Sep 15, 2022 Regular Board Meetings

BOARD YOU CAN TAKE YOUR SEATS.

[00:05:02]

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF MORE THINGS, BUT YOU CAN BE SEATED FOR IT.

WE DID WANT TO RECOGNIZE A SPECIAL RECOGNITION THIS MONTH.

EACH SEPTEMBER WE RECOGNIZE SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH, AND WE DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANT WORK HAPPENING IN OUR DISTRICT AROUND THIS CRITICAL ISSUE.

OUR MISSION IS TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO THE WARNING SIGNS OF SELF-HARM AND SUICIDE IN STUDENTS TO SAVE LIVES AND BUILD RESILIENCE WITHIN STUDENTS.

THROUGH STUDENT AND STAKEHOLDER EDUCATION, OUR GOAL IS TO PREVENT SELF-HARM AND SUICIDE BY TEACHING THE ROUND ROCK ISD COMMUNITY TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO THE WARNING SIGNS LEADING TO LIFE-SAVING INTERVENTION AND REPORTING AND TO INCREASE THE COMMUNITY'S AWARENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, DECREASE SUICIDE AMONGST STUDENTS AND PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS TO SEEK AND OBTAIN HELP WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

WE HAVE RESOURCES ON OUR WEBSITE INCLUDING INFORMATION ABOUT OUR CAMPUS-BASED MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS.

BUT I DID WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK OUR COUNSELORS, OUR SOCIAL WORKERS AND ROUND ROCK ISD POLICE OFFICERS FOR ALL THEIR WORK AND DEDICATION IN THIS AREA.

BECAUSE OF CONFIDENTIALITY AND THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE NATURE OF THIS ISSUE, WE CAN'T ALWAYS PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE OUR HEROES WHO ARE LITERALLY SAVING KIDS LIVES.

WE HAVE HAD OUR INSTANCES IN THE PAST YEAR WHERE THE DIRECT INTERVENTION OF A COUNSELOR OR SOCIAL WORKER OR OFFICER HAS SAVED A LIFE.

WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO CHIEF WEINER, ALL OUR OFFICERS THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT, DR. LOUIS, DR. GROSSO.

THANK YOU AND ALL YOUR TEAMS. TO TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, SUPPORT STAFF, REALLY EVERYONE BECAUSE WE ALL PLAY A PART.

IT TAKES ALL OF US WHO ARE LOOKING OUT FOR OUR STUDENTS AND EACH OTHER.

[APPLAUSE] ANOTHER OLD TRADITION THAT WE'RE BRINGING BACK, WE WANT TO INTRODUCE YOU THE BOARD TO SOME OF OUR NEW PRINCIPALS NEW TO THE DISTRICT.

MANY OF THEM WERE HIRED OVER THE SUMMER.

BUT AS YOU KNOW, OUR AUGUST BOARD MEETING HAPPENS JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER SCHOOL STARTS, SO THAT WAS A DIFFICULT NIGHT.

IN FACT, ONE OF OUR NEW PRINCIPALS IS GOING TO BE JOINING US NEXT MONTH BECAUSE SHE HAS A BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT TONIGHT.

I'M GOING TO CALL THEM UP.

THEY'RE JUST GOING TO GIVE SOME BRIEF COMMENTS AND THEN PRINCIPALS YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME AND SHAKE HANDS WITH THE TRUSTEES BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR SEATS AGAIN, AND WE DO APPRECIATE YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

FIRST LEADING THE TRAILBLAZERS AT JULIE JOHNSON STEAM ACADEMY, PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING KARL UNGER. [APPLAUSE]

>> GREETINGS TO SUPERINTENDENT AZAIEZ, BOARD AND TO COMMUNITY.

IT DEFINITELY HAS BEEN A PLEASURE HERE WITH ROUND ROCK IN JOINING THE FAMILY.

IT HAS BEEN AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE WITH AN AMAZING FAMILY, WITH A TRAILBLAZER.

I'M VERY PROUD TO BE A PART AND TO CONTINUE THIS JOURNEY AND TO BE A PART OF ROUND ROCK. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MR. UNGER. [APPLAUSE] NEXT UP LEADING TO PALM SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PIONEERS JOIN ME IN WELCOMING SHAOQI BROWN.

>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

TODAY WE CELEBRATED THANKFUL THURSDAY AT PALM SPRINGS.

TO CARRY ON OUR DAY, I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I'M VERY THANKFUL TO BE HERE AS WELL.

I REALLY GREATLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

THIS HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS CHANCE FOR OUR FAMILY BEING HERE IN ROUND ROCK ISD.

I'M VERY HAPPY FOR THAT.

I'M THANKFUL THAT MY DAUGHTER IS ATTENDING MY SCHOOL.

ALSO VERY COOL THERE. ANYWAY, I WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND JUST REALLY ENJOYING THE ROUND ROCK ISD.

I LOVE THE SUPPORT THAT WE'VE HAD SO FAR AND IT'S BEEN TREMENDOUS.

THANK YOU ALL.

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

>> NOW NO ONE ELSE WILL FORGET.

[LAUGHTER] THAT WAS A LESSON FOR YOU GUYS.

NEXT, THIS IS A FAMILIAR FACE, NOT NEW TO ROUND ROCK ISD, BUT NEW TO SUMMER ELEMENTARY.

JOIN ME IN WELCOMING NEW PRINCIPAL BROKE ALARMS [APPLAUSE] DO TO SUMMER ELEMENTARY, NOT A NEW PRINCIPAL.

HI, DR. AZAIEZ, PRESIDENT FELLER AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S BEEN A VERY WARM WELCOME AT THE SUMMER AND COMMUNITY AND I'M VERY EXCITED TO BE THERE.

WE HAVEN'T HAD A GREAT START TO THE YEAR.

YOU CAN JUST FEEL THE EXCITEMENT IN THE AIR.

[00:10:02]

IT'S VERY EXCITING AFTER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THAT WE'VE HAD.

I BELIEVE IN GROWING AS A PROFESSIONAL.

I FEEL AS THIS IS A GREAT GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO LEAD THE SUMMER COMMUNITY.

I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY.

[APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] THIS NEXT PRINCIPAL SAID THIS JOB IS REALLY RETURNING HOME FOR HER AND WE'RE SO HAPPY TO HAVE HER.

WELCOME FROM GRECIA MIDDLE IB WORLD SCHOOL KYLA MILLS.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. DR. AZAIEZ AND BOARD AND THE COMMUNITY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S SO EXCITED TO RETURN TO ROUND ROCK AND TO GRISSOM.

IT BEING SUCH A DIVERSE SCHOOL AND AN IB SCHOOL.

I'M JUST EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS WILL ACCOMPLISH THIS YEAR.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE.

[APPLAUSE] LEADING THE RIDGE VIEW MIDDLE-SCHOOL PANTHERS.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING OUR NEW PRINCIPAL, MARISA RAMIREZ.

[APPLAUSE] HELLO, GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

LIKE KYLA MILLS, I AM RETURNING BACK TO RIDGEVIEW AND IT FEELS GREAT. OH MY GOD.

I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU HOW EXCITED I AM.

I SEE SO MANY FAMILIAR FACES HERE AND I JUST CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT AND THE WELCOME BACK.

WE'RE SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE AND IT'S BEEN SO WONDERFUL.

I CAN'T EVEN CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT.

BUT I STARTED MY CAREER AT STONY POINT.

I WAS AT CEDAR FOLKS, I WAS AT RIDGEVIEW.

I'M AN EAST CEDAR [LAUGHTER] AND I JUST LOVE ROUND ROCK ISD.

ALL THREE OF MY CHILDREN WENT THROUGH ROUND ROCK ISD.

I CAN SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL 2019, '16.

I'VE TALKED ABOUT IT WITH SEVERAL OF YOU, BUT I JUST CAN'T CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT AND I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER] FOLLOWING THAT ENTHUSIASTIC PERFORMANCE, THIS WILL BE TOUGH.

[LAUGHTER] ANOTHER FAMILIAR FACE THAT WE'RE SO HAPPY TO WELCOME BACK TO ROUND ROCK ISD.

JONATHAN SMITH, PRINCIPLE OF CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL.

[APPLAUSE] DR. AZAIEZ, PRESIDENT OF FELLER BOARD COMMUNITY.

AS A LEADER, YOU CAN EITHER LEAD IN A DISTRICT OR YOU CAN LEAD IN THE DISTRICT.

[LAUGHTER] I'M SO GLAD TO BE BACK HERE AT THE DISTRICT.

ROUND ROCK ISD IS JUST SUCH A GREAT PLACE TO BE AT CEDAR RIDGE.

IT'S SO MUCH POSITIVITY FROM THE COMMUNITY TO STUDENTS.

IT'S JUST BEEN SO EXCITING.

AS ARISTOTLE SAID, WE ARE WHAT WE REPEATEDLY DO.

THEREFORE, THE HABIT OF EXCELLENCE IN CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL WILL CONTINUE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER] THIS NEXT PRINCIPAL IS NEW TO ROUND ROCK ISD AND NEW TO THE AREA.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU HE IS ALREADY JUST BLEED AND BLUE AND GREEN.

HE IS A MAVERICK ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING MAC EAGLE TIN, PRINCIPAL OF MCNEIL HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE] GOOD EVENING. I AM HONORED AND HUMBLED TO JOIN ROUND ROCK ISD FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS, PARTICULARLY IN SERVICE TO THE FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY OF MCNEIL HIGH SCHOOL.

[00:15:02]

DR. AZAIEZ, THANK YOU.

TO THE BOARD, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT JOINING THIS PARTNERSHIP AND CONTINUING TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR WONDERFUL OUTCOMES.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I'M SO GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> LAST BUT NOT LEAST, OUR LAST NEW PRINCIPLE TO INTRODUCE TONIGHT HAS A LONG HISTORY IN THIS SCHOOL THAT SHE IS NOW LEADING.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING AARON CAMPBELL, OUR NEW PRINCIPAL OF A WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL.

>> GOOD EVENING, DR. AZAIEZ, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PRESIDENT, FELLOW, AND COMMUNITY.

I'M SO PROUD TO BE HERE TODAY AND AS JENNY ALLUDED TO, I DO HAVE A HISTORY WITH ROUND ROCK ISD IN WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL.

I'M A PROUD GRADUATE OF WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, I ATTENDED OUR SCHOOLS, SPICES WOOD IN CANYON VISTA, K THROUGH 12.

IT WAS VERY INTENTIONAL THAT I RETURNED BACK TO ROUND ROCK ISD SIX YEARS AGO TO CONTINUE MY CAREER AND TO BRING MY FAMILY HERE.

I JUST FEEL IT IS SUCH AN HONOR TO GET TO LEAD THE SCHOOL THAT I LOVE SO MUCH AND HAVE THE EXPERIENCE HAVING BEEN A STUDENT AT WESTWOOD, I WILL ALSO BE A PARENT OF WESTWOOD KIDS.

I WILL BE THE AUNT OF WESTWOOD KIDS NEXT YEAR, [LAUGHTER] AND AM THRILLED FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY.

WESTWOOD AND ROUND ROCK ISD IS NOT JUST WHERE I WORK IT IS WHO I AM, AND SO I AM GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO BE AROUND ROCK ISD EDUCATOR FOR LIFE.

>> I JUST WANT TO ONCE AGAIN, THANK ALL OF OUR PRINCIPALS FOR COMING.

WE KNOW HOW BUSY YOU ARE, BUT IT WAS SO GREAT TO HEAR FROM ALL YOU.

WE HAVE INCREDIBLE LEADERS IN OUR SCHOOLS AND WE THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] NOW FOR OUR VIDEO HIGHLIGHT OF TONIGHT.

TONIGHT WE'RE GOING TO HIGHLIGHT OUR NEW AQUATIC CENTER, WHICH JUST OPENED THIS MONTH AND IT'S ONE OF THE LAST MAJOR PROJECTS THAT BOND 2018 TO BE COMPLETED.

SHARING OUR EXCITEMENT IN OUR EXCITEMENT IS OUR HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMERS WHO ARE NOW USING THE FACILITY FOR PRACTICE.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HEAR FROM THEM ON WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE SOME OF THE FACILITIES FIRST SWIMMERS.

ALSO WE'LL SAY MARK YOUR CALENDARS, YOU'LL GET IT INVITES SOON, BUT WE WILL BE DOING THE RIBBON CUTTING ON NOVEMBER 3RD FOR THIS FACILITY.

WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND WATCH THE VIDEO NOW.

[MUSIC].

>> IT'S REALLY AMAZING TO BE IN THIS NEW BUILDING.

THIS FACILITY IS AWESOME.

HONESTLY, IT WAS LIKE WOW, BECAUSE OUR OLD POOL THAT WE WERE PRACTICING IN WAS VERY SMALL.

WE COULDN'T HAVE BOTH TEAMS, BOTH WATER POLO AND SWIMMING IN AT THE SAME TIME.

NOW WE'RE RUNNING TOURNAMENTS FOR WATER POLO WHERE ALL THREE OF THE POOLS CAN BE USED WHICH IS AMAZING.

I CAN RUN WATER POLO PRACTICE, SWIM PRACTICE, AND WE CAN HAVE STONY POINT COME IN AND DO THEIR PRACTICE ALL AT THE SAME TIME. [MUSIC]

>> A LOT MORE ROOM THAN WE HAD.

IT'S DEEP, WHICH IS NICE.

WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SAND ON THE BOTTOM OR ANYTHING, SOME WATER POLO THAT'S ILLEGAL.

IT'S A LOT BETTER. IT'S ONE OF THE NICEST SCHOOLS I'VE EVER BEEN IN FOR SURE.

>> GOING TO BE NICE DURING THE WINTER.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE AS COLD AS OUTSIDE.

[NOISE] IT'S DEFINITELY NICE TO BE ABLE TO SEPARATE THE PULL OUT SO THERE'S MORE SPACE FOR EVERYONE, DID YOU SEE THE LOCKER ROOMS? BECAUSE LAKE CREEK'S LOCKER ROOMS WERE NOT IT.

IN THESE LOCKER ROOMS, WE HAVE MORE SHOWERS WE'RE ABLE TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE.

THE RESTROOMS ARE NICER.

WE HAVE LOCKER ROOMS TO PUT ALL OUR STUFF IN.

[MUSIC].

>> I THINK IT'LL ALLOW US TO EXPAND OUR TEAMS A LOT MORE AND JUST ALLOW US TO UP OUR LEVEL.

I THINK THIS FACILITY WILL REALLY HELP US JUST GROW AS A TEAM AND A PROGRAM.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY A BIG IMPROVEMENT.

IT'S GOING TO BE A FUN YEAR. [MUSIC]

>> [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. COMPUTER FOR PUTTING ALL OF THAT TOGETHER AND WE [MUSIC] HAVE SOME AMAZING THINGS GOING ON IN ROUND ROCK ISD.

AT THIS POINT WE'RE GOING TO TURN OVER TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

[E. PUBLIC COMMENTS]

AT EACH BOARD MEETING, THE BOARD WILL SET ASIDE TIME TO AFFORD

[00:20:02]

THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO ITEMS ON AND OFF THE AGENDA.

WE ASK THE CONCERNS OR COMPLAINTS REGARDING SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS NOT BE RAISED IN THIS PUBLIC FORUM.

SPECIFIC CONCERNS ABOUT EMPLOYEES OR FORMER EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY ACCORDING TO APPLICABLE BOARD POLICIES.

THE BOARD REQUESTS THE COMMENTS, WHETHER POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE, BE COURTEOUS AND RESPECTFUL.

I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THE AUDIENCE AND THE VIEWERS THAT THE COMMENTS OF THE SPEAKERS REFLECT THEIR OWN POSITIONS OR OPINIONS.

AS A REMINDER, THE BOARD ADOPTED AN ANTI HATE RESOLUTION ON JANUARY 20TH, 2022, WHERE THE BOARD REAFFIRMED ITS COMMITMENT TO THE WELL-BEING AND SAFETY OF ALL PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION, SEX, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, DISABILITY, AGE, OR POLITICAL BELIEFS.

IT STANDS AGAINST SPEECH THAT INCITES HATRED AND VIOLENCE TOWARDS ANY PERSON.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE THE PUBLIC DOES HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK, THAT RIGHT IS NOT UNLIMITED PER TEXAS PENAL CODE 38.13, 42.01, 42.02 AND 42.05 AND TEXAS EDUCATION CODE 37.105.

NO AUDIENCE MEMBER OR SPEAKER WILL BE PERMITTED TO ENGAGE IN ANY CONDUCT THAT IS DISRUPTIVE OR THREATENING TOWARD ANY SPEAKER OR OTHER PERSON, OR TO VIOLATE THE PRIVACY RIGHTS OF ANOTHER PERSON.

THE BOARD SHALL NOT TOLERATE DISRUPTION OF THE MEETING BY MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE.

IF AFTER AT LEAST ONE MORE INDIVIDUAL WARNING FROM THE PRESIDING OFFICER, ANY INDIVIDUAL THAT CONTINUES TO DISRUPT THE MEETING BY HIS OR HER WORDS OR ACTIONS, THE PRESIDING OFFICER WILL REQUEST ASSISTANCE FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TO HAVE THE INDIVIDUAL REMOVED FROM THE MEETING.

THE BOARD MAY NOT DISCUSS OR ACT UPON ANY MATTER THAT IS NOT LISTED UNDER THE ACTION PORTION OF THE AGENDA.

THEREFORE, BOARD MEMBERS MAY NOT DISCUSS THE COMMENTS OF SPEAKERS.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT A LACK OF RESPONSE FROM THE BOARD DOES NOT INDICATE AGREEMENT OR APPROVAL OF THE COMMENTS.

EACH SPEAKER WILL BE GIVEN TWO MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.

TRUSTEE HARRISON WILL BE THE DESIGNATED TIMEKEEPER.

TRUSTEES, WE HAVE ABOUT 50 SPEAKERS FOR TONIGHT.

>> I'M SORRY, MADAM PRESIDENT, WE MAY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT TRUSTEE BOARDS IS ON THE CAMERA.

>> THAT'S WHAT I STEPPED AWAY TO ASK THEM TO CHECK ON, SO SHE'S CHECKING ON IT.

>> OKAY. WONDERFUL. WE WILL START WITH DENISE RAY SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM K5 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

HOLD ON ONE SECOND, WAIT FOR THE MICROPHONE.

TRY IT AGAIN, GO AHEAD AND TRY.

>> A TEACHER REACHED OUT TO ME FOR HELP AND READING HER LETTER, AND I BELIEVE THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHER STORIES LIKE HERS.

WHEN TEACHERS RETURNED TO CAMPUS AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST, THEY WERE MET WITH A BOMB THAT HAD GONE OFF IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, FORCING THEM TO OPERATE AN ICU CONDITIONS, MANAGING TRIAGE ON THEIR CAMPUSES.

WHAT IS MEANT BY THIS? ON ONE CAMPUS ALONE, THERE WERE AT LEAST 17 UNFILLED POSITIONS ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

HOW DID THE FACULTY MEET THESE DEFICITS? A TEACHER VOLUNTEERED OR AS THEY CALL IT, WERE VOLUNTEERED TO TEACH ADDITIONAL CLASSES THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE FILLED BY ANOTHER SALARIED TEACHER.

THESE TEACHERS ARE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR LESSON PLANNING, GRADING, HOMEWORK, QUIZZES, TESTS, AND ACTIVITIES REQUIRING THEM TO NOW MANAGE NOT ONLY THEIR OWN FULL-TIME CLASS LOAD, BUT ADDITIONAL STUDENTS.

SOME TEACHERS ARE MANAGING MORE THAN 200 STUDENTS.

HERE'S SOME STORIES FROM THESE TEACHERS.

I TOOK AN ENTIRE EXTRA CLASS, I NOW HAVE 45 SPECIAL EDUCATION ACCOMMODATIONS TO JUGGLE BECAUSE OF THIS, I TUTORED THEM DURING MY LUNCH, LUNCH IS 25 MINUTES LONG.

THERE ARE MULTIPLE INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES THAT ARE TEACHING AND COACHING TRULY TWO FULL-TIME JOBS.

I'VE BEEN FILLING IN FOR A TEACHING POSITION THAT WAS VACATED LAST JANUARY AND REMAINS UNFILLED.

THE ONLY OTHER TEACHER ON MY TEAM RESIGNED THIS WEEK, WHICH MEANS I WILL HAVE EVEN MORE STUDENTS TO SUPPORT.

I'M TIRED AND OVERWHELMED BY THE WORK.

I DO NOT FEEL ANY SUPPORT FROM THE ADMIN. I'M BURNED OUT.

I FEEL I'M NOT VALUABLE OR APPRECIATED AT ALL.

ONE TEACHER JAY PRICE, ASKED ABOUT COMPENSATORY PAY FOR THOSE DURING THE WORK OF TWO TEACHERS.

SHE WAS TOLD TO DETAIL THEIR SCHEDULES SO ADMIN COULD JUSTIFY ASKING FOR COMPENSATION, WHICH IS INSULTING TO SAY THE LEAST.

SHE EMAILED THE DISTRICT ASKING WHAT COMPENSATION THE DISTRICT HAS FOR TEACHERS DOING WORK FOR TWO TEACHERS, AND HERE WAS THEIR REPLY.

REGARDING COMPENSATION, THE DISTRICT DOES OFFER COMPENSATION IN SITUATIONS WHEN A GUEST EDUCATOR IS UNABLE TO BE SECURED FOR TEACHER ABSENCE AND TEACHERS ARE ASKED TO COVER THAT ABSENCE DURING A PLC PERIOD. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. I FORGOT TO START WITH OUR STUDENTS.

WE HAVE THREE STUDENTS SPEAKERS.

I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO NOW FIRST JUST PAGE ELLIOTT SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5.

>> HELLO.

MY NAME IS PAIGE ELLIOTT AND I'M A SEVENTH GRADER AT WALSH MIDDLE SCHOOL.

I'M AN AVID READER, SO MUCH THAT MY MOM ONCE THREATENED TO TAKE MY BOOKS AWAY AS PUNISHMENT FOR NOT CLEANING UP MY ROOM.

I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S DANGEROUS TO INTERFERE WITH HOW LIBRARIANS ARE ALREADY DOING THEIR JOB.

MY LIBRARIAN, MRS. DAY IS GREAT AT SELECTING BOOKS AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT READING IT.

[00:25:04]

SHE'S ALWAYS BUYING NEW BOOKS FOR US AND SHE CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT YOUR APPROVAL.

IT WILL DELAY HER BOOKS TO GETTING TO ME AND MY FRIENDS.

MY MOM IS ALSO A LIBRARIAN AT ROUND ROCK ISD.

SHE WORKED HARD ON HER MASTER'S WHEN I WAS IN SECOND AND THIRD GRADE.

I MISS A LOT OF TIME HANGING OUT WITH HER BECAUSE SHE IS IN SCHOOL.

I DON'T WANT TO WASTE ANY MORE TIME BECAUSE YOU REQUIRE EVEN MORE WORK FROM HER AND HER FELLOW TEACHERS.

PLEASE VOTE NO ON THE TEA RULES.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE] NEXT IS MADELINE BAIRD SPEAKING ON OFF-TOPIC ON THE EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.

>> HELLO, MY NAME IS MADELINE BAIRD AND I'M A STUDENT OF EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL.

I'VE BEEN GOING TO ROUND ROCK ISD SCHOOLS MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND I'VE ALWAYS BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN STUDENT LEADERSHIP AND BEEN SEEN AS AN OVERACHIEVER.

IN ALL MY LIFE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, I'VE NEVER FELT AVERAGE UNTIL I ATTENDED EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL.

THIS SCHOOL IS FULL OF STUDENTS WHO STRIVE FOR SUCCESS, STUDENTS WHO GAVE UP ALL EXTRACURRICULARS AND MOST ASPECTS OF A NORMAL HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION.

IN ADDITION, THE TEACHERS AND STAFF ARE COMMITTED TO CREATING A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE STUDENTS.

THE MAIN REASON I'M HERE IS BECAUSE THE $1.6 MILLION INDOOR SWIMMING POOL JUST OPENED AND A BUILDING FOR EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL HAS NOT EVEN BROKEN GROUND.

I WAS PROMISED ONE WHEN I ENTERED THE SCHOOL IN 2020, A BUILDING BY MY SENIOR YEAR, AND HERE I AM, A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL, STILL LEARNING OUT OF 10 PORTABLES.

IT IS DEMEANING HOW THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS PUTTING EXTRACURRICULARS OVER THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

I'VE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS FROM STUDENTS ON HOW THEY FEEL UNSAFE, BECAUSE UNLIKE OTHER TRADITIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS THAT HAVE WALLS SECURED WITHIN BUILDINGS, WE HAVE A SIDEWALK AS A HALLWAY THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO ANYONE, WHETHER THEY ARE AN EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT OR NOT.

OUR STUDENTS FEEL NO SENSE OF SECURITY, ESPECIALLY IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, OUR SCHOOL IS GROWING AND THERE'S SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH ROOM.

THE TEACHERS THAT WE HAVE HAVE TO ACCOMMODATE STUDENTS DURING LUNCH BECAUSE WE HAVE HALF A PORTABLE AND EIGHT PICNIC TABLES.

THESE SAME TEACHERS DON'T EVEN HAVE THEIR OWN PORTABLE.

THEY SHARE HALF A PORTABLE WITH ANOTHER TEACHER.

NO STUDENT SHOULD HAVE TO SPEND ALL FOUR YEARS IN PORTABLES.

WE DESERVE BETTER.

ROUND ROCK ISD'S MISSION STATEMENT IS INSPIRING STUDENTS TO LEARN, EMPOWERING STUDENTS FOR LIFE.

EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PRIORITIZE THESE IDEALS AND THEIR LEARNING, BUT OUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IS NOT PRIORITIZED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] WE HAVE ONE VIRTUAL STUDENT SPEAKER, JAYDEN JOHNSON, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5.

JAYDEN JOHNSON, VIRTUAL.

>> MY NAME IS JAYDEN JOHNSON. HELLO.

>> HELLO. GO AHEAD.

>> MY NAME IS JAYDEN JOHNSON AND I'M IN THE EIGHTH GRADE.

I AM THE CO-FOUNDER OF THE ROUND ROCK BLACK STUDENTS BOOK CLUB.

IS IMPORTANT THAT OUR SCHOOL LIBRARIES ARE A SAFE PLACE FOR ALL PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT GENDER, RACE, OR RELIGION.

PLEASE DON'T MAKE IT HARDER FOR DIVERSE BOOKS TO BE IN OUR LIBRARIES. THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE]. WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO OUR IN-PERSON ADULT SPEAKERS.

JAY PRICE, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM K5.

YOU DO NOT LIVE IN THE DISTRICT, BUT YOU DO TEACH IN THE DISTRICT.

THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING THAT YOU DO TEACH IN THE DISTRICT ON YOUR FORM.

>> OKAY.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU. I AM THE SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CHAIR AT CEDAR VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL.

REGARDING THE E-MAIL FROM DISTRICT ABOUT A COMPENSATION, I SUPPOSE THIS MEANS THE $25 STIPEND FOR FILLING IN FOR AN ABSENT TEACHER FOR ONE CLASS PERIOD, THAT IS BEYOND INSULTING.

THERE IS NO COMPARISON BETWEEN WHAT WE'RE DOING TO FILL THAT POSITION AND WALKING INTO A CLASSROOM TO FILL IN FOR A CLASS PERIOD.

SHAME ON ALL OF YOU.

THE DISTRICT KNEW ALL SUMMER THAT SCHOOLS ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND TEACHERS AND YOU SHOULD'VE HAD A PLAN.

YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR GOOD HEARTS AND ETHICAL CHARACTER BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT NO TEACHER WILL LET A CLASSROOM FULL OF KIDS GO WITHOUT, AND THEN YOU MAKE MONEY OFF OF US ON TOP OF THAT WHEN YOU KEEP THE MONEY ALLOTTED FOR THESE UNFILLED POSITIONS.

THOSE FUNDS COULD BE USED TO OFFER A FAIR AND EQUITABLE COMPENSATORY SALARY UNTIL THE POSITION IS FILLED.

THIS DISTRICT CAN DO BETTER AND IT MUST DO BETTER.

COMPENSATE THE TEACHERS WHO ARE DOING THE WORK OF TWO TEACHERS OR OUR STUDENTS WILL END UP FEELING

[00:30:01]

THE FURTHER EFFECTS OF THE BOMB THAT WE TEACHERS DEALT WITH AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND WE CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH.

THE RUMBLINGS AND RUMBLINGS OF A NEW EXPLOSION ARE ALREADY BEGINNING. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] NEXT IS LINDY DEWAR, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE, WHICH IS THE CENSORING OF BOOKS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF ACT, ANTI-RACIST COMING TOGETHER BASED IN ROUND ROCK.

AND I AND WE ARE ASKING YOU TO VOTE NO ON AGENDA ITEM I5, DO NOT ADOPT THE TEA POLICY WHICH IS DISCRIMINATORY.

OUR LIBRARIES ARE FOR ALL STUDENTS AND LIKE IT OR NOT, WE HAVE A DIVERSE STUDENT POPULATION AND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR STUDENTS, BLACK, BROWN, LGBTQIA, THOSE WITH DISABILITIES DESERVE TO HAVE ACCESS TO BOOKS THAT GIVE THEM A SENSE OF BELONGING.

THOSE STUDENTS DESERVE TO BE SEEN AS THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES, AND BOOKS CAN HELP THEM TO SEE THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

MY KIDS ARE WESTWOOD GRADUATES CLASS OF 2005 AND 2006.

I REMEMBER BEING PLEASED WITH THEIR READING LIST THAT NOW INCLUDES BOOKS THAT ONE OF YOU AND A MINORITY OF PARENTS WANT BANNED.

I WAS GLAD THAT MY DAUGHTER READ, I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS BY MAYA ANGELOU.

IT WOULD BE DOING A DISSERVICE TO OUR KIDS IF THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHO THAT GREAT LADY WAS.

ACT ALSO WANTS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HARM THAT HAS COME TO TRUSTEE HARRISON IN THE FORM OF BIOHAZARD HATE MAIL.

WE UNEQUIVOCALLY CONDEMN ANY VIOLENT OR HARASSING ACTS AGAINST TRUSTEE CANDIDATES.

I WANT TO END WITH AN EXCERPT OF PERHAPS MAYA ANGELOU'S MOST FAMOUS POEM, AND I GUESS I'M GOING TO HAVE TO HURRY UP.

LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS.

EACH NEW HOUR HOLDS NEW CHANCES FOR A NEW BEGINNING.

DO NOT BE WEDDED FOREVER TO FEAR.

YOKED ETERNALLY TO BRUTISHNESS. THANKS.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] NEXT IS JEREMY STORY, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEMS I1, I5, I6, I3, K2, K5 AND K3 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> I'M NOT READY. I HAVEN'T STARTED YET.

ONE YEAR AGO AN ILLEGAL TAX INCREASE WAS ILLEGALLY CONDUCTED IN A MEETING AND VOTED ALONG.

TODAY, YOU CONSIDER RAISING NET TAXES FOR EVERYONE AGAIN IN SPITE OF HAVING EVEN FEWER STUDENTS.

YOU ALSO CONSIDER LEGAL ACTIONS BEING TAKEN AGAINST YOU TONIGHT, ONE OF WHICH IS MY FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS SUIT BECAUSE OF THE FOUR OF YOURS MALFEASANCE.

LET'S EVALUATE THE FACTS OF THIS PAST SCHOOL YEAR IN LIGHT OF THE TAX DOLLAR INCREASE IN LEGAL MATTERS BEING CONSIDERED TONIGHT.

FACT, YOU WELCOMED ALL THESE EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS TONIGHT, BUT THEY WOULD ALL GET FIRED IF THEY DID THE SAME THINGS YOU'VE DONE IN THIS LAST FISCAL YEAR.

FACT, SUPERINTENDENT THREATENED HIS PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND AFTER HAVING AN AFFAIR WHEN SHE WOULDN'T HELP CONCEAL HIS ACTIONS BY ENDING HIS CHILD'S LIFE WITH AN ABORTION.

FACT, THIS WOMAN NOTIFY THIS BOARD BUT WAS IGNORED BY WEIR, FELLER, VESSA AND HARRISON.

FACT, SUPERINTENDENT STATED UNDER OATH THAT HE WAS TOLD ABOUT THE WOMAN'S COMPLAINT, HE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO HER HOME AND THEN PHYSICALLY AGGRESSED AGAINST HER WHEN THE BOARD NOTIFIED HIM.

THE BOARD, FACT, WAS NOTIFIED BY ME BECAUSE A WOMAN, AN EDUCATOR IN AUSTIN CONTACTED ME. ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD [OVERLAPPING]-

>> MR. STORY, JUST ONE SECOND.

>> IF YOU ARE GOING TO STOP THE CLOCK, YOU CAN INTERRUPT ME.

>> I'VE STOPPED YOUR CLOCK.

>> IT'S A ONE UP.

>> I HAVE STOPPED YOUR CLOCK.

I'M GOING TO ASK FOR RESPECT FROM THE AUDIENCE SO THAT THEY DO NOT INTERRUPT YOU WHILE YOU'RE SPEAKING. OKAY?

>> THAT'S FINE.

>> THANK YOU. PLEASE HAVE SOME RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SPEAKING.

>> FACT, I EVEN SENT A PROTECTIVE ORDER FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE THAT WAS SERVED TO AZAIEZ AT A DISTRICT HEADQUARTER.

A VARIANT OF THAT ORDER STILL EXIST TODAY IN PERMANENT FASHION.

FACT, AZAIEZ LIED TO THE BOARD DURING HIS HIRING PROCESS ABOUT HIS INTENT TO BRING HIS FAMILY HERE.

HE'S STILL NOT DONE SO IN SPITE OF THE BOARD GIVING THEM EXTRA MONEY TO DO SO, AND HE FAILED TO PROPERLY AND TELL ME DISCLOSE THE PROTECTIVE ORDER TO THE BOARD.

FACT, A MASSIVE COVER-UP ENSUED.

BOARD AND AZAIEZ HAD ME DRAGGED OUT OF THE BOARD MEETING BY POLICE WHILE ALLOWING OTHERS TO WIDELY STRAY OFF TOPIC.

FACT, THE BOARD LOCKED DOWN THE MEETING INTO 18 CHAIRS WITH MRS. WEIR THREATENED A CHILD ON THE FLOOR BECAUSE SHE WAS SIMPLY SITTING ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO HER MOTHER.

FACT, YOU PRESIDED OVER ARRESTING TO SILENCE ME WHEN I WOULDN'T STOP EXPOSING YOU.

FACT, AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR AFFIRMED ALL THESE STATEMENTS, YOU HIDE THE REPORT FOR SIX MONTHS UNTIL THE AG FORCED YOU TO RELEASE IT AND THEN YOU REINSTATED IT EVEN THOUGH THE REPORT SAID NOT TO DO SO.

FACT, THE POLICE CHIEF, ASSISTANT CHIEF, AND ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE RESIGNED.

FACT, IT APPEARS THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT IS ACTUALLY SUING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ACTUALLY MADE DEMANDS TO TRY TO BE SEPARATED FROM HIS CONTRACT.

NOW WE LOOK AT REPEATING ANOTHER YEAR OF THIS. I SAY NO.

NO TO YOUR LEADERSHIP, NO TO RAISING MORE TAX DOLLARS, NO TO YOUR INTENT TO REJECT ALLOWING THE BOARDROOM TO REVIEW BOOKS.

>> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT, IS JOHN KEAGY, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I2, [APPLAUSE] I5, I6, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

[00:35:06]

>> HI. GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL TONIGHT.

I URGE YOU TO PLEASE VOTE YES ON I5.

BOOKS ARE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOLS OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS HAVE.

THERE MUST BE MUCH CARE AND CONCERN WHEN SELECTING NEW BOOKS FOR THE LIBRARY.

THE BOARD CAN ACT AS ANOTHER MEASURE OF CARE IN SELECTING PROPER BOOKS THAT HELP STUDENTS MEET THEIR TEK STANDARDS.

I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT I2.

GPM 4.1 IS CONDUCTED BY PANORAMA EDUCATION SURVEYS, WHO ARE DESCRIBED AS INDOCTRINATION PLATFORMS AIMING TO MOLD STUDENTS INTO SOCIAL JUSTICE WARRIORS.

THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A GOOD WAY TO PUT OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER OR MAKE PARENTS COMFORTABLE THAT YOU SUPPORT THEM.

I READ THROUGH THE ENTIRE SURVEY MY SIXTH-GRADER WAS ASKED TO COMPLETE LAST YEAR.

THIS SURVEY WAS DISGUSTING.

I HAVE THREE HIGHER EDUCATION DEGREES AND THIS SURVEY TOOK ME OVER 30 MINUTES JUST TO READ AND TRY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS TOOK EVEN LONGER.

I SAY TRY AND I MEAN IT.

SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WERE VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO ANSWER.

HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO, ONE, GET ACCURATE ANSWERS TO A VERY LONG SURVEY, AND, TWO, HAVE CHILDREN AGES AS LOW AS 11 OR 12 YEARS OLD READ AND COMPREHEND THESE QUESTIONS? WHILE I UNDERSTAND, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW IF STUDENTS FEEL SAFE AND SECURE ON CAMPUS, I'M SURE THE CAMPUS PRINCIPALS CAN INDIVIDUALLY DETERMINE THE BEST WAY TO GET THIS DATA. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] NEXT IS MARK ADAMS, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME COME SPEAK TO YOU TONIGHT.

MY NAME IS MARK ADAMS. I'M THE PARENT OF A NEW KINDERGARTENER AT HARRINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

I WANT TO START BY THANKING EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

SERVING OUT OF SCHOOL BOARD IS NOT EASY.

BUT I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MY FAMILY APPRECIATES THE CARE THAT YOU AND YOUR DISTRICT STAFF PUT INTO CREATING A POSITIVE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT THAT MY DAUGHTER NOW ENJOYS.

[NOISE] I'M SPEAKING TO YOU TONIGHT IN OPPOSITION OF ADOPTING THE TEA POLICY REGARDING LIBRARY MATERIALS.

HERE IN TEXAS, WE KNOW THAT ONE SIZE FITS ALL SOLUTIONS CAN OFTEN BE A BAD IDEA.

EACH COMMUNITY AND EACH DISTRICT HAS DIFFERENT.

DALLAS IS NOT THE SAME AS AMARILLO, ROUND ROCK IS NOT THE SAME AS GRANBURY.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SCHOOL BOARDS LIKE YOU-ALL.

I'M CONCERNED THAT ADOPTING THE TEA'S LANGUAGE WILL TAKE VITAL RESOURCES FROM OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION TO FOCUS ON BUREAUCRATIC PROCESSES THAT WON'T IMPROVE STUDENT OUTCOMES OR THE POLICY OBJECTIVES.

THE BOOKS IN OUR SCHOOL LIBRARIES ARE ALREADY CHOSEN BY CERTIFIED SCHOOL LIBRARIANS, WHO MUST HOLD A MASTER'S DEGREE IN THEIR FIELD, COMPLETE AN EDUCATOR PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM, LIKE OUR TEACHERS, AND PERFORM OVER 200 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION EVERY FIVE YEARS.

THESE FOLKS ARE EXPERTS AT WHAT THEY DO.

THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO FOCUS ON THE JOB WE HIRED THEM TO DO, NOT MORE BUREAUCRACY.

THE EXISTING DISTRICT POLICY ON LIBRARY MATERIALS ALREADY TAKES A BALANCED APPROACH TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND INVOLVES STAKEHOLDERS FROM DISTRICT STAFF, PARENTS, OR SCHOOL PTA, OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND EVEN THIS BOARD.

IT SEEMS TO BE SERVING ROUND ROCK ISD WELL, FROM WHAT I CAN TELL.

IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE EXISTING POLICY, THE SENSIBLE APPROACH TO ME IS TO MAKE TWEAKS, NOT REPLACE IT WITH A SUPPOSEDLY ONE SIZE FITS ALL POLICY DEVELOPED IN AUSTIN. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT IS MARK COSTENBADER SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5 AND K4, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> I'M SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO I5.

I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS A VERY LONG HISTORY OF MORAL PANIC IN THE FACE OF THE EXPANSION OF RIGHTS FOR MARGINALIZED GROUPS, STARTING WITH ABOLITION AND EXTENDING TO RECONSTRUCTION AND THE WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT, AS WELL AS CIVIL RIGHTS, GAY RIGHTS IN THE '90S, CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IS NOTHING NEW IN TERMS OF PANICKING OVER BOOKS, THAT HAD BEEN AROUND FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AS WELL AS SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, LEARNING, AND SURVEYS.

IT'S A MEANS TO DIVIDE AND DESTROY, REALLY, OUR SCHOOLS AND IN THE SERVICE OF COLLECTING POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC POWER.

WE'RE GOING TO HEAR A LOT ABOUT THE MERITS OF THE BOOK "BANS."

[00:40:04]

I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING THOSE.

MY POINT IS THAT CERTAINLY THERE'S REASON TO ARGUE THE MERITS, BUT THE BIGGER PICTURE HERE IS THIS IS ALL ABSOLUTE GARBAGE AND IT'S NOTHING NEW.

YOU'RE REPEATING SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS IN THIS COUNTRY AS A BACKLASH TO PROGRESS FOR MARGINALIZED INDIVIDUALS.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS CHRISTY SLAKE, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> MS. PATTY, DO YOU HAVE THOSE HANDOUTS FOR THE BOARD? THANK YOU. HEY? GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS CHRISTY SLAKE.

I HAVE PROVIDED A HANDOUT TO EACH OF THE BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT THAT WILL HOPEFULLY BE COMING TO YOU SOON.

WHILE THAT'S BEING HANDED OUT, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY HAPPY CONSTITUTION WEEK.

THIS WEEK, ROUND ROCK ISD DID A GREAT JOB OF ENCOURAGING THE SCHOOLS, PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS TO CELEBRATE FREEDOM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THAT.

IF YOU'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE ITEMS THAT ARE IN THE PACKET, THE FRONT PAGE SAYS, "WARNING, NOT FOR CHILDREN." THESE PAGES CONTAIN COPIES OF BOOKS THAT WERE IN ROUND ROCK ISD LIBRARIES.

THESE ARE THE BOOKS THAT WE'RE SPEAKING ABOUT TODAY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE TEA MODEL POLICY.

FIVE MONTHS AGO I BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION THE NEW TEA MODEL POLICY FOR REMOVING OBSCENE CONTENT FROM ROUND ROCK ISD SCHOOLS.

BOTH IN APRIL AND THEN AGAIN IN JULY I REQUESTED THAT THE BOARD ADD THIS DISCUSSION AND ACTION TO THE NEXT BOARD MEETING.

I STATED THAT A DELAY IN DOING SO WOULD BE REGARDED AS YOUR ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL OF THE OBSCENE MATERIALS IN ROUND ROCK ISD LIBRARIES.

THE SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD PRESIDENT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING THE BOARD AGENDA.

BUT YOU TOOK NO ACTION AND THAT IS NOT LOST ON ME.

LET ME BE VERY CLEAR, I AM NOT SUGGESTING BANNING OR BURNING BOOKS.

I AM ASKING THAT YOU ADOPT THE TEA MODEL POLICY TO HAVE BOOK BOUNDARIES, TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM MATERIALS THAT ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR MINORS.

I WOULD DESCRIBE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IN YOUR PACKET, BUT THERE ARE CHILDREN IN THIS ROOM AND IT IS HORRIFYING.

I WOULD NOT EVEN SAY IT ALOUD.

THE CONTENT TO WHICH I'M REFERRING IN YOUR PACKET WAS FOUND IN LIBRARIES AND ARE IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF PENAL CODE 43.24 AND THE CHILDREN'S INTERNET PROTECTION ACT.

PLEASE DO WHAT IS BEST FOR ALL STUDENTS AND ADOPT EFB LOCAL TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS ALAINA LOZANO, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> MY NAME IS LINA LOZANO AND I'M A STUDENT AT UNION HILL ELEMENTARY.

IN OUR FAMILY, READING IS IMPORTANT AND VALUED.

WE TRUST OUR WONDERFUL SCHOOL LIBRARIAN TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS ABOUT THE MATERIALS SHE FILLS OUR LIBRARY WITH.

WE ALSO TRUST OUR CURRENT REVIEW PROCESS FOR SCHOOL LIBRARY MATERIALS.

PLEASE KEEP OUR MATERIALS REVIEW PROCESS IN PLACE AND CONTINUE TO APPLY IT CONSISTENTLY.

THE TEAS REVIEW PROCESS IS NOT THE ANSWER FOR OUR DISTRICT.

OUR CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEYS SHOW THAT SCHOOL LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS ARE FAVORITE AMONG TEACHERS AND ALL STUDENTS AT ALL GRADE LEVELS.

I CAN'T WAIT TO GO TO THE LIBRARY FOR THE BLUE BONNET BOOK, LUNCH BUNCH THAT STARTS NEXT WEEK.

POLICY CHANGES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO AREAS THAT WHERE CLIMATE SURVEYS SHOW PROBLEMS THAT ACTUALLY EXIST.

LET'S SPEND OUR TIME ON ACTUAL STUDENT OUTCOMES INSTEAD OF TRYING TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR US TO HAVE ACCESS TO BOOKS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY APOLOGIES.

I DID JUST NOTICED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FORM YOU DID CIRCLES OF STUDENTS, SO I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT HAVING HER SPEAK AT THE BEGINNING.

I APOLOGIZE. NEXT IS THERESA BLANTON SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5, AND YOU DO NOT LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> HI, I DO NOT LIVE IN THE DISTRICT, BUT I TEACH AT STONY POINT HIGH SCHOOL.

I TEACH ENGLISH TOO.

I WANT YOU TO VOTE, NO, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE TA'S POLICY BECAUSE IT WOULD CRIPPLE OUR LIBRARIANS IN TRYING TO GET NEW BOOKS AND MATERIALS INTO THE SCHOOL BECAUSE THE PROCESS IS SO LENGTHY.

[00:45:09]

ALL OF THIS FEELS LIKE AN ATTACK ON PROFESSIONALS WITH ADVANCED DEGREES WHO SHOULD BE RESPECTED FOR THEIR KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND CREATIVITY.

SOMEONE DID MENTION THAT ALL OF THE BOOKS SHOULD BE TEAKS RELATED, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT LIBRARIES ARE NECESSARILY FOR.

