[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:03]
TRUSTEE WADE AND TRUSTEE DEIGAARD.
[ADJOURN TO CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER SECTIONS 551.004, 551.071, 551.072, 551.073, 551.074, 551.076, 551.082, 551.0821, 551.083, 551.084, AND 551.089 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE FOR THE PURPOSES LISTED IN THIS NOTICE]
OPEN MEETINGS ACT SUBSECTION 551.004, 551.071, 551.072, 551.073, 551.074, 551.076 551.082, 551.0821, 55 1.083, 551.084 AND 551.089. SHOULD BOARD FINAL ACTION, VOTE OR DECISION ON ANY MATTER CONSIDERED IN CLOSED SESSION BE REQUIRED? SUCH FINAL ACTION VOTE OR DECISION SHALL BE TAKEN AT THE OPEN MEETING COVERED BY THIS NOTICE UPON THE RECONVENING OF THIS PUBLIC MEETING, OR AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING OF THE BOARD UPON NOTICE THEREOF.THE BOARD HAS ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION OR EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 2:01 P.M.
[REGULAR BOARD MEETING RECONVENES FOR OPEN SESSION]
THIS MEETING IS NOW CONVENED AT 5:04 P.M..BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT IN THE BOARD AUDITORIUM ARE I WOULD LIKE TO ASK EVERYONE TO PLEASE SILENCE ALL CELL PHONES.
WE WILL NOW BE JOINED BY A MEMBER OF THE JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS TO LEAD OUR PLEDGES.
THE STUDENT IS FROM HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL IN DISTRICT ONE.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK DISTRICT ONE TRUSTEE ELIZABETH SANTOS TO INTRODUCE THE PLEDGE LEADER.
THANK YOU. PRESIDENT HERNANDEZ CADET LIEUTENANT COLONEL HAGAI GONZALEZ DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF IN ACADEMICS, LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT HIS HIGH SCHOOL YEARS.
DURING HIS TIME IN JROTC, HE VOLUNTEERED COUNTLESS HOURS SERVING HIS SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY, FOCUSING ESPECIALLY ON VETERANS, ON OUR VETERANS AS HE PLANNED AND ORGANIZED THE BATTALION'S PARTICIPATION IN WREATH LAYING CEREMONIES AND SPENDING TIME HONORING VETERANS IN NEARBY SENIOR CITIZEN LIVING CENTERS.
HE IS ALSO AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE JROTC ARCHERY TEAM AND COLOR GUARD.
NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO RECOGNITIONS.
[RECOGNITIONS]
THIS IS HISD'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY.WHEREAS THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1923 BY A SPECIAL ACT OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE SEPARATING THE DISTRICT FROM CITY OF HOUSTON GOVERNMENT.
[00:05:01]
AND. WHEREAS, THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY, HISD HAS BEEN HOME TO A MULTICULTURAL POPULATION OF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES REPRESENTING MANY DIFFERENT RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.BECAUSE OF WHICH, HOUSTON IS KNOWN AS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE CITIES IN AMERICA.
AND WHEREAS, THE DISTRICT BEGAN DESEGREGATION EFFORTS IN 1960, LED BY HATTIE MAE WHITE, A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AND THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN ELECTED TO PUBLIC OFFICE IN TEXAS IN THE 20TH CENTURY AND FOR WHOM THE HISD ADMINISTRATION OFFICE IS NAMED.
AND. WHEREAS, THE DISTRICT DEFINES ITSELF BY ITS DEDICATION TO BUILDING UP THE WHOLE CHILD THROUGH EXEMPLARY EDUCATION, COMBINED WITH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS BOTH IN SCHOOL AND AT HOME.
AND. WHEREAS, THE DISTRICT WILL MARK ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY ON MARCH 23RD, 2023.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT WE, THE HISD, BOARD OF EDUCATION AND SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS, JOIN IN HONORING THE DISTRICT FOR ITS CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY, CELEBRATING ITS PROUD PAST WHILE PLANNING FOR ITS BRIGHT FUTURE.
HOUSTON, TEXAS THIS NINTH DAY OF MARCH 2023.
NEXT, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK TRUSTEE WADE TO READ OUR PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.
AND WHEREAS, THROUGHOUT OUR NATION'S HISTORY, WOMEN HAVE BEEN LEADERS IN SHAPING OUR ECONOMY, CULTURE AND VALUES, BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR STRONG FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS AMERICA.
AND WHEREAS, WOMEN OF EVERY RACE AND ETHNICITY HAVE FOUGHT NOT ONLY FOR THEIR OWN RIGHTS OF SUFFRAGE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, BUT HAVE ALSO STOOD AT THE FOREFRONT OF EVERY MAJOR SOCIAL CHANGE MOVEMENT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUAL ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.
AND WHEREAS, IT IS APPROPRIATE TO GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE SKILLS, ABILITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS OF ALL WOMEN WHO SUPPORT EXCELLENCE AND SUCCESS AT EVERY LEVEL OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE HISD BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 2023 WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AT HISD.
IN WITNESS THEREOF ON THIS NINTH DAY OF MARCH 2023.
IT IS NOW TIME TO HEAR FROM SPEAKERS TO SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS.
[SPEAKERS TO AGENDA ITEMS]
WE HAVE EIGHT AGENDA SPEAKERS REGISTERED THIS EVENING WHO ARE LIMITED TO TWO MINUTES PER BOARD POLICY.PLEASE SPEAK TO THE AGENDA ITEM YOU HAVE SIGNED UP FOR.
BUT YOU MAY NAME YOUR OWN CHILD.
SPEAKERS SHOULD PRACTICE NORMAL RULES OF DECORUM.
ADDITIONALLY, DISRUPTIONS OF THE MEETING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
WE ASK THE AUDIENCE TO REFRAIN FROM INTERRUPTING SPEAKERS WHILE THEY PRESENT TO THE BOARD DURING THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING AND TO PROMPTLY END THEIR REMARKS WHEN THE TIMER RINGS INDICATING THE EXPIRATION OF THEIR TIME.
SPEAKERS WILL GENERALLY BE GIVEN TWO REMINDERS FOR OUR PUBLIC COMMENT RULES.
OUR FIRST ITEM HELD FOR REGISTERED SPEAKERS IS ITEM ONE, INVESTMENT REPORT.
WILL, RICHARD CALDERON, PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM.
ISD IS PLAYING A GAME RIGHT OFF THE DEMOCRATS PLAYBOOK TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER.
THE PAST TWO MONTHS YOU HAVE HAD BLACKS AND LATINOS FIGHTING EACH OTHER OVER THE REMAPPING BECAUSE THEY THINK SOMEONE OF THEIR OWN RACE SHOULD REPRESENT THEM ON THE SCHOOL BOARD. YET UNDER THE CURRENT VERY DIVERSE BOARD, CHILDREN IN HISD ARE BEING ABUSED, GROOMED BY THEIR TEACHERS.
THEY'RE LEARNING ABOUT SODOMY FROM LIBRARIANS.
[00:10:08]
YOU WANT PEOPLE TO CARE MORE ABOUT SKIN COLOR RATHER THAN JUDGING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS BY THE CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER.IF TEA DOESN'T GET RID OF YOU, WE WILL WAKE EVERY PARENT UP AND VOTE YOU OUT ANYWAY.
YOUR DAYS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL BE OVER.
MR. CALDERON. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU STAY ON TOPIC, WHICH IS ITEM ONE INVESTMENT.
YOU ALL ARE INVESTING ON THESE BOOKS, AND I'M GOING TO READ IT.
SABRINA'S VAGINA BECOMES MOIST AND WARM AND MARCO'S PENIS GETS VERY STIFF.
MARCO THEN PUSHES HIS PENIS INTO SABRINA'S VAGINA.
THAT FEELS GREAT FOR BOTH OF THEM.
WHEN THE FEELING IS NICEST, MARCO'S PENIS SPRAYS SEMEN INTO SABRINA'S VAGINA.
MR. CALDERON, YOU ARE NOT ON TOPIC..
OUR NEXT ITEM HELD FOR REGISTERED SPEAKERS IS ITEM SIX, CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO ISSUE SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHING PERMITS FOR NON CORE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSES.
WILL DANIELA SANTOS PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM.
GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
THIS IS ALSO WHY HFT CONDEMNS THE HOSTILE TAKEOVER OF HISD.
TEA DOES NOT REFLECT OUR COMMUNITY, DOES NOT KNOW OUR COMMUNITY OR ENGAGES WITH OUR COMMUNITY.
THUS, FOR OUR STUDENTS, WE MUST NOT ONLY PRESERVE THE PROFESSIONAL STATUS OF OUR TEACHERS, BUT WE MUST ALSO EXHAUST EVERY OPTION TO STOP THE HOSTILE TEA TAKE DOWN OF OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.
FINALLY, IF YOU DO BELIEVE IN COMMUNITY AND DIVERSITY, WE CALL ON ALL HOUSTONIANS TO GOOGLE COMMUNITY VOICES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SIGN THE PETITION.
MORE SPEAKER REGISTERED FOR ITEM ONE.
MISS SMITH. PLEASE ADMIT JAYNA MCEWEN.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? PLEASE TURN ON YOUR CAMERA SO WE CAN SEE YOU.
OKAY? YES. DO I HAVE TWO MINUTES? YES. YOU MAY BEGIN. OKAY.
