001branch ISD board of trustees to order at 6:00 p.m. on June 4th, 2026. The purpose of this premeating briefing is to conduct a briefing session with administrative staff regarding the posted agenda items for the regular board meeting scheduled at 7:00 p.m. on June 4th, 2026. For the record, board members present are Kim Brady, Iliana Garza, Roas, Marjorie Barnes, Carolyn Benvitas, Paul Gilmore, Cynthia Nota, and myself, Cassandra Hatfield. We constitute a quorum and may conduct business on behalf of the district. Our next item is audience for guest. Anyone who wish to speak during the audience for guests must have submitted a form by one o'clock today, the posted deadline. And we did not have anyone for this agenda uh for this meeting. Dr. Aldridge, uh do you have any reports by administration this evening? >> Yes.
002The first report item 5A and 5N um 5 a.m. and 5 a.m. um is our changes in our student code of conduct. So u Mr. Shoulac will give us an update um on what our code of conduct changes will be for this school year and also um the a grant for our cell phone pouches. So um Leon, you have two items. >> Yes. Thank you very much. Good evening, Dr. Eldridge, President Hatfield, members of the board, and congratulations to our new board members. Tonight I have the opportunity to present on a few different topics. One being the code of conduct, one being the handbook, and another being the phone grant that we have the opportunity to pursue. As we are aware, every year the school board must adopt the and and approve the school or
003the student code of conduct for the following school year. Last year, we adopted the model student code of conduct from TASBY. That was a shift in our district from previous practice. Uh as a reminder, this is uh strictly from Texas Education Code Chapter 37. It summarizes that the code of conduct gives us those guidance uh and the school discipline side. And uh this is uh TASBY uses their lawyers and it's vetted through the state and it's uh widely known and used across the state for the TASBY model. We use that this year uh with success. We had no issues transitioning to that document. Earlier this month we did receive or earlier last month we did receive that for the following school year. We were able to implement some of the changes into the document and
004that's what is you have proposed for today. I believe you also have a one-pager in front of you that highlights the differences between the two. Uh just a couple of those things I'd like to mention tonight. One is DAE appeals. In order to make this more um easier for our families to pursue, we are allowing and moving towards allowing families to appeal DAP placements or the hearing uh virtual or through email and not just having to physically drive a copy to the ESDC within one business day. Found that to be a lot easier for our families to meet that. Secondly, a a shift which is in line with other districts and is also a cost-saving measure and something that is not required uh is that we would not we will not be transporting students to
005DAP that transportation will not be provided for next school year. And then lastly, it just outlines some things that in the 89th legislation that were finalized such, you know, title 9 infractions or title five rather infractions for felonies and other things that were just affirmed from the from the 89th legislation. When looking at the student handbook, this was also another document that we went through. All of the district departments had an opportunity to review this. The student handbook um is is a document that basically gives us our playbook. It's how do we implement it's our regulations and uh for how do we implement our policies and procedures in the district. So, a lot of the things you'll see in there related to our uh GPA and all of our courses and and a lot of
006the things that we have in place in our district, those are in the student handbook. This is a non-legislative year. That's why the the changes are very minimal because in non-legislative years there are not a lot of changes to the Texas Education Code or for education in general. The student handbook um is in front of you as well. It is a rather lengthy document. Both of these documents uh once approved for the student code of conduct will be translated into Spanish. Both be available to families and it'll also be updated for all new registrations in the district. They will have the updated document that they get to review and all other parents can always see the updated copy online on the district website. That is also that is always the most accurate and up-to-date copy
007for our families. So some of the key things in the student handbook, this aligns with our EPG, our educational planning guide, which which is a lot in the academic side, giving idea, you know, giving insight into our courses, GPA, class rank, and a lot of things on the academic side. It also aligns with our student technology handbook and all of our other policies and practices. As I've mentioned before, uh, another change for this year in the handbook is that we are moving to a bus badging system. All students who ride transportation will have a badge on the transportation routes. And then also we are getting consistent across all of our high schools with our permitting for our students as well as the consequences associated with a student who may who may not be pursu or
008purchasing that permit and parking illegally or against the handbook on campus. And so that shifting gears a little bit. That's code and handbook. Now shifting over to phone free schools grant. Our department had the opportunity to apply for a TEA grant back in September of last year. We began this process. The TEA set aside $20 million for schools to help with implementation of House Bill 1481, which we remember is the no phones in school or no electronic devices in school. And so with that, our district considered this and we were awarded an amount that we are able to spend from the state. TA given us this money for implementation strictly, you know, their specific criteria what we're allowed to spend it on. Looking at our infractions and looking at how our procedures were and our
009our practice was this year, we had 2500 infractions that were documented on the campuses. That means 200 students had brought a cell phone device or an electronic device that was confiscated or became an issue in the classroom. And those um you know and so and those are just the documented. There may other may also be instances where a teacher may have told the kid to put them away, but these are the documented instances in our student information system. This grant will allow us to minimize distractions and also maximize instructional time. Our goal with this purchase would be to one provide a lockable storage device for all office areas, all student services areas on each campus so that this phone the phones are stored in a secure location to ensure the safety for the phone the
010the students device. And then secondly, this would allow us to purchase roughly 8,000 individual pouches that can be used by campuses, uh, which we've met with all the principles. We met with all the district departments and and got their feedback on this as well. But we have a number of schools that would like to pilot this and a number of schools that we're going to work with based on the data from the infractions to look and see what the best plan is is. Um, and so how that will work is each campus will that is a part of this will decide how that system will work on their campus for when a student will turn it in and what time of day they'll get it back uh from from their campus. They'll be able to
011more than likely they'll be able to keep it on in their backpack or or with them, but it will be locked in a secure pouch, a yonder pouch is what the company is. And so with that, it is the recommendation that uh we the board approve the student code of conduct as presented. And it is also the recommendation of administration that the board approve the purchases relating to the phone free schools grant. That I'd like to ask see if there are any questions. >> Board members, any questions about either of these items? Miss Garza Rojos, >> thank you for your presentation. I have a quick question for you. So, what about the parents that have already registered? I know the student handbook typically comes with that. What would what's the implementation or the process for
012that? >> Yes, ma'am. Great question. And and it is in there. Every parent when they register their students for school starting back in April, they have the current at that time on there. We will be sending an update with all the changes and everything before the school year starts um social media, parent square, and all the other avenues. And then we also it's all the new copy will always be online as well, but we will send a notice out just like we had to do last year because we did not approve the code until August last year and we had to send a notification out as well. >> Thank you for the clarification. >> Yes. Additional questions, Miss Benovas. >> Thank you. Does the grant cover all of the cabinets that you are buying, all
013the expenses? That would it cover that? >> Yes, ma'am. It does. The grant covers that. Um, and if and I failed to mention this, so I appreciate you allowing me to kind of squeeze this in there as well. If we were looking at purchasing one yonder pouch for every student in the district, you're looking at an expense of over $300,000. This grant allows us to purchase a third of those piloted at campuses and see how effective this can be as well. >> That's great. Thank you, >> board members. Additional questions. I do have a question about the pouches. I know you said that um you're going to be working with the administrators. Um how will this information be shared with families ahead of the school year or is this something that we're going to implement
014throughout the school year? Kind of how quickly are you hoping to roll this out? >> Well, my my intent, my hope is that in July when we when we have the pouches and we're able to communicate that there is a clear plan in place from each campus. our amazing directors of student services I look at they will be working with each individual principal to figure out what's what's a solid plan what's a good way to do this um there are limited number of of device or the magnets that are able to unlock the pouches and so you got to be strategic on when are we going to collect these if you have advisory period are you doing an advisory home room are we doing this first period every day when are we allowing the students
015to have that back and unlock it are we doing it at the front entrance every morning there's some logistic pieces that each campus has a unique need for that and so we're going to be working with each campus that participates. >> Okay, great. Thank you very much. Um board members, any additional questions? All right, Mr. Sak, thank you so much. Appreciate your >> pres. >> Okay, our next report is from Mr. Moore and it's a concerning our roof and lots of HVAC replacements. Mr. Moore, >> thank you. Dr. Mr. Eldridge, President Hatfield, trustees. Congratulations, Miss Manvitez, and welcome, Miss Nota. Um, this is item AT. Um, and it is, as Dr. Eldridge mentioned, there's pretty significant repair in need here in this building. Um, the uh you in fact experienced a little bit of that
016just a few minutes ago while we were here in the boardroom and uh out in the hallway. Uh, but really, it's it's three parts. Um, the roof for this building is 22 years old. It has exceeded its warranty. Uh, there are multiple areas of failure. There's bubbling, blistering, cracking. Uh there's deteriorating materials. The curbs around the rooftop units are um they're they're compromised. Um there is significant water uh leakage concerns. And in fact, when the deluge blew through this afternoon about 1:00, we had some spots that that caught some water. Um so the plan on that with this item, full replacement all the way down to the metal deck, 20-year warranty. second part. Um the rooftop units again, you just experienced that. Uh the four units that are on this portion of the building right
017here above us. Uh they are Linux units. They're all at least 12 years old. Parts are becoming more challenging to acquire. Uh more costly to acquire. Uh we were able to get the one for this room running this evening. Um we have parts on order uh for it. Good thing we're off tomorrow, Saturday, Sunday. Um but we've got those parts on order. so they can get out and replace that. Um, and that also parlays with what you heard last month from uh Mr. Welsh and technology. Uh, because the roof and the rooftop units, they will work in conjunction with what he brought with regard to the uh improvements here in the boardroom for the audio for the visual. Uh, that work that he is going to guide for technology can't take place before the roof
018and the rooftop units. It could, but there'd be a lot of back work, uh, a lot of, uh, recalibration the materials that they put in with technology. And then the third part is the plumbing. This building's more than 40 years old. And what began as a monthly challenge and transitioned to a weekly challenge and has transitioned to sometimes a daily challenge um, with 50 to 60 people in this building using one restroom throughout the course of a day. um because this building is low on the priority list when we're in school. I mean, we we respond to admin after we respond to campuses because campuses are in need first. So, that plumbing's become a challenge. Most of the work's going to be on the west side of the building here behind us. Um most of
019it can be accessed through an exterior cleanout, but there is some interior work that's going to have to take place in one office. And so, once you start getting into the interiors, you're not quite sure what you're going to get into. Um, but all of that work would take place. The best part is all of that work would be what we talked through at the work session a couple weeks back. Um, funded through 2018 bond residuals. Uh, and so that would eliminate capital project needs down the road through 18 residual funds. That would also require a about a fiveweek shutdown of this building relocating to Perry. Same exact process that we did uh last year when the rooftops were changed out at ESDC. uh those three buildings relocated to Perry. Very much the same process.
020Um and so that's that's an overview of item A. And with that, I'll answer any questions you might have on that. >> Board members, any questions about 5AT? >> Yes, >> Miss Barnes. with the HVAC units, is is it going to be um replacing it with kind of like you've done with the schools where you have similar ones so that they can be replaced with the same parts. Is that the same idea to have? Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. The the units that would be here, we've got them and lay down. We can we can replace them. >> You can hold on to parts and ma'am. Thank you. >> Yeah. Miss Brady, approximately how long will that take for this building for the >> This building would be about five weeks starting Monday, Tuesday, relocating to
021Perry through about July 8th or 9th. >> Oh, getting it done. Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Well, yeah, cuz we got board meetings in August. I'm like, wow. They >> gave us a July. That's why we're able to do it. >> Congratulations on your break for July. Um, glad you could relocate your offices pending approval. Board members, any additional questions on 5AT? All right. 5 AU. Well, I would like you to say, Mr. Moore, what do people need to do if they need to pay their taxes? >> Taxes. We will we we've begun sharing the the message, if you will, like our mail. I'll get to your taxes now. In fact, you asked taxes. Let me not skip the question my boss just asked me first. Uh I will go in the order you want.
