May 18, 2011 at 6:00 PM - Regular

I. Pledge of Allegiance

I.A. Honor the Texas Flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.

II. Announcement by the Board President calling this meeting of the United Independent School District to order. Let the record show that a quorum of Board Members is present, that this meeting has been duly called, and that notice of this meeting has been posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551.

III. Public Comments: Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker. The Board Parliamentarian will be the timekeeper and will inform the speaker when they have one (1) remaining minute. No more than three (3) persons will be allowed to speak on any side of an issue. Should there be more than three (3) people who wish to speak on a particular issue they need to select not more than three (3) representatives to speak for them.  Comments must address items listed on the agenda. The presiding officer or designee shall determine whether a person who wishes to address the Board has attempted to solve a matter administratively. If not, the person shall be directed to the appropriate policy, as noted in BED (LOCAL), to seek resolution before bringing the matter to the Board at a subsequent meeting. Pursuant to 551.042 of the Texas Government Code, no Board Member or Administrator may respond to a member of the public, unless such response is a recitation of District policy or a statement of specific factual information. When a speaker comes to the podium, please indicate what agenda item you will be addressing. Furthermore, please refrain from mentioning any employee's name and any complaint about any employee's duties or responsibilities should be channeled through the appropriate grievance policy.

IV. Recognitions

IV.A. Cynthia Rodriguez, Principal-Trautmann Elementary School was selected as a Texas National Distinguished Principal (NDP) finalist by the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA)

IV.B. Clark Middle School -  8th grade student, Andrea Marquez was National Winner for VSA Arts in Washington, D.C.

IV.C. Recipients of the United ISD and Texas Association of School Boards 2011 Media Honor Roll

IV.D. Alexander High School Drum line – Texas Educational Color Guard Association – Open Class Division –Silver Medalist Winners – State Championships 

IV.E. Alexander High School Color Guard - Texas Educational Color Guard Association – Bronze Medalist Winners – State Championships

IV.F. Lyndon B. Johnson High School Color Guard, Bronze Medal Winners, Texas Educational Color Guard Association State Contest in Novice Division

IV.G. High School and Middle School bands that received the Music Region VII UIL Sweepstakes Award 2011

IV.H. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program – Laredo Family Success Coalition 

IV.I. United South Marine Corps JROTC receives several honors at National Competition held in Daytona Beach, Florida

IV.J. CISCO Networking Academy Netriders Competition 2011

IV.K. United High School – Ultimate Robotics Team – Texas Best Regional Competition 

IV.L. Trautmann Middle School and United High School Chess Club competed in three major scholastic tournaments:  World Open Class Festival, Region VII Scholastic, 2011 Texas Scholastic Championships

IV.M. United High School Boys Soccer Team

IV.N. Lyndon B. Johnson High School Boys Soccer Team

V. Consent Agenda Items

V.A. Approval of Monthly Disbursements

V.B. Approval of Budget Amendments

V.C. Approval of Tax Refunds

V.D. Renewal of District Worker's Compensation Insurance Program

V.E. Approval of Awarding Bids, Proposals and Qualifications

V.F. Approval of Amended Internal Audit Department Charter

V.G. Approval of Requests from Pat Campos for Use of Board of Trustees Discretionary Funds for JB Alexander High School for $8,980

V.H. Approval of Request from Rick Rodriguez for Use of Board of Trustees Discretionary Funds for Ruiz Elementary for $5,000

V.I. Approval of Request from Juan Roberto Ramirez for Use of Board of Trustees Discretionary Funds for Finley Elementary for $10,000

VI. Items for Individual Consideration

VI.A. Board Minutes

VI.B. Donations

VI.C. Selection of Law Firm - Delinquent Tax Collection Services

VII. Closed Session: Board will adjourn into closed session pursuant to the following sections of the Texas Open Meetings Act:

VII.A. 551.071 Consultation with Board's Attorney

VII.A.1. Consultation with legal counsel re: settlement in the matter of Annabel Echeverria, Individually a/n/f of C.E. v United ISD and Jose Estrada, Individually, in the US District Court, Southern District of Texas, Laredo, Division

VII.A.2. Consultation with Legal Counsel re:  Legal Issues in connection with Delinquent Tax Attorney Contract

VII.B. 551.071 Consultation with Board's Attorney
551.074 Discussion of Personnel or to Hear Complaints against Personnel

VII.B.1. Mirna Machado - Level III Grievance

VII.B.2. Discuss Internal Auditor's Annual Evaluation and Contract Extension

VII.C. 551.074 Discussion of Personnel or to Hear Complaints against Personnel
551.076 Considering the deployment, specific occasions for, or implementation of, security personnel or devices

VII.C.1. PEP Program

VII.C.2. Transportation Field Trips

VII.C.3. Status of on-going Audits

VIII. Reconvened from Closed Session, the Board will take appropriate action on items, if necessary, as discussed in Closed Session.

VIII.A. Action re: settlement in the matter of Annabel Echeverria, Individually a/n/f of C.E. v United ISD and Jose Estrada, Individually, in the US District Court, Southern District of Texas, Laredo, Division

VIII.B. Action re:  Level III Grievance - Mirna Machado

VIII.C. Action to Approve Internal Auditor's Evaluation and Extension of Contract

IX. Adjournment