Nov 07, 2024 Regular Board Meetings

[I. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:09]

GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO THE NOVEMBER MEETING OF THE RICHARDSON ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

I AM CHRIS POTEET, BOARD PRESIDENT.

MISS MEGAN TIMMY AND MISS RACHEL MCGOWAN WILL NOT BE JOINING US TONIGHT.

HOWEVER, WE DO HAVE A QUORUM PRESENT, AND THIS MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:02 P.M..

DOCTOR HELLER, WILL YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE OUR GUESTS TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE THIS EVENING? YES. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT POTEET, I AM SO EXCITED TO INTRODUCE TO YOU AND OUR AUDIENCE.

WE HAVE THREE STUDENT LEADERS FROM RICHARDSON ISD ACADEMY WITH US THIS EVENING.

I INTRODUCE TO YOU MAYA ONWABO.

FROM SECOND GRADE.

WE HAVE ELSA GONZALEZ FROM FOURTH GRADE AND ADALYNN SALGADO QUADRA FROM FIFTH GRADE.

AND THEY ARE GOING TO COME FORWARD AND JOIN IT AND LEAD US IN OUR PLEDGES.

OF ALLEGIANCE] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GREAT JOB LADIES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.

IF THE AUDIENCE WOULD NOW JOIN US IN THE FRONT HERE FOR A JOIN US, PLEASE JOIN US IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

THANK YOU.

NOW, COLLEAGUES, IT IS NOW TIME FOR OUR RECOGNITIONS.

DOCTOR HELLER.

YES. THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

THE RICHARDSON ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF STUDENTS, STAFF, SCHOOLS AND DEPARTMENTS.

OUR TRUSTEES ALSO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MAKE TO THE DISTRICT.

AT EACH OF OUR REGULAR MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS, WE TAKE TIME TO CELEBRATE THESE ACHIEVEMENTS.

WE ASK THAT OUR GUESTS AND VISITORS HELP CELEBRATE THESE RECOGNITIONS BY STAYING TO ENJOY THE ENTIRE RECOGNITION PROCESS.

THIS ALLOWS EVERYONE TO SHOW THEIR APPRECIATION FOR EACH RECIPIENT.

THERE WILL BE A SHORT BREAK AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE RECOGNITIONS PORTION OF THE AGENDA.

ANY GUESTS WISHING TO LEAVE THE AUDITORIUM CAN DO SO AT THAT TIME.

SO YES, I AM VERY EXCITED TO PRESENT TO YOU THIS THIS MONTH, PARTNER RECOGNITION.

WE HAVE OUR FRIENDS HERE FROM LENNOX INTERNATIONAL.

I'M GOING TO INVITE THEM TO COME FORWARD AND STAND NEXT TO ME TO MY LEFT HERE AT THE PODIUM.

VERY EXCITED TO SHARE WITH YOU WHY WE ARE CELEBRATING LENNOX.

THEY RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH WISH FOR WHEELS WHICH IS A NONPROFIT TO ASSEMBLE AND DONATE 60 NEW BICYCLES AND HELMETS TO DESERVING STUDENTS AT NORTHRIDGE ELEMENTARY.

THIS PAST MONTH, BOTH SECOND AND THIRD GRADERS EARNED THEIR BIKES BY RECEIVING THEIR CITIZENSHIP BADGE AND SHOWING GROWTH ON THEIR BEGINNING OF THE YEAR MAP ASSESSMENTS, PLUS MORE STUDENTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN A BIKE THROUGHOUT THE FALL SEMESTER.

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH LENNOX AND THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR RSD STUDENTS AND STAFF.

SO THIS EVENING WITH US FROM LENOX, WE HAVE MARY ELLEN MUNDY, TRISH WARD, AND NIKKI ARONSON.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

AND WE WILL GRAB A PICTURE AFTER EACH RECOGNITION.

THANK YOU AGAIN TO OUR FRIENDS AT LENOX.

THANK YOU.

AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO MOVE INTO OUR STAFF RECOGNITION THIS EVENING AND VERY EXCITED THAT WE ARE RECOGNIZING OUR VERY OWN DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY AND

[00:05:04]

HEARTS OF SERVICE AWARD WINNER THAT WAS RECENTLY GRANTED HER FROM ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL, THE RICHARDSON CLUB.

AND I KNOW MANY OF US GOT TO BE THERE ON THAT SPECIAL DAY TO RECOGNIZE ALEJANDRA.

SHE WAS HONORED AGAIN AS AN OUTSTANDING WOMAN OF TODAY.

HEARTS OF SERVICE BY ALTRUSA, WHICH IS AN INTERNATIONAL NONPROFIT MAKING LOCAL COMMUNITIES BETTER THROUGH LEADERSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND SERVICE.

AS AN OUTSTANDING WOMAN OF TODAY NOMINATION, IT IS A VERY DISTINGUISHED HONOR FOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

WOMEN ARE RECOGNIZED FOR EXEMPLIFYING, DETERMINATION AND INNOVATION, AND FOR MAKING OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS IN THEIR CHOSEN CAREERS AND ALEJANDRA WAS RECOGNIZED AS A GROUP FOR EDUCATION HERE IN THE RICHARDSON AREA.

SHE THESE WOMEN ARE APPLAUDED FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR THE FUTURE OF WOMEN AND PROVIDING LEADERSHIP IN THEIR FIELDS.

SO AGAIN, WE RECOGNIZED ALL OF THE NOMINEES AT THE LUNCHEON RECENTLY, AND WE ARE SO PROUD TO RECOGNIZE ALEJANDRA THIS EVENING.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND WE'RE GOING TO GRAB THAT PICTURE.

THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS, ALEJANDRA.

AND WE DO HAVE A STUDENT, RSD BE THE ONE AWARD RECOGNITION THIS EVENING I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE FORWARD MR. OWEN CLARK.

YES, THIS IS OWEN CLARK, THE SON OF TIM AND KIM CLARK, BOTH EMPLOYEES HERE IN RSD.

YES. OWEN IS A SENIOR AT RICHARDSON HIGH SCHOOL.

AND WE ARE RECOGNIZING HIM FOR SOME EXTRA SPECIAL TIME THAT HE HAS COMMITTED TO A GROUP OF STUDENTS LAST SPRING OR ACTUALLY IN THE SPRING OF 2022.

OWEN WAS IN SEARCH OF HOURS TO FULFILL HIS DUTIES WITH THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY.

HE STARTED COMING AND HELPING THE FOURTH GRADE BEASTMODE FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM, MADE UP OF STUDENTS FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ACROSS RICHARDSON ISD.

AFTER COMPLETING HIS NHS HOURS THAT SPRING, THE KIDDOS TALKED OWEN INTO COMING BACK FOR THEIR FIFTH GRADE YEAR AND NOW THEIR FIRST SEASON IN TACKLE FOOTBALL AS SIXTH GRADERS.

COACH O, AS HE HAS BECOME KNOWN AS, HAS HELPED WITH COUNTLESS PRACTICES, GAMES, AND SUPPORTED THE STUDENTS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS AND FOUR SEASONS OF FOOTBALL. COACH OWEN IS PAYING IT FORWARD BY IMPACTING THESE YOUNG ATHLETES WITH HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF SERVICE AND A LOVE FOR THE GAME AND BOYS HE COACHES.

WHAT STARTED TWO YEARS AGO IS EARNING SOME HOURS FOR NHS HAS NOW TURNED INTO COACH OWEN BEING A VITAL PART OF THE BEASTMODE FAMILY.

THANK YOU, COACH OWEN FOR YOUR LOVE, SUPPORT AND KNOWLEDGE.

CONGRATULATIONS, OWEN.

ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO GRAB THAT PHOTO, MR. CLARK.

CONGRATULATIONS, OWEN.

AND WE JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK ALL OF THE FAMILY AND STAFF AND COMMUNITY HERE THAT ARE SUPPORTING THESE STAFF AND PARTNERS AND STUDENTS THAT WE ARE RECOGNIZING. WE KNOW WE COULD NOT DO IT WITHOUT OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.

SO THANK YOU AS WELL.

WE WANT TO GIVE YOU A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

AND WITH THAT THAT CONCLUDES OUR RECOGNITIONS FOR THIS MONTH.

[00:10:10]

THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION.

[II. PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION]

DO WE HAVE ANY PERSONS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO ADDRESS THE BOARD? WE DO MR. POTEET. THANK YOU ALL.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, I WELCOME OUR VISITORS.

DURING TODAY'S MEETING, SPEAKERS MAY COMMENT ON BOTH AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS. AS A REMINDER, SPEAKERS ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE PUBLIC COMMENTS PROTOCOL AS NOTED ON THE RISD WEBSITE.

SPEAKERS, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AT THE FRONT OF THE AUDITORIUM WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME.

OUR FIRST SPEAKER FOR THIS EVENING IS MR. EWEN BLACKMAN.

GOOD EVENING. BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES, ESTEEMED EMPLOYEES.

I WANT TO SHOUT OUT TO MY WIFE, BY THE WAY.

SHE HAS A BIRTHDAY THIS WEEKEND AND THE REASON WHY I DO THAT AT THIS FORUM IS BECAUSE SHE IS ACTUALLY THE ONE THAT HOLDS ME BACK A LOT OF TIMES ON SOME OF THESE COMMENTS I MAKE.

SO IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO HAS A CERTAIN SET OF SKILLS TO TEACH PRE-K, THAT'S MY DARLING WIFE.

SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

ACCOUNTING, ACCOUNTABILITY, A VERY IMPORTANT THING.

I NEVER WANTED TO KNOW WHAT GAS OR GAGAS OR CHAPTER TWO OF THE CFR PART 200 WAS.

BUT HERE WE ARE.

WE TRUST MR. PATE, BUT WE VERIFY WHAT OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN OUR DISTRICT DO THIS? POLICY DEPARTMENT, THE COMMITTEE THAT REWRITES THOSE.

OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT, OUR PEDAGOGY, OUR PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTED.

WHO'S ACCOUNTING FOR THOSE? WHO'S ACCOUNTABILITY DO WE HAVE FOR WHAT PROGRAMS ARE IMPLEMENTED AND WHAT SYSTEMS WE CHANGE? WELL, THAT WOULD BE PART OF ME AND OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO STAND BEFORE YOU AND SPEAK AND WHO WORK WITH MANY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, AS I HAVE.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT TRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

I TRUST MR. PATE.

I'VE MET WITH HIM, SO IT'S NOT BLINDLY TRUSTING, BUT IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD TALKS AND DISCUSSIONS AT GREAT LENGTH.

HE LISTENED AND HE EXPLAINS, AND BY NO MEANS DO WE TOTALLY AGREE ON EVERYTHING, BUT I CAN SEE HIS REASONING.

SAME THING WITH SUPERINTENDENT BRANUM.

WE AGREE ON A LOT OF EDUCATIONAL ISSUES.

WE SPEAK AT GREAT LENGTH AND WHEN WE DISAGREE, I DEFER TO HER AUTHORITY.

IF IT WAS A BIG ENOUGH DISAGREEMENT, THEN I SPEAK ABOUT IT PUBLICLY OR MAKE A VIDEO.

THAT'S HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS.

IT IS WHAT MY AND NO OUR COMMUNITY WANTS AND EXPECTS.

SO WHEN I SEE THINGS LIKE THE UNASSIGNED SCHOOL FUND IS UP, THAT'S A GOOD THING.

THAT'S MR. PATE WORKING THAT MAGIC I REFERRED TO EARLIER WITH THE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE, THE LIMITED RESOURCES WE HAVE TO WORK WITH.

