001A regular meeting of the board of trustees of the Macallen Independent School District will be held Tuesday, August the 26, 2025, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Dr. Regard Chapa boardroom, administration building of the Macallen Independent School District, 2000 North 23rd Street, Macallen, Texas 78501. Items listed on this agenda may be taken in an order other than is shown on this agenda. Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be acted on at one time. At this meeting, there may be discussion and action by the board on the items and subjects listed as follows. One, call the meeting to order. I have done so at 5:31 p.m. Two, moment of silence. Thank you. Three. Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and
002to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Item number four is public comments. We have no public comment tonight. Item number five, consent agenda items. >> Five, >> Madame Vice President, I move to approve consent items 5A through five. I should have counted five >> I. >> There is a motion by Trusty Pñena. Is there a second? >> There's a motion by Trusty Pñena and a second by Trusty Deagar Lopez. All in favor say I. >> I. All opposed. Motion passes. 5 Z takes us to item six, instructional services, instructional leadership, human resources, business and operations and board of trustees items. Item 6A, instructional services, instructional leadership items. Just 6A1, discussion and possible action to adopt the proclamation regarding deaf awareness month. Dr. Guthus.
003Yes, Madame Vice President and board of trustees uh by proclaiming the month of September as a deaf awareness month. Administration would like to work to raise a deaf awareness. Mr. Mark May will introduce some of our students. Um and I believe Sophia Pñena trustee will be reading the proclamation and we are requesting action on this item. >> Is there a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. There's a motion by trustee Lagard Salopez and a and a second by trustee Pñena. All in favor say I. I. >> All opposed. Motion carries 50. Okay. I will read the pro proclamation. Uh a proclamation state of Texas County Mallen Independent School District. Whereas the deaf population includes a wide range of individuals from those that are born profoundly deaf and use sign language as a primary means of
004communication to those with a degree of hearing loss who use hearing aids or other forms of amplification and communication modes. And whereas the purpose of death awareness month is to raise awareness of the issue and the culture of people who are deaf and heart of hearing and to promote equal access to information, educational programs, resources and services for deaf individuals. And whereas we celebrate the many unique and individual achievements of people who are deaf and heart of hearing and we thank the many professionals and educ educators dedicated to assisting and educating individuals who are deaf and heart of hearing. Now therefore I Sophia Merced Pñena um sitting in for board president Aaron D. A members of the board of trustees of the Macallen Independent School District do hereby proclaim that the month of September 2025
005be observed as death awareness month. In witness whereof, I have here here to set my hand and cause the seal of the Mcllen Independent School District to be affixed on this 26th day of August, 2025. Mr. May, >> thank you so much. and if the members of the uh school board and Dr. Gutenis will come to the front and we'll be bringing in uh representatives from our regional day school program for the death. [Music] >> We'll start with RDSPD instructional strategist Salisar. Uh, next we have a stride student, Luis M. Uh, from McKelen High School, Mikala Ortiz from Brown Middle School, Carla Montoya. Also from Brown, Adami Gueredto Gutierrez. And from Memorial High School, Alexa Ma. And a parent infant, Isio Gonzalez. And we have RDSBD supervisor Robin Ellis from Eskandon Elementary. Diana Guzman from
006Roosevelt Elementary, Ariana Rietta from Escondon Elementary, RDSPD teacher, uh, Jeremiah Rosales, and RDSPD director, Miss Lisa Lada. And finally, our special education supervisor, Georganne Goodlet. We're going to take a photo for our district social media and uh parents, you'll be welcome to take a photo as well. Everybody right here. And I think they have a small token of appreciation they'd like to give to the school board. Thank I do that in all my pictures. So like this [Music] Okay. I >> here is a text. Did we need to >> 62? >> Madam, Madame Vice President, I would like to make a motion to move item 6 C2 up on the agenda. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. I have a motion by trusty pñena and a second by trustee Hadad to reorganize the
007agenda bringing forward item 6C2. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All opposed. Um I motion carries 5. So we'll go ahead and take up item 6C2 at this time. Report regarding annual tax collections for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30th, 2025. >> Dr. Gettis. Yes. U Mr. Julio Spinosa from the tax office uh for the county will be here to uh present the annual tax collections for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2024 and ending June 30th of 2025. This item is for information purposes only. Go ahead, Mr. Spinosa. >> Good afternoon everyone. Uh my name is Jula from the tax office. Mr. Pavia Rial was unable to attend today. He's he's out of town. But this uh presentation is for the Macallen Independent School District annual tax collection reports.
008Um this is for the period of July 1st, 2024 through June 30th, 2025. In this chart, you'll see the uh base collections. Uh we've got the current delinquent roll back taxes. Uh total base collections for for the period was $87.7 million. uh penalties and interest um for current delinquent was 1.2 million and then the the collection fees 400,000. Total collections for the for the period were 89,497,228. On this next slide, this is a uh a recap and uh we um on the in the middle where it says current collections to date uh total collections the 86 million uh if you compare it to prior year the 83 million there was a excess in collections compared to last year 2.6 million. Uh the very last row there when you're looking at percentages percentage of collections uh
009compared to last year last year was a 96.40% 40% this year uh collections was 96.69. So a little bit above uh last year's collections. Really really good for the year. The next slide, this shows the uh the five-year comparison just to see where we're at. Um in um 2020, we had a percentage of collections of 96.65. In 21 97.42 42 in 22 96.99 in 23 96.40 and this this past year 2024 we're at the 96.69. So all these last five years have been above the 95% which is which is really good when you're looking at current tax collections. The next couple of slides u talk about delinquent taxes. We won't go into detail. Uh I believe that delinquent tax attorneys may be making a presentation soon. So we'll go ahead and and skip those slides.