THE ONLY TEAK THAT I KNOW OF IS THE ONE THAT IDENTIFIES THE ABILITY FOR CHILDREN TO PICK BOOKS, LIKE MAKE AN INDEPENDENT CHOICE FOR BOOKS.

THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE A DIVERSE COLLECTION THAT WOULD APPEAL TO MULTIPLE TYPES OF STUDENTS.

WE HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE NOT ONLY TO BUY BOOKS THAT DOES WORK, BUT ALSO TO CHALLENGE ANY THAT SEEM APPROPRIATE.

I THINK WE SHOULD KEEP THAT OR TWEAK IT TO MAKE IT SOMEWHAT BETTER.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT IS KAREN HAWTHORNE SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> I AM HERE REPRESENTING ACCESS EDUCATION, RRISD, AND THE LIBRARIAN WHO REACHED OUT TO US.

SHE WRITES, "I AM A FORMER RRISD LIBRARIAN.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE LISTENING TONIGHT TO KNOW THAT THE CURRENT BOOK SELECTION PROCESS HAS SERVED US EXCEPTIONALLY WELL FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND CONTINUES TO DO SO.

IT IS WHAT DRIVES OUR LIBRARIES TO BE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO THE DEFINITION OF OUR RRISD AS A DESTINATION DISTRICT.

IT IS THE REASON OUR LIBRARIES REMAIN RELEVANT IN A TIME WHERE THE WORLD TURNS MORE AND MORE TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY.

THAT SAID, IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO RECOGNIZE THAT TRUSTEE WESTON'S PROPOSAL IS PURELY FOR HER OWN POLITICAL ADVANCEMENT TO RILE A CERTAIN BASE AND MOTIVATE THEM TO SUPPORT HER IN HER FUTURE POLITICAL ENDEAVORS.

I SAY THIS BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR, HIS POLITICAL PARTY, AND THE TEA, NEVER BEFORE BOTHERED TO OFFER A BOOK SELECTION POLICY TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS UNTIL THE VERY RECENT SOCIETAL CLIMATE MADE IT POLITICALLY ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THEM TO DO SO.

PLEASE TRUSTEE WESTON, LET THE PROFESSIONALS THAT ACTUALLY HAVE EDUCATIONAL DEGREES AND EXPERIENCE TO DO THEIR JOBS.

TURN YOUR FOCUS BACK ON OUR STUDENTS WHO NEED YOU.

WE HAVE SO MANY PRESSING ISSUES, MENTAL HEALTH, STAFFING, AND SAFETY THAT NEED OUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.

STOP WASTING OUR TIME." FOR MYSELF I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT I AM A PARENT OF A FIRST GRADER AND A THIRD GRADER AT THE JOLLY BILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND I TRUST HER CURRENT REVIEW PROCESS FOR SCHOOL LIBRARY MATERIALS.

PLEASE KEEP OUR MATERIALS REVIEW PROCESS IN PLACE AND CONTINUE TO APPLY IT CONSISTENTLY.

THE TEA REVIEW PROCESS IS UNNECESSARILY BURDENSOME TO THE DISTRICT.

IF A PARENT HAS AN ISSUE WITH THEIR KIDS READING, IT SHOULD BE THAT PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO MONITOR IT, NOT THE GOVERNMENT OR THE SCHOOL BOARD'S RESPONSIBILITY TO RESTRICT CHOICE FOR EVERY STUDENT AND FAMILY.

BY RESTRICTING INFORMATION AND DISCOURAGING FREEDOM OF THOUGHT, SENSORS UNDERMINE ONE OF THE PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF EDUCATION; TEACHING CHILDREN HOW TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

PLEASE VOTE NO. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS DON ZIMMERMAN SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I1, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO TRY TO COVER THE THREE TOP LIES IN ONLY TWO MINUTES HERE.

SPEAKING TO ITEM 1, AND I'M REFERRING TO THE INFORMATION SHEET RIGHT HERE, THE FIRST LAW IS PROBABLY THE MOST OFFENSIVE.

IT SAYS, AND I'M QUOTING THAT, "WE WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN TOTAL TAX REVENUE DUE TO RISING PROPERTY VALUES." THAT IS AN UNBELIEVABLY OFFENSIVE AND FALSE LIE.

THE REASON WE'RE GOING TO SEE $50 MILLION TAX INCREASE IS BECAUSE THE DISTRICT BUREAUCRATS WHO CONTROLLED THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DEMANDED $50 MILLION OF NEW REVENUE.

LINE NUMBER 2 HAS TO DO WITH THE RATE ITSELF.

I HAVE IN FRONT OF ME MR. LARRY GADDES' SPREADSHEET.

THIS IS WRITTEN TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW PROPERTY TAX CODE, SECTION 26.04.

THIS IS A LEGAL DOCUMENT AND IT IS LARGELY CORRECT.

THE TAX RATE HERE, IT SAYS VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE.

WHAT IS THE VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE? IT MEANS IF YOU GO OVER THE VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE, I'M QUOTING FROM THE TAXES CONTROLLER, A SCHOOL DISTRICT IS REQUIRED TO HOLD AN AUTOMATIC ELECTION TO RATIFY A CURRENT YEAR'S TAX RATE IF IT ADOPTS A TAX RATE ABOVE THE VOTER APPROVED TAX RATE.

YOU ARE DEMANDING THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE, THE MAXIMUM 50 MILLION REVENUE INCREASE THAT YOU COULD HAVE WITHOUT AN AUTOMATIC VOTER ELECTION.

LIE NUMBER 3.

TAXABLE VALUES CAN'T INCREASE MORE THAN 10 PERCENT PER YEAR FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.

NOW, RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES INCLUDE APARTMENTS.

[00:50:04]

APARTMENTS DON'T HAVE HOMESTEAD DESIGNATION.

ANYBODY WHO RENTS A HOME DOESN'T HAVE A HOMESTEAD DESIGNATION.

I HAVE A PERSONAL FRIEND WHO'S RENT INCREASED $900 A MONTH BECAUSE OF YOUR GREEDY PROPERTY TAX INCREASES.

ANYWAY, I'M DONE.

I'M REALLY DISGUSTED WITH WHAT THE MAJORITY BOARD HAS DONE HERE; RIPPING OFF TAXPAYERS AND SELF RIGHTEOUSLY CLAIMING YOU'RE FOR STUDENTS. YOU'RE NOT FOR STUDENTS.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS CHRISTY DAVIS SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR ADOPTING THE TEA MODEL POLICY EFB LOCAL.

AS EXPRESSED LAST YEAR, WE DO HAVE A PORNOGRAPHY PROBLEM IN OUR SCHOOL LIBRARIES.

THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON THAT OUR CHILDREN NEED GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS AND PICTURES THAT YOU CAN SEE IN FRONT OF YOU RIGHT NOW FULL OF SEX ACTS, SEX TOYS, RAPE, INCEST, AND THAT'S ABOUT ALL I CAN SAY WITH KIDS IN THE ROOM.

THAT'S MORE THAN I WANT TO SAY.

EIGHTEEN US CODE 1470 PROHIBITS OBSCENE MATERIAL TO MINORS.

WHY HAS THIS BEEN GLEEFULLY IGNORED? WE DO NOT HAVE AN ISSUE WITH DIVERSE BOOKS.

BOOKS ON THE HOLOCAUST WERE BOOKS LIKE TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, THAT IS RIDICULOUS AND MIGHT EVEN SAY EXTREMIST.

OVER GENERALIZATION OF WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR.

WE JUST DON'T WANT PORNOGRAPHY, NOT ONLY IN AND AVAILABLE, BUT MARKETED TO OUR CHILDREN.

NOW, IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT I WAS MENTIONED BY NAME AND A PRIOR MEETING.

IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT PRIVACY AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MEETING, BUT MY FULL NAME, WHICH I DON'T HAVE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON MY PODCAST, WAS RELEASED IN THIS ROOM.

I WONDER WHY YOU FOUND IT NECESSARY TO RELEASE MY FULL NAME, WHICH I DON'T HAVE ASSOCIATED WITH MY PODCAST.

IS IT BECAUSE MY PODCAST IS PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY, IS PROMOTING US TALKING ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE CARE ABOUT, NOT JUST IN THIS DISTRICT, BUT WHAT PARENTS CARE ABOUT ALL ACROSS THE NATION.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, I'M A PARENT OF THREE CHILDREN IN THE DISTRICT.

I'M A PODCASTER, SECOND.

FIRST, A PARENT.

I SIMPLY WANT TRANSPARENCY.

THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THIS SCHOOL BOARD HAS HAD; IS BEING TRANSPARENT.

DO ALL OF THESE PARENTS KNOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT? HAVE THEY SEEN THE PICTURES OF THIS BOOK? IF NOT, PLEASE COME TO US AND SEE.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT DIVERSITY, THIS IS NOT ABOUT BOOKS ON THE HOLOCAUST, THIS IS ABOUT PORNOGRAPHY BEING SHOVED AND MARKETED INTO OUR KID'S FACES.

IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE. THEY GET ENOUGH OF IT WITH TIKTOK AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

CAN WE AT LEAST HAVE A SAFE SPACE IN OUR SCHOOL.

THANK YOU. [NOISE]

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS JILL THEORISTS SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I1 AND I5, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> I JUST WANT TO TAKE A QUICK MINUTE AND TALK ABOUT THE SAFETY AND SECURITY MEETINGS.

CURRENTLY, OUR SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT AND OUR REPRESENTATIVE OR TRUSTEE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AT THE MEETINGS.

I WOULD LIKE TO JUST READ THE MINUTES FROM THE LAST COUPLE OF MEETINGS.

MAY 18TH, 2021, AMBER FELLER, AMY WEIR, ABSENT.

AUGUST 17TH, 2021, AMBER FELLER AND AMY WEIR, ABSENT.

NOVEMBER 9TH, 2021, AMBER FELLER AND AMY WEIR, ABSENT.

THERE WAS NO MEETING IN SPRING OF 2022 IN VIOLATION OF CODE 37.109.

JULY 22ND, 2022, AMBER FELLER AND AMY WEIR, ABSENT.

THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR CHILDREN IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ALL OF US PARENTS IN THE ROOM.

PLEASE APPOINT A MEMBER THAT WILL HAVE THE DECENCY AND THE RESPECTS TO ACTUALLY ATTEND THE MEETINGS.

IT'S NOT OKAY TO JUST SHOW UP TO THE LAST TWO AND BE ABLE TO SAY THAT.

IT'S WRONG. IF YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TO DO IT, THEN DON'T DO IT.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS [APPLAUSE] LAURIE KENT, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> HOLD ON BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT TO SAY. MY NAME IS LAURIE KENT.

I'VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO WORK ON ALL THREE CAMPUS LEVELS IN ROUND ROCK ISD.

I OPEN STONY POINT HIGH SCHOOL.

I TAUGHT AT CD FOLKS MIDDLE SCHOOL.

I WAS LONG-TERM LIBRARY SUB AT WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL AND A LONG-TERM LIBRARY SUB AT [INAUDIBLE] ELEMENTARY BEFORE MY CURRENT POSITION AS THE LIBRARIAN AT BRUSHY CREEK ELEMENTARY, 10 YEARS AGO.

[00:55:01]

ALL OF THESE SCHOOLS HAVE UNIQUE STUDENTS AND FAMILY NEEDS.

MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS, SYDNEY, ROUND ROCK HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2021, AND MARIN, ROUND ROCK HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2023.

BOTH OF OUR GIRLS ATTENDED BRUSHY CREEK ELEMENTARY, WALSH MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ROUND ROCK HIGH SCHOOL.

IN MY EXPERIENCE, STUDENTS SUCCEED WHEN THEY FEEL A CONNECTION TO THEIR SCHOOL.

THE LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS ARE KEY TO THAT EXPERIENCE.

WE GET TO KNOW THE FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY OVER MULTIPLE YEARS AND SOMETIMES MULTIPLE SIBLINGS.

WE INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO BOOKS AND EXPERIENCES THAT THEY REMEMBER.

WE OFFER A PLACE WITHOUT A GRADE OR STANDARDIZED TEST FOR STUDENTS TO COME ASK QUESTIONS AND EXPLORE THEIR INTERESTS.

IN OUR 2022 CLIMATE SURVEY, 99 PERCENT OF OUR STUDENTS REPORTED THAT OUR LIBRARY WAS A SAFE AND FRIENDLY PLACE.

NINETY-EIGHT PERCENT OF OUR STUDENTS REPORTED THAT OUR LIBRARY STAFF TREATED THEM WITH RESPECT, AND 93 PERCENT OF OUR STUDENTS RESPONDED THAT OUR LIBRARY HAS BOOKS THAT STUDENTS LIKE TO READ.

WE KNOW OUR STUDENTS.

AS LIBRARIANS, WE ARE SEARCHING FOR WAYS TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY.

WE PARTICIPATE IN OPEN HOUSES, PT EVENTS, MUSICALS, BOOK FAIRS, FAMILY NIGHTS, ETC.

DURING COVID, WE EVEN OFFER CURBSIDE LIBRARY SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WE KNOW OUR COMMUNITY.

I'M SPEAKING TODAY IN REFERENCE TO EFB LOCAL LIBRARY MATERIALS AND THE CONTROL THAT MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD ARE SEEKING TO GAIN BY DISCREDITING THE DECISIONS OF OUR PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALED LIBRARIANS.

THE LIBRARY AND LIBRARY RESOURCES ARE AN EXTENSION OF THE ROUND ROCK ISD PHILOSOPHY AND THEIR LEADERSHIP VALUES POSTED ON THE WEBSITE WHICH ARE COMMIT TO EQUITY, VALUE RELATIONSHIPS AND CHAMPION THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS.

LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO THESE VALUES.

WE KNOW OUR COMMUNITY, WE ARE COMMITTED TO EQUITY AND DIVERSITY THROUGH OUR RESOURCES, WE VALUE RELATIONSHIPS AND WE ASK FOR BOOKS SUGGESTIONS FROM STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY.

I ASKED YOU, WHO KNOWS OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY BETTER THAN LIBRARIANS? LET US USE OUR TRAINING, LET US USE OUR EXPERIENCE.

LET US BE LIBRARIANS AND CONTINUE THE LEGACY OF OUTSTANDING LIBRARY SERVICES IN ROUND ROCK ISD.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] NEXT IS MELISSA WELCHLEY, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> HI, I'M READING THIS ON BEHALF OF A LIBRARIAN WHO REACHED OUT TO US THROUGH ACCESS EDUCATION, ROUND ROCK ISD.

AS A PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIAN, I TRY MY VERY HARDEST TO MAKE SURE THAT I HAVE BOOKS TO APPEAL TO AND REPRESENT EVERY SINGLE STUDENT IN MY SCHOOL.

THERE IS NO GREATER JOY FOR ME AS A LIBRARIAN THEN WHEN I'M ABLE TO FIND THE PERFECT BOOK FOR KID AND WATCH THEIR EYES LIGHT UP AND EXCITEMENT AND ANTICIPATION OF READING A BOOK THAT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS WRITTEN JUST FOR THEM.

WHEN YOU TAKE AWAY MY ABILITY TO PROVIDE DIVERSE AND RELEVANT BOOKS FOR MY STUDENTS, YOU TAKE AWAY MY JOY.

PEOPLE SAY THAT EDUCATION IS A CALLING AND THAT IS WHY YOU ARE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH PAYING US SO LITTLE.

BUT WHEN YOU TAKE AWAY THE JOY AND MEANING FROM A JOB THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A CALLING, YOU TAKE AWAY THE WILL OF THOSE CALLED TO SERVE.

IF I CANNOT HAVE A BOOK FOR EVERY STUDENT, NO MATTER WHAT RACE, RELIGION, COLOR, GENDER, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION, THEN I NO LONGER WANT TO BE A LIBRARIAN.

THESE TYPES OF DECISIONS ARE DRIVING EDUCATORS AWAY.

[NOISE] I HOPE YOU'RE READY TO HOMESCHOOL AND WATCH YOUR CHILDREN SUFFER FROM A POOR EDUCATION, FROM UNTRAINED EDUCATORS.

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS KARA ANGELL, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> HI. THIS IS NERVE-RACKING.

I'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE.

I FEEL LIKE A RADIO FIRST-TIME CALLER, LONG-TIME LISTENER.

[LAUGHTER] HERE WE GO.

MY NAME IS KARA ANGELL AND I'M A PARENT AND FORMER TEACHER IN ROUND ROCK ISD.

I HOLD A MASTER'S DEGREE IN LIBRARY SCIENCE AND A SCHOOL LIBRARIAN CERTIFICATION.

I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT TRUSTEE WESTON'S REQUESTS TO ADOPT THE TEA VERSION OF POLICY EFP.

THE ADDITIONS IN THAT TEA POLICY WORK TO UNDERMINE THE PROFESSIONALISM AND RESPECT DESERVING OF THE LIBRARIAN POSITION.

MOST OF US WORKING IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES HOLD NOT ONE BUT TWO DEGREES IN AN EDUCATIONAL FIELD.

THE CURATION OF LIBRARY COLLECTIONS IS NOT SOMETHING TAKEN LIGHTLY, TRUST THE EXPERTS TO DO THEIR JOBS.

ADDING A LAYER OF BOARD APPROVAL OR REVIEW CREATES MORE BURDEN FOR STAFF, SOME WHO ARE ALREADY CARRYING A MASSIVE WORKLOAD BY FILLING IN FOR OPEN TEACHING POSITIONS ON THEIR CAMPUSES.

A FURTHER STRAIN ON THEIR TIME COULD RESULT IN EVEN MORE EDUCATORS LEAVING THE DISTRICT.

THIS POLICY ALSO TAKES LEARNING TIME AWAY FROM STUDENTS AND STAFF WHO NEED INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES.

WAITING FOR BOARD APPROVAL ON ORDERS, KEEPS BOOKS FROM AVID READERS AND INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLIES OUT OF CLASSROOMS. LASTLY, TRUSTEE WESTON'S POLICY IS NOT EQUITABLE FOR STUDENTS.

THIS SEEMS MORE LIKE POLITICAL THEATER TO APPEAL TO HER COMMUNITY OF FOLLOWERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO PUSH THEIR PERSONAL BELIEFS ON EVERY FAMILY IN THE DISTRICT.

[01:00:01]

UNDER THE CURRENT POLICIES AND LIBRARY GUIDELINES, PARENTS CAN ALREADY REQUEST AND RESTRICT WHAT THEIR CHILDREN CAN AND CAN'T CHECK OUT.

LET'S NOT LIMIT RESOURCES FOR ALL FOR THE SAKE OF SOME.

I ASKED YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS MOTION.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS TAMMY CONRAD, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM F1 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> HI, I'M REPRESENTING EDUCATION ROUND ROCK, OUR EMPLOYEE UNION.

THE SUPERINTENDENT IS SPEAKING ABOUT STAFF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION TONIGHT.

TO KEEP US FROM LEAVING AND TO RECRUIT OTHERS, WE DEMAND AND WE DESERVE RESPECT.

RESPECT MEANS ADEQUATELY STAFFED CLASSROOMS AND BUSES.

IT MEANS ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION FROM THE STATE SO THAT INSTEAD OF BEING 45TH IN THE COUNTRY, WE CAN RISE UP.

IT MEANS COMMENSURATE SALARIES FOR THE CRITICAL WORK THAT WE ALL DO.

IT MEANS SAFETY FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE OR FROM GUN VIOLENCE.

IT ALSO MEANS STIPENDS FOR EXTRA WORK LIKE READING ACADEMY AND IT MEANS KNOWING THAT WE ASK PROFESSIONALS WITH MASTER'S DEGREES ARE TRAINED TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE READING MATERIAL.

TEXAS LEGISLATORS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO SIGN THE EFT RESPECT PLEDGE TO ENSURE THAT THEY WILL TAKE ACTION THIS COMING SESSION.

IT'S ACTUALLY MY BIRTHDAY, AND SO I'M ASKING FOR A GIFT FROM ALL OF YOU.

I KNOW SHE PLUGGED.

[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.

ALL OF YOU WHO SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION, WE'RE ASKING THAT YOU GO TO TEXASAFT.ORG AND SIGN THE RESPECT PLEDGE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

IT CAN BE DONE BY PARENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ADMIN, BOARD MEMBERS, ALL OF US.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

THIS IS HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

IT'S ABOUT RESPECT. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS LINDSAY LEYARD, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I1 THROUGH I6 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> GOOD EVENING. I HAD SOMETHING WRITTEN, BUT THERE WAS JUST SO MUCH SAID ABOUT THE TAX RATE AND I JUST NEED TO ADDRESS THAT.

WE ARE COLLECTING MORE REVENUE IN OUR DISTRICT.

MR. ZIMMERMAN IS CORRECT ABOUT THAT.

BUT IT IS BECAUSE OUR PROPERTY VALUES ARE GOING UP.

WHAT HE DOESN'T TALK ABOUT IS WE HAVE $72 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL RECAPTURE BEING SENT TO THE STATE.

I KNOW THAT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LOWER THE TAX RATE EVEN FURTHER, BUT YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO BECAUSE OF THE MAXIMUM COMPRESSED RATE AND HE DOESN'T TALK ABOUT THAT.

ALL HE TALKS ABOUT IS WE CAN LOWER THE TAXES MORE, BUT WE LITERALLY CAN'T.

YOU ARE PROPOSING A TAX RATE TONIGHT THAT IS SET AT THE MAXIMUM COMPRESSED RATE OF 0.8046.

YOU HAVE FIVE GOLDEN PENNIES IN THERE.

THOSE FIVE GOLDEN PENNIES ARE INVALUABLE TO OUR DISTRICT.

THEY ALLOW US TO KEEP 100 PERCENT OF THOSE REVENUES IN OUR DISTRICT.

FOR ME PERSONALLY, MY $474,000 VALUED HOUSE, THAT'S AN ADDITIONAL $250 PER YEAR.

I GLADLY PAY THAT SO THAT I KNOW THAT THAT IS STATE THAT STAYS IN OUR DISTRICT.

THE INS RATE YOU DID HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE THAT SPOKE IN JUNE AND YOU HAVE PROPOSED A LOWER TAX RATE THAN WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY ADOPTED IN THE BUDGET, I APPLAUD YOU FOR THAT.

I DO WISH WE COULD PAY OFF DEBT SOONER, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO GIVE SOME RELIEF TO TAXPAYERS.

HE ISN'T TELLING THE FULL STORY.

HE ISN'T AND THAT'S REALLY FRUSTRATING.

I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT.

ON I5, I TRUST OUR LIBRARIANS.

I REALLY DO. THEY ARE PROFESSIONALS.

WE NEED TO GIVE THEM THE TRUST THAT THEY DESERVE.

ALSO ON K1.

THE STUDENTS TALKED ABOUT EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO SELL LAND, DO IT WITH INTENTION.

ALLOW IT TO BE USED FOR SOMETHING WHERE WHEN YOU'RE DOING IT AND YOU'RE GETTING THAT REVENUE THAT YOU KNOW WHERE THAT'S GOING AND USE THAT TO FUND THE CONSTRUCTION OF EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL.

THANKS. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS DANITA MEDFORD, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> HI.

>> YOU CAN PULL IT DOWN THERE.

>> I'M SHORT. I'M A PARENT OF TWO ROUND ROCK ISD STUDENTS AND I'VE TAUGHT IN TWO ROUND ROCK ISD SCHOOLS.

I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO VOTE NO ON ITEM I5, THE PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE TEA SUGGESTED PROCESS FOR ADOPTING NEW MATERIALS.

FRANKLY, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS EVEN ON TODAY'S AGENDA.

THE DISTRICT'S CURRENT PROCESS FOR ADAPTING MATERIALS AND FOR CHALLENGING THEM, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY THE TRUE INTENTION HERE IS THOROUGH, TRANSPARENT, AND MORE FOCUSED ON THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF THE MATERIAL THAN THE TEAS.

SURELY THIS BOARD HAS MORE IMPORTANT, VALUABLE STUDENT-CENTERED WAYS TO SPEND ITS TIME THAN TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS THAT DO NOT EXIST.

EVEN THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHO INITIALLY TRIED TO WITHHOLD CARES FUNDING FROM OUR DISTRICT OVER THIS VERY ISSUE,

[01:05:01]

APPROVES OF OUR CURRENT PROCESS.

AS FOR THE TEAS PROCESS, THE TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT OF DISAPPROVAL, CITING THE "TREMENDOUS ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN THIS WILL PLACE ON SCHOOL LIBRARIAN AND SUPERINTENDENTS AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, AS THEY ARE ASKED TO READ AND REVIEW THOUSANDS OF BOOKS." AGAIN, THE PEOPLE AND ALL OF THOSE ROLES HAVE MORE IMPORTANT TASKS THAT FOCUS ON STUDENT OUTCOMES.

CREATING MORE WORK JUST TO ADDRESS A NON-EXISTENT PROBLEM WILL ONLY SERVE TO DISTRACT FROM THE FOCUS ON STUDENT OUTCOMES.

IN MY EXPERIENCE, STUDENTS LOVE THE LIBRARY AND THE SCHOOL LIBRARIANS I'VE WORKED WITH ARE INCREDIBLE EDUCATORS AND EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD.

THEY KNOW THE STUDENTS AND THE TEACHERS AND USE THEIR EXPERTISE TO FILL LIBRARIES WITH HIGH INTERESTS MATERIALS FOR THE STUDENTS THAT SUPPORT THE CURRICULUM AS TAUGHT BY ALL OF THE TEACHERS.

THIS PROCESS WORKS EXCEPTIONALLY WELL TO SUPPORT ALL OF THE STUDENTS.

AS THE TLAS TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION STATEMENT SAYS, NO BOOK IS RIGHT FOR EVERY CHILD, BUT ONE BOOK CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD.

OUR LIBRARIANS KNOW THAT BECAUSE THEY SEE IT REGULARLY AND CHOOSE MATERIALS WITH THAT IN MIND, THEY CAN USE THEIR EXPERTISE WITH ROUND ROCK ISD'S CURRENT POLICY.

IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT IS EMILY HIRSCH SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> HI, I'M EMILY HIRSCH.

MY KIDS GO TO CANYON VISTA IN RURAL MOUNTAIN AND I'VE BEEN AN AWARD-WINNING SCHOOL LIBRARIAN IN A NEIGHBORING DISTRICT FOR ALMOST 15 YEARS.

I'M ASKING YOU TO TRUST YOUR DISTRICT SCHOOL LIBRARIANS.

SCHOOL LIBRARIANS HOLD MASTERS DEGREES AND ARE HIGHLY TRAINED IN THE ART AND SCIENCE OF CHOOSING BOOKS APPROPRIATE FOR THE SCHOOL COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY SERVE.

WHY CHANGE A PROCESS THAT'S WORKING? THE TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION SAYS THAT TEAS PROCESS WOULD CREATE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIANS, SUPERINTENDENTS, AND SCHOOL BOARDS.

IT DISTRACTS FROM EDUCATING STUDENTS AND APPLIES A ONE SIZE FITS ALL POLICY DECISIONS THAT YOU'RE CERTIFIED SCHOOL LIBRARIANS PLUS TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND PARENTS MAKE WITH THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAMPUSES IN MIND.

YOUR CURRENT MATERIALS REVIEW PROCESS IS TRANSPARENT, CONSISTENTLY APPLIED, AND SUCCESSFUL.

THERE IS NO NEED FOR CHANGE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT IS EVE MARGOLIS SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

EVE. THANK YOU.

>>THANK YOU.

AS A COMMUNITY INSPIRING STUDENTS TO LEARN, EMPOWERING STUDENTS FOR LIFE.

THAT IS THE DISTRICT'S VISION STATEMENT, INSPIRING AND EMPOWERING STUDENTS.

YET HERE WE ARE AGAIN, DISCUSSING MORE WAYS TO LIMIT PUBLIC EDUCATION.

BOOKS AREN'T DANGEROUS, THINKING ISN'T DANGEROUS.

BEING EXPOSED TO NEW IDEAS ISN'T DANGEROUS.

WE ARE FORCED TO SPEND VALUABLE TIME AND RESOURCES ON TOPICS SUCH AS MASK BANDS AND UNRELATED INVESTIGATIONS AND NOW BOOK BANDS AND THESE BOARD MEETINGS, A SMALL BUT VOCAL MINORITY IS DERAILING MEETINGS AND DISTRACTING THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE FROM FOCUSING ON STATED VISION AND GOALS OF OUR DISTRICT AND THE REAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND TEACHERS.

STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS ARE FACED WITH REAL PROBLEMS EVERY DAY.

HUNGER, HOMELESSNESS, ABUSE, VIOLENCE, AND OF COURSE, JUST BEING KIDS AT SCHOOL CAN BE A REAL CHALLENGE.

THE BOOKS THEY ARE EXPOSED TO YOU DON'T CAUSE THESE PROBLEMS. TEACHERS ARE FACING REAL PROBLEMS EVERY DAY, LONG, HOURS, LOW PAY AND DISRESPECT.

BOOKS ARE NOT THE PROBLEM.

THE BOOKS THEY CHOOSE TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS DO NOT REDUCE THEIR EFFECTIVENESS AS TEACHERS, EVEN IF WE DON'T PARTICULARLY PERSONALLY, LIKE THE BOOK, THIS ATTEMPT TO UNDERMINE TEACHERS IS COMPLETELY DISRESPECTFUL TO OUR TALENTED AND COMPETENT EDUCATORS.

FAMILIES ARE ALSO FACING REAL PROBLEMS EVERY DAY, BILLS, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH, AND SAFETY OF THEIR FAMILIES.

A WIDE VARIETY OF BOOKS IN LIBRARIES IS NOT THE PROBLEM, AS ELECTED TRUSTEES, YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO STUDENT NEEDS.

PLEASE PUT OUR TAX DOLLARS AND EVERYONE'S TIME AND EFFORT TOWARDS SUPPORTING THE REAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND TEACHERS.

I THANK ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND YOUR THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT IS CHEWY ZARATE SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> MY NAME IS CHEWY ZARATE. I'M THE PROUD FATHER OF TWO KIDS AND THE MCNEILL THEATER AND ONE GRADUATE OF MCNEIL HIGH SCHOOL.

I'M SPEAKING AGAINST THE ADOPTION OF TEA'S BOOK SELECTION POLICY BY THIS BOARD.

OUR DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED AND CREDENTIALED STAFF THAT WORK HARD TO SELECT APPROPRIATE BOOKS THAT HAVE EDUCATIONAL VALUE AND SPEAK TO THE EXPERIENCES OF A DIVERSE COMMUNITY.

THE GREAT THING IS IF A PARENT DOESN'T WANT THEIR CHILD TO READ A CERTAIN BOOK, THE CHILD'S NOT ALLOWED TO READ THAT BOOK.

[01:10:01]

ANY PARENT IN THIS DISTRICT CAN SPEAK TO THEIR SCHOOLS LIBRARIAN ABOUT WHAT BOOKS THERE STUDENTS CAN AND CANNOT HAVE ACCESS TO.

THIS IS THE PARTNERSHIP THAT LIBRARIANS, TEACHERS, AND PARENTS NEED TO HAVE IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS HAVE A WELL-ROUNDED, RICH LEARNING EXPERIENCE.

THE POLICY IN PLACE ALSO INCLUDES A FORMAL COMPLAINT PROCEDURE THAT SEEKS THE OPINIONS OF STAFF AND PARENTS IN THE DISTRICT FOR QUESTIONABLE MATERIAL IF THEY FEEL IT'S ENDANGERING THE CHILDREN, AS ABSURD NOTION IS THAT MAYBE I'VE SERVED ON TWO SAID COMMITTEES WHERE WE THOUGHTFULLY DEBATED WHETHER THE LITERATURE IN QUESTION HAD MERIT, IT'S A FULL PROOF PROCESS.

I TRUST OUR HIGHLY SKILLED CERTIFIED TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS TO MAKE POSITIVE DECISIONS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR CHILDREN.

THIS IS THE BEAUTIFUL CONTRACT THAT WE SIGNED ONTO WITH OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHEN WE PUT OUR KIDS IN THEIR HANDS, IT'S WORKED SO FAR.

OUR POLICY IS EFFECTIVE AND THOROUGH TO USE A WHOLESOME PHRASE THAT WAS ALREADY STOLEN BY MY GOOD FRIEND IT LOUDER FOR THE ONES IN THE BACK IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO OUR VIRTUAL SPEAKERS THAT ARE ON TOPIC SPEAKERS.

WE HAVE A FEW MORE THAT ARE IN-PERSON, BUT THEY'RE OFF TOPIC SO GOING TO WE'RE MOVE TO VIRTUAL SPEAKER WILL START WITH MINO MCNAIR SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

I DON'T SEE STARTED THAT'S REALLY SMALL.

ANYBODY? WE'LL MOVE ON TO MAGNA ROY, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5 [NOISE]

>> YOU'RE ON MUTE, MS. ROY.

>> I AM NOT.

>> THERE YOU ARE [LAUGHTER]

>> THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK ON THE AGENDA ITEM I5 AND I'M A PARENT LIVE IN THE DISTRICT, AND MY KIDS GO TO ROUND ROCK WITH ISD AND I LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

I AM HERE TO SUPPORT THE ROUND ROCK ISD LIBRARIANS, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATION, AND STAFF WHO ARE THE PILLARS OF STRENGTH AND GUIDANCE FOR THIS DISTRICT.

I BELIEVE IN THEIR EXPERTISE AND THEIR PASSION.

MY CHILDREN AND MY FAMILY TRUST THEM EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I TRUST THAT EVERY DAY MY CHILDREN ATTEND ROUND ROCK SCHOOLS, THEY ARE BECOMING BETTER PEOPLE DUE TO BEING SURROUNDED BY SUCH EXPERTLY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE SO, PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT THEY DO.

IT'S A TRAVESTY TO SUGGEST THAT THEIR PICK OF WHAT MY CHILDREN CAN READ IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

I'M HERE TO TELL ROUND ROCK ISD TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS, I TRUST YOUR BAKE.

NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME PARENTS DO NOT FEEL THAT WAY.

FOR THOSE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS, YOU HAVE A CHORD VERIFIED BOOT PROCESS THAT WORKS FOR YOUR CHILD.

PLEASE USE THOSE RESOURCES AND DO NOT CENSOR MY TERMS READING AND CURRICULUM TO TRUSTEE WESTIN CAN YOU FIND ONCE ACTUALLY THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT ON CHILDREN FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE, DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY, THE DISTRICT, OR JUST YOU TO FOCUS ON THE JOB THAT YOU'RE ELECTED TO DO, SUCH AS NOT BREAKING THE QUORUM AND PUTTING PAYCHECKS IN JEOPARDY THAT IS ALL. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] NEXT IS AMANDA ERICKSON SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT? AMANDA.

>> YES, I DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, MA'AM. GO AHEAD.

>> WONDERFUL. HI I'M AMANDA I'M A PARENT OF A STUDENT AT GREAT OAKS ELEMENTARY AND I WOULD LIKE THE BOARD TO VOTE NO ON ITEM I5.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A STATEMENT FROM A LIBRARIAN.

LIBRARIANS ARE TRAINED IN COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT.

WE EARN MASTERS DEGREES AND UNDERSTANDING HOW TO SELECT BOOKS FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIES.

WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME CONSIDERING OUR SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES NEEDS AND INTERESTS, USING DEVELOPMENT TOOLS AND BOOK REVIEWS AND EXAMINING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOOK AWARD LISTS AND EXPERTS IN OUR FIELD, WE BUILD BOOK BUYING TEAMS WITH OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE EMPOWERED TO TAKE OWNERSHIP IN OUR COLLECTION.

WE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVOCATE FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AND TO MAKE SURE THAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS TO CONNECT TO TEXTS AVAILABLE IN OUR LIBRARIES.

WE WOULD NEVER PURPOSELY PUT ANYTHING IN THEIR LIBRARIES AS INAPPROPRIATE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

PLEASE TRUST US TO DO THE JOB THAT WERE TRAINED TO DO AND KEEP OUR CURRENT TRANSPARENT SELECTION POLICY IN ROUND ROCK ISD.

THAT'S THE END OF THEIR QUOTE.

FOR MYSELF, I TRUST HER LIBRARIANS TO DETERMINE WHAT BOOKS ARE AGE APPROPRIATE AND PROVIDE A BREADTH OF KNOWLEDGE ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS IN OUR LIBRARY.

THIS IS AN AREA OF STUDY AND THEIR PROFESSION.

MY SON ADORES THE LIBRARIAN, AND SHE HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL ON HIS READING JOURNEY.

FOR THOSE OF YOU CRITICIZING THE LIBRARIANS DOING THEIR JOB, WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO COME TO YOUR PLACE OF BUSINESS AND CRITICIZE YOU ON YOUR JOB? JUST THINK ABOUT THAT.

[01:15:01]

IS BOOK BANDING GROUPS ARE CAUSING OUR TEACHER SHORTAGE.

NO ONE WANTS TO WORK IN.

>> THIRTY-SECONDS.

>> ARE CONSTANTLY ATTACKING THEM FOR DOING THEIR JOB.

WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK IN THAT TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT? I PROPOSED SOLUTION WOULD BE TO HAVE THE PARENTS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN AND WHAT THEY'RE READING TO BE PUT ON A BEYOND READING LIST.

THIS WOULD ALLOW FOR THE BOOKS TO BE AVAILABLE FOR OTHER CHILDREN TO USE, BUT LIMIT THE BOOKS FOR THE CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS DO NOT AGREE WITH THE CONTENT, AND JUST A NOTE, THE PARENTS WHO ARE FOR THIS BOOK CENSORSHIP ITEMS ARE BASICALLY BEING FUNDED BY THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION AND THE KOCH NETWORK.

>> YOUR TIME IS UP THANK YOU.

[OVERLAPPING] THANK YOU. YOUR HAS INSPIRED.

>> NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS REBECCA MELIES SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I1 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> THANK YOU. I'M REPRESENTING ACCESS EDUCATION, ROUND ROCK ISD AND THE FORMER LIBRARIAN WHO REACHED OUT TO US I'M READING HER STATEMENT.

THE LANGUAGE OF TEAS PROPOSED POLICY IMPLIES A RIGHTEOUSNESS OF A SINGULAR VIEWPOINT OF THE AUTHOR, AND INSINUATES THAT OUR CURRENT PROCESS ALLOWS OBSCENE MATERIAL IN OUR SCHOOLS, WHICH IS COMPLETELY UNTRUE AND I TAKE DIRECT AND PERSONAL OFFENSE BECAUSE I PERSONALLY SELECTED MATERIAL FOR OUR CAMPUSES.

I CANNOT SUPPORT TEA POLICY, IT SAYS MATERIAL IS PROHIBITED BECAUSE AND I QUOTE, "THE ITEM APPEARS TO THE PRURIENT INTEREST UP A MINOR IN SEX, NUDITY, OR EXCRETION." THE ITEM IS UTTERLY WITHOUT REDEEMING SOCIAL VALUE, ONE AGENCY CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT IS UTTERLY REDEEMING.

IT TAKES A COMMITTEE OF EDUCATORS AND PARENTS TO EVALUATE THE SUITABILITY OF AN ITEM, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT OUR CURRENT POLICY HAS OUTLINED.

FURTHERMORE, I ASKED YOU WHAT EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION LEAVES IT AS PRODUCTIVE TO IMPLY THAT CURRENT RESOURCES IN OUR SCHOOL LIBRARIES TO APPEAL TO THEIR APPARENT INTERESTS.

WE DON'T TEACH OUR STUDENTS TO WRITE WITH THIS INFLAMMATORY AND SUBJECTIVE LANGUAGE BECAUSE IT INVALIDATES THE MESSAGE.

IT ESPECIALLY HAS NO PLACE IN A GOVERNING DOCUMENT.

I AM SADDENED THAT TEA, OUR GOVERNOR AND TRUSTEE, LESS THAN SOMEHOW MISS THIS IN THEIR OWN EDUCATION.

I URGE THE BOARD TO REJECT WESTERN.

>> GET BACK TO BUSINESS THAT'S THE END OF THE STATEMENT.

WHAT MY PERSONAL BELIEF IS THAT THE STAFF ASKED YOU AND TOLD YOU IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS TO RESPECT THEM TO DO THEIR JOBS.

SOME OF YOU LISTEN, SOME OF YOU CHOSE TO IGNORE THEM, AND SOME OF YOU JUST CHOSE NOT TO TAKE A STAND AT YOUR RIGHT.

LET'S GET BACK TO STUDENT OUTCOMES OUR CHIEF CHAOS AGENT NEEDS TO FOCUS ON THAT.

>> YOUR TIME IS UP THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] NEXT IS ORLANDO SALINAS SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I6 AND DO YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT?

>> YES, MA'AM. PRESIDENT OF FELLER.

THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU THIS EVENING.

I WON'T ILLUSTRATE THE NUMEROUS TIMES PRESIDENT FELLER AND FORMER PRESIDENT WE'RE HAVE BEEN DERELICT IN THEIR DUTY SINCE THAT'S ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED WITH THE NUMBER OF ABSENCES THEY'VE HAD.

I'D LIKE TO READ FROM TEXAS EDUCATION CODE, SECTION 37.109, PERTAINING TO THE SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE.

THE STATES COMMITTEE, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PRACTICABLE MUST INCLUDE ONE OR MORE REPRESENTATIVES OF AN OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OF A COUNTY OR CITY IN WHICH THE DISTRICT IS LOCATED.

ONE OR MORE REPRESENTATIVES OR THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT OR SHERIFF'S OFFICE, ONE OR MORE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DISTRICTS POLICE DEPARTMENT, IF APPLICABLE, THE PRESIDENT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND A MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES OTHER THAN THE PRESIDENT, BOTH OF WHOM HAD BEEN ABSENT FOR NUMEROUS MEETINGS.

IT IS MY SINCERE WISH THAT THIS BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AT LEAST IT'S MAJORITY, WOULD SPEND AS MUCH TIME FOCUSING ON THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AS THEY DO ON PETTY POLITICS.

WHAT I'M HERE TO SAY IS THAT THIS CURRENT BOARD PRIORITIZE THE BUILDING OF A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SWIMMING POOL BEFORE UPGRADING LOCKS AROUND THE DISTRICT.

THEY MAY CITE CRISIS IS IN THE PANDEMIC AND SHORTAGES OF SUPPLIES, BUT THAT DID NOT STOP A POOL FROM BEING BUILT.

I RECALL ANOTHER PLACE WHERE THERE WAS A DRAMATIC FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP AND THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE LOCKS THAT WAS, YOU'VE ALREADY HIGH-SCHOOL.

ACTION MUST BE TAKEN NOW AND RESPONSIBLE LEADERS MUST BE PLACED OVER THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR DISTRICT WITH PROVEN LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS JENNIFER FAULTS JUST SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT?

>> I THANK YOU BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK WITH YOU THIS EVENING.

I HAVE A SON IN SIXTH GRADE IN RICH VIEW, AND I'D LIKE TO SPEAK WITH YOU AS ONE PARENT TO ANOTHER.

WE ALL WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR KIDS, EVEN IF THERE ARE VERY DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT WHAT THAT IS.

[01:20:02]

COMPARING THE TEA IN ROUND ROCK LIBRARY POLICIES I THINK THE TEA POLICY GETS PART OF IT REALLY WRITE IT STATES THE ULTIMATE DETERMINATION OF APPROPRIATENESS LIES WITH THE STUDENT AND THE PARENT.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALL GENERALLY AGREE ON.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S NOT WHAT THE TEA POLICY ACTUALLY DOES.

BOTH POLICIES LET PARENTS CHALLENGING MATERIAL, INCLUDING THE MATERIAL DISCUSSED BY OTHERS IN THIS BOARD MEETING.

IT CAN BE CHALLENGED, IT CAN BE BANNED BUT THE TEA POLICY PUTS THOSE DECISIONS INTO THE HAND OF COMMITTEES AND PANELS AND PARENTS AT THAT POINT ARE LEFT IN THE DARK.

ROOM DROPS CURRENT POLICY CHAMPIONS THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS TO HAVE AUTHORITY OVER HOW WE RAISE OUR CHILDREN.

IN FACT, IT SPECIFICALLY STATES PARENTS MAY SELECT ALTERNATIVE LIBRARY MATERIALS FOR THEIR STUDENTS, FOR ANYONE UNFAMILIAR WITH HOW THAT WORKS.

IF ANY OF US DECIDED THAT MATERIAL IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH HOW OUR KIDS SHOULD BE RAISED.

WE TELL THE SCHOOL'S LIBRARY AND THE KIDS CAN'T HAVE IT, IT IS THAT SIMPLE.

IF THE ULTIMATE DETERMINATION OF APPROPRIATENESS LIES WITH A STUDENT AND PARENT, I'D SAY OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS THE GOLD STANDARD OF HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE.

IF THIS IS REPLACED WITH THE TEAS POLICY, THE ONLY THING THAT CHANGES IS THAT YOU NO LONGER HAVE AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE WHAT YOUR CHILDREN ARE YOU SPENDING.

>> A COMMITTEE COULD DECIDE THAT SOMETHING THAT FLIES IN THE FACE OF EVERYTHING YOU HOLD RIGHT AND DECENT IS FINE AND YOU WOULD BE HELPLESS TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

I TRUST THAT YOU WILL TAKE A STAND AND PROTECT PARENTS RIGHTS TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN'S WITH THEIR VALUES BY VOTING NO, ON AGENDA ITEM I5, ROUND OUR GUYS DO YOU GOT IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT IS KATIE KAISER SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT?

>> YES, MA'AM. I'LL ACTUALLY BE READING A STATEMENT FROM SOMEONE THAT REACHED OUT TO US AT EXCESS EDUCATION, ROUND ROCK ISD.

MY NAME IS AMI USELMAN.

I'M AN EDUCATOR WITH 33 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, 27 OF WHICH WERE PROUDLY SERVING AS A TEACHER, LIBRARIAN, AND DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES IN ROUND ROCK ISD.

OUR PROGRAM IS KNOWN ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR ITS EXEMPLARY SCHOOL LIBRARIES AND OUTSTANDING LIBRARIANS.

ROUND ROCK IS KNOWN FOR WELL STAFFED SCHOOL LIBRARIES SUPPORTED BY OUR COMMUNITY AND DISTRICT LEADERS.

OUR LIBRARIANS ARE PROFESSIONALS WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE IN LIBRARY SCIENCE, AND AT LEAST TWO YEARS OF CLASSROOM TEACHING EXPERIENCE.

