001All right. Good evening, board members, Dr. Cruz, district staff. The time is 6 o'clock. This is the 23rd day of July, 2025, and I call this regular board meeting of the United School Board of Trustees to order. May the trustees present please announce their uh name for the record. Rudy Gonzalez present. >> Oliver present. >> Ramro the third present. >> Montayor present. Let the record show that a quorum of board members is present, that this meeting has been duly called, and that notice of this meeting has been posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. Agenda item number two, pledge of allegiance and the Texas pledge. Larry, please rise. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible,
002with liberty and justice for all. >> Honor the flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas. One state under God, one indivisible. >> Thank you. Agenda item number three, recognitions. I don't think we have >> agenda item four, public comments. >> Uh yes, Mr. President, we have one uh signed uh individual for public comments, Mr. David Perez. >> Mr. Pettis, good evening, sir. Good evening, members of the board, Dr. Cruz, members of the audience. For the record, my name is David Pettis, president of the United CTA, 26-year educator with UISD, parent of three UISD students, and a UISD taxpayer. I come before you today to speak about First Amendment rights. In my many years of attending board meetings, I have been witnessing many opinions, some positive, some negative. Lately, certain advocacy groups have been most critical
003of USD administration, district operations, etc. It had gotten to the point where two advisory me I mean advocacy members were banned from the district meetings. However, let me be clear. These two individuals did not lose their first amendment rights. They are allowed to speak via email. They can express themselves. I have appeared before this board on numerous occasions. Sometimes in support, sometimes to express concerns, science reading, uh one per uh subject area. We do have a PE a resource and a you first teacher. In high school, we're looking two teachers per content area in our main content areas and then we do have a paid a resource MLC Spanish and a PP platform teacher and pop is uh pretty much an online uh self-paced program for our students. When we look at step intake data
004the these are the number of students that step academy pretty much registers. Okay. But we call them intakes because there is a process to that. And so in 2425 you were looking at about 1,283 students. Um and then the year prior to that it was,154 students. >> This is request. This is throughout the year starting at the very beginning from August. Right. >> Absolutely sir. From the beginning to the end. And so in this next slide, I'm kind of giving you information on what it looks like at the very beginning of the school year because in August, you know, like in the second week, we're looking at smaller numbers. Um, if you notice, we had a total of 143 students and this was for this past year. Um, with just keep in mind that at
005STEP there is a rate of about 84% daily attendance, you know, so that kind of gives you an idea of how many students are there. But then when we're looking at May and you'll find that April and May are usually our high peak numbers. Uh that kind of goes up to 297 and you will see in the different grade levels it's it's pretty steady throughout. Uh 12th grade you see a little decline there because of course kids are at their best behavior. They want to attend prom, graduations, you know, all of that. Moving forward the number of disciplinary placements by year. And so we were able to give you data for three years. So looking at um 23223 we had 1,142 students. Then the following year it went up a little bit or I'm sorry
006went down a little bit to 1,113. Uh and then this past year we're looking at placements of 1,27. When we look at the difference between mandatory and discretionary placements by year, notice that this year we had mandatory placements of about 800 or so and then discretionaries were about half of that uh 399. Then in 24 uh 2324 we had almost about the same in the 800 320 and for discretionary 293. >> Quick question about um discretionary placements. Are you going to give me an example of discretionary placement like >> right here? Um if you look at this next slide, as a matter of fact, there are some examples of some of your discretionary. So um to answer your question, these are some of the things that you'll see and I'm going to kind of point
007out the ones that we see that are a little bit higher than others. If you notice incighting a riot, uh school disturbance is what you see from 23 24 we had about 35 cases. This year it went up to about 56. Um when we're looking at uh threats or assisted making threats notice it was 14 the the previous year and this past year was about 25. And in terms of bottom some examples of that um your bullying cyber bullying those have a you know several cases you see 19 and 26. Uh but if you want to see like what are some of the areas that give us the most problems are two or more fights. We had 72 cases in 232 24 76 this year. And then the other one is the persistent uh disruptive
008misbehavior or your unruly misbehavior. We had 77 cases in 2324 and this year 109. So those are some examples. These are the ones that probably happen most. uh your mandatory as you can tell the major ones have been the possession of marijuana with 399 and 385 respectively and then under the influence 252 and uh this year 150 >> and so with that number right because we do see that the number increased from last year to this year. So would you say would it be time um for there to be a reassessment of district policies as to why our kids are being sent as uh discretionary or is it that maybe uh we need to reassess the interventions that we're doing? Are you able to provide like um sort of like a progress report to see
009maybe on by fall and winter um so we can maybe decrease in that number of the discretionary or do you already have strategies in place? >> They're already going to decrease because of the change in law. It's going to decrease significantly. >> Yes, but I know there was some um like I know that's only uh in regards to vaping, right? Correct. But there are other uh incidents where they could be placed as discretionary. Correct. >> That's correct. And I think for the most part I can tell you at the campus level um discretionaries we try to do the best that we can to keep our kids in school right in the main campus because you have accountability. You've got just so many different uh reasons to try and keep them there. So by the time
