001[Music] Melia Melia. test. >> Good afternoon, school board, Dr. Hernandez and district staff. The time is now 5:04 p.m. on September 8th, 2025, and I call this school board special called meeting of the Edgewood Independent School District School Board to order. Roll call. Miss Martha Castillia >> here. >> Mr. Frank Espinosa. >> Sorry. Present. >> Thank you. Mr. Luis Gomez >> present. >> Mr. Rudy Lopez is on his way. Mr. Michael Valdez. >> Present. >> Mr. Sergio Delgado. >> Present. >> And myself. Dr. James Hernandez is present. Let the record show 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. Communications from citizens. Sir, do we have
002any communication from citizens? >> Yes, sir. We do. >> Mr. Esposa. Before we call up any speakers, there are some procedural items to be announced. Board policy be 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 be forfeit their 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 regarding employees, public officials, students, or parents should be resolved via the appropriate complaint process as stated in BED local pursuant to 551.042 of the Texas government code. No board member or administrative
003sorry 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. 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. Thank you, sir. I just want to add to the record that Mr. Rudy Lopez arrived. Okay. So, here's what we're going to go uh we're going to do. Um I didn't count. We have 16 I think 16 speakers. We're going to go ahead and do uh two minutes each. Oh, 20. Okay, 20 speakers. Thank you, ma'am. We have 20 speakers, so we're going to do uh two minutes each. Um, I want to clarify something as far as the the language of
004translation. The way it works is if you need a translator, you get double. So, if you get two minutes, you know, regular English, if you only speak Spanish, you spend two minutes, then the translator gets two minutes to repeat exactly what you said. It is not four minutes to just speak. I just want to clarify that from last time. Okay. And with that, Mr. President. >> Yes. >> I'd like to make a motion to give the public, the community, 3 minutes to speak. Okay. There's a motion. Is there a second? [Applause] Is there a second? Okay. If there's no second, the motion dies. Um, thank you, sir. All right. And with that, I want to call Miss Melody Aera. >> Mr. President. >> Yes, sir. I want to ask how does the uh comment sign
005up go? Because why aren't we calling number one instead of Mr. A if number one is someone else that signed up to speak. What do you mean? >> According to the order, there's respondent number one and Miss Era is not a respondent number one. So, >> uh I don't know why I don't know. I don't know what that has to do. >> Can we go in the correct order? Cuz here's >> We're going to go in the order I have. Okay. Thank you. All right. So, Missa, go ahead. You have two minutes. Good evening. This mic isn't even working. How do you expect me to go? Good evening, super. >> Hang on. Wait. Let's wait. Can you restart the clock? Is the mic working? >> Hello. Hello. >> Can someone check the mic? Hang on.
006The mic's not working. I can't hear you. >> There we go. Okay. Go ahead, ma'am. Two minutes. >> Good evening, trustee. Superintendent and Community, I stand before you tonight to urge you to vote against sanctions on Trustee Michael Valdez. Trustee Valdez was elected by his community to be a voice for families, students, and accountability. He has carried out the responsibility with honesty and integrity. Punishing him for speaking up is not a governance, it's retaliation. Disagreement on this board is not misconduct. It is part of democracy. Trustee Valdez asks tough questions and pushes for transparency and that is exactly what we want from our schoolboard members. Silencing him sets a dangerous president that trustees who challenge the status quo will be punished rather than respected. Sanctions do nothing for students, teachers or classrooms. They only create
007division and waste valuable time and should be spent on focusing on student outcomes and community. If this board chooses to sanction an elected official simply for being outspoken, you send the message that accountability is unwelcome and the community voices can be ignored. That is not an ex that is not the example our students deserve. I ask you to tr to show true leadership tonight. Work through disrespectfully without scapego scapegoating or silencing. protect the integrity of this board by voting no on the sanctions against Trustee Valdez. You can see here tonight that the community is here in support of Trusty Valdez. I'm not sure why we are wasting taxpayer money on this meeting tonight. I mean, how much money are you paying your lawyer Juan Cruz and associates for this matter? I mean, we're just doing
008this to waste taxpayer resources instead of focusing on the true issues on the grade the district has, which is the D. How can we have 11 campuses that are failing S? Y'all need to focus on that, please. Thank you. [Applause] >> Thank you, ma'am. All right. Next, Miss Okay, thank you for letting us. >> Okay, Miss Henrietta Lrange. Miss Lrange. Okay, keep going. Miss Kayla Miranda. Hello, my name is Kayla Miranda. I'm a housing justice organizer in the west side of San Antonio. Uh first of all, I'd like to say it's very frustrating when minutes get cut like this and we prepare statements ahead of time for the three minutes that were supposed to be allowed. Secondly, uh Michael Les was a former student of mine. I am a local, statewide and uh national organizer
009and I had an Equalita here in the west side and I am currently working on a national program with over 60 organizations and 120 students. Education is not just what is given to us in a formal basis through school. I believe that education the best education comes through lived experience. I don't know about the rest of you, but I believe that lived experience from Michael Valdez is the most important in this board because he has the most relevant and current experience in our school system. I know that the school that I went to, I'm 42 years old, is not the same school that my kids are going to now. Things are very different. If we're not willing to change with the times, then we're doomed to fail, which is exactly what is happening in this
010in this district. If you're not willing to change and accept the guidance of those with experience, you will never get far. The second thing I have to say is it's not important. It's not just important to teach our kids to test well. It is important to teach them to be good human beings and to thrive in this world. And a lot of college uh high school and college students now are not capable of navigating adulthood. We are failing our kids and that can't be allowed to continue. Please say no. Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. Miss uh Let Meia Sanchez. >> Hi. Uh, my name is Leticia Sanchez and I'm here to state my objection to Edgewood ISD's consideration to sanction board member Michael Valdez. You're considering sanctioning Mr. Valdez because he chose to question