BUT I ALSO THANK THE TAXPAYERS, THE FOLKS IN RICHARDSON WHO FIT THAT BILL, ME BEING ONE OF THEM TO MANY, MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

WE THANK YOU FOR THAT.

THAT'S AN INVESTMENT WE HAVE IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

IT'S A STRONG POSITION WE HAVE FINANCIALLY IN RICHARDSON, AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

BUT I ALSO SEE THAT WE MUST BE AWARE THAT MR. PATE DOESN'T SET THE STANDARDS FOR WHERE WE SPEND THAT MONEY.

AND SO I WANT TO ASK, LEST WE FORGET, REMIND YOU THAT WE SPENT MONEY ON INDOOR FOOTBALL FIELDS, AND AT THE SAME TIME, WE HELD BACK ON WHAT I'D LIKE TO CALL ACADEMIC INFRASTRUCTURE, LIKE THE PLANETARIUM OR THE ENTERPRISE CITY, OR PERHAPS THE OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THOSE THINGS BEING BACK ON THE AGENDA SOON, WHERE WE CAN REBUILD SOME OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE TO GET OUR KIDS UP TO SPEED ON THE ACADEMIC SIDE OF THINGS.

WE HAVE AN ELECTION COMING UP IN MAY, AND NOW THAT THE OTHER ONE THANKFULLY IS OVER, WE CAN ALL BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF THERE.

WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ELECTION, AND WE HAVE THREE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE UP FOR ELECTION, AND I THINK IT WILL BE BEHOOVING UPON US TO MAKE UP A T TEST, WHICH IS OUR TEACHER EVALUATION SYSTEM, PERHAPS A BOARD TEST FOR OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES EVALUATION SYSTEM, AND WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO THAT IN THE COMING MONTHS, AS I'VE PUT THAT TOGETHER AND PRESENT IT TO YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

THANK YOU, MR. BLACKMAN.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MR. JONATHAN ANDERSON.

I DON'T THINK THAT MY DEVICE IS GOING TO FIT AS EASILY.

ALL RIGHT. AFTERNOON, BOARD MEMBERS, RISD FACULTY ADMINISTRATORS GREATLY APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU ALL. MY NAME IS JONATHAN ANDERSON.

I HAVE THREE CHILDREN.

[00:15:01]

I AM A PRODUCT OF RISD.

I GRADUATED FROM J.J.

PEARCE HIGH SCHOOL, AND RECENTLY MY NIECE, WHO MY WIFE AND I, WE TOOK GUARDIANSHIP OF HER ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO.

SHE GRADUATED LAST YEAR AND SHE IS NOW AT OU.

WE'RE FAIRLY FAMILIAR WITH THE RISD SYSTEM.

RECENTLY A NEW LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED, SCHOOLOGY.

AND AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IT IS A REQUIRED USE PROGRAM.

I AM ACTUALLY IN SCHOOL MYSELF RIGHT NOW AT PURDUE GLOBAL UNIVERSITY.

AND SO I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. AND WITH THAT I'M ACTUALLY WRITING A PAPER AND IT'S SPECIFIC TO THIS NATURE.

SO I'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND READ YOU MY THESIS ON WHAT I WAS GOING TO PRESENT.

AND NOW I'M JUST PRESENTING THIS A LITTLE BIT EARLIER THAN INTENDED.

BUT RICHARDSON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SHOULD SUSPEND THE USE REQUIREMENT OF SCHOOLOGY LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO REDUCE DIGITAL ASSIGNMENT OVERCOMPLICATION, IMPROVE GRADES OF DISTRICT STUDENTS, AND IMPLEMENT AN AGE APPROPRIATE LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM THAT ENCOURAGES SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL GROWTH.

SO THAT'S MY CURRENT THESIS.

I THINK IT'LL DO ME WELL IN THAT.

BUT MORE TO THE POINT LAST OR TONIGHT, ABOUT 30 MINUTES AGO, I WAS JUST TRYING TO SIFT THROUGH ABOUT FOUR DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS TO ASSIST MY SON WITH BEING ABLE TO MAKE HIS WAY THROUGH HIS SCHOOL.

AND ONE OF THOSE ACTUALLY CAME UP WITH A PAYWALL, AND I DO NOT HAVE THE CODE TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO THAT SYSTEM TO HELP MY SON TURN IT IN.

MILDLY FRUSTRATING.

I AM ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE AT SOME POINT IN TIME THAT IT HAS COME TO MY WIFE OR TO MYSELF, BUT IT HAS BECOME OVER CONVOLUTED IN THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS THAT WE'RE UTILIZING, AND IT'S MY RECOMMENDATION THAT A MORE APPROPRIATE LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BE LOOKED AT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I'VE ALREADY BEEN CONTACTED BY THE TECHNOLOGY TEAM TO HAVE THOSE KINDS OF DISCUSSIONS, BUT I HAVE ALSO BROUGHT WITH ME ONE OF MY SOURCES THAT I'LL BE LOOKING TO UTILIZE FOR MY PAPER THAT WAS WRITTEN WITH EXCUSE ME FINDING THE EDUCATION IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY WITH EARLY LEARNERS BY MISS MCMANUS AND MISS GUNNEWEG, PHD AND A MED, MISS GUNNEWEG FROM TEXAS.

OH, AND I RUN OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU, MR. ANDERSON.

MR. POTEET, THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR THIS EVENING.

ALL RIGHT. WE WANT TO AS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE THANK OUR THE PUBLIC FOR ENGAGING AND USING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO US.

WE APPRECIATE THAT AND YOUR TIME.

[III. CONSENT / CONFIRMATION AGENDA ITEMS]

DOES ANYONE ON THE BOARD WISH TO PULL ANY CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION? OKAY. SEEING NONE, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? SO MOVED.

THANK YOU, MISS PACHECO.

AND IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU MR. EAGER. ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ON THE MOTION.

OKAY. HEARING NONE.

ALL IN FAVOR OF PASSING THIS MOTION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

AND THAT PASSES 5 TO 0.

OUR NEXT ACTION ITEM IS TO CONSIDER GIFTS.

[IV.A. Consider Gifts]

AS ALWAYS, WE WANT TO EXTEND OUR APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE FOR WHETHER IT'S AN ANONYMOUS DONOR, LIKE THE SIGNIFICANT GIFT THAT WE HAVE TONIGHT OR IT IS OUR PTA OR COMMUNITY OR A BUSINESS AND PARTNERS, THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN OUR CAMPUSES.

THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN OUR STAFF AND OUR KIDS.

AND WITH THAT, I'VE ASKED MR. PATE TO PRESENT TONIGHT'S REPORT.

THANK YOU, MRS. BRANUM.

I'M HAPPY TO PRESENT GIFTS RECEIVED THIS MONTH.

WE HAVE ONE GIFT OVER $5,000 SUBMITTED FOR BOARD APPROVAL.

AN ANONYMOUS DONOR DONATED $6,553.77 TO FOREST MEADOW MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND WE HAVE 18 GIFTS.

LESS THAN $5,000 FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES TO CAMPUSES ACROSS THE DISTRICT, TOTALING $15,706.40, WHICH ARE SUBMITTED FOR THE BOARD'S INFORMATION.

TOTAL GIFTS THIS MONTH ARE $22,260.17.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. PATE. WITH THAT, I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD ACCEPT THE GIFTS OF $5,000 OR MORE AS LISTED.

[00:20:07]

THANK YOU, MISS RENTERIA.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, MISS HARRIS.

ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THE GIFTS? NO, MISS PACHECO.

YES. I'D JUST LIKE TO THANK ALL THE DONORS AND THE PTAS THAT WORKED SO HARD TO, YOU KNOW, FUNDRAISE AND PROVIDE OUR SCHOOLS WITH MUCH NEEDED LEARNING MATERIALS AND EXTRA THINGS THAT THE STUDENTS ENJOY.

I LIKE THAT I SEE THE NOVELS AND STEM SUPPLIES AND CRAFT SUPPLIES FOR FOREST MEADOW.

THAT WAS REALLY CUTE AND I'M JUST EXCITED THAT THEY'LL BE ABLE TO USE IT.

THANK YOU, MISS PACHECO.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? OKAY WITH THAT? HEARING NONE. NO ADDITIONAL ONES.

ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

OKAY. THANK YOU. AND THE MOTION PASSES, 5 TO 0.

[IV.B. Professional Learning Update]

MISS BRANUM. THANK YOU.

I AM BEYOND EXCITED TO INVITE OUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TEAM TO THE PODIUM.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A PRESENTATION THAT WAS REQUESTED BY THE BOARD.

WE HAVE NOT HAD AN OPPORTUNITY IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS TO REALLY PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO OUR COMMUNITY, NOR THE BOARD AROUND THE WORK THAT WE DO IN THIS KEY AREA OF SUPPORTING OUR STAFF TO GROW.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE WE HAVE A NORTH STAR GOAL.

WE HAVE A HOUSE BILL THREE ACADEMIC OUTCOME GOALS.

AND IF WE DO NOT HAVE A STRONG PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TEAM THAT IS COMMITTED AND DEDICATED TO HAVING THE TRAINING, THE SUPPORTS AVAILABLE FOR OUR STAFF TO CONTINUE TO GROW, WHETHER IT'S OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS, IT'S OUR TEACHERS, IT'S OUR AUXILIARY STAFF, IT'S OUR PRINCIPALS.

IF WE ARE NOT GROWING, THEN WE CANNOT ACHIEVE THOSE HOUSE BILL THREE GOALS.

SO WE ARE HONORED AND EXCITED TO BRING TO YOU THE WORK THAT IS LED BY SHAWNA BALLAST AND HER TEAM.

AND WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO YOU.

AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR YOUR UPDATE TONIGHT.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MISS BRANUM.

GOOD EVENING. BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

SUPERINTENDENT BRANUM AND ESTEEMED CABINET MEMBERS.

I'M SHAUNA BALLAST, AND I SERVE AS THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LEADERSHIP AND INTERVENTION TEAM.

ONE OF MY ROLES WITH RISD IS THAT I SUPERVISE A TEAM THAT IS DEDICATED TO LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT THROUGH TARGETED COHORTS AND DISTRICT WIDE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING. OUR MISSION IS TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF ALL RISD STAFF, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS.

THIS EVENING, IT IS OUR PRIVILEGE TO PRESENT AN OVERVIEW OF OUR LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SERVICES, HIGHLIGHTING HOW WE EMPOWER OUR EDUCATORS AND LEADERS TO CREATE CHANGE ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

FIRST, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR INCREDIBLE TEAM WHICH OPERATES UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MIKE CASO, OUR CHIEF OF STAFF.

THIS TEAM BRINGS A LEVEL OF EXPERTISE, ENERGY AND NEW PERSPECTIVES TO PROFESSIONAL LEARNING.

AMBER LAMBERT, COORDINATING DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING.

LAURA MOORE, DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING.

CHRISTY CAGE, TEACHER AND CAMPUS SUPPORTS COORDINATOR, AND CAROLYN KNIGHT, LEADERSHIP AND INTERVENTION SPECIALIST.

THIS EVENING WE WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH OUR JOURNEY EXPLORING WHERE WE'VE BEEN, WHAT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING LOOK LIKE TODAY IN RISD. CELEBRATING THE REMARKABLE EFFORTS OF THIS DEDICATED TEAM.

IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE AMBER LAMBERT TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING IN RISD.

THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE OUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING UPDATES AND UPGRADES WITH YOU TONIGHT.

AT THE HEART OF OUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EFFORTS IS A COMMITMENT TO THE GROWTH OF EVERY STAFF MEMBER, ENSURING CONTINUOUS LEARNING AND PROGRESS ACROSS ALL ROLES. ARE FOR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING.

