Oct 02, 2023 Special Board Meeting

[00:00:08]

ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HAYS CISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

[B. CALL TO ORDER: Establish a quorum]

TODAY IS MONDAY, OCTOBER THE 2ND, AND THE TIME IS 5 P.M.

A QUORUM HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED.

ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ARE PRESENT AT THIS TIME.

[C. CLOSED SESSION]

TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551 CHAPTERS DNA OR TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.

SECTION 418.

183F. THE TIME IS STILL 5:00 PM.

OKAY, WE ARE BACK.

[D. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION (Immediately following Closed Session)]

IF ANYONE'S LISTENING ONLINE.

HELLO. THE TIME IS 8:06 P.M.

A QUORUM HAS ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED.

ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ARE PRESENT.

OKAY. THERE'S NO GREEN SHEETS.

MIKE, DID YOU PICK UP ANY GREEN SHEETS?

[F.1. Consideration and possible action, if any, resulting from closed session a. Consideration and possible action on contract extension and compensation for Superintendent]

PAGE SIX OF THE AGENDA.

SO I MOVE THAT THE HAYS.

I'M SORRY, I'M GOING TO START OVER.

THE SUGGESTED MOTION IS THAT THE HAYS CISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT EXTENSION AND COMPENSATION AS DISCUSSED AND PRESENTED.

SO MOVED. SECOND.

MOVED BY MRS. OROSCO.

SECONDED BY MR. VELA.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? OH. OH, ESPERANZA.

THANK YOU. I DO HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION.

ALL RIGHT. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WOULD LIKE TO THANK DR.

WRIGHT FOR ANOTHER WONDERFUL YEAR AT HAYS CISD.

WE'VE BEEN AT THIS LONG ENOUGH WITH HIM THAT I FEEL LIKE WE COULD SIMPLY SAY DITTO, AND EVERYONE WOULD KNOW WHAT WE MEAN.

BUT HERE ARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST YEAR, AND THEY ARE A VERY LIMITED EXAMPLE OF WHY WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE DR.

WRIGHT AS OUR SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

FIRST IS CONTINUING OUR FIGHT AGAINST FENTANYL.

WE'VE BEEN OUT IN FRONT OF THIS SINCE DAY ONE AND MANY OTHERS NOW COME TO US ASKING ABOUT OUR EXCELLENT PROGRAM, CLOSING THE COVID LEARNING GAPS.

WE KNOW THE CHALLENGES THAT THE PANDEMIC PUT ON EVERYONE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE EFFORT TO GET OUR STUDENTS BACK ON TRACK.

WHILE WE DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE MERITS OF HIGH STAKES TESTING, WE CONTINUE TO OUTPERFORM THE STATE ON ALMOST EVERY METRIC.

CONTINUING TO PUSH FOR 100% HAYS.

WE KNOW THAT STUDENTS WHO CONNECT WITH A GROUP OR ACTIVITY ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM.

IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THAT NUMBER INCREASE EVERY YEAR.

WE HAVE A VERY ENGAGED STUDENT POPULATION, THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF DR.

WRIGHT AND HIS TEAM.

WE CONTINUE TO BE IN THE FRONT OF THE PACK WATCHING OUT FOR OUR STUDENTS SAFETY IN 2022, 2023, WE HAD ZERO FINDINGS WITH OUR EXTERNAL DOOR INVESTIGATIONS. WE ALSO ADDED TO OUR SRO COUNT WITH PATROLS AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL, WHICH ADDED EVEN MORE SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR OUR YOUNGEST STUDENTS, HELPING OUR TAXPAYERS BY PAYING OFF BONDS EARLY AND LITERALLY SAVING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INTEREST PAYMENTS.

FINALLY CONTINUING TO BE ON THE FOREFRONT OF BEING THE MOST EMPLOYEE FRIENDLY DISTRICT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

WHILE TEACHERS ARE LEAVING THE FIELD, WE HAVE BECOME A DESTINATION DISTRICT.