010But uh this is the presentation for current tax elections. I don't know if anyone has a a question regarding the reports or the amounts. >> Do we have any questions? >> I don't think so. Thank you, Mr. Espinosa. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> Thank you, sir. Madame Vice President, I'd like to make a motion to move item 6B1 up on the agenda. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> There's a motion by Trusty Pñena and a second by Trusty Hadad to move up six to reorganize the agenda bringing forward item 6B1. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. And we are now on to item 6B1. Discussion of Macallen Independent School District policy EFB local instructional resources. Library materials. >> Did I say that right? >>
011Yes. >> Library materials first reading. >> Dr. Guthis. >> Yes. Um, Mckllen ISD policy EFB local addresses the decision to opt out of the school library advisory council. TASIC, which is the Texas Association of School Boards, has recommended a new version of our policy that incorporates the necessary revisions and aligns with the district's current direction regarding library governance. Miss Anne Vega, our director for digital learning and libraries, will have more information on this and this item is for information purposes only since it's our first meeting. Go ahead, Miss Vega. >> Um, I'm going to go through each slide if that's okay. So, I'm going to start off with some of the things that SB13 right. Okay. Uh had uh recommended, not recommended, but um is now law is that we had to have parental rights
012enhancements. And one of those things was uh for us to be able to afford parents the ability to go in and see what their kids are reading, uh what their kids have read in the past, and to be able to um identify books that they don't want their child to be able to read. So, we worked over the summer uh with our cataloging management system to create that portal. So parents um will create an account. They can go in there. They can see all of their children. So if they have a, you know, a child at Rayburn and another one at MAI, they can see um all of their children's information there. It allows them to go in and select certain books and if they uh deem this is a book they don't want their
013child to read, they would select it and it forbids it to be checked out to that child. Um, one of the other things is they have um deemed it necessary to go in and look for books that uh would be offensive to a child depending on their um uh depending on their age. And so you can see here defines harmful material, indecent content, offensive sexual or expatory depictions. Um and you can go through there and read all of that. All of that compliant with SIPA. Um, uh, so what we did was, uh, part of SB13 was not only did we have to train all of our librarians, but our librarians had to go back and train all of their teachers. they had to work collectively to identify um books that could potentially be uh considered
014harmful for um children at an elementary, middle, and high school age. So, we had region one come and work with all of our elementary librarians. Um they met um on July 31st, the 4th, and the 5th. And when I say they identified, they identified books that needed to be looked at, right? And so just because when we put tags in, it's going to bring up books, but it's because one book might have 10 or 15 tags. And so once we bring those books up, we have to review each one to determine whether it is considered harmful and follows uh is it compliant with everything in HB900 and is it compliant with everything in SB13? Secondary librarians met um on August 19th, 20th, and 21st. They basically did the same thing. We had some um vendors
015come in to kind of show them how to go in look at those tags and and create these lists that then we have to go back and look at all of these books one by one. Oops. Um one of the recommendations was to create a local school library advisory council, but TASBY gave districts the option to opt in or opt out. and we opted out. Um I excuse the typo there, but no region uh no region one districts opted in. Everybody has um determine that they would continue the process as is when um when looking at procuring books. Um our acquisition procedures have to comply also with SB13. So what that means is um every district is required to post any book acquisitions for 30 days. So our librarians have started creating a list for
016September 1st. Um, all of those books will be posted for 30 days to give parents the opportunity to go and look and see what books are going to be purchased. Um, if they have a problem with any of those titles, then they have what they call a public comment form uh that they have access to. And on that form, they'll go in um and they will um answer a series of questions in order to um make a comment about any of those books. Um it can be any parent of Macallen ISD students. It can be any teacher um here in Macallen ISD or it can be any community member who lives in Macallen. Uh, one of the things I did put in that form to ensure that it is a community member or someone that
017lives in Macallen is they would have to upload a water bill or electricity bill just so that we don't have people from other cities coming in. It it just applies to the people in our community. Um, they would uh list the title and the author of uh the book in question. Um, and then there's questions like did you read it? Have you read our policies? And which of these things in SB900 or SB13 um do you feel is um you know is not being addressed or has you know that is shown here like horror violence um that type of thing. And then we ask that they uh list the um page that this occurs on and then that would uh be looked at through um any committee if anybody actually fills this out. Uh next
018challenge and appeals. Uh one of the other things that um came um came about. We've always had challenges available for parents. Um but this is a little more in depth. So um I was uh telling uh Dr. Deoyos and Miss Nino that I received um something from region one yesterday, just yesterday from TEA that specifically addresses challenges. So what I did was um updated and modeled um the new challenge form after what they're recommending. of course tweaking some of those things uh for Macallen ISD and I have copies of all those um that I'll leave with you so that you can take a look at it before our next reading unless you want to see it before and then communication. So um I know one of the things that we really want to be transparent
019with everything that's going on with SB13. So, um I have a newsletter that will be sent out through uh Thrillshare on September 1st. I might do it the 2nd just because um we'll be on um Labor Day holiday that day, but it'll be sent out and what it does is um it'll be monthly communication about everything going on. I want to make sure that every parent knows that they have access to that portal. I want to make sure that everybody um all parents understand SB13 and what it entails them to have access to. Um it also required that we have the catalog uh visible for anybody in the community which it's already on my web page. Um I already have the challenge form. Um I just need it to be approved and then it will
020also be posted. Uh the other thing that we are working on uh one of the items in there is that every not just um campus libraries but every classroom library has to list all of their books as well. And so um I created a folder with every campus. Um and you know you can imagine how tedious this is like this passed in July and they want all of this done by September 1st and we're going to do everything in our power to make that happen. Um, but our teachers are doing what they can as well as our librarians to make sure that we comply with everything that um, uh, SB13 has asked us to do. >> Questions? Trusty. >> Miss Vega, thank you so much. Um, thank you for spending a lot of time with
021me on the phone today asking a lot of questions about this policy. Um, and I just want to reiterate our conversation that we had that even though we opted out of the council parents still have a lot of uh ability to input as you laid out in your presentation. >> Oh yeah, absolutely. So um every parent is welcome in in any of our libraries. Um they and now they can actually go in and see the catalog for any um any of our campuses. Um and they have the ability to not only um see what their kids are checking out but to also restrict. So parents have been giving um the ability to be uh more in charge of what is in their child's hand. And so I think the whole purpose of SB13 was to
022ensure um the safety of our of our kids. But we also want parents to realize that what um what Ann Vega allows her kids to read, Dr. De Hoyos may not allow her kids to read, and that's okay. they have the ability to go in there and determine that. Um, but at the same time, our libraries are here to serve our whole community uh, and every population that we serve. So, um, and we work very hard to make sure that we have culturally diverse books and as long as they follow the rules, uh, we want to make sure those books stay on our shelves. >> Thank you. >> I think >> I have one question. >> Yes, ma'am. >> If a book not allowed in our um library, but a parent allows them to read
023it. Is the child still and it's an AR testable book. Are they still able to test? >> Yeah, absolutely. And so that was one of the questions. I know we had some concern librarians because if you have gifted kids, sometimes their maturity level is a little higher. >> Um and so if it's not a book, and I know last year I had some parents reach out from Milo and so they were concerned because you know, u my home is tiny, right? And so they have all these great books, but they wanted access to other books. So I told them their choices were um they could definitely go into ebooks. They could definitely go to a a junior high and look at those books. Um they can always go to the public library, but yes, it
024just because it's not in their physical library, they can still test on it in AR. >> Yes, sir. >> Um that prompts a question for me. I recall a few years ago my children were able to access certain books on their tablet or their device. Um are these also subject to the same standards and review as well? >> Yes. So that is also in there because it's very specific. It says um classroom libraries, uh ebooks, um magazines, etc. And so right now um I've already worked with Flet and all of the our other vendors. The one that is lagging behind is Sora and that is one of our digital content people. So the first thing we did um I worked with them last week and I asked them to uh remove all adult books because
025when you're in high school a lot of those books kids, you know, they want to read them and so if I have a student that said, "Hey, I would like to read this." Okay, you know, we're going to order it. Um, but we did remove um I want to say two or 300 adult books um from the whole catalog so that none of our high schoolers will have access. It's one of those things they'll have to go to the public library. Um we also worked in the summer. We had some whenever a librarian goes in and they order um any ebook, they have to specifically say this is a juvenile book or this is young adult and this is high school. if they don't click young adult in high school, then some of those filtered
026in. So, we did work over the summer to pull about 40 or 50 titles and um and it is very specific and says that any ebook service that we use has to have the same thing, a parent portal. Um Sora um said they'll have it available this fall. They don't have it ready yet. Um, but they are going to also pull a list uh for me. I did ask when when they took we took out all of the free books um like open source books. There must have been like uh two or three thousand. We took those out because I can't control that part of it. Right. And uh we took out the adult books. But now what we're doing is we're focusing to make sure that anything that is in the elementary level fits
027these standards. anything that fits in young adult fits those standards and anything um uh is, you know, even juvenile. So, we're making sure it's all set the way it should be. Um the parent portal, like I said, should be coming soon. >> Yes. >> And I just want to just comment based on our conversation about making making sure that we have clear guidelines, processes for parents um if they do bring up a issue with books. >> And so, thank you. >> So, um So I will work I think one of the things and one of the reasons we're having this uh first session is to allow us to determine like this is the poly that I mean this is the policy that TASBY sent us but we can also create the rules of how we're
028going to handle these things and I know um one of the questions that you asked is if a book is challenged how do you determine um you know say there's five people or or you know six people on that committee and four of them say I think it you know I think this is compliant and you have two that say no it's not compliant so I did call region one after our conversation um and she is going to verify but she said in that case they would vote and if it's not unanimous it would go to the superintendent and then he could make that final judgement >> okay then you know I think um whatever the process procedures we need you know in our regulations just spell that out so there's no confusion in any
029eventuality. >> And one of the things and when I leave these uh this paperwork here with you, I'll leave it here with Albert. Um one of these things that um I did put because on the challenge form, it tells the parent, okay, this is how you can challenge. It'll be on the website. This is how you can challenge this book, but it doesn't say what happens after. So that was some of the verbiage I put after at the end because I want to know, okay, I've submitted this. Now, what is Macallen going to do? And so I try to put those steps in and then I'll have to get clarification with our associate superintendent to make sure it's um okay with them the way it's worded for elementary and and secondary. And once they um
030approve it, I'll have it ready for our next reading. That way um you can take a look at it and make sure it it works for everyone in the district and our parents. >> Thank you, Miss Victor. >> Thank you. >> Okay, any other comments? This item was for information purposes only. Thank you, Miss Vega. >> Okay, that takes us back to item 6 A2, discussion and possible action for the approval of donation on behalf of Noble Charities from Noble Construction for Sam Houston Elementary. Dr. Gutierz, >> tonight we're asking for action regarding the approval of donation on behalf of Noble Charities, Noble Construction for Sam Houston Elementary. Miss Janet Nino, associate superintendent for instructional leadership will have more information. We are requesting action on this item. Go ahead, Miss. >> Thank you, Dr. Gutierrez.