010a student is sent on discretionary it's because they pretty much have exceeded you know the the interventions that they can do in school. But can we you know do more? Certainly we can always work on you know trying to minimize our discretionary placements. Um that is something that we're always talking to our administrators about. I know that our discipline management department works very carefully with them. And so discretionary placements are not automatically. They're also kind of screened through that department as well. >> Yeah. Because if you look at the number, it says the highest one for this year for discretionary was unruly, persistent, disruptive misbehavior, right? That was 109. So that would consist of what? Like fights or >> uh Yes, pretty much. I mean, anything that's not in another category and it's something that
011just continues to happen. Uh, kids that have several referrals would fall under the unruly persistent uh, disruptive misbehavior. >> Okay. So then I guess with these numbers, the majority of our kids are going mandatory, right? That's mandatory placement. That's the marijuana, which that's the legislature that's going to change. Correct. >> Correct. >> So the mandatory should decrease. However, the discretionary is increasing, right? So, I think that would be just as far as my concern. I'd like to see if we can track that number um in the next school year, right? To see uh what trend is occurring within our kids, if there's more fights, um do we need to support maybe our campuses more, right? So >> most definitely >> just just a quick question. Who decides what's discretionary and what's mandatory? >> Does the
012state send something to you guys or >> Yes, we have guidance uh that comes through our discipline management department and so they are pretty much our resource. We do have uh like handbooks and so forth that are given to the campus along with training that happens with our discipline management department. So there's a lot of guidance on that. >> Thank you. So with that with the vaping right because I was reading in legal I don't know if you can correct me if I'm wrong but um I know that uh vape ecigarette right the offenses will no longer require automatic placement which is the mandatory >> right because it's not THC and it's empty or nicotine. Um, however, if they do have like um like a vape pen, right, would they still be sent to step
013for having that or no? >> If they have a vape pen, >> yes, like a vape pen, let's just say it doesn't have nicotine or THC, right? But if it's just the vape pen in itself, uh would that still cons be be considered as mandatory or >> I believe it's only if they uh have an uh substance that's the only time that they would become mandatory. >> Okay. But do we as a district do we have a policy and I'm just right for my knowledge um do we have a policy where if a kid gets caught with a vape pen and it doesn't have anything right do they get sent to step for that? Uh right now it is my understanding that they will not if they it does not uh meet the exact marijuana
014THC. >> I think it will fall in the discretionary. It just depends on the circumstances. >> I don't think there's a way you can even I'm sorry to interrupt. >> I don't think there's a way you can even know if it has nicotine or if it has DHC. You're going to have to test it and that's where the expense comes in. So >> but I So I don't think it's something that we can actually >> do right then and there. It's very expensive to test >> and that's that's actually the I hate to say this word but it's it's become an an epidemic across not only United but across you know our our our schools across the state across the nation. That's vaping is a major a major problem >> correct >> that we have.
015And so that's why the numbers are so high because they're so they they're they're geared for for children. They're marketed to attract children and so and they're very easy access and so these kids get them you know any >> easily >> they continue to use them and I think that's probably why the change in the law so that we don't have students going in. >> I'm sorry and um if I may Mr. President um I have another question. So these infractions right these are the only ones that are going from inschool like general population these are the the uh disciplinary actions right then they're sent to step but are we collecting data in regards to uh if the kids are are uh committing other offenses while they're in step >> we do track I mean
016pretty much all of the offenses of course we gave you a sample of what we see is mostly uh what we're seeing at the campus practices, but everything is tracked by our discipline management department. >> Okay? And so then on top of these placements, right? Let's just say there's a student who went in uh with unruly, persistent, disruptive behavior, right? So he goes into step. Um I mean I would have liked to see the number here in regards to that like if there's any repeated offenses at step because I feel like if we're presented that data then we'd be able um to see how best we could support step. Right. So just for future reference >> excuse me for the record Morales. Um, I wanted to add that this is the first year. >> Sorry,
017my water is so bad. >> It happened right when I got on the microphone. >> Um, I think we had an increase in the number of students that we sent to JJAP. Mr. um, I can correct me if I'm wrong because that's another resource that we have. when our students are not um >> complying at JJ excuse me that does cost the district money and we try our best also and STEPPP tries their best to make sure that they're providing uh interventions and support at the campus so that they don't have to go to JJAP but to your to answer your question we do have that support in place and this year in particular and we can send you those numbers we saw an increase in um placements from STEP to JJAP because of the
018actions uh some of the actions or infractions that are taking place while the students are at step academy. >> Well, that was part of what the you first program was created to to address. You know, for years the district had been sending kids over to to the step academy and we were not addressing the underlying cause as to why they were sent whether it was a drug addiction, whether it was assaulted behavior. Uh so the youth first got created to address that. Now the kids go over there because they're going to metriculate back into the campuses at some at some point whether it's 40 days or 90 days. Back then it was 100 days across the board. It didn't matter what what the offense was. It was 100 plus days. And so they were but
019they were not addressing >> the question. They were not addressing the assaulted behavior. And that is what what the youth first was meant to to do for the first time offenders, >> right? >> Try to, you know, get them back into school early. address their drug problem, address their assaultive behavior, address whatever the issue was and get them back in >> to to reduce the recidivism, right? >> To reduce the recidivism >> to make sure that we don't have the same kids going back into the program. And that is something that we have a very strong EU first program. Um, as a matter of fact, this when when House Bill 114 passed, which made ecigarettes mandatory, we added um the counseling sessions with our LCDC's for students. That's not something that we had in place.