HOUSTON WAS RECENTLY VOTED THE DIRTIEST CITY IN AMERICA.
OUR CRIME IS THROUGH THE ROOF AND RIVALS THE LIKES OF CHICAGO.
AND OUR SCHOOLS ARE NOT ONLY FAILING, BUT SOME ARE LITERALLY FALLING APART.
WHAT'S THE COMMON DENOMINATOR HERE? DEMOCRATS. YOU'VE BEEN SHOVING YOUR PROGRESSIVE POLICIES DOWN OUR THROATS SINCE OBAMA'S FIRST TERM IN 2008.
PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC WITH ITEM ONE, INVESTMENT REPORTS.
YOU RUN OUR CITY, CONTROL OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND HAVE MAJORITY RULE OVER OUR SCHOOLS.
BUT YET YOU CONSTANTLY BLAME REPUBLICANS AND ABBOTT FOR SHORTCOMINGS AND FAILED POLICIES.
SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT 400 MILLION AND HOW IT COULD BE BETTER SPENT TO HELP OUR KIDS.
IN HISD HISPANICS MAKE UP 62% OF THE POPULATION, BLACK, 22% WHITE, 9.5% AND ASIANS 4.4.
WHEN THE SO CALLED MINORITIES YOU PREACH ABOUT ARE ACTUALLY THE MAJORITY.
YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED AT U OF H RECENTLY.
THEY'RE SICK OF THE RACIST POLICIES AND SAID ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, NO MORE.
NOW, HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHY THE TESTING AND GRADES ARE SO LOW IN THE PREDOMINANTLY HISPANIC AND BLACK COMMUNITIES? AND AGAIN, THIS COMES BACK TO MONEY WHERE WE COULD ACTUALLY HELP THESE KIDS.
ENGLISH IS NOT THE FIRST LANGUAGE FOR A LOT OF THEM.
YOU QUIT TEACHING PHONICS IN OUR SCHOOLS.
IMAGINE MOVING TO MEXICO AND TRYING TO LEARN SPANISH WITHOUT BEING TAUGHT PHONICS.
YOU'D BE WALKING AROUND SAYING ROJO FOR RED INSTEAD OF ROJO.
[00:15:04]
IT'S NOT THAT THE STUDENTS ARE IGNORANT, IT'S JUST THAT YOU HAVE SET THEM UP FOR FAILURE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING BY TEACHING THEM WHOLE WORD SIGHT WORD INSTEAD OF HOW LETTERS COME TOGETHER PHONETICALLY TO FORM A SOUND AND MAKE A WORD.THIS IS NOT HOW THIS STARTS AT HOME.
HOW CAN YOU EXPECT THESE CHILDREN TO KNOW THEIR WORTH AND KNOW THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL WHEN YOU'RE ACTIVELY TEACHING THEM THAT THEY'RE OPPRESSED AND THEIR PEERS ARE THE ONES OPPRESSING THEM AND YOUR TIME IS UP INSTEAD? OUR NEXT ITEM HELD FOR REGISTERED SPEAKERS IS ITEM 12, APPROVAL OF BUDGET INCREASE AND AUTHORITY TO AMEND THE CONTRACT WITH RICE AND GARDENER CONSULTANTS INC FOR FACILITIES ASSESSMENT AND CAPITAL PLANNING SERVICES.
WILL TRACY RILEY PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM? GOOD. OKAY, GREAT.
GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME THIS EVENING.
I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL YOU SEE ME HERE BEFORE.
I THINK WE'LL PROBABLY GET IT IN 2029 FACILITIES TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THOSE FUNDS COME TO LIGHT.
WITH THE CAPITAL PLANNING STEERING COMMITTEE AND THE WHOLE BOND PROJECT, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU ALL, I KNOW WE NEED THE MONEY TO GO FORWARD, BUT WE ALSO NEED TRANSPARENCY AND WE NEED COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN THOUGHT PROCESS.
I KNOW THAT RICE GARDNER IS A PREMIER FIRM.
THEY PARTICIPATED WITH US AS A DISTRICT BEFORE, BUT OUR COMMITTEE HASN'T MET.
WE HAVEN'T HAD OUR CONSTITUENCY PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS SINCE WE DISBANDED LAST YEAR.
THE LAST NOTES ARE IN APRIL OF 2022.
AND SO I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE LIMITATIONS AS TRUSTEES, BUT I WOULD ALSO ASK YOU, AS YOU WORK ON THIS COMPREHENSIVE PROCESS, TO KEEP IN MIND, WE DON'T HAVE TO BITE OFF MORE THAN WE CAN CHEW. WE JUST NEED TO PUT SOMETHING FORWARD.
AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO I KNOW IT'S A BIG NUMBER.
AND AS A PARENT OF FOUR CHILDREN IN THIS DISTRICT, I FEEL LIKE WE'RE IN THE SAME BOAT AGAIN.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY I AM AGAINST STATE TAKEOVER.
I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR WORK, EVERYONE IN THE DISTRICT.
OUR STUDENTS ARE THRIVING DESPITE THEY CAN PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER.
MY STUDENTS SPEAK SPANISH AND ENGLISH AND WITHOUT OUR AMAZING TEACHERS, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE.
AND I HOPE THAT THE STATE PAYS ATTENTION TO THAT.
THANK YOU. OUR NEXT ITEM HELD FOR REGISTERED SPEAKERS IS ITEM 14 APPROVAL OF CURRENT AND ANTICIPATED DONATIONS FOR DISTRICT WIDE AND SCHOOL SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND AUTHORIZATION TO NEGOTIATE, EXECUTE AND AMEND NECESSARY CONTRACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE DONATIONS.
WILL JACKIE [INAUDIBLE] PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM, FOLLOWED BY ANGELA BOX.
SO WHEN THE HFT-AFT TURNER AND HIDALGO ARE ALL IN CAHOOTS AGAINST THE STATE TAKEOVER TELLS THE PUBLIC EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO KNOW AS TO WHY THIS IS A GOOD IDEA. YOU CAN'T BE ANY MORE CORRUPT THAN THE UNION.
THIS IS YOUR FIRST REMINDER TO STAY ON TOPIC.
I'M GETTING THERE. THE APPROVAL OF CURRENT AND ANTICIPATED MY TIME IS TICKING.
YOU CAN'T BE ANY MORE CORRUPT WITH THOSE UNIONS AND THE ONES RUNNING GOTHAM CITY.
THE UNIONS HAVEN'T LIKED MIKE MORATH SINCE HE WAS A BOARD TRUSTEE IN DALLAS ISD.
TEA HAS MADE CHANGES TO POLICIES ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT THE LEFT HATES REGARDING REMOVING LIBRARY BOOKS THAT ARE INAPPROPRIATE THIS DISTRICT IS NOT TRANSPARENT.
TEACHERS, MRS. ABU HILL, YOU CAN SPEAK TOWARDS THIS ITEM.
YOU CAN SPEAK BUT AT THE HEARING OF THE COMMUNITY.
[00:20:01]
THANK YOU. SO PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC.IF YOU'RE NOT ON TOPIC, THEN WE WILL HAVE TO MOVE YOU TO THE END AT THE HEARING OF THE COMMUNITY.
HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO BE IN? BUT WE'LL GO WITH IT.
OKAY? HI, I'M ANGELA BOX AND I'M A FORMER HISD TEACHER.
THE FAILURES OF THIS DISTRICT ARE TOO NUMEROUS TO COUNT, AND IT IS REMARKABLE THAT THE THOROUGHLY POLITICIZED LEFTISTS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO ITS DOWNFALL ARE BLAMING POLITICS FOR ITS IMPLOSION.
HERE'S WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN NOW.
MRS. BOX, BLOOM'S TAXONOMY PERIOD SPELLING PATTERN GRAMMAR, VOCABULARY, PHONICS AND MATH FACTS.
REISSUE CLASSIC TEXTBOOKS AND WORKBOOKS.
TEACH PENMANSHIP AND COMPOSITION.
ENFORCE DISCIPLINE AND BEHAVIOR STANDARDS.
SEND CHRONIC BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS TO THE WE'RE NOT DONE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS TO ALTERNATIVE.
SECOND REMINDER, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TALK OVER ME DANI. BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS TO ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS RUN BY FORMER MILITARY BOX. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT THE HEARING OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE LIBRARY, MISS BOX, YOU'RE ABLE TO SPEAK AT THE HEARING OF THE COMMUNITY.
OUR NEXT ITEM HELD FOR A REGISTERED SPEAKERS IS ITEM 19, AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SOUTH HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WILL, I'M SORRY FOR THE MISPRONUNCIATION.
[INAUDIBLE] PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM.
BUT REALLY, ALL OF THIS CHANGED WHEN I JOINED A TITLE ONE CAMPUS IN HISD AND HAVING TO DEAL WITH A HIGH STRESS ENVIRONMENT AND DEALING WITH STUDENT DISCIPLINE ALONG WITH GRADES. MS.. VU I'M GOING TO REMIND YOU THIS IS YOUR FIRST REMINDER, PLEASE.
THAT'S TOTALLY FINE. THANKS FOR REMINDING ME.
LET ME ILLUMINATE THE PARENTS AND EVERYONE WATCHING.
WE DON'T FAIL OUR STUDENTS ANYMORE.
