001Hello. Oh, sorry. Good evening, everyone. We're not going to officially Welcome to the SAC. My name is Alisa Olivos. I'm the vice president for the board. We're not going to officially start the meeting just yet. We're going to go ahead and proceed with recognitions and then we'll go to officially opening up the meeting. So once again, welcome and good evening. >> Good evening board members, superintendent Grus and guest. I am Mario Rosales, director of advanced academics, and tonight we are proud to recognize Johnson High School senior Aron Morales for his outstanding achievement in academic competition. On January the 7th, Aron competed at the UIL Congressional Debate State Meet in Austin, Texas, where he represented Johnson High School and United ISD among 16 of the top Congressional Debate competitors in the state. Throughout the competition, Aron
002earned scores of excellent for his speeches and received high praise from judges for his sharp use of logic, strong analysis, and effective communication skills. Aron's success reflects not only his dedication and hard work, but also the strength of our district's academic and speech programs. We are extremely proud of his accomplishments in UIL and other speech events as he prepares to pursue a degree in broadcast journalism at the Moody College of Communications at the University of Texas in Austin. We congratulate Aron and wish him continued success in all that lies ahead. Please join us in recognizing and congratulating Aron Morales for this exceptional achievement. Congratulations to Principal Ortiz and his staff. Good evening board members, uh members of the audience. Rebecca Morales, associate superintendent for district administration and student services. It is with great pride and
003excitement that we gather here today to recognize an incredible group of individuals who embody dedication, generosity, and community spirit. These are the parents who have gone above and beyond in contributing their time and energy to our schools and our students. At United ISD, we understand and appreciate the critical role that our parents play in the success of our district. To honor these efforts, we are thrilled to present our MVP most valuable parents honores for January. From Guard Elementary, Danielle Rosas from Lynden B. Johnson High School, Daniela Gaitan. And also from Lynden B. Johnson, Martha Gonzalez. Again, congratulations to all of our parents and thank you for all of your unwavering support of our schools and our United ISD community. January is school board appreciation month and while we strive to show our gratitude year round
004tonight we want to publicly recognize the seven individuals who dedicate their time, energy and hearts to the success of our United ISD students. The role of a trustee is often defined by the difficult decisions made behind the scenes, but the true impact is seen in the legacy that you are building. Your work ensures that United ISD is not just a place of learning, but a launchpad for the next generation of leaders. We recognize that your service is a sacrifice of your personal time, and we are profoundly grateful for the integrity and the passion that you bring to this role. To show you exactly what your leadership supports, we wanted to bring a piece of the classroom into the boardroom. We know that behind every meeting and every board agenda is a student with a story,
005a talent, and a dream. At this time, I invite you to please enjoy a special presentation produced by our PR ITV staff. The video that you will that you will see showcases the incredible talent and spirit of our students, the very students who benefit every day from your dedication and commitment to excellence. Thank you again for all that you do, and happy board appreciation month. We are [music] [singing] glory. [singing and music] [music and singing] Blessed are [music] [singing] your name. >> [music] [singing] [music] [music and singing] >> We are yours. The name bless. Fore! [singing] is you. He savior of You are Lord. You are Lord. follow. Hey, roll on. Roll on. Roll on. Roll on. God [singing] [music] [singing] >> [cheering] >> Thank you. Board members and Dr. Cruz, please help me thank
006and congratulate the mariachi members from Juan Roberto Ramirez Middle School, Elas Hera Middle School, Antonius Antonio Gonzalez Middle School, Raul Pales Middle School, and Ricardo Molina Middle School, and their band directors for their collaborative efforts. This is just a humble way of saying thank you for all that you do for our fine arts programs and our school district. We hope you enjoy the performance. Thank you for all that you do. Okay, good evening everyone. I don't even know who to thank for that. That was so beautiful. But um I'm sure there were a lot of people who did work behind the scenes to get that organized. I'm sure um one would be Miss Becky Morales. I'm sure Dr. Cruz had a lot to do with it. And if everyone else was involved and I'm sure
007there were other people. I thank you. I know for me that every time I hear that song I always want to join in and sing but I don't have the voice to do that. But it's beautiful to hear that from students and to see the culture that we are supporting here at United um future future artists for our community. And definitely when I say culture I mean that they they they resonate our Hispanic culture. So, I wish they were still here so that I could thank them, but I'm I'm sure the message will be relayed to them. I don't know if anyone else wants to say anything before we actually get started. >> Just very appreciative uh to everybody that that did this for us and you know, taking this and appreciate every one of
008you out there in the audience uh for the job that you do. Uh we wouldn't be here without you guys and uh just keep on pushing hard and we'll continue supporting you guys and thank you for everything you do for us. Absolutely. I echo that. Okay. Well, good evening board members, Dr. Cruz, and district staff. The time is 6:16 p.m. on this the 21st day of January, 2026. And I call this regular meeting of the United Independent School District Board of Trustees to order. May the trustees please announce their presence for the record. Starting on my left, >> Rudy is present. >> Danielle Martinez present. >> Alisa Flores present. Let the record show that a quorum of board members is present. That this meeting has been duly called and that notice of this meeting has
009been posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meeting Act. Agenda item two. We can all please stand for the pledge of >> allegiance and honor the Texas >> flagges to the Texas one state and indivisible. Okay. Um, we already did agenda item three. Agenda item four, public comments. >> Yes, madam president. We have four that signed up. No particular order from the first and it's going to read the way she wrote it. Kennedy Please welcome you can come to the podium and she will have three minutes. Okay. Second public comment for Mr. Juan Baladez and it's on the same topic. Mr. Vades No, it's normal. standing right here. Thank you. >> Next comment, ma'am, is going to be Mr. Valentine Ree, and he just put public comment. No specific comment topic. >> Mr. Ree, welcome.
010>> Thank you. Um, good evening. I am Valentine Reese, a veteran and a community advocate for Parents United, uh, reporting on stuff that, uh, comes our way to the our group. I'm here tonight on behalf of students, parents, and community advocates who are afraid to speak publicly themselves. Many of these families are immigrants or mixed status households. Their silence is not consent. It is fear. Across USD, parents are withdrawing their children from public schools because they no longer believe their children are safe. They report bullying, intimidation, and humiliation. and not only from the students. We are hearing repeated accounts of adult bullying, principles yelling at students, teachers humiliating children in class, and law enforcement presence that escalates fear rather than that protects the students. When authority figures model intimidation, it becomes normalized. Children learn that
011power, not fairness, determines outcomes. Advocates have also documented selective accountability when incidents involve the child of an administrator or a staff member. Complaint stall and/or disappear. Meanwhile, other students often from immigrant or workingclass families are disciplined quickly and harshly. These this creates a two-tier system. one set of rules for the connected and another for everyone else. For immigrant families, the stakes are higher. Parents fear retaliation, false reports, and even implied threats involving immigrant status. Even the perception of deportation threats in a school setting violates federal protections and silence silences reporting. Under plier versus do and title six, no child's right to education or safety can never depend on immigration status or silence. I respectfully urge this board to one publicly reaffirm that immigration status has no place in schools. Create a confidential anti-retaliation reporting system.
012Review unresolved complaints involving staff. Ensure equal accountability. No exceptions. Public education depends on trust. That trust is breaking. This board must decide whether it will protect system or protect children. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Moving on to agenda item five,formational items. Superintendence report. Yes. Uh, good evening members of the audience, board of trustees. The 2026 calendar year has begun with remarkable surge of enthusiasm as our administrative teams dive into critical planning phases for the upcoming 202627 school year. It is a time of reflection on our current successes and strategic preparation for our district's future. Our recent star and of course results for high school students provide a clear and encouraging account of progress with growth in and academic achievement evident across our high schools. This momentum is vital as our schools pivot toward
013preparing our students for the upcoming TEPAS and spring star assessment scheduled for April. While the data we are seeing now is promising, we look forward to providing a comprehensive detailed presentation our specific student outcomes at our February meeting. January is schoolboard recognition month and I want to take this opportunity to recognize each of you for your unwavering service. Your leadership is a foundation of our partnership in creating a conducive workplace for our staff and innovative and an innovative world-class learning environment for our students. As we look toward the next fiscal year, we must engage in discussions regarding our financial responsibilities and the complexities on the budgeting process. A significant challenge we face is a continued decline in enrollment which necessitates a serious discussion on possibility of school closures. Please know that the prospect of closing
014the school is a tough decision that affects the heart of our neighborhoods. I plan to navigate this process with extreme care and reach a final decision by May 2026 in close collaboration with the board of trustees to ensure we remain fiscally responsible while prioritizing student needs. I want to express my profound gratitude to the entire USD staff for their steadfast support. Navigating these tough decisions regarding our district's footprint and financial future is only possible because of the professionalism and resilience you all demonstrate every day. Thank you for your continued commitment to our mission and for standing united as we work to ensure a sustainable, prosperous future for every student we serve. Our district will continue to move forward in meeting students needs. Today, United ISD announced that registration for the 262 27th school year will
015open on Monday, February 2nd for both new and returning students. As an open enrollment district, UISD is expanding its educational offerings by becoming the first in Laredo to introduce connected, a virtual hybrid learning framework established under Senate Bill 569. This init initiative provides students with flexible learning environment in which certified UISD teachers teach courses through a specialized online platform. Additionally, the district is expanding eligibility for its competitive early college programs across all our high schools, enabling more students to benefit from dual enrollment opportunities. These advancements reflect the collaborative efforts our district leaders uh to meet the community's evolving needs and further enrollment details are expected in the coming weeks. This concludes my report. >> Thank you, Dr. Cruz. >> Can you she ask questions during superintendent >> related to the report? Yes, >> it is.
016Yes. I know you mentioned um you'll be meeting with us in regards to the consolidations or the plans. >> Yes. Yes. Those those meetings will be planned in small group members. >> Are we also able to uh have these meetings openly with the public as well? Um I'd prefer that instead of Let me add we we start the meetings internally and then we go publicly once we have set the decisions. Yes. So >> now me as as a board member and I've said it today in interviews with the media, I'm meeting with my campuses, the ones that are potentially going to be affected because it's not one board member who makes the decision. It's the board collectively that makes the decision. And we have processes in place, legal processes in place to make those decisions.
017We follow the guidance of legal counsel. We follow recommendations from the superintendent and staff and that's what we've always done and that's what we'll continue to do because that is the correct process. So if a board member wishes to hold meetings with their constituency, they're more than welcome. >> So I think the question was missed that I know but after are we going to meet with the public? >> Yes. Once those internal conversations happen at the board level, those same conversations will be presented to the board at various board workshops and agenda corresponding agenda items regarding school closures. Yes. >> Perfect. Thank you. Okay. I am moving up agenda item 7D, independent audit report for end of year August 31, 2025. >> So move second. >> Um I No motion is required for >> No,
018no motion is required. We're just going to move it up. >> We can just move it up. >> The presiding officer has the discretion. >> Thank you, though. Good evening board members director of accounting and tonight we bring you action report for August 31st 2025 tonight we have Mr. Alfred CPA from Associates Mr. V will go ahead and make a presentation on financial statements >> Mr. O welcome. >> Thank you members of the board. Thank you for having me here this evening. As uh Miss Cabo mentioned, I will be presenting a couple of highlights from the from the independent auditors report and then um if you'all have any questions, I'm available for any any questions. Anything that is a little bit more detailed, I will turn it over to uh to m on the there
019was a handout that the uh finance group out to you all that um contains a summary sheet in the first page. This is kind of some of the items that I will be referring to and if you at your leisure go through the the independent or the actual report. If you'll turn over to the to the second page that contains the independent auditors report. As independent auditors, what we do, we come into an entity and we pull We review the information and we compare it to your policies and procedures that have been established by the district and by you all as a governing board. And then we we test to make sure that you all are in compliance and we form an opinion and we provide limited assurance that the financials are presented fairly in
020all material respects and free of material misstatements. Now is there a possibility of there being some type of misstatements? Yes, because we do not we do not test 100% of the transactions but from what we have sampled what we have reviewed and tested United has earned an unmodified for a clean opinion. This is the best opinion that an entity can receive. So congratulations on earning. >> The reason I say that it is earned is because of the work that that is done here as you all uh got recognized today for what you do uh by your oversight and with the finance group and the administration of United ISD. It is a collective work that is done to get this unmodified payment. So congratulations on that. >> Thank you. If you'll turn over with me to
021the page that is more 218, that is the balance sheet. At August 31st, 2025, United Independent School District had total assets of 104 million 9293,000, total liabilities of 44,553,000 and total fund balance in the general fund of 58,683,000 of which 47,282 is unassigned fund balance. The unassigned is what we refer to as a rainy day fund. That means that the district can use that for anything that it it needs or that it may may want to do. Maybe we recommend we recommend that you use it for oneshot items such as repairs, uh renovations or equipment that needs to be that needs to be purchased. We recommend that you do not use it for anything that will eat away it such as salaries because that will depleted and you will see how that can be affected
022when I give you the days of operations On the next page over the statement of revenues, expenditures, and changes in fund balances for the year ended August 31st, 2025, United Independent School District had total revenues of 465,44,000 and total expenditures of 499,823 I'm sorry, 499,823,000 and total other financing uses of 11,100,000 for a net change a net decrease in the fund balance of 45,879. Now if we take your total expenditures of 499,823,000 we divide that by 365 days you get1,369,000 that is what on average it is costing United ISD to open its doors each and every day. We take your unassigned fund balance of the 47,282,000 and we divide that by the 1,369,000 you get 35 days of operations. That is very good. We normally recommend anywhere between 30 to 60 days up to 90
