Minutes of Regular Meeting The Board of Directors South Texas ISD A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of South Texas ISD was held Tuesday, October 25, 2016, beginning at 7:30 PM in the Biblioteca Las Americas Lecture Hall, 300 Med High Drive, Mercedes, Texas. 1. Welcome. Mr. Joe Lopez, Board President, welcomed the guests, staff and fellow board members. 2. Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas Results (FIRST) Public Hearing. At 7:34 p.m. the FIRST Public Hearing was called to order. The Board of Directors, parents, faculty, and patrons received an overview by Assistant Superintendent for Finance, Marla Knaub, on the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas report for the district. South Texas ISD provided the following FIRST disclosures as per Title 19 Texas Administrative Code: 1. Superintendent s employment contract is posted on the district s internet site at www.stisd.net under Finance. 2. Reimbursements received by the Superintendent and Board Members for the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 (Page 8 of FIRST Report). 3. Outside compensation and/or fees received by the Superintendent for Professional Consulting and/or Personal services in fiscal year 2014-2015 (Page 9 of FIRST Report). 4. Gifts Received by the Executive Officers and Board Members (and first degree relatives, if any) in fiscal year 2014-2015 (Page 9 of FIRST Report). 5. Business transactions between school district and Board Members for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the 12 month period ending August 31, 2015 (Page 10 of FIRST Report). 6. South Texas ISD s rating under School FIRST for the year ending August 31, 2015 was Superior Achievement which is the state s highest with a score of 31. 3. Board Meeting called to order. The meeting was called to order by Board President Joe Lopez at 7:44 p.m. at which time he was assured by Superintendent, Dr. Marla M. Guerra that notices of this meeting were posted properly according to the laws of Texas and that a quorum of the board was present.
Board Minutes October 25, 2016 Page 2 The following board members were present: Douglas E. Buchanan Raymondville Graciela Camargo Weslaco Yolanda Chapa McAllen Yolanda Cuellar Progreso Lakes Richard Fleming, M.D. Mission Adrian Garcia Brownsville Margarita Garcia San Juan Homero Garcia Weslaco Sylvia Sanchez Garza Edinburg Hector Gonzales Lyford Joe L. Joey Lopez Brownsville Robert J. Lerma Brownsville Henry LeVrier Brownsville Eliceo Muñoz, III Brownsville Israel G. Quintanilla Raymondville John L. Solis, III Raymondville Rick Villarreal, D.D.S. Brownsville The following board members were absent: Eduardo L. Larry Cantu Los Fresnos Javier Farias McAllen Maria G. Leal Palmhurst Filomena Leo, Ed.D. La Joya Ramon Montalvo, III Weslaco Berta Palacios San Juan Irma Perez-Treviño Harlingen The following staff members were present: Marla M. Guerra, Ed.D. Jeff Hembree J.P. Villarreal Marla R. Knaub Sonia E. Rodriguez Irma Castillo, Ed.D. Harry Goette Ana Castro Barbara Heater, Ph.D. Nora Casarez, Ed.D. Lauren Payne Eduardo Arias Ann Vickman Jacky Buelow Amanda Odom The following guests were present: Michael Cano, Attorney, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson. 4. Pledges of Allegiance & District Vision. The pledges were led by Mr. Israel Quintanilla. Mr. Quintanilla recited the district s vision statement. 5. Moment of Silence.
Board Minutes October 25, 2016 Page 3 6. Public participation at South Texas ISD Board Meetings: Allotted time to hear persons who desire to make comments to the Board (BED Local) (S 1). A. Recognition of principals in honor of Principals' Month. On behalf of the Board and Administration, Mrs. Amanda Odom presented the school principals with a small token of appreciation in honor of Principals Month recognizing them for a job well done in educating our students our future leaders of tomorrow. B. Recognition of district employee for years of service to STISD. On behalf of the Board and Administration, Mrs. Odom recognized Mrs. Dina Romo for her 30 years of service to STISD. Mrs. Grace Camargo addressed the Board to say thank you for their support to the Education Foundation s Cowboy Up for College Scholarships fundraiser event held on October 20 th. Mrs. Camargo reported the event was a great success. 7. Approval of Consent Agenda. In order to promote efficient meetings, the Board may act upon more than one item by a single vote through the use of consent agenda. Consent items shall be items placed on the Agenda marked with an asterisk (*) for which no Board discussion is anticipated and for which the Superintendent recommends approval. Prior to the meeting, at the request of any member of the Board of Directors, any item on the consent agenda shall be removed and given individual consideration. Requests for individual consideration are made at least a half-hour prior to Board meetings and requests must be directed to either the Board President or the Superintendent. A motion was made by Mr. Lerma, seconded by Mr. Buchanan approving the consent agenda items as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 8. *Action: Review and act on the September 27, 2016 Board Meeting Minutes. 9. Policy & Curriculum - Doug Buchanan & Grace Camargo, Co-Chairs Mrs. Grace Camargo reported on the following committee items: A. *Action: Review and act on the following announcement of vacancies: 1. Head Teachers/Coordinators for summer symposiums and projects 2. Teacher Tutors
