001All right. >> All right. Good evening board members, Dr. Ku, district staff. The time is 601. This is the 15th day of October, 2025, >> and I call this regular board meeting of the United Independent School District Board of Trustees to order. >> May the trustees please announce their presence for the record. >> Mr. Gonzalez, >> I'm sorry. Sorry. Rudy Gonzalez present present. Let the record show that a quorum of board members is present, that this meeting has been duly called, and that this that notice of this meeting has been posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. Will everyone please rise for the pledge of allegiance and the Texas pledge. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under
002God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I aliance to the Texas one state. >> Thank you. Agenda item number three, recognitions. Are we going to move? We're gonna do it. Okay. Go ahead. Well, first I would like to introduce a very special guest that we will have joining you on stage this evening. We have Miss Ganna Gonzalez. She's a fifth grader at Sanicedro Elementary. And this year we started a new initiative. It's it is uh called Superintendent for the Day where we selected one elementary student and one middle school student that shadowed Dr. Cruz and uh spent some time today in the superintendent's office as well as with the management team. And so she's here tonight to close out her day as serving as superintendent. And so we're very proud of her, very impressed
003with Ganna and of course welcome to her parents that are in the audience with us today as well and her principal, Miss Adamina Mesa. But again, congratulations Giana. You did exceptional and we're very proud of you. She's going to do great things and she's going to come back to her community, right, Janna? To serve as a surgeon or a doctor here. United ISD is very proud to recognize 341st District Judge Rebecca Becky Palommo for her remarkable dedication to our students, families, and community. Judge Palomo has long been a champion for youth engagement and civic education, creating opportunities for students to learn about the justice system in meaningful and inspiring ways through initiatives such as the color of justice and courts and schools. She has opened doors for students to explore careers in law law and
004understand the importance of fairness, service, and integrity. Most recently, her learn to earn community hours program has provided students with valuable real world experiences while allowing them to witness the justice system in action. Judge Palomo's continued commitment to empowering young people exemplifies true community leadership and we are honored to recognize her contributions to the success and growth of our students at United ISD. Thank you very much, Judge Palmo. Okay, thank you for the for those two recognitions. Agenda item number four, public comments. >> Uh yes, Mr. President, we have uh two speakers. Um first speaker, Mr. David Vasquez. The second is this uh in reference to digital esports. Good afternoon, Mr. >> Good evening, members of the board, trustees, superintendent, and district administrators. My name is David Arvast second. I'm a senior here at United
005High School and the president of the United Esports Gaming Club. Tonight, I want to express my deepest gratitude for this board for placing the implementation of digital learning esports on the agenda for discussion and possible action. When I first served here a few weeks ago, I asked what students I asked that students who excel in strategy, teamwork, and digital problem solving be given the same recognition and opportunities as those who compete in traditional athletics. Tonight, vision stands just away from becoming a reality. I especially want to thank Miss the sponsoring board members, Miss Daniel Martinez, Mr. Gilbert Arguard Jr., Mr. Rodo Rudy Gonzalez Jr. for believing this initiative and helping you move from an idea to an action item. To our superintendent Dr. Cruz and district leadership, thank you for seeing programs like this build
006not just competitors but future leaders who are ready for college careers and a growing digital world. To Miss Jessica Salasad, the principal of United High School, thank you for giving me the autonomy and trust to go our club for always supporting our students. To Miss Claudia Gonzalez, director of career and technical education in U Thank you for recognizing how esports connects to technology, communication, and career readiness uh skills. To Bobby Cruz, our athletic director, thank you for helping us understand that esports has the power to be a UIL sanctioned sport with the same commitment to teamwork and discipline. To Miss Rebecca C. Morales, associate superintendent for district administration and student services. Thank you for ensuring students voices remain at the center of innovation. Mr. Dr. Joseph Marzo, associate and superintendent of administration and student and
007u operation services. We truly would not be standing here today without your support and guidance. This vote tonight represents more than just equipment, staffing or facilities. It represents an opportunity, an opportunity for students who think differently, who lead digitally and want to make their school and city proud through new global radio or competition. Once implemented, this initiative will position Larredo as a leader in South Texas. No matter the outcome though, I'm incredibly thankful for your consideration, for your willingness to listen, and for believing that our students are capable of greatness in every form. But I do hope tonight that this board takes the next step in making history for UISD, our city, and for generations of students who will follow. Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your support. >> Thank you. >> Uh
