RECONSIDER THE PROPOSED CUTS.

LET US PRIORITIZE THE WELLBEING AND EDUCATION OF OUR STUDENTS BY ENSURING THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED TO FLOURISH.

>> NEXT UP, I HAVE KAYLA SAGAN, PETITION FOR CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS.

>> HELLO. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS KAYLA, AND I'M A MOM OF THREE CHILDREN IN THE DEL VALLE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

TWO OF MY KIDS, MY DAUGHTER AND MY SON, MEET WEEKLY WITH MS. MIDBOE, A LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER AT GILBERT.

WHEN I COULDN'T GET THEM INTO THERAPY BECAUSE OF WAITLISTS AND INSURANCE BARRIERS, MS. MIDBOE STEPPED IN TO GIVE THEM THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.

YOU CAN'T TELL ME THAT YOU'LL GIVE ME A LIST OF RESOURCES TO CALL.

I'VE DONE THAT AND I'VE GONE IN CIRCLES.

HAVING A CLINICALLY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL AVAILABLE TO MY CHILD AT SCHOOL IS WHAT MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

KIDS DON'T SIMPLY NEED A CARING ADULT, BUT A CLINICALLY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL WHO UNDERSTANDS TRAUMA AND THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS FOR KIDS WHO ARE NEURODIVERGENT AND LIVE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS.

THAT KIND OF EXPERTISE CHANGES LIVES.

I'VE BEEN A WITNESS OF THESE CHANGES IN MY OWN KIDS.

MY OLDEST WAS TWO YEARS BEHIND MANY SUBJECTS WHEN SHE ARRIVED IN THE DISTRICT AND IS NOW ACADEMICALLY THRIVING AND IS A LEADER IN HER SCHOOL.

YOU HEARD HER SPEAK EARLIER.

SHE WOULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT WITHOUT MS. MIDBOE.

THE BIGGEST REASON FOR THIS IS BECAUSE SHE GAINED THE EMOTIONAL TOOLS TO NAVIGATE CHALLENGES AND RECEIVE SUPPORT.

SHE BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND HER CHRONIC ILLNESS AND HOW TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THE CHALLENGES THAT IT CAN BRING.

ONLY A CLINICALLY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL COULD PROVIDE THIS KIND OF SERVICE TO MY CHILD.

I WOULD NOT TRUST ANYONE ELSE.

MENTAL HEALTH AFFECTS ACADEMICS.

WHAT A SHAME IT WOULD BE TO REMOVE SOMETHING THAT HAS A DIRECT EFFECT ON KIDS ACADEMICS?

[02:35:03]

THIS IS A TITLE I DISTRICT.

THESE KIDS FACE REAL CHALLENGES AND THEY NEED REAL SUPPORT TO BE ABLE TO LEARN AND GROW.

I'VE LIVED IN DEL VALLE FOR SIX YEARS, AND IT'S BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY OF CARE MY KIDS HAVE RECEIVED IN THIS SCHOOL THAT I HAVE NOT MOVED SOMEWHERE ELSE.

I LIVE IN A 1,300 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE WITH SIX PEOPLE IN MY HOME AND WE HAVE NOT MOVED FROM IT BECAUSE OF GILBERT ELEMENTARY.

IF THIS CHANGE GOES THROUGH, THAT QUALITY DISAPPEARS, I HAVE BEEN SINGING DEL VALLE ISD'S PRAISES FOR YEARS BECAUSE OF HOW IT HAS CHANGED MY KIDS' LIVES.

DON'T REMOVE THE SHINING QUALITY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

PLEASE RECONSIDER AND MAKE CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH A PRIORITY.

DON'T [OVERLAPPING] CUT THE [INAUDIBLE] FROM CLINICALLY TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS THEY HAVE BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH OVER THE YEARS.

CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT IT DOES TO A VULNERABLE CHILD WHEN YOU REMOVE THE SAFE ADULT THEY'VE BEEN MEETING WITH EVERY WEEK WITHOUT ANY WARNING? IT'S TRAUMATIZING, ESPECIALLY TO THE CHILDREN IN OUR DISTRICT WHO ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE CIRCUMSTANCES.

THERE'S NO WAY I WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY IF I HAD TO TAKE A MAJOR PAY CUT.

WE CAN'T EXPECT OUR SOCIAL WORKERS TO HAPPILY ACCEPT THAT OFFER.

WE LOVE OUR SOCIAL WORKERS.

DON'T PUT THEM IN THAT IMPOSSIBLE POSITION.

>> BOARD, AT THIS TIME, WE STILL HAVE 20 LEFT, BUT I DID INVITE THE ATTORNEYS TO BE HERE IN A TIMELY MANNER AT 7:30 BECAUSE NORMALLY WE DON'T HAVE THIS TURNOUT.

I LEAVE IT UP TO YOU ALL. DO YOU ALL WANT TO GO AHEAD AND CONSULT WITH THE ATTORNEY ON THE SUBJECTS WE'VE GOT?

>> I WOULD BECAUSE I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN ABOUT THE PUBLIC COMMENT AND REALLY WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO THE ATTORNEY IF WE DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FOR US AND OUR BOARD [INAUDIBLE] AND HOW DO WE GET THAT IMPLEMENTED SO WE COULD MAKE THAT CHANGE BECAUSE.

I'VE SEEN THE EMAILS, I'VE HEARD THE CONVERSATIONS, AND THE PUBLIC HAS SPOKEN, AND I THINK IT'S PRUDENT THAT WE JUST ADDRESS THAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO WE CAN GET THROUGH THE OTHER THINGS BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE A FULL AGENDA TO GO THROUGH, AND I THINK THAT BY IDENTIFYING AND ADDRESSING THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE, WE COULD HOPEFULLY MOVE ALONG A LITTLE BIT QUICKER.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. TRUSTEE FRANCO?

>> IF YOU'RE ASKING THE QUESTION OF MY OPINION, I BELIEVE THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO LET THE REST OF THE PUBLIC SPEAK.

>> I AGREE WITH TRUSTEE FRANCO HERE.

>> I THINK WE JUST NEED TO GO AHEAD AND GO THROUGH THIS. GET IT DONE.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT UP, WE HAVE MARIEL KRONITZ, STUDENT SUPPORT AT DVHS.

>> GOOD EVENING, DR. GUTIERREZ, BOARD MEMBERS, AND COMMUNITY.

MY NAME IS MARIEL KRONITZ, AND I AM A LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER AT DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL.

I BECAME PART OF DVHS THIS YEAR, JOINING MS. [INAUDIBLE], WHO HAS SPENT FOUR YEARS BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, NOT ONLY WITH STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, BUT WITH NURSES, JANITORS, TEACHERS, APS, AND SROS.

WE HELPED IMPLEMENT AND RUN THE ANTI-BULLYING PROGRAM, NO PLACE FOR HATE, A PEER MENTORING PROGRAM FOR FIRST GEN STUDENTS, CARE TEAM MEETINGS FOR STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES, AND THERAPY GROUPS FOR MINDFULNESS, GRIEF, AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS.

WE WORK WITH ALL STUDENTS, SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS, ATHLETES, ECHS STUDENTS, AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PLACED IN CAEP AND DAEP.

WE ARE THE FIRST-LINE OF DEFENSE WHEN A PARENT COMES TO CAMPUS, CONCERNED THAT THEIR CHILD IS BEING GROOMED BY AN OLDER MAN OR AFTER FINDING BLOOD ON THEIR CHILD'S BED AND REALIZING THEY ARE SELF-HARMING.

TEACHERS COME TO US WHEN THEY ARE CONCERNED THAT A STUDENT HAS BEEN ABSENT OR IS NOT SAFE AT HOME.

THIS YEAR ALONE, WE HAVE WORKED WITH HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS, MANY OF WHOM COME TO US BECAUSE OF OUR OPEN-DOOR POLICY.

MY STUDENTS BRING FRIENDS AND SIBLINGS AND COUSINS IN NEED BECAUSE THEY HAVE COME TO TRUST ME AND KNOW THAT MY OFFICE IS OPEN TO ALL.

THE MAJORITY OF MY STUDENTS HAVE NEVER GONE TO ANOTHER THERAPIST AND LIKELY WOULD NOT BE SEEN BY CIS.

THESE ARE STUDENTS WHO REPORT FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED SEXUAL ABUSE OR SUICIDAL IDEATION OR SYMPTOMS OF PSYCHOSIS, INCLUDING HALLUCINATIONS.

I PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL THERAPY FOR THESE STUDENTS.

I MEET WITH THEIR TEACHERS AND ADVOCATE FOR THE SUPPORT THEY WILL NEED TO SUCCEED AND FEEL SAFE IN SCHOOL.

I CALL HOME WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN ABSENT AND THEIR PARENTS TALK WITH ME AND TRUST ME BECAUSE I'M A DISTRICT EMPLOYEE AND PART OF THE DVISD COMMUNITY.

OUR WORK AT THE HIGH SCHOOL IS CRISIS WORK.

THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF CANNOT BE MET BY EMPLOYEES OF

[02:40:01]

AN OUTSIDE AGENCY WHO ARE NOT REQUIRED TO [INAUDIBLE].

CIS PROVIDES VALUABLE SUPPORT AND I RESPECT THEIR WORK, BUT DVISD HAS HAD A PARTNERSHIP WITH CIS [OVERLAPPING] WHO CHOSE TO END THAT IN ORDER TO HIRE A TEAM OF LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS.