020We recently added that I want to say a year or two ago just to again make sure that we're bringing in those extra supports. We know there's a problem and you're right Mr. Monttoayora this the vaping issue is an epidemic. It's not just a UID concern. It's a statewide concern. It's a nationwide concern. We are trying to be very proactive I think uh at United ID trying to use all the resources in our community and as much as we can investing in our vape detectors. You know, at the end of the day, the problem is so so big and I think that we are, you know, making some strides. This this this change in the House bill that you were referring to, Miss Martinez, House Bill Six, actually, from this legislative session, which now takes
021away that mandatory offense, it's a good thing and it's a bad thing. It's a good thing because we obviously don't want to be sending all our students over there. We're trying to make sure that we're helping them and addressing the root cause. The only thing that we're concerned about as far as administration is, you know, um it's not going to be that hard consequence that students were getting. Some students first tough consequence, something they've never had to deal with before and they learned their lesson. They never do it again. But we have a lot of other students that are already addicted and have a problem and they may not necessarily get caught at school, but they're already doing it. So, we're going to have to keep a an eye on that. But, uh, we know
022that it's, you know, it there's plus and minuses to that. Um, but we're going to definitely keep an eye on that. But to answer your question about the the concerns specifically or the incidents that specifically happen at STEP, I know that they do a really good job in making sure that they support our students and at the end of the day, if they are having issues and if we have to, you know, incur those additional costs to send students to JJ because we want to make sure that STEP is a safe environment as well, then we're doing that. >> Okay. Okay. Perfect. Thank you. Okay. Um the next slide shows placements by month. Okay. So you can kind of see our mandatory and discretionary placements. So if you noticed in um and it's by year,
023so you have 2324 at the top. And uh pretty much you'll see that uh we have spikes in certain areas. Um the same thing for this school year. So if you notice, if you do a comparison between last year and this year, this school year we had a less in the fall, but then you kind of see the spike in the spring. Okay? And so u mandatory was 88. Um and then your discretionary was 3.99 for a total of 1207 for this school year. >> And in regards to that, I I have a question. So I know that there's a spike right between those months. Um so are we seeing discipline uh being used um just as a tool? You know what sometimes kids are before the break right they do get a little crazy
024and antsy. Um so would you say that uh what can what can we the board right what can we do to support the campuses um to alleviate these behaviors? Um, has the district come up with any strate strategic planning in regards to that? >> Um, in terms of strategic planning, I think what we normally do during these spikes because you're going to see like March, April, May, um, a lot of visibility at the campuses, you know, we we're we're there the the campus themselves. So, I mean, those are kind of the things that happen. It's just you you will see spikes around March, okay, right before spring break. You're going to see spikes towards the end of the school year. Um it it's just pretty much what happens. I mean I think we give uh
025we get a lot of support from our board from our administrative staff in terms of you know what we need. So I think it's just really being visible at the campus and that's what our administrators do. All right. I'm going to move forward to our number of repeat offenders. So for 2425 when you're looking at just the number of repeat offenders that we have that's about 179 students >> and so in regards to that um you know I'm very passionate about a step I think these are um students that face unique challenges right and so I do have a question in regards to that to the repeat offenders um you know what supports are in place uh to ensure the successful ful reintegration into the general population. I know we have the positive um uh
026behaviors, right? The PBIS. So, um to get this number to decrease, right, and to provide that that support um what else could we do to to decrease that? >> Uh I think the campus itself does an amazing job with PBIS. That is something that, you know, I have to give a lot of credit to uh Mr. Idrogo and his staff. They really work the PBIS system. Um they even incorporate some of the curriculum in there on a daily basis to kind of uh work with that. They have their point sheets that they do uh at the campus level. And of course, we've got all our counseling staff. We do have our PBIS facilitators that assist. So, you know, in terms of that, I think our campuses are doing a very good job. There's always, you
027know, ways that we can certainly improve, but we know we have the full support of the board. And so if at any point we think, look, this is what we need, we will certainly come up with new ideas uh presented to you. >> And how many PE I'm sorry, how many uh PBIS do we have in our district >> uh positions or >> the facilitators? >> Facilitators. Sorry. Yes. >> I'm not too sure. Five. We have five PBIS facilitators >> and those five uh are separated uh amongst the high school feeders. Correct. And does STEP have a PBIS? >> I think we have one that rotates in there as well. >> Once a week. >> Okay. And so, um you know, I'd love to see again the numbers, right? Um for maybe for next year
028to see if that's helping our students. Um maybe we can start tracking that. um maybe we need that person more than just once a week, right? Because again, these are students that are at risk uh emotional drug dependencies, right? So, um I'd like to see that that study done um for next year or maybe if we can break it down, right, fall um and spring and that way the board, right, we could see the information and support our campuses even more than we already do. Definitely. Thank you. All right. So, uh, looking at you first numbers, just so that you can kind of see a comparison between 23 24 and 2425. Uh, at the middle school, they're pretty steady. You know, you had 62 one year, 57 the other. In the high school, 116 and
029then uh 152 and a total of 178 and 209. So, you don't see, you know, major major increases, but, you know, they're they're pretty steady. um HB6 which is the vape ecigarette and that's what uh we were talking about earlier. So now these are your uh nicotine only offenses no longer will require automatic placement at a DAP. So that's going to be a big change for next year. Um in 2425 we saw 159 uh ecigarette nicotine cases and the year prior to that was about 134. Okay. And I'm sorry, in regards to that, do all our schools have the smoke detectors or is it just the high schools? >> We have our high schools and we've been adding middle schools and we're in the process of adding a few more middle schools. I think we're
030up to three, four, >> five. We're up to five. >> Five. Okay. >> But now we were using title four funding for that initiative and we don't have that funding right now. So >> Okay. So, are we looking into ways uh to improve that or to make sure? >> Absolutely. I mean, our goal is to continue to we probably have to slow down the rate of how we've been I mean, the the high schools especially because we have the high schools and the nth grade campuses that was those were really big investments and they're very big, you know, buildings. We a lot more restrooms and locker rooms and um and they're they're pricey. Um but the intention is to continue to expand and we go with data. So, we're driven by data on where we're
031going to be um including more uh vaping detectors or vape detectors or where we're, you know, installing at the next campus. We're looking at data to see, you know, where we have the most cases. But the intention is to continue and and get to the point where we have all middle schools. We have all high schools, so we have all middle schools as well. >> Perfect. And with that, I know title fund, right? Federal funding, everybody is stressing out about it. So, um, in regards to that, right, can we as the board again, uh, receive, right, what intentions and what plans you all have, um, in regards to making sure that mostly, if not all, our middle schools have the vape detectors and does step have a a vape detector or >> Yes. Well, we
032have the we have it on the bus. >> Okay. >> For um for STEP Academy. >> Okay. Perfect. All right. Thank you. Thank you. >> Uh moving forward, our intake procedures at step. That's pretty much uh the same thing as our registration process. Um so of course we have our intake process taking place every day. Um starting at 8:15 in the morning through 10:15. And if students are there, they get credited for the days because remember at step you know uh they go by days. Um as per the attendance policy, if students arrive after 10:15, they will lose credit for that day. Okay? Unless of course they come with a doctor's excuse, a very valid probation officer court. As long as they bring us documentation, we will give them credit for that date. Um we
033do have required documents at Stealth Academy whenever we do registration. Pretty much the same thing that we do at every campus. Uh they must complete a packet. Uh we need the ID, current bill, nothing different from what we have in in all of our campuses. We are very strict with our behavior management. So they are given a manila folder where they track their their points in their sheets. Uh of course basic supplies that we ask from everyone and then uh what one of the things that we do do when parents arrive is they have to go through an informative video presentation at STEP. It is a PowerPoint that is available in English and Spanish and it pretty much has all of the details for them. Um this campus is very high on implementing the campus
034uh mission and the vision and PBIS expectations are uh also strictly enforced the dress code as well. Um and so pretty much students must purchase a shirt. It's $15. They do have specifics for middle school and high school and so very strict on um their their attire. >> And in regards to that to the $15 t-shirt, um I know it's something that um I've spoken um to Mr. Gonzalez and Mr. Aguilad, right? Because again, these are students that face unique challenges, right? Um some even are um at poverty level, right? and $15 can be a lot, right? So, is there anything that we can do as a board or as a district uh to provide that shirt uh for our kids? >> Or better yet, why not just a regular school t-shirt, school dress code?
