Regular Board Meeting January 20th, 2026

001We don't have any. Okay, we're going to uh continue with a student staff recognition. We have first CSI student council. Go ahead and tell them what it's for. So, this is our CSI student council, and y'all came special today and said you wanted to have time. So, who would like to share this with the board? Which one? Which one's gonna step up in leadership? >> You're the spokesperson. >> Okay, here we go. >> Okay, >> there you go. >> Um, we got this because we we would like to appreciate the CSI's Crazil Springs, Texas School Board. >> Because they do such a great job helping our school. >> [applause] [cheering] >> Yes. Okay. School board, if you could come on up and get a picture with our CSI. >> That's okay. That's okay. That's very

002sweet of them. Thank you, CI. What a great way to kick off our meeting. The uh January is school board appreciation month and the theme is our future is public. This month, we proudly recognize our board appreciation month and extend our sincere gratitude to our board of trustees. Your leadership, your dedication, and your commitment to public education ensure that every decision is made with students, staff, and our community at the center. Thank you for your service, your stewardship, and your belief in the power of public schools. Because of your leadership, our future is public and it is strong. And thank you CSI for a beautiful beautiful banner for the us to proudly display up here at the dascese. Good job. [applause] And then we'll uh move forward with the rest of our student staff recognition.

003So our star students and then our above and be above and beyond service from cse. Good evening, President Franco, members of the board, and Superintendent Pearson. Today, I would like to recognize a very special group of second and third graders. This this group is our afterchool steamcat STEM club. And uh in order to be part of this group, they had to apply. So, they applied. They had to be one of the first 20 to get their applications in, which they hurried and were able to get their applications in. And they meet twice a month and they integrate uh experiments. They do experiments that integrate science, technology, engineering, and math. So, it was really neat to see this group of students that was self-motivated, interested in in STEM, and meeting after school. Do they have to

004do any type of um attendance criteria? they did have to meet attendance criteria. So, very proud of the work that they've done. They've done several experiments so far with um they've even purchased a a 3D printer, right, and 3D pens. So, that's their next project that they're going to be experimenting with those things. So, I'd like to recognize them all for the hard work and effort that they've done out of their own time after school. So, thank you. We're starting with Elena Vasquez. Next we have Ava Ava Biones Walker Halverson, Ezra Cavana, we have Mr. Verbaden Maldonado, Jordan Martinez, we have Giovanni Montalvo, we have Adeline Mata, we have Edardo Gonzalez, we have Carter Pon, Lindseay Lopez, Leah Leia Lopez, and then we have Leilani Martinez and Tristan Ramirez. Thank you, boys and girls. and

005their two coaches will also be joining them for the picture. It's Missos and Mrs. Hersonson. Do you have anything? >> Um, we would just like to thank the parents who have been so supportive of this program. Uh, Caitlyn Halverson and I attended attended uh the ISTY conference last summer uh which is a conference for um teachers to help integrate technology into the classroom. So, thank you so much Mrs. Pearson for allowing us to attend. Um, and we both looked at each other. I think we we were only a few hours in and we said we have to start a steam club for the kids of Ciso Springs. Um I say it five times a kids of Ciso Springs deserve the world and so um we are trying really hard to bring it to them if

006it's just one little experiment at a time. We've done uh catapults for candy. We've built um do mazes. Um all different kinds of good stuff. But it's really fun. And um our favorite experiments are where we get to see your children. We say you're in charge, you go. We're not telling you what to do and they they have to struggle, which it's not fun to watch them struggle, but that's something they have to learn to do. And so the best experiments that we've um come up with so far are the ones where they struggle and they have to find the solutions. We don't guide them. Um so again, thank you so much to Mrs. Pearson, the board, and of course, Mrs. Garcia who um let us fly with this and um we appreciate you all.

007Thank you so much for supporting your children and um again just help us give the kids of Ciso Springs the world. [applause] >> And on that on that note, uh today we're recognizing two of our professional staff that are receiving the above and beyond. And I think you've just kind of heard she she took my speech from me. Um the two of the these two ladies went to a training over the summer and they came back and they said, "Miss Garcia, can you allow us to do this after school club? It's on their own time." U they we've ordered some of the supplies, but they had a proposal written out ready with lesson plans ready to go and they just took what they learned at that training and they brought it back to our students.

008And it's just an epitome of going above and beyond for our students. And so for that, I'd like to recognize Mrs. Caitlyn Halverson and Miss Jennifer Celos for our above and beyond. [applause] last Um last week our campus ILT administration team met to discuss who would we also nominate as our paraprofessional auxiliary uh person staff member and overwhelmingly we decided that this next person would be the person that we would nominate because of his willingness to help um and that is Mr. Michael Gutierrez our technology person. Mr. Gutierrez never says no. He's so patient with our little ones that when they take them their Chromebook and broken or keyboard is not working, teachers forget passwords, Wi-Fi went down. He's our go-to man and he takes he takes care of our campus and so we all

009decided that he would be the best recipient for Above and Beyond and that's Mr. Michael Gutierrez. >> Thank you. Good evening, uh, board president Franco, board members and superintendent, um, and members of the administration. I wanted to thank you to thank you for the opportunity to speak this evening. I have a few words, um, to Okay, we're going to I'm sorry, I got off on here. I'm sorry. Um I we today this evening we wanted to recognize our uh one team on CSI at CSI that for their practices on their PLC and so and the procedures. So I do have a few words that I have written here. I would like to recognize our sixth grade math PLC team for their exemplary practices and instructional leadership. [snorts] team has developed a strong and intentional planning

010process that cultivates cultivates um in their sorry practices that culumates in their weekly cluster meetings allowing them to anticipate student misconceptions and plan proactively to meet the needs of all learners. Their work reflects a clear commitment to student equity while still honoring teacher autonomy in instructional decisionmaking. The strength of this team's work has been evident in multiple settings, including a recommendation for for observation by NIT during our Cutula visit. [snorts] Additionally, the team demonstrated leadership beyond their campus by presenting together at the WCAT teacher symposium [snorts] while they were while they shared effective strategies for leveraging high quality instructional materials and digital supplements to maximize high yield instructional practices. [snorts] For this reason, I would like to formally recognize Mary Gonzalez, Gina Gyos, and Christina Rodriguez for their optimism, mindset, and exemplary the impact of

011an effective PLC and serve as a model of instructional excellence across our district. Uh good evening board members and everyone in attendance. Uh thank you for being here today. Uh we're going to be recognizing our UIL um competitors at the elementary, intermediate, and junior high levels. So, thank you for not just supporting your your child, but also supporting our district. So, first off, I just want to say that our our uh UIL teams uh traveled to Floresville in December and so to compete at the district academic uh um UIL meet. So, tonight we're going to recognize their accomplishments of these fine uh individuals who represented Ciso Springs CISD along with their coaches. So, first I'm going to introduce uh Missina Cruz, our uh our elementary uh UIL coordinator. What I do want to say about

012UIL uh at the elementary level is that they had 22 individual placings and they uh placed fourth overall in at the district meet. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Tamantes. Uh first of all, I want to introduce our UIL coaches. We have um for chess and storytelling we have Mrs. Cadena music memory Mrs. Vega spelling Mrs. Salasar and I coach creative writing and ready writing. Okay, I'm gonna go ahead and introduce I want to thank all the parents and guests who came to support our students. Um I'm gonna go ahead and start with our students. They can walk up to the front. I'm going to start with Ezra Cadena. Storytelling. He participated in storytelling and music memory. Good job, Ezra. Mateo Dwarte, he participated in music memory. These are all the students that placed in

013Floresville in December. Uh June Bentacort, she participated in music memory. Ava Biones, storytelling. Good job. Adeline Mata, spelling. Molina Cuentes, music memory. And we start off uh with practice for about two three months with 80 students and then we get our students and compete and then we c we um we were uh happy to have them come today because this is our first year that we've been uh recognized with the school board members and come to the school board. So thank you parents for coming. But we also will have party next Friday to celebrate with all the students that participated in UIL, which we had about 30 students that participated. So, thank you so much. Uh, coaches, these are the ones that placed. We're going to take a picture for memories. All right. Next up,

014uh we have the UI uh the UI coordinator from our intermediate campus, Marisol Royce Cardinas. Hi, thank you for coming. Um I'm Marisol Royce Cardinas. I am the UIO coordinator for fourth, fifth, and sixth. I also coach listening and impromptu speaking. As Mr. Talamantes mentioned, we had 22 students that placed. And I need you to understand that our fourth and fifth grade students are considered elementary. So those 22 placements came also from our fourth and fifth graders. And then our sixth graders are considered inter uh junior high, middle school. So, our sixth graders and a couple of our fifth graders that competed in six counted towards the junior high points. So, our campus is split with elementary and middle school. Okay. So, I'm going to go ahead and introduce my coaches and they'll step forward

015in a little bit also to take a picture um with all the students. Actually, if I can have the coaches up front. Mary Gonzalez coached editorial writing, calculator, and fourth and fifth grade number sense. Gina Gos um coached mathematics and sixth grade number sense. Jasmine Warren, she was here with student council. She coached science. Ashley Longoria, music memory. Iris Garcia, dictionary skills. Irasma Rodriguez, ready writing and oral reading. Jose Trevinho, chess. Annabelle GarcA, maps, graphs, and charts and social studies. There she is. Um, Sonia Navado, art and spelling, and I did listening and impromptu speaking. Okay. And excuse me if I don't pronounce some of these names correct. Um, Kelli Miranda, first place number sense. [applause] Mera de Torres, fourth place, number sense. Fourth place readywriting. First place art. [applause] Jolene Williamson. Best alternate art.

016These are our fourth graders. Fifth grade. Jaden Garza. Third place dictionary skills. McKenzie Gera. Best alternate ready writing. Jenna Rodriguez, fourth place, oral reading. Aella Sanchez, third place, ready writing. Sixth grade, Cosette Alanise, sixth place, oral reading. Fourth place, mathematics. [applause] Jaden Casares, best alternate in calculator. Cal Delejon, third place spelling. Fifth place uh social studies, first place music memory. Justin Himenez, second place, chess. Carson Loftton, third place, chess. Andrea Lopez, fourth place in spelling and maps, graphs, and charts. Fifth place, editorial writing. Ana Orosco, fifth place, mathematics. Fourth place, oral reading. Bentley Ranel, third place, music memory. Abigail Vasquez, fourth place, editorial writing. We have several other students that placed as well, but are not present. I also wanted to let you know that Fernando Busio um was also a first place district champ

017in maps, graphs, and charts. And we had several other students that placed but could not make it. Thank you so much. Okay. Uh, next up, uh, we're g we have junior high. Um, our UIL coordinator is Katie Helman. Uh, she recently had a baby, so she cannot be with us tonight. So, um, and we have our WAC, uh, play director, Gabriella Gonzalez, who will be recognizing our students tonight. Good evening, everyone. Hopefully, you're having a great evening. Um, I'm going to start off by saying that we are incredibly proud at junior high of our kiddos. Um, and all the hard work and dedication that they put in year round, not just, you know, during UIL times. These kids do everything from every single sport to 4, FFA, all that stuff like that. They're all into

018it. Um, so we have a lot of kiddos that did place, but we do for those that attend CCD, it is two-day for them. So obviously they had to go to CCD and they had other obligations that they needed to do, but I will be announcing the ones that are here. So from seventh grade, we have Jenley Brown who got fifth place in listening skills. Arya Costilla, who got fourth place in maps, graphs, and charts, fifth place in science, and fifth place in oral reading. We have Emma Romo, who got fourth place in oral reading, and sixth place in impromptu speaking. And then we have Stephanie Lopez, who is an eighth grader who got fourth place in listening skills. Caleb Sepulva who got fifth place in social studies and Jaden Stravinho who got fifth place