AS MINOR ISC IS DOING NOW, AISD, PFLUGERVILLE ISD, SEGUIN ISD, AND OTHER SURROUNDING DISTRICTS WHO PARTNER WITH CIS ALSO EMPLOY SOCIAL [INAUDIBLE] THE DISTRICT.

OUR FAMILIES DESERVE MASTER LEVEL SOCIAL WORKERS WHO ARE LICENSED TO PROVIDE TRAUMA THERAPY, RISK ASSESSMENT, AND CRISIS INTERVENTION, WHO CAN UNDERSTAND AND MEET THE HIGH LEVEL OF TRAUMA THAT WE ARE SEEING.

ANYTHING LESS THAN THAT IS NOT ONLY A LIABILITY FOR THE DISTRICT, BUT A DEEP HARM TO DEL VALLE, A STRONG AND RESILIENT COMMUNITY, BUT ONE THAT HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM MANY KINDS OF RESOURCES.

I UNDERSTAND THE CONSTRAINTS OF BUDGETING AND THAT THERE ARE DIFFICULT DECISIONS TO BE MADE, BUT I URGE YOU NOT TO CUT CORNERS ON MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR OUR CHILDREN.

>> NEXT UP, I HAVE LEILA THOMAS. I APOLOGIZE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY THE LAST NAME, LEILA.

STUDENT SUPPORT AT DVHS.

>> THANK YOU. HELLO, DR. GUTIERREZ, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND COMMUNITY.

MY NAME IS LILA THOMAS PAIGET.

I'M THE CARE YOUTH ADVISOR AT DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL.

I'M HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT WE NEED THE LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS AND LICENSED CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY COUNSELORS HERE IN DVISD.

I HAVE PERSONALLY WATCHED THE LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS AND LICENSED CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY COUNSELORS IMPACT THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS.

THEY FOSTER A SAFE SPACE IN THE SCHOOL FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND STAFF.

THEY ARE ALWAYS THE FIRST PEOPLE TO RESPOND WHEN THERE IS ANY CRISIS, AND THEY ARE THE MOST QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO DO THAT.

BETWEEN OUR THREE UNIQUE PROGRAMS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE CARE TEAM, WE CAN IMPACT THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND STAFF WHO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THESE SERVICES OTHERWISE.

TAKING AWAY THESE SERVICES IS A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF SYSTEMIC RACISM AND IS AN UNETHICAL DECISION TO MAKE.

YOU CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD AND BREAK BARRIERS SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO.

IF YOU TAKE AWAY THE LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS AND LICENSED CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY COUNSELORS, YOU WILL DO IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE.

STUDIES SHOW THAT WHEN YOU REMOVE SUPPORTS FROM SCHOOLS, TEST SCORES WILL DROP, GUN VIOLENCE AND DRUG ADDICTION WILL INCREASE AND INEVITABLY FATALITIES.

YOU, THE BOARD, AND MR. GUTIERREZ, HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY IN THE WORLD.

I WAS THRILLED TO WORK FOR DEL VALLE WHEN I SAW THEIR INCREDIBLE WRAPAROUND SERVICES.

I'VE NEVER WORKED AT A SCHOOL THAT WAS THIS SUPPORTIVE OF ITS STUDENTS AND STAFF.

IT IS BEYOND DISHEARTENING TO HEAR THAT THIS IS THE DECISION THAT YOU ARE COMING TO.

SAVING A FEW BUCKS TODAY WILL END UP COSTING MILLIONS IN THE FUTURE, AND I URGE YOU TO DO YOUR RESEARCH WITH FIDELITY AND NOT ONLY TAKE THE WORD OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.

ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, THE DISTRICT PUT OUT A VIDEO HIGHLIGHTING THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WE OFFER.

LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS ARE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE.

CLEARLY, THE BOARD AND DR. GUTIERREZ KNOWS THAT THIS IS THE WRONG DECISION TO MAKE.

>> I HOPE YOU DECIDE TO KEEP THESE PROGRAMS. IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

IF YOU ARE TRULY FOR THE STUDENTS AND FOR THIS COMMUNITY, YOU WILL KEEP ALL OF THESE SERVICES BECAUSE YOUR COMMUNITY IS COUNTING ON YOU.

YOU STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE THIS RIGHT TODAY WHEN YOU VOTE DURING CLOSED SESSION.

WHICH SIDE OF HISTORY WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ON? [APPLAUSE]

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE OLIVIA LOPEZ, OPPORTUNITY CENTER SUPPORT.

OLIVIA LOPEZ. [APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND DISTRICT LEADERSHIP.

MY NAME IS OLIVIA LOPEZ, AND I'M THE LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER AT THE DELL VALLE OPPORTUNITY CENTER.

ON APRIL 8TH, OUR TEAM WAS NOTIFIED THAT ALL SOCIAL WORKERS ARE HAVING THEIR POSITIONS ELIMINATED AND MIXED WITH COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS OR CIS.

WHILE CIS CAN PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE GUIDANCE, OUR CAMPUSES ARE FACING THIS DECISION WHEN THE STATISTICS REFLECT THE NEED FOR MORE INTENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THAT SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDE, INCLUDING SOME THAT ARE LIFE SAVING.

SOME STATISTICS TO CONSIDER.

SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN YOUTH AGES 10-14,

[02:45:01]

AND THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN YOUTH AGES 15-24.

ONE IN SIX US YOUTH AGES 6-17 EXPERIENCE A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER EACH YEAR.

FIFTY PERCENT OF ALL LIFETIME MENTAL ILLNESSES BEGIN BY THE AGE OF 14.

ALL OF THESE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS OR NAMI, ALONG WITH OTHER STARTLING STATISTICS THAT AFFECT OUR STUDENTS.

SINCE I HAVE FILLED THIS POSITION IN 2021, AT A CAMPUS THAT SERVES SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE AND AT RISK STUDENTS, I HAVE ASSESSED STUDENTS FOR SUICIDE AND SELF HARM, ACCOMPANIED STUDENTS TO MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALS FOR ASSESSMENT, AND HELPED TO GROW OUR CAMPUS CLOTHING CLOSET WITH OUR 18 PLUS PROGRAM.

I HAVE GONE ON HOME VISITS WITH THE GOALS TO ADDRESS BASIC NEEDS GAPS, ATTENDANCE ISSUES, AND BUILD CONNECTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THESE AND MORE SERVICES CAN BE PROVIDED FOR ALL STUDENTS, EVEN THOSE WHO WOULD NOT MEET THE CRITERIA THROUGH CIS.

I'M SPEAKING AS A VOICE FOR MY STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN TOLD IN THE PAST THAT THEY WOULD NEVER GRADUATE, THAT THEY WOULD END UP IN JAIL OR THAT THEY WOULD NOT ACHIEVE ANY OF THE GOALS THEY HAVE SET FOR THEMSELVES AND WORK WITH THEM EVERY DAY TO CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE.

I HAVE HAD THE HONOR OF STUDENTS SHARING THEIR LIFE STORY AND TRAUMAS.

>> FOR THEM TO SAY AFTER, I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO SHARE THIS BEFORE, AND YOU HELPED ME TO FEEL SAFE AND COMFORTABLE.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL WORDS A STUDENT CAN TELL YOU, AND I'M SURE MY OTHER STAFF MEMBERS WOULD AGREE.

OUR CAMPUS STAFF WILL ALSO FEEL THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THIS DECISION BY BEING EXPECTED TO HOLD MORE RESPONSIBILITY THAN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY ALLOWS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO BURNOUT AND HIGHER STAFF TURNOVER.

THE MESSAGE BEING COMMUNICATED FROM THE DISTRICT IS THE NEED TO FOCUS ON ACADEMICS.

STUDENTS HAVE LESS SUCCESS IN SCHOOL IF THEIR BASIC NEEDS ARE NOT MET, IF THEY'RE EXPERIENCING TRAUMA OR HAVE UNADDRESSED TRAUMA.

IN CLOSING, I LEAVE YOU TO CONSIDER ONE FINAL STATISTIC.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION ARE MORE THAN TWICE AS LIKELY TO DROP OUT COMPARED TO THEIR PEERS.

IF ACADEMIC SUCCESS IS THE FOCUS, WHY WOULD THE DISTRICT REMOVE THE LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO SUPPORT THESE GOALS? THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> THIS NEXT ONE, I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE.

I BELIEVE IT'S JANA RAMCHANDER.

>> GOOD EVENING, DR. GUTIERREZ, THE BOARD, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

MY NAME IS JANA RAMCHANDER, AND I'M A LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER AT DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL.

I'VE HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING THESE STUDENTS FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS JOINING THIS TRAILBLAZING SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT SHOWS TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH FOR ALL STUDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

LITTLE DID I KNOW WALKING INTO THE HIGH SCHOOL, THE FIRST PHONE CALL I WOULD TAKE WOULD BE TO ADDRESS THE COVID DEATH OF A PARENT.

BE PART OF A CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM SUPPORTING STUDENTS IN RESPONSE TO A GUN THAT WAS BROUGHT TO CAMPUS, ATTEND THE FUNERAL OF A STUDENT THAT COMPLETED SUICIDE, AND FOLLOW UP WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO PROVIDE GRIEF SUPPORT.

OVER THE COURSE OF LAST FOUR YEARS, I HAVE SUPPORTED OVER 1,000 STUDENTS AT THAT CAMPUS.

