001Board of Trustees of the Leaport Independent School District is now convened. I wish to extend a warm welcome to everyone present. Every student success is our number one priority. As the Leaport ICD board of trustees, we are here to set goals, adopt [clears throat] policy, approve budgets, contracts, personnel appointments, and communicate the district's vision and success to the community. It is not the role of the board to make day-to-day operational decisions. The management and day-to-day operations of the district are the responsibility of the superintendent. This is a public meeting of the board of trustees, not a meeting of the public. Schoolboard meetings are open to all who wish to attend and hear the matters discussed. Audience participation is limited to the patron presentation portion of our meeting. Board members may not respond to the public
002comment section. These proceedings may be recorded and I respectfully ask that you please refrain from talking while others are speaking. Thank you for taking your time this evening to join us and for your interest in the Leaport Independent School District. At this time, we will stand for the pledge of allegiance. Joining us from L'Ore High School JOTC are the American Rifle Cadet Private Flores, American Flag Cadet Captain Kaye, Texas Rifle Cadet Private Reetta, and Texas Flag Cadet First Lieutenant Garcia. >> Please join me in the US Pledge of Allegiance. I allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the [clears throat] republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Now the Texas pledge. Honor the Texas flag. I aliance to thee Texas. One
003state under God. One and indivisible. Ready. See, present arms. Order. Arms center face. [clears throat] March time. March. Four. Punch. Please join a round of applause for our JOTC. [applause] Please remain standing for our invocation tonight led by Trusty Deian Thompson. If you will bow your heads. Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of this new day and this special month of December. We are grateful for every person gathered here in our wonderful community who supports and uplifts our district. As we gather this evening, we are filled with hope and joy. May this Christmas season be a time of celebration and reflection for us all. We thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus, whose entry into our world we celebrate. Fill our hearts with the peace that only he provides. In your precious
004name, amen. We'll now go to item six, board recognitions, performance by Heritage Elementary School. way to the glory angels [singing] by star so bright for the Lord is born in Bethlehem tonight. Tell me which way to the manger of Christ. Which way to the way to the Jesus? Which way to the Lord Almighty? Which way? Which way? >> [applause] >> may be seated as well. Ladies and gentlemen, performing for us tonight is the Heritage Elementary fourth grade select choir under the direction of Miss Jamie Lupalt. >> [applause] >> We're excited to be here tonight. I'm going to turn this. Thank you for all of our administrators and families who came out tonight. We are greatly appreciate that. Um huge support for the kiddos and their music and their fine arts and heritage as it is
005throughout the whole district and we certainly are excited. I'm going to turn this over to the kids now. Hi, my name is Camden. We are the Heritage Hawk fourth grade selected choir. Um, we It's an honor to be able to sing in front of all y'all here today. Um, our soloist is River. Here's the traditions. Good job, Captain. [cough and clears throat] [music] Oh, the [singing] weather outside is [music] frightful, but the fire [singing] is so delightful. [music] and no [singing] place to go. Let it [music] go. Let it [music] [singing] begin to look [music and singing] like Christmas. Everywhere you go, [music] Santa [singing] glistening once again. [music] Candy canes [singing] and silver legs are glow. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. [music and singing] Toys in every store. But the prettiest
006sight to see is [music] a holly that will be on [singing] your own front door. A pair of [singing] buffalo [music] and a Christmas wish for a walk through the hopeless [music] and mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again. It's beginning to [music] look a lot like Christmas. [singing] Everywhere [music] you go, there's a tree in the grand hotel. [singing] One in the park as well. A sturdy [music] kind that doesn't mind the snow. It's beginning to look [music and singing] a lot like Christmas. Soon the [singing] bells will start. And the thing I'll make [music] them ring is the carol that you see right [singing] within your [music] heart. Yes. The thing I'll make [singing] them r is the carol that you see right within [singing and music] your heart.
007>> [music] >> City walks, busy sidewalks, [music and singing] dressing all day style. In the air [music and singing] there's a feeling of Christmas. Children [singing] laughing, [music] people passing, painting smile [singing] after smile. And on every [music and singing] street corner you hear, silver bell, [singing and music] silver bell, silver bell. [music] It's [singing] Christmas in the city. >> [music] [music] >> Soon it will [singing and music] be Christmas day. Soon it will [singing and music] be Christmas day. [music] Frosted window paints, candles gleaming inside. Painted candy canes [music] on the tree. Santa's on his way. He's filled his toes to slay with things things for you [singing] and for me. [music] [music and singing] [music] [singing] Merry Christmas. May our new [music] year dream come [singing] true. And this song [music] in three
008[singing] time wishes you [music] yours. [music] [applause] Hi, my name is Clayton and we have enjoyed kissing to for y'all. We We wish you a very happy holiday season. Here's Jingle Bell Dash. [applause] [music] Dashing through the snow [singing] in a one-horse open sleigh. Over the fields we go, [music and singing] laughing all the way. Bells are bouncing, [music] making spirits bright. What fun it is to ride and sing [singing] song tonight as we are [music] bells, dancle [singing] all the way. Oh, [music] what fun it is to ride a oneor open sleigh. Dancing bell, dancing bell, dancing all the [singing] way. Oh, what fun [music] it is to ride in a one open sleigh. Dashing through [music] the snow [singing] in a one open sleigh. For the bells we love to go, we're laughing
009all [singing] the way. The bells are [music] ringing to make our spirits bright. The fun is to ride [singing] on [music] dashing. The snow is falling dashing. The trees are [music] dashing. There's a blurry dashing. But don't you worry, dashing. [music] The bells are ringing dashing. And we are singing dashing and jingle dashing through the snow. Oh, jingle bells, [singing and music] jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it [music and singing] is to ride down all the [singing] way. [music] [music] [singing] [music] >> [applause] >> Great job. >> Outstanding. >> All right, board. We want to take a picture. >> Parents, as soon as we are finished with the photo, we all will be exiting this way. So parents, if you'll follow us out that door, some of these kiddos along with
010the rest of our crew will be singing Opening Weekend for the Houston Astros on Sunday the 29th. We're excited about that. [applause] On behalf of the board, we want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to the parents, the grandparents early, the staff, all these kids, young a million things going on this holiday season, but this is such like one of the biggest joys of our year is having these kids come see Christmas Carol. We thank you guys for for making that happen and we wish you all a very very merry >> Christmas. Okay. Squish. >> If you can squeeze a little tiny bit more squished on the end. There you go. Step forward. Step forward. >> Miss Lup does this to the astros, TOO. [applause and cheering] [laughter] >> There's the camera. >>
011One, two, three. Awesome. Thank you all very [applause] much. Great job. Yeah. Ow. Ladies and gentlemen, the Leaport High School Mighty Bulldog Marching Band and Color Guard on November 10th established themselves as one of Texas premier ensembles, marking their first appearance at the UIL Band State Championships in 35 years. [applause] And here to tell you more about this outstanding feat is Leaport ISD's director of fine and performing arts, Dr. Matt Burke. Thank you, Adam. Every year, 253 UIL 5A high school marching bands from across the state of Texas begin their journey in August, which eventually ends four months later in the prestigious and ultra competitive UIL state marching band championship held in San Antonio at the Alamodome. Through a grueling competitive schedule of UIL region and area contests, the most elite programs from across the
