001Good evening, Mr. President, board members, Dr. Trevinho. Uh, today I'm here to give you a school board report on Senate Bill 546. Uh, Senate Bill uh 546 was enacted to improve [clears throat] the student transportation safety by expanding uh the requirements of the threepoint seat belts to transport our our children. A little bit of background. This uh came about due to a a major accident that occurred back in 2024 in Hes ISD. Lawmakers sought to improve student protection during transportation by increasing seat belt requirements statewide. Some of the provisions or key provisions that this is going to require school buses used to transport students to be equipped with a three-point uh seat belts. removes pro prior exemptions from many many older buses. Before if they didn't have them that we would get exempt from not
002having them, but now they brought it back. So, all buses must have the threepoint uh seat belt. Allowing districts to determine the budget budget limitations uh prevent compliance allows an exemption when upgrading would void the manufacturers's warranty. uh authorizes districts to accept uh gifts, grants, and donations to help with compliance. Uh the responsibility of the board if the board determines that this cannot be fully uh uh funded or due to budget constraints, right? It must uh formally document that determination. You all would have to present this uh to the public or publicly and submit a report to TEA. That report must include the number of buses that have no seat belt, the number of buses that have the two uh uh point uh seat belt and the number of buses that have the threepoint seat
003belts. Okay. And of course, the estimated cost to upgrade or replace the seat belts and the buses that don't have it. Uh the financial impact district cost may be significant. Some districts have reported of course our bigger districts. This is the report that we got multi-purpose multi-million sorry dollar compliance estimate due to be buzz replacement and upgrade needs. For example, just here in Larredo, uh they're estimating at about $17 million. That's what it would take for them to upgrade their fleet to have the three-point seat belt or replacing the older school buses. >> Mr. Morales, do you have an example or a sample from a local district that is comparable to like the moneywise? moneywise, no. But for us, I'm gonna if right here, whenever we're done with the report, if I have some numbers
004and and I can give you the numbers now, >> right now, based on the fleet that we have, be due to the fact that we already knew that this was coming, all the new buses that we've been working on that plan, buying two, three per year, all those new buses have the threepoint seat belt already. Okay? So, we currently have 12 buses that do not meet the criteria whether they have the two or no seat belts at all. Those were the ones the older ones. And just to just uh we just got an upgrade updated amount because we had already reported this to TEA back in December. Uh it's it's going to cost the district somewhere between 335 to 340,000 to upgrade on RP to the threepoint seat belt system. How many buses is that?
005>> 12. Yes. >> And is that something that can be done locally or is that something that we have to send? >> So, we have to send them out due to make sure that they're going to be if something happens, >> it doesn't the the the district will not be >> liable for anything. We we need to have that that >> liability from those the ones that are certified to install those seat belts. >> They are in compliance. How many are >> we have? About 18 of them. All the new ones. So, can we sell those and buy new ones? >> We can sell those and buy new ones, but if we sell them, let me give you an example. Uh, I think we got like maybe two $3,000 at the most for one bus
006and we're paying >> 300 and some,000 for one new bus. >> 2 3,000 for one bus to fix. >> No, to sell. >> You'll sell it for 3,000, but it cost 350,000 for a new one. That's That was a question, right? To fix >> like to comply with you're talking about 300,000 for all >> of them. >> For all of them. >> All of them is nine. >> No, it's 12 buses. >> 12. It's about 30 30,000 per bus, give or take, >> more or less. >> It ranges between 33 to 35,000 per bus. Are there any available grants that we could maybe >> That's why that once we submit all those reports to TA and that's on the next on this slide right here. TA will compile statewide cost data and report funding needs
007to state leaders. So hopefully after they look at all the districts hopefully there's going to be something unfunded mandate that they make this requirement but then there's no funding for it. So what they're trying to do is collect the data. So the board if you go back a slide please Pete the board we have to I guess in in no one more where this board so we would have to determine I guess formally in an in a presentation or I don't know if this counts as that but to be able to say $350,000 $400,000 is not cost effective for us to do that with when we're facing a $3 million budget deficit. And so when you document that, then that gets reported to the state and then they they're they're going to start collecting because
008most districts are going to be in that situation. I mean, United, I don't know how they're going to do it. They're they're already whatever there are, you know, $24 million deficit and then they're going to have to do a $17 million expenditure >> eventually. We're hoping that there's going to be grant money out there. And again, this is not an overnight thing. We have two years to comply. We go back to the last this started way back on September 1st of last year. We did some reporting throughout the year. Then we have to bring and report this to the to the board. >> You have three years. >> Three years. >> No, no, I was talking. We started in September of 25 last year. So up to this point, we submitted everything they wanted. So
