001Good [clears throat] evening. I'm Mr. Ornito, president of the West Board of Trustees. This special board meeting is being uh conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. Notice that this meeting has been posted online for the LA uh for at least three business days prior to the meeting date. The time now is 5:30. And I will call this meeting to order. I will now begin the roll call. Mrs. [snorts] Jackie Zeta, >> present. >> Coach Rando Quer, >> present. >> Mr. Ben Castillo, >> present. >> Coach Eiserna, >> present. >> Mr. Mark Los Santos, >> present. >> And Dr. Hime is in the back. He should be here in a minute. [snorts] Number three, uh, public comments. Dr. >> There are none. >> None. Thank you. Number four, Dr. S. Welcome. Number four,
002discussion and possible action on an incentive stipen for staff. Dr. >> Yes, I have one survivor I want to show. So these are these are these are factors that that were impacting the budget. Uh these oh number one the school year there's a decrease on student enrollment by 300 plus students which equals to approximately a loss of 2.5 billion. Due to this, there will be a reduction of teachers, staff, administer administrators through attrition. Number two, there are 34 federal positions that are at risk and may not be funded for next school year. So, I have a I have to find a way so that people here will not lose their jobs. On number three, the 2425 health insurance budget had a deficit of 1.2 million that we have to take from fund balance. Number four,
003the 2526 health insurance budget could have a projected deficit of 4 million. We do have a rising cost of substitutes. It was increased by about 1 million due to personal leave absences. So these were these are questions concerns that I have to address as your superintendent when we do the new budget for next year. In addition on the bottom there's a factor for 26 27 that we have no new state monies. We do know can be coming beginning with that year there's going to be vouchers and virtual schools that will take effect and could impact the school district's loss of enrollment. Uh, I do want to say that I recommended to the board to approve the compensation plan and that included the $1,000 stipent. So, it's already there. It's already budgeted and the reason I
004kind of put a hold on this was because of the above the one through five, but it is in the compensation plan. [snorts] And Mr. Neto, I'll get your guidance on what you want for me to do. I move to approve. Dr. >> We have a motion by good to approve the the incentive stipment for staff. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> They have a second by Mr. Ben Castillo. [snorts] Any discussion? >> Yes, I do. >> Okay. Mr. Los Santos, >> I have to say that I'm going to have to be honest. Okay. This this topic has weighed very heavily on me for a very long time. And this journey started kind of back in July. Um, like I said, we've always been at at odds. You know, I respect Dr.
005Divera a lot. I really do. But we've always been at odds since since July when I first reached out to you uh uh Trustyto and and Dr. Divera about calling a special board meeting because of some figures that were shown to us in the June 2025 packet. At that time, it was a 2025 2020 2025 2026 packet. And it also had the figures for for June from the previous year. And in there it showed that we had a a uh payroll deficit, right? Uh shortly after, like I said, I reached out to you. We called the we called the meeting and and and the issue is here. I can't sit here and look at this and be honest to myself, myself be honest with with the public and say that this is because of these
006these factors here that we're currently having issues. Now the factor is is that like I said that uh we have if you look at the 24 25 uh June 30th report that you received in September and you have heard the discussions that we've had since July that that our budgets for the last two years have been marred by accusations from whistleblowers right that that we were given inaccurate information inaccurate budgets and that led us to approve stipens and raises in 2425 that we shouldn't have which then directly impacted our unreserved fund balance. And there's proof of that. He gave it to you in September uh in in the in the documentation there. It was in the packet and I you could take one and pass one. >> If you can take one of those and
007pass one out there and so and just just a reminder because I know we have >> this direct this directly impact the statement. Yes. >> Just a reminder that we do have that item on the budget uh uh for Monday, >> right? >> Okay. So here we're just here for the statement. Continue. >> Okay. Okay, go ahead. >> So knowing that we knowing that we have we had a a uh operational deficit and employees there carry over from 24 to 25 and then on top of that at the direction of the administration we gave an additional local races right other than the two state categories and then we also did it across administration at 4% right and then also across uh our hourly staff knowing that we have that and you're talking about an eight
008digit bubble right in the paper that you see there you have a a a $14 million deficit and you were told to deduct the construction costs below it that are coming out of savings from that showing you that you had a million dollars. But if you look at the line items there under expenses, there is no construction costs in in in that column. Okay? So the reality is this. We don't have to wait until February for car rigs to give us a report. You have staff members. They're not here today. The CFO is not here today and neither is uh this other individual that does a budget analysis. But we can get that report instantly already from them. As far as where we stand at 2425 as far as for payroll, my concern here is
