001So, it is 6:00. Uh, we do have a quorum. If everybody could just remember to put their phones on silence. We'll go ahead and get started. Chapo will lead us in the pledge and then Leo will do the mission statement. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Honorable flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas. One state under God, one and indivisible. Board mission statement. Through high expectations and equitable opportunity, TMISD will focus on the whole child by providing a safe environment and high quality curriculum with diverse and enriching experiences. >> Any public statement? >> No. >> All right. So, we'll jump into our action items. Got a lot of exciting
002things happening tonight. So, the first one is going to be discuss and consider approval of a donation from the TM Education Foundation in the amount of 61,326. >> Mr. President, members of the board, um, we're honored by our foundation's presence. And Melinda, I think you've got some good news. >> I do. >> Would you join us? >> I'll be more than happy to do that. >> And tomorrow's a big day. >> Tomorrow. That's exciting. Sir, that is a happy >> Oh, it's Oh, it's supposed to be a secret. >> Yes. >> I do that all the time. >> But nobody's going to watch a board until tomorrow. >> Tell David not to put that on that. >> Start over. video. So, um, for those of you who don't know me, which I cannot see a
003single person in here that doesn't, but my name is Melinda Gomez Ariaga and I'm president of the TMISD Education Foundation. I've been on this board of directors for close to 13 years now. And I'm very happy to announce that in my hand, this tiny little thing right here, is a gigantic check to help out all of our amazing staff here. This is a check for $61,326. This will help fund 19 grants that were requested this grant cycle. Um there's at least one in every campus. And now that the uh cat is out of the bag, we will be presenting uh these grants tomorrow in our typical uh education foundation style and that is in style. Um, we have multiple board members here today and including our executive director, Nikki Horman. So, if y'all want to
004join me up here because this is not done by one person alone. This is not done by one fundraiser alone. This is not done by one popcorn sale or anything. This takes all year long. This is our money working for us in safe places that bring back high yields. This is us doing whatever we can to encourage people to donate, including our staff. And we're always looking for ways to make people know about who we are and what we do. And our primary function is to help our staff, all of our teachers, whoever wants a grant, we want to give it to you. So, please encourage your educators, first timers, 30-year veterans, that there's money out there and we want to give it to them. We want to keep TM on the cusp of innovation.
005The other day I was here at campus and I was looking at I was getting my nails done at the salon. >> They did a great job. >> The glam salon >> salon. I was there and I was walking out and I was looking at the construction in the front of the school and I was thinking about how it doesn't seem that long ago where you said, "Miss Aryaga, I'm going to do this interview with Channel 6 about the football field and I want you to come and talk to them." And we talked about what the vision you had not only for athletics but for TMISD. And watching it come into fruition has been amazing. Amazing. >> Thank you. and to think about how generations to come. One thing that we said on the interview
006was that the things we were doing at that time was going to our kids were going to feel the residual effects of it for years and years to come and that is happening and it is amazing and the education foundation is so happy to be a part of that journey. We are community members. We live in this area. We have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews that come through this district and we are so proud to be a part of it. So, thank you all for doing what y'all do because y'all are the real heroes, all of you that we see here and this is the least that we can do and we're so glad to be able to do it. So, 19 grants, $61,000 and change that will be presented very soon in our typical fashion
007and we do it for you and because of you, but also with you. So, thank you very much. And if I could have my foundation directors up here today at work, >> let me know your good side on Okay. Ready? One, two, three. >> Thank you. Right here. Here we go. >> One, two, and three. Got it. Thank you. >> Don't spend it all on one. very absolutely our pleasure. We appreciate the opportunity. >> Oh, they don't know by now. >> Thank you so much for >> So, uh Nikki, I hope your board can join us Thursday. We have the topping ceremony at 11 o'clock where um students from each of our campuses um are going to sign the last beam that goes on the facility. So, I hope you can join us to sign
008your name and and um take part in that. Um at the end of January, we're looking to take possession of the 40 acres and you'll start seeing construction for the new junior high. And then after the first of the year, uh we're going to um talk to the community about finishing the job with a new bond to completely renovate um the high school because the CTE center is going to be a Taj Mahal and we want to it's a 40 plus year school that needs renovated. We need a new band hall and um we need a multi-purpose and possibly a fieldhouse. So, some really exciting conversations that we're going to have uh with the board uh to see if the community wants to for our students to keep pace with our neighbors. Um and we're
009going to do our best to communicate uh that these are needs versus wants. So, thank you. >> Yes, sir. Thank you. >> Okay. Yeah. Mr. President, members of the board, it is the administration's recommendation that the board approve the Tossa Midway Education Foundation donation in the amount of $61,326 as presented. >> Do we have a motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> Con second it votes yes. Leo, yes. >> Mr. Chapa, >> yes. >> Brian Boom. >> Yes. Kim Boon, >> yes. >> Himemen, >> yes. >> All right, vote carries 67. Great job. >> All right, next action item here is discuss and consider approval of school health advisory council shack committee members. Mr. President, members of the board, as you know, I was out of town last week and unfortunately some things um got
010by me and this is one of them. um I approved um the agenda with last year's uh shock members included instead of this year's. So I'm I'm looking through preparing I think it was yesterday or Saturday and I'm going wait a minute some of these some of these people should not be on here. Totally my fault. Uh but we do have the new shock members that Dr. Shaw >> is going to present to you. And actually these have all been verified >> and then I'll turn it over to her. >> Okay. So for this year um we have a majority of our uh members coming back and we didn't want to change completely because there was a lot of unle uh business from last year's um advisory um student health advisory committee meeting. And so
