[00:00:03]
>> WE WILL NOW OPEN UP THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF
[1. Call to Order Open Session in the Board Room at Little Elm ISD Administration Building on 400 Lobo Lane, Little Elm, Texas 75068.]
LITTLE ELM BOARD OF TRUSTEES AT 6:00 PM WITH THAT, WE'LL GO AHEAD.[2. The Board will recess into Closed Meeting in the Board Support Conference Room as permitted by the Texas Open Meetings Act Code Subchapter 551.072 & 551.074. The Board and Superintendent will discuss: A. Personnel B. Land ]
THE BOARD WILL RECESS IN A CLOSED MEETING IN THE BOARD SUPPORT CONFERENCE ROOM AS PERMITTED BY THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT CODE, SUBCHAPTER 551.072 AND 551.074.THE BOARD OF SUPERINTENDENT WILL DISCUSS PERSONNEL ON LAND.
[NOISE] WE WILL NOW RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION AT 7:01 PM.
WE WILL PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
[3. Pledge of Allegiance]
I ALMOST LOOKED AT MY GENDER WRONG.THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I DO NOT BELIEVE WE HAVE AN INVOCATION.
SO INTRODUCTION AND ROLL CALL, MISