001Well, Madame President, we had a night last night. >> Another long one, but another good one with a lot of positives coming out of it. >> When you drove off and you said that was a lot of a meeting, there was a lot quite a few things in there. You know, we weren't lying, were we? >> No. And I'm very very proud of the district and this board and the work that we're doing moving forward. It's so exciting to see um the the staff even uh that they're like, "Thank you." and we're we could see the direction we're headed in and so it meant it last night was really good. >> Yeah. And the capstone event, you know, it doesn't happen very often, but you swear in a new board member, Aggie Gambino, and uh
002Aggie comes with a lot of experience with regard to future interactions with the districts as far as supporting kids and those kind of things. >> Absolutely. Um so we were really excited about her um joining us and what she has to offer and her process and analysis and implementation background. So this is really going to be um a a great addition to our board. Our board has such >> Yeah. >> talent and experience behind us in different areas which makes us very strong. >> Yeah. And the thing is is that the process that you went through to to interview all four folks and and uh you know that was that was great and it was it was a neat opportunity. I got to meet all of those people and you know the thing is it's
003great because people care about our school district. >> That's the most important thing, >> right? And then speaking of that, you know, you have someone coming and you have someone going and uh you know I just got finished writing a note for this sweet lady, but we have Tiffany Nelson who has resigned her spot and we you recognized her. >> Yes. Um Tiffany has been uh a stalward warrior seeing things through and staying focused on um issues in our district. And um I'm we're sad to lose her voice at the table at the dis but it's it's um wonderful to see her pursuing future endeavors that could not only impact our district but the state of Texas. So it was great to recognize her last night. >> Yeah. As you said, it's just a bigger
004footprint, isn't it? That's pretty cool. Yes. And >> that's I was, you know, I hope that you felt appreciated. I know that that's uncomfortable for you guys, but I hope that last night you felt appreciated with all the different wellw wishes and and gifts and things. >> Yes, sir. It's it's a very uncomfortable situation. The joke was as we stood up for things and so forth that it's like, oh, now we're going to recognize ourselves. We we don't we're not comfortable in that. We're here to serve >> and and we want to shine the light on everyone else. But we're grateful for you and we know we had to suffer through being appreciated, but we're glad that you did that. So, we also very happy and proud to to announce a guy that's been with
005us for a while. Uh, and he went from an assistant principal to the principal of Washington High School, Mr. Chris White. >> I was really excited. I got to sit down and speak with him um and shared time with him in November. And I was really impressed with him. And he's a it seems to be a much >> like quieter force than um uh Nenah over there. And I find it funny that they're now both switching. One went to Washington, although he was already there, >> but he came from Oakidge. Yes. >> And now she's over at Oakidge. So I find that interesting. But he's a he's he seems to be a quieter, strong leader. Um, and I really was impressed with them and I'm excited to see what he continues over there. And he
006really seems to understand the dynamics and what Washington needs >> and he's been in the principal at an alternative campus already. It's going to be a really great fit. I'm excited. So is Nina, by the way. Right. >> Um Well, and then so was Trustee Duncan. Yeah. >> Whose husband taught him when he or coached him when he was in school. That's fantastic. That's crazy. Be nice to everybody, right? [laughter] you know, you actually uh we made a big transition after being thankful for our former for our current foundation to make a transition. You're authorizing us to go forward and try to make a make a plan so that we can keep moving our education foundation forward. >> I I'm excited about this. the board has given you our view, our vision that's in alignment
007with the education foundation that has worked >> um 25 years to grow it from, you know, I think you said last night like $100,000 to 1.7 million. But now we're excited about releasing >> and taking the bandwidth that they didn't have and taking it inhouse and and using that bandwidth that we have to expand on that and get more money into our classrooms for educational use. I would love to see us open up a grant process for our teachers to reach out and ask for certain things in their mods or their classrooms or their teams or whatever and get getting funds back to them. Well, and then that's what the great part about the foundation. They said, "We we can do this. We have the time to do this, but if we could do with
008you more, let's make it happen." That's a great community, right? >> Yes. >> Uh, so we also improved the the Falcons as the mascot of Janine Fowler Intermediate, and it was kind of cool because it was her birthday. >> That was enough to just take it to the next level last night. No >> kidding. Um I I I know there was a heart for trying to focus on the uh the whole fact that she was so into the ocean preservation. >> Yeah. >> But um to find out she was a certified skydiver and has done more than 40 jumps and the falcons flying, it was like like Dr. Kleesky said, it was the next best thing. So >> yeah, and she did such a great job of doing all that research. I mean that was
009just fantastic. And so it was heartfelt and you know there's folks in the audience that were teared up and it was it was obviously she was a great lady. So that's not you can not you can honor her. Uh the uh you approved a calendar. Well, we've talked about that for a while, haven't we? >> And you know, it isn't until you get near the end that it really starts ramping up of where we are and what is important. And I cannot thank the administration enough >> for listening to concerns that we raised. And uh I mean instructional days are critical. Yes, >> we need every instructional day possible. because it takes that to get the job done with our students. >> But we also need to make sure that we are focusing on the
010needs of our staff. Yes. >> Whether it's proper training, whether it's restoration days, whatever it may it's time to prepare their classrooms and feel prepared with their lessons. >> All of those are critical. and I I heard it mentioned from several trustees on this and um I we thank you very much for the attention and the optional calendar that came up. >> Well, you know, that's the cool part about you guys is that when we meet, greet and we we find place you try to find common ground with what people have suggested and I think that we accomplish that and I think it's the best thing for teachers, kiddos, families and for learning. >> Yes, sir. >> So, the thing we also improved attendance zones for Arnold K6 and Grand Oaks Junior High and that
011was no no small fe You're an expert in that area. Well, I it's I wouldn't necessarily call it an expert. I mean, I think we all really have learned to embrace and understand the coral and the lavender and the apricot and colors of Mr. McCor's maps. Periwinkle. There you go. Um, >> but it's critical the we pay attention to where our boundaries are and in trying to not cause upheaval in >> zones. But the hardest decisions were made years ago because now it's it makes much more sense where we draw the line as we move forward. >> Moving on. Uh we purchased a bunch of library we approved a bunch of library books last night that are ISBN approved and ready to go. >> Yes, sir. And I thank you again on that for you
012and your staff double-checking all of those. Um do it. We we must be able to to certify to our constituents and the community that we are paying attention to what they're asking for and following through. Thank you >> and law. There you go. >> So, it was a great evening. I think that when you look at what we were accomplished, it's all uh student learning focused. One of the things that you guys have talked about time and again here recently and and and throughout the whole process is that you know we're going to be focused on student learning and about what and how we as a board you can create policies, plans and procedures that uh enhance that, enrich that and help teachers get there. So I think it's a good thing >> as a
013team when we can work together we are so much stronger. >> Amen. And the thing is is that and you're having a workshop in February. We're going to talk about board operating procedures to bring everybody together to make sure that it's clear and transparent and comprehensive and effective. And uh I know you're excited about that. I'm excited about that. In February probably is going to be another crazy long board meeting because we got more things to decide. >> Yes. Um I keep trying to make them shorter. We're trying but we're doing the work of this district and there's so much to be done and we're looking forward to it. >> Well, you take it seriously. Grateful for you and it is school board appreciation much and we're very grateful for you and you're a blessing
014and you guys are. It's just it's a pleasure to serve you. >> Thank you sir very much and thank you to the district. I know all the trustees are so appreciative of all the wonderful gifts and notes. Those notes, they really speak to us. Thank you very much. >> They really did. Thank you.