001HEAT. HEAT. This regular meeting of the Waco Independent School Board is hereby called to order. All items which may be discussed or voted upon this evening have been posted as required by state law. I extend a warm welcome to those present and to our television viewers. The board's purpose is to set goals, listen to reports of the superintendent, approve budget, contracts, and personal appointments and make policy for the district. We are not here to make management decisions or solve problems of individuals. Management is the responsibility of the superintendent and her staff. I ask that you turn your cell phones to silent alert if you have not already done so. We appreciate the time you have taken to join us for your interest in the Waco Independent School District. As part of our board operating procedures,
002the Waco ISD school board follows 10 guiding commitments that help us that help keep our focus on students and community. To begin tonight's meeting, Vice President Davis and Trustee O will be reading a guiding commitment. Vice President Davis, will you start us off? >> All right. I'm going to start off with number nine. Inclusive engagement. The board will encourage diverse perspectives, foster community trust, and ensure all stakeholders feel heard. >> Student centered decision-m decisions will be guided by what best serves student learning, well-being, and future success. >> Thank you'all. Do we have anyone signed up for public comment? No. All right, we're moving on to a moment of silence. Please bow your heads and take a moment with me. Thank you. Next is the pledge of allegiance. Leading our pledge of allegiance this evening are
003Dean Highland Elementary students Tiana Enfor and Mason London. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Trustes, if you'll join us down here for recognitions. >> Thank you, Giana and Mason. We are so grateful to have you here with us today. I want to share a little bit about our pledge leaders while we thank them for uh joining us tonight. Gianna is a fourth grade student whose favorite subject is reading. Outside of academics, she enjoys painting and drawing. She is recognized as a great helper who works well with others and consistently makes significant contributions as a group partner. When she grows up, she aspires to become a doctor or a nurse. Mason is
004also in the fourth grade and his favorite subject is math. His hobbies include playing soccer and video games. He's known for being kind and responsible and is diligent about checking his work. Like Giana, Mason's career goal is to become a doctor or a nurse. We're we're grateful to these students and their families. Thank you to Lisa Martinez, Giovanni Onfor, and Amber London for being here in support of your amazing students. And thank you to Dean Highland Elementary Principal, Mrs. Janice, uh for having your students with us tonight. Okay. Next up, we're going to recognize our history fair award winners. Waco IC proudly recognizes the talented students whose achievements at the regional history fair advanced them to state and now beyond, highlighting their hard work and dedication to historical research. Tennyson Middle School had six students
005who submitted impressive exhibits at the regional history fair, earning them spots in the state competition. First up, Gretle Diaz and Savannah Marott received second place at the regional competition for their exhibit titled the 1920s flappers. Julian Ramier has also earned second place for his exhibit, the Bowen System Theo Bald Bow's last impact on the woodwinds. Congratulations, Julian. Emory Emory Wheeler, Judah Wyers, and Wesley Zuniga achieved first place for their group exhibit, Miguel Hidalgo, the symbol of Mexican independence. And helping to guide and inspire these amazing students is teacher Mr. Oward and Mrs. Sparks, who are also here to with us tonight, and interim principal Mr. Bradley Knox. Gonna be a great group picture if we can just incorporate. Yep. Congratulations. Next from Lake Air Monastery Magnet, the team comprised of Grace Scott, Romina Draco, Sierra
006Salana, and Eliza Smith earned an impressive second place at the state competition for their group performance titled The Industrial Revolution: The Story of Injustice Flames. The performance showcased the social and economic struggles of the time, bringing history to life through engaging storytelling and vivid reenactments. The students hard work and collaborative spirit truly impressed the judges. In recognition of their achievement, this team advances to the National History Day competition in June. We are so grateful for the campus staff and district staff, including Lissa Devoose, who dedicated their time and effort to these students. Assistant principal Micah Brown is with us tonight in support as well. Come on. Come on, Micah. It takes It takes a village, y'all. And then also to Mr. Patton and Mr. Carpenter who volunteered their time in support of these students. We're