009this is you see your savings dropping. In September, for instance, you had a presentation to to the community that you had $65 million. Um, you directed the CFO to present to them to explain what that $65 million was. Then if you look at the that was that was in September. If you look at the October meeting, the presentation to the board from the administration and the superintendent, you were told you had 59 million, okay, and unrestricted your savings. And then you looked at November and then you were told that you had 57, okay, million in that in in that month as well, minus construction costs that already that already going to be uh dedicated to that for this year. So, you were down to 51 million. Um, like I said, if you have an 8digit
0108digit if you have an 8digit payroll bill sitting there waiting for you that you can't afford, you're going to continue to push the district into a to very very very critical areas. Okay? You're and then that's all something that we have to look at. I understand that this is a human factor, but it's like I tell everyone else, yes, it's a human factor because promises were made that couldn't be kept. Okay? Realistically, we gave raises and stipens in the 2425 school year and the data will show that we shouldn't have made because we increased our operational costs and that we can't afford. And I'm not going to be wrong. In 2526 in May, once you get to June and you start getting early figures, you're going to go from 50 into the 40s, okay? Depending
011on how big that 8digit uh 8digit hit from payroll is going to be. And I guarantee it. I bet my seat on it, okay? I will resign if I'm wrong and I'm not. Okay? Because I've I've continued to look for this over a week to see if I was wrong and I'm not. So, that's coming. So, let's look at the human factor of things. Yes, a promise was made, but you promised it to 200 staff. That's 200 families. Okay? But you have a community of taxpayers and you got students that are in classrooms and you got people walking the halls that if you dip too low, this is a this is what you're going to have to do. A reduction in force, right? hoping and praying that people leave because the at the way the
012figures are you're not giving raises. That's a fact in May. I and I know I can already state it and this is the awful time to do it, but you really have to think how low am I willing to go and what impact am I going to have also on on that those staff that staff in May. Is it worth giving out $2.5 million that you don't have? You don't have it. You barely started doing funding. The whistleblower just barely got moved back to his position after Thanksgiving and he's working on the and that and the work on the 2425 budget's barely getting done. You don't know what you're doing in 2526. You haven't done any accounting. We we really have to think what are we going to do? Okay. And what steps are we
013going to take? Because we have to tell the public. We can't wait till the forensic audit on Monday. That's needed ASAP, right? And by Weaver because Weaver doesn't deal with Guadismo or any type of favors. They come in, they do what they got to do, and then they give you uh give you the report that you need. >> And you know what, Mr. Los Santos, this information uh it probably will be very good on Monday because the CFO will be here and of course that's one of the agenda items. I think that would be perfect what you're saying. You know, today we're just here for the stipens and I understand, you know, everything that you're presenting >> that would be perfect for Monday, you know, uh just my opinion. Okay. >> Okay. >> But what
014are we willing to do as a board though? like our like once we discuss that these projects that are were that may these projects that were brought to us by the by the administration that are tapping into our savings >> we really have to discuss that if we're going to give out this stipen something has to give so we have to kind of put a pause on those immediately I think because you're paying this you're going to end up paying the stipen out of your savings right >> and right now we have a already a motion and a second so now we'll take it a vote and then after that like I said Monday uh that would be the perfect timing the presentation is excellent you know, and that way because we have those agenda
015items uh for Monday and you know, that would be perfect with the CFO being here so that way he's aware of I understand what you're you're presenting. Excellent information, but that way we can make that vote today and then on Monday we'll decide, okay, what is the steps that we need to do? >> Okay. >> Can I have a little bit of discussion? >> Yes, Mr. Castillo. >> You know, I don't want to I want to acknowledge Mark, you know, I think, you know, his concerns are are very valid and >> and and I agree with Mr. We'll have that full-blown discussion with respect to u having a review and all that kind of good stuff on Monday. But I I had a couple questions. Doc, >> uh through attrition about approximately how many employees
016do we I know there's no way of knowing in May, right? But on average every year, how many employees >> around 40 or 50? >> 40 to 50 >> that resign or retire, >> possibly more. >> 40 to 50. I mean, federal positions, I mean, there's that's out of our control, right? That comes from the feds or the state. I mean, we I I agree with you. We'd have to see if it's possible uh if we don't get that funding to to help as many people as we can at the most uh needed positions that help students. Uh but that that one's out of our control. With respect to the health insurance budget and the deficit, uh I mean, I think we are going to have to get very creative, especially on the pharmacy side.
