001Board members, staff, time is 6:00. Today's the 20th day of August, 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. Bruno Junior present. >> Michelle Bolina present. >> Alisa Flores present the third present. >> Danielle Martinez present President. Let the record show that a board members is present, that this meeting has been duly called and that notice of this meeting has been posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. Agenda number two, pledge of allegiance. Texas pledge. Everyone please rise. to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one indivisibley and justice for all the Texas flagis agenda item three public comments We have >> Yes, Mr.
002President. We have several in no particular order. Uh first, uh public comment. Uh Miss Leticia Huarees discussing district improvement plan. >> Good afternoon. Oh, good evening. for the afternoon. For the record, my name is Lindy Huarees. As you close out the 2425 school year, I ask, how many of the goals and objectives outlined in the district improvement plan approved by this board have actually been met? The community rarely receives a formal update detailing which goals were achieved, which objectives fell short, and what corrective actions are being taken. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for parents, educators, taxpayers to evaluate district progress and hold leadership accountable. For example, the the board approved plan acknowledges acknowledge certain challenges. The current one such as a such as a lack of instructional materials for tutorials and small groupoup
003instruction. Therefore, what instructional res resources were ultimately provided? Were there any additional personnel such as instructional aids or teachers assigned to support these tutorials? The district also acknowledged a rise in disruptive student behavior. What system of or program was implemented to address this ongoing issue and what impact has it had? Year after year, the district recycles the same strategies such as district leadership will support campuses, PLC's will target student progress, instructional coordinators will assist all campuses, CNI will create interventions, plans as needed. Yet, student outcomes, especially star performances, remain stagnant. If these strategies are not producing measurable results, what concrete changes has been made have been made? USD frequently refers to comprehensive progress monitoring, but in practice this has often meant more walkthroughs, more document documentation required from the teachers and increased pressure on start
004testing teachers. What the teachers really need is effective instructional support. The curriculum and instruction department must serve as a problem-solving body, not a source of added pressure. Having an endofthe-year public discussion on the status of the improvement plan will promote accountability, transparency, and measurable progress. Without honest reflection and pro and public reporting, we risk repeating the same cycle year after year after year without real change. Thank you very much. >> This individual is Mr. Excuse me. Victor Mbasquez on um budget 2025 2026. >> Hey, good evening. >> Good evening, sir. >> My name for the record is Victor Nasquez. So, let's talk about the the the budgets. I was looking the budget again and I found out that that we're going to start and ending 25 26 with the same amount of balance 77 million
005304 and some change and it's kind of weird that it showed no growth, right? So, we know what happened a a couple years ago with the budget for the that we had about $40 million in in the transportation office in the pro transportation department and they in September after you approve you had to take the money out and say it was a glitch and all this show, right? So remember last year budget you guys uh they approved they came out came out in December. You guys needed a maintenance note and and we had to go to a loan and and get almost between 15 to $17 million in total to do those projects. Right. So my point is um oh beside uh I don't remember seeing you guys voted for uh CRD to be part
006of the I don't think that it went to the board. I don't know how he shows in the document. He was the the cobar with Mr. what's her name? Deharina. So uh my point is that now I see you guys have a CSP 2000 uh no 002 2025 for construction again. So we noticed that we have a um we've been going in debt lately, right? You know it's about 30 or $32 million something like that. I think what uh Miss um La said just to quote on her um what happened with the money? Where is the money's going? Where is the money going? And my in my page I hear a lot about people well I guess employee complaining all the position that we created the over $74,000 up to 120 and people keep asking
007the same question. Where's the money? Where's the money for this and for that? It's always money for for construction and sometime you know the construction you know that the it's a it's a gate there because you can you can check you guys pay almost uh $1.3 million for 10 units right for 10 unit besides like in two years two years so three years ago in in we paid 1.8 8. So basically each unit right um this year it cost $130,000 per unit and I think it was in in 10 school one unit per school. It look how much money we spend. So the thing is uh also what happened with the United South Middle School is supposed to have the science lab renovated. Nobody say nothing about that. I'm just curious if it actually happened
008or not with that money. So, going back to the to the to the budget 2026 20 256. I think you guys didn't talk too much about it. I know they have a hearing today. Like you say, nobody's going to show up today like always. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker had sanro and grievance process. Good evening board members, superintendent crews and audience. My son said, "Mom, you got this." So here I am. I stand before you today to speak about something that too that too often goes unheard. Justice that occurs dur the injustice that occurs during grievance process. I need you to hear what this process feels like. Not from a policy paper, not from a report, but from a parent experience. When something wrong happened to my child at school, I believed
009in the system. I believed that the grievance process would be fair. I believe that people in charge would listen and I believe that justice matter here. Oh, was I wrong? From the moment I filed, it felt like doors began to close, question when an answered evidence went was brushed aside. My child pain was minimized and concerns as a parent were dismissed as overreacting or making trouble or oh, she's just another crazy parent. Instead of finding support, we found walls. Instead of compassion, we found defensiveness. Instead of justice, we found silence. When a parent files a grievance, it's because something deeply unfair has happened. You're hoping someone would listen, someone would care enough to make a right, but instead too often you're met with cold faces and a process that makes you feel small. You attend
010more meetings where words doesn't carry any weight. You're you're you bring evidence, but it's ignored. You tell your truth, but it gets twisted. And you wait for justice, but all you get is a cover up. And the worst part, you start to feel like you are the problem for even speaking up. This isn't just about rules and procedures. It's about our children. It's about every parent who loses asleep wondering if their child will be mistreated again. School should be a place where fairness lives, where our kids learn that justice is real, not just a word in a textbook. But where are we teaching them if a grievance or process itself is unjust? We're teaching them that power wins, that truth doesn't matter, that their voice means nothing, and it's all about who you know. And
011this is unacceptable. We need a a grievance process that does more than a check box. We need justice. And justice requires courage. Courage from leaders, you guys, the board members who are willing to listen with compassion, investigate with honesty, and decide with integrity. One where no child, no parent ever has to feel invisible, unheard, or punished for speaking the truth. I'm asking you, no, actually I'm pleading with you to change this. Be fair, transparent, and humane. Restore the trust instead of destroying it. Because my child deserves better. Our children deserve better. And I'll keep speaking up until the system remembers that school exists to protect students, not to protect themselves. Melissa, it was first to hear that someone can actually investigate themselves and find themselves not guilty. What a transparency. Board members, would you defend
012your children if you were in my shoes? Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Next speaker, Oscar Cavayo, and it's on RF RFP 030 2025 ME. Good morning. Uh, my name is Oscar Gedo. Uh, Dr. Bruce. Board members, I am here today in reference to the item RFP030-2025 on the mill. During uh last week's bond workshop, we were made aware that our competitor was recommended for the 25 26 school year on mill products. I am a former schoolboard member from WestD. During my two terms, I learned that sometimes the lowest price is not the best value. I believe that our company DFA Hyia Oak Farms true move are second to none. Let me share a couple of key points that make us different from our competitors. Number one, we have invested hundreds of thousands
013of dollars to get a partnership with Disney. Every three months we have a different theme including Star Wars, Mickey and Friends, Lilo and Stitch, The Incredibles, Marvel. These character characters on our milk products make the kids want to drink the milk and it also helps the food uh food nutrition department increase their participation. These uh characters also help the kids socialize with their peers. you know, comparing superheroes on their on their milk cartons and having a conversation. Starting this year, for a limited time, we will be offering two other milk flavors. One will be the orange cream, which will be somewhere around the Halloween time. And then we have a second one uh limited time uh limited edition, which is going to be a cookies and cream milk, which will be somewhere in February or
