[I. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:11]
IT'S A VERY NICE, BIG CROWD. GOOD EVENING.
I'M REGINA HARRIS, PRESIDENT OF THE RICHARDSON ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
THIS IS THE APRIL MEETING OF THE RICHARDSON ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
WE DO HAVE A QUORUM TONIGHT AND WE WILL GET STARTED AT 6:02 P.M. DR. HELLER, WOULD YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE OUR GUESTS TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE?
>> YES. AM I ON? THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING.
YES. PRESIDENT HARRIS, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT RANDOM, I AM SO EXCITED TO WELCOME FROM SKY VIEW ELEMENTARY, THEIR CHEERLEADING TEAM.
[APPLAUSE] THESE SEVEN YOUNG LADIES ARE GOING TO JOIN US IN THE PLEDGE THIS EVENING.
TYNA MITCHELL WHO SERVES AS CAPTAIN, DESTINY JONES CO-CAPTAIN, GRACIE JUAREZ LINE LIEUTENANT, DANIELA JUAREZ, LADA CELINE, CAMILLA SUFUENTES, AND ARMENI SHEPHERD.
GIRLS, WILL YOU PLEASE JOIN US IN OUR PLEDGES? AND TO REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INVISIBLE,LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL ] ONE STATE UNDER GOD ONE AND INDIVIDUAL GREAT.
>> NICE LOVE VOICES. THAT IS GREAT [BACKGROUND].
>> EVERYONE, PLEASE JOIN US IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE AS WE REMEMBER, MEMBERS OF OUR RISD FAMILY WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US.
WE WILL BE HONORING OUR LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL TESSA PETTIGREW, LITERACY AND INTERVENTION STAFF MEMBER KELLISON SNOOTY, AND BRENTFIELD ELEMENTARY SECOND GRADER CALEB.
WE'RE LIFTING UP THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME.
PLEASE JOIN ME FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
[I.B. Announcements / Communications]
IT IS NOW TIME FOR RECOGNITION.>> YES. BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT BROWN, THEM IF YOU COULD PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE FRONT OF THE HORSE SHOE.
AS THEY ARE COMING FORWARD, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.
THE RISD BOARD UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF STUDENTS, STAFF, SCHOOLS AND DEPARTMENTS.
OUR TRUSTEES ALSO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS ARE LOCAL BUSINESSES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MAKE TO THE DISTRICT.
AT EACH REGULAR MONTHLY BOARD MEETING, WE TAKE TIME TO CELEBRATE THESE ACHIEVEMENTS.
WE ASK THAT AS GUESTS AND VISITORS TO HELP CELEBRATE THESE RECOGNITIONS AND TO PLEASE STAY TO ENJOY THE ENTIRE RECOGNITION PROCESS.
THIS ALLOWS EVERYONE TO SHARE OUR APPRECIATION FOR EVERY RECIPIENT.
THERE WILL BE A SHORT BREAK AFTER THE RECOGNITION PROCESSES OVER FOR ANY GUESTS WISHING TO LEAVE THE AUDITORIUM AT THAT TIME.
APRIL IS NATIONAL MULTILINGUAL LEARNER ADVOCACY MONTH.
BILINGUAL MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS ARE ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING STUDENT POPULATIONS IN US SCHOOLS.
THESE STUDENTS BRING MULTIPLE ASSETS TO SCHOOLS AND ADD TO THE RICH DIVERSITY OF OUR US STUDENT POPULATION.
IN RISD, WE ARE HOME TO MORE THAN 11,000 EMERGENT BILINGUAL STUDENTS WHO SPEAK OVER 73 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND DIALECTS.
TOP LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN RISD INCLUDES SPANISH, ARABIC, AMHARIC, VIETNAMESE, PASHTO, AND URDU.
MORE THAN 6,000 RISD STUDENTS IN GRADES
[00:05:02]
7 THROUGH 12 ARE ENROLLED IN WORLD LANGUAGE COURSES.THE DISTRICT OFFERS WORLD LANGUAGE COURSES IN FRENCH, JAPANESE, LATIN, AND SPANISH.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING ALL OF THE RICH DIVERSITY THROUGH NATIONAL MULTILINGUAL LEARNER ADVOCACY MONTH DURING APRIL.
APRIL IS ALSO A TIME WHEN WE RECOGNIZE OUR VOLUNTEERS, AND WE WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT NEXT WEEK, APRIL 17TH THROUGH 21ST IS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND THE POWER OF VOLUNTEERS TO TO BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES AND BE A FORCE THAT TRANSFORMS THE WORLD.
IT TAKES PLACE EVERY APRIL DURING GLOBAL VOLUNTEER MONTH.
THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK THEME FOR 2023 IS, VOLUNTEERING WEAVES US TOGETHER.
THIS REVEALS THE IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTEERING TO THE STRENGTH AND VIBRANCY OF OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE INTERCONNECTED ACTIONS WE TAKE TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER.
RICHARDSON ISD IS SO VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS WHO GAVE THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF THEIR TIME TO SUPPORT OUR CLASSROOMS, CAMPUSES, AND DISTRICT ACTIVITIES EACH YEAR.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR VOLUNTEERING IN RISD.
YOUR WILLINGNESS TO GIVE YOUR TIME AND SERVICES GREATLY APPRECIATED.
YOUR SUPPORT OF RICHARDSON ISD ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE TO FULFILL OUR MISSION AND SERVE OUR STUDENTS, STAFF, AND FAMILIES EACH YEAR. THANK YOU.
WE ARE NOW GOING TO TRANSITION INTO OUR FIRST STAFF RECOGNITION, AND I SEE HER STANDING TO THE BACK OF THE ROOM.
I'M GOING TO ASK HER TO PLEASE COME FORWARD.
WE ARE VERY VERY EXCITED TO RECOGNIZE LESLIE SLOVAK AS, YES.
[APPLAUSE] LESLIE SERVES IN RICHARDSON ISD IS OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS, AND SHE HAS RECENTLY BEEN SELECTED AS THE 2023 REGION 3 ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR BY THE TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION.
THIS GROUP IS THE PRINCIPAL ADVOCACY GROUP FOR ALL OF THE ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF TEXAS.
AS THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR RISD, LESLIE OVERSEAS 230 COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF MEMBERS AND MORE THAN 5,000 STUDENT ATHLETES IN OUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS, MEANING THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE THIS EVENING.
THIS IS LESLIE IS 28TH YEAR IN RICHARDSON ISD AND HER 22ND YEAR AND CENTRAL ATHLETICS.
SHE HAS BEEN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS SINCE 2016.
[APPLAUSE] WE'RE GOING TO GRAB A PICTURE.
AS WE'RE GETTING THE PICTURE, IF YOU ARE HERE FOR ONE OF OUR STAFF ARE ISD BELIEVES RECOGNITIONS.
IF YOU COULD PLEASE STAND AND COME UP TO MY LEFT AGAINST THIS WALL IF YOU'RE FOR THE RISD STAFF BELIEVE RECOGNITIONS.
[APPLAUSE] WE CONTINUE WITH OUR STAFF RECOGNITIONS EVERY MONTH.
WE ALSO RECOGNIZE VARIOUS STUDENTS AND STAFF.
WE'RE REALLY GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND IN THEIR ROLES TO SUPPORT THE MISSION AND VISION HERE IN RICHARDSON ISD.
WE RECOGNIZE THEM MONTHLY WITH OUR RISD BELIEVES AWARD.
WE HAVE FOUR STAFF THIS EVENING THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE.
HI, MS. BENAVIDES, COULD YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD? I'D LIKE TO READ A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WAS SUBMITTED AND WHY WE ARE RECOGNIZING LUISA.
IT'S SIMPLY SAYS IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, LUISA IS THE BEST.
HER WORK ETHIC IS OUTSTANDING.
LUISA ALWAYS HAS A SMILE ON HER FACE AND GREETS YOU SO POLITELY.
SHE WILL GO ABOVE AND BEYOND HER DUTY TO MAKE SURE THINGS ARE DONE BETTER THAN EXPECTED.
LUISA IS FUNNY, CHARISMATIC, CARING, AND A VERY DEVOTED PERSON.
I LOVE IT WHEN SHE REMINDS ME TO PUT ON MY COAT OR TAKE MY UMBRELLA.
WHEN I SEE LUISA ON THE HALLS OF APOLLO JUNIOR HIGH, SHE MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I'M AT HOME.
I LOVE TO STOP AND JUST TALK TO HER ABOUT OUR DAY KIDS IN LIFE.
FOR HER, HER GLASSES ALWAYS HALF-FULL AND THAT IS SO INSPIRING TO ME.
LUISA IS A PERSON WHO INSPIRES YOU AND MAKES YOU FEEL AMAZING.
RICHARDSON ISD IS LUCKY TO HAVE HER.
CONGRATULATIONS LUISA BENAVIDES, WHO IS WITH THE CUSTODIAL STAFF AT APOLLO JUNIOR HIGH. [APPLAUSE] OUR NEXT RISD BELIEVED STAFF ACKNOWLEDGMENT IS FOR MRS. DINA GILES.
[00:10:04]
[APPLAUSE] YES, AND MRS. DINA AS PART OF OUR BUDGET STAFF HERE AT CENTRAL OFFICE, AS WELL AS SUPPORTS OUR EXPLORE STAFF.WHAT WAS SUBMITTED THAT WE'RE CELEBRATING WITH MRS. DINA IS THAT BEFORE THE SUNRISES DINA IS AT PRESTON WOOD GREETING THE MORNING EXPLORE STUDENTS.
SHE GREETS THEM WITH A SMILE AND TAKES CARE OF THEM BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS.
EVERY MORNING, I DROP OFF MY SON AND HE IS SO EXCITED TO SEE MRS. DINA.
AFTER SCHOOL, HE TELLS ME ALL THE FUNNY HAD WITH MRS. DINA AND HOW SHE PLAYS CARDS WITH HIM AND ALL THE OTHER STUDENTS AT MORNING EXPLORE.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR MRS. DINA.
SHE DOES AN AMAZING JOB AND PUTS A SMILE ON ALL OF THE MORNING EXPLORE KIDS FACES.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO, MRS. DINA.
WHAT A GREAT WAY TO START THE DAY.
[APPLAUSE] OUR NEXT RISD BELIEVED STAFF ACKNOWLEDGMENT IS FOR MS. DAPHNE JOHNSON.
YES. [APPLAUSE] MS. JOHNSON IS OUR CAFETERIA MANAGER IS JUST AT JESS HARTMAN ELEMENTARY.
HERE'S WHAT WAS SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF MS. JOHNSON.
FOR MANY OF OUR STUDENTS, MS. JOHNSON IS ONE OF THE FIRST FACES THEY SEE IN THE MORNING.
SHE ALWAYS HAS A SMILE AND A KIND WORD FOR OUR STUDENTS COMING THROUGH THE CAFETERIA LINE.
SHE INTERACTS WITH OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF AND TRULY IS A BRIGHT SPOT IN OUR MORNING AND AGAIN, WHEN THEY COME BACK THROUGH AT LUNCH.
SHE NOTICES WHEN A STUDENT OR STAFF LOOKS LIKE THEY MIGHT BE HAVING A TOUGH DAY AND OFFERS AN ENCOURAGING WORD.
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, MS. JOHNSON ALSO HELPED STAFF AND PARENTS TO NAVIGATE THE PAPERWORK FOR OUR STUDENTS.
IF THEY QUALIFY FOR FREE AND REDUCED MEALS, THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU HELPING WITH THAT.
I HEARD FROM PARENTS THAT REACHED OUT VIA EMAIL TO DIRECTLY ENSURE THAT THEIR PAPERWORK WAS FILLED OUT CORRECTLY, THAT YOU WOULD HELP THEM.
AT JESS HARBOR, WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE LOVE AND CARE THAT MS. JOHNSON OFFERS OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF EACH AND EVERY DAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
[APPLAUSE] WE HAVE ONE FINAL RISD BELIEVED STAFF ACKNOWLEDGMENT THIS MONTH, AND THAT IS FOR MR. RALPH WOODRUFF.
RALPH, IF YOU CAN COME FORWARD.
MR. RALPH, I THINK AS HE IS LOVING LANE KNOWN AS HE TRANSPORTS SOME OF OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION PASS STUDENTS.
FOR THOSE THAT AREN'T FAMILIAR PASS IS OUR POSITIVE APPROACH TO STUDENT SUCCESS.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO GRAB A PICTURE REAL QUICK. WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT.
I WANT TO BE SURE THEY GET TO HEAR ALL OF YOUR GREATNESS.
WE'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE RALPH WOODRUFF WITH OUR TRANSPORTATION TEAM.
MR. RALPH, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE KNOWN AS MR. RALPH WITH YOUR STUDENTS, TRANSPORTS OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION PASS STUDENTS.
FOR THOSE THAT ARE FAMILIAR PASS STANDS FOR POSITIVE APPROACH TO STUDENT SUCCESS.
HE TRANSPORTS THESE KIDDOS TO AND FROM SCHOOL DAILY.
RALPH ENSURES THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS WHILE DRIVING THE BUS AND MONITORS THE BEHAVIORS OF OUR PASS STUDENTS ALL AT ONCE.
RALPH HAS DEVELOPED RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL OF HIS STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND TEACHERS.
HE EVEN HAS IMPLEMENTED POSITIVE REWARDS FOR SEVERAL OF THE STUDENTS HE TRANSPORTS.
MR. RALPH EXEMPLIFIES THE RISD BELIEVES AWARD AND DESERVES TO BE RECOGNIZED EVERY DAY.
WE'RE SO EXCITED WE GET TO RECOGNIZE YOU THIS EVENING.
[APPLAUSE] AS WE'RE CAPTURING A PICTURE WITH MR. RALPH, I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME UP OUR TWO RISD BELIEVED STUDENT AWARDS, KENNEDY AMES AND STEPHANIE PEREZ, IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME FORWARD.
[APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS MR. RALPH.
NOW WE'RE GONNA TRANSITION INTO OUR STUDENT RECOGNITIONS.
WE HAVE SO MANY INCREDIBLE, AWESOME STUDENTS THROUGHOUT RISD.
WE BRING FORWARD JUST A FEW THIS EVENING TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU.
FIRST, WE HAVE FOR OUR RISD BELIEVES AWARD, MS. KENNEDY AMES, WHO WAS IN SIXTH GRADE AT NORTH RIDGE ELEMENTARY.
I'D LIKE TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT WAS SUBMITTED AND WHY WE ARE RECOGNIZING KENNEDY TONIGHT.
SHE REPRESENTS HER CLASS AND OUR PBIS HOUSE AS A STUDENT COUNCIL MEMBER AND GETS ALONG WITH HER PEERS AND ENCOURAGES THEM TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL.
IN FEBRUARY, KENNEDY TOOK IT UPON HERSELF TO MAKE TWO POSTERS FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND BROUGHT THEM TO SCHOOL TO SHARE.
[00:15:02]
I ASKED HER IF SHE WANTED TO DO THE SAME FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH IN MARCH.SHE AND TWO OTHER STUDENTS RESEARCHED INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN, CREATED POWERPOINT AND TURNED THE POWERPOINT INTO A BULLETIN BOARD FOR THE SCHOOL HALLWAY.
AFTER THEY CREATED THE BOARD, KENNEDY ASKED TO GO AND PRESENT THEIR RESEARCH TO THE YOUNGER GRADES.
SHE LED HER GROUP IN CREATING A POWERPOINT COMPLETE WITH A KAHOOT QUIZ.
AT THE END, WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR ASSESSMENT IN THERE.
SHE AND HER OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS WENT TO THE KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE CLASSROOMS TO TEACH THE STUDENTS.
SHE TRULY IS UNIQUE, WISE BEYOND HER YEARS, A SELF-STARTER AND A BORN LEADER.
SHE IS THE RARE GIFT OF BEING ABLE TO DO AT ALL WITH POISE.
[APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS KENNEDY.
OUR NEXT RISD BELIEVES AWARD STUDENT IS MS. STEPHANIE PEREZ.
SHE'S IN SIXTH GRADE AT RICHARDSON HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY.
WHAT WAS SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF STEPHANIE IS THAT SHE IS AN INCREDIBLY HARD WORKER IN HER CLASS WHO TAKES IT UPON HERSELF TO SEE OTHERS FLOURISHED ALONGSIDE HER.
THERE ARE FEW GIRLS IN THE CLASS THAT HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, AND STEPHANIE CONSISTENTLY MAKE CERTAIN THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT ARE GIVEN IN CLASS AND GIVES THEM POINTERS ON THEIR ENGLISH-SPEAKING IN A VERY CONSTRUCTIVE WAY.
THE STUDENTS FIND HER TO BE A HUGE SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT.
SHE TRULY IS A SERVANT LEADER AND WE COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD OF HER.
[APPLAUSE] AS WE ARE CELEBRATING STEPHANIE, IF YOU ARE HERE TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THE SPELLING BEE, FOR EITHER OF THE SPANISH OR RICHARDSON ISD SPELLING BEES, IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME FORWARD.
WE'RE GOING TO CELEBRATE YOU NEXT.
[APPLAUSE] NEXT WE'RE GOING TO CELEBRATE SOME SPELLING BEE WINNERS THIS EVENING.
I AM GOING TO [INAUDIBLE] THAT YOU HAVE A SPELLING BEE, WE ARE READY TO CELEBRATE YOU.
WE'RE GOING TO ASK YOU TO LINE UP RIGHT OVER HERE.
AWESOME. WE RECENTLY HELD OUR SPELLING BEE CONTEST HERE IN THE DISTRICT.
EVAN SHASTEEN IS AN EIGHTH GRADER AT RICHARDSON NORTH AND GRACE CALLAGHAN, IS IN FIFTH GRADE AT LAKE HIGHLANDS ELEMENTARY, AND THEY CAME OUT ON TOP OF THE RICHARDSON ISD SPELLING BEE THIS YEAR AND QUALIFIED FOR THE DALLAS COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SPELLING BEE THIS PAST FEBRUARY.
CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE] RICHARDSON ISD ALSO HELD OUR SECOND ANNUAL SPANISH SPELLING BEE, AND THIS YEAR'S WINNER WAS ANGELA ESPINOZA FROM NORTHLAKE.
IS ANGELA HERE THIS EVENING? WE'LL BE SURE THAT WE CAN BRING ANGELA BACK IN MAY.
BUT WE ALSO HAD EDWARD DOMINGUEZ FROM LAKE HIGHLANDS ELEMENTARY WHO CAME IN SECOND [APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS EDWARD.
WE WILL BE SURE AND BRING ANGELA BACK NEXT MONTH BUT BOTH ANGELA, WHO WAS LAST YEAR'S WINNER, AND SAMANTHA CAMPUZANA, IS SAMANTHA HERE THIS EVENING? THEY GOT TO REPRESENT RICHARDSON ISD AND THE REGION 10 COMPETITION IN MARCH.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SUPER SPELLERS.
YES, LET'S BE SURE AND GRAB A PICTURE [APPLAUSE] AS WE'RE GRABBING THESE PICTURES, I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME UP OUR BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL WHO ARE BEING RECOGNIZED FOR ACADEMIC ALL-STATE ATHLETICS.
IF YOU COULD COME UP AND STAND TO MY LEFT AGAIN.
[00:20:10]
WE'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE OUR ACADEMIC ALL-STATE ATHLETES FOR BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL NEXT.WE'RE GOING TO TAKE JUST AN EXTRA MINUTE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE, BUT SOME OF THEM ARE YEAH [BACKGROUND] DO YOU WANT TO BRING THEM FORWARD A LITTLE BIT SO WE CAN GET STARTED HERE.
ARE WE READY TO BRING THEM FORWARD? WE'RE TRYING TO GET THEM A LITTLE ORGANIZED SO WE CAN MAYBE GIVE IT A FEW MORE SECONDS.
>> CAN YOU JUST GIVE ME [INAUDIBLE] RIGHT NOW.
WE ARE EXCITED TO RECOGNIZE OUR 2022, '23 ACADEMIC ALL-STATE ATHLETES FOR BASKETBALL, SWIMMING, AND DIVING AND WRESTLING.
THE ACADEMIC ALL-STATE TEAMS RECOGNIZE HIGH-SCHOOL ATHLETES WHO EXCEL IN THEIR GPA CLASS RANK, AND ACT AND SAT SCORES.
WE APPLAUD THESE STUDENT ATHLETES FOR THEIR COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO SUCCEED, BOTH IN THE CLASSROOM AND ON THE COURT AND MAT OR IN THE POOL.
WE'RE GOING TO KICK OFF WITH OUR ACADEMIC ALL-STATE BOYS BASKETBALL.
FROM BERKNER HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAVE WILLIAM HARRIS.
[APPLAUSE] FROM LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL SAMSON ALATON [APPLAUSE] ALSO FROM LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAVE ETHAN DAVIS [APPLAUSE] WARREN HAMILTON FROM LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE] JOSEPH HUGHES LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE] QUINTIN PERKINS, LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE] DEAN BAYLO FROM PIERCE HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE] EVAN FISHER, PIERCE HIGH SCHOOL [FOREIGN] GAVIN GREEN, ALSO FROM PIERCE HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE] MR. J COMBS, PIERCE HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE] FROM PIERCE HIGH SCHOOL, SPENCER O'CHARRELL [APPLAUSE] WE NOW CELEBRATE OUR GIRLS BASKETBALL.
FIONA HASE FROM LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL, URANI HERA ALSO FROM LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE] FROM PIERCE HIGH SCHOOL WE HAVE ASHLEY CAMP [APPLAUSE] ALSO FROM PIERCE J JOURNEY.
CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE] I THINK WE'D LIKE TO TRY AND CAPTURE A PICTURE WITH OUR GIRLS AND BOYS BASKETBALL.
AS WE'RE DOING THAT, WE'D LIKE TO INVITE UP OUR SWIMMING AND DIVING ALL-STATE.
IF YOU'RE HERE FOR SWIMMING AND DIVING, IF YOU COULD LINE UP TO MY LEFT.
[BACKGROUND] YES [BACKGROUND] YEAH.
ARE WE GETTING THEM IN LINE? ARE YOU READY?
>> I KNOW. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE.
[00:25:14]
[APPLAUSE] CONTINUING WITH OUR ACADEMIC ALL-STATE ATHLETES, I NOW PRESENT TO YOU OUR SWIMMING AND DIVING STUDENTS.FROM BERKNER HIGH SCHOOL FOR SWIMMING AND DIVING, FAYAD AMID [APPLAUSE].
FROM BERKNER FOR SWIMMING AND DIVING, ATANA ANTHONY [APPLAUSE].
ALSO FROM BERKNER WE HAVE VEE WEN [APPLAUSE].
FROM LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING AND DIVING, NICOLE MOSLEY [APPLAUSE].
WE HAVE RYAN ROUDYE [APPLAUSE] AND BRANS ADABACK [APPLAUSE].
CONTINUING WITH THE CELEBRATIONS FOR SWIMMING AND DIVING FROM PIERCE HIGH SCHOOL, VICTORIA BLONDO, [APPLAUSE] FRANCES JOYNER, [APPLAUSE] CAMILLE MOROGAN [APPLAUSE].
ALSO FROM PIERCE, CAITLIN RIFE [APPLAUSE].
FROM RICHARDSON HIGH SCHOOL WE HAVE RAIN DAI, CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE].
FINALLY FOR OUR ACADEMIC ATHLETES, WE'D LIKE TO BRING FORWARD OUR WRESTLING.
I THINK WE HAVE SOME STUDENTS FROM LAKE HIGHLANDS, PIERCE, AND RICHARDSON.
IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME FORWARD AND WE'RE GOING TO GRAB A PICTURE NOW WITH OUR SWIMMING AND DIVING RECOGNITIONS.
WE WILL NOW RECOGNIZE OUR WRESTLING STUDENTS.
WE HAVE FROM LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL, ANTHONY GONZALEZ [APPLAUSE].
FROM PIERCE, WE HAVE ACTUALLY ONE OF OUR STATE QUALIFYING SWIMMERS, MICHAEL HIGGINS.
REPRESENTING WRESTLING FROM PIERCE HIGH SCHOOL, JOSHUA FOLD [APPLAUSE].
GUY LUWINS FROM PIERCE HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE].
FROM RICHARDSON HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAVE GILBERTO PINZON, [APPLAUSE] CALEB SECCHI AND ALSO FROM RICHARDSON HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE].
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FROM LAKE HIGHLANDS, WE HAVE CATHERINE SALINAS [APPLAUSE].ALSO FROM LAKE HIGHLANDS, LOGAN LUCIAN [APPLAUSE].
ANOTHER WILDCAT WRESTLER, JACKSON HICKMAN [APPLAUSE].
FINALLY FROM RICHARDSON HIGH SCHOOL WE HAVE DEVAN VEGELA [APPLAUSE].
CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE ATHLETES.
WE WANT TO BE SURE AND GRAB A PICTURE OF ALL OF OUR WRESTLERS.
IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME FORWARD.
[BACKGROUND] AS THEY ARE FINISHING UP PICTURES, IF YOU ARE ONE OF OUR SWIMMING AND DIVING OR WRESTLING STATE TOURNAMENT ATHLETES THAT COMPETED, IF YOU CAN PLEASE COME FORWARD.
YOU ARE ON DECK TO BE RECOGNIZED NEXT.
SWIMMING AND DIVING AND WRESTLING FOR STATE TOURNAMENT ATHLETES.
YES CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE].
BOARD SUPERINTENDENT BRANHAM OUR STUDENT ATHLETES HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY THIS SPRING, SO WE STILL HAVE A FEW MORE.
WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL STUDENTS WHO COMPETED AND ARE BEING RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR COMPETITION IN THE STATE TOURNAMENT FOR '22/'23 FOR BOTH SWIMMING AND DIVING AND WRESTLING.
AS STATE TOURNAMENT ATHLETES, WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE THOSE THAT HAVE EXCELLED IN THEIR SPORT AND QUALIFIED TO COMPETE IN A STATE-LEVEL TOURNAMENT.
FOR SWIMMING AND DIVING, WE HAVE KEANE GUTHRIE, A STATE QUALIFYING DIVER FROM LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE].
