001No order uh port school district uh board of trustees meeting April 24th. Well, whatever. We will now reconvene. We have uh no public participation today. We will now move to staff reports by Dr. Mark Ptery. Thank you, President Loftton and school board members. Tonight we have a long agenda. Uh but one thing that stands out is that we're here to recognize our athletes, our soccer players who has done an extraordinary job this year. So let's give them a huge round of applause. Yes, they made it exciting. They uh kept moving and we were hoping that they would get to that. I think that's the closest our soccer team has ever come to playing in state. So, we are most proud of y'all. We'll ask the coaches to come forward and introduce your team. Let's go.
002Coach Bradford. Yes. And if you would just tell us a little about a little bit about what you had to do this year. What did they have to do in order to be successful as successful as they were um for the 25 20 school year? All right. My name is Coach Chris Bradford. Uh I teach US history at the high school and uh I'm been coaching these boys for the last eight years now. Uh this is my eighth year. Um the boys worked really really hard. I'm glad they're getting the recognition they deserve this year. Um they work hard every year. Uh this year the the the the dominoes fell the correct way. So the boys are getting the recognition. I'm very happy for them. But um it started off in the summer. Um Dr.
003Puerto Ry, you know, uh by experience u because we were running to each other in the workout rooms, but uh yeah, the the boys started this summer. That was the first uh year that we actually had the summer training program and I hope to extend that even further down the schools and have a middle school training and have a elementary school camp. Uh big uh plans and uh things that we want to do for the future. Um but the boys, they did a really good job. If I can tell you guys anything, uh the hardest workout, don't matter if you deadlifting, bench pressing, uh the hardest workout is sprints. I can tell you right now, nobody wants to do fulfilled sprints 20 times. And uh these boys put in the work. They did what they
004had to do to get where they uh to achieve the goals that we set out for this year. So, I'm super proud of them. Uh, Coach Walton, my assistant coach here, uh, played a vital role in it for a few years. I was kind of doing it alone. Uh, he came in and he helped out a bunch. Uh, we have another assistant coach who's working with the middle school uh, at their games right now who helped out a bunch. Uh, all of those things coming together really brought the success and helped the boys soccer team paint Port Arthur Memorial in the positive light that it should be painted every day. So, absolutely awesome. And if you would if you would have your team come and maybe introduce them. I must say that you you have
005a very welldressed team. I mean they look up [Applause] boys line up over here. Just line up. Yes. For everybody. I'd like to cordially invite everybody to our soccer ceremony as well. We have our soccer ceremony tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at uh the high school, guys. This way and then face this way. Mhm. In a straight line. Yes. And we have our uh we'll have food. We have uh a good time. Um we have our ender season uh recap video that we show that's usually a big hit with all of the the uh parents and students. This is our our two 24 25 varsity and JB boys soccer [Music] team. We've got returning players. We've got brand new players. I've got my guy Das Netti Perez. He's brand new. He's coming from
006Cuba. Uh he's a great addition to our team. We welcome all of our immigrants uh with open arms on our soccer team. We got We have Ameiliano Tenaro here. He played defense for us. Did a great job in the defense. We have Oscar Salgado. He's our varsity football kicker as well. And he did a very big role and vital role for the soccer team this year. We've got Brandon Guutierrez played a great part in the midfield. We've got Oswaldo. He played a big part in our goalkeeper and our JV team and on the 7v7 team. We've got Marco Valencia. He also was our JV goalkeeper and our backup varsity goalkeeper. We have Marlon Santos. He was one of our better players for our varsity team. Scored a lot of goals and a lot of assists.
007We have uh Ezekiel St. Louis, another player who was very versatile, very good player, scored a lot of goals, lots of assists. We have Henry Shakone. He was playing uh football and he's also playing uh Ford for us as well. Uh on the further side, we have Devin Verena. He's been a big help from um at the Wilson Early uh early college. We have Ian Hernandez. He's a senior. Been a very big help for our uh program for the last four years. We have Luis Garcia, another player who did a very impactful, was very big for the defense. And then we have Fu Boy, uh a brand new member to our soccer team and he played on the JB team, did a very fantastic job. So, we made sure he was here today with us,
008too. This is our 2425 boys varsity and JB soccer team. Thank you guys for letting us have this moment. You guys can be seated. Come on. Yes. We also have with us the the principal of Memorial High if he would like to say something. Yeah. And we uh now I see someone in the back that's no stranger to us. The female coach Bradford, the mother of our uh uh our soccer coach that he really introduced. So I'm going get in trouble tonight. So as a mother Yes. Yes. This is my uh my mother uh Coach Bradford. Yes. I've been uh she passed me the torch as she's retired to take care of my little ones. As you can see, they're a handful. I'm not going to lie. I act like that too at home, man.
009Oh wow. Coach rapper, stand up. Let's see. Let you support me. Thank you. Yes. She taught the district for I believe about 40 years. Yes. So it was a it's a big shoes to fill for me, but I'm trying my hardest. Absolutely. Good evening to everyone here. I do want to give a congratulations to our soccer team and our soccer coaches. Um as you see them dress now is how they dress every game day when they come to school. And that's always impressive. they the mindset changes once you put on clothes and you know it's game day and not just a regular day at school. So that's always super impressive. These soccer kids work extremely hard in the classroom and on the practice field and it's one of the most amazing things to see them
010actually be a team. Um it was in the playoff game. I I vividly remember one of the uh one of their players got hurt and a goal happened. The other team scored a goal and everybody on the team immediately surrounded him. Pick his head up, lift him up. It's not your fault. It's okay. were going to battle back. Ended up winning the game, which is excellent. Obviously, moving on to the next round. But it was in that moment right there that you can easily vividly see that this is a team. This is a family that everybody on here cares about each other and it's not just about the win, but it's about us working together. So, uh to the team, that was a really beautiful moment. Um and also to our to our two coaches.
011Um, it's it's impressive to see Coach Bradford be a head coach of a varsity sport, playoff contending sport, as well as be a EOCC teacher, teaching US history, working hard inside of the classroom, and then going right to the soccer field and working hard for those boys there, too. So, coach, uh, and coach Walton here is a street law teacher. Um, so also in the social studies department, football coach as well. Uh, it's it's never enough thanks to give with how much you guys do for kids. um outside of the job role and uh I want to publicly thank you too um for doing what you guys do for our soccer boys. Thank you. Thank you. Coach Walden, do you have anything you like to say? Hey uh I have been honored to be here
012two years uh with Coach Bradford. I've learned a lot from him. Uh I I got to coach these great kids. Uh they're awesome. Uh they work hard, they play hard. Uh they're a good team. Uh and and I I am honored to be able to coach them. Great. Thank you. Thank you. Uh um first and foremost, I want to extend my sincerest, heartfelt congratulations to you all and commend you on a job well done this season. Um it was just overly just a joy to hear that we are really excelling in all sports, not just football and basketball. all the ones we primarily hear. Um, and I do want to give a a huge congratulations and thank you to our district um, for allowing us the opportunity to of course celebrate you because this right
013here shows the power of diversity. We have a lot of diversity in our district. Um, and I think that diversity is the word that we should be embodying and preparing our community for, especially as we see our demographics are changing and so it's super imperative that you all um, stay the course. And also I'm advocate for education. I always wear my TSU um swag championship wearing our soccer team won um swag champion for the first time. So, I want you to continue on with this. Go to college and get you a scholarship playing soccer, doing something you love, doing something you're used to doing, and make them pay for that school. Get that education. It makes a price tag go up. Trust me, I know. But, um I just want to say congratulations to you
014all and don't take this lightly. Take this and run with it and excel and elevate. You have our support. Yes, I would like to say uh congratulations to the soccer team and also to uh coach Bradford. Uh Mr. Bradford when he first came into the district, I remember when he first came in and he came in with a full of energy and he's still with that that amount of energy today. Uh I knew when we made that decision for him to be the soccer coach, that was one of the best things that we can do along with the the upbringing, you know, the legendary your mother, the legendary coach who I coached with at the school and when she was here at Memorial. Uh but thank you uh for the tirelessly days that you put
015in work to get this team to where they need to be. Uh, I do pride in saying that we do put people in the right places for the right reasons at the right time and you're that guy at the right time. So, we thank you for your dedication. That's awesome. Okay. Good evening. And I'll just piggy back off of uh Trusty Gwood as well as Trusty Barti. I would, you know, utter the same sentiments as them. Kudos to you, coach, because that's definitely a testament of what you're doing to bring them to that level. You know, your your knowledge, your expertise, and just as you said, in and outside of the classroom, continuing to keep up with the uh professional uh look that they have on game days, it makes a whole big different mindset.
