001Meeting for the school board of PAISD will start off with the public participation. Okay, there's no public participation. So we'll go ahead and move on to the staff reports by our superintendent Dr. Mark Porterie. Good afternoon board members. It is great to be with you all tonight and we do have students with us tonight. We're going to showcase our fine arts and sports as always and we have several teachers that are here from and coaches I'm sure from Memorial High School. We have students. I think we have the principal that's here as well. We have a lot of talented students within our district. A lot of times we talk about sports only but we do have the arts. We have UIL. We have brains as well as as talented talented. We even have um those
002students who can draw and draw very well. Hopefully one day they'll be they go on and be architects and and draw your homes maybe you know design a house for you for little or nothing maybe. So we'll see. But I will ask is um Dr. Murphy would you like to come forward and introduce the teachers that are here and then they can introduce their students. Let's start off with the arts and then UIL then we'll go theater arts and then to sports. >> [clears throat] >> Is the is your mic on? No, I don't think so. Microphone check. All right. Good evening everyone. I'm so happy to be before you today with a group of excellent teachers and students who perform excellent everything that they do. I know that we have Mr. Gatwood here who
003is an advocate for the fine arts and I thank you for that and this opportunity as my background is fine arts. So this is something that's really passionate that I have a passion for. We have with us this evening Miss Arisha Jones. Miss Arisha Jones is our theater arts teacher. She directed our UIL one act play this year along with Miss Norma Cook and Mr. Domingo. And then we have our cast. >> [applause] >> Our cast of students, would you please stand? >> [applause] >> Thank you. And also with us we do have our art teachers here with us. We have Miss Mathis. And we have Mr. BAYERS. >> [applause] >> OKAY, AND ONE ON THE WAY? And then we also have Miss Gonzalez. >> [applause] >> Miss Gonzalez does represent UIL academics but today
004she represents her English classroom where her students did write poetry and they had those arts actually published. So they are here today. Would you all please stand? >> [applause] >> Our published authors. And of course we have our very own our quarterback here this evening with his wonderful mother. We have Mr. Amonte Martin. >> [applause] >> And we have of course Mr. Babbs our athletic director. And just a piece of Memorial High School with the theater arts department please come up along with your directors and students. Hi everybody. My name is Arisha Jones. I'm the theater arts director at Memorial High School. A little bit about myself I'm a proud 2020 Memorial High School graduate. COVID YEAR WAS CRAZY. YES. YES. I GRADUATED. I WENT TO Sam Houston State University. I got my degree in
005fine arts and theater acting and directing and then I came right on back home. And I'm here trying to change things around. Yeah, here we are. We went to UIL one act play recently on March 18th. That was our first time competing in that event since me and Taylor did it and we did amazing. We got the overall best tech award. We've never done that in Memorial High School history. >> [applause] >> WE GOT ALL star cast. Two of our cast members got all star cast and an honorable mention. One of our stage managers got best crew. We've just been working and racking up awards. We brought programs back to the school. We did [snorts] the Hispanic heritage program back on the stage. It used to be in the cafeteria. Now we're in the auditorium
006again. Our tech is grand. Oh my gosh. She just graduated LIT with an engineering degree and she is up there self teaching herself the board. So not the entire light board. We have a light tech now. Like it's amazing. WE'RE DOING AMAZING STUFF. >> [applause] >> YES. BEFORE I GET TO TALKING AND asking I want my kids to actually show you just a little sneak a sneak peek of our show. We do have a performance on April 23rd. It's the first performance ever again in our in our auditorium since Henrietta Haines was here. So that's crazy. April 23rd. Yes. Mark your calendars 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Y'all I want my cast to do your favorite line from the show that you say or another character says and do it in character. Okay, show off a
007little bit. Okay, do y'all want to kind of like maybe fill in here or okay. Come come come. Don't be nervous. Cool. Y'all can sit. You got to go ahead. And of course introduce yourselves and things like that. Okay. >> [clears throat] >> Oh, hello. My name is Grace Carr and I'm a senior. And this is my line that I'm going to do. Oh, [screaming] Miss Vickie. >> [laughter] >> I just DON'T LIKE HER. SHE'S OKAY. LET'S VOTE HER OUT. >> [laughter] [applause] >> UM HELLO. MY NAME IS JASMINE JOHNSON AND this is actually Miss Long. >> [laughter] >> She hasn't been in school in a year or so. >> [laughter] >> Hey, I'm Gavin Sprague and I'm a junior and my favorite line is when Miss Vickie goes like But she don't even know
008the real story. >> [laughter] >> Hi, I'm Kennedy Balou and my favorite line is our main character who goes STUPID SWAMP WITCH. >> [laughter] >> HI, MY NAME IS CAIN BUTLER. I'M A MATHEMATICS STUDENT. My favorite line is my line actually. Yes, Sunday did. Josephine, you are the spitting image OF YOUR MAMA. I'M KENNEDY BALOU and my favorite line is Kathy. She's not here but my favorite line is your line and you know how I know your line is? Your mouth is moving. Um my name is Willow and I'm a sophomore and my favorite line will be Josephine. Josephine, you are the spitting image of your mama. >> [laughter] >> Hi, my name is Michael Myers. I'm a freshman and my favorite line would be We love you more than all the stars in the
009sky. Hello, my name is David but I'm a senior and my favorite line is You see Willow? Do you see what I put up with? Yes. GOOD JOB, Y'ALL. >> [applause] >> MY SENIORS, CAN Y'ALL STAY? MY SENIORS? YEAH. So the seniors you see in front of you y'all they have never acted a day in their life. Crazy. And now they have told me that they would like to go to school for theater. I want a recommendation letter. I want a recommendation letter to Sam Houston State University for musical theater for Deion Mayfield in her absence. She was trying to be on the way here. But it's crazy. We're doing amazing things. Each single one of these students have told me that they want to go to school for theater arts. And so I have
010a proposal. Bear with me y'all. It's short I promise. >> [laughter] >> Okay. To the PAISD school board and principal Dr. Murphy this year the Memorial High School theater arts department was officially revived and we have had immense success. From bringing stage programs back into our campus to performing for the first time in 6 years at the UIL one act play contest. This season has been nothing short of historic. As we build this program it is so important for students to continuously be exposed to theater arts in multiple fashions. I am proposing that my senior theater arts students attend the 6 day UIL one act play competition on May 20th in Austin, Texas at the AISD Performing Arts Center. Performances begin at 3:00 p.m. Their attendance at this competition will not only allow them to
