[00:00:02]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THIS MEETING IS NOW CONVENED AT 1:06 PM.
[Hearings on August 14, 2025.]
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK EVERYONE TO PLEASE SILENCE THEIR CELL PHONES.A QUORUM OF THE BOARD MEMBERS IS PRESENT IN THE BOARD AUDITORIUM.
OUR FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS TO HEAR FROM SPEAKERS TO AGENDA ITEMS. HOWEVER, NO ONE HAS REGISTERED TO ADDRESS THE HEARINGS TODAY.
WE'LL NOW CONDUCT THE HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR THIS MEETING.
OUR FIRST HEARING IS A PROCEDURE TO CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE INDEPENDENT HEARING EXAMINER IN THE MATTER OF ANN KURIEN ON AUGUST 14TH.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEETING IS TO CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION OF THE INDEPENDENT HEARING EXAMINER IN THE MATTER OF ANN KURIEN, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER AT ED WHITE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
HEARINGS INVOLVING COMPLAINTS AGAINST DISTRICT EMPLOYEES ARE TO BE HELD IN CLOSED SESSION UNLESS THE EMPLOYEE WHO IS SUBJECT TO THE HEARING REQUESTS AN OPEN HEARING.
IF BOTH PARTIES REQUEST AN OPEN SESSION DURING THIS HEARING, THE BOARD MAY GO INTO CLOSED SESSION TO CONSULT WITH ITS ATTORNEYS UNDER THE TERMS OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551.071.
IF ANY BOARD MEMBER WISHES TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL, PLEASE TELL ME.
FOR THE RECORD, ANN KURIEN IS PRESENT.
ERICA GRAHAM, HISDS DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL'S REPRESENTING THE ADMINISTRATION IS PRESENT, AND CATOSHA WOODS, HISDS GENERAL COUNSEL IS ALSO PRESENT.
MS. KURIEN, DO YOU WISH TO CONTINUE AN OPEN OR CLOSED SESSION? DO I HAVE HER? SHE'S NOT HERE.
>> SHE'S NOT HERE, BUT SHE DID RECEIVE NOTICE, SO WE'RE GOING TO PROCEED WITH THE HEARING.
>> WE'RE GOING TO DO THE HEARING WITHOUT HER?
>> DO YOU THINK WE NEED TO HAVE IT IN CLOSED SESSION?
>> WE WILL NEED TO HAVE IT IN CLOSED SESSION.
THE BOARD WILL NOW RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION UNDER CHAPTER 551 OF TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, SUBSECTION 551.004-3551.089.
SHOULD BOARD FINAL ACTION, VOTE, OR DECISION OF ANY MATTER CONSIDERED IN THE 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 THE PUBLIC MEETING OR AT A SUBSEQUENT PUBLIC MEETING OF THE BOARD UPON NOTICE THEREOF.
THE BOARD HAS RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 1:08 PM ON AUGUST 14.
WITH THAT SAID, IS THERE A MOTION? DO WE HAVE THE [INAUDIBLE]
>> [INAUDIBLE] RECOMMENDATION.
>> I'M SORRY. SORRY, I WENT TOO FAST.
THE BOARD HAS NOW RECONVENED IN OPEN SESSION AT 1:13 PM ON AUGUST 14TH, 2025.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION FROM THE CLOSED SESSION?
>> I MOVED THAT WE ADOPT THE DECISION.
I MOVE THAT WE ADOPT THE DECISION AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE INDEPENDENT HEARING EXAMINER, ADOPT THE FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW RECOMMENDED BY THE INDEPENDENT HEARING EXAMINER, AND ADOPT THE INDEPENDENT HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOMMENDATION THAT THIS CASE BE DISMISSED.
>> WE HAVE A SECOND, A MOTION AND A SECOND. PLEASE VOTE.
WE HAVE SIX YAYS AND THREE ABSENTS, SO THE MOTION PASSES.
THE BOARD HAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MOTION.
LETTER NOTIFYING BOTH PARTIES OF THE ACTION OF THE BOARD SHALL BE PREPARED AND SIGNED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BOARD RELATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THIS HEARING IS CONCLUDED AT 1:15 PM.
>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE THE PARTIES HERE FOR OUR NEXT ONE?
LET ME GET STARTED HERE FIRST BEFORE YOU GO.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEETING IS TO CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATION OF
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THE INDEPENDENT HEARING EXAMINER IN THE MATTER OF LORENZO GRAISE, TEACHER AT BELLAIRE HIGH SCHOOL.HEARINGS INVOLVING COMPLAINTS AGAINST DISTRICT EMPLOYEES ARE TO BE HELD IN CLOSED SESSION UNLESS THE EMPLOYEE WHO IS SUBJECT TO THE HEARING REQUESTS AN OPEN HEARING.