019in impromptu speaking. We have plenty more and we have plenty more that got district champion but as I said they couldn't be here tonight. But we are very proud of our UIL academics at junior high. >> As we're uh setting up for the picture, I just want to let everybody know I forgot to mention this is that uh junior high had 54 individual placings and they placed second overall at the district meet. Okay. Um, now we're going to be talking about our junior high one act play. We did win first place and get district champions at the meet in Pieraw on December 13th. And along with first place, we did get a lot of individual awards. So, these kiddos have put in hard work from October all the way to December, late nights, sorry parents,

020of just non-stop practice, rehearsal, and they absolutely nailed it. They performed here as well. If you were able to go see that, you would know how amazing a show they put together, and I'm very proud of each and every single one of them. So, um, first up is Genesis Antune, who got outstanding tech. Next is Jenna Betting Court. She was in charge of costumes. She did an amazing job doing the lights. We had Jenley Brown. As one of our narrators, we had Arya Costilla. As one of our zombies, we had Daniela Espinosa. On sounds, we had Leroy Felain as girl. We had Faith Gonzalez. Our props master was Stephanie Lopez. Nana was played by Delina Martinez. Getting honorable mention. All-star cast was Joshua Rosco. [applause] On makeup, we had Nalea Ramos. As a zombie, we

021had Emor Romo. And the person who got best performer was Caleb Subulva. [cheering and applause] That's best performer in the whole district, by the way. Um, then we had as our narrator Jaden Stravinho [applause] and as an honorable mention all-star cast Jadira Veneova. I just want to say one thing and then we're done. And then we're done. >> All right. I just Okay. Yeah. I just want to say um you know um Ruben Escamo was the UL director for many many years. So I'll just repeat what he said. How about that wildcat brain power and I'll add and acting because we got first place on the district. So uh thank you board. Thank you, Miss Pearson, for allowing us the opportunity to recognize these fine students here at Ciso Springs CISD. is on our agenda

022the school board recognition. So, uh to our school board president Franco, thank you for your dedication, leadership in public education and continuing service to the children of this community. to our secretary, Mr. Al Dorya. Thank you for your dedication uh and ongoing support of our students and our teachers. >> To our vice president of the school board, Mr. Michael Urigas, thank you for your dedication to public education and ex extending all of our academic outcomes. Board of Trustee, Mr. Cruz. Thank you for your dedication and leadership in public education and continuing service of our children in Gariso Springs. Board member, Mr. Jeffrey Ortiz, thank you for your dedication to our students and advancing our academic outcomes. Thank you to board member Mr. uh Noi Zarate for your dedication and your leadership and public education and

023to your service for Gadiso Springs ISD students and to our trustee Mr. Oscar Thank you sir for your dedication and leadership in public education for our students. Thank you board members. We also have our principles who would like to come up. Thank you board members for all of your support and for visiting our campuses. Our our teachers feel very well supported by administration and that's because we feel supported by you all. So again, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Um you do have some prek artwork that our prekers made in art class that says, "You make our school extra cheesy in the best way." And then your bags also have some thank you notes from our our students and some other goodies for you. Thank you. >> Um on behalf of junior high

024staff and students, thank you from the very bottom of our hearts as well for all of your support. We really do appreciate everything that um every single one of you have have done for our district, our campuses. Um big changes. Those changes have been very positive and we are very grateful for everything that you do. Thank you very much. >> I wanted to thank you all and part um in behalf of CSI. Thank you for everything you do. Uh it was a big uh change when we ended up having our you all accompany us with the walkthroughs. That was great and the teachers really did like that. So that they do feel supported and we appreciate everything that you do for us. our student council got together and they created some little bags for you

025with gift cards, a topper, and um a journal. So, thank you very much for everything you do for us every day. >> On behalf of Ciso Springs High School, thank you all for the support, for everything. You guys just look around, you'll see everything you guys are accomplishing. You just as you're driving in, you see what these guys have been working so hard. And uh I think we've been in in the depths of the high school and in the at the rooftops literally. Yes, we've been under the high school doing everything. Thank y'all. These guys and our superintendent put those rain boots on and they went underneath the high school with all the mud and we walked the the underneath and then we were on the roof. Um couple of us, our fearless leader here,

026Tamian, she just um thank y'all for the support. Thank y'all for seeing that we need that change that we need those buildings. We know and you guys ran with it and and and um I mean any extracurricular event you go to you'll see uh the investment that you guys have made. Thank you'all for that. Um our culinary arts or art or our art teachers, Miss Miss Garza, Miss uh Lupita Himenez, Miss Darien Alvarado and Miss Nicole Taylor put together that those little stands. It's got some cupcakes. It's got some fruit. It's got some uh little I don't know what kind of plant that is, but it's a plant, right? So, thank you all. Just careful because it comes apart. So, thank you. >> Come get a picture. Uh principles, please. Miss Mones, come get a

027picture. Come get a picture. >> All of our principles with our board members. >> Everybody from all the board members. We thank you each and every uh principal, every person involved in all those these goodies that are up here. We really from the bottom of our hearts appreciate it. We thank you for all those kind sincere words. Thank you. Okay, we are on um number six, announcements, communication, presentations. We have E3's construction update on the districtwide facility improvement project. President Franco, can you hear me now? Is that good? Members of the board, uh, Miss Pearson, thank you all again for giving us the opportunity uh to present another project update for y'all. Uh what we have tonight is uh just basically a uh shares of timeline where we're at with the project, another video um

028to show some of the the projects that have been implemented. We'll talk a little bit about our marketing department and what they've done uh and gotten involved with the district. Um and then we'll open it up for uh questions after that. So, um uh as um as Norm, I'm Bill Sabrina, uh business development manager. We have Ben Curley Todd here, our project manager. He just came off the buildings and and so you can see he's dressed the way he is. So, uh he's a construction manager, so that's a good thing. Uh on the timeline, the project's going great. Uh a couple of these uh you'll see, well, they're, you know, two weeks behind, whatever. We are way ahead overall in the project. I think we're like 47% complete of the project, but when we go

029through and look at them uh individually uh on the lighting, uh we're just about complete with the lighting. We are so you know, we're not real happy with how the boardroom turned out. We're going to redesign and get y'all new fixtures and everything. So, this is going to be completely redone with new lighting uh on on our part. We just were real happy how this turned out. But the rest of the district, it's gone great. uh your staff has been super to work with. Um and uh we're moving along great. On the roofing, um the roofing project, uh you can see there the high school, uh we're still looking at March 31st, so it's right on schedule. Uh on the roofing, um we're looking at the end of this month. It's showing that we're a

030month what we were originally projected, but we're okay there. Uh this is where it it went super good. uh we weren't expecting to get all of the equipment that we did early on. So, we were really able to excel uh on the HVAC side. We were projecting a July one finish. Well, we're almost completely uh done at both the the high school and the junior high with the exception of the crawl space. Those are special units, the three units at each crawl space. Um and those won't be done. We we won't get the uh get that stuff in and completed till most likely in the summertime. Um, and then, uh, I'm sorry, and over spring break, I think, is what we're looking at. Uh, two units at the high school, uh, we'll knock that out

031at spring break. Four units at the, uh, at the junior high. We'll knock that out at spring break as well. The crawl space will be done. Uh, we're still looking at that September one. The building automation always follows the HVAC because that's where you schedule that equipment. Uh, and that's uh, but we're ahead of schedule there because of uh, exceeding the the construction schedule on the HVAC. So, we're still looking at we're we're we're right on schedule. Project's moving along great. We're still looking at the uh, at the end of September to be 100% complete. Um, in addition, here's the video uh, that we had come up with. [music] >> [music] >> Heat. [music] [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] So all of that work was done over uh from the last time that we

032had presented which was over Thanksgiving holidays and Christmas holidays uh to now. So kudos to these guys. They've knocked it out of the park. really appreciate the principles and and the staff uh at the schools. We know it takes a lot of cooperation. It's construction uh and this is a big project and things happen, but you know, we we we do what we can and I think that sets us apart is how we react and and the quickness and timeliness that we do to try to correct any situation that may come up. But it's been great so far. We really appreciate um uh everything that's that's gone on so far. In addition to uh the construction project, um whenever uh at one of the conferences, um we had one of our marketing representatives that was

033there and Miss Pearson had shared with uh with her um about the student ambassadors and so they wanted to get involved. Pey u Payton wanted to get involved, our marketing team, and Miss Pearson thought it was a great idea. uh she set up a day that the we were able to come. Payton was able to come in and and had a u an E3 day with your student ambassadors, talked about the project, talked about uh what it is that E3 does, the goal of of helping the learning environment and and the pass the word. Uh but in addition to that, she talked with all the students and that was a big deal. They they enjoyed that. took him out on the field, showed them drones, uh let them fly a drone. Um so they had

034a they had a big there. Um so that was great. Um, and then we have what we call a maverick series. And again, at one of the conferences, a discussion with Payton was u u the story of uh one of the uh Ciso Springs um history folklore situation. And we call this the Maverick series. And what they do, marketing department goes around the state and there's usually three or four a year and we get into customers and their community and they together a story of something about the community and they call it the Maverick series and you can go to the E3 Facebook, Instagram um and LinkedIn pages to get this, but I wanted to go ahead and play it. I uh with Miss Pearson and she said, "Yeah, let's go ahead and do it."

035This was what she had done. Uh, and this was done at Halloween. And I'm not sure if any of y'all saw that, but this was done. >> Welcome back to our Maverick series. Since it's October, we decided to explore one of the spookier corners of Ciso Springs past. A few miles north of here is a place called Espantosa Lake. And if that name sounds eerie, it's for good reason. Espantosa means fearful in Spanish. And for generations, locals have shared stories about strange sights and sounds coming from its waters. Estosa Lake has long carried a haunted reputation. Travelers once claimed to see ghostly figures drifting through the mist, hear cries echoing across the water, and even witness disappearances. One story from this region that captures that same frontier fear is the tale of wolf girl of

036Devil's River. According to folklor, daughter of trappers whose family perished, leaving her to be raised by wolves. Accounts say settlers later spotted her running with a pack, wild, unrecognizable, and forever changed by the landscape. It's one of the many frontier legends that blur the line between civilization and the wild. A reflection of how harsh and mysterious life on the edge of Texas could be. But legends like these often said more about the people who were telling them the places themselves. For early settlers living on the edge of the frontier, the wilderness could feel unpredictable, even menacing. When faced with the unknown, stories help them make sense of what they couldn't control. Not every eerie water story belongs in the past. Ciso Springs got its name from the natural springs that flow beneath the ground, and

037those same underground waters have caused issues here at the junior high and high school. Our team at E3 is helping protect Ciso Springs Junior High and High School from water damage caused by those springs as well as many other improvements that will help make the buildings more reliable, efficient, and ready for the future. So, while the haunted waters of Espantosa Lake remain in legend, we're making sure the only thing flowing under this school is a stronger foundation for the next generation. So, this Halloween, remember, every legend starts somewhere. And here in Ciso Springs, we are honoring the stories that shape this place while creating a future that's safe, strong, and completely ghost free. From all of us here at E3, happy Halloween. And keep following along our Maverick series as we uncover the untold stories,