016So, just everything that you're doing, continue to do. It's so awesome. I'm so excited for the soccer. I want to also give a a moment of kudos to Miss Lock because just as well as everybody may not may have not got as many shares as football, but she kept that same energy with the promotion of our soccer team throughout the year as well for their playoffs and everything. I look forward to her post. I look forward to sharing them and just being excited for you guys. And I'm grateful for you putting us on the map with the soccer. I know we'll only get better from here and just continue to be great. I too want to join my colleagues in saying congratulations to all of you. I'm very impressed with and and appreciative of the
017work that you've done all year long and you look sharp as Dr. Porter mentioned and I'm so delighted to hear about the family connection in coaching the coaching family. So glad to see Miss Bradford and coach your enthusiasm. You made me want to go out and run so with your with your enthusiastic way of of communicating. So thank you very much. Also just just briefly want to acknowledge uh what also trustee uh Gwood said about traditionally we talk about football and basketball. Uh but I happened to be at the track meet last u couple of days ago at Challenger Stadium and I saw principal small uh uh uh at the track meet. We did very well. I just the fact that we qualified in so many areas I was just very proud of and I
018was particularly proud of the 4x400 uh runners which meant to qualify for state you have to be in the top two and they did they did very very well. So congratulations. Uh I couldn't get a ride to the stadium though. I had to walk across the field cuz I was trying my best to flag somebody down to get me a ride. Superintendent Puerto Rico because the traffic was so bad on NASA Parkway that uh that uh you know couldn't couldn't get there in time. But I I eventually made it and I figured out a way. Anyway, congratulations everybody. Proud of you. I'd like to say congratulations to everyone. I don't know too much about soccer, but I tell you what, I know a lot's about lacrosse. So, one day, one year we might implement, you
019know, implement lacrosse at the high school. That's just my opinion now, but you guys did a great job. Thank y'all very much. Uh again, thank you uh to our coaches. Uh he said one thing that was very valuable that we start at the middle school and he was going to reach out to the elementary and try to get them involved. It takes a village for our kids to succeed and it has to start when they're in elementary so they can see the fruit of their labor once they get to high school. And this is from working out from when they were younger and now look at and it's going to continue to grow. So thank you coach Bradford. Thank you Coach Walton. [Applause] Okay, Dr. Small, Coach Bradford, Coach Walton, and to the best team
020in the state of Texas. Once again, thank you for what you have done. And on behalf of the board of trustees and the Port Arthur Independent School District, you are the best. You are better than any other team because you're ours. You belong to P AISD. You're our students and you are the best. You're better than any other team in this region. You're better than any other team in this state. You rock. And on behalf of that, we going to ask you to stay and listen to the rest of us cuz you are very poised. And I know you'll be like, how long do I have to sit here through this after? So, thank you again for joining us. Okay. [Applause] As we move on, uh, we do have representatives from the Thomas Jefferson Middle
021School campus along with the principal, Dr. Christy Lewis. And I and I will say that they're coming to present to the board an initiative that they want. And once again, I will say this. that Thomas Jefferson along with all of our employees are the very best. I will say this, we will put you up against any other teacher in this region. There's no other teacher, no other group of teachers that can teach our kids better than you. And and you know, we hear it all the time when you come through Port Arthur, you're you are you can teach anywhere in the state of Texas because you're just that good. So, thank you. Thank you for being here this afternoon, Dr. Lewis. Thank you. Um, I would first like to begin by uh echoing the sentiments
022for the soccer team because right now we we have something special that we're building within soccer because our middle school team has actually been undefeated thus far. So, we're we're actually building something great. So, we're I'm still waiting on the text to see the outcome from tonight cuz we're playing right now, but we have been undefeated and so we're happy about that. But without further ado, my name is Christy Lewis. I am the building principal at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and I have tonight with me my team and I do want to take a moment just to recognize my team because this is not an I, me or my process. This is a we process. I cannot run that building alone. I run it with the assistance and the guidance of my teachers because I
023look to them for their expertise because they're in the trenches every single day in the classrooms with the students and so I do appreciate them. So at this time I would like for them to stand with me please. These are some of the teachers from my campus. Of course we have 25 staff members, but this is just a small portion. But these are some that could be at home sleeping, watching TV, and doing other things. And they chose to be here with us tonight to support this in Houston. So, I'm so happy about it. Um, when I call your name, please just raise your hand. I have Miss Malloy with me, our algebra 1 teacher. Miss Kennerly, CTE. Miss Horman, our eighth grade counselor. Miss Kaneo, ESL, Elor, Miss You stay, eighth grade math. Miss
024Budro, art, Mr. Dowin, social studies. My awesome secretary, Mrs. Club, um, Miss Nico, seventh grade math, Miss Anderson, content mastery. Miss Ty Roberts, science, Miss McNeel, health. Miss Davis, which is um, she oversees our restore program. I also have Miss Palomo with us and that is math and Miss Low, excellent sixth grade teacher. Um, Miss Mr. Willer is actually a husband of Mrs. Willer, but he supports us as though he's employed with us. So, we appreciate you. We got to get him. And I Yes. And I do have Mrs. Willer right here with us. So, I do appreciate my entire team for being here with us. Did I miss I'm sorry. Can I say Did he say that? Mhm. Okay. Okay. Thank you all so much. You may be seated. I also have with me
025our my feeder pattern principles if they may stand at this time in support of our initiative. We have Mrs. Short from Sam Houston. We have Mr. We have Dr. Crochet from Terrell Elementary. We have Mr. Samson from Lake View Elementary and Mr. Taylor from Travis Elementary. So, this is the support we have and the people that I have been speaking with and building. Yes, sir. You forgot one person. He's sitting back there. I know. And I'm about to say it, too. So, I have my awesome some of my awesome family with me. My daddy Aubrey Lewis and my sister also joined us. Joy [Applause] Gill. He's a coach, too. He should have stood up with the rest of the coaches. We have another family member, Dee, who is the son of my awesome secretary. So,
026thank you, Dee, for being here. Look, I I know that our family members mean the most to us because they have to hear our moans and groans and complaints. So, I'm so happy that they're here with us tonight. And so, um we will move forward into this. You will see the names of some of our um teachers that were introduced. So, I had a committee that helped me put this proposal together because again, I trust and and I trust the expertise of our staff. So, they did help me put this together. They put it together actually and we presented it to Dr. Portery and Dr. Owens and uh now we're bringing it to the board for support and approval as well. So we do appreciate you all for this for allowing us to do this.