IF BOTH PARTIES REQUEST AN OPEN SESSION DURING THIS HEARING, THE BOARD MAY GO INTO CLOSED SESSION TO CONSULT WITH ITS ATTORNEY UNDER THE TERMS OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071.
IF ANY BOARD MEMBER WISHES TO SEEK ADVICE OF COUNSEL, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
FOR THE RECORD, LORENZO GRAISE IS PRESENT.
ELIZABETH RICE WITH SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP AND LANGLOIS REPRESENTING THE ADMINISTRATION IS PRESENT.
CATOSHA WOODS, HISD GENERAL COUNSEL IS ALSO PRESENT.
MR. GRAISE, DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE IN OPEN OR CLOSED SESSION?
>> ANY PARTIES THAT ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THIS HEARING, YOU MUST LEAVE THE AUDITORIUM AT THIS TIME.
THE BOARD WILL NOW RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION UNDER CHAPTER 551 OF TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE OPEN MEANINGS ACT SUBSECTION 551.004-551.089.
SHOULD BOARD FINAL ACTION VOTE OR DECISION ON ANY MATTER CONSIDERED IN THE CLOSED SESSION BE REQUIRED, SUCH ACTION, VOTE, AND DECISION SHALL BE TAKEN AT AN OPEN MEETING COVERED BY THIS NOTICE.
THE ISSUES BEFORE THE SCHOOL BOARD OR WHETHER TO ACCEPT, OR REJECT, OR CHANGE THE INDEPENDENT HEARINGS, EXAMINER'S FINDING OF FACT, CONCLUSION OF LAW AND PROPOSAL BASED ON THE REVIEW OF THE RECORD.
WE MAY REJECT OR CHANGE ANY FINDING OF FACT IF AFTER REVIEWING THE RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE HEARING EXAMINER WE FIND IT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.
IF WE REJECT THE INDEPENDENT HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOMMENDATIONS OR MAKE ANY CHANGES, WE MUST STATE THE REASON AND LEGAL BASIS IN WRITING.
MR. GROVER, YOU WILL PROCEED FIRST.
YOU'LL BE ALLOWED TO 10 MINUTES TO MAKE YOUR PRESENTATION, AND I GUESS WE WON'T HAVE A PRESENTATION BY MS. JONES. GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU. MAY IT PLEASE THE BOARD.
AS YOU STATED, MS. JONES WAS EMPLOYED AS A SPECIAL ED CHAIR AT HISD SECONDARY DAEP.
SHE WAS RECOMMENDED FOR NON-RENEWAL FOR SEVERAL REASONS, INCLUDING DEFICIENCIES IN HER PERFORMANCE, FAILURE TO FULFILL HER JOBS, NOT FOLLOWING POLICIES AND REGULATIONS.
[INAUDIBLE] EVEN THOUGH SHE REQUESTED A HEARING WITH TEA, SHE DIDN'T ENGAGE IN THE PROCESS.
NEITHER HER ATTORNEY OR HER EVER PARTICIPATED IN ANY OF THE PRE-HEARING CONFERENCES.
SHE DIDN'T SHOW UP AT THE HEARING.
THE EVIDENCE WAS PUT ON THE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE AND THE TESTIMONY OF MR. BARRAGATO, THE PRINCIPAL AT THE CAMPUS.
ALL OF THE EVIDENCE WAS FOUND BY THE HEARING EXAMINER TO SUPPORT THE REASONS FOR NON-RENEWAL.
SPECIFICALLY, MS. JONES FAILED TO REPORT AN INJURY TO THE CHILD, NOT ONLY DIDN'T REPORT IT TO THE PRINCIPAL, BUT DIDN'T REPORT IT TO CPS.
HER RECORD-KEEPING WAS HORRIBLE, AND SHE DIDN'T FOLLOW DIRECTIVES, AND DIDN'T SHOW UP CONSISTENTLY ON TIME. THE HEARING EXAM.
>> THANK YOU. WE'RE LIVE STREAMING.
>> THE BOARD IS NOW RECONVENED IN THE BOARD AUDITORIUM OUT OF THE CLOSED SESSION AT 1:39 PM ON AUGUST 14TH, 2025.
THE BOARD IS READY TO VOTE. DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
>> YES, MR. PRESIDENT, I MOVE THAT WE ADOPT THE DECISION AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE INDEPENDENT HEARING EXAMINER, ADOPT THE FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW RECOMMENDED BY THE INDEPENDENT HEARING EXAMINER, AND TERMINATE SHERRY JONES' EMPLOYMENT WITH THE DISTRICT EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A SECOND. MEMBERS, PLEASE VOTE.
THE BOARD HAS VOTED SIX FOR AND ZERO AGAINST.
A LETTER NOTIFYING BOTH PARTIES OF THE ACTION OF THE BOARD SHALL BE PREPARED AND SIGNED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BOARD RELATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THIS HEARING IS CONCLUDED AT 1:40 PM.