038people, and places that shape Texas, one Maverick stop at a time. So, uh, if you do, like I said, if you want to go, if you ever want to see that or pass that on or share that with somebody, if you go to the the E3 Facebook, LinkedIn, uh, Instagram page, uh, you can pull up Maverick Series and it'll be there for you. That's pretty much what we have and I'll answer any any uh, questions that you may have at this point. Oh, I do want to say thank you uh Miss Franco and and uh Miss Martinez for uh going with Ben and going up on the roof and checking out some of the work. So, we love anytime any of y'all want to do that, please let us know and Miss Pearson will let

039Ben know and he'll escort you all up there and check everything out. So, but I can answer any questions at this time. I got a question. Um, since you started construction uh on either school, have y'all seen anything different that y'all didn't see in the beginning? You know, we're scoping the workout. Y'all run into any trouble or any, you know, >> surprises, other issues. >> I don't think any nothing major. I think we ran some electrical things, you know, but not nothing that nothing major like, oh no, this is bad or, you know, we we pretty much I think we knew it was in bad shape to begin with underneath the building in that crawl space area and the damage was done or has been done to it, but I there hasn't been anything major

040where we go, uh oh, something's something's up and and we got some major issues. So, >> Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Thank you guys again for for the presentation. Um, couple of questions. What is the on on the roofs? What is that white surface? Is that what is that made out of? I'm just I mean, I see it in the pictures. I'm just curious what it what it's made out of. >> Yeah, it's it's just a it's like a uh like a PVC uh but it's a it's like a rubber that goes over the top and it seals basically. It doesn't allow penetration of any any water. >> How do you all lay that out? How is it laid out on top? >> Yeah, it's it's it's basically out. It's rolled out and then they they

041uh they iron it, don't they? The iron. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, it'll be it's rolled out in strips and then they basically glue it together and this fits over the over the the roof >> and all the new units. Second question, are they already operational? >> Really? >> Yes, sir. >> They were operational that first day back. >> Awesome. What is that? And I think we've asked we've asked this question. had it answered. How's that helping our maintenance folks uh with um the running of them or the the timing of them? I guess that seemed like that had been an issue timing them getting them to come >> on the on the schedules. So that that's the building automation part um that that comes at the end that'll be towards the

042end of the project. >> Okay. Um, so I think that all that is all that manually right now We're not there yet, but when will they start noticing differences in moisture in the building or is that already happening? >> Pro I imagine you're going to see some it should a little bit just whatever was coming through the roof because you had it on both ends. >> Yeah. >> Uh but until we get that crawl space done. Yes, sir. That's whenever it'll make the big difference. >> Okay. >> Uh third question. Lighting. Uh what what was going on? What in this what was the concern that y'all had in this building? I just it's the uh I don't like I don't like the way it looks with old fix. You know, a lot of times we

043retrofit, right? So, we use existing fixtures. >> Okay. >> And then when we when we retrofit these, they just don't they don't they don't look good. >> Okay. >> And we're looking at we're we're we're thinking they will be flush type mounted so it'll be flat. Fourth question, all outdoor lighting has been completed and are you guys still got some some spots to cover? >> Yeah, go ahead. >> Parking lots, things along that line. >> So, first scope of work, everything's installed, but we do have some or we're not happy with what it looks like, we're >> Yeah. or we don't like it and we're going to go back and do something about it. >> And then maybe you all can help us with this question. When >> when would be realistic time to see

044cost savings? I'm just, you know, I'm just I the >> like Anna would see that bill or something. You know, you'd see a bill. I'm just kind of being, you know, right? >> We got a bill last year. Let's compare. How when can we start comparing? When would be I think I think you'll start seeing some just from the efficiency of the units, but you're not going to see the major savings until you can schedule that equipment. >> Okay? >> So, until those controls get in there and make sure that those facil those units aren't running 24/7 or hours that they shouldn't, when you can really cut those hours down, that's when you're going to see the big savings. >> Okay. Yes, sir. Right. Right. >> Okay. And that was one of the things whenever

045they got going uh that was an issue for a day I believe or just we were notified about it. We made the change but uh because we had scheduled a certain point the unit couldn't keep up because of the humidity. So we had to drop the temperature down because it was it was a little you know the temperature was creeping up a little bit. So >> it wasn't great comfort at that point. >> Thank you. >> Yes sir. >> Pretty much it. Thank you'all very much again. I appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Number seven no start governance. U we have uh the first one will be a discussion on the [clears throat] on the our on our ad hoc ad hoc committee updates. We have three ad hoc committees which are the and

046I I'll speak on the first one which is the two-way family communication on goals and priorities. And I had a meeting with with uh Dr. And this one is kind of like going back to I think last year we kind of started where we were kind of we would go to different events that were happening and and a few a few of us board members would go and kind of just talking to parents, talking to teachers or pretty much anybody that would that we could get a hold of just to get feedback on how how we felt the school was doing. We were trying to get we're the whole point of those is to get our our um our board goals out the superintendent goals. So now that we have done that, we got our

047our feet wet. Now we want to um schedule now we want to commit to schedule where we have um when we invite parents to come in like say here at the boardroom and we discuss and and and go over our goals, the board goals, superintendent goals and can get now more into to get more into those specifically just speak on those goals, get feedback from the parents and I know and with u with Dr. He talked about uh he gave us like examples of what different schools are doing. Some schools u they have a as part of their website they have videos where the where the board members are they speak and they they have a video on their actual goals and just different different ideas you know that we have to come up with

048for us how we want to h handle our um family communication different things that we want to do to spreading and giving information on our goals. So, it's coming. Uh the other committee is the schoolboard governance policy committee. I don't know which board member wants to speak on that one. Just if you met with Dr. who's on Okay. The other the other one on the schoolboard school is the other committee. Anybody wants that? >> And that one, President Franco, I did as you visited with Dr. Ramos and and quickly that would be for any potential uh community members who are interested in running for school board and uh educating them on what it is up here. behind this podium and and he will be sending us information on how to inform those folks and help

049them along. We got election right around the corner. So, looking forward to it. >> Thank you. So, we're still continuing, you know, we're still meeting with Dr. Ramos on those to get those going. So, we'll be um giving more information on those as as we start those and get those going. um January 26. Uh next one we'll go on to is the board goals and goal progress measures. Uh number one, goal two through four overall target benchmark data. >> Good evening, President Franco, Superintendent Pearson, and Ciso Springs School Board. Um just to further echo the statements of today, thank you so much for everything that you do for our staff, for our students um especially for your continued time and energy and efforts that go into instruction. So we have some good data um to

050share with you. So this is a snippet of our board monitoring calendar. We are currently at our January meeting. Um so as Mrs. Franco mentioned, we will be discussing our benchmark data for goals two through four that speak to our overall targets, which are third grade reading and math and seventh grade. So to begin with our goal two, the percentage of third grade students who score meets above on the star reading assessment will increase. Um our endofear goal for 2026 is 37% meets. So our first u data point to share is our reading benchmark one for third grade rla. So you'll see here that we have two bars. The purple is indicative of our current year while the yellow is last year's. So very similar timeline for these two assessments um that were taken in

051late mid November. So our data indicates that we are um showing an increase in our outcomes from year to year. Our population of all students came in at 27% meets for benchmark one. Our economically disadvantaged at 26% and our sped population at 7%. What you'll see above the purple bar is a star that indicates our projection because as you know this benchmark data um is a full released star exam that students take while not all content has been covered for the grade level. Um so based on our yearly targets that are indicated on the table below, we are projected to surpass that goal um of the uh 37%. I'd like to speak to the inputs working well specifically to this third grade RLA data. So what we're seeing at elementary is increased teacher and student

052enga engagement across all classrooms. This really is applicable to all content. um as we are very much in the classrooms especially um our principles and curriculum specialists. Um aside from this continuous collaboration on instructional strategies, I believe it was our last um board meeting where the third grade team was recognized for being an exceptional team in regards to the collaboration and the effort that they're putting forth um regarding the improvement of instruction targeted professional development. Um, we did have Lead Forward come in as soon as we came back from break um to give us all really great um and easy student engagement strategies that can be implemented on a daily basis. And we were seeing those as we're going into classrooms right after um this session. And um lastly, the instructional leadership team which is

053comprised of our administrators at elementary um and our curriculum specialists are really aligned um and implementing a consistent best practice system. So, not only are they going into classrooms, but having the coaching conversations with teachers um as soon as possible thereafter. It's really been a a beautiful process to see um and how they bring in the walkthrough data to provide further implementation of how that's going to inform instruction for that upcoming week. So, they're going into the classroom seeing what what may need a tweak or or two um and implementing that into cluster weekly. So kudos um to our elementary team regarding our inputs needing more attention. Um and this is a cyclical process because as you know our job is never done. So strengthening tier one instruction to ensure consistent and high quality core

054instruction in all of our classrooms. Implementing a more systematic progress monitoring process specific to interventions. So ensuring that that we are providing that support for our students. Embedding more writing throughout the instructional day. So, all of our STAR tests and our first one, our kiddos take STAR for the very first time in third grade have a writing component which is worth 10 points. Um, it's very it's very important and vital that our students write every day as a part of every lesson in order to be prepared um for this ECR and an SCR, which is a short constructed response. And lastly, inclusion of our special education department in cluster walkthroughs and ILT, um, which is our instructional leadership team. So just ensuring that we are providing supports um and having the conversation for all students

055and including all voices at the table. Any questions specific to third grade RLA? Okay, thank you. I will continue with third grade math. So for our star math, our meets goal for the end of year for 2026 is 30%. Based on our benchmark one data again taken u mid November we are in progress to meet this goal. So we are um with this benchmark data our students scored very similarly from year to year based on this 4% um however we are anticipating a growth in our projection uh to 23% uh hence the in progress. So aside from this, we also have our beginning of year map data that provides us um with these projections. We'll also have uh more information when we take our middle of your tests which will be February uh last week

056of January um first two weeks of February. Um so we are uh we are hopeful um that we will meet this goal by end of year and we'll have more information to provide after that February assessment. Regarding our inputs working well for math specific to third grade, we have our student work analysis. So our teachers are bringing in student work, analyzing how students are answering and ensuring that the processes and procedures um that are most impactful to increase student outcomes are occurring in our classrooms. Um similar to reading to RLA increase and student engagement. Uh strengthened planning planning focus on key lesson components. So, our third grade teachers uh really do a great job of asking one another what's the best way to execute this specific lesson component. Um, and our curriculum specialist uh does

057a phenomenal job of ensuring that there's enough time uh to every key component of the lesson and that teachers have enough time to really walk through the lesson with one another um and practice their instruction. And lastly, u clear learning targets and success criteria consistently embedded within math lessons. And it's one of our look fors as well regarding inputs needing more attention. Um strengthen scaffolded supports to accelerate students performing below grade level toward grade level proficiency because our goal is meats for all of our students. Increase the use of hands-on learning tools to support student understanding. So looking when you think about elementary math um they need to manipulate physical hands-on objects, right? It's not just about numbers um and thinking about the numbers, you know, it's more so using their hands uh and really

058having hands-on learning. Um and lastly, just to ensure that instructional supports and interventions are aligned uh to identify student needs. So the data that I present to you today is merely one data point um but there are many that inform the happenings in the classroom and really what's being tweaked and altered um to ensure that our students thrive. Any questions over our third grade math data? >> Yes sir. on that last column. >> No sir, there was not on the special education column. No sir, not for uh this school year or the or current. >> Yes sir, that is our projection. >> I have a question based on like you know how from one is from last year to this year since they're kind of similar was it mainly the same objectives, same type of

