Good evening. The time now is 6.30. I call our business meeting to order. At this time, I would like to welcome all of those who are in the audience as well as online with us, and thank you for taking time out of your busy day to participate in our meeting.
At this time we will have an invocation brought to us by Pastor Eric King of the Disciple Central Community Church,
followed by our Pleasures District Mission Statement, Emergency Statement, and then we will establish a quorum.
So at this time I would invite Pastor Eric King to the podium.
Let us bow.
Dear Heavenly Father, as we bow in humble submission to your will,
We pause to thank you for allowing us to assemble here tonight to share in the
business of the district. We pray, oh father, and ask a special blessing upon
every student, every teacher and faculty member, every employee of the district, a
special blessing to be upon our school board and superintendent. We pray, oh God,
that you continue to grant wisdom that we might continue to progress and do
those things that are pleasing in your sight. We thank you for those
achievement that have already been done and we claim the victory over that which
is not like you. We give you praise for all that you have allowed. We thank you
for what you've already done and we only pray that we can even do better
according to your will. In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we
submit to you. Amen. Please stand for the pledges.
Our pledge allegiance to the
flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation,
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Honor the Texas flag, I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one and
indivisible.
You may be seated.
The mission of DeSoto ISD is to ensure students, without exception, learn and grow at their
highest levels.
Our emergency message is Dassault ISD takes the safety of our students, employees and guests very seriously, including those with us tonight.
In an emergency situation such as a fire, please exit the building using one of the marked exits unless otherwise directed.
In the event of inclement weather, such as a tornado, we will ask all guests to move quickly into the interior of the building away from all doors and windows.
Our emergency operations administrator will monitor conditions throughout the meeting
and advise of any potential hazards or concerns as well as coordinate with local emergency responders
regarding when the situation has passed.
At this time, we do have a quorum with five trustees present.
We are missing Trustee Lacey as well as Trustee Mitchell.
At this time, we will move to our next agenda item, which is our CTE month resolution.
So at this time I would like to invite Melinda Pugh, our Director of Career and Technical Education to the podium.
Good evening to President McKessick, Superintendent Rogers and all board members.
I'd first like to just thank you for supporting the CTE department for many years.
We were the forgotten about department, but I do appreciate that you all not only support us,
but you come out to support the students as well whenever we have events or services
that we are giving.
I would like for the CTE team members to stand as I read the resolution,
whereas CTE Month
is taking place during the month of February to honor students who have chosen to pursue
career and technical education as a means of acquiring real-world skills to
compete in the workforce and whereas around 12.5 million American high
school and college students are enrolled in CTE courses which encompass a variety
of occupational fields including agriculture, construction, manufacturing,
lecturing, computer science, and healthcare, and whereas, in addition to gaining specific
career-related knowledge, participants in CTE programs learn such essential skills as
time management, problem-solving, and critical thinking, which better prepare them for the
challenges and opportunities of the workplace.
These programs motivate and encourage students by providing hands-on activities in which
they can further their expertise and interact with community members, potential employers,
and students and teachers who share their vocational interests.
And whereas career and technical education is offering a path to success in the 21st
century economy while helping to address the urgent need for skilled labor in high
demand industries, and it is enabling numerous Texans to secure gainful employment and
lead productive, fulfilling lives, now therefore be it resolved that the DeSoto ISD Board of
Trustees hereby recognize February as CTE month and extend sincere best wishes to all
the talented young students who have chosen career and technical education as a way to
achieve their long-term professional goals.
Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Pugh, for reading the resolution.
First, I want to say you guys look phenomenal in your green cardigans, so if why, we might
want one of those.
Also, I want to thank you so much for everything that you all do for our students in our CTE
programs.
The way that our students show up and show out every day is phenomenal, and I know it
is because of the work that you all do.
So on behalf of the board, we want to say thank you for everything that you do on
behalf of our students, and also not just of the high school, but the things
that you're doing to matriculate and build that pipeline from the elementary all the way
up. So again, thank you so much. So, board, at this time, let's give them a round of applause
and we invite you to the front.
And we would love to be able to come bring all of our CTE
staff to the front so that we can take a picture with you guys at this time.
At this time, we will move to our next agenda item, which is to see our National Counselors
Month. So at this time, I would invite Anita Peary, our Executive Director of CCM
to the podium.
Good evening President McKenzie to the Board of Trustees and to
Dr. Rogers our superintendent of schools. I just want to thank you for your
support that you provide for our school counselors each and every day. They do
great hard work with our students and with our staff and also with our
families and so we want to recognize our national counselor school counselors
for National School Counseling Week.
Our theme this year is school counselors amplify student success.
So I would like to read the proclamation.
Whereas school counselors are employed in public and private schools
to help students reach their full potential.
