001Good afternoon everyone. Thank you all for be Thank you all for being here this afternoon. We will get started. We are here at the Eagle Pass Independent School District regular board meeting today being Wednesday, April 9th, 2025. It is 5:47 p.m. and we call this meeting to order. Mr. Mkhares, will you please lead us in the pledge of allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Honor the Texas flag one state one and indivisible. Thank you Mr. Mikarees. Now we will go through roll call. We have Miss Ila P. Martinez vice president present. Mr. Christopher Hiller secretary present. Mr. Morris Lipson Jr. present. Mr. Hi Missy Vera present. Mr. Tom Gonzalez
002present uh our superintendent Mr. Samar is present and we have Miss Valer attorney here and myself present. We do have citizens communications and recognitions. We have first one is Juan and Angelica Rivera. Thank you everyone. Thank you. Every speaker or each speaker will have three minutes. I just want to make sure everyone knew that. Uh we don't always have public comment speakers. So I just want to make that clear. And uh the board can't respond uh by law but they are here to listen to you. Thank you. Thank you. In that case, before my time is started, let me clear because I promise that uh my emotions and my anger will not get to me. So bear with me. Bear with me everyone. Good afternoon. My name is Juan Rivera. This is my wife Angelica
003Rivera. We are parents of Mariana and we are here today asking equality and justice from the school board committee. It started at an incident of two Eagle Pass high schoolers jumping on another student and blastering on social media. As parents, we are all know how devastating that that could be and under no circumstances that should ever be allowed. What's so alarming is the alleged victim is in another case shows him as an alleged aggressor. Ladies and gentlemen, in front of you, there's a request form of all records in case number 2205-1989, the assault on my little girl, Friday, May 6, 20 of 22 at 3:20 p.m. at Liberty Elementary School. It includes picture where she got punched in the mouth, her busted lip, and her lo uh loss of her tooth. My wife and I
004are under the impression that we were getting a phone call by the probation officer taking the case or the I'm sorry, taking the case or the arresting officer, something indicating that a question should be followed whether we want to press charges to the assault when nothing like that happened. Instead, the charges were dropped from an assault to a misdemeanor. Now, someone twice her size, one year older than her already handing out to seventh grade. As a father, I took him as an insult. It felt that the police chief, I'm sorry, it felt like the uh punishment was just a slap in the hand. So my wife and I immediately spoke with the police chief and because your chief of police in hisio felt that the my daughter did did not suffer permanent bodily injuries that
005the district attorney will make him lower the charges regardless when we confronted the superintendent Mr. Mikhades the situation that whatever the his his chief of police decisions that his chief of police makes he'll back him up. I don't know if that was the right call or not. How ironic. The aggressor in this case that happened a few weeks ago is now the victim. Ironically, isn't it? Well, we just found out that the victim belongs to an ISD employee. All right, I'm going to pause right quickly. I'm going to You have 15 seconds left, but I just want to And you haven't done this yet, but I just want to make you mindful that Furpa does not allow any discussion of other students names, only your own. No, I'm not saying any names, which you've done.
006Thank you. I just want to let you know no names allowed. Thank you. Well, going back to what I was saying, ladies and gentlemen, of the school board, these charges that we're asking, we needed to go ahead and be dropped for a assault to a misdemeanor to help the ladies, I'm sorry, the families that are actually uh struggling with these alleged victims. I'm sorry. The alleged ve uh aggressors, if they cannot be lowered and if you feel that these assault charges need to be ongoing, then I request for my case to be reopened and we seek justice for my daughter. Questions? Then thank you. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Herrera. Next up, we have Miss Diamantina Galindo. Good afternoon everyone. My name is Yamantina Galindo. I am a born and raised resident of Eagle Pass,
007Texas. I am currently working for Southwest Texas College as an instructor. From the 11 years I have been working with the college for seven years I worked alongside Miss Castion from EPISD CTE department and high school counselors teaching the medical assistant phabbotomy technician and EKG technician program at the franchis regional center for CC win and eagle pass high school students. But first and foremost, I am the mother of one of the young students who was part of the fight on Thursday, March 27th. Never as a student of EPISD, as an instructor or resident of this community, have I seen extreme actions and punishment being taken by the city of Eagle Pass and EPISD for a school fight. Friday, March 28th, at 8:00 a.m., I received a call to take my son to EPISD police for
008questioning. After 15 minutes of interviewing my son, they made me aware that he would have to be detained. EPISD police said the process would take an hour and a half and I could return to get him. Within that hour and a half that I was waiting outside, they had the juvenile probation officer questioning my son without me being present. Now, we have to remember he is underage and neither my husband nor I signed anything for them to be able to speak with him without our presence. The juvenile probation officer came outside to the parking lot where I was parked and told me my son had been calm and cooperative, but that he had been given some questions to answer and rated high in anger and suicidal. If this was the case, why was he not
009sent for further evaluation? I'm in the medical field and that is usually what we do. if this were I'm sorry uh instead the decision was to send him to a detention center away from home and family like if that was going to help but but please tell me how was that going to help him. Also, the juvenile probation officer made me aware that the night of the incident, the DA's office impatiently kept calling and texting, wanting to know what happened, why there wasn't there any report of the fight, and that they needed to act now. By 3:45 p.m., my son was in front of the DA judge, and by 5:00 p.m., he was transferred to the Laredo Detention Center without let even letting me say goodbye to him because they assumed I was not going.
