001All right, everyone. We're going to Joey a little bit louder. There you go. All right, everyone. We're going to start in about a few seconds in about 15 seconds. So, if everybody can start getting situated and uh in advance, thank you to all our parents that are here for recognitions tonight. Good afternoon, school board, Dr. Hernandez, district staff, and community. The time is now 6:00 p.m. on September 16th, 2025. And I call this meeting of the Edgewood Independent School District School Board to order. First roll call. Miss Martha Castillia will be joining us today. Mr. Frank Espinosa, >> present. >> Mr. Luis Gomez, >> present. >> Mr. Rudy Lopez, >> present. >> Mr. Michael Valdez, >> present. >> Mr. Sergio Degado is on his way. And I, Dr. James Hernandez, is present. Let the record
002show that a quorum of the Edgewood Independent School District School Board 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. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance to the US and Texas flags led by Miss Lauren Blevens. And a moment of silence. Tonight's presentation of the colors is brought to us by Memorial High School Junior ROC under the direction of Sergeant Timothy Scott. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas. One state under God, one and indivisible. Please remain standing for a moment of silence. Thank
003you. You may be seated. >> All right. Thank you. Uh next we're going to have Miss uh I'm sorry, Dr. Atkins with our goals to greatness recognitions. Good evening, board president, Dr. James Hernandez, school board trustees, and Dr. Hernandez, superintendent of schools, as well as eduate staff and community. During this evening's presentation of from goals to greatness recognitions, I will be sharing the individual and collective efforts of our students, staff, and community members and partners aligned to our district strategic plan goals and the C categories and competencies of our district leadership definition. At Edgewood ISD, we believe that strong leadership at all levels of the organization is the foundation of meaningful growth and lasting positive change across our district. To guide this belief, we've developed the EISD leadership definition framework, a reflection of our commitment
004to our core values, professionalism, accountability, and communication. This framework is built around three essential categories. People matter, growth matters, and goals matter. Each category plays a vital role in shaping how we lead, collaborate, and hold ourselves accountable. in the pursuit of excellence. This evening, we are proud to recognize our leaders of the pack for September. These outstanding members of the Edgewood community exemplify the district's core value of professionalism, accountability, and communication, as well as the categories and competencies outlined in our leadership definition framework. Our first honor this evening is Irene Vasquez. As the head custodian of Brentwood Steam, she makes sure the campus is safe and clean. She leads with dedication and aims to build good relationships between her team, campus staff, and students. Whatever it takes, describes the Kennedy High School attendance officers, Dala
005Guzme and Pamela Pina. They embody the goals of growth matter and goals matter of the EISD leadership definition, working tirelessly to keep students present, connected, and informed. Before we bring up our honored guests, let's listen to what they had to say about being recognized as the leader of the pack. who comes from Kennedy and who graduates from Kennedy should have the most positive mindset that we try to provide for our kids, the most support, the growth that they have from here when they transition from a ninth grader all the way to a senior. I think it's just coming out and finding themselves in order to find themselves in the real world. [Music] My name is Salida Guzme. I work at John F. Kennedy High School. I'm an attendance officer there and this is my second
006year with Edgewood ISD. >> My name is Irene Vasquez. I'm with physical plant. I'm assigned Bradwood S. Soi and I've been 10 years here with the district. >> My name is Pamela Bea, Jonath Kennedy High School attendance officer four years. >> Tip of the day for me here is I get it here in the morning. I open my campus. I open gates. I go and check on my custodial cleaning for the night before. And then I start getting ready for breakfast. And then after that, I'm on call for my campus cleanups. >> A typical day starts with setting a positive environment for the students. Whether it's greeting my peers, greeting students with a smile, or ensuring that they're here every single day, going to their classes, getting what they needed to get done in order
007to be here 90% of the time. Greeting our students, uh, assisting them, whatever that, you know, their questions are, you know, from hours, um, bringing excuses in and assisting principles and the assistant principles. Anywhere, anything that is needed, we're there to help. When I found out being leader of the pack, believe me, I opened my email. I was shocked. I was honored. And I thank the person that, you know, recommended me. I never thought I would get recommended, but it was a really surprise for me. I'm honored. >> Being selected as leader of the pack is such a great honor and a privilege to be trusted to represent the core values of Edwood ISD. with hard work and dedication, it really pays off to show who's accountable for what and who is in charge of
008what. And I feel like here at Kennedy, we have a strong um foundation so we can build that for these students and make sure it leads with them outside their lives too. It it's a awesome opportunity to be selected, you know. Um just want to continue showing that, you know, the leadership and assisting, you know, wherever I need it. just keep on doing that. Like they don't know that a tennis is a big thing. You know, attendance doesn't matter. It's a big thing um to help them graduate cuz if you don't get it done, it'll set you back. So, I like to give them opportunities like, hey, you know, offer um night school, Saturday school, you know, anything we can do to help them or like, hey, you know, there's still a chance to bring
009excuse. It's not too late. Let's let's do it. Let's get this done. I choose Edgewood because of the community, the vision that they have here, and everyone's like family. You know, ever since um my first day, it's been very welcoming. So, that's why I choose Edward. >> I chose Edward because I'm a product of Edward myself. My kids graduated from Edward and I've always been an Edward at heart. I choose Edgewood because it feels like home where you can provide support, growth, and it comes all together to build a strong foundation from where it starts from the beginning, from the middle to the end. It builds that foundation for the kids so they can finish throughout that. And when they graduate, they build their own foundation with their lives and with their families. >> It's
010like family. Everyone treats each other like family. like, you know, my kids come here too, you know, like I've lived in this area for 12 years and I love it. I actually don't see myself moving away from here. [Music] Let's give our leaders of the pack a hand again. We have Irene Vasquez, Delila Guzme, and Pamela Pena. [Applause] Again, thank you for your professionalism, accountability, and the communication that you share with our EISD family. The annual Salsa Bowl brings together all EISD as we celebrate the rivalry between the Kennedy Rockets and the Memorial Minutemen. This year's matchup saw it all. Excited fans, great plays, and plenty of memorable moments. We'd like to recognize the Kennedy Rockets for their 49-21 win in the 2025 Salsa Bowl. Here on behalf of the Rockets are team captains Tristan
011Gallardo, Augustine Trevinho, John Cantou, and Jonas Mendoza, and their coach Matt Obe. Congratulations, Rocket. [Applause] Let's give our football team another hand. Way to go, JFK. Before the football teams battled it out, EISD hosted the annual salsa cookoff competition. 11 teams from EISD, including the Edgewood Lions Club, served up some of the spiciest and most savory salsas in town. But in the end, the team from business and finance took home the trophy as the salsa cookoff champion. We want to uh make sure to thank our fine arts academy group for their performance, the cosmetology students for providing face painting, and for the memorial culinary culinary students for serving up sausage wrap. Now, we'd like to invite six very talented um artists to come forward, please. These students will have their artwork published and celebrate art.