009now we have until September 1st of 2029 to be in compliance. >> We have three more years. So we have 26 27 27 28 28 29 to start the 29 uh 30 school year. >> But some of these buses I mean this year how many times did our buses get stalled >> at least twice that I know that I'm aware of. >> Yeah, but those are things that >> and and and those are the newer ones. So it's those are things beyond our control. So the ones who messed up were not the old ones. I think that needs to be clarified. >> We do not send old buses out of town. All the new buses are the new fleet. The yellow fleet are the ones that go out. >> Yes. >> We send the best
010buses out there. >> And of course, sometimes it's just like anything. >> It's beyond control. >> Yeah. >> The compressor goes out on the AC. We have to send another bus to go pick them up. It happens. And luckily we have a good relationship with many districts here around our area. So just like we sometimes when they're having tr problems here, >> they take our buses and then we just try to help each other out because at the end of the day it's all about kids. >> So if we then if we approve to comply with it, it's basically 110 120,000 per year for the next three years. >> We're we're good. >> Okay. But let this is just a report item. We're not going to take action on it because we don't know if
011there's any grants or anything that are going to be out there where we might be able to get some state aid to fund. >> So, we're taking this information. We're going to submit it to TEA. >> Right. Well, the the this information has already been submitted back in December. >> So, everything pretty much stays the same with as far as what we plan for as far as the fleet swap and those that are coming in. every year that we where we continue with the plan of buying new buses every year. >> All those buses are going to be in compliance already. We do it we've been doing that for the last I don't know how many years with getting the new buses. The only thing that really changes is that we have an opportunity to
012for the grant to be able if they do Yeah. If they do offer us a grant, we'll have an opportunity, >> right? If it's the older older models, hopefully they have a grant where if it's from this year to this year, there's this amount of money to help you with offset the cost of a new one, then replacing those, and then then we can go ahead and sell those those older ones. >> Is there is there like a lot of recalls on these buses, brand new buses? I mean it's like the new cars you go and take it off a lot and then >> for the most part in in general it's some has sometimes it's bas mostly the AC recall that we get because the thing is that they built the bus at one
013area then they send it to Mr. like an example to Mr. Garcia's place, they're going to fix the AC and then they send it to another person to do the seat belts. So, by the time it gets to us, there's they've been to two, three different places, right? So, uh but and not all buses, it's just like not all new cars get recalls, right? So, it's just one or two here and there, but again, sometimes when things happen, it's beyond our control. And I know the first one that they call is me to play me. Okay, you're just sending the old buses. That's that's never the case. We try to send our best buses. >> I just think that people need to know that because if for example, if I would know that and somebody
014tells me that I'm also going to assume that you we sent a bad bus when in reality that was never the case. But if you don't let us know, >> then we need to let them I think it's our responsibility to let the community know that that never happened because it's not fair to you or to us or to the kids for people to think that. >> Right. >> Mr. President, this is an action item. We need a direct administration to >> record collected data and so forth as you as you read there. >> So a possible action, >> right? >> Yeah. >> So it is an action item >> and at this point it would be a motion to direct district administration to collect the data necessary to be able to provide TA with
015that report. So if you could read from district record collected. >> Okay. Need a motion for district owned and contracted buses for the purpose of fulfilling reporting requirements under SP 526 for the purpose of collecting data. >> I'll make I'll make a motion. >> We're already motion. >> So it's to collect data. It's not I'm sorry. It's not saying that we're saying no yet until further not. >> Exactly. It's just to collect the data. >> We're just submitting data to >> Right. And then once we have all the >> once we have all the information I'll come back to you all. This is what we need to do. Are we going to be able to fund it not funded? And then at that time that's when we have to send do the the the three-step
016criteria. >> So motion was made by Garcia second by Gonzalez. All those in favor >> motion carries. >> Thank you Pete. Um item D2 poss discussion of possible action regarding approval of CASBY update 127. Okay. >> Good evening uh Mr. President, board members, Dr. Dinoho. Uh this is a very short update. Uh 127 if you recall in the 89th legislative session passed and uh some time back. So this is a non-legislative session year. But there's some issues that kind of stayed uh unresolved and these are the nine uh local policies that it affects. I assure you that the policies that it affects are very minor updates. Um and as we sit right now will not affect uh any of our board if our of our operations in the district. Uh the first one is the
