001I know it's not quite six o'clock yet. We have two more minutes till six o'clock. Forgive me. I have some serious allergies going on. Um, but since we do not have a quorum currently, we're going to go ahead and start with recognitions and then once we have a quorum, we'll group back and we'll start the meeting. So, I'll turn it over to who? I don't know who we can get started. Miss Morales, are you going to do recognitions? Okay. All right. So, we haven't officially started the meeting. We're just going to do student recognitions. Welcome everyone. My name is Alisa Oliveros. I'm sorry. We have M Michelle. All right, we'll get started shortly. Good evening. Good evening, Dr. Cruz, board members, members of the audience, Rebecca Morales, uh, associate superintendent for district administration and student
002services. For the record, uh we gather today to celebrate an extraordinary group of parents whose dedication, generosity, and community spirit greatly enhance our schools. At United ISD, we recognize the vital role that our parents play in our district's success. Their commitment and collaboration create a positive environment for our students. To honor these contributions, we honor them with the most valuable parent recognition this evening, highlighting the exceptional parent volunteers. Today we are excited to recognize our MVP honores for March. Beginning with Christina Rodriguez from NY Elementary, Jessica Jessica Gerard from Kaisen Elementary. Floor Rodriguez from Washington Middle. Alexandra Era from Borchers Elementary. Belinda Perez from Raul Pales Middle. Elena Inohosa from United High School. Congratulations once again to all our honores and we thank them for their unwavering support of our schools and the UISD community.
003Next on our list of recognitions, we have the AVA International Digital Awards in Texas School Public Relations Association Awards. The UIC Public Relations Department recently received three international AVA Digital Awards. This year, the AVA digital competition received over 2,500 entries from throughout the United States, Canada, and 30 other countries. This international competition recognizes excellence by creative professionals for concept design and production of digital communications. The winning videos included a gold award for Smiles from Heaven video, which featured two UID students battle with cancer, and a second gold award for the same Skia never been absent public service announcement, which promotes perfect attendance. The department also won an AVA digital honorable mention for the dinosaur George story. In addition, the department also won numerous state awards as part of the Texas public school relations competition. School
004district communications and public relations specialists from throughout Texas are eligible to compete yearly in a variety of categories. This year, the United ISD team won the following Tesper awards. uh gold, silver, and bronze awards, media events, calendar, student advisory, holiday event, no vaping poster, teacher uh depot, commemorative uh summer registration, communications plan, uh logos, ask us LMT, and many other uh awards that they were recognized for. So, congratulations to our amazing public relations department. Tonight, we are also proud to recognize two exceptional United ISD students who have recently earned prestigious titles in the Miss Laredo pageant. These young women exemplify not only beauty, and grace, but also intelligence, leadership, and dedication to their communities. United High School ninth grader Nali Nani Mat Matani now holds the title of Miss Laredo Teen USA. Nani is a
005larette and a member of the superintendent student advisory. Nani has demonstrated outstanding talent and determination throughout her pageant journey and she will proudly represent Laredo's youth on a larger state. Additionally, we are thrilled to recognize Ivana Rosel, a seventh grade student at Washington Middle School, who was crowned Miss Preteen Laredo. Ivana is an exceptional student excelling academically while also being a dedicated member of the Sparklers dance team. Beyond her studies and extracurricular, she actively gives back to her community by organizing donation drives and participating in career days and reading nights at UIC schools. She has also been recognized twice by the city of Laredo for her accomplishments. Nani and Ivana, your UIC family is incredibly proud of you. Your hard work, dedication, and community service embody the values we strive to instill in all our
006students. Congratulations on your achievements, and we wish you continued success in all your future endeavors. Good evening, Dr. Cruz. Uh, board members and members of the audience, my name is Melissa Cruz. I'm the executive director for secondary education, and UISD is proud to announce its CTE District of Distinction selection by the Career and Technical Association of Texas Seat. This esteemed recognition celebrates districts across Texas that demonstrate exemplary leadership, innovation, and commitment to student success through the high quality career and technical education programs. The CTE District of Distinction program highlights districts that excel in workforce readiness, foster innovation in CTE, and inspire others through their dedication to student achievement and community impact. Honored districts serve as as models of excellence, showcasing best practices and driving progress in CTE statewide. United ISD was one out of 38
007districts across Texas to receive this honor. Congratulations to the entire CTE leadership team, our counselors, our CTE teachers and students. The CTE department is under the leadership of CTE director uh Dr. Angelica Sanchez, thank you for a wonderful job. [Applause] Good evening, Dr. Cruz, board members, and members of the audience. My name is Jerry Rodriguez, director of fine arts. It gives me great pleasure to present our five five of our very talented high school band members who achieve the title of TMAA all-state musicians. The all-state audition process begins through throughout the state of Texas in each of the TMEA regions. Initially, over 70,000 individual musicians performed selected music for a panel of judges who rank each instrument. From this ranking, a select group of musicians advances from their region to TMEA area competitions. And from
008there, 1,875 students are selected to perform in 18 all-state ensembles. These all these all state students recently participated in three days of rehearsals during the annual state TMEA clinic and convention in San Antonio in February and performed before thousands of attendants in their respective ensembles. These incredible students who have earned the title of Texas Allstate musicians are as follows. From United High School, Roman Olivera from Jambi Alexander High School. Alina Zhao, Anel Ramos, and Jorge Garcia. And from United South High School, Ruth Gonzalez. Congratulations to these outstanding students, their directors, their school administrators, and their families. Congratulations to you all. [Applause] Good evening parents, teachers, students, community members, Dr. Grus, and board members. It is with great pride that we would like to acknowledge United ISD's UIL middle school academic students that have distinguished themselves
