1 00:00:03,210 --> 00:00:05,460 Good evening. I'd like to call this meeting to order. 2 00:00:07,230 --> 00:00:12,930 The time is now 17:30 for regular board meeting, Wednesday, August 12th, 2026. 3 00:00:13,380 --> 00:00:14,730 Roll call. Orlando Lopez. 4 00:00:15,780 --> 00:00:16,951 Israel Villarreal. Present. 5 00:00:17,550 --> 00:00:18,390 Selena Gonzalez. 6 00:00:18,930 --> 00:00:19,320 Present. 7 00:00:19,890 --> 00:00:22,260 Dr. Ariel Cruz Bella. 8 00:00:26,220 --> 00:00:26,580 Present. 9 00:00:26,850 --> 00:00:27,690 Crystal Hernandez. 10 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:28,500 Present. 11 00:00:28,741 --> 00:00:29,310 Rudy Corona. 12 00:00:29,850 --> 00:00:30,180 Present. 13 00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:31,169 Joel Abrego. 14 00:00:32,010 --> 00:00:32,401 Present. 15 00:00:33,780 --> 00:00:34,800 Alfredo Perez. 16 00:00:35,070 --> 00:00:35,429 Present. 17 00:00:35,850 --> 00:00:36,420 Tony Torres. 18 00:00:37,845 --> 00:00:37,860 Present. 19 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:42,300 Next, we will have the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation. 20 00:00:42,390 --> 00:00:46,920 Okay. Today we have Adrian Leos. And Adrian Leos is a 10-year-old fifth grade 21 00:00:47,250 --> 00:00:49,170 student whose favorite subject is mathematics. 22 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:54,660 He enjoys playing soccer and the bass guitar and is actively involved in both 23 00:00:54,690 --> 00:00:58,350 academics and extracurricular activities. 24 00:00:58,395 --> 00:01:02,924 Adrian has demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to his school by 25 00:01:02,940 --> 00:01:06,660 serving as secretary of the student council, maintaining membership in National 26 00:01:07,230 --> 00:01:11,580 Elementary Honor Society, and performing as a member of the school rock band. 27 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:16,590 He is the son of Debbie Leos and Medardo Leos. 28 00:01:17,551 --> 00:01:22,424 Will the parents of Adrian Leos please stand up to be congratulated? 29 00:01:23,715 --> 00:01:24,270 Very nice. 30 00:01:25,830 --> 00:01:28,290 Thank you for being here. 31 00:01:30,540 --> 00:01:33,540 And then next, for the invocation, we have Charlotte Leos. 32 00:01:34,260 --> 00:01:38,130 Charlotte Leos is a 10-year-old fifth-grade student at La Encantada Elementary, 33 00:01:38,279 --> 00:01:39,690 whose favorite subject is science. 34 00:01:40,170 --> 00:01:43,920 She enjoys expressing her creativity through drawing and making bracelets. 35 00:01:43,980 --> 00:01:47,641 Charlotte has distinguished herself through her leadership and academic excellence 36 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:51,961 by serving as student council president, earning membership in the National 37 00:01:52,051 --> 00:01:57,255 Elementary Honor Society, participating in the Gifted and Talented program, and 38 00:01:57,301 --> 00:02:00,330 being selected as a member of the Leonettes Dance Team. 39 00:02:01,051 --> 00:02:06,630 She is the proud daughter of Arturo and Cody Leos and exemplifies the qualities of 40 00:02:06,660 --> 00:02:10,711 leadership, scholarship, creativity, and dedication. 41 00:02:10,741 --> 00:02:13,815 Will the parents of Charlotte Leos please stand up to be recognized? 42 00:02:19,380 --> 00:02:20,700 Thank you so much for being here tonight. 43 00:02:34,770 --> 00:02:40,500 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the 44 00:02:40,530 --> 00:02:46,351 Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty 45 00:02:46,410 --> 00:02:47,730 and justice for all. 46 00:02:48,570 --> 00:02:52,110 Texas pledge. Honor the Texas flag. 47 00:02:52,171 --> 00:02:57,285 I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and 48 00:02:57,570 --> 00:02:58,230 indivisible. 49 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:09,601 Good evening, school board members, 50 00:03:10,380 --> 00:03:11,205 administrators, families, and guests. 51 00:03:11,205 --> 00:03:15,270 As a student representing my peers across our district, I'm honored to open 52 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:18,060 tonight's meeting with a prayer. Please bow your heads. 