017superintendent's bond renewal. If you recall, Senate Bill 12 uh included the wording of DEI instruction and prohibited the instruction of uh diversity, equity, and inclusion. that is now included in a uh a reason for non-renewal uh of a superintendent. This was included for non-renewals for staff members, employees, teachers and whatnot, but it was not included in the superintendent's uh policy of BGCF. So that has been uh included. Now uh following that one was C is CAA that's the fiscal management and goals objectives on on financial ethics. [clears throat] this policy changed in update 126. A new policy, DHA, was created. These are little residual things that happened that they didn't update uh this policy to reflect that to to refer to DHA, a policy that you all already approved on update 126. Again, a couple
018of references rather than than referring to DH local, it's going to refer to DHA local. So little things like that that are have been scattered out throughout the this uh particular um CAA local uh DC employment practices very minor changes again going back to the DCA everything was being was being uh focused to DC to DH local that does not exist anymore so it's creating uh it's updating that to DHA legal throughout the throughout that particular um update now on um personnel positions DP and that one's a little bit different. We're removing that policy uh and replacing it with policy DPA. So that policy has to do with qualifications for principles and qualifications for counselors. So it in essence was split up into DPA and DPD. DPA would be for principles and DPD. DPB would
019be for uh for counselors. And what that policy simply says is in addition to minimum education certification requirements established by the job description, the principal shall at least and then it talks about have working knowledge of curriculum and instruction, evaluate uh the ability to evaluate instruction program, teaching effectiveness, uh ability to implement policies, interpret data, strong communication skills. So it just labels out um or rather uh numbers out the the the minimum qualifications of a principal in our school. Same thing for uh DP B as I as I mentioned we are are removing DP. So now we need somewhere where our our counselor's role needs to be uh housed, right? And that part of it talks about the 80% uh requirement for counseling on on each of our uh counselors for the comprehensive school counseling
020program. So the the practice the requirements the wording didn't change. It's just that we split into two different policies. So, so that's what uh what what they did there. Uh moving on to um EHB. This is the the GT program. Uh this changed some areas on on the GT program to uh if you recall on update 126, there's some things that were that were updated with GT. That was a little a little item that that the legislators kind of focused on uh with funding and other requirements. Well, this is catching up with that that some things that we missed. For example, if uh the selection process uh relies on a matrix, the use of the scoring based race, the use of scoring value based on race, ethnicity, uh sex, sexual uh social, economic status, and
021disability shall be prohibited. So, a very, you know, simple mistake that they forgot to add that we have to make sure that if we do have a matrix, it does not have anything that that has any value on a protected class. And uh lastly on our student safety uh and wellness on this one for the purpose of this policy uh misconduct was a was a little bit more specific and it's uh specifically says u alleged abuse or commission of of on otherwise unlawful act uh involvement in or soliciting in a romantic relationship uh or engaging in sexual contact with a student. And then in this is brand new engaging in inappropriate communications with a student and then failing to maintain appropriate boundaries with a student. This is all under uh student welfare and student safety
022that we shall notify the parent of a student who is of a district employee or person acting in service of the provider for the district is alleged of doing. >> I must notify the parent if these uh if these uh actions uh were to be taken. So, it kind of gave gave us a little bit more guidance on what to >> I have a quick question. When they talk about I mean I know this has to do with sexual misconduct, but when they're talking about inappropriate communications, is that solely based on a sexual nature or who defines what's inappropriate? >> It it Well, there is actually statue there's a definition of what inappropriate communication would be, but it can be it doesn't have to be sexual. It can be grooming. It can be discussing with
023a student after hours right at night and >> not discussing regarding Yeah. Not not related >> outside of the the the rules that we have that you cannot communicate of. >> Exactly. >> Very good uh clarification point. Yes. Uh at this time, Mr. President, I request a motion to have this update 127 approved. >> Okay. Motion by Mike Morales, second by favor. >> Thank you so much. Thank you, Rajie. Uh, item D3, approval of contracts and contracts and purchases over 25,000 and the fund balance. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Ramides. Good evening, members of the board. At this time, the Department of Finance recommends approval of the contract purchases over 25,000 or from committed fund balance. This will be the district's ninth uh request. Um, as you can see, um, the first request that we're
