001Good morning. I call this Median Valley ISD special board meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. on August 6, 2025. We have a quorum of board members present. Absent board members are Mr. Waters and Mr. Bonnie. We'll begin with pledge of allegiance followed by a moment of silence. Next we have public comment. We have no one signed up to speak. So first on the agenda is student handbook. Mr. Laney. >> All right. So with the last Texas leg legislative session, it caused quite a few changes in our handbook and our code of conduct. And so while um what happens is TASBY sends us a model, student handbook and student code of conduct. And so then we put ours side by side with theirs and we go through and see what changes need to be made. All
002the changes were highlighted in green and then all the deletions were highlighted in red. And you can tell there was quite a few. So I'm I'm just going to go through and hit on some of these. So, I gave you a packet and if you start on page five where it talks about the student handbook. Um, the first one there is a a consent to a period of prayer. All they did was they changed that one and moved it to later. So, I'll go over it later. Um, the next one um was limiting electronic communications. This is a change that we made that our we want our employees only communicating through student square. no other um communication like sports you or remind or anything like that. So, we made that change. Um and then there's
003a a parent review of instructional materials. That's um we have to send out the syllabus before school starts to all parents and that's a that's a change that came um through TASVY. Um next page, uh Texas Driving Disability Program. You can read through that. That's a brand new uh change through our special education department. Um compulsory attendance. They added uh mental health appointments and absence of attendance um for religious instruction. Moving down that the official attendance taking time, we made that change. So, elementary is going to be 10:05 and um high school is going to be 10:40 or secondary is going to be 10:40. And we felt like last year with um school starting at 8:50 for secondary or high school, sometimes kids arrive late and then then they they miss the attendance taking time.
004So, we thought that would be a good move. Um, moving on to the academic excellence awards. High school wanted to make a change. They wanted to change it from a weighted to an unweighted to include more kids to to get recognized there. And so, um, that's a recommended change by them. If you move on to the next page, page seven, um, child abuse, neglect, trafficking, and and other malreatment of children, the state changed that all around, changed the wording, deleted some of it, and so I tried to go through there and and and highlight the ones that were deleted in red. and then um changed it in green there for you. Okay. And if you go to the next page um page eight, college and university admissions and financial aid um that's just a change
005that University of Texas will no longer um it's not top 10%, it's 5%. And then we changed from Southwest Texas Junior College to Alamo Colleges. And so those are their new requirements right there. Okay. Um page nine, um there is an update on grievances. And so what we had to do is we had to put our um website in here for parents to file the grievance. It had to actually be in the student handbook. And so it's always been online, but we just had to put the link in there. Um and then conduct on page nine. They just changed the wording there. It's not much difference. Um it's just, you know, a few things turned around a little bit different. So I I included that in there um for you. Um the next page, um
006page 10, they added the virtual and hybrid instruction. That is something that we can look into as a district at a later time um where we can offer that. And then um on page 10 also dress and grooming um the secondary campuses they're going to allow uh give students change of clothes um and they would charge $10 if those clothes do not get returned if they're out of dress code. So instead of putting them in ISS and taking them out of class, they have shirts that they can give them and they will keep them washed and and all that. So to try to help a little bit with dress code, um page 11, um updated and rewarded the safe use of technology. Um of course with AI and all that, they had to make some
007changes there. Um and then page 11 is is the update of the use of personal communication devices. And so um we've talked about that um over time. And so um what we did is it we put pretty much the policy in there. We talked about um what the policy means when it means on school property um during the school day and so forth. And then as you go through there, it has the offenses for elementary and it has the offenses for secondary if they get caught with their phone out because if you know the state took away the fine of $15 on on cell phones. Um we also included the in exceptions in there. So, you know, if I or a medical need, all that's in there on page 12 if you keep going down.