THIS YEAR, BETWEEN THE TWO SOCIAL WORKERS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, WE'VE MET WITH OVER 400 STUDENTS ADDRESSING ISSUES OF TRAUMA, SELF HARM, RELATIONSHIP ISSUES, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO FOLLOW STUDENTS FROM 9TH-12TH GRADE.

THE BEST PART OF THIS JOB IS GOING TO GRADUATION AND SEEING THE STUDENTS THAT YOU HAVE SUPPORTED, LIKE MY TWO YOUNG WOMEN, WALKING DOWN THE STAGE AND KNOWING ONLY YOU KNOW THEIR STORY OF RESILIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE AND THAT YOU HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THEIR JOURNEY.

WE TAKE THE LEAD ON MANAGING CRISIS ON OUR CAMPUS.

WE HANDLE MULTIPLE CRISIS ON A DAILY AND WEEKLY BASIS.

WE'RE ALSO AN INTRINSIC PART OF THE BEHAVIOR THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAM, WHERE WE HAVE ASSESSED EIGHT DIFFERENT SITUATIONS THIS YEAR REGARDING SAFETY OF OTHER STUDENTS AND STAFF MEMBERS AND THE POTENTIAL OF BRINGING A WEAPON TO CAMPUS.

THIS YEAR ALONE, WE HAVE ASSESSED OVER 35 STUDENTS FOR SUICIDAL IDEATION.

SIXTEEN OF THEM WERE HOSPITALIZED.

WE MEET WHEN THEY RETURN BACK TO CAMPUS, CREATING SAFETY PLANS AND HELPING PROVIDE SAFE ADULTS AND COPING STRATEGIES TO HELP THEM TRANSITION BACK.

IN OUR ROLE, WE WILL COLLABORATE.

>> WITH EVERYBODY ON CAMPUS.

OUR COUNSELORS, OUR LCDCS, OUR NURSES, OUR TEACHERS, OUR PRINCIPALS.

WE ADVOCATE FOR OUR STUDENTS WHEN WE KNOW SOMETHING IS GOING ON AND CONNECT THEM TO RESOURCES THAT WOULD BE BOTH HELPFUL WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY.

[02:50:04]

WE HELP OUR MAKING EVENT TO STUDENTS WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES, TAKING A SHOWER ON CAMPUS, FOOD BAGS, AND ALSO MAYBE OTHER SHELTERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

DEL VALLE IS A UNIQUE COMMUNITY AND THERE ARE VERY FEW RESOURCES, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

IN FACT, THE CLOSEST MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY IS ABOUT 10 MILES AWAY.

WE ARE THE ONLY FREE ACCESSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, AND WE DON'T TURN A SINGLE STUDENT AWAY BECAUSE OUR CASELOADS ARE FULL.

I WOULD LIKE TO END BY SAYING THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS DO NOT CHANGE BECAUSE LEADERSHIP DOES.

>> I APOLOGIZE. DAHLIA NEY, DEL VALLE ELEMENTARY, SUPPORTING THE WHOLE TRIAL.

>> HONORED BOARD MEMBERS, PRESIDENT, DR. GUTIERREZ, MY NAME IS DAHLIA NEY, AND I AM ONE OF THE 15 LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS WE HAVE EMPLOYED AT DEL VALLE ISD.

I WORK AT DEL VALLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

I AM HERE TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE WHOLE CHILD, MORE SPECIFICALLY, THOSE CHILDREN ENTRUSTED INTO MY CARE AT THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

FOR A DISTRICT THAT STATES THAT THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR STUDENTS IS AT THE CORE OF ITS WORK, IT IS CONFUSING FOR DVISD TO RESOLVE THE DISTRICT'S SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM.

IF THESE PROGRAMS ARE ELIMINATED, WE ARE GOING TO BE THE ONLY DISTRICT IN CENTRAL TEXAS WITH A SOCIAL WORKER ON EVERY CAMPUS TO BEING THE ONLY DISTRICT WITH NONE, NOT A SINGLE DISTRICT EMPLOYED SOCIAL WORKER.

IN A POPULATION LIKE DEL VALLE, WHERE 80% OF OUR STUDENTS LIVE IN POVERTY AND NEED RESOURCES, WE ARE ELIMINATING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO RECEIVE HELP FROM PROFESSIONAL LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS AT NO COST TO THEM.

CURRENTLY, MY SCHOOL HAS 762 STUDENTS AND I CAN MEET WITH ALL OF THEM.

TRAUMA AFFECTS STUDENTS AT AN ALARMING LEVEL WITH OUR STUDENTS FACING HIGHER RATES OF TRAUMA STEMMING FROM DEPORTATION, POVERTY, AND EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES.

THE INCREASE IN TRAUMA LEADS TO ELEVATED RATES OF SUICIDE, CRIME, AND HEART DISEASE.

THE WHOLE CHILD BEGINS WITH MEETING BASIC NEEDS.

THESE STUDENTS ARE FOOD INSECURE, DISPLACED, AND LACKING RESOURCES.

A STUDENT CANNOT CONCENTRATE ON ACADEMICS IF THEIR BASIC NEEDS ARE NOT MET.

OUR STUDENTS CANNOT AND WILL NOT FOCUS ON TEST SCORES IF THEY ARE EXPERIENCING EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES AND DO NOT HAVE AN ADEQUATE RATIO OF SUPPORTIVE AND LICENSED PROFESSIONALS TO WORK WITH THEM.

CIS IS LIMITED TO HELPING ONLY THOSE ON THEIR CASELOAD WITH A FOCUS ON QUANTITY OVER QUALITY OF CARE.

OUR SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS HAVE FEWER BARRIERS TO WHO THEY CAN HELP, BECOMING A RESOURCE FOR EVERY STUDENT ON CAMPUS, NOT JUST THOSE ON PAPER.

BY ELIMINATING THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS AND REPLACING THEM WITH CIS, WE ARE REMOVING ACCESS TO LICENSED PROFESSIONALS WHO WILL BE ABLE AND AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT EVERY ONE OF OUR STUDENTS.

JUST TWO WEEKS AGO, DVE DEALT WITH A SITUATION WHERE FOUR CHILDREN WERE ACTIVELY CUTTING THEIR ARMS AT THE SAME TIME.

WITHOUT THE SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM, THE CLINICALLY UNLICENSED SCHOOL COUNSELOR.

>> WOULD BE ON HER OWN TRYING TO PROVIDE THESE STUDENTS WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH CARE THAT THEY NEED.

>> I HAD BEEN WORKING WITH AT LEAST ONE OF THESE STUDENTS FOR A WHILE AND BUILT ENOUGH REPORT TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT HER IMMEDIATELY.

PLEASE NOTE SHE IS NOT ON MY OFFICIAL CASELOAD.

I HAVE JUST BEEN SUPPORTING HER, WHICH CIS CANNOT DO.

I URGE YOU TO REASSESS THE DECISIONS MADE AND DETERMINE IF THEY ARE TRULY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHILD OR MERELY A WAY TO SAVE MONEY AND FILL IN GAPS INEFFECTIVELY.

THE SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT WAS NOT GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THEIR DATA AND IMPACT, AND THE DECISION WAS MADE WITHOUT DISCUSSION INVOLVING KEY STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE EXACT COMMUNITY WE ARE TRYING TO HELP OUR STUDENTS' PARENTS.

EDUCATION IS BORN TO INSPIRE, SUPPORT, HEAL, EDUCATE, PROTECT, AND EMPOWER STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILY.

IS THE ELIMINATION OF THE SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM DOING THIS? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE]

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE BRETT KEVIN SPEAKING ON SOCIAL WORKERS.

>> PRESIDENT WAGNER, VICE PRESIDENT WOODY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT.

NORMALLY, THAT IS JUST A POLITE FORM OF SPEECH, BUT I SAY THAT QUITE SINCERELY BECAUSE I RISE TONIGHT IN SUPPORT OF KEEPING THE SCHOOL BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES THE SAME WITH RESPECT TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

I COULD SPEND THE ENTIRE THREE MINUTES ON THAT, BUT I HAVE ANOTHER THING TO SPEAK OF WHICH IS SUPPORT OF THE CONTINUATION OF OUR SOCIAL WORKER LICENSED MENTAL CARE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.

[02:55:03]

I'M GOING TO DIVIDE MY TIME.

I HAD A SPEECH WRITTEN.

I'VE TORN IT UP. I WANT TO CHECK IN ON YOU.

ARE YOU OVERLOADED, YOU'RE TIRED, YOU'VE HEARD A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS.

I DIDN'T WANT TO REPEAT MYSELF, BUT I WANT TO MAKE A FEW KEY POINTS.

I AGREE WITH WHAT JASON SAID ABOUT CHANGING THE RULES BEING ANTI DEMOCRATIC.

THAT IS THE PERCEPTION, AND SOME PEOPLE'S PERCEPTION, IT'S THEIR PERCEPTION, IT'S THEIR REALITY.

I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT AND SAY THAT YOU ARE VOLUNTEERS, YOU'RE NOT PAID, YOU INVEST A LOT OF HOURS, YOU'RE TIRED, AND YOU'D LIKE TO GO HOME A LITTLE EARLIER ON SCHOOL BOARD MEETING NIGHTS.

I CAN SEE THAT.

I CAN APPRECIATE THAT.