012As part of a national art contest, congratulations to Elizabeth Kimer, Keemmer. Thank you, Keem, Sophia Garcia, and Arieli Pettis. [Applause] Including in this honor is Sophie Main, Crystal Gomez, and Elias Fioro. We also want to thank and recognize their art teachers, Sandra Garcia, Alandre Garcia, and April Salazari. They're here. [Applause] Great job everyone. EISD is grateful for our community partners and neighbors including St. Mary's University. On August the 28th, St. Mary's volunteers and students dedicated dedicated their their time to spruce up LMA Park Elementary School, enhancing the playground, the basketball court, and campus grounds to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for our students. We extend a heartfelt thank you to St. Mary's for generously giving their time and support. On Wednesday, September the 10th, Brentwood Steam School of Innovation opened its doors for a
013fall community fair. They invited community partners such as SA hope, the Madonna Center, CPS Energy, University Hospital, and more to share information and to connect EISD families and community members. The Vikings cheerleaders were also on hand to keep the energy up and to help direct people around various uh tables at the event. Kudos to uh principal Claudia Sanchez and all who had a hand in organizing such a meaningful event for our community. Football season is in full swing and the award-winning Minutemen Men Read program has kicked off for the new school year. Student athletes from Memorial High School's football program travel to our elementary schools to read to young students. They spend time with young part with young learners and encourage them to practice their reading. We're also so thankful for coach Ortega's commitment to
014fostering relationships between our high school athletes and young students. We know that it inspires all of them to continue working hard and to reach their goals. Many EISD students have the supplies they need to create, build, and to learn. Thanks to the generous donations of several community groups. Tonight, we'd like to say thank you to the South Texas Ford Truck Mafia for donating school supplies to Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary. We want to thank HB for donating supplies to LBJ and Doma Park. These supplies will be used throughout the year to make sure teachers have what they need to keep lessons and creativity going all year. If you know of a community group that would like to help um with campus supplies to provide campus supplies, please have them reach out to the EISD family and
015community engagement department. PBIS shoutout. Edwood's positive behavioral intervention and supports PBIS teams hit the ground running this school year and tonight we'd like to highlight some of the great work. The Memorial High School PBIS team helped host the annual Salsa Bowl Classic hallway decorating contest. Congratulations to to the sophomores who crushed it. They'll celebrate with an orange soda and Coke float party. Stafford Visual and Performing Arts Elementary started the year off with a high energy pep rally led by students. The event included games, activities, and clear overview of campus expectations. And at Loma Park Elementary, attendance was the focus. Students with perfect attendance were recognized with ice pops, a sweet reward for showing up every day ready to learn. Thank you to all of our PBIS teams and our campus leaders for investing in our
016students and building a strong, positive culture from day one. Now to our CTE highlight. We're excited to bring back the monthly spotlight on the different career and technical education programs offered in EISD. Tonight we're showcasing the business law and management program at Kennedy High School led by Veronica Casiano and Anita Castillo. Students are learning about the principles of business and laws governing businesses, how businesses are created, and more. Here now is a look at the business law and management program. Hello, my name is Josiah Rodriguez and this is Miss Castillo's business law class. [Music] Hello, my name is Maximus and welcome to Miss Casiano's business practicum class. [Music] If you're interested in learning more about the business law and management CTE program, Contact program teachers Veronica Casiano and Anita Castillo or EIS CTE director Mr.
017Javier Urebe. We want to share an opportunity for EISD families who would like to meet with our special education department. Mark your calendars for upcoming events such as donuts with the director event held at the Berles School of Innovation and Education. The next meeting is September the 30th. Director Jennifer Bernal and her team would like to meet with you, talk with you, and to find out ways that we can better serve our students. Now, I'd like to welcome to the podium our senior director of educational operations, Mr. Joe Henosa, who will be sharing an an overview of our special education department here in EISD. Good evening, board president, Dr. James Hernandez, board of trustees, superintendent schools, Dr. Edward Hernandez. My name is Joe Nosa. It is an honor for me to stand in front of
018you all today and begin the conversation about our overview of special education services. Our in our intended learning is the overview of the state of special ed in our district. Tonight's discussion will revolve around the district team and mission, our strategic goals, identification process, program services, and our challenges along with our solutions. The team that we have, and I'd like to really highlight them, is of course to my right, Jennifer Bernal, our special education director. Next is Desiree Cervantes, who oversees evaluation and compliance. This is a value position because what Mr. Vontes does is ensures that our evaluation is being done accordingly and the compliance of timelines due to the state of Texas for all uh indep in independent situations of accountability. Also we have Miss Benvita as our 18 plus transition coordinator who also
019serves as our Berles principal. Below we have Miss Alzando, Miss Garza, Jose Faz, and Miss Valdez. These individuals are extremely important because they have an amount of expertise that helps our school district and our campuses. For instance, Miss Alzando's uh expertise is in autism and individual and students with intellectual disabilities as well as Mr. B who highlights our program for our students who have behavioral and emotional disabilities. Miss Valdez and Miss Garza are instruct are exceptional when it comes to instructional practices specifically with specifically design instruction. So what is special education? I'd like to take this opportunity. The definition is is up here, but let me give you the definition of what it means to me and to our staff here in ISB. Special education revolves around fate. What that means it's a free appropriate
020public education and that's guaranteed for individuals with individual individual disabilities act which is IDA. In turn that means our students within our district have an IEP which is an individualized education plan. I want to reference that again. An IEP is individualized. It's individualized for our students. And additionally, we have FURPA which also protects our family for the privacy of our student records and our families who have control of that information. These are the rights that uphold the equitable, personalized, and confidential educational experiences of our students. Our mission is to foster academic success, behavioral growth, and meaningful family engagement for our students with disabilities. The strategic goals that we strive to attain and that Mr. Bernell and the team have worked so strongly with is our academic achievement which is in line with our academics and
021improve reading growth for students in grade three through eight using targeted instruction and program progress monitoring. The next section on student behavior support reducing disciplinary placements ISS OSS DAP and pro uh proactive interventions and inclusive practices and supports. I want to take a moment to highlight when we talk about student behavior support. Dr. Matkins highlighted a couple slides ago PBIS was our positive behavior. So when we talk about behavior and we're referencing behavior in Edwood ISD, we're also talking about positive behavior and that is the goal that we strive for in all areas. And so it is a highlight that as a district and as our campuses that we have that PBIS in place. It's also one of the goals because this is part of our accountability that we go through in uh our RDA.
022And then lastly is our family engagement transition services. This is something that's very important to us, Miss Bernau, and referencing the donuts with the director. But also, there's a new bill in the state of Texas, House Bill 1188, which highlights students in their first ARD or their first IEP who qualify under an intellectual disability or developmental delay have to be given the right to access and services. I'm proud to say that Edgewood ISD in conjunction with Morgan's Wonderland which is the MAC is working together to ensure that we are getting these references and resources out to our parents. How does a student qualify for special education services under the individuals with disabilities act IDA which we referenced earlier and ensuring the free and public uh public education we start with evaluation. The student can be
023evaluated or identified for special ed services from birth all the way to 22. And we have a child finding facilitator that works within our district that we work with to ensure that we're uh identifying our students. If a student has then been identified and evaluated, then we go into having the educational need and that must show the need for specially designed instruction due to a disability's impact on learning. And lastly, the IEP development, which is the individual education plan that is individualized by educators, specialists, and most importantly with our parents and ensuring that we're having the collaboration with our parents. We talked about earlier, I want to go back and I want to reference the key to special education when we talk about FAPE. FAPE is free appropriate public education. Anchored in FAPE is what
024we call our least restrictive environment. This is extremely important in everything that we do within Android ISD because our goal is to ensure that our students are served along their peers in our special education classrooms. The decisions and placement or instructional settings goes back to the IEP with parents and ensuring that the settings that are established that we're meeting the needs and the resources for our students. So in turn that takes us to our continuous services. What does this mean? Our continuous services is where our students are placed. This would be their instructional setting in the classroom. You can start with the general education support which would be ed accommodations in the classroom. The co-eing or inclusion which is a general ed teacher and possibly a parent or a special ed teacher collaborating together. Our
025resource is a pull out of our students who may need some targeted support by a special education teacher who can also push in services as well as the pull out services. We also have our self-contained classrooms for our students needing some uh extra attention with some uh intensive needs. And then we have our specialized program schools. And these are for our students who we may not be able to meet their needs here in the school district, but we've had to look at maybe some other sources and resources that can meet their needs. Transition services that we have in Edward IC. So in the state of Texas at the age of 14, we begin the process of discussing transition services for our students with disabilities. What this entails is that we're looking what's a student's interest.