011the district's decision to remove and arrest a citizen after her public comment time had expired. Residents who learned about the harsh tactics used to remove Miss Gala wanted answers and Mr. Valdez used his position as a board member to get answers. As a board member, Mr. Valdez not only represents students, teachers, staff, and administration, he also represents residents of Edgewood ISD who have the right to know why Edgewood ISD chose to use these tactics that they did with Miss Garvea. We're we're all witnessing the loss of our rights as citizen at the federal and state level. But we have not lost our right to express our thoughts and opinions and to question both a actions arresting Miss Garvea and moving to sanction Mr. Valdez are violations of our first amendment rights and Edgewood ISB as
012an institution of education should know better than to trample on our citizens right to freedom of expression. Edgewood has Edgewood ISD has had a positive image of speaking out and for the people. In fact, just recently you all uh the the documentary Walk Out was screened to show how people uniting make positive changes. Is Edgewood ISD now requiring that all board members keep quiet and simply rubber stamp what the superintendent wants? The district already has a black mark against it for the action taken against Miss Garvea. I urge you not to have another black mark against you and to vote. I ask you to vote against sanctioning Mr. Visas. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, ma'am. Next, Miss Jessica Rodriguez. Good evening members of the board superintendent community. My name is Jessica Rodriguez
013and it seems like I've been here twice a month for the last I don't know five months. Tonight I'm deeply troubled by the board's decision to sanction Mr. Michael Valdez. Michael's one of the very few trustees who consistently listens to parents, speaks up for our concerns, and takes action when others won't. For many of us, he's been the only one, the only voice ensuring that the issues we bring forward, whether about safety, academic, or support of our children, are not ignored or brushed aside. I also find the timing of this special meeting very concerning. Parents have worked hard to bring forward this petition with their with our concerns. Yet to this day, the board has not openly discussed it, acknowledged it, or even replied to any of our messages. And now suddenly a meeting is
014being called to sanction the one trustee that's been willing to give parents a seat at the table. That feels more than coincidental if you ask me. It feels like an attempt to silence not just Michael but all of us who signed and supported that petition. Sanctioning Mr. Valdez does not silence just one trustee though. As his mom mentioned, it silences the parents and families he represents. It it sends a message that the parents have finally I'm sorry. It sends the message that when parents finally have someone on the board willing to stand with us that their voice can be punished or pushed out. That is not democracy and it is not what our children deserve. We need more leaders like Mr. Valdez. Leaders who are willing to listen to challenge the board and to make
015sure the voices of parents and students actually matter in decision-m. removing I'm sorry, removing or weakening him only deepens the divide between this board and the community that it serves or that it's supposed to serve. I urge you to reconsider the decision. Parents and families deserve representation. Michael represents us and we stand with him. Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Next, Miss Dora Maldonado. Good evening board members and superintendent. I stand here today as a parent and community member who is deeply concerned not only about the direction of our district but also about the sanctions being pushed against Trusty Michael Valdez. Yet to be clear, Trusty Valdez is the only one constantly speaking for our students, parents, teachers, and community. He shows up not just for meetings but for our school events, community gatherings
016and the people you all serve. He takes trainings on his own time and out of his own commitment. It is better to better serve our district. Again, instead of supporting the kind of leadership this board and superintendent are quick to call a special meeting to silence him. We are in the same urgency when it comes to staff retention, supporting teachers, and addressing the real issues inside the classrooms. If you can gather to sanction board member, then you can gather just as quickly to approve a budget to improve the tools and resources that students and staff need. If teachers at the very foundation of this district are saying certain programs and instructional methods are not working, listen to them. Students are not of the same. The teachers who remain committed to Edgewood deserve support, not silence.
017Because if foundation isn't strong, everything on top will eventually fall. That's y'all. And let's not forget students, teachers, and staff. Parents are the reason you even have these positions. If parents unite to make a point, many of you wouldn't be sitting there at your seats. We are asking for safer schools, Kelton campuses, reduce drugs and guns and vapes, working metal detectors, and real safety plants. We are asking that when you tell students, see something, say something, you actually listen to them. We are asking that you build true partnerships with parents. partnerships that work, not the ones that keep failing. At the end of the day, if we are asking for what is students, teachers, and parents have their right. An educational system that lifts students to every level, prepares them for success, and keeps them
018safe. Stop just passing students along. Start building them up. Trusting Valdez is not the problem. Their problem is ignoring the very voices you were selected to serve. I went to school with some of y'all, and what y'all just did in the beginning, it really hurts because you know exactly what we went through. and you should be against not against anything else but not shutting him down. So I vote no for trusty Valdez to be quiet. You know who you are. It's very disappointing. >> All right. Thank you. >> Next, let's have Mr. Felix Maldonado. Good evening board members, superintendent and community. Instead of calling special meetings to silence trustee Michael Valdez, the only one who constantly speaks for up for students, parents, and community, why not call a special meeting to fix what actually matters?