059skills that you see that are that were still that that the results are kind of staying the same. >> I can't speak. Miss Garcia might be able to speak a little bit better to specific standards. Um, yes, for math >> for math. Just last week, that's what we looked at. We looked at the benchmark and then the module assessments. And it's uh the one the one tak that keeps coming up is one to two steps addition and subtraction which then leads to the uh multiplication and division one to twostep problems. So we were able to kind of track that back even to like kinder first and second and identify that those one and twostep problems as as and and kind of how to see the progression to where it impacts third grade. So, so far

060of the standards that we've tested, that's the one standard that keeps coming up. Any other questions for third grade math? Thank you, Miss Garcia. >> Thank you. And our final goal, our goal four is for our seventh grade students to increase um our meets above grade level on star math for 2026 to 43%. So we are on track um to meet this goal. Uh we are happy to present an increase from benchmark to benchmark. Uh so we do we have seen growth um between the two assessments. Of course it's a different cohort of students but still nice to see where we are in the year. Um so based on where our benchmark data landed our projection is that is 45% meets um to surpass that 43% goal. Um for economically disadvantaged 38% is our projection

061um to surpass that 33% goal and our our sped projection will be 10%. So short of that 23% goal. Um hence our need to address our ensuring that our students are receiving all supports necessary to to be on grade level. So, our inputs working well for our seventh grade math. Um, collaboration through cluster focused on data analysis and instructional strategies, which is a very strong practice in place um that we do see uh very often. Calibration walkthroughs to monitor instructional practices and student engagement. Um, I do want to give kudos not only to our administrators at junior high, but our NIT um specialists u Miss Jessica Worthington and Cassandra Carter. uh who are present with us today. They do a phenomenal job of ensuring that not just our principles but our assistant principles um receive

062support because as if you've stepped onto our campuses, you know that they're being called and pulled 100 directions, but setting individual time um and allowing us to come together and work through uh what we're seeing in the classrooms uh has really been a lot of fun and a great support. Um coaching support and feedback to improve classroom instruction. Uh what's what I'd really like to point out um as I was working with Miss Gavara and Dr. Guusman um they've put special time into developing uh paraprofessional instructional skills to increase effectiveness during core instruction and intervention. And so we're meeting specifically u with our pair of professionals that are in our classrooms and how how can you best support um the acquisition of this knowledge while you're in uh you know in the classroom with our

063teachers and utilization of adaptive programs to support students at all levels. Um we are fortunate to use um K12 and it's a really great program because it adapts based on the students NWA score at the beginning of the year. meaning that while all students can be working on the computer at the same time, it is adaptive um to their skill level and it's providing them with supports uh to get to that tier one level. Um if you think about it, the way that we've seen it really utilized the best is that students work in station rotations. We have a couple of them on the computer. We have another one working on a group project with a leader um that's a really strong uh individual. And then our teacher gets to work specifically with a group

064of students as well. And just a rotation so everybody gets that individualized teacher time uh has been the way that we've seen it most effective. Regarding our inputs needing more attention um strengthening our tier one instruction again that is a goal and a need and will always will be student instruction. So ensuring that students are when we come to secondary and really we see this at elementary levels as well. Um but our students are leading the learning is is um really one of our goals. Um and facilitating that learning emphasis on progress monitoring uh targeting priority skills to ensure increased student outcomes. So the work that we've been doing um and I've been at all the campuses these last couple weeks. Everybody's running really fast right now. It's a great time to be an educator

065because we got back from break and we're hyped up and it's like what do we need to do? So everybody has a lot of energy right now. Um, and every school that I've been at, um, these last couple weeks is looking at data specifically and asking teachers, okay, now what? How are we going to target the students? And it's really at the student level. Um, and lastly, a we have a hyperfocus um on our spread population, ensuring that we are planning purposefully and emphasizing that in-class support and targeted interventions to ensure that our students are reaching those goals and those outcomes that we have set for them. Any questions on our seventh grade math data? We are really happy to report where we are right now. While this is just a snippet to inform our

066goals two, three, and four, um we have the taper presentation next month and the following month, so March, uh we'll really h be able to provide insight uh into our middle of year data. That's been the most accurate predictor of how we will do at the end of year. So, we're really looking forward to our outcomes. Um, but the work that's being done at all of our campuses really is something to celebrate and I have nothing but great things to say about our administrators and teachers that really have been putting effort to supporting our students. >> I don't have a question. I just want to say something. Thank you for the data you writing for us today. U also just want to let y'all know that on the needs, you know, if there's anything need

067or teachers or need as far as materials or anything, you know, don't hesitate to reach out to Miss Pearson to the principles, you know, get that material because at the end of the day, we all have that one goal, right, to reach our goals or surpass our goals. But, you know, great job and the data together don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything to get those kids where they need to be at. >> Thank you, Mr. Ortiz. We appreciate that. >> Thank you, What is the date of uh the next benchmark you guys >> uh like as in benchmark two or >> two? I'm sorry. Yeah, >> they vary uh Mr. Urigas because it they are set by the campus. So, some of our campuses will be doing benchmark 2, some will not.

068Some will exclusively be using that map data and their mid-m module assessments. So, I know junior high does have a a benchmark too. Um Mrs. Gavado, would you happen to have that date off hand? I believe it's February. And we'll have some you said you'll have some info in the March board meeting. >> Yes. So >> how correct asked correctly >> when you after you take benchmark how long how soon do you get your info? >> So we instantly uh with the exception of our reading data. Our reading data does have to be scored the ECRS. So that takes a little bit more time a couple days. But for example, for our middle of year data, we the window closes on February 13th since we don't have kiddos on that Friday. Um, so we'll get

069the data as soon as we close the window. So it will it would be compiled by the following week. >> So Miss Pearson, we don't necessarily need to have a board meeting. You can share with us. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> Yes. Yes, sir. >> What was the other thing you mentioned the other way that it's going to be measured not not with benchmarks? What did you say >> the map? So the our measures of academic progress that NWA exam that we do okay when we got a projected proficiency at beginning of year in September >> right so we value that but it's also in September but that middle ofear projection based on last year's it was the closest within 5% at most of our um content areas so we really use that data to

070inform our accountability rating um for the end of the school year to you know our our overall achievement for the I'm sorry I didn't send these questions in, but >> yeah, that's that's that's yeah, that's it right there. I'm sorry I didn't send these questions in. They're just coming to mind. Um, when we're getting to these points like they say like February, how how do we let our parents know, okay, moms and dads, Johnny Joe's right here, Johnny Joe's here. You know what? We got to keep them informed. What is that a principal question to ask? >> It is. I can start on it, but my principles are are happy to elaborate. I know they have a lot of initiatives. Uh we speak as we're talking about data points, we're very much leveraging the student

071goal and ensuring that the conversation is happening with the student. Um regarding the the parent approach, I know CSI for example starting project elevate u very soon. Um so ensuring that those students today today so ensuring that those students um you know are getting that extra time. I would imagine that you know in that paperwork that that that's being sent home. Miss Garcia is about to add on to this too. But >> and for elementary we do have two required parent conferences that we have to have with our parents. And so right after the first six weeks was our first round. We have report card night. Then after MAPS testing, that'll wrap up the the this coming six weeks and then we'll have our second round of parent conferences. And so for that time, we

072schedule time during the week during the school day so that uh teachers can come in visit uh parents can come into the school visit with the teachers and then we print out those maps reports for them. So that'll be how we'll communicate that. And for our campus, we started at the beginning of the year. Our kids have a um it's called a passport and so it has their information. So they're tracking their information on there and they can take that home. The teachers also share that information with parents. So um that is how we're doing it. And so we also started our uh project elevate. And so we have targeted students that we're working on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday >> after school. >> Yes. >> Okay. That was that was kind of my >> Yeah.

073Well, we we rebranded it. So, it's not extended day. It is project elevate. >> You you do some of that throughout the school day, correct? For those kids. Yeah. And then really really >> We have two different times. So, we have our um wind time, which is our what I need time. And so sometimes some of those kiddos are getting intervention at another time of say if they're getting speech. So, they're pulled out and they're not in the classroom with the teacher. So, then we get them when they have their MTSS time. So then we also are getting them after school >> benchmark results. We're having our um um star night and we actually we we're planning it after benchmarks because that's where the parents get those individual scores, individual results. And so it's a

074parent thing in the evening. That's with ours >> and my colleagues. You see how I segueed that we we still that's part of our our governance with Dr. We got to go. We need to the parents need to hear from us as well and how we're teaming up with them. We haven't done that yet. Colleagues, I'm just >> It's coming. It's coming. >> I know. Let's go. I'm ready. Thank you. >> Um for junior high, it would be the same thing. Uh we do the family engagement night and we do provide the maps reports. Um and for some parents that are not able to attend, we do mail the reports to them. Um, we also have certain parents that we call uh after speaking to students and setting goals to make sure uh because we're

075having very intentional conversations with those students and want to make sure that the parents are on board with the goals and the expectations that that have been set uh with the students. So, uh, some of them are phone calls and, um, conferences as well as, um, sending copies home, uh, either with students or we send them in the mail. >> Mr. Yu, I I would like to add that I know, uh, being a board priority of of increased, you know, communication with our families. That map report that we get that is required to be sent home is a beautiful and easy to explain report. It's colorcoded. It has a bar graph and it says on track, we're not. It's a great report and as I mentioned, it is the closest predictor um that we found

076to be very accurate. So, it's I'm happy to meet with you all um and show you that in more detail and it it would be a really good report to build off of. >> And I I said that a few meetings back that the information that you you all are sharing with us is what we can take and help you to inform the parents >> what we need to do, Miss Funk. >> Absolutely. >> Sorry. It's on it's on us. We we have a we have a responsibility to do that. So I just want to keep reminding my colleagues. >> Yes. And let us know however we can support >> those parents. >> Yes sir. That helps us get feedback from the parents if they're getting that information or if they want to. That's a

077good time for them >> to get the information or what we can do to help them get it. And >> you know >> Yes. I want to add um during our 504 meetings and our ARD meetings, we do share that data with the parents and they're really great reports. They're very easy to understand. They're colorcoded and uh parents really do appreciate uh that data that that's shared with them. >> If you'll let me, I'd like to just add one thing. Miss Dr. Dava, Mr. and the whole Miss, they've all been going to the campus. They were just in walks doing calibration walks last week. But one of the things we've done intentionally this year that's a little bit different to align with our school board goals is accountability meetings. And so they had a whole

078entire round at all of the campuses on looking at the teacher by teacher and looking at the data. What's been really awesome is that the teachers were in those meetings and we're trying to really streamline this for the teachers so that they understand TIA which is a teacher incentive a lotment and how student outcome and their test evaluations how it's all tied together and um while unfortunately I was not able to attend those meetings I did hear that they were very positive and the teachers were really excited about the data that was shared with them And also there is a report card for teachers through TIA. So that's my main point is that it's a trickle down. The teachers are sharing goal setting report type of reports with the students and now the principles are

079going to be able to share the same type of goal setting reports with the teachers because with TIA it's all based on their data the student data and that's up and coming and that's really very exciting that the the team is really making it make sense and on the same make it makes sense to them. But thank you team. >> Thank you Miss Gr. >> Thank you. Thank you. Next we have our superintendent guardrails and guardrail progress measures. Uh number one superintendent guardrail 5 GPM 5.2 hiring compliance and certification verification. >> Thank you board president and school board members. So this is for the guard five which is a superintendent shall not show favoritism toward no confer any preferential treatment upon any relative or employee in matters related to hiring promotion or assignment to higher

