001Good afternoon everybody. Thank you for joining us here today, September 9th, 2025 for a regular meeting of the board of trustees. Um, items listed on this agenda may be taken in an order other than as shown on this agenda. At this meeting, there may be discussion on the items and subjects listed as follow. Item number one, call the meeting to order. I've done so at 5:30 p.m. Item number two, moment of silence. Thank you. Item number three, pledge of allegiance. 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. >> Item number four, public comments. I'm going to play a short video and then I will call those that have signed up. Thank you.
002Here are the public comment procedures. Number one, individuals who wish to participate during the portion of the meeting designated for public comment shall sign up at mckllenisd.org at least one hour prior to the start of the scheduled meeting. Number two, an individual's comments to the board shall not exceed two minutes per meeting. Number three, the board shall not tolerate disruption of the meeting by members of the audience. Thank you. ISD. All right, our first speaker tonight is Miss Natalie Vidal. here. >> You'll have two uninterrupted minutes. Thank you. >> Good afternoon, trustees. I request Mallen ISD create a school library advisory council, a slack or committee to oversee book removals and request transparency regarding removed books and those under review for removal. It's my understanding many books have been removed prematurely from our libraries despite
003a single one ever being formally challenged by parents. While we must follow the law, SB13 makes it clear that community values should guide these decisions. Yet, we have not sought the input of the people it serves. SB13 is intended to rid public school libraries of literature deemed to be pervasively vulgar or profane by community standards. But we removed books before those standards have even been established. In fact, instead of consulting parents, we have instead sought the assistance of AI to help establish what is profane or vulgar. As a result, classics such as The Handmaid's Tale have already been removed, and I do not believe parents in our community consider canonical literature to be profane, vulgar, or harmful. The bill also states, "District must adopt a process for parents to challenge books. Why are we not
004following these guidelines? If a parent wishes to challenge Handmaid's Tale, let them." The proper procedure should be followed before any book is removed. Stop making removal decisions based on singular complaints from people who likely haven't read the book in its entirety in the first place. It's time to stop acting out of fear and make decisions in the best interest of our community and our students. Books are not meant to be moral screeds. They are warnings. They are windows into universal truths and they unite us in shared experiences. Books are meant to challenge and expand our thinking, not simply reaffirm what we already believe to be true. Along with my remarks tonight, I'm presenting a petition signed by community members who believe MISD libraries should reflect our shared values. My message is clear. Stop making decisions
005out of fear. Bring parents into the decision-making as per the law. I urge you to put the books back and allow either a Slack or a library committee to oversee and guide removal decisions that authentically considers the values of our Macallen families. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Uh, now we have Mr. Luis Gara. Members of the Macau ISD board, thank you for your time. I'm here because the district switch from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas to United Healthcare isn't just a line on a spreadsheet. It's a real change that will affect our teachers, staff, and their families, especially those managing, excuse me, chronic or pre-existing conditions. United Healthcare Group is currently the focus of federal criminal and civil civil probes into its Medicare practices, which has raised serious questions about the company's billing
006and coverage behaviors. Uh, this can be found in Ruters and the Wall Street Journal. I have uh the citations and the sources if you all need that. Uh we've also seen lawsuits and settlements alleging improper denials of claims. For example, a recent settlement tied to thousands of denial of denied provider claims, a class actions uh about denied coverage that are still moving through the court. Those are not abstract headlines. They translate directly into delayed care, surprise bills, and emotional and financial strain on families. There are real stories of patients and families who care whose care was cut on a or appeals exhausted while they were still in need. Outcomes that should alarm any district that cares for its employees well-being. Before the vote, I sent emails to board members outlining United Healthcare's troubling past. Only
007one board member replied to acknowledge receipt. The rest did not even confirm that they received my concerns before casting a vote in favor of this change. Uh that silence is deeply concerning. Switching thirdparty providers can save money, but only if the savings don't come at the cost of access to care. That's why I respectfully ask for three things. That the school board review whether Macauist's administration's evaluation committee um fairly consider United Healthcare's well doumented legal and ethical issues. And I ask plainly, did the board know about these these troubling records before voting to approve the switch? That safeguards are put in place to guarantee continuity of care and strong appeals process protections for those already in treatment. And that our district commit to regularly reviewing the provider's performance and impact on employees. Our educators and
008their families should never have to sacrifice health and stability for the sake of cost savings. The board must ensure that cost savings never outweigh the duty to protect the health and dignity of the very people who make this district thrive. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Okay. And now we have Leanne Togetti. All right. Okay. Okay. Uh moving on we have number five consent agenda items 5A a discussion possible action on first amendment to me uh memorandum of understanding number 2025-149 educational public purposes with Macallen Education Foundation board of directors Mr. Dr. Utz >> the first amendment to the memorandum of agreement allows Macallen Education Foundation board of directors and the district to extend the term for continued partnership Mr. of all our legal counsel is available to answer any questions. We are recommending
009action on this item. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> Okay. I have a motion by trusty PÑA and a second by trustee. All those in favor? >> I. >> All opposed. Motion passes 6. 5B. discussion possible action on interlocal cooperation contract number 2026-051 Texas work study mentorship program Dr. This interlocal cooperation contract will assist in the implementation of the Texas work study student mentorship program collegiate geforce men uh mentorship at at our high schools. U Miss Cabrera, our director of college career counseling is available to answer any questions and we are recommending action on this item. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion by trustee Pñena, a second by trustee Dr. Kdman. All those in favor? I >> I >> All opposed. Motion passes 6. Item number six, instructional services,
010uh 6A, instructional services, instructional leadership items. 6A1 report on the 202526 prek kinder and kindergarten camp. Dr. This evening we have uh Miss Janette Nino, our associate superintendent for instructional leadership giving us a report regarding the 2025 2026 pre kindergarten and kindergarten camps that we had right before the start of the school year and this is for information purposes. Holy and let me turn it over to Miss Nemo. >> Yes, thank you. Um as always we like to share um what is going on in our elementary schools and just our efforts collectively as an entire elementary team across our district. And so the 2025 2026 was the second year we offered for our students and also to welcome our parents and families um just for a day of focus around them um for prek and
011kindergartener students. So, um, with that, our students across all 18 schools that didn't participate, um, got a t-shirt and a bag of supplies as well as, um, our FNP, uh, partners at DQ also provided treats and, um, a ticket to an MISD football game of choice with an adult pass as well. So um with that, our next slide just shows how the efforts from everyone across all of our 18 schools, our staff, our principles, our families have really helped to just um join efforts to ensure that our enrollment also shows that um upcoming trend um especially looking after our postcoid years um and kind of re reing to a first full year back to school. So, um, again, just having some data to show and support the efforts of our prek and kinder camps. And
012without further ado, I'd like to introduce, um, our principal from Victor Fields Elementary, just to provide a a brief, um, narrative on what the experience looks like at the campus. And we'll be joined by our kinder teacher, Miss Maria Lena Yanos, and parents of Zoe Casas, who attends a kindergartener at Victor Fields, Mark and Vanessa Cases. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hi, everyone. We want to speak briefly about our prek and kinder camps and just the impact that it plays on the start of our school year. And so the first experience of school overall is really important not just for our kids but for our families as well. That gives us the opportunity to meet our families in a setting that's comfortable, that gives us time to interact with them and it allows us
013to be able to build that relationship and most importantly to start building trust with our families. It provides reassurance to our families who are giving us their babies on that very first day of school who have never entrusted school to the care of their child. So it builds reassurance and it sets the foundation for that partnership that will continue throughout the year. It helps ease the anxiety for our kids and most definitely also for the people that love and care about them, right? Um so Miss Yanos um is going to just speak briefly about the experience from a teacher's perspective, right? What it means to be able to have that opportunity with our families. >> Good afternoon. Uh we had a great um turnout at Victor Fields. We had several u parents um join us.
014Uh we did share the expectations for their uh kindergarten journey at Victor Fields and also answer any questions they had to give them that ease of give uh trusting their with their children. So um I had the pleasure to meet Mr. Basa and Miss Pasc and of course my student Zoe. So um Hi, Zoe. >> Can Zoe tell us if she likes school? >> You like school? [Laughter] >> It's a mixed bag. >> That was That was close. >> You want to say something? >> No. >> You want mom to say something? >> Yes. Okay. >> Okay. Hi everybody. Um, so I to say that I was um a little apprehensive about sending Zoe to school is an understatement. I was very nervous. Um, but once we got to Fields, I mean, all of the
015staff was on point. They were everywhere, you know, we needed them to be as far as greeting us. Um, any questions we had if we didn't we didn't know uh Zoe's teacher right away. So, somebody was there to tell us where to go. They walked us to a room um and answered any we Yeah. answered any questions that we had. And so it was just a really great experience. I left knowing that she was going to be okay, which was what I was looking for because I was just so nervous for her. Um and then she came home the first day of school and she was so excited and it just it I felt at ease and I knew she was going to be okay. And every day she still comes home so excited coming
016from school but also looking forward to going back the next day. Um she actually happened to be out Friday, sorry. And she was like, "Can I go back to school?" Like after going from the doctor or coming home from the doctor and we had to keep her home because she had a fever, but she was so excited to go back to school uh yesterday. So it's been a great experience for us and for her. >> So yes, >> Thank you. Good job, Zoe. >> Um, I mean, they said it all. Uh, we were very, very nervous as parents. You know, this is our only child. And, um, I think we shed more tears dropping her off cuz she was excited. And now >> she's smiling. >> I would get joy from walking her to the
017front of the building and giving it to the staff. And now she's like, "No, Dad. Car drop off." >> That's how excited she is to go to school. And I mean, Miss Trel's done an awesome job at Fields. um working at Travis I get a lot of the field students and um we see the change we see the change going and we're we're excited that she's at fields and uh she's going to be a product of MacD >> thank you guys >> keep up the good work so >> thank you >> now we are on 62 report regarding Emergent bilingual student population. Dr. Gutieres >> administration will provide a report on the number of emergent bilingual students at each campus in order to meet the Texas education code 29.053 and section B is a requirement.