031Noble Charities, an organizational part of Noble Construction, will donate the materials and work for the installation of a wooden canopy. What is showed here in this slide at Sam Houston Elementary. This canopy will serve as an inclusive outdoor space to improve the campus environment for students um at our campus there to access the outdoor learning space including our students that are uh limited with disabilities and also to help with the area of the forest area that's growing there. Thank you. >> And this item is for action. >> Yes. >> Move to approve. Second. >> I have a motion by trust Lopez and a second by Trusty Pñena. All in favor? I all opposed. Okay. Motion carries 50 and I think we have a check presentation. >> Uh yes, we have uh some representatives from uh
032double charities that are here. The board and the superintendent would like to come to the front. And we'll start with uh from Noble Charities um part of Noble Construction the director of leadershipmies Miss Valeria Vega and then the program coordinator Miss Amy Pñena and they are followed by the Houston elementary principal Miss Jessica Low and the Houston interventionist Mr. Ruben Castro. And Noble Charities is presenting a check to Sam Houston for their tiny forest canopy in the amount of $8500. [Applause] Three. One, two, three. Yes. >> We are extremely appreciative of the generosity of Noble, our our partner. So, thank you all so much. This takes us to item 6 A3, report regarding the safe and secure program. Dr. Guthis. >> Yes, madame vice president and board of trustees. Uh, Miss Janet Dino, our associate
033superintendent for instructional leadership, will provide an overview of the safe and secure program. And, uh, this item is for information purposes only. So, I'm going to go ahead and turn it over to Miss Dino. Go ahead, ma'am. >> Thank you, Dr. Gettis. Good evening. Um, we always appreciate the opportunity to inform our school board and community about um, opportunities that are available for our students within our community at our elementarymentaries. And this is specifically on our safe and secure afterchool child care program. Uh this program has been available to uh serving the needs of our families for over 20 years. Uh this program started at Gonzalez Elementary over 20 years ago and has now expanded to seven of our other elementaryaries at Castanad Elementary, GarcA Gonzalez, Hrix, Milm, Pettis, Raburn, and Sanchez Elementary. And it's
034a it's an option for our families where uh we have higher enrollment at our schools in addition to several other opportunities for our families to have child care options within our Macallen community um such as private daycare facilities um partnerships that we have with the city of Macallen with parks and recreation which are hosted um on-site at several of our elementary schools and then also partnership with the Macallen Boys and Girls Club. Um the afterchool childcare program with safe and secure again is hosted on-site at these campuses. So parents feel very comfortable to have their students just remain at the campus and with staff that they're familiar with. Um they our staff is amazing. They create an enriching environment that extends beyond their instructional day um with activities with helping with homework. If a student
035has to stay for tutoring they they can just transition into safe and secure once that tutoring time is done. And also just assisting them having having again a familiar environment. Um some other key factors that are considered is um in addition to that we have our own staff in the district. Um sometimes also some outside help that uh seeks to be employed in helping us staff this program. Um our principles are part of that staff, par profofessionals um either even um some clerical positions from within the district that are not at our campuses. uh we we do our best to make sure that we have a low child to adult ratio aligned to meet program needs. So that does fluctuate from campus to campus based on the needs of our students at each school. Um
036again uh we we're excited that our families as in any other type of child care deduction can claim this as part of their um taxes. And again it's a very cost-effective um opportunity for our student for I'm sorry for our parents to count on for after school care. With that, there is a one-page form that parents receive just as part of this communication so that they can um make an assessment of the program itself to see if that best fits their family needs. It gives them the time of day that it's offered, the u amount per student and then also just a breakdown of what that looks like over the year. So that way again um they can make sure that if they're choosing safe and secure aligns with meeting their family needs. Um just
037like auditable expenses from our district. This program also uh undergoes audit uh findings and financial has uh tied financial um guidelines that we follow as we do in other accounts at our district. And so a recent audit was done and this is just again to share um what that finding had just some do job description updates recommendation just to have uniformity across all our schools and then it was um addressing some refunds that were taken care of when this program was still running. um during the time of COVID in November 2020. Here's a breakdown just to um show how how the program operates and how those costs and tuition are collected at each of our campuses. As you can see, the last column for the 2025 2026 school year is not populated yet because we're
038just starting our seventh day of school. And um once those uh the the month kind of closes up, then I'll definitely be able to update this for us. And also there is a chart there below just to show that average enrollment by campus from last year to this year. Um that has some numbers. Um this this can fluctuate a little bit if we have again families needing a little bit more care throughout the month. Um our principles will reevaluate those needs at their at their programs to see if we can also accommodate additional uh children. But at this time, we're happy to say that all of our families that have uh signed up at our safe and secure programs have been accommodated across the district at these eight schools. And last but not least, um
039just some answers to frequently asked questions we sometimes uh get, you know, um for revenue that we collect tuition on for this program. How is that used? And it's really to make sure that our staff is taken care of. Um they give almost three hours of their day to help us take care of our students. So we want to be competitive, right? as far as um compensating them to take care of our students. Um so a lot of it goes towards payroll. Also our our campuses purchase supplies to meet the needs of our students during this time. It can be hula hoops, it can be crayons, it can be just a lot of different resources to keep them engaged. And then also um just again making sure that any other questions we have that we
040also address those. And at this time I did invite our eight principles that support our afterchool program and would like just the opportunity one of them or would like to represent our group to share anything else that they would like to just highlight about this option that we offer our Mallen ISD families and um again excited to have them here tonight. >> Anyone? >> Thank you Mr. Nandas. Yes, they all I wasn't even there when they voted. >> That's what I get for not being there. >> That's right. Learn my lesson. So, good evening, Dr. Bettas and members of the board. Uh, so yes, as Vince Nino said, um, the safe and secure program has been around a long time, just as I've been around a long time. Um, we were the first to start
041it and actually began back in between either 93 and 95. So, almost 30 years or over 30 years operation. Um, main purpose of it of course is to offer a safe environment for our children after school. Parents do take advantage of it. They are knocking at our doors before school even ends in May or June. Um and then they start at beginning July when we get back. They're already calling when can we sign up? When can we sign up? Um to date, you know, I know some of us here still have parents calling. We have two call today asking for a spot and of course we will accommodate them. Um Um but you know the program has been successful. We've always had the uh support of our superintendent, many superintendents tender um the boards also.