008All right. And then on page 13, they changed um the access and use of artificial intelligence. That's a big thing now. So, they added a whole section on that. And please stop me if you have any questions. Um the next one on clubs and organizations, extracurricular activities. So now in order for a student to be in a club and organization, we have to send home and get parental consent on that. And so we created a form for all of our clubs and organizations to send that home and get that parental consent. Um and we'll do that through Parent Square, of course. Um grading guidelines. Um the principles got together and they wanted a change there. So if a student does um if fails an assignment and then the teacher does a retach, they used to
009only get a 70. And so they wanted to take that out and it would be whatever the student makes after the after the retach. So um immunizations totally removed the 10-day window that that's that's um coming from the state. So we can now if they don't have their immunizations they cannot go to school. I mean there's exemptions of course and all that. So and then on tobacco ecigarettes and nicotine products what used to happen there is they were um it was mandatory that they go to DAP. um they took that out and gave us the option. And so what we plan on doing is is it says in there that you must give them 10 days of ISS, but what we would plan on doing is giving them um 10 days of DAP um unless
010our DAP facility got full there. Okay. We still want to send a strong message with the tobacco and ecigarettes. All right. Um some of these are duplicates. Um so earlier I said that prayer changed. So they added a section in here about prayer um from early on and changed the wording in it and it pretty much says that it will not disrupt school activities um and the school will not encourage require or coers a student to engage in re refrain from such prayer mediation meditation during school activity. There's another one on remote instruction there. Once again that's something that we can decide as a as a um district. And then the safe safe storage of firearms, that is a a total new um policy in there and that came straight from um TASBY about how
011we need to secure our firearms on campus and that mainly applies to our our police department. All right, moving on. On page 15, the uh food and nutrition, it's been updated. It's just changed the wording around. It wasn't really any big updates. Um but I got with um Miss Echenrod on that and she helped us update it. And then a on page 15 also updated a whole section on the library. And then the last page there, searches in general. Um I believe we talked to you all about this last year, but it's um students who refuse to cooperate in a search, they'll be subject to discipline, including DAP placement in accordance with the student code of conduct. That's something that we wanted to add to to help with searches. So that's all of it kind
012of summarized quickly. If you have any questions, I'll be I'll take those. Yeah, I have one on the regrading. Okay. Um, specifically related to I don't know what page that was. >> What was it? >> 13. Page 13. So is that re I sorry this section talks about grading consequences for academic dishonesty >> but then it goes right into reteing. Is this >> this policy apply when they're caught doing cheating reeing? This is just thrown in there together. >> Yes. >> So this would be something that they just missed or explain to me the reteing. So if they if they get below a 70, they they did not master that the curriculum, >> okay, >> then the teacher is going to retach them and it they will and then they will reassess them and if
013they make above a 70 then they would give them the grade that they earned. Yeah, I don't know if I agree with that, but >> why? >> Well, I mean I mean so basically we're giving these kids a second chance and then then they go I mean I I don't know. So what if a kid gets a the first time through gets a 85 and that's their grade and then the second kid gets does you know gets a 60 and then gets a second chance and ends up getting a 95. you know, not giving that same opportunity to every student, >> right? >> So, and this change was recommended by by the the teachers, the well, some of the teachers, but mainly the the principles. >> Previously, they just received a 70 after the retach,
014>> right? The highest grade they could get was a 70. >> Oh, you guys agree with that? >> So, do they run? Because the way I read it, they run together. So, it's like if you're caught cheating, you can retach the way I read it, too. >> You can retach and get a hundred, >> right? >> So, maybe I need to separate those. >> Yeah. Because because what are the I mean, what's the I guess grading consequences for academic dishonesty, >> right? So that was an addition because of the AI and so forth. >> And so >> I think that I think I just need to split those up is what >> Yeah, we need to make sure that they don't get the opportunity to retach after cheating and then get a 70 or get
015the actual grade. >> Yeah, right. I understand that. Yeah. >> Yeah. Cuz that would open the door to let me cheat every time and Right. Until if I get caught that I can still go back and get 100. Yeah, let's AI it and then >> Yeah. Yeah. If I get away with it. >> Right. Okay. >> Yeah. So, I I'll say this too. So, Matt, kind of to your comment, some of the conversations that we are starting to have about grading is that we really need to separate the academics from the uh discipline behavior part, right? Because what's what happens sometimes is that we we uh we deduct points from a kid's grade or do something to a kid's grade because of uh something that does not relate to what that kid actually knows about