022Tax office is relocating to Perry in the front of the office. Um along with our purchasing uh secretary and HR, the greeting receptionist. So, all of the main greeters that are here that meet the public will all take place there at Perry in the main front office to let people know who do show up here um unannounced. There'll be signage on the front door relocating to Perry. Um and we've already notified uh we've worked with the post office. The post office deliveries will be redirected to the PO box. We can pick those up internally as we currently do. Uh but FedEx, UPS, Amazon, any deliveries along those lines, we've already told the mail carriers and we've notified them as well. So, it'll all redirect over there for the next five weeks or so. >> Thank
023you very much. Was there another thing you were going to say before you answered that question? No, >> I'm just going to do mail. >> Oh, mail. Okay, got it. Sorry. Um, all right. Next item. >> Five. >> Members, do you have any additional questions? >> You didn't do 580. You want to do one more? >> Uhhuh. Mr. more. You did not talk about 5AU good in Los Kolinus. >> Gladly talk through that as well. Um as we talked about in the um finance meeting a couple weeks back, the uh repurposing the units from uh we have an opportunity here to repurpose units from three of our campuses that were impacted from the 2018 bond. Farmers Branch Elementary, Fno Elementary, and McCoy Elementary all received new rooftop units through the 2018 bond. Um, we consolidated
024Ferno and McCoy and Farmers Branch as you all know is currently uh it's closed. It's going to be a total tear down redo uh reconstruction. So, we have the rooftop units from those three campuses that we can repurpose to Good and Lost Cleanus. Those units at Good and Lost Cleanus are 12 to 14 years old. So, they've certainly bypassed they have exceeded their their warranty. uh and so we can take those from there, reduce control costs, maintenance costs, much like we're having here. The materials sometimes take longer to get into stock and they're more costly. Um it would also remove um it's on a legacy server for the knock environment. So it remedies that. And again, the biggest piece is there's no capital investment. We're removing that from the capital outlay, the capital planning because
025it's funded by 2018 bonds. Um but one thing that I did want to mention again was the proposal for this um the the the reusage the retrofitting the repurposing rather is $3.2 million to repurpose. If we were to do this project standalone full replacement controls units everything at good it's just over $3 million for the project and at Los Kolus it's just under $4 million. So repurposing the units from these three campuses is saving about $4 million if we go about it this way. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Moore. Board members, any questions on 5 AU? >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Moore. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, our next agenda item is item number four. Board members, do you have any additional questions regarding the consent agenda items? >> All right. Seeing none,
026we've reached the end of our agenda for the premeating briefing and the time is 6:18 and we are adjourned. I call this regular meeting of the Carolton Farmers Branch ISD Board of Trustees to order at 7 o'clock p.m. on June 4th, 2026. Board members, district staff members, and members of the very large audience tonight. You are free to join me in standing as William Levelville provides a message followed by the leading of the pledges by Paul Gilmore with the US flag and Kim Brady with the Texas flag. America for it stands nationy and justice for alliance to the Texas one state and indivisible. Thank you very much for your message. Um well, it is June and we have successfully celebrated um a lot of graduates this a couple of weeks ago and it is so
027exciting to see the fruits of the labor of all the work that our school teachers and administrators have done over the last year. It was so rewarding to see so many students walk across the stage and we are eagerly preparing for next year. I know our administrative staff is still um on duty working with principles and wrapping up the year and getting ready for next year. And um it is going to be a great school year next year. And so we're going to do this meeting tonight and then the board is going to take a break for the month. But we are then we are going to go to training. So we will be off on training um as many of our educators take training this summer too. So, um, we're always busy and we're
028excited to keep it going. So, as a district, um, we dedicate our efforts and resources to our goal of high expectations for all. The board uses this goal to guide every deliberation, decision, and action. As elected trustees, the board is responsible for providing oversight, sus setting the strategic direction of the district, and ensuring accountability. All of this in service of student achievement. And as you see tonight, we have a new board member with us. Welcome, Miss Snow to the Das. and Miss Benvitas returning. So they are we are officially a full team. So tonight you will witness the board conducting its work in open session except for specific items that may be discussed in close session as permitted under Texas Government Code section 551 commonly known as the open meetings law. These items typically involve
029personnel matters, consultation with our attorney or real estate transactions. As we move through our agenda tonight, it is important to remember that we are in the business of kids, many of which are in the audience tonight. With that in mind, we ask that everyone present model respectful, responsible, and constructive behavior as this models exactly what we expect of our students. For the record, board members present are Kim Brady, Iliana Garza Rojos, Marjorie Barnes, Carolyn Benvitas, Paul Gilmore, Cynthia Nota, and myself, Cassandra Hatfield. we constitute a quorum and may conduct business on behalf of the district. Our next agenda item is item number two, special presentations and recognitions. And I'll turn it over to Miss Rodriguez. Thank you. Good evening, President Hatfield, esteemed board members, and Dr. Eldridge. Through our partnership with Chick-fil-A Trinity Mills, we
030honor those who demonstrate excellence with the CFB Champion Award. This month, we are pleased to recognize an outstanding family who exemplifies the spirit of excellence, the Breus family. To help us recognize the true impact of the Breas family's contribution to CFB, please welcome 2026 Turner High School graduate Aaron Pcelli, who will say a few words. Good evening, Mrs. Hatfield, Dr. Eldridge, and members of the school board. My name is Aaron Purcelli and tonight I have the extraordinary privilege of representing the students, volunteers, athletes, families, and community members whose lives have been forever impacted by Casey's Run. For more than two decades, Casey's Run has stood as far more than a race. It has become a tradition of hope, a celebration of inclusion, and a reminder that every person deserves to be seen, valued, and loved
031exactly as they are. Year after year, we gather in the spirit of service and unity to honor the life and legacy of Casey Bredkus. A legacy that continues to shine brightly through the lives of our CFB all-star Olympic, excuse me, Olympic athletes. But lasting legacies do not continue on their own. They endure because of people who choose over and over again to invest their hearts into something greater than themselves. Candi and Mel Brekiss have done exactly that. As the title and presenting sponsors of Casey's Run, their generosity has helped sustain an event that has touched countless lives throughout the district and community. But their impact cannot be simply measured in sponsorships, donations, or years of service. Their impact is found in every athlete who crosses the finish line with pride. In every student leader who
032discovers their joy of serving others, in every family who feels welcome, connected, and celebrated. And in every moment where Casey's light continues to shine through the people who gather in her honor, the Brekus family have shown us all what it means to lead with compassion, humility, and unwavering love for others. Tonight, on behalf of the students and community of Carolton Farmers Branch ISD, it is our great honor to represent Casey or Candy and Mel Brookus as CFB champions. Thank you for reminding us that one life lived with love can ch continue changing the world for generations. What a great job. Thank you, Erin. That was wonderful. You did a great job. So, now to our student recognition. Six Barbara Bush Middle School students are heading to nationals after placing first in the state in coding
033and website design categories in the technology student association competition. Thanks to their incredible performances, Bush is now in its third year qualifying for nationals, which will take place later this month. Please join me. That's right. Please join me in recognizing the talented students who are able to join us tonight. And I apologize in advance if I mispronounce any names. Monish anam ready namish nada huni srui nalamotu suj nami laconda rianne Patel and varsini sacetti Okay, these kids designed a shoe. What did the shoe do? I forgot. You showed it to me. >> It powers your everything. Okay, here we go. >> Yeah. Congratulations. And now for a special recognition. CFBISD proudly recognizes Michael Finley and the Michael Finley Foundation for their exceptional commitment to student success and community service. Since 2017, the foundation has expanded
034its reach from serving 18 students to more than 150 annually, providing free academic support through Saturday tutoring, SAT and ACT preparation, and a 3-week summer enrichment program. Through the giving individuals the fundamental tools for success, or gifts for S Academy, students receive academic instruction, enrichment opportunities, and social emotional support along with free meals to ensure all needs are met. The foundation's impact extends beyond the classroom through college visits, educational field trips, and career exploration experiences. It also supports families through Thanksgiving meal distributions, holiday gift celebrations, and shoe giveaways. Some really cool Nikes. I know Dr. E saw those this year, while providing significant scholarships and stipens, often exceeding $10,000 per student to graduating seniors. In addition, the foundation strengthens the broader community by creating additional employment opportunities for CFB staff and local residents, reinforcing its
035commitment to both student achievement and community development for their unwavering dedication to empowering students, uplifting families, and strengthening the Carolton Farmers Branch ISD community. We proudly present Michael Finley and the Michael Finley Foundation the Community Service Excellence Award. Please join me in congratulating him. Everybody welcome you guys. Of course, congratulations to all. And that concludes tonight's recognitions. Well, that is just an example of um the great things happening in CFB because our community pours into us. Uh we're so thankful to your commitment to serving our students. We so appreciate the investment because it takes all of us working together and um we are blessed. And to our students, congratulations. We can't wait to see the footage from Nationals. Um, and who knows y'all, we might all be wearing shoes that charge one day. Um, because
036what a great way to use your activity to to as another resource. So, um, with much congratulations and thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate, um, our students and our community members that made such an impact on CFB. Uh, with that, we'll continue on to item 2B, Dr. Eldridge, District announcements. >> Yes. Thank you all for all the love and support you give all of us and our students every day. It's so awesome. And it's also awesome now that we have four day weeks. So, we're off tomorrow. So, this meeting may go long, but we have a day off tomorrow. So, I'm excited about that. Our four day weeks. Um I do want to share that um we had a special student on the news today and Diego um graduated from Newman Smith
037High School and his teacher Marcus Meadows. It was incredible. He at the very end of graduation, Diego walked across the stage um by himself and he got out of his wheelchair. So, it made Fox 4 News today and it's had over 675,000 views. And so, what a great celebration. If you haven't seen it, you need to just Google Diego and it'll come up. Um it was it's just so heartfelt and it's why we do what we do. Um so, the other thing I want to announce is our new administrators. we have some changes and some new brand new principles and so they are here tonight. So I'm going to ask all of you when I call you, you'll come up and we'll take a group photo because it's so exciting that you all are here.
038Um so um we are so excited to announce our principal for Carolton Elementary which is across the street and if you haven't noticed it is going to be a brand new school. So they're building on the same site. Sam Gonzalez, she came back to us from another district. she was here and she realized CFB was the best so she is returning back. Sam Gonzalez um Shamsha um is going to Country Place Elementary. Shamsa has done amazing things um been in our district and had so many different positions. I'm not going to name them all, but now you're the principal, so you get to guide others. And then Shashi from goes to Los Kolinus. Shashi, I've gotten more emails about thank you for choosing Sha Shashi at Los Kenas. Congratulations. And Vicky Fields is going to
039Roseme. Vicki. Um, Dr. Ramos is now going to Pulk. So, Dr. Ramos and Stacy Jackson, Field Middle School principal. So, we want to get a picture. We'll stand. Okay. We'll get you here. You guys congratulations. Okay. Okay. Glad you did those. I didn't see you there. >> Okay. >> You can wait on your back, but >> Okay. Okay. I So, um, Maddie, if you will make sure that you get pictures with their families out by our logo and balloons. Um, it's such an honor that they're going to be great leaders of our campuses. I couldn't be more proud of all of them. So, that's all I have tonight. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Eldridge. Well, congratulations to our new principles. We are very excited to welcome you to that new role or a transitional
040role at a different campus. So, we are blessed to have specifically also new principles. Um, and I know that the supports that the district is going to provide you is going to help make you successful. And so, we're very blessed um to have you taking these roles on. Our next agenda item is an update from PTA. And so I'll turn it over to Stacy Homeman, the proud leaving president of Council PTA, who has worked very hard to support our council PTA. So in advance of your announcements, I just want to say thank you for your service. >> Thank you. >> So Dr. Eldridge, President Hatfield, and esteemed board. Uh I am Stacy Hman and I am proud to have served as the president of the CFB ISD Council of PTAs for the past two years.
041Uh we currently have 5,768 members with all 32 of our PTAs achieving an active status and 31 of them ending the year in good standing. Um, our members help to strengthen our school family community partnerships, help to advocate for children's education, and to support opportunities for the children. And it's never too late to join PTA. Um, looking ahead to next year, if you want to learn about PTA and connect with others from across the state, Texas PTA is for you. Uh, it's a big conference. Registration is now open. Uh, it is being held at the Gaylord Texan. is the last year for a long time that it will be in the Dallas area. It's moving to a or to somewhere I think Austin next year, but it's been here for a long time because we
042got extra years because of COVID and contracts, but now it's leading to leave us for a while. So, take advantage while you don't have to go somewhere and get a hotel and stuff. Um, is from July 10th to 12th. Early bread early bird registration ends on Friday, June 12th, next week. So, if you want to register, do it now. where the price goes up. Um, remember that for every local PTA that has, and this is includes council for all of you, that has at least one member that's registered to go, an administrator or a teacher can represent an administrator can go for free. So, take advantage of that free um registration. And there's a lot of education and learning and networking that goes on. It's really good. Um, now as a bonus and in the
043interest of what we've been doing with student recognitions and how wonderful our district is, um, the Back to the Future brunch on Sunday of the conference honors the top seven entries for each category across all age groups and across the great state of Texas for the reflections competition that occurred earlier this year. Um, our very own Riley Riley Moreno, who is a 2026 graduate from Creek View High School, is being awarded the Texas PTA Outstanding Interpretation Award. She was the top scorer in all of dance for all of the state. >> Oh, wow. That's incredible. >> I just got the notification yesterday, so I didn't have a chance to ask her to be here, but um, definitely wanted to recognize her. She will be sharing her entry with PTA leaders from across the state at
044this brunch and we hope to see everyone there. If you're going to lunch, spend the $40, come to brunch and help cheer on uh Riley. >> Um if any of our PTAs need assistance over the summer with financial reconciliation or other back to school tasks, please reach out to council. The council board is still available to help you. So just contact us. Our emails are on the website and you can and we will help whoever needs us. Um on a person well on a personal note I want to thank you all for your unwavering support for me the council and our PTAs over the past two years. Um it makes me extremely proud to have held up by the state PTA officers as a poster child for successful PTA school board and administration relationship. We
045stand above everyone else in Texas. were always recognized that way. Um, my successor, Dillia Gonzalez, and the newly elected CFB PTA council board who take office officially July 1st. Um, are already meeting and planning for next year. Um, I leave you in very good hands. Dillia and that board will do a fantastic job. Um, this was meant to be a full goodbye speech for me. However, they managed to pull me back in. So, I will be spending 2026 2027 as the reflections co-chair. So, you haven't seen the last of me yet. It's close. My daughter only has two more years in the district. But thank you for your continued support and advocacy for ch our children and together we all PTA. You know, uh, a former board president, Les Black, used to say, "We can't
046do school without PTA." And I think that the work that the PTA has done over the last two years to continue to strengthen that postcoid because we all had to come back and re-engage in our schools has been tremendous. And so, thank you for your leadership and we're so glad that you're going to be the Reflections co-chair because um, you know, Reflections is also very special because it it focuses on our kids and it gives our kids opportunities to show themselves artistically and to be recognized. And so we're so thankful that you're going to continue that volunteer work because without volunteers that push reflections forward, we wouldn't have that opportunity for our students. So um with much appreciation from the board for your partnership. Thank you. Okay. At this time, we'll give a brief pause
047um to allow anyone who wishes to step out of the meeting to do so. You are all welcome to stay for the entire night. I usually say some of you have homework to do, but unless you're taking summer school, I can't say that this time. Um, so we'll just take a brief pause. You're welcome to stay or um feel free to enjoy your evening. >> Thank you. Thank you very much everyone for I appreciate The time is 7:23 and we're going to take a 5m minute recess due to the number of people up and around. You guys always. Thank you. We will reconvene in about one minute. Okay, the time is now 7:28 p.m. And we are back um on the record. If someone could close the door, that would be very helpful. Thank you.