011they kind of know where uh we left off. And so we wanted to uh do them you know in the right bringing them on so that we continue what was left undone last year. Now after this year we will uh continue to uh nominate new members for two more years but for this year we wanted to at least keep the majority of our members intact. And so um because there was a lot of uh unle finished you know um conversations that we had last week. um one in particular was some of the uh curriculum for adolescence at the middle middle school. Um so those are the conversations that we want to bring back to the table. Um and then also this year uh we want to also nominate a a chair and a co-chair to
012lead the um student health advisory committee because that's the way it should be. And so Melanie uh and myself will be uh on the the committee but we will be like non- voting members but um so that's the very first thing that we will do when we meet in January. We will nominate um our co-chair our chair and our co-chair and then from there they will set the agenda and that agenda will be vetted through Mr. uh Bitri and then Melanie and I will help lead those discussions. So um so these are our new members. uh they've all verified and they're all excited to be a part of our um shot committee for the 2526 school year. Any questions? >> Thank you, Dr. Shan. >> Mr. President, members of the board, it is the administration's
013recommendation that the board approve the school health advisory council shot committee members amended list as presented. >> Okay. I have a motion for that. >> I'll make a motion. Leo make the motion list. >> I'll second it. >> Mr. Chapo will second it. >> Paul Riyaga will vote yes. Leo Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Chapa, >> yes. >> Brian Boon, >> yes. >> Tim Boon, >> yes. >> Menz, >> yes. >> Vote carry 6. All right, more good stuff coming up. Next one is discuss and consider TM virtual academy and second reading of amendments to EIC local. >> Mr. President, members of the board, um our leader of the virtual academy is coaching soccer uh right now. Um Mr. Alvarado has um seen a need. We um we know that Mr. Martinez has some coach Martinez
014has some health issues. Uh and um prior to becoming a principal, Mr. Alvarado was a a very accomplished soccer coach. So, uh, he came to me, uh, and I had some acute reservations because high school principal is a full-time job. Uh, but, um, he was worried about the kids and it's a three-month commitment. Uh, so, um, we're going to take care of our kids. And so, so I want you to know why he's not here. Um, he's not home watching Monday Night Football. He's he's taking he's taking care of our soccer team and I I really commend him for stepping up and doing that because he is a very good soccer coach as well as a terrific high school principal. So in lie of that we have Dr. Sham and I'm going to let her
015>> yeah not as good as Gabe but I >> but absolutely we have his back and you know we told Gabe whatever you need we are there for you hands on I mean whatever you need. So, which brings us to this uh uh board agenda. So, the last time we met, we um you guys gave us the the go-ahad and so we were super excited about that. Um we listened to your concerns about some of the um stipulations concerning our students here in the district. So, we listened to you and we made some modifications to the EIC policy. Um, in addition, once we got the go-ahad, we started, you know, working on, you know, marketing. Uh, I will say right now it's a little slow. Um, but before I go on, do y'all have any
016other concerns as this is our second reading? >> Nothing's changed since the first time. >> Nothing has changed, but I would like to give you an update on what has happened since the last time. So since the last time we've had the go ahead uh we've been working with two companies trying to get you know what's going to be best for our students in terms of courses that um our students that will be doing the virtual online. So we've met with Edenum which you've met um Karina Alanise. We've had them come over and do a couple of presentations so far. This past week we had the opportunity to meet with subject AI uh very similar to what Eden does and so we had a really good conversation um kind of giving them you know like
017what what our needs are and what we need for our students. So we're uh we're going to have another conversation. We have not yet made a final decision on who will be the actual vendor that we will be going for for the virtual online school. Um, in terms of marketing, that has been one of our areas of concern is just getting the word outside of our district. We did attend a um an event in Brownsville. It was we met with Edenum and they invited us to uh this big event that they were having in the valley. So, it was myself um Fig uh and Lamar Cardennis. So we went out headed out there and we started marketing and it was a really good experience because it gave us an opportunity to kind of like figure
018out what we need to do in our end to better market the uh the program. Um in the valley in the valley we would be partnering up with Texas Southmost College and so we didn't have that information out there. So that was kind of like uh we were kind of like writing down our notes. Things that we we need to make sure that wherever we're marketing is that we make sure we connect with that partnership that those students would be attending that particular junior college. So there was a lot of learning uh opportunities with that particular event that we attended. Um and so right now we um we had a virtual town hall uh town hall meeting this past Saturday. Um, I'll be honest with you, the numbers were very, very low. Again, I think
019it's just getting the word out there. Um, we do have another one scheduled for tomorrow. Uh, I will be um Gabe, uh, he did the one on Saturday. I will be doing one tomorrow because he's he's um, having a soccer game. So, um, but we just got to get the word out there. I think right now we have about six that have actually committed and I think we have one from like Decatur. Um, I think we have one from the valley. So, it's it's getting out there and and I really truly believe that when um people hear about it and they actual actually get to participate, I I'm sure that the word will get out. So, we're just, you know, we're going to keep on pushing and and getting the word out there and we're
020not going to let this um get away from us. And of course, I think in the fall when we do hopefully get the lasso grant, I think that will also give us um more um opportunity to uh market our our program. So, right now, this is basically just an update. We're still on it and we're still super excited about the program and and somewhere a lot of people it's just getting that word out there and hopefully maybe after the holidays, you know, semester grades come out and they're thinking, okay, maybe we need to go uh in a different different way. Okay, any questions? >> Okay, you know, I tried to get in to the virtual table last night and it said call ended, but um my technology skills aren't the greatest. >> Yeah. And I'm
021thinking uh Saturday night at 7 o'clock. >> Uh not a a prime >> I know. And we did thought about that. So, >> so is there like a recording like if somebody wanted to go to that town hall but they couldn't is it recorded that they can see it later kind of like what he was saying it's prime time. So is there >> call ended? >> Yeah. I don't know but that's a really good question. I will ask Rosie >> for tomorrow that we could record it and just have it on our website for those that are not able to >> Yeah. So that way they can go back and you know on their time. >> Exactly. So we'll we'll continue to do that. Um, but like I said, right now it's just really that
