001Heat. 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 and for your interest in the Waco Independent School District. As as part of our board operating
002procedures, the Waco SD School Board follows 10 guiding commitments that help keep our focus on students and community. To begin tonight's meeting, Trusty Bledo and Trustee Amnusi will be reading a guiding commitment. Trusty Bledo, will you start us off? >> I would love to. Respectful communication. Trustees will listen actively, treat all individuals with dignity, and engage in civil discourse even when differences arise. >> Good evening everyone. Uh student centered decision making decisions will be guided by what best serves students learning, well-being, and future success. >> Thank you. Uh do we have any one signed up for public comment? No. We'll move 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 Parkdell Elementary
003students Adrina Muskis and Jayron Puland to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Board of trustees, I'll invite you to come to the front for recognitions, please. Thank you, Agina, Adrina, and Jayron. We are grateful to have you here today with us. I want to share a little bit about our pledge leaders. Um, while we thank them for being here, Adrina Muskis is a second grade student who loves math. When she's not in school, Adrina enjoys doing crafts and riding her bike. Adrina's teacher said she's always a positive thinker and loves math problems. When she grows up, she wants to be a veterinarian. Thank you. Jayron Poland is a fourth grade student who loves
004math. Also, when he's not at school, he plays on his trampoline and loves to play football. His teacher said that Jiren is responsible and has a positive attitude towards learning. When Jiren grows up, he wants to do what he loves and be a football player. We are grateful for these students and their families. Thank you to Amanda and Torian Poland and Adrienne and Ashley Muskies for being here to support your awesome students. And thank you to Parkdale Elementary Principal, Miss Crystal Collier for having your students with us here tonight. >> Okay. If the parents, if you would like pictures with your students, we can pause and do that real quick. Next up, we want to recognize our Texas Coral Directors Association Allstate Choir Singers. So, Waco ISD is thrilled to congratulate our Tennyson and Middle
005School students who were selected to represent themselves, their school, and our district in the Texas Coral Directors Association Allstate Choir. Each of these students were selected from over a thousand auditions to travel to San Antonio for the TCDA summer convention and make music along with the state's top singers. So congratulations to Anna Abnusi, Greer Bledsoe, Wesley Zugna, and I also want to mention students who are not here tonight, Samuel Payne and Robert Gomez. Yeah. Yeah. >> I know. You need to be This is choir director Jacob Garcia. So, thank you So, while they're doing that, I'll just mention real quickly for those who don't know that these students also got to sing with Wade Bowen, who's right behind me, um, in December, which was such a cool experience for them. Okay. >> So, next up
006is our Texas Theater Scholar President Scholar Award recipient is Eley Lawson. Unfortunately, she can't be here today, but I want to take a few minutes and just share um how amazing this award is. Um we're proud to recognize her for receiving this award for the 2526 school year. This is the third year in a row that she's received um the theater scholar award. Um she qualified for the Texas Theater Scholar by meeting the necessary academic and theatrical standards. So specifically for the president scholar award, students have to be enrolled and in good standing with the campus theater department, actively participate in theater programs, maintain a minimum GPA of 4.0, and fulfill any additional local criteria. They also must exhibit exemplary behavior and good moral character that brings honor to the program, school, and community. So
007I just want to say congratulations to Eley for this incredible achievement. Sorry. Okay. Okay. Um, we have a a large group. So, I'm so excited to be able to award these or recognize these students from the Texas Thespian State Festival. So, if y'all don't know, um, the Texas Thespians is the largest chapter in the nation of the Educational Theater Association. Um this is an educational honor society and they are um dedicated to honoring excellence in theater by encouraging and improving the skills of theater students and their educators throughout the state of Texas. So Waco ISD is excited to announce that six University High School students qualified for nationals at the Texas Thespian State Festival which was in November of 2025. So, with superior scores in the following categories, and I'll just mention real quick, some
008students are not here, but I'm going to read everybody who's here and some students placed in multiple categories. So, in contrasting monologue, we congratulate Jordan Ward, Naomi Williams, and Renee Zuniga. In duet acting scene, we congratulate Avon Anderson, Michelle Via. In stage management, we congratulate Dion Martinez. And in additional competitions, these students received excellent scores in the following categories. For solo musical, we congratulate Laya Moore. For duet musical dance, we congratulate um Ethan Riggins, who's not here, and Michaela Martin. For duet acting scene, we congratulate um Lopez and Jazelle Gimenez. For group acting scene, we congratulate Samantha Romos MS, Meline Padradi, and Emilia Menter. For set design for The Whiz, we congratulate Alex Rios. For costume designer for The Whiz, we congratulate Adriana Hamilton. For team set design challenge, we congratulate Alex Rios again, Marlin
