001Good evening, school board members, superintendent, district staff, and community members. The time is now 5:00 p.m. on November 19th, 2025, and I call this board meeting of the Edgewood Independent School District School Board to order. I am very pleased that you took the time to join us this evening in compliance with the state government government code 551 for open meetings act. Tonight's agenda has been appropriately posted. This is a meeting in a public entity not a meeting of the public. As our guest you are welcome to observe and listen. These proceedings are being videoed and audio recorded and will become part of the Edward ISD's permanent records. To ensure that the recording is accurately reflected, accurately reflects these proceeding, please silence your mobile devices and refrain from talking while others are speaking. Since it is
002legally mandated that these proceedings are recorded accurately, I may have to ask for order periodically should I notice that disruptions are interfering with our recording capabilities. Once again, I extend to each of you a sincere welcome from the entire Edward School Board. I will now proceed to take U roll call. Serio Delgado >> here. Rudy Lopez >> present. >> I Martha Cast here. >> For the record, Madam Chair, trustees Michael Valdez and trustee San Antonio are here. However, they will not be participating or taking action in this grievance committee hearing. >> Thank you, sir. Pursuant to chapter 268.001D 001D of the education court court. The board of trustees of a school district may delegate the authority to hear and decide a grievance to a committee of at least three members composed only of members of
003the board of trustees. Let the record show that a quorum of the Edgewood Independent School District School Board grievance committee is present that this meeting has been duly called and that notice of this meeting has been posted in accordance with the Texas Opens Meetings Act. A decision by this committee is a decision of the board of trustees. Dr. Hernandez, do we have communication from citizens? And yes, ma'am, we do. [clears throat] >> Our next item of agenda is communication from citizens. This is a time for community, staff, and students to provide their comments to the school board. To have your comments heard tonight, your name and specific agenda item must be submitted in person or signed up online with the board operations manager. [clears throat] Each speaker will have three minutes or less depending on
004the number of people who have signed up to speak. Non-English speakers who require a translator may receive up to six minutes to speak. The presiding officer of the meeting may modify or wave these time limits as appropriate. In accordance to Edwood ISD board policy beed local, the board shall not tolerate disruption of the meeting by members of the audience, speakers or or others who engage in disruptive behavior may be ruled out of order by the presiding officer. Disruptive behavior and action include but not limited to racial slurs, insulting, profane, threatening, derogatory or abusive language, making violent or threatening gestures. Public comment is not intended for speakers to make allegations of employee or student misconduct, requests for employee or student discipline, personal attacks on individuals, or disclosing information about district employees or students. If an individual
005makes a complaint, the presiding officer will interrupt you, ask you to stop, and direct you to seek resolution of your complaint through the district's appropriate formal grievance policy, DGBA for employee complaints, FNG for student or parent complaints, and GF for public complaints. If if after at least one warning from the presiding officer, any person continuing to disrupt the meeting by their words or actions, the precide the presiding officer may request assistance from law enforcement officials to have the person escorted from the meeting. By law, the Edgewood Independent School District Board of Trustees cannot lawfully discuss, deliberate, or make comments make comments or make a decision on any matter raised in public comment period that is not included on the agenda posted with notice of the meeting. Specific factual information or recitation of existing policy may
006be furnished in response to inquiries, but the board shall not deliberate or make decisions regarding any subject that is not included on the agenda posted with notice of the meeting. Signs, place cards, or banners should not be allowed in the boardroom. If you have any handouts to distribute to the board members, please hand them to the board operations manager to my left. Thank you, sir. Okay, we will um begin calling people that have signed up. We have uh Melodya mic on. Hello. Hello. It's red. testing. Testing Good afternoon. As a parent and a community member in Edgewood ISD, I'm here to express my strong support for Miss Maria Gala during her level three hearing. I am deeply concerned that the trespass warning issued against her remains in effect despite the circumstances surrounding her arrest and