And whereas school counselors are actively committed to helping students
students employ, explore their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents as these traits
relate to career awareness and development, and whereas school counselors help parents
focus on ways to further their educational, personal, and social growth of their children,
and whereas school counselors work with teachers and other educators to help students explore
their potential and set realistic goals for themselves and whereas school
counselors seek to identify, utilize community resources that enhance and
complement comprehensive school counseling programs and help students
become productive members of society and whereas comprehensive
developmental school counseling programs are considered an integral part of the
educational process that enables all students to achieve success in schools.
Therefore, we, the subtle ISD, do hereby proclaim February the 2nd through the 6th,
2026 as National School Counseling Week.
And I have felt honored that I have been able to lead such a great group of individuals
for the last three years.
It's been a pleasure, and we continue to grow together.
And so I do want to take the time to recognize our school counselors that are here.
And we have a certificate for them that we would like to help acknowledge this week.
So our school counselors, I'm going to call them up by their campus as well
so that they can also receive their certificate.
Okay. So starting Ms. Erica Samson, she is with Frank Most Elementary.
She is new this year.
There you go.
Just stand right over there.
Then we also have today Ms. Anitra Winston.
She is at Katherine Johnson.
And we have these great cool shirts today talking about all our things that we do as school counselors.
There you go.
Then we have Ms. Shirley Robinson also at Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy.
Ms. Robinson helped lead our work with working with elementary and our middle school campuses.
Then we also now have our high school.
We have a young man that's a part of our group. He joined us last year, Mr. Medina.
So he keeps us balanced.
There you go.
Then also at the high school we have Ms. Perriman. She leads our high school counselors.
So she also helped teach me in step.
All right.
And then last but not least, as here tonight, we have Miss Kelly Washington at the high
school.
All right.
Thank you, Miss Perry, so much for recognizing the hard work of our counselors.
We know that it's not an easy job and to balance not only the schedules, but the
emotional support of these students and everything that they do.
So thank you all so much for our wonderful counselors and at this time
I would invite the board to take a picture with our counseling staff.
And
before we move to our next agenda item I want to make sure the record reflects that we do have all seven trustees present at this time.
So we will move to our next agenda item, which is three public comments on agenda items only.
At this time, I'll turn it over to Secretary Banks.
Madam Secretary, we have one. Mr. Kendan Green, I'm not sure if it's, is it none or agenda?
Okay, so we'll move to the next agenda item, which is the public comments on agenda items.
Ms. Green, would you approach? You have three minutes.
I'm sorry, none agenda items, my apologies.
Hey, good evening y'all, first off that was great to see. I want to like start off by seeing that, to see people that I remember when they were, they ain't hit the button yet.
Oh, it's on, it's on.
you need to be back in this district like it used to be.
So great job.
And I want to give a shout out to all the teachers
that I've seen at the high school.
I know it ain't no school perfect,
but it's good to see people striving for excellence
and trying to impart that on our children.
And I think sometimes as a community,
we miss it because we're not in them trenches.
But that's a whole other subject.
But I do have a question that I would like to be put on the record, please.
So I've been in special education every day for the last month, and I've noticed a couple
of things.
One is they're working with a real small lack of resources to properly educate, you know,
my son.
So I'm here talking about Cam.
And so after his art meeting, which was fantastic, we've noticed that he wants to be a chef.
Well, there's nothing there to help him achieve those goals.
And so what I'm asking is, just from what I've seen about some way we can work together on getting about $3,000 into special education.
So Ms. Robinson can give our students a chance at a better education, life skills and so forth.
So if that can happen, please let me know when.
And if not, please let me know why.
That's all I got today. I'll have a gray one. See y'all later.
Thank you, Mr. Gray.
Madam President, that exhausts the comments. Turn it back to you.
Thank you Secretary Banks. At this time we will move to our next agenda item, which is closed session.
We do have need for closed session tonight under Texas Government to Code Chapter 551.071,
legal advice with the school attorney, pursuit to Texas Government to Code Chapter 551.071
and 551.074, consultation with legal counsel and discussion regarding the first student transportation
services contract, including the settlement of outstanding invoices, disputes, proposed
contract amendment, and related matters.
Two, pursuits of Texas Governmental Code Chapter 551.071 and 551.074, consultation with legal
counsel, and discussion regarding the appointment of interim superintendent of schools.
B, Texas Governmental Code Chapter 551.072, deliberation regarding real property.
C, Texas Governmental Code Chapter 551.074, Personnel Matters,
and D, Texas Governmental Code Chapter 551.076,
Deliberation regarding Security Devices or Security
Audits. The time now is 6.49. We're moving to closed session.
Good evening. The time now is 9.03.
We are returning from closed session. We will move to our next agenda item,
which is 6A. It's an information item. We have learning, acceleration,
support opportunities. Last update brought to us by Elizabeth Bostick of
Grants and Budget Manager.
Don't think she's in the room so what we'll do is
come back to that agenda item. We'll just move forward and if she's available
we'll come back. So we'll move to our next agenda item which is 6B the 2026
2027 academic calendar brought to us by Anita Perry our Executive Director of
C-C-M-R.
