001Yes. Uh, good evening, uh, board president, Dr. Drevinho, members of the board. Um, we I have Nancy Guerrero, who is our federal programs manager that will be doing this part of the public hearing for our ESO block grant funds. >> Thank you. Uh, good evening. Um so today we're going to walk through um the different federal grants our district receives and how those funds are used and give the public a chance to ask questions and provide input. So um we are required to hold this hearing because we received more than $5,000 in block grant funds as outlined in government code 21105.058. we must hold a public meeting to explain how we plan to use those funds and to seek public input. Uh so we'll go over the plan and give you an opportunity to ask
002questions or to make suggestions. So here's a look at today's agenda. We'll start by reviewing the district's grant application process and then we'll go over the details of each federal grant. uh the ESSA block grant, the special education consolidated grant, and the Perkins 5 grant for career and technical education. At the end, we'll open the floor for any questions or comments. So, each grant is submitted through the TA's steel portal uh by the director in charge of that program. The needs for each campus and the district as a whole are identified through several planning tools including strategic planning comprehens CNA comprehensive needs assessment and our improvement plans both district and campus. We also ensure that our grant applications align with legislative mandates and community input like today's public hearing. It's important to note that those
003grants can be amended during the year if our needs change. So um now let's talk about the ESA block grant. The purpose of this funding is to make sure all children receive a fair, equitable and high quality education, especially those who have historically faced challenges. Our entitlement for this year is 3,24,389. As of now, the beginning dates for several titles, such as title one, part C, title 2 part 8, title 3 part A, and title 4 part A are still pending. So on June 30th, 2025, the education, the Texas Education Agency informed us that the US Department of Education would be delaying the allocation of federal funds for the five grants in the for five grants in the upcoming fiscal year. This was a concern to our district district because we received funds from four
004of those grants. On July 25, 2025, USD notified TEA that it would begin releasing the remaining federal grant allocations starting this week. However, until the grant awards are officially received, it remains unclear whether the start date for these funds will remain July 1st, 2025 or be adjusted to a later date. The awards are expected are expected to be released in the upcoming weeks and will include provisions to ensure compliance with all executive orders. So our 2025 2026 entitlements um look like this. Here's a breakdown of of how much we're receiving under ESSA program. So under title one part A over 2.6 6 million to support our economically disadvantaged students. Title one part C we're receiving 45,348 for migrant education. Title two part A we're receiving 267620 for educator training and support. Title 3 part A
00519,417 for English learners. and title 4 part A 192,337 for academic enrichment and student support. The grants that are in red font are the funds that were affected by the delay of allocation. So as of July 1st, 2025, the 2.6 billion have been released under title one part a which supports our economically disadvantaged students. This amount reflects the district's total allocation excluding the four pending grants listed above below. I'm sorry. The remaining 595,722 which brings the total expected funding to the 3.2 million will be released at a later date. Currently, the start date for these pending grants have not been confirmed and it remains uncertain whether any additional provisions will be included upon the release. So, here's a quick summary of what each of those titles covers. Title One Part A helps schools with high
006percentages of lowincome students. Title One Part Cs program that addresses the unique needs of migratory children. Title two part C helps improve instruction by investing in teacher development. Title 3 part A focuses on English language learners and immigrant students. And title 4 part A supports enrichment program program student wellness and technology integration. So how will these funds be used? 85% will go to staff salaries and extra duties including class size reduction, summer school and curriculum work. 9% will support professional development and instructional coaching. 6% will be spent on high quality instructional material, communication tools and technology. This plans ensures that the majority of our funding directly supports classrooms and instruction. Title five or the rural low income school program supports small districts like ours that may not have the same access to funding or staffing.
007This year our entitlement is projected to be around 172,960. This is what we received last year since those entitlements have not been released. The total amounts with the majority uh supporting staff and instruction just like the ESSA block funds. Uh the special education consolidated grant. This grant is u made up of two parts. the idea be an idea B preschool for students ages 3 to 21 and idea B of preschool for ages 3 to 5. Our total entitlement this year is 663,291 and it helps us provide free appropriate education for all students with disabilities. So this is the ex exact breakdown for ID B uh special um education it's 651,480 and for the IDB preschool is 11,811. Uh both are used to meet the federal requirements for serving students with disabilities. Most of this funding
008which is 98% is used to pay staff who directly support special education students including teachers and instructional aids. The remaining 2% is for supplies including classroom materials, resources for child fine outreach. >> Perkins fives helps us strengthen career technical education programs. The goal is to ensure students in these programs graduate with both academic knowledge and employable skills. Our entitleable for 2526 school year is 74,131. So we plan to use Perkins fund as follows. Uh 6% for payroll including extra duty pay for CTA teachers running certific certification programs. 85% for classroom supplies and instructional materials and 9% for student memberships and registration for career related um events. So that concludes uh the presentation at this time. We welcome any questions, comments or feedback that you might have. >> Are those pending the four grants are those
009amounts? Can they be adjusted or is it are these the numbers we're looking at expecting? >> So that's what the entitlement that's what they're um predicting to give us as of right now. But of course with registrations and our numbers if they go fluctuate they go up they go down it might be more it might be less. It all depends on that. So as of right now but that's exactly what we're going to >> we're looking at the 2.6 right >> for right now. For sure the 2.6 six because that's our title one. The other four which makes up a little bit over half a million. That's what's up in the air as of right now because we have not received it and we're still pending further instructions. >> Uh when when you say we