027So beginning it's basically a GT and we want to bring the spark back to education and so we want to we service our special ed kids. We service our general ed kids. So what about our um gifted and talented students in middle school? And so this is just a program that we want to start. I don't believe in starting something and not been able to follow through. So I it is a pilot program. This will only be about 25 sixth graders except in this year as a pilot to see if it works because I don't believe in just putting things out there starting full force and full hog and then it collapse. So I want to start small and then eventually grow it big. And so this is Ignite. Ignite stands for inspiring growth, nurturing
028innovation and talent and excellence. And it is a pilot program. So the identified instructors, some are with us tonight and you did hear their names. Uh Miss Harris will be the sixth grade ELR. Miss Lal will be the sixth grade science. Miss Falomo will be the sixth grade math. Miss E. Roberts and we are keeping her in our prayer. She um was lifellighted with the health challenge over the Easter break, but she is well she I've spoken with her and she will be back on Monday. So I have some troopers and some riders with me and I'm grateful for that. Coach Nose is actually um coaching soccer right now, so she's not with us, but she'll be taking over the Lifetime Sports. And then Miss Budro is also in the audience with Art. We have
029region 5 training scheduled for identified cohort instructors May 9th through 14th and May 22nd. And our consultant for that is region 5, Mr. Johnny Vines. The introduction is at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. We strive to meet the diverse needs of all students, ensuring that each learner reaches their full potential. However, our current curriculum does not fully address the needs of all of our high achieving and gifted students. Implementing an Ignite program will provide these students with the necessary academic challenges and enrichment to keep them engaged, motivated, and successful. What is the Ignite program? So, it is a specialized educational program to address the needs for the gifted and talented because that is considered a special needs or special education area as well. So, it will challenge the students. It will provide enrichment activities, allow for
030acceleration in certain subjects, and encourage critical thinking. It will be approximately 20 to 25 students. And thank you to Miss Nico. The credits will be at the bottom of each slide for the teachers that contributed to these slides. The key benefits of an Ignite program, it will challenge them individualized learning, social and emotional growth, exposure to advanced opportunities, and college and career readiness. My my motto since I've be become the principal of Thomas Jefferson Middle School has been exposure expands expectations. And so we want to expose these children outside of things in Port Arthur, Texas because the world is bigger than Port Arthur, Texas. And so I I remember getting those experiences and that exposure that assisted me in in wanting to explore more in the world than just Port Arthur, Texas. Program goals will
031be intellectual growth, career exploration, and creativity and problem solving. So we would be looking at differentiated instruction, not scaffolding down but scaffolding up. We looking we're looking at ability grouping, passion projects, make certain that it's something that the children are interested in, something that they want to learn, something that they want to know. Because when children are bored in class, they will create discipline or disruptions within the classroom setting. And so when you do things that they are interested in, they're more apt to um actually follow through, follow along, and want to do the work. And so that's where we're at. mentorship programs, project based learning and collaborative learning. Identifying the GT students, how will we identify them? We will use a multi-dimensional approach. The star scores will be a part of that uh application
032process. The COGAT test will be a a part of that process as a standardized testing. And then we'll look at portfolio assessments. Student letter identifying academic strengths and what they would like to see in the academic setting. giving students a voice because once students know that you are listening to them and that you care about what they have to say, they will learn and they will do for you whatever you ask them to do when they know that you care about what they have to say cuz children have a voice, too. And I often um tell the staff and and talk to the staff and say, "Hey, we're going to discipline, but we're going to discipline with dignity. We're going to let the children know we're listening to them." I often take time out of
033my schedule throughout the day. If a kid want to speak to me, my secretary and everyone knows, hey, come and get me or write me an email so I can pull that kid out of class as soon as I'm available. So kids know that they have a voice on our campus. And so we want to expound upon that. And then of course their report cards and their progress report grades. We have um provided you all with a portfolio uh thanks to my secretary. She has put these um portfolios together so graciously and we will kind of take a little glance at that as well. But for the curriculum development of this, we're looking at differentiation again, project based learning, interdisciplinary approach, independent study, and advanced technology. And the instructional strategies will be differentiation, inquiry based
034learning again, and socratic seminars and philosophical inquiry. Structured discussions where students analyze and debate complex ideas. Too often we have quiet classrooms. Quiet classrooms do not mean learning is happening. And so you have to have uh discussions going on to actually know that they know what they're talking about. And once you make it competitive for them, they're even more engaged. We're looking at inquiry based learning, encouraging students to explore real realw world problems. So when they're looking at the news and looking at Tik Tok and we might as well dive into it because that's where they're at and they're not leaving that, you know. So when we look at the inquiry based learning and tell them, hey, you pick a science project off of Tik Tok. Oh, they're going to run to that and do
035that because we're meeting them where they're where they are. And so that is a big part of what this gifted and talented program which we are calling Ignite will be with instructional traffics. We're always looking at mentorships and real world connections. So they may have parents that work at the refinery but they don't know what they do. It is time for us to expose these children to the maritime industry. Uh and I know we do it in high school but I'm saying start early. So, the maritime industry, it's people out there that have a high school diploma and they have not had to get into the debt that I may be in or anything and they're making two and $300,000 on a tugboat. And so, when they know that stuff and connect that and start
036taking field trips to the ports and doing things like that, that is what we're looking at for this program for our students because they deserve the best. And a lot of times I often say I'm coming to get for everything that's for them because they deserve it and they deserve advocates to help them and support them and move them along the way cuz we know that we can't do anything about the home but we can do everything about the school gamification and competition based learning. They're into esports. They're into the video games. Why not incorporate it into the curriculum so that they can have a chance at wanting to know, do, and build. That is a lucrative industry as well. and they may not have to go and get a four-year degree. They may not
037have to go and get a master's or a doctorate. All those degrees, they're great. They're nice. I have them. But at the end of the day, they don't have to have it. And we know that all children are not academically inclined, just like all children are not athletically inclined. But there's something that is their niche that they will love and they will do. And then acceleration and tiered assignments, allowing students to move through content at their own pace. sometimes when they're in that gen ed setting and we have to scaffold and differentiate so much we have to slow the pace down where those GC kids are getting bored when we're slowing down. And so, yes, our our teachers are excellent and they know how to maneuver, but why not have a a class that caters
038strictly to those fast-paced learners so they're not bored and so that they are interacting and and being entertained at all times and they can self-lead. A lot of them are self-le, a lot of them are self-starters and self-motivated. And so we just have to meet them where they are. And then the last of the instructional strategies, interdisciplinary and thematic learning, blending multiple subjects and um students being expected to do the mentorships, but blending the multiple subjects. You may have science that um have done a project in there and it can integrate into art. And so you will see some of those things that we have uh designed as well, visual and applied arts. So we have Miss Budro in the room. And so what we want to do is design a program to challenge and
039inspire gifted young artists by providing opportunities for advanced artistic development, creating problem solving and exploration of of diverse art forms. So she's already designed her program for next year. Middle school advanced visual arts. The first nine she's they designed it basically by their nineweek structure. Foundations of art, elements of art, principles of art, mixed media exploration, architecture and media arts, sculpture and 3D special projects and enrichment opportunities. Coach Rose in her absence have already designed her lifetime sports curriculum as well. She's looking at doing in the first and she's already broken hers down into nine weeks. Flag football, volleyball, basketball. Now these will be intramural type sports. This will be mixed classes. So you will have boys and girls in it, but again the cohort will only be 25 students. And so we're looking at
040doing flag football, volleyball, and basketball in that first nine weeks. Second nine weeks, strength training and aerobics. We do, thanks to the board, have a newly um orchestrated fieldhouse. Well, not fieldhouse, but the workout equipment. I'm not an athlete. I'm not an athlete, so I don't know the correct names and terminologies, but it is very nice. I have been in there. I've looked at it, but I I need to use it. But um but we do have some very nice uh strength training equipment in there and aerobics, outdoor pursuits and cycling. And we are ordering bicycles cuz a lot of our kids, believe it or not, they don't go outside. They don't even know how to ride a bike, you know. So we've ordered the bicycles, we've ordered the helmets, we've ordered knee pads and
041things like that in order to pursue safety as well. The third nine weeks, we're looking at golf, fishing, and bowling. And then the fourth nine weeks, bad mitten tennis, floor hockey, and innovative game. Cornhole, pingpong, pickle ball, which is a new thing, but a lot of people are into it. And then the free is me golf. Family and community is very important with this. The family and community have to be very, very involved in order for this to be successful. One of the most important factors in an Ignite student success is parental involvement. Parental involvement boosts student confidence. Engaged parents help gifted students stay motivated. Communication between parents and teachers enhance student growth. Parental advocacy ensures Ignite students receive the right academic support. Emotional support from parents because you know with the with gifting in
042tons of kids sometimes comes a lot of emotional strength because they put so much on themselves. And so you need the support of the teachers and the parents. When parents are involved, students feel more confident in their abilities. Evaluation and improvement. How will we evaluate and improve our process to ensure effectiveness? Our Ignite pilot program will undergo a comprehensive evaluation using both qualitative and quantitative data. So, we're going to be tracking these children. We're going to be looking at the data. We're going to see what they're doing. After evaluation, improvements will target any identified weakness. Ensuring equity, we're removing obstacles like financial limitations and lack of awareness to ensure inclusive participation. So, the this will be free. The students will not have to pay a dime. our school funding that we currently have because Dr.
