001Good evening. I'm Mr. Oronto, president of the WestD board of trustees. This regular board meeting is being conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meeting Act. Notice that this meeting has been posted online for at least three business days prior to the meeting date. The time now is 5:36 and I will call this meeting to order. I will now begin the roll call. Uh Mrs. Tita won't be here today. Uh Dr. Hime should be coming in. Coach Quer >> present. >> Mr. Ven Castillo >> present. >> And Mr. Mart Santos >> present. >> Let the record reflect that we have a quorum today. Uh the other two, Mr. SNA and uh Dr. Hus should be coming in the next few minutes. [clears throat] >> Invocation. Dr. >> Uh yes, Mr. Dinho. >> Thank you, sir.
002Would you be so kind and bow your heads and let us pray. Lord of all creation, our Lord Jesus Christ. How great and mighty you are. You are awesome in all of your ways. Thank you for the gift of life, health, family, friends, strength, and ability to work to provide for our families. Thank you for your faithfulness and protection over the lives of our students, staff, and families. We thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed upon WISD at this early stage of 2026. We can truly declare that you have been faithful. Father, we will never tire nor waver to ask you to continue to bless and grant greater wisdom to our superintendent, Dr. Richard Rivera, and our amazing board. Thank you for their leadership and humility. Lord, may your will be done in
003our board meetings. Help us always to maintain integrity in what you have left in our care. Bless our administrators, staff, and teachers with wisdom, integrity, patience, and the physical and mental strength to continue and finish this year very strong. There is gratitude in our hearts for all that you have done, are doing, and will do in the days to come. May our hearts reflect the spirit of forgiveness as you have forgiven us. We ask you all this in your precious, glorious, and mighty name of Jesus. And everyone says, "Amen." >> Amen. [clears throat] >> Thank you, Mr. Trinino. Uh, pledge of allegiance and Texas pledge. Dr. V. >> Yes, Mr. Bmer. [clears throat] >> Good evening. At this time, we'd ask everyone to please stand, remove any headgear or headwear, place your right hand over
004their heart, and face the United States flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We'd ask everyone to please remain standing, right hand over their heart and face the Texas flag. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible. >> Thank you, Mr. But >> number five, awards and recognitions and proclamations. Dr. >> Yes, we have one special guest today. >> Thank you. Before we get started, I would like to play uh this video. [applause] the world champion. >> [clears throat] >> Mr. Fig, what else would you like to come on up here tonight? We want to RECOGNIZE [applause] we want to recognize
005a very special athlete from Westco ISD. Brandon Figeroa graduated from Wesco East High School in 2015. While in high school, Brandon was part of the swimming team and turned pro as a boxer. Since that time, he has taken part in many fights and won 27 boxing matches, leaving his opponents heartbroken. We honor Bmpton, the heartbreaker Figoa for the latest victory, a dramatic 12 round knockout of Nick Ball to win the WBA featherweight championship belt. Brandon now has three world titles, making him one of the most exciting boxers in the world, representing the valley, the 956, the city of Weso, Westiz High School, and West Lico ISD on the world stage. >> YEAH. [applause] >> Congratulations to Brandon the Heartbreaker Figo and his family on all his recent success. West ISD is proud of you, Dr.
006Let's go down there. >> All right, let's go. >> Let's give him one more round of applause. [applause] [applause] Here [laughter] you go. One, two, three. Okay. Fist in the air. Fist in the air. One, two, three. Everybody, we love you, BRANDON. >> [applause] >> She was your principal when she was in Margo. She said, "You better take a selfie with a ticket right now." >> But being a world champion. Hey, you must take a picture. >> Anybody there? Somebody's missing. One more. [applause] >> One more round of applause as he exits. [applause] >> Hey, uh Brandon, we have a couple of comments from uh our board members uh to say about you or to you. So, we'll start with uh Coach Qu. >> That video speaks for itself, Brandon. And uh I remember when
007you were a student, I think you were a sophomore out there with your brother Omar and we're talking about stuff and uh little we know where you're going to end up, but your vision has become a reality. We wish you the best and continued success and you are the best in the world. Congratulations, [applause] >> Mr. Venasio. >> Yes. just congratulations. Thank you for representing us so well. Uh I know that that's not easy to do, but you are a role model, man. So, we appreciate you very, very much and we're very, very proud of you and congratulations on all your success and I know I know there'll be a lot more to come. So, thank you again for your representation. [applause] >> Yes, I'd like just to say kind of along the same lines
008that congratulations on all your successes. I mean, you are a great role model for all of our kids. a true definition of determination and and you know all the hard work that you put in and and all the sacrifice that we don't see right your training and everything and away from family and friends and and everything that you devote so it's completely admirable and it's amazing that we have you here in the room and I wish you all the best of luck >> thank YOU [applause] and your dad just came in so congratulations Mr. Pot [applause] And uh Brandon, like I I mentioned, uh go ahead. Congratulations. >> So Brandon, my wife said, "You better say something positive cuz I was I was Brandon's principal at Margo Elementary." But no, all your hard work. I've
009I've seen some of your videos and I tell you what, that is a lot of hard work and dedication and determination. Of course, that makes you the champion that you are now, you know, and so uh I watched the video and I tell you what, I was very proud and other people are very proud of you too. And students now they can say, you know what, he did very well. I can do it too. That's the same thing I told the softball girls when we won the state title. I said, 'Now little girls are looking at you uh because you're going to be a role model for them and now they want to aim for that, right? You won the world title. Now other students that are boxers or want to be boxers, >> they'll
010follow your footsteps, you know. And again, great job. Uh all Wico is proud of you. And I know that Dr. is also proud of you. >> I'm very proud of you. >> What's the next tip? >> Can I say something? >> Yes, sir. Right here on the pod in the podium right here. Of course. >> Uh Mr. Father to Brendan. >> Hi. Thank you. Imagine how proud I am. Two world champions. >> Definitely. >> And I want to say something. [clears throat] And the new WBA featherweight champion of the world from Wes Lico, Texas, >> Brandon the Heartbreaker. [applause] Thank you. >> [applause] >> So Brandon, congratulations again and uh continue uh making Wesco proud like you have already and uh I know your dad is proud of you and and your not your teammates,
011the people that train you. I saw them too that they were ecstatic after the win and that you know especially in a country that you know they didn't like you right but but you showed that you're the champion. So congratulations again. >> Who's around you the family? Oh, yes. Let's see. Who's this? >> My girlfriend. >> Your girlfriend. Okay. What's your name? >> Danella. >> Daniela. And of course, Brandon and Mr. Figorova. And over here. >> Oh, I know. Noi Pales. >> Yes, I know him. Okay. >> Oh, you know what? When I was young, it wasn't Noi Pales. It was his uh uh Alex. What was Alex's name? >> Contas. They put me on at a boys club to fight Alex just for practice. Forget it. I said, "That's it. Five minutes." And and
012with Alex, I said, "Forget it. No, I'm not going to be a boxer." So So congratulations again, Brendon. We're proud of you. [applause] [applause] And once we finish with that, you're free to leave. Uh congratulations again. Okay. Thank you. [snorts] Public comments. There's a proclamation, sir. >> Oh, there's a pro proclamation. Okay. [snorts] >> The Weso Independent School District has a long-standing tradition of excellence and strives to bring together all resources to provide our students and staff with the best opportunities for success. To that end, WestD acknowledges and celebrates initiatives, departments, and organizations that join in our efforts to develop, expand, and enrich our learning environment for students, parents, and employees. Therefore, I, Isidorto, president of the Weso Independent School District Board of Trustees, do [clears throat] hereby proclaim March 2026 as youth art month,
013social workers month. We also proclaim in March 2026 Educational Diagnosticians Week March 1st through 7th in Westico ISD and urge all citizens to recognize with appreciation our district's commitment to education and [snorts] helping our children achieve their highest potential. A round of applause to these different groups. [applause] Thank you Mr. Tino. And I I'm assuming Dr. A that the principles and of course central office will acknowledge those groups at their respective campus. [clears throat] >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh next be public comments. >> There are none today. Okay. Number seven, superintendent report. Dr. >> Oh [clears throat] yes, you have a copy before you. It's a short report this month. Let me start with the teacher incentive aotment. Thea last year we had 207 teachers who qualified this year we have 326 so
014quite a few more and the program is a program that provides uh teachers with a recognized exemplary or masters distinction and they generate additional state funds ranging from 3,000 to over 32,000. So, I'm very [snorts] proud of these teachers and we will continue next year with this with this program. The it's it's based on growth and teacher evaluation data that we submit to TEA and Texas Tech. They're the ones that determine and approve the a lotment system. Uh I want to recognize our [snorts] district leaders for what they do. Uh John Garlic, Erica Trevinho, and Elias Trevinho. So again, very very proud of our teachers. >> Can we ask a couple of questions [applause] as as we go through each slide? I'll uh today I'll I'll uh start with uh see if we have any
015questions on the first part. Dr. Hime on the TIA. [snorts] Any questions on there? >> No questions, but great job. Thank you. Thank you for the information. Coach Qu, >> I'm glad to see that it's getting better for everybody because I know a lot of people work hard for this and uh and uh it is definitely a great incentive. So, we're very appreciative of uh of the motivation that we have for our teachers to be the best of the best of the best. Thank you. >> Thank you for Mr. Ben Castile. >> Yes. Just want to congratulate all the teachers, all the additional teachers who qualified. uh appreciate all of your your hard work uh that you do every day for for our students and I want to thank Mr. Garlic uh Mr. Vinho and
016uh [snorts] Mr. Dvinho as well. I know it's a lot of work to manage this program. So appreciate all that hard work as well. >> Thank you Mr. Castillo. Let the recorder reflect that Dr. Haime came in at 548 and coach came in at 550. Any questions? Uh uh on the >> congratulations to all and it's you know good to see more people got it this year. >> Correct Mr. Los Santos? Well, congratulations to everyone and that there's more participants. So, that's a really great thing for our district, for our teachers, also for our our parents as well too, knowing that they have top quality instructors in the classroom. >> And, you know, of course, we'll earn earn uh recognition for those teachers, especially the mastery teachers, right? >> Uh that they're doing an excellent
017job, but my concern is uh I want to make sure that >> compar I think it was last year or the year before last, that the percentages were not to what I what I thought they were going to be. So you know uh most school districts I have I'm uh two school districts went with a 90 10% 90% goes to the teacher 10% uh for whatever. So Dr. Vera uh on the update uh provide us what uh the teachers were told at the beginning like what percent are they going to get because you remember [snorts] that's harder own earned money from uh the teachers and they prepare lessons for those students you know and so uh uh the hard work uh well earned money that is welld deserved. Okay, next continue. >> Dr. On page
018[clears throat] two, this is the student enrollment. You can see that last year at this same time we had 16,35. This a year later, we have 16,028. So we're we're at a minus we're at a minus 277. But if the school year started today, the new year at 277, we would be overstaffed by approximately 11 teachers. So we have less kids. So we have to [snorts] reduce our staff. It'll be done through attrition. So at 11 and uh the year starts today with 11 less teachers, we'll be able to go ahead and work with these 16 16,028 students. Carlos Carlos Martinez, the executive [snorts] director for technology, always does a preliminary uh projection for the following year and he takes [snorts] the prek enrollment, the grade level rollovers, the student transfers, and then the so
019the staff anticipates an additional decrease in enrollment due to vouchers, virtual schools, and deportation concerns. So, we're okay to start school year tomorrow at 16,000. But if we reduce that figure by 800, we're going to have to go out there and during the summer reduce our our staff by about two by about 10 more teachers. And again, every district is facing this. It's not just West Lico. And we can't we can't reduce right now until we know [snorts] the actual numbers. So hopefully it'll be higher than 158. But if it's that figure, we're going to have to continue reducing our staff. Now, it's it's not just teachers, it's administrators, uh auxiliary, everyone as we as we try to balance balance our budget. And again, every district is facing this financial issue. It's not just it's
020not just uh West Loco ISD. Any questions on this slide? >> Mr. Deos Santos, any questions on the student enrollment or concerns or comments? >> Well, yeah, if you could put it back up just so I can look at it while I talk. But I just had a few questions as far as more like kind of like what we discussed with Lonar governance, right? We were getting data information. We're giving the we're giving the same inter interventions, right? PLC's, etc. I think with slides like this, especially in our situation financially, um I guess to sum it up so that the the public understands because sometimes people say, "Well, I don't know what you're talking about, though." So, more meat on the bones, right? So, if you're going to tell me that we're going to that
021we're over by 11 teachers, you know, I wrote down some questions as far as like what what are those positions? You already kind of stated to that teachers, admins, etc., but what's the actual dollar amount? Because every teacher has different salaries or or at least an average. So, when we're talking 11 teachers, are we talking about 898,000? Are we talking about 600? So, that would be the kind of information I would like as a trustee uh for future slides and presentations, especially when we're talking about reducing staff. And then the reductions, are they permanent? What are the certification areas are we going to look at? Like is there going to be some type of like me as a trustee and as as a parent who has kids that come to the school, who are we
022going to focus on when we say teachers? Because sometimes there certifications, there certain grade levels and certain time skill sets that you need, you know, special education teachers, things like that, bilingually certified. So, and when we're looking at the student enrollment dropping, I just kind of would love a breakdown to see what is the number cuz I've asked and I've looked at old data, but how many students are in the teachers classrooms? Like I've I' I've been there. I know what it what it is when you have a campus with teachers that are maybe like 14 15 per class. But do we have that issue here? Is there because even the campuses that are low like I know I'm not going to say names, right? But I know there's always talk about those in presentations.
023But just because they're at 585, do they have teachers for 6 or 700? You see, cuz that's a difference. Some some districts face that. Or do they have 18 to 20 kids in a class? Cuz if that's the case, then you really can't break down too many. So as a trustee, that's the kind of data and breakdown that I would love to see in specific saying this is campus A. These are the teachers presently present there, and these are the number of students currently assigned. because then that would h uh enable us as trustees to in a snapshot to say well look at that campus they're at 14 but this one's on a waiver and they're at 22 or whatever the case may be so just that kind of >> good point good points Mr.
