001This 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 really want to extend a warm welcome to everyone who is present and to our television viewers. The board's purpose is to set goals, listen to the reports of the superintendent, approve budgets, contracts and personal appointments and to make policy for the district. We are not not here to make management decisions or solve problems of individuals. management is the responsibility of the superintendent and her staff. And I would just ask right now, if you have not already done so, if you could please turn your cell phones to silent. And we appreciate the time you've taken to join us and for your interest
002in Waco. Waco ISD, YouTube in Waco. OSD as the Waco ISD board of trustees we are held to a set of ethical standards when we get on the board. One set of those ethical standards is trustworthiness and stewardship. So we as a board of trustees will be accountable to the public by representing district policies, programs, priorities and progress accurately. We will be responsive to community by seeking its involvement in district affairs and by communicating its priorities and its concerns. We will work to ensure prudent and accountable use of district resources. And we will make no personal promise to take um private action that may compromise performances, our performance or our responsibilities. And um do we have anyone signed up for public comment? Okay, thank you. Moving on to item number three, moment of silence and
003the pledge of allegiance. We're going to start off for first with our moment of silence. So if you would bow your head with me as we take time for prayer, contemplation, reflection, andor meditation. Thank you. Our pledge leaders, good evening, trustees. We're honored tonight to have Nathan Valdez from Quest View Elementary School leading us in the pledge of allegiance this evening. I pledge allegiance 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. Okay, if the board would meet me in the front, please. And thank you to our pledge leader tonight, Nathan Valdez. Nathan is in the fifth grade. His favorite subjects are reading, science, and math. He enjoys reading and playing football, basketball, and soccer. One
004day, he hopes to become a football player or a gamer. A round of applause for Nathan. And thank you to Principal Nancy Alvarado for sharing her outstanding student with us tonight. We are so proud to have Nathan representing Crest View Elementary this evening. Thank you to our pledge leader. This [Applause] evening, Wakeo High and University High School students were selected to present a session at the upcoming TASBY Governance Student Voice Conference in Galveastston to school board members, district leaders, and their peers from across the state. Our students began working on their project in November, spending many afterchool hours selecting their topic, researching it, and preparing their presentation. Ultimately, the students were selected and presented tech teaching with electronics and its impact on cognitive horizons, discussing the benefits and the disadvantages of using technology as teaching
005tools. From more than 1,200 Texas public school districts, only 16 were selected to present at the conference. Congratulations to these [Applause] students. from Waco High School. Jocelyn Austin, Isaiah Polland from University High School. Osmar Kazarez, [Applause] Guen, Luke Courtourtney. Also part of this team was Daisy Barco who could not be with us tonight. She is in multiple activities. So she is at another event this evening. Waco High School AVID site coordinator Kylie Milikin and University High lead counselor Laura Clark guided these students through this [Applause] process. And Mr. Joseph Alexander is the Waco High School principal and Dr. Kenisha Johnson is the University High School principal. Now we're going to get a group photo. One of the things that Mrs. Milikin told us we were doing a meet and greet with the media with these
006students because this is such a big honor was she talked about how collaborative that these students were from both of these schools and how we truly were a united district. They came up with a topic, they developed it, Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Milikin facilitated because this was completely studentdriven and we could not be more proud of these scholars [Applause] tonight. Congratulations. We're now ready to recognize some of our high school student athletes who have excelled. Powerlifting offers high school students more than just physical strength. It builds mental toughness, confidence, and can even contribute to academic performance and a reduced risk of injury through proper training and discipline. This year, Waco ISD had nine students who truly rose to the challenge competing at the state powerlifting meet and representing their schools with strength, determination, and pride.
007Please recogni, please join me in recognizing these outstanding student athletes for their hard work, dedication, and power they've shown both on and off the platform. From Waco High School, Shaniah Smith. Now, listen to these statistics. This tiny little thing competed in the 265B squat, 155B bench press, and 280 lb deadlift. And where you see one, you see the other. Also advancing to the state competition, Shina [Applause] Smith. Shinha was an alternate at the state competition and we could not be more proud. And I will tell you, we did a special news story with these two and just some of the obstacles they've overcome in their lifetime. You would never know it to meet these two dynamic young ladies, but they are hard workers and they say they push one another to always be their best.
008So, a great team. We also have with us Lion Dwayne Simmons Jr. Now, listen to these numbers. Dwayne competed in the 510 lb squat, 325 lb bench press, and 515 pound deadlift. Also advancing to state, but she could not be with us tonight, was Jennifer Martinez from Waco High. She competed in the 305 lb squat, 185 lb bench press, and 350 lb deadlift. So, we're pleased to have coach Ezra Martinez, head coach and athletic director at Waco High School, here with us this evening to support his student athletes. His leadership and commitment play a vital role in their development both on and off the field. We also recognize Mr. Joseph Alexander, principal of Waco High School, for his ongoing support of student achievement in academics, athletics, and beyond. We're going to do a group photo.
009If y'all will quickly move in for us Then after mom gets her photo, we're going to ask you all to wait at the side because we're going to do one big group photo at the end. Okay. Congratulations to our Lions and Lady Lions. Also advancing to the state competition and powerlifting, please put your hands together for University High School Trojan Olivia Thomas. Olivia competed in the 148 pound weight class. Sophia Gonzalez. Sophia competed in a 220 pound weight [Applause] class. Dana Fuentes. Dana competed in the 242 pound weight [Applause] class. And Braden Kelmo Harrison, 220 lb weight class, and Carlos Navaro in the super heavyweight class at the state competition. These outstanding student athletes are coached by teacher Jack Laroo, whose guidance and dedication have played a key role in their success. We also want
010to recognize uh athletic coordinator and head coach Charles Foster, who's here with us tonight to support his students. And of course, Dr. Kenishha Johnson, the principal of University High School, for her continued support both academically and athletically of our students. Notice we see some Trojan softball shirts out there because they're in the playoffs tonight. First round. We wish them luck. Hope the field's not too wet. So, Hey, for my Smith twin and the young ladies standing next. You all are not as tall as some of the others. So, if you'll come in the front row so we can shrink this up. So, we're going to bring you to the front row. And young lady in the gray, I'm going to bring you to the front row, please. You go. Dr. Spicer, you can move in,
011too, cuz you're about that size. [Laughter] Actually, I think you're exactly the same height. Congratulations to all of our powerliffters and thank you to athletic director Coach Ed Love for also supporting all of our athletes. Each year, hundreds of students across Texas and grades 6 through 12 participate in the Texas History Day contest encouraged by dedicated teachers and supportive families. The most outstanding projects advanced to the state level competition hosted by the Texas State Historical Association at the Bulock Museum and the University of Texas. This year, we're proud to share that we had five students from Waco ISD qualified for the state competition representing Lake Air Monastery students. We had four students advance to the state par to the state competition with a powerpole performance titled the radium girls. These students wrote and performed a
012compelling piece about the young women who painted watch dials with radioactive paint in the early 20th century unaware of the health risks that they faced. Their story continues to shape our understanding of workers rights and occupational safety. Please help me in congratulating and joining with Eliza Smith. Grace Scott, Romina Draos, Sierra Sana. Their project was supported by the dedicated teachers at Lake Air Monasuri School and we're honored to have them and principal Christy Yorman with us tonight. I think she's cutting the line. It starts right here, ma'am. We also have Tennyson Middle School school student Caroline Tob who competed at the state t state Texas History Fair with her research paper Japanese American internment the rights and responsibilities of America during World War II. Her teacher is Leslie Sigura and the principal is Bradford McMillan.