009as champions in the district 1 and district 2 middle school academic and one act play contests. Students participants at the district meet was held at Molina Middle School for District 1 and Troutman Middle School for District 2 on January the 11th, 2025. Students, sponsors, administrators, and parents are to be commended for the commitment required by academic competition, said Lisa Parker, UIL assistant academic director. Experience gained through extracurricular activities is far more valuable than medals or trophies. The UIL offers the following contest for middle school students. Art, calculator, chess puzzle, creative writing, dictionary skills, editorial writing, impromptu speaking, listening, maps, graphs and charts, mathematics, modern auditory, music, memory, number sense, one act play, oral reading, ready writing, so science, social studies, spelling and storytelling. With more than 4,000 middle schools across the state participating in UIL
010academic competitions, teachers encourage students to sample a variety of activities rather than become specialists in one thing. UIL designs the contest to provide the foundation for skills and experience the students need so that by the time they get into high school, they'll be ready to go. Um the first school is from Washington Middle School. The one at play team. They got first place in District 1 with their rendition of Sunday cost 5 pesos. Norma Kinones, coordinator. Miss Ashley Kas the director and Mr. Guzman prince proud principal of Washington Middle School. [Applause] Congratulations. In district two, we have Clark Middle School earning first place with her rendition of 10 ways to survive a zombie apocalypse. Miss Monica Montreon, coordinator. Miss Michelle Gomez, principal, proud principal. Congratulations. Oh, the [Applause] drama. And now we have our UIL
011Middle School sweep stakes winners from District 1 from Eera Middle School earning 1,035 points. [Music] [Applause] Miss Mia Sanchez, coordinator, her academic coaches, and Mr. Carlos Martinez, proud [Music] principal. We had they had over 121 students competing. [Music] again. And congratulations, Mr. Martinez, Miss Mireas Sanchez. Great job. [Music] [Applause] ladies and gentlemen, your district champions from District 1. [Applause] [Music] And the champions from district 2, Troutman Middle School with 772 points. Over 76 students competed. Mr. Dr. Carlos Hernandez, academic coordinator. Mr. Gilbert Moreno, proud principal. Congratulations. Tonight we have the privilege of recognizing an essential team whose hard work often goes unseen but plays a crucial role in the success of United ISD. Our procurement team. In honor of National Procurement Month, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to these dedicated professionals who ensure that our
012schools and departments have the resources they need to provide a high quality education for our students. The work of the procurement team is the backbone of our district's operation. Each year, they issue an average of 1,600 purchase orders, manage approximately 150 district solicitations and contracts, and oversee around 85 professional service contracts. Their responsibilities extend even further as they coordinate 200 vehicle rentals, issue 45 pro produce requests for quotes, and handle 30 fuel requests for quotes to keep our district running efficiently. Their meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to the efficiency ensure that every purchase, contract, and logistical arrangement is handled with precision. Without their expertise, our schools would not have the necessary supplies, equipment, and services to function at their best. Your dedication and commitment do not go unnoticed and we thank you for
013your outstanding service to our district. Congratulations. Good evening board members, Dr. Cruz, members of the audience. My name is Bobby Cruz, director of athletics, and tonight is with great pride that we recognize and congratulate outstanding performances in athletics for our winter sports. Uh, tonight's first recognition goes to the Lynden B. Johnson swimming and diving team. Congratulations for an outstanding year. Head coach Maria Rodriguez, Principal Armando Salasar. This year, the Wolves had an outstanding performance in district and the team, boys and girls, qualified for the regional meet which was held here at the Summer Aquatic Center. Congratulations for an outstanding year, Wolves. Let's give him one more hand. Regional qualifiers, Lyndon B. Johnson, swimming and [Applause] diving. Our next group also had an amazing year and we'd like to recognize and congratulate the John B. Alexander
014boys and girls swimming and diving [Music] teams. Head coach Justin Messa, principal Miss Rosanna Arisola. We'd like to congratulate the men's and women's teams. The boys were the district runnerup and regional qualifiers. The girls had an outstanding season as regional as district champions and regional champions for the fourth year in a [Music] row. In addition, the girls diving team produced a district champion, Miss Analucia Diaz. And for the first time in UISD and Laredo history, John B. Alexander diving boys, Mr. David Trevinho qualified for the state diving meet in [Music] Austin. And finally, in addition, the ladies also had state qualifiers in Austin. Congratulations, Miss Alexa, Chelsea Chavez, four times at the state meet, Ana Gutierrez, and Miss K. Nan. Congratulations men's and women's swimming and diving. John B. Alexander Our next outstanding performance in
015basketball. Congratulations to the men's basketball team at John B. Alexander as district 36A champions. Head coach Luis Valdez, principal Miss Rosanna Arisola. The Bulldogs had an outstanding year this year as district champions and were in the top 25 in our state rankings. [Music] As we get set up for our picture, I would like to take a moment if if I may. I know he's going to get mad at me because he always says, "It's not about me. Don't I don't want anything. I don't want any recognition. Noonada, but this does have to be mentioned and he's going to be mad at me, but I don't care. Coach Luis Valdez is retiring and United ISD wishes to thank him for his years of service. Quite an incredible resume. 38 years of service, 10 district championships, 14
016by district championships, nine area championships, five Sweet 16 appearances, two Elite 8 appearances, 25 consecutive trips to the playoffs, and an astounding 614 wins. Congratulations, Coach Valdez. [Applause] Congratulations, Bulldogs. our next team. And we're real proud of all of our programs as the United South men's and women's swimming and diving panther team also had a great district meet and qualified for regionals here at the summer aquatic center. Congratulations regional swimming qualifiers. Head coach Kaido de la Cruz. Principal Miss Barta Alvarez Congratulations Panther swimming and diving. Our next outstanding performance we'd like to congratulate from United South High School, the women's basketball team. Head coach Matthew Garcia, principal Miss Martha Alvarez. The Lady Panthers had another outstanding year and have won district championships in five of the last six years. This year finished as district champions,
017by district champions, area champions, and regional semi-finalist sweet 16 for the fifth consecutive year. Congratulations, Lady Panthers. Congratulations, Panthers. Our final team recognition for another outstanding performance in swimming and diving. Congratulations United Longhorns men's and women's swimming and diving teams. Head coach Alexis Solis, Principal Jessica Salasar. [Music] This year, United had another outstanding performance in swimming. The girls were the district runnerup and regional qualifying teams. And the boys were the district 36A champions for the third year in a row and also qualified for the regional meet here at the Summers Aquatic Center. Congratulations, United Longhorn Swimming and Diving. [Music] Okay. Good evening. Good evening, board members, Dr. Cruz, and district staff. The time is 6:40 p.m. on this the 19th day of March, 2025. And I call this regular meeting of the United Independent School