009Pedro Bautello, Dion Martinez, and Logan Smith. And then receiving a good score for the team costume design challenge, we congratulate Adriana Hamilton, Jazelle Gimenez, Michaela Martin, and Samantha Romos Messias. Congratulations team. Congratulations. So, following these incredible achievements, we get to recognize our test Texas thespian Trailblazer Award. We're excited to congratulate Katie Davis, our University High School technical theater director, who you just saw come up here with her students. So, this award is an esteemed recognition given by Texas thespians to innovative theater educators who lead the way in advancing educational theater. It honors individuals who significantly impact the theater community and set higher standards for the art form. Congratulations, Miss Davis. Okay, we have more staff to recognize which is always exciting. So, Dr. Kenishha Johnson, principal of University High School, and Miss Haley Dean, who
010couldn't be here tonight. and she's principal of Hillcrest Elementary. They have been selected to join a cohort with the Holdsworth campus leadership program starting in the summer of 2026. This is a huge accomplishment as Dr. Johnson and Miss Dean were chosen from over a 100 campus leaders who applied from across the state. In this program, principles work to strengthen their leadership skills through executive coaching and learning sessions. The principles are joined by a team of campus leaders to learn new skills and practice them in real situations that they face on campus. The cohort learns continuous improvement methods and applies them to improving outcomes for an underserved group at their respective schools. Congratulations, Dr. Johnson and Miss Dean. Waco ISD is thrilled to recognize the Bowen Family Foundation as our March community partner. They have been
011a longstanding partner with our district and we are incredibly fortunate to have such a generous and dedicated partner in the foundation. As you may know, in December of 2025, the Bowen Family Foundation through the Makea-Wish program with Kyle Chapman gifted 200 students at South Waco and Bells Hill Elementary School for and filled their Christmas wish lists. They also granted $10,000 um to the Tennyson Middle School choir department and provided an unbelievable experience for the choir to be able to sing with Mr. Bowen. So, here to accept the community partner award are Wade Bowen, Jill Goss, and Jordan Westbrook. >> Thank you. >> Thanks for what you do. Yeah, good to see you. Okay, thank you, board of trustees. That's all for our recognitions. The Waco ISD board of trustees will now go into close session
012at 6:16. This time, pursuant of the Texas Open Meeting Act, Texas Government Code 551, sections 071, we will resume the regular agenda when we return. We're now reconvening an open session at 6:52. to we'll be moving on to the superintendence report. >> Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. All right, we are I can't believe it's that time of the year. Campus teacher of the year, y'all. Oh my lord. All right, you may have seen campus announcements for campus outstanding teachers of the year on social media. These incredible educators, I'm going to talk a little bit slower. I get caught. From across the district have distinguished themselves for the important work they do each and every day in our in their classrooms and within our community. Please join me in thanking each of these incredible teachers
013for how they are inspiring excellence. Mark your calendars for May 7th when we will announce our district outstanding teacher of the year for elementary and secondary at the Waco High School Performing Arts Center. All right, Holesworth, Texas. Again, our Texas School Board Institute. Just before spring break, I had the opportunity to attend a session for the Holsworth Texas School Board Institute with President Vana and Trustee Abnusi where we engaged in great learning alongside other superintendent and board members from across the state of Texas. Topics covered included core beliefs and commitment, theory of change, board roles and relationships with the superintendent, and ultimately how to govern and sustain transformational change. school districts and ultimately our students thrive when board members are able to fully function in their strategic governance role in support of the superintendent's role
014and focus being on tactical management. While President Vana and Trustee Abnusi will be presenting more of their learning to the entire board at upcoming workshop, I do want to give them a chance to share this evening um to excite and hopefully entice the other trustees who will have the opportunity to attend the session in July. Mr. Musi, would you like to go first? >> Absolutely. I just you put me on the spot, but right before we walked in our close session, I was reminded by uh President Vidia to mention the food there because the food there I'm I'm telling you, >> is that the only thing you have to celebrate? Sir, >> we have to start with that because they we were I feel like we were pampered to the point that we couldn't even
015leave that place because of the amount of kindness that we received there. And when you go when we say uh even said you walk out of here 10 pounds heavier than what you how you entered. >> But then back all jokes aside I mean the amount of learning that happened in that >> we called it 18 hours. I believe that's what we did right 18 hours of training. >> It was uh it was humbling. It was informative. It was uh everything that you need uh to uh gain from a workshop. And I uh I was so excited. I think that's something I shared with Dr. Spicer and President Vida that uh I wanted to immediately come back and talk about that to the whole board like guys this is awesome. It brings us it unifies