010Although they were the ones that told me to go grab something to eat for him before he left. My son is a student who has never been in trouble, not even a parent conference. He is a person who keeps to himself and only gets out of his shell when he's around family and friends. My son has good grades and a respectful person. He is a gentle giant. The juvenile probation officer went to his counselor and teachers and there was not even one negative thing said about him. He is a boy who doesn't even go out but maybe twice or maximum three times a month. He is someone who also knows about responsibilities. He does daily chores at home and participates with me in community events. This is who my son is, not the criminal that
011everyone has made him seem. Mr. Miharees, I listen to your interviews on social media about how you are here to protect our students, even the victims and aggressors. So my question to you is, how did you protect my son? This was an EPISD issue, and you let the people of Maverick County be the ones to decide the destiny of my son instead of EPISD investigating first who these children are and the reason this incident happened. Our children were exposed all over social media. Local, out of town and international media has been exposing and saying every unpleasant thing about our children or family. People mentioned we were a cartel, threatening our children to be beaten, taken to Mexico, and even called animals. So, how are you going to protect them from this? Are we going to
012be able to keep them safe? If my son is going to get charges for what he did, are we going to be able to press charges against the person who took the video and exposed it on social media? Are we able to press charges against all the people who threatened our children and our family? I have said it since the beginning. I do not excuse my son's actions, but the only reason extreme actions were taken was because all of the comments being thrown at EPISD and local politicians on social media. How was this a professional decision? You are making an example out of my son and using him as a scapegoat to make the people happy. By doing this, you are not looking at the well-being of my son, but only yours. And it contradicts
013your statement of protecting every student of EPISD. So, moving forward, I want to know if the investigation has been completed. The fight did not happen because my son did not like the way the student was sitting or looking that day. For every cause, there is a reaction. And my son was a victim of this student before becoming his aggressor. It happened because this student is disrespectful and we can confirm that he has a problem not only to my son but to many others who have not spoken out. This is a student who has a history of being in DAP and has assaulted a student before. He needs to be aware and be accountable for his actions so this does not happen to him again. My son is completely remorseful for his actions and I can
014assure you that he regrets action. Sorry, your time was up a little while ago. They went ahead and let you continue to finish, but your time's been up for a while. Okay. Well, thank you for the opportunity to speak. Thank you. Thank you. Last one, Miss Chantel Capillo. Good afternoon. My name is Chintel Capet. Good afternoon. I'm an employee for Camino. My one of my son was involved in an incident as well as a current parent. He was one of the aggressors. The reason why um he was being bullied by the victim, I mean, he could only take so much, but I understand it's not it's not acceptable what he did. I understand that. But as a parent and deeply concerned, disappointed in lack of adequate supervision and support provided to our children at Eagle
015Pass High School, the reason the incident involving our children has raised serious questions about the school's commitment in ensuring student safety and well-being. We are particularly troubled by the absence of an adult supervision during the incident and how it could been it could be that no staff members or administrators were present and intent in intent of provide guidance. This lack of oversight has left our children vulnerable and has had a significant impact on our emotional and psychological well-being. Furthermore, we are dismayed by the fact that our child is being singled out and held accountable for an incident that is not entirely their fault. We have witnessed instance in the past where our other students have been involved in severe incidents, serious incidents, yet no meaningful actions was taken. It appears that our child is being
016unfairly targeted and said as an example. We urge the school administration to take a closer look at the policy and procedures to ensure that all students receive the support and supervision they need. We request a thorly a thorough investigation in this incident and comprehensive plan to prevent similar incidents in occurring in our future. I mean this really affected our son emotionally. My son is the best son ever. He's very helpful, very attentive, never has never been in trouble ever. And now this how he was taken to juvie and everything from one day to another it really affected not just him but us as a family. So we want to know what's the procedures in this what actions are going to be taken accountable. I mean they're just juveniles. They're things happen. Videos have been posted