012state were narrowed down to 38 to compete for the honor of UIL state marching band champion. Again, for the first time in 35 years and for the first time since the expansion of the UIL classifications to six divisions, Leaport High School proved itself by finishing in the top 13% of these schools in Texas, establishing >> [applause] >> This truly established them as being part of the best of the best. Representing the Bulldog band here tonight are drum majors Sophia Guardo Selenus and Charles Ray. The band is under the direction of Mr. Jason Harvey with assistant directors Mr. Wilar Mayos and Mr. Mark Fenel. [applause] Congratulations. >> Thank you, ma'am. Congratulations. >> Did you get Kate in here? >> Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Thank you very much. I just [applause] 34 Leaport High School
013students have been named as 2025 advanced placement scholars. The honor recognizes high school students who have demonstrated outstanding college level achievement through their performance on multiple AP exams. According to information from the college board, the AP program announces the honores every fall. And here to recognize our AP scholars is Leaport High School principal, Dr. Kate Griffin. Thank you. [applause] Thank you. I'm also going to call up the associate principal, uh, Miss Candace Tibido. Um, so this is probably one of my favorite board meetings all year. We usually have it in October, but some things happen so we to push it back to December. Um, we love to celebrate kids at Leaport High School. Um, but too often we seem to be celebrating not all of the kids, right? And so it's great when we can
014celebrate kids that are doing things that really show the best of the best of Leaport High School. And that's what the Leaport AP Scholar program is all about. Um, so one thing that we do every year is we put these photos up of students who reach the level of AP Scholar, but right now that wall doesn't even exist anymore. [laughter] Uh, and so we decided to do something a little bit different this year, uh, to celebrate our kids in one way that we celebrate some other kids. And we wanted to see what it would look like for AP Scholars. So, we're going to look at that now. Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [cheering]
015>> So, I'm going to turn this over to Miss Tibido. We're going to call the students up one at a time so we can recognize each of them. Uh, but thank you so much for being here. >> Thank you, Dr. Griffin. Tonight, I have the great pleasure of recognizing this special group of students whose academic achievements truly embody what it means to be a Bulldog Scholar. These students have earned the distinguished honor of being named AP Scholars. Before we introduce them, I want to take a moment to explain what it means to be an AP scholar. These recognitions come from the College Board and are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional performance on advanced placement exams. Rigorous assessments designed to measure mastery of college level content. There are several levels of recognition. AP Scholar is
016awarded to students who earn scores of three or higher on three or more exams. AP Scholar with Honor recognizes students who earn scores of three or higher on four or more AP exams and earn an average score of at least 3.25. An AP Scholar with distinction is awarded to students who earn scores of three or more on five or more exams and earns an average score of at least 3.5. Each level represents perseverance and a genuine commitment to challenging themselves academically. But what makes this makes tonight's group particularly remarkable is when they achieve this honor. Most students nationwide qualify for AP scholar recognitions after graduation because it often takes multiple years of exam scores. Yet, this group of 19 Bulldogs, Wow, >> earned these distinctions while still in high school. That is extraordinary and absolutely
017worth celebrating. However, no matter when the distinction is earned, being named an AP Scholar is worth recognizing. Therefore, it is important to note that 15 of our now graduates also earned AP Scholar distinctions for 2025. Achievement is also reflected in our campuswide data. Last year, the percentage of LPHS students scoring a three or higher on AP exams rose from 30% from the previous year to 51%. [applause] Think about that. That means that instead of one in three students earning a passing grade, last year one in two students earned a passing grade. That increase represents countless hours of effort from students and teachers who are raising the bar together. And to top all of this off, we are proud to celebrate something truly historic for Leaport High School. One of our students has earned the AP
018international diploma. A globally recognized distinction. The AP international diploma requires mastery across a wide range of subjects including world languages, math, science, social studies, and the arts. It is intended to recognize students whose academic excellence prepares them for the universities around the world. This is not a common achievement. It is rare. It is prestigious and it is a milestone for our campus. Tonight, each student will receive a certificate and a framed picture of them with their honor that will also be displayed on our academic honors wall in a place of prominence that is coming with our renovation. [laughter] And now is my privilege to introduce our AP scholars in alphabetical order. Isaac Aguular, AP Scholar [cheering] [applause] Christopher Botric Ortiz, AP Scholar [applause] Marari Carerz, AP Scholar. [applause] Raymond Gibbs, AP Scholar with honor. Evan
019Haladier AP was scholar scholar with HONOR'S [cheering] [applause] also a home state [laughter] this year >> and in those band pictures low AP scholar >> [applause] >> Alan Martinez, AP Scholar with HONORS [applause] THERE. [laughter] Jacob Martinez, AP Scholar. [applause] Amaly Masten, AP Scholar with honor. [applause] She's also going to graduate early. Sienna. Oh, I was going to do them at the end, but okay. Um, Sienna Narin, AP Scholar with distinction. >> [applause] >> Samuel Kenones, AP Scholar. >> Charles Ray, AP Scholar. [applause] >> Mattaline Ray, AP Scholar. Ross. Ross. Sorry. I just [applause] want to say I'm sorry. Meline Ross, [applause] Addison Stefer, both AP Scholar with distinction and AP international diploma. [cheering] [applause] Karina Runwall. AP SCHOLAR [applause] Dylan Thatcher, AP Scholar. [applause] And we had three that couldn't be with us tonight,
020but we want to also um recognize and congratulate Rowan Lecker, AP SCHOLAR. CA Camden Moral, AP Scholar with honor [applause] and Annabella Zach, AP Scholar. [applause] >> You want two rows? Two rows for sure. who are standing. [applause] We'll be posting a video tomorrow. Heat. Good night. Okay. Heat. Here we are. All right, guys. We'll go on now to uh section seven, public comments. The board will now hear those who wish to make comments who have been completed and returned the public comment participation request. This section will be conducted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act and board policy. Complaints and concerns for which other resolution channels are provided shall be directed through those channels. Mr. Vice President, do we have any other speak? >> There are none. All right, hearing none. We are
021going to take something out of order. We're going to switch to we're going to pull um item or from section 10 item D. Believe that's our district instructional calendar approved. So yeah, 2026 2027 instructional calendar. Who's going to take >> Good evening. Okay. Good evening, board president, trustees Jackson. Um on behalf of um our administrative team and the DEIC, I'd like to present our calendar proposal tonight for you for the 2062 27 academic school year. Um we have some members of the um DEIC the district education improvement committee um calendar subcommittee um who work diligently on this effort. I'd like to introduce them and ask them to come and they're here. Wonderful. Um [laughter] we have um Mr. Kadriel um parent. We have um Miss Harris a teacher in the district. Um Miss Janine Watson
022also a handicapped teacher in our district. [laughter] I'm just teasing you. um Casey Dixon, assistant principal in our district, and Kendra [clears throat] Person, an assistant principal in our district. Um I want to walk you briefly through the um the activities that we engaged in as we developed this calendar early in September, just when we got back to school. I started the conversation. Let's talk about the calendar for 2627. So we ga gathered a calendar committee from our DEIC membership at that time. the week of October 6th through the 13th, we deployed a stakeholder survey just getting feedback on our current calendar and just what what would you like to see as we think about a new calendar for for the next school year. Um October 28th and November 10th, um our calendar committee met