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT NONE OF OUR OTHER STUDENT ATHLETES WHO COMPETED AT STATE FOR SWIMMING AND DIVING OR WRESTLING IF YOU'RE HERE WE WOULD LOVE TO ASK YOU TO COME FORWARD SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE YOU AT THIS TIME.
WE HAVE FROM PIERCE HIGH SCHOOL, FERNANDA PENEDA GARCIA, STATE QUALIFIER IN WRESTLING [APPLAUSE].
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET A GROUP PICTURE LADIES.
IS THIS FERNANDA LOPEZ? OH MY GOODNESS, I HAVE NOT MET YOU YET. I'M SO EXCITED.
WE HAVE HAD ALL THESE STUDENT ATHLETES COMPETING AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL ATHLETE AND A TEAM OF ATHLETES THAT WON STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
WE ARE GOING TO BEGIN BY RECOGNIZING MISS FERNANDA LOPEZ WHO IS A SENIOR AT LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL, WHO IS A 2023 TEXAS STATE CHAMPION IN GIRLS WRESTLING [APPLAUSE]. NOW, I CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT
[00:35:10]
ABOUT FERNANDA'S JOURNEY TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.FERNANDA, COME HERE. [APPLAUSE] YOU HOLD THIS UP.
I NEED TO SHARE WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HER JOURNEY TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BECAUSE THIS IS A BIG DEAL, YOU-ALL.
FERNANDA IS A THREE-TIME UIL TEXAS STATE QUALIFIER AND IS CURRENTLY RANKED NUMBER 6 IN THE NATION.
[APPLAUSE] AFTER FINISHING FOURTH IN TEXAS LAST YEAR AND SEVENTH AT NATIONAL, SHE TOOK FIRST PLACE AT THE 2023 UIL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, BECOMING THE FIRST GIRL STATE CHAMPION IN LAKE HIGHLANDS IN OVER 20 YEARS.
[APPLAUSE] SHE BEAT THE RETURNING TWO TIMES STATE CHAMP FROM SOUTHLAKE ON HER PATH TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP [APPLAUSE] AND FINISHED HER SENIOR YEAR WITH A RECORD OF 47 AND 1.
YES. [APPLAUSE] BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE.
AFTER GRADUATION, FERNANDA WILL BE WRESTLING AND PURSUING HER NEXT LEVEL ACADEMICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN OREGON.
YES. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] SHE WAS VOTED BY DISTRICT WRESTLING COACHES AS THE MOST OUTSTANDING WRESTLER IN DISTRICT 768 AND WAS ALSO THE LAKE HIGHLANDS' HOMECOMING QUEEN THIS YEAR.
CONGRATULATIONS, FERNANDA. WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU.
[APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] BUT THAT'S NOT ALL.
WE HAVE SOME MORE STATE CHAMPION ATHLETES.
[APPLAUSE] LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM.
[APPLAUSE] THEY WENT UNDEFEATED IN DISTRICT 768 AND THEN WON A COUPLE OF CLOSE GAMES IN THE EARLY ROUNDS OF THE STATE TOURNAMENT BEFORE BEATING NORTH CROWLEY AND TROPHY CLUB BYRON NELSON IN THE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT TO ADVANCE TO THE STATE'S FINAL FOUR.
THEY DEFEATED DESOTO IN THE SEMIS AND THEN THEY BEAT 5A DEFENDING CHAMPIONS BEAUMONT UNITED IN THE STATE FINALS TO BECOME THE FIRST RICHARDSON ISD BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONS IN 55 YEARS.
[APPLAUSE] AT THIS TIME, WE ARE GOING TO INTRODUCE THE STUDENTS.
I BELIEVE THEY HAVE A SPECIAL PRESENTATION FOR EACH OF YOU BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT BRANUM.
OUR STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM; SAMSON ALTON [PHONETIC], [APPLAUSE] ETHAN DAVIS.
IF YOU CANNOT SEE, THEY'RE GETTING THEIR OWN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MEDAL.
[APPLAUSE] WE HAD ETHAN DAVIS.
NEXT PLAYER WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ELIAS DEMENT [PHONETIC].
[APPLAUSE] MR. GYRE WILLIAMS, [APPLAUSE] WARREN HAMILTON, [APPLAUSE] TREY JOHNSON, [APPLAUSE] ILAH GEO [PHONETIC],
[00:40:03]
[APPLAUSE] MR. BECK JOHNSTONE, [APPLAUSE] JOSEPH HUGHES, [APPLAUSE] QUINTIN PERKINS, [APPLAUSE] LOUIS RASIN.[APPLAUSE] LOGAN STRAHAN, [APPLAUSE] ISAIAH TATE, [APPLAUSE] KHALIA THOMAS, [APPLAUSE] CHIDUI [PHONETIC] MAY , [APPLAUSE] JAYLEN WASHINGTON.
[APPLAUSE] I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE COACHES AND STAFF THAT SUPPORT THESE STUDENT ATHLETES.
[APPLAUSE] AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE HEAD COACH, JOE DUFIELD.
[APPLAUSE] WE HAVE ASSISTING COACHES; RICHARD JOHNSON.
CONGRATS. MR. TREY STEWART [APPLAUSE] AND DOMINIC KIRK.
[APPLAUSE] I WANT TO BE SURE TO INVITE SOME OF THE OTHER SUPPORT STAFF I KNOW.
IS JESSICA WHELCH HERE, THEIR TRAINER? THEN ALSO JOSE NEGRADA [PHONETIC], THEIR VIDEOGRAPHER.
I KNOW THEY HAVE TRAVELED AND SUPPORTED THE TEAM THROUGHOUT THIS SEASON.
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE RIDE IT HAS BEEN.
IT HAS BEEN SO FUN TO WATCH THIS TEAM AND TO CELEBRATE YOU.
I THINK WE NEED TO GET A PICTURE, SO LET'S TRY AND STAGE THIS.
[BACKGROUND] I'M GOING TO ASK YOU-ALL TO STAY.
[APPLAUSE] IF YOU-ALL COULD STAY RIGHT HERE. IF YOU-ALL COULD STAY UP FRONT BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A VERY SPECIAL RECOGNITION AT THIS TIME.
I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO TURN THE PODIUM OVER TO TWO VERY SPECIAL GUESTS FROM DAVE CAMPBELL'S TEXAS BASKETBALL.
WE HAVE ISHMAEL JOHNSON AND ROB MELISSA.
>> HELLO. LET ME READ SOMETHING OUR SPONSOR WANTS US TO. WE'RE GOOD PARTNERS.
MR. AND MISS TEXAS BASKETBALL, PRESENTED BY CHICKEN EXPRESS ANNUALLY, RECOGNIZES THE MOST OUTSTANDING BASKETBALL PLAYERS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. LITTLE BIT LOUDER? THERE WE GO. LET ME START OVER.
MR. AND MISS TEXAS BASKETBALL PRESENTED BY CHICKEN EXPRESS ANNUALLY RECOGNIZES THE MOST OUTSTANDING BASKETBALL PLAYERS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH OUR FOOTBALL MAGAZINE, MR. TEXAS FOOTBALL HAS HAD A LONGER HISTORY.
WE'VE JUST STARTED THIS AWARD FOR BASKETBALL THE PAST TWO SEASONS.
IN FOOTBALL, WE TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY.
WE CONSIDER IT THE HEISMAN TROPHY OF HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL.
YOU CAN CONSIDER THIS THE NAISMITH OF HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL.
[00:45:01]
WE DON'T OFTEN HONOR NON-SENIORS.FOR EXAMPLE, IN FOOTBALL BEFORE THIS PAST YEAR, THE LAST UNDERCLASS MAN TO WIN IT WAS KYLER MURRAY.
AGAIN, HAS TO BE A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT.
WHEN THE SEASON STARTED WINDING DOWN AND THINGS STARTED TO IRON OUT, IT BECAME CLEAR, ESPECIALLY IN BOYS BASKETBALL, THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE AN EASY PICK FOR ME.
IN GIRLS BASKETBALL WE HONORED [INAUDIBLE]. I WAS THERE LAST WEEK.
IT WAS MY HONOR TO NOT ONLY SEE THIS GUY AND THIS TEAM IN PARTICULAR COMPETE IN PERSON AT THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUT ALSO, SEE JUST AN INCREDIBLE GAME, INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCES IN BOTH THE SEMI-FINAL AND THE STATE FINAL AS SHE MENTIONED AGAINST BEAUMONT UNITED TEAM THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD PENNED TO BE THE FAVORITES.
BUT WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I WOULD LIKE TO HONOR THE FIRST JUNIOR TO WIN THIS AWARD FOR MR. TEXAS BASKETBALL, LAKE HIGHLANDS, TREY JOHNSON.
>> [APPLAUSE] AS WE WRAP UP, Y'ALL COULD PROBABLY JUST PAUSE HERE FOR A MOMENT BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO BE FAIRLY BRIEF.
I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT TOMORROW IS ALSO A REALLY SPECIAL DAY HERE THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF DALLAS, AS THEY HAVE OFFICIALLY PROCLAIMED APRIL 14TH AS LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL DAY TO CELEBRATE OUR STATE CHAMPIONS.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION AND THE CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE WITH THE CITY OF DALLAS.
ALSO WANTED TO NOTE THAT ON MARCH 23RD, THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSED A RESOLUTION CELEBRATING OUR LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM.
[APPLAUSE] FINALLY, WE ARE NOT DONE CELEBRATING.
WE WANT TO INVITE ALL OF YOU OUT, ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY, FAMILIES, SUPPORTERS, PARTNERS TO COME OUT.
THIS SATURDAY, THE 15TH, WE'RE HOSTING THE LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL PARADE OF CHAMPION, CELEBRATING OUR BOYS BASKETBALL AND GIRLS WRESTLING.
IT WILL BEGIN AT 09:00 AM ON THE 9,400 BLOCK OF CHURCH ROAD STARTING AT THE TENNIS COURTS GOING WEST TO THE STADIUM.
THERE WILL BE AN ENDING CEREMONY IN FRONT OF THE CAMPUS ON THE AUDITORIUM STAIRS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE PARADE.
YOU ARE INVITED. WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US.
CONGRATULATIONS. THIS CONCLUDES OUR RECOGNITIONS FOR THIS EVENING.
[APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] SEE Y'ALL SATURDAY.
[00:50:39]
>> THANK YOU EVERYONE AND CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WHO WAS RECOGNIZED TONIGHT.
WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND WE'RE SO EXCITED TO BE A PART OF RICHARDSON ISD AT THIS TIME.
WE'LL GIVE EVERYONE A FEW MOMENTS TO EXIT THE AUDITORIUM WHO WOULD LIKE AND TO CONTINUE TAKING PICTURES AS WELL.
COLLEAGUES, I THINK WE ARE READY TO BEGIN TO FINISH OUT OUR PROGRAM TONIGHT.
BEFORE WE BEGIN THE MEETING, I DO WANT TO MAKE ONE MINOR ADJUSTMENT TO THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
YESTERDAY, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN AUSTIN WHERE WE WERE PROVIDED AN UPDATE ON PENDING LEGISLATION AND ONE OF THE PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT IS BEING HEAVILY CONSIDERED DOWN IN AUSTIN IS A BILL THAT WOULD CALL FOR EVERY DISTRICT TO HAVE AN OPEN ENROLLMENT POLICY AND TO HAVE A STATE GUIDELINES AROUND WHAT THAT ENROLLMENT POLICY COULD LOOK LIKE.
I DID REACH OUT TO OUR PRESIDENT AND REQUESTS THAT THIS ITEM BE TABLED PENDING US GETTING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT POTENTIAL BILL.
I WOULD HATE FOR US TO ADOPT A POLICY, DEVELOP A SERIES OF GUIDELINES, COMMUNICATE ANY POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR OPEN ENROLLMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY TO ONLY HAVE TO PULL THAT BACK OR TO HAVE TO CHANGE THE GUIDELINES MIDSTREAM, AND SO I AM ASKING THAT WE TABLE THAT UNTIL WE HAVE FURTHER INFORMATION FROM AUSTIN.
>> THANK YOU, MS. BRANUM. THAT ITEM WILL BE TABLED.
>> THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS THE PUBLIC COMMENTS SECTION.
[II. PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION]
MR. BOUTIQUE, DO WE HAVE ANY PERSONS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO ADDRESS THE BOARD?ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD, I WELCOME OUR VISITORS.
WE HAVE A BRIEF VIDEO TO INTRODUCE THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES TONIGHT.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WATCHING THIS VIDEO.
>> THE PUBLIC COMMENTS SECTION PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO CONVEY INFORMATION TO THE BOARD.
SPEAKERS MAY COMMENT ON AGENDA-RELATED TOPICS OR NON-AGENDA RELATED TOPICS AT REGULAR BUSINESS MEETINGS.
AT WORK SESSIONS OR OTHER CALLED MEETINGS, PUBLIC COMMENT IS LIMITED TO AGENDA-RELATED ITEMS. PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD MUST COMPLETE AN ONLINE PUBLIC COMMENT FORM BY SIGNING UP AT THE DESIGNATED REGISTRATION LINK ON THE DISTRICT'S WEBSITE BEGINNING WHEN THE MEETING AGENDA IS POSTED THROUGH 12:00 PM ON THE DAY OF THE MEETING.
PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK MUST COMPLETE
[00:55:02]
THE ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM IN FULL TO BE ELIGIBLE TO SPEAK AND BE PRESENT WHEN THEIR NAME IS CALLED DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION TO MAKE THEIR OWN COMMENTS.ANY REGISTERED SPEAKER WHO IS ABSENT FROM THE MEETING AT THE TIME THEIR NAME IS CALLED FORFEITS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD AT THAT MEETING.
SPEAKERS WHO WISH TO PROVIDE WRITTEN MATERIALS TO THE BOARD SHOULD PROVIDE NINE COPIES TO AN RISD STAFF MEMBER PRIOR TO THE START OF THE MEETING.
PLEASE DO NOT APPROACH THE HORSESHOE AREA OR CONFERENCE TABLE DURING COMMENTS.
THE BOARD WILL NOT ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE WITH THE SPEAKERS.
THE BOARD CANNOT DELIBERATE OR MAKE A DECISION ON ANY SUBJECT THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
A SPEAKER MAY REGISTER FOR ONE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH MEETING.
EACH SPEAKER IS LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF THREE MINUTES UNLESS THE TIME OF ALL SPEAKERS HAS BEEN REDUCED DUE TO A LARGE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.
A SPEAKER MAY NOT TAKE THE TIME OF ANOTHER SPEAKER.
SPEAKERS WHO SPEAK THROUGH A FOREIGN LANGUAGE OR SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER WILL RECEIVE ADDITIONAL TIME.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOT THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO PRESENT FORMAL COMPLAINTS.
THE BOARD WILL ONLY CONSIDER FORMAL COMPLAINTS THAT REMAIN UNRESOLVED AFTER THEY'VE BEEN ADDRESSED THROUGH PROPER ADMINISTRATIVE CHANNELS AND WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE AGENDA.
THE BOARD SECRETARY WILL STATE THE SPEAKER'S NAME AND COMMENT TOPIC OR TOPICS AS IDENTIFIED ON THE PUBLIC COMMENT FORM.
A SPEAKER SHOULD APPROACH THE PODIUM AT THE FRONT OF THE AUDITORIUM WHEN HIS OR HER NAME IS CALLED.
EACH SPEAKER SHOULD CLEARLY STATE HIS OR HER NAME AND THE RISD SCHOOL OR SCHOOLS THE SPEAKER'S CHILDREN ATTEND OR HAVE ATTENDED BEFORE BEGINNING TO COMMENT.
A DIGITAL TIMER WILL PROJECT ON THE SCREEN AND WILL COUNT DOWN A SPEAKER'S TIME FROM THREE MINUTES TO ZERO.
SPEAKERS MAY REFER TO THE SCREEN FOR THEIR REMAINING TIME.
SPEAKERS WHO SPEAK THROUGH A FOREIGN LANGUAGE OR SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER WILL RECEIVE ADDITIONAL TIME.
A SPEAKER MUST PROMPTLY END HIS OR HER COMMENTS WHEN THE ALLOTTED TIME HAS ELAPSED.
NOT YIELDING THE PODIUM AS WELL AS REMARKS OR OTHER CONDUCT THAT DISRUPT THE MEETING ARE CONSIDERED OUT-OF-ORDER AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
VISITORS AND STAFF MUST LISTEN QUIETLY DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION.
IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR STAFF OR MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE TO CLAP, CHEER, BOO, DISPLAYED BANNERS, OR OTHERWISE ENGAGE IN DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT.
PERSONS WHO DISRUPT THE MEETING WILL BE CAUTIONED TO OBSERVE MEETING RULES.
ANY PERSON WHO PERSISTS IN ENGAGING IN DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE MEETING.
A PERSON WHO CHOOSES TO SPEAK DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS SECTION IS CONSENTING TO THE ONLINE PUBLICATION OF HIS OR HER COMMENTS.
A COPY OF THE PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT IS LOCATED ON THE RISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES WEBSITE.
>> THANKS FOR WATCHING THAT VIDEO.
AS A REMINDER, SPEAKERS ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE PUBLIC COMMENTS PROTOCOL AS NOTED IN THE ISD WEBSITE.
ANY ATTACKS OF A PERSONAL NATURE AGAINST TRUSTEES, STAFF, STUDENTS, OR OTHERS BY NAME OR UNIQUE TITLE ARE NOT ALLOWED.
SPEAKERS PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AT THE FRONT OF THE AUDITORIUM WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME.
WE'RE GOING TO START WITH MR. UN BLACKMON, WHO IS SPEAKING ON THE ADOPTION OF STUDENT BOARD POLICY, FDA, LOCAL.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT BRANDON, ESTEEMED EMPLOYEES.
"TWAS BRILLIG, AND THE SLITHY TOVES, DID GYRE AND GIMBLE IN THE WABE: ALL MIMSY WERE THE BOROGROVES, AND THE MOME RATHS OUTGRABE.
BEWARE THE JABBERWOCK, MY SON.
THE JAWS THAT BITE, THE CLAWS THAT CATCH.
BEWARE THE JUBJUB BIRD, AND SHUN THE FRUMIOUS BANDERSNATCH." JABBERWOCKY BY LEWIS CARROLL.
PERHAPS SOME IN THE DAYS THOUGHT PERHAPS I'LL SPEAKING AS I NORMALLY DO, OR JABBERWOCKYING YAHOO.
BUT LET'S SET THIS HUMOR ASIDE FOR A MOMENT AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT POLICY.
AND ANOTHER SUPERINTENDENT BRANDON INDICATE, YOU CHANGED ONE OF THE AGENDA ITEMS THAT I WAS GOING TO SPEAK ON.
IF YOU'LL JUST BEAR WITH ME FOR A MOMENT, TAKING A LOOK AT THE IDEA OF INTER-DISTRICT TRANSFERS.
IN THAT TONIGHT YOU GUYS WILL BE VOTING ON LOOKING AT THE VOUCHER SYSTEM AND GIVING A RESOLUTION TO THE STATE HOPEFULLY AGAINST SUCH A THING, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S A CRACK FOR OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM FOR SURE IN THE SAME WAY THAT I THINK INTER-DISTRICT TRANSFERS WOULD AS WELL.
JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK POINTS ON THAT.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE CHANGING OF SUCH POLICY, SOMETHING THAT LARGE AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO BRING THE COMMUNITY ALONG WITH THAT.
I THINK AS DR. HELLER DOES A GREAT JOB BY THE WAY, HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH A COUPLE OF THINGS OF ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY.
I THINK THIS PIECE SHOULD HAVE HAD SOME OF THAT AS WELL.
IF WE ARE LOOKING TO BE PENNY WISE, BUT POUND FOOLISH, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE COST $13,000 ROUGHLY FOR US TO EDUCATE ONE STUDENT.
BUT WE'RE ONLY GOING TO GET A RETURN OF ABOUT 7,198 ON THIS.
THE COBRA EFFECT IS A TALE OF WOE, OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES IN BRITISH INDIA WHEN THE COLONISTS WERE HANGING OUT THERE, HAD TOO MANY COBRAS.
THEY THOUGHT THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY GIVING A BOUNTY ON THESE COBRAS
[01:00:02]
AND ALL THESE HEADS CAME IN AND A COUPLE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL YOUNG FOLKS DECIDED, HEY, LET ME JUST GO AHEAD AND BREED THESE COBRAS, TAKE THE HEADS AND THEN GET THE MONEY.THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. THEY DID THAT AND THE BRITISH FOUND OUT AND THEY DECIDED NO MORE BOUNTIES.
ALL THESE PEOPLE HAD BEEN BRINGING THE COBRAS, THEN JUST WENT AHEAD AND RELEASED THEY'RE WORTHLESS SNAKES.
GOOD INTENTIONS EXACERBATES SOME PROBLEMS WITH UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.
THE COBRA EFFECT IS WORTH REMEMBERING FOR SURE.
THE IMPACT OF THOSE WILL HAVE IN OUR DISTRICT I WANT TO SPEAK OR A PERSONAL ISSUE AND SOMEBODY ELSE SPEAK HERE AFTER ME TONIGHT ABOUT THE PLIGHT THAT SHE'S HAD IN THE RISD AND I JOINED HER IN THAT NOT BECAUSE I HAVE ANY PERSONAL GAIN OR PERSONAL ANIMUS IN THAT SUBJECT, BUT I THINK THAT IN ZULU WE SAID BEST WHEN THEY SAY, [FOREIGN], WHICH A PERSON IS A PERSON BECAUSE OF OTHER PEOPLE.
IF YOU DON'T STAND UP FOR PEOPLE FOR WHEN INJUSTICES OCCUR, THEN I THINK INJUSTICE CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.
FOR THOSE WHO TALK OF EQUITY, THOSE WHO TALK OF JUSTICE, THIS IS A HUGE THING.
PLEASE DO LISTEN WITH A VERY ATTENTIVE EAR WHEN SHE SPEAKS BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE HER AN INJUSTICE AND I KNOW THE DETAILS.
I'M SEEKING SOME MORE INFORMATION ON THOSE DETAILS AND I HOPE WE WILL FIX THE PLIGHT.
I THINK THAT'S THE JOB OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO RIGHT THE WRONGS WHEN THEY SEE THEM AND TO FILL THE GAP.
WITH THAT I SAY THANK YOU. AS THEY WOULD SAY IN ZULU, STAY WELL, [FOREIGN].
NEXT WE HAVE MR. RANDY BLANKENSHIP SPEAKING ON NON-AGENDA ITEM.
>> FOR SOME REASON I'M GETTING SHORTER THESE DAYS.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS RANDY BLANKENSHIP AND I WISH TO THANK THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
TOPIC, WHO DOES THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SERVE? SEVERAL YEARS OF PUBLIC COMMENTS FOLLOWED BY SILENCE, THE QUESTION IS, WHO DOES THE BOARD SERVE? APPARENTLY IS NOT THE PARENTS OR VOTERS AND TALK DOES NOT WORK.
HERE, THE PARTIAL LISTING OF THE PROBLEMS, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT MADE UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIMS OF INSTITUTIONALIZED AND SYSTEMIC RACISM IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THE ANSWER WAS TO CREATE A RACIST DIVISIVE, DISCRIMINATING DEPARTMENT TO INDOCTRINATE YOUNG MINDS IN A PERVERTED IDEOLOGY.
THIS ALSO INCLUDES AUTHORIZING THE USE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN THE DISTRICTS HIRING PROCEDURES.
ACADEMICS THAT MEET STANDARDS, REMAIN PITIFUL.
NO REAL PLAN TO IMPROVE ACADEMICS.
NUMBER 3, TEXAS SCHOOL LAWS ARE VIOLATED EVEN WHEN INFORMED OF THE WORDING IN THE LAW.
NUMBER 4, AS TO BOARD POLICIES, CHANGES ARE ADOPTED THAT VIOLATE THE LAW OR BECOME IRRELEVANT IN UNENFORCEABLE, WHILE OTHERS ARE NOT DEFENDED OR JUST IGNORED.
THE CH POLICY CHANGE VIOLATES SCHOOL LAW, IS NOT ENFORCEABLE.
POLICY AE AND AEA ARE OPPOSING PHILOSOPHIES THAT CONTRADICT EACH OTHER.
FURTHERMORE, THE BOARD SEEMS TO AUTOMATICALLY ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION CALLED PASBY.
FIVE, WHILE INFORM THE BOARD THAT THEIR BOARD POLICIES WERE ILLEGALLY PLACED ON THE PASBY WEBSITE AND NOT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS INTERNET WEBSITE AND IRRELEVANT ANSWER WAS ACCEPTED.
IN SELF HUMILIATION, THE BOARD TAKES A NOD TO DECEPTIVE AND MISLEADING RESPONSES.
I DON'T TAKE THIS LIGHTLY IN MENTIONING IT.
WHAT IS THE ANSWER TO THIS INEXCUSABLE, APPALLING LIST OF PROBLEMS? TAKE NOTE AND YOU'LL REMEMBER THIS FROM THE NEWS.
ON MARCH THE 15TH, IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF THE TEA ACTIVATED A STATE RUN INTERVENTION INTO THE HOUSTON ISD, PRIMARILY DUE TO LOW ACADEMIC SCORES.
THIS ACTION REMOVED AND REPLACED THE EIGHTH IN THE HORSESHOE.
HOWEVER, THE PROBLEMS AT THE RICHARDSON ISD ARE FAR WORSE AND NUMEROUS THAN WHAT IS REPORTED REGARDING HOUSTON.
>> THANK YOU, MR. BLANKENSHIP.
NEXT WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM MS. [INAUDIBLE].
[01:05:02]
MY NAME IS KAMI ADEBAJO, AND IT'S BEEN HARD BEING HERE AND SEEING THE PEOPLE GET PRESENTED TO, MY DAUGHTER MIGHT NEVER BE ABLE TO PLAY SPORTS.I APOLOGIZE IF I DO BREAK NOW.
I'D LIKE TO FIRST OF ALL COMMEND THIS NEW DISPENSATION FOR ITS LEADERSHIP IN ITS WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY AND FAMILIES.
I THANK YOU VERY MUCH BECAUSE I DO SEE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DIFFERENCE YOU GUYS ARE HEARING US AND I WANT TO APPRECIATE THE SOUND.