017from other children, fights, nothing has been done. But then in social media, people say that our son are supposed to be set an example. What can happen? Why is it happening now? Why are they being sentenced to this extreme? Why now? Why him? Thank you. Thank you all. We will now move to recognitions. Number one, recognition of the CC Win High School Maverick girls golf team for earning the district championship title for three consecutive years. Good good evening, Mr. President, distinguished members of the board, and of course, Superintendent Miharees. Thank you for allowing me to spend some time with you this evening. Our first recognition of the night is to celebrate your three-time girls golf district champs, your very own CC Win Lady Mavericks. This golf season has been another hole in one as the
018Mavericks could not be contained on the field and we could not be happier about this future dynasty in the making. Congratulations ladies and keep your streak alive. At this time, we bring forward the team and invite the board and superintendent to come up for photos. at this time. If there are any parents that would like to move to the middle of the aisle, you can do so before we take our official photo. If you'd like to come up and get your own photo, you can do so at this time. Up next, It's time we bring up your very own Eagle Pass High School varsity soccer team that battled it out this season and earned their first playoff bid in 20 years. Led by coach Ree, the gentlemen and coaches had a remarkable season. [Applause] [Laughter]
019Okay, as we're setting up the photo once again, if there are any parents that would like to come to the middle aisle, you can do so at this time to get your photo. [Laughter] Four, outstanding achievement in leadership, service, and activities that improve the school and community. Eagle Pass High School student council has been named a sweep stakes council. Sweepstakes councils must be recognized as an outstanding student council and a re will receive awards in dash pride and patriotism and energy and environment as well as submitting community service reports. Way to go Eagle Stuco. At this time, if there are any parents who'd like to come up and get their photo, you can do so. [Applause] Eagle Pass. Pass High School is known for their baseball dynasty and that's all because of their coach Reol
020Mendula. Reol Mendula has been received a monumental milestone in his coaching career. His 400th win. On January 10th, the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association recognized this incredible accomplishment. That speaks highly of coach Mendoza's dedication, leadership, and unwavering ability to motivate. Congrats, Coach If the family is here, we invite you to join us for the photo. If Coach Mendula's family is here, we invite you up for the photo. No, the next one. Let me bring up Coach Silva. On Friday, January 10th, Coach Henry Silva from your Eagle Pass High School baseball team was formally recognized by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association as assistant coach of the year. Coach Silva has worked tirelessly for the for the years and of course with Eagle Baseball and this honor was welld deserved and earned. Once again,
021we invite Coach Silva's family to join us for the photo. And now we bring up all of Eagle Baseball to come up to join us for a photo. [Applause] There are any parents here who would like to get a photo? This is your time to do so. Hey, coach. Perfecto Ma Stallion Cheer competed in San Antonio, Texas on March 9th in the Fun Cheer National Championship. The team was proud to represent Mustang country and brought home a hard-fought national championship title. Way to go, Mustang cheer. [Applause] At this time, if there are any parents who'd like to come up to get their photo, you can do so at this time. [Applause] Congratulations goes out to the Graves Elementary Tiger Cheer Team for their showing up and showing out at the MCDA cheer competition. They competed
022in the MCDA 2025 cheer competition in Six Flags and brought home a first place interdivision intermediate division championship title. Everyone had a great time representing the Tiger country and a job well done. [Applause] Parents, if you'd like to come up, you can do so now. Did we forget about the Did we forget about the recognition? [Music] Oh, and then they change. I walk up there and like there's one like like they're all like Up Next, we give a big congratulations to the Sernna Division 3 Lady Stallion basketball team and coaches for their undefeated season. The girls hit the paint hard this season and brought home yet another division championship. Congrats ladies and coaches. [Laughter] if we have any parents that would like to come up and get their photo, you can do so. Now, [Applause]
023Second mine. Science Elementary danced their way into victory at the Rockstar Pop Competition in Corpus Christie, Texas. The Tiny Gems and Gems both snagged first place in their respective palm divisions. And of course, the older Gems brought home the title of overall grand champion, earning them a Nationals Florida bid. Way to dance your heart out, ladies. while we're setting up the girls. If there are any parents who'd like to come up and get their photo, you can do so now. [Applause] Congratulations goes out to the Liberty Lady Eagle Division 1 softball team. The girls did an amazing job this season and brought home the illustrious city championship win. Way to hit it out of the park, ladies. Sure. At this time, parents, you are invited to come forward for a photo. [Laughter] The Liberty Eagles