013If we could bring them all back for a group photo, please that would be great. And I know Mrs. Melis is here. Okay. Yes, I I mentioned the teachers. Yes, please go through. Yes, thank you. And I believe I saw Paula Miller here. There she is. So, we do thank Mrs. Miller for all of her support because this is really um supported heavily by the advanced academics department and Mrs. Miller had set up. So, we could not do it without her. So, grateful for her support. And a round of applause to these outstanding students and educators who help bring their history projects to life. Congratulations. And now we're ready to move into our CTE awards. We're proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of students from the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy and Waco High School
014who recently competed at the state skills USA contest. Representing Guama in the in the teen fabrication category are George Falconee, Alexander Varila, and Carlos Rodriguez. These students use their welding and fabrication skills to build a project using provided materials and blueprints, demonstrating proficiency in multiple welding and cutting processes as well as and the use of standard workshop tools. Their work reflects the technical excellence for which Guama is known. Their instructor is Gustavo Vargas Laura with the support of Guam coordinator Jennifer Herrell and Dean Dr. Dale McCall who's here with us this evening. We're going to do a group photo, please. You could move in, gentlemen. And if we could ask you all, Dr. McCall, just to wait at the side. We're going to do one big group photo at the end, please. We're now ready
015to recognize our Skills USA students from Waco High School. Anthony Mree competed in the automotive maintenance and light repair, a rigorous hands-on contest that evaluates readiness for employment and automotive service through both practical tasks and a written exam. Anthony earned a silver medal, a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to his skills and dedication. Also representing Waco High were nine students who competed in the automotive service technology notebook project category, which emphasizes documentation, diagnostics, and repair processes aligned with industry standards. Tonight we have a shootum representing this group, Jaden Vaughn. All of these students were prepared and supported by Wacoai automotive technology instructor Mark Penny and Milton Campos whose guidance continues to drive student success. Please join me in congratulating these talented students and the educators who help make their achievements possible. Congratulations. We're proud to
016recognize Waco High students Josiah Gonzalez and Chris Contreres who advanced to the state skills USA contest in 3D visualization and animation after earning a gold medal at the District 6 competition. This event challenges students to work in realworld 3D production settings, meeting tight deadlines, managing limited resources, and solving complex design problems. It's a rigorous team-based competition that also includes a written exam. We want to thank teacher Wrath Luong for his guidance in preparing the students and principal Joseph Alexander for his continued support of programs to give our students the opportunity to shine. Please joining me join me in celebrating Josiah and Chris for their talent, teamwork, and success on the state stage. We'd also like to recognize our career and technology education executive director, Lisa Saxinian. And we'd also like to recognize our assistant director,
017James Stewart, for their support of all of these programs. Thank you very [Applause] much. Congratulations. We're proud to recognize University High School students who earned special recognition in the chemistry category at the Texas Science and Engineering Fair. This event goes far beyond creating a project. It's a comprehensive learning experience that builds critical thinking and problem solving skills essential for any career. Our students showed remarkable dedication, curiosity, and exac academic excellence. Please join me in congratulating them. Christian [Applause] Martinez, Osmar, Cazarus, Guan. We also have Kevin Gutierrez who's a member of this team, but he is actually on a recruiting trip at the University of Michigan. They flew him down there and so that is where he is today. So, special thanks to Yes. Thank you. Yes, I believe in our last school board meeting, we
018talked about lobbying at the Capitol and Osmar was one of those lobbyists with us. So, thank you very much. So, we do want to say a special thank you to Tennyson Middle School librarian Leslie Cannon who is here with us this evening and teacher Zack Ethwitch who guided this project with these students and also thank you to Larry Benton and Elizabeth Everett from Mlan Community College who supported these students research. Dr. Quishia Johnson is the University High School principal. Congratulations to these outstanding students. This is another story for another school board for recognition, but um Mrs. Canon has got an amazing grant with 3D printing and her students are banging out designs and assisted devices and just incredible. We've done several news stories on it. So, Mrs. Cannon, you're commended for reaching out and making
019that happen. [Applause] Congratulations. We are proud to share that nine Waco ISD students advanced to the state contest in UIL theatrical design. A remarkable accomplishment that showcases both creativity and technical skill. To qualify, these students had to go beyond performance. They were challenged to design and create theatrical sets and costumes, apply makeup, style hair to fit the production's time period and tone, develop original artwork, and even craft marketing plans that included posters and programs for a specific play. Our Waco High students are not able to be with us tonight due to a competing event. We are excited to recognize our students from University High's theater arts program. We begin with Ayanna Flores. Ayanna advanced to the state competition in a category of costume design. Natalie Rodriguez advanced to the state competition in the category of
020hair and makeup. and University High theater arts head director and technical director Katie Davis instructs these students. Dr. Quinnishia Johnson is a University High School principal. She thinks this is track and field. She's making another lap. We're going to take a group photo in the middle, please. Congratulations, [Applause] ladies. Waco ISD is proud to celebrate a remarkable achievement this evening. Our very own fine arts director, Larry Carpenter, has been named the Texas Educational Theater Association Administrator of the Year. This distinguished award honors educational leaders who go above and beyond in their support of theater education. Leaders who demonstrate visionary thinking, effective program and school management, and deep commitment to advancing the arts and public education. Mr. Carpenter was selected for his ability to foster strong relationships, advocate for arts education at every level, and ensure
021the financial and operational health of our theater programs. His leadership has not only strengthened fine arts in Waco ISD, but has also made a lasting impact across the state of Texas. Please join me in congratulating Mr. Carpenter on this well-deserved recognition. It's a lot of hours when you're in this position because we have a huge fine arts program under Mr. Carpenter and so he is constantly out. But he doesn't rest on his laurels. I understand that you will be the contest manager for the state UIL 1A play competition this year. Not just in 5A, not just in 6A, but also 4A. And you're judging 2A, right? So, it never stops. That's what you call loving your work. Congratulations, Mr. Carpenter. And tonight, we're proud to recognize Okonnell Robertson as the recipient of the TASBY Standup
022for Public Education Award award is Waco ISD's community partner of the month for April. Join us this evening. Joining us this evening to accept the award are Jared Sterzinger and Andrew Faustst. Okonnell Robertson has proven to be an invaluable partner to Waco ISD, not only through their expertise in designing and helping bring to life our state-of-the-art facilities, but also through their unwavering support of our district in countless other ways. Their partnership extends beyond our beyond architecture. It is grounded in a genuine commitment to our students and staff and the broader school community including HB celebrity chef participants Dr. Susan Cancan, future ed educator, scholarship donor, South Waco maker spaces dedication, Waco High historic advisory committee engagement, Waco ISD long-range master plan and community engagement, staff and students and staff tours of projects, GW Carver Middle
023School historic alumni committee engagement, working with our high school advanced placement art students in creating art for GW Carver Middle School and compensating those students for their work in addition to guiding professional artist in the project. Thank you, Okonnell Robertson, for your continued support. We look forward to partnering with you on many future projects. Thank you. And that's all we have, ma'am. always a good time getting to uh give awards to um not only staff but to students. It always is a one of my favorite parts of our board meeting. So um moving on to item number five, superintendent report. Dr. Spicer. Yes, ma'am. Madam President, thank you so much. Um, this month I have had the pleasure of attending our Waco High School and University High School academic achievers recognition ceremony. These special campus
024ceremonies honor our sophomores, our juniors, and our seniors who have maintained a 96.5 GPA or above and provide our seniors with a chance to pay tribute to a teacher who has made a difference in their lives. Both events were beautiful celebrations of our students, their families, and so many of our staff who supported them. Thank you to our advanced academic staff and each campus team for facilitating such memorable evenings celebrating academic achievement in our schools. And a special thank you to Trusty Vana who attended both events as a proud board member but also as a father. Our Waco community is invited this Saturday, April 26, to join us in celebrating Alta Vista Elementary's incredible 115 years of service in our community. Principal Lindsay Hilton has planned a very special event from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00
025p.m. There'll be free, I'm going say it again, free hot dogs, chips, cake, crafts, games, and music. Please come on out, walk the halls one more final time before that school closes with our attendance boundaries. This week we have initiated communication to our families on the 2025 2026 transfer window which includes the opportunity for families to apply who have been impacted by the new attendance boundaries which were approved in last month's board meeting. The window will open on Monday, April 28th at 900 a.m. through Friday, May 9th at 5:00 p.m. Information has been made available on the website and direct messages have been sent to families through our parent square communication. An update on our budget and our legislation. Just today, the Senate voted 19 to2 to advance the House version of Senate Bill 2.