048The next agenda item is item number three, audience for guest. Persons who wish to speak during audience for guests must have electronically submitted an online form for this purpose prior to the deadline, which was 1:00 p.m. today. As of the posted deadline, we have three submissions to address the board. Before I begin, I will remind our audience members of the board's procedures for handling audience for guests. Each speaker will be allowed to speak once during audience for guest. Speakers designated as a stakeholder will be allowed a maximum of three minutes and speakers designated as non-stakeholders will be allowed a maximum of one minute to address the board, which is dictated by board policy be local. Because the board wants to hear from as many as possible while also keeping our meeting running efficiently, groups of
049more than five people who want to present a particular viewpoint on a topic should appoint one person to speak on behalf of their group. Please remember that the board cannot deliberate on any subject that is not included in the agenda for this meeting. And we will listen to comments but will not respond or answer questions. Recognizing that students are at the heart of our work, we ask that our speakers model respective and constructive behavior that we expect of our students. Please keep your comments civil and courteous. Avoid profanity or personal attacks. Refrain from discussing students who are not your own child. Yelling, disruptive behavior, or discriminatory remarks will not be permitted. In the event that your comment in the judgment of the presiding officer constitutes a complaint or charged against an employee or officer, it
050may be necessary for me to interrupt you and ask you to stop and direct you to proceed with the school district's formal grievance procedures. If a speaker is seeking board resolution on a specific complaint, that concern should be addressed through the district's grievance process, which can be found online and include policies DGBA, FNG, and GF. Grievance forms are also online on the district website. In compliance with the Open Meetings Act, please note that the board will not respond to the public directly and will address any agenda items as deemed necessary when they are on the agenda. As the presiding officer, I may respond with factual information as dictated in board policy BEC local. The timer will be shown on the screen in front of you and you will begin when you arrive at the podium
051to speak. Again, the presentation will be limited to the allotted time and when you arrive at the podium, your time will begin. Our first speaker is Jennifer Pete. Three minutes. Good evening, President Hatfield, board members, and Dr. Eldridge. My name is Jennifer Pete. I reside at 318 Cottonwood Trail, Shady Shores, Texas. Over the past 20 years, I've worked at Long Middle School um as an ELA teacher, a literacy coach at Creek View High School. And for the past three years, I've served as CFB as a middle school ELA instructional coach. I've noticed that the loyalty to teaching has shifted. I'm coaching more and more new teachers each year. Some have even quit in the middle of a semester. CFB cannot afford these changes in teachers like this. To give our students the best opportunity for
052success, CFB needs to attract good teachers, keep current teachers, and retain teachers for longer periods of time. The longevity pay and leave reimbursement upon retirement can help us do that. These incentives help us attract good teachers because it gives them an added incentive to bypass other districts who don't have these benefits and choose to begin working in CFB. The longevity pay and leave reimbursement upon retirement also helps us keep current teachers by avoiding mid-year departures and reducing the times we have to place replace teachers who leave. I'm sure you're already aware that when a teacher leaves mid- semester, students lose continuity, substitutes fill gaps, and colleagues absorb extra work. And to replace a single teacher can cost thousands when you factor in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and productivity loss while a new teacher gets up to
053speed. Retent retention incentives reduce the risk of teachers leaving. Retaining even a handful of teachers through longevity pay more than likely will pay for itself. Lastly, the longevity pay and leave reimbursement upon retirement helps us retain teachers for long periods of time. We need veteran teachers to provide institutional knowledge. A teacher with 15 to 20 years in a district knows the curriculum, the families, the community culture, and the students in ways the new hire simply cannot replicate quickly. that knowledge has real value and many veteran teachers in CFB drive by several school districts each day because these benefits exist. Removing it retroactively breaks a promise to teachers and changes the terms of commitment CFB already made. Based on this information, I implore you to reconsider cutting the longevity pay and leave reimbursement upon retirement. You're
054not the first board to consider cutting these budget items. I remember in 2008 2009 when there was a budget deficit, the board voted to invest in teachers by keeping longevity pay and leave reimbursement. Compared to the other items slate slated to be removed, 600,000 is a small amount to invest in teachers because it will have a lasting impact. Before you make a decision, please please consider the benefits of keeping the longevity and leave reimbursement in the budget and cast your vote to support CFB teachers. Thank you so much for your time and listening. Thank you very much for your information. We appreciate it. Our next speaker is Monica Whis. Three minutes. >> Monica Whis, 1603 San Francisco Street, Carolton, Texas. Good evening, board members, President Hatfield, and Dr. >> Miss Whis. Can you go closer
055to the mic? Thank you. Okay. I'm normally not a quiet person, so >> I know you you've coached a long time. >> Thank you for your opportunity to speak tonight. Longevity pay and accumulated leave pay upon retirement are tokens of appreciation for all CFB employees loyalty and dedication. After 43 years, 13 as a student and 30 as an employee, I am one of these loyal and dedicated individuals. I understand the district is facing difficult financial challenges and balancing a budget requires making tough decisions. I urge you to reconsider eliminating longevity pay and accumulated leave buyback for retirees. Longevity pay require recognizes the value of experienced, committed and loyal individuals. It it acknowledges employees who have spent years educating our students, mentoring and leadership and cannot be replaced. When veteran teachers and staffs remain in CFB
056students, campuses, and the entire community benefit, longevity pay is $500 for every five years, which for a 187day teacher is approximately 55 cents a day. The ability to receive compensation for unused leave days at retirement rewards employees who have demonstrated dedication and responsibility throughout their careers. Many employees carefully conserve their leave, coming to work when it would be easy to take the time off. Both benefits and a message that long-term service matters. Eliminating these incentives sends a different message. Years of dedication and loyalty are no longer valued in the way they once were. This extends beyond the financial impact on employees. It affects morale, trust, and retention. I ask that you look beyond the immediate budget year and consider the long-term impact on the employees who continue to devote their careers to CFB. I respectfully
057ask you to find alternatives rather than remove two of the incentives that reward employees for their dedication. A district's greatest asset is its people. Please continue to show CFB employees your dedication and loyalty to the hard work they bring daily year after year to CFB. Thank you for your time, service, and your commitment. Thank you, Miss Whis, for your comments. Our next speaker is Nico Ornellis. One minute. >> So, I saw that your lawyer is here. Are you sure you don't want to go and speak with them about your choice to give me one minute instead of three? >> I'm not confused about that. I'm asking you a question and I guess this kind of coincides with one of the questions I was going to ask because your script for your policy regarding audience for
058guests is contradicting. You say that you're not going to respond to questions yet the presiding officer can respond with factual information. Can you clear that up for us? Are you allowed to respond with factual information? Do you get to choose whether you will respond whether you have that factual information or not for a district announcement? >> Your time is up. Thank you for coming tonight. >> My time. >> Your time is up. Mr. Anelis, you are disrupting a public meeting. If you do not stop, you will be asked to leave. Mr. Anelis, your time is up. If you continue this behavior of standing at the podium and not acknowledging the board's procedures for audience for guests, you will be asked to leave. >> That's twice. It's time to be removed. Recess 7:38 p.m. >> Yes.
059Officer, can you please come in >> and escort him out, sir? Just take a minute. The time is 7:39. We are back in open session and we will continue with the business of this board on behalf of the students and staff of this district and the community members. Our next agenda item is the number four non-action items for adjust for discussion and we'll begin with item 4A which is the school health advisory council annual report. Dr. Dr. Eldidge, would you please introduce this item with this great committee that serves us? >> Yes. First, I just want to say thank you for your commitment to meeting and solving all the things that we need to do to make our district better. So, I don't think you all get thanked enough for just all the things you
060discuss and keeping the meetings in order and the notes and everything. So, Leon, thank you so much um for all your assistance. So, thank you again and we look forward to hearing your annual report. Thank you very much for that, Dr. Eldridge, President Hatfield, members of the board. And I'd like to echo those sentiments as well. We'd like to thank all the parents and all the community members for being a part of this shack committee. It's it's a lot of um long nights where they, you know, come in and hear things and really uh look for the students and what's best for our kiddos. So, I'd like to thank them and introduce uh both the chair and co-chair. And so first uh the the chair of the shack committee and my former neighbor in farmer's
061branch, Miss April Hooper Christensen and the co-chair Zohair. Good evening. We'd also like to express our appreciation to all of y'all, schoolboard members, to staff, to families. We wouldn't be here without all of y'all. Um it's so impactful and we've been very blessed to have Mrs. Garza Roas as our schoolboard representative this year and she's been phenomenal as usual. So thank you again for having us. So the shack school health advisory council generally this is a state mandate that every school district has in the state of Texas and with that we are expected to provide efficient effective structure for creating and implementing age appropriate sequential health education programs early intervention and prevention strategies that local family families and community stakeholders employers can support. Um, as a shack, we come up with council recommendations to present
062before the board and uh, a detailed explanation of our activities during the school year and um, along with the current report and date with last written report. We also post our meetings um, online both um, with an audible and notes um, available on the district website. >> So, the school health advisory council um we have a few recommendations to recommend. Zohar >> um be before this can I just go over one line about the meetings? Yeah, sure. >> So, uh we met four times and I would just like to say one line or two lines about each meeting just to add more value to the conversation. We met in September and we talked about the presentation on personal safety lessons that was related to Senate Bill 9. Uh there was a CF presentation on the
063CFBISD rollout of SB12 consent and you know what I'm a community member and I just learned how hard is it how hard it was to do the consent and the challenges that the district faces. So that was a good good uh report that was presented. Then the second meeting was in October and that was about Kabuki syndrome that our chair presented and there was another presentation by a clinical psychologist and a family therapist and the title was the power of therapy for children and teens and I wish I'd heard that before my children's grew into adulthood and I would have raised them differently. It was just awesome. There's just so every meeting and every in-person meeting is just something to learn. And then the third meeting was in February and there was a presentation on
064the CFBISD counseling connection center. Uh there was a review of the local wellness policy and the last meeting was in April and that was just phenomenal. It is there. The audio is there. The slides are there online. And that was the presentation from Laura Brooke over Yubara. >> Mhm. >> Uh that was just about the local wellness policy and that was just amazing. If you get a chance, have a look at it. And there's just so much learning to do. And about the recommendation, um the the shack recommends the school board adopt the following recommendations related to physical health services and mental health services. Uh the first one is right there on the screen about uh the backtoback the back to school. Sorry the that was we are going to talk about the SB12 and
065SB9 recommendation and the local wellness policy right >> so the and it's going to come in the next slide but the all physical and mental health services provided by the district including those offered in collaboration with the community partners be clearly listed on the district website and be also included in back to school school information distri distributed by individual campuses. uh many parents are unaware about the wide range of resources available to the families. Uh the council further recommends that this information be redistributed prior to holiday breaks as a reminder to the families of the support services that are available during those times. We can go on to the next slide. >> Um >> thank you. As Zohar said, we did a series throughout the year um supporting mental health and so that's why we
066wanted to feature those with our recommendations. So we had the series throughout the year and then we have the recommendations to be the follow-up. And then we have a recommendation regarding Senate Bill 12 consent um for the mental and physical health services to be in its own separate clearly identified location with the online enrollment process. That way it adds more clarity for the parents because we learned through many of our meetings and um community outreaches that it was a bit confusing with the fact that it was with consent as to whether the address gets released and such and and photos to be taken. So currently the consent as I mentioned is grouped with several unen unrelated enrollment items and um they can they the parents have said that it's obscure confusing and we would like
067it to be its own separate consent page to help emphasize that importance. And this is currently um a a screenshot of the mental and physical um health services that are available in the district. And it shows how it is confusing because it is grouped. It is I'm trying to There we go. It is grouped together right here. And on the actual registration page, see how it talks about release to third party uh release for school sponsored military higher education. Then down here towards the bottom, it actually has the Senate Bill 12 um release. So this is what the parents are able to see. So it is a lot of information that is confusing because they don't pertain fully to each other. Granted, they are all consent, but it's registration. And then Senate Bill nine. Um
068this is um a Senate bill that requires school district to offer curriculum in the prevention of child abuse both at the elementary and secondary levels. Family violence both elementary and secondary levels. Dating violence at this secondary level. Sex trafficking again the secondary level. And before a student is to be provided with this instruction um for any of that content, consent also must be obtained and the parents must opt in. And so we had um we explored the optin and how it's included in the enrollment process. and it could also be collected by counselors at any time before the opt-in lessons begin. Parents may review the character strong curriculum by visiting their school's campus and requesting access. And because the materials are copyrighted, they cannot be printed out and just shared outside um of the campus
069because of of the copyright infringement concerns. And so we reviewed a variety of um curriculum resources and this is um a lesson on personal safety, healthy choices for the road ahead and its intended use is 12th graders who are preparing to graduate as an opt-in lesson and it's approximately 15 minutes. Character strong um personal safety on relationships, it's an hour and 20 minutes. Um it does get divided up to 20 minutes per lesson for 9th through 12th grade. Um high school again optin character strong personal safety chapter 2 personal boundaries again an hour and 20 minutes but broken up into 20 minute lessons. And this is also intended for 9th through 12th grade um high school students as an opt-in lesson. Character Strong Personal Safety Chapter 3 uh recognizing risks, an hour and 20 minutes
070given in 20 minute lessons for 9th through 12th graders. And this is an opt-in lesson. And chapter 4, online safety, hour and 20 minutes in 20 minute increments, 9th through 12th grade as an optin lesson. And then for our local wellness plan, did you wanna go ahead? >> Okay. Um, we also review the local wellness plan and it was conducted for the 2526 school year by several members of the district and rep representatives of TASBY. and the review of the district's local wellness plan was conducted and recommended with updates in addition to the plans that will align and reflect with current goals surrounding students and community health and wellness within CFB ISD school district. The changes um were reviewed and approved by CFBISD Shack on April 16th of this year and will take effect for
071the next 2627 school year. And the presentation which um reviews all these recommended updates is linked below and um the approved local wellness P plan is in this link. Would y'all like me to open it or may I continue? >> You can continue. We received this ahead of time so we've had the opportunity to Yes. >> Yes. So, we again would like to thank all of you and acknowledge the assistance and and from all of y'all, especially Miss Garza Roas, who's been fabulous for her to participation and efforts with our shack this year. and we'd like to express appreciation of CFBISD parents, staff, and community members um for your insights and contributions this year. We wouldn't be as strong of a district without all of us working together. So, thank you all. Any questions? Well,
072first of all, thank you for your presentation and uh thank you so for going over what you did this year because I I do agree that like having that information so people understand if they want to be a part of the shack committee. Um they can understand um what you all do to support the district. Um and it is a committee and so community members can join the committee including parents. Um and I know the district will be sending out information soon um about that process because um that committee will have new membership in the fall. Um, so I just want to thank you guys so much for the efforts. Um, but I will ask my fellow colleagues, does anybody have any questions or comments? Miss Barnes, >> I just wanted to say I'm so
073excited that y'all are um that one of your goals is to do the physical and mental health, have all of that on one page. Something I've always wanted to do. So much of uh what we do take advantage of it, we learn word of mouth from other parents. And there's so many resources that our community and our district offers that we just don't even know about, including me. And so I'm so excited that that's been an initiative for you. Thank you so much. >> The staff here was wonderful about presenting along with um some community members and it was enlightening for many. So thank you. >> Additional comments, questions. Miss Garzos, >> just wanted to also echo our thank you for your time and your commitment to the shack because it is a lot of
074time and effort and so thank you for that. Uh I had an experience with the counseling department which was absolutely wonderful. Thank you, Miss Cisnerto, Vicki Cisto. Your team is amazing and everybody that presented at all the meetings, it's very informational. So, I highly recommend that if you can participate in a committee or you would like to be active within a district, it is a great one to participate in. >> Yes. >> And I will say it has to be 51% parents. So, parental involvement is key to our success. I keep saying it. I'm going to keep saying it. >> Thank you very much. Because that's important to know. the 51% like this is a committee that's representative of parents in the district and you can see that the work that this committee does is
075inclusive of um even curriculum decisions um related to these things that they're legally required to look at. So, thank you guys so much. I will echo the um need to put the physical and mental ill health services provided by the district, but also to highlight them um as a parent who used the teleaalth visit from home this summer this week. Um, I will tell you like how amazing is it to be able to work and have a telealth visit at home for your child during the summer when school's not even in session. Um, and that is a service offered um through the district. It's incredible and I'm so thankful. And I will tell you, I remembered it because of something that the communications team put out about it Christmas break. And so then I went
076to Parent Square and I I like typed in teaalth and it was there. And so I think continuing to share the the wealth of information is important because the more you see it, the more it reminds you that, oh yeah, we do have these services. So, um, thank you for bringing this forward. Um, board members, any additional questions or comments? Dr. Aldridge, I would like to request that you provide the board update based on these two recommendations of what, um, staff intends to, um, bring forward based on the recommendations. All right. Thank you all so much. Our next agenda item is a construction update which is item 4B. Dr. Aldridge, could you introduce the item? >> So, now that school is out, we are busy with all things construction and I think there's 20 different
077construction sites, maybe 21 if you count our building. And so, Mr. Blackburn is going to give us an update. So, we always look forward to your updates. Thank you. Um, it's good to see everyone tonight. Have a lot of things to go through, so I'm going to go ahead and get started. As you know, we're proceeding with the 2023 bond work in three buckets. Renovation work, replacement campuses, and safety and security. Um, as an update from the last time I shared this graphic, we expect to have 19 different campuses under construction this summer. We did have a little bit of a permitting delay with the uh outdoor learning center. So, that one has uh pushed back a little bit, but otherwise, we still have a tremendous amount of work uh going on right now. So,
078I'm going to run through all the different campuses. At Creek View High School, we have a lot of we have some CTE and special education work going on. This is a shot of the new uh fire academy space uh wrapping up, getting close to finishing that space. This is Kent Elementary School. have several different renovations going on there. This is Rainwater Elementary School. You can see the new playground equipment has been delivered, getting ready to be installed right now. This is Roseme. It had many of the classrooms touched. They're working their way through a lot of that campus right now. It's going to look very different. This is BLAC Middle School. A major renovation. Um we're touching the the entire academic core of that building. It's going to feel very different when this is done,
079but they're making excellent progress on that. This is Davis Elementary. This is substantially complete already in August of 25. This is Thompson Elementary, also substantially complete in August of 25. This is Turner High School. We were excited to share a tour of the active construction at Turner High School. This is sort of a stealth project. you can't really see everything that's going on from the street, but when you get inside, you realize the scale of what's happening. So, we're very we were very excited to show that to the bond oversight committee and some of the board members and uh even more excited to turn it over when it's when it's complete. This is uh Perry Middle School. Very limited work here. Mostly just replacing exhaust fans and uh ventilation. Good elementary school has gotten a
080new playground already that was turned over at spring break just after spring break and they are going to get a new cooler freezer in the kitchen this summer. Smith High School is also a major renovation. Many I think we're doing 13 phases at that campus. So, a lot of work going on there. Bllandon Elementary School is substantially complete as of last August. Pulk Middle School, this is the uh scaffolding that's in the library currently. They've already got all the ceiling down uh since this picture was taken. Uh you'll have new special education space, uh renovated art room, renovated stage. That work is ongoing. They're making good progress. Countryplace Elementary also has several uh spaces under renovation this summer. Uh the Child Development Academy is substantially complete. Last uh August, they got u they finished their
081um air conditioning unit replacement in the new roof. Riverchase Elementary is substantially complete. The outdoor learning center. I'm going to pause on this one just briefly. As I mentioned, this one has slid. The start date has been pushed back a little bit because of permitting. Most of this site is in a flood plane. So, we have to go through FEMA for permitting. And as we were getting ready to enter into the formal permitting process, we found out that there was another project upstream that we didn't know about that affected how we were having to model the flood um waters for ARC project. So, we had to go back and remodel everything. And now we're going back through. So, we're hoping we can begin this um work potentially in February of 27, assuming we get through
082the permitting process. So, we'll see how that goes. But there toward the bottom, you'll see that's where the new barn is planned. About in the middle of that uh diagram is where a new outdoor pavilion will be. And then the at the top is where the uh outdoor learning trails uh will be for kids to go to different stations and experience the outdoors. Mckame Elementary School is just getting started this summer. They have a lot of materials staged there right now. They're well underway. McCarter Elementary School is also just getting underway this summer. It will complete this summer as well. Ranchiew Engineering was substantially complete in August of 25. Bush Middle School was substantially complete in August of 25. Freeman Elementary was substantially complete in August of 25. Aita was substantially complete in August of
08325. Landry Elementary was substantially complete in August of 25. Field Middle School substantially complete in August of 25. Blair Elementary substantially complete in August of 25. Mclofflin Strickland as well. Stark as well complete in August of 2025. So for the renovation work, just in summary before I get into the replacement campuses of uh we have 13 campuses that have completed the uh planned work for renovations um already in the course of the bond work. And now I'm going to get into the replacement campuses. As was mentioned a little bit earlier, Carolton Elementary is being replaced right across the street. As you drove here tonight, you probably saw the drill rig sitting out there. They're making progress through the foundation. They're a little over twothirds of the way done through drilling the cast auger piles for
084the foundation. That's progressing well. Farmers Branch Elementary is in permitting right now. We expect to have the permit any day. Uh we're just wrapping up a few odds and ends uh with the city there and that'll be getting underway uh very shortly. Salazar Grimes replacement is also in permitting. Um we've got a little ways to go to get through the permitting, but we're optimistic we'll be able to get through that and get started uh hopefully this summer. Fencing improvements are well underway. Okay, this is the fencing at Blandon and they're working their way through the rest of those campuses uh trying to get all the elementarymentaries that we haven't already installed new fencing at. This is a project I mentioned I was excited earlier. We have some staff members that are positively giddy about this.