APPRECIATED BY TALKING ABOUT THREE THINGS.
THE FIRST ONE IS THE AVAILABILITY OF THE HANDBOOK ELECTRONICALLY.
THAT IS A LIFESAVER FOR A LOT OF NEW PARENTS THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE DISTRICT.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALSO INCLUDING A LOT OF THE POLICIES ON THE REGISTRATION PORTAL.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALSO SENDING SAFETY GUIDELINES TO US, THE PARENTS.
IT'S REALLY HELPFUL WHEN WE DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THIS DISTRICT AND HOW ITS OPERATES WHEN WE INITIALLY JOINED.
NOTING THIS, I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THAT ALL THESE CHANGES HAPPEN AFTER MY DAUGHTER WAS INJURED.
I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT YOU GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT OF JUSTICE, AT LEAST IN TERMS OF THE CATASTROPHIC INJURIES MY DAUGHTER'S SUSTAINED AT RISD INSTALLED ROAD AFTER SHE WAS BULLIED.
AS A REMINDER, THIS INJURY WAS SO SEVERE THAT MY CHILD HAD TO SPEND WEEKS AND MONTHS IN THE HOSPITAL.
SHE WAS IN ICU FOR QUITE A NUMBER OF WEEKS AND HER MEDICAL BILL RAN UP TO OVER A MILLION AND I THINK THE DISTRICT IS AWARE OF IT BECAUSE EVEN THEIR INSURANCE DIDN'T TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT.
AFTER WHICH I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SECURE INSURANCE AND MY SAVINGS AND HELP FROM FAMILY OR FRIENDS, I WILL BE ABLE TO PAY OVER 90%, BUT IT'S STILL THE DEFICITS THAT IS LEFT OVER THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.
I ALSO WANT TO STATE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A FAILURE OF POLICY BECAUSE I REMEMBER CLEARLY ASKING THE PRINCIPAL, THROUGH LETTERS, LEAVING VOICEMAIL ABOUT THE POLICIES AND NOTHING BEING GIVEN TO ME.
NOW WITH THE HANDBOOK AND WITH ALL THE UPDATES FROM STOLTZ ROAD ELEMENTARY'S WEBSITE AND THE UPDATES THAT ARE BEING DONE IN RISD'S WEBSITE.
I SEE WHERE THE POLICY IS, AND INVESTIGATING IT, I SEE THE POLICIES ON TASK B. I HAD TO INVESTIGATE WHAT IS TASK B. I FOUND OUT THAT A TASK B IS THE VOLUNTARY NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION.
THIS TASK B IS NOW INTRODUCED ON RISD WEBSITES.
HOW ARE PARENTS THAT ARE NEW IN THE DISTRICT, THEY WERE NOT GIVING THE HANDBOOK.
THEY WERE NOT GIVEN ANY INFORMATION, EXPECTED TO KNOW.
I GOT THE BLUEPRINTS OF THE DISTRICT DURING THAT TIME.
BUT THE POLICY WEBSITE IS NOT MENTIONED.
IT'S REALLY A DISSERVICE TO US THAT ARE COMING IN NEW.
AS SUCH, I WOULD LIKE TO APPEAL TO YOU BECAUSE THE EMT WAS ALSO REFUSED FROM COMING INTO THE BUILDING, WE WERE NOT GIVEN A FAIR CHANCE TO SURVIVE THIS INJUSTICE.
PLEASE JUST TAKE A LOOK AT IT AGAIN AND PLEASE JUST GIVE US REST BY.
THAT'S ALL WE ASK FOR. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MS. JESS COLLIER.
IS MS. COLLIER HERE? [INAUDIBLE] MR. SORRY. DOES NOT SAY.
I'M PARENT OF A SECOND GRADER AT ACM AND ALSO A TEACHER AT BERKNER HIGH SCHOOL.
I JUST WANTED TO TALK TO YOU QUICKLY ABOUT SOME PRAISE AND SOME CONCERNS.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE DISTRICT. LET'S SEE.
I WANT TO SAY I'M VERY IMPRESSED WITH MY DAUGHTER'S EXPERIENCE AT ACM.
IT'S FULL OF GREAT TEACHERS, STAFF AND OTHERS WHO GIVE SO MUCH OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR TIME.
AS BERKNER, BUT IN MY OPINION ONLY IN PART.
AS FOR CONCERNS MY FIRST IS WITH TEACHER PAY.
IT'S BEEN KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT RISD PAYS LESS THAN SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.
I THINK IN MY OPINION, THE DISTRICT IS GETTING IN SOME CASES WHAT IT'S PAID FOR OR NOT PAID FOR.
MY SCHOOL WHERE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN MULTIPLE POSITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN OPEN WHERE TEACHERS HAVE HAD TO COVER OTHER TEACHERS CLASSES BECAUSE OF A LACK OF SUBSTITUTES.
LET'S SEE. ALSO, I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS THE ONLY CERTIFIED TEACHER THAT APPLIED FOR MY POSITION.
THERE WERE NO OTHER FULLY QUALIFIED PEOPLE THAT APPLIED FOR THE POSITION THAT I GOT.
[01:10:02]
THIRD OF ALL, THE OTHER PROBLEM IT CAUSES IS, LET'S SEE, SEVERAL OF THE POSITIONS HAVE NOT BEEN FULLY FILLED OR THEY'D BEEN FILLED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FULLY QUALIFIED.THAT CAUSES SOME OTHER STRAIN ON THE QUALIFIED TEACHERS.
LACK OF PAY I THINK CONTRIBUTES TO HIGH STAFF TURNOVER.
WE HAVE TEACHERS LEAVING FOR OTHER DISTRICTS.
I LIVE RIGHT DOWN THE STREET FROM BERKNER, IF I HAD MY WAY, I'D LIKE TO BE IN THIS DISTRICT AND STAY AND KEEP TEACHING THERE PERSONALLY. LET'S SEE.
IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE HIGH TEACHER TURNOVER, IT'S NOT ALWAYS JUST DUE TO COVID OR TEACHER CHOICE.
IT COULD HAVE TO DO WITH SOME ADMIN OR SOME OTHER FACTORS.
FOR ME, SOME OF MY PAST SCHOOLS I'VE ALWAYS LOOKED FOR A COLLABORATIVE AND COOPERATIVE ENVIRONMENT AND NOT ADVERSARIAL.
I CAN SAY, I'VE FOUND THAT IN SOME CASES, BUT NOT ALL.
LAST, WANT TO TALK ABOUT CELL PHONE POLICY.
EVERY TEACHER WANTS STUDENTS TO BE OFF THEIR PHONES, DEFINITELY.
BUT THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH SUPPORT WAS GIVEN TO ALLOW TEACHERS TO DO THAT? MY LAST TWO REFERRALS THAT I PUT IN FOR STUDENTS THAT REFUSED TO GIVE UP THEIR PHONES.
PLEASE GIVE US SOME RESOURCES SO THAT THERE'S ENOUGH STAFF, SECURITY PRINCIPALS, WHATEVER IT IS SO THEY CAN COME AND HELP JUST TO SEND THE MESSAGE THAT IT'S BEING ENFORCED.
WHEN WE DO TELL THEM TO PUT AWAY THEIR PHONES. THANK YOU.
>> THANKS, SIR. MS. HARRIS, THAT CONCLUDES OUR SPEAKERS FOR TONIGHT.
COLLEAGUES, WE DO HAVE A BREAK.
DO YOU ALL WANT TO TAKE A BREAK? DO YOU WANT TO HANDLE A COUPLE OF THINGS FIRST AND THEN TAKE A BREAK? IS EVERYBODY OKAY? WE WILL MOVE RIGHT AHEAD.
[III. CONSENT / CONFIRMATION AGENDA ITEMS]
OUR NEXT ITEM IS AN ACTION ITEM FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.DOES ANYONE WISH TO PULL ANY CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION? IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> THANK YOU. MR. POTEET. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU, MS. TIMMY. THERE IS A MOTION BY MR. POTEET.
A SECOND BY MS. TIMMY. I'M SORRY.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS.
OUR NEXT ACTION ITEM IS TO CONSIDER GIFTS, MS. BRANUM.
[IV.A. Consider Gifts]
>> THANK YOU, MS. HARRIS. I KNOW WE ALL LOVE THIS PART OF THE AGENDA BECAUSE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO THANK OUR AMAZING COMMUNITY WHO GIVES SO SELFLESSLY, BOTH IN TERMS OF THEIR TIME AS WELL AS IN THEIR RESOURCES.
MR. PATE, WILL YOU PLEASE REVIEW OUR GIFTS OF $5,000 OR MORE THIS MONTH?
>> YES, MS. BRANUM, I'M HAPPY TO PRESENT GIFTS RECEIVED THIS MONTH.
WE HAVE TWO GIFTS OVER $5,000 SUBMITTED FOR BOARD APPROVAL.
THE NATIONAL SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION DONATED $5,000 TO RICHARDSON HIGH SCHOOL AND THE WHITE ROCK ELEMENTARY PTA DONATED $6,937.18 TO WHITE ROCK ELEMENTARY FOR A TOTAL OF $11,937.18.
WE HAVE 14 GIFTS, LESS THAN $5,000 FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES TO CAMPUSES ACROSS THE DISTRICT TOTALING $18,901.03, WHICH ARE SUBMITTED FOR THE BOARD'S INFORMATION.
TOTAL GIFTS THIS MONTH ARE $30,838.21.
>> AGAIN, WE THANK ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO JUST REALLY DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO ENSURE STUDENTS HAVE A PHENOMENAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN RISD, AND WITH THAT, I DO RECOMMEND THE BOARD EXCEPT, GIVES A $5,000 OR MORE AS PRESENTED.
>> THANK YOU, MS. BRANUM. THANK YOU.
MR. PATE, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE GIFTS?
>> THANK YOU. MR. EAGER. IS THERE A SECOND?
THERE IS A MOTION BY MR. EAGER. A SECOND BY MR. ANDREA.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? MR. POTEET.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. YES. ONE QUESTION I'VE GOT IS DO WE SEE ANY CYCLIC? I KNOW A LOT OF THESE ARE TIED TO INDIVIDUAL AS NEEDS ARISE.
DO WE SEE A TYPICAL YEAR ANNUAL CYCLE OF THIS WHERE IT'S UP AND DOWN?
>> YES, SIR. I WOULD SAY WE ALWAYS SEE A BIG INFLUX AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.
[01:15:04]
THEN NORMALLY TOWARDS THE HOLIDAYS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE CALENDAR YEAR, IT WAVES A LITTLE BIT AND IN THE SPRING IS A BUSY TIME.AS A LOT OF OUR CAMPUSES ARE DOING.
WHETHER IT'S THEIR SPRING EVENTS OR WHETHER THEY'RE TAKING SPRING FIELD TRIPS OR THEY'RE GEARING UP FOR STAR OR OTHER EVENTS LIKE THAT YOU'LL SEE IN A STRONG END OF THE YEAR AS WELL.
THEN THERE ARE SOME GIFTS IN HERE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT ARE GIFTS THAT WE EXPECT EVERY YEAR.
I THINK THE WHITE ROCK PTA, FOR EXAMPLE HAS HELPED SPONSOR THE FOURTH-GRADE TRIP TO THE STOCKYARDS ANNUALLY FOR AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN HERE.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE ANNUAL.
THEN THERE ARE OTHERS THAT MIGHT BE A ONETIME REQUEST FROM A CAMPUS THAT'S UNIQUE TO A SPECIFIC NEED THAT YEAR.
>> GREAT, THANK YOU. ANOTHER THING I'D POINT OUT JUST AS A HIGHLIGHT HERE IS WHEN WE COMPARE 2023 TO 2022, IT LOOKS WE'RE UP. WHAT IS THAT? FORTY PERCENT, I FORGET.
I MEAN THAT'S A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE COMMUNITY FOR REALLY PICKING UP THE PACE EVEN THIS YEAR.
I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT.
ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE, THERE IS A MOTION BY MR. EAGER. A SECOND BY MR. ANDREA.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
[IV.B. Consider Voucher Resolution]
OUR NEXT ITEM IS AN ACTION ITEM TO CONSIDER A VOUCHER RESOLUTION, MRS. BRANUM.>> THANK YOU, MS. HARRIS. I'M GOING TO INVITE MS. MORRIS TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM AS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHE HAS HELPED TO SPEARHEAD.
AGAIN, MS. MORRIS DURING THIS TIME IS AN INCREDIBLE ASSET FOR OUR DISTRICT.
SHE IS STAYING UP LATE EVERY NIGHT LISTENING TO PUBLIC TESTIMONY UNTIL 2:00 IN THE MORNING, MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF OUR LOCAL LEGISLATORS ARE HEARING FOR MERCHANTS AND ISD.
ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE AS A TEAM IS TO MAKE SURE, I THINK WE HAD A PUBLIC COMMENTER EARLIER THAT SHARED, WE HAD ADOPTED A LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY AROUND VOUCHERS AND HOW ENRICHED ISD FELT ABOUT VOUCHERS AND THIS IS A RESOLUTION THAT WE FEEL LIKE IT'S AN EXCLAMATION POINT.
THIS IS US TAKING A SPECIFIC ACTION TO REALLY EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE OUR POSITION ON VOUCHERS.
MS. MORRIS, WILL YOU JUST PROVIDE A BRIEF OVERVIEW FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR THE BOARD?
MRS. BRANUM, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECT.
IT HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS A LOT.
YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD OF EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, OR ESAS, WHICH AT THIS POINT IS FUNDING THAT COMES FROM TAXPAYERS AND WOULD BE PART OF SOMETHING THAT'S GIVEN TO PARENTS TO PAY FOR A NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL ENTITY, SO PRIVATE SCHOOL, HOMESCHOOL, ANY KIND OF TUTORING.
OUR PURPOSE FOR DOING THIS RESOLUTION IS BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN MAKING A LITTLE NOISE.
THIS MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT LOUDER AND IT ALSO GIVES US A BASIS FROM WHICH TO GO FORWARD AND EXPRESS TO OUR COMMUNITY AND LET THEM KNOW HOW THIS IS HARMFUL TO ISD.
I'M GOING TO PUT IT IN TERMS OF FINANCE FOR RIGHT NOW IN THAT, RIGHT NOW THEY HAVE ONE OF THE VOUCHER OR THE ESA PROGRAMS THEY HAVE IS FOR $8,000 PER STUDENT.
YOU ALL KNOW THAT WE'RE GETTING $6,160 PER STUDENT.
YOU SEE THERE'S A LITTLE DISCREPANCY THERE.
THE OTHER PART OF IT, I KNOW THE SENATE HAS A LIMIT ON THEIR VOUCHER THAT THEY WOULD SPEND OF $500 MILLION, HALF A BILLION.
CURRENTLY IN THE SCHOOL FINANCE LEGISLATION THAT'S GOING TO PASS, THEY ARE ALLOWING FOR THE BIENNIUM, ABOUT $140 OF AN INCREASE IN OUR BASIC ALLOTMENT.
GIVEN INFLATION SINCE 2019 WHICH IS WHEN WE FIRST HAVE THIS BASIC ALLOTMENT, WE NEED ABOUT $900 JUST TO KEEP OUR BUYING POWER THE SAME.
EVERY DOLLAR THAT THE STATE SPENDS ON SOMETHING OTHER THAN PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT GOES TO A DIFFERENT SYSTEM IS HARMFUL TO US.
MAYBE NOT EXACTLY DIRECTLY BUT YES, EXACTLY DIRECTLY IN THAT, THAT $500 MILLION COULD BE USED TO FURTHER INCREASE THE BASIC ALLOTMENT.
THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER REASONS THAT YOU COULD TALK ABOUT WHY VOUCHERS MAY NOT BE THE BEST THING FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT BUT THERE'S ALSO PARENTS TO CONSIDER BECAUSE WHEN YOU CONSIDER PRIVATE SCHOOLS, NOT EVERY PRIVATE SCHOOL ACCEPTS KIDS, THEY CAN SAY WHETHER THEY WANT TO OR NOT.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE NOT ACCOUNTABLE, AND I THINK THAT WAS SOMETHING OUR PRIORITY PARTICULARLY
[01:20:03]
ADDRESSED WAS THAT THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY.IN A LOT OF THE COMMENTS THAT I HEARD THEY SAID, WELL, THERE IS ACCOUNTABILITY BECAUSE IF YOU'RE A PARENT YOU CAN WALK OUT, YOU CAN LEAVE THE SCHOOL.
WHICH IS ALSO TRUE, I GUESS YOU COULD DO THAT OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TOO, BUT THAT'S GIVING THE SCHOOL A CHOICE AND NOT NECESSARILY THE PARENTS A CHOICE AND THOSE THINGS.
JUST TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY AWARE OF THE DOWNSIDE OF VOUCHERS AND WHAT IT WOULD DO TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALL OVER TEXAS FINANCIALLY, WE WILL USE THIS TO CARRY THAT MESSAGE FORWARD AS PART OF OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR LEGISLATORS IN DOING THAT.
NOW I DID ALSO WANT TO ADDRESS ONE OTHER THING.
IN THE HOUSE, THEY DID PASS AN AMENDMENT.
THE HERERO AMENDMENT IS HOW IT'S CALLED RIGHT NOW WITH THEIR BUDGET THAT SAID NO MONEY COULD BE SPENT ON OR BE APPROPRIATED FOR VOUCHER OR ANY MONEY GOING TO A NON-PUBLIC EDUCATION ENTITY.
THERE IS STILL A LONG WAY TO GO WITH THAT.
THAT WAS CERTAINLY A NOD AND WHAT I WOULD CALL A SMALL WIN IN THE HOUSE FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T FEEL LIKE VOUCHERS ARE THE BEST IDEA FOR TEXAS.
BUT THERE'S A LONG WAY TO GO WITH THAT, AND SO WE'RE WORKING ON THAT ALONG WITH TRYING TO GET MORE DOLLARS FOR SCHOOLS SO THAT WE CAN KEEP UP WITH WHERE WE WERE IN 2019.
>> THANK YOU. MS. MORRIS, AND AGAIN, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE EITHER PASSED A SIMILAR RESOLUTION OR ARE CONSIDERING ONE THAT IS VERY SIMILAR.
AGAIN, OURS IS SPECIFIC TO ALIGNING WITH THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED.
WITH THAT, AGAIN, MS. MORRIS AND MS. MCGOWAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN HELPING TO CRAFT OUR PROPOSED RESOLUTION AND I DO RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD PASS AND APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED.
>> THANK YOU, MS. MORRIS. THANK YOU.
MS. BRANUM, IS THERE A MOTION?
>> THANK YOU. MS. PACHECO. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> THERE IS A MOTION BY MS. PACHECO, A SECOND BY MS. MCGOWAN.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS IN REFERENCE TO THE RESOLUTION? MR. POTEET?
>> YES. SOMETIMES AND I'M AMONG THE LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE AS YOU KNOW BUT SOMETIMES IT'S FRUSTRATING AND I'M SURE MS. MORRIS EXPERIENCES THIS MORE THAN US ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.
BUT OUR STRATEGY HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO COME UP WITH SOME CONCRETE VISION ON WHERE WE'RE GOING AND WHAT WE NEED FROM THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH THIS SESSION.
THEN IT'S REALLY WE STARTED EARLY TO TRY AND HIT HIM UP WITH OUR MESSAGING.
LET THEM KNOW EARLY WHAT WE WANT BEFORE THE SESSION EVER EVEN GOT STARTED.
I THINK WE'RE EFFECTIVE IN THAT.
OUR STRATEGY THEN CONTINUED TO KEEP HONING IN ON THOSE AND THEN TO GET READY TO REACT WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT AND BILLS WERE FILED AND WHETHER WE WERE IN SUPPORT OR AGAINST, AND I THINK WE'VE DONE WELL WITH THAT.
AGAIN, HEARTS OFF TO MS. MORRIS BECAUSE IT'S A FLURRY OF BILLS, THOUSANDS OF BILLS COMING IN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION.
WE'VE BEEN TARGETING OUR EFFORTS WITH THOSE.
BUT NOW IT GETS TO A POINT WHERE WE'RE SAYING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
YOU ALMOST FEEL LIKE IT'S JUST FRUSTRATING THAT WE HAVE TO DO THAT WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE REPRESENTING US, REPRESENTING OUR CONSTITUENTS, REPRESENTING OUR STUDENTS, REPRESENTING OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
IT'S FRUSTRATING THAT WE HAVE TO GO TELL THEM THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER.
SOMETIMES WE GET A DIFFERENT ANSWER OR WE GET A DIFFERENT ACTION THAN WHAT WE HAD IN CONVERSATION WITH THEM.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT FRUSTRATION DOESN'T LEAD TO BACKING DOWN, THAT WE THROW IT INTO FIFTH GEAR AND START HITTING HARD.
I THINK THIS RESOLUTION IS A SMALL PIECE OF THAT, BUT IT'S EVERYTHING WE CAN DO TO RUN FROM THIS RESOLUTION NEXT AND START TAKING IT AND WAVING IT IN PHASES AND YELLING FROM THE TOPS OF THE CAPITOL DOWN THERE.
THAT'S MY FEELINGS AS A CONSTITUENT, AS A TRUSTEE, BOTH.
I CAN ALSO TELL YOU THERE'S A 100 REASONS WHY I THINK WE OUGHT TO SUPPORT THIS POSITION WITH THIS RESOLUTION.
BUT ONE I GOT TO EXPERIENCE LAST WEEK, AND THIS IS VERY SMALL GRANULAR ANECDOTAL SUPPORT.
BUT WHEN MS. MORRIS WAS TALKING ABOUT THE ACCOUNTABILITY WITH SCHOOLS AND WHAT PRIVATE SCHOOLS, WHAT STUDENTS THEY TAKE, THEY HAVE TO TAKE, THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE.
I WAS OVER AT DOBIE PRE-K WHEN WE WERE DOING SOME VISITS TO SOME CLASSROOMS. I GOT THE CHANCE TO VISIT ONE OF OUR PRE-K, THE ONLY DEVELOPMENTAL SPECIAL ED CLASS, IT WAS GREAT.
[01:25:05]
THERE WERE FIVE OUT OF SEVEN STUDENTS THERE THAT DAY.WE HAD A TEACHER IN THERE PLUS TWO ASSISTANTS TWO PAIRS IN THERE, AND IN 15 MINUTES OF OBSERVATION, THESE ARE SEVERELY DISABLED THREE AND FOUR-YEAR-OLDS.
THEY HAD NURSES COMING IN AND OUT AND ADMINISTERING MEDS IN 15 MINUTES WE SAW AT MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THEY'RE TEACHING, AND I MEAN THEY'RE WORKING ON TACTILE SKILLS AND JUST COMMUNICATION SKILLS.
TO SEE THAT AND KNOW THAT PRIVATE SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THESE.
THEY DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES NOR DO THEY NEED TO NOR WANT TO.
I'M GLAD THAT WE DO TAKE THESE STUDENTS AND TAKE THESE PARENTS AND FAMILIES IN.
BUT THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE AND WE CAN'T EQUATE WHAT THEY'RE PROVIDING AS A SERVICE AND WHAT WE'RE PROVIDING, AND TO TAKE TAX DOLLARS AND PUT THEM EQUITABLY AGAINST TWO DIFFERENT OPTIONS WHEN WE HAVE THOSE ANECDOTAL RESPONSIBILITIES AT OUR LEVEL, I THINK IS JUST IS WRONG.
ANYWAY, I SAW THAT LAST WEEK AND IT JUST HONED IN ON THAT MESSAGE OF SOME OF THE DIFFERENCES AND I WANTED TO BRING THAT UP, SO THAT'S IT.
ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? MR. EAGER?
>> I CAN'T DOVETAIL ON TRUSTEE PETITE.
IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT I DON'T THINK THAT MOST OF THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS.
IF YOU JUST LOOK AT IT AND IT'S THIS IDEA OF, WELL, PUBLIC EDUCATION COMPETITIONS, GOOD INNOVATION TAKES PLACE.
BUT THE SITUATION HERE IS THE FACT THAT IT'S NOT EQUAL FOOTING.
IT IS BASICALLY TAKING MONEY THAT IS UNACCOUNTABLE AND HAS ALL THESE DIFFERENT AREAS THAT IS ONLY GOING TO HURT KIDS.
IT'S ALREADY DRAIN FUNDS OUT OF A MUCH NEEDED INCREASE AND THE ABILITY TO GIVE OUR TEACHERS A FAIR WAGE FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO, AND $100, WHATEVER THEY THROW AT US.
WE'RE JUST TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION, JUST LIKE EVERYBODY IN OUR DISTRICT IS SIMPLY JUST TRYING TO PAY THEIR BILLS.
I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT INSURANCE.
I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT EVERYBODY'S COST IS GOING UP.
WE'RE SIMPLY TRYING TO PROVIDE WHAT IS A FAIR AND EQUITABLE ARRAY WAGE FOR OUR TEACHERS TO SIMPLY STAY IN THE PROFESSION, AND TO SEE THIS CONSTANT LITTLE BIT OF DRAINING HERE, HERE AND HERE AND NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THIS IS BASICALLY WHY WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS DOES NOT PASS.
>> THANK YOU, MR. EAGER. I WOULD JUST ADD THAT I THINK THE MESSAGE NEEDS TO BE STRONG THAT WE NEED AUSTIN TO FULLY FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION SO THAT WE CAN MEET THE DEMANDS THAT WE HAVE POST-COVID, WE CAN MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE CURRENT INFLATION THAT WE'RE SEEKING.
WE DO NOT NEED THE STATE TO CREATE WHAT IS AN ESSENCE.
THIS WAS A BIG PART OF OUR CONVERSATION IN AUSTIN YESTERDAY IS AN ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM OF WHICH WE KNOW WE CANNOT SUSTAIN.
THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT IF VOUCHERS WERE TO MOVE FORWARD IS A SIGNIFICANT STATE FUNDING INVESTMENT THAT CANNOT BE SUSTAINED MOVING FORWARD.
WE HAVE EVIDENCE THAT THE NUMBER I THINK ONE OF THE VOUCHER BILLS, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY ARE CALCULATING A NUMBER BASED UPON CURRENT STUDENTS THAT ARE ENROLLED IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS, BUT THEY ARE NOT CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE NEW PRE-K.