IT'S POSSIBLE THAT YOU REALLY ARE COMING FROM A POINT OF WANTING TO MAKE THESE MEETINGS MORE EFFICIENT.

IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN DEMONSTRATE IT, PUT A PROCESS IMPROVEMENT TEAM TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS MORE EFFICIENT, PUT THE LIST OF THE SPEAKERS ON THE BOARD SO YOU KNOW WHO'S QUEUED UP NEXT AND YOU HAVE SPOT NUMBER 1 AND SPOT NUMBER 2 LIKE ON THE DECK OF A BASEBALL FIELD SO THAT WE SAVE THE TIME.

IF IT'S REALLY ABOUT EFFICIENCY, YOU CAN ADDRESS THAT IN SOME LOGISTICAL WAYS.

BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU WITH THAT.

HAVE SOME IDEAS.

IF IT'S NOT ABOUT EFFICIENCY, AND THAT IS IN FACT A FIG LEAF.

>> TO SHUT DOWN PEOPLE'S COMMENTS, YOU MAY SUCCEED.

PEOPLE LIKE JASON AND AMINA AND MYSELF AND KATRINA WILL STILL BE HERE.

YOU CAN GIVE US A OBSTACLE COURSE AND WE'RE STILL GOING TO BE HERE.

BUT THE PEOPLE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HEAR FROM, AND I'VE MET WITH YOU.

I HAVE SEEN HOW MUCH YOU WORK TO TRY AND GET COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT THE SURVEY MEETINGS, AT EVENTS, THE GAMES, AT ACADEMIC AWARDS NIGHT.

EVERY TIME I TURN AROUND, THERE'S FOUR BOARD MEMBERS.

YOU ALL WORK HARD TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY, TO MAKE CONNECTIONS, TO TAKE OUR PULSE.

I KNOW YOU DO. I SEE YOU WORKING AT IT.

WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU GO BACKWARDS AND UNDERMINE ALL THE EFFORT YOU'VE PUT INTO IT? THE PEOPLE YOU MIGHT BE SUCCESSFUL IN SHUTTING DOWN ARE THE PEOPLE WHO COME ONCE IN A BLUE MOON.

I HOPE YOU HEARD STUDENTS TONIGHT.

THEY'RE THE ONES YOU WOULD BE SHUTTING DOWN.

I DID NOT SPEAK ON THE SOCIAL WORKERS.

I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT AS A TEACHER, I DON'T WANT TO BE A SOCIAL WORKER.

I WANT THEM THERE SO I CAN TEACH.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE AMANDA WILSON FOR SUPPORTING THE WHOLE CHILD.

>> GOOD EVENING, DEL VALLE.

MY NAME IS AMANDA WILSON, AND I AM ONE OF THE 15 LICENSED SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS.

THIS WILL BE MY THIRD YEAR.

I HAVE SERVED THIS ROLE AT NEWTON COLLINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, OR TEA'S, TEXAS SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH MODEL.

TEA MANDATES THAT SCHOOLS PROVIDE THREE TIERS OF MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.

TIER 1 BEING UNIVERSAL PRACTICES, LIKE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LESSONS, BUILDING SCHOOL COMMUNITY, AND DEVELOPING PROGRAMS ALL STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN.

TIER 2, BEING TARGETED INTERVENTIONS LIKE SOCIAL OR COPING SKILLS, SMALL GROUPS, MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS, GENERAL CHECK-INS WITH STUDENTS.

FINALLY, TIER 3, BEING INTENSIVE INTERVENTIONS LIKE EVIDENCE-BASED INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY COUNSELING, CRISIS INTERVENTION PROTOCOLS, AND SAFETY PLANNING, AND OVERALL WRAPAROUND SERVICES THAT SUPPORT STUDENTS IF THEY RETURN FROM BEING HOSPITALIZED DUE TO A CRISIS.

IN THE 2022, 2023 SCHOOL YEAR, NEWTON COLLINS WAS WITHOUT A SCHOOL COUNSELOR.

THIS MEANT THAT I SERVE BOTH AS THE COUNSELOR AND AS THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER, DOING PUPPET SHOW, SEL LESSONS FOR THE ENTIRE CAMPUS, FACILITATING LUNCH BUNCHES AND OTHER SMALL INTERVENTIONS, SMALL GROUPS, AS WELL AS SUPPORT STUDENTS THERAPEUTICALLY AND WITH CRISIS INTERVENTION.

ONCE WE RECEIVED OUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR, I HAVE STILL MAINTAINED SOME TIER 1 AND TIER 2 INTERVENTIONS, BUT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REALLY EXPAND AND FOCUS ON MY TIER 3 PROGRAM.

I HAVE BECOME TRAINED IN AND UTILIZED TRAUMA-FOCUSED COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY, AND OTHER EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS THAT ALLOW ME TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT TRAUMAS, LIKE SEXUAL ABUSE, NEGLECT, THE LOSS OF A PARENT, WITNESSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE LIST OF TRAUMAS COULD GO ON AND ON.

[03:00:01]

BECAUSE OF BEING EMPLOYED BY THE DISTRICT, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SUPPORT ALL NEWTON COLLINS STUDENTS, NOT JUST ONES WITH SIGNED CONSENTS ON MY CASELOAD, AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO FLOW BETWEEN THE THREE TIERS AS MY CAMPUS NEEDS.

COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT ON THEIR CASELOAD.

THEY ARE NOT GUARANTEED LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND CANNOT ADEQUATELY SUPPORT STUDENTS IN CRISIS, DO THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR QUALIFICATIONS.

IT'S ALSO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT CIS WOULD BE LIMITED TO MAINLY PROVIDING TIER 1 AND TIER 2 INTERVENTIONS, WHICH OUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS ALREADY MAINTAIN.

IF SOCIAL WORKERS ARE CUT, I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER HOW THE DISTRICT WILL MAINTAIN TIER 3 SUPPORT, CRISIS SUPPORT, AND RESPOND TO THE HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS IN DEL VALLE WHO ARE IN CRISIS AND CRY OUT THAT THEY WANT TO DIE, HURT THEMSELVES, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH EACH YEAR.

WE WERE INITIALLY BROUGHT IN ON ESTHER FUNDS THAT LASTED THREE YEARS WITH A GRANT, AND IT ENDED SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2024.

BUT WE WERE ROLLED INTO THE MAIN BUDGET FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR BECAUSE THE BOARD AT THE TIME FELT THAT OUR SERVICES WERE CRITICAL, NEEDED, AND LIFESAVING TIME.

YOU SAY THAT DEL VALLE PUTS KIDS FIRST, AND I TRULY HOPE YOU MEAN THAT BY PROVIDING THEM WITH THE SUPPORT THEY NEED. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> NEXT STEP, WE HAVE ROXANA MENDOZA SPEAKING ON.

>> I'M SPEAKING TO ADVOCATE FOR THE CONTINUATION OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF CONTRACT FOR SOCIAL WORKERS.

>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.

MY NAME IS ROXANA MENDOZA SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST.

I LITERALLY FLEW IN AND DROVE HERE.

IMAGINE IF THEY CHANGED THIS TO 12:00.

[LAUGHTER] I WOULDN'T BE HERE AND MISS THE DEBACLE.

THANK YOU ALL. REAL QUICK.

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS, BECAUSE I DIDN'T GET TO PREPARE.

A VERY LONG TIME AGO, WE DID HAVE 105 CONTRACT.

IN A TIME OF DIRE NEED, THEY INCREASED IT TO 202 WITHOUT INCREASING OUR PAY.

IF WE COULD BRING IT BACK DOWN WITHOUT REDUCING OUR PAY OR SALARY, YOU WOULD EFFECTIVELY GIVE US A RAISE WITHOUT COSTING YOU A SINGLE PENNY.

CONSIDER, FOR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS, PLEASE GET US BACK TO WHAT WE NEED.

HERE, I AM GOING TO TALK ABOUT [FOREIGN] PSYCHOLOGIST WHO HAS SERVED ALVA HIGH SCHOOL OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS AS PART OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEAM.

AS A SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST, I CONSIDER OUR STUDENTS' MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS A CRUCIAL PRIORITY.

I HAVE THE HONOR OF WORKING WITH SOCIAL WORKERS JANA AND MARIO AS PART OF THE HIGH SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH TEAM.

OUR SOCIAL WORKERS SERVE MANY ROLES, INCLUDING BEING PART OF THE CRISIS AND THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAM.

THEY PROVIDE VITAL MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION AT TIMES WHEN OUR KIDS ARE AT THEIR LOWEST AND MOST VULNERABLE.

I'M CRYING, Y'ALL. I KNOW I AM ASKING FOR A MIRACLE, BUT AS YOU CONSIDER CONTRACTS FOR THE NEXT YEAR, I HOPE YOU'RE ABLE TO FIND A WAY TO KEEP OUR SOCIAL WORKERS.

OUR HIGH SCHOOL POPULATION IS OVERWHELMINGLY LARGE AND COMPLEX, AND I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW CRUCIAL IT IS TO HAVE ACCESS TO HIGHLY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, LIKE OUR SOCIAL WORKERS.

IT IS AN UNFORTUNATE TRUTH THAT DISTRICTS LIKE UVALDE, MINER, FRISCO STAND AS PROOF OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OUR STUDENTS LACK THE RESOURCES THEY DESPERATELY NEED.

>> NEXT STEP, WE HAVE FRANCO RAMIREZ WISH TO SHOW SUPPORT OF CIS.

