Regular Board Meeting, 67-28-2025, 6:00 PM

001I call the Spina Valley ISD regular board meeting to order at 6 PM on July 28th, 2025. We have a quorum of board members present. Absent board members are Mr. Nash. We'll begin with pledge of allegiance followed by a moment of silence. Next we have student and staff recognition. Uh tonight is Minion Valley High School, Texas Association of Future Educators National Competitions. Miss McCracken [Music] better. Would you let me start over? >> Yes. Casey uh with Taffy Organization, she uh was at the national level um earned third place. And so um that's quite an achievement out of how many Miss Rodriguez was going to help us with those numbers, but there were hundreds of competitors. And so we are super honored to honor her tonight and all her achievements. And she's brought her uh book

002to share with you. And so we wanted to um pass that around and let you all see it. So, we are again super honored of Casey and all that she has made Medina Valley High School so proud. >> All right. Yeah. >> Congratulations. >> Get a picture of you. I'm going to move the podium. Okay. Here we go. Awesome. be a teacher. That's a great >> text. Congratulations. Next on the agenda is public comment. We have no one signed up, so we'll move along to announcements, communications, and presentations. We'll begin with the board committee reports and with the finance committee with Miss Lee. and discussed the following items. The city of Lacass did a presentation. The decline in scores and plan to address them. Summer project update. 202526 budget update. Property values large budget items.

003Purchases automotive FFN laundry FFE and the firewall. We discussed the A and the J Junior ROC construction. Creek VU high school contingency budget update and additional cost items. Middle school number three tariff and VE changes. Elementary school number seven architect Strauss development agreement facility use agreement and fees. Bippert property gas easement, Weatherford Fourstar CPS easement, board policy update 125, BDF local and legislative update, cell phones, ten commandments, prek and library. >> Any questions? >> Okay, then we'll move along to the construction committee with Mr. Peter. All right. The construction committee uh consisting of myself, Matt Castalone, and Ben Warz met on July 23rd, and we discussed the following. Uh had a presentation from the city of Lacost around sewer and water. Um we had a discussion around the decline in our scores and the district's

004plan on how to address them. Next item was around the A and Jotc building progress. Next item discussed was around Creek View High School, the contingency budget update and additional cost items that we're incurring there. Uh, next item was around middle school number three, the tariff and value engineering changes. Next item discussed was around uh, the elementary school number seven architect selection. Uh, next item was an update to the Strauss development agreement. Also discussed the facility use agreement and fees. Uh, next item discussed was Bippert property and the gas easement that one of the utilities is trying to to access and and purchase from the school. Uh, next item was around uh the Weatherford or Fourstar property we have up there north on 471 and a CPS easement. Next item was around the summer project

005update around facilities uh projects that have been completed. Uh also discussed was the 2025 2026 budget update around property values, large budget items, etc. Uh also discussed was the purchases around automotive FFN, laundry FFN, and uh the firewall. Next item discussed was board policy update 125-BF local. And the last items discussed were around the legislative updates around cell phones, ten commandments, prek, library, and all the above. So that was all that was discussed. >> Yeah, meeting. >> That was a long one. >> Okay. Then we'll move on to the curriculum committee with Mr. Castigle. >> Um, yeah, the uh the curriculum committee consists of myself, Miss Lee, and Mr. Beiger. We met on July 22nd. Uh we discussed the following items. We reviewed the 2025 2026 test appraisal calendar and the uh approved appraisers. That's

006the appraisal for our teachers. Um and then the next item was the extracurricular status of the 4 organizations and the adjunct facility agreements with Medina County and Bear County. Uh number three, we looked at potential changes to EIC local regarding our GPA calculations. Um the fourth item, we looked at the data and the background of the decline in the star scores for this year. Um discussed um the data and things we're seeing on reasons why we've seen the decline. And then the fifth item was our plan to address the decline in the scores primarily focused on changing instructional practices uh focusing on teaching to the rigor of texts providing in tools and training for the teachers to do so. >> Any questions? >> Okay, then we'll move on and to the construction briefing with Mr.

007Good evening, Mr. President, board members, uh Dr. Kaos. I have with me RT with Barley Hawk to give us an update on uh Creek View High School. When it comes to the uh percentage completion, as of the month of July, we're at 74% complete on the original GMP piece. um and 6% on the change order number one, which was the stadium upgrades that was just recently awarded. Uh when it comes to the exterior of the building, as you can see, all of the roof is almost complete. There's only one low portion uh kind of top middle of the roof between the gymnasium and the fine arts building that needs to receive the cap sheet. Uh there is a lot of concrete still being poured. Uh this one is the academic courtyard between the uh B

008area and C area. Um there's also the uh canopy poles that were placed. Um and then the remainder of the flat work is still pending. Uh there is going to be some turf area, synthetic turf um areas around this landscaping. Uh besides that, also the courtyard outside of the cafeteria has been poured. Um this will be leading to that viewing deck uh that will come out either in the gymnasium side or the cafeteria side. Uh more flat work flat work being prepared outside of what will be the wait room. And then they have uh now started on the vending buildings for the visitor side. Uh this the nor uh sorry the east side um will be the home visitor section. So uh all of the underground piping sewer uh is being placed before the concrete

009pad is is placed. Uh and I will give RT a chance to give us what an update on the interior portion. >> All righty. Good evening everyone. Dr. Ka loss members of the board. Uh to go off of actually what Raphael was mentioning on the exterior portion, we are uh working on continuing flat work outside the building and in preparation of putting top soil here within the next month, month and a half to help some of the dirt erosion control around the building. Hopefully mitigate dust when we turn on the permanent AC unit. So, and you can see in the background, the foreground, the um practice field has the top soil, the main practice field, the higher one. It's got top soil being placed there, hoping to lay that grass here in the next couple

010months. Get it established by the time spring rolls around. It'll it'll obviously go dormant in the winter and then um just maintain it in the spring so they'll be ready to access it uh once school starts. There we go. Clicker. Um this is a typical classroom on the BC BC wing of the building. Um as you can tell, paint is uh completed. Final touchups will go on. We got to put base on the floor or on the on the walls there. minor items we're working through in the overhead area. Then we'll finish dropping ceiling tile once we have permanent power and uh we're done working above head in the classrooms. This is the CTE area. Um the auto mechanic shop right now. You can tell the space heaters have been placed, the hoses have been

011placed, the deck has been sprayed. These areas are are pretty close to being turned over to what they'll um eventually look like. You can barely see with the heater there. There is a a big fan up top to help with the circulation in these shop areas. This is the cafeteria area. Ceiling grid's been going in for about the last week and a half. Getting that area completed. finish up tape and floating some of the hard ceiling portions of that curved ceiling. Um, and the fur down areas, the tectum panels, you can see on the walls that are being placed, the different colors. Finishing up all the walls. Um, hoping to start dropping ceiling tile in there here within the next month. This is the art studio that share classrooms. So you're looking at two different

012classrooms right now with the pass through overhead door. Mill work is placed in this classroom obvious um and continuing to install. Going to finish um similar to the classroom wing. Finish the overhead work. Ceiling tile um ceiling grid is in and then ceiling tile will be placed once the overhead work is completed. Kitchen area. So freezer cooler um has been installed. Kitchen tile has been completed. First round of kitchen equipment is coming next month, which was a good milestone. Large large piece of equipment getting those set. Um, like I mentioned, once we get permanent power, we'll be able to start testing those piece of equipment, testing the cooler freezer. The cooler freezer topping um in inside the freezer has been poured, so it's uh it's ready for the install of the kitchen supplier. This is