007removal from the board meeting being neither justified nor consistent with district practice. Over the past months and years, I have personally witnessed conduct of the superintendent that feels intimidating and retaliatory toward parents, including myself, simply for being vocal and engaged. There have been two meetings where locations of meetings have been changed from the original location to the district conference center that we are at today since they know that Miss Garda has criminal trespass warnings and would make it impossible for her to attend. As superintendent of a district, he is subject to community oversight and public scrutiny. Attempts to silence and discourage parents participation undermine the transparency of our district our district owes to its families. On the night of Mescara's arrest, multiple speakers exceeded their allit allotted time during public comment. None of the individuals
008were removed or arrested. Only Miss Gardea, who has been active in advocating for students and community concerns and community concerns. It was targeted. From my observations, the sequence of events, her arrests appear to be planned rather than spontaneous response to disruption. Additionally, the decisions by the board president, James Hernandez, and the superintendent to abruptly reduce speaking times to two minutes despite there only being 12 speakers that night was unnecessary and not in the spirit of supporting community voice. More concerning was President Hernandez told Miss Garvea, "Go for it." as she was speaking, which directly contradicts the idea that she was ignoring directives. If she was verbally permitted to continue, then the sudden arrest without clear and explicit warning was unjustifiable and inconsistent with the Texas Educational Code requirement that individuals must receive a warning before
009the removal of a meeting unless there was immediate threat, which she did not pose. Parents should never face criminalization simply for engaging in their school district's governance. The criminal trespass warning issued to Miss Garvea damages community trust and sends a shilling message that other parents who wish to speak up for their children. And also the fact that the governance committee process was rushed and just passed yesterday at yesterday's board meeting shows the decisions already being made before she was allowed a true fair hearing, which should be a full sevenbody board, not just a select few of which some have not even completed their statemandated training by law. For these reasons, I respectfully request the board to take corrective action by removing the criminal trespass warning against Miss Garda and ensuring that all parents are treated
010respectfully, consistently, and without retaliation when participating in public meetings. Thank you for your attention in this matter and for considering this request for fairness and accountability. Thank you, Deia Ruiz. Good evening trustees, superintendent. My name is David Reese and I'm here as a parent and advocate asking you to vote against sustaining the level three grievance and against upholding the trespass ban on Marvel Gaba. This decision is bigger than one person. It is about whether Edgewood ISD chooses fairness and transparency or chooses to silence a parent who dared to speak up for their children of this community, the children of Edgewood. Mighty was removed and arrested at a board meeting without receiving the written notice required under Texas Education Code 37.105. No parent should be arrested at a meeting and then denied the very paperwork that
011state law requires. The district also missed its own grievance deadlines and never issued a level one decision. When the system fails to follow its own policies, the answer cannot be punishing the parent who is denied due process. Many of us were here that night when she was arrested. Moneyball did not receive a clear lawful warning from the presiding officer or require by required by law. The removal procedure was not followed. Her arrest was unnecessary and the way she was handled was far too extreme for a parent who was simply speaking exercising her right to comment on matters that affect Edwood student. And every parent should pause and think. If a parent can be removed, restrained, and banned for speaking during public comment, what does that mean for the rest of us? Voting against a level
012three grievance means protecting the voice of every parent. It means rejecting intimidation and unnecessary escalation. It means choosing integrity and community trust over procedural mistakes. And it means refusing to let Edgewood become a district where parents are intimidated, silenced, or bullying for raising concerns. The very behaviors we teach our own children not to engage in. Maria Mara has become a trusted voice for parents, supporting families and giving voice to concerns so many have been unable to express. She deserves a seat at the in this room, not a van. Thank you. We just ask that you do what is right. Veronica Palasio. Superintendent. Gracias. So chief, I can translate first. >> Yes. For the record, Madam Chair, the speaker will have up to six minutes so that it can be translated and the board will understand.