016that content. Right? So if they turn it in late or if they if they um I I don't know there's there's multiple examples. Miss Hendricks can touch more on that. So we want to really separate the two, right? We want to we we want to give them grades based on what they know academically, right? What they know about the curriculum and then separate that other part and have other consequences for when they do other things that could impact their grade or have been impacting their grade. >> And so basically it's kids learn at different levels all throughout the year. So one kid might already know it and one kid might not know anything about it. If they take the test and they fail the test and then they retach and they actually learn it, we
017want to base it on whether they learned the material or not, not on whether they learned it at the same time that somebody else learned it. And so this just gives teachers an opportunity to give kids grades on what they know about a content instead of like like grading it. It has been used as a consequence as a punishment. And we wanted to measure whether students master a concept or not. And so this was just a way and teachers have the ability to give whatever grade they want to based on their learning. We don't have any control over the teacher. So if they think they're just trying to game the system, like they can re-evaluate that. But this is for the kids who really are learning slower and they didn't have it yet, but then
018they get it. And we want that grade to reflect what they know. >> And how do they evaluate whether they know it or not? The only part that jumps in I I hear what you're saying, but the only part that jumps in my head is I'll just go blind in every test and see what I make on it knowing that I can come back and make a hundred and if you're going to give me the same test again, it's it's easier. I mean, we've all done it, right? It's easier the second time around if I'm getting the same test back and >> here we go. That's how >> that is. That is one of the things that it it would not be the same test like it would be it would be a different assessment
019and it would not be like multiple choice or anything like that. >> Different. That's what I was just confirming. >> Yeah. And usually it it like Tanner just said, usually the test is harder because they want to make sure that they really learned and it's further in the curriculum. So like it would be that and they would be learning new stuff and they would be relearning the old stuff. So >> now was this apply to late grades? I mean some kids will wait until the end of the six weeks and go here's all my papers. So, you know, to me, >> yeah, this is mainly on assessments on their test. >> Yes. >> And I'll definitely add some clarification in there. >> Yeah. Should we clarify that in there then if that's what it's >>
020Yes. >> Any other questions? Goodbye. Thanks. Next is close session. The time is now 7:46 a.m. and the board of trustees will now convene in close session as authorized by section 551071 551076 551089 551072 of the Texas Open Meetings Act to discuss agenda items 4 A through C. No action will be taken in close session. The board is now in close session. The board is reconvening into open session at 8:11 a.m. For the record, no action was taken in close session. Next, we have consider approval of the 2526 NBISD student code of contact conduct. That's members of the board and Dr. Kaos. So with the code of conduct, it's the same thing as the handbook. They give us a model um code of conduct and we go through it and compare it. And so um
021once again on that presentation um I'll go through the changes. The first one um was threat assessment notification. And so we've had threat assessments. They just changed a little bit of the wording um to say that it condu conduct that contains the element of offensive and terrorist terroristic threat, the unlawful carry of weapons and u exhibiting, using or threatening to exhibit or use a firearm. And then any concerning student behaviors or behavioral trends that may pose a serious risk of violence to the student or others, we must have a threat assessment and notify the parents. And so it states that in there. The next one on that page is the um electronic devices, the ones that we've discussed with personal communication devices over um over time. If you go to the next one, um the
022misuse of technology resources um this mainly talks about AI again. Um it just goes more in depth in the student handbook. And then the first time of of possession or use of nicotine product or ecigarette with vaping. Um it talks about um that it that inschool suspension for a period of at least 10 school days. You have the option of that but like I said we would go DAP with that. Um the next one is formal removal on page two. Formal removal removal of a student. So that's a whole new section in there about removing a student from a teacher's class. And so, um, it goes through there, um, the policy on removing them and then returning the student to class and then appeals of formal teacher removals. And so, um, we'll visit with, um,
023teachers, we'll train them, we'll train admin and staff on this and and we're also going to get more guidance from our attorneys on exactly what we need to do in this situation. The next one is in school suspension. In school um suspicion suspension you used to only could do three days but now you can do up to 10 days and after 10 days you have to do a review and so um we have set up a form for our administrators to do a review after those 10 days if they do 10 days. Okay. Um out of school suspension it added some um some um conduct that could um that you would need to move to out of school suspension for. and it's um threatens and the immediate health and safety of other students in the
024classroom and documented conduct that results in repeated or significant disruption to the classroom. So, you can do an out of school suspension for those. Now, okay. Um an alternate assignment. What that is is a parent can request an um alternate assignment. So, like if you're giving a student out of school suspension, the parent can request um that no, we want inschool suspension. But that solely decides um sole discretion of the principal to make that decision. Okay. Um the next one is discretionary placement um into DAP. So they added some um offenses in there, engages in conduct that contains elements of of offensive or disruptive activities or offensive and disruption of class. And then of course the possession of or use of ecigarette is now a discretionary placement as well, not mandatory anymore. And then it