013the auditorium. The concrete risers that are getting poured, they should be finished pouring those this week. Once those are poured, they'll pour the intermediate steps in between. And then from there, we'll take field measurements and get the uh auditorium chairs on order. Anticipate those coming in October time frame. The ceilings are painted. The walls um get an acoustical panel on them. those once we get permanent air those acoustical panels will get turn will get installed in those areas. >> That's it. >> Any questions on preview? >> Oh, go ahead. Sorry. I was going to say we had a delay on delivery of kitchen equipment. Was that right for the high school? >> not on that. Not on that one. I know. I mean, we talked about in the construction meeting about >> was for middle

014school. >> Middle school three. Okay. All right. I was just curious if it had affected the high school or not. So, >> not not on this project. >> Okay. Right. >> Okay. Good. Thanks. >> Did we work out the shower situation on the visitor locker room yet? >> We're working on it. >> Okay. >> Design team received the phone call the following day. So, they're giving us options. They're sketching up and I also talked to RT about that piece. They're expediting sketches so we can try to get that going. >> Okay. >> From a construction standpoint, impacts are >> um just reworking the schedule really. Uh we were going to work on both the visitor side, G7, G6 building at the same time. Now it's going to be G7, G8, the homeside concession and restroom,

015and then leave G5 and G6 till we figure out sort out what we're going to do there. >> Okay. Am this supposed to add the showers? This is to put showers in the visitor lock room. That way we will have people that will rent out our field and actually use it. >> All right. >> Terms of CPS, what we heard of Friday is uh two weeks we'll be energized. So we're on them to try to expedite that timeline >> for the power at Creek View. Yes, sir. >> It's been two weeks for a while. >> Yeah. Uh okay, moving on to ACJOTC. Um on this one, we're 13% complete as of pay application for July uh not June. But uh on this one uh what we do have was we reached a huge milestone uh

016on this project middle of July where the CPS main service that fed the high school that went right through what will be the AJOTC building got relocated u and fully energized uh on the I think it was around the 16th of July. Uh so that was a a huge uh milestone. I want to say kudos to uh really all the district staff, maintenance, custodial, district uh campus administration. Uh the building was uh without power. Large portion of it was without power for about two weeks. So um they really worked with us to to accommodate um for this relocation. When it comes to uh underground utilities, uh the water has been connected. Uh gas to the kitchen has been connected. There's still some uh gas rerouting that will happen u for the rest of the couple

017of two to three weeks. Um currently WR Griggs is working on the sanitary sewer line to be connected um hopefully by the end of this week and turned over u as well as storm drain. uh that's being worked on in the next couple of weeks. Actually, a week from today, uh the plan is to start digging out the uh building pad where um the building will be located. So, we'll have some uh work still going on on the original uh piece of it. But if there's any other questions on this schedule or project, >> I don't think so. I think just be ready for kids to come back to school. Make sure we double check everything and get make sure it's >> fenced up and everything. >> Yeah, that was what I was saying. We're

018going to have temporary fencing to partition off that area. Is that what's the outlook for getting all that in place or is it all in place? >> We actually our meeting is every week on Wednesday. Um, one of our conversations uh this morning was to provide an updated fencing plan for this meeting so we can distribute it to the campus so they know which uh route to take uh what areas are going to be blocked off. There are areas that will be opened up by the fall break. Um so it's going to be a facing fencing plan moving on but uh we will distribute that at the end of this week. Thank you. >> Thanks. Moving on, we'll have the financial brief briefing with Miss Hermish. Good evening, board of trustees. Dr. Kaos. So, here's

019our financial briefing as of the end of June. Um this is just kind of a quick snapshot but general fund has collected 78% of budgeted revenues and spent 80% of expenses. Um this is getting us 10 months of of through the school year. So we still have July and August yet to report. Um last year at this time we were 75% of actual revenue and 80% of actual expenses. So we're fairly close to where we were at this time last year. Um maybe a little closer on our revenue. In the food service fund, they've collected 81% of revenue and spent 65% of budgeted expenses, but we had about a $1.5 million um budget excess that we were doing as a spendown plan. And so we haven't necessarily spent all that down, but you can see

020that we're not really adding a lot to fund balance. Um we do have some plans for some equipment replacements um especially at Lacost Elementary School in particular because we have a walk-in chiller that's out right now. And so we'll be doing some bigger equipment purchases here in the next year. And then some of this is also will be used for um staffing with Creek View. So we're adding a lot of lot of new positions in the next year as well. Um and then um you can see our debt service fund. This includes the monies that have been transferred in and out from the bond. So that additional $8 million. Um, so we're sitting with a balance right now of over 21 million and we have an August debt service payment of around 12 that will

021be um coming out of there here in the next couple weeks. So this is kind of a a snapshot of of where we where we are. If we scroll down, you can just see the general fund by function. Um, we still believe we're pretty close to to where we need to be um in each of our functions to get through the remainder remainder of the school year. Um again expecting a pretty close to breakage break even budget this year. So keeping that 30 probably around 30.9 million um is kind of our estimate for where we'll end with fund balance. So still we'll be above our 25% um going into next year. And then the next next one shows um food service. As we just talked about, we still have quite a bit in the expense

022area. Um, some of that was due to budgeting for some additional staffing and um, compensation increases and things last year as part of that spendown plan. And some of that is going into effect this next year. Um, so that will that will help with with fund balance, but carrying a little fund balance now that it's six months that you can carry allows us to to have that. So we would be able to have over four million in there and we will have around three. So So still looking good on child nutrition as well. And then the last one is the is the debt service budget there. And um you can you can see the the um overage in the revenues and expense are because of those transfers in from the bond. And so we'll get

023that's why you why you see a little bit of a balance in in those accounts. But but we should we should actually end with a little bit of an increase in fund balance and debt service um due to using some of the bond interest to pay to pay the interest on the bond 23 this last year. And so that should be um a good thing that we can we can utilize the following year for any debt service payments. And then we have just the bond accounts. And so you have a snapshot of bond 23. Um, most you still see um some pretty good funds left in high school number two. As we've talked about, we do have a a chunk of FFN that'll be coming out of coming out of that account over the next

024year. Um, but you kind of you see the remaining six million in land and and then the remaining in interest. Um, we've had over 30 million in interest so far on this bond program. Um, and even with arbitrage kind of accounted for, we're still looking at a pretty good balance in our interest account. So, well able to take care of all of the projects that were named in that bond program. And then the last one, we finally have an incumbrance on our bond 24 um with the high school stadium improvement project. And then as we um go out here on August 6th, we'll be selling more bonds from the bond 24 program. Um and so and then as we start getting to work obviously on middle school number three and additional projects, there'll be there'll

025be a little bit more activity on bond 24 as well. And the interest there just under 300 300,000 so far to date, but it's on a pretty small pretty small cell. So, still getting those good four and a half percent interest rates and above. So, and with that, I'll take any questions you all have. >> Any questions? >> I think the one thing on the the sale that's coming up. Um, we need to get clear on the tier one pledge and I know board members are interested in what that's final number going to be before we go to sell. So, >> okay. >> If we can get that out, >> right? So, we were we received certified values on Friday and we did send that in the board update, but Victor and Clay haven't had

026a chance to rerun their new numbers from from that. So, I'll get with him tomorrow and we'll see how fast we can get some turnaround on that. >> Okay. >> But that's a good reminder to get that. >> I was just happy the values increased from preliminary. So, I was like, okay, we're good. >> We're trending the right way. But so it should definitely go in the right direction and we'll just kind of get a new new feel of where we are. >> And Matt, to your question, I think it was, but that was going off the new exemptions. So depending on what comes out of that side of it if we can if we don't have to use that. It's not the pledge won't be as big. We That's why I think it all