014March. One uh second key point uh three years ago we invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in a sophisticated realtime temperature monitoring system installed in all our trucks and trailers. This is to ensure that when we deliver our mill products to the back door, we guarantee that the product never exceeds 40°. And with that, it maintains the quality and integrity. A third key point is that our milk production plant is in San Antonio, 2 hours away from here. And like any production plant, due to wear and tear, we have breakdowns. However, we are able to get our product from our sister plants. We have Houston, we have Dallas, we have Luck, we have El Paso where we can get the milk in case of an emergency. We we've done business with you guys for 25
015years, and never have we ever left you guys without any milk. And we just want an opportunity to see if possible you can pull this item and and have a discussion. I don't believe that the uh the difference in price is going to be very very much. I don't know the price. Thank you. >> Next speaker, Mr. David Pettis on TA district rating and um UHS rating. Good evening, uh, board members, UISD administration, Dr. Cruz, members of the audience. For the record, my name is David Pettis. I'm a proud teacher at UISD since 1999 and a proud teacher at United High School. I am also president of the United Classroom Teachers Association, parent of two United High School grads, and one future grad. My baby is going to graduate in May of 26. I come
016here today to congratulate UISD on earning their sixth straight A rating from the Texas Education Agency. In addition, UISD is one of 31 districts in Texas to earn backto-back A ratings. This is a reflection of the hard work at all levels of the district. Once again, congratulations UISD. I would also like to give a shout out to United High School for receiving a 97 out of 100 grade and securing all seven designation distinctions, making U United High School the highest rated public high school in all of Laredo. Again, this is because of the hard work of our administrators and teachers to result in this rating. United High School excels in academics, attendance, AP testing, TSI, Telpass, and CCMR. UHS is starting a groundbreaking veterary assistant program. As you all know, if you if you've heard
017the news, we are suffering from a veterary shortage and this program will help to alleviate this. There will be other programs in the future to address student needs, I believe, such as a CDL certification. Thank you for allowing me to uh to uh address you today. Go horns. I can't do the hookum for obvious reasons. I don't do the gig. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Thanks, speaker. Mr. Fendosa on budget items. Good evening, board members, Dr. Cruz, people in the audience. Okay, for the for the record, my name is Hosa Mendoza and my concern is the budget. First of all, the deficit for 2425 is estimated to be 35 32 to 35 million, which in my books is a lot of money. Looking at the 25 26 revenues, United Independ District needs to closely monitor
018daily attendance because lower attendance will reduce the revenues. I do not know whether we met our 40,000 number that we had. I do not know due to inflation expenses will be higher than the amounts that is budgeted. Inflation is killing everybody. It's taking money from my budget. I'm sure it's hitting your budget too. Okay. I would recommend that UISD can monitor revenue expending and expenses by monitoring by providing the Dr. Cruz board members and taxpayers a monthly, quarterly, and year-to-day report comparing actual costs versus amounts that are budgeted. In this way, the next year I don't come here and say, well, we we have another $30 million budget, and it's it's a surprise to me. Finally, I do not believe this b this is this budget is balanced because any capital or maintenance maintenance costs
019are not included in this budget. On day one of your 2526 budget, USD would be would be in a deficit if any of these two costs previously mentioned occur. Okay. So at the end of the day, UISD is there to for students to succeed, but we need the capital. The capital is needed to fund all these programs. We just can't have programs and the kids succeeding for them to succeed in everything. We need funds to provide to in order for these funds to be successful. And by having a a yearly $35 million deficit will hinder the school district in providing for all the programs that are provided. Lastly, on another note, I tax one of the taxpayer have no idea how the food facility is being paid for. I wish the board or or the
020accounting department or somebody will provide that information. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We have one final comment uh Mr. President that was uh phoned in earlier today. I'm going to read it. Uh it is uh from individual bigs and is speaking on positive. >> Mr. uh Mr. President trustees, the phoning comments are only allowed for the two individuals who are currently prohibited from entering district property. So my recommendation is that comment that was submitted by the person who is not prohibited just to be distributed to you guys for your review. >> Understand? >> And they not be read uh as a public comment. >> All right. So then no more public comments that are present here, Mr. President. >> All right. Agenda item fourformational items. Uh a superintendent report. >> Yes. So good evening
021members of the board and members of the audience. Uh the first days of the school year have been an outstanding success. Uh there's a positive energy at all our schools from our youngest learners to our high school seniors. It's truly inspiring inspiring to see students and staff return with such enthusiasm and dedication to learning. The seamless start is a testament to the hard work of our administrators, teachers, and support staff. Our commitment to student and staff safety remains our top priority. We have implemented safety procedures ensuring our campuses are secure and our communities feel confident. I want to commend our police and security campus and district safety teams for diligent work in preparing for this school year. As of today, our student enrollment stands at 39,381 students. Uh schools are registering students on a daily
022basis and our enrollment is expected to increase. Uh we continue to work diligently on filling vacancies to ensure every classroom has a highly qualified teacher and all positions or staff to meet the needs of our students. As I reflect on my first year as superintendent, I miss you proud of our collective accomplishments. United ISD has once again earned an A rating from the Texas Education Agency, a clear indication of our commitment to excellence. This achievement places us in a league of our own as we continue to lead the way in South Texas. Our success is multiaceted and rooted in our excellence in academics. Our students consistently demonstrate exceptional academic growth and achievement. A result of dedicated instruction and rigorous curriculum. Our student outcomes. We are not just focused on test scores or are dedicated to
023developing well-rounded students prepared for college, career, and life and employee satisfaction. We are committed to fostering a supportive and professional environment to our staff, recognizing that a happy, motivated team is crucial to student success. I'm incredibly proud to be superintendent of United ISD. It has been an honor to serve this district for the past year. I look forward to continuing our collaboration with the board of trustees to ensure United ISD remains a powerhouse school district in South Texas. Together, we will continue to achieve great things for our community and students. Thank you. Thank you, sir. >> All right. Agenda item number five, consent agenda. We have items A through K. Is there a motion? >> A motion. >> We can get a second. >> We got a motion and a second to approve the consent.
024Any discussion? >> Um, go ahead. Discussion. >> Yes. I'd like to pull um item B out for individual discussion if we may, Mr. President. >> Pull that out. So any discussion with regards to A through A with the exception of B. >> Would that be for the for the bid? >> For the bid. >> Yes. >> Yeah. For purposes due to the public comment, I wanted to get courtesy to pull it out. >> Um Mr. Ga, were you going to speak to that? Yes. >> If the board had any questions. Yes, ma'am. >> Um, yes. I have a question. I just like to know uh what is the price that we are currently paying with this new um company that we're um going to approve of you. Are you able to discuss that? >> So,
025so we did provide the information in the board packet. We are awarding >> and we confirmed with our with our vendors that submitted that we are awarding the lowest bidder by section. So in this particular case, uh the milk portion of it is going to the lowest bidder of that section >> which is Highland Dairy Foods, right? And so why did we go with Highlands versus with Hyia? I don't know if you are able to discuss. Did you have issues with Hyia in the past or >> I mean there's there's uh there's certainly some things that I wouldn't want to disclose publicly. >> Okay, that's >> uh some issues, but uh at the end of the day, it kind of resolved itself because we're going with the lowest bidder by section. Okay. And this um
026Highlands, they have good quality of milk. They have good reviews. >> We would not be making the recommendation unless we're confident. >> So I guess for an abundance of I guess in consideration of time and out of an abundance of precautions, we can review this a little more. Uh would the board be opposed to moving this to next week's meeting? Just this particular >> motion. Just this particular issue. I don't would it cause an issue between now and Monday? >> So, we have uh we have kind of restricted some products because we had some issues. So, I mean it's another week that we would be delaying. Uh at the end of the day, we weren't going to start until September 1st, which is our new budget which kicks in. So, we do have some time.
