Weslaco ISD Public Hearing & Regular Board Meeting (October 20, 2025)

001Good evening. I'm Mr. Ornetto, president of the West YSD Board of Trustees. This public hearing is being conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. Notice of this meeting have been posted online for at least three business days prior to the date of the meeting. A recording of this meeting is being made and will be available to the public at a later date. The time is now 5:31 p.m. And when I will call this meeting to order, I will now begin the roll call. Uh, Mr. Susa is not here yet. Dr. >> President, >> coach, >> present. >> Coacha, >> present >> and Mr. Mark Santos >> present >> and myself, Mr. Neto. The other two will probably come in in a few minutes. >> Dr. Yes. present. >> Good evening board and the

002public for hearing the um public hearing for schools financials integrity rating system of Texas for what everyone else knows about first. So today we're going to go over 25 slides and I've been told that we really want to get to the next meeting. So we're going to kind of go through this. These items will also be posted on our website. So in case if anyone wants to just see the numbers a little bit more clear next time, it it will always be out there. So the first thing that we do want to share is that for the performance report that we're talking about that the district received a superior achievement rating. And so that's always a great deal for our school district and it is something that we um strive for every year. So now

003let's start getting into the details of that. So again this started back in 1999 and in a sense it was just to ensure to see how school districts are managing their funds. Four levels superior achievement is a letter A, B is above standard, C meet standard and then the letter F. So for substandard achievements, so you're going to see about 21 different indicators. Some of them are a little bit different than others. So there's four of them that we call critical indicators. It's a pass or fail type of uh setup. Um they must be passed. If not, you get an F rating. uh out of the 21 letter a number 10 is not being uh reviewed this year and that's for all school districts. You also have a another type number four, 6, 16, 17,

00420 and 21 are what they call ceiling indicators. And there is a maximum for the those points that are uh um allowable for a school district. And so the majority of them are on a scale from 0 to 10. And so the idea is to at least get 90 points and that's how you get your A or your superior achievement. The maximum points that is available is 100. So for this current submission, the district received 98. And so we'll talk about that one indicator that we lost those two uh hard to get points. And we'll we'll go through that. So indicator number one again um the wording officially is going to be in black. I do have sometimes a indicator that um let me put it in my own words and those are going to

005be in just a regular uh italics. You will then see what is our result. If I have at least three years worth, you'll see how each indicator for the past three years have been alive for two years. So that's when you'll only see two items. So for every school year, the district has submitted their annual report within 30 days to TEA. So that has been happening every year. So we received that particular point. Was there a unmodified opinion for the financial statements? So I do want to kind of give a definition of Unmodified is another way of saying a clean audit. And yes, for all past three years, we've been having a unmodified opinion or a clean opinion for our audit book. Was the school district in compliance with payment terms of all the debt?

0066 when you do that ratio and or I'm sorry to be under 6 and so uh we've actually have a 0 51% and so again because it's less than6 we do receive the maximum 10 points. Number 12, what is the correlation between future debt requirements and the assessed property values of the school district? So in other words, bonds divided by the value of all the properties within Westico ISD. And for the longest time, we never had to worry about this issue. So this year it finally goes into effect the bond that we received or the public approved back in 2023. And so because uh it is over four for that particular type of correlation we did lose those two points but again large bond compared to our property values. Number 13. Was the school district's

007administrative cost ratio equal or less than the threshold? So, the goal is that if you were to spend, let's pretend $1, the goal is that 8.55 cents would be paid for administration. For us, we spend less than that. We actually spent just a little over seven% or seven pennies in my little story. And so because of that, we're still way below than the threshold. We receive a full 10 points. Number 14. Did the school district have or not have a 15% decline in students to staff ratio over three years? So total enrollment of our students divided by total staff of the school district. And so if that does occur then in a sense did it hit that 15% mark decline? Well for the 23 24 school year we actually grew. Again we're coming back from

008COVID. So we did receive the full 10 points. Number 15. Was the school district's ADA within the allotted range for the district's bianual pre pupil projections which was submitted to TEA? And so the goal is to be within that 7% difference between what we submitted versus what actually happened. We were only off by 3.75 or even half of what the allotment allowed for. So because of that we are receiving the full five points for that indicator. Number 16. Did the comparison of PES versus our audit book was there at least less than 3% variance between the two? And so I'm proud to share our variance was um zero in when you compare PS versus what is on our audit book. Number 17. Did the external uh independent auditor report that the audit book was free

009of instances of material weaknesses and internal controls for our local, state or federal funds. So just like how our earlier one we talked about the audit book, now it's going into the internal controls of the business office. And I'm proud to represent that there was no material uh weaknesses that were brought up. So we received those full points for that indicator. Number 18. Did the auditors indicate that they were free? Again, the report was free of any material non-compliance for grants, contracts, or laws for again for all of our local, state, or federal. I'm proud to present that we are lawfully following all the rules and regulations, and because of that, we received the full 10 points. Number 19, did the school district post any and all required information on its website? And so we

010have been in compliance and so because of that, we received the five points for that standard. Number 20. Did the school district administration and board members discuss changes that impact local, state, or federal fund uh funding at a board meeting at least 120 days before it adopted its budget. And so we have several uh budget um workshops throughout the year. And so the idea is that we at least have one, but we have more than that. And so because of that, are we past the indicator? Number 21. Did the school district receive an adjusted repayment schedule for an overallocation of our foundation monies? So these are the monies we get from the state. Since we are um not having to do a repayment schedule because we estimated as close as we could to our actuals,

011there isn't any. So therefore we pass that indicator. So those are the 21 indicators. Now there is a few other extra items that we do have to share and so one of the requirements is to actually provide a copy of our superintendent report. We actually take it above and beyond and we actually place it on our school website. So again the superintendent's contract is out there. Uh, appendix B, we now share all the reimbursements of the school district back to the superintendent and board members for when they go on trainings for their hours. And so the way I'm going to read it again, you have the name and I'm uh we have three or four different indicators. How much was reimbured for meals, lodging, transportation, and other. So I'm just going to read the name

012and the grand total uh for that. So for Dr. uh our superintendent uh Richard Hera uh zero Mr. uh Nto $95428 Mr. Quer $26980 uh Dr. Rodriguez $1,1757 Mr. Ben Castillo zero Mr. uh Delos Santos uh also zero uh Mr. ANA $83144 and Miss Susa $1,22.30. And so if we were to add them all together, $4,433.39. One of the items that we do have to disclose is if the board member or family members if there was business transactions between them and the school district. Um also on that um item it does ask if if there is any disclosures or um if you have a business that might that has to be disclosed and so for business transactions everyone did share zero um Dr. Uh Rodriguez did share that he is an owner of what's it

013called vision source. So again he is disclosing it. If the superintendent has outside income he does not. So again he works solely for our school district. Another item that is uh presented to the uh from the board to the public is that if there was any gifts to our superintendent or to any board member um as of June 30th, 2025 and all have disclosed zero. And so just as a reminder um we received 98 out of the 100 points for this particular year. And so again, it's all because of the hard work of the business office, all the different persons that um submit bills that that's how we get those paid. And um so again, it's just a it's a team effort. And that is the presentation. Thank you. Uh let the record reflect that

014Mrs. Susta and Mr. Ben Castillo came in at 5:40 even though we don't have to have a quorum, but they came in at 5:40. Uh questions for either Dr. or Mr. I know Jackie w so let me start with Mark. Mark any questions >> Mr. Ben Castile >> just good job everybody. All right. >> Well done. Thank you sir and Dr. Harry. >> Great job to the team. Thank you and thank you. >> Likewise. Thank you. >> Okay. So I have one question. Yes. So if say we wouldn't have passed the bond that particular we would have gotten those two points and we would have gotten the 100. Correct. >> That is correct. >> Okay. >> So excellent job that's excellent job. All right. >> At this time uh public comments on financial integrity rating

015system of Texas uh first schools first performance report. If anybody has any public comments that you would like to uh come up and state you may second time anybody and third time so you all saw the presentation so we're uh in excellent financial stability so we'll go forward adjournment. So all right are we ready for the board meeting? All right. All right, here we go. Good evening. I'm Israel, president of Westco ISD Board of Trustees. This regular board meeting is being conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meeting Act. Notice of this meeting has been posted online for at least three business days prior to the date of the meeting. A recording of this meeting is being made and will be available to the public at a later date. It is 5:50 and I will

016call this meeting to order. I will now begin the roll call. Mrs. Susta >> present. >> Dr. Hayman >> present. Coach Qu >> present. >> Mr. Castillo >> present. >> Coach Cerna >> present. >> And Mr. Martin Santos >> present. >> And Mr. Netto present. We have full forum today. We're full board. Invocation. Dr. Mr. >> Would you be so kind to bow your heads and let us pray. Gentlemen, if you're wearing a hat which is remove it, please in reverence to the Lord. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, how great and mighty you are. We honor and magnify your holy name, God, in all situations, at all times. You are good. Nothing compares to you and there is no one like you. You are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise

017simply because you are. We are humbled that we get to know you. Father, we humbly implore that your heavenly mercy, strength, and peace be upon the family and friends of Larissa Nicole Rodriguez. The passing of a loved one is a very painful experience, most especially when their entire life is ahead of them. May your peace that passes all understanding flood their hearts and minds at this very moment. Father, as is always our petition, we ask you to continue to bless and grant greater wisdom to our superintendent, Dr. Richard Rivera and our board. Thank you for their leadership and heart. May your will be done in our board meetings. Help us always to maintain integrity in what you have left in our care. Help us always to be focused on the betterment of boys and girls

018in West Lico ISD. We honor you by protecting and educating them. As we enter the fall season, let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest of blessings. Please heal us of any anger, bitterness, unforgiveness or ingratitude that may dwell in our hearts. May we exhibit your love, humility, and kindness towards others. Begin that work in me. We ask you all this in your precious, glorious, and mighty name of Jesus. And everyone says, "Amen. Amen." >> Thank you, Mr. Elas. Um, pledge of allegiance, Dr. B. Mr. Can you lead us? >> Good evening, everyone. 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

019America, 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 is one state under God, one and indivisible. Thank you, Mr. Butmer. Number five, awards and recognitions, proclamations. Dr. Mr. President, >> ADA of 95, Mary Hog Middle School. for our high schools. Idaho County Boot Camp 88, an ADA of 99, JJ A, [Applause] an ADA of 95, West Lico High School, and an ADA of 96, South Palm Gardens High School. Where's West? Okay. We also have Ada of Westl East High School 94. >> Please. One, two. One more. [Applause] We'll continue with our proclamation. >> Dr. uh to the

020principles, congratulations. Of course, congratulate your staff that uh work so hard on making sure that we have good ADA and this is probably one of the better ADAs that we've had in quite a while. you know, uh that means that uh students are school learning and of course we're getting additional money when they're here on campus every day at the end of the year. So Dr. you and your staff and central office staff of course and of course the principles and especially because this month is principal month. So to all of you the principles uh great job continue to do the job that you do and you have our total support uh for the board. Thank you. Okay. >> Yes, sir. We continue on with our proclamation. West Lico Independent School District has a longstanding

021tradition of excellence and strives to bring together all resources to provide our students and staff with the best opportunities for success. To that end, Wesla D acknowledges, celebrates initiatives, departments, and organizations that join in our effort to develop, expand, and enrich our learning environment for students, parents, and employees. Therefore, Isidorto, president of the WISD board of trustees, does hereby proclaim November 2025 National Family Literacy Month, National Scholarship Month. We also proclaim November 2025, Parental Involvement Day, November 20th, Bullying Prevention Week, November 10th through the 14th, and we also continue to celebrate National Principles Month this month, Texas Free College Application Week, October 13th through the 19th in Westl and urge all citizens to recognize with appreciation our district's commitment to education and helping our children achieve their highest potential. Sign Isidoro nto president WD board

022of trustees. Thank you. >> Thank you Carlos. Is that it? >> Yes. >> All right. That's it for today. That was quick. >> All right. Let's continue on. Number six, public comments. >> There is one. >> Okay. Edward it says here Abila. >> Yes. Correct. >> Yes. >> All right. Uh come up to the podium and Dr. Haime will read you uh some procedures to follow. >> Good evening. >> State your address and first your name and your address. >> Hello. My name is Edward Javila. My address is 4413 JA Garcia, Mercedes, Texas. >> Thank you Mr. Aila. Pursuant to the Texas Open Meeting 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

023of this meeting. As per the Texas Attorney General, the scope of board discussion for a subject not part of the meeting agenda is limited to only proposal by a board member to place the subject on a future board agenda. Specific factual information or recitation of existing policy 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 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 three minutes. Any disruptive behavior by

024any 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 defamatory comments while participating in public comments. You got three minutes and I'll start the timer when you start uh your presentation, sir. >> Oh, thank you. I appreciate your time. Now, quick story. I used to work with you guys or at least I believe I'm still working with you guys. You guys can review that. That's up to you. I sent out some information to you guys. I asked you guys to go ahead and review it. That's up to you. Um, where I stand right now, it's a yes or a no. You let me know. Now, one of the best stories that I had when I was

025working with you guys is excuse me, sorry, is when I was working with the the children. I had an opportunity to work with children from prek all the way up through high school, right? and I taught at the university, so I do have the background for it. Um, working with second graders when the little ones literally turn around and wanted to learn, that was so cool. I'll be honest. But that being said, um, one of the experience I had with doing that is I drew a picture on the board and I asked the children to go ahead and show me what they want. So, they explained, you know, children, second grade, they all want to tell you at the same time, right? So I gave him a chance to raise their hands, wrote first, second,

026last, which gave them an opportunity to understand the structure of writing, which at the end of the day, they literally gave me a full story and they all participated and they loved it. So that's one of my better experiences while I worked with you guys as a substitute. Um, that being said, I looked at law school. I went through law school. I'm not finished with law school. I still have an opportunity to move forward to move forward. I I need your guys's help. So, given the opportunity, when you get a chance, review the paperwork. Please let me know. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We will continue. Uh item seven, superintendent's report. Dr. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. An. Uh let me start on on page two. The student enrollment last year around the same

027time the enrollment was 16,276. This October we have reduced it to 16,116. So there's a difference of 160 students. So, at a 95% uh ADA right now, we're we're we're less $1.3 million had we had the same attendance as we had last year. So, there is there is a difference and uh I can tell you there's several reasons and probably one is an immigration scare. Parents are afraid to send their kids to school. There's also a lot of charter school competition and our goal is to be second to no one. Now, we are losing kids, but just about every district in the valley is losing students. So, again, the principles do a very good job and uh the ADA and we're trying to get these students back to West Loco ISD. On page three, as

028was discussed earlier, this is the first six weeks attendance report uh with the enrollment plus the ADA. So, this was done already. You can see that the standard for the elementary schools is 96%. And I'm I'm proud to say that just about every school was able to attain this goal for the six for the first six weeks. It will become difficult throughout the year because of different factors, but for the first six weeks, it was excellent. You can see Clickler Hill in red. You can see the difference in enrollment. Clickler Hill last year was 903. As of this date, it was 8.97, but they had the ADA of 98%. Memorial, there's a difference from 1,105 to 1064 97.7. Marggo Margot actually gained enrollment from,087 to 1,110 the ADA 97.6. Seed by elementary last year enrollment

029695 present at this date was 634 so it's it's less than last year ADA 97.3 Sam Houston last year 745 this year about the same 741 the ADA 97.0 zero Gonzalez 554 last year the enrollment this year they decreased to 541 the ADA the ADA is yes 96.7 Rico last year enrollment 777 red a little decline 752 96.5 is the ADA airport last year 785 at this date 741 ADA 95.8 North Bridge last year 768 at this date 762 95.7 and I last year 503 this year 562 again 95.4 for again I want to commend all the schools here because they do an excellent job attaining this standard the next page are the middle schools the middle school central middle school last year it was 1,61 they've reduced by a few students 1051 96.3 the

030goal here is 95% elementary 96 middle schools 95 be Garza last year 915 this year 928 a slight increase the ADA 96.1 Mary Hog last year 828 this year they lost students 769 94.6 quer middle school last year 644 this year 644 the same 94 94.2 again I want to commend the principles the staff because any middle schools throughout the valley and state they're not anywhere near our 95%. So again, I commend the principles, the teachers, the staff, everyone for their hard work. The secondary schools, we mentioned the the boot camp. Last year we had 11 students. This year we have 16 and they're all present. We send kids to boot camp whenever there's disciplinary reasons. And this this school is in Westl JJP uh also disciplinary. Last year we had 11. This year we

031have eight. And we have almost 100% attendance. South Palm Gardens last year 72 students this year 68 95.7 the goal here is 95 94%. A West Loco High School last year the enrollment 26.98 this year they're higher 2762 the ADA 94.7 so they're they met the standard West East last year 2072 they've lost some students 93.6 and that's all round it off that's 94. So again, good good job to our high schools, too. I'm I'm real proud of all the schools, the parents, the students, the teachers, everyone for the job they do with with the ADA. On page six, uh we have to report this annually, the bilingual ESL annual program evaluation report. Our bilingual ESL program is an annual requirement in accordance with the TA code. Summary of the of the program. 24% of

032Westico ISD students are identified as emergent bilingual and are serviced in either our early exit transitional program or through ESL classes. 48% of the emergent bilingual students the metrowth on the Texas language language proficiency or telpas. 61% of the bilingual students performed or approaches performance level or higher in the in the STAR and EOCC exams. West local ISD trained 344 teachers throughout the year by offering 77 professional development sessions. We continue to monitor teacher certification and work with HR to submit waiverss when needed. Uh we we don't do this very very often. On page seven, this update on campus roofing projects, the roofs that collector held in Tony Rico. These are part these are part of the bond the bond election that we had. Uh we're addressing all the roofs for all the all the

033schools in need and this is this is a need of in a priority list and again the B is the funding was the was the bond proposition A. We should have these schools complete by December, this coming December. And then we're looking at pending bond projects in the next few months for V Garza Mary Hog Central. Uh a section of Margo. So these are the next schools in line as we do the roofs again from the bond election that was passed by the citizens of Westl. It is also a part of the bond election proposition Clo High. tennis courts are in bad shape. And uh again, you can see that on the agenda tonight is under consent to approve the ranking and the funding source again is a bond election. Hopefully, we'll finish by April