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THANK YOU.WE HAVE THE MATTER OF CHRISTOPHER JONES COMING UP NEXT.
>> WHAT'S THAT? THAT'S WHAT I SEE.
>> ARE YOU READY TO GO? LOOKS LIKE IT. GREAT. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEETING IS TO CONSIDER THE DISPUTE FILED BY CHRISTOPHER JONES, TEACHER APPRENTICE KASHMERE HIGH SCHOOL.
HEARINGS INVOLVING COMPLAINTS AGAINST DISTRICT EMPLOYEES ARE TO BE HELD IN CLOSED SESSION UNLESS THE EMPLOYEE WHO IS THE SUBJECT TO THE HEARING REQUESTS AN OPEN HEARING.
IF BOTH PARTIES REQUEST AN OPEN SESSION DURING THE COURSE OF THE HEARING, THE BOARD MAY GO INTO CLOSED SESSION TO CONSULT WITH ITS ATTORNEYS UNDER THE TERMS OF TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.071.
IF ANY BOARD MEMBER WISH TO SEEK ADVICE OF COUNSEL, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
FOR THE RECORD, KIMBAL URRUTIA.
PERFECT. MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD BE UPSET WITH ME.
HOUSTON FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, REPRESENTING CHRISTOPHER JONES IS PRESENT AND ASHLEY YI OF HOUSTON HISD ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL, REPRESENTING THE ADMINISTRATION IS PRESENT, AND CATOSHA WOODS, HISD GENERAL COUNSEL IS ALSO PRESENT.
DO YOU WISH TO BE OPEN OR CLOSED?
>> OPEN. IT IS. THE ISSUES BEFORE THE SCHOOL BOARD ARE WHETHER BOARD POLICIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES WERE CORRECTLY APPLIED TO THE GRIEVANT AND WHETHER THE ADMINISTRATION HAS VIOLATED THOSE POLICIES OR PROCEDURES.
MR. JONES, YOUR REPRESENTATIVE WILL PROCEED FIRST.
YOU'LL BE ALLOWED TO MAKE A 10-MINUTE PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD FOLLOWED BY A 10-MINUTE PRESENTATION BY MS. YI.
PRESENTATIONS MUST BE BASED ON THE LEVEL 2 HEARING TRANSCRIPT.
YOU MAY RESERVE PART OF YOUR 10 MINUTES FOR REBUTTAL TO THE MATTERS PRESENTED BY MS. YI.
BOTH SIDES WILL BE ABLE FOR QUESTIONS AFTER THE PRESENTATIONS.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPLIT YOUR TIME?
>> IF THERE'S ADDITIONAL TIME FROM THE FIRST FIVE, I'LL JUST CARRY IT OVER TO THE SECOND HALF.
>> SURE. GREAT. WELL, YOU MAY BEGIN.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER JAMIA JONES.
I AM A EMPLOYEE AT KASHMERE HIGH SCHOOL AS A CTE TEACHER.
I'VE CURRENTLY BEEN WITH HISD FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT YEARS NOW, EITHER IN THE CAPACITY OF A TEACHER OF RECORD AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL, AND THEN TEACHER APPRENTICE LATER ON AT KASHMERE HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE I DID TWO YEARS AS A TEACHER APPRENTICE, AND OR IN THE CAPACITY OF PROJECT MANAGER FOR COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS AT HISD SCHOOL.
I'M COMING TO YOU WITH A GRIEVANCE BASED ON THE FACT THAT I
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WAS HIRED IN A POSITION OF TEACHER APPRENTICE WITH A SALARY OF $73,000 GIVEN MY EXPERIENCE OR PRIOR EXPERIENCE FOR THAT MATTER WITH EDUCATION, THAT WAS $5,000 MORE THAN THE BASE OF $68,000, WHICH IS A RANGE, AND THE GRIEVANCE IS BASED ON THAT THE SALARY CHANGED THE SECOND YEAR OF MY TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP WITHOUT MY PRIOR KNOWLEDGE.THERE WAS NOTHING WRITTEN, NOTHING SPOKEN TO ME THAT SALARY WOULD CHANGE FOR THAT MATTER.
IT JUST CAUSED ME TO FILE MY STARTING GRIEVANCE.
GIVEN MY EXPERIENCE AS A PRIOR TEACHER AND ALSO BEING A MILITARY, I'M CURRENTLY IN THE ARMY RESERVES, STILL DRILLING, AND ALSO MY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH YOUTH, WHICH IS OVER 20 YEARS IN SOME CAPACITY OR ANOTHER.
I'M ALSO A YOUTH COACH, BEEN WITH AAU TRACK FOR A FEW YEARS NOW, ALSO LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL.
IT'S NOTHING NEW TO SAY THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCE, AND IN THE TWO-YEAR APPRENTICESHIP THAT I'VE FULFILLED MY OBLIGATION AS A APPRENTICE, I WAS HIRED ON AS A TEACHER OF RECORD AT KASHMERE WHERE I'VE BEEN.
