001Then we talk about transacting business, right? Um individual authority for committee the board who can do that. Individual access to information. Then on page seven, limitations, requests for records, requests for reports, confidentiality, referring complaints, visits to district facilities, roles and responsibilities of officers. And then we go into meeting uh procedures, the meeting time and place, when do we meet, the agenda, how it's made up, notice to members. Then there's a section on close meeting, order of business, rules of order, voting, consent agenda, discussions and limitations, an executive session. At the executive session there, those are all bullets uh that are basic knowledge or should be right. Basically, whenever we are in close session, the only topics that can be uh that can be discussed there are those that don't violate the open meetings act. So,
002this is these are things that we we are already doing and should be doing, right? These center us. Then on page 11, we go into the superintendent's role. We start with some lonear governance language and then we go directly into board policy BJA legals. Um and then we go through constraints. We have a little section on superintendent evaluation on page 13. And then we anchor everything. And pretty much most all the board operating procedures had this portion of the code of ethics. This is in your local policy BDF. And so this is exactly what your policy states uh about what your attitude should be. Trustworthiness in stewardship, honor of conduct, integrity of character, commitment to service and student centered focus. Then we have community engagement, operating procedures. This is another section from LSG saying that
003you need to it's part of your responsibility to listen to the community to the vision and values of the board. Um the final item is conflict of interest and again we are referencing BBFA local also BBF local and then CFA at the bottom. Then behind that we have a an appendix just that has everything all of your GPMS that that you have voted on. Um and I think we have constraints and constraint oh constraint pro progress measures in the next section and then appendix three we have the board um monitoring calendar. So this is all in one place in the last appendix, appendix four. This is your current ethics and conflict of interest statement. So that's what's in here right now. And again, this is the framework that we put together. It's 23 pages, but
004again, this is your local policy and I've sprinkled in some LSG in there that you've already been trained on. So this is nothing new. What I do want you to look at now is a page. page. It's a one pager questions for consideration. So, as I look through some of them, these are some questions I had. Before we go through them, I do want to reiterate that this board operating procedure manual that we're creating, this is not just for you guys. So, that all this isn't just pertaining to you. This is also going to be for the incoming board as we start getting elected members in one or two at a time when we're in the transition phase. Then we want this to guide them as well. And once all of you are gone, they
005should have a very strong board operating procedures manual. And this we can amend and add to as time goes on. This is in no way ready for any kind of approval anytime soon, but this is a start for us. >> Um, so as an example, the first one addresses um absences at meetings. It's that hasn't been a a problem. We've always had a quorum, which is great. I I have worked with boards that have to cancel meetings because they don't have a quorum. So, that is unacceptable, especially for our Lone Star Governance District. Um, but we want to make sure that there's a that you know what you're supposed to do if you're running late or if you're going to be absent. Who do you tell? Um, and when should you tell them? Right? So,
006I'm asking, should we add, you know, some information about that in here? Number two, should we add something that speaks to how board members need to be recognized by the president? Um, not everyone does that and in no way am I saying anyone's been rude, but I do want to go back to we're teaching our community and the board that's coming in the proper way to to hold a meeting, right? And as your board president, Mr. Alvarez is your chairman of the board. So basically, this is his meeting and you must ask him to speak. It sounds very formal and it is but again we we want them to see the most highly effective board. So that's something that I'm asking you guys if you want to do. Uh third one asking about to add
007specifics about expectations for board prep. Again we want the new board to know that this is not just showing up to a meeting. There's a lot of preparation that goes into your learning and reading before you actually come here. So, I I really recommend that we add everything that you guys do um in here as well. Um and then number four, I said, I do think we need to remind the board about their role to represent the vision and values of all students and staff and not a particular subgroup. I'm asking you, what are your thoughts on this? And the reason I say this is because boards get in trouble, right? Politically speaking, whenever board members represent a group of people, whether it be a group of the the adults, a group of the community,
008or a group of the, you know, uh the student body, right? You represent all the vision and values. And so we want to make clear that everyone that comes and sits at this table together at this dis together, you're representing everybody's vision and values. So, we want to make sure that if there's any specific small group, you know, questions that that you know, burning questions that you have to know and you want to ask, that's totally appropriate. You can do that in in in board prep. Again, at this meeting, it should be we should be discussing the vision values of all students. Um, number five, should we address board members and social media? There's uh some board operating procedures that do this. And again, in what I what I've seen um in within this community,