043Puerto Rico. It makes certain that we are very financially responsible and fiscal fiscally responsible. And so we have already mapped out our our uh need and our financial needs and we have taken care of that within our current budget. And so we have done the work. Use culturally responsive methods for identifying and supporting gifted students. And this is a very special one near and dear to my heart cuz my mom taught for 34 years. She taught special education life skill students for 34 years. offer tailored accommodations for twice exceptional which we are other also known as 2e students with both giftedness and learning differences. So you know you can have a child that may be identified as special ed on the spectrum in some type of way but they're also gifted and talented you and
044so this program will be created for them. I've met some kids that's on the spectrum as far as autism or may have Asperers or something like that, but they're pure geniuses, you know. So, they may have some type of special ed accommodations. However, if they are fit the needle and the academic needles toward gifted and talented, they can participate as well. It's not, oh, cuz you're a special ed, you can't be gifted and talented. That's not true. And some people have that false um, you know, thought that they can't be both. Yes, they can. And so, that's something I am definitely passionate about and working with. Pathway development for Ignite students and TJMS creating a pathway for the Ignite students of TJMS. Two programs piloted within the last four years. So this is just basically
045speaking to the sentiments and the fidelity of the Thomas Jefferson Middle School campus and the programs that we implement within the four years that I've been at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. We implemented the apply program which is the special ed applied program basically like a resource class. So these are kids that may not can function well in the inclusion setting like a larger setting. So we broke them down to maybe five to 10 kids in a class for English or math and that started uh maybe three years ago and that program is still going because we have seen the projections and the trajectory move forward for those kids and move in an upward trajectory for those students. And then the newcomer cohort was something that we did this year and again I've been working closely
046with Miss Nolton uh on that and we've seen the projections trend upward for those students as well. So we started everything off as a pilot, not to throw anything to the wall and hope that it stick. We're th we're we're starting small and then we're expanding. And so with that applied program and that newcomer cohort, we're still going with that. So those were two pilot programs. So it's just to show to the passion of my team that we do follow through with what we do. Expected growth from the Ignite pilot program. We're looking for that. Now I am only responsible for Thomas Jefferson Middle School, but Dr. Puerto Ry did charge me with asking me uh upon our initial um proposal, what happens when they get to high school? How do you follow through with
047that? And so that was a great question. So, of course, I did my research. And so, more high school credits offered on a middle school level was my initial response to him because initially if these kids, these are current sitting fifth graders that will be in sixth grade next year, right? So by the time they get in eighth grade, um the expectation for us on a middle school campus still is a English one pathway and a IPC pathway, which are two additional high school credits on the middle school level. High school credits currently offer expand pathways. So we're looking at we already have algebra 1, we already have CTE, and we already have Spanish one. So if we do add English one and IPC, those kids can possibly leave middle school with five high school
048credits. And so that's that's that's the initial growth. Now when I looked at what can happen in the high school area, that's not my arena. I'm only responsible. So this is only for the proposal purposes. High schoolmies could be things such as STEM and PEK pathways. and I've listed those there and that's just a part of my research are are expanding the early college options contingent upon the partner college options with an associate of arts in business field of study teaching concentration prehealth occupations communications social behavioral science and criminal justice and an associate of science in either mathematics life science premed and physical science but again that is only contingent upon the offerings from that partner college again these are pending requisition missions that we've had. Um, I asked the teachers to give me a
049wish list and I said, "Give me a wish list and I'll see what I can do." It was the end of the year, as you all know, and we had to comb through the budget on the funding that I had left from the school year. The total ended up being $20,40. Thanks to Miss Davis and Miss Brady, we were able to fund every single thing that the teachers requested out of our local budget. And so, we are happy about that. Miss Incel, my my financial secretary worked tirelessly with Miss Brady. I had conversations with Miss Davis and we got it done. So, I am very very happy that we were very financially responsible and I know that Dr. Perry is very proud of me as well because he said, "Where's the money coming from?" And
050I said, "Don't worry, Doc. I got it." And so, I'm happy about that that we did fund everything and some of the information may actually be new to some of my teachers here, but everything has been funded. all the requisitions are in and so they will have their um they will definitely have their materials and some of them this uh BJO shared with me tonight that some of that material has already come in and so we are happy about that and in conclusion an Ignite program at Thomas Jefferson Middle School will provide much needed opportunities for our gifted students to thrive academically and socially. By implementing this program, we ensure that all students receive the education they deserve, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation at our school. We look forward to discussing this proposal
051further and working collaboratively to make this vision a reality. Before we end, um I did provide the cohort I mean the propo the pilot proposal to you all in writing. And so included in there is just the handbook that they will be given once accepted and the first day of school starts. The ignite application is in there as well with uh what I have given to uh Dr. Crochet, Miss Sharp, Mr. Samson, and Mr. Taylor. Mr. Himenez cannot be with us tonight, but he is a part of my feeder pattern elementary schools as well. So, I do have five principles that I am working with currently to get this initiative off the ground and uh I will meet with them also. Of course, the PowerPoint is included and the requisitions that have been purchased as
052well. Thank you so much. I'll take questions at this time. Anybody have any question? Um, I don't really have a question on it. I just want to say job well done. This is a very, very great presentation. It was put together very well. I like the way you all collaborated with the elementary schools, with all of the educators. I think it is an awesome awesome idea. I'm really excited about it. I know the kids will. And this is the type of energy that we really need and desire across the board with everyone because not only did you get it together, you did your research. Financially, it fit. I mean, everything is just perfect on it and it benefits our children. So, I don't really have any comments or anything. I support it wholeheartedly and it
053is a very great job and I hope that it I'm ready to see it. Yeah. You know, go even to higher heights from here. Thank you so much, Vice President Johnson. Anybody else? I do. um you picked the right name for this cuz while you were presenting I literally got ignited. Um and I really truly truly appreciate that this is a pilot program to start off with for one. Um but I'm more so really appreciative of the mission statement that you have here in the handbook and for those of you who can't see it, I'll read it for you. It says if a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn. And I really want to put emphasis on that because even as I'm sitting on two boards
054right now, higher education and on this board, we're seeing a trajectory in education that we have never seen before. And we really have to prepare ourselves to become innovative because even though the world is constantly changing, we still have to do our jobs of teaching children to get them to be what we need them to be to be successful. And so I really appreciate you putting emphasis on that. I also want to applaud you all on the group effort. that says a lot about your leadership, your group effort, but you just bring your faculty and staff and your team members here. I want to commend you and the team for that. And I also want to commend um I don't want to mess up the name. What do you call the the principles you're working
055with? The I'm a feeder pattern. Feet patterns. Yeah, I didn't want to mess that up. I I appreciate that mainly because and this is not a shade to anyone, but it's true. Since I've been in this district, it's always been these little ISDs. And now we're seeing all one ISD, PA ISD, coming together. And I really appreciate that because these children are going to come from these campuses and feed into your campus and then go to the high school where they will all be connected and be consistent. Um, also I appreciate the the innovative approach that you're taking to tailoring these classes to these students and um the clear vision and of course their exposure. You said something that I tell people all the time, especially in education, we hear these things about, oh, the
056house isn't doing this, the house isn't doing that. But we have to get away from that mentality because we are now the house. We have these children more than what most of their parents do. And it's true what you said. Most kids don't know how to ride a bike. They know how to do a lot of things for themselves that we can do on the campus. So, you have my full support. There should not be any problems financially. I mean, we spend over $25,000 on EXL for math and I don't know how much that's working just looking at the scores. So, we really need to invest in the things that we are that we are doing to be innovative that are working for our students. So, congratulations. Kudos. Job well done. You have my support.
057I can't wait to see this to grow and thrive and hopefully be shared amongst our district at both middle schools. Thank you, Trusty Gamble. Um u you go first. You go first. Thank you, Doc. Thank you, Dr. Brown. Thank you, uh President Loftton. A well put together proposal. Um the questions that I want to ask this is in here in detail. Um one thing I can say is don't worry about what's going to happen. I know personally knowing you personally uh anything that you put your hands on it's it it flourished. So just seeing the support that you have from your family from your faculty and staff we know this something that's going to be great in the in the works and right in the making for uh Thomas Jefferson Middle School and whatever I
058can do to help to move this even further than what it is, let me know. I'm very uh supportive of this. Thank you Trusty Barti. Dr. Well, I'll ask the question, but don't answer until I make a comment. But my question is, what do you see it growing toward? In other words, what what kind you say starting as a pilot with 25 students. What what are you looking for in the future in terms of numbers? But before you answer, let me just acknowledge what other trustees have already mentioned about vision. Uh I I appreciate thinking outside the box, just thinking at all. Too often what we find ourselves doing in in education is just doing what we've always done. If you do that well, that's good enough, right? But it's not good enough in any
059organization, particularly in educating our children. But I also am so impressed with and proud to see so many educators here in the house this evening. How'd you do that? Don't answer that. But but really, this is Dr. Porter, this is really pretty impressive. See this many faculty and staff members and and neighbors and you know, even my next little neighbors. Anyway, we got a lot of people here uh for this presentation. I'm just so proud to see that. Finally, uh you know, I'm glad to see uh reference to the arts. Too often uh people, you know, they appreciate the arts. They may go to a program or turn on television or go to church or what and and and and in almost every instance, there's some kind of reference in to the arts, but but
060we don't take time in our in our education programs very routinely. uh we don't take time to appreciate the arts by putting money where we wish things would go. So, I'm just glad to see that even I met a a lady today who was involved with uh with the costume design and I never thought of what that was necessarily until we had the conversation and they were making reference to some some so-called superstars in in in the field and how they were helping design their costume costume just go to Walmart or go you know go to Dillard but it's not that simple obviously is trusty get one so so you know but but just the idea that we're talking about the arts in that way the way we're we're talking about teaching our children. I'm
061just so impressed with and proud of. So, thank you very much for that. Thank you, Trusty Brown. The question the question uh where I where do I see it growing? I see it growing to finish it. Yeah, I see it growing to of the five high school credits by the time they reach 8th grade cuz every year we planned on expanding. So, as they move up, we plan on moving and expanding. However, now I do need classrooms to expand, but we have to move it up and expand every year. Kind of like you you're growing, you know, um when you start over and you're growing the new grade level. So, like this the current 25 pilot will move up to sixth grade. So, that's going to stay 25 cuz we're not going to add to
062them because they're already within that cohort. And so then maybe next year it can possibly grow to 50 and then the next year is 75 until we can you know expand as much as we as much as we can service. So if those students are qualified for for those services we want to in service all of them all the ones that we can service. That's how big I want to be. And then uh moving to that high school arena, I would like to see them be able to, this is just my vision, but I would like to see them be able to get associates in different areas, not just one, you know, blanket areas so that they can actually be a little bit more beneficial to them in their career interest. Thank you. Yeah, Mr.
