MINUTES REGULAR BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING Socorro Independent School District 12440 Rojas Drive, El Paso, TX 79928 6:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT Michael A. Najera, Board President; Cynthia A. Najera, Board Vice President; Paul Guerra, Board Secretary; Craig A. Patton; Gary Gandara; Antonio Tony Ayub; Angelica Rodriguez; and Dr. José Espinoza, Superintendent of Schools MEMBERS ABSENT None CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Board President Michael Najera. All members were present and a quorum was established. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE SUPERINTENDENT S COMMENTS Dr. Espinoza recognized Trustees Cynthia Najera and Angelica Rodriguez for their birthday; 2013 Flo Hyman Award recipients; reported on his participation at the TASA Midwinter Conference and Superintendents Academy; District s safety audits; Elite 8 Reception; 2011-12 SISD Annual Report; and Educational Support Center employee meetings; New Combo School Community Meeting on Thursday, February 28 th at 6:00 p.m. at El Dorado 9 th Grade Center; and announced the arrival of his second son, Andrew, who was born on February 7 th. BOARD HONORS Five Socorro High School student-athletes were recognized for being named to the football 2012-13 Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All-State team. Socorro High School student Victoria Navarro was recognized for earning a Questbridge Scholarship to Princeton University. John Drugan School student Isaac Rios was recognized for having his work selected to be published in Scholastic s Storyworks publication. Americas High School student Joseph Nunez was recognized for making the 2012-13 Texas All- State Band. El Dorado High School student Aaron Arteaga was recognized for being selected for the 2012-13 Texas All-State Band. Jane A. Hambric School student Paulina Torres was recognized for being selected to serve on the first-ever El Paso Exploreum Explorers Advisory Board. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Capt. Walter E. Clarke Middle School special education teacher Narcissa D. Garcia was recognized for being honored by Texas Special Olympics at the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education annual conference for her Meet in the Middle program. The District s Read Across America Coordinator provided a presentation about this year s events. Presented for Board approval on 3/26/2013
Page 2 OPEN FORUM Jeremy Bittner addressed the Board of Trustees and Superintendent regarding the traffic situation at Horizon Heights Elementary School. Administration was asked to look into the situation. FACILITIES REPORT Tom Eyeington, Chief Operations Officer for Facilities & Planning, provided an update on the following construction projects: Eastlake High School Phase III; Butler/Puentes combo school; HVAC upgrades of Robert R. Rojas, Myrtle Cooper, O Shea Keleher, Campestre, Hueco and Benito Martinez elementary schools. No action was taken on this agenda item. AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (ACA) UPDATE Juan Martinez, Chief Human Resources Officer, provided an update relative to the possible impact on school district health plan and cost of benefits. A discussion followed regarding financial impact for part time employees, substitutes and grandfathered employees. No action was taken on this agenda item. CONSENT AGENDA Following a brief discussion regarding E-Rate funded bids and vendor responses, a motion was made by Cynthia Najera, seconded by Angelica Rodriguez, to approve all items under the Consent Agenda with the exception of 8E15-Bid: Telescoping Bleacher Replacement for Socorro High School; 8F1-Affiliation Agreement with Tenet Hospitals Limited; and 8F2-Education Agreement with Schaeffer Halfway House Texas Juvenile Justice Department. The motion carried unanimously. Items approved under the Consent Agenda: Board Meeting Minutes for January 15, 2013 Regular Meeting Employment of Personnel (EXHIBIT A) New employment contracts require Board of Trustees approval. Requests for the Use