009the the local community, um it might be a good idea to to address that as well. Number six, expectations for hearing complaints from the community. We want to be clear about what the expectation is, what Dr. Sorenson expects in terms of when someone stops you at HB or somewhere. We want to be consistent with how we all respond. Um, so I think some specificity here would be very helpful. Professional development, what's our expectations? Some districts announce board PD hours before each board self-evaluation. So that would be four times a year. So this is a way to monitor um the minimum expectations, who's met them and who has not. Again, this is an I gotcha. there's no, you know, PD police coming to get you. However, we do want to model for our community that part
010of your role is learning and and meeting these expectations. Um, and then specifics for executive session. We've talked about, you know, grievances. We've talked about uh limiting sidebar conversations. We've talked about um the goal being get our get our work done in executive session and coming out quickly. Um I said do we need to add some specific expectations for communicating among board members uh and with the superintendent, the attorneys, the conservator and basically here we want to make sure that there's cur uh courteous professional communication. Uh there has been some issues in in many many boards that have issues with this, right? And people will you've known each other for so long if you grew up together and so then you you get to be or not you boards get to be informal with one
011another and again once that happens everything goes south. So again, we're trying to maintain the highest level of effectiveness as a board. And to do that, we need to be effective here in the boardroom and also there in executive session. Um, and then board of managers. I think we should add a section for board of managers. People are curious to see how it works and how long we're going to be here. And then finally, the conflict of interest statement that you guys signed. um you signed it upon your appointment here at uh La Hoya ISD as a board of managers. The current policy that La Hoya has is very very vague and loose. It just says that you need to have one. So, we have it. It's on file. If anyone wants to see it,
012we've got them right. My suggestion is that we update it on a yearly basis. Um, and that's a good practice because every year whenever there's a new board as well, we want everyone to have to sign their name and date it like, okay, you we reminded you again on this day and there's evidence because you signed it that you're aware of conflict of interest uh potential in your role as a board member. So, these are just some notes that I wanted to bring to you for consideration. Um thoughts anybody? We're not going to go through each of these and and discuss each of these right now, but overall thoughts on the process and where we are or questions. >> Members of the board, do you have any questions for Dr. B? >> I have a
013thought. Um I think for the first one uh you mentioned about um absences or running late. I think all of us have maybe come to that problem situation at one point or another. And I know for me when I'm sometimes running late um I'm like, okay, who do I message? Who do I >> right? >> Do I Is it Dr. Sorenson? Is it Is it something Marty? Is it Is it Is it Fan? Um Strawber like I'm like So I think that would be a good >> thing to >> Well, that's something that you this is your board operating procedures. Again, I helped you by putting together your policy, but these are things that we want you to to talk about and decide on. And so the first thing that I'm going to ask you
014is that you indivi you email me individually any any thoughts on any specific thing here and then for the next meeting I'll make some edits to the document based on your feedback and bring that to you. We're not going to approve this right away. We're going to work on it for a while. We it it may take a few months and that's okay. We want this to be a really good comprehensive document that meets the needs of this board and then of the future board. >> Um yeah, kind of on that on on that note too, um and I know there's been somewhat uh discussion on this, but what is the probability um that we have the ability to attend virtually, right? Um so for some of our work schedules, I know um you know
015sometimes Jessica's traveling, I'm traveling. Um, so it's it's not that uh we don't want to be um at the meeting, right? But we can attend virtually if we're out of town, but I don't even know if that's an option for us or not. >> Mr. Masi will be more than happy to answer that question for us. >> Thank you for that question. And uh we actually did work on that so that we can provide a way for virtual members to kind of join uh the board meetings and that's already set up. So, if you just want to let us know a couple days in advance if you're going to be present or not and we'll make sure that we are taken care of. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And I want to
016refer to to legal here. Can we can we do that now? I know that we started doing that during COVID and now there's some allowance but then there are some limitations. Can you add to that? >> Yes, we have to post it sufficiently to make sure that you know it's noticed and set up. Yeah, we can make that happen. I do think it's a good idea to put it in court operating procedures. These are the parameters of you know logging in virtually. That's a good conclusion. >> Yes. >> That's exactly what we're talking about these things. >> And one of the reasons I think before we could not is because I think our legal council said like we have to be able to see them and they have to be able to see us and