MY PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN STELLAR FOR THAT MATTER, AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I WAS RETAINED AS A TEACHER.
I'M CURRENTLY ON AN INTERN CERTIFICATE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE TEACHING.
BUT ANYWAY, THAT COMPLETES MINE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. PRESIDENT CAMPO, BOARD MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS ASHLEY YI AND I'LL BE REPRESENTING THE ADMINISTRATION TODAY.
JOINING ME I HAVE BRITTANY KAIGHEN, AND SHE IS OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN OUR COMPENSATION DEPARTMENT.
TOGETHER, WE ARE HERE ASKING THE BOARD TO UPHOLD THE LEVEL 2 DECISIONS OF THE HEARING OFFICER BECAUSE MR. JONES, FOR ONE, DID RECEIVE THE ENTIRETY OF HIS $73,000 SALARY IN FULL AS A TEACHER APPRENTICE FOR THE 2023 2024 SCHOOL YEAR, AND TWO, HIS BASE SALARY OF $68,000 FOR THE 2024 2025 SCHOOL YEAR WAS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE COMPENSATION PLAN FOR LAST SCHOOL YEAR BECAUSE TEACHER APPRENTICES WERE NO LONGER RECEIVING EXPERIENCE-BASED PAY.
NOW, TO START IN REGARDS TO MR. JONES' FULL $73,000 SALARY THAT HE WAS GIVEN, AT THE LEVEL 2 HEARING, THE DISTRICT HAD PRESENTED HIS LAST PAYSTUB FOR THE '23 '24 SCHOOL YEAR, WHICH CAN BE FOUND IN THE ADMINISTRATION'S EXHIBIT NUMBER 3.
THE PAYSTUB HAD ACCURATELY REFLECTED AN ANNUAL SALARY AMOUNT OF $73,000 FOR MR. JONES.
>> ADDITIONALLY, MR. HANAVI KOVAR, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF OUR PAYROLL IN OUR COMPENSATION DEPARTMENT, WENT FURTHER AND TESTIFIED TO A COMPLETE SALARY BREAKDOWN FOR MR. JONES.
DETAILING THE CALCULATION OF HIS REGULAR PAY, HIS ESCROW ACCRUAL, PAYOUT ADJUSTMENTS, ANY ADDITIONAL PAYMENT FROM DISTRICT CLOSURES, AND PERSONAL LEASE AS WELL, WHICH TOTALED AN AMOUNT OF $73,000.
MISS COBY'S TESTIMONY CAN BE FOUND ON PAGES 23-25 OF YOUR TRANSCRIPT.
I WON'T GO DOWN AND BOG YOU INTO ALL THE NUMBERS, BUT THE ENTIRE SALARY BREAKDOWN CAN BE FOUND IN THE ADMINISTRATION'S EXHIBIT NUMBER 4 FOR YOU TO REVIEW.
NOW, WHEN ADDRESSING MR. JONES' SALARY FOR THE 2024, 2025 SCHOOL YEAR, A NEW OR MODIFIED COMPENSATION PLAN WAS IMPLEMENTED FOR THE '24, '25 SCHOOL YEAR ALLOWED BY BOARD POLICY, DEA LOCAL.
MISS KAGAN HERE HAD TESTIFIED THAT COMPENSATION PLANS CAN BE UPDATED EVERY YEAR.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE '24, '25 COMPENSATION PLAN, THE BASE SALARY FOR TEACHER APPRENTICES WAS $68,000.
MEANING MR. JONES MADE A BASE SALARY OF $68,000 FOR THE '23, '24 SCHOOL YEAR.
HE MADE A BASE SALARY OF $68,000 FOR THE '24, '25 SCHOOL YEAR.
BUT WHAT DID CHANGE WITH THIS NEW COMPENSATION PLAN IS THAT TEACHER APPRENTICES ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING ADDITIONAL PAY BASED ON EXPERIENCE.
THIS CHANGE WAS NOT SPECIFIC TO MR. JONES, NOR WAS IT SPECIFIC TO TEACHER APPRENTICES THAT JUST TEACH AT HIGH SCHOOLS,
[00:20:03]
BUT FOR TEACHER APPRENTICES ALL ACROSS OUR DISTRICTS.THOSE THAT TEACH AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, MIDDLE SCHOOLS, AND HIGH SCHOOLS.
WITH THAT, MR. JONES MADE A SALARY OF $73,000 FOR THE '23, '24 SCHOOL YEAR BECAUSE HE HAD THAT FIXED BASE SALARY OF $68,000, AND UNDER THE '23, '24 COMPENSATION PLAN IN OUR DISTRICT, HE RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL $5,000 AS AN EXPERIENCE BASED SUPPLEMENT FOR THREE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.
