Meeting of the Board - April 17, 2025

001She told me she was done. Roll call. Miss Antoine, Miss Hickman, Mr. Lewis, present. Miss Spooner, Mr. Dun here, Mr. Evans, Mr. Reese, Mr. Sige. All right. The board is now going into close session to discuss agenda items posted on the close uh session agenda as authorized by the open meetings act under sections 551.071 attorney consultation 551.072 and 5 551.074 personnel of the Texas uh government code. The date is Thursday, April 17, 2025. The time now is 5:17 p.m. Good evening, Madame President and trustees. Are we live? No. Good evening everyone. We are ready for our budget workshop. Dr. Frank. Good evening, Madame President and trustees. Tonight's budget workshop will include two key com uh key components. We will begin with a pay maintenance review presented by TASBY HR services followed by an update on

002revenue projections and the anticipated cost of proposed salary increases. At this time I will turn it over to Mr. Samuels to introduce our presenter. Good evening board. Uh as you are aware uh we have a uh review schedule where uh every other year we do a full review and then the off year we do a uh maintenance review. Uh because we did the full review last year, this is a maintenance uh a maintenance review. Uh I would uh call your uh attention uh in this report uh to the data and you'll see uh because of the passing uh of the Vader and we uh expressly uh thank the board for your leadership. you'll see that the uh data looks way better than it's looked in the last uh eight years. Um who is working from

003TASBY with us who's partnering with us in this work is Miss LSE Kadina. LSE has worked as a compensation consultant with HR services since 2006. Prior to uh to TASBY, she worked for Round Rock ISD for eight years in a position of compensation analyst, compensation coordinator, and director of compensation. She is a member and past president of the Central Texas Compensation and Benefits Association. LES grew up in New Mexico and earned an associate degree in business administration from New Mexico State University. She holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Concordia University in Austin and is a certified compensation uh professional. In her free time, LSE enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and gardening. Uh Miss LSE will be presenting now. Thank you. Okay. Well, good evening. Thank you for having me back here. um

004board president, board members, um it's my pleasure. It's really exciting to uh be able to uh present the information that I'm going to um be covering here. So, um I'm going to go ahead and get started. If you have questions, please let me know. Okay, hold on just a second. We should be able to Am I aiming at it right or thank you. Thank you for the technology help there. All right, so we'll get started briefly. I just want to me mention the pay system objectives because when the system is strategically designed and it's well managed and maintained it uh provides u the um opportunity and the um the system in itself gives the organization those competitive entry rates to be able to recruit uh your uh quality uh employees. um you're able to pay

005more competitive pay uh for your experienced new hires. Uh the system also has those jobs uh placed appropriately within the pay grades based on um the level of uh uh job responsibilities. That's you know skill, effort, um responsibility and uh working conditions. Uh it also um provides uh the uh structure to uh help your organization retain those quality employees. Um, and this is by being able to uh provide pay increases that may uh will mirror or reasonably mirror your uh peers and then also um helps to uh make those necessary adjustments that are going to help keep pace with um somewhat with inflation and the market. Uh and lastly, of course, we've got uh controlling the costs. um always staying within your resource limits. Um everybody has um uh that uh to have to um

006monitor and then just ensuring that those funds are spent wisely um so that you're not overpaying or underpaying for your jobs. So that's kind of just the big pay system objective. This next slide, this is the set of peer districts that uh we have been looking at. It's actually 20 peer districts um that uh we use. We've uh we have a few that did not participate in our salary survey. Uh that's Lumberton ISD, that's uh VER ISD, and then West Orange Cove CISD. Um we were able to obtain their teacher schedule. So when we look at the teacher market comparison shortly, you'll be a uh that uh data is included in that analysis and comparison. For the non-teer uh groups, we do not have their pay data, but as you can see, we have a

007very robust set of peers. Um, and so we have plenty of um data points for the uh comparison for all non-teer jobs. We also um purchased uh two third-party salary surveys that we uh uh combine with the school survey uh for positions that we know exist outside of education. So we know that technology jobs uh exist not only in education but in other sectors and you're having to compete with the other sectors for those jobs. Accounting jobs um also fall in that same category. maintenance. Um so we uh utilize that third party salary survey data that we purchase and then we combine it um uh where um uh where it's appropriate. So this is the the uh slide that I'm really really excited about and uh we have a few more slides uh to present

008uh and provide this information um in uh different ways. This is um the actual uh teacher pay comparison. Uh as um uh uh Darwin mentioned, Mr. Samuels mentioned earlier, um kudos to the board. Um this is such a significant improvement in teacher pay compared to how we were the past few years. And we're going to see another slide where it's really going to show the improvement. Your teacher pay is 4% across each of the four year uh each of the five-year intervals or benchmarks that we survey. You have narrowed that gap by more than half of where we were last year. And when I saw this, I was just like, yay. So, I'm just really excited and I just, you know, want to say thank you to the board because I think that you've shown,

009you know, that uh commitment to your teachers uh and staff in uh improving teacher pay. So, another way to take a look at this is this is really if you see that red line, this is where you um were last year. So you see that that gap was from you know about uh 10 to uh I think we had uh we were 10 to 11% below the market whereas now your that orange line that's you um that's the teacher schedule at each of those fiveyear intervals and the market median is that blue line. Um and then just another way to take a look at this is um last year you can see um the you know you were anywhere from uh 10 to that 11% below and now across each of those five years you're

010at 96% or 4% below the market. That just blew me away. So I just want I'm just still excited. Anyway, um we also saw improvement in other areas. So this is just the table that shows you the values of um that comparison uh slide that we um just looked at. Um and you can see that uh you were uh before uh anywhere from you know over $5,000 um plus and now you're within this 2500 to 2780 um difference in the pay. Uh so it's exciting. We also um look at how you compare as far as the teaching area stipens. And um you can see here that overall there's some areas um that uh you are below market uh especially the secondary math and secondary science. You offer $1,500. the median is um uh 3250 for

011math and uh 3,000 for secondary science. So, um just kind of keeping uh you know uh continuing to monitor these um if you know if if you're able to make some improvements. The teaching area stipens um because they are very targeted for very specialized areas. the cost is a little bit more contained when you make improvements um to these uh stipens then um you know because we're dealing with a smaller number of staff uh and so uh that might be something that you can look into. Uh the ESL general is another area that possibly um you could look at to see uh look at your program and see if maybe there's you know some way to make some improvements there. We also looked at how pay compared for the other pay groups. So we have

012central administration. Um and uh what we show here is really how the uh pay of the 26 jobs that we were able to match to our survey job that fell under that central administration. And these are really your directors and above. uh overall pace at 100% of market uh and the structure is 2%. So the structure is still fairly competitive, very small um adjustments and realignment to market uh is very uh minimal. When we uh looked at the campus administration, these positions are really your uh principles, assistant principles and your counselors. There's 10 of those. Pay overall is 6% below. And then the structure is still fairly competitive. It's 1% above the market median. And we're talking about current market. We don't know what's going to happen, right? We don't we still don't know what

013the legislaturator is going to do. We don't know what other districts are going to do. A lot of them are still um waiting uh before they make any kind of final decisions. for the professional group. Uh for this group, we're um you know, we're looking at uh positions such as accountant, your uh uh related services, specialed positions. Uh there's 31 uh district jobs that we were able to match uh to our survey uh jobs and pay overall is 7% below the structures at 100%. Now, when we say on average the uh percentage comparison, just keep in mind that some jobs may be a little bit lower uh to that market value and then some jobs may be a little bit higher, but on average, this is what we're looking at for all of those 31

014jobs. Clerical Parrofessional, we um you can see here that we're uh on average pay is 2% above market and that structure is really uh strong. It's 8% above market overall for the hourly individuals. Um, so, uh, hourly positions, we look at that starting rate of pay. We want to make sure that the starting rate of pay is competitive because hourly employees want to, you know, know if I if I take that job, what is the starting pay? I have X amount of experience. You know, I'll likely be able, you know, to be placed at X. So starting rates are very important for recruitment of hourly employees and you can see for this group it's 3% above. There were f uh five um jobs that we um uh were able to uh match uh with this

015group. And then the instructional support we have um we may have gotten these uh numbers. The instructional supports actually five jobs and then your clerical uh support your clerical pair professional is 20 jobs. Instructional support these are your aids. Um and uh overall pay is 3% below with uh the midpoint uh uh being about 1%. That's your structure. And so those midpoints, you know, some a little bit more alignment, but your starting pay is even with market. Uh for auxiliary jobs, uh we're looking at 6% below market. Um so uh still um competitive, but we want to continue to make uh some, you know, additional improvements. And then the midpoint or that structure is uh at 98% or 2% below. Starting rates of pay overall are competitive at 1% if there was 27 jobs in

016your um auxiliary. So um just uh make sure for clerical par profofessional there were 20 jobs in that category and then the instructional support were five jobs. I apologize for that oversight. Recommendations really are we've uh improved starting rates. Um we've uh aligned the structure where we needed to align the structures as I mentioned um minimal structure adjustments overall. And then um we also have two models that uh we are providing cost estimates for the 2% model and a 3% model for teacher pay. We do the calculation of uh the pay increase based on that uh market median salary within the peer group because we keep you connected to the market and that's how we get you moving um in within that peer group that you're in. So we uh we calculate the pay increase

017whether it's a 2% or a 3% based on that $62,414. And for the other pay groups, we do the calculation of the pay increase based on the adjusted pay range midpoints. What a 2% uh proposed teacher schedule would look like. Uh we can see here um it continues to kind of help close that gap. Of course, always um uh just note that we're always looking at the current market because that's what we have. Um, and that dotted uh green line is uh what uh reflects that 2% proposed model. The 2% would equate to $1,250. And then we have some adjustments um across some of these key benchmark years. The proposed 25, 26, 5year, 10 year, and 15 year. The sk uh the teacher schedule extends beyond the 15 years. But for presentation purposes um I

018shortened that to uh 15 years otherwise it'd be very tiny and we wouldn't be able to see anything. So this uh 2% would be uh would take you to 97% of market or 3% below if um if all remains um as uh we have here we know there's going to be movement. Um and then the 3% model you can see that it's um really uh uh more robust. uh you see the dotted green line where it would place uh your teacher schedule above uh where you currently are still uh below that market median but uh continuing with the improvement that you have started um as a result of that uh Vader and uh and then uh this 3% uh would equate to $1,870 increase for all continuing teachers. Um and then those uh continuing adjustments

019at the key benchmark years. Um the 3% uh has a starting salary of $55,050. The 2% was $54,500. We also are recommending um uh the adjustments to ensure that no one is paid less than 1% uh uh above the the newly adjusted pay ranges. So if the 2% is not enough to get uh an employees pay to at least 1% above the minimum, then an adjustment kicks in to get them to that 1%. The strategic adjustments are really um for those that are paid more than 10% below market. We do a calculation of uh providing those employees an additional 1% of midpoint. and it's just to continue to move the employee pay through the range so that we don't have them languishing at the bottom of the range um as we adjust those pay ranges.