022marketing, you know. I know that um Gabe and Iris also um did a radio >> interview and Larry >> Alzando. Yeah. >> So, um >> actually I was listening to that interview in Los Angeles when I was there. >> Wow. Isn't that incredible? Right. So, um, so we're we're trying we're trying to get it out there and hopefully, like I said, we'll be able to report higher numbers at the next board meeting. >> Well, not only that, just and and maybe the kids that are coming on once they get started, them being their own testimony to how they're enjoying it because kids are going to relate to kids, right? Kind of like we're seeing how our kids are participating in a lot of stuff. And I I love it because it's their school. So, >>
023I'm okay with low numbers for the spring semester. Absolutely. Let's go slow before we go fast >> to see what hiccups we have. >> But I'm glad you said that because that's what we told at Menum, you know, when we were talking about marketing that testimonies, you really need to hear it from parents, you know, how it's benefited their their child. You need to hear it from the students perspective, how it's allowed them, you know, to do, you know, whatever. Maybe they're pursuing, you know, a goal of being an Olympic Olympian, you know, and so, but kids need to hear it from other kids. It's all about the testimony. So, >> I'm glad you brought that up because that was definitely one area that we did discuss. >> Awesome. >> Okay, Mr. President, members of
024the board, is the administration's recommendation that the board approve the second reading of amendments to EIC local as presented. >> All right. Do you have a motion? >> Well, I'll make it. Okay. I move that we approve the amendments to uh to the uh policy there we have. >> Okay. >> The IC local policy. >> I'll second that. >> Second. >> All right. Mariago. Yes. Leo Gonzalez. Yes. Mr. Raba. >> Yes. >> Brian Boon. >> Yes. >> Kimbo. >> Yes. >> Himenez. >> Yes. >> Carrie 6o. Thank you everyone. Thank you. All right. The next one is discuss and consider approval of food services equipment bid. >> Mr. President, members of the board, we're going to spend some of that food service fund balance account. Mr. Mr. Hernandez, Mr. >> President, member of the board,
025good evening. This presentation, I also have Mr. Bill Wilson, the architect in the audience, and I've got Ed Clash with Farcom Construction. >> All right, just a brief recap. Uh it it's been well over a year that we we've been working on this project. Uh it's been countless hours documenting all our equipment, mapping everything in the kitchens and getting everything that we need to get replaced. We went to uh get all this in a bid packet. Mr. Wilson worked hard on that. So on October 14th, we issued out the bid packet uh a little bit the cart before the horse. On October the 20th at the board meeting, y'all approved the uh the criteria for this this selection. So, you did that on October the 20th. November the 4th, we had a pre- bid meeting.
026We in this room, we had a conference. We invited all the contractors that were going to bid to come look at the facilities. And then on December 2nd, we had a bid opening. We had two uh two firms submit qualifying bids, both Barcom and South Texas Builders. Uh we've had experience with both companies, both companies good. Um and we went through the qualifications as you can see in your uh your uh board book. uh the qualifications uh 50% uh were the points were the qualifications and Farcom had a slight edge on that 445 to 405 and then on the cost proposal the other 50% uh South Texas Builders had a slight lead on that was they had a lower price uh than Barcom but the overall selection the reason we went with Barcom is because
027the uh the completion date once all the equipment's in they can complete the project in 90 days and South Texas builder was looking at 210 days. That's the reason we went with that. Um >> the steps going forward after this, if the the board approves it tonight, uh we'll get the contract signed by the end of this week, we'll move forward. We'll get the equipment ordered and hopefully before the end of just some of these things are long lead items, but for the most part, we should have most uh quite a bit of the equipment installed before the uh end of the school in this project. what was awarded for the $1.8 million. There was three items. Uh one was just equipment replacement. The equipment that needed to be replaced. Uh also there was a
028refrigerator, a commodity refrigerator. It's going to be installed a freezer at the primary. Uh currently we've only got the building freezers and if something happens, we're we're struggling to get everything moved to another campus and there's very limited space and we have to pack it in. This commodity freezer will allow us to order more commodities and safely protect and it'll have a backup generator to it and everything. So if power outages or storm stuff like that, our foods will will be safe. Uh previous hurricane events, we've had to move our food items to the port. Uh it's just time consuming and having to get all that food moved and everything to protect it. And then the third alternate was uh shelving, stainless steel shelving for the freezers, the storage rooms and everything. uh we looked
029at doing it inhouse because you you would think but by going out to bid we got a little bit more competitive pricing on the shelving uh in hopes of saving a lot. So those are the three items that will get replaced with this. >> Are there any questions from myself or Mr. Wilson? >> So the long lead items are how long lead are they like months? >> We'll find out. Some of them are I guess about two to three months for some of the freezer equipment. Yeah, the generator is the longest lead item on the project and most of the most of the kitchen equipment inside the kitchens is, you know, basically what I would call plug and play. We're going to remove a piece of equipment, we're going to put a new one in
030its spot and and frankly, you've you've gotten your money's worth out of a lot of this equipment. I mean we were, you know, as we as we compiled the drawings on primary school as an example, you moved existing equipment into that primary school when it was constructed 20 plus years ago. So I mean so some of this equipment >> we took equipment from Tlosa Road School to 20 years old. I mean so you've you've gotten your money's worth out of a lot of this equipment. Some of it is some of it is not operational now. Some of it is not used now. For instance, you don't cook fried foods in schools anymore. Uh we work very closely with your kitchen with your kitchen folks. >> I'm thinking more of the aspect of you know they're
03190 days. The other one's 270 days. There's no demo fee and remob fee. If they have to wait 3 months for us to get this freezer and they got to come back in 3 months, there's no extra cost for them to come back, right? >> No. >> Okay. >> The way it's set up is that we're going to be prepped for the freezer. The pad's going to be done. The generator pad will be ready. Everything will be ready. And once the cooler sets, the generator's when it's going to set. So, all we do is hook it up. Okay. >> There's no reboot fe. >> Okay. I just want to make sure we weren't going to get ahead with that. >> This chopper, there's an ice maker in it for ACC. >> Like, so if they
032come and they set up all their equipment and then they finish and they say, "We're waiting on these big whatever refrigerators, right?" And they leave and then they come back to install the refrigerator, they say, "Well, we got to remobilize." and charge you for that. I just want to make sure there's none of that. >> And they've done that in the You've noticed that? >> I've seen that with other companies, but it sounds like they've got that. >> Yeah. This is a pretty much an equipment replacement kind of project. I mean, the the the most significant construction, if you will, in this is going to be the the exterior freezer cool, the freezer unit. And and so that's really, you know, that they're going to have to get out there and tear out concrete and
033pour the primary do all that. >> Yeah. But but uh you know it'll operate without a generator. The generator is just a backup protection. So the we we don't anticipate that that's going to while while that will have more onsite construction than people just pulling out a piece of equipment and plugging a new one in. Um, we still, you know, it's going to be the the 90 days is going to be so much less disruptive on your school operations some >> and and that's that also is trying to comply with some of the the time off that your students have, right? >> And some after hours after 2:30 when the students are not there. We took that all in consideration. >> Cool. And Bill, you don't see during the plugandplay replace a disruption in um
034serving our kids? >> No. They're going to be either working after your your food, you know, that once your kitchen staff is gone for the day, then we'll allow them to come in and work after kitchen work's done and food service is done, but most of their their work's going to be done when when you guys have have breaks. Yeah, >> good deal. >> Now, the the future phases of work going to be a lot more disruptive, but this one's going to be pretty straightforward. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the board, it's the administration's recommendation that the board authorize a contract for the Tulsa Midway ISD kitchen upgrades at various campuses project with BarCom Commercial, Inc. of Corpus Christi, Texas for the base bid and bid alternatives numbers 1, two, and
035three for the amount of 1,868,000 as presented. All right, we have a motion. >> Brian, >> I make the motion that we authorizing contract form kitchen upgrades at various campuses project commercial incorporated corp Texas for the base bid and bid alternates number one, two, and three for the amount of 1,868,000. >> All right, second. >> I'll second that, Mr. Chapa. Paul Riyago votes yes. >> Leo Gonzalez. >> Rick Chapo, >> yes. >> Brian Boon, >> yes. >> Tim Boon, >> yes. >> All right. Carrie six. >> Thank you'all for being here. >> Thank you very much. Work. >> Merry Christmas. >> Appreciate you. Merry Christmas. Byebye. >> I have a question though for Miss Choa. Is it is it cubed ice or crushed ice? >> Let's get both because there's a difference. >> There's a
036big difference. >> I'll tell you a story. There's a difference. >> We don't need to tell stories. >> We don't need a deal. >> Good stuff. Coach, the only thing I'm going to say is uh ACC doesn't need to like wrap the ice around people's ankles. >> Mr. Carol denied my my ice when I was athletic director. I'm like, he said, "Ice is ice." And I said, "No, it's not." >> And karma has come back. >> Everybody gets Sonic ice. >> That's funny. >> You hear that? Everybody gets Sonic ice. That's right. >> I like that better. >> Next one here is discuss and consider resolution regarding public purpose and compensating employees on early release date. Miss Rick, >> good evening trustees. This has kind of turned into somewhat of a housekeeping item. So, we
037have a couple of early releases this year. We had one on November 7th and then we have another one on May 21st of 2026. uh when we have an early release, we allow our um exempt staff, which is all our teachers, um our contractual administrators to leave early. However, due to the Fair Labor Standards Act, we're really not allowed to allow our non-exempt staff, which is our paraprofessionals, our clerical staff to leave early because that would be considered a gift of public funds. However, by issuing a public purpose resolution by the board, we are able to allow the staff to leave early and compensate them for their hours. And we ask that you um approve the resolution tonight by not doing so and having some employees stay and others leave. We have issues of inequity,
038employee morale, and things like this. So, this would allow staff to leave early. >> Is there any questions? Yeah, but if the teachers leave, how can the pair of professionals stay if the teachers gone? Yeah, it'd be good for everybody to go. Absolutely. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> That's why we want But we But we can't do it on our own. We need your support. >> I've got a question. How about administrators? Are they allowed to leave? >> They are. >> No, I missed my question. >> They are. They are. They don't, but they are. >> Yes. >> So, they they can leave when teachers leave. >> They can leave when teachers leave. >> You heard that, right? Not >> specifically what we say as long as we make sure that our students have arrived home
039and safely we finish up our duties we're able to release. >> Oh I remember when I remember what the audience Oh >> another karma did professional >> almost everyone campus based and then the district administration. >> Okay. And that's like for everybody. >> Yes. The clerical staff, paraprofessionals, um district support staff, the people in this building. So basically this resolution covers everybody else that were not covered under the teachers resolution to get paid, >> right? >> Do you get out too? >> Yes. To answer your question, yes, >> she's not included in that and her team is included. Her included staff. Yes, >> it may be included, but that doesn't mean I can delete. >> Just want to make sure your staff was included and you were >> my staff was included. >> Okay, >>
040that's that's all. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. President, members of the board. It is the administration's recommendation that the board approve the resolution regarding public purpose and compensating employees on early release days as presented. >> All right, to read it first. Oh, yes. I have to read the resolution. You had a point. Leo, you should be right here. Leo's on it. All right. Just today. >> There's so much honesty today. >> Everybody's on a roll. Here we go. Resolution of board of trust on of the board of trustees of Tulos Midway Independent School District regarding specific early release days. Whereas at a board meeting held on January 27th, 2025, the board of trustees approved the 2025, 2026 to Los Midway ISD school calendar. And whereas on the following specific early release days,