016you. It also at the same time brings you the the attention of the the urgency of the work we do here with with whatever decisions that we're making how much of an impact it has on our on our students on our staff on our school system. just uh very thankful for that opportunity and I appreciate that Dr. Spicer. >> Yes sir. >> Mr. Vana >> uh same thing uh the learning and then also um meeting I love meeting other superintendents and other board members from surrounding districts and kind of that we're all in the same boat. You know you you figure like man this is only happening in Waco ISD but then you sit there and talk to them and you're like man that's it's across the state. But that's um the learning and and
017getting to talk to other board members and other superintendent was uh was great. And like I said, I can't wait till the rest of y'all attend. >> And one thing I forgot to tell Miss Quinta, so there's some pictures that she didn't put in there. I guess she's trying to be very professional. Um I told the the trustees that anytime you go to this conference with me, you will work out with me. I had one of the two show up faithfully every day at the gym sweating and everything. So, those are probably not the best pictures to put up there, but um he did work out me. He owes me a workout. And so, uh Cameron Park is down the street, so you will have to make up your time. And the rest of you
018when you go, please bring your workout clothes with you because we're going to learn and grow uh mentally and physically. So, thank y'all for that. Our introduction of our new executive director of student support services. I am excited to introduce Dr. Kimberly Winters who joins Waco ICT as our new executive director of student support services. Dr. Winters brings more than 20 years of experience in public education and a strong background in building systems that support the whole child. She most recently served as principal Belton Newekch at Wascow. Okay, Wasow. Sorry, don't tell Dr. Golden High School in Belton ISD where she led the campus through this transformation from a specialty program into a comprehensive high school while earning a TAA rating and expanding support for diverse student populations. Dr. Dr. Winters also brings 13 years
019of campus leadership experience in both Belton and Ramrock ISDs where she led innovative work in multi-tered systems of support strengthening coun counseling and social emotional learning programs and implementing student center practices that improve campus culture and student outcomes. Trustees Dr. Winters will be working closely with Dr. Suzanne Hamilton and the student support services team as they continue strengthening the systems that ensure each and every student in Waco ISD is supported and positioned for success. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Kimberly Runers to Waco ISD. >> Thank you so much. Thank you for this opportunity to serve Waco ISD. I'm excited to be placed where the district is headed and the leadership and the vision you've casted. The executive director position spoke to my heart. It's what I love. I love supporting families and kids and
020I'm honored to be a part of this district that puts students first as seen in its very first goal. So again, thank you for this opportunity. All right, introduction of the new JHINS elementary principal. >> It is my pleasure to introduce Dr. a doctor. Okay, I'm speaking into existence. I think YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, get that next degree. Daffany Latches, a proud product of Waco ISD. She is a dedicated educator now in her 22nd year of public education and we are delighted she's taking on another significant leadership role here in Waco ISD. Latches graduated from Waco High School and later earned her bachelor of science and education from Baylor University and her mers of education in teacher leadership along with her principal certification from Lamar University. She began her career teaching elementary
021school in Colleen ISD and also served as a reading compensatory education teacher at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. All right. Altogether, she spent 10 years in the classroom teaching grades three through five. Experiences that helped shape her strong belief in building a solid academic foundation for all students. Miss Latches returned home in Wake to Waco ISD in 2012 as an assistant principal at her alma m alma mater Waco High School. She later became the principal of Brazes High Credit Recovery where she has successfully led the campus for the the past eight years. Most recently, she has served as director of credit recovery systems, overseeing programs at both Waco High School and University High School. Miss Latcherson has strong relationships with J Hines community and understands on a personal level the students, the families, the
022traditions that make that campus special. Trustees, it is my pleasure to introduce I was going to say it again, Dr. Daffany Latches as she steps into a permanent role as principal JS. We'll be we'll we'll be moving on to item six, information item and reports. Trusty Blight, do you have any questions? >> No. >> Trusty Abnesi, do you have any questions? >> No, sir. >> Trusty Davis, do you have any questions? >> No. >> Trusty Patton, do you have any questions? >> No. Trusty Ela, do you have any questions? >> Sir, >> we're moving on to item seven, the consent agenda, and we'll be pulling item seven. I >> Mr. Bledo, is there anything you like pulled? >> No. >> Mr. Abnusi, is there anything you like pulled? >> No, sir. >> Mr. Davis, is
023there anything you like pulled? No. >> Mr. Patton, is there anything you like pulled? >> No, sir. >> Mr. Alch, is there anything you like pulled? >> Nope. At this time, I'd like to entertain a motion to approve the cons the consent agenda with item 7 I pulled as do I have a motion move >> a second. >> Thank you, Mr. Patton. And thank you, Mr. Bleto, is there any discussion? >> No. >> Mr. Abnuse, is there any discussion? >> No, sir. >> Mr. Davis, is there any discussion? >> No. >> Mr. Patton, is there any discussion? >> No. >> Mr. Alcho, is there any discussion? No. >> All in favor say I. >> I. passes. Thank you'all. We're moving on to item eight, review and discuss priority 2.1, recruit high quality faculty and staff.