Sorry, thank you. Dr. Johnson, my apologies.
Good evening, Disciple Board of Trustees, President McKizzick, and Dr. Salma Rogers.
At this time, I want to introduce you to second read for our 26-27 academic calendar.
We've reviewed the request and we implemented the corrections based on the feedback that
was given, and there's no other things that's needed.
Thank you. What can you note, what were the two changes that were modified?
The two changes modified was in regards to the PD days. That was one, definitely.
That was one that I don't remember who requested to look at that, so we changed that portion.
Thank you. For any additional questions, Trustee Mitchell.
Yes, thank you. Just curiosity, how do we determine what, how do we align our spring break?
What is the determining factor to choose if it's the second week in March versus the third week of March?
Based on Dallas College's spring break.
Is there any more questions?
No additional questions. Thank you so much dr. Johnson. Thank you
We will come back to our agenda item 6a, which is the learning acceleration support opportunities the lasso update
And at this time I will turn it over to dr. Rogers
Good evening president McKessick and trustees
We sent out information on the Lasso grant, but just wanted to create a space if there
were any questions that is additional funding opportunities that the district applied for
from the state and we will be bringing that item forward for a board approval.
The district received the PREP, which is for preparing teachers and provides an
opportunity for teacher mentor stipends also lift which will provide
professional learning community support and then high quality instructional
materials and so we submitted those items for math.
Thank you Dr. Rogers for the
update regarding the last opportunity. What are there any questions?
Seeing and hearing none we will move to our next agenda item which is 6C our
monthly bond update by Jason Colley of Presidio Program Manager. Good evening
Superintendent Rogers, President McKessick, board members. I'll jump right
into the to my presentation.
Can we go ahead and skip us? The clicker's not
working.
So I want to talk about where we're at in design. We currently have
five of our projects of phase one that are currently in the schematic
design phase, and we have one which is in the programming phase. I want to take a
little bit of time to touch on the schematic design approval process. We've
already moved through, thank you, we've already moved from the campus level. It's
now at the Bond Oversight Committee level for five of these six projects. I'd
I'd like to just pause here for a moment and look at what we have in the asterisk.
As of January 30th, we've been waiting on approval so that we can move forward with schematic design.
So right now for these five projects until we get approval from the board,
we really can't move any further with the design process for phase one.
And that's five of the projects.
There's a total of six, one's in programming, and five are in the SD phase.
So once we have board approval, then I can move further along with the design process
and move into the remainder of our procurement.
Do we have any questions here, any answers I could provide for you?
Trustee Mitchell, that's a question.
So thank you for that.
So it looks like here, this is based on the Bond Oversight Committee being selected.
That's what the pause is.
Yes, ma'am.
So I guess I actually have two questions.
One for you, are there any things that we could be doing in parent life?
Is the work stopping or are there other things outside of the one campus that you have been programming?
What other things can we be doing in parallel to continue moving while we're waiting here?
That's your question. For Dr. Rogers, where do we stand, or I guess Chastity, with this
committee and how soon will they be ready so that we can work on that?
Yes, so from the book, for clarity regarding the bond oversight committee, I did send out
an email to the board to notify that we do have the first meeting this Thursday, the
26th at 6 p.m. based off of the individuals that qualified to be on the committee,
which they had to be a DeSoto ISD resident, so everyone that applied up until that particular
point that was a DeSoto ISD resident was accepted on the Bond Oversight Committee.
We did open it up because we did not have a full committee, and so we need to go back
and see if we had any additional people to make up the full body of the committee.
But to answer your question, this Thursday at 6 p.m. is the first Bond Oversight Committee
meeting.
So with that being the first meeting, do we have a schedule as it relates to how soon they will actually be able to start taking action on items?
No. We don't have an answer to the latter part of your question.
Who's overseeing that meeting on Thursday?
So that is a combination meeting between Presidio. I will be representing at that meeting.
And do we have anyone from administration that would be attending?
So it would be the board and Presidio.
So typically I just, I want to spend a few minutes and kind of discuss that and see where we're at.
Because typically one wants the committee forms, you'll select the chair, the vice chair and the secretary.
So that's probably going to take place at this first meeting.
and then we'll start providing updates which is a little more robust than the
updates that we provide here to the the bond oversight committee and that will
start immediately. I don't know we are prepared to do that at the meeting on
the 26th it just depends on the time that's allowed and what what's the
board what the board desires but we as Presidio we are prepared to do that
typically those turn in to be a little bit more of a lengthy meeting because
it's more like a work session because there's dialogue there's back and forth
questions and things of that nature but they need to be prepared they need to
have a quorum and they need to basically follow the same rules and
protocols that you as the board do and then they will they will vote and it
will be documented and then once that happens then the chair will report to
you the board of decisions that were made in you know whatever the path forward
is. So and to further answer your question you ask a question about is
there anything else that we can be doing? Yes there is and we are and I'll
cover that up in the next slide and that's procurement. So we're in the
procurement and design process right now so we want to make sure that we
keep that procurement moving which thank you to the board for for keeping us
moving forward on that. We really need to keep that process moving and I really
need to start progressing as quickly as I can through the design process but we
want to make sure that we're involving number one at the campus level. We want
to make sure that the Bond Oversight Committee is also involved and they
have a little bit of input as well as the board when it comes to to the board
for the final approval. And that's outlined here in this slide.
