001All right. All right. Good evening, board members, Dr. produce district staff, members of the USD community. The time is 6:02 p.m. This is the 17th day of December, 2025, and I call this regular board meeting of the United Independent School District trustees to order. May the trustees present please announce their name for the record. >> Rudy Gonzalez, present. Gilbert, present. >> Michelle Bolina, present. >> Alisa Flores, present. Ravino is the third present. >> Mayo present. Uh let the record show that a quorum of board members is present that this meeting has been duly called and that this notice that notice of this meeting has been posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. Agenda item number two, pledge of allegiance and Texas Texas pledge. Will everyone please rise? >> Pledge allegiance to the flag
002of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one indivisible. >> Thank you. >> Agenda item number three, recognitions. Uh this is the uh agenda item where we recognize uh our different uh programs throughout the district. And so we will uh move move the table back and uh prepare for our recognitions. >> [clears throat] >> Good evening, parents, teachers, students, and community members. It is with great pride that we would like to acknowledge United ISD scholars that have contributed to their campus scores tonight, including the accountability rating. These students have excelled in their studies while enrolled in our high schools, and they truly exemplify
003scholarship and academic excellence. These students have taken the College Board's advanced placement exams, rigorous college level content specific assessments, which various colleges and universities consider in awarding credit or advanced placement. There are three distinctions. Uh college board distin design designates them by AP scholar which means that they have received grades of three or higher on three or more exams. AP scholars with honor by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken [clears throat] and grades of three or higher on four or more of these exams. the dexination of AP scholar with distinction by earning an average grade of 3.5 on all AP exams taken and grades of three or higher on five or more of these exams. The first group of students are from United South High School. We have
004nine scholars. We have two with honor and one with distinction. Congratulations [applause] Again, congratulations to the United South High School AP Scholars, Principal Alvarez and her staff. >> [applause] >> The second group of students are from Alexander High School. We have 69 distinguished scholars. I'm sorry, 69 scholars. Uh we have several with honors. 10 with honors, 17 with distinction, and the rest are AP scholars. Congratulations, Principal Arisola and staff. >> [applause] >> Some of the scholars have graduated, so they were not able to attend because they're uh probably taking college courses or still heading home. Congratulations again. [applause] The third group of students are from LBJ High School. We have eight of them, one with distinction and one with honor. Congratulations to Principal Ortiz and his staff. >> [applause] >> And last but not least,
005from United High School, we have 123 scholars. >> [cheering] [cheering] >> 26 with distinction and 20 with honors. [applause] >> Congratulations, Principal Salisad and her staff. >> [clears throat] >> I'll be next. Again, congratulations to United High School. Congratulations to our AP scholars. Gia, Gia, Diaford. [applause] Good evening, members of the board, Dr. Cruz, members of the audience, Rebecca Morales, associate superintendent for district administration and student services. For the record, it is with much appreciation that we present this next group of individuals. For years now, our web county constables have kept our campuses and our community safe from very early morning during the morning commute to the afterchool rush hour traffic day in and day out, rain or shine, they are present. And so on behalf of our board president, Javier Monttoayor, and in appreciation
006for your commitment and hours of dedication to our district and students, we want to say thank you. Web County Constable for precinct one, Wal Lupe Lupio Gomez, covering Amparo Gutierrez Elementary. Web County Constable for precinct 2, Miguel Mike Variel covering Santenno Art Prada, Bonnie Garcia and Salenas Elementary. and Webb County Constable for precinct 4, Rolando San Miguel, covering Nye, Colonel Santos, as well as United Middle, sixth grade, and United High School. Thank you once again from United ISD, our students, our staff, and our parents. Thank you. Good evening parents, teachers, students, administrators, and community members. Again, Mario Rosales, director of advanced academics and GT services. Tonight, we are proud to recognize Kimora Taylor from Colonel Santos Ben Avdas Elementary. We are thrilled to welcome Kimora Taylor into the 2025 National Masters Pathfinder program. The selection
007of these 271 students drawn from districts throughout our state showcase the remarkable talent present in classrooms across Texas, especially Colonel Santos Vimez Elementary. Launched in 2023, the National Math Stars identifies mathematically extraordinary second and third graders and provides long-term individualized support to help them and make the most of their talents. Applicants complete a multi-stage evaluation process that assess each student's mathematical aptitude, eagerness for deeper STEM exploration and the program's potential impact on their trajectory. Kamora's journey will provide more than $100,000 in educational support from the National Mass Stars program. The organization is committed to providing Kimora with a mentorship, enrichment, and other resources she needs to reach her full potential. Congratulations, Kimora. [applause] All right. Well, we get ready for the next recognition. I think we had in the audience also one of our commissioners,