017I had mentioned that. >> Yes. uh when that came up on the agenda, whenever it came up on the agenda. And uh yeah, I mean, every school district's kind of dealing with that at that point. You're maybe looking at international pharmacy benefits or whatnot. Um and then the rising cost of substitutes, you know, by a million dollars. That's something I see in other districts as well. I don't know how to address that. That's that's that's really tough, right? Because teachers, employees could take their personal leave. Uh they're entitled to it by law. uh we just got to figure out a way to incentivize them coming to work. Uh or just or just taking it when they really need it. Uh but that that's that's a real tough one. Uh but yeah, I I do think
018uh you know, Mr. Deos Santos has you know, he does have merit to what he's saying. My only issue here is that it was approved. We let folks know we were going to do it. Uh, and I think, you know, we need to address the concerns uh that we do have with our budget, but after this after this is fulfilled because it was said that we were going to do it. Uh, and so, and that's my position on it. I I just uh I don't want folks to think that the that me or any of the other board members are ignoring that there may be an issue or that there is an issue. And uh we fully intend to address it on Monday. Uh but for today, I mean, I I think we just need
019to fulfill the the promise that we made to our employees. >> And u along those lines, everything that's that's brought up as there's no question to it, but I know Dr. well enough to support his recommendation because I know he's been looking at this very closely. No one no one has done more to ensure that every employee is well taken care of. And I'll guarantee you he has lost a lot of sleep over this and would not have said anything if he didn't have a a plan in in effect. It it it it may not be materializing right now, but he's been around long enough to to to know that he'll find a a way, but we all have to work together. And it's going to take a tremendous effort from every each and every
020one of us to help. This is not a one-man show. This is this is a team effort and that's how this is the way it's going to work. So based on that, I again uh support my uh motion for this recommendation and Okay. All right. Any other questions? All right. We have a motion from Okay, >> I'll just go ahead. Go ahead. >> I'm just going to keep on going what you guys are saying. Um first of all, the question uh Dr. Da in June it said incentive stipens and then we had 2.5 million on the screen. Is that for both uh December and May or just what? >> Just for December. So it's 2.5 million. >> 2.6. Mr. Bmer, that's right. 2.6. 2.8. >> 2.8. Okay. >> Everything. 2.8. >> 2.8. >> Okay. I
021looked at the June when we had the budget uh meeting in June and and it said 2.5. >> Yeah, I think that's probably more of an approximation. Right now, when we look at it with everything, it comes out to about 2.8. >> 2.8 million. Okay. I'm going to write that down. Um, pardon me on that, but the stipen is only for December. There will be no May stipent. >> Yes. >> Okay. Because if it was May, it'd be four 5 something million. Okay. >> For sure. No May stipent. >> Okay. >> And that's always been conditional. >> Yes. >> Okay. Now, now we're talking about the the compensation uh the plan and this is kind of what has been playing in my head um these past couple of days when when this all came about
022last week on Friday. Um there is a polic and I'm very policy driven because I'm doing always LSG. We have to read our policies and you know that there's a policy policy DEA. It says and this is what I tried to explain to the public on Facebook. I if if funds are already approved by the board and they're in the compensation plan, they cannot be unapproved unless the board unapproves them. And we hadn't met on Friday when that that letter that, you know, got all this started went on. And so there was a there was miscommunication there between the board and the community and Dr. Divera and admin. It just got very it's a very hairy situation. But if we know our policies and we know what the rule book says to do [clears throat]
023the you know that sure never happened and I did ask on Friday I was trying to do my work at the office payroll and the my phone and I get it everybody was what's going on so I kept getting calls and phone calls I mean every I'm sure all of us feel we all kind of the same thing it was just every five minutes so I said please can you send out a response or somebody do something send something out so that way they know that we have have to take board action first. Let us discuss it. Let's do this the right way. But the letter never went out. It the the only letter that got to the employees was this is being taken away. And I'm making the I statement here. I feel like
024if that would have been done, this kind of snowballed into all this big thing, but it could have been stopped on Friday and give us time to discuss and see what's going on. But that didn't happen. And so that's what I I want to see not just you know us as a board but but administration and and Dr. A like let's all be on the same page about policy and what are the right ways to do things and what are the gray areas we have to all be on the same page about that um because right it's teamwork and through LSG also the our lonear governance which teaches us how to be better at governance um we have board constraints and we never really talk about this during our monthly meetings we we're always talking