Then that
That takes us to the procurement updates.
This is what we've accomplished together so far, the board, Presidio, and our team.
And this is what we have coming in quarter one in Q1.
These are all the items that will be coming before the board for consideration and possible
approval.
Do we have any questions on this slide?
And that is the end of my presentation.
Thank you.
Appreciate it.
So, again, we're looking forward to having our bond oversight committee identifying our
officers so we can go ahead and move forward with that work.
The next agenda item 6D, oh, sorry, I have one question.
The actions that we're taking today, am I overlooking that on this update?
Don't
we have to approve some the WR so
the architect contracts are not
included in this update? The procurement update, huh?
So we've already went over the, we're just executing the contract now, so we've already gone through these two items.
So we're going to put the contract of WRA.
Yeah, but I'm seeing it's not updated as part of the procurement updates.
Isn't that still part of the procurement related to the bond?
I don't have the answer to that question.
I mean, I'm just curious, like, okay.
It is part of the procurement.
The not to exceed has already come to the board and has been approved in a previous board meeting,
as well as the projects that those architects are going to oversee.
All that has already come before the board and been approved.
This is just a final approval of the contract for WRA for package one and Corgan for package two.
So
that's not reflected as what we've accomplished because you're saying it's a part of the not to exceed.
Yes, Matt. Once it's approved tonight, then we will execute the contract. It'll take probably three to four days. It'll go back through the procurement department here. But we can't do that or finalize that contract until the board approves.
So I would ask that there's a modification then. If we can see what's accomplished, maybe what contracts are pending approval and then the upcoming request.
I mean that's just so that will be that will be next month. I think it's worth
the worth seeing like I said I mean because I know we're taking action but
there's nowhere updated in this update to show that action so you're asking
for CDO to update their slide so so we report on the previous month so now
I'm reporting this month on last month when I come to you again with our
next bond update that action that you take tonight will be there as our
accomplishments because it's not officially executed yet so I don't want
to report that it's done and we've completed it until it has actually been
executed. Yeah I get that but I'm still thinking that there should be some
visibility in what's pending the same way we have upcoming requests it seems
like there should be something to show we have pending action that should
be identified in the updates as well. That's all. It usually is and it was
actually on the agenda, it was on the agenda earlier this month and we were
not able to take action so it got moved to the 23rd to this meeting and
hopefully we'll take action and approve tonight.
He's referring to when we were
advised to to table that action because he's saying that that is in the rear
So it's like a, it's a gap is what he's identifying.
The gap in the timeline between January and where we are now.
But you hear the note.
Yes ma'am.
Note of something pending.
Absolutely.
From what the board actually did.
I assure you then the next, the next report it will be there.
Okay.
Yes ma'am absolutely.
Yes ma'am.
So she's asking if we have something in, in limbo and pending to be able to identify that.
Yes, and for future meetings, yes, I will make sure that that happens.
Thank you.
Yes, ma'am.
Any additional questions? Okay.
Moving to our next agenda item, 6D has been pulled by the advisement of the conservator.
So we will move to our next agenda item, which is 6E, a financial update.
Let's see if I can't see over there.
Is he saying conservator Kim?
Well,
remember just as a financial quick update, as explained currently in negotiation with
the Texas Education Agency as well as your, the bank, who issued a $20 million tax
sensation note at this particular time, they're both amicable at this particular point in
terms of working out additional terms.
That detail hasn't yet been fully realized at this particular time, but certainly hopefully
Hopefully at the next board meeting I will have a little bit more update as to how that
would be worked out.
And so that would then bring additional information to this board to act on that.
I believe one of the things that TEA is looking for is additional data to justify the current
financial conditions that the district is facing.
And then thereafter the TEA will probably request a letter from this board requesting
a certain change.
So that will come to you as well too for determination.
Once that is taken care of, then we probably have at least two knowns that we need in order
to make financial conditions in such a way that we can plan a little bit better for the
rest of the school year and then start working on the budget development for the next school
year.
So at this particular point, right now at this time, we're still in flux, but there
are good hopeful signs, and for me to use our hopeful is really rare, but I do want
just let the board know that I think that everybody is willing to work and support the
school district to get to where we need to take care of for this school year and then
and for this board to start thinking through what our next steps are for the next school
year in terms of the budget process. Without alternative or to you with any questions
that the board might have. Thank you conservative cam for the update or to any additional
questions.
Seeing and hearing none. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, did I did I just
mention that you are going to take the action on E and F at this particular
point today, right? Yes. Okay, great. We're going to move to our next agenda item.