042Um so it is a very um unique program in that in that the children go straight from their classrooms to the designated areas to um to begin their afternoon evening. They are uh fed. they are child nutrition program does offer meals to to the children. Um and then from there they proceed to either um do do their homework or if it's a nice day they go outside to play they're in the gym the all of them want to go to the gym but we limit that to a fourth and fifth graders right so um you know I all I can say is we want to continue it hopefully it's not a program that's going to be done away with I think our parents would be a little disappointed if that were the case have any
043questions We definitely want to keep the program. >> I did have um a question. Thank you so much for all of this information. This is very helpful to see here. Um going back a few slides. I believe it was on slide four. Um yes. So in the upper right uh I see in the fine print there that for any families that maybe are not yet currently enrolled um that there's still an opportunity for them to enroll and if for some reason there isn't capacity at one of the eight camp seven campuses that is currently accepting students um we are willing for no additional charge above and beyond what the enrollment fee and daily fee is to bust those children to custody at elementary for services there. Is that correct? >> That is correct. Yes sir.
044So um thank you for bringing that also to to um our attention for this slide. Um our principles always network to make sure the needs of our students are met not just at their campus but if I can help at another campus absolutely. So Miss Rodriguez at Castanetta has said we have lots of space and if there's a need at any of the other seven schools um we will make sure transportation happens from that campus to casta at the same same price they would be paying at their home school. >> Wonderful. Thank you. And then one additional question. Um I'm not quite at the point where I have all of the elementary campuses in our district memorized sir, but um two slides prior on slide two um I just want to check that between the
045safe and secure program, the city of Macallen afterare program and the boys and girls club program that every single one of our elementary campuses has some sort of afterchool care option for families. >> That is correct. And in some cases at some of our elementaryaries they might have um safe and secure. They might have uh parks and wreck next door and they might have Boys and Girls Club within close proximity as well. And so that is correct. We make sure that our students are connected. Um some also have options of staying with their family. Parents say you know what we're going to stay at home. >> They have um family arrangements but we do make sure each one of our students has some option of afterchool needs being met. >> Thank you. >> Yes sir.
046Thank you. I have one question on cost. As far as cost to families, um, where have we been historically and where are we now? >> Yes, ma'am. So, um, up to just this school year, we have a $5 tuition per child in the program. um again to help meet with staffing needs and just um again depending on what the enrollment is sometimes depending on the needs of our students we we need to um adapt to the number of staff that we have there um we're charging $8 per student and then if they have additional siblings $5 a student and then we have an employee incentive where it is $5 a child for our employees uh children within the district because a lot of a lot of our our employees do count on these programs as
047well and so that is um where we're at right Now, um this is again an adjustment from the inception of the program over 30 years ago. And so this is going to be something we'll also evaluate to see how that that goes moving forward. >> So it went from five to eight >> five to $8. Yes, ma'am. >> And then again staying at $5 for any additional savings. >> Okay. >> And Miss Nino, how is how is that decision made? Who makes the decision on the tuition cost? >> So um on that decision, we meet as a team. So principles and I met actually right after the audit findings were shared with us. Um that audit was conducted last August and then shared with me. Uh that program is overseen by by my by by
048my office and I come together with them. We responded to the audit and then that was something that we looked at in saying okay we have um we're needing to recruit more staff. Um staff is asking can we get paid a little bit more because we've been getting paid the same for the last you know 20 years plus. and um to have them to help take care of our students after school. We really count on them. Um sometimes we have to open doors to say if where else can we hire a college student, etc. if we don't have enough of our own staff that can um and when I say our own staff, district staff, sometimes you have a transportation aid signing up to be a safe and secure um assistant. And so um >>
049and what's that? Is it a stipen or how do we pay for >> um it's so if they're an hourly employee, we have to pay them time and a half based on that. If their salary. Then there's a a rate a table rate that's in our compensation plan uh for each of those roles. >> Okay. And I think moving this year from five to $8, it it created some problems for families and on affordability. Have we looked at scholarships on need-based um type some type of support so families could still be part of safe and secure. >> So that is a great question. I' we've gotten to speak with that uh with our principles about that. We've not denied any families. If um cost, you know, there's a an obstacle or challenge for our families,
050our principles have worked with them. Um all it takes is just letting us know, including, you know, space. If they say, you know what, I I didn't get to sign up last month, but my needs at my my house have changed. All they need to do is contact us and we'll definitely be able to support them. Um scholarships, there's no scholarships as far as um something within the district, but again, there's definitely an opportunity for us to make their family is not going to be left without after school if safe and secure is that number one option to meet their family needs at that time. >> I really thank you for that because I know it means a lot to the families. Uh and then I think I have one last question. How do we
051choose what campuses to put this at and um you know where do we determine the need and um >> yeah that's my question. >> That is a great question. So this is um selected by each school. they have the option to offer this and any of our 18 elementaryaries always have the option to explore and see if this is an option for their families. But in some of our campuses, as it's shown on this slide here, um it's if families are also wanting them to be connected there at school but through parks and recreation, then that's their choice to pick as well or somewhere else. But a school can always onboard the program at any point in time. and we've had just one inquir not want to start the process yet because there's not a
052lot of interest yet, but as soon as there is, we're we're willing to open that and expand it at any one of our 18 elementaryaries. >> And so the I guess we gauge interest campus by campus or is there like a I apologize I don't know is there an online form? How do we know where the interest is? Um sometimes the principles will just if they have enough inquiries from the families, do you have offer safe and secure? And some again they just rely on the current partners that are there. And if our any of our principles want to respond to how you started your program, you can. But the ones that we have it right now, there was a high a high request and also a high um this was a great option to
053to offer at the highly enrolled schools as well. some of those where there's a lot of students and families do need more help with picking a spot to have their student taken care of after school. >> Thank you. Yes. >> And I I appreciate Missino you, everybody, and all our principles because I know this is going above and beyond uh and it means a lot to our families. So, thank you for everything you do. >> Absolutely, sir. Thank you. >> I have one Oh, go ahead. No, no problem. >> Okay, one more question. Sorry. >> Yes, ma'am. Um, as far as our partners go with the city and Boys and Girls Club, at any point did we communicate with them that we were going to increase prices? Because some of the feedback that I had
054gotten early on this school year already was that we didn't. So when parents heard about the increase in our rates, well then they jumped over to the Boys and Girls Club and that kind of put them in a situation because they weren't ready for the influx that they were getting for their programs. So of course we're always grateful to our community supporters and partners. And so I I highly encourage that when we are making a change like that that not only impacts our families but also possibility of impacting our partners um and how they're going to have to staff as well because um I mean we're all serving the same community and the same children. So, it's important that we all work together and if we know that these increases are coming, then we need