027goes into clarification on what that pledge ends up being. >> Yeah. Because it's based off of your certified values. And so since we didn't get those until Friday, it's just been estimates. But they ran the new number. They ran the numbers with the new homestead exemption. >> They did. >> Yeah. >> So we should >> they did run but they were remember we're going back because does that have to go into the 50 cent test correct >> or not? That's what Clay was >> they were trying to see what the Yeah. What the um AG's office would state as far as because that hasn't officially been voted on in the November election. Can we use our values at the 100K? Um, in which case that would make the that would make it much lower for

028the tier one pledge piece. So, because we lost >> So, the homestead exemption change would be voted on in the general election. Is that what you're saying? >> Yeah, it is. It's not. >> So, are that how are they going to apply that retroactively then? I mean, >> so they don't they basically have us figure our tax rate assuming it's going to be approved. Um, but it's not officially approved. And so for the sake of selling bonds in the tier one pledge, there's probably a little gray as far as um what your certified values are as of as of this timeline. So >> that's the part that needs to get vetted. >> Yeah. And the whole harmless comes into play there if it's done before. >> Correct. >> As well. So >> correct >> on

029this one for sure. I imagine going forward it may not be there. >> No, >> I think it anything will be better than what you originally saw. So hopefully we'll see how much better it is. >> And those numbers, they'll have those done before the 6, I assume, right? >> Oh, yeah. No, the Clay, I'm sure, is working on it. I've been sending him values as soon as I have them, both to him and Victor, and so we got Medina Valley officially on Friday around noonish, I think. So, okay. >> So, they just I just haven't followed up with them today to see where they are. >> Yeah. >> All right. Thanks. >> Yeah, I know it's a tight turn around there. We just got them. It's just make sure we get them well before

030we're going to sell. >> Yeah. Give you all an idea of where we are. >> Exactly. Any other questions? >> Thank you. >> Next, we have first reading for update 125. Dr. Kaos. >> So, policy update 125 is being presented to the board tonight for review. If you can, Scott, if you can take us to page eight in the board book. There you go. Thank you, sir. So, you can see there's five local policies that are that are up for review and possible changes. BDAA, which deals with officers and officials for the board. BDB, which is board internal organizations in particular, our board committees, has some guidance in there on board committees. EIO deals with academic achievement. FDE is it is admissions and in particular uh school safety transfers. It's adding bullying to to some

031of the language in that policy. And then FEC deals with attendance and attendance for credit. So again, these are presented tonight for review. Uh we will come back next month and have this as an action item. >> And these were all based on legislative changes. >> Yes, sir. Yeah, I >> I would say probably most of these are not from the most recent legislative session, but they are based on new law, legislative changes. Any questions? >> Okay, moving on is next is the superintendent briefing with Dr. Kaos. Okay. So, sorry. Has it been off the whole time? >> No, you just >> Yeah. Okay. >> So, FFA students did help collect some gift cards for those families that were devastated by the floods in Kirk County. So, uh very appreciative of the work that they

032do and also their sponsors were part of that as well. We did have a young lady from Lucky Rants that was featured in uh this age of learning uh organization. This is u this is a program that we use in our schools. And so she has been in using this program over the past year and she saw tremendous growth in her in both her math and reading uh scores. And so they came out and featured her and did a did a did a feature on this young lady and young lady and so uh very proud of her and what she's accomplished in this program. Uh over the summer our our our staff has been busy at work. So we had over a hundred teachers and administrators attend the PLC conference. PLC stands for um professional

033learning communities. So this is a big push in the district, right? We're trying to we're trying to get everybody to uh work together because when you work as a team much more can be accomplished as opposed to working individually. So PLC's are a big part of our our getting you know getting our kids where we want them to be. And so through these PLC's we're we're we're um encouraging collaboration right among teach amongst teachers not just our teachers our administrators even our departments everybody needs to collaborate work together and the a big also big focus of the PLC's is is using data looking at data to make decisions and so we will continue to push forward with this with this um this initiative and and um get our get get everybody to work together. That's

034our goal. Uh we've been having camps, a lot of camps over the summer. We've got our band students, fine arts students that are getting back in in the swing of things. Uh it's here, right? Summer's over. So, band is already cranked it up. They're getting prepared for the start of the school year. And uh we're going to have some of our athletic teams get cranked up here pretty soon as well. So, excited to get the school year started. We had our brown uh groundbreaking ceremony for middle school number three here recently. And so this is part of bond 2024. So you can see a picture of of uh the groundbreaking. And um this this uh this middle school will be located just south of Lucky Ranch off of McGomery Road. So excited to get that

035project started. Our bilingual and ESL educators have also been working hard over the summer. They've been attending professional development sessions uh that focus on collaboration and sharing ideas to prepare for the for the new school year. So, you can see some very excited teachers there. Uh we did just have a uh bus driver fair. That is a that is an area where we still need some uh some new employees. So, we're trying to push hard to get some uh additional bus drivers in our school district. And so we had a a bus bus bus driver fair today and had a had a decent turnout. Hopefully we can get some more uh people on board because of that and I believe that's it. Any questions? Okay. Then we'll move on to discussion and possible action items.

036First on the agenda is consider approval of consent item consent agenda items. Dr. Ka loss. >> Yes. So you can see we have several items in in that are listed in consent. Um all of these items have been reviewed through board committees or uh board updates and so they are presented tonight for approval. Any discussion needed? We'll have that discussion. >> Any questions? Anybody want anything full pull? If not, I'll look for a motion. I Matt Castle move to approve the consent agenda items as presented. >> I have a motion. Do I have a second? >> I Jason Bonnie 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

037approval of the rank of the ranking for elementary number seven architect design services and authorizing the superintendent negotiate and execute a contract. Mr. Brahas. >> Good evening again. Um the for the elementary number seven campus, we came u just a couple months ago to uh award an architect for this project. However, we did not bring the uh overall evaluation criteria. So uh today we're presenting to you the evaluation criteria. Sorry, not the evaluation criteria, the um evaluation summary and the ranking of all the firms that were interviewed which were seven in total. Um as you all can see you have the rankings listed on the memo and our recommendation is that the board approve the ranking proposed and for the elementary number seven design services and authorize our superintendent to negotiate and execute the contract.

038Any questions? >> Yeah. So, we had talked about uh changes within Huckabe as far as their their main architect. >> Yes, sir. >> Are we still going to still recognize them as the top rank in this? >> So, they are ranked number one. However, um we feel that being that that principle is no longer uh part of the firm, um negotiations can be terminated and moved on >> to the following rank. >> So, we'll leave the rankings as we originally found them, >> but the negotiations will will take play. Okay. >> Yes. >> Just want to make sure we didn't have to change this ranking based on change organizational changes there. you know this was the original rank as it was uh evaluated >> and just for everyone else's I had asked in the construction

039committee about how different how different architects rank differently for different school types you know some of them were using for certain campuses and and but not for others and it basically depends on their experience with those types of campuses elementary versus middle school and stuff like that I was wondering that you know we didn't already see something That was a red flag and that was not the case. So, >> any other questions? >> If not, I'll look for a motion. >> I, Joe Beiger, move to approve the ranking for elementary number seven, architect design services, and authorizing the superintendent to negotiate and execute a contract as presented. >> I have a motion. I have a second. I >> Ben Wat second a motion. >> I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If