024Los Santos Coach. >> No, the same thing as you know, same same issues, same concerns, but just strategically, you know, see where it's needed and if those cuts are needed where they're needed, but >> let's get it done. >> And again, the cuts will be where uh we have the least number of students at at that particular campus. At a campus that has a thousand students, you know, you're not going to cut teachers. You know, there's no way you can because you already have them at 22 to1. Mr. Castillo, [snorts] >> let me just say we're not going to cut anyone. It's through attrition, right? So when people leave, we just don't feel the position. >> Correct. >> Uh yeah, I I I want I just want to follow up. I brought it up a
025couple times on the virtual schools. Are are we pursuing that for us to create some kind of program uh so [clears throat] we could try to capture some of that ADA? >> Yes, we're studying that. >> Okay. Yeah, cuz I know one district to our [clears throat] west has already has has already have plans for next school year trying to really target the the children or the parents who want to homeschool their children, right? It's just a different uh uh another kind of uh support mechanism, but we would still be able to get the ADA. So, I really want us to look into that if we can. Uh and then just kind of the same thing that uh Trust Los Santos said, just kind of getting a breakdown how much we're expecting uh how much
026how many how many employees we're expecting to leave at the end of the year. Uh so we can have an idea of what actions need to be taken. >> Thank you, Mr. Castillo. Good question. Um, I just look at, you know, where where we're at and have always, um, stressed the importance of staying focused on the things that that we can control. We can't worry about the things that we can't control. We need to control what we can control, keep our focus on what we're supposed to be doing, and trust our superintendent to to find a way to things uh, make things work. and and uh of course the staff principles that you know at at your individual campuses keeping those uh students engaged and continue to stress the importance of why it's important to
027attend West YSD because what we provide for our students like Dr. said before second to none the benefits that that they're going to uh you know gain by by being enrolled in in WestD to be well-rounded and prepared for what's ahead when they get out of school. So again, what we're going to do is going to ba be based on how well we stay focused on what we're supposed to be doing and not worry about things that we can't control. So let's just uh keep doing a great job. Uh we're seeing some very positive things and that's what we want to focus on all the good things cuz good things get better and when one wins we all win. So keep up the good work. >> Thank you coach. Dr. Haime. a lot of the
028same. You know, I think, you know, it's time to, you know, we continue to focus on on on what we can um u present and offer to to our students. Uh Dr. V, on the school vouchers this coming school year, that'll be the first year that uh they'll take into effect. And um what is what is the word on that? What what are you hearing on school vouchers? >> There's right now there's 67 schools that have been approved by TEA. So that's throughout the valley. >> Throughout the valley. >> So that's a lot. 67. they'll be taking the students from throughout the valley. So, it's it's a concern and again uh our job here, our task is to make sure that our teachers, myself, the principles, the board, we all work together to keep our
029kids. We don't want them leaving. >> Correct. >> So, we have to provide the instruction, the safe schools so these kids don't leave. >> Thank you. >> And not to push anyone out. >> Correct. >> Sometimes discipline problems. Sometimes we need to work a little harder with these students and that push them out. And again, uh, principles and of course your administrators and your teachers, very important that you find out why the students are leaving. As a principal, you need to find out, you know, if they're exiting and going to another city, okay, it's different. But if they're going to idea, if they're going to a private school, you know, why is it that they're leaving? you know, we provide the academics, we provide the UIL, we provide the music, we all those things are
030provided for for our our students that attend West YSD, but what as as a as an administrator, as a teacher, what is it that you're doing to keep those students at your campus? Very important. You know, it starts there. Yeah, Dr. and central office staff and all those. But it starts at the campus and how you work with parents, how you work with teachers and students that will reflect if that student is going to come to West YSD. So just an FYI. >> Yes. >> Okay. Dr. >> Thank you guys. Yes. >> And uh next Yes, sir. >> Uh we [clears throat] passed uh what's it called passed the bond election of $160 million. So right now with with that amount and there's a b and c right now we [cough and clears throat] have
031$13 million in interest. So we have met with the the legal advice from Rick Pettis the bond council uh Dr. Aned Baganas the financial advisor Estraosa. So we're going to meet with them. We're going to meet with the with the auditors with the region one to see how we can spend the $13 million into into our into our the needs of the district. So on B again this is this is what I'm saying that we're going to be working with the bond council with managosa to make sure that we do everything properly [snorts] on the accounting standards and that we spent the 13 million on on how we can spend it. And again, we'll be meeting with them and they'll give us a lot of good advice as to how we can spend that money.
032And then on C, our goal of the our bond election, 160 million that the public public, we are working on this to make sure that the vast majority of bond projects are in progress and that we we do these projects as soon as we can and the goal hopefully by by June of next year. So again, we've got we've got the money 13 million of the interest that's earned. We're meeting with the getting advice from everyone and then I'll go back to the board to show you how this money will be spent. That's slide number four. >> Any questions on the the financial advising? Uh Dr. H. >> Any comments? >> No. [clears throat] Mr. Benasio? >> No. Oh, I I'll I'll wait for the audit. >> Okay. Uh coach, >> no. >> Mr. Los
033Santos. >> Yes. On page four, we put it back up again. >> So, bond funds, right? And we're talking about interest earnings. I know we that uh Dr. Evetta had presented on this before year one, year two, and it would be accumulating and and last year and also in fall there was open session meetings where we discussed it that those funds transitioning from the old egg farm and and refurbishing that those funds would be utilized to build the new one, right? To to provide that for the community. We're still That's my first question. We're still on track for that because I know that bond proceed funds can only be specifically utilized in certain areas. It's not like free money where you can just use anywhere. >> Yeah, >> Dr. >> Yeah. On the on the
034bond the bond project, some of the ones that we did already came under the amount that was budgeted, right? >> So, with that with that money, we were able to go ahead and pay pay for the egg barn without having to dip into the interest. >> Okay. And then so I guess just just formally though like I guess the only thing I'm going to state though in this slide I said I would like as as a trustee for myself as part of the group that when once they get legal guidance that it's in written form and present it to the board on how we can use these funds because I know that there's restrictions with bond interest. It's just not free money you can generally put in your fund balance and spend however you want.
035So that's something I would like as a trustee just to ensure >> um because I still got three you know I still got three years of my term. So, I want to make sure that everything's uh according by the book, which I'm sure it will be. >> And then the other thing is too is as trustees, I would like a presentation as far as what is the balance because I don't think anybody here knows what the balance is of the bond. And I'd like to know cuz people in the community ask me, "Well, you had 160. Where you at now?" And I have to be honest. I tell them, I don't I don't know. And I don't know if anybody else on the board knows. And I think that's something we consistently have to be
036um aware of and told because I know when we get the figures for projects once they're coming to get finalized and I'm looking at a medical right now, right? Your department submits those and so does superintendent, but there's no running tally. So I don't know if we're at 140, 130, 120. That's something I think is real important, not just for us, but we're the representatives of the community and should be told that information and should know it. >> Yeah. Right. And >> I believe, you know, we can we can request Dr. to provide that information for us. >> In fact, we did it about 3 millions ago. >> We did >> and uh we showed you it when we were at but we'll do it. >> Okay. And then and if and also other my
037final point uh portion was is that for our bond projects I know that we stated when we asked for it that we would like Donna and Alifist in Houston. I looked at all these other districts. They have a web page dedicated to that with pictures and updates and designs and progress reports 50% 75% those type of things. I think that would be very we I mean we owe it to our community, right? Because it's their money. They're the ones that that that entrusted us with it. And I think that we haven't done that yet or I haven't seen it. And that's something I think as a board we need to discuss and really ask the superintendent of the administration like we need to get that going. >> I think it's a good idea and we
038can do it. >> Please. >> Okay. Any other comments, questions? All right. Dr. Va, continue to your next one. The the last slide that I have is on the 2526 budget and we all know that this year there have been challenges with the past budgets and we're looking at options to find solutions and below are some of the things that we're looking at and we're looking at revenues right now and expenditures. Region one is assisting us with this and they're going to give us recommendations on the budget reductions. uh staff and I because of the ADA, we didn't reach the ADA with the enrollment. So right now and we started doing this since September, we're reducing the 2526 budget for this year and also as we look at this for next year. So again, the
039key here is that we reduce our budgets. And uh then [snorts] number three, the payroll budget. For example, since August, we've already reduced over over a million dollars that we've not spent as the vacancies occurred. We just not we we didn't replace them. It was done through attrition. So we're looking at the payroll budget. [clears throat] On number three, we're looking at additional revenues. [snorts] We've got land that's not being used that we would like to sell. The board will approve this. We're looking at grants, too. So, we're looking at at additional revenues again through these through these two things that I mentioned. And there other things that we're also looking at. On number four, the board several years ago signed a contract with Max Dex Marco Dex Flores, the storm damage attorney, and we're
040[clears throat and snorts] working with him to see if we can receive additional additional insurance claims that will go into our revenues. The goal that we have for this year and it's it's it's a difficult goal but I feel that we can do it is to not to carry over the expenditures for [snorts] 26 27 and again through increasing revenues and decreasing expenditures. Uh as I mentioned last time, it will take a team of eight. All of us working together uh making the decisions on the expenditures on the revenues, reducing the budget, working with Sinto Ramos on Lonear as we navigate on these challenges with possible solutions. Again, my favorite saying is difficult but not impossible. [snorts] This is my last light. >> Thank you, Dr. Dr. Hing. Any comments on the on the budget?
041on the budget. No, I know there's a lot of work to be done with that and I know um I sat on my first committee insurance benefit meeting with Dr. Gantu and the committee and you know there's a lot of work with um insurance too. I know that's a big uh area that uh sometimes uh hits the budget pretty hard there but uh got to get creative with that and I I know the committee is working really hard to um help with uh with the budget on that end there. So thank you for the information Dr. Le. >> Thank you. >> Good. Thank you uh for that information. Dr. As always, you you have the ball. Keep running with it. >> Thank you. And don't fumble it, >> Mr. [clears throat] Castillo. >> He won't
042fumble it. >> No. >> Yes, sir. On uh the storm damage, can we get an update from the attorneys maybe by the next board meeting to see where we're at on that? >> Yes, we can do that. >> I know it's been pending for a couple of years. Um and then also when when can we get region one to come over before the board and kind of present their recommendations and their findings? We can do that. >> Okay. Yeah. Whenever they're ready. >> Yeah. Probably in March or April. Whenever they're ready. We can do that. Yes. >> Okay. Yeah. I'd be interested to to see what they got. Is Dr. King involved? >> Yes. >> Okay. Well, I I'm familiar with his style, so it would be interesting. Uh that's all I got. Thank you,
043sir. >> Thank you, Mr. Castillo. Uh co. >> No, just following up what Ben said. Okay. >> Good to know. >> Mr. Los Santos. >> Yes. I have two items. Well, they're pretty much of the what dealing with the one through six items, but number one first was the first one I wanted to ask was about region one. I think you kind of touched on it, but that was my question as far as region one came in and who exactly from region one is here because I know that they're receiving information. The financial data, our budget is being fixed right now by an individual, right? And and I completely trust that individual's work. Okay. Okay. Uh uh because so I'm going to leave it at that. But we're paying region one, but what are they
044exactly doing? Because are they actually going into the budget or assisting the individual in expediting that? Because I'm hearing different things coming out that they're really just getting it gathering information. And so that's why I was just curious as when when when it was brought up by a trustee to bring in region one, well, who's here? Are they CPAs? Do they have school finance backgrounds? Are they ex superintendent? Like who is actually here and doing this work? Like who are these individuals? >> You want to respond to that? and what and I'd like them to be here too the next couple minutes. >> Okay. Good [clears throat] evening uh trustees and um Dr. Ia. So there is a team under Raldo Ruiz over at region one that is responsible for this project that uh was
045brought up in December with the board motion. And her team does consist of CPAs uh school finance experience. They are very knowledgeable in what they are doing for us. >> It is a I guess you could say a joint effort between them and us and the data that we're providing them and the data that they are uh in turn turning around and and providing back to us with their recommendations with what they're seeing. Uh so it is a a team effort on both ends and I I would be glad to have them come show you. >> Yeah. cuz cuz the next part of my question would be that as far as them coming like at >> initially I never asked for the data to be reviewed for 2526 because the person that knows what they're
046doing is back there in their office. So I it's not like I want to verify their work. They're the ones that got this whole things well they didn't get it whole started but participated in informing the community and also our trustees. So my question was, are they even helping expedite fixing the budget? Because I know 2526, you don't have accurate numbers right now. >> So right now, the individual that that came back to us in in our department, he was tasked with audit first. >> And so the 2526 budget in order to get um a more accurate, you know, process going there. That's pretty much where region one has stepped in to assist us since uh audit was being >> finalized. So you just barely started on 25 26 right now. >> No, it's it's
047[clears throat] been for about a month now that we've been dabbling between both. >> My other question was kind of to Dr. Ietta because region the region one people that we're talking about that are helping the budget department because you you you informed us as a board that they recommended the region one recommended that the monthly reports on expenses. Okay. That that that that was not required as far as needing board approval or having to be presented and discussed. Correct. That's something that's been done since Wesico's been open. >> And as a trustee for myself, removing that as a factor from where we're presenting monthly on our expenses and our revenue and how we're operating per month as far as updates. Not doing that anymore for me would be something very uncomfortable as a trustee
048and would probably limit me and my capabilities and how functional I would be. So >> I got it. What they're saying though is just for information and it can be an agenda item, >> right, that we should vote on >> and we'll do it next month. >> Yeah. And >> it's just information and not approval, >> right? But I would like to vote on it. That's what I'm trying to say. As a trustee, I would like to vote on it because it allows me to go on record and show the community on whether I approve or disapprove of of the monthly expenditures. if you see a a major decrease or fluctuations in transfers between line items or things like that, amendments affecting operations, like that's why as a trustee, you don't want to lose that