023days, but 35 is is very good because you all are operating on a $1.4 million per day average. So having 35 days to be able to maintain that is very good. So congratulations on maintaining that healthy days of operation. >> Thank you. >> I wish you could repeat that for the public like three times. >> I can ma'am if you want, [laughter] >> but no, congratulations. >> Yes. >> Um >> I would be concerned if you all had maybe 10 or less than that. There's districts and some entities that have maybe five or not even that much. >> I I was going to ask you how we fare compared to other districts because we get a lot of bashing. Yes. >> And to know from an expert that not only are we doing well, we're
024doing very well. >> Yes, you're doing very well. And like I said, $1.3 million every day is not something that is to be taken lightly, but to have 35 days of that, that is very good. So, congratulations. >> Thank you. The next item, if you turn over, [clears throat] is the independent auditor's report on compliance for each major federal and state program. This is what is otherwise known as the single audit. From what we have reviewed and we have tested, United ISD has again earned an unmodified opinion. Congratulations once again. >> Once again, >> thank you. Thank you. Yes, I'm sorry I skipped over. There's an independent auditor's report on internal control over financial reporting. This is based on the internal controls that that we have reviewed with the district. We do not form an
025opinion on this and we do not provide we do not form an opinion on the effectiveness of these internal controls but from what we have reviewed and we have detested we have found no instances of non-compliance. So congratulations on that as well. >> Very good job. >> No instances of non-compliance. >> Non-compliance. Correct. Yes ma'am. You all have >> we're we're accused of a lot of non-compliances. You all have a very good finance team here. Uh your administration, they're very knowledgeable and they have provided us with the information that we have requested. Uh it makes our job easier and it just shows that you all have things in order and are doing things uh very well. So congratulations on that. Keep up the good work. >> Thank you. >> And then for the record, this
026is available to the public, correct? So for people who are accusing us of >> not being um financially responsible, for people who are accusing us of doing things, shady things that we're not supposed to be doing, right here from an expert for the public to read, not only are we doing good, we're doing great. So thank you, sir. I'm sorry you're caught in the cross. >> And for the record, you are you're an independent auditor, correct? And you do many audits across the state of Texas. >> We we are we're not affiliated with the with the district. We just are we provide an opinion. If you all were doing a bad job, we would put there a modified opinion with any findings or anything like that. >> And could you for the record give the
027credentials of those who who um put this report together and investigated the district and asked all the questions and looked at all the documents, the credentials of some of the people involved in this? >> Yes, ma'am. That would be that would be my firm. I am the principal owner now of Kos and Associates which was formerly owned by Mr. Carlos Kos CPA. I am a CPA and I have a team of of accountants that work with me that have a range of between 10 10 years to two years on some of them but they are very thoroughly trained. We get annual trainings and we have done many audits with many districts, many governments, uh, local entities and we have seen a lot and there have been times that we have found stuff and we have
028reported it. So >> not for United, >> just for the record. Yes. Yeah. >> Any have we found anything that was deemed maybe a lot of times we see in entities where there's POS that are issued after an invoice is received which goes against your policies. We put that in the management comment letter. The management comment letter was clean. There was nothing there. We issued that as well. So congratulations on that for not even making anything appear on the management comment letter. So I I just want to say I I thoroughly went through this report. It's very well composed. Um the notes on here, absolutely everything. There is nothing missing. Every budget item, every uh GL, everything is in here. It's very well composed. I commend your your group for facilitating this report and working
029in conjunction with our financial team, which takes hard work. It's not an 8 to5 job to produce this report. It's not an 8 to5 job to continue to facilitate the items listed on here and to compose this and the entirety of this. This is just a summary >> of of the book that you all put together and analyzed for our district. I commend you and our financial team, Miss Lida, Mr. Sam and absolutely everyone that worked on this from every single department within our district. It's not just the finance team. It's absolutely everyone. Uh operations, facilities, everyone. It I see everyone here in the audience. Maybe some are missing. However, round of applause for you for completing this. Please stand and be recognized because I mean [applause] it >> to do this is Not easy.