040not, all those in favor raise your hand. All board members voted for and the motion carries. Next, we have consider approval of revisions to FNC local. Dr. Kaos. All right. So, as the board is aware that the um state did pass a law uh that says students are no longer allowed to use cell phones, right? And we'll get into that in a little bit more detail. Uh this this new law goes into effect this school year. we have to have policy for this in place before we start the school year. And so the options basically were this with the law. You can you can you can uh do one of two things. You can tell students they are not allowed to bring cell phones to on school property period, meaning they would have to leave

041them at home. or you can tell them they can bring them uh to school, but the school would then have to develop some type of uh process, some type of procedures where they would not have access to those phones or would not be able to use those phones throughout the school day. Okay. And so after after discussion, you know, with numerous groups, including the board, uh it is our recommendation that we allow students to bring their cell phones to school and then we set up some type of uh procedure for them to not have access to those cell phones. And so if that's the policy that we move forward with, that is the policy that we have uh presented to y'all. We have recommended that states that they're allowed to bring them, but then they

042cannot use them while they're at school. If we decide that that they all have to keep them at home, then we have to have a different policy. Now, if we move forward with this, then we have to discuss options as far as how we don't allow kids to have access to their phone phones throughout the school day. So, if y'all want to tackle this hurdle first, then when we get to the next agenda item, we can go through the the process. >> Any question on the policy? >> I don't got a question on the policy. It's the enforcement of the policy. You know, once we vote on, let's say we pass it, magic, we all agree and the first day of school, you have 9,000 phones and we take them all and we put them

043into a a pouch system like you're saying. Are you saying that that one individual is going to be responsible teacher or staff member for that group of people or are we going to have it in separate, you know, you know, where are they going to be at throughout the day? How are they going to be secure? you know what about those who have >> I think we're going to get into that discussion on the next agenda item. I think this one is just on the policy whether they're allowed on campus or not. >> Okay. So, >> got it. I'll wait. >> Yeah. Then I think we're going to have a pretty in-depth discussion on the next one. Any other questions on the policy whether they bring them or not? Not look for a motion. I

044Jason Bonnie move to approve the revisions for FNC Local as presented. >> I have a motion. Do I have a second? >> I Joe Beiger second the motion. >> I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor raise your hand. Five board members voted four. All those against. One board member voted against. And the motion carries. Next we have consider approval of purchase of yonder pouches. Dr. Kaos. >> Okay. So now that we've decided they can bring them to school, now we have to decide how how we're going to manage that where they don't have access to them throughout the school day. And so first first of all, you can establish the the timeline when they don't have access. And we are recommending to establish a time uh

045and a timeline that matches up with our instructional day. So when the school day starts, right, when they go to their first period class or their first class of the day till the end of the day, when they finish their last class of the day, that's that's what we're cons considering instructional time. Okay? So we're re recommending that that is the time frame where they should not have access to their cell phones. Okay? So there's there's there's two possible ways that we've looked at it at accomplishing this. One is we can say, "All right, students, you just you're you're required to keep your cell phone turned off and in your backpack uh throughout the school day." So, that's one option. The second option is we can look at uh something like a pouch, right? A

046pouch where every student is given a a pouch that they can put their cell phone in. And I do want to point out this is not just cell phones. This is uh smart watches. the the go the glasses if they have the smart smart glasses uh that they would have to put in their backpacks or in this pouch, right? And with this pouch, what would happen is at the beginning of the day, they put their devices in the pouch. It is locked up and then they they do not have a key to unlock it. At the end of the day, the teacher has the key and would unlock the pouch for the student and then they could have access to their to their devices after that. So, open it up for discussion as far as

047we we we've we've gone back and forth on this. The it does whatever option you choose, it's it's not going to be foolproof, right? You're still going to have you're going to still have kids that that pull out their phones and use them through this throughout the school day. I think that that's a that's a that's not a big number, right? Percentage-wise of kids, most kids are going to follow the law, right? just like just like everybody does, but you are going to have those that test the law and and try and and try and play the system. So, you know, we've gone back and forth on both options and and and at the end of the day, we want to put something in place that, you know, because from a management standpoint, this is

048going to be a nightmare for administrators and teachers on on a campus, right? It's going to be almost impossible to manage. So, what system could we put in place that that best helps them from that standpoint? it makes it u the easiest from a management standpoint. I think that's important to consider. I think another important uh point to consider is what can we put our our students they're they're they're hooked on these phones, right? U they are hooked on them. And I I'm going to be honest, there's probably a lot of adults that are hooked on them, too. So, so the the temptation to stay off that thing all day is going to be tremendous for a kid, right? For a lot of kids. And so, what system can we put in place to reduce

049that temptation on on our kids, right? What is the best option to move forward with where they're not as tempted to get that thing or don't have the ability to get that thing out throughout the school day and use it? Okay. And so when we took all of that in consideration and after having again numerous conversations with different groups um you know we feel like the the pouch is the best the the best direction to move forward with. Okay. We feel like it it reduces the temptations for kids. They have it locked up in there. It's going to be hard for them. I mean they're going to have to work to get it out. It can some of them get it out? Yes. Yeah. They will find ways to get it out but they're going

050to have to work hard to get do that. So, we feel like from that standpoint, it it helps the kid. And we also think that it helps the the teacher. If it's in that pouch and it's locked up, then the teachers aren't going to have to worry as much about h how that's managed throughout the day. A big concern is lunches, right? We're going to have uh close to a thousand kids in a lunch at a time. H how are you going to manage that? Right? How are you going to manage that? And what option gives you the best uh the best avenue to manage that? So, with that, I'll open it up to y'all for discussion, questions. >> Well, two things right off the bat is the biggest issue for me. One, the law

051doesn't cover watches or glasses. So, we can't do that legally. >> It does. >> But the it doesn't talk about taking them. Talks about cell phone, specifically cell phone. Now, >> no, it doesn't just say cell phones. >> But with the glasses, >> it says devices, electronic devices. But that is so subjective because the glasses you're going to take away kids ability to see. That's that's a big issue. So you're going to tell the kids that they can't you have to make a a policy saying that you can't have that type of eyewear. So if you're going to take away somebody's smart glasses, then you need to specify that why they can't. Because if my son if I decide for my any of my kids to give them glasses if they need it and it's

052a smart glasses and you tell my you know after I spend so much dollars that they can't wear these glasses because the new law the new law doesn't specify glasses because it's not a cell phone need because you can disconnect a watch and glasses from your phone. That's that's an easy >> and and and that is that is that is an option M and again h how you manage this whole thing is going to be uh very difficult. >> That's the question if it's a if it's a watch that if if the cell phone is not on the watch is not a smartwatch then that's a that's a little bit different story but again we're going to have to put procedures how are you going to know that? How are you going to know if

053the glasses are connected to the phone or not? You know, >> I mean, like I like you say, you got to make it easier, but at the end of the day, there is no right answer. There's a lot of wrong perceptions that can be done for this. And what about those individuals who have I'm I'm guaranteed the percentage is very low here >> that have a a pump for insulin on their body, you know, is there going to be an exception for those who >> the law? Yes. Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. No, I I do know that, but how are we gonna, >> you know, monitor that and then the push back and everything? So there there has to be something. The pouch is a great idea. You are going to have a percentage

054of students that are going to take advantage of it and try to do like you said, but we have you know we we there's the addiction to cell phones is very high. It's been proven with studies. Are we going to be able to give leniency in the beginning and then build up to a stiffer penalty? Is is the policy going to have okay a breakin period and then so many infractions is what we're going to do. >> Yeah. So, so part of the law does does state that you have to list out the consequences, right? Now, that that doesn't have to be in policy. That's a that's a admin rag. That's a procedure, right? But we do have to come up with a a a a plan of a consequence basically. First offense, here's what's

