001Good evening. I'm Soledad President of Weslaco ISD School Board of Trustees. This regular board meeting is being conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. Notice that this meeting has been posted online for at least three business days prior to the meeting date. The time now is 5:33 p.m. and I will call this meeting to order. I will begin uh roll call. Dr. Jaime Rodriguez Present. Coach Armando Cuellar Present. Mr. Ben Castillo Present. Mr. Eddie Serna Present. >> And Mr. Mark de los Santos Present. And myself, Jackie Sue Saenz. Oh, right here. Perfect timing. Mrs. Jackie Jackie Sue Saenz Present. Invocation, Dr. Rivera. Yes, Mr. Chairman. On the Tuesday Mr. Elias. Thank you. Uh good evening everyone. Would you please bow your heads? Gentlemen, if you're wearing a hat, would you please uh be
002so kind to remove it in reverence to the Lord. Uh let us pray. Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, how great and mighty you are. There is no one like you. Thank you for the gift of life, health, family, friends, strength, and ability to work to provide for our families. We thank you for the joyous spirit that Christmas brings to the hearts of those around us. We rejoice in your humble birth in a lowly manger to bring light and salvation to us all. The greatest gift that Christmas brings is your love towards each of us. Father, as is always our petition, we ask uh you to continue to bless and grant greater wisdom to our superintendent, Dr. Richard Rivera, and our board. May your will be done in our board meetings. Help us always to
003maintain integrity in what you have left in our care. Help us always to be focused on the betterment of boys and girls in Weslaco ISD. Bless our administrators and teachers with wisdom, integrity, patience, the physical and mental strength, and rest as this first half of the year ends and the second begins. Above all, bless our students with divine protection, physical and mental health, and providence. May their homes and our classrooms be filled with love and support not only in Christmas, but every day of the year. Please [snorts] allow all of our staff and students to return back to school safely at the end of the holidays. We ask you all this in your precious and mighty name of Jesus. And everyone says, "Amen." >> Amen. Thank you, Mr. Trevino. Pledge of allegiance and Texas pledge.
004Good evening. At this time, we'd ask everyone to please stand, place their right hand over their 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. Buttimer. Number five, awards and recognitions and proclamations, Dr. Rivera. We have several. Yes, good evening. Dr. Rivera, Mr. Board President, members of the board, we have a lot to celebrate tonight and a lot of recognition, so let's get right to it. First, we're going to start
005off and we have some members of the Knapp Medical excuse me, Knapp Community Cares Foundation to step up along with some FCCLA students. Since 2015, Weslaco High School Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America members have served a dedicated community advocates leading the way in Adopt-A-Park initiative in partnership with the City of Weslaco. This evening, Weslaco High is proud to announce that the Knapp Community Cares Foundation has awarded the FCCLA charter with $59,732 and 50 cents in funding to build a toddler playscape at Gibson Park. This marks the fourth consecutive year that KCCF has invested in Weslaco High supporting its mission to strengthen the health and well-being of the Mid-Valley. Joining us tonight for the check presentation from the Knapp Community Cares Foundation are Ms. Millie Hernandez, Director of Grants and Programs, Ms. Christina Yepez,
006Grant Specialist. We also have Dr. Paula Garcia, Board Chair. With us also is Monse Montalvo, Board Chair. I'm sorry, Board member. Congratulations to Weslaco High School and our outstanding FCCLA members on this incredible achievement. Your commitment to service continues to make a lasting impact on our community of Weslaco. Let's give them a round of applause. >> [applause] >> We'd also like to recognize the students of these parents if they are or the uh I'm sorry, the parents of these students if they are here, can they please stand and be recognized? >> [applause] >> All right, congratulations. >> [clears throat] >> Up next, we have our next group of students and tonight we want to congratulate several members of the Weslaco High School Mariachi Tecuanes and Weslaco High School Mariachi Pantera. Let's give them a round
007of applause as they enter the room. >> [applause] [applause] >> Tonight, we want to congratulate members of the Weslaco East High School Mariachi Tecuanes and Weslaco High School Mariachi Pantera who auditioned for and placed in the all-region area and state ensembles for the Texas Music Educators Association. Only the top mariachi students are selected for each instrument out of hundreds across the valley to comprise the all-region mariachi. At area, hundreds of students from across the state uh record a performance that is sent to a panel of judges. And we are proud to announce that Edward de Alba, representing Mariachi Tecuanes, was selected an all-state alternate. And Ismael Castillo from Mariachi Pantera was selected to the all-state mariachi earning first chair in guitar. Congratulations, students. >> [applause] [applause] >> And if the parents are here, can they
008please stand and be recognized, parents? >> [applause] >> Once again, let's give them a round of applause. Congratulations, students. >> [applause] >> Okay, up next, let's uh bring our next group into the room. How about a round of applause for our all-state academic athletes for THE FALL? >> [applause] >> TONIGHT, WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE several high school athletes who were recently named to the academic all-state teams. These academic all-state lists recognize high school athletes for their academic excellence in GPA, class rank, and ACT and SAT scores. We honor these students who perform with the highest academic excellence on and off the field, the court, and yes, even the swimming pool as well. So, congratulations to the cross country, volleyball, water polo, and we also have some football athletes that are here as well for their
009academic success. Let's give them a round of applause. >> [applause] >> And parents, if you're here, can you please stand and be recognized, parents? >> [applause] [applause] >> All right, here we go. Everybody stand straight. Here we go. One, two, three. One more. Last one. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Congratulations. Um Oh, okay. All right, so Yeah, yeah. >> Up next, we'd like to recognize the Weslaco High School Panther football team. How about a big hand as they enter the room? >> [applause] >> Go ahead and line up. >> [applause] [applause] >> Well, tonight we want to congratulate the Weslaco High School Panther football team. The Panthers recently captured the 31-6A district championship title with an undefeated district record. They A round OF APPLAUSE, PLEASE. >> [applause] >> THE FOOTBALL TEAM ALSO WENT ON TO
010WIN THE bi-district title and finished the season with a 9 and 3 record overall. This is the fourth consecutive year the Panthers advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Several team members also earned post-season distinctions. So, congratulations to them and head coach Roy Stroman. How about a round of applause? >> [applause] [applause] >> All right. And parents, if you're here, can you please stand and be recognized? How about a round of applause for our parents? >> [applause] [applause] >> All right. You all want to turn around and give them a >> [applause] >> shake their hand. >> [clears throat] [snorts] >> Coach Cardenas, may I know it? Congratulations. >> [clears throat] >> You have proclamation next. You have proclamation. >> Proclamation. Go ahead. All right. We also have a proclamation, and this one is
011for you all. This is for the school board recognition month, which will be in January. Let me read this for you guys, okay? Whereas the mission of public schools is to meet the educational needs of all children and to empower them to become competent, productive contributors to a democratic society and an ever-changing world. And whereas local board members are elected by their community members to do what's best for students. And whereas local school board members work closely with parents, educational professionals, and other community members to create the educational vision we want for our students. And whereas local school board members are responsible for ensuring the structure that provides a solid foundation for our school system. And whereas local school board members are strong advocates for public education and are responsible for communicating the needs of
012the school district to the public and the public's expectation to the district. Therefore, Dr. Richard Rivera, Superintendent of Schools for Weslaco ISD, does hereby proclaim January 2026 as School Board Recognition Month. Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Any comments for all the recipients? Mrs. Zotaita, anything for the parents or for all the academic achievements, of course the football team uh It's amazing to see so many kids being academically successful and athletically successful, cuz you know, doing both, I know [clears throat] I have my kids and that when we went through high school ourselves, keeping up with your grades and your homework, also going to practice, it's not easy. So, I'm just very super proud of all the kids and keep up the great work, coaches. We appreciate everything you're doing with them. And parents
013also, thank you. Dr. Jaime. Yes, same, you know, especially with the kids and the students, you know, being well-rounded and and to the parents, cuz I know it takes a lot for the parents to also be involved with the with the students. And thank you and congratulations. Coach Guerra. I I agree with everything you're saying, you know, it's a it's amazing to look at all the positive things that are going on. And uh you know, when you come to Weslaco ISD, the opportunities presented to each and every individual, if you take those opportunities, it's just only going to make you stronger and better prepared [clears throat] for what's ahead when you finish high school. So, keep doing a great job. I commend everybody for the for their excellence and and we're here to support your
014continued success. So, thank you very much. Mr. Castillo. Uh yes, just congratulations to all students and parents uh you know, representing Weslaco ISD well and making all of us proud. I also want to throw a shout-out to the Knapp Community Care Foundation folks. That was a big check they presented. So, thank you. >> Thank you thank you to them as well for supporting the district and uh just congratulations to all. Coach Arena. Yeah, same thing. A lot of the same, but uh good to see multi-sport athletes and and multi-sports getting academic uh uh all-state recognition. It it goes a long way and and it just proves that, you know, we have great athletes and and very good academic uh scholars as well. So, coaches, I congratulate you for the effort you put forward in in
015nominating them, cuz it does take a little effort there. So, again, it's all for the betterment of the kids and for our school. So, I I it's happy to see that. Also, all the effort again that parents put into it. Um just we I think most of us up here have been through that. So, we we recognize the parents as well. Mr. I echo what Ben said about Knapp. Good job, Knapp. >> Oh, yes, definitely. Mr. Lozano. Yes, it's a that's a difficult to be in last. Everybody has has stated a lot, but I'm going to reiterate that congratulations to all the athletes, all the parents as well, too, because they play a big role as well as as well as the educators as well, following up with them and working with them and keeping
016them on track. There's just so many great things going on, so it's amazing to see, cuz it's one of many things that you see here at WISD. So, that was really great to see tonight. And congratulations to all of them as well. Thank you. Thank you. Of course, congratulations to all the parents and the students, but also to uh Coach Stroman, since he's here, for the four years that he's been in the playoffs. So, like he always says, he's going to he's going to reload for next year. Correct, Coach Stroman? All right. So. >> [applause] >> Thank you, board members, for the comment positive comments, and we'll continue with our board meeting. Public comments, Dr. Rivera. There are two. There are two. Eddie Albert. Please step up here to the podium. I will have Dr.