010haven't received it and it's still pending, do you mean like it's questionable or does it or it is coming? So as of right now we received from TA notification that it supposed to come and basically in those words that they were released but we have not yet received that at the state level. So once you receive that, then that's going to come with specific dates, the the time frame that it's going to be covering, as well if we're going to need to kind of uh implement further uh if there's going to be any other additional provisions that we need to abide with um to receive those funds. So as of right now, >> that were being held by the federal government. >> Yes. >> That were just released. >> Yes. this week. >> This week,
011it was on Friday that we got notification. >> So, of the 3.2 million, >> 2.6 have already for sure been released, but the other 600,000 >> it's still pushing. >> Yeah. >> A couple of weeks, I would assume. I mean, I know we don't have deadlines, but it should I mean, >> we're hoping to have something um within the next hopefully by September 1st, but I mean it's not set in stone. So, it just depends on the administration. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Any other questions or comments, concerns? >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh if not I'd like to adjourn this meeting. Second by all those in favor. Motion carries. We are returned. It is 5:36 p.m. Let's move on on to the our regular school board meeting. Um, this is
012a meeting of the school board of trustees. It is July 29, 2025. Um, it is 5:36 p.m. First item is roll call for the record. Again, we have a a full quum. Everyone is present. Second item, invocation and pledge of allegiance. Heavenly Father, as we gather at the start of this new school year, we pause to thank you for the gift of leadership, the opportunity to guide, to support, and to inspire. We thank you for the calling to serve our schools, our teachers, our students, and their families. May we carry out this work with wisdom, compassion, and integrity. Help us to lead not only with vision, but with listening hearts. Remind us always that the decisions we make impact lives and shape futures. Give us strength when the days are long, patience when challenges arise,
013and joy in every success, no matter how small. Bless our schools with peace and safety, and may every classroom be a space for growth, curiosity, and kindness. Unite us as a team, diverse in gifts, yet one in purpose. May collaboration and mutual respect guide our efforts. We entrust this to you confident that with your help we can create a community where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive. We ask this in your name. Amen. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas. One state under God, one and indivisible. >> The next item, item B, is recognitions. >> There are no recognition.
014Uh item C, public comment. >> No public comment. >> Item D, uh, board communications. I think you all superintend uh of all the administrators in the room. Uh we spent a busy week last week getting ready. Uh they had four days of sit and get and lots of interaction uh around uh leadership development and planning for our school year. And they've had two legal updates already uh one last week and one this week on um legislative updates. So, I just want to thank them for all their hard work and long hours that they're putting in to prepare for our kids. Uh, first of all, our teachers on August the 4th and then our students on the 13th. So, thank you guys for all of your work. >> Um, item E, consent items. Uh item one,
015approval of the minutes of the board workshop held on June 10, 2025 and the special call board meeting held on June 17, 2025 and the regular uh school board meeting held on June the 24, 2025. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Damas. Um we're here requesting approval of the minutes for the board workshop held on June 10th, 2025, the special called board meeting held on June 17th, and the regular board meeting held on June 24th, 2025. Any motion? >> Motion by me. >> Second by all those in favor. Motion carries. Item F, administrative reports, finance update. >> Uh, yes. Thank you. The child nutrition fund uh for month end June 30th reflects total realized revenues of 2,986,283 and actual expenditures of $2,430,118 for an excess of revenues of $556,165. The general operating fund reflects total realized
016revenues of 27,698,523 and actual expenditures of 27,439,228 as of June 30th, 2025. Uh currently we have an excess of $259,295. A year-to-ate comparative by function. How did we look last year? Same time as compared to this year. Um we have spent year to date. 27,439,228 from general operating fund. That reflects a 5% increase as compared to previous year. Uh the majority of that is attributed to the raises that we gave uh for the 24-25 school year and salaries uh sub um recouped from our ESSER funding. Our debt service fund reflects total realized revenues of $2,724,244 and actual expenditures of $61,958 for an excess of revenues of $2,662,286. The district's uh bond uh principal and interest payment is $2,61,31. the year-to- date encumbered. So, as of June 30th, the district does have enough in revenues to
017cover the principal and interest. Any questions? No. Bills, claims, and accounts for June 2025. Um this uh month for the month of June we paid out1,272,4528 uh from um all funds that reflects an 8% increase as compared to previous year June 2024. Um, and the majority of that, uh, you can see on fund 282, uh, in the month of June, we did, uh, pay out, uh, 252,000 last year. We don't have those funds this year, so it's a reduction, uh, attributed to that fund. Does anybody have any questions? Tax collection report. For the month of June, the district received a dispersement of $145,1376. Um, so what does that look like in regards to our budget? The district for the 2425 school year budgeted $9,150,728. It was a 13% decrease from previous year. The majority of
018that was attributed to our $100,000 valuations. We've collected 100% of what we've budgeted. The majority of that has to do with our penalties and delinquent taxes. So now, how does that look in regards to our opening levy? Um, this year our opening levy was at 9,773,000. from October to June 2025 in uh current taxes only, we've received 8,383,47 which is 85.78% of our opening less. Does anybody have any questions? Okay. >> Item two is the quarterly investment report for the second quarter. Thank you. Um the district for the quarter ending June 2025 had an ending market value in interest uh bearing funds of 27,389,1146. That reflects um interest earning of $219,4421. As the board can see, um we were up this time uh last year 387,000. So you can see that that percentage uh really
019did affect um our investment pools. >> Does anybody have any questions? >> Um thank you Michelle. Uh item three is a presentation and discussion regarding the 2025 2026 student code of conduct. Mr. >> Board members, while Mr. Dea comes up to the podium, I just want to preface by saying that there were several changes to our student code of conduct. And what we're going to be uh doing today is presenting some of those changes. Uh further down the line at the workshop and special call meeting next week, we are going to be asking for approval of the student code of conduct. But we wanted to give you some highlights and some things to to think about because there are some decisions that we have to make with regards to cell phones and homeschooling and um