GOALS AND OUTCOMES ARE INTENTIONALLY ALIGNED WITH STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, AIMING TO INCREASE BOTH TEACHER AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT THROUGH EFFECTIVE PRACTICES. ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE FOCUSED ON BUILDING CAMPUS CAPACITY TO DESIGN AND DELIVER THEIR OWN PROFESSIONAL LEARNING THAT MEETS THE UNIQUE GOALS OF THEIR CAMPUS.

WHEN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS DONE WELL, IT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO TEACHERS TO GROW THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SHARPEN THEIR SKILLS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO BETTER STUDENT

[00:25:02]

OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS TO ENHANCE THE CAPACITY OF THE EDUCATORS, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO DRIVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO IS A DEEP COMMITMENT TO OUR ISD'S NORTH STAR GOAL ENSURING EVERY STUDENT, TEACHER AND LEADER NOT ONLY MEET BUT EXCEEDS THEIR ACADEMIC GROWTH GOALS.

WE SUPPORT THIS EFFORT THROUGH HIGH QUALITY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN OUR ISD ALIGN WITH THE LEARNER GROWTH EXPERIENCE FRAMEWORK AND T TESTS, FOCUSING ON BEST PRACTICES TO SUPPORT HIGH QUALITY TIER ONE INSTRUCTION BY INTEGRATING THE GRADUATE PROFILE AND THE NORTH STAR GOAL.

THESE INITIATIVES PROVIDE ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCES FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENT SUCCESS.

THIS ALIGNMENT OFFERS A OFFER, FOSTERS, AND A COHESIVE APPROACH TOWARD ACHIEVING OUR ISD'S VISION OF STUDENT GROWTH AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY THAT EXTENDS BEYOND THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TEAM.

THE ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DEPARTMENT IS TO PROVIDE THE SYSTEMS AND SUPPORT THAT ENABLE DEPARTMENT TEAMS TO EFFECTIVELY LEAD ADULT LEARNING.

THROUGH EXTENSIVE COLLABORATION AND STRATEGIC GUIDANCE, THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DEPARTMENT ENSURES THAT ALL RISD DEPARTMENT TEAMS ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO DELIVER HIGH QUALITY ADULT LEARNING EXPERIENCES.

THIS IS ACHIEVED BY EMBEDDING TARGETED SYSTEMS OF SUPPORT BEST PRACTICES IN ADULT LEARNING AND RESEARCH BASED STRATEGIES THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH DISTRICT AND CAMPUS GOALS.

THESE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS FOSTER A UNIFIED APPROACH TO PROFESSIONAL GROWTH, ENHANCING INSTRUCTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, STRENGTHENING LEADERSHIP CAPACITY, AND ULTIMATELY DRIVING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

STAFF MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE 18 HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OUTSIDE OF THEIR REGULAR WORK HOURS, WITH OPPORTUNITIES TAILORED TO PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH GOALS.

THIS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING IS STRUCTURED INTO COMPLIANCE BUNDLES, CHOICE SESSIONS, AND DISTRICT MANDATED TRAININGS.

THESE OPTIONS PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY AND ENSURE THAT LEARNING EXPERIENCES ARE BOTH TIMELY AND ALIGNED WITH STANDARDS AND INDIVIDUAL ASPIRATIONS. TO DATE, OUR ISD STAFF HAVE PARTICIPATED IN OVER 700 PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SESSIONS, AMASSING A TOTAL OF 6632 LEARNING HOURS.

STAFF MEMBERS ARE ABLE TO TRACK THEIR LEARNING BY ACCESSING THEIR PORTFOLIO IN OUR EDGUPHORIA PLATFORM.

WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER THESE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, SUPPORTING OUR STAFF IN REACHING AND SURPASSING THEIR GROWTH GOALS.

THESE SESSIONS REFLECT OUR COMMITMENT TO ENSURE GOAL ALIGNED PROFESSIONAL GROWTH FOR ALL TEAM MEMBERS.

I WILL NOW TURN THINGS OVER TO LAURA MOORE, OUR DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A GLIMPSE OF SOME OF THE EXCITING ADDITIONS WE HAVE MADE IN PROFESSIONAL LEARNING IN OUR ISD THIS YEAR.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M HONORED TO HIGHLIGHT SOME EXCITING ENHANCEMENTS AND PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF OUR NEW PROFESSIONAL LEARNING GOALS FOR THIS YEAR, EMPHASIZING OUR COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

THESE UPDATES REFLECT A SHARPENED, SHARPENED FOCUS ON ALIGNING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WITH STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, INCREASING ENGAGEMENT AND BUILDING CAPACITY ACROSS CAMPUSES IN ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL THREE.

WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THREE PRIORITIES THIS YEAR.

OUR PRIORITIES INCLUDE CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WEBSITE, DESIGNING A YEAR LONG SERIES OF TARGETED SESSIONS SPECIFICALLY TO SUPPORT OUR FIRST YEAR TEACHERS, AND TO CREATE A COHORT OF EXPERT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING STAFF DEVELOPERS TO CREATE

[00:30:01]

TOGETHER, THESE EFFORTS ENSURE OUR STAFF HAVE THE TOOLS AND SUPPORT NEEDED TO MEET EVOLVING CHALLENGES AND ACHIEVE OUTCOMES.

A KEY FEATURE THIS YEAR IS OUR NEW PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WEBSITE.

STAFF FEEDBACK MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE COULD SIMPLIFY ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL LEARNING RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES BY CREATING A CENTRALIZED HUB WHERE TEACHERS AND STAFF CAN FIND EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO HELP WITH THEIR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH IN ONE CONVENIENT LOCATION.

THIS SITE OFFERS EASY ACCESS TO THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CATALOG, PRESENTER RESOURCES, NEW TEACHER SUPPORTS, AND OUR COMPLIANCE BUNDLES.

IN COLLABORATION WITH DISTRICT TEAMS, A QUARTERLY PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CATALOG IS DIGITALLY PUBLISHED ON THE SITE.

ANOTHER KEY FEATURE IS A COLLECTION OF PRESENTER RESOURCES DESIGNED FOR ANYONE LEADING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

THESE RESOURCES PROVIDE A RANGE OF ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS.

OUR ACHIEVED NEW TEACHER TRIBE IS AN EXCITING NEW INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ZERO YEAR TEACHERS WITH PRACTICAL, ACTIONABLE LEARNING TO ENSURE THEIR FIRST YEAR IS A SUCCESS.

ACHIEVE FOCUSES ON EQUIPPING NEW EDUCATORS WITH ESSENTIAL TOOLS, STRATEGIES AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS THAT FOSTER CONFIDENCE AND COMPETENCE IN THEIR NEW ROLES.

IN EACH SESSION, DISTRICT DEPARTMENTS ARE INVITED IN TO GUIDE OUR NEW TEACHERS THROUGH ESSENTIAL TOPICS TAILORED TO SUPPORT THEM THIS YEAR.

OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO GROW THESE EDUCATORS INTO LIFELONG TEACHERS, ALIGNING WITH OUR DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PLAN BY ENHANCING TEACHER RETENTION AND BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE EXCELLENCE.

THESE DAYS WITH OUR NEW TEACHERS ARE SOME OF OUR FAVORITES EACH MONTH.

WE HAVE THE NEXT ONE COMING UP IN TWO WEEKS.

OUR RISD STAFF DESERVE EXCEPTIONAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT LEAVE THEM ENERGIZED, CONFIDENT, AND READY TO APPLY THEIR NEW SKILLS.

THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PIONEERS IS A NEW COHORT THIS YEAR DESIGNED TO PREPARE CAMPUS LEADERS AND CENTRAL STAFF WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NEEDED TO BECOME EXPERTS IN PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR THE TEACHERS THEY SERVE THROUGH TARGETED TRAINING ON ADULT LEARNING.

THESE LEADERS WILL BE PREPARED TO DESIGN AND DELIVER ACTIONABLE, HIGH QUALITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT DIRECTLY ENHANCES TEACHER CAPACITY. THIS INITIATIVE AIMS TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP AT THE CAMPUS AND CENTRAL LEVEL, FOSTERING A CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS LEARNING THAT ENSURES PROFESSIONAL GROWTH TRANSLATES INTO IMPROVED INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES.

WITH THAT FOUNDATION IN PLACE, I'M EXCITED TO HAND IT OVER TO SHAUNA BALLAST, WHO WILL DIVE INTO THE WORK OF OUR LEADERSHIP COHORTS AND HOW THEY'RE DRIVING THIS VISION FORWARD IN OUR DISTRICT EIGHT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.

WE BELIEVE THAT HIGH QUALITY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING ARE POWERFUL TOOLS TO DRIVE GROWTH.

THESE EFFORTS BUILD CAPACITY OF CAMPUS ADMINISTRATORS AND CENTRAL LEADERS TO BE INNOVATIVE AND ADAPTIVE IN MEETING THE EVOLVING NEEDS OF OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR ISD. BY PRIORITIZING LEADERSHIP GROWTH GOALS, WE AIM TO CULTIVATE RESILIENCE AND GRIT WITHIN OUR LEADERSHIP TEAMS, EQUIPPING THEM TO LEAD AND NAVIGATE INSTRUCTIONAL DECISION MAKING AND CHALLENGES WITH STRENGTH AND AGILITY.

THIS YEAR, WE ARE EXPANDING OUR INFLUENCE, EXTENDING OUR SUPPORT TO RISD LEADERSHIP TEAMS TO AMPLIFY THEIR EFFECTIVENESS AND REACH.

OUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY IS DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING AND GROWING LEADERS AT EVERY STAGE, WITH A FOCUS ON CULTIVATING THOSE WHO LEAD OTHERS.

WHAT BEGAN IN 2022 WITH JUST TWO COHORTS HAS RAPIDLY EXPANDED TO FIVE COHORTS, EACH DESIGNED TO BUILD ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND PROVIDE A CLEAR PATHWAY TOWARD THE PRINCIPALSHIP.

THIS GROWTH REFLECTS OUR COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS, ENSURING A STRONG TALENT PIPELINE THAT SUPPORTS THE LONG TERM SUCCESS OF OUR CAMPUSES AND DISTRICT WITH A COMMITMENT TO NURTURING FUTURE LEADERS.

WE CELEBRATE THAT FOUR OUT OF THE FIVE NEW PRINCIPALS FOR THE 2425 SCHOOL YEAR ARE GRADUATES FROM THE ASPIRE COHORT.

IN ADDITION, THREE OF THE SEVEN PRINCIPAL RESIDENTS ARE GRADUATES OF THE FUTURE LEADER ACADEMY.

[00:35:04]

THROUGH INTENTIONAL, HIGH QUALITY LEARNING EXPERIENCES BUILT UTILIZING THE PLC MODEL, WE ARE BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF OUR EDUCATORS AND LEADERS TO ENSURE SUSTAINED SUCCESS.

THIS COMMITMENT TO GROWTH IS AT THE CORE OF EVERY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COHORT YOU SEE HERE.

ENSURING THAT EACH PROGRAM PROVIDES TARGETED, TARGETED SUPPORT TO STRENGTHEN OUR LEADERS AT EVERY LEVEL.

WE SELECTED A COHORT MODEL OVER STANDALONE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO DIVE DEEPER INTO THEIR LEARNING JOURNEY.

THIS MODEL FOLLOWS A THOUGHTFULLY CRAFTED SCOPE AND SEQUENCE DESIGNED TO MEET PARTICIPANTS EVOLVING NEEDS OVER TIME BY FOSTERING ONGOING ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION.

THE COHORT APPROACH ENSURES SUSTAINED GROWTH AND PROVIDES PARTICIPANTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH JOB ALIKE COLLEAGUES.