We do have consent 7a consideration impossible approval of Microsoft 365
software and be consideration impossible approval of board meeting minutes.
I will entertain a motion.
Move to approve consent items A and B. Second it.
There is a motion made by Vice President Durham and seconded by Trustee Cooper to approve consent agenda items 7A and 7B.
I call to question.
You may now vote.
I vote yes as well so that motion has passed 7 to 0.
So, we're moving to our next set of agenda items, which is 8A, consideration and possible
approval of application to TEA to allow a delay in implementing teacher certification
requirements.
At this time, I'll entertain a motion.
Move to approve action item A, 8A, seconded.
There's a motion made by Vice President Durham and seconded by Trustee Cooper to approve
agenda item 8A. Any discussion?
Trustee Mitchell.
So thank you, Madam President. Dr. Rogers, can I get some clarity? I know we're under
a D.I., right? But can you tell me how this actually impacts one of our constraints that
has to do with retaining qualified and certified teachers?
Yes, thank you so much. And that is a great question. So the district implemented through
our DOI a process for teachers who were our teacher and residents who were not
certified teachers they within three years they had to obtain certification
by or they had to be moving forward toward meeting criteria. As a district
we were a little bit ahead of the curve as we related to the state. During the
last legislative session the Texas Education Agency put in some new
laws that required all core classroom teachers kindergarten through fifth grade had to be
certified by the end of this upcoming school year.
However, based upon trend data across the state, what the agency has now realized is
that while that is a lofty goal and the districts would possibly have some challenges
just meeting that.
And so districts are able to request a waiver
to allow additional time to ensure
those levels of certification.
So Dr. Davidson can speak more to the lobby.
We are still planning to track and move the needle
in times of the work that we were already doing
within our district to ensure that we were recruiting
including and retaining highly qualified teachers that are certified.
But this is a flexibility that's allowed because the state law, if there isn't a waiver, any
teacher that is not certified in those areas that the law requires them to be certified
in at the end of this year would have to be released.
Is there any additional?
Okay.
Hello, Trustees.
So regarding some, just to give a little bit more information, the year before last,
data was actually just shared regarding our retention rate, and the number looked extremely
high.
And the reason is because 30% of the individuals during that year that we released actually
were released because of lack of certification.
And so we've been very intentional about tracking individuals who are working towards
certification attainment and also making some hard decisions regarding their employment
for lack of certification attainment.
And the presentation that was provided for you also in the appendix, we've given
information and details regarding efforts that we have provided for individuals as they
work to progress towards certification through examination preparation courses and other
opportunities to ensure that we are providing as many resources as possible to try to retain
talent and assist to support them in working towards certification.
Thank you, Dr. White.
Board, any additional questions?
Seeing none, thank you, Dr. White.
Thank you.
One follow-up.
So am I to, so right now it shows we have 29 uncertified in that K through 5, right?
Correct, out of the 91 teachers that we have that are currently teaching kindergarten through
fifth grade, yes ma'am.
So if this is not approved then those teachers would not be, if they've met the three years,
if they're beyond three years, I'm not ma'am, according to the state law if they're
not certified at the end of this year then they will be released.
Even though we have the DOI.
Correct. Because the state law is now changed and so that DOI plan would not permit those teachers to still be employed.
Correct. So with this opportunity for the application, it basically would accept or approve what we've currently written in our district of innovation plan.
Otherwise, if we choose not to complete the application, it would nullify or reject what's in our DOI plan.
And we're not going past the DOI, past the three years.
No, that's correct.
Thank you, Madam Chair. For clarity, the question I guess that Trustee Mitchell is trying to get at those who would, who falls on the DOI.
So this is content teachers that we are coming to keep as opposed to DOI when it deals with like culinary and those type of courses.
Yes, so currently last year in February for last school year, we actually had our district
of innovation plan approved by you all to include core content teachers because we would
be essentially out of compliance with the agency if it was not listed out in our district
of innovation plan.
Now the state is saying if we don't apply today or if you all don't choose to complete
the application and it be approved, now they're saying your DOI plan basically is
is no good. So whatever is written there, it will not stand essentially for the teachers
that are core content, but uncertified.
Trustee McNair.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Dr. Davidson, what is the, I don't want to say aggressive, but
I guess I'm going to say ambitious plan to make sure that we are recruiting certified
K-5 teachers. Are we going to the colleges to recruit them?
So that had been a way that we were working to try to recruit certified teachers, however, just in full transparency,
many of the colleges are actually dissolving their colleges of education due to lack of interest in the profession.
And so if you were to go to Baylor University, they may have 90 recruiters that are there from various districts
and they may only have about 70 candidates and some of those candidates are moving to
Montana to hike because they may not be interested in teaching and so in that the colleges have
not yielded as many teachers as are needed and so there has been a tremendous challenge
post COVID with finding highly qualified and certified teachers and so now the state is
seeing this, and so districts like Allen ISD, Westlake ISD, various other districts, probably
about 80, over 80% of the districts in our state are having to take this measure.