080positions within the school system. Specifically to guard row 5.2 which is our hiring compliance and certification verification. And so the goal is to increase from 70% May of 2024 to 100% by May 2026. So currently the district has a total of 132 teachers. 125 are fully certified teachers. Three are permanent substitutes. Uh they are in the alternative certification program in good standing. So they started the They have no certification at this time. Three intern certificates. They are also in an alternative certification program. They're working towards that standard certificate, but they are in good standing. And they do have that intern certificate that is good to hold them for two years for completion. Of course, you know, you always want to get them to try to in that first year. And we have one emergency permit

081also an alternative certification program in good standing. And so the is not yet fully certified. Really, it says three there, but really it should be six because we do have three on certificate. But the intern certificate again is good for them. They're working toward that standard certificate. Our current hiring compliance rate is 97.7. And all non-certified placement teachers, they all meet TA and state board of education requirements. They're monitored by our HR team, our HR director, Mrs. and our HR specialist Jennifer is on and they all have a defined pathway to certification. So you can see our numbers here as far as the permanent subs. So those would be the ones that currently hold a certificate not even an intern certificate you can see our numbers and how we've decreased and four years ago we

082were at 12 and we are at three right now. So we really are moving towards that goal of 100% and that came out of the 89th legislation. It does require that all four subjects math, reading, science, be fully certified by 2028. If they're not, then we would have to get what's considered a waiver and that would have to be board approved. And so really, our goal is to not have to do that. And so what are our risk mitigation and monitoring things that we're doing is verifying certification prior to placement that there's a plan of action that they're all working towards that alternative uh certification that their alternative certification program enroll enrollment and progress are monitored closely and there are some good programs and so our HR talks with those individual teachers about those programs

083that will assist them towards that full certification. Emergency permits limited and tracked documentation maintained for audit review and then our path to that 100% compliance is to support completion of that alternative certified requirement. So meeting with those individuals regularly ensuring that they're progressing. There are reports that our HR director can get on and look at. They can look to see if they completed any modules. Uh they're able to to ensure that the teacher continues to be motivated and then final certification verification prior to reporting. So that is our information on our hiring and compliance with certification verification. Any questions? >> Again, I'm sorry I didn't send these in. They're all coming to mind after I read this. Um what are the some of the programs we're working with? >> Miss Gonzalez, can you Sorry for

084you. >> Okay. And again, I'm sorry I didn't send these questions earlier. I apologize. Um, of the of those that are are in programs and don't mention, you don't have to say grade levels. What areas are are they what departments are they working in? You don't Yeah. Math. I don't don't say grade levels, but just just >> science and math. >> Science, math. >> All of our all of the high to fill positions. >> Yeah. The hard to fill spots. You know, I would say we I I don't I don't have the number in front of me, but we would be in the 140, Miss Pearson, to 135 with that's kind of been maybe 142 to 135 range. I know. So, you could do the the math, right? So, you could do the percentage of

085those that were not, you know, what we had that that year. So if you want to do an average of 140 >> right Mr. U >> it's also fair to say that four years ago our enrollment was closer to about 1,900 >> probably about >> close about 2,000 >> probably close to 2000 >> yes ma'am maybe a little over >> we're currently at 1817 >> right has taken a dip >> the last four years it's declined Yes. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I have a question. Um, out of the 12 uh permanent substitute during 2022 and 2023, how many have acquired certification still with us or are they replaced with with >> That's a great question. >> Coming from outside with certification. >> That's a great question. I do I can think of of three off

086the top of my head that did did stay and that is typical that if they are working on an ACP with us they they typically do commit to staying with us for uh you know two to three years. I can also think of a couple that did not remain and and either left the community or decided that uh education was just not for them and so u decided to to try their uh their use their talents elsewhere. get that data for you? >> Yes, I happy to get that data. I can get it to you before the end of the night. >> Do um again I'm sorry didn't write this down. I I just recall these folks are do are do they stay in touch with you these a the Texas teachers and are they

087good with keeping >> they actually Texas teachers has gotten better. They have developed a a portal. So um and and I that's new I haven't had the opportunity to do that because I would have to call and it was very difficult because that is the largest one if you can imagine across the state of Texas that's the largest one and so it was a challenge to to reach out to them. It would usually typically take a day or two before I before I would get information back from them. But now with a portal I'm getting actually regular emails. You have so many candidates and and they're at this stage. So, and I can go in and look at the portal to see where they stand. And that way I can send comm, you know, instant

088communication to them. Hey, according to the the portal information I'm receiving, you're you're at XYZ position or hey, you need to make sure you get the modules done or hey, I see you're testing next week. You know, those kinds of things. So, that that's great because I don't have to call and wait. It's right there at my my uh fingertips, so to speak. Do they come into the districts on the campus? Folks from these >> That's a great question. I don't I don't Mr. Gthu has a few. I think they still do. They they do have to come out. They still do have to come out and and right observe and and talk to them and make sure that they're, you know, keeping track. So I I know again because there are so many throughout

089again throughout the state of Texas, it's it's not easy, but they they are required to do that or else, you know, you can't check that box for their certification. >> Um process, right? >> Question. >> Yes, sir. >> Do you still post those positions? >> Um, >> we Miss Pearson and I discussed that dependent upon who is in that in that position and where they are in the program. Um, if we're posting the positions. Yes, ma'am. If they sign a permanent sub for the year, then we keep them there a lot in part because of the relationship and that we want to lessen any disruption for the students. So if they're on boarded and they're working towards their certification and they're in good standing, we leave them for the year. That's the way the district

090has been doing it and we have the >> we have the standard sheet that they sign the three the three permanent subs just the three >> and then anyone Yes. Thank you. >> the others are certified. It's just not a full standard certificate intern certificate or >> correct emergency. >> Right. And then we are required by law um to send out letters for anyone who is in a classroom who's not certified. and um in cooperation with federal programs the and the principles and myself, we do an excellent job of making sure that those those letters are sent out >> every year on an annual basis. >> And we had this discussion back in August. What how are we paying these folks? Are they getting full teacher salary or we're doing the percentage? >> Percentage. Okay.

091>> And that also uh is required by now through the 89th legislation. So, Springs was already doing that prior to the 89th legislation, but now it's actually law. They cannot get the same. >> Okay. Thanks. >> All right. Thank you. Okay, we'll go on to item eight, superintendent briefing. >> Thank you. Always my favorite part, highlighting our district. So, we had our UIL junior high. Way to go. Congratulations on that first place for district. We did have several students that also got individual uh best performance. Caleb, allar Elena, honorable mention, allar Joshua and outstanding tech. And then our staff development on January 5th, we kicked off with the lead forward training on high yield strategies. Al, we had very good positive um feedback from our teachers. We had Stephanie Zel who led the sessions and

092we had a lot of interaction. Teachers were up and moving exactly what we want to see in the classroom with our students. National Law Enforcement Day on January 9th where we acknowledge our police uh department that does an outstanding job for us and all of the campuses did a great job recognizing the officers of their campuses. And then we're so excited. This was hot off the press just a couple weekends ago. advances to all state. Um he'll have the honor of also performing at the very prestigious TMEA conference and so we're very excited to to see him be a part of that and he earned that second chair. Uh all of our students that went did very well and so we hope to be able to recognize him in an upcoming board member board meeting

093excuse me. Our uh seniors attended a leadership conference at Tammyu with myself and Mr. Roland Alvarez. So these were our seniors at the 21st South Texas Ramirez Emanuel Gos leadership conference. They did a great job representing Spring C and a great opportunity of learning and something they could put on their resume. And then we also had this past weekend our Dimmit County Junior Stock Show. We had about 132 students and uh it was a great event started Thursday through Saturday. Um I know that there are many of you who are a part of that. I was so impressed with our students, their hard work, their dedication, the character that they display, um the many skills they learn being a part of of of 4 and of just are, you know, uh being able to showcase

094the work that they do. They definitely inspire us every day and we're we're very grateful for a community that stands so strongly behind them. Uh everybody came out from teachers, families, community, all of our oil It was an incredible. >> I'm so sorry, forgot to give the bond update. So for the bond uh for our two new schools 2023 bond for the CSI and the CSC, we are at 100% construction document completion. We did meet with our principles, our directors, our teachers to review all of the documents. We do have guaranteed maximum price for a special call board meeting on February 3rd. Uh this will include TWWs Butler Cohen who is our Seymar and architects. Uh right before the 4day holiday, they were at about 65% on the bids. TWWs is our district representative as

095hired by the board. So they are in those meetings making sure that we're getting the best value while they're bidding for these. Um they had about 35% to go. I would imagine they're pretty close and we should be able to have the presentation to the board hopefully here in the next week uh to be able to do that final push for our two new schools. We also have our groundbreaking scheduled for Wednesday, February 4th at 10 a.m. and we're very much looking forward to that. >> Thank you, Miss Pearson. Uh next, uh we have the uh financial briefing. >> Uh good evening. Uh our financial update is as of December 31st of 2025 which we're four months into the new fiscal year about 33% of the of the that has passed. Uh in our summary

096executive summary you can see for the general fund um we have collected about 71% of our revenue. Uh our expenses are at about 14%. Obviously, the reason is because our chapter 41 payment is, you know, not yet processed. Um, but net of without that, we're about 26% of of the um expenses passed. So, we're under our as far as time pass, we're we're below. So, that's good. On food service, we have revenue collections of about 38%. Expenses are right about 33% which is right on target for the year. uh and interest in syncing were collected about 75% but we make those bond payments in in February. So you'll see that uh here in the next few months as we pay those out. If we look at the fund balance recap right underneath you'll see that

097our general fund uh audited fund balance obviously subject to review and approval tonight at the board meeting to today. Our uh general fund fund balance as of August 31 is 19,941450 and then for current fiscal year as of December we've collected revenue of 41.9 I mean I'm sorry 41.5 million uh we've collected the 5 million which was the maintenance tax note funds our year-to- date expenses that is not pardon Yes, you're correct. The the our year-to- date expenses, I'm looking at the next page on 26 is 8,875212. And so, uh you're right that that changes the uh math on that. So, our total uh revenue over expenses are 37.7 million for the year. If we look at the general fund, I I'm sorry. If we look at the food service, food service is on the

098next page. If you go one more, please. Uh, one more. There we go. I'm sorry, back one. Okay. Uh, food service collections for the year uh, for the as of December 31 of 2025 are 41,590. I'm sorry, I'm on the wrong I'm not looking up there. So, for food service, we're at 742,645 and our expenses are 717,322. So, we're ahead revenue over expenses for food service as of December by 25,323. Okay. And if you look on the next page for debt service, our collections are 7,743,954. And of course, we have not uh paid our bond payment yet. And then our next page, you'll see the construction fund. So in construction fund, our revenue collections are 1,322663. Our expenses are at 7,32943. Uh so we're you know over our revenue by 6 million as far as

099revenue over expenses are for this year. Our audit at the end of the year as of 831 uh was 95 million851513. So that is before these expenses for through December of course. And so if you look at the recap on that for uh construction fund as of December 31 like I mentioned our uh fund balance is 95.851 our revenue at 1.1 expenses of 7.3. So our projected fund balance as of December 31 at this point is right at 89 million844203. Next page. Uh here I'm just presenting a recap to the board our um board budget amendments that have been approved so far. Uh on the 5 million that you see there, that is the uh maintenance tax note, but we did receive the the income and revenue of course because it was the loan proceeds.