017Jaime read some guidelines to follow, and after that he he will state your name and your address. Thank you. You can go and state your name and address, sir. My name is Eddie Albert. I'm at 201 Johnson Circle in Weslaco. Thank you. So, let me just read this script briefly, okay? Pursuant to the Texas Open Meetings Act, the board of trustees may not deliberate on any comment made by a member of the public on a subject that is not included on the agenda posted with notice of this meeting. As per the Texas Attorney General, the scope of board discussion for a subject not part of the the meeting agenda is limited to only a proposal by a board member to place the subject on a future board agenda. Specific factual information or recitation of existing
018policy may be furnished in response to inquiries, but the board shall not deliberate or decide regarding any subject that is not included on the agenda posted with notice of the meeting. Audience participation at a board meeting is limited to a to the portion of the meeting designated for that purpose. At all other times during a board meeting, the audience shall not enter into discussion or debate on matters being considered by the board unless recognized by the presiding officer. No public comment presentation shall exceed 3 minutes. Any disruptive behavior by any speaker may result in the speaker's removal from participation in the meeting. Please be mindful of using names or personally identifiable information, as there is no immunity from from defamatory comments for participating in public comments. You'll have 3 minutes, and I'll start the timer
019when you when you begin your presentation, sir. Thank you. Uh that made my presentation very brief. Um I I did want to point out that um I'm with VFW Post 12178, which is a the local Veterans of Foreign War. And I apologize for saying that, because I have met people in town who did not know what VFW stood for. Um uh I've got a meeting scheduled later in the week, so I'll I'll leave most of that stuff for that. Uh but I did want to point out that we have annually given away a scholarship to uh students of uh local high schools and media uh middle schools, Voice of Democracy and called Patriot Pen. And um we're looking forward to that becoming more publicly aware and getting a bigger response next year even than this
020year. Um unfortunately uh the district winner was not from Weslaco this year, but um we did get get some fine entries and I'm really thankful for that. Uh we are strong proponents of the JROTC programs and we go to any and all uh community events that uh involve anything to do with veteran work or needs and students involved with patriotism. And um that will conclude my comments for today. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Thank you. I believe we only had one. Same, correct? It's the same person. It's a for VFW post. Yeah, just the first page. All right, we'll continue. Number seven, superintendent's report, Dr. Rivera. Yes, I have a few slides, not not many this month. And let me start with the enrollment and staffing. As I informed the board uh
021the enrollment were less than last year. And this is this is concerning, but it's not just Weslaco ISD. I think the whole valley, whole state is experiencing this. So, the impact on the budget is about 2,500,000. Uh on A, last year's ADA was set at 14,500. The final was 14,434. So, we had a deficit of 561,000. dollars. This school year, the same thing. The budget is set at 14,500. As of the second 6 weeks, we're 14 we're 14 we're a little bit low this at uh at 14,511. So, we'll see how it goes out uh for the rest of the year. The principals are doing a very good job with the ADA. What's knocking us down is just the enrollment. Also, for next year, as I have mentioned, we're going to be hit the impact
022of vouchers and virtual schools. So, we have to be ready for this. And our goal is is to let our kids know, "Okay, we're we're number one and we don't want them leaving anywhere else." And because of the enrollment uh through attrition, there has to be a decline in in our teachers or staff and administrators again through through attrition. On page two, I want to report the demolition of the old Central Middle School gym. And I think many of you when you were in high school, you probably practiced or played basketball in this gym. So, it's about 80 years old. And right now it's in in bad condition. So, the board already approved the demolition and we should have this ready around February. And the plan is with the bond election to build a new
023cafeteria at that site. And again, the funding was the bond election and um it hasn't been used in many many years, so it's just it's just an eyesore. So, it needs to go down. On page three, I'm happy to report >> [clears throat] >> that with our bond election, we're building a new ag farm. And the completion should be in a year, January 2027. The city is very much interested in buying this property. And what they want to do, they want to go ahead and add a fire and police substation. I met with the city last week and we're all very excited and we're ready to go. And again, this fire police station will be a big benefit to Weslaco ISD and to the community. We're not sure yet on the on what it's appraised
024for, but it's 7.6 acres. So, I will get back to the board as we finalize and we're able to sell this to the city and again, it's a very very good purpose for it. On page four, >> [clears throat] >> this is a concern to me, our self-funded health insurance. And I mentioned this to the board. Compared as you can see, compared to last year, the claims, RX, and the total on the claims, we we are at a minus almost 1.5 million. And on the RX, almost half a million. The total is almost 2 million dollars. So, this is just for this is just for 3 months. On the average, we spend about 2 million dollars per month. So, on the bottom, you can see well, you can see the funding, the 22 million. Last
025year, we added 1.3 to the budget. And uh again, the balance as of right now is about 15.6 million. But again, we're spending about 2 million 2 million per month. On A, the last year the the insurance budget had a deficit of 1.2 that we had to pay from fund balance. On B, the projected for this school year is a deficit of 4 million that we'll pay from fund balance. So, this is alarming to me because now it's almost over 5 million dollars that we paid from fund balance. And then for next year, if we continue the trend, it's also going to be if we don't have enough budgeted, also money from fund balance for this project. Uh I just want to say that that myself and the board this year and past years, we
026provided a very good health insurance plan. But we'll have to study this in the spring to see we want to make some adjustments because because we cannot continue uh having a deficit and having to pay this from fund balance. So again, we will continue. I know that Mr. Benavidez mentioned on the RX possibilities, so we're studying everything to see if we can lower the cost. And my last slide is on the self-funded workers' compensation plan. This one again, we're self-funded. Uh compared to last year, we have less claims and then these less claims are less severe. So, we've not spent too much on it. There is every year we fund approximately half a million dollars. And right now on on B, we do have the long-term claims, people have got hurt before, so we're still
027paying. So, right now the current balance is 170 the current balance is 177. And again, we have to go through has done a lot of safety training so that our staff doesn't get hurt. So, we'll be we'll be studying whether the fully funded is more more costly than self-funded. And this plan is from September the 1st to August the 31st. We're also looking at rebates. Uh Board members, this is my presentation. Again, a short one. Do you have any questions on any of these slides? Questions on the left side. Mrs. Staica. Okay, yes, thank you. I wrote two things down just uh out of curiosity for the uh the insurance. And also, if you can go back to the first slide about the uh cost of the insurance, that one right here. So, my question
028is and looking 24-25 and compared to 25-26, you know, we we have more claims this year monetary. I see here the it's 3.9 million compared to 2.4. My question is, is this because the number of claims went up or is this because the cost of our the health insurance went up? What what is it? I think it's a combination. Dr. >> It's a combination of both? >> this? It's a combination of both. We do have something unprecedented happening. Um never seen this many claims this soon in the year. So, it's it's something that's alarming and I brought that to the administration as soon as I started seeing that pattern. Okay, so this is until the end of August 31st. We still have November and December that isn't even being reported here, correct? That's correct. Okay,
029so it's probably higher right now than what we're seeing, for sure. >> definitely higher. We do have uh claims that come in in on a weekly basis, but tracking on a monthly. And looking at the 3-month average times 12, we're looking at about a 4 million dollar shortage if that trend of claims that are coming in continues. Okay. I'm thinking of what kind of solution other than, you know, just we have our health clinic here that we offer the employees. We have I don't know what other things do we have like wellness programs, nutrition what what do we offer our employees to help with this uh Right, we have um a wellness uh labs that will will be coming up uh so that we can get ahead of that. Um we had a uh ladies'
030day out where we had mammographies, uh breast cancer screenings uh so we can get ahead of, you know, anything that might be, you know, present. Um there's a few other things that that we're planning with the employee benefit committee. Okay. But it's definitely something that is concerning because we I've never seen so many claims coming in, you know, so soon. >> And I do appreciate I know Miss I think it's Erica, Miss Erica Agastiar, she works a lot with the parents and the the staff and I the insurance, you guys have programs that, you know, help with the knowledge of what to do or how how to be healthier and stuff. So, I appreciate that you guys are working on that also. My second question with the workers' comp, the safety. And I don't know
031if you guys can put that slide up again. >> Yes. Right here. Okay, so we went up not that much, but kind of a little bit with the number of claims from last year to this year as of November. The the numbers are upside down. Are they? I think so. >> we have less. Oh, we have less. I'm sorry. Okay, yes, we have less. Okay, that's good. I was seeing it backwards. The question still though is for those 31 that we have this year. Uh Mr. Dr. Rivera said that you were working on safety um trainings and all those things. From what departments do we usually see more of? Cuz you know, I we we have a business and we do workers comp also and we're always about safety is number one, safety is number
032one. But where do you see that that these safety things are happening the most? Mostly um food service, maintenance, custodial. So um skilled labor. Okay, the skilled labor. And we are offering them trainings on what to do to be safe. >> On a yearly basis, yes, ma'am. Okay, that those were my questions. Thank you. You're welcome. Dr. Hinojosa. Dr. Rivera, on the ADA I know the enrollment is down, but the ADA we're still above that uh budgeted >> Yes, we're near the 95 the percentage. Okay. And and that's And again, I want to commend the principals. They're the ones that work very hard to get the ADA at that at that amount. Good. And and so now you have definitely I mean that's that's good that we're we're hitting that uh percentage even though our
033enrollment is less, you know, that we're able to hit that number. So I'm glad to see that they're working really hard with that and congrats on on all that hard work. Good job. That was my own question. Uh no, just you know, like on on this ADA thing, you know, and we we talked about it before, you know. Everybody do their their part and then and continue to encourage attendance and um with holidays coming up, you know, everybody gets excited and and and that's understandable, but uh we need to not lose focus of what we're supposed to be here for and just just uh I say to continue doing what you're doing and we're really thankful for your efforts cuz um it's going to make a big difference here towards the end of the year.