Thank you.
Trustee Banks.
Okay.
Dr. Davis, right?
Thanks.
So what is your plan in far as communication?
What do you have set for the district to recruit these, since I know you talked
about the colleges, not being there. What's your plan? What do you see? What's your motivation
to get our teachers to get in our schools what we need?
Yes, ma'am. So the goal would be for us to continue to retain the teachers that we already
have recruited and help to get them certified well before the timeline that we have.
For example, we've offered 13 sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays for examination preparation
in K5 EC2.
We've also partnered with Duncanville ISD to offer sessions on Saturdays and also have given
a web asynchronous based opportunity virtually through our holiday seasons so that we can
actually retain the individuals that we currently have that we've recruited while also helping
to work towards getting them certified because if we can get them certified then we won't
have to look for more qualified teachers because they would be the qualified certified teacher.
So what's the ongoing plan? That's in-house and what you're doing.
Now what's your ongoing? What's coming up for the next school year?
So we have partnerships with the various different alternative certification programs.
So that is actually a part of the application.
We have to provide them with memorandums of understanding.
And so we have one with, for example, Texas Teachers of Tomorrow.
And so we can partner with them to identify talent that they already have in the pipeline for alternative certification.
Additionally, we have a para to teacher cohort.
And so we still, of course, are going to work with our para professionals who are interested in teaching.
They're on a trek also for certification.
And so we can definitely look to see how we can try to tap and identify talent that's already certified to come and serve here within our district.
but again the state is giving these options to make sure that our students have individuals in front of them to support them.
Chris, can you give us the kind of update where the PARIS has that work in that process?
Yes, so actually about a week and a half ago we facilitated a PARIS, a teacher cohort interest meeting for our second cohort for PARIS.
So we have about eight individuals who attended the interest meeting who are highly interested
in attending Dallas College.
So they'll start their tenure and start their opportunity at Cedar Valley for the first
two years of their experience, and then they will go through a practicum and have opportunities
to further their education and also to get their certification, obtaining their bachelor's
degree.
Dr. Davidson, how many pairs do we have in the first cohort?
There are currently five parrots in the first cohort and we partner cohorts with one of
our neighboring charter schools and our next cohort will be partnered with a neighboring
ISD.
What do you mean by charter?
So because our cohort number was so small, you had to have at least 10 individuals that
were interested in being in the cohort prior to.
We had to get with another entity in order for them to actually allow our parrots
to participate.
So we didn't have anybody in the near district within the public schools that we could have
partnered with?
Well, not at that time when we initially had the parents of teacher cohort.
And so Dallas College, they're the ones who identify who you can partner with based off
of location because they have to correlate it with everyone's schedule and when they
can go to Cedar Valley.
Trustee McNair.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
So you mentioned, Dr. Davis, that they have the three years to acquire their certification.
So they get to two years and they haven't done that yet.
Is it required that they use some of the resources that the district offers, the Saturday trainings,
the combining with another district, or is it strongly recommended?
Because at that point, two years, I'm just giving you a scenario.
Two years have gone by.
I mean, these are our babies here.
That foundation is very important.
So what are we doing to move these teachers along?
So we meet with them.
So I'm not the only one that takes ownership.
Our campus administrators also are very integral
in making sure that they prioritize
connecting with their teachers that are uncertified.
So we have meetings basically with them.
I met with them during the fall,
myself individually to see exactly where they are
and to track their progress.
We also check their TIL accounts to see if they made progress.
And we also collaborate with the certification programs to see where they are in the progress, in the process.
So if someone is in their second year, every year we are monitoring.
All the time we're monitoring the individuals that are uncertified.
And we're communicating very frequently with them where their status is,
so that they are cognizant of where come spring break, what their fate will be for the upcoming school year.
Okay. I'm early literacy, so I know the value of having a certified teacher, pedagogy content and everything.
And I would just like to update regularly to know where we are as far as the K-5 teachers, because I'm a little bit alarmed.
I guess it didn't stick with me that that's how many we have, but I would like every student, you know, K-5.
And all, you know, all grades, but particularly our young scholars to make sure they get that strong foundation that they need.
Thank you.
Thank you. I'm taking that note.
One final question. How many have received their certifications?
So I know for sure that 14 have already taken in past testing.
And so I'd have to look at the number. I can include that in a board update.
No problem.
Thank you. Appreciate it.
Okay, Board, we do have a first by Vice President Durham and second by Trustee Cooper.
Any additional discussion?
Seeing and hearing none, I call it a question.
You may now vote.
That motion has passed five to two.
We will move to our next agenda item,
which is HB, consideration impossible approval of resolution declaring a public purpose
to expand funds during the emergency closure.
At this time, I'll entertain a motion.
Move to approve action item 8b.
Second.