049advantage and neither the the the the community, you know, every every I've been here only 5 years. Some of people have been here way much longer than me and you always had you always had presentations. Uh it was always discussed. It was a it was a it was just a presentation and discussion item by the CFO at the time. That was good for us as trustees and also great for the community. I and I just I'm voicing openly that I hope that we don't lose that that stays on the monthly agenda item and that we continue to because if we lose the right to vote on it, that means the community lost their right. You see, that's the way I I see it. That's the way I define it. I'm giving up the right to
050to take a vote on on this monthly expenditure report and and make a comment on it. That means that they lost their voice on it. >> But it just >> and I and I just disagree with that. I don't completely >> but it just it's just interr and at the end of the year you'll get you'll get the results but again it's information and the guys in the back in the business department but I understand they all agree that it should be just information am I correct miss D >> correct Dr. All in that department all the ones agree it should be agenda. It should be information and not for approval. Again I'll get back to you all and with with whatever region one says what the guys in the back say and we'll make
051that call. >> I I have a question Mr. If I can and this is more for Eloy. >> So the superintendent had a certain amount of spending authority. I don't remember what it is here. I think it's 50,000 and everything else has to be approved by the board. >> Correct. Uh and so that report that expenditure report what are we approving? >> The expendure >> or the monthly values. >> So but we if they've already been approved >> I haven't looked at >> I I I in my mind it it is more information because the expenditures themselves they're either authorized by the superintendent under his authority under board policy or they've already been approved by the board. But, uh, if you could look into if the board's okay with that, if you could look into
052it and see what we're actually approving, uh, and because I I don't want to make a a bigger deal out of something that's not a deal. Does that make sense? >> Thank you. The agenda items, the board approves anything over 100,000. >> It might be 100. >> Your authority is 100,000,000. >> But, sir, >> again, like I said, let me reinter right. I understand what trust is still saying that well, they he has a limit of 100,000 or 50,000. That's fine. But when you know that you have a budget deficit and and you're you're buying things that are above and beyond. I don't know if he paid them out of pocket or we send it out of taxpayer monies, but everybody gets a bunt cake when we just come out of a meeting where we're
053short millions of dollars from last the previous year and we also know we have a deficit this year. I'm a taxpayer, right? And it don't matter whether you pay $500 to Wes SD in taxes or you pay 50,000 or 29,415. It doesn't matter. Okay, because every single dollar counts for everyone. So, as a parent, as a taxpayer, etc. You're right. There is there is a blanket, $100,000, but maybe sometimes that blanket needs to be questioned because I'll tell you what, when I heard about that, I didn't I didn't I didn't take it lightly as a taxpayer. I had to cut those checks. I don't have them rolled into a mortgage. I got to write those checks out at the end of every year. And it hurts. I'm pretty sure it hurts paying and all these
054other massive businesses. And even the person that pays $500, it hurts as well, too. just the same amount >> and there has to be something we can discuss at the next board meeting if it's >> I could just agenda item >> I'm not disagreeing with you trusty Los Santos I think it's important information [clears throat] just my question is legally what are we approving when we do that that's my that's my specific question but I do think we should get that information >> okay so on the Mr. Los Santos just an FYI for so next board meeting we'll have an agenda item on that so we can vote on on it and that way you know the board votes on that and move forward. >> Okay. I item number two I just sorry I know
055I want I'm going be moving along but it's very important to me the budget. >> Okay so reductions I already talked about this with Dr. already been in the last previous slides as well. Just when we're talking about reductions, we need more meat on the bones. It can't be overall. We're reducing it. We're we're doing it, but I I need to know how at this point. And it's not and and it's just like I think Sito Ramos says in our governor is right. He says verify. Trust but verify. And so we need just more of that. Whoever's creating these presentations or working on them as a team, that's what needs to be there. What functions are being reduced? What's being closed? How much is that? Is it is it a onetime thing for only next
056year? or is that going to be permanently like those are important questions to staff and departments as well too as they start to minimize their their resources. And then last is item number three and I'm going to send all this to you Dr. Rea so that way you and your staff have it. I don't want anybody to caught off guard and that way next meeting because you kind of know what what I'm asking as far as what I feel the public needs to hear. Okay. >> Item number three is the sale of unused property. Like I said, which properties are being considered? We've been talking about it. I know the presentations may be coming soon. Which ones are they? Which ones are being considered? Why? Um because I don't want to sell all off property
057because nobody ever sells property. No business sells property unless they really really need to, right? And so does this require voter approval as well too cuz these properties were paid for by taxpayers that are probably way before me that I was even here. And I think that the community also should probably have a a say in that or at least take take some uh community input uh as to how they feel about that. And uh >> and off the top of my head, you know, one of the properties, if you think about it, Horton Elementary, right, >> not being used. We have I don't know how many acres are there, right, >> that uh we can we're not going to use it. Uh we'll probably condemn it and then uh >> uh go forward with
058that. That would be one of them. There's an area over there by I don't know how many acres that uh the school district doesn't use. So, we could, you know, uh sell that and and have more funds uh for the budget, but that's something we can discuss. And then the final thing real quick is just and this is the last thing, right? Because this is the last slide and this is pretty much the last time we'll bring it up either too. The Weaver and Thompson and Horton uh deal that we that kind of went through last time. Uh my original agenda item, like I said, was modified, limited, and also the oversight. I'm I'm talking now I'm I'm talking about who I represent. So I know we're supposed to be a team, but at the
059end of the day, this seat belongs not to me or any of us up here. Belongs to them that are watching the taxpayers and whatnot. So I feel that at that point that night when that motion was made, me and yourself, President Yetto, you and me were kind of uh taking the lead on that as far as the scope of scope of work and also the cost and whatnot. Um the scope of work I even reduced. So it wasn't going to be 125,000 cuz I I things have come up and more information has come out now that the whistleblowers back in office. So it was going to be reduced. Um and it wasn't to review financial data. That kind of alarmed me when I was informed about that this week. It was to find out
060how we received that data. How we got that presentation before last year that told us two different stories, right? CFO saying we're going to have a budget deficit in the millions in salaries and then we get a presentation, the superintendent and the board get a presentation to state that there's new revenues and can pay for everything. How did that happen and what internal protocols and breakdowns were they? That was the whole purpose of it. And then that motion that was made transitioned it where technically right I know the superintendent I've said he's already stated that he didn't create that slide but technically I'm gonna put on the record here that investigation was going to in was going to review the budget process and the staff and the superintendent and his staff that motion removed the
061board from their own investigation and gave the power to the superintendent and his staff. So technically, by technicality, the people that you're investigating are in charge of the investigation you approve. That for me felt like I've stripped something from the community at that point, right? That's what bothers me and I can't really sit on it and I can't swallow it and just keep it down. I got to put it out there. That's something that I feel I we should participate. We should sit in when those companies are being discussed in the scope of work. We should participate in that as a board because we asked for the investigation to say, "Well, the superintendent administration will take care of it." Well, they're the ones that are going to be questioned and investigated. It just to me
062it doesn't make sense. So, I would like to add board members to that process just to review because I I don't know if we were stripped of our power that night to intervene or or say anything, but at least to participate. >> And again, there's something that we can discuss. And those that have the time want to participate, I don't have the time to participate. I'm going to tell you right now. >> I will, >> you know, but you will. Okay. and maybe one or two of the other board members uh can you know and actually you can join the the committee that remember Mr. Castillo you uh mentioned on the financial >> actually you know you were one of them Mr. part and then we'll see what other two can can join you >>
063and and for the committees just I know I know they had one where they called me about safety but I have a job uh working in the educational field right >> um and so I don't get off till 5 yeah anytime after five I can make it as you mentioned the last board meeting >> so that's what we'll try to do >> all right uh couple of questions Dr. But it's not in the budget, but where are we with the Benfields where you know I know you have mentioned it that the last time uh the two Benfields for the for the turf for the bands >> that is part you go back and look at on page uh six >> okay >> the financial advisor [clears throat] >> okay >> uh we're meeting we're meeting
064with them and uh based on what they told us that these these turfs can be used under proposition A >> okay >> it's a right >> it's a >> action. So again we're working with him then I'll come back with the board to share the information they gave us. >> Okay. I saw I happened to drive by the tennis courts over at Wesco High School and they're completing uh demolishing all the because you know they have to uh revamp uh that. I don't know about the one at east but uh what's a projected date of when they'll be finishing that. >> Mr. uh a medical Freddy or a medical. Yeah. >> For east >> for west coai. >> Oh, west co >> cuz I saw that they were they had demolish or >> mid June.
065>> The official the official date is this summer in June. >> Okay. >> Uh but we're looking to see if they can finish sooner. >> Okay. And there was no renovation at at Westco East. Correct. It was just Westco High. >> Correct. There was not necessary at East High School. >> Okay. Thank you. And how about the where are we with the egg farm? >> It's on the agenda. >> Okay. and the the demolition of the pool area also. >> Yes, we're Yeah, we're working on that one. It's kind of slow here, but that'll be done soon. >> That Yes, we're we're we're working through that already. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other comments or questions as we so we can continue. >> All right. [snorts] Thank you, Dr. >> Thank you. >> Number eight,
066discussion and possible action for the board of trustees to consider approval of the annual comprehensive financial report period ending June 30th, 2025. Dr. Yes, there's a presentation. [clears throat] >> Is this one? >> Okay. >> Thank you. It's this way, right? Yes. >> Yes. And there's an additional attachment. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Good evening. I am Andraz. I'm a partner with Carics in Ingram. And with me is Toigo Buhano. He's a senior manager with our firm as well. and we're here to present the results of the audit for the district's uh fiscal year ended June 30, and hopefully present additional clarity on on the financial statements and what's being presented. [clears throat] So uh with the completion of this audit, the district is in compliance with uh requirements from various agencies uh of course
067TEA and other granter agencies that require an annual fin an audit uh every year. Um obviously it's also information required by the board of trustees, taxpayers and other interested parties. Um, Weslo uh, ISD does go beyond the basic requirement of just providing financial statements and getting them audited. They do provide what's called an annual comprehensive financial report. This includes additional historical and statistical information and this um, qualifies them to participate in the government finance officers association certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting. It's uh based on what information is included in the report and how it's being presented. They did qualify for that recognition for their prior year report ending June 30, 2024. And the the report that you have in front of you also uh qualifies [clears throat] for those requirements. So if
068you turn to page 17 in that report, it is over 200 pages. So we'll try to walk you through the uh highlights of the report. Um on page 17, you'll find our independent auditors report. Uh we did audit obviously the governmentwide uh financial statements. The major funds that are presented this year by the district are uh it's always the general fund and then based on um activity it other funds are selected as major. This year is the 2024 bonds construction fund. So I know that that was a question earlier. You'll be able to see a column uh with those balances and then of course the aggregate remaining funds. So the opinion that uh we're uh presenting um in our uh profession there are different types of opinions that you can provide. The opinion that we're
069presenting today is a non-modified opinion which is the best opinion available. And what that represent is that the district's financial statements are fairly stated in all material respects and they're in compliance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. There were no audit areas where an opinion could not be rendered. And we do have an emphasis of matter paragraph. This year the district um was required to implement a new pronouncement for compensated absences. So there was a total adjustment of 8.8 million to net position on the governmentwide statement which is the long-term uh resources. So, um, this did not have an impact in the fund level in the day-to-day operations of of the district. Okay. Um, so we're going to start off by looking at uh, exhibit C5. This is included in
070the report and it kind of it presents the uh, right hand part of the column. These are just the summarized balances. I'm putting 2024 for your reference. Um, so every district is required to um adopt a budget before the beginning of the fiscal year. >> What page is that? I'm sorry. >> Uh, C5, let me >> 41. >> Yes. Page 41. That's a detailed breakdown. So um the original budget column is what was adopted before the beginning of the year. Uh one of the requirements is that uh districts uh adopt a balance budget which means your revenues cover your expenses. So those were the the amounts that were approved as uh original budgets. uh for 2025 it was $193 million in revenues and $193 million in expenses. Then of course as the year goes by
071you reassess that based on what uh is actually occurring. Um so throughout the year I believe there were a total of 11 amendments. Um so at the end of the year the final numbers uh resulted in amended revenues of 200 million and amended expenses and transfers of 232 million uh giving you um a a negative a loss right of 31.8 million. That's that's based on all the adjustments uh to the original amendment original budget. So that's what you expected to land at at year end. What the last column is the actual. So the actual revenues and these are audited numbers. The actual revenues came in at $198 uh million. Your expenses plus your transfers total $212 million giving you a loss of $14.4 million which you know we discussed in in our last visit. Um
072I do want to point out that there's a new pronouncement coming up next year well the ongoing year uh where you will be required to add additional information in the report as to significant variances between original and amended budget. So it's a great thing that you're already concerned with that and looking at that to see how you can improve that because that will be required information that needs to be included. So on this page is where you know that's a copy of the C5 in detail. That's what's presented. Um the line items there highlighted are uh the the functions where you had actual expenditures that exceeded the uh final budget for each of those functions. and the district does adopt the budget by function. So um there is a significant deficiency that is being reported.
073Um so it was the instruction community services and debt service that exceeded budget. So um although at the end in total total expenses uh you have 211 million versus 215. So uh in total you were okay but because there's this requirement that you have to comply by function uh we're we're required to disclose uh significant deficiency for this. Any questions? Well, I guess we'll hold the questions till the end, right? >> I think Yeah. It's just kind of hard to read, I think, for people watching. But [laughter] >> yeah, but like you said, instruction because instruction you had 93 I guess 93.8 million there. That's why you're saying that it that you're talking about this category within this >> because it was 93, but it was at 107. So, it exceeded the per line item
074>> the original budget be before the beginning of the year, yes, was 93. Then it was later amended at 107.1. you still ended up exceeding it by 748,000, >> right? >> Uh and that that was the biggest one, >> right? >> And so because this is reported in the in the financial statements in the report, the district is required to provide a written corrective action plan. So that's also included in the report in page 207. >> Yeah. So, so that's I just want to make that clear because people might get confused by it. So there was an amendment from the original and then you still exceeded that. So that's why that's there. >> Yes. Correct. >> So uh the balance sheet and I just want to walk through the the 14 million uh loss, right,
075that was experienced during the year. So because you didn't have enough revenues to cover all the expenditures, you need to it it comes from your existing uh fund balance. So here we have for comparison 2425 uh as you can see for the year ended in 25 you had total assets of 98.9 million liabilities and deferred inflows of resources were 27.8 million. So if you subtract the two you have uh the remaining fund balance of 71.1 million. [snorts] So um we also wanted to present what we did surrounding the fund balance. So again last year the the report the audited financial showed 85.5 million. So some of the audit procedures that we conducted surrounding this area include [snorts] the analysis of changes in equity accounts and review of components of equity and their classifications. We trace
076beginning balance to working trial balance. We compared the balances to those of prior year. [snorts] We reviewed changes in equity accounts and reviewed proprietary of presentation on financial statements and note disclosures. So as a result of those procedures um we noted that as of July 1st 2024 beginning fund balance in the general fund agree to prior year audited ending balance at June 30, 2024. This supports that the district's prior year books were properly closed into equity as expected. So no issues there. No adjustments to equity accounts in the general fund were noted during the year. An audit adjustment was proposed to reclassify restricted fund balance to assign fund balance in accordance with the district's policies and governmental accounting standards. The reclassification had no impact on the total fund balance. At June 30, 2025, the general's
077fund ending fund balance properly reflects the net change in fund balance resulting from deficiency of revenues under expenditures and other financing uses for the year ended June 30 uh 2025. And that's the 14.4 million loss, right, that was experienced in the general fund. >> I have a question on that last slide. >> Yes. [snorts] Now when you when you're discussing reclassification of funds >> for the public if the reclassification of funding from state to to federal because that's where it happened or do you know the item number where the reclassification happened? [clears throat] >> Um we we can go into that further in the next slide. Yes. So I want to give you the picture of what is what is this fund balance right? What what makes that up? [cough] >> So [clears throat] again
078here we have 2024 just for comparison. Um so of the total 71.1 million at the end of the year and as as audited you have 2.4 million that are represent non-spendable. Again this is assets minus liabilities. So the non-spendable portion is the non-liquid assets uh inventory and prepaids. Restricted is 6.3 million. These are primarily grants and you know things that are restricted by by external parties. And then you have 9.3 million of assigned. Um these are designated it can be designated uh unofficially designated by uh district leadership or the board. Um and these are primarily capital projects. So there was um the reclassification that we uh that we uh proposed was regarding restricted to assigned. So because there was no um not restricted for by external parties, it's just a technicality on the on what
079you call each of the restrictions. So because there was not a restriction by external parties, it needed to be reclassified as assigned. Okay. And then the remaining balance is of 52.9 million is unassigned which means that's what the district can use for general operations. >> Okay. >> Now um of the 9.3 million again because it's not an official or or externally tied to any compliance requirement. [snorts] The district does have the option to utilize that funds you know unassigned basically. Um, >> so, um, >> I got I got a quick question. >> Yes. >> On from 2024, we have our average monthly expenses at 44.7 million and then 2025 17.6. Any idea why it went up to at 3 million or so? >> Um, >> right. Yes. Okay. in 2024. A lot of the the
080payroll primarily was uh covered through ESSER funds. So you didn't have that in your general fund. This year you had you were at the tail end in the beginning of the year. So you didn't have as much uh ESER funding to cover for those funds. So [clears throat] the it came back to the general fund basically where there >> always uh were. Um so yeah so we took the average monthly expenditures just based on um this year's expenses and uh the 5.9 represents three months of expenses. >> So if I want to jump in here real quick and I'll piggy I was going to ask that but I'll piggy back off of that. Glad you brought that up. So just to clarify because you still have individuals up here that say what you just explained
081right now is that the those operational salary costs went up because we absorbed ESSER and it impacted [snorts] our overall operational costs, right? As far as staffing salaries, right? Those salaries transitioned over into this year, >> right? >> That's okay. So >> that's the whole point. >> We were told that there was no salaries rolling over into the into this into last year. Mhm. >> That's why we gave raises and stipens because we didn't know that millions of salaries were going to be influx because we were told it came out even in the paper >> on channel 5 and the monitor and whatnot. And we even got recognized in rewards that $15 million esser deficit you hear some people still say that was taken care of. That's ESER that rolled into last year and then
082we increased it because we were told it didn't exist because we gave raises on top of that debt and then we gave stipens millions of dollars to staff. That's the whole point that I've been talking about since July of 2025. And thank you for pointing that out. For the public here, I want them to if you can put the slide back on. I want them to look at the slide more than me. >> It anything in yellow. Okay. when they put it back on >> the other >> that yellow. >> Yes. >> For the public cuz sometimes they don't understand that yellow is your savings. That's technically like your unassigned savings. You can do whatever you want with that as a school board or technically somewhat to a similar limitations. Everything else in color is
083pretty much taken. So we did take a hit on our fund balance in 2024. We had 65.4 million. >> We go we finished off last year and it went down to 52.9. >> Yes. by the loss >> since July of 2025 to de That's why I'm tell I don't even need an audit from July 2025 to December 2025 we've been told that there was no deficit and that we had no impact to our fund balance. Okay. When we approved the budget at the beginning of last year like you stated we were told that there was no rollover. That's that's all I've been trying to say for for months now. And and and this is the other point you brought up transfers. You said that there was a lot of transfers there, right? You you you
084stated that even in the last meeting in January that we had significant amounts of transfers at the end of before the end of last year, you said that there was transfers happening within the district. Um my my question to you was is that when those transfers were happening or and staff was being moved to federal because I deal with funding, I deal with federal funds and we do transfers, reclassifications, all that stuff. So that I know by heart regardless of whatever department you work in the guidelines the allowables and allowables are all the same across the board. You can say that right? Yes. They fall those rules fall in practice for everybody. >> Right. >> I've been very patient with this. But at the end of the day the district was doing transfers. They stated
085that they that there was no deficit. The admin superintendent administration stated there was no deficit. There was no overage and no impact to fund balance and that we had a balanced budget. That's what the board was being told for months. the community as well. But if you were doing transfers, that means that you knew that you had to classify people so that you could lower the cost and impact the state. Right? That's primarily probably where it was lowered. That's the whole point of why I wanted your report is to identify those transfers that were taking place. What what was being moved? Was it people from state going to federal or people being reclassified? like th those are the type of things you need to know because if that's the case then it's 100% fact that
086you knew that people knew that we had a salary over which be going before going into this year. That's what I've been trying to prove and talk about. Okay? Because that means that the admin and I'm just saying I'm asking you that means the administration would know going into 2526 that there was already a salary overage and we gave raises and stipens again this current year making the problem even larger. And that's all I've been trying to say for months and and I just wanted to ask you that. Thank you. Thank you. Continue. [snorts] >> Well, and and I went back to C5 because [clears throat] if you see in the in the after all the amendments that were done throughout the year >> Mhm. >> you there was an approval for transfers out of
08717 million. Uh however, the actual transfers from the general out of the general fund >> were only 1.3 million. So I just wanted to >> Right. because because those are the construction funds that at the end of the day then were reversed >> and at a board meeting I asked if they needed board approval because to let those those funds loose they needed board approval. >> Mhm. >> I right it was remember it came to the board and we voted on it and so when they reversed them kind and I'm not saying that there's any type of malicious activity behind it or it's illegal but in other words it's like me it's like my wife asking me well how much is in the checking account. So, I go to the savings and I take out
08810,000 or 5,000. I put it in the checking account and I say there's five in there, right? >> Mhm. >> And but realistically, I got to then put it back. She takes the receipt. Okay, great. There's five in the checking. Then I take it back from the checking, put it back in the savings. That's kind of the movement of funds that also also changes the total amounts within your savings and within your general operating funds and whatnot. Like I know what that reversal is, the 17 million that was construction that they were talking about. >> Thank you. Okay. >> Mhm. Okay. So that's uh the general fund. Um and just because the question came up earlier, if you uh and I don't have a slide for that, but on the report on exhibit C3, page
08939, you'll find the column for uh the 2024 bonds construction. Well, that's the revenues and expenses. And on page 37, you'll see the assets and liabilities that you have on that fund. So up on this >> that has a June 30th though, right? >> Yes. June 30, 2025. Yes. >> Um so up on the slide I have the the governmental activities. This is um the general fund and all the other funds that the district has uh under the long-term resources. So in here we bring in the capital assets, the long-term debt and liabilities related to pension, other post-employment benefits and compensated absences as required by governmental accounting standards for so for 2025 uh current assets were 275 million, non-current assets were 141 million and total assets were 416 million. Deferred outflow of resources um is
09030 million 30 million and current liabilities 39 million. Long-term liabilities 332 million with total liabilities of 371 million. Deferred inflows [clears throat] represent 45 uh million giving you a net position of 30.3 million in 2025. So the only the the main variances there are deferred uh outflows and inflows. Um those are mainly related to actly determined pension and and other postemploy employment benefit um liabilities. >> So this is the TRS. >> Yes. [snorts] >> Long-term liabilities. Oh, okay. I see what you had there. >> So net position change 31%. What is the impact on that when a when a net position is falling for a school district? Is there a negative impact to that? Does it matter >> when your when your net position is falling? Like just so the public so they can understand
091it, does it have any real value to it or >> Well, again, the the main reason is due to the acturally determined pension and OPIP. So these are the long-term liabilities. If everyone was to retire at the same time, those would be your your liabilities. >> Okay. Um, so those keep on changing because you know there's investments in there. So they kind of go up and down. The district really has no control over that. They're just required to pay the pension um fee or or you know the the payments that they're required to submit. >> Thank you. [cough] >> Okay. So um that was the financial uh audit. Now we're going to move on to the single audit for over federal awards. So total expenditures of federal awards, these are all the federal grants that
092the district received uh during 2025 year end were 35.9 million. Uh this year there were three PLO programs that were tested as major programs. Actually that child nutrition cluster includes three grants but it's required to be tested as one. So that was 14.2 million. [snorts] Title 2 part A supporting effective instruction that was 1.1 million and title 4 part A student support and academic enrichment program was 1.2 million. Um and to see additional details of what are the other federal grants that are included uh you can turn to page 200 and and look at that. So out of the in in that uh part of the audit we issued two separate reports. The first one is the report on internal control over financial reporting on compliance and other matters based on an audit of financial
093statements performed in accordance with government auditing standards. So again um in our uh profession there are different types of opinions that can be issued. We are rendering a non-modified opinion which is [clears throat] the best type of opinion available. And then the other report is related uh is the report on compliance for each major program and on internal control over compliance required by the uniform guidance. We audited the requirements that would have a direct and material [clears throat] effect on each of the three uh programs discussed and uh the opinion that we're uh rendering is also unmodified. Um here we have there's there's a page in the report page 12 196 that includes the schedule of findings and question cards and it gives you a summary of the results of the audits the opinions that
094we've already mentioned. Um and then we're required to disclose here if there are any material weaknesses that were identified. We did not note any. We noted the one significant deficiency that we discussed regarding budget and no non-compliance material to the financial statements was noted on the federal awards. Um the same thing we're required to disclose material weaknesses or significant deficiencies. Neither one was noted and no uh material non-compliance required to be disclosed. >> [snorts] >> So on the report that we just uh provided, there's a tab on the back. There's a communications with governance. Um this report outlines auditor's responsibilities, management responsibilities. It has a section in there for judgments and sensitive estimates that are considered in in arriving at some of the balances. uh we looked at that and and we ensure that they're
095in compliance with standards and there's also the summary of audit adjustments that were provided and lastly the management communication letter. So if there were observations that uh were not considered to be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies or a material non-compliance, we include those in this report uh as control deficiencies or improvement points or other non-compliance not material. So we did meet with uh cabinet and and the finance uh team and discuss those in detail so that they um understand and they also provided um management action for each of those [cough] there for for your review and in case you have any questions related to that. That concludes my presentation. Um, I can address any other questions that you might have. >> Questions? Uh, I'll begin on the left. Dr. Hime. [snorts] >> A lot of
096information here. Thank you. Uh, but you know, just you you mentioned your unmodified opinion is is the highest opinion available. >> Uh, which is a good thing. Correct. you know, and and so even though our our fund balance took uh a significant hit this during this audit year, um how's that? So, what what do you you know, in a quick little just for the public, >> you know, our financial status right now, our financial state as a district, you know, how do you feel about that? >> Right. Um so, our opinion consists of presenting what it is. It's not that it's uh not that you're uh very [clears throat] strong financially. It's not it's not giving a rating like you know other uh industries uh would do that right so this this opinion is basically
097you reported what it is you had a loss you reported a loss so the the way the um opinion would be other than unmodified would be for example if we found a misstatement and uh we propose the adjustment and the district um doesn't agree agree with it or doesn't want to adjust their books and wants to present as is well that's when we would issue something other than unmodified or if not all the information not all the disclosures are included then we would you know take exceptions to that. [snorts] Okay. >> So you feel like you know the district's been transparent with all the information that was provided and [cough] you know responsive to you know some of the deficiencies that were that were found. >> Yes. as as a result of our audit procedures.
098Um again we look at a sample basis. So based on what we looked at uh we feel comfortable that the financials the balances presented in the report are fairly stated. >> Thank you coach. Thank you Dr. H. >> So bottom line is we are in compliance. >> Yes you are in compliance. >> Thank you Mr. Bastio. [snorts] >> Yes. Uh what was the final deficit number? Was it that 14 million >> on the general fund? Yes. >> When you say when when you're qualifying it, what does that mean? >> Well, you you you have a lot of federal gr uh funding, right? So that's included in other special revenue funds. Uh you have that uh bond construction fund for capital projects. So that's other funding. So when we talk about the general fund, that doesn't
099mean that the that's all the district uses, right? So that's that's why it >> all right. So 14 million deficit at the end of June 30th, 2025, right? >> Yes. >> Um where where from where what function did that come out of those? [cough and clears throat] Uh instruction was the biggest um well yes I mean it usually is instruction that's where it's payroll. Yeah that's your heavy >> mostly function 11ense most mostly payroll then. >> Mhm. >> So doc I guess my question to you is you know when you guys come up with a plan what we need to see because most of it came out of fund balance and if it's payroll we got to see that $14 million reduced so it's not a recurring cost every year. Correct. Correct. >> So, >>
100uh I know you guys are working on it. Uh but yeah, when when when it's ready, we could get that presented to the board so we can see how we're reducing that number. And then um I also thank you for your presentation. I also want to thank the business office. I know it's a lot a lot of work to go through the audit season. Uh all of you guys, it's Thank you for your time. I'm sure you guys work during holidays and all that kind of good stuff. So, I appreciate it. Thank you for getting it in on time uh and getting all the information to the auditors. So, thank you. >> Thank you, >> coach. Senator, [clears throat] >> just uh similar to what the other trustees were asking. I'm good. >> And so,
101do we have a corrective action plan uh in the future? >> Yes, there's one in here. >> Yes, there well, there's a corrective action plan that uh district uh staff provided. [clears throat] >> Okay. >> That is included in the report of the the steps they plan to take. >> Page 207. Okay. Uh, Mr. Los Santos, final thoughts. >> Um, final thoughts. Like I said, I already made my points earlier in the slides that you provided and thank you. So that way our community can completely understand the situation and whatnot and so can the trustees as well. >> Um, I'd really like just to take the time because I know that usually, and I know this isn't your fault, we get this a week prior, right? So, I I just got it today when I
102sat down, >> but I understand that you there was issues and that you weren't getting the data on time, [clears throat] >> right? >> And you weren't put into your car rigs was put into a situation that typically is not general, right, across the board for other school districts. >> Um, I'd like to thank you for the work that you did because like like uh Trusty Rodriguez mentioned earlier, you said that, you know, your findings and whatnot with the documentation, that's because you had a very small amount of people. Okay. And coming from Miss Rodriguez's office herself too, right? Working with those other individuals in your office, uh it's amazing because what is the impact if a district doesn't submit this on time? What is it? What is the impact to a school district? >>
103Yeah. There could be all kinds of >> major impacts, right? >> Issues. Yes. >> Major impacts to our taxpayers, major impacts to our staff. >> Okay. And you had two individuals, some that worked through Christmas, okay, to get this trade in on time. You got one individual that he could have retired, right, after being targeted and the the allegedly the things that he went through and he decided to stay for his community, for his staff, and for the kids that walk through these doors. And the and I just want everyone to know that the impact to our school system if we didn't turn this on time, if that person had left in December would be catastrophic. And so he uh he I don't know what he is to everyone else, but he's surely my hero.