027Uh but we certainly would, you know, that'd probably be the drop deadline to be able to prepare and get the distribution ready to go for September 1st or right after Labor Day. >> So, we have a motion. So, we got a motion to take this bid >> for the Monday the Monday meeting. Yes. >> And are you able to provide us with that information? I know in the board packet it just um gave us information on who was going to get the bid, but are you able to provide the board with like a performance report? >> Yeah, we can certainly we can certainly share the the documentation that we shared with >> with the particular vendor and the issues and so forth. We can share that with the board. So, >> okay, perfect. That way
028we know if we are making a good choice or we >> we wouldn't be making the recommendation unless it was uh good for you. >> Yes. No, I understand. >> Thank you. >> There's a motion to table >> with the second >> to table it for the uh >> the 25th. All those in favor? >> Anybody opposed? Motion carries. Uh >> a motion to approve >> items >> A through K. >> K with the exception of B. That's the second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries. >> Um, agenda item number six, public hearing regarding the 2025 2026 budget and proposed 2025 tax rate. Is there a motion to open the public hearing? >> So move. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. Any discussion? All
029those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. The time is 6:27. The public hearing is open. >> Any comments? The board would take any public comments on the budget and proposed 2025 tax rate. Miss Benvid, do you have anything you want to present or >> And just just real quick for clarification, next week's meeting is on the 27th, Mr. Montto. >> Okay. >> Wednesday. >> Okay. >> No, just that the next two items uh we do have the budget for the board to consider uh and approve and then the next one is attaching. >> Yes. So, this is a public hearing. This is uh the opportunity for members of the public to speak in favor or against or uh should they want to. >> Uh is there any other comments? >> There were no
030other comments submitted. >> So do we have uh is there a motion to close the public hearing? >> So move second. >> There's a motion in the second to close the public hearing. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion passes. For the record, the hear the public hearing is now closed. We have items for individual consideration. And in that, I'd like to make a motion uh to move up item 9F, which is a discussion and possible action regarding cost-saving personnel matters and hiring practice and matters incident there too. >> Second. >> There's a motion in the second to move it up to be discussed with agenda item number seven 7A, adoption of the official budget for the 2025 2026 fiscal year. There's a motion in the second. All
031those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> You can consider both those items. So agenda item 7 a adoption of the official budget for the 2025 2026 fiscal year and the discussion and possible actions regarding cost-saving personnel measures, hiring practices and matters incident there too. >> Um Mr. President, if you may, I do do want to read something into the record to summarize um this year's budget, which is up for approval and adoption and approval. Um on June 20 25th, 2025, the board of trustees approved a compensation plan for the 2526 school year that included a significant increase for classroom teachers supported by the passage of House Bill 2 as well as a raise for all other staff. The compensation plan also addressed difficult to fill areas. The board agreed to recognize the
032dedication of our campus principles and assistant principles with a 1,000 one-time pay increase and approve two wellness days for full-time employees. The budget presented to the board for approval reflects all the actions taken on June 25th. This budget will help the district achieve its goals of providing consistent quality instruction for students, ensuring processes for employee recruitment and professional growth, engaging families and collaborating with community partners, providing a safe and secure environment, and ensuring the district is fiscally accountable and efficiently productive. This balance budget is based on a projected student enrollment of 40,515 students. But we have seen in the first 5 days of school that we may not reach that mark. However, we will as good stewards of public funds be working to be conservative on our spending. Our goal is to meet the objectives
033I outlined to you, ensuring that our students and parents do not experience any reduction in services. I strongly emphasize that our services to staff and students will remain unaffected, but we must and we will be cautious as we move forward. Administration recommends your approval of the 202526 budget as presented. Here to present, we have Miss Laya Flores, CFO. >> Hello, Laya Ben. We're close for nothing. >> I was thinking of you and Sam Benz and >> so I guess I'll throw I'll pose a question. So, you know, looking at the uh budget deficit, uh looking at the uh forecasting that, what uh what ideas, what plan do you are you proposing to uh you know, to put in place cost-saving measures >> to uh you know, I know there's been talk about a hiring freeze.
034there's been, you know, and hiring freeze, I guess, in the sense that that, you know, I think we've had that before when the we had administrators in charge. You know, we certainly don't want to affect campuses. We certainly want to affect the day-to-day operations, the you know, but there are some essential positions that should, you know, be excluded from that, but what what can you tell us about, you know, some of >> that? That's correct. And like Mr. uh Dr. Cruz alluded to, you know, we're watching our enrollment. Uh in fact uh now that we have five days under our belt and we know per campus of the number of students that aren't even coming back, right? So or haven't come back yet. So we're sending our attendance officers to their last known residents to
035find out what happened, maybe talk to their neighbors, did they leave town, you know, etc., right? So that we can get a good picture of our enrollment, right? again, you know, we'd like to really push attendance. You know, we we've been at 93 and a half%. That's and actually we're at 93.7 this past year, but because we did have less enrollment, that was part of that deficit that PE, you know, it's been discussed right now. And so, we think, you know, pushing attendance, if we can get it back to the precoid days of about 96%, that would really help a lot. And so we are going to start some attendance campaigns. Uh we have uh encourage our attendance officers to go out there and find, you know, where these students are at. And uh actually
036we're going to work with public relations on an attendance campaign. Just to let you know, the month of September is an attendance campaign. So So we'll be working on that. >> So that's the the revenue part, right? kind of build up that revenue even though we know we do right now we're seeing less enrollment. We're going to look at all our identification of students, make sure we're getting every dollar that we deserve from the state, especially because they put more money in certain uh areas, right? And then with the expenditure part, I mean, just knowing that 85% of our budget is payroll, I think it's, you know, you're hitting it on the head right there that we need to be, we need to uh kind of slow down expenses and payroll. Uh we just finished
037doing staffing uh based on the enrollment we have. We froze some vacancies that were not necessary to fill because you know what, the students weren't there. But nobody lost their job. Nobody was rifted. It was just here's a vacancy, let's not fill it or we moved the vacancy to an area that we did see there was a need. Right? Because you just try to project as well as you can where the growth is. Now the non I mean I don't want to call it non-essential but the non-campus positions I have a feeling you know we can slow down there. Uh we can adjust to our new enrollment number. I think for the longest time, I know some of some of y'all were here in the board where we just kept growing and growing and growing
038and adding schools and staff. You know, we we need to uh get to the new norm of our enrollment being probably less than 40,000. >> So, those are the steps that we need to take that we start slowing down expenditures, especially on the payroll end because it is 85% of our budget. We're hoping we do find savings as we're going through um through the year through these uh procurements. You know, we're still going to bring you the electricity contract. Hopefully, that comes in a little lower. We conser we budgeted conservatively on that. Uh so, again, identifying uh savings throughout the year and taking some post points, right? Like where are we in spending, you know, through the second six weeks of the school? school year. >> I think we talked about that, right? You and
039I, we we're setting up markers, >> uh, points of points where, you know, we're going to be a little more detailed on the budget every six weeks, I think, is what we had talked about, >> right? That we would bring you all some some specific data. You know, here we are on our attendance, here we are on our enrollment, here we are on what we think we're going to do with revenue based on where we are right now. We think this >> that way in March, we're not >> shocked, >> you know. Yeah. We're not we're not shocked or surprised or >> you know we've also talked about you know if we do need to adjust positions as we're going let's say a person leaves the district right that maybe we find you know a
040maybe like let's say a teacher right and we know that that school is not growing maybe we would find you know a retired teacher to replace and not give a and just give you know a one-year contract right like you know you you have to start doing those those things, right? So that you're not committing to future uh positions, right? So, so I think that's one of the main things that we need to start doing, too. >> And Miss Laya, do we have something in black and white um like a strategic plan already in place? I mean, I know it's been talked about, right, that it's in the works. It's in the works, right? It's something that we're going to do. But do we already have something in plan? I mean, I'd love to have
041that already just because I know the projected enrollment is what was it 40,515, right? And um currently our student enrollment is at 39,381, which that leaves us negative 1,134, right? And so again, just so the public, right, our budget is based off of a projection, right? And so it's very hard to hit that projection accurately, right? It's just kind of an estimate on seeing the trend. But my concern is if we've seen a drop in enrollment, it seems like we're being pro we're we're being reactive and not proactive. I mean, I started an attendance campaign already in my district. It shouldn't wait till September. We should already be educating our parents about the importance of attendance since the summer, you know, because of that, making sure that they're they're enrolling because again, the public needs
042to understand that a big portion of our budget comes from that attendance rate. Right. And so that's just my concern. And I know there was another theme that you mentioned that we need to slow down payroll, right? And I've been very vocal about this, right? the compensation plan that you know pay grades one to three didn't get that pay equity adjustment. So, it just dawned on me last Friday in our Friday packet, we received um pay equity adjustment for some positions, right? And although I do really believe that these pay equity adjustments are deserving and very long overdue, um I think there's a double standard there, right? Because why are we just alienating these positions and leaving out our diagnosticians, our librarians, our counselors who really they also should deserve a pay equity adjustment, right?