020And then for uh the teacher pay equity adjustments, these adjustments are more so for those in the educator career path. So for your counselors, diagnosticians, assistant principles, uh for you know instructional coordinators, as we adjust the teacher schedule, we want to make sure that they're paid um at least 2% above the teacher pay uh on a daily rate basis according to their years of experience to make sure that um you know someone coming from the teacher schedule moving into these job roles does not lose money and you know they at least make a little bit more. Um, and so those are those teacher uh pay equity adjustments. And then the placement scale adjustments, these are for your non-exempt employees. And so as we continue to improve the starting uh rate of pay and the pay

021ranges, uh we apply placement scales that take that kind of divide the minimum and midpoint um that uh that range into 20 uh pieces or slices. And so employee pay is moved through that range based on their experience. So that as we raise the the starting rates of pay, someone with five years of experience continues to make more than someone coming in with no experience. Otherwise uh we would have this very compressed pay, no separation in pay and um we would you know have some uh serious morale issues with employees. So, um, we're at the costs. Um, the 2% model, uh, for the general pay increase, uh, overall here, we're looking at a little over $2.1 million. That's a 2% increase. Um, and then those adjustments that I mentioned to you. So, we've got um

022those few uh teacher um schedule adjustments at those key benchmark years, the adjustments to 1% above the new range minimum, those uh strategic adjustments uh for those that are paid more than 10% below market, giving them that additional 1% of midpoint. And then the placement scale adjustments for your non-exempts. Um these uh total up to 26,63 for a 2% increase. And so the total uh increase cost is a little over $2.3 million or a 2.2% increase to your current payroll budget. Then for uh the 3% uh what we're looking at at is um uh a little over $3.2 2 million uh total increase or a 3.1% increase to your current payroll budget. As we give a little bit higher general pay increase, the adjustment costs come down a little bit because those adjustments that were

023needed under a 2% may not be as high or may not be needed anymore when a 3% is given. And so that's why sometimes, you know, we'll see the difference in um the adjustments. So as the general pay increase goes up, adjustments, costs come down some. That concludes my presentation. Um if you have any questions, please let me know. Um as I mentioned, I was just so excited to uh come and share the the news. Well, I did have a question. But first, thank you for uh coming here. Um I was looking, this is actually on slide two. Sure. Slide two. So I'd like to compare a little bit and I'm just curious to know what is Periland doing where they have 21,000 students, but their FTEES is 2600. So basically they have maybe an

024additional 48 to 50 employees more than we do, but they're able to accommodate 21,000 kids as far as pay increase or I'm just trying to figure out because I'm I mean one in region four so I I understand how competitive their pay markets is but how are they able ble to take care of operations with as little FTEEs compared to as many students as they have. Oh, good. Thank you. I was just going to say I think that's outside my scope here. There are um some departments that have extra help through our title funds. I don't I don't know um how much Periland receives as far as extra money through the federal government. This also includes all our child nutrition department. It it without looking exactly at Periland, there could be some different makeups where

025they may contract out some help and we may have more employees that way, right? Without doing a deep dive, it's really hard to say. Absolutely. Well, that that just stood out to me and it also made me want to ask a second question in terms of what's our current operation percentage if you have about a roundabout. When you operations in terms of our staff versus staff that we have that's actually we use utilize versus the amount of um occupied spaces but I just want to just like a roundabout are we like low 90s mid just somewhere like that I'm not trying to put you on record it depends on what department total district But we we were budget for 100% correct like you're thinking. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. Thank you very

026part two, we're going to discuss a little bit of um where we are budgetwise. Last um month, Dr. Allen shared at the March board meeting some decreases in some revenue that the district is um anticipating due to the decrease in our SHs our indirect cost revenue and also our interest revenue. So, we have um modified the numbers slightly, but don't get your hopes up because the increase is basically due to us having to increase RTRS on behalf. Um, when we give raises, there's a percentage that the state requires us to report as the state's contribution for our employees for TRS. It's basically an in revenue and an out in expenditures. So it's really a wash. So we have to increase it each time that we give raises. So that uh revenue is adjusted for that.

027Um these revenue amounts have not been adjusted for any increases by the state because we don't know anything. We are still waiting. But for our budget assumptions, we're going to budget with the same projection of the same student count. um our attendance rate is going to be pres uh projected at 91%. And we're also increasing staffing. So you're going to see a shift in our budget from a decrease in our contracted services into payroll. So it's going to look like, oh, we're hiring a lot of people, but we're hiring a lot of people because we have to staff all of the charter campuses. And then we are also looking at some anticipated increases in department allocations to help offset the loss in revenue. Um, I'm sure you heard about the legislation that has been, I

028guess, um, voted upon and they've got a a House bill, too, and then a Senate bill, something else. And who knows where those things are going to meet. But right now, we don't have anything in our budget for any kind. We we're looking at the increases because we want to know how much raises are going to cost. But anytime that the state goes and increases the basic aotment, and there's talk of that happening, I think it's now up to $300. It had started out around 260 and now it's up over or right at $300. There are certain percentages that districts are required to give in raises, but some of the legislation that they have out there now is that they want teachers with more experience to get big bigger raises than the the ones with

029fewer experiences. So, we don't really know what's going to happen, but we're monitoring it closely as everybody else is because we're waiting to see if the state's going to put money in into education. So, Lou just presented scenarios of a 2% and a 3%. These are our numbers run from what we currently have. We have a number of um positions that are vacant that if they're not they won't get a raise because they weren't here. Okay. So these numbers don't include the adjustments that she mentioned, but they um have a teacher pay starting at 545. And so we're looking at it. So we we know that where we will be, but if it has all those different strings attached, then we're going to have to refigure these numbers. And most likely you're going to see

030increases because the teachers will receive more than the numbers that LSE just presented. Okay. Does anyone have any questions? Mr. Evans. Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Madam President. Um, Mr. Hernandez, has that 91% attendance rate remained pretty static? We have had excellent I think we've had really good I don't know if Senia is here she's not here but um some of our campuses have had like 93 and 94% attendance um we feel like staying around the 91% is more truly accurate right now you know as it gets closer to the end of the school they take the star they start having um notice sometimes people tend to take off during the latter days. Seniors, senioritis, those things happen. But overall, I think for the for the district, we're going to look at the 91%. Hopefully, it

031will be better because each percentage gives us a million dollars at least. So, that will help the Vader money. You know, Dr. shared last we've we've attributed already to the raise last year and then we have some programs that we're continuing. We did some safety and security. We have the amounts budgeted to transfer to the maintenance department for HVAC and so we can continue those HVAC repairs or replacement or roof repairs and replacement because we have a lot of needs in those areas. So, we still have that in there. And then our one-time money. We thought that it was going to be a lot less, but we do are getting the 7.2 as she presented last. Well, we're anticipating it. You know, a lot can change between now and then, but I know the appraisal

032district is working hard. Everybody got your property value announcements and so a lot of people aren't seeing increases in their values. some some the ones that are mainly businesses. They've increased um some businesses because I know that's where we were having trouble meeting our uh property value study because the state felt like those values were too low. So those things we have no control over. We don't we just contract with them to to do our appraisals. All we do is set the tax rate and most likely increases in values could be a decrease in a tax rate. So, and I think there's legislation out there to push for another $40,000 on the homestead exe exemption. I guess the legislaturator's getting pressure that school taxes are too high and we need to reduce them down for

033homeowners. Mr. D. Yeah, that was the same question I had that Joe did. Uh because a lot of our money is based on the ADA and that number that you threw out there that 91%. I was just wondering if that's closer to accurate. You did answer that that question based on, you know, information we have right now. Yes, we tr we typically budget what we are seeing. We have had a slight decline in enrollment. We we did have bigger gaps of decreases in our enrollment, but we're hoping with the changes that we're doing, the the reszoning and everything more aligned and you know where you're going and um possible changes to school start times will help get kids to school and hopefully get more teachers. That's all I have. Thank you. Thank you, M. Hernandez.