023to review drafts um of that calendar. We gave feedback. We went back and forth. We drafted again. We came back. Um November 17th um we had two calendar drafts that we felt um were worth um conversation in the bigger DEIC committee. Um so we presented those two calendars in that big committee for their feedback. Um and then we took that back to our calendar committee on December 1 for final review and final recommendations. Um after also November 19th through the 30th, we had um the two calendars out to the community um for their feedback from teachers, from students, from staff, etc. So um today we're here to to give you an update on where we are with those recommendations and for the committee to make you a recommendation. So I'm going to turn this over
024to uh Mr. Kadriel and Miss Harris. >> Awesome. Thank you, Dr. Abrams. Good evening, everyone. As Dr. talked a little bit about. We had two calendars that we took the feedback from our stakeholders to build together and propose. In those two calendar proposals we sent out to the community, we had over a thousand respondents that concluded of parents, community members, staff, students, and you'll see the overwhelming favor is an option B of 76% of that 105 respondents. So, as it's already been mentioned, the calder committee convened to review the results of those surveys. Um, overwhelmingly the as it was the numbers were already given. the community um the calendar committee considered the community feedback from all of our stakeholders and our recommendation from the DEIC is that we go with calendar B and this is
025the one that we are proposing to the board for your approval and adoption of for the 2627 school year. >> We'll look a little bit more at that calendar right now in veto. So, we're recommending for the first half of the calendar year, you'll see three days for new teacher pre-ervice from July 29th through the 31st. You're going to see we have eight days for teacher inservice starting August 3rd. We start school August 13th, which aligns to most districts in the surrounding area as well. We have a teacher professional development on September 21st to allow for more student data to complete to discuss together on a later date. And we also have moved one of the teacher conferences in November away from the fall break in October to coincide with election day as well. >>
026For our second semester, we will have PD days on Friday and Monday, February 12th and 16th to allow for a 4-day instructional week rather than a 3-day and to allow parent conferences to occur on President's Day when parents may already have the day off from work. Our spring break will be March 8th through 12th to align with Sanina College and um as well as many of our neighboring school districts. And then uh we also will have one exchange day for our teachers on this calendar which would be October 12th. This would be to allow teachers to obtain professional learning in the summer or weekends on their own time. And then we will finish the school year prior to Memorial weekend which is May 27th. We'd be happy to take any questions about our proposal calendar
027B. >> I got one. >> Go ahead. >> I have one. Um being a teacher and being a teacher in the junior high level and everything, I'm all for breaks. Uh and that's fine. Um I love them. They're great. But uh my only concern uh for the junior high level is UIL that's going on right there. And if we're not in line with Deer Park and Perland in our Bay Area league, that throws and since junior high kids can't play a game during that week, uh, and hopefully the other school other two school districts are going to do the exact same thing and it will be all fine and dandy. But, uh, during the fact that we cannot come to school, uh, we can't start practice before the first day of school. Um, and we
028have a certain time to get games pushed in. Uh, according to UIL, that could pose a problem. I'm not sure if it does. Um, and that's my only concern about this whole thing right there. But I love a week off. I mean, Deer Park gives us a week off, too. So, >> are you referring to the fall break? >> I'm talking fall break in October. Yes. Cuz that's right in the middle of the UIL volleyball and junior and and basically mainly junior high. High school kids, they get they get to play their games on the uh Christmas breaks and uh Thanksgiving breaks and spring breaks and stuff. Junior high kids don't get to do that. uh and uh that when you're taking two teams off the schedule right there that can't play, you got to
029find another week for those games to be played and stuff. So, I know that's going to be hard. It probably can be worked out, >> but um you know, in the in the future and stuff like that that that may be something that we can think about uh just for that. I mean, I know it's it's to my heart cuz that's where I've been for 33 years and uh and I know when we have to do schedules, it's hard. It's hard going to Deer Park or I should say when I'm in Deer Park, it's hard coming to Leaport. It's hard going to that paralleling school over there trying to figure out when their days offer and all that kind of stuff to make sure your games mesh with everything that goes on. So, >> but
030other than that, I'm good. I like it. >> Part of our subcommittee was also built off of having representation from the elementary level, the junior high level, and the high school level to make sure we're taking considerations like that into play at all levels as well. So, we appreciate that. you don't have to chime in there because I know Coach Thompson's not here have a game tonight, but I I know certainly that's something we can work with our partners from other districts to make sure [clears throat] that we can come up with a schedule with that in mind and hopefully we can find a resolution for that. If that's the desire of the board, you know, certainly something will to work out. >> Yeah, that's my only little So, >> thank you. >> And so,
031Mike, I have a couple of questions. one I mean I kind I know what Russell's talking about. We also know that our high school students won't many many of them will not be off that week nor will the teachers because they'll be doing drill team band and different athletics and um and uh so they really don't get that week off. It is what it is I guess. Question about the the president's day being a day for um teacher conferences. Um, I was I was a teacher in this district for 31 years and [clears throat] we struggle to get parents at teacher conferences at the high school level anyway, but many many of our parents do have that day off and if their kids are off Friday and Monday, I I would imagine a lot of
032those folks are going to be out of town doing something and so your attendance at your um teacher conferences may suffer from that because I know you know at the high school level we could hardly get parents to come. But at the elementary level, we kind of sent a note out and said, "Hey, you need to be here on that day." And so my concern is parents are going to feel like that's my only day to get a conference with the teacher, but we're going to be out of town because we've got 4 days off. >> And uh we appreciate that feedback and we did take that into consideration. And so one of the um plans that we're uh proposing to put in place at the elementary schools and we do this currently at LP
033is to have uh the parents they can sign up during like the week before the week after like before school after school or during times because we we do understand if you give a family a 4 day weekend they're going to be so thank you for that. And then my only other thing is I took a look at this and went this the teacher in me went I don't get a day off in April or May. Oh my gosh. That's all I could think about. [laughter] That's the first thing that leapt to my mind. Y'all are going to need a lot of subs. May >> and we appreciate that. That's something I can speak to. Um it from the secondary level, right? That um Oh, okay. Yes, sir. Okay. Um we we try to be
034respectful of the academic constraints that we have um as far as the testing calendar that's set forth by TEA. And currently next year, it looks like most of April will be testing. Um and so we want to make sure that we're protecting that instruction as much as possible and not breaking up our our current um lesson design is set to go over 5 days and we want to protect that as much as possible in the spring. >> So that that wouldn't preclude you from taking like one day off right after testing just to kind of give everybody a moment to breathe if I mean I have a lot of respect. I was on the calendar committee for a number of years. So, I know it's it's very difficult. And so, I mean, I have all
035the respect in the world for what you guys have come up with, but I just saw that and went, "Oh my goodness." Cuz after star testing, everybody's just like, >> it is. >> I don't think any of us want to undermine all the hard work. Not at all. Not at all. >> But there, you know, we hear >> NC on social media and all the other ways. You know, oh, I'm so tired. I can't wait for the end of the year. you know, everybody's going to be ready for the end year as it is, but that we're just concerned about burnout factor. Not just for our teachers, though, the students, they've been getting >> they've been getting a break for Easter in April that I believe the last couple of years. And because Easter's earlier,
