May 7, 2024 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, May 7, 2024 with any corrections/deletions.

VI. Recommend approving the minutes with any corrections:

VI.A. Rescheduled Regular Board Meeting of Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

VI.B. Canvass (VATRE) Voter Approval Tax Ratification of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 (VATRE Election held on November 7, 2023).

VI.C. Rescheduled Regular Board Meeting of Tuesday, December 12, 2023.

VII. Superintendent's Report:  

VII.A. Conference Presentations:

VII.A.1. Recognition of BISD Early College High School Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the 2023-2024 school year.  

VII.A.2. Recognition of Brownsville Early College High School as a 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best High School.  

VII.A.3. Recognition of the 2024 Texas Business Professionals of America Distinguished Administrator of the Year Award.  

VII.A.4. Recognition of the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST) Gold and Silver Recipients.

VII.A.5. School Lunch Hero Day Recognition.

VII.A.6. School Renaming Committee recommendation.

VII.A.7. Presentation of Abbreviated Summer Administration Work Schedule.

VII.A.8. Brownsville Independent School District Financial Report for the period ended April 30, 2024.

VII.A.9. Brownsville Independent School District Quarterly Investment Report for the period ended March 31, 2024.

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)

*  SB1566  Agenda items related to instruction
** Categorical Funds are financial support from state and federal governments that is targeted for particular categories of students, special programs, or special purposes.
 

X. Consent Agenda:

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

X.A.1. Recommend approval for School District Teaching Permit for Noncore Academic and Career Technical Education courses in Architectural Design with Brownsville I.S.D. *

X.A.2. Recommend approval of the Professional Development Requirements 2024-2025 that serve as the required trainings for the District. *

X.A.3. Recommend approval to submit the 2024-2025 Allotment & TEKS Certification Form. *

X.A.4. Recommend approval for the 2023-2024 State Adoption of Instructional Materials from McGraw Hill LLC, Cengage Learning Inc., eDynamic Learning Inc. and Ramsey Education to be implemented during the 2024-2025 school year for Science K-12th Grade at a cost to the District of $3,662,814.85. *

X.A.5. Recommend approval for the Proclamation 2024 State adoption of Instructional Materials from Cengage Learning, ICEV Multimedia, Goodheart-Wilcox Company, McGraw Hill LLC, and Savvas Learning Company to be implemented during the 2024-2025 school year for Teen and Glencoe Health at a cost to the District of $990,620.62. *

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 $1,072,541.23.

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

X.C.1. Recommend approval for the renewal subscription through a 3-year agreement between Brownsville Independent School District and LexisNexis, a division of RELX, Inc. (“LN”) to provide online legal research services in the amount of $7,284.00. 

X.C.2. Recommend approval to amend the Clinical Affiliation Agreement between Sunshine Haven and Brownsville ISD.  CTE Categorical Funding:  $5,000.00 is to be utilized for criminal background, drug and alcohol tests as per hospital policy. * *

X.C.3. Recommend approval for the Memorandum of Understanding between Gladys Porter Zoo and the Brownsville Independent School District for the 2024-2025 school year beginning in June 2024 to July 2025, to provide work-based learning experience for students, at no cost to the District. *

X.C.4. Recommend approval of an MOU between Brownsville ISD and Texas State Technical College for the 2024-2025 school year to provide P-TECH students the opportunity to enroll in Dual Enrollment program of study courses at respective high schools.  Cost not to exceed $15,000.00. * 

X.C.5. Recommend approval for agreement between Region 10 Educational Service Center and Brownsville I.S.D. to purchase 9 certification exam vouchers at the cost of $200.00 per voucher for the Educational Diagnostician Certification Exam. 

X.C.6. Recommend approval of contract with National Student Clearinghouse for services to be utilized for post-secondary student activity (high school level).  At a cost of $4,165.00. *

X.C.7. Recommend approval of an MOU between the Career & Technical Education (CTE) Department and Sam Houston State University.  The purpose of this agreement is to establish clear communication and collaboration between Sam Houston State University and Brownsville ISD at no cost to the District.  *

X.C.8. Recommend approval to renew agreement with Studentnest Foundation for MACC to provide math support in multiple languages, seven days a week, to AEL participants working to obtain a certificate of high school equivalency (TxCHSE) and/or increase their math skills. The period of service is ongoing, commencing on May 7, 2024 and ending on March 31, 2025. In-Kind No cost to the District. *

X.C.9. Recommend approval to contract with RGV Institutions of Higher Education as per Texas Education Code Section 28.014 for HB5 Instruction at no cost to the District. *

X.C.10. Recommend approval of the Memorandum of Understanding between BISD and Good Samaritan Community Services to provide supportive services, including after-school programs, recreation and leadership services to BISD students that would lead to further academic and personal success for the 2024-2025 school year at no cost to the District. *

X.C.11. Recommend approval to amend the MOU (Amendment 1) between BISD and TSC Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning enters (CCLC) Grant Program, Cycle 12, Year 1 funding from $500,000 to $712,500.  The modified MOU shall remain in place through July 31, 2028 unless otherwise amended. *

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

X.D.1. Recommend awarding RFQ #24-126 Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Material  Services District-Wide to Terracon Consultants, Inc. of Pharr, Texas, RABA Kistner Consultants of Dallas, Texas, and    Millenium Engineers Group of Edinburg, Texas with an option to renew for two additional years.  Additionally, to authorize the Administration to negotiate and execute the contract for aforementioned services on a project-by-project basis. Year one(1) of a three (3) year contract. 