WE PROMOTE THEM NO MATTER WHAT.
AND YOU SIGNED UP FOR AGENDA ITEM ON THE.
I'M REALLY CONFUSED BECAUSE NORMALLY YOU GUYS DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT THIS, BUT YOU'RE ENFORCING THIS NOW BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE THE THINGS FOO YOU ARE ABLE TO SPEAK AT THE HEARING OF THE COMMUNITY.
IF YOU WANTED TO REGISTER TO TALK MS. FOO, OUR STUDENTS ARE WATCHING.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU STAY ON TOPIC.
WILL, LAURA LIM, PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM.
AND JUST A REMINDER, YOU SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 20.
IF NOT, YOUR MIC WILL BE MUTED.
MADAM PRESIDENT, WHY DOES HISD NEED TO ADOPT THE NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN RESPONSE TO AN ACTIVE THREAT? DIDN'T HISD SPEND $29 MILLION ON SECURITY AND MONITORING SERVICES ENDING IN 2022 FISCAL YEAR? $664 MILLION IN UNASSIGNED FUNDS ASSIGNED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
YET MY LOCAL SCHOOL IS TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FROM PARENTS FOR METAL DETECTORS.
WHERE DID THAT MONEY GO? HOW MUCH IS THIS ADOPTION COSTING TAXPAYERS? WHERE IS THE TRANSPARENCY WITH ALL OF THIS WASTEFUL SPENDING? TEA IS TAKING OVER HISD? I COULDN'T BE MORE ECSTATIC FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.
YET OUR SCHOOLS STILL LACK HEAT, AIR AND HVAC SYSTEMS THAT FILTER OUT POISONOUS CARBON DIOXIDE.
[00:25:04]
TEACHERS ARE PAID BELOW MINIMUM WAGE.SEXUAL ASSAULTS AND MISCONDUCT AMONGST TEACHERS AND STUDENTS IS PREVALENT IN OUR SCHOOLS.
THIS CONCLUDES OUR HEARING OF REGISTERED SPEAKERS FOR AGENDA ITEMS. MADAM PRESIDENT, I HAVE A POINT OF ORDER.
NOW, WITH THAT OBJECTION FROM MY COLLEAGUES, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE UP THE POSSIBLE MATTERS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION NOW A LITTLE BIT OUT OF ORDER. ARE THERE ANY MOTIONS FROM CLOSED SESSION? I HAVE A POINT OF ORDER, MADAM PRESIDENT.
COULD I, COULD WE GO INTO CLOSED SESSION REALLY QUICKLY, PLEASE? IT'S A LEGAL MATTER.
IT IS A LEGAL MATTER. I MEAN, I COULD JUST SIDEBAR WITH MS. MCBRIDE FOR JUST A SECOND.
MADAM PRESIDENT, I HAVE A POINT.
WELL, THAT MEANS I WILL NOT BE VOTING THEN.
MADAM PRESIDENT, I BELIEVE TRUSTEE BAKER IS TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION.
I THINK I'M HEARING HIM SAY POINT OF ORDER.
FIRST OF ALL, CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? I CAN'T. I'VE.
TRUSTEE. TRUSTEE BAKER. WE CAN HEAR YOU NOW, MR. BAKER. WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG TO SAY? POINT OF ORDER. FIVE TIMES.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE AUDIO DOWN THERE? OKAY. AND GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.
BUT PLEASE STATE YOUR POINT OF ORDER TRUSTEE BAKER.
MY POINT OF ORDER IS WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE CUT OFF THOSE SPEAKERS.
WE GOT POLITICIANS, MR. BAKER AND WHATEVER THEY WANT TO SAY.
TRUSTEE BAKER SINCE YOU'VE MADE A POINT, A POINT OF ORDER THAT REQUIRES A LEGAL RESPONSE UNDER OUR POLICY, THE SPEAKERS TWO AGENDA ITEMS WE TAKE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING AND SPEAKERS ARE SUPPOSED TO STAY ON TOPIC BECAUSE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE TWO ACTUAL.
THANK YOU. ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SPEAKING TO THE ACTUAL ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
PRESIDENT NOW, THIS POINT OF ORDER.
I CAN'T HEAR. ATTORNEY MCBRIDE, PLEASE.
I'M SORRY. I'VE GOT MY MIC ON.
I'LL TRY TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT LOUDER.
AND SO THE HEARING OF THE COMMUNITY ALLOWS PEOPLE WHO REGISTER TO SPEAK, TO SPEAK ON ANY TOPIC.
SO WE HAVE TWO PARTS OF THE MEETING, ONE PART OF THE MEETING BEFORE YOU VOTE OR DELIBERATE ON ANY ACTION ITEM, WE ALLOW THE COMMUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT THOSE ACTION ITEMS. AND THEN THE SECOND PART OF THE MEETING BEFORE, BY SEVEN EVERY EVENING IS THE HEARING OF THE COMMUNITY WHERE THE COMMUNITY IS ALLOWED TO TALK TO THE BOARD ON ANY TOPIC.
OKAY. TRUSTEE BAKER, TRUSTEE BAKER.
THE BOARD WILL NOW ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION OR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
I'M AN ELECTED OFFICIAL JUST LIKE, HOLD ON.
EMILY, CAN YOU HOLD ON? MY POINT OF ORDER IS WHY DO WE LET ALL OF THESE DEMOCRAT POLITICIANS COME IN AND SPEAK WHENEVER THEY WANT AND WE CUT THE PUBLIC OFF LIKE THAT? HERNANDEZ WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.
IF YOU WANT TO JUST MOVE FORWARD, WE NEED TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.
[CLOSED SESSION AUTHORIZATION DURING MEETING (Part 1 of 2)]
SO THE BOARD WILL NOW ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION CHAPTER 551 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE OPEN MEETINGS ACT., SUBSECTION 551.004, 551.071, 551.072, 551.073, 551.074, 55 1.076, 551.082, 551.0821, 551.083, 551.084 AND 551.089.SHOULD BOARD FINAL ACTION VOTE OR DECISION ON ANY MATTER CONSIDERED IN CLOSED SESSION BE REQUIRED SUCH FINAL VOTE, ACTION OR DECISION SHALL BE TAKEN AT THE OPEN MEETING COVERED BY THIS NOTICE. UPON THE RECONVENING OF THIS PUBLIC MEETING OR AT A SUBSEQUENT PUBLIC MEETING UPON THE NOTICE OF THE BOARD UPON NOTICE THEREOF.
THE BOARD HAS ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION OR EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5:33 P.M.
THE BOARD HAS RECONVENED AT 5:50 P.M.
AND NOW, WITHOUT OBJECTION, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE AGENDA OUT OF ORDER AND TAKE ACTION ON
[CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION (Part 1 of 2)]
POSSIBLE MATTERS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.[00:30:02]
SO WE ARE NOW READY FOR ITEMS TO CONSIDER DISCUSS IN CLOSED SESSION.ARE THERE ANY MOTIONS? WE HAVE A MOTION BY TRUSTEE BLUEFORD-DANIELS AND A SECOND BY TRUSTEE.
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD APPROVE A FINDING OF NO GOOD CAUSE FOR EDUCATORS TO RESIGN OR ABANDON EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS WITHOUT DISTRICT CONSENT UNDER SECTION 21.105C, 21.160C OR 21.210C OF THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE, AS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AND AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT OR HIS DESIGNEE TO SUBMIT A WRITTEN COMPLAINT TO SBC TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS.
AS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION EFFECTIVE MARCH 10TH, 2023.
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE BALLOTS OF THE CLOSED.
OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY TRUSTEE BLUEFORD-DANIELS.
IS THERE A SECOND? WE HAVE A SECOND BY TRUSTEE DEIGAARD.
AND THIS IS OUR FIRST, SECOND TIME USING THIS NEW SYSTEM.
MOTION PASSED SEVEN FOR, ONE ABSTENTION.
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE CLOSED SESSION PERSONNEL AGENDA, INCLUDING SPECIFICALLY THAT THE BOARD APPROVE PROPOSED TERMINATIONS OF CONTINUING TERM AND PROBATIONARY CONTRACTS, APPROVE END OF TERM TERMINATIONS OF PROBATIONARY CONTRACTS THAT THE BOARD APPROVE PROPOSED NON-RENEWALS OF TERM CONTRACTS THAT THE BOARD APPROVE ISSUANCE OF FOURTH YEAR PROBATIONARY CONTRACTS, AND THAT THE BOARD AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT OR HIS DESIGNEE TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF SAYING THAT THE BOARD APPROVED SEPARATION AND RELEASE AGREEMENTS, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE WITHDRAWALS OF CONTRACT RECOMMENDATIONS AND THAT THE BOARD APPROVE ISSUANCE OF FINAL ORDERS ON CONTRACT TERMINATIONS AND NON-RENEWALS AS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION EFFECTIVE MARCH 10TH, 2023.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY TRUSTEE BLUEFORD-DANIELS AND A SECOND BY TRUSTEE.
OKAY. A SECOND BY TRUSTEE WADE.
WE ARE SIX IN FAVOR, ZERO OPPOSED AND TWO ABSTENTIONS.
DO I HAVE ANY OTHER MOTIONS? MHM.