008second and final speaker is um >> his father, Mr. David Vosquez, good friend of mine. David, welcome. Ramito, thank you so much for your time uh for yielding the floor and to the board and Mr. Superintendent and to all the administrators and everybody um that has a passion and a love for our students across United Independent School District. Just want to thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. Um I'm here to support my son uh who's the president of the United Essports Gaming Club. It's really an initiative of his that I'm here. I mean, this is what, you know, every parent sort of dreams about. They dream about seeing their kid create an initiative, planting seeds, bearing fruit, trees that bear fruit or growing trees that bear fruit. And it's just I'm in awe
009of this gentleman that's right next to me, the young man that he's becoming. Uh but what I can see out of this program is that um the esports program that was um a part of the agenda tonight, whether it's tabled, whether it's voted on, whether it's it pushes forward, um given the workshop that happened uh last week, we can see that there's enthusiasm. We can see that there's um a support from this, not just from students, but from the parents. you all that have kids, the administrators that have kids, anybody that can see the power of esports and really sits down. It's not just video gaming. A lot of people will look at this as just video gaming, but it's really more than that. There's a lot of communication that happens. There's a lot of
010collaboration. There's a lot of technicality that goes goes on behind the scenes. And when you see these kids collaborate in this manner, it's just an exciting time. now put them in a competitive space, in a competitive arena, and you see that drive come out. You see that that willingness to win, that determination, that grit, right, that you you see on the football field, that you see on the basketball court and track, but you see this in a different form. And so today we came in support of esports uh not just esports learning but esports competition because it also opens another door for this community. It opens up an economic development driver. Uh a way to create uh careers, a way to create a new workforce, a way to bring in harness uh the power of
011technology, artificial intelligence, coding, and the list goes on and on. So tonight, again, I just want to thank you all for uh Rudy, thank you for putting it on the agenda. um to Miss Martinez and and to Gilbert. I know it's been a work in progress. Shout out to the uh administration as well. Mike, thank you for your guidance. We really do appreciate your words of support because all of that came it again, it was just community, right? You see that in the gaming world and then now it's just beautiful to see us all come together as a community in a positive way to push this forward for not just my son who will graduate uh God willing uh next year but will now uh leave a legacy and trees that will bear fruit for
012the next generation. So thank you for your time. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> One more speaker. Mr. One more. >> No more. Okay. Uh, agenda item fiveformational items, superintendent report. >> Yes. So, good evening, members of the board and members of the audience. Uh, this month the principal's advisory meeting was successfully held with campus principles in attendance. The focus of this meeting was to discuss current expectations and collaboratively collaboratively develop innovative solutions. We reviewed the current set of high leverage instructional protocols emphasizing the need for consistent implementation across all campuses to ensure high quality experiences. The financial landscape and current operational budget were reviewed highlighting areas of necessary fiscal responsibility. A review and discussion of existing emergency response plans and daily safety procedures was conducted. Emphasis was placed on ensuring all staff and students
013are trained and compliant with current visitor management plans and state safety audits. Principles were allowed to present and discuss most pressing issues impacting their schools. The advisory meeting was highly productive, establishing clear lines of communication and a shared understanding of both the district's vision and the operational realities of the campuses. A subsequent leadership meeting was held with campus principles and district department heads to align on strategic priorities and review key performance indicators. We analyze the most recent benchmark data and teacher walkthrough data emphasizing the need for dedicated time to prioritize instruction and teacher professional growth. Building upon the principles advisory discussion, we establish the immediate expectation for every campus and district department to implement cost-saving measures. These measures are designed to proactively address savings and ensure resources are directed toward core instructional needs. In addition,
014we discuss the competitive environment and the need for a unified strategy to retain and attract students as well as to increase student attendance. These two critical meetings have established clear and unified expectations and yielded valuable, valuable, actionable solutions developed collaboratively by the district's leadership team. We are committed to fiscal responsibility uncromising compromising safety and most importantly achieving significant gains in student achievement. This concludes my report. >> Thank you, sir. >> Agenda number six, uh entertain a motion to approve items A through E. >> So move >> second. >> There's a motion in a second. Any discussion on any of the items? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Motion passes. Agenda item number seven, approval of donations. the donations. Um, a donation by the Geog Group Foundation in the amount
015of $3,000 for Lynden B. Johnson High School scholarship account. A donation by A Texas in the amount of 1,500 for the Alexander High School robotics team. A donation by Brain W. Parks in the amount of 1,000 to go towards United ISD 4 for students golf tournament. A donation by Joe R. Cynthia Sanchez in the amount of 1,000 to go towards United ISD for our students golf tournament and a donation by the Imperial Bag and Paper in the amount of 1,000 to go towards United ISD for our students golf tournament. We had three donations under $1,000 for a total of $9,900. >> Motion for approval of donations. >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> I. Motion passes. Uh, agenda item number