026We have great programs within our district. We've highlighted CTE before. So if we have our students that for instance have a goal of maybe working in automotive. We have these programs. We have wonderful programs. But also and thankful to the board, we have a program for our students with disabilities that is our 18 plus program for our students 18 to 22 that is Berles School of Innovation and Education that's also partnered with Texas A&M. As you can see on the pictures here, one of the things that are or three of the things that our uh young adults do is career exploration, college readiness, and independent living. I'm very proud to say with our career exploration and the programs that we offer, we have enterprises within our own school district that our students establish, whether that's
027a flower shop, which you see right there, Bur and Blooms for daily specialties, we have a coffee shop, we have a garden, we have a bike shop. We also look at college readiness. Our students who are in 18 plus program may come in because they need some extra skills. They may need some extra services to look at, I'm not ready to go to college. I'm not ready to take that extra leap, but that is my end goal. And so, we're also able to do that as well. And then, of course, our independent leave living for our students that want to live alone or they need to take transportation to get where they need to. And so, these are the programs and the services that we offer uh in Edgewood. But, Berles as though it's the
02818 to 22, all of these start earlier than that. This is the end goal, but this is where where we have a phenomenal program, and I want to thank the board for allowing us to continue this This is very specific data as of current in our in our district. This is the total number of students we currently have in our district. 1,261 students that we service and you can see um up on the side the different types of disabilities. We've also attached a QR code that you can take a picture uh if you take your phone and that's going to give a more detailed uh description of the disabilities. Earlier we talked about the continuum of services. What you'll see there on instructional setting that is what the continuum of services is. When we talked
029about students in our general ed classrooms receiving accommodations, that would be our main street. When we have students that may need some extra support, that would be our resource. And then our self-contained would be for our students that need extra support and may have some uh severe disabilities. But that also means that when we talked about our least restrictive environment is that we have our students going out to classes. Whether that starts with going out to PE when we have a program like partners in PE. These are all programs I want to highlight that we have within our schools when it comes to our students with disabilities in conjunction with the general ed. So some program updates. One of the things that we've done really hard and I want to thank this now here is
030the redesign of the donuts with the director to advisory council. I think some parents may be in there that you met with and I want to tell you thank you for taking the time to give us some opportunities to have a discussion about what are some things that we can do differently or what are some things that we have challenges that we can also help. Uh we've heard from you parents too and enhancing the web page doing clicks. So we're working on that as well and not only that special education training for all teachers. I'm also proud to announce over the summer that our special education staff and who you see in this picture are not only the specialists, but they're also teachers that train general ed teachers in the resources and accommodations, modifications, and
031things that go in for the special ed case manager that they can train with the teacher. So, they did a fantastic job and I want to say thank you for giving us the opportunity to have our own teachers trained alongside our special our general ed teacher. We have monthly case checkins. Um, we've also got feedback from our parents that they would like more information coming from the case managers. So, we're now ramping that up and working alongside our case managers, more parent training. If you'll go to our website and also be on the lookout for Thrillshare for our families that have students in our program, you'll start to receive more of those. And then increase campus visit. [Music] These are some of our challenges right now. U no secret staffing across the state of Texas
032but particularly uh for us the uh staffing in the area of special education continues to be a challenge. Um the challenges of the legislative mandates even though we've got uh more money that's coming in there's certain ways you have to spend it and so that that handcuffs us a bit. Solutions though is we are contracting services for LSSBs which is our licensed school psychologists and those are our individuals who perform the evaluations. I also want to say thank you to the board because those items have come up and you guys have all been uh very supportive in us making sure that we're continuing to make sure our families get all the resources. We're also shifting our central office resources to the schools uh individuals that we can place at the schools to fill in in
033the classrooms right now where we may have a vacancy. We're working to do that and as always our outreach to programs and universities to share the opportunities that are here in Edward. I take any opportunity that I get and also when I'm asked to speak about our program, not just in special ed, but particularly in Edgewood and the wonderful district and the opportunities that we have alongside with our HR department. Um, you can see there our flyer for recruiting teachers uh as well. And below you'll see our staffing structure of our current staff that that we have. So once again, I want to where we started go back to Lisb now the donuts with the director. I ask that all of you here community and I apologize that my back seed so I'm make eye
034contact uh eye contact with individuals that are here. Please share the word. We want to get feedback. We want you to be there and tell us how we can improve because at the end of the day everything we do is for our kids and we love our community and we love our program and the things that we can we can establish together. And so um So please if you have a child in within our program uh please come to the meeting so that we can get more feedback but at the end of the day work together to improve uh because we are edgewood proud and we are here for our community. Here's my contact information as well. Please reach out to me, email me, you can call me. I would love to have any conversations
035for any parents as well when it comes to our students with special needs. and also Miss Bernal I'd like to tell you thank you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to start the discussion in our program and to all the committee members here too. Thank you as well. [Applause] In celebrating 75 years of EISD, we are honored to highlight an EISD legacy. Manny Reyes, Memorial High School, class of 1998, signed as a student athlete on both the varsity, football, and baseball teams. He went on to play baseball at St. Mary's University, where he was part of the 2001 National Championship team. And this no November, he will be inducted into the St. Mary's Athletics Hall of Fame. Today, he continues serving the community as a detective for the San Antonio Police Department. This year,
036Mr. Reyes returned to EISD to help kick off the salsa bowl with a ceremonial coin toss pictured here with Memorial High School principal Miguel Alzando. National Bullying Prevention Month is approaching. It's actually in October. We are proud to highlight an important presentation happening tomorrow at Gus Garcia University School. The Davis Legacy Foundation will engage um our sixth through 8th grade students in a powerful conversation about bullying and cyber bullying prevention. The foundation was established in memory of David Moolak um a San Antonio High School student whose life was cut short by cyber bullying. The state's anti-cyber bullying law carries his name, honoring his memory and reinforcing our collective responsibility to keep students safe. Now, I'd like to highlight some positive stories being shared about EISD across our community. The Express News recently featured Stafford Visual
037and Performing Arts Elementary showcasing the classical music introduction, excuse me, instruction being brought into the classroom. In the article, 11year-old Amanda shared that she can now see a future for herself as a performing musician. Telmundo interviewed Kennedy High School football players who spoke about the mindset for the 2025 season and how the Rockets are approaching each game differently. Earlier this month, Dr. Hernandez joined a live um joined live on Express News podcast panel to discuss the House Bill 1481, the cell phone ban. He was joined by retired uh Church Hill High School principal and Moren Moch, the mother of David Moolik, from whom the anti-bullying David's law is named. Link to all of these stories can be found on the marketing and communications page at eisd.net. And we want to remind you to make sure
038that you're following EISD of SA on YouTube. That's where you can find all of the messages from the superintendent as well as live streams of meetings and sporting events. Right now, there is a new message from Dr. Hernandez on the current Texas Education Agency ratings as well as his salsa message. We invite you to take a few minutes to check this out. We want to thank everyone for your attendance today and your attention to the recognitions uh presentation in Edgewood. People matter, growth matter, goals matter. Thank you for living this way every day and for keeping our students and staff at the center of everything we do. At this time, I'm going to turn it back over to our board president or either >> All right. Thank you. Yeah, we'll take u just a couple
039moments, maybe two minutes if you want to take pictures, then we'll come back. I don't see anyone moving. We good? Okay, we're going to keep going then. All right, Mr. President. Um, I would like to share some thoughts that um I put down on paper that I want to share with our community. Um, first of all, I want to thank uh members of our committee. I only see two. Um, but I am going to name um some other folks because whether a person's here or not, I like to give credit where credit's due. Um, over the last week, I had an opportunity to meet uh with some of our parents um in the community and um and one of our community members. Um we had a very productive meeting last week uh with regards to
040a parent resolution that was brought to the board uh on August 19th. And so um in having that conversation, I also wanted to take a moment to uh read something my thoughts uh to the community as well as also continue in a dialogue and in a conversation to co-create uh what I believe and what I my hope is will be new opportunities for our parents in the school district in addition to what you've seen today. As you can see, there's a lot of opportunities for parents. I'm seeing a lot of our parents that are still in the room that were recognized as well as other students that are recognized from across the district. So, I do want to start there. So, I want to go ahead and share just a few thoughts um and then
041we'll proceed. U so good evening board members, families, and community members. I want to take a moment to speak directly to our Edgewood ISD parents and guardians. As your superintendent, my commitment has always been to listen, learn, and lead with transparency and respect. In my 29 years in education, I have made listening to feedback a vital part of my service. Over the past seven years at Edgewood ISD, I work hard to remain accessible to our families, students, staff, and community through various platforms and have welcomed feedback that's helped us grow stronger together. I hold lunchons with students, the superintendent's community council that many of you have been gracious enough to serve on morning duty at campuses and at various functions throughout the district. Even when we had to make tough decisions about closing campuses, we