034Are we good to go? Everybody okay to go? Please stand and join us for the pledges to the US and Texas flag. Ready, go. Forward. [Music] Good evening. Tonight's colors are presented by the Westbrook High School NJOTC color guard. Cadet Chief Petty Officer Carter Deerhog. Cadet Enson Krishna Manata. Cadet Petty Officer First Class Christian Tenario Rios, Cadet Seaman Parker Nwin, under the direction of Commander Mitchell Norman, US Navy retired. The pledges this evening will be led by Amelia Elementary fourth grade student Alexandria Boatman at Ameilia. She is a member of the student council and the STEM club. She has participated in UIL numbers where she receives an excellent rating. Outside of school, Alex performs with the I Rule Dance Company, and she loves playing basketball with her dad. I pledge of allegiance to the flag

035of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas. One state under God, one and indivisible. H move up. [Applause] We will now have our recognitions. Miss Jackie Simeon, director of community and media relations. Good evening, President Hickman, board trustees, and audience members. We begin our recognitions by honoring an individual whose generosity continues to make a lasting impact on the lives of our students. Mike Fulgens, president of Universal Coin and Bullion, is a longtime champion of education and a devoted supporter of the students of Bumont ISD. His commitment to enriching the academic journey of our young learners is evident not only through his words but through meaningful action. Most recently,

036Mr. Fulgens donated $20,000 to support our Saturday Reading Tutor Academy, a program dedicated to helping students strengthen their literacy skills and reach their full potential. While the specific campuses benefiting from this donation are still being finalized, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Fulgens for his continued belief in the promise and potential of every child in Bumont ISD. Please join me in welcoming him to the podium. [Applause] I want to thank the board here for having me here and for this recognition. Appreciate y'all's service. Especially want to thank Dr. Allen for continuing this program and her vision in doing this. I too was a public school teacher. I taught chemistry at Sam Houston High School in Louisiana and my mother and grandmother taught for decades as did my wife's mother and I was a summer

037school principal and I was a board member and a president of a school board for a region. So I appreciate what everybody brings here. Most importantly, I realize how important is that kids can read by the third grade proficiently. I've written national articles, I'm going to leave them with Jackie if you want them, with statistics that make you realize how it helps our whole community if our babies can read proficiently by the third grade. We used to say from first to third you learn to read, from fourth on you read to learn. A cute little diddy, but so important. And uh I so appreciate the vision of this group toward our kids and the teachers who spend their time on Saturdays. Uh Reverend J. D. Roberts helps with food and distributing it and all the

038vendors in the area who help and either donate or give food to these kids. And so, thanks to everybody. It's so important. And if you're more interested, take a look at the packet. I'm going to leave with Jackie. I think you'll see how we need to continue this program and expand it. Thank you so much. [Applause] Thank you so much. All right. One, two, three, four. Perfect. [Applause] Next, we are delighted to recognize two exceptional student organizations from Bumont United High School. the Kappa League and the Diamond Girls of Excellence. Under the guidance of Kappa Alphasai Fraternity, these groups represent a strong commitment to leadership, service, and academic excellence. The Kappa League supports the growth of young men in grades 6 through 12 through educational, social, and career focused development. The Diamond Girls empower young

039ladies through leadership training, community service, and exposure to professional networks. Over the course of this school year, both groups have volunteered at the Southeast Texas Food Bank, some other place. They have assembled beds for people in need and placed flags on the headstones of veterans. And that's just a few of their projects. We applaud their dedication and the positivity that they radiate. Let's give them a welldeserved round of [Applause] applause. Speaking on behalf of these students tonight is Kappa League President Jaden Richards and Diamonds Vice President Tiana Smith. Hello and good evening. I am Tiana Smith here representing the Diamond Girls of Excellence. Diamonds is an organization dedicated to helping young women and Bowman United High School to grow and develop their leadership talents through club oriented activities with 27 members. Diamonds perform projects that

040will expose them to professional networks, participate in instructional lessons, and teach leadership characteristics designed to raise their aspiration levels. All activities and programs are modeled through the five following phases. One, selfidentity. Two, training. Three, competition. Four, social and community service. And five, health education. This organization prides itself in its rich 10-year history and its impact on this community through the teaching of our five phases. Furthermore, we emphasize to our members the importance of respect for self, adults, and community. And we would like to thank Miss Long, Dr. Papon, and Miss Cheetum, and all other women for being a great role model for us young women. And I thank you for your time. [Applause] Good evening. My name is uh Brendon Wils from the Kappa League organization. Uh Kappa League is a national youth leadership program

041created by the Kappa Alphasai Fraternity Inc. to develop young men of color for leadership, achievement, and service. It focus on providing positive role models, mentorship, and opportunities for personal and professional development. Capital is designed to equip young men with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in all aspects of life from academics to career choices and community environment. The purpose of capital is to nurture the potential of young men of color particularly those from grades 6 through 12 and prepare them for leadership roles in various fields. We would like to thank Miss Long, uh, Miss Papon, and all of you for acknowledging us and just accepting us to be able to service you in all the ways we can. Thank you. Hold up. Wait a minute. Rick, come on up here. Rick Sadberry, come on

042up here. Rick, Mr. Nelson, come on up here. Anybody else here? Kappa, come on up. Don't go [Music] nowhere. Come on up here. Look this way. All right. One, two, three. [Applause] You all probably would not have guessed that Trustee Sige and Trustee Lewis are both members of Kappa Alphasai fraternity. Our next recognition highlights a group of students and educators who are shaping the future through innovation, skill, and purpose. Please join us in recognizing the students and teachers of the career and technical education real program. A dynamic initiative focused on career readiness through realworld learning, exploration, achievement, and leadership. These individuals are committed to preparing for high demand, high-skll, high wage careers that not only strengthen our workforce, but also empower our community. We celebrate their dedication and the impact they are making today and

043for years to come. Let's give a round of applause to the CTE real program [Music] team. Speaking tonight is Bumont United High School student and pharmacy technician Yuriel Perez and Westbrook High School business management and real estate teacher Shelby Clemens. [Applause] Good evening, Dr. Allen, Miss Hickman, and board members. I am Yurio Perez. Thank you for recognizing the students and teachers of the CTE REI program for being for work-based learning today. And I am grateful for being provided to us students the opportunity of being able to intern through this program. My internship experience at Kings Pharmacy has helped me learn about the health the health care profession and the role of a pharmacy technician. It has also taught me what it means to work in a professional environment. Furthermore, the program of internships has helped

044students to get accustomed to vocational work and at the same time offer opportunities to partner with local businesses and industries. I appreciate this opportunity and thank the board for its continued support which helps us plan for life after high school. Thank you. [Applause] Good afternoon board members, Dr. Allen, Mrs. Hickman. Thank you for having us tonight. I would just like to say it has been very rewarding to be the CC CE teacher at Westbrook for the business management as well as the real estate. The real estate students are juniors. So they are doing 180 hours of real estate coursework now. Um and they will be able to graduate uh and get a license. Some of them will be able to take the license exam before they graduate and have a real estate license. So that's

045really awesome. I have a student now. He interns here at the uh HR building. He Brian Briggs um he has he's great. He's learned so much. He's now doing I would say recruitment. He's going through applications and doing new hire stuff. That's amazing. Like you will not be able to graduate high school in a lot of other places and be able to say, "Oh, I have six months of experience in HR recruitment." I think that's going to be awesome for him to graduate next year and be able to or in May and be able to say he has that experience. So, I'd like to say thank you all for giving him that opportunity as well as everybody else. Thank you. Congratulations. Congratulations. If you can see me, you okay? All right. That's it. Thank you.

046The look on our HR director's face while the last group was being introduced was just really, really priceless there. Well, finally tonight we have the distinct honor of celebrating three extraordinary educators who have each been named recipients of the 2025 Wayne A. Rio Excellence in Education Award. One of the most prestigious honors a teacher can receive in Southeast Texas. This award established by the Bumont Foundation for Education recognizes teachers who exemplify leadership, passion, and an unwavering commitment to creating inclusive, dynamic learning environments. Representing BISD with pride and excellence are our three awardees and they are James Rodriguez, a creative and energetic Fletcher Elementary physical education teacher. He transforms his gym into unforgettable learning adventures. Whether it's skating rinks or hungry hippo tournaments, Coach Rodriguez goes above and beyond to make PE both fun and meaningful.

047He is Fletcher's 2024 25 teacher of the year and a true mentor to his peers. From Peach MacArthur PreK through 8th grade center, Ronald Mton is known for his consistency, compassion, and relentless drive to support every student, especially those who need it most. We are proud to recognize his daily dedication, which extends far beyond the classroom walls. His words remind us, motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. and from Bumont Early College High School, Melissa Chapman. Her passion, positivity, and collaborative spirit inspire not only her students, but her colleagues as well. Her principal says it best. Some mornings, she's the reason I get up and get out the door. Mrs. Chapman's joy in teaching and her belief in the students potential shine in every lesson she leads. Due to prior

048plans, Mr. Martin is not able to be with us tonight, but I ask that you join me in applauding Coach Rodriguez and Mrs. Chapman, who we now welcome to the podium. [Applause] Good evening, uh, board president Hickman, board members, Dr. Frank, and audience members. Thank you for taking the time to recognize me tonight for this accomplishment. To be recognized for the work that I do with our students means so much to me and your acknowledgement tonight makes this just even more meaningful. Thank you so much. [Applause] Good evening. I would like to say thank you also for this recognition of winning this award. Uh it's an honor to represent BISD and the physical educ education department. Uh it brings light to the PE department and that's what I'm passionate about and also brings light to

049our district. So I really it's a it was an honor and I also want to tell my co-workers thank you for nominating me for this award. It lets me know they recognized what I'm doing out there in the gym. [Applause] center just a little bit. There we go. Looking right here. One, two, three. Thank you. Congratulations. [Applause] And I guess I didn't mention that they received $10,000 each as part of that reward. And we look forward to congratulating Mr. Motton in person one day really soon. And now we would like to take a moment to invite everyone, but especially our BISD families to our registration kickoff community celebration. Every has a spark inside waiting to shine. Bright futures begin here. Bulmont ISD. Help my child dream big and achieve more. Bright futures begin here. Renew

050your registration or enroll today. We look forward to seeing all of you on the 26th at Smith Middle School. And a reminder, tomorrow and Monday are holidays for students and staff. and we wish everyone a safe extended weekend. Get more information on that and other events in Bowont ISD by visiting our social media platforms, subscribing to our YouTube channel, and exploring bmtisd.com. Thank you again, trustees, and in Dr. Allen's absence, Dr. Frank. Thank you very much. Next, we will hear the superintendence report by Dr. Frank and then we will have public comments. Dr. Frank. Good evening again, Madame President, trustees and our BISD community. Tonight, I will present the superintendent report on behalf of our superintendent, Dr. Shannon Allen. I would like to begin by reciting our vision and mission. If you could recite the