035Why does it have to be a special t-shirt? >> I think they do that just to make for safety reasons to make sure that they're not wearing anything else. ever. Um, >> I mean, if it's if it's free, I understand that, but if you're going to make them pay for it, >> I think they also do it to distinguish the students from the ones that are back in the home campus. Remember that our bus situation, they'll drop them off um, you know, very close to where they they live or at their home. And so, you know, it's really to distinguish the students. >> So, they take the same buses as >> No, we have a designated bus, right? But um when they're dropped off, they are dropped off within their community. So it doesn't stop
036students from you know possibly walking to the campus or or something like that. So it just helps us distinguish the students. Um and it also creates order at the campus. That has been something that you know they've been doing for a while now. It has been working for them. Um I it has not presented a challenge. I think there are students that maybe do not have a shirt, but the school will provide for them if if they need to. They might have, you know, um other shirts that they can give them for the time being. >> It's not going to exclude them from from step. >> I'm sorry. >> It's not going to exclude them. They're not going to get additional time or anything like that. >> No. And just putting, you know, simple math,
037>> if you took your top enrollment times 15, $5,000, I think the district can pull that off. >> Yeah. that's not going to break the district. >> I agree with Miss Olivaros just because I know um some of these kids, you know, um $5, right? M single mothers um $15 is a lot for them. So, if we can assist in that, um I think that would be a step moving forward, right, to support these students. Um and uh in regards to the intake procedures because I know that we had received a packet, right? Um approximately how long does this intake procedure take and who does the intake procedure? >> It's actually a process. Uh they go through of course registration, they need to go through the the nurse, they need to go through the uh
038counselor, uh and then they also meet with the director. I think that's part of the success at that particular campus that they meet with an administrator and kind of go over the rules and and all of that with the parents. So, it is a process. Um, and it just kind of depends on every individual student. It can be, I would say, within 45 50 minutes or it could last maybe up to an hour and a half. It just kind of depends on, you know, the individual case. >> And so, I know there was talks uh in regards to the academic coordinator position being removed, right? But I see now that it's uh it'll still be there, right? And I'm assuming that now the academic coordinator um that individual will um split, right? The I saw
039it on the slide, academic coordinator slash residential facilities, right? Yes. >> Um and so let's just say on a normal day, right? Normal day, the intake procedure is um going along, right? But there's a fight at step. Um, how is that handled? Um, how many security guards do we have? How many police officers do we have in the campus? >> Okay, I'm Go ahead. >> Thank you very much. So, good afternoon board of trustees. For the record, Mr. Hova, the director of STE Academy. Uh, yes. to answer first the question uh regarding the shirts. Uh one thing that we do is we work very closely with the Mckini uh Vento program. So we do allow the parents to make contact with them because we feel that we we need to make sure that we support
040our students. Uh so that's uh one uh going back to uh the question uh that you are asking we want to make sure that the intake procedures take place accordingly. That way they know the expectations. Uh but when there is disruption and the daily operations, we need to make sure that our students know and that our parents know and our school community that there's systems in place. So we do have individuals that respond accordingly. We do have five uh securities and two police officers. Our number one goal is to make sure that we have a male and female to make sure that if there is some type of deescalation strategies or technique that needs to be uh in place that it needs to be either female to female or male to male to make sure
041that we deescalate the the uh incident or the issue going on. Perfect. Okay. So, I guess an intake uh procedure can take about what 45 minutes, an hour to two hours or depends. >> Correct. So, our number one priority is to review the packet when we get the placements because every single individual student is very different whether it be a discretionary or minor a mandatory placement. What we want to do is one review the packet and then see what options we have for interventions because when when they bring in the student we want to see is there counseling services that needs to be in place. Is there related service that needs to be in place? Is there a 504 IEP that needs to be followed? Is there a special education IEP that needs to be
042followed? If there was substance usage in one type of their uh career in that high school or middle school, then we want to make sure that we align the LCDC counselor to be the support. Do they need outside counseling? So I know one of one of the questions that was asked earlier what type of support we we make sure that we have a scan we have three programs in place to make sure that interventions are in place as a priority. Now we have pillar andou thank you Dr. us for supporting uh with pillar. That way we have counseling sessions at no cost. When they go back to their campus, that service is being followed at no cost as long as they are a student here at UID. >> Perfect. And thank you for that Mr.