063D. Dr. Lewis, we go way back and I know you can get the job done. You came here tonight with your aame, everything laid out on the table for us. So, you have my support 100%. You and your team. Thank you so much, Trusty Brown. Uh Dr. Lou, I just want to commend you and your staff uh for always blazing a way uh for our students to uh succeed and to thrive. And then I like the way how uh you put a well together pilot program and I know that the cohort will succeed. Thank you so much, Secretary Narciss. Last but not least, me uh uh Dr. Lewis, I I fully support this. It it's basically along the same lines of back in the day when we used to have Summit. How it started out
064with Summit, just a few here, a few there, and and look how it became. It became big to where kids start competing to be in that program when they were in fifth grade. So, I think that's I think that's what you we're going going for that when those kids get in fifth grade, they're going to they're going to be want to do so good to compete to get into your program. And that's I I really think that's going to be sooner than later. Yes. Because of the work you put in, the fire you have in you, the support you have by the elementary school teachers, principles that's going to be pushing that program. So I thank you. Yeah. Thank you so much, President Loftton. And um I just want to again thank the fear pattern
065principles for being here because I do recognize and realize that you have to build a house from the bottom up and not the top down. And so by getting them to um get on board with me and and collaborate with me and ident help me identify those students on their levels, you know, we can actually create something great here. So I'm excited about it as well. Yes, Dr. Lewis and to the staff of Thomas Jefferson. Congratulations once again. We all always are here to support creative ideas. One thing about Thomas Jefferson and their staff, um, and I've noticed, you've you never hear them say they're tired and they they're they're always going outside the box. It's always something new, something different, and that's commendable. I know they're tired, but you never hear it, you know,
066and that's that's and they're always smiling as they are tonight. So, that's a good thing. And I don't know how she got them here, but they always look happy. I don't know what she's doing. Um, someone taking them out to eat when they need Well, someone just said she cooked something, but I won't say that. That's how she got one of them here. And to our to our principles, thank you for coming. I know you're tired. I know you're tired. And uh we're preparing for one more star test. And you all are done. One more. You're done, but we still have one more on the 29th. So, thank you for being here. Thank you for your work. Thank you for your creativity. Dr. Lewis always reminds me that she is the second largest campus in
067the district uh with 864. So I get that all that's how she greets me. So she she makes sure she she makes sure she I know exactly what she's doing and how she's doing. So congratulations to you. Thank you for your forethought. Thank you for doing something extra cuz we hear so many times, I'm tired. The kids can't do, but you all come up with something different to make sure that they do and it and it works. It works. So, thank you. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you, principles. So, uh and everyone else that's here. Thank you, Dr. Pette. I just actually have one more question that just popped up. Um, as I was thinking about this program, have have we as a as a district started preparing ourselves just in case the bond
068is passed and we do have to of course cons consolidate to one middle school to ensure that this program will continue at that new middle school? Absolutely and I'll answer that question at that time for uh design. Okay. Thank you. Next, now we have Miss JL Moody who's going to come and tell us. Now, Dr. Lewis just presented the future. Miss Moody is going to present the current and what's happening right now with our gifted and talented. So, it's it's thriving. I don't see her teachers here. She'll let us know uh who they are and do them, but they do a magnificent job. Good evening. Good evening. Um, as stated earlier, I'm JL Moody. I'm the coordinator of assessment and instructional support. So, with that, maybe I should wait. I'll wait. They're still joial. Even
069this time is almost 8 o'clock. They're still joial. So, I'm the coordinator of assessment and instructional support. So, normally when I'm here, I'm talking about data accountability and I'm a little bit more bubbly, so forgive me. Um, so, uh, for the G the gifted and talented program, uh, Dr. Tatiana Morales Owens is the assistant superintendent of curriculum instruction and assessment. She is one of the, um, persons who oversees the gifted and talented program. And then we have two uh GT teachers, Miss Valerie Harrison and Miss Pamela Maym. And they both had prior engagement, so they were unable to be here. So um they did have a lot of input within the presentation. So a lot of their their views and what goes on is uh will be mentioned tonight. Miss Harrison covers. So there's two
070GT teachers and they do pull out. So they go to the campuses uh each day throughout the week and they pull out the G GT students at the elementary level. So Miss Harrison has Lake View, she has Booker T. Washington and the Queen of course because they're K2 and 35. So she just goes ahead and covers the K5. Um she has Terrell and she has Adams. And then Miss Maym has Portacres, Travis, and Sam use. So what are gifted and talented students? Gifted talented students are students who perform at or show the potential of performing at a a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience or environment and who exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative or artistic area. They possess an unusual capacity for leadership or
071they excel in a specific academic field. And I just want to emphasize it's an or not an and. So some students may be musically gifted, some students may be intellectually gifted. Uh how are students referred? So pretty much anyone can refer a student to the gifted talented program. So that can be an educator, a parent, a community member, or the student themselves. Usually in the fall, we put out a QR code and a flyer on our district's website and on the Facebook page. and any community member that um has a student that they suspect or feel may be gifted talented, they can scan that QR code and fill out that referral form. So, what are we currently using to test the gifted talented students or potential gifted talented students? So, I'm not going to go
072over the numbers, but we use their I Ready diagnostics, their I Ready uh I'm sorry, their NWA map growth, the Kogat as uh was mentioned earlier, the teacher uh jot down and then the parent uh questionnaire. So, we usually, again, as I mentioned, we have referrals in the fall. So, we did have our referrals September for about a month from September to October. In the fall, there were 652 students that were screened, 592 students that were tested, and there were 111 students that were identified. So for the 2526 school year, um at the elementary level, there will be 192 students. Uh just to give a district number. So as of the 2024 taper, we have 4.5% of our students are identified as gifted talented, which is 358 students. uh teachers are required to um be
073proficient in knowing who our GT students are, how to nurture their gifts and talents and how to provide instruction for those students. So they are required to have any teacher that teaches a student who um qualifies for gifted and talented, they're required to have 30 hours of gifted talented instruction and then they're required to update that uh six hours every year. Um, so the students get classroom instruction again by those gifted, talented teachers. And then they're also pulled out uh during the week by either Miss Harrison or Miss Mayhem. The GT students also go on field trips. So this is just pictures of the third grade GT students on their field trip, a very electric Christmas. Fourth grade went to Shanganger and fifth grade went to the Nature's River. They were also uh wanting to
074incorporate sixth grade this year. Looks like sixth grade has been taken care of. So, we're going to move forward. Um and then we also have our Blue Bonnet program. So, every each year our students participate in the Texas Blue Bonnet Award program, a statewide reading initiative sponsored by the Texas Library Association. So, students in grades 3 through six are encouraged to read at least five books from the Blue Bonnet list. And then we basically have a uh blue bonnet brunch where they're they receive an award. So these are just pictures from that blue bonnet brunch. So we have all the elementary campuses and as mentioned, you know, the middle school students kind of once they go to middle school, they're kind of left by the wayside. So we wanted to make sure that we incorporated
075and brought in the middle school this year. So we the plan is to was to bring in sixth grade this year, then the seventh graders the next year and then just continue um to have those students participate. Uh this year they added a new component of the Blue Bonnet brunch. So instead of the students doing the book talk videos which were like presentations summarizing the book, they actually had a gallery walk where the students dressed up like the character from the blue bonnet look book and then they also uh presented on that character. Of course I'm going to give you scores. I'm the testing coordinator. So um here are the scores of our gifted talented students. As you can see I'm not going to read every number. They're performing well. They're at 100% 90 something%
076approaches. They're doing pretty well in meets and they're they're doing well in masters, but definitely want to see them perform because they are gifted students. I truly believe they could be master students. So that would be an area for growth and something that we want to work on. But of course, they're passing uh they're meeting uh the grade level standard. This uh the left is reading, the right is math, and then there are science and social studies. And I'm sorry I didn't mention, but this is grades 3 through 8. And then of course we only do fifth and eighth science and we only do eighth grade social studies. And then these are even our um ELC scores as well for our gifted talented students. And that was all I have. Any questions? No ma'am. Thank