FRANCISCO RAMIREZ? VAMAN, AMBLE, SPEAKING ON PARENT INVOLVEMENT.

>> THANK YOU, BOARD AND COMMUNITY.

THIS HAS BEEN A VERY INTERESTING EXPERIENCE.

FIRST THING ABOUT THE SOCIAL WORKERS, DO WE NEGOTIATE AT MINIMUM? WE SHOULD NOT SIGN THE CONTRACT UNLESS THEY REHIRE THE SOCIAL WORKERS AND MEET THE REQUIREMENTS WE SET.

WE CAN NEGOTIATE. I FEEL LIKE THIS BUSINESS ARRANGEMENT.

HERE'S MY TOPIC. MY NAME IS VAMAN AMBLE, AND I'M A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER IN THE DISTRICT.

TODAY, I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS PARENT INVOLVEMENT.

SINCE JOINING IN 2018, I'VE WONDERED, WHERE IS THE PTA AT A SCHOOL WITH NEARLY 3,000 STUDENTS? PREVIOUS TEACHER-LED EFFORTS TO START PTAS HAVE FAILED.

I'VE HEARD VARIOUS EXPLANATIONS FOR WHY, FROM PAST FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT TO A FORMER ADMINISTRATOR CLAIMING THAT PARENTS JUST DON'T CARE. THAT'S A FACT.

SHE REALLY TOLD ME THAT. YET, THE REASON BECAME CLEAR WHY STUDENT HARASSMENT FROM STAFF, TEACHER BULLYING, AND INAPPROPRIATE ADULT BEHAVIOR WOULD BE MORE EXPOSED WITH INCREASED PARENT INVOLVEMENT, WHICH MANY DO NOT WANT BECAUSE NOW THEY HAVE TO ANSWER FOR THE DECISIONS THEY MAKE.

IT IS EASIER TO CONTROL PUBLIC RELATIONS IF WE LEAVE PARENTS IN THE DARK.

THIS IS AN EMBARRASSING, AS WE EXIST TO EDUCATE THEIR KIDS, NOT MANIPULATE THEM THROUGH LAZY MARKETING TECHNIQUES.

[03:05:02]

GIVEN OUR BUDGET SHORTFALL IN RECENT REPORT CARDS, WE CLEARLY NEED HELP.

WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE WE HAVE EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL WHEN WE ARE CLEARLY STRUGGLING AS AN INSTITUTION.

LUCKILY, WE HAVE A MODEL WITHIN AN AFFLUENT NEIGHBORHOOD IN OUR DISTRICT.

NEWTON COLLINS ELEMENTARY HAS A THRIVING PTA.

IN 2018, THEY STARTED AT A C RATING AND WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD ARE NOW AT AN A, OUR HIGHEST RATED SCHOOL.

TO UNDERESTIMATE THE PTAS' INVOLVEMENT IN THIS GROWTH WOULD BE NAIVE AND AGAINST THE RESEARCH.

THEY ARE EVEN ABLE TO RAISE MONEY ONLINE, WHEREAS OTHER SCHOOLS ARE RELEGATED TO SELLING CHOCOLATES AND CHIPS TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WHO ARE ALREADY NOT PROPERLY PAID.

THE NEWTON COLLINS PTA MODEL SHOULD HAVE ALREADY EXISTED EVEN BEFORE THE SCHOOL EVEN OPENED.

WHY WOULD WE NOT PUSH THIS TO BE THE STANDARD IN ALL SCHOOLS IF IT CLEARLY WORKS? ARE WE ONLY LISTENING TO PARENTS IF THEY ARE RICH, OR DOES EVERY PARENT RECEIVE THE SAME ACCESS? DO WE WANT TO RESTRICT PUBLIC COMMENT TO CENSOR THE PARENTS WHO ALREADY HAVE LITTLE VOICE? INSTEAD OF SPENDING SCARCE ENERGY, RESTRICTING THE COMMUNITY'S INPUT, WE SHOULD FOCUS ON DEVELOPING PTAS IN ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS.

NOT PRIORITIZING THIS WOULD BE A CONTINUATION OF WEAK LEADERSHIP.

I BELIEVE IT IS OUR DUTY TO FACILITATE THIS PROCESS.

AS OUR BOSS IS NOT THE SUPERINTENDENT OR THE SCHOOL BOARD, BUT THE PARENTS OF THIS COMMUNITY.

I HOPE WE'VE MOVED ON FROM PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS WHERE RETALIATION WAS A CONSTANT THING, SO I HOPE WE'RE NO LONGER IN THAT POSITION.

>> NEXT STEP, MICHELLE PARK ON THE DEL VALLE FAMILY.

>> GOOD EVENING, DR. GUTIERREZ AND TRUSTEES.

MY NAME IS MICHELLE CARDENAS, AND I'VE BEEN A DUAL LANGUAGE TEACHER AT HILLCREST ELEMENTARY FOR THE PAST 18 YEARS.

I'VE BEEN A PART OF THE DEL VALLE FAMILY FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

I'M HERE TONIGHT TO DISCUSS THIS DEL VALLE FAMILY.

I'VE BEEN ABSENT FROM THE BOARD MEETINGS DUE TO MY OWN KIDS' CONFLICTS, BUT I'M GLAD TO BE BACK.

WE KNEW BUDGET GUTS WERE COMING, BUT WHERE WAS THE CONVERSATION? WE FACED THESE CUTS BEFORE, AND I WAS A PART OF THE COMMITTEE THAT WAS MADE UP OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, ESPS, AND ADMINISTRATION.

WE SPENT TIME IN THE BOARDROOM DISCUSSING JOBS.

WHO COULD BE CUT? WHY THEY COULD BE CUT? WHY THEY COULDN'T BE CUT? IT WAS A DIFFICULT DECISION, BUT AS A DEL VALLE FAMILY, WE DISCUSSED IT.

WE CAME UP WITH THE BEST PLAN TO SAVE MONEY.

WHERE WAS THIS CONVERSATION THIS YEAR? DID IT HAPPEN? DID THE COMMUNITY OR ANYONE ELSE IN THE DEL VALLE FAMILY GET TO PUT INPUT? OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE A LOT OF INPUT.

RIGHT HERE SHOWS YOU WHAT THE DEL VALLE FAMILY IS.

BEN BENIOS. THIS IS DEL VALLE.

WHEN I READ OUR DISTRICT GOALS AND I SEE THE WORDS OF EQUITY, I CAN'T IMAGINE WHY OUR DISTRICT WOULD DECIDE TO FILL OUR VACANT LIBRARIAN POSITION WITH A TA.

IF THERE WAS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE DEL VALLE FAMILY AND IN DISTRICT OFFICES, YOU GUYS WOULD KNOW THAT WE'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR TWO YEARS.

I HAVE CALLED EVERY SINGLE PERSON THE AUSTIN AREA TO FIND A LIBRARIAN.

TWO YEARS, WE FINALLY FOUND A PERSON WHO LEFT DEL VALLE CAME BACK AND IS WORKING ON THEIR CERTIFICATION TO WORK FOR HER KIDS, AND NOW SHE'S BEEN TOLD SHE MAY NOT HAVE A JOB NEXT YEAR.

WHY WOULD WE LET GO OF A DIAMOND? WE CAN'T FIND THEM. THEY'RE NOT OUT THERE.

TONIGHT, I SHARE LETTERS. I THINK SHE PASSED THEM OUT.

I SHARE LETTERS. THOSE ARE FROM OUR FOURTH-GRADE KIDS.

IF YOU WANT IT TRANSLATED, YOU'RE WELCOME TO GO VISIT THEM.

THERE'S PICTURES FROM MY KIDS IN THE LIBRARY BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS, WE HAVE A LIBRARY.

WE'RE GETTING STORIES.

THEY'RE CHECKING OUT BOOKS, THEY'RE HAVING LESSONS ON HOW TO TAKE CARE OF BOOKS.

NOW, WHEN WE GO AND WE TALK ABOUT EQUITY AND CUTTING POSITIONS, YOU'RE CUTTING LITERACY FIRST.

IS IT GOING TO BE THE BILINGUAL LITERACY FIRST OR THE ENGLISH? WHICH KID'S GOING TO GET HELP AND WHICH ONE'S NOT? I CAME TO THIS DISTRICT 20 YEARS AGO AS A TUTOR, AND I BRAGGED ABOUT HOW WELL DEL VALLE WAS BECAUSE WE TUTORED IN KINDERGARTEN.

WE ARE THE ONLY DISTRICT THAT DID THAT. NOW WHAT? ARE WE GOING TO GO BACK LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE AND WAIT TILL THEIR THIRD GRADE? IT'S TOO LATE.

YOU GUYS KNOW, YOU KNOW ME AS THE IMPORTANT PERSON, AS DEL VALLE IN [FOREIGN] BABIES.

MY CRICKET KIDS WERE UP HERE SPEAKING TONIGHT.

BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT'S IMPORTANT.

THEY'RE IMPORTANT, AND WE'RE HERE TO FIGHT FOR THEM.

WE CANNOT CUT THESE POSITIONS.

OUR SOCIAL WORKERS HAVE TOUCHED EVERY SINGLE TEACHER HERE.

MY CLASS INCLUDED, ESPECIALLY WITH IMMIGRATION, WHEN WE HAVE FAMILIES WHOSE PARENTS, THEIR COUSINS, THEIR UNCLES ARE GETTING PICKED UP, AND THEY CAN'T FIND THEM.