042turned to you, the community, for your input. I understand that only together can we build relationships and create change for positive outcomes. Following our last board meeting, I personally reached out to the four families who were present and were here to speak to the board. I'm pleased to share that I have met with these individuals and I do want to again give credit where credit is due. I don't see Jessica, but Jessica was at our meeting. Miss Dora, I do see Miss Dora here. Uh, Miss Dorothy, I know I saw you earlier. Oh, there you go, Miss Dorothy. And then Miss Belinda, I don't see Miss Belinda, but Belinda was there as well. uh and I'm working to create a parent advisory council to provide more opportunities for dialogue. I truly appreciate their feedback and
043the opportunity to better understand the concerns they have with Edgewood ISD. These conversations are important and I am grateful for their willingness to meet and openly discuss their concerns. We have learned through these meetings that Edward ISD needs to do a better job promoting the work we already do. Much of the information requested by our parents is already available on our website. For student information, parents have access to the parent portal, and I'm going to talk a little bit about that later in my presentation. For information about safety, security, accountability, finances, and other relevant information. The board hears regularly at board workshops and board meetings that are livereamed and then posted to our website for easy access. While we promote accessibility regularly, it is clear that we need to improve our efforts in making the
044community more aware of these resources. More importantly, we learned that no matter what the perspective, we want the best for our students in general. As a response to the feedback I've received recently, I'd like to increase opportunities for parents to visit with me. I will be available to parents in the mornings after my morning duty once a week at different campuses throughout Edgewood ISD. In addition, during my ongoing student leadership network lunchons, I will also extend invitations so that parents can join there as well. These meetings will vary in time to accommodate for the variability in parent schedules and their responsibilities. I am extending an open invitation to Edgewood ISTD parents who wish to engage in meaningful dialogue. These meetings are intended to hear directly from you, your experiences, your ideas, and your hopes for
045our schools. In true Edgewood ISD fashion, these sessions will be held in the welcoming environment of your local school campuses. I will be sharing dates and locations in an ongoing cadence using Thrillshare. So, please ask parents to sign up on our parent portal. My intent is to ensure that our decisions continue to reflect the needs of those we serve who are our students and their families. I want to acknowledge the priorities addressed in the parents petition. safe classrooms, bilingual access to EISD resources so that all parents can participate, and a clear grievance, excuse me, and a clear grievance process so that priorities for the district are shared. In direct response to the petition, I'd like to announce that the parent advisory group will be created with the objective for representatives led by a co-chair to
046co-create agendas with district staff and share equal responsibility in presenting and facilitating meetings. The expressed goal behind the development of a recommendation process to to deliver information to the board and superintendent is a tenant of this group. This shared ownership will ensure that our decisions are truly reflective of the needs and aspirations of the community across Edgewood ISD. To those parents who have previously been sorry to those parents who have previously been engaged but may have stepped back, no matter what the reason, I invite you to rejoin in our efforts. To those of you that have been with us, thank you for your continued partnership and trust. Your voices matter and your involvement is crucial in shaping the path forward. As a community, we need to know that in addition to the priorities I just
047addressed in public education, we also face challenges such as recruiting and retaining qualified teachers, addressing declining attendance rates, and reversing declining enrollment. I want to be very clear that every moment we spend not moving in the same direction is a moment lost to do something positive and productive for our students. We can focus on the work that we can do collaboratively to address these challenges head-on collectively. These complex issues affecting the state of Texas and Edgewood ISD require communitywide collaboration and your input is vital. In closing, I am confident that with your support and collaboration, we can achieve great things for our Edgewood ISD. I look forward to connecting with you soon and working together and working together to build a stronger educational environment for all of our children in the 16 square miles of
048the Edgewood Independent School District. So, I do want to thank thank first of all, thank you. Gracias um for allowing me this moment to uh share my thoughts. I want to thank again the four individuals that I mentioned in my speech because they were the individuals that reached out very courageous very respectful uh in our meeting uh also led the meeting did a lot of listening at this meeting and that's the the expectation that I have as we move forward a lot of listening and co-creating as a group and so I thank you I think Jessica you were leading that group for us so I thank you for doing that um and I wanted to share again my thoughts with the community on that I have a little more to share a little more visuals
049to share in my superintendent's poweroint a little later, but at this point I want to turn it back over to our uh board president. Thank you, sir. All right. Next, we move on to our uh next agenda item, which is communication from citizens. Mr. Before we call up any speakers, there are some procedural items to be announced. Board policy BD local limits public comments to specific agenda items. Any speaker that deviates from speaking on agenda items will be ruled out of order and they will forfeit the rest of their time. Speakers who engage in personal attacks or use insulting, profane, threatening, or abusive language during any board meeting shall be ruled out of order by the presiding officer and may be escorted from the board meeting room by district peace officers. Any concerns or complaints
050regarding employees, public officials, students, or parents to be resolved via the appropriate complaint process as stated in Bed Local. Pursuant to 551.042 042 of the Texas Government Code. No board member or administrator may respond to a member of the public unless such response is a recitation of district policy or a statement of specific factual information. Ple excuse me. Please be advised that citizens and especially board members shall refrain from speaking over one another during the meeting out of respect for the speaker that has the floor. Awesome. Thank you, sir. And today everyone's going to have three minutes. I know one person has uh may need a translator, so they'll have six minutes. Uh however, I mentioned this last meeting. Uh three minutes to say what they need to say and then three minutes for the
051translator to repeat everything in in the other language. Okay, we understand. So here we go. First, Miss um Agapita Hario. [Applause] Good afternoon, superintendent, board of trustees and community. I stand before you today to voice my concerns regarding the Edgewood ISB superintendent evaluation which I believe is not an accurate reflection of the students of the district's true standing. This evaluation is currently based on metrics that are far removed from the actual performance of the district, particularly when we consider the district's derating by the Texas Education Agency. The evaluation should not be influenced by the self-pro portrayal or personal image that the superintendent may project. It's crucial that any performance review is rooted in measurable outcomes that reflect the district's real academic standing rather than than an image of success that is that is not supported
052by tangible results. When we are faced with a derating from TEA, we must face the reality of the situation and understand that a proper evaluation should be grounded in addressing the academic and operational challenges we face. The TEA's grade is a reflection of how well our students are performing, how effectively resources are being allocated, and how the district as a whole is progressing. It is an objective metric based on data and student outcomes. To ignore that grade and evaluate the superintendent based on self-reported perceptions or public relations efforts does not does a disservice to the students, teachers, and community members who are directly impacted by the district's performance. To be clear, a superintendent's role is to steer the district toward improvement to respond to the needs of the students and to provide effective leadership. The
053current evaluation framework must be adjusted to better align with the reality of the district's performance as reflected by the TA's grading system. Only by acknowledging the actual challenges rather than inflated portrayal of success can we can we work towards real meaningful improvement. I have nothing against Dr. Hernandez. He is a kind man, but kindness will not take us to the next level where we deserve to be. In closing, I see that you are recommending giving the superintendent the authority to for purchases up to $100,000. That this is unacceptable. We need accountability and oversight, not a blank check. Who is really running this district? And sir, I commend you. Uh, I'm glad that you're moving forward with those kind words and thoughts, but this is something that should have been done way before years since since
054you got here, sir. Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. Next, Miss Valerie Martinez. >> Hello. Good evening and thank you. I'm speaking on agenda item 6A related to the no new revenue rate and voter approval tax rate for 2025. I vehematly disagree with the motion to increase property tax by a 2.17% increase. Last week the special session the term financial stewardship was brought up. Rhetorically speaking I'd like to bring that term to the table again. There are school properties around the district that are not actively educating students. Why are these buildings being maintained? And how is that financial stewardship of taxpayer dollars in this district? Those buildings require regular building and campus maintenance, not to mention law enforcement patrolling. I don't agree that we as a community should pay more money. Excuse me, I'm using
055when you're up here. Okay. Um, I don't disagree that we or I don't agree that we as a community should pay more money to a district that until recently had appeared apathetic and apathetic and has lacked efficacy in inciting and sustaining substantial improvements in the district and their school, their ratings, the students scholastic achievements and being college, career or military ready. I'd be more agreeable to tax property increases for the district after being witnessed to these improvements for our school and the district rating. The lack of improvement as a district is obvious to anyone who has the ability to look closely enough. This as a community members plea to the district and also our community and families to rally together for improvements in these schools. This these meetings should not be in us versus them.