IN FACT, OUR RETENTION RATE OF MORE THAN I THINK IT'S 94% FAR EXCEEDS THE STATE AVERAGE.

VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE THERE.

SO WHILE DR. WRIGHT IS AN ACCOMPLISHED AND EXPERIENCED SUPERINTENDENT; HE ALSO UNDERSTANDS THE STATE CREATED SOME FINANCIAL TURBULENCE THAT WE AND ALL PUBLIC ISD'S FIND OURSELVES IN BECAUSE OF THIS.

DR. WRIGHT HAS REQUESTED THAT NO CHANGES BE MADE TO HIS COMPENSATION FOR THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR.

WE ARE, HOWEVER, EXCITED TO ADD ANOTHER YEAR TO HIS CONTRACT, WHICH EXTENDS THAT TO JUNE 30TH OF 2028.

DR. WRIGHT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? YES, I JUST APPRECIATE THE CONFIDENCE OF THE BOARD AND THE EXTENSION OF MY CONTRACT SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO GREAT WORK TOGETHER AND SUPPORT OUR KIDS AND SUPPORT OUR STAFF AND COMMUNITY. SO LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, DR. WRIGHT.

OKAY. ALL NOW, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, ANY OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES.

SEVEN ZERO.

ALL RIGHT. CONGRATULATIONS, DR.

WRIGHT. AGE EIGHT.

ACTUALLY. PAGE SEVEN.

SO, THIS ITEM IS A PROCLAMATION REGARDING LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE FALL SPECIAL, FALL 2023 SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE

[F.2. Consideration and possible approval of a Proclamation in support of Legislative Priorities for the Fall 2023 Special Legislative Session Dr. Eric Wright]

SO, THIS IS A PROCLAMATION BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE HAYS CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.

[00:05:04]

WHEREAS, THE HAYS CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SERVES OVER 23,000 STUDENTS IN HAYS COUNTY AND EMPLOYS OVER 3000 DEDICATED EDUCATIONAL EMPLOYEES. WHEREAS THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DESIRES TO ADVOCATE FOR THE BENEFIT OF ITS STUDENTS, PARENTS, STAFF, COMMUNITIES AND STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE HAYS CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT HEREBY PROCLAIMS IT WILL WORK WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT ALIGNS WITH THE FOLLOWING PRIORITIES.

ONE OPPOSES THE DIVERSION OF FUNDS FOR K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS, INCLUDING NEW FUNDS FOR SCHOOL VOUCHER TAX CREDIT OR CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS UNTIL THE STATE OF TEXAS FUNDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

TWO ADVOCATES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FAIR, TRANSPARENT AND COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM THAT LOOKS BEYOND HIGH STAKES MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAMS TO MEANINGFUL ASSESSMENTS THAT HAVE VALUE FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS WITH ADVANCE NOTICE OF IMPLEMENTATION. THREE.

INCREASES THE BASIC ALLOTMENT TO ACCOUNT FOR THE INCREASE IN OVERALL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO STUDENTS.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMING STAFF PAY INCREASES, AND FULLY FUND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STATE MANDATED SCHOOL SAFETY STANDARDS.

I MOVE THAT THE HAYS CISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES ADOPT THE PROCLAMATION REGARDING LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE FALL 2023 SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION AS PRESENTED SO MOVED.

SECOND. SECONDED BY MRS. OROSCO. SORRY, IT WAS IN MY RIGHT EAR VERY QUICKLY THERE.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, MS. PETREA? CAN WE MAKE ANY EDITS TO THIS? I KNOW WE SAID AS PRESENTED, BUT IT MAY NEED TO BE AS DISCUSSED.

THE ONLY WE NEED TO ADD A THE IN FRONT OF GOVERNOR.

AND THEN WE HAVE TWO INSTANCES OF STUDENTS IN THE THIRD.

WHEREAS I'M ASSUMING THAT WAS AN OVERSIGHT.

STUDENTS, PARENTS, STAFF, COMMUNITIES AND STUDENTS.

SO IF WE WANT TO MAKE THOSE TWO MINOR EDITS BEFORE WE ALL SIGN, IT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION.