100So we do have that. And it's just a recap of where we are. And you'll see uh the bottom two board budget amendments are pending approval which are uh part of our uh a later agenda item for today. On the next page, you'll see a recap of our special maintenance projects. At the beginning of the year, the board approved um 200,000 in this area. And unless they change cross function, they're subject to board approval. If not, I I bring them back to let you know uh if we've had anything that we've processed uh so far, but we do have uh three so far that have come through uh in October and in November. We had the technology firewall uh the HVAC and athletics and then currently uh subject to board approval uh for the junior

101high chiller repair um item. So, our balance is at about 122758. Okay. And then uh on this next page, I went ahead and updated a interest worksheet so that it could be a little bit moreformational for you. On the top part for by fund, I'm showing here uh the amounts for the year, you know, September, October, November, and December. For general fund, interest, and syncing, we have two construction funds. And then the board had approved the Texas connect. We started uh investing there and then a year to date across all funds. But on the right hand side I'm totaling the three construction funds interest. And you can see what we've been collecting roughly per month. You know 353 324 319 and 325 are the amounts there for a year-to- date uh amount of interest for

1021 million 322662. Then also what I did on the bottom just kind of a year by year from 2023 to 2023 2023 2024 2024 2025 but this is all funds. It's not just construction fund. It's all funds kind of like the top but I'm just taking the total putting it at the bottom year by year. So you can kind of see where where we were before um the big money which was about 3.4 4 million and then we went up to six million in collections and then another 6.7 million and then where we are right now. So it gives you a rough idea of what we're collecting and then uh Miss Pearson on the budget workshop calendar would would you like to discuss that? It's uh right now subject to change but these are our

103plan dates for our budget workshops starting with February the 19th. We'd like to start off with the district plan and goals and per uh show some historical student enrollment ADA what our property values have been but of course you know it's historical uh as far as the property values you know what matters is going to be what we receive in April which will really guide our revenue and then of course our certified ones in July but we still want to show you uh some of that information >> and we get our projections miss Diaz at the end of the month >> uh yeah We'll get in April the 30th is when we get our first certified preliminary property values. >> We'll have some projections. >> Yeah, we'll have some projections as well. Yes. >> And

104so I don't know if you want to discuss the calendar, but it's really just you know it's >> budget season. So we will start our meetings with our principles and our directors. We'll start having our staffing meetings with our campus. So we do all of that work and we did three budget workshops last year that we felt worked really well. So we're kind of just mimicking the same uh schedule. And so our uh this is our recommendation. Our recommendation is to have our first budget workshop on that Thursday, February 19th. Uh and then to have our second budget workshop on May 21st and then our third budget workshop on August 11th. Yes ma'am. Our proposed. >> Yes ma'am. >> For which one? Uh yes. If you'll look at the at the very next page, um,

105look, can you go to the slide that shows executive summary? Yes. So, if you look at the the year expenditure, which you're correct, it's an error. The 391, it's picked up. Um, I what happened is I added a line to include the facility acquisition. And so when I added it, it didn't pick up the correct uh that's my error. Go back one more, please. One more. Uhhuh. One more. Right there. So, uh, yes. So, it should be 8,875 212. And so, this sheet shows you the this is ties to our accounting system. So, that one is the correct one. It just didn't lead forward and I apologize for that question. >> Yes sir. >> on on the revenues and expenditures. I noticed there was there is a revision both on the budget and on the

106expenditures or appropriation. >> Yes. >> Like on on the revenue budget is 57.3 and the revised budget is 58.4. >> Yes. >> So I think the the 1.2 something that we got from >> Yes. Ed here. >> Yes sir. >> However on the expenditure appropriation from 56.4 million uh we are going to revise it to 62.7. >> Yes sir. >> For a difference of around 6 million. >> Yes sir. So if you look >> what what was the >> So if you look at the uh budget recap page that I sent that I sent uh keep scrolling down please on the slide >> I notice um on it 81 construction 4.9 million is this the maintenance not >> yes and the reason for that is because it was originally 5 million but 89,000 or so

107is part of the financing But if I remember right, our first payment will be on February 2027. So I guess >> are you talking about the expense of the maintenance? >> Let me look. >> Yes. the principal and interest payments will start by >> Yes, I I understand what you're asking. Um the the principal interest payment to repay the maintenance tax note. You're correct. We will be budgeting that beginning with the 26 and the 27 year. This part here is our payment uh to e to E3 the the 4.9 million, right? >> Senator 4.9. >> Yes, we're paying that portion of the five million out of the general fund. That's this part. >> So, we're budgeting this expenditure for them. Then in the 26 and 27 year, you will see us budget under the debt

108service principle and interest to repay that 5 million. Yes. So, we we do we will need to record this here as we pay them. And so in fact uh in the next board meeting you'll probably see our our bills uh because right now the when you look at the vendor payment for vendors above 50,000 the amounts that we've paid E3 so far have been out of a construction and then we're about to pay now that the proceeds have come in we're going to pay the next 4.9 million out of the general fund. Right. And then we'll go back to continue to pay them out of the construction fund. But you you are correct that we will see the bond payment out of general fund budgeted in the 2627 school year. >> I also have a

109question on the investment. Maybe you can ask me because um um they are investing on long-term maturities which has lower interest than the overnight uh overnight investment. Yeah, we can >> we can certainly do that, sir. And I think uh when we have our next meeting, we can also and in invite you to be a part of that uh because we do cover those and sometimes we've asked that same question as well. And it's because of how we're diversifying. So I know that our main goal is to gain interest, but also according to our investment policies and strategies, we also are supposed to be diversified. But uh I'll definitely ask that question again and see if we can kind of move the other direction a little bit as well. >> Last question on on the

110budget workshop. Are we going to do um the same workup or a zero budget? >> I would have to ask u how we're going to um develop that differently but currently uh we are planning to meet with everyone. Um the way I feel a zerobased budget is is we're going to start with what we need. So one the biggest area is our staffing. So the staffing is going to start at the very very beginning uh with the um what the staffing that they need vacancies and so on and so forth. And so Miss Pearson through uh Miss Gonzalez and uh Mr. Tamantes and Miss Urigas, they'll determine you know kind of a a combined um approach to to meeting those goals based on what the student needs are. But regarding the non-payroll pieces, uh what

111I understand a zerobased budget is is we're not going to roll forward their budgets. They're going to have to show what they're spending on and where and how they need it. So the way we do that is with our accountant, Miss Velasquez, we work with our principles and directors and we show them what their expenses have been and we can we work with them. we visit with them and we they're making notes because every time we meet with them and and we have a finance meeting, you know, I'm telling them, oh, make a note of that for your budget if that's what you're going to need next year. And so they're aware of what they need. So when they uh compile their needs assessment this year, they'll complete it and they'll identify what their needs

112are based on what their goals are for student achievement and the goals that they set forth, which those goals will be reviewed with Miss Pearson as well. and then they develop their budget. But we're not rolling forward budgets. We start with a new budget. And I hope that that's what you're asking me. Um, if I explain that correctly, any other questions? Thank you, Miss. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we'll go on to item 10, approval of consent agenda items. If we can ask what maint 25 We got a letter from TA saying that we were not complant with our maintenance of effort. And so at that time, Miss Dope was here. She brought it forth. At that time, it was about 240,000 or so. There's three different tests that you can run. And one of

113them being if employees um if positions change. So she submitted some with the help of HR and finance. They identified some employees and benefits uh that that could qualify for sped. And so she sent that in. and we we did get credit for that. But basically in a nutshell, what this is is that we we accept federal money for IDA part B um for special education. And because we received that federal money, a little over 400,000, uh we are required to by the state to meet maintenance of effort. And what that means is that whatever we spend on a special education student one year, we have to spend the same amount the following year. And so what is happening with special education is that our number of students and our percentages keep increasing year after

114year. So just from last year to this year to give you an example, we're close to 15% which is above the state average for special education, we grew um Miss Diego might might have the number right off the top of her head, but I want to say it's somewhere between about 35 between 35 and 40 students just from last year to this year. So, uh, to put it in perspective, if last year we had a hundred students and we'd spent $100,000 for them, which we spent way more than that, but just we would have to when you do the math, we have to spend the same amount for kids. So, if we grow 50 more students, we can't spend a hundred,000 anymore. We've got to spend more because it has to equal the same amount

115per student. So, in 23 24 um it always is going to lag a year when TA is monitoring and auditing your amount. We did not that maintenance of effort. So TA sent us a certified letter saying that they reviewed they did their full review and their full compliance review and that we owe them a refund for that amount because we did not meet our maintenance of effort. And so um we're also required to put a plan of action in place on how we're going to monitor the maintenance of effort. And so that's basically in a nutshell. We didn't spend the amount of money and found us not in compliance and therefore we have to refund that amount because it was they basically are saying that they they gave overpaid us and so we owe that

116money back. >> How how did we get the money? Did we uh apply to program proposal? >> Yes sir. So in the summer when we submit our grants that we we did submit the grant for the federal IDA part B >> and what particular program? federal federal I mean I'm sorry special education >> federal education >> IDA payroll or other >> uh you can put it in payroll or you can put it in uh special education resources and materials and so when we submitted our application in 2324 uh you just submit that you want to accept the funds I don't know if you have to submit it by by categories I don't believe you do you just submit the application saying that you want to receive the And most of ours goes to personnel to

117employees. 80% of our budget is the majority of the money we get does go towards. >> So the non-compliance is in the general fund. So that just to give you an example that 234 we had 199 students and we were supposed to spend exactly 97 $9,796.13. So between 23 and 24 and now we're at about close to 300 students and it's not even the end of the year. So can you imagine the budget at 300 students times that 97 96 that's the amount that we have to spend and we've been meeting when I when Miss Pearson and I decided for me to go into special ed that June I was already kind of nervous and I said hey we have an issue here. So we started looking at 23 24 um at that point but

118it was already June of 25 so there wasn't a lot I do because it had been the whole year so but we meet in meeting and we've had even 20 meet with us three or four times and they're helping us with the calculations. So um that's our plan one of our plans. >> Yes. And so they're helping us develop a tool so that we can monitor where we should be at this point in time and and so on and so forth. And so as you can imagine where you're behind our in fact we have a meeting this Friday where we're going to analyze how did we end this last year also? And then analyze current year is budget enough to meet this year. So it's kind of a little bit of a ripple effect from

119you know when you're >> so when you get when you you get like 1 million for 2223 you have to spend 1 million for 232 24 >> a little bit different than that. So, when you spend, let's say you spend $1,000 on 10 students and you're spending $100 per student and you go up to 15 students, next year you have to still spend $100 per student times 15, which is one and a half times more. So, so now with the with the increase of students, the amount that we must that we spend is more. And that's different than uh it's it's just gets complicated real fast. But the the key is per student. The total that we spend per student must be the same or more. So if it's 97 97 96 and how many

120more kids do we have? How many more though from the So 83 times 9700 roughly? Yeah. About 805 and we would need to spend more. So it's kind of like a increasing fastm moving target and it's hard to catch up. So those are the things we're analyzing. We're putting our plan together to see what and how we're going to do that. But we'll we'll verify everything and we'll um submit our report >> to Miss Pearson. >> So 2023 24 we get this amount of money for x amount of students. So you guys spend that within that next year the whole current year. >> Let me let me ask >> for the following year you get another set of money. >> Yes. But I will say this our let me give you an example. Our uh