011witness people in their age group perform at a higher level but it will also present the rigor and the expectation for the upcoming year cuz I'm not going away. I also believe that exposing these students to this art form will assist them with public speaking, critical thinking, and societal cues. In total, we would bring eight seniors in their absence. Kayla Robinson, Darius Porter, Amisha Raymon, Grace Sharp, Deion Mayfield, Tatyana King, Deaudria Gibson, and Jamali Miner. Seven girls and one boy. All of these students have done exceptionally well academically and are extremely involved on their campuses. If approved, we have no issue with with doing whatever is best for the district and Memorial High regarding hotels, overnights, as well as finding a male chaperone or bus driver to accompany our single male student. Once again, we
012have had an historic season. And what better way to send these newly inspired thespians into the world than by showing them appreciation for all of their hard work. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Okay, let's have um Mr. Barris or Mr. Barris and let's see, Ms. Mathis. Thank you all for inviting us here today. Uh my name is Roy Barris. This is my colleague Grace Mathis. We've been uh uh working together the last 4 years at Memorial High School. I teach arts 2, 3, and 4 and Grace teaches uh two uh one and two. Yeah. Uh I just wanted to highlight some of the things going on uh with our art department. I need to point it over here or Uh there we go. Okay. Um we
013just got through entering artwork for Protégé and I'm going to let Grace talk about that a little bit, but I wanted to highlight on uh this current contest that we just entered uh Law Day and it's with the uh Eastern District Federal Courts uh in Beaumont and it's held in courtroom number one under uh uh Judge Crone. And this has been going on for about 12 or 13 years now. Uh this contest has been in effect. And uh this year's uh each year they have a theme that you have to go by and this year's theme was Americans Lending a Hand. And uh Casey, are you still here? Come on up, Casey. >> [applause] >> This is This is Casey Hidalgo. >> [applause] >> And uh she did this painting at home and I would
014say you what, you got about 50 hours on this painting at least? And uh she worked on it one weekend all night, right? Yeah. And uh this is called Helping Hands for Refugees. You want to talk talk about it a little bit? >> [laughter] >> Just tell them tell them a little bit about it. It's okay. Tell them about your idea where you got the idea. What? Yeah, it's okay. When is the ceremony? Uh April April April 9th is going to be the ceremony for the award ceremony and uh hundreds of pieces of artwork are entered into this uh competition, but only about 20 get selected for the final competition and uh each piece gets professionally framed, whether it be for canvas or uh watercolor or uh put under glass, but uh they're all professionally
015framed and they're all large pieces. The The smallest requirement is a 24 by 30. Everything has to be that size or bigger. So, we got some really big This piece is a a 2 by 3 ft uh canvas here. And all the recipients that make it into the show, they get to hang in their artwork in the courtroom on the second floor of the federal building for for all year uh till the next year rolls around. So, when we go for uh pick uh the award ceremony, I'll be picking up three pieces that were that made it in last year. And Marie Cutno is one of our seniors. She couldn't make it here tonight, but this is a a drawing she did this year for the competition uh called Man's Best Friend. And I don't
016know if you I don't know if you can you recognize our our chief there. Chief Porter. Chief Porter, yeah, we saw that. Uh I'll back back I'll back up. But uh uh she's she's got many, many hours and if if I could zoom in on it, there's so much detail in this piece. But I wanted to go ahead and show you the piece that won last She won the first place in this competition last year. And uh well, there's so much detail in this one, too. And so we're so proud of her uh for winning that competition and so I'll be picking this piece up and then it'll be coming back uh to our district. So, I'm going to go back to uh uh And Casey, Casey, remember when you're talking, you're Let's come to
017the podium. Come to the podium. Come on. No, no, to that podium. Stand right there and talk. No. Talk to us like you're talking to one of your your your your friends. We're all All of us here are for you. You're ours. So, you're not trying to impress. You're You're the best. We can see that you're the best. So, you just tell us. Just talk. >> [applause] >> You are PISD. You would make PISD proud. So, we're proud of you no matter if you say anything tonight, but just talk to us. Helping Hands for Refugees is about the countries that are going through these hard times that don't have the resources that they need, especially right now with all that's going on in the world. And some of the Americans in this country are doing
018that uh exactly that. They're [clears throat] going out of their way to go to these countries and give them what they need as in food, water, um personal needs. And I just think that what is going on isn't being isn't being represented as much as it needs to be and I just think that I'm sorry. >> [applause] [applause] >> Hey, you want to Oh, yeah. >> [applause] >> So, that was Law Day. We're still waiting for the um the awards coming up on April 9th. We'll find out who the winners this year. And um there's the Museum of the Gulf Coast Community Art Contest every year. Um we've had um several students in our over the years. So, these are a couple of photos from there. This is um one of our seniors, Reyna Gilder,
019who came to the event. And here she did a 3D piece. It's very hard to see in the photos, but the intricacy of her details and the creativity in this She called it her dream home. It's It's so creative and um what's really amazing when these students do their artwork, it's just seeing how their brain works. And the ideas that they come up with, completely unsolicited, is um that's why we love our job. Um so, here are more students' works. Um we have Casey Hidalgo, Aleah Simon, Angie Moreno, Marie Cutno, who you've already seen as well, Isaac Garcia, and Suzanne Long um were entered. And here we have another 3D piece by Emmanuel Alvarez. As well, we had Andrea Hernandez, Alondra Medina, who you will hear from in a moment, Jenaria Francois, Juliet Sumacheck. So,
020we then had some award winners for the show. We had two honorable mentions. Um this truck is by Luis Manzo. The detail is amazing. It was really cool to watch him work. I have no idea how he thought of putting this together. That's that mind that I don't have. Um and then this one as well, um honorable mention, Angel Aguilar. Again, no directions, no visual. He just completely engineered this by himself. Then we have what is a current show right now. The Protégé Juried Senior Art Competition. These are students from all over Southeast Texas, high school seniors. And so, the show is juried, meaning that all of these students could enter their work, but the judge only selects a few to be in the show. And then on top of that, the judge selects the