056We are all in this together. The children of this district deserve a fighting chance to do better. to have better and to be better. This is for them. We need to show them we care. [Applause] >> Thank you, ma'am. Next, Miss Dora Valdonado. [Applause] >> Good evening, board uh superintendent board members. I read the agenda and about all the goals about college and career readiness, and I know they sound good on paper. We want 85% of our students ready by 2027. That's great. But here's the thing. How can our kids really be ready? And the people teaching them college level classes aren't actually certified to teach those subjects. I may not know all the technical terms, but I do know this. If we expect students to pass dual credit, TSI, AP, or get a certificate,
057they need teachers who are qualified and trained in those exact areas. That's not currently happening for some classes. I'm asking you to really back up these goals with action. partner with the colleges. Bring in certified instructors or professors and make sure that our kids are learning from the best so they actually have a fair shot. Otherwise, the numbers we're aiming for, they're just numbers on paper, not real progress for our students. Our students deserve more than a promise. They deserve the real support to succeed in college and in life. We start with 20 to 30 students that sign up and 8 to 10 actually get their associates degree. I would love to see all of them succeed, but we need to make sure they have the support they need. I know if they did, we
058could we could really meet those goals and more. Thank you. >> Thank you. Up next, Mr. Felix Aldonado. Good evening, board members. It's me again, Felix. I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak once more. I come before I come before you with a simple question. How many signatures would it take for our baseball field to finally receive the same attention and updates as the other athletic fields in the district? I know tonight you'll also be discussing the superintendent contract. Before making that important decision, I encourage you to reflect on the bigger picture. We seen schools close. We continue to hear about struggles just to keep campuses open and many in the community feel that things have not improved. As leaders, I ask to consider I ask you to consider how
059this impact not only academics but also the pride and moral moral of our of your students. For athletes, the field is like our classroom. I have shared pictures that show the reality we face every day. Torns for shade, worn down areas, and the field that looks over that looks overlooked compared to others. No student athlete should have to practice or compete under those conditions. We notice the difference, and so does the community. I understand board members are reimbursed for training, gas, and meals, and that the press boxes is is in excellent condition. That's fine. But our athlete deserve the same level of care for the spaces where we worked hard, represent our schools, and make our families proud. So again, my question is simple. Instead of just focusing on evaluations and extensions, how many signatures
060would it take to bring our baseball field up to the same standards as others? If there's a clear answers, my mom and I are ready to get that process started. Thank you for your time and remembering uh that the decisions made here don't just affect policies and contracts. They affect real students, athletes, teachers, and staff. You speak for many. Please make sure your choices count for all of us. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Next, Miss Henrietta Lrange. Thank you. My name is Henrietta Lraange and I am part of the community. The Thank you for allowing me to be here. But uh I remember being here at the last board meeting and I think my direction was at each and every one of you board members. I did ask that I wanted in writing a
061reply how you're going to fix the D rating. I have not gotten a call or a message or email or nothing letting me know how you're going to remedy the problem. My concern is if a child gets a D, the child is failing. The board gets a D, you're failing. Mr. Hernandez, you speak so eloquently. I hope you understood that I wanted to meet with you. It's very clear and I'm going to make it clear again. Call me. I can make time. And if you need advice, I'll gladly give it to you because I I may not be an expert, but I'm smart enough to be dangerous. But also, it's the children. And I'm surprised that tea has not taken over Edgewood. I am totally surprised. They need to be here to give guidance. James,
062I know you personally. Rudy, I know you personally, too. What can I say? I'm going to ask you to bring this board up because I know both of you can do it. James, how did you get your PhD? Dr. Hernandez, how did you get your PhD? Did you do it yourselves or did you get help? But I'm open because you need us, too. If you're struggling and having a problem, we can help you. We don't want to come here and attack you. We want to work with you. Our beautiful children. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. All right. Next, Miss Dorothy Bouras. [Applause] How many students is Edgewood actually serving when the majority of our schools are under the partnership of 1882? This is the real question we should be asking. If
063the district itself is not fully serving our students, then why are we wasting time and money on re-evaluations and buyouts instead of fixing the problem at hand? The re-evaluation of the superintendent is not just about performance. It's about wasting money we do not have. Our district is sitting at a D. That alone should tell us that the focus must be on fixing instruction, supporting teachers, and helping students succeed. Every time money is pulled out for these kinds of things, it is taken directly from the classroom and away from our children. This is unacceptable. On top of that, there's a proposal to increase the superintendent's purchasing authority from 50,000 to 100,000. This is dangerous. Purchases above 50,000 are supposed to come before the board. So, you know exactly where taxpayers money is going. If you raise
064that limit, you remove transparency and accountability, which we already lack. And this board has a history of not asking tough questions and going along with whatever the superintendent puts forward. Increasing that threshold only makes the problem worse. Thank you for meeting with our parents, but let's be clear. Just because we had one meeting doesn't mean you get an A+. You will need to earn that. And right now, you have it. There is no transparency, no accountability, and no real effort to meet parents at our level. Thank you for acknowledging our petition, but we are still not done. This is just the beginning of many issues that must be addressed in this district. The longer you take to act on the issues being presented, the more issues will come forward and the more we will continue
065to demand change, demand transparency, and hold both the superintendent and this board accountable. And for the bully, doesn't matter if someone has a diploma or not, that doesn't dictate the voice that they have and they hold. And just for the record, I do hold a high school diploma. Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. Okay, Miss Melodya, board members, community, superintendent, thank you for not letting me go first today. I was very surprised. I'm last, I assume. I stand before you today speaking on behalf of myself as a community advocate because our community, our parents, and most importantly, our students deserve honesty and accountability from this board. And I am speaking on behalf of myself if that hasn't been clear all these times that I've been here up here doing public comment. We cannot ignore the
066reality that Edgewood ISD has just been rated a D district. That is not just a letter on paper. It's a reflection of the struggles our children face every single day in the classroom. An annual superintendent evaluation is not a formality. It is a vital tool for ensuring that leadership is truly driving improvement in student achievement, campus performance, and district stability. If we do not give an accurate, transparent evaluation, then we are failing in our duty as a trustee. Our students cannot afford inflated ratings or excuses. They need results. The district has been through too much instability, too much false promises. Extending a contract when a district is a rated as a D sends the wrong message. That leadership is rewarded despite performances. That is not accountability and it is not what our community expects of
067you. We must focus on measurable progress, evidence-based improvements, and real outcomes for our students. The AL evaluation process should not should be honest, rigorous, and tied directly to academic success and parent engagement. Until we see significant change, it is not in the best interest of Edgewood ISD to extend the superintendent's contract as they have been doing every single year. Our children only get one shot at their education. Let's not waste another year. On top of that, increasing the superintendent spending authority to 50,000 to a 100,000 with no added accountability is irresponsible. At the time when our students are struggling, the priority must be must be results in the class. Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. Awesome. Thank you very much. Um, next, Miss Jessica Rodriguez. Good evening, school board, superintendent, parents, advocates, community, and students.