024And priority 2.3, retain faculty and staff, presented by Dr. Keredine. >> Well, good evening. How are you all? >> Pretty great. Good deal. >> President Vadana, board of trustees and Dr. Spicer, we are here to um share a few updates with you regarding priority 2. There we go. Thank you. All right. So, can you go back one for me? Okay. Can you go forward for me? Forward. All right, here we go. So, I do want to um share just a few of our highlights and just some recaps from when I got to visit with you all um last January and share a few things that we have coming up in terms of our recruitment and our retention efforts. And so, starting with our Waco ISD job fair, we do have our job fair scheduled for
025March 28th at Waco High School. We're very excited to um be able to partner with Waco High School. Um we are also excited to partner with our associations, partner with other departments in our district uh for this upcoming job fair. We have been advertising. We have all of our banners out. And so if you see things around town, you will notice that we are very well prepared for this upcoming job fair. We are also slated to um move forward our process for our assistant principal interviews. We have created a principal cadre and after working with a group of five very strong um instructional leaders, we are going to be working together to create a dynamic day for them where they will be able to come and circulate throughout multiple interview committees with our principles. Um
026and this is scheduled for April 11th. Our teacher residents, we are excited that we do have five candidates through our strategic partnership with Tarlton that will be starting in the 2627 school year. Um we have identified these five um young innovative educators and they have also been assigned to Brook Avenue and to Lake Air Monastery. In January we presented the certification delayed implementation plan that you all did approve. We did submit that to TEA. Um TEA also approved it and then we received some really exciting news from them. Um, if you recall, I had shared that our grow our own that are currently in our elementary would possibly have to move into a non-core tested area and or into secondary. After reviewing our plan and seeing that we were having such great success with our
027grow our own, tea decided to allow our elementary candidates to stay exactly where they are for one more year. So, we are very excited that they will get to continue in the schools that they are serving in. Our website has been updated with our recruitment information. We are still on various social media platforms. And something else very exciting that's coming up is because of our future educators academy. Um we are nearing the end. We do have several students that we are going to be celebrating on a signing day and that will be held on the 28th of April. Again, the recap from January. These were some of the colleges that we were able to attend job fairs for. Um some of our local um job fairs were the heart of Texas workforce and again you
028can see that we have our platforms for our social media outlets. This spring already we have attended job fairs with Tarlton and with Baylor umh and then of course we have our own district upcoming job fair on the 28th and then we still have some continued partnerships that we're looking for with SFA San uh San Angelo Texas&M and our HB.CU. and I just approved a couple of job fairs today for my coordinator to go ahead and attend those in the uh coming weeks. In terms of priority uh 2.3 um the continuation of retention um of our faculty and staff um we are also forming a partnership with Abalene Christian University. And if you look up on the slide to my left, you will see that we did have a very large group of um interested
029candidates who want to partner and move through this program and growing our own and making sure that they become very successful teachers as well. Um the uh presenter that particular day, she calls herself uh principal auntie. Um and so she really was quite engaging with the group. And if you look to your right, um I had mentioned to you all earlier that we are providing study sessions for our current grow our own, our current on demand, our current ACP individuals. And so Miss Brookshshire has been steadily working with them every single month and ensuring that they have an opportunity to come and study with us. Our succeed mentor program is doing well. And then one other great thing that we were just made aware of is TIA. We were able to generate $4 million. We
030are very excited to have um a total of 337 designates in Waco ISD. And so we are extremely proud of the work that our educators are doing and of course the campus principles that are supporting them in that work. And to wrap up my short presentation, uh several years ago we started acknowledging our district employees and they were also allowed to acknowledge one another. So they do nominate one another when there are great things happening. And last year alone we had 172 recognitions from peer-to-peer. This year to date we are at 130. And we do expect to um excel past the 172 the 172 by the end of the school year. And so um we do hope that those awards keep coming in that our um employees continue acknowledging one another. And that's my report
031for today. >> Thank you, Dr. K. >> Any questions? >> I have a question. >> Well, comment first. Uh, first of all, the study sessions, thank you so much for doing that. I know how hard that test is personally, especially if you spend any time in the classroom before you take it. So, thank you for doing that and I hope we continue to encourage those teachers to take advantage of that. And also just a quick question with such a mass exodus of teachers from like the Houston area and surrounding states. Are we doing any advertising there on anything to try and recruit some of those teachers? Just out of curiosity. >> Not specifically in that area, but because we are on social media platforms, we have been receiving some calls from various um employees or