013My name is Veronica Palasio. >> And I'm here because I feel there is an injustice that Mariel was treated like a delinquent. just because she uh it was one minute and she did not receive like a one minute notification. It is it is unfair that she was treated like that >> that um she was handcuffed and then taken to uh by a police officer. It was not just or fair. Also the fact that you don't pay attention to those parents who come uh uh parents of of special uh needs students. >> Um I had conversations with parents and they have shared with me how they feel. There are parents here that uh might be present that have requested uh an audience with a superintendent and that has been denied. >> The question is what is
014the legacy that you want to uh provide to the generations to come? If right now, if you don't take an action for those um people that are coming to your district, what is going to happen in the future? You can can you answer uh to the parents uh based on the question that they might have? The question at this point is, are you willing to for the district to sink? Um, >> thank you. >> Dorothy Bora My name is Dorothy Borcas and I am a parent and community member who was present at the Edgewood ISD board meeting on August 19th and I am in support of Mariel Galda. During public comment, the speak the speaking time for each participant was reduced from four minutes from three minutes to two minutes. I spoke before Mighty Bened
015and I spoke past my allotted time stating to and stating to the superintendent that he should resign. Before MBA began, she asked in Spanish whether she had two minutes in Spanish and 2 minutes in English. The presiding officer James Hernandez did not understand her question. So board member Martha Garcia explained it to him. After the board President James told Marib, "Go for it." Marvel began to speak in Spanish. At no point did the presiding officer inform her that her Spanish time had ended or that she needed time or that she needed to switch in English. She continued speaking and the translation and then translated to English to claim her one minute her one remaining minute. While this was happening, her time continued to run with no clarification. And that was when James Hernandez was going
016back and forth. After her time officially expired, my bed continued to read her speech. The presiding officer called the next person to the podium while she was still speaking. At the moment, three Edgewood ISD police officers and the chief approached her and make making hand gestures, but no one ever gave her any warning at this time or um any warning that her time was ending or that she needed to stop. Board member Michael Valdez asked the presiding officer if he directed the officer to remove Muddy. The presiding officer responded with an attitude. Did you see me direct them? My nephew spoke after money. Also went past his allotted time. Board me board president told him, "Please listen." With no officers approaching him. As a witness, I observed that the police that police approached MBED without
017warning, without just justification, and without proper directions for the presiding officer. She was simply attempting to complete her bilingual public comment and claiming her and claimed her remaining time. And this is really injustice and it shows what kind of board we're having and what kind um transparency we're having for our families. Thank you. Good afternoon, Edward ISD board committee members. I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the level three grievance filed on behalf of Miss Maret Garda. Miss Garda has consistently served as a strong advocate for our parents and community, especially for those who may not have the courage or confidence to demand open communication and transparency from the district. Her voice represents many, and her advocacy should be valued, not suppressed. I strongly urge the committee to thoroughly review all available facts,
018including video recordings and media coverage, before making any decisions. These sources clearly reflect that Miss Gardea was treated unfairly and at times with unnecessary hostility. The manner in which she was handled has not only raised concerns, but has created fear among parents who now worry about speaking publicly at board meetings. The district did not safeguard the community by having someone detained for allegedly exceeding her speaking time. Instead, this action violated our rights as a community to participate in open dialogue. It send a discouraging message to all parents who wish to advocate for their children and their schools. As a result of these actions, Miss Gada is now viewed as a hero by many parents and stakeholders within Edgewood ISD. She stood up for what is right and the community stands with her. I urge you
019to consider this collective sentiment. How how can someone who courageously advocates for fairness, transparency, and parent voice be found guilty? And honestly, realistically, I find it kind of interesting because I don't know how you as a committee can make such a decision when you were just appointed yesterday afternoon. And I mean, I'm sure you have to receive the documentation, the data, the proof and then sit here and I mean, unless you know, you read all night. I mean, and how can you actually make these decisions? I mean, these things take time. I mean, you you have to look at all the facts and um I just don't know. I I I it's it's very very it's very very sad that we've come to this because we want parents to advocate for our children, you know,
020and and this is this is what's happening. And look at the outcome. Don't push us away. That's what you're doing. You're pushing us away. Thank you, >> Laura Wigwire. My name is Laura Whitwire. I am the granddaughter of Sergeant First Class Jose M. Lopez, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, honored community member and former resident of Edgewood ISD for many years. Part of Highway 281 is named in his honor as well as the highest performing middle school in any ISD. He was a man of principle who I believe would be ashamed of how this district treated one of its own. I'm here tonight because what happened to Marbel Gar Gardia matters not just for her but for every parent in this district. Let me say this clearly and honestly. Marabel went over her time limit. But