AN EXCERPT AT THE PAY TABLE, ALONG WITH THE EXPERIENCE PAY LADDER FOR TEACHER APPRENTICES UNDER THE '23, '24 COMPENSATION PLAN CAN BE FOUND IN THE ADMINISTRATION'S EXHIBIT NUMBER 7.
NOW WITH THE DISCONTINUATION OF THE EXPERIENCE PAY ALTOGETHER IN OUR '24, '25 COMPENSATION PLAN, MR. JONES WITH EVERY OTHER TEACHER APP IN OUR DISTRICT ONLY RECEIVED THEIR BASE SALARY AMOUNT OF $68,000.
THAT EXCERPT OF THE SALARY TABLE FROM THE '24, '25 COMPENSATION PLAN CAN BE FOUND IN THE ADMINISTRATION'S EXHIBIT NUMBER SIX.
THE NEW COMPENSATION PLAN WAS RELEASED IN MARCH OF 2024.
MISS KAGAN TESTIFIED THAT ALL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES RECEIVED E MAIL NOTICE OF THIS NEW PLAN TO REVIEW IT.
IT WAS ALSO POSTED PUBLICLY ONLINE ON THE DISTRICT'S WEBSITE, AND ULTIMATELY, MR. JONES' BASE SALARY ALIGNED WITH THE NEW COMPENSATION PLAN FOR THE '24, '25 SCHOOL YEAR, AND HE DID RECEIVE EMAIL NOTICE OF THIS PLAN.
IT APPEARS THAT MR. JONES HAD FAILED TO REVIEW THIS SCHEME FOR FIVE MONTHS UNTIL HE RECEIVED HIS NEXT PAYCHECK IN AUGUST OF 14, 2024.
AS TEACHER APPRENTICES, MR. JONES WAS AN AT WILL EMPLOYEE WHO IS NOT BOUND BY ANY TYPE OF CONTRACT, AND THE ADMINISTRATION WAS WITHIN THE LAW TO CHANGE THE TERMS OF HIS EMPLOYMENT, WHICH INCLUDES HIS WAGE.
THEREFORE, THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD ASK THIS BOARD ONCE MORE TO UPHOLD THE LEVEL 2 DECISIONS OF THE HEARING OFFICER. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD DAY. I'M KIMBAL HYUDIA, AND I WILL BE SPEAKING.
AS YOU JUST HEARD, AND I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY SOME STUFF, THE ADMINISTRATION JUST SIMPLY SAID THAT MR. JONES RECEIVED NOTIFICATION AND EMAIL.
NO, MR. JONES RECEIVED, JUST LIKE ALL EMPLOYEES, A COMPENSATION MANUAL IN MARCH OF 2024.
HISD DID NOT SEND MR. JONES A PARTICULAR EMAIL NOTIFYING HIM THAT HIS PARTICULAR SALARY WOULD BE CHANGING.
THAT'S THE CONVERSATION THAT WE'RE HAVING.
WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU TO CHANGE THE LAW.
WE ACTUALLY RECOGNIZE THE LAW.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE LAW SAYS, HE'S AN AT WILL EMPLOYEE.
IF YOU READ THE TRANSCRIPT, IF YOU GO THE TRANSCRIPT, THE ADMINISTRATION ALL AT THE LEVEL TWO SIMPLY KEPT SAYING, AND THE HEARING OFFICER ACTUALLY ASKED THEM, ASK MS. YI AT THE LEVEL TWO, MISS YI, WHAT IS YOUR STANCE? WHAT HIICS STANCE ON NOTIFYING AN EMPLOYEE? HER RESPONSE AT THE LEVEL TWO HEARING WAS, HE'S AT WILL.
THAT WAS THE ONLY ARGUMENT AT THE LEVEL TWO HEARING.
AGAIN, WE'RE NOT ARGUING THAT HE'S AN AT WILL EMPLOYEE.
WE'RE ARGUING THE FACT THAT BEST PRACTICES, IF YOU SIMPLY JUST GOOGLE, CAN AN EMPLOYEE AN AT WILL EMPLOYEE, GET IT.
THE KEY WORD IN THE CLASSROOM IS BEST PRACTICE.
WHY IS IT ONLY THE TEACHER HAS TO HAVE BEST PRACTICE BUT NOT THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL? MR. JONES HAS TESTIFIED AND JUST STATED, HE WAS ON A TWO YEAR CONTRACT OR NOT TWO YEAR CONTRACT.
HE WAS ON A TWO YEAR APPRENTICESHIP.
IN YOUR BRAIN, IF YOU'RE TAKING A JOB, YOU WORK THIS JOB FOR ONE YEAR, YOU ACCEPT THEY OFFER YOU THE JOB FOR THE CURRENT THE NEXT YEAR, YOU SHOW UP TO WORK.