030Please stand. All UISD administration, everyone, every department, every every single department within our district from federal programs, from from uh Miss Ramirez, I see you up there. uh Miss Judy Garcia, absolutely everyone, you all contributed to this report and I commend you for helping facilitate this because now we can produce this and publish it publicly. >> Yes. >> Thank you, ma'am. One more thing, since you mentioned the the quality of the report, I'd also like to point out that United ISD has the certificate of achievement for the GFOA, which is the government finance officers association that reviews the report and how it has been prepared and presented and they have gotten that certificate for how many years or so? >> For about 26 years. >> 26 years. Congratulations. that is past administration working with the
031current administration and the following administration to get this done. Congratulations to you. We have a lot of work to do >> and we're still going to continue that very tough work, but this this right here solidifies how hard we work for our students, our teachers, our community. Thank you, Dr. Cruz. Thank you to your entire team. >> Thank you. Awesome. >> Um, could you show the public since we're showcasing all the hard work that um, our department heads and finance team just so the public can see the booklet that was provided to the board. It's a very intensive booklet. It's not just this. It's so the public can see. It's a lot of I'm pretty sure they do stay up late. Um, and it'll be posted on the web for everybody to see. Um and
032just this was for last year, correct? >> For the for the year ended August 30th. >> For the year ending. Perfect. Okay. Thank you. Congratulations, guys. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you for your pres. We like good news. >> It's always a pleasure to work with you all and you all as board. >> Congratulations again on your recognition as appreciate it. >> Thank you for the record. Michelle present. So sorry. Yes. Okay. >> All right. Moving on. Agenda. >> We do need a motion to approve. >> I'm sorry. >> We do need a motion. Motion. Yes, we have a motion. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? None heard. >>
033Thank you for joining us for this. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Now, moving on to agenda item six, consent agenda items. Do I have a motion for approval? >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. >> Any discussion? >> Yes. I'd just like to pull uh the monthly dispersements. >> You could just make your comments. We don't need to Second for comment. So >> yeah, we have a second. I think we have a motion in a second, right? >> That is correct. >> Not for discussion. >> Oh yeah, we can have. >> Yeah, that's fine. >> We can have discussion, right, for that one and wellness days. >> That's fine. >> Yeah, we we can discuss right now. There's a motion. >> So just for monthly disper dispersements
034really quick. Um I do know I was provided and the board as well with some expenditures. Um Mr. Mayota is not here today, but we were um in a meeting this last week at Alexander and looking at the monthly dispersements. Uh we are still engaging in a lot of food. Um that's not necessary really. Um I know we paid some subscriptions for pictures and right now I'm just going to ask again, right? Um I've been asking every month to just I know now the process is a little bit um lengthier. It's taking time to get um things approved, which is very good. Um but I'm just going to ask that we be mindful because if we do have money for these monthly subscriptions, we should have money to ensure that the needs of our campuses
035are are met for safety and security. So just again, I know uh costing measures have been implemented. Again, I asked for it in August of last year. would really like to see um included with the monthly dispersements exactly what cost-saving measures were were um taking action on because I am still seeing a lot of food um in that >> I'll just make a comment cost savings measures do not fall into dispersements because they're proactive and we have our team that's working on when events come up they are seeking sponsorships to pay for our events and to continue that morale throughout the entire district that don't fall into dispersements. So, I want you to be careful when you're asking that specific question. >> Um, well, the dispersements are dispersements and everything's tied up. But, if we
036can just please um ensure that I know again I thank you all. It's getting harder. I can I hear it right? So, you all are paying more attention into that. Uh but if please if there's any request for safety and security for our campuses if we could pre please prioritize that. I >> I don't think safety and security has been compromised in any way, shape or form through our security officers and through our police officers. I know Mr. Mike got us here and that safety responsibility relies uh under him. But I can tell you that we still lead in the state with a police officer in every school. More so at the high school level with more than just one police officer. Therefore, even including security guards and we have an additional security guard at
037every single campus. That has not been compromised. That has not been cut in any way, shape or form. Mr. You have the podium. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you so much. I just want to reassure the public that in no time and no uh option of have there ever been a denial of anything for safety and security. As a matter of fact, >> you know, of course I am, we keep going to all kinds of requests. >> Uh we've maximized our grants. We've maximized the additional funding. Um there has never been a request that we've denied. Now, but campus is requesting something. We may not know about it. Uh but I guarantee you we're engaged in discussions and uh we we're making sure that that everybody gets what they need. >> Yes. And I'll
038get with you. I don't want to put any, you know, vulnerability in any campus, but I will get with you and the superintendent in regards to that. >> Yes, ma'am. If there's anything that needs to be uh requested or asked for, let us know and we we'll get on top of it for sure. >> And Mr. Ga, I appreciate the due diligence and providing the safety security to our campuses and every event within the district. I appreciate that >> and I do want to applaud all of you because we are the leaders of of every single safety thing you could think of. Um, everybody comes to us to ask us how we do things. So, >> so good job. >> And [music] we've applied for grants that other school districts have not applied for and
039we've implemented within our campuses and facilities items that other school districts have not implemented. And we we stand by that standard and we continue to do so and apply for more grants to continue to to improve upon what we already have and we are setting a very high standard when it comes to security. So, thank you. >> Okay. So, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Well, I actually Oh, >> you have one more, right? >> Yes. I mean, I don't know. Legal of you can guide me in this. I uh do approve of letters A, B, C, D, F, just not E. I have my own opinion on it. I don't know. I don't want to raise my hand
040and consent to approve to all of them if I don't um >> that that'll be noted in the minutes. >> I I would like to second uh the discussion on letter E if that's okay. >> We can discuss E. If Madam Chair, what what are your concerns? >> My concern is just that um looking into that I know that it's going to save the district money and my opinion I can have my own personal opinion. The way I read the data is that it's just a short-term fix on this. Um I do know that there are a lot of employees who haven't used our wellness days, right? There's the majority of it have the four. And while I understand the reason behind why maybe the district is taking this um initiative right in um implementing
041a little bit more restrictive uh matters in that I just can't support it. I do think that um there's other ways around it. Um maybe put, you know, instead of having them roll over, just have two days uh per year and if they don't use them within that year, they um expire, but I mean it's already set in stone. So, um is it going to save money? Yeah, it may save money, but we don't know if these teachers and employees are actually going to take their days. So >> well we're we're not taking away any wellness days. So we are you know we are extending that um and they will roll over. Um it's a matter of make ensuring that all these wellness days because the current resolution states that there is no roll over.