007really excited to see how y'all uh fare at nationals. We're going to be cheering you on from here in Waco. Congratulations. Good luck in June. >> Our next group this evening is our Texas Association of School Board Governance Camp presenters. The TASBY Governance Camp is a conference of schoolboard members, superintendent and education leaders who work on governance through a lens of student voice and to deepen their governance knowledge. Through studentled sessions and innovative demonstrations, participants gain fresh perspectives that spark meaningful change. Waco High School submitted and clearly were uh accepted for the proposal to present as a student voice session at the conference called apathy to agency empowering students with purpose and opportunity. Jorge Solless, Torian Barnett, Camila Morales, Kaylee Moya, Garcia Guerrero, and Michael Manaka, who unfortunately can't be with us tonight, presented on
008March 6th in Galveastston. And I would like to send a very special thanks to Miss Kylie Milikin, um, who was their teacher, and she's here with us tonight. Go get in the picture. We'll give you the picture. We all know how amazing uh students are in Waco ISD, but I do want to say this is the second year in a row we've had students present at this TASBY conference to statewide leaders. So, uh the rest of the state's getting to hear just how great our students are. Congratulations. Transitioning now to some sports. Um, we are excited to congratulate Janijah Smith, Shaniah Smith, and Jaden Johnson of Waco High School and and Olivia Thomas and Angel Lawrence of University High School who all qualify for the Texas State Powerlifting Competition. First things first, Shanija Smith, competing
009in the 114 pound weight class, earned second place at both the Lake Belton Invitational and Temple Wildcat Invitational. She captured a regional championship with an impressive 690 pound total. That raise your hands. 690 pounds. Yeah, that's like how many of Yeah, that's She was awarded the best deadlift at the regional meet and she set a new record with a 305 pound deadlift. Should I? Yeah. Competing in 123. Yeah, y'all are just gonna stay there for a second because there's a lot to read. Hang on. Competing in the 123 pound weight class, Shania had an outstanding season, placing second at the Lake Belton Invitational and earning a regional championship with a 730 lb total. At the state meet in Edinburgh, she improved her regional total by 50 pounds, finishing with an impressive 780 pound total and
010placing seventh overall. She was also named top female lifter under 148 pounds at the Andrew Billings Invitational. Congratulations. Jaden Johnson, ladies first. Sorry, competed in the unequipped super heavyweight division and played a key role in the team success. He earned first place at the Temple Wildcat Invitational, helping secure the boys overall team championship. At the regional meet, Jaden secured his spot at state with a clutch of 530 pound deadlift on his final attempt, moving him to second place. He went on to finish fifth at the state meet in Abalene. Congratulations. I would like to I would like to thank Waco High School Scott Coach Scott Lane and Coach Martinez. I know you're here. Come on down for being here tonight. And and we have some special recognitions. Um our our two lovely amazing um state
011female powerlifters are about to leave us and so I think um coach asked the chance to present them something special. Carl, I don't think it's your story though. You you you should have interviewed these ladies and Jaden. You've got a really impressive plaque. Mr. Alexander, I see you there. Come on, sir. We're so proud of y'all. Congratulations. >> Oh, wait. Mr. Alexander needed his own picture first. There we go. Congratulations, y'all. Great work. Not leaving our Trojans out, Angel Lawrence competed in the 97 lbs weight class. She back squatted 205 lbs, bench pressed 90 pounds, and deadlifted 225 pounds for a total of 520 pounds. She placed eighth in state. She is a second She is a second time state qualifier and was region 2 champion in the 97 pounds this year. Congratulations. Olivia Thomas
012competed in the 148 lb weight class. She back squatted 325 lbs, bench pressed 185 lbs, and deadlifted 355 pounds for a total of 865 pounds. She plays Yeah, she plays seventh in state. She is a threetime state qualifier and was the regional runner up in the 148 pound weight class at regionals this year. These student athletes have demonstrated remarkable dedication, resilience, and excellence, and we are incredibly proud of them. And their coaches, um, Jack Laroo and assistant coach Zachary Curry are here with us tonight. We're so grateful for all you do to support our student athletes. And those are some heavy weight limits. Ladies, if you'll hop over here and get a picture taken clearly, we need we need to take some lessons. Yeah, we do. Which program is Angel? >> I think I think