NOBODY'S TOLD YOU, NOBODY SAT YOU DOWN AND SAID, HEY, THE COMPENSATION MANUAL CHANGED AGAIN.
THE COMPENSATION CHANGED AGAIN.
NOBODY IN HRD GOES THROUGH A TRAINING LIKE THAT.
THE EXPECTATION, WHAT MISS SAID IS FOR THE EMPLOYEE TO LOOK UP THE COMPENSATION MANUAL, FOR A BRAND NEW EMPLOYEE, THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT A COMPENSATION MANUAL IS.
NOT ONLY THAT TO RECEIVE AN E MAIL PROBABLY CAME AROUND 5:00 OR 6:00 IN THE EVENING, BUT THEN FOR HIM TO RETURN AND READ THROUGH THAT WHOLE COMPENSATION MANUAL.
HE'S A TEACHER HIRED IN A PROGRAM.
WHAT WOULD MAKE THAT PARTICULAR TEACHER OR ANY TEACHER BASED ON MISS SAID, SIT BACK AND REVIEW? NOBODY FROM HISD NOTIFIED THEM.
OUR GRIEVANCE IS NOT ABOUT YOUR POLICY BECAUSE THE POLICY IS RIGHT.
THAT'S $5,000. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO HIM.
THAT'S 5,000. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO ME.
TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.
HE TOOK THE JOB TO COME BACK BECAUSE HE WAS EXPECTING TO MAKE THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY.
[00:25:04]
HE FOLLOWED THE GRIEVANCE.WE DIDN'T EVEN LEARN THE POLICY OR THE RULES OR HE DIDN'T LEARN THE POLICIES IN THE RULES UNTIL THE GRIEVANCE.
THEN AT THE GRIEVANCE, HISD EXPLAINED THE RULES.
IT TOOK A GRIEVANCE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HITS EXPECTATION OF AN EMPLOYEE IS.
NOW, IS THAT BEST PRACTICE? YOU ARE THE BOARD OF MANAGERS.
TODAY, LATER ON TODAY, YOU'RE GOING TO BE VOTING ON POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
YOU'RE GOING TO ELIMINATE SOME POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
YOU'RE GOING TO ADD SOME POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
ASK YOURSELF, WHEN YOU DO THIS, HOW IS YOUR WORKFORCE UNDERSTANDING THE CHANGES IN THESE POLICIES? IT TOOK A GRIEVANCE. IT TOOK TAXPAYER DOLLARS JUST TO GET TO THIS POINT.
TO HAVE SOMEBODY EXPLAIN TO HIM HOW THIS POLICY WORKS IN THE HISD.
LATER ON TODAY, YOU'RE GOING TO ELIMINATE CONSULTATION.
A FREE PROCESS OF THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE EMPLOYEES.
BUT YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GOING TO GO THERE.
I'M GOING TO STICK WITH HIM BECAUSE HE DID NOT KNOW THE POLICY.
MR. CASTRO, THE HEARING OFFICER AT THE LEVEL 2, WHEN HE ASKED THE QUESTION, WHEN HE WAS DONE, MR. CASTRO, EVEN WAS SHOCKED WITH HOW HIC PRESENTED THE CASE.
HE WAS SHOCKED. IF YOU READ THE DIALOGUE THROUGH THE TRANSCRIPTS, YOU WILL SEE THAT THE COMMUNICATION IS SIMPLY LIKE, HOW IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
THE EXPECTATION OF HISD TO THEIR EMPLOYEE IS, IT'S UP TO YOU.
YOU NEED TO FIGURE IT OUT NOW.
YOUR SALARY IS GOING TO CHANGE, BUT IT'S UP TO YOU TO FIGURE THAT OUT.
IT'S NOT UP TO US. IT'S UP TO YOU.
WHEN YOU CREATE POLICIES AND BEST PRACTICE, I THINK SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO LOOK AT FROM YOUR LEVEL BECAUSE YOU'RE THE TOP.
AGAIN, WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU TO CHANGE LAW.
WE'RE ASKING YOU TO LOOK AT YOUR POLICIES AND HOW YOU PRESENT IT TO YOUR EMPLOYEES.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO CHANGE SOMEBODY'S SALARY, WE SHOULDN'T BE GOING THROUGH A GRIEVANCE TO HAVE THAT.
YOU SHOULDN'T BE EXPECTING THE TEACHER OR THE EMPLOYEE OR AN AT WILL EMPLOYEE WHO DOESN'T UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN RULES TO BE THE ONE HAVING TO FIGURE THAT OUT.
MR. JONES, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SAY. I DO WANT TO POINT OUT.
THERE WAS STILL A RANGE FOR ADVERTISING.
THE RANGE WAS 24 TO FOR THE '24, '25.
AS HE EXPLAINED HIS EXPERIENCE, THERE WAS A RANGE.