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD AUTHORIZE THE DISTRICT'S SPECIAL COUNSEL TO NONSUIT THE LAWSUIT STYLED AS HOUSTON ISD VERSUS TEA IN THE 459TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS.
CAUSE NUMBER D1GN 19 003695 IN ORDER TO END FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF DISTRICT RESOURCES AS THERE IS NO FURTHER LEGAL RECOURSE.
WE HAVE A MOTION, IS THERE? WE HAVE A MOTION BY TRUSTEE GUIDRY AND A SECOND BY TRUSTEE CRUZ.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR STUDENTS IS UNWAVERING AND WE ARE LASER FOCUSED ON STUDENT OUTCOMES.
WE ARE NOW AT THE POINT WHERE IT IS TIME FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD.
IT IS IN OUR STUDENTS AND OUR EMPLOYEES BEST INTERESTS FOR US TO END THIS LAWSUIT BETWEEN HISD AND TEA AND NAVIGATE AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ALL PARTIES INVOLVED SO THAT OUR COMMUNITY'S VALUES ARE UPHELD.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING BOTH ORGANIZATIONS TO THE TABLE SOON FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF CHILDREN.
[00:35:04]
WE FOUGHT FOR OUR STUDENTS, PARENTS AND COMMUNITIES RIGHT TO DEMOCRATIC VOICE FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS.WE HAD TWO ELECTIONS DURING THAT TIME.
WE HAD ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS ACHIEVE PASSING RATINGS AND DID IT THROUGH A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.
BUT WE FINALLY LOST AT THE SUPREME COURT, AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROCEDURES LEFT TO PUSH OUR CASE.
THIS BATTLE IS OVER, BUT OUR FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY AND PUBLIC EDUCATION WILL NEVER BE OVER.
IT IS TIME FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER.
WE WIN BY UNITING OUR VOICES AT THE LEGISLATURE AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS AND AT THE BALLOT BOX.
I'M SORRY, Y'ALL. PLEASE VOTE.
POINT OF ORDER. POINT OF ARDOR.
WHAT'S THIS VOTE FOR? BECAUSE I WAS OUT.
POINT OF ORDER. TRUSTEE GUIDRY.
CAN YOU PLEASE RESTATE THE MOTION? ABSOLUTELY. TRUSTEE BAKER, CAN YOU HEAR ME? I CAN HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR.
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, I'M SORRY THAT THE BOARD AUTHORIZE THE DISTRICT SPECIAL COUNSEL TO NONSUIT THE LAWSUIT STYLED AS HOUSTON ISD VERSUS TEA IN THE 459TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS, CAUSE NUMBER D1GN 19 003695 IN ORDER TO END FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF DISTRICT RESOURCES AS THERE ARE NO FURTHER LEGAL RECOURSES.
WE'RE CLOSING. VOTING IS CLOSING NOW.
ONE OPPOSED AND ZERO ABSTENTIONS.
OKAY. WE ARE NOW READY TO CONSIDER THE SUPERINTENDENTS AGENDA ITEMS.
[Superintendent agenda items]
FOR THE RECORD, LET IT BE REFLECTED THAT THE ATTACHMENTS TO VENDOR AWARDS, DONATIONS AND AE LOCAL HAVE CHANGED, AND THE RESOLUTION AND SUPPORTING OF IN SUPPORT OF PROHIBITING THE SALE OF ALL FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS IS A NEW ITEM WITH A NEW ATTACHMENT.THE BOARD POLICY REQUIRES TRUSTEES TO ABSTAIN FROM ALL DISCUSSION AND VOTES PERTAINING TO CONTRACTS THAT MIGHT INVOLVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AS DEFINED IN BOARD POLICY BBFA LOCAL.
FOR EACH ITEM OF DISCUSSION, WE WILL DO ONE ROUND OF ONE MINUTE PER TRUSTEE.
IF AN ADDITIONAL ROUND IS DESIRED, THAT CAN BE DONE WITH A MOTION SECOND AND A BOARD VOTE.
OUR FIRST ITEM HELD FROM CONSENT AGENDA IS ITEM TWO, APPROVAL OF THE MARCH BUDGET AMENDMENT.
THIS ITEM WAS HELD FOR DISCUSSION BY TRUSTEE, CRUZ AND DEIGAARD.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVE BAKER. WE HAVE A MOTION BY TRUSTEE ALLEN AND A SECOND BY TRUSTEE BLUEFORD-DANIELS.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? DISCUSSION? TRUSTEE BAKER.
AND SO I HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS AND NO FURTHER CONCERNS ABOUT THIS ITEM.
I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE IS NOT CLARITY AS TO WHICH OF THESE VACANT POSITIONS WERE CONSIDERED CORE POSITIONS AND THAT WE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT THAT THIS WILL HAVE ON OUR STUDENTS.
AND MY CONCERNS ARE FOR THIS BUDGET AMENDMENT AND THE PROPOSED BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR FY 2024.
AND MY QUESTION IS, WE HAVE 100 MILLION MORE IN UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE AND THAT APPEARED IN OUR JANUARY BUDGET AMENDMENT.
SO I'M WONDERING WHERE THOSE CUTS ARE COMING FROM.
WE ALREADY HAVE A LOT OF MONEY, A LOT MORE THAN WE NEED IN OUR RAINY DAY FUND.
[00:40:03]
THEN I HAVE TWO MORE QUESTIONS.WHAT HAS BEEN SHARED WITH PRINCIPALS IN TERMS OF THEIR BUDGETS FOR NEXT YEAR AND OUR EMPLOYEES ALREADY BEING TOLD THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE LET GO BASED ON PROPOSED CUTS FOR FY 2024? CHIEF REED, LET'S START WITH THE FIRST QUESTION THAT YOU HAD.
CAN YOU ASK THE FIRST QUESTION AGAIN FOR ME? YES. THE 100 MILLION THAT IS NOW IN THE UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE THAT APPEARED IN THE JANUARY BUDGET AMENDMENT.
SO, YEAH, THERE WAS AN INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR FROM 2022.
BY THE END OF 22, WE DID HAVE AN INCREASE IN THE UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE.
SO WHERE DID THAT LIKE WHEN I LOOKED AT ALL OF THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS FROM THE TIME WE ADOPTED THE BUDGET UNTIL NOW, AND THAT WAS IN ANY OF THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS UNTIL JANUARY. SO WHERE DID THE, WHERE DID WE FIND THE 100 MILLION? WE DIDN'T THE FUNDS WEREN'T FOUND.
WHAT DID WE DID NOT CLOSE OUT OUR CAFR UNTIL SORRY NOVEMBER.
CAN YOU REMIND ME WHAT CAFR IS? THAT'S THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT THAT YOU ALL ADOPTED IN NOVEMBER.
EVERYTHING BEFORE THAT WAS ESTIMATED YEAR END.
SO IS THAT FALLOUT, THEN, 100 MILLION? YES. SOME OF THAT WAS FALLOUT.
SO THEN MY NEXT TWO QUESTIONS WERE WHAT HAS BEEN SHARED WITH PRINCIPLES IN TERMS OF THEIR BUDGETS FOR FY 2024 AND ARE EMPLOYEES ALREADY BEING TOLD THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE LET GO BASED ON PROPOSED CUTS.
I'M GOING TO HAVE OUR CHIEF OF SCHOOLS, DR.
YES. THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
OVER THE LAST 3 TO 4 MONTHS, WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL BUDGET SESSIONS WITH THE PRINCIPALS, ESSENTIALLY SCAFFOLDING THEM AROUND WHAT ARE THE DISTRICT LEVEL CUTS AND REDUCTIONS THAT WILL BE MADE AND THEN WHAT WILL BE THE SCHOOL LEVEL IMPACTS THAT WILL BE MADE.
TODAY, EACH OF THEM RECEIVED THEIR BUDGET ALLOCATION SHEET, WHICH EXPLAINED WHAT THEIR GENERAL FUND BUDGET ALLOCATION WOULD BE, WHAT THEIR ESSER AND TITLE ONE ALLOCATIONS WOULD BE AS WELL.
THEY RECEIVED INFORMATION ABOUT A PUA INCREASE TODAY ANY POSITIONS THAT WOULD BE CHANGING THAT ARE CENTRALLY FUNDED AND ALSO ANY POSITIONS THAT THEY HAVE ELECTED TO USE ESSER DOLLARS FOR OR TITLE ONE DOLLARS FOR THAT THEY MAY NEED TO CLOSE A POSITION AND OR DO A REDUCTION IN FORCE AT THEIR SCHOOLS.
PRESIDENT HERNANDEZ CAN I RESPOND TO THAT OR CAN I MAKE A MOTION FOR A SECOND ROUND, PLEASE? WE HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE IN THE QUEUE, SO WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU.
THANK YOU. TRUSTEE BLUEFORD-DANIELS.
THANK YOU FOR THAT BECAUSE I REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS BUDGET.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS CONCERNING IS OBVIOUSLY ONCE WE GAVE THE PAY RAISES AND THEN WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT THE ESSER FUNDS, THEN I HAD CONCERNS THEN WITH THE ESSER FUNDS BEING UTILIZED, KNOWING THAT AFTER A WHILE THAT THEY WOULD RUN OUT.
SO I'M JUST GLAD TO SEE WE'RE BACK ON TRACK WITH THE SAVINGS AND WE JUST WANT TO SEE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO ALLOW MORE FOR OUR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AT OUR CAMPUSES. THANK YOU.