051vision with me. In collaboration with the entire community, we will create an inclusive environment of academic excellence that supports the diverse needs of all learners. And now for our mission. We will inspire and prepare all students for lifelong success by providing an exemplary education in a safe learning environment. Our vision and mission are grounded in six core beliefs. And tonight, the presentation will address core belief one, all children can and will learn. And core belief five, we will work collaboratively with our families and community partners. There will be three updates. The first will be star testing. Then we will have an update on the release of the 2223 A throughF accountability ratings. And the last update you just heard about our registration event. So we will give more information about registration. Where are our principles

052standup principles and D Mendez? We began star testing last week uh for RLA for 3 through 8, English one and English 2. This week we have tested science, social studies, biology and US history. And I have to tell you because of the leadership that we have on our campuses, we have had a smooth testing. Uh we've started out and when I tell you uh procedures, protocols are in place. Our students, guess what? They're working. It's what we asked for. And I am anticipating anticipating that we're going to see the fruits of our labor. All right. We still have one more week of testing. When we return after a muchneeded break, our three through 8th grade students will take math. We will have algebra 1 testing for EOCC. And I know that we're going to end

053and we're going to end strong. Uh I do want to talk about the reporting dates for testing. We will have early results for grades three through eight on May 30th, preliminary results on June the 12th, and then final results will be posted on July 22nd. Uh principles, you can sit down. Thank you. Just noticed y'all still standing. For EOCC assessments, early results will come in May 23rd. preliminary results on June 5th and then final results on June 11th. The second update, I want to make sure that the public is aware that scores for the 2223 school year star scores, A throughF accountability ratings will be released. I do not want the public to get this confused with the current testing that is happening right now because I think it could be very confus uh confusing.

054Uh on April 8th, the Texas Education Agency notified school districts of the upcoming release of the A throughF accountability ratings. These ratings were delayed in being published because of legal challenges. I would like to go over a timeline because I'm sure if if you are not aware, you're thinking why are we just releasing 2223 uh ratings for STAR? Well, in 2022, there was legislative action with Senate Bill 1365 that directed TEA to overhaul the whole A3F accountability system, emphasizing college, career, and military readiness. Spring of 2023, they introduced STAR 2.0. And this test featured a redesign of questions and automated scoring of written responses. Our students were administered that test. And guess what? Across the state, we, you know, we we did not get exactly what to expect until after. And so it was legally

055challenged. Over a 100 school districts filed a lawsuit against the TEA arguing that the new accountability metrics were applied retroactively and would unfair were unfairly rate or lower the ratings of schools. We were one of those districts. Our board did participate in the in the legal uh challenge. Because of the legal challenge, there was a temporary injunction that was issued. Okay, guess what? Second legal challenge because guess what's going on? we're still teaching. And our students took another STAR assessment. Uh, five schools after that assessment filed a new lawsuit. Okay? And this time contending that guess what? We have AI scoring essays. This was flawed and invalid. There was a temporary restraining order granted for the 2324 uh star scores. An injunction was extended maintaining the block on releasing A throughF. We had trial proceedings

056in February. And that leads us to today. The 15th Court of Appeals list lifted the injunction allowing the TEA to release the 2022 A throughF accountability ratings. And TEA announced that they plan to release these to the public on April 24th. Again, I want to say these are not the current scores that we have. And I want to emphasize that these ratings are based on data from two years ago and they do not reflect the current achievements or progress our schools have made since then. We're looking forward to our scores that are coming out in July. All right, the last update is an update on our registration event which you heard Miss Jackie Simeon give us earlier. I want to emphasize to parents, please come out to this event if you need help with registration.

057We will have a team available. It's going to be a fun event. We will have activities for the students to enjoy. We will have on the spot help for you for registration. You do not have to come to the event to begin to register. On April 26, we will open up registration, online registration across the district. And our goal, and the principles know, we've talked about it, to have 80% of our students registered by July 1. Our overall goal is to have 100% register. And it's very important with the resoning efforts. Every student will need to make sure they complete registration. So parents, this is really important. If you need help or assistance, we will help you. And guess what? Campuses will be calling because it is a goal to make sure that we get

058students registered. And that is the superintendent report. Are there any questions? Mr. Evans. Thank you, Madam President. Dr. Frank, so we talked about the STAR results and not receiving those 22 23 test results until April of like in a couple days probably, maybe a week. So, they didn't release them to the public. Did they release them to like do we know what the scores were? We always had the preliminary scores were reported to us but because of the injunction they were not reported out. So we we do know kind of where we would have you know failed but when we look at the scores when they come in they may be off some but um they will be released and again want the public to know this is two two years and I know you

059may not be able to answer this but is there any indicator that shows that we may have made some progress or some gains from those 2022 23 scores to where we are currently. We are currently going to look at that data and and find out, but I am anticipating that we're going to see some increases. You know, we've implemented a lot of strategies based on those scores. Even with the new accountability system coming in, I mean, it's all new to all of us. So we're all learning, teachers are learning. Uh, of course it's new for students. So we have implemented strategies that we know helps our students or is helping our students to be able to be uh more successful on the test. Mr. Lewis, so I I just want to talk about that. So

060we did we did show growth. We did have growth and we reported that here. The problem if we if we can recall back at the time was is that we had metrics that we were looking at where our achievement was supposed to be. However, Star Ta changed the rules on us, which then invited the injunction because it was like, well, we did what you said we were supposed to do and we made those those uh improvements. However, now is a new set of rules, right? Mr. Dunn, uh just a quick question for the uh community. How how would these scores affect us now once we of course we need to see the ratings for 232 24 before we can even answer that question so we're just getting 2223 okay when 23 24 and I do

061anticipate they will release 23 24 scores we will need to see how campuses perform because we know that if a campus is not performing well Then there are sanctions from from uh the state and the timeline that TEA gave us the as far as looking at those ratings to calculate our years of unacceptable performance count. We will get notice of that in August of this year. So there's going to be a delay in in when the data actually counts towards our years for unsuccessful performance. Thank you, Dr. Frank. It is now time for public comments. Mrs. Antoine, do we have anyone signed up to address the board? Yes, ma'am. board will now hear comments from those persons who have signed up to speak. This portion of the meeting is set aside for parents, students, employees,

062and community members to speak to the board about any matter of interest to them pertaining to the school system. Each person who has signed up by 4:30 p.m. yesterday may speak for no more than two and a half minutes. Those who signed up after that time and prior to public comments today will be allowed to speak for one and a half minutes. During public comment, the board will listen, but it is forbidden by the Texas Open Meetings Act from discussing any topic raised or making any decision unless the matter is already on the agenda for this meeting. The board reminds speakers that public comment is not the time to bring the board complaints about a particular program, employee, or student. Should a speaker's remarks include complaints directed at a particular student, employee, or program, I

063will respectfully ask that the individual stop speaking and utilize the board's adopted grievance procedure. As a reminder, your time is being monitored. When your time to speak is up, you will hear a buzzer that will indicate that your time has ended. Antoine Mark Mlen. It's two and a half. I apologize if I mistyped that. Okay, got to talk fast. My name is Mark Mlelen. I'm in Ningham Lane in Bulmont, Texas. I'm here this evening not to praise or complain about anything. I want to offer an idea for your consideration. Most likely you're aware of the fact that there are bills making their way through the legislature or the peanut gallery that will probably be affirmed and sent up to Howdy Duty for signature into law. You've already talked about the voucher system. Well, another one

064you're going to have to deal with is one that requires that every public school classroom in the state of Texas must display the biblical Ten Commandments. It mandates that the Ten Commandments must be framed, displayed in a conspicuous place, and must be at least 16 by 20 in in size. Let me read to you number 10 of those commandments. You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. I hope this body values the worth of the female teachers, employees, and students in this district. I'd be foolish to try to put words in the lady's mouths sit on the deis, but I'm comfortable in speaking for my late wife, Anne. She spent many years

065as a speech therapist and classroom teacher, and if she'd been forced to display a in her classroom that said she was a cohort to a slave, a jackass, and a cow, that would have really pissed her off. So, if you don't want to openly insult and demean the women in this district, please listen and consider. The bill, as I said, makes some very finite requirements. But one thing that is not spelled out whatsoever is the language in what these signs must be written in. Nowhere does it say the commandments must be written in the English language, which alphabet probably didn't come along till a thousand years after these commandments were supposedly done. If the politicians require you to belittle the females in the district, then do as many in government do and look between the

066lines in the law. The version of the Ten Commandments choose they choose to ignore 2,000 years of enlightenment. In keeping with the legislaturator's intent to display something that was written over 2,000 years ago, you should print the commandments in the language that they were originally written in, most likely ancient Hebrew. If you can comply with the law, as you should, but do so in a manner there's not a visual insult to every woman in this district. I leave you with one thought, gentlemen. When you go home this evening and your wife gives you a little kiss and says, "How was the board meeting?" I want you to take her hand and look deeply in her eyes and say, "Sweetheart, would it bother you if I don't object at all that says you are my property

067and you're a cohort to a jackass and a cow?" Let me know how that works for you. Thank you, Jean Badget. Good evening, President Higgman and board members. My name is Jean Badget. I live on Clint Lane in Bulmont. Uh I'm a retired Bulmont ISD teacher. I have two children. One graduated several years ago from high school and the other one is about to enter high school this next fall. I'm I'm here to talk about the proposed reasonzoning plan. I know this is the last thing on your agenda uh to actually adopt today. I've lived in my home on Pine Glenn Edition. It's near 105 in Major offer road. I've lived over four decades. It's a great neighborhood. I've enjoyed it and uh still do. Roy Guest Elementary was our school. It's 1.9 miles from