032candidates from around the state. mostly um we have received from from the Fort Worth area, from the Denton area, and a few from the Austin area, but I can't really speak to the Houston area just yet. >> Thanks. >> Any more questions? >> Thank you. >> We're moving on to item nine, review, discuss, and take appropriate action regarding virtual education and Senate Bill 569 presented by Dr. King Noles. Good evening, President Vana, board of trustees, and Dr. Spicer. Um, it's a pleasure to be here this evening with you all and talk about um the virtual education associated with Senate Bill 569 tonight. Um, first of all, one of the things I want to make sure that we all understand is we are interested in expanding Waco ISD's reach through our Senate Bill 569. and I
033am here this evening to provide an executive review of virtual education opportunities that we are proposing for the 202627 school year. So with the 89th legislative session, Senate Bill 569 empowers school districts like Waco ISD to innovate and attract new families. Um, one of the things that came out of SB569 was the repeal of the old Texas virtual school network rules. This allows for a more flexible and fully funded framework for virtual and hybrid educational opportunities. One of the things that's interesting for school districts is that students enrolled in these models generate average daily attendance or ADA funding in the exact same amount to students that are attending fully in person. And so what this can do for districts such as ours is it allows our districts to operate as a statewide district of choice.
034And that means that Waco ISD can enroll students from anywhere across our state of Texas. Just like I think we were asking about um outreach for some of our staff. This gives us an opportunity to reach out to families across the state. There are three paths for implementing such a program. One would be by um the concept of indivi individual courses. So this would address local staffing shortages and credit recovery and requires no major changes. There is also the opportunity to offer full-time campuses. So I'm jumping to the third column here. That's a standalone virtual hybrid school um where you've got to be 50% or more remote. Um, this requires formal TEA authorization process to open. Uh, that process, I'm sorry, opens in the spring of 2026. There's full-time programs. It's a third option, and
035this is the one that we're recommending. It's housed within an existing physical campus. The virtual enrollment remains under 50% of the total campus or district enrollment. And there is one key advantage to this one, and that is that there needs no special authorization from TEA required to launch us in year one. This is why we are proposing starting in the year because we we don't need to go to TEA for that approval. So part of this proposal is partnering with an organization that can allow us a turnkey opportunity. This is for a full-time virtual program. So if we work in partnership with someone that can provide us this turnkey experience, it means they would oversee day-to-day operations. They would oversee their human resources and staffing. They would also have um management over their special education
036student enrollment, managing technology equipment. They would manage their own state reporting and their enrollment. However, the benefits for us is all of that is retained by us. We get the ongoing sponsorship fee, meaning we can generate new revenue through the ADA of those students attending our school. Um, we also would benefit from state accountability ratings. We also get to identify authority for those graduates. In other words, they have to make sure that the courses that they're offering align with our courses and that they meet our local graduation requirements. So, this initiative accelerates our commitment to wisdom that experience, knowledge, and good judgment is our guiding principle. By launching this virtual program, it's not a detour. It is a direct accelerator to the ambitious goals that we have set for our strategic plan 2030. And not
037only that, but this would directly support, this initiative would directly support each one of our priorities in the strategic plan. Um, it allows us to support priority one for students, priority two, sorry about that typo there, for staff, priority three for community, and priority four, our financial and operational excellence. So here is the action requested in implementation implementation timeline. We are recommending that the board of trustees approve the search for a potential partnership to act as a whole program or turnkey virtual instruction provider for a new statewide full-time virtual option under Senate Bill 569. The immediate next step, should you choose to approve, we would at the school leadership team would move forward with due diligence efforts to locate and secure the best partner we can. And then milestone one would be to bring a
038formal proposal from our prospective partner back to you all. And we would aim to um have that occur with the board meeting in April. And that would then allow for us to have a program that goes live for the next upcoming 2026 27 school year. That's what I've got for you. Any questions? >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. >> Um, so meeting clarification. >> Yes, sir. >> So, Jim Patton wants to go virtual to Waco IC. >> U, I will go through whatever company that the district selects and they will be my instruction or will my instruction be from Elizabeth Cox who's teaching great English language arts at Bells Hill. >> They would hire their own staff and so their staff would be teaching you should you be the student that's enrolling virtually. >> So