024girls division 3 softball team proved to everyone what it truly means to be a diamond girl when they snag themselves a city championship for Eagle country. Congrats, Lady Eagles. [Music] So, I think um we probably got the drift now. Parents, you can come up and get your photo at this time. [Music] Also, just for reference, all Photos taken tonight are free for download on our district website tomorrow. [Music] Liberty Elementary would like to send out an Eaglesized congratulations to their boys division 1 baseball team for their remarkable season. They played hard and were ultimately named city champs. Way to go, boys. [Music] [Applause] parents. We do invite you up to take some photos at this time. Your Liberty Division 2 baseball team took home the city championship by playing strong and playing hard. Thank you
025to all the coaches for volunteering your time this season for this great group of kids. Go Eagles. [Music] You heard all about division 1. We just heard about division 2. Let's wrap this up with your Liberty Division 3 boys baseball team for winning the big city championship game. What a great way to close out a great season. Go Eagles. [Applause] [Music] They shoot, they score. The Liberty Elementary Division 2 basketball team went home with the city championship earlier this season, ranking up some more hardware for Eagle Country. And now we'll close up tonight with your lucky number seventh Liberty recognition recognizing your division three Liberty boys basketball team for also winning their very own city championship title. [Applause] [Music] [Laughter] [Applause] Oh, we forgot too. That's a lot of hand shaking. At this time we
026will take number five the district reports and presentations. We will take one through four together. Any questions from the board? How are we? Hello. Just a reminder, uh, next board meeting we will be having the first budget workshop for next year's budget. That's already completed. So, just FYI, that's going to be a very important workshop that we're going to have. Uh, finances still look good. Uh, we continue to do well. Our our revenues in the M on page um 63, that's our M fund. Uh our total revenues we're at 89 million. We've received 89 89 million so far for the first seven months. Expenditures we're we have less expenditures which is good. Then revenues we're at $52 million. Uh year to date on the revenues we're at 78%. Which is almost collected. We we we've
027gotten a high percentage of collections on the revenues which is good. and expenditures we we have been able to keep them down at 55%. Uh utilities continue to do well. Uh we have 5 months worth of utilities all the way through January 31st and um we are looking at saving uh close to $400,000 at the end of the year. We've been able to do that for the last since we did the E3 uh renovations and we've been able to save money on the on the electricity taxes. Uh we collected uh a big portion of the taxes already. As you know, we have the deadline of um February 1st. Uh we've collected uh 89% of our taxes as of um the end of this month of uh March. That concludes the reports. Are there any questions?
028Questions from the board? If not, thank you, Mr. Mikarees. Thank you. We'll move to number six, action items. Number one, consider take appropriate action on the request to certify all items listed on the 2025 2026 certification of provision of instructional material survey. Mr. Matis. Yes. Uh this is just to asssure that we comply with all the TIGs being aligned. Any questions? We have Mr. Chitis here. Any questions from the board? If not, do we have a motion? So move. A motion by Trustee Hiller. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Trusty Gonzalez. No other questions. All in favor? All opposed? No. No. This is an action item. We're good. Motion passes. Uh unanimous. Number two, consider and take appropriate action on the request to approve the summer work schedule for the district service center
029staff and the campus administrative staff for the months of May, June, July, and August. Mr. Mikes. Yes. Uh we have the calendar that was given to everybody. Uh we we in the summer months we work from 8 to 3 I believe and uh and Friday's off. Uh and uh that's what I'm taking to the board to approve. Do you have any questions from the board? If not, do we have a motion? So move motion by or we have a motion by Trusty Gonzalez. Do we have a second? Second. Second by trustee Bara. If no other questions, all in favor? All opposed? Motion passes unanimous. We will now move to item number six. No, number seven, consent items. We'll take one through six together. Any questions on consent? I think there's going to be Okay. If
030there are no questions, do we have a motion to approve the consent items? We're going to have one abstension. We have a motion. A motion by Trusty Martinez. Do we have a second? I'll second number five. Yeah. Oh, they're calling for the vote. So, Mr. President, I'll abstain from item number five. We have an abstension by Trusty Hiller on number five. Mr. President, I'll abstain on item number five. And we have uh Trusty Libson abstain from number five as well. So, all in favor? They're abstaining. All opposed. Motion passes. The way it really should go is it is it for clarity of record so it's clear you just pull the two items separately that way you have the separate vote on those two it or the one item the one item and then the two