042So what the amendment is that they will continue to roll over. So that way during the spring semester those individuals particularly teachers when it comes to cost of a substitute teacher it's anywhere about 100 to120 $25 a day. So, you know, we did the math. You know, we have uh so many teachers who may be taking all of these wellness days in one day. That's going to really increase our substitute to pay. But Mr. Canalis can provide more insight into the costs and I believe the cost where we it was a part of our the board workshop. It's not a one time just to make sure it's part of your response, Mr. Canales. It's not a one-time fix. It's a reoccurring savings. And we've discussed this multiple times within small group settings throughout several months.
043And so please your response. >> So so what the pattern that we've been seeing there it's a threeprong thing that we're trying to work on. One, you all as a board voted that we wanted to make sure that we we allowed our staff to have mental health days, wellness days. And so if you don't vote on this, then what's going to happen is they'll lose them at the end of their contract period. And as I had shared with you, I'll just give you a big number here. Out of the 6,292 full-time employees, we have about 5,146 that have at least four to three days they haven't used. >> Majority have not even used that one day. >> Right. >> Okay. So, you know, to honor your request, we wanted to make sure that they didn't
044lose them. >> Correct. >> Second item was Yes. is a cost saving for us if we extend that cost over a period of time. If we roll them over and if they choose to let you use them down the road, well, then we're not paying it all at once. We can then pay over time, >> you know. So, that was another reason we wanted to do that. And so, we wanted to make sure that when we brought it to you, we gave you those options. Now, you know, if you as a board choose [snorts] down the road, you can definitely bring it next year in a new resolution where you can then say, "Well, at this point, we want to do away with them and get rid of them for the following year and you
045have to use them two or whatever it is you have left." You're welcome to do that at that time. >> But this year, we're just asking to move them along. We're basically moving them along. >> Just extending it. You're extending it. Nothing's set in stone. >> And so, just to be clear, the reason this came up is because we value our teachers and their mental health >> and given them that opportunity because we know that there's times where they need to take a break too. It's okay to take a break and get right back into the game and so we provided this collectively as a board to support our teachers and we will continue to do so. I appreciate the discussion >> and I want to remind this board that when we started this, this
046was a pilot program. >> Correct. >> And when we came back this year, we still said it was a pilot program because we didn't have enough data to show that it was working or not working. >> It's evolving. >> Yeah. It's evolving. >> Yeah. >> And and you know what, and this just shows you our our teachers are very dedicated to >> this is why we're a 6A district. >> This is for them. Yes. Yes. And we're not going to take That's a benefit to our teachers. >> We're not going to harm our teachers in the process of saving money. Let's just put it that way. >> And this is this is just a testament of the fact of how much our teachers love their jobs and what they do and they have a heart
047for it and we're going to nurture that. So, I appreciate >> Okay. So, I'm going to go ahead and call the question all. So, Mrs. Martinez had a request if she could pull one item to vote on the rest of the consent agenda items. For example, she wants she wants to potentially pull out the wellness days. Board policy board policy be local does allow a trustee individually to pull an item for individual consideration. So would you like I pulled? Okay. So I would recommend that the board make a motion to approve all items. >> That's what I was going to say. I was going to Let's do it this way. So motion to approve agenda items A through G with the leaving out agenda item >> six E. All those in favor, please signify by
048saying I. Second. I mean, sorry. >> Second. >> I need a motion. >> Motion. >> I need a second. >> Second. >> I need All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> All those against. >> Motion. Right now. >> Okay. Motion passes. >> Okay. And I I would like to note something for the record, too, regarding item G, the task B26 update. We have pulled BED local, DGBA, FNG, and GF for individual consideration to discuss and close with potential action and open. So, >> okay. So, do we need to exclude G? Oh, we're good. >> No, we're good. I just want that not for the record. >> Motion to approve agenda item 6E. I need a motion. >> Motion to approve. I need a second. >> Second for discussion. >> All
049those in fa you want discussion. >> Just a quick question. I think there's a confusion on on >> will second his motion to discuss. >> Just son if if the next year are they getting two more roll over uh two more days and and that's where you know we're doing this. Can you answer that? >> I I I don't make those decisions. It would be >> so for us board for me >> we're doing it year by year. >> Yeah. So that's what I want to explain. There's a confusion. So next year we can come back. >> So I want the public and the teachers to know that we're supporting them. But it's something that we're going to do as we go. Right. So >> it's evolving. It's it's evolving. And Miss Martina said it