018District Board of Trustees to order. May the trustees please announce their presence for the record. Rudy Gonzalez, present. Regul present. I think I heard it. for right now. Michelle Molina and Alisa Oliver's present. Let the record show that a quorum of board members is present, that this meeting has been duly called, and that notice of this meeting has been it has been posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. Agenda item two. If we can all please stand for the pledge of allegiance and honor the Texas flag. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands nation to the Texas one state. Okay, we already did agenda item three recognitions. Agenda item four, public comments. Uh yes, trustees. We have six public comments. Um I'll
019take them in the order they're received. The first public comment is by uh Victor Ambasquez. He's speaking about 165 acres Dendas Road and uh he will have three minutes. I'll go ahead and keep time. Okay. Good evening. Um I see you guys going to um in close session to discuss about the possible respect analysis and current future of the possible sale of the property that is 165 acres and in the St. Rose. So my question for you is that in the bond 2013 you guys uh assign I think about I think it's $6 million to buy land. Most of them like you know like let me see uh what this school um veterans located some other school that I think bought the land at a high school and several other um several other property. So
020you guys uh went not you guys because you weren't there right I think it was another type of board right you got to make the decision to sell a land but the people board in 2008 with the intent to uh all the promise to build a school it's a several school and it's also it was in the agenda in 2011 and now today's day if now they want to supposedly sell the land so I'm asking it if this would be misuse of public fund the plan they're not used for the intent purpose. They tell us to buy to build several schools. That's what that's what the papers say in the agenda. Several schools. Oh, you violated the public trust. I know you guys doesn't care about the public trust. So, that's not a question, right?
021You guys uh be violating any go Texas government code because it was bought with bond money. That's what I'm assuming, right? I don't have the the records yet, but I can figure it out with the six million $6 million. You got uh you guys didn't vote. The other the other board uh voted for $6 million to buy land. If this would be the best in in interest of the taxpayer, you know, Lamina is always struggling for traffic. It only have one school most closing in and close to Labota Ranch. In the near future is going to be a roll from from bed all the way to 35. And I guess in the future going to be more houses. Right now we know or I know because I used to live in Green Ranch that the
022indust road all that property is going high and a lot a lot of warehouse got built being built in that area with the intent uh with the intent that grow economical grow in the area. So house is going to be built and you sell a land right now worth it worth a lot of money. I don't know exactly because I don't know the exact location. have to go and check with wet telly to figure out how much uh it worth and uh and how much you guys bought it back in 2011. So my question is that that why the people from Lasmina was not informed that intent right I think the people at Mina they voted for for the bond be advised that the intent might be tonight to vote for sale. I think it
023was kept a secret. I just I just find out because I was looking the agenda and I think a lot of people would be in the same situation. So uh yeah I don't think that the tax fasure we approve that. Thank you. Thank you. Uh the next speaker is Air Alhadad and she's speaking on Sanito Elementary. She will also have three minutes. Hello. Welcome. Thank you. Good evening, board members. I stand before you tonight not just as a parent, but as an advocate for my child who has been targeted, segregated, and emotionally harmed by the very people entrusted with his education and well-being. I want you to picture an eight-year-old child once excited to go to school now coming home in tears, confused, and feeling punished for something he didn't do. This is an administration
024San Hedro Elementary is doing. A principal who punishes not protects Miss Messa. The school principal took it upon herself to separate my child from his classmate. Not because of academic or disciplinary concerns, but as a vindictive act, a vindictive act of retaliation. A principal duty is to protect students, not to use them as pawns and personal grievances. When a school administrator abuses their authority, they send a message to every student, parent, and teacher that bullying is acceptable as long as it comes from the top. A counselor who causes more harm than healing. Then there is Miss Camaro, the school counselor, a person who should be a source of support and guidance. Instead, she has engaged in intimidation, harassment, psychological abuse towards my child. an eight-year-old looking up at an adult who is supposed to help
025them only to be met with ugly looks, cruel remarks, and emotional manipulation. What kind of a counselor treats a child this way? This is not about school policies. This is about retaliation. I exercised my parental rights to deny counseling from a specific individual, a decision I'm legally entitled to make. Instead of requesting my respecting my request, Miss Messa and Miss Camario made my child pay the price. During mediation, I asked for an apology and a sufficient explanation of why my child was segregated. Instead, they turned the discuss the discussion into personal attacks against me. But I ask you, what does my child have to do with this? Why is an 8-year-old being treated like a problem to be handled instead of a student to be supported? And then now we're saying everything's great. Well, how
026can everything be great when an elementary school segregate children as a form of punishment? When parents feel retaliation just for advocating for their children. How can everything be great when teachers are silenced by non-disclosure agreements preventing them from exposing misconduct? So, I'm standing here tonight not just for my child, but for every parent who's afraid to speak up. And this is your moment, board members. Will you continue to predict ab to protect abuse of administrators or will you stand up for for the children you were elected to serve? You have the power to hold these individuals accountable. You have a power to demand training, policy changes, and disciplinary actions. You have a power to ensure ensure no child is ever treated this way. Again, I'm asking you not as a politician, not as an activist,