031can abstain on that one so so you can all vote all right let's go back and do that I think that'd be a good idea we're going to pull number five off for record yeah you'll take it for separate vote okay so we'll do one through four on consent items and six and six I'm sorry yes one through four and then six on the consent items. Do we have a motion to approve one through four and six? Motion by uh Trusty Martinez. Do we have a second? Second by Trusty Hiller. All in favor? Yeah. All oppose. Motion passes. Now we will consider number five. And we have an abstension by Trusty Hiller and Trusty Libson on number five. Uh all in favor to uh approve number five. Okay. Yes. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Is there
032a motion to approve number five? We do have to since we pulled it out. Do we have a motion to approve number five? We have a motion by Trusty Martinez. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Trusty Gonzalez. All in favor? Is going to vote or no? I'm abstaining. You're abstaining. Okay. And we have Trustee Hime abstaining on number five as well. So we have three a opposed. Nobody. So motion passes. Yeah. You don't count the ones that are correct. Okay. Motion passes for the donation. Make sure on behalf of the board they thank we you thank them please. All right. At this time the school the board of trustees of legal pass independent school district will convene in close session as authorized by the Texas government code chapter 51 to deliberate upon the
033following matters. Number eight the board will hear number one. The board will hear the request to hire personnel to fill vacancies pursuant to TGC 551.074. The board will hear their request. Number two, they hope the board will hear their request to hire professional employee to be assigned as language arts director subject to possible future reassignment by the superintendent TGC 551.074. Number three, the board will hear the request to approve terms contract term contracts as presented TGC 551.074. And number four, the board will consult with its attorney regarding the student code of conduct and student safety procedures TGC 551.071. Do I have a motion to convene in close session? A motion by trusty hitter. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Trusty Vera. All in favor? Motion passes. The time is 6:52 p.m. and the
034date is Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The board of trustees is now in close session and no action will be taken in close session. is 8:04 p.m. The date is Wednesday, April 9th, 2025. And the board of trustees of the Eco Pass Independent School District is now in open session. And we will move to item number nine. Item number nine. Number one, the board will consider and take appropriate action on the request to hire personnel to fill vacancies as discussing close session pursuant to TGC 551.074. Uh, Mr. President, I uh I move to approve the request to hire personnel to fill vacancies as discussed in close session pursuant to the TGC 551.074. We have a motion by trustee Vera. Do we have a second? Second. Second by trustee Hiller. Any other questions? If not, all in
035favor? All opposed? Motion passes unanimous. Number two, the board will consider take appropriate action on the request to hire professional employee to be assigned as language art director subject to possible future reassignment by the superintendent as discussed in close session pursuant to TGC 551.074. Mr. President, I move to approve the request to hire Carlos M. Rodriguez, a professional employee to be assigned as language arts director subjects to future to possible future reassignment by the superintendent as discussed in close session pursuant to TGC 551.074. We have a motion by trustee Lipson. Do we have a second? Seconded. Second by trustee Barera. Any other questions? If not, all in favor? All opposed? Motion passes. Number three, the board will consider take appropriate action on the request to approve term contracts as presented and discuss in close session
036pursuant to TGC 551.074. Mr. President, I move to approve the request to approve term contracts as presented and discussed in close session pursuant to TGC 551.074. We have a motion by Trusty Gonzalez. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Trusty Hiller. Any other questions? If not, all in favor? All opposed? Motion passes. We have something here. Okay. At this time, we will do number 10, correspondence and information. Mr. Mkharis. Uh yes. Uh just to let the board know there was a lot of events. So Mari made a great recommendation. She always has good recommendations. And uh just to let you know that we gave you guys the calendar, okay, of all the events cuz it's there's a lot of events. So, just make sure that uh you can look at that calendar and it'll
037be in your board calendar on your phone and uh and we have a printed copy and and an electronic copy just in case you need to know about the events. Thank you. Perfect. And we're moving to number 11, adjournment. Do we have a motion to adjurnn? Motion by Trusty Hillary. Do we have a second? Second by Trusty Libson. All in favor? All opposed? Motion passes. It is 8:07 in the Wednesday, April 9, 2025 and this meeting is adjourned. Thank you all.