TRUSTEE. IF THERE'S NOBODY ELSE IN THE QUEUE, THEN WE'LL GO BACK TO TRUSTEE CRUZ.
SO MY QUESTION THEN IS IF WE'RE ALREADY GIVING PRINCIPALS BUDGETS, BUT WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED THE BUDGET AS A FULL BOARD NOR I MEAN, WE REALLY ONLY HAD ONE BUDGET MEETING, PUBLIC MEETING.
AND SO I AM CONCERNED THAT DECISIONS ARE ALREADY BEING MADE WITHOUT APPROVAL.
SO WE'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT THAT.
YOU KNOW, AS BEFORE THE BEFORE THE SPRING BREAK WAS OVER.
SO WE'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR WITH THEM THAT THESE ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
IF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE RATIFIED BY THE BOARD, THIS IS WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE.
[00:45:04]
ONE TIME FUNDING, TITLE ONE FUNDING THAT WAS DESIGNATED LAST YEAR IS ONE TIME FUNDING.SO IF IT WAS ONE TIME FUNDING, IT EXPIRES THIS YEAR.
SO THEY HAVE TO BE POSITIONED TO MAKE DECISIONS.
YES. SO AND I FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO START THESE CONVERSATIONS MUCH SOONER.
AND THIS IS NOT ABOUT ESSER OR ANY OF THE ONE TIME FEES.
NO, THERE'S THERE'S NOT A PLAN FOR AN OVERALL RIFF.
SO NO, NOT EVEN AN OVERALL ROOF.
BUT JUST IF IF CERTAIN THE ONE TIME FUNDING POSITIONS JUST IF THERE'S A DEPARTMENT OR SCHOOL THAT THAT HAS CUTS BASED ON PROPOSED CUTS OVERALL, NOT ONE TIME FUNDING ARE PEOPLE BEING ALREADY TOLD THEY'RE GOING TO BE LET GO.
THE FOCUS RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF MAJORITY OF THE BUDGET CUTS THAT WE'RE THAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT HAVE TO DO WITH POSITIONS ARE VACANT POSITIONS, THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE SAT THEM, THAT HAVE SAT FOR QUITE SOME TIME VACANT.
SO WE'VE CAPTURED A LOT OF BIG NUMBER, ESPECIALLY ON THE INSTRUCTIONAL SIDE, A NUMBER OF THE CUTS FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, WE'VE CHOSEN NOT TO GO AND LOOK AT EMPLOYEES THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN POSITIONS.
OKAY. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME.
SO TO TRUSTEE CRUZ POINT ABOUT THE TIMING OF ALL OF THIS, GIVEN ALL OF THE UNCERTAINTY AND INSTABILITY RIGHT NOW, IT JUST FEELS MISGUIDED TO ME FOR US TO BE RIFFING PEOPLE RIGHT NOW BEFORE THE BOARD'S APPROVED ANYTHING.
AND AGAIN, AS I INDICATED, I THINK WE'RE NOT IT'S ONLY VACANT POSITIONS.
MR. REED, DO YOU MIND INDICATING THAT IN A DIFFERENT WAY? NO. SO YOU'RE CORRECT.
RIGHT NOW ALL WE IDENTIFIED ARE VACANT POSITIONS AT THIS TIME.
ARE THEY VACANT POSITIONS IN CORE CONTENT AREAS THAT NOW THE THAT THE PRINCIPALS CAN'T FILL IN BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO APPROVE THIS BUDGET OR NOT AND THEY'RE GOING TO MISS THE PRIME HIRING WINDOWS A MAJORITY.
GO AHEAD. SO WHAT THEY'VE DONE RIGHT NOW IS THE VACANT POSITIONS WERE FOR 22, 23.
THEY HAVE NOT EVEN STARTED WORKING ON THEIR THEIR 23, 24 BUDGETS.
WE HAVEN'T ROLLED THOSE OUT TO THE CAMPUSES TO ACTUALLY START BUILDING THOSE YET.
I SEE. SO NOTHING'S BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR 23 AND 24 YET.
THERE ARE NO EMPLOYEES IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS THAT ARE GETTING RIFFED.
ARE THERE ANY EMPLOYEES GETTING RIFFED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE OUR NEXT BUDGET MEETING? GRANT SKINNER. I WANT TO ANSWER, I GUESS, A COUPLE OF THINGS.
SO THIS ITEM IS ACTUALLY ABOUT THE CURRENT YEAR'S BUDGET.
AND SO WE'RE NOT WE DO NOT IMPLEMENT A REDUCTION IN FORCE IN THE MIDDLE OF A YEAR.
SO AS IT PERTAINS TO THIS ITEM, NO, NO EMPLOYEE WOULD WOULD FIND OUT THAT THEIR POSITION IS GOING AWAY THIS YEAR AS A RESULT OF THE CURRENT YEAR BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, WHICH IS NOT NOT RELATED TO THIS.
YOU HAVE AN ITEM TONIGHT, ITEM SEVEN, WHICH IS RELATED TO REDUCTION IN FORCE.
I THINK THERE ARE FIVE FIVE POSITIONS, NOT NO CLASSROOM TEACHERS, NO LIBRARIANS, NO NURSES.
AS PRINCIPALS GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS, THEY MAY START ENGAGING IN CONVERSATIONS WITH STAFF IN THEIR SCHOOL ABOUT WHETHER THERE ARE THE SAME NUMBER OF POSITIONS IN THEIR SCHOOL FOR NEXT YEAR.
WE HAVE ONE MORE PERSON LEFT TO VOTE.
[00:50:03]
THEY GOT YOU, KENDALL. OKAY.WE HAVE SIX IN FAVOR, TWO OPPOSED AND ZERO ABSTENTION, MOTION PASSES.
MADAM PRESIDENT. POINT OF PRIVILEGE.
POINT OF ORDER. MY VOTE WAS NOT RECORDED.
POINT OF ORDER. MR. TRUSTEE BAKER. YOUR VOTE WAS COUNTED.
I DIDN'T SEE MY GREEN NAME ON THE SCREEN.
MRS AGUILAR. WAS HIS NAME ON THERE? DON'T KNOW.
DID YOU CLOSE THE VOTE? OKAY. SO CAN SOMEONE ON THE PREVAILING SIDE A MOTION TO RECONSIDER IT? MOTION TO RECONSIDER THE PREVIOUS VOTE.
AND THIS TIME, PAY ATTENTION TO THE SCREEN.
PLEASE VOTE. AND BOARD MEMBERS, THIS IS ON THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER TO PUT THAT PREVIOUS MOTION BACK ON THE FLOOR.
THIS IS JUST TO RECONSIDER, RIGHT? THIS IS JUST ON THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER.
IT'S NOT ON THE ACTUAL SUBSTANCE.
WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT THEM.
WE HAVE SEVEN IN FAVOR, ZERO OPPOSED AND ZERO ABSTENTIONS.
MOTION. NOW, THE MOTION REGARDING THE BUDGET AMENDMENT IS BACK ON THE FLOOR.
WE ARE NOW GOING TO VOTE ON THE MARCH BUDGET AMENDMENT.
[2. Approval Of The March Budget Amendment]
PLEASE VOTE.YOU HAVE TRUSTEE WADE MOVED IT AND TRUSTEE DEIGAARD SECONDED.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY TRUSTEE WADE AND A SECOND BY TRUSTEE DEIGAARD.
PLEASE VOTE. TRUSTEE BAKER IS INDICATING YES.
WE HAVE FIVE IN FAVOR, TWO OPPOSE AND ZERO ABSTENTIONS.
[3. Approval To Adopt Resolution In Support Of Prohibiting The Sale Of All Flavored Tobacco Products]
OUR NEXT ITEM HELD FROM CONSENT AGENDA IS ITEM THREE APPROVAL TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PROHIBITING THE SALE OF ALL FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS. I REQUESTED THIS ITEM TO BE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION AND I HAVE ASKED TRUSTEE DR.ALLEN TO READ THIS RESOLUTION.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION? I HAVE A MOTION BY TRUSTEE SANTOS AND A SECOND BY TRUSTEE CRUZ.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? YES. TRUSTEE ALLEN.
WHEREAS THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS A SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST IN PROTECTING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ITS STUDENTS REGARDING PUBLIC SAFETY, SECURITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES, INCLUDING DANGEROUS PRODUCTS SUCH AS TOBACCO AND E-CIGARETTES.
AND WHEREAS, TOBACCO USE REMAINS THE LEADING CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE DISEASE IN THE US, KILLING MORE THAN 480,000 AMERICANS EACH YEAR. AND WHEREAS, TOBACCO PRODUCTS USE STARTS AND IS ESTABLISHED MOSTLY DURING ADOLESCENCE, AND NEARLY NINE OUT OF TEN ADULTS WHO SMOKE
[00:55:03]
CIGARETTES DAILY FIRST TRIED SMOKING BY THE AGE OF 18.AND WHEREAS, EVERY YEAR, ABOUT 10,400 YOUNG TEXANS UNDER AGE 18 BECOME NEW DAILY SMOKERS.
AND. WHEREAS, 28,000 TEXANS DIE EACH YEAR FROM SMOKING RELATED ILLNESSES.