017we didn't have the um technology capability in the room yet. But Mr. Masi and his team have done an incredible job of making that possible for us this school year. So >> now we'll just work on legally how we can put it in the agenda and also put it in the operating procedures and I think to Anita's point then define how we communicate that um >> so that we make sure that everyone's clear on how to do that. >> Perfect. Any other questions or comments? >> Tiana, I have a question. Dr. So you said for us to be working together to finalize some type the question that vice president brought up was a valid one regarding um you know who do I contact and all that when we have those discussions what are you suggesting
018and how we proceed with that with general counsel present so that there's no you know there's no there's no the perception that there's any other discussions taking place. >> Well, that's why I'm asking for feedback. I want you to tell me what do you think works, right? I'll put the feedback together. In this case, I would probably refer or deeper to the the officers. >> So, I would ask the three of you to come together, maybe come up with something that you think is appropriate, right? And I would say talk with Dr. Sorenson to make sure that she is in agreement with it. Um, and then we present that, right? somebody gets back to me and says, "Hey, we met and this is what we really, you know, we're recommending, right?" And then once I
019get feedback from everybody, I'll come back and tell you, okay, it looks like, you know, I haven't heard anything on these items. And we might actually say, do we want these items to be in there or not? And then we go from there. So, this is just going to be an iter iterative process, but again, this is your manual. So, your voices are definitely needed here. Your opinions matter. Um, and again, don't just think about you as a board. Think about the board that's coming in. >> Board President, if you don't mind. >> Yes, please. Dr. Sarnson. >> Um, to your point though, if that is something that when we meet um as officers with Dr. Barrera, if you would like legal counsel to be present, um, I more than happy to request it. >>
020Yeah. I mean these are valid questions and and task of us. Um I certainly understand I have a I have a certain perspective or I should say um opinion on on virtual meetings. I know that there's we're limited on sometimes when we we travel and all that, but I've been to many meetings where members of either staff or a board or virtually and it's just we'd really have to set parameters on what we could do. I mean, the background's bad, music is bad, you know, there's talking over one another. there's seems to be no um so if we do decide to do that you know I certainly would like some serious discussion on how we would allow that to happen because like I said I've been to many workshops or I've been involved in many
021meetings where they should have just not even attended you know so >> and perhaps it's the board's pleasure and another consideration could be that the officers and I and Dr. Sorenson and and legal get together um and we start word smithing this and getting something out and we can bring that draft to you. That also is an option. Uh I just want to make the best use of your time and I want you to have a document at the end of this that that you're proud of and that really reflects um what you feel should be in there. And then my guidance is always going to be LSG. Is this is this a highly effective uh expectation or not? Um then of course Dr. Sorenson's is always invaluable as well as legal. So President Alvarez,
022do you think that that would be a better option to start with the three of you and and us working together? >> I certainly do. >> Okay. >> I certainly do. >> Again, with the recommendation that Dr. Dr. Sorenson said having general counsel and yourself present. >> Definitely. And is there anything else that we haven't addressed here that we should address? >> I'm thinking about uh when or if we have any board uh member meetings with the public to have something specified like who's going to announce it, where is it going to happen, with how much time in advance, um and at what type of a place are we going to hold it? Um just because historically >> which meeting are you referring to? like if historically cuz we're setting this for the future PE
023uh I want to say um board members would hold a meeting to talk to the public and like Peter Piper and you know five or six people would attend. Um she's having great success. The superintendent is doing that now. Uh and great outcome from the community. Uh so to have something if it's needed um for how >> this is this is for you. I don't think it's appropriate to get community feedback here. This is for the board. This is how you're going to operate as a board. So, I think if if uh the officers came to the rest of the board with a draft for you to say yes or no or you know, I don't like this and that. Um then I think that's more uh appropriate. I I think Rosalva, you're you're saying
024it more from a perspective of expectations when we're out at the community, right? Versus getting community feedback >> to have something set up like we're talking about having things set up for virtual um things. So, I don't know. I'm just kind of having something laid out >> whenever these community meetings occur, you want to be able to attend virtually rather than in person. >> No. No. Well, I mean >> in that case is need is needed, but just to add something have it available to the list for like how it's going to be conducted. We're talking of how we're going to, you know, get the the agenda out on a specific time or how we're going to work with virtual meetings or how we need to announce, you know, by law when there's going to