There's a motion made by Vice President Durham Second
by Trustee Cooper to approve agenda item 8b.
Any discussion?
Seeing and hearing none, I call to question.
You may now vote.
Their motion has passed 7 to 0.
For the next agenda item, I'm
going to defer to our attorney
We need to make sure we have the appropriate motion.
Good evening, members of the board.
With respect to item number 8C, considering take possible action to approve settlement
agreement between the Solar Independent School District and in this case, it's first student.
Instead of student first, the agreement was first student resolving claims for transportation
services rendered July 2025 through January 2026.
The Council recommends that the board entertain a motion to approve this item as presented
in an executive session.
Move to approve Action Item 8C as discussed in a closed session.
Second.
There is a motion made by Vice President Durham and second by Trustee Cooper to approve Agenda Item 8C as discussed in closed session.
Any discussion?
Seeing and hearing none, I call to question.
You may now vote.
I vote yes as well.
That motion is passed 7-0.
With respect to Item 8D, the same thing regarding consideration and possible action to approve contract amendment and extension.
with first student for transportation services
from February, 2026 through June 30, 2026.
Legal counsel is also going to recommend
that the board entertain the motion to approve
the contract, amendment and extension,
as presented in executive session.
Move to approve action item 8D
as discussed in closed session.
Second.
There's a motion made by Vice President Durham
and second by Trustee Cooper
to approve agenda item 8D
as discussed in closed session.
Any discussion?
Seeing and hearing none, I call to question.
You may now vote.
I vote yes as well.
The motion has passed 7-0.
Our next agenda item is 8E, consideration and possible approval to enter into contract with WRA,
Architects for Architects and Engineering Services related to bid package 0-1.
At this time, I'll entertain a motion.
Motion to approve action item 8E.
Seconded.
There's a motion made by Vice President Durham is taken by Trustee Cooper to
approve agenda item 8E. Any discussion?
Seeing and hearing none, I call it a
question. You may now vote.
I vote yes. That motion has passed five to two.
The
next agenda item is 8F consideration and possible approval of Corgan
Architects for Architecture and Engineering Services related to big
package number two. At this time, I'll entertain, excuse me, I'll entertain a motion.
Motion moved to approve action item 8E. Seconded. I'm sorry, HF. Seconded.
There's a motion made by Vice President Durham and seconded by Trustee Cooper to approve agenda item 8F.
Any discussion?
Seeing and hearing none, I call to question. You may now vote.
I vote yes as well so that motion has passed six to one.
Our next agenda item is 8G, which is a second read of the Senate Bill 11 on daily prayer time for the 89th legislative session.
At this time, I'll entertain a motion.
Madam President, this motion has to be through a roll call vote.
So we does require that we go one by one and that each trustee publicly say yay or nay depending on what the motion is.
I have an update.
Okay.
No, it can be after the update.
I'm just saying when we get to the voting, it has to be one by one in a public roll call vote.
Okay.
So you don't have a fraction then?
It's an action.
Right.
So you can give the update, and then after the update, we can take the vote.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Okay, board.
So you should have in your folder the update on the resolution regarding Senate Bill 11,
which addresses the period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts.
And so we have one of two things that we do today.
We either vote yes on this resolution, which reads,
the DeSoto ISD shall adopt a policy requiring every campus of DeSoto ISD
to provide a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts
text as provided by Texas Education Code, and it will be adopted, you know, in this
day that we passed. Along with that, you would have DGA local and FNA local, which we would
insert the time, the meeting time, and the location. And so, from the information that
we have received, this prayer time must take place outside of instructional time.
And so the SOTL ISD campuses do have 45 minutes in their instructional time that they would be able to use for this.
If we do pass this, however, currently the district uses that time for like tier level intervention.
So keep that in mind as you determine if you want to vote yes on this or the next thing we would do is just vote no.
If we vote no, there would be no policy and that would be the end of it.
Just want to clarify from my understanding, you're saying that based off of the instructional day, there's 45 minutes that is allocated as non-instructional.
And the mandate states that it has to be during the non-instructional time.
Right, the additional time.
However, in DeSoto ISD, the 45 minutes we use for intervention.
Yes.
Okay.
This will make sure I was understanding.
Mm-hmm.
any additional questions?
Seeing and hearing none, we will go ahead and do a roll call vote.
I will need a motion.
Oh, I do need a motion. My apologies.
Move to approve action item 8G. Seconded.
So you would need to, respectfully, you would need to say, are you approving to have the policy?
Okay, thank you.
Okay, there's,
so are you giving us an option when you make this motion or is it?
Yeah, vote, time to vote.
So thank you for the clarification. So what we're saying is based off of the Senate bill, the Senate bill is to, the way we have our resolution written is to have it.
So you're voting to either yes, approve it, or no, you're not approving it.
Does that make it clear? Okay.
All right, so you're either
voting to approve the resolution, as is written in your packet, or you're voting
to no, not approve the resolution. So we'll do by roll call.