034So um keep doing a good job. Thank you. Thank you, coach Trevino. Mr. Castillo. Yes, sir. I have a couple. On on the first page with respect to uh you know, our enrollment and whatnot, I know that a couple of school districts are looking into creating virtual schools to try to you know, take advantage of that statute [snorts] that allows for school districts to do that to to recoup some of those students that maybe would be more interested in a virtual school or more so the parents and the students. You know, I I I'd like to see if we could look into that to see uh what options that we may have uh kind of thinking outside the box and be a little bit of a little bit innovative. And and and we are, I'm
035sorry, and we are. Yes, sir. I I actually saw some correspondence, I believe it was from here that you guys were looking into it. And uh but yeah, I think now more than ever we got to we got to get a little bit aggressive on that. Uh and on top of that, some schools are even asking me how to figure out how to create a a private school to take advantage of the voucher system. Haven't figured that one out yet, but uh that could be another possibility, but yes, I I want to challenge you, doc, just to think outside the box on these things. Uh things are changing, times are changing. And we got to adapt with our with our community as well. Uh as far as the the insurance, doctor, same thing as far
036as far as our insurance program, I think last year, last summer I sat through a bunch of presentations at different school districts where uh where they were attempting to save money, but still provide the same amount of of coverage that the employees are used to. And so one on the pharmacy again kind of looking out through the international uh route. And then on the actual insurance plan, you know, there's one district that's here that's bigger than us, uh self-funded as well. They tinkered a little bit with their plan and created an HMO option and kept that one really relatively inexpensive. And then the PPO, which was the first option that they had always uh provided, they made that kind of the second option and increased the price a little bit. So employees still have the
037opportunity to save money if they wanted to with the same amount of coverage just an HMO versus a PPO. And so I thought that was a really smart idea when I heard it and that might be something that we look into. Maybe there's some savings there as well. Will do. Uh I know in that district there were savings and and and the employees were were were happy with it. They're okay with it. And so again, just kind of a challenge to you and your administration to you know, these are the times where we have to be innovative and think outside the box and to still provide the same amount of service, but with less amount of money. On target? Uh so yeah, that's all I got, sir. Thank you, Mr. Castillo. Coach Trevino. Yeah, um
038going to follow up on the swimming pool Mhm. the at Weslaco High. Are we moving along with that or The demolition? Actually, we are. Yes. Yes, are those and and uh >> it's very soon already, right? Don't we have someone already? Mr. Garza. >> coming up pretty soon. >> Yes. Yeah. Yes. >> [clears throat] >> Good evening, members of the board. Uh Dr. Rivera, yes, we do have we're working with the engineer right now to get that design going for the demolition of that area there. That's that's where we're at right now. But that's where we're at a couple months ago. Now, are we have we made progress on that or So Cuz I know I mean, the season's starting, tennis courts are moving. Yeah, the the the delay's coming with the review of the
039scope cuz it has to be adjusted. Originally, we had additional work for the engineer. And so we get their information updated uh proposals. Then we had to follow up with legal to make sure that they revise the contract. So that's part of the delay in the process right now. It's all administrative. >> still coming along. Yes. Okay. Um Coach Rodriguez, the canopy for the softball, is that going to be ready for the season cuz that's about a month away. So for the canopy for the softball, yes, coach. The scoreboards and the canopy should be on going for the season. Cuz they're about a month away, right? They softball starts about 2 weeks into January. Correct. Okay. And what is the plan moving forward or do is there a plan for Weslaco East softball to get
040something covered? Uh not right now, but we'll look into it. Yeah. Yeah, we we need to I mean I know it's important all the way around and I know it takes a little money, but it just it would just be right to have both and maybe the baseball's right also. Cuz those covered areas especially with the sun the way it is here in South Texas, I think it's important. And it's for our kids. Yeah, I know we'll look into it. Please please do. Thank you. One more question coach. Go ahead. On that gym, I noticed on that picture where you had lockers in there. Are those lockers being salvaged or are they try I mean, cuz inclement weather's going to get in there. So so these are lockers that were removed from East High School
041and I believe also Weslaco High School when we did the remodeling of the athletic buildings. And so again, if anybody You know [clears throat] I mean, do the coaches know because I know when I was there, those were gold. And I if I had some of those and they look like they're in pretty good shape, I would quickly take, you know, instead of spending money, I'd like to use them. So I don't know, just let the coaches know if there's some available and they look like they're in good shape. >> So we use them, coach. We use them on the girl side and on the Weslaco athletic, we've used some of these lockers already. But if it's open like that, if it rains and they're going to get wet, they're going to get rusty and
042you know For sure. I'm just saying, you know, let the coaches know that they're available. No, we will. We will. Like I said, we used some already. We moved some out of them and put them in there. Maybe they'll hit you up now that they saw them there. I'm pretty sure they are. That way. Thank you, coach. These are over a year old. Look at the ones on the pictures. Initially, when we were getting started on >> Uh yeah, I wasn't sure the time frame, but they look good. I hope somebody's using them because that's money saved right there. Yes. Okay. Thank you, coach Trevino. Mr. Los Santos. Yes, I just had two. Enrollment. Can we go back to that slide? >> [snorts] >> The Yes, I just wanted to ask well, I just wanted
043to clarify because like I said, our uh we've had a historically, we've been between 1,300 and 1,500 if you go back and look at the years at different uh calendar years. For whatever reason, Weslaco ISD always falls within that range. Whatever the enrollment is, they're like 1,300 to 1,500 short. So kudos to everybody that's bringing everyone in because enrollment just for the public is the number of kids that you have at the school system. 14,500 is what we base our budget off of. So right now, there are they're slightly above that and I know that the principals at the campuses on are doing activities and all these different things to just to keep school engaging outside of the classroom as well. So kudos to you all all your great work. So that's really good. Uh
044cuz we're on track. And the other one is the insurance. I had a question for Dr. Cantu. The other slide. Um just just asking, does that include rebates already, those figures? Or uh how do how does our plan >> Remember that when we went with Blue Cross and Prime as a bundle, we were receiving those guaranteed rebates as um credits on administrative costs. Okay. So you'll notice that we don't have that column that says administrative costs anymore. Right. So now it's just claims and RX. That's right. Yeah. Yes, and on top of that, we do get that $36 or $37 per employee per month that would have been administrative costs. We also get what we call a true up. So in February of last year, we received $800,000 as a true up because it was
045a a certain level of guaranteed plus those 800 that also came in. So I'm expecting I'm hoping for a true up in February like we got last So I guess just to re to reformat my question uh restructure it. There's still more money that's coming in that there's going to apply toward the negative later. Yes, sir. I'm I'm hoping that we have enough of a true up, like they say, to to minimize the blow. Right. Whatever overages >> Last year it was about $800,000. Right. Okay. That's all. 800, but we still went to the red. Right. I think Yes, we didn't have the money. It was a million something, right? >> million, yeah. 1.7 Fiscal >> even with the rebate. Yes, fiscal I think it was 1. 1.2 I think. Have one last slide. What
046did you What did you predict when you present because you asked us to renew the contract? What did you predict? I can't remember what you said that it was in I don't know if you remember. When when when the when the agenda topic came up and we renewed it, didn't we? Automatically renewed it cuz it was up for renewal. Right. But you said to expect a slightly increase in overages. Do you remember that figure or not? I not off the top of my head, but I can get it to you on a in an update if you want me to do some research on that. All right, thank you. Thanks, sir. Thank you. And thank you, Dr. Guevara, for that extensive information. Yeah, Coach Jordana, one more. Coach Jordana, good job on the academic all-state.
047It was good to see multi-sport way to get the word out. Good job. Thank you. Any other comments? Final comments? All right. And all these kids are recognized on our on our Jumbotron and Yes, I saw. and also on our marquee, yes. All right, let's continue on to number eight. Lone Star Governance 881, discussion on the Lone Star Governance Board Monitoring Monitoring Calendar for December 2025. Ms. Llano? Yes, hi. Good evening, members of the board and community. So, the presentation was actually marked for November. However, we moved it to December. So, tonight we will be presenting on our CCMR TSI results and our Panorama Survey results for the fall. So, the the GPM that we're presenting on is 5.1, which is to increase the percentage of students meeting the TSI benchmark from a 46% to
048a 48% for this school year. So, with TSI we're always presenting a cohort behind just because that cohort, the cohort of 2024 basically is a cohort that is going to come out in your 2025 ratings. However, we have projected already our 25-26, right, based on the data that we have received from the state. So, currently our 25-26, and again, this is just a projection based on the monitoring that we conduct here at our high schools with the help of all the departments and our CCMR specialists to include our high school principals. So, is at a 62% and again, this overall percentage includes the students who passed the actual TSI reading RLA and math tests to include those who take the college prep or Texas College Bridge courses, right? So, what is working for us with
049the help and the input of all these individuals, campuses offer tutorial opportunities like after school, IXL, boot camps for all students to attend. There's 2 hours of remediation is required for any students who is retesting to ensure that they increase their opportunities to pass. An implementation of the new initiatives such as a CCMR senior off period, right? So, no it's no off period senior year if student is not TSI complete, right, to ensure that before they leave the high schools they are post-secondary ready. What needs more attention? So, we're integrating TSI A2 objectives into the curriculum maps for 6 through 12 grade. We believe that if all, especially our RLA and our math courses embed these readiness standards, right? It's not something separate and apart, but it's they're already prepared to take the exam. Increase
050stakeholder awareness of what TSI does, how it helps, and how it helps prepare that student for college readiness. Increase community awareness as well, right, to get that additional support. Right? So, that is our GPM. We'll move on to our CPM, which is dealing with the Panorama Survey. So, our CPM 3.1 touch bases on the students who respond favorably to emotional regulation on the student Panorama Survey. So, it'll be at 46% by spring of 2026. So, you have the bar graphs there for the fall of 2025. The Panorama Survey, if you logged into the Panorama Google site, it showed that for our third to fifth graders they scored on this topic at an 82% respond favorably when dealing with their emotions, controlling their emotions. And for our sixth to 12th graders they responded at 80% favorably,
051right, giving us a district score of an 81%. What is working? So, the data that is Panorama is giving us is obviously being analyzed and strategized by administration, teachers. They're looking at the results, seeing what is what works, what resources are available for them to receive these favorable responses to include working with the playbook that Panorama gives us to include any additional training that counselors go through. Also, ongoing training for counselors, social workers, and LPCs focus on trauma-informed practices, de-escalation techniques, and emotion regulation strategies. So, I know the LPCs and all of our counselors have worked tirelessly on this topic and making sure that everyone is ready to respond to dealing with their emotions, right? And of course, ongoing staff training through youth mental health first aid awareness that is also required by the state.