013the ladies are requesting a full group picture. Come on, Mr. He's like, "Okay." Okay. Coaches, y'all don't want into so proud of y'all. You are the coaches. We're so proud of y'all. It's not just our students that win awards. Our staff does too. Tonight we're recognizing our Texas Association of School Business Officials Award of Merit. The Tasbo um Tasbo awarded Waco ISD the award of merit for the 17th year consecutively. Waco ISD is one of only two districts in Texas that have received this award every year since the award's inception in 2009. The award is >> the award is provided to school districts and education service centers statewide that are committed to following professional standards in the acquisition of goods and services. In determining award, Tasbo reviews various procedures, practices including organization policies and procedures,
014contract operations, staff training, certifications, pecard systems, and warehousing. Congratulations to our amazing CFO Sherry Smith and her team, Judy Monroe, Valeria Simmons, and Sully Jay, who have been a big part of this amazing accomplishment. We are so grateful for y'all. It's great when Sherry's here to take to get an award, not have to give us a presentation. Thank you all so much. And concluding tonight's recognitions, Waco ISD is pleased to acknowledge a amazing community partner that we just celebrated a big um event with last week, the Billings Billings Family Find Away Foundation. They are a community partner for the month of April and so many other months. The foundation has been a long-standing collaborator with our district and we are exceedingly fortunate to have such a generous and committed partner. Through the Huddle Up for
015Teachers initiative, the foundation sponsors many grants for educators at Dean Highland, JHIS, Provident Heights, and West Avenue elementary schools. A total of 40 grants, each valued at $250, are awarded to teachers to procure classroom supplies. Mr. Billings, accompanied by a team of experienced coaches, organizes the Andrew Billings youth football camp each summer at the Waco ID Stadium. This camp is, and they've already put the flyer out. I'm sorry I don't have the date, but they already put the flyer out. I know it's I know it's there. Um, this camp is offered free of charge to the youth of Waco and has benefited over 600 young athletes since its inception in 2022. Additionally, the foundation conducts three bikes and books writing for perfect attendance events throughout the academic year. In the fall, in the spring, and
016at every conclusion of the school year. Every 12 weeks, students with fewer than two absences are entered into a drawing to win a bicycle, a helmet, and a bicycle safety book. To further promote literacy, Mr. Billions also spearheads a book giveaway to help students establish their personal home libraries. This initiative fosters both consistent school attendance and a passion for reading among students at JHinds, Provident Heights, and Dean Highland Elementary Schools. And the Dr. Pepper float truck usually comes too. We left that off, but I'm not going to leave that out. Here to accept the award are of are the president of the foundation, Sylvia Billings, member Rodney Clark, and Vivian Mitchell. Thank you. And thank you also for joining us Friday at Wake High. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Billings family find away
017Foundation for their significant contributions to the Waco community. We appreciate you. Thank you. That is all for recognitions tonight. We're moving on. Item five, the superintendent report. >> Thank you, Mr. President, trustees. Um, I get to talk first about women's and our men's empowerment summit. I'm proud to report that our annual men and women's empowerment summits are once again a resounding success. This year, we brought together over 300 students to engage directly with staff and community leaders. These summits are about more than just motivational speakers. They're about providing theformational tools and experiences our students need to navigate their futures with confidence. Some of the topics addressed included financial literacy and STEM, preparing for the high demand of careers of tomorrow, wellness, focusing on both mental and physical health, and then professionalism, learning the nuances of
018dressing for success. The impact of these summits is best heard through the voices of our students. I would like to share a few quotes and experiences from our students. One young woman from the women's summit shared, "I learned that I am more than enough and I am the future." Another noted that the most important thing she walked away with was a realization that other people's labels do not define me. One of the most moving moments in the men's empowerment summit is seeing community leaders, including our own Trusty Davis, um, Trusty Vana and executive director Dr. Alonzo Makadoo working side by side with our boys to teach them how to tie a tie. One student told a volunteer that he had never had anyone show him how to do that before. It reminds reminds us that