021what happened next placed being placed in handcuffs publicly arrested and processed like a criminal was a response that did not match the level of the mistake. Going over a timer is not a threat. It is not violence. It is not security risk. It is not a crime worthy of an arrest. And the clearest evidence of how disproportionate that response truly was. Every single charge was quickly dropped because everyone, including the justice system, recognized that this never should have reached that point. When a parent is arrested for going over time, the message to every other parent is, "We will punish you publicly and severely, even for the smallest misstep." No school district can build trust that way. And no board should want that kind of reputation. Tonight is not about pretending Marbel followed every rule. Tonight
022is about acknowledging that the consequences were far more extreme than the situation called for and that this district must course correct. Upholding this level three grievance does not excuse going over time. It does not set a precedent that parents can ignore rules. It does not undermine board authority. What it does accomplish is far more important. It recognizes that escalation to an arrest was unnecessary and harmful. It shows this district values proportional responses and common sense. It signals to parents that they can engage without fear of retaliation. and it begins to rebuild trust that was lost the moment that arrest happened. [snorts] This board has the opportunity tonight to say, "We enforce our rules, but we also use good judgment. We value order, but we will not punish parents beyond reason. We expect respect, but we
023also extend it." Edgewood ISD can be a model for how districts handle difficult moments with fairness and humanity. Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> Carrie Rodriguez. Good evening. My name is Carrie Rodriguez and I am Matthew Miles and David's mom. I'm also here as the president of the National Parents Union and on behalf of our nearly two million members and as an ambassador for parents and family organizations from across this country who have been watching this situation with serious concern. I just got off a flight from Boston, Massachusetts because I am here to send a strong message to all of you on behalf of our national network of families who will not sit silently while one of our own is being harmed for speaking up. So, let's be very clear about what happened here.
024Medibel Gardia came before this board to do exactly what we expect parents and ask parents and families to do. She showed up. She asked questions. She demanded better for our children. She stepped fully into her role in helping represent the most critical and important stakeholders at this table. And for that, she was silenced. She was removed. She was placed in handcuffs and thrown into jail. And that is wrong. It is unacceptable. And it violates the basic principles of public education. Parents, families in this community have the most to lose when schools continue to underserve our children. And Edgewood ISD has a lot to answer to parents when it comes to academic outcomes and broken promises. Parents have been ignored, have been dismissed, have been disrespected. While this system continues to fail too many children, Edgewood
025has a lot to answer for, and it should never be parents who bear the blame for speaking the truth. For years, families and communities like this one have been told that they are not engaged enough, not informed enough, not present enough. But when a parent like Medel and all of these parents here step up and do everything that we claim we want parents to do, she is punished for it. That is a disgrace. It is a sign of a system more invested in maintaining control than in serving its community. So, let me remind you of something that is very important. This board works for parents in the community, not for a superintendent, not for the comfort of district leadership, and your accountability is to the public. Your responsibility is to the children and the families
026who rely on you. And I want you to understand something else. The entire nation saw what happened here. Parent organizations, civil rights leaders, community groups, and family advocates from across the country watched that video and were horrified. They saw an extraordinary leader and an extraordinary human being treated like a threat simply for speaking with courage and conviction. They saw exactly how this district responds when a parent demands accountability. And they are waiting to see what you do next. Tonight, this board should be acknowledging the harm done and issuing a public apology to Medel Gardia. Thank you for your time. >> Mike B. Trusty Valdez, you're not permitted to speak during public comments. You're a board member. >> Good evening. My name is Mike V and I am speaking for the record. Trusty Valdez is put
027on the record in violation of our operations. >> I want to express that this board has chosen to create a grievance committee instead of allowing the entire board to hear grievances which is fully allowed under state law and can be protected in our district of innovation plan. >> The most transparent approach for Edgewood, my name is Mike V. The most transparent approach for Edgewood is for all seven elected trustees to hear these matters. not a select few. It is also concerning that the trustees chosen for this committee are all deficient in their required trainings and two of them are newly elected trustees with no experience handling level three grievances. This committee will be making decisions on behalf of the entire board and the lack of training and experience undermines the fairness and credibility of this
028process. I also want to state clearly that I do not know why this board is even having a level three grievance right now. I can assume that it might be related to the arrest that occurred because that is the only matter that the public is aware of. And I would like to say when she was arrested, our board president did not tell her she was out of order. Even though our board policy and the board operating procedures require that instruction before taking any action to remove anyone, this didn't happen. The district attorney, Joe Gonzalez, who is a graduate of this very school district, did not accept the charges that Edgewood attempted to pursue. This alone is concerning um it's that alone should be should concern every person here tonight. The district attorney dropped the charges.
