September 5, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting

I. Regular Board Meeting Called to Order.

II. Moment of Silence.

III. Pledge of Allegiance.

IV. Roll Call:

V. Recommend approving the agenda of the Regular Board Meeting of Tuesday, August 5, 2023 with any corrections/deletions.

VI. Recommend approving the minutes with any corrections:

VI.A. Special Called Board Meeting was held on Tuesday, April 10, 2023.

VII. Superintendent's Report:  * SB1566

VII.A. Conference Presentations:

VII.A.1. Recognition of Jesus Antonio Garcia National Civics Bee State Qualifier.

VII.A.2. Recognition of Miranda De la Rosa student at Hudson Elementary School.  (Board Agenda Request Frank Ortiz/Board Support Minerva Pena)

VII.A.3. Recognition of National Security Officer Appreciation Week from September 17, 2023 through September 23, 2023.

VII.A.4. Recognition of the Rotary Club of Brownsville Sunrise & Home Youth Connection Project.

VII.A.5. Brownsville Independent School District Financial Report for the period ended August 31, 2023.

VII.B. DISTRICT FACILITIES UPDATE:

VII.B.1. Resaca Technology Center

VII.B.2. Sams Memorial Stadium

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Persons wanting to address the Board during Public Comment shall before the beginning of the meeting print their names and the subject matter on the sign-in sheet provided at the entrance of the Board Room.  As per Policy BED (Local) all Board Meetings, Public Comment shall be limited to items on the agenda posted with notice of the meeting.  The Board allots 30 minutes for Public Comment.  Speakers shall limit comments to a maximum of 5 minutes or the allotted time, depending on the number of speakers that have signed up. Complaints or grievances on the following subjects; employee complaints, personnel matters, student complaints, removal of alternative education program, complaints against individual board members, and expulsions, shall be directed to the appropriate policy for attempted resolution before bringing the matter before the Board.  The Board President shall determine if the topic shall be redirected to the appropriate policy or redirected to Administration. Comments on issues shall be constructive and courteous.


The Board may deliberate or take action regarding the following agenda items.

Board policy BE (Local) and Robert's Rules limits debate to two opportunities.  A Trustee may debate a motion for three minutes on the first speaking opportunity and two minutes on the second opportunity.
 

IX. Recommend approving the Consent Agenda. The Board has agreed to discuss the following items. All of the items below that are not called out will be approved by consent. 

                                              (All presentations limited to five (5) minutes)

X. Consent Agenda:

X.A. Recommend approval of the following General Function Item(s):

X.A.1. Recommend approval to authorize the Sam’s Stadium - New Parking Lot and Restroom/Concession Stand Improvements (West Parking Lot Only) Project under CSP #22-143 as substantially complete.

X.A.2. Recommend approval to authorize the Resaca Technology Center - Roof Replacement Project under CSP #22-144 as substantially complete.

X.A.3. Recommend approval to authorize the BISD Administration Building - Parking Lot Replacement Project under CSP #23-159 as substantially complete.

X.A.4. Recommend approval to authorize the Vermillion ES-Administration Building Reroofing Project under CSP #23-165 as substantially complete.

X.A.5. Recommend approval of Change Order #001 to amend the Owner/Contractor Agreement with TADCO Roofing, LLC for the Vermillion ES -Administration Building Reroofing Project of $38,043.19. The amount represents unused funds in the allowance. Fund 199 (Credit back to the District).

X.A.6. Recommend approval of Change Order #001 to amend the Owner/Contractor Agreement with G & T Paving, LLC for the BISD Administration Building - Parking Lot Replacement Project of $14,191.00. The amount represents unused funds in the allowance. Fund 197 (Credit back to the District).

X.A.7. Recommend approval of Annual Review Statement of Investment Policy and Strategies in accordance with Public Funds Investment Act, Texas Government Code, Section 2256.005(e).

X.A.8. Recommend approval to upgrade the BISD Athletic subscriptions to Gold to increase cloud storage space for all athletic sports at the six high schools.  Included is the Hudl Focus camera to allow live streaming for practice and games at each Main Gym. The BISD Athletic Department has budgeted for this purchase. (Sole Source)

X.A.9. Recommend approval for Brownsville Independent School District to apply for the Resolution to Declare a Good Cause Exception for House Bill 3 Armed Security Officer Requirement.