AS OUR DEPARTMENT GROWS ITS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COHORTS.

WE UTILIZE MULTIPLE SOURCES OF DATA TO DEVELOP CONTENT AND TO CREATE INFLUENTIAL COHORTS.

IN ORDER TO MEASURE OUR EFFECTIVENESS, WE UTILIZE EXISTING DATA RESOURCES SUCH AS MAP DISTRICT SURVEYS, INTERNAL SURVEYS, AND ANECDOTAL DATA COLLECTED BY OUR DEPARTMENT.

COHORTS FOR CENTRAL ADMINISTRATORS ARE CRAFTED TO STRENGTHEN THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS, EQUIPPING THEM WITH TOOLS OF EFFECTIVELY TO EFFECTIVELY GUIDE THEIR TEAMS. THESE NEW OPTIONAL COHORTS ALLOW TEAM LEADERS TO CHOOSE PARTICIPATION BASED ON THEIR TEAM'S SPECIFIC GOALS.

THIS COLLABORATIVE MODEL EMPOWERS ADMINISTRATORS TO DRIVE PROGRESS TOWARDS THE DISTRICT'S NORTH STAR GOAL.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THESE COHORTS INTEGRATES THE CLIFTON STRENGTHS FRAMEWORK TO HELP LEADERS LEVERAGE THEIR UNIQUE TALENTS AND THE MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR TO ENHANCE SELF-AWARENESS AND TEAM DYNAMICS.

THROUGH THESE TOOLS, ADMINISTRATORS GAIN DEEPER INSIGHTS INTO THEIR LEADERSHIP STYLES AND STRATEGIES FOR OPTIMIZING TEAM IMPORTANCE AND PRIORITIES. WE HAVE ESTABLISHED THREE DEDICATED COHORTS FOR PRINCIPALS, EACH FOCUSED ON FOSTERING THEIR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL.

THROUGH THESE COHORTS, PRINCIPALS WORK COLLABORATIVELY TOWARD AMBITIOUS GROWTH GOALS, ENSURING THEIR CAMPUSES MEET OR EXCEED PERFORMANCE TARGETS BY FOCUSING ON BUILDING EFFECTIVE PLCS AND UTILIZING MAP DATA TO GUIDE THEM IN DECISION MAKING.

THE COHORTS ARE DESIGNED TO ALIGN WITH TPES STANDARDS, SUPPORTING PRINCIPALS AND MEETING KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, AND MAINTAINING HIGH LEADERSHIP STANDARDS.

ADDITIONALLY, THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZES ENHANCING TIER ONE INSTRUCTION, PROVIDING PRINCIPALS WITH STRATEGIES TO ELEVATE CLASSROOM TEACHING QUALITY AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES. ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN CAMPUS SUCCESS.

WE DESIGNED THESE COHORTS TO PROVIDE OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS WITH ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR EFFECTIVELY SUPPORTING BOTH STAFF AND STUDENTS THROUGH TARGETED DEVELOPMENT.

APS GAINED THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO DRIVE POSITIVE OUTCOMES, FOSTER A THRIVING CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT, AND BUILD EFFECTIVE MAP DATA FOCUSED PLCS.

THE COHORTS ALIGNED WITH TPES STANDARDS TO ENSURE THAT APS MEET LEADERSHIP BENCHMARKS AND CONTRIBUTE MEANINGFUL TO SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT.

PARTICIPANTS ALSO LEARNED THE FUNDAMENTALS OF BEING EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATORS AND GAIN PRACTICAL SKILLS TO BETTER SUPPORT THEIR PRINCIPALS, STRENGTHENING OVERALL CAMPUS LEADERSHIP AND UNITY.

OUR CAMPUSES ARE HOME TO STAFF MEMBERS WHO LEAD AND SUPPORT THEIR TEAMS. OUR ISD INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES AND TEACHER LEADERS ARE THE FRONTLINE PRESENCE AT THEIR CAMPUSES.

OUR DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO NURTURING THEIR LEADERSHIP GROWTH, HELPING THEM MORE EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS THEY WORK WITH ALONGSIDE EVERY DAY.

THE FUTURE LEADER ACADEMY FOCUSES ON STRENGTHS THROUGH CLIFTON STRENGTHS AND POWER POSITIVE LEADERSHIP, COLLABORATING WITH OTHER CENTRAL DEPARTMENTS TO ENRICH THE LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR THESE LEADERS.

THE INSTRUCTIONAL GROWTH TEAM, COMPOSED OF CAMPUS INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES, ACADEMIC FACILITATORS, AND CAMPUS READING AND MATH SPECIALISTS, EMPHASIZE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND PARTNERS WITH DISTRICT TEAMS TO DELIVER THE LEARNING.

ADDITIONALLY, THE TEACHER LEADERS, THE TEACHER LEADER ACADEMY IS A DEDICATED COHORT DESIGNED TO DEVELOP OUR ISD TEACHERS TO TAKE ON LEADERSHIP ROLES WITHIN THEIR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES.

[00:40:03]

WE ALSO PROVIDE A DEDICATED COHORT FOR CENTRAL PARAPROFESSIONALS, ENSURING THEY HAVE VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND SKILL ENHANCEMENT.

WE OFFER LEAD WELL, A DIVERSE COHORT OF STUDENT LEADERS SELECTED BY CAMPUS PRINCIPALS.

THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO FOSTER THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHEN THEIR ROLE AS LEADERS WITHIN THEIR CAMPUS COMMUNITIES.

FEEDBACK FROM STUDENT PARTICIPANTS HAS BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE, WITH ONE FORMER PARTICIPANT NOW IN COLLEGE EVEN REACHING OUT TO THE LEAD WELL SPEAKER, TO SHARE HOW THE LESSONS LEARNED HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN NAVIGATING HER FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE.

THE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, LEADERSHIP AND INTERVENTION TEAMS HAVE CREATED A THRIVING CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS GROWTH AND LEARNING ACROSS RISD.

THEIR HARD WORK ENSURES THAT EVERY SUMMER SESSION IS THOUGHTFULLY CRAFTED, PROVIDING RELEVANT EXPERIENCES THAT SUPPORT EDUCATORS AND STAFF.

THEIR TIRELESS EFFORTS ENRICH THE PROFESSIONAL JOURNEYS OF TEACHERS AND STAFF, FOSTERING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYONE CAN EXCEL AND GROW.

WHILE WE HAVE HIGHLIGHTED OUR LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING UPGRADES, THE WORK DOES NOT STOP THERE.

WE ALSO HAVE DEPARTMENT GROWTH GOALS.

THAT INCLUDES ESTABLISHING RISD STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING THAT ARE DRIVEN BY THE LEARNING FORWARD STANDARDS.

LEARNING FORWARD IS A NATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON IMPROVING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR EDUCATORS BY SETTING STANDARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, PROVIDING GUIDANCE ON BEST PRACTICES, AND SUPPORTING EDUCATORS IN DRIVING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS.

WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT OUR WORK ALIGNS WITH BEST PRACTICES FOR HIGH IMPACT LEARNING FOR ADULTS.

AS A NEW TEACHER, I FEEL LIKE THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO AND SO MUCH TO PLAN FOR THAT.

IT'S BEEN VERY REWARDING TO KNOW THAT THERE IS SUCH A SUPPORTIVE TEAM OUT THERE JUST TO CALL AWAY.

I'VE BEEN ABLE TO CONNECT WITH EDUCATORS AND BE ABLE TO BOND OVER THE THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH.

WE REALIZE THAT WE ALL FACE SIMILAR CHALLENGES, BUT IT'S ALSO BEEN VERY REWARDING TO KNOW WE HAVE THE SAME GOAL AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHICH IS WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR STUDENTS.

BEING ABLE TO TAKE THAT TIME OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM, BUT STILL WITHIN WORKING HOURS.

AS AN EDUCATOR, I FEEL VERY RESPECTED AND VALUED, AND IT'S JUST BEEN AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE TO BE ABLE TO KNOW THAT I WORK FOR A DISTRICT THAT REALLY VALUES ME AS A NEW EDUCATOR, BUT IS ALSO WILLING TO PUT IN THE EXTRA TIME TO GUIDE ME AND SUPPORT ME AND MAKE SURE THAT I'M FULLY EQUIPPED.

EVERYTHING IS SO WELL ORGANIZED AND THOUGHT OUT.

YOU CAN DEFINITELY TELL THAT THE LEADERSHIP AND INTERVENTION TEAM PUT IN A LOT OF THOUGHT AND EFFORT INTO THESE SESSIONS.

I WALK AWAY WITH REALLY HELPFUL TOOLS THAT I CAN IMPLEMENT IN MY CLASSROOM WITHOUT FEELING REALLY OVERWHELMED, OR FEELING LIKE I'M ADDING TO MY TO DO LIST. I STARTED AS AN INTERVENTIONIST AND AT THE CAMPUS THAT I WAS SERVING, THE INSTRUCTIONAL COACH POSITION BECAME AVAILABLE, WHICH WAS PERFECT BECAUSE I HAD ALREADY BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE STUDENTS AND THE STAFF, AND WITHIN THAT ROLE, I WAS REALLY HONED AND CRAFTED AND SHAPED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT.

JUST WITH THE COACHING AT IGT, WHICH IS OUR INSTRUCTIONAL GROWTH TEAM MEETINGS THAT WE HAD REALLY HELPED ME GROW AS A LEADER.

JUST THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY GAVE US AS INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES TO GROW.

THEY'RE DOING THE SAME THROUGH THIS RESIDENCY PROGRAM, IN WHICH WE HAVE TAILORED CLASSES TO REALLY GET THOSE COMPETENCIES THAT WE NEED TO BE SERVING AS ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS NEXT YEAR.

I CAN JUST SEE HOW ALL THE STONES HAD BEEN LAID, AND YOU JUST CONTINUE TO GROW AND GROW AND GROW.

AND THAT'S WHAT I LOVE SO MUCH ABOUT THIS DEPARTMENT, IS THEIR KEEN EYE TO DETAIL IN HELPING YOU GET SPECIFIC SKILLS, AND WORKING WITH YOU AT A LEVEL TO GROW AND CULTIVATE, AND JUST REALLY MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MEETING AND EXCEEDING OUR GOALS AS PROFESSIONALS.

MISS BRANUM AND HER TEAM ARE GREAT AT GETTING FEEDBACK FROM CAMPUS PRINCIPALS AFTER EVERY PRINCIPAL MEETING, AND TRANSFORM HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREAT COHORTS THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THAT FEEDBACK, GIVING VETERAN PRINCIPALS AN OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE AND HAVE THAT TIME TOGETHER TO FOCUS ON ENHANCING OUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS MORE.

OVER THE YEARS, WE HAVE GIVEN FEEDBACK THAT WE WOULD LOVE OPPORTUNITIES NOT JUST TO GROW AT REGION TEN AND OUTSIDE OF OUR ISD, BUT TO GROW WITHIN OUR ISD AND

[00:45:09]

SHAWNA AND HER TEAM REALLY LISTEN TO OUR FEEDBACK AND ADAPT TRANSFORM TO WHAT WE NEED.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE WERE HAVING SOME REALLY GREAT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTIONAL FEEDBACK AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, AND WE REALLY SAW THAT WE HAD MANY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ABOUT WHAT THAT COULD LOOK LIKE FOR TEACHERS AND HOW IT WAS MEANINGFUL TO THEM.

AND SO THE LEADERSHIP AND INTERVENTION TEAM BROUGHT IN AN INCREDIBLE AUTHOR OF A COACHING AND FEEDBACK BOOK, AND IT'S A BOOK THAT I PULL OUT AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.