055to I think address those early on because I know Boys and Girls Club as well was scrambling at the last minute trying to figure out how to um service all of these children. So, um I completely understand that prices are going to increase. It's just a matter of ensuring that everybody is aware and it's not just a surprise to not only our families but the community partners as well. >> Absolutely. Thank you for that feedback and we will be better communicators about that moving forward. Um I know that after that was brought to our attention, we looked at the data from one of our partners. Um, we're proud to say that from the Mallen ISD elementary level, uh, we did not have any students that were on that weight list due to a demand or
056an increase on safe and secure. And on the contrary, our principles have continued meeting needs for safe and secure on our end. But, um, we we work well with our partners. Um, we all align with, uh, closing on early release days when one program is closed to see how to make sure that families aren't left out from one program or the other. Um but other than that we can just be uh continues to be better communicators about any information. >> Thank you for that. >> Yes ma'am. Absolutely. >> And I apologize miss no we don't have a weight list. Correct. >> We do not. No, we do not have a way. All of our students and families that have asked up to now, our principles have accommodated, even if that means trying to out source
057and ask staff, can we, you know, can we hire, you know, we've increase the price on the pay or the hourly part and we will do our best to make sure that that those needs are met. And again, now with Casteda also being an option, we will extend that to our families as well. >> And we actually had students that came back, we had two boys and girls club back with us. Um, you know, I know we only had two students that went to Boys and Girls Club. We had a few that went last year, but because they heard that Boys and Girls Club let them bring their phones, but once the parents found out what they were doing on their phones, guess what? They brought them back to us. So, we had no parents
058complain about the increase in price and if we've been able to accommodate everyone. So, you know, we're here to serve >> our students and our families. >> My question got answered, so thank you. I was just going to kind of echo that. um the concerns about our the impact on our on our partners and just continuing to work with them. So, thank you all very much for your work. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you. >> This takes us to item 6 A4 report regarding the release of the 2024 and 2025 Texas Education Agency A throughF accountability ratings. Dr. Gutierrez. >> Yes, madam vice president and board of trustees. uh administration will provide an overview of a report regarding the release of the 2024 and the 2025 Texas education A throughF accountability uh ratings. Uh
059Miss Janette Nino, associate superintendent for instructional leadership as well as Dr. Rosalva Deoyos, assistant superintendent for instructional services will have more information along with Viskintia who has been collecting and evaluating our data for the last two months. And so she has a PowerPoint to present our A throughF accountability for the last two years and this is for information purposes only. Go ahead Miss. >> Good evening. So today I have a report to the board. I will be reporting on 2024 and 2025 A throughF accountability. I do want to begin with the accountability system. What we currently have, we have the A throughF accountability system that is a statewide system that is established by the Texas Education Agency that allows the agency to evaluate um the campuses and districts academically. The academic performance is evaluated. As
060you can see, the district and the campuses are evaluated. 70% of the score uh comes from better of achievement or progress and 30% comes from closing the gaps. together we we receive an overall grade. Just to note districts um ratings are used they use the same methodology of the 7030. However um the districts uh the campuses provide proportional weighing. So they pro provide pro proportional weight that aggregates and gives us our overall rating for the school district. I do want to mention that we do there are some accountability and assessment shifts um on the horizon. We have heard of house bill 8. Senate bill 8 has already been uh voted on and they're identical. They are aiming to reshape the statewide student assessments how they are conducted. So what we have is that star uh
061the they're proposing to replace the high stakes star exam with three shorter exams. So these tests these three tests would be administered beginning, middle, and end of the school year. And these exams are intended to have or provide faster results and give teachers more time to teach. Um they are also intended to reduce the testing pressure. And in terms of the accountability system, what we have noted is some changes that are proposed is we they are con continuing to require the annual A throughF rating. School ratings will continue and the bill is uh choosing to ban the notrated designations to the statewide. Some districts are non-rated, not rated at times. Um they are also proposing to refresh the cut scores every five years and there are major discussions about growthbased measures. So measuring the growth
062from beginning to end of the year. And lastly, the bill has proposed prohibiting taxpayer funded lawsuits against the state over accountability ratings. So these are these are the shifts um upon uh upon us. On this slide, you can see we have our state accountability system rating from 2023. We did earn our B87 in 2023. And in 2024, though, that data was released at at the same time as 2025 accountability ratings were released. So, it is now official that we have an 89B in 2024. We had 12 A's. with 15 uh B's. We did have one C at the time and one D in 2024. However, in 2025, we increased the number of A's by five more A rated campuses to 17. And we reduce B's obviously because they grew to A's uh to 11. And
063we only had one C in the entire school district. And we earned an A rating of a 90. 90.3 to be exact. And before we got the 90.3, Miss Kanya, that's what she had 90.3 calc. So she was right on the mark. >> Thank you. Good job. >> Um, so here we have our overall district rating results. These are the state results that that were provided. So there are about 1,27 school districts and charters here in the state of Texas. And only 169 school districts received an A rating. that is 14%. Therefore, Macallen is in that top 14% of the state earning an A rating. In region one, we do have uh 45 traditional school districts uh 45 traditional and um charter school districts and only eight school districts earned an A rating. So, that
064is 18% here in region one and we are in that top 18% as well. Now, what I have for you here is we have the traditional school district's ratings by enrollment. We have ranked our our ratings by enrollment. And in front of you, you can see that Macallen ISD is the largest enrolled district in the Rio Grande Valley to earn an A rating. So, we are ranked third um overall when in region one along with two other districts with a 90A as well. And here is our um domain one student achievement score of a B. We improved that as well. We also grew our our academic growth and relative performance with a 90 and our domain three a 91. Therefore, our 70% score came from the 90 90A and our 30% from the 91A. Together
065gave us a 90.3 as a school district. Now, here we have our high school campus ratings. Um, so I'm very proud to announce that our five high school earned a ratings. All five high schools earned a ratings and each high school earned more distinctions this 25 school year. And Nikki Ro earned an A and all seven eligible distinctions. So kudos. And just a little background, distinctions are uh recognitions based on master's performance and they are measured or compared against their 40 comparison group. The the 40 comparison group is composed of statistically similar schools based on their enrollment and demographics. So they're very similar. So our schools um came out on top in the top quartile. That means they were top 10 in their 40 comparison group. Was this the first year that all our high
066schools get straight A? >> Absolutely. This is our first year that our all our high schools are in all straight. >> This is the first time that all our high schools get straight A's. >> Never happened before. So >> beyond impressive. >> Very good work. >> Now this is our middle school campus ratings that I have for you. We this school year in 2025 star we did earn four middle schools earned an A rating and one more than last year. That means Brown Middle School joined the team with an A rating. And all the A-rated middle schools earned all seven eligible distinctions. And then we do have two B-rated campuses, but they're high B's as well. And I am proud to announce that also their distinctions improved, increased in numbers. Now, in elementary, we had