085Um early childhood editions. This is one of the campuses Thompson. We're also doing this at Los Kalenus. This is an example of what one of the classrooms is going to look like. And we are in permitting for this as well as at Los Kolenus. This is the family dining space. So, both of these will be very similar. And this is something that we hope to be able to scale to other campuses as well in the future. Middle school renovations at Bush. We've got some enabling work going on right now. We'll have a larger um have a larger uh scope of work for the board to consider. uh in the August board meeting, but we do have enabling work going on right now that'll help uh the phasing proceed more smoothly when we do the larger
086portion of the work uh in the upcoming months. So, with that, I will take any questions. >> You like made the lights go out. Board members, questions or comments about the construction update? >> Well, they're so quiet. We're just so excited about all the construction. I will ask a question because you can't get off the hook without a question. Um I think I counted between nine and 11 that will be complete this summer. >> So um >> could we Well, let me think about how now I'm thinking about if I'm going to ask a strategic or a technical question. So I'm just going to ask it. Um what's the communication plan for sharing with the community the progress on the projects? Or if there isn't one, is there one in consideration? Do you want Karen
087to >> I know we do the bond updates every month. Um beyond that, a lot of the communication happens through the particular campus principles. Campus principles participate in the weekly construction meetings. So they're up to date on what's happening. Um, I've walked already with uh some of the new principles at at the projects that we're they're going to be uh the principal now to get them um familiar with what's going on and what's going to be ready and all that. So, um I think between the communications department and what goes with the principles, hopefully everyone will be well informed. >> Okay. Yeah. I think I'm thinking more about the public members that are not parents. Um, and the because many of our community members are not in our schools and I have actually heard now,
088which I was very excited to hear, um, somebody say to me, I saw the sign out in front of like 10 schools. So, you guys are doing construction. Can you tell me more about what's going on? Um, and so it just kind of respspun the story to me that like it's not just the people in the buildings because I do agree as a parent, I get weekly construction updates in my parent square um, at my kids school. So, I knew what was going on, but we have a lot of voters that may potentially need to vote for a bond in the future when we need additional upgrades on our schools. And I just want to make sure that we are really thinking about like this is 13 campuses already complete with 9 to 11 more
089being complete at the end of this summer. Um, I don't know about my board colleagues, so I think I'd like to open the floor on like your opinions on that because that's a Cass opinion. Um, but we are a team and so I just would wonder kind of what you're hearing in the community and if you see a need like I do. >> Well, you stole my thunder. >> Well, sorry. I asked if you had any questions. You didn't say anything. >> Um, and Kim and President Hatfield and I did get to go through Turner and that was really cool. Um, to see the old smoking porch gone and all that, but But but uh um it was cool to see the the work in progress and I was going to say kudos to all
090the signs out front because I'm hearing people saying what's going on there and it gives you some opportunity to to talk about it and this update is helpful. >> Any other comments about communications? Miss Garza Rojos, >> I'll have to echo what Miss Hatfield said. She's not wrong. I mean, it is important to keep our community definitely involved. And I guess if we can't get it out in the newspaper, why don't we just put it out on a billboard type of comment? I mean, she's, you know, especially Carolton, we're getting a new we're getting a brand new building and people know that it's coming. They're not questioning. There's I don't know if you guys are getting emails. I'm not getting an email asking me what's coming when there's a huge sign in front of it.
091So, I will also echo what she has to say. off. >> Okay. Um, yes, the red and white >> signs that are in front of those buildings is really important because people do like, "Oh, wow." You know, they take a minute to read it. And I don't have children in the school district. So, if I wasn't a board member, I wouldn't be t so in tune with all of these wonderful additions. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> And I do think the special education updates that we've made are significant. um those classrooms and the sensory areas are amazing and we should be shouting from a rooftop for parents that we have these facilities to support your child. And so I just want to encourage us to think about the stories we can tell. I know
092you guys are amazing at telling stories. So, if we can think about ways to continue to tell the story about our amazing facilities because our community has invested a significant amount and I anticipate over time we're going to continue to need to ask them to um invest a significant amount. Okay, with that you're off the hook. Thank you, sir, for your presentation and good luck this summer. Um I assume you won't be taking any vacation, but that's not for me to decide. All right, our next agenda item. I do have a note. Board members, do we need a recess? We good to keep going? All right, we're going to keep going. Um, our next agenda item is item number five, which is the consent agenda. The consent agenda is a mechanism that the board uses
093to approve a number of routine items together with a single vote in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. The public notice for this meeting includes a list of consent agenda items. We have been given ample time to uh or ample information about these items in advance. Prior to any action taken on the consent agenda, board members may request withdrawal of individual items for clarification and or discussion. Um board members, are there any items to be removed um from the consent agenda at this time? Miss Garza Roas, >> I'd like to remove item five BA. >> B A Got it. Any other items? >> I would like to remove a uh 5 ax and a y ax and a y. Got it. Um, any other items? Everybody good? >> Miss Garzer House, repeat the items
094you said. >> That was BA. >> B. Oh, thank you. >> Sorry. A So, board members, I have AX, A Y, and BA um as items to remove from the consent agenda. Are there any other items to remove from the consent agenda? All right. Seeing none, uh we'll move forward. Uh do I have a motion uh for the consent agenda as amended? Miss Brady? >> I make a motion that we approve the consent agenda uh without the items AX, AY, and BA. >> All right. I have a motion for Miss Brady. Do I have a second? I have a second for Mr. Gilmore. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? Any opposed? by a vote of seven in favor, zero opposed. The motion for the consent agend agenda with um item AX, ay, and
095BA removed passes. Our next agenda item is um to consider the individual items because we have different board members that pulled them. Um I'll I'll go in order of the agenda items. So, we will first consider items AX and AY. Um Miss Nota, I assume it's because you weren't at those meetings. All right, we got you covered. All right. So, we have AX and AY. Um, can we consider those together? All right. I'll entertain a motion. Miss Garza Rojos. >> I move to approve item AX. I'm sorry. 5 AX and 5 A Y. I have a motion for Miss Garza Rojos. I have a second. Have a second from Miss Brady. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? Any opposed? By a motion of six in favor, zero opposed, and one abstension. The motion
096carries. The next agenda item is item BA 5BA. Miss Garza Rojos, >> I was not here. >> All right. Um, so, uh, item BA is up for consideration. I'll entertain a motion. >> Miss Brady, >> I make a motion that we approve consent agenda item number five BA. >> All right. I have um a motion on item 5BA. Is there any additional discussion? Oh, is there a second? Sorry, like going through. Is there a second? Miss Barnes will give a second. Now, is there any discussion? All right. All those in favor? Any opposed? By a motion of five in favor and two abstensions. The motion carries. All right. Having passed through the consent agenda, we will move on to item 6B, which is consider and approve the pulp prep strategic staffing support plan. Dr. Eldridge,
097could you introduce the item? So, as you know, our main goal is student outcomes and it is that is our mission is to provide the best um instructional environment for all of our students. And what we have decided and we started working on this a couple years ago when Dr. Julian went to Austin in San Antonio, many other places to look at campuses that would allow our students to be successful. So, we wrote a grant and we accepted that grant and we've been working really hard um at this campus. So, we decided that we were going to take all of the things we've learned and come up with a really strategic plan with how we can also um allow Pulk Middle School to be as successful as our others. So, they have done so much
098work on this and so I look forward to this presentation. So, Miss Hulk, soon to be Dr. Hulkcom. So, keep going. >> Thank you. Good evening um President Hatfield, Dr. Eldridge and members of the board and congratulations again to our returning board members and new board members. So this evening we are here very excited to propose a strategic staffing support plan uh for Pulk Middle School. Um with board approval we would like to propose this for the 2627 school year in addition going into the 2728 school year. Um, just to begin, um, our goal really is to kind of walk through and kind of highlight some things at our campus, um, at Pulk that are, um, a strong foundation of Pulk Middle School and want to continue to build on those, um, building blocks. Um,
099with that, we do have some challenges that we want to overcome and by being innovative and strategic in our approach with staffing, we do believe this is a great solution moving forward to the next school year. So, tonight we are going to overview um, three or four main items. We want to overview the accountability overview of Pulk Middle School and kind of where we are right now. We also want to address some personnel vacancies and some staffing uh unique staffing opportunities that we have next year. Um also propose some solutions and possible supports as well as go through a proposed timeline pending board approval. So we're going to begin with the accountability piece and I'm going to let Dr. Julian go through the first few slides and then we will finish up um with the
100following. >> Good afternoon. Um, when reviewing accountability trends over time, we see both stability and urgency at Pulk Middle School. Pulk maintained a consistent accountability performance in the C range for the last several years preceding the D-rating this past year. Um, we view this as a moment as an opportunity for focused improvement and strategic action. The data helps us clearly identify where additional support is needed, particularly in staffing stability, intervention systems, as well as instructional consistency. One of the most significant operational demands impacting Pulk Middle School is our number of students that need accelerated instruction under House Bill 1416. Pulk students who did not achieve well any student who does not achieve approaches grade level on the star is required to do 15 to 30 hours of accelerated instruction. Pulk currently has 861 accelerated instruction
101assignments across reading, math, and science, which is the highest total among any of our district middle schools. Providing these instructional supports and interventions effectively requires strong scheduling systems, staffing support, and protected collaboration time. The data reinforces the need for a staffing model designed to support intervention delivery while maintaining strong tier one instruction and teacher collaboration. So with that um in CFB obviously we know that we are very focused on our board outcomes and our board goals which is student outcomes. Um with a priority and being a proactive staffing um approach we will be able to not only support our educators we want to accelerate growth for our students and we want to provide the maximum resources. So while you see on the screen there out of our 32 core instructional positions at PULK um many
102of them are star tested a few are not. uh 14 of them are currently vacant and I believe that number actually went to 15 today. So with that, we're not looking at this as a challenge. We're really looking at this as an opportunity to really reinvent and reimagine and reignite Pulk Middle School. So we are very excited about an opportunity that we feel will actually restart and highlight and bring in some top talent into the campus um and be able to focus restaffing in our core content areas with strong talent. Our proposed solution for the 2627 school year is to have a strategic staffing model that is designed to attract not only the most uh effective educators but also campus leaders where they can make make the most significant impact. In addition, this proposing staffing
103model is going to help us to improve and maintain our student outcomes. That is going to happen through having strengthened talent at PULK. We will be able to maximize student achievement and also focus in on the growth needs. And as Dr. Julian mentioned having a strong foundation and a master schedule that supports intervention will be a key factor. We will also want to have some recruiting efforts and some specific um criteria and who we are recruiting, how we are retaining and how we are hiring leaders to take on the campus that is a high impact role. So we want to ensure that every student has access to excellent instruction in this district. Our motto is high expectations for all and we also want to ensure that our leadership is strong regardless of the campus that
104our students attend. So our proposed staffing stipen structure uh that we are proposing for the next two years for 2627 and 2728 would be a stipen structure that would be tiered based on the the staff member. Um as you can see we would start at the principal level at 10,000 the assistant principles at five. our critical core content area teachers where we're doing the most recruiting would be a $5,000 stipen which would also include intervention teachers. Um in addition, our counselors and instructional deans at 3,000 and then our complimentary subject area teachers which would be specified elective teachers and possibly other enrichment areas would be a thousand. The stipen considerations are not permanent. They would be a commitment for the next two years. they would be funded through um looking at our budget allocations and
105we are proposing um reviewing our eligible available funds not to exceed 250,000 annually. So the maximum investment through the two-year agreement would be uh not to exceed 500,000. The timeline pending board approval would begin this evening if you are able to approve our pulk investment strategic staffing. Following that, we would then establish a campus turnaround leadership team. In addition, we would then focus on hiring core quality content teachers. We really want to reimagine Pulk and what are the possibilities of Pulk Middle School. And by looking at that, one of the things we looked at was possibly doing a communication and branding or rebranding of the Pulk school as possibly a prep academy. Um, this is something that we could build on the strong start or the strong bones of the campus. They are already a
106national avid demonstration school. That does not come easy and it's something that we are very proud of to have three in CFB with that. AVID is one of our college and career focused programs that is already a part of the campus and we want to continue to build on that with elite our elite fine arts programming which are award-winning programming there as well as acceleration for the campus across the board. We would like to set guidelines for possibly having standardized uniforms at the campus. uh we know that in alignment this is in alignment with board policy FNCA as well as a rebranding or any kind of renaming would also go through our board policies and there would be things that we would follow within those guidelines. But what FNCA does allow the board to do
107is to adopt rules that require school uni if we if we adopt excuse me you can adopt rules that would require school uniforms if we do believe that it would improve the learning environment in the school district. Um, I do believe this is a place that we want to have a very strong start to the school year. Um, one of the things since I am in my research mode, I had to pull a couple of little facts for you. Um, but one of the things that I was able to pull that I thought was very interesting is that uniforms actually promote a strong sense of identity and belonging. And not only that, having a shared uniform, it signals that we are one Panther community and right in alignment with our one big family in CFB.