052What needs more attention? So, one of the things that we looked at is monitoring of the tiered service plan of action. This is basically just like we have for academics here, one, two, three, we also have for health services as well, right? Provide staff with additional responsive services training. It's never enough, right? The more training we have, the more prepared we are to response to a crisis. Strengthen our secondary student support by providing additional tier tier two services, which are more small group interventions on stress management, conflict resolution, coping skills, and self-regulation, right, with these focus groups. And I think one of the things that we saw the most impact this year it was increased the collection of the Senate Bill 12 parental consent forms, right? This is now the new state, right, legislation that
053passed the Senate Bill where parents now have the right to either consent or decline any health-related services when dealing with their child's health service. So, however, we are still on track for 3.1. So, the next slide shows I included these These are the questions that students get asked in grade levels 3 through 5 or 6 through 12, and that is that percent of students responding to it favorably, right? So, an example of one of the questions is how often are you able to control your emotions when you need to, right? One from the secondary says, "When you get upset, how often can you get yourself to relax?" So, this is just examples of questions they are asked in the Panorama Survey. So, the next one, CPM 3.2, is also dealing with the Panorama Survey, but
054this is the teacher and staff survey who respond favorably to school climate on the teachers and staff survey. It will increase to 58% by spring 2026. So, the goal again is 58% for teachers alone it was scored at a 64% favorably, and for staff at a 69 giving us an average as a district of a 67%. What is working? Regularly acknowledging and celebrating staff contributions through shout-outs, awards, newsletters, and staff spotlights. We saw a lot of that in the responses. Right? Effective use of social media platforms such as Facebook. Creating opportunities for teachers to work together, share expertise, have a voice in decision-making, and organize team-building activities, social events, and appreciation lunches. What needs more attention? Clearly setting and communicating the campus vision, right? Staying focused on on what the vision of the campus or
055department are. Creating a space where teachers feel comfortable communicating their needs and frustrations to administrators and colleagues. Increase the sense of belonging as belonging is one of the components under school climate. And community among teachers, strong relationships are the foundations of a positive climate. And continue to prioritize the staff well-being at all times. Right? So, based on the data, the data shows that we are on track to meeting the end of the year goal even though it has been surpassed, but maintaining is is key, right? So, the next slide is um or are examples of questions that are asked in the teacher questionnaire. You have one, "How positive are the attitudes of your colleagues?" And in the staff questions you see one, "To what extent are staff trusted to work in the way they think
056it's best, right?" So, these are just types of questions and their responses at that percentage that they received in the survey. And we're happy to announce that for the staff and teacher survey almost all, we had a very high percentage of staff and teachers that responded. It was minimal, right, from all the staff that is here with us in WISD. So, the next section of the report is just a brief district accountability update to tie back to the efforts and the work that has been done these first two 6 weeks in the year. As we are [clears throat] gathering data, this third 6 weeks was critical for us in gathering data for benchmarks. We are still not done with benchmarks, we're still assessing this last week, so very important to have good attendance this last
057week at your campus. So, campus demographics, this is just the makeup of what the student population is at every campus from your EB's to your sped to your at-risk [clears throat] ET migrants and your eco dis. So, based on this, campuses are compared with other 40 campuses, right? Or or 40 campuses within their groups at the state accountability rating. So, one campus that has the same makeup as others in the state is then compared to those, right? So, you see the difference in the makeup of each of the campuses. So, with that being said, you know, just a reminder on the next slide, our accountability. When we are looking at the leadership summer activities with our leaders, when we're looking at anything that has to do with the next year's accountability rating, we always go
058back to how was last year as one of the domains growth is going to compare them against last year's performance, right? So, again, this is how we ended last year at an 85 as a district, a B. Again, those campuses that are highlighted in yellow are the ones who have a rating of a D. However, I do want to remind you that even though they have a rating of a D, especially the three on the top, they did not earn a D as an overall campus rating. They actually earned a C. However, they can't claim that C. So, that's why they are a D. So, those are the campuses that we're focusing a lot of support and interventions to accelerate that um rating. However, in the next slide, you will see some of the work
059that we have done with our administration and administration with teachers, right? And teachers with students has been projecting where we want to be as a district, where we want to end up as a district, right? So, on our way to an A. So, a lot of work during the first summer to the first two six weeks has been done in dissecting each domain and how each domain from performance student achievement to growth, simply just growing from one year to the next, right? As a student. How what what rating or percentage do I have to be to make my final rating at the end? So, once we put all campuses together and everyone during our principal you know, trainings or principal meetings, once we put all the ratings together, everyone shared out why, what are their
060strategies. Once we put everything together, if everyone sets their goal, right? And and meets that goal, then we would be rated a 91 an A. So, very doable, right? Again, this is principles, right? Created these goals along with their teachers and and teachers with students, right? So, just wanted to share that with you. And Mr. Nieto, if I may, can I move on to the questions that were asked? >> Yes, definitely. So, [snorts] some of the questions that we received, right? Regarding the presentation. The first question is what resources or instruction do our special education students and our bilingual students need so they can improve on their benchmarks to prepare them for testing later in the year. So, from our special education department, there they have a district website, right? Our landing page where they
061will find a lot of resources to practice with accommodations, right? And supports that they need for testing in order to be successful. So, anything that the teacher has in the classroom can also be reinforced through these programs that they have there online, right? For our bilingual students, we have also Summit K12 and elevation strategies that teachers have been trained on and and provided additional support from our bilingual department. So, extra programs that are aligned to the overall state assessment and can help them prepare and mock a real state assessment as well. So, that's one of the questions. Question two, what is the expectation for each subject area as to what percent is the goal for the mastery level by students? So, the masters level, really simple, the state's goal is a 30%. The 90-60-30 is
06230% of your students in order for a campus or a district to be rated an A are at the masters level, right? That highest level of performance. So, one of the things that we did in the next slide Mr. Nieto, to answer that question is when campus principals at the beginning of the year and in summer, we talked about setting goals for the year. So, we track on the cohort of students that you're receiving, we track how did you receive them, how did they do cuz it's important to note that in order to monitor domain two A growth, but then we set goals for benchmark one, benchmark two and benchmark and star, right? The the final assessment of the year to see to ensure that there's growth, but also that we are increasing the percentage
063at each of the performance levels, which includes the masters level. So, our goal is that at the masters level, we are getting near or hitting the target of 30%, right? So, this is a scoreboard from one of the our campuses that you know, the principals discussed with their teachers and teachers with their students. The next question, what are the the areas are the majority of students still having difficulty in the most recent benchmarks? Because we have not closed out all benchmarks, right? We have very preliminary raw data and we will be presenting in January more of that. Right now, based on observations, walk-throughs, feedback and some of the data that has come in for our LA, we have our written responses, text evidence, analysis of text structure at the different levels and some of the
064interventions are there, right? Some of the PD has focused on that intervention to ensure that those are being used to increase, right? These are our weakest SE's at those levels to increase the success rate at these SE's. For math, problem solving at the elementary level and multi-step application problems at the middle and high school level. So, a lot of our region one support and our coordinator support, CNI support have revolved around these SE's to ensure that students are internalizing the the problems, the concept and are reading, drawing and writing that we can make sure that they are in understanding it. For science, analyzing and interpret interpreting the data at all levels. So, a lot of providing questions and virtual opportunities, labs with these resources that they have available to them. Again, the this data is
065not final just yet just because we're still assessing this week and they're finishing all those students who are making up assessments, right? Question number four from Mr. Nieto, what assistance, professional development or resources are we providing to the three schools that require that additional assistance this year, which are Silva, Airport and Mary Hoge, the ones that were in yellow, right? So, we've provided additional targeted campus visits by CNI staff and these are targeted to just these campuses to meet with the administrators or their instructional teams to ensure that they are on target on meeting those star scoreboards that you saw. Instructional mentors were assigned to them as well and the instructional mentor works more at that administrator teacher level support for walk-throughs to improve instruction. An extra star mentor, which we know is critical for
066their star ratings. They also, two of the campuses also have gone a new curriculum capturing kids hearts. That's Silva and Mary Hoge and have received additional training throughout the year and we are also doing a principal leadership network aside from our principal academies or meetings with them on on like separately, right? So, um Dr. Rodriguez, your question of question one, which grades or campuses show the largest gap between TSI testing and the exemptions, which we talked about college prep and and summer bridge, right? And what instruction changes are being made to close the gap? So, one of the things that we saw as a district, right? And you see that report card there was that um 55%, right? 55% of the students, if you look at that first 55.1, are meeting the TSI um score
067or indicator by passing the actual test. But, we still have 26% that depend on the college prep courses, right? To meet that indicator. So, one of the things that we noticed is that between both high schools, you know, Weslaco High, both of them, when you look at TSI, have the actual almost the same TSI passing rate. However, Weslaco High looks at maximizing the on-ramps or college prep courses a lot more than Weslaco East, but then Weslaco East maximizes their opportunities through IBC's and other ways for the CCMR indicator. So, that is what we noticed with the data. However, some of the strategies, right? That our CCMR specialists are effective advising framework group and our principals are working on is making sure that students pass their TSI since early grades, right? Starting like that summer year
068going into freshman, that they are not taking care of this their last year of senior year, right? Of high school. So, making sure that that's in place. The summer bridge program, this will be incorporated the accuplacer instructional lessons to practice and address gaps, strengthen TSI again through the classrooms, not that it's something separate and aside and use other programs like Inspire from region one that will monitor and will help us monitor this more effectively, right? And of course, we continue to have our steering committee meetings on a monthly basis. Your the last question is regarding Panorama survey, what one strategy, right? Will most accelerate the improvement in student emotional regulation and how will we know that it's working within the year? Again, using and understanding our three tiers, right? Using counselors as a lesson as
069a whole as a grade level, addressing a student's need through small group interventions or focus groups or individualized counseling, right? Addressing it properly and monitoring it closely as well. Those are all the questions, sir. Thank you, Mrs. Solano. Any other questions that, you know, I know all of you are busy, you know, and sometimes it's difficult to provide questions, but sometimes you do provide them here. So, I'll start with Mrs. Estayta. Any >> Yes, I actually want to say I was kind of confused because apparently I overlooked an email before Thanksgiving when this was sent out and I had called you last month with my questions over the phone. So, I just figured, well, those are the questions. I didn't know that I had to resubmit them again. So, I did have my questions. I
070had two that I worked on actually with our coach with Dr. Ramos with LSG, but those were already kind of answered with the questions that Mr. Nieto and Dr. Rodriguez asked just asking about the gaps between the campuses and what we can identify. That was one of my questions and the other one was about the Panorama Survey of what patterns we see in the groups that are struggling the most, which you guys talked about already. So, that's what I was going to ask and I was looking for the information saying where is the the line graph? I don't see it in our board book, but then I I was asking our secretary even she said, "I emailed it to you guys before November." I didn't see it. So, maybe next time I don't know cuz
071sometimes there's so many emails and they kind of get stuck in between others and I thought I had seen it, but it was the Excel sheet for the questions. So, maybe we can just I don't know work on how to get the information better to us like maybe upload it earlier on board book cuz if it's in board book, we can all see it there whenever it's ready. I'll let Mrs. Contreras know. I do appreciate all the information. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. And I'll remind you all, you know, I'll send you a text message so that we get you can provide at least, you know, at least one question. >> Especially before the holidays when you're it's all crazy so that that that would be appreciated. Thank you. >> Definitely. Coach Cuellar,
072any particular question? I I took the easy way out cuz when I asked Mrs. Solano, "How many questions do you have?" I said, "Okay, I think we'll be okay and we can we can piggyback off of that, but are are we done with the with a benchmark testing yet or are we still testing?" >> We're still testing. Okay. So, as soon as we're done, how soon will we know what the results are so that we can address these things that are being discussed right now? >> That's actually the January presentation for LSG benchmark results. Good. Well, thank you very much. Yes. Mr. Castillo, any >> Yeah, just a couple and thank you, sir, and thank you to Dr. Rodriguez for doing your homework. I appreciate it. On the Panorama on the Panorama Survey, do we