020I think those are the two >> parent agreement >> and for a DAP placement. >> Yeah. And the the parent agreement for the DAP placement. So Mr. G will go ahead and go over that for you now. >> All right. Good evening board president Mr. Ramirez board members Dr. Tminino. The Sapata County ISD student code of conduct is designed to promote a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. It establishes clear expectations for student behavior to ensure everyone feels secure and respected. It encourages responsibility, accountability, academic integrity, fairness, and protect the rights of all students and staff. The student code of conduct helps create a positive school culture where learning and growth can thrive. So, like Dr. said, I'm going to go over the updates. Uh and there there was a lot of changes
021during this 89th uh legislature. Number one, possession of personal communication devices. Uh and this is where you're you're going to have to make a choice. And Mr. Gonzalez is going to bring up an action item. Uh today uh students shall not either bring or use a personal communication device including a cell phone or other electronic device on school property during the school day or they're allowed to bring it but what will be able to get stored somewhere. uh and the items in blue. The district may authorize the use of personal communication device for the following reasons. To implement an IF plan, 504 plan or a similar program or plan uh with documented need based on a directive from a qualified physician and or to comply with a health or safety requirement imposed by law or
022as part of the district's safety protocols. Those are the the under the three agreement the the three ways that a student can have a phone. Uh inappropriate use of a personal communication device during the school day will result in disciplinary action in accordance with this this code of conduct. And yesterday we met with the principles and uh well what is a personal communication device? Uh a telephone, cell phone, smartphone, flip phone, tablet, smartwatch, anything that is capable of delivering uh telecommunication. and the our principles we went over the the policy and what consequences just for you all to have an idea. Uh the first offense if a kid is caught with a phone uh warning confiscate phone call parent guardian student will pick up phone at the end of the day. Second offense confiscate phone
023call parent and guardian and parent will pick up the phone at the end of the day. And then third and subsequent offense confiscate phone call parent and then administrator consequences might be lunch detention ISS. Okay. Another new thing in the misuse of technology uh uh utilize artificial intelligence in a way that would constitute academic dishonesty or as a means of engaging in any other prohibited conduct. Uh colleges already use that. You know you cannot use AI for papers. they they grade it. LC our dual credit classes LC uses that. But now the school is where we're going to say that AI cannot be used. >> Mr. G, I want to bring up a point going back to the cell phones. Something for us to consider. We had this conversation uh at our cabinet meeting today
024uh as it refers to technology and our dual credit courses because of the multifactor authentication method that our kids that are taking our dual credit courses in order to sign into their courses they have to do the dual authentication which involves using their cell phone. So >> that would fall under under the first bullet to implement either IEP 504 or a similar program or plan. In this case, it'll be our our dual credit classes >> because this I think that sounds more like it's 504 or special ed, but you're saying we have some leeway there >> or a similar program or plan. I would say that that's where >> for our early college classes. So, we'll have to have some written documentation about what that's >> and maybe ask LC to give us that documentation
025that the kids will need. >> Boy, if I may, we're going to be this uh council for the district. Um I don't think that it would fall squarely under that exception, but that doesn't prevent the district from implementing its own um district policy to provide for that exception. Okay. >> Um just for clarification, the blue part um that's mandatory language. So, that's in the statute that has to stay there. The only option that the district is considering right now is whatever is in yellow. But um in the student code of conduct, nothing would prevent umation >> saying that that it would be allowable. >> So would would we have to put that in the student code of conduct or do we just add that as an addendum to >> I I would say include it
026in the student code of conduct um just so that there's no question. >> All right. >> And it can be as simple as just adding this a sentence to it. >> Okay. I know double authentication. And I know I know we have it. You also you can get your password or wherever that that number code that you get. You can also get it through email. That's a possibility. >> Yes. >> Instead of and I know every student would have to have an email which >> they do. >> Does the dual but does our does the dual allow for email? Because I thought it was only phone. >> We have to communicate with LC and their tech side and see if they can enable that. And just for um discussion purposes, last night I was at
027another board for Ford meeting and they had a similar issue. Um their students are taking dual enrollment dual enrollment courses and they have to have a laptop at school and obviously under this policy it would prevent them from having a personal laptop maybe not a district issued one but that's also something that would have to be clarified in the policy. >> Thank you sir. Moving on, another new thing, first- time offense of possession or use of nicotine delivery product. Um, the administrator may pay a student in DAP program for their first time offense of possession of use of nicotine ecigarette. And it mentions if a student who possesses a or uses an ecigarette is not placed in a DAP for the first time of fans, the student shall be placed in in school suspension for
028a period of 10 days. That's a leeway that they're giving for first-time offenders to give instead of DAP, give them 10 days ISS. Our principles, we talked yesterday just to be to be uh fair across the board. Nicotine vape will be a discretionary placement at DAP. High school students 30 days. Abata Middle School 20 days. Elementary 10 days ISS. For elementary, we can we're going to utilize the 10 days ISS. uh and discretionary placement nonviolent conduct for the the early release. Uh it'll it'll take away 10 days for high school, five for middle school. Okay. Uh formal teacher removal. Again, this is new language. Uh students behavior repeatedly interferes with a teacher's ability to teach a class or with a student's ability to learn. And going to number three, if a if a student this