055going to happen, second offense, and so on. So, we are having that conversation as well. And I think part of that depends on the the method that we move forward with, you know, what those consequences will be. Any guidance from tea on these consequences? >> No. That's what I figured. We've been waiting and waiting and nothing. >> Do you see those being different with the pouches or without the pouches? >> The consequences. Yes. I I think they could be. Yeah. I think because here here's the thing, you know, with with the pouch, we we are saying look, it's in the pouch and it's locked up. We if we check that at the beginning of the day or if we have some type of process in there to make sure that students don't forget to put

056it in their pouch then if it gets out through at some point in the school day then they've intentionally done that right whereas with a backpack I think that's a little bit harder to to to monitor right if it's not locked up I mean if it's a lot more easier to reach into a backpack and pull out a phone than it is to try and get into that pouch >> why should the consequences be any different if the phone's out. Should be the same consequence. Should be immediate confiscation. >> Yeah. The the only, you know, there's some argument for that. >> I mean, I have a problem. >> I have a problem putting spending district taxpayer money to to as a way to reduce accountability on parents and students. The law's the law. They need

057to be following the law. Now, we're going to spend what, $200,000 on a system that I don't think is going to work, and I don't think it's going to help our teachers. They're still going to have to monitor it, you know. So, >> you bring up a good point. Is the purchase price in here? Is it further down? >> It is. Yeah. >> Okay. Can you scroll down, >> Scott? Can you scroll down to the purchase? >> I I think the bigger issue is not class time. I think is gonna be the bigger issue of them not in class when they're on their passing periods in their lunch. That is the biggest issue. And I I agree with Matt. You know, it's money that we shouldn't spend because it's not helping the education. >> It's

058it's making them more responsible. >> Yeah. >> And pushing accountability. This needs to be where we start pushing accountability. I mean, the t the state's given us the teeth now to enforce this. you know, it's our fault if we don't. >> Yeah, I don't I don't disagree with that at all, Matt. Yeah, that I think I think again you want to go back to Okay, h how can we help our campuses to to enforce that? What is the best support that we can give them to be successful in enforcing this? Do we have a record of how many cell phones at the high school level? I don't know elementary or middle school where it's confiscated each day. I I know there was a lot. Trust me. When my son and daughter were here, they got

059their phone taken away. A lot. I get it. But do we have the data to back up for the purchase? You know, how many cell phones really were taken away from the high school students? >> Well, and we could get some I don't know if we have that information or not. We could we could see. Was it a lot? >> But this is going to be a little bit different than what we had in place because what we had in place allowed them to use their cell phones like during lunchtime. Lunch is going to be a big challenge to me. You know, that's going to be a really big challenge. So, so yes, we could get some information, but it's not really comparing apples to apples, but it's a good start. It would be a

060good start. >> I just think that's going to be the bigger issue, not the classroom. Because in the classroom, the teachers have visibility on the students like, "Hey, we'll put your phone away." Well, if they have their phone out like I said, take it away. At the end of the day, have your parent come do it. >> Well, I mean, the the law, the way it's written, and we need to get better interpretation of that is in the past, we would take the phones and the parents could come pick them up or pay a fee. I mean, we have more teeth than that now. And the best deterrent is going to be, you know, with this law, the best deterrent is going to be examples. you know, showing by example that it's no, I mean,

061I I would rather push accountability back to the kids and the parents than spend money, taxpayer money. I mean, it's already a problem in our society and now we're just going to try to spend money to get around it. It makes no sense to me. >> Yeah. And and completely understand what you're saying. I I don't think we're we're we're recommending to spend this money to get around it. I think we're recommending to spend this money to help enforce it. >> Okay. As far as uh teachers and cell phones, after being in the school, in the high school particularly and subbing, kids have them out all the time. And really, they've gotten to the point where they will blatantly take them out. And teachers got to the point where it was just too much hassle

062to take them. Okay? because you have to take them, you have to put in an envelope, you have to get them up to the front. You can tell them to put away, you can make have to tell them to put away three or four times. To me, the the answer is to lock them up. Okay? Because once if they can't get to them, yes, they can get to them, but if they have them in their backpack and they know they're supposed to have them off, it's just going to be too tempting for them to get into their backpack and try to take them. They'll go to the restroom and use them. They'll find other places to use them. I think for one thing, it will certainly cut down on discipline because a big thing with

063the phones, oh, we're going to have a fight. Let's text everybody and see where it's going to be and we can videotape it. And and that's another issue is that that happens all the time. You know, hey, meet me in the restroom, you know, let's all meet together and we'll go roam around a little bit. So really, the stress is going to be on the teachers trying to enforce this. And there's some teachers that allowed it. They let them use them in the classroom. Okay? even though the policy was they can't use them, there are still those that okay, you can, you know, get out your cell phone and use it. So, that's the issue I have with it. And to me, I'd rather see them locked up, spend the money. If they tear them

064up, then they have to replace them just like they do to repair the computers and stuff. I mean, it's school property. But I think just leaving them in the backpack and like you said, at lunchtime, there's no way to control it at lunch. And of course the law says during the school day they're not to have them out period. Right? Isn't that the law? >> So and well that's my opinion. That's what I've seen being in the high school is it's a problem with phones even I mean you can have your good you talk about your higher level kids or your kids that like to follow the rules but they're so engrossed and so you know they hear it buzz or they vibrate it. They've got to see what it is. you know, I need

065to text my friends, I need to get on uh, you know, Instagram, whatever. Okay. But they do use them all the time. >> What's the difference of buying the pouches and then having the kids come in their first period, then the teacher taking them and securing them in in the in his um desk, it's the same purpose. If you're going to make sure that there is uh accountability of the students and and accountability of the cell phones, just have the teacher in the first period hold them all day. They can come back and get them at the end of the day. What's the difference between saving $200,000 on pouches or having the teacher in the first period take them, have them all turned off during the day, and they come back and get them? >>

066We talked a little bit about that in in our committee meeting of like what would the logistics look like to do that? >> Yes. to get >> get it back. I mean, better yet would be to take it and take get it to their last period, >> but what would the logistics look like on that? >> Regardless, they have to get the pouch unlocked. So, are we going to have a key for every teacher to unlock a pouch or there going to be a designated individual? Either way, there's a logistical issue that we're going to have to deal with with the pouches or just taking them at the beginning of the day. Yeah, this quote includes a key for every teacher. I I I would say this too, Mr. Bonnie and this again this this

067still is further discussion but the the one of the things that I that I like from about the pouches that that concerns me with okay yes just leave it in this teacher's class throughout the whole day is if there is a some type of incident that happens in the middle of a school day say we have to go into a lockdown >> and you know every parent is going to want to be able to communicate with their kid and know that they're okay Right. And so if we have the pouches and every teacher has a key, then those teachers would be able to >> unlock those pouches and let them use their cell phones to let their parents know they're okay. Whereas if we're keeping it in a in in a parents, you I mean

068a teacher's classroom, one teacher classroom that the whole day, they're not going to have access to it if something like that were to occur. >> Do we have a cost of each pouch? I'm trying to Did it $35? >> I think it was >> $35. >> Pouch. Okay. >> And then your other items added with it. >> Okay. >> So, overall price is 230 something 19% discount. So, >> okay. So, if there is a destruction of one by a student, it's going to cost them a couple hundred dollars to replace it, to get a new one. And what happens if the students parents doesn't don't care? I think then we do want we we compensate comp confiscate their phone when they come to school every day or we tell them you can't bring it to

069school anymore. >> But then we're out $200 and some dollars. >> You see there is no right answer. There's a lot of >> issues with this and at the end of the day as a school we're going to be potentially out of money. >> Let us worst case scenario. Let's say all the students just rip them up. Let's let's just say that you know this we have defiant kids sometimes. I'm not saying all of them but you know worst case scenario. What what what then? Or there's a group of kids who do this because they're going to have parents who support it 100%. I've already been reached out and I'm not even over the high school. They've already told me we're going to have our kids just make sure they have access to it all

070the time. So, is it going to be a cost-effective thing? I'm all for discussion. I'm just trying to >> everything I've been told. I just want to make the right decision financially for us because at the end we are going to have massive push back. I would say e either option we choose, right? There's going to be push back regardless, right? I mean, so I mean, just like you said, whichever way you go, it's there's going to be differing opinions on it. I hear I hear what Matt says on on the cost of it, spending spending the money on, you know, the school district's money, the taxpayers money on it. Um, you know, but then you look at it and you say, "Okay, the temptation's going to be there." You see it with these kids.