073have that data broken down by campus? Yes. Yes, we do, Mr. Castillo. >> I think it would be interesting for the board just to see cuz you showed us the averages for the district, but you might have one campus A at 90%, campus B at, you know, very low. I think I think it would be a good kind of good information for the board. >> do you not are you not able to log in on the Panorama Survey? I don't have it. >> Maybe we can get him. I know I have a login information where you can read everything. So, maybe we can get the board members the logins for the Panorama Survey. Got it. That'd be good. And then as far as still on the Panorama Survey and I'm going to frame it as
074an LSG question. What strategies are we using to uh to help our principals maybe address some of the the areas that on the staff on the staff portion of it to where maybe they're the answers are a little bit low. >> Right. So, they did have training I want to say early December as the Panorama Survey results were very preliminary right before Thanksgiving, Mr. Castillo, and I know that they shared a playbook with strategies for each of the topics or areas right in the Panorama Survey results. In addition to that, principals I know during work days PDs or or any other type of day that we have, they are required to add an additional [clears throat] activity that impacts this CPN right positively. So, they'll be actually incorporating this Friday as strategy for to incorporate
075school culture and climate positivity. That's awesome. Thank you so much for that answer. And then on the TSI my only question is and I'm going back on experience when I was a student, I kind of just got wrangled in to take a test. I didn't know what it was for. I just want to and it was a TSI. So, I just want to make sure that it the importance is being kind of expressed to the students of what the test is and how how it could have an effect on their academics. Most definitely and our CCMR specialists do a wonderful job along with our counselors at the high schools of making sure they understand the reason, the purpose [clears throat] and just publicizing it, right? And raising awareness. That has been a huge goal of
076ours. And you could see cuz that has been going up. So, you know, well, thank you so much. Those are my >> Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Castillo. Coach Solano. Yeah, my question and again, Mr. when I saw your question, I I loved it because it's special ed. Right. Well, that's why I put the question in there cuz I knew you were going to >> [laughter] >> No, I'm just curious about, you know, I know you mentioned that computer programming that the kids can take home. Are and I guess maybe this is more for Mr. Garza. Are we making sure that parents know how to log on and utilize those programs that were that our kids are taking home. Are we training parents as well cuz if cuz if it's like me, it'll take
077me a while and it is frustrating. Are the parents getting trained? >> of those programs are actually in-school programs. Right, but >> [clears throat] >> do the parents I mean, do we have a meeting with parents? Do we follow up with parents? Is there something we can do to to get them educated? We could, but again, we're pushing those programs in school. That's what they're doing in school. But Mrs. Solano said that they're using that at home as well. And that's what I'm concerned about. If I'm if I can't get into the computer, then how we how are kids going to get in? You know, I'm just saying if if we're not training the kid or the parents to log on and show them how to do it, you know, facilitate it for them so
078they can get home and I'm sure the kids will will want to use it, but if they I'm just saying, are we training at home as well? Well, we could certainly do a better job working with the parent specialists at each school and Right. Maybe you I mean, again, monitor that and see if it if it can get done. I'm I'm just saying it'll it'll help the parents cuz I know I would get frustrated if I can't log on. I'm just saying. >> Yeah, we will work on that. Thank you, Coach Solano. Mr. Los Santos. Yes. My question will be far as in reference to TSI. Yes, sir. So, TSI IBC those two combined lead out to outcome bonuses, right? For CCMR. Yes. And and I I would like to have that presentation and what
079that is is if you can I don't know, I'm not an expert in it, but I know I've I've been informed about it. So, when that's extra money that that that you'll receive and then the district can tap into that as well, too, cuz there's a split, right? That 45 55 or something like that. So, there's millions out there. All right? So, I'd like to know a presentation on where we're ranked with every other district cuz I know that those results they're like every 2 years, right? You're look or you're working on 2 years of data. >> 2 years behind because of the finances. Right. Okay. So, yeah, we need to look at that. We can provide that. >> Okay, to see where we where we rank with other districts. I'm only asking because I've
080heard people throw it at me and say, "Hey, you know, that that that they're outranking us Weslaco ISD as far as income and and money that are coming in funding." So, I don't know exactly where to find that, but but yeah, I'd like to I'd like to know more about that. I think so with all the other trustees as well. Okay. We we can provide a board update just so that you can have preliminary. Sure. Okay. Thank you. And Mrs. Solano, the question that I asked on on mastery, I've always, you know, I thought 20% was high, but you said 30%. >> It is. So, that's uh uh I guess it's a reachable goal from the principals at each campus, correct? Yes, sir. The 30% is the state goal. Okay. So, principals 30% mastery level
081at each subject level. Not only at reading and math so forth. So, it can be done. All right. Thank you, sir. Any other questions? All right. Thank you, Mrs. Solano, for the presentation. Let's continue 883 discussion of possible action for the Board of Trustees to consider approval of the Lone Star Governance Board Monitoring Report for December I mean, for November 2025, correct? Mrs. Solano, November? Yes. Well, it's the December, but it was the November items. Yes. >> Okay. Motion to approve, sir. We have a motion by Mr. Castillo. Second. Second by Dr. Jaime. To approve the Lone Star Governance Board Monitoring Report for December. All in favor, please say aye. All against, motion passes. Next, we go to number nine consent items. You can look through it. I know it's most of you already looked
082through it on your board book. I'll give you a minute just to kind of look through them. And then I'll ask for a motion if everybody's in agreement with the consent agenda items. I just have a quick question on one of them. I don't want to pull it. I just want to get just get clarification on one. Okay. Which one? 9G4D. 9G? And then we can do C also cuz I was going to pull those out for questions also. C and D? C and D. Okay. So, the first the first one approval of Hidalgo County Tax Office Collection Report for October 2025. No, no, the architectural and engineering services. That is 9 9G4C. Oh, 9G4C. No, the last two. Yes, right? Yes. Yeah, I just I just have a quick question, sir. I just I
083just want to I would look at the board book and the agenda items. And the I I think it's just for our pool, right? Uh but I want to just make sure that whatever action we're taking tonight doesn't lock us into uh a construction method on HVAC say in the future cuz we've been had we've had a lot of discussion about whether or not to go design build or not. And I just want to make sure that this is just for our pool for projects and not specific to a certain project. >> Dr. Rivera? Okay, that's what I thought. I just wanted to confirm. >> And uh Mrs. Saenz you said 9G4C? Yes, I I'm reading both of them. Uh the way it's worded because the recommendation is on our PDF here. It says uh
084Uh where is it? It's select one or more of the architectural firms. It's the same thing with the engineering services. We're supposed to select one or more as a board. And if there's a whole list of all the people that met the criteria. So, are we selecting one or are we selecting all? Dr. Rivera? Mr. Marroquin. The list they have the list they have is just a list. When the projects come up, the board will select who they want. I read it as we're qualifying all. Yes. That's how I feel. I feel we're qualifying all. >> we we're qualifying all but when they bring it to us, then we'll select the top two or top three from the pool. Yeah. So, it's at the board's discretion whether you want to approve them all or you
085want to short list them and and approve only a few. And then after that, you can assign projects for the firms that you want. So, do we have to pull these out as an action item? Well, what's the admin's recommendation? Just pull them all? Well, because I think it's I guess the question is construction, right? So, are we locking ourselves into construction in the future? There's been discussion between the traditional method and then of course the design build method, right? The traditional is kind of Correct. not worked. And so, that I guess I guess that's what we're asking if by approving this are we locking ourselves into that or we still open to to decide to change to different methods later? So, so no, as far as the method of construction you're still open to
086to uh to approve another method of construction. This is just for the selection of the service professionals. The vendor the whoever the vendor will be. Yeah. So, that's my question. All of them or just one? I I thought all of them. I thought all of them, too. >> the list you have here is to approve all of them, right? And then the board said and on the projects, then the board select who they want. >> Correct. Yes. Right. So, we're going to just they're all here to approve. >> We're going to select all of them at this time. Yeah. But then when the project comes up, then we're going to decide the top two or top three. And then also the method of construct the method of construction, you know, where you want design build
087or traditional. Correct. >> You can they can still decide what they want. >> Yeah, that's that's separate and apart from this. Yes. The method of construction is separate. So, my question for legal because it's worded as in the board shall select one or more. Do we have to take action on this to say all of them or do what do we have to do for this one? Well, that's why I asked the superintendent what his recommendation is. He said all of them. All of them. Okay, so that that covers it. Okay. All right, do I have a motion? Maybe the agenda was not worded kind of correctly. Okay. It is all of them, Mr. Marroquin, right? Yes. >> You approve all the architects, all the engineers, and then when the project comes up, then the
088board selects. They might get two or three to interview for that particular subject. So, continuing with the with what the board did in the past, that's exactly what what we're doing. Yes, yes, the pool. Okay, got it. All right, do I have a motion? I move to approve. We have a motion by Dr. Jaime. Do I have a second? I'll second. We have a second by Mr. Ben Castillo to approve all consent agenda items. I have one more question, sir. Go ahead. On on Well, I still have to pull some items. [laughter] I still have to pull some items. Oh, okay. >> Yeah. Oh. Yes. All right, okay. Okay, I wasn't going to pull. Mine was just a question. So, can I do that? Yes. On uh number 9G3A, approval of overtime report for the
089month ended November 30. Okay. If we open up that report and we look at the overtime that was paid to uh the different departments, I see that the department that has the most overtime and understandably cuz they're taking our kids everywhere is a transportation department. Um Now, there have been issues with, you know, who overtime and who's working and who's not. It's been an issue for years in transportation. Can we get a report for some I know like when I what I use at my work, I just click on a button on my accounting system, gives me the report, just print it out. I don't have to manually do a report. Is there a report that we can get just to see uh you know, who's what are the how much overtime broken down is
090going into this? Can Can we get something [clears throat] like that? >> I think what they do, you have a list, right? Of all the bus drivers, and then you go one, two, three down the order, and then you start again. Yes, sir. Thank you, Dr. Rivera. Good afternoon, Mr. Jaime and members of the board. So, we've gone through this system where it became a system where there they have a televised they have it everywhere there in the department where they go through a rotation. They have a rotation in place. We've even given them another opportunity to vote if they wanted to do something different. They came back and they wanted the majority wanted them to stay the same way as far as how the rotation works when it falls in there. So, everyone gets
091to see who's next in line and how it works. It's very transparent. Okay. >> on their system. system already in place. There is a system. And it's a fair system. And it's a fair system. We've we've gone through it, met with them multiple times. We even said, "Take it back to the group. Have them go through it again." Let me Let's do an update. >> We can provide an update as well. Yes, because that's a sticky issue and where I you know, the the whole transportation thing and who's getting what, so I would appreciate that. >> Absolutely. We'll provide an update. We'll do an update. Okay. So, uh we have a motion [snorts] by uh Mr. Los Santos wanted to pull a a couple >> 9G2A. 9G2A? >> Yes. I I was going to pull
0929G 9G4C and D, but we already talked about that. Okay, 9G2A. I do have some questions. 9G2A, okay. So, I have a motion by by Dr. Jaime, second by Mr. Ben Castillo to approve the consent agenda except for 9G2A. And we'll come back to discuss it in a minute, Mr. Los Santos. Okay. Uh all in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. All against? Motion carries. All right, let's go to 9G2A. Approval of the interim financial report for the months ending September 30th, 30th, 2025 and October 31, 2025. Uh Mr. Los Santos. Yes. I had a question. Just just so everybody understands the interim financial reports, what that means, those are reports that the board receives every single month that gives you revenue that's coming in and it gives you expenditures. And then also demonstrates the
093budget as well as far as what was initially placed there at the beginning of the year. And it's kind of just to us to see as we go along. So, my question is is for I don't know her name. Mrs. Rodriguez, Deborah Mrs. Rodriguez? Deborah Rodriguez. >> Yes. Uh Deborah Rodriguez. I'll write that down cuz I want to remember that. So, Mrs. Rodriguez, you're you're now acting CFO, correct? Or you're in charge of that department, the budget department? Okay. So, my first question is uh to your knowledge right now, has any accounting been done for the 25-26 school year? For 25-26? >> Yes, for this current school year. Has has accounting already been done? And when did it start? Some of the accounting has been done, but we are behind on it. We are behind
094on the 25-26 accounting. >> Okay. So, so it's a yes or no question, I guess, or if you want to elaborate, you can. So, the interim financial reports that we've been receiving, are those documents something that you could submitted? They don't have your name, but that is not your work. Correct. Um would you say that those are 100% accurate since you're saying that the accounting isn't complete, the 25-26? >> accurate because we're still working on the 25-26 budget that is in the system. Okay. Can you give that to her? It's cuz she wasn't here during our special board meeting. So, this relates just to later to my my other agenda item. So, that's why. [clears throat] But it it involves the interim financial reports. You weren't here at the special board meeting we had last
095week, but that's a document that I shared with all the board trustees excluding the superintendent as well. Is that your work? That interim financial report at June 30th, 2025. Is that Is that you didn't you didn't work and create that document, correct? I did not. No. By looking at that document, it's a yes or no question. Would you submit that to the school board the way that those figures are listed in that column as far as expenses, revenue, expenses, and then also deductions? If you need more time to look at the sheet, then we can just move on, but that's That's not your work, though. You didn't submit that. You didn't work on that, your team and whatnot. No. Okay. >> That one. Thank you. That's all I wanted to know. Okay. >> That's it.