027but as a mother to recognize my child's well-being, for him that for his right to feel safe, supported, and valued in his own school. I urge you to take action, not just for my child, but for every student United ISD who deserves better than this. Because if you do nothing then you are sending a clear message that retaliation is acceptable that bullying is tolerated and children do not matter and I refuse to accept that. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And the next speaker is uh Sylve Martinez. He is speaking on impact media numbers and projections and he will have three minutes as well. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the board. Um, evening. I'm Sylvia Martinez. I represent Impacto Media. A lot of you, a lot of the people
028that are here know it as the many billboards at the school. Uh, this is a company that I represent um and that was built on the foundation that its success would be the district's success. its profit is the district's profit. Um I'm happy to announce that for the last five years, the company has been providing very good revenues for the school district. Um it has been providing an average of about 150,000 to 200,000 per year. Um we uh we calculate about 11,000 to 15,000 per month. We we also provide $20,000 worth of uh scholarships for the students and if renewed, which is what we're seeking. We're seeking we're seeking renewal of the contract. If renewed, we expect the numbers to continue in that route. Um but we are proposing additional incentives to promote excellence among
029teachers, amongst faculty and students. Um, aside from the scholarships, we are proposing a a sort of an incentive for teacher of the year, um, administrator of the year, coach of the year, and sponsor of extracurricular uh, of the year. That's $10,000 extra that we are committing uh, to provide at $2,500 per um, incentive for those uh, awards to be given out. Uh as I said, the idea is to promote excellence in school and to keep uh providing that extra u help for kids that uh may lack the resources to go to the school of their choice but not drive. And uh and that's what we do. uh and and we are hoping that if this is is in fact uh renewed we project for for for the coming proposed contract term we propose or we
030project 1,136,371 in extra revenues for the district during the 8year uh uh proposed contract term that we are um proposing. And um and so again uh I think that you know a lot of people don't know that this mini billboard contract is is is really for the benefit of the of the district. Uh as I said this is a locallyowned company, locally run, locally managed. We provide uh uh public relations services and marketing for locallyowned, local uh locally run businesses and and also um uh publicity for things like um uh district champs um you know, student of the month and stuff like that that is additional uh additional um amounts that we provide. and uh I just wanted to come here to provide the numbers and uh and give you all some information about our
031request for renewal which we'll be putting on the hopefully the agenda soon. Thank you Mr. Thank you. The next speaker is Ernest Aila. He's speaking on immigration and vouchers. three minutes. The timer at the end kind of good evening you board of trustees. Um good evening. Let me begin by first welcoming the new board members, M. Martinez and Mr. Gonzalez, District 7, District 2. Thank you. We look forward to working with you on issues that matter to our members and all school employees. Um, for the record, my name is Ernest Davila, uh, organizer for Laredo United TSTA, and I want to share with you some documents that you should have. Everybody should have a a uh, blue folder. And in that folder, we've got some immigration issues uh, uh, documentation, uh, visav public schools. The
032first is a 28page uh, document entitled guidance on immigration issues put out by NEA January 2025. During our recent school visits, we shared this document with the principles. The next piece right behind it is a one-page document entitled Plyer and data collection put out by the National uh immigration law center December 2024. Uh it outlines the rights under pleer vo 1982. It's a US Supreme Court decision. And I'm sure some of you are familiar with that. The next document is a sample resolution creating a safe school zone. This resolution has been adopted by multiple districts throughout the country, Houston, Dallas, Austin, Isleta ISDs, and that's only in Texas. So there you have a little template if you'd like. I hope that you use these documents to enlighten yourselves and to create a safe learning environment
033for our students and all school employees. I now want to pivot to the Texas legislature and its current situation related to vouchers. Last Friday was the deadline to introduce any new bills. Our lobbyists in Austin are closely following many bills, including HP3, which is the voucher bill. And that bill is currently in the House Public Education Committee. Our organization sent out emails with links to say no to vouchers. I won't take your time describing how vouchers will hurt public education. But I do hope you will add yourself to the advocacy of public school, but the final the final document entitled say no to vouchers is where the email link opened uh opened up, right? It it it has good information about the harms vouchers will do to public ed form letter that was sent to
034the respective Texas House public education committee members. Um, thank you for your time and uh and allowing me to share this important information with you. Um, the trustees of public ed. I just want to in closing say that if you didn't have a chance to read the article that came out last Friday on the front page of the Laredo Morning Times. Will a billion dollars for school vouchers be enough? Not in Texas, budget experts say. Have a great day. Thank you. The next speaker is Joe Baron. He's speaking on special ed department. Welcome, Mr. He have three minutes as well. Welcome. Hello, guys. Um, good evening board members, superintendent. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak today. Just wanted to come up here real quick and talk about an event that we're going
035to have through Kasakarinho. Kasakarinho is one of my nonprofits that has worked with the district before uh with the McKinley Vento program. Well, this time we're going to work with uh special ed department. We're having an event April 26 at um the Bartlett Park. It's known as a Bartlett Park. And uh it's going to be a free concert. It's going to be local uh bands, an Austin band. We're going to showcase UISD's kids with music talent. And um it's going to be free to the public. What we're going to do, we're going to try to raise some funds that will go directly to your special ed department for um I believe it's going to be the sensory room and um anything we raise will go will go to that. So, kind of asking you guys
036permission to to donate that money that we hopefully come up with and um working together with uh city of Laredo, uh Ruben Gutierrez, Ruben, uh working together with Sister Rosemary, some other professionals in the in that area and parents that have uh kids with special needs. So, everybody's having their input and in what we're doing, how we're doing it. Um, and it should be coming along very well. Hopefully later on we come up here with a check. Um, however small, however big it is, but it'll go towards that department. That's basically it, guys. Thank you. Thank you. The uh final speaker is uh Luis Lagarsa. He's speaking on uh raises and cost of living adjustment. Welcome, Mr. Dear. You will have three minutes as well. Thank you. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the board.
037For the record, my name is Luis Wagarsa, president of Laredo, United TSTA. I would like to first congratulate our new board members who I am looking forward to working with to help improve employee compensation and health health insurance benefits. As you all well know, the legislative session began on January 14th, and the focus of the governor has been and will continue to be the passage of the voucher program. As Mr. said the state surplus exceeds about $23.8 billion which is being held up and can provide districts across the state with the necessary funds to relieve their economic plight. So we are living in in in tumultuous times with degree of economic uncertainty which is continues to lay in the horizon. The education field is not exempt from this uncertainty and workers are expected to do
038more with less. While they have not while they have received retention stipens in the past few years, it is time for the board to plan on giving raises that reflect the inflation rate and provide cost of living adjustments. I understand that the district is operating in a deficit and some of the programs will need to be researched in order to find ways to save money and increase salaries. Unnecessary expenses need to be eliminated so that wasteful spending no longer occurs and can be utilized to provide salary raises for all employees. While TSTA does not make uh public comments on a monthly basis, we pay attention to district operations and would not like to see practices of filling and creating positions which can create bad optics when the district is in a deficit. We at TSCR
039continue to fight for raises at the capital with our leadership lobbying legislators. I myself will personally be at the capital on April 4th during our lobby day with state TSDA leadership. TSDA leaders and members have written to our representatives and we urge you as individuals to do so as well. We have also partnered up with organizations like Raise Your Hand Texas in order to maximize our outreach opportunities and implore that you all follow suit. Thank you for your time. Have a good evening. Thank you. And there are no further public comments, trustes. Would you like me to assist Miss Molina? Yes. Okay. Um, so the next agenda item isformational items. Uh, item 5A, superintendent report. Yes. So, good evening, members of the board, members of the audience. Um, I'm pleased to begin this report by
040acknowledging our special education staff's exceptional dedication and hard work. Recently, our students participated in the Special Olympics and the results were truly inspiring. Our staff's commitment to fostering inclusivity, providing individualized support, and celebrating the achievements of all of our students was evident in the smiles and successes we witnessed. Their efforts created a truly memorable and empowering experience for our athletes. Furthermore, I'm excited to announce the upcoming special young athletes program. This program will provide early intervention and development opportunities for our youngest learners with special needs. I would also like to recognize the ongoing success of the United ISD CARES program. This initiative continues to highlight and celebrate our employees who consistently demonstrate exceptional customer service. We have received numerous positive testimonials from parents, students, and community members all touched by our staff's kindness, professionalism, and
041dedication. Our CARES employees are from the human resources department. We have Miss Rosa Gonzalez, uh Miss Cordelia Guerrero, secretary for secondary instruction, Miss Laida Ranel, elementary uh elementary registar at Roosevelt Elementary School, and Elsa Tjo, AR elementary teacher. Big congratulations to all of our outstanding employees. Our United ISD League of Legends program has recently taken the initiative to recognize exceptional alumni who have achieved significant accomplishments after graduation. Additionally, I'm pleased to announce an upcoming district-wide event to recognize our employees years of service. This event will allow us to express our sincere appreciation for the dedication and loyalty for our long-erving staff members. As we approach the seven-month mark of my tenure as superintendent, I've reviewed our district's public relations and communication strategies. This review has revealed a critical need to restructure a communication plan to
042serve our students, staff, and community be better. Our district faces significant challenges that necessitate a proactive and robust communication strategy. These challenges include a competition for students and personnel, uh, voucher programs and school choice, uh, community engagement, and the district's positive image. The department has been restructured impacting our ability to communicate effectively. To communicate effectively, we must develop a comprehensive and strategic communication plan, enhance our digital presence, strengthen our media relations, improve internal communications, implement a robust crisis communication plan, and increase community outreach. Investing in a strategic communication plan can strengthen our district's reputation, enhance community engagement, and ultimately provide the best possible education for our students. Finally, I would like to inform the board of an upcoming workshop focused on three critical areas: student enrollment, facilities, and student demographics. This workshop will allow us
043to delve into the data, discuss strategic planning, and ensure our resources align with our district's goals. We must approach these discussions as a united team of eight. Our collaborative experience and collaborative spirit are essential for making informed decisions that benefit our students and community. I encourage you to come prepared to engage in thoughtful dialogue and contribute to to developing a comprehensive and forwardinking plan. Thank you for continued support and dedication to United ISD. This concludes my report. Thank you, doctor. Thank you. All right, moving on uh to agenda item six, the consent agenda is uh is there a motion to approve? Motion to approve consent agenda. Second. Um I'd like to pull both uh letter E, budget amendments for individual consideration. We can move it to the end of the agenda. I think uh I
044would recommend to call for a question to motion to approve to have a vote. Excuse me. Oh, I mean the trustee does have the option to request agenda be uh pulled for individual discussion. So my recommendation would be to approve items A through D and F through I on the consent agenda as as as amended as recommended. Second. There's a motion. There's a second to pull out that item to the end of the the agenda. No, you don't need to make a motion for that. My recommendation is just to approve the rest of the consent agenda items, which would be items A through D and uh and F through I as presented. And then you can take up item E at uh at the time you wish. You can take it up next. There's a
045second. All in favor? All in favor? Hi. Hi. Hi. Now, if you wish, you can discuss item E or if you'd like to take a motion to um Yes. I'd like to discuss uh budget um amendments. Um I know I did have a conversation with Mr. Sam Flores in regards to this. um just because it was brought up in the last board workshop, right? Uh that there is an increase of $4 million into um curriculum and instruction, right? Um I did speak to to Mr. San Flores um about numbers, right? And so uh there is a trust there. Um I would like for you to to kind of briefly explain how you you explained um before, Miss Lesa, right? the the way the budget works, how the 8 million, how um it's not adding to