025about the which is great academics of the kids but we don't talk about the constraints and constraints what is that well constraints means these are things that you should not do and when we had our training as a board we agreed as a board that there's five things that we shall not do as a board [snorts] and the number one constraint and I'm making my eye statement right now the number one constraint that as a board we came up with as a team is the board members shall not number one engage in negative conversation or public behaviors that put the district staff and students board as a whole or the community in a negative manner or light. And this has turned into a violation of that board constraint because of everything that's happened from Friday
026until now. Um there's been of course we all read social media. We and if we don't read them, someone's going to send them to us and look what they said. So of course we know everything going around and it just made that situation made us look like we're not being transparent or not being honest. And I I did not appreciate that. So, we need to work as a team like you guys said. We need to be on the same page and have that communication because without that communication, this is what happens. A a and we have to follow the policies because if we follow the policies, we'll be okay. But there can't be any gray areas and we have to listen to each other because if I feel I'm not being listened to and I'm
027a board member. I can I know why teachers and other people tell us it's because they don't listen to us. Well, guess what? Sometimes I feel the same way and I'm on the board. So, we have to listen to each other. Okay. And that's that's it for now. I'll wait for the rest for Monday. >> Thank you, Jackie. >> Just a quick question on the financials for last year. When when are we expecting those? >> Um, what was what was the timeline on that? >> He gave it to you in September. >> They gave you a preliminary >> preliminary. But the final >> the final February >> the final you can the go answer >> right >> Dr. February I believe is the final. >> Well, see that's the car rigs report. You can ask
028for finals as as as a board anytime you want preliminary right now. Car rigs is just verifying the that's they're they're called the audited final report, but you have your staff there that's already open and willing to give you the numbers that you need. Okay? And and the reason I say that that staff they're not here today, but they're vocal already because they see that they see what's coming, right? And so they're willing to talk to you all directly as well, too. Okay? These aren't cries that are just been made recently. It's like I was saying, they reached out to me because they're the ones doing the numbers. And these are individuals that are bravely speaking out, okay, that are trying to stop what's coming in May. And actually, what you just got told in
029right here in number one, you know, having a discussion like this about 300 plus uh, you know, students being dropped and the potential reduction of teachers and staff, that's not what you want to be talking at this time. That's a discussion that should have happened a long time ago. Okay. And I'm sorry, Miss Utita. Yes, I understand she's talking about the that I put the board meeting there. Okay. Yes. And to some of you, um, like I said, I just wanted to show that this was brought up a long time ago because this is a crisis, right? First part of solving a crisis is knowing that you're in one. Okay. And I did not know at the time because Mr. Sedna reached out to me, okay? And I did not know at the time that
030I went to a poor planning meeting with you and I and Doc. I didn't when I went to that meeting, I didn't reach out and talk to everybody else. I don't do that. I follow protocols, man. So, I put out there what really happened. I only put myself, my clippings, and I put the vote, right? so that people know, yes, it was brought up and that way I'm being transparent and they can reach out because look at look at what you're seeing at now. But I didn't know at the time, okay? So I will apologize to you, okay? I don't know you voted the way you did. He called me and he said, "Hey," he gave me his opinion real quick and he told me I didn't see the documentation that you took. Nobody gave
031me anything. So I went in there listening to you and I made my judgment off of what you were saying versus Ria. >> And just just to add to that, I mean, and I know Monday's going to come up, but >> correct. If I don't have information and I'm supposed to make a decision on I I just don't like to be going off inaccurate information and it's like I use this example. I'm going to coach and I'm giving a scouting report and it's not accurate. >> I mean, how are we going to move forward? Yes. >> So, I did not have some of that information that that was presented or or that you had that I didn't have. >> I gave it to Dr. and I'm based I'm supposed to make a decision on that.