018Miss Nava, our director of bilingual ESL will have more information on this and this is for information purposes only. Go ahead, Miss Nava. >> Hi, good afternoon Mr. President. Dr. Gutierrez, board of trustees. My name is Rosio Nava, director for bilingual Islam foreign languages department. So as Dr. Gutierrez was explaining, as part of Texas education code chapter 29 um 053 as for the language proficiency assessment committees from the district to determine and report the number of emerging bilingual students at each campus. And um we have here with the first slide the first slide we have here our elementary campuses starting with our elementary campuses we have the total uh campus population in the first column. The second column we have the approximate number of emerging bilingual students by campus and in the last column we
019can see the percentage of the total campus population representative of of our emerging bilingual students. In the next slide we have our middle school and our high school campuses. Now, these numbers are preliminary since the initial en um identification process for our emerging bilingual students from the beginning of the school year uh would not be finalized until September 11. However, complying with Texas Education Code, we have to report it within the first four weeks of um the initial um the start of the school year. So, then last slide, we have a graph representing our total district prop uh population. And in our district, um, at the moment that this data was pulled, we had 5,326 emerging bilingual students, which represents 28% of our total district population. And this represents a decline of about five percentage
020points from the previous year. And that's all I have for you today. >> Thank you. >> Moving forward, uh, 6B1 report regarding update on personal electronic devices. Dr. With the passage of House Bill 1481, all Texas public school districts are now required to prohibit students the use of personal electronic communication devices during the instructional day. Uh tonight we are presenting a report on how our district has implemented and the results of complying with this new requirement since we are about four weeks into the school year. Uh Dr. Kamacho is our director of human resources will present on this report and this this is also for information purposes only. Dr. Kamacho. >> Good evening Dr. Gutierrez, members of the board, thank you for the opportunity to provide you an update on policy FNCE and how our
021district is doing with complying with the with this new state law. If I can just um have the PowerPoint projected. We have a brief update for you. Back in August, we did bring this policy to the board and we were discussing uh what was going to be the process in place for our district. And so the purpose of tonight's PowerPoint is just to give you an update with where we are. We were able to collect data from all campuses, elementary to high school, for the first two weeks of school. And so the data we provided for you and the update we provided is those two weeks of of school. Now, you'll notice behind me, I do have our campus behavior coordinators with us. I would love for them to give us an update with just
022how it's been this these first four weeks of school. So, you will hear from each one of them. We do have an elementary representative, a middle school representative, as well as a high school. But just a a quick reminder on what is House Bill 1481. We know this is a state law that was that went into effect September 1st. I will tell you though, Mallen ISD implement this implemented this August 14th. So the first day when students came back, our schools were enforcing this already and and we we didn't know what to expect from students. I will tell you that when the state adopted this law, it was with the intention to focus learning to reduce distractions and teachers and staff have seen exactly that. We've gotten positive feedback from staff members, great feedback from
023administrators. Um we're happy to report that our students for the most part have been very compliant with this state law. Um, and that just speaks volumes of the communication from our district to the community, communication from the campus to the parents, and we are so proud of our students. You know, we weren't sure, especially at the secondary level, how they would how they would do, and and we're happy to report that they have adjusted just fine. Uh, there is a process in place, which we'll go over when students violate this policy and this state law. Um, and so we've we've been able to collect data on that as well. But I want to talk to you about what those numbers look like for the first two weeks of school. So, we can go to the
024next slide. Again, this is first two weeks of school from August 14th until I believe the 28th or the 29th. You'll see for the high school, 423 telecommunication devices were collected. Now, when you look at a population of over 6,000 students at a high school, you'll see that 423 is not too many. Now, it doesn't mean that 423 were given a consequence, right? When we the next slide you'll see what is the process when a student violates the policy or the state law. 423 devices were collected but it could be that it was a first warning or maybe the second the second warning that they were given. You'll see at the middle school we have 47 devices that were picked up during the first two weeks of school and elementary we have seven. So at
025this time I would like you to hear from elementary, middle school, and high school campus behavior coordinators just to see what have they seen at the at their at their campuses in respect to House Bill 1481. So I'm going to start with elementary first and I have Mr. Neades first. >> Hello everybody. How y'all doing? >> Uh none none of those seven were mine. We just we just picked up our first one today. Uh overall it's been going really smoothly. It's been almost uh the same as we did last year. The procedures that were in place by by the board uh were almost spot on to what we already had at the elementary. So for us, very little interruption. It's been really smooth. Uh parents are very supportive. They understand why we're doing it. And
026uh so far everything's been going great in the elementaryaries. So when you say devices, is it has it just mainly been phones or have we watches or >> Well, this covers everything of course, but it's just the cell phones is mainly what they have. That's in the elementaryaries. >> Thank you. >> Good afternoon, Mr. Minor Middle School. Um looking at, you know, the graph going 7 to 47 at the middle school as the kids say that tracks. um as they start getting into secondary they they start using their devices a lot more with over a population of over a thousand students at Morris really a vast majority of any pickups of cellular devices really it's been cell phones came within those first two weeks and it was around 15 15 but less individ individuals Um,
027many times it's coming from a student who has their phone put away but did not turn it off. Um, or they are moving from class to class and it falls out of a bag. Parents are super supportive, the kids, the teachers are super supportive and on board. Our students are are talking to one another. Um, especially during lunch, right? Um, lunch they're putting away their Chromebooks. even those devices and they're actually sitting face to face and having conversations. I have students coming up to me, MPin, you talk a lot, but man, this guy over here, he can hold a conversation. Not those exact words. They're using a lot more slang, but they're actually having conversations with each other. They're they're having to break down those walls and those those barriers. And it's a it really
028truly is a beautiful thing. um whenever students are if a phone is picked up, they're deterred from doing it again. They know once that it gets picked up, they got to pick it up at the end of the day. That was kind of our um go-to in the past. And now that second time, parents got they don't want they don't want mom or dad to come pick it up. No. Oh, the best is when grandma comes and picks it up. Those are the best ones. But overall, it's it's been great. Working well. Um the process is smooth. Uh we've taken it out of the hands of our teachers. Um and they having them turn it into our front office and kind of work the process through there so they're not losing instructional time as well.