019these summits aren't just about information, but they're about the ties that bind our students to community mentors who care about their future. We are also deeply grateful to our continued partnership with Baylor University and the Junior League of Waco. Finally, many thanks to Dr. Hamilton and the student support services team for their tireless work in leading such a high impact initiative. Thank you. All right, next we have our Waco High School academic achievers. Each end of end of year celebrations are underway and one of the highlights for me is attending our academic achievers recognition ceremonies. I was just at the event for Waco High School and I'm looking forward to celebrating with the University High School students next Tuesday. These events are so special because they honor sophomores, juniors, and our seniors who have maintained
020a 96.5 grade point average or above. But beyond the impressive numbers, the heart of a ceremony is when our seniors pay tribute to special teachers who have made a profound difference in their lives. Hearing those stories is a powerful reminder of the impact our educators have on every single student every single day. I wanted to pull one story from a Waco High academic achievers event because it perfectly captures the spirit of what we are building here in Waco ISD. During the ceremony, I watched Daniela Marta stand up and honor her English teacher Ashley Spivey for the impact she's had on her journey. If you haven't heard Daniela's name lately, you will. Daniela is a first generation Latina at Waco High who simply refuses to let her circumstances define her. Growing up in a single parent
021household and navigating financial hardships didn't slow her down, it fueled her. She didn't just attend school. She led clubs, joined organizations, and pushed herself to the absolute limit even while working. The results speak for themselves. Daniela was recently accepted to Harvard University along with Columbia and Brown University. Through opportunities afforded to her as a Waco ISTD student, she has already earned her associates degree from MCC. And I will put a plug. I have the honor of speaking at that graduation to celebrate our students who are getting their associates with the other ones too. But wait, god. In fact, she was so impressive this week that Dr. Macauen, president of MCC, invited her to address the MCC board of trustees next week. And we just learned this week that she has been selected as a Gate
022Scholar, one of the most prestigious scholarships in the country. I'm highlighting Dianiela tonight because she along with so many of her classmates are doing the thing. Despite the noise you might sometimes hear or read about the state of public education, the reality is sitting right here in our classrooms. We have students like her who are proving that with high bar and excellence and a supportive community, there is no limit to what our students can achieve and accomplish. Daniela, we are proud of you and your classmates. Thank you for serving as such a stellar reminder of why we exist. Can we give them a round of applause, please? All right. I had the chance to attend a really special ceremony at our police department this week to celebrate some of our students and you met a
023couple of them tonight. And I have to tell you, the energy was just amazing. We honored 12 high school students who just finished our second Junior Citizen Police Academy. This is a tough eight-week course for students who are serious about a career in law enforcement and seeing them stick with it was a huge point of pride. Some of the students even shared that they wanted to pursue law enforcement positions such as homicide detective, computer forensic officer, and more. And some of the titles I couldn't remember because I had never heard of them, but they exist because the police confirmed that they do exist. We also celebrated the first year of our TAPS program, which stands for teen and police service. It's designed to bridge the gap and build real relationships between our officers and our
024students. We had over 40 students at University High go through the curriculum this semester. And we've even expanded it to the challenge academy. There it's actually turned into a weekly fitness partnership where Officer Jackson and Sergeant Vaughn assist the students in using their physical strength for good after their schoolwork is done. Our staff says it's completely transformed the behavior and the mutual respect on that particular campus. Some of those same students are even working side by side our officers to rebuild the garden and pond at the challenge academy using community donations. I'm grateful to see how our officers are partnering and providing a safe and secure learning environment. They're are truly mentoring and investing in our students. Huge thank you. Where you at, Chief Chief Goodman? Thank you and your team for making this happen.