043Idrogo for your time and for being here. So uh one more question and Miss Grus you can answer or Mr. Idrogo. Um let's just say we saw the spike right the months that are are um spiking right um I just want to have information how is the inclassroom setting right do you have all high school together all middle school together uh do you maybe need more um teachers during those months or what is it that that you see or that you might think um would provide more support for these these students. I >> I think what we're seeing is what we see at the regular campus. You know, you're going to have these spikes during these particular months. It's it's just bound to happen right during spring break, right before the holidays at a certain
044time in October. So, those are are kind of things that we will normally see. In terms of what we see in the classroom there, um we have a good ratio. Uh we we have good counseling support. we have, you know, middle school counselor, high school counselor, then we have the uh LCDC counselor. So, I think in terms of support, um we're we're pretty good. Um I don't know. Is there anything other >> Well, I'm just asking and I'm by no means, right, attacking a program or anything. It's just I I think these uh presentations are important, right, so we can evaluate the effectiveness of what we're doing. And so um going back to that right I know that these students right um they count for sometimes three four students because of their emotional disturbances and
045their uh maybe addictions right and aggressiveness so um that's why I'm asking this questions uh but really really um you know just want to make sure that step has the support uh because yes they might have a thousand students right um throughout the whole year. But those what is it 45 students right sixth grade 45 students uh in May um those might count for 80 or 100 so to me right it's important to make sure that our student to ratio is appropriate right so I think that's something also that we need to start looking into moving forward >> absolutely and I think um we do look at the student toteer ratio as a matter of fact and you'll see in in a couple of slides, we've added a lot of support at STEP. Um I
046think uh we've been doing a really good job in terms of that and of course I have to give a lot of credit to the leadership of Mr. Idrogo and his staff. They really do an amazing job there. And so um so just kind of moving forward with the presentation, if you'll see um we do have a middle school, a high school counselor, and then an LCDC counselor on top of that. So in terms of support um you know I I think they have very good people there um and the support is pretty adequate. Yeah. And I do want to add again, right, the academic coordinator was not removed. So now they will still have the support, right, just that individual will um split the duties. Correct. >> Absolutely. And and that's in trying to
047support, you know, because we we recognize it's just that sometimes we're strapped with, you know, what can we do. Um we may not have the financial means, right, to to have all the staff that we we would want, but we're trying to do the best that we can with the staff that we have. And I think uh at step academy they really do utilize their people uh in the best way. >> But it stands to reason that if the population there is going to go down going to decrease because of the changes in the in the law then that ratio that you're talking about will decrease the number of of employees. you know, naturally because of this the decrease in population there will decrease naturally the the the population of of employees >> and we're
048always looking at, you know, evaluating staff and what we have. So, uh that's something that it's a double-edged sword. You have to be careful. >> It's good. It may be good, right? But >> but again, you know, just to you have to also take into consideration that these are not kids like your general population, right? These are kids that again they face these unique challenges like drug addiction, right? Some have created offenses of assault. I know the number uh was very high of kids getting caught with alcohol um and that's alarming, right? Because um they're minors and so these are uh maybe children who develop addiction as adults, right? So um I think we have to be careful. >> I don't know though. I mean and I don't respect what Miss Martinez is saying. I
049just don't know if I have the the data to actually say that these kids count for two or three times a normal if that's if that's true then they also count for two or three times the students at the at the main campus and so you know I don't know they there's a lot of challenges everywhere whether it's emotional there's drugs but there are also a lot of kids who make that one mistake and vape uh they may not qualify because they've had a referral so they don't qualify for the you first program but they but they're not necessarily you know uh they don't face a lot of other challenges uh you know I know firsthand you know five families I can I can I can tell you my own nephew you know uh two
050and a and a niece have both been to step academy because they've made bad decision mistake >> and so but they're not they're not challenged they just they there's a sanction that goes with with their error and they have to go through the process and and I think that's the issue. My problem that I have is not so much the step academy. You know, I I don't think our teachers need to be dealing with discipline issues. They have to be teaching in the classroom. They need to be focused in there when we have individuals who are interfering with the education of not only of the teaching of the teacher but the education of the other 20 some odd students in that class. And that presents a problem. And so I think most of our our
051our most of our directors, most of our principles are very nurturing and I think they do everything they can so this student does not go to the east academy. uh and they they try to hold them back and refer them to inschool suspension, try to work with their parents, try to you know do as much as they can. Uh so they don't go to the step academy because they you know at the end of the day these these these these principles are are they were teachers at one time and they they they work with kids. I just but at the same time I'm I'm more of a I'm a former juvenile judge so I can tell you that I' I've got the tough love you know the tough love you know type of beh type
052of attitude sometimes and you got to they have to face that sanction and they have to face it the first time if not they're they're not going to respect the process and they're going to continue to create problems at the schools and so now we need more security more police officers our teachers are having to deal with discipline issues in the classroom and so I I I get I get it. I I'm a defense attorney by you know and I I've argued on on that side. I argue that every day. But when you look at the campuses, the times are changing. And you know, our our teachers are are struggling to maintain a lot of order in their classrooms and they need that support. And when there are unruly kids, unruly students who disrespect the
053process, who are, you know, dealing who are taking vapes and and you know, coming to school under the influence, who are disrespectful, you know, how do we how do how do you deal with that? And the same teachers will refer them to the principal sometimes and guess what? They refer them back to the classroom. And then so what happens? The student doesn't get a sanction and he feels like, you know, it's okay. It's it's it's empowering for for him. And so I I I don't know what the Matt has my full support. He always has. The step academy is there. We we've we've we've implemented you first programs. We can we we should actually increase that. I don't even know why it hasn't increased in in the years, but but uh you know, we should