AND I KNOW WE ALL FOUND THAT TO BE A REALLY VALUABLE AND IMPORTANT EXPERIENCE THAT WE COULD BRING BACK TO OUR CAMPUS AND USE IMMEDIATELY.

HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AS A PROFESSIONAL WITH LIGHT COLLEAGUES HELPS ME FEEL MORE EFFICACIOUS AT MY JOB, AND GIVES ME AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF JOB SATISFACTION THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN TRANSFORM.

IN LEAD WELL, I'VE COMMUNICATED WITH OTHER ATHLETES FROM OTHER SCHOOLS ABOUT OUR TEAMS. THAT WAS A BIG STRUGGLE FOR ME AT FIRST, BUT NOW THAT I'M OLDER AND I'M SEEING A LOT OF THESE NEW, YOUNGER KIDS, IT'S HELPED ME OUT A LOT WITH THAT.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE OUR TEAM'S WORK WITH YOU TONIGHT.

EVERY INITIATIVE WE UNDERTAKE IS DRIVEN BY A COMMITMENT TO BE THE ONE AND FOSTERING PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND CREATING MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES THAT DEVELOP BOTH EDUCATORS AND LEADERS ACROSS OUR ISD.

FROM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO CENTRAL OFFICE.

WE'RE HONORED TO SUPPORT EVERY CHILD, EVERY TEACHER, EVERY LEADER, EVERY DAY AS THEY REACH TOWARD OUR DISTRICT'S NORTH STAR GOAL.

THANK YOU. OUR ISD SCHOOL BOARD SUPERINTENDENT BRANUM AND MIKE COSTO FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF THIS MISSION AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS WORK TOGETHER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE TEAM FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO, THE LEADERSHIP THAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED, AND I WILL TELL YOU, IF YOU WERE TO DO A BEFORE OF WHERE WE WERE JUST TWO YEARS AGO WITH OUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OFFERINGS AND OUR PARTICIPATION, OUR ENGAGEMENT, THE FEEDBACK THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THAT SESSION, IT IS A STARK DIFFERENCE.

AND THAT IS REALLY BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE ARE OFTEN ASKED, AND I WILL TELL YOU, IT'S A QUESTION THAT WE OFTEN HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH, IS HOW DO YOU MEASURE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING? BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, IF WE WERE TO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ABOUT STUDENT OUTCOMES.

WE WANT EVERYTHING TO CONTRIBUTE TO STUDENT OUTCOMES.

AND SO WE OFTEN HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES IF WE'RE GOING TO OFFER TRANSFORM SESSION.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO MEASURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OR THE OUTCOME? BECAUSE NUMBER ONE, WE WANT IT TO GROW THE INTENDED PARTICIPANT, WHICH FOR EXAMPLE, FOR TRANSFORM, IT'S OUR PRINCIPLES FOR LEAD.

WELL, IT'S OUR STUDENTS. WE WANT THEM TO LEAVE AT THE END OF THAT BETTER THAN WHEN THEY CAME IN.

BUT TO HAVE AND TO CREATE A DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN ONE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND HOUSE BILL THREE GOAL. THAT IS A VERY DIFFICULT THING BECAUSE IT TAKES THREE OR 4 OR 5 THINGS THAT ALL COME TOGETHER IN ORDER FOR THAT CLASSROOM TEACHER TO HAVE THAT HIGH QUALITY TIER ONE INSTRUCTION EVERY DAY, THAT'S GOING TO LEAD TO STUDENT OUTCOMES.

WHAT I DO KNOW WITH, TO THE CORE OF, OF MY EDUCATOR EXPERIENCE IS WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, THE JOURNEY TO OUR STUDENT OUTCOMES IS MUCH LONGER.

IT IS LEFT FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TEACHER TO SEEK OUT OPPORTUNITIES TO GET BETTER IT PUTS MORE EXPECTATIONS AND WEIGHT ON OUR PRINCIPALS TO PROVIDE THAT LEARNING AND THAT SUPPORT TO THEIR TEACHERS.

SO THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING THAT SHAUNA IS DOING, THAT HER TEAM IS DOING TO ENSURE THAT EVERY TEACHER AND EVERY LEADER LEAVE AT THE END OF THE DAY, I KNOW IS CONTRIBUTING TO WHERE WE WILL BE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

SO AGAIN, THANK YOU, PRESIDENT POTEET.

WE'RE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS OR REFLECTIONS FROM THE BOARD.

THANK YOU, MISS BRANUM, MISS BALLAST AND YOUR TEAM.

WE'LL OPEN IT UP TO MY FELLOW TRUSTEES FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS THAT WE HAVE.

AND I SHOULD SAY, WE DO MEASURE OUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING IN TERMS OF THERE IS NOT A PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WORKSHOP THAT WE DON'T HAVE WHERE WE DON'T GIVE SURVEY DATA.

FOR EXAMPLE, WITH TRANSFORM, WE ASKED PRINCIPALS TO BRING DATA FROM WHETHER IT'S MAP DATA, WHETHER IT'S THEIR CURRICULUM ASSESSMENT DATA, AND THEY'RE EVALUATING THAT TO SEE ARE THE MOVES THAT THEY MADE ON THE CAMPUS AT CONTRIBUTING TO THAT OUTCOME DATA.

SO WE ARE ALWAYS MEASURING WHAT WE'RE DOING.

I JUST COULD NOT GIVE YOU A DIRECT CORRELATION OF HOW DOES THIS ONE WORKSHOP LEAD TO THIRD GRADE READING IMPROVEMENT, BECAUSE IT TAKES MULTIPLE MEASURES

[00:50:03]

GOOD POINT. OKAY, TEAM I'M OPENING IT UP TO QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.

WHO'S FIRST. ALL RIGHT, MISS HARRIS.

SO MY QUESTION IS JUST ABOUT THE TIME IT TAKES FOR OUR STAFF TO DO ALL THESE GREAT THINGS.

AS I LOOK AT THIS AND I THINK ABOUT WAY BACK IN THE DAY WHEN, YOU KNOW, THE WORD WAS PEOPLE BECAME A TEACHER SO THAT THEY COULD BE OFF IN THE SUMMER.

DOES THAT STILL EXIST? I MEAN, WHEN DO WE GET ALL OF THIS DONE AND, YOU KNOW, BE THERE FOR OUR STUDENTS? OKAY. TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, LEADERS.

THEY LOVE WHAT THEY DO, AND THEY WANT TO KEEP GETTING BETTER AT WHAT THEY DO.

AND SO WE DON'T HAVE TO TWIST ARMS OR CHEERLEAD RULE OUT FOR THEM TO COME.

THEY WANT TO COME.

AND SO MOST OF THE I MEAN, ALL THE SESSIONS PRETTY MUCH FROM PROFESSIONAL LEARNING ARE OPTIONAL AND THEY'RE PRETTY MUCH PACKED.

AND SO IT'S EXCITING TO BE A PART OF A DISTRICT WHERE WE HAVE TEACHERS THAT JUST WANT TO GROW EVERY SINGLE DAY, WHETHER IT'S IN LEADERSHIP, PERSONAL GROWTH, THEIR GROWTH AS WORKING ON THEIR T TEST SKILLS, AND THEN TO HAVE A SUPERINTENDENT THAT VALUES THEIR GROWTH GOALS AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL.

AND SO, YES, IT'S A DEMAND ON TEACHERS TO WORK ALL DAY AND HAVE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AT NIGHT.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT TO THEM BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT IT HELPS THEM BE A BETTER TEACHER IN THE LONG RUN.

AND IF I CAN JUST ADD, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M SUPER PROUD OF IS THE FACT THAT WE DO WANT TEACHERS TO RECHARGE OVER THE SUMMER.

AND SO WE REALLY TRY TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON KEY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE TOGETHER WE GROW CONFERENCE.

YOU KNOW, THAT HAPPENS IN LATE JULY.

SO OUR TEACHERS HAVE MOST OF JUNE, MOST OF JULY.

NOW, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY STILL DON'T ENGAGE IN LEARNING, BECAUSE LOTS OF THEM WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

BUT IN TERMS OF A DISTRICT WE HAVE TOGETHER, WE GROW WHERE WE HAD, I BELIEVE, OVER A THOUSAND TEACHERS THAT CAME, LEARNED ENGAGED IN THAT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING.

AND THEN THINGS LIKE ACHIEVE.

WE TRY TO BE INTENTIONAL.

IF I'M A NEW TEACHER, EVERYTHING IS OVERWHELMING.

WE KNOW THEY'RE TAKING HOME PAPERS TO GRADE, AND THEY'RE MAKING PHONE CALLS OR ANSWERING EMAILS AT NIGHT SO THAT WE DO AS A PULLOUT, FOR EXAMPLE.

SO WE HAVE TEACHERS THAT COME DURING THE DAY.

SO THAT WAY THEY CAN COME.

THEY CAN KIND OF JUST, YOU KNOW, FOR A FEW HOURS, JUST BE FOCUSED ON THEIR OWN LEARNING AND NOT HAVE LIKE, OKAY, I RACE OUT OF MY CLASSROOM, I HAVE TO GET TO THE CENTRAL OFFICE. I HAVE TO BE THERE ON TIME.

SO WE REALLY TRY TO DIFFERENTIATE WHEN AND HOW WE OFFER OUR WORKSHOPS SO THAT IT CAN BE FLEXIBLE TO THE NEEDS OF THE PARTICIPANTS.

YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO ASK AS WELL.

SO I'M SURE THERE'S, YOU KNOW, WORKSHOPS FACE TO FACE, ON DEMAND LEARNING BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE WE'VE GOT A WEBSITE HERE WHERE THEY MAY BE ABLE TO GO IN, DO SOME MODULES. SO IS IT JUST LIKE WE PROVIDE ONLINE LEARNING, WE PROVIDE ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING.

WE HAVE MANY MODES THAT TEACHERS CAN LEARN TO GROW FROM AND GET BETTER.

AND WE TRY EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT WE CAN WHEN WE CAN, TO PULL THEM DURING THE DAY, LIKE ACHIEVE FOR OUR NEW TEACHERS, FOR OUR CENTRAL EXECS.

THAT'S LIKE A LUNCH AND LEARN WHERE THEY COME DURING THEIR LUNCH HOUR.

WE TRY TO DIFFERENTIATE AS MUCH AS WE CAN SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO COME AT NINE.

WELL, FOR ME, I JUST EVEN MUCH MORE RESPECT FOR OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF OUT THERE BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING A LOT.

I MEAN, I LOVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

I THINK IT IS A WAY TO KEEP OUR GREAT TEACHERS.

SO I APPLAUD YOU ALL.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. YES.

WHO'S NEXT? MR. EAGER. AGAIN.

HEY, GREAT. GREAT PRESENTATION.

AND THANK YOU FOR THE TEAM AND THE EFFORTS THAT THEY PUT IN FRONT OF US.

YOU KNOW HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE, YOU KNOW, HOW DO THEY DO SOMEBODY LIKE A MENTOR OR THESE COHORTS HELP GUIDE, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE TO SAY, HEY, WHAT KIND OF EDUCATION, WHAT KIND OF CONTINUING LEADERSHIP? BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WHAT HAPPENS IS WE HAVE KIND OF PERSONAL THINGS WE'RE INTERESTED IN.

BUT SOMETIMES HAVING SOMEBODY TO SAY, HEY, I THINK YOU'RE REALLY GOOD AT THIS.

MAYBE WE NEED TO BRUSH UP ON THIS.