019Why not make sure our concession school facilities have AC working functioning ice machines and fields that reflect pride in our students? I stand here today as a student who loves my school, my teammates, and my community. But I also stand here because there are real issues that have been ignored far for far too long. Our athletic fields are outdated since my freshman year. Our baseball scoreboards have never never worked. Our cages and tarps aren't updated, leaving us to practice under the blazing sun. Meanwhile, other fields and facilities in the district look fresh, updated, and cared for. Why is Kennedy baseball field left behind? Don't Don't our athletes deserve the same standards? Hopefully we we juniors get to see our baseball field looking nice before this season starts or at at the very least before our
020senior year. Athletes bring in the crowds. Parents volunteer their time and concessions for free and had to work in the heat along with other issues. The district takes a percentage and on top of that a concession manager and a bookkeeper had to be paid. Entrance fees are supposed to help maintain the fields but our baseball field is is still falling apart. This isn't just about sports. It's about all students. Band, cheer, dance, NHS, ROC, every club. We all deserve to be supported. These activities keep us busy, motivated, and safe. For many of us, they are only reason we keep pushing forward. Some of the classmates go home to tough situations. Some are even homeless, living in hotels, yet they still show up to school to practice to games. These are the stories you don't see
021because you aren't living them. But Trusty Valdez does see it because he lived in it and is an Edgewood graduate. That's why he shows up and speaks up for us. So, I ask you, make it make sense. Why sign is the one trustee who fights for us instead of creating a real budget plan to update our fields, support our clubs, and invest in us students. Without athletic events, without students activities, you wouldn't have the crowds, the community, or the alumni sports that keep this district alive. Focus on the real issue. Invest invest this in us, your students. We are the future of Edwood. Thank you. Thank you, sir. [Applause] Okay. Next, uh, Miss Belinda Pñena. >> Good evening, board members and superintendent. I'm here to talk about Michael Vez. You cannot sanction him. He's one
022of the best members on the board. When he attends Agewood functions, he he talks to the kids and wants to hear out our parents and teachers. You should be proud of him for wanting to make change in agewood to do better the lives of children which none of you all want to do especially the new board members who we were holding accountable to make change but nothing Michael could be the voice of age could do a better job than any of you. Maybe we be an A district instead of a D district. How can you be agewood proud with all these issues that you don't act on? Especially bullying when you all especially y supposed to be the role models and you all start by bullying our one of your own board members. Let's be
023let's change and be agewood proud to show San Antonio we are agewood proud. Thank you, ma'am. Okay. Uh, Miss Leia Lockett. >> Good evening, Superintendent Dr. Hernandez, Edgewood Board and Trustee members, and the community of Edgewood. My name is Leo Lockett, a retired teacher and coach. I am proud to have served this community for 42 of the 75 years that you are now celebrating. I am here to support a former student, one of my own, Michael Valdez. [Applause] I want you to not sanction this young man. I'm going to tell you why. I taught him at Ren Middle School where he was a student athlete and he was involved in everything. I noticed a middle school kid that was involved in just about every little community activity that was going on. A middle school kid.