068my house. It takes four to four and a half minutes to get there under ideal conditions. This afternoon I drove it at 510 p.m. It took six minutes and it was terrible traffic. But anyway, it's very convenient. Uh I know that the proposed plan has my neighborhood to go to Amelia Elementary. Uh it is 4.6 miles away. That on the surface doesn't sound that bad except it's all the way up or down Major Drive. There are seven traffic lights and one railroad track along the way. And uh those lights are not timed in any way for flow of traffic. Today, this morning, I drove it at an ideal time about 9:15 a.m. and uh only three of the lights Only four of the lights got me. Three of them uh did not. Fortunately, there wasn't

069a train. It took me 12 minutes to get there. And that's ideal conditions. U under heavy conditions, traffic, or heaven forbid a train, it would no telling how much it would be. I read in the paper uh a few weeks ago uh that the new revised plan, one of the justifications mentioned was to have students go to the neighborhood schools. And this doesn't sound like a neighborhood school to me. Uh and I certainly if I had a five or six year old elementary school, I wouldn't feel real comfortable about them making the long bus ride like that. Also, how much is it going to cost for buses to run that that that uh distance there? Um already. Wow. Okay. Uh anyway, thank you for listening to me and I I would I would gladly u

070display the ten commandments in their shortened form. Not mentioning any animals or anything else. Thank you. Thank Thank you for a minute and a half. Tony Carrier. Hello everyone. I'm so happy to be here today. And Stacy, next time I come, I promise I'll bring some cookies just like I do to the city council members. Thank you so much for having me here today, guys. And I got to talk real fast, but that's what I do, so it'll be okay today. I'm glad to see Reese here. Thank you for being here today. Reese, listen. I was I'm the person that tried to get the prayers back in school and I want to thank the citizens of Bmont for signing that petition. I have thousands of signatures and I thank God today for that. I'm going

071to talk about the I think the sixth commandment about thou shalt not kill and steal the what the seven or eight you know I I don't know about the animal and the dump all that stuff. I don't know about all that. All I know is it's a good thing and I'm glad I said all schools are because I plan to take this all around the country because one woman had taken out and I think should be should happen again because guess what? It was another shooting in Florida, you know, and teachers just like children need to be protected. We need to know it's safe enough for us to be in school teaching these children, you know. I don't know if that's a only solution. You might have one, but I think it's the best solution.

072And I come from states that are basically they call heathen states. This is the Bible belt, right? So I think if Texas did that, I thank Texas for that, you know, and I would try to take it to my heathen states, you know. I wanted to go all around the country. I mean, come on now. You know, it's it's a shame that we can't go to school in peace. What's wrong with prayer in school? And if you don't believe in prayer, just be quiet and let us pray. You know, it's not a bad thing. It's could be a bad thing, you know. So, because those kids might not be getting that at home. You see what I'm saying? So, I thank you today the people of Bmont that sign those petitions, you know, it's happened

073and I'm just I'm humbly grateful. Thank you. That concludes with press public comments. Thank you, Miss Antoine. Mr. Samuels, an update on personnel activities, please. Good evening, board. Uh, one thing I can tell you is that I'm definitely praying that we find some teachers out there. uh uh you you have before you uh today a listing of newly hired and separated employees for the month month of March. Uh as you are aware uh uh we have three TFS campuses that are uh uh uh that are transitioning back to district control and so we are working hard to fill those campuses. Uh it would not be ripe for uh uh for me to to to say that uh that uh to to give you a true number. We're about 20% filled across three campuses. It's it's

074not a lot but keep this in mind we we have only focused on internal recruitment. So that is uh that is uh employees of TSS that want to come back uh and work for Bowman ISD. Uh that was last week we did uh in the week before where we did three uh evening sessions where we onboarded uh those employees. Now we are exhausting our efforts uh for external uh employees uh as well. And so uh we are looking at uh visiting teachers uh from the uh Philippines and hopefully uh Jamaica if we uh if we can get in a part partnership with the with sponsors there. And so uh I just want to uh uh make you aware of the fact that uh we are we are working hard and and looking to recruit uh

075to fill all all of those positions. Any questions? Yes sir. So third future schools, the educators from those schools are not willing to come back to BISD. No, not the number that we were hoping for, uh, Mr. Sige. Not the number that we're hoping for. Uh, there were other opportunities, I believe, that opened up for them in that in that network that uh uh that that I think was more advantageous for them. Car notes and house notes going to hit them eventually. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Any other questions? Thank Mr. Samuels. Yes, ma'am. just uh picking your brain, you know, I know you go far and wide. Are we looking at uh international employees? Yes. Yes, ma'am. We are. So, uh we are working to uh expand, uh visiting teachers from the Phil Philippines. And

076so, uh but I'm going to be honest with you, uh there's a balance to that because we only have them for so long. And so, uh I don't want to fill uh fill all of our campuses uh with just visiting visiting teachers. uh uh correct and so we're we're looking to expand that for the Philippines and uh there are some uh sponsors in Jamaica that have opportunities. So bringing some visiting experienced teachers from Jamaica uh as well. Uh but I also want to call your attention to uh some of the work that the district is doing uh with with grow and brace. And so we are also looking intern uh internally for uh uh uh u educators uh clerical uh pair prof uh uh pair professionals and profess excuse me who don't have a bachelor's

077degree uh uh we have programs where we can pay for their degree and their certification uh those that do have their degree uh the adjunct teacher program uh where we we have refined uh some of uh the requirements there uh in supporting uh uh individuals who are interested in becoming teachers uh to obtain their certification as well. Mr. Samuels, I know we have a number of adjunct teachers who are required to u make get their certification in three years if they wish to continue teaching. Are we being successful in getting those teachers certified? Yes, ma'am. I I would I would tell you not at the the rate and the number that that I think we should be at. I think that over the course of uh the three years that we've uh that we've had

078the the program, I think that we've certified uh between uh uh maybe 25 and 35 uh teachers. Uh but you know, we have uh over 100 uh adjuncts across our network. Uh but what I can tell you is is uh with the help of uh curriculum and instruction um Emily Collins and her team in conjunction with HR uh we're having more conversations and we're doing more check-ins. Uh and I also want to appreciate uh our our principles because uh they don't use this tool just to put somebody in front of the classroom. uh they're having real conversations uh with uh with adjuncts about uh you know about their goals and making sure that their goals align uh with the vision and mission of our district. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Nantz. Thank you, Miss Hickman.

079For the month of March, the tax office collected $1,696,7622 in maintenance and operation taxes and just over $357,000 in debt service and we are 95.29% collected for March. For um the month of March, we had revenues of $156,331,161 and expenditures of 132,6,821 and outstanding purchase orders of $4,129,966. Any questions? for our activity funds. They collected over $278,000 for the month of March. And then we also had this is one of the the donation of the rec recognition of Mr. Fulggin's earlier. Um, we had an anonymous donation to ODM Academy in the amount of $1,000 and Express Mart gave Guest Elementary $500 and then Provos donated pizza and drinks to Guest Elementary at estimated value of $300. Any questions? Thank you. Chief Malbro, the districtwide and intruder detection and audit report findings. And again, we had

080a shooting day before yesterday in Texas, so your report is even more timely. Okay. Well, thank you, uh, board president, um, board panel, Dr. Frank, and Dr. Allen's absence. Uh, well, yes, ma'am. Uh we did have a recent shooting uh that was uh in Dallas uh ISD. I think it's the Wilmer Hutcherson unit uh in which four young people uh were shot. And so um again, it does not go without saying that uh the safety and security of our campuses are of the utmost importance. Uh and I'm grateful that we have uh some remedies in place uh to help ensure that that never happens in our area. Uh again, there's no 100% soundproof uh mechanism. So, uh it's just that uh everyone just have to be very mindful of the times that we're living in.

081Uh and unfortunately that uh trouble has found the address of our schools. So, uh we just have to just continue to be more vigilant and alert and be watchful uh for our young people. Um any questions in reference to that, Mr. D? I'm not sure what I was looking at on television, but it was is it was in reference to uh a move to have all the classrooms have these special locks on the doors. You heard anything about that? They're going throughout the Is that you referring to state or nationwide? You know, I don't know then. And that's that's why I wasn't sure. It was just uh a plan to do that and they've already in process of doing it. Making sure that each one of the classrooms have their own special lock. Yes, sir.

082Uh well that's always been pretty much in discussion. However, um for our district uh we have uh we're kind of ahead of the curve in terms of having uh those uh mechanisms uh to help support uh the safety of our students and staff. But that is something of course that have been in discussion in reference to the state of Texas as well as even beyond uh things that can be uh more helpful and uh preventive measures to prevent uh that type of atrocity from taking place. Again, there is no 100% um soundproof mechanisms. Uh but anything I think a district does to help ensure the safety of students and staff is again is wellreceived and again we take it very serious in time anytime we have things like that that occur. It just calls to

083memory that um again schools as well as uh malls and different uh other areas that are considered to be soft targets. Uh we have to just be more mindful again considering the times that we're living in. But yes, I went to go visit uh your office the other day and I was uh you guys don't have anything except for that one door coming in. So you're referring to I'm sorry at the police department. Yes. And I think we're we're working on some things that we have something in place in reference to that. Thank you, Chief. Keep safe. Trusty Dunn, if I may answer your question. I think you're referring to this week's crisis in the classroom story that featured a local company that offers uh a new way of locking doors. Uh they they uh

084they manufacture a special lock that they are promoting for different school districts. The company has actually reached out to me wanting to schedule a meeting with our leaders to discuss how they may be able to help us. Yes, that meeting has al that's been pinned in and we had to kind of reschedu uh but yes, we have uh been in communications with the representative uh Jackie has just spoken about. Um any other questions in relations to that? Also, one of our colleges in Florida also uh had another active shooter event. Uh so, it's becoming unfortunately more common throughout uh the country. So, it's just not isolated per se here in the state of Texas. Uh but again, uh law enforcement and all of the support that we get from all of the federal agencies are