THEIR DEGREE AND CONTINUED REQUIREMENTS FOR ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MAKE THEM EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD.

I AM DEEPLY TROUBLED BY THE PROPOSAL TO ADOPT TO THE AFB LOCAL POLICY SUGGESTED BY TEA.

IT WILL IMPEDE THE WORK OF OUR LIBRARIANS AND CLEARLY SHOWS A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING REGARDING HOW SCHOOL LIBRARIES OPERATE.

DEVELOPING EACH CAMPUS COLLECTION REQUIRES HOURS OF WORK.

THE PROCUREMENT OF THESE RESOURCES IS ONGOING THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.

WE NEED TO TRUST THE INSIGHT AND DECISIONS MADE BY OUR HIGHLY EDUCATED AND TRAINED TO LIBRARIANS.

OUR LIBRARIANS ARE CHAMPIONS FOR OUR STUDENTS.

THEY WORKED TIRELESSLY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL PATRONS TO ENSURE THIS IMPERATIVE WORK CAN CONTINUE AND THAT OUR SCHOOL LIBRARIES REMAIN ESSENTIAL, SAFE AND INVITING CENTERS FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING.

PLEASE DO NOT ADOPT GOVERNOR ABBOT'S BOOK REVIEW PROCESS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS DEBBIE REEVES SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.? NEXT IS GINA DEPEW, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE STATES, PARENTS ARE PARTNERS WITH EDUCATORS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

THE DISTRICT'S CURRENT POLICY ALLOWS PARENTS TO RESTRICT MATERIAL THEIR CHILD HAS ACCESS TO BASED ON PERSONAL OBJECTIONS.

BUT THE DISTRICT AND THE LAW MAKES IT VERY CLEAR THAT THE RESTRICTION IS TO THEIR CHILD ONLY, NOT THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE.

THE DISTRICT SHALL NOT REMOVE RESOURCES FROM A LIBRARY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DENYING STUDENTS ACCESS TO IDEAS WITH WHICH THE DISTRICT DISAGREES AS EMPHATICALLY STATED IN OUR GUIDELINES AND FOLLOWS THE HEART OF THE PLURALITY OPINION OF THE SUPREME COURT DECISION IN BOARD OF EDUCATION VERSUS PICO.

THE DISTRICT'S CURRENT POLICY RECOGNIZES THAT THE MATERIALS APPROVED FOR INCLUSION IN THE LIBRARY HAS ALREADY CLEARED A VERY HIGH BAR OF QUALITY AND IS SOCIALLY AND INSTRUCTIONALLY APPROPRIATE FOR SCHOOL-AGED KIDS.

OUR POLICY ALREADY INCLUDES A FORMAL RECONSIDERATION PROCESS AS WELL.

OUR POLICY IS A TREMENDOUS MODEL OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATORS AND PARENTS IN THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN.

WE SHOULD PROUDLY STAND BEHIND THE POLICY WE HAVE CREATED AND REJECT THE ADOPTION OF THE TEA GUIDELINES.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT IS JACK CHARLES, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I3, J3, K3, AND K5.

[01:25:02]

>> BEFORE WE BEGIN, I'LL JUST POINT OUT THE TRUSTEE BONE'S BEEN ON HER PHONE OR PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES

>> POINT OF ORDER.

>> HOLD ON ONE SECOND, MR. CHARLES.

>> I CAN'T HEAR.

>> LET ME SEE IF I CAN AMPLIFY YOUR VOICE.

WE CAN'T HEAR YOU VERY WELL.

GIVE ME ANOTHER TEST, PLEASE.

>> TEST.

>> YES. MUCH BETTER. GO AHEAD.

>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. BEFORE I BEGIN, I WANT TO POINT OUT THE TRUSTEE BONE HAS BEEN ON HER PHONE FOR A GOOD HALF TO TWO-THIRDS OF THIS TIME.

WE'VE BEEN TAKING PICTURES WITH TIMESTAMPS TO PROVE THIS.

I THOUGHT YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO USE PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES THAT AREN'T DISTRICT ISSUED DURING BOARD MEETINGS.

I'LL BE BRIEF FOR THE REST OF IT.

AS YOU CAN SEE FROM WHAT'S ON THE SCREEN, TRUSTEE WESTON SEEMS TO THINK THAT SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO TAKE THE ETHICS TRAINING AND SPEAK OF THE DEVIL'S BONE'S BACK ON HER PHONE.

WHEN CALLED OUT ON HER DECISION NOT TO DURING AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST, IT SEEMS THAT TRUSTEE BONE AND WESTON NOT ONLY FAILED TO READ THE ORIGINAL REQUEST, WHICH WAS SENT OVER TO THEM IN BIG RED TEXT.

THEY'RE NOT APOLOGIZING FOR REFUSING TO TAKE THE TRAINING BUT THEY'RE GOING AFTER THE PERSON WHO POINTED IT OUT.

AT THIS POINT, THE INTENT IS THERE.

IT'S HIGH TIME SANCTIONS BE SKIPPED, AND THE TEXAS PENAL CODE BE INVOKED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT SAID, SPECIFICALLY 3906: MISUSE OF OFFICIAL INFORMATION.

SHE SAID INFORMATION THAT'S PRIVILEGED ARE CONFIDENTIAL TO INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN LITIGATION AGAINST THE DISTRICT, HELPING THEM GAIN FINANCIAL AND LEGAL RECOURSE AGAINST THE DISTRICT.

IN REGARDS TO LIBRARY BOOKS, IT'S SIMPLE, IT'S RIDICULOUSLY SIMPLE: IF YOU DON'T WANT YOUR KID TO READ A BOOK, USE WHAT'S ALREADY THERE.

USE THE SOFTWARE.

DON'T TAKE YOUR PARENTAL INADEQUACIES OUT ON EVERYONE ELSE.

>> FINALLY, IN REGARDS TO CALENDAR RSVPS, THESE NEED TO BE IN WRITING AS OPPOSED TO VERBAL.

REFUSING TO COMMIT TO ANYTHING BUT THE MEETING YOU'RE AT RIGHT NOW REALLY FALLS APART WHEN YOU SEE HOW SOMEBODY PUTS IT IN THEIR OWN WORDS.

TRUSTEE WESTON DID ACTUALLY SAY IT BEST, "WHEN SOMEONE SHOWS YOU WHAT THEY'RE LIKE, BELIEVE THEM." THEY'VE SHOWN US ENOUGH.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS CHELSEA GARRAN, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM I5, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> THANK YOU. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, WE CAN. GO AHEAD.

>> I DO NOT HAVE A CHILD IN OUR RISD.

I'M A CONCERNED MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY.

I WORKED WITH REGION 18, SO I'M INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH TEA AND HOW SCHOOL DISTRICTS WORK.

I ALSO WORK IN A LAW FIRM AS A PARALEGAL, SO I UNDERSTAND THE WEIGHT OF WHEN SOMEONE BREACHES ATTORNEY CONFIDENTIALITY WITH THEIR CLIENT.

AND THE FACT THAT YOU'LL STILL HAVE A TRUSTEE ON THE BOARD WHO DID THIS THAT WAS REFERRED TO ETHICS TRAINING IS DEEPLY WORRYING BECAUSE THAT IS A BLATANT SIGN OF DISREGARD FOR ACTUAL LAW THAT YOU AGREE TO WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR REPRESENTATION VIA LEGAL COUNSEL.

THAT IS INEXCUSABLE, IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

ANOTHER ISSUE IS THAT LIBRARIANS ARE PREDOMINANTLY WOMEN.

AND HERE WE HAVE RESTRICTIVE LAWS THAT ARE AIMED AT THEM TO OVERBURDEN THEM IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL CAPACITIES TEACHING K-12 AND ABOVE BY RESTRICTING THE BOOKS THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO BECAUSE OF INDIVIDUALS LIKE TRUSTEE WESTON WHO DISREGARDS LAW, ABSOLUTELY DISREGARD FOR LAW.

NOT ONLY THAT, THIS IS A WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY.

I'M ABSOLUTELY TIRED OF HYSTERIA FROM A CERTAIN FRINGE GROUP CHANGING THE RULES FOR STUDENTS IN WHAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO.

>> THANK YOU. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THAT THERE'S A CURRENT CANDIDATE, DON ZIMMERMAN, WHO BACK IN 2014 LOST CUSTODY DUE TO ABUSE OF HIS DAUGHTER, AND YET HE IS AN ACTIVE CANDIDATE FOR THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT.

NOT ONLY DO [OVERLAPPING] WE HAVE ACTUAL TRUSTEE WHO IS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH ETHICS BUT YOU HAVE A CANDIDATE ALSO AND YOU ALSO HAD A SUPERINTENDENT WHO HAD ANOTHER ISSUE.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT? DEEPLY CONCERNING AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER.

I DON'T KNOW [OVERLAPPING] IF I WOULD EVER SEND MY SCHOOL THERE.

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS GISELLE SCHAEFER, SPEAKING ON OFF-TOPIC AGENDA ITEM, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

[01:30:01]

HOLD ON ONE SECOND. KEEP TALKING. NOW IT'S BACK ON.

>> MY NAME IS GISELLE SCHAEFER AND I'VE LIVED IN THIS DISTRICT SINCE 1991, PLUS THE GRAY HAIR.

I HAVE NOT BEEN TO A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING IN 20 YEARS, AND SO THIS HAS BEEN A VERY EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR ME.

[LAUGHTER] BUT WHAT I WANT TO DO RIGHT NOW IS PUT A CHALLENGE OUT TO EVERYONE.

MY CHALLENGE IS FOR US TO GET INVOLVED IN LEGISLATIVE ISSUES.

I WAS VERY INVOLVED WAY BACK WHEN I WAS FIRST STARTED WITH ROUND ROCK ISD WORK WITH MIKE JOLLY ON FAST GROWTH SCHOOLS, AND WE HAVE NOT MADE ANY PROGRESS IN THIS STATE ON THIS.

WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE ALL THIS PASSION EVERYWHERE.

I CHALLENGE EVERYBODY TO GET INVOLVED.

WE ARE NUMBER 2 AS A STATE IN GDP OF ALL THE STATES BUT WE ARE 40TH IN EDUCATION FUNDING AND OUR KIDS RANK 37TH OF ALL THE STATES.

THAT IS NOTHING FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS TO BE PROUD OF.

OUR STATE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES A GOOD PUBLIC EDUCATION.

IT'S UP TO US PARENTS TO LOOK AND SAY, STATE YOU ARE DUCKING YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

YOU'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR YEARS AND YOU CONTINUE TO DO IT AND WE NEED TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

I WAS VERY UPSET BY SOMEBODY SAYING, NO, YOU'RE JUST SETTING WHATEVER TAX RATE.

I KNOW A LOT ABOUT FAST GROWTH SCHOOLS, AND I KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH TOO.

WHAT I WANT TO DO IS TELL EVERYBODY WE NEED TO STOP ROBIN HOOD.

THAT NEEDS TO QUIT.

IT NEEDS TO GO AWAY.

WE NEED TO ALSO HAVE STOPPED TEACHING TO THE TEST BECAUSE THAT NEEDS TO GO AWAY.

WE NEED MORE MONEY FOR OUR TEACHERS.

WE NEED MORE TEACHER AIDS IN TITLE 1 SCHOOLS, AND WE NEED TO TREAT OUR TEACHERS AS PROFESSIONALS.

I'M ASKING ALL OF YOU GUYS TO GET INVOLVED IN LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES BECAUSE THE STATE IS DUCKING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND WE NEED TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

NEXT IS LINDA AVILLA, SPEAKING OFF TOPIC, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> GOOD EVENING. TODAY STARTS NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, SO HAPPY HERITAGE MONTH.

I'D LIKE TO SAY IT IN SPANISH.

[FOREIGN] BUT I'M HERE QUICKLY TO JUST TALK ABOUT SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.

I WANT THIS ISSUE TO STAY IN THE FOREFRONT, SO I WILL CONTINUE TO COME AND VISIT YOU ALL UNTIL WE GET A PLAN.

MY SON FINALLY ATTENDED SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER THIS YEAR.

HE'S AT CHISHOLM AND HE ABSOLUTELY LOVES IT.

SHOUT OUT TO COACHES GARZA AND DARWIN FOR DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB.

I DON'T WANT HIM TO LOSE HIS TEACHERS.

I WAS JUST TOLD TONIGHT THAT THERE'S A SPECIAL ED TEACHER THAT'S GOING TO QUIT ON THE 26TH.

AS OF 5:30, THERE WAS A 116 POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR SUBSTITUTES.

I HAVE A CHALLENGE LIKE GISELLE DOES.

WELL, LET ME JUST SAY I'VE WALKED IN TEACHER'S SHOES FOR MANY YEARS.

I WAS A SPECIAL ED TEACHER IN A BEHAVIOR DISORDER UNIT.

WHEN MY EA DIDN'T SHOW UP, I COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE.

I COULDN'T LEAVE THAT CLASSROOM.

MY CHALLENGE FOR EVERYBODY HERE TONIGHT IS TO EAT BREAKFAST BEFORE SEVEN O'CLOCK AND GO TO THE RESTROOM.

THEN YOU DON'T GO TO THE RESTROOM UNTIL 4:30 WHEN YOUR STUDENTS LEAVE.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU EAT LUNCH IN 10 MINUTES.

YOU CAN'T CHECK YOUR PHONE BECAUSE YOU'RE BUSY WITH YOUR STUDENTS.

THAT'S THE LIFE OF A TEACHER.

PLEASE I'M ASKING THIS BOARD TO ADDRESS IT.

WE NEED TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE SUPPORTING OUR TEACHERS.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS DEANNA DAWSON, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> HI.

I'M DAWSON, I'M WITH EDUCATION ROUND ROCK AND I'M A TEACHER HERE IN THE DISTRICT.

THE FIRST TIME IN PERSON.

THIS IS PRETTY INTERESTING.

MY BIG THING, I'M GOING TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME, MY STORY WHEN I STARTED WITH ROUND ROCK ISD.

I STARTED IN 2018.

MY FIRST JOB EVER AS A TEACHER MAKING A CHANGE AT 45.

FIRST DAY MY HUSBAND DIED AND I WATCHED IT.

IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT IT.

IT'S STILL CHOKES ME.

WHEN I WAS READY TO GO GET HELP, I WAS TOLD, "YOU HAVE 10 FREE SESSIONS." DO YOU THINK THAT 10 SESSIONS WILL COVER MY GRIEF, THE LOSS OF A FUTURE, ADOPTING A CHILD.

NO. YOU KNOW WHAT I WAS TOLD, "YOU NEED TO LIE.

[01:35:02]

TELL ME OF A NEW ISSUE TO GET MORE." THERE HAS BEEN A POLE THIS YEAR OUT OF 1,297 TEACHERS THAT ARE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, 77 PERCENT ARE CHANGING THEIR PROFESSION, 93 PERCENT OF THOSE, ALMOST 1300, ARE TALKING ABOUT ALREADY DOING THE RESUMES AND LEAVING ALTOGETHER.

MY POINT, WE NEED MORE MENTAL HEALTH, WE NEED TO EXPAND IT.

I'M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO MAKE SURE MY STUDENTS ARE OKAY.

BUT THEN WHAT ABOUT ME IF I FALL APART? I'M A TRUSTED ADULT.

I HAVE KIDS IN MY ROOM ALL THE TIME FROM ALL DELINEATIONS.

I NEED TO BE OKAY FOR THEM TOO.

WE NEED TO EXPAND MENTAL HEALTH, WE NEED TO EXPAND IT TO THE FAMILIES.

IF YOU'RE IN ALMOST A WAR ZONE AT SCHOOL AFTER A DEVIOUS LICK YEAR, THEN YOU'RE COMING HOME AND WHAT HAVE YOU HAVE PROBLEMS THERE TOO.

WE NEED TO FEEL SAFE.

YOU'VE ALREADY WITH ANOTHER THING.

WHEN I'M WALKING IN AND MY BEST FRIENDS CRYING AS WE WALK IN BECAUSE HE SENT HIS DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL.

>> TIME IS UP. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS BENJAMIN STERLING AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> GOOD EVENING. I EDUCATE HERE, I LIVE HERE, AND I PARENT HERE.

I AM THE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION ROUND ROCK, THE EDUCATORS UNION HERE IN ROUND ROCK ISD AND I HAD OTHER THINGS I WAS GOING TO SAY TONIGHT, BUT I REALLY HAVE TO TALK TO, I THOUGHT THERE'S REALLY NO WAY AROUND IT.

THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS THAT BOOK BANNING BY ITS DEFINITION, IS LITTLE MORE THAN JACK BOOTED INSANITY.

IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN, IT'S ALWAYS SERVE ONE PURPOSE AND ONE PURPOSE ONLY.

IT'S ESPECIALLY IN CONGRESS, IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING.

THERE'S SOMETHING ALMOST HILARIOUSLY RIDICULOUS ABOUT APPLYING THAT TO A SCHOOL LIBRARY.

I LOOK BEHIND ME AT SO MANY EDUCATORS AND LIBRARIANS AND SPECIALISTS AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIFE TO THIS SERVICE, TO EDUCATING CHILDREN.

YOU PICK THEM OUT AS THE BEST, THE BRIGHTEST, THE ONES THAT YOU RESPECTED AND WANTED TO BE HERE.

IF YOU SUDDENLY DO NOT TRUST THEM TO DO THEIR JOB, THEN WHY SHOULD WE TRUST YOU? THEY ARE CAPABLE PEOPLE.

THEY ARE VERY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO.

AND IF YOU DO NOT RESPECT THEM, HOW DO YOU EVER HOPE TO RETAIN THEM, WHICH WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE DESPERATE TO DO.

DON'T GIVE UP ON THE PEOPLE THAT YOU YOURSELF PICKED.

TRUST THEM TO DO THEIR JOB.

THEY ARE VERY GOOD AT IT.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE].

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS FABIAN CUERO AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> I SHOULD HAVE HAD MY WIFE MAKE SOME LUNCH NICE FOR ME.

TO THE LADY IN THE ORANGE, GREAT COMEBACK. I LOVE IT.

BUT YOU GOT TO PUT THAT FACT IN FRONT OF EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE.

TRUSTEES, BOARD MEMBERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS FABIAN CUERO AND I AM A PARENT OR FORMER STUDENTS AS A STUDY POINT HIGH SCHOOL? LET ME READ IT. I LIKE TO TALK TO ALL THE PARENTS LISTENING AND ALL THE STUDENTS WHO ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO VOTE THIS COMING ELECTION.

I WANT YOU TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES. WHY I SAY THAT? BECAUSE SOME OF THESE CANDIDATES HAVE AN IDEOLOGY THAT IS NOT CONDUCIVE TO ALL STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT.

DO YOUR RESEARCH. MANY CANDIDATES HAVE ALIGNING THEMSELVES WITH CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM, TRYING TO BRING IN THEIR IDEOLOGY TO THE SCHOOLS, ALIGNING THEMSELVES WITH CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS TO CAUSE CHAOS.

ON ONE HAND, THEY'RE DOING ALL THIS, BUT THE OTHER HAND IS DOING SOMETHING ELSE SO THAT THE COMMUNITY THINKS THAT THE BOARD MEMBERS ARE INCAPABLE OF DOING THEIR JOB.

DO YOUR RESEARCH.

FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE.

VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE AND ASK YOURSELF, DO I REALLY WANT THIS PERSON TO LEAD THE DISTRICT.

[01:40:03]

THAT'S NICE, WHEN YOU GOT HIRED, WE SAW AT THEM A MILE AWAY.

WE SAW IT A MILE AWAY.

THANK YOU FOR STAYING [APPLAUSE].

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS MARIAM ZAFAR AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> GOOD EVENING, DR. AZAIEZ, PRESIDENT, FELLOW TRUSTEES, AND COMMUNITY.

I'M A GRADUATE OF MCNEIL HIGH SCHOOL IN 2020 AND AT 15 YEARS OLD, MY BEST FRIEND TOLD ME ABOUT A SEXUAL ASSAULT DONE BY ANOTHER STUDENT.

AT 16 AND ONWARD, I WAS THE MAIN PERSON FELLOW STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO TELL ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT.

I WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR THIS, SO I RESEARCHED TITLE 9 AND DISTRICT POLICIES.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY SCHOOL TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT AN INDIVIDUAL PROBLEM BUT AN INSTITUTIONAL ONE.

THESE ASSAULTS RESULTED IN THE VICTIM'S APOLOGIZING TO PERPETRATORS BEING DRAWN OUT OF THEIR CLASSES PERMANENTLY, AND DISRUPTIONS TO BOTH THEIR EDUCATIONS AND THEIR HEALTH.

THESE ARE NOT EXCEPTIONS TO STUDENT EXPERIENCES, BUT THE NORM, THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND IT NEEDS YOUR SERIOUS COMMITMENT TO ITS SOLUTION.

I HAVE LEARNED THROUGH THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ME AT COLLEGE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO SYSTEMICALLY ADDRESS OUR SEXUAL ASSAULT CRISIS.

I'M ASKING FOR THE FORMATION OF A SUBCOMMITTEE THROUGH THE STUDENT HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL WITH STUDENT REPRESENTATION.

THE PURPOSE OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE MUST BE NUMBER ONE, TRAUMA-INFORMED SERVICES FOR STUDENTS AND NUMBER TWO, TO HOLD ADMINISTRATIONS ACCOUNTABLE AND ENSURE APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO THESE INCIDENTS.

WE MUST ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT STATISTICALLY, INDIGENOUS AND TRANS STUDENTS ARE MOST AT RISK AND THESE STUDENTS MUST BE PROTECTED AND REPRESENTED BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE].

>> THANK YOU. TRUSTEES, THAT BRINGS US TO THE END OF OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.

I'D LIKE TO TAKE AN EIGHT MINUTE RECESS BEFORE WE GET STARTED ON THE BUSINESS ON THE AGENDA.

IT IS 7:12. WE'RE TAKING A RECESS TILL 7:20.

[NOISE] IT IS 7:20 AND WE ARE BACK IN SESSION.

[F. SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS]

WE'RE NOW GOING TO GO ON TO AGENDA ITEM F1, THE 2022/2023 ACADEMIC YEAR UPDATES AND HIGHLIGHTS, AND I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO DR. AZAIEZ.

>> GOOD EVENING. PRESIDENT FELLER, TRUSTEES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW, BUT THIS IS WEEK 4 RIGHT, AFTER THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL YEAR, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, SEPTEMBER 15.

I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU SOME UPDATES AND SOME HIGHLIGHTS.

I JUST WANT TO AGAIN, THANK OUR TEACHERS, OUR STAFF, OUR STUDENTS, OUR PARENTS, EVERYBODY REALLY WORKING TOGETHER, COMING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A VERY SUCCESSFUL BEGINNING OF A SCHOOL YEAR.

IT'S BEEN A DIFFICULT ONE TOO.

IT'S DIFFERENT CHALLENGES THAT LAST YEAR.

BUT YOU HEARD SOME OF OUR SPEAKERS TONIGHT TALKING ABOUT OUR STAFF SHORTAGES AND SERIALITY.

UNFORTUNATELY HAPPENING EVERYWHERE IN THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY.

BUT WHAT I CAN HIGHLIGHT AND TALK ABOUT IS HOW WE AS A COMMUNITY, AS A DISTRICT CAME TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR STUDENTS NEEDS AND HELPING EACH OTHER OUT BECAUSE ULTIMATELY WHAT WE WANT, WE DON'T WANT OUR STUDENTS TO LOSE ANY MORE LIKE LEARNING.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A CERTIFIED EDUCATOR IN FRONT OF THEM EVERY DAY AND THEIR NEEDS HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF.

HOWEVER, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PRESENTATION, WE DO HAVE SOME MORE, I GUESS, VACANCIES THAT WE ARE REALLY WORKING VERY HARD WITH HR AND OUR PRINCIPLES THAT EVERYONE TRYING TO RECRUIT.

LET'S TAKE US THROUGH THE FIRST SLIDE, PLEASE.

THIS IS OUR CURRENT VACANCY.

AGAIN, THIS IS AS OF SEPTEMBER 12TH, WE HAVE ABOUT 118 TEACHERS VACANCIES.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THAT MOST OF THEM ARE AN ELEMENTARY CAMPUSES AND WE HAVE SOME CAMPUS SUPPORT STAFF, 137.

THAT'S INCLUDES OBVIOUSLY A CROSSING GUARDS.

AND AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK A LOT OF OUR STAFF WHO WE'VE ACTUALLY SOME OF US HELPED BEEN CROSSING GUARDS AND DOING OTHER DUTIES JUST TO MAKE SURE AGAIN THAT WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR STUDENTS NEEDS.

AGAIN, WE'RE WORKING VERY HARD TO DO THAT.

I WANT TO ALSO SHARE WITH YOU AND WITH OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE DIDN'T JUST SIT DOWN AND WAIT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.

I THINK IF WE DIDN'T IMPLEMENT A LOT OF NEW INNOVATIVE IDEAS, THOSE NUMBERS WOULD BE A LOT HIGHER THAN THAT.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP IN PERSPECTIVE.

NOW, WE WANT TO HAVE A ZERO VACANCIES OBVIOUSLY.

BUT WE DON'T HAVE SOMETIMES A LOT OF CANDIDATES IN THE POOL, I GUESS WAITING FOR US TO HIRE AND WE CANNOT JUST HIRE ANYBODY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE AGAIN THAT WE'RE HIRING THE BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR STUDENTS.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK AGAIN, WE HAD A DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AND I WANT TO INVITE EDDIE SO WE CAN TALK MORE ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE IMPLEMENTED TO HELP WITH THAT.

BUT AGAIN, THANK EVERY STAFF MEMBER FOR STEPPING IN AND HELPING OUT AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU, DR. AZAIEZ. GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE. SORRY. I FORGOT HOW TO SAY THAT.

AS DR. AZAIEZ MENTIONED,

[01:45:01]

WE'VE HAD TO BE VERY CREATIVE THIS SUMMER.

I THINK ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES HAS DESCRIBED A COUPLE OF TIMES OVER THE SUMMER THAT ROUND ROCK HAS ALWAYS BEEN A DESTINATION DISTRICT FOR TEACHERS AND WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A PLETHORA OF APPLICANTS FOR ANY OF OUR OPEN POSITIONS.

WE'VE HAD TO REALLY STRETCH OURSELVES AND STRETCH OUR THINKING THIS SUMMER IN TERMS OF OUR RECRUITING AND WHERE WE'RE RECRUITING FROM.

I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF THAT TODAY.

THIS AFTERNOON, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WITH THREE OF OUR NEW SPIRIT EXCHANGE TEACHERS.

THAT'S A PROGRAM THAT WE'VE IMPLEMENTED THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE THREE TEACHERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY WORKING AT OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND THEY'RE FROM COLUMBIA.

WE HAVE ANOTHER TWO OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL BE JOINING US AND WE WERE ABLE TO EMPLOY THEM ON J1 VISAS BY WORKING THROUGH THAT COMPANY.

THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF NECESSITY BREEDING INVENTION.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO STRETCH OURSELVES AND ULTIMATELY WE'RE BRINGING IN EXPERIENCED TEACHERS FROM ABROAD TO BE ABLE TO COME IN AND SERVE OUR STUDENTS.

THAT'S VERY EXCITING.

WE ARE STILL CONTINUING TO RECRUIT AND OUR NUMBER OF 118.

I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT, THAT IS A REALLY LARGE NUMBER AND ON JULY 21ST THERE WAS 200 MORE VACANCIES AT THAT TIME.

WE'VE MADE SOME INROADS AND WE DEFINITELY HAVE MADE SOME PROGRESS THERE.

WE'VE HAD SOME SUCCESS WITH OUR TEACHER PIPELINES.

WE CREATED A ROCK TEACH PROGRAM THIS YEAR, WHICH IS FOR OUR TEACHING ASSISTANTS AND WE'RE ABOUT TO LAUNCH OUR SECOND COHORT.

OUR FIRST COHORT HAS 14 CURRENTLY EMPLOYED SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS ON OUR CAMPUSES AS WELL.

THESE ARE NEW PROGRAMS THAT WE'VE PUT IN PLACE THAT, WHILE THEY'RE NOT PRODUCING 50, 60, 70 CANDIDATES, THEY ARE IN THE PILOT STAGES AND SO WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT OVER TIME, WE'LL BE ABLE TO ADD MORE CANDIDATES THROUGH THOSE MEANS AS WELL.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN IT COMES TO THE PIPELINE THAT EDDIE WAS TALKING ABOUT, WHAT WE DID IS WE LOOKED AT SOME OF OUR EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT WHO ARE WORKING WITH OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS.

WE LOOKED WHO, HAS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE ALREADY, AND WHO ALSO WANTED AT SOME POINT TO BECOME TEACHERS.

OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE TO HAVE WHAT IT TAKES, THE CARING, ALSO WANTING TO REALLY BE IN CHARGE OF THE CLASSROOM.

WE IDENTIFY THIS 14 SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSISTANT WHO WE ACTUALLY WORK WITH REGION 13 AND AS A DISTRICT, WE TOOK CARE OF ALL WHAT'S CALLED THE ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM COST, WHICH IS ALMOST $5,000.

WE TOOK HIM AND WE WORKED WITH REGION 13 TO MAKE SURE AGAIN, THAT WE CREATE THAT PROGRAM TAILORED TO THEM AROUND THEIR SCHEDULES, SO THEY CAN BE TEACHING AT THE SAME TIME TOO THEY CAN BE GOING THROUGH THE PROGRAM SO THEY CAN BE CERTIFIED.

AGAIN, THAT WAS THE FIRST COHORT AND WE'RE ABOUT TO LAUNCH THE SECOND ONE.

ALL OF THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS.

THE GOAL IS FOR THEM TO BE VERIFIED TO BE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT AS THE FIRST, WE'VE DONE HERE AND THE GOAL FOR US TO EXPAND IT TO MORE AND MORE.

THE J VISA, THAT'S FOR OUR DUAL LANGUAGE TEACHERS, BECAUSE IT'S VERY HARD TO FIND TEACHERS WHO ARE CERTIFIED TO BE TEACHING.

THESE TEACHER THAT EDDIE IS TALKING ABOUT, THAT WE ARE CREATED THROUGH THIS COMPANY FROM COLUMBIA, THEY ARE ALREADY TEACHERS IN COLOMBIA.

THEY ARE EXPERIENCED TEACHERS AND THEY'RE FLUENT IN ENGLISH AS WELL AS SPANISH BECAUSE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO QUALIFY, THEY HAVE TO SHOW PROFICIENCY OBVIOUSLY INTO TEACHING SPANISH, BUT ALSO PROFICIENCY WHEN IT COMES TO SPEAKING IN ENGLISH AS WELL.

THOSE ARE EXAMPLES THAT WE'RE DOING, BUT EDDIE IF YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN A COUPLE MORE OF THEM.

>> SURE. AGAIN, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THOSE PROGRAMS AND OBVIOUSLY WITH THOSE BEING IN THEIR FIRST YEAR.

THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT THAT GOES INTO THAT AS WELL.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE TEACHERS ARE SUCCESSFUL, SO I WANT TO JUST GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO OUR TEACHING AND LEARNING TEAM WHO HAVE REALLY PROVIDED SOME GREAT WRAP-AROUND SUPPORT FOR THAT GROUP AS WELL, AND MS. GONZALEZ, PARTICULARLY WITH THE SPECIAL ED FOLKS HAS DONE A GREAT JOB THERE, SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE COLLABORATION THERE ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

WE DO HAVE SOME JOB FAIR SCHEDULED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

WE'VE LAUNCHED THE VIRTUAL JOB FAIR PLATFORM WITHIN THE DISTRICT AS WELL.

THAT'S NEW FOR THIS YEAR AS WELL.

WE'LL BE UTILIZING THAT TO TRY AND CAST OUR NET A LITTLE FURTHER.

AGAIN, THIS HAS BEEN A REAL COMMUNITY EFFORT IN TERMS OF IT'S NOT JUST THE HUMAN RESOURCE SERVICES PUSH.

I REALLY HAVE TO THANK JENNY'S TEAM, PARTICULARLY IN OUR COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT AND DIANE FILLETTO.

WE'VE REALLY PUSHED HARD WITH THE MARKETING AND

[01:50:01]

THE OUTSIDE OF THE BOX RECRUITMENT THIS YEAR.

BUT THEN ALSO WITH SOME OF THE OTHER PROGRAMS WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO LAUNCH.

AGAIN, RECRUITMENT IS REALLY VERY IMPORTANT, IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING, BUT RETENTION, THE LARGER NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES STAY WITH THE DISTRICT AND THE ONES THAT YOU HAVE TO RECRUIT IN.

IF YOUR TURNOVER IS 15 PERCENT, IT MEANS YOU'RE RECRUITING 15 PERCENT OF YOUR NEW STAFF EVERY YEAR.

WELL, THAT'S 85 PERCENT OF YOUR STAFF WHO ARE STAYING.

I THINK WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON RETENTION, AND WITH THAT, WE'VE LAUNCHED SOME PROGRAMS THIS YEAR TO REALLY HELP SUPPORT OUR EMPLOYEES.

WE HAD SOME COMMENTS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS TONIGHT ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.

WE WERE ABLE TO LAUNCH OUR U PROGRAM THIS YEAR WITH ASSISTANCE AGAIN, OF JENNY'S TEAM TO REALLY LAUNCH THAT EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING APPROACH AND TO REALLY TAKE A STRATEGIC LOOK AT OUR HEALTH INSURANCE AND THE THINGS THAT WE CAN OFFER FROM A WELLNESS STANDPOINT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES AS WELL.

IT IS A LARGE PART OF WHAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO AS COMPENSATION.

WE DID SOME GREAT THINGS THIS YEAR IN TERMS OF THE COMPENSATION WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE BOARD.

WE APPLIED ALMOST $20 MILLION TO THE TEACHERS AND STAFF, PAYCHECKS AND OF COURSE, WE'RE FIGHTING AN UPHILL BATTLE WITH INFLATIONARY COSTS.

THAT'S ALWAYS THE CHALLENGE.

WITH PRIVATE SECTOR, EVERY TIME THAT YOU HAVE AN INFLATION, WELL, YOU CAN ADD MORE MONEY TO YOUR OVERHEAD OR TO YOUR PNL BY INCREASING COSTS.

WE CAN'T DO THAT. WE HAVE A FIXED BUDGET AND SO WE HAVE TO REALLY BE VERY STRATEGIC AND CAREFUL WITH THE MONEY THAT WE HAVE.

I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO THE BOARD FOR THAT INCREASE, BUT WE HAVE TO ALSO LOOK AT THINGS OUTSIDE A COMPENSATION IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT TOTAL COMPENSATION AND THAT TOTAL REWARDS PIECE IS IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEES.

>> THANK YOU EDDIE. THEN TALKING ABOUT THE LAUNCH OF THE CATASTROPHIC SICK LEAVE BANK.

THAT'S ALSO SOMETHING WE DIDN'T HAVE FOR SO MANY YEARS HERE IN THE DISTRICT.

HAVING THAT, IT'S JUST ANOTHER WAY OF SHOWING OUR STAFF AND TEACHERS THAT WE CARE AND WE'RE GIVING THEM OPTIONS, GOD FORBID, THEY NEED THOSE EXTRA SICK DAYS.

WE TALKED ABOUT YOU. THANKS TO YOU, ONE OF THE FEW SCHOOL DISTRICT ADOPTED THAT EXTRA FIVE DAYS.

COVID LEAVE, THAT'S SOMETHING ALSO THAT MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AROUND US ARE NOT DOING IT, BUT THANKS TO OUR BOARD MEMBERS WHO WERE ABLE TO ADD THAT TOO.

I THINK WE SHARE WITH YOU ONE OF THE UPDATES THAT FOR SOME OF OUR TEACHERS WHO, WHILE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR MAYBE, LET'S SAY WE HAVE A TEACHER TEACHING 1ST GRADE AND THEY HAVE HUGE NUMBER WAITING FOR ANOTHER TEACHER, A VACANCY TO COME, JOIN THE TEAM AT THAT PARTICULAR CAMPUS, THAT PARTICULAR TEACHER CAN QUALIFY TO HAVE UP TO $1,100 A MONTH EXTRA IN HIS STIPEND WHILE WE'RE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER TEACHER.

IF THEY HAVE 27 STUDENTS THAT SAY, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE 1-22, BUT IF WE NEED TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER TEACHER AND IN THE SAME TIME WE WE'RE LOOKING FOR THAT TEACHER AND THAT CURRENT STAFF MEMBER HAS A NUMBER THAT IS 27, WE ACTUALLY WOULD BE PAYING MONTHLY STIPEND FOR $1,100 TO OUR TEACHER.

FOR THAT DURATION, IF WE TAKE A MONTH FOR US TO GET THAT EXTRA TEACHER, WE WOULD PAY $1100.

IF IT TAKES TWO MONTHS, THEN WE DO THAT TIMES 2, ETC.

OBVIOUSLY, WE WANT TO PROVIDE SOME RELIEF TO THE TEACHER, WE WANT TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO THE CAMPUS, BUT LIKE WE SAID, IF WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME, ESPECIALLY IN CERTAIN CATEGORIES LIKE DUAL LANGUAGE AND SPECIAL EDUCATION, SO WE'RE TRYING TO COMPENSATE OUR TEACHER FOR THAT EXTRA TIME THAT THEY HAVE TO SPEND, MAYBE LESS THAN PLANNING OR MAYBE TAKING CARE OF, MAKING MORE PHONE CALLS, MORE EMAILS, MORE GRADE AND PAPERS.

WE HAVE THAT FOR OUR ELEMENTARY TEACHER AS AN OPTION FOR THEM THIS YEAR.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THANK YOU EDDIE.

THIS IS GIVING YOU AN UPDATE ALSO ON OUR ROMAN NUMBERS.

THIS WAS AS OF SEPTEMBER 9TH.

WE WERE AT 46,492.

AS A MATTER OF FACT TODAY, WE WERE CLOSE TO 46,600.

WE'RE SHORT, LIKE FEW STUDENTS TO 46,600.

OUR NUMBERS HAVE BEEN STEADILY INCREASING.

WE'RE HOPING THAT NUMBER WILL CONTINUE INCREASING.

IT'S PRETTY MUCH ALMOST AT WHERE WE WERE AT END OF LAST YEAR.

WE ENDED THE SCHOOL YEAR AT 46,641.

ALMOST AT THE SAME NUMBER NOW.

OUR PROJECTED NUMBER WHEN DENNIS OUR CFO WORKED ON OUR BUDGET, HE PROJECTED AT 47,722.

AGAIN, OUR STAFF HAVE BEEN CALLING, WE LOOKED AT THE NO-SHOW LIST AND WE'VE BEEN CALLING AND TRYING TO SEND TEXT MESSAGES, TRYING TO REACH OUT TO THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO TRY TO BRING OUR STUDENTS BACK.

AGAIN, WE'VE SEEN, AND WE'VE SEEN MORE OF OUR STUDENTS AGAIN COMING BACK TO OUR DISTRICT.

SOME OF THEM OBVIOUSLY WERE ON VACATION.

SOME OF THEM MAYBE DECIDED TO GO SOME OTHER PLACES AND THEY'RE RETURNING BACK OR SOME OF THEM DECIDED TO HOMESCHOOL THEM FOR AWHILE.

[01:55:03]

BUT THAT NUMBER HAS BEEN STEADILY INCREASING.

AGAIN, WE'RE HOPING THAT NUMBER EVENTUALLY WILL GO OVER 47,000 CLOSER TO OUR PROJECTED NUMBER.

BUT AGAIN, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WHAT TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE WHERE WE STAND AS FAR AS OUR ENROLLMENT.

NEXT SLIDE. [NOISE] I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SAFETY AND SECURITY.

I KNOW THERE WERE SOME SPEAKERS ALSO TALKING ABOUT THAT.

OUR CHIEF AND I KNOW CHIEF IS RIGHT THERE, MAYBE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW THINGS HERE.

BUT SINCE HE'S BEEN HERE AND HE'S ONLY BEEN HERE FOR SIX WEEKS, HE'S BEEN REALLY RUNNING AND TAKING CARE OF A LOT OF THINGS AT THE SAME TIME.

AS YOU KNOW, CHIEF YARBOROUGH LEFT US IN MARCH, APRIL, AND WE SAID WITH OUR CHIEF AND THEN WE WERE LUCKY TO HAVE CHIEF DENNIS HERE WITH US.

WE'LL ALSO ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF.

WE ARE PLEASED TO SAY THAT ALSO WE ARE HIRING THAT PERSON AND THAT ASSISTANT CHIEF WILL BE JOINING AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

THAT'S THE HOPE GOING THROUGH THE THE BACKGROUND AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF.

WE ALSO HAVE A FEW VACANCIES AS FAR AS POLICE OFFICERS.

FOUR OF THEM RIGHT NOW ARE IN FINAL STAGES.

AGAIN, IT TAKES SOME TIME TO GO THROUGH THE BACKGROUND CHECK.

BUT THESE ARE THINGS WHERE YOU'RE DOING.

HOWEVER, WE ENSURE IN OUR CAMPUSES COVERS.

OUR SECONDARY CAMPUSES OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE TO COVER THEM AND THEN OUR ELEMENTARY, THEY HAVE SERGEANTS AND FOLKS WHO WILL GO AND CHECK ON THOSE CAMPUSES DAILY.

THESE ARE WHAT WE HAVE.

I DON'T KNOW CHIEF IF YOU WANT TO TALK MORE ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE OVER THE SUMMER?

>> THANK YOU. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING SINCE I CAME ON BOARD ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO, WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT INROADS INTO COMPLIANCE, PARTICULARLY AROUND THE CAMPUSES, TO MAKE SURE THAT REGULATIONS AND MANDATES THAT ARE IN PLACE STATEWIDE ARE BEING ADHERED TO HERE LOCALLY AND THAT IS THE QUICK AND EASY FIX FOR A LOT OF OUR SAFETY CONCERNS.

WITH REGARDS TO STAFFING AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WE ARE ABSOLUTELY FOCUSED ON FILLING AS MANY VACANT POSITIONS AS POSSIBLE, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

OF COURSE, THERE'S CHALLENGES THAT GO ALONG WITH THAT BECAUSE THE BACKGROUND IS DONE BY THE OFFICERS THAT ARE ALSO COVERING SCHOOLS SO THEY ARE TAKING ON A SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL WORK OTHER THAN WHAT THEY'RE DOING ON CAMPUSES SO I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BALANCING THE WORKLOAD THAT THEY'RE EXPERIENCING ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

THERE ARE ALSO COVERING SIGNIFICANT AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES IN TERMS OF ATHLETIC EVENTS, BOARD MEETINGS LIKE THIS AND SO AS YOU LOOK AROUND, YOU SEE THESE OFFICERS THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON.

I KNOW I HAD THE SERGEANT WITH ME AT A MEETING THIS MORNING AT NINE O'CLOCK DOWN IN AUSTIN SO WE HAVE A LONG DAY WE PUT LONG DAYS IN, I REALLY WANT TO GIVE ACCOLADES TO ALL OF THE OFFICERS.

THEIR ATTENDANCE IS OUTSTANDING.

THEY COME TO WORK EVERY DAY.

THEY WORK HARD EVERY DAY.

THERE ARE ALWAYS EAGER TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CAMPUSES ARE SAFE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, OUR GOAL IS REALLY TO GET OUR STAFFING UP, TO GIVE EVERYBODY A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A BALANCED WORKLOAD AND THEN WE CAN START TO MOVE THE DEPARTMENT FORWARD IN A WAY THAT WILL ENHANCE SECURITY EVEN MORE.

>> WE COMPLETED A COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY AUDIT BY THIRD PARTY.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

I THINK LAST MONTH SO THAT WAS COMPLETED AND WE ARE EXPECTING THAT REPORT TO BE COMING TO US ANYTIME SOON.

WE WILL BE SHARING THEIR REPORT WITH ALL BOARD MEMBERS.

THE IDEA IS OBVIOUSLY FOR THIS THIRD PARTY, IS TO IDENTIFY, FIRST OF ALL, ANY GREAT THINGS WOULD DO IN ANY THINGS THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE DOING AND NUMBER 2, IF THERE ARE ANY RECOMMENDATION TO ENHANCE WHAT WE HAVE OR MAKE THINGS EVEN BETTER SO WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FOR THAT REPORT EVENTUALLY, IT WILL BE SUBMITTED ALSO TO THE TEXAS STATE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO HAVE A COPY OF THAT AS WELL.

OVER THE SUMMER ALSO, WE LAUNCHED PROGRAMS THROUGH THERE, NAVIGATE 360.

WE HAD NAVIGATE 360, BUT I DON'T THINK WE USE THE FULL TOOL BEFORE IN THE PAST SO THIS YEAR WILL BE THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY USE AND NAVIGATE 360.

IT PRETTY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING IS A ONE-STOP SHOP, IF YOU WILL, FOR A LOT OF THINGS.

WE'RE ON SAFETY AND SECURITY, AND SO INCLUDING UPGRADED ANONYMOUS REPORTING TOOL, USE AND NAVIGATE 360.

EVERYTHING WOULD BE PRETTY MUCH MONITOR ENTERED THROUGH SO IT'S EASY FOR US TO RUN REPORTS ACCESS AND SEE WHAT'S HAPPENED, NOT HAPPEN, I GUESS IN EVERY CAMPUS AS WELL AS AS COMMUNICATING RIGHT AND REPORT ANY ANYTHING.

WE ALSO STARTING TRAINING STAFF ON NEW EMERGENCY MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEM SO THIS IS SOMETHING YOU NEED TO AND WE PROBABLY WILL DIG DEEPER,

[02:00:02]

EVENTUALLY GIVE YOU MORE DETAILS ABOUT IT.

BUT I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

CHIEF GIVE A BRIEF UP.

>> I CAN DO TH AT. YES, CERTAINLY SO WITH THE 2019 BOND, WE WERE FUNDED TO PROVIDE AN EMERGENCY MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEM.

THAT SYSTEM WAS RECENTLY COMPLETED ACROSS THE CAMPUSES.

THIS YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO BE FOCUSING ON TRAINING AND OPERATIONALIZING THE PLATFORM TO MAKE SURE IT'S BEING USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH TRILLS SO THAT STAFF GETS FAMILIAR WITH THE SYSTEM AND THEN IN THE EVENT OF A REAL ACTUAL EMERGENCY, THEY'RE FAMILIAR WITH HOW TO MAKE THE NOTIFICATIONS EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.