041November 7, 2025 and May 21st, 2026, specific early release days, many employees have been or will be released early from work and have not or will not be required to work their full hours on those designated days. And whereas the board of trustees acknowledges that our employees are typically assigned to work 40 hours per week and on specific early release days have been or will be instructed to work less than their typical work week through circumstances beyond their control. And whereas employees who are instructed to leave work early may suffer a loss of pay unless the work days and hours are made up at a later date. The board concludes that a need exists to address wage payments for these employees. Now therefore, be it resolved that the board of trustees concludes that continuing wage
042payments to all impacted employees for the specific early release days serves the public purpose purposes of maintaining morale, reducing turnover, and ensuring continuity of district staffing. Be it resolved that the board of trustees authorizes continue wage payments to all non-exempt employees that have been or will be released early from work on the spec specific early release days. Be it further resolved that the board of trustee delegates to the superintendent the authority to update employee work calendars and pay all impacted employees full compensation without charging the hours against the impacted employees personal leave for this day based on this action of the board of trustees. In the event other actions are needed to fulfill the purposes of this resolution. The superintendent is hereby authorized to take other such action. The authority granted by this resolution effective
043for the specific days listed above for the 2025 2026 school year only resolve this 15th day of December 2025. >> All right. So now do we have a motion? >> I'll make that motion that the board of trustees approve the public purpose resolution regarding specific early release days. >> Okay. Second. >> Leo second. >> All right. Paula votes yes. Leo Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Rick Choa, >> yes. >> Brian Boon, >> yes. >> Kim Boon, >> yes. >> Marty Menz, >> yes. >> All right. Carry 60. >> All right. The next uh action item here we have is discuss and consider first reading of TASBY policy update 126. Mr. President, members of the board, this is the biggest update I've ever seen. Uh it's um and aligned finally with uh what happened in the legislature
044a few months ago. In fact, it's so big that um it would have taken us over an hour to watch the video. So since there's no action on this and there's 27 local policies for consideration, none of which I see is controversial at all, all are aligned with legal. >> Um, Miss Castillo is going to uh give you a link and at your own time and convenience until the end of January, which is the next time we're going to meet, um, you can perview the video. I think that's a much better use of your time. Uh if you want to see the hour video right now, we can certainly do that. Uh but uh thank you. >> But uh I think uh there there's some really um uh significant changes that we've been living by
045uh since September 1. Um and this memorializes those through board policy. So that would be my recommendation. I make a motion to take your recommendation. Okay, >> I'll second that. >> All right. All right. So, that was board action only or no action? >> No action. >> Uh the next one is discuss and consider delegation of hiring authority to superintendent for all contractual staff below the level of administrator. >> Mr. President, members of the board, let me let me walk you through this board item. Uh because I've I've changed the way I feel about it. Uh Toso Midway has been the only district that I've worked as a superintendent that I haven't had the authority to hire teachers. There are significant advantages uh to not waiting for a board meeting uh when a a teacher
046is ready to be hired. I think last year we um lost three at the high school and the principles and the directors came to me um and and they were pretty aggressive because I I told them is that fairly >> I didn't want to I didn't want to embellish uh and and I said you know guys um I'm uncomfortable going to the board and asking asking for this uh because I think historically it it hasn't been considered. Um so I said look um I'll put an agenda item on the agenda uh but I'm going to tell the board um this is coming from the principles and the directors and not the superintendent. And then I got to thinking that wait a minute um I make recommendations to you um on the best interest of the
047district not whether it's comfortable or uncomfortable >> and why in the world would I delegate that to them when I truly believe this is in the best interest of our district. Um, and so, uh, Miss Riggs has prepared a a, um, presentation for you. Um, and it's, I think it's very well done. So, I'm going to turn it over to you. >> Okay. So, um, essentially what we're going to be asking for from you tonight is a update to board policy DC local, which talks about the hiring authority of contracted personnel. So why we're here as Mr. Vitri said as our leadership team meets this is one thing that has come up periodically. We feel very adamant when we find qualified personnel for our positions. We need to act fast. Uh we need to be
048able to attract we need to be able to issue contracts and get staff on board so that we don't have any vacancies so that we um don't have any um um inter interruptions to our instructional program. We need to make sure that our students have the best possible folks in front of them teaching them on a day-to-day. And so we are asking, like I said, the reason we're here is our current hiring timeline kind of hinders that. Having to wait until the next board meeting. I know tonight we're going to we're going to recommend two people to you. I think I've had one recommendation for two and a half weeks that we've ch kind of been waiting. There are times where the day of the board meeting, I get a recommendation from a principal to
049hire someone, but due to our internal policies and procedures and the things that we have to do, I can't bring them to the board to you that day. So then we have to wait until the next month before we can get those um folks approved. And in the meantime, that is an entire month that that in that that candidate can be interviewed and hired on the spot by other school districts. and we need to be competitive and be able to do the same thing. Uh we want to make sure and we're bringing this to you now because we want to make sure that as we go into our hiring season, the peak season as early as February, I'm going to start receiving resignations. And we want to be able to post those jobs, make sure
050that we post them within the five days that are now required. But we also want to make sure that we start filling before other school districts start getting their vacancies and they start looking to hire for their staff. So I want to talk about the current superintendent authority. So what's in the box is actually verbatim. It's a snippet of what you find in DC local. So the policy currently says the superintendent has full authority to make recommendations to the board regarding the selection of contractual personnel. The board retains final authority for employment of contract contractual personnel. So right now Mr. van matri without your authority he can hire and fire non contractual staff so that's like our maintenance or auxiliary staff um anyone who doesn't get a contract however you retain the final authority for