029is a teacher may initiate a formal removal from class and a teacher a student engages in conduct that constitutes bullying as defined by education chapter 37.0832 and of course a teacher CPC which is a campus behavior coordinator or other appropriate administrator must notify a parent or person standing in parental relation to the student of the formal removal. A teacher may remove a student from class based on a single incident behavior. So this is this is a lot of power to the teachers which is good because instruction is what what was talked about in in this in this last session the interruptions we don't want interruptions hands the cell phone you know which is good because you know we want our kids to be engaged all the time >> but it has to fall Can you
030go back? >> Yeah. >> When it says a single incident it has to fall under one of those one or two. >> Yes. like repeated or that it is unruly, disruptive or abusive toward the teacher >> or number two demonstrates behavior that is unruly disruptive. >> So is it repeated or is it a single one? >> If you if you look at number two, it can be a single incident. >> Be a single incident. >> Yeah, a single in >> but but there's no definition on what determines whether it's unruly, disruptive, or abusive. The teacher gets to decide whether it is or not. one of those or do we have to have some documentation around it? >> Well, I would assume you need some documentation, you know, after Well, I'm going to continue. Uh, and
031that that goes back to the appeals at the very bottom of the of the of the formal for the formal teacher removal. A student may appeal the teacher's removal of the student from class to the school's placement review. You know, the kid needs due process also, right? You you just can't remove him. you know, we we need to investigate what the the the conduct was. Uh and if we go to the top, return a student to the classroom, the student cannot be returned without the teacher's written consent. Uh so teacher has to give a written consent if you're going to put the kid back in the classroom. Okay. Uh in school suspension, this is another big change. Uh an inschool suspension is not subject to any limit. Before it used to be three day three
032days. Uh now there's no time limit for ISS. Uh the only thing is school principal or other appropriate administrator shall review the inschool suspension of a student at least once every 10 days. Okay. Um during the in school suspension, a student shall receive appropriate behavioral support services and comparable educational services as a student would receive in the classroom. uh if a student receives special education services, a student must continue to receive special education and related services specified in the students in IEP and continue to have an opportunity to progress in the general curriculum. Okay, so this is new. Now for ISS there is no limit and of course uh the process behind this before being suspended a student shall have an informal conference with a campus behavior coordinator or appropriate administrator who shall inform the
033student of an alleged misconduct and given give the student the opportunity to respond to the allegations uh which is due process and we always do that in every investigation you have to give due process u and the CBC shall determine the number of days of a student suspension In deciding whether to order it suspension, the CBC shall take into consideration was it self-defense uh intent or lack of intent at the time of the student engage in the conduct? Uh students history uh a dis a disability that impairs a student's capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the student's conduct. A student's status in the conservatorship of the department of family and protective services, for example, foster care or homeless. any student status as homeless. All right. The appropriate administrators shall determine any restrictions on participation in
034uh school sponsored school related extracurricular co-curricular activities. Out of school suspension, this uh a change the the new language they change below grade three. Before it used to be below grade two. So the district shall not use out of school suspension on students below grade three unless it meets a conduct uh that is below a student below grade three or a student who is homeless shall not be placed in an out of school suspension unless it contains a uh I'm going to look at the first bullet contain that conduct conduct that contains the elements of a weapons offense. Uh the second bullet the conduct that threatens the immediate health and safety of other students in the classroom. documented conduct that results in repeated or significant disruption to the classroom. And of course, selling, giving, or
035delivering to another person uh or possessing use of being under the influence of any amount of marijuana, alcoholic beverages, or a controlled substance. Okay. Uh alternative assignment. If a student is sent to OSS uh to out of school suspension, a parent can write a letter to the administrator saying that they cannot they unable to provide suitable supervision for their student during during those hours and it'll be at the sole discretion of the principal or administrator uh to reassign the student place in out of school suspension. All that is new language and it happens already. it happens already and you know we're very we we're empathetic to that. Uh discretionary placement uh the new language engage in bullying that encourages a student to die by suicide. It used to be that uh encourages him to commit
036suicide. Also during discretionary engages in conduct that contains the elements of the offense of disruptive activity. Engages in conduct that contains the elements of the offense of disruption of classes. So that that that's big also you know you just if you disrupt the class you can be sent to the AA and possesses or uses an ecigarette and this is different because in in discretionary it's possess or use ecigarette mandatory will be selling or giving ecigarette that's why our principal said this be uniform um aggravated robberies or felonies listed in as offenses in title five of the penal court are punishable as mandatory expulsions. And this is another choice uh that's available to for us parental involvement. The principal, campus behavior coordinator or other appropriate administrator shall notify the parent of a person standing in parental
037relation to a student who has been placed in DAP or expelled of the parent or person's rights to request a behavioral agreement that specifies the responsibilities of the parent or person of the student. The behavioral agreement must specify the responsibilities of the student and parent guardian. If followed, the agreement may result in a reduced disciplinary placement period as outlined in the agreement. Reduction in the disciplinary placement period does not entitle the student to different disciplinary placement. The decision to reduce, revoke or amend the disciplinary placement period is at the sole discretion of the school administration. Compliance with this agreement is required for the reduction of to remain valid or the district has not adopted a policy for parental involvement in school disciplinary placement. So that's another consideration. Uh mandatory placement uh like I mentioned earlier