050was set in stone. It's not set in stone. We are just extending it. That's all we're doing. >> Bring this item up again for approval in the next year. So I'm going to call for the question. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. >> I. All those opposed. >> One opposed. For the record. >> Uh, for the record, I >> Martinez for the record. Okay, moving on. Agenda item seven. Um, items for individual consideration. Agenda item 7A, approval of donations. >> Yes, we have a donation by the UHS Lady Longhorn basketball booster in the amount of 9,243 and 98 cents to go towards the United High School Lady Longhorn Basketball Program. A donation by the United school baseball booster in the amount of 4,825 and59 cents to go towards equipment for United
051High School Baseball Club organization a donation by Steven Troutman in the amount of $500 Able City $1,000 Kenneth Balls $5,000 South Florida Family Clinic $500 and Modern Machine $350 a donated a total of $2,850 to the McKenna Vento and Migrant program a donation by the Texican Cattle Women Association amount of 23 37 to go towards United High School FFA. A donation by the UHS baseball booster in the amount of 2,250 to go towards UHS senior scholarships and any equipment needed. A donation by Lang Decker Construction of Lang Decker Construction of Texas incorporating the amount of $2,50 for the central office Christmas lunchon. a donation by Borchers PTC booster club in the amount of 1,869 and8 cents for Charles Borcher's elementary school expenses and student incentives. We had seven donations under $1,000 for a grand total
052of 28,3865. >> Uh thank you doctor. Is there a motion to approve donations incentive? >> Second. >> Motion a second. Is there any discussion with donations? >> All those in favor? I >> I >> Any opposed? None opposed. Motion passes. >> B [snorts] 7B. >> Correct. I think so. Yeah. Approval of board minutes for the months of October and November 2025. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion in a second. Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> I. >> All those opposed. An opposed motion passes. that received request from board members in reference to use a board of trustes discretionary funds for various campuses and departments. >> It's recommended discretionary funds be approved as presented in the supporting documentation. >> Motion to approve. >> Yes. >> Second motion a second. Any discussion on
053the discretionary funds approval? >> No sir. >> All in favor? I >> I. >> Any opposed? No opposed. Motion passes. Thank you. >> Letter D. We did that already and we're skip to E. Approval of electronic scoreboard replacement and related lease agreement and sponsorship agreement. >> Yes, we do have an updated quote for the Dtronic scoreboard. We have Mr. Roberto Cruz, athletic director who provide more details. >> Good evening board members. At the most recent workshop, we uh submitted a plan to you on on replacing the scoreboard here at the student activity complex. Uh as you know, it is 16 years old and and it has been failing over the past few years. We presented a plan uh and how to self-fund it through advertising and sponsorships. Uh at that time we presented a quote
054and I believe the board asked as asked me to come back uh to with an updated quote and to uh to look into the extended warranty to protect our investment and so we before you I think the it was handed out to you already. Um we we are adding we are adding uh an additional extended warranty. The standard warranty for a board of this nature is five years on parts, two years on labor. But to protect our investment, u I we went and sought an additional three years on the labor so that we can protect our board fully covered parts and labor for the for for five years. Uh thatronics has also indicated that at the end of those five years, we have the option to uh to uh renew for an additional three uh
055because most boards are are insured under warranty for up to for up to eight years. So before you the most recent updated quote um as as we stated at the at the workshop, uh this is potentially uh self-funded. Uh our our annual payments uh our annual payments are 177,330 $337 per year for five years. First five years go to directly to Dtronics to pay off uh through sponsorships. At the end of those five years, UISD buys uh gets out of that lease for $1 and then we own the board completely. And then for the next after that, we secure more sponsorships. So the board can the the scoreboard can potentially earn sponsorships and generate revenue in years 5 through 10 12. Our current board has lasted 16 years. It's done it's done a great job
056for us over 16 years. And uh it it is it is time time to replace it. And most districts uh because of the the climate and the times that we're in right now and bonds are not being passed are are seeking uh this this leasing and sponsorship opportunity. So before you you have a fully updated exact precise uh quote >> motion to approve >> motion and a second. I just want to say I I I saw your presentation in full and I really appreciate how thorough you were and the due diligence of producing everything uh and really prolonging this for many years and doing what you had to do with our other departments and budget and Sam finding the money know I don't know how you found it but you found it throughout the years