096Okay. Do I have a motion to approve that agenda consent agenda item? Yes, sir. There is motion to approve. Motion to approve by Mr. Los Santos. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Dr. Jaime. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Item number 10. Discussion items. Updates on training, conferences, events, and consider future agenda items requested by Board of Trustees. Uh Dr. Rivera. Yes, you have three. We have a Christmas social coming up this week on December the 17th at 3:00. Is it 3:00, Mr. Bateman? 3:00, 4:00? 3:00. We have 3:00 to 5:00. 3:00 to 5:00 and you're the board invited. It's a Christmas social here in the board room. And then sometime in January, I believe it's on the 7th, we're having the safety and security meeting on that
097date. Okay. And then the third one is Evette will will poll you as to when you want to have the next board workshop on the Lone Star, but it'll be sometime in January. >> Correct. So, I have these three just to present to you. Okay. And then if I could, Mr. Board President, I if I could just request a finance committee meeting the first week or when we get back in January. >> Yes. Uh just get an update of where we're at and if uh I'll if there's three board members there already, uh Trustee Lozano could take my place. Okay. I accept. Okay. Uh I I uh I agree with Mr. Castillo that mark me a part of that so that uh Thank you. I mean, you're you're you're on top of it, so uh
098I I I think you your place is there. No, thank you, sir. If I was going to be there, you you can take mine. All right. Thank you. >> What day was it again? First week? The first week we get back. Check when you guys are available. Okay. Okay. 10B. Discussion of the sale of the of the president uh P Pedrogo egg farm as requested by Mr. Ben Castillo. Dr. Rivera. Mr. Rivera. Uh yes, so my my understanding is is that the city wants to build a fire and substation on the on the land where our current ag barn is. And so, I just wanted to have a discussion on it. I I statement, I think it's a great project. I think it's a benefit to the district. I know that the city came and
099spoke to you, Dr. Rivera. >> Yes. And so, if you could kind of give us an update on those discussions. Okay. But I did them in superintendent's report. Okay. Well, yeah. So, >> Any more on that? >> I can I can add more to it. >> Well, I guess just as far as the price, you're in the you're in the process of uh Mhm. of getting an appraisal and all that kind of good stuff. And so, I guess [clears throat] once we get that, we could have a better idea of how much to sell it to them. >> Yes. Uh but I I I would request that we get >> We we can do that. Uh that that we we look at the price. >> this project. FYI, we met with the city uh several
100weeks Yes. I believe when they came to present at Dr. Rivera's office. >> Yes. And uh but Dr. Rivera told them until we get the appraisal, then we can move forward and say, "Okay, we we can sell it at this appraised value." Did you already start that process, sir? Yes, we met we met with them last week. And and the sale date would be would be contingent on once the new ag farm is complete. Yes, and and the board approves it. >> Correct. Now, as far as the appraisal, we got we already started that >> We have Yes, we have an amount, but I don't want to say now because it's just uh an estimate. >> Okay. So, we'll make them an offer the campus chiefs. >> There you go. There you go. All right,
101thank you, sir. Like the Godfather. >> [laughter] >> So, this item is just for discussion, okay? >> uh as well, because that in the in the initial talks, right? Where I know we're going to all move on, everybody's ready. But the ag farm, the new ag farm, what [clears throat] about the property they had over there that would kind of solidify the ownership, the area that's over there on the corner of >> Yes. for the future. That's also something that's discussed in >> to them and we say it belongs to us, so now Eloy is researching this. >> Okay, perfect. We think it belongs to us. >> All right. Okay. So, they're trying to sell it, but it belongs to us. >> Right. Okay. Okay, so this is only a discussion item? >> Yes. Now,
10210C, discussion of the Weslaco ISD counseling program as requested by Mrs. Sustaita and Coach Serna. Mrs. Sustaita. Okay, I guess I'll start it off and then Coach Serna can just pick up. Or would you like to start first? No, go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. I'll I'll hit off of your point. >> Okay. Okay. Uh so uh Coach Serna and I, we know one of our biggest priorities is of course the mental health of the students and and and what's going on in in the especially elementary and the high schools and not just the students, but the staff also. So, uh we were requesting discussion on on and I have requested numbers on counseling and we did get some numbers in uh maybe I think it was last month cuz I I I did my
103own little Excel sheet here. Uh last month we got numbers in and my concern with the numbers that came in, if I go and I look at the counselors per school and I look at the enrollment of the the school, some schools we have that most of the schools that we have have about one counselor for for around 300 kids. That's the ratio. Around 300 kids, you have one counselor. If you have two counselors, most of them are you know at 600. So, it's it's about 300 kids per counselor >> Mhm. right [clears throat] now of what we're seeing in the schools. But we do And then if I if I put them from their rating on the T A rating from ABCD and I did all that, I put them in order who has
104the least kids to the most kids and what are their ratings. And and I saw a pattern of that there's three schools that we have that um are not on the high end of the rating and they are missing counselors compared to the other schools pointing to the ratio. And I was going to share this with you guys last time, but then I I I think it was a special meeting we had, so I didn't get to. And I didn't get to share it this time, so only for discussion right now. And I know that we have budgetary constraints with the with the payroll going on right now and and all these things. So, that I just wanted to to to emphasize how important the counselors are in our schools. Not only do they do
105administrative work also, but they're in charge of talking to the students and they're very important. And Coach Serna, and I think all of us in our opinion, all of us believe that everyone's important. Everyone is important, but especially right now with everything going on, the counselors play an important role. Um and I know that we do have programs that we have for free that we've had like the UTRGV, the the T-Chat, and I think we also have um I don't know other like the LPC programs, the Tropical Texas Behavioral Health. Uh we have social workers. I don't know how much time we have left for these grants. I think they expire at the end of this year. Do they? Does anybody know? Mr. Luna. Okay, that's another Go ahead. They I believe some of the
106MOUs MOUs we renew every other year. Yes. So, our our head counselors are ensuring that all those MOUs continue once they're up for renewal. Okay. So, so it's important to note that I don't know if these the consultants that we do hire, I don't know if they're out talking to all the kids or they're sitting in an office one-to-one kind of a therapy session. I don't know, but I feel like the kids need more of that hands-on like a counselor helping during the day, being there permanently, especially if the ratios are off on some campuses. That was the discussion that that I wanted to bring. I know like I said, we have payroll concerns or budget concerns. So, maybe if not this year, maybe next year at the beginning of next year, but it's very
107very important. I know that we're missing a director of counseling also. Um you know, that hasn't been that position is still there and no one has filled it. I know that there's people who are temporarily helping out, but I think it makes a difference to have somebody there helping because this is a big deal. It it's like not having an assistant deputy helping Dr. Rivera. You're missing a big piece of a a an important position there. So, that's what that's all I wanted to say. Thank you. And Coach Serna. Coach Serna. Just to go off on that, you know, coaching athletics, I can I can hold my own, but I I attended a a conference in San Antonio and and and it was the main the main topic of it was mental health and and
108Hispanic kids. And when I ran for this office, mental health was, you know, very important. But when I went to this conference and I talked to people and the correlation between good mental health is equal to student success. And I feel like if if our numbers are not there and the ratio is not there, then I'm not stepping up to the plate for these kids. And you know, I know Mrs. Sustaita and I have talked about it and what what I've also talked to Mrs. Castillo and you know, Mark. Uh so, I I feel we need to step up to the plate and we need to try to narrow that gap, that ratio that we're talking about because when I go up there and they say that the American Counseling Association is ratio 250 to
1091. And that's the American, you know, uh Counselors Association. And I look at our numbers and we're not even close to that in some areas. And of course, Texas uh Counselors Association, and correct me if I'm wrong, is 350 to 1. So, again, let's try to close the gap because, you know, I think I I always think of myself and I could have been one of those kids that got lost and wasn't reached. And it's like Jackie says, if a counselor is there on campus, they're fully invested into that campus, into those kids. It's not just a visiting counselor that comes once in a while. So, yes, if we can find monies to hire three or four more counselors soon as opposed to later. And I know it's difficult and I know we you know,
110we've had our, you know, problems here. But I I just I just have to step up to the plate for those kids and I I will and I know, you know, we're we're all behind that because when we ran, we we did say we're there for the kids. And and I I hope I'm speaking for everybody here. So, just want to say that. >> Just to because of the information I have, I just want to point out if I look at let's say Silva. You know, Silva, I know they're working hard. Last year we were at a D, but Silva has one counselor in charge of 639 kids, one counselor. If I look at um Kleckler, with the information that I have, they have 453 kids to one counselor. They have two counselors, but each
111one if I break it down has 453 kids. If I look at Margo, they have two counselors of my information that I have. So, each one if I break it down has 556 kids. All the other schools, they're A's and B's, they have 300 and something kids per except the exceptions are Memorial and Gonzales, they're in A and they have 500 and something kids per counselor. So, you know, it's just a We have to help the the schools that need the help with and that's one of our our superintendent constraints is we shall help the the schools that have the low resources and those scores. So, that's why it's important for for me also especially right now my my my eye is on Silva with a D with 639 kids for one counselor. That's that's
112a big one. So, anything we could do, that that would be great. >> Good concerns. And and of course Dr. Rivera will with his cabinet members and the committee, the finance committee members to look into our finances and see we can afford this year. If not like Jackie mentioned, I we plan ahead in the spring and add those positions and put it in the budget and that way we'll have the the allocations for those counselors. And I believe you know, we do need the counselors at every campus and we'll just move forward on that. Yes. Good good observations. Yeah, thank you for the information also. Work something out. I agree with Trustee Sustaeta and Dr. Trustee Sustaeta. I don't know why I said Jackie. Trustee Sustaeta with respect to this concern and I I think
113you know, given our budget concerns if we do need to find places to cut, we we don't need to we need to protect people that serve students directly and I think that counselors serve students directly. Okay. So, okay. Thank you. And it was just a discussion item. So, let's go to number 11. Discussion and possible action to approve the hiring of Weaver to conduct a forensic financial audit of the 23-24, 24-25 and 25-26 school years as requested by Trustee Marco Marcos De Los Santos. Dr. Rivera. I'll give you the floor. Well, Mr. Board President, if I may Can I make a motion? Yes. Uh you know, before I make the motion also just want to thank Trustee De Los Santos for for bringing this up and and and keep kept bringing it up. Uh want
114to thank you too Mr. Nieto for being Board President and dealing with all of us on this, too. I know this this not an easy job and and thank Dr. Rivera in advance for working with us on this and making sure that all the information gets passed on and and and working to our coming up with a plan to to fixing whatever we got to fix. But I'd like to make a motion to engage Region 1 to provide technical support to the district with respect to its current budget. Engage our current external auditor to review our current budget numbers and to re-verify our fund balances for the 23-24 school year that we're currently working on the last year's school year. Uh and to authorize the Board President, Trustee De Los Santos and Dr. Rivera to
115negotiate uh a fee with Weaver to present to the board uh for a potential forensic audit. I'd like to say I mean, can I comment on on on that motion? Or we have to second. I'll second it. Okay. You you can second it and then if we have any Okay. We have a motion by Mr. Castillo seconded by Mr. De Los Santos. Any questions? We'll start Mr. Los Santos since you mentioned it. Yes. No, I just wanted to state like I said, I I didn't want to We've had We've had meetings July, right? It's all started back in June of 2025 and it started on a balcony at 5:00 in the morning, right? When we first started having conversations over the phone. Um we are in a state in a situation like like Trustee Castillo
116said, everything that's been said I've already said, I've posted online for people to see, but the situation is we have we have a issue with our budget in which we are carrying I believe a deficit, right? Because you can see it in our in our savings. Um from 23-24 to 24-25 and rolling over into 25-26 and we gave stipends and salaries on top of that increasing that amount and I'm talking about salaries here, right? And at the end of the day with all due respect and like I said, Dr. Rivera Rivera is highly respected and and this board as well, but the fact is the fact is and kind of like I pointed today when I was asking questions is that we have had not had accounting on 25-26 either. And so, time is crucial.