026The bill creating an education savings account or a school voucher. The bill now heads to the governor's desk. I have been asked to look into the future and forecast how this bill will impact public schools like ours. And honestly, I do not know. I don't think anybody honestly truly knows either. But what I do know and what I can say is that public schools need the legislature to take them their constitutional duty to maintain a public free school system. The House did pass a more meaningful bill for school funding last week, but it still does not fully address the impacts district like Waco have seen from inflation. Our team continues to monitor the legislature and hope that both by the end of session um on June 2nd, we will be able to share that both
027the House and the Senate along with our governor have made strides to ensure all public schools receive the necessary funding to meet the needs of every single student that we serve. Miss Cheryl Davis will also be providing a a budget update next May on the 15th. Academic accountability. Recent changes to the state's accountability system have created significant challenges for school districts across the state of Texas. In 2023, after the school year had already begun, the TEA or Texas Education Agency introduced substantial modifications to both the STAR test and the methodology for determining A throughF accountability ratings. Something that has never happened simultaneously in the history of Tech Texas public education. These abrupt shifts left school leaders with little time or guidance to adjust, forcing districts to operate without a clear path forward. Adding to the
028complexity, TA introduced artificial intel in intelligence, some of us know it as AI, into the scoring process, raising further questions and concerns about the reliability and transparency of this year's outcomes. Critically, TA did not communicate the final methods, measures, or procedures for evaluating schools until after the academic year was already underway. This delay meant schools had no opportunity to establish a meaningful baseline for student performance. It was as if our students and staff played a game after everyone went home. TA decided to change the rules. For example, in CCCMR, which is college career military readiness, the class of 2023 was being evaluated under new, more rigorous standards that were not provided to the district until 6 months after those students graduated. Historically, Texas has implemented a phase in period when introducing new accountability measures. Why
029would we abandon that approach now, especially when introducing a redesigned test and new evaluation criteria? We urge the public to consider the full picture before drawing conclusions based solely on A throughF ratings. These labels do not capture the heart of what our schools do every day to educate, to nurture, and to support our students. The STAR test is a single measure taken on a single day. It cannot and it should not be the sole lens through which we evaluate the success and value of Rico Independent School District. I want our community to hear my heart. I'm all for accountability. I believe it's necessary. However, I strongly believe that we must know the rules of the game before the game begins. I stand by the fact that our standard will be excellent in all that we
030do because we know that wisdom truly does work wonders and our kids deserve the absolute best. Now that we know the rules, at least until 2028, we know what work needs to be done to ensure that the high quality of education in Waco ISD is reflected in our state's system. whether it's through curriculum adjustments and our CT pathways. This will be reflected in the important work our board is engaged in with our strategic planning. At this time, does the board have any questions or comments they want to make? Oh, I do. Um, firmly support what Dr. Spicer said. We have been at the Capitol talking to legislators, uh, talking to our state senator and, um, while we appreciate the things that they are doing to help our teachers, to help our district, to help with
031some funding that is desperately needed, uh, one of the things that we had asked for is that public schools be fully funded. our public schools in the state of Texas are not fully funded. The um the drop of this accountability rating, make no mistake that this was timed before the full vote for vouchers to go go through. Um, let's not also forget, please, that the same groups who fought so hard to keep private schools exempt from the STAR test or from any public accountability measure are the same ones who are pushing an A throughF accountability on public schools, the same groups. So if your neighborhood public school winds up with a low ABCD F score, say a CD or F score, you might wonder how your local private schools equate, but you won't find out
032because it is not made public. We need our schools fully funded. We needed our public schools fully funded before our legislature decided anything about ESAs or vouchers. You have they have a responsibility to provide public education. We are doing it as other school districts in this state are doing it on a shoestring. If that doesn't make you mad, I don't know what else will. But we need our public families to advocate, to call the capital, to demand that our legislators represent our needs, represent all our needs. So when you see the A throughF accountability ratings go throughout the state, just as Dr. Spicer said they changed the scoring mechanism during the summer after kids had already graduated. No school district knew that the changes were what the changes were were. So it was like playing
033a football game and not knowing if the referee knew the rules to the game or he was maybe a basketball softball referee but was coaching and refing football. We've got a problem. We are working hard for excellence. We do believe wisdom works wonders in this district. Please support our efforts. Contact your legislators and ask them. Tell them you are a voter. We need our public schools fully funded. Thank you. I appreciate um Trusty Patton's words. I just encourage everyone um it's alo okay to feel emotions. It's okay to feel upset. The main thing I would encourage everyone to do is vote, right? That's the main way to make sure your voice is heard. So um definitely contact your legislators, visit, have those discussions, but ultimately the the the best thing all of us can do
034is to make sure our voices are heard at the polls. Thank you so much, Mr. Davis. I think um um I think what you said, Dr. Spicer, is um spot on. It's one test. It's one day, and it doesn't account for all the hard work that our campus administrators, our teachers, even our students are putting in every day. And so two, um, I would just hope that, um, as we move forward, now that we know the rules to the game, as we mo move forward, let's set our goals. Let's set our our framework for these kids to make sure that they're they continue to be successful because I know they're being successful. um it's it's just um yeah, when they shift the the rules to the game after you've already played what you thought was
035the game, it gets a little wonky. And so just just again really want to say um thank you to our teachers, to our administrators, to every everyone in the admin building who's worked hard really um to help our students grow and achieve. Um, and yeah, we just we're going to reset. You shake it off and we're going to keep going. So, just yeah, don't want you to lose heart. We we'll as a board of trustees, we see your work. We see the hard work that you guys are doing. So, thank you for that. Thank you, trustees. Um, at this time I do have the honor of um introducing um the new University High School head football coach um as this is going to be my final um honor. So, Coach Charles Foster joined University High
036School in August of 2023 as defensive coordinator where he quickly earned the respect of athletes, staff, and the community. In a standout season for University High School football, the team achieved more than seven wins, marking the first time in the program had reached this milestone since the 1995 1996 season. These Trojans also posted one of the most dramatic defensive turnarounds in Texas high school football. In 2023, University's defense ranked as the second most improved in the state across all classifications, allowing just 19 points per game. Y'all think I know something about football, right? a significant improvement for 2021 when the team allowed an average of 53.8 points per game. Over the past 13 years, Foster has coached across several districts including Brian, Carper's Cove, Galina Park, Navasota, and Belleville. His wide-ranging experience includes not only