051hiring a teacher for hiring a diag anyone who would go on a contract and that also includes our non-chapter 21 contracts which is you know our SLPs our um you know our um or some of our directors and So, uh, Mr. Van Matri has to wait until the next regular board meeting or whenever we do have a special called board meeting to bring any recommendations to you. And like I said, sometimes we're waiting as far as four four weeks and then if for any reason a board meeting is cancelled and we have to postpone, sometimes we postpone till the next month or sometimes we propo we postpone for one or two weeks. That's an additional one or two weeks that that individual could choose to go to another district. Now we do when we do
052vet our our candidates we do offer a letter of intent but a letter of intent is not binding. Um as we know it's very competitive. The um currently the statewide demand for certified teachers continues to outpace the availability of teachers where our biggest areas of concern are specialized teachers where you know do our language is one of our um biggest um initiatives that we have. We take very pride in D in DLI but we want to be able to make sure that we have the bilingual teachers that can continue that that can teach those courses. Special ed is is huge. You know, this year there was starting September 1st even more regulations on what criteria and what certifications a special ed teacher has. If we're going to have an adaptive ed, a life skills teacher,
053they have to have not only a special ed certification, but they also have to have a certification in the core subjects that they're teaching. That is also becoming harder to find. So, we want to make sure that as soon as we identify a special education teacher who has the credentials to teach to teach the class that we we scoop them up and that we get them on a contract. And when people are typically looking for a job, they want to know who actually has a job that they can offer me where I can sign my name on the bottom line and I know that I have a position. If I'm coming from out of town or if I'm thinking of finally making that move, they're going to go to the person who has that ability
054to say, "I can offer you a contract today and you are on contract versus someone that says we, you know, we're really interested. We want to take you to the board. However, we just need you to wait about three or four weeks before we can get you on a contract." That person's going to go to the person who's has a real bonafideed I know that next year I have a position. that's who they're going to want to go to. So, us not having that flexibility kind of puts us behind and then we're kind of waiting. And like Mr. Van Matri said last year we did have three um teachers that it was well you know I did sign that letter of intent and I really want to be with TM but I found another position
055here or they offered to do this for me and we need to be able to come to the table and say we can do the same because you are valuable and you are what's ultimately best for our children and so that is why it is super important that we're able to make those moves or that Mr. Van Mitri is able to make those moves. Um, some of the biggest areas, and I know I've already talked about special ed, but it is special ed. It is becoming harder and harder to find those teachers. And without them, you know, our staff, our current special ed staff is amazing. But without them, without those case managers, their case loads get higher. Um, they're going to get burned out. they're going to they're going to want to leave because
056they're going to say, you know, you're not getting me any help. So, if I go over here, I can get an offer almost immediately and I can get on contract and with if they're within their 45 penalty-free day and they're at the end of their contract, they can do that. And we don't want them to do that. We want to be able to attract, we want to be able to retain our current staff. And we don't want to have to pay contractors. You know, Miss Booker, last year we didn't have DIAG, so we had to get contractors. And contractors are great, but they don't know our kids. It's great as a parent when a DIA calls and tells you, you know, I saw so and so today and they're doing this and they've accomplished this.
057They create those bonds and we want to be able to do that. So finding DAX, finding the assessment staff, we need to be able to get them on board as soon as possible. Also, one of the biggest things is when we don't have that consistency, they don't know the TM way. You're just having contractors. That's where we find ourselves in positions where we may not be compliant with what we need to do. And special education has so much compliance. It's it's it's amazing how much how many eyes need to be dotted and te's need to be crossed. So just with special ed alone um it's vital that we're able to get um the staff that we need. Now in looking um what do other school districts do? So I picked six school districts. Um the
058first one I want to talk about is CCISD because we do lose teachers to CCISD. We gain features from CCISD. Um ultimately at the these are verbatim straight from their DC local um that they all have posted on their website CCISD the board retains final authority for employment of level one administrators as reflected in DCB exhibit. So I went and I looked at DC DCB exhibit and that's basically the executive cabinet. Those are the ones that the board retains authority. But for every for all other contractual personnel, that delegation has been um given to the superintendent. At Kalalen ISD, the board delegates to the superintendent final authority to employ contractual personnel classified below that of a campus administrator. So basically, if you're an AP or principal, a director and above at Calalan ISD, the board
059hires those. they get the final approval, but anyone below that, the assessment staff, the teachers, interventionists, anyone who's on contract, that has been delegated to the superintendent. Um, at Flower Bluff ISD, the board delegates to the superintendent final hiring authority for the employment of classroom teachers, librarians, and nurses. Very similar at GPISD where they've also delegated the final approval to their superintendent. They have a few other positions there stated. Um, Westoso, the same thing. They did everyone other than an administrator. So, any campus administrator, district administrator, the board retains that, but other than that, the superintendent has the authority to issue a contract. The probably the most um restricted one came from Robtown ISD. They have only given the authority for the superintendent to hire classroom teachers from April 1st to September 1st. >> So,
060why is that? Why do they have it like that? That's just what the boards. >> So everywhere else the superintendent retains the authority to hire contracted um contract personnel um below a um administrator. >> I would recommend that we keep the language pretty simple kind of like the other school did and like CCISD did just because you start getting into naming the jobs and then >> you know oh I don't see that job list did and >> we don't need any delay. At your place, you'll find this onepage seat which carries RDC local. I've taken the liberty to contact TASBY and they have already given us kind of a a a red line. I guess it's really a blue line of what the new policy would look like. >> Okay, cool. >> For your review.