038what's highlighted in blue it says sales gives or delivers uh I'm sorry. Okay that that one is it's the same. It's still if it's a controlled substance, it's mandatory placement. Uh in the one, two, in the fourth bullet, it says sales gives or delivers to another person an ecigarette. That's a mandatory placement. Guess if a kid has five vapes, you know, he's a dealer. Uh, and the the last one, engaging in conduct that contains the elements of harassment under Penal Code 4207 against any school employer, volunteer on or off campus, on or off school property. And mandatory placements or we have in place Aata High School 45 days. If if a second or offense 60 days, Sapata Middle School 30 days, uh 45 for for a second offense, elementary 15 days, and 30 for a
039second offense. Discretionary DAP placement Sapata High School 30, Sapata Middle School 20, elementary 7 days. All right. And this is new language virtual expulsion program. In some circumstances, a student may be placed in a virtual expulsion program. The school must ensure students in the program have the necessary technology and internet uh and must provide it if needed. The virtual program must and as much as possible meet the same requirements as an in-person DAP. The students placement must be reviewed every 45 school days. If an inperson spot becomes available, the school should plan the student's return to in-person learning. Uh if continued virtual placement is appropriate, the school must document the decision. And then consideration of a virtual education as alternative to expulsion. Before a school district may expel a student, the district must consider the
040appropriateness and feasibility of as an alternative to expulsion and holding the student in a full-time hybrid program, full-time virtual program, full-time hybrid campus, or full-time virtual campus. And this requirement does not apply to a student expelled. Okay, any questions? And like Dr. Davino said, if we have a workshop, you know, we're here to answer any questions or help clarify. >> I was just going to say, so all of that information is in the student code of conduct booklet that's included in your packet. So you can um review that and uh when we come together next week, if you have any questions about it, you can ask that. So we'll have the board workshop before the special calls so that if there's questions we can iron them out before we request >> and Dr. D know
041that's August 5th just for recovery for everybody >> that's next Tuesday right >> any questions any other questions not uh thank you Mr. Thank you so much. >> Uh item F4, presentation and discussion on the 2025 2026. >> Thank you Mr. Bunes and good evening board members. Dr. Tininoho uh similar to what Mr. that I was discussing it is uh this item is also aformational item uh to provide the board enough time to really review it and and not feel uh pressured into making any uh decisions without you know fully understanding the implications of those uh of those decisions especially with with this item on the stipen plan. Uh in your packet you have a proposed stipen plan and if you notice uh there's very few changes. Uh this is what we're recommending. Uh we're
042we're we're a little nervous. They just told me to light a candle because some of the um some of the the stipens that are attached to federal funds u that are have not been on frozen yet. Uh however, you know, we're going to be waiting for that information. That's not going to change the the the way we do business. That's we're just going to have to re adjust some monies. So, sorry about that, Michelle. Uh but that's for uh for the stipens on on those things. We we removed some of the um the the stipens that were there that we're no longer using either because of staff changes or because of um of of things that we not utilizing anymore systems that we don't have anymore. U you'all are are noticing the changes. Does uh
043anybody have any questions on those changes or would you like to look at uh something more uh in detail for the board workshop? Uh any any comments would be uh open at this point. >> Which are the items that which positions are the ones that are in jeopardy? >> So for example, a very good example of that is our uh our retired um one act play uh teacher. uh that teacher had several uh stipens because of UIL academics, because of the UIL theater director. All those stipens, they were they were removed and and because the other directors that are under that program are already receiving some of those stipens. So that would not be needed anymore. We don't have a K9 unit anymore. Uh so that stipen has been removed. Uh lead librarian would be
044the same thing. And um since we're uh changing our elementary campus theater coordinators, we're no longer having those. So we remove those as well. >> Any other questions >> uh for the K9 police is that we just don't need to >> Oh, we have a working. So we decide to get one later, we can always >> Sure. And and please, you know, bring back any questions or or I also want to mention that that our stipens on the on the a lot of the ones that get a lot of attention are our athletic stipens uh and and our our um our bilingual and and elementary and special edyp. Those stipens are all still we're maintaining those stipens still where they're at. Um and it is competitive. Of course, we always want to try try more
045for those position for those uh stipens, but right now we're we're at a competitive state and uh and I've already discussed these things with with with coach Boras and also with Mr. Reggera regarding all of our academic If anybody would like for me to to dig into something deeper, just let me know and I'll have it prepared for for our board workshop. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Mr. F5, uh, instructional continuity, summer teaching and learning opportunities. Good evening, President Ramirez, members of of the board, and Dr. Drevinho. This evening, I will share with you our district's summer teaching and learning opportunities designed to ensure instructional continuity for both our students and our teachers. To provide acceleration opportunities and promote academic growth to all of our students, Sapata County ISD implemented a variety of summer programs
046camps this summer. Innovative planning was invested to ensure compliance with state mandates while providing engaging learning opportunities for our students. The curriculum and instruction department director Elma Lopez and coordinators Evisa Gara and Chrissy Delgado extensively coordinated schedules, planned engaging learning activities, and supported teachers and staff. These programs included the mandatory summer offerings such as the bilingual education summer school program and extended school year. In addition to those reading and mathematics acceleration camps were designed to align uh in alignment with house bill 1416 requirements. These accelerated camps were designed around a thematic unit and utilized high quality instructional materials from the Bloom's grant. Our literacy camp was entitled Kind Hearts, Strong Voices, and our summer math camp was entitled Multiply Your Confidence. Furthermore, we offered specialized camps to support diverse populations, including literacy enrichment camps, gifted