117We have a we have a staff in that department that is not large, right? People seem to think that oh, well, we have 15, 20 people in all these departments. It's two people that are working there, right? Working on the budget analysis for 24-25 and they're and they're trying to hit that date for February and 25-26 is still pretty much untouched and hasn't been accounted for. And then when we come back in January, like I was sharing with trustees on why is this so crucial, when we come back in January, we have to move fast for contracts cuz people need to people need to get hired and need to have that job security and safety as well, too. And it's going to be a very short window to get that done. So, this motion that
118Trustee Castillo has made is a is a very good motion because it's bringing in a lot of additional resources because time is of the essence. And especially the forensic audit seeing that that seeing the the the changes in our in our savings going from 65 to 59 to 57 to 51 and then on top of that we added a stipend as well, right? Possibly dropping us into the 40s already. And then expecting a and then expecting to hit again 25-26. So, we can't take the district to critical levels and that's why I asked my trustees again to to please support this because this is for our staff and our taxpayers to know the who, what, when, where and why and how this happened and so we can prevent it from ever happening again. That's all
119I have to say. Okay. So, we have a motion by Mr. Castillo seconded by Mr. Los Santos. >> Yes, sir. Dr. Rivera. Repeat the motion. Can you clarify the motion? Yes. Mr. Castillo. Yes. So, the motion was to engage Region 1 to provide technical support uh to the district with our current budget. Uh engage our current external auditor to review the current budget numbers cuz Region 1 they're not accounting. They provide technical support. Uh to our current external auditor to review current budget numbers and re-verify our fund balances for not this last year but the year before. They're currently working on this year. And to authorize the Board President, Trustee De Los Santos and Dr. Rivera to negotiate a fee with Weaver to with Weaver to present to the board for a potential forensic audit.
120And that would be for a possible special board meeting in January. And my question is I'm okay with the first part, but Weaver is for fraud. Weaver is for something that was done and there was no fraud. So, I'm okay with the first part, but I'm not okay with Weaver. And the only reason I say that kind of like Dr. Rivera has mentioned is that you have you have allegations by high-level staff that the ones that actually analyze and do projections for budgets that state that they gave a analyzed and projected budget in the spring of 24 that was not used and discarded and another budget was was utilized. And as you can see, we've been getting budget presentations every single month in 25-26 that are not based on any accounting whatsoever. So, all those
121concerns like I said and that document the document I just showed you and I gave you all in your hands, it shows you that we have not been getting accurate information. I don't want to use terms as far as misleading, but that's exactly what I feel they are. If I have to say it out loud. >> put on the update that it was incorrect information. That so what? It wasn't fraud and the individual that did this is no longer here and I can tell you the staff and I we know what we're doing. We know what the problem is. We had a we had an advisory meeting uh on Friday. Correct. >> And I explained to the board the information that we have. So, we're going to be okay with the audit for 24-25. Like
122I told my trustees There was an item there and and I'll I'll give you the update. The item there on the report stated that we were in the red $14 million. And we have justification for that. So again, the board that was there on Friday and I explained the justification. So again, I'm okay with everything, but I'm not in favor of the forensic audit because it was very expensive last time. 300 over 300,000 and we found nothing. Well, and that's why this this wouldn't be 300,000. I don't want to use CareTech. It was over it was last time. It was over 300,000. Yes, it was. Well, that's why I would like for before taking action on forensic audit to get a for for you guys to go get a cost so we know what we're
123diving into if we do decide to go that route. Here I'm Here I'm The motion is a quote. The motion isn't not to proceed. The motion is let's get a quote. >> And I will tell trustees this and that's all I'm going to say. This is the last time I'm going to say it. You're going to have to explain how you went from $65 million to the 30s within just two years. And you're going to have to explain how your all your safety nets failed because because information Well, because I'm predicting that you're probably going to you're already in the 40s now. In September you you September you were presented that you were at 65 million. In November you were presented with construction that's already going on that you're at 51 and you just gave
124a stipend that you were not did not have budgeted. >> board approved that the stipend. Well, of course. Okay. But So, let me go back again and I'll and I'll explain this as I did to the committee. Right now we have a 91 day on the fund balance for for 20 24-25. There's a fund balance of 91 days. And and we'll explain what that is. They're expenses, yes, but they're paid for. >> we just go and get the like I said, I like his motion, we just get a bid and then we bring it back to the board at that time. Okay. So, right now it's just to get a bid for quote and then we'll have a special board meeting to vote on it. Right. Yes, sir. So, we have a motion by Mr.
125Castillo seconded by Mr. Los Santos and >> [snorts] >> if the quote is too high, then we can look reach out to Region 1 or Mo K C or whichever if they have a better rate. I have the scope of work. Yes, sir. You ready? Okay. Any other questions? I just want to clear up because I mean, you know, like Ben said at the last meeting with when it comes to numbers and finances, I it's hard to for me to understand and I know LSG our coach tells us talk to everybody as if you're in a sixth-grade classroom so it can be easy to understand. And so I was a little still confused when we say a budget deficit. I even had to look up Google what does that mean? A budget deficit happens when
126spending exceeds revenue, right? Okay. So I was thinking in my head, "Oh my gosh, we are Weslaco, we are in the negative zero. We have no rainy day fund, we have nothing. Are we broke? What's going on?" But that's not what's happening, correct? >> No, you're you're just taking out your savings, you're draining your savings. >> Okay, so we have like our rainy day, our savings, and what you're saying is because of all these things we're kind of dipping into our savings. >> Right. I'm not not at zero and going below that. >> You've been we've been told it for a year that we don't have a payroll overage, right? For 24 25 that that came in from 23 24. Mhm. >> Right? We we said, "Oh, we took care of the $50 million SR
127deficit." Data shows that somehow we rolled over millions of dollars of payroll to 24 25, right? Now, on top of that, you have accusations from whistleblowers that create the budget saying, "Hey, you all didn't get the right information before 24 25. You had a you had a salary overage and then you went and gave stipends $6 million to staff and you gave them raises, which you can't afford." And then and then the same situation happened for 25 26 as far as outcries, right? And then the numbers but we don't have numbers for 25 26 right now and we're in December. So when you say raises, but did the state gave us money for that? >> No, I'm talking about 24 25, remember? We were the only we were the only district to give raises and
128stipends last year. Okay. But their claim out there with the whistleblower is that that their budget was discarded was not used and another budget was was provided. I only know the facts is that we had a budget that was $200 million at the beginning of the year and I'll post this online. Very simple. We had $200 million at the beginning of the year we were told, we ended up spending well well over. It was 223, might have gone down cuz they were transferring employees to federal and things like that. But we were still over on payroll. So we didn't hire millions of dollars of staff that year. So so that's what all these things combined are red flags, right? And and like I said, even just basically being presented from by the district September, they
129told you 65 million. October, they told you 59. November, you got told 57, down down to 51 cuz of construction. And then so 51 minus three or 2.8 million, you're in the 40s, right? Logically, cuz that's the last that's the last update we had. So now we're in the 40s and then there's strong rumors and rumors out there that logically because if you carried a bubble from 23 24 to 24 25 and you just made it bigger cuz you gave local state raises, but you got a bubble waiting for you in 25 26. All I'm saying is once we get into May and June if we don't act fast and find out how it happened and where it happened and and what it truly is, we have contracts to give out. We always give out
130contracts in March. I don't want I don't and that's a small time window for departments and staff and professionals and non-professionals at the time too for just for them, for everyone here, for leadership to figure [clears throat] out, "Okay, who do I have coming back and who can I afford and who can I cannot?" Cuz we cannot on the board, we're going to reduce staff. Exactly. We're going to we're going to do it already. I told the board we're 300 kids below, so some staff has to be through attrition. So again, we've got a plan, but again, if you want to and I'm okay with region one, but I'm not okay with the forensic audit because that's just that's for fraud. Okay. We're we're trying to save money and here we're going to add another
131200,000 or whatever it is. >> be 200,000. >> 200 Well, whatever it is, we don't know. But in my summary, we're not at zero and going under. We still have our rainy day fund. Correct. You have some left, yes. The rainy day fund, yes, I can be clear again. For for the audit for 24 for 24 25, we have a 91-day fund balance plus all the expenses that we did and I showed you at the I showed you all the projects that we did. Correct. And we still have the 91 days as of the 24 25 school year. Now, going 25 26 is going to be different because now now you got other expenses and like I said, I was given wrong information by the ones who are no longer here, so I I'll take
132responsibility, but for 24 25 for the fund balance, we're okay. 91 days. Esmeralda, you say responsibility, I am very we need to hold people accountable who knew about this or you know, we can't just say, "Well, it was just him." If somebody knew about this and things weren't being said, we need to hold people accountable because we can't just ignore it and say, "Well, it was just the this top person." If like Mr. Los Santos is saying, the people knew about it and nothing was done, we need to get to the bottom of that too. >> no one came to me. And that's the problem. No one came to me with the whistleblowers, no one came to me. They went out there and told different people, told the board, but they never had the courtesy
133to come to me and tell, "Hey, we have a problem." Never. That's very upsetting. To me it is too. So okay, so we have a motion on the floor. I just want to I I just want to clarify one thing. Clarify. Given all the information, we are taking corrective actions to address this. Yes. And we're taking we're taking this motion, yes. >> to reduce staff. We're going to reduce expenses cuz we have to do that. And that's And then but my but see my to finish off on that and follow up on that is that we've never talked about reducing staff. We never talked about pulling the stipend and those people are going to deserve an answer as well too, just like our community as well. It is historic. Districts struggle just to save a