077you, Miss Moody. Thank you, Mrs. Moody. This is a good This is really does a great job. She's clear and and there's a lot with testing and there are a lot of changes over and over again. So, we thank her for her efforts and her calm calming effects. Okay, we're going to move on. Um, we're going to move forward and not have the updates that the district highlights at this board meeting. We'll have them on the 13th when we return. Uh then we'll go on and just to give you some highlights, I'm let I'm going pass something out. So I want to start give you an update on our bond for our bond proposal. I want you to see uh this came out. This was sent to Mrs. Davis and I and it's preliminary at
078Texas ISD May 2025 bond elections. And how many school districts? There are 91 districts in the state of Texas that are going out for bonds. Uh but I want and the total the total volume 13 bill164,466. But I want to bring your attention to one. You remember I saying uh our 300 million. But look at Salina. I think that's how it's pronounced. It's not Selena. It's Salina. Salena. 2 bill295 million 695 579. Now they're coming. They're trying to they're getting uh 10. trying to uh build 10 new schools along with so many more things. So, it's not just Port Arthur that's out there trying to update upgrade their facilities because they know that it's growing and they their children they want their children to see uh what they can do and they want their children
079to have better. For our reasons in Port Arthur, we did look at our facilities and we come up with um a bond proposal that you have approved. Proposition A consists of middle school. It consists of the expansion of our career technical education, the bilingual uh offices and classrooms along with HVAC and buses from the savings. Proposition B is for the stadium in which our community did come for to us and ask us if you recall during a board member me meeting and ask us to consider which you all have um going to change. Hold on one second. I do want to go over real quick. See um I see all the A's but it's not something that's happening. I want to back up. I want to get rid of this. Okay. No, but this this
080not I did backspace. I did space. Well, then we just going to do this right here. There's a guy. Okay. Yeah, I'm trying to get it to That's what I'm trying to get to. Okay. As we do have a bond page. uh that has been very very valuable. Uh the first thing we have our homepage and we had our town hall meetings. We've had five actually. We didn't get a chance to get to Ecclesia, but we've had five town hall meetings that were very, very good. And then we have proposed projects. I know there was a question about renderings, but I do want to say we did not do renderings because when you get an architect to draw your facility, that costs money. We haven't spent anything. It's zero. Now, obviously, architects will charge you
0813 to 15% of the construction cost to draw a school. We're not to that point yet of drawing our schools, but you do have some renderings here just to just for you to see the middle school, the CTE building, which would be constructed to the north side of the building. It would be double the size, which is the second. And then you see the aerial view of the CTE and also the newcomer rendering which would be in addition in this red area to the front of our administration building and you can see it at the newcomer on the aerial also our middle schools were looking and we're talking um you know we have to come to a realization that we have to change with the times. Uh when we first started talking we talked uh
082when Dr. Brown said in Atlanta, I think it was Atlanta, he's been a part of building I think a fivestory school. Uh sometimes we don't think that we can do things in Port Arthur. We think that things are just out of our reach and it's not. So we were looking at a two-level and even for myself when they first when the architect that we're working with first said a threele I cringed. I'm like oh wow. But then as we've got as we've talked as we've thought about it a three level is not out of the realm of ris of possibility. Uh Mr. Gwood did ask about the programming. Well let me say this. We are not moving into a new if the bond does pass in May. We're not moving into a new school in
083August which I think some people actually believe it takes time. It takes six months to a year, a year and a half to even design a school. Yeah. Then we have to um after we design it, then you have to go out for contractors. You have to go out for bidding. You have to find you have to do subcontracting. Then you have to come back and then you have to actually order the materials. Then you have to build it. So we're looking for three to five years. So we are looking at how to do this and we're going to it's it's designed based on our curriculum. So we said about the middle school that we were looking at definitely three pods, a sixth, seventh, and eighth grade pod. Each would have its own administration administrators,
084uh, clerical, counselors, and of course security. Um, we also, let's see, that was our homepage. Projected projects, what we're seeing on we had Proposition A, Proposition B, the CTE expansion. We're excited and I'm not sure if you know this, but I was looking up some information about our kids and what we need to do in order to propose or get our students up to par. We're trying to add some new uh additional expansion programs. There has been since 2021, starting the 2021 year up until the president moving toward 28, there has been 79 billion95 million in expansion in Jefferson County. Just in Jefferson County, almost $80 billion. And what they've asked us is they need a workforce. They need students to come out of our district ready to go to work. And that is what
085we're trying to do. We add the electrical, the pipe fitting, the maritime, the process technology, the cyber security, robotics, teaching, teaching and training and barbering. So, we're excited about the additional uh expansion of the programs for the CTE building, our newcomers building. As we've stated, we have newcomers coming every day. every day. We're about 55% Hispanic, 37% African-American, 1.9% Asian. But we we have to is mandated that we address uh our newcomers through title three first of all and I think it was title one and title three. So we have to make sure that we are prepared and not only help our students but help our parents as well. The students come here, they're in a new country. Some of them speak zero English. Some of them come not coming to kindergarten, but coming to
086second, fourth, ninth grade and have never attended school. So, we really have to make sure that we address those issues for our students. And also, we talked about the consolidated middle schools. Uh, and we talked about why we would do that, how we would do it. Uh Lincoln is going to take 117 million just to renovate. Thomas Jefferson over 200 million. And we and I have stated that the back of the building is separating. We've done a good job at trying to maintain it, but it is currently separating. So if we don't address it, we still have to put money into it to make sure that it lasts for however long this community expects it to last. Um the next thing the location we talked about location and we are uh people a lot of
087our community where is it going to be? Well we are in talk with the we're in conversation with the city and we also have land owners that we're talking with as well for areas that are close to the Memorial High and Memorial High School 9 if we have to. There is land from TJ from the uh from the east side of TJ all the way to the auxiliary field. We own that land. So we could put it there. And there are uh several other locations that we are looking at. Uh let me go back to the top. Our tax impact. The question is how can we do a zero tax rate increase? Some people don't believe it. Some people and we haven't. And I and I'll say this, we have we have uh we've had
088two bonds that we you know the 2007 bond I think it was the 20068 bond then we have the 2014 and we are paying those bonds back no problem. And if our community paid attention, they would see that most of us have received our JCAT letters and the uh homes have decreased. The land has increased, but the homes have decreased. So, we're not causing the pe the citizens of Porta to have an increase um tax tax increase. I'm going to ask Mr. Clarence Gr to come up at this time to explain how we can get a $300 million bond at a zero tax increase and the same with and I was reading the same with Salina a 2.3 billion without a tax increase. So it's not just us there are other districts doing the same
089thing for their communities and their students. and and good evening and and I have some prepared remarks. I can answer it directly and but I do have some background information as well to support it. But you're exactly right. Your um your authorization of 300 million is primarily looked at when you because you've been very good stewards and making extra payments on existing debt. And when you look at all the successful elections that you've had over the years going back to 2001 of $8 million that qualifies zone academy bond and um you know $8 million that's been paid off. So you're current you're you're constantly repaying debt and you have about we we aggregate all that out is about half a billion dollars of of voter that voters have approved since 2001 and you can um
090I have some materials to show what's outstanding is about 300 million. So you can see that the taxpayers have been you know making payments on the 2001 election and subsequent elections and some of those elections are already been repaid. And so what you're what you're left with is your values have continued to grow. Now we had a challenging period where you had um some contesting of some of your top taxpayers and I caused your values to decline for several years but that's been uh addressed in your future um 33 313 agreements and we don't even have to worry about that anymore. Those values moving moving lower. So basically that sets the the background to what we do. Most of your peers they look at their values and they make a projection of where where things
091are going to be not necessarily um you know the affordability of today but based upon the historical growth rate where the values will grow and what will be affordable based upon those those assumptions and they're limited to the state of Texas limits you to u a max amount of debt you can have outstanding there are certain tests that we have to comply with at the Texas Attorney General's office, what we work with your bond council, Lance Fox, to make sure that we're in compliance with. But there are a couple things that allows you to do it. Number one, you're if you didn't do anything, you're you're uh we'll continue to make those payments and you'll start seeing that your future debt will continue to go lower. So, you have the materials and um you have