046the deficit and and whatnot, right? Yes, ma'am. Uh good evening, board of trustees, Sam Flores. Um what I explained was these $ 8.5 million were reserved in our fund balance as we closed last fiscal year and it's a revenue stream that comes from the county and it's only allowed to be used to pay down debt or to renovate existing facilities. We knew we were going to issue the 2025 maintenance tax notes that had the majority of the month of the funds used to renovate facilities. So, we uh made the decision to use this 8.5 to pay down the debt. And um but we had already had adopted a budget that included $10 million from the general fund to pay this debt. So now we're substituting 8.5 of that 8 point of that $10 million to
047pay the debt. It's only required to do one of those two things. And now we can free up the original budget of of 8.5 from that line item to cover where the 9.5 deficit couldn't cover. So in theory, we're we're only now down by about a million dollar in deficit. But I have to remind you all the board did approve a one-time payment out of fund balance, which is going to be close to $12 million. So it's not like we're coming back from 9.5 million and coming into the 1 million. Now you got to reduce that onetime payment of 11. So, we're still kind of in the same boat, but we're using all the resources that we have available to help this budget to maintain more or less around that 9.5 deficit. And yes, and
048so then just to clarify, right, these budget amendments, they will not add to the deficit that we have. No. No. Right. It's just it's a surplus. It was a surplus. It help I think it'll help us, right? Yes, sir. Yes. Exactly. Yes. And so, um, I had another question, right? Because four million it is a is a big jump. And I know another, um, board member did have that question, right? Because you look at it and it's like, okay, well, what's going on? That's a lot of money. Um, so now, Miss Les, I don't know if you can explain, right, the reason um, behind why there is that need for the four million. Yes. Good evening, uh, board members, Dr. Cruz, and audience. My name is Emma. I'm the associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
049And the first thing that I do want to say is that um I heard comments about that this was new software this that we purchased for this school year or that why were we purchasing it now. This is not the case. This is the software that was planned for the whole entire year. The reason for the budget amendment was that we had a budget of 7 million and the cost of all of the instructional programs and instructional workbooks because that is also included in this cost was above the the original 7 million. So it's not new software. I I wanted to make sure that that was very clear. The other reason that we had to continue with the software is that it is already part embedded in our scope and sequence. And so our teachers
050from the different uh disciplines and the different grade levels have access to the to the software to be able to provide either the tutorials or the differentiated instruction or the math or the science or the social studies or even the CTE program. So the software encompasses everything at the district level. And is there some sort of like my thing is here is proficiency, right? Because $4 million that is a lot of money that maybe could be allocated to something else, you know. Um but is there um a sort of system that you all use? I know it was mentioned that you get feedback from the teachers. Do you do it on a yearly basis, monthly basis, student performance? Okay. So last year as we were planning for our our um district needs assessment um we
051for the first time we sent out an uh survey to teachers about the instructional uh programs. That was the first time that we sent the survey to get the the feedback from the teachers. The other thing that we need to preface this with is that all of these instructional ser uh programs a lot of them were purchased through the esser funds and they were because we were coming back from pandemic and because we had a full year of virtual instruction. The second year when we came back we still had a lot of virtual instruction because we had students that were not coming into our our schools. Right? So that was the purpose of sending that survey to the teachers, hearing from the teachers exactly what was working, what was not working, giving the new um
052instructional settings that we had because of pandemic. And so the the issue that we did have last year and I worked together with the instructional um technology program at the district, Miss Judy Garcia. We worked on instructional uh accountability, also worked on putting the survey together. We did not get 100% feedback from all of our teachers. In fact, if I remember, and I'm I'll get you the numbers exactly, but just working off of memory, we had less than 50% of high school teachers and middle school teachers uh participate in the survey. So, coming back and saying we're going to cut things from scope without having all of the feedback from our teachers is not something that is uh it's not researchbased. We didn't have all of the information. So, we ran the survey again this
053year. We actually chose a date. We worked with our principles to make sure that we got the feedback. So, we got a lot better uh feedback this year. Now, what we're doing with that feedback is that we're also looking at usage reports. Now, not all of the companies that uh sold the the instructional uh technology programs would provide usage reports. Now the other thing is this is very very comprehensive because we've got instructional programs that target directly our students. I don't want to say target but impact our students directly. In other words, they log in, they use the program. Then we have instructional programs that are for our educators. Our educators so that they can plan so that they can uh uh create IEPs so that they can create their lesson plans. That's at the
054instruction level. that doesn't necessarily impact the student directly, but there is an indirect impact to the planning and the and the implementation of instruction. And then we've got programs that run like our near pod, which is a a learning management system. That system is to run all of the programs that we have. So currently right now I'm working with a data evaluator who's helping me um uh categorize all of the programs so that I can bring you the information of this is a program direct instruction. This is the impact. This is the usage. These are our results. Last you will have a full presentation at the next workshop. Yes, I will. We'll be diving into that I believe on Monday during the the workshop as well. So it is set for April for the April
055workshop. Yes, ma'am. I wasn't aware of that, but but thank for Oh, I wasn't done yet. Sorry. But thank you for for your explanation. I really do appreciate it. Um again, I think it's important that that we have these discussions, right? Um I'm I'm still not done. There's a motion on the floor. There's a motion in this first and a second. If you want to take a motion right now, you can. Is there a second? Is there any further discussion on the item? Um, yes. I was not done yet. I know we did it in the workshop. I I under I understand it was going to be presented in the workshop, but I would it's informed and so I think that because there is speculation out there, I think it's important to clear it up
056now so it can end, right? Um, but again, I do appreciate you everything that you're doing. I think these reports are going to be great. Um, not only like the TSDA uh representative stated, right, that we have to become more proficient and effective and so I thank you again and looking forward to to that information. Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you guys. So if there was no further discussion um all those in favor please raise your hand. Over here I Okay. None opposed. Motion passes. Uh that was to approve item E 6E of the consent agenda. Items. Yes. Um so the next agenda item is agenda item 7A, approval of donations. Yes, we have a six donations of $1,000 or more. Uh first donation, a donation of $1,59 was received by Borchers