53 00:03:18,810 --> 00:03:23,101 Heavenly Father, as we gather here with a shared purpose to support, strengthen, 54 00:03:23,220 --> 00:03:27,404 and uplift our schools, we pray that you continue your influence and effort, 55 00:03:27,404 --> 00:03:31,590 touching our teachers and their teachers in the faculty office. 56 00:03:31,650 --> 00:03:37,335 We recognize this is a great responsibility based upon the shoulders of our school 57 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:41,910 board members, and we ask that when making decisions this night, you would grant 58 00:03:41,940 --> 00:03:45,750 clarity and allow everyone here to have an open mind. 59 00:03:45,781 --> 00:03:51,255 With this meeting, we pray for a spirit of collaboration where different ideas are 60 00:03:51,255 --> 00:03:56,160 heard with respect and kindness. We also want to express our deep gratitude for our 61 00:03:56,310 --> 00:03:59,234 teachers and staff who pour their hearts and souls into us. 62 00:03:59,234 --> 00:04:04,440 Thank you, board members, for your time and your dedication to our 63 00:04:04,531 --> 00:04:08,220 education. 64 00:04:10,110 --> 00:04:13,470 We ask that 65 00:04:13,590 --> 00:04:18,720 you 66 00:04:31,830 --> 00:05:14,430 would 67 00:05:14,580 --> 00:05:19,815 lead us with wisdom and guide 68 00:05:19,860 --> 00:05:20,610 our 69 00:05:20,625 --> 00:05:27,240 conversations. 70 00:05:27,255 --> 00:05:31,185 Amen. 71 00:05:31,185 --> 00:05:31,230 Amen. 72 00:05:32,910 --> 00:05:37,951 I'd like to thank Ms. Garcia, principal of La Encantada Elementary, for being here 73 00:05:37,966 --> 00:05:40,380 and for bringing the students tonight. Thank you so much for all the work you do. 74 00:05:47,490 --> 00:05:48,600 Next item is public comment. 75 00:07:21,270 --> 00:07:24,405 The presiding officer may request assistance from law enforcement officials to have 76 00:07:24,451 --> 00:07:25,815 an individual removed from the meeting. 77 00:07:26,311 --> 00:07:30,091 If a speaker is seeking board resolution for a specific complaint, that concern 78 00:07:30,105 --> 00:07:32,385 should be addressed through the district's grievance process. 79 00:07:32,850 --> 00:07:37,230 District Policy DGBA has been established for addressing employee complaints. 80 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:41,880 Policy F and G is the avenue for filing parent complaints, and Policy GF addresses 81 00:07:41,940 --> 00:07:45,540 community member complaints. Grievance forms can be obtained at any campus 82 00:07:45,660 --> 00:07:50,790 administration office or at the district central administration offices. 83 00:07:59,581 --> 00:08:01,470 Today for public comment, we have Mary Maney. 84 00:08:37,620 --> 00:08:43,530 But no, seriously, we do 85 00:08:43,591 --> 00:08:48,450 use it to help with the STEM activities at the high school 86 00:08:48,870 --> 00:08:54,675 with some various outings to state parks, and Green Power has some use in it, 87 00:08:54,901 --> 00:08:59,505 and Archery has some use out of it. So it really does help make our life just a 88 00:08:59,550 --> 00:09:00,330 little bit easier. 89 00:09:01,836 --> 00:09:04,311 I would like to go into my normal thank yous. 90 00:09:04,476 --> 00:09:08,496 The start of this school year has been incredibly good. 91 00:09:08,886 --> 00:09:12,876 Security has made life a lot easier. 92 00:09:12,906 --> 00:09:17,646 Maintenance and our custodial staff killed themselves this summer making the 93 00:09:17,706 --> 00:09:20,706 schools look as good and as helpful as they are. 94 00:09:21,336 --> 00:09:27,126 Secretarial staff has been just aces in making the start of the school 95 00:09:27,186 --> 00:09:31,371 year so much easier than if we didn't have them. 96 00:09:31,461 --> 00:09:36,936 They make it look like it's kind of a push-button 97 00:09:36,996 --> 00:09:39,936 organization, which is what we want it to do. 98 00:09:40,027 --> 00:09:44,121 Unfortunately, people forget that there are support structures that make that 99 00:09:44,166 --> 00:09:46,266 push-button application so easy. 100 00:09:47,856 --> 00:09:52,716 PDs that we had during this teacher thing, pretty good. 101 00:09:52,746 --> 00:09:57,051 Enjoyed what I was doing. But it did raise a question when I'm looking at the 102 00:09:57,096 --> 00:10:01,326 calendar. According to the calendar, at the end of the school year, you have four 103 00:10:01,356 --> 00:10:06,876 exchange days listed. However, this summer we only had three exchange 104 00:10:06,966 --> 00:10:12,246 days. Does that mean we have another exchange day coming up, or 105 00:10:13,296 --> 00:10:14,826 is there something wrong with our calendar? 