008Ricky Haime, who is also very supportive of United ISD. Mr. Haime, thank you. Okay. United Independent School District proudly recognizes Andrea Gara, Dean of the Early College Academy at United High School for being named the 2026 Texas High School Assistant Principal of the Year by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principles. Representing Region One, Miss GarcA was selected following a rigorous statewide process and recognized for her outstanding leadership, instructional excellence, and commitment to public education. As the state winner, she will now represent Texas as a nominee for the National Assistant Principal of the Year Award. Miss Garza is widely respected for her impact on student outcomes and strong partnerships with our staff, students, and families. Her leadership has earned her her numerous awards throughout her career and reflects the very best of United ISD. We
009are incredibly proud of Miss Garca and congratulate her on this well-deserved honor which brings distinction to United High School, United ISD, and the greater Laredo community. Now, joining us at this time, we have TA TASSP executive director, Dr. Billy Pringle, who is joining us from Austin this evening. [applause] Thank you. Members of the board of trustees, Superintendent Cruz, it's truly an honor for me to be here this evening representing over 6,000 secondary school principles and assistant principles in Texas to recognize Andrea Garza, assistant principal at UHS. Last June, Miss Garza was selected by her peers as the TASSP region 1 high school assistant principal of the year. And in November, the TASSP principal image committee selected Miss Garza as the TASSP state high school assistant principal of the year for 2026. She has distinguished herself
010as a leader among secondary school administrators in Texas and this award is indicative of her contributions to the success of United High School and United ISD. She's a highly respected member of our associ association. If you'll bear with me just couple of couple of minutes here. As executive director for TSSP, I don't get to participate in the selection process for the for this award, but I take the liberty of reading the applications that have been submitted. And I'm always interested in reading about the wonderful things assistant principles are doing to help their students succeed. As I read the letters of recommendations submitted on her behalf, a central theme became very evident. a theme based on what I call the three C's of leadership in education. Care, compassion, and commitment for all students. So, here's just
011a few of the outstanding comments from recommendations submitted on behalf of of Miss Garza. Executive Director for High School instruction, Melissa Cruz, stated, "One of Miss Garza's biggest assets is her remarkable ability to work positively and effectively with parents." UHS principal Jessica Salazar had this to say. "Miss Garza possesses leadership qualities that are truly exceptional. She's a positive individual who consistently finds the good in people and every situation." United High School English teacher Natalie Pon said, "Miss Garza embodies the qualities that define an outstanding assistant principal and leads with her heart and mind. Her ability to connect with students, support teachers, and lead with compassion make her an invaluable asset to our school." And last, but not least, a student from United High School said this, "Miss Garza has been amazing at creating fun and
012immersive experiences as dean of the early college um at United High School. She's provided all students great leadership opportunities, and we're privileged to have her serve as the dean for the early college. So, Andrea, for your care, compassion, and commitment, please accept this plaque, which reads, "Her willingness to take risks to help students, her ability to anticipate and solve problems, and her success in improving the school's learning environment." Do we have the plaque? There it is right there. I also congratulations >> [applause] >> Andrea will be honored in Washington DC in April at the NASSP um leadership conference and uh she will be in contention for assistant principal for the entire United States uh for high school. We're proud of her for that. [applause] She'll also be recognized at the summer workshop for TASSP at
013the Joinsson's Not of the Stars and also at our summer workshop. And we're just uh extremely proud of her. Congratulations again for being selected as the TASSP High School assistant principal of the year. Thank you for allowing me to be here this evening. [applause] >> Thank you. if we could have her principal, Miss Alasad, and her administrative colleagues joining Miss Gara on stage. Again, extremely proud of you, Miss Gara. Way to represent United ISD and United High School. >> [applause] >> Good evening board members, Dr. Cruz, members of the audience. For the record, my name is Bobby Cruz, director of athletics. Uh tonight, we are proud to recognize uh for fall our fall sports, our final team standing in fall sports. They had a great season. Again, we'd like to congratulate in football the United
014High School Longhorn football team. [cheering] [applause] The Longhorns had another amazing season, finishing as by district champions, area champions, and regional semi-finalists as one of the top 16 teams in the state with an overall record of 10 and three. Congratulations on a stellar season. Head coach David Sanchez and is also accompanied by his hardworking staff. Proud principal, Miss Jessica Salasar. [applause] [cheering] As the team gets uh settled for their team picture, would like to take a moment to uh also congratulate and recognize Miss Andrea Gara from UISD athletics and our our coaches and our athletes. Not a lot of people know this, but we're super proud of you as a former head coach yourself. Wait, wait, wait, wait. [cheering and applause] Thank you. That was Doing Oh, they do need one more. >> Do Okay.