YOU ASKED ABOUT CIS.

I PICKED UP THE PHONE AND I CALLED MY SISTER IN LAW AND TEXT HER.

TEN YEARS EXPERIENCE, SHE MAKES LESS THAN A FIRST-YEAR TEACHER WORKING FOR CIS.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE CANDI CASTILLO.

[03:10:03]

COUNSEL CONCERNS.

>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS AND DR. GUTIERREZ.

MY NAME IS CANDI CASTILLO, AND I AM COUNSELOR AT OHTA MIDDLE SCHOOL.

NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT SHE AND THE OTHER SOCIAL WORKERS WOULD NOT BE RECEIVING THEIR CONTRACT FOR NEXT YEAR.

THE PLAN TO BRING IN COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS TO FILL THE ROLE OUR DISTRICT SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDE IS, IN MY OPINION, NOT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR STUDENTS.

THE MISSION OF THE DVISD SOCIAL WORKERS IS TO "PARTNER WITH STUDENTS, FAMILIES, STAFF, IN THE COMMUNITY TO BUILD CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE AND TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS, TO FOSTER A SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THROUGH ADVOCACY AND EMPOWERMENT TO ADDRESS THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF THE DVISD COMMUNITY." OUR SOCIAL WORKERS HAVE BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND STAFF OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

THEY ARE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. THEY ARE FAMILY.

OUR SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDE A MUCH-NEEDED SUPPORT FOR OUR STUDENTS AND ENABLE COUNSELORS TO SEE MORE STUDENTS.

THE ABSENCE OF OHTA SOCIAL WORKER, MISS MCKENZIE, A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER, NOT AN INTERN, WOULD DIRECTLY IMPACT MY ABILITY AND THE LEVEL OF COUNSELING SERVICES I WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE DUE TO MY OTHER DUTIES.

MISS MCKENZIE IS CURRENTLY PROVIDING SERVICES FOR 28 STUDENTS.

SHE SEES ALL THE STUDENTS, BUT THOSE SHE HAS CONSENTS FOR.

WITHIN THE COMING WEEKS, SHE WILL BE MAKING 16 REFERRALS TO INTEGRAL CARE AND 12 TO TEACHAT.

THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT STUDENTS REFERRED TO INTEGRAL CARE WILL BE PICKED UP.

AS STUDENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY RECEIVING SERVICES WILL AUTOMATICALLY FILL THOSE SPOTS WHEN THEY TRANSFER TO OUR CAMPUS.

MANY OF THE STUDENTS RECOMMENDED TO TEACHAT WILL NOT BE SUCCESSFUL AS IT IS VIRTUAL THERAPY, AND IT ONLY PROVIDES SHORT-TERM COUNSELING AND THEN REFERS THEM TO OUTSIDE PROVIDERS, THAT MEANS THAT THEY'LL HAVE ABSENCES.

WITHOUT MISS MCKENZIE, I AND MY PARTNER COUNSELOR WILL BE PROVIDING SERVICES FOR ABOUT 12 OF HER STUDENTS WHO SHE'S WORKED WITH UNTIL THEY CAN BE PICKED UP BY INTEGRAL CARE.

CIS SOCIAL WORKERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO CRISIS CALLS, AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BECAUSE OF THEIR THIRD-PARTY STATUS.

WHEN BOTH COUNSELORS ARE OFF CAMPUSES, ADMINISTRATORS WILL HAVE TO RESPOND TO THEM, AND MANY ARE NOT TRAINED TO HANDLE THAT SITUATION.

DVISD WANTS OUR STUDENTS TO HAVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS TO MAKE GAINS ON STATE TESTING.

THIS CAN BE DONE, BUT WILL BECOME MORE DIFFICULT WITHOUT OUR DISTRICT SOCIAL WORKERS.

STUDENTS' BASIC NEEDS MUST BE MET BEFORE THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN MEANINGFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCES, THUS LEADING TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS.

REPLACING OUR DISTRICT SOCIAL WORKERS WITH CIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DIMINISH THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT THAT OUR STUDENTS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO.

THEIR MISSION IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE THAT DVISD CREATED.

DR. GUTIERREZ, YOU HAVE STATED MANY TIMES THAT YOU SEE THE STUDENTS OF DEL VALLE AS HAVING YOUR LAST NAME, GUTIERREZ. BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

>> TIME.

>> SOCIAL WORKERS, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

I VALUE YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE KAREN PHILLIPS.

SUPPORT NEEDED TO HELP ALL STUDENTS SUCCEED.

>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

MY NAME IS KAREN PHILLIPS, AND I TEACH AT GILBERT ELEMENTARY.

I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF KEEPING OUR LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS, OUR CERTIFIED LIBRARIANS, OUR [INAUDIBLE] CTAS.

WHEN DR. GUTIERREZ FIRST INTRODUCED HIMSELF TO US IN OCTOBER, HE GAVE US EACH A CHIP, ASKED US TO THINK OF A CHILD IN OUR ROOM, AND BET ON THAT CHILD'S SUCCESS.

NOT JUST ANY CHILD, BUT THAT CHILD THAT NEEDS OUR EXTRA HELP, OUR EXTRA SUPPORT, THE CHILD THAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT GIVE UP ON, BUT NOT US.

HE ASKED US TO BE ALL IN.

THIS WAS A WONDERFUL RHETORICAL DEVICE, TOOK AN ABSTRACT IDEA OF NOT GIVING UP, NOT EVEN ON ONE SINGLE CHILD, AND GAVE US A TANGIBLE CHIPS THAT WE KEEP WITH US.

BUT RHETORIC ONLY GOES SO FAR.

WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IS OUR CHOICES, 01,000 SMALL ONES, AND OCCASIONALLY BIG ONES.

[03:15:02]

IT'S OUR ACTIONS THAT CREATE MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES.

TO SUPPORT THOSE CHILDREN, ALL OF OUR CHILDREN, BUT ESPECIALLY THESE CHILDREN, WE NEED PROFESSIONALS.

THEY DESERVE PROFESSIONAL HELP, AS MANY OF OUR ADULT SPEAKERS AND OUR STUDENTS HAVE POINTED OUT.

OUR CHILDREN DESERVE PROFESSIONAL HELP.

THEY NEED CERTIFIED LIBRARIANS.

THEY NEED THOSE LICENSED MASTERED SOCIAL WORKERS TO SUPPORT THEM.

TODAY, WE'RE PLACING OUR BETS YOU THE BOARD FOR THE SAKE OF OUR KIDS.

WE'RE ALL IN, LIKE DR. GUTIERREZ ASKED US TO BE ALL IN.

WE ARE ALL IN.

[APPLAUSE] WE'RE COUNTING ON YOU.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE JESSICA MARQUEZ ON SALARY, PLEASE.

>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD PRESIDENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND DR. GUTIERREZ.

IRONICALLY ENOUGH, I WAS SPEAKING TONIGHT ON TRANSPARENCY AND SALARY AND PAY, WHICH WE CLEARLY ALL WITNESSED THE OPPOSITE TONIGHT.

AS PRESIDENT OF DVA, MY GOAL IS TO KEEP MEMBERS INFORMED AND OFFER SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE WHEN POSSIBLE.

DUE TO THE RAPID DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, RUMORS AND SOME MISINFORMATION SPREAD RAPIDLY.

COMMUNICATION MUST BE EFFECTIVE AND CONSISTENT SO THAT EVERYONE RECEIVES THE SAME CONSISTENT MESSAGE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

IN LIGHT OF TONIGHT, I FEEL LIKE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SHOULD BE A GOAL FOR THE BOARD AND FOR THE DISTRICT GOING FORWARD.

WE APPRECIATE A MEETING WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT LAST WEEK IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY AND EFFECTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING.

I THINK IT WOULD BE IMPERATIVE TO REINSTATE OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS THAT WE USED TO DO WITH DVA.

DVA USED TO MEET MONTHLY WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT IN THE CABINET WITH PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, I THINK WE GO FORTH DOING THAT MOVING FORWARD.

WE HAVE AMAZING EDUCATORS IN OUR DISTRICT, AND WE MUST RETAIN THEM.

ECONOMIC GROWTH IS TRENDING DOWNWARD, AND INFLATION IS CREEPING UP AGAIN.

IN THE WORLD OF BUDGET CUTS, EMPLOYEES ARE BEING ASKED TO DO MORE WITH LESS NEXT YEAR.

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT DEL VALLEY ISD ENSURES A SOLID COMPENSATION PLAN THAT RECRUITS AND RETAINS STAFF.

DVA IS GLAD TO HEAR THAT THE DISTRICT SHARES OUR DESIRE FOR 3% FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT WE PROPOSED IN THE MARCH BOARD MEETING.

WE MUST STAY COMPETITIVE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN HIGHLY QUALIFIED EDUCATORS.

THE TEXAS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE REPORT FROM 2023, 2024 INDICATES THAT ONE IN FIVE TEACHERS LEFT THE DISTRICT THAT YEAR.

WE CANNOT TAKE OUR FOOT OFF THE PEDAL IN TERMS OF EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE MARIA DELAROSA, SPEAKING ON TEACHER RETENTION, PLEASE.

>> GOOD EVENING, DR. GUTIERREZ, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

MY NAME IS MARIA DELAROSA, AND I AM A SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, AND I HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS.

I'M ALSO DVA'S VP OF COMMUNICATIONS, AND I'M ALSO A COMMUNITY MEMBER.