039their staff would not be would they their staff be our staff staff? >> They would be their staff. >> Okay. Um that answers one question. Uh secondly, how many times would Jim Patton online student be required to physically be within Waco for testing like STAR or you know release star practice test? >> So they they would need to participate in the state required the um EOCC's. Let's say it's a high school student that we're talking about. they would need to participate on the EOCC testing days since that is a graduation requirement for current Waco ISD graduates and we are asking that these students that participate in the virtual network. I do believe that there are options that are available say that there's a student um somewhere else in the state of Texas, I'll use Houston
040since we've already referenced them and they are choosing to attend Waco ISD's virtual school. they would go to the school district that they are residing within to take their test. >> Okay? >> So they would not have to travel to Waco. >> So they wouldn't have to actually put fee in. >> Also, uh >> for uh our new athletic director isn't here. Uh >> for Yeah, we have a playoff game that we're not at. uh for UIL specifics, would that when it comes to realignment, those kids who were virtual online count as our number of students that would impact UIL, football, athletics, fine arts, band, all that. >> Um because it is really located or or uh enrollment is associated with where you reside and where you are zoned. students that are outside of the
041Waco ISD boundaries would not apply when it comes to the numbers that would affect UIL. Um, and then the other piece that may come along with that would be whether or not those virtual students would then be able to those locally within our boundaries be able to participate in UIL. And that would be a part of our negotiation pro process with any of the partners that we would decide to enter into that process with >> because My understanding from you Dr. Hunals is these students we will be receiving ADA from them. So >> yes, >> that would make that would make me think that they their number would count toward a UIL uh 4 A 5A 6A kind of thing, >> right? >> Um I'm picturing because this sounds exciting. >> I'm picturing homeschooled kids
042in Waco ISD. And so you made a comment if they are local >> and Elizabeth Cox is a home I'm just gonna pick on Elizabeth. She's a homeschooled her parents want to put her in virtual school for Waco YC. Would Elizabeth Cox be able to try out for cheerleader or band or whatever even though she's not physically in a school but she is within the the physical boundary of Waco. So again, that would be a part of our negotiation process with any of the partners that we were choosing to engage in. >> And I'm going to add to that. So remember, I don't know the month. Um, we brought to y'all the UIL home school. So there was a bill that legislature passed in the last chose not to allow >> and you chose not
043to allow. So right now they would not. However, that is something that would be on the table as we go forward. Right? If y'all say, "Hey, I'm making this up. We change our mind. Let's come back and talk about it." Right? So after we have all these conversations and we say, "Hey board, these are some these are the things, right?" Then we'll have be able to have conversations to see what we want to do, right? Because some districts. >> So that could be a caveat if >> if if we would go with this motion. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> That bill was currently or was for people who currently aren't enrolled, right? >> It's for home that was specific to homeschool students only. Um not uh virtual schools, >> right? But these kids
044would technically be our kids. >> Correct. Correct. They would be Yes. WD and not home school. Yes, sir. >> I just have one question. Um maybe two. >> Will we will the whoever we choose, will they be using the same curriculum that our kids are using or >> bec um their own school, they would have their own curriculum. >> Okay. And then so like we're not going to have ideas of like beginning of year, middle of year, end of year, how those kids are doing. >> No, they are responsible for all of it. That's part of the turnkey concept. >> But their scores would count for our district. >> Yes. >> So therefore, we would have to have some kind of over you guys would have to have some kind of oversight on that company
045to make sure >> they're still governed by TEA. Yeah, >> that is correct. And and not only that, but that can be a part of our um when we are moving through perusal and selection of any potential partner. That's part of the information that we would be seeking is what what is their track record for their graduation rate, the success rate of their students. >> And I'm assuming there's several companies in the state of Texas or nationally that that do this kind of gig. >> Yes. >> So, whatever we choose, it's going to be imperative that we have eyes on those students performance because going to impact our district. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> Sure. >> N Okay. Thank you all so much. >> I have a question. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> As far
046as technology goes, are we providing technology? >> Nope. They take care of it for their students. >> If we have a kid who scores I mean, I'm sure you already addressed this, but if a kid who's who's low in a particular area on the start test, we don't have any recommend or we don't have any input on on getting those kids caught up or get, you know, tutoring those kids in. >> We would not necessarily, but but that's part of what the selection process would be, right? We would want to know what do you do if you have a student who doesn't perform at a high rate pro, you know, whether they're meets or masters. Meets or masters matter, right? And so if they're not where we believe that they need to be, and that