016B, letter B, 7B, discussion, possible action regarding the implementation of digital learning esports, including evaluation of resources, facilities, staffing, and potential funding sources. I did get a call from uh board member Martinez on this and she's asking if the board would uh due to a family emergency that the board would table this for the following month. So, I make a motion to table. >> We've got a motion in a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor all those in favor to tableabling this to next month signified by saying I >> I motion passes item is tabled but thank you Mr. Vasquez and David thank you for >> thank you >> uh item C request from board members in reference to the use of board of trust trustees discretionary funds for various campuses and departments
017uh Mr. Mode members of the board Dr. Cruz. Members of the audience, there are no additional requests other than what's in your packet. >> Motion for approval. >> Second. >> Motion in a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Motion passes. Agenda item eight, close session. The time is currently 616 in accordance with the Texas Government Code section 551. 071. 072. 074 and 076. The board will discuss items 8A through 8D. No action will be taken in close session. Item number nine, open session. The board has reconvened from close session. We are now in open session. The time is 7:07. For the record, no action was taken in close session. Agenda item 9A, possible action on the resolution of the United Independent School District Board of Trustees on
018the Environmental Protection AY's continued enforcement of the 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding. Yeah, I'm here in case you have any uh questions, trustees. This resolution would just be in support of this 2009 rule which if rescended would have a uh scientific negative impact on the air quality nationwide, including obviously in the local community. >> Motion for approval. >> Second. >> There's motion in the second. Is this item going to be is this resolution going to be online for >> Yes, sir. It will be posted online. It is legally required to be posted online within seven days. >> All right. Thank you. >> There's a motion in the second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion passes. Agenda item 9B, possible action on the resolution of the United Independent School District Board
019of Trust Trustees, reaffirming the district's commitment to student enrollment, safety, and privacy. So, uh, similarly on this resolution, this is just reiterating the district's legal requirement to educate uh all students residing within its boundaries, regardless of their documented or undocumented status, and to reiterate the district's uh visitor policy for any any visitor to campus, including uh any immigration enforcement authority and student privacy. in motion for approval. >> There's a motion and a second. This is also going to be online, Mr. Garcia. >> That is correct. Yes, sir. >> They were also included in the back of materials as well. >> Sounds good. >> Perfect. >> Those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Motion passes. Agenda item 9 C possible action with respect to executing a resolution for the sale of property
020that is a 165 acre track of land wrapping the northwest corner of Lastias Road and Rancho Penita's road 2.5 2.5 miles north of the mines road and 7.5 miles northwest of loop 20 more particularly described indeed filed the record in volume 3121 page 193 and deed filed in volume 3121 page 174 four of the public records of Web County, Texas. >> Uh yes. The recommendation is to allow legal council to proceed as discussed in close session. >> Motion for approval. >> Second. >> There's a motion in a second. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Motion passes. Agenda item 9D, possible action with respect to executing a resolution for the sale of a residential lot described in described as 334 acre track of the western side
021of Valencia Avenue out of lot three, block two, not Independent School District, Santaita Elementary School, Plat Paro, Web County, Texas. >> Yes. The recommendation is to table this item. >> Motion for approval. >> Second. >> There's a motion in the second table. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor signify by saying I. I motion passes. Motion to table passes. Agenda item 9E possible action with respect to executing a resolution regarding the sale of real property described as as law 2A 3.13 acres block 1 unit 2 out of Las Blanca subdivision as well as a 16.8695 acre track out of track 6 unit 2 Laslanca subdivision. >> Uh yes, the recommendation is to authorize legal counsel to proceed as discussed in close session. Motion for approval. >> Second. >> There's a motion in the second.
022All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. The motion passes. Agenda item 9 F. There's a motion to table make. I make a motion to table this. >> Second. >> There's a motion in a second. Any further discussion. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion passes. Possible action regarding the appointment of director of grants administration. >> Regarding the appointment for the director of grants administration, I recommend Karina Mendoza. >> Motion for approval. >> Second. There's a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Motion passes. Agenda item 98. >> Congratulations. >> Possible action regarding the proposed termination of classroom teachers probationary contract and authorization to superintendent to send notice of the same to affected employee. >> Motion for approval. >> Second.
023>> We need a recommendation from the superintendent. >> Uh trustees, I'm recommending that you propose the termination of classroom teacher Dardo Gha Jr.'s probationary contract of employment for good cause and to authorize me to send notice to the affected employee of same. >> There's a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Got 41 abstension. Agenda item number 10. Motion passes. Agenda item number 10, adjournment. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> There's a motion in the second. All those in favor signify saying I. We're everybody enjoy your evening.