025be something. Um, so I'm just whenever we're gonna have a meeting with the public or not specifically us, but in the future, um, I guess set some limitations on how when is it going to be announced, stuff like that. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, yeah, I'm I'm really curious um to see, excuse me, to see um how other boards address social media because I know that I think that is uh um the wild wild west if we think about social media, right? So, um if we can get just kind of some best practices or what other boards are using to kind of create some parameters on this, um that would be helpful. >> Sure, I can do that. Diana, do you still want us to email you, you know, if we have some thoughts on
026these directly to you? >> Do that and then I'll take your comments to to the small group. Please do that. >> Yeah, that's why I was just trying to kind of clear it up to >> Okay. Thank you for clarifying. >> We certainly don't want to convey the message that it's just going to be the three board executive. It's everybody's input. It's but just so that we stay within >> um you know the transparency and being able to just uh we don't want folks to think that we're talking policy or we have more than four members speaking at one time. >> But this also speaks to your role as leaders. This is definitely you know a leadership uh activity and again we're not approving anything at this point right now. We're just putting it together
027and there's going to be some things that we like and not like and we word smith it until we it it gets to um to to a point where we all or you all approve what's in there and want to move forward with it. Anything else that you would like us to consider or you would like the team to consider? >> Any other issues? No, this is really good, Diana. Dr. Ba, this is really good information. Is there a is there a hard date that we have to have all this completed by? >> No. Okay. It's in progress. >> Okay. >> Yes, we we needed to start the the process. And so to do that, we have a basic document, right? With some questions to guide us. And I promise you, as you start thinking
028about these things, you're going to say, "Oh, we should probably add this or that." So, any thoughts like that, please send them my way. Any thoughts, strong thoughts either of support or um of non-support, can't think of the word right now, then please do let me know on any of these questions or if you think of any new questions or considerations, please let me know and I'll compile those and bring them to the small group meeting. Dr. Margot, did you have a question or a comment? >> Do we have any questions or remarks for Dr. Petta? for president, if I could. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, to Vice President Chavez's comment though, in the meantime, um, would you mind if we took a stab at just even answering your first question because before we get
029this done, I am certain somebody's going to get a cold, >> right? And so, you will want to know who to call and and what the process should be. So, in the meantime, would you guys permit us to draft something around that particular protocol? Um, so that at least that question is answered in the meantime. >> I just texted. >> Okay. But I mean, is that permissible in the meantime? >> Great idea. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And I'm glad she brought that up. >> Thank you. >> All right. Seeing that we have no further questions or remarks for Dr. Vetta. Thank you very much, Dr. Thank you for making the trip to South Texas. Ladies and gentlemen, next item on the agenda is our close section sess sess session of the meeting. uh meeting
030will be held for the purposes authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code sections 551.001 concerning any and all purposes permitted by the act including but not limited to the sections and purposes listed. Um the time is 11:41 a.m. We are now going into close session. Ladies and gentlemen, we're back from close session. It is 12:52 p.m. Next item on the agenda is number eight. School board members, do any of us have any comments or remarks before we adjourn? And I turn it over to Dr. Sorenson. >> Any board members? >> Yes. Um, one, I just want to say thank you to everybody here. Um, I know there's been a lot of work kind of coming into it. There's a lot of work going on right now with our teachers and our leadership
031and um, all the the efforts that are going into making sure we have a great school year. Um, the one thing that I think is very present and evident here is that there continues to be a lot of change, right? And we came into the intervention uh, knowing that this was something that needed to happen, right? in terms of us having a a transformational um transformational change, right? We knew that that needed to happen. Um and as cliche as it sounds, like change really is the only thing that is constant. Um so I just kind of continue to um ask our community and our staff and members to get comfortable with change, right? Because more of it is going to come, but that is a direct reflection of work that everybody here is putting. um
032and knowing that, you know, we've got a a very bright future ahead of us. So, thank you, Dr. Sorenson, um to our staff, um to our to everybody here, um from the administrative table. Um we continue doing the work and we're going to hold ourselves accountable too on the board. Um and we we're seeing change even as all this is happening. So, um again, just thank you guys so much for the hard work. >> Good remarks, Secretary Pñena. Anybody else have any remarks or comments before we adjourn? I'll add to what she was saying pretty much to establish the gratitude that personally I feel towards the whole district. Um we're seeing and talking about all the topics that we talked uh about today, but um we know that everybody does their work. Everybody does their
033little grain of salt. Moving that little thing helps a lot. Um, and substantially it's been a little what I see is always seems to me as overwhelming. And I tell everybody in the board prep meetings, I'm always amazed at the work that gets done. And so I have hope for the future and I'm excited for the future to know that we are getting it done. And even though it seems like too much and um maybe to the point where unachievable, we're getting it done. So thank you guys. Thank you, Dr. Nunis. Anyone else? Okay. Well, doc, let me go ahead and say a few marks and then I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Well, you know what? Go ahead, Dr. Sason. You go. >> Are you sure board president? >> Yeah, because usually