021winners. Um so, the exhibit is currently up at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas in Beaumont. If you can make it by there, however, if you can't, the entire exhibit is going to be um rotated around Southeast Texas, and Memorial will be one of the exhibiting schools. So, do we know the date on that? I haven't got the date yet. >> Okay, we will make sure that everybody knows the dates, but you can come by and you can see this exhibit, um including artwork by two of our seniors who were selected for the show, Marie Cutno and Alondra Medina. And we have Miss Alondra with us today. So, she is going to describe her piece to us. She doesn't have it because it's in the exhibit. But, before I call her up, I want to
022let you know that she won second place and a scholarship to Lamar University Beaumont TO STUDY ART. >> [applause] >> SO, I WANT ALONDRA TO TELL US A LITTLE bit about the piece that she created. Oh, shoot. That's not her last name. What is it? Garcia. Oh, it's Garcia. I knew it. Okay, Alondra Garcia. Alondra Garcia. Hi, I'm Alondra Garcia. Um >> [snorts] >> My piece of art was inspired inspired inspired inspired um when I see a problem that my friends and I have. It's the idea when you feel like you are trapped trapped trapped trapped in a place that even if it looks beautiful, it can hurt you. And my idea was are you able Wait. Are you I'm sorry. Are you willing Are you able Are you Do you want to Wait. If
023you are going to hurt yourself Mhm. Will you hurt yourself? >> Yeah. I'm sorry. My idea was will will you hurt yourself to help another person to escape of that cage? Or will you don't do nothing? And will you be um brave to escape by yourself and hurt? Or will you prefer to stay there safe, but in a cage at the end of the day day? That was my idea for my art. Miss Mattis helped me a lot when I get to her class, she helped me to develop my ideas, my style. And then I go to Mr. Bear's class, and he helped me discover that I love the clay. I love how it works, how I can shape my ideas. And I love art, and I most about I I love art because I
024don't need words to ex- express what I think, what I feel, and what I see, because my English is not the best. [laughter] But, I try. Uh I win second place like Miss Mattis say, and I get a scholarship to go to Lamar. That's what I'm going to do actually. I want to study graphic design and fine arts. And I get money for art supplies, and I really thankful with Miss Miss Mattis and Mr. Bear to help me to have this opportunity. >> [applause] [applause] >> Okay, well, I'm going to say a couple more words. Um So, that's [clears throat] why we do what we do. Um Oop. Okay, so, I'm going to show you a couple more things, and then we're going to take a look at this piece right here. Um There's Alondra.
025We we waited till the very end to find out she won second place. It was so exciting. Okay, so I just wanted to tell you this, that when you support the arts in school, you are supporting mental and emotional health, critical and higher order thinking, self-expression, self-confidence, problem-solving, creativity, and student retention, attendance, and graduation rates. Uh you might imagine that for some of these students, they come for these classes. They come because they're looking forward to art or theater arts or dance. Art matters. >> [applause] >> And we want to show you um one painting. A lot of our um art is in shows right now, but um if you can show it to them, Mr. Bear's, into the to the um audience. So, this is a student. He's in Art II. He's an incredible,
026creative artist. He hasn't had that much experience, but being in 10th grade, he'll be able to go on to Mr. Bear's classes. This is his first painting ever. Um yeah, completely unique composition. Um so, it is just amazing to be able to be to witness these students' brilliance and creativity. Um that's what we get to do every day. So, thank you for supporting the artists and the arts in Memorial High School in Port Arthur, and thanks for letting us present today. >> [applause] >> Miss Gonzalez Good evening. I'm Miss Gonzalez. I'm English II teacher at Memorial High School. I teach mostly honors students, and I have five of them with me here today. Um as uh you know, um I also represent the UIL academic team, and I do have some of them also here
027with me today. We compete in district tomorrow and Saturday, and we have every intention of making it to state this year. We were uh Yes. [applause] Uh we were very very very very close last year. So, we we're making it this year. >> [laughter] >> Um yes. We Yes. Literally two points away. Yes. Um so, um but here today, uh I have my students in my classroom. Um we believe in fostering creativity at just outside of necessarily you doing the regular curricula. Um our students also write um frequently doing creative creative work. Um I also I last year found a contest that I periodically enter my students in, offer them some extra time to be creative and exercise their skills. They are only allowed 100 words to write their short stories. Um so, two of
028my students do have their short stories here to write to read today. Um but we also in the second nine weeks, um the massive project that my students do is a poetry project. So, um it's modeled after something I did myself when I was a student. They have to write 20 original poems of various types. They write sonnets, they write acrostics. They have to exercise uh knowledge of figurative language, um rhyme scheme. They do haikus, all kinds of stuff. This year I also submitted some of their poems to uh contest, and 48 of them were selected for publication. Yes. [applause] Um so, all five of these students graciously volunteered their time here today to read some of their work for you. Um two of them are sonnets. Um we have, let's see, a haiku. Um
029one that was or a figurative language poem. And I can't What? Oh, a name poem, acrostic. Thank you. Yes. Um so, with no further ado, uh we'll allow them to read their work. Andrew, you can go first. Andrew has um a short story that he wrote. Um this was for the unsolved mysteries uh short story. They again allowed 100 words max, and he also has a haiku that he wrote. I'm going to read my uh short story first. It all started last night. Holmes was just [clears throat] coming back from a laborious case. He sighed and said that the case was a bust, and they couldn't pin it on anyone. Luckily for me, I know many things better than Holmes. People think dead people can't talk, but I know better. I went to the site
030of the murder and checked the cameras and saw that the victim pointed at something. Once I checked out what he was pointing at, I couldn't believe what I found. All right. They had to leave it unsolved, so we were >> [laughter] >> I will now read my haiku called Oceans. Soft soft soothing search sounds soft blue curve curve swishing lonely soft destructive blues. All right. >> [applause] >> I'll be reading a sonnet that I wrote named Dear Library. A grove of trees each holds knowledge yet learned. Some veiled by leather, others by paper. Many tread its path for the knowledge learned, yearns, I see. And to pursue a path that they deem greater. I've strolled down your long aisles many times. And rushed to enjoy your tranquil embrace. Your books are like chains. Seeking me