047and talented programs, migrant education services, credit recovery, and college readiness through ACT and TSI camps. Hosting these uh programs across multiple campuses ensure in accessibility and inclusivity for all students as well as the shared responsibility for our student success. Let me highlight some specifics. The bilingual education summer school program served 50 pre kindergarten and kindergarten students supported by six teachers and 12 instructional assistants over four weeks uh 120 instructional hours. Our extended school year program provided services for students from early education through 11th grade focusing on skills to mitigate summer learning loss and provide structured continuity. Additionally, the reading and math accelerated program served 431 and 330 students from preK to 8th grade, respectively. These enrichment camps were highly engaging with a variety of hands-on learning activities and culminated with a parent presentation of student
048work. These targeted interventions focused on accelerated on accelerating student learning and key foundational subjects. Equity remains a priority in our summer programming. Programs such as the take flight reading camp and life skills camp address the unique needs of specific student groups. Gifted and talented students received enrichment learning experiences through higher order thinking camp, specifically an anthemology insect camp hosted by our very own state champion anthmology team and organized by Mrs. Janie Rodriguez and migrant students were supported at all levels from elementary through high school. Our gear program led by our gear facilitator Danielle Guusman hosted Lego drone and college prep camps. Interestingly enough, it was our very own technology department that led the drone camp coordinated by Miss Connie Gray. TSI and ACT camps were additionally offered to our high school students to advocate for
049college readiness. We also offered or uh we also ran credit recovery and end of course preparation camps enabling our students to stay on track for graduation. Our goal is to ensure every student has an opportunity to succeed regardless of the circumstances. And these are pictures of our kiddos uh enjoying our summer camp. Supporting our teachers is key to sustaining instructional quality. This summer we held writing sess curriculum writing sessions for the 2025 2026 school year in mathematics, reading, language arts, science, and social studies. These sessions required full attendance and commitment ensuring collaborative curriculum development alignment with TESS and district goals. Teachers aligned the scope and sequence to our instructional calendar and also reviewed assessments for validity and alignment setting the stage for a strong academic year. This ensures that our PLC time during the academic
050year is focused on lesson internalization and targeted planning. A total of 102 teachers participated representing our camp all campuses and grade levels. These initiatives were designed to enable most of our teachers to participate in both programs. Specifically, curriculum planning sessions were scheduled on Monday while summer camps took place on Tuesday from Tuesday through Thursday. This also helped to sustain our enrollment numbers, providing long weekends for our students. In conclusion, these summer initiatives have been vital in maintaining instructional continuity and accelerating learning for our students while supporting professional growth for our teachers. We are proud of the impact these programs have on student achievement and look forward to building on this momentum. Thank you for your support and commitment to excellence in education. I'll be happy to answer any questions if you all have any. I
051commend you and your department for we kind of came up with this at the well I came I threw it at them very late in the game but they did a really very good job of organizing and getting teachers involved and I think it went very very well our kids really enjoyed it >> we'll now move on to item G items action items We want approval of 2024 tax refund for Sideream LLC as a result of binding arbitration. >> Uh I have Miss Deia Mendula here, but I can go ahead and present. >> Uh we're requesting from the board approval of the 2024 tax refund to Sidstream LLC as a result of binding arbitration. So according to government governing body code tax code 31.11 um if the refund exceeds a certain dollar amount we do
052have to request permission from the board to refund. Um and the arbitration agreement did indicate that sidestream uh overpaid basically based off of the the valuations the way the valuations came back. So that amount will total $5,043. Um and Miss Dia's here um to basically tell us that that amount will be reduced from our tax dispersement. Correct. >> We do not have a uh you do not have a fund where it comes where the refunds will come from. >> Okay. So then yes, we'll go ahead and just remove it from the total amount of uh of the dispersement and just take it off of that and pay off the u sign stream. So I need approval from the board. >> I need approval to approve the tax refund to sides LLC. >> Motion to approve
053the refund sides screen by sorry in favor. >> Thank you. >> Motion carries. Thank you. >> Thanks NA. Item two, the budget amendment 24-25-5 general operating fund. >> Staff recommends amending the 2425 general operating fund in the amount of 100,000 as a result of transfer between functions and authorizing superintendent to implement said budget. This transaction has no effect on fund values. Uh, so we went a little bit over on our extra duty pay for summer school for our nurses. So I'm asking to transfer out of our extra duty pay for that we allocated for teachers. So we're moving that into the nursing uh transportation. Uh we are getting ready for our August extracurricular travel. So I'm requesting 25,000 to be moved in function 34. Uh 30 uh function 35 that's our indirect cost for child
054nutrition. So, we do have to put a percentage back into function 35 uh for general admin uh admin function 41. Uh we're getting ready for our convocation and beginning of the year and so we're requesting $5,000 for our maintenance. That's going to be the biggest portion of the request. Uh I'm requesting $50,000 for uh beginning of the year supplies and services to kind of get us through uh the end of the year. and then our debt service fees of $5,000. This has no effect on fund balance. I am just transferring in between functions. I need a approval for BA24250. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second in favor. >> Thank you. >> Motion carries. >> Item G uh three approval contracts and purchases over 25,000 and or fund balance expenditures of 2500. >> Thank you,
055uh, Mr. Ramirez. So, members of the board, I'll be coming to regular board meetings to request approval of contracts and purchases over 25,000 for the 25 school year. Our department is uh doing extensions and uh requests for qualifications and proposals. So, these four uh we're requesting to approve for the 2526 school year. The first one is an extension of services uh to Ernandez pest control. Um that is a district-wide requirement as per our legal policy. We'll be using uh funds 101 for our child nutrition department and operating fund. Um I took an average of about what we've been spending per year. We've been spending about 32. So I just went ahead and bumped that up to 35 uh as our budget. Um the brokerage store. This is a requirement. This is our student insurance for