Let me get myself together real quick.
Trustee Cooper.
Yay.
Trustee McMurray. No.
So, trustee banks.
No.
Uh, President Mckissick, no. Vice President Durham?
No.
Trustee Lacey?
No.
Trustee Mitchell?
No.
That motion has, has failed. Um, we had six noes and one yes.
So the next agenda item is 8-H, consideration and possible approval of the 2024-2025 annual,
I'm sorry, that particular action item has been pulled by administration of our conservator
Kim.
Do you have anything to add?
Madam President and the board members, just a quick update on the AFR or your annual financial
audit.
So one of the considerations to finalize the audit report is an action item or action
plan by the district in addressing some of the material findings or evidence that
the audit has identified.
We want to take the appropriate time to make sure that that action plan is substantive in
relationship to where the financial status of the school district.
As I mentioned earlier, that financial status is somewhat in limbo due to the fact that
the bank and the TEA is still considering terms.
So we want to finalize that and come back to the board, hopefully in March the 10th
or at a next regular board meeting
to present that information to the board.
The caveat to this situation, however,
is that the deadline for submission to TEA
on the annual financial report this year
happens to be the midnight of February 27th,
which is this Friday night.
And it takes board action to move forward on that.
We will miss that at this particular point.
I've let TEA understand the situation.
They're in agreement in terms of where we are
when the district is at in terms of this situation.
As you know, the district would have received a score of 70 due to the fact
that there is a settlement issue with TEA with an overages of additional revenue
about three years ago.
That would automatically get you that 70.
Because of our current fund balance position, you'll also lose some positions regardless
of whether or not you missed the deadline or not.
and you have failed what's known as the first rating from the state of Texas.
So as a result of that, unfortunately at this point, doing it right,
unfortunately is going to give us a failed rating on the first rating, but that's the right thing to do.
Because we want to come back with the plan of action that's actually actionable
and also holds the district and the staff to the rigorous changes that we need to make in the systems
to ensure that we do not get into this situation.
With that, I'm going to ask the Board to go and be patient, and I'll bring back the audit report with your auditors in the next March meeting for you to adopt and submit the TEA at that particular moment.
Any questions, Madam President, to the Board?
Board, any questions?
Thank you.
We will move to our next agenda item, which is 8-i, consideration and possible approval
of the appointment of interim superintendent of schools.
At this time, I'll entertain a motion.
Motion to approve action item 8-i.
Seconded.
If I may, Trustees, and then we can get an amendment to the motion.
The motion be, we have to name the individual, and we also have to approve the board
president to enter into or to execute the employment agreement with the interim superintendent.
So the motion has to carry the name and the last part too.
Trustee Jerome.
Madam Chair, I move to amend my motion.
Just say my motion.
I can just say it.
Okay.
So my new motion will now be to approve, I move to approve action item 8 I, consideration
and approval of the appointment of Interim Superintendent Brent Mitchell, also given agreement
to the Board President to execute an agreement to hire.
Seconded.
So that we have a motion made by Vice President Durham and seconded by Trustee Cooper to approve
the appointment of Interim Superintendent of Schools, Brent Mitchell, also with the
approval of the board president to enter into an agreement.
Any discussion?
Seeing and hearing none, I called the question.
You may now vote.
I vote yes.
The motion has passed 7-0.
So at this time, I would like to invite if he's in the audience, on the back, okay?
So we're going to go ahead and get Mr. Mitchell back.
I would like to invite him to say any few words that he would like for the community at this time.
And
yes, so at this time of Mr. Brent Mitchell, we would like for you to say a few words and congratulations to you on being named our new interim superintendent.
There we go. Okay. I just want to say God is good. Number one, number two, thank you to the city of the South for this excellent opportunity.
And number three, I'm excited about getting to work and getting this job done. So thank you to the board, to the community. Let's get it.
Thank you. We appreciate you. So if you hang around so we can take a picture with the board, we would definitely appreciate you.
And to our community, just so you'll know for transparency and communication purposes, we will have opportunities for you all to engage with Mr. Mitchell so that you can become familiar with our new interim superintendent.
Do you have any last words that you want to share with us?
Again, I reiterate in my sentiments that it has been my stream of honor and pleasure to serve.
Thank you so much to the faculty, staff, students, parents, and trustees for working collaboratively to achieve the things that we've achieved over the last four years.
And again, I will say, forever in Eagle. Thank you.
And thank you Dr. Rogers again for everything that you have done over these last four years.
and we're going to hold you to that thing, a Forever in Eagle, so we're going to keep
calling you and we'll expect to see you around.
So at this particular time we have exhausted our agenda items and so I will entertain a
motion to adjourn.
Move to adjourn.
Seconded.
There's a motion made by Vice President Durham and seconded by Trustee Cooper to adjourn.
All in favor say aye.
Any opposed?
The time now is 9.53.
Board, I invite you to the front so we can take our picture before we leave.