AND. WHEREAS, ACCORDING TO THE US SURGEON GENERAL, NICOTINE CAN HARM THE PARTS OF THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR ATTENTION, LEARNING, MOOD AND IMPULSE CONTROL AND CAN PRIME THE BRAIN FOR ADDICTION TO OTHER DRUGS.
AND. WHEREAS, MENTHOL CIGARETTES AND OTHER FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE STARTER PRODUCTS FOR YOUTH WHO BEGAN USING TOBACCO, AND THESE PRODUCTS HELP ESTABLISH TOBACCO HABITS THAT CAN LEAD TO LONG TERM ADDICTION.
AND WHEREAS, THE US SURGEON GENERAL DECLARED YOUTH E-CIGARETTE USE AS EPIDEMIC IN 2018.
AND WHEREAS, OVER 3 MILLION US YOUTH ARE CURRENT E-CIGARETTE USERS AND NEARLY 40% OF HIGH SCHOOL E-CIGARETTE USERS ARE FREQUENT USERS.
AND WHEREAS, E-CIGARETTES ARE AVAILABLE IN MORE THAN 15,000 FLAVORS, INCLUDING A WIDE VARIETY WITH KID FRIENDLY NAMES OF FRUIT DESSERTS AND CANDIES SUCH AS GUMMY BEARS AND COTTON CANDY.
AND WHEREAS, 83% OF HIGH SCHOOL E-CIGARETTE USERS AND 74% OF MIDDLE SCHOOL E-CIGARETTE USERS USE FLAVORED PRODUCTS. AND WHEREAS, 82% OF YOUTH E-CIGARETTE USERS AND 74% OF YOUTH CIGAR SMOKERS SAY THEY USE THE PRODUCTS BECAUSE THEY COME IN FLAVORS I LIKE.
AND WHEREAS, CIGARS ARE SOLD IN OVER 250 FLAVORS LIKE CHOCOLATE, WATERMELON AND TROPICAL FUSION THAT ATTRACT YOUTH AND MASK THE HARSH TASTE OF TOBACCO.
AND. WHEREAS, THE US FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION HAS CONCLUDED THAT MENTHOL CIGARETTES LEAD TO INCREASED SMOKING INITIATION AMONG YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS, GREATER ADDICTION, AND DECREASED SUCCESS IN QUITTING SMOKING.
AND. WHEREAS, MORE THAN HALF OF HIGH SCHOOL E-CIGARETTE SMOKERS USE MINT AND MENTHOL FLAVORS.
AND. WHEREAS, THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY HAS TARGETED AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES FOR DECADES WITH MARKETING FOR MENTHOL CIGARETTES THROUGH SPONSORSHIP OF COMMUNITY AND MUSIC EVENTS AND TARGETED AFRICAN AMERICAN AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES WITH MAGAZINE ADVERTISING AND RETAIL PROMOTIONS.
AND WHEREAS, 85% OF BLACK SMOKERS AND 50% OF HISPANIC SMOKERS SMOKE MENTHOL CIGARETTES COMPARED TO 29% OF WHITE SMOKERS.
AND WHEREAS, PARENTS, SCHOOLS, STUDENTS AND PUBLIC HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, THE CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO FREE KIDS AND THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPPORT PROHIBITING THE SALE OF ALL FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FORMALLY STATES ITS SUPPORT FOR PROHIBITING THE SALE OF ALL FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
ADOPTED THIS NINTH DAY OF MARCH 2023.
I DON'T SEE ANYBODY ELSE IN THE QUEUE, SO PLEASE VOTE.
MRS SMITH IS TRUSTEE BAKER STILL ON ZOOM? VOTING IS NOW CLOSING.
WE HAVE SIX IN FAVOR, ZERO OPPOSED AND ZERO ABSTENTIONS.
OUR LAST ITEM HELD FROM CONSENT AGENDA IS ITEM 22.
[22. Approval Of Proposed Revisions To Board Policy AE(LOCAL), Educational Philosophy, Regarding Constraints 2.1, 2.2, And 2.3-First Reading]
[01:00:07]
APPROVAL OF PROPOSED REVISIONS TO BOARD POLICY, A LOCAL EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY REGARDING CONSTRAINTS 2.1.TRUSTEE. YEAH, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO PULL AN ITEM FROM CONSENT.
I MOVE TO PULL ITEM NUMBER 22, APPROVAL OF PROPOSED REVISIONS TO BOARD POLICY AE LOCAL.
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY REGARDING CONSTRAINTS 2.1, 2.2 AND 2.3 FIRST READING.
SO THIS IS TO PULL IT FROM CONSENT.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO PULL AN ITEM FROM CONSENT.
A MOTION BY TRUSTEE WELL, CRUZ AND I SAW A SECOND BY TRUSTEE WADE.
AND MS. AGUILAR, TRUSTEE BAKER IS BACK ON THE ZOOM.
WE HAVE SIX IN FAVOR, ONE OPPOSED AND ONE ABSTENTION.
OKAY, NOW WE HAVE PULLED ITEM 22 FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION? TO THIS WITH A MOTION BY TRUSTEE WADE AND A SECOND BY TRUSTEE CRUZ.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? THE ITEM PULLED NUMBER 22 IS APPROVAL OF PROPOSED REVISIONS TO BOARD POLICY, A LOCAL EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY REGARDING CONSTRAINTS 2.1, 2.2 AND 2.3. FIRST READING.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS? TRUSTEE CRUZ.
BUT AS I STATED IN OUR WORKSHOP, I WOULD LIKE US TO MEASURE OUTCOMES AND NOT OUTPUTS.
I DON'T SEE ANYBODY ELSE IN THE QUEUE, SO PLEASE VOTE.
DID YOU GET TRUSTEE BAKER'S AS WELL.
WE ARE NOW READY TO CONSIDER THE REMAINDER OF TODAY'S AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE BALANCE OF TODAY'S AGENDA BY CONSENSUS? SO MOVE, BAKER.IS THERE A SECOND? WE HAVE A MOTION BY TRUSTEE CRUZ.
AND A SECOND BY TRUSTEE BLUEFORD-DANIELS.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? I DON'T SEE ANYONE IN THE QUEUE.
WAIT. YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION.
I THINK. I THINK TRUSTEE BAKER WAS IN THE QUEUE.
I WANT TO. I WANT TO END THIS.
AM I. DO I HAVE THE FLOOR? GO AHEAD TRUSTEE BAKER.
WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE BOARD POLICY SAYS IF A TRUSTEE ELECTED TRUSTEE IS VISIBLE AND AUDIBLE, IT IS JUST LIKE ME BEING TOGETHER DOWN THERE.
I MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT AND Y'ALL IGNORED IT.
OKAY. AND I WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT.
SO I'M READING THE IT'S NOT AN EXCUSE.
[01:05:09]
WE'RE MISSING ONE VOTE.MOTION PASSES, NINE IN FAVOR, ZERO ABSTENTIONS AND ZERO OPPOSED.
[CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 9, 2023]
SO MOVE BAKER. WE HAVE A MOTION BY TRUSTEE BLUEFORD-DANIELS AND A SECOND BY TRUSTEE BAKER.WE HAVE NINE IN FAVOR, ZERO OPPOSED AND ZERO ABSTENTIONS.
[HEARING OF THE COMMUNITY]
WE WILL NOW CONDUCT OUR HEARING OF THE COMMUNITY SO THAT SPEAKERS MAY BE HEARD NO LATER THAN 7 P.M.IN ACCORDANCE WITH BOARD POLICY.
WE HAVE NINE REGISTERED REGISTERED SPEAKERS REMAINING THIS EVENING.
SPEAKERS ARE LIMITED TO TWO MINUTES EACH.
I'D LIKE TO REMIND SPEAKERS THAT WHEN ADDRESSING THE BOARD, PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC AND REFRAIN FROM NAMING INDIVIDUALS, ESPECIALLY STUDENTS, AS THEY ARE PROTECTED UNDER THE FAMILY EDUCATION RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT.
HOWEVER, NAMING YOUR OWN CHILD IS PERMISSIBLE IN THE COURSE OF STATING YOUR CONCERN.
THE BOARD ENCOURAGES AND WELCOMES COMMENTS AND INPUT FROM OUR COMMUNITY, BUT WE CAN NOT RESPOND OR WE CANNOT RESPOND TO OR DELIBERATE ON ANY SUBJECT THAT IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE POSTED AGENDA.
ADDITIONALLY, DISRUPTIONS OF THE MEETING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
ZOOM SPEAKERS, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE MUST SEE YOU LIVE WITH YOUR CAMERA ON AS YOU SPEAK.
WE WILL BEGIN WITH REGISTERED SPEAKERS WHO SIGNED UP TO ADDRESS THE BOARD IN THE AUDITORIUM.
WILL EUNICE DAVIS PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM? AS I CALL THE NEXT THREE NAMES, PLEASE TAKE A SEAT ON THE FRONT ROW.
RAMONA THOMPSON HOLT, MARK HOLT AND BRENDA [INAUDIBLE].
OH, I HAD MY TOPIC WAS ABOUT BULLYING AND HARASSMENT WITH YOUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.
MY KIDS ARE NEW TO HISD AND WE CAME FROM ALIEF AND THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY AWFUL.