>> THANK YOU, CHIEF AND THEN WE ALSO DID OUR OUR STAFF OBVIOUSLY, I THINK WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AT ALL SO THIS ONE LAST TIME, WE ARE COMPLIANT WITH THE EXTERIOR DOOR SWEEPS AND EMERGENCY DRILLS AND THIRD ASSESSMENT.

WE ALSO APPLIED FOR SEVERAL STATE GRANTS TO FUND TRAINING.

AS YOU KNOW, WE HIRED JUST RECENTLY LAST OVER THE SUMMER.

I THINK HE STARTED OR MAYBE IN MAY, A NEW GRANT WRITER SO HE'S BEEN REALLY BUSY WRITING GRANTS AND AMONG OTHER THINGS, HE'S BEEN TRYING TO FIND AND ALSO SUBMIT GRANTS READY TO SAFETY AND SECURITY.

NEXT SLIDE JUST ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT.

I KNOW LAST TIME RYAN AND HIS TEAM TALKED MORE ABOUT THIS.

BUT REALLY AGAIN, TO HIGHLIGHT AGAIN THE GREAT THINGS THAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR WHEN IT COMES TO ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM.

AGAIN, WE HAVE 85 PERCENT OF ALL CAMPUSES RATED A OR B, THE HIGHEST EVER AND THEN MORE SCHOOLS ARE IN A AND MORE SCHOOLS OBVIOUSLY, A OR B.

ALL CAMPUSES EARN AT LEAST A C OR BETTER WITH 98 PERCENT OF THEM MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE THEIR PERFORMANCE RATING FROM THE 2019 SO AGAIN, WE'RE SUPER PROUD OF THAT ACHIEVEMENT WHEN IT COMES TO ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE WANT TO OBVIOUSLY IMPROVE THAT. WE ARE RESTORING.

HAVING TRAINING FOR OUR PRINCIPALS, TALKING MORE ABOUT THE GNU ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM THERE IS THEY'RE TWEAKING AND CHANGING.

ALSO UNDERSTANDING MORE ABOUT THE GROWTH.

ULTIMATELY WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IS WHEN I SEE EVERY STUDENT IN OUR DISTRICT GROWING AND SHOWN GROWTH, ANNUAL GROWTH.

SOME OF OUR STUDENTS OBVIOUSLY DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY ADD, THEY MIGHT REQUIRE ACCELERATED GROWTH.

THEREFORE, ACCELERATED LEARNING AND SOME ARE ALREADY DOING WELL, SO WE AT LEAST WE WANT TO MAINTAIN THEM GROWN WITH THE SAME SPEED, IF YOU WILL SO WE NEED TO INDIVIDUALIZE OR DIFFERENTIATE.

I'M SORRY. THEY'RE LEARNING FOR EVERY KID SO WE CAN ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT IS GROWING THE WAY WE WANT THEM TO GROW.

RYAN, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING TO THAT OR.

>> SIR, I THINK YOU DID A GREAT JOB OF A GIVEN THE RECAP, WE'RE VERY, VERY EXCITED ABOUT HOW OUR CAMPUSES DID AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE OBVIOUSLY LOOKING FORWARD.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS DEFINITELY SOME AREAS THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON TO IMPROVE.

LOOKING FORWARD TO AN ACADEMIC WORKSHOP PROBABLY COMING UP NEXT MONTH SOMETIME.

WE CAN REALLY DIVE DEEP INTO OUR START.

YOU'LL SEE RESULTS FROM LAST YEAR.

SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE DOING THIS YEAR, AS WELL AS LOOKING AHEAD AS THAT ACCOUNTABILITY RESET IS GOING TO BE THE NEW SYSTEM GOING INTO NEXT YEAR SO WE'LL REALLY DIVE DEEP INTO THAT WITH EVERYBODY NEXT MONTH IN A WORKSHOP FORMAT.

THE ONLY OTHER UPDATE I COULD THINK TO GIVE WOULD BE THE WORD, I THINK TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY FOR OUR BEGINNING OF YOUR ELEMENTARY SCREENERS SO THAT'S ALWAYS A BIG TIME FOR US BECAUSE WE GET THAT DATA BACK AND THEN WE'LL BE REPORTING THAT TO YOU GUYS AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR MONITOR. I THINK IT'S OCTOBER, 5TH IS ALL ACADEMIC WORKSHOP.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION AND ABOUT GETTING AROUND STUDENT OUTCOMES THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE.

RYAN DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THIS, BUT WE ALSO DEVELOP A CCMR DASHBOARD FOR OUR STUDENTS TO TRACK THEIR PROGRESS WOULD BE SHARED AND I THINK THAT BOARD MEMBERS HOPEFULLY NEXT DURING THE ACADEMIC.

BUT THAT'S ANOTHER THING ALSO WHERE WE BUILDING BECAUSE WE WANT TO AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO PROGRESS MONITOR ALL YEAR AND SEE HOW THE STUDENTS ARE DOING.

THIS WILL HELP OUT OUR TEACHERS, OUR COUNSELORS, OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS, AND SEE AND HOW THE STUDENTS ARE PROGRESSING YEAR AFTER YEAR AND MONTH AFTER MONTH SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL BE SHARING THAT I THINK PROBABLY WE WILL TALK ABOUT IS ALSO US LOOKING AT THE PROGRAM CALLED NAVIONS.

IT'S ALSO SOMEHOW RELATED TO CCMR AND NAVIONS IS ALSO A ONE-STOP SHOP WHERE OUR STUDENTS AND OUR PARENTS CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THIS PROGRAM WHERE THEY CAN, STARTING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, SIXTH GRADE, AS EARLY AS SIXTH GRADE, DOING WHAT'S CALLED A CAREER INVENTORY OR CAREER EXPLORATION AND BASED ON THEIR INTERESTS, THEY FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

I WANT TO BE A TEACHER OR I WANT TO BE SOCIAL WORKER, OR I WANT TO BE A DOCTOR OR A LAWYER OR WHATEVER THAT MIGHT BE OR WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO AND THEN LOOK AT WHAT IT WILL TAKE FOR THEM TO BE THERE.

WHAT WILL BE THE PATHWAY TO REACH THAT GOAL?

[02:05:02]

WHAT UNIVERSITY MAYBE OFFER THOSE PROGRAMS? HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO GET THERE? HOW MUCH TIME WOULD TAKE THEM TO GET THERE, AND SO THEY CAN DO ALL THAT STUFF AND THEN EVENTUALLY THEY CAN USE THAT PLATFORM, THAT SAME TOOL TO RESHARE A DIFFERENT UNIVERSITY, WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER AGAIN, AND HOW MUCH WILL CAUSE, DO THEY ACCEPT DUAL CREDIT COURSES? WHICH ONES MAYBE THEY WILL ACCEPT OR NOT? THEY CAN ALSO START PUTTING APPLICATION USING THAT SAME THING, TO GET TEACHER RECOMMENDATION THROUGH THE SAME TOOL SO THIS WILL BE, I DON'T KNOW, IN THE OLD DAYS WHEN GOOGLE FOR EVERYTHING, THIS WILL BE REALLY A ONE-STOP SHOP WHERE AGAIN, WILL HELP OUR PARENTS, OUR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY OUR STUDENTS WHO MAY BE THE FIRST GENERATION GOING TO COLLEGE AND THEY DON'T KNOW, THEY NEVER BEEN TO COLLEGE.

MY PARENTS NEVER BEEN TO COLLEGE SO THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT TAKES, WHAT THEY NEED TO GET THERE.

THIS WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL AGAIN FOR THEM, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO GOOGLE STUFF OR RELY ON SOMEBODY ELSE HERE ARE THERE TO HELP THEM OUT AND SO THIS WOULD BE LEAD BY OUR COUNSELING DEPARTMENT AND AGAIN, WE'RE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS, BUT WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT HOPEFULLY IN THE ACADEMIC WORKSHOP ON OCTOBER 5TH.

THE NEXT THING, SOME GREAT THINGS.

THIS IS LIKE SOME OF YOU THANK YOU FOR OUR BOARD MEMBERS WHO ATTENDED THIS, BUT WE HAVE IN OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENTS AS TONY POINT, WE HAVE OVER 5,200 PEOPLE SHOWED UP, OUR STUDENTS, OUR PARENTS, SO COMMUNITY MEMBERS, IT WAS SO NICE TO SEE EVERYONE OUT THERE.

OUR STUDENTS RECEIVE FREE VACCINATION HERE IN EXAMS, IT WAS REALLY, REALLY, AGAIN, AN AMAZING EVENT AND SEEING ALL EVERYBODY OUT THERE AND EVERYONE TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER.

AS I SAID, IT WAS REALLY AMAZING.

DEXTEROUS CHILDREN HOSPITAL AS YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE BUILDING A BUILDING HERE WITHIN OUR UNDOCK ISD ZONE AND SO THESE SCENT, I THINK 40 OR 50 NURSES IF SOME OF THEM CAME FROM ALL OVER THE STATE TO BE HERE WITH US ON DURING THAT EVENT TO HELP WITH VACCINATION.

BUT AGAIN, THERE WAS EVERYBODY SO I WANT TO THANK ALL OUR STAFF ALSO OUR PARENTS, OUR VOLUNTEERS, OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND SOME OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS.

WHAT ARE THEIR VOLUNTEER IN YOUR OWN TIME TOO.

BUT I WAS REALLY, REALLY NICE SEEING EVERYONE BACK AGAIN. NEXT.

>> AGAIN, YOU HEARD ABOUT OPERATION.

A LOT OF THINGS WERE GOING THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND EVEN OVER THE SUMMER, I WAS LIKE LOSING SLEEP OVER ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO OPEN CITY IN MIDDLE SCHOOL? ARE WE GOING TO BE OPEN BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS NEEDED TO HAVE A CAMPUS.

ME AND TERRY, I'VE BEEN BOTHERED HIM EVERY DAY, THE ENTIRE SPRING AND SUMMER TRYING TO GET WITH THE VENDORS TO GET THIS STUFF HERE, WITH THE CONTRACTORS SO THEY CAN MAKE SURE THAT THE BUILDING IS READY FOR OUR STUDENTS.

I KNOW HE'S READY TO GIVE SOME UPDATES ABOUT WHERE SUPER EXCITED TO SAY THAT ALL THESE PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED AND OUR STUDENTS ARE NOW USING THESE BUILDINGS. TERRY.

>> THANK YOU, DR. AZAIEZ, ALL I CAN SAY AS, WHOO IT WAS A TOUGH SUMMER.

SOME OF THE IMAGES THAT YOU SEE HERE REPRESENT NEARLY $200 MILLION OF CONSTRUCTION WORK, THAT STUDENT AND STAFF OCCUPIED THIS SUMMER GOING INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR.

OBVIOUSLY THERE'S MANY, MANY MORE PROJECTS, IT'S NOT JUST THESE LARGER PROJECTS THAT WOULD CONSIDER MARQUEE.

BUT YOU CAN SEE, AND YOU'VE HAD SOME OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR SOME OF THESE PROJECTS, THAT WE APPROACH THESE PROJECTS AS THOUGH THEY'RE THE MOST IMPORTANT PROJECT ON CAMPUS, THAT THEY'RE CONCEIVED WITH INSPIRATION.

THEY'RE CONCEIVED WITH PURPOSE AND LONGEVITY AND SO THAT WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE DISTRICT.

IT MAY NOT BE DIRECTLY TO THE STUDENTS, BUT IT'S IN A WAY THAT THEY ARE SUPPORTED, IN A WAY THAT THEY CAN EXCEL AND ACHIEVE.

IT'S JUST A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO WORK ON SUCH PROJECTS OF THIS NATURE.

I WOULD BE REMISS NOT TO MENTION THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO PARTNER IN MAKING THESE PROJECTS SUCCESSFUL.

IT STARTS AT THE CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT, MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT, OUR PARTNERS AND CONSTRUCTION AND VENDORS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

WE RELIED VERY HEAVILY ON, I GUESS THEIR SERVICE.

THAT'S WHAT I WOULD SAY, THEIR SERVICE.

THEY THEY CAME THROUGH FOR US AND WHEN WE CALL UPON HIM, THEY CAME THROUGH FOR US.

YOU'RE BEGINNING TO SEE THE RESULTS OF THE ENTRUSTMENT OF THE WORKS FROM THE 2018 BOND AND SO WE'RE VERY PROUD TO SHOW YOU THOSE.

THANK YOU, DR. AZAIEZ.

>> NOW, THANK YOU. THANK YOU OBVIOUSLY TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN, AND TRUSTING US WITH THE WORK.

THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE, JENNIFER.

OBVIOUSLY AS YOU KNOW, OUR TEACHER COULDN'T DO ANYTHING WITH OUR TEACHERS.

[02:10:03]

I WAS PRIVILEGED TO ATTEND THE REGION TEACHER OF THE YEAR EVENT WHERE THE LAST MONTH.

IT WAS REALLY NICE TO SEE MS. LARSON BEING SELECTED REGION 13, TEACHER OF THE YEARS, SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

AGAIN, IT SHOWS AGAIN THAT WE HAVE THE BEST OF THE BEST IN OUR DISTRICT.

AGAIN, THAT SHOWS AGAIN WHY WE HAVE TO KEEP THEM HERE.

WHY WE HAVE TO RETAIN THEM OR WHY I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

BUT SHE'S AN AWESOME TEACHER AND I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT A LOT, A LOT GREAT TEACHERS IN OUR DISTRICT.

ANDREA WON TEACHER OF THE YEAR FOR THE REGION 13.

THEN A WEEK OR TWO WEEKS LATER, WE WERE NOTIFIED THEY SHE ACTUALLY TOP THREE IN THIS STATE.

WE HAVE AN EVENT IN OCTOBER WHERE THEY MAKE DECISION IF SHE WOULD BE, AND I'M HOPING, SHE WOULD BE OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR, BUT THE STATE OF TEXAS SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

SHE STOPPED THREE RIGHT NOW, AND WE'RE HOPING THAT SHE WILL BECOME OR SHE WILL WIN THE TOP PRICE, I GUESS, BUT SUPER EXCITED ABOUT HER.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY SHE'S VERY HUMBLE AND SHE WILL TELL YOU, I REPRESENT RAUNAK ISD AND ALL THE GREAT TEACHER WE HAVE IN RAUNAK ISD.

BUT SUPER HAPPY ABOUT THAT, SO I WANT TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU AGAIN.

FINALLY, I THINK IT WAS LAST WEEK.

YES, SEPTEMBER 6.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO ATTEND FIRST THE COLLEGE FAIR AND IT WAS AMAZING.

THOUSANDS AGAIN. THOUSANDS OF OUR PARENTS SHOWED UP.

THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS SHOWED UP.

WE HAD ACTUALLY EVEN FOLKS WHO CAME FROM OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT IN BUSES TO COME AND ATTEND OUR COLLEGE FAIR.

WE HAD I THINK ABOUT A 150 DIFFERENT COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES REPRESENTED AND REALLY IT WAS SUPER NICE TO SEE AGAIN, OUR COMMUNITY COME IN THERE AND LEARNING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES.

BUT AGAIN, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS AGAIN, THAT MAKES OUR DISTRICT SPECIAL IS HOW WE COME TOGETHER AND HOW WE HELP OUR STUDENTS ALL THE WAY.

MANY OF OUR STUDENTS ARE EITHER SENIORS OR ABOUT TO GRADUATE, BUT THERE ARE ALREADY LOOKING AT OPTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT BEYOND OUR DISTRICT, WHICH IS GREAT.

AGAIN, THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN A LOT ABOUT HIGHER AID AND OPTIONS AND CHOICES FOR THEM, FINANCIAL AID, SCHOLARSHIPS.

AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK RYAN AND HIS TEAM AND DR. LEWIS AND ALL THAT, OUR COUNSELORS AND ANYBODY ELSE WHO SUPPORTED THE WORK.

>> I WOULD JUST SAY JUST THANKS TO THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT AND REALLY DISTRICT-WIDE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT IT TOOK TO PUT THAT OFF.

WE HAD TONS OF VOLUNTEERS, TONS OF GROUPS FROM CAMPUSES, FROM ALL THE DEPARTMENTS COMING TOGETHER, IS HERE AROUND DARK HIGH-SCHOOL ALWAYS BEEN A MARQUEE EVENT EVERY YEAR, AND WE DIDN'T DO IT DURING COVID OBVIOUSLY, BUT IT WAS GREAT TO GET BACK IN THE SWING OF THINGS AND YEAH, THERE WERE SEVERAL THOUSAND STUDENTS THAT MADE THEIR WAY THROUGH.

WE DON'T HAVE AN EXACT COUNT, BUT IT WAS PACKED.

IF YOU WERE THERE, YOU SAW.

ALWAYS IMPRESSED IT JUST THE LEVEL OF OUR STUDENTS ABILITY TO INTERACT WITH AND THINK THROUGH TO THEIR FUTURE.

MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS WERE THERE, THEY WERE HIGH-SCHOOL KIDS THEY'RE JUST A MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THAT AS IT'LL COME UP NEXT YEAR, WE'LL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE IT.

IT'S JUST A GREAT EVENT FOR KIDS.

A LOT OF JUNIOR COLLEGES WERE THERE, A LOT OF TRADE SCHOOLS, WERE THERE A LOT OF ALL SECONDARY BEYOND HIGH-SCHOOL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES THERE FOR KIDS.

>> NEXT SLIDE. AGAIN. I JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY AGAIN, IT STARTS WITH US.

IT STARTS WITH ME, STARTS WITH ALL BOARD MEMBERS.

IT STARTS WITH OUR SUPPORT STAFF HERE AND NOW OUR CAMPUSES TEACHERS, EVERYONE REALLY OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PARENTS, EVERYONE IS WORKING TOGETHER TO REALLY HELP OUR STUDENTS.

AGAIN, WE'RE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, DESPITE AGAIN, THE CHALLENGES WHEN IT COMES TO REALLY THE MAIN CHALLENGES, REALLY VACANCIES ARE TRYING TO FIND QUALITY PEOPLE TO REALLY TEACH OUR STUDENTS.

BUT AGAIN, WE ARE THE WAY WE ARE COMING TOGETHER TO HELP US.

I SAID WE HAVE A LOT OUR COACHES WHO WENT INTO THE CLASSROOMS TO HELP.

OUR STUDENTS THEY WILL HAVE AGAIN CERTIFIED EDUCATOR IN THE CLASSROOM WITH THEM.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PARENTS ACTUALLY WHO DECIDED I WANT TO GO AND SUBSTITUTE OR BE A GUEST EDUCATORS.

TO HELP SOME OF THEM, EVEN LIKE CERTIFIED TEACHER AS SOME OF THEM, I LEARNED HOW, SHOW ME HOW.

EVERYBODY IS TRYING AGAIN TO COME TOGETHER IN HELPING.

AGAIN, THAT'S ANOTHER THING THAT MAKES OUR DISTRICT REALLY DESTINATION DISTRICT.

BUT WE ARE NOT GIVING UP.

OBVIOUSLY, I'M FINDING QUALITY PEOPLE ON AND WE'RE HAVING CONVERSATION WITH DIFFERENT HIGHER AID LIKE A TEXAS STATE AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

HOW CAN WE GET MORE PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS,

[02:15:05]

I GUESS. OUR JOB IS TO START.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW, WE IN OUR DISTRICT, WE DIDN'T EVER HAD A DEDICATED RECRUITER IN OUR DISTRICT AND WITHIN HR.

IT WAS ALWAYS A JOB IF YOU CAN YOU ALSO RECRUIT, SO THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ACTUALLY, WE HIRED DEDICATED RECRUITER IN OUR DISTRICT.

HER ONLY JOB WOULD BE REALLY RECRUITING WITH THE HELP OF EVERYBODY ELSE, BUT AT LEAST SHE CAN LEAD THAT WORK.

AGAIN, THE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES AND WHAT DO WE CAN DO MOVING FORWARD, BUT AGAIN, IT JUST STARTS WITH US. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, DR. AZAIEZ, LOOKS LIKE WE'RE OFF TO A WONDERFUL START.

I DO HAVE ONE LIGHT ON FOR TRUSTEE HARRISON.

>> I'LL BE BRIEF I LOVE THAT THANKFUL THURSDAY, SO THANK YOU FOR THE NEW PRINCIPLE THAT TALKED ABOUT THANKFUL THURSDAY.

I HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WANT TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR, THE SPIRIT EXCHANGE.

I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ASKED ABOUT LAST YEAR, SO THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT THOUGHTFUL WAY TO ADDRESS SHORTAGES.

THEN ALSO I WAS AT A CAMPUS, ROBERTSON ELEMENTARY WITH PRINCIPAL KYLE BOREL THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AND THEY HAD A SECURITY AUDIT THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

THAT STUNK FOR HER BUT IT ALSO WAS GREAT THAT'S HAPPENING SO AGGRESSIVELY, SO I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT.

MY ONE QUESTION IS, YOU MENTIONED THE $1,100 STIPEND FOR ELEMENTARY EDUCATORS WHO ARE TEACHING MORE THAN 27 STUDENTS IN A CLASS.

MY CURIOSITY IS, WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATORS THAT ARE DOING DOUBLE DUTY AND NOT JUST BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE DID THE $25 AN HOUR FOR COVERING ONE CLASS, BUT FOR TEACHERS THAT ARE TEACHING SEVEN OUT OF EIGHT PERIODS ETC? THEN EVEN HOW HAS THAT $1,100 STIPEND BEEN MESSAGE BECAUSE HAS THAT ALREADY BEGUN OR IS THAT YET TO BEGIN?

>> YES MA'AM, SO WE ALREADY HAD A PROVISION FOR SECONDARY CAMPUSES THROUGH EXTRA CLASSES AND SO WITH THAT PLC PERIOD, BECAUSE THEIR CONFERENCE PERIOD IS PROTECTED A LOT OF OUR SECONDARY TEACHERS HAVE A SECOND CLASS PERIOD AND IF IT'S VERY HARD TO FILL POSITION LIKE A HEALTH SCIENCE TYPE DECISION OR ANOTHER CTE COURSE I KNOW YOU HAVE THOSE TYPES OF SITUATIONS THAT PRINCIPLE WILL OFTEN USE THAT EXTRA CLASS PROVISION.

THAT'S BEEN SOMETHING, I HAVE TO COMMAND OUR PRINCIPLES PARTICULARLY THIS YEAR THEY'VE HAD MORE CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO STAFFING CONUNDRUMS THAN I THINK WE FACED IN PREVIOUS YEARS, SO THEY'VE DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB WORKING THROUGH SOME OF THOSE THINGS, THREE PROVISIONS LIKE EXTRA CLASSES AND JUST TRYING TO BE FLEXIBLE.

BACK TO YOUR QUESTION ON SECONDARY CAMPUSES, THAT RESULTS BUT WE ALSO DO, YOU MENTIONED THE ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR COVERING ABSENCES.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT'S A GOOD LONG-TERM SOLUTION.

WE ALL KNOW HOW HARD OUR TEACHERS WORK JUST TO GET THE REGULAR WORK DONE AND I'M LIVING WITH A THIRD GRADE TEACHER NOW AND SHE TELLS ME ALL ABOUT IT EVERY EVENING SO IT'S ENOUGH THEY HAVE ENOUGH GOING ON.

WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE OF THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING TO STEP IN AND SUPPORT AT A VERY TOUGH TIME AND WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO THINK OF ADDITIONAL CREATIVE WAYS THAT WE CAN NOT ONLY PROVIDE SUPPORTS TO HELP THEM, BUT ALSO THEY DON'T NECESSARILY, HEY GO COVER ANOTHER CLASS AND WE'LL GIVE YOU $25 AN HOUR, BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT PUTTING SOME THINGS IN FOR WELL-BEING AND WELLNESS.

THE OTHER PIECE TO THAT IS JUST THE HARRISON.

I WOULDN'T EVEN DARE TO TELL A TEACHER THAT I HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS.

I REALLY DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS SO WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS THAT WE DON'T ASSUME THAT WE KNOW THOSE ANSWERS AND THAT WE ENTERTAIN TEACHER VOICE AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE THAT DIALOGUE AND THAT'S IN THE WORKS RIGHT NOW AND DR AZAIEZ AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT AND WE'LL GET SOME MORE INFORMATION OUT ON THAT.

>> YOU CAN SAY IT ACTUALLY, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO SEND YOU AN UPDATE ABOUT A NEW INITIATIVE.

EDDIE IS VERY HUMBLE, SO HE DOESN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT, BUT WE ACTUALLY WOULD BE LAUNCHED AND I'M SORRY EDDIE I'M STEALING YOUR THUNDER BUT I HAVE TO SHARE IT [LAUGHTER].

WE ACTUALLY STARTED WE ARE GOING TO BE HAVING FOCUS GROUPS WITH TEACHERS AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO GO CLOSER TO THEM THEN THEY COME TO US, SO THAT WE CAN HEAR FROM THEM AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO RETAIN THEM AND ALSO MAYBE GIVE US IDEAS HOW ALSO IF WE NEED TO RECRUIT, BECAUSE MAYBE THERE WAS SOMEBODY WHO'S RETIRING.

WHAT IDEAS TO RECRUIT? WHAT IS THAT THING THAT ATTRACTS YOU TO COME AND WORK FOR US? THINGS LIKE THAT. AGAIN HE'S HUMBLED, BUT WE'RE ABOUT TO LAUNCH THAT SOON.

>> THANK YOU BOTH, I APPRECIATE THAT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE UPDATE AFTER THAT'S IMPLEMENTED THANK YOU.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER LIGHTS ON TRUSTEE BONE, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? JUST MAKING SURE SINCE YOUR LIGHT DOESN'T WORK FROM THERE.

[02:20:04]

>> NO, I'M GOOD THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU DR. AZAIEZ, BOARD WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM G1 BOARD STUDENT OUTCOME GOALS TIME TRACKER,

[G. DISCUSSION ITEMS]

AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO TRUSTEE WEIR.

>> I AM SO EXCITED.

OUR AUGUST 16TH MEETING, WE ACTUALLY TALKED ABOUT STUDENT OUTCOME OVER HALF THE TIME.

[APPLAUSE] IT WAS 181 OUT OF 320 MINUTES SO WE WERE AT 56.56 PERCENT FOR STUDENT OUTCOMES ON THE 16TH.

ON THE 18TH, UNFORTUNATELY DR. MCMAHON AND TEA WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO COUNT THE DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD ABOUT OUR RATINGS.

I KNOW YOU ASKED TRUSTEE WESTON THEY SAID NO.

WE HAD ZERO FOR OUR AUGUST 18TH MEETING UNFORTUNATELY.

NOW, I WAS GOING TO SAY ACTUALLY, I KNOW THAT RYAN IS ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE AND WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THAT WHEN WE GET TO OUR CALENDAR, WE DID NOT HAVE IT ON OUR MONITORING CALENDAR AND IF IT'S NOT ON THE MONITORING CALENDAR, IT DOESN'T COUNT.

WE'RE ADDING IT TO MONITORING CALENDAR WHEN WE GET TO I2, SO NEXT YEAR IT WILL COUNT.

BUT OVERALL FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST, WE SPENT 181 OF 509 MINUTES, SO WE WERE ACTUALLY AT 35.56 PERCENT ON STUDENT OUTCOMES WHICH I THINK MAYBE ONE OF OUR HIGHEST, IF NOT THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE THAT WE'VE SPENT OVER A THIRD OF OUR TIME IN AUGUST SO THAT WAS REALLY GOOD FOR US YAY TEAM.

>> I'LL ADD THAT WAS TRUSTEE JOHNSON'S ONE OF HIS FIRST MEETING MAYBE THAT SPEAKS WELL OF YOU SIR.

>> I'LL TAKE ANY COMPLIMENTS I CAN GET.

>> THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM G2 AND THIS IS THE TEA MONTHLY MONITORING REPORT.

DR. FALTYS SAYS HERE, TRUSTEES I WILL TELL YOU JUST SO YOU'RE AWARE OF HOW THE PROCESS WORKS.

DR. FALTYS HAS TO SUBMIT HIS REPORT, HIS TIME CARD ALL OF THAT TO TEA BY THE 5TH OF THE MONTH, THEN TEA REVIEWS IT AND THEN IT GETS SENT OVER TO US.

WE DID NOT GET THAT TILL TODAY I BELIEVE,.

>> I'LL COME WITH AT FOUR O'CLOCK.

>> YES FOUR O'CLOCK TODAY.

I PERSONALLY HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW IT.

DR. FALTYS IS GOING TO TALK BRIEFLY, BUT WE'RE GOING TO ALSO ADD THIS MONTH'S MONITORING REPORT TO NEXT MONTH SO THAT WE CAN REVIEW IT AGAIN AND ASK ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU MIGHT HAVE, BUT YOU ALSO KNOW WHAT THE PROCESS IS AND PEOPLE ASK, WHY HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET? WHERE IS IT? IT'S NOT ANYTHING OUT OF ANYBODY'S, IT'S JUST OUT OF OUR CONTROL HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS, BUT I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU DR. FALTYS.

>> THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT AND IT WAS JUST A BAD MONTH ALL THE WAY AROUND I DIDN'T GET IT TO THEM BY THE FIFTH, I GOT HOME FROM ICELAND ON THE SIXTH, HAD A LITTLE BRIEF LITTLE TRIPS, SO I WAS A FEW DAYS GETTING STARTED, I DON'T WANT TO THROW IT ALL ON TEA.

AS AMBER SAID OR AS PRESIDENT FELLER SAID, BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT, I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE IT WOULD BE RIGHT TO REVIEW IN COURSE THE COMMUNITY HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING EARTH-SHATTERING THAT YOU'LL SEE ON THERE BUT I STILL THINK IN FAIRNESS AND THE SPIRIT OF TRANSPARENCY, WE SHOULD REVIEW THEM TOGETHER THE NEXT MONTH.

>> I WILL ASK THAT IT'D BE ATTACHED TO TONIGHT'S AGENDA, BUT WE WILL ATTACH IT AGAIN TO NEXT MONTH AGENDA AS WELL.

IF ANYBODY GOES BACK LOOKING FOR IT WHY ISN'T IT ON TONIGHT'S MEETING? WE WILL GET IT PUT ON THERE.

OH, IT IS ALREADY ATTACHED. THANK YOU.

>> BESIDES I REMEMBER I KEEP MINUTES DIFFERENT THAN LSG AND SO THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A COMMENT IN THERE ABOUT NUMBER OF MINUTES THAT DON'T QUITE GO ALONG WITH THIS AND SO ONE OF SOME OF MY THINKING IS.

>> YOU DO REAL MINUTES AND I DO [OVERLAPPING] MINUTES.

>> I DO REAL MINUTES AND SOME REAL MINUTES THAT ARE OUT OF YOUR CONTROL AS WELL, BUT IT'S STILL I DID WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND ENERGY THAT YOU AND THE STAFF ARE PUTTING INTO THOSE MEETINGS?

>> I POINTED THAT OUT THAT TEA AS WELL STILL LOOK AT THAT.

>> MARSHA DID, WE DID HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT, SO AGAIN KUDOS ON THE NUMBER OF MINUTES OF STUDENT OUTCOMES IT'S PROBABLY GREAT THAT I'M NOT TURNING ON GOING AND BY THE WAY, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH DR. FALTYS.

THAT TAKES US TO AGENDA ITEMS H1-5,

[H. ACTION ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION BY CONSENT]

I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY REQUESTS TO PULL ANYTHING OFF OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> I MOVE THAT THE BOARD APPROVE ITEMS H1-5 BY CONSENT.

>>I HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE TO APPROVE ITEMS H1-5 BY CONSENT ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND, ALL OPPOSED.

[02:25:02]

SEEING NONE MOTION PASSES 7-0.

WE'RE ON TO AGENDA ITEM I1 AND I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MR. COVINGTON.

[I. ACTION ITEMS (Part 1 of 2)]

WE HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST THAT MR. COVINGTON WILL BE INTRODUCING FOR US.

>> DR. AZAIEZ, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THESE PRESTIGIOUS FELLOW TO MY RIGHT, IS MR. LARRY GADDES.

HE IS RUNNING WILLIAMSON COUNTY CAD OFFICE, AND HE'S HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE BOARD MAY HAVE ABOUT THE TAX RATE AND THE CALCULATIONS.

IF WE CAN GET STARTED; TONIGHT, WE'RE HERE TO FORMALLY ADOPT THE SCHOOL YEAR 22/23 TAX RATE TO SUPPORT OUR ADOPTED BUDGET.

THERE'LL BE A TALE OF A TWO-SIDED COIN TONIGHT, AND SO ON THE FIRST SIDE OF THE COIN, MY PRESENTATION WILL COVER OUR COMPARISON OF OUR PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR THIS YEAR TO LAST YEAR'S TAX RATE.

IN THE PRESENTATION, WE'LL SHOW THAT IN THIS COMPARISON THAT WE WILL BE LOWERING OUR TAX RATE BY $0.07 OR 6.2 PERCENT.

AFTER WE GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION, WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS COIN WHERE WE HAVE TO COMPARE THE BUDGET WHICH WILL BE SHOWN IN YOUR RESOLUTION AND YOUR MOTION, TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AS COMPARE TO THE PROPOSED TAX RATE.

THE MEANING OF THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE MEANS THAT BASED ON OUR NEW CERTIFIED VALUES, WHAT RATE SHOULD BE SET TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU TAKE IN NO MORE ADDITIONAL REVENUE THAN YOU TOOK IN THE YEAR BEFORE.

WE WILL GO OVER THAT IN A MINUTE.

WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE TO COVER OUR M&O TAX RATE.

THERE IS NO CHANGE PROPOSED TO THE M&O TAX RATE THAT WAS PRESENTED DURING THE ADOPTED BUDGET.

THE TEA SETS THE MAXIMUM COMPRESSED RATE, AND IS SET AT 0.8046.

THIS IS SET TO THIS AS THE RATE THAT YOU MUST, IN READING THEIR DEFINITION.

IT SAYS THE TAX RATE AT WHICH THE DISTRICT MUST LEVY AN M&O TAX TO RECEIVE THE FULL AMOUNT OF IT'S TIER ONE ALLOTMENT.

TEA SETS THIS NUMBER FOR US.

INCLUDED IN OUR TAX RATE FOR M&O IS A TEA'S MAXIMUM COMPRESSED RATE OF 8046.

THEN THIS BOARD LAST YEAR APPROVED, THE GOLDEN PENNIES OF FIVE.

IF YOU ADDED FIVE GOLDEN PENNIES TO THE TEA MAXIMUM COMPRESSED RATE, YOUR TOTAL M&O TAX RATE FOR THE BUDGET YEAR OF 22/23 IS 0.8546.

>> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, WE APPROVED ONE PENNY LAST YEAR.

>> [OVERLAPPING] FOR A TOTAL OF FIVE, YES.

>> BUT YOU SAID WE APPROVE FIVE PENNIES LAST YEAR.

>> NO.

>> WE APPROVED ONE EXTRA PENNY LAST YEAR.

>> CORRECT. WE HAVE A TOTAL OF FIVE.

I'M SORRY, WE HAVE A TOTAL OF FIVE AND THOSE PENNIES ARE NOT SUBJECT TO RECAPTURE.

THOSE PENNIES GENERATE ABOUT $25 MILLION OF FUNDS THAT STAYS WITH THE DISTRICT. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

THE NEXT PART OF THE TAX RATE IS I&S RATE.

THIS IS THE FUND THAT'S USED TO PAY THE DEBT OF THE DISTRICT.

WE ARE PROPOSING A CHANGE TO THIS RATE FROM WHOM WE ADOPTED THE BUDGET.

THE ADOPTED BUDGET IS IN THE MIDDLE COLUMN, AND IT SHOWS AT THE TIME THAT WE WERE ADOPTING THE BUDGET, WE HAVE PROPOSED A TAX RATE OF 0.2139 TO COVER EXPENSES OF THE 107,645.

THAT 107,645 MILLION INCLUDED A DEFICIENCY PAYMENT OF SIX MILLION DOLLARS.

TONIGHT, WE'RE PROPOSING THAT WE NOT INCLUDE THE DEFECIENCY PAYMENT INTO THE TAX RATE.

IF WE REMOVE THE SIX MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE DEFECIENCY PAYMENT, WE NEED A 101,645 TO COVER OUR DEBT PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST, AND THAT DEBT AMOUNT, OUR TAX RATE WOULD BE LOWER TO 0.2080.

BUT I CAN STATE THAT BASED ON HOW YOU CALCULATE THE I&S TAX RATE IS BASED ON YOUR CERTIFIED TAXABLE VALUE AFTER FREEZE REVENUE.

BUT THEN WHEN YOU COLLECT I&S REVENUE FROM YOUR TAXES, THOSE PROPERTIES THAT WAS FROZEN ARE TAXED AND BASED ON LATEST NUMBERS SUPPLIED BY MY PRESTIGIOUS FRIEND HERE, WE MAY RECEIVE SOMEWHERE AROUND SEVEN MILLION ADDITIONAL DOLLARS.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, THAT'S WHY WE REMOVED A DEFICIENCY PAYMENTS FROM THE ADOPTED BUDGET AND I PROPOSED

[02:30:01]

THAT PENDING COLLECTION THAT WE BRING BACK A RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD TO MAKE A DEFICIENCY PAYMENT AFTER WE'VE RECEIVED THE REVENUE.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. BACKUP ONE.

TOTAL TAX RATE FOR THIS YEAR WE'RE PROPOSING IS 1.0626, AND THIS IS THE LOWEST IT CAN BE.

AS OF NOW WITH THE TEA RATE OF THE MCR BEING 0.8046, THE GOLDEN PENNIES ARE FIVE AND THE I&S RATE TO COVER OUR DEBT OF 0.2080 MAKES UP THE 1.0626.

IN FACT, THAT IS A REDUCTION IN THE TAX RATE OF SEVEN CENT OR 6.26 PERCENT. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES, WE LOOKED AT AREA DISTRICTS AND SO I JUST PULLED TOGETHER A COMPARISON SHEET TO SHOW YOU OUR TAX RATE AS COMPARE IT TO HUTTO, PFLUGERVILLE, LEANDER, GEORGETOWN AND ROUND ROCK ISDS.

FOR AS THE M&O TAX RATE, THIS IS LAST YEAR, THE 2021 TAX RATE.

WE WERE THE SECOND LOWEST M&O TAX RATE.

NOW, THE I&S TAX RATE, DEPENDING ON THE DEBT THAT A DISTRICT HAS, THEY HAVE TO SET THAT TO COVER THEIR DEBT, SO THAT NUMBER IS REALLY SET FOR THEM.

WHEN LOOKING AT THE M&O RATE, WE HAD IN 2021, THE SECOND LOWEST TAX RATE FOR M&O.

IF YOU GO TO 22/23, YOU LOOK AT THE TAX RATE FOR ALL OF THOSE DISTRICTS AND NOW WE ARE THE LOWEST OF ANY OF THEM.

OUR TAX RATE OF 0.8546 IS LOWER THAN ANY OF THOSE OTHER DISTRICTS.

TO THINK ABOUT THAT, IF YOU BOUGHT A HOUSE IN PFLUGERVILLE, YOU WILL PAY ABOUT $0.20 MORE IN TAXES ON THAT HOUSE THAN YOU WOULD IF YOU BOUGHT THE SAME VALUED HOUSE IN ROUND ROCK.

OUR CHANGE FROM 21 TO 22.

AS YOU CAN SEE, ROUND ROCK LOWERED ITS TAXES BY $0.07.

HUTTO LOWERED ITS TAXES BY A PENNY, PFLUGERVILLE DID LOWER THEIR TAXES BY $0.14, WHICH IS $0.07 MORE THAN WE LOWERED OURS.

WE LOWERED OUR TAXES MORE THAN LEANDER AND GEORGETOWN.

IN ROUND ROCK, IN TOTAL, WE HAVE THE LOWEST TAX RATE IN AREA EXCEPT FOR AUSTIN ISD.

THEIRS IS LOWER, BECAUSE THEIR TAX-BASE GENERATE A LOT MORE MONEY THAN OURS.

I'LL PAUSE HERE AND TAKE QUESTIONS ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET RATE TO LAST YEAR'S BUDGET RATE BEFORE WE GET INTO THE RESOLUTION AND THE MOTION.

>> TRUSTEE VERSA.

>> I'M VERY EXCITED BECAUSE I THINK YOU HAVE THE ANSWER TO MY QUESTION WITH YOUR FRIEND HERE, WE WERE TALKING DURING THE BREAK.

THE QUESTION THAT I POSED BEFORE IS THAT IF WE DIDN'T HAVE A MAXIMUM COMPRESSED RATE, IF WE CALCULATED OUR COMPRESSION LIKE SP2 REQUIRES OF CITIES AND COUNTIES, WHERE WOULD WE BE? BECAUSE RIGHT NOW OUR MAXIMUM COMPRESSED RATE IS 8046.

BUT IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT LAW LIMITING OUR COMPRESSION, WHERE WOULD WE BE?

>> I CAN ANSWER THAT. LARRY GADDES, WILLIAMSON COUNTY TAX OFFICE.

SORRY, I HAD TO SAY THAT WHEN I SPEAK IN COMMISSIONERS COURT EVERY TIME, SO THEY WANT YOU TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF.

VERY GOOD QUESTION.

YOU ARE CORRECT WHEN YOU SAY THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT VOTER APPROVAL RATE, AND I THINK IT WAS TALKED ABOUT A COUPLE OF TIMES FROM PUBLIC COMMENTS, THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE FOR A SCHOOL DISTRICT IS NOTHING LIKE THE VOTER APPROVAL RATES FOR ANY OF THE OTHER TAXING AND IT'S PRIMARILY CITIES, COUNTIES, ESDS THINGS LIKE THAT.

THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE THERE ARE STATE FUNDING TIED TO THOSE DOLLARS.

YOU DON'T HAVE THAT WITH THOSE OTHER JURISDICTIONS.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS THE STATE, BACK IN 2021 DETERMINES A BUDGET OF WHAT THEY'RE WILLING TO SPEND ON SCHOOLS, AND THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON'T SPEND ANY MORE THAN WHAT THEY BUDGETED TWO YEARS AGO.

THEY CAME UP WITH A CALCULATION THAT THE TEA DOES THAT SAYS THESE SCHOOLS HAVE TO ADOPT THESE RATES SPECIFICALLY FOR M&O SO THAT WE DON'T THEN HAVE TO SPEND MONEY OUT OF OUR POCKETS,

[02:35:01]

THE STATE, TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE IF WE FORCED THE SCHOOLS TO GO LOWER.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAINTAIN A HIGHER M&O RATE TO GET REVENUE FROM LOCAL REVENUE THROUGH PROPERTY TAXES SO THAT WE DON'T SPEND MORE MONEY THAN WE BUDGETED OUT OF THE STATE COFFERS.

THEY DO THAT BY DICTATING WHAT YOUR M&O RATE IS GOING TO BE THROUGH THE TEA CALCULATIONS.

I'M AN AMBUSH GUY AND YOU ASKED ME THIS QUESTION AND I DIDN'T KNOW THAT YOU WERE GOING TO ASK THIS QUESTION, BUT I DID CALCULATE, IF WE CALCULATED THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, LIKE WE DID EVERY BODY ELSE, AND WE USED 2.5 PERCENT, WHICH IS WHAT HOUSE BILL 3 DICTATED, THERE'S A 2.5 PERCENT CAP, IF YOU WILL FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, BUT IT REALLY DOESN'T PLAY OUT TO BE A 2.5 PERCENT CAP.

IF I DID THAT ON ROUND ROCK ISD WITH THE VALUE INCREASES THAT YOU ALL HAD AND THE REVENUE THAT YOU GENERATED LAST YEAR, AND THE DEBT, AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT COME INTO PLAY, YOUR VOTER APPROVAL RATE WOULD BE ABOUT LESS THAN 0.90.

THAT WOULD BE YOUR VOTER APPROVAL RATE IF THE STATE DIDN'T SAY YOU HAVE TO ADOPT 0.80 M&O RATE.

YOUR M&O TAX RATE WOULD BE MUCH LOWER.

YOUR DEBT RATE WOULD BE THE SAME AND YOUR M&O TAX RATE WOULD BE MUCH LOWER.

THEN WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN IS THAT THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO FUND THE REST OF THAT TO GIVE YOU THE SAME AMOUNT OF DOLLARS.

THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THAT, SO THEY FORCED THIS M&O RATE ON YOU, WHICH EHR GO IS FORCED UPON THE TAXPAYERS.

IT'S 0.90 IS ABOUT 0.04 OVER YOUR NO NEW REVENUE RATE, WHICH IF YOU LOOK AT THAT DIFFERENTIAL, 0.86 FOR NO NEW REVENUE, ABOUT 0.90 FOR VOTER APPROVAL RATE.

THAT THREE OR 0.04 DIFFERENTIAL IS VERY COMPARABLE WHAT CITIES AND THE COUNTY LOOKS LIKE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE TWO DIFFERENT RATES, IT'S MUCH GREATER.

THERE'S A MUCH LARGER GAP BETWEEN THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, WHICH IS THE RATE THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO ADOPT TO GET THE SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT YOU GOT LAST YEAR AND YOUR VOTE APPROVAL RATE.

THERE'S A 0.20 DIFFERENTIAL THERE, AND IT'S BECAUSE THE STATE FORCES YOU TO ADOPT A MUCH HIGHER M&O RATE.

DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?

>> THEN THE VOTER APPROVAL RATES ARE $1.06, ROUGHLY?

>> ONE POINT SIX AND SOME CHANGE, YES.

>> YOU SAID THAT IT WOULD BE 0.90 CENTS?

>> IT WOULD BE A LITTLE LESS THAN 0.90 CENTS.

I THINK IT WAS ABOUT 0.88 AND SOME CHANGE OR 0.89.

>> OKAY. ROUGHLY WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT THEN? SEVENTEEN CENTS ABOVE WHAT IT WOULD BE IF WE WERE TREATED LIKE ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION CITY COUNTY IN THE STATE.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL PROVISION THAT LIMITS OUR COMPRESSION, WE HAVE TO HAVE A HIGHER RATE.

>> THE STATE IS TELLING YOU THAT YOU HAVE TO, YES.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THAT'S REALLY GOOD INFORMATION.