029>> I have a question. So the first time it gets picked up that you all just give it back at the end and the parents aren't notified. So whenever >> asking for my own personal >> asking for herself, asking for a friend >> when a phone is picked up the first time the parent is notified. So let's say they go to their RLA class, phone is discovered, students on the phone, whatever it may be, teacher picks it up, returns or turns it into the front office. Front office, we have our system in place where it's documented into the DDF. Parent is contacted with the first one. Um, even though the child is still able to pick it up at the end of the day, the parent is still notified. >> Mine just voluntarily said, "I'm
030not even bringing it." And so I was wondering to myself, I wonder if he got in trouble, but I guess not. >> Thank you. >> Yes, of course. Thank you. >> But he does even talk more now even in the car because he let he leaves it at home. So he's not on it on the way. So at least we have a conversation about school. >> I was I'm sorry. >> Come on in. That's fine. Take one. >> I will say this is kind of um anecdotal, but I have seen a decrease in social media occurrences and reports because typically in the first two weeks of school, we get a lot of social media reports of oh they're posting me or they did this. I have seen a decrease in that. Um don't know correlation
031in there but that is something that I have seen. >> I can't relate with that. >> So good evening superintendent Dr. Gutieres, President uh Mr. Detta and board of trustees. So, I want to share with you the cell phone ban policy that we put together over at Macallum Memorial High School. So, the purpose of the policy at Macallum Memorial High School is to promote a focused learning environment free from digital distractions, encourage students to engage more deeply in instruction and peer interactions, ensure equity and consistency across the district. So, I want to share some of the numbers with you all. On Friday, we closed out the day with about a population of about 210. Okay. from that 93% of the students have not been involved in any of these offenses at all whatsoever. Considering that
032we have approved by the board the four offenses that are involved, right? The first time when we see it, we seize it and then we give it back to the student at the end of the day. And then the second one where we see it, we seize it, but now the parents have to come pick it up at the end of the day. Right? And then the third one, just a friendly reminder that we see it, we seize it, parent picks it up, but now the student faces lunch detention, right? And then the fourth one where we see it, we seize it, parent picks it up at the end of the day, but now the student has to face some kind of suspension which is in school suspension for three days. So with those four
033offenses in mind, keep this in mind that 93% of our student population has not been involved in any of these offenses at all whatsoever. But proud to say that out of the 2010, we've only collected 138 students first 138 devices for firsttime offenders. So that's about 6.3% of our total population considering one of the comprehensive high schools, the biggest one of the biggest comprehensive high schools here in Macallen. For second offenses, we've only picked up 21. It has decreased dramatically. 21 students are second time offenders. Um picked up, which is 1% of that population. From there, we go to the third time offenders. So for the third time offenders, believe it or not, we've only picked up three devices from three students that are now third offenders, which is.1% of the 2010 population that we
034had on Friday when we closed the business day. And out of the fourth offenses that were involved, there was only one student that was a repeater. We picked up the phone, which makes it a 05% of the total population that was picked up on devices. Couple of positive takeaways on that. The overwhelming majority of students, more than nine out of 10 students have followed expectations consistently for those who did receive a consequence. Almost all corrected behavior after the first reminder. Couple of key observations at Macallen Memorial High School. Early correction works. Most students change behavior after the first warning. One of the habits that we have created at Macallen Memorial High School since we started day one is at 8:05 the campus principal gets on to the announcement and he starts letting them know what
035kind of day we're going to have a productive day at school and reminding all students to put their cell phones away. So, it's kind of courtesy heads up letting them know. We don't see it as a first warning. We're just it's a general message and it goes on daily. We we we don't steer away from that. that has helped us tremendously. When it's time for 8 uh 8:15 to for students to be in first period and execute with instruction, we don't see any distractions at all whatsoever when it comes to cell phones and we're very grateful and thankful to that message. Um so parent partnership is very powerful as well. The offenses have dropped sharply once families are involved. Um accountability with support. The escalation model is very fair. Thank you board for approving as
036you did. Um, it gives uh students multiple chances to improve. And I'd like to close this message with this policy is not about punishment, but it's about creating the best environment for learning. The data shows that students are responding positively and we are making real progress thanks to dedication of our district staff and families. >> So, thank you guys. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Just a couple more slides. And I know a lot has been said already, but if we can go to the next slide. So what you'll see at the campuses that is that's a little it's a little different is the method and process for collecting and distributing devices. That will differ from campus to campus depending on on their needs. What is consistent is the disciplinary action and the process we
037follow when students violate this policy. I know Mr. Ganon over at Memorial went over these four offenses with you, but when it comes to disciplinary action as a as a district, we're consistent with this what you see on the screen. First offense, it is picked up. Students are able to pick that up at the end of the day, but it is documented on a discipline documentation form. Pretty much it gives students a warning. It gives them a warning and an opportunity to correct this behavior. The second offense, again, the device is picked up, documented on the DDF, which is a discipline documentation form, and parents pick it up. Third offense, same thing, but now it's documented documented on a referral and it is also picked up by the parent at the end of the day.