THE FIRST NEWS IS OUR STUDENTS AND THE OTHER STUDENTS ARE AND STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS NOTED.

OKAY, SO SCRATCH THAT.

THE GOVERNOR COULD LIVE WITHOUT IT.

FINE. IT'S UNDERSTOOD THE GOVERNOR OR THE GOVERNOR DISREGARD ME.

IT'S FINE. I CAN LIVE WITH IT AS IS IF WE NEED TO SIGN IT TONIGHT.

BECAUSE WE DO.

OKAY, MR. OROSCO. THANK YOU, DR.

WRIGHT, FOR BRINGING THIS TO US.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE STAY ON TOP OF THIS.

NEXT SESSION, WE KNOW IT IS GOING TO BE COULD BE VERY PAINFUL WHEN THERE IS NOT A SEPARATION OF THE VOUCHERS AND GETTING THAT EXTRA FUNDS THAT WE NEED.

SO, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO US.

AND I'M SO GLAD THAT WE CAN STAND TOGETHER WITH OTHER PUBLIC EDUCATION EMPLOYEES, SCHOOL BOARD AND DISTRICTS IN THIS. MOST IMPORTANT MATTER.

THANK YOU, MS. RUNKLE. YES. THANK YOU, DR.

WRIGHT, FOR BRINGING THIS TO US.

I TOO, AM HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS AND SIGN THIS TONIGHT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT ANYONE THAT IS OUT THERE LISTENING THERE IS A RALLY THIS SATURDAY AT THE CAPITOL.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GO AND TO FIGHT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THAT IS AT THE TEXAS CAPITOL, OCTOBER 7TH AT 12 P.M.

SO I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE.

MS. PETREA YEAH.

IT'S QUICKLY NOW THAT I HAVE MY OCD TYPOS OUT OF THE WAY.

AGREED. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO US SO QUICKLY.

I KNOW IT WAS JUST RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET A SPECIAL SESSION.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION YOU SHARED AT THE TOWN HALL SCHOOL FINANCE TOWN HALL LAST WEEK WITH OUR CFO AND REPRESENTATIVE ZWIENER AND ALSO OUR REPRESENTATIVES FROM OUR EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS.

I THINK IT WAS WELL ATTENDED.

PEOPLE LEARNED A LOT AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE EACH OF THE BOARD TO SHARE SOMETHING MAYBE ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT WHERE FOLKS CAN GO TO CONTACT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES AND MAYBE EVEN GIVE THEM SOME OF THESE WORDS TO SHARE WITH THEIR REPRESENTATIVES.

[00:10:07]

I'M NOT TELLING YOU WHAT TO DO, BUT I'M ALONG WITH OBVIOUSLY SHOWING UP AT THE CAPITOL REPRESENTATIVES, WIENER MADE IT CLEAR THAT IF YOU HEAR FROM MORE THAN, I DON'T KNOW, A COUPLE OF PEOPLE, IT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND SO PUBLIC EDUCATION IS UNDER ATTACK.

WE'VE ALREADY SAID THAT MANY TIMES FROM THE DAIS.

AND TO ME IT SEEMS LIKE BASIC INFORMATION THAT WE WOULD AT LEAST NEED OUR BASIC ALLOTMENT TO BE LOOKED AT.

AND SO THANK YOU, DR.

WRIGHT, FOR BRINGING THIS TO US.

AND WE WILL DO WHAT WE CAN TO ADVOCATE WITH OUR REPRESENTATIVES AT THE CAPITOL.

GO AHEAD. IN ADDITION TO THE OCTOBER 7TH RALLY, OCTOBER 11TH OR 12TH, THERE IS GOING TO BE A DAY FOR BOARD MEMBERS TO GO VISIT, TO GO TO THE STATE CAPITOL AND VISIT LEGISLATORS THERE AND GO UNIFIED TOGETHER ACROSS THE COUNTIES WIDE.

SO I WILL SEND THAT INFORMATION TO YOU ALL ONCE IT'S FINALIZED.

THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION.

DR. WRIGHT, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO ADD? YES, PLEASE.

SO FIRST AND FOREMOST, THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THIS AND THANK YOU FOR ADVOCATING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

YOU ALL HAVE HEARD ME SAY IT MANY TIMES, BUT I TRULY BELIEVE THAT PUBLIC EDUCATION IS THE BACKBONE OF DEMOCRACY AND IT IS THE BACKBONE OF THE TEXAS MIRACLE.

AND WE'RE AT A TIME IN STATE AND NATIONAL POLITICS WHERE IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE TRYING TO BE MORE DIVISIVE THAN THAN WE ARE AS FAR AS TRYING TO UNIFY.

AND I THINK THIS IS A TIME WHERE WE CAN GET IT RIGHT AND WE WE CAN GET EVERYBODY TO START TO COME TOGETHER.

SO, WHEN WE LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE WITH A THROUGH F, YOU KNOW, I'VE MENTIONED THIS TIME AND TIME AGAIN, WE'RE NOT AGAINST HIGH STANDARDS AND WE BELIEVE IN RAISING THE BAR BECAUSE WE WANT THE BEST, MOST WELL-EDUCATED STUDENTS THAT WE CAN PUT INTO THE WORKFORCE IN THE FUTURE.

SO LET'S LET'S ADVOCATE FOR A SYSTEM THAT IS FAIR.

IT'S TRANSPARENT.

THEY TELL US AHEAD OF TIME AND THEN THEY KEEP IT IN PLACE FOR A WHILE SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS.

THE NEXT THING IS, IS, IS WE KNOW BECAUSE INFLATION HAS BEEN SO, SO DRASTIC THAT THE BASIC ALLOTMENT HAS NOT KEPT PACE AND IT'S ABOUT $1,000 SHY JUST TO KEEP US IN THE SAME POSITION THAT WE'VE BEEN, WHICH IS THE 42ND OUT OF 50 STATES IN PER PUPIL FUNDING.

SO ADVOCATE FOR ANY NEW MONEY.

AND THERE'S ABOUT 4 BILLION THAT HAS BEEN ADVOCATED FOR THE BIENNIUM.

WE'RE JUST ASKING YOU THAT THAT MONEY FLOWS THROUGH THE BASIC ALLOTMENT AND THEN WE HAVE TO OPPOSE THE DIVERSION OF FUNDS FOR VOUCHERS BECAUSE IT'S YET ANOTHER COMPETING FORCE AGAINST AN ALREADY UNDERFUNDED SYSTEM.

AND THEN FINALLY, OUR OUR SAFETY MEASURES AND STANDARDS THAT HAVE BEEN MANDATED ARE GREAT.

NONE OF US WOULD ARGUE THAT SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT FIRST AND FOREMOST THING THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF, BUT IT'S WOEFULLY UNDERFUNDED AND THE STATE JUST NEEDS TO DO A BIT BIT BETTER IN ORDER TO TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN SO THAT WE CAN CAN PROTECT ALL OF OUR KIDS.

AND SO THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING THIS PROCLAMATION AND COMING UP WITH IT AND HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS WILL TAKE ACTION.

AND AND AS HAS BEEN SAID, LET'S CONTACT OUR STATE OFFICIALS, LET THEM KNOW HOW WE FEEL, AND LET'S GET PEOPLE TO GO TO AUSTIN AND ALSO SHARE THEIR SENTIMENT WITH THEM AS WELL. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THAT, DR. WRIGHT.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

WE'VE HAD SOME DISCUSSION.

SO ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NONE. MOTION CARRIES.

SEVEN ZERO.

THANK YOU. BOARD. I KNOW HOW MUCH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US CARES DEEPLY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

WE'RE CERTAINLY NOT DOING THIS JOB FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE BETTERMENT OF OUR STUDENTS.

SO I APPRECIATE YOU BEING A PART OF THAT.

ALL RIGHT. SO OUR NEXT HAVE AN RFI.

[G. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES]

[H. UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS]

THANKS, EVERYBODY.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.