THE VOUCHER BILL ALLOWS FOR PRE-K AND INCOMING KINDERGARTEN AND THEY'RE NOT INCLUDING THAT IN THEIR COUNT AND WHAT IMPACT IT IS GOING TO HAVE ON THE BUDGET.
UNTIL YOU FULLY FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION, DO NOT USE THESE FUNDS IN A WAY THAT IS GOING TO HURT US.
THIS IS AGAIN, I LOVE WHAT MR. PATE AND MR. EAGER SAID, THIS IS ONE MORE WAY THAT WE CAN HOLD SOMETHING IN HER HAND AND SAY, THIS IS WHO WE ARE AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE ABOUT, AND PLEASE HEAR OUR VOICE.
>> MS. RENTERIA, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN TO MY COLLEAGUES WHO ARE ON THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE.
ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE, ALL THE TRAVELING BACK AND FORTH, ESPECIALLY TO MS. MORRIS.
THE LATE NIGHTS THAT I CAN CALL HER AND SHE WILL RETURN YOUR CALL AND JUST ALL THE WORK AND WHAT MR. PATE SAID, GETTING INTO THAT LAST YEAR OF JUST DOING THIS.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW FOR, THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT THEIR VOICE, IT DOES MATTER AND IT'S DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE HEARD.
[01:30:02]
I KNOW SOMETIMES WE THINK WHAT'S MY PHONE CALL GOING TO DO? I'M GOING TO LEAVE A MESSAGE, BUT IT DOES MAKE AN IMPACT.LIKE I SAID, I'VE BEEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT, AND SO I DO KNOW THAT THOSE CALLS DO GET RECOGNIZED, THOSE EMAILS DO GET SEEN AND SO JUST TO ENCOURAGE, AS MY COLLEAGUE JUST MENTIONED, MR. PATE TO JUST REALLY GET INTO THAT LAST GEAR OF REACHING OUT, GETTING TO AUSTIN'S EAR AND LETTING THEM KNOW WHERE WE STAND ON THIS.
I'M JUST GRATEFUL TO EVERYBODY AND FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE. THANK YOU.
>>THANK YOU FOR THAT, MS. RENTERIA. ANYONE ELSE? I JUST WANTED TO ADD ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE PUT THIS RESOLUTION TOGETHER IS BECAUSE WE REALLY WANTED TO MAKE IT SPECIFIC TO RICHARDSON ISD, BECAUSE WE WANT OUR COMMUNITY, OUR FAMILIES, TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT TO RICHARDSON SPECIFICALLY.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE THAT'S LISTENING, WATCHING, LOOKING AT THE RECORDING OF THIS, GO OUT AND READ THIS RESOLUTION SO THAT YOU CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT THAT VOUCHERS WOULD HAVE TO OUR COMMUNITIES.
IF YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE REACH OUT TO ONE OF US IS SITTING RIGHT HERE IN THE HORSESHOE OR YOUR SUPERINTENDENT, WE WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO WALK YOU THROUGH WHAT IT TRULY MEANS.
LIKE MS. RENTERIA SAID, I APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES WHO ARE ALL ON THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MYSELF, MR. PATE, MR. EAGER, AND MS. BRANUM, WE WENT TO AUSTIN AND DID OUR LITTLE DUE DILIGENCE, AND WE REALLY HOPE IT WORKS.
SO PLEASE MS. BRANUM, WILL THIS BE POSTED ON OUR SITE?
SO YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY GO OUT TO OUR SITE, MAKE SURE YOU ACCESS THIS RESOLUTION.
IF YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS MEANS TO RICHARDSON ISD.
WE DO HAVE A MOTION BY MS. PACHECO AND SECOND BY MS. MCGOWAN.
IF THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS.
THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES. OUR NEXT ITEM IS AN ACTION ITEM TO
[IV.C. Consider Authority to Negotiate and Enter into Depository Contract]
CONSIDER THE AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO A DEPOSITORY CONTRACT. MS. BRANUM?>>THANK YOU, MS. HARRIS. I'M GOING TO CALL ON MR. PATE. HE'S DONE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK ALONG WITH OUR LEGAL TEAM TO HAVE THIS ACTION ITEM READY FOR YOU TONIGHT. MR. PATE?
IT'S THAT TIME WHEN WE NEED TO GO OUT FOR BID FOR NEW DEPOSITORY BANK.
WE'VE BEEN WITH OUR CURRENT BANK ALMOST EIGHT YEARS.
WE'RE ENDING OUR EIGHTH YEAR, AND STATE LAW REQUIRES US TO PUT OUT A BID AFTER EIGHT YEARS.
WE SENT OUT 157 NOTICE AS WE HAVE TO STATE LAW REQUIRES US TO SEND A NOTICE TO EVERY BANK IN THE DISTRICT AND ANYBODY ELSE THAT HAS REQUESTED THIS RFP.
SO WE NOTIFIED 157 INSTITUTIONS, WE RECEIVED SIX RESPONSES, AND WE HAVE SCORED THOSE RESPONSES, AND THE TOP SCORING BANK, WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF ENTERING INTO NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT WITH THEM AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT CONTRACT NEGOTIATION PROCESS SOMETIMES TAKES LONGER THAN WE WOULD LIKE.
AND SO WE'RE REQUESTING PERMISSION TO CONTINUE THAT NEGOTIATION PROCESS AND EMPOWER STAFF TO ENTER INTO THAT CONTRACT.
ONCE WE REACH A SUITABLE CONTRACT WITH OUR CHOSEN BANK.
AND I DO WANT TO THANK MS. MCGOWAN AND MR. GARCIA FOR HELPING US WITH THIS NEGOTIATION PROCESS WHERE HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE WITH THIS BANK FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
IT IS A BIG MOVE BECAUSE THEY PROCESS ALL OF THE PAYMENTS TO OUR VENDORS AND THE PAYCHECKS TO OUR STAFF AND IT IS NOT A CONTRACT THAT WE ENTER INTO LIGHTLY.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE GLAD TO ADDRESS THEM.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PATE. WITH THAT, MS. HARRIS, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION AS PRESENTED.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> THANK YOU. MR. PATE, IS THERE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU, MR. EAGER. THERE IS A MOTION BY MR. PATE. A SECOND BY MR. EAGER. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, MR. PATE?
[01:35:03]
SO ONE WAS OUR BANK WE'RE CURRENTLY WITH WHERE THEY WANTED TO SIX THAT WERE SELECTED JUST LIKE CURIOSITY.
>> THEY DID SUBMIT A RESPONSE.
THEY WERE NOT THE TOP SCORING, BUT THEY DID SUBMIT A RESPONSE.
>> THERE IN THE EVALUATION SIX OR WHATEVER?
>> YES, SIR. THEY WERE CERTAINLY NOT EXCLUDED FROM BEING ABLE TO RESPOND.
>> GOOD. AND THEN WILL THIS BE BROUGHT BACK ONCE NEGOTIATIONS ARE COMPLETE? WILL THIS COME BACK TO THE BOARD AND SOME JUST A NOTIFICATION OR.
>> WE WILL NOTIFY THE BOARD OF WHO WE'VE ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT WITH.
BUT THIS PARTICULAR ACTION ITEM DOES NOT REQUIRE US TO BRING IT BACK FOR ADDITIONAL AUTHORS APPROVAL. YES, SIR.
>> IF I COULD I FAILED TO MENTION WHEN YOU PASS THE DOI CHANGES THE SUMMER WE DID MAKE A CHANGE TO OUR BANKING CONTRACT.
AND SO THE NORMAL TERM IS TWO YEARS WITH TWO-YEAR RENEWALS FOR A MAXIMUM OF EIGHT YEARS.
WE HAVE CHANGED THIS WITH THE DOI PLAN THAT YOU APPROVED THE SUMMER.
ANNUALLY, YOU WILL RE-APPROVED THIS CONTRACT AND SO IT JUST ALLOWS THE DISTRICT MORE FLEXIBILITY.
WE HOPE THERE ARE NO ISSUES, BUT IF THERE ARE ISSUES, IT ALLOWS US TO MAKE A CHANGE A LITTLE QUICKER.
>> AND HAVE WE HEARD FROM THE BANKS OF HOW THEY'RE RECEIVING THAT ONE YEAR VERSUS TWO YEARS AT A BARRIER OR NOTHING SO FAR?
>> IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A BARRIER SO FAR, I HAD A FEW QUESTIONS FROM BANKS DURING THE PROCESS ABOUT WHY WE MADE THAT CHANGE, BUT IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN A BARRIER.
WE GOT QUALITY RESPONSES FROM ALL SIX INSTITUTIONS THAT DID SUBMIT A RESPONSE AND VERY PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS.
AND WE'RE JUST TRYING TO HAMMER OUT THAT CONTRACT WITH THE TOP SCORE.
>> THANK YOU. MR. PATE, ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? THERE IS A MOTION BY MR. PATE, A SECOND BY MR. EAGER. IF THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS.
[IV.D. PTA Presentation]
OUR NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS INFORMATION ITEM THAT I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT.OUR PTA PRESENTATION, MS. BRANUM.
>> I AM BEYOND EXCITED ABOUT THIS AS WELL.
I THINK IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE PTA IN FRONT OF US TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT OUR PTA DOES TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS, OUR STAFF, AND OUR DISTRICT.
I AM GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO THE PHENOMENAL LEADERSHIP, MS. LOLITA, FOR OUR PRESENTATION ON THE RICHARDSON ISD PTA.
I FEEL AT HOME FOR THAT WELCOME.
IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE AT A BOARD MEETING AND I WISH I COULD MAKE MORE TO THEM [LAUGHTER] IT'S VERY INFORMATIVE.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LOLITA SHAKTI HOWELL AND I SERVE THE RICHARDSON ISD COUNCIL OF PTAS AS THE PRESIDENT.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TO THE BOARD AND TO THE COMMUNITY OUR COUNCIL PTA'S ANNUAL REPORT.
ALL OF YOU SHOULD HAVE THE POWERPOINT, I SUPPOSE.
COUNCIL PROVIDES SUPPORT TO ALL LOCAL UNITS AND AS WELL AS CMLC AND MEMORIAL PARK, WHICH DO NOT HAVE THEIR OWN PTAS.
WE PROVIDE TRAINING TO OUR EMERGING LEADERS WITH ANNUAL BACK TO THE FUTURE AND VENDOR FAIR IN AUGUST.
WE ALSO PROVIDE REFRESHERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCLUDING OUR SPRING TRAINING, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON MAY 9 AT THE PDC FOR ALL INCOMING NEW BOARDS.
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US ON MAY 4TH AT OUR DELEGATE MEETING TO CELEBRATE PTAS WITH MEMBERS FOR EACH STUDENT ENROLLED IN THEIR CAMPUS.
THEY WILL BE RECEIVING THE TEXAS PTA VOICE FOR EVERY CHILD AWARD.
OF COURSE, WE ARE NOTHING WITHOUT MEMBERSHIP AND YOUR SUPPORT.
WE ARE 202 MEMBERS AWAY FROM A MEMBERSHIP INCREASE AT COUNCIL LEVEL.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME LOCAL CAMPUSES THAT CAN REALLY USE YOUR HELP WITH JUST TINY BITS, SO I'M GOING TO LIST THE SMALLEST NUMBERS, THE NOMINATORS.
THERE IS, OH MY GOODNESS, NORWOOD HILLS WITH TWO MEMBERS IN ORDER TO GET AN INCREASE FROM THE LAST THREE YEARS.
[01:40:03]
SPRING CREEK, TWO MORE MEMBERS IS ALL THEY NEED.THURGOOD MARSHALL, THEY ONLY NEED THREE.
STAHL ELEMENTARY, THEY NEED 16.
RICHLAND NEEDS 24, MOHAWK NEEDS 24, AND LAKE HIGHLANDS ELEMENTARY NEEDS 27.
YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOT ONLY COUNTS TO OUR SCHOOL, BUT WILL ALSO FOR THAT COUNCIL INCREASE.
I HOPE THAT YOU JOIN US AT JOINPTA.ORG.
I WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT TO THE DISTRICT OPERATIONS TEAM UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF SANDRA HAYES, CUSTODIAL SERVICES TEAM, SAFETY AND SECURITY TEAM, AND MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY TEAM.
OUR USED BOOK FAIR COULD NOT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT.
WE WERE ABLE TO COLLECT 30,000 MORE BOOKS THAN LAST YEAR AND RECORDED OVER 15,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS DURING A WEEK [LAUGHTER] OUR FIRST EVER DISTRICT-WIDE BASKETBALL FUNDRAISER IT SEEMS SO APPROPRIATE TODAY [LAUGHTER] IT'S THIS SUNDAY, AND WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE IT A SUCCESS.
IT IS GOING TO BE A BALL, SO NO TRAVELING, SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER AND SCORE YOUR TICKETS TODAY.
WHEN WE THINK OF PTA, WE THINK NATIONALLY, BUT WE ACT LOCALLY.
THIS YEAR, THERE ARE MANY PROJECTS SPONSORED BY OUR LOCAL PTA FUNDS AND WITH THE DISTRICT.
I AM GOING TO SIGN OUT A LITTLE BIT TO FOLLOW-UP WITH THE ANSWER THAT TIBATAT GAVE THE BOARD EARLIER.
ONE OF THE REASONS THAT YOU SEE GIFTS INCREASE IN THE SPRING SEMESTER IS BECAUSE OUR PTA STRUCTURE ALLOWS US TO DO DISBURSEMENTS IN THE SPRING SEMESTER.
WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CARRY ANY BUDGET FORWARD UNLESS WE ARE UTILIZING IT FOR THE SCHOOLS.
THAT'S WHY THE GIFTS AUTO SELL BUDGETS AND YOU START RECEIVING GIFTS HERE, GIFT HERE.
IT'S ALL OF OUR UNITS ARE MOVING ON FORWARD THE COFFERS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THAT.
OUR CLOTHES CLOSET TEAM IS SO DEDICATED AND IT REQUIRES THAT VERY PARTICULAR TYPE OF VOLUNTEER, ONE THAT GIVES THEIR HEART AND THEIR SOUL.
THIS YEAR ALONE, THIS COMMITTEE OF FIVE PROJECTED OVER 2,400 VOLUNTEER HOURS.
OUR CLOTHES CLOSET SPONSORS AND DONORS ARE ALSO INVALUABLE.
THEIR DRIVES COLLECT MUCH-NEEDED ESSENTIALS THAT FULFILL THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
THE STRATEGY AND ENGAGEMENT TEAM UNDER MELISA HELLISH'S LEADERSHIP ALLOW US TO BRIDGE GAPS AND EXTENDS OUR MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY.
IMMENSE GRATITUDE TO JASON PILLAR, KAMIKA KRAFER, KARIS SANDERS, BRIAN PRUITT, RYAN WOODS, AND MASON.
I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF INTERACTING WITH THESE PROFESSIONALS ON A MONTHLY BASIS AND YOU MAKE ME AND THE COUNCIL LOOK LIKE A MILLION BUCKS.
THANK YOU. THIS YEAR, WE STARTED THE 21-DAY ECO CHALLENGE COUNCIL WAY.
THESE ARE SMALL, BITE-SIZE HABIT CHANGING AND BEHAVIORS DONE BY STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE DISTRICT COMPOUND TO GLOBAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO BRING BACK PARENT TRAINING PORTION AT THIS YEAR'S APRIL 20TH CAR SEAT PROGRAM AT DOBIE ELEMENTARY, DOBIE PRE-CARE.
WE LOVE TO WELCOME OUR PRINCIPLES, DELEGATES WITH A TRUE TEXAS HOSPITALITY AT THESE MEETINGS.
THANK YOU RISD FOR HOSTING OUR PAST PRESIDENTS AT A WONDERFUL FOUNDERS DAY.
OUR HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE COORDINATES STAFF APPRECIATION AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CMLC AND OTHER UNIQUE CAMPUSES.
IT WAS A PLEASURE TO BE SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH OUR TRUSTEES AND SUPERINTENDENT AS WE LET OUR LEGISLATION KNOW THEY MUST FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION.
WE ARE VERY PROUD TO BE PART OF A DISTRICT THAT IT IS RECOGNIZED FOR ITS DEDICATION TO THE ARTS.
AT COUNCIL, WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ARTS THROUGH OUR NATIONAL PTA REFLECTIONS PROGRAM.
OUR SOUL IS WHAT WE SEE IN EACH OF US IF ONLY WE CHOOSE TO LOOK.
OUR COUNCIL SPECIAL AND GIFTED EDUCATION COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL UNITS WITH TRAININGS, CONNECTIONS TO BETTER SERVE THE FAMILIES AT EACH CAMPUS.
COMMITTEES ARE HARD AT WORK REVIEWING
[01:45:03]
APPLICANT SUBMISSIONS AT OUR DIFFERENT COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIPS.RECIPIENTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.
OUR VOLUNTEER SERVICE COMMITTEE HELP RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS FOR VARIOUS EVENTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
LOCAL UNITS MAY STILL SUBMIT THEIR HOURS NOW THROUGH APRIL 28 FOR THE YEAR, WE'RE MISSING A DATE, SORRY, FROM JANUARY 22 THROUGH DECEMBER 22.
THIS IS A FISCAL AWARD VERSUS AN EDUCATIONAL CALENDAR YEAR.
AWARD RECIPIENTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MAY 4TH.
COUNCIL WAS PROUD TO WORK ON THIS SPECIAL PROJECT IN MEMORY OF MARNI KANER.
HE WAS PRIVILEGED TO SEE IT COME TO FRUITION DURING MY TIME.
IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE YOU AS THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.
IT MAKES IT SEEM SO SHORT BECAUSE YOU MAKE IT SO EASY.
OUR NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS WILL BE INSTALLED AT OUR MAIN DELEGATE MEETING AT 9:00 AM IN THIS ROOM.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME PRESENT TONIGHT [NOISE] THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
>> I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE PRUDENCE SIMKISTAS HERE TONIGHT AS WELL.
I THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO TO SUPPORT THE PTA.
IT IS INCREDIBLE TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE SUCH A COMMITTED GROUP OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO AGAIN, SELFLESSLY, YOU ALL DO AROUND THIS HORSESHOE, YOU ALL DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR KIDS AND OUR STAFF.
WE APPRECIATE YOU. WE THANK YOU.
WE KNOW SOMETIMES YOU ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE BACK THAT ARE BEHIND THE SCENES, JUST MAKING MAGIC HAPPEN AND YOU JUST DO IT BRILLIANTLY.
ON BEHALF OF OUR 37,000 STUDENTS ARE 6,000 STAFF MEMBERS AND EVERYONE AROUND THIS HORSESHOE.
WE THANK YOU, LOLITA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AS OUR PRESIDENT.
WE HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR GOOD, SO THANK YOU.
>> I THINK EVERYONE AROUND THIS HORSESHOE PRETTY MUCH HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND TIME WITH EITHER YOUR LOCAL PTA OR COUNCIL.
I THINK THIS IS A TIME THAT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK.
BOARD, ARE WE READY TO BRING IT BACK TOGETHER AND DIVE INTO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM? YOU ALL SEEM VERY EXCITED.
[IV.E. 2023-2024 Budget Discussion]
OUR NEXT ITEM IS BUDGET DISCUSSION. MS. BRANUM.IMAGINE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT OUR BUDGET.
WE'RE NOW MOVING INTO PHASE 3 OF REALLY PREPARING TO MOVE TOWARDS A MORE SOLID IDEA OF WHAT OUR BUDGET COULD LOOK LIKE, SHOULD LOOK LIKE FOR '23, '24.
TONIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW FOR THE BOARD OF THE FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED FROM OUR STAFF RELATED TO OUR BENEFITS SURVEY.
AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK JACOB CORTES AND OUR ACI DEPARTMENT FOR HELPING FACILITATE THAT.
I THINK IT'S VERY HELPFUL TO GET THAT INPUT AND HAVE THAT INSIGHT FROM OUR STAFF AROUND WHAT REALLY MATTERS MOST.
WE HAVE A FINITE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS AND WHERE DO WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE THOSE DOLLARS? WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE WITH HEALTH INSURANCE.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO MOVE INTO SOME CONVERSATIONS AROUND SALARY AND MAYBE SOME SALARY MODELS FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER.
AGAIN, TONIGHT WE'RE NOT TAKING ACTION.
WE ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR YOUR FEEDBACK.
WE WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOUR MINDSET IS, WHERE THE AREAS ARE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE US PRIORITIZE, AND MAYBE ADDITIONAL RUNS OR ADDITIONAL MODELS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE US TO DEVELOP SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO HONE THIS BUDGET FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
DR. GOODSON AND MR. PATE ARE GOING TO BE SUPPORTING IN THIS PRESENTATION TONIGHT, AND I'M GOING TO INVITE THEM TO KICK US OFF.
>> THANK YOU, MS. BRANUM. JUST AS A REMINDER, AS WE'VE BEEN WORKING THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS, SOME OF THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES THE DISTRICT IS FACING.
WE HAVE REDUCED FUNDING RELATED TO DECLINING ENROLLMENT.
[01:50:03]
WE HAVE SOME EXCESS CAMPUS CAPACITY AGAIN RELATED TO THAT DECLINING ENROLLMENT.OUR COST MODEL IS NOT QUITE AS EFFICIENT AS IT COULD BE DUE TO SOME OF OUR SMALLER CAMPUS SIZES.
THEN WE HAVE LOWER STUDENT-TO-STAFF RATIOS THAN A LOT OF OUR PEERS, LEADING AGAIN TO SOME FINANCIAL CHALLENGES.
AS MS. MORRIS MENTIONED EARLIER, WE HAVE NOT HAD LEGISLATIVE RELIEF.
THERE'S BEEN NO INCREASE IN THE BASIC ALLOTMENT SINCE 2019.
THAT IS MAKING IT MORE AND MORE CHALLENGING FOR US TO ADDRESS THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION.
THEN OUR COMPENSATION, WE DO KNOW THAT WE ARE BELOW MARKET, AND OUR STAFF COMPENSATION THAT RESULTS IN DIFFICULTY RETAINING STAFF AND OF COURSE RECRUITING STAFF.
AS WE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, WE ARE WORKING ON A MULTIFACETED STRATEGY TO ADDRESS OUR BUDGET CHALLENGES.
THIS WILL INCLUDE STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS EFFICIENCIES, INCREASE ENROLLMENT, AND OF COURSE, ADVOCATE FOR LEGISLATIVE CHANGE WHICH YOU'RE DOING THROUGH YOUR BOARD-ADOPTED LEGISLATIVE GOALS AND THE RESOLUTION YOU APPROVED TONIGHT.
AS MENTIONED, WE ARE IN PHASE 3.
WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT THE INPUTS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.
FIRST THING ON OUR LIST OF ITEMS TO REVIEW THIS EVENING ARE OUR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND I WILL TURN IT OVER TO DR. GOODSON TO TALK ABOUT OUR BENEFITS SURVEY.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PATE. GOOD EVENING, BOARD.
I GUESS I BETTER ADVANCED THE SLIDE HERE.
AS MS. BRANUM SAID, WE WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH MR. CORTES AND HIS TEAM TO PROVIDE A SURVEY THAT WENT OUT TO ALL EMPLOYEES.
WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 6,000, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OVER THAT.
WHAT WE WANNA DO IS SHARE A LITTLE BIT OF THE INFORMATION THAT THEY PROVIDED TO US.
FOR THOSE WHO RESPONDED, WE WANTED TO REALLY DIVE INTO THE MAKEUP OF THOSE WHO ARE RESPONDING.
WE DO WANT TO START OUT BY SAYING WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 1,430 RESPONSES.
CONSIDERING THE SIZE OF OUR STAFF, THAT'S ABOUT A 25 PERCENT RESPONSE RATE, WHICH WE THINK IS FANTASTIC.
WE WERE HOPEFUL THAT THESE EMPLOYEES WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO US AND TELL US WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM.
WE FEEL VERY CONFIDENT WITH THE NUMBER OF RESPONSES THAT WE RECEIVED.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID WITH THOSE RESPONDENTS IS WE ASK THEM TO LET US KNOW HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE THEY HAVE.
FIRST, WE ASKED THEM HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE THEY HAVE IN EDUCATION OVERALL.
AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE CHART HERE, THERE'S A PRETTY, RELATIVELY EVEN DIVIDE WITH FIRST 1-5 YEARS, 6-10 BOTH A LITTLE BIT OVER 20 PERCENT.
THE BIGGEST GROUP IN TERMS OF OVERALL EXPERIENCE WAS OVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AT 22.5 PERCENT.
YOU CAN SEE THE BREAKDOWN OF THE OTHERS.
THE QUESTION THAT WE ASKED IS HOW MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN RISD SPECIFICALLY? WHAT YOU'LL SEE IS A CHANGE.
YOU'LL SEE THAT THE GROUP OF 1-5 YEARS IS THE LARGEST AT 31.9 PERCENT OF THOSE WHO RESPONDED.
WHAT THAT TELLS US IS WHILE WE HAVE A LARGE GROUP IN THEIR FIRST FIVE YEARS, WE HAVE SEVERAL WHO CAME TO US WITH EXPERIENCE THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENTATIVE OF ALL OF OUR NEW HIRES.
BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE FIRST FIVE YEARS IN RISD, WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD RANGE OF EXPERIENCE IN THERE.
YOU CAN SEE THE BREAKDOWN OF THE OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS AS WELL, WITH THE SECOND HIGHEST BEING 6-10 YEARS IN RISD.
THEN THIS IS JUST ANOTHER GRAPHIC REPRESENTATION OF THAT SAME INFORMATION HERE.
THE FIRST KEY QUESTION THAT WE ASKED SEEMS SIMPLE, BUT WE WANT IT TO BE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T MISS ANYTHING.
THE FIRST QUESTION WAS STRAIGHTFORWARD, WHAT IS A HIGHER PRIORITY FOR YOU? WE HAVE THE RESPONSES GROUPED BY RISD TENURE AND THE QUESTION, THERE WERE TWO RESPONSES, BETTER COMPENSATION OR BETTER BENEFITS.