024Then went to Edgewood Fine Arts Academy. I saw a young man with a passion to serve his community. a servant leader at the middle school, at the high school. I was like, "This young man's gonna go somewhere." Always willing to help others at fine arts as a NHS sponsor. He was one of my officers in which he uh he was involved in many civic act activities in district 5. I noticed that he led us the NHS in our volunteer effort at the food bank. Remember that when I fell down? I was really proud to see that he was involved. He involved himself within his community. When Michael became a trustee, I saw the excitement he showed to make a difference. First as a student and now as a trustee. I observed and was disappointed at
025the way that new kid was being treated on the block. But as educators, that's what we strive for our kids. That's what we want our students to be, to be citizens, to come back to the community. This young man is still living in the community. He's part of this community. We don't see that a lot. Everybody moves out of out of Edgewood. Finally, I pray that Edgewood ISD, the district I chose to stay for 42 years, will work at making all things better for our students community and live by the PAC, professionalism, accountability, communication so that all next miss. [Applause] Dorothy Bas. I am a community member. My children do not attend this district because Edgewood did not meet their needs for a quality education. Today, you will vote to censor Michael Valdez. If you
026sanction him, you should also sanction everybody, every board member sitting here because some use district property for personal gain. Some belittle families, some belittle families and that that is on record. Some wear the Edgewood logo at non Edgewood events which is which violates policy. You ask of policy but you may but many of you have not even read your own. Board of ethics violations is integrity of character. I will refuse to surrender judgment to any individual or group at the expense of the district as a whole. That's one of your policies. Yet the majority do not follow this standard. As you can see today while we're talking as community members, honoring in conduct. I will treat colleagues, staff, and the community with courtesy, honesty, and respect at all times. again in your policy. Yet when
027parents speak, some of you fall asleep, doze off, or talk amongst yourselves. Before you vote against Mr. Valdez, take a hard look at yourselves. If he is to be sanctioned, then all of you should be sanctioned as well and learn to read your policies. [Applause] >> Thank you, ma'am. All right. Next we have um Alexis Peralta. >> Hi, my name is Alexis Peralta. I'm a former Edwood student and I'll keep this short because I don't want to get arrested and I don't have bell money. I'm here to say clearly do not censor Michael. He's the only one on this board who's doing his job. He's the only one standing up not for politics but for what's right. While others stay silent, Michael speaks truth. While others protect their positions, micro protects the people. Edgewood deserves
028leaders with courage, not just titles. If you censor the only voice of integrity on this board, you're not silencing just one man. You're silencing every student, parent, and community member who wants better. Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> All right. Next, Mr. Michael Maxwell. [Music] Good afternoon. Good evening. My name is Michael Maxwell and I'm a community member of the Edgewood District and I recently began attending these board meetings in support of my sister-in-law. Due to various issues that have been brought up to the school board's attention earlier in this year, during my recent tenure and attendance of these meetings, I have had the opportunity to listen in and really hear more about what's going on systemically and systematically in the Edgeart ISD. That being said, my wife my wife and I are here
029to voice our support to Trusty Michael Valdez as and ask the board to not apply any sanctions against Mr. Mr. Valdez under the first amendment rights and as a community leader and voice at the schoolboard level. We believe Mr. Valdez has been a voice of reason and has displayed courage in attempting to listen to this community. He has consistently he has consistently been asking questions post presentations. The questions he asked are insightful and help clarify and parse out the disinformation and data that was presented to us which allowed me as a as a participant to understand what was being said and how I as a community member helped the district. The attempts to hold the board accountable during difficult situations as we as was demonstrated on August 19th when Mr. Valdez attempted to hold the
030board accountable in allowing community members to speak, citing rules and regulations to the board, by which the board chose an aggressive action to science the community members by having them arrested. We feel that the special meeting and its agenda appear to be retaliatory and would not shine a favorable light on the already precarious position that this district is currently in. We believe that any sanctions any sanctions against Mr. Valdez will cause further risk between the district and his community in which the district may not fully be capable of recovering from. As such, we ask the board to not sanction Mr. Valdez and have him remain with board as a trustee. Thank you. Thank you, sir. All right. Next, Miss uh Lisa Owens. Today we have a board member that is at risk of being sanctioned
031for a second time. I am in support of you, Mr. Valdez, getting sanctioned or getting removed from the board of directors. You are a repeat offender and have a record of behaving in an unprofessional manner. You have violated your position for your own personal or political gain. Your rude and condescending behavior has been a display on multiple occasions for all to see. You have even neglected the duties n your duties numerous times by voting no against every student. And why? Because you didn't get your way. You must think that a volunteer photo op is going to make me forget the number of times you have voted no for student success. During board meetings, you have undermined other board members by speaking out of term and even supporting those that are bringing negativity, negative um publicity
032to the district. You have probably even failed to report your conflict of duty and support the negative and fake narrative displayed by the executive officer of mine shift. Whatever the result of tonight is, I personally believe that due to your bad conduct, you're bad representation of the district and should be removed permanently from ever serving anything here in the district. I also have a reason to believe that you do not live in a district from conduct from conducting further research of you. You see, it's okay to disagree with other board members. However, you have provided and fostered a very hostile environment for your fellow board members and the community. You support the negative comments about districts that come from your own household, which is beyond disturbing, but that tells me that you have a lot
033more growing up to do. Attending leadership workshops and having fancy titles does not mean that you are qualified for the job. It just means you had a lot of free time. So, I am in support of your removal. And my son wanted to be here because he wanted to also tell you that he's tired of all the negativity that you and your people bring into the district because it affects him when he's out networking with the theater community. For those who have never heard the clock, please. >> I guess when you don't like what people are saying, you silence them, right? P calling the kettle black, folks. P calling the kettle back. Ma'am, you don't even have a high school diploma. All right, >> guys. Everybody, >> nobody interrupted you when you spoke. >> Audience.