HOW DO YOU, YOU KNOW, GUIDE ME OR WALK ME THROUGH HOW YOU GUIDE PEOPLE TO, YOU KNOW, HELP THEM BE BETTER PEOPLE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AMAZING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE CAN BE NOT ONLY A GREAT DISTRICT, BUT AN AWESOME DISTRICT FROM THE INVESTMENT THAT WE PUT IN TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE THAT NEXT LEVEL IN THEIR CAREERS. WE EVERY STAFF MEMBER HAS, WHETHER IT'S A PRINCIPAL OR A CENTRAL EXEC OR A TEACHER, HAS BEGINNING OF THE YEAR CONFERENCES THAT THEY MEET WITH THE

[00:55:01]

AND SO DURING THAT CONFERENCE, THEY HAVE A CONVERSATION WHERE THEY TALK ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL GROWTH GOAL AND THEIR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH GOAL.

AND THEN BASED ON THOSE GROWTH GOALS ALONG WITH STUDENT DATA, BECAUSE THAT'S A PART OF MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE INCREASING OUR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

THEN THEY LOOK AT KIND OF A PLETHORA OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING THAT'S OFFERED TO THEM.

AND SO WITH SOME OF OUR TEACHERS, WE HAVE LIKE WE'VE STARTED A NEW TEACHER LEADER ACADEMY LIKE ON DEMAND.

WE HAVE 64 TEACHER LEADERS AS AN APPLICATION PROCESS.

I PROBABLY HAD 150 APPLY.

THEY'RE VERY EXCITED.

SO FOR THEIR PERSONAL GROWTH GOAL, THEY WOULD MEET WITH MAYBE THEIR PRINCIPAL AND THEY WOULD DISCUSS.

AND SO SOME TEACHERS, EDUCATORS, I JUST WANTED THEY WANT TO STAY IN THE CLASSROOM.

THEY DON'T WANT TO BE A PRINCIPAL OR CENTRAL OFFICE, BUT THEY WANT TO BE THE BEST TEACHER, LEADER OR PLC LEADER THAT THEY CAN BE.

AND SO THEY MEET WITH THEIR PRINCIPAL, AND THEN WE LOOK, OKAY, MAYBE TEACHER LEADER ACADEMY COULD BE RIGHT FOR YOU.

THESE ARE THE OBJECTIVES.

OR MAYBE SOMEONE WANTS TO WORK IN A PERSONAL GOAL ON LEADERSHIP.

AND SO THAT'S WHEN THAT'S WHEN WE LOOK IN STRING FINDERS ABOUT HOW WE WORK IN OUR STRENGTHS.

AND WE LEAD WITH OUR STRENGTHS.

IT COULD BE A PRINCIPAL THAT MEETS WITH THEIR AREA SUPERINTENDENT.

AND DURING THAT CONVERSATION IT MIGHT BE THAT TRANSFORM.

WE HAVE A TRANSFORM 1.0 AND A 2.0 BECAUSE WE KEEP GETTING EVERY YEAR.

BUT AND THAT'S A TIME WHERE MAYBE THAT'S AN AREA SUPERINTENDENT GUIDES THEM ON.

OKAY. THIS WOULD BE A GREAT COHORT FOR YOU BASED ON SOME OF THE GOALS THAT WE HAVE, WHICH IS REALLY LOOKING AT STUDENT DATA AND LOOKING AT THE CULTURE OF THE CAMPUS.

AND SO I'M EXCITED THAT WE'RE ABLE TO OFFER ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT COHORTS, BECAUSE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING ISN'T A ONE TIME, AND THEN WE'VE GOT IT. BUT CONTINUING TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE BASED ON WHAT THEIR GROWTH GOALS ARE, IS REALLY MEANINGFUL TO PEOPLE TO HELP GET THEM TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU'RE WELCOME. YES.

MS. RENTERÍA. I JUST ALSO WANT TO COMMEND YOU AND JUST SAY THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.

I KNOW THAT I LOVE SEEING ALL OF THIS, ESPECIALLY ON THE ACHIEVE.

AND I THINK IT SIT HERE 160 RIGHT THAT THERE'S 161ST YEAR TEACHERS.

I JUST THINK IT'S WONDERFUL.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THE RESOURCES THAT YOU'RE PROVIDING FOR THESE YOUNG TEACHERS, FOR THESE NEW TEACHERS.

I KNOW THAT WHEN YOU ARE A NEW TEACHER AND YOU EDUCATOR, YOU GO INTO THIS AND YOU'RE SO EXCITED, RIGHT? I MEAN, YOU'VE BEEN STUDYING TO DO THIS, YOU KNOW, ALL THESE NUMBER OF YEARS.

YOU'RE FINALLY IN THE CLASSROOM. AND SOMETIMES IT'S JUST SO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU EXPECT.

RIGHT. AND SO IT'S WONDERFUL TO HAVE THOSE MENTORS.

AND SO I KNOW THAT I HAVE WALKED INTO A COUPLE OF CLASSROOMS, AND I LOVE WHEN I SEE THE MENTOR TEACHERS THERE, OR I LOVE WHEN I WALK INTO A CLASSROOM AND A TEACHER TELLS ME, WELL, MY MENTOR SAID THIS, OR MY MENTOR HELPED ME DO THIS.

AND SO I JUST AGAIN WANT TO THANK YOU FOR FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU PROVIDE.

I THINK YOU SAW I MEAN, I SAW HERE IT'S A THERE'S A NEW WEBSITE, RIGHT.

SO IT SEEMS LIKE I THINK MISS BRANUM JUST MENTIONED, IT'S WONDERFUL WHEN YOU HAVE SO MANY RESOURCES AND I CAN GO TO SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS AND THAT ONE CAN JUST KIND OF SEE, I THINK IT'S ALSO GREAT.

YOU JUST MENTIONED MISS BALLAST, WHERE, YOU KNOW, AS SOMETIMES AS A TEACHER, THAT'S ALL I WANT TO DO.

I WANT TO STAY IN THE CLASSROOM, BUT I ALSO WANT TO MASTER THAT SO.

WELL. RIGHT. OR I REALLY WANT TO, YOU KNOW, DIVE INTO I THINK I, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE BILINGUAL EDUCATION ABOUT OR WHAT IS ESL AND WOULD THAT BE A GOOD FIT FOR ME OR IN THE LEADERSHIP ROLE. RIGHT. I KNOW MANY FRIENDS THAT HAVE GONE FROM, YOU KNOW, TEACHING AND WANT TO EXPLORE THAT NEXT LEVEL OF MAYBE DOING, YOU KNOW, ADMINISTRATION.

AND THEY LOVE IT, BUT THEY LOVE THE CLASSROOM MORE.

AND SO I JUST THINK IT'S WONDERFUL THAT WE'RE GIVING OUR TEACHERS EVERY OPPORTUNITY RIGHT TO ADVANCE AND TO GROW IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

THIS IS AMAZING. I DID HAVE JUST ONE QUESTION, AND I DON'T KNOW IF I MISSED IT HERE, SO I APOLOGIZE IF IT WAS ALREADY ADDRESSED.

IS THERE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF HOURS THAT IS REQUIRED FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT LEVELS FROM TEACHERS ALL THE WAY UP TO, SAY, ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS? YES. STAFF ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE 18 HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING A YEAR.

IT START AGAIN, STARTS IN JUNE AND ENDS IN APRIL.

AND THEN A STATE MANDATE IS THAT TEACHERS ARE REQUIRED TO TURN IN THOSE 50 PROFESSIONAL HOURS EVERY FIVE YEARS TO KEEP THEIR TEACHING CERTIFICATE.

OKAY, WONDERFUL.

AND THEN THANK YOU AGAIN FOR GIVING THEM SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES, RIGHT, TO BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THAT THOSE REQUIREMENTS.

SO AND WE APPRECIATE I MEAN MISS BRANUM SUPPORT WITH OUR NEW NEWEST COHORT ACHIEVED, WE COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO WITH OUR ZERO YEAR TEACHERS.

WE KNOW RETAINING TEACHERS IN THIS ENVIRONMENT IS DIFFICULT.

AND WE WANT THEM TO STAY HERE IN RICHARDSON AND WE WANT TO STAY THAT HAVE THEM STAY IN TEACHING.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT LAURA AND MISS CAGE FOCUS ON IS THE WELL-BEING OF A ZERO YEAR TEACHER.

[01:00:04]

AND SO I'M REALLY PROUD THAT WE HAVE CREATED THIS COHORT AND A COMMITMENT TO OUR FUTURE OF TEACHERS.

RIGHT? ABSOLUTELY. AND I THINK ALSO, NOT ONLY WHAT YOU MENTIONED, BUT HOW COMPETITIVE IT IS RIGHT TO KEEP OUR TEACHERS.

AND SO WHEN THEY WHEN THEY SEE, I THINK MR. EAGER WHO SAID OR SOMEONE SAID HOW WHEN THEY OR MAYBE ON THE VIDEO WHERE THEY, THEY, THEY FEEL SEEN, THEY FEEL HEARD AND SUPPORTED.

AND SO THAT MAKES THEM WANT TO STAY HERE, AND I LOVE SEEING THE VIDEO WHERE THEY'RE JUST SO GROUNDED AND SO APPRECIATIVE OF EVERYTHING THAT THEY RECEIVE.

SO ANYWAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU, MS. RENTERIA.

YES, MISS PACHECO.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT PRESENTATION.

I LOVED HOW I CAN SEE HOW THE ART DISTRICT INVESTS IN OUR TEACHERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

I THINK IT'S GREAT.

I'M REMISS TO SAY.

I MEAN, WE'RE AN EDUCATION SPACE, RIGHT? AND OUR TEACHERS LOVE TO LEARN.

AND I'M GLAD THAT THEY HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL, INTENTIONAL SPACE AND ALL THE DIFFERENT COHORTS THAT ARE PROVIDED TO THEM SO THAT THEY CAN GROW AND BE THE BEST LEADER THAT THEY CAN BE. I'M JUST I'M IMPRESSED BY IT.

I LOVE THAT YOU HAVE THE MENTORING FOR THE TEACHERS, THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE PROVIDED.

I THINK OUR TEACHERS ARE THE BEST TEACHERS WHEN THEY'RE GIVEN THE METHODS AND THE SUPPORT AND ALL THOSE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED TO EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS.

AND I THINK THAT IS DIRECTLY CORRELATING TO OUR STUDENT OUTCOMES.

AMAZING TEACHERS CAN LEAD AND CREATE AMAZING STUDENTS, YOU KNOW, AND, YOU KNOW, ENCOURAGE THEM RIGHT TO BE THEIR BEST SELVES AS WELL.

SO I APPRECIATE ALL OF THAT WORK.

I LOVE THAT WEBSITE AND THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE TO BE ABLE TO JUST ALIGN TO THEIR PERSONAL GOALS AND THEIR PROFESSIONAL GOALS. I ALMOST FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE TEACHER PROFILE KIND OF EQUALS TO THE GRADUATE PROFILE.

I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

I JUST REALLY THINK THAT IT'S GREAT, AND I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO SEE ALL THESE AMAZING THINGS THAT YOU GUYS PROVIDE.

SO THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN OUR TEACHERS.

THANK YOU. YES, MISS HARRIS, JUST ONE MORE THING THAT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I STATE THAT I RECOGNIZE THAT I HAVE JUST THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR IS WHEN I SAW THE TEACHER LEADER ACADEMY LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

JUST WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN RICHARDSON ISD ON OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, AND TO KNOW THAT WE ARE PROVIDING OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY IS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME.

AND SO IT'S GREAT TO SEE THAT THAT WE ARE, YOU KNOW, TEACHING THEM HOW TO REACH OUT TO THE STUDENTS THAT COME FROM THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE SITTING IN THEIR CLASSROOMS THAT THEY MAY NOT BE CONNECTED TO BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIVE IN THAT COMMUNITY.