036even that Monday after Easter, if that was pushed to April, it gives you another 3-day weekend somewhere. So, just again, just a consideration, but we trust your judgment and um just wanted to share those concerns. >> We we appreciate them. I think the other neat thing I'm a data person, Dr. Abrams know this by now. But when we look at the respondent percentage being so high and we look at the who the respondents were and knowing that those were staff students and community members like parents, I think that overwhelmingly that favor there hopefully they've addressed that and thought about that in consideration staff-wise too. I'm very fortunate to be married to a teacher here in this district and so um you know I know that that's a heavy one to think about as well. >>
037But option A also had that same week, correct? Option A for the fall break. Is that what you're talking about? Split. No, it was split. And so the other side that I heard today with the concerns here was attendance. And when we look at attendance and seeing these split weeks, that does impact attendance at all levels. And that's one of the things that we can resolve hopefully with that full week on off and not having to worry about that partial coverage for child care and things of that nature. as what we do see especially at the secondary level is when we have those split weeks um the kids don't come the other days that we're supposed to be there. They take the extra days anyway. So with two split like so with two split weeks
038we end up having a hit our attendance takes a hit on two weeks as opposed to if we can get them there for that one full week instead of in interrupting two weeks of instruction. And so looking at it overall, it was we felt like it was a better instructional option. >> Thing I noticed is that um this year we we get out of school, I'm not mistaken, May 21st. The proposal in front of us is May 27th. So 6 days. I know we get two days gain by like a vacation on this fall break. Do you guys know where the other 5 days or 4 days are coming in or are we just putting more of a buffer if something happens with a weather question? I didn't find it real quick. I didn't see
039like question. >> So, so the state law has changed in terms of the number of days that we're required to build into the calendar for um bad weather or inclement weather makeup. Um it requires two days to build in. We have built that in in as 4 days um with this calendar option in extra minutes. And then also we have the ability to take a couple of professional learning days and flip them to bad weather days should we should we choose to do that. Um, so that we and we've that's been our practice that we've built in those extra four days. But to your to your point, the the calendar just the way the days fall, I don't I'm not quite sure I'm not quite sure where the extra time has come. We do have
040an extra time in on October. Um, but I can certainly get you more information about where the extra time has come compared to last year >> because if if if that's if that's true, what Jeff just asked, would that be a place you can use a day for? >> That's that's what I was getting. If there's extra three or four days. Is that something if if I think Trusty Hall said something about in April or whatever it was, is it an option? I'm not saying we're advocate for this, but is it would it be an option if we said we really think we need to have an additional day, say in April? >> So, we can certainly go back and draft another calendar that allows for an extra day in May. Um, we would have
041to, you know, consider not only the extra days built in for students in instruction, but also like the teacher contracts and things like that. I could certainly we could go back and draft an additional option. >> When does STAR testing end? Is it the end of April? >> April. April. Pretty much. >> The entire month of April and then and then in May we have um >> testing. >> AP testing. >> Yeah. >> So I mean if you just looked at it like that first week of May, you know, >> first two weeks of May. >> Yeah. I mean just >> that Monday for that Monday after calm would be a good one. [laughter] >> Just saying. >> I'm sorry. I do have one more question. And I apologize. The 21st of September, we're in
042school 3 weeks and we have uh the Labor Day break and then we are in school another week uh week in about 4 days, whatever, and then we have a another day and to have another 4 day week. >> Tell me about that day specifically, the need for that professional development day in September. I just curious about it. So the reason that we have pushed that PD day late is so that we have the opportunity to complete all of our beginning of the year assessments and then our teachers then can have all that BOI data to be able to have conversations about student placement, student interventions and things like that. If we have the PD date earlier, we don't have all that data back and teachers don't have that opportunity to reflect on it. So
043that's why in the last we we moved it this last year for this current calendar and that's why we're we've suggested we move again. >> Okay. Thank you. Y >> Patrick, I want to thank you as a parent for serving on this committee. I know probably a lot of work and time and of course the staff. Thank you for that. I think the board has a lot of um different comments and I think that I think we would all like to maybe put all those comments in an email to Dr. Jackson and table this. I'm going to make a motion that we table this until the January board meeting to vote on. Give time for all of us to come back with some comments after this discussion and then we can make a final proposal
044to y'all. So, I'm going to make a motion that we table working on the C um approving a calendar for the 2026 2027 school year end of January. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> All right. Uh comment. So, I'll make a comment really quick. So, again, we appreciate again to this point all the work that's gone ahead of it and I think at least from my perspective is I'm not in favor of changing anything on here unless there's a possibility that we maybe have a day or two extra. Again, I also have a wife in the district and if we find out that there's an extra day we could take, then she's like, "Why'd that dumb president not make that happen?" So, [laughter] we want to again, please don't take that. We're not trying to
045minimize anything. We're just If there's a way that we can [clears throat] get one more or two more days in there, uh time off, then we want to make sure that we're not leaving that on the table. At least that's my perspective. So, >> we do appreciate it's a lot of work. >> Anybody have a comment before we >> all of your explanations? [clears throat] >> Sure. >> You're welcome. All right. Well, I know we're taking this out of order. Go ahead and uh we all take a vote on this if we have a motion and a second to table this until January. Is that the the motion? All those in favor, please vote. >> All right. Thank you. You're welcome. >> Very much. All right, where are we at? Um, we will now turn
046to item eight, our administrative report. Uh, Dr. Jackson, your superintendent report, please, sir. Yes, sir. We've had a wonderful uh fall semester and board, you have my uh superintendent's report uh at your desk, and I for the sake of time, I will not read that today, but I do want to say that we have had a successful fall semester. You've heard just a glimpse of that tonight with our AP uh scholars and our students that uh participated and and brought forth music and and festivities. But uh we thank all of our teachers and our principles and our parents and staff and students for a phenomenal uh fall semester and uh look forward to seeing everyone back and certainly I wish you all a happy holidays and merry Christmas and look forward to seeing everybody back
047in a few short weeks. That will conclude my comments for the board for the superintendent's report. >> Thanks, sir. I believe we have an update tonight's uh law safety security update. >> Sure. >> All right. So, good evening, President Martin, uh Dr. Jackson and trustees. I am here tonight to just give a quick update on kind where we are with our uh bond projects. And so, let me pull this up. Okay, so you heard a little bit about the uh high school renovations um or lack of an academic wall. And [laughter] so uh that's the crane uh dropping in that academic wall that's going to be there shortly. But this is an exciting time in the spring. Um you know, you're going to see a lot more of the construction. We've talked about this before.