134million dollars a year. And we're going that way and and we will we are continuing to slide. I said at a very fast rate and we have a responsibility as trustees. I'm not talking about team of eight here. I'm just talking about as trustees just like trustees who said right on point. We have answers to give as well. Not only just the taxpayers, but also to every single person who doesn't come back next year. At the end of the day, we're here for accountability. Now, whether the admin in the district want to take a different approach on accountability, that's up to them. >> Oh, no, no. But as trustees, we have accountability to the city and to our and to our taxpayers. We're going to take accountability. And again, on the recommendation of Mr. Ben
135Castillo, he said to have a school board uh uh committee and we started last Friday. Uh we had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Rivera and his cabinet uh and uh Dr. Jaime and Coach Cuellar joined me and so that information will be provided to all the board of trustees from Dr. Rivera and we will continue to meet every month or every fourth week, whatever I need to do uh and then go forward. Yeah. So we Let me just say Yes, sir. Is there a problem right now? Yes, there is. Okay. And this problem was after I saw all the information given to me that was incorrect. Do we have a problem? Yes. Can we correct it? That's the goal that we have to correct it. Okay, so we have a motion by Mr. Ben
136Castillo, second by Mr. Los Santos. And we understand the motion, correct? Yes. All in favor, please say I. I. All opposed? Nay. Okay, good. One uh opposed, motion carries. We'll continue. 12, close meeting uh to discuss personnel matters, discussion regarding superintendent's recommendation on contracts for certified professional, non-certified professional, and non-contractual person uh personnel. 12 A 2, discussion regarding resignations, retirements of certified professional, non-certified professional, and non-contractual professional. Uh 12 A 3, discussion regarding superintendent's recommendation for the position of head football coach, athletic coordinator for Weslaco East High School. Then we have 12 B, consultation with attorney regarding Texas Government Code Section 551.071, pending or contemplated litigation, settlement offer or matter in which the duty of the attorney of the Weslaco Independent School District under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar
137of Texas clearly conflicts with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code. And 12 B, discussion and discussion and consideration regarding cause number CL-24-21-15-J, Megan Rios versus Weslaco ISD in the County Court at Law Number 10 of Hidalgo County, Texas. It is 7:20 and we will go into executive session. >> Mhm. >> Okay, so we reconvened in open meeting. It is 8:02. Uh 13A, possible action if necessary in items discussed in closed meeting. 13B, discussion of possible action regarding superintendent's recommendation of contracts for certified professional, non-certified professional, and non-contractual personnel. Dr. Rivera. Recommend approval. Move to approve. Second. We have motion by Coach Guerra, seconded by Mrs. Sustaita. Any discussion? All in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 13C, discussion of possible action regarding resignations, retirements of certified professional, non-certified professional, and non-contractual
138personnel. Dr. Rivera. Recommend approval. After discussion, move to approve. Second. We have a motion by Coach Guerra, seconded by Mrs. Sustaita. Any discussion? All in favor, please say I. I. All opposed? Motion carries. 13D, discussion of possible action regarding superintendent's recommendation for the position of head football coach, athletic coordinator for Weslaco East High School. Dr. Rivera. Uh we had six very good candidates. And the top three, in no particular order, and these three are are just very good very good candidates. Carlos Guerra, Michael Brown, uh Alfredo Guzman. Three good individuals. >> [clears throat] >> I wish we could hire all three, but the committee the committee has recommended Carlos Guerra. I move to approve. Second. We have a motion by Coach Guerra, seconded by Mrs. Sustaita. To recommend Coach Guerra for the head football coach,
139athletic coordinator for the Weslaco East High School. Any discussion? He's your coach. Uh Yeah, I Do we want him to speak first or do we speak now? We're going to Okay, that's let's talk. I just want to say if if we do if if this passes right now with the motion, well, I guess I'll just wait until after the motion after we vote. Okay. Yeah. I would just say outstanding candidates and and and outstanding candidates and obviously it sounded like it was an intense interview process and that all of them bring major qualities, so uh kudos to all those. Okay, so that interview All in favor, please say I. I. Uh uh any opposition? All right, uh motion carries. Now now we can have Dr. Rivera introduce uh Coach Guerra. Coach Guerra. >> [applause] >>
140East Side strong side. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Coach Guerra, would uh at the podium right here. And again, like Mr. Los Santos mentioned, uh quite a number of candidates, all excellent candidates, uh but the committee we were with the committee recommendation and the principal's recommendation and we'll move forward, so e- all East programs will prosper and uh go forward. But before we continue, I know Jackie wanted to say something first, so >> Yes, I just before I give Coach Guerra chance to speak, I just want to say I'm very excited. I feel like we're making history right now because you are the first Weslaco East Wildcat graduate who will be the athletic coordinator at East. You know, the kids have have responded to you very well. You have great passion for sports. You have a great
141background in what you do and we're just so excited to see you be make Weslaco East successful again. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Dr. Jaime. Congratulations, Coach. I've heard a lot of great things about you and look forward to seeing what you can do with the kids there at at East with all the programs, not just football and just good luck and you've got the support of the board behind you there. Thank you, sir. Coach Guerra. Oh. Sorry. Well, [laughter] we've got Now you're going to have a head football coach named Guerra and a head band director named Guerra. Oh, yes. >> [laughter] >> But just for the record, we are related but very distant, so I don't think there's a nepotism thing here and and uh uh I know that you and Dr. Gamboa
142are going to work very closely together because I know you well enough to say that you're not there for yourself. You're there for the for every kid at at at Weslaco East and Yes, sir. And you said it well when I when I left that I took care of every single individual. It was the classroom first and everything else second. Yes, sir. I know that's what you're about and we're very happy to have you there. The candidates that applied are excellent excellent people, but but because you you are from East, um it it it makes it a little more special, so con- congratulations, Dr. Gamboa, excellent choice. And uh Coach Roman, I know you guys will work well to- together. And uh >> [applause] >> Mr. Ben Castillo. Yes, just congratulations. Looking forward to uh
143the the progress that you're going to make and excited for those kiddos. Yes, sir. Thank you. Coach Arana. Yeah, congratulations, Carlos, and I'm just going to wait my turn to hear you talk. Yes, sir. Mr. Los Santos. Well, sir, congratulations and I wish you the best and all the success for you and then all those programs and all those coaches. I think one of the main things that we had discussed too is just taking it to the next level. A respect- respectful, positive, and professional environment for not only just those students, but all those coaches as well and just building them. Right, sir. And so congratulations. I'm excited for you. Thank you. Okay, uh Dr. Jaime is going to going to give you 3 minutes to do a speech, but no. Oh, man. Oh, hold
144on before Dr. Rivera. Yeah. Uh Coach, what I told Coach Guerra and Coach Roman, tell you the same thing what I tell the principals and my staff, very simple, here's the ball, don't fumble. Amen. All right, Coach. Very important. Your first play of the season, you got to run the Rivera special. >> [laughter] >> So Coach Guerra, you got uh 3 minutes. Yes, sir. Um first and foremost, uh I would like to thank God for this opportunity. Without God, you know, nothing's possible. That's number one. Uh there's a few people I'd like to recognize. I'd like to recognize my wife, Christine, my children, Carlissa, Carly, Charlie. Thank you for always inspiring me to be the best version, the best coach, and the best, you know, person to give these coach to give these kids, you
145know, somebody to look up to and you know, other people that I would like to recognize is my of course my mom, my my sister, my brother, my family, you know, they've always been by my side throughout everything and without them of course, you know, family's everything. I would like to recognize Dr. Rivera, thank you for the opportunity. School board members, thank you. Dr. Gamboa. Thank you, sir. Uh Mr. Rodriguez, thank you as well and everyone else WISD and it's just a full circle moment for me. You know, I've had so many experiences and I'm ready to pour back into our kids. I'm ready to pour back into our kids, our community. I'm I'm all about being you know, WISD and and serving the community, serving the everybody and this is just a full circle
146moment because I still remember playing um street football down 11th Street and seeing Dr. Rivera pull in in his blue Lincoln Town Car and and and and you know, the most incredible thing was he always took time to stop and wave at us and and that made us feel like a million bucks, so you know, being able to come back, sir, and and to serve you and our kids and our community, you know, it just means a lot more and and and I can I can promise you that you know, kids are going to be treated right. They're going to they're going to be they're going to be valued for who they are. They're going to be known for their character. They're going to be developed physically and most important, they're going to be loved.
147They're going to be loved and cared for. Coaches, staff members, administrators, everybody's going to be respected. We're going to collaborate together. We're going to because at the end, everyone here in this room is here for the best of the best interests of the kids. That that's the end goal at the end of the day. It doesn't matter who gets credit. It doesn't matter if my name's on it. It doesn't matter if his name's on it. Hey, let's just figure it out together and and give our kids the best because that's what they deserve here at WISD, which is a second to none district. Thank you guys. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Dr. Rivera, any final comments? Well, we got one more item. We have one more item. Yes, sir. I hope we
148Oh. Okay. My fault. 13E. But any comments on on the coach? No, I would tell him Okay. Come All right. Uh 13E, discussion and uh consideration of possible action regarding cause number CL24-21-15J, Megan Rios versus Weslaco ISD in the County Court at Law number 10, Hidalgo County, Texas. Dr. Rivera. Uh Mr. >> Or Mr. President, if I could make a motion, I make a motion for the board to authorize legal counsel to decline offer as discussed in closed session. Second. >> Second. We have motion by Mr. Castillo, second by Cooper. Oh, or Jackie. Any other discussion? All in favor, please say I. I. All opposed, motion carries. Adjournment. So moved. 8:12. All right.