034of this school year. Again, they're they're in bad shape and again the bond elections, the citizens voted to help us with this and uh again, this is a start on other courts throughout the district. On page nine, this is an update on student restrooms improvement. It's on the agenda tonight under under consent to rank the proposals. The approximate completion date is a a year from this coming December. And throughout the year, we'll we'll show you the progress that are made on these schools. On page 10, this is the update on the West Loco High School track resurfacing. The substantial completion was already approved. And then the fund source again was the bron bond proposition C. A beautiful track at West Lago East High School. On page 11, I'm going to give you an update on

035the food in the cafeteria food and nutrition. We've added the Asia Asian food line. These are dishes now available in all secondary schools. We do have the supper program available to high school kids in elementary. These meals are offered at no cost and we do these for all students participating in after school enrichment or education programs but also available to all boys and girls aged 18 and under. The lunch program has has increased slightly from last year to this year from 76% to 79%. On on page 12, this is the preliminary fund balance. It's preliminary. We will know we will not know the final figures until we have the the annual audit report. But the beginning fund balance was 71,553. Now the fund balance assigned to child nutrition is 13,085. So I subtracted that and

036you can see the fund balance now is 59,268. But 7.5 million is already earmarked for additional one-time projects throughout the district. And I've given you a list of those projects that we're doing with this fund balance. So the three-month reserve, again, these are the preliminary, is 51,750. TA recommends a three-month reserve. Uh we're one of the few districts that maintain the three months reserve. And any any amount that we have over the three months, we go back with the board to address these foretime expenses. And the fund balance is earning interest 3.5 million from that amount. And we use it to either fund to either help fund that budget for that year or use this money for facilities that are needed uh throughout the year. On the bottom is something new. We just received this

037yesterday. TA sent a notice to all school districts indicating a revised submission deadline for all annual financial reports. The the date now is February 17th. It used to be November, but so now now our yearly audit report will not be given to you in November until February. And the reason is that the federal guidelines uh for the grants the auditing has not has not been finalized. This is this is from TA. So it's not just Weslo, it's all the districts throughout the state and TA has not updated the module for districts to upload the financial reports. So, normally in November we present the audit, but because TA sent us this letter, we're now going to present this to you in February. But I will keep you not uh probably on notice every single month on

038how we're doing. Again, this is the preliminary fund balance. Uh the financial report will show the budget for 2425 and that's the one that will be on this on this financial on this audit report on page 13. This is the budget for this year 2526. The board approved the revenues in July of 223 million 224. The the board also approved the expenditures of the same amount. The goal is for this year not to spend more than what we have. So we do not want to spend more than 223 because there are no new state monies. So the plan during the year, we already started this. The plan is to reduce B so we can use the savings from B for the for the uh budget for next year. So we're looking one, we're looking to

039improve staff attendance. We have a lot of staff members that uh they're absent quite a bit. They have 10 days. So last the last year was a big increase in our budget for substitutes. Uh we're looking to reduce overtime expenses. We're the ADA is based on 14,500. The goal is to go 14,600. I want to say that for the first for the first six weeks preliminary, we're above the 145. So that's that's good news. But the goal is is to have the ADA of 146 to bring the additional $1 million into the district. So due to student enrollment decline, no unbudgeted positions will be added to the budget. I'm trying to reduce the budget, not increase the budget because we are having we do have less students. I mentioned almost 200 students less than last

040year. And again, if we're able to do this to reduce the budget, then whatever whatever revenues are are there will be earmarked for one-time projects. We still have a lot of one-time projects that are needed throughout the district. And my last slide is we're already planning ahead for 2627. We're we have three budgets actually the that will do the audit. The budget for this year 2526 and then we're already looking ahead for because TA on a expecting no state monies for school districts. So the following year is when the monies hopefully will come back again with new monies. So it's going to be a tight budget for 2627. Again, no new state monies. On B, House Bill 2 provided to the districts to West 13,900 contingent on the ADA of 145. If we are less

041than that at the end of the year, that money will be reduced. The goal here is to increase the 145 to 146 or higher. So for next year, we're getting the same amount of money again. We're getting 13,900 to go ahead to uh contingent on ADA. We're getting this money again just to maintain the expenses, the payraises that were given and other amounts that were given. So, so we're getting the same amount of money again if we attain the ADA 145. So, so far in our calculations we have right now we have if if this if this we're able to do this we'll have a surplus to begin 26 27 with 5.9 million an additional from the from the interest in our fund balance this should be an additional 3.5 million. So overall, we plan

042to have at least $9 million right now to start the budget for 2627. The goal again is to reach the ADA, not to spend more than what we have budgeted. So that's again that's the goal for 2627. Uh difficult but not impossible because again we're expecting no no one in the state is going to get new monies from the state except if the enrollment increases or decreases. So again, we're all of us and with the board support, all of us are working to have to balance the budget for this year and to have money left over to start the budget for 2627. So board member, this is my report. Do you have any questions on any of these slides? >> Thank you, Dr. Vera. Good presentation. I'll start on the left over here. Mrs. Stita,

043any questions on the >> No, none. >> Superintendent's report. >> I'm good. Thank you. >> Okay, Dr. just comment you know thank you for it's a lot of information thank you for all that information Dr. Ia and and uh you know know there's you always update us but there's always uh things going on behind the scenes and and great job and to all the campuses and and working on the ADA um you know it's that's where you know kids being in school that's when they're going to learn so great job to to everyone to everyone thank you >> thank you Dr. behind me. >> Coach Gra, >> I echo the same sentiment. You know, um and we and we talked about it before. We we we know what the challenges are and you know, you

044can only control what you can control, but um keep doing what you're doing. And uh Dr. You still have the ball. You're running well with it. Yes. >> Keep it going. >> Thank you, coach. >> Mr. Ben Castillo. >> Yes, sir. Uh again, kind of expressing the same sentiments as the other trustees. I have a couple questions with respect to the audit on page 12. Okay. Uh, are we a September or June budget? >> June 30th. >> June. >> And that letter applies to everybody whether you're September or June. >> It applied to all 10,000 school districts. >> That's the first I hear of it. Uh, can can you send that to the board? >> Yes. >> I can send it to the superintendent. The letter we have from TEA and >> Yeah. I just

045like to look at it. >> Yeah. >> Uh, yeah. Cuz that's >> we received this Friday. >> Yes. >> Yeah. That's that's interesting. That's >> uh but yeah, I know there's a whole bunch of stuff going on with the federal government and stuff and it it does make sense, but yeah, just for my peace of mind if I can. >> Uh and then on uh on page 13 on the reduction of ineffective district programs, >> when you guys uh when you guys work through that, are you going to share any of that information with the board with respect to the reduction? >> We will let you know. >> Yes. >> Okay. Yeah. I I think we'd like to be informed on on what we're planning to cut and not cut because we do get the

046calls. Yes. >> And so that that that would be great. Um our high schools are pretty big. >> Yes, they are. >> Yeah. West High is almost 3,000 and then Well, East is at 2,000. >> About 2,800, I think. >> One day we'll need a third high school. >> That's that's a lot to manage. So, good job to both of you guys. >> And uh great job on the ADA. Uh I know you guys do a great job of uh making students feel welcome. my students, my students, my kids are a recipient of that. They like going to school. So, I appreciate you guys as principles for doing that and your teachers. So, please tell them thank you for me and and thank you doc for all the hard work that you and your staff

047are doing. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Castillo. Coachella, >> again, I echo what everyone's saying so up to this point, but uh I was gonna ask about the tennis courts at the part of the superintendent report. >> Yes. >> I know it's going to be resurfaced, correct? just to get it clear. But is there anything going to be done to our to the canopies for the students? Uh that the canopy area is there a canopy going to be >> just to clarify. I mean >> so we're going to do we're looking at the windcreens and the canopy as well. >> Oh, you are that's part of the project along of course the resurfacing. >> Yes. >> Okay. Yeah. I just wanted Yeah. We ex said except the posts because if we if we uh

048mess with the post we're going to have to dig deeper and then it's going to create >> you're talking about the the fence post >> but the surfacing is going to be >> adequate or above adequate. Yes. >> Yes. >> Westico East. The the track at Westico East was that is that already everything's good with that? Everything turned out pretty good. >> We're just finalizing it and trying to close it out because there was some additional work because of the ADA >> um that was required for the inspector. >> And so we just trying to close it out by by having those uh ADA requirements. But the track itself is is finished. Okay. >> No, that was it. Good job. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Mr. De Los Santos. >> Yes. Just a little bit

049about the restrooms. I know I was going to I'm glad you all talked about presented it, but can we just talk about the scope just so the public can hear because I know I've had calls about restrooms at elementary schools and things of that nature and I know it's part of our bond projects, but just so at least they can kind of hear what's going to happen. And is it like a full tile replacement, tear down and redo or just so that the public can know? >> Yes, absolutely. Good evening to the board. >> Uh yeah, so we're doing uh for Marggo and BASA for the existing student restrooms and that's throughout the campus including at the nurses station. Uh we're doing a complete remodeling uh well I should say renovation of the restrooms in