034Audience. Nobody interrupted you when you spoke. Let's be respectful. >> Nobody interrupted Nobody interrupted you. >> Let's keep going. Miss >> Guys, let's be respectful. Let's be respectful, guys. Nobody interrupted anybody else here. Y'all are starting to interrupt people. Let's please let's continue moving on. Okay. Miss Maria Varia. >> Good evening members of the board, superintendent, community. My name is Maria Variel. I'm a parent and voter in this district. I'm deeply concerned about the proposed sanctions against Trustee Michael Valdez. This action is completely unwarranted. Trustee Michael Valdez has done nothing wrong. Yet, the board is considering sanctions that will unfairly tarnish his reputation. This is not just about one trustee. This is about the integrity of his entire board and the trust of the community. Imposing sanctions in these circumstances sends a dangerous message that
035elected representatives can be punished for holding legitimate opinions or acting independently. that is unacceptable and undermines the very principle of democracy. Differences of opinion should not be punished. I strongly urge the boards to reject these sanctions immediately and focus in governing responsibly rather than creating division and fear. Edgewood ISD children deserve a quality education. Thank you. Thank you ma'am. Next, Mr. Jonah Maldonado. Good evening. Uh, my name is Jonah Maldo and I'm here to speak on behalf of Trusty Michael Valdez. He is the only one I see constantly standing up for students, parents, and our community. Tonight, I want to share what life at our middle schools are really like for us students. First, our classrooms are overcrowded. Sometimes there ain't even enough seats for everyone. This makes it hard for us to focus and
036it makes it even harder for us for our student teachers to give us the help we need. Second, the food we get isn't the best. By the time we eat, a lot of it is already cold. Most of it ends up in the trash instead of ours. Another issue is how some of our friends are treated. Too many are labeled as bad kids. In reality, they just need someone to understand them and guide them. They deal they dealing with things most people don't see. I also have friends who don't speak English very well. They want to learn, but a single tablet with a broken internet connection isn't enough. They deserve real help and support. We need extra after school activities and clubs. Not everyone is interested in athletics. Some of my friends want haveation robotics
037or want to be in the chess club. Place them in our schools. We as students should have a way to give feedback on how we learn best. Our teachers work hard, but with so many of us in one room, they need more help. And finally, our athletic equipment is old or frugish and in some cases don't even fit us. Sports and activities are supposed to build build spir. But how can we using broken or outdated equipment. Board members, I ask you to listen to us. But students, we are the reason the school exists. Uh please give us the tools, the resources, and the support we need to succeed. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Okay. Next, we have Miss Jubilee >> Pñena. Okay, thank you. Uh, let's keep going. Um, Esco. Hi, I'm Hi. Hi,
038I'm Mateosco and Michael is my cousin. Michael's a good person like he treats all of y'all here. Mostly all of y'all know Michael Valdez. Some of y'all mostly everybody here in the Edgewood is good is a good person. Some of them are not good. Michael the desk and [Applause] >> thank you sir. >> Next Mr. Richard San Antonio. Forgive me. I'm going to dispense of the formality so I can get right to it. I speak tonight moving having sat now on both sides of the table. The board has spoken often about legacy for the days leading after the formation of the board of managers in 2016. During that time, the state once again stepped in as was their purview to remove a seated member of that board deemed it not performing their duties. If you
039are not aware of the state this year has stepped in and dissolved maybe 10 other school district boards not performing their duties. enter 2022 and the desire of legacy comes to fruition in the induction of possibly the youngest EISD school board member. Actually, the district benefited even more surprisingly by now having two board members in place six, one official and one unofficial. Pushing for personal agendas under the guise of community activism has led to this deliberation tonight. personal agendas, as history proves, has led to the to the state's non-negotiable handling of districts unwillingness unwillingness or inability to address matters negatively affecting a district. Having differences of opinion is always beneficial and sought out by entities involved such as school boards if they be true to their duty and resolve. The duty me of the members
040of the school board involve only three things. Only three things. The performance of of their sole employee, the superintendent, the district budget, the district taxation, the color of dumpsters is not one of these duties. Thank you, sir. Okay. Uh, next, uh, Miss Stella Kamacho. Thank you, school board president, school board members, and superintendent. In regards to today's agenda item, I'd like you to hear three points before making your decision for action. Number one, based on the 24th school year, our district has an enrollment of approximately 7,900 students. of this. A support home base of adults can come from two or six per student made up of parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, reaching about 15,000 up to 43,000 individuals. The commentary you hear today is from less than 1% of that total. The loudest voices are not
041always the correct voices. Number two, a summary description of a good versus not so good schoolboard member is as follows. A not so school schoolboard member is one who makes decisions based on personal interest rather than for the betterment of the school district. One who is disrespectful or aggressive in behavior towards other schoolboard members, staff and superintendent. One who does not adhere to the board's values, policies, or ethical behavior. One versus a good schoolboard member who is passionate about the education of students and focused on student achievements. The issues of students success is at the forefront. One who possesses a strong communication and listening skills, exhibits good teamwork, and knows how to address issues in a professional manner, always learning. Ask yourself, are you functioning as a team of good schoolboard members? You are a
042team of seven that speak as one voice. You are not seven voices speaking at one time. Remember that you are the image of Edgewood for our city, our county, our state, and yes, our nation. as Edwood is known nationwide for landmark decisions. Number three, the most important point is our students. Put aside the voices and the images and make your decision based on what is best for the students of Edgewood first and foremost. Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Okay. And with that, uh those are all of our speakers. So, yep. So, we move to our next agenda item, which is close session. Um, before we go into close session, I want to remind everybody um that the superintendent will not be in close session and um Mr. Valdez won't be in close session