043Um so I don't know if at this time I don't know if it's it's allowed for me to do uh but are we able to um make a motion to revise that? uh because again payroll is a big part of our budget just to make sure that there is a pay equity adjustment. >> Well, actually there was never any information presented by on on whether or not these these uh positions were inequitably paid or or any any anything like that. They all received the raises. U you know, I've done the research on these on these on these positions. you know, our our positions, all these individuals are at market value. The positions that are being, from what I understand, are being proposed to be uh increased are raising them to an equitable level. They're they're
044being raised to market value. Uh those positions, from what I understand, are already at market value, and that's what I was that's what I was told when I asked that question as well. They did receive a raise just like every single other employee. Uh the teachers got the raise that was proposed by the state. Uh but there's never been any information as to the librarians or any diagnosticians that are inequitable. Do you have any information to that, Miss Miss Benavas? >> No, I don't. But I do know that as we are going through our budget process, our HR department always brings to us information. You know, especially we always try to compare ourselves to region one. I mean, we're a border town. their border districts, same demographics. And so Mr. Gonales does bring us at
045least that market information he's able to get from the other school districts. And then he also does get information from TASBY. >> Now, some of the positions that I'm told, and anybody can correct me if I'm wrong, you know, but the the positions that are being proposed are are they're raising them to an equitable to get them to market value. these positions and and unless they're going to get additional duties, some of the positions that are being proposed for increases are getting additional duties. If these librarians are going to get additional duties, if these diagnosticians, I'm not sure who it is that we're talking about, but that's that's the comments that I've heard that these librarians and diagnosticians are being propos they're wanting to get a an equity a pay equity adjustment. they're going to
046get additional duties, then perhaps they deserve uh compensation, additional compensation. That's not that's not the case, and that's not what's been presented to me. So, I'm I'm a little lost on on why we're going to select that part these particular groups, librarians, and diagnosticians as opposed to all other employees across across the district because we cannot se we cannot select one group of employees. I just don't think that's fair. you know, you know, when we talk about substitutes, and that's another point I wanted to bring up as well. I think you should also start a campaign about getting our employees to be at work uh as much as as you know consistently because you know that when we budgeted I think what we used to have a budget of $2 million at some point for
047for substitutes and when we uh I went last couple of years it's gone close to eight 8 million if I'm not mistaken that's a $6 million increase that we've spent in substitutes. So I think we should also start at looking our employees being at work consistently. Uh you know doing I know we've given them mental health days and we've done all sorts of other things but certainly you know maybe you know perfect attendance for them I think would be something that we should celebrate as well. Mr. Gales. So aside from region one, I provide the management region one, two, and 20. Uh because if we have anybody who wants to move around, they're going to move around in this area, which would be the valley, the corpus area, and the San Antonio area. So we're
048pretty much at a very marketable uh level when we talk about destitians, librarians, and they've always been we've been very competitive at that rate. So that's why there hasn't been that big push. And of course the teacher salary, they're on the teacher salary before before we kept them on the professional salary. >> Well, so we we also m Mr. Ganes, we have not received any information at all about any increased duties to these positions >> or we have not received any information on pay scale adjustments or for these positions. We have not received anything. Um so so we we have reviewed you know the compensations. We have passed a a compreh comprehensive compensation plan uh according to what our budget allowed for this time around. We have worked I mean this is something that when
049I first started you know uh we called collectively we understood the need to call for a special called meeting to focus on payra 1 2 and three. Now collectively we've come together and focused on increasing bus drivers. I mean, if we're talking specifically about certain departments, we increased them a$150. We've gone and we've also increased substitute teachers. You know, to to to say that we have not and we have forgotten certain departments, certain employees, it's a true dishonesty to our employees and the efforts that we put forward as a board, as a district, for our employees because we have looked at her. I spoke today to a substitute teacher and she she she knows and she remembers that we did two years ago we passed an increase for them. We just passed it another percentage
050increase about at the at the compensation meeting. Now we have also looked at teacher aids and we're going category by category to start increasing and make these positions equitable as our budget allows. So, so we cannot just pull a certain department down and exclude the rest of the district. Um, and and so what we have been presented is that this is equitable and that it is at market value. And that's truly what we're trying to do. Those that are not at market value is where slowly but surely it and I I've said this before, change and progress do not happen overnight. Not even one month to the next. It happens collectively with everyone in this room working together and it goes year by year. But we I do agree we do need to have more
051budget meetings um quarterly budget meetings. I like that comment uh that was made uh by Mr. Mendoza. It was a very good comment. But that is truly what we've been talking about all year long. Um and at this point, you know, what we need to start working on and looking at is revenue. And Miss Ms. Avid, I like when you said we're going to start looking at positions that that if an employee leaves, we're going to freeze them. But I want you to look at that districtwide. I don't like to cut from our campuses. Our campuses need the support. Look at everything else that's not campuses, please. >> And and if I if I may add, actually, we did get information in our Friday packet. I actually have it right here dated July 16. Um,
052and they did provide us with information in our private in our uh Friday packets and you'd be able to see uh the disparity, right? So, I'm not saying that they were forgotten. Yes, the race was given. What I am saying is that there is no equity. Right now, if you're talking about market value, if you go online, a counselor at UISD is making 48,000 to 80,000 per year at UISD versus at Brownsville, they start off at 63,000 to 102,000. So, there we're not we're not up to par. And that's okay. Everybody can diff, you know, everybody has different perspectives. I'm just, you know, I understand that maybe it can be done. I just think it's a double standard that why these we were not provided with information um that these positions were going to get
053these uh pay raises and how it would affect the budget. Now, last year, right, there was a stipent given which caused or allocated 10 an estimate of $10 million to the to the deficit. So, yes, it's about revenue, but that's why we need to start being proactive, not reactive, right? And we do need to have these meetings monthly. They're very important. And so that's why I'm just bringing it out because I don't think this um I don't think it's right. You know, I it's like trying to sneak in sneak in this these things. And it's just a double standard. You know, if we're going to get if if it's not going to be done for one, then it shouldn't be done for anybody because again, we're negative. And I wouldn't want to be in another
054$10 million deficit because we're doing all these right compensations. And I understand that maybe a 0.5 might go in the red, but what I'm saying is that we just need more information to know what we're doing and what we're approving. >> I think we should probably get that next time we can get more information. Is that's what Miss Martinez is asking for is more information. >> More information >> because >> from where I'm standing, there is no double standard. We've treated all our employees fairly and we've done it for years. you know, during the COVID months, during, you know, you know, all all our budget all our all our budget deficits, we've never riff anybody. We've ne no employee has ever lost their their job. They've all gotten wages. The reason we go with with
055bonuses or stipens is because we don't carry it in our in our in our budget, but we try to reward our employees all the time. Now, I've done the research and I and I and my figures, they all they are they are all at market value. Our starting salaries and then, you know, through the years of experience, 0 to 5 years, 5 to 15 years, 15 years and up, they're all at market value. And so, I don't think it's a double standard. Uh, and I I would hate for employees to go out there with that idea in their head. that that's just not a not that's just not a positive, you know, re reflection of what this the hard work that this board has done over the years. And so we I think I'm not