067um here in front of you, I have eight rated um elementary campuses, nine B rated and one C rating. um all six elementary schools. We have six elementary schools that earned all six eligible distinctions and the rest of the campus has increased in number of distinctions. But I want to proudly announce that this brings our school district's grand total to 135 distinctions. That is 40 more distinctions than 2024 school year. So, so our results um earning an A in the A throughF accountability system is not a small accomplishment. It reflects a lot of dedication, focus and commitment and our story, our results tell a powerful story. Teaching and learning is at at the heart of Macallen ISD and through the aligned systems of instructional support, datadriven decision making, people development and the specialized program services,
068we ensure that every student receives high quality personalized learning experiences. We integrate strong leadership, coaching, professional development and of course community partnerships to provide consistent support to and enrichment to each student. Now here we have our story. It says every face, every moment, every success together tell our story. We are Mallen ISD. Thank you. >> Have any comments from the board? This is for information only, but >> just great news. Thank you everybody. Everybody works hard. We know that the numbers speak for themselves. Congratulations everybody. Thank you. Thank you all very much. It's awesome. >> Yeah. Uh I would also just like to echo an appreciation and a congratulation to the team. Um one part of the data that I tend to look at is the number of high need students. And it's great that
069we can say that we're in the top 14% of all districts across the state. But when we look at performance of districts that have 70% or more of students on free and reduced lunch, which is historically a group of students that have higher needs coming into the campus, there are only 2% we are in the 2% of all districts across the state that are above 70% and have an A rating. And so to me, that speaks volumes to the heart and soul of this community and of our district. So, thank you all so much for that. I just want to take the time to thank all the staff for for this uh amazing report card. It's going to be now moving that bar even higher because this this report card is amazing. So we'll we'll
070be up to the challenge for this coming year to raise the bar even higher. So thanks to every >> to you as well Dr. You should take a bow. >> Okay, that takes us to number item 6B. Human resources items, we have already done 6B1, 6C, business and operations items. 6C1 report regarding the 2025 2026 menu processing and plastic wear analysis 90. Dr. Gutis, >> the child nutrition department is committed to providing nutritious highquality meals that support student health and academic success. As part of our ongoing efforts to evaluate and improve our meal offerings, we're bringing forward a discussion on two key areas of concern. prop uh processed foods on our current menu and the use of singleuse plastic where Miss Sonia Skkel our director for child nutrition will present on this report and this
071also is an information purposes only a presentation. Go ahead. >> Thank you Dr. and board members. Um so today I am presenting the current menu a sample of the current menu um and we will be um talking about the items that I was asked to look at items that are whole food versus processed foods and then also uh singleuse plastic wear. Um so we started off as an admin team in our child nutrition and started to try to figure out how we would look at our menu. Um and so we started off with just a basic how how are we going to define a whole product versus a minally processed product or a processed product or a speed scratch. So you can kind of see the list of of how we defined and there's a
072definition. So just for example, whole product uh an example of that would just be a whole fruit or a vegetable. Um and then uh we we also put a note on the bottom that uh many of our our proteins are fully cooked proteins. And the reason that a lot of um a lot of child nutrition programs do that is for safety purposes. Um so we do we had a time in period in time where there was a lot of scratch cooking the the market went into processed foods or or fully cooked items and so right now we kind of have a workforce that um is not trained to deal with raw products. So we have discussed as a nutrition team trying to go in that direction but um we will need some time to be
073able to to train a workforce in how to receive and process and move uh fully you know uh uh raw items. Um so before um we look at the actual menu um I wanted to point out that uh school food products are specifically formulated uh to meet USDA guidelines. Um so manufacturers identify school food products as K12 products. So child nutrition programs are required to meet nutritional standards uh weekly and daily. So they must meet weekly and daily sodium, fat, whole grain, and calorie counts. These are not only just across the board, but they're also you have to meet it by grade level as well. Um so um while we're looking at the menu items, they might seem very similar to things that you see out at the grocery stores or at a fat fast
074food place, but just know that they are a completely different recipe than what is being presented before you. Okay. Um so starting off with the first example um being a 2 oz lucky lucky charm uh bowl. Um so these are this manufacturer makes it specifically for a K12 product. And I know this is an item that we even try to work towards changing this school year. Um, so we have uh two new registered dieticians on our on our team. Uh, one of them uh focuses mainly on special diets and the other one focuses on uh menu development. And one of the first things that they did in looking at our menu because this is their this is their full complete year was looking at um you know they look at our breakfast menu before. So
075we made it I know you you might see this and go ah this is horrible but there was a huge improvement from the 2425 school year uh to the 2526 school year because they came in and said nah we need protein in our breakfast. Right? So you'll see as we go through the menu that there is always uh some sort of protein option uh alongside some of the grains and that was a big improvement because in the previous there was a lot of um a lot of grains more grains than anything else on our menu. Um and they are working towards I mean coming down the pipeline 2027 there's going to be a new sugar level um guidance um or regulations that isn't just going to look at the day but it's going to actually
076look at the whole week. So with that in mind they're already working on uh trying to make those changes to our menu. Um on the second um slide uh is an example of two different items that you might look at something that you see on a restaurant. Um, so it is a mandarin orange chicken or orange chicken that is comparing like a Panda Express. Um, this is the K12 uh version of it. Um, while they look similar, um, they are completely different and the difference is you can see it in the fat, the cholesterols, uh, the calories, the sodium. Um noting this is probably one of the students absolute favorite. Um if we run out uh there's like riots in the cafeteria. Um so but also note that we also control the portion size, right?
077So you ask any high schooler, you know, what do you think? We love it and every time they say but we need more, right? So another way that we control, we have to meet, you know, our whole regulation. So we have to control that portion size. So they would say, "Ah, it's not enough." Um, so th this is served with brown rice and whole grain egg rolls. Okay, >> I want some. >> I know. >> Next time we need samples. >> Yes. >> Um, and then we took the same approach to looking at our plastic wear. And so we did um we did definitions on that. And so if you look at something like a wrap, that's when you go to to the convenience store and get a taco and wrapped in a foil to
078help um transport them and also keep them warm. And then individually wrapped, those are items that come directly from the manufacturer exactly the way they come packaged. It's just an easy uh either to heat and serve or just serve. And then uh plated. So those are items directly on a plate. And then uh plastic wear. Those are a lot of those uh we use it um for because of staffing issue, right? So we don't have enough staff to work every single section of the line. So being a to eliminate that would require more staff to be able to have to serve at the time of service. It speeds up the lines to be able to pre-portion. It helps with um with waste because we do offer versus serve. So we know we put out we
079don't make enough for the whole school. We know we kind of have a forecast of what they're going to take. So we only prepare um what is anticipated that they're going to take. Um, and so I know I was asked as well to to look into um why maybe or at what point the dis we started using disposable um trays. And I kind of had to call some people to try to figure out like when that happened. And I think I I talked to Miss Carmen Okanas who used to be uh the director when I think she said she came in the late 90s and then was around during the build of our offices. Um and she said when she got here in the late 90s they were already they were already using uh disposable.