X.A.10. Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding the TIA (Teacher Incentive Allotment) reimbursable designation fee not to exceed the amount  of $400,000.00 to the Texas Education Agency in order to submit proposed designations for the 2022-2023 data capture year.  $400,000.00 will be reimbursed to the District.

X.A.11. The Brownsville Independent School District accepts the donation of tools totaling $30,000.00 in value from Bechtel Corporation for the Pipefitters’ certification program.

X.A.12. Recommend approval for School District Teaching Permit for Noncore Academic and Career Technical Education courses in Automotive Technician with Brownsville ISD. *

X.A.13. Recommend approval of Portable Chillers Rentals on a month to month depending on emergencies district wide.

X.A.14. Recommend approval to reschedule the Regular Board Meeting of November 7, 2023 to November 8, 2023, due to Elections.

X.B. Recommend approval of the following Payment(s):

X.B.1. Recommend the approval of payments for construction services and/or engineering services throughout the District in the total amount of $6,363.446.57.

X.C. Recommend approval of Budget Amendments:

X.C.1. Recommend approval of Budget Amendment #012 in the amount of $6,975,495.00 for Local Funds. (Reallocation of $50,000.00, Additional Funding of $3,624,615.00, Unassigned Fund Balance of $1,000,000.00 and Carryover Budget of $2,300,880.00).

X.D. Recommend approval of the following Contract(s)/Agreement(s):

X.D.1. Recommend approval to renew the AVID Memorandum of Agreement for Brownsville ECHS, Hanna ECHS, Lopez ECHS, Pace ECHS, Porter ECHS, Rivera ECHS, and Veterans Memorial ECHS and for District Leadership training in the amount of $39,063.00 from budgeted local and categorical funds for the 2023-2024 school year.  Services and items to be purchased are subject to the District’s needs and funding. *

X.D.2. Recommend approval to renew a Memorandum of Understanding between Brownsville ISD and Buckner Children & Family Services Inc. FAYS Program to provide youth and family crisis intervention services for the 2023-2024 school year. No cost to the District. *

X.D.3. Recommend to renew a Memorandum of Understanding between the Cameron County District Attorney's Office and Brownsville ISD to provide educational services to students in Kinder to 12th grades on various topics for student safety for the 2023-2024 school year with an automatic renewal on an annual basis. No cost to the District. *

X.D.4. Recommend to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the Children's Advocacy Centers of Cameron and Willacy Counties and Brownsville ISD to provide educational services to students in 3rd to 12th grades for the 2023-2024 school year. No cost to the District. *

X.D.5. Recommend approval of Subscription Agreement between Ellevation Education and Brownsville Independent School District for Compliance and instructional strategies for Emergent Bilingual students in the amount of $369,386.50 for the 2023-2024 school year. *

X.D.6. Recommend approval to renew a Memorandum of Understanding between the Brownsville Independent School District and the Licensed Professional Counselor Associate to provide an internship site on a BISD school campus for the 2023-2024 school year. No cost to the District. *

X.D.7. Recommend approval to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Texas at Austin, The Language Learners at University of Texas at  Austins Center for Hispanic Achievement (LUCHA) Program online courses, in the amount of $70,000.00 for the 2023-2024 school year. Services to be rendered to the Districts needs and funding. *

X.D.8. Recommend approval of a contract between MajorClarity by Paper Inc. and Brownsville ISD for the 2023-2024 school year to support college and career readiness goals and objectives by providing an online platform for career exploration for BISD 7th -12th grade students. In the amount not to exceed $38,700.00. *

X.D.9. Recommend approval for the Workforce Solutions Cameron/Texas Rising Star Provider agreement for Brownsville Independent School District to receive the reimbursement funds of up to $80,000.00 for Daycare Services at Lincoln Park School. *

X.D.10. Recommend approval for the Memorandum of Agreement between RGV Linking Economic and Academic Development and Brownsville Independent School District for the 2023-2024 school year. Rio Grande Valley Linking Economic and Academic Development will provide services to support the goal of students to stay in school and graduate from high school equipped with college and workforce readiness, in the amount not to exceed $24,936.00 from State Categorical funds. *

X.D.11. Recommend approval to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding with Brownsville Community Health Center for the 2023-2024 school year. The Brownsville Health Center provides primary and specialized health care services, at an estimated cost of $100,000.00.