Board Minutes October 25, 2016 Page 4 B. *Report on home districts of all students. C. *Report on gender and ethnicity of all students. D. Report on First Reading of Policy Update 106. Mr. Jeff Hembree reported on the proposed Policy Update 106. This was a report only and the Policy Update will be placed on the November board agenda for action. E. Report on review of CW (LOCAL) Board Policy. The Policy & Curriculum committee will continue to work on the CW (Local) policy for the next few months until they are ready to make a recommendation to the full Board. At that time, any revisions proposed will go through the normal two readings and approval process. F. Action: Review and act on request for new teaching position at South Texas Preparatory Academy and announcement of vacancy. A motion was made by Mrs. Camargo, seconded by Mr. Lerma, approving the new teaching position at STPA and announcement of vacancy as presented. The motion passed unanimously. G. Action: Review and act on Resolution for District of Innovation and setting public hearing at the November 29, 2016 board meeting. A motion was made by Mr. H. Garcia, seconded by Mrs. Cuellar, approving the Resolution for District of Innovation and setting a public hearing at the November 29, 2016 board meeting. The motion passed unanimously. 10. Buildings & Grounds - Rick Villarreal, DDS & John Solis, III, Co-Chairs Mr. John Solis, III reported on the following committee items: A. *Action: Review and act on the lease agreement with Delfino Cornejo, Jr. for the San Benito property. B. Action: Review and act on accepting the BETA Administration Building
Board Minutes October 25, 2016 Page 5 renovation project as substantially complete (S 1). A motion was made by Dr. Villarreal, seconded by Mr. H. Garcia, approving the BETA Administration Building renovation project as substantially complete. The motion passed unanimously. C. Action: Review and act on hiring an architect for architectural services for the Science Academy project. A motion was made by Mr. Solis, seconded by Mr. Gonzales, selecting the architectural services firm of Gomez Mendez Saenz, Inc. from Brownsville as the most highly qualified provider of architectural services on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications for the Science Academy project; authorize the Superintendent or her designee to negotiate a contract at a fair and reasonable price and to execute the contract on behalf of the District. The motion passed with one against (Mr. E. Muñoz, III). 11. Finance - Israel Quintanilla & Margarita Garcia, Co-Chairs Mr. Israel Quintanilla reported on the following committee items: A. *Report on checks written since last report (S 1). B. *Report on fourth quarter Student Activity Accounts. C. *Action: Review and act on extending TSA Consulting's contract, third party administrator for 403(b) plans, for one additional year. D. *Action: Review and act on approved vendors for the following categories: 1. Instructional Materials & Classroom Supplies 2. Building Grounds Repairs & Equipment E. Annual report on tax delinquent collection from Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP. Mr. Michael Cano, attorney from Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, reported on the annual tax delinquent collection.
Board Minutes October 25, 2016 Page 6 F. Action: Review and act on the following payment applications (S 1): 1. Gomez Mendez Saenz application for payment #5 (final) for BETA Administration Building Renovation project. A motion was made by Mr. H. Garcia, seconded by Mr. Lerma, approving Gomez Mendez Saenz application for payment #5 (final) for the BETA Administration Building renovation project as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Noble Texas Builders application for payment #4 for BETA Administration Building Renovation project. A motion was made by Mr. H. Garcia, seconded by Mrs. Camargo, approving Noble Texas Builders application for payment #4 for BETA Administration Building renovation project as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Netrix application for payment #2 for Medical Academy medical simulation video equipment. A motion was made by Mrs. Camargo, seconded by Mr. H. Garcia, approving Netrix application for payment #2 for Medical Academy medical simulation video equipment as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Ferris, Flinn & Medina, LLC application for payment #19 (final) for wastewater treatment plant at Medical Academy. A motion was made by Mrs. Camargo, seconded by Mr. Gonzales, approving Ferris, Flinn & Medina s LLC application for payment #19 (final) for wastewater treatment plant at Medical Academy as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Ferris, Flinn & Medina, LLC application for payment of board-approved additional services for wastewater treatment plant at Medical Academy. A motion was made by Mr. Gonzales, seconded by Mrs. Camargo, approving Ferris, Flinn & Medina s, LLC application for payment of board-approved