015Agenda item number four, public comments. Uh yes, Mr. President. One uh individual signed up for public comments uh calling on Air Alahad and it's to discuss educator code of ethics. >> Good afternoon. Good evening. >> Good evening board of trustees, superintendent and audience. I'm here to speak about an ongoing issue involving a Sanosedro school counselor and conduct that raises serious concerns and under the Texas educators code of cond code of ethics. This is a this is not a personal conflict or a disagreement in a tone. It's an issue of professional conduct, ethical boundaries and accountability. Under standard 1.3, educators are required to be respectful and must not engage in conduct that harms others. Standard 1.7 prohibits false or misleading statements about parents. Standard 1.9 prohibits the abuse of professional position to harm others. These standards
016exist to protect students, families, and the integrity of the schools. I previously appeared before you during level three grievance in August. At that time, I raised serious concerns but couldn't fully support them with any documentation. Not because the evidence did the evidence didn't exist, but because once a grievance is filed, access to records effectively stops. Oper Records requests were delayed and the district represented that to the attorney general that I was in litigation even though that was not true. That placed me as a parent at a clear disadvantage. Even after level three concluded, records were still not being released despite direction from the attorney general. I had to follow up repeatedly before responsive emails were finally released in October. These emails revealed uh conduct that should concern this board. They included name calling, personal remarks,
017and mischaracterizations made about me by a licensed school counselor. The remarks included commented about my face, my mental status, family's personal matters documented and distributed through official district emails to multiple employees. I had to file another grievance. And during level one, I was told these comments were made for educational purposes. Before any decision is being made, I'm asking for a clear on there explanation of how comments about parents face, mental status, or family matters can reasonably be considered educational. These comments do not uh relate to curriculum, instruction, student services, or any educa or or my children educational needs. Reclassifying personal attacks as educational documentation doesn't make them ethical. It excuses conduct. and excuses conduct of code of ethics clearly prohibits. When standards adopted by the board are not being enforced, this is the outcome. A
018school counselor becomes comfortable making derogatory remarks about a parent, documenting them, sharing them internally without concerns for any consequences. That level of comfort only exists when accountability is absent. So I raised these concerns with the expectation that they will be addressed and in alignment with the ethical standards overseen by the state board of educator for educator certification. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Just for the [clears throat] record, uh any concerns or complaints regarding individual employees, students or parents must be resolved through the appropriate complaint process as stated in board policy B local. Uh number five,formational items. Oh, and for the record, we have a board member. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Miss Martinez is present. Uh, for the record, agent admin five, uh, superintendent report. >> Yes. So, good
019evening, members of the board and members of the audience. Our high school campuses have successfully concluded the December administration of the end of course assessments, and I am pleased to report that the testing environment was conducive and ran smoothly across all high schools. Our campus and district teams ensured that all testing environments adhered to strictly state guidelines, providing minimal distractions for our students. A special thank you to all administrators, teachers, and staff who managed the logistics and supported our students during this crucial testing window. While assessment is essential is it is merely one component of our educational mission. I want to reassure the board that the district remains steadfast in its commitment to providing highquality instruction across all grade levels and content areas. High quality engaging instruction is a foundation of student success and it
020will remain our top priority as we move into the spring semester. The fall semester was exceptionally productive, marked by significant achievements in academic, sexual critical activities and community engagement. We are eagerly looking forward to the spring semester and the opportunities it presents for continued growth and achievement. In the spirit of transparent and collaborative governance, uh we will begin more in-depth discussions with the board of trustees regarding finances in the upcoming spring semester. These discussions will cover the prel pre preliminary budget outlook for the next fiscal year, detailed expenditure reviews, and long-term financial planning strategies. My goal is to provide the goal to provide the board with comprehensive information to make fiscally sound decisions that directly support our district's mission and strategic objectives. As the fall semester concludes and we approach the holiday season, I extend
021my warmest season greetings to the entire United ISD community, our exceptional students, devoted staff, and supportive parents, and dedicated board of trustees. This is a time for rest, reflection, and connection with loved ones. I wish everyone a joyous, safe, and peaceful holiday break. We look forward to welcoming our students and staff back, refreshed, and ready for a successful spring semester. This concludes my report. >> Thank you. Any questions for uh Dr. approves. >> No. >> Agenda item number six, consent agenda. Do I have a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion to approve A through H. Any further discussion? >> Yes. I'd like to put uh pull out letter C for individual um consideration. >> I'm sorry, which one? >> Uh letter C, monthly dispersements. >> Okay, we have a moment. >> I
022don't I don't think you need to pull it out. You just in discussion, you can just make your comments. >> Okay. Okay. >> Go ahead, Miss Martinez. You have some questions on letter C. >> Um yes. I'd just like to make a comment. I know we're going in in the break. The semester is already over. Uh but if I can just uh you know, my microphone, this chair is so short. Um but if I could just say, you know, when we come back, if we can just please uh really really stop with the wasteful spending with the purchase of um food during meetings. We need to cut that. um our campuses are feeling it and uh we are at 13 million in the red. So if we can just I know we are being proactive
023and I know Dr. Cruz, you just mentioned you're going to be letting us know. Uh but again, you know, asking administration to just please anytime you want to make a purchase or any event or anything to just really think about that because um as I've been seeing in the news um across the state, schools are closing and it's because of deficits. So, it's going to come to us sooner or later. And I think that we just really need to really keep an eye on what we're spending. I know finance is doing an amazing job with the reports and um just really asking everybody when we come back to really be careful with the spending. That's all I'd like to say. >> Got a motion in the second. All those in favor signify by saying I.