037football, but also coaching in powerlifting, track, and basketball. In the classroom, he has served as a physical education teacher and taught technology, business, and accounting, bringing a holistic approach to supporting students academically, and athletically. Foster was a standout football player as a student athlete at UFH, the University of Houston. He is also a proud son of a dedicated educator and a father. From what I have seen, Coach Foster begin brings an impressive blend of experience, vision, and heart to this position. He knows we are here to educate and he is committed to the excellence in the classroom. His ability to connect with students and motivate teams has already made a difference at UHS and we're excited to see how he continues to lead all of the campuses athletic programs into an even stronger future. At
038this time, please help me welcome Mr. Foster, Coach Foster, to the podium. Uh first of all, I just like to say thank you all for inviting me out. It's pretty awesome. Thank you. I really appreciate it. Uh second of all, I say it's an honor to be named coach at university and also athletic uh campus coordinator. It's something I've been dreaming of since I was a young child. Um second of all, I just like to say thank you. My family couldn't be here because we had a loss last week. Um you know, they're going through the backgrounds and deals like that. So um they're very supportive. I'd like to thank them. I'd like to thank uh Dr. Spicer for the support. Um also Dr. Johnson for being an awesome campus principal for us. I'd like
039to thank University High School for you know being there for me throughout this whole process. It shows that the city of Waco and South Waco is truly special. I'd like to also thank um the administration WD administration, the athletic uh offices too with Dr. Love, I'm sorry, Mr. Love and Mr. Rodney Smith, not Dr. But uh no, it truly is an awesome experience. It's uh my goal is to continue to love Southern Care. You know, that's our core values go by university and I want to make sure that you know these student athletes don't just excel on the field but also you know in the classroom because the main goal is they're a student before they're athletes. So I'm excited about that. I'm excited about um bridging the gap between Waco High and Mr. uh
040Coach Martinez. So I'm excited about that. We're going to have a community pep rally. We're going to stand by. We're going to bring purple and uh red together, you know, that's that's my main goal and we've been talking about it. So, we're going to have community pep rally. We're going to have fireworks, uh DJ playing, you know, and introduce all the sports. So, that's what I'm really excited about. But, I'm very thankful for this opportunity. It's it's it's a dream come true and um thank you all. I'm excited. [Applause] [Laughter] One more time. [Applause] That's all. Okay, moving on to um always exciting to see a new football coach, head football coach. Um moving on to item number six, information items and report. Mr. Mr. Grant, is there are there any questions on that item?
041No. Uh, Mr. Davis, any questions on that item? No. Uh, Mr. Vidon, any questions on that item? No. Uh, Mr. Gillery, any questions on that item? No. And Mr. Patton, any questions on that item? No, ma'am. Okay. Moving on to Okay. Uh, moving on to consent agenda. Uh, Mr. Davis. Uh, so sorry, wrong person. Mr. Grant. Uh, is there anything you would like pulled? No. Okay. Mr. Davis, anything you like pulled? Mr. Vonia? No. Uh, Mr. Gillery? 7E. 7E. Recuse. Okay. And Mr. Patton? No, ma'am. Okay. Uh, hearing that, I will um entertain a motion to accept the consent agenda as presented except for 7E. Do I have a motion? So move. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Grant. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Davis. Any discussion, Mr. um Grant? No. Any discussion,
042Mr. Davis? Any discussion, Mr. Vana? No. Any discussion, Mr. Giller? No. Any discussion, Mr. Patton? No, ma'am. Okay. All in favor say I. I. Uh, any opposed? Passes unanimously. On item um 7E, um I will entertain a motion for the bid award for maintenance, supplies, equipment, and services. I move. Thank you, Mr. Davis. Second by Mr. Patton. Um, is there any discussion, Mr. Grant? No. Any discussion, Mr. Davis? No. Any discussion, Mr. Vidonia? No. Any discussion, Mr. Patton? No, ma'am. Okay. Um, all in favor say I. I. Passes unanimously with Mr. Gillery recusing. Moving on to item number eight. review, discuss Kendrick Elementary School construction project and occupancy plan. Mrs. Vetta, I'm so excited about this one. I've been I look at it and then I go back and I look at it again. It's
043just amazing to see it come to fruition. Well, good evening there, Madame President, Dr. Spicer, members of the board. Yeah, there's a lot of buzz out there about the Kendrick Elementary School. That's for sure. Um, so we have an update for you on the progress and the next steps in the occupancy and Jared Sterszinger and Andrew Fast are going to share the update and then I'll give you a little bit more information on the occupancy process. Fantastic. Just the clicker. Thank you all very much. Great to be here to uh talk a little bit more about this amazing school we're about to hand over to you all. So, uh, first we wanted to just start off with kind of a time lapse here. Um, if you'll recall, back in January of 24 is when we
044first demoed out the old Kendrick and then kind of hit the races from there and started moving very quickly, as you can see, progressing through getting that foundation in and um, getting to where we are today. It's been a a fun journey seeing our design come to fruition uh in this this new building that we're um really almost about through with. So, we wanted to share a few uh photos. Um I know some of y'all have been out there fairly recently and we're always glad to have you out here again to tour it. But, uh this first slide shows you that main entrance. So, you can see that iconic V column there, the library on the left, and you'll go under that canopy to go into the main entrance. Uh the upper right photo shows
045you the um courtyard that's adjacent to the front entrance there right next to the library. A great outdoor learning opportunity. It has um some plant planner boxes there so the students can learn how to garden and learning all sorts of different things through this beautiful space. Uh out back here on the bottom right image is a an outdoor learning environment as well, but also a larger space that can do outdoor uh pep rallies or larger, you know, gatherings of the whole school potentially even um as that whole area just opens up to the back of the campus. Uh moving inside that first large image on your left is just as you enter the the school and you turn to your left after getting through the secure festival of course um you have a space for
046your rocking chairs there which is a really great cultural part of the existing and the old campus that we brought into the new design. So they'll have the same rocking chairs and some new ones that we're going to add there as a just a place for, you know, the the students to kind of decompress or, you know, go there and just choose a good book and read. It's really adjacent to the library, which is right behind it there. Uh the upper right kind of shows that that front entrance from the cafeteria behind you. And then the bottom right is that um kind of the inside of where that outdoor presentation area is, which is also our monumental stair. And it has those really cool windows with the the stained glass uh that brings in all
047this filtered light and making that a really really fun space and kind of a central core of the school is right there as they're coming in and out going up and down the stairs. They're going to pass by that every single day multiple times. Uh moving on here, this gives you an image of the library. Um so that large area is where your library stacks are going to be. You have that huge window letting all that natural light in in for uh for reading. There's a presentation area. You can see the main desk there right in the center. So that librarian has eyes on every inch of uh of the space. Uh a key feature is right in the center there, the puppet stage. Another uh very unique element to Kendrick that was a request