031to bind. To your prison. I say it must be fate. Library, how benevolent you seem. To bequeath to all the knowledge they seek. All for naught but the company they bring. Providing warmth beneath your leather sheets. Library. Not many visit anymore. But I'll always be one still AT YOUR DOORS. MY NAME IS SAGE BELL. I'LL BE READING my AABB rhyme. Figurative language poem. It's called tap dancing. Tip tap, click clack, hair up in a slick back. The The taps are raindrops drumming on the floor. Laughter and chatter spinning secrets galore. Hello, my name is Rihanna Johnson and I'm going to be reading my name poem. Really, I am a princess. I like pretty pink dresses. Oh, what a wonderful life. Never would I have thought about my fabulous pink filled life. >> [applause] >> Oh,
032hi. My name is Alicia Francis and I'm going to be reading my sonnet. It's titled life. Seriously hate living in PA. It is mentally draining for people. I really thought about moving today. Staying here hurts and it feels so lethal. If you live here, you just smell the gases. Fuel burns and intoxicates your mind. The pooling water in the underpass and in just a flash you are stuck in a bind. The thoughts eat you alive, kill you inside. The only thing you can do is accept. It can pull you in just like a rip tide. The cruel cruel world has changed while you have slept. The thing is you have never woken up. Your new reality is just abrupt. >> [applause] >> Yes, as you can see, some of the poems very light hearted, some
033of them have deep for stuff. They're all inspired by their own lives and what things that they enjoy or fear or you know, all kinds of things. But the students that I have are a lot more creative than they give themselves credit for sometimes. So when they complete that 20 poem project they are very proud of themselves because they've done something they've never thought they could do before. And they take the I've got many students over the years telling me that they remember that project even in college and beyond. I've taught many of the uh the staff members children as well. And they still tell me that their student remembers that project many many years later, even 10 years later because I've been here since 2016. So yes, so thank you my students for coming.
034>> [applause] >> Thank you. I'm going to ask now um that Coach Bell will come and introduce Amonte. Uh Amonte is not only the gentleman that had 52 total touchdowns, the most in Southeast Texas, but I'll say this. >> [applause] >> I'll say this though, when he was at when he won the Willie Ray Smith Award, he was the best dressed dude there. That green That green suit with that green and black suit. You wore it, brother. You wore it. >> [laughter] >> I'm I'm going to read a quick excerpt from uh his accolades and one heck of a year he had. Amonte is a phenomenal athlete. I knew from the end of his eighth grade year when he came in to work out. He was a kid that loved football. He's extremely passionate about
035it and a lot of times a lot of coaches says about X's and O's and sometimes you just got to have a ultimate winner and that's who he is. Let me read this to you. Come on, Amonte. Come on up. He has on green again today, Dr. Porter. >> [applause] >> One of Southeast Texas' most dominant high school football player was honored for his standout performance from the 2025 season as the Willie Ray Smith Award announced its newest offensive members. The offensive award recipient was Amonte Martin, the dynamic quarterback from Port Arthur Memorial High School who earned the award at the historic season that helped redefine the Titans program. Martin accounted for three 3,040 yards of total offense and 52 total touchdowns. The highest touchdown total among all Southeast Texas players. Martin's production translated directly
036into team success. The Port Arthur Memorial High School enjoyed the greatest season of its program history, finishing 14 and one overall. Winning its Winning its district outright, advancing all the way to the state semifinals. The Titans run marked a breakthrough a breakthrough year with Martin at the center of the offense that overwhelmed opponents with both efficiency and explosiveness. His leadership and consistency on the center made him one of the most impactful players in the region during the 2025 campaign. Martin represents the essence of the Willie Ray Smith Award, honoring players whose performances not only filled the stat sheet but also elevated their programs and left lasting remark on Southeast Texas high school football. Again, Amonte is a student athlete and he will be pursuing his education and athletic career at TCU. >> [applause] >> Thank
037y'all. And thank God and keep God first. >> [applause] >> Thank y'all for having Amonte and athletics here today. Thank y'all. >> [applause] >> Um let me first start off by saying that today I can say we've had a real school board meeting. Um and we haven't even got down to the business yet to even make it an official meeting, but it's an official meeting today because I can I can always tell them when I see them, my bosses are here. And that's the students. You all are who we work for. And you all have made today a a truly special board meeting. I can speak for myself for me because sometimes it can be daunting sitting in this chair and you wonder why you're here and you all gave me an exact reminder as
038to why. So I definitely want to give a big thank you to Dr. Porter. And [clears throat] to Dr. Murphy for working in tandem to bring today's presentation. It's something that I don't take lightly just mainly because I don't know if you all heard it, but the words that we heard from our students' mouths today should be something that should energize all of us. So if I could get all the students to stand up very quickly. Just every student, EVERY STUDENT. >> [applause] >> I WANT TO REMIND YOU AND LET YOU KNOW if you did not know today, you will walk away knowing that you are seen, you are heard. We may not ever get the chance to continue to do this continuously, but I'm just so grateful that you had the chance to come
039here where it's formal, where it's appropriate to acknowledge you in front of the board. You get recognized over the loudspeakers and you have a beautiful principal that dresses amazingly who who who talks about you all over the place, but this is the place that we get a chance to recognize you that you don't get a chance to come through too often. So it means a lot to have you here to recognize you appropriately before the board which you all are our bosses. We work for you. But lastly, I just want to highlight the diversity that we had in the room on today. And not just ethnic groups, not just genders, but the diversity amongst talent that we have in Port Arthur. From the football field to the stage to the choir room to the to
040the to the the classroom to the competitions, we have diversity in our city that we have to really really hone into and appreciate. I've had the opportunity to travel all over the world and I tell people all the time I've never seen people like Port Arthur. I've never seen talent like Port Arthur. But the one thing about Port Arthur that Port Arthur has yet to realize is that when you do not hone into your talent and when you do not craft your talent, when you don't support your talent, your talent dies. Or your talent goes out into the world thinking that it's so talented until it is recognized with somebody else who is just as talented because they were curated in the proper way. And so with that being said, Aretha Jones, stand up, please.