WITH THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE AND ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY, WE KNOW THAT WE ARE IN UNPRECEDENTED TIMES.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO BE DIFFICULT AND THAT CHANGES ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT WHAT WE SHOULD NOT DO IS ADD TO THE ANXIETY THAT OUR TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF ARE CURRENTLY FEELING.

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE TEACHERS OR SUPPORT STAFF.

WE DO NOT HAVE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES ENTERING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES RUNNING TO BE IN THIS PROFESSION, AND WE CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE TO FILL POSITIONS.

WITH VOUCHERS ESSENTIALLY BEING PASSED AND STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING COMPLETELY UNCERTAIN, WE MUST DO WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE TEACHERS STAY IN THIS PROFESSION.

DVA BELIEVES THAT 3% FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IS CRITICAL FOR RETENTION, BUT WE ALSO MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A MANAGEABLE WORKLOAD.

EVERY YEAR, IT SEEMS THAT WE ARE FORCED TO CONTINUE TO DO MORE WITH LESS.

WITH ALL OF THESE CUTS, WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE AMOUNT THAT IS BEING PUT ON OUR PLATES WILL ONLY INCREASE.

THE GIBSON SURVEY RESULTS SHOW THAT THIS WAS A HUGE CONCERN FOR TEACHERS AND STAFF.

FOR EXAMPLE, SECONDARY TEACHERS LOST THEIR DAILY PLC A FEW YEARS AGO, AND WE HAVE BEEN DROWNING EVER SINCE WITH NO RELIEF IN SIGHT.

WHAT WE COULD DO OVER A WEEK, LIKE PLAN COLLABORATIVE IN SYNC AND ENGAGING LESSONS, OR ANALYZE DATA TO EFFECTIVELY RESTRUCTURE OUR FUTURE LESSONS, HAS BEEN LIMITED TO A SINGLE HOUR AT THE END OF THE WEEK.

[03:20:03]

NOW WE USE OUR CONFERENCE PERIODS TO PLAN THOSE LESSONS, SOME OF US HAVING MULTIPLE PREPS.

WITHOUT THAT COLLABORATION, CONTACT PARENTS, GRADE PAPERS, MAKE COPIES, AND ATTEND RD AND 504 MEETINGS.

WE HAVE SEEN SCORES DROP AND TEACHER BURNOUT RISE.

WE HAVE MORE AND MORE ADDED TO OUR PLATES, AND NOTHING HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF.

THE DISTRICT RECENTLY SENT OUT A WELLNESS SURVEY.

>> WHILE I DO NOT KNOW THE RESULTS OF SAID SURVEY, I DON'T DOUBT YOU WILL FIND THE SAME ISSUES OF TEACHER BURNOUT.

AS YOU MAKE DECISIONS, WE ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER HOW THOSE DECISIONS WILL AFFECT TEACHER WORKLOAD AND BURNOUT.

PLEASE REMEMBER, A RAISE THAT IS MEANT TO HELP KEEP UP WITH THE RISING INFLATION AND COST OF LIVING DOESN'T EQUATE TO AN INCREASED WORKLOAD.

WE NEED TO RETAIN OUR TEACHERS IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO SAVE THE DISTRICT MONEY.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE MYRA VEGAS SPEAKING ON EMPLOYEE AND PARENT CONCERNS.

>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT WAGNER, DR. GUTIERREZ, AND BOARD MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS MYRA VEGA SALINAS.

AS I STAND IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY, I'M HERE NOT ONLY TO REPRESENT MYSELF, COLLEAGUES, AND THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION THAT I'M SO PROUD OF, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, TO REPRESENT MY STUDENTS AND FAMILIES OF BATY ELEMENTARY.

BATY SERVES 601 STUDENTS, WHERE MORE THAN HALF ARE PRIMARILY SPANISH SPEAKING.

WE SERVE STUDENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED COMPLEX TRAUMAS AND THOSE WHO FACE THE EXTREME CHALLENGES THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH BEING A NEWCOMER.

AT TIMES DURING THEIR JOURNEY TO THE UNITED STATES, THEY HAVE WITNESSED HORRENDOUS CRIMES, DEATH, SEPARATION FROM FAMILY, AND HAVE BEEN FORCED TO UTILIZE SURVIVAL SKILLS THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO.

OUR NEWCOMER STUDENTS FACE THE STRESS OF A NEW COUNTRY, LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND CIRCUMSTANCES WHILE BEING EXPECTED TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL.

THEY NOT ONLY NEED ACADEMIC SUPPORT, BUT ALSO LICENSED CARE AND SERVICES THAT SOCIAL WORKERS ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE.

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER WHEN ADDRESSING THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS DUE TO THE CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC ACCESSIBILITY THEY SERVE.

AS LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS, WE HAVE AN ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVICE ALL WITH CULTURAL COMPETENCY, HUMILITY, AND EQUITY FOR EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY AND ADVOCACY.

OUR STUDENTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT DESERVE THE SUPPORT, AND I CAN ONLY SPEAK ON THE SPECIAL STUDENT POPULATION THAT BATY, BECAUSE I AM WHO I NEEDED WHEN I WAS A STUDENT.

I DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH WHEN I BEGAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND MENTAL HEALTH WAS SOMETHING THAT WASN'T PRIORITIZED OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY MY FAMILY AND CULTURE.

I KNOW REPRESENTATION WITHIN MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS WHEN I SEE MY STUDENTS' FACES LIGHT UP, WHEN I SHARE THAT I SPEAK BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH, AND THAT THEY ARE WELCOME TO NAVIGATE THEIR EMOTIONS, THOUGHTS, AND CONVERSATIONS IN EITHER OR BOTH LANGUAGES.

BECOMING A PART OF DEL VALLEY ISD WAS MORE THAN JUST A JOB.

IT WAS ABOUT JOINING THE BATY COMMUNITY.

I STARTED MY EMPLOYMENT WHEN I WAS PREGNANT, AND I IMAGINE MY BABY GIRL WALKING THE HALLS WHEN SHE WAS OLDER.

ALTHOUGH THIS SEEMS FAR INTO THE FUTURE, CONSIDERING SHE'S ONLY FOUR MONTHS. [OVERLAPPING]

>> THAT'S HOW PERMANENT I THOUGHT MY PLACE WAS AT BATY.

NOW I'M FACING THE DIFFICULT REALITY OF NO LONGER BEING EMPLOYED THROUGH MY CURRENT ROLE AND NO LONGER HAVING ACCESS TO THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER FOR CHILDCARE, WHERE MY BABY HAD BEEN ON THE WAIT LIST FOR ALMOST A YEAR, BY THE TIME SHE WAS INVITED TO JOIN FOR THE UPCOMING FALL CLASS.

MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IMPACT STUDENT PERFORMANCE, ATTENDANCE, AND BEHAVIOR.

I INVITE YOU TO CONSIDER THE RISKS THAT WILL BE EXACERBATED BY THE REMOVAL OF THE PROGRAMS OUR STUDENTS RELY ON.

THE DISTRICT NEEDS TO CONSIDER THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR STUDENTS, NOT ACT ON FINANCIAL MOTIVE THAT IS ULTIMATELY AT OUR STUDENTS EXPENSE.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE NISA. I'M GOING TO MESS THIS ONE UP.

ISSA. [APPLAUSE] SPEAKING ON OUTSIDE AGENCY CONCERNS.

>> GOOD EVENING, DR. GUTIERREZ, MADAM PRESIDENT, AND THE BOARD.

MY NAME IS MISA ROARK, AND I'M ONE OF THE 15 LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS EMPLOYED BY THE DISTRICT.

BEFORE JOINING DEL VALLEY ISD, I WORKED AT COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS OF CENTRAL TEXAS, HERE IN AUSTIN, IN DOVE SPRINGS, RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD FROM SMITH ELEMENTARY, WHERE I AM CURRENTLY.

I UNDERSTAND FIRSTHAND THE VALUE THAT CIS CAN BRING TO A CAMPUS.

WHILE CIS PROVIDES IMPORTANT SUPPORT, IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS WHO BRING SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN MENTAL HEALTH, TRAUMA, CHILD DEVELOPMENT, CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND THE SYSTEMIC BARRIERS THAT IMPACT STUDENT LEARNING.

IN OTHER DISTRICTS, CIS WORKS ALONGSIDE DISTRICT-EMPLOYED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.

[03:25:04]

THIS PARTNERSHIP MODEL RECOGNIZES THAT CIS CANNOT AND WAS NEVER INTENDED TO MEET THE FULL SCOPE OF STUDENTS' MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS ON ITS OWN.

OUR CONCERN IS THAT RELYING ON CIS ALONE WILL FALL SHORT OF ADDRESSING THE HIGH LEVEL OF NEED SEE EACH DAY.

WHEN UNLICENSED STAFF ARE THE FIRST LINE OF SUPPORT, THERE IS A REAL RISK OF OVERSIMPLIFYING COMPLEX ISSUES AND ULTIMATELY OF STUDENTS NOT GETTING THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.

IN ADDITION TO BASIC NEEDS, MENTORSHIP, AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, OUR STUDENTS DESERVE ACCESS TO LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN NAVIGATE SERIOUS CHALLENGES WITH CLINICAL SKILL, CARE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT THE BOARD CLARIFY THE EXTENT OF ACCESS TO LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS CIS CAN OFFER.