108We had a little fun with the AI generated image if you couldn't tell. Those are not actual like what we would do. They are just to inspire. Uh so our recommendation this evening is that the board of trustees would approve our team to be able to start a redesign of Pulk Middle School as presented. In addition, we are open to taking any questions that you might have. And I did want to close this evening just really quickly saying um that as we conclude this presentation, the central purpose behind this plan is our kids. and we want the best for our students. Um, not only that, this plan re reflects upstream thinking at its finest and we want to act early, strategically, and collaborative collaboratively. So, we do appreciate your support and we are open to
109any questions you might have. >> Thank you, Miss Hulcom. Board members, comments or questions? Miss Barnes? >> Um, thank you so much. It's exciting. I have one quick question and in terms of the uniforms um as per FNCA, one of the aspects of that is that um the we are supposed to designate a source of funding to be used uh to provide uniforms for the economically or educationally. Um that looks like a typo actually, but disadvantaged students. Um, is there a plan or is there are y'all working on a plan for that as well for how you would fund that? >> Yes, ma'am. We are looking into that. We are going to have to look at some doing some reallocation of funds to be able to do the stipen structure. Um, we also have other
110things that we have grants that we can explore also local donations. We have wonderful support supportive community um with our churches and other partnerships that I do believe we could probably deploy some support there. Um, but we do have other funding streams that we can look at and as we're working on our 26 27 budgets, it will just be looking at things strategically on what that would possibly, you know, cost as far as an investment. Um, and then being able to help fund some of this through our clothing center as well. >> Thank you so much. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Miss Brady, >> I do like those uniforms. Just saying. I mean, >> AI did pretty good. >> Yeah, they did. Um, so my question is about the salary stipens. uh the 17 teachers who
111have stayed at PUL, will they be eligible for those as well? >> Yes, ma'am. Absolutely. Thank you. >> Um so there would be um of course a lot of conversations. I know we're active and ready to get going on this and start developing um some of those guidelines, but there would be um criteria for the teachers that would be able to come into the open positions. The returning teachers will come back to their positions. Obviously, we have a wonderful grant as Chris mentioned that we are using the lasso funds for our partnership with relay which is an absolutely outstanding program and that is something that will help us to then focus in our stu teachers who really need that support and being able to provide them not only that relay support but then also the
112support from our district staff and personnel that we have now. Um so the answer to that question is yes, they will be eligible for that stipen. Um and um we want to continue to then of course open that transfer up for any of the other teachers that might be uh wanting to come and do that. Prioritizing our TIA teachers um and just many other things that we can do to ensure that we get the strongest talent into Pulk Middle School to really get a strong start for next year. And really this is a great opportunity for us. And so we really consider this while it is challenging, I mean it is a blessing in some ways. And so we are really um looking forward to what we can do with PULK and we're um looking
113forward to the to the challenge. Thank you, Miss Garza Roas. >> So, this is a perfect example of our board supporting our campus and allocating funds towards student outcomes to improving our student outcomes. So, I appreciate your presentation. Um I appreciate the stipens and this what when is the plan if there is a plan to be executed when does it start or I know pending board approval but when is it to be in effect effective now and then I have a second question regarding the uniforms I mean this is AI obviously so we can't make that happen the way it looks there but my question is is there a certain time frame for our families and community to implement that uh do we give them like a certain window uh how are we communicating that
114to families because if we are going to follow through with the uniform as such it would be an additional expense for our families and so those those are my two questions for you. >> Yeah, wonderful question. So um an alignment with FNCA um we have um there's a 90-day window there that that students would not be expected to have to comply with that at least within from the night that the board approves it. We have 90 days for that implementation. So we would obviously want to put all kinds of resources in place for our parents to be able to act on if they do need that support. But to to the overall beginning of the plan, we would put this in effect for 2627, but obviously with strategic planning and timelines that would be in
115the best interest of our of our families. I know Dr. Ramos is very excited about this and um we have had very few conversations will be pending board approval. Uh but we have kind of talked about some ideas, but there are some things we still need to explore with that. Um, but I know that we have talked about a sense of urgency in communication. Um, which is one reason we wanted to bring this to the board as quick as we could. Um, so that we could then take advantage of this opportunity and get the word out. Um, but I would also say that there would not be extreme pressure on our families. We would want to make this right for them as well. Um, because this is something that would be communicated through the summer.
116Um, but I think that we can def we can pull this off and we can, you know, seek our donations if needed. Um, or or secure the district resources if we need to. And so um we are very hopeful that we can can have this in effect for August and we are definitely of course starting that stipen structure because we want to start recruiting staff immediately and that was something that we've already looked at and our communications team has been working with us to prepare flyers and get ready um pending the direction this evening. >> Thank you. >> Yes ma'am. >> Mr. Gilmore >> uh love the presentation. I love the thought process going on with it. um knowing the track record of the uh newly appointed principal uh that is going to be there,
117I know he will do great things. And then knowing that uh Pulk feeds into Newman Smith and the principal uh that is there and that staff, I would be excited if I had kids in that feeder pattern that are going to be surrounded uh by the leadership of those two men in particular uh but all their staff as well. And uh I I'm a big supporter of that. >> Yeah, >> we agree. >> Miss Benvitas, >> I just wanted to say it's an amazing idea and um I look forward to great success stories. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um, I just I just want to express my appreciation for utilizing the lasso grant to like we already recognize the need, but now here we are and you guys have brought this forward tonight before.
118I mean, I know you all have access to state accountability scores, but the we don't and you just got them. So, you can't have analyzed them suddenly and be like, we need to do this. Um, I know this has been a thought process and it shows that like the progress monitoring data throughout the year said that there's still a sense of urgency and therefore we need to act. And so I just want to thank Dr. Eldidge for your leadership to bring this forward. Um, I think the board has been asking for like how are we strategically thinking about things and this is an example of those efforts to strategically think in a different way to make sure that we are ensuring that all of our students across this district have the same experience and are
119able to achieve the same level of rigor and success. So, I just want to echo my appreciation for you guys thinking ahead um and really digging into things. Um, and with that, I will I do want to clarify. So, we are approving the proposed stipen structure. That's what you're asking us to approve? >> Yes, ma'am. And also for us to be able to move forward with planning for uniforms, there is a process and guidelines we'll need to follow. Okay. But we will need your approval to be able to move forward in that area as well. And then we'll have some discussions about the naming and things of that nature. But there are some other things we'll need to probably come back to the board on. >> Okay. Great. Um, with that, board members, I will
120entertain a motion. Miss Brady, >> I'd like to make a motion that we approve item 6B, the Pulk Prep Strategy Staffing Support Plan. >> Um, I have a motion for Miss Brady. Do I have a second? I have a second for Miss Mr. Gilmore. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? Any opposed? By a vote of seven in favor and zero opposed, the motion carries. Congratulations. Y'all can get to work. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> He's already working. >> He's like computer goes. All right. Um the next agenda item is >> um item 6 C which is all matters related to the 2627 compensation plan. Dr. Aldridge. >> Yeah. >> Do a break. You want do a two minute. >> Two minutes. >> Two minute. >> Okay. We've uh a request for
121a short break. So we're going to take a five minute break. It is 8:30. We'll come back at 8:35. I have it. >> No, that's >> We said we were going to do it in the motion. >> Start We're going to start back up in one minute. One minute. The time is now 8:37 and we are back in open session or back on the record actually and uh we are beginning the discussion on item 6C which is approve all matters related to the 2627 compensation plan. Um Dr. Eldridge, would you introduce the item? >> So, thank you Art Martin, our CF, wonderful CFO that has been helping us. We have spent endless um hours and time going over every line item and we know the situation we're in, but um we also want to value
122our people. So with that, Art and Carla who also gave us a presentation at a work study and now we're putting it all together. So we look forward to your presentation. >> Yeah. Thank you uh Madame President, members of the board, Dr. Eldridge. Uh this the purpose of this item is to uh uh present to you uh in a request to approve the staff compensation plan that we've uh been talking about. And we have a few slides to cover with you. Uh Carla and I are going to be doing kind of a tag team and we're I'm going to do a few slides and she's going to do a few and then I'm going to I'm going to wrap it up. But uh if you if you look at uh and I'm going to I'm
123sorry. >> There we go. >> I've done something I wasn't supposed to. >> We're going to be uh talking about the fiscal year change uh the staffing outlook. Uh we also want to talk about uh the needs that we have in our special education uh area particularly our teachers. Uh we want to talk about some compensation uh options and then we want to make a recommendation to you at the end. Um the fiscal year change is something we've talked a lot about. Uh we our current year 2526 is a 12-month fiscal year that ends uh that will end on August 31st. uh transition year uh next year will be the 2627. Uh we're going to be presenting uh you a 10-month budget to adopt uh to transition from a September one start to a July
124one start. Uh just as a side note, we uh the uh TA requires that when a district does transition from a one fiscal year uh to another that we we will have to present you with two budgets. One is the 10 the 10-month budget and the other is a 12-month budget so that you'll know what that budget would have looked like had you not changed your fiscal year. and and then uh the the the following years after that uh will will be a 12-month budget going forward. The uh our district enrollment continues to decline over the last 5 years. We've lost a little over 2,000 kids. This last year uh was uh we we started out at about 1,400 kids that we've lost and uh we're we're around 1500 now or we ended the year
125with about 1500. Uh so we we also have a shortage in special ed uh teachers. Uh we would uh want we're going to be recommending some additional stipens for special ed teachers so that we can uh not only attract but also retain uh special ed teachers going forward. Um again we've talked about the special uh or the uh transition to to the fiscal year beginning July 1. Uh we have a lot of work uh that's that's going to be related to uh trying to rightsize our district uh in terms of the number of employees that we employ given that we've lost 2,000 kids over the last five years. Uh to do some right sizing and and do everything we can to do the best we can for our students within the money that we have
126available. >> That's me. >> And I'm going to turn it over to Carla. >> Sorry. Good evening, President Hatfield, Dr. Eldridge, and the members of the board. Uh, thank you for the opportunity for me to come and speak to you guys tonight. Just talking more about the right size adjustments. Um, the district continues to evaluate all positions and we're trying to align those um, positions with our enrollment. Um, and we also want to strategically allocate resources um, for our students needs. So, that's our main priority. Um, however, like Art was talking about the transition, um, what what what we know is that we'll have a 10-month budget. It'll be balanced, but in that 12-month bal budget, it would it would still be a um a $20 million deficit. We'll talk about that more when we
127talk about the compensation options. However, if um should the staffing reductions not be achieved through attrition and and also through cost-saving measures, the district and if we don't do that by September of 2026, the district may have to implement and consider um a reduction in force by and that would have to start in January of 2027. So, just want to make sure that everybody knows that's kind of the direction that that it's going. And so with that, um, we'll talk about that more in the compensation plan. The next page is the special education. Um, the district continues to, um, experience challenges with retaining teachers um, in special ed. And so what what we are um um proposing is that we would implement um some stipens for each one of those teachers. And so by increasing
128those stipens, um what we would do is um help retain those teachers and recruit um recruit teachers. And so right now, each teach special ed teacher receives a $2,000 stipen. And that is low compared to the the surrounding districts. And so what we're proposing is for the first group that we would um we would have a um increase. And I can't see with my glasses on. Uh right now they're at 2,000, but we're proposing a $4,500 stipen. So that would be an increase for them for of $2,500. The second group, we're proposing a $5,500 stipen, which would be an increase of $3,500 to give them a total of $5,500. And for the third group, we would um propose a $1,500 increase to the 2,000, which would give them a total of $3,500. Um and that
129is all going to be part of our recommendation as we go forward. Um and then moving forward um we we the district remains um committed to supporting the students and the staff. And so communication and transparency is still going to be remain our top top priority. Um and as we w work through these budget challenges that we have that are facing there's going to be tough decisions. We've already made tough decisions and they're still coming down that we will have to continue to make those decisions. Um what we are going to still do is closely monitor the budget and and the um operational um closely monitor the operational efficiencies with that um and and um kudos to Dr. Eldridge and all of the staff. We have diligently been looking at all the dis all the
130expenditures line by line and um and and you know sometimes we have to say no. Sometimes we get into, you know, um that we do things and we always do it that way and sometimes we just can't continue that way. It really is um what our focus is is really student um outcomes and so that's our main priority and so that's where we're headed with that. I also want to say that um we um we know there's a cost of living increase and so when it comes to our staff, we do want to appreciate them and because of all that um and we'll we'll Art will go over the compensation as as as well, but um we want to make sure that we provide something for all staff members um to to get past this,
131you know, like um this cost of living increase. And so we what we're going to present in the um compensation I think that that would be something that would compensate all staff members and would be a good um um increase to their their salary. The other thing is is uh at this point we're going to remove the um resolutions for the um years of service or the longevity and for the supplemental pay for the bus driver incentive until we can discuss those further. And so that would be in August. And with that, I'm going to move I'm going to um give it back to Art to go over those compensation plans. We uh have developed uh four options for the compensation plan and uh and and I won't I'm not going to go over every
132single line, but our our recommendation is for option four, which would include a uh uh a 2% raise for teachers, counselors, librarians, and nurses. Uh it would also include prayer professional staff and auxiliary staff. uh for the uh other categories of employees which is your administrators uh we're we're recommending a 1% increase. So again a 2% kind of a kind of a blended model for option four when you're comparing to the other options and uh it's a uh again 2% and 1% 2% for for the bulk of your employees and then 1% for your administrators >> and also stocks for the recommendments for the >> Yes. Yes. And we're also recommending uh stipens for uh for your special education teachers and uh TASBY in their in their study uh they have noted that we do
133have certain individuals within certain categories of employees that are are out under the range of of what would be competitive and so they have recommended some adjustments. Uh those are minor adjustments, but there are will be some adjustments for a few people within within certain categories that are that are outside the outside the competitive range as as TASBY has defined those. So we're we're recommending the stipens. Uh we're recommending the uh salary adjustments at 2% for teachers, librarians, uh nurses, counselors, prayer professionals, staff, auxiliary, and a 1% for all others, which would be your administrators. and uh we would um entertain any questions that you might have of us. >> Thank you all for your presentation. Um just for clarification to the public, the board did have a work study and then we called another