056extracurricular. Um we are required to have uh student insurance. Um that is 91,000. That a premium amount has stayed constant for the last four years. Um Martinez Electrical uh we're requesting to award for electrical service and parts. Again, this is just an estimate of about $50,000. This year, we didn't even get close to spending $35,000. Uh but for budgeting purposes, if we do have an emergency, we've already procured them out and we can um go ahead and request their services. And uh Sapata Quick Air, um this is the RFP for refrigeration and kitchen services. The majority of the services that we contract Sapata Quick Air for is our cafeterias. And so, um, we are requesting approximately $50,000, uh, for 2526. Again, for this year, for those services, we probably paid about 40,000. Um, so I'm
057requesting for um approval of contracts and purchases over $25,000. Does anybody have any questions? >> I'll make a motion to approve uh the contract purchases for 25,000. Have a motion by >> motion cars. Um item G4, approval certification of technical values for uh year 2025. >> Thank you, Mr. Ramirez. Um, so, uh, this year board members, we're in a unique, uh, position because, uh, one of our bills approved homestead exemption at 140,000. However, it has to go back to the, uh, voters. Um, every year that uh we've had a uh law that caps the homestead at a certain amount, uh, we usually more than likely 99% of the time get voter approval to increase that homestead exemption. What a homeowner doesn't want a higher ex exemption. However, for the board, I did want to show
058you the 2025 certified values um on the left side of your screen that those are the valuations of Sapata County at 100,000 in homestead exemptions. And so that reflects a 1.17% gain from previous year. I did box in the M net taxable. Um that's what TA bases our state funding at. We are um our appraisal district is estimating or certifying our values at 959 million22,58. However, at $140,000 homestead on the right hand side of your screen, you can see that our M net taxable is valued is certified at 927 million. and that will result in a loss of 2.11% in our values um on our local side. However, our state will state uh funding will recoup that amount in our state funding. Um in light of you know the last two years the district having
059state assigned uh values um this year we will uh come to the I'll come to the board with an estimate based off of uh historical state assaign values and where we've been at and make a determination of what our budget's going to look like. Um, so at this time I'd like to request approval of certification of taxable property. >> I'll make a motion. >> Thank you. >> Motion by a second. Please favor. >> Thank you. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Uh item G5, consideration for the board to decide on public meeting date, time, and place to discuss proposed 25 2025 2026 budget and 2025 tax rate. >> So it's that time of the year again. Um we um need approval for public hearing. Um we're proposing Tuesday, August 19th. uh time 5:15. It's about
06015 minutes to present before the regular school board meeting at 5:30. I need approval from the board of trustees um to approve um this date for our public hearing and approval of our uh budget for 2526 school year. >> Yes. I'll make a motion to approve the date and time set. >> Thank you. >> Motion by Lu, second by Dora. All those in favor? Motion carries. >> Thank you, Michelle. Uh, item G6, presentation and discussion on Texas Senate Bill 401 relates to homeschooling students for homeschool students participating in UIL activities. >> Thank you, sir. As uh Mr. I did uh mention about this this uh new law that that came in for uh the Senate, Senate Bill 401. Uh this new law allows for districts to approve students who are in homeschool to participate in
061UIL activities. The board uh will have to make a decision whether to to opt in or opt out of this of this uh uh availability. And interesting enough, it's going to be referenced uh with with our uh policy FD local and FM local depending on what decision the board makes. Uh administration is recommending to opt out from this uh this um uh requirement. Um but at the end of the day, it's it's the board's will. So, I'm asking for for an action on on this item. Do you have any questions on >> this is something that um well I mean in my opinion I'd rather have the kids be coming to our schools because that's how we get funded. That's how we know what we're teaching them and then have them participate till the administration's
062recommending opt out. >> I mean there are some there are some out there. I don't know how many I don't know that we have a count of how many kids are being homeschooled, but there are some out there. >> I I don't ma'am because we we we we don't track them. Uh but, you know, in the athletic realm of it, there's a lot of a lot of issues that come up to, you know, strength and training, conditioning throughout the whole process. No pass, no play. There's a lot of questions surrounding uh Senate Bill 401 for districts that opt in. >> Correct. >> I'll make a motion. >> Okay. I have a motion by the administration's recommendation that second. All those in favor raise your right hand. Motion carries. >> Thank you board. >> Um item
063number seven, presentation, discussion, and possible election regarding Texas House Bill 1481 regarding the use of cell phones and other digital communication devices during the instructional day. >> Again, related to our student code of conduct, right? So uh this is also going to affect policy FNCE. Once the board makes a decision on the 5th, I will be bringing some additional information on uh some of these these uh Senate bills and House bills need immediate action right there. Uh I believe uh 255 of the bills filed uh most of them of most of those uh or all of the 255 bills filed need are effective immediately. Uh, so what's that? >> 1,200 bills filed. >> 12,200 bills filed. Of those 1,200 255 of them need immediate action. So because of those things, I'm bringing some of these
064little tidbits of of of house bills and senate bills that need uh immediate action. This one obviously because the start of the school year is coming uh we need u uh the board's decision on how to to move forward uh with this. So, if I'm to understand correctly, the board needs to decide number one, are we going to prohibit or we're going to allow them to bring it but store? >> Correct. >> That's one decision. >> And then and then we have to decide whether we destroy them or keep them. >> Correct. >> And then are we going to treat all the same? >> Those are the three main points that will affect policies. >> What is what is the administration recommending >> or do we need to discuss this further? Can we >> just