043because he's the subject uh of the you of the meeting. So, here we go. The time is now 5:46 p.m. and the Edgewood Independent School District School Board will go into close session as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code 551.071. The board is now in close session. [Music] The time is now 6:42 p.m. and the Edgewood Independent School District School Board reconvenes from close session. Is there a motion regarding the second resolution adopting sanctions against trustee Michael Valdez Mr. >> President Mr. President before I guess that motion is taken I do want to kind of clarify some uh issues that were addressed. >> Okay. Yes sir. Go ahead. >> And also to put the record clear about what a sanction is first and foremost. So, a sanction is the process by
044which a board of trustees by a majority vote may reprimand or condemn the actions of a board member for any violation of law, board policy, or any other conduct committed by a board member. To be clear, the board of trustees does not have the authority to remove a board member from his or her elected position. The only ones that can remove uh a um board member from an elected position is either the electorate or a district court judge. So just to be clear what a sanction is, it is a form of a reprimand. So in addition to another claim that was made was with respect to the first amendment. So there's a case that in 2022 by majority vote uh actually unanimous vote of the United States Supreme Court there was a case called Houston
045Community College System versus Wilson. And in that case David Wilson served as a member of the board of trustees of Houston Community College, a position he held since 2013. Starting in 2017, Wilson criticized the other trustees, alleging that they had violated the board bylaws and made various other criticisms of the board. As a result, the board censured Wilson and barred him from holding officer positions on the board and from receiving travel reimbursement. At the 2018 meeting, the board adopted a public resolutioning resolution censuring Wilson for his conduct. Wilson, the board member, sued, alleging violation of the First Amendment rights. In a unanimous decision authored by Justice Gorsuch, the Supreme Court rejected Wilson's arguments. The court considered whether the first amendment restricts the authority of the elected body to issue a censure resolution in response to
046a member's speech. The court concluded that Wilson had not suffered a sufficiently material adverse action to give rise to a first amendment claim. The first amendment surely promises an elected representative like Mr. Wilson the right to speak freely on questions of government policy. But just as surely it could not be used as a weapon to silence other representatives seeking to do the same. The court ultimately concluded that the board censure was not a materially adverse action and was instead a form of speech by elected representatives. As a result, neither history nor president stated at the court supporting finding a viable first amendment claim on these facts. So to be clear, that was with respect to a 2022 decision by the United States Supreme Court, Houston Community College versus Wilson. So a sanction by a board
047does not result in a violation of a first amendment claimed by any either trustee or representative in the form of government. Moving forward to the second resolution of the Edgewood ISD board of trustees publicly censuring trustee Michael Valdez. This is the resolution that would require a motion and a second discussion. Two minutes per board member as the board operating procedure state and then a vote says Mr. President the board of trustees let me read the resolution. >> Let's finish the resolution and then we'll come up. >> The board of trustees board of Edgewood ISD hereby issues the second public censure expressing disapproval of trustee Michael Valdesa's conduct following the regular meeting held on August 19, 2025. Whereas section 11.051 051 of the Texas Education Code authorizes the district to be governed by a board of
048trustees who as a body corporate shall oversee the management of the district. And whereas section 11.151 of the Texas Education Code authorizes the board to adopt rules and bylaws necessary to carry out its duties. And whereas on January 20 25, 2024, the board adopted a resolution publicly censoring trustee Michael Valdez on his unprofessional and unethical conduct exhibited at multiple board meetings and found that he violated the EISD board policies, ethics policy, and EISD board operating procedures, the professional standards of conduct, and the Robert's rules of order. And whereas the board operating procedures binds members of the board to uphold professional standards of conduct to support the district and to follow established protocols for communication with the public and the media. And whereas section 15 of the board operating procedure states that the board members cannot
049speak in an official capacity outside the boardroom without prior authorization of the board. And whereas section 17 of the board operating procedures provides that number one the board president or designate shall serve as the official spokesperson for the board. Number two that the individual board members must direct media inquiries to the board president or superintendent. And number three when speaking as an individual the trustee should clarify that he or she is speaking as an individual. And whereas section 17 of the board operating procedures provides quote statements shall not be made to the media regarding personnel or other matters protected by law. Close quote. And whereas section 18 of the board operating procedures express expressly prohibits speaking negatively about the superintendent or staff in the community. Whereas page one of the board operating procedures contains the
050board ethics which in pertinent part provides number one I will tell the truth. Second I will be accountable to the public by representing district policies, programs, priorities and progress accurately. Three, I will treat colleagues, district administrators, staff, and members of the community with courtesy, honesty, and respect at all times during board meetings, individual meetings, conferences, district sanctioned events, and social events. Four, I will consistently uphold all applicable laws, rules, policies, and governance procedures. Five, a board member shall not make me ne negative comments regarding the performance of the superintendent or staff. Such statements shall only be made when acting in an official capacity and accordance with law and board policy. Whereas on on or about August 20, 2025, Trusty Maldez made the following public comments to the media. Quote, that he believes the superintendent and
051district police chief had planned the arrest before the meeting. Close quote. Quote, "There's either no communication or the wrong person is leading this this district and controlling our board meetings." Close quote. Whereas Trusty Valdez failed to notify the media that his comments to the media were being made in his individual capacity and said comments criticized the district peace officers and the superintendent. Questioned actions without board consensus, made statements that were not based on evidence or facts and implied misconduct in a manner inconsistent with the board operating procedures. Whereas these statements were made without the board president's authorization and without following the appropriate procedures outlined in the board operating procedures and violated the ethics of the board. Whereas the board the faded to adhere to the board's professional standards of conduct in violation of the board