029It is also extremely troubling that the police body camera did not work during the incident. In 2025 with a district in 2025 with a district that claims to value transparency and and you're rooted in social justice, a malfunctioning body camera in the middle of an arrest raises serious questions. And finally, this board recently censored one of its own trustees for personal opinions. Opinions that are fully entitled under the United States Constitution. This kind of retaliation against elected officials is not with the values ed claims to stand for. Our families deserve transparency. They deserve fairness and they deserve a grievance process led by trustees who are trained, prepared and accountable. Instead, we are seeing rush decisions, unqualified committee assignments and actions that silence the voices rather than uplifting them. Thank you. Miss Lisa, >> for the
030record, board members are prohibited from speaking during public comment. You just vied a board operating procedure, sir. Hello. I first want to thank most of most of the board members for being here again after a very long night yesterday. And I also want to thank Mr. Stoya for taking the the position that was vacant the other night. Um I want to speak on this level three hearing. Uh when you have individuals that come up here and speak, one must first know and understand the rules. It seems that people are not aware or just don't care, especially since there's an increase in narcissistic um individuals. I know that the rules are posted online for this board policy procedures. So, it's about 30 something pages long, but it's it's there. It's been there for years. As an
031adult, you got to understand that you cannot come up here and start screaming saying that Miss Gara her first amendment rights were violated because she was given time to speak. If you look at the re read the rule book, it tells you what happens when there's too many speakers. Your time gets cut. It's written in black and white. So, as an adult, you have to understand that when we don't follow the rules, our consequences are usually a little bit more severe. So, I appreciate you guys coming up with this committee to try to um handle grievances that come on board. And I hope that people actually take advantage of that to minimize the number of people that come up here and try to rep many things as quickly as possible. Um, but Miss Garia, Miss
032Garia, you failed to follow the rules of the district. They've been there for a very long time. Yes, you have a handful of people here supporting you, but remember there's thousands that are not. There's thousands of people that do not support you. And I know this because I'm actually on the campus talking to people. They are embarrassed with what you've done to this district. So, we cannot allow this type of behavior to continue from anyone. As we just saw on display, even our board members don't behave properly. But there's a there's a verse in the Bible, spare spare the rod, spoil the child. That's one of these situations here, you know. So, I'm asking you as a committee to make an informed decision based on the information that you have, you know, because as adults,
033we have to set the example. We have to make sure that we are not behaving badly when we're up here because that is not a representation of this district. This individual has brought nothing but negative publicity to our district, which in turn, it reflects back into our students. It affects our students. This individual doesn't even live in this district, doesn't have a child in this district. I understand she has kids with disabilities. I have kids with disabilities. I've had my ups and downs with this district. Everybody that knows me knows. But I follow the rules. I work together with the school at the lowest possible level to get things done correctly. So throwing a fit when you come up here because you're not getting what you want as an advocate, as a board member, as
034a community member, that behavior needs to stop. It really needs to stop, guys. Thank you. Thank you, >> Dora Maldonado. I'm here uh to read this statement to request that the board of trustees and superintendent reconsider the ultimate dismissal of the criminal trespassing action issued to Miss Garda Mariel Gardia based on the information I have received directly from EISD officer the district standard protocol is to issue a verbal warning first followed by a radian warning and only after continued non-compliance as the situation escalate to a trespassing citation. In this case, Miss Garia did not receive the protocol steps that are normally provided to parents, guardians, and community members prior to such action. While I understand the adjusted speaking limits were implemented due to the high volume of public speakers, it is also clear that several