CURRENTLY, THE TEAM OF ONLY SIX LICENSED PROFESSIONALS, WHEN FULLY STAFFED, SUPPORTS ONLY SELECT SCHOOLS WITH EXISTING CIS PROGRAMS ACROSS THE SEVEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT THEY SERVE.

PLEASE CONFIRM IF CIS AGENCY PROTOCOL OR STAFFING WILL LIMIT DEL VALLEY SCHOOLS' ABILITY TO ACCESS THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM THROUGH CIS THIS UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I RETURNED FROM MATERNITY LEAVE ON APRIL 7TH.

WHILE I WAS AWAY, JUST WEEKS AGO, I SAW A VIDEO SHARED ON THE DISTRICT SOCIAL MEDIA. [OVERLAPPING]

>> FEATURING OUR CHIEF STUDENT SERVICES OFFICER AND DIRECTOR OF STUDENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT, CELEBRATING THE INCREDIBLE COLLABORATION BETWEEN DVISD COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS ACROSS ALL OUR CAMPUSES.

YOU CAN IMAGINE MY SURPRISE AND CONFUSION WHEN, ON JUST MY SECOND DAY BACK AT WORK, I LEARNED THAT OUR CONTRACTS WOULD NOT BE RENEWED.

WHAT'S MOST DISHEARTENING IS THAT SOCIAL WORKERS WERE NOT GIVEN A MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT OUR DATA OR ADVOCATE FOR OUR ROLE BEFORE THIS DECISION WAS PRESENTED AS BEING MADE.

PLEASE DO NOT CUT CORNERS WHEN IT COMES TO STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH.

IF FULL STAFFING IS NOT POSSIBLE, I URGE YOU TO AT LEAST CONSIDER MAINTAINING A REDUCED TEAM OF LICENSED SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE WELL-BEING OF EVERY STUDENT IN DEL VALLEY ISD.

>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE JOANNA SANCHEZ SPEAKING ON ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY.

>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT WAGNER, DR. GUTIERREZ, BOARD MEMBERS, AND MEMBERS OF THE DEL VALLEY COMMUNITY.

MY NAME IS JOANNA SANCHEZ, AND I AM PROUD TO BE ONE OF THE 15 LICENSED SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS SERVING THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES OF DVMS. I COME TO YOU TONIGHT WITH A HEAVY HEART BECAUSE I'VE BEEN REFLECTING ON THE REALITY THAT LICENSED STAFF MAY BE EXPECTED TO TAKE ON ROLES THAT BOTH ETHICALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY BELONG TO TRAINED LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.

THESE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE NOT JUST TASKS.

THEY'RE DEEPLY PERSONAL AND SENSITIVE SERVICES THAT REQUIRE SPECIALIZED TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, A COMMITMENT TO THE ETHICAL STANDARDS OF OUR PROFESSION.

AS SOCIAL WORKERS, EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IS GUIDED BY THE SOCIAL WORK CODE OF ETHICS.

IT'S NOT JUST A DOCUMENT, IT'S A PROMISE TO PROTECT THE DIGNITY, CONFIDENTIALITY, AND WELL-BEING OF EVERY STUDENT AND FAMILY THAT WE SERVE.

I INVITE YOU TO EXPLORE IT ON YOUR OWN.

BUT TONIGHT, I WANT TO SPEAK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT TWO AREAS, OUR ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES TO OUR CLIENTS AND TO OUR PROFESSION.

WE ARE TRAINED TO PROVIDE SO MUCH MORE THAN SUPPORT.

WE OFFER A SAFE SPACE.

WE PROVIDE COUNSELING, CRISIS INTERVENTION, SAFETY ASSESSMENTS, WE COLLABORATE WITH STAFF TO WRAP AROUND OUR STUDENTS WITH CARE.

OUR TRAINING AND LICENSURE ENSURE THAT WE ARE COMPETENT TO DO THIS WORK, AND THAT COMPETENCE IS MORAL AND ETHICAL COMMITMENT.

IT'S WHAT ALLOWS US TO SERVE STUDENTS WITH COMPASSION, UNDERSTANDING, AND INTEGRITY.

WHEN ORGANIZATIONS LIKE COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS PLACE UNLICENSED INDIVIDUALS IN THESE ROLES, IT PUTS THAT PROMISE AT RISK.

NOT BECAUSE THOSE INDIVIDUALS DON'T CARE.

THEY OFTEN DO, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME TRAINING, ETHICAL GROUNDING, OR PROFESSIONAL OVERSIGHT. [OVERLAPPING]

>> THAT MATTERS. IT MATTERS WHEN STUDENTS OPEN UP ABOUT TRAUMA.

IT MATTERS WHEN A FAMILY IS IN CRISIS.

IT MATTERS WHEN LIVES ARE ON THE LINE.

[03:30:02]

I ASK YOU WITH GENUINE RESPECT AND SINCERITY.

DR. GUTIERREZ, MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, WOULD YOU TRUST AN UNLICENSED MEDICAL PROVIDER WITH YOUR CHILD'S LIFE? WOULD YOU FEEL SAFE SEEING AN UNLICENSED DENTIST OR ATTORNEY? IF NOT, THEN WHY WOULD WE ASK OUR FAMILIES, MANY OF WHOM ARE ALREADY VULNERABLE, TO ACCEPT ANYTHING LESS THAN LICENSED PROFESSIONALS FOR THEIR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS? OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES THE BEST CARE THAT WE CAN OFFER.

OUR STUDENTS DESERVE PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE NOT ONLY TRAINED BUT HELD TO THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS, AND OUR DISTRICT SHOULD STAND BEHIND THAT.

LASTLY, IF IT WAS ASSUMED THAT THE CURRENT DVISD SOCIAL WORKERS WOULD SIMPLY APPLY TO THESE POSITIONS WITH COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS TIME, POSITIONS THAT LIMIT ACCESS TO STUDENTS AND ABOUT A $20,000 PAY CUT.

I ASK YOU THIS WITH ALL DUE RESPECT.

WHAT PAY CUT DID LEADERSHIP TAKE TO COME HERE AND SUPPORT THE DEL VALLEY COMMUNITY? [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.

>> NEXT UP, I HAVE ELIZABETH DYSON SPEAKING ON EMPLOYEE INHERENT CONCERNS.

ELIZABETH. [APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LIZZ DYSON AND I'M ONE OF THE 15 LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS CURRENTLY SERVING IN THIS DISTRICT.

I'M ALSO FIVE MONTHS PREGNANT.

I COME TO YOU NOT JUST AS A PROFESSIONAL, BUT AS A MOTHER, A COMMUNITY MEMBER, AND SOMEONE WHO HAS DEDICATED HER CAREER TO THE WELL-BEING OF OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

WE ARE BEING ASKED TO ACCEPT A DEVASTATING REALITY.

OUR POSITIONS ARE BEING ELIMINATED AND REPLACED WITH COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOL STAFF.

POSITIONS THAT OFFER NEARLY HALF THE PAY, NO DISTRICT BENEFITS, AND NONE OF THE JOB PROTECTIONS THAT WE'VE EARNED.

WE ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR THESE ROLES AS THOUGH IT'S A KINDNESS, WHEN IN REALITY, IT'S A DISSERVICE. LET ME BE CLEAR.

CIS DOES IMPORTANT WORK, BUT THEY ARE NOT LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS.

THEY DO NOT CARRY THE SAME CLINICAL TRAINING OR LEGAL AND ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WE DO.

THEY ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THE DEPTH OF CRISIS, TRAUMA, AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS THAT OUR STUDENTS FACE ON A DAILY BASIS.

THIS IS NOT JUST AN EMPLOYMENT ISSUE.

THIS IS A SYSTEMIC FAILURE TO PRIORITIZE THE MENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

YOU ARE STRIPPING AWAY A CRITICAL LAYER OF CARE FROM SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN, MANY OF WHOM ARE ALREADY NAVIGATING POVERTY, GRIEF, ABUSE, AND INSTABILITY.

FOR US AS EMPLOYEES, YOU'RE ASKING US TO GIVE UP OUR LIVELIHOODS, OUR HEALTH CARE, AND FOR SOME LIKE ME, OUR MATERNITY CARE.

MY COVERAGE WILL END THREE WEEKS AND TWO DAYS BEFORE MY DUE DATE.

I'VE SERVED IN THIS DISTRICT WITH LOYALTY AND PASSION FOR FOUR YEARS, AND THIS IS A RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT.

WE KNOW THIS DECISION IS BEING MADE TONIGHT, BUT WE'RE HERE BECAUSE OUR VOICES MATTER EVEN IF OUR POSITIONS NO LONGER DO.

WE WANT IT ON RECORD THAT THIS CHOICE IS NOT JUST A LINE IN A BUDGET.

IT'S A LINE CROSSED, AND THE MENTAL HEALTH BURDEN WILL BE FELT IN EVERY SCHOOL BY EVERY STUDENT WHO NO LONGER HAS ACCESS TO THE LICENSE CARE THAT THEY DESERVE.

WE WILL CARRY OURSELVES FORWARD WITH THE SAME INTEGRITY AND COMPASSION WE BROUGHT TO THIS WORK EVERY DAY.

BUT WE WILL NOT BE QUIET ABOUT THE HARM THIS DECISION CAUSES TO US, TO OUR DVISD FAMILIES AND TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE'VE SERVED WITH OUR WHOLE HEARTS.