071They're going to have it. I mean, even if we have a policy that says from bell to bell, they can't have their cell phone. They got to leave in their bag. you know, they're they're going to they're going to access it. So, I mean, I I don't like spending the taxpayers money either, but if it reduces the temptation for the kids, um you know, we're able to manage it from first period and last period, let let's go ahead and and do it. Let's get let's get the pouches. That way, we eliminate the temptation for the kids. And then we've got one one period at the beginning, you know, of school and then the one at the end where we're having to manage these pouches and then be done with it. That way we're not having

072to worry about it in between bell to bell. >> Does this have to be in place at the beginning of this school year? >> The the policy has to be in place, but the policy does not state exactly how you're going to >> I mean, my concern is that's a magnetic unlock device. A smart kid's going to figure that out in 30 seconds. How to unlock that device. >> I just don't see it being a deterrent after a week. >> Somebody's going to sell something on Amazon. >> The whole country does this. >> So, we're just wasting money. >> They're still going to have the urge. They're still going to figure out a way to get them open. >> So, I don't I don't disagree with you. I mean, do we have any as I

073mean, we've researched the the pouch to buy. What what has the feedback been on the research? Do we understand have an understanding if there's easy ways to get around it or is it is it foolproof? I mean, you're they're going to figure it out, right? >> Somebody's going to figure somebody's going to figure it out. >> This is this is not just Texas. This is New York and all kind of states have passed this law. So, I this is going to be something that's going to be >> the way into it is going to be sold pretty quick. I I just don't see spending district money is going to resolve this issue. I think a deterrent from a discipline point of view is the only way that you that you train people. >> How much

074uh information has been pushed out to our district regarding these this policy and the devices and things that are coming into play nowadays? I mean, have we have we had any feedback, you know, necessarily? I know not every parent follows what's going on with the state. So throwing this out uh with those people that aren't familiar with what's going on and all of a sudden like what you're going to take my kids phone away. Um I think that's going to be the push back. Um I'm not sold on the the pouches themselves as well. I think there's like Matt said there is some ways around it. Um there's good and bad things about cell phones. I'll tell you that. And yeah, for the most part, our kids have done the bad things by getting on

075them, going through the school year, but how much intel have we gathered through the school on what's been going on uh inside school and been able to take care of those problem kids that we've had in the school as well. And I'm not saying they should use it by no means. Um, but it's also had some, you know, good repercussions with how we use our cell phone as well. Um, but I think the law is the law. we should abide by that and do what we need to do. Have that policy in place at least get it going. Kind of see where it goes. I don't know what other school districts are doing. I know one uh I know one school district uh far east that they just collect the phones at the beginning. They

076have a dropbox that they collect them all and they secure them the rest of the day and that's how they kind of deal with it and then the kids get them back at the end of the day or at the each classroom they have a a drop box for each the number of students they have. The cells are turned off. they pick them up as they go to the next classroom and then they go from there. So I think there's I don't want to just jump on this bandwagon with pouches. I think there's a lot of discussion to be put in place with it. Um but there we have to go some other options. I think that's the quick option. I I think we need to put some more options in place and I don't

077I don't have those answers. Uh so I think there's just more research we need to do on it before we spend 200 something thousand dollars on on these things. >> Yeah, I'm with you too. I mean that you know I that's that's the question I had is what is what is the background on these Yonder devices? I mean aren't pouches. Do we have enough information to say that they're foolproof? You you're saying you think they they aren't >> search available on Amazon for $7. >> Okay. >> I mean my mind is pointless. >> I mean I I like the idea he just mentioned. Obviously, more discussions needed. Drop them off, turn them off in the beginning, in a pouch or in a box. Pick them up, go to the next class, do it. The only

078thing we have to really work around is lunch. That is the most cost effective way to deal with it to enforce the law. Or are we going to allow them to have it during lunch and then pick them up next class? I'm not saying break the law, but there is zero guidance in the law. They're just we won't have it. Yay. Go Texas. Okay, good to go. But at the end of the day, your biggest concern from what I hearing that if there's an incident that pouch gives the teacher the ability to open up, well, if we transfer them from class to class and secure them in the in class turned off, if there's an issue, your cell phones, that alleviates the money issue >> and I and you have better control over something that

079can be defeated with an Amazon purchase. >> Yeah. I mean, yeah. First, that was I was going to do in close session. I was going to look to see it and cause them to buy one and see if it really worked. You maybe you you should do that because $200,000 versus $7 to fix the issue. >> Yeah. I I would say if we're if we're going to have them turn it in at the beginning of every class and put it in some type of box, it needs to be secured because if you just throw it in a box, >> um they're going to, you know, disappear and you it's that's going to be a nightmare and trying to manage that as well. Well, the only thing about putting them in a box, you give them

080to them, then they're going to use them between classes. There'll be no control about Y >> using them in the restroom, using them between classes, and use them in at lunch. So, how else are we going to get control if they don't lock them up somewhere? >> That's the question I have for y'all. What What other solution is of the educa the instructional environment is a big jump forward, >> but getting some more guidance from TEA on this would be good, too. just jumping spirit of funny. I don't know my two sense. >> I I think the bigger issue in the spirit of the law is to have no cell phones during instruction that that has proven that with the cell phone use during instruction has dropped the scores. So yeah, is if we give

081them back the phone and they take it class to class, are they going to use it? Of course they are. But the moment they walk in class, we take it from them. I'm willing to take that. That's still following the spirit of the law. that's still doing everything or this is the opportunity you got each school has monitors in the CL out in the hallway. Put your cell phone away, you know, if you want to do that. But at the end of the day, let's do what's best financially. I mean, and get taken care of it. It's just easy. >> The thing about monitoring them in the hallways, being in the high school, no way. I mean, it is like salmon swimming upstream. There is no way to control what happens in the hallways. It's

082impossible. Especially now we're going to have what, 3,000 kids at the high school, and that's impossible to >> I mean, there's all kinds of different ways we can we can, you know, try to control this. But, I mean, right now, we're talking about the purchase of these pouches, and I I just, from what we've seen, I just don't think that's going to work. I mean, they're already selling defeat devices. So, in the spirit of what you're trying to do, do you accomplish anything by buying these pouches? No. You're still going to open them. Still going to have the temptation to open them. >> I know other schools have used them and they have been successful. >> In conjunction with what else though? >> Zero tolerance on having them out. >> Yes. Zero tolerance for >>

083Yeah, that's my point. I mean, there's more to it. I would like to spend more time looking at it. >> I mean, Harker Heights, I know Natalyia uses them. There's several schools that use them and they have seen success with them. The focus has been there. Discipline has decreased. So, and I'm a taxpayer and I certainly would buy them, you know. >> Do we have feedback from other school districts? Have we checked with any others? We we have we have not had I know we've talked a little bit with Natalya. Is it Natalya right? >> My son-in-law taught at Parker Heights and they did. >> Yeah. >> They they had push back at the beginning but after they said the students got used to it, they used them. You did have those forget them at