038By the fourth offense, it is it becomes more of a non-compliance with this state law. And students understand that if it gets to the fourth offense after them being directed and corrected, then it will be 3 days of inschool suspension. So what you see on the screen is being consistently applied across the district at all campuses. What does vary like I mentioned is their process for collecting and distributing devices at the end of the day. Now, when it comes to House Bill 1481, there are exceptions. As we discussed earlier in in August, there are exceptions to students that have IEPs, individualized education accommodation plans, or 504 plans, or any other plan similar to that, such as perhaps an RTI plan. There are other exceptions where students might have some kind of medical condition that requires
039them to have their device. And so with us today I have Miss Alisando, our executive director for special education that will give the board an update with exceptions that have been brought to our attention. Miss, >> good evening everybody. So for special education and the regional day school program for the death we have had a total of 20 requests and those 20 requests uh can be a cell phone, smartwatch, the use of their personal laptop, wireless earbuds and other devices like a tracking device. So those are the requests we've had. We have a process wherever there's a request from a parent or a student, we make sure that we have a staffing and we find out the why. What are they needing it for? Academic, medical. Then we try to come up with solutions, alternatives
040for those uses. We do have an AR meeting. We discuss the alternatives with the parent and we bring in the student to ensure that they're okay with that alternative. And then we move forward and make a decision on okay, are they going to be able to use their personal device or is the alternative or the solution that the district is offering okay to proceed. And so for most part we've been successful with the alternatives and the solutions and the compromising with the staff and the parents. Uh and then there's some cases where there is a an academic need. There is a medical need and it's okay. So we move forward with providing that personal device use. That's all I have for you. >> Thank you. And to conclude, I know that that was the the
041end of our presentation, but it's all in how we communicated. And from the very beginning of school, first day of school, August 14th, we've told students, we want to maximize the time that we have with you here at school. We want to make sure that we're focused when we're here. And we want to make sure that we're minimizing distractions. And so when we're talking about that to students, they get it. They understand that we want them to learn. We want them to be successful. And we don't want them distracted. And so for all of our parents listening and our students as well, we're proud of them. We want to thank our parents for all of their support and assisting our campuses enforcing this state law. And we want to thank our board, Dr. Gutierrez, for
042also the communication from the very beginning. Thank you. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you. Thank you for that report. >> And now we are on 6B2 discussion and possible action on county independent school district policy EFB local. Dr. Guth? >> Yes. The MISD policy EFB local addresses the decision to opt out of the school library advisory council. The TASBY the Texas Association of School Board has recommended a new version of our policy that incorporates the necessary revisions and aligns with the district's current direction regarding library governance. Uh I know I have Miss uh Vega here. uh before u there's any action on this item how we're going to approach it uh based on what uh information we're getting from staff and community members and so I'll let Miss Vega also give us her presentation
043and uh and see what the board wants to do from here. >> So I don't have a presentation but I did have a meeting with Mr. Vidal and um oh sorry he uh I did have a meeting with Mr. of a doll and he had some questions um that he said I'd like for everyone to hear these answers so that um you'll have some background about why we had some parents come in. So I'll let you start. >> Thank you Had by the way. >> Okay. No, but thank thank you an um I've spent a lot of time with you on the phone, in person, uh text, uh just discussing this policy, clarifying a lot of things, and as you said, um I thought it'd be really beneficial for us to have a conversation. Um
044and I know you and I discuss a lot of things, but to have them to have me ask you questions, have it out in the in the public realm so our community members, teachers, students, parents understand what we're doing in response to SB13 and HB900. Um so in response to these two bills that the legislature passed, librarians have undertaken a review of books in the school's libraries. Can you please tell me how this review was conducted? >> Okay, so the first thing we did, we separated our elementary and secondary librarians. Um we had vendors come in to help us look for certain tags. Um and what we did is we put those tags in and it would flag books for us. We made a list of all of those books that were flagged and then
045we had to review each one one by one. Um, elementary a lot of these books had already been read so they kind of knew like no this has nothing bad in it. Um, but for when we get to the higher grades like for secondary uh we found that you know you might have 200 300 books on that list we haven't read them all. So, we did use AI and that's one of your other questions. So, but we did uh review each book one by one um after it was flagged and then had to determine whether it was compliant or not compliant. >> And so when you used AI, that was kind of a sorting mechanism to flag that. >> No, it wasn't a sorting mechanism. We identified books that were flagged and then we had
046to use AI uh for books that we hadn't read personally to determine whether it was compliant or not. >> So the the flag was done by the librarians by >> Yes. Yes. >> And then AI was used to help with >> to help help us. Yes, sir. >> And then but the ultimate domentation >> was made by a group of librarians >> and it wasn't just purely relied on AI. The librarians No, sir. >> You know, at least take some review of each book, >> right? And I know um a lot of people think okay like what AI what does AI know? Well the prompt that we put in was consistent and it was using Texas House Bill 900 SB13 legislation and the Miller method find reviews and documentation on whether the following book is
047compliant. If yes add a synopsis. If not detail why it is not compliant. In column one list the title. Column two put the author. column three whether the book is compliant or not and in column four a detailed synoptis or reasoning why the book is not compliant and so that's what you have in front of you that's that's the type of um prompt we were using and the response responses that we were getting >> were there any AI responses that flagged the book as non-compliant with SP13 HB19 in which librarians determined that they did not agree with the AI >> uh okay repeat So, if the AI came back and said, um, >> uh, my mind went blank, but the little red dog, okay, >> book that's non-compliant with SB19 with the legislation. Okay. >>