121special ed aotment let's say it's 1.1 million and our normal must spend requirement is is um 55% or whatever it might be. Our must spend is about a million and we we're spending about two million. Right. >> I understand. >> Yeah. >> But doesn't take in growth or increase students that you know like increase the students but you get the same budget for more students of course >> I think there's >> yeah I don't get it >> well and you hit a really key point there and that is properly coding and identif identifying students because we do get a weighted um ADA and it it it does impact our finance and what we receive if we're properly coding students but that's for all uh different special populations. So we do get a weighted number. So

122as that number increases and we report it to PES the the amount should come up as well. >> But Mr. You're exactly right and actually Alexis Gutier who's coming to meet with us from region 20 and she meets region 20 is one of the great largest regions of Texas she said to us that some districts are not applying for the federal grant and so we're going to actually ask her that a little bit more. Some are rejecting the grant money because if we don't take the federal money then we don't have to meet the maintenance of effort with our state our money and the reason that's important m and I think you're really on is that if we're already at almost 10,000 per student for special education and we keep growing, can we sustain that

123with our money, with our budget? Can we sustain that? And and the other key piece of it is we're we have really good programming for them. So, it doesn't make sense because we take that federal money that we have to push it to now 12,000 per student or 13,000 per student just to meet the we already feel like we're have very good for them and all the resources and materials. So, uh, Miss Alexis Gutierz told us she said, "Y'all have to kind of weigh the pros and cons on whether you can meet your and if it's worth it." So, if you get 400,000, but you have to pay back 100,000, is it worth it? 300,000. So, those are some of the conversations that we're that we're having uh with with her and her guidance. And

124and you're right, we received 400,000, but it started that we were going to refund 200, but we, you know, we re rebutted and so forth and we were able to reduce it. But it's yeah, that's the kind of work that has to happen. >> On a side note, would the increase in special ed numbers attribute to dyslexia? One little category. Is that the major category that's getting everybody? >> Yes, they moved over into our count now. >> Yeah. And on this and on this I'm sorry >> sorry I didn't write these questions down. I apologize to my colleagues for not writing this down as we said we would. On the uh note from tea who's going to be the staff that is is part of you all's plan? What does it say here? Identification of

125staff responsible for communication training implementation. >> Yes. So currently currently our rough draft corrective action plan looks like this. Um one we're going to meet to review our current policies and procedures. Two we're going to review our budget to ensure that we're budgeting enough to meet next year's. Three we're developing the tool and uh Alexis is helping us develop the tool so we can see what what we should be budgeting. >> And then third we're going to develop a monitoring uh review. Like for example, uh step one would be come July, we're going to make sure that we're budgeting enough. So that would be one review. Second, we start and before December in our first semester, we would review kind of like we did uh where are we in the year? Are have we spent

126that much and are we on target? And then once we do like a first semester review, we change or restrategize for second semester. And that's of course if we decide to as a as a board or as a if we are going to move forward with more uh of that grant. And so we're gonna So the committee members are Miss Urigas, myself, uh HR, and Miss Pearson. >> Did I miss anybody? >> No. >> Um I don't know if it's a fair question to ask because I, you know, I just recall that the days of special ed offices, does does your staff, someone on your staff have to keep a I call you not tabs but you know okay they have to have an understanding of okay here's the funds am I asking the right

127question your secretary who whoever helps you with the financial this does that person or who whomever it is have to have an understanding of what this is all about >> um yes or my secretary's new but it's I mean the bottom line it's me >> correct >> bottom line it's me so I'm always getting with Anna or with Citadel I need this I need to move is I need to make sure. So, I'm always telling them there's not enough money or whatever. Like I said, right away I picked up in June that we were there might be some problems and I said, "Hey, we need to get on 2425." Even though it was a little too late, we had some ideas about what to do, but this year we're we've already been talking about it.

128We're looking at it. And we added we know we added a teacher and a parah at CSE. So, we know that it should help because we added that teacher and that. So, that will help a little bit. >> By no means am I calling out anyone on your staff. They're great. They're excellent folks. But I'm just saying I thought, you know, I know you work hand in hand with those folks who help you with numbers and Okay. >> And we have monthly meetings, right? Or is it Yeah, we have monthly meetings to go over both federal funds and the special ed funds to see where we're at. And Anna always gives us a report and says, "This is how much you're spending." And then she'll put fail or pass. And I'm like, Every time I

129see it in red, it's like >> she's grading you. That's good. >> We're We work really well together. I mean, we we really do have a really great team. >> So, if this is if this is 23 24 and I think Miss Pearson brought this up, will will you guys get another report like this? If so, how soon? And will it be in June or when? >> April. >> Yeah. and and so we may not have been able to impact that like Miss uh like she was mentioning we met immediately when she came on to that role and I mean the whole year had already passed and so uh we're going to look at that part of this Friday to see hey how are we and how do we think we're going to do for

130that year >> well that's that's part of our review >> and Miss Pearson so when we hear back from TA they're going to be reporting directly to you >> via >> they send it to they'll send it to We added Sandra to so we'll get it in April. But Miss is exactly right. We we did we did do an overview of the 2425 and Alexis actually helped us with that and we were able to change some budget codes. They the state put out a new code that would give us credit for the dyslexia teachers to be able to and so we use that new code. I believe it's a 32. I can't recall. So we use that new code. So that's going to help a little bit, but we do anticipate that we're going to

131fall a little short for the 24 25. Not hopefully not as significantly as 23 24 year. And then of course this year we're we're doing all we can with overview of it to make sure it don't fall short. >> So we have a meeting with Alexis this Friday to review the prior year and what our budget looks like for current year, but also developing a plan of what we need to do for new year if we continue. with the idea be grant. I have a last last question regarding um the amendment for the fiber >> the 20,000 >> Jerry can you come up >> that was for the that was for the first time that it was cut >> the fiber the first amendment >> this was not the latest >> no no this one

132was in October I Okay. >> So, what happened? >> So, technically what happened is that um that fiber didn't show on the on the map that the um presented to us. So, like me personally, like from my knowledge was the only fiber was on the pole, but we didn't know that there was a fiber on top of the bus bar. And then when they start uh demo the bus barn, that's when the fiber got cut. usually because like we thought it was like underground like from the pole it went to underground but for some reason it went to the the bus bar the roof and when they start demolition the the roof that was the first fiber cut >> that's the one that just happened I'm sorry Mr. Dory I don't mean to interrupt but

133that there sorry that's not even listed on this budget transfer is not on here not the one that just happened what's on here is the firewall security that is completely different that's the 30,000 for the firewall security >> over the budget amendment. Oh, I see. I see. Sorry. Sorry. >> Because um uh if uh it was caused by the demolition team, right? And probably we can charge it to the their budget because it it was broke it, right? What happened to the how many people eight superintendent managers, supervisors on >> the I have to leave it with >> it. >> That decision I have to leave it with Miss Pearson. >> We could charge it for the constructions. We could charge it to the constructions, but it's such a small amount of pay for it

134out of our general funds because there's a really good chance that it just comes out by the end of the year just because of all of our construction funds. We also have all the other expenses we added >> but I don't know that we could say that it's their fault because um we they asked us for a map of all our fibers. I think we need to be really transparent here Mr. Doria >> because they did ask us for a map. They we failed to give it to them. >> Not of any fault of anyone. >> No, >> Mr. Jerry did not know because it was not on our map. In fact, Mr. Jerry had to call >> different people to try to figure out. He had no idea that fiber was there at all.

135So, we did not alert them of it. We did not let them know it was there. >> Yeah. So, well, uh let me add. So, what happened is that I asked AAP like for the f before even the construction was going on. So I asked for the EAP the uh the map of the fiber running. So they just gave me the map that there was what's it called? It's installed on poles but since it like this fiber we owned it. So it didn't show on the map on the AAP and then what happened is that um that fiber like one of the poles is just next next through the roof. I don't know for whatever reason and it just like goes under to the football field and from there when they start like demo the

136the roof that's >> bottom line is we did not alert him it was there. Yeah. >> So then they have now since done a radar they did a red across the entire construction to find there and the reason I was recommending the 20,000 out of our general fund is because for auditing purposes also since this is really I want our to be really clear. So I would have to run that to our council to find out and ensure that we're good because it was an error on our part which I can certainly do if the board >> I got to comment on that I understand it was an error on our part but at any point any point reason did the construction company do a one call before or anything. familiar with walk call. Anybody

137with a walk call? A walk call is make a long call. You get people come here and look for underground lights, gas lights, water, all sort of things. Exactly. >> Absolutely. We do that every time before we even got to do a long call. They just don't know what's on the ground. So I'm I'm pretty sure we can hold those people accountable for not making >> Yes. Correct. >> Is that the one that you got from? >> Um no. So the EAP that we got is only just for general post that they have that they run under the AP. There's one that did the fibers that they didn't show in the map. I'll be honest with you. >> Yeah. >> I'm just saying there >> I guarantee you that will happen in my job. I'm

138not paying for it. The contractor Any other questions on the consent agenda items? >> No more questions. Uh, I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda items. >> A motion made by Aldoria, seconded by Oscar to approve the consent agenda items. All in favor? >> I oppose. None. Motion carries. Okay. Item 11, a discussion and possible action items. Consider approval for the independent financial audit report for the fiscal year ended August 31st, 2025. >> Uh, thank you. I I want to introduce Mr. Eli Mendoza with Garza Gonzalez and Associates and he will be presenting our audit report to you. Thank you, superintendent, members of the board. I'm Ela Mendoza. I'm a partner with the firm of Garcia Gonzalez and Associates. I'm pleased to come before you to just to give you some highlights of

139the results of the audit. [clears throat] Uh we are uh pleased to report to you that we are uh rendering an unmodified opinion which is a clean opinion. Basically what that means is that in our opinion following our professional standards you the financial statements that are that are included on your annual financial report are reliable and in conformity with the generally accepted accounting principles. In addition to to uh that report we've also issued a report under governmental auditing standards and that reason behind that is because you do receive federal funs. you received this past uh year about $3.7 million. Most of that uh or 1.6 million of that was the food service program which we audited. And I'm also pleased to report to you that we found no material weaknesses on internal controls and in

140compliance and no significant deficiencies and uh nor any findings or question costs that we're required to report to you uh under uh the governmental auditing standards. We also issue a report on the major program which I mentioned already was the food service program and that uh that report [clears throat] is required because the district is spended in excess of uh of 750,000 on that program. And uh we also issue an uh unmodified opinion which is a clean opinion and we had no material weaknesses, no significant deficiencies and no items that we required to report to you as question costs and your uh major programs. uh since we had clean reports the last year and this year the you qualify as a low-risk audit and again on the slide it mentions in there that we audited

141the the child nutrition program with regards to the really high level highlights for you on the financial statements. the fund balance for the general fund at the end of the year is almost uh $20 million and you dipped into the fund balance by almost uh 4.5 million uh compared to and so the fund balance decreased from last year on the entitywide level at the entitywide level though when we count all the uh capital assets all the furniture buildings and everything and along with the liability ilities, your your overall financial position when we when we count all the funds of the of the district. Uh you're actually improved by $3.3 million. And that's not on the slide here, but the big picture is that you're better off financially this year compared to the previous year by

142about $3.3 million. Uh with regards to the uh general fund budget, the the uh final a final amended budget was 64 almost $65 million. Your actual revenues were 60 um 65 million and uh so you were 147 above the projected revenues. The final amended budget for expenditures was 71 a little over 71 million almost 72 million. and your actual expenditure 69.5 million and you were below what you budgeted by uh 2,121 uh 121261. So you had planned decreasing your fund balance by about 2.6 million. Your actual uh decrease was over that almost again the 4.5 million. We also issue in addition to the reports that are included on the on the on the annual financial report. This report is about almost a 100 pages. In addition to that report, we issued a separate letter that