057Elementary from the campus PTC booster club to be used for grade level campus needs and student incentives. A donation of $2,000 was received by John B. Alexander High School from the Gene Hos Foundation and will be going to the AHS robotics team supplies and equipment. An inind donation of $25,000 has been received by the United ISD human resources department from Engage to Learn and be will and will be used towards mentorship program and detailed assessments. A donation in the amount of 2500 was received by the athletics department from International Office Supply Inc. and will go towards UISD golf tournament. Also received by the athletics department the amount of $3,000 from Christian Cabayo Pediatric Dentistry PLLC to go towards UISD golf tournament. A donation was received by Kennedy Sapata Elementary in the amount of 1,000 from
058Texas Community Bank and will be used for transportation for student end of the year field trips. We also had one donation under $1,000 for a grand total of $3,780.90. So, is there a motion to approve those donations as presented? Motion. Second. All right. The motion and second. Is there any discussion on that item? No. All right. All those in favor, please raise your hand. I none none opposed. The motion passes. Uh the next item is item 7B, discussion and possible action to nominate a candidate for the region one education center board directors for places three and six. Not sure if there is a motion to nominate the candidate. You have to say the names of the candidates for this. Yes, this information was provided uh before spring break. We have for place three Web County,
059we only have one candidate, Miss Laura McCoy. And for place six, Cameron County, and we have Dr. Manuel Gomez Jr. who's currently in there and he is seeking re-election. And we also have Antonio G. Lemon. Motion to approve. McCoy. So yes, you would need to for Miss McCoy being the only candidate for place three. Uh that would if the board chooses that can be your motion to approve her. And then for place six, she would need to you would need to choose between the two candidates, Mr. Mr. Gomez, Dr. Gomez and Mr. Lemon. Antonio Lemon. So it's a board's decision. So motion to approve Miss McCoy. She's the only candidate in that race. Right. Right. Second for place three. Yes. Okay. So is there uh any further discussion on Approving of Miss McCoy for place
060three. No. All those in favor? I four. And uh if there's no motion to nominate a candidate for place six, we can move on to the next item. I think again motion to nominate Dr. Gomez. Second. All right. Any further discussion to nominate Dr. Gomez uh to play six. All right. All those in favor? I? None opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Okay. The next item is item 7 C. Request from board members regarding use of board of trustees discretionary funds for various campuses and departments. Members of the board, Dr. Cruz, members of the audience, Mike Gas for the record, associate superintendent. Uh just a couple of items that uh had a couple of changes. Um we had a request back in November of last year with the previous board member, Mr. Frank Castillo, uh for
061Alexander High School. it was for career day breakfast and appreciation gifts. Um they were not able to hold it in time or they did not receive the funds. So we asked them to submit a re a re-request with the with those exact funds and they're going to be using it for scholarship night expenses uh uh in lie of the career day that they have. So that's a change. And then the other one was at United South uh middle school. This was a request in September. It was for football and caps for students. they were unable to purchase the caps. So the $1,000 the original request for was for 2,000. The $1,000 that were left over, they're going to use that to purchase lockers for student athletes at the campus. So we just wanted to make
062sure that they submitted a new request for that. Okay. Those are the only changes. Thank you. So is there a motion to approve the request from members? I just have one question. Um, is this going to be like split it evenly or it's just a change or? So, so it's the original funds that were approved. They were not able to use all the funds or in in the case of the caps, they were not able to purchase them. So, they were going to just reuse those or reallocate those funds for an additional but United Health Middle for Alexander, they didn't use any of the funds. So, they took the same amount and is going to use it for scholarship night instead of career day. But is it like I'm just concerned because of the previous
063board member um I'm going to get the request and I'll be able to sign. Is it going to be like split evenly or uh where the money is coming from? So it's not going to Yes, that's what I'm asking. If it's is it affect your current discretionary? Yeah, it will not affect your current discretionary. It it was already a pre-allocated fund. Preocate. Perfect. Okay. So I don't need to sign anything or just making sure. It's not it's not going to affect your discretion. Oh, well I don't mind if it affects me. I was just worried. I'm like, I haven't signed anything. I know I've signed everything since we said that, but and we wanted to have full disclosure because it was funds that were previously approved and just share with the board that a new
064request to replace. Perfect. Thank you for that. Thank you. Motion to approve. Second. Second. Okay. Any further discussion? All right. All those in favor? I. Motion passes. None opposed. Uh the next item, trustes agenda item 8, close session. The time is currently 7:20 p.m. and in accordance with Texas Government Code sections 551.071, 551.072, and 551.074, the board will discuss items 8A through 8D. No action will be taken in close session. All right. So, um, agenda item nine, open session. The board has reconvened from close session and they are now in open session. The time is 820 8:26 p.m. For the record, no action was taken in close session. Agenda item 9A, consideration and adoption of resolution approving contingent fee legal services contract including findings needed um for let's see for submission of contingent fee legal
065services agreement and request for expedited review by the at Texas attorney general and trustees uh as you know this item was discussed in close session but I do want to say on this item uh it is important to note a few things that are non-privileged which is one there is No cost at all, zero cost to the district to join this uh to join this multi-dist litigation that was discussed in co session to address the social media plague of uh an effect on mental and emotional and physical health on students in school districts across the state and nation. As it was discussed, there are school districts across the nation that are joining this litigation against social media companies to address the the issues and effect they're having. Really a public nuisance on uh school district
066uh students. And in Texas, there are more than 40 school districts that have already joined this multi-dist litigation. So, if the board does move forward with approving it tonight, you will be added to the growing number of school districts that are are signing up to address this issue. Motion to approve. I I I do need to read a a quick uh quick, you know, a few words before the board takes action uh to possibly approve this. So, it is the recommendation on this item that the board of trustees adopt a resolution approving the contingent fee legal services contract that includes the findings required by Texas government code section 2254 subchapter C and that are needed for submission of a contingent fee legal services agreement and a request to the Texas Attorney General for expedited review.