of School Facilities o Champion Studio for the use of Socorro High School Performing Arts Center o International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA) Denny Kakos for the use of Eastlake High School o Jehovah Witnesses Congregation of Elders for the use of Dr. Sue Shook Elementary School; Escontrias Early Childhood Center; Escontrias Elementary School; and H.D. Hilley Elementary School o Jehovah Witnesses TX Circuit #35 SC for the use of Socorro High School Performing Arts Center o San Felipe de Jesus Catholic Church for the use of Desert Wind School o Socorro Education Association/Region 2A for the use of Meeting Room A o Stay Local El Paso for the use of Montwood High School Budget Amendments (EXHIBIT B) Awarding of Bids (EXHIBIT C) o o Building and Carpentry Materials CSP No. 199-0110-E1372 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure building and carpentry materials as needed district-wide. (Maximum $500,000) Distance Learning System RFP No. 199-0115-E1352 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure distance learning system-video codec as needed district-wide. (Maximum $760,185 E-Rate Funding)
Page 3 o District Wireless Project RFP No. 199-0115-E1355 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure a district wireless project as needed. (Maximum $1,985,102 E-Rate Funding) o Elevator Maintenance Services RFP No. 199-0125-E1373 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure elevator maintenance services as needed district-wide. (Maximum $58,500) o Financial TPA Services RFP No. 199-0110-E1341 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure Financial TPA Services/Third Party Administrative Services for the Districts 403b and 457 employee benefits program. (No Cost to the District) o Landscaping, Xeriscaping and Masonry Services RFP No. 199-0125-E1371 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure landscaping, xeriscaping and masonry services as needed district-wide. (Maximum $200,000) o Maintenance for Networking Equipment RFP No. 199-0115-E1343 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure network equipment maintenance as needed district-wide. (Maximum $74,819 E-Rate Funding) o Maintenance of Central Office and Campus PBX s RFP No. 199-0115-E1344 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure maintenance of central office and campus PBX s. (Maximum $223,034 E-Rate Funding) o Memory CSP No. 199-0110-E1368 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure external computer and laptop memory as needed district-wide. (Maximum $50,000) o Network Cabling and Components RFP No. 199-0115-E1354 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure network cabling and components as needed district-wide. (Maximum $1,557,901 E-Rate Funding) o Network Electronics and Cabling for New Schools RFP No. 199-0115-E1347 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure network electronics and cabling for new schools as needed district-wide. (Maximum $2,294,477 E-Rate Funding) o Network Electronics RFP No. 199-0115-E1353 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure network electronics as needed district-wide. (Maximum $1,972,546 E-Rate Funding) o Relocation of Portables and Related Services RFP No. 199-0125-E1370 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure services to relocate portables as needed district-wide. (Maximum $150,000) o Technology Lab Equipment. RFP No. 199-0125-E1370 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure technology lab equipment as needed districtwide. (Maximum $350,000) o Video Broadcast System RFP No. 199-0115-E1351 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure video broadcast system as needed districtwide. (Maximum $531,395 E-Rate Funding) o VoIP Installations for New Schools RFP No. 199-0115-E1348 Favorable prices and terms secured to procure VoIP installations for new schools. (Maximum $147,262 E-Rate Funding) Local Policies as endorsed by TASB s Updates 95 & 96 and Board Policy Committee: AB (LOCAL); DEC (LOCAL); EFAA (LOCAL); FEB (LOCAL); FEC (LOCAL); and GE (LOCAL).