047can be an absolute part of the negotiation process, and not only can it be, it will be. But what we understand just by looking into the situation um initially is that there are counselors, there's academic support for a number of these programs that are the successful programs. They've got a lot of the intervention type supports available to students um in that capacity. >> I I couple of questions. I think there really are just >> Thank you. Yes, I'm crossing my fingers on that. Um, special ed services. >> Yes. Well, we would have to look at that in the process, right? We we don't know what each one of the programs that are across the state and across the country provide. So, that's a criteria we'd be looking at. >> And on the opposite end of
048that bell curve would be advanced services. So there are a number of these programs that offer a lot of the advanced like dual credit AP um opportunities for students that we provide probably not all of them but that's a choice you make when you are choosing you know again this is about school choice and and there are options that are available but there are advance there are programs that offer advanced opportunities. >> My last question attendance to the virtual school if someone someone becomes true in win >> uh is there because I don't know anything about this if if I'm virtual school and I miss several classes in a row who handles that issue is that Waco or is that the company? >> It would be the company again >> because their attendance still counts
049for us. Right. >> Right. But that's part of our negotiations when we enter into them with whatever company we choose and we can ask them what is your process and like I said because there are a number of them that provide things like the counseling services and interventions. I would imagine that that's also a part of that process because oftentimes you're talking about how do you provide wraparound services and support. It looks different for the virtual student. Um, but there's no way if you've got a proven track record for this that you're not taking some steps, you don't have some system in place for attendance recovery. >> Ma'am, >> you're quite welcome. Thank you. >> I had a question if I can. >> Yes, sir. >> Um, what do we have any safeguards? because I
050know there are students who are probably hearing this and they're going to be really excited. It's another and there's probably some students that we would not want to do this option because it probably wouldn't be best for their academic journey. Is there any um like screening process to or do we have a say so or recommendations on certain students joining this and certain students that we wouldn't recommend them to join virtual learning? I think that's a really great question, Trusty Davis. And what I can tell you is as as myself, this is just me as the deputy superintendent. When I start thinking about what we would want to do, we're very much at the in session. We're bringing this to you um in in hopes for the approval for us to proceed, right? But I
051can't help but think that this is part of what um when we look at wraparound services and providing support for students, I would want teachers, I would want counselors, I would want administrators that are working with a current Waco ISD student that attends our schools in person to really think critically about whether or not this is the best decision and be very intentional about any student that they choose to recommend. The question is so for a student to enroll they would have to be recommended by our staff or what is their process? >> So no we would provide guidance for them. Any student who chooses or a family who chooses to withdraw a student especially with the expansion of school choice across the state of Texas. They make decisions about where they go. And that's
052one of the things that we are trying to work with our families and expand opportunities, right? Is if they're going to choose to do a virtual option. We just want to be the ones that they choose to work with. >> Last question for me. And this may be too you can answer this anytime in the next month before we see this again. Yes, sir. >> With the new bill that was passed, um you get what $3,000 for homeschooling child now. Is that right? I mean, what are the potential options of a parent to say, "I'm going to homeschool my kids, but then enroll them in wake virtual school." >> This is the new frontier. >> I may have just given a lot of people that wrong idea. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you,
053Dr. Kos. Is there a motion? >> Thank you, Mr. Oello. Thank you, Mr. Bledo. Mr. Mr. Bleto, is there any discussion? >> No. >> Mr. Abnus, is there any discussion? >> No, sir. >> Mr. Davis, is there any discussion? >> Mr. Patton, is there any discussion? >> No. >> Mr. Ocho, is there any discussion? >> No. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Thank you. >> Moving on to item 10, review, discuss, and take appropriate action regarding Senate Bill 1882, partnership with Head Start Provider, presented by Dr. Spicer. >> Thank you, Mr. President, trustees. Um, in January, you guys approved the opportunity for have uh 1882 partnerships. You already know we're working on one for academics, but we also have another opportunity where we can partner with our current partners of Head Start um
054to have that program that we already have in our district under our umbrella. And what that means too, we would also get ADA funding for those students that are three and four year olds that they service already at the Brazes Center. We currently partner with them also at South W Elementary and at West Avenue. So those programs are still intact and they will stay in place. However, um we can expand services and receive revenue for having them and partner with them through a um a financial partnership through 1882. So this is a request to ask you for the opportunity um to explore the partnership and then bring that back to you um as an opportunity for our students but also for our district. >> What is um Dr. Spice when you're saying expand Since we