025allows us to do a virtual expulsion program. So if we expel somebody out of school, we could do a virtual um program for them. Um and it talks about consideration of that virtual virtual education as an alternate to expulsion. And those are the changes for the student code of conduct if you have any questions. >> Any questions? >> The cell phone policies not in that. >> So the cell phone policy >> not the disciplinary that goes to the student handbook. Okay. Any other questions? >> Yeah, Mr. Lang, were these mostly driven by legislative changes again? Yes, sir. >> Based on TASBY, >> every every one of them. >> Every one of them. Okay. >> We don't change the the code of conduct. >> Clarify that. All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. We don't change the
026code of conduct hardly at all. It's all TASBY. Yeah. >> I'm good. >> I look for a motion. I Matt Castleion move to approve the 2025 2026 MBISD student code of conduct as presented. >> Have a motion a second. >> I Joe Beer second the motion. >> I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor raise your hand. All board members voted for and the motion carries. Next we have consider approval for purchase of electronic device pouches. Dr. Kaos. >> Okay. So, I'm not sure where exactly where to start with this one, but you know, uh, as you recall, last board meeting, we did bring an agenda item to the board on the purchase of, uh, cell phone pouches to address the new law, uh, passed by the
027state requiring students not to have access to their cell phones during the school day. Uh, the board asked us at that meeting to get uh, some more information before moving uh, before possibly moving forward with uh, this purchase. And so we have provided y'all some additional information as far as uh we found another option as far as a pouch, right? Uh that that is a little bit different than the one we presented at the last meeting. This this pouch uh the the pouch we presented at the last meeting did not have um first of all it was a magnetic lock, right? And there were some concerns with that students being able to get into that. And then the uh the pouch also did not block the signal of the cell phone. This new pouch that
028we found does block the signal and it has a different lock. Now the the sample we have here does not have the lock on it. It's the one without the lock, but they do have a version with a lock on it. >> Okay. >> It's not a magnetic lock. >> It's not a mag magnetic lock. This is a brand new pouch, you know. So, so um so we don't have um a reference of talking to other districts, you know, to see how the pouch works for them, but um that this company does is I mean they basically are doing this because of the new law, right? They're um their their focus is on school districts where the other pouches they were developed for other reasons, right? I think mainly use them at concerts and and
029things like that. So, um, this pouch is also cheaper than than the one we presented last last month. And, um, we we provided two versions. One version where it's just the Velcro and then the second version where it's, uh, the Velcro and the lock, right? Obviously, the one with the lock is a little bit more expensive. Uh we've also found out uh through more guidance from from the state that we will receive uh some funding right if we make a purchase like this from the state and if our calculations are correct right and that's an if if calculations are correct we believe we will receive about $90,000 from the state uh for for purchase of these pouches. We also in the meantime did a survey with our teachers and because we're looking at doing this
030at our secondary campuses, right? Not at our elementaryaries, just at our secondaries. So, we surveyed our middle school teachers and then we also surveyed our I should say our middle school staff. It was more than just teachers because we're going to want everybody on that campus to implement this, right? And so, um, we surveyed middle school staff and then we surveyed high school staff. You have the results of those surveys. As you can see at the middle school, we gave them three options. The the three options we had were okay, students turn their cell phones off and keep them in their backpacks uh throughout the school day. Second option is they they uh we purchase a pouch that just has the Velcro. They keep it in the pouch with the Velcro throughout the day. And
031then the third option was to uh purchase a pouch that has a lock on it as well. So you can see at the middle school level, the majority of those teachers were or or staff were in favor of keeping the devices in their backpacks. And then at the high school, the majority of them were to uh purchase and keep them in the pouches that have the lock. And really at the high school, if you look at pouches period, whether it has a lock or not, it was pretty much the whole campus that wanted a pouch. at least whether it's locked or not, you know, was was a little bit different. So, I'll open it up for questions, comments on the pouches or backpacks or how we want to move forward with this. >> Well, I
032like this solution better than the magnetic lock myself. I mean, the lockable version of this, >> right, >> specifically for the fact that it blocks the signal. It's not a magnetic lock, you know, and in light now it's cheaper and we're going to get some state funding. So, I mean, I still don't think it's foolproof, but >> you know, it's it's uh >> the kids will find out how to get into that, figure out how to get in that just like they did the other ones. Um, >> well, I think that would be my question is if we know kids are going to find out how to get into them, what's the value of paying extra for the lock >> versus the Velcro? >> What was the price difference between it? It's about $10 difference.