065for clarification? Rajie, is this item you're asking for an action or is this >> It is an >> This is an action item. Yes. And then once I get the action then I can uh draft policy based on their their action today. >> But do we need to do we need to decide all of the things today or can we just decide prohibit or allow them to bring it but they have to be stored? Uh, I'll yield to council, but my understanding is that that uh the big ticket item is prohibit store because destroy and keep is is not an option in my opinion and all grade levels administration is recommending to keep the same uh process all throughout the district. >> So the real the real issue is do we prohibit them completely or
066do we allow them to bring it store? Well, personally, I I believe that storing should be an option in case there's an emergency. You know, that would definitely be something I'm thinking. But if we want to have a a bigger conversation, >> yeah, I mean, we definitely can. I mean, I'm on board with what Mr. Gavvada is saying. Reason being is that school time is is like there's a lot of extracurricular things that happen after hours and if the kids don't have their phones with them. >> I I guess the issue on that is because I'm I'm looking at the show >> cost because they told us last time. >> Yeah. Is is the cost of those storage devices. I guess that >> they're roughly about $17 each device. There's there can be there's more
067than one >> at the high school. Storing. Storing. Storing doesn't necessarily mean that we have to purchase a device. Storing can also mean a backpack. Uh >> it can be out of sight at like as long as it's not visible and not on. >> But you know, a backpack will not keep students. >> I was going to say we go back in circle. >> It's the same thing. >> But you know what? It's kind of been working. I'm sorry, but it's kind of been working for middle school. I've seen a really good turnout and they don't pick them up and store them. They have the kids turn them off. If a teacher sees you, it gets turned into the office and then to bail it out, you have to pay 10 $11. I don't even
068know how much, but you have to. >> Yeah, they they they crippled us on that because they then changed the law that we couldn't charge for the phones. So, we can't do that anymore. But I know that there's some teachers and I I understand about the backpack issue and of course, you know, it's monitoring because you've got some teachers that don't have any issues at all with students using the phones in the classroom. They're they're the class classroom management sets that up from the beginning, but others have like uh pocket charts where the kids come in and they as soon as they walk in, they put their phone in there, they do their thing, and then when they finish, they they pick their phone up at the end of the day. >> And if I
069may, uh to to Marva's point is that it all goes back to enforcement and how we're we're we're treating it. At the end of the day, you know, it's a prohibited device. Don't take it out. You take it out, you have consequences. going back to student code of conduct uh X on on the charging of phones. Obviously, we can't do that anymore, but it it just it's just one of those laws that I don't see it um it's a I know it's a big, you know, item that causes a lot of attention, but if if we follow our processes, we'll uh be okay. But deciding whether to keep or rather whether to prohibit or store is the big is the big question. We can make I'll make a motion to table it for executive session
070so we can have further discussion on the topic and then we'll come out. >> Okay. Motion by second by all those in favor we'll bring it up. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh item H uh close session. The board will now recess into close session pursuant to section 551.071 071 551.074 and 551.076 of the Texas government code. We are now in close session and it is 6:31. [Music] I just all [Music] >> and then the recommendations for the court have Ready? >> Okay, we are back from executive session. It is 8:00 p.m. Um, so we're going back to item G7, um, possible action regarding, uh, Texas House Bill 1481, uh, regarding the use of cell phones and other digital communication devices during the instructional day. I'll make a motion to uh approve storing the cell
071phones in their backpacks >> or whatever. >> It's just storing. >> No, it's just I'll second that motion. >> Motion by Luis, second by W. All those in favor raise your right hand. Motion carries. Um >> thank you. >> Go back to item U item number >> one. >> I1, sir. One I one uh discussion possible action to approve a memorandum of understanding between the district and Sapata County regarding those golf course. >> I'll make a motion. >> Okay. I have a motion by Her to approve the memorandum between the county and the school district. >> Second by might send all those in favor. Motion carries. Um item item two and three approval and recommendation for ei assessment coordinator and approval for the CTE and CCNR. >> Thank you. Uh Mr. President, it is with
072great pleasure that I announce my recommendation for the approval of the ELAR and assessment coordinator as Miss Christina Gara and for the CTE and CCMR coordinator, Miss Jessica Vad. >> I'll make a motion. Motion by to approve those positions. Second by all those in favor motion carries unsan. Yeah, just upcoming events. Board members, I want to remind you that August the 4th, we kick off our welcome back all of our teachers for professional development. Uh we're switching up convocation a little bit this year. It will be on Wednesday, August the 6th at 1:30 p.m. in the auditori I mean in the Yes, in the auditorium. Uh but before that from 11 to 1:00 we will be serving our employees Chick-fil-A sandwiches and having a health and wellness fair for all employees um at the high
073school Hawk Nest area. >> Can Can you repeat that again? >> Yeah. >> Okay. August the 6 from 11 to 1, we're having an employee health and wellness fair uh where we will also be providing lunch for all of our employees and giving them an opportunity to visit the different booths uh that will be set up for our wellness fair. And then at 1:00 we will be moving into the auditorium for convocation which will kick off at 1:30 p.m. on August the 6. 1:30 p.m. >> 1:30 p.m. August the 6th in the auditorium. >> So the wellness >> the 21 I'll be with you later. Uh yeah the the the main one for you guys is 1:30. >> 1:30. >> It starts at 1:30. So 1:00 at the >> Unless Chick-fil-A. Unless they want Unless
074you want Chick-fil-A. We'll be serving Chick-fil-A between 11 and 1. >> Okay. Uh Dr. Dr. Dino, also another announcement that reminder that August 5th is our board workshop at 9:00 a.m. >> and at 10:30 will be a special call board meeting on the 5th as well. And our regular school board meeting is August the 19th. >> So that's that's next Tuesday, >> correct? >> September September when next Tuesday. >> next week. Yeah. >> Yes. Tuesday of next week. So we have a >> we have a board workshop so we can discuss any item. >> Oh yeah. So we still we can still hold the AM meeting. >> Yes. One more time. >> Yes. >> And then at night we have a special >> uh on the 5th it's at 9:00 a.m. and then followed by
07510:30 a.m. >> And then on the 19th we'll have a 5:30 p.m. regular school board meeting. >> All right. >> Then I need a motion to this week. Motion to motion by second by one in favor. >> We are adjourned. [Music]