041I want to highlight my my classmate and give her her flowers. Aretha was very modest to you all tonight. One thing about Aretha Jones is she is the true testament of of a a great alumni but also a dedicated person. Aretha graduated Don't cry, girl. You going to make me cry. Kayla already over here making me cry. Now I'm going to get Dr. Popillion over there crying. Got me crying. Aretha Jones came here to Port Arthur ISD from the bean patch and I met her when we were in ninth grade. Me and Aretha was able to accomplish something that never really got a chance to be honored amongst our district the way it should have been. Not because of things that that that that It was just the way of the world at that time.
042We didn't get a chance to highlight it. And I think that it's so befitting to highlight it now. Aurisa Jones and myself were one of the only two students in the district's history ever to compete at the Texas State Visual Arts Festival and and make it to Nationals. We did so good that they skipped us past state and sent us straight to Nationals. We did not get a chance to go to Nationals just mainly because of leadership at that time at the district. But, I wanted to let you know that you are seen and we appreciate you for coming back because you have now inspired so many students and touched so many students have been changed because of art. Art gives us the opportunity and I promise I'll be done. Art gives us the opportunity
043to do the things that we never had a chance to do, to build things that we never had a chance to build. When I look at the the student that built a house that was bigger than the board, we don't know what kind of home that student lives in right now. But, art gives us the opportunity to build our future. And the best way to predict the future is to create it. And art gives you that opportunity. And so, I I'm off my high horse cuz I know we got a lot of business to do. But, I could not let my bosses not leave without knowing that you are seen, you are heard. We appreciate you. And and and if we never get the chance to tell you in this setting, we are proud of
044you. Go out and put on for Port Arthur. Don't let Ryan Coogler's Port Arthur speech be the only thing that connects us to something great. You all have the opportunity to go out and be great on the field in the NFL. When you get there, I'll have my green suit on, too. I got you. When you all get there, hopefully you'll hire me as an actor cuz I'm going to need it. We don't get paid. But, I'm grateful to know that you all came through Port Arthur and I'm just so appreciative that we've had the chance to honor you all today. Even though I know it was a little longer than what we expected, it was needed um because it was a reminder as to why we are here. So, thank you so much. Thank
045you. Thank you. Thank you. And we love you. And keep going. And come back. Come back. We want to see you. If you do something good, Ms. Locke is uh is on her job over there. We're posting amazing alumni with their great things in all kind of fields. So, send it to them whenever you do something great once you graduate. Thank you again. >> [applause] >> FIRST AND FOREMOST, I HAVE TO SAY UH THANK YOU, STUDENTS, for your many talents. Um I see you have a green on. Is it Is it Is it green significant to something? Is Okay. Y'all can tell me later. I I I thought I I wanted to ask a question earlier, but I'm sorry. But, um thank you all for your many talents. I I I call her She's looking
046I'm looking at Don't Don't Don't Don't Don't do it. Right there. Stand up. She see me? No. Stand up. That's a superstar right there. She was involved in everything. I I can't When you came up here and you did this, I was like, SHE DO THIS, TOO? LIKE, NJROTC, YOU NAME IT, she's doing it. Thank you for your many talents. Thank you for your many talents. I just had to I had to sit her down. And for the young man who did the poetry, man, you have a voice on you. But, you make some money just doing voiceovers. That voice on you You you You When you started talking, my attention is straight to like, I want to hear what you have to say. You have more to say. But, thank you for your many
047talents. Also to young lady who had couldn't find the words, but that picture spoke volumes. Thank you for your talents. And to Mr. Monte, to my classmate, thank you for raising An outstanding young man who's very respected in the community, who led Port Arthur Titans proud. And thank you all. Y'all all did a great job, teachers. We see the work that you're putting in. Um art art department, I can't draw with a dime, but I love it. I love it. Y'all, I'm Port Arthur proud. I am Port Arthur proud. Y'all continue up THE GOOD WORK. >> [applause] >> I HAVE A FEW COMMENTS. LET ME LET ME START OFF by expressing to Dr. Porterie and Dr. Murphy uh appreciation for your willingness to to to continue to support the arts. I mean, athletics is important
048as well, but but the arts, man. Uh as students said earlier, give gives a different kind of meaning to life in participating as as you all have been doing. Trustee Getwood, I also agree with what he said about the arts. You look at any program, church, any situation you go to, more often than not, it starts out with something with the arts, whether it's music or speeches or whatnot, the arts are always there. But, PISD board and and anyone taxpayers, we're supporting the arts, man. That's I'm just so proud and thankful because too often around this country, what goes first when they talk about budget cuts is what? The arts. I still remember a presentation by a man who's now deceased named Elliot Eisner. Y'all may may know the name. You may have heard the
049name or seen the name of research. I I went I went to a program where he made a speech about importance of the arts. I'm still uh excited about it. It was several years ago. Uh but, I also remember The Color Purple. That man down at the podium there named Getwood, was in this program. Was Was Was she in the The Color Purple as well? She was. She Listen. I remember that cuz it was such an ex- excellent presentation. >> [applause] >> The The students after the play had had concluded, the students went out in the hallway during the reception. Some of you were there. And started singing this beautiful song. I don't know the name of it, but I can hum it. But, it was just so beautiful to see that kind of engagement
050by students. Well, here we are coming back. Your >> [clears throat] >> Your Your excitement and enthusiasm, you know, I I I'm I'm in the sports, man, and in the sports as well. I just wish I could hit hit bang on the table or scream just listening to you make your presentation, uh Ms. Alicia. You just did a beautiful job. So, and listen, you other art teachers, would you all Trustee Getwood had the students stand up. Want to see the faculty and staff stand up, please. >> YES. MS. COO! >> [applause] >> I I I JUST I JUST WANT I JUST WANT TO SAY TO all of you, thank you so much for your enthusiasm. Well, each one of you did a good job owning the storm mentality, not just coming up to the microphone
051and talking. It was just very clear that you all love your students and love what you do. And then finally, that man right there that plays football, man, I'm I'm I'm still trying to figure out how you jumped over How you How you jumped over Listen, y'all know those who were there saw it. How you jumped over this guy uh in the final game, jumped I I I don't mean jumped over close jumped over him. Hurdled over and kept and and kept running. I was like, my gosh. Mem- Mem- Mem- Memories matter, but that's not the only play you did well in, but I'm just so proud. We're having school like This is my ghetto tongue. We're having school We're having school up in here. >> [laughter] >> We're We're We're having school Huh? We're