AS YOU CAN SEE WITH ALL OF THAT GREEN ON THIS SLIDE, OVER 90% IN MOST CATEGORIES AND MOST GROUPINGS OF YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, BETTER COMPENSATION IS A TOP PRIORITY, ALTHOUGH IT'S SLIGHTLY UNDER 94 OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, WHEN YOU COLLECT MORE EXPERIENCE ALONG THE WAY, COMPENSATION IS STILL A PRIORITY, BUT YOU MIGHT BE THINKING A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT RETIREMENT, YOU MIGHT BE THINKING A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE KINDS OF BENEFITS THAT YOU MAY NEED TO TAP INTO ALONG THE WAY AND ULTIMATELY THAT BECOMES A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A PRIORITY.
BUT AGAIN, YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO RESPONDED WAS BETTER COMPENSATION.
WHAT WE WANT IT TO DO THEN IS DIVE A LITTLE BIT DEEPER.
WE PROVIDED IN THE SURVEY A FEW DIFFERENT TYPES OF OPTIONS.
[01:55:02]
WE WANTED THEM, THE RESPONDENTS TO RANK WHAT WAS MOST IMPORTANT, WHAT WAS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY, THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPENSATION STRATEGY TO THEM.THEY WERE ABLE TO ACTUALLY DRAG THE PARTICULAR RESPONSE TO THE TOP OF THEIR SCREEN, WHICH DROPPED IT IN AS A TOP PRIORITY AND THEN SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH AND THEN WE ALSO LEFT THE OTHER CATEGORY.
I KNOW THIS WAS A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT TO READ, SO ON THE NEXT SLIDE, WE JUST SHOW THE RANKINGS.
AS AGAIN, YOU CAN SEE WHEN IT CAME TO COMPENSATION STRATEGIES, FAR AND AWAY, A HIGHER BASE SALARY WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT STRATEGY, THAT'S WHAT RESONATED WITH OUR RESPONDENTS.
AGAIN, 1,393 IN PARTICULAR PROVIDED US WITH THAT INFORMATION.
OBVIOUSLY EVERYTHING ELSE IS A DISTANCE, SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH, BUT WE DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT ADDITIONAL STIPEND CONSIDERATIONS WHERE NEXT WAS NEXT HIGHEST.
THAT INCLUDED RETENTION, STIPEND, EXTRA CURRICULAR STIPENDS, OR ACADEMIC ADVANCED DEGREE STIPEND WAS THIRD ON THE LIST.
THEN THERE WERE MANY OTHER OPTIONS THAT THEY INCLUDED.
THEN YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE EXPANDED TIA SUPPLY STIPEND OR REFERRAL STIPEND FELL.
NEXT, WE ASK THEM TO RANK BENEFITS.
AGAIN, WE TRY TO THINK OF ANY AND ALL TYPES OF BENEFIT OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM STAFF MEMBERS THROUGH DIFFERENT FOCUS GROUPS CONNECTING WITH TEACHERS AND EMPLOYEES, ANECDOTALLY, FORMALLY, WHAT WE'VE HEARD TIME AND TIME AGAIN OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS TO BE HONEST.
WE PROVIDED A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS, AGAIN, ABILITY TO DONATE LEAVE DAYS AND TENANTS INCENTIVE, BEREAVEMENT LEAVE, PAID MATERNITY AND PATERNITY LEAVE, REALLY LOTS OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS.
AGAIN, I'M GOING TO JUMP TO THE NEXT PAGE HERE THAT WILL SHOW THE RANKINGS THAT THEY PROVIDED.
ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE SCREEN, YOU'LL SEE THAT THE ONE WITH THE HIGHEST MOST IMPORTANT RANKING WAS LOWER INSURANCE PREMIUMS. THAT'S OUR EMPLOYEES TELLING US WE NEED TO HAVE BETTER BENEFITS SO THAT WE'RE NOT HAVING TO PAY SO MUCH OUT-OF-POCKET FOR OUR INSURANCE.
NEXT WAS EMPLOYER RETIREMENT PLAN CONTRIBUTION, THIRD WAS ATTENDANCE INCENTIVE FOR NOT USING PERSONAL DAYS AND THEN FOURTH WAS PAID MATERNITY PATERNITY LEAVE AND THEN ROUNDING OUT THE TOP FIVE ABILITY TO DONATE LEAVE DAYS.
THEN AGAIN, YOU CAN SEE THE REST OF THE OPTIONS INCLUDING OTHER AND THEN AGAIN, WHAT THIS TELLS US IS THIS IS WHAT WAS MOST IMPORTANT TO THE RESPONDENTS.
ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE, WHAT WE DID IS WE TRIED TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH WITH MANY OF OUR SURROUNDING DISTRICTS, WHETHER IT'S MS. MCGOWAN AS LEGAL COUNSEL OR MYSELF IN HR, MR. PATE, ON THE FINANCE SIDE, WELL, WE HAVE OUR CONNECTIONS WITH OTHER DISTRICTS AROUND US.
WE MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY BE COMPETING WITH THEM FOR ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR, BUT WHEN THEY HAVE OPTIONS THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING, WE WANT TO STUDY THAT AS WELL.
ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE LOOKED AT WAS BEREAVEMENT LEAVE BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE HEARD FROM SOME OF OUR EMPLOYEES.
WHEN WE LOOKED AT SEVERAL DISTRICTS AROUND US, YOU CAN SEE THERE WE HAVE MANY THAT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DAYS OF LEAVE FOR BEREAVEMENT, THE ISD, FORT WORTH, LOUISVILLE SPRING IS LATTER.
WHAT YOU CAN SEE WITH CLEAR CREEK AND BOTH IN TWO DIFFERENT OPTIONS HERE WE'LL GO INTO PAID MATERNITY LEAVE NEXT.
BUT FOR CLEAR CREEK, YOU CAN EXTEND LEAVE BY 20 DAYS AFTER EXHAUSTING ALL OTHER LEAVE.
IT'S NOT AT FULL PAY, BUT ONCE YOU'VE EXHAUSTED ALL LEAVE, THEIR BOARD POLICY ALLOWS FOR AN EMPLOYEE TO EXTEND IT BY A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DAYS.
FOR ALDINE, LUFKIN AND KELLER ISDS, THEY DON'T HAVE A SEPARATE CATEGORY FOR BEREAVEMENT, BUT INCLUDED IN THEIR BOARD POLICY FOR THEIR CURRENT LEAVE OPTIONS, AN EMPLOYEE CAN USE DEATH OF AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER THAT'S INCLUDED AS ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THEM TO ACCESS THEIR LOCAL SICK OR STATE SICK LEAVE DAYS AS PART OF THE FMLA PROCESS.
FOR PAID MATERNITY AND PATERNITY LEAVE AGAIN, MOST DISTRICTS DO NOT OFFER THAT EXPLICITLY, BUT WE DID FIND A FEW DISTRICTS THAT OFFER OPTIONS.
AGAIN, CLEAR CREEK, YOU CAN EXTEND BY 20 DAYS.
BUT WITH EL PASO AND FORT WORTH ISD, EACH OF THEM PROVIDES A CERTAIN NUMBER OF LEAVE DAYS.
EL PASO IS AT 10, FORT WORTH IS AT 20 AND IT'S AVAILABLE WHEN THE EMPLOYEE HAS EXHAUSTED ALL ELIGIBLE LEAVE, THAT THEY HAVE.
ONE OF THE FINAL OPTIONS AND MR. PATE MAY BE ABLE TO GO INTO THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE BUT AS WE LOOKED AT THE EMPLOYER RETIREMENT PLAN CONTRIBUTION DISCUSSION, BECAUSE AGAIN, IT WAS SECOND ON THE LIST.
WE HAVE SEVERAL DISTRICTS THAT PROVIDE DIFFERENT OPTIONS.
I DON'T KNOW IF MR. PATE, YOU WANT TO DISCUSS THAT REAL QUICK.
>> THANK YOU DR. GOODSON. THERE'S A FEW DISTRICTS IN THE AREA THAT DO PROVIDE A MATCHING CONTRIBUTION FOR RETIREMENT PLANS.
THE DISTRICTS THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY AWARE OF ARE INES FRISCO,
[02:00:01]
MCKINNEY PROSPER, SHERMAN ISDS, AND THEN REGION 10 DOES THIS ALSO.THIS IS AN INTERESTING ONE, THEY HAVE A 62% PARTICIPATION RATE, THEY ARE ONLY 757 EMPLOYEES, BUT THERE'S A RETENTION INCENTIVE AND IT HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED PARTICIPATION NOW WHETHER OR NOT IT'S ACHIEVING ALL OF THEIR GOALS.
IT'S STILL PROBABLY A LITTLE EARLY TO TELL, BUT THEY DO HAVE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATING IN THAT.
THE GOAL THERE IS TO GET PEOPLE TO STAY FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME, GENERALLY ABOUT FIVE YEARS FOR WHEN THEY WOULD VEST IN THOSE DISTRICT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RETIREMENT PLAN.
AS WE REFLECT ON THE INFORMATION FROM THE SURVEYS AND ALSO TALK THROUGH A FEW NEXT STEPS.
AGAIN, WE'VE TRIED TO SUMMARIZE WHAT THE DATA SHOWED IN TERMS OF HOW THE EMPLOYEES PRIORITIZE THE COMPENSATION OVER BENEFITS.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT COMPENSATION, FEEDBACK FROM THE EMPLOYEES, INCREASED SALARY WAS THE NUMBER 1 PRIORITY FOR THEM, FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY ADDITIONAL STIPEND CONSIDERATIONS AND ADVANCED DEGREE STIPENDS.
AGAIN, WE'RE JUST TRYING TO SHARE ALL OF THE INFORMATION WITH YOU.
BENEFITS REFLECTIONS, LOWER HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS WAS A TOP PRIORITY, FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY EMPLOYMENT RETIREMENT PLAN CONTRIBUTIONS, INCENTIVES FOR NOT USING PERSONAL DAYS AND PAID MATERNITY AND PATERNITY LEAVE.
THEN AGAIN, WHAT WE ALSO FOUND IS DEPENDING ON THE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE THAT HAD AN IMPACT OR IMPOSSIBLE INFLUENCE ON THE PRIORITIES FOR THE RESPONDENTS.
WHAT WE SAW IS FOR EXAMPLE WITH MANY OF OUR VETERAN EMPLOYEES WHO ARE MAYBE CONSIDERING RETIREMENT IN THE NOT-TOO-DISTANT FUTURE, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN MORE FEEDBACK REGARDING RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION OR INCENTIVE FOR UNUSED DAYS.
WHEN WHEN YOU GO INTO YEAR 20 OR 30 AND YOU HAVE 175 DAYS OVER THAT TIMEFRAME, THAT IS A FEASIBLE OPTION THAT AN EMPLOYEE WOULD WANT THE DISTRICT TO CONSIDER.
THE MID-RANGE EXPERIENCED EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION FOR UNUSED DAYS AGAIN, BECAUSE THEY MAY BE THINKING I'M AT A POINT IN MY LIFE WHERE I MIGHT NOT USE THEM AT ALL.
I STILL HAVE SEVERAL YEARS LEFT, BUT I DON'T NEED TO JUST STOCKPILE THEM EITHER.
IT'D BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THAT.
BUT I'M ALSO AT A TIME IN MY FAMILY OR IN MY LIFE WHERE I REALLY STILL NEED SOME LOWER INSURANCE PREMIUMS. THEN FINALLY, FOR NEWER EMPLOYEES, WE'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF FEEDBACK REGARDING PAID LEAVE OPTIONS AND THEN OF COURSE AGAIN, THE OVERARCHING THEME IS BETTER COMPENSATION AS WELL.
THEN I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO MR. PATE REGARDING SOME OF THE POSSIBLE COMBINATIONS BECAUSE AGAIN, WHAT WE WANTED TO SHARE IS THERE'S NOT ONE PARTICULAR ITEM OF FEEDBACK THAT THEY'VE GIVEN US THAT IS GOING TO BE THE CATCH-ALL.
IT CAN BE A COMBINATION OF MANY DIFFERENT THINGS.
YOU HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO DECIDE HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS WORKOUT IF WE NEED TO.
LOOKING AT SOME OF THOSE CONCEPTS AROUND LEAVE AND PAYING, SO FOR INSTANCE, PAYING OUR STAFF FOR UNUSED PERSONAL DAYS.
SOME DISTRICTS THAT PAY, FOR INSTANCE, $250 FOR TWO EMPLOYEES IF THEY HAVE FIVE UNUSED PERSONAL DAYS AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
WE DID A LITTLE ESTIMATE ON THAT AND IF YOU USED APPROXIMATELY 6,000 EMPLOYEES AND PAID ALL OF THEM $250 FOR FIVE YEARS DAYS, WHICH IS REALLY RIDICULOUSLY HIGH NUMBER THERE BECAUSE THERE ARE EMPLOYEES THAT WILL NEED TO USE THOSE DAYS, THEY WON'T HAVE FIVE DAYS.
MOST DISTRICTS THAT DO THIS TYPE OF INCENTIVE REALLY ARE FOCUSED ON CAMPUS-BASED STAFF TO ENCOURAGE THE CAMPUS-BASED STAFF TO STAY ON CAMPUS WITH OUR STUDENTS AND PROVIDE THAT TIER 1 INSTRUCTION.
BUT IN A ABSOLUTE WORST-CASE SCENARIO FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, YOU'RE LOOKING AT $1.5 MILLION IF YOU PAY TO ALL 6,000 EMPLOYEES.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT THE COST OF A SUBSTITUTE.
THE AVERAGE COST OF US SUBSTITUTE FOR US CURRENTLY IS ABOUT $220 AND THAT IS HIGHER THAN A LOT OF OUR SUBSTITUTES NECESSARILY MAKE.
THE REASON I'M USING THAT HIGHER NUMBER IS I WAS LOOKING THROUGH WHAT WE'RE CURRENTLY PAYING ESS, LOOKING AT ALL THOSE INVOICES, AND TRYING TO FACTOR IN, AGAIN, A WORST-CASE SCENARIO, IF YOU WILL, ON A COST STRUCTURE.
BUT LOOKING AT WHAT DO WE PAY FOR AN EXPERIENCED CERTIFIED TEACHER SUB, THOSE MONDAY AND FRIDAY PREMIUMS THAT WE PAY, AND THE OTHER INCENTIVES THAT ARE BUILT INTO OUR SUB PAY STRUCTURE.
[02:05:01]
THAT'S WHERE I CAME UP WITH THE ESTIMATE OF $220 A DAY.THINKING ABOUT OUR LEAVE, THE COST OF ADDITIONAL LEAVE DAYS REALLY DEPENDS ON WHETHER OR NOT AN EMPLOYEE IS IN A POSITION THAT REQUIRES A SUBSTITUTE.
OUR BUDGET IS BUILT ON THE FACT THAT, WE'LL TAKE A TEACHER, FOR INSTANCE, A TEACHER IS GOING TO WORK ALL 187 DAYS.
SO GRANTING THEM AN EXTRA DAY OF LEAVE IS NOT GOING TO INCREASE THE COMPENSATION WE PAY THEM, BUT IT IS GOING TO INCREASE OUR SUBSTITUTE COST.
THINKING ABOUT THIS FROM THE TEACHER PERSPECTIVE, WHILE THERE ARE A FEW OTHER STAFF CATEGORY CERTAINLY THAT WE PROVIDE SUBSTITUTES FOR.
IF YOU TOOK JUST UNDER HALF OF OUR TEACHERS AND THEY TOOK THREE ADDITIONAL DAYS OF LEAVE AND USING THAT SUBSTITUTE DAILY RATE OF $220, THAT WOULD INCREASE OUR COST ABOUT $792,000.
AGAIN, I'M NOT SURE THAT EVEN IF WE GRANTED THREE ADDITIONAL DAYS OF LEAVE FOR PARTICULAR CATEGORY THAT EVEN HALF OF OUR TEACHERS WOULD TAKE IT.
BUT JUST DEPENDING ON WHAT RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT CATEGORY OF LEAF THAT IS, IF YOU WERE TO GRANT IT, BUT THAT'S A ROUGH ESTIMATE OF THE COST.
I DID THE SAME THING IF WE INCREASE THAT TO FIVE DAYS OF LEAVE.
CERTAINLY IF OTHER CAMPUS-BASED STAFF THAT HAD SUBSTITUTES AND WE'D HAVE TO FACTOR IN THEIRS.
BUT TEACHERS I THINK IS THE LARGEST SINGLE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, SO THAT'S WHY I USE THOSE IN FIVE DAYS WOULD COST US ABOUT $1,320,000.
IF AGAIN, ALL 1,200 TEACHERS TOOK AN ADDITIONAL FIVE DAYS OF LEAVE AND WE HAD THE MORE EXPENSIVE SUBSTITUTE SITUATION THERE.I GUESS MS. BRANUM, IF YOU'D LIKE US TO STOP FOR QUESTIONS OR IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ON BENEFITS.
>> NO. AGAIN, I HEARD FROM MANY OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME THAT WE HAVE ASKED THEM WHAT WOULD THEY PRIORITIZE.
WE WERE VERY CLEAR THAT THIS WAS NOT A GUARANTEE THAT WE COULD EXECUTE ON ANY OF THESE.
BUT IF WE HAVE AVAILABLE RESOURCES, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE BOARD PRIORITIZE THEM? THEY WERE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF HAVING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE FEEDBACK.
AT THIS TIME IT REALLY DIRECTLY RELATED TO BENEFITS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK AND WE CAN ALSO TAKE QUESTIONS AT THE END AS YOU HEAR THE ENTIRE PRESENTATION.
>> YES, MA'AM. MOVING ON THEN TO HEALTH INSURANCE, WHICH AGAIN A BENEFIT, BUT WE CALLED IT OUT SEPARATELY IN THIS PROCESS AND JUST WANTED TO START OUT WITH SOME EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION DATA.
WE HAVE AS OF WHEN MS. RAMBO PULLED THIS FORM, 6,341 EMPLOYEES, WHICH INCLUDES EMPLOYEES THAT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE DISTRICT'S CONTRIBUTION TO HEALTH INSURANCE.
EXCUSE ME, 3,626 OF THOSE OUR ELECTING COVERAGE, SO 57% OF ALL EMPLOYEES ARE ON THE DISTRICT'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN.
WHEN YOU REDUCE THAT DOWN TO JUST EMPLOYEES THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE DISTRICT CONTRIBUTION, OUR COVERAGE RATE INCREASES TO 63% OF OUR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PARTICIPATING.
THE DIFFERENCE THERE, IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE DISTRICT'S CONTRIBUTION TO HEALTH INSURANCE, AN EMPLOYEE HAS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO TRS, SO THEY HAVE TO QUALIFY FOR TRS PARTICIPATION.
WE DO HAVE SIX EMPLOYEES THAT DO NOT QUALIFY FOR TRS PARTICIPATION, THEREFORE, DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE DISTRICT'S CONTRIBUTION, BUT DO ELECT COVERAGE AND THEY PAY THE FULL PREMIUM.
[BACKGROUND] I'M SORRY, I SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT.
THE EMPLOYEES THAT GENERALLY ARE NOT TRS ELIGIBLE WOULD BE OUR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES.
THOSE EMPLOYEES NOT IN AN ALLOCATED OR PERMANENT POSITION.
OUR TEACHERS WITH A REGULAR TEACHER CONTRACTS CERTAINLY ARE TRS ELIGIBLE.
THIS IS OUR CURRENT MEDICAL INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND PARTICIPATION RATES BY PLAN AS OF MARCH OF '23 AND YOU CAN SEE THAT TRS OFFERS.
THERE'S FIVE PLANS, ONE OF THOSE PLANS, THE ONE IN THE MIDDLE THERE ACTIVECARE 2 IS CLOSED TO NEW PARTICIPANTS.
THAT IS TRS'S DECISION NOT RICHARDSON ISD'S DECISION TO CLOSE THAT PLAN.
THE MOST POPULAR PLAN IS ACTIVECARE HD.
[02:10:05]
YOU CAN SEE FOR THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COVERAGE, FOR INSTANCE, EMPLOY ONLY EMPLOYEE AND SPOUSE, EMPLOYEE AND CHILD, AND THEN FAMILY COVERAGE, WE HAVE THE PREMIUM LISTED.THE DISTRICT'S CONTRIBUTION IS $313 AND THEN YOU SEE THE EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION.
ALL OF THIS DATA IN THIS CHART HERE, OR IN THIS TABLE RATHER IS MONTHLY AMOUNT.
THE DISTRICT PAYS $313 A MONTH TOWARDS AN EMPLOYEE ONLY HEALTH INSURANCE AND THE EMPLOYEE PAYS $109 IN ACTIVECARE HD.
THE ACTIVECARE 2, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE DISTRICT CONTRIBUTION IS A LITTLE HIGHER AND THAT STRUCTURE GOES BACK A NUMBER OF YEARS AND HAS NOT BEEN ALTERED.
I DON'T BELIEVE IN SEVERAL YEARS.
YOU CAN SEE DOWN AT THE BOTTOM, ACTIVECARE HMO, THOSE DISTRICT CONTRIBUTIONS ARE JUST A LITTLE OVER $313.
THAT IS BECAUSE LAST YEAR WHEN TRS CAME OUT WITH NEW PREMIUMS THAT HAD JUST A SLIGHT INCREASE AND YOU AUTHORIZED US TO INCREASE THE DISTRICT'S CONTRIBUTION AND THE BUDGET ADOPTION SO THAT NONE OF THE EMPLOYEES WOULD HAVE A PREMIUM INCREASE LAST YEAR.
JUST A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION FOR YOU THERE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE.
IF THE DISTRICT WERE TO INCREASE THE CONTRIBUTION RATE FROM $313-$340, IT WOULD COST A MILLION ONE SEVENTY TWO.
IF WE INCREASE THE DISTRICT'S CONTRIBUTION 313-350, IT WOULD COST A 1,607,000.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE DO NOT EXPECT TO RECEIVE OUR 23-24 INSURANCE RATES FROM TRS UNTIL JUNE.
TRS IS WAITING ON THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS THE BUDGET AND TELL THEM WHAT THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING ON OUR EMPLOYEE'S BEHALF TO TRS.
YOU MAY REMEMBER LAST YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE OR THE STATE RATHER USED SO DOLLAR TO ARTIFICIALLY HOLD DOWN THE COST OF HEALTH INSURANCE.
NOW UNFORTUNATELY THOSE SO DOLLARS ARE RUNNING OUT AND SO WE'RE WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE STATE IS GOING TO DO ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS. ALSO TRS NOW SETS RATES ON A REGIONAL BASIS.
TRS IS WAITING ON FUNDING AND THEN THEY'LL DETERMINE THE RATES.
WE'RE HOPING TO GET THAT IN JUNE, BUT THE BOARD WILL ADOPT A BUDGET IN EARLY JUNE.
I BELIEVE THE BOARD MEETING IS JUNE 6TH.
I AM PERSONALLY NOT OPTIMISTIC THAT TRS WILL HAVE THAT HEALTH INSURANCE DATA TO US AT THAT POINT.
I HOPE I'M WRONG, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO RELY ON THAT JUST YET.
JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU SOME HISTORY ON THE HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS BACK A FEW YEARS, BOTH FOR RICHARDSON AND FOR SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS.
YOU CAN SEE THAT THE LAST TIME WE INCREASED OUR HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM.
YOU CAN SEE A NUMBER OF DISTRICTS HERE HAVE HELD RATES CONSTANT, SOME IT'S A LITTLE BIT ALL OVER THE BOARD.
IT'S WHAT IS MEANINGFUL TO THE EMPLOYEE GROUP THERE AND HOW DO THEY WANT TO ADDRESS TOTAL COMPENSATION IN THOSE DISTRICTS IMPACTS, HOW THEY ADJUST HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS. JUST A NOTE THERE AT THE BOTTOM.
MESQUITE WILL BE SELF-INSURED NEXT YEAR 23-24 THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO LEAVE TRS-ACTIVECARE.
I FOR ONE WILL BE WATCHING THAT PROCESS VERY CLOSELY TO SEE WHAT THEY'RE BOTH PLAN OPTIONS ARE, WHAT THEIR COVERAGE IS, WHAT THEIR DOCTOR NETWORK IS, ALL OF THOSE COMPONENTS, AND HOW THAT EITHER HELPS OR HURTS THE DISTRICT FINANCIALLY.
I HAVE BEEN ON THE DISTRICT THAT WAS SELF-INSURED.
IT IS VERY DIFFERENT AND VERY INTERESTING.
I DID NOT ENJOY BEING IN THE MEDICAL INSURANCE [LAUGHTER] REALM.
BUT AGAIN, I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN MESQUITE.
IT IS A DECISION THAT THEY HAVE MADE FOR FIVE YEARS.
ONCE YOU CHOOSE TO EITHER LEAVE OR JOIN TRS, IT HAS A FIVE-YEAR DECISION IN LAW.
I GUESS I WILL STOP THERE BECAUSE NEXT IS TO DISCUSS SOME RAISE SCENARIO. KEEP GOING.
I'VE BUILT HERE FOUR DIFFERENT RAISE SCENARIOS FOR YOU.
[02:15:04]
I'M GOING TO LOOK AT THE TOP HALF OF THIS FIRST.LOOKING AT NEW TEACHER STARTING SALARY.
YOU CAN SEE THERE ON THE LEFT, OUR CURRENT STARTING SALARY FOR 22-23 IS $57,000.
WE BUILT FOUR OPTIONS FOR YOU, INCREASING THAT TO 59,000, 60,000, 60,500, AND 61,000.
THEN WE'VE OFFERED STRATIFIED RAISES FOR T-TYPES, DIFFERENTIATED 1-4 YEARS, 5-9 YEARS, 10-15 YEARS, AND 16 PLUS.
THE LOGIC THERE FOR THE 1-4 YEARS STRUCTURE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CURRENT FIRST-YEAR TEACHERS, THOSE TEACHERS MAKING $57,000, WHEN THEY GET A RAISE THAT THEY ARE MAKING AT LEAST $250 MORE THAN THE NEW TEACHERS THAT WILL START NEXT YEAR.
IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THAT, WE HAD TO GIVE THE UNDER OPTION A, IF WE WANTED TO MAKE MORE THAN 59,250 OR AT 59,250, THAT'S A FOUR PERCENT RAISE.