050some instances especially biga remodeling because we're having to switch the boys and girls restrooms as they are right now to be able to meet the numbers per uh requirements code requirements. Okay. uh big ara is going to have an additional set of restrooms added to the cafeteria and then again that's to meet the numbers per code according to the architecture. >> Nice. Well, thank you sir. >> Yeah, but we're going with everything uh tiles, you know, uh partitions and the the plumbing and everything, >> right? Thank you. Um the second one I had was on the slide on finances. Uh thank you Dr. Ietta on on your you know your transparency and and u and sharing the numbers and and the situation kind of where our district's at. And I did I just did want

051I was going to pull the item, but I guess we can talk about it here. I just did want to talk about uh I was curious and I was just curious about as far as our state aotment and funding that's expected. That was it because you know you have a summary of finance report that's that's that's public knowledge and and and for that is for people that don't know what that's SOF is. It pretty much tells you state funding that your school district is expecting from preliminary numbers to then what they call NF or near final and then final. And that number always increases, thank God, right? Uh usually it is going it's going up. So I see I see what was posted here and discussed and and as far as expected revenue, I guess

052my my main message here is kind of I know we're looking at a ADA, right? I'm going to change up kind of my approach on how I was going to do this. But I know we're looking at 88 and increasing all these things and and like I said, Dr. V, you and your staff is doing a good job at addressing the issue just like every other district, you know, probably in the whole country. And I know that the standards like for reporting got extended. Okay. I know we were supposed to hit up remember we were supposed to meet in November again and have this discussion and now that's been changed because of the OMB reporting, right? And that and for what that is, I think they call it something 2.0, right? The system's called 2.0

0530 where they're going to report into a new system that the federal government uh is requiring. So that's now extended. My only I don't have a concern anymore. Right. I I met with Dr. Detta. We've talked and and and whatnot and everything and he has an excellent plan. So my only thing is is to wrap up 2425, right? we finish finish that general ledger, reconcile what you need to reconcile and those things and so that we can kind of figure out where we're at and then that way I just want him to have all the resources and the exact facts once we knock out that 2425 and I know he already has it anyways so we all can pivot as a board together you know because one of the things that we talk about I'm

054going to bring it up here is that there's there's populations out there other than our students but our staff I'm going to talk about staff here for a minute there's populations out there that sometimes s going back to 2122, Mr. Rulad, you were there more than anybody else and we talked about saving up funds in the fund balance and moving people into Esther and doing all those things and trimming down uh the the structure of the district, the whole board at the time that was there. And there's a population out there right now, like I said, you're that has historically been understaffed, right? our maintenance, our custodians, our transportation, um, nutrition, our hourly staff on campuses, paras and support staff that campuses have. And so our non-exempt our hourly staff, I understand cutting overtime is

055is is very important and I'm not going to over talking about anybody's strategy because that's a good strategy. But I, as a trustee, am okay if we need to use unrestricted fund balance to cover a gap, right? It's a gap that everybody's getting affected by only because they've been historically understaffed in our district, which is kind of rare. Most districts are the opposite, but this one has been like that for decades. Um, but at this time, I would say as a trustee, I would support the superintendent and his staff that if they need to dip into our unrestricted fund balance to continue to operate at 100% so that our students are served properly and that our staff is protected. I don't want people to overwork themselves or cause injuries or things like that or that

056nature. >> Um I would be supportive of that as a trustee. That's something I wanted to announce. >> We could do that. >> Yeah. That if you need to, if you feel you need to, you have my support 100%. >> Thank you. >> Um because I know that uh at the end of the day, not only are we going to be academically successful, but we're but we can smell that A rating, right? And and that's the goal. And so that's just something I wanted to discuss today. Okay. So, thank you. >> What's that? >> Thank you, Mr. Los Santos. A lot of good points from all trustees, of course, from Mr. Los Santos. Any others? Mr. Castillo. >> You had one more. >> I did. Man, you're a good board president. You read my mind.

057Uh I uh I forgot to bring up the the supper program >> uh on the nutrition side, which is great. I'm glad that we have it, but can we promote it? >> Yes. >> Uh because I think that'd be a good uh resource to our families here in West Co. Uh yeah, if we could promote that, that'd be awesome. >> Mr. David, let's do that. Mr. Rome, guess me tomorrow on it. >> That's all I got. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you for uh the comments and thank you Dr. for uh continuing to do an excellent job with our finances. >> Thank you. >> Okay, let's continue with uh number eight, Longar Governance. Dr. Ia >> uh 88 discussion on the Longar Governance Board monitoring calendar for October 2025. >> This is Solano, right?

058Yes. >> Yes. Um hi, good evening. uh board president uh board trustees and members of the community. So this month in our LSG presentation, we will be reporting our kinder through second grade uh NWA map beginning of the year results. Uh Mr. Davido already went over the CPM which was the public hearing that he presented at the beginning of the meeting. So I'll focus on the academic portion of the report. So the first slide that we see here is we wanted to update everyone and I know our principles and teachers or instructors have gone uh through this training but this year uh NWA map uh for the 2025 updated the norms. So last year we would always present if they're at the 60th percentile it equals to a meets performance. This year that was a

0592020 COVID norms. um they did a new study with over 14 million students and now the norms as you see it's not necessarily at the 60th percentile for example in math that first table to the left you will see that at the meat's performance in order to be considered at the meet's performance in the fall you're required to uh get any or rank anywhere between the 78 percentile to the 94 right and then the winter it's differently spring it's differently um unlike math you will see see that reading stayed very consistent with anywhere very uh small minimal dip 59 to 88, 58 to 87 and 58 to 84. So this is based on the new norms after co they decided to revisit the norms and say what percentile ranking is equivalent to each performance level

060in star. So if you are a parent teachers, right, you send parent reports out. You should be able to see your parent uh your students record and it should tell you what percentile ranking and it also says your child is likely to have scored approaches meets masters in the star if they would have taken the test. So I just wanted to keep everyone informed of the new norms. So the first goal goal one looks at all the language arts. So here in this slide instead of again at the 60th percentile now to be at the uh meets performance level for kinder first and second and we align this to third grade as third grade is the goal right that we want to achieve. Um each grade level is at the 59th percentile. So for kinder,

061you see that the beginning of the year data is showing that 39% of our kinder students districtwide are already scoring at the meets percent or above. Right? Our goal for end of the year is 54%. Right? Then you see in first grade 37% of our first graders are already scoring at the meets performance grade level or above. And the end of the year target is 46. for first graders. Second grade, if you notice, second grade in language arts, they're scoring the beginning of the year, this is third weekend, which we're really proud of. 43% of the second graders currently are already performing at the meet's performance level or above. And their end of the year target is a 51. this year for third grade in general which is the goal that we um aim to

062impact right with this data positively third graders their target is 56. So that is the reading language arts and you do see the table by uh populations whether it's our ecois which is very similar to our all student group our bilingual students or our special education students in comparison to the off student group and their end of the year target as well. So that is the language arts districtwide. If you notice on the next slide, you will then see it by grade level, kinder, first, second. You will see their beginning of the year data, but broken down by campus. So you will see that some campuses have either already met or are close to meeting the end of the year target, right? Um or um you know, language arts looks very promising. I will say

063it's very strong data for a beginning of the year administration. We compared it to other years as well. So, we're very happy with what we're seeing in the language arts um classrooms and and data overall districtwide. And you will see, you know, some campuses and I'll point out you will have your memorial that's right there right in all three grade levels. Um you have your Clackler Health, Sam Houston, Selva, very promising numbers. Rico, you know, and then all of our campuses uh our other campuses are are really tied in a very high percentage um contributing to the district overall scores for RLA. So for RLA as a district in the observations and the support that we have provided one of the things that and and again this is considering this is the third week of

064school when students were testing right one of the things that we're noticing and we're seeing is we are seeing great fidelity to the adoption right so that's our tier one resource during the schedule block we are seeing also two more instructional administrative leaders in the PLC's planning with teachers which is one of the things that we have identified as a great improvement this year and we are also seeing more explicit instruction which is the I do we do you do more time you know for the learner to have uh be exposed you know to show their work what needs more attention and one of the things that we're working on um either towards PD or collaboration uh through PLC's it's with our general ed teachers with our special ed teachers teachers, right? As our specialed

065um education, it's extremely important to make sure that our resource or inclusion students uh get the same quality education when they move into those classrooms. Also, uh we are seeing that math is taking the momentum right of PLC of planning as we have a new adoption this year. So, we just want to make sure that PLC time is consistent um and equitable right for timing purposes with all content areas. And also we know early childhood we need a strong funological um curriculum at the at at the early grade levels. It's it's critical that students know how to read and learn to read right so that they can comprehend well and do amazing in their upper grade years. So that's RLA goal two. We move on to mathematics. So in mathematics you will see and based