>> TRUSTEE VERSA, TO PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE, EVERY PENNY GENERATES TO OUR DISTRICT ABOUT $5.5-$6 MILLION.

WHEN WE DO THE MATH, THAT'S 16 OR 17 PENNIES TIMES 5.5 MORE OR LESS, SO YOU'RE LOOKING AT WHAT 80 MILLIONS MORE OR LESS.

HOWEVER, IF WE TRIED TO DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THE STATE, THEY WON'T TRY TO COMPENSATE FOR ANY LOSS.

IN FACT, WE'LL STILL HAVE TO SEND THE $75 MILLION OR RECAPTURE NO MATTER WHAT.

IT WOULD BE LIKE A HUGE LOSS FOR OUR STUDENTS AND OUR DISTRICT REALLY AS FAR AS FUNDING.

>> TRUSTEE WESTERN. THANK YOU FOR COMING TONIGHT, MR. HARRISON.

JUST SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS YOU ARE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL COUNTY-WIDE?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> I SAW YOU JUST TWICE LAST WEEK, ONCE AT THE COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT MONTHLY BOARD MEETING?

>> THE BOARD METING, YES.

>> WHICH I POP INTO FROM TIME TO TIME, I WAS THERE FOR I THINK THE FIRST FEW HOURS.

I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I'M REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE WORK THAT THAT BODY DOES LED BY THE CHIEF APPRAISER, ALAN LANGFORD.

I ALSO WATCHED YOU TESTIFY LAST WEEK IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.

LEARNED A LOT WATCHING THOSE THINGS.

MR. COVINGTON, HOW MANY CONVERSATIONS DID YOU AND I HAVE IN THE LAST WEEK LEADING UP TO THIS MEETING? THREE, I THINK.

THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING RECEPTIVE TO MEETING WITH ME AND ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS.

I DO HAVE JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

MR. GADDES, THIS FORM 58, 59, HAS THIS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME?

>> NOT IN THIS PARTICULAR FORMAT.

IT CHANGES EVERY TIME THERE'S LEGISLATIVE CHANGES.

IF YOU GO BACK A COUPLE OF YEARS, YOU'LL SEE SOME CHANGES IN THE COMPTROLLER RECENTLY,

[02:40:02]

THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PROMULGATE THE FORM, MEANING INTERPRET THE CODE AND CREATE THE FORM BEFORE THEY PUT IT OUT THERE AS A COURTESY.

THEY'VE REVAMPED IT AND PUT A LOT MORE DETAIL INTO IT, SO IT IS FAIRLY NEW AND UP TO DATE.

>> OKAY. I'VE BEEN COMING TO ROUND ROCK ISD BOARD MEETINGS LONG BEFORE I WAS EVER ELECTED.

I DON'T REMEMBER EVER SEEING THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA AT THE SEPTEMBER MEETING WHEN THE TAX RATE IS ADOPTED.

I ASKED FOR THIS TO BE ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA TONIGHT AND I'M PLEASED TO SEE MR. COVINGTON THAT YOU ARE AMENABLE TO THAT AND THAT IT APPEARS ON THE AGENDA IN THE SPIRIT OF TRANSPARENCY TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THE LAST QUESTION THAT I HAVE, MR. GADDES, ACTUALLY, I HAVE TWO MORE.

I SAW THAT YOUR SIGNATURE IS SCHEDULED TO BE ON PAGE 5, AND UNDERNEATH YOUR NAME IT SAYS, PRINTED NAME OF SCHOOL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE, CAN YOU JUST CONFIRM THAT THAT'S APPROPRIATE, DO YOU TYPICALLY SIGN THIS DOCUMENT?

>> IS MY SIGNATURE ON THAT ONE?

>> YOUR SIGNATURE IS NOT BUT YOUR NAME IS PRINTED ABOVE WHERE A SIGNATURE WOULD BE.

>> THE VERSION THAT I HAVE ON OUR WEBSITE DOES HAVE MY SIGNATURE ON IT.

THE REASON I WOULD BE YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE BECAUSE IN OUR COLLECTIONS CONTRACT, I AM THE DESIGNEE TO CALCULATE YOUR RATES ON YOUR BEHALF.

TECHNICALLY, I THINK PART OF THAT COLLECTIONS CONTRACT, I WOULD BE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE THAT ENSURED THAT THIS FORM WAS PRESENTED AND PREPARED ACCURATELY.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU ANSWERING THAT.

I HAD A FEW PEOPLE LOOK AT THAT LEADING UP TO THIS MEETING AND DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT.

I APPRECIATE YOU CLARIFYING THAT THIS IS APPROPRIATE.

THE LAST QUESTION THAT I HAVE, OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SIT HERE FOR AS LONG AS YOU DID IN FRONT OF THE WAYS AND MEANS LAST WEEK.

BUT I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY.

THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES ON IN THIS DOCUMENT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT REACH OUT TO YOU.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED.

IT'S A COMPLEX SYSTEM AND PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

ARE THERE ANY THINGS THAT YOU THINK THAT WE SHOULD KNOW, JUST IN YOUR OPINION? ARE THERE ANY THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO CALL OUR ATTENTION TO?

>> YOU WANT MY OPINION ABOUT STUFF?

>> YEAH. WHAT ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT? IT'S THE FIRST TIME IT'S APPEARED ON OUR AGENDA WITH REGARD TO TAXATION IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND YOU KNOW, THE QUESTIONS THAT COME OUT BETTER THAN I DO, OR IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

>> I WOULD SAY THERE'S A REALLY GOOD WEBSITE FOR PROPERTY OWNERS AND TAXPAYERS TO GO TO TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE SCHOOL IS DOING.

NOT JUST THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUT THE CITY, THE COUNTY, THE ACC, AND ALL THE OTHER TAXING UNITS ON A PERSON'S PROPERTY.

IF YOU LIVE IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IT'S WILLIAMSONPROPERTYTAXES.ORG, IS A GREAT WEBSITE.

THAT WEBSITE WAS CREATED AND IS REQUIRED TO BE THERE FOR EVERY SINGLE COUNTY AND EVERY COUNTY HAS THEIR OWN WEBSITE THAT YOU CAN GO TO.

BUT THIS DOCUMENT AND SEVERAL OTHERS ARE ALL POSTED ON THERE AND THAT WAS A REQUIREMENT OF SB TO INCLUDE.

I DON'T LIKE THE WORD TRANSPARENCY BECAUSE IF SOMETHING IS TRANSPARENT, YOU CAN SEE IT.

I PREFER VISIBILITY.

THERE'S A LOT MORE VISIBILITY TO THE TAX RATE PROCESS.

I WILL SAY ROUND ROCK ISD IS AN EARLY SCHOOL DISTRICT, MEANING YOUR CALENDAR YEAR STARTS IN JANUARY 1.

THIS IS ALL LEGISLATIVELY DRIVEN.

IT'S NOTHING TO DO WITH ROUND ROCK ISD.

IT'S NOT MY OFFICE.

IT'S ALL THROUGH THE PROPERTY TAX CODE AND THE LEGISLATURE AND THE LAWS THAT THEY PASS.

I FEEL IT'S A LITTLE DISINGENUOUS FROM A VISIBILITY STANDPOINT FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, SPECIFICALLY THE EARLY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THAT YOU HAVE A BUDGET HEARING AND TAX RATE HEARING IN JUNE, AND THEN A NOTICE IS PUBLISHED IN JUNE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING, AND THEN YOU ADOPT YOUR TAX RATE LITERALLY THREE MONTHS LATER IN SEPTEMBER.

I FEEL THAT FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE THAT YOUR NOTICE SHOULD BE PUBLISHED AND YOU SHOULD BE HAVING YOUR PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT.

HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR YOUR BUDGET ADOPTION, AND THEN HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE TAX RATE ADOPTION.

THAT IS MY OPINION TO HELP BRING MORE CLARITY AND VISIBILITY TO THE TAX RATE ADOPTION PROCESS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

I HAVE CHAMPIONED AND HAVE REACHED OUT TO TASBY AND TASBOW ASSOCIATIONS.

REALLY THE ONLY PURPOSE FOR MY OFFICE TO DO THOSE CALCULATIONS IS REALLY TO DETERMINE THE DEBT RATE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAUSE IT'S TIED DIRECTLY TO THE PROPERTY VALUES IN THE DISTRICT.

WHEN PROPERTY VALUES GO UP, YOUR DEBT RATE SHOULD GO DOWN IF YOU DON'T INCUR ANY MORE DEBT.

THAT WHOLE VOTER APPROVAL RATE AND THE STATE DICTATING YOUR M&O RATE.

[02:45:04]

I REALLY FEEL LIKE IT'S OUT OF MY OFFICE'S HANDS.

AGAIN, IT'S A RATHER DISINGENUOUS NUMBER I FEEL, TO SAY THAT THEY'RE CAPPING RATES AT TWO-AND-A-HALF PERCENT OR CAPPING SPENDING AT TWO-AND-A-HALF PERCENT.

I JUST FEEL THE TEA SHOULD TAKE OVER THAT PROCESS.

THIS TAX RATE WORKSHEET CALCULATION IS A LOT OF WORK AND DOESN'T MEAN A WHOLE LOT WHEN THE STATE DICTATES YOUR RIGHT TO YOU.

THOSE WERE SOME CHANGES MY OPINION OF SOME THINGS THAT I THINK WOULD BENEFIT EVERYBODY INVOLVED INCLUDING THE TAXPAYERS.

>> WELL, I APPRECIATE THAT AND I'M GLAD THAT YOU MENTIONED THE TRUTH IN TAXATION WEBSITE.

I ACCIDENTALLY SENT DR. AZAIEZ AN EMAIL EARLIER THIS WEEK AFTER ONE OF MY MEETINGS WITH MR. COVINGTON WHERE I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE TRUTH IN TAXATION WEBSITE FOR WILLIAMSON COUNTY AND TRAVIS COUNTY BE PLACED ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WEBSITE UNDER THE TAX RATE PORTION OF OUR WEBSITE.

I KNOW MR. COVINGTON TOLD ME HE WAS AMENABLE TO THAT AND I GUESS YOU SAID THAT THE TEAM WILL TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

I THINK THAT WOULD GO A LONG WAY FOR US AS ELECTED OFFICIALS TO BE ABLE TO POINT COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO GO LOOK THERE BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT, MR. GEDDES, THERE'S SO MUCH INFORMATION THERE.

IT'S ALMOST IDIOT PROOF.

I MEAN, IT'S VERY CLEAR.

NOT QUITE, BUT ALMOST.

IT'S VERY EASY TO UNDERSTAND, IN MY OPINION, THOSE WEBSITES.

IF WE CAN HELP THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND, I THINK THAT CLEARS UP A LOT OF FRUSTRATION.

>> I WOULD ADD TO THAT. THAT WAS A RECOMMENDATION AT THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.

I ABSOLUTELY SAID YES, THAT'S A GREAT SUGGESTION.

CURRENTLY, A POSTCARD GETS MAILED AROUND AUGUST 7TH TO EVERY PROPERTY OWNER THAT SAYS, HEY, THERE'S INFORMATION OUT OR GO TO THIS WEBSITE TO FIND THE WEBSITE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR ESTIMATED PROPERTY TAXES.

ON AUGUST 7TH, THERE'S ALMOST NO INFORMATION OUT THERE BECAUSE FOR EARLY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, YOU-ALL HAVE SOME INFORMATION OUT THERE, BUT NO OTHER TAXING UNIT HAS GONE THROUGH ALL THE PROCESS OF PROPOSING A TAX RATE AND DOING OTHER THINGS.

WE'VE BARELY JUST FINISHED CALCULATING NO NEW REVENUE AND VOTER APPROVAL RATES.

ON AUGUST 7TH, THERE'S VERY LITTLE INFORMATION ON THAT WEBSITE.

THAT'S A DISSATISFIER FOR A PROPERTY OWNER THAT CREATES NEGATIVE FEELINGS ABOUT GOING THERE AND THEN THEY MAY NOT GO BACK AS INFORMATION IS ADDED TO THAT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE ASKED IS THAT ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WAS IN LIEU OF THE POSTCARD OR IN ADDITION TO THE POSTCARD, PUT THAT LINK TO THAT WEBSITE ON EVERY SINGLE TAXING UNITS WEBSITE.

THAT WOULD BE A GREAT STEP FORWARD TO PROVIDE EVEN MORE VISIBILITY.

>> AS OF YESTERDAY, THAT IS ON OUR WEBSITE NOW.

>> GOOD JOB.

TRUSTY IYVON, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I'M JUST GOING TO CHECK IN WITH YOU SINCE YOU'RE VIRTUAL.

YOU'RE ON MUTE. NOW YOU ARE.

>> AM I UNMUTED NOW?

>> WE CAN HEAR YOU NOW.

>> AWESOME. I DO HAVE A QUESTION.

I SEE THAT THERE WAS A CHANGE TO THE I&S BUDGET, BUT I WAS JUST WONDERING ABOUT THE M&O BUDGET SINCE WE ARE SEEING 1,200 LESS STUDENTS.

COULD WE JUST GET AN UPDATE ON HOW THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE BUDGET AND M&O TAX RATE.

JUST A LITTLE BIT OF A BRIEFING ON THAT.

>> WE'RE NOT POSTED TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET. HOLD ON.

LET ME JUST CHECK WITH VALERIE. SHE WANTS [OVERLAPPING].

>> THE DEBT SERVICE BUDGET IS ON HERE.

THERE'S AN ADOPTED AND A PROPOSED I&S.

I'M JUST ASKING ABOUT THE M&O AND SPECIFICALLY TIED TO BE PROPOSED TAX RATE.

>> I'D LIKE TO GET AN OPINION FROM HIM AS TO IF THAT IS LINKED BECAUSE THIS ITEM HERE IS ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION SETTING, THE TAX RATE FOR THE 2022, '23 SCHOOL YEAR.

BASED ON HER QUESTION AND YOU-ALL'S EXPERTISE, IS THAT LINKED TO THIS MATTER OR IS IT A SEPARATE ISSUE?

>> I THINK IT'S A SEPARATE ISSUE.

>> WE CAN GET A BUDGET UPDATE IN AN UPCOMING MEETING.

>> I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT A BUDGET UPDATE.

MAYBE I NEED TO CLARIFY MY QUESTION.

I'M SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT THE M&O BUDGET, PROPOSED TAX RATE AND WHY? WE'RE SEEING 1,200 LESS STUDENTS.

>> CAN I ANSWER HER? THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, DR. IYVON.

THE SET AND THE TAX RATE HAS NOTHING TO DO REALLY WITH A ENROLLMENT NUMBER OF ADA AT THIS POINT.

THAT ADA ENROLLMENT NUMBER WOULD HAVE TO DO WITH THE BUDGET RATHER THAN THE TAX RATE.

TAX RATE REALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR IDEA AT THIS POINT.

>> ARE YOU TELLING ME THE TAX RATE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE BUDGET?

>> NO, MA'AM. I SAID THE TAX RATE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH A ENROLLMENT NUMBER,

[02:50:03]

WHETHER IT'S GOING UP OR DOWN.

>> THAT IS THE ENROLLMENT NUMBER HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BUDGET?

>> IT DOES. BUT AS I SAID [OVERLAPPING]

>> DOES THE BUDGET HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE TAX RATE.

I MEAN, THAT'S THE LINKAGE RIGHT THERE.

THE TAX RATE HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE BUDGET AND THE BUDGET HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH ENROLLMENT NUMBERS.

THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING ABOUT THAT LINKAGE AND JUST FOR AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE SEE THE M&O BUDGET COMING IN WITH THIS TAX RATE.

>> DUE TO THE VARIABLES INVOLVED IN THE ADOPTION OF THE M&O BUDGET AND OPERATIONS BUDGET ADOPTED BUDGET, JUST A SETTING OF THE TAX RATE WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO DETERMINE IF YOU NEED TO ADJUST THAT BUDGET.

THERE'S OTHER FACTORS THAT GOES INTO THOSE NUMBERS.

BUT THE TAX RATE IS SET BY TEA AND THE BALL WITH THE GOLDEN PENNIES AND THE PAYING OF THE DEBT.

IRREGARDLESS OF WHAT THE BUDGET IS, THOSE NUMBERS WILL NOT CHANGE.

>> BUT THE BUDGET WOULD CHANGE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS.

ARE YOU TELLING ME WE CAN HAVE 10,000 LESS STUDENTS AND OUR BUDGET WOULD STAY THE SAME?

>> I WAS TELLING YOU THE TAX RATE WILL STAY THE SAME.

NOW YOUR BUDGET WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO BE ADJUSTED, WHICH WOULD MEAN THAT WE WILL BRING AN ADJUSTED BUDGET TO THE BOARD AT A LATER DATE.

BUT RIGHT NOW, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION TO ADJUST THE BUDGET.

>> I DO UNDERSTAND THAT. I'M SPECIFICALLY WONDERING ABOUT THE FIVE GOLDEN PENNY BECAUSE AS TRUSTEE FELLOW BROUGHT UP WE DID PASS THE GOLDEN PENNY LAST YEAR.

THAT'S WHY I WAS ASKING.

BUT I SEE THE PENNY HASN'T BEEN THOUGHT THROUGH.

>> IS IT YOUR PROPOSAL THAT YOU THINK THAT WE SHOULD REPEAL ONE OF THE GOLDEN PENNIES?

>> THAT WOULD BE MY PROPOSAL.

I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE THAT COME THROUGH WITH THE I&S.

IT'S BEEN CHANGED FROM WHAT WE ADOPTED TO WHAT WE PROPOSED.

I WOULD'VE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN A POSSIBLE M&O BUDGET THE SAME OR AT LEAST I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO KNOW THOSE NUMBERS TONIGHT.

[OVERLAPPING] I'M DONE. THANK YOU.

>> CORY, CAN YOU EXPLAIN IT? I'M ASKING.

>> SURE. IT'S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SCENARIO BECAUSE WITH REGARD TO INS, IT'S REALLY THE VOTERS HERE IN OUR DISTRICT DETERMINE THAT.

THEY PASS BONDS AND THEN WE PROPOSE A TAX RATE BASED ON OUR PROPERTY TAX BASE TO PAY OFF THAT DEBT.

BUT WITH M&O, IT'S SO CONTROLLED BY THE STATE AS MR. GADDES DISCUSSED.

IF WE LOWER OUR GOLDEN PENNIES BY A PENNY, WE LOSE OVER FIVE MILLION DOLLARS OF REVENUE, AND THAT WOULD IMPACT INFECT OUR BUDGET.

IN ORDER TO KEEP THE SAME REVENUE COMING IN, WE HAVE TO KEEP THE TAX RATE.

IF WE LOWERED OUR TIER 1 RATE, WE WILL ACTUALLY WOULDN'T GET ALL OF THE TIER 1 DOLLARS.

IF WE LOWER OUR TIER 2 RATE, WE WON'T GET THOSE DOLLARS EITHER.

THAT IS THE ESSENCE OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE TWO TAX RATES AND WHY YOU CAN SEE MAYBE A CHANGE IN INS, BUT IT'S NOT CORRESPONDING THE SAME WAY TO M&O.

>> I WILL ALSO GIVE SOME FEEDBACK THAT THOSE THAT WERE AT THE JUNE 16TH MEETING, WE TALKED ABOUT THE GOLDEN PENNIES AND WE DECIDED THAT WE DID NOT WANT TO REPEAL ANY OF THOSE PENNIES AT THAT JUNE 16TH BOARD MEETING.

[OVERLAPPING] DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER HALF OF THIS PRESENTATION NOW?

>> YEAH. I WAS GOING TO TRY TO EXPLAIN TO YOU ALL THE ACTUAL MOTION AND RESOLUTION AND BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE PORTION OF THE TAX RATE THAT I JUST SHOWED YOU, THE ACTUAL TAX RATE, I'M SORRY, IT'S BEEN LOWERED.

BUT WHEN YOU READ THE MOTION AND THE RESOLUTION, IT STATES THAT WE ARE RAISING TAXES.

BUT THAT IS DUE TILL YOU ARE PREPARING YOUR PROPOSED BUDGET AND PROPOSED TAX RATE, TO THAT NO NEW REVENUE RATE.

AS YOU SEE, THAT AT 1.0626 IS HIGHER THAN THE 0.8634, AND BY STATUTE, WE HAVE TO WRITE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE IN THE RESOLUTION THAT STATES THAT, AND YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN BOLD TEXT.

BECAUSE YOU ARE PROPOSING A TAX RATE THAT'S HIGHER THAN YOUR NO NEW REVENUE RATE.

I JUST WANT THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT RAISING TAXES, WE ARE LOWERING TAXES.

BUT ACCORDING TO TEC,

[02:55:02]

WHEN YOU COMPARE YOUR PROPOSED TAX RATE, TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, IF IT IS HIGHER, THERE ARE ILLEGAL THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO SAY IN YOUR RESOLUTION AND IN YOUR MOTION, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU.

>> TRUSTEE WESTON.

>> MR. COVINGTON, WHEN I'M LOOKING AT THE GRAPH HERE THAT'S ATTACHED TO THIS AGENDA ITEM, IT GOES THROUGH SOME DIFFERENT PRICE POINTS, MAYBE HALF DOZEN PRICE POINTS OF HOMES, AND IT SHOWS THAT TAXES ARE GOING UP.

[OVERLAPPING]

>> TAX RATE IS GOING DOWN?

>> RIGHT, YEAH. ABSOLUTELY.

>> TAXES ON YOUR PROPERTY IS GOING UP DUE TO YOUR PROPERTY VALUE WENT UP.

>> RIGHT. THE IMPACT ON A PROPERTY OWNER IS A TAX INCREASE, THAT'S THE IMPACT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> TRUSTEE HARRISON.

>> I MOVE THAT THE BOARD APPROVED THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF 1.0626.

WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 23.07 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.

>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TRUSTEE WESTON.

>> I WANT TO EXPLAIN WHY I WILL BE VOTING NO ON THIS PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

I AM ACTUALLY IN FAVOR OF THE 0.208 INS PORTION OF THE TAX RATE, WHICH IS LOWER THAN THE 0.2139 RATE PROPOSED BACK IN JUNE OF 2022.

THIS LOWER INS RATE IS ALMOST EXACTLY WHAT I ASKED FOR BACK IN AN APRIL BUDGET MEETING.

HOWEVER, I AM OPPOSED TO THE 0.8546 M&O TAX RATE.

I WILL BE VOTING NO ON THIS TAX RATE, AND HERE IS WHY.

A YEAR AGO IN SEPTEMBER OF 2021, THE BOARD VOTED 4:1, TO ADOPT A TAX RATE THAT ADDED FOR THE FIRST TIME, IN ROUND ROCK ISD, WHAT'S CALLED A FIFTH GOLDEN PENNY TO THE TAX RATE.

WHEN THE BOARD DELIBERATED IN MULTIPLE PUBLIC BOARD MEETINGS LEADING UP TO THAT VOTE LAST YEAR ABOUT WHETHER TO INCREASE THE TAX RATE BY THIS FIFTH GOLDEN PENNY, I JOINED TRUSTEES BONE AND WEIR, IN VERBALIZING OPPOSITION.

AT THAT TIME I BELIEVED THAT INEFFICIENCY AUDIT SHOULD BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE ARE REDUNDANCIES, AND OR INEFFICIENCIES IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SPENDING AND ADMINISTRATION THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE VOTING ON THAT TAX RATE INCREASE.

A MEANINGFUL AUDIT WOULD ANSWER THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER A TAX INCREASE IS NECESSARY OR NOT.

IT WOULD REVEAL WHEN PEOPLE QUESTION WHAT WE'RE SETTING AS THE TAX RATE, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO ASSERT WITH CONFIDENCE WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS NECESSARY.

I DO NOT BELIEVE WE CAN DO THAT TODAY WITHOUT THE AUDIT.

UNTIL WE HAVE THE RESULTS OF AN AUDIT, I CANNOT SUPPORT A TAX INCREASE INCLUDING NOW A SECOND YEAR OF THIS FIFTH GOLDEN PENNY, INCLUDED IN THE M&O TAX RATE, WHICH IS COMPLETELY AT OUR DISCRETION AND NOT MANDATED BY THE STATE.

SOME MAY CITE THE ANNUAL AUDIT FROM MAXWELL AND RITTER AS EVIDENCED THAT THE DISTRICT IS ALREADY AUDITED.

WHAT THEY LEAVE OUT IS THAT THE MAXWELL AND RITTER ANNUAL AUDIT IS NOT AN EFFICIENCY AUDIT.

IT DOES NOT LOOK FOR REDUNDANCIES OR INEFFICIENCIES.

IT MERELY CHECKS TO SEE IF GENERAL ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES ARE PRESENT IN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

HERE WE ARE ONE YEAR AFTER LAST YEAR'S TAX INCREASE ON OUR PROPERTY OWNERS.

ONE YEAR LATER MY OPINION HAS NOT CHANGED, AND AUDIT IS NEEDED.

THIS YEAR'S PROPOSED M&O TAX RATE INCLUDES A FIFTH GOLDEN PENNY THAT WE AS A BOARD, ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO INCLUDE, WHICH WAS CONFIRMED MONTHS AGO IN A MARCH 2022 BOARD MEETING.

THE REALITY IS WE ARE IN A THREE-YEAR DECLINE TREND IN STUDENT ENROLLMENT.

WE CANNOT KEEP PRETENDING THAT RELEVANT DATA POINTS THAT SHOULD INFLUENCE OUR DECISIONS AND FIDUCIARY DUTIES DO NOT EXIST.

THE FISCAL LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED AND DECLINING STUDENT ENROLLMENT CANNOT BE IGNORED, WHEN CONSIDERING THE TAX RATE.

EVERY MEMBER OF MY FAMILY, INCLUDING MY FIVE CHILDREN, ARE PRODUCTS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND MY RECORD DEMONSTRATES MY COMMITMENT TO THE PROMISE OF A PUBLIC EDUCATION.

AS TRUSTEES, WE ARE CHARGED WITH MEETING THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS, WHILE RESPECTING TAX DOLLARS.

IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFICIENCY AUDIT THAT I RAN ON AS A CANDIDATE IN 2020, AND IS STILL COMMITTED TO TODAY AS A TRUSTEE, I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE VOTE TO INCREASE TAXES ON PROPERTY OWNERS WHO ARE FACING RECORD INFLATION, AND ECONOMIC RECESSION, AND EXPLOSIVE PROPERTY APPRAISALS FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS WITH NO END IN SIGHT.

>> DR. AZAIEZ.

>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY TO OUR BOARD, FROM AN ADMINISTRATION STANDPOINT, WE REALLY RELY ON THOSE GOLDEN PENNIES.

I THINK WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT.

WE GAVE ABOUT $20 MILLION IN COMPENSATION AND RAISE TO OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF, WELL DESERVE THAT.

IF YOU ASK ME, THEY DESERVE EVER BEEN A LOT MORE THAN THAT.

TALKING ABOUT INFLATION, OUR STAFF IS SUFFERING OFF OF INFLATION.

WE NEED TO GIVE THEM PAY MORE AND THEN WE'RE ASKED TO HIRE AND NOT HAVE ANY VACANCIES,

[03:00:05]

HOW CAN WE DO THAT, IF WE'RE NOT COMPENSATING OUR GRADE TEACHER AND STAFF? I'M BEGGING OUR BOARD MEMBERS, PLEASE TO ALLOW US TO KEEP THOSE GOLDEN PENNIES, BECAUSE OUR STAFF AND TEACHERS NEED THAT. THANK YOU.

>> MR. KEVIN [OVERLAPPING]

>> MY ONLY POINT IS ABOUT [OVERLAPPING] POINT OF ORDER.

>> MR. COVINGTON WAS NEXT.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS, MY TEAM AND I MET WITH EVERY DEPARTMENT HERE, AND WENT TO EVERY LINE OF THEIR BUDGET.

AS A RESULT OF THAT, WE DID ELIMINATE ALMOST FIVE MILLION DOLLARS OF EXPENDITURES OUT OF THAT BUDGET.

NOW, I DON T KNOW WHAT AN AUDIT WOULD DO, BECAUSE I'VE NEVER SEEN AN AUDIT DO THAT.

BUT I THINK MY STAFF AND I DO THE WORK OF GOING THROUGH EVERY LINE ITEM IN THE BUDGET, CAN ASSURED THE BOARD, THAT THE DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE IN THERE AS FOR THIS BUDGET YEAR, ARE AN EFFICIENT USE OF THOSE DOLLARS.

>> TRUSTEE HARRISON.

>> THANK YOU, DENNIS, YOU DID A BEAUTIFUL EFFICIENCY AUDIT AND I THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING]

>> WAIT. ACTUALLY, CAN I HAVE A POINT OF ORDER BECAUSE [OVERLAPPING] WE NEED TO ACTUALLY AMEND YOUR MOTION.

>> OKAY. PLEASE GO AHEAD.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO TRUSTEE HARRISON'S MOTION, AND THAT THE BOARD ADOPT THE RESOLUTION SETTING THE TAX RATE FOR THE 2022, 2023 SCHOOL YEAR.

>> THANK YOU. WOULD IT BE EASIER IF I JUST WITHDREW MY MOTION AND WE START IT OVER?

>> YEAH, YOU CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> JUST THE PROPORTION MOTION LANGUAGE WAS MAYBE LACKING AS IT DIDN'T ADDRESS THE RESOLUTION SO I JUST WANT IT TO BE FULLY CLEAR. THANK YOU.

>> I JUST READ WHAT WAS ON BOARD DOCS.

I MOVE TO WITHDRAW MY MOTION, I DON'T KNOW IF I NEED TO MOVE IT [OVERLAPPING]

>> OKAY. I'LL SECOND [LAUGHTER]

>> WE DON'T HAVE TO VOTE.

>> OKAY.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? NO.

>> NO. SHE CAN JUST REMOVE IT. IT'S OKAY.

I MOVE THAT THE BOARD APPROVED THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF $1.0626, WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 23.07 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE AND THAT THE BOARD ADOPT THE RESOLUTION SETTING THE TAX RATE FOR THE 2022, 2023 SCHOOL YEAR.

>> SECOND, AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO CALL THE QUESTION.

>> OKAY. CALLING THE QUESTION.

[OVERLAPPING] I'LL SECOND THAT.

>> I THINK SHE WANT A CLARIFICATION ON THE YEAR.

I THINK IT JUST SAID YEAR [OVERLAPPING] AND I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS SCHOOL YEAR OR WHAT THE 2022, 2023 IS.

IS IT SCHOOL YEAR OR IS IT TAX YEAR, WHAT IS IT?

>> IT'S [OVERLAPPING] YEAR, 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR.

WE HAVE TO CALL THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR OF ENDING DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS ITEM, RAISE YOUR HAND.

ALL OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES 5:2.

WE'VE MOTION IN A SECOND ON THE TABLE.

ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND.

ALL OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES 5:2.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. GEDDES.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING HERE TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. APPRECIATE IT.

[APPLAUSE] WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO I2, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON GOAL PROGRESS MEASURES, CONSTRAINT PROGRESS MEASURES, AND MONITORING CALENDAR.

I DID ADD SOMETHING NEW TO THE AGENDA THIS MONTH.

TRUSTEES, IF YOU'LL NOTICE, I WROTE STUDENT OUTCOMES NEXT TO IT.

I'D LIKE TO CONTINUE THIS MOVING FORWARD ANYTIME WE HAVE AN AGENDA ITEM THAT MEETS OUR DEFINITION OF STUDENT OUTCOMES, I WOULD LIKE TO CLEARLY DENOTE THAT ON OUR AGENDAS.

WHEN SOMEBODY READS IT AND PICKS IT UP, THEY KNOW THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT STUDENT OUTCOMES.

I WILL TURN THIS OVER TO MR. SMITH.

>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT FELLER, DR. AZAIEZ, EVERYBODY.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT A FEW THINGS TONIGHT.

I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN DISCUSS SOME GOAL PROGRESS MEASURES AND CONSTRAINT PROGRESS MEASURES BASED ON ONE ADDITIONAL GOAL AND THREE CONSTRAINTS THAT WERE APPROVED AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING LAST MONTH.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF A NEW CONSTRAINT THAT WAS DISCUSSED LAST MONTH AND BRING IT BACK THEIR LANGUAGE.

IF THAT'S SOMETHING THE BOARD WISHES TO MOVE FORWARD WITH OR NOT.

AS TRUSTEE WHERE I MENTIONED THE CALENDAR AND WE'VE UPDATED THAT.

EVERYTHING IS ON THE CALENDAR FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

A LOT OF IT'S PENDING DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS TONIGHT, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A FOUR YEAR LOOK AT WHEN DIFFERENT REPORTS WILL BE COMING TO THE BOARD.

I'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THE CALENDAR WHEN WE GET TO THAT.

JENNIFER, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND JUMP RIGHT IN.

THE FIRST ONE, THIS IS BOARD GOAL FOR WHICH WAS APPROVED LAST MONTH.

JUST REMINDING EVERYBODY OF THAT, THAT IS OUR GOAL AROUND STUDENT WELL-BEING.

WE BROUGHT BACK AN ADDITIONAL TWO GOAL PROGRESS MEASURES TONIGHT FOR POSSIBLE APPROVALS.

YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT ONE, JENNIFER, THE FIRST GOAL PROGRESS AND MEASURE WOULD BE USING OUR CURRENT STUDENT CLIMATE SURVEY.

THAT LANGUAGE FOR THAT GOAL PROGRESS MEASURES, THE DISTRICT WILL INCREASE THE PERCENT OF STUDENTS REPORTING A SENSE OF BELONGING ON THE DISTRICT STUDENT CLIMATE SURVEY FROM 86 PERCENT IN 2022 TO 92 PERCENT IN 2026.

[03:05:03]

ONE CAVEAT WITH USING OUR STUDENT CLIMATE SURVEY IS WE DON'T NECESSARILY COLLECT ALL THE STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY STUDENT GROUP DATA FOR OUR CLIMATE SURVEY.

THESE ARE ALL THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS THAT WE COLLECT ON THAT CLIMATE SURVEY.

THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T SEE THE FULL AMOUNT OF NORMAL STUDENT GROUPS THAT WE HAVE.

BUT ESSENTIALLY, WE ESTABLISHED A BASELINE BECAUSE THAT IS A QUESTION THAT'S BEEN ON OUR CLIMATE SURVEY FOR OUR STUDENTS FOR SOME TIME.

THAT'S WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE A BASELINE FOR THAT AND WE'VE SET SOME TARGETS, WORKED WITH OUR RESEARCH AND EVALUATION TEAM TO LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND WHAT WE BELIEVE IS ACCEPTABLE OR NOT ACCEPTABLE, BUT, ACCURATE RATE OF GROWTH THAT WE COULD TARGET EACH YEAR.

JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION TO THE QUESTION THAT'S ACTUALLY ON THE STUDENT CLIMATE SURVEY THAT WE'RE GOING TO USE TO MEASURE THAT READS, I FEEL ACCEPTED AS PART OF MY SCHOOL'S COMMUNITY.

KIDS EITHER STRONGLY AGREE, DISAGREE, OR STRONGLY DISAGREE, AND WE WOULD TAKE STUDENTS WHO SAY STRONGLY AGREE OR AGREE TO THAT QUESTION.

THAT'S A QUESTION THAT'S ASKED K12.

THAT'S ONE GPM FOR THAT GOAL THAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD.

THE SECOND ONE, STUDENT PEER RELATIONS.

THIS ONE WOULD BE USING THE PROGRAM THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED, PANORAMA EDUCATION.

THAT QUESTION OR THE GPM READS, THE DISTRICT WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS REPORTING HAVING POSITIVE WAYS TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS AND BEING TREATED WITH RESPECT BY THEIR PEERS, FROM A CERTAIN PERCENT IN 2022 TO ANOTHER PERCENT IN 2026.

AGAIN, THIS IS ONE AS WE DISCUSSED, WE'RE PILOTING THIS ON A FEW CAMPUSES AND THE FALL AND THEN WE'LL BE ROLLING THAT OUT LARGER IN THE SPRING.

WE WON'T HAVE A BASELINE IS ESTABLISHED FOR THIS UNTIL, LATER IN THE YEAR.

WITH THIS, WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET ALL STUDENT GROUPS, BUT BASELINES AND TARGETS WOULD BE COMING LATER WITH THAT ONE.

IF IT'S ALL RIGHT WITH THE BOARD, I THINK WE CAN STOP AFTER EACH ONE AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND THEN GO ON TO THE NEXT ONE.

>> YOUR LIGHTS NOT ON, BUT GO AHEAD, TRUSTEE VESSA.

>> [BACKGROUND]

>> [LAUGHTER] NOBODY'S LIGHTS ARE ON. HOLD ON.

LET'S DO SHOW A LIGHT CHECK REAL QUICK.

DR. JOHNSON, CAN YOU? NO. TRUSTEE VESSA? NO. DANIELLE, YOURS WORKS.

TIFFANY? NO. JUST WAVE AT ME.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT MINE HAS BEEN BROKEN MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE.

>> [OVERLAPPING] I CAN HAVE A BUTTON, SO I'M AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TOE PULL I DON'T EVEN HAVE A BUTTON.

[LAUGHTER] WILL GO AHEAD AND START WITH TRUSTEE VESSA, THEN I'LL GET TO YOU, DR. JOHNSON.

>> IN REGARDS TO GPM 4.2.

WE'RE PILOTING PANORAMA, SO IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PILOT WOULD DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT WE PROCEED WITH UTILIZING THIS TOOL BY APPROVING THIS DRAFT GPM.

ARE WE BASICALLY SAYING AS A BOARD THAT, WE'RE GOOD TO GO NO MATTER IF WE SEE ISSUES IN THE PILOT? THE SECOND QUESTION I HAD IS, IS THIS THE ONLY THING THAT PANORAMA IS GOING TO BE MONITORING OR ARE THERE OTHER THINGS TOO BUT THIS IS JUST THE ONLY THING THAT'S IN THE GPM?

>> WELL, I THINK I CAME TONIGHT PREPARED TO TALK ABOUT HOW PANORAMA TO BE USED IN THE LSU PROCESS.

I DON'T HAVE THE IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROGRAM AROUND SOME OTHER AREAS.

I KNOW THAT INITIALLY ALL WE'RE STARTING WITH IS THIS SURVEY.

I CAN BRING BACK AND SHARE THE ACTUAL SURVEY QUESTIONS AT ANOTHER TIME IF NEEDED.

THE QUESTION ABOUT, IF WE APPROVE IT THIS EVENING AND THEN DECIDE LATER IF THE PROGRAM THERE'S SOME ISSUE WITH IT OR WE DON'T WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT PILOT AND I THINK IT WOULDN'T END UP BRINGING THAT BACK AS A NEW GPM.

BECAUSE AS WE ALL KNOW, WE DEVELOP THE GPM, BRING THEM TO YOU FOR APPROVAL.

IF WE NEED TO BRING ONE BACK, WE'D BRING BACK A DIFFERENT ONE AT THAT POINT.

>> CAN I JUST CLARIFY WITH MARSHA? SAY THE BOARD FEELS WE'RE GETTING COMMUNITY FEEDBACK, THAT THIS TOOL ISN'T WORKING OR IT'S HAVING PROBLEMS, CAN WE SAY, "HEY, WE DON'T WANT TO USE THIS TOOL AS A BOARD." OR IS THAT ALL IN THE HANDS OF IMPROVEMENT?

>> REALLY THE ONLY THING OF SUBSTITUENTS IN THE GPM IS THE PANORAMA.

BECAUSE EVERYTHING ELSE IS A BLANK BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY DATA.

WHAT YOU CAN DO IS TAKE THAT GPM IN PARTICULAR AND PUT IT ON HOLD UNTIL THE PILOT IS COMPLETE.

[03:10:01]

YOU CAN GET A BASELINE AND THEN YOU CAN BRING THAT GPM BACK BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT'S JUST A PLACE HOLDER.

>> OKAY. AT THIS POINT, WE DON'T REALLY NEED TO APPROVE THIS?

>> I WOULD SAY IF YOU'RE GOING TO APPROVE THE OTHERS, JUST NOTE THAT GPM FOR 4.2, WE ARE PUTTING ON HOLD UNTIL WE CAN GET THROUGH THE PILOT PERIOD OF THE PROGRAM, GET THE BASELINE, AND LOOK AT THE IMPACT.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> TRUSTEE JOHNSON.

>> THANK YOU. RYAN, QUICK QUESTION.

I JUST TOOK A QUICK NOTE, LET'S GO BACK TO THE FIRST ONE, THE WELL-BEING.

THEREFORE, WELL-BEING THAT THE STUDENT GROUPS, YOU USE THE ONES THAT ARE TYPICALLY COLLECTED WITHIN A SURVEY.

MY QUESTION BECOMES, ARE THEY SELF-IDENTIFYING ON A SURVEY? [OVERLAPPING]

>> WE DID SELF-IDENTIFY WITH OUR STUDENT CLIMATE SURVEY.

>> WITH THAT, IS THERE A WAY TO USE STUDENT ID? BECAUSE WHAT I THINK ABOUT WHEN I LOOK AT THIS IS MY GLARING ONE IS OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS.

WE CARE ABOUT THEIR WELL-BEING TOO.

IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY OR A WAY? BECAUSE I KNOW IF WE'RE PULLING STUDENT DATA, YOU USE A STUDENT CLIMATE SURVEY.

IS THERE A WAY TO JUST ATTACH THAT TO THEIR STUDENT ID AND PULL DATA WE ALREADY HAVE TO IDENTIFY THE STUDENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO USE THEIR STUDENT ID TO LOGIN AND TAKE THE SURVEY?

>> I BELIEVE WE USE QUALTRICS FOR OUR CLIMATE SURVEY DATA.

THAT'S ACTUALLY NOT INTEGRATED WITHIN OUR STUDENT DATA SYSTEM.

THAT IS SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK LOOK IF THEY DESIRE THE BOARD FOR US TO USE A SYSTEM THAT IS INTEGRATED WITHIN OUR STUDENT DATA SYSTEM, THEN THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'D HAVE TO GO BACK WITH.

THAT'S NOT CURRENTLY A SYSTEM THAT IS TIED INTO OUR STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM.

THAT'S THE LIMITATION OF USING, I KNOW THERE WERE SOME DESIRE THE LAST TIME TO USE OUR STUDENT CLIMATE SURVEY DATA, ALSO ALONG WITH IT SINCE I BROUGHT THIS BACK, BUT THAT IS A LIMITATION CURRENTLY WITH THAT SYSTEM.

>> I HAVE TO ADMIT, AND I DON'T WANT TO OVER SURVEY.

BUT I THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT IF WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS A YEAR AFTER.

SOME STUDENTS ALREADY GONE AND TELLING US ABOUT THEIR WELL-BEING.

DON'T REALLY KNOW IF THERE'S A SOLVE FOR, BUT I WOULD ASK THAT WE EXPLORE SOME PROGRESS MONITORING ASPECTS OF IT, SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT EVERY QUARTER.

>> THAT'S A PIECE THAT THE OTHER TOOL FOR IT, FOR THE OTHER GPM, [OVERLAPPING] THEY'LL HAVE MORE BECAUSE THAT IS INTEGRATED WITH INCIDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM.

IS USED MORE AS SIMILAR TO OUR SCREENERS ON THE ACADEMIC SIDE.

THERE IS PROGRESS MONITORING INVOLVED WITH THAT.

>> IT WILL BE ABLE TO USE THAT FOR THIS CATEGORY ALSO, IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?

>> WE COULD USE IT FOR THIS GOAL, BUT NOT NECESSARILY FOR GOAL PROGRESS MEASURES 4.1.

GOAL PROGRESS MEASURE 4.1 IS USING THE STUDENT CLIMATE SURVEY IS AN ANNUAL EVENT.

BUT IF THERE IS A DESIRE TO HAVE MORE ONGOING PROGRESS MONITORING WITHIN THIS GOAL, AND I COULD BRING BACK ANOTHER GOAL PROGRESS MEASURE THAT USES A DIFFERENT TOOL THAT IS USED MULTIPLE TIMES A YEAR.

>> I GUESS MY REQUEST WOULD BE SEEN. [OVERLAPPING]

>> I DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT YOU. I WANT TO REMIND TRUSTEES THAT PROGRESS MEASURES ARE NOT A TRUSTEE FUNCTION.

WE SET THE GOALS AND THEY COME BACK AND TELL US HOW THEY'RE GOING TO MEASURE THEM.

IT'S GREAT DISCUSSION, BUT THAT'S NOT OUR DIRECTIVE TO TELL THEM HOW WE WANT TO MONITOR IT.

>> WELL AWARE, THE ONLY THING I REALLY WANTED TO JUST CLARIFY IS THAT WE'RE MISSING SOME STUDENT CATEGORIES, AND I DEFINITELY WANT TO SEE THE ADDITIONAL SUITED CATEGORIES THERE.

>> I THINK YOU CAN ALSO REMEMBER WHEN YOU SEE THE MONITORING CALENDAR, THESE GPMS WILL BE ALSO PRESENTED IN THE MONITORING REPORT EVERY TIME THAT GOAL FOUR SHOWS UP ON THE MONITORING CALENDAR.

YOU-ALL ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MONITOR IT SIMILAR TIMES DURING THE YEAR.

BUT BEFORE WE GO ON, I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU GUYS WHAT AN AWESOME JOB RYAN HAS DONE WITH PUTTING THESE THINGS TOGETHER.

HE HAS NO HESITATION IN SENDING ME A TEXT LIKE CAN I MAKE A QUICK CALL? BUT HE HAS REALLY POURED A LOT OF ENERGY INTO THIS AND I KNOW IT'S NOT HIS ONLY JOB THAT HE DOES, BUT I'VE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH THE WORK THAT HE'S BEEN DOING WELL.

>> THANK YOU, DR. MCMANUS, IT'S A LARGE TEAM.

>> YOU CAN PAY MY $5 LATER.

>> I WILL DO THAT. IT'S A LARGE TEAM WORKING, TRUST ME WHEN WE'RE WORKING ON THIS, IT'S A LARGE TEAM WORKING ON.

I JUST GET THE PRIVILEGE OF SHARING IT WITH YOU PUBLICLY.

>> TRUSTEE WEIR.

>> I THINK MY TESTS LIGHT JUST CAME ON.

>> TRUSTEE WESTERN, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING ON THIS? YOU'RE UP NEXT.