080And she said from what she remembers is um that the the dishwashers were getting too expensive to repair or replace. So at that point the district had started to move towards building new uh facilities without them. So um estimated cost uh based on a a a neighboring district um probably about 45,000 um per um dishwasher and that's depending on the facilities, right? So we would really have to look at if the facility can can do it. Um, and so on this one, I'm just going to kind of point out a couple of items. Um, so this is um, a sample of our high school menu. So, a lot of the high school, middle school, and elementary menus are very similar, but where they will differ is in items like um, Monday bone and chicken for
081chicken wings for a high school and a middle school, an elementary will do a boneless chicken. Um so they are very very similar. Um but some of the switches that we've made this year into um trying to create a cleaner um menu is we switched the taco beef filling for the nachos and that's a 100% beef item. So our registered dietitians are already looking at those changes and we've already started to implement some of those. Um our hamburger meat um we it was already 100% beef but uh The other one had caramelized coloring and that this is a super clean label. Has four ingredients. It has beef, onions, salt, and pepper. And that's the only thing on those uh on that hamburger. And then just like uh you know, the other thing that we look
082at when we're trying to uh develop a menu is on a day like the mandarin orange chicken that is a very popular item. Um is uh putting it up against a steak finger. It is semi-processed. It does. It's 100% beef, but it has seasoning in there. But we also know that Mandarin Orange, they do all the rice. They do all the cooking of all that. It's a lot of assembly. So, we have to pair it up against another simple item because then we run out of equipment and and space in the in the cafeteria. Um and then, um for week two, oh, sorry, I forgot to mention. So, our our um menus are one of the changes we did this year was um we did a four-week menu cycle, which means every four weeks the
083menu repeats itself. And one of the reasons we did that was because we heard that students were saying that um they they wanted a variety of menu options. And so we um we put in another week because we'd always run a three-week menu cycle. We put in another week um and so we did little tweaks. So there you'll see like maybe hamburgers on Wednesdays, pizza on Fridays, but like pizza Friday, we did different varieties of pizza. So one week it might be a slice pizza, the next week it might be a personal size pizza, the next week it might be a rectangle. So we're just trying to bring in it's a still a pizza day for students, but it's just giving them a a different type of pizza. Um and so here on week two,
084we we brought in a cheese steak. Again, that's 100% beef. I'll notate that some of our chicken tenders, our chicken fillet burger, those are whole muscle. We're not buying uh pressed and formed chicken. Um and then you'll also see on Wednesday, another highlight is you'll always see a entree of a side a salad. So for high schools and middle schools, we give the full uh salad as a second option. Um in elementary We made the change this year. We noticed last year when we were out doing campus visits that unfortunately the kid the little kids would get the salad, they'd look beautiful, but they would only eat the top. They would eat off the chicken, the cheese, the crackers, the egg, they would throw away all the lettuce, you know. So, in a way to
085reduce waste for our elementarymentaries, what we did is we renamed it like a a bento box. So, we always lay it on a on a good amount of salad on the bottom, a little less than what we were giving them, but then we do all the toppings for them. So, we still want to make sure that they're seeing the lettuce. Uh, but we also want to help with reducing the cost of >> Does it help or do they still need the lettuce? >> It it No, they they still throw the lettuce, but they still eat all >> um for our week three. Um, one of the highlights is our meat sauce. That's 100% beef, nothing else added. Mix it in with our marinara sauce. Um, and then, uh, the other highlight is just all of
086our sides that we offer. So, you'll always see, and they're very similar week for week, but we do Normandy, broccoli, fresh carrots, uh, cucumbers. Um, so you might see our breakfast items repeat a couple of times. And like I said, that is one of the things that our registered dietitians are working towards is uh increasing the amount of uh or or more options for our breakfast breakfast item. And then our last week uh new this year is our street tacos. It is the same uh meat as the Philly cheese uh but they're like takitos street tacos. So there are four little tacos um uh and they are used with a local tortilla which is espita and that's where we buy our tortillas. >> What about the tamales? >> The tamales. >> Uh it's a company
087out of Dallas, Rodriguez Foods. So yeah, we've been buying from them for a long time. >> Looks like I want to come to London. Seriously. >> So overall, as you can see, this is kind of like the overview of four weeks. Um we tried to be in the our goal was to kind of be in the whole foods and minimally um processed meals more than processed. Um and so we're we're pretty much there, but like I said this, you know, the district had not really had a registered dietitian on uh on staff for a while. So this year we're I'm really excited that we have two, right? Um so one is that's their whole their whole goal is just developing a menu. But she was also this year. So, she was kind of like learning
088all about child nutrition. Um, so just know that that is on the forefront of, you know, our goals is to continue to improve uh our menu. Um, and um, one of the ways obviously right now that we do assess our menu is just being compliant. First of all, it's just being compliant with USDA. So um at we have programs that are a we're able to see have we met um all the requirements for the week for the day um so that is constantly being assessed. Now the next step is obviously you know providing um better food options you know as much as we can. So, just things to consider when we're developing a menu is, you know, we're always looking at labor, right? Um, can we actually push out the menu with the labor that
089the staff that we have? And then equipment use um is one of the things that we focused on this year um and we probably started halfway last year was quality of our menu. So, we pushed our staff when we went out to to look at campuses is uh trying to cook a product as close to the serving time that we could uh and not preparing it so early in the morning just because it's the easy way to do, right? So, we're really really focusing on quality. But the but it's a balance, right? Because they only have so many ovens or so much equipment. So, you know, at some point they have to start because the serving lines don't stop, right? So, it's a it's a fine balance. Um, we're always looking at availability of space
090and preparing at a campus. Um, we know you you know I we have some campuses where if you walk in there's like refrigerators and reaches all over the place. You know, we can't plug one more thing in, you know. Um so uh and those are schools that receive daily and I mean but they they serve high high volumes of of students. Um also the need to transport that kind of falls for our breakfast. So our breakfast model is we do breakfast in the hallway for all of our campuses. And so that means that we load up carts with their food and students as they're walking in grab their food and go in finish. They eat in the in their classroom but they grab the meals uh in the hallway. So sometimes when we're looking at
091containers or how we're going to actually serve it, we have to look at how is it going to get transported. Um so those are some of the challenges. Um obviously compliance uh with portion size that has to do with you know some of that pre-portioning that I talked about with the with the plastic wear. Um and then uh shortages of staff. you know, sometimes uh we're looking at, you know, they have a very very short window to turn around after breakfast and start getting ready for lunch and when we're short. Uh so we try to create menus that that are balanced out with labor and convenience because if that happens, we need to they need to be able to jump in and and produce uh their meals. um product availability um you know for procurement
092purposes some of these items like uh fresh fruits uh or locally grown fruits I should say sometimes become a challenge right now I know our bids is through the mall ISD um and so uh some of we have some vendors that have bid on it um but they have a problem being able to deliver the quantities that we need uh and then the timing of it because those are weekly or sometimes bi-weekly orders that need to be delivered to campuses. Um, but I have been talking to to other districts and some of them have implemented it and and so the way they've implemented is they maybe do a school of just local uh produce uh for a week or a day or something like that. Um, so that is something that we can definitely look
093at. What we do now is um we we order from um local um distributors and we have them highlight the items that they consider local for them would be anywhere in the state of Texas. Right. So that's as as close as we've gotten to this point. >> And then always looking at um budget um for our menu development. Um that's another thing that we look at. Um and then uh our CMP goals for future menu development. And this was presented um just as things that we've talked about as a nutrition team, not necessarily u what our goals are for for our department. We tech we have a um a goal as a department to meet 80% participation for breakfast and for lunch. That means every student that attends at 80% of them eat breakfast and
094lunch and we're at 11% for for our supper program. Um and so particip for the way we've ran it is participation means a good menu. So that's where we push for um providing the best menu that we can possibly put out so that way students will participate in our program. Okay. Um And that is all that I have right now. >> Congratulations on all the work and the good food. I have a quick question. How much staff do you have? And I'm talking about um central office and then at the schools just if you have the number. >> Yeah, it's about 240 and that's including warehouse as well. We have >> warehouse. >> And thank you so much for putting all this together. Um, I know I've I've peppered you with a lot of questions
095behind the scenes, so I won't bother you. I won't belabor all those points here, but I want to give you um a shout out. And I wish Dr. KDman was here because she is so passionate about this and she's so uh she really wants to move forward with, you know, getting our children, students, the best, healthiest options. And of course, I know you you have a push and pull, right? you want to give give the best healthiest options but then if the kids don't need it really impacts our participation rate and our funding and then without the funding we can't obviously provide options. Um so believe me we understand that we want to help you. We want to be there um as a resource for you and help you in any way to get you