052ethics subjects a board member to sanctions and public censure. And whereas board members violating the EISD board operating procedures are subject to public reprimand upon inclusion on an agenda and public hosting in accordance with law. Now therefore be it resolved that the board of trustees of Edgewood ISD number one adopts the above listed recital as findings of fact and incorporates such recital into this resolution for all purposes. Number two finds that trustee Michael Valdesa's remarks to the media on August 2025 were in violation of the board operating procedures and board ethics. Number three finds that trustee Valdes's continued violations of board operating procedures and board ethics are unbecoming of the characteristics that embody the board of trustees. Number four finds that because of Trusty Valdez's violations as named herein, the board resents prior board action
053naming Michael Valdez as a delegate for the Tasa Tasby conference of of September 2025. Declare that Michael Valdez ineligible for election as a board officer in 2025 and 2026. Declare Michael Valdez ineligible for any EISD related travel effective immediately. uh declares that Michael Val Valdez be removed from all board committees effective immediately and that Michael Valdez be directed to obtain additional training from the education service center taskby and or TA on governance and ethics no later than October 2025. Be it further resolve that the board of Edwood ISD does hereby publicly censure Mr. Valdes publicly disavows and formally expresses its disapproval of trusty Valdes's recent conduct as named herein. Be it further resolved that the board of Edgewood ISD does here does hereby direct trusty Valdez to perform his DISD board member duties professionally and
054in compliance with the board operating procedures and board ethics. That is the resolution that there again would have to be if adopted a motion, a second discussion, two minutes per board member and then you take action uh a vote on the map. >> Thank you sir. >> Mr. President, do you have comment? >> I have a few clarifying questions. Um my first question is how did this come to a board meeting of this sanction? Did it come from trustees? Did it come from the board officers? Who did it come from? Mr. President, I'll let Mr. Cruz answer that. So number one, there's going to be two minutes. So why don't we let every board member clean, you go first since you have the four right now. ask all your questions and stuff and then we'll
055the your questions will be answered. So >> I'd like to ask one question at a time. My first question is how did this come to a board meeting and by which trustees? >> So do I have a motion? Is there a motion regarding the second resolution adopt? >> Mr. I have discussion. >> We're going to have discussion after there has to be a motion and then a second and then we discuss. But I'm just asking clarifying questions regarding this entire resolution. >> Ask your questions, but then we're going to move on. Okay. Just ask your questions and then we're going to motion go. >> The question is, how did this come to the board? And if it was through trustees, which trustees um to make this special club board meeting? >> Is that your only
056question? >> Uh that's my first question. I'm going to ask one question at a time. I don't have time to ask 500 questions here. I just like to ask ones at a time. >> Okay. Is there a motion regarding the second resolution adopting sanctions against Trustee Michael Valdez? >> Mr. Gomez motions. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Mr. Deago seconds. Before we move on, can we set a timer for two minutes? uh because we're each going to have two minutes to speak including myself as a board presiding officer. So if anyone would like to is there any discussion then uh we each of us has two minutes to to ask our questions. Any discussion? I guess my first question is how did this come to a board meeting especially a special club board
057meeting? Please pause my timer. I'm done speaking. No, keep it going. This is your two minutes, sir. Go ahead. >> I'm asking one question at a time. You don't It doesn't say in operating procedures that you need to use all your two minutes at one single time. >> So, we're a board and this is dialogue and I'm just asking one question at a time and then I'll have clarifying questions after that. So, I'd like you as a board president to answer my question. How did this come to a board meeting and by which trustees? And for the second time, for the record, I would like to say that I will wanted to pause the timer at 1 minute and 55 seconds. So, we're just going to let the timer run out. Like, >> yes, you
058have two minutes. And I said I'm pausing my two minutes. I'm not using my two minutes all in one time. >> So, if you can please pause the timer. It doesn't say in the board operating procedures that the timer has to go in one single setting. Correct, Mr. Cruz. >> Correct. So, but if they don't want to answer your question, you can't force them to answer. No one's answering your question. >> Okay. Then I'd like to ask you as the attorney, how did this come to a board meeting? You should know that as well, sir. the board president, superintendent. >> But you're standing in front of us. >> The board president, the superintendent, that's how it came to my office. >> And when >> shortly after those comments were made to the media and they
059were published, >> but I'm I'm allowed to ask questions. And I'm in the media. I didn't say I'm speaking on behalf of the Edgewood School Board. I do not make those comments. Just inappropriate that we're wasting time in this special meeting. >> We can't even answer questions. >> All right. Thank you, sir. Any other discussion? >> Mr. two minutes. >> Um, yes, Michael. Um, I've only met you for a little bit of time. Um, I've only been on the board for about 10 months now. Um, I've gone through training as far as speaking to the media and I understand um, as if you want to speak to the media, you have to be identified as an individual, not of a trusting board member. You failed to do that. So, if I I know that, but
060you're not supposed to do that. only being on here for so long when you've been on here for years, there should be no no excuse for that. That's my >> Okay. Any other comments? >> Yeah, Mr. President. Um, as said, I've been here for about 10 months now, and I know that we've taken multiple classes on policies and procedures, and I know that Mr. Valdez has taken those classes as well, yet he has chosen to ignore those policies and procedures. And so this I I don't really think this is the first time. The first time that I met Mr. Valdez or went to a function with Mr. is was at an SISD meeting where he stood up and claimed to be a trustee for the Edgewick School District and that he was against the policies
061that Ed SISD was um putting forth at that time. I wasn't a board member, but what he was telling the public out there is that in fact Edgewood was behind him in making that decision for for the um SISD. We need as board members need to know when to separate ourselves from being a board member and a community member. Mr. Valdez had every chance to do that. He had every chance to separate himself from being a board member and a trustee. Believe me, the night that the incident took place, I got multiple calls from the media that it was not my place to represent the district that way. I knew that we needed to reach out to our board president and our superintendent and they are our spokespersons. We need to follow policies and procedures.