X.D.12. Recommend approval to enter into Agreement with Cameron County Community Service Centers to provide Adult Basic Education/Adult Secondary Education, High School Equivalency, English as Second Language and certification for in demand occupation classes for the 2023-2024 school year at no cost to the District. *

X.D.13. Recommend approval of MOU between BISD and TSC Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Grant Program, Cycle 12.  Participating schools are at Besteiro, Faulk, Garcia, Lucio and Perkins Middle schools and Hanna, Lopez, Pace, Porter and Rivera Early College High Schools.  The term of this MOU shall be made effective August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2028 for an amount up to $500,000.00 per year.  The grant will serve 2,500 BISD students and over 1,000 parents. *

X.D.14. Request approval to enter in to a contract with Region 13 Education Service Center for training and support services for Brownsville ISD up to $29,540 related to the review and revision of the BISD Mission, Vision, Beliefs, Goals and five-year school improvement Strategic Action Plan. *

X.E. Recommend approval of the following Bid(s)/Proposal(s)/Purchase(s):

X.E.1. Recommend renewal of CSP #20-111 (TPA) Service for the Self-Funded Workers Compensation & Excess Insurance for Self-Funded Worker Compensation to Tristar Risk Management Services, Corpus Christi, Texas, in the amount not to exceed $257,054.00 for administrative fees, and Excess Insurance to Montalvo Insurance Agency/Star Insurance Company in the amount not to exceed $101,728.00 for the 2023-2024 Plan Year, this is the final year of a five (5) year contract. Administration is also recommending not to renew the loss control services as part of this contract for the 2023-2024 Plan Year.

XI. Board Member Request(s)

XI.A. Action Item(s)

XI.A.1. Discussion and possible Board action concerning status of District’s insurance consultant.  (Board Agenda Request Carlos Elizondo/Board Support Minerva Pena)

XI.A.2. Discussion and possible action regarding purchasing department procurement review.  (Board Agenda Request Denise Garza/Board Support Eddie Garcia)

XII. CLOSED MEETING:  as pursuant to the Texas Government Code Sections: 551.071, 551.072, 551.074, 551.082, and 551.084.

XII.A. LEVEL III GRIEVANCE(S):

XII.A.1. Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding Level III Grievance No. 001/23-24 on L.Z.

XII.A.2. Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding Level III Grievance No. 002/23-24 on R.D.L.F.

XII.B. PERSONNEL MATTER(S):

XII.B.1. Presentation, acceptance and approval of Resignations. (3)

XII.B.2. Personnel Update with Superintendent (Dr. Rene Gutierrez)

XII.B.3. Recommend approval of personnel for the 2023-2024 school year(s) – Speech Language Pathologist. Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation.(1)

XII.B.4. Recommend approval of personnel for the 2023-2024 school year(s) – Counselor. Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation.(1)

XII.B.5. Recommend approval of personnel for the 2023-2024 school year(s) – Athletic Coordinator. Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation.(1)

XII.C. ATTORNEY CONSULTATION

XII.C.1. Board Attorney:

XII.C.1.a. Legal Update with Board Counsel.

XII.D. INTERNAL AUDITOR CONSULTATION

XII.D.1. Status of past, ongoing and completed Board approved audits.

XII.E. Board Self Evaluation.

XII.E.1. Board Operating Procedures - 3rd Reading

XII.F. BOARD MEMBER REQUEST(S):

XII.F.1. Presentation, discussion and possible action reference placing/assigning, one parental liaisons per school at each of BISD’s schools.  (Board Agenda Request Minerva Pena/Board Support Frank Ortiz)

XIII. BOARD RECONVENES - Board action on agenda items discussed in Executive Session.

XIV. Announcement(s):

XV. Adjournment.