>> I'VE SAID BEFORE THAT I'M NOT SUPPORTIVE OF WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED HERE TONIGHT.

[03:15:02]

I THINK THAT WE WOULD WANT 100 PERCENT OF OUR STUDENTS TO FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG.

I THINK THIS JUST SEEMS VERY STRANGE TO ME THAT THIS IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE OUR CORE MISSION IS EDUCATION, WE OBVIOUSLY WANT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS TO FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG.

BUT OBVIOUSLY WHATEVER THE WILL OF THE BOARD IS, IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

WE ALREADY HAVE THIS CLIMATE SURVEY.

WE HAVE THAT AT OUR DISPOSAL AT ALL TIMES AND WE CAN AND WE SHOULD REVIEW IT, AND IT SHOULD INFORM OUR DECISION-MAKING ALL THE TIME ON LOTS OF THINGS, AND I JUST CAN'T GET BEHIND USING A TOOL AND DATA THAT WE ALREADY GET, AND THEN MAKING THAT THE SOURCE FOR A GOAL, ESPECIALLY WHEN ALMOST HALF OF OUR STUDENTS DON'T PASS THE ALGEBRA 1 END OF COURSE EXAM.

ALGEBRA 1 AS WE KNOW IS THE GATEWAY TO HIGHER MATH.

I WOULD SUPPORT A ACADEMIC GOAL IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO PASS THE ALGEBRA 1 END OF COURSE EXAM.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT'S THE GATEWAY TO HIGHER MATH, AND GIVEN THE WORKFORCE THAT WE KNOW OUR STUDENTS ARE GOING TO BE ENTERING, I THINK THAT THAT'S IMPORTANT.

IN ADDITION, WE HAVE OF OUR 54 OR 55 CAMPUSES, WE'VE GOT 10 OF THEM WITH FEDERAL SUPPORT LABELS ATTACHED TO THEM, WHICH WE LEARNED LAST MONTH.

I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF, AGAIN, IF EDUCATION IS OUR CORE MISSION OF REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CAMPUSES WITH FEDERAL SUPPORT LABELS ATTACHED TO IT.

THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF.

I WANT TO ECHO TRUSTEE JOHNSON POINTING OUT THAT WE'RE MISSING SOME STUDENTS CATEGORIES AS WELL.

WE CAN MOVE ON. BUT I JUST WANTED TO EXPLAIN MY LACK OF SUPPORT FOR THIS, WHAT'S BEEN PROPOSED TONIGHT.

>> TRUSTEE HARRISON.

>> I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK-AND-FORTH, BUT I'M GOING TO SAY THIS VERY CLEARLY.

BELONGING MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN ACADEMIC OUTCOMES, WE TALK ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME.

IT IS SCIENCE. WE TALKED ABOUT THE AMYGDALA HIJACK.

IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE NOT ONLY WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ACADEMIC OUTCOMES, IT ALSO MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN SCHOOL SAFETY.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT MAKES SCHOOLS SAFE, IT'S SAFE SCHOOL CLIMATES WHERE STUDENTS BELONG, WHERE THEY KNOW THEY HAVE AN ADULT THAT THEY CAN SHARE CONCERNS WITH, WHERE THEY ENJOY COMING TO SCHOOL.

IT'S NOT THE TARGET HARDENING OF SCHOOLS OVER AND OVER AGAIN RESEARCH SHOWS IT'S SAFE AND INCLUSIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE.

I WOULD JUST POSIT THAT THIS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THAT WE HAD COMMUNITY FORUMS, WE ENGAGED OUR COMMUNITY, WE ENGAGED OUR COMMUNITY IN A ROBUST SURVEY PROCESS AROUND THIS.

WE HAD BOTH THE VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON FORUMS THAT ENJOYED SUPPORT FROM MOST TRUSTEES ON THE DAIS AND THIS IS WHAT OUR COMMUNITY SAID, VERY HIGH ON THEIR LIST, THAT THEY WANT THEIR STUDENTS TO FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG.

>> [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. I THINK WE PROBABLY CAN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT CONSTRAINT SECTION.

I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER LIGHTS ON.

>> JENNIFER IF I CAN MOVE ON TO SLIDE 5.

NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CONSTRAINTS.

THIS CONSTRAINT, AS YOU REMEMBER, WAS PASSED LAST MONTH.

THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL NOT ALLOW THE GROWTH MEASURES OF STUDENTS RECEIVING SPECIAL EDUCATION 504 SERVICES TO NOT INCREASE.

MARIA GONZALEZ AND OUR TEAM, WE WENT BACK AND IT'S OUR TASK THEN TO DECIDE HOW WE'RE GOING TO MEASURE.

WE'VE DEFINITELY HEARD FROM THE BOARD THAT WE WANTED A MEASUREMENT TOOL OR PROGRAM THAT WOULD MEET ALL STUDENTS, THAT WOULD MEASURE ALL STUDENTS IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY.

WE BELIEVE THAT THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT, IS TO USE ESSENTIALLY STAAR EOC AND STAAR ALT.

EVERY SINGLE STUDENT WHO RECEIVES SPECIAL ED OR 504, SO EVERY STUDENT IN THE DISTRICT, TAKES ONE OF THOSE THREE ASSESSMENTS.

ALSO EACH STUDENT, WHETHER THEY'RE IN SPECIAL ED 504 OR ANY OTHER PROGRAM, EVERY STUDENT HAS AN INDIVIDUAL ANNUAL GROWTH TARGET IN ORDER TO MEET ON THEIR ASSESSMENT.

OUR MEASUREMENT HERE IS ESSENTIALLY TO MEASURE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO MEET THAT ANNUAL TARGET, WHETHER THEY'RE TAKING THE STAAR TEST, WHETHER IT'S AN EOC, WHETHER IT'S STAAR ALT.

THIS REALLY COVERS EVERY SINGLE STUDENT THAT RECEIVES SPECIAL ED OR 504 SERVICES.

THIS IS ALSO A TEST THAT'S A STANDARDIZED, AND IT DOESN'T GET INTO ANY OTHER TYPES OF SERVICES THAT WE DO WANT TO PROTECT THEM, MAYBE NOT USING THIS KIND OF MONITORING SYSTEM.

WE'RE BRINGING THAT FORWARD, CONSTRAINT PROGRESS MEASURE 1.1 IS AROUND THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS MEETING THE GROWTH TARGETS ON THEIR READING EXAM AND GROWTH CONSTRAINT MEASURE, PROGRESS MEASURE 1.2 IS THE SAME IDEA, BUT AROUND MATH.

WE HAVE BASELINE DATA FOR THIS.

I WILL SAY THAT ALSO WE BROUGHT THIS TO DR. AZAIEZ AND I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF GETTING TO, WE WERE INVITED TO COME SPEAK TO THE CPAC EARLIER THIS WEEK

[03:20:02]

AND SHARED THIS IDEA WITH THEM.

I'D SAY THEY WERE VERY MUCH IN SUPPORT OF USING THIS TYPE OF MEASUREMENT TOOL FOR THIS CONSTRAINT.

ONE OTHER THING THAT I DID WANT TO MENTION IS, SINCE THIS IS A CONSTRAINT, REALLY THE CONSTRAINT IS IT HAS TO GROW EVERY YEAR.

THAT'S WHY YOU SEE THE TARGET IS ESSENTIALLY ONE POINT GROWTH EVERY YEAR.

WE'LL HAVE TO COME BACK AND READJUST THAT.

NEXT YEAR, LET'S SAY THAT IN 2023 WE GET 74 PERCENT AND CONSTRAINT PROGRESS 1.1.

THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO READJUST THAT TO BE 75 THE NEXT YEAR.

EVERY YEAR IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE ADJUSTED BECAUSE WE NEED TO GO UP.

BECAUSE IT'S A CONSTRAINT RATHER THAN A GOAL.

I KNOW THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION AROUND, IT'S ONLY ONE POINT EVERY YEAR, LITERALLY HAS TO BE GROWTH EVERY YEAR AND IT'LL BE ADJUSTED ALONG THE WAY.

>> TRUSTEE WEIR.

>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU, TO YOU, TO DR. AZAIEZ, TO MS. GONZALEZ.

I THINK REACHING OUT AND WORKING WITH PARENTS HAS MAYBE NOT BEEN ALWAYS THE STRONGEST SUIT THAT THIS DISTRICT HAS HAD ALWAYS.

I TRULY WANT TO SAY, I APPRECIATE ALL THE TIME AND EFFORT THAT YOU'VE SPENT ON THIS PARTICULAR CONSTRAINT, EVEN WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT IT AS A GOAL, REACHING OUT AND WORKING WITH THE PARENTS THAT ARE MOST AFFECTED BY IT, SO JUST THANK YOU.

AM I MISSING TRUSTEE JOHNSON OR TRUSTEE VESSA, TRUSTEE BONE? GO AHEAD.

>> CONSTRAINTS [OVERLAPPING].

>> NO WAIT, HOLD ON.

WERE YOU HOLDING UP YOUR BOX BECAUSE YOU HAD A QUESTION OR?

>> YES.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> IT'LL BE THE SAME THING FOR ME AND I KNOW I DEFINITELY WANT TO SEE DISAGGREGATED.

THAT'S GOING TO BE PROBABLY A KEY THING FOR ME.

BECAUSE I KNOW THEY'RE INTERSECTIONALITY WITH RACE AND OTHER DIFFERENT ASPECTS.

LOW SES, SO I DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S INCLUDED.

>> EVERY STUDENT GROUP WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT.

EVERY STUDENT GROUP IS GOING TO NEED TO GROW EVERY YEAR.

>> WHEN THIS COMES BACK TO US, WE'LL SEE IT DISAGGREGATED.

>> YEAH. BY THE SAME STUDENT GROUPS OR ANY OTHER GOAL PROGRESS MEASURES. [OVERLAPPING]

>> JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T SEE IT UP THERE TONIGHT, DOESN'T IMPEDE THE APPROVAL PART OF THE PROCESS.

>> I JUST ASKED FOR SOMEBODY TO SEE IF THEY COULD GET YOUR BUTTON WORKING.

NO PROMISES, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO CHECK AND SEE.

>> YEAH, YOU CAN TAKE DR. AZAIEZ AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR BUTTON FIXED.

>> ALRIGHT, SO OUR NEXT CONSTRAINT IS CONSTRAINT NUMBER 2.

THIS IS THE ONE AROUND CAMPUS ACCOUNTABILITY RATINGS.

AS YOU RECALL, THIS WAS APPROVED ALSO LAST MONTH SINCE THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL NOT ALLOW A CAMPUS TO BE RATED A D OR AN F FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

I THINK THIS CONSTRAINT PROGRESS MEASURE SHOULD BE PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD.

ESSENTIALLY THERE'S ONLY ONE FOR THIS CONSTRAINT.

SLIDE 6, JENNIFER, IT SAYS THE PERCENTAGE OF CAMPUSES RATED A D OR F FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS WILL BE MAINTAINED FROM ZERO PERCENT IN 2022 TO ZERO PERCENT IN 2026 AS MEASURED BY THE TEXAS ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM.

AS LONG AS THE TEXAS ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM DOESN'T CHANGE IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AND STOPS USING THE LETTERING SYSTEM.

WE SHOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH THIS ONE.

>> I THINK I DISTRACTED JENNIFER WITH THE BUTTON REQUEST IS WHY WE HAVEN'T PROCEEDED TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

[LAUGHTER] TRUSTEES, YOU HAVE THE NEXT SLIDE UP IN FRONT OF YOU. THERE WE GO.

AWESOME. THANK YOU, JENNIFER.

ANY QUESTIONS ON CONSTRAINT 2? TRUSTEE WESTERN?

>> MR. SMITH, IF THE CAMPUS HAS AN F FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS, SO DOES THAT TRIGGER ANYTHING BY THE STATE?

>> YEAH. I'D HAVE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS, BUT IT WOULD TRIGGER SOMETHING, FEDERALLY [OVERLAPPING].

>> THAT'S OUR THRESHOLD HERE IS IT HAS TO BE TWO YEARS? THIS IS ANOTHER REASON WHY I'M JUST NOT SUPPORTIVE OF THIS BECAUSE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A LEVEL OF FAILURE THERE. GO AHEAD, SIR.

>> I'M SORRY. TRUSTEE [OVERLAPPING] THREE YEARS.

>> THREE YEARS?

>> YEAH, THREE YEARS.

>> I THINK WITH THE DISCUSSION THAT WE HAVE ON THIS WAS THE REASON TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS WAS PUT AS THE THRESHOLD, WAS BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR WOULD TRIGGER ACTION BY TEA.

IT WAS KEPT AT TWO TO BE ABLE TO AVOID A TRIGGER FROM TEA GOING TO A THIRD.

>> WHAT IS THAT TRIGGER? IS TO CLOSE THE CAMPUS OR?

>> WHO KNOWS IF THAT'S EVEN GOING TO STAY IN PLACE BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO GET SOME CHANGES.

>> TRUSTEE WESTERN, NO IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THE CLOSE.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THE WAY IT WORKS WITH DEA, AND I KNOW DR. JOHNSON WHO JUST LEFT HERE NOT LONG AGO.

I MEAN, THE TEA CAN TAKE OVER THE ENTIRE DISTRICT OVER ONE CAMPUS.

BUT THEY REQUIRE I THINK FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS.

I THINK IT'S THE MINIMUM I HAVE TO GO BACK AND

[03:25:01]

CHECK BECAUSE THAT NUMBER ALSO KEEPS CHANGING.

THEY TRIED TO TAKE OVER HOUSTON ISD BECAUSE OF THE ACE, I THINK HIGH SCHOOL AT SOME POINT, THEY TRIED THEY COULDN'T TAKE THEM. [OVERLAPPING].

>> THE QUICKLY EFFECT.

FIVE CONSECUTIVE YEARS, THE BOARD EITHER HAS TO CLOSE THE CAMPUS, MERGE IT WITH ANOTHER CAMPUS, OR TEA WILL PUT IN A BOARD OF MANAGERS.

BUT THAT'S FIVE CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

>> OKAY.

WE CAN GO THE CONSTRAINT 3.

>> CONSTRAINT 3, IS AROUND STUDENT LEARNING EXPERIENCES.

AGAIN, THIS ONE WAS APPROVED LAST MONTH.

THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL NOT ALLOW STUDENTS TO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO FINANCIAL LITERACY, CIVICS, AND OTHER REAL-WORLD LIVING EXPERIENCES ANNUALLY.

AGAIN, AS A TEAM WE WENT BACK AND DISCUSSED A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS OF POTENTIALLY MEASURING FINANCIAL LITERACY, CIVICS, AND REAL-WORLD LIVING EXPERIENCES.

WE ALWAYS TRY TO BALANCE THE AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT TIME THAT WE PUT ON TEACHERS AND ON CLASSROOMS AND WE WANT TO TAKE AWAY AS LITTLE INSTRUCTIONAL TIME AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

WE DIDN'T NECESSARILY WANT TO CREATE A NEW STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENT TO MEASURE SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

WE WANTED TO LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.

FINANCIAL LITERACY AND CIVICS, ARE IN THE STANDARDS.

THEY ARE IN THE TICS, THEY'RE TAUGHT IN CLASSES.

THERE'S ALWAYS OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO DO THAT BETTER AND TO COMMUNICATE IT BETTER AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MONITORING HOW THOSE STANDARDS ARE BEING TAUGHT.

THEN ALSO TRYING TO MEASURE, AS STUDENTS DO LEAVE US AS SENIORS, HOW WELL-PREPARED DO THEY BELIEVE THEY ARE TO ENTER THE WORLD.

THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF FINANCIAL LITERACY, CIVICS, AND THEIR PREPARATION.

THE TWO CONSTRAINT PROGRESS MEASURES THAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD TONIGHT, THE FIRST ONE REALLY REVOLVES AROUND AN INTERNAL AUDIT THAT WE WOULD DO EACH YEAR.

I'M LOOKING AT OUR CURRICULUM AND ALIGNED RENDER OUR CURRICULUM, WE CALL IT THE ARC.

YOU WANT FINANCIAL LITERACY AND CIVICS AND MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF THOSE UNITS AND ALL THOSE STANDARDS ARE COVERED EACH YEAR.

THEN THE SECOND ONE IS USING THE ANNUAL SENIOR SURVEY.

WE SEND OUT A SURVEY EVERY YEAR TO SENIORS AND WE GET ROUGHLY BETWEEN 70 TO 80 PERCENT RETURN RATE.

ON THAT SURVEY FROM OUR STUDENTS.

WE DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE QUESTIONS THAT ARE VERY SPECIFIC RIGHT NOW AROUND FINANCIAL LITERACY AND CIVICS.

BUT WE WOULD DEVELOP THOSE AND START ASKING THOSE THIS YEAR ON THAT SURVEY AND USE THAT AS A BASELINE TO MEASURE FROM HERE ON OUT.

>> DR. JOHNSON.

>> I THINK YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTION BECAUSE I WAS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE SENIOR SURVEY AND I'M LOOKING AT THIS 100 PERCENT.

IS THAT BECAUSE YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT THE BASELINE AT 100.

>> WELL, THE FIRST ONE IS NOT ABOUT THE SENIOR SURVEY.

THE FIRST ONE'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT THE UNITS IN OUR CURRICULUM ARE COVERING ALL OF THE CIVICS OF FINANCIAL LITERACY STANDARDS.

>> WHEN I THINK ABOUT OTHER REAL-WORLD LIVING EXPERIENCES ANNUALLY, HOW ARE WE DEFINING THAT? [OVERLAPPING].

>> THAT'S A VERY VAGUE TERM, MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO EVERYBODY.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE'LL PROBABLY USE MORE OF THE SURVEY TYPE QUESTION TO HAVE MAYBE MORE THAN ONE QUESTION.

THEY COULD ASK THEM HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THEIR READINESS.

BUT I THINK WE HEARD THAT IN THE COMMUNITY FORUMS AS WELL, THAT REAL-WORLD LIVING EXPERIENCES IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

I THINK YOU CAN MAKE THE CASE PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING WE TEACH OUR KIDS IS REAL-WORLD LIVING EXPERIENCES, READING AND WRITING AND MATH AND THAT PREPARATION.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL HAVE TO DEVELOP WITH THE SURVEY QUESTIONS, BUT IT IS A PRETTY VAGUE AND AMBIGUOUS TERM.

>> I WAS WONDERING IF PERHAPS BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE CONSTRAINT, IF WE DID WANT TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS ON ANY OF THE GPMS OR CPMS?

>> SHE'S LOOKING FOR THE MOTION.

>> I MOVE THAT THE BOARD ADOPT GOAL PROGRESS MEASURES 4.1 AND 4.2 AND CONSTRAINT PROGRESS MEASURES 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1 AND 3.2 AND THE MONITORING CALENDAR AS PRESENTED.

[BACKGROUND]

>> CAN YOU AMEND THAT TO NOT INCLUDE 4.2.

I'M SORRY [OVERLAPPING]

>> NO, IT'S CORRECT IT'S 4.2.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HOLD OFF ON THAT UNTIL WE GET SOME BASELINE DATA.

>> WELL, SO I'M GOING TO WITHDRAW THAT MOTION.

>> I THINK IT'S ALL OF THEM EXCEPT 4.2?

>> DO YOU WANT ME TO DO THE CALENDAR RIGHT NOW TOO OR DO YOU WANT TO DO THE CALENDAR AFTER? [OVERLAPPING]

>> WELL, I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT, BUT YOU CAN [LAUGHTER] YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO.

[03:30:03]

>> I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT AFTER THE CONSTRAINT, BUT I CAN TALK ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

>> IT'S JUST IN THE MOTION.

IT SAYS AS PRESENTED, AND SO SHE MAKES THE MOTION THAT THE CALENDAR IS PRESENTED, THEN IT'S NOT PRESENTED.

>> MAYBE I'LL JUST MOVE FORWARD WITH THE REST OF OUR PRESENTATION.

[LAUGHTER].

>> SORRY.

>> ON SLIDE 8, ESSENTIALLY WE'RE BRINGING BACK THE CONSTRAINT DISCUSSION FROM THE LAST MEETING AGAIN, CONSTRAINTS ARE DEVELOPED BY THE BOARD AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD.

THIS IS THE LANGUAGE THAT MR. CURRAN AND I WORKED ON AND ALONG WITH OUR RESEARCH AND EVALUATION TEAM AS WELL THAT RUNS OUR STAFF CLIMATE SURVEY EVERY YEAR AND ESSENTIALLY SAID THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL NOT ALLOW A WORKPLACE CULTURE, CLIMATE AND EMPLOYEE MORALE TO FAIL TO INCREASE AS REPORTED IN THE ANNUAL STAFF CLIMATE SURVEY.

THIS CAN BE SOMETHING WE APPROVE OR NOT APPROVE, IT'S REALLY UP TO THE BOARD.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY LIGHTS ON.

[BACKGROUND] I CAN'T HEAR YOU.

>> I'M TRYING TO DIME MY LIGHT.

THAT WAS MY METAPHORICAL LIGHT.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S UP WITH THE LIGHTS TONIGHT.

>> I KNOW, RUDE.

MY QUESTION IS, I LIKE THIS AS AN EDUCATOR, MY ONLY THINK IS WILL THIS PUNISH A SUPERINTENDENT FOR THINGS THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF THE CONTROL OF A SUPERINTENDENT? I KNOW THAT THIS IS JUST THE DRAFT CONSTRAINTS SO THEN YOU ALL WILL GO AND BRING US CONSTRAINT PROGRESS MEASURES THAT WILL OUTLINE THIS MORE BUT I JUST CURIOUS TO MY COLLEAGUES, HAS ANYBODY GIVEN ANY THOUGHT ABOUT THAT ASPECT?

>> I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE ONE THING I KEEP COMING BACK TO, I WENT TO THE LONE STAR GOVERNANCE PAGE THIS WEEK AND IT SAYS, LONE STAR GOVERNANCE IS FOUNDED ON RESEARCH AND IT'S A CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MODEL FOR GOVERNING TEAMS WHO CHOOSE TO FOCUS INTENSELY ON ONLY ONE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE, IMPROVING STUDENT OUTCOMES.

THIS IS NOT A STUDENT OUTCOME.

I LOVE THIS CONSTRAINT, I LOVE THIS BEING A FOCUS OF OUR ADMINISTRATION, BUT IT IS NOT A CHARACTERISTIC OF LONE STAR GOVERNANCE.

>> CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE MARSHA BECAUSE THIS DOES IMPACT STUDENT OUTCOMES THOUGH.

WE HEARD THAT TONIGHT FROM EDUCATORS, SO I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, SO I'M SAYING YES AND THEN I ALSO WOULD LOVE SOME FEEDBACK ON MY ORIGINAL QUESTION FROM MY COLLEAGUES.

>> I THINK ON THIS PARTICULAR CONSTRAINT, I WOULD WANT TO SEE WHAT DOES THE DATA FROM THE CLIMATE SURVEY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE.

BECAUSE IF THE CLIMATE SURVEY IS 97 PERCENT OF OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS IN THE CLIMATE SURVEY, WHY WOULD YOU WASTE A CONSTRAINT ON SOMETHING THAT IS ALREADY SO HIGH.

NOT ALL CONSTRAINTS HAVE TO BE WRITTEN PARTICULARLY FOR A STUDENT BECAUSE SOMETIMES SOME OF OUR ADULT BEHAVIORS INFLUENCE OUR STUDENT OUTCOMES.

A CONSTRAINT, I LIKE TO CALL THEM GUARDRAILS BECAUSE YOU THINK OF CROSSING A BRIDGE, IT'S LIKE, OKAY, SUPERINTENDENT THESE ARE THE GOALS THAT WE WROTE THAT WE WANT YOU TO ACHIEVE.

HERE'S OUR JOURNEY ON THE ROAD, BUT HERE'S WHAT YOU HAVE TO STAY IN BETWEEN TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT TO HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL OVER IT.

THE THRESHOLD IS 80 PERCENT, SO DOES THE SUPERINTENDENT HAVE 80 PERCENT CONTROL OVER THIS CONSTRAINT? I THINK WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO BECAUSE THIS WAS IMPORTANT TO SOME OF THE PEOPLE ON THE BOARD ESPECIALLY WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT MEETING THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND STAFF AND JUST FOR THE PEOPLE COMING OFF THE PANDEMIC AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF, SO ON THIS PARTICULAR CONSTRAINT, I THINK WE JUST NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT IS THE DATA ORIGINALLY TELL US? BECAUSE IF THE DATA SAYS, THE PERCENTAGE IS 42.

OH, YEAH, WE PROBABLY NEED TO DO SOMETHING BUT IF IT'S 97, PROBABLY NOT.

I THINK YOU COULD TABLE GOAL PROGRESS MEASURE 4.2 AND TABLE CONSTRAINT 4 AND THEN LET US GET SOME TIME TO RUN SOME NUMBERS AND BRING THOSE BACK TO YOU.

>> BUT WE HAVE THAT DANA, YOU CAN PULL IT UP RIGHT NOW ON THE WEBSITE.

>> RYAN, DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD?

>> I DO NOT BECAUSE OUR PLAN ESSENTIALLY WAS TO AGGREGATE A FEW OF THE QUESTIONS ON THE CLIMATE SURVEY.

[03:35:02]

>> WHY DON'T WE GO AHEAD AND DO THE AGGREGATION AND BRING THAT DATA BACK TO THE BOARD BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THEY WERE USING THE OVERALL AVERAGE OF THE ENTIRE SURVEY.

THEY WERE LOOKING AT SOME PARTICULAR QUESTIONS [OVERLAPPING] WITHIN THE SURVEY AND AGGREGATE THAT OUT.

>> I DEFINITELY DON'T THINK IT'S 97 PERCENT. [LAUGHTER]

>> I'M JUST THROWING NUMBERS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

THAT'S POINT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE, IF THE NUMBERS ARE ALREADY VERY HIGH ON WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THEN THERE'S NO NEED TO HAVE IT.

BUT IF THE NUMBERS ARE LOW, BUT THAT'S UP TO YOU RYAN AND HIS TEAM. [OVERLAPPING]

>> WE CAN BRING THEM BACK.

>> TO BRING IT BACK.

>> FROM SOMEBODY WHO LIKES NUMBERS AND LOOKING AT DATA AND STUFF LIKE THAT, IF YOU ASK, IN THIS CASE OBVIOUSLY ARE YOU ASKING ME? WE WANT AT THE END OF THE YEAR, USING THE TEACHER SURVEY TO HAVE, LET'S SAY 97 PERCENT OF OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF HAPPY AND LOVING COMING AND WORK IN HERE WHICH IS GREAT.

HOW AM I GOING TO BE ABLE TO MONITOR THAT AND ENSURE AND AGAIN THAT WE'RE PROGRESSING TOWARD THAT GOAL AT THE END OF THE YEAR, I HAVE TO PROGRESS MONITOR.

BECAUSE ONE THING WE DON'T WANT TO DO IS NOT ADD MORE SURVEYS TO OUR TEACHERS WHO ALREADY HAVE MILLIONS THINGS TO DO EVERY DAY, SO I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO MONITOR OR PROGRESS MONITOR, SO SEE IF WE ARE GOING TOWARD ACHIEVING THAT GOAL AT END OF THE YEAR AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT, HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MONITOR AND ASKING OUR STAFF, ARE YOU DOING OKAY THIS MONTH, HOW ABOUT NEXT MONTH? WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO CHECK ON THEM REGULARLY AND ENSURE THAT WE HAVE GOOD SYSTEM AND STRUCTURE TO HELP THEM OBVIOUSLY BE HAPPY AND EXCITED ABOUT COMING TO WORK HERE.

THAT'S ONE MORE THING AND AGAIN WE DON'T WANT TO ADD MORE TO OUR STAFF AND TEACHER, THEY ALREADY HAVE A MILLION THINGS TO DO EVERY DAY.

>> I AGREE. I HAVE TO ADMIT THE PROGRESS MONITOR IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE TO TIFFANY'S POINT, IF THIS IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE BEING GRADED BY OR ARE WE LOOKING AT YOUR PERFORMANCE, WILL YOU NEED THE OPPORTUNITY TO WRITE HOW TO INTERVENE AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WRITE TO SHIP.

THEN OF COURSE I KNOW THE ANNUAL SURVEY ASPECT FOR ME, BUT THEN OVER-SURVEYING I KNOW THAT'S AN ISSUE TOO.

BUT I DO THINK QUALITATIVE MEASURES ARE IMPORTANT.

I GUESS WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THE DATA BECAUSE I KNOW THE OTHER ASPECT FOR ME IS, LET'S LOOK AT THE RATE THAT THE SURVEY IS BEING COMPLETED BECAUSE THAT'S ANOTHER FACTOR FOR ME TOO.

>> I CAN DEFINITELY BRING BACK NEXT MONTH, THE QUESTIONS THAT WE WERE GOING TO USE TO AGGREGATE AND THEN LOOK AT RESPONSE RATES AND LOOK AT WHAT A BASELINE WOULD BE IF WE WERE GOING TO [OVERLAPPING]

>> THAT CHANGED YOUR EFFECT SIZE.

>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY I WANT IT TO PASS.

IF WE NEED TO BRING MORE DATA, I'D LOVE TO HAVE A 7-0 VOTE THAT WE WERE ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS.

IF WE NEED MORE DATA TO GET TO THAT PLACE, THAT I'M FINE BRINGING IT BACK NEXT MONTH FOR CONSIDERATION, BUT OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS A HUGE PRIORITY FOR ME BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE IT'S IN YOUR CONTROL.

I DO BELIEVE THAT WE CAN SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE HAVE POSITIVE OUTCOMES IN TERMS OF THEIR RESPONSES TO THESE SURVEYS.

>> MISS VESSA, I CAN SAY AND I'M GLAD WE HAVE OUR LSG COACH.

I MEAN, WHEN I WAS TRAINING ABOUT LSG IS WHEN THE SUPERINTENDENT IS ASKED OR TASKED TO DO SOMETHING THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S SUPPOSED TO COME BACK TO THE BOARD, I SAID, YOU WANT ME TO REACH THIS GOAL LIKE OUR TEACHERS, YOU WANT ME TO BE SUCCESSFUL, HERE'S THE RESOURCES I NEED IN MY CLASSROOM.

I HAVE TO COME BACK AND SAY, WELL, WE NEED TO RAISE.

WE NEED TO FIND LIKE GO TO THE FUND BALANCE AND GET A 2,000 DOLLAR STIPED IN EACH YEAR MOVING FORWARD SO WE CAN ENSURE THAT WE'RE KEEPING AND RECRUITING AND RETAINING OUR BEST TEACHERS AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE HAPPY.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE AGAIN, BECAUSE I WON'T BE BACK.

BECAUSE WE WANT OUR TEACHER HAVE TO BE HAPPY.

>> WE REMEMBER IN SOME OF OUR TRAININGS, WE CALLED IT THE STEVE URKEL EFFECT.

YOU DIDN'T, WHY DO THAT? BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT.

YOUR ACTIONS, THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES OR NEGATIVE AND, NOT WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES, BUT THERE'S IMPACT AND REACTIONS TO EACH OF THESE THINGS.

FOR EXAMPLE, KEEPING TEACHERS HAPPY.

ONE, I NEED TO KEEP THE TEACHERS HAPPY.

I NEED TO RETAIN THE TEACHERS.

I PROPOSE, AND THIS IS NOT REAL, BUT I PROPOSE A 5,000 DOLLAR STIPEND EACH SEMESTER FOR EVERY TEACHER.

I'M SURE THAT THAT WOULD MAKE A LOT OF PEOPLE VERY HAPPY.

BUT THEN HE WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO YOU GUYS AND SAY, I HAVE TO CUT ATHLETICS IN ORDER TO DO THAT.

YOU'RE LIKE, DID WE DO THAT? YOU HAVE TO THINK.

[03:40:03]

>> WELL, AT THIS POINT AND BACK TO THE PRESIDENT, FELLOWS POINT.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE HOW, WE JUST NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE WHAT.

>> YOU JUST NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE WHAT.

>> I STARTED THIS OFF.

>> YOU HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED IT, YOU'RE SUCH A GIFTED STUDENT.

>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THIS QUESTION ISN'T PRIVILEGING THE SUPERINTENDENT'S COMFORT OVER THE COMFORT OF EDUCATORS.

I ALSO WANT TO PROTECT FROM THE DOWNSIDE OF THINGS LIKE OVER SERVING, OF THINGS LIKE IDENTIFICATION AND SURVEYS BECAUSE I WILL BE HONEST, AS SOMEBODY WHO WAS A TEACHER IN THIS DISTRICT, THERE'S A VERY REAL FEAR OF RETRIBUTION AT TIMES.

HOW DO WE GET THAT INFORMATION? MARSHA, I'M GOING TO ASK WHAT MAY BE A SILLY QUESTION, BUT GOALS ARE WHAT STUDENTS KNOW AND CAN DO, CORRECT?

>> KNOW AND ABLE TO DO. AGREED.

>> THERE'S NO OTHER WAY. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT BUDGETS ARE MORAL DOCUMENTS AND I THINK THAT THAT'S OF COURSE FEELING TOO, IS THAT LIKE HOW DO WE PRIORITIZE TEACHERS AS IMPORTANT AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEM AS IMPORTANT? WHEN WE'RE MAKING FINANCIAL DECISIONS AS A BOARD, THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE CONTROL OVER, WE'RE MAKING THEM, SHOWING THAT TEACHERS ARE IMPORTANT AND PUTTING SUPPORT OUT THERE.

I'M JUST WONDERING IF THERE'S ANY OTHER WAY TO DO THAT OUTSIDE OF A CONSTRAINT.

LIKE THIS IS VERY SILLY.

BUT I WAS LOOKING AT GOAL 4, AND I WAS LIKE, COULD IT BE A GPM? BUT THEN THAT'S ABOUT TEACHERS AND NOT ABOUT STUDENTS, BUT IT RELATES BACK TO STUDENTS.

MAYBE WE NEED TO BE CREATIVE.

>> I THINK CONSTRAINT OR THINK OF IT IN TERMS OF GUARD RAIL, IS PROBABLY THE MOST APPROPRIATE PLACE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

HEY, SUPERINTENDENT, AS YOUR TEACHING OUR KIDS TO READ AND YOU'RE TEACHING OUR KIDS TO DO MATH, AND YOUR TEACHING OUR KIDS TO BE COLLEGE, CAREER READY, MAKE SURE YOU'RE ALSO KEEPING OUR STAFF ENGAGED AND HAPPY TO WHERE WE CAN RETAIN THEM, TO WHERE WE CAN ACHIEVE THE GOALS THAT WE JUST ASSIGNED TO YOU TO ACHIEVE.

I THINK IT CONSTRAINTS THE APPROPRIATE PLACE FOR IT.

>> JUST FEELS LIKE MAYBE WE NEED TO KEEP WORKING ON IT.

>> I'M FINE WITH THAT BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, I WANT ALL SEVEN OF US TO BE ON BOARD WITH THIS CONSTRAINT.

I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

OF COURSE, I'M 100 PERCENT COMMITTED TO DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO GIVE US THE RESOURCES THAT WE NEED TO MAKE RAISES POSSIBLE, TO FUND MORE SUPPORTS.

THAT'S SOMETHING DEFINITELY I WOULD WELCOME ALL OF US TO ENGAGE IN THAT ENDEAVOR, ESPECIALLY THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.

BECAUSE AS WE CAN SEE FROM OUR PREVIOUS DISCUSSION, A LOT OF OUR STUFF IS DETERMINED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

THE MORE ACTIVE WE ARE THERE ADVOCATING FOR OUR DISTRICT, THE BETTER OUTCOMES WE CAN OBTAIN.

>> I CAN GET SOME AND I WON'T WAIT TILL THE NEXT MONTH'S BOARD MEETING, I'LL SHARE SOME BASELINE DATA AS SOON AS WE CAN PUT TOGETHER, WE SHOULDN'T TAKE TOO LONG. I SHARE THAT BACK OUT THERE.

EVERYBODY'S GOT ME THINKING ABOUT IT HEADING INTO OCTOBER'S MEETING.

THE LAST PIECE I WANT TO SHARE TONIGHT WAS AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE BOARD MONITORING CALENDAR.

GOOD JOB, JENNIFER. YOU ALREADY GOT IT UP.

WE'VE GONE AHEAD AND ADDED AND OF COURSE, DEPENDING ON WHAT GETS PASSED OR APPROVED TONIGHT, IT MIGHT MOVE A COUPLE OF DAYS OFF, BUT WE HAVE IT NOW A YEAR PLANNED OUT OF WHEN EACH GPM WILL BE PRESENTED, WHEN EACH GOAL BE PRESENTED.

WE'VE GOT PLANNING ON HAVING TWO ACADEMIC BOARD WORKSHOPS, ONE IN OCTOBER, ONE IN APRIL, GOT THE ANNUAL TEA ACCOUNTABILITY UPDATE ON THE CALENDAR, SO WE GET OUR MINUTES.

WE APPRECIATE THE STICKLERS THAT KEEP US TO THAT.

>> THE ACADEMIC, I'M SORRY, AND THE ACADEMIC WORKSHOPS [OVERLAPPING] AND WE'RE PLANNING ON DOING ONE IN THE SPRING, ONE IN THE FALL EVERY YEAR.

>> ONE THE FALL, ONE IN THE SPRING. BUT AGAIN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'LL BE ADJUSTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS NEED BE, SOMETHING YOU SEE COMING BACK ON THE AGENDA.

ONE THING WE JUST HEARD AS TEA IS GOING THROUGH A BIT OF REFRESH.

THEY'RE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT POTENTIALLY AUGUST MIGHT NOT BE THE MONTH NEXT YEAR WHEN THEY'RE RELEASED.

IT COULD BE SEPTEMBER.

WE'LL HAVE TO ADJUST THIS ALONG THE WAY.

>> WITH YOUR PLEASURE, BOARD, I'M GOING TO ADD THOSE MONTHS THAT ARE QUARTERLY EVALUATIONS TAKE PLACE.

THE BOARD SELF-EVALUATIONS UNDER THE SAME COLUMN, THAT SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION.

I WILL GO BACK AND LOOK AT WHEN WE DID OUR LAST QUARTERLY AND WHATEVER EACH QUARTER THAT IS OUT.

WITH YOUR PERMISSION, WE'LL ADD THAT AND RYAN, MY APOLOGIES ON THAT PIECE.

BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT ON THERE FOR YOU GUYS AS WELL.

>> I'D ALSO LIKE TO ADD SUPERINTENDENT FORMATIVE EVALUATIONS TO THIS CALENDAR AS WELL.

IT SAYS EVALUATION IN AUGUST, BUT IT NEEDS TO SAY SUMMATIVE EVALUATION IN AUGUST.

THEN FORMATIVE EVALUATIONS ADDED.

>> WHEN ARE THE FORMATIVE EVALUATIONS BECAUSE

[03:45:02]

TECHNICALLY WHEN YOU GET INTO THE MONITORING, YOU'RE DOING A FORMATIVE EVALUATION EACH MONTH JUST BY LOOKING AT THE GOALS AND MONITORING THE PROGRESS TOWARDS THOSE GOALS.

WAS THERE ANOTHER SPECIFIC TIME PERIOD THAT YOU WANTED TO DO A FORMAL FORMATIVE?

>> PERHAPS WE TALK ABOUT THIS ON TUESDAY. WE TALK ABOUT IT.

>> I'M SORRY. THE OTHER THING ALSO WE DID AND I DON'T KNOW IF RYAN, YOU HAVE IT UP, BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY DOCUMENTS HERE FOR GOALS OR CONSTRAINT FOR THE BOARD MONITORING CALENDAR.

WE DID ONE-PAGE WITH ALL THIS INFORMATION, MAYBE TINY, SMALL.

>> IT IS TINY.

>> [LAUGHTER] BUT WE PUT IT ALL IN ONE PAGE SO EVERYBODY CAN HAVE IT AND WE CAN MAYBE PRINT IT.

>> IT'LL BE ON 11 BY 17 PAPER AND THERE'S NO WAY I COULD GET IT ON ONE.

[OVERLAPPING] IT'LL BE ON THE WEBSITE.

I'LL HAVE IT ON THERE. I WAS WAITING FOR THE CALENDAR TO GET APPROVED.

BUT THE CALENDAR WILL BE ON THERE, THE BOARD CONSTRAINTS, AND THE GOALS AND CONSTRAINTS ARE ALL ON THAT ONE DOCUMENT.

THE CALENDAR, ALL THAT WILL BE POSTED ON THE BOARD WEBSITE TOO SO PEOPLE CAN CAN GET TO IT.

>> TRUSTEE WEIR.

>> I MOVE THAT THE BOARD ADOPT GOAL PROGRESS MEASURES 4.1 AND CONSTRAINT PROGRESS MEASURES 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1 AND 3.2, AND THE MONITORING CALENDAR WITH THE ADDITION OF THE BOARD EVALUATION DATES AS DISCUSSED.

>> ALL RIGHT, I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND. ALL OPPOSED.

MOTION PASSES SIX, ONE.

FANTASTIC. IT IS 9:25.

[APPLAUSE] IT IS 9:25. I'D LIKE TO TAKE A [OVERLAPPING].

>> PRESIDENT FELLER, I'M SORRY.

YOU NEED TO TAKE A BREAK. WHAT ARE WE DOING? I'M SORRY.

>> I WAS GOING TO TAKE A RECESS, BUT I'M GETTING HIGH FIVE SIGNS ON EACH.

>> YEAH. I'VE SPOKEN WITH YOUR IN-HOUSE LEGAL COUNSEL AND ON THE TAX RATE MATTER THAT YOU ALL VOTED ON JUST BEFORE THIS ITEM.

I THINK DENNIS HAS MENTIONED THAT FOR THAT PARTICULAR TYPE OF VOTE, IT MENTIONS IN THE TAX CODE SOMETHING ABOUT A RECORD VOTE, WHICH MEANS THEY JUST NEED TO HAVE YOU FOR THE RECORD INDIVIDUALLY.

>> INDIVIDUALLY.

>> YEAH, SO WE JUST WANTED TO DO THAT FOR THE RECORD.

YOU COULD DO LIKE A MOTION RECONSIDER OR YOU CAN JUST CLARIFY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO REVOTE AND REOPEN AT THIS MEETING, IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT.

>> WE'LL JUST CLARIFY.

>> OR YOU CAN JUST CLARIFY BECAUSE YOUR VOTE WAS ALREADY TAKEN.

Y'ALL ALREADY VOTED. YOU CAN JUST CLARIFY WHAT YOUR VOTE WAS FOR THE RECORD.

>> SURE.

>> INDIVIDUALLY.

>> TRUSTEE JOHNSON ON ITEM I1, WHAT WAS YOUR VOTE?

>>TRUSTEE FELLER'S VOTE WAS YES. TRUSTEE HARRISON?

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS THAT ALL THAT WE NEED TO DO TO COVER? FANTASTIC. IT IS 9:27 AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A 10 MINUTE RECESS.

IT IS 9:37 AND WE ARE ON ITEM I3, APPROVAL OF BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

I WILL TURN THIS OVER TO MR. WESTON.

>> HELLO AGAIN, TRUSTEES.

HOPEFULLY THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM ON THE OPERATING PROCEDURES.

I'M NOT SURE WHERE YOU'D LIKE TO START.

I THINK SOME OF THE MAJOR CHANGES THAT WE'VE MADE SINCE THE LAST TIME YOU ALL LOOKED AT IT START ON PAGE 7.

IF ANYBODY HAS ANYTHING BEFORE THEN HAPPY TO DISCUSS.

BUT THOSE WE ADDED AFTER TRUSTEE JOHNSON AND WESTON AND PRESIDENT FELLER MET WITH ME AND PROVIDED SOME REALLY GOOD FEEDBACK AND THOUGHTS ON THIS.

WE CAME UP WITH THE ITEM G, THERE ARE CONCERNS BETWEEN BOARD MEMBERS AND ALSO AMENDED H, CENSURE OF A BOARD MEMBER.

>> I DO HAVE ONE THING BEFORE THAT AND IT JUST STRUCK ME TODAY DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.

I HAVE IT ON [OVERLAPPING]. DO WHAT?

>> THE VIRTUAL SPEAKERS.

BECAUSE THAT WAS MY ONE QUESTION TOO WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT SPEAKERS.

>> IT IS IN THE SPEAKER'S SECTION.

IS THAT AFTER THE CONDUCT? HOLD ON I LOST IT HERE.

>> [BACKGROUND] .

>> WHAT PAGE IS IT? HERE IT IS.

IT IS ON PAGE 9, 2.

IT'S UNDER CONDUCT DURING BOARD MEETINGS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ADDRESSING THE BOARD.

IT'S THE NEW NUMBER 2, THAT SAYS ATTENDINGS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BRING SIGNS, POSTERS, BANNERS OR SIMILAR ITEMS INTO THE BOARD MEETING ROOM.

WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT SIGNS FOR VIRTUAL SPEAKERS.

[03:50:03]

JUST I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CONSISTENT AND IF IT'S NOT IN OUR BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES, THEN I JUST WANT US CONSISTENT.

>> THAT ACTUALLY WAS PART OF MY QUESTION BECAUSE WE HAVE IN THERE THAT VIRTUAL SPEAKERS ARE GOING TO PROVIDE COMMENT VIA PRE-RECORDED MESSAGES FACILITATED BY THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT.

I WAS WONDERING IF THAT WAS WHAT WE WERE DOING IN ORDER TO PREVENT THAT? THAT WAS MY ONE QUESTION.

ARE WE NOT DOING VIRTUAL SPEAKERS AT ALL? WE'RE ONLY DOING PRE-RECORDED? IF SO, IT SEEMS LIKE THEN WE CAN CONTROL THAT.

>> ARE THE PRE-RECORDED JUST GOING TO BE AUDIO OR ARE THEY ALSO GOING TO BE A VIDEO RECORDING? THEN THEY WOULD HAVE AUDIO ONLY? AUDIO ONLY.

THEN WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SIGNS THEN.

THEN THAT CLARIFIES IT FOR ME.

>> I TALKED TO COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT AND HOPEFULLY BY THE NEXT REGULAR BOARD MEETING, WE COULD HAVE THAT UP AND OPERATIONAL.

I KNOW AUSTIN ISD USES A SIMILAR THING FOR THEIRS.

I KNOW WE EXPERIENCED SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE CURRENT SETUP, SO HOPEFULLY THAT WILL STREAMLINE THAT AND ALLEVIATE SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.