024requesting, and I I don't know why the column didn't come out, but the Department of Support Services and Operations last week received a a work order that the high school elevator was not functioning. um they went out and assessed the issue and one of the components on the doors needs to be completely replaced uh because it it deals with compliance. Um thank goodness we're not having summer school at the high school, but this is considered uh an an emergency request to the board because we have to get it fixed. um that's going to cost about the district $30,000. Um the second request that we received because I came to the board requesting uh the approval to um to allocate 30,000 from our fund balance for the elevator. Um the theater department requested um upgrade to
025their laser. Connie, >> the it's the uh >> it's a throw a projector for when they travel and they're able to project onto the side that white screen in the back. >> So, that is a really hefty piece of equipment. That's going to be approximately 60,000. However, um uh we are we submitted a request to TEA under fund 289 title 4 to pay for that purchase and that will be through um through um title funds. So at this time I'm requesting board approval for those over excuse me >> title four title four um at this time I'm requesting approval for over 25,000 Do you all have any questions? >> Make a motion to >> approve the the uh recommendation as a motion by second by all those in favor. >> Thank you. Uh item number
026four, >> Mr. Rome, I respectfully request this to be sent taken to executive. >> Okay. Um Okay. Okay. Approval to reclassify the position of pay per specialist PG6 pay grade 6 on administrative tech table to accounting associate pay grade three under administrative professional. I'd like a motion to table this item >> table to 1.074. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> I motion to move it to close session pursuant to 5 1.074. >> Okay. Motion by >> second byes. All those in favor? >> Motion carries. Um and then >> Mr. I'd like to request that is the move item F1 into um open session as a discussion possible action to adopt resolution dedicating the high school auditorium. The Nelli Garcia Performing Arts Auditorium in accordance to the CW local Okay, I need a motion for that. >>
027Motion to approve. >> Or me. Well, you made the motion, right? Or you >> to move it to close. >> Move it to open session. >> Motion by >> It can't be closed. >> Oh, it has to be open. Yes. >> No. Well, it's already in. >> It's No, right now it's in open after the close session items. >> So technically what we would like just for the structure of the meeting to move it from F1 to D5. >> Oh, so that we don't make it's not discussed and closed. Any action is taken now and then >> have one. >> So any discussion? >> It will be an open session. >> So what are you saying that we cannot discuss it in open? >> You can't discuss it in open. You can't discuss it in
028closed. So it would be a motion discuss. >> There would be a motion to move it from F1. >> Yes. >> D5 to D5. >> So we need that first. >> Okay. Motion to move from Atlanta to second. >> Motion by Seva. Second by >> Dora. All those in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Now, >> now that it's in open session, we need to move it. >> We can we would be discussed here in open s. >> So, we already moved to go to close session. So, can we come back and discuss it? >> Oh, I didn't hear a motion to go to close session yet. Oh no, we haven't discussed. >> We will now go to close session. >> No, we have to discuss it. We're going to discuss item. >> If you if
029you all would like to make a take any action on this item today would it would be before you all go into close session. >> Right. So it would be discussed right now. >> Deliberation regarding naming this vicinity, whether or not y'all want to change it. Pursuant to CW local, you all can for three reasons, right? name a facility. One of them being name it after somebody who served the community. >> But why can't we take it to close session? >> There's no TOMA exceptions where we're able to bring it. It's not an employment matter. It's our contract. It's a facility. >> So TOMA discuss. >> Yes. >> So >> let's discuss. >> So I think the recommendation if I can just preface it before you all discuss because it is your item. Um I
030think you know we know the history that Miss Nelly Garcia Buer or Guer Garcia has um in our district and what she's brought to the fine arts program uh for Sapata ISD uh when she retired last year. I think um you know she left with her head high because we have had many accolades and she's really left her mark on the program. Um there have been uh requests from community from students and community members that they would like to honor her and her contribution to the fine arts program in the district after how many years was she with us? >> 30 something years >> 36 or 38 >> 38 years. And so that's where this is stemming from. and our our website continues our fine arts program continue and this is all of our fine
031arts continue to excel you know in everything that they do. So, >> don't forget the nine state. >> Yeah. The the the state the state showings and the titles that they've won and really just the caliber of student that they produce. Um, and and just personally speaking with what I see the growth that that I've seen in the students from when they enter, you know, those kids that start one at play in junior high, but when they enter into high school and the growth that they have and by the time they're seniors is just really monumental and uh their level of confidence and all of those things, which many people do that, you know, contribute that way, but I think it's fitting for her. But that's the history behind it. >> I think the I