066on the new norms table that I started with you notice that the new norms for mathematics increase to 78% versus the ranking that we were shared last year of a 60 percentile right so the new norms are at the 78th so you see that in mathematics we are seeing and I put last year's cohort of data that we presented but at the new norms so that you could see in comparison um what what one year and two years of students looks like worth of data, right? But that dark purple are kindergarteners. For mathematics, 22% are at that meets performance level or above. For first grade, 15% and for second grade 11% are at the MET's performance level or above. And you see that their targets for kinder is 56. uh for first grade is 51

067and for second grade is 48 and the third grade overall target which is the grade level that we wish to impact and beyond is 53 at the meat's performance level um and above right so very different from our RLA right and MAP in their study of the cases saw that this had a lot to do and they saw it throughout the subject areas where some subject areas were stronger than the others math mathematics being the one that shifted downward as well with a lot of the co if you remember a lot of the co online classes and stuff it was very hard to do hands-on work with manipulatives which your HQIM materials now all have those opportunities to have a handson approach right students illustrating uh doing drawing what they're learning so um next slide

068we will see that um here you have on by campuses So you will see in the next slide kinder, first and second grade right where their target is which is that red dotted line for the end of the year and where the campuses are at the beginning of the year the third week of school at the meets performance level for mathematics right uh very different from RLA as you can see we have work uh that needs to be done but in the next slide you will see right now for kinder and I'll focus on the blue uh bullets as the black one is exactly the same for first and second but we are seeing instructional routines and structures aligned in every kinder classroom. So if you were to go into this campus, go into the

069others where students move, mobility, right? Students would be offered exactly the same routines and structures, the same curriculum. U also using math manip manipulatives is huge with this adoption and and that's one of the things that we appreciate the most as everything comes with the adoptions and everything's uh you know delivered to the teacher and given to them. Also uh one of the things that we need uh more attention on is look making sure that yes we have beginning of the year data but any other data that we're collecting through walkthrough it's regular consistent progress monitoring as we know that this is the subject area that you know it's it's a challenge or has been a challenge right and again um it's a new adoption new curriculum for our teachers kinder through algebra 1 so

070staying in our true to our pacing guide or scoping sequence is critical right? We sometimes we tend to stay behind. So catching up and identifying those teachers and helping them out, supporting them is critical. What's working uh for first and second grade? We are seeing blue bonnet implementation and components almost in every classroom. We have had immense support from region one from our CNI team in the classrooms from the leadership teams in uh at the campuses. A lot of instructional rounds have happened and we're seeing good implementation of this. Uh again, consistent fluency and problem solving routines are in practice in all kinder kinder through algebra 1 classrooms. Uh and then again students use the read, draw, write problem solving model. Again, that learning opportunity for them to show their work. What needs more attention?

071Using that beginning of the year data to really prescribe the prescription for each student, right? knowing that we shared the data. We've done something with the data and consistently monitoring it into the next checkpoint. Strengthening studentto student discussion. I know region one has shared some findings. Making sure students are speaking right. They're they're talking to other students about what they're learning. And then um letting them struggle, productive struggle. Sometimes it's okay because that's the only way you're going going to identify a misconception and address it, right? Through uh the productive struggle, right? demonstrating what they understand. That is um our goal one and goal two report. Mr. Nto, if you have any questions for the trustees. Trustees, uh Mrs. Susaka, any questions on the presentation? >> Uh sure. I don't have the screen in front

072of me. Can we put it back on the um the reading the >> the district or the campuses? >> The the the district. >> District. Okay. >> Right here. >> Yes. >> Okay. I know we didn't turn in our our questions that we were supposed to on Friday. So, I was I was actually just uh looking at all this information, but I didn't email the questions. But my question is I'm looking at the 2026 targets and um I see students in Hispanics, economically disadvantaged, emergent, bilingual, special ed. Now I went into tea's ratings and just to see how does it work getting that you know the methodology with the three domains and and and how do we even come up with our student outcomes at the very end because I really wanted to understand what

073are we doing what are we asking because I feel like we're asking the same questions every month how are we going to do this what are we going to do different what's working it's kind of the same questions that we're asking every month right so last year I went to I went to all our our goal progress measures last year and we didn't hit any of them. I I mean, we were close, but in all our goal progress measures, we didn't hit the targets at the end of the year. So, I right now we we're only two months into the school year. I want to make sure that we do better this year, even though we're doing great. I mean, you guys are doing an awesome job, but we can always get better, right? >>

074Most definitely. >> So, I I noticed that closing the gaps is the domain that that we struggle with the most. >> Yes. And it's so complicated because the way I understood it and correct me if I'm wrong because I'm trying to understand all this. Is this why we have the you know economically disadvantaged emergent bilingual the ethnicities? Does TEA use that to compare apples to apples to oranges to oranges? >> Yes ma'am. In domain 3 closing the gaps has a percentage or a target for each of these populations and that's how we base the targets and most of domain 3 looks at the meat's performance level. That is why our goals are based on that means performance. So that is you know we could be presenting approaches but we don't want to present on something

075that's not going to impact on that third domain which is that >> and that's exactly what I was going to ask you next. These are the targets that that uh the 2026 targets are the ones that tea has said this uh you know class or whatever subgroups this is the target for them. >> Right. So each of the directors looked at the targets and studied them to make sure that it doesn't put a campus in a predicament. Yes. >> Okay. And then I also noticed how tea gives us points that if one year a child gets meets the next year if he gets meets or or no let's just say was approaches the next year he gets approaches again or higher we get a point. But if they go down >> then we don't. Sorry.

076>> If they maintain or improve their rating we get a point. If they regress, we get zero points and it hits us in domain three. >> Yes. >> Okay. So that's what I was all day long. I went through a rabbit hole and studied it all day long. So my question is here for the the targets that we're supposed to be at for each group. >> And here's the the the question stem. What are we doing that is working that we can replicate with the groups who need more help? So a lot of progress monitoring. So the schools that showed great success right at the end of the year when we presented in the summer had a lot of frequent progress monitoring intentional PLC's which I think and you know the principles can correct me

077if I'm wrong but um with the region one instructional rounds even what we're doing with math can obviously be crosscurricular if done with fidelity in all other subjects and replicated we can tremendously impact this score right here because RLA is doing tremendously with the meat's performance targets already at that percent. Right. They're very um close to the target to the end of the year target at the beginning of the year. Okay. >> So, yes. >> So, it's math the one that's uh we're having and now my thing is with I I have Tik Tok. I see stuff on the blue bonnet and there's all these little videos of teachers coming up saying, "Oh my gosh, this is so overwhelming." And of course it is. It's the first year. Everyone's using it. But by when will

078we kind of know okay it's working it's not working maybe we should do something else or what are we going to do? So implementation and fidelity is key, right? We have other districts who have gone through it previous year have literally either maintained the first year or improved uh the rating a bit right just because it does change is difficult right and again knowing and understanding it's there's a lot of time invested by uh during conferences during PC's um so we are investing a lot of even PD support um I am hopeful that for next year we will see a very positive change but we're already seeing it in just what we're seeing in rounds in instructional rounds and what they're sharing very different discourse from teachers and yes it is very timeconuming and investing.

079>> Yeah >> it's yeah >> and my last question uh when we met here uh trusty SA and Mr. and I with the kids and we got to talk to them a little bit about, you know, what can we do better as a board to help you guys and a lot of the comments were positive. My teachers are great. They had nothing bad to say about their schools or their teachers. What was more concerning to them was how do I get along with my friends or what should how should I behave around you know they they're more were their their minds are more into the social >> scene in order to be able to learn of course we know children care more about we'll learn until they know how much we care right so my

080question I know that we're doing great in in the we're getting there in the reading and the math My question is other than yes, we're we're here for student outcomes. This is what the boards are made for to to make sure kids are academically successful, but what are we doing for their, you know, social emotional health to to help them learn in class. So I know that actually today the panorama survey opened up which gives a lot of great feedback. So in two weeks we'll get some results. A lot of good feedback to principles but some principles you know have either the leader in me some um I know for uh Selva and Mary Hook we did capturing kids hearts which you know they can speak tremendous change not just for students but for staff.