052having school up in here. I'm so very proud to be associated with. Thank you all. Thank you all. >> [applause] >> FIRST OFF, I'D LIKE TO UH CONGRATULATE DR. Murphy and her staff on uh a tremendous presentation today. Uh it goes to show that Port Arthur has a lot of talent. That our kids are being exposed to a lot of things and the world is going to take notice. Dr. Murphy, when you took over as principal, I told you I said, let the world know that Port Arthur is here and we have a lot of amazing kids. And this one kid I've been knowing him for quite a while, and that ain't Monte. This is a kid I coached him when he was in the fifth and sixth grade. And he I to see him
053come up here and speak, stand up, Payton. Payton came out of his shell. This is a kid I couldn't get five words out of. >> [laughter] >> He can sing, too. >> two words. He'd just be out there humming on the football field. >> [laughter] >> And to see him come in Now, it just shows you how kids mature and they come out of their shell as they get older. And Payton does a lot with his mom taking care of his other siblings. And then he he washes dishes. He cooks. He does a lot of stuff. But, just to see you, Payton, man, just you know, you got a bright future. It shows that you can do more than just do football. That you can act out. You can sing. And you know, I always
054tell him, if you can if you can If you can do something you love every day, you'll never go to work. So, congratulations. And Monte, my grass still need to be put out, dude. I ain't getting my pool. So, but Monte, I love him. Uh he has a wonderful support system with his mom, uh his sisters. I would say his little brother, but he wears them. He is awesome. You know, that young man is going to be successful whether he plays football or not. And that's one thing that the world needs to understand that he has a wonderful head on his shoulder. He is going [clears throat] to have a bright future whether he carrying a football or not because he has something in his mind and something in his heart. And God has something
055in store for that young man that we all just better sit back and watch and say, man, I could remember. But, he's still got to come put that grass out at my house. But, again, Dr. Murphy, thank you. I told you this when you got hired. Let Let the world Oh, and another thing, I mean when I was in middle school, we used to publish the little poem books. I know that was years ago, but >> [clears throat] >> why we don't publish our kids literacy and poems and uh in the in the school newspaper or something. That's something to think about. Publish those poems. Let them Let it be seen. Let other people, you know, we see it here, but let the community see it. Let the world see it. Who knows who might
056pick it up? Who might see it online? And see our young man who can speak very well. Look, I thought he was on one of them state farm commercials when HE STARTED TALKING. >> [laughter] >> BUT AGAIN, UH CONGRATULATIONS TO all you all. I It's awesome to see that you all doing VERY WELL. >> [applause] >> TO DR. MURPHY AND HER STAFF, everybody know I don't speak much, but when I do speak, I have something very important to say. To Amonte and all the art student, I wrote down you you guys have worked real hard, passionate, and unique perspective, bring vibrant beauty and innovation to the world. Making us all very proud. Keep creating, keep shining, and keep pushing boundaries in your imagination. And don't let no one crush your dreams at all. Keep following
057through with it. >> [applause] >> Okay, I'll go ahead and wrap this up for the board. I'll try not to be long. Y'all know I'm not I'm not that long-winded, so I'll make it quick. Um let me first start off, of course, um as everyone else has said, I can't go without saying it either. Kudos to Dr. Murphy for um supporting everything that these kids want to do. Of course, we know with every school from elementary on up, if you do not have a supportive principal, you know, you won't see as much as you can with someone that supports it all. And it seems like anytime a educator or even a student, for that matter, comes to her with an idea, um as long as it is appropriate, you know, she welcomes with it with
058open arms and supports it wholeheartedly. Not only do does she just dance at the football games on the sideline that made national news, but you know, she dances for everything. She's at everything. She shows up here the first one there, the last one to leave, and that speaks volumes as to what the the uh kids are able to do and, you know, what the educators are able to do when you have the full support. So, definitely kudos goes to Dr. Murphy and all of her staff that helps in those endeavors. Um secondly, of course, with the educators, the teachers, you guys are overworked and underpaid. Like a lot of people say, we can give you the world, we would do it. So, just the fact that you give that extra time and dedication to the
059students uh speaks a lot cuz there's no amount of money that can pay you enough for the time that you give in the countless hours, but because it's in your heart and you really care and desire to see these kids grow, you know, we have to give our credit to you all as well because you can come and teach your subject and go home and be like, hey, I'm done with it. But, you know, you guys really give the time, especially, you know, I'm a coach's wife, so I see, you know, Bill can attest to what on athletics, when it's football season or anything else, I barely see my husband. So, the same goes with art and theater and everything. I'm sure you guys give countless amount of hours from your families just for these
060kids because you believe in them. So, we definitely appreciate you as a district and as a board for what you all do as educators. Miss Alicia, I have not seen anyone with the enthusiasm in theater since Mr. Maze. I don't know if anybody here can attest to Mr. Maze, but he was a theater teacher back when my brother did the one at Clay He graduated in Clay in 2000, and they went very far that year um with I think it was some the Barbara Fleet Street. I can't remember exactly what that play was, but anyway, they went really far with that with Mr. Maze. He was so dramatic. He was so enthusiastic. He was my English teacher and theater, but we loved him, and it hurt us to the core when he closed his eyes,
061but I know that he is in heaven excited and rejoicing at what you are doing, Miss Alicia, because you are walking in his footsteps. So, I know he's up there like, yes, I got somebody like me that's going to bring these kids, and he stayed here a long time. I pray that you stay here a long time like he did because you are the epitome of the excellence that he gave to the theater department, and you're doing it now with them, and I'm just so excited about that. With the arts, like like Trustee Bartie said, I cannot draw a stick figure. So, the admiration that I have for all of you that draw and paint these pictures is so much because it's a talent that I don't have, and it's a talent that I'm proud