048You you'll see the actual you know, the fall was a lot about detention and and the underground. And so now we are able to uh start um erecting some steel and and having some structures actually go up. And so um great news, the courtyard is open and accessible to students and staff. This picture was uh actually taken earlier today, a beautiful day. So um you know, it's very nice that our students can now um access and then pass through that to get to the B building or get from the B building over to the cafeteria instead of having to walk around that horseshoe. Um so I think tardies are improving, right, Dr. Griffin? I think we're we're improving on our tardies because kids now have a pathway to get through which is which is nice.
049And so um right behind the courtyard you can see that black priv privacy fence. It's been installed and that's just to still create that barrier with the construction area. There's a lot happening behind that, right? Um so so you see that uh we have a lot of steel on site. It's going to be stored in front of the school uh inside that construction area and you see things actually starting to go up. And so this is right uh in that area A which is near that uh front entrance area of the high school. Um so again exciting that we're starting to see structures actually uh take place. Um and we've got some smaller grade beams that have been prepped to be poured and that should happen in the next couple of weeks as well. So
050um again moving right along. Uh we are um you know ahead of schedule with high school but obviously um you know built-in weather days and and all of that. Uh but but we've we've had the good fortune of having some good weather uh which has allowed us to to get um in in a great place with our construction. So um very excited and um confident um with that project. We've got Lomax Junior High. Um this uh picture is from last week. Since last week we've actually completed the gym. The gym is is finalized. The paint um it's been sealed. I mean we're we're ready to go in the gym. The only thing uh that's remaining, we have a fire inspection. Uh we're still waiting on a module to come in. Once that module comes in,
051we'll get that fire inspection. Uh but the rest of the MEP inspections have been completed and then we're hoping uh very soon, at least by the end of next week, that we should have our substantial completion and be able to occupy that gymnasium. So, again, things are um you several of you have been out there. Beautiful gym. Um, and it just looks fantastic and and I know Miss Rose is [clears throat] excited to have the gymnasium back. Um, band orchestra area. Again, it's another beautiful space. They've been working hard on the electrical getting that kind of wrapped up in that space and we're looking at the estimate completion date of April 20th and that's, you know, kind of long. I'm hoping that we get access prior, but uh long range April 20th should be the
052time where that uh building would be released to us as well, that space. So, just a couple of other points I wanted to reference. The Sonia Angelo Theater, this is the time of year where it starts getting lots of activity. I'm sure you guys have seen some of the performances that have already taken place in there. Um that first picture to the left, it's hard to think that that that's just what it was like this summer, right? We we've already done a lot of upgrades to that foyer area. Uh the top is what you can see there and then in that bottom right. Um so we've updated the carpet, we've updated paint, and we've got some furniture in the foyer. Um so we've got enough seating in there for about 30. Um so I know
053there are times where we pull students together, we can have a class or um some instruction out there and so we have the student space for that. And they're they're not very portable. They're they're pretty um set in place. So, you know, we anticipate um you know, not a lot of horse playing uh [clears throat] with those uh but it it's a great space and it could be a great space for learning for our students and staff as well. Uh we've got the TVs there that was uh part of the the TVs were part of the uh AV proposal that you all had approved previously and so we've got uh two 75in TVs that are mounted there. Uh with those we'll be able to broadcast and stream what's happening inside the theater. Uh but we
054can also um say display the menu for the concessions on on those as well. U so we'll be able to use that which is exciting. Uh we've got a few things if you've been in that space. It's open ceiling right now. We're not going with the industrial look. We're just waiting until after the concert season so that we can put some of those black ceiling tiles in. And I really think that's going to complete that space. Uh we're looking at some additional um uh some exciting, you know, things that we want to bring to that space. there's a new line technology. The rigging and lines need to be replaced and so this will allow us an opportunity to uh enhance those uh for safety with an emphasis on student safety in those spaces. Uh we've
055got some additional lighting which was approved previously that'll take place after the UIL season. Uh so in May you're going to start to see a lot more happening in that theater. Um so we'll be able to tackle the lighting. Uh we're going to look at refinishing the stage. um we'll be able to uh do some more uh house enhancements. So whether paint or tectum uh just really finalizing our budget uh to determine how we can just continue to beautify that space. Uh but it's come a long way and and it's only about 30% of where it's going to be. So so I'm very excited about the potential for for this space. I know the the staff are very uh excited and and pleased and so um you know again just looking forward to that. >>
056I've heard the sound system is amazing. the sound system is fantastic and so we we hope to to have a showcase so that people can hear that but it it really is fantastic. >> Um and just this is another exciting one. I actually get more questions about this one than than I I thought I would get. But uh [laughter] I won't say names, but uh you know we we've got the bulldog bunker. And so this is our simulation room. Um, this is, uh, you know, I think I told y'all the story that I asked the students to help come up with this name. And so, they thought the the room actually looked like a bunker. And so, they said, "Let's call it the bulldog bunker." Um, but then I reminded them the goal in golf
057is to try to stay out of the bunkers. And, uh, but it's still a cool name. So, so we it stuck. And so, um, we've got those kits that are being assembled. Um, we've got uh the projectors and the mounts and TVs should be installed by the end of this week. Uh we've got a little bit of floor leveling to do so that we can come in with the carpet. Uh then we'll do the hitting mats, the camera calibration, and just get all that that technology fine-tuned. Uh but we're still tracking for student use by the start of second semester. So, uh very very very excited about this one. And that bulldog bunker logo was going to go on each wall. Uh so it's it's going to be a really nice space and uh I
058think our students are going to be ecstatic about that. And >> this area will have somewhere for the students to store bags. Absolutely. Yep. So, right uh to the front of this room, there's a room a space um uh where students can store bags. We're actually going to put some lockers in that space as well. Um so, students can lock up some belongings as they go throughout their instructional day. Uh but they'll be able to [clears throat] come back during athletics period and access what they need to. Um so, yeah, that was a priority for us. >> That that room should not be on during the day. How are we planning to secure the How are we planning to secure that room during the day? I know someone can't go in and lock it and
059unlock it every day. >> Yeah. So, it'll be a badge access uh into the room. So, you know, the coach would be able to to open that up for students with the badge as they go in. Um so, that would be unless you have a master key or a campus key, that would be the only entry into that that space. >> Absolutely. Yeah, we can let entry uh in that way. >> That should be only >> correct. Yes. Yeah. So, and we'll have cameras in there. So, just >> will y'all stop. >> And then, um, last but but not least, we've got our safety security audits. So, we are, uh, in that window right now where we're anticipating an audit from Harris County Department of Education. This is our once in every 3 years audit
060that we'll get. And so, they have five spaces identified. um the Jenny Reed, Rudo, Lommax, LPJ, and then we've also got uh support services and well at six I guess with the Bulldog Stadium and Legacy Complex. And so uh they're going to come in some of the things that they're looking for to make sure that we've got emergency operations plan. Um they're going to look at past climate survey data, uh drill logs, they're going to look at uh floor maps, evacuation maps, aerial maps, uh visitor policy. they're going to talk with staff to make sure that they're familiar. And so this is a comprehensive audit. Um again, we're anticipating this um you know, probably tomorrow or the next day. And so you guys would get a full report on on that audit. They're going to