Page 4 BID: TELESCOPING BLEACHER REPLACEMENT FOR SOCORRO HIGH SCHOOL BLEACHERS RFP. NO. 199-0205-E1362 This item was pulled from the Consent Agenda by Gary Gandara. Following a discussion regarding the funding and timeline, a motion was made by Gary Gandara, seconded by Angelica Rodriguez, to approve the item as presented. The motion carried unanimously. AFFILIATION AGREEMENT WITH TENET HOSPITALS LIMITED This item was pulled from the Consent Agenda for further clarification. The purpose of the agreement is to aid students in the Health Professions Academy (HPA) program at Socorro High School by allowing them to practice their patient care skills in a real setting preparing them to take their Certified Nursing Assistant assessment and to acquire hours necessary for certification. Following a brief discussion regarding pending revisions being suggested by the district s counsel, a motion was made by Gary Gandara, seconded by Tony Ayub, to approve the item with the proposed revisions. The motion carried unanimously. EDUCATIONAL AGREEMENT RENEWAL AND AMENDMENT WITH SCHAEFFER HALFWAY HOUSE This item was pulled from the Consent Agenda for further clarification. The purpose of the agreement is to provide certain educational services for the residents of Schaeffer Halfway House/Texas Juvenile Justice Department who are eligible for such services and desire to receive these services; the agreement has been amended to comply with federal guidelines. Following a brief discussion regarding the purpose of the program, a motion was made by Gary Gandara, seconded by Tony Ayub, to approve the item as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 2013-2014 SOCORRO ISD CALENDAR Following a presentation by Rebecca O Neill, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education, regarding the development of the 2013-2014 calendar, a motion was made by Tony Ayub, seconded by Paul Guerra, to approve the item as presented. The motion carried unanimously. ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFIED CONTRACT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2013-2014 SCHOOL YEAR Following a presentation by Mr. Martinez regarding the contract recommendations, a motion was made by Tony Ayub, seconded by Cynthia Najera, to approve the contract recommendations to include Tammi Mackeben who was mistakenly omitted from the roster. The motion carried unanimously. ADMINISTRATOR NON-CERTIFIED CONTRACT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2013-2014 SCHOOL YEAR A motion was made by Cynthia Najera, seconded by Angelica Rodriguez, to approve the contract recommendations as presented. The motion carried unanimously. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PROJECT FOR PHASE II HVAC UPGRADES Following a presentation by Mr. Eyeington regarding the HVAC upgrades for Escontrias, HD Hilley, Horizon Heights, Vista Del Sol, Helen Ball and Sierra Vista elementary schools, a motion was made by Craig Patton, seconded by Tony Ayub, to approve ARMKO as the contractor at a fixed fee of 6% for Phase II projects. The motion carried unanimously.
Page 5 ORDER AND NOTICE CALLING ELECTION FOR MAY 11, 2013 A motion was made by Gary Gandara, seconded by Angelica Rodriguez, to approve the Order and Notice calling Election for May 11, 2013 to elect five (5) members to the Board of Trustees as presented. The motion carried unanimously. CONTRACT WITH EL PASO COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT A motion was made by Gary Gandara, seconded by Cynthia Najera, to approve the contract for May 11, 2013 Election as presented. The motion carried unanimously. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH PASEO DEL ESTE MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT A motion was made by Tony Ayub, seconded by Paul Guerra, to approve the interlocal agreement to conduct a joint election on May 11, 2013 as presented. The motion carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION The meeting was closed at 7:30 p.m. for consultation with the school district s attorney regarding proposed City of El Paso Ordinance relating to public buildings, to discuss personnel and real estate matters, to consider terminating agreement with Texas Tech University Health Science Center for Montwood Wellness Clinic and authorize Superintendent to give thirty (30) day notice required under the Agreement; Superintendent s Evaluation Instrument; and administrative recommendations for Assistant Principal at Elfida P. Chavez Elementary School and Socorro High School under Texas Government Code Sections 551.071, 551.072 and 551.074. The meeting reconvened at 8:45 p.m. TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER FOR MONTWOOD WELLNESS CLINIC A motion was made by Craig Patton, seconded by Paul Guerra, to approve a one-year lease at $6,000 per month or, alternatively, if Texas Tech declines to lease the Clinic, the Administration is authorized to give notice of termination of the Agreement effective as of June 30, 2013. The motion carried unanimously. SUPERINTENDENT S EVALUATION INSTRUMENT A motion was made by Tony Ayub, seconded by Cynthia Najera, to approve the Superintendent s Evaluation Instrument as presented in Executive Session. The motion carried unanimously. ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS Dr. Espinoza recommended Sara Schwantner to assume all roles and responsibilities as Assistant Principal at Elfida P. Chavez Elementary School. A motion was made by Paul Guerra, seconded by Cynthia Najera, to approve the item as presented. The motion carried unanimously. No recommendation was presented for Assistant Principal at Socorro Middle School. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m. THESE MINUTES WERE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON MARCH 26, 2013.