056sure what the other board members think. >> I agree. I I even mentioned in the first board workshop that we had that I I I'm the first one who mentioned diagnosticians. Many of my dear friends are diagnosticians. So if if I were of the belief that they were being paid unfairly, I would be the first one to I would be as vocal as you are. But I did agree that we need to visit their grade. We need to see how they're classified. Now, do we have room for that in this year's budget? We do not. But I was committed to next fiscal year throughout the course of the academic year studying their duties, looking at their duties. You're comparing a counselor in Brownsville's salary to a counselor in at United salary. Well, let's look at
057their duties. Let's see what they're doing. Let's see how many students they're assigned to. You know, there's you you have to you have to look at it comparably. You have to see what what it entails, why there's such a because that's a drastic salary difference. So, it's something to be looked at. But I think at this point in the game, Miss Van, I guess you can agree. I don't think we have room wiggle room. You heard the public comment. there's no wiggle room for this. Um, if it's to bring certain staff members up to par, up to market value, I'm in agreement with that. But anything else, we kind of have to pull back a little bit. >> And and I I I agree. I we we've I think independently and expressed it um not
058just to our superintendent, but to everyone here. um if we and and even when our associate uh in charge uh our associate superintendent in charge um were at the helm of this we've been talking about reviewing duties, responsibilities and compensations um and and and I think this is the crucial point where we need we need to do that and um you know really present you know have we added duties to to what positions you know um are they being given added duties that we're not compensate compensating them for. Um we we need that to be presented. Um we talked to many department um individuals uh personnel in various departments campuses you know um it's a matter of putting together a presentation and putting and putting it in front of the board and once you do
059that we can present it to the public. I I believe that this board has done an excellent job of taking those actions which you did last year of helping bringing up the custodial cafeteria workers, bus drivers. That was where the big need was. That's where I noticed >> and so uh I believe that we had been making those strides at those lowlevel entry entry positions and you all have taken those actions. I mean, we've even talked about doing a TASBY study of some of these positions, the ones that that we're talking about here that Miss Martinez has brought up, >> and you know, that's that's fine as long as it's fair. And I think I've said that at the last meeting, as long as it's fair. Could be a double-edged sword because some of our
060employees may be overpaid, you know, or if they may be underpaid, then we'd have to catch up. So, you know, it it there's but c certainly at least if if there's a if there's information out there where our employees are that their salaries are inequitable, then I would hope that you would bring that to the board >> and and we can and we can adjust accordingly, you know, given given the >> and that's where that's where you all have been doing those adjustments. >> So, we really appreciate >> you're absolutely right. I'm sorry I only said bus drivers because that's what came to mind. But we have made adjustments pay grade one through three through through four as a matter of fact >> throughout the years. >> There's still work to do. >> Absolutely. >>
061We've been making strides. >> I just don't want that impression to be out there that this board has ignored >> the employees or a segment of our employees. And I understand the message that that I understand that the that the discussion needs to be had, but I don't believe that this board has ever ignored or set aside any of our employees at at any time. Even when we didn't have the money, we'd give stipens or we'd give retention uh bonuses just to just to make sure that our employees had something. >> So along those lines, because we're doing two items at the same time, are we going to make a recommendation for cost savings >> like talk about I just >> so rates for the freeze, correct? >> I just just want to see that
062where the board is at with the federal programs uh federal funding. That's not a impact to the general fund, right? So, >> no, >> the board >> unfortunately remember we did get that correspondence from the federal government about holding on some grants, but luckily a couple of weeks later, we did get the the funds released. uh we're being very careful about, you know, staff that we may continue to fund from there, but we we just we want to prepare, right? Just in case it happens again next summer. So, >> we're including federal funding. >> But right now, all those federal grants uh the funds were released for those grants. >> It was like a $4 million. >> Yeah, it was it was substantial. >> And so, just if I may if I may add, Mr.
063president, you know, with all due respect, but you know, a double standard is the application of different rules or principles to different people or groups when their situations are similar, right? That's a double standard. So, to me, right, we can agree or to disagree, but when I'm given uh, you know, in my Friday packet again, information of pay equity adjustments, right, which again, I'm not against this. This is long overdue for these individuals and very deserving of that, right? But I think that we should also do it for everybody else. Analyze and see because I mean it is a good it's money that's going to affect the budget. So I guess my concern here I'm not being negative. It's just we need to be provided with more information as to why right why are we
064doing this? We didn't get that. We didn't get that information. So this pay adjustment it's going to go in the budget. And I mean we didn't it's aware the budget yet the payroll right yes but it's going to affect us so we need to see this numbers and I just I consulted with legal before doing this and they said it's allowed and I just want to go ahead and read out um you know and this is an email that was sent to all board members and this is um from librarians and so this is why I'm very vocal about that pay equity adjustment and So they stated, "I'm writing to respectfully request that the recent pay raise decision um for reconsiders as it relates to school librarians. The 2% increase based on midpoint falls significantly
065short of recognizing the critical contributions school librarians make to our campuses every day. They are checking out Chromebooks. They're issuing out equipment. Aside from handling AR campaigns, aside from checking that books are in good condition, aside from making sure that the library is fine, that's why I'm very vocal. And so it's just I I moving forward, right? We need to make sure that we as the board that we're provided with this information because we have to stop being reactive, right? And it's something that I mentioned uh in the meeting that we had, right? I appreciate all the work that you all are doing. I know finance is very hard and you all have to plug in the numbers and figure it out, right? But we have to stop being reactive because we cannot be in
066that deficit. Last year we had the 10 million of the stipens. Then we had um we were already 9 million and the other 10 million um I for I have it here in my notes. Um it was the the enrollment. we were off by the enrollment, right? So, I just wouldn't want to be in a position where yes, it's great we're having these discussions of what cost-saving measures we're going to have, but the way I function and I'm pretty sure other people function because that's what I've been receiving is that we need to have it already in the black and white. We cannot be having these discussions and then us as the board approve a budget where our projections are off. >> So, just to be clear, I mean, We're we're we're not against the
067librarians. We're not against anyone receiving more compensation. You know, if anything, we support our librarians a lot. >> You know, we're constantly going to the libraries and, you know, in trying to promote and increasing, you know, that AR, you know, uh we do several events throughout the year. Um we understand the hard work of our librarians. We understand everything that they do. Um, but again, you cannot take out a certain department and leave everyone else out. You know, it's it's it would just wouldn't be fair. And right now, we're being told we don't have the budget for it. You know, I wish I wish librarians had uh there were they had students of record because the state the way they classified that $5,000 that they gave the district was based on a code 87 which