025And thank you President Madana and Dr. King Nolles and Dr. Hamilton for joining me at this event. Thank you. All right, last but not least, I have the honor of introducing our new interimm chief of operations. I have the pleasure of introducing a familiar face in this new expanded capacity. As many of you know, our former chief operations officer, Gloria Barrera, is now enduring a muchdeserved break. To ensure our infrastructure remains strong and our transition is seamless, Mr. Jerry Allen has stepped into the role of interimm chief operations officer while continuing to lead our technology department. Jerry joined us in 2020 and has been a transformational leaders as our CTO. But what some may not know is that Mr. Allen not only brings classroom and campus administration experience to our leadership team, he brings private
026sector operational experience to his role as well. Before entering public education, he managed 17 facilities and nearly 400 employees in the corporate world. He's also a registered Texas school business administrator. Mr. Allen is a leader who an understands that technology and operations aren't separate silos. They are the backbone of everything our teachers and students experience in the classroom. I am incredibly excited to see him unify these departments and know that the teams themselves are excited for the increased cross collaboration. Mr. Allen, I'd like to invite you up. Thank you. And let you share a few words with the board of trustees. >> Thank you so much, Dr. Spicer, members of the board. Um, I I just look forward to carrying on the great work that, you know, my predecessor and mentor Gloria has done for
027us. And, um, I I look forward to unifying technology and operations because, you know, the backbone of the school district is making sure that we're keeping everything flowing for the classrooms. And, um, anybody can tell you if they know me, I'm all about instruction. So, um, we have to make sure that we affect in instruction every single day and that we advance the strategic priorities of the district. Thank you so much for this opportunity. I look forward to uh getting that word interim off the title of that. So uh anyway, thank you We will now move on to item six, information items and reports. Trusty Bledo, do you have any questions? >> No, sir. >> Trusty Abnusi, do you have any questions? >> No, sir. >> Trusty Davis, do you have any questions? >> No.
028>> Trusty Patton, do you have any questions? >> No, sir. >> Trusty Oro, do you have any questions? >> No. Thank you. We'll move on to item seven, the consent agenda. Mr. Bledor, is there anything you like pulled? >> No. >> Mr. Abnusi, is there anything you like pulled? >> No, sir. >> Mr. Davis, is there anything you like pulled? >> No. >> Mr. Patton, is there anything you like pulled? >> No, sir. >> Mr. Cho, is there anything you like pulled? >> No. >> At this time, I'd like to entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Do I have a motion? >> So move. >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Mr. Patton and Mr. Mr. Bledo for the second. Mr. Bledo, is there any discussion? >> No. >> Mr. Amnesi, is
029there any discussion? >> No, sir. >> Mr. Davis, is there any discussion? >> Mr. Patton, is there any discussion? >> No, sir. >> Mr. Oo, is there any discussion? Nope. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Passes. We're moving on to item eight. Review and discuss priority 2.2. Provide continuous training and professional develop development. Presented by Dr. Keredine. Good evening, President Vana, board of trustees, and Dr. Spicer. Um, it's good to see you all once again, I think, for the third or fourth month in a row. So tonight we are going to review and discuss priority two um where we are really working hard to provide continuous training and professional development for our staff members. And so I'm really excited this evening to share two um differentmies that we have revamped completely after
030listening to a lot of the feedback from our stakeholders. The first one is our teacher leader academy which is TLA and that is facilit facilitated by Dr. Ruiz and director Benson and then the aspiring leadership academy ALA which is facilitated by myself Dr. Hamilton Dr. Brown Dr. Mcadoo and our special guest facilitator is Dr. Melissa King Nolles. So starting with TLA, the primary goal of our teacher leader academy is really to increase the leadership capacity of our classroom teachers across the district. And this time they are going to be on an 18-month hybrid program. Um and it really is going to range from about 15 months to 18 months, but they're going to have opportunities to engage in in person and virtual um activities, practicums at TLA Summit. And this also allows them to have
031networking opportunities Currently, our participants include several teachers from Kendrick Elementary and Mountain View. As you can see, we have Maria Chapa. She is our dual language teacher from Kendrick Elementary. Crystal Via Flores, second and third grade dual language teacher from Kendrick. Tanzy Tuwi, third grade math teacher from Mountain View. We have Julia Tonkan, first grade teacher from Mountain View, and she's also an MTRT. We have Seven Hodgej, who is a fifth grade teacher and an MCL at Mountain View. And then we have Zubita Katani. She is a lo teacher at Waco High. And so the majority of the benefits of our TLA um our teacher leader academy are really to grow them like I said earlier to provide them with uh networking opportunities and to also set them on a pathway for a future career