048Were there any books that the AI said is non-compliant, which then the library librarians reviewed and said, "No, we believe this is compliant." >> Oh, yeah. Yes, absolutely. because I think uh a lot of the books that might be flagged as inappropriate but if we ourselves have read it and we're like wait this is completely appropriate. So we had to make judgment calls um on some of the books but AI is pretty on target for a lot of those. Um, we had to go back and add that Miller method because a lot of books would come back like if I put Kiterunner in there just with SP900 and a um S I mean HB900 and SB13, it's going to come back flagged because it does have um uh a sexual assault in there. However, when
049you use the Miller method and that evaluates books, that's what um the at the highest court, they use that to determine the value of the book. What is the message of the book? Uh is the overarching thing something that is beneficial. And so when you put that Miller method in there, then Kite Rener comes back as yes, it is compliant because it does have that component. Um like the other book that we discussed uh Handmaid's Tail does not have that component when when it comes back um with that uh with that information. >> Well, so I want to clarify the Kiterunner has not been removed from library shelves. >> Kiterunner was not I don't I don't know where that came from. Um yeah. No, it now class sets were taken, instructional materials were taken and
050put in the closet for teachers to use. However, if all of our campus does still have Kiterunner in the library and you brought up Penman too, I think that's a good book to focus on because of its themes and it does have um I guess it's overarching political themes, but it has some um ritualized rape I believe is >> right. And I know I know she brought that one up. Um but one of the things uh and what I and and when we put that through AI it comes back as um um as not having that Miller method um uh advantage. Um but I also when I look at the legislation um SB132A states prohibits the possession that means you can't have it in your library the acquisition you can't buy it and the purchase
051of again can't be purchased by the district if it has a harmful material or b the library material rated sexually explicit by the sellering material vendor um and it is labeled as explicit and adult themed by the vendor >> by the vendor. So I we look at that as well because if I'm reading that right, I don't know Mr. Ball, but um if I'm reading that right, uh because I know she's like, "Well, you shouldn't be taking books off, but I read this as we can't have it in possession in the library." >> The short answer is yes. That's exactly how I take it. While I agree with the folks that were uh making comments during the public comments portion of it, we're we're grappling with this as we go. This is a brand new
052bill. We're trying to sort this out as best we can as we go along. Miss Vega, I was not aware until now that she was using AI the way that she was using it. However, I applaud what she is doing in particular that she took the time to research the Miller method or the Miller standard and plug that in. um to find out whether AI at least can give us some guidance as to whether based upon the community standards it would apply or we'd be able to have the books in our library. But I agree with what she is saying. If it is found to be adult material by the vendor that is selling it, we can't have it. That's probably much longer than you want to say. >> I just want to John, there's
053some confusion. Do are those vendor ratings currently active or is there an injunction against them and joining the I guess requirement that they put those ratings on the books. >> If there is an injunction, I am not aware of one. And I will say that I am I do my best to stay up on all of that sort of case law that is going on out there. I'm going to have to take a playbook out of what one of the judges recently said, which is the landscape right now of what is going on in the country as far as the the case law, what is going on as far as litigation is rapidly evolving. And we are at a point where a judge in the Western District of Texas can find that something should be
054or that entity should be enjoined from doing something uh or not doing doesn't apply to us. So, is there one that is applicable to South Texas right now? I haven't seen it. If somebody knows otherwise, I'm happy to hear about it, but I haven't seen. >> And I think um this question helps us. Can you describe u the standards used in reviewing books? I I guess what I'm asking is SB13 requires you to look at what? >> Uh so, we have to look at uh profanity. We have we have to look well I have I I'll tell you exactly because I have all my notes. So between HB900 and um SB13, we have to look at um obscene language. Um we have to look at uh horror, extreme shock, disgust, violence, um abuse, damage, killing
055someone or glorification of weapons. We have to look at bullying, um drug or alcohol use by minors. Uh we have to look at glorification of suicide, self harm. Um and uh we have to look at depictions of the human body. Um we have to look at uh you know sexual desire all you know all of that. And then how many books have been moved from an elementary to a middle school or a middle school to a high school based? >> And I did I I made some copies. Um and what we did was um look at books that elementary librarians uh they might when they looked up some of this information. It just said um young adult. In other words, the vendor is saying this is appropriate for a young adult. So it should be
056in a middle school, not at an elementary campus. So those books, which is pretty much your elementary list, there was nothing that was profane, vulgar, that type of thing. Those books just need to be moved to middle school. So out of the 18 campuses, 213 of those books need to be moved to middle school. and from middle school to high school. Um, of our six high schools, uh, looking at the same information, it would be, um, the type of book that says mature, um, better suited for high school, uh, age range 15 to 17, that kind of thing. Those are 265 books within those six campuses that would be moved from middle school to high school. We're not that far yet. I mean, but when we get to the point where it's time to get
057those sent off, um, and then, um, those that are permanently removed because of the profanity, the sets, all that, uh, those are in total 92 books, >> 92 titles or book >> uh, 92 titles >> titles. So a total of 92 titles have been >> banned. what we found had the elements of HB900, SB13 and should not be on um a K through2 campus. >> Okay. >> And then how far along in the process review process are you? >> Um so I went back through all of our spreadsheets um our working spreadsheets and um all grade levels. I was thinking high school still had some that they were reviewing but all their books have been reviewed. All of middle schools have been reviewed and all of elementary up to this point. >> So, you don't
058expect any more necessarily a large number of titles to be removed? >> I do not. Um, now again, like there's 485,000 books. So, could there be a book out there that a parent says, "How did we not catch that?" I'm sure there's a possibility. >> And then I think previously in one of our conversations, you told me those 500 titles removed. Now we're at 92. What was the discrepancy there? >> The the 500 titles were >> removed >> um at that campus, but we're going to In other words, they're not >> we're not going to banned >> throw them away. We're going to just put them at a more appropriate grade level. >> And then I know parents um brought up some books up to us. Harry Potter. Did we ban or move Harry Potter?