SO I LIKE THAT.

I APPRECIATE THAT AND GREAT WORK.

I JUST I JUST HAD TO PUT THAT OUT THERE.

I WROTE THAT DOWN A COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, MISS HARRIS.

I'M GOING TO BORROW A QUICK MINUTE FROM MISS TIMMY AND MISS MCGOWAN.

SO I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION.

LOOK, YOU KNOW THIS.

I FEEL THE SAME THEME THAT WE'VE BEEN KIND OF STRESSING FOR A FEW YEARS.

A FEW YEARS I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD.

AND, YOU KNOW, THIS PLAYS INTO THE THEME OF WE WANT TO BE AN ORGANIZATION THAT VALUES OUR PEOPLE BECAUSE WE'RE A PEOPLE ORGANIZATION.

AND AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS, SOME PEOPLE LOOK AT THIS AS A COST, BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT AS AN INVESTMENT AND WHAT WE'RE INVESTING IN THE PEOPLE WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION.

SO I THINK THAT'S A PERSPECTIVE THAT WE ALWAYS NEED TO KIND OF KIND OF REDIRECT OURSELVES TO.

IF THIS IS INVESTING IN THE PEOPLE, WHICH IS WHAT OUR ORGANIZATION IS ABOUT.

I THINK MISS PACHECO MENTIONED IT.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE A LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION.

AND WHEN WE THINK OF OR, I'M SORRY, A LEARNING ORGANIZATION.

SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THAT, WE'RE ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT STUDENTS.

BUT I THINK THIS BROADENS THAT OUT TO THIS IS ABOUT THE TEACHERS.

THIS IS ABOUT THE STAFF, THE ADMINISTRATION AND ALL THE WAY UP TO EVEN BOARD MEMBERS HERE AND HOW WE'RE LEARNING.

AND SO I LIKE SEEING THAT WE'RE INVESTING AGAIN INTO THAT LEARNING AT ALL LEVELS.

PROFESSIONALS, AND I LOVE THAT IT'S CALLED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, AND I STRESS ALL THE TIME THAT, YOU KNOW, TEACHERS ARE PROFESSIONALS AND PROFESSIONALS BY DEFINITION, WANT TO GROW AND NEED TO GROW.

AND SO LET'S TREAT THEM LIKE PROFESSIONALS AND MAKE THIS INVESTMENT IN THEM.

AND THIS IS JUST PART OF IT.

WE DON'T DO THIS AND WE'RE NOT TREATING THEM LIKE PROFESSIONALS.

SO I THINK THAT'S A CRITICAL, CRITICAL PIECE FROM THAT WORD.

ANOTHER NOTE I WROTE DOWN.

YOU KNOW, I MY PERSPECTIVES FROM OTHER INDUSTRIES NOT BEING AN EDUCATION.

THIS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS CRITICAL.

[01:05:03]

BUT THIS IS A DIFFERENTIATOR WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE FOR TEACHERS AND STAFF.

THIS IS WHERE TEACHERS THAT WANT TO GROW, THEY LOOK AT THAT AND SOMETIMES THE PAY NOT MAY NOT BE THE TOP PAY, BUT IF THEY SEE THAT WE VALUE THE PEOPLE AND THAT WE'RE INVESTING IN THEM, AND WE WANT THEM TO GROW AND BE BETTER AT THEIR JOB, THAT WILL IN TURN INCREASE OUR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

THEY LIKE THAT. THEY WANT THAT.

THAT'S A DIFFERENTIATOR.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE SEE IN OTHER INDUSTRIES.

AND THERE'S NO REASON WE CAN'T DO THE SAME THING IN EDUCATION.

SO I LOVE SEEING THAT.

I LOVE SEEING US GRAB ON TO AT LEAST THAT VALUABLE PIECE THAT OTHER INDUSTRIES ARE DOING EVERY DAY.

AND THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS YOU KNOW, TO THE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT PART, YOU KNOW, THIS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING IS THE AS THE PROFESSIONAL GETS BETTER, THE ORGANIZATION GETS BETTER.

AND WHEN THE ORGANIZATION GETS BETTER AND THE PROFESSIONAL GETS BETTER, THE STUDENTS GET BETTER.

SO I MEAN, THIS IS ALL THIS JUST MAKES PERFECTLY LOGICAL SENSE.

AND IT WOULD NOT MAKE SENSE IF WE DIDN'T DO THIS.

SO I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE THIS PRESENTATION.

I'M I KNOW THIS GOES THERE'S SO MUCH TO IT.

YOU ALL DID A GOOD, GOOD HIGH LEVEL LOOK AT IT.

BUT I'M EXCITED TO SEE THIS EFFORT THAT WE'RE PUTTING IN.

SO WITH THAT, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? OKAY I APPRECIATE IT.

THANKS AGAIN FOR THE PRESENTATION.

MRS. BRANUM. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU AGAIN. DO WE NEED A BREAK? DO YOU WANT TO KEEP MOVING? DOES ANYBODY. OKAY.

LET'S TAKE A QUICK TEN MINUTE BREAK THEN.

YEP. SO WE'LL BE BACK HERE AT 7:20.

OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

EXACTLY. WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED A MINUTE EARLY.

SO EVERYBODY TAKE THEIR SEATS PLEASE.

ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT. OUR NEXT ACT, OUR NEXT ITEM IS AN ACTION ITEM.

[IV.C. Consider Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024]

AT THIS TIME, WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE A REPORT ON OUR END OF THE YEAR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 20TH, JUNE 30TH OF 2024.

AND I'VE ASKED MR. PATE TO PROVIDE TONIGHT'S INFORMATION.

AND I BELIEVE WE ALSO HAVE SOME GUESTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HERE PARTICIPATING AS WELL.

SO, MR. PATE. THANK YOU, MRS. BRANUM. TRUSTEES.

YES TONIGHT, WE'RE PRESENTING THE RESULTS OF THE AUDIT OF OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2024.

WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM OUR AUDITING FIRM, WEAVER AND TIDWELL HERE.

SARAH DEMPSEY, THE AUDIT PARTNER ON OUR AUDIT ENGAGEMENT, WILL GO THROUGH A LITTLE PRESENTATION FOR YOU ON THE RESULTS OF THE AUDIT AND SOME REQUIRED COMMUNICATIONS THAT OUR AUDITORS HAVE TO HAVE WITH YOU.

SARAH. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT, DISTRICT MANAGEMENT.

MY NAME IS SARAH DEMPSEY.

I'M A PARTNER WITH WEAVER AND HAVE DONE THE AUDIT OVER YOUR JUNE 30TH, 2024 FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

SO LOOKING THROUGH THE AUDIT PROCESS, WHAT WE'RE DOING IS DOING THE AUDIT IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED AUDIT STANDARDS AND GENERALLY ACCEPTED GOVERNMENT AUDITING STANDARDS. WE ALSO HAVE TO USE UNIFORM GUIDANCE TO GUIDE US THROUGH THE SINGLE AUDIT, BECAUSE THE DISTRICT EXPENDS MORE THAN $750,000 OF FEDERAL EXPENDITURES.

THERE IS A SINGLE AUDIT REQUIRED AND THE AUDIT IS RISK BASED.

SO THIS IS A FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT WHERE WE LOOK AT THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND DETERMINE WHERE COULD THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BE MATERIALLY MISSTATED.

AND SO SOME OF THOSE RISKS THAT WE LOOK AT ARE REVENUE RECOGNITION.

THE STATE AID CALCULATION IS A BIG PART OF THE AUDIT PROCESS, THE GRANT REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES, AND THEN ALSO JOURNAL ENTRIES.

THOSE ARE THE ENTRIES THAT ARE BEING MADE INTO YOUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM AND MAKING SURE THAT THOSE HAVE THE RIGHT BACKUP APPROVAL AND JUST REALLY TESTING THE DATA THAT'S GOING INTO YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

SO WE START WITH INTERIM FIELDWORK, AND THAT LOOKS AT THE INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER YOUR SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTION CYCLES, YOUR CASH DISBURSEMENTS, YOUR RECEIPTS, PAYROLL AND THE FINANCIAL CLOSE AND REPORTING PROCESS.

AND THEN WE ALSO FOLLOW THAT UP WITH THE SINGLE AUDIT.

SO THAT'S WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT YOUR CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM YOUR SPECIAL EDUCATION CLUSTER THIS YEAR.

[01:10:01]

AND SO THESE PROGRAMS CAME UP THIS YEAR AS REQUIRED TO BE TESTED.

WE ALSO DO COMPLIANCE TESTING, STATE COMPLIANCE TESTING, TESTING WITH THE PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT.

WE TEST CONTROLS, WE LOOK AT THE DISBURSEMENTS, THE PAYROLL TRANSACTIONS, THE BID PROCESS, THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THAT ARE IN PROCESS.

WE DON'T GIVE AN OPINION ON CONTROLS, BUT WE DO USE THAT CONTROL PROCESS TO DETERMINE WHAT OUR RISK OF MATERIAL MISSTATEMENT IS.

AND SO FIELDWORK STARTED IN SEPTEMBER.

SO WE COME OUT ABOUT TWO MONTHS AFTER THE YEAR END CLOSE. THE FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS HAD A CHANCE TO CLOSE THE YEAR.

AND THAT'S WHEN WE'RE TESTING THE BALANCES THAT YOU FOUND IN YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

OKAY. SO FOR THE AUDIT RESULTS, YOU HAVE AN UNMODIFIED OPINION ON YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

AND THAT IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ASSURANCE THAT WE CAN GIVE.

YOU ALSO RECEIVED AN UNMODIFIED OPINION ON YOUR SINGLE AUDIT.

SO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION CLUSTER AND YOUR CHILD NUTRITION CLUSTER DID RECEIVE AN UNMODIFIED OPINION AS WELL.

WE ALSO GIVE A REPORT ON FINANCIAL CONTROLS AND THAT WAS NO FINDINGS.

SO NO MATERIAL WEAKNESSES AND NO SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES.

AND THE SAME FOR THAT CHILD NUTRITION CLUSTER AND SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.

SO THAT'S THE OVERALL AUDIT RESULTS.

I SHOULD PAUSE HERE BECAUSE THAT IS A REALLY CLEAN REPORT.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S DILIGENCE IN GETTING US EVERYTHING THAT WE NEEDED DURING THE AUDIT PROCESS.

WE KNOW IT'S A YEAR LONG EFFORT, AND WE COME IN AT A POINT IN TIME, AND WE DO APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S EFFORT DURING THE AUDIT PROCESS.

WE HAVE SOME REQUIRED COMMUNICATIONS THAT I HAVE TO GO THROUGH WITH YOU FOR THE AUDITING STANDARDS.

I'VE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF THESE.

I WANTED TO ALSO POINT OUT THAT THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL TRANSACTIONS THIS YEAR.

NOTHING TO POINT OUT WHERE THERE WAS AN AUDIT OR ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE ALONG THE WAY.

NO FRAUD OR ILLEGAL ACTS WERE DETECTED DURING THE COURSE OF THE AUDIT.

SOME OF THE OTHER ITEMS THAT I HAVEN'T MENTIONED YET, WE TEST ALL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES THAT ARE CONSIDERED SIGNIFICANT, AND THAT STATE AID CALCULATION IS ONE OF THOSE. THERE ARE ESTIMATES OF THE ADA AND A LOT OF THINGS THAT GO INTO THE CALCULATION THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT AS PART OF OUR AUDIT PROCEDURES, THE PENSION CALCULATION OPEB CALCULATION, THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT ARE ESTIMATES WITHIN YOUR ACCOUNTING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. NO DIFFICULTIES WERE ENCOUNTERED.