068As was spoken about earlier, the board is going to discuss and consider the renewal of Dr.'s contract. I want to bring to light a few facts and perspectives. However, the school board is voted by the community to represent us, specifically to listen to the needs of the students and make sure that the district and superintendent follow through to meet those needs. A few of the trustees have been quoted on either social media sites or newspapers or some type of online um news um outlet stating that they ran for a seat on the board to help bring in qualified teachers that would stay, address declining enrollment, and take a hard look at high level salaries, including that of the superintendent. That being said, not once have I heard any of the board members except for Michael
069Valdez, of course, ask for clarification when there's data being reviewed, when there's numbers and statistics and pie charts and percentages being talked about. Not once he asked the schools or the district how they plan to come back from that devastating D rating for the past five years. So like I said, what happened to that followthrough trustees? It's not just the superintendent. This is a checks and balances process to where you guys are supposed to hold the school district and the superintendent in check to make sure that our students needs and the community essentially are being met. So again, back to the accountability part, it's not just him. It doesn't always it it is at the top with the leadership. However, you've seen that the community and parents are making themselves regularly present and vocal about
070these major issues preventing our children from getting a quality education. So, the notion of it starts at home is not always true. And according I think it was brought up earlier about the um superintendent's contract, our superintendent is the fifth highest paid superintendent in Oliver County according to 20 2024 TEA data. You would imagine that we'd have triple the enrollment and at least a B minus rating. To be honest, our children deserve bold leadership, accountability, and results. Tonight, I urge you to weigh all the facts, not just words, and take a hard look at everyone's role on this school board, the superintendent's obligations and responsibilities, and how the parents have been ignored for decades. But again, I'd ask for you to do a selfch check as well. Like I said, we have this um checks
071and balances system in place for a reason. So, does this contract renewal serve the best interest of the Edward students for the superintendent? But as well, do you think that we should vote you back in? >> Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. Next, Miss Linda Chavez. All right. Uh, next, Miss Veronica Hernandez. >> Hello, trustees and superintendent. My name is Veronica Hernandez and I'm here before you as a parent and as someone who deeply cares about the future of Edgewood ISD. Edgewood is where my journey began. In 2000, I moved here from New Mexico to attend Our Lady of the Lake University and earn my graduate degree in bilingual language pathology. My very first job was right here serving the children of Edwood. Over the past 25 years, I have met incredible mentors, educated, passionate chosen
072oro, advocacy and familia. But today, I must speak honestly. Edwood is not the district I remember. Where's the oryo? Where's the respect for our elders who built this community? Community and parent involvement are almost non-existent. Out of all the schools in Edgewood, only two have active PTAs. How is this possible? A strong PTA is the bridge between home and school. It empowers parents, supports teachers, and creates a sense of belonging for our students. Without that, parents feel excluded, disconnected, and voiceless. As a parent, I first I know firsthand that parent engagement is the key to a student success. A child cannot thrive where their family feels shut out in the process. Before extending the superintendent's contract, I urge you to set clear, measurable goals to rebuild parent involvement and to ensure every school in this
073district has the leadership and support needed to form a strong PTA. Finally, I want to say that I stand in full support of Michael. Thank you, Michael, for being a role model for our youth, for showing that knowledge power and for speaking up for those who feel they have no voice. My mama and your are with you always. Edgewood has a rich history of resilience and pride. Let us return to that legacy together. Gracias for your time and for listening to the voice of the families you serve. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. You were Veronica, right? Okay. A page over. Uh, okay. Our last speaker, um, Miss Gabriella Hernandez Martinez. I believe using a translator. So, three minutes to speak and then another three minutes for the translator. >> So, she's going to
074start in Spanish and then the the same the same thing though, right? Okay, that's fine. >> So, Oh, hang on. Can you put six minutes? >> Well, actually, hang on, hang on. Let me clarify. >> Is that what you're doing? Okay, good. Okay, so keep it three minutes. Thank you. Michael, [Music] Michael [Music] Directive. Bulling discrimin. inclusion. Michael, school. coming for. [Music] Thank you. And three more minutes. for a transition. Okay. So, I'm going to be doing the translation in in English. Um, I'm going to be translating the the notes, the handwritten notes. So, at this point, I'm going to begin. Good afternoon. May the peace of Christ and our blessed mother of Guadalupe be with you. I'm here to follow up on my testimony this time in the in response to the request of
075more parents who were unable to come speak for themselves. I understand why there was no effective resolution to the discrimination and harassment case against my family as the abuse and the neglect on the part of the staff are due to a pattern of neglect sponsored by the superintendent in the district. It is it is very difficult for me to assimilate that all this corruption um when if you think differently and if you look for a a common um uh well-being of people are attacked um teachers and maybe staff are being fired members of the school board um just uh like for example the case of Michael Valdez we see that people um are sometimes pray are praised because they follow instruction and um they do what is when they do what is correct they are
076fired. It is the case of of officials that um they detain Marvel uh they follow the indications of the sheriff uh with impunity. they uh press charge uh against Marvel Gardea and not only that they apply a uh uh abuse of power that they're used to uh exercise. Um it seems like we are in in prophetic times where uh good is being called bad and bad is being called good. It is inconceivable that all the attention it's over uh Michael when he should be uh perceived as an example. Um this is the same story for teachers uh staff um uh students and families who might think differently and just for defending what we think is the truth. The reality is that we look for common good for humanity. What did you do? What have you
077done? Yes. Edgewood is the district that has the most uh funds and I cannot uh register my kids at at at a a particular campus uh for example garden because they they only have up to second grade. Um what what happened to schools like Ren? Um I should say that I need to look for a school outside the the district limits where they do optimize the resources. Um I see that members of the school board um they try to uh um infuse confu confusion. Um they is they stay silent and that is just an example of abuse of power. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, those are all our speakers. Next, we move on to our next agenda item, the superintendent report. Sir, >> yes. >> All right, so again, uh we do
078want to thank all our speakers this evening. Thank you. Gracias. Um I only have a few things that I want to bring up this evening. Um first and foremost, I want to highlight uh that this is Hispanic Heritage Month if you didn't know it. Uh that did start um what's it 16th last night if you know the tradition um from Mexico. Uh so the six it starts this month and it will be all the way until the middle of October. So we do want to highlight these are our young ladies from the Las Palmas leadership school for girls and of course there'll be a lot of activities happening throughout the the semester. So tonight for my superintendent report uh I mentioned earlier that I was going to highlight uh just some a document that I
079received from our parent advisory group or our parents that I met with last week. Um and I gave it a long a lot of thinking. That's why kind of why I shared my thoughts earlier with everyone. Uh over the last few years, we've always tried to act within our core values of the district. We are to be professional, to be accountable, and communicate uh as many ways as possible because obviously we we all have different ways of communicating um and always remembering the number one outcome because the number one outcome gets measured in different ways and of course I'll share that and we do share that in many of our workshops. So I would ask a lot of our friends that are here tonight uh to please come to our workshops. That's where you hear
080the details of what's going on in the school to also include the areas that we still have to grow in and are failing. Let's just say that that's the honest fact. And so what I would ask people to do is to come to our workshops because that is where the board becomes highly informed on the items that they're about to discuss and vote on tonight. The purpose of this meeting tonight is to recognize our different programs, students, families, artists, different groups to include our students that are showing up and doing the color guard. That's what these meetings have always been about. So again, I would urge you to please come to our workshops because that is where that information gets discussed very in depth. And of course, those meetings are recorded as well as all
081those powerpoints are there for you to look at. So again, I want to make sure that u I I'm going to continue to invite you please and come. And so as part of the parent resolution that I mentioned earlier, these were some of the items that were asked of me and that we're going to continue to work on. And I do hear very clearly um first meeting, right? There are still many many meetings to come and as long as we are willing to co-create the future and continue to honor the things that staff has already been doing and I want to remember that. I understand I think one of the the persons that commented said I may be the head of the school district but there are a lot of women and men and I
082mean teachers, students, custodians, athletic staff who also are working in the everyday and I I don't want us to forget that because they're the ones who carry that flag in the upfront every day. And so to the parents that came, I will continue to listen and I will continue to co-create. And so we did attach to that link the the grievance process because I think one of you had asked me for that. And so we'll continue to share that. Um I also want to start sharing as a result of what we discussed this week. Now I want to be very clear what I'm about to share with you is not necessarily anything that I haven't been doing and the trustees have come. All seven trustees have come to these the enhancement and I want to