092and I can refer you to page number four. Um, and you can see that we're just outstanding. Par amount of bonds are the $298 million is what was outstanding. It's right around $300 million. That's what's outstanding. But when you look at the election bond election results on page four at the bottom, if you were to aggregate that amount of up from 2001 for the school building, the QAB science lab all the way down to the November 2014, you'll take out the eight the 89 million because that was that was the only unsuccessful election Port Arthur's experience. That aggregates up to about a half a billion dollars or 500 million. And so there's a um you paid off 200 million. So you've been a very aggressive paying off. We would love to have that be even
093more aggressive, but your values fell and we'll go through that with those lawsuits and cause some some fluctuations in the revenue that you were taking in for your um your voted bonds. So being able to make those payments consistently has created the capacity to come back and now have an election with no tax rate increase. That's similar what Salena's doing as well. and other districts in that position there. You know, you you look at your value growth and where where you've been at historically, what the growth has been. And let's kind of take a look at that. On page number page number six, you can see your values have have continued to grow over the last five years. you know, it's um this is probably more indicative as 4%. And that's indicative of a post
094um challenging of your top taxpayers for, you know, that had language that was omitted, you know, um that allowed them to to sue the appraisal district and reduce your your your values. Now, you were make hold on your M side where you pay your teachers out of, but on your your voter uh your INS side of your budget, you were not. And so we were left, you can see how the the even the freeze adjusted values went from 8 billion and it it contracted all the way down to the 5.6 billion and then 5.2 billion to 22 and then we got that straightened out and you know looks like there's you know not going no future lawsuits and you move forward your value is going to be unabated. We're going to be close to n
095or 10 billion dollars. That's not inconceivable in a few years. So based upon that assumption, you look at you say, "Well, we'll be able to afford $300 million." Now, are we selling $300 million all at once? Absolutely not. As uh Dr. Porter Ree said, it's going to take several months of planning just to get the programming going and architecture um the schematics go from renderings to actual plans. That's going to take conceivably a year. And so what we're saying is when you factor that in and allowing for the revenues to continue to grow, you'll be able to afford the have the revenues to offset the future debt that will be layered on coming due because we want to make sure because right now when you look at it, we're assuming that we sell $und00 million
096a year for the for the next three years. And that's probably very aggressive. You're probably not going to do that. you're probably more likely to sell a hundred million dollars the first year, maybe 50 to 100 in year one, then come back in year two and a half, three, you know, and and once you have the plans and do another 50 to$100 million and so as you're having the need in order to for the bonds to be sold, what's happening to your values? They're growing at the three or four percent which gives you the ability to repay in a in a four 300 million without any tax rate increase because remember we're at the the 50 cent maximum right now. So we can exceed that on the interest and s fund rate but you know
097our values when you look at on page six our total tax rate has continued to go lower. the maximum has it's gone from a $158 in 2021 now be down to a$131 and that's primarily because the state of Texas has really uh moved forward with uh compression on your on your maintenance and operation budget meaning that you're you look at your M tax rate I remember time it was it was a$14 here but if you go back beyond here it was a$150 at one point now it's compressed all the way down to a dollar4 and to uh the 81 cents where you are now and that we believe it we will probably continue to compress further as there's tax rate uh property tax reform at the state level. All of that helps us because we
098can't knowing that we cannot exceed 50 cents and there are other tests that Lance Fox have to um have comply with notably that you know certain percentage of your values can't be leveraged. We have to we estimated that it's about 300 million that uh over time you'll be able to sell and so you know that's how you come up with it is that it's based upon a set of assumptions that assume that you don't need the money all at once and your values will continue to grow. Now if your values don't grow and as we experienced uh the last election and actually contracted we slow down the project and the whole program to comply with whatever we can sell at that point in time. You don't control who how the values work or the economy.
099So we have to what Salana is doing and others you know instead of going out for a billion now and a billion later they said well let's go ahead and tell the community community what we need for the next five or 10 years and we're done with if we can't if something changes in our assumptions that means that we didn't need it we're not going to sell it and um you have state laws that you have to comply with will limit your ability to do that as well and that's uh we and and that's what we have find ourselves with as well we don't meet our value growth of you know continue to growing from our seven to8 billion dollars and keep it moving higher we just slow down the projects into what we can't
100afford and so and and by and and we should also experience values going lower on we can't guarantee that but your maintenance operation budget should go down because that's based upon what the state is doing and they've been pushing those rates lower through compression so we could actually be looking at a total tax rate that's significantly lower than where we currently are today even with the um you know you so no tax rate increase and so um you're in a very uh when you look at your on page seven um Miss Davis and and her staff and you know prior to her Miss Jeans you have a longstanding history of sending that extra mortgage payment to the bank which enables us to create that flexib ability to take up that respon you take up that
101capacity and sell future bonds with no tax rate increase. And on page seven is just an example of what we're scheduled to do again is the fees about another $10 million which will again help us with flexibility because they're debt limitations on how much you can actually sell um and when you can have it sold based upon um what do they call the 50 cent test and then how much leverage your values can be. So the fact of the matter is you haven't done these are just renditions you don't have plans just you know we are we're going to be very conservative so the roll out will be much slower than what we're showing on page number eight. So on page number eight on column numbers 11, 12, and 13 again, we're assuming every August
102we're selling $100 million. That's very doubtful. You know, it's very it's more likely that we take six months to figure out where we are and the first sale might not happen, you know, Dr. Brown, until, you know, next next, you know, 3 to six months after the election, if that, maybe the following year. And but you know that's where the consulting comes in with the architects and program manager and and um with Mr. D and our staff to kind of figure out what's needed. Now in order to let a contract in Texas you got to have identifiable identifiable funds. So you got to have access to the money but you know I think it's going to take a long time for us to get our plans together before we start you know incurring additional debt.
103So I think your values have time to grow and based upon that this set of assumptions we should be fine. But it is clear uh Dr. Pter and board members that when you look at um the direction of where we're going on page 21 these are current just kind of tracking some of the the the bills that's in the Texas legislature. It's clear that the direction uh that the legislature has taken is that on page 21 that it's going to be more difficult to have an election in the future than it is today. Whether we're talking about the the opportunity to call an election. I think when you look at the uh there are certain bills that's that's out here that has been introduced that's um proposing that um there it is election date. The
104one in the middle requires uh the broad elections be held on November only. And so we would have gone from if that were if that's successful that you would only have an election on November in the future uh effective September one of this year which would mean a a significant amount of elections occurring. There's another bill that was introduced in this legislature that says if you fail an election you have to wait two years. which is a blackout period of two years, you know, so what does that do to your market share as your as school choice is running at is is opening up. So these are good the reasons why Salena and others like yourself said, you know what, let's look at the maximum amount that we could conceivably um sell over time where
105we don't have to go back to a different bond election with different rules. That's going to be much more difficult to abide by. And look at on look at the uh the ballot bill where you have to put an increase say for the officer uh this is a tax rate increase it has to be in bold and in c in capital. It's on the ballot but they want to make it you know a little bit bigger. Um and then increase and then also put the amount of money that you're indebted in. So kind of almost a scare if you will your potential voters that wow all this debt you know and and so it's it's very difficult in the future. It's difficult now, but in the future it's going to be more difficult. So, we
106arrived at the 300 million. That's an outside number. It you can't achieve it right now. We're going to need growth. If we don't get the growth, we will just delay some of the projects. But there's a core of 100 to 200 million that you can do based upon your values currently. Well, I just want to say thank you, Mr. Greer, for that. I mean, you you always do a great job of really kind of helping the common eye who does not really do this for a living understand it. Um, and and this is a statement and it's not more so to to anything you've said. I I think for me the understanding is clear. This is the perfect time to do it. This is the perfect time to go ahead and make a move on