104And I'd go to war with that individual any day of the week. And if he and if I'm getting financials and his name is on it, that's the only person I'm going to believe and trust. I want to thank you all for all your work and your staff. >> Thank you. >> We'll continue. Um is this an action item? Dr. >> Correct. >> Discussion of possible action for the board of trustees to consider approval of the annual comprehensive financial report period ending June 30, 2025. Do I have a motion? >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Dr. Heimes, second by Mr. Los Santos. Correct. >> Yes. [clears throat] >> Okay. Uh to approve the annual comprehensive financial report ending June 30th, 2025. All in favor, please say I. >> I.
105>> All oppose. >> Motion carries. Let's continue on with Longar Governance. Uh February 2026. Dr. >> Yes. M. >> Yes. >> Make the presentation. >> Yes. Thank you. Good evening. Uh members of the board, Dr. Deta and community. So the LSG presentation for this month focused solely on our middle of the year kinder through 2 grade map uh reading and math results. Right? So you'll see it there in the board monitoring calendar where we'll go over uh goal one and goal two and also constraint uh 2.1 which will talk about class counts and waiverss in place. Right? So I want to just make sure that I reference the next slide which we talked about at the beginning of the year. Uh this time around for this school year NWA map updated its norms. So for
106example if you look at the MAP growth mathematics chart right the ones that are highlighted in yellow. We monitor our scores at the meets performance level right we we care to align this to our third grade achievement [clears throat] uh scores or ratings. So we monitor kinder through 2 grade data at the meets performance level. So last year we were reporting data. If a student got a RIT score of a 60 then you were at the meets. This year you have to be at either a 78 or a 77 to be uh designated at the meets. Right? For growth uh map growth reading uh last year again we presented at the 60th percentile and you see what's highlighted in yellow the new scores that it would take for you to be at the meat's performance
107level. So reading dropped about a point or two depending on what middle beginning, middle or end of the year assessment you are. Math went up a good 17 to 18 points for you to be designated at the MEE's performance level. So it just got more difficult to be a student that is uh uh performs at the ME's performance level. So I want you to uh keep that into consideration as we look into the data. So goal one. So we start with kinder, right? The overarching goal again in the purple at the very top is to ensure that our star reading performance uh level at the meets in third grade by the end of this school year is at a 56%. So how do we monitor this? We monitor it by looking at our kindergarten performance
108in the middle of the year map. Right? So you see there uh we started the lonear governance work that year of 2023 2024. We didn't adopt the goals until the January that middle of the year, right? However, um I'm including that data because we started having this conversation and setting our goals based on this. So, right now for middle of the year, right, and we're comparing middle of the year to middle of the year for the three years, we are at a 40% uh performance at the meets. So, 40% of our kindergarteners are already performing at the meets performance level. However, our end of the year target right in in the instructional weeks to come is a 54% um target. I do want to make reference to the table that you received u there to
109your left hand side. I did uh change it a little bit. Uh Dr. Sinto Ramos met with the administration staff and made some recommendations making the data more intentional and easier to read. So one of the things that we look at is how many students are we from meeting the goal or the target right and then when we met with campus principles they themselves dissected the data to see how many students does that mean or equal to at their campus too. So every principal already knows how many students uh they are from meeting that end of the year target or they've surpassed if they've already met the target. So this is I do want to make reference and I'll make reference in this one slide just so that we wanted to stay true to that
110new norm slide because you will see a big difference in the math data. you see a minimal difference in the reading, but that little uh light purple shaded bar of a 37, that would have been what we would have presented with last year's data if it would have been apples to apples comparison, right? And I just want to make sure that I respect that and I give the recognition to teachers hard work and and principles in the classrooms and in schools. So the next slide goes over the kinder performance for reading in middle of the year. If you look at our campuses, a lot of our campuses are inching their way to that end of the year target, right? Which we are very proud of. However, we do know that there are some campuses that
111are further away from that end of the year target and we're working with those campuses um having our coordinators, having our academic officers um having conferences with principles or their deans um in ensuring how is it that we're going to get to, you know, from week 20 to week 36 to ensure that we get closer or we meet that end of the year target at every campus, not only as a district, right? So, um, we I do want to make note too that in kindergarten we made some changes. I I don't know if you remember that or recall that kindergarten was always outperforming the other grade levels, right? As it is it was um read to them over headphones, right? Using [clears throat] all of that. However, uh students in kindergarten as they're getting uh
112ready to read or they are showing proficiency um the test stops reading to them, right? it gets a little more bit more rigorous adaptive to the student right so we are are making note of those changes uh in the assessment and administration and planning with that in mind next uh GPM which is 1.2 two monitors first grade students at the meets performance level for RLA again to support our third grade uh star goal and in first grade what we see is uh 2023 was at a 32% 2024 was at a 35% 2025 we're at a 36% right at the meets performance level so very comparable to the other years as well um so when when you look at or you turn the page to the indiv individual campuses. Again, our end of the year target
113for the campuses are at a 46. We are 102 students away in first grade from meeting the end of the year target in the overall all student population in the table there. Um, so again, one of the the works or or the study that we did with principles is how many students does it take at each of the grade levels in order to meet your end of the year target to be more intentional, right? And when we look at specific data is how many are going to be performance hoppers versus droppers right that is what we uh if you look at the campus data per se the next slide um you see some uh campuses already either meeting or surpassing the goal or literally almost at the end of the year target goal right so
114we're looking at what's working at these campuses what strategies they're using principles were uh shared in a survey what works what needs more attention where what do they need more support. So, we're looking at all of that to see um how is it that we can better support also at the district level, but at the campus level for teachers in the classroom. >> Just want to say I've noticed I've noticed Silva going up in each of these bars. So, good job. >> We we we are very proud of the work, the intentionality in instruction, the focus, it makes a world of a difference, right? So, yes, thank you, Mr. Gastio, for that observation. So second grade GPM 1.3 this is our strongest cohort right um and so we think about it and we started the
115LSG work three years ago and we're you know as a CNI team we were thinking about is it because they've gone for three years of progress monitoring with this data very intentional right but if you look at that second grade purple bar right we were at 39 2023 39 24 25 47 right for this school year which means for third grade teachers hearing this and listening to this, you have a very strong cohort of students coming up, right? So, we're very proud of of this data. 42 students as a district to meet the end of the year target in RLA second grade, right? Again, um 10 elementary campuses divided by 42, right? Um it's very possible, but we have to be very intentional and stay very focused on what has worked and stay true to
116that work, right? What has worked. So again uh we're very proud um overall um in our I just want to share right like if you look at the next slide at the campuses look at how positive in our RLA at the campus level the next slide please this this U graph shows the bar graphs right look at all of the campuses right moving their way up to that end of the year target and again I think principles have shared that just even the collaboration ation that has happened with region one math has trickled to the other content areas and those instructional uh strategies or practices learning walks with the coordinators as well has helped and benefited this data as well. So we're very proud of the work that that's being done um in our early
117childhood uh grade levels along with our principles right for their hard work. So the next slide I added it and you got a revised presentation on Friday because I wanted you to see I received a question from one of the trustees on how is this impacting our third grade data and I wanted you to see the overarching goal. How does it impact? If you notice the dark purple is our actual star tests. We've had an increase in the last two years of LSG. So we are hoping to continue that trend upward. We may not be hitting that red target, end of the year target that we set, but we are very close and we're very proud of that work. Right. I shared with other administrators our LSG data and they're like, "Wow, can't believe you're
118almost close to that 60% target from the state." So to be at that and third grade, if you've been a third grade teacher, you know, it's difficult because it's the transition between early childhood and star grade levels, right? So um kudos to all the teachers and and the students and the parents right for supporting. So our our data in RLA looks very promising and we're reporting that we are on track to meeting the goals. Um what is working? So we left the next slide similar to the beginning of the year because we felt we needed more time and what has been working at the beginning of the year that we identified as strategies instructional strategies we want to keep and be faithful to till the end of the year because we feel it has been
119giving us results right so we want to continue we see it um where the adoption is implemented with fidelities we are seeing high performing students right we're seeing good data uh good solid uh [clears throat] PLC's that are true to uh lesson delivery and planning. We are seeing student outcomes and and conversations just increase. We are seeing a lot of uh explicit instruction, very direct instruction and differentiating to student needs. We are seeing that intentionality in the in the schedules, right? Um and of course what we want to continue strengthening and again I we ask for more time until the end of the year because we are seeing that it's working is strengthening the collaboration between our special pop groups right um our special ed teachers are now part of this planning are are part
120of the generalled PD are part of uh taking place in resources and and aligning their resources to their special pops and more than anything I think one thing that we all can agree on and and the principles uh give us a lot of feedback on is progress monitoring is key right when you report when you check um right it it it gives us those results. So again being very intentional in continuing this funological also foundation we understand the lower grades are key to our foundation to strong readers and we want to continue seeing that strong readers will become strong writers right and will do great in math as well. So that is goal one. I will move on to goal two. In goal two mathematics, you will see a shift. Right? So I started with
121the new norms because the new norms went from scoring a 60 to be at the meets last year. I was reporting that a 60 was at the meet's performance level. Now you have to be a 78 or 77 to be at that. So when we talked to MAP and we reached out to NWA MAP because we were definitely you know one of the principles just shared with me she's like it's very de demoralizing when we share this data with teachers because we're doing so much and we feel we're moving forward but the data says otherwise right so when we we actually have a hopefully a conference call with MAP to see if everyone else is seeing that but one of their studies showed in one of the presentations that they came to do in September
122is that 2020 norms right how what you are expected to perform at the meet's performance level and in their new norms their new study 2025. um it is more difficult to attain the meats if not everybody would be a meat's performance level child right so in order to be aligned to star you now are required a higher score at the meet's performance level unlike reading right so the overarching goal for goal number two is to be at the meet's performance grade level in math and I'll report very positive news for third grade math but you won't see the same trend for K for second because of the new norms right So uh GPM 2.1 kindergarten at the meets percent. So you will see 2023 51% 51% for 2425. So middle of the year we were
123almost there at that end of the year target right but then you see dark purple for 2526 with a new norms I would be reporting or um reporting 18% at the meets. Again, this goes from students having to attain a 60 to now students having to attain a 7778 score in the test in order to equal to a star grade um performance level. If I would have done apples to apples, it would have been 39% but that is no longer the case with the new norm. So definitely our administration, our teachers have to come together to decide um you know is this is the new Lincoln study is it aligned to our this year's results for third grade math, right? or is this a product of something else that we're seeing it impact our math
124scores? Right? You have the same table where it tells you how far away we are from the target. Um I do want to uh make note and I know that it's one of the questions that I received. Um if you notice in that yellow GPM 2.1 um bar it says that our end of the year target in five years would be a 70 and the purple or bluish for star is a 60 right we do have to have to come back together to uh realign our GPM target to our goal target as we have surpassed it but are still not seeing now with the new norms the results where we want to be right So if we're saying third grade needs to be at a 60, but we're saying kinder has to be at a
12570, it's not aligned, right? So we do want to come together with map and the experts and how can we align this better, right, for our targets for our district. So if you look at the next slide, you see [cough] each campus um at their kinder their their own campus uh kinder of the middle of the year meets performance, right? We have um mostly all campuses. We do have three right at that lower bottom. But um you know, one of the things that we notice in in the feedback that we received is students are being asked to answer questions that they have not viewed or seen or been taught right since the beginning. So automatically then it drops you right a level right. So we've addressed this concern with MAP. Um they are hoping they're
126going to actually have a conference call tomorrow with their own team specialists and get back to us as that was a concern that was noted across multiple campuses. >> Was that a map problem or an US problem? >> That was a a map. >> Okay. >> Mhm. Yes. So they are being tested, students are being assessed directly as they introduce or they start the test with their grade level questions. >> So it doesn't necessarily align to our pacing guide. >> Okay. >> So when you look at GPM 2.2, 2. This is first grade at the meets performance level. You see it again. 2023 34 uh% at the meets. 24 37% at the meets. The new norms hit this year. We dropped to 14%. Right? Would have been 28% uh but we're at 14% with the
127new norms, right? Having 384 students more uh needing to be on target in order to meet that 51%. So even though we were seeing gains in our data from previous year with the new norms, we have now dropped. Right? So again, we're waiting on a response from MAP to better align our strategies and our needs and our targets. And um I will get back to you all with that response as well. Right. Um then the next slide you see uh first grade performance by campus. Again uh you see it here uh end of the year target again 51%. And then you look at second grade, right? You look at second grade and you see the 32, the 35 again gain every year and the new norms hit and we dropped right again with that understanding
128that it went from a 60 to 78 or 77%. So this is something that we are closely studying um as we feel that the efforts that have been put in and the work with region one with blue bonnet our newly adopted curriculum um we're seeing a lot of positives but yet our data in the lower grades and now that there's consistency in a curriculum in place um is obviously not reflected with the new norms in math right so uh you have the data there individualized by campus for second grade uh middle of the year map Kleckler Held, you see it right there, right um at the 30. So great kudos to Clckler Held and the other campuses who are are striving right towards that end of the year target. But I can assure you that
129every principal has u accounted for each student and knows exactly where they need to be at for the end of the year. However, so you look at our third grade. So how does kind through second math data impact? If you see the dark purple, you've seen the gains in the last two years of LSG work, right? We've gone from a 40 to a 46% 6% increase at the MEA's performance level. We are hoping that with the strategies and with the work and the validation and I think the feedback and principles can attest to this, the work the feedback that region one has given us through our learning walks uh in our implementation PDS has been tremendous and very positive. Right? So we're hoping that that dark purple at the end of the year just gets