061give that data with us. And and some of that is just to help us improve in certain areas. And so that's that's your every three-year audit that we get. And then we've got the the two additional audits, TEA, um the IDA is the intruder detection audits. Um thus far we've gotten uh three campuses that have that have uh been visited from the TEA auditors. Um that's the high school um LXCE and Leaport Elementary. Um and then you know so the remaining campuses throughout the districts uh throughout the district would you know we expect to to receive um an audit by the end of the year on on each campus. And then we've got the district vulnerability assessments or DVAs. Those could be at any time. We haven't received any yet. you know, they they tend
062to come around holidays and, you know, when when things seem to be a little laxed because of parties and and whatnot. So, but we we do um a a good job with Mr. Whitcliff and and his staff to make sure that our our principles are aware and prepared. And so, I just want to thank them for all of their hard work and making sure that everyone's um prepared and aware of what they need to do um if we were to be visited by an auditor. And that's what I have for you uh this evening. Are there any questions? >> Thank you, sir. >> All right. Thank you'all. Lord, >> I will share at conclusion. Uh before we go into that gym, I'd certainly like to get everybody together. That's another facility. So, I'll work with
063you. Sounds good. We'll turn now to our n item nine, our consent agenda. A, determine and approve any consent agenda items. B, approve board meeting minutes, regular board meeting minutes, November 11, 2025. C, receive principal reports. One, early childhood center. Two, Bashro Elementary. Three, College Park Elementary. Four, Heritage Elementary. Five, Janine Reed Elementary. Six, Leaport Elementary. Seven, Leo A. Roso Elementary. Eight, Lomax Elementary. Nine, James H. Baker sixth grade campus 10 Leaport Junior High 11 Lommax Junior High 12 Leaport High School and 13 Academy of Viola DeWalt High School. D receive financial statements for October 2025. E receive human resources report. F approve budget amendment. G approved 2025 2026 TEA local improvement plan LIP for Leaport Junior High. H approve receipt and first reading of TASB local policy update 126. I approve interlocal agreement for
064joint elections with the city of Leaport. J approve master interlocal agreement with ESC region 11. K approve purchase of backup server hardware. L approve purchase of painting services at Rudo Elementary. M approve purchase of special education contracted services. N approve purchase of track and soccer equipment. O approve regular board meeting schedule for second semester of 2526 school year. Mr. Vice President, will you please read back the consent items as read? >> Yes, it's A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O. >> All right, board. We have consent items A through O. I seek a motion. A motion by Trusty Shopppee and a second by Trusty Paris. Please vote. >> [clears throat] >> All right. Have unanimous approval. Thank you guys. Turn now to item 10, action and or
065discussion items. A a bond refunding update and discussion. I believe we have a presentation. Okay. All right. Good evening, Dr. Jackson, President Martin, board of trustees. I'd like to introduce Mr. Doug Wit, our senior managing director at Samco Capital, who will present a bond refunding opportunity that could potentially save the district over $1 million in interest payments. Um, after Mr. Wit's presentation, we'll ask the board to adopt resolution number 2025-15 that will authorize the issuance of Leaport ISD unlimited tax refunding bond series 2026 subject to certain parameters. Thank you for consideration. >> All [clears throat] right. Good evening. It's good to be with you. >> Good evening. >> All right. Uh, so it's good to be back. Um, I'll start with a bond program update. We're here tonight to talk about refinancing existing bonds uh
066that are outstanding uh to provide interest cost savings. Uh but you do have bonds uh that have been approved by the voters. Uh the first bullet point uh points out that we continue to outperform the pre-election assumptions. Everything with our bond models uh financially speaking is on target. Uh the savings today uh that you will authorize will just enhance that same concept. you continue to have outstanding bond ratings, you're a very, very high credit quality district. There's just a handful of districts that could say they have a higher bond rating than you. We're in the double A2 category. And of course, in many of our bonds, we have the permanent school fund AAA on top of that. Uh things that they cite in that is the bond model. Yes. But more importantly and equally important
067is your performance in your financial operations. Third bullet point is we do have some authorized but unissued bonds. That's not what's on the agenda today. Proposition A, the primary proposition, there's 29,650,000 remaining. Uh Proposition B, I believe, is the technology that we're rolling uh issuance of those over time. Uh the next school bond issuance that I may be back to talk to you about is in June uh of next year or Okay. So, with that said, you may say, "Well, why don't we just combine the refunding with the new money?" Cuz we issued some bonds in June of 25, then we're coming back in June of 26. And the [snorts] the reason is is that we issue bonds in accordance with both federal law and state law. Those two timings give us different time frames.
068Refunding is under federal law. Issuance of new bonds is under state law. Those two timings don't always merge. So the upcoming call dates you have uh four or five of them at the top that are callable any time. Uh and you'll see though that the first two for example are maturing 27. So these are very short bonds. The 2014 refunding bond is very small a million4 very short goes out to 2031 very low coupon. So there's nothing to grab there. And then 2015 refunding bond uh is any date, but again it is also short. There's only one maturity in there that's the 5%. The rest of it is the 3%. So again, no savings there. And that's another bond that is not PSF guaranteed. Those are refundings of nonPSF guaranteed bonds. The reason they don't
069have PSF guarantee is a couple of times in history, the permanent school fund program shut down applications because they reached certain thresholds and they had to get authorization to expand the program and take on new applicants again. So then the 2015 bond uh is callable any date. it will be a part of this refunding and then the 16 the two 16 2016 bonds become callable February of 26 and the federal government timing says that we can refinance those bonds within 90 days of that February call date. So you'll see a little note to the far right that it's now within 90 days that we can refinance those bonds and those are the bonds that are driving the savings. Now, we have done this uh four times uh since 2015, and we've paid off bonds, not
070refinanced them, just paid them off with cash twice. Those six things saved about $30 million for the district over the past 10 years. Okay, this here is only a million. Only a million. I remember when a million meant a lot. But we are really we're going in and we're extracting surgically removing the maturities that can provide you savings to provide savings. This is squeezing as much juice out of this as we can. U it is something that you should do. It's not it's not a gamecher, but this is basic blocking and tackling of school finance and it's a refunding that's upon you. About half of that million dollars of savings is coming from the 15 bond and about half of it is coming from the 2016 building bond. And that one 2016 refunding in the
071middle may add a little bit of value to this. It's on the table for us. Again, it'll be a game day decision when we enter the market. Current market yields, you can see here the permanent school fund AAA yield is uh runs at 260 270 very short. Then we get to 2033 and we start getting our upward sloping yield curve where each maturity after that is a little bit higher. You go out to 2039 and it's just below 350. So if you've got 4% coupons in this uh time period, they can produce savings for you. If you got a 3% coupon, you can get some savings if it's real short. Okay? So we are taking outstanding coupons reducing the yields on those and that's what creates the savings for us. So what does that look
072like? In this particular U slide you can see that it's a current refunding. That's in quotations because the word current means within 90 days of the call date. There's a term that we don't use much anymore. It's called an advanced refunding which is in in advance of the call date. And the reason that we don't talk about that much anymore is federal law now suggests that those have to be taxable interest rates rather than tax exempt. So we have to wait to the call dates. Uh and so the 15 bond is in the middle. Uh there's about 22 million7 in this analysis uh that we'll refinance and 2016 bond in the second column just under 10 million that we'll refinance. We're taking average rates from 379 uh down to 266 to 383. And there's no