033Yeah. >> Do we know what the locks? I couldn't find out what the lock looks like on this. >> There there's there's some videos. Yeah. That were provided that have it. Yeah. >> It's a much smaller key, too. If you remember, the key from the from the yonder pouches was >> Oh, there it is on the board. fairly big. >> I think for the high school at least that they need the lock, >> I would go for the lock >> just because the Velcro is going to be able >> to easily open it. >> But yeah, I'm I'm just thinking though, if we're saying, "Hey, they're going to be able to get into them anyways." >> Well, I think it'd be more difficult to get into them and, you know, maybe more trouble at least.
034>> I I think the other >> I think many kids will try to get into them. The the flip side of that is the kids that >> that are going to be tempted, right? This reduces their temptation if it's locked. >> So, I'm going to go a little bit sidetracked from everything that everybody said. So, we're talking about just basically the letter of the law, but my bigger thing with the locked pouches is like all of the other things that this this could potentially prevent. So, if I have a pouch that I can easily go into a restroom or to my car or to wherever and I can open it, the bullying, the Snapchatting, the meet me in the bathroom for a vape, the all these communication things that are going on, the fights, the
035so a lot of those things are reduced. So, when I was looking at like all the information from the districts that did this even prior to the state law, that was more of the reduction in what they saw was the disciplinary side of things. And so I think yes, we can talk about the cost of a lockable pouch versus unlocked whether they're in a backpack, but the the reality is is that the the more difficult we can make this for them to have access to them, the less, you know, option that they're going to do it. But then like there's added benefit in my mind to this away from just they're not on the phone. It it's they're not on the phone in the restroom. They're not on the phone. I mean because that that
036reality is is that communication is is 90% of the problem. I mean with the cell phones. So and the other thing too is like the whole deterrent. This is just my opinion. Like we put locks on our houses. Those are just deterrence. >> We spend money to lock our house every day. It's a deterrent. People can still break into my house. It doesn't mean that it's it's a foolproof. So I I like the lockable idea just because it also makes the discipline side of things much simpler. If you know you're supposed to have it in a locked pouch when the first bell rings, if you get caught with that phone at any point during the day, you you broke the rule. There's no it was an accident, it fell out of this, it fell out
037of it. It's it's it's it to me it just it simplifies the whole process. So, >> yeah, I'm with you. But I I would say on that that that last factor, the pouch does it. If it's if you have a pouch and your cell phone's out, it's immediate whether it's locked or not, right? because we will have kids that will get keys and all of a sudden we're going to have 1500 keys at this high school campus. I can promise you that as soon as one finds it like whatever it takes to get into it. So I was just weighing >> hey just perspective on what are the benefits over it if we end up with if they're going to get in them anyways. >> I agree it's a deterrent. I mean I think that
038I I don't disagree with that at all. Do we have the actual price difference? >> Yeah. >> 10 bucks. >> No, but accumul,000. >> So, so there are two quotes in there. Yeah. Um, and I'll tell you that the So, and the other part I think we need to determine are we going to do this for middle schools and high schools or just for high school? Right. >> I'll chime in on that, too. So, >> okay. >> To to me, I mean, we we we we do both. I I know if we see the surveys and all this stuff, but the reality is is that again, you're leaving I don't like gray areas. I'm not a fan of gray anything. I just want black and white. That's it. It's very simple. This is the rule.