HISD COULD HAVE COME BACK AND HAD THE CONVERSATION AND LOOKED AT THAT RANGE AND ACTUALLY LOOKED AT WHAT HE DID.
AS SHE SAID, THERE WAS A BLANKET CHANGE. A BLANKET CHANGE.
BUT THEY DIDN'T ACTUALLY PARTICULARLY LOOK AT EACH OF THEIR INDIVIDUALS IN THE CLASSROOM.
THEY JUST SIMPLY SAID, WELL, IT'S ON HIM.
IT'S NOT OUR FAULT. HE'S AT WILL. IT'S ON HIM.
WITH THAT, WE'RE NOT ASKING AGAIN, WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU TO CHANGE THE LAW.
WE'RE ASKING YOU TO LOOK AT YOUR BEST PRACTICES.
IS YOUR BEST PRACTICE TO FOLLOW GRIEVANCE TO FIND OUT WHAT THE RULES ARE FOR AN EMPLOYEE? THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING. THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE TO ASK.
WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU TO GIVE A WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY.
$5,000. THAT WAS HIS EXPECTATION.
RECOGNIZE HE FOLLOWED A GRIEVANCE.
WE HAD A LEVEL ONE IN OCTOBER, ABOUT 13 MONTHS AGO.
LOOK AT THAT. IT'S NOT HIS FAULT THAT HE WASN'T AWARE OF IT.
IT'S HISD'S FAULT. IT'S NOT HIS PRINCIPAL'S FAULT BECAUSE HIS PRINCIPAL WASN'T THERE TO TESTIFY.
IF THERE ARE ON PRACTICES, WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE LAW SAYS THIS.
HOW ARE WE LOOKING AT OUR EMPLOYEES AND HOW ARE WE WORKING WITH OUR EMPLOYEES? HE JUST SAID HE'S ONE OF HE WAS OFFERED A JOB.
HE'S THIS IS HIS THIRD YEAR IN THE DISTRICT. HE'S ONE OF YOUR GOOD GUYS.
HE'S ONE OF YOUR GOOD TEACHERS. YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE GOOD TEACHERS.
THANK YOU. WITH THAT, THAT'S ALL WE HAVE TO.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM COLLEAGUES?
>> THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE IS ABOUT ON THIS NOTICE PERIOD.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT MECHANICS OF THE NOTICE PERIOD IS OR THE NOTICE MECHANISMS ARE?
>> I WOULDN'T KNOW THE EXACT NOTICE PROCEDURES, BUT I DO KNOW THAT NOTICE DID GO OUT ON MARCH 5 OF 2024.
>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN EXACTLY?
>> EMAIL NOTICE TO ALL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES TO REVIEW THE COMPENSATION MANUAL THAT WAS UPDATED FOR THAT SCHOOL YEAR.
>> ANYBODY ELSE? DO YOU LIKE TO DISCUSS IT? THE PARTIES HAVE COMPLETED THEIR PRESENTATIONS.
THE BOARD IS GOING TO GO TO THE BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM TO DISCUSS THIS, SO WE'LL BE BACK IN A SECOND.
>> I GUESS WE HAVE TO GO TO CLOSED SESSION BECAUSE WE ARE OPEN SESSION, SORRY.
THE BOARD WILL NOW RECESS TO CLOSED SESION UNDER CHAPTER 551 OF TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, SECTION 551-004-355-1089.
[00:30:06]
SHOULD BOARD FINAL ACTION, VOTE, OR DECISION ON THE MATTER CONSIDERED IN THE CLOSED SESSION BE REQUIRED, SECTION FINAL ACTION, VOTE, OR DECISION SHALL BE TAKEN AT AN OPEN MEETING COVERED BY THIS NOTICE UPON THE RECONVINIENCE OF THE PUBLIC MEETING OR AT A SUBSEQUENT PUBLIC MEETING OF THE BOARD UPON NOTICE THEREOF.THE BOARD HAS RECESSED A CLOSED SESSION AT 2:00 PM ON AUGUST 14, 2025.
>> LET'S GO AHEAD AND START THE LIVE STREAMING, PLEASE? ARE WE GOOD? GOOD. THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SCHOOL BOARD IS NOW RECONVENED IN OPEN SESSION.
THE TIME IS 2:28 P.M THAT SHOULD BE OFF. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
DO I HAVE A MOTION? DO WE NEED TO GET OUR COMPUTERS BACK ON? AT LEAST MINE DOES.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
WOULD YOU GO AHEAD AND READ THE MOTION?
>> I MOVED THAT WE DENY REQUESTED RELIEF NOT PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE LEVEL 2 HEARING OFFICER AND UPHOLD THE DECISION OF THE LEVEL TWO HEARING OFFICER.
>> BOARD MEMBERS, MOTIONS MADE AND SECOND, PLEASE VOTE.
THE BOARD HAS VOTED 6-4 AND ZERO AGAINST.