081So um they have supports that Dr. Vieta has also provided and rolled out aside from their curriculum right that we purchased for them. So, um, a lot of great feedback and tools and resources is just utilizing it and turning it around. >> Yeah. >> Into an action. >> All right. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. >> Yes. >> Good questions. Mrs. Ta, your teacher came out and you uh Dr. Hime, >> she pretty much covered it all. But just uh point on on the reading and you know, great job and and we're on the right track there, you know, and I know you know we won't get too comfortable with that, right? because there's still, you know, a lot of work to do and and on the math, same, you know, with the blue bonnet,

082you know, as as uh >> Trusty Susa was was mentioning about the concerns early on with that, but change is difficult and um I guess you know, you've talked about what's being done for that and and with the PLC's and is there resources at home resources, you know, that help with that with the students and this new blue bonnet curriculum? So most definitely and teachers also are producing slides right that they use during their classrooms right a lot of uh examples visuals right but more than anything I think one thing that I want to make clear is that blue bonnet is learning mathematics versus a strategy so it doesn't matter what strategy you use or you choose to use at the end if you learn the concept math right and you speak the language you

083will do well >> thank you Good question. >> Along those those lines, you know, um we hear the same thing. And like at the second grade level, we're supposed to have students that already did this in the in kindergarten. Well, they didn't do it in kindergarten or they didn't do it in the first grade. This is the first time that they're seeing this. So to deal with this, what additional training because I know that we didn't get enough training to really prepare for this. And I go back to something like when Deta when we were building that weight room and we looked at all kinds of real nice stuff. You know, it it it looks great. But when we were in there, one of the coaches says, you know, you can go spend $400 on

084a pair of Nike shoes, but that's not going to guarantee you're going to run a 45. So, the investment is great, but we want to make sure that it's going to be done correctly and that we get the proper training to effectively you know, uh, get our our students to get a better understanding because if a teacher doesn't know what's going on, you're not going to be able to. And I was told a long time ago that if you can't explain something well enough for first grader, then you don't know it well enough. So, my thing is what additional training to help our teachers, our campuses with our principles and everybody because I'm sure they're they're hearing it and um I want to see it work. I want to see it work. So, what what

085additional training do we have to invest in to make sure that we're going to learn from what we're uh dealing with right now >> to be better prepared uh for the coming years? >> Yes, Mo, most definitely, Coach Gu. So unlike any other adoption with Blue Bonnet, we started since late November of last year, right? Almost a year ago, just presenting the resources and what this is what it looks like to our um campus leaders, right? Spring semester, we rolled it out again to our campus leaders as we knew that it was going to come from them, you know, the investment and the buyin before showing it to our teachers. Um and then, you know, attending webinars, looking at resources, actually diving in. But every six weeks, unlike any other adoption, we have training on

086what's coming next. Right? Teachers loved a certain resource that they used to use because every six weeks, they had an opportunity to go and see what they were going to teach for the six weeks and came back to the classroom ready. They have that same opportunity with this resource plus instructional rounds where they tell them if it's being implemented correctly. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Ben Castillo. Uh yes sir. Thank you. I do have a couple questions. At what point of the six weeks did the our kids do the BOI map testing? >> The third week of school. >> So that's pretty quick. >> Yes. To get more accurate results at the beginning of the year. >> Uh well they're doing great on the on the RLA. That's that's awesome. We got a a strong

087start. Can we go on the slide on the on the math that has both years bo? >> Yes. We got a little bit of a dip in second grade. Yeah, I've Well, I have a I have a kindergartener and a first grader and I can tell you math homework has been interesting this year. Uh it is kind of a new way of thinking about math. I've noticed it too. >> Uh but uh in a way it's kind of the way that you do math in your head though a little bit where you do oh 10 plus whatever but you do add two. It's interesting. So our kindergarters are going to be in good shape. So, I I'm worried more about our first and second graders that were more that are used to our old our

088our old curriculum and now we're we're teaching them a new way of of doing math. Um, so I guess along the lines of coach, what what what resources are we going to do there to kind of help them relearn something that they've learned in first and second grade? >> So, with region one feedback and Mr. Garlic and Miss Morales um are here also uh Dr. Casey, um, our math elementary coordinator, right? Fidelity to blue bonnet. Fidel, fidelity to blue bonnet, as you're going to see it over and over and over again. It spirals the te something that sometimes other curriculums didn't do. You learned it that first six weeks, you move on, you go learn something new until the test comes around. So, a repetition of spiraling of TEACS and scaffolding. And and I with

089Blue Bonnet, it's based off a national curriculum that some school districts were using before, but the biggest complaint at those districts was that it wasn't aligned to TECIS. And I'm hoping with Blue Bonnet that it's aligned to TESS. >> So, >> Yep. It it is 100% aligned to the TE's. >> So, that should help a little bit. Yeah, cuz my wife was the one telling me that at her previous district, they had this curriculum and yeah, fidelity, fidelity, fidelity. But at the end of the day when the test is coming up, they're just going to go back to the test, right? And so we shouldn't have that issue with Blue Bonnet, right? >> Nope. Nope. One of the biggest concern is I'm not teaching like the drill and kill items. I don't have time for

090that star resource. If students know the concept, they should be able to do well in the test because they know the concept. >> When we get the middle of the year results, can you present them kind of like this the last year and this year so we could see >> kind of the improvements as well? >> All right, that's all I got. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Uh, coach. >> Well, along the same lines, you know, I agree a lot with what Jackie was saying, uh, but also what Ben brought up, but I know in in the math, I know you mentioned the concepts, understanding the concepts. Is there do you see something like a I guess is there an area that they're having difficulty with? Is it something that we need to study

091the data to better equip our teachers with that? So up until last Friday when we were in some of the instructional rounds happening, the biggest um feedback right now is we're taking we're using the entire time, right? As we're still getting comfortable with the curriculum for the new adoption, right? >> And and there's a lot of teacher um um talking, right? We want to let more of the students discourse happen so that we feel confident with and knowing what the students are understanding or not, right? That's the only way we're going to be able to gather that immediate immediate feedback to act on the data, right? Because that's your daily data, right? So, it it's letting go of the time, right? To to show >> what's the progress though? Is there progress going on? Do

092you see >> the more the more comfortable you feel with the curriculum, the more you will do it, right? So if right now an average lesson should last you anywhere from 50 to 60 minutes and it's lasting us 90 the entire block. It should get better as they become comfortable right through the PD session. >> And and then lastly I guess class counts. Are we good with class counts? Because that's a big >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, >> we're good. Okay. Um I guess that's about it. >> But no, some of the things >> Oh, sorry. >> You hit on some of the things. I'm not going to. >> And now that if I could just real quickly now that you bring up class counts. I was in here last month and we over the

093we went over the class size waiverss, but I did some homework uh last week on the class sizes and I know that you had sent us a list of how many classes are uh were over the limit and the constraint is the superintendent shall not allow 20% or more. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And I I did find about three or four that were over 20%. And I'll go over that with you guys later. Okay. uh at some other you know I'll email you or something but just so we can look into that because I know that like we have I've always said it class size does matter you know and if it's not working during the the the class I don't know if we're doing tutoring already or like during conference after school are we

094are we doing that kind of stuff >> so we're monitoring the class sizes in all u elementaryaries but I'm not sure if you're talking about campuses for the constrained campuses that are performing less than a C >> yes less than a C got it >> yeah I I I went through there and I highlighted the ones that were less there was five of them >> well definitely study it and look. >> Yeah, I I'll show you later on. So, I'll go over it. >> One last thing on on and I I know I always look at our special pops. I mean, special ed, are we keeping up with those numbers? >> Yes, we are studying that um literally as we speak and last week. So, we are looking to address every need, sir. cuz we

095I mean honestly I'm I'm going to tell you I I trust that you guys are the ones out there in the front lines monitoring and helping our teachers and helping our instructional leaders. >> Yes. >> Okay. Uh Mr. H one one last thing before you move on to Trusty Los Santos. Uh with respect this is an item on consent agenda so we don't have to pull it and I have to give coach the credit for bringing it to our attention. NG1A. It's approval memorandum of understanding between North Bridge Elementary School and region 1. And in there it has blue on it. Uh why are we just doing it with North Bridge and not every elementary? >> They were selected to receive a grant >> as part of it. >> Yes. So additional support. >> Okay.

096>> Yes. >> Uh I know that our teachers are working very very hard with this blue bonnet implementation and I want I want to give them a shout out. I know some are staying up till midnight, 1 in the morning, getting ready for the next day because they're learning the curriculum as well. Yes. >> And I, you know, I hope the principles know that lecture teachers know it doesn't go unnoticed. We know, we hear it out in the community. We see their hard work and we appreciate them very much. >> Yes. [Applause] >> Good job, Mr. Castillo. Thank you. >> How do I follow that? How do I follow up that? >> I know. >> Well, I Well, I can't. So, uh, no, I'm just joking. Um, I don't know how to word this. I

097guess I'm on the same I was trying to figure out how do I say this, but I'm just going to say it. I'm I kind of agree with everyone. We come and we do the LFG meetings and I think I have progress monitoring and PLC engraved in me, right? And uh, but this year I'm kind of pivoting on some different things. Um, I have certain goals, right? One's finances and the other one of course and I talked this to Dr. Divera and I met with him is uh is our academics, right? So I don't I know we talk about LSG during this time period but I did talk to to Dr. Sto Ramos and he said you can pivot however needed and and it transgresses and it all connects. So my main question was kind

098of there I would like a presentation not only on your map scores but I need to know what campuses are the ones that you know we know we have some campuses that that that uh need some assistance and some help and are transitioning and are going to take a different direction. So where are they at? What are the populations that they have? What's the breakdown at those grade levels? Right? And I'm talking mostly middle school and high school. Okay? Because I want I I would I think everybody wants every single campus to be an A, but you want both your flagships, you know, the one you have on the east and the one you have over here on this side both to be a So that's what I would like to see as as as

099trustee. Okay. Show me how we're going to get an A. Show me what are the campuses we're focusing on. These are the ones that we we're helping to level up and these are the issues that they're having. This is the staff that they're having issues, the student populations are having issues with. what resources do they have and which ones don't they have um that would be kind of the discussion right that I would like as a trustee I understand the PLC's are there and understand the administration what they do on their part but on a district level what is your assessment right because that that's that's what I really would want to know and then especially kids that are funding into secondaries okay is there like for me is there a correlation between okay when