143we call the audit communication letter. And I'd just like to give you some brief highlights of those that letter. A quick summary. Uh we had no difficulties that we encounter in performing uh the audit and dealing with management. They provided to us all the information that we requested and uh [clears throat] and so we had no difficulties disagreements with management. They pretty much agreed with our uh recommendations and also the adjustments that we proposed. the uh we are required to report to you as a board the adjustments the significant adjustments that we had and uh outlined in those bullets are the three different um adjustments that we consider significant. So there's some corrections that that we recommended to staff and they agree with that. In addition, we assisted in the in the preparation of the

144entitywide financial statements which are the first uh two financial statements that are included on the report that show you the overall picture for the for the district and uh we [clears throat] assisted management on that to comply with the with the standards. With regards to internal control, uh we had a recommendation regarding uh budget control. There was a couple of line items, functional functions that were exceeded the um that exceeded the uh board approved uh levels, budget levels. And then also the the PES uh submission had uh some differences and we committed that they be uh reviewed more. And I think the last the last uh page on the student activity funds. Um we made some uh observations and some of the policies and procedures that had been implemented at the time that uh that

145uh as of as of the end of the year, you know, they they were they still were not implemented some of those uh policies and procedures. I think that subsequent to the end of the year um in our discussions before this meeting, you know, we were it was communicated to us that those recommendations are already in place. Is that correct? >> I can speak more to that. Uh regarding our student activity funds in the summer, we did about maybe five trainings uh that we uh not we didn't provide it but we um we as a district we provided them to our campuses to both the uh junior high and high school. And then we also followed up with a meeting and reviewed our our handbook and we also did revise the handbook as a board.

146We've also hired a bookkeeper for the high school and made some changes in their processes there. So, we've come a long way in the things that we have done. The other thing too is currently right now um I've requested data from the first semester for campus activity funds where I'll be reviewing a sample of their deposits and checks. They'll send me a list of deposits. They'll send me a list of the checks that they they cut. I'll randomly select kind of like the way the auditors uh review us. I'm going to turn around and review similarly. I'll review, for example, that deposits are made are on time, that they're doing their reconciliations, you know, just kind of a a review of that, and then on the uh making sure that the deposits are timely. So,

147we have a receipt, you know, on Monday and it's two months before it's deposited, we have an issue, and I report that back. So, this is something that we had done in the past, um, but now we're putting that in place again. And so, I have one scheduled now to review first semester. I'll do it again before May and then uh you know kind of to close out the year. So part of that strengthening those internal controls uh is a little bit more monitoring in that piece. But I think we've made a lot of changes uh already so far. And then on the other two areas I just wanted to say that on the PE's budget submission our budget that we submit to the board in our board reports are accurate. I have a spreadsheet

148that I've shared with our auditors and every time we do a board budget amendment, I'm posting it on a spreadsheet and then I'm verifying it against the reports that we receive with our accountants. So, we're constantly monitoring that the budget is in balance. The issue with the PE's budget is that the budget uploaded with the new system, the way they're uploading PES now, I forget the name of it, but it's a different um that's it. That's what it is. So it didn't pick up all the right categories. So we also put in a a review process in place where we're running it, updating it. We learned how to make those changes this year. And so that I feel is resolved. And then on the budgetary control, we were over in in two categories and two

149function codes. And I'll just say that me myself, I think I tried to be just too accurate. And I need to leave our us the board room because at the end of the audit, have audit adjustments or things that come up that could impact and you know we need to make sure that when we repro we also give ourselves room to not have you know such a short I think it one one category was about 82,000 so you know we're I I just missed it so I mean I I I did our best I do also want to add that I'm very proud of our staff uh we have two new accounts payable staff and I rarely see past due bills I I see a few and the emails go out and staff come in.

150Uh the second thing is that um in payroll, we have a new person, Brianna, and she's doing phenomenal with payroll and now our payroll systems are also improving and and Vanessa's been doing great and she's started work in her new role. So, I really appreciate board appreciation month. I really appreciate the staff that you've given me that I'm working with and I think that they're really awesome. and Citadel also, she's done a great job. SB and Julia, I think we have a really good team that we can just get even better. I will say one more thing. This is the first audit that I didn't have to work during Christmas, I kind of feel like crying. Uh because even the 12 years that I was here before, I always worked the holidays to get the

151audit completed. And this is the first time that I did not do that with some fairly new staff and some really good quality staff that I do have. So, thank you for our team. And I'd like to conclude my presentation by just saying um that um you know I uh as far as the overall results of the audit, I mean it's it's a it's a really good uh audit and uh you know I have seen some improvements. I I was not directly involved in doing the audit this year. I was not here present. My role in the in in the uh in the audit was to do perform the second review. Ruben Martinez is another partner with the firm. See the picture there. Uh he uh he's the one that was actually out here and

152then also working remotely with our team of auditors. My job was to come and review the work that they did. So we check our ourselves. uh the federal requirements are that if we help you put together the book the report then somebody else needs to also review that and so that's another extra extra requirement in place. So with that I conclude my presentation and if there's any additional questions that you have I'll be happy to address them. Again this is a very high level high level uh presentation with giving you what we think you as board members need to know. >> Thank you. We have a question. Um on the budgetary control it says here that state law requires the district to amend the budget before exceeding a functional expenditure. So uh my question is

153up to what uh period of the fiscal year can we amend the budget? >> Yeah August the end of the year as long as you amend the budget before the end of the year. What will happen though is like if like for example I think we had some adjustments that we came up with and like one of them I know for a fact had to do with acrruels. >> Yeah. Some of those uh uh excesses could have been as a result of the of the adjustments that we came up with. >> Uh go forward one right here. So if you look at the first bullet of the adjustments on the health insurance expense of 203,000, that was actually for a prior period adjustment, not even the year before. I believe it was even 2021 2022.

154So even though we did a a really good job last year doing as much as we could, uh I came on in July and we got the audit done in December, it was kind of fast and furious. I was not able to touch everything but we did identify that through our auditors on that piece of it. And then uh the 92,000 I don't remember what it was but it was another audit adjustment that we did. And then the final piece on the 359 on sal on uh salaries and acred salaries that was a a systematic learning of skyward and so we had to re-evaluate that process and we got region 12 in it and so we ended up uh resolving that this was the correct amount to adjust. So when you combine all those three

155together, um, four, five, six, almost 600,000, uh, it impacted what my projections were and so I didn't build in enough into the end of your budget. So I think that come next year, you know, I uh, we've done a thorough review on on our liabilities. In fact, we're revamping that. We have a weekly meeting with region 12 where we're updating our processes and so forth. So I We're getting there. So, we're definitely improving a lot. >> I think the overall theme is monitoring that we've been hearing about monitoring our, you know, with the special ed, monitoring our, you know, these budgetary controls and if that's being done, hopefully everything will >> Yes. I do want to add one more thing. Our general fund bank reconciliation is done through December. And I'm so proud of that

156because I mean when I got here we were really behind and so everything all the we are really working hard and putting our systems in place at the business office to make sure that we're doing end of month closing and you're exactly correct. So we're trying to increase our monitoring and reviewing of our everything that we've got. So it'll be better all the >> Any other questions? one one of the uh Thank you all for the information, Miss Diaz. Glad to hear you're not working through the holidays anymore. That's that's amen. Amen to that to both of both of you. >> One of the sections here you sir, Mr. Mendoza highlighted was student activity funds. >> Yes. >> Was that uh that had been a topic of discussion with my colleagues here? Was that something

157that you guys observed? Was that something in conversation with Miss Diaz or is this coincidence? Just curious because we did have we've had several discussions about it here. >> Right. No, there was this is this is I think we did also a separate engagement. >> Okay. >> Related to that. So part of the work that we do, we do what we call a risk assessment. We look at areas that we feel that could have errors. you could end up with errors on your financial statements and we focus in on those areas and we perform more audit procedures. So we did a deeper dive into this area, you know, and and so we made some recommendations to you and so based on based on that, >> I think the policies were were were uh were revised,

158right? And uh you know, and we can give you recommendations, but it's up to management to accept and implement. And maybe not everything that we recommend is going to work out for you, but you know, from the from our point of view, you know, we we we're we feel we if we make a recommendations because we feel that it would be beneficial for the district. >> Yeah. >> And and Miss Diaz, by no means I I would never ever tell you how to do your job because you're fantastic at it. Um you you guys mentioned that checklist that you're putting together with the idea funds, maybe some type of checklist with our with our campus folks. Okay. Are have you done this? Are you doing you know just something that came to mind when you

159mentioned that earlier? That's not a bad idea for all our >> We actually have a monthly meeting with our bookkeeper and uh we meet with her every month and we're checking, you know, is is this posted? Where are you on this? And in fact, we changed our reconciliation of that fund to be from offsite to internal here housed uh at our office. So we we are verifying and checking >> another question with the 19.9 million uh fund balance although it's lower by 4 something million compared to last year it will still uh fund about three and a half months of operation. So would you consider that as a sound fund balance or what would be >> well the the um the the [clears throat] government finance officers association which is like cities school districts and

160all that they Thank you. >> Um my last question is uh with uh with our budget this year, it will be we will be operating on a deficit budget. Is that against the state law or is it okay? most school districts in Texas are are doing that. Uh what threw off a lot of districts was the the uh COVID money and uh you know they just being able to manage without those funds has been very difficult and the limitations of the state state funds you know so everybody's struggling like I said you guys are probably in better shape than a lot of districts and some down the road from here. Thank you. >> One question for you, Mr. >> Yes, sir. >> Question is, if you were to grade our audit, what kind of grade

161would you give us? >> That's a good question. I I I get asked that um at some of our other clients, but I mean, you guys were really good. I would give you probably like an A minus. You're not perfect, you know, you be like an A+, but but you had no find you had no findings, no weaknesses on internal control, you know, there's always areas for improvement. No, I haven't been in an audit where everything's perfect, you know, and uh we we uh we're pretty thorough firm. We're not we're not just rubber stamping everything. and and she would tell you she's got she knows the firm and we're pretty detailed and and we do specialize in auditing uh school districts and cities other governmental entities so we know the areas that that are subject

162to weaknesses. >> Thank you sir. >> Yes sir. >> Any more questions? Do I have a motion? She's still got a name. >> I make a motion to approve. >> Motion made by Noat. >> I'll second a motion. >> Seconded by Wilbur Cruz to approve for the independent financial audit report for the fiscal year ended August 31st, 2025. All in favor? >> I I post Thank you very much. >> Motion carries. Thank you. Executive session a discussion authorized by the Texas Open Meeting Act, Texas Government Code section 551.001 A551.074. Personnel matters, discussion of resignations, retirements, leaves of absence, reassignments, new employment, new new personnel position, duties, responsibilities of employees. Lee 551.074 personnel matters. Uh conduct midyear superintendent evaluation. Time is 8:45. We are now in executive session. It's 10:52. We're back from executive session. the

163possible action in open session for executive session items. We had the U to conduct the midyear superintendent evaluation. Second >> motion made by Wilbur Cruz, seconded by Noi Sarate to uh to approve the midyear superintendent eval evaluation as discussed in executive session. All in favor? >> I opposed. None. Motion carries. Ajourn. Motion made by Wilbur Gruz, seconded by Noi Zarate to adjurnn. All in favor? >> I. >> We are adjourned.