083use the word enhancement very specifically came because of what I heard from you guys and what I'm going to ask you for feedback as we move forward. So, as I'm spending times in schools in the mornings anyways, part of my goal is to one invite trustees that are available. Two, I'm also going to personally invite the parents that are dropping off and that have an opportunity to stay for the particular campus. I'm using the logo of LBJ just because it's a nice logo, but I will ultimately make it to all the schools and sit with me for a good 45 minutes. And those are just three topics of a startup topic. But if somebody has something else they want to talk about, that's what the floor is there for. Now, here's where I my direct
084ask to the community. I've been uh preaching asking that parents sign up for parent portal. We are yet to see most campuses over 50%. Most of our parents do not sign up for parent portal for whatever reason. What I'm asking you to do is help us get people signed out because when we do these, we're going to use parent portal and our our app that it's Thrillshare to send a blast out a text, blast out an email reminding parents this is an opportunity for you. Now, this is just one opportunity. So, I call these micro opportunities because not everybody likes to be in a big room. Some people just like to talk one-on-one. And so, again, these are going to be an opportunity for parents to visit with me. And in the future, you're going
085to see me come next month and talk about how we're going to do student lunchons. Now, we've been doing student lunchions for years. In fact, some of you have been there, including our trustees. We're going to enhance that, too. Again, micro opportunities are important because again, not everybody likes to be in a big room with a lot of people and I respect that. And so, again, this is first blush, right? But we'll start sending this out immediately uh and starting my meetings. I've already been going to schools, but we're going to enhance this. And then of course I'll do other things in terms of showing our trustees what's happening in the classrooms on the front lines. Not anything new. We've been doing that for four years. And so but again it's important to share. Here's
086the paid for parent self uh for parent self-s serve self-s serve parent portal kind of a a different name but here's your contact person. If you don't know how to sign up or you need help this is the person that you can reach out to. Again this is going to be on the website. In fact, at the end of this uh presentation, there is a QR code that starting tomorrow, you'll be able to hit and you'll be able to get all these presentations there, too. I actually want to thank members of the committee that are actually sitting in the room. That was an idea you gave me. So, I'm always listening. Just because I don't act on it immediately doesn't mean I'm not listening. I have to I have to work with my team on
087getting things up and running. Um, as always, parent portal helps us also to monitor our attendance goals. That's the attendance goal we have for our campuses. And so we highlight them each week on social media. We send it to the principles. These are the campuses that are hitting their targets every week. So again, I want us to get used to speaking with facts because again, this has a direct correlation to if kids aren't at school, they're not learning. Kids aren't at school, we're not meeting parents. More importantly, as a as a superintendent, but more importantly as a as a dad myself, if they're not at school, then I don't know where they are. And that's never a good thing. We all have kids. We all have grandkids, nieces, nephews, people you love. If we don't,
088if they're not at school, we don't know who they are. You saw two of the people we highlighted tonight for leader of the pack, our two attendance clerks. You heard it from their mouth. They watch these kinds of things. So again, I do I I need your help with that. Here's the other thing. I know one of the direct was keeping our school safe. So what we've enhanced on this graphic, nothing new, we've been using it. Every time a school passes their audit, and ladies and gentlemen, we don't audit our own schools. Texas State comes in, TEA sends individuals, they don't tell us when they're coming, they just show up. And those three things you see there, that is the criteria they use to evaluate if a school is meeting their expectations around safety. So
089again, I want to be real clear. You're going to see these more. I've always used the graphic that is the what has the little yellow square, but the enhancement was those three criteria. Felt like we could enhance this. So, thank you to our police department and our chief and our marketing department and Miss Gloria uh who helped me create these. So, again, these are the folks of school safety and security network are the ones who audit our schools. It is not us is we have independent auditors that audit our schools. Again, you've seen this this before. This has worked in many instances. And then of course I also want to highlight the community care for Minho and her department. Um we've heard over the years about mental health. You've heard me speak very openly about
090my own issues with mental health. I've always been upfront about it. These things matter to the children that are in our schools. What they face with these is much more different than we ever did. So if you've never read a I'm I'm not promoting a book here. I just want to tell you what I read because it informs me. There's a book called An Anxious Generation. You should read it. It tells us a lot about our kids. And full disclosure, you're going to probably see yourself in it, too. We've all grow were growing up in that environment. So, to the so to counseling services and social services, thank you for starting these community care affairs and thank you for continuing them. They're going to be continuing them throughout the year. And so again, direct ask
091from the from our parents that are talking to us uh in this room and outside of this room too. So again, I want to make sure we share those things. This is just another view of the different folks that were there because we wanted to invite mental health agencies to come in cuz what's the hardest thing? Well, you convince me to get help, but then where do I go next? So having them in the room makes it a whole lot easier. And so again, the more we talk about these things, then we remove the stigma. And we all know in our communities this is a hard thing to talk about. So again let's please share that information. And then of course as parents have asked me before when I have a concern of at a
092school where do I start? Those are the three individuals who are in this room and always shake their hand at some point. This is where you start those conversations. You have the secretary's connections there and the main number. This is where we would ask you to go directly after you've tried to work with your particular campus. So again, this will also this this has been living on the website for a while. Um this is all part of keeping a great organization in the school district. U for tonight's meeting, as we mentioned, the board does a lot of pre-work before they come. These are all the dates that the board has met. The items you see in circle are board updates that the board gets on Fridays, which clarifies the items that they have uh they're
093going to vote on. And if they ask the question, we get them a response, too. That's part of our obligation. And so that's very important for us to do that. And so with that said, I am going to ask one of the members of my team, our assistant superintendent for finance to come up and clarify this particular item because there was some excuse me, there was some information that has come to us from um um the central the appraisal district, I believe. um and that we want to share with the general community with regards to the approval the recommendation for the approval of the no new revenue tax rate and voter approval tax rate. So, Miss Martinez, >> thank you Dr. Nandez. So, good evening board president, board members, community members, I want to clarify
094this item because when we came in June, we didn't have our final appraisal role from the Bear County. So, we are now in September and we're bringing back the tax rate for the board's final approval. So, in June, June 17th specifically, we brought to the board an estimated tax rate of less than a dollar 98625. Now that we have the final appraisal rule, what we're recommending is a 0 98615. It is actually a decrease. It's not much, but we missed the mark by 0.00001 cents. So, the rate we're asking the board to approve tonight is going to be 0.001 cents lower than what we actually brought in June. The question is then, why does the agenda item read an increase in the effective tax rate? Let me talk about that for a minute. First, the
095effective tax rate is language that is used to identify um what we would have raised if our property values would have stayed the same last year. The rate that we are approving tonight is actually lower than we approved last year and is lower than June. So the language we are required to set because our property values are higher is a language that states it is an effective rate of 2.17% higher because we're collecting more money but our tax rate is actually going down for the taxpayers. So it brings me to the next slide. The impact. This is what we brought in June. Again, the 0.00001 cent decrease. It's not going to be an impact to the taxpayer. What we brought in June, the effective increase of about $70 for a taxpayer is still going to
096be true. The taxpayers won't see much of a difference with that that sign insignificant decrease in taxes. So what we brought in June that the estimated $70 increase is going to stand about equal today. So that that is the effective increase that taxpayers will see. It's not enough tax rate but rather in the property value increases. So the motion again is going to read I move that the property tax rate be increased but that is why because taxpayers will see an increase in their tax bill but not because of the district. Um, that is my contact information. Um, that is all I have to share unless you have something else. Yes, sir. >> Uh, I do think that given that we just updated that information board, I don't know if you have any questions. Typically,
097we we handle those in the workshop, but I want to be respectful of you and our community. So, any questions about this particular item that is brought up? And so, I will say something, the language that we have to use is is what we're asking. ask, volunt, whichever word you want to use, we have to use that language. But the reality of it is, well, she's she's already explained that there is a decrease. It's very nominal, but it's still a decrease. And so, board members, any questions for um our assistant soup on this particular item? >> I just want to ask um so are we first approving this before the consent agenda or we doing the consent and then the action item? This will go with the consent agenda and then I have another motion
098that I'm going to share right before you guys do any voting. Uh if you'll recall board members, we did share this at the workshop that we would have information. We were relying on information from outside of our uh sources here in the district and so we had to wait on that information so we could give you the most accurate number. Uh and typically we don't bring these up here. Uh but it was of vital importance that we do it in an open setting much like at a workshop. But I wanted to make sure >> it will be action >> and and it will be action. So yes, >> real quickly. >> So we have a decrease, >> correct? >> But there's no increase. Is that because of the property appraisal? >> That's correct. As the