MY KIDS WENT TO FORRESTER ELEMENTARY WHERE THEY WERE BULLIED AND I ULTIMATELY PULLED THEM OUT OF THE SCHOOL AFTER TWO MONTHS AFTER THEY MOVED THE BULLY INTO HER CLASSROOM TO TAKE THEM TO FONDREN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
MY KIDS GOT BULLIED FROM THREE ADULT MALE TEACHERS TO THE POINT THAT I HAD TO RUN TO THE SCHOOL TO GET MY DAUGHTER OUT OF THE SCHOOL DAYS AFTER HAVING AN EMERGENCY C-SECTION.
THEY STRESSED ME OUT SO BADLY AT THAT SCHOOL THAT I LITERALLY TRIED TO KILL MYSELF.
MY SON WAS IN THE NICU FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE WHILE THE TEACHERS AT THE SCHOOL CALLED THE COPS AND SAID THAT I CAME TO A SCHOOL AND I TRIED TO PULL SOMETHING OUT OF HIM. I'M ASSUMING HE MEANT A GUN.
COPS WERE CALLED HISD POLICE TO THE SCHOOL, AND THIS SITUATION RESULTED IN ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BECAUSE THIS WAS AUGUST AND THEY HAVEN'T SAID ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SO MY SON JUST MADE SIX MONTHS, SO I JUST THOUGHT I'D COME AND TALK AT THIS BOARD MEETING TO TELL THEM THAT MY SON MADE IT.
THE TEACHERS TRIED TO KILL HIM.
ALL BEHIND THESE TEACHERS THAT KEPT BULLYING MY CHILDREN, KICKING THEM OUT THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM SAYING THEY WAS CURSING AND FOUND OUT THAT WAS A LIE AND MAKING THEM STAND ON THE PARK, MAKING THEM HAVE TIME OUTS REPEATEDLY UNTIL I HAD TO PULL MY KIDS FROM THAT SCHOOL.
A KID TRIED TO UNALIVE HER BY PUSHING HER IN FRONT OF A BUS.
SHE GOT JUMPED BY FOUR BOYS AND JUST THIS WEEKEND SHE ALMOST GOT INTO A FIGHT YET AGAIN.
BULLYING AND HARASSMENT FROM YOUR TEACHERS AND YOUR STUDENTS.
[01:10:05]
RAMONA THOMPSON HOLT.OUR DAUGHTER WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE PRINCIPAL TO TAKE AN OFFICE CLASS IN HER SENIOR YEAR AND WAS ENSURED THAT HER RANKING WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED AND WOULD REMAIN PROTECTED BY THIS COURSE SELECTION.
SO MS. NIXON STATED, I MADE ONE CHESS MOVE INSTEAD OF TWO.
THE PRINCIPAL STRATEGICALLY PLACED OUR DAUGHTER IN CLASSES THAT WOULD REMOVE HER AS VALEDICTORIAN.
THE PRINCIPAL AND SCHOOL ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR DAUGHTER LOSING HER RANKING STATUS.
WE CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF SIMILAR DISCUSSIONS WERE MADE AND OUR DAUGHTER'S GRADES WERE DISCUSSED WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION, WHICH MAY HAVE ULTIMATELY INFLUENCED THE SENIOR YEAR COURSE SELECTION FOR THE OTHER STUDENT.
WE WOULD LIKE FOR OUR DAUGHTER TO BE VALEDICTORIAN OR CO VALEDICTORIAN, AND WE ARE SEEKING LEGAL REPRESENTATION REGARDING PRINCIPAL NIXON'S ACTIONS AND WILL RETAIN A PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT.
WE ARE ASKING THE DISTRICT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO BE REVIEWED AND REVISED TO PROTECT OUR INNOCENT CHILDREN FROM SYSTEMATIC, HIDDEN SABOTAGES THAT SEEK TO UNDERMINE THEIR SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS.
MARK HOLT FOLLOWED BY BRENDA PIATT AND NIKKI DEHOYOS.
MY NAME IS NIKKI. I HAVE A THREE YEAR OLD SPED SON BY THE NAME OF NOAH CASTILLO.
HOWEVER, HIS MEDICAL NEEDS REQUIRE HIM TO HAVE 24 HOUR NURSING.
RECENTLY, I'VE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE POLICIES IN PLACE BY HISD.
THE DISTRICT HAS ASKED US TO LET GO OF OUR CURRENT HOME NURSE WHO HAS CARED FOR MY CHILD FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS AND ALLOW YOU ALL TO HIRE A TOTAL STRANGER BECAUSE YOUR POLICY DOESN'T ALLOW HOME NURSES IN THE SCHOOL.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO FIND SOMEONE YOU TRUST WITH YOUR CHILD.
BEING A SPECIAL PARENT IS THE FURTHEST THING FROM EASY.
AND WE WANT TO SEE OUR CHILD THRIVE.
IT'S TAKEN TIME FOR HIS NURSE TO GET TO KNOW HIM.
THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT HAS HAPPENED OVERNIGHT.
SHE KNOWS WHEN HE'S NOT FEELING WELL OR NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION.
SHE WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO HELP TEACHERS AND STAFF GET TO KNOW MY SON AS WELL.
I NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO INTERVIEW THIS NURSE.
I KNEW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT HER.
[01:15:06]
OH. HELLO THERE.IT HAS ALMOST BEEN TWO MONTHS SINCE THE PRINCIPAL AT BENAVIDES WAS REMOVED.
I WAS INVOLVED IN THE PREVIOUS HIRING PROCESS OF THE PRINCIPAL NOT LONG AGO, LAST YEAR TO BE EXACT, AROUND APRIL, AND FOUND OUT THAT WHILE SOME PARENTS WERE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS, WE WERE ONLY PRESENTED WITH ONE CANDIDATE.
I ASKED TRANSPARENCY ON THE TIMELINE AND STATUS OF THIS PROCESS.
THE PARENTS DESERVE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY PLANS TO HIRE A NEW PRINCIPAL FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR AND IF WE, THE PARENTS, WILL BE ALLOWED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN MULTIPLE CANDIDATES, OR WILL YOU JUST STICK US WITH THE SAME PERSON WHO IS MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST FIT FOR OUR SCHOOL? TRUSTEE BRIDGET WADE, I TRUST IN YOU THAT I WILL GET MY EMAIL ANSWERED THAT I HAD SENT TO YOU.
PLEASE HELP US ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN ARE GUARANTEED AN EQUITABLE EDUCATION.
AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK SSO SANDY GOFF FOR TAKING THE WEIGHT LEFT BEHIND.
PLEASE ENSURE SHE HAS IT FOR THE SAKE OF OUR STUDENTS EDUCATION.
THANK YOU. NEXT, WE WILL HEAR FROM REGISTERED SPEAKERS WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM.
MS.. SMITH, PLEASE IDENTIFY AND ADMIT OUR SPEAKERS.
MS. FRIO, PLEASE TURN YOUR CAMERA ON AND YOU MAY BEGIN.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JANE FRIO AND I'M A HISD PARENT.
THERE HAS BEEN NO TRANSPARENCY ABOUT WHAT THE TEA CONSERVATORS ARE DOING.
AND DESPITE OUR REQUEST AS PARENTS TO MEET WITH THE CONSERVATORS, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO SO.
WHY IS THERE NOT MORE TRANSPARENCY ABOUT THIS PROCESS? WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RIGHT NOW? IS IT THE TEA? IF THE TEA WAS TO TAKE OVER THIS DISTRICT, AS BEEN RUMORED, IS THIS WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE? MORE SILENCE, LESS INVOLVEMENT WITH PARENTS AND MORE CHAOS AND DYSFUNCTION? I ASK YOU, AS ELECTED TRUSTEES, TO PLEASE CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR YOUR JOBS THAT WE ELECTED YOU TO DO AND OPPOSE MORE TEA TAKEOVER AND INVOLVEMENT. BECAUSE IF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION TAKEOVER IS A BLUEPRINT FOR A DISTRICT DISTRICT WIDE TEA TAKEOVER, OUR CHILDREN ARE ABSOLUTELY GOING TO SUFFER.
WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO USE YOUR POWER AS THE ELECTED BOARD TO CALL PUBLIC MEETINGS ABOUT THE SPECIAL EDUCATION INVESTIGATION AND UPDATE PARENTS IN THE COMMUNITY ON THE PROGRESS OR LACK OF PROGRESS MADE.
AND ALSO BASED ON THE VOTE ON TONIGHT'S MEETING OF NOT CONTINUING WITH ANY LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE TAKEOVER, WE WOULD ASK FOR YOU ALL TO PLEASE OPPOSE IT AS BOARD MEMBERS.
THANK YOU. THERE ARE NO MORE ZOOM SPEAKERS.
OKAY. WE ARE NOW READY TO HEAR REPORTS AND COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS.
[TRUSTEE REPORTS AND COMMENTS]
PLEASE LIMIT YOUR TIME TO ONE MINUTE PER TRUSTEE.AND WE WILL START WITH TRUSTEE DEIGAARD.
OKAY. WELL, WE WILL START WITH TRUSTEE.
ALLEN. TRUSTEE ALLEN IS PREPARED.
AND I CAN GO WHILE SHE'S LOOKING FORWARD, IF THAT'S OKAY.