134work study and so the options that were presented tonight were actually discussed in a work study um previously. So we the small print that you saw we have in big print. Uh we also received electronically and we had it a discussion as a board about the different options and um kind of decided on didn't decide but we walked through the pros and cons of different options at work study. So this is not the first time that the board has seen this. So I just want to clarify that to the public. Um board members, questions, comments about the um recommendation or the presentation? >> Yes, ma'am. >> When you mentioned we're going to um remove the longevity plan resolution, the years of service, we're removing that from >> it's not included in option four. However, we're
135I think we're going to be doing some more talking about that and and uh that may come up uh in August again. >> Okay. Thank you. Miss Brady, >> just comment, Miss Benvitas, I think we're going to pull that off um this agenda tonight and we'll push it into August just like they said that we can discuss further. So, I'll put that in the motion that we made tonight. Um I also want to say that through all the study and all the work that these two have done and Dr. Eldridge, um I've I asked for some numbers. I asked just for the recapture numbers just for fun and recapture is part of what we pay back to the state because we're a property considered a property wealthy district. So over the last 5 years we've
136given back $141 million after this conclusion of this year which I guess whenever we make that payment it'll be $151 million in five years. So, I just want to put that in perspective as we um look at our legislative plan as the legislative session opens again in January. Um that that is absolutely insane that we are giving away this much money, but yet giving our teachers um even the cost of living raise is painful for us. So, that's just it's not right. So, I just want to make you all aware about what's happening in our state. Um and we're not the only ones. I mean, lots of districts are making this hard decision also to be um in significant debt so we can pay our teachers. So anyway, there's my two cents. >> And just
137to add on to that with um so that the public knows the recapture that she's talking about is CFB tax dollars. So our taxpayers pay their taxes, school taxes, and then we have sent that much money back to the state as a part of recapture. So, your tax dollars are not always staying in district. They're going back to the state. Additionally, those allocations are not required to go back to public education. They go into the um rainy day fund to spend on whatever they want to spend it on. And so, you think you're paying school taxes, but because we're a property wealthy district, $151 million of the taxes that have been paid actually just go back to whatever they want to spend it on because of current legislation. So, um I can assure you that
138the um leadership subcommittee is bringing forward a uh recommendation to the board as one of our agenda items is continue to focus on recapture reform. Um any other comments, questions, Miss Barnes? I just want to say I appreciate um just like with the Pulk presentation, I appreciate the effort that's been put in to make special education a priority and uh hiring special education teachers. I know this is something that's really um we have a hard time finding them throughout the entire state. So, I appreciate um all the effort that's been put in to hopefully uh make this look like an interesting prospect for a special education teacher. Thank you. >> And on that note, Miss Barnes, just so you know, legislative priority will be sped to also make a request to the state. If we
139are going to have special education, we have to invest. We have to invest in our people. And it is not just a local issue. It is truly a state issue. We are having a hard time retaining, recruiting. We have to have some help. Our population needs the help. So that will be a priority for us >> to come. >> Miss Barnes, additional comment. >> Yes. I'll further that. any addition to say um I just want to say that in terms of special education not only I'm glad it's a priority but we actually have more and more special education students every year and so not only is it a priority but we are actually spending money on contract employees to try to help fill the gaps and we are probably every year going to get more
140and more special education students. So that is why it has to be a priority. Thank you. Additional comments or questions? Okay. Um uh I want to come back to the compensation plan because um administration is recommending pulling off the um years of service supplemental pay and the bus driver supplement um that was originally in the agenda. But I think that it's critical to also disentangle um the decisions that need to be made. And so I want to make sure we clarify this for staff is that um the accumulated leave is in board policy and it is board policy DEC and so that is one arm that is not being considered tonight but the governance subcommittee um is reviewing that policy. So, as of right now, there have not been any changes to accumulated leave because
141that is in board policy. And so, it doesn't just take a vote in the compensation plan to change that. It takes a change in board policy. So, I will say that the committee is reviewing it and does plan to bring it to the board because um a board member did request review by the committee. So um we have a procedure that we have a subcommittee and the subcommittee is called the governance subcommittee and it is our job to review the board operating procedures and board policy if at any point um a board member requests it. So that subcommittee has met has asked administration for additional information so that because a board member requested a review we could bring it for discussion for the full board. So the accumulated leave portion of what people have been
142asking about is board policy DEC and cannot be removed unless that has specific action by the board. So that's one thing that I wanted to clarify. Um the second thing is the years of service supplemental payment. Um I just I think Miss Brady's mentioned it, everybody's several people have mentioned it. Um there is a recommendation from an administration to remove that from consideration night, but for the purpose of and Dr. Elders, could you clarify being able to look more strategically in um those funds and what could be best done to retain? Would that be appropriate? >> Okay. So um with that, are there any other questions about the discussion and about the proposal from administration? >> Yes. And this is just just a comment. Um, if we go back to the fiscal year transition to
143the very probably the third slide, uh, just for transparency for the community, I know that you had said traditional 12-month fiscal year this year. Next year will be 10 10-month fiscal year. The following year will be back to 12. >> And it is not to >> not to sway the community that we are not in a budget deficit. It is not to to propose that we're doing something hiding something. We will appear as if there will be a budget that is balanced for next school year 2627 but for the following school year 2728 it will be back in deficit budget. Is that correct? >> That is correct. And we again we're going to off we're going to uh bring to you two budgets. Uh one will be the 10-month budget that we'll be recommending to
144you to change the fiscal year. The the other will be a 12-month budget that will show you what it would have been had you not changed the fiscal year. So that you'll you'll see that deficit on a 12-month basis for 26 27 and for future years depending on what we do in future years. But uh but but yes, and there's there's there's uh the the benefit of changing the fiscal year is that it better aligns the school district's budget with the operational year because the school starts in August. And when you have a a fiscal year start in September 1, your budget doesn't begin for the next school year until September 1, which is after school starts. So the the the uh change in fiscal year better aligns the district uh operational year with its
145budget year. But that doesn't change the way we receive money in the bank to pay bills. So it has no effect whatsoever on cash flow. doesn't it doesn't change the the timing of when we receive monies from our taxpayers uh which are in December and January primarily. It doesn't change the timing of when we receive money from our grants. It doesn't change the timing of when we receive money from TEA. So, it has absolutely no effect on cash flow and we pay and we pay our bills with cash. But it it does change uh those months of of uh uh July and August when you're not going to recognize those expenses in the current fiscal year and they're going to be budgeted for and recognized in the next fiscal year. So, uh, there's there's there's
146defin there's definitely pros to change in the fiscal year, but it doesn't put any more money in the bank. Uh, the money in the bank is not going to change. >> Thank you. >> And if we're spending more money than we're bringing in, then we still have a deficit cash flow. >> Thank you for your clarification. Um and on that clarification that takes us right back to slide five that does talk about the right size adjustments in that um the district is working towards sufficient staffing reductions but if it's not achieved by September 2026 we may need to introduce or inter implement a reduction in force. So, just to clarify, when it says the process begins January 2027, um does that mean it would come before the board in January 2027 for consideration or um
147and are those contracted positions for 2728? Do you see where I'm going? >> Yes, the process will begin, but to answer your question, uh yes, we'll bring that to you as an item for you to vote on in January of 27. But uh and then the process of identifying which positions will be eliminated for you know to uh just to because that's that's what you're doing. You're eliminating positions >> and uh that those positions will be eliminated for the 2728 school year. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Board members, any additional questions or comments? Miss Brady. >> Uh Mr. Gilmore is asking me and just to make sure that we're all clear is that all of these numbers are based on the fact that we are if we if we get fewer students enrolled. >>
148Yes. And uh we we are uh anticipating another drop in enrollment. Uh we're going to budget for a thousand uh is what our plans are right now. Uh if if it's uh this last year, like I said, it was it was 1,500 is where we ended up the year. So hopefully it's going to be less than a thousand. If it is, then our deficit won't be quite as much. If we get another 1,500 drop, it's going to be more. >> So I think that's a really good clarification, Mr. Gilmore, that these compensation options that the public can see in board book, this is not the final numbers of our revenue and expenses because we don't adopt the budget until August. So what we're doing is we're adopting the compensation plan so that administration can utilize
149the compensation plan to accurately create the budget so that when the board adopts the budget in August it is representative of this. If we don't adopt a compensation plan now then they have to go on assumptions versus by adopting the compensation plan now they can accurately project. Would that be accurate? >> It is absolutely >> so that's why this is critically important tonight. Um however the administration pulling off those two items is a very small amount of the total budget although a very significant and important amount. Um however they have requested additional time to really think through that. Um and with that if there are no other questions or comments. Yes I was I saw I know your motion now. Miss >> thank you. Um I was just going to ask last uh in our
150work study you gave us a report of the number of uh changes in staff that have already taken place. Do you have an update? >> We do. We're looking at right now 95 positions that we're through through attrition that that we we believe we can reduce the staff by for this next year. And and uh but uh in order to get to a balanced budget, we would need that number to be something over 300 u because of the amount of students we've lost and because of the amount of funding that we've lost. uh when you're talking about a loss of over 2,000 kids at a at a roughly $8,000 per child, it's millions of dollars. If we lose another thousand kids, it's millions more. So you we've got some very challenging times ahead of us
151and uh and uh we're we're going to have to see what happens this next year and our enrollment. We're going to know in late August what our enrollment is for next year. And then uh we're going to have to make an assessment on what we need to do to get to a balanced budget for 2728. >> Thank you, Miss Benze. I'll also add to that we are keeping a spreadsheet based on the TASBY study that was given to us of what positions you know needed to um be consolidated. And so we will give you an update um as you know people are moving we are keeping very good records and so we'll give you an update in August. All right. Seeing no um additional requests for information or discussion, I will entertain a motion on
152item 6. Miss Brady, >> I move that we approve the 2026 27 compensation plan, including the new higher salary schedule and the special ed stipen and supplemental pay schedule. Additionally, I move to direct the superintendent to bring the supplemental stipen for bus drivers and monitors as well as the longevity supplemental pay back to the board in August for reconsideration. I have a motion from Miss Brady. Do I have a second? I have a second from Miss Barnes. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? Any opposed? By vote of seven in favor, zero opposed. The motion carries. Congratulations. You may continue working on your budget. >> Okay. Thank you. Um and we appreciate the work continuing to go into um strategically thinking about the items that we didn't consider tonight. >> Thank you very much.
153>> Thank you. Okay. Um the next agenda item is 6D which is um discussion and action to approve the nomination or endorsement of a candidate for position on the Texas Association of School Boards or TASBY board of directors region 10 position D. Um, so just to ensure that the board the board had information in the board packet and so they had ample time to look at this. But for the benefit of the public, I'll just give a little bit more information. So as an active member of the Texas Association of School Boards or TASBY, our board has the opportunity to participate in the governance of the association by nominating qualified trustees for service on the TASBY board of directors. TASBY is a member-led organization governed by the elected schoolboard trustees across Texas. directors provide oversight
154and guidance to ensure TASBY remains responsive to the needs of its member districts. We are invited to nominate nominate a member of our board as a candidate for the region 10D position of the Tasby board of directors. The position is currently held by Kevin Carbo of Mosquite ISD. Um Carbo has indicated he will not be seeking reelection. The term of this position is for three years beginning with the close of the 2026 uh TASA TASA TAZBY convention and expires after the 2029 convention. Eligibility requirements for the information were attached in board book and one of those does um include that you must have served at least 18 months on the CFBISTD board of trustees to be eligible. That's not our rule. That's the TASBY rule. And so I just wanted to um ensure that board
155members were aware. Um this item is marked for possible action. It does not require action. Um board members, is there any questions or does anyone wish to make a nomination? All right. Seeing none, uh let the record show that item 6D titled discussion and action to approve nomination or endorsement of a candidate for a position of the Texas Association of School Boards Board of Directors Region 10 position D had no action taken. Our next agenda item uh is item seven, close meeting as authorized under Texas government code, including but not limited to section 551.071, consultation with attorney 551.072, real property 551.074, personnel matters. 551.076 security devices 551.082 school children district employee disciplinary matter or complaints. 551.0821 Personally identifiable student information 551.03084 3084 investigation item 7A pursuant to section 551.076 security devices deliberation on cyber security
156software and data uh protection monitoring tools renewal. Um additionally uh item 7B was originally scheduled to be in closed session but will now be an open session and will be done after item 8A when we convene. So just to clarify, we're going to go in um into closed and discuss item 7A related to cyber security. We'll come out and um consider a motion 8A related to cyber security and then we will move um to 7B. So there is going to be a little agenda switch um which is allowed um under the the laws. So the board will now move into close session um in the board in the uh conference room. Audience members, you are welcome to remain in the boardroom as we recess and go into the conference room for deliberations. The time is
157now 9:07 p.m. The time is now 10:17 p.m. and we are back in open session. Um, item 8A, consider and approve the purchase of cyber security software and data protection monitoring tools renewal. Uh board members, this item was marked for possible action. Does anybody um have a motion they'd like to make? >> We were Miss Brady. >> Um I'd like >> I'd like to make the motion that we approve item 7A of cyber security software and data protection monitoring tools renewal. >> Um for clarification, uh I have it as 8A. Um, the closed session was 7A, but the action item is 8A. >> Thank you, ma'am. Yes, you are correct. And I will turn the page and there it is. >> So, is your motion for 8A? >> Yes, ma'am. It is for 8A. >>
158All right. I have a motion for item 8A. Is there a second? I have a second from Miss Barnes. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? >> Yes. Really hard. >> All those in favor? All right. Any opposed? By a vote of seven in favor and zero opposed, the motion carries. Our next agenda item um is 7B. Um I'll give everybody a chance to turn on recorders. Thank you. >> All recording. Okay. At this time, we will move to agenda item 7B, which is to hear and consider a level three complaint filed by an employee. In accordance with sections 551.071, 551.074 of the Texas Government Code, which is commonly known as the Texas Open Meetings Act, the board will conduct this hearing in open session at the request of the employee. Please note that