032as higher level educators. the core focus for um our TLA and they are currently undergoing a book study with teachers who lead but it's to empower them to provide professional growth opportunities to have strategic impact. The most important is the pipeline development um and also offering them opportunities for collaboration. And so we're really excited for those individuals that are participating in TLA and all the great things that they're doing. And so moving on to our aspiring leadership academy. Um this one is extremely exciting because we have had an opportunity to engage in dialogue with um district leadership after listening to um a lot of what our current administrators are saying or those who have left and come back and all of the other things that have transpired. And so we have extended this ALA to
033um three full-time semesters. And so the purpose and the goal again is just to cultivate these transformational leaders. We want to make sure that we are also building a steady pipeline with these leaders. And the vision is to sustain our leadership pipeline here in Waco ISD. And we've had some good success even with our current um assistant principal um interviews that we just held not too long ago. So we are building our pool and our pipeline very early. This um the ALA also centers around our leadership framework. And if you recall, the leadership framework stemmed from the work at Holzsworth. And so we are embedding leading from the heart, leading with character, and leading for results. And then we have that layered in with TESS, which is our evaluation system for administrators, as well as
034the leadership um professional development that they must go through once they become an administrator with AAL. These are some of our participants that you can see on screen. Um but we do have nine individuals. We have Allison Teal who is ahb administrative intern at Mountain View Elementary. Arelli Mata, she's a math instructional specialist with Bells Hill Elementary. Darius Young is fifth grade at Mountain View. Jansen Tucker is first grade um at Provident Heights and she also has a background in special ed. Kimberly Ikult is a special ed inclusion teacher at Mountain View Elementary. Tony Rechik is fifth grade at Bells Hill. Zubita Katani, as you saw, she was also in the TLA that you saw just a few minutes ago. Uh she is our French teacher at Waco High for Lo. We have Kelsey Barza,
035first grade at Bells Hill, and Nicole Aguilar, also at Bells Hill Elementary. This particular slide just kind of shows you our implementation. And so we have already completed phase one and two this particular spring where we focused uh mainly on the self as um leader, the leader identifying themselves as a visionary um knowing where their north star is, knowing the things that they stand for. also a leader of learning and focusing on the instructional core. So, we're really excited that we are going to be wrapping up our fourth session next week and then we will continue again in the fall with phases three and four which will be a leader of systems and operational strategy and a leader of culture and community equity and trust. The last semester that they're going to engage in, they
036will be um involved in an internship. um lots of um opportunities to engage in um mock interviews and really just shadowing their campus leaders because the goal by then is to actually move them straight into an administrative position if we have those opportunities available. And so wrapping up with priority two and retaining our faculty and staff, especially with ALA, we are wanting just to provide a robust experience for our um aspiring leaders. Um, they're going to be engaging in seminars, case studies, mentorship circles, shadowing, like I said, through campus administrators, doing some action research, and then some simulation and role playing. And so, we're super excited for this group and in this new endeavor. And, uh, thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Dr. Kerine. We'll move on to item 10. consider discuss to
037take appropriate action on the superintendent's recommendation to give teacher Ashley Elizabeth Vermand Weiss notice of proposal proposed non-renewal to term contract pursuant of the Texas Education Code presented by Dr. Spicer. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I'm asking that the board support my recommendation for this non-renewal. >> This time I'd like to entertain a motion. I make a motion to approve the superintendent's recommendation to give teacher Ashley Elizabeth Vermu and Wise notice the proposed non-renewal of return contract. >> Thank you, Mr. Bledo and second by Mr. Davis. All in favor say I. >> I passes. Thank you all. Moving on to item 11, review and dis and discuss report on board members continuing education credit under state board of education rule completed required continuing education each year of the service is a basic obligation and expectation
038of any sitting board member. As board president, I am required to announce the name of each member who has completed their required continue education, has exceeded their required continued education, and is deficient in the meeting the required continued education. This requirement for training is measured as of the first anniversary of the date of the trustes election or appointment or two-year anniversary of his or her previous training as applicable. I as board president and required to announce the names of each board member who as of that member's anniversary of election or appointment on the board has completed the requirement. Wake D board members Jose Da Jeremy Davis Jim Patton Angelo Choa Taylor Bleto and Arasha Musi have all completed the required continued education. Keith Gillery has not met the required continued education requirements. ever he will