062to say that you guys are offering to PAISD. Um just, you know, it's a testimony alone with the young lady who, you know, was speaking and, you know, English is not her first language of choice, but we were able to understand exactly what she said and what she meant through the the work of art that she did. And that's amazing because it shows that even with the language barrier, you can get your point, your your beliefs, you know, everything that you support across just by your art. And that was a true testament to show how art speaks through you guys. And so, that's just amazing that you were able to display that for us. That, you know, you weren't able to say everything, but I totally understand the cage scenario with your artwork. So, that's
063great. Um with the UIL and the in the poetry, I did that as well when I was in school, and I love it. You know, the poetry is storytelling. It was so good. Look, I I missed the little moment when he when he got to the end. I was like, wait, what happened? And they was like, oh, that's the unsolved mystery. So, I mean, he got that down to the T. So, thank you so much for taking your time with them UIL. You are going to state. You are going to take everything at state. I'm claiming it right now for y'all. So, I'm just super excited about the arts. I give kudos to our superintendent. I couldn't have chosen a better uh presentation to ask to come here, something that I wasn't even familiar with
064what's actually going on. So, I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful for the presentation. It was amazing. It was enlightening. And lastly, Monte, everybody know football is like my heart. So, we were with you all the way there. We're going to continue to be with you all the way throughout the rest of your time, your life. If you have any questions, I mean, anything that you need from any of our board members, our district, PAISD is always here for you. We know you're going to go far. We know you're going to do great things. Like Locke said, with or without a football, but I'm claiming with a football cuz I'm going to be sitting there one day when you and Alicia, which is a member of the first and finest class of Memorial High School class
0652003, we'll be there hollering and screaming when you make it big. But, even if it's not football, like they said it, I know that you are going to go a long way. And just you said the key word without saying much at all, and that's thank God. Keep him first in your life and everything. Keep your head on straight. Stay focused, and all of you are going to do great things, and I appreciate it. >> [applause] >> 03 to our to our staff and our parents and our students, thank you for coming. We understand that you will be on time for work and school tomorrow, so we will allow you to leave now so you can go to bed and be to work and school tomorrow on time. We'll see you. >> [laughter] >> We're
066Yeah, it was. >> [snorts] >> Yeah. 8:00 You want to put the lights in? You got one car in. Put the lights in. Put the lights in. So, what what is this? What you call got it together? Perfect. Perfect. Get your stuff together, though. Perfect. Huh? Yeah. Yes. Okay. Okay, Miss Locke, you're on. Well, those are some tough acts to follow. >> [laughter] >> These are highlights for February 27th through today. We are uh starting a teacher residency uh program with Lamar University. So, our human resources department is partnering with Lamar to uh hire teachers as uh resident and train them in becoming full-time certified teachers in our district. So, there is an application process. The applications are on our website. They will receive a salary as they are uh earning their degree and teaching
067in our schools and will be supported throughout their journey to become certified teachers. We have had several teachers to be spotlighted on Channel 6's Arc Southeast Texas. Um Miss Aisha Nicholas from the high school and Greg Broussard from Sam Houston were the most recent um teachers that were recognized. And the recognition comes from um community members who um turn their name and some things about them into the Arc nomination uh portal for that. At the bottom left our uh annual Women Southeast Texas Women in Industry luncheon was recently held and these are the women that represented PAISD and it's not just a luncheon. It's a lot that goes on at that luncheon. They don't just listen to people talk. They learn how to do uh makeup. They take headshots. They have their resumes reviewed. They
068practice interviewing skills and they network. And there's even like a fashion show to show you what's appropriate and what's not appropriate for the workforce. So, it's a very engaging opportunity for our young ladies and um we're happy that they are actually able to participate in that every year. In the middle um these are our most recent UIL wins. Uh literary criticism from our UIL students third in the region 5A and fourth overall. And then those are the names of the students that were uh competing. These are our observances for the month of March and there were plenty. Our uh operations team several members attended TASBO and so those are some photos from the convention. The top left corner our CTE students toured the ABC Southeast Texas training center. Our Wilson Early College students participated in
069Youth and Government and two of the students were uh named distinguished delegates and that's one of them uh Otis Washington in the center of the slide. Work to see Washington's gardening club is uh active. At the bottom they also had a donuts with dads event and you can see how very well attended it was. On the top left corner our Wheatley students uh took a trip to the State Fair Rodeo. In the next picture Tyrrell Elementary School rewarded their students who have earned 150 AR points with being principal for a day. So, the those students got to uh walk the campus with Mr. Jimenez and learn what it's like to be a principal. And I remember when we were in high school we used to have those days where you could be a teacher or
070administrator for a day. So, it's good to see that happening as a reward incentive on the elementary level. The top right picture's one of my favorite activities for Wilson Early College uh English one students. Every year when they read Romeo and Juliet they reenact the wedding and the reception. And it from start to finish with invitations with the whole acting out the entire wedding with the wedding party and then the reception there's uh food and games from uh the games are like archery and things that would have taken place back during those times. And um so those are every class period of English one students participates in that every year. The boys of Wheatley have returned after a 10-year absence. Uh this they debuted again in the Black History program. And that's a little organization
071to help the kiddos uplift and empower the little boys to grow into leaders. And the ties were actually donated by friends of the school um Amanda Vincent and her husband. At the bottom we have those Wilson English two students who um published short stories and had their work illustrated. So, those are different class periods. We celebrated Read Across America week and Dr. Seuss's birthday across the district. And of course we always have the dress-up days. Some of our campuses, I think this was Adams Elementary who had a whole medieval um thing going on and then one campus had some Harry Potter. That might have been Adams too. The teachers dressed up as Harry Potter. You can see that at the top center photo. So, these are some of the Read Across America activities this year.