055already are affiliated with DOAC, >> yes, sir. >> What kind of expansion of services are we talking? >> More classrooms, so more for uh prek4, prek3, things of that nature. >> No, at Brazes. So, we would expand it at the location. They're currently at >> west. >> Only at Brazes. Only at Brazes. And so, they would bring those kiddos there, but we would have, I'll say, revenue from them. And then that would also help them financially to I'll say increase their salaries for their teachers. So one of the things that they share with us is um yes they do have teaching staff there. However, this would help them because they can raise their salaries as well, right? So it's a win-win on both sides. But again, you have to go into partnership um and then
056follow all the TA guidance, right, to make this happen and have an opportunity for our district but also for them and then our students that are right here in our in our district. >> Is this is this a full day program? I'm sorry. I don't know. >> Yeah. Yes, our kiddos are currently. Yes. >> Thank you, Dr. Spicer. Is there a motion? >> I move. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. P. Thank you, Mr. Davis. Mr. Bledo, is there any discussion? >> No, sir. >> Mr. Abnusi, is there any discussion? >> No, sir. >> Mr. Davis, is there any discussion? >> Mr. Patton, is there any discussion? >> No, sir. >> Mr. Oo, is there any discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. Thank y'all. We're moving on to item 11. Announcements also presented
057by Elizabeth Cox. >> Evening, President Medana, trustees, Dr. Spicer. It is playoff season for UIL soccer and a serious round of applause are in order. So, let's all for all four of our Waco ISD high school soccer teams advancing. I think that's the first time I've ever gotten to say that. girls. All our ladies teams and our guys teams all advanced into the postseason. Um tonight, Waco High Lady Lions soccer faced off against a very very strong team from Midlothian. Um their season has come to an end, but I've seen pictures and it looks like there was a great crowd out there even though we all were here. Um, I do I understand that from the leadership team meeting there were several of us that were trying to trade places with AD Williams and say
058that he could come take our role and we could go to the game. Um, but guess what? There are um, three games tomorrow night. So, you still have a chance to come out and cheer on your Lions and your Trojans. Um, the games are as follows. University Lady Trojans will host Heritage, another strong Dallas team at 5:30, followed by the University Boys taking on Terrell at 7:30 p.m. Both at Waco ISD Stadium here in Waco. So, some more home games. Um, then our Waco High boys will face Red Oak at 5:30 at Corsacana High School. So, wherever you want to be, there is going to be great soccer. Come out and watch. And I'm I'm I'm taking bets that this won't be the end for all of our teams. But I still want to um
059definitely pause and bask in the glory that all four of our teams advance. That's really impressive. >> You said uh girls is 5:30 and boys are 7:30. Yes. At the stadium. >> Yes. >> Those both UHS or both. Super. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, you can tell that we're get we're the the big um rock that is the end of the school year is starting to tumble faster and faster down the hill towards graduation because we've got events going on every day. Um, Wednesday, March 25th is our annual men's empowerment summit at the Herd Welcome Center. And from the reports I've heard, it will have a tough act to follow after this week's excellent Women's Empowerment Summit. I want to thank Dr. Hamilton and her team and our um partners at the Junior
060League. I know I'm not going to steal any of Dr. Spicer Sunder. We'll talk to you about that at the next regular meeting. Um, both great events. So, Men's Empowerment Summit, March 25th. Um, Thursday, March 26th, mark your calendars. I know Mr. Vano will be there. Bell's Hill Garden Club annual plant sale. Um, if you show up at 6, you're too late. It starts at 4. So, um, that that is hanging in our elevators. And I know everybody needs to mark their calendar so you can get your spring garden ready and bring cash and show up at four o'clock. >> Yes. Yes. Um, Monday, March 30th, we will have a quick special meeting at um of the board of trustees at Waco High School. It will be at Waco High School because it is just
061ahead of the sup annual superintendent scholar celebration at 6 pm at the performing arts center. So, we will have a space at Waco High School at 5:00 pm for us to meet quickly before we all head in and celebrate our scholars. um Tuesday, March 31st from 9:00 am to 11 and then 1 pm to 3 pm. Guamama will be hosting an openhouse for current and potential industry partners. So, this is a unique opportunity for our industry partners to come out and get guided tours of the labs, meet instructors, and see how the program is preparing students for high demand careers in welding, construction scientist at this open house, Congressman Pete Sessions, may even have a chance to too. Um, so again, that's Tuesday, March 31st. Please make sure if you know anyone in industry that
062you think could get plugged in to help our students in those CTE programs, make sure to let them know or let uh Mrs. Saxinian know to get in touch with them. We'd love to see you all out there as long along with those industry partners. Friday, April 3rd is a student h student and staff holiday and following that Easter weekend, the board will have um a busy week with tenatively scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday special meetings. Um, please be sure to continue checking your calendars, trustees, and look for all updates as it will be a busy month ahead of our next regular board meeting, which will be April 23rd. But I think we will be together every week moving forward till that time. Thank you all. >> Right. Thank you. We're ajourned.