039no longer be serving the board after the new appointment. Thank you for taking care of all these requirements. We're moving on to item 12, announcements also presented by Elizabeth Cox. >> I don't know her. Thank you, President Vana, Superintendent Spicer, trustees. I First want to start by saying uh I could not possibly stand before you tonight and tell you everything that's on your calendar or on the calendars of all of our staff right now. We are in the fun silly season of the end of the school year. So if you if you know something feel free to shout it out after I get through what I have. Um it is baseball and softball playoff season and we're in. Um Coach Williams is currently in Corsana cheering on our Lady Trojans. I don't think we've gotten
040an update yet. Um and games continue tomorrow night and Saturday if needed. We might have been trying to draw straws to see who got to switch places with him and go to watch softball, but um you see most of us are here with you tonight. Um early voting started Monday and continues through April 28th for the May 2nd election. During early voting, registered voters may vote at any of the four early voting sites. And on election day, registered voters may vote at any of the county's vote centers. Even though you won't see Waco ISD on your ballots this um time, please get out and vote. Um saw that Mr. Ooa has a sticker. We we we vote all the time. Um we vote as often as we can. Yes. Um >> it took less it
041took less than a minute. >> It took it took them longer to print out my ballot than it did for me to fill it out. >> Hey, at least they at least they got it to you, right? We'll take it. Um Friday and Saturday night. Um if you don't have anything on your calendar, you should. It is the Descendant Descendants the Musical. It takes center stage at Tennyson at um 600 PM on Friday night, 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $5. Dr. Abnusi, would you like to share anything that you know about that? Trusty Bledo, anything you'd like to share? >> That'll be a great show. You should come out and watch. >> Come out and watch. Yep. I I have to say that Descendants, I'm not as current or hip on it, so I
042definitely should come check it out. I'm like, that that's not something I would say. >> I do believe we have two board members whose children are seriously involved in this performance. >> Yeah. Yep. Thank you. Um, as Dr. Spicer shared in our superintendent report, we are in celebration season for all that our students have accomplished this academic year. And next Tuesday, I want to make sure that y'all um check out what's marked on your calendar for our first ever future educators academy signing day. Yay. It's been three or four years in the making. Um, and we are so excited. Um, the event will be at Waco High um, their performing arts center. This is prior to the UHS academic achievers that um will take place over at UHS at 6:30. So I think you just
043come hang out with us at Waco High and then just get yourself some dinner and then go celebrate the achievement at UHS. Um hope to see you there at the Future Educators Academy. Um next Wednesday, April 29th, there will be a special board meeting. Um then Monday, May 4th is the district art show opening night at Art Center Waco from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Um while the art will be there in the art center Waco for several days around that time, please come out on May 4th so that the artists can actually see you there. It would mean a lot. Um it's a great it's always a great fun evening. Um followed after that May 4th, the next two evenings there's students being honored um for CTE recognitions, Guam senior recognitions on Tuesday and the
044CTE awards on Wednesday. Um, please make sure you're checking your calendars and emails for information on even more celebrations. And I'm not going to go into detail, but I wanted to flag that you should have information about the outstanding teacher of the year and the retiree celebration. And then I know some board members were already telling that yes, your calendars are full next week for some big check presentations going on all across the district. So, we hope to see you out there and I'll share what I shared with a few. Please get in the pictures. When we come into those classrooms and we cause a commotion, the teacher may not see all the faces that are there. So this is to our leadership team staff and to the board. Hop in those pictures so when
045they look at them look back at them they're like oh they were there. Um and it just makes a better fuller picture. So um tonight to conclude our announcements I have the honor of announcing that there is a new doctor on the DISRUPI has his ed in his title now after completing his doctorate in educational leadership with a concentration on coaching and consulting. We have a cake from our amazing uhs culinary department. Um and the board has a gift for you. It's your choice of whether or not you share your cake. We're so proud of you. Congratulations. Yes. >> If we didn't have further business, we might we might be. Thank you'all. The Waco ISD Board of Trustees will now go into close session at 6:43. And this time, pursuant of the Texas Open Meetings
046Act, Texas Government Code 551, sections 071 and 074, will not take action when we return.