ALL THE OTHER YEARS OF SERVICE DIFFERENTIATION IS ALL INCREASED BY QUARTER PERCENT.
SAME THING WITH THE $60,000 OPTION.
IT WOULD TAKE A FIVE AND THREE-QUARTERS PERCENT RAISE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CURRENT FIRST-YEAR TEACHERS ARE MAKING AT LEAST $250, MORE THAN $60,000.
YOU CAN SEE THAT CARRIES ACROSS.
THE NEXT LINE THERE IN THE MIDDLE, CUSTODIANS.
OUR CURRENT STARTING SALARY FOR CUSTODIANS IS $10.50 AN HOUR.
THE PROPOSALS HERE, THE SCENARIOS HERE HAVE TWO DOLLAR AN HOUR INCREASE FOR THEM THAT TWO DOLLAR AN HOUR INCREASE FOR CUSTODIANS IS A MILLION FOUR HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FOUR.
IF WE WERE TO INCREASE IT AN ADDITIONAL TOW DOLLARS, FROM 10.50-14.50 INSTEAD OF 12.50, IT WOULD JUST ADD ANOTHER 1,484,000 ON TOP OF THAT.
WE ARE EXPERIENCING SOME CHALLENGES WITH OUR SKILLED TRADES, ELECTRICIANS, HVAC, AND PLUMBERS.
WE'RE PROPOSING AT THIS POINT TO INCREASE THEIR SALARIES BY SIX PERCENT AND THEN SPED PARAPROFESSIONALS AS MR. PATE WAS TALKING ABOUT OUR SPED STAFF EARLIER, PROPOSING INCREASING THEM SIX PERCENT.
ALSO, CURRENT STARTING SALARY FOR OUR SPED PAIRS IS 21,632 OR 14.46 AN HOUR.
OUR NON T-TYPE EXEMPT EMPLOYEES, OUR CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF OR PRINCIPALS, THE STAFF HERE AT THE HORSESHOE, PROPOSING A THREE PERCENT RAISE FOR ALL OF THOSE CATEGORIES ARE NON T-TYPE NON-EXEMPT.
ALL OTHER PAIR OF PROFESSIONALS WE'RE PROPOSING A FOUR PERCENT RAISE IN THESE SCENARIOS.
THEN YOU HAVE THE TOTAL COST THERE AT THE BOTTOM, RANGING ANYWHERE FROM OPTION A TO LITTLE OVER 14.2 MILLION, ALL THE WAY UP TO A LITTLE OVER $21.8 MILLION FOR THOSE VARIOUS RAISE SCENARIOS.
I CAN CERTAINLY RUN OTHER OPTIONS AT THE BOARD'S REQUEST.
MS. BRANUM, DO WE WANT TO STOP HERE OR KEEP GOING TO THE END OF YEAR PROJECTIONS?
>> LET'S FINISH THE PRESENTATION.
ONE OF THE PIECES OF FEEDBACK AS WE CLOSE THE PRESENTATION, WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO PROVIDE US WITH SOME INPUT, IS ANY OF THOSE MODELS AGAIN, WE JUST PICKED A STANDARD MODEL IN TERMS OF THAT 0.25 DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN EACH OF THOSE YEARS OF SERVICE CLASSIFICATIONS? ONCE YOU GIVE US SOME DIRECTION ON POTENTIALLY IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN EXPLORING OPTIONS A AND B, OR OPTION A AND C OR WHEREVER IT IS THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SAY WE WILL ACTUALLY MODEL THAT OUT AND SHOW YOU WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE ACROSS THE SALARY SCHEDULE, AS WELL AS WITH OUR BENCHMARK DISTRICTS.
YOU CAN FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WHAT IS THE RIGHT PERCENTAGE FOR EACH OF THOSE YEARS OF SERVICE TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE HELPING TO RE-INTRODUCE COMPRESSION AND THAT OUR VETERAN TEACHERS CAN FEEL LIKE THEY'RE GETTING PAID AT BENCHMARK WITH OUR SURROUNDING DISTRICTS AS WELL.
THAT IS A VERY COMPLEX THING AND WE HAVE NOT DONE IT FOR ALL OF THESE MODELS.
WE WANT YOU ALL TO SAY LIKE, HEY, HERE ARE THE TWO WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO HONE IN ON, AND THEN WE WILL FURTHER REFINE THAT AND BRING THAT BACK TO YOU.
JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND AS WE GO THROUGH OUR NEXT MULTIYEAR.
[02:20:02]
>> THANK YOU, MS. BRANUM. I WOULD JUST ADD AND I SHOULD'VE SAID THIS EARLIER.
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT WE HAVE PROPOSED A STRATIFIED RAISE FOR OUR T-TYPES.
I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT NUMBER OF YEARS, BUT I KNOW WE DID IT GOING BACK TO HOUSE BILL 3 IN 2019.
THIS IS NOT NEW FOR RICHARDSON ISD.
MOVING ON TO THE 22-23 END OF YOUR PROJECTION.
[LAUGHTER] THERE IT GOES. BRIAN AND BROKE IT. THANK YOU.
FIRST I WANT TO PRESENT YOU WITH A COMPARISON OF THE ADOPTED BUDGET FOR '22-'23 THAT YOU ADOPTED BACK IN JUNE WITH WHERE I ESTIMATE WHERE WE'RE GOING TO END THE YEAR TODAY AND YOU CAN SEE THAT THE BUDGET YOU ADOPTED IN JUNE OF '22 HAD A DEFICIT OF ALMOST $26 MILLION, AND CURRENTLY, MY ESTIMATE IS A DEFICIT OF JUST A HAIR UNDER $15 MILLION AND THE CHANGES THERE AFFECTING THAT ARE STATE REVENUE COMING IN A LITTLE HIGHER THAN ORIGINAL PROJECTIONS.
PROPERTY TAX REVENUES STILL PROJECTING PRETTY MUCH ABOUT EVEN THOSE TEND TO FAIRLY CLOSELY WASH, BUT IT'S NEVER EXACT.
THEN OTHER REVENUE LITTLE HIGHER.
WITH INTEREST RATES RISING, THAT HAS HELPED US AND THAT INCLUDES SOME INDIRECT COST REVENUE, ATHLETIC REVENUE.
IT'S ALL THOSE SMALLER PIECES OF REVENUE, BUT THOSE SMALLER PIECES DO END UP ADDING UP AND SO THAT HAS HELPED US TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT THREE MILLION DOLLARS.
RECAPTURE IS DECLINING JUST A LITTLE BIT AND THEN OUR EXPENDITURES ARE EXPECTED TO COME IN A LITTLE LESS PRIMARILY DUE TO VACANCIES IN POSITIONS.
WE LOOK TO BE HAVE A REDUCTION IN THE DEFICIT OF ALMOST $11 MILLION AND THEN THE NEXT SLIDE IS MULTIYEAR FORECAST.
THE '22-'23 MATCHES THE PREVIOUS SLIDE AND THEN PROJECTIONS FOR '23-'24, AND FUTURE YEARS.
JUST WALKING THROUGH THIS LINE BY LINE, THE TOTAL REVENUE THERE INCLUDES ALL REVENUE SOURCES IN THE GENERAL FUND, PROPERTY TAX, STATE REVENUE, ALL THE OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE, AND THAT TOTAL REVENUE IS BASED ON CURRENT LAW.
THE ONE THING THAT IS IN THERE THAT IS EXPECTED THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL APPROVE IS THE NORMAL INCREASE IN THE GOLDEN YIELD THAT IS BUILT INTO THE WAY THE SYSTEM WORKS TO THEY PRETTY MUCH HAVE TO DO, SO THERE'S A VERY SMALL INCREASE IN THE GOLDEN PENNY YIELD, AND THAT IS USING OMAR'S TEMPLATE.
HE BUILT THAT IN EXPECTING THAT TO HAPPEN ALSO ARE RECURRING COST SO LOOKING AT THE RECURRING COST LINE AND THE RAISE LINE SO GOING '22-'23 TO '23-'24, THE RAISE IN '22-'23 MOVES UP INTO '23-'24.
THEN YOU SEE JUST THE RAISE THERE IN '23-'24, THAT 18 MILLION THAT TIES TO OPTION B HAD TO PICK A NUMBER TO PUT IN HERE, AND THAT IS WHAT I WENT WITH.
THAT THEN GOING '23-'24 TO '24-'25, THAT 18 MOVES UP AND THE REST OF THE YEARS RAISES ARE JUST A 3% INCREASE EACH YEAR.
THE REMAINDER OF THE INCREASE GOING ACROSS ON THE RECURRING COSTS.
ALL OTHER COSTS WERE GROWN AT 5% SO PAYROLL GROUP JUST AT THE RAISE AND THEN THE REMAINING, THE NON-PAYROLL COST.
YOU CAN SEE WE HAD A NEW HIGHER STAFFING IN '22-'23, NONE CURRENTLY PROPOSED FOR FUTURE YEARS.
YOU HAVE THE BUDGET INCREASES FROM '22-'23.
THAT'S RELATED TO DAYCARE OPERATING COST AND A FEW OTHER THINGS GREW THAT AT 5% IN FUTURE YEARS BECAUSE THAT NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECURRING COST UP THERE.
BEGINNING IN '22-'23 THEN I ELIMINATED POSITIONS THAT TIES TO WHAT WE'VE PRESENTED PREVIOUSLY.
[02:25:03]
WE HAVE RECONCILED.OUR REMAINING ESO FUNDS AND WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE 26 MILLION LEFT TO SUPPLANT WITH ESO FUNDS SO THEN TOTAL EXPENDITURES FOR '23-'24 RIGHT NOW ARE ESTIMATED TO BE 385 MILLION, LEAVING US A DECREASE IN FUND BALANCE OF 18.4 MILLION, AND AN ESTIMATED ENDING FUND BALANCE OF 137 MILLION AND SOMEHOW I DID NOT UPDATE THIS SLIDE PROPERLY.
KEPT THE OLD VERSION IN HERE, BUT I WILL GET IT REPLACED FOR POSTING ON THE WEBSITE.
BUT THERE SHOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL LINE THERE THAT SHOWS WHAT 90 DAYS OF FUND BALANCE IS ON EACH OF THESE AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT MISTAKE.
WE CAN TAKE AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE THOSE NUMBERS, I CAN DO THEM FOR YOU.
BUT JUST MULTIPLYING THAT TOTAL EXPENDITURE LINE BY A 25% WILL GIVE US THAT 90-DAY NUMBER ACROSS THERE AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT WHEN WE HIT '24-'25, UNDER THIS PARTICULAR MODEL, WHEN WE HIT '24-'25, WE ACTUALLY DROPPED BELOW THE 90 DAYS OF FUND BALANCES, ABOUT $95 MILLION.
>> I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE ON THIS WHERE YOU HAVE FOR EXAMPLE, THE ELIMINATED POSITIONS AND BUDGET REDUCTIONS, THAT 3.4 MILLION THAT IS JUST WHERE WE ARE AT THIS MOMENT.
STAFF WE ARE CONTINUING TO IDENTIFY THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AND WE EXPECT THAT NUMBER TO GROW SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE NEXT 3-4 WEEKS AS WE WERE WORKING ON A ZERO-BASED BUDGET, MR. PAYTON AND I ARE SCHEDULING INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT MEETINGS WITH EVERY TEAM TO IDENTIFY EVERY EXPENDITURE IN EVERY ALLOCATION AND THEN AS AGAIN, AS WE ARE RECEIVING RESIGNATIONS OR WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAYBE RETHINK STAFFING BASED ON NUTRITION.
AGAIN, WE'RE NOT RIFFING ANYONE.
WE'RE NOT TELLING ANYONE THEY DON'T HAVE A JOB.
BUT AS WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME MORE EFFICIENT, WE ARE STILL CAPTURING THOSE ALLOCATIONS SO WE EXPECT THAT 3.4 NUMBER IDEALLY TO GROW SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 8-10, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OVER $10 MILLION IN THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR WEEKS AS WELL.
BUT AGAIN, WE WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT.
THAT'S THE NUMBER WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW.
BUT WE HOPE OUR NEXT APRIL MEETING THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A MORE SOLID PROJECTION OF WHAT OUR CURRENT EFFICIENCIES WILL BE.
>> THAT IS THE LAST SLIDE IN THIS PRESENTATION AND JUST CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH.
THESE EXPENDITURES THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH TODAY, WE'RE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF SCRUBBING BOTH PAYROLL AND NON-PAYROLL EXPENDITURES AT THIS POINT SO ANY REDUCTION IN STAFFING OR REDUCTIONS IN OTHER AREAS HAVE NOT BEEN REFLECTED IN THIS MULTIYEAR FORECAST.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PATE. BOARD, ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? MS. TIMMY?
>> I HAVE A COUPLE, SO BEAR WITH ME JUST A LITTLE BIT.
FIRST, JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS JUST TO START WITH.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU GUYS ASKED THE STAFF THEIR OPINIONS ON THESE THINGS.
I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S SO MUCH AT STAKE.
I'M A FIRM BELIEVER THAT HAVING THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE CLASSROOMS AND AROUND OUR STUDENTS IS WHAT MAKES THE BEST OUTCOMES AND I WOULD SAY THAT ANYTHING THAT WE WOULD DO OR ALLEVIATE HAS TO REALLY BALANCE EFFECTIVENESS WITH EFFICIENCIES.
WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE OUR GOALS OF OUR STUDENTS HAVING BETTER OUTCOMES.
WE CERTAINLY WOULD WANT TO BALANCE THAT.
BUT I DEFINITELY THINK WHILE I LOVE THE PARTICIPATION RATE IN THE SURVEY, I HOPE THAT THE STAFF IS HEARING THAT WE ARE USING THESE NUMBERS AND LOOKING AT THESE NUMBERS SO THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE BECAUSE IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT IN INFORMING OUR DECISIONS.
I THINK THE LAST THING ANYBODY ON THIS BOARD WOULD WANT TO DO WOULD BE TO PUT MONEY AND INVEST MONEY IN A SPOT THAT WE THOUGHT WAS GREAT AND ADD NO MEANING TO ANYBODY WHO'S ACTUALLY RECEIVING IT, THAT'D BE LIKE THE WORST THING WE COULD DO.
I HOPE THAT THEY HEAR THAT THEIR OPINION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
AS WELL AS ASKING TEACHERS, I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE SOME TOUGH CONVERSATIONS, OBVIOUSLY IT CLEARLY WITH OUR DEFICIT AND NOT HAVING THE 90 DAYS AND THAT APPROACHING VERY QUICKLY, THAT'S GOING TO FORCE US INTO SOME CONVERSATIONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE DIFFICULT AND NOT IDEALLY WHAT WE WOULD WANT IN SOME CASES.
I HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME COMMUNITY INPUT WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL OF
[02:30:05]
THOSE OPTIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE BECAUSE WE WANT TO KEEP THAT STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM AND SEE WHAT WE CAN ALL TOLERATE.AS FAR AS WHAT THOSE HAPPENED AND KNOWING THAT EVEN AT THAT, WE PROBABLY STILL ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME HARD DECISIONS.
BUT I ALSO WANT THE COMMUNITY HERE THAT THEIR INPUT IS IMPORTANT.
DR. GOODSON, YOU AND I HAD HAD A SHORT CONVERSATION, BUT I DID JUST WANT TO THROW IT OUT THERE PUBLICLY THAT WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT RACES AND I WAS ASKING SOME QUESTIONS, I DID GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE MARCH 9TH MEETING AND IT WAS LOOKING AT THE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OF OUR TEACHERS, SHOWING THAT WE HAD WHAT'S JUST SHY OF 62 PERCENT.
THERE WERE 0-5 YEARS AND THEN JUST SHY OF 20%, 6-10, 11-15, 8%, 16-20, 6% AND 21 YEARS +6%.
THAT WAS JUST FROM THAT PREVIOUS PRESENTATION.
THAT BEING SAID ON THE STRATIFICATION, YOU AND I DISCUSSED, THEN THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE, HOW OTHER DISTRICTS BENCHMARK THEIR TEACHERS WITH EXPERIENCE.
AS A FORMER TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL MYSELF, IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT RANGE OF EXPERIENCE.
I KNOW YOU GUYS KNOW THIS BECAUSE WE'VE DONE THAT, BUT IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THOSE FOLKS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE AND HAVE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, WHO CAN HELP US LEARN AND CAN HELP OUR NEW TEACHERS LEARN AND GROW.
IN LOOKING AT THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE JUST SOME INFORMATION ON HOW WE BENCHMARK COMPARED TO OTHER DISTRICTS IN THOSE STRATIFIED AREAS, WHICH WE JUST TALKED ABOUT.
I JUST WANT TO THROW THAT OUT THERE, IT'D BE TRANSPARENT THAT WAY.
THEN JUST LASTLY, YOU'D ASK FOR OUR OPINIONS ON KIND OF WHAT WE WERE LOOKING AT.
I DON'T PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE ANY BUSINESS LOOKING AT A NUMBER THAT DOES NOT START WITH A SIX.
SOMEWHERE IN THAT 60,000 PLUS RANGE, I PERSONALLY WOULD LOVE TO LOOK AT B AND D. JUST THE 60,000 AND THE 61,000.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL NOT TO SAY THAT C WOULD BE OUT OF THE REALM IF THAT'S WHERE WE WERE AT, BUT THAT'S JUST WHERE I WOULD LEAN TO WANT TO SEE THOSE NUMBERS BUILT OUT.
THE REASON THAT I'M LOOKING TO 61 IS BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR COMPARISON DISTRICTS HAVE THAT HIGHER STARTING SALARY AND I'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT OUR OPTIONS ARE, HOW FAR DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE IT PUTS US, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU COMBINE IT WITH THE OTHER CUTS THAT YOU'RE CURRENTLY MAKING.
ANYTIME WE HAVE FLEXIBILITY IN OUR BUDGET, I LOOK AT IT AS WE NEED TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR STAFF.
MY CHILDREN, ANYBODY ELSE'S CHILDREN IN THIS DISTRICT AREN'T WHERE THEY ARE WITHOUT GREAT TEACHERS, WITHOUT GREAT STAFF, WITHOUT GREAT CUSTODIANS, WITHOUT ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO INFLUENCED OUR KIDS AND I THINK WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE THAT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU, MS. TIMMY. MR. POTEET.
>> TO DOVETAIL OFF OF MS. TIMMY ENDED ON TAKING SOME NOTES AS WE TALK THROUGH THIS AND THERE'S AN ITERATIVE PROCESS TALKING THE BUDGET.
WE'VE ALL BEEN THROUGH DIFFERENT PHASES OF THIS, OBVIOUSLY IN PHASE 3 NOW.
BUT I THINK THAT SOMETIMES WE GET LOST IN THE WEEDS ON THE NUMBERS AND I THINK THAT WHAT WE NEED TO REALIZE BIG PICTURE HERE IS THAT WHEN YOU SHOW THESE PROJECTIONS, I WROTE DOWN YOUR NUMBERS, I'M AN ENGINEER, JUST DO THEM IN EXCEL REAL QUICK AND GRAFT IT.
OUR EXPENSES ARE PROJECTED TO KEEP INCREASING AND OUR REVENUE IS PROJECTED TO DECREASE.
THOSE TWO THINGS ARE GETTING FURTHER AND FURTHER APART EVERY YEAR FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, JUST GOING FORWARD.
HOW DO WE GET THOSE TWO LINES TO CONVERGE? THAT'S THE QUESTION.
IF WE'RE GOING TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND ALSO TAKE CARE OF OUR STAFF, WHICH IS CRITICAL, HOW DO WE GET THOSE TWO LINES TO CONVERGE? I LOOK AT $18 MILLION IS THE CHANGE IN FUND BALANCE NEXT YEAR.
THAT POTENTIALLY IS THE COST OF THE RAISE RIGHT THERE.
WE EQUAL OUT, WE'RE PAYING FOR IT WITH FUND BALANCE BASICALLY THAT RAISE.
BUT AFTER THAT, IT JUST STARTS SCREAMING APART ON THE GRAPH.
TO YOUR POINT, THE $95 MILLION IN THREE MONTHS ASSETS OR WHATEVER, THAT HITS THE YEAR PRIOR.
THAT'S 23-24, SO WE'LL HIT THAT BEFORE WE GO NEGATIVE ON OUR FUND BALANCE.
I THINK IT'S, THERE'S A LOT OF VARIABLES BETWEEN NOW AND THEN, BUT THAT'S COMING PRETTY QUICK.
ANYWAY, JUST BIG PICTURE, I THINK AND I'M A PICTURE GUY SO I LIKE SEEING THAT GRAPH AND I'M LIKE, HERE'S THE PROBLEM.
HOW DO WE GET THESE TWO LINES TO CONVERGE AND THERE'S EFFICIENCIES AND WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO TACKLE THOSE.
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THINGS TO INCREASE REVENUE HERE AND THERE.
BUT I'M NOT SURE ANYTHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT GETS US $65 MILLION IN TWO YEARS OR $92 MILLION IN THREE YEARS OR $108 MILLION.
[02:35:06]
UNLESS THERE'S, WHAT I'M SAYING, ALL OF THESE OPTIONS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, DON'T GET US THERE.WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE THOSE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS.
BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT THE LENS THAT I LOOK AT AND ALL OF US LOOK AT IS THIS COMES DOWN TO THE STUDENT OUTCOMES AND DECISIONS WE MAKE ON HOW THAT'S GOING TO POSITIVELY EFFECT STUDENT OUTCOMES.
MOST CRITICAL PIECE IN MY MIND TO THOSE STUDENT OUTCOMES IS THAT TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM.
WE'VE GOT TO GET BEHIND THAT, TAKE CARE OF THAT AND WE CAN TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BRING THOSE TWO LINES ON A GRAPH TOGETHER.
BUT IT CAN'T BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THAT TEAM IN THE CLASSROOM.
I'LL TELL YOU RIGHT BEHIND THAT TEACHER IS OUR LEADERSHIP, WHICH MAKES THE CULTURE WHICH KEEPS AND ATTRACTS TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF.
I HATE PRIORITIZING PEOPLE IN OUR DISTRICT, BUT THAT'S WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD AND IF WERE LOOKING AT STUDENT OUTCOMES AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT'S WHERE IT STARTS AND ENDS.
WE'VE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF OUR STAFF, ESPECIALLY THOSE CLASSROOM TEACHERS.
WE'VE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM AND THEN HAVE, TO MS. TIMMY'S POINT, THESE REALLY DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS ON HOW DO WE BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.
WE'RE GOING TO GET SOME TWEAKS WITH THE LEGISLATIVE DECISIONS AND THAT MAY HELP.
THAT'LL GIVE US A LITTLE BUMP, WE'LL FIND SOME EFFICIENCIES AND STAFFING.
WE'LL LOOK AT SOME OTHER PROGRAMMING WHICH MAY HELP OUT HERE AND THERE.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET $108 MILLION IN THREE YEARS.
THAT'S JUST NOT GOING TO DO IT.
I THINK IT'S TIME FOR US TO START HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
AS MUCH AS THIS ENGAGES THE COMMUNITY, WHOEVER WATCHES THIS OR ATTENDS THE MEETING OUT THERE, WE NEED TO HAVE A PLAN FOR ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY IN THESE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS SO THAT THERE'S NO SURPRISES.
THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AND I THINK THAT TIME IS UPON US. THAT'S ALL I HAVE RIGHT NOW.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. IT WOULD BE MY HOPE THAT IN JUNE WHEN WE BRING FORWARD A BUDGET FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER THAT A COMPLIMENT TO THAT BUDGET ADOPTION WOULD BE A FORMAL COMMISSION THAT THE BOARD WOULD ALSO TAKE ACTION ON THAT WOULD BASICALLY PUT TOGETHER A MORE COMPREHENSIVE, MORE BROAD BUDGET REVIEW TEAM.
THAT WOULD BE A NEXT STEP OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN.
VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT THE BOARD COMMISSIONED THE BOND STEERING COMMITTEE.
THAT REALLY WE WOULD WANT THE SAME THING BECAUSE I TRULY AGREE AND I BELIEVE TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE AND EVEN WE WOULD LIKE TO START THAT WHEN WE GET BACK FROM OUR MASS BREAK IN JULY, THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND THAT WORK NEEDS TO GET STARTED.
THAT WOULD BE A COMPLEMENT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING FORWARD AS PART OF THE BUDGET.
>> GOOD. GREAT. MISS. PACHECO.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT PRESENTATION AND YOUR EXPLANATIONS.
I WANTED TO ASK, THE REVENUE NUMBERS THAT YOU USED ARE THOSE STATIC NUMBERS JUST BASED ON THIS YEAR OR?
>> THE STATE REVENUE PORTION IS BASED ON CURRENT LAW AND BASED ON THE DEMOGRAPHER'S PROJECTIONS FOR STUDENT ENROLLMENT, AND THEN ESTIMATES OF HOW ALL OF THE VARIOUS SPECIAL POPULATIONS WILL CHANGE IN RELATION TO THAT CHANGE IN ENROLLMENT.
I'VE REVIEWED ALL OF THE VARIOUS SOURCES OF REVENUE I DID NOT.
THE TWO INPUTS FOR THE STATE REVENUE CALCULATION IS THE MIX OF STUDENTS AND THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ALONG WITH PROPERTY VALUE GROWTH.
I'VE PROJECTED THOSE AND THOSE ARE NOT STATIC, THOSE ARE CHANGING.
I DID AT ONE POINT, HAVE TO JUST GO, OKAY, WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO PROPERTY VALUE GROWTH AND IT'S RELATIVELY CONSERVATIVE.
IT'S 4% FOR 23, 24, AND THEN 3% OF THE YEAR THEREAFTER.
AGAIN, THE WAY CURRENT FUNDING FORMULAS WORK THERE'S REALLY NO NEW MONEY UNLESS THERE'S NEW KIDS, SO THAT IS DRIVING THE BIG PART OF THE REVENUE.
I DID LOOK AT THE OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE, MADE AN UPDATE FOR THE CURRENT YEAR AND THEN CARRY THOSE FORWARD AT THE SAME RATE.
FOR INSTANCE, A INDIRECT COST.