130better even though we're having difficulty understanding the new norms for map kinder through second right but we have seen a positive impact in overall in the overarching goal one and two right so I'm happy to report on that and again for what is working and what is not we we want to continue with the same um recommendations we did at the beginning of the year because we really feel strongly that we need more time to continue impacting you know the work that is being done in the classrooms more positively and we feel again fidelity to the curriculum to the instructional practices to the time that teachers invest in planning internalizing and rehearsing lessons well will give us more results. So lastly, the constraint is on class counts and in class counts, we report only the
131campuses who were a C or less in their domain one from uh last school year. So these are the campuses. So there was a question regarding Northbridge Elementary. However, North Bridge is properly staffed, but they decided to use that one teacher in a grade level in need of assistance. So that is why it picks up their waiver counts in another grade level. Right. So uh so I am happy to report that we uh um monitor the class counts every Monday and Friday. Our office receives the class reports and all campuses are in compliance and again Northbridge uh is because they decided to use that feature [cough and clears throat] that in in another area of need for their campus action plan. Right. Um and that is my presentation. Mr. Netto. >> All right. Thank you
132Mr. uh questions or on the presentation. Dr. >> um I guess more comments. You know, congratulations on on the reading. You know, I know a lot of hard work being being done in the classrooms there. Teachers, uh campuses, principles, you know, great job with with uh being on track with the reading. um on the math you know you know I know with these uh norms going up from 60 to 77% and then us implementing uh new curriculum with the blue bonnet you know is this I mean know seeing what we're seeing now I mean is that something that uh you still feel confident that you know this this dip is going to pick up as we uh continue with or adjusting to the new curriculum? Uh yes sir and we actually just met with region
133one on Friday. We just got awarded well we got nominated for um a blue bonnet award for best implementation right one of our principles actually ma Garcia sat in one of our uh the one of the forums or so we're nominated amongst how many districts uh in the state garlic how many awards >> and we were one for best implementation and second we got awarded a $1.1 million dollar grant for the next three years to support our math instruction across the district. So yes, definitely. >> Great. Thank you, Coach. >> Yeah. Well, Dr. Dr. Rodriguez kind of answered the >> answer that question that I was going to ask, you know, because you know, when we started all this, one of the first things I ask is, are we getting training? >> Right. >> Well,
134what I learned afterwards, there was not enough training. So the frustration of not knowing how to present all this was was a factor and I'm seeing this dip. So um you know we're going to stay the course and and um I guess once we better understand what's going on and I'm starting to hear some more positive things about we're starting to get the gist of this thing. >> So I guess at the end of the year we're going to see if there's any kind of an increase or not. Yes, sir. >> Again, to to all the things that are happening, all the positive things that are happening, outstanding uh job and and you know, stay the course and um whatever you need to support this thing. I mean, we we said we're going to go
135with it. We're going to go with it and and let's find a way to make it work even better. >> Yes, sir. >> Mr. Thank you, Coach Gu. Mr. Castillo. >> Yeah. just uh with respect [snorts] to goal well first on goal one congratulations to the campuses on your data that that it was great data Silva good job collector kicking butt uh Memorial as well uh and all the other campuses too with respect to your individual campus data please thank your teachers for all the hard work that they're doing uh and thank you to you guys as well as being the leaders of the campuses with respect to to goal two uh can you give us an update on that call with Matt to Yes. >> To see what's going on with that. And and
136so we don't necessarily anticipate a dip in star scores. >> No. >> And that's what we're trying to figure out that their RIT score to be at a meets went higher [cough] but star did not change. Right. So how is that going to impact our data if you know as um we conference with principles and the even just the feedback that we receive from region one is stronger than previous [clears throat] years and the support. >> How did the benchmarks look? So benchmark it was right there. Mr. Castillo, I'm so sorry. Benchmark one, it was uh 32% which was very comparable to the previous years. So benchmark 2 usually goes a little higher and then star goes higher after our review. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So we're waiting on benchmark 2 data which should be
137around mid-March. >> So the benchmarks were comparable to the >> Yes. >> Okay. Yeah. You could put that in our update kind of how that call. Uh and uh well thank you for the presentation. >> Thank you Mr. Castillo. Uh Kosa. >> Well the same thing uh you know just thanks for the presentation but continue to monitor the teachers and and give give those campuses support >> and uh just work on that vertical alignment. Yes sir. And uh I think uh >> and I that's the decision we're trying to make. Mr. Sedna is this the best tool that vertically aligns with all of our other systems to have one system and not multiple. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And and again there thank you for the information Mr. Solano. the implementation it's always
138difficult when you when it's a new program the map and the other one right blue bonnet >> and I and the blue bonnet right and normally takes one or two years because when uh I was principal and Miss Peterson was principal when we [clears throat] went to the block schedule >> you know I tell you what it took one to two years to implement teaching to the block but also teachers learning how to teach to the block and little by little in three years you know at that time and Miss Morales was our facilitator there. uh she took over and of course in three years the scores were there but it took time to implement the new program even though uh teachers didn't want to have a block schedule and now what >> 15 years
139later we still have block schedule and we still continue to do well and especially the high school you know because that's a difficult uh those tests at the at at the high school that's a difficult task you know elementary yes they're difficult but it takes that principal that leadership team to guide them and and and provide whatever they need so they can improve. So, thank you for for your presentation. Uh any other comments? All right, let's continue. Um discussions, possible action for the board of trustees to consider approval of the Longar governance board monitor report for February 2026. [clears throat] >> Make a motion [snorts] to approve. >> I have a motion by Mr. Castillo. >> Second by Dr. Himett to approve the board monitoring report for February 2026. All in favor, please say I.
140I. >> All oppose. Motion carries. >> All right, let's continue to uh [laughter] discussion items. No, >> my fault. My fault. >> Let me go back over number 10. >> I lost my my page here. >> Presentation. Um, available unused property for sale. Uh, Dr. Eva. >> Yes. Good evening, uh, Dr. De, Dr. Diveretta, President Netto, members of the board. Uh, the first slide that you have before you, this is just an update to give you, uh, on the Pete Abrego a egg farm facility. Um, January 26, board approved the sale of the Pete Abdrigo farm facility to the city of Waso for 1,555,000 for 7.6 6 acres. Uh Wesquisd uh signed off to the contract and it was submitted uh to the city last week. We are currently in coordination planning uh between uh
141WestD and the city. We're working on a smooth transition. We're looking at April 1st uh where the city can come in and begin demo on identified areas. Okay. And if you see the slide in front of you, the identified areas would be if you look at the aerial view on the bottom, the identified areas would be the three clustered buildings right to the upper north of that aerial view. You have the facility, which is basically the long elongated one. That would be your FFA building, which is more of a canopy. uh right next to it is going to be the the facility for the steer and right uh to the east of it would be where the swine are held. So we're looking on making those adjustments after March, you know, once they're done with
142a a livestock show, uh they're all their animals are taking and and the events and so forth. So we're looking at April 1st. Our maintenance department is already making arrangements at the equin facility uh to house the swine uh once we move them over. So that is the plan and just wanted to give you an update on that one. Next slide. This one again what we have here is available real estate to consider. Okay, this is unused property for sale. Now no longer necessary for educ educational purposes. That will be up to the board to decide. The language is considered disposal of property if the board uh deems it appropriate moving forward. This is one that we put up for the board to consider. So if you look at this property, this is a property
143west of the Legion BFW and six and it's approximately 1.18 acres. Reason I'm saying approximately because this is more of a Google scale that we're looking at. It hasn't been surveyed. So, uh, this was a property that was, uh, initially discussed with the city. They felt it belonged to them, and this was due to, uh, a deed that hadn't been revised, and that was the reason it had been going back and forth. Um, what are some possible options for this property here? Some possible options could be used as office buildings or apartments, um, or other possibilities that that it could be used for. Next slide. Next slide is another property that's located down bridge and seventh on the bottom. Now that is just a general scale there that can be slightly adjusted because you do
144have some portables uh one of the portables that was removed from there. But if you see where the the parking lot ends and you see the outlets that go into a drainage, of course, that's why it's not moved into closer to the parking area. uh because we do have that drainage there. But that's uh that's approximately 1.11 acres. This is something that a possible option for for this uh area could be office buildings since there's some medical uh facilities located close by and also some medical offices that could be um an appropriate location for some of someone that's interested. And of course you have the aquatic center there and of course our Lewis black campus. Next slide. This was the one that you had mentioned, Mr. Netto. >> Correct. >> Uh this was a property
145that is south of Iara Elementary. Uh this property south of Iara Elementary is approximately 12.6 acres. Now this is a one that can be subdivided into new homes, apartments. Uh and right now that is a large uh uh real estate property that's a that's available and uh that's something also for the board to consider. Next slide. This is one that we're still studying. This was uh I'm sorry. This is one that we're looking at right now as well. This is a parking area north of the old Horton campus. This is also if you look in the middle section of that area, it's approximately 5.1 acres. Uh that's the pavilion located there in the center, that white building. Uh this is something that could be some possible options for this property. Could be some business offices,
146some apartments, some new homes, etc. This is another one that that u can be considered. The next slide is the one that you had mentioned uh Mr. Neto regarding the old Horton campus. >> Correct. This is one that we're still studying. It's still under review. We wanted to go ahead and add it on here because as you can see, there's some highlighted areas there. If you look at the top blue area that's boxed in, uh that's your one that we have to consider condemning. Okay? If you look at the whole property there in yellow, it's approximately 2 acres that's been identified. But you could see what those other areas were being used for. Right now we do have an overflow um of warehouse storage that we're using a lot of those buildings that we have
147in place. Um so one of the condemned buildings of course the campus and also portable building classrooms that are on the far right to the south uh of there. That's another one that could be considered. Again we're studying this option parts of it that need to be condemned. And this is uh one some property that's approximately two acres that could be considered available. Uh that's all I have as far as property uh that wanted to present and give you an update. Any questions? >> Thank you Mr. Glad for the presentation. >> Yes sir. >> Any questions on the property? Uh Dr. >> Have we you know I know one time we had looked into the Buzz Barn area because of the flooding issues that we had in the past there. Does any of the this
148land, you know, have we looked into um maybe utilizing some of this land for for that purpose? >> Not necessarily for that that we've looked at it for the bus barn. I know that was an issue that we had already been studying and looking at that. Um, uh, we've also added a lot of the field dirt that was pulled out of the B Garsa RDF pond that was >> really facilitated to elevate some ground over there in that area for some future growth that we've added to the to the bus barn. >> Wow. >> All right. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Uh, Mr. Benast. >> No, sir. >> Coach, no sir. >> Mr. Los Santos. >> Uh, yes, I do. Um, going back to the slide for the Pavico a farm facility. Um, you
149do have I'm Look, I'm not a professional on FFA or or or that type of area, but I' I've learned enough. Um, one, I'm really glad that we're going to build a new facility because they really really do need it. Uh, those parents and those kids and everything that they put in and give to that. Two, what was it? Market and breed. Breeding. There's two different types of animals. So, you have those that are also breeding as well. Um, they will be needing a place to house their animals and whatnot. I think you might need to take a deeper dive into those students and and initially when this was all talked about selling the Pabrio Old Farm. Um, I really like that location. I didn't really want it, but the city was going to build
150the park. So, that gives back to the community. So, it's a plus. That's a win. It's not going to be commercial or somebody's pocket that's going to make money. Mhm. >> It's giving back to our community, but the facilities weren't going to be touched until after we started new started the new construction. Whenever that time would be and when those facilities are done, then we would hand over ownership to the city. Um I know that one meeting that was discussed only because there's kids that have animals that are considered under the breeding category. So, they're going to be coming back. I don't know. Sometimes these these students get sponsors, sometimes the parents pay for them, right? And you're talking about animals that are thousands of dollars. Um, I'd hate for students that are have animals
151that are sponsored not have a facility to take their animal to. And so if we could just make sure that we survey those parents and or figure out how many are breeding and how many are market. So market gets sold off, they're done at the end of the year. Breeders, they have them for multiple years and they have to house them, feed them and care for them for the next year's competition. So if you could just check that to see how many are going to be affected. >> Yes, sir. The other thing as well too is is also an is a forgot that what it's called but but a potential growth analysis. I know that we're seeing a decline in enrollment. Um, I didn't get a chance to talk about it during that slide, but
152I think an analysis of how many kids are graduating versus how many are coming in and enrolling at the prek, three, four, and kinder level is going to give you a good idea of it's just a generational, you know, our society thing because sometimes you're graduating more kids than you're bringing in. And that's just natural for a lot of school districts because you were talking about different generations. It's like I told people before, those graduates are from 18 years ago. So looking at that, I guess would be a study of our community. Like you know, the the city is expanding in multiple ways, right? Um they're reszoning and then you're seeing a lot of new development and you're seeing old neighborhoods being turned into new ones. Um so what's your plan? Like if we sell
153land that we have that's kind of excess, then what's going to be your plan for later? Like where are you going to buy land buy [clears throat] land or for expansion? And is there any type of analysis or report like that? Okay, >> maybe something something to look at that the board would benefit from. >> That's all I had. Great presentation. Thank you. >> Thank you. So, on the first one, we have included uh Mrs. Gomez and her and her team. They've been part of the discussions and we did communicate to the city that we were going to take care of our students needs first, you know. So, that is was commissioned that the information that was conveyed to them. We've involved them through the whole process. they've actually given us some feedback that this
154is what they can do and um what do they need from us to make sure we get it done at the Ecoin. So, we've been working closely with them and we'll go back and continue studying that 10-year plan that we had when we did the study uh uh just not long ago. So, we'll go back and revisit that uh to to study that analysis a little bit more. >> It might it might be worth getting a new one to Trusty Deanto's point. I know like he stated, there's a a lot of development going on. Mhm. >> Uh the last two weeks on the city side, [snorts] I think they've approved 900 new rooftops of development and those are the only two that I know of. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you for the presentation.