032That's not cool. >> So, >> again, uh on Monday, we'll have a a deep discussion and overall >> doctor's questions. Mr. Ael, Mr. Butterr, do you have the answer >> for Dr. Oz? What do you asked for? >> The the rigs report is it February that we're expecting on February >> the audit report? Yes, >> the rigs report. Yes, that is comes final in February. >> We'll have these figures on Monday. We'll have some information on Monday, right? Monday. at least at least the preliminary ones. >> Yes. >> Pres because we normally have a monthly. >> Yeah. So, >> and then also maybe also up to through maybe through November. See where where we're at uh through November there also. >> Yes. >> I just want to say on number one when the school year
033started we had less than 100 students less than last year. >> Correct. >> So this is growing from September to now where it's 300. So we didn't have the 300 in September otherwise I would have told you at that time. >> Right. I also I also want to clarify grew through attrition means people retiring uh not necessarily you know reduction in force whatnot. >> All good discussion but our agenda item today is to uh approve the uh retention stipen not a bonus not a promise it was a retention stipen a lot of people say that it was a promise and that it was uh promised back in there. No we approved it to be a retention stipen. All right. So, we have a a motion by Coach Qua, a second by Mr. Ben Castillo. All
034in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All oppose. >> I said I. >> Motion passes. >> Can I just say a few words? >> Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Um, I could have done a better job before the letter was sent out when I knew about this. You know, we could have said an agenda item for the last board meeting, but I didn't. So, that I'll take responsibility. I should have done that, but I did not. And and the reason I sent the letter out was when I started seeing these five items, I said, I need to make sure that we have enough monies since we have these five issues. That was the reason I went ahead and sent the letter out before a board meeting because I was concerned that if these things happen,
035we are going to have a problem in May. And again, this is why I made the call, the decision. Uh the stipen is something that's not is not a a promise to anyone. >> Correct. >> It's our [clears throat] staff here is among the highest paid. >> Correct. >> Our teachers are among the highest paid our staff. So I I felt again I did not expect all the all that happened on social media. Uh I I viciously attacked myself and here I've been I given to the district 50 years and it's always been the best that I can to make our kids safe and it kind of hurt a little bit when I heard when I saw all that negative stuff about me. So again, I'll take responsibility. I should have done this discussed with
036the board at the last board meeting but I did not. These factors again came to me before before our meeting was scheduled in January. And that was the reason I just wanted to make the board also aware of where we're heading with these five fac five five factors because there are very important and they're going to hit us hit us very hard come come come May and and as your superintendent I'll do my best to find a way where I can find a way to make sure that the people here do not lose their job that uh we reduce our staff through attrition that we don't have to go out there and do a rift and I'll study very carefully with the board the health insurance to make sure that it does not go into
037the red. We may, like Mr. Ben said, we may need to change some things and also the c the substitutes. We may have to look at what we pay the subs. I think the pay was there for a long long time during the co years. >> Correct. >> So we were paying high amount for the subs. So now it's time to look at as a board to see if we can decrease this and also work with our teachers because they get 10 days 10 days a year and many of them take the 10 days. So when they take the 10 days we have to hire us. So maybe come up with incentive that if you don't use your days there's a little a little bonus or something here where our teachers don't use their 10
038days. Again, I apologize to the board because I put you in this predicament where you were the ones that received the all the negative calls too, but it it came from me. So, I should be the one taking responsibility for what happened. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Va. And as coach mentioned, every single staff member, not just teachers, every staff member in the WISD, they're getting this stipen. It's important that each one of you at each school motivate and encourage the parents, the students to come to school. Very important. That's just something and we need to work together as like Dr. Eva mentioned, you know, working together like Mrs. Susita mentioned knowing what's happening like Mr. Mark Los Santos mentioned, we need to work together so we can move forward and and limit the
039amount of loss that we're going to have uh this year. But working together with Dr. A and I I I the fellow my fellow board members. Uh I think it's very important that we communicate a little bit better and and as board president I will attempt to do that. I've tried to do that as much as possible. Uh but with time and with the patience and with Dr. Vetta's expertise I believe we're going to move forward and especially this year because I'm very confident uh that the schools are going to do well. you know, just in looking at the benchmark results and so forth and uh they're doing very well, you know, and when you hear from teachers, when you hear from parents how their sons and daughters are doing in schools, very important, but
040together we'll move forward and make this district as as as great as they've always been. So, thank you. Uh adjournment. >> All right, it is 558 and we adjourn.