054increase programs like that. And I'm glad he's got pillar and and and scan and all these. That's what we need there. U and I hope we can keep the numbers down. That's what we're trying to do. But, uh, you know, that's that's just my take on it. >> Add something about that to your comment just real quick that again, House Bill Six was a very, um, heavy bill. There's a lot in there, but one of the things that we're going to be able to do through that House bill is they expanded the um, authority of administrators assigning a longer inschool suspension, for example. And that helps our classroom teachers, it helps our administrators because sometimes you have those kids again that are not necessarily needing to go to step and but they're, you know, unruly
055or, you know, they're having some issues. We need to issue a consequence of maybe 3 days is not enough of in school suspension. So, they're going to be able to do a little bit longer. So, I just wanted to to add that to your comment, Mr. Monttoayor, because again, our teachers are really struggling and we are making sure that we're supporting them as well and making sure that we're not um taking the the opportunity from other kids in the classroom to learn. they have that right as well. So, >> and I think to piggyback off of what Mr. Monte May said, which you're you're correct, right, we need to support our our integer classrooms as well. And with that, right, the numbers will pretty much um decrease and there'll be more inschool suspension. So, I'd
056like to see uh if we can get that once the school starts to get a report as to how it's affecting our district and then maybe later on we can make decisions as far as how much more support, right, um our district needs to to help our teachers in the classroom. >> That's okay. >> Absolutely. Thank you. Uh moving forward um the LCDC counselor just so that you know we do have a lot of individual sessions that go into um our counseling at step uh we also have the ropes and the you first program and then referrals by the administrators where they they kind of see the students and the parents at the same time and you'll kind of see there's a lot of support um in terms of that. Uh, and then when we
057look at actual testing, we did have, and I'm giving you just a snippet of our spring testing. So, you can see pretty much the number of testers that they have. Uh, at the high school, uh, it ranges between 21 through about 52 students. You know, it just depends on the subject area. And then, uh, you'll see the absences there. in the middle school. Uh also the basic uh notice that math and reading have the most number because keep in mind we test sixth, seventh and eighth grade. And in the science and the social studies, we only test our eighth graders. So that's why you see those those different numbers. In our TELPAS, we had about 143 testers with no absences. And in regards to that, uh what is the district plan to monitor um and
058close any achievement gaps right between uh students in the disciplinary setting um and the overall student uh population in regards to the star and the um regular core. >> Our students uh pretty much follow the same curriculum that all the other students follow. We do have a scope and sequence that they will work through. Um we have students especially at the high school that have certain classes that we do not uh offer at STEP and so we make arrangements with the home campus to work through a Google classroom with those particular students. So there's always an effort to you know really work individualized. I can tell you um that at step academy they have really worked at working with the students working with the teachers to make sure that the instruction is solid. But it
059it still falls back on the on the on the referring campus. It it still counts. That student still counts. >> Oh, absolutely. Yes. When we And that's why it's really important that we have that solid communication. >> That's why they don't want they don't that's why they don't want them there because they want them it affects them >> at the end of the day. When you send a student to step, the accountability is still going to be going back to the campus. So, you want to minimize uh the number of step placements, but at the same time, you need to maintain a solid campus, right? And sometimes it's necessary to send a student to STEP. And so, um, you know, I I think our administrators do an amazing job in terms of trying to keep
060their students the best way that they can, but sometimes it's just inevitable. You really do need to, uh, send the students. >> And there's testing going on all year round, correct? At STEP, or is it uh, >> well, we have testing just like the state testing like everyone else, right? Um, December is is for our high school students. They will test as well and then you have the spring testing but they will also do like our checkpoints and all of the requirements that we have of any student they continue to do them as well at STEP. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> And then finally uh our supports to STEP. Uh we have increased support throughout the years um with added staff just to make sure that students are successful there. And so, um, you can
061see throughout the year the number of, uh, positions that have been added just to help us maintain a safe environment and a very, uh, a conducive environment to learning. And so, you can kind of see, um, throughout the years, uh, the different staff members that have been added. And I have to say that, you know, I want to congratulate Mr. Idrogo and his staff for doing an amazing job. Um, they really do go all out to keep our students safe. >> He does. And if I if I can add to that, you know, I have sat through an intake with Mr. Idrogo and I've been to his campus and I've seen the students walk the halls and I've seen the students come come through security and maybe in in the public's head right now, what
062they're envisioning is an unruly school with all these dangerous kids and it is so not that. Mr. Drogo has those students at a high level of respect for himself and for all of the other staff that are there. It is so wellmanaged and I congratulate you for that because it's not what people might be thinking based on what's been said here. It's a very organized and and his students are very well behaved. >> Well, I don't think anything negative was said. I'm sorry, Mr. President, if I may. I don't think anything negative was said. You know, it's just these questions were just asked uh to make sure that uh we're running right an effective program, which we are, right? But it's good to always ma monitor and track uh to make sure that we're moving
063forward in the right place and that you know Mr. Idrogo uh he is doing an amazing job. I know Steppp uh was ranked uh I don't know if I'm quote me if I'm if I'm wrong but I know they were uh the highest right in attendance uh districtwide. So that speaks volumes um you know because it is hard uh to get these kids to school. Um, and yes, there might be kids who are first-time offenders, right, who messed up and uh are there, right, to to pay their dues, but there are kids who who are there as repeated offenders and who are there uh because of their social um environments, right? So, I don't think anything uh people don't think negative about this. Um >> well my words my words were not directed toward you
064towards don't take offense to my >> I'm not taking offense miss Oliveros I'm just you know saying that because I don't think the public thinks that I just think it's the public thinks >> I just think it's important that we have these questions and these presentations um that we can monitor. >> I guess I could say from experience I'm just gonna jump in there real quick. Michelle Molina present for the record. Uh Mr. I commend you. I've been to your campus multiple times since I I came onto the board since you were appointed there. Uh it's you've done remarkable things with that campus. You've turned that campus around. From the image of the campus externally, it looks totally different internally. You walk in, it looks like an academic school. It looks like there's instruction happening.