035individuals exceeded their time without any enforced action. In Miss Gardia's situation, she did request her remaining time because President Hernand did not initially informed her that her first speaking period had already concluded. Miss Gardia continued to speak only after President Hernandis permitted her to go for it. Under these circumstances, the response she received appears disapprop disappropriate and inconsistent with establishing practice. Beyond the specific incident, I believe that is essential to acknowledge Miss Garia's longstanding work in our community. She is dedicated advocate and strong leader and exceptional supporter of students with disabilities. Her efforts have helped many of our families and their children. Instead of treating her as an adversity, I urge the district to recognize the value of collaboration. from forming a partnership with her nonprofit organization could strengthen our parent engagement, increase transparency, and
036support families who often struggle to navigate the special education procedures, especially during the time when the district, like many others across the states facing shortages in special education and instructional staff. Our students deserve every possible resource, especially now. Partnerships, community involvement, and open communication are how we ensure students become successful, self-sufficient, confident, and capable of advocates for themselves. They leave our district. We must avoid being another system that fails them. For these reasons, I respectfully request that the trespassing citation issued to Miss Gardi dropped that the district strongly consider establishing collabor collaborative partnership with her nonprofit organization, My Shifted. Parenting with master would provide families with direct access to advocacy support, clear understanding of educational process and guidance in securing appropriate services for their children. This collaboration would not only strengthen parent engagement and improvement
037outcomes for students with disabilities, but it would also demonstrate the district's commitment to transparency, equally equality, and meaningful community involvement. It is in our time when our district is facing staff shortages and increase student needs. Forming a partnership with my shift is not only beneficial, it is necessary to ensure our students, families, and community receive the resource, supports they urgently deserve. Government systems across the nation are failing our students. And we must not we we must not make the same choice and be part of that pattern. Instead, we should stand out, be different, and lead by example by building strong partnerships with with this uh with my shifted and put the students first. >> Thank you, Gabriella Hernandez. Okay. >> So, good good afternoon Martinez. >> My name is Gabriella Martinez to serve you God
038in um Our Lady of the Gualupe. Yes. And everybody >> I I I know uh Miss Mariel >> because she was uh helping me in a case of bullying >> in which the district uh did not support her >> and to this point. We still are suffering the consequences >> in sequence in my family >> due to the negligence, >> nepotism, lack of uh the leadership taking action to support us in in this particular situation. >> We have been uh we have experienced discrimination racism >> and also because of faith. Our [music] faith >> and at any point the district has showed us signs of empathy in terms of supporting us in in overcoming this particular stage. And uh so it has been >> when I met uh Miss Mariel >> and her organization Mindshift,
039>> she along with other parents has they have supported me with uh resources to know how be an advocate uh for my son and for his rights. and of my two uh children. >> Uh she came here to help us. >> Um I understand her point that um she stated that um she crossed some of the rules that over uh one minute. >> Uh and I I understand that. what I feel is negligent >> that um uh a sign of um that that she was not advised and and and she felt that uh we went over in terms of going over one minute because because I have witnessed uh things that are uh worst in the district. And we have uh seen uh worse things in the district and we have lived um worse things
040in the district and we have not seen any action from us to defend uh us >> but Miss Mariel Michael Valdez >> and Miss Michael Valdez that they're facing they're putting their safes uh for us their face for us >> they're being sanction so I'm I'm today I'm requesting >> that we you give us a transparency I don't know if this gentleman he if he's the attorney for the district >> yes >> but I would like that because he's the lawyer of the district that represent the district and my kids and my children, their members of the Edgewood, their students in Edgewood and therefore because of taxes. We we use those to for for them to go to school. I would like to uh be in contact with him and to work uh with him