085providing training and uh as well as material equipment. As Jackie mentioned, you have different uh vendors that are putting in place things to help ensure that uh we safeguard our children, most prized commodity of our community. Any other questions in relating to that? Okay. So again, in terms of the intruder detection audit, of course, this is something that was put in place after the tragedy of UVA, our governor along with uh TEA and the Texas school safety center put in place intruder detections audit which were designed to help ensure that they were doing everything to help keep our children safe. Uh the campuses that were cited, uh those campuses were required to put in place a corrective action plan. To date in the Bulmont Independent School District, we've had 23 of our campuses completed with

086the audit and we have two more remaining. We have any questions. Thank you, Chief. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Update facilities committee. Mr. Ree, Mr. Thank you. Appreciate it. Um, the facilities committee met on On Tuesday, April the 8th, 2025, the following members were present. Woodro Ree, Robert Dunn, Randall Maxwell, Cheryl Hernandez, Dr. Ron Jackson, and Alan Devault. The following items were discussed. Uh, BD Transportation, uh, excuse me, Treyand Transportation Complex Construction continues on schedule. The architect has supplied the finalized name change rendering. You have a copy. Oh, you already got it up there. So that's what it's supposed to look like um with the BISD moved over to the left and the name above the door of the transportation of a tray transportation. So that's what it's going to look like. Thank you. Five schools

087have now receive new playgrounds. Curtis, Homer, Dishman, Jones Clark, and Regina How. And that's what got like the little walks on there. Uh look nice how they got it all set up here so these um special needs kids can get out there and do some things also they can roll out as far as summer maintenance projects have been approved. Silicon roofs for Austin Smith and ODM the carpet at Dishman and Martin. paint for Smith common areas. I don't know if you guys remember what it would look like at Smith when the paint was paint when it was painted and the paint came off. It looked pretty bad, but they're going uh Mr. Dev going to take care of that this time. plumbing at uh BU Deh Hall and Westbrook sewer, Westbrook air handler replacements, Paul

088Brown chiller replacements, King rebrand and mechanical replacements, Price Elementary, uh 3350 Waverly. A discussion with the title company and the city about the issue with a previously mapped road has slowed the sale of the property. Now throughout the years of the existence of price they had a they used it as a parking lot and was got time for us to want to try to get uh sell it. It looks like that was really actually a road and trying to figure that part out about if that was uh just given to us or we were just using it or whatever it is. You can see over here to the left. Uh so that's that's kind of holding things up right now till they get that all figured out. U so we'll be have further discussion with

089that later. Any questions? Thank you, Mr. Dunn. Under state board of education rule, completing required continuing education each year of service is a basic obligation and expectation of any sitting board member. As board president, I am required to announce the name of each member who has completed, exceeded, or is deficient during this meeting in the required continuing education. The requirements for training are measured as of the first anniversary of the date of the trustes election or appointment or two-year anniversary of his or her previous training as applicable. There are eight training areas for board member continuing education, local district orientation, orientation to the Texas education code, post legislative update to the Texas education code, team building, additional continuing education, evaluating student academic performance, and setting goals, identifying and reporting child abuse, trafficking, and other maltreatment

090of children. And is school safety. To the extent applicable to each board member, I will announce the completion or deficiency as to required training. For members who still have time remaining comp to complete required training, I will announce the board members who have scheduled timely training and those who have not yet scheduled the training. At the conclusion of this announcement, I will announce any board members training in excess of the continuing education requirements. Let the record reflect that all trustees have met and/or exceeded the training the required training. BISD board members, please state the number of hours of training for the 2425 school year. I, President Matilda Hickman, have completed 18.75 hours of training exceeding the requirements under the state board of education rule. Next, as I call your name, please read the brief script

091provided to you, including your completed hours. Mr. Stacy L. Lewis Jr. I trust Stacy L. Lewis Jr. have completed 10.5 hours of training showing and exceeding for the requirements under the state board of education rule. Miss Denise Wallace Spooner I, Trustee Denise Wallace Spooner have completed 32.75 hours of training exceeding the requirements under the state board of education. Mr. Robert C. Dunn, Senior I, Trustee Robert C. Dunn, senior, have completed 24.5 hours of training exceeding the requirements under the state board of education rule. Mr. Joe Evans Jr. I, Trustee Joe A. Evans, Jr. have completed 18.25 hours of training exceeding the requirements under the state board of education rules. Mr. Woodro Ree the second I trustee I second have completed 17.5 hours of training exceeding the requirements under the state board of education Mr. Thomas

092Sige I Thomas T Sige senior have completed 32.75 hours of training exceeding the requirements under the state board of education. We are now ready for the consent agenda. Does anyone wish to pull any items from the consent agenda for discussion? Hearing none. Is there a motion? Someone move to approve. Second. It has been moved by Mr. Lewis and seconded by Mr. to approve the consent agenda. Is there any discussion? Mr. Bruce, number eight, do you wish to make to remove it? Well, then we need to remove it from the consent agenda. We will consider items one through seven on the consent agenda. Those in favor signify by raising your right hand. Those opposed, no. The motion carries 70. We will now car consider approve additional role for maintenance and operations to be added to the

093comprehens compensation plan for the 2425 school year. Good evening board. Uh the purpose uh of this uh agenda item uh and and Mr. Deval can can add to this uh but uh he was looking at doing some reorganization in his department and he wants to uh repurpose a position. So this is something that's already aligned uh in his budget uh to create a project manager role that will enhance our facilities operational efficiency by centralizing project oversight and ensuring timely cost-effective completion of maintenance initiatives. Uh this uh strategic uh shift aligns with our goal of improving resource allocation and addressing the growing complexity of uh our infrastructure projects. Uh and so what he would be doing is repurposing a position that he already has. this uh uh request is to add the uh the the title

094and the role to our compensation plan. Um what we do in anticipation because uh board policy dictates that when we uh are posting for a position that has to be uh posted for 10 days, we uh go ahead and post ahead uh of the board meeting uh hoping that you approve. So at the time that it is approved, he can start interviewing and hiring for the role. Any questions? Mr. Evan. So, so there's no one in that role now. You're you're actively seeking someone. Correct. Do you have anybody in mind? Mr. Deval? Not that it matters. I'm just curious. I definitely don't have anyone in mind. I'm just curious. Uh we have several people in the department that are qualified, meet the requirements. Uh but of course we post to to the public and interview

095uh as many qualified applicants as we can for the role. It's not promised to anyone. is the best applicant. All right. Good luck. Thank you, Mr. D. So, you're saying that there's no additional monies that's going to be needed for this. Okay. Are there any other questions? If not, is there a motion to approve? So, move to approve. Second. It's been moved by Mr. Lewis and seconded by Mr. done to approve the additional role for maintenance and operations to be added to the compensation plan for the 2024 2025 school year. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by raising your right hand. Those opposed, same sign. The motion carries 70. We're now ready for for action items. Approve budget amendments. Uh, Dr. Frank. Madame President, I recommend that the board approve

096budget amendments from general fund 10, child nutrition 2, debt service one, and accept the amendment from special revenue 29. So, move to approve. Second. Been moved by Mr. Lewis and seconded by Mr. Dunn to approve the budget amendments as presented to the board. Miss Hernandez. Well, thank you, Miss Hickman. Um the budget amendment GF10 um is in actually increase in revenue for the TRS on behalf that I talked about earlier. We we had to increase it for this year as well as anticipate the increases for the next year's budget. So that's why you're seeing the 800,000 in the revenue and then at 800,000 in the expenditure. Then we're also asking the board to move um approve movement between the functions for child nutrition too. They also have a a a maintenance person, two people that

097work on their HVAC equipment, fixing the the all of the equipment in the child nutrition department. And we are asking the board to move some funds from function 35 where they have budgeted um a position that really should have been a function 51. So we're moving it to 51 as well as increasing the contracted services because they have some needs in the kitchens that need to be taken care of but it's just moving between the functions and it doesn't increase. And this is a um federally funded program because we receive reimbursements from the government. And then also we're going to ask the board to approve debt service DS1 and that is to increase we actually receive some additional funds from TEA that we weren't anticipating the existing debt allotment amounts and so we have additional

098funds. So we want to defease early the debt. So, we're have an amendment order on the agenda later on where we're going to increase the amount up to 8,652,000. So, we'll be able to pay off even more debt. Okay. And then we have one special revenue for title four part a moving funds between functions. Are there any questions? I don't have a question, but I want to comment uh for the record that when we pass the Vader, we dropped down our debt service collection and yet we are defeasing our debt earlier than we have to. Thank you for very good financial management that we are able to do that. Yes. Are there any questions? Hearing none. Those in favor of the motion signify by raising your right hand. Those opposed, same sign. The motion carries

09970. Dr. Frank. Madame President, I recommend that the board approve approve purchases over 50,000 from the general fund in the amount of $361,737.72. Capital projects in the amount of $815,3418. Federal funds in the amount of $200,644.88. and from the instructional materials allotment funds in the amount of $678,22645. Someone's approved. Second. It's been moved by Mr. Lewis and seconded by Mr. Dunn to approve purchases over 50,000. Is there any discussion? Mr. We're going to hear from Miss Hernandez, but do you have a question first? No, I was just wondering what was different in the packet Mr. Samuel gave us than what's in our our uh So, um we are actually going to drop the um for the instructional materials aotment. There was an adoption that the board needed to approve before we could actually make the

100purchase and since it is not on the agenda, we cannot make the purchase until the board adopts the adoption. So instead of the 678,000, we're going to only approve 63,41250 for the instructional material allotment funds. And we'll bring the 618 to the May agenda. And you should all have a new copy of purchases over 50. This was discovered right before the board meeting. We have new copies. Do we need to talk about it yet? Can you enlighten us on the adoption? Well, I think you still have to make the motion and approve it before we can have the discussion. No, no, we did make a motion. Oh, okay. So, um the adoption is um actually Brandy, the adoption is for the uh math materials, high school math. And so the board when they come out