106 00:10:15,516 --> 00:10:19,956 I'm not saying that I disagree with having to come in to work an additional day, 107 00:10:20,136 --> 00:10:20,481 but 108 00:10:22,266 --> 00:10:26,196 seriously, if we only get three in the summer and those are the only exchange days 109 00:10:26,257 --> 00:10:29,586 we have, how did three become four? 110 00:10:29,646 --> 00:10:33,846 And if we could use that, I would like to apply that same math to the mid-year 111 00:10:33,861 --> 00:10:34,566 stipend. 112 00:10:37,476 --> 00:10:39,936 Got to get that mid-year stipend thing going in there. 113 00:10:40,746 --> 00:10:43,896 But seriously, thank you very much for what we have done with it. 114 00:10:44,766 --> 00:10:50,257 I would like some clarification on that just to make sure that it's not just a 115 00:10:50,316 --> 00:10:54,876 misprint, if there is something else going on that we need to know, because it is 116 00:10:54,996 --> 00:10:59,226 labeled an exchange day, not a work day and three exchange days. 117 00:10:59,316 --> 00:11:01,866 All four of them are labeled as exchange days. 118 00:11:02,556 --> 00:11:03,636 And then again, 119 00:11:05,316 --> 00:11:08,826 if we get a chance, say thank you to those custodial and maintenance people. 120 00:11:09,336 --> 00:11:13,236 Now, if the HVAC people could come in and adjust the temperature of my room, I 121 00:11:13,266 --> 00:11:17,331 would be a lot happier, but I'm not going to complain too hard because then it 122 00:11:17,346 --> 00:11:22,071 becomes arctic. But no, we really are being very blessed with what we've done. 123 00:11:22,116 --> 00:11:26,361 It's just the heat wave outside is not agreeing with all of our poor buildings. 124 00:11:27,007 --> 00:11:31,251 But thank you very much. Again, do keep in mind, mid-year stipend, we could use 125 00:11:31,356 --> 00:11:35,346 some more money. And thank you very much and have a great day. 126 00:11:36,906 --> 00:11:37,326 Thank you, ma'am. 127 00:11:41,166 --> 00:11:45,786 Next item is board report. At this time, I'd like to welcome back all the parents 128 00:11:46,236 --> 00:11:50,976 and the students and the staff back to San Benito School District. 129 00:11:51,906 --> 00:11:56,031 I want to thank all the staff that's in the room who worked over the summer 130 00:11:56,196 --> 00:11:59,736 tirelessly looking at data, planning for events, 131 00:12:01,686 --> 00:12:03,966 everything that it takes to run this school district. 132 00:12:04,027 --> 00:12:08,076 There's so many moving pieces. Every one of you contributes to that. 133 00:12:09,156 --> 00:12:12,306 And you guys are the tip of the spear for this school district, and without you 134 00:12:12,336 --> 00:12:16,716 guys, we wouldn't be able to get this done, so thank you for your endless hours 135 00:12:16,745 --> 00:12:21,366 during the summer. I would also like to say we had an amazing convocation. 136 00:12:23,346 --> 00:12:29,076 And while we did have a great guest speaker, the star of the show was the students. 137 00:12:29,616 --> 00:12:30,831 If you weren't in attendance, 138 00:12:32,496 --> 00:12:37,055 man, all the performances that we have, we have so much talent here in San Benito. 139 00:12:37,086 --> 00:12:42,366 It is amazing. And I look forward to the day that we have these 140 00:12:42,426 --> 00:12:47,766 performances open to the public so they can come and see them too in the grand 141 00:12:47,886 --> 00:12:53,616 scale of what we got to see last week is truly 142 00:12:53,646 --> 00:12:55,746 amazing talent here in San Benito. 