024>> I. >> Yes. We'll we'll relay that message, Miss Martinez, to our leadership. We have a leadership meeting in January. Um I think you know they have been very cooperative when we uh explained our financial situation and I myself have seen I it may not look like it but I have seen a reduction in some expenses that normally you know but we do provide the guidance on meals and uh but we will share that message with leadership >> and I think also traveling hold we've already we've already we've already passed a consent agenda. So, uh, >> it's a motion. Okay. You know, we're out we're a little out of order, so I need to move on just to keep it just to keep it in order. >> Agenda item number seven, items for individual consideration.
025A, approval of donations. Yes, we have donation by parent Mike Reyes from the Laredo Heat organization donated eight soccer balls and eight soccer nets valued at $2,000 for Malikoff Elementary PE department and a donation by Borchers PTC booster club in the amount of $1,485 and41 for school expenses and student incentives. We had five donations under $1,000 for a grand total of $4,73541. >> Motion for approval. >> Second. There's a motion to second to approve donations. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion carries. Approval of board minutes for the months of July, August, and September 2025. Is there a motion to approve? >> Correction. >> I do need to make a correction on the build. >> Oh, motion. >> Motion in a second. Discussion. >> I do need to
026make a make a correction for the August 20th, 2025 regular board meeting, which is found on page 244 of the board book awarding bids. Item 5B. The motions for the recommendations were made by trustee Michelle Molina and trustee Gilbert Aguilar. >> I'll amend my motion to include those corrections. >> As amended, >> there's a motion to motion and a second to approve subject to those amendments. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Motion carries. And C. Request from board members in reference to the use of board of trustee discretionary funds to raise campuses and departments. >> Yes. Um, Mr. Mod members of the board, Dr. Cruz, members of the audience, my Gasa for the record. Um, just the items that are a part of your board packet is
027for consideration for approval. >> Okay. Motion for approval. >> Second. >> Motion and a second for approval of the discretionary fund request. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Motion carries. Agenda item number eight. Close session. The time is 640. >> In accordance with the Texas government code sections 551.071, 072, and 074. The the board will discuss items 8 8 A through 8 C and no action will be taken in close session. We are in close session. You ready? >> Okay. Agenda item nine, open session. The board has reconvened from close session. We are now in open session. The time the time is 7:56 p.m. For the record, no action was taken in close session. Agenda number nine, possible action with respect to the resolution of United Independent School District
028dated October 21, 2025 with respect to the sale of Elastiendas 165 acre track. >> Uh yes, Mr. President, the recommendation on that item is to authorize legal counsel to proceed as discussed in close session. Is >> there a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion in a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Agenda item 9B. Motion passes. Agenda item 9B, possible action with respect to proceeding with the offer for the sale of Las Blancas track one and surrounding acreage and Laslanca subdivision subject to the resolution of the United Independent School District dated October 21st, 2025. >> Yes, Mr. President. The uh recommendation on that item is to authorize legal council to proceed as discussed in close session. Is >> there a motion to approve? >> There's
029a motion. Is there? There's a second. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I passes. >> Agenda item 9 C. Possible action regarding the appointment of assistant principal at Prada Elementary School. >> For the position of assistant principal at Parada Elementary School, I recommend Francisco Lada. >> Motion to approve. >> There's a motion and a second. Any further discussion. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Congratulations, Mr. L. >> And agenda item number 10, adjournment. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to second. >> All right. Motion to second. We are adjourned. Everybody have a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Happy holidays. Enjoy your party.