041alongside that way he can explain like she stated >> the rules and uh in which particular moment >> because one minute we can uh cope with some such a level of uh negligence and everything that Mariel went through uh when she was arrested and all the things that Michael has gone through. my what my uh children have gone through and experienced >> and what my family has experienced because one minute because of one minute you can you know do all of this and for four years that I have been requesting assistance and help you have not taken any action >> currently Currently the principal uh she is supporting me >> but she is also um witnessing the the sequels >> consequences >> of the system that you are uh managing and handling. So therefore I
042am requesting that the lawyer that he is to support and serve as the district that he will give me that he will give provide me guidance in the process of him and my children. >> Thank you. Ariel Taylor Ariel Kaylor Smith. Okay. Good evening. My name is Ariel Taylor Smith. I'm the senior director of policy and action at the National Parents Union and I oversee our litigative and legislative strategies work. I flew here this evening to express our union's serious concerns regarding the treatment of Mary Bell Gardia. Miss Gardia participated in public comment where she was rightfully asking for the district to address concerns of parents. She gave her testimony in both English and Spanish, something that is permissible both because of federal civil rights laws and your own board policy on this matter. When
043she went over her time, she was forcefully removed from the boardroom and arrested. She was detained overnight in jail for exercising her first amendment right to free speech. Asking questions of a public body and engaging in civic participation is clearly protected is a clearly protected activity. Miss Gardia's rights were clearly violated during this incident. Equally concerning is the credible indication that her treatment was influenced by the language in which she was choosing to speak Spanish. If that's true, it raises serious issues under federal civil rights laws, including Title Six, which prohibits discrimination based on national origin, including language. Whether intentional or reckless, the arrest of a parent who spoke Spanish sends a message wholly incompatible with the obligations of a public institution. I will also bring the to the attention of this board that the
044US Department of Justice recently issued a memorandum specifically affirming that parents must not face retaliation for their participation in school governance. In that directive issued by Attorney General Pam Bondi, the department stated, "Parents first amendment rights and their fundamental right to direct the moral and religious education of their children will be protect protected from unlawful attacks." The department further emphasized federal authorities will identify and respond to credible threats against parents whose federal rights have been violated in education settings. In light of these considerations, I urge this board and any supervising agency to take the following steps. One, conduct a formal review of the circumstances surrounding Miss Gardia's arrest, including the decision-making process, the legal basis asserted, and the language-based dis disparities in treatment. Two, implement corrective measures, including retraining, oversight mechanisms, or disciplinary action as
045appropriate. Three, affirm publicly that no parent will ever again be subjected to arrest, detention, or intimidation for asking questions in English or Spanish or any language in which they can best participate. This is not about political disagreement. This is not about managing public meetings. It's about ensuring that this board operates within the limits of the law. Thank you. >> The time is 5:49 and the Edgewood Independent School District will go into close session as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, chapter 551.071. >> Thank you. For the record, madam chair, the board is also moving into close session pursuant to 551.074. The time is now 7:47 and the Edgewood Independent School District School Board reconvenes from close session. Item 4 A, discussion action regarding level three hearing for Mariel Gardia. Is there
046a motion? >> Yes. I move that the board to deny grievance requested remedies as presented in the close session agreements. >> Do we have a second? >> I'll second that. >> Is there any discussion? Do we have no discussion? All those in favor raise your hand and say I. >> I. >> All those opposed, raise your hand, say nay. All those abstain, raise your hand and say abstain. Motion carries. The time is now 9:48. Oh, 7:48. Do we have a motion to adjourn this meeting? Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Yes, ma'am. I I have a motion to adjourn this meeting. >> Any second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? If we have no discussion, all those in favor, raise your hand. Say I >> I All those opposed raise your hand say nay.
047All those abstain raise your hand and say abstain. Motion carries. This meeting is adjourned. Thank