072Um the Human Resources Department went to Lamar University to recruit future teachers. And then in the middle these are some UIL academic results in addition to the ones that were on the first slide. And on the right the CTE campus had different programs that participated in the rodeo. Um the welding participated in the rodeo and then there was also the automotive department. Those students they participated in a different type of competition over uh spring break. For our Lady Titans we had two students that went to state. Uh and they uh McKenzie Maloy and Ayanna Laday. And um although when they went to state they did not place but they are um improving and learning from the feedback that they got from their participation at that level. So, we're proud of them for even making it
073that far. And then at the bottom right there's our Lady Titan softball team. They just had a media day and so there's a video on our uh Facebook feed that shows like behind the scenes of their media day. TJ has a tennis team and Daisy Nguyen who is in the seventh grade won her first match. So, we posted some of the photos from the different uh students who participated in those tennis matches. And we have some um winners circles from the uh recent track meets. Uh there's a guy named Glenn Dennis who takes photos at a lot of our track meets and we try to share those photos when we come across them on social media to our timeline as well. At the bottom left Jayda Gilbeau has set a new school record in the
074400 meter. Uh in the bottom in the middle Tatiana Crane has also set a record with the discus. And at the bottom right um Black Pearl um donated uh weightlifting belt to our regional qualifier for our boys powerlifting team. Lincoln has announced their Flaming Stars for next school year. And then uh Woodrow Wilson had their first March of the Titans which is going to be an annual 5K run walk move event. It was very well attended. Um LD Ray made a couple of he made a video before the event and also uh a recap video after the event. And so we're very proud of how successful that event was because the students really really really worked hard on that. And I think that there was great participation from people who not necessarily uh have students
075in the district but are just like avid runners and walkers. Our Lady Titans basketball team we have a co-defensive player of the year first team all district. We have um the second team all district. We have academic all district. And we have honorable mention. And then we also have the same for our um Titan basketball players. And the Marching Heat twirlers and flags have named their twirlers and flag team members for the 2026-2027 school year. These are some of our community events. >> [snorts] >> And we had uh Chenier um awarded a grant to our alternative campus. The grant is in the amount of $25,000 and that is reestablishing an after school tutoring and mentorship program for the campus. Um they kicked it off themselves with having some of their employees um work with the
076students and talk to them and motivate them. So, that program is back up and running. Our um we had 45 students who attended an event at the health department last week called a seat at every table. And um it was to show our students about where they got to sit and talk eat, play games, and learn um from people who work in public health, education, outreach, nutrition, careers that extend beyond a hospital or a doctor's office but is still considered health care and nutrition. Let's see. We had some students who attended the recent community plant exchange. Uh some students were Travis Elementary and there were also some students from uh Woodrow Wilson. Our worst uh student success teacher at Wilson Early College has been uh named as one of the winners of the prestigious Wayne
077Rheudeman uh Award of Excellence in Education, and that comes with a very hefty monetary gift, and she will be receiving that uh in May. And then uh I didn't know that the theater arts kids were going to be here, but that ties into my middle graphic. Um this is the one-act play that they were talking about that they um went to competition. It's called Root. And I was also mentioning how the teacher is an alumna alumna of Memorial High School. She did not mention she's also Rookie of the Year for Memorial High School this year. Uh and unfortunately, we um uh are offering our condolences to three of our um retired family members, Lionel Thomas, Susan Baker, and Emily King. And then these are our social media stats for the month, and that concludes my
078report. Thank you, Mrs. Lock. President Johnson, board members, that concludes our staff reports. Thank you, Dr. Porterie. We'll now move on to minutes. Consider and if appropriate approve minutes of the February 26, 2026 Board of Trustees meeting. Can I have a motion? >> So moved for approval. Second. It's been moved by Vice President Narcisse and seconded by Trustee Gatewood. All in favor uh signify by I and the raise of hands. I. Any opposed? Okay, the motion does pass. Moving on to consent agenda. The following items, which are routine and or recurring nature, have been designated consent agenda items by the board president from policy BE local. All of the items in the consent agenda will be acted upon by one vote without being discussed separately unless requested by a trustee, in which event the item
079or items will be withdrawn immediately for individual consideration in its normal sequence after the items not requiring separate discussion have been acted upon. I will give you a brief moment to look through items 1 through 12. Okay, can I have a motion for the consent agenda? So moved. Second. It's been moved by Trustee Lofton and seconded by Secretary Diane Brown. All in favor signify by saying I and the raise of hands. I. Any opposed? The motion does carry. Next, I will let you all have personnel. I'll turn it over to Dr. Porterie. President Johnson, board members, you have a copy of the employment of teachers. I'm asking for your consideration for the list. So moved for approval as presented. Second. My apologies. It's been moved moved by Vice President I'm sorry, by Trustee Gatewood and
080seconded by Vice President Narcisse. All in favor I. Any opposed? President Johnson, board members, I'm asking for your approval for termination of probationary employment contracts. So moved. Second. It's been moved by Trustee Dr. Brown and seconded by Trustee Lofton. All in favor? I. I I seconded. Easy. Oh, well, okay. I thought I heard her, too. So I'll stick with it. Okay. Okay, well, Trustee Gatewood for the second. I I didn't hear you say it. Is your mic on? So moved. >> [laughter] >> That's what I was saying. President Johnson, board members, I'm asking for your approval for the proposed non-renewal of term contracts. So moved. Second. Okay, it's been moved by Dr. Brown and seconded by Secretary Diane Brown. All in favor? I. Any opposed? President Johnson, board members, I'm asking for your approval for
081return to probationary status of employment contracts. So moved for approval. Second. It's been moved by Vice President Narcisse and seconded by Trustee Gatewood. All in favor? I. Any opposed? President Johnson, board members, I'm asking for your approval for renewal of probationary status of employment contracts. So moved for approval. Second. It's been moved by Secretary Diane Brown and seconded by Dr. Brown. All in favor? I. Any opposed? President Johnson, board members, I'm asking for your approval for the renewal of one-year employment contracts for professionals. So moved for approval. Second. Okay, it's been moved by Vice President Narcisse and seconded by Secretary Diane Brown. All in favor? I. Any opposed? President Johnson, board members, I'm asking for your approval for the renewal of two-year employment contracts for professionals. So [clears throat] moved for approval. Second. Okay, it's
082been moved by um Vice President Narcisse and seconded by Trustee Gatewood, and I would like it the record to reflect that I will abstain from this vote. All in favor? I. Any opposed? President Johnson, board members, I'm asking for your approval of renewal of two-year employment contracts for administrators. >> So moved for approval. Second. It's been moved by Vice President Narcisse and seconded by Secretary Diane Brown. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Make a police personnel. >> [clears throat] >> For information, average daily enrollment for February 7,857. Average daily attendance 91.6%. Thank you for the information, Dr. Porterie. Can we get a motion for adjournment? So moved for approval. Second. It's been moved by Trustee Gatewood and seconded by Trustee White. We are adjourned at 7:52.