048by the by the campus that we were able to actualize here. A space for the students to come in and do little puppet shows and um have little presentations. So, it's a a really neat feature of the school. Uh you can just see another angle of the library um on the bottom right there. Um here also is the new gym that we were able to uh include as part of the project. Um if you'll recall, it was an alternate at first when we weren't sure if budgets were going to um to fit, but we we knew we really wanted to get it in, but thankfully BWCC has been a great construction partner. uh they were able to get this in budget, get all the alternates added into the project as well. Uh and in addition
049to this, we kept the existing gym if you'll recall, so that um you know can function as a a reset an indoor recess space for days like today when we have crazy storms roll through Waco. Um, but also we have the the new brand new gym as well that's state-of-the-line. Everything you're going to need, restrooms right there attached, the office and storage. And then actually access to a secured fenced area up through those doors um as well for some outdoor recess time when we have nicer days. Let's see. Okay. Um, moving into some classroom neighborhoods. This these images here kind of give you a picture of what a standard typical neighborhood uh is going to look like. All of them are fairly similar uh throughout the campus. Uh you'll see classrooms kind of surrounding this
050area and a set of doors right at the entrance of one of these neighborhoods as your lockdown point. So you kind of have the secure pod uh for each different grade level. Uh this one does have a collaboration space that teal room in the kind of center there um as a space for students to come and collaborate and hang out. Um as well as just that widened hallway which which can offer some collaboration space out inside the the learning neighborhood pod as well uh with the sink there for some you know light science uh opportunities as well. Um you have each neighborhood is branded with colors. So you can see the yellow one on the bottom, the teal one on the left. Um so that's helps wayfinding so students know I'm in the teal neighborhood
051and and they can make their way to to their their neighborhood. From there I'm going to pass it back to Gloria. Great. So, uh, we are 95% complete and we are ahead of schedule and under budget and so that that pretty much checks all our boxes there. [Applause] Um, but we got our first delivery of furniture on gosh, it was last week and I think by by next Tuesday we'll have it all there and we should be completed uh with all the furniture u in u early May and we are uh we did receive our stocking TCO obviously or we couldn't have uh done gone ahead with the furniture. Um um April 11th, we're aiming for our temporary certificate occupancy on May 22nd and then the full occupancy permit will be once everything is 100%
052done. Um but we will still be able to fully occupy with a temporary certificate of occupancy. Um teachers will be able to start working in their new school or start getting it ready on Saturday, May 17th. So, you know, we will be ready for them. Then the right now the the uh final key uh cores are being installed in the doors. We've got all this final work happening. Packing materials are being delivered to K to the Kendrick at Indian Springs um on May 2nd. And then we have a first move of anything they can do without between that period of time and the end of the school year so that we get a you know get a bunch of things moved over there and ready for them to get there on the 17th and the
053second move will be May 23rd after school is over. Um the district technology installation is is either ongoing or will start soon. There's uh some technology the district provides but the contractor installs and that's underway as well. Um, so all in all, we are we're right on schedule and right where we want to be. And we're very grateful that this um project is ahead like this because it lets us get almost finished with Kendrick before we start out before we start Waco High School, which we start getting furniture there next Monday. So any questions? I um am up here and just so incredibly thankful for the work. I'm like tearing up because I'm just so incredibly thankful for the work that you guys have done and know Robertson. I would have never dreamed of such
054an amazing partnership with you guys in the ways that you have carried our district and our students and have created such a beautiful project and product. um from a puppet. You know, I think of my own daughter and I'm like, she won't listen to me, but if you get puppets up there, you know, she'll listen to that. She's like in um and just even that little clay, that little castle clay. I mean, that's what we when we went to go visit these schools, we said, "We want these campuses to be like a museum. Like, we want them to be interactive and for kids to love and want to come to school." And just so so thankful. And I think you said my two favorite words, on time, under budget. And I just really I you
055know, I'm sitting here and I'm listening all this. I'm listening to the furniture. I'm listening. The teachers can get moved in on the 17th. And it is I am literally I just am so thankful. I really am so thankful. This was a long long process and we're we're finally getting to the end stage of it and I am so thankful just for the partnership. I'm so thankful for our administration and the what you the work that you guys have done and even Okonnell Robertson and all that you guys have done and uh I am I'm just so excited and the fact that teachers can start moving in on May 17th. I mean as a former teacher I'm like that is a dream. So just so thankful. I am so thankful. So I'm up here crying
056rhyme because I'm so thankful. They're coming back, right? They better come back. I'm Before you leave, I got to I got to give you a hug, Jerry. You know, but all right. I was making sure to I know. They got to come back. We're gonna come back in May, though. We have two more projects, y'all. So they'll be back. They'll be back next month. Wake and wake high. But we're w We're wrapping it up. So we're really close. Yes. So I appreciate you all. You guys have done a great job and your involvement with our district and our community is so commendable. So thank you for really becoming part of a family. It's that's awesome. We appreciate y'all a lot. Well, thank you. We're excited. Really excited. Thank [Applause] you. Okay, I have to clear
057my eyes so I can actually read here. Um I know Keith is telling me come on, pull it together stuff. Review, discuss, and Okay, we're going to move on to item number nine. review, discuss, take appropriate action on um Lonear program for improvement of mechanical engineering and plumbing MEP systems at various campuses. Miss Vetta, you are still the woman of the hour. You and Alex. I got a team. You got a team. Of course. Um in this next item, we're seeking the board's approval to continue the process securing a lowinterest loan through the State of Texas Lone Star program. We've received preliminary acceptance on this proposal. um Estus Mccclure engineering and al Alexander Voeva will provide an overview of the process that we're going through and the next steps and I would we would appreciate
058it if you could hold your questions to the end. It's kind of technical process and then they may get get answered before we get to the end but if they don't we're happy to take your questions Alex. Well uh good evening Dr. Spicer, members of the board, uh we're here to present the uh see alone uh program. Just just like uh Miss Beretta said, we do think that it's a great opportunity for the district. So, we just want to, you know, present the benefits of it. Uh what it really entails as far as the program. Uh we're going to have uh like we said, EMA is going to kick off the presentation and then I'll jump in uh as we progress with the presentation. Thank you, Alex. Uh thank you the board, Mr. Dr. Spicer.