143 00:12:56,436 --> 00:13:00,336 At this time, if any board members have anything to say, I'd definitely like to 144 00:13:00,396 --> 00:13:01,296 give them the opportunity. 145 00:13:08,136 --> 00:13:09,996 Okay, we'll move on to superintendent's report. 146 00:13:11,436 --> 00:13:14,451 Good evening, everybody. Yes, I just want to welcome everybody back. 147 00:13:15,126 --> 00:13:18,081 When I see the kids in the hallways and getting dropped off and all that, it just 148 00:13:18,126 --> 00:13:22,716 makes me feel like the world is right again, so I'm looking forward to an exciting 149 00:13:22,746 --> 00:13:27,186 year. I do want to thank everybody who worked over the summer for what you all do. 150 00:13:27,336 --> 00:13:30,861 I know we had some long days, but it was good. 151 00:13:30,876 --> 00:13:33,291 There was a lot of good work that was done, so thank you all. 152 00:13:33,757 --> 00:13:36,697 Again, I do want to also shout out to Mr. 153 00:13:36,907 --> 00:13:41,526 Martinez, actually, for setting up the student performances at the convocation. 154 00:13:41,736 --> 00:13:47,046 Fantastic job again. So great job. And I do want to acknowledge Ms. Gonzalez. 155 00:13:47,106 --> 00:13:50,225 She was the one to get us Juan Quinones, so I know a lot of people were excited 156 00:13:50,257 --> 00:13:53,616 about that, so thank you, ma'am. But I look forward to a great year. 157 00:13:54,246 --> 00:13:56,076 I can answer the exchange day already, Ms. Mimi. 158 00:13:56,767 --> 00:14:01,836 The campuses will have one exchange day that they will have throughout the year, so 159 00:14:01,896 --> 00:14:05,916 one Saturday during the year. The teachers are going to have a specific training. 160 00:14:06,051 --> 00:14:08,947 It's going to be campus-specific, and then that will be the fourth exchange day. 161 00:14:10,386 --> 00:14:15,816 But other than that, everybody have a great year, and we look forward to another 162 00:14:15,876 --> 00:14:16,507 exciting one. 163 00:14:18,066 --> 00:14:20,796 Does Ms. Gonzalez have a name for the person she's getting next year? 164 00:14:27,606 --> 00:14:29,856 The next items are consent agenda. 165 00:14:30,366 --> 00:14:34,956 In order to promote efficient meetings, the board may act upon more than one item 166 00:14:35,197 --> 00:14:37,926 by a single vote through the use of consent agenda. 167 00:14:38,796 --> 00:14:42,007 Consent items placed on the agenda shall be marked with an asterisk. 168 00:14:42,517 --> 00:14:48,276 Consent items are items for which no board discussion is anticipated and for which 169 00:14:48,306 --> 00:14:50,301 the superintendent recommends approval. 170 00:14:51,306 --> 00:14:56,286 Prior to the time which approval of consent agenda is had, at the request of any 171 00:14:56,316 --> 00:15:00,876 member of the board of trustees, any item on the consent agenda shall be removed 172 00:15:00,936 --> 00:15:04,401 and given individual consideration. Dr. 173 00:15:04,596 --> 00:15:07,866 Ariel Cruz, is there any items in the agenda that you would like to give 174 00:15:07,926 --> 00:15:08,436 consideration? 175 00:15:08,736 --> 00:15:11,286 Yes, I'm going to pull agenda item 7.1. 176 00:15:16,657 --> 00:15:19,896 Mr. Abriel? I'm good, thank you. Gonzalez? 177 00:15:20,376 --> 00:15:20,916 No, sir. 178 00:15:21,546 --> 00:15:22,056 Senales? 179 00:15:23,646 --> 00:15:23,661 No. 180 00:15:23,796 --> 00:15:24,126 Corona? 181 00:15:25,447 --> 00:15:29,106 Same one as Dr. Cruz. Other than that, no. 182 00:15:34,267 --> 00:15:39,681 For academic services, consent agenda item 5.1 through 5.3. 183 00:15:43,056 --> 00:15:43,386 What's that? 184 00:15:46,326 --> 00:15:46,507 Entertain a motion to approve- Okay. 185 00:15:46,866 --> 00:15:50,765 I'd like to entertain a motion to approve all the consent agenda items for academic 186 00:15:50,796 --> 00:15:52,477 services, finance and operations- 187 00:15:54,517 --> 00:15:59,046 With the exception of 7.1 ... and administration with the exception of 7.1. 188 00:15:59,886 --> 00:16:01,776 So moved. 189 00:16:01,896 --> 00:16:07,146 Second? Second by Mr. Abriel. All in favor? 190 00:16:09,322 --> 00:16:10,026 Motion passes. 191 00:16:12,426 --> 00:16:15,861 I'd like to make a motion to move agenda item 7.1 into executive session. 