067So, that is a recommended motion. Motion to approve. Second. Second. A motion and a second. Is there any further discussion on this item? All right. All those uh in favor, please raise your hand. I Okay. And none opposed. The motion passes. And the next item is agenda item 9B. Consideration and adoption of contingent fee legal services agreement with Train and Garcia Attorneys at Law PLLC Island and Bonan PC and O'Hanland Deereath and Cast Castillo PC. I do have something I need to read, but just to reiterate, this is a zerocost contingent fee legal services agreement uh between the district and these law firms. There is no cost to the district and uh recovery is only if the lawsuit is successful. So the recommendation here is that the board of trustees adopt and approve entering into
068a contingent fee legal services agreement with Tropman and Garcia Attorneys at Law PLLC Island and Bonan PC and O'Hanland Dereth and Castillo PC to represent the district in youth social media usage and related litigation. Motion to approve. Second. All right. There's a motion and a second. Any further discussion on this item? Um, I'd just like to say um and you know that this is something um again that I believe right that our district um will benefit um from partaking in this um because as we know um we do need our youth um does need a lot of mental health resources right now because of everything that's going on out there on social media and whatnot. So um that's why I am um approving of this All right, no further discussion. All those in favor? I
069I none none opposed. Motion passes. The next item is agenda item 9C, possible action to enter into a tax exemption settlement agreement with the city of San Antonio, Texas, acting by through the city of public service board of San Antonio, Texas, otherwise known as CPS Energy. So my recommendation on this item trustes is that you approve that you contingently approve the tax exemption settlement agreement as discussed in close session uh contingent again on certain conditions being met as discussed. So move to approve second. All right. So there's a motion to second. Any further discussion? No. All those in favor please raise your hand. I All right. None opposed. Motion passes. Agenda item 9D possible action regarding approval of UIC board operating procedures. My recommendation here is that this item be tabled um for a future
070meeting. Sec. I have a motion. Second. Motion a second. Any further discussion on this item? No. All those in favor, please raise your hand. I none opposed. Motion passes. Agenda item 9E, possible action with respect to the lawsuit filed by Potential Holdings LLC against the United Independent School District, otherwise known as UISD, and others regarding the UISD Student Activity Complex Educational Support Center Platt filed of record in volume 21, pages 43 through 44 of the Web County Plat records and the UISD Lasus School Plat filed in volume 18, page 55 of the Plat records of Webcount, Texas, and Santa Clia Lane and Santa Monica Drive within the UISD sack plat and matters incident compared to including legal options available to UISD. The suit was filed in the district court of the 111th Judicial District of
071Webcount, Texas under cause number 2023 CVG 000151D2. Uh trustees, my recommendation on this item is that the board authorized legal council to proceed as discussed in close session. So second. All right. Motion in a second. Any further discussion on this item? Um all those in favor, please raise your hand. I All right. None opposed. Motion passes. And next item is agenda item 9F, possible action with respect to the analysis of current and future use and possible sale of the property that is a 165 acre tract of land wrapping the northwest corner of Lastenda Road and Rancho Penita's Road 2.5 miles north of the Mines Road and 7.5 miles northwest of Loop 20 and the analysis of the best manner of accomplishing same. Trustes, my recommendation on this item is that uh you approve the retention
072of KCI as discussed in close session to perform an analysis with respect to the possible sale of this property. Motion second. There's a motion in a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor, please raise your hand. I I uh none opposed. Motion passes. And the final item is uh adjournment. Is there a motion from the board to adjurnn? Motion. Second. Um I would just like to something before um give I've consulted with legal and um I've been advised that I could do so. Um recently there have been several anonymous complaints. I'm not sure if they're trying to tarnish uh my reputation or whatnot, but I do just want to make it clear um for everybody's wa who is watching and for everyone who is here is that yes, everyone is entitled to do those
073anonymous complaints. However, I am also entitled to um defend myself. And so, if I am am if I am up here, as I'm serving my community, I am also a mother of three children. And so, while I am up here, right, as a board member serving my community, again, I have my children who are at cheer practice and who are at football practice. Just now, I'm being messaged that my daughter is being picked up from my father. So, for there to be anonymous complaints to allege that I'm messaging with individuals who are affiliated with personal interest groups, that is just unacceptable on my book. So, if you are watching, whoever it is, I just want to clear out the air that it is my children who I am texting with. And I'm smarter than that
074than to text with anybody. And I'm smarter than to say something that somebody has advised me to say. So I just want to set the record clear and just want to clear out the air on that. Thank you. All right. Any uh you have motion second any uh further discussion on journment? No. All those in favor. All right. Meeting adjourned. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you everybody.