059Uh it's a privilege to be here. We I've been working with EMA for 40 years and with Waco for over 30. So it's uh nice to be back. Uh SEO loan program was started many years ago. It's a problem funded by state. It actually came out of oil exile fund. Exxon did something wrong. State sued them. They got paid. And so has been using through these funds since the 80s to fund school proto school and public entities in energy management. Uh this program is a lonear program. It's a long it's a revolving loan program. So somebody else has got your money right now and they're paying it back and as they pay it back they can loan it to you. It's a maximum $6 million loan. It's a 2.5% interest which is a really good
060interest rate these days. So overall the loans is a simple payback based on energy savings. Uh it's up to 15 years and the payback will be structured in a way that you get positive cash flow from the energy savings. Some of t typical projects we see are energy efficient lighting systems uh LED lightings which you're most familiar with. Uh efficiency HVAC systems. We're going to be looking at chillers and stuff. uh energy and water systems, building shell improvements. You're going to see some of that on your buildings, and whole buildings commit commissioning, which is basically taking your building and optimizing it back to the way it was designed to operate. There's a the process we've already started the pre-process that was the application process in which we've been through with SECO. We did a preliminary
061energy audit, submitted it to them along with your application, and they've approved you for the loan. Now we have 140 days from that date to finish what they call a UR which is a more uh detailed energy report. So once we get that completed uh we'll move into the third party review of that process. All through this whole process uses thirdparty engineers that they pay to review everything that's done. Uh once that's done, you'll get SQL approvement then come back to you for final approvement to move into the implementation phase. Energy savings. This is what's from the preliminary energy report. Uh these are preliminary numbers just like it says. These are the numbers we come up that we submitted. So basically right now you're looking at a loan of $5.5 million with a with a
062payback of 9.82 years. As we crunch numbers, those numbers will change a little bit. But the final loan will be structured in such a way that you have positive cash flow. That's the way SECO structure it. They do not want it to be a burden to you. So the next graphic is really the uh the cost and the actual utilities for the district. Uh this is taken from uh the reports that we have to uh include in our website. uh this is taking in consideration the year 23 24. Uh we also recently implemented a new software that's uh going to be actually already in place. So we're breaking down the cost for the invoices, looking at all the details, making sure that the actual invoice is correct, making sure that the either charges that might
063be in there that we can uh come back and just uh get a resolution to them and just lower them are also included in there. also keeps track of the consumption including also how the weather affects that as well. So we're keeping track of all the uh the utilities throughout the district not only electrical, natural gas but also water uh as well. The next graphic is the scope of work or school and schools that are going to be included in that uh proposed uh uh loan. Uh Dean Highland is included in their HVAC replacement um which is we're targeting the chillers the same way with Cedar Ridge. Parkdale is a full replacement of our RTU units that we have there. They're over 20 years. So we have to replacement replace them. Uh we also have
064HVAC optimization. The automization is more dedicated into we have controls in all our schools. This is really to basically tie in those components into the replacements of the units. We're also targeting uh if you can see down the line there's the administration building is a chiller uh bell uh J chines the same. So we're doing sort of a met uh retrocommissioning uh in those uh systems to make them more efficient and by thus you know basically uh creating uh more uh less energy consumption because it's working more efficiently. Also, we're targeting interior lighting retrofit. Uh, if you can see, those campuses are the newer one with the exception of Caesar uh Chavez. Uh, we did uh invest money and we did invest time on retrofitting the other campuses that we have throughout the district with
065LED lighting. So, that has been already done. We still have these campuses to be uh completed into that package. That includes also exterior lighting for the sports complex. It's also the exterior lighting for the football stadium. Uh this is not only uh LED lighting, but it's also lighting that's going to improve the actual experience on the field. Uh the lighting that we have right now, it's pretty uh vintage. Uh then we have the uh the power factor correction smart bob. That's what we call our old schools. We call them vintage. Uh then we have the uh window film installation. Uh this is going to serve as a dual purpose. It also serves as security. Uh it's a shattered proof uh type of window film but also helps with the energy uh reducing the temperature inside
066the building. Okay. Once we get once we get through the the study process, uh the state approves it. Y'all will get to come back and say yes, we're we're going to commit to doing this. And then we'll start in the design phase of it, the engineering phase of it. And again, all through this phase, there's a third party engineer paid for by the state that reviews everything we do through the process. Uh once we get the plans built, we'll do through a bidding process as y'all instruct us to do. We can use whatever method y'all want to use. Uh again, through the construction process, we go through the whole review process with the state. again uh we close out, we do our verification on everything done. Uh then then we go s we have about
06760 days in which everything is wrapped up. The state commits you with the loan documents. The final uh and the final process is over. So here's our estimated timeline. Uh U has to be done within 140 days of uh a couple days ago when when we got the approval. So, so we're looking at July, finishing the UR and submitting it. We're giving the state four months to do their review, uh, negotiate contracts, get all that part done. Uh, we're we're allowing 18 months more or less for the construction process. We're actually taking it to through two summers. I don't know if y'all heard about supply chain issues. So, we're we hope we can do it quicker than this, but to be sure we can get through this any oopses we have on getting equipment and
068everything, uh, we're taking it to August 2027, which will put y'all's loan finalizing around October 2027. So, Kisha says factors, one, this program's been around a long time. I've worked on this program for 20 years. It's been around a long time. SECO's been around a long time. they know how to administer this program. The whole process has third-party review in it and that's SECO furnish third-party review. Uh we'll have monthly meetings. We'll stay with your staff. We'll know. We'll keep everybody advised what's going on. It's a one source funding so you're not going out and getting pieces and parts. It all comes together and experienced team. We've done this. We've done it many times. Uh your staff has been working on it about three years now. So, they're very familiar with it. and the SECO
069people are very good to work with and they've been around for a long time. So, Alex, so we're open to any questions uh that you might have. Oh, can you speak on from the third party review and the process there? What is what is the third party review piece that you were speaking on? Third party. The third party review. Yeah. SECO has engineers on staff. We used to be one of them. We don't have that contract anymore. Uh they have SEO on they have two or three engineers on staff or contract companies they contract out to that comes in and does those reviews financial attorney. So they will they'll review the the calculations and the projections and the plan to make sure that make sure it all fit that they agree that that it's it's
070valid and it's workable. Okay. They validate it. I think your first slide said that our annual gas and electrical bill is 2.9 million. Is that correct? I believe so. Any idea um if everything is optimized how that will be affected? Well, are we looking at a 5% savings, a 2% savings? I know we're going to be able to pay it back uh quicker. Now, we're projected at about a little over half a million dollars since a year. A year. That's what I thought. I saw that number. I I was hoping that was per year, not through the repayment. Wow. I had another question. This actually for for Cheryl behind the post. you're you're the keeper of the books and I want to know how do we do this in the past? How do we fund
071these types of projects in the past? Is this pretty normal as far as basically we have not um gone through one of these loan programs. We basically have funded it through the fund balance but as we have talked about we don't really have funding to available to do those kinds of projects at this point in time. Have you reviewed this and looked at the impact? Uh, no I have not. Um, SECO does have a very good reputation and business for a long time. I would be much more hesitant. There are private businesses out there that want to like want to do this sort of thing, but because of the um safeguards I think with the SECO program and having that extra review, I'm much more comfortable with it. So you're comfortable with it? I said