073penalty or premium that you have to pay. You can pay these bonds off at the same price that you uh issued them. So what does it mean for us when we run the numbers? These are slightly conservative. If you looked at Dickinson and Humble who were in the market today, uh when you look at theirs, these are slightly conservative to those rates, but markets change. We'll get news tomorrow about the Federal Reserve cutting the short-term interest rate, probably 25 basis points or 0.25%. Most of that is cooked into this. If you see or hear some newsworthy story that shocks the market, we'll know all about it. But right now, it appears that everything has been telecast uh telegraphed and we're uh expecting that the the short-term lowering of interest rates and comments about general some
074of the economy looks great, some of the economy looks bad. We're going to expect some of that. You hear about coach speak, we have Federal Reserve speak in our business, and I can almost write the the script for them. So with that said, uh the current tax exempt refunding of the 15 and 16 bonds produces about a million3 or what we call 3% present value savings. That 3% present value savings is a statistic that means something to those of us in our industry. And it's kind of been a historical rule of thumb that if you get a refunding that produces at least 3% present value of the size of the bond you're refunding, then it's worthy of consideration. So, it's a how much bang for the buck are you getting? So, if I'm getting a
075million3 and I'm re refunding $300 million worth of bonds, it would be no good, right? And if and so that's the statistic that we have here when we're refunding about $30 million worth of bonds. So, with that said, our goal is to get at least a million. Uh but we also have an eye on a legal goal. And if you read the last line here, the legal goal uh is 3% present value savings. The practical goal is a million. I don't want to get too technical here, but sometimes I can go up and get you a million 350 of savings, but the percentage goes down. And so we have to meet the minimum threshold of 3% is what we're putting in here. Right now, these numbers that you're looking at are a million3 with 3%
076present value savings. the schedule of events. Uh we've been visiting with the staff. Of course, October 2nd, we had a a discussion of this refunding program. We've actually started the process even though this has not been approved by the board. And there's no harm if you choose not to approve it, but we started this so that we can enter the market as soon as possible. And this date met all of our parameters that we needed. So, we have the order resolution on your agenda uh tonight. Diane Martinez with Huntton Andrews Perth is here in the front row. Uh she's with the law firm that prepared the resolution for you and provides the legal analysis and the legal structure uh that we're working under. If there's any legal questions regarding the resolution, I would definitely defer
077to her. Um and then uh we're looking at pricing these uh probably next next week uh and entering the market. We'll see how things shape up towards the end of this week. That would put us with a bond closing in in uh the middle of January and then that redemption date of those bonds is February 15th. So with that said, I'll answer any questions that you may have uh about this. This is again basic blocking and tackling. It's being good stewards uh of the taxpayer money. It's not a uh home run type of refunding like we did in 21 where we saved 17.7 million on one refunding bond. uh but this is being good stewards and doing everything we can to make sure we pinch every penny in the INS account and that interest in
078syncing fund bond account is again performing very very well uh as we go forward. So with [clears throat] that I will answer any questions that you may have. >> Doug, am I correct in saying that it strengthens our future bond worthiness in the future? >> Exactly. That million this is all about >> Exactly. That million dollars of savings clears up room for the bonds we have to issue, which provides bond capacity well into the future. And y'all have been great stewards uh of the bond and debt management. I mean, this is one occurrence, but we've had six others uh that you have been managing over time, including the ability to not just refinance bonds at lower rates, but that pay them off early and incur no more interest on them. So, uh, you've been doing
079really well and now we have a game plan to implement the remaining balance of the bonds that were approved by the voters. >> How we can pass a bond, but their rate isn't coming up. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Yes. Yeah. Some I was at a meeting last night and I gave a one-hour workshop presentation on the bond program and I told him unfortunately in the election the voters not going to give me an hour with each and every voter. [laughter] So we're going to have to narrow it down to a single talking point. >> I will say um I do appreciate everything you do in Sano Capital. It gives a great piece of mind to myself and I'm sure everyone else on the board to know that you're working directly with our um department of
080finance. Um, this is great and I can just my short time on the board, you can easily tell that Samco always has the interest of the district ahead of anything else and we appreciate it. >> You bet. Thank you. >> So, with with all the proposals and and what we hear about the potential for how they're going to restrict how we can do bonds in the future, will that have any uh impact on our ability to refund bonds or the work that you guys do? >> Yeah, that's a great question because we have been under fire. Uh, we've avoided most of the really, really bad problems. We still have stuff that comes out of Austin that is not public school friendly. That's a fact. Some of it is targeted to bond and debt management. As
081an example, when they raise the homestead exemption this year, now we're we're a commercial industrial tax base, so we have little of this, but I have others that are bedroom communities. But when they raise the homestead exemption and that takes away the tax base of the district, then where do we go? Well, hold harmless is something that they give. But one example of hold harmless is they don't want districts to collect excess money. And that makes no sense to me because when we collect excess money and we put it in the bank, we then go and pay off bonds early. What better long-term debt management than to pay your debts off as soon as possible and maintain what other public school policy is good than maintaining a steady tax rate? Steady tax rate, excess revenues,
082pay bonds off early and they want to attack that. It doesn't make sense to me. But your question is what's coming in the future? It won't really impact our ability to refinance bonds in your case. This what I'm going to call clawback of hold harmless for the increased homestead exemption is a minor blip on this screen and a non-event. So it will not impact our ability to continue our process of paying bonds off early, meaning we'll collect a lot more than we'll lose and that collection will then pay off on bonds. So now we have other proposals that are coming out as we enter into campaign seasons. Some include elimination of property school taxes on homesteads. Uh it would be very very difficult legally for them to do that for voted bonds because we have
083a contract. All of your bond holders, not in this district but across the state have a contract that have the ability uh to mandamus a tax rate that's set on the property to then pay them back. Um so there will be a variety of things that we'll have to navigate. Now they can possibly, if I hearing them correctly, eliminate property school taxes on the maintenance and operating side. They will have to supplant that with some other state funding. I don't see us going to a zero school tax rate because of the outstanding bonds that are secured by a property tax rate with a legal contract with bond holders. Uh but with that said, so far for this district, most of the proposals andor things that have been adopted have not been uh massive problems for
084us. I have other clients where it is very very difficult to navigate. >> Thanks, sir. Order. If there no more comments, I'll turn to uh item B and I seek a motion. Adopt the resolution number 2025-15 authorizing the issuance of support ISD unlimited taxfunding bond series 2026 subject to certain parameters. >> So moved. >> Second. >> A motion by Trusty Thompson and a second by Trusty Crutcher. Please vote. >> Thank you all. >> Thanks. We have a unanimous approval. Thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> All right. Now to excuse me. Item C. Approve annual comprehensive financial report for year ending June 30th, 2025. >> All right. Good evening again. So at the November 11th board meeting, uh Mr. Patrick Simmons, who's our audit partner at Whitley Penn, presented the draft fiscal year 2025 audit.