100when I'm a middle school and I'm receiving this sixth grade population right this cohort where how are they coming to me? You know, uh do does STAR assessments are they relevant to and I know they are cuz right a lot of the campuses are highly successful, but are STAR assessments relevant to to their to actual six weeks performance? >> Because Blue Bonnet when you break it down really is just like star question or it's it's raising the rigor, right, of the questions and critical thinking of students. >> So that's what I want to see because then those then those students go to then your your your high school and then your east campus and whatnot. So in other words, what you see is a pattern in a lot of districts, I'm not saying it's here,

101is that there's teachers at the middle schools, that's why they always say the burnout's right six to eight because they get burned out because they're like, I got to retach. I got kids coming in not reading on level. I got kids that don't understand basic fundamental ma mathematical foundational principles. You know, they have all these things that they're struggling with, right? And I'm not saying that's the case here, but that's the kind of analysis, thought process, and presentation I kind of want to move to. Map's great, but but how are we going to get that aim? Right? because that's the goal this year, right? >> Yes. Yes, sir. Five points away. >> Yeah. Our our I always tell everybody our community pays top dollar, right? You can do a TASBY study. Our staff is the

102highest paid staff in the real Grand Valley. I don't need the study at the time because it was like that a few years prior and I know they are now, right, after all these raises and whatnot. So, the our community is dropping off their child every single day and they don't want a B and they don't want a C. They don't want they don't want approaches. They want meets and masters and they want Ace, right? That's the goal. And so what are we doing to meet that requirement, that demand, right? Because we keep coming back and saying more and more and more and they've they've held up their end of the bargain. They've come through. >> And so now this year I'm focusing on what are we going to do now, right? And so >>

103I I respect the whole progress monitoring PLC's. I understand all that, but give me I'm I'm looking for more meat on the bone now. I guess the way to sum it up, like what what are we do like show me this is the a we need. this is the areas last year that prevented us from making it. This this is the populations or the difficulties or the resources or the lack of this, the lack of that that they have. And that way as trustees then we can kind of look at the superintendent too and say, "Hey, sir, we support you and getting them whatever they need or those list of items." >> Yes. >> And so we can get that a right this year as a district overall. >> Definitely. >> And that's kind of

104where I stand. >> Okay. I'll meet with Dr. Dr. and the team to see how we can get you that information in the trusty state, >> you know. And along those lines, Mark, you know, we we talked about how how we can um tap into the the campuses that are doing well >> Mhm. >> and um get feedback, you know. Well, I know it's hard to send anybody from a campus to another campus to review again with. So rather than do that, bring that information to every campus by maybe having K West make a presentation where they get all this information and put a good program together that can be shared with everybody at the same time >> and then we we can all be aligned the same way. Mhm. >> And um the thinking

105will be you know you're going to hear the same thing at the same time and not from different situations where it changes. >> Yes sir. >> So there'll be more consistency with that. >> Yes sir. >> I I think >> yes. >> Good points and actually just food for thought. I was going to ask Dr. that you know looking at the campuses that did very well and you all want to hear what they're doing. So, you know, I know the principles can present and it doesn't have to be it could be five 10 minutes their presentation of what they're doing, how they're focusing on on on student engagement and and and progress monitoring and so forth. We have excellent uh principles. Not that I'm going to put you on the spot, but I think it's

106important that way you can hear it and other people can hear what they're doing at that campus. >> Yeah. And also like the the situation too if I mean I know I presented before the boards and I've and I've taken the time to said this is where I'm at and this is what I need. >> If I need to go out of the districts I need staff because I don't have staff available like I I would use that time to to say these are the resources I'm missing. >> Kind of like somebody mentioned after school I don't I think or or tutoring for certain populations like you have a very vital asset. You have an ACE program, right? A 21st century. How it's being used, I don't know. Every single district is different, but that's

107almost like a million dollars in extended day funding that you have there. And if used properly and targeted wisely, you could use that to address special pops and smaller populations after school and things like that. And then plus, it's a bonus for the budget as well. And so, so like those are all that's kind of I don't know who mentioned it, but I I heard that it clicked. That's almost at 10 elementaryaries, I think. >> And I can tell you that is our extended day for elementary schools. me for a minute. Look where you at. Okay, then. So, yeah. So, that's what I'm saying. And and then to what level, right? Like cuz even in that there's certain like for instance, I'll give you an example. Certain staff, those staffs know the population, the total

108population on on the campus. They understand who the special pops are. They're right in line with principles. They sit in PC's, grade level meetings, things like that. They do the breakdowns on data. Every district is different, right? So, what capacity is your staff at? And then if they're not there, like I we we use we utilize CNI or district resources to get them there. So that way I call it a broom and a sword, right? Are you going to be a broom where I'm going to go get you and look for you when I need you or you going to be a sword where I got you right here, you know, at at my left. And that's kind of that that mentality there. So building capacity and principles didn't have another additional resource, especially you

109know with, you know, like I said, the grant funds all that. So >> good point. Final final key points progress monitoring very important and of course the training uh very important uh for teachers student engagement that's probably the key in any situation. If you have proper student engagement, your scores are going to increase whether it's your regular population, your special ed, whatever. Uh where all students are learning and where all students are engaging every day, not just you know uh here and there, but that's very important and if administrators can monitor that, that's very important and and and then of course the followup. Uh so uh any other comments, final comments? Um, I'm I'm actually on TEA's uh website right now on the ratings. There's just so much information if you just Google TEA ratings

110and go to those accountability reports. I mean, you can look up any campus, any district, and it gives you so much information, uh, quantitative information, the numbers on the schools, and I'm looking at hours right now from this last year. And I know that this progress monitoring is first and second grade, but I'm looking at at the TEA's uh page that it has on us for students achievement. And I noticed that every campus has a different weight, right, on on the percent. Is that by population, by enrollment? >> by number of tests. >> So our second our secondary campuses carry about 71 to 72% of the rating here in West. Yes, that's what I was looking at cuz the elementaryaries, they're they're at about from 1.9 to 4% each one. But then you get to

111the middle schools and especially the high schools and and their weight is a lot >> heavier than than the elementarymentaries. But of course, we're we're sending these elementary kids up. You know, they're the future. Uh but that's very interesting that that they have different weights on them. See, I didn't know that. And obviously you guys are the experts, you're the principles, you're the leaders. you know about this way more than what we could ever. This is just for I think for me to understand like what you guys are aiming for and I think for the rest of the board too just to have these discussions about how do ratings work and how do how do these scores work. uh we we really need to be knowledgeable on that to be able to even make any

112decisions because you know we're always going to support you guys and we're going to do whatever is best that that you guys say but it's important for us to understand what are we even doing understand the methodology behind it but thank you for for for that presentation >> thank you Mr. Castillo one more comment >> uh just thank you sir uh and thank you to Dr. Va and Mr. Aguilad and Mr. Solano, I know all this is very hard work and it's extra. Uh, but I think it's important. It's important work. You're keeping the board focused as well on what what matters. And so I appreciate you. I appreciate Trusty Susta as well for starting it and while she was board president and uh just thank you for all the work and thank you for

113updating the website, our Lonear governance website. I I brag about us to other districts who are looking into getting into LSG and it's real easy just to pull up our stuff and all this is online for the community as well. Whoever's interested, they could go look at our data. So I appreciate you guys very much for that. >> Thank you sir. >> Thank thank you Mr. Lando. Good presentation. Uh the next part uh superintendent constraints and constraint progress measures. >> Oh that was the public hearings >> right? We don't need to go over that. All right. >> 882 discussion and possible action for the board of trustees to consider approval of the longar governance board for October 2025. >> Recommend approval. >> So move. >> Second. We have a motion by Mr. Castillo, second by

114Dr. Haime. Any discussion? All in favor, please say I. >> All oppose. Motion carries. >> Uh we go to item nine, consent items. Uh you can look through them for a few minutes. Uh we should have already been prepared to u make decisions. So uh as soon as I get to All right. Any items we need to pull to discuss? Uh, Mrs. Susa? >> None. >> Dr. Hime? >> I have none. >> Coach Graham, >> none. >> Mr. Ben Castillo, >> none, sir. >> Uh, coacha, >> none. >> And Mr. Los Santos, >> I just have one. >> Okay. >> 9 J4A. >> Okay. And it um, let me open it. Sorry. Okay. Do I have our approval to uh uh approve the consent agenda uh uh items except for 9 J4A? Correct. >> Motion.