068meant if you had a student you have students in your classroom that's how we gave you the $5,000. Unfortunately, librarians do not have students that are classified under them. They're not they don't fall. They don't have students of record under their name. >> So, they automatically are excluded from the five 5,000. So, >> we wish they would be included. We wish everybody was a student >> and because we value our our we value every employee that we have in our district but the funds were very specific >> in house bill >> too and I I'll be honest with you look and we're going to be talking about you know pay equity and all this stuff you know I completely agree and the one that I really think that we need to be looking at are
069testing coordinators >> you know everybody I I just want to address something and we do need to move on in the interest of of all that we have. >> Miss Martinez, we're not reactive. Reactive was in 2020. We were reactive and we reacted well. Not just well, very well. Right now, we are proactive. Mr. Flores, Miss Benavides, Mr. panales, the superintendent that we've been through, everybody is prepared since 2020 for a decreasing student enrollment because that's just a matter of fact. We're not shocked by it. It's been happening every year. When I started in 2014, we were at 44,000. So, it's not a reaction. We're prepared. We're just doing daily business. I don't know why that's called reacting. We're planning. We're talking. We're strategizing. We're here today to discuss a very wellbalanced and planned budget
070so that during public comment it said we somebody said we couldn't just focus on student success. Well, I disagree. That is the one thing we are here to focus on no matter the cost of that. That is our goal. So, I'm sorry, Miss Martinez, but I have to disagree. We're not being reactive. We I feel very prepared and I have a lot of trust and faith in staff that you're not being reactive because we've known for many many many years. I've been here 11 years and the enrollment hasn't shot up. So we know every year enrollment is decreasing. We're just moving along as we should. That's called evolving. It's not called reacting. We're evolving and we're prepared to do it and we're doing it very well in my opinion. >> So let's call for the
071question. So on the on the motion to adopt the the adoption of the official budget for the 2025 2026 fiscal year as presented. Um is there a motion to approve? >> So move um can I just >> second discussion on this item? >> Yes on this item. So um you know it's democracy right? We can agree to disagree right and I disagree with that. we are being reactive. If we've known for years that we're declining, then we shouldn't be projecting as high, right? We should be projecting under one. Two, we wouldn't be in a deficit, right? Like we were in last year if we've been planning for this for the drop of enrollment. We had a consultant come talk to us. Uh what was the name? Z. >> It was Zonda. And to tell you
072the truth, we this year we actually use their numbers. So even with their data, knowing where our subdivisions are growing and trying to get an idea where there might be growth, we follow their numbers. And even like I said, professional demographers, you know, let let's get real about what's happening. There is a lot of things happening politically around us that we didn't know >> there was going to be this kind of reaction you know 12 months ago or even six months ago or even 3 months ago >> last year. I can't tell you that that's the cause of the, you know, enrollment decline right now, but at the same time, we're going to try to go find those kids and see if, you know, what where are they? >> But at the same time, we're
073planning, >> right? Because nobody knows what tomorrow brings. That's not called reacting. When I wake up tomorrow, I'm ready for the day. Something may happen in the day that I have to react to, but that doesn't mean I'm being reactive. No. because we expect throughout our day things that are going to happen that we're unplanned for. That's not called I think what you're trying to say is we're unprepared and I don't agree with that at all because when you say we're reacting I hear you're saying they are unprepared and that's an insult. That's an insult in my opinion. >> That's not what I'm saying. And I will just move on statement question. Okay, everybody calm down. So there's there's a call for the question already. There's a motion in the second on the floor. >>
074Um >> Miss Ben, Miss Benz, I'm sorry. Miss Martinez has >> a statement. I will just statement. >> You've made some statements already. Is there much more? >> I will just say a final statement. Mr. President, if I made >> Well, I call for the question. >> Second. >> Got to move forward. I apologize. Apologize. >> I'm not able to say a statement then. >> No, they've called for the question and I think I think procedurally we we've got to we've got to take >> Okay. So unless >> council you want to you want to elaborate. >> Yes. Well you did call for the question. There was a second. So there's a vote to motion. >> There's a Yeah, there's a vote to move forward on on the original motion and a second that would
075be override. >> There's a motion and a second to approve the budget for the 2025 2026 fiscal year. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion carries. Anybody opposed? >> I oppose. And am I am I able to say my statement now? Let me let me move on to the to the uh to the recommendations for the um the personnel measures and hiring practices cost-saving personnel measures and hiring practices on INF. What is the recommendation of the board to the uh superintendent? >> So I know we Mr. President, real quick, I know we mentioned uh meetings at the six week uh intervals that you had brought up. I think that's a good idea that we should follow through and I know Miss Venavz uh >> um mentioned as far as bringing enrollment
076data, see where we're at, um >> attendance data, >> the attendance and see >> vacancies, we can, you know, we can share all that information, right? >> At the end of the day, attendance is really one of the key um places where we get our our funding. So if we are able to >> um push that up towards uh numbers that we've seen before 96% 95 96% I know that um moneywise represents a lot of money. So um I think that 6 week uh interval um meetings or weekly uh that you are able to bring in information to us I think that will definitely help us. Uh the other thing that got mentioned was uh as far as vacancies and just I think having a real close look at uh vacant positions that uh are
077are there right now and anything that becomes vacant throughout the year and see about um not refilling those positions um and see if we really need those positions. I know you mentioned there's already been movement of positions from departments >> from uh that uh campuses, right? this campus didn't make their their uh their enrollment right and so maybe a teacher a teacher vacancy or a teacher spot got moved to another campus that did have you know more growth than what we thought we've gone through that exercise the past couple of days uh with CNI with HR and with our finance staff so uh I we think we're pretty much done for the school year but we do hope to see you know more and more kids start coming back and Do you think there's enough
078classroom space out there? >> So, is that in the form of a motion? >> Well, I'm I'm writing them all down. So, I've got So, so far I've got recommendations on this on this item that we have a six week uh reports and updates regarding our costsaving measures, personnel matters, uh expenditures, uh income, uh every six weeks that we have uh that we hold a line on on on filling vacancies throughout the year. Um and then we have uh attendance campaigns for uh for employees as well. Um >> but just to be clear, you know, yes, holding the vacancies, but not at the campus level. >> Okay. >> Not not direct student not direct student services. So when we were talking the same pretty much the same language uh I don't know if one of
079the associates in charge back last year prior year uh wants to elaborate on this uh or we have it uh legal has it >> essential employees >> yeah essential employees and that's bus drivers food service any campus personnel so if there's there's there's an vacancy there um we fill it you don't like no questions asked you fill that >> I think anything else had to be brought to the board Yes. I don't know if this is we can we need to if it needs to be part of this or if it's just a recommendation, but as we're looking at the enrollment numbers, okay, and as we continue to plan because we've done this year to year, if there's any adjustments that we need to do within the boundaries to to ensure that we don't have
080neighboring campus c campuses with an influx of students and then you have another campus that has half the amount of students. So just you know to to be fair there as well if it's if we can do those boundary adjustments or recommend not just do but recommend >> maximize usage of our classroom capacities out there. Yes. with neighboring, like you said, neighboring schools and, you know, moving a boundary here and there, but we will we will bring those to you as as we're going through the year, especially like right now when we really start seeing how many kids are are out there. >> Yes. >> And you're going to be providing this during the board workshop meeting. >> Well, what what and looking at a calendar, right? Like our first six weeks end September 19th