101with new instructional materials, the board adopts what the state is recommending and then we can make the purchase for that. So, is this a part of the blue bonnet curriculum and the new one says social studies materials are being elementary and middle school. The blue bonnet materials are being adopted for the elementary and middle schools. Um the high school math curriculum, we we had a committee decision and they chose a different curriculum. And so all of that information is there was only algebra 1, geometry, and algebra 2. And it was very important for our high school committee that everything was cohesive across all grade levels for the sake of children moving up through the grades. teachers possibly changing from one subject to another one. And so that was a big it was a big thing

102for them. And so since the state didn't offer any options for that, they actually went a different route. Any other questions? Am I the only one who's lost? Okay, we have one that says high school math materials. That's 614,000. change and you said that we were not going to do that. We're not going to do that until the board adopts. And so all we are adopting or approving is the 63 412 for it says here renewal of secondary social studies online material. Yes. Correct. And so what is this uh that we have to adopt next month? So every year we go through an adoption process. It used to be called the proclamation and every year we go through we form a committee and decide. This year the tea actually changed it to where it's called

103an imra cycle. It's the same basic concept. You still evaluate all the materials, determine what's best for the district. The only difference is there's no longer an eight-year contract. And so instead of the district knowing how long we're going to have these materials and possibly have the gap years, which is the social studies information that's on there, it's to cover a gap year, but they can wave those or not wave, but they can change those TEICs at any time now. And we may only have to adopt something within four years or six years, but we really don't know anymore. Um, the idea of that set schedule has gone away. That's not my question. My question was Mrs. Hernandez said there was a certification or I can't remember the term you used that we had not

104done that had to be done before we could adopt approve the purchase. Right. What she's talking about is that this the board has to approve the adoption. There should have been a a a board document that asked the board to approve the adoption and then this purchase could have been made math material for they go together. Thank you. So we can't ask you to approve the purchase when it hasn't been adopted by the board for us to be able to use it. Thank you. Miss, it's it's kind of like we can't adopt our budget until the board or we can't adopt our tax rate until it's a certain order. You adopt your budget, then you adopt your tax rate. It's like you can't make the purchase until you adopt the material. And a lot of

105times I'm I'm very um make sure that Georgia gets all my stuff in order because there are certain orders that the board has to approve things before we can proceed. Like the budget amendment that the board just approved for debt service that had to be done before we can get you to approve the amended order for the defeasance of the debt. Is this going to cause a problem that we're not voting uh to adopt now and we can't purchase until May. Are they going to have the materials in August? It will definitely be here. So, April is typically the earliest that we can put it in. Most of the time we typically put it in in May and so it'll it'll still have plenty of time to come in. I've heard that before where we

106sat for six weeks without textbooks. I realize we're not doing texts. we're doing on mostly online. And anytime that there's been an issue with a late delivery, it's because of printing option, printing issues with the publishers. Um, even though things have improved since COVID, there have been continuous issues with productivity, things getting out on time. They do typically let us know and make us aware of what they are, but at this time, we haven't heard anything about any delays this year. But if I do hear them, I will let y'all know as soon as I do. Thank you. You're welcome. Definite maybe. It's a definite maybe. Like everything else in our economy. Miss Hernandez, I have a question also. Yes. Yes. And unless you all are not finished. Okay. This falls under federal funds. Uh

107the interactive panels for Pathways Early uh College, Westbrook, Bowman United, Benson, Marshall, and ODM. Um, I just want to know how we utilize these, what they are. I'm looking at over $200,000. So, who can explain this? It falls under the umbrella of information technology. Yes. The And before you answer that, I also have a question on that one. And why not Smith? So th these are the campuses pulling their funds together to buy the interactive panels or those uh boards that we've you've I think we put one in your uh the the smartboards and we put them in the teachers classrooms and the teachers teach with them and and they can do um all kinds of things with them more so than like an overhead projector or you know Yeah, it's like a really big

108computer and they utilize them daily. Yes, I can tell you. Well, you know, probably I'm thinking smartboard. So, when I saw Yeah, there's Yeah. So, I'm wondering if this is something new. It's new line. Is it new? Just concerned. No, whatever. This is just the new line is just the name of a brand. Yeah. Yeah. I just wanted to know what that is. We Yes, we put one in your board conference room to show the big panels so the kids can see the big screens. The uh we just met with all the campuses with their budgets and they we determined how much money they had available so they wanted to outfit what teachers did not have them. So we've already done that. As far as Smith, they have panels. So, um when um they had

109some and then when Third Future was there, they brought in a bunch with one of their grants and so they remain with the district because the grant funds were in the district's name. So, anything though that they don't have, we will make sure that they do get it. Okay. So, new name, I guess on Smartboard. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. I got it. Yeah. Okay. Any other questions about purchases over 50? We had some um the the federal funds purchases and then also u the renewal of the new service agreement with Hernandez for the copers, the Kia copers. And then Saber Consulting, that's our antivirus software. It's a renewal. Um and then our capital projects. Um this is the purchase from um the facilities committee report. The the maintenance department is going to take

110out all of the rest of the carpet at Dishman and Martin and that cost us 250,000 215,000 but it's going to be worth it. And then in painting the interior of Smith 65,000 and that was another facilities committee report that um was say and the silicone roofs at Austin Smith and ODM. So we're really excited about those purchases. Mr. Bruce, just to think back, why do we put carpet in those schools? I have no idea. You know, there used to be carpet in this building when I worked here years and years and years ago, and it was nasty. It was nasty. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Okay. Thank you. We come around, things change, I guess. Any any other question, comments, concerns? All those in favor raise your right hand. You're not voting. The motion carries seven.

111Madame President, I recommend that the board approve the renewal of property and casualty insurance at RFP 2316. So move to approve. Second. It's been moved by Mr. Lewis and seconded by Mr. Dunn to approve renewal of property and casualty insurance RFP 2316. You ready? just not do it and not have to pay for it. Well, okay. So, yeah, maybe. But this year, we're seeing a decrease of $1.2 million in our property insurance with the same type of coverage. So, we're that's basically a 17% decrease. You know, we we didn't this is a renewal for for our brokers. They go to all the markets and they were able to get us a huge decrease. And so we're really excited. They were really excited about this because you know with everything all the casualty things that have

112been happen the floods and we still got a decrease. This is not a facicious comment. Um, and I know not much has has made its way, nothing positive has made its way through the legislature as far as school finances, but one of the bills that was being considered was a coverage for us for insurance. Will that just be applied if it passes? They haven't decided on how things are going to work and how they would be able to give it to us. But for us in the hurricane zones, how we have such high premiums, they would probably have to do it some sort of way to where we report like how much our insurance is possibly. They they haven't really said I don't think that they could put it in a in our foundation payment

113other than for us to report something so that they could give us a percentage maybe. But at this point we're just keeping our fingers crossed. Oh yeah. and health insurance because there's been legislation um you know they kind of bailed out TS active care helped out the other districts that stayed in it for those of us that did and they didn't give us anything. So there is some kind of legislation to give us or the districts that don't participate in TRS active care something to help. You know, the state used to kick in money to help with health insurance and they haven't done that in a very long time. All those in favor signify by raising my hand. Those same sign motion carries 70. Madame President, I recommend that the board approve the contract award

114for the HBAC replacement project CSP 25.11. So move to approve. Second. It's been moved by Mr. Lewis and seconded by Mr. Dunn to approve the contract award for HVAC replacement CSP 25.11. Mr. Hernandez. Thank you, Miss Hickman. This is um for uh Westbrook High School. This is using part of the Vader money that was approved by our voters that we would use for HBAC replacement. And then the others were the roof replacements. And that cost is $48,354. It did increase from the last HVAC replacement that we brought. And it's due to the tariffs that have been placed on um different things. And this was the um only response that we did receive. Question. Mr. Le, I don't have a question on this, but um just for the board or even moving forward, can we come

115up with like I guess a capital project or almost a a survey for all of our schools and that way we're able to know what is an itemized uh events of different things that need to have priority or what may be upcoming. So something more like a strategic plan. So we know uh in terms of how we'll be spending money in years to come. So we actually have a plan for this because more so what I'm looking at from like at least the past year to uh two years have been kind of more been more so blindsided by chillers um the issue that we had at guests and things like that. So that way the board knows when we go through the budget process, hey, what are some of the projects that we're looking at

116and then they can forecast this in years to come. We can do that. We're we're in the process of doing a facility study to get a handle on all of the things because, you know, we gave you a book on the roofs and the roofs was over $60 million and now with the prices of going up, it's probably $90 million in roofs. We need to do the same thing. We took care of a lot of the HVAC and the chillers with the ESER money. Um I think we spent $20 million on on a lot of those projects, but um we still have a lot more to do. And um a lot of the times we're when we're blindsided, it's because they've gone down and or they've stolen the copper out of them, but most of

117the time it's because they're old and they need to get replaced. Westbrook. Look how old Westbrook is and they've tried to repair. We have an excellent HVAC team and they go and rob parts off of things because they're so old it's hard to get parts too, you know, but eventually when you do have the funds and this was one of those times we want to replace when we can. But we will deal definitely do that because we're in the process of doing it. Those favor same motion carries 70. Madame President, I recommend that the board approve the rankings and contract for fire alarm replacement at ML King CSP 256. So to approve, second, it's been moved by Mr. Lewis and seconded by Mr. Dunn to approve rankings and contract for fire alarm replacement at ML