IT IS REALLY JUST BASED ON WHERE WE ARE NOW WITH OUR CURRENT MIX OF GRANTS.
CERTAINLY IF WE GET NEW GRANTS AND FUTURE YEARS THAT WILL CHANGE, THAT COULD INCREASE DEPENDING ON WHETHER OR NOT WE GET THE RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED WHICH IS REALLY TOO MUCH IN THE WEEDS, BUT I TRIED TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT WOULD HOPEFULLY BENEFIT US IN THE FUTURE ON THE REVENUE SIDE.
[02:40:02]
>> PERFECT. THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION.
I APPRECIATE IT INTO THIS DOUBLE-BACK ON MR. POTEET SAM COMMENTS.
WE DEFINITELY NEED TO SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF.
IT'S EXPENSIVE, ATTRITION IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN A RACE BECAUSE IT'S MARKETING, IT'S FINDING AN EMPLOYEE, IT'S TRAINING, IT'S BRINGING THEM HERE; BUILDING OUT A CULTURE INTO A SCHOOL, MORALE IN THE DISTRICT.
THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AND WE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THEM BECAUSE ULTIMATELY OUR TEACHERS AND OUR STAFF AND EVERYBODY HERE IN OUR DISTRICT ARE WHAT BUILDS AND MOLD OUR STUDENTS, AND EDUCATES THEM AND MAKE THEM SUCCESSFUL BASED ON OUR GRADUATE PROFILE.
I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ALWAYS CONSIDER THAT AND CONSIDER THAT WHEN WE DO OUR EFFICIENCIES.
I'M A BIG PROPONENT OF THAT AND FINDING A LARGE NUMBER THERE.
SO I APPRECIATE THE BALLPARK INFORMATION, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO JUST ALWAYS CONSIDER AND MAKE SURE WE DON'T HURT SOME OF OUR SCHOOLS THAT HAVE HIGH NEEDS, OUR SCHOOLS THAT MAY NEED MORE EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL THERE.
OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS; ALL OF THESE THINGS, AND I KNOW AND TRUST THAT YOU ALWAYS TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION.
AS FAR AS DIFFICULT CONVERSATION, YES, IT'S DIFFICULT, BUT IT'S REALISTIC.
WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND IT AND WE HAVE TO KNOW THAT WE WILL ALWAYS TAKE INPUT FROM OUR DISTRICT, OUR CONSTITUENTS, OUR PARENTS BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IT WORKS AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE PROVIDE THE BEST AND MOST EXCELLENT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE STUDENTS OF OUR DISTRICT.
>> THANK YOU MS. PACHECO. MRS. MCGOWAN.
I SAY WE GO WITH; I THINK IT WAS D, WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER AND PAY OUR TEACHERS WHAT THEY DESERVE. JUST AS A PARENT.
I GOT AN EMAIL TODAY FROM ONE OF MY KIDS TEACHERS, AND HE IS NO LONGER GOING TO BE WITH US.
IT IS ONE OF THE REASONS MY KID MADE THE DECISION TO PURSUE HIS EDUCATION AT LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL.
IF THERE WERE A DOLLAR AMOUNT I COULD PUT ON THAT GENTLEMAN'S PAYCHECK.
I WOULD DO IT TODAY. I'VE JUST THINK IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE ALSO TAKE CARE OF THE TEACHERS AND GIVE THEM WHAT THEY RIGHTFULLY DESERVE.
>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT, THAT INDIVIDUAL, AND HE'S A PHENOMENAL [OVERLAPPING] EDUCATOR.
AND HE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO INTO THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND MAKE A SIGNIFICANT STRIKE.
>> HE'S LEAVING THE OCCUPATION ALTOGETHER, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING WITH A LOT OF OUR TEACHERS.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S LIKE THEY SAID, NUMBER 1 THING IS THE FINANCE.
COMMENTS? QUESTIONS? MR. EAGER?
>> I JUST DON'T WANT TO KEEP REPEATING WITH ALL MY COLLEAGUES SAY, SO I THINK THE PEOPLE WATCHING OR PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE WE MEAN THEY GET IT.
THE IDEA THAT WE HAVE TO BE COMPETITIVE AND THE CHALLENGE WE'VE GOT AND THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES HERE ALSO BECAUSE ON THAT TOP LINE NUMBER GIVING OUR COMMUNITY AND RETHINKING THINGS THAT CAN DRAW STUDENTS BACK OR DRAW MORE STUDENTS TOO, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO RETHINK AND REVISIT WITH OUR COMMUNITY INPUT THE THINGS THAT CAN DRAW STUDENT ENROLLMENT UP.
LIKE MR. POTEET POINTED OUT, HEY, YOU'VE GOT THIS TRAJECTORY OF REVENUE DECLINING AND EXPENSES GOING UP.
NOW. I THINK PEOPLE GET TIRED OF ME SAYING THIS, BUT IT IS A EXTREMELY CHALLENGING SITUATION WHERE YOU'RE TRYING TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE TEACHER'S RAISES REASONABLE RAISES, AND WE'RE JUST KEPT.
EVEN IF WE MAGICALLY HAD A BUNCH OF STUDENTS FLY IN THE CHALLENGE WE'VE GOT IS THAT WE'VE GOT A CEILING ON THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE WHILE EXPENSES GO UP.
IF ALL WE DID IT HAD THE SAME EXACT NUMBER OF STUDENTS EVERY SINGLE YEAR, IT'S STILL WE WOULD CROSS THAT EXPENSE LINE.
THAT'S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WE'VE GOT FROM OUR STATE AND OUR LEGISLATORS BECAUSE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND YOU CANNOT SUSTAIN THAT BECAUSE THE EXPENSE IS CONTINUING TO GO UP AND YOU HAVE NO AVENUE TO RAISE ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
BUT BEYOND THAT, THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE AT IS THAT WE'VE GOT TO BE COMPETITIVE.
I KNOW OF TEACHERS THAT ARE SAYING, HEY, I'M DRIVING AN HOUR BECAUSE I LOVE RISD BUT $250. THAT'S A DIFFERENCE. THAT MAKES
[02:45:11]
A DIFFERENCE AND IT'S GETTING TO THAT POINT WHERE I HEAR, HEY, I DON'T WANT TO, BUT IT'S BECOMING HARD EITHER FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR OR JUST COMPETING DISTRICTS.AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'VE GOT TO AND I'M GOING TO JUST KEEP BEATING THE DRUM LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE HERE, WE'VE GOT TO RAISE THOSE, BUT WE'VE GOT TO BASICALLY GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE THESE TOUGH DECISIONS.
BUT WE NEED TO DO IT IN COORDINATION WITH INPUT FROM OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE WE'RE A COMMUNITY ON THIS.
THESE ARE GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT DISCUSSIONS BECAUSE, I MEAN, YOU JUST COME DOWN TO AT 24, 25 IS THE YEAR THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE THOSE CUTS.
BECAUSE ANYTIME YOU WORK IN THESE BIG BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS, YOU CAN'T DO IT YEARS AFTER THE FACT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DO IT IN A PREVENTATIVE STANDPOINT BEFORE WE HIT THOSE CEILINGS.
BUT ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, HEY, THERE MAY BE OPPORTUNITIES TO REVISIT NEW WAYS, NEW INNOVATIVE THINGS THAT WE CAN THINK ABOUT THAT CAN APPEAL TO A GROUP OF STUDENTS AND PARENTS.
IT'S NOT GLOOM AND DIM, I LIKE TO SAY, HEY THERE, IT'S A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME NEW WAYS THAT WE CAN REVISIT RISD.
>> I THINK AN IMPORTANT POINT THAT YOU BRING UP AND SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY MS. MORRIS AND I AND OUR STRATEGY AND ENGAGEMENT TEAM ARE WORKING ON, IT'S REALLY CLEARLY ARTICULATE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND TO OUR LEGISLATORS AND TO THE REST OF AUSTIN, THE REAL COST INCREASES THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED, I BELIEVE, FOR EXAMPLE, OUR INSURANCE COSTS HAVE GONE UP 106 PERCENT SINCE THEY MADE AN ADJUSTMENT INTO THE LAST BASIC ALLOTMENT.
WHAT THEY ARE PROPOSING RIGHT NOW THAT SITTING IN HOUSE BILL 100, IT DOESN'T EVEN COME CLOSE TO MATCHING THAT LEVEL OF INFLATION.
THE OTHER REALLY IMPORTANT THING THAT I WANT TO NOTE, WE CARE MOST ABOUT RICHARDSON ISD AND THAT HAS TO BE A PRIORITY.
I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WE'RE NOT ALONE IN THESE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS.
IF YOU ARE LISTENING TO THE NEWS, IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT ARTICLES FROM NOT JUST AROUND THE METROPLEX BUT AROUND THE STATE DISTRICTS, THE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS THAT MR. POTEET AND MS. TIMMY AND ALL OF YOU HAVE BROUGHT UP TONIGHT.
THEY ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN MANY DISTRICTS BECAUSE WE'RE ALL FACING THAT SAME CHALLENGE AND OUR EXPENDITURES, THE BASIC THINGS WE'RE NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT, THE INNOVATIVE ONES IN THE INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES THAT COULD YIELD EVEN STRONGER STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.
WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT THE REQUIRED HAVE-TOS.
THOSE COSTS ARE INCREASING AT SUCH A RATE AND YET, WE CONTINUE TO BE FEARFUL THAT AUSTIN IS NOT GOING TO RESPOND TO THOSE.
WE ARE WORKING ON A DOCUMENT IN A GRAPHIC THAT WE'RE GOING TO PRODUCE AND SHARE WITH OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE THINK THAT IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT.
WHEN YOU MAKE A PHONE CALL TOO, YOUR LOCAL LEGISLATOR AND YOU SAY, HEY, DID YOU KNOW THAT THE COST OF GAS WENT UP BY 10 PERCENT, THE COST OF OUR FOOD WENT UP BY SEVEN PERCENT, THE COST OF OUR INSURANCE WENT UP BY 106 PERCENT, AND YOU START USING THOSE REAL NUMBERS, AND YET YOU'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT MAYBE GIVING A ONE OR TWO PERCENT INCREASE IN THE BASIC ALLOTMENT.
MAYBE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO RESONATE IN A REAL WAY.
WE WILL BE LOOKING TO PUSH THAT OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
BUT THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS.
>> THE ONLY THING I WAS GOING TO ADD TOO, IS THAT I AGREE WITH MS. TIMMY.
THE FACT THAT EXPERIENCE PAYS FOR ITSELF UNLESS THERE'S LESS RETRAINING COSTS.
THERE IS HAVING THAT INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO HELP THE NEXT GENERATION OF TEACHERS.
AGAIN, WE'RE TRYING TO SQUEEZE EVERY DOLLAR WE CAN COME UP WITH. I KNOW WE ARE.
AND THE FACT LIKE YOU POINTED OUT, IF THERE'S COMMENTARY OR THOUGHTS THAT, WE'RE NOT BEING FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBLE WITH THE SPENDING.
I'M TELLING YOU THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO DO THIS RESPONSIBLY.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THE ECONOMICS OF THE MARKET ARE DRIVING SOME OF THIS.
BUT I HAVE FAITH IN OUR COMMUNITY.
[02:50:02]
I HAVE FAITH THAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH TOUGH TIMES BEFORE, AND WE WILL IN THIS TIME.>> SURE. I THINK I AGREE. LIKE MR. EAGER, I DON'T WANT TO REPEAT EVERYTHING THAT EVERYONE ELSE ALREADY SAID, BUT TO MY COLLEAGUES, LIKE MS. TIMMY, I THINK WHOEVER ELSE MENTIONED THE KEEPING OUR TEACHERS IS JUST SO IMPORTANT.
I MEAN, IT HAS TO BE, AND I KNOW THAT IT IS AMONG US HERE A PRIORITY.
WHEN I SEE THE NUMBERS OF JUST AGAIN, WHERE WE'RE AT, I AGREE THAT I WOULD NOT GO FOR ANYTHING THAT AT LEAST STARTS WITH A SIX EXACTLY WHAT MS. TIMMY SAID.
WHEN I SEE WHAT AGAIN, NOT ONLY OUR TEACHERS, BUT I THINK OF OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS AND I KNOW THAT I'VE ASKED THIS BEFORE AND DR. GOODSON, I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO WORK IN THE CLASSROOM AND FOR THESE PARAPROFESSIONALS WHO DO THE EXACT SAME JOB AS OUR TEACHERS.
I MEAN, THEY FILL IN FOR OUR TEACHERS.
THEY ARE JUST THE EQUIVALENT OF A TEACHER.
THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THAT DEGREE YET OR THAT CERTIFICATION YET BUT TO COMPENSATE THEM.
DR. GOODSON, THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING ALL MY QUESTIONS AND HELPING ME TO UNDERSTAND.
I KNOW THIS IS ACROSS THE BOARD, THE STATE, AND ALSO WITH OTHER COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS, BUT JUST TO KNOW OUR CUSTODIAL STAFF, JUST EVERYONE THAT HAS TO MAKE A DECENT LIVING.
WHEN WE SEE WHAT THEY MAKE, WHEN I SEE THAT NUMBER, AND I THINK ABOUT THE INSURANCE AS A FAMILY.
ON TOP OF THAT, THE DEDUCTION OF HAVING TO KEEP UP WITH INSURANCE COSTS.
IT'S JUST NOT DOABLE, IT'S NOT LIVABLE.
I KNOW THAT WE ALL THINK OF THIS AND I KNOW THAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT DOES LAY HEAVY ON OUR HEARTS, IT IS IMPORTANT.
BUT YES, NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF.
I THINK ABOUT WHAT MS. MCGOWAN SAID IN THE SENSE THAT HERE THIS TEACHER IS LEAVING.
WE'RE NOT ONLY COMPETING, I MEAN, FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO KNOW, WE'RE NOT ONLY COMPETING WITH OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES OR OTHER ISDS BUT WHAT IS IT? SEVENTY-SEVEN PERCENT OF TEACHERS ARE THINKING OF LEAVING THE PROFESSION ALTOGETHER.
WHERE WE'RE COMPETING WITH THAT, WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TO MAKE CHOICES OF WHAT'S BEST FOR THEIR FAMILIES, AND EVEN THOUGH THEY LOVE THEIR PROFESSION, BUT THERE'S A CHOICE THEY HAVE TO MAKE.
GETTING THE INPUT, AS MR. EAGER SAID, GETTING THE INPUT OF OUR COMMUNITY IS SUPER-IMPORTANT.
I KNOW FOR THIS HORSESHOE HERE FROM MY COLLEAGUES THAT COMMUNITY INPUT IS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT MATTERS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE NUMBERS, MR. PATE, DR. GOODSON.
YES, I WOULD TOTALLY SUPPORT ANYTHING THAT WILL ALWAYS PRIORITIZE OUR TEACHERS AND THE STAFF.
>> OUR SPARE TEACHERS, ARE THEY INCLUDED IN THOSE NUMBERS WITH JUST TEACHERS OR IS THERE A SEPARATE COLUMN?
>> THEY ARE A PART OF OUR T TYPE, BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT PENDING WHAT SPECIAL ROLE THEY HAVE.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF THEY MAYBE ARE A TEACHER IN A CENTRALIZED PROGRAM, THEY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT STIPEND THAT IS AN ADDITION TO THE SALARY, AND THE STIPENDS ARE NOT REFLECTED IN THIS PARTICULAR COMPENSATION CHART.
>> THE STIPENDS ARE IN THE COST STRUCTURE HERE OR THE MULTIYEAR, THEY'RE JUST NOT IN THE RAY'S CALCULATION PAGE.
>> ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? MS. BRANUM, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE WALK US THROUGH WHAT YOU NEED FROM US TONIGHT?
>> REALLY, I FEEL VERY GOOD AROUND THE MODELS THAT YOU WANT US TO BRING BACK AROUND THE COMPENSATION.
I UNDERSTAND MS. TIMMY'S QUESTION AROUND ADDRESSING STRATIFICATION AND ENSURING WHATEVER STRATIFIED PERCENTAGE THAT WE MODEL OUT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT AND HOW DOES THAT LEAVE US IN BENCHMARKING OTHER DISTRICTS.
I THINK THE ONLY OTHER PIECE OF FEEDBACK I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT AROUND AND AGAIN, YOU CAN LOOK AT THEIR MULTIYEAR AND WE KNOW WE'RE NOT IN A POSITION WHERE WE CAN HAVE ALL OF OUR WONDERFULS.
THIS PART MAY BE LIMITED, BUT ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS SIDE OF IT? HEALTH INSURANCE, WE MODELED THE COST FOR POTENTIALLY AN INCREASE THERE.
WE'VE GIVEN YOU SOME IDEAS AROUND LEAVE OR EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT.
ARE THERE ANY OF THOSE SPECIFIC BENEFIT STRATEGIES THAT YOU WOULD LOVE FOR US TO EXPLORE A LITTLE BIT MORE, MODEL OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE,
[02:55:02]
PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT MORE STRUCTURE AROUND WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE AN IMPLEMENTATION.REALLY IT'S MORE ON THE BENEFIT SIDE OR REALLY LOOKING AT WHERE WE ARE WITH THE BUDGET.
WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS THIS YEAR.
LAST YEAR WE DID LOT AROUND BENEFITS, WHETHER IT'S THE CHILDCARE ACADEMIES, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS THAT THIS YEAR, REALLY WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS PRIMARILY ON COMPENSATION.
JUST ANY FEEDBACK THE BOARD MAY HAVE IN THAT IN THAT DIRECTION, PLEASE.
>> CERTAINLY I THINK THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT THOSE BENEFITS AND I THINK ESPECIALLY SINCE IT'S THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR.
WHETHER IT'S JUST PAY OUT FOR THAT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD FOR THAT.
WELL, I ABSOLUTELY THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT, AND IF THE RATES GO UP SIGNIFICANTLY WHERE IT NULLIFIES THE RAYS THAT WE'RE GIVING.
I MEAN, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION THAT'S HAPPENED IN YEARS PAST.
BUT I WOULD ALSO SAY TOO, LIKE FOR ME A PRIORITY IS GOING TO BE ARRAYS OR OTHER THINGS AS WELL BECAUSE THAT DOESN'T IMPACT EVERYBODY.
NOT EVERYBODY TAKES OUR INSURANCE.
WHILE I ABSOLUTELY WANT TO DO THAT IF POSSIBLE AND FIND THAT.
BUT IF WE'RE LOOKING AT WHAT THAT PRIORITY IS TO ME, IT'S GOING TO BE THE RAYS BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE WHAT IMPACTS EVERYBODY ELSE.
I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL HAVE MULTIPLE OPTIONS AND LAYERS OF THOSE OPTIONS THAT WE CAN ACCESS.
>> THANK YOU, MS. TIMMY. MR. POTEET?
>> TO HER POINT TOO, I THINK THAT THE STAFF SURVEY POINTED US TOWARDS WHAT'S IMPORTANT.
I THINK THAT THAT DRIVES OUR PRIORITIES RIGHT NOW.
WHEN WE'VE GOT LIMITED RESOURCES, WE DO HAVE TO CHOOSE AND I THINK WE DID THE RIGHT THING BY ASKING WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO THE STAFF.
I THINK THAT'S WHERE I WOULD DEFINITELY, BUT I DO LIKE AND I THINK YOU STARTED MODELING OUT SOME OF THE COSTS OF SOME OF THE BENEFITS, I THINK THAT'S GREAT INFORMATION TO HAVE AS WE GO THROUGH THESE MANEUVERS.
BUT DEFINITELY I'M FOCUSED ON WHAT THE STAFF SAID AND WHERE THAT LEADS US.
>> GREAT. I THINK MS. MCGOWAN.
WHATEVER THE STAFF SURVEY SAYS IS WHERE WE GO.
WE MAKE THAT THE PRIORITY AND WE HEAR THEM AND WE ACT ON THAT.
>> NO, I ABSOLUTELY ALSO AGREE.
I DID HAVE A QUESTION ON THE INSURANCE.
CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH IT MR. PATE AND MAYBE I'M THINKING IT'S A QUESTION FOR YOU, MR. PATE, WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT THE INSURANCE, HOW DOES THAT WORK IN THE SENSE OF WHEN THE PREMIUMS GO UP, DO WE SHOP AROUND FOR SOMEONE ELSE? HOW OFTEN DO WE CHANGE THAT? HOW DOES THAT LOOK? WALK US THROUGH WHAT SELF-INSURED WOULD BE BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED THAT, BUT CAN YOU GIVE SOME INPUT ON WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE?
>> YES. CURRENTLY WE ARE IN TRS-ACTIVECARE. WE DON'T HAVE ANY OPTION.
WHEN YOU'RE IN TRS-ACTIVECARE, YOU HAVE THE OPTIONS THAT TRS GIVES YOU.
CURRENTLY THERE ARE FOUR OPTIONS.
THERE'S A FIFTH ONE THAT NEW PARTICIPANTS CANNOT JOIN.
THAT IS OUR EMPLOYEES CHOICES.
THE ONLY WAY TO HAVE DIFFERENT CHOICES WOULD BE TO LEAVE TRS-ACTIVECARE AND GO OUT ON OUR OWN.
CURRENTLY, OUR RISK POOL IS ALL THE DISTRICTS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING IN TRS-ACTIVECARE.
THE RISK IS SHARED WITH A VERY BROAD GROUP OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
IF WE GO OUT ON OUR OWN, WE'RE IN IT.
THERE ARE SOME OPTIONS TO JOIN WITH A FEW OTHER DISTRICTS.
I THINK THIS IS A NEW AND CHANGING LANDSCAPE ON GOING BACK TO SELF-INSURANCE NOW THAT LEGISLATION PASSED THAT ALLOWS DISTRICTS TO LEAVE TRS-ACTIVECARE.
I'VE BEEN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT PRESENTATIONS ON IT, I'M CONTINUING TO MONITOR THAT TO SEE IF IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO US.
BUT AGAIN, IT'S A FIVE-YEAR CHOICE.
RIGHT NOW WE CAN LEAVE ANY YEAR.
ONCE WE LEAVE WE'RE OUT FOR FIVE.
ONCE YOU GO BACK TO TRS, YOU'RE IN FOR FIVE.
IT'S A SIGNIFICANT DECISION ONCE YOU MAKE THAT DECISION.
I CAN TELL YOU HAVING BEEN SELF-INSURED IN THE PAST, WE HAD A SMALLER PROVIDER NETWORK AT THE TIME, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE TODAY AND THAT'S WHY I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT HAPPENS WITH MESQUITE BECAUSE THEY ARE SO CLOSE TO US.
BUT I REMEMBER IN THE PAST WHERE YOU HAD PLENTY OF DOCTORS HERE IN THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH AREA, LET'S SAY OR AT LEAST A GOOD CHOICE OF DOCTORS HERE.
BUT THEN IF YOU HAD CHILDREN THAT WERE IN COLLEGE OR
[03:00:03]
OTHERWISE DEPENDENCE STILL ON YOUR INSURANCE THAT WERE LIVING OUTSIDE OF THE DFW AREA, EVERY DOCTOR'S VISIT AT THAT POINT JUST BECOMES AN EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT.THERE WAS NOT IN NETWORK DOCTORS NECESSARILY OUTSIDE OF MAYBE AUSTIN COLLEGE STATION, LUBBOCK KIND OF THING.
I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION WELL OR NOT.
>> NO. THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT ALSO, SO THE COMMUNITY KNOWS EXACTLY HOW THAT WORKS.
BECAUSE THAT'S ONE OF OUR NUMBER 1 BENEFIT I WOULD THINK.
THAT PEOPLE COME AND SEE, OKAY, IF IT'S AT NUMBER 2 IS BENEFITS ASIDE FROM INSURANCE? WHAT ELSE IS THAT? AGAIN, I'M JUST TRYING TO CALCULATE WHEN I SEE WHAT THESE DIFFERENT JOBS PAY AND THEN HOW EXPENSIVE INSURANCE IS, AND WHAT OPTIONS DO WE HAVE? IS THERE ANY PENALTY IF YOU ARE ON A SPOUSE'S INSURANCE?
>> NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF CURRENTLY WITH TRS.
I KNOW IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAT THERE ARE SOME COMPANIES WILL SAY IF YOUR EMPLOYER OFFERS INSURANCE TO YOUR SPOUSE AND I'LL PICK ON MY WIFE FOR A MINUTE.
HER COMPANY COULD SAY THAT IF MY EMPLOYER OFFERS HEALTH INSURANCE, THEN MY EMPLOYERS INSURANCE HAS TO BE PRIMARY.
HER INSURANCE WOULD ONLY COVER ME A SECONDARY INSURANCE.
TRS DOESN'T DO THAT AT THIS POINT.
COULD THEY DO THAT IN THE FUTURE? POSSIBLY. BUT LIKE ANYTHING LEGISLATIVELY, WE'LL DEAL WITH THAT IF AND WHEN IT EVER HAPPENS.
>> I THINK WE HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY WHAT MESQUITE IS DOING WITH THEIR SELF-INSURED TO SEE, DOES IT REALIZE BOTH THE OUTCOMES? BECAUSE, WHAT I ALSO WOULD NOT WANT TO DO IS FIND A SLIGHTLY CHEAPER OPTION FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.
BUT IF THE COVERAGE, IF THE LOCATIONS THAT THEY CAN GO TO, IF THERE'S A LOT OF LIMITATIONS TO THAT, IN THE END, IT MIGHT SAVE THEM A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY, BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE [OVERLAPPING].
>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. THE OTHER THING THAT I'M ALSO CAUTIOUS, AT LEAST RIGHT NOW WITH WHERE WE ARE, THE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE, HOW WE'RE TRYING TO FIND THESE EFFICIENCIES.
I'M GOING TO BE VERY HONEST AND VULNERABLE.
FOR THE DISTRICT AT THIS POINT TO STEP OUT AND TRY TO CREATE THE LEVEL OF CAPACITY AND KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT A STRONG INSURANCE PROGRAM WOULD LOOK LIKE, I DON'T HAVE THAT EXPERTISE.
[LAUGHTER] I WOULD NOT AGAIN, WANT TO DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD LEAVE OUR EMPLOYEES, AND AS YOU ALL HAVE SAID, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF THAT.