081just for the the logistics of this, right? So we would bring you data that first workshop after like here's first six weeks the next board workshop that you have we'll bring you the data through that first six weeks and then you know and so on and before you know it we'll be in May right so >> I think that's the approach we'll take um again we'll start with enrollment attendance we can probably provide uh vacancy reports and and have some discussions of maybe some other plans that we're doing at that >> that way we're not we're not walking walking into March, April with, you know, all this information, you know, >> it's we we're up to date, you know, we can adjust as we go along. >> And what I would add, what I would
082add, just my recommendation, uh, whenever action is taken on on this item on on these ideas, I would just recommend maybe some operational flexibility for any sort of emergencies that might pop up so you don't have to you all don't have to call an special called meeting. So maybe >> we have a dollar amount last time. Do y'all recall if there was a dollar amount, you know, 50,000, 100,000? >> I don't I don't recall, but >> okay. >> U maybe some operational flexibility in the in the discretion of the superintendent. >> Just uh just to be clear on on bringing it back when we meet every 6 weeks, betting vacancy includes any laterals or anything. Um all that stuff would have to be decided through our meetings. Correct. The board. So just to know that
083we're going to work together to see what we need, what we don't need, and the new year we're going to have some savings and and that's what we're looking for. Right. >> So, okay. So I guess there's a motion uh >> you can make it >> like I'll make a motion that we >> is it guess in the form of a recommendation or a form of of >> a recommendation that that uh for these cost-saving measures let me read it for the costsaving personnel measures hiring practices and matters incident that there are two that the board is is adopting uh I uh a measure where we are asking staff to begin to looking at the you know maximizing your your classroom capacity by looking at boundary boundaries and boundary considerations uh that we're looking at
084the uh six weeks reports uh intervals of six weeks regarding the expenditures and the costsaving measures and you know where we're at. I know we have we should have about 65 million in in our general fund that we are looking to grow. We're looking to protect and so uh we need to see what our expenditures are and our in our how our measures are are working. Uh we're looking at uh holding the line on on u on vacancies throughout the year uh as long as they don't affect uh campus services, student services directly. uh I guess more in the administrative capacities, no adding new new uh new positions, no uh increasing any any salaries uh you know in any of those those positions but teachers certainly campus personnel uh bus drivers pair professionals all those
085certainly the for the day-to-day operations that affect student services are are okay. uh attendance campaigns for employees as well as attendance campaigns for students, >> you know, to for costsaving measures and uh certainly for facility repairs. uh that you all look at prioritizing, you know, what is immediately needed uh what what are health and safety uh factors in in repair and maintenance. You know, to go ahead and, you know, hold back on some of the uh some of the those that they're not cosmetic versus, you know, necessary uh repair maintenance. >> I think that's >> I'll put that in the form of a motion. >> Second. >> We got a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I >> motion carries. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay,
086got through that. >> Okay, got to make that. >> All right. Um, now we've got that um resolution to adopt the 2025 tax rate. >> Good evening board members, superintendent Dr. Cruz, members of the audience. Reading to reading to you the resolution to adopt the 2025 tax rate. This rate is based consists of two components the maintenance and operations and the debt service debt service which is the uh thinking interest and syncing fund. So I'm here to present to you the local maintenance rate uh for 61.89 89 cents. The debt service 1020 102755 for a total tax rate for 721655. This will be our rate to adopt for the 2025. and and per legal requirements, the recommendation on this item is that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate
087of point 0.721655, which is effectively a 1.63% increase in the tax rate. >> Yes, >> we would need a motion for that. >> Is there a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve as presented, Mr. Second. >> I'd like to discuss >> discussion, Miss Martinez. >> Yes. So, uh, Miss Madrial, I know we've had this discussion, Mr. Flores, um, when someone receives a bill, right? Um, with an increase from what they paid last year, what is the main or who is the main contributor to cause your taxes to go up? It's not UISD, correct? I guess the appraisals, >> it's the the appraisal district will appraise values and they're under the control of the state. So, they have to make sure that they make market value appraisals. Then they turn it over to the taxing
088entities, which is the county, the city, and the school districts. Um, in this case, our tax rate is actually going down. So, if somebody pays more this coming year when they get their their statements in October, it's because their property value most likely increased in an incremental amount that causes their their tax bill to go up. >> Yeah. And I just want for the record, right, because there was information um out there informing the public that we are raising the tax. That is incorrect, >> right? >> That is incorrect. The tax rate, >> okay, the tax rate the way uh the attorney just read right now that there's going to be an increase. He's talking about what we used to call the effective tax rate. Now it's called the no new revenue tax rate. >>
089That is a separate tax rate that is calculated to say, hey, the school district brought in hund00 million last year in property tax revenue at $26 billion in values. Well, now the values went up to $29 billion. What's that tax rate that will bring in that same $100,000? And so because we're above that, you have to say taxes are increasing. But the tax rate is actually dropping from last year. It's just a technicality is still in the law. >> As we explained earlier to you all, we're under the MCR, maximum compressed rate. >> Yeah. >> Um we kind of don't really have control over that that particular tax rate. We can only be within 90% of the state's tax rate >> and not to exceed what their value is. So we have a a little
090window of where our tax rate has to be. We fell below. >> So the state allowed us to come into 90 percentile of them. >> Exactly. So this is again coming from the state. This is not a UISD thing. And I know that out of that tax rate, right, a portion of it is um going towards maintenance operations, right? Which there was an increase from last year. So I think that's where the misinformation or confusion is, right? But the tax rate as a whole is not increasing. It's actually decreasing. >> No, I I believe both both tax rates actually came down. Um, >> yes, >> the the maintenance tax rate came down by 5 cents and the debt came down by one one and a half pennies more or less. The total tax rate decrease
091by six and a half. >> We don't want people pulling out or giving out misleading or just false information. >> The tax the tax rate is declining. >> Yes, >> thank you for that. >> So, there's a motion in the second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Thank you. Motion passes. See, approval of donations. >> Yes. Uh, I need to read it. these donations in for the record. A donation by TMF in the amount of 61,744 t-shirts for the United ISD 2025 convocation. A donation by the Lynden B Johnson baseball booster in the amount of 6,127 to go towards Lynon B. Johnson swim team and baseball team. A donation by the Roberto J. Santos Elementary PTC in the amount of $4,956.85 85 cents to go towards instructional supplies materials and endofear
092field trips for third, fourth, and fifth grade students. A donation by Ricardo and Dr. S E Campos the amount of 2500 to go towards Juan Roberto Ramirez Middle School band, dance team, cheer team, volleyball team, and attendance incentives. A donation by Amazon the amount of 2500 to go towards United ISD 2025 congreation. a donation by HB in the amount of $1,000 to go towards the 2025 employee of the year event. We had a four donations under $1,000 for a total of $80,73.97. >> All those in favor? Is there a motion to approve? I'm sorry. >> Motion second. >> Motion and a second. Any discussion? >> Yes, discussion. So, I know that for the convocation again, there was misleading information out there that we purchased the the the shirts. They were actually sponsored and it's it's
093there in black and white that they were sponsored. They were donated. Um so just so the public knows, right, that the district did not pay for these shirts. >> Yeah, it was donated. Even though they were tight fitting, we all look good, >> but you made it work. >> Yes. And we thank everyone that donated, you know, to all all our events, to our campuses. You know, community partners are important. So we just we thank you for donating every month. We see these donations every month. So thank you. >> So it's fitting. >> It's fitting. >> We approve this donation too. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Motion passes. Approval of board travel to attend the 2025 text edcon convention in