155Any other final comments? [snorts] >> No action on this item. Correct, Dr. >> All right. Let's go. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Gil. >> Let's continue to uh consent items. Item number 11. Any items that uh need to be uh discussed or pulled out? Uh, Dr. H. >> I have none. >> Coach Qua, >> I have none. >> Uh, Mr. Ben Castillo, >> I have none, sir. >> Uh, coach, >> no sir. >> And Mr. Mark Los Santos, >> yes. Uh, consent agenda item number 11 F2. >> 11 F2. >> And then 11 G2D 11 F12 11 F2. Let me find >> I promise the people in the audience won't be long. >> Okay. 11 F2. What was the other one? [laughter] >> G2 >> 11 F2 and 11 G2 D >> D. >>
156Yeah, >> D as in delta. Okay. Uh do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda except for 11F2 and 11 G2D? >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Dr. Heman, second by Coach [clears throat] Qua to approve the consent agendas. Uh except for 11 F2 and 11 G2. Uh any discussion? All in favor, please say I. >> All oppose. Motion carries. Mr. Los Santos 11 11F2 approval of administration ranking recommendation of the proposal received for the bomb phase one HVAC upgrades project at BAZA Middle School and to authorize the administration to negotiate and approve the contract. Uh Mr. Los Santos, >> I just had a questions for Mr. Gatsa, medical Gatsa. Um I wait till you get something. It's not going to be long. Just [snorts] >> Okay.
157Um just questions I guess because this was approved back in December 19, 2023, right? That's what this is stating when this first was first brought up and we're now in 2026. >> Yeah. >> So my first question would be I have a series of questions for you about this topic. But my first question would be is why why such a delay? Well, we're talking about December 19, 2023 to February 2026. uh kind of how did I want [snorts] to learn more about this only so that that way we can continue to improve our method and how we go through the bond and the projects as well and expectations and timelines and etc. So that's why I'm asking you kind of what happened here. >> Yes sir. Uh good evening members of the board. Uh Dr.
158So yeah so the primary uh cost of the delay here was the design the design work. Uh so we worked with the engineer and it it just took that long um try to to get them to to get this uh expedited. Okay. And >> so it's just mainly that. >> So the the the the design and it was the engineer. And so that's that's why there's such a big gap between when we first started this process to now. >> Yes. >> Another question I had also was just the fact that the proposals why was there only two we I don't want to talk about company names, but why was there only two people submitted for this? How did that happen? Like there's only there's a lot of people out there right now with no work.
159Um that's on the commercial and residential side, right? So I'm just curious is how did how did we fall into a position where there was only two people that submitted? Did we was it an online pro submission process? Did we advertise properly? >> Yeah. So we've been following the online bidding process for a while now. Uh and this is all uh electronic that we're receiving all the bids and at the time of of the closing of the bids which uh is very specific and it's all uh provided via the ad and and whatnot that we we place on the paper uh and in the bid package the deadlines and everything then uh the bid uh program uh shuts down right at the on the at the very minute and so uh uh you know sometimes
160they miss the the deadline and miss the date >> or just over didn't even see it out So that's what so that's I just want to confirm. So they this had the normal posting time had all the documentations in place. Every contractor out there had a chance to apply and it was only two submissions and that's it. >> That is correct. And so we do have a a pre- bid conference meeting as well where we invite all the potential biders to to join and ask questions and so forth. So we have a uh a period for questions and answers and we provide that as well and sometimes we just don't get the the the response. >> Okay. And then Okay, that one. >> Got it. >> That one. And then Yes. And the other one.
161Yeah, that's it, sir. Thank you so much. >> 11 G2D approval of budget amendments. >> Yes, correct. That one it was going to be just just the kind of the amendments and the uh it was going to be mostly for band. That's a topic. Was it go east? There's an amendment in there. Uh it's it's sort of a small amount. And I was just curious as far as like our departments as far as where are their budgets at right now and do they have the necessary resources to continue on through the rest of the year. I [snorts] just want to make sure that that's happening there. >> And I think you know uh uh each principal at Westcoay and WOIS, >> right? >> You know because they had they work with the and I guess
162uh >> uh u Mr. I forgot his name >> because um Fernandez, you know, he works I I was looking at you I couldn't remember. Uh Mr. Fernandez works with those uh area. >> That's a good thing, sir. >> Okay. But I think Mr. Fernandez and the two principles can work with them on see uh >> the budget correctly. >> As a board only just want to make sure that those like you know we invest a lot in other sports and other categories and things like that. Just want to make sure that that no offense. I know you're already looking at me, but but uh I'll talk about athletics, but no, but I want to make sure that fine arts also has the funding it needs from the district level that we're appropriating the proper
163funds that there there's no lack or necessary funds for equipment and whatnot, stuff like that. But I have heard some discussion that >> like at ease, I'm going just put it out there, right? Is it that ease that the funding there for for uh instruments, right? The buying new instruments or whatever the case may be. I'd like to know more about that. Okay. >> How does that process work? When do when does that get done? Because we're going to finish up and wrap up this year. So, how long has it been since that that campus has has received funding to go purchase new equipment? And I don't know what that scale that does. That's why I'm kind of curious like uh how do you have that? I don't want to put you on the spot
164either if you don't have those numbers ready. But >> and yet you know and every year uh >> as a principal and as a finance director they request additional money depending on on how many students you have participating in band. Okay. >> You know and and if they have less students well of course the budget is not going to improve increase. Right. Okay. >> So it all depends on on each uh band at each high school. Okay. >> The same thing with academic program I mean athletic program. >> So it's fairly finally you can say it's fairly distributed. Everybody has the resources they need. >> Would you like for me to write >> I would love for you to go to the podium. >> Rhetorical questions or are you inviting? >> No, I'm inviting you
165to the podium. Yes, >> please. I would love to know cuz I just see Yeah. little things and I'm like, well, I'm curious. And then >> order of trustees, Dr. Dvetta, good evening. So, the current aotment that we're on cuz that's the way the budget's broken down, >> right? >> Is $450 a student. >> Okay. >> And that's the same practice that we've had probably since 2010, if not earlier. >> Okay. With all things considered, I think $450 [cough] is not the correct approach. >> With our previous CFO, um I had presented a five-year spending plan that basically was long longitudinal data of everything that we consider non-negotiables. These are meals, transportation, and contest fees. >> Right? >> While he agreed that was the best way to build the budget, that's not the way we
166went. We went with the $450 aotment. My next recommendation is to consider increasing that to maybe $600 a student. >> Okay, >> we're not there yet. So, naturally, there are plenty of shortfalls, unfortunately, not only with the east budget, but also with the high budget as well, especially when dealing with the band. >> Mhm. >> And and that's kind of what I wanted to bring up as far as those funding formulas in theory help with creating a number and plugging it in, but is it addressing the needs real in reality? No. >> We make the needs of the students, they get met, right? but not without creative ways of making those needs met. >> But we could do better. I that's my opinion. I think >> correct >> investment in those areas. So that's why
167I bring up because I know they're gearing up on budgets, contracts, and whatnot. That's [snorts] something big that we have to look at as far as too is the ratio if they're going to do by dispersement per student like you said. >> Correct. >> Okay. But we also have to look at increasing that too because I'd like to compare the ratio of dispersment by students like say in athletics versus like say fine arts and some of the other departments and see if they fall within a similar close range. We've had some very promising conversations about other areas where revenue is being generated by both athletics and fine arts and being able to use those uh revenues for other expenditures like our marching band season, uh show props, um things of that nature that require additional
168funding on top of those non-negotiables that were mentioned. So hopefully something will come [snorts] to fruition that we can bring and and present to show you the um the remedies that are being provided for some of the shortfalls that we do encounter. Oh, thank you, sir. >> But but I do want to make it clear for the board and also for the community that the students needs are always met. It's just the creative ways we have to go about doing it that I'm sure cause a lot of um uncertainty with our directors as we move through these uh month-to-month expenditures. >> And and as we continue with the audit, you know, and we have available money, I know Dr. Vetta will work with you with the finance program to provide, you know, the additional funding
169if if it's available, you know, again, [clears throat] it all depends. Correct. Correct. >> Okay. Uh any other comments on those two items? [clears throat] >> Do I have a motion to approve those two? >> Motion. >> Okay. We have a motion by uh Mr. Ben Castillo. >> Second by Mr. Eddie Serna. >> I'm just going to abstain from 11 F2. >> Okay. Let the record reflect that Mr. Mark de los Santos will abstain from 11 F2. You said, right? >> Yes, sir. >> All in favor, please say I. I. >> All oppose. Motion carries. Let's continue. Okay. Discuss >> discussion items item 12 update on trainings conferences events and consider future agenda item request for by the board of trustees. Dr. Vetta >> yes uh two items the lonear is scheduled [clears throat] on
170Friday on Friday of next week. >> Correct. >> And then [snorts] there's two level three parent grievances. >> Correct. >> And then I bet will poll the board as to when you want to hear these two. >> Okay. Which one? This one. >> This is just for discussion or action, right? >> Yeah. >> 13 A 13B. >> No, 12 A. 12 A. >> Did we talk about 12 discussion items? >> Yeah, that's 12. >> 12 A. >> 12A. >> I'm [clears throat] sorry. >> I have a question. We We're having board meetings every month. Correct. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Any comments on these two? >> No action. There's no action. So, >> just >> Oh, level two grievances. Parent grievances. >> Yeah. Uh, that's the one that I think I don't [snorts] know who
171I saw an email from. I think she's not here. I don't want to quote her, but um on how we're going to develop that um I don't >> it's on the one of the discussion items. >> Oh, it is. Okay, perfect. Never mind. >> Okay. Uh item 13, discussion possible action 13A discussion possible action to [clears throat] nominate a candidate via resolution for a vacant uh appointed director seat for the Hedago County Appraisal uh district. Dr. Va. >> Yes. Eddie Vancort passed away. >> Correct. >> So now we'll need a motion from the board if you want to nominate anyone for this vacant position. >> And and again here uh I took the liberty to uh ask around who uh somebody wanted to nominate and the [snorts] only one that I've uh received uh information
172from was uh David Hernandez. Uh he uh is the business owner for Holiday in uh uh liquor and whatever. And uh I didn't receive any other names. Now, some of some of you received that, you know. [clears throat] >> I um I also checked on and his name was mentioned. He used to be on the uh on the board before. >> So, he's got experience. >> Okay. Uh Dr. Haime, anybody? >> No, >> Mr. Ben Castile. >> Yes. I I I'm would like to nominate David Hernandez and Luis Alamia. >> And who? >> Luis Alamia. Is he from Edinburgh? Uh >> yes, he's a board member in Edinburgh. He told me that he'd be interested in it. >> Okay. Uh Coa. >> No. Luis Alamia and Mr. David Mr. Mark Santos. I'm >> a little
173confused. Could you kind of break down as far as who are we recommen who are we nominating? >> One person. >> No, you can nominate. >> You can nominate you can nominate both of them and the final vote will come from the uh the uh their department the appraisal district. >> Okay. Well, we have both of those work. Yes. >> Okay. So, Mr. Ben Castile, you had the motion. >> Yes. For David Hernandez and Lis Salam. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> Second by Coa. So, those are the two nominees. Uh, any other discussion? All in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> All oppose. [clears throat] >> Motion carries. >> All right, let's continue. Item uh 13B, a discussion of possible action for the board of trustees to establish a board
174grievance committee for level three appeals. Dr. V. >> Yes. If the board wants to, now this is DGBA local. If the board wants to, you can designate three instead of all seven and then these three board members, then you you would select Mr. You would [clears throat] select the three and then we'd have 30 days to respond to the to the grievance. So, if you want to [snorts] go this route, are you going to stay the old way and have all seven of you participate? >> Okay. I thought I thought about recommend this one. >> Okay. The three >> the three and and uh I uh when I send the agenda items discussion to each one of you, you know, uh a couple of you responded that you would be part wanted to be part
175of the committee. And so for the first round, this is what I'm proposing. So that way uh each one of you understand it'll be myself and two others and an alternate. and then after say 6 months it'll be the next three with myself as and one person as an alternate what I have right now and who reached out to me uh Mr. Ben Castillo he would uh agree that he would be uh [snorts] part of the uh first group and then of course coach Coy also agreed and Dr. Haime said it's an alternate so the first one will be us three and Dr. Dr. Haime is the alternate in case one of us cannot be there he can be there. All right. Coach Quar has been uh can take over and say for example I
176cannot be there. Coach Quay can be the person the spokesman but Dr. Haime would be uh coming in. I know Dr. Haime is very uh well he works a lot you know or he has to visit his sons too. So and uh I know Mr. Mark Los Santos mentioned that he can only meet after 5:00. Correct. Right. So the [snorts] second group will be myself, uh, Corsenna or Mr. Los Santos or Jackie. So we I can we can decide on that if you want to be part of the committee on the second round. >> I um are you opening it up for comments? >> Yes, of course. >> Um I I don't know. I just I for me I think it's um something I I feel more comfortable with as a trustee, especially for parents,
177right? because these are parents who are coming in from all different parts of the community [snorts] and and [clears throat and cough] the expectation for me is to show up, right? I think that's kind of the what I signed up for as far as my my my service, right? That my I'm here to serve. I just think that why I think I would just love it to be open. Like if you can get all seven here, then great. If five show up, fine. If you only show up that time, I think that'd be good. only just for I don't want to fall into a position where a parent's going to say, "Well, it was because the Los Santos and it was nto and Rodriguez were there only and I and whatever the case. It's a
178fairness, right, for whoever shows up shows up." I think like that way you eliminate that process saying, "Well, it didn't work my way because those three were there and and I have an issue with them or whatever the case may be." I'm just thinking about the future and issues that you could have with parents. And I think after the first round, you'll see uh what we need to change, you know, after uh the first round with three >> uh and and the reason I uh Mr. Ben Castillo uh agreed [clears throat] because of course he has a lot of uh expertise in in school law. So that would make it easier for me uh to have that uh grievance and of course coach Kra being in there too and if one of us couldn't be
179then Dr. Hime would be the alternate for that first round. >> Let me ask what sparked the change. Maybe I missed summer. I missed it some. >> It came for the state. >> So I I could explain this if that's okay. >> Go ahead, Mr. Gil. >> So uh there's a new statute and the education code with respect to grievances. We have to follow timelines. Uh all of our timelines are going to change. Uh but as a way to kind of help boards with that because now you have to hear level three grievances within a certain timeline. I believe it's 60 days. Uh, and so to the the state is allowing us to create a committee as opposed to trying to get a whole or at least a quorum, right? Because now we have that
18060-day notice. I'm open to leaving it the way it is, but just know once we get level uh level three appeals, they have to be heard within 60 days for us to be in compliance with the statute. >> This this is not a bad idea because it would allow for us to do that without having to call a meeting and getting three board members, correct, available. Uh, and so I'm I'm good with whatever the board wants to do. This is just a way for us to make sure that we don't miss that 60-day deadline. >> Dr. What's What would be your recommendation on this? [snorts] >> I like the recommendation. >> Three. >> Okay. >> I would [clears throat] any any more want to come was four or five? >> I would prefer to leave
181it all seven of us. >> We can vote with it. It's up. It's >> Yeah, because I can still show up if I want to. Like if I want to participate, it's not like I'm not include I'm not allowed to. Like you say, hey, well, it's us three, but I'm saying I can make it and I want to be there. We can like like Mr. >> Are we open to that? >> Right. Like coach. >> Well, yeah. I would say I think that's a a good middle ground, right? Where we could do [clears throat] this committee, but if you have more than a quorum that want to show up, we just post it as a board meeting. >> Ex right that's when the with three, you don't have to post it. >> We have more
182than three after. >> We would do this after five. Right. >> Right. Yes. >> 5:30. uh depending on them on the griev >> I think I think leaving it like that like you were saying all seven of us could show if you wanted to and if not if we can't then just three or four show up >> okay >> I think it leaves it open as far as for for for fairness equity across the board and also across trustees right that that can participate or not participate >> that that makes it easier for me because I won't have to be at every single [laughter] one >> exactly correct yes >> that's fine if that's what you all want to do >> so if I can if I can make a motion sir >> uh I'll
183make a motion to create the level three the grievance committee but uh in the event that there are more than a quorum that are available to show up we just post it as a regular meeting >> okay we have a sec do I have a second >> second >> we have a second by Dr. Hime so we have a motion by Mr. Castillo second by Dr. behind me. Any other discussion? >> So now uh just [clears throat] to refresh your memory, I don't have to be there at some of those. So you all will have to be, you know, take over, you know. Uh >> see. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. It kind of it kind of frees it up for you too and schedules and commitments and whatnot. >> Okay. >> It's fair. >>
184All in favor, please say I. >> All oppose. Motion carries. >> All right. All right, let's continue to [clears throat] 13. Uh D >> C. >> No, no, my fault. C discussion of possible action for the board of trustes to approve the purchase and installation of threep point C bills on district-owned school buses in compliance with Texas transportation code 54770. Dr. Sen [clears throat and cough] Senate Bill 546 now requires the threepoint seat belts by September 2029. I'm happy to report that all our buses have the seat belts already [clears throat and cough] with the exception of one bus not in compliance and the cost is $25,000 to get this one in compliance. Recommending approval. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> We have a motion by coach and second by Mr. Ben Castillo. Correct.