059>> No. Um I I'm going to be completely honest. I have one library where she says she wants to review them because uh books four, five, and six um say mature. That's probably something we need to write in policy because um one of the caveats is I told the 18 elementary librarians is we all need to agree. If everybody agrees that these are completely appropriate for elementary campus, I can't have one campus that says no. So, um, she hasn't removed them. She's reviewing them. So, um, that's something that I'll work with Albert to put in our local policy so that she's aware that if 17 other librarians, well, now it'll be a slack. Um, if the Slack deems that Harry Potter is okay for an elementary campus, then they should all agree on that. >>
060And then the Sorry, go ahead. Just one more. Wings of Fire, Darkness of Dragons. You know, parent brought up that they were very disappointed that this book was no longer available. Gonzalez, when you and I looked into it, it was checked out, but >> Right. So, it's available. It's just it's checked out until a later date. >> There's only one copy. I am wondering um um thinking about the public comment that we had earlier why maybe we should consider a school library advisory committee because like you said this example of this um librarian and elementary you know really trying to decide if we had like an outside >> right and and so realistically um uh with the petition that you have in your hands Um legisl legislation says that a petition has to have either
06110% of your population or I don't know why the discrepancy whichever's greater. So, and I mean whichever um in other words I checked with region one if we if she has at least 50 signatures then a slack will have to happen and she does if I'm not mistaken >> and we need the petition like the board can't just suggest that we >> well um uh I know when Albert spoke to me one of the reasons the reasoning behind not doing a slack is right now in the state of Texas there are 2,124 districts and there's only 14 districts that chose to have a slack and those are like your very conservative districts probably for the reason opposite of what she wants. Um because what happens with a slack is um each board member chooses one
062parent. It can't be a a school employee. So it can't be a teacher. It can't be a librarian. So those seven parents would be the voice of the community. So they would make that that decision about um whether they want a book on the shelf or not. Um now a community I mean a board member can appoint um this an equal number. So they might say, "Okay, we're each going to appoint two people, two um community members or it so it's got to be one parent who's not affiliated with Mallen ISD. If they if you choose to do more than seven, then the other person of choice can be anyone. It can be a community member. It could be um a teacher. It could be a librarian. It could be um a someone that has
063to live in Macallen, right? Basically a community member. So, Miss Vega. Yes, sir. So, the the school library advisory committee, >> do we not have a choice anymore? Because she gathered over 50 signatures. Does that mean that we don't have a choice that we have to have one? >> Right. We don't have a choice anymore. >> Okay. So, so how does that impact now a second reading for our >> So, this second reading was because um TASBY sent us an updated uh they they sent us a policy that where we didn't have a slack, but there's no use passing it if if we're going to end up having one. So, we probably should go with their very first recommendation um and then see if there's anything that needs to change from there. >> Policy on
064form formation of slack. >> I mean, we could pass it, but it's basically the slack is going to have to you'd have to redo it anyway. So, so then it's better just we we can recommend it table it because we have to look at those now that she gathered 50 signatures that we may not have a choice and uh contact TASBY and see what kind of language we need to have. John, what do you think is >> I think that's the best thing to do. You guys can certainly do that, but it strikes me as exercise. >> Yeah, because there are the signatures and if that's what what it says, then I think it's it's going to have to be moving in that direction, >> right? >> Um I just had one comment, Miss Vegas.
065First, thank you so much for all of the effort. I know that you've been toiling away for a long time trying to get everything in line super quickly after this legislation. Um, and to that point, I I'm curious how is a Slack to know even where to begin? Is it really just they can come with a list of books they don't want? >> Um, well, so I did when I reached out to region one um uh the so we would have to create um some policies uh for the slack like there's going to be a chairman that I know um how often will they meet? Um, we'll have to give them a process of how to review those books. And, um, I know when I met with Miss Vid Doll, is it V Doll? Um,
066she had mentioned like, well, every every book on there should be read. Well, I mean, if you look at our September list, there's 400 books. Um, and that's every month we're going to be posting books that we would like to purchase. So, I don't know how that's going to work. it's definitely going to bottleneck um because uh they have to review those books as well as the community um and as long as nothing is challenged. If they look at it and there's no challenge then they come that slack committee comes to the board makes the recommendation and uh and then the board would either say yes or no. Um, this vendor flag that you talked about initially, um, does that I assume there's different vendors for any one given title, right? >> Yes. >> So,
067are those universal like >> they So, it's a vendor, but all of the vendors that that we purchase from have sets of tags. If we buy from Flet, they have tags. Um, if we buy from uh bound to stay bound, they will have tags. Some are not up to date yet, but once once we upload all that stuff now, uh, pretty much flet's making all these tags because they're our cataloging system. Um, but everybody that we purchase from now, they're required to have all of that um, ready for us. Like right now when you get on uh the proposed acquisition list, uh one of the things that we've learned is uh you you cannot if you purchase a book um the ISBN has to be something that you already have or the ISBN if it's
068new has to be passed by uh by the Slack that Slack committee. Um it should have reviews, right? So, it should say the appropriate age that this book is for. Um, and then go from there. That way there because it used to be we would buy from a vendor and they didn't have tags. So, that's why I'm saying like is there a book out there that could possibly come up? I'm I'm sure there is because there may there may not have proper tags on there. So, >> so moving forward, we know that all of that has to be um submitted uh so that we're complying with that that thing. They want to make sure that vendors are doing their part and that we're doing our part by researching to make sure that if I'm purchasing
069a book for elementary, it fits within that elementary range. >> Yeah. >> So, um >> Yes. Can someone please make sure Miss Vega has coffee and snacks? And uh with that said, I >> It's happy hour. >> Um can I make a motion to table this item? You've got a lot of work to do. Thank you very much. >> One more because I think uh Miss Vega, you and I discussed this. Okay. >> I think transparency here is key because you know the the thought of censoring or banning books is anathema to this to our constitution to this country. Uh but we do have to comply with the law. Um I just you know the list that we're looking that the books that are being banned >> I think that needs to be published on