062From the very beginning, I've told Mr. Baldes that I would do anything to work with him. But when we have this kind of behavior, it doesn't it's not conducive to the work of the district. That's it. >> Thank you, sir. Any other discussion? >> Mr. President, >> Mr. Espenosan, go ahead. >> Uh, board member Valdez, I'm only going to talk about one thing, okay? And it's about financial stewardship. Okay. Financial stewardship is Edgewood has so much money to spend to run run the district. Okay. Well, Mr. on this has cost the district over $150,000 in legal fees. Okay, that's a fact. So, where's financial stewardship? That's my only comment. Thank you, sir. Any other uh any other comments or discussion? Um, go ahead and start the clock for me, sir. Uh I just want to
063mention a few things. Um we mentioned transparency, right? So I'm going to give give you some of the transparency. Uh since Michael started on the board, uh he's received at least five warning letters uh that that something like this would happen from both from our um former president um myself and and Dr. Hernandez. Um five five warnings essentially. The first sanction like Mr. Cruz mentioned was in January 20 uh 25th, January 25, 2024. And that was just a please, you know, please be better, please, you know, do better. There was no sanctions on him. That was just a a resolution. Nothing happened. Um also was mentioned was immediate contact. It is it is inboard operating procedure and policy. Myself and Dr. H are the only representatives unless we appoint someone else for us. And Mike
064was not appointed as our uh news rep after that meeting. Um, also want to mention some of the policies that we have as far as security. Um, again on September 2nd at our at our duly called board meeting. Um, apparently Mr. Valdez went circumvented our security procedures by not allowing himself to be wanded and his backs checked just like we all do. Myself, you know, as soon as I get here, I get it checked as well. U, and I also want to mention going back to the financial stewardship. Yes, it it's been over $150,000 in legal fees. That's been due from grievances from our staff, from our Edgewood staff um on the way that my Quest treated them. Um as well as third party um representation that has been asked by Mr. Valdez that we've
065given to him. Um lastly, um he's been given several opportunities for mentorship um from many people on and off this board, many people from the community uh that he has refused. Um and now we're we're up to this point. So that's my time. Um we've all used our our time to speak and now we move to uh a vote. >> Mr. President, >> yes. I'd like to have a at least a one or two minute rebuttal. No, the policy doesn't require rebuttal. I like more time to speak on everything that everyone said about me. >> No. But why? >> Okay. So, we have a motion. We have a second. There's no more discussion. All those in favor raise your hand and say I >> I >> All those opposed actually might be you can't vote.
066All those opposed can >> no. >> Mr. Cruz. >> Any clarify? >> You can vote. >> Oh my that was my apologies. All those opposed raise your hand and say nay. >> No. Okay. >> All those abstaining raise your hand and say yay. Okay. Motion passes. Okay, the time is now 7:04 p.m. Do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> Mr. Gomez motion. >> I second that. >> Mr. Lopez seconds. Is there any discussion? >> Mr. President. >> Yes, sir. I just want to say that it's ridiculous that um just for speaking up that you call and this board calls a special board meeting to censor me. It's just ridiculous how much money you're putting into this. Um and I am going to continue to speak up for injustice. I hope y'all can do the
067same. Thank you, sir. Um I I I appreciate that. And also um we will we will or I will continue to speak up as well when there's incorrect or um not complete information because I think it matters that we work on facts that we go forward based on facts. Um and we have a motion. We have a second. And it's also inappropriate that you're also using this time to chastise me about other things that were not in the resolution. >> Okay. All those in favor raise your hand and say I. I I >> All those against say raise your hand and say no. >> No. >> Okay. All those who are abstaining raise your hand. Okay. Motion passes. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you.