096the resources you need. Um you said your goals 80% participation are we there? Uh last year we were I think for both breakfast and lunch and I I should I meant to write down the number but we were I I want to say we're at like 79 point something so we were really really close. >> And then on the supper program does that include safe and secure or what is that program? >> Okay. >> So all the programs we even do the boys and we provide meals for the boys and girls club the large community centers. Um so we take that as a whole. >> I love that. I love our Boys and Girls Club kids, our kids that are there getting fresh food and so that's that's really a nice perk to have. >>
097Yeah. >> And I think you've made tremendous progress like you you let me know some new things today about you know like the chicken is whole chicken and not you know I forget what that >> pink mash stuff is called. Yeah. So uh you know I want to make sure that we provide the healthiest options processed food and the more literature you see out there especially in the medical field is that you know the more processed foods we eat the unhealthier we get the more obese we get the you know we're seeing um young men and women in our 20s getting colorectal cancer and they're linking it to processed foods. So anything we can do that to front and it's not just about MISD right we have a lot of vendors we can put the
098impetus on them and ask them say you know >> MISD wants healthy food what are the options you give me and you know like the lucky charms I love lucky charms >> but I I don't think that's a healthy option to give our kids even if it is a school lunch program right >> uh version of Lucky Charms >> um and you know either working through the shack committee with our fellow trustees or the community I think we have so much opportunity here um to lead by example. Brownsville ISD, Dr. Kim and I talked to Brownsville ISD, they're going to be highlighted in the national um the chef and they got a grant through chef and foundation. They're going to be highlighted national documentary on Netflix um just with what they're doing. I think they're
099cooking anywhere from 50 to 60% scratch cooking at reduced overhead cost. >> So there is a path forward. I know you want to get there. We want to help you. So thank you for the presentation tonight. Thank you for everything you're doing and I look forward to see what we can do next couple years. >> Thank you, Mrs. >> Okay, we are at item 6 C3, discussion and possible action on the Macallen Independent School District July budget amendment for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30th, 2026. Dr. Guutier, >> we recommend approval for the July 2025 budget amendment for the 2526 fiscal year. Miss Lorena Garcia, Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operation. We'll have more information on this item and the administration is recommending action on the item. >> Good evening. Um
100we're bringing forth the budget amendment, the first budget amendment of the year, the school year. Um what we have uh are some changes in our revenue and expenditure. First of all, in revenue, we do have a carry forward of donations that that was received for the culinary program of 9,221 uh increasing in revenue. You will see uh the offset of that in the expenditures on the bottom. Um and then uh on the expenditure side, we have um several expenditures. For example, we have the UTRGB uh Macallen ISD collegiate academy that received some uh new instructional facility facility aotment funding and that funding is of course in fund balance what it is it's $1,000 per student enrolled at the campus for the first two years of the existence of that new campus. So that grant uh
101we are spending it down as needed for furniture and science lab equipment. In addition to that, we do we do have some uh carry forwards uh for um expenditures that were identified last year for memorial uh dual enrollment science lab improvement to meet SEC standards. So that that is being uh did not get completed last year. So we're bringing it forward uh for this year. Uh dyslexia program is using up some of their fund balance for the certified academic language therapist certification. And then our replacement schedule. Uh we do have some needs in athletics and fine arts. A lot of this is uniforms. They're on a cycle and uh that is being brought forward. Finally, we have in function 81 the largest transaction which is 2.5 million for the Macallen Veterans Memorial Track and Turf
102replacement. And then we have 400,000 for the Mallen High School bleacher replacement. And uh that is the budget amendment. Do you have any questions for >> Sorry. When would the I know we talked about this previous hearing, but when would the uh the track be replaced? >> The track we are currently working on the specifications with our engineer and I um Mr. Mlenny is here in case we had >> I think we're waiting. We're going to be waiting uh we got to be ready for uh right after the Christmas parade which is that first weekend in December and right after the parade then uh we should be all set to go. Am I correct on that? >> That is correct. The the goal is to start demolition right after the parade and then have this
103ready by April >> by >> Mr. McClenny. Um so given spring sports track, boys and girls soccer, what's the plan to >> The plan will be to when this hopefully the budget amendment goes through uh we will start the building of the bleachers at the M high top field on the east side. The capacity will be over a thousand for those. So that'll be the exact same size as Nikki Row and Memorial's home side. So it'll be kind of look like Memorial Boxer Hernandez Stadium >> with approximately over a thousand bleachers on the home side and approximately 400 to 500 on the away side. So and then track season where we have we will have no track meets at Macallen Veterans Memorial Stadium. We'll work through the track schedule. We can still use the top
104field once the bleachers are done. So we can do some invitationals there. Uh we won't be able to use our timing system over there, but we'll be able to have smaller track meets there or at Boxer. So we'll have a a relief valve there. >> Thank you. >> Yes, >> this is for action. I move to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Trusty Deagar Lopez and a second by Trustee Pñena. All in favor? >> I. All opposed. Same sign. Motion carries 5. Item 6 C4, discussion and possible action on a resolution by the board of trustees of Macallen Independent School District providing for the defecence of m of to maturity of certain currently outstanding district obligations. Dr. Guettis, >> tonight's resolution will provide for the defeasence to maturity of certain currently outstanding district obligations. Miss
105Loren Garcia, deputy superintendent for business and operations who have more information on this item. We are recommending action on this item. Our financial advisors are also here from in the event that there's any questions by the board. >> Mr. Bobby Vab from Estosa as well as Mr. Matt Lee from Norton Rose Fulbright. Our bond council is connected via teams. Uh they're available for uh any questions. The resolution uh provides for the early payoff of the district existing uh bonds. Um the uh defense will allow us to use interest in syncing tax collection to an escro account that will pay certain bonds to maturity. Once these bonds are deceased and the district is no longer uh these are no longer considered a district liability. Um approximately 4.55 million is what we plan on. However, we won't
106know what the final amount until all of the collections are finalized. >> Does anybody have any questions for Mr. Viel or for the administration. >> I move to approve. Thank you for both for being here tonight. I move to approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion by trustee Pñena and a second by trustee Lopez. All in favor say I. I. >> I. All oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. 5. >> Item 6D, board of trustees. Item 61, approval of board of education meeting minutes. School safety and security committee meeting August the 12th, 2025. Regular board meeting August 12, 2025. This is for action. >> Move to approve. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> I'll get Trusty Cardone on there. I have a motion by Trusty Pñena, a second by Trusty Cardion. All
107in favor say I. >> I. All opposed. Same sign. Motion carries. 50. >> And now we are item seven, recess to close session. Board of trustees may go into close session pursuant to sections 551.071. 071 551.072 551.074 551.076 and 551.089 of the Texas Government Code to discuss the following. 7 A human resources and recommendations for school year 2025 2026. 7B discussion of human resources employee resignations and retirees for school year 2025 2026. 7 C discussion of recommendation for director of advanced academics for 2025 2026. 7 D discussion of dis of district emergency operations manager for 2025 2026. 7E discussion regarding school safety and security. 7F pending and/or potential litigation. 7G possible real estate acquisition. And at 7:04 p.m. we are recessed to close. It is now 7:49 p.m. and we are reconvened in open session.
108Number eight on the agenda. Number nine, action items in close session. 9A, discussion and possible action of human resources recommendations for school year 2025 2026. Dr. Human resources submitted a list of recommendations for the 2526 school year under a separate cover for discussion during close session. Administration is recommending action on this item. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion by trusty Kion and a second by trustee. All in favor? I. >> I. >> All oppose. Nate. 5. Motion carries. Item 9B. Discussion of human resources employee resignations and retirees for school year 2526. Dr. >> Human resources submitted a list of resignations and retirees for the 2526 school year under a separate cover for discussion during close session. This item is for information purposes only. >> Item 9 C discussion and possible
109action of recommendation for director of advanced academics 2020 for 2025 2026. Dr. Administration recommends the approval of Miss Alexandra Gonzalez for the position of director of advanced academics for the 2526 school year and administration is recommending action on this item. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion by trustee Lopez and a second by trustee Hadad. Um all in favor I >> I. All oppose. Same sign. Motion carries 5. Item 9D, discussion and possible action of recommendation for district emergency operations manager for 2025 2026. We are taking no action on this item tonight. Item 9E discussion regarding school safety and security nothing to report. 9F >> same announcement >> and that's pending or potential litigation and 9G uh potent possible real estate acquisition. >> Same announcement >> and item 10 adjournment. So
110move. >> I'll second. >> Second. >> All right. Uh, Trusty Pñena or Trusty Deata Lopez made the motion. Trusty Pñena second. Um, all in favor say I. I. All oppose, same sign. Motion carries. 5 Z. We are adjourned at 7:51 p.m.