159the board reserves a right to close the hearing and should it become necessary under the Texas Open Meetings Act. Prior to the board holding the level three appeal hearing, the board met with its attorney, Mike Leer, to discuss the procedural steps involved with this level three appeal pursuant to the Texas Government Code section 551.071. Welcome. My name is Cassandra Hatfield and I am the president of the board of trustees of the Carolton Farmers Ranch Independent School District. For the record, today is Thursday, June 4th, 2026. The board is now convened in open sec session for the purpose of hearing the level three complaint filed by Aaron Lucero. This proceeding will be taped tape recorded to ensure an accurate record is kept. For the record, each person is asked to state their name, reason for their
160attendance, and relationship to Mr. Lucero if applicable. Uh we will start with board members. Um again, my name is Cassandra Hatfield. I'm the board president. No relationship. Uh Miss Barnes, I'll pass down to you. >> I am Marjorie Barnes and I'm a school board trustee for CFBISD. Carolyn Benvitas, school board trustee for Carol Deforms branch ISD. >> Illana Garza Rojos, uh, board secretary. >> Kim Brady, vice president, CFBISD trustees. >> Paul Gilmore, member, CFB ISD trustee. >> Cynthia, school board trustee. >> My name is Tiger Hanner. I'm the attorney representing Mr. Aaron Lucero tonight in today's in this proceeding. >> Aaron Lucero, the employee. Ross Mitchell, council for administration. >> Tammy Smalls, district administration. >> Mike Leer, council for the board of trustees. Thank you all. >> For the record, a quorum is present. At
161this time, I would like to instruct all participants to please avoid talking when another person is speaking so that the tape recording can accurately reflect the proceedings. Uh, further, please endeavor to make your oral statements as clear and complete as possible. Um, remember that the tape recording will not reflect gestures or any other form of non-verbal communications. This hearing will be conducted as an administrative presentation in accordance with applicable policies and laws. It will be based on the record made from the previous hearings. The board members have been supplied with a copy of this record in advance of the hearing. No new issues or evidence shall be presented. This record includes the level one grievance, all documents presented at level one, the level one response, and any documents the district relied on relied on to
162reach the decision at level one. And the level two grievance, any additional documents presented at level two, the level two response and any documents the districts relied on to uh reach the decision at level two, and the level three appeal. This is not a formal legal proceeding and no strict rules of evidence or procedure will apply. Each party will have an opportunity to make its presentation to the board. The parties will not be permitted to cross-examine each other. There will be an opportunity for the members of the board to ask questions of council or any presenter. However, the members of the board are not subject to questioning by either council or any other person in attendance. The board's decision must be supported by the record. The vote will be taken in open session following the
163hearing this evening. The complaintant, Mr. Lucero, will present his argument based on the record first. This presentation will be followed by the administration's presentation. The complaintant will be allotted 15 minutes and the administration will also be allocated 15 minutes to make their presentation. Each party may reserve their remaining time for a rebuttal. Uh, we have a question. >> You think that one shut off? Oh, okay. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I was like, what's going on? >> Um, I'd like to pass this one down to y'all because the record will catch our mic. >> Um, okay. So that way we know that the tables are represented. >> All right, they're both on now and continue. Okay. Um, okay. So, each party may reserve their remaining time for rebuttal. Please keep in mind this is an
164official schoolboard proceeding and all in attendance are expected to maintain proper boardroom decorum and professionalism at all times. The only individuals permitted to speak during this hearing are those individuals presenting members of the board and anyone in the board asked to speak. Should anyone feel the need to behave inappropriately or interrupt such proceedings, you may be asked to leave. Does anyone have any questions um as to how the hearing will be conducted? >> No, ma'am. >> Okay. All right. Any questions on how the hearing will be conducted? No. >> No. All right. Um, now that we've reviewed the procedures for the hearing, it is time to determine the qualifications of board members and hear to hear and consider this matter. I will ask each member of the board whether you can consider the information presented
165at the hearing and make a decision that is fair and impartial manner in a in a fair and impartial manner. If any member of the board feels he or she cannot do so, the board member should take should so state at this time and not participate in the hearing. Board members, does anyone feel that they cannot be fair and impartial? All right. Seeing none, um, let the re record reflect that each board member of the board present has indicated that he or she can consider the information presented at the hearing and make a decision that is fair and impartial in manner. Um, Mr. Lero, who will be making your presentation? >> I will start. >> You'll start. Okay. Um, you'll have 15 minutes again um, as stated to make your presentation to the board. The
166board's attorney, Mike Liser, will keep time for us and we'll indicate when you have approximately two minutes left in your allotted time. Um, Mr. Hanner, you um may proceed also um with Mr. Lucero. All right. Um, we're good. You can begin. >> Members of the board, tonight is the first opportunity in nearly 10 months for this matter to be discussed publicly. I understand the board has reviewed the written record, the investigation, the grievance materials, and the prior decisions. My purpose tonight is not to repeat every argument already contained in those documents, but to explain why I am still here, and why I continue to seek relief. At its core, this case is remarkably simple. The district placed me on administrative leave, investigated me, issued a rep written reprimand, reported me to TEA, and imposed speech
167restrictive directives because of comments I made on my personal social media account while off duty and acting as a private citizen. Yet, after nearly 10 months, two grievance hearings, an investigation, attorney involvement, and hundreds of papers of documentation, the district still cannot identify any actual disruption caused by my speech. No disruption to students. No disruption to instruction. No disruption to campus operations. No disruption to my ability to perform my job. No documented breakdown of professional relationships. No documented harm to the educational environment. Nothing. Instead, the district continues to rely on the phrase potential to cause disruption. Potential, hypothetical, speculative, not actual. The only disruption that occurred was the disruption created by the district itself. The district removed me from my classroom. The district removed me from my students. The district initiated a disciplinary investigation. The
168district reported me to tea. The district publicly confirmed to the media that a Newman Smith teacher was under investigation. The district created the disruption that now uses to justify its response. I believe it is important for the board to understand exactly what was said because throughout this process, my comments have repeatedly been characterized as inappropriate without any explanation of why they were inappropriate or what specific policy they violated. The comments at issue were made on my personal social media account, on my own time while acting as a private citizen. My initial post stated, "I wish more of us would focus our hearts on the innocent children suffering in Gaza and the brave Ukrainians risking everything for their country. These are the lives that truly need our care and attention, not the voices of division and
169hate that bring harm upon themselves." In a subsequent discussion, I also wrote, "But we have to be honest about how we got here." And his words were a big part of that. And you're smart enough to educate yourself about his past remarks regarding marginalized groups. It's not my job to do that for you. Clearly, his words failed him. Those are the comments, not threats, not calls for violence, not condoning violence, not encouragement of violence, not threats against students, staff, not threats against anyone. The board deserves to know what was actually written because the district has repeatedly characterized these comments as inappropriate while never explaining what specific language violated policy. The district's level two response states that the commissioner of education sent an email directing districts to report social media content pertaining to the assassination of
170Charlie Kirk. In response, the district reported concerns regarding my posts and placed me on admin leave. I remain confused by that explanation. If the district's justification is tied to social media content pertaining to Charlie Kirk, then I believe it is reasonable to ask how comments that never mentioned Charlie Kirk by name became the basis for admin leave, a disciplinary investigation, a written reprimand, TEA reporting, and speech restrictive directives that remain in place nearly 10 months later. That question has never been adequately answered. The district has repeatedly asserted that my conduct violated policy. Yet, even after two grievance levels, it continues to rely primarily on DH local and DH exhibit standard 1.7, which states only that an educator shall comply with the state regulations, local board policy and state and federal law. That provision does not
171prohibit any conduct. It does not regulate speech. It does not identify misconduct. It cannot independently serve as the basis for discipline unless the district identifies a specific law, regulation, or policy that was violated. The district has never done so. Instead, the district asked this board to accept the conclusion without identifying the underlying violation. The district's reasoning remains circular. My speech violated policy because the district says it violated policy. The district also attempts to justify its actions by pointing to guidance from the Texas Education Agency. In its grievance response, the district states that the commissioner of education directed districts to report social media content relating to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. However, in ongoing federal litigation, TEA has publicly argued that it has not implemented any new policies governing educator social media speech and that decisions
172to discipline or terminate teachers over social media post were decisions made by local school districts, not by TEA. That distinction matters because if TA is correct, then the decisions to place me on admin leave, issue a reprimand, impose directives, and maintain those findings through two grievance levels were decisions imposed by the district. They were not choices made by they were choices made by the district, excuse me. And if they were the district's choices, then the district must be able to justify them based on evidence, policy, and facts. After nearly 10 months, it still has not done so. The directives imposed on me remain one of the most troubling aspects of this case. I have been instructed to be mindful of how my speech may be perceived. I have been instructed to reconsider social media associations.
173I have been instructed to only share content that could be made public without concern. These directives are not found in the employee handbook. They are not objective standards. They are individualized restrictions imposed on me. I have repeatedly been told that I remain bound by these directives today. For nearly 10 months, they have caused me to self-censor lawful expression out of fear that another post could result in addition an in additional discipline or termination. Every time I open social media, I think about this case. Every time I consider posting something, I think about this case. Every time I walk into school, I think about this case. Every time I interact with district leadership, I think about this case. Not because I want to, because the district's actions ensure that I would. The district points to the
174sealing of records as evidence that relief has been provided. But caling is not meaningful relief. Caling does not resend the reprimand. Seeing does not correct the investigation. Seeing does not restore my professional reputation. Seeing does not eliminate TA exposure. Seeing does not remove the directives. Caling does not remove the chilling effect on my speech. Caling simply places the problem out of sight without leaving the underlying harm intact. Sealing doesn't put the genie back into the bottle. The damage has already been done. The district has also refused to provide any meaningful clarification to te regarding the absence of misconduct. As a result, I remain exposed to the risks of losing my license. The district references internal stealing yet TEA still has access to the underlying records and I have never received confirmation that the matter has
175been fully resolved from a lensure perspective. That continuing uncertainty is itself a form of professional harm. What makes this especially painful is that I love CFB. I have devoted years of my life to serving its students. I have built a strong choir program here. I have invested my career. I expect to continue investing my future here. I was not looking for a fight with my employer. I was looking for fairness. I was looking for accountability. I was looking for someone at some point during this process to acknowledge that a mistake had been made. Instead, at every stage, the district doubled down. It doubled down after the investigation. It doubled down after level one and level two. And nearly 10 months later, it continues to defend discipline for speech that caused no actual disruption and directives
176that continue to chill lawful expression today. Not a day has gone by in these last 10 months that I have not thought about this case. Not a day has gone by that I have not wondered whether my speech, my career, or my teaching certificate could once again become the subject of investigation. The stress has been exhausting. The uncertainty has been soul crushing. The loss of trust has been heartbreaking. I am asking this board to finally do what no one else in the process has been willing to do. Look at the actual facts. Look at the absence of disruption. Look at the absence of any clearly identified policy violation. Look at the continuing harm and correct it. Not because you agree with my speech, not because you agree with my opinions, but because facts matter, policies
177matter, constitutional rights matter, and because no employee of this district should endure nearly 10 months of investigation, discipline, reputational harm, professional uncertainty, and speech and speech restrictions without a clearly identified policy violation, and without evidence of actual disruption. For those reasons, I respectfully request that the board grant the relief requested in my appeal, including a finding that no actual disruption occurred, acknowledgement that my speech address matters of public concern, removal of the reprimand and related findings, removal of the speech restrictive directives, clarification to TA that no misconduct finding exists, policy revisions to prevent similar overreach in the future, recognition of the professional and reputational harm caused by these actions, and preservation of my rights to pursue any additional remedies available under law. Thank you for your time, your consideration, and your willingness to hear my
178appeal. >> I want to preface my comments by saying I'm I'm what I'm about to say is not meant as a threat. It's just meant as reality. This board cannot simply stick its head in the sand, deny this grievance, and think it's going to go away. It's not. It's going to continue unless it gets addressed, unless it gets resolved. As simple as that. I anticipate you will hear and we've heard throughout this entire grievance process that we the district was merely doing what they had to do because the governor told us we had to the commissioner told us I had that we had to. I will tell you this governor Abbott some official at TEA telling you to violate the law does not absolve you of responsibility when you violate the law. It may be
179your excuse, but it will not absolve you legally of violating the law. Throughout all of this, I think it's important for you to look at exactly what Aaron posted. No mention of Charlie Kirk, no glorification of violence, no call to violence. It is on his face clear to be free speech, an expression of opinion. I have heard repeatedly that his actions were his comments were inappropriate and violated policy. Yet here 10 months later, no one has identified how anything he posted violated a policy. I've seen references to DH local, CQ local, CY local, but not one time has anyone said how his post violated those policies. There are references in the reprimand and in the grievance documents about potential disruption. And as Aaron pointed out to you repeatedly, zero disruption occurred. zero. The only disruption
180was the disruption this district created by putting Aaron on leave, putting him under investigation, reprimanding him, and the media being confirming to the media that an employee at the high school was on leave and reporting him to TEA. As we sit here today, TEA has still not closed the book on whether or not they're going to investigate Aaron. He still sits here every day wondering whether he's going to be placed under investigation, whether he's going to be brought to Austin and interviewed and face the possibility of losing his license. The sealing of documents, as Aaron pointed out to you, is not an answer to anything. Tea, if they open their investigation, will send a subpoena to this district for all records, including the sealed ones. We're asking you look at the record and fix it.