039And and when you do one at one camp, I mean it's it's there's too much open for interpret interpretation, who's enforcing it like like to me it simplifies the whole process for everybody. >> I agree with that. It makes it one thing. This is how they learn in middle school. So the non-lockable would be 87,000 versus the 145,000 for the lockable stone >> on this brand. On this one, >> this one has the signal blocking technology, right? The other one does not. >> Yeah, >> which I think that's an important part of it. >> I agree >> because they're not hearing their phones ding or vibrate or whatever, you know. >> And what is the lock like on these? What I don't want to create is a line at the door to un like if
040it's a key that a teacher sitting there unlocking 25 bags to get them out. And >> the other one was nice because it was the magnet that was just quick. >> It's a little thing that fits on top. >> It's a It's a like a thing. Yeah. It's just >> It's quick, too. Just push it in. >> Yeah. >> It's not They have to stick it in there and turn it or twist it or anything. >> So, it was Yes. for the for the middle schools and the high school. The the total amount wasund a little over 156,000 for the locks with the ones with the locks. And then the ones without the locks were right at 80,000. >> We take 90,000 from the state. We're talking CSDK. >> Yeah, you're talking 65,000 from us
041>> to do it. >> And lead time on these with the locks. >> These are going to take a little bit longer. >> That's what I was going to say. This company's new, too. I mean, that's >> So, um, and we got them originally, it was four to six weeks. We've got them down to three to four weeks. They were going to charge us a little extra for that. Mr. Langy did his willing and dealing and got them to wave the the uh extra charge to expedite the order. But three to four weeks is what they're telling us. So, we're thinking we're thinking um if if we ordered them now, hopefully after Labor Day was when we could implement this with those campuses. >> How do we want to identify that? We just say lockable
042versus unlockable electronic device. >> Yes, sir. Yeah, I think so. What's y'all's recommendation? Blockable or not? >> I think yes. >> Well, I mean a lock the lockable style, too. I mean, you could you could see if they've been tampered with, you know. I mean, I know they're going to somebody's going to sell keys, but you know, but but at least they're, you know, these there's no way to to tell, you know. >> So, I I I I just think, like I said, I mean, it's not >> especially if we're getting 90,000 from the state funding like it's, you know, >> any other questions? I'll look for a motion. >> I blame Nashville move to approve the purchase of electronic device pouches from Tech Protect. I guess the lockable pouches from Tech Protect for the
043we middle school and the the middle schools and the high school in the amount of $156,180. [Music] >> I have a motion. Do I have a second? I >> Joe Beer second the motion. >> I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor raise your hand. All board members voted for and the motion carries. Next, we have consider approval to authorize the appointment of personnel as school marshals. Chief POW. >> Good morning, sir. Board, Dr. Kaos, um I would ask that you consider this item for a vote uh on the school marshal that we mentioned in close session. >> Be happy to answer any questions. Now I'll look for a motion. >> I Matt Castle move to authorize the appointment of personnel as school marshals as discussed in
044close session. >> I have a motion. I have a second. >> I N second the motion. >> I have a motion and a second. All those in favor raise your hand. All board members voted for and the motion carries. Next we have consider approval of officers to be commissioned as peace officers by Medina Valley Independent School District Police Department. Chief. >> Yes sir. I I would ask that you consider this item for a vote and uh be happy to answer any questions. >> Any questions? Can I look for a motion? >> I at Castle move to approve the following officers, Javier Zenzun, Ephra Guzman, and Edgar Lopez to be commissioned as peace officers by Medina Valley Independent School District Police Department. and further move to delegate the authority to the superintendent of schools andor the
045NVISD chief of police to act as the board board's designate to commission said peace officers >> I have a motion I have a second >> I Joe beer second the motion >> I have a motion to second all those in favor raise your hand all board members voter and the motion carries next is adjournment motion >> I'm at Cassone move to adjourn the special board meeting at 8:30 a.m. on August 6, 2025. >> I have a motion. I have a second. >> I bl second the motion. >> I have a motion in a second. All those in favor, raise your hand. All board members voted for and we are journed. Thank you.