118King CSP 256. So, I want to talk about it, but I couldn't. So, um it's not in my book. That actually should have been removed from the agenda. We did not a complete bid package back on that. So, we had to resubmit the whole package for new bids. Uh, so it should have been removed from the agenda. Okay. So, that's right. So the the um if if you look at your board document the actual board action item is approve rankings and contractor award for chiller replacement project. That's I had that yes for and and we're asking the board to approve uh associated mechanical for it 475203. Can they do that if it was posted as a fire replacement or what? So we can't take action on F6 because it was not posted properly. Okay. So

119no action on F6. Madame President, I recommend that the board approve the amended order authorizing the defeasence and optional redemption of certain outstanding bonds and containing other matters there related thereto. Second. It's been moved by Mr. Lewis and seconded by Mr. done to approve amended order authorizing the defeasence and optional redemption of certain outstanding bonds and containing other matters related there too. The original order was just under $5 million because at the time of the budget when we adopt it's before we know things from our um certified values and things like that and things that from tea. So, we're amending to the $8,652,000. So, we're actually going to pay off a portion of 207 um and save taxpayers um I think it's close to $5 million. I was supposed to write down that amount, but

120I didn't. So, by paying it off dirt early, that means we're not going to have to levy the debt in the future. So with the time value of money, we've got the money we can pay it off and it saves taxpayers millions about the paying I think it's close to $5 million for t for the taxpayers because we're paying it off early and then we're not going to have to levy that debt and then we won't have those interest payments on those series. Is there any other discussion? If not, those in favor signify by raising your right hand. Those opposed, same sign. The motion carries 70. Madame President, I recommend that the board approve the renaming of Early College High School. I'm let Is that you, Mr. Roose? There was a recommended one. School board

121president, Miss Hickman, school board members, and Dr. Frank. With the transition of the early college to the ML King building, a new name for the facility is being recommended. Current students at the early college gave suggestions and the principal, Miss Ferris, submitted the two final choices that you see. One of those choices, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College and Career Academy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Collegiate Academy. The recommendation from the students and their number one choice was for you to consider approving the naming of the new facility at ML King to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Collegiate Academy. Miss Ferris is here if we have other questions. So that's our recommendation based on the results and what the kids voted. Well, I'd like to move that we uh I'd like to move that

122we recommend not approve recommendation. What I want it's already Mr. Mr. Mr. I didn't I didn't hear that. There's nothing in the law about early college that it has to say early college. Got a little information on that. It does not have to say early college and it is according to Miss Ferris not early college. We've always said that. Go ahead. So, four or five years ago, maybe more, um, we actually changed our designation from an early college high school to a PEK academy. What that does under the CCRSM umbrella, those two exist, and it adds in a focus on work-based learning in addition to the academics. In an early college high school program, it's academics only. in a PEK, we chose to go that route to pull in that workbased learning component. Uh when

123we did that, our coach said, you need to change your name, to which I thought, I'm just going to ignore that for now. Uh because I had no clue what that process would look like. Uh so this is really convenient actually to make that adjustment and kind of drop really the PEK even because most folks just don't recognize there's no brand recognition with that. It's quite nuanced in the you know educational jargon and so you know just keeping with the king name as far and and then what we are right we are focused on college and career and so when the students put forth their suggestions um we meaning AI uh took all of the suggestions and generated the top two most likely combinations of all that. So I thought it did a good job.

124So the name you were recommending is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Collegiate Academy. That correct? Yes. Yes. Okay. Those in favor signify raising your right hand. Those opposed, same sign. Congratulations to the new Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Thank you. [Music] [Applause] Madame President, I recommend that the board approve the revised resoning plan. So move to approve. Second. It's been moved by Mr. Lewis and seconded by Mr. Dunn to approve the revised zoning plan. Uh Frank, are you the one who's going to tell us about this? Yes, ma'am. At the December board meeting, the BISD uh resoning plan was presented and approved by the board. The plan included two primary components. one uh which uh one of which was the adoption of new attendance zone maps. Since that time, the district team has been actively

125working to implement the approved changes and during this process, it became evident that the projected enrollment for ODM Academy is uh significantly higher than we originally anticipated. So in response to this finding, the internal resoning committee uh reconvened and we explored possible solutions to proactively address the concern. And as a result, the committee recommends amending the middle school attendance zone map to reszone Charlton Pard Elementary from ODM Academy to Peach McAuthor. Currently the students feed into prior to approving the new resoning plan um the students were already feeding into Peach Arthur. Uh doing this and uh making this adjustment is intended to bring ODM Academy to a more sustainable capacity. I'm calling Miss Cheetum up just in case she wants to add anything. No, I think Dr. Frank, thank you for that summary. When we

126pulled in all of our currently zoned students under the proposed or the the previously adopted attendance zone, um we noted several shifts in our student population from the time the original resoning plan and process. If you recall, we've been doing this for two years and we've seen market shifts in that particular zone when we did our rollover um and next year's lines for students. And so in our planning processes to receive students, we know ODM also is impacted by its Pegasus program. And so we wanted to be able to adhere to the guidelines that were set in the resoning process of having about 90% building capacity and being able to keep the integrity of the programs that are in place at each of those schools. When looking at the rollover numbers, we would not be

127in accordance with either of those guidelines. we would be over 100% capacity and be forced to reduce the number of students that we could have from any incoming Pegasus class. So, it's really to increase or to keep the integrity of the programs that are established there and not to overcrowd our facility. And likewise, we are significantly underenrolled at Peach MacArthur under these projections, not even coming close to the building capacity, which was another priority of this board to make sure that we are maximizing the use of all of our facilities as well as human capital. So, we would be uh significantly underenrolled on the south side, the Peach MacArthur South or middle school side as we call it, the south side. So, sixth through eighth grades um would only have a projected enrollment without this

128change of about 306 students next year. That does not meet um what we would expect to be a really high functioning middle school with really low enrollment numbers like that. It's hard to have uh programs that are excelling like band and choir. You need numbers, sports. we wouldn't have the population to have really high performing or sustainable programs as well as what it does to our instructional environment when you are all singletons in the classrooms. And so we wanted to make sure that we maximized again both human capacity as well as our facilities. Any questions? So, with the new resoning, if you live in that area, you're guaranteed to be able to go to that school. Yes, sir. With all of our resoning in the maps, you are guaranteed to attend your homezoned campus. So,

129the rumors can dissipate. Absolutely. If you're zoned to the school, then you um if you're in your in that zone, then you will be able to attend that school. And there's no priority admission, I think, is what you're asking me about. Appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any other questions? Hearing none. Those in favor signify by raising your right hand. Those opposed same sign. Motion carries. I'm almost afraid to say it. It's 8:35 and we are through with the agenda. So, if we are not longwinded in our goodbyes, we should be out of here fairly quickly. Mr. Evans, would you like to close us out or start closing us out? Uh, happy Good Friday. Happy Easter. Mr. Dunn, Mr. Lewis, you want to go next and get I know y'all excited about going

130to sleep tonight without cutting on any alarm. So, I I get that. Uh, just want to make sure that one, we keep our fearless leader in our prayers. All right. Make sure you say a prayer for Dr. Allen tonight. And then also uh just want to remind the whole community that April 26 is going down at Smith Middle School. Make sure you come to the registration event. Thank you guys for the excellent work you guys are doing currently and in the future. Thank you. Uh Mr. D. Oh, as usual, you guys are doing outstanding job. Keep it up. Getting short. Summer's coming up. Get ready so we can uh go to the beach in our bikinis and have a good time. Mr. Sige, I'm working on my high school skinny. First, I I would like

131to commend the administrative staff. Uh you do a great job on providing the information that we need as a board as well as the information that the uh principal and staff need to support their teachers and principles. You and your staff do a good job on providing what the educators need. And to the educ educators, you know, this is hard work. what you do. You have to deal with the kids when they show up at the district and they show up with some issues. It's not like when I was a student a few years ago. What y'all laughing at? You know, they they come with some issues and we have to deal with those issues. And I appreciate what you do every day. We we we can't be concerned with what TEA do. We have

132to deal with the students. We don't make any decisions for TEA. We have to deal with the students when they show up. We can't control them. And y'all do a very good job. And I commend you for what you do each and every day. And as uh my frat brother and my nephew said, uh let's pray for Red and Dr. Allen. Uh she needs prayer as well. You know, when you're a caregiver, takes a lot of energy and a lot of effort to take care of your patient. So, keep her in your prayers. That's all I got. Happy Easter, Mr. Ree. Thank you. Um, vouchers are not done yet. So, just keep reading the news on it because they had a vote the other night with I think uh Democrats and maybe four Republicans. Joe

133may know what that I don't know. But, uh I don't know. They're taking some weird turns in, you know, each year uh Texas has not accepted. Thank you, M. Denise. Winner. Thank you, President Hickman. And I am going to follow your directive. Keep it short and sweet. I inferred that. I inferred that. But I would like to say thank you to our audience, our employees, our administrators, everyone. Uh I have a special glow tonight. Even though maybe you all can't see it. It's invisible, but but I am a uh recipient of a brand new great grandbaby. Yes, she was born last night and I tell you, well, I say no more, but uh I'm fortunate enough that she's going to hold my first name as her middle name, Delani Denise. And so I want to

134wish all of you a very happy and blessed Easter. And I'll be holding my little bunny, so be thinking of me. That's it. President Hickman, Dr. Just want to wish everyone a happy Easter. Uh to our staff, make sure that you enjoy family, get some rest because when we get back, fast and furious. And I want to congratulate everybody for having an uneventful testing season so far. Let's keep it that way. Congratulations on doing it. Um, I know how difficult testing is. Thank you for hanging in there and doing it and encouraging your teachers and walking 10,000 miles in your buildings while it's happening. Thank you. Uh, also I want to congratulate the uh, cabinet, Dr. Allen's cabinet. They are doing a magnificent job in her absence and it's hard to do it and we

135appreciate them. Um, happy Easter to everyone. I hope there are lots of Easter bunnies hopping around your house and you have a wonderful time. Thank you for all you do. We're adjourned.