085Uh we could not ask the board to approve that audit at the time because we were waiting for the office of management and budget to release their compliance supplement for single audits. So that has been released and our audit auditors have reviewed uh reviewed the the supplement and the single audit for our child nutrition fund and found that we are in compliance and we have no findings. Um, we have a copy of the final audit to give to you tonight. Um, and we also have Miss Miss Laura Lynch who is a senior audit manager with uh, Whitley Pen and she's here if y'all have any questions uh, regarding our audit. Um, there any questions that we can answer for you on the audit? >> This is the same one we got in an email, right?
086>> It's the exact same one. Yes, sir. And nothing changed from the presentation in November. >> Whitley. We love Whitley Pen. >> We do. There hearing no questions. I I seek a motion to approve our annual comprehensive financial report for year ending June 30th, 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I don't care whoever. [laughter] >> We have a motion by Trusty Perez and a second by uh Trusty Thompson. Please vote. >> All right. We have unanimous approval. Thank you again. >> All right. Section 11, action on close session items. We have none this evening. Uh section 12, closing comments of the board of trustees and superintendent. Uh A, attendance at recent district and community events. B announcement of upcoming upcoming district and community events. And C, outstanding performance by district staff and students. We
087started this way last time. You're up this time. >> Really enjoyed the performance we had today, but um and uh it's going to be a tough week and a half, I guess. Uh enjoy it and enjoy that holiday. Uh, merry Christmas, happy new year, and uh, let's get back here in the new year and have a great and >> um, lots of great performances. Oh, sorry. >> Okay, sorry about that. Um, lots of great performances going on in the district right now. I just um I was late because my daughter was um doing concert band at LBJ and I um snuck out so that I could come um back and so I missed the symphonic band, but I know they did wonderful because I got to hear them warm up. So um great job to
088all of our students who are participating in all those things. Um, I did want to say as I'm reading to the kids across the district for Christmas this year or for the holiday season this year, um, the message that I'm giving them, um, for them to take home for the holiday season and to, you know, really kind of resonate with is just, um, that tidings of goodwill and, uh, peace on earth and those things. And just really I want them to know that um kindness and being good to each other and being good to the people who take care of you and love on you and everything during the holiday season is very very important um because it's a challenging time of year for a lot of families and for a lot of people. and
089just to um know that everybody's doing the best that they can, but to love on each other, to be kind to each other, and to have a grateful heart, and that we will see them in the new year. Um, and that is the message that I'm sharing with them. And so, I share that with you as well. And I wish you all um just the very best holiday season and that time with your friends and family, loved ones. Um, just may it be everything that you that you need to take in to kick off the the new year as well. >> Well, I want to start I think was it last week or week before was special education week and so I want to say thank you to all of our folks that work really
090really hard with all of our precious kiddos. It's um it's certainly a challenge sometimes but it's also a gift that you have. So, thank you very much. Um, big shout out to our AP teachers. We know our kids, I mean, our kids are wonderful. They work super hard, but our AP teachers here are amazing. I think that Leaport probably has some of the very best AP teachers in the whole area. I would love to kind of compare the percentage of our kiddos to, you know, some of the other districts that like to pretend we're not here. [laughter] So, I mean, I really do want to give a big shout out. Um, I know some of them are still the same ones my daughter had and they were amazing and it's wonderful the amount of college
091credit they get to take with them as well. So, um, that's that's really really wonderful. So, thank you. And I really want to hope y'all notice how many of those kiddos are involved in so many other things, not just the classroom. And that speaks volumes for um the kind of kiddos that we're putting out there. And again, thank you to everybody. It's been a great semester. We'll finish strong. Praying for you. And uh just got another week. And I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. And all your football teams win. Mine doesn't get to play in the playoffs. >> Yes, ma'am. >> You're going to talk about your claim of >> I'm not Look, y'all beat us fair and square, but the Aggies are still playing, so I'm not
092complaining. [laughter] [clears throat] >> Oh gosh. Um, just to echo some of the things that um, other trustees have said, there's so much going on throughout the district and I love all the fine art things that are going on, but I can't make all of them. But, um, we all appreciate their hard work and efforts. Um, Christmas on Maine was well attended and the performances by all of our schools were stellar in my opinion. And um I'm looking forward to reading to kids uh a couple of times this week and the ASL program on Friday evening just really has my heart. I love to watch them do sign language and they're they're awesome. So I'm looking forward to that on Friday and uh wishing all of you the best during the holiday season with your
093families and whatever ways that you celebrate and uh a happy and safe new year as well. I'm good. Merry Christmas, everybody. >> You okay? >> Wow. I'm ready to get [laughter] out of here. [cough] [clears throat] >> Well, that Dr. Jackson, would you like to merry [laughter] Christmas? >> Good gosh. All right. Um, I'll be quick, but I do want to thank It's amazing the uh percentage increase and then the amazing students, the AP scholars, that was impressive. uh the fact that a lot of those kids got it early. So again, congrat congratulations to them and their parents and their families and all people made it possible. Um also thank you to the uh the Christmas meal to our uh our nutrition department. You guys do a phenomenal job every year. [applause] Dr. Jackson made
094me personally try every different type of cookie. So uh thank you for that, too. So they were they were pretty delicious. Um they mentioned Christmas on Main. I don't know if you guys know how Well, first of all, I want to say with sincerity, all credit goes to the man above cuz you looked at the our our radar. It said 90% chance of rain like a couple days before the event. I know we were stressing, but all those kids, all the stuff that go into that and it kept clearing up, clearing up, but even the day of was supposed to rain from like 11:00 a.m. to 3. and I was out there and the amount of workforce and labor and and planning and stuff that goes in that event uh is I just congratulate you
095guys on it because that's a phenomenal. I know the city puts a lot of work in, but our district does uh a lot of leg work. A lot of stuff goes behind the scenes to make that happen. And again, uh I was out there, it was windy, it was cold, but it didn't get rain. So again, thank you to the man above for for making that happen. And to all you guys that uh I know we we we talking about we're going to have this event at all. So just really glad that we did and it went as well as it did. So um lastly, so I don't know how many uh teachers, you know, pay attention to the board meeting, but I I want to say on behalf of our whole board that we
096are unified in our stance. We are so very very proud to represent you guys. We're honored for the work that you guys do each and every day. I know that um I grew up in a family of educators. I know that you don't get the recognition all the time that you deserve um probably ever, right? And so this time of year, you know, I'm glad we get a break, but we want you guys to know, man, like I I I say I came from family educators, but and I know it was hard. It's always been hard for educators, but the stuff that you guys have to deal with was social media and things that like anybody can say whatever the heck they want. And 99% of the time, it's so far from the truth, it's
097not even funny. So, I just want to I just want to say publicly, we recognize that and and God bless you for choosing to be educators, choosing to to help kids. Um, and we just pray that you are can get some some refreshment and some renewal as we go into our spring semester. Uh, we're going to be praying for you guys. Uh, that we can help on this board in any way, shape, or form. We're here for that. So, again, uh, that being said, I say merry Christmas and we are adjourned at 8:01.