A LETTER NOTIFYING BOTH PARTIES OF THE ACTION OF THE BOARD SHALL BE PREPARED AND SIGNED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE BOARD RELATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE HEARING IS CONCLUDED AT 2:29 P.M.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, IF I MAY, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT TO MR. JONES.
>> MR. JONES, I OBVIOUSLY, I MADE THE MOTION ON THIS.
I BELIEVE THIS IS THE RIGHT OUTCOME.
WHAT I WANTED TO COMMUNICATE IS THAT WE APPRECIATE YOUR DEDICATION TO OUR STUDENTS.
WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST THIS YEAR AND IN THE YEARS TO COME.
I HOPE YOU'VE SEEN THE NEW SALARY SCHEDULES AND PARTICULARLY THE COMPONENTS OF IT THAT ARE TIED TO STUDENT OUTCOMES.
I HOPE YOU JUST CRUSH IT AND MAKE MORE MONEY THAN YOU EVER HAD BEFORE.
>> THANK YOU. I AGREE WITH THAT WHOLEHEARTEDLY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE WILL THE BOARD WILL NOW RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION UNDER CHAPTER 551 OF TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE OPEN MEETINGS ACT SUBSECTION 551.004 THROUGH 551.089 SHOULD BOARD FINAL ACTION VOTE DECISION OR ANY MATTERS CONSIDERED IN THE CLOSED SESSION BE REQUIRED, SUCH FINAL ACTION, VOTE OR DECISION SHALL BE TAKEN AT THE OPEN MEETING COVERED BY THIS NOTICE UPON RECONVENING OF THIS PUBLIC MEETING OR AT A SUBSEQUENT PUBLIC MEETING OF THE BOARD UPON NOTICE THEREOF.
THE BOARD HAS RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION AT 2:31 P.M. ON AUGUST 14, 2025.
WE GOOD TO GO? GREAT. WE ARE NOW BACK IN REGULAR SESSION AT 3:46 P.M. ON AUGUST 14, 2025, OUT OF CLOSED SESSION.
I DO WANT TO WELCOME BOARD MEMBER FLOWERS AND ALSO BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA.
DO WE HAVE ANY MOTIONS FROM THE EXECUTIVE SESSION? WHO HAS THE MOTION?
>> THE FIRST ONE. I MOVE THAT THE BOARD APPROVES THE CLOSED SESSION PERSONNEL AGENDA, INCLUDING SPECIFICALLY THAT THE BOARD APPROVES PROPOSED TERMINATIONS, NON RENEWALS OF CONTINUING TERM PERFORMANCE AND PROBATIONARY CONTRACTS, THAT THE BOARD APPROVES SUSPENSIONS WITHOUT PAY FOR CONTINUING TERM AND PROBATIONARY CONTRACTS, THAT THE BOARD APPROVE A FINDING OF NO GOOD CAUSE FOR EDUCATORS TO RESIGN OR ABANDON EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS WITHOUT DISTRICT CONSENT, THAT THE BOARD VOIDS TERM PROBATIONARY AND PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS, THAT THE BOARD APPROVES WITHDRAWALS OF CONTRACT RECOMMENDATIONS, THAT THE BOARD APPROVES ISSUANCE OF FINAL ORDERS ON CONTRACT TERMINATIONS AND NON RENEWALS,
[00:35:01]
THAT THE BOARD AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT TO GIVE NOTICE OF ALL APPROVED ACTIONS HEREIN AND TAKE STEPS TO EFFECTUATE SAME PURSUANT TO HISD BOARD POLICY AND STATE LAW, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 14, 2025.>> IS THERE A SECOND? WE HAVE MOTION A SECOND.
MOTION PASSES, EIGHT AND ONE ABSENT.
THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER MOTIONS?
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD GRANT THE SUPERINTENDENT OR DESIGNEE AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE, EXECUTE, AND AMEND ALL DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO THE CONVEYANCE OF RIGHT OF WAY TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND OR THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS KNOWN AS THE SERGIO I RODRIGUEZ MEMORIAL PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE.
>> WE HAVE A SECOND. PLEASE VOTE.
MOTION PASSES EIGHT, AND ONE ABSENT.
I JUST WANT TO COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.
THIS IS REALLY GREAT TO SEE THIS IS THE BRIDGE THAT WILL GO OVER THE RAILROAD TRACKS AT MILBY HIGH SCHOOL, AND IT'S GOING TO BE DEDICATED TO SERGIO RODRIGUEZ, WHO WAS A MILBY STUDENT WHO UNFORTUNATELY WAS KILLED BY THE TRAIN.
THIS WILL BE GREAT TO GET THIS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND TO MAKE MILBY CROSSING MUCH MORE SAFE FOR SURE.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS OR COMMENTS? IF NOT, WE STAND ADJOURNED.
YES. WE'RE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.