X.D.2. Recommend awarding RFQ #24-127 Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Windstorm Inspection and Structural Engineering Services District-Wide, to Green-Rubiano & Associates, Inc. of Harlingen, Texas, AMTECH Solutions, Inc. Dallas, Texas, and Solorio, Inc. of Mission, Texas, with an option to renew for two additional years.  Additionally, to authorize the Administration to negotiate and execute the contract for aforementioned services on a project-by-project basis. Year one(1) of a three (3) year contract.

X.D.3. Recommend awarding RFQ #24-128 Civil Engineering Services District-Wide to Ambiotec Civil Engineering Group, Inc., of Brownsville, Texas, Halff Associates, Inc. of McAllen Texas, Guzman & Munoz Engineering and Surveying, Inc. of Mercedes, Texas, and SWG Engineering, LLC. of Weslaco,Texas, with an option to renew for two additional years.  Additionally, to authorize the Administration to negotiate and execute the contract for the aforementioned services on a project-by-project basis. Year one(1) of a three (3) year contract.

X.D.4. Recommend awarding RFP #24-019  Athletic Supply for Football, Volleyball and Girls/Boys Basketball District-Wide (Catalog Bid) to several vendors. (Annual RFP)

X.D.5. Recommend awarding RFP #24-020  Athletic Supplies for Cross Country, Soccer and Track District-wide (Catalog Bid) to several vendors.  (Annual RFP)

X.D.6. Recommend awarding RFP #24-021  Athletic Supplies for Baseball and Softball District-wide (Catalog Bid) to several vendors.  (Annual RFP)

X.D.7. Recommend awarding RFP #24-022  Athletic Supplies for Golf, Swimming, and Tennis District-wide (Catalog Bid) to several vendors.  (Annual RFP) 

X.D.8. Recommend awarding RFP #24-050 Curriculum and Instruction Supplies, Materials and Software District -wide to several vendors. (Annual RFP)

X.D.9. Recommend awarding RFP #25-010 Graduation and Honor Awards District-wide to several vendors and cast lots for items #9, #10, #11, #14, #15 and #16 of said bid.  (Annual RFP)

X.D.10. Recommend awarding CSP #24-016 Third Party Administrator (TPA) Services for Retirement Plan (403 & 457) to U.S. OMNI & TSACG Compliance Services of Rochester, NY at no cost to the District or Participants.  The policy period is June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2026.

XI. Board Member Request(s)

XI.A. Action Item(s)

XI.A.1. Discussion, consideration, and possible action to consider keeping Cromack, Castaneda, Southmost, Garza, Morningside, and Del Castillo Elementary schools open with part of the 30 million grant monies. (Board Agenda Request Carlos Elizondo/Board Support Frank Ortiz)

XI.A.2. Discussion, consideration, and possible action To review the current time clock system to ensure that all campuses and departments have enough stations to make the process more streamlined and accessible for everyone.  (Board Agenda Request Denise Garza/Board Support Jessica Gonzalez)

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 Parent Grievance No. 002/23-24 on Lizette Lucio on behalf of Student M.A.L.

XII.A.2. Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding Level III Grievance No. 009/23-24 on M.T.

XII.B. PERSONNEL MATTER(S):

XII.B.1. Presentation, acceptance and approval of Retirements. (38)

XII.B.2. Presentation, acceptance and approval of Resignations. (7)

XII.B.3. Personnel Update with Superintendent (Dr. Jesus H. Chavez)

XII.B.4. Recommend approval of personnel for the 2023-2024 school year – Educational Diagnostician. Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation. 

XII.B.5. Recommend approval of personnel for the 2023-2024 school year – MCJROTC Instructor. Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation. 

XII.B.6. Recommend to approve additional compensation for professional employees (G.G., and K.S.) temporarily assigned to Principal/Assistant Principal positions until such time that permanent assignments are made for the 2024-2025 School Year.

XII.B.7. Recommend to approve additional compensation for professional employees (J.C.) temporarily assigned to Principal positions until such time that permanent assignments are made for the 2024-2025 School Year.

XII.B.8. Recommend approval for the proposed non-renewal of a term contract professional teacher (A.E.) at the end of the 2023-2024 School Year.

XII.B.9. Recommend approval of the termination of a probationary contract teacher (A.C.) at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

XII.C. ATTORNEY CONSULTATION

XII.C.1. Staff Attorney

XII.C.1.a. Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding Case No. 1:24-CV-00054, Lizette Lucio and Marc Anthony Lucio Individually and As Next Friend of M.A.L vs Brownsville Independent School District, et. al. 

XII.C.2. Board Attorney:

XII.C.2.a. Legal Update with Board Counsel.

XII.D. INTERNAL AUDITOR CONSULTATION

XII.E. Board Self Evaluation.

XII.E.1. Governance

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

XIV. Announcement(s):

XV. Adjournment.