065There is absolutely uh PBIS going on. Um and and that's why many of us on this board have contributed funds to your endeavors to the initiatives that you have implemented from PBIS from attendance and we see it the numbers don't lie uh the teachers the the the what you've cultivated there the respect that you've earned how you re you connect with those students and let me tell you doesn't matter what campus you're at this is one of the most difficult campuses only because these are kids that need more attention and they respect you. They admire you and I've seen it. I've been there through presentations, through through class exchanges, through dismissals. I've been there and I I can tell you they admire you. They don't want to leave at the end of the day. They
066look forward to those Fridays that you've implemented, you know, for the the snacks, you know, uh the the awards that you've given them for going above and beyond for meeting all the the the needs, right, for every six weeks or for every week that they're there. There's a lot that you've implemented. There's a lot that you've done and I'm still pending that that course uh uh the outdoors course that you have. So, the ropes. So, I commend you for all that you've done. I reviewed this presentation in depth. I've gone back and I've reviewed the numbers that you've presented before that I've been there personally, you know, to give motivational speeches to inspire our students like many of us on this board have throughout the years and I commend you for that. So, thank you
067for this presentation. It's very much needed. Thank you. >> And for the record, we have Miss Janelli present, Miss Michelle Molina present, Mr. Gilbert Aid present. Uh and so, thank you for your presence. >> Thank you, Miss Cruz. Thank you. >> Thank you. Agenda item number eight, close session. The time is 659. In accordance with Texas government code section 551.071.072.074. [Music] The board will discuss items 8A through 8 C. No action will be taken in close session. Thank you. Everybody. All right. Open session agenda item number nine. The board has reconvened from close session and we are now in open session. The time is 7:14. For the record, no action was taken in close session. Agenda item 9A, possible action with respect to the lawsuit filed by Potential Holdings LLC against United Independent School District
068regarding the United ISD Student Activity Complex Educational Support Center filed in filed of record uh in volume 21, pages 43 through 44 of the Web County Plat records and the USD Lasclus plat filed in volume 18, page 55 of the plat records of Web County, Texas and Santa Claudia Lane and Santa Monica Drive within USD sacked plat matters incident there too including legal options available to USD. The suit was filed in the district court of the 111th Judicial District of Web County, Texas under cause number 2023 CVG51D2. >> Yes, Mr. President. Uh the recommended action on that is to allow legal counsel to proceed as discussed in close session. >> So move second. >> There's a motion in a second. Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. Motion passes.
069Agenda item 9B. Possible action regarding the appointment of assistant principal at Octavio Salenas Elementary School >> for the position of assistant principal at Salenas Elementary School. I recommend Criana Gaitan. >> Motion. >> There's a motion and a second. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Motion passes. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Agenda item 9 C, possible action regarding the appointment of assistant principal at John B. Alexander High School >> for the position of assistant principal at JB Alexander High School. I recommend Georgina Ernnandez. >> So move second. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion passes. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Congratulations. Agenda item 9D, possible action regarding the appointment of assistant principal at United
070South High School. >> For the position of assistant principal at United South High School, I recommend Ariana Cardinas. >> So move. >> It's a motion. >> Second >> and a second. All those uh any further discussion? I'm sorry. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Motion passes. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Agenda item 9E, possible action regarding the appointment of director of health services. >> For the position of director of health services, I recommend Jessica Dwarte. >> So move. >> Second. >> Motion in a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Motion passes. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Agenda item 9F, possible action regarding the appointment of director of facilities, maintenance, and operations. for the position of director of facilities maintenance and operations.
071I recommend Dorian Gutierrez. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Motion passes. Congratulations, Mr. >> Congratulations. >> Everybody and >> and I know Miss Gardinast is here, right? Is she here? Yes. So, congratulations. >> Congratulations. Good luck. >> Agenda item number 10, adjournment. Any motion? Motion, >> second, third, and we are journ. >> Have a good evening everybody. >> Thank you very much.