072more comfortable with it. Not necessarily. But yes, diverse. You know, I'm a finance person, so I'm always a little conservative of that. Yeah. So am I. Could I u get some explanation, please? Um this is not in my wheelhouse. uh when we're talking about HVAC optimization, can one of you explain to me what that means in gym patent terms? Up to you. Okay. Well, so there right now all our HVAC equipment is is remotely controlled. So we're looking at how the system behaves. uh the amount of for instance if we having a a cold day right we're looking at the system so we have this uh that it's cold free cooling so instead of just kicking off the units and let's say cooling the the building what we do is we open valves from the
073outside we bring outside air and we start cooling the building that way which is called free cooling because we're not using the systems right so the controls gives us all that sort of uh tools tools to really be more efficient with the system. Also tracking the system, making sure that it's working correctly, that the temperatures are set where they need to sit, that the equipment is not running, you know, full forced. Um, so that's really what this type of system does. Also, for our chillers, there's a lot of things that it does on its own because of the programming. So there is less uh human or staff that has to be dedicated at opening valves, closing valves. The system basically does everything automated but it has to be tracked if it makes sense. So will
074individual schools have control of their temperature? Right now we have in each every school and every location. So like a you know late night PTAs or or pancake suppers or enchilada dinners uh schools have control of the the temperature not schools. So they have we have a process in place. So whenever they're having after school events, they send in a work order with the event with the time frames that they want the HBAC to be uh kicked on, not kicked on but left in in uh occupied mode. So we give them uh that uh option of submitting the work orders doesn't mean that if we don't get a work order let's say that there's an event typically we get a phone call hey I thought we put in the work order we did not put
075it in you know can we have the AC so we can remotely access the system and turn on the uh you know put that in a comfortable temperature for the uh event. So leading all this, Miss Ber, my question is with future plans for Indian Spring Middle School, we're doing these updates on this school that we are unsure that it's going to be occupied. Are we doing that in case something happens or are we just doing it to I I I'm confused on that. And you know where I'm going with this. Yes. Uh I'm I'm confused why we would sink in money to a school that we know is going to be empty at least if not other things as well. Yes. So this is a long process and when we started this process we
076had it in there because it was was a long time ago and this was before all these other recent developments. Yes ma'am. And at this point we left it in the presentation today and we're going to continue but as we as we get closer to decision time that's when that may or may not be included. Okay. So that then that would decrease the amount of the loan or would that money go to some other school for some something like film installation. We may have to find another another school that we can add in and do some work there. We don't know that yet though. Okay. It because the calculation is based on payback. So you have to look at there's certain things that pay back faster than others. Right. So I don't understand what you're
077saying. Okay. So, as we as we as we don't we don't pay this much in utility cost, right? Yes, ma'am. We're only paying this much. Okay. If if we do something that reduces the amount of reduces a reduction, does that make sense? If it reduces that, then we have less to spend, right? So, we have to balance it. So, that's why these projects are all in here this way. I see. You see, so it's not we can't just take it out out. it will have an impact if we take it out. So we have to figure out what that impact is and maybe there's some other way we we can do something else. So we are not locked in stone for this spreadsheet that you showed per school there. There there is that flexibility should
078something change especially like with Indian spring. Correct. Yes. Um I mean not for a long term but for the short term before we get to the final agreement. Yes. And you said that this is repaying Miss Davis uh someone over nine years. Yeah. 9.8 right now is the calculation. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. I um thank you so much for this presentation. I look at the 2.5% and I think wow that's great. And I think Miss Davis hit the nail on the head. we don't have extra money laying around for these kind of optimizations and energy savings cost. And you know, I I think um we bought our house when it was vacant and they ran the air conditioning in there because they didn't want it to deteriorate because of the house gets hot and
079cold, the humidity, all that. It deteriorates. So, I do know that I would assume the same. Although Indian Spring feels a bit um in limbo right now as to how we're going to utilize that campus, I I would think we'd probably still have to run some HVAC and continue to do some upkeep um with that in the in the interim time. So, I I really want to thank your team. I do love the third party what Mr. Lisa, the third party um kind of laying eyes on this is always a a great um kind of security blanket in all this and making sure that we really are kind of dotting our eyes and crossing our tees and making sure that we're doing kind of the cost effective thing for um for these campuses. So, thank
080you. Yeah. Yeah, Mr. Real quick, I I think a key to this that we got we we need to hone in on is that we're not doing this so that schools are colder. We're not doing it those are kind of perks. We're doing this to save money and be more efficient. And so um in the long run uh our utilities and other things are going to come down uh just as our repayment goes down. So, if the third party calculation is correct, then um this is a wash and we have more efficient facilities that will then when it's repaid save us $500,000 a year that we're not repaying when it's done. So, so yes, we will have better systems. We will have uh windows with film. We will have lots of wonderful improvements, but the
081reason that we're doing this is to be more efficient financially. And so we will get the bang for less buck is is the amazing part. We will have better schools um that cost less. Yeah. And so it it's not just making them colder or safer. Those are wonderful things. They will also be less expensive to maintain. Oh yes, Miss Davis, you're coming back. Of course, please. Well, one of the things I do do want to say is this is alone, but um we have done some projects similar to this also through bond money or leftover bond money. There are bills in front of the legislature this session that would make it very very difficult for a district to do that with leftover bond money or to do any kind of deferred maintenance with bond bond
082money. So this that avenue may no longer be available to us for these kinds of projects. So I think this is probably a good time to do something like this. Thank you, Miss Davis. Okay. The the voice of hope. Kind of tongue and cheek on that one. Um okay. So, um, hearing that, I will entertain a motion to I entertain a motion to approve to proceed with the SEC code longstar program to improve the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems across multiple campuses, energy efficiencies, sustainability, and long-term cost reduction. I love that, Mr. Gillery. Very clear, very concise. Thank you, Mr. Gilly. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Davis. Um, any more discussion, Mr. Grant? No. Any more discussion, Mr. Davis? No. Any discussion, Mr. Vania? No. Any discussion, Mr. Giller? No. Any
083discussion, Mr. Patton? No, ma'am. Okay, hearing none, I will entertain a motion. All in favor, say I. I. I. Any opposed? Passes unanimously. Thank you so much for all of your hard work. Okay, moving on to item number 10. That's mine. review and discuss report on board member continuing education credit. Um let me pull up a little thing here. It says uh I as a board president may require to announce the names of each member who as of that member's anniversaries of the election or the appointment of the board has completed the required continuing education has exceeded their required continuing education and is deficient in meeting the required continuing education. I'm also required to announce that the completing of the required continuing education is a basic obligation and expectation of any sitting board member under