THERE ARE SOME ADVANTAGES OF HAVING EXPERTS THAT THIS IS WHAT THEY DO, THEIR NETWORK IS SO LARGE.
AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO, I HOPE, THE SUCCESS THAT MESQUITE HAS.
THEN AGAIN, IF WE SEE THAT AS A REAL OPPORTUNITY, WE WOULD HAVE LOTS OF CONVERSATIONS AND LOTS OF INPUT FROM LOTS OF STAKEHOLDERS IF THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE WANTED TO EXPLORE IT.
>> ABSOLUTELY. I APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE I JUST THINK FOR, AGAIN, FOR OUR TEACHERS, OUR STAFF, AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT THAT IS IMPORTANT.
WE KNOW THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT, THIS IS THE NUMBER 2 MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT THEY STATED ON THE SURVEY AND WE WANT TO BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT THE NEEDS ARE AND HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. PATE, YOU DID ANSWER MY QUESTION. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> I KNOW MR. EAGER HAS ONE MORE THING I DO WANT TO POINT OUT BECAUSE I KNOW THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST BECAUSE OFTENTIMES WE DON'T GET OUR INSURANCE PREMIUMS UNTIL SO LATE ESPECIALLY IN THE LEGISLATIVE YEAR.
ONE THING I KNOW A PAST BOARD HAS DONE IS WHEN THE INSURANCE RATES CAME BACK, IT WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE AND THEY DID DO A BUDGET AMENDMENT AFTER THEY CAME BACK IN THE FALL TO RAISE OUR CONTRIBUTION A LITTLE BIT.
THAT IS, AGAIN, WE MAY NOT HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS THAT WE NEED WHEN WE HAVE TO ADOPT A BUDGET AND WE DO HAVE TO ADOPT A BUDGET, BUT WE WOULD HAVE THE OPTION TO POTENTIALLY MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS IF THEY CAME IN EXTREMELY HIGH.
>> ALL RIGHT, GREAT. MR. EAGER.
>> IT'S OKAY. HERE'S SOMETHING ELSE I WOULD ASK IS THAT,
[03:05:05]
TAKE A LOOK AT THE PAID MATERNITY AND PARENTAL LEAVE.BECAUSE HERE'S THE THING WITH THAT IS THE FACT THAT OKAY, IT'S IN THE TOP FIVE.
EVEN IF IT'S JUST SENDING A MESSAGE, MAYBE WE CAN ONLY DO TWO DAYS, MAYBE WE CAN DO THREE DAYS EARLY, BUT THE THING THAT'S GOING TO MAKE I GUESS WHEN WE START COMPETING FOR TALENT, AND THEY'RE MAKING ASSESSMENTS WHERE I WANT TO GO.
WELL, IT'S GOING TO BE SALARY CHECK AND IF YOU LOOK LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, THEN THESE LITTLE THINGS.
RIGHT HERE'S ME SAY THIS, BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO SEND MESSAGES OF LITTLE BIG THINGS, IS SIMPLY TO SAY WE'RE NOT ONLY CONCERNED AND WANT YOU HERE AS PART OF THE RISD FAMILY, BUT WE WORRY ABOUT YOU AS A WHOLE PERSON.
THAT, HEY, WHEN YOU'RE THERE HAVING A NEW MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY, HEY, THAT EXTRA ONE OR TWO DAYS SENDS A MESSAGE.
HEY, WE WANT YOU TO BE THERE WITH YOUR NEW FAMILY MEMBERS.
NOW, WHEN WE HAD TWINS, AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO GO HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE WE WERE A LITTLE SCARED.
THEY DIDN'T REALIZE THAT WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE WERE DOING, SO WE NEEDED AN EXTRA COUPLE OF DAYS TO SOMEHOW REALIZE, OKAY, THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO GOOD PARENTS.
BUT THE OTHER THING TOO, ON THE OTHER END OF IT, AND SOME OF US ARE A LITTLE OLDER, GRAY HAIR, YOU START LOSING PARENTS, AND THOSE ARE HARD TIMES.
WHEN YOU LOSE UNEXPECTEDLY, FAMILY MEMBERS YOU'RE JUST NOT IN THE RIGHT HEAD.
YOU'RE JUST NOT IN THE RIGHT SPOT.
WHAT I'D ASK IS THAT, HEY, LETS JUST SEE IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT SENDS A MESSAGE TO, WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT RISD, YOU'RE PART OF AN RISD FAMILY AND WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT YOU AS A WHOLE PERSON AND JUST SEE WHAT THE COST IS ON THAT.
>> YES, THANK YOU FOR THAT, MR. EAGER. THAT IS TRUE.
I DO ALSO ADVOCATE FOR PARENTAL MATERNITY LEAVE BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT.
NOT A LOT OF DISTRICTS ARE DOING IT BASED ON THIS CHART.
THAT WOULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENTIAL AROUND US EVEN IF IT'S JUST FOR A SHORT TIME, OR WE DO IT IN SOME OTHER FORM OR FASHION WHERE THE PARENT FEELS LIKE, WOW, THEY'RE LISTENING, THEY'RE TAKING CARE OF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF.
I ALSO SEE THAT PART OF WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR, THEIR SECOND CHOICE WAS RETIREMENT PLAN CONTRIBUTION AND THE THIRD ONE WAS NOT USING PERSONAL DAYS.
ALTHOUGH I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT NOT USING PERSONAL DAYS AND BEING PAID FOR THEM, I JUST DON'T KNOW.
SOMETIMES I FEEL PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE THEIR TIME OFF IF THEY NEED IT.
LIKE SOMETIMES I FEEL THAT KEEPS PEOPLE FROM DOING IT.
BUT I DO FIND IT INTERESTING ON HOW THAT RETIREMENT PLAN CONTRIBUTION IS PUT TOGETHER WITH THEIR ABSENCES.
I THINK THAT IS AN INTERESTING THING THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER AND THINK ABOUT, ESPECIALLY SINCE, I WILL GO BACK TO MY GRADUATE PROFILE, FINANCIAL LITERACY IS IMPORTANT AND RETIREMENT IS PART OF THAT.
WE SHOULD PUSH THAT FOR OUR TEACHERS.
WE SHOULD TRY TO HAVE 100% PARTICIPATION AND IF WE'RE NOT, THEN WE NEED TO DO SOME OF THAT BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO HAVE FINANCIAL LITERACY AND SAVINGS FOR THEMSELVES AS WELL AND FOR US TO CONTRIBUTE, EVEN IF IT'S A SMALL AMOUNT, EVEN IF IT'S FOR ONE OR TWO DAYS FOR THOSE ABSENCES.
I THINK THAT GOES A LONG WAY BECAUSE THE COMPOUNDS AND AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN THEY'RE READY TO RETIRE, THEY'LL HAVE SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE HELP THEM TAKE CARE OF, SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MS. PACHECO? MS. MCGOWAN, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING?
>> YES. ON THE PERSONAL DAYS, DO YOU GUYS NOT HAVE A LIKE IF YOU DON'T USE IT BY A CERTAIN TIME FRAME, YOU LOSE IT, OR IS THERE ANY CUTOFF TIME?
>> YOU RECEIVE FIVE STATE SICK DAYS AND THEN THERE ARE FIVE LOCAL DISTRICT DAYS.
NOW, IF YOU HAVE THE LOCAL DAYS, IF YOU MOVE TO ANOTHER DISTRICT, YOU DO LOSE THOSE DAYS.
THEY DO NOT ROLL FORWARD, BUT WE DO NOT.
AS IF I'M A FIRST-YEAR TEACHER IN 23, 24, I RECEIVE 10 DAYS AND IF I DON'T USE ANY OF THOSE DAYS THE NEXT YEAR, I WOULD GET 10 MORE AND SO I WOULD HAVE 20 AND SO I'LL JUST TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, I HAVE OVER 140 DAYS THAT I'VE ACCUMULATED THAT ARE SITTING THERE.
>> WITH THE MATERNITY AND PATERNITY LEAVE WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING OR TALKING ABOUT, WHICH I'M A HUGE PROPONENT OF.
[03:10:03]
THEY'RE USING SOME OF THOSE DAYS, ROLL THEM OVER AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE REALLY USING FOR MATERNITY BENEFIT.I AGREE WITH YOU AS WELL AS WE WITNESSED JUST THIS YEAR, WE'VE HAD KIDS THAT PASSED AWAY, AND NOT ONLY DOES IT AFFECT PEOPLE WHO ARE ELDERLY PARENTS, IT AFFECTS OUR CHILDREN TOO.
WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THOSE THINGS BECAUSE IT'S JUST NOT GETTING EASIER.
WE'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT THIS YEAR TOO.
I THINK WE DO NEED TO CONSIDER THAT THE BEREAVEMENT PIECE AND THE MATERNITY OF COURSE IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? WE GAVE YOU A LOT TO HAVE THAT.
I'M NOT SURE. MS. BRANUM, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU NEED US TO CONDENSE THAT.
>> YEAH, I'VE GOT IT. I'M GOOD.
>> I JUST THOUGHT MAYBE WE WANTED TO PULL IT IN A LITTLE BIT, BUT IF YOU'RE OKAY.
>> MS. PATE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MS. BRANUM, THANK YOU AS WELL.
>> IF THERE'S NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS IN REFERENCE TO THE BUDGET, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT ITEM,
[IV.G. Board of Trustees Training Hours]
WHICH IS AN INFORMATION ITEM.COMPLETING REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION EACH YEAR OF SERVICE IS A BASIC OBLIGATION AND EXPECTATION OF ANY SITTING BOARD MEMBER, ISD BOARD MEMBERS TAKE THEIR TRAINING REQUIREMENTS VERY SERIOUSLY AND BOARD MEMBERS REGULARLY EXCEED TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.
AS BOARD PRESIDENT, I AM REQUIRED TO ANNOUNCE THE NAME OF EACH MEMBER WHO, AS OF THAT MEMBERS, ANNIVERSARY OF ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD, HAS COMPLETED THE REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION, HAS EXCEEDED THE REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION AND IS DEFICIT IN MEETING THE REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION.
THERE ARE NINE CATEGORIES OF BOARD MEMBER CONTINUING EDUCATION.
ONE, IS LOCAL DISTRICT ORIENTATION FOR FORCE YOUR TRUSTEES.
TWO, INTRODUCTION TO THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE FOR FIRST-YEAR TRUSTEES.
THREE, OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT FOR YOUR FIRST 90 DAYS IN OFFICE.
FIVE, POST-LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TO THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE.
FOLLOWING EACH LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
SIX, TEAM-BUILDING, TEAM OF EIGHT.
SEVEN, EVALUATING STUDENT OUTCOMES EVERY TWO YEARS.
EIGHT, CHILD ABUSE REPORTING EVERY TWO YEARS.
NINE, ADDITIONAL CONTINUING EDUCATION, 10 HOURS FOR FIRST-YEAR, FIVE HOURS FOR SUBSEQUENT YEARS.
I WILL ANNOUNCE EACH BOARD MEMBERS COMPLETION OR DEFICIENCY OF THE REQUIRED TRAINING UNDER EACH CATEGORY AS APPLICABLE FOR THE PARTICULAR BOARD MEMBER.
I ALSO WILL ANNOUNCE ANY BOARD MEMBERS TRAINING IN EXCESS OF A CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS.
LOCAL DISTRICT ORIENTATION FOR FIRST-YEAR TRUSTEES.
THE FOLLOWING FIRST-YEAR BOARD MEMBERS COMPLETED THE LOCAL DISTRICT ORIENTATION TRAINING.
RACHEL MCGOWAN AND VANESSA PACHECO.
INTRODUCTION TO THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE FOR FIRST-YEAR TRUSTEES.
THE FOLLOWING FIRST-YEAR BOARD MEMBERS COMPLETED THE INTRODUCTION TO THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE TRAINING.
RACHEL MCGOWAN AND VANESSA PACHECO.
OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT.
FIRST 90 DAYS IN OFFICE.THE FOLLOWING FIRST-YEAR BOARD MEMBERS COMPLETED THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT TRAINING.
RACHEL MCGOWAN AND VANESSA PACHECO.
THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS COMPLETED THE CYBERSECURITY TRAINING.
REGINA HARRIS, DEBBIE ANDREA, RACHEL MCGOWAN, AND VANESSA PACHECO.
[03:15:02]
CONGRATULATIONS.POST LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TO THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE FOLLOWING EACH LEGISLATIVE SESSION, NO BOARD MEMBERS WERE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE POST-LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TO THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE TRAINING THIS YEAR.
WE LOCKED UP. TEAM-BUILDING, TEAM OF EIGHT, ALL BOARD MEMBERS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT.
THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS COMPLETED THE TEAM-BUILDING TRAINING.
MR. ERIC EAGER, REGINA HARRIS, MR. CHRIS POTEET, MS. DEBBIE ANDREA, MS. MEGAN TIMMY, RACHEL MCGOWAN, AND MS. VANESSA PACHECO.
EVALUATING STUDENT OUTCOMES EVERY TWO YEARS.
THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS COMPLETED EVALUATING STUDENT OUTCOMES TRAINING.
REGINA HARRIS, RACHEL MCGOWAN, AND VANESSA PACHECO.
CHILD ABUSE REPORTING EVERY TWO YEARS.
THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS COMPLETED THE CHILD ABUSE REPORTING, TRAINING, DEBBIE ANDREA, RACHEL MCGOWAN, AND VANESSA PACHECO.
ADDITIONAL CONTINUING EDUCATION, 10 HOURS FOR YOUR FIRST YEAR, FIVE HOURS FOR SUBSEQUENT YEARS, THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS COMPLETED THE REQUIRED ADDITIONAL CONTINUING EDUCATION TRAINING.
ERIC EAGER, REGINA HARRIS, CHRIS [INAUDIBLE] DEBBIE ANDREA, MEGAN TIMMY, RACHEL MCGOWAN, AND VANESSA PACHECO.
EACH BOARD MEMBER EXCEEDED THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION TRAINING FOR THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 11TH, 2022 THROUGH APRIL 13TH, 2023.
LET YOU KNOW THE TOTAL HOURS COMPLETED AND THE NUMBER OF EXCESS HOURS.
MR. ERIC EAGER, TOTAL HOURS COMPLETED 21.
NUMBER EXCESS HOURS, NINE HOURS, CONGRATULATIONS, MR. EAGER. REGINA HARRIS, TOTAL HOURS COMPLETED 34.5.
[LAUGHTER] MR. CHRIS POTEET, TOTAL HOURS COMPLETED, 16.5 AND EXCESS HOURS 4.5.
MS. DEBBIE RENTERIA, NUMBER OF HOURS COMPLETED, 22.5, EXCESS HOURS, 10.5.
MEGAN TIMMY, 23.5, TOTAL HOURS COMPLETED, EXCESS HOURS, 11.5.
RACHEL MCGOWAN, TOTAL HOURS COMPLETED, 45.5, EXCESS HOURS, 20.5.
MS. VANESSA PACHECO, 35.5, TOTAL HOURS COMPLETED, NUMBER OF EXCESS HOURS, 10.5.
FOR THE ENTIRE BOARD, TOTAL HOURS COMPLETED, 199 HOURS, EXCESS HOURS, 89 HOURS.
[APPLAUSE] WE HAVE ALL WORKED VERY HARD AND DILIGENTLY [APPLAUSE] AS A TEAM AND INDIVIDUALLY WHEN WE GO OUT AND DO OUR BOARD WORK, WHETHER WE'RE IN THE SCHOOLS, WHETHER WE'RE IN COMMUNITIES, IN AUSTIN, WHEREVER WE ARE, WE ARE REPRESENTING RICHARDSON ISD, AND WE ALL ENJOY IT, SO CONGRATULATIONS ON A SUCCESSFUL YEAR OF HOURS.
[IV.H. Intruder Detection Audit]
IS AN INFORMATION ITEM ON THE INTRUDER DETECTION AUDIT REPORT. MRS. BRANUM.>> MRS. HAYES, I'LL TURN IT RIGHT OVER TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT MIRANDA.
I'M GOOD. GOOD EVENING, BOARD.
WE'VE HAD A BUSY MONTH SINCE OUR LAST MEETING FOR OUR INTRUDER AUDITS, OUR THIRD-PARTY AUDITOR HAS BEEN BUSY GOING AROUND OUR DISTRICT, SO I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THE FOLLOWING SCHOOLS.
PAROCHIAL JUNIOR SCHOOL, MST, FOREST MEADOW, HAMILTON PARK, LAKE HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL, CANYON CREEK, PRESTON WOOD, WALLACE, FOREST RIDGE, ALL RECEIVED UNANNOUNCED INTRUDER AUDITS AND RECEIVED NO FINDINGS.
WE DID HAVE WESTWOOD JUNIOR HIGH RECEIVE AN AUDIT AND THERE WAS ONE FINDING THERE,
[03:20:02]
AND WE WILL BRING THAT BACK TO THE BOARD AT OUR NEXT MEETING FOR CLOSE SESSION DETAILS AND OUR ACTION PLAN.>> THANK YOU, MS. HAYES, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS BOARD? GOOD JOB TO THOSE SCHOOLS OUT THERE.
YOU'RE DOING GREAT. OUR FINAL ITEM
[IV.I. Discussion of Legislative Issues]
IS A LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM LIZ MORRIS, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON.>> AS MS. MORRIS IS COMING FORWARD.
I WOULD JUST SAY THAT THIS IS THE TIME WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THOSE THOUSANDS OF BILLS START TO BEING FILTERED DOWN AND WE'RE STARTING TO HAVE SOME COALESCING AROUND THE THINGS THAT WE THINK COULD MOVE FORWARD AND I THINK YESTERDAY WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME HAVING CONVERSATIONS AROUND.
THIS IS GOING TO BE REALLY A SESSION OF WHAT ARE WE WILLING TO GIVE AND WHERE MAYBE ARE SOME OF THE CONCESSIONS WE'RE WILLING TO MAKE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE KNOW WE HAVE TO HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD.
MS. MORRIS, IF YOU WILL JUST PROVIDE US WITH A FEW HIGHLIGHTS.
>> SURE. I WANTED TO TELL YOU JUST A FEW THINGS ABOUT A BUDGET BILL THAT PASSED TODAY.
HOUSE BILL 100 IS SOMETHING THAT'S ON THE BOOKS TODAY AND WE WILL GET SOMETHING OUT TO YOU ALL WITH DETAILS BECAUSE THERE WAS A COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE.
WHAT'S BEEN INTERESTING THIS SESSION, MORE THAN OTHER SESSIONS THAT I REMEMBER AS THEY WERE BRINGING IN SUBSTITUTES FOR BILLS AND WE DON'T GET TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE.
THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS ON THAT.
IT'S QIN KING. WHAT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE IS THAT AS THE ONLY SCHOOL FINANCE BILL, THERE ISN'T ONE IN THE SENATE.
THEY HAVE A FEW THINGS FOR TEACHERS AND THEY HAVE A FEW BILLS FOR SAFETY, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE NECESSARILY A SCHOOL FINANCE BILL AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM.
I THINK YOU ALL KNOW THAT THE HOUSE PASSED THE BUDGET BILL THAT HAS GONE THROUGH THE HOUSE AND IT'S NOW IN THE SENATE AND YOU PROBABLY HAVE HEARD THAT THE HOUSE ALSO PASSED TODAY, THEIR HOUSE BILL 2, I THINK ON THE SECOND READING, I THINK THEY HAVE TO FINALLY PASS IT TOMORROW.
BUT THAT IS THE ONE WITH A PROPERTY TAX RELIEF OF ABOUT $17 BILLION.
BUT THAT'S AN APPRAISAL CAP OF FIVE PERCENT AND THE SENATE HAS SAID, OR I GUESS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS SAID, THAT THAT'S NOT GOING TO WORK.
THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME DISCUSSION BETWEEN HOW PROPERTY TAXES ACTUALLY GOING TO GET TO PEOPLE IF IT'LL BE IN THE FORM OF A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION OR WILL IT BE IN COMPRESSION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TAX RATES AND THEN THE APPRAISAL RATES, SO JUST STAY TUNED FOR LOTS OF THINGS THAT ARE STILL MOVING AROUND.
A LOT OF DETAIL. LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE. HERE'S A PIECE OF GOOD NEWS.
SENATE BILL 30 IS THE APPROPRIATION SUPPLEMENTAL BILL THAT WRAPS UP WHAT HAPPENED FOR THIS BIENNIUM AND THEY DID HAVE SOME EXTRA MONEY AS I KNOW, WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT IT AND THEY PUT $1.6 BILLION IN THAT FOR TEA, FOR SCHOOL SAFETY INITIATIVES.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT'LL LOOK LIKE.
WE DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S COMING THROUGH IN A SCHOOL SAFETY ALLOTMENT, BUT THERE IS MONEY THERE FOR THAT, SO THAT'S A GOOD THING THAT HAS HAPPENED AND I'M HAPPY TO REPORT GOOD THINGS.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS IN SENATE BILL 9, WHICH THEY CALL THE TEACHER OF RIGHTS BILL AND THAT'S GOING TO BALANCE OFF AT THE HOUSE BILL 11, WHICH IS ANOTHER TEACHER BILL.
THOSE THINGS INCLUDE A TEACHER PAY RAISE THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, JUST SO THAT YOU ALL KNOW THAT TEACHER PAY RAISE THEY'RE INCLUDING IS FOR $2,000 FOR ONE YEAR.
IT'S ALWAYS INTERESTING TO SAY WHEN THEY SAY THEY PUT ALL THIS MONEY IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, GAVE TEACHERS RAISE OF $2,000 BUT THEN THEY FORGET TO TELL YOU THAT, HEY, IT'S JUST FOR A YEAR, AND OH, BY THE WAY, SINCE IT'S IN THERE, NOW, THEY'RE GOING TO EXPECT IT FOR THE OTHER YEARS, WHICH WE KNOW HOW THAT GOES.
SCHOOL SAFETY BILLS ARE MOVING, THEY'RE PROBABLY ABOUT SIX THAT ARE MOVING AND YOU CAN TELL, I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING THAT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE IT IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER AND THAT'S MAY 8TH WILL BE THE LAST DAY FOR HOUSE COMMITTEES TO REPORT OUT HOW HOUSE BILLS, SO A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND SO BY THEN THINGS WILL REALLY START WRAPPING UP AND SLOWING DOWN AND THEN WE'LL REALLY START TO UNDERSTAND WHAT SOME OF THE BILLS THAT ARE STILL MOVING ARE GOING TO DO.
THERE'S ALWAYS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THEY WILL ADD ON SOMETHING IN A BILL THAT SOMEBODY MIGHT HAVE REALLY LIKED THAT DECIDED TO NOT GO ANY FURTHER, THEY MAY ATTACH IT TO SOMETHING ELSE, BUT THERE'LL BE A LOT OF COMMITTEE MEETING, I MEAN, NOT COMMITTEE CONFERENCE COMMITTEES BETWEEN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE WHERE THEY WILL HASH OUT A LOT OF THESE DIFFERENCES, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO.
MS. BRANUM, WAS THERE ANYTHING ELSE IN PARTICULAR?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ADDRESS ANY OF THE CONVERSATION THAT WE'RE HAVING AROUND.
[03:25:02]
I FEEL LIKE WE'RE MAKING SOME MOVEMENT ON IMA AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ALLOTMENT, AND CONNECTING THAT TO SOME MORE PRESCRIPTIVE.>> 1605. SORRY. YES. IF YOU WANT TO PROVIDE ANY.
>> WELL, THERE'S THE BILL AND IT'S BEING LOVINGLY KNOWN AS THE COMMISSIONERS' BILL BECAUSE BASICALLY WHAT IT DOES IS IT I THINK HE'S TRYING TO PROVIDE AS A STATE CURRICULUM FOR EVERYONE TO USE AND AS A PART OF THAT, THERE ARE SOME FUNDING THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT, SO YOU GET MORE FUNDING IF YOU PICK THE STATE CURRICULUM THAN IF YOU PICK YOUR OWN CURRICULUM.
THINGS LIKE $40 A KID OR VERSUS 20 AND TEA IS USING A LOT OF THE IMA FUNDING, I THINK THEY'RE CALLING IT IMTA, IS THAT RIGHT? INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY ALLOTMENT.
THEY'LL TAKE A LOT OF THAT TO ACTUALLY WORK ON THIS CURRICULUM THAT THE STATE IS GOING TO HAVE, WHICH THERE'S A LOT OF PUSHBACK FROM DISTRICTS ON THAT PEOPLE WANT TO DO THEIR OWN, THAT'S WHY THEY GOT INTO TEACHING, SO THEY COULD DO SOME OF THESE THINGS AND DISTRICTS HAVE DEVELOPED A LOT OF THEIR OWN CURRICULUM AND I THINK HIS PERSPECTIVE IS PROBABLY WE GOT TO GET THIS.
I GOT TO GET MY ARMS AROUND THIS AND THE ONLY WAY I CAN DO IT AS, AS EVERYBODY HAS THE SAME CURRICULUM, SO THEY'RE GOING TO STILL BE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE WORKED ON, BUT IT IS GOING TO BECOME CLEAR IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE WEEKS FOR SURE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH.
I THINK AGAIN, LIKE I SAID WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE VOUCHER RESOLUTION, THE FINANCE PART OF IT IS GOING TO PROBABLY BE THE BIGGEST PART THAT WILL IMPACT US THE MOST, AS YOU ALL CAN SEE RIGHT HERE FROM YOUR BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.
I GUESS IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS OR WONDERS ABOUT SOMETHING, ANY OTHER COMMENTS.
>> WE MAKE IT A COUPLE MORE TRICKS TO AUSTIN.
[LAUGHTER] I'LL ONLY COME BACK IF I HAVE GOOD NEWS NEXT TIME? [LAUGHTER]
>> WE ENJOY YOU. THANK YOU, MS. MORRIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WE APPRECIATE IT. COLLEAGUES, GUESS WHAT? THAT WAS THE LAST ITEM ON OUR AGENDA AND IT'S NOT EVEN TEN O'CLOCK.
>> YEAH. I AM GOING TO ADJOURN THIS MEETING BEFORE IT TURNS TEN O'CLOCK.
THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED AT 09:45 P.M.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.