additional services for wastewater treatment plant at Medical Academy as presented. The motion passed unanimously. G. Action: Review and act on the following requisitions: 1. Requisition #050990 to Facility Solutions Group for the Rising Scholars Academy marquee. A motion was made by Mr. Gonzales, seconded by Mr. H. Garcia, approving requisition #050990 to Facility Solutions Group for the Rising Scholars Academy marquee as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Board Minutes October 25, 2016 Page 7 2. Requisition #050681 to Blackboard, Inc. for district wide instructional management system. A motion was made by Mr. H. Garcia, seconded by Mrs. Sanchez Garza, approving requisition #050681 to Blackboard, Inc. for the district wide instructional management system as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Requisition #050635 to Dell Marketing for computers for Science Academy. A motion was made by Mr. Gonzales, seconded by Mr. H. Garcia, approving requisition #050635 to Dell Marketing for computers for the Science Academy as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Requisition #051059 to W.E. Imhoff & Company, Inc. for the STPA classroom floor tile replacement. A motion was made by Mrs. Camargo, seconded by Mr. H. Garcia, approving requisition #051059 to W.E. Imhoff & Company, Inc. for the STPA classroom floor tile replacement as presented. The motion passed unanimously. H. Action: Review and act on General Fund budget amendment #1. A motion was made by Mr. H. Garcia, seconded by Dr. Villarreal, approving the General Fund budget amendment #1 for final payment of the wastewater plant. The motion passed unanimously. I. Action: Review and act on the following donation(s): 1. $350 from Gerald E. Pockrus for Rising Scholars Academy. 2. $660 from Adrian's Photography for BETA 3. $1,257 from STBETA-PSTO for BETA. 4. $100 from Andres Martinez, Jr. for BETA 5. $250 from Garlett Transport for BETA 6. $250 from Dona Cooper - Dockerty, M.D., P.A. for BETA 7. $500 from Ricardo Abreu, M.D., P.A. for BETA 8. $100 from Christina Martinez for BETA A motion was made by Mr. H. Garcia, seconded by Mr. Buchanan, approving the $350 donation from Gerald E. Pockrus for Rising Scholars Academy; $660 from Adrian's Photography for BETA; $1,257 from STBETA-PSTO for BETA; $100 from Andres Martinez, Jr. for BETA; $250 from Garlett Transport for BETA; $250 from Dona Cooper - Dockerty, M.D., P.A. for BETA; $500 from Ricardo Abreu, M.D., P.A. for BETA; and $100 from Christina Martinez for BETA as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Board Minutes October 25, 2016 Page 8 12. Superintendent's Report - M. Guerra, Ed.D. A. *Campus Reports (S 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 1. STPA - A. Castro 2. Rising Scholars - C. Sauceda 3. BETA - N. Casarez, Ed.D. 4. Medical Academy - H. Goette 5. Med High - B. Heater, Ph.D. 6. Science Academy - I. Castillo, Ed.D. 7. Attendance Reports - J. Hembree B. *Action: Review and act on the following out of district student/staff travel (S 1, 2): 1. HOSA State Officer Fall Planning Meeting, November 10-12, 2016, Corpus Christi, TX 2. UIL Cross-Examination Debate, November 19, 2016, Bishop, TX 3. TSA Leadership Conference, December 1-3, 2016, Kerrville, TX 4. UIL Competition, February 11, 2017, Corpus Christi, TX 5. UIL Cross-Examination Debate, March 17-19, 2017, Austin, TX 6. Texas Envirothon, April 1-4, 2017, Houston, TX 7. UIL Regional Meet, April 7-8, 2017, San Antonio, TX 8. UIL State Meet, May 19-22, 2017, Austin, TX C. *Annual report on the Board's success in advocating for the district with the patrons, business community, other organizations and elected officials. D. *Action: Review and act on new members for the STISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) (S 2). E. *Action: Review and act on board members to attend the following:
Board Minutes October 25, 2016 Page 9 1. MASBA, January 23-26, 2017, San Antonio, TX 2. NSBA, March 25-27, 2017, Denver, CO 3. STISD Day at the Capitol, February 9, 2017, Austin, TX 13. *Correspondence. A. Thank you card from Dr. Ron Schraer. 14. EXECUTIVE SESSION: A closed or executive session in accordance with the Open Meetings Act, Chp. 268, Section 551.001 et al, 1993 Tex. Sess. Law 589 (Vernon), the Board may go into Executive Session to discuss the following: A. 551.074, 551.071 Personnel Matters and consultation with school attorney regarding Personnel Matters: Closed Meeting 1. Recommendation of professional staff for the 2016-2017 school year (S 1). a. Teacher(s) There was no executive session held. 15. OPEN SESSION: A. 551.074, 551.071 Personnel Matters and consultation with school attorney regarding Personnel Matters: 1. Action: Review and act on recommendation of professional staff for the 2016-2017 school year (S 1). a. Teacher(s) The Superintendent recommended the employment of Ms. Stephanie Gonzalez as a 10 month teacher for the remainder of the 2016-2017 school year. A motion was made by Mr. LeVrier, seconded by Mr. Lerma, approving Ms. Stephanie Gonzalez as recommended. The motion passed unanimously. 16. Adjournment. A motion was made by Mr. Gonzales, seconded by Mrs. Camargo, adjourning the board meeting at 8:32 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.