099property values um go up, the state formulas are set up to where if we collect a little bit more from our taxpayers, the state's burden goes down. So we have an opposite effect as our property values go up and collect more as you see $70 more. Um the state contributes a little bit less. >> Okay. And and to be clear, who sets the appraisals? >> Pardon me. >> Who sets the appraisals? >> The Bayer County sets the appraisals. Those have nothing to do with the district, sir. >> Thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Let let me also add something for board members. Over the last seven years that we've been together and for those of you that have joined us, we have showed you spec specifically from the month of January all the way into
100June when you approved the board, we show you the decline in state contribution to local funding versus our local funding. And I that is something we've done everything from, if you recall those little pig videos where we showed you how that changed all the way to using just graphs and models because honestly it is a very complicated system with regards to school funding. And so this supports the notion that we are having to do more in our local ISDs and our local um ISDs than what we're receiving from the state. And so I would ask any member of the community, we start talking about budget adoption as early as January, but it doesn't officially come to the board till June. This board puts in six months of work to and I I promise you it
101is a lot of work because we bring something, they push back, they say, "Look at this, look at that." And that's from all the board members. So again, I want to make sure that we are sharing a true strength of confidence and that this board is doing its due diligence. But I would say check me on that. Come to the board meetings, pull the workshops. That's why that's why we take videos of them even before the state mandated. The state just mandated you will videotape your meetings. We've been doing it for years. And so again, please please look at those. Uh but I wanted to make sure we had this open discussion here for our public and so it's recorded for anybody who would like to see it. >> And Dr. for the I also
102want to point out something because I heard two public comments tonight about the CH local increasing the threshold from 50,000 to 100,000. Um I was talking to Mr. Chavez. The wrong backup is in the um agenda. So we're going to ask that we pull that. That's item five. Um five being Thank you. I'm going to ask that we pull that sir because we did hear from the board that we were going to put that on pause for discussion for October. So, I'm going to ask that we pull that item from the consent agenda, please. >> Yes. Actually, that is what I meant earlier when I said I'm going to say something a little later. That's that's what I was going to inject is that we'll pull that item because that was a recommendation from the
103board. And then there's another to be honest, there's another link there that for some reason it's going to the wrong Edgewood and I don't want to leave that in the book. We could make that change afterwards and it's still perfectly legal, right? >> But the best thing to do is to bring them back for our for our audience. come to the there's an October workshop at the October workshop. We'll bring that back up. We'll bring that in full discussion and we'll put that out there. And if you can't make it, look for the video. It'll be there, too. >> Thank you. Now, I appreciate that leadership. >> Okay. Were those all the clarifications? >> Are you still going? >> Sorry. Um, so there's your information. There's mine. That's the closure. I just want to highlight
104some resources. Um that's I always like to highlight um the the observations this month. It's happy IT professionals day. That's tomorrow. That's today, sorry. Uh September is suicide prevention month. Again, mental health matters. Uh there's the contact information for the young lady you see to my left. She's the one who helps you out with signing up for any comments. And then this is what the public comment page looks like. And so again, you can look at look at that. Sign up that way. And then that's the QR code that I mentioned earlier. So, by tomorrow, you should be able when you pull my presentation, you hit that QR code, you'll be able to pull all these, make it a whole lot easier for you. So, I want to thank again members of the community who
105gave me this advice a few months ago. And so, again, thank you again. And Mr. um Dr. Hernandez, that brings my presentation to a close. >> All right. Thank you, sir. All right. And with that, we move to our consent agenda item. Okay. Okay. So, you got another clarification, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> So, um as I mentioned earlier, um and again, thank you to my colleague, I am going to make a recommendation board that we do pull item 5B. Uh there are a couple of things that uh we need to correct. Uh the the first one being on AF local that we have a link that that's gone to the wrong edgewood ISD. And so, we have contacted TASBY services to make that correction because other ones put those in there
106for us. And so, they will make that correction. And in fact, I believe they've already done that, but it was done after we posted the meeting and we did not want to change that without bringing that up. And so, um, again, and then of course, this will all be discussed at the meeting in October. And we are expecting also, well, TASBY update comes next the the following month. So, let me not even go there yet. So, board, I am recommending that we remove item 5B. >> Okay. Mr. Cruz, do do we have to do a motion and a second to remove it? Well, you can do a motion to approve all agenda items under consent with the exception of 5B. That was it. 5B. Okay. Thank you, sir. He's the guy. Thank you. All right.
107Did you have a comment? >> Uh, yes. Um, so instead of changing those two, we're just going to pull the item and vote on the entire uh 5B in the next board meeting. No, we're going to go ahead and pull the whole item, but none of them will go up because that way I also want to make sure that uh one we correct we get those links corrected, but then also um we also have an opportunity to share with anybody who'd like to join us at that meeting or pull the video um the item that was brought up a couple times tonight because there's there's a lot more explanation that we I'd like to share with the community as well. >> Okay. And with that, um, I have a short short message to say. As
108per board policy be local, unless a board member makes a motion to withdraw an item for individual consideration, and such motion receives a second and is passed by a majority of those present, all consent agenda items shall be acted upon by one vote without separate discussion. At this time, we move to our consent agenda. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda items A through L? >> Mr. President. >> Go ahead, sir. >> I move to approve agenda items 5A through 5 L with the exception of 5B. >> Thank you, sir. Mr. Valdez motions. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Gomez seconds. Is there any discussion? Okay, if we have no discussion, all those in favor, raise your hand and say I. I. >> I. >> All those opposed, raise your hand
109and say nay. A motion passes. Thank you, >> Mr. President. >> Yes, sir. Go ahead. >> I have a motion. And I move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of 98615 which is effectively a 2.17% increase in the tax rate and to accept the no new revenue tax rate and voter approval tax rate for tax year 2025 for the Edgewood Independent School District. >> Thank you sir. Mr. Espinosa motions. Is there a second? Second. Mr. Davo seconds. Is there any discussion? Okay, if we have no discussion, all those in favor raise your hand and say I. >> I. >> All those opposed say nay. Raise your hand. >> Okay, motion passes. The time is now uh 7:42 and the Edgewood Independent School District School Board will go
110into close session as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, chapters 551.071 and 551.074. The board is now in close session. Thank you. I was going to Thank you. Hey. Okay. Yeah, I saw where you went. by the other. [Music] Yes, I know. >> Yeah, you could easily see them. And then we're not Have a good night. The time is now 8:29 p.m. and the Edgewood Independent School District School Board reconvenes from close session. Uh, is there a motion on item 8A? Mr. President, I move to render a finding that good cause did not exist for the following employees to abandon their contract. Garcia Hernandez and authorize superintendent to file a written complaint with the state board of educator certification for contract abandonment by set employee and issue written notice. Okay, Mr.
111motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Delgado seconds. Is there any discussion? >> If there's no discussion, all those in favor, raise your hand and say I. >> I. >> All those opposed, raise your hand and say nay. No. >> Okay. Motion passes. Is there a motion regarding 8B? Mr. President, I move to approve the certification of compliance with news laws under Senate Bill 12 and authorize superintendent to send said certification to the Texas Education Agency as required. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Espinosa. Motions. Is there a second? >> Second. Mr. Dado seconds. Is there any discussion? >> Yes, sir. I was just wondering if it's possible with the team if we can send out like another reminder for the parents to sign up sign up for that form for the the medical. >>
112Yes, sir. That's Senate Bill 12, the the release form. Yes, we'll send it out. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. Um, you second, right? Okay. There's a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Okay. Okay, if we have no discussion, all those in favor, raise your hand and say I. >> I. >> All those opposed, raise your hand and say nay. All those abstaining, raise your hand and say I. >> Abstain. >> Okay. Mr. Valdez abstains. The motion passes. Okay. Is there a motion regarding item 8 C? Mr. President, I move to approve the superintendent's annual evaluation as discussed in close session. Thank you, sir. Mr. Espinosa motions. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Gomez seconds. Is there any discussion? Okay. If we have no discussion, all those in favor, raise your hand
113and say I. >> I. >> All those opposed, raise your hand and say nay. All those abstaining, raise your hand and say I. >> Abstain. >> Okay. Motion passes. Mr. Rodz abstains. Mr. President, I move to approve a one-year extension of the superintendent's current contract term. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. uh Espos motions. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Davo seconds. Is there any discussion? If we have no discussion, all those in favor raise your hand and say I. >> I. >> All those opposed, raise your hand and say nay. >> No. >> Okay. All those abstaining, raise your hand and say I. Okay. Motion passes. All right. The time is now 8:33 p.m. Do we have a motion to adjurnn? Mr. Gomez. Motions. Is there a second? >> Second. Mr. Lopez seconds.
114Is there any discussion? Okay. Okay, if we have no discussion, all those in favor raise your hand and say I. >> I. I. >> I. All those opposed, raise your hand and say nay. >> Okay, motion passes. This meeting is Thank you.