034you cover everything. I'm just like, perfect. >> Um Um No, so thank you um board members. I mean, that means a lot to me. Um, our team works really hard and, you know, they're very focused on making sure that we keep our true north, which is our students at the center of everything that we do. Um, we are all 100% plus dedicated to La Hoya ISD and really making sure that all that we do um is for our students and for our educators and for our families and ultimately for the community. Um, and so I appreciate your words um and that you feel it showing up. Um that's really important to me. Um we know that our educators are coming back in full force on Monday and they are um going to be on their
035campuses and they are going to be in their classrooms and they are going to be engaged in professional learning. Um but I will say as someone who saw our educators on Friday um there is a vibe um and it feels good. I was on our ACE campuses the other day um because they come back a little bit early and there is just this positive vibe and energy in the air. Um and I feel like we're turning a corner and there were hugs and there were smiles and there was laughter and there is like actual joy um in professional learning where where people are are feeling even though it's a lot of work, right? they're feeling like they understand the change. Um, and so that also provides us even more purpose to get more clear on
036the why. Um, and so I'm super excited for our adults to come back next week in full force. Super excited for kids to come back. I can't wait to see them. So yes, I I am affirmed um by the work that I do with my colleagues here every single day, but even more affirmed when I see our educators and our kids. So thank you and thank you all for giving us the space to to lead and lead through complexity. So I'm very grateful. >> Well, I'm going to go ahead and again welcome the three individuals that are here in front of us that are from joining La Hoya ISD. We're excited to have you here and especially my the friend from Arlington. That's where I'm from. I didn't mention that earlier. So, and not that
037that means anything. He's like, "Okay, I'm ready to leave." No, seriously, thank you for everything you guys are doing. U continue doing great work. Miss Miller, I was just going to add, I know you were real quiet today and we didn't get a hear chance to hear your presentation, but I feel like I I watch you every day on how excited you are. I think the last short video you did was on uh ESL. You all had a workshop for teachers. >> New teacher >> orientation. Yeah, it was pretty cool. So, I got to see that one recently. But we're excited for another year. As you know, we've been here for a little over a year now. Like probably almost 18 months. 18 months. >> 18 months. And so, it's certainly been, and I think
038I've referenced this in the past, but for those that are joining us, >> it's been overwhelming. I mean, this wasn't something um that um well, I was going to say wasn't something we signed up for, but we did. And well, some of us did. was told but but we but um but I will tell you know but and we've done a good job. I was telling Marcy I was telling I was telling Marcy just today like I'm so proud of the hires that she's had with all of you and Dr. Little like like I always look at other meetings. I won't name the school districts and some school districts here in the valley are really good. There's a lot of good school districts around the state. But what I'm like a visual person, right? I
039always like to compare how we do and what can we do better. You know, Marcy's made the statement in the past, you know, we can't be good or great. We have to be perfect. And and I really believe that and that's something that I even now take to where I work that things need to be perfect because everyone is not only watching what you're doing, but what we're doing as a district. And so we're just so proud of all of you. Um, we take a lot of pride in the work we do. It's not like something we just show up on a Saturday or we show up on a Wednesday to come and do a board meeting. There is a lot of prep. You know, when people ask what we do, I know in my
040spare time, I'm reading whatever Joseph sends to us or, you know, Marcy's staff, you know, we we we we literally take time to make sure that what we're doing and the decisions we make, which could be challenging, you know, to many of the folks that we do the right thing that it's in the best interests of our students here in Loy. And I take it personally when people compare my students here to the students in other districts because I just love what you guys are doing here. So to you three that have joined us, we're very excited. As I mentioned to Marcy, we have the best of the best. I I I couldn't have asked for a better district to work. And I think we hear that wherever we go, >> right, Selena? I mean,
041I know you were out last night and you heard it, but you can remember from last night, but just kidding. But again, it's been a pleasure. we continue to if there's any well I shouldn't say if there's anything you need let us know because we don't want to say that but if there's we're here for you we're here for you and we take like I said um no greater joy than to spend a Saturday with each and every one of you so thank you with that said I don't think we have anybody else that has any comments thank you for your trip and the recommendations you made and >> thank you for your partnership >> yes um with that said do I have a motion to adjurnn >> I Move to adjourn this meeting at
0421:01 p.m. >> Do I have a second? >> I second a motion. >> All in favor signify by saying I. I. All oppose. Motion carries. We are now ajourned.