>> I DID HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION ON PAGE 13 AND THIS MAYBE IT'S MORE TO MY COLLEAGUES THAT WORKED ON THIS AND I DO APPRECIATE ALL THE TIME AND EFFORT THAT Y'ALL PUT IN TO BRING THIS BACK TO US.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FORMAL REPRIMAND VERSUS A CENSURE, IS THAT JUST SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE VERBAL FROM THE BOARD?

>> FORMAL REPRIMAND WOULD PROBABLY BE SOME RESOLUTION OR A DOCUMENT OF A CENSURE TYPE.

>> BECAUSE IT'S BEFORE.

IT SAYS IF THE MATTER'S STILL NOT RESOLVED, THE BOARD MAJORITY IN OPEN SESSION, THAT'S ON C,1C, AND THEN THE CENTER IS DOWN ON SECTION H. I JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR IF THEY WERE TWO SEPARATE THINGS OR? I JUST WANTED IF A FORMAL REPRIMAND IN G,1C IS THE SAME THING AS H?

>> IT'S A GOOD QUESTION. I'M NOT SURE THAT WE CLARIFIED IT.

IT COULD BE JUST A PUBLIC REPRIMAND THAT WE JUST NEED TO CLARIFY THAT.

YOU'RE RIGHT. IT IS UNCLEAR, SO WE NEED TO CLARIFY THAT.

>> YEAH. I WOULD SAY THAT THERE WOULD BE TWO SEPARATE THINGS.

REPRIMAND WOULD BE SOMETHING LESS SEVERE THAN THE CENSURE, WHICH AT THAT POINT THEY'LL BE FORMALLY CENSURED.

>> CAN WE ADD THE WORD VERBAL? FORMAL VERBAL CENSURE REPRIMAND UNDER C?

>> YES, I WILL ADD THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM TRUSTEES? JENNIFER CHECKED ALL THE LIGHTS DURING THE BREAK AND THEY WERE WORKING AND OUT THERE TIFFANY'S LIGHT WENT ON.

BUT GO AHEAD, TRUSTEE WESTON, I KNOW YOU HAD YOURS ON.

>> I JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT TRUSTEE JOHNSON, TRUSTEE FELLER, AND I DID COME UP AND MEET WITH MR. WESTON FOR A FEW HOURS LAST WEEK AND I FEEL WE MOVE THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD.

AM I 100 PERCENT SATISFIED WITH THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES? NO. BUT I REALLY ONLY HAVE TWO THINGS THAT STAND IN THE WAY RIGHT NOW BETWEEN BEING ABLE TO VOTE FOR THIS AND NOT, AND IT'S IN THIS SECTION.

I WASN'T LOOKING AT THE DRAFT, I WAS LOOKING AT THE ATTACHMENT THAT I THINK WOULD BE THE FINAL THAT YOU HAD ON THE AGENDA [OVERLAPPING] AND FOR THAT IT WAS PAGE 7 AND PAGE 9.

BECAUSE I WAS THE ONE THAT HELPED DRAFT THIS, I WASN'T REALLY LOOKING AT THE RED LINE VERSION, I WAS LOOKING AT THE [OVERLAPPING]

>> THE RED LINE VERSION HAS GOTTEN FAIRLY MESSY BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE DELETED AND CHANGED.

[OVERLAPPING]

>> YEAH. THANK YOU, MR. WESTON.

IF MY COLLEAGUES COULD JOIN ME ON THE VERSION THAT WE'VE GOT PULLED UP THAT WAS ON THE AGENDA, THAT'S A CLEANER, WHAT IT WOULD ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE.

IT'S ON PAGE 7.

I TALKED ABOUT IT IN JUNE SECOND MEETING WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

I TALKED ABOUT IT IN THE AUGUST 16TH MEETING WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AND I TALKED ABOUT IT LAST WEEK WHEN TRUSTEES FELLER AND JOHNSON AND I MET WITH MR. WESTON.

I'M DEEPLY TROUBLED BY THIS LANGUAGE UNDER LETTER G NUMBER 1, BEST INTERESTS OF THE DISTRICT.

I THINK THAT IT'S VAGUE.

THAT LANGUAGE IS NOT FOUND IN THE LAW BECAUSE IT IS VERY SUBJECTIVE, AND SO I WOULD NEED FOR THAT TO BE REMOVED.

[03:55:03]

LET'S SEE. I FORGET WHICH ONE IT WAS. OH, YES.

NUMBER 8 REFLECTS WELL ON THE DISTRICT.

THAT'S SUBJECT TO INTERPRETATION.

THAT'S AN OPINION-BASED QUALITATIVE LANGUAGE.

I WOULD REQUEST THAT ON PAGE 7 AND PAGE 12, THAT THOSE COUPLE OF WORDS BE REMOVED AND THEN I COULD BE A YES ON THIS.

>> I PERSONALLY WOULD NOT WANT TO TAKE THOSE OUT.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION ON THIS BOARD, BUT I THINK A MAJORITY OF THIS BOARD UNDERSTANDS WHAT'S THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE DISTRICT.

I THINK A MAJORITY OF THIS BOARD ALSO UNDERSTANDS WHAT REFLECTS WELL ON THIS DISTRICT AND WHAT DOES NOT AND I DON'T FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO TAKE THOSE OUT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT LAST WEEK FOR THOSE OF US THAT SPENT SOME FEW HOURS LAST WEEK ON THIS.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT WAS THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES SHOULD NOT BE WRITTEN FOR THIS BOARD.

THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES SHOULD BE AS ALL POLICY SHOULD BE WRITTEN FOR ANYBODY WHO'S SITTING IN THESE SEATS AT ANYTIME.

YOU REMEMBER THAT AMBER? I REALLY THINK THAT THE LESS SUBJECTIVE LANGUAGE, THE BETTER.

FOR ME THESE ARE MAJOR BARRIERS I'VE ADVOCATED AGAINST THE LANGUAGE IN THREE SEPARATE MEETINGS AND MY POSITION HASN'T CHANGED.

I THINK WE HAVE TO WRITE POLICY AND PROCEDURES AS THOUGH ANYBODY WOULD BE SITTING IN THESE SEATS.

>> MIA I CAN CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM IN TERMS OF ANOTHER BEST PRACTICES AND I UNDERSTAND WHERE TRUSTEE WEIRS COMING FROM, THAT'S A DETERMINATION OF THE BOARD AT THE TIME.

MY GOAL IS TO PASS THIS WITH EVERYBODY VOTING FOR IT BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ADVICE GIVEN TO US AND I DON'T WANT THIS THING TO STAND IN THE WAY OF THAT HAPPENING BECAUSE WE REALLY NEED THAT IN TERMS OF TO COMPLY WITH OUR MONITOR AND GET OUT FROM BEING UNDER A MONITOR.

I THINK IF WE PASS THIS UNANIMOUSLY, THAT THAT WOULD PUT US ONE STEP CLOSER TO MR. FALTYS TO SATISFYING THE CONDITIONS TO NOT HAVE A MONITOR ANYMORE.

IN THAT REGARD, I WOULD BE AMENABLE TO REMOVING THAT TO GET US CLOSER TO NOT HAVING A MONITOR.

>> I'LL JUST SAY I BELIEVE THE LANGUAGE HERE ON PAGE 7 THAT'S IN QUESTION.

OTHER BEST PRACTICES TO SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE DISTRICT THAT'S LIKELY REFLECTIVE OF THE FIDUCIARY DUTY THAT TRUSTEES OWED TO THE DISTRICT.

THAT LANGUAGE WAS ALREADY IN THERE, I'M NOT SURE HOW IT CAME TO BE, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO ATTRACT SO ALONG WITH THE GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT A FIDUCIARY DUTY IS.

JUST SO OUR TRUSTEE KNOW IN TERMS OF I THINK IT WAS ON THE OTHER ONE THAT'S IN QUESTION.

THAT'S JUST THE LANGUAGE THAT TASK B HAS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA POLICIES.

CERTAINLY, WE CAN ADJUST ONE OR BOTH OF THESE TO THE TRUSTEE'S DESIRE BUT I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU SOME BACKGROUND ON WHERE THOSE CAME FROM.

>> I DO WANT TO REMIND YOU, TRUSTEE THAT WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE SOCIAL MEDIA ONE, THAT'S MORE OF A GUIDE AND A RECOMMENDATION AS WE DISCUSSED IN ANYTHING ELSE.

>> CAN WE BE EXPLICIT ABOUT FIDUCIARY DUTY BECAUSE THAT'S OUR DUTY UNDER THE LAW? PEOPLE MAY HAVE VARYING OPINIONS ON WHETHER OR NOT IT'S GOOD TO CONTINUALLY SLAM OUR DISTRICT.

BUT I THINK THAT WE CAN PUT SOMETHING VERY EXPLICIT ABOUT FIDUCIARY DUTY SINCE THAT SEEMS TO BE THE PRIMARY CONCERN.

>> I THINK THAT'S CODIFIED IN THE LAW.

THE FIDUCIARY DUTIES THAT TRUSTEES HAVE ARE CODIFIED IN THE LAW.

>> I WOULDN'T SAY IT'S CODIFIED IN THE LAW, BUT THERE DOES APPEAR TO BE THE REQUIREMENT THAT TRUSTEES ACT AS A FIDUCIARY FOR THE DISTRICT.

TEXAS LAW IS NOT ENTIRELY CLEAR ON THAT, BUT THERE'S A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING THAT AMONG MOST FOLKS THAT THERE'S THAT REQUIREMENT IN THAT DUTY.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY JUST TO ECHO WHAT JACOB SAID ABOUT THAT AS WELL AS THE JUDICIARY IS LINKED TO THE FIDUCIARY DUTY, BUT ALSO AND JUST DOING THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE DISTRICT SEARCH AND YOUR LOCAL AND LEGAL POLICIES THAT LANGUAGE POPS UP IN VARIOUS EVEN BOARD ETHICS.

YOUR POLICIES, THAT LANGUAGE IS TRACKED IN VARIOUS POLICIES THAT IS APPLICABLE TO BOARD MEMBERS.

>> BUT IT'S ACTUALLY NOT CODIFIED IN THE LAW.

>> I KNOW IT'S CASE-LAW, I DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT YOU.

I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT TO FOLLOW-UP WAS YEAH.

I KNOW IT'S CASE LAW THAT EXPLAINS FIDUCIARY DUTIES AND WHATNOT.

I DON'T KNOW THERE'S A SPECIFIC STATUTE FOR BOARD MEMBERS AND FIDUCIARY DUTIES.

[04:00:03]

>> WELL, THEN LET'S ADD FIDUCIARY DUTIES WILL EXERCISE THEIR PROPER FIDUCIARY DUTIES.

BUT IT'S THE QUALITATIVE LANGUAGE AND THERE'S A REASON THAT IT'S BEREFT IN THE LAW THAT THAT LANGUAGE IS NOT THERE AND IT'S BECAUSE IT'S UP TO THE INTERPRETATION OF INDIVIDUALS.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF THERE'S A LAWSUIT THAT A CHILD WAS HARMED AND ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS, WAS IT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE DISTRICT HAS SETTLED THAT LAWSUIT, OR IS IT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE DISTRICT TO FIGHT THAT LAWSUIT? WELL, THAT DEPENDS ON WHO'S SITTING IN THESE SEATS.

THERE'S NO DEFINITION.

THERE'S NO RIGHT ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.

IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO JUDGMENT CALLS THAT INDIVIDUALS MAKE AND THAT'S WHY THAT LANGUAGE TROUBLES ME AND WHY I WOULD FAVOR IN ORDER TO VOTE FOR THIS, WE NEED IT TO BE REMOVED.

>> WOULD YOU BE AMENABLE TO US ADDING THE LANGUAGE OF FIDUCIARY DUTIES?

>> ARE WE ON PAGE 7 OR 12?

>> LET'S START WITH SEVEN.

>> THAT WAS UNDER G.

>> RIGHT, G1.

HOW ABOUT TRUSTEES OR BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, AND OTHER BEST PRACTICES TO SERVE THEIR FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES AS A TRUSTEE? DOES THAT WORK? TO SERVE THEIR FIDUCIARY DUTIES TO THE DISTRICT?

>> OR MAYBE WITH RESPECT TO THEIR FIDUCIARY DUTIES.

>> WITH RESPECT TO THEIR FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE DISTRICT.

>> YOU COULD ALSO LEAVE THAT LANGUAGE.

I KNOW THAT'S THE ISSUE, BUT YOU COULD SAY TO SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THE FIDUCIARY DUTIES OF TRUSTEES OR THE BOARD MEMBERS.

THAT WAY IT'S LINKED, GOES HAND IN HAND.

>> WHAT EXACTLY DO WE WANT IT TO SAY? JUST SO I'M CLEAR, I HAVE IT WRITTEN DOWN FOR EVERYBODY.

>> QUOTE VALERIE JUST SAID, PURSUANT TO THE FIDUCIARY DUTIES AND OTHER BEST PRACTICES PURSUANT TO THE FIDUCIARY DUTIES OF A TRUSTEE.

>> WELL, ACTUALLY SHE SAID TO SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE DISTRICT PURSUANT.

>> BUT I THINK SHE HAS A CHALLENGE WITH BEST INTERESTS OF THE DISTRICT.

>> YEAH, I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE IT AND LINK IT.

>> OR MAYBE IT'S JUST THE OATH OF OFFICE, OTHER BEST PRACTICES, A COMMITMENT TO THEIR FIDUCIARY DUTIES.

>> HOW ABOUT, AND I'M SORRY, I WAS WHISPERING IN JACOBS EAR, VALERIE WAS AND SO HE'S NEARLY SMACK ME UPSIDE THE HEAD.

TRUSTEES ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLY WITH THE BOARD POLICY, BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES, THE OATH OF OFFICE, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FIDUCIARY DUTIES THEY OWED TO THE DISTRICT.

>> I'M FINE WITH THAT.

>> IS THAT A MIDDLE GROUND?

>> WHAT CAN WE DO ON PAGE 12? WHAT WAS THE ONE ON PAGE 12?

>> PAGE 12 WAS NUMBER 8.

CONDUCT YOURSELF ONLINE IN A MANNER THAT REFLECTS WELL ON THE DISTRICT, AVOID POSTING INFORMATION THAT HAS NOT BEEN VERIFIED AND MADE PUBLIC.

I THINK JUST TAKE OUT THE FIRST, EVERYTHING BEFORE THE SEMICOLON.

>> WHICH SEMICOLON?

>> THE FIRST ONE ON NUMBER 8.

THESE ARE JUST GUIDELINES.

IF YOU GO BACK UP TO THE VERY TOP OF IT, IT SAYS TRUSTEES USING SOCIAL MEDIA IN THEIR ROLE AS PUBLIC OFFICIALS SHOULD FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES.

WHEN THE THREE OF US MET LAST WEEK, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AND ORIGINALLY TRUSTEE WESTERN WAS IN FAVOR OF REMOVING ALL OF THEM AND TRUSTEE JOHNSON REALLY SAID, AS A NEW TRUSTEE, HAVING SOME GUIDELINES OR SOME REFERENCE POINTS OF HOW TO CONDUCT YOURSELF BEST PRACTICES ON SOCIAL MEDIA WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HIM.

THAT'S HOW WE LEFT IT IN THERE AND WE'VE TURNED IT INTO GUIDELINES, NOT RULES.

>> THAT IS THE WHOLE ASPECT OF HAVING SHOULD NOT SHALL.

IT SAYS SHOULD UP ABOVE, SHOULD FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES.

IT'S NOT MANDATORY.

>> I'LL SEE. DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER CHANGES?

>> I HAVE A COMMENT.

>> TRUSTEE BOWEN.

>> ACTUALLY, IT'S ON THAT LIST YOU GUYS WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT, IT'S NUMBER 2.

I WOULD LIKE THAT REMOVED BECAUSE THAT'S ACTUALLY A LAW THAT WE CAN NOT DO THAT.

I THINK IT'S MISLEADING, ESPECIALLY TO MAYBE A NEW TRUSTEE.

>> I'M FINE WITH THAT.

>> IT IS A LAW, IT'S A WALKING QUORUM IN TERMS OF VIOLATION. THAT'S FINE WITH ME.

>> I JUST THINK IT MAKES IT CLEARER.

[04:05:01]

>> YEAH. YOU SHOULDN'T AVOID IT.

YOU SHOULD NOT.

[LAUGHTER] IT'S NOT A RECOMMENDATION ON THAT ONE. YES, MA'AM.

>> I HAVEN'T CHECKED. I LOOKED UP EARLIER THE TIME IN NORWAY RIGHT NOW I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE DR. BOWEN WAS TEACHING STUDENTS IN NORWAY ALL DAY TODAY.

WHAT TIME IS IT THERE IN NORWAY DR. BOWEN?

>> IT IS 4:54 AM.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CLARIFYING THAT.

I THINK WE'RE GOOD ON THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

>> LET'S GET A MOTION.

>> WAIT, CAN WE JUST VERIFY.

WE ADDED THE WORD VIRTUAL.

CAN WE JUST GO OVER THE VERBAL?

>> VERBAL.

>> THANK YOU. WE ADDED THE WORD VERBAL.

WE CHANGED TO FIDUCIARY DUTY.

WE TOOK OUT NUMBER 2 AND I THINK THAT WAS IT. JUST THOSE THREE.

>> THE MOTION WE COULD JUST SAY AS DISCUSSED, ANYBODY WANTS. [OVERLAPPING]

>> I MOVE THE BOARD APPROVE THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AS WITH CHANGES, AS DISCUSSED WITH AN ADOPTION DATE OF SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2022.

>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, TRUSTEE WESTERN.

>> CAN WE EXPECT THAT THESE WILL BE POSTED ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE?

>> YES.

>> ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ALL OPPOSE, SEEN NONE.

MOTION PASSES 7, 0.

[APPLAUSE] AWESOME.

WE ARE MOVING TO ITEM I4 WAVE, FIRST READING AND ADOPTION OF LOCAL POLICIES, BBF, BDAA, BDD, BE BED, AND BJCD.

NOW, TRUSTEES, AS YOU RECALL, MOST OF THESE ARE DIRECTLY REFLECTIVE OF THE CHANGES WE'VE MADE IN OUR BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

BUT I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MR. WESTON.

>> WE ARE JUST GO THROUGH THESE IN THE ORDER THAT THEY'RE LISTED.

FOR BBF LOCAL, THAT'S THE ETHICS POLICY, AND TRUSTEE WESTERN HAD REQUESTED THAT THAT BE CHANGED TO REFLECT WHAT HAS TO BE HAD, SO IT DELETED A FEW PROVISIONS AND THEN I EDITED ANOTHER PROVISION JUST BECAUSE THE LANGUAGE WAS SLIGHTLY OFF.

THAT'S WHAT THOSE CHANGES ARE.

>> MR. WESTON, THAT'S YOUR RED LINE ON PAGE 1 NEAR THE BOTTOM?

>> THERE'S A COUPLE THERE THAT I WILL KEEP CONFIDENTIAL.

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT?

>> YES, THAT WAS YOUR ONLY EDIT?

>> THAT WAS AN EDIT TO COMPLETELY REFLECT WHAT TASB USE LANGUAGE SAYS.

THAT'S NOT ONE THAT WE HAD PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, WHEN I WENT AND LOOKED AT WHAT TASB HAS BECAUSE YOUR DESIRE I THINK WAS TO REFLECT EXACTLY WHAT THEY HAVE, AGAIN, IT SAYS THE SAME THING JUST IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> THIS NOW MIRRORS TASB.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> THEN THIS IS WHAT I'M IN FAVOR OF.

>> THE ONLY ONE OF THESE I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING THROUGH EACH ONE OF THEM, TRUSTEES SHOULD HAVE REVIEWED THEM.

THE ONLY ONE THAT I HAD A QUESTION ON, AND AGAIN, GOING BACK TO WHAT TRUSTEE WESTON SAID, WE'RE WRITING POLICIES FOR THIS BOARD AND FUTURE BOARDS IS IN BED.

WE HAVE THE CHANGE WHERE WE CHANGED IT FROM PRESIDING OFFICER TO A CONSENSUS OF THE BOARD, AND THIS IS TALKING ABOUT CHANGING THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT PUBLIC SPEAKERS ARE ALLOWED.

I THINK ANYTIME THAT HAPPENED SINCE I'VE BEEN SITTING FOR SURE I'VE ASKED FOR CONSENSUS FROM THE BOARD, BUT I LIKE HAVING THE OPTION FOR A PRESIDING OFFICER, AND I'M NOT SAYING JUST FOR ME, BUT FOR ANY PRESIDING OFFICER TO MAKE THAT DECISION, ONLY BECAUSE WE MIGHT GET INTO A LENGTHY DISCUSSION AND IT CAN JUST DELAY THE START OF A MEETING.

IDEALLY, I WOULD THINK A CONSENSUS IS BEST, BUT TAKING IT OUT AND YOU'VE NOW TAKEN THAT OPTION AWAY FROM THE PRESIDING OFFICER ALTOGETHER.

THAT'S MY ONLY FEEDBACK ON IT.

I'M NOT GOING TO DIE ON THIS HILL, BUT IT'S JUST SOMETHING TO CONSIDER FOR ANYBODY SITTING IN THIS ROLE THAT YOU ARE TAKING A LITTLE BIT OF THAT AUTHORITY TO GET A MEETING STARTED AND YOU CAN GET INTO SOME DEBATE.

I'VE SAID I'M NOT REPEATING MYSELF.

>> I THINK THAT LANGUAGE IS TASB RECOMMENDED TO USE BY OTHER DISTRICTS.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER'S LANGUAGE THAT'S UTILIZED IN BY OTHER DISTRICTS.

>> I'M GOOD TO KEEP IT IN, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE OUT OF COURTESY, THE PRESIDING OFFICER HAS ALMOST ALWAYS ASKED, BUT SOMETIMES I KNOW THROUGHOUT THE DAY, THE PRESIDING OFFICER OFTEN GETS INFORMATION ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, ETC.

I THINK THAT WE CAN ALL TREAT EACH OTHER WITH COURTESY AND FUTURE BOARDS CAN DO THAT, BUT I'M FINE WITH THE LANGUAGE OF PRESIDING OFFICER.

[04:10:01]

>> I ACTUALLY I DON'T KNOW IF MY BUTTON'S WORKING.

I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT BDD.

>> THE SAME POLICY?

>> NO. IT'S A DIFFERENT ONE.

>> LET'S FINISH THIS ONE FIRST.

WHAT ARE OTHER THOUGHTS ON PRESIDING OFFICER VERSUS CONSENSUS?

>> I'M FINE WITH GOING WITH TRUSTEE, HARRISON SAID AND WHAT YOU SAID, I'M FINE WITH GOING BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS WITH HAVING PRESIDING OFFICER.

>> ANY OTHER OBJECTIONS? THEN LET'S GO BACK TO PRESIDING OFFICER.

IT'S CONSISTENT. TRUSTEE WESTON INTERESTING WE HAD A QUESTION ON BDD.

>> YEAH, AND THIS ACTUALLY GOES BACK A COUPLE OF VERSIONS OF BDD THAT WE HAD AT ONE POINT THEY WEREN'T TURNED IN TO TASB, SO OUR UPDATES DIDN'T SHOW UP ON TASB, AND THEN THEY'VE FIXED THEM ACCORDING TO LIKE THERE WAS OLD AND THEN THERE WAS NEW AND THE NEW WASN'T TURNED IN, SO THEN THE OLD GOT UPDATED.

MY QUESTION ACTUALLY IS IN THAT FIRST PARAGRAPH WHERE IT SAYS THE DISTRICT'S GENERAL COUNSEL WILL OVERSEE OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS FOR OUR BOARD ATTORNEY.

IF THAT NEEDS TO BE PULLED OUT SO THAT OUR BOARD ATTORNEY IS NOT REPORTING OR BEING OVERSEEN BY THE DISTRICT'S GENERAL COUNSEL.

>> TO TALK ABOUT THAT FIRST PARAGRAPH WHERE IT SAYS THE DISTRICT HAS RETAINED A GENERAL COUNSEL AS AN ATTORNEY TO SERVICE.

>> AT ONE POINT A PREVIOUS BOARD, BEFORE ANY OF US WERE ON IT HAD FIXED THAT PARAGRAPH, BUT THAT VERSION WAS NEVER TURNED INTO TASB.

TASB NEVER HAD IT, SO WHEN THE NEXT UPDATE CAME UP, THEY WENT TO THE ONE PRE-2016.

>> ARE YOU SUGGESTING JUST TO ADD A LINE TO CURB OUT BOARD COUNCIL?

>> JUST BECAUSE THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN.

IT'S WRITTEN SO THAT MS. HILL IS ACTUALLY OVERSEEING MS. CARRILLO AND SHE'S OUR ATTORNEY.

SHE'S NOT THE DISTRICT'S ATTORNEY.

>> COULD PUT A SENTENCE. THE BOARD HAS RETAINED OUTSIDE COUNSEL OR THE BOARD HAS THE AUTHORITY TO RETAIN OUTSIDE COUNSEL.

>> YES, I LIKE THAT BETTER. HAS THE AUTHORITY.

NOT THAT IT DOES BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS, BUT IT MAY.

>> THE BOARD HAS THE AUTHORITY TO RETAIN OUTSIDE COUNSEL TO REPRESENT THE BOARD?

>> YEAH, OUTSIDE COUNSEL TO REPRESENT THE BOARD.

>> WHICH WILL ONLY REPORT TO THE BOARD?

>> YEAH, WHO WILL REPORT TO THE BOARD.

>> IS THAT SATISFACTORY?

>> YEAH. THAT'S FINE. I DO APOLOGIZE FOR NOT SENDING THAT IN SOONER.

IF WE COULD JUST ADD THAT ONE SENTENCE I WILL APPRECIATE.

>> ARE YOU OKAY TO TRACK THAT ONE, MR. WESTON?

>> YES, I CAN GO BACK AND MAKE SURE I HAVE THE LANGUAGE CORRECT.

>> YOU CAN WATCH THE MEETING TO CATCH THAT.

>> YEAH, I AGREE THAT BOARD COUNCIL IS SEPARATE AND IT'S PROBABLY NOT WELL DEFINED HERE.

I GUESS THERE'S SOME BACKGROUND TO WHY THAT MIGHT BE.

>> I HAVE ALL THE OLD COPIES.

I'LL BE HAPPY TO SHARE THEM WITH YOU.

I HAVE THEM PRINTED, BUT I DID GET THEM ALL FROM TASB AND FROM OUR OLD MINUTES, SO I'LL BE HAPPY TO SHARE THAT.

>> DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY OTHER? GO AHEAD, TRUSTEE WESTON.

>> ON BE NOT ONLY WAS AT THE JUNE 2ND, AUGUST 16TH MEETINGS WHERE WE WENT OVER THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AT LENGTH, WHICH I THINK WAS GOOD.

I REMEMBER THAT THE CONSENSUS OF THE BOARD ON BE LOCAL WAS TO CHANGE IT FROM 2-3 MEMBERS OF THE BOARD TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING, PUBLIC HEARING, WORK SESSION, EMERGENCY MEETING, ETC.

BUT THAT'S NOT A THRESHOLD THAT I AM IN FAVOR OF BECAUSE FOR THE REASON THAT MR. WESTON ADVISED IN THOSE MEETINGS WITH THE SEVEN-MEMBER BOARD STANDARD WOULD BE TWO.

I KNOW THAT THE CONSENSUS IS TO MAKE IT THREE.

CAN WE JUST GO THROUGH THESE ONE-BY-ONE FOR APPROVAL IS MY QUESTION.

>> I HAVE A SEPARATE MOTION FOR BE.

>> ALSO BJ CD BECAUSE MY CONCERN ABOUT BJ CD IS NAMING LONE STAR GOVERNANCE AT THE BOTTOM OF PAGE 1.

I'M JUST RELUCTANT TO CODIFY THE EVALUATION INSTRUMENT BECAUSE AGAIN, THAT COULD CHANGE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT OVERRIDES POLICY ANYWAY.

MY PREFERENCE IS TO REMOVE THE SPECIFIC TOOL, BUT IF THAT IS NOT THE WILL OF THE BOARD, MY ONLY ASK IS THAT WE COULD VOTE ON THIS POLICY SEPARATELY.

>> ON BJ CD, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE RED LINE TO PORTION?

[04:15:05]

IT DOESN'T SAY THAT WE WILL BE USING THAT INSTRUMENT.

IT JUST SAYS PURSUANT TO LONE STAR GOVERNANCE APPRAISAL MODEL, WE WILL MEET QUARTERLY TO DISCUSS THEIR PERFORMANCE.

IT DOESN'T SAY THAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO USE THEIR INSTRUMENT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

ALL THIS DOES IS IT SAYS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE REQUIRED TO MEET QUARTERLY TO DISCUSS HIS PERFORMANCE, HIS OR HER, WHOEVER.

>> THEN I WOULD ASK YOU TO JUST SAY THAT.

>> HONESTLY, I THINK IT SHOULD SAY PURSUANT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT.

THE BOARD WILL MEET TO DISCUSS THE PERFORMANCE AND GOAL PROGRESS.

>> I AGREE.

>> BECAUSE IF THERE'S EVER A DISAGREEMENT, THE CONTRACT TRUMPS EVERYTHING.

MR. WESTON, ON BJCD, PAGE 2.

INSTEAD OF SAYING PURSUANT TO TEXAS EDUCATION LONE STAR GOVERNANCE APPRAISAL MODEL CAN WE SAY PURSUANT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT, THE BOARD WILL MEET QUARTERLY WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT TO DISCUSS?

>> YES.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE COLLABORATION.

>> THAT ONE DOES NOT NEED TO BE PULLED NOW?

>> NO, IT JUST BE WOULD BE SEPARATE, PLEASE.

>> ANY OTHER POLICIES TO DISCUSS? ALL RIGHT. DOES SOMEBODY WANT TO MAKE A MOTION PULLING OUT BE?

>> I MOVE THAT THE BOARD WAVE FIRST READING AND ADOPT WITH CHANGES AS DISCUSSED, LOCAL POLICIES, BBF BDAA, BDD, BED, AND BJCD, WITH AN ADOPTION DATE OF SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2022.

>> SORRY, CAN I CLARIFY ONE THING? WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY CHANGES TO BED NOW.

>> OH, OKAY.

I'M GOING TO WITHDRAW THAT MOTION [LAUGHTER] ONCE AGAIN.

I WITHDRAW THAT MOTION.

MY NEW MOTION IS I MOVE THAT THE BOARD WAVE FIRST READING AND ADOPT LOCAL POLICIES, BBF, BDAA, BDD, AND BJCD WITH CHANGES AS DISCUSSED WITH AN ADOPTION DATE OF SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2022.

>> ALL RIGHT. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND.

ALL OPPOSE? SEEING NONE.

MOTION PASSES SEVEN ZERO.

SOMEBODY ELSE WANT TO MAKE THE MOTION FOR BE?

>> I MOVE THAT THE BOARD WAVE FIRST READING AND ADOPT LOCAL POLICY BE AS PRESENTED WITH AN ADOPTION DATE OF SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2022.

>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND.

ALL OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES FIVE TWO.

WE'RE NOW TRACKING RIGHT ALONG I5 WAVE FIRST READING AND ADOPTION OF TEA MODEL POLICY EFB AS REQUESTED BY TRUSTEE WESTON OR TASB POLICY EFA LOCAL AND EFB LOCAL.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY FOR THE RECORD, TRUSTEES, THE REASON WE'RE SEEING THIS, THIS MONTH, WE TYPICALLY GET REGULAR UPDATES FROM TASB POLICIES.

WE ARE GOING TO BE REVIEWING THE 119 UPDATE IN OCTOBER, WHICH IS ALL OF THE CHANGES THAT THEY WOULD'VE MADE INTO THAT.

IT WILL BE WE GET A BIG GROUP OF POLICIES THAT ARE CHANGED.

THIS WAS REQUESTED TO BE REVIEWED SPECIFICALLY BY TRUSTEE WESTON BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO CONSIDER THE TEA MODEL POLICY, EFB.

THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE TASB POLICY WHO WRITES ALL OF OUR OTHER POLICIES THAT THEY'VE REQUESTED OR THAT THEY HAVE PROPOSED EFA LOCAL AND EFB LOCAL.

I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO MS. HILL AT THIS TIME TO GIVE US A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION.

>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT FELLER.

AS YOU ARE AWARE AND AS YOU HEARD TONIGHT, ROUND ROCK ISD LIBRARY SERVICES IS STAFFED WITH VERY HIGHLY TRAINED, HIGHLY SKILLED, WELL-EDUCATED, CERTIFIED LIBRARIANS WHO DO THEIR BEST EVERY DAY TO MAKE OUR LIBRARY SOME OF THE BEST AND OUR POLICIES, ONE OF THE BEST.

WE DEVELOP THE POLICY THAT HAS BEEN WORKING EXTREMELY WELL FOR THIS DISTRICT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR OUR LIBRARIANS WHO ARE HERE TONIGHT.

AS, WE HEARD TONIGHT WHEN THERE ARE MATERIALS AND THE VERY RARE SITUATION THAT ARE INAPPROPRIATE OR POLICY VERY QUICKLY ALLOWS US TO RESOLVE THAT.

AS THE PARENT TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT, SHE BROUGHT THIS TO THE LIBRARIAN.

THEY IMMEDIATELY WERE ABLE TO RESOLVE THAT,

[04:20:01]

GET IT OFF THE SHELVES SO THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION.

UNLIKE SOME OF THE DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE, WE ACTUALLY WE'RE DOING SOMETHING VERY GOOD.

THAT BRINGS US TO APRIL OF LAST YEAR.

IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR, THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, AS WELL AS TASB, CAME OUT AND PREPARED TWO SAMPLE POLICIES TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS THAT HAD BEEN RAISED BY GOVERNOR ABBOTT THAT STUDENTS MAY HAVE ACCESS TO OBSCENE MATERIALS.

BOTH OF THE SAMPLE POLICIES WERE PREPARED TO ASSIST SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DEVELOPING THEIR OWN POLICIES ABOUT LIBRARY MATERIALS.

AS WE KNOW ROUND ROCK ISD, LIKE ALMOST EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS ALWAYS USED TASB TO DEVELOP THEIR POLICIES.

ONE OF THE REASONS WE DO THAT IS BECAUSE TASB HAS A WHOLE TEAM OF POLICY EXPERTS WHO DRAFT POLICIES FOR US.

WE RECOGNIZE OUR EXPERTISE GENERALLY, WE WILL TAKE THEIR POLICIES AS OUR BASE AND ONLY MAKE VERY MINOR CHANGES, WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU'RE GOING TO SEE TONIGHT THAT WE HAVE DONE.

TA HAS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

HOWEVER, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY DO NOT DO ON A REGULAR BASIS IS DRAFT POLICIES, LOCAL POLICIES FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

IF YOU GO TO THE TA WEBSITE RIGHT NOW YOU WILL NOTE THAT THIS IS THE ONLY POLICY RESOURCE THAT THEY HAVE FOR LOCAL POLICIES.

IS THIS PARTICULAR POLICY THAT THEY HAVE PRESENTED WITH REGARD TO LIBRARY POLICIES.

WHILE KNOWING THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SIMPLE THING FOR US TO JUST SAY, WE'RE JUST GOING TO ADOPT THE TASB POLICY THAT'S WHAT WE'RE USED TO OR WE'RE GOING TO ADOPT THE TASB POLICY WITH OUR THINGS.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION DID.

IN THE SPRING, WE STARTED LOOKING AT THESE POLICIES.

WE TALKED TO DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE.

THOSE IN ADMINISTRATION TALKED TO OUR COLLEAGUES IN OTHER DISTRICTS.

WE WATCHED HOW OTHER DISTRICTS WERE NAVIGATING THIS.

WE SAW SOME OF THE VERY PUBLIC THINGS THAT WERE GOING ON WITH DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE WITH REGARD TO LIBRARY BOOKS.

WE TALKED TO STATEWIDE GROUPS SUCH AS THE TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

WE GOT INPUT FROM ALL STAKEHOLDERS AND WE LOOKED AT THE TWO POLICIES AND WE REALIZED, AS WELL AS REVIEWING OUR OWN VERY SUCCESSFUL POLICY.

AFTER WE DID ALL THAT, WE DETERMINED THAT THE TASB POLICY WAS MUCH CLOSER TO WHAT WE WERE DOING.

IN FACT, IT WAS VERY CLOSE TO WHAT WE WERE DOING.

WHAT WE DID AS WE ARE BRINGING TO YOU TONIGHT A RECOMMENDATION TO GO FORWARD WITH THE TASB POLICY WITH SOME MINOR CHANGES THAT WE HAVE MADE TO REFLECT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE DISTRICT.

AS WE SAID ORIGINALLY, WE WOULD HAVE BROUGHT THIS WITH ALL OF THE POLICY DATES FOR OUR OCTOBER MEETING.

IT MAY BE A LITTLE BIT CONFUSING ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT.

LET ME EXPLAIN WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH THINGS.

WE ARE ONLY LOOKING AT LOCAL POLICIES.

ONE OF THE POLICIES, THE POLICY THAT WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSING ON PRIMARILY TONIGHT IS EFB.

HOWEVER, THERE IS ANOTHER POLICY WHICH IS EFA.

EFA IS A COMPANION POLICY FOR EFB AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE BRINGING IT TOGETHER. THEY GO TOGETHER.

ONE HAS TO DO WITH THE STRUCTURAL MATERIALS, ONE HAS TO DO WITH LIBRARY MATERIALS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT EFA.

CURRENTLY, WE HAVE A CURRENT EFA.

LET'S SEE IF JIM CAN PULL UP THE CURRENT EFA.

THERE WE GO. INBOARD DOCS.

YOU'LL SEE THAT THIS IS A VERY SHORT FOUR-PARAGRAPH POLICY.

WHAT THE TASB HAS THOUGHT IS THEY HAVE RATHER THAN TRYING TO AMEND THIS.

THAT'S WHY THERE'S NOT A RED LINE.

IF YOU'RE WONDERING, WHY DON'T I HAVE A RED LINE ON MY EFAS? THAT'S BECAUSE THE POLICY HAS BASICALLY CHANGED.

LET'S PULL UP EFA LOCAL.

THE NEW ONE THAT HAS BEEN DRAFTED BY TASB.

>> I THINK SHE'S NOT ON THE CURRENT EFA LOCAL.

I THINK SHE WAS ON THE ONE YOU'RE JUST NOW REFERRING TO CYNTHIA. CINDY, SORRY.

>> SORRY. WHAT DID I ASK HER TO PULL UP? YOU ASKED HER TO PULL UP THE CURRENT ONE, THE SHORT ONE, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WAS ON THE SCREEN.

THE EFA THE SHORT ONE WAS A FOUR-PAGE ONE THAT WAS ON THERE.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.

[04:25:03]

THAT IS THE CURRENT POLICY EFA LOCAL.

I WAS LOOKING AT MY OWN SO INSTEAD OF UP ON THE SCREEN, I APOLOGIZE.

THAT'S WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.

THE TASB HAS LIKE I SAID, THERE WAS NO WAY TO JUST REWRITE THIS LITTLE SHORT POLICY.

THEY CAME UP WITH A WHOLE NEW ONE, EFA LOCAL, THE FOUR-PAGE POLICY.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE PRESENTING TO THE BOARD TONIGHT.

LET ME TAKE YOU THROUGH.

>> YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO DO.

>> WHEN I WAS DOING RESEARCH FOR THIS, MEANING I SOLVING IT YOU INCLUDED THE FA.

BUT THERE'S ALSO EF LOCAL WHICH DEALS WITH INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES AS WELL.

IT LOOKS VERY SIMILAR TO THE COMBINATION OF EFA AND EFB THE TASB IS PROVIDING, BUT THIS IS THE POLICY THAT IN THE PAST WHEN THE BOARD CONSIDERED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS OR LIBRARY MATERIALS THAT WE WERE UTILIZING IS EF LOCAL.

THAT WAS WHAT I WAS USING AS A COMPARISON IN TERMS OF ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT POLICIES.

I FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE GUIDING DOCUMENT IN TERMS OF WHAT WE CURRENTLY USE.

THE EFA IS NOT IN TOTALITY.

IT'S REALLY EF IS MORE BROAD AND COVERS IN MORE DETAIL.

AS I WAS COMPARING OUR CURRENT POLICY VERSUS WHAT'S PROPOSED BY TASB AND TEA.

THAT'S THE DOCUMENT THAT I WAS UTILIZING IN TERMS OF COMPARISON.

>> LET ME MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND BECAUSE TA HAS NEVER PRODUCED ANY INSTRUCTIONAL POLICY.

THEY'VE ONLY DONE A LIBRARY POLICY.

>> EF IS PRETTY BROAD BECAUSE IT JUST SAYS IN THIS POLICY, INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES MAY INCLUDE TEXTBOOKS, LIBRARY ACQUISITION, SUPPLEMENTARY RESOURCES FOR CLASSROOM USE, AND ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCE INCLUDING ELECTRONIC RESOURCES USED FOR FORMAL OR INFORMAL TEACHING AND LEARNING PURPOSES? EF DOES COVER LIBRARY RESOURCE.

>> YES MA'AM I'M SORRY.

MAYBE I WASN'T CLEAR BEFORE, TASB HAD MADE A DECISION BACK IN APRIL THAT THEY WERE GOING TO SPLIT OUT THE TWO POLICIES THAT USED TO BE COVERED BY EF EXCLUSIVELY FOR BOTH POLICIES, WHAT I MEAN LIBRARY AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WERE RECOVERED BY ONE POLICY.

TASB AS WELL AS THE TA SPLIT OUT LIBRARY POLICIES IN THEIR OWN SEPARATE POLICY AND HAS INSTRUCTIONAL POLICIES AS A SEPARATE POLICY.

NOW, WE ALWAYS HAD AN EFA, BUT WE USED TO HAVE AN EF THAT HAD BOTH POLICIES.

NOW THAT'S GOING TO BE CHANGED BY TASB AND THAT'S WHERE THE CONFUSION LIES.

JUST FOR PURPOSES OF CLARIFICATION ON THE BOARD, WE HAVE SPOKEN TO AND DONE SOME INFORMAL POLLS WITH DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS AND EVERYBODY IS THAT WE'VE EVER TALKED TO.

I KNOW THERE'S PROBABLY SOME DISTRICT THAT I MISSED, BUT EVERY DISTRICT THAT WE'VE TALKED TO HAS DECIDED TO GO WITH THE SPLIT POLICY BETWEEN INSTRUCTION AND LIBRARY SO THEY'RE DIFFERENT.

IF THAT WAS CONFUSING I APOLOGIZE.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EFA, THAT'S ONLY GOING TO BE INSTRUCTIONAL POLICY.

IT USED TO BE A VERY SMALL POLICY BECAUSE THE BULK OF IT WAS CONTAINED IN EF.

LET'S ACTUALLY LOOK AT THIS FOR JUST ONE SECOND.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RED LINES THAT YOU WILL SEE ON THE EFA LOCAL THAT WE HAVE PRESENTED, OUR RED LINES THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS LOOKED.

THOSE ARE CHANGES FROM THE STANDARD TASB POLICY THAT WE FEEL

[04:30:03]

BETTER SUIT OUR DISTRICT AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

I KNOW RYAN AND HIS FOLKS ARE HERE WHO COULD ASK ANY SUBSTANTIVE QUESTIONS, BUT YOU'LL SEE THAT THE CHANGES WE HAVE ON EFA ARE FAIRLY STRAIGHTFORWARD.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION.

WE WERE PRESENTED THIS, LOOKED AT THIS.

I'M READY TO MAKE A MOTION.

CAN I JUST GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE MOTION? WELL, THAT'S MY QUESTION.

>> YOU CAN MAKE A MOTION.

>> I MOVE THAT THE BOARD WAVE FIRST READING AND ADOPT THE TASB VERSION OF EFA LOCAL AS PRESENTED AND MODIFIED BY ADMINISTRATION.

>> I SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO JUST CALL THE QUESTION.

>> I CALL THE QUESTION.

>> ALL IN FAVOR OF ENDING DISCUSSION AND VOTING RAISE YOUR HAND.

>> THERE WASN'T A SECOND, BUT I'D LIKE TO SECOND THAT.

>> SORRY, I FORGOT THERE'S A SECOND REQUIRED FOR CALL THE CODE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR OF ENDING DISCUSSION AND VOTING, RAISE YOUR HAND.

ALL OPPOSED? MOTION FAILS FOR THREE.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE TABLE.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION?

>> I REALLY LIKE STEPS THAT ARE IN OUR CURRENT EF POLICY.

THEY'RE REALLY SPELLED OUT.

THERE ARE A LOT MORE CONCRETE THAN WHAT'S BEEN INCLUDED IN THE TASB GENERATED POLICY.

THAT WAS WHAT I WANTED TO DISCUSS BECAUSE THEY GIVE A NUMBER OF DAYS AND IT'S VERY SPELLED OUT IN OUR CURRENT POLICY AND I FEEL LIKE IT'S JUST BETTER THAN WHAT THE TASB POLICY IS PROPOSING.

>> THAT'S THE QUESTION. WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT STEPS IN SUCH IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE EXHIBIT IN OUR CURRENT POLICY AROUND THE ACTUAL REVIEW PROCESS IF SOMEBODY CHALLENGES A BOOK.

>> RIGHT. ON EF YOU HAVE ON PAGE 3 OF 7, YOU HAVE REQUESTS FOR INFORMAL RECONSIDERATION THAN REQUESTS FOR FORMAL RECONSIDERATION OF LEARNING SOURCE.

IT HAS STEP 1, STEP 2 ON THE INFORMAL THAN ON RE-FORMAL LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2, AND LEVEL 3.

THIS IS THE PROCESS THAT WE'VE USED OVER THE YEARS TO GUIDE RECONSIDERATION OF MATERIALS.

I THINK IT'S A REALLY GOOD PROCESS.

I THINK IT'S VERY SPELLED OUT AND I THINK IT'S SUPERIOR TO WHAT TASB'S PROCESS RECOMMENDATION IS.

>> I'LL LET RYAN EXPLAINING THIS ALSO, BUT JUST SO YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO INTENTION OF CHANGING THAT PROCESS, BUT EXHIBITS ARE NOT APPROVED BY THE BOARD.

>> THE UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS ENTIRE PROCESS THAT'S OUTLINED IN EF.

>> CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE'RE NOT REALLY TALKING ABOUT THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING OR CHALLENGING THAT THAT'S PART OF THE EXHIBIT.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE DOING TONIGHT IS TALKING ABOUT THE SELECTION AND THE FIRST PART OF THE PROCESS.

>> WELL, IT'S IN THE POLICY THEY HAVE IN HERE INFORMAL RECONSIDERATION, FORMAL RECONSIDERATION, IT'S IN EFB.

>> COREY ARE YOU PROPOSING THAT WE DON'T ADOPT EITHER ONE OF THE TASB OR THE TEA POLICY AND WE STAY WITH OUR LOCAL EF.

BECAUSE WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO REWRITE THE POLICY TONIGHT ON THE A.

>> NO, I'M JUST SAYING THAT IN SUBSTITUTION FOR THEIR PARAGRAPHS ON INFORMAL RECONSIDERATION AND FORMAL RECONSIDERATION, WE SUBSTITUTE WHAT WE HAVE IN TERMS OF AN EF BECAUSE I THINK THAT THAT'S A SUPERIOR PROCESS.

WHAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY OUTLINED IN THE TASB POLICY.

>> AS CINDY SAID, WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY INTENTION OF CHANGING THAT PROCESS.

WE AGREE IT'S A GOOD PROCESS.

I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARILY WHAT THIS IS PERTAINING TO. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

>> THERE'S NOTHING IN THE PROPOSED POLICY THAT WOULD PREVENT US FROM USING OUR CURRENT PROCEDURES.

WE CAN ADD AN EXHIBIT THAT TALKS ABOUT IT IF TO EFA OR EFP.

BUT I WILL JUST TELL THE BOARD AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF CHANGING THE CURRENT POLICY BECAUSE IT'S WORKED FOR

[04:35:02]

US TO THE EXTENT THERE'S ANY CHANGE REQUIRED BY LAW, WE'LL WE'LL BRING THAT BACK TO YOU.

BUT THE BOARD DOESN'T NECESSARILY NEED TO APPROVE THE PROCEDURE TONIGHT BECAUSE THAT IS CONTAINED IN EXHIBIT SO THERE'S NOTHING IN OR SO MANY DAYS AND ALL OF THAT THAT IS CONTRARY TO THE EFA OR EFB POLICIES THAT TALK ABOUT AN INFORMAL AND FORMAL.

BASICALLY, WHAT WE WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT IS IN THE EXHIBIT THAT WOULD BE OUR FORMAL PROCESS.

IT DOESN'T DOESN'T SET FORTH IN AS MUCH DETAIL AS WE HAVE, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY WILL PUT THAT IN THE EXHIBIT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR PROCESS IS.

>> IT WOULD BE JUST AN ADDITION IN TERMS OF AN EXHIBIT THAT WOULD LOOK EXACTLY LIKE WHAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY.

THAT WAS JUST A CLARIFICATION BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO SCRAP WHAT I KNEW IT'S TO BE A GOOD PROCESS AND SO THAT'S A GOOD CLARIFICATION. THANK YOU.

>> TRUSTEE WESTERN YOU'RE NEXT BUT JUST ONE LITTLE FOLLOW-UP.

IF WE APPROVE EFA AND EFB, EF GOES AWAY, DO WE HAVE TO HAVE A MOTION?

>> THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.

I WASN'T SURE IF WHAT THE RECOMMENDATION IS AND WHAT TASB HAS PROPOSED FOR EFA AND EFB LOCAL, DOES THE EF GO AWAY THE LOCAL OR DOES IT NEED TO BE REVISED?

>> LET ME PULL UP THE TASB LETTER.

MY RECOLLECTION IS THAT IT DOES AWAY WITH IT THAT THAT'S A PROBLEM WITH NOT DOING UPDATES ALL AT ONCE.

>> PERHAPS 119 WOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF EF WHEN YOU APPROVE THIS. THAT MAKES SENSE.

>> YEAH. I BELIEVE THAT 119 DOES GET RID OF EF AND SPLITS IT TO EFA AND EFB.

>> THAT MAKES SENSE.

>> DO WE HAVE THE OPTION TO JUST LOOK AT THIS NEXT MONTH AT THE PROPOSED TIME WHERE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO?

>> YOU'RE READING MY MIND. COULD I ACTUALLY JUST MAKE A STATEMENT? CAN I INTERRUPT? I DID NOT ASK FOR EFA JUST FOR THE RECORD.

I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT I'VE LEARNED TONIGHT WHY THEY'RE BASICALLY COMPANIONS.

I GUESS WE'RE NOT CLEAR IF EF IS GOING TO GO AWAY.

LAST FALL, WE HAD MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY COME TO OUR BOARD MEETINGS AND PRESENT US WITH MATERIALS.

ONE OF THE MEMBERS EVEN BROUGHT SOME EXAMPLES OF SOME THINGS IN HERE.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD WANT THEIR CHILDREN EXPOSED TO AT A YOUNG AGE.

THERE WAS A LOT OF CONTROVERSY ABOUT THIS.

THEN IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR, TEA, I THINK IT WAS APRIL 10TH, PUBLISHES THIS POLICY TO TRY TO ADDRESS THIS.

I SAY, WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

I SENT AN EMAIL TO THE BOARD PRESIDENT, AMBER, BACK IN APRIL.

I SAY, I THINK WE NEED TO ADD THIS TO AN AGENDA, AND THEN IT SHOWS UP ON THIS AGENDA.

I'M LIKE, HERE WE GO.

NOW, NOBODY FROM THE ADMINISTRATION EVER TOLD ME ABOUT WHAT THE RIGHT TIMING OF THAT WOULD BE.

I JUST MAKE THE AGENDA ITEM REQUEST.

IT SHOWS UP WHEN IT SHOWS UP.

THEN I SEE THAT THIS TASB VERSION, AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THIS TASB HAD A VERSION UNTIL 10 DAYS AGO WHEN WE GOT THE DRAFT AGENDA.

I SAW THERE'S A TASB VERSION, BUT THEN I SAW THAT IT'S ACTUALLY DATED APRIL 18TH, WHICH IS EIGHT DAYS AFTER TEA PUT THEIR VERSION OUT.

I SAY, MAYBE THIS IS WORTH CONSIDERING. I DON'T KNOW.

I'M JUST LOOKING AT THIS STUFF AND THEN NOW IN THE MEETING I'M LEARNING THAT WE HAVE AN UPDATE COMING NEXT MONTH.

TO YOUR POINT, TRUSTEE HARRISON, I'M WONDERING IF THE WAY THIS SHOULD WORK IS THAT THIS SHOULD BE UP FOR NEXT MONTH.

>> THAT'S TOTALLY FINE WITH ME IF WE PUSH IT TO OCTOBER.

I WILL SAY BEHIND THE SCENES THE REASON WHY YOU REQUESTED IN APRIL AND THE REASON WHY IT'S TAKEN THIS LONG TO GET HERE IS WE DON'T MEET IN JULY, SO THAT TAKES ONE MONTH OUT.

BUT ALSO WAS GETTING THE REVISIONS AND ALSO SEEING HOW THINGS FLOATED OUT ACROSS THE STATE AND SEE WHAT OTHER DISTRICTS WERE APPROVING, WHAT FEEDBACK THEY WERE GETTING.

THAT WAS PART OF IT SO THAT'S WHY IT CAME TODAY.

>> CAN I ADD AND ALSO SOMETHING THAT WE DO HAVE A GREAT POLICY I THINK.

THAT'S THE THING. IT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE RIGHT AWAY.

WE NEEDED TO MAKE SURE CHECK WITH LEGAL.

AGAIN, TEA WHAT THEY'RE RELEASED IN APRIL.

I REMEMBER SITTING IN ACTUALLY IN A RIGID 13 MEETING WITH ALL SUPERINTENDENT FROM SEVERAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IN CENTRAL TEXAS.

WE HAD LAWYERS, THEY'RE TALKING TO US AND THEY SAID, YOU HAVE TO WAIT, DO NOT RUSH AND ADOPT ANY TEA.

BECAUSE TEA HONESTLY, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO TEA, THEY DO NOT WRITE POLICIES, WRITE FOR TASB,

[04:40:02]

AND THEN CHECK WITH YOUR GENERAL COUNSEL AND MAKE SURE RESEARCH IT.

FROM OUR STANDPOINT, AGAIN, OUR DISTRICT DOES HAVE A GREAT POLICY.

I WOULD SAY I WOULDN'T PUT IT AGAINST ANY OTHER DISTRICT POLICY WHEN IT COMES TO CHALLENGE THEM BOOKS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

I THINK THAT'S WHY WE DIDN'T RUSH DOWN THE PLAN.

HONESTLY, IT WASN'T FOR US TO BRING THE ADMINISTRATION.

WE WEREN'T RUSHING EITHER TO BRING IT THIS BOARD MEETING.

THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF TRUSTEE WESTERN, HE WANTED US TO BRING TEA POLICY FOR REVIEW.

WE SAID, IF YOU WANT TO BRING TEA, WE NEED TO BE FAIR AND ALSO BRING REALLY WHAT WE USE AS A DISTRICT, WHICH IS THE TASB VERSION OF IT.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TONIGHT DISCUSSING TASB AND THE TEA.

SO IF THE WILL OF THE BOARD TO PUSH IT TO OCTOBER WILL BE FINE AS FAR AS ADMINISTRATION.

>> WITH THAT IN MIND, I'M HAPPY TO RESEND MY MOTION AND PERHAPS WE CAN TAKE NO ACTION AND WOULD THAT JUST ROLL IT OVER TO THE OCTOBER AGENDA. IT'S GETTING LATE.

>> IT WOULD MOVE INTO THE 119 UPDATE THAT WE HAVE SCHEDULED, BUT GO AHEAD.

>> I DO WANT TO CLARIFY BECAUSE WE WERE ABLE TO PULL UP THE 119 UPDATE AND THERE WOULD BE A TOTAL REPEAL OF EF LOCAL THAT IS PART OF IT IF YOU'RE GOING WITH THE SPLIT POLICY, WHICH IS WHAT EVERYONE'S DOING.

YOU REPEAL EF, AND THEN YOU SPLIT IT INTO THE EF LOCAL, NOT THE LEGAL OBVIOUSLY.

>> WITH THAT IN MIND, I'D LIKE TO PULL BACK MY MOTION.

>> MAY I JUST ADD A COUPLE OF CLOSING QUESTIONS THEN BECAUSE I'M AMENABLE TO TAKING NO ACTION AS WELL.

THE CONCERN IS WHETHER OR NOT MATERIALS THAT VIOLATE THE PENAL CODE 4324, WHETHER THOSE MATERIALS ARE SOMEHOW GETTING THROUGH OUR PROCESS.

I THINK THAT'S THE QUESTION ON THE TABLE.

IN THE TEA POLICY, THE DRAFT POLICY IS BOOK BANNING IN THERE BECAUSE I'VE READ IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER.

IS THERE A BOOK BANNING MENTIONED IN THAT TEA POLICY?

>> IF YOU'RE ASKING IS THE TERM BOOK BANNING IN THERE? NO. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS PART OF IT.

I KNOW THAT SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED IN OTHER DISTRICTS THAT HAVE PLAYED OUT OVER THE NEWS IS THE PROBLEM THAT SOME OF THE PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THE TEA POLICY IS THAT IT IS VERY EASY TO PULL A BOOK WITH DURING A REVIEW PROCESS, AND THE BOOK IS PULLED.

THAT HAS LED TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE VERY DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT.

YOU MAY HAVE, FOR INSTANCE, AND I APOLOGIZE TO MY FRIENDS IN KELLER, BUT THEY WERE IN THE NEWS FOR HAVING ON THE ONE SIDE THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK PULLED.

THEN ON ANOTHER POLITICAL SIDE HAD PULLED THE BIBLE.

IN THOSE BOOKS DURING THE TIME PERIOD OF THE REVIEW ARE NOT ABLE TO BE USED BY THE DISTRICTS.

THAT IS WHERE I THINK THE IDEA THAT THE BOOKS ARE BANNED BECAUSE IT IS LIKE AS ONE AS LONG AS THERE'S AN OBJECTION, THE BOOKS ARE PULLED COMPLETELY.

>> THOSE BOOKS WERE ACTUALLY REINSTATED IN KELLER ISD, BUT YOU'RE SAYING DURING THAT REVIEW PROCESS, THEY'RE NOT AVAILABLE?

>> CAN I HAVE A POINT OF ORDER BECAUSE IF THIS IS NO LONGER AN ACTION ITEM FOR US, THEN SHOULD WE STILL BE DISCUSSING IT?

>> YEAH. I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT.

I WAS UNCLEAR BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE WILL OF THE BOARD WANTS TO DO.

IS IT SOMETHING THAT CAN WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT BOARD MEETING?

>> I'M ACTUALLY FINE WITH IT.

>> WE DID [OVERLAPPING] WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS IT IN OCTOBER, SO IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO DISCUSS IT NOW.

>> YEAH. WE DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS IT NOW IF THE MOTION IS BEING WITHDRAWN AT THIS POINT.

>> DO I NEED A MOTION TO TABLE, OR JUST WE MAKE NO ACTION?

>> WE'RE JUST TAKING NO ACTION.

>> THERE'S NO ACTION.

>> TAKE NO ACTION. IT'S 10:33, THAT TAKES US TO J1 BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS.

ANY TRUSTEES HAVE ANY BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS? [BACKGROUND] TRUSTEE HARRISON?

>> I DO.

>> I6.

>> SORRY. I6.

SORRY. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE ROUND ROCK ISD SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE BOARD REPRESENTATIVES AS REQUESTED BY TRUSTEE WESTON.

I WILL TURN IT OVER TO TRUSTEE WESTON AT THIS POINT.

>> THESE ARE SOME CONCERNS THAT I'VE GOT.

THE EDUCATION CODE IN SECTION 37.109 REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ESTABLISH A SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE.

THE STATUTE INCLUDES REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS WHO MUST BE ON THE COMMITTEE AND HOW FREQUENTLY THE COMMITTEE MUST MEET TO ENSURE THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED.

THE STATUTE REQUIRES THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT AND ONE OTHER BOARD MEMBER BE ON THE COMMITTEE.

THE STATUTE ALSO REQUIRES THAT THIS COMMITTEE MEET AT LEAST ONCE EVERY SPRING AND EVERY FALL SEMESTER AND ONCE IN THE SUMMER, SO A MINIMUM OF THREE TIMES A YEAR.

HOWEVER, DESPITE THESE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS,

[04:45:03]

BOTH TRUSTEES WEIR AND FELLER WERE ABSENT FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND DID NOT ATTEND A SINGLE COMMITTEE MEETING FOR THE ENTIRE LAST SCHOOL YEAR, WHICH CAN BE VERIFIED BY REVIEWING THE MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS WHICH ARE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE.

BOTH TRUSTEES WEIR AND FELLER WERE ABSENT FROM THE MAY 18TH, 2021, AUGUST 17TH, 2021, NOVEMBER 9TH, 2021, AND JULY 20TH, 2022 COMMITTEE MEETINGS, AND IN THE SPRING OF 2022, THERE WAS NOT A COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AS REQUIRED BY THE EDUCATION CODE.

TRUSTEES WEIR AND FELLER DID ATTEND THE COMMITTEE MEETING ON NOVEMBER 5TH OF 2020, WHICH I BELIEVE WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT COMMITTEE CONVENED AFTER THE STATUTE WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY BOTH DID ATTEND THE LAST MEETING THAT WAS HELD ON AUGUST 25TH, AND THEN I BELIEVE THAT COMMITTEE RECONVENED SIX DAYS LATER ON SEPTEMBER 1ST AND BOTH WERE PRESENT.

BUT THIS WAS AFTER THEIR CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM WAS EXPOSED PUBLICLY.

THOUGH AS CURRENT BOARD PRESIDENT, TRUSTEE FELLER'S MEMBERSHIP ON THE COMMITTEE IS CODIFIED IN STATUTE, TRUSTEE WEIR'S IS NOT.

AFTER BOTH TRUSTEES FELLER AND WEIR MISSED THEIR FOURTH CONSECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING THIS JULY, I REACHED OUT TO TRUSTEE WEIR DIRECTLY AND ASKED HER TO STEP DOWN FROM THE COMMITTEE AND TOLD HER THAT I WAS WILLING TO SERVE ON THAT COMMITTEE.

I SOUGHT TO ADDRESS HER FAILURE TO ATTEND SO MANY SCHOOL SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETINGS WITH HER PRIVATELY.

HOWEVER, SHE DECLINED TO STEP DOWN, WHICH IS WHY THIS IS NOW ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT FOR THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION.

SOME OF THE CRITICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THIS COMMITTEE INCLUDE A REQUIREMENT TO PARTICIPATE ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT IN DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING THE EMERGENCY OPERATION PLAN OR EOP, AND ALSO TO ENSURE THAT THIS PLAN REFLECTS SPECIFIC CAMPUS FACILITY AND SUPPORT SERVICES NEEDS.

ANOTHER REQUIREMENT OF THIS COMMITTEE BY THE STATUTE IS TO PERIODICALLY PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE DISTRICT'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS REGARDING UPDATING THE DISTRICT'S EOP IN ACCORDANCE WITH BEST PRACTICES IDENTIFIED BY THE AGENCY, THE TEXAS SCHOOL SAFETY CENTER, AND A PERSON INCLUDED IN THE REGISTRY ESTABLISHED BY THE TEXAS SCHOOL SAFETY CENTER.

ALSO TO PROVIDE THE DISTRICT WITH ANY CAMPUS FACILITY OR SUPPORT SERVICES INFORMATION REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH A SAFETY AND SECURITY AUDIT TO REVIEW EACH REPORT REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE DISTRICT TO THE TEXAS SCHOOL SAFETY CENTER TO ENSURE THAT THE REPORT CONTAINS ACCURATE AND COMPLETE INFORMATION REGARDING EACH CAMPUS AND FACILITY.

LASTLY, TO CONSULT WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ON METHODS TO INCREASE LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE NEAR DISTRICT CAMPUSES.

GIVEN ALL OF THESE CRITICAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS OF THIS COMMITTEE AND TRUSTEE WEIR'S CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM, IT'S NO WONDER THAT THE DISTRICT'S EMERGENCY OPERATION PLAN IS NOT EXPECTED TO PASS THE STATE OF TEXAS INSPECTION THIS FALL.

I WILL NOT GO INTO THE DETAILS GIVEN THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN, BUT I WILL SAY THAT THE EOP IS SORELY LACKING.

I REVIEWED IT LAST WEEK AND IT DOES NOT EVEN MENTION THE EXISTENCE OF ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS.

THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT WE AS TRUSTEES HAVE NO CONTROL OR POWER OVER.

BUT ATTENDING SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND WORKING WITH STAFF AND PARENT VOLUNTEERS ON THE COMMITTEE TO PROTECT OUR STUDENTS IS SOMETHING WE CAN CONTROL FOR THESE REASONS AND MORE, I ASK THAT TRUSTEE WEIR BE REMOVED FROM THIS COMMITTEE.

IT WOULD BE EASY FOR ME TO KEEP MY HEAD DOWN AND IGNORE THIS SERIOUS SITUATION.

BUT I BELIEVE OUR FAMILIES DESERVE BETTER.

NO ONE LOVES A CHILD MORE THAN THEIR FAMILY.

WE HAVE A SACRED DUTY TO LIVE UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS OF ROUND ROCK ISD FAMILIES.

ON AUGUST 15TH, 2022, I ATTENDED A BRIEFING FROM FORMER TEXAS SUPREME COURT JUSTICE EVA GUZMAN ON THE FINDINGS OF A THREE-PERSON INVESTIGATION TEAM THAT SHE SERVES ON REGARDING THE MAY 24TH, 2022 ROB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING IN WHICH 19 CHILDREN AND TO EDUCATORS LOST THEIR LIVES.

FORMER JUSTICE GUZMAN SPOKE EXTENSIVELY ABOUT THE FINDINGS OF HER INVESTIGATION IN THE 77-PAGE REPORT THAT HER TEAM DELIVERED TO THE SPEAKER OF THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON JULY 17TH, 2022.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE AND IT'S WORK WAS DISCUSSED AT LENGTH IN HER PRESENTATION.

WHATEVER THE REASONS FOR HER ABSENCES, I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR STUDENTS, STAFF, FAMILIES, OR COMMUNITY FOR TRUSTEE WEIR TO CONTINUE TO BE A MEMBER OF THIS COMMITTEE.

BE ADVISED, I AM WILLING TO SERVE ON THIS COMMITTEE.

>> I WILL TURN THAT OVER TO TRUSTEE WEIR SINCE YOU SEEM TO BE THE TARGET OF IT.

[04:50:04]

I WILL SAY BEFORE YOU MAKE A COMMENT, IT IS MY THEORY THAT THE ATTENDANCE OF THE SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE IS NOW GATHERING ATTENTION BECAUSE TWO OF THESE TRUSTEES ARE UP FOR RE-ELECTION AND THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO DISCREDIT THEM.

NO TRUSTEES ON THIS DAIS HAVE ATTENDED A SINGLE SAFETY AND SECURITY MEETING PRIOR TO JULY OF THIS YEAR, EXCEPT FOR TRUSTEE WEIR AND I.

WE MISSED THE MAY 18TH, 2021 BOARD SAFETY AND SECURITY MEETING BECAUSE WE WERE SITTING IN THIS ROOM AT A BOARD MEETING.

THIS IS A NEW COMMITTEE THAT IS BEING FORMED AND GETTING THINGS FIGURED OUT.

THEY SHOULD HAVE NOT SCHEDULED A SAFETY AND SECURITY MEETING THE NIGHT THAT WE HAD A BOARD MEETING.

I'M NOT MAKING ANY EXCUSES IN SAYING IT HAPPENED, BUT I THINK THAT IT'S GATHERING ATTENTION NOW TO TRY AND DISCREDIT PEOPLE AS THEY'RE RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION. GO AHEAD, TRUSTEE WEIR.

>> I DO NOT HAVE A SIX-MINUTE SPEECH TO READ TO EVERYONE.

I'M AMAZED THAT THE DERELICTION OF DUTY TO ATTEND COMMITTEE MEETINGS IS NOW SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO A TRUSTEE THAT HAS MISSED AND WALKED OUT OF REQUIRED MEETINGS OF THIS BOARD.

I WILL SAY AGAIN, MAY 18TH WAS A CALLED BOARD MEETING, NOT A SINGLE TRUSTEE WOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO BE ON THERE.

WE TYPICALLY GET CALENDAR INVITES FOR THOSE WITH 4-5 DAYS NOTICE.

I DID AND YOU KNOW, FOR A FACT THAT I DID HAVE AN OUT-OF-STATE MEMORIAL SERVICE TO ATTEND ON ONE OF THOSE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU FELT LIKE I SHOULD ACTUALLY ASK MY MY HUSBAND'S ENTIRE FAMILY TO RESCHEDULE A MEMORIAL SERVICE SO THAT I COULD HAVE ATTENDED THIS MEETING.

THAT WAS NOT POSSIBLE.

I HAVE ATTENDED ALL OF THE MEETINGS REGARDING THE EMERGENCY OPERATION PLAN.

FOR YOU TO ACTUALLY SAY THAT YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO FAIL AND THEN IT'S MY FAULT IS SO OUT OF BOUND.

I DON'T EVEN FEEL LIKE I SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE SAT AND LISTEN TO THAT.

IF THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE ME, THAT IS ABSOLUTELY FINE.

I WOULD ASK THAT IT BE ANYBODY OTHER THAN TRUSTEE WESTON, THOUGH.

>> IT WAS ACTUALLY CHIEF WEINER WHEN I REVIEWED THE EOP LAST WEEK, WHO SAID THAT IT'S NOT EXPECTED TO PASS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S BECAUSE OF YOUR ABSENCES OR NOT.

WHAT I CAN DO IS LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE IN FRONT OF ME AND ALSO OUR POLICY.

THE BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES CLEARLY STATE THAT IF YOU'RE NOT ON THAT COMMITTEE OR ANY COMMITTEE THAT YOU'RE NOT AS A TRUSTEE, YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND.

SO AMBER, FOR YOU TO SAY THAT NO OTHER TRUSTEES ATTENDED, OUR BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES PROHIBIT IF YOU'RE NOT ON THAT COMMITTEE TO AVOID THE POSSIBILITY OF A QUORUM.

I DO THINK THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS HERE, AND TO EQUATE THAT TO MISSING SOME OTHER MEETING ABOUT ANY OTHER TOPIC, ANY OTHER TOPIC IS RIDICULOUS.

I DO THINK THAT TRUSTEES SHOULD BE ALLOWED WHEN WE HAVE COLLEAGUES WHO DO NOT ATTEND FOUR CONSECUTIVE SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY MEETINGS, I DO THINK AND FAIL, REFUSE TO WORK IT OUT OFFLINE, WHICH WAS MY PREFERENCE AND WAS THE WAY I TRIED TO GO ABOUT THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

IT IS QUITE AN ACCUSATION TO SAY THAT IT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE UP FOR RE-ELECTION IS THE REASON I'M BRINGING THIS UP.

THAT IS QUITE AN ACCUSATION.

>> I SAID IT WAS MY THEORY.

I DIDN'T ACCUSE ANYTHING. I SAID IT WAS MY THEORY

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO. TRUSTEE VESSA HAD ALSO REACHED OUT AND SAID THAT SHE WOULD BE WILLING TO SERVE.

I'M ABSOLUTELY HAPPY TO TURN IT OVER TO TRUSTEE VESSA.

>> I'M HAPPY TO SERVE IN THAT ROLE.

I WAS ACTUALLY JUST GOING TO ASK IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE THEN WHAT I HAD WHEN I HAD REACHED OUT TO YOU IS JUST TO NOTIFY EITHER OF YOU IF YOU CAN'T MAKE A MEETING, JUST NOTIFY AND ASK ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER TO COME BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT ENDED UP HAPPENING.

>> I DID THAT ON THE JULY 20TH MEETING BECAUSE WE WERE GIVEN FOUR DAYS NOTICE, AND I HAD HAD AN EVENT PLANNED FOR TWO MONTHS THAT I COULD NOT GET OUT OF.

SO I MADE SURE THAT WE HAD TWO TRUSTEES AT THAT MEETING.

YOU AND TRUSTEE WESTON.

YOU WERE ATTENDING IN OUR STEAD FOR THE JULY 20TH OF THIS YEAR MEETING.

THAT DID HAPPEN BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE MEETING WITH FOUR DAYS NOTICE.

>> I'M FINE WITH EITHER MECHANISM.

I'M HAPPY TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE, OR WE CAN JUST RESOLVE THAT IF EITHER OF YOU CAN'T MAKE THE MEETING THAT YOU JUST ASK SOMEBODY ELSE TO COME.

>> MY LIGHT IS ON. IT'S BEEN ON.

I ACTUALLY HAVE A QUESTION THAT I THINK WOULD BE BEST HANDLED THROUGH LEGAL ADVICE.

THIS IS ALSO ENCLOSED SESSION, K3 SOMETHING OR K2 RELATED TO THE EOP.

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES IF WE CAN HOLD OFF AND CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION AS IT RELATES TO THE EOP ENCLOSED SO I CAN GAIN SOME LEGAL ADVICE.

[04:55:01]

>> DOES IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF SOMEBODY SERVING ON THIS COMMITTEE?

>> BEFORE I CAN MAKE A DECISION ON THAT, I'LL NEED LEGAL ADVICE.

EITHER WAY, IT NEEDS TO BE ENCLOSED.

>> I DON'T KNOW. DOES DR.

BONE HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD TO THIS?

>> I DID HAVE MY HAND UP IF I CAN.

I WENT BACK AND ON DECEMBER 8TH OF 2020, I ACTUALLY EMAILED AT THAT TIME, MR. PRESIDENT THAT WE'RE, AND ASKED FOR EOP AGENDA ITEM.

I WAS NEVER ABLE TO GET THAT EOP AGENDA ITEM.

IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT WAS BEING TAKEN CARE OF IN THE SAFETY AND SECURITY GROUP COMMITTEE.

WHAT I HAVE CAME TO REALIZE AND THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TIMING OF AN ELECTION.

IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE TIMING OF US REALIZING THAT WE HAVE TWO TRUSTEES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN ATTENDING THOSE MEETINGS.

ESPECIALLY TRUSTEE WHERE I HAD BEEN ASKING SINCE BASICALLY THE MONTH I BECAME A TRUSTEE FOR THIS TO BE ON THE AGENDA.

THEN I GOT TO SEE THE EOP AND I'VE REALIZED THAT IT'S NOT BEEN UPDATED, I THINK SINCE 2018.

IT'S LACKING OUR SCHOOLS.

>> WE NEED TO NOT TALK ABOUT THE EOP, [OVERLAPPING] THAT NEEDS TO BE IN CLOSED SESSION.

ANYTHING THAT'S CONFIDENTIAL ABOUT THE EOP NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSE TONIGHT.

>> THAT'S THE OTHER THING IS THAT THE EOP I TOOK TRAINING BECAUSE WE HAVE TO TAKE TRAINING AND IT SAYS THE EOP IS NOT CONFIDENTIAL.

THAT'S THE OTHER THING IS THAT EVERYBODY SEEMS TO BE KICKING DOWN THE ROAD ON WHETHER IT'S CONFIDENTIAL OR NOT CONFIDENTIAL, JUST SO WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT THE EOP.

THE LEGAL TEAM NEEDS TO GET THAT TO US LIKE WHAT'S CONFIDENTIAL, WHAT'S NOT CONFIDENTIAL? BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE STUDENTS.

THOSE KIDS THAT GO TO OUR SCHOOLS EVERY DAY.

EXCUSE ME, I'LL JUST I'LL FINISH UP.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE SAFETY AND SECURITY MEETING OF OUR COMMITTEE, I DO THINK THAT TRUSTEE VESSA, SHOULD STEP DOWN AND PEOPLE CAN GO BACK AND THEY CAN LOOK AT THE EMAILS WHERE THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2020 AND OBVIOUSLY, SHE JUST HASN'T TAKEN IT SERIOUSLY AND IT REALLY IS.

YOU CAN TALK ABOUT PEOPLE NOT GOING TO WHATEVER OTHER MEETINGS, BUT THIS IS SAFETY AND SECURITY.

I THINK IT WAS PEOPLE ON THIS DAIS THAT MADE SOME REALLY INTERESTING COMMENTS LAST YEAR ABOUT SAFETY AND SECURITY.

JUST SO PEOPLE KNOW THIS, THE EOP DOES CONTAIN INFORMATION WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE COVID, IT'S [OVERLAPPING] SUPPOSED TO BE IN THERE ALSO.

>> IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE HERE FOR A CLOSED MEETING, WE CAN DISCUSS THE EOP IN CLOSE.

>> SHE CAN'T PARTICIPATE IN CLOSED SESSION.

>> I'M SORRY.

>> I'M KEEPING IT. I KNOW THAT'S NOT CONFIDENTIAL.

THAT IS PUBLIC INFORMATION THAT IT CONTAINS THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION.

I DO HAVE A MOTION AND I DON'T KNOW WHY ONE TRUSTEE WOULD GET TO JUST SAY THAT ANOTHER TRUSTEE CAN'T BE.

I DO MOVE TO APPOINT DANIEL WESTON TO THE SCHOOL'S SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE IN REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE ANYWHERE, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> I MOVE TO TABLE IT TILL AFTER TRUSTEE HARRISON CAN ASK HER OWN QUESTION IN CLOSE SESSION.

THANK YOU. SECOND. WE'RE GOING TO TABLE THAT MOTION.

I NEED A SECOND ON THAT.

>> I SECONDED IT.

>> YOU SECONDED IT. ALL IN FAVOR OF TABLING THE MOTION TILL AFTER WE RECEIVE LEGAL ADVICE, RAISE YOUR HAND. ALL OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES FIVE, TWO.

[J. BOARD BUSINESS]

ALL RIGHT, HAVING SAID THAT, WE WILL GO ON TO ITEMS J AND THEN WE WILL GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.

J1 BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS. DR. JOHNSON.

>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT FELLER.

I DID WANT TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT AND WROTE OUT A BRIEF FEW COMMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

FOR ME, THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT OR A COMMENT OR A DISCUSSION ON A CALL FOR CIVILITY AMONG VOTERS, SUPPORTERS, AND THE COMMUNITY.

AS WE ENTER INTO THE HEIGHT OF THE ELECTION SEASON AND THE PASSIONS OF FRIENDS, FAMILY AND SUPPORTERS, VOTERS, AND VESTED COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS ARE EXPRESSED THROUGH DEBATE, DISCUSSION AND EMAILS, I WOULD LIKE TO CAUTION ALL OF US AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THOSE IMBUED WITH PUBLIC TRUST THAT WE SERVE AS ROLE MODELS FOR THE FUTURE LEADERS OF OUR COMMUNITIES, STATE AND NATION.

DEHUMANIZING EACH OTHER IN ALL FORMS AND ACTS, TERRORS AT THE VERY FABRIC OF WHO AND WHAT WE ARE; A CIVILIZATION.

BEING CIVIL. INCIVILITY DETRACTS FROM THE VERY THING WE SEEK TO ACCOMPLISH AS A COMMUNITY.

INCREASING ACCESS TO LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

[05:00:03]

AS WE DEBATE AND DISCUSS, REMEMBER THAT THE PEOPLE HERE ENGAGING ALL OF THE POLITICS, THEY HAVE LOVED ONES, THEY HAVE SOMEONE THAT LOVES THEM AND CARES FOR THEM.

THAT THEIR SAFETY AND SECURITY IS AS IMPORTANT AS WE CONSIDER THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR STUDENTS.

THAT WE CALL FOR CIVILITY AMONG EVERYONE THAT WE'RE ASSOCIATED WITH.

THAT WE TAKE SERIOUSLY, THAT WE ARE THE ROLE MODELS THAT WERE BEING WATCHED BY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WE CAN TELL ABOUT A STUDENT THAT ARE HERE.

I'LL END WITH THIS QUOTE, "CIVILITY IS NOT A TACTIC OR A SENTIMENT, IT IS THE DETERMINED CHOICE OF TRUST OVER CYNICISM, OF COMMUNITY, OVER CHAOS." THANK YOU.

>> I WOULD CONCUR. THANK YOU SO MUCH. TRUSTEE JOHNSON.

>> ABSOLUTELY. TRUSTEE HARRISON?

>> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING. THANK YOU.

>> TRUSTEE WESTON.

>> THANK YOU, TRUSTEE JOHNSON FOR THAT.

MY ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE, I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE FREEDOM WEEK THIS WEEK.

I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE LAST WEEKEND WAS THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY OF 911.

THE LAST THING I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE IS THAT SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH.

THIS IS THE FIRST SEPTEMBER THAT THE NEW HOTLINE, A THREE-DIGIT NUMBER, 988, IS NOW AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC RATHER THAN A LONG 800 NUMBER TO REMEMBER.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW, NEED HELP, THE NEW HOTLINE NUMBER IS 988. THANK YOU.

>> THE ONLY ANNOUNCEMENT THAT I HAVE, I DON'T THINK I HAVE ANY IN MY FOLDER.

HOLD ON. I HAD SOME IN MY FOLDER.

I DON'T SEE ANY IN MY FOLDER.

I ONLY HAVE MOTION LANGUAGE.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE IS MOTION LANGUAGE IN MY FOLDER.

I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO MENTIONING THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY OF 911, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE ANNIVERSARY OF 912.

BECAUSE THAT WAS THE DAY AFTER THAT WE REALLY CAME TOGETHER AS AMERICANS AND WE SEEM TO BE A BETTER COMMUNITY THAN WE ARE NOW. THANK YOU.

IT'S WHAT I STRIVE FOR, AS TO FIND OUR COMMUNITY BACK.

I REALLY DO. WE HAVE SOME UPCOMING MEETINGS ON 9:20.

WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING A GRIEVANCE IN THE SUPERINTENDENT'S SUMMATIVE EVALUATION.

9:29 WE HAVE CALLED BOARD MEETING FOR GRIEVANCE, 10:05 WE HAVE AN ACADEMIC WORKSHOP, THEN 10:20 WE HAVE OUR REGULAR BOARD MEETING.

THERE ARE SOME CAMPUS TOURS THAT WENT OUT IN YOUR EMAILS BOARD OF TRUSTEES, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND TO THAT, PLEASE.

WE ALSO HAVE SOME POSSIBLE GRIEVANCE DATES AS OF 2:00 O'CLOCK TODAY, THAT'S WEDNESDAY, THE 12TH OF OCTOBER, THE 13TH OF OCTOBER, THE 25TH OF OCTOBER, AND THE 27TH OF OCTOBER.

LOOKS LIKE MOST PEOPLE HAVE RESPONDED, BUT THERE'S SOME MAYBES ON THERE.

WHENEVER YOU CAN, CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE IN THOSE.

STARTING IN NOVEMBER FOR PLANNING AND SCHEDULING PURPOSES, PLEASE HOLD THE SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH AS A POSSIBLE CALL BOARD MEETING FOR GRIEVANCES.

WE'RE JUST GOING TO PUT THAT ON THE CALENDAR.

THE THIRD THURSDAY WILL BE OUR REGULAR BOARD MEETING, BUT THE SECOND THURSDAY WILL BE ON HOLD FOR GRIEVANCES.

WE SHOULD BE CAUGHT UP, AND ANYTHING NEW THAT POSSIBLY COMES IN WE WILL THROW IT IN ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH.

IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY GRIEVANCES WE WON'T MEET.

BUT PLEASE PLAN ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH TO BE FOR GRIEVANCES.

ALSO FOR THE DECEMBER REGULAR BOARD MEETING, THIS IS THREE MONTHS NOTICE.

WE ARE GOING TO MOVE THE DECEMBER BOARD MEETING TO DECEMBER THE 13TH, WHICH IS A TUESDAY INSTEAD OF THURSDAY, THE 15TH.

WE HAVE SEEN ISSUES HAVING BOARD MEETINGS ON THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, RIGHT BEFORE STAFF GO ON TO HOLIDAY, AND SO IT WAS A DECISIONED THAT I PROPOSED, ADMINISTRATION LIKED IT AND ALSO DOING THAT AS WELL IN JUNE.

WE'RE NOT HAVING THOSE TWO MEETINGS THE LAST DAY BEFORE STAFF GOES ON HOLIDAY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

IT IS ALSO VERY HELPFUL IN DECEMBER WHEN TYPICALLY WE DO BOARD ELECTIONS FOR SOMEONE WHO MAY STEP INTO THIS ROLE AS BOARD PRESIDENT TO THEN HAVE ALL STAFF GO ON HOLIDAY FOR TWO-AND-HALF WEEKS RIGHT AFTER YOU STEP INTO THIS ROLE, AND YOU HAVE NO ABILITY TO CONFER AND LEARN ABOUT YOUR NEW ROLES.

[05:05:05]

WE WILL BE MOVING THE DECEMBER MEETING FROM THE 15TH TO THE 13TH.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TRUSTEES YOU ARE LOOKING AT YOUR CALENDAR.

NEXT WEEKEND WE HAVE THE UPCOMING TASA/TASB CONVENTION IN SAN ANTONIO.

MOST OF THE TRUSTEES WILL BE DOWN THERE GETTING SOME MORE CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS.

SUPERINTENDENT, DR. AZAIEZ, YOU HAVE SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS AS WELL?

>> YEAH. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT FELLER.

I HAVE A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT I WROTE HERE.

BEFORE I DO THIS, I WANT TO JUST CLARIFY ONE MORE THING ABOUT THE EOP.

I HATE THAT WE'RE GOING BACK, BUT I WANT TO MAKE IT TO THE PUBLIC BECAUSE I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE SESSIONS SO THE COMMUNITY WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR.

EOP IS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS AND SUBMITTED TO THE STATE.

THE TEXAS STATE SAFETY CENTER, AND IT'S DONE EVERY THREE YEARS.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE REQUIREMENT IS NOT TO BE DONE EVERY YEAR.

HOWEVER, TALKING WITH THE CHIEF, WE AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT, WE WOULD BE UPDATING THAT EVERY YEAR TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE AMENDING, AS WE'RE IMPROVING THINGS, CHANGING THINGS, WE WOULD BE DOING THAT.

AGAIN, EOP IS SUPPOSED TO BE SUBMITTED TO TEXAS STATE SAFETY CENTER EVERY THREE YEARS.

EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES THAT, NOT JUST ROUND ROCK ISD.

ALSO IT'S VERY TYPICAL, THEY HAVE A FORMAT THAT WE HAVE TO WRITE IT THE WAY THEY WANT US TO WRITE IT, AND THEN WE SUBMIT AS SCHOOL DISTRICT NOT JUST AS ROUND ROCK ISD, SUBMIT THAT TO TEXAS STATE.

THEY LOOK AT IT, THEY SAY, "OKAY, YOU MIGHT WANT TO TWEAK THIS OR YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHANGE THAT. WE LIKE THIS." AGAIN, VERY TYPICAL FOR THEM TO JUST BOUNCE IT BACK TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SAY, "MAKE THESE CHANGES, THEN WE CAN APPROVE IT.

WE LIKE ALL THIS BUT CHANGE THIS." AGAIN, VERY COMMON FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HAVE THAT.

IT'S JUST THE PROTOCOL, THE PROCEDURE, THE PROCESS.

AGAIN, WE HAVE A VERY STRONG EOP.

IT WAS APPROVED BACK IN 2019 OR 2020 LAST SUMMER, IT WAS SUBMITTED BY ROCK ISD.

I DON'T WANT OUR COMMUNITY TO FEEL LIKE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH OUR EMERGENCY OPERATION PLAN.

IT WAS APPROVED BY THE STATE BECAUSE THE TEXAS STATE AGAIN DOES THAT FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS.

WE WILL BE SUBMITTING ANOTHER ONE, IS DUE OCTOBER 12TH.

HOWEVER, AGAIN, IT COULD BE THAT THEY WILL BOUNCE IT BACK AND SAY, "WE WANT YOU TO CHANGE THIS AND CHANGE THAT." WE, AS CHIEF WOULD JUST ANNOUNCED, HE'S JUST BEEN HERE FOR SIX WEEKS.

HE'S HIRED, HIS ASSISTANT CHIEF WILL BE JOINING US WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

WE WOULD BE AMENDING POSSIBLY, BECAUSE AGAIN, WE SHOULD NOT BE STOPPED IN IMPROVING ANYTHING INCLUDING THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE DO HERE IN OUR DISTRICT, WHICH IS ENSURING THAT OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE SAFE.

I JUST WANT TO CLEAR IT AND MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HEARS THAT AS FAR AS OUR COMMUNITY AND THEN I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ENGAGE WITH OUR BOARD MEMBERS, AND THE CHIEF IS STILL HERE LATER AND CLOSE THE SESSION.

NOW, LET'S TRANSITION TO OUR ANNOUNCEMENT. TAX RATE.

I WANT TO ASSURE OUR BOARD AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR APPROVING OUR TAX RATE.

I TALKED TO THE COMMUNITY THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF OUR DISTRICT FUNDS, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING FOR CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION SAFETY AND SECURITY EFFORT, AND RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF OUR GREAT TEACHERS AND STAFF BY OFFERING VERY COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION AND SALARIES.

WE KNOW OUR FAMILIES ARE DEALING WITH RISING COSTS AND INFLATION, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THIS IS A COMMUNITY.

OUR COMMUNITY HERE CARES DEEPLY ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND BELIEVES IN INVESTING IN SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS AND STAFF.

NOW, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SEE THAT UP THERE.

MANY OF YOU PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO ONE OF OUR, NOT NEIGHBORING, BUT IN THE AREA JUST SOUTH OF US.

OUR DISTRICT IS VERY AWARE OF STUDENT LIVES THAT WERE RECENTLY LOST SOUTH OF HERE, IN HAYS CISD.

WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THE ISSUE WITH OUR NEIGHBORING DISTRICT AS WELL AS LAW ENFORCEMENT.

MY MESSAGE TO OUR STAFF TOMORROW ALSO WILL HIGHLIGHT THE CRISIS THAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR STATE.

I THINK IT'S THE COUNTRY REALLY.

OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM IS PREPARING TO LAUNCH AN OUTREACH EFFORT TO STUDENTS, PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY TO CALL AWARENESS TO THE DANGERS OF FENTANYL AND RELATED DRUG USE.

WE WANT TO BE PROACTIVE IN THIS EFFORT AND ENGAGE OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND DOING EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO PREVENT THE TRAGIC LOSS OF STUDENT LIVES DUE TO THIS DANGEROUS DRUG.

THE COMMUNICATION TEAM HAS ALREADY CREATED MESSAGING ABOUT THE DANGERS OF FENTANYL THAT IS BEING SHARED IN OUR DIGITAL MONITORS IN ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS, SO OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE SEEING THESE MESSENGERS ALREADY.

WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE TO HELP THEM WITH THESE ISSUES.

WE WILL ALSO BE CREATING A WEB PAGE WITH INFORMATION FOR PARENTS, STAFF, AND STUDENTS, AND WE'LL PUSH OUT CONTENT AS WE DEVELOPED IT AND PLAN FOR ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS Q&A SESSIONS.

[05:10:03]

WE WOULD LOVE OUR COMMUNITY TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION AS WE DEVELOP IT THROUGH THEIR OWN SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS WITH THEIR FRIENDS, FAMILIES, AND NEIGHBORS.

REALLY IN ANY WAY THEY CAN TO BRING AWARENESS IN NOT ONLY OUR COMMUNITY, BUT AS FAR-REACHING AS POSSIBLE.

OUR FRIENDS AT HAYS CISD, I THINK THEY LOST ALREADY FIVE STUDENTS, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO ACTUALLY SAVE ANOTHER ONE, JUST LAST WEEK.

WE'VE TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY.

ONE LOSS OF LIFE IS TOO MANY, AND WE DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO ANY OF OUR STUDENTS.

REALLY ANY STUDENTS ON THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE COUNTRY.

AGAIN, WE'RE LAUNCHING THIS, YOU'LL BE HEARING MORE ABOUT IT.

BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP TO RAISE AWARENESS.

BUT THESE ALREADY, AS I SAID, THEY'RE ALREADY PLAYING IN ALL THE MONITORS IN OUR HIGH SCHOOLS AND MOST OF THE MONITORS IN HIGH SCHOOLS.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING, JENNY.

>> [BACKGROUND] .

>> THANK YOU. WELL THANK YOU, EVERYBODY.