094the month of September 2025 in Houston, Texas. Is there a motion to approve of board travel? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion in the second. Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries. Discussion and possible action to select board members as delegates and alternate alternate delegates to attend the 2025 Texas Association of School Boards delegate, excuse me, delegate assembly. Is there a motion to approve a delegate and an alternate delegate as presented? >> Yes. You just need to name the delegate uh that you would be nominating. >> Anybody want to volunteer? >> Anybody? I mean, I would not nominate Miss Alisa just because she's >> the president. I know at the last uh conference, we had a conversation and so um she was really networking, meeting with people
095and I know um she's building those connections and um aside from that, you have the experience of being on the board for several years. You're the vice president. So um my you know, I I would think >> Well, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Alternate alternate guys. Mr. >> Mr. Monte, >> Mr. >> I guess the alter. >> Mr. Mr. Do you want to go? >> I'm not sure I'm going to be attending, but you can select me as an alter. Okay, >> we got a motion to appoint Alisa Flores Oliveros and as an alternate Mr. Amove. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Request from board members in reference to the use of board of trustee discretionary
096funds for various campuses and departments. >> Mr. Monttoa, members of the board, Dr. Cruz, members of the audience, there's no additional requests other than what has been submitted in your packet. So, the end of the school year or the end of the budget year. >> That's it. Use it or lose it. >> Okay. Motion for approval. Second. >> Second. Any further uh discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Agenda item eight, close session. The time is currently 7:22. >> In accordance with the Texas Government Code section 551, the board will discuss items 8 A 8 B. No action will be taken. Close session. Thank you. Uh, open session. Agenda item number nine. The board has reconvened in close session. We're now in open session. The time is
0978:14. Uh, for the record, no action was taken in close session. Uh agenda item number 9A, possible action with respect to the lawsuit filed by potential holdings against United Independent School District regarding United ISD school activity complex uh educational support center plat filed in volume 21 pages 43- 44 of the web county flat records and the Lasus school plat filed in volume 18 page 55 of the flat records in web county and Santa Cl and Santa Monica Drive within the USD sack plat. matters incident there too, including legal options available to USCD. The suit was filed in the district court of the 111th judicial district of webcount, Texas under cause 2023 CVG151D2. >> Yes, Mr. President, on that item, I recommend that the board take action to postpone that item for consideration at a future
098meeting date to be determined. >> So move. >> There's a motion second to postpone. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion carries. >> Thank you, Ken. Agenda item 9B, possible action regarding superintendent evaluation, modification to the superintendent's employment contract. >> Do we have >> I make a motion to approve uh the superintendent's uh 2024 2025 evaluation as discussed in close session and to amend the superintendent's employment contract by extending it for one additional year through August of 2028. >> Second. >> There motion in a second. Any further uh for um >> an increment an increase in pay um which again attests for for the work that he's doing. So just wanted to for that to be on the record. Um thank you Dr. Goose for everything that you're doing for the
099district. Uh and we're looking forward to working with you in these next um years. >> Thank you. >> Any further >> I was going to say. >> Okay. Any uh no further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I >> motion carries. Congratulations, Dr. Cruz. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Item 9 C possible with action regarding the appointment of principal, assistant principal at Clark Elementary. >> Yes. Uh for the uh appointment for assistant principal at Clark Elementary, I recommend Rosana Davos. >> Motion and a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Motion carries. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Possible action regarding the appointment of assistant principal at Ricardo Molina Middle School >> for assistant principal at Ricardo Molina Middle School. I recommend Mr. Eduardo Valdez. >> Motion >> second. >>
100Motion in a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion passes. >> Congratulations. >> Agenda 9, possible action regarding the appointment of assistant principal at Salvador Garcia Middle School. for assistant principal at Saladoro Garcia Middle School. I recommend Cynthia Sanchez. Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion in a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Motion passes. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Possible action regarding the uh district multi-hazard emergency operation plan. >> Mr. Montabod, members of the board, Dr. Cruz. Um, as discussed in the executive session, we'd like to go forward uh with the approval of our operations plan. As you are well aware, this is an internal document for how we respond to emergencies and all the situations that may occur. It is
101not for public uh uh viewing or public consumption. So, uh we need to get it approved so we can submit it to the state. >> So, move second. >> Second. >> Motion in a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Motion passes. I'll make a motion to recall agenda item number five. >> Second. Second. >> Consent B, the awarding bid, proposals, qualification, and extensions. Um, >> wait. >> I'm making a motion to recall that. >> Right. >> Second. >> There's a second. >> Uh, discussion. Uh, we are >> Oh, Frank. >> Yeah, you the I would I would call for the for the uh those in favor of recalling the item first. >> We did. We voted. Second. >> There's a motion in a second to recall the
102item. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> The motion is recalled. Uh discussion on agenda item five. On agenda item five, consent agenda, agenda B, awarding bids, proposals, qualifications, and extensions. >> Correct. My recommendation uh on that item trustees is to uh approve item 5B with the exception of RFP, I believe it was 30-2025 for the milk. >> That is correct. that we would like to present it at next week's board meeting so that we can get that done. >> Correct. For and and take up that item at >> motion in the second with regards to RFP 3025 that will be tabled to the Monday to the 27th. >> Yes, sir. And and just for the record, all the other bids will be approved with this motion. >> Yes. Yes, we
103are moving that. >> Correct. >> With that, >> Cord can go to sleep tonight. >> No. No. She should be okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Motion carries. Uh motion to adjurnn. >> Can I just say a final um statement before we adjourn? I'll be very quick. Um you know, I just I know the finance team already left. Uh but Miss Lida's here, but I just want to thank you right for all the work that um went in to prepare the budget. I know it's not an easy task. Um I truly do appreciate the meetings um that we that we had right and the effort uh to keep me informed and all the other board members informed. um you know it's just my thing is as board members we have fiscal
104responsibility to ensure that our budget is aligned with the vision for the district and our students right and I just want to say for the record um you know I'm not being negative I understand that this budget is a projected budget right that can always be amended um as needed and that we're not requested to spend every dollar included right um but just however given last year's um history and the fact that currently our enrollment projections have not been met um which is a big chunk of our of our revenue, right? And because you know to me we didn't have a clear black and white strategy on cost-saving measures that was a bit concerning to me um as a board member this is really something that I've um had mixed feelings about. I know yesterday
105at the meeting, right, or on Monday when we had uh I did make a comment and you know, we're supposed to approve this and everybody was like, "Wait, what do you mean?" Right? So, um I just want you all to know that I really do value your work. Um like I said, I've had mixed feelings about this. I've been reading, researching, meeting with you all, meeting with Dr. Grus, and um I recognize right that the budget needed to move forward and that it was approved. Just for the record, I just want to say, you know, the reason why I wasn't comfortable with approving that is because of our our projected enrollment. Um, I'm glad that now costs saving measures are going to be implemented. So, I'm looking forward to that. Uh, but I want the
106public to know, you know, and fellow board members that I am no way being negative or against. Um, I do truly value the work that you're doing. It's just to me, um, I understand that I'm only one vote, right? But my vote and my voice are very important to me and for the people I represent. So again, moving forward, um really excited to see what what's going to be implemented and and willing to work with you all and fellow board members. So thank you. >> Glad we're Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. >> Thank you.