107it. Um, because of how we have been fiscally responsible and maneuvering through it. The only thing and and when I mention programming, programming for me is is not more so on the construction of the school. It's more so just on the combining of the two. That's the only place where I have my my real concern is is consolidating both Thomas Jefferson and Lincoln. And I will be quite honest as to why. I mean, we all know the accountability system came out today for the 23 school year. And if you look at Thomas Jefferson and look at Lincoln, none of them are performing to par. And so if we're going to consolidate these two, these are two very extremely low performing schools that will become one. So when I'm talking about programming, I'm really making sure
108that we as a district, as district leaderships are are really putting ourselves in a position to say, we know we have to create this school, not next year. we have some time, but let's go ahead and start figuring out how we going to put this thing into place to where when we do construct it, we're able to walk in and say, we know for a fact what we're providing to our students is going to be of quality, not more so, hey, we got this new school building. We need new buildings because Lincoln and TJ are falling apart, but making sure that we're looking holistically at it programwise and mainly supporting things like what what I just heard today. I'm really glad to hear about this this this Ignite because also when you talk about consolidation
109and it's not a secret. We've been through this before with our city when we consolidated three schools into one. We've seen what it did to the city. When we consolidate schools, we're taking two of everything and creating one. That's two football teams that now become one. Two choirs that now become one. Two theater arts programs that now become one. We have to have things put in place strategically for those students who won't be a part of that number so they won't fall justice to whatever we just throw them out. So that's what I that's what I mean when I when I'm when I'm talking about programming. Making sure that not only are we thinking with the end in mind for the infrastructure of the building, but programwise, where are we with making sure that we're
110not just putting two low performing schools together and saying, "Here we go. We got a new middle school. Let's name it." That's what I'm referring to. and case pointed but once again Thomas Jefferson is not low performing okay uh in 23 remember those scores came out for 23 we've had testing in 24 and we are completing testing in 25 and I am sure our scores going to come up we're coming out of co 23 so I mean the state of Texas was in trouble in 23 so it wasn't just us and yes as we design our school all of that will become become uh vivid and we know what we need to do in order to address. And when you say yes, it's going to be two choirs that's going to make it larger. It's
111going to be uh athletics going to make our teams larger. Um we have to figure out exactly what it is that's best for our students and try and do the very best we can. And we are in and we're not in competition with anyone else. We're in competition with ourselves. Yes. Okay. Any other questions for Mr. Greer? Thank you so much for doing an excellent job at at just trying to get people to understand about the 300 million. I don't know if they think that taxes are going to go up uh $50,000 a year, but I mean and and I'm going and let me say this. I and I and maybe I shouldn't say it, but I'm going to say it. We live in Port Arthur. I don't see many $500,000 homes around here in
112Port Arthur. I'm just going to say it. So, I mean I mean that's just it. I don't there not any I don't know of any million-dollar homes in Port Arthur. So, if it goes up, if it would go up, what do you want for your community? What do you want for your students, for your children? And that's all we're asking. Consider the future. Consider what we owe to our students both academically and facilitywise. They need they they need to see where we can do things in our own community. I've said this before. If we don't do it for our kids in our community in Port Arthur, no one else is coming to Port Arthur and helping us. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I I just u want to associate myself what Dr. Porter just said, but also
113do you have the figure with you, Mr. agree about what the average taxpayer would pay in a year u uh assuming Yeah. Yeah. So there's no tax rate increase and so it'll be paying what they are paying now. Yeah. Okay. Right. And and in fact that's the point and in fact and that's a great point Dr. Brown because there's legislation to uh increase the homestead exemption to the 100,000 and which would would would lower homestead values and and of course if you're over 65 you know that it's not you're frozen but the incre but the percentage that's paid typically by the plants for taxes absolutely you know overwhelmingly I think uh over 80% right about 80% right absolutely yeah and so exactly and and when you look Yeah, what's happening, you know, we're uh they're
114becoming more valuable. So, your value should grow based upon that alone, right? Not the household. Not excellent point, Dr. Brown. And Dr. Pery, excellent points. Thank you. Well, thank you, Mr. Greer, for traveling uh from Houston. We appreciate you've been with us quite a number of years, so you know the ins and outs of Port office. So, we definitely appreciate you. Uh board members, that concludes our staff reports. Thank you, Dr. Porter. We will now uh do minutes. Consider and if appropriate approved minutes of the March 27th, 2025 regular board of trustees meeting. I have a motion for approve. Second. Motion was made by Mr. Narcissis. Approved by Mr. Gwood. All in favor say I. I. All opposed. Next we have consent agenda. The following items which are of a routine and or reoccurring nature
115have been designated consent agenda items by the board president per policy B local. All the items in the consent agenda will be acted upon by one vote without being discussed separately unless requested by trustee in which event the item or items will be withdrawn immediately for individual consideration. in his normal sequence after items not requiring separate discussion have been active on uh Dr. For I think we're pulling number 14 and 15. Yes. So we'll take a look at numbers 1 through 13. Uh 14 15 has been pulled and uh we will not be voting on those. So move for approval. Second. Have a uh motion made by Mr. Gwood, second by Miss Diane Brown. All in favor say I. I. Un opposed. Next we have personnel. We're considering if appropriate proposed the proposed non renewal
116of term contracts of professional employees. Uh on I need a motion. Need a motion. Some move for approval. Second. Motion was made by Mr. Nis approved by Mr. Gatwood. Uh, next we have consider if appropriate. You have a vote. Have a vote. Call for vote. All in favor? I. All oppose. Okay. Next we have consider if appropriate approve employment of the assistant superintendent operations, Dr. Puerto Rico. Yes. President Loftton board. I am asking for your approval for the assistant superintendent of operations, Miss Kayla Jacobs. A motion. Second. Uh, I would like to do a individual vote on this one. Yes. Vice President. Yes. Secretary. Yes. Brown. Yes. Dr. Brown. Yes. Yes. Seven seven seven motion approval has passed from Miss Kelly Jacobs as assistant superintendent of operation. Next we will consider if appropriate approve employment
117of athletic director of Puerto Rico President Loftton. Board members I am asking for the approval of Miss Nicole Harris as the athletic director for Port Arthur ISD. Some move for approval. Second. Motion was made by Mr. Narciz, second by Miss Johnson. Yes. I mean, Mr. Gatwood, approved by Miss Johnson. Would also like to do a roll call vote on it. President, yes. Vice President Johnson, yes. Secretary, no. Trustee. Yes. Trustee Diane Brown. Yes. Trustee Dr. Brown. Yes. Trustee. Yes. Motion. Uh that was 68. 68 to one. Yes, it was voted six to1. Uh Mr. Cole Harris is the new athletic director for Portland School District. Next we have consider appropriate approval employment of head girls basketball coach. The motion move for approval. Motion was made by Dr. Brown and second by Mr. Nariswood. I mean
118same Mr. Gatwood. Uh, we'd also like to do a roll call vote on it. I need to get the name first. I gotta give it to you. Oh, I'm sorry. Boy, me out over here, boy. It's been a long week. No, I just think you just went out. Yes. President Loftton and board. I am recommending Mrs. Rashanta LeBlanc as head girls basketball coach. I think now you need a motion. Okay, we're fine with the motion. Can you give us a roll call vote for Jakart? Yes. Yes. Secretary. Yes. Trusty. Yes. Diane Brown. Yes. Trusty Dr. Brown. Yes. Yes. Miss Rashant LeBlanc is now the new head girls basketball coach of uh Memorial. Next we have consider if appropriate approval employment of teachers need a motion for approved second. Motion was made by Mr. Narc second
119by Mr. Gwood. We don't need no roll call vote for this. We ain't got nobody impressed. Uh all in favor say I. I. All opposed. Information like Porter. Yes. Average daily attendance 91.14% average daily enrollment 8,69. Oh, now uh Dr. Porter, I mean, I'm sorry, Dr. I'm glad you're the president. No, said that. Listen, I want to make one comment before we close. Uh, it'll take about 15 20 seconds. I want to applaud our superintendent for his presentation today for the Port Arthur Rotary Club where he and uh four other uh uh panelists participated in the meeting today. you know, everybody's busy, right? And but he took time out of his busy schedule today to make a great presentation. Just wanted to applaud him and thank him for that that that participation. It was a
120good program. And there's others who participated came from East Texas, Superintendent Clausville, Independent School District, um uh a college professor who's Carolyn Brown's sister. uh another college professor who also works in the at the high school who was a musician uh as well and uh and the the dean of programs educational programs for Lamont State Kashport uh you know it it um and this is about trends in education just wanted to thank him for that because it's not something he has to do but we often talk about community engagement relationships and getting out in the community and telling our story he did a beautiful job day and I want to thank him for that. Thank you Dr. Thank you, Dr. Brown. We're now call for adjournment at 8:35 p.m. So move second. Oh, I'm sorry.
121Table got something to say. Oh, come on, man. Get your birthday. I do got something to say cuz we not we not going to leave here without at least singing happy birthday to our superintendent of schools who came to work and came to board meeting and went to the Rotary on his birthday. Wow. He going to say happy birthday to our superintendent. All right. One, two, three. Come on, baby. Go, go, go. Do it. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy [Music] birthday. Happy birthday to you. We will now call for a German at 8:36 p.m.