057and I know I I know how how how Mr. grew here can be, you know, about asking for things. You guys did it for our kids. You know, you prolonged this for many years. I appreciate that. >> And trust me, I mean, it's it's not just to showcase our athletics kids, but it's to showcase case anybody, anything, band, any activity, >> all we just had the fine arts had their uh their showcase there and and our bands uh we hosted the area and I mean, we just it's to showcase our kids. Um And a lot of districts are taking advantage of this opportunity. 10 years ago, this opportunity wasn't here. Um, and and we had to purchase that board up front. And this year, because of of what's going on, >> and we know how
058much our community has come up here to this podium where you're standing to advocate for sports and for our kids and everything has to do with it. So, trust me, when it comes to our kids, we we got to do it. So, so you have my vote. Again, this is we we're going to have to hustle over the next six, seven months and secure these sponsorships. But after tonight, we we've already begun intended to do that. >> We've done it before and I have no doubt you're going to do it again along with our finance team. So, I appreciate that. >> And coach Cruz, I just want to reiterate that what you said, this is it's going to be selffunded, right? And so, I just want the public to know also um leaving out of
059town, we see these high schools massive amazing um what are they called? Uh >> everything >> uh >> and their stadiums HD >> and I just want to remind the public that the reason why we've have felt um fell behind so many years with our athletics is because athletics was not included in the last bond. know we're just playing catchup and I and I really do appreciate um >> you really advocating for this department because like you said your department yes it's athletics but that sack services so much more our special ed Olympics the yap so I really do appreciate all the hard work that you've put into and uh really looking forward to all the sponsors I know there's already people who want first dibs on it. >> And and and and there's I'd
060like to back up by saying, you know, in athletics, we always talk about teamwork, right? And so there's an amazing team behind me. >> That's right. >> And and trust me, they cringe whenever I go to them or whenever I call them, they look at it and they're just like, "Oh my god, he's gonna, you know, but and you're right, you know, we we've been playing catchup because uh because of certain things and and the community at every football game, it's like, "Hey coach, when are we going to get a board?" And hey, coach, I was in Westico and they have a really nice light show. when are we going to get those lights? And I always tell them, >> our board is starting to fade. What's going on? >> And I always tell them,
061let let me talk to important people over here. Let me talk to seven important people up here. And and uh we're going to catch up for your support. >> Let's call for the question, please. >> I just want to make sure because I did give that concern. You know, there's a lot of rumor about closing schools. Why are you all going to support this? We support this because again, athletics has, you know, they're behind. So, thank you again. and and and we understand as as ADS at our at our regional ads meeting. We had one today. Uh unfortunately I was unable to attend in San Antonio, but all we talk about is how are we going to get past this time and and electronics has has provided the opportunity uh for for for this for
062us to go forward on this and fund it and selfunded >> selfunded job. Thank you. Thank you for your support. >> Thank you. >> Any other discussion or comments? All those in favor? >> I. >> Any oppos? >> Congratulations, Coach G. >> Congratulations. >> Motion passes. >> Letter F, approval of memorandum of understanding between the city of Laredo Police Department and UISD relating to the LPD drone first responder. Second. >> We have a motion. Second. [clears throat] Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. That agenda item eight is close session. Time is currently 7:05 p.m. in accordance with Texas government code sections 551.071 and 551.076. The board will discuss items 8A and 8B. No action will be taken in close session. All right. Agenda item nine, open session. board
063has reconvened from close session and we are now in open session. Time is 8:01 p.m. For the record, no action was taken in close session. Agenda item 9A discussion possible action regarding revisions to board policies beed local, DEA local, DGA local, DGBA local, FNG local, and GF local. >> Yes, Mr. The recommendation is to approve uh the revisions to board policies be DEA DGA DGBA and FNG NGF all local policies as discussed in close session. >> So move >> second >> motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> I. >> Any opposed? None opposed? Motion passes. Agenda item 10 would be adjournment. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion second. Time is 802. >> All those in favor? I >> I >> opposed. We are journ. Thank you very much.
064Good evening. >> Thank you.