115>> Second. >> We have a motion by Mrs. Suteka. Second by Mr. Castillo. >> Yes sir. >> All in favor or any other discussion? >> All in favor please say I. >> All oppose. Motion carries. Let's go back to 9J4. our approval of the interim uh financial report for the month month ended July 31st, 2025. Mr. Los Santos. >> Yes. No, just a few things that I I got caught up in my my uh conversation during superintendent report, but just I don't want yeses or nos. It's just kind of things I'm going to state put on record that I'd like special interest or focus on, right? Just to verify and and that and that was something that I hinted on when I talked about the summary of finance report. Okay. looking at looking at uh

116state revenue and income that's coming in and just verifying that as as an as as an administration and whatnot. Just taking a look at and I'm looking at the numbers that were provided and I'm looking at page two in the packet for the trustees. >> Yeah, >> it was in the packet on page number two when it's talking about the general fund balance. So that's all one thing that I like to just kind of put out there is one of them, right? Because I know that uh that that report is very important. There's a preliminary stage like I said there's a middle stage which is near final and then final. I just would read like that reevaluated and looked at. The other thing is something that I think Mr. Blo already hinted on that the

117general ledger hasn't been reconciled yet right or finalized >> for last year >> for 2425 >> we are still in the middle of that >> in that process. Okay. And that's something that I would like you to as as uh Dr. IA to kind of look at that process because it's a very important one. I know you know this of course and and utilize resources that you have. You understand? Um I don't know how to how to strenuh stress that enough that it's important that I think that document gets reconciled as fast as possible. Reconciling means that you're you're doing all the the accounting. you're doing the this general ledger, the positives and negatives, the backups and all that kind of stuff that gets com that gets that gets put together to create what's called

118the nasty file and then given to your external evaluators and that later on will be submitted. The only thing is that's changing because now it's changing to a 2.0 system. The only reason I know about this stuff one is because I went through an internal audit. I'm not even uh it's a long story but as in 2019 I had to do that. I went through an audit with TEA. So, I had to submit the general ledger and then I had to submit artifacts and verify and go through that whole process. So, it kind of was a quick fast teaching lesson, which wasn't even on my job description, but it's something that I took on. And so, I'm familiar with some of those components. So, what I'm trying to push here is just that to please

119review that and utilize whatever resources you have in the district, whatever it takes to to get that done, right? And and I don't think I have to go into any more detail about that. It's just if you got a resource out there that can get it done, utilize it. Okay. And um also was the construction funds. I wasn't here for the last meeting. I know that the surplus construction funds from non-restricted were moved back into the fund balance, right? Um I know I only want to do this because of audit purposes, right? So that took board action and I'm just asking did you all do board action to move it back or do we need to do that or is it necessary? because it took board action to move it out and reclassify it, but

120then it was moved back by the district. I don't know. It may be something you might want to look at. I don't want you to get gigged on that or or take a hit there if we >> It's a minor thing. It's nothing major. >> So, we need to bring it back for approval. We can do something like that. >> And can you comment on that one? >> It is um so the item about construction funds was part of a budget amendment. >> Okay. So, it's not something that takes board approval, but it is something that is a locally funded action item that we do internally. >> Okay. So, you don't need a board approval to move it back into the Okay. >> Okay. I went and that was it. So, that was it. So,

121thank you. >> So, do I have a motion to approve this? Uh, >> yes. Motion to approve, >> Mr. Los Santos. Okay. Do I have a second? >> Second. Second. >> Second by Coach Quo. >> Any other discussion? >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. All oppose. Motion carries. Uh let's go to item 10, discussion items, update on training, conferences, events, and consider future agenda item request by the board of trustees. Dr. >> I have one date. On Tuesday morning, November 11th, at our stadium, there's a Veterans Day program. >> I think at 9:00, Mr. Bmer 9 >> 10 a.m. >> 10. Okay. our board uh secretary will notify us. Yes. >> Uh of that uh event. So if anybody can make it uh >> you can you can uh make it. >>

122All right. Mr. I I have a future agenda item request. That's okay. >> Okay. Uh just for us to consider I know the the city of Wesley Co is looking into building a a sub fire station and police station by clicker. >> Correct. Could we have a an item uh soon to have discussion about potentially selling that land to the city? >> Yes. >> I'd like one that went as well too. >> Okay. >> Dr. Evetta, you'll have it on the next correct November. >> Okay. >> Mr. Neto, a question. When are we going to schedule again either with uh the teachers or the kids the advisory council or whatever we want to call it? >> Good point. Now, uh originally, uh for information for all principles and of course, uh staff, the student uh

123the school board student advisory committee, we had one meeting. We're going to have four during the year every quarter. So, possibly, and I always look at the discussion with the principles to see when it's appropriate, but they're not benchmark testing or whatever. We'll have another one uh coming up in either late October or or November. and then again uh in February and then again in uh March or April depending again on testing. Okay, so four times during the year and FYI uh of course Jackie brought some points up uh on what they mentioned some very good points and and they she mentioned mental health. That was one of the things that they put on there that they needed. They also put on there that they needed more or actually faster internet at some some of

124the classrooms, you know, like there were some classrooms that the internet works fine, but there was other classrooms that maybe it wasn't as fast. But uh some of the things that they said like uh Miss Jackie mentioned they were very positive about teachers, very positive of decorating uh of the schools, but they also wanted teachers that motivate him and encourage him to do well, but also uh uh they got to take it back to the principal. I'm uh uh working on all the questions, answers that they responded. So that information they're going to take back to the principles. They probably already did, but one of the things I told him and uh Mrs. Sustita and coach Sen were there things that we discussed there, they're going to bring it back to you so that way

125you can implement or or do whatever you need to do at the campus. Uh it was a good committee. How many were 36 >> somewhere around about 36. So as soon as uh I get with Dr. and of course he'll talk to the principles when we will have it again. >> Okay? >> You know, >> now we don't even mind I mean I don't know how it works at the schools. I wouldn't even mind going to the schools and sitting, you know, at a table with whatever kids you guys want to give us because I know it's a hassle having to bring them here and it was a lot of transportation, the buses. So, it easier for us to go to the schools. We can also do that. >> Very true. >> That's something that

126And then the next one, the next one that I I don't think I have mentioned it, Dr. I actually mentioned it at uh there. >> No, I actually mentioned it at at the employee benefits committee. Uh parent advisory. >> Mhm. uh board a parent from each school to similar to this student committee you know that way we can get and I told the the the committee and it's not to talk about the traffic is not to talk about uh any it was talk about academics >> academics what is it that we need to do to provide for the teachers the staff the students what is it that they need so they can be successful and I think a lot of times parents will tell you you know what is they need Mr. Castillo right there

127a parent you know if he was part of the committee he would bring up those things with academics because our focus should be on academics >> if we don't have students we don't have jobs >> Dr. that I used to mention that all the time. So those are things coming up. Uh but that's a good point. Uh we can do that and I think I had mentioned it before that we would go to the campus too. We'll meet maybe the two at that at that particular campus and include some other ones and then try to go make a run to each campus. That would be great. >> We could do that. >> And Mr. Mr. Non. Yes. >> If you do include the parents, I think uh a set of ground rules ahead of time.

128>> Correct. so that they don't waste too much time thinking of all the negative stuff that >> and let's focus on the positive. >> Exactly. Exactly. Good point. >> Even if it's I was thinking during award just a quick you know you get a lot of parents at the awards assemblies when you start doing that just a quick little hello we're the school board either one or two or three of us we were here to you know be your partner for your child's education. Just give us a couple of minutes with them during the awards and that would be >> that would go a long way I think. >> Okay. >> If you could do that. >> Good. All right. Uh, let's see. Where am I at now? Discussion of possible action items. None. Correct.

129>> None. Okay. Number 12, close meeting. Uh, 128, discussion regarding superintendent's recommendation of contracts for certified personnel, non-certified personnel or professional and non-contractual personnel. 1282. Discussion regarding resignations, retirements of certified professional, non-certified professional, and non-contractual p personnel. Consultation with attorney regarding ending or contemplated litigation, settlement settlement offer uh 12B, matter in which the duty of the attorney of the West Independent School District under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code. Texas government code 551-071 12B4 discussion and consideration regarding cost number CL 242115J Megan Rios versus Wesco ISD in the county court and law number 10 Aidal County and 12B5 discussion and consideration regarding cost number C 249124E Maria Era versus WCOSD in the 275 judicial district report of Idaho

130County, Texas. It is 7:21 and we will go into close session. 8:26 and we recommend an open meeting. >> Call your office. >> Possible possible action if necessary in items discussed in close meeting 13A1. discussion of possible action uh regarding superintendent's recommendation of contracts for certified professional, non-certified professional and non-contractual p uh personnel. Dr. >> recommend approval. >> Move to approve. >> We have a second. >> We have a motion by Coach Quer, a second by Dr. Hime. >> All in favor, please say I. >> All oppose. Motion carries. 1382 discussion of possible action regarding resignations, retirements of certified professional, non-certified professional and non-contractual per uh personnel. Dr. >> recommend approval. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Coach Quer, a second by Mrs. Susta. Any further discussion? All in

131favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> All oppose. Motion carries. >> 1383. discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding cost number C 2491-24E. Maria Eera versus Wesco Independent School District in the 275 Judicial District Court of Idalgo County, Texas. >> No action on this one, Mr. Board President. >> No action. >> Okay. and 1384 discussion, considerations, possible action regarding cost number CL 242115J Megan Rios versus WascoD district in the county court of law number 10 Aidal County, Texas. >> Mr. Board President, I move to authorize a superintendent to take action as discussed in close session. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Mr. Castillo and second by Dr. H. Correct. Dr. >> Yes. All in favor of this motion, please say no. I just motion. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I.

132>> All oppose. Motion carries. All right. Ajournment. >> All right. 8:28