070a website or you know just like you're putting up the list of 30 days. >> Would it be okay if I just put the ones that were officially moving off not moving or do you want the whole list? >> Um I think it would be good the the full list but it has to be >> say move. >> We had a lot of questions right about what does that mean? Does that mean it's banned or it's moved? So it has to be clear. >> Okay. Okay. So, what I did was I color coded it so I can put it on the library website. If it's uh if it's in pink, it's being moved to the next grade and if it's in purple, it's being removed permanently, unless the slack goes through there and deems it
071want to keep it for whatever reason. Um, uh, and I mean, if that's okay, I can definitely do that. >> Yes. Okay. >> I think that'll help a lot of questions in the community. >> Okay. I have one question to follow up on that. So you mentioned >> um say the Slack decides they want to keep something and then that comes to the board for us to approve to >> Yes. >> So we're going to need a lot of snacks to read all these books. >> Yeah. >> That's going to be a lot of reading because we're going to have to >> know as well. >> They do sport books. And I and I would I would recommend that when you find a parent that whoever you choose, ideally it would be someone that has
072time if they feel like they want to read like they're going to need time to kind of review all this. Um and if you go with the extra person um to make it 14, you know, I would look at uh you know, some teachers, librarians, community members. Uh the one thing to remember is the seven parents are the voting members. You can have other people on there, but they can't vote. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. And thank you for the questions. We do have a motion on the >> second. And we have a second. >> Um, all those in favor? We have >> I >> Okay. All those opposed. Motion table passes. 6B3 discussion of uh Texas Association of School Board Localized Policy Manual Update 125. This is the first reading. Dr. This
073is presented from TASBY, the Texas Association of School Boards and reviewed by our staff. This update represents legal and local reference policies recently adopted by the state administration is presenting this item as a first reading. Dr. Canales, chief human resources officer will have more information about this. If you have any questions, we are recommending action on this item. >> So move. >> Okay, we have a motion by Trusty Pena, a second by Trustee KDman. All those in favor? >> I. >> All oppose. Motion passes. 5 Z. >> 6C1. Discussion possible action on participation of MISD students in the Nutcracker. >> Yes. To we are asking that our Melanis students who participate in the production of the Nutcracker become present during the rehearsals and performances on school days. Uh Miss Lawyer will have any answer any
074questions if you have any questions on this item and we are recommending action on this item as well. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion by trusted second by trusty pñena. All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion passes 5-0. 62. Discussion possible action regarding Macan High School boys basketball booster club donation for 16T pro LED scores table. Dr. The Mckllen High School Boys Basketball Booster Club will donate 16,800 for a 16 foot pro LED score table that would serve as a central location for game management. Mr. Mlenny, our director of athletic, is available to answer any questions. We are recommending action on this item. >> Okay. Board >> enthusiastically move to approve. >> Okay. Okay, I have a motion uh by Trusty Galado and a second by Trustee Deaga. All those
075in favor? >> I oppose. Motion passes. Six. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you all. >> It's going to look great. Can't wait to see it. >> Much needed. >> Moving forward, discussion, possible action on the resolution to the board of trustees of the county independent school district identifying hazardous traffic conditions. Start with this. Districts are required to report hazardous area conditions within a two-mile area that require transportation to be provided for students. Mr. Barnhard, director of transportation, is available to answer any questions. We are recommending action on this item as well. >> Okay. Order. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion by trusted, second by trusty Pñena. All those in favor? I. >> All oppose. Motion passes 6. Okay. and 60 board of trustee items. Approval of board of
076education meeting minutes for the regular meeting August 12th, 2025. Special board meeting August 21st, 2025. >> May I have a motion? >> All motion. >> I have a motion by trustee Hadad. >> Second by trustee Pñena. All those in favor? >> I. All oppose. Motion passes 62. Discussion possible action to approve the 202526 superintendent performance goals. Dr. Gutz >> recommending action on this item. >> Move to approve. >> I have a motion by Trusted Agalo and a second by Trustee Pñena. All in favor? >> I. All oppose. Motion passes 60. All right. We are on recess to close session. Board of trustees may go into close session pursuant to section 551.071, 551.072, 07251074 551076 and 551089 of Texas Government Code to discuss the following human resource recommendations and resignations retirees. Discussion of director of marketing
077discussion of district emergency operations manager discussion regarding school safety pending and potential litigation and possible real estate acquisition. All right, it is 6:33 and we are going into close session. Thank you. All right, welcome back. It's 7:25 p.m. and we are back from executive session going into reconvening and open. So uh action on items in close session 9A discussing possible action on human resources recommendation for school year 2526. Dr. >> Human Resources submitted a list of recommendations for the 2025 2026 school year under a separate cover for discussion during close session. We are recommending action on this item. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion by trustee Pñena and a second by trustee Lopez. All those in favor? I opposed. Motion passes 6. 9B discussion of human resources employee resignations and
078retirees for school year 2425. Dr. Petus, >> human resources submitted a list of resignations and retirees for the 2526 school year under separate cover for discussion during close session and this item is for information purposes only. >> Thank you. I see discussion of human resources employee resignations retirees for school year 2526. Yes, >> human resources submitted a list of resignations and retirees for the 2526 school year. >> Am I on the same >> and under separate cover and this item is for information purposes only. >> Thank you. 90 discussion possible action of recommendation for director of marketing and communications for 2526. Dr. PTS >> administration recommends the approval of Miss Felicia Variel for the position of director of marketing and communications for the 2526 school year. We are recommending action on this item. >> Move
079to approve. Second, third. >> Third, >> board. >> Okay. So, I have a motion by trusted, second by trustee. >> All in favor? >> I oppose. Motion passes 60. Congratulations. >> Did I get that that many recommendations, too? >> I'm just kidding. >> You did. You did. Uh 9E discussion and possible action of district emergency operations manager Dr. Gutierz. >> Uh we recommendation is that no action on this item. >> Okay. >> I move that we take no action on this item. >> I'll second. >> All right. I have a motion by trust. Uh second by trustee Hadad. All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion passes 60 >> and 9F. Mr. Nothing to report >> 9G 9h. >> Same announcement for each. >> All right. And we move to adjournment. May I entertain? >> So
080move. >> Second. I have a motion by trust, second by trust. All those in favor? I oppose. Motion passes 6. We are out at 7:28 p.m. Thank you guys. Good night.