OH, YEAH. TRUSTEE BAKER, ARE YOU PREPARED WITH YOUR COMMENTS? I AM PREPARED. LET ME JUST SAY THIS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
[01:20:03]
IT'S A MERE SPECULATION.NOW, THE BEHAVIOR OF THE PAST BOARD IS THE REASON WHY I WAS ELECTED, AND I WANT TO ASSURE THE MEMBERS OF DISTRICT SIX, AS WELL AS THE MEMBERS OF THE ENTIRE DISTRICT, THAT I LOVE THE CHILDREN.
I'M A PASTOR. I'M PRAYING FOR THE DISTRICT.
AND I DO HOPE THAT EVEN IF WE'RE NOT TAKING OVER, THAT OUR BOARD BECOMES MORE EFFICIENT, MORE EFFECTIVE, AND THAT WE CAN BECOME A BEACON LIGHT FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALL AROUND THE WORLD.
THIS BABY RIGHT HERE IS JUST SEVEN YEARS OLD.
AND IT'S ALL ABOUT THESE CHILDREN.
ENJOY NEXT WEEK, WHICH IS SPRING BREAK FOR HISD AND AT THE END OF THE MONTH, CELEBRATE CHAVEZ HUERTA DAY FRIDAY, MARCH 31ST.
JUST WANT TO TELL SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENTS THAT WE HEAR YOU AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE ASKED THE ADMINISTRATION TO PREPARE AND TO HELP US BE MORE TRANSPARENT.
THAT IS DEFINITELY A PRIORITY FOR THE BOARD.
IT IS ONE OF OUR FOUR GOALS AND IT IS ALSO ONE OF OUR CONSTRAINTS.
SO THAT IS HIGHLY IMPORTANT TO US.
AND WE HEAR YOU. TRUSTEE BLUEFORD-DANIELS.
THANK YOU. WHILE SPED IS OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT, WE'RE HERE NOW BECAUSE OF CONCERNS FOR OUR STUDENTS, NOT MEETING STUDENT OUTCOMES IN THE PAST, NOT JUST LAST YEAR OR THE YEAR BEFORE, FIVE YEARS AGO, TEN YEARS AGO.
SO IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT TO RIGHT THIS SHIP.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHOLE LOT.
SO OUR WORK IS NOT HAS NOT BEEN IN VAIN.
AND WHILE I REALIZE THE PERCEPTION OF THIS BOARD MAY BE OF CONTINUED CONTINUE TO BE OF CONCERN, LET ME ASSURE YOU, LET ME ASSURE YOU I HAVE SERVED TRYING TO CONVEY A POSITIVE OUTLOOK.
ENJOY SPRING BREAK, HAPPY WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND LET'S KEEP OUR CHILDREN IN THE FOREFRONT.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. THANK YOU.
WHAT AN HONOR IT IS TO SERVE YOU.
I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE ALWAYS.
AND I APPRECIATE THE SPED PARENTS WHO ADVOCATE SO DILIGENTLY FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
I HAVE JUST BEEN SUCH A JOY AND A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY.
AND SO I LOOK FORWARD TO KEEPING UP AND KEEPING ON AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THAT WE DO GOOD THINGS FOR OUR STAFF AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR CHILDREN. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
POINT OF ORDER. SO IF YOU'RE SPEAKING TO US, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.
YOU'RE STILL CUTTING IN AND OUT.
WE'RE NOT. WE'RE HEARING EVERY OTHER WORD.
THANK YOU, PRESIDENT HERNANDEZ.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I REALLY, REALLY SUPPORT DEMOCRACY.
[01:25:06]
THANK YOU TO THE TEACHERS, TO THE PARENTS AND TO OUR STUDENTS FOR JOINING US AND FOR JOINING US ON EVERY VOTE THAT WE TAKE IS DIFFICULT. AND IT'S DONE WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS AND WITH OUR CHILDREN BEING THE GUIDING LIGHT.AND I HOPE THAT IN THE END, THAT THAT SHINES THROUGH.
I'M NOT GOING TO JUST HAVE A TWO WORD THING TONIGHT.
I CAME HERE TO BE A VOICE FOR CHILDREN AND ALWAYS PUT THEM FIRST IN EVERY SINGLE DECISION.
NOT JUST WHEN IT'S EASY, BUT EVEN WHEN IT'S HARD.
AND TONIGHT WAS ONE OF THE HARD ONES.
I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A SAFE, FUN AND RESTFUL SPRING BREAK.
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU RIGHT NOW.
WE. NOT WE. WE GOT TO STOP DISCRIMINATING AGAINST EACH OTHER ON THIS BOARD.
WHEN I WENT OVER, YOU STOPPED ME.
BUT WHEN TRUSTEE BLUEFORD-DANIELS WENT OVER, YOU DIDN'T SAY A WORD.
AND SO THAT THE PUBLIC SEES THAT AND WHATEVER HAPPENS AT THE TOP FLOWS DOWN TO THE BOTTOM.
WE ARE STILL DYSFUNCTIONAL AND WE NEED TO BE STRAIGHT BEFORE THE TEA TAKES OVER.
TRUSTEE. GUIDRY. I THINK I AM PROBABLY ONE OF THE FEW TRUSTEES THAT CAN SAY I HAVE ENJOYED WORKING WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
NO ONE PERSON CAN SPEAK FOR ONE DISTRICT.
WE ARE ONE HISD AND WE HAVE COME HERE AND I KNOW I HAVE COME AND I HAVE ATTEMPTED ON EVERY HAND TO WORK IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR DISTRICT.
AND I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND THE ADMINISTRATION FOR DOING SUCH A GOOD JOB IN WHETHER WE REALIZE IT OR NOT, THIS DISTRICT IS MOVING FORWARD AND IT IS MOVING FORWARD IN A GOOD WAY, IN A POSITIVE MANNER.
OUR COMMITMENT. I KNOW EVERYBODY ON THIS BOARD IS COMMITTED TO STUDENTS AND TO STUDENT OUTCOMES.
A LOT OF US ON THIS BOARD WERE STUDENTS IN HISD OR WORKED IN HISD PREVIOUSLY, AND WE HOPE THAT THE THAT HISD KEEPS ON MOVING FORWARD.
WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT OF WORK LEFT TO DO, BUT EVERYONE ON THIS DAIS IS READY TO DO THE WORK.
AND HAPPY CHAVEZ AND DOLORES HUERTA DAY.
HAVE A GOOD REST OF YOUR NIGHT.
WHEN AS NOTCHES AND STILL WHEATLEY PROUD.
[CLOSED SESSION AUTHORIZATION DURING MEETING (Part 2 of 2)]
TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.OPEN MEETINGS ACT SUBSECTION 551.004, 551.071, 551.072, 55 1.073, 551.074, 551.076, 551.082, 551.0821, 551.083, 551.084, 551.089.
SHOULD BOARD FINAL ACTION, VOTE OR DECISION ON ANY MATTER CONSIDERED IN CLOSED SESSION BE REQUIRED.
SUCH FINAL ACTION, VOTE OR DECISION SHALL BE TAKEN AT THE OPEN MEETING COVERED BY THIS NOTICE.
THE BOARD HAS ADJOURNED TO CLOSE OR EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:50 P.M.
GOOD EVENING. THE BOARD HAS RECONVENED AT 7:35 P.M..
DO I HAVE ANY MOTIONS FROM CLOSED SESSION?
[CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION (Part 2 of 2)]
DO I GO OR DO I SPEAK FIRST OR DO I PUSH MOTION? PUSH MOTION? WHO IS KENDALL TRUSTEE BAKER WITH US, PLEASE.I DON'T WANT TO HEAR. THANK YOU.
DID YOU GET HIM? BUT HE'S NOT ON MISS SMITH.
[01:31:08]
WE HAVE ANY MOTIONS FROM? CLOSED SESSION? I DON'T SEE IT ON MY SCREEN RIGHT NOW.I THINK IT GOT DELETED, SO I HAVE A MOTION BY TRUSTEE ALLEN AND A SECOND BY TRUSTEE BLUE, A MOTION BY TRUSTEE ALLEN.
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD ONE, APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT ON THE TERMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION, TWO AUTHORIZE COUNSEL TO PREPARE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT REFLECTING SAME AND THREE AUTHORIZE THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND BOARD SECRETARY TO EXECUTE SAME ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD.
I HAVE A MOTION BY TRUSTEE ALLEN AND A SECOND BY TRUSTEE BLUEFORD-DANIELS.
BAKER. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MAKE A ONE TO DO IT. AND A SECOND BY TRUSTEE BAKER.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE. DON'T CLOSE THE VOTE.
OKAY. WE'RE NOT CLOSING THE VOTING YET MISS AGUILAR.
OKAY? DO Y'ALL SEE ME? OKAY. DO Y'ALL HEAR ME? DO Y'ALL SEE ME? YES. WE'RE WAITING ON SANTOS TO COME IN.
HEY. WE HAVE TRUSTEE SANTOS ON THE LINE NOW.
WE ARE VOTING ON THE MOTION FROM CLOSED SESSION, SO IF THERE'S NO DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE.
WE HAVE SEVEN FAVOR, NO OPPOSITION AND ONE ABSTENTION.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING ON APRIL 13TH, 2023.
AGENDA REVIEW FOR THAT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 6TH, 2023.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THIS MEETING IS OFFICIALLY ADJOURNED AT 7:41 P.M..
BUENAS NOCHES.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.