084the state board of education rule. Waco ISD board members Stephanie Cordway, Jose Vana, Jeremy Davis, Keith Gillery, Angelo AOA, and Jim Patton have all completed and exceeded their required continuing education. Jonathan Grant has not met the required continuing education requirements. However, he will no longer be serving on the board after the May election. So he decided not to do them. Um yeah, so thank you so much. Uh yeah, thank you guys for getting all of that in. Uh really appreciate you um taking time out of your day to do all these required continuing education courses and not getting paid for it. Thank you. Uh Dr. Spicer, announcements. getting an update from WSD uh stadium right now about softball. So, we're currently in uh the softball playoff game one at Waco ICD Stadium. According to Coach
085Foster, at 7:29, we hit a home run and so we are now at 23 down just one, okay, in the bottom of the third. So, keep going Lady Trojans. Um after tonight's game, um Lady Trojans will be on the road in a two out of three series with game two Friday at Midlotheian Heritage at 5:00 PM. Um if needed, the game three will be 30 minutes after the ending of game two. So let's go Lady Trojans. Um, PreK Roundup this Saturday, the fun and excitement of our annual PreK Roundup takes over the Waco ISD Stadium parking lot um, from 9:00 am to 2 PM. If you know any families who will be uh, who have will have a four-year-old by September 1, please encourage them to attend. It's a really, really great fun event that
086brings out all departments um, to get families excited about that early childhood opportunity. For those who can't attend or have questions, our early childhood team will be operating their pre-K hotline. That number is on social media, on our website, and I'll say it here. 254-7990035. Um, we talked about voting. Trusty Davis, early voting started Tuesday and continues through April 29th for the May 3rd 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. More information is available on our website at wacoisd.orglections. May 14th, there will be a brief brief meeting at 1:30 to canvas our election results. Um, and then the next regular meeting is the following day, May 15th. We are entering the
087time of year where we are um preparing through our HR department to celebrate and recognize a lot of staff along along with some other special traditions. This week you should have received information um in an email about an exciting annual tradition that our Waco ISD education foundation uh conducts and spreads cheer across uh the district. Please let us know if you may need any more information to be able to join in that opportunity. our Waco ISD outstanding teacher of the year event this year will be an evening reception at the Lee Lockwood Library on May 8th and our breakfast honoring retirees for their service is later next month on May 20th at 9:00 a.m. at the AC Hotel. We're changing it up a little bit this year. Wow. Um, and while we're talking about individuals
088worthy of celebration and recognition, and this does not bring me much joy to recognize um, trustee Jonathan Grant as his last um, official meeting here sitting on the board. Through his three years on the board, Mr. Grant has embodied servant leadership and his wisdom and heart and commitment to our community has meant so much to so many of us. if you have had the chance to hear his wisdom like he just shared right now putting into perspective that really complicated presentation um for any of the other moments that he's brought us all together with his words or his kindness or his heart for the service um we we appreciate you Mr. Grant, I think other folks have some words they want to share. Well, I would like to take this time to say thank you
089um for being a part of the process and choosing me to serve here. I'm honored to serve. Thank you for your trust. Thank you for your belief in me. And thank you for just ensuring that we are set up to be successful. Although you're stepping off the board, I do believe that you're still going to be a valued part of this team, this community, and the work that we get to do. So, thank you for being a part of my foundation here in Waco ID in Waco, Texas. That's great. Um, I've known uh Trustee Grant for a number of years and um I have come as my time on the board with Jonathan, I've come to have a deeper understanding of how his u mind and his motivations lead him forward. Um, he has a
090heart for people. He has a heart for our district and has a strong desire to see Waco as a city to be um more productive and to continue to grow and be successful. Uh, I will miss the uh business aspect that Jonathan brings to to our our board. uh his understanding of construction has been so reliable when we have discussions about our new buildings or or project costs and like you said tonight he put in perspective something that I was not understanding and uh for that I appreciate and am grateful for the leadership that you have shown on our board and you will be missed. I just the same thing. I just want to say thank you for uh the three years you gave us and uh just watching football with you. Watching your son
091play was was exciting even though you're on the sideline a lot of times with your son. It was it's it's a great we had some good times. Um learned a lot from you and you're you're a good person. Thank you. Yeah, I'm not going to be long. Um, we have another meeting after this one, but uh, not till 8:00. And I don't want to hold you up cuz I can I can tell you're ready to go. But man, hey, good luck in your um, future endeavors. I know you in the real estate world and I wish you well. [Music] Yeah, same. I'll keep it brief, but uh, good luck with your next steps. I appreciate you for uh, giving your heart to the community. So, just look forward to how you'll continue to better the
092Waco community after this. Well, I'm not going to keep it brief. I u am so deeply thankful for you, Jonathan. I think um just being on from on this board uh you know, we don't always see eye to eye, but we always get through it. And I think I really value that about you and how you approach things. I really value your perspective. And um you know you're kind of you know I think uh Elizabeth said it well when she said that you're you have the way this way of words smmithing things to make a a point very clear concise and I think that ability to communicate that way is really a gift. And so I'm just so thankful for your service on this board. Um, I also think you're large in stature and tall,
093but you really are, people said it right here, your heart. You really are just a big huge softy inside who cares for people and really does love people. And so, I'm just I'm so thankful I got to see that. And I agree with Jose. I love watching sports games with you. Oh my gosh, you just take it up like another level in football, watching you on the sidelines with your son, getting the booster club started again. And for for not only for your son, but for the kids there, Waco High football, I just really admire that passion and the desire to to not only just help your family, but really help a community. And so I'm just so thankful and I can't wait to see all the great things that you continue to do. and
094I look forward to your leadership, your continued leadership um in this community. So, so thankful for you, Grant. We do have a little something for you from the trustees and from leadership team as well, too. Thank you. Uh just really briefly, thank you. Um uh you don't run for this role for the glamour or for the pay. I wish I'd have known that. I'll say to all of you, this is hard work. This board does really hard work. We hear the hard parts of what's happening in the district. Uh and we hear a lot of the great parts that's happening in the district. And the job is to um find a way to move forward in a way that is best for the students of this district. And you have a board all the way
095across that's committed to doing that. We're very different. We come from very different perspectives. Everybody on this dis is 100% invested making Waco a better place and I'm grateful for that. I am a ardent supporter of public education, but I'm also an ardent supporter of diverse public education. My I grew up in San Antonio Independent School District, much like Waco. Um, we kept our children in Waco ISD specifically uh so that they could live in a world that is much like the world that they will enter when they graduate. Um, and we found it and they they're thriving. Uh, they are out. Um, but to the teachers, principles, administrators, um, I am so grateful for you. I really am. This is the work you do is is harder than the work I do. um and
096um you keep doing it. Uh the state is making it harder and harder for you to keep doing it and I'm sorry for that. I am going to always I like to fight. Um I love to fight. Um and I'm going out. Uh we don't have leadership in place right now that's supporting you and I'm sorry about that. Um I am going to fight like heck to um to change that. But I'm here. Uh, my skill sets are still the same and will be and if I can be of help, um, I'm here. So, thank you so much. I'm honored. I'm also tired. So, um, I'm delighted to have served these three years. [Applause] Thank you. I can't really top any of that, but Mr. Patton, let me know I forgot something that's happening tomorrow
097night. An evening of jazz. Not something anyone would want to miss. Um, featuring performances by Tennyson Middle School, University High School, and Waco High School. A great opportunity to see the incredible fine arts program on display. And it will be at Tennyson Middle School at 6 PM. Enjoy. Thank you. Hey, thank you so much. Um, okay. At 7:40 we will be adjourned.