AND WE DID RECEIVE A MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATION LETTER AT THE END OF THE AUDIT.

WE'RE INDEPENDENT AS AN AUDIT TEAM AND AS A FIRM.

AND REALLY THE BIG ONE IS THE NO AUDIT ADJUSTMENTS.

SO THAT'S WHERE WHEN WE COME IN AND WE'RE DOING OUR AUDIT PROCEDURES, WE'RE NOT MAKING A BUNCH OF CORRECTIONS OR FINDING ERRORS THAT WE WOULD BRING THOSE TO YOUR ATTENTION.

SO ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT OF THE AUDIT.

AND THEN I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO COMMEND MR. PATE MISS DAVENPORT, OUR ENTIRE TEAM, YOU KNOW, WE TAKE THE FINANCIAL INTEGRITY OF THE DISTRICT VERY SERIOUSLY.

AND WE KNOW THAT OUR TAXPAYERS EXPECT NOTHING LESS.

AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR AUDITOR FOR COMING IN.

AND JUST BEING THAT THAT EXTERNAL SET OF EYES THAT ENSURES THAT WE ARE LIVING UP TO THE EXPECTATION OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR BOARD.

AND SO WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ACCEPT THE AUDIT OF THE DISTRICT'S FISCAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2024.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THAT RECOMMENDATION, MISS BRANUM.

THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AS WELL.

DO I HAVE A MOTION FROM THE BOARD? SO MOVED. ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL GO TO MISS PACHECO ON THAT.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, MR. EAGER. OKAY.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE RECOMMENDATION? YES. MR. EAGER, THE CPA.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU FOR QUESTIONS.

THEY GET EXCITED ABOUT TONIGHT.

I'M A RECOVERING CPA.

OH. HEY, ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO POINT OUT, A THANK YOU, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, JUST THE LEVEL OF WORK AND EFFORT THAT GOES INTO AUDITS AND FOR OUR TEAMS TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE TO GET YOU THE DATA AND INFORMATION YOU NEED AND GETTING, AGAIN, THIS LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE, BECAUSE IT'S ONE OF THESE THINGS THAT YOU JUST KIND OF

[01:15:05]

AND SO JUST THE LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE THAT GOES INTO THAT.

AND I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT I NOTICED IN THE ATTACHMENT THAT WE ALSO RECEIVED A CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS INTERNATIONAL.

AND SO THAT WAS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE REPORT AS WELL.

SO JUST ANOTHER KIND OF RECOGNITION OF THE LEVEL AND EFFORT WORK OF EXCELLENCE FROM OUR TEAM AND MR. PATE, THANK YOU FOR AND YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR ALL THE EFFORT THAT GOES IN TO MAKING SURE WE GOT THE RIGHT NUMBERS IN THE RIGHT PLACES.

YOU'RE WELCOME. AND THANK YOU.

AND I JUST WANT TO THANK THE ENTIRE FINANCE DEPARTMENT TEAM.

OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE ALISON DAVENPORT IS HERE THIS EVENING.

AND THIS, THESE RESULTS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT HER AND HER TEAM.

AND, YOU KNOW, AS MISS DEMPSEY MENTIONED, THE TEST OF CONTROLS, THAT IS THOSE INTERNAL CONTROLS.

EVERYBODY IN THE DISTRICT IS PART OF THAT INTERNAL CONTROL PROCESS AND MAKING SURE THAT.

THINGS HAPPEN PROPERLY.

SO, YOU KNOW, I JUST APPRECIATE THE OUR ENTIRE.

STAFF'S COMMITMENT TO THE PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THESE HIGH QUALITY AUDIT RESULTS.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? YES, MISS PACHECO.

I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ALL AGAIN AND YOUR TEAM.

IT'S EXCELLENT, IT'S ALWAYS WONDERFUL TO SEE RESULTS LIKE THIS AND I KNOW IT'S DEDICATION, INTENTION AND JUST CARE OF THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO, SO THANKS.

THANK YOU, MISS PACHECO.

OKAY WITH THAT? ALL IN FAVOR OF THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

OKAY. THAT IS, THE MOTION PASSES 5 TO 0.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

THANKS AGAIN FOR THE PRESENTATION.

OKAY. OUR NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS TO PROVIDE A SHORT REPORT ON DISTRICT ACTIVITIES THAT OUR BOARD HAS TAKEN PART IN.

[IV.D. Discussion of Recently Attended or Upcoming Conferences and Meetings]

SO I'M GOING TO START FROM MY LEFT TO MY RIGHT AND KIND OF GO AROUND.

WE'LL START WITH MISS PACHECO AND CAN HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE ACTIVITY THAT YOU WERE INVOLVED WITH.

WELL, I WENT AND WATCHED THE VHS HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME WHERE THEY WON WITH BY A WONDERFUL MARGIN.

I DON'T REMEMBER THE SCORE, BUT IT WAS GREAT.

I LOVE SEEING THE STUDENTS WITH THEIR MOMS. THE BAND PRESENTATION, THE CORONATION OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN AND KING.

PLUS THE JUNIOR COURT.

WELL, THEY DIDN'T GET CORONATED, BUT THEY WERE THERE.

I LIKED SEEING THE ALUMNI PLAY WITH THE BAND AND PERFORM WITH COLOR GUARD.

THAT WAS REALLY CUTE AND FUN.

JUST THE WHOLE THING. CELEBRATING HOMECOMING IS ALWAYS GREAT AND I HOPE LOTS OF FAMILIES CONTINUE TO JOIN IN.

AND ALSO WHERE MOMS WHEN THEY GO TO HOMECOMING GAMES.

THANK YOU, MISS PACHECO. MR. EAGER. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RHS HOMECOMING PARADE.

IT IS A LONG STANDING TRADITION FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

AND THE MANY FLOATS.

AND IT'S JUST IT'S SO EXCITING TO SEE THAT TIME DURING THE DAY TO HAVE EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY FOR FROM OUR LITTLES TO OUR SENIORS TO SOME OF OUR, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE COMING BACK AND ENJOYING THE PARADE AND YOU KNOW, JUST SEEING ALL THE PARTICIPATION, ALL THE FLOATS AND JUST SEEING EVERYBODY EXCITED ABOUT COMING TOGETHER IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND I THINK IT'S A LONG STANDING TRADITION.

I'M HONORED TO BE.

YOU KNOW, I HAD SOME OF MY FELLOW TRUSTEES ON THAT FLOAT WITH ME AS WELL.

AND YOU KNOW, WE HAD A GREAT TIME.

AND THIS YEAR WE HAD GOOD WEATHER.

THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS WITH EXCELLENT WEATHER.

GREAT DAY. GOT A CHANCE TO SEE EVERYBODY.

AND I HOPE WE CARRY THAT ON FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

GREAT. THANKS. AND I'LL COME BACK AT THE END.

BUT MS. RENTERÍA. SO I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE NETWORK OF COMMUNITY MINISTRIES, FOOD PANTRY, FORK OFF FUNDRAISER. AND SO I WAS ABLE TO REPRESENT OUR DISTRICT AS ONE OF THE JUDGES.

IT WAS AWESOME BECAUSE I GOT TO TASTE TEST ALL THE DIFFERENT RESTAURANT STATIONS.

I ESPECIALLY LOVE TO ATTEND.

THIS PARTICULAR FUNDRAISER, BECAUSE I LOVE WHEN WE PARTNER WITH OUR COMMUNITY.

[01:20:02]

SO IT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

THEY RAISED, YOU KNOW, MARVELOUS FUNDS.

AND IT WAS JUST A FUN, FUN NIGHT.

AND I WAS SO GLAD TO REPRESENT OUR ISD THERE.

THANK YOU, MISS ANDREA.

MISS HARRIS. SO I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE ALTRUSA RECOGNITION LUNCHEON, AND WE ACTUALLY MENTIONED IT EARLIER TODAY DURING OUR RECOGNITION PART OF OUR MEETING.

AND WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE ALEJANDRA ASSAYAS AND WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION, AS YOU SAW EARLIER TODAY.

SO WE WERE TOO EXCITED TO BE THERE.

AND I THINK LAST YEAR IT WAS OUR VERY OWN TABITHA BRANUM SUPERINTENDENT BRANUM, WHO WAS RECOGNIZED.

SO IT'S A GREAT LUNCHEON.

I ALWAYS ENJOY IT.

IT'S MY SECOND YEAR GOING AND IT WAS FANTASTIC.

I HOPE WE CAN DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

LET'S DO IT AGAIN. THAT'S RIGHT.

ABSOLUTELY. WE'VE GOT A STRING GOING ON THAT.

EXCELLENT. THANK YOU, MISS HARRIS.

ONE OF THE EVENTS THAT I'LL HIGHLIGHT WAS THE AMBASSADOR MEETING.

NUMBER TWO THAT WE HAD, I GOT THE PLEASURE OF SPENDING HALF A DAY OR A MORNING WITH OUR AMBASSADOR PROGRAM, WHICH ARE OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT HAVE JOINED INTO THIS COHORT OF 45 INDIVIDUALS THAT WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THE DISTRICT OPERATES AND, AND KIND OF HAVE MORE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE DISTRICT.

AND AND SO THIS ONE WAS SPECIFIC TO KIND OF SHOWING WHAT THE DISTRICT LOOKS LIKE.

AND IT WAS REALLY IT WAS A BUS TOUR.

SO WE GOT TO SEE, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE SNAPSHOT OF THE DISTRICT ON A PIECE OF PAPER WHERE WE HIGHLIGHT A LOT OF THE, THE, THE EVERYTHING FROM DEMOGRAPHICS TO FACILITIES TO, TO THE SIZE ON THE, ON THE MAP.

BUT UNTIL YOU DRIVE IT, YOU REALLY GET A BETTER FEEL FOR EVERYTHING FROM ELEMENTARY TO THROUGH SECONDARY TO OUR DISTRICT, CENTRAL FACILITIES AND HOW SPREAD OUT IT IS.

I THINK ONE OF THE POINTS I MADE TO THE GROUP I, I WASN'T GIVEN THE TOUR, BUT THEY GAVE ME A MICROPHONE ON OCCASION, SO THAT WAS VERY DANGEROUS.

SO I DID A LITTLE TALKING.

BUT I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STUCK OUT TO ME AND I LET THEM KNOW WAS WE WERE TOLD BEFORE OUR BUS, OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, ARE WE? LAST YEAR, I THINK WE PUT A MILLION MILES ON THE BUSSES.

AND SO DRIVING AROUND, I THINK AS WE WERE SPENDING THREE HOURS, I THINK GOING AROUND, YOU COULD FIGURE OUT HOW THOSE MILLION MILES ACCUMULATE FAST.

AND THAT'S JUST KIND OF A METRIC THAT KIND OF BLOWS MY MIND.

BUT IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THEM CONTINUING FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR IN THE IN THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS, MONTHLY MEETINGS. SO WITH THAT I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF, OUR VISITORS AND MY COLLEAGUES FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING.

[V. CLOSED MEETING]

CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY, SECTION 551.072.

REAL PROPERTY AND SECTION 551.074.

PERSONNEL MATTERS AND DUTIES OF PUBLIC OFFICERS.

IT IS NOW 7:35 P.M.

AND WE ARE NOW IN CLOSED SESSION OR HEADED TO CLOSED SESSION.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

[VI. RECONVENE]

ALL RIGHT. BOARD IS RETURNING TO OPEN SESSION AT 8:41 P.M..

HAVING TAKEN NO ACTION WHILE IN CLOSED SESSION.

THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED AT 8:41 P.M.

ON 7TH OF NOVEMBER, 2024.

THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.