185Yes, sir. >> Any other discussion? All in favor, please say I. I. I. >> All oppose. Motion carries. Discussion of possible action for the board of trustees to adopt or reject the resolution regarding a period of prayer and reading a [clears throat] religious text during the school day. Dr. Ia. >> Yes, we we pled the principles and according to the count 13 are against the resolution and five or four. So 13 want to don't want to have the prayer and the religious during the school day. So, it's up to the board. >> I could explain this one, too. I've been dealing with it for the last two weeks. So, Senate Bill 11 is a statutory framework that allows for schools to officially designate uh a prayer time. Can't be during instruction. Has to be non-instructional
186time. So, either in the morning or the afternoon. >> Correct. >> Uh also, there's a bunch of local campus administrator and teacher requirements. For example, we would need to [snorts] get waivers from every student and every employee that would want to participate. We have to maintain a database. We have to the campus principal and the teachers would have to be aware of who has those waivers and who doesn't because if we do move forward with this, we would have to have a separate area in the campus and make sure that nobody who doesn't have a waiver is not within earshot. And so [snorts] I can tell you that most districts, although they are for prayer, which we already have, >> yes, >> clubs and and schools and stuff uh that allow for prayer, are opting
187out of these specific procedures. We don't need a resolution to opt out. We only need a resolution if we're going in. And so I I agree with what the other school districts are doing for the mere fact, not because I'm against prayer, but because I don't want our principles or teachers at the campus level to have to do uh extra work to make sure that we're in compliance with Senate Bill 11. And we already have other avenues uh that allow for any student or any employee to pray specifically whenever they want. There's no specific time period for it. Uh so that's >> and this and this won't affect what we already have in place. Correct. >> And and and I'll continue with Mr. Benio as proposed. It might be it must be its own period
188of prayer. >> Yes. >> Uh it can't it can't happen during instructional time. You mentioned that it [snorts] will require supervision by staff assigned as additional duty outside of working hours with no additional funding from the state to allow for extra duty pay. So those teachers have have to volunteer. Number four, [snorts] ensuring that all beliefs are respected equally can be a difficult practice. And number five, the issue is not that I don't want prayer. It's more the administrative hurdles in scheduling around academic time, [snorts] identifying appropriate spaces, handling the required consent paperwork that you mentioned, and ensuring that nonparticipants are not affected. >> Yeah. >> So, you know, uh very similar to what what what you said, Mr. Castile. [snorts] >> So, do I have a motion? Uh either way, >> I I would
189make a motion to opt out, but not by resolution, just by roll call vote. It has to be a roll call vote. >> Yes, sir. It has to be a roll call. Uh do I have a second? >> I I'll second that. >> Okay, Coach Gr is second. So [snorts] we're gonna the resolution is to opt out. Correct. Mr. Ben Castile. >> No resolution. Just opt out. >> Just opt out. So we're gonna have to do take it a individual vote. Uh in favor or against? Uh Mr. Dr. Haime. >> Hi. >> Okay. Coach Greer. >> I to the u the motion. Okay. Mr. Ben Castillo. Hi. >> And Mr. Eddie Serna. Hi. >> And Mr. Mark Santos. Hi. >> And I go with the I2. So it's uh unanimous. All right, >> took out
190my crucifix. >> 13. >> Discussion is possible action for the board of trustees to approve the administration's ranking recommendation of the proposal received for the construction of the new egg farm facility project [clears throat] uh and to authorize the administration to negotiate and approve the contract. Dr. >> Yes. On your backup, you have the six firms that had a proposal. The committee ranked them and they ranked number one, Summit Building and Design for 13,553. That's that's that's our recommendation. [snorts] >> Is it open for questions? >> After we put it for motion, then we can discuss. Yeah. >> What's your recommendations, Dr. Number one, summit building and design. >> Okay. >> Committee recommended them is number one. >> Do I have a motion uh to approve that? >> I [snorts] a motion by coach. Second.
191>> I'll second that. >> We have a second from Dr. H. Now we have discussion. Mr. Los Santos. [snorts] >> Is first I have a series of questions here. Um I didn't follow I made it almost through all the agenda. Uh I've been very busy. But this this item here, I just want to confirm this is for a design build or this is already to approve the construction contractor for construction. >> It's competitive seal. >> Competitive seal proposal contract. >> But you already received it, right? The CSP. That's what we're looking at. We already received a proposal. >> Yes, there were six firms. >> My question is cuz I only missed I missed September and I missed November. Those are the only meetings I missed. When did we have a presentation on by the by
192the architect on the act form? [clears throat] Like what what month [cough] what month did we have a presentation to the board on the on the presentation? Did I miss it? >> I'll have to go back and check >> because I have questions like I don't know the price per square foot. I don't know what the facility looks like. I don't know what the plans are. I don't know how many pens, parking spots. >> Yeah, I don't think we ever seen a design. I know that we authorized them to go out for big, but I don't think we ever saw a design. I don't think we and every I've been here five years. Every time we have construction going on, we [snorts] have a presentation to the community. I mean to the board, which is
193that's why I say the community. I I know I missed two meetings. I went back and looked in the I didn't see any and that's why I'm asking when when did you have the architect come and present to the board on the facility because like I said, I have questions like what's the per square foot cost? I mean, how much how many square footage is heated and cooled and how many is not? You know, what's it even made out of? What does it look like? Can can uh Mr. Sua, can we have a presentation after we uh we have a motion right now? So, if we approve it, can we have a presentation? Because this is the low bid. Correct. Right. >> Well, why? I know, sir. But what I'm saying is it's like me.
194I I blew houses, right? It's like me having a a customer come and sign for a 400,000t house that doesn't even know what it looks like. Like like I'm a trustee here. I can't approve something. I don't even know what it looks like. Like it's a $14 million project, but am I at 350 a square foot, 400, 700 a square foot? How many square footage is the building? Like we've never done this before. >> But didn't we have a committee for uh that? Uh >> so so we did have the staff at Kate involved and all the instructors. >> That's normal. Yeah. >> Yes. But but we did have a board presentation on the from the architect on the design and what the cost is. Right. I see you're shaking your head. No. Right. I
195don't think we did. Uh, not unless I missed it, but no, >> not on the actual design. >> So, to my trustees, what I'm trying to say is you're going to approve a $14 million project that you have no idea what it looks like. We I I I know this is timesensitive because I want them to have their act form, too. But we still have to be transparent and follow process and it's our due diligence to ask questions, right? So, nothing on you, but but you've presented in the past to us the design. >> Would you like to have a presentation at the next board meeting? I would like to table I would like to table the item and then have a workshop so that we can look at it. Did we even have input
196from from from from the from the parents? Did we call in parents and that are participating and survey them? >> I know usually in the past you had input from the staff that works directly with it CTE and the ACT teachers. Correct. Then you'd also have students you'd have parents do a committee. You'd present to the board in a presentation. >> And that's what I'm trying to say. Right. This item is on the agenda item. Right. >> Correct. and and and this is not how anyone does business in the real Grand Valley. Nobody. Nobody. And you have someone here who has a lot of experience with other districts. We cannot approve a project that we have no idea what it looks like. >> Okay. So, you wanted to >> I want to table the item.
197>> Motion to table it and then >> call for a workshop. >> Correct. >> And then that way we can bring it for for an approval. >> That's right. So, >> now now just real quick, this this didn't get approved I mean by yourself, right? we had input from your egg teachers and people who know about a farms and and buildings and facilities. >> We're involved every step of the way >> cuz I have no idea um you know about a egg a uh buildings you know so I you know I mean I I know we're we're trying to pass this here this motion you know and for me you know I mean you know more about construction if you feel more comfortable you know having your voice on it then I'm okay with it
198but you know at the same time >> I'm just saying we don't even know what the price per square foot is. Well, but that's that's something that's where you know that >> do you know what it is? >> I have that information not off the top of my head, but I have all those numbers. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. And I'm sure you do, but the public doesn't know. It's not our money. It's It's not your money either or the teachers. It's the public. That's what I'm just saying. I'm not trying to be the negative person here, but I don't even know what it looks like. If I approve a $14 million construction project today and the public asked me, is it made out of wood, brick, or mud? I wouldn't be able to
199answer it. Okay. >> I'm a trustee. That's why we have a committee that looks at that. >> I know there's a committee, but yet we're trustees. We're the representation of the community. >> Okay. So, >> and if you get asked what it looks like, you should say like a [snorts] DISD, they have a website, they [clears throat] have schematics, they have these things that are uh that are provided. >> Correct. So, that's just going to delay the you mentioned about, you know, parents and having uh readers and [clears throat] whatever. So that's just him. I'm saying is that I I before I sign off to spend $14 million, I need to know what it looks like. >> I think >> I'm not a designer, so I wouldn't want to >> or at least be able
200to trustee to say, "Yeah, you know what? Comparables, you know, what are we paying per square foot?" >> Okay, our motion was to approve it. >> Approve >> correct by coach and second by Dr. He. >> So we [clears throat] have a motion on the floor to approve it. I would say if we could amend it and tabled it just so we can have a workshop or have more information as far as what we're paying for. >> Uh after the vote we can uh discuss that >> because we have a motion already. Motion and second to approve. Uh all in favor please say I >> I >> Okay. And opposed? >> All oppose? >> No. >> I >> Okay. I dice. >> Yeah. So I'll make a motion to table so we can get a
201presentation. >> Okay. >> That'll work. Yes. So we have a motion by to table from Mr. Ben Castillo. Second by Coerna. Sorry. >> Okay. All in favor for that motion. >> I >> Okay. Motion passes. >> So Dr. at the next uh board uh meeting uh you'll have a board workshop before >> presentation. Hopefully not at uh >> now Mr. Will it would it be several companies or just that particular >> or the architect? Well, no. This will just be the design. >> Yeah, there will be just a design. >> Okay. >> Yes. So, that way they can get uh give us a design uh uh >> a breakdown of what we're looking at and and hopefully just comparables as well too. Like you can I mean anything you can chat GBT anything nowadays. So,
202just a comparable. What do we pay per square footage? How many square footage do we have? HVAC versus non-Hback. Those type of things and what's it made out of? >> Okay. >> You know, what's it look like? >> All right, let's move forward. Any other things right here? All right, let's continue on to let me go back. >> And we're at close meeting already, right? Dr. >> Yes, >> close meeting. Uh 14A, personal matters discussion regarding superintendent recommendation of contracts for certified professional, non-ertified professional and non-contractual p uh per person personnel. 1482 discussion regarding resinations retirements of certified professional non-ertified professional and non-contractual person personnel uh pending or contemplative litigation uh settlement offer or matter in which the duty of the attorney of the Westco Independent School District under the Texas disciplinary rules of professional
203conduct of the state of Texas clearly clearly conflicts with chapter 551 of the Texas government code 551071. [snorts] It is 8:12 and we will go into executive session. We come in and open meeting >> possible action uh if necessary on items discussing closed meeting. 158 discussion of possible action regarding superintendent recommendation of contracts for certified professional non-certified professional and non-contractual personnel. Dr. Vida >> recommend approval. >> Move to approve. I have a motion by coach gu second by Dr. Hime. Uh any discussion? >> All in favor please say I. >> I. >> Uh all oppose. Motion carries. 1582. Discussion possible action regarding resonations retirements or of certified professional non-ertified professional and non-contractual non-contractual personnel. Dr. Va >> you have the list. Recommended approval. >> Move to approve. >> Approve. >> Motion by uh coach. >>
204Second by Mr. Ben Castillo and >> Congratulations to all. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose. Motion carries. Ajournment. >> So move. >> Is 8:27 and we move >> after a good meeting of there. >> No.