032think in in my part for uh for consideration of naming anything in our district, the fact that the program has achieved a ninetime state appearances and twice as one state in an additional time has uh placed uh in the top three which they metal this this past year. And then echoing what you just mentioned in terms of the the product that they've been producing year after year in and the program u the students that the uh level of of achievement that the I think maybe eight out of the 10 kids in the top 10 and plus many others that have come through the program throughout the years have have demonstrated that u I think it's fitting that that something of this recognition would would be uh merited. I think it's also a thing that the
033board has to consider is that when you you know what like what criteria I mean there is criteria in policy um that that will follow you know and being very judicious about the naming of facilities right because um you know there's obviously opportunity for other things to service >> I believe she that's an honor that's welld deserved I believe that you know having had her with us so many years plus everything she's accomplished for us and for our kids. You know, it merits that plus way more to me. That's my opinion. I believe that there shouldn't even be a question on that. But then again, that's me. I think that if the kids themselves are asking for that kind of merit, uh it's the least we can do for somebody like her and I wouldn't
034be hesitant unless somebody else has something else to say about that. >> I think it's very fitting. I mean, the success she really put a stamp on the community, a high goal for everybody to follow. It's very commendable and I think it's very fitting and I I have been checking into this uh because I know I may be mistaken but when we came in as new board members I think there was some talk about possibly naming uh yeah >> so u I'm very pleased that they brought it back. It's very fitting. >> I'm sure that nobody up here takes uh meaning building or any part of our district uh after anybody. I know that everybody is takes true consideration. I'm glad this like you said, Mr. Garcia, this was brought to attention. Once again, um
035I will say that I think this is not only an honor for Mrs. Garcia, I think this is an honor for our district. I personally can remember um being one of her students. We our our drama was It's not even there anymore. Our stage was what was for me old middle school and that's where we she taught us that's where she told us to protect our boys and it's a history of just having so many students that was more than 30 years ago. So she's left a legacy here in Sapata and I think that the best way for anybody to honor that legacy that she left with us is by doing this. I think it's an honor to us and to her and I'm very happy that this is >> and I think to your
036point all of the current directors are students of hers that that were part of her one act program and they've developed into um outstanding theater directors and fine arts >> educators >> and educators >> and yeah and educators >> educators and directors >> that kind of fashion contagious that's what [clears throat] we want to to have representing South >> so We we'd love to be able to have this problem more often [laughter] >> so that that we're discussing, you know, other other uh programs uh achieving such great success and for us to be able to finding uh uh things to to name after uh high success. We we want to commend the that chief. All right. Then >> so I'd like to propose that we make uh or take action to adopt a resolution dedicating
037and naming the Sabbata High School auditorium Garcia Garcia Performing Arts Auditorium in accordance with WCW. Second by Martales. All those in favor raise your right hand. Motion. [applause] Okay, we will now go to close session to section 551.071 and 55.074 of the Texas government code and it is 604. Can you refresh? Let's go ahead and start. coming back from executive session and it is uh 6:43 p.m. And I'd like to go back to item uh action item D4 approval to reclassify the position of payment specialist pay grade 6 administrative tech table to accounting associate pay grade three under the administrative professional table. >> Thank you Mr. May. uh administration seeks approval uh to reclassify the position as stated uh and is presented in executive session. >> Motion second by all those in favor. >> I
038motion carries and then I'd like to go back to approval regarding F2 approval regarding the recommendation for assistant principal position. >> Thank you Mr. Mr. President, at this time I'd like to recommend Missisa Gasa as the assistant principal for Sapata High School. >> Motion by second by Garcia. All those in favor raise your hand. >> Motion carries. That is it. Any other items? >> The schoolboard conference. >> School will be traveling tomorrow for our schoolboard conference. wear your gray shirt for >> and then you can change >> tomorrow. >> No, we're traveling tomorrow. >> So, the gray shirt is for >> Friday. >> Okay. >> Friday. What about Thursday? >> Whatever your heart's desire. You want to wear a threepiece suit? >> There's a motion to change uh the shirt from gray to black. [laughter]
039>> Can we >> Is that Is that a motion? >> Women by to this meeting. Second by Manuel Hernandez.