181That's it. We have gone above and beyond almost any other grievance I've dealt with in my 35 year career to try to get this resolved. And we're asking this board to work with your your lawyers, work with your administration, and let's fix it. And I appreciate your time. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Lera, and Mr. Hanner. You have uh two minutes and 38 seconds left um that you may use for your rebuttal. Uh members of the board, I'm going to ask that you hold any questions you may have until the conclusion of both sides of the presentation. Um Mr. Mitchell, will you be making the presentation on behalf of the administration? >> I will. >> Okay. Um, you'll have 15 minutes to make the presentation. Um, on behalf of administration and the board's attorney, Mike
182Leiser, will keep the time and will indicate uh to you when you have approximately two minutes left in your allotted time. You may proceed at this time. >> Thank you, members of the board. Thank you for having us tonight. We are here tonight because on September 12th, 2025, the commissioner of education sent an email directing superintendent and districts to report social media content that pertain to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Uh, that's in the local record, page 77. Specifically, the commissioner's letter stated, and I quote, because I think it's important to see what mandate was given to the district here. So, TEA has been made aware of some Texas school public school educators that have posted and/or shared reprehensible and inappropriate content on social media related to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. In response, and
183I'm skipping a couple p, but it's all in the in the quote here. In response to such posts, I'm referring all documentation of educators that have proliferated such vile content to tea's educator investigation division. Such posts could constitute a violation of the educator's code of ethics, which is codified in your local policy as DH exhibit. And each instance will be made will be thoroughly reviewed to determine whether sanctionable conduct has occurred. If you are made aware of additional instances of inappropriate content being shared, it should be reported to the agency through TEA's misconduct reporting portal. End quote. And that's found local record 77. Notably, the commissioner interprets the educator's code of ethics. So his letter suggesting such conduct may violate those ethics was not supposition or guesswork on the district's part. It was clear guidance
184from the authority charged with drafting and enforcing those standards. A parent did submit a complaint to Mr. Kirk regarding Mr. Lucero's comments about Mr. Kirk. And so that's how we got here. That's how it got to the district was a parent complaint. The district didn't go looking at Mr. Lucero's social media for trouble. They didn't go looking at anyone's for trouble. It was the information that was given to them that they had to respond to. Mr. Lucero, as with the other district employees who made the post following the death of Charlie Kirk, was reported to TEA in accordance with the commissioner's mandate. The commissioner in that mandate, you didn't see any leeway for districts to determine what we thought or what the district thought was concerning or not. Following the mandate that each instance was
185to be thoroughly reviewed to determine whether sanctionable conduct had occurred, the district forward that forwarded that on to TEA. Um to date and to the district's knowledge and by Mr. Lucero's statement tonight, still there is no has been no decision made by TEA with respect to Mr. Lucero's case. TEA has thousands upon thousands of cases this year. Um, so there's a bit of a backlog. Um, but the absence of a decision is certainly not on the district. We we've cooperated in as much as we can. Mr. Lucero was put on administrative leave pending investigation as was everyone else whose Charlie Kirk content was reported and as everyone else is who is under investigation following a complaint or anything else. So he was treated the same way as everybody else in this particular position but also
186as every similarly situated employee who has an a complaint lodged against them. Um further the district did not put out any statement naming Mr. Lucero and only replied in response to Lonear media that we are aware of the this report and the matters under investigation. The district while the district does not comment on personnel matters we will adhere to TEA's commissioner's guidelines and follow proper procedures. That's local record 71. Um the the reporter asked a follow-up question. District didn't respond. There were other outlets that the district did not respond to at all. Specifically, the Dallas Observer and WFAA. That's in local record 76. Um it was the media outlet Lonear that named Mr. Lucero to the district, not the district. That's local record 72 and 83. And it was the media outlet who obtained screenshots
187regarding the post from someone other than the district. So again, the district did not seek to publicize this. in fact did not seek to publicize this via this hearing tonight. Initially was planned disclosed. Mr. Lucero wanted it to be open. Um but at all times the district has wanted to handle this matter confidentially as it does all personnel matters. Mr. Lucero was given the opportunity to tell his side of the story prior to the conclusion of the investigation. And in his meeting with Miss Bowens, he said he made the post quote to show that people who are in public light sometimes face consequences in their speech end quote. That's local record 28. When asked by Miss Bowen, "What message do you think it conveys?" Meaning, what message do you think the post conveys? Mr. Lucero
188responded that, "Quote, words matter." End quote. That's local record 28. Words do matter, and it's precisely for that reason that we are here today. Occasionally, private communications will become known in the community and threaten the employees effectiveness in the workplace. The commissioner of education has long recognized that educators are role models for students and he included similar language in his September 12th mandate regarding impressionability of students. Similarly, courts have held that the position of a teacher by its very nature requires a degree of public trust not found in many other positions of employment and e but each situation must be evaluated based on its own circumstances. The key question being whether the school district would be respon reasonable in punishing an employee for non-workrelated private expression expression. The analysis depends on whether and how significantly
189the employees work has been impaired by the per personal expression. This entire situation began with a parent complaint. And I think it's important to read verbatim what the parent said so that you understand the context of what your administration received and thus had to deal with. Quote, "It has come to my attention that a teacher," and this came from concerned parents, by the way, that was who it was signed by. Uh, quote, "It has come to my attention that a teacher at Newman Smith High School has repeatedly made public remarks that are deeply troubling. More recently, most recently, he used his social media platforms to make statements that appeared to justify or even condone violence, specifically referencing the assassination of Charlie Kirk. As a parent, I know how impressionable my high school students can be,
190and I expect teachers who hold positions of authority and influence to set an example of integrity, respect, and safety. When an educator publicly mis minimizes or rationalizes violence, it raises serious concerns about the values they are imparting to the students in the classroom. Unfortunately, this teacher, this incident is not isolated. A video circulating online from several years ago shows the same teacher making racially charged comments, mocking a group for being quote all white end quote and antagonizing them in a way that demonstrate a clear disregard for respectful dialogue. These repeated outbursts reveal a pattern of behavior rooted rooted in division, hostility, and poor judgment. Educators are trusted with shaping the minds and character of our youth. When a teacher instead models aggression, bias, and justifications of violence, they not only erode trust, but actively endanger
191the culture of safety and respect that students need in order to thrive. Taken together, these incidents establish a long-standing pattern of divisive, inflammatory, and reckless behavior. This behavior does not reflect poorly on one teacher. It exposes the district to significant liability. Parents arose entrust their children to the school with the expectation they will be guided by role models who demonstrate professionalism and respect. When an educator repeatedly engages in speech that promotes hostility or justifies violence, the risk extends beyond reputational harm, it calls into question the district's ability to provide a safe and non-discriminatory learning environment. Local record 6970. So even without the Charlie Kirk, even if Charlie Kirk's name was not in that email, most administrations would investigate this would investigate a complaint of this nature, the politics aside, just because of the the verbiage
192and the allegations raised herein. Um so Mr. Lucero's post did at least with the concerned parents the persons who people who sent this email um alluded to him his their trust in him being eroded as an educator as described above. In addition, the media was notified and became interested in this case through no fault of the district. To say that the post did not have an impact on members of the community or potentially impact his ability to be effective in his role is not supported by the record. It's for that reason that in bringing Mr. Lucero back. The district gave him written documentation and directives. And I just want to be clear, those directives were part of the the reprimand that was withdrawn with the level one. So not I'm not clear how Mr. Lucero
193who has told him that those are still active, but those were withdrawn as part of the level one. Um they were part of it, part of the recision of the the grievance decision. Um he received the same type of documentation as everyone else who has reported to TA for this content. Uh though titled ripen written reprimand and directives. The document was mostly a reminder that as Mr. Lucero pointed out in his interview with Miss Bowen, people who are in the public light sometimes face consequences in their speech. He was reminded that his post could become employment issues if they impaired his ability to function in his role or caused a disruption to campus, which again based on the parent complaint, at least part of that existed at the time of the of this writing. He
194was also reminded to set his settings to private as his account had been public until September 13th after the posts were made. Um, in that he was reminded to comply with the code of ethics which like I said earlier, the commissioner establishes and enforces the code of ethics. So when the person making the rules tells you this might violate the rules, we had to stop, look, and listen. Um, following the receipt of the directives, Mr. Lucero filed a rebuttal and a grievance. In the level one grievance, the hearing officer granted some relief. Specifically, his first remedy was granted. The district agreed to seal the written reprimand directives and rebuttal as well as the investigation summary report. The district also agreed to seal documents related to his placement on administrative leave. Access to these documents was
195restricted to the complainant and the assistant superintendent of human resources and it was to have no impact on any employment related decision concerning Mr. Lucero this year and in fact it did not have any impact on his employment um as he has been offered or was offered a contract for next year and I believe plans to be here. Um further he asked for two documents referenced in the PIA to be provided. Those were granted right away and and given over. Um the the district re of the relief it could but there's outstanding relief that couldn't be could not be dealt with and that issue still remains stay and the main part of that is financial compensation. Um district engaged in mediation at the request of Mr. Lucero and his attorney prior to the level two
196grievance in good faith. It did not counter Mr. Lucero's monetary band because no financial renumeration is appropriate in this case. To compensate Mr. Lucero would amount to a gift of public funds which is prohibited by the Texas Constitution. Other than that, there were other non-monetary items the district considered. Nevertheless, since the parties could not agree on the financial component, the case proceeded to level two and now to level three. Your administration followed board policy and the commissioner's mandate in reporting Mr. Lucero's comments. The compl complaint came to administration. They didn't go looking for it and they followed law policy as they did with everyone else who complaint was submitted against. Issued minimal documentation concerning the is incident which was later sealed entirely and granted the district granted the relief it could. It did report to
197tea as required by the commissioner and we can't unring that bell. Uh however to date no flag appears on Mr. Lucero's certificate and in fact his certificate shows he's an exemplary teacher. the there was some discussion about the need for financial compensation as it because of reputational harm and I just want to address that briefly. The reputational harm argument is particularly curious given the events of this evening where the district sought to have this in close session so that this didn't get out to everybody and and the details and all of the facts were would remain confidential. Um but Mr. Lucero as is his right asked to have this and open and so here we are. Um the nature public nature of an open hearing draws attention to the offense of this grievance more than
198anything the district did and by its very nature of being open to the to the world and now on YouTube or wherever else um has a much greater risk of causing the type of reputational harm Mr. Lucero fears and asks compensation for. So the district acquies to this request, but we can't be responsible for any reputational harm that may occur as a result of the hearing this evening because that request came from Mr. Lucero and was Mr. Lucero's decision alone. Um lastly, Mr. Lucero wants financial compensation. um not minimal fan financial compensation, um six figures in financial compensation. And we just sat through earlier today a budget discussion that was bleak uh to be frank. And so in thinking about the remedies that you can grant, um there's limited opportunity to provide significant financial compensation.
199So for all these reasons, administration asks that you deny Mr. Lucero's requested relief and uphold the level two decision. >> All right. Um, you have >> uh um Mr. Lucero or u Mr. Hanner, you have 2 minutes and 36 seconds remaining for the rebuttal if you choose to use so. Um and um Mr. um Liser >> will give you a one minute warning. >> Okay, sounds good. >> All right, please proceed. Ladies and gentlemen, as I anticipated, what we heard was all we were doing was following the government's directives. But the law is very clear, and Mr. Liser will be happy to share that with you. Following an illegal directive is still illegal conduct. Governor Abbott telling you what to do, the commissioner telling you what to do when what they're telling you to do
200is illegal, following that directive is still illegal. Furthermore, I heard Mr. Mitchell talk about, well, everyone had to. Everybody did it. That's not true. Their districts refused to report, refused to do it. Furthermore, lots of districts did not put their employee on leave, did not issue written reprimands, did not give directives that clearly or an attempt to chill his private speech. We've heard about that the reprimand was rescended, but at one of the legal the grievance hearings, Mr. Lucero asked, "Do the mandate still apply to me?" And what did they tell you? >> Yes. >> And who told you that? >> Uh, Dr. that the directives about his speech still apply document or not. Furthermore, other districts did not confirm to the media that it was an employee of Neonith High School. So, it's not
201like you did what everybody did because others refused to follow those illegal directives. We heard about one parent allegant. We don't know who this was. An honest somebody. We don't know as a parent or not. One letter. That's the disruption. This district receives on a daily basis. Countless letters, calls. Is every single call you get from someone considered a disruption to the operation of this district? Is every single letter you get considered an disruption the operation of this district? Absolutely not. There's zero disruption. It's been 10 months and seemed illusion. Well, you wanted the open session. Mr. Lucero is pursuing the legal remedies required that he must pursue to obtain justice for something that was illegal done to him. They say, "Oh, you caused your problem." And if there's a lawsuit filed, his name will
202be on that, too. but it's because he sought redress for the illegal harm that was done to him. I truly hope you'll take this opportunity to fix it and thank you. Thank you. Uh Mr. Mitchell, you have uh two minutes remaining for your rebuttal. Um and um Mr. Liser will give you a one minute warning. You can proceed. >> Thank you. I just want to address a few uh a few points made. So complaints from parents do require action. This district may get a lot of complaints, but that means there's a lot of action. We don't get to pick and choose which we think are important, which we think are valid. We have to investigate everything that comes our way. Um because if you don't and there's issues, then that's problematic itself. Um Mr. Hanner
203mentioned that other there are other districts that handle this differently. No doubt there are,00 districts in the state. So there are probably districts that did not report people to tea and felt they would just take whatever consequences came from that. Uh there were though districts that fired teachers for these these behaviors or these comments. Um and so while the district we did not not report people as some did, we also didn't fire people as some did. And in fact, Mr. Lucero was put back to work within a week. Um, you know, as I mentioned earlier, the directives were part of that level one reprimand. So, I'm not sure, um, don't have the transcript of that record or of that level two hearing, but in the documentation, it shows that the rep reprimanded directives were taken
204out. Um, lastly, I just want to draw your attention to the fact that there is not a budget. There's not a lot in the budget for six figure settlements and considering the district remedied this as quick as they could um and put Mr. Lucero back to work, sealed everything, etc., the lasting harm is is minimal and not reflective of the six figure payout Mr. Lucero seeks. So for that reason, if you want to seek non-mon monetary relief, the administration is open to your thoughts on that if that's what ultimately you want to do. But as to the financial relief, um not sure where those dollars will come from. >> All right. Thank you. Your time is up. Um uh board members, are there any questions that anyone has? Miss Brady. >> So M I was
205going to call you Mr. Ross. Um, can you show us in the record exactly the pieces of policy that Mr. Lucero violated? Exactly. I know the overall policy, so please don't tell me DH and CQ. I want to know the exact wording that he has violated. Please. >> Sure. Let me look at it. Let's see. I mean, I go back to if you look at page 57, last bullet point, employee continues to be subject to applicable state and federal laws, including the educator's code of ethics. And again, the the creator and enforcer of that document was telling us that violations may violations of the type that were being reported could be violations of the code of ethics, which you know, those two are two things are linked together. Um, the other, and I don't have
206it right off the top of my head, would be imp potentially impeding the educator's ability to do their role or to function in their role as a result of community outrage. And so here we had one parent complaint, but the parent complaint was not just I saw Charlie Kirk content mean as you heard it, there were a number of things that merited investigation. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Do you have any additional questions? >> I do. >> Um >> Oh, if they have first. Go ahead. >> Miss Barnes, >> could I get some clarification on the dates that the posts or the um replies, the comments, uh what dates those were made and what dates you received the um um so >> the complaint? >> No, not the complaint. Um the directive I guess as
207you say from TEA. >> Yes. So the posts I believe were made on September 10th. Um and the the directive from TEA came on the 12th >> and the complaint from the parents I believe came on the 18th. >> And what was the date that maybe this is a question directed to you. What was the date that um your uh that you put your social media on private so that no one could else could see it? >> Right around the same time. Okay. >> Yeah. The 13th I think is >> Yeah. >> Okay. Additional questions, Miss Brady. So when we use the word So let me be clear. So the the papers the file has been cleared has been cleared or it's been sealed. So I guess I'm concerned of what what's actually already happened.
208>> Sure. So it's been sealed. Um meaning that the and I can go back into my notes here. The assistant superintendent for HR superintendent and complainer are the only ones that have access to it. Now anyone with law lawful subpoena authority would be able to access it. So TEA would in that event. Um however, we can't just shred files because TEA is going to have an issue with that too. So sealing is the standard practice for um taking things out of consideration for employment decisions, but maintaining the documentation because it is a government document so we can't delete it. So, if he were to seek future employment, what would that future employer see or know or hear about or is there a star on his >> There's nothing. There's absolutely nothing, >> Mr. Lero. >>
209They would ask me if I've ever been on administrative. >> I see. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any additional questions? Miss Benvitas. >> Thank you. Um, I wanted to ask, has he been investigated for anything else before? >> To my knowledge, no. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> I got one more. >> Miss Brady, >> are you sure? Okay. Um, and I'm looking at both of you for this answer. So, TEA, although they say they would be the ones to investigate this, they have not done that. We have not received any conclusion from that. We have not heard anything from DEA. >> I spoke to the investigator assigned to these matters. One investigator about all of these cases involving Charlie Kirk social media posts and it is still on his
210desk at this point. Um the agency has been overwhelmed with reports because of changes in the law irregardless of this, >> right? >> So they're still on his desk. He's going through some of them, but many of them are still sitting there. We don't know. >> Okay, >> that I mean that's the troubling part. >> So, it hasn't gotten started. It hasn't ended. We have nothing. >> They have no time frame. >> Okay. >> The only time frame they have is once they put a flag on a teaching certificate, they have a time frame of days to either pull the flag off or pursue legal action. But as long as it's just sitting there with no flag yet, there is no time. >> So, but to clarify, there is not a flag right now. We
211>> flag right now. None of none of to my knowledge. Last check at this point because they don't want to start time there's been none of the Charlie Kirk cases have been flagged yet to my knowledge. >> Okay. >> But they are still all there. >> Okay. Thank you. Any additional questions? Board members. >> I was just going to have him give him the mic next time. That's all. >> Oh, okay. >> If Mr. Hanner had answer >> any additional questions? No. Okay. A decision uh will be made in close session following the board's discussion. The board will reconvene in open session. U members of the hearing and members of the audience, you're welcome to remain in the boardroom. Uh we will reconvene in open session to take action if appropriate. Thank you very much
212for being here tonight. Um the time is now 11:04 p.m. Miss Pas, you good? >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay, the time is now 11:53 and we are back in open session after hearing the level three appeal filed by an employee in closed session or the appeal was in open session and then the board um deliberated and closed and in accordance with chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code. Any action regarding this matter must happen in open session. Um so at this time I have a motion. I move that the board deny in part and grant in part Mr. Laceros requested relief on the issue as follows. Relief number five was already granted at the level one. Relief number one, number two, number four, number seven, and number eight not granted. Relief number three granted. Relief
213number six partially granted. The board will review board policy related to offduty expression. Um, having made that motion, do I have a second? I have a second by Miss Brady. Is there any discussion? All right. Seeing none, all those in favor? Any opposed? By a vote of seven in favor, zero opposed. The motion carries. Um at this time, we the board will move to the next agenda item, which is number nine. Comments from board members regarding posted agenda items. Board members, do any of you have comments you wish to make at this time related to the posted agenda? All right. Um, seeing none, we've reached the end of our agenda and we are adjourned at 11:55 p.m.