192 00:16:17,886 --> 00:16:18,246 Second. 193 00:16:19,657 --> 00:16:20,227 All in favor? 194 00:16:23,106 --> 00:16:26,151 Item 7.1 will be moved to executive session. 195 00:16:30,907 --> 00:16:35,241 Action agenda. Discussion and consideration on board approval of a delegate and 196 00:16:35,286 --> 00:16:39,846 alternate to the Texas Association of School Boards Delegate Assembly. 197 00:16:43,116 --> 00:16:43,416 Mr. Perez. 198 00:16:46,401 --> 00:16:50,886 Do I have a nomination for one of the board members to be our delegate for the TASB 199 00:16:52,536 --> 00:16:53,526 Delegate Assembly? 200 00:16:57,697 --> 00:16:59,646 Anybody- 201 00:16:59,856 --> 00:17:04,747 I'd like to nominate Ruel. And is there a second? Or just one? 202 00:17:05,286 --> 00:17:10,566 We'll nominate the delegate and an alternate. You want to nominate the delegate? 203 00:17:11,286 --> 00:17:11,826 The delegate 204 00:17:13,176 --> 00:17:16,416 Ariel, and then second Ruel. 205 00:17:16,507 --> 00:17:17,257 I second that. 206 00:17:21,786 --> 00:17:23,106 Second. All in favor? 207 00:17:25,296 --> 00:17:26,646 Motion passes. 208 00:17:29,886 --> 00:17:30,336 All right. 209 00:17:31,956 --> 00:17:35,166 Closed meeting. In accordance with the Texas Government Code, Open Meetings Act, 210 00:17:35,197 --> 00:17:37,687 the board may move into a closed session for the following reasons. 211 00:17:37,806 --> 00:17:42,322 Section 551.071, for the purpose of a private consultation with the board's 212 00:17:42,366 --> 00:17:46,626 attorney on any or all subject or matters authorized by law. 213 00:17:47,076 --> 00:17:51,591 Section 551.074, for the purpose of considering the appointment, employment, 214 00:17:51,756 --> 00:17:56,931 evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or 215 00:17:56,947 --> 00:18:01,941 employee, or to hear the complaints or charges against a public officer or 216 00:18:01,986 --> 00:18:02,466 employee. 217 00:18:05,706 --> 00:18:08,947 Time is 5:48. We'll be going into executive session. 218 00:18:11,016 --> 00:18:16,730 The time is 7:54, and we will reconvene into open session and 219 00:18:16,746 --> 00:18:22,206 possible action on matters considered in closed session if necessary. 220 00:18:22,416 --> 00:18:24,562 Consent agenda 7.1, 221 00:18:25,926 --> 00:18:30,816 request for approval of revisions to the 2026/2027 compensation plan. 222 00:18:31,056 --> 00:18:34,296 I motion to approve the revisions to the 25/26 compensation plan. 223 00:18:34,716 --> 00:18:35,076 Second. 224 00:18:35,886 --> 00:18:39,456 I have a motion by Dr. Ariel Cruz and a second by Ms. Hernandez. 225 00:18:39,576 --> 00:18:42,876 All in favor? Motion passes. 226 00:18:46,116 --> 00:18:49,866 Agenda item 10.1, employment, resignations, retirements, and terminations. 227 00:18:51,306 --> 00:18:54,831 Yes, I ask the board to approve, as discussed in executive session, the employment, 228 00:18:55,056 --> 00:18:58,386 retirement, resignations, and terminations. 229 00:19:00,096 --> 00:19:00,726 Do I have a second? 230 00:19:01,146 --> 00:19:01,447 Second. 231 00:19:03,187 --> 00:19:08,556 I have a motion by Dr. Ariel Cruz and a second by Mr. Abriel. All those in favor? 232 00:19:10,836 --> 00:19:16,086 Motion passes. 10.2, discussion and possible approval of employment of secondary 233 00:19:16,101 --> 00:19:17,226 instruction director. 234 00:19:18,126 --> 00:19:22,341 Yes, I'm going to recommend Dr. Sarah Turon as the director of 235 00:19:22,416 --> 00:19:25,236 secondary. 236 00:19:27,546 --> 00:19:28,131 Do I have a motion? 237 00:19:29,736 --> 00:19:30,291 So moved. Do I have a second? 238 00:19:32,316 --> 00:19:37,026 I have a motion by Mr. Corona and a second by Dr. Ariel Cruz. All those in favor? 239 00:19:39,096 --> 00:19:39,906 Motion passes. 240 00:19:43,116 --> 00:19:46,416 I just want to thank everybody once again for coming out. Appreciate y'all. 241 00:19:46,506 --> 00:19:49,326 And at this time, I'd like to ask for a motion to adjourn this meeting. 242 00:19:51,366 --> 00:19:54,906 So moved. Motion by Mr. Corona, second by Mr. Hernandez. All those in favor? 243 00:19:56,706 --> 00:19:58,296 Thank you all very much.