061So overall what that would look like is we are requesting that the superintendent be able to um or we're requesting that the board retain final approval over anything above a campus administrator. So, principles, assistant principles, directors, executive directors, assistant superintendent, deputy superintendent, that has to be approved by you and Mr. Van Mitri would not be able to issue any contracts. However, anything below that, we are requesting that Mr. Van Matri have the authority to go ahead and issue contracts. Um we uh we understand that um there are still things that we need to stay compliant with. Making sure that there's no nepotism, making sure that anyone that we hire has the proper certifications, follows the appropriate background checks. We would still ensure that all that um gets vetted prior to issuing issuing a contract. And
062so we do feel that there should be some sort of accountability to us. I feel like y'all should have an idea of who's being hired. So under this, we would also add a line that states that um we at the very next regular board meeting would come to you with a list of all the people that we've hired so that you can see the who, the what, the why. Um and we could come up with what that would look like. But you would get informed at the very next regular board meeting as to who was hired under this authority. Um you would still retain authority for you know hiring for adopting the compensation plan for any terminations, non-renewals, adopting the budget. We're not looking to make any changes. This is just so that as we
063find the appropriate candidates, we can go ahead and offer a contract and get them on board. And this would significantly improve our efficiency in hiring staff. >> I know that um I know we can't put people's names and connections because that's like employee information, right? But if it was going to be like a month before we met again, it would just be nice to know, hey, English one position was filled, just letting us know. But we don't need to know the person's name. But just knowing that that position got filled because we know how information travels so quickly. >> But if the connections is only between us, why couldn't we have the name like of who the teacher is? >> It's an email that goes out that it could it could go out further than
064just us. That's that it's a protecting employees, right? >> Or is it that still that you know because I I'll be honest. I would like to know who is going to be hired on for what position and who it is. I personally would like to know that, you know, but that's just me. >> We can get an interpretation from legal on what can and can't be sent. We want to be cognizant of what they call a walking quorum. >> Um I'm curious. We have four of the five principles. Um anything you want to tell the board? >> Um I'll start. Um this would be tremendously helpful. Um, I can tell you what what I don't like uh personally is that we had a teacher resign mid year. Um, and we found somebody immediately uh and
065we Mrs. Riggs had to hold a whole entire subtraining for that one individual teacher. And although she was doing the work of a teacher, she had to do it for three weeks without getting compensated as a teacher. She had to do it as a sub until we were able to pass her contract. And I really just don't think that's fair. You know, if you're doing the job of a teacher, you should be able to start immediately, especially in a situation like that. I can tell you, we've lost several teachers um over the summer because we can't lock them into a contract. And that um it's devastating, especially like in the areas of special ed. Um but even in, you know, from athletic purposes, for coaching, um it it really hurts you there. You've got a
066really good head coach. Um, but in the meantime, he's filing offers for two or three weeks because all we've been able to give him is a piece of paper that says, "We're going to go to board and we might hire you." >> And that doesn't work in anybody's um world anymore. They want the sure thing. >> So, understandable. >> To add to that, I just heard a story before this board meeting started of a young teacher who just started, Miss's daughter. If you don't mind me saying the story, she was tied between Alice and Ray High School. And if it wasn't for quick action and a competitive offer, she had two choices and she had to make a competitive choice. And we have a lot of young people out there who go to their parents
067and maybe your kids saying, "Dad, what should I do? I got these two offers." And as a dad, if my kid came to me, I got these two offers. They're both pretty good. Which one's guaranteed? >> Because you got to take care of your family. Now, this is a big decision. So, what's in my hand? what's physically can happen is what I would recommend to my child. So just saying that is we have to stay competitive. We have so many great programs. We have great compensation. But as a parent, if my kid was applying and be like, what is the guaranteed money? Who is going to get you hired so you can start your career? And sometimes it's that first position that is the most exciting. So we want to be a part of that
068conversation. >> And just to kind of piggyback off of that, you know, our hiring season is already stressful as it is. It's testing season. It's hiring season. And it's just a constant chase of looking for someone and making sure you're in contact with them because they haven't gone before the board yet. And and wait, you're talking to someone else and let me call them again and let me just make sure they're still interested. And it's just a constant calling and, you know, it's it's it takes it's a big constraint on our time to be constantly, you know, calling the candidates over and over during that time that we're waiting for them to get hired to make sure that they're still interested and they're still available. And we do lose a lot of candidates because of
069the time constraints. One, I'm going to come with you today. I've had to wait a whole semester because it was the same situation like Mr. Alvarado said where we offered subs salary and that wasn't acceptable and I'm just coming today with a candidate a semester later. Yeah. >> And I can tell you, you know, this summer, you know, we missed out on our first pick for counselor, second pick for counselor, and third pick for counselor for this very reason cuz there's just a shortage of counselors everywhere. And so we offered uh the he was uh a young man who was the counselor at a middle school in CCISD. He ended up taking a position at the high school because we couldn't offer him a job. And so we ended up going down the line, going
070down the line, going down the line. And it makes it tough. We're we're missing out on talent. And um go ahead. >> Miss Riggs and I went to a few job fairs last year and people were going around doing full-fledged interviews and giving contracts out there and we couldn't compete with that. And I think from a special education point of view, it's it's critical because we are definitely losing u great diags and case manager hiring uh because they're they're able to sign and then not many times they're offered bonuses in other districts and if we can just say hey we've got a job you're secure and I think it's important what you said um contracted case uh diags are are great in case they don't know our students and we want to hire somebody that's