084home or they got torn up. They said overall it was very successful that students actually started participating. They were with each other. Focus was in class. >> Yeah, I think we can handle it in class. It's the lunch periods in between classes. That's the gap >> that that's Yeah. lunch. >> Yeah. If I mean if if the board needs us to and the part big part of the problem is this just been thrown on school districts, right? I mean within the last few weeks and so getting something in place to start the school year is is a challenge for all school school districts. And so if y'all feel like we need to gather more information if we we're we're going to have if if we don't move forward with this tonight, we're going to have

085to start with them keeping start the school year with them keeping them in their backpacks. Uh >> what's the lead time on Yeah, that's where I was. >> It's about two weeks. >> Two weeks to get them in. Yeah, >> we're up against the wire as it is. >> Yeah, we are. >> Yeah, we're going to be pushing it to get them. >> So, if we're at an impass this evening, right, we still come back around to it later on. School year is going to start. So, >> yeah. Is it something that we go in knowing we can have them in two weeks if it's just right if we take up 450 cell phones at lunch and we're two weeks into school taking up 250 cell phones. >> I just I just think we just

086need to not jump the gun and buy these pouches off the get-go. I think we have to do a little bit more research and just go with that. you know, have the policy in place. Um, like you said, put them in their backpacks or leave them at home. Those are your two options. Um, you know, if the student decides to leave it at home, they leave it at home. It's on them. But also know that if you have it in the in your backpack, you better not be using it during the school period or they will be, you know, they can be taken up from you as well. >> What What is the What are the levels that we're going with? What does it look like from a consequence standpoint? >> Warning is the first

087one. >> How are we going to track that though? that kid had a ver a verbal war. >> Mr. Lang, you can talk a little bit about that. I And that is that I think we would revisit what what the the consequences >> because that's going to be a a nightmare to manage as well. >> Correct. >> Keeping track of all that with every verbal warning who got >> and and I do I do want to point out I don't think I've mentioned this too. This would be this would be just for our middle schools and high school. >> Our elementary kids, we would just say backpacks, right? because I don't think you're going to have the challenges at your elementary schools that you're going to have at your secondary schools. >> No, but you

088know, you you said that if we don't if there's more discussion need on this that we're going to have to put them in a backpack like that is the only option. Why not give it to the teacher in a secure box and then they take it to the next classroom? Because if you leave in a backpack, they're going to pull out. They're going to use them. At least there's some kind of control. If you give it to the teacher in the beginning, they're secured by the teacher, then they pick it up and transfer it to the next classroom. It's >> that's where I'm getting at. What are the consequences look like if the teacher can track whether So, how many know what would that look like? >> Do I think during the instructional period we

089can enforce it easier like you're not on and the teachers have it. I'm not I'm not overly concerned there as long as the teacher teachers understand it. It's in between. I mean the teachers just have to understand like there are no we we cannot say oh you can use it or put that as a reward that you can use your cell phone for five like that's that's not an option anymore. >> Do we have the technology with the student IDs to scan their IDs and and mark hey this guy's been he's got one you know one warning on them he's got two warning. Is there any way we could do that on their IDs? Do we have that technology here? >> I don't believe so. Mr. Langanger do you know? No, what we would do

090is push the button. >> What we would do is is your first offense, the teacher or the admin would take that phone up and turn it into the front office. Okay? Whenever that happens, right now anyways, they enter a referral into Skyward. So in Skyward, you have a referral and you would put student conference because the first offense, they would the student could pick it up. I mean, or whatever we decided, right? But anyways, right now the past school years, no matter if a kid had their cell phone or out, it automatically went into Skyward if it was picked up and brought up to the office. >> I just didn't know if we we had that type of technology where we could the teacher could go look, I got your student ID number. I'm inputting

091it in there. It's it's in your ID. So if somebody else picks it up, another administrator, scan it. >> Yeah. It's scanned every time. >> So they do it multiple times a day. You know, hey, this guy's Well, he's not going to have it anymore. That's right. >> Right. because the first time they have it out or take I mean right now as it stands last school year >> you know if you caught them and you could take it up and take it to the office. So what teacher does usually they put an envelope with their ID number on it and send it up to the to the office and then the the secretary or whoever up there puts it into the system as a referral. >> Gotcha. How many did we take up >>

092last year? Quite a few. I mean, >> we were And I mean, would you say we were taking everyone up if somebody had them out or there were lots? >> No. No. Right. No. So, >> Not even close. Are they taking them up? >> No. >> And and then the another issue that comes up with that is at the end of the day whenever you have a mad rush of let's say you take up 250 phones throughout the day, >> you have 250 kids up there ready to get their phone back and they're not going to make the bus. They're not gonna, you know, >> so you do have some issues there. Um, and then we had it to where after I think the third offense, the parent had to come up there and pick

093it up and do a like a parent conference. So once again, if you take I mean that that could get a lot too. So those are things we've all discussed throughout talking about using them in the classroom. There were some teachers I know uh Samaria remember she actually went and bought a little box for herself and when she was taking row they had to actually put their phones in the box and they couldn't get them back. Some teachers used the hanging things that you can put shoes in. They made them put their phones in there and they had a number you know one two three they had to put them in that number. So if you're talking about using them not using them in the classroom that teachers would need to do something like that.

094need to be required for them to put them in something that they couldn't get to them during class time. >> But how my point there and it's kind of like Matt's point. How do they know it went in their backpack and they didn't put it in there? They just said, "I don't have my cell phone today." >> Well, if they take it out, they'll be I'd take it up. You know, >> that's where I'm getting at. At the end of the day, it comes out like in the classroom. If the cell phone comes out, it's that that's the easier side to me. The teachers have to understand. It's the hallway monitoring. It's the lunch. Yeah. in the lunch that >> but it would be good in the classroom just for purposes of instructional time that

095the teacher wouldn't have to deal with the constant please put your phone away put your phone away put your phone away you know at least they would be taken up and held during instructional time there wouldn't be any control in the hallways and lunch probably >> but I guess my point is is they don't even know if they take them they don't know if they have them or not the teachers Yeah, >> that's a good one. >> There's not an easy answer. That's the problem. Yeah. >> Well, there is an easy way, but I don't think we're willing. It sound doesn't sound like we're willing to step up and do it. It needs to be zero tolerance and there needs to be serious repercussions. It's a law. >> So, when you when you say ser

096Okay, give us an example, Matt. What do you think needs to happen? I mean, the first time should be as severe as the second or the third time, >> which should be what? >> Whatever the state allows us to get away with, DAP or whatever, >> cuz you know, that's going to be the limit. >> Yeah. I mean, I just don't see this problem going away if we don't take it seriously. >> I mean, or this thing goes into a crusher. I don't know. It it just, you know, right now that the monetary payment to get it back has no they don't care. >> We can't do that. >> They took away that option. >> They did. >> Nice. I I don't know. That spending district money just doesn't seem like it's going to fix

097it >> to me. I mean, I would disagree with you on that. You can't DAP the first time you see a kid's cell phone. >> Yeah. I mean, >> yeah. >> Or you go run dirty hundreds, but we can't do that anymore either. So, >> I mean, that's really the question on the table is how much how effective do we feel the pouches are would be? Yeah. >> At deterring >> I just think it's one option >> and we need multiple options. Uh you know just going with this yonder company based out of some so and such country or whatever the case wherever it's from. I don't know why it has to be that one. Uh look for other options that are out there not just this particular one. >> Other options as far as