071in invested in our community, invested in and our families. >> Yeah. The last day I got hired, um, she had to wait an entire month because there was a glitch in the online application system and there was like one little tiny tiny check box that she hadn't completed and she figured it out the day after the board meeting and then we had to wait an entire month to get her on board and she was moving from out of town. >> I'd like to add something. Go ahead. >> My friend applied for the swim swim swimming coach at the high school and he really really wanted it, but he couldn't wait a long time until y'all offered him the contract. He went to Dallas 6A school. They offered him right then and there. He signed with
072them. >> Miss Riggs mentioned the 45day window in the summer. Like they have 45 days before the first day of school to get out of their old contract. If you do the math on our first day of school in that with CCISD and let's say let's say it's the biggest it's the biggest district near us, we have days >> to scoop them up. >> And if we can't be competitive, they're not going to resign from a job that they're not guaranteed for another one. That's >> that's that's crazy. So that is a huge window if we can have this authority that we could get great educators to come in and support our kids. I'd like to just add a little bit. I've been in your shoes. I know what it's all again. It's just one
073vote here, but this is a 100 years late. I mean, this is this is overdue. >> Oh my gosh. It used to drive me nuts when we had job fair. We used to have these job fairs. >> We had quality people that would sit down and talk to us and I'd say, "Hire them right now. Don't let them." And we couldn't. Why? Why was it like that? Why? >> Because it's the law. >> The law >> to TMISD. You couldn't do that. Correct. You You just couldn't do that. >> You had to follow. >> That's why they're asking us to do this. This is overdue. I mean, my gosh, we lost so many people. >> I've been there. I mean, I remember that. Oh my gosh. >> I can relate, too. >> I've tried to
074hire coaches at coaching school and same thing. Job fair. Yeah. other districts could do that. So, it does put us at a disadvantage and >> we all know how hard it is to find qualified certified teachers anyway. So, when you get the chance, you've got to jump on it. >> We we definitely need to stop limiting the people that are are trying to hire these amazing educators and diags and everything else that we need. This is a win-win for our kids and our staff. Yep. >> Well, thank you. Um, it's first reading and we'll bring it back in January and I think it'll make some people very happy because it's really it's really not a Steve and Matri thing. It's it's a district thing and >> wait has to has to go through. >> Yeah,
075business is fast. We got to be fast with the >> Yeah, we're not a smartphone. Wish we were >> Let's just get it going. >> Yeah, I think that was put on Nick. Do you know why there's a motion to approve this tonight? >> I I thought that we would be able to do it on one reading, so I apologize. >> Are we allowed to do it on one reading? >> I believe so, sir. >> Oh, well, there you go, Marty. >> I was just saying that. >> Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas everybody. >> I think you're right that we generally do >> just as a a policy procedure but it's not board policy that we have to have two readings. >> I say we move I'm on board with >> if they all desperately think
076that we need to do it now. >> Why wait? >> If we need to revote next time we'll do the job in January. >> What do I say? the administration's recommendation >> and we've already got retirees, >> okay? >> You know, so it's >> it's great. >> This is what y'all really really want then. >> Okay. >> I've held them up for three years. >> I'm like, if they really want it, they're all for it. Let's do it. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the board, it is the administration's recommendation that the board of trustees approve the delegation of hiring authority to the superintendent for all contractual staff below the level of campus or district administrator as presented. >> All right. Motion. >> Sure. I I I move that we uh give the authority
077to the superintendent for all contractual staff below level administrator. >> All right. Second move. >> Hear that? Second, right? >> Cory votes. Yes. Leo Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Rick Chapo, >> yes. >> Brian Boon, >> yes. >> Kim Boon, >> yes. >> Thank you. Motion carry. Congratulations forever. >> Good job. >> Hey, you have to do that. out of here. >> All right. The next item is >> to retrain themselves. >> Yes. >> Discuss and consider approval of consent agendaformational items. So the first one is check payment register. The one is tax collection report. >> This is getting smaller and smaller. Jesus. >> Yeah. You know, I meant to uh bring that up, Philip. I know this is skywarding, but is there any way we can increase the font? >> I'm like, even with my
078glasses, I can't see. >> We're trying to get a normal check register report. Yes, we're still working on that. >> Okay. I I'm glad you brought that up because otherwise we're going to have to buy some magnifying glasses. >> Phil is trying to save paper. >> That is ridiculous. >> Guys, look at how tiny that is. thought that's >> like you can't barely see it even with glasses. >> All right, the next one is enrollment report. >> The next one is regular and special called board meeting minutes. >> Mr. President, members of the board, it is the administration's recommendation that the board approve the consent agendum items as presented. >> I'll make a motion. >> All right. Second by Leo. Leo's a financial guy, so if he second it, I feel good about it. I
079feel good about it. I can sleep tonight. >> All right. Hariaga votes yes. Leo Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Z Chava, >> yes. >> Kim Brian Boon, >> yes. >> Kimbo, >> yes. Mennez. >> Yes. >> All right. Carry six though. Hold on. >> All right. So, the next here we have is close session. The board will convene in closed meeting as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act to discuss items allowed by the Texas Government Code, chapter 551, 071 through 076, 082, 0821, 083, and 084. Anybody need a break? Keep rolling. Can we go get some sweet tea real quick? Okay. Give me just a second. >> Yep. We'll go four minutes. We'll >> come back at 710. >> All right. So, we're at 7:22. We are reconvening from close session. >> Mr. President, members
080of the board, it is recommended, it's the administration's recommendation that the board of trustees issue an educator probational contract for the remainder of the 2025 2026 school year as presented. >> I'll make that motion. >> I'll second Mr. Chapa second. All right. Paraga votes yes. Leo Gonzalez absent. Rick Choa, >> yes. >> Brian Boon, >> yes. >> Kim Boon, >> yes. >> Himenez, >> yes. >> 50. >> Mr. President, members of the board, it is re it's administration's recommendation that the board of trustees issue an non-chapter 21 contract for the remainder of the 2526 school year as presented. >> I'll make that motion. >> I'll second that. That was for this one. That one. >> Oh, you did both? >> They did both. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Kim seconded. Yes. >> Yes. Was Kim
081and Brian? >> Paraga votes? Yes. Leo Gonzalez absent. Rick Chapa. >> Yes. >> Brian Boon. >> Yes. >> Kim Boon. >> Yes. >> Marty Himenez. >> Yes. >> Great job everybody. All right. So, next we have future meetings. January 26, 2026 regular board meeting. And next we have the do we have a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> I make that motion to adjourn the meeting. >> Makes a motion. Second by Mr. Chapa. >> Yes. Leo Gonzalez absent. >> Big Champa. >> Yes. Brian Boon. >> Yes. >> Boon. >> No. But I mean yes. >> Hand. >> I guess so. Yeah. >> I guess so. We'll put that in there. All right. Motion carries 50. Great job everyone.