098pouches or options outside the pouches. >> Outside the pouches way you know both you know both rounds you know different avenues of securing correct a phone and things like that. >> Okay. Okay, here's a question I have. Does the board want to to because we can look at other options, but those other options more than likely are going to be a situation where the kid does not have access to that phone throughout the whole day from a standpoint of it's locked up here and they're out there in their classes and they get it back come back here and get it at the end of the day. Are are are we okay with doing something like that as a board? I I think the fact that we're being two options like you just said, there has

099to be multiple options. Why can't they transfer them class to class? >> I get that. I I want to know if this is an option, what I just presented. Is that an option? >> I don't think that's an option because you brought up a very good point that if there is a situation where a kid needs to get a hold of his cell phone, i.e., god forbid, a a a shooting, that that kid can have it. The biggest issue everybody's dealing with is lunch. I think a passing period upstream fish is going upstream that I got that but lunch will be the biggest time. Why don't we just keep them in their last period in the classroom they are at hold them and then the teacher can take them or we'll figure out a way

100to get to their next class or they can come pick them up before the end of lunch then they when they go to their passing period they go to next they can take them with them. There there's has to be something. >> And we can we can purchase things for classrooms. We can get some type of of box where they they secure their their u cell phones in that box. All right. They put them in there at the beginning of the period, get it back out at the end of the period. But there's going to be a there's going to be a cost to that as well. >> I mean, we can look at that option. Y'all want us to look at that option? Pursue that option. I'd like to see what else what other

101controls engineering controls are out there for this $35 a >> we could table this come back >> to do a special board meeting >> I think that's kind of where I think we're at >> Yeah. Yeah. So we will we will have to >> Yeah. So we will have to start the school year with the >> backpacks right them keeping them in their backpacks >> and then we'll explore some more options. >> Yeah. We need to do a quick even if we have to do a special board meeting to do it. We need to get options reviewed and suggest. >> Well, the policy has to be in place, but we don't have to have this in place, right? Our policy. >> Correct. >> Policy. We just put >> Correct. >> We're good. We're cover. >>

102We're good. Yes. >> I'm Matt Castle. Move to table table the purchase of the yonder package yonder pouches as discussed. I >> have a motion. Do I have a second? I Ben want to second the motion. >> I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor raise your hand. The motion's tabled. Next, we have consider approval of revision to EFB local. Miss Hendricks. >> So, as discussed in committee, um we already have most of this in place. The only thing that we haven't gotten guidance on is that it does say that um the board has to approve our library purchases and so we've just got to you know we don't do that all at once. So we're working with our team to get something but we we we

103want to go with the policy. That's just the only thing that we don't have in place right now but we will have that probably by the time school starts. were getting the groups together to start talking about if we did it like in October and February, everybody could hold their purchases until then. So, um, but if you look at our website, we have a way for anyone in the community, parents, everybody to challenge any of our books in the library. We do we have a process for considering all of our library books and anything that is profane or um adult content we do not um purchase those. So do you all have any questions about this policy? >> Do we have the wording of the the wording change to the policy >> approval for revision?

104>> Yes, it was it was attached >> in there. >> And this this is a new policy. Oh, completely new >> based on the law that was just passed. Yes, sir. >> All right. So, not a revision to an existing policy. >> Okay. >> And it it kind of was, Matt. That's probably why you remember it because they did the law in the 88th legislative session and they did a bunch, but then it didn't go through. So, they've they basically added to it. >> Okay. I thought Okay, I understand. And just just to I think we talked about this in committee, but just to remind the board, there are three policies that we have to have in place before the start of the school year. This is one of them. The library, the cell phones

105was the other one, and then the third one was the homeschoolers and not being allowed to participate in extracurricular, which was part of consent agenda tonight. Okay. Any other questions? If not, I'll look for a motion. >> I Jason Bonn move to approve the revisions to EFB local as presented. >> I have a motion. Do I have a second? I, Joe Beiger, second the motion. >> I have a motion to second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor raise your hand. All board members, vote it for and the motion carries. >> Thank you. >> The time is 7:25 p.m. and the board of trustees will now convene in close session as authorized by section 551071, 551074, 551072, 551076, and 551089 of the Texas Open Meetings Act to discuss agenda items 5 A throughD.

106No action will be taken in close session. The board is now in close session. The board is reconvening into open session at 7:44 p.m. For the record, no action was taken in close session. Next up, we have consider approval of the superintendent's recommendation to hire the MBIS ISD PD police chief. Dr. Cal. >> Yes. administration recommends hiring William Ellis Pal as the MVISD PD police department police chief. Any questions? Now I'll look for a motion. I Ben Watis move to approve the superintendent's recommendation to hire where's your name? >> William. I want to make sure I get it right. Um, William Powell, uh, as a NVISD PD police chief. >> I have a motion. Do I have a second? >> I, Matt Castle, second the motion. >> I have a motion and second. Any further

107discussion? Not. All those in favor, raise your hand. All board members voted for. And the motion carries. Congrats. [Applause] Next we have consider approval to authorize the appointment of personnel as school marshals. Mr. Waznette. >> Yes. You'll just need to make a motion to um approve those uh personnel discussed in close session. >> Any questions? Not. I'll look for a motion. I Jason Bonnie move to approve the authorization to appoint personnel at as school marshals as presented in close session. I >> have a motion. I have a second. >> I Joe Beer second the motion. >> I have a motion and 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 of officers to be commissioned as peace

108officers by Medina Valley Independent School District Police Department. Dr. Kaos. >> Yes. administration recommends that William Ellis Pal be commissioned as a peace officer by Medina Valley Independent School District Police Department. >> I'll look for a motion. >> I at Castleion move to approve William Powell to be commissioned as a peace officer by Medina Valley Independent School District Police Department. >> I have a motion. I have a second. >> I Ben Wat 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 the swearing in ceremony. County. My office is across the street and Mr. Pal asked me to come today and it's an honor for me to swear him in.

109With your permission, I will administer the oath. Will you please raise your right hand for me, sir? I'll begin with the putting on of my spect. The anti-bribery statement. I, William Ellis Powell, >> I, William Ellis Powell, >> do solemnly swear >> that I have not directly or indirectly >> paid, offered or promised to pay >> contributed or promised to contribute. any money or thing of value. >> Any money or thing of value >> or promised any public office or employment >> or promised any public office or employment >> for the giving or withholding of a vote >> at the election at which I was appointed >> at the election of which I was appointed. >> Or as a reward to secure my appointment or confirmation. Or as a reward to secure my confirmation or

110appointment, whichever the case may be. whichever the case may be. >> So help me God. >> And now I will administer the oath. >> I, William Ellis Powell, >> do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully execute >> the duties of the office >> of Medina Valley Independent School District >> of Medina Valley Independent School District. Police Department Police Chief >> Police Department Police Chief >> of the State of Texas >> and will to the best of my ability >> preserve, protect, and defend >> the Constitution and laws >> of the United States >> and of this state. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations, [Applause] It's an honor. Thank you. Thank all of y'all. Thank you, sir. Thank you. It's an honor. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Next, we have consideration of future meeting

111dates. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for August 25th, 2025 at 6 PM. A special meeting workshop is scheduled for August 13, 2025 at 6 PM. Last thing is adjournment. I'll look for a motion. >> I Jason Bonnie move to adjourn the regular board meeting at 7:51 p.m. on July 28th, 2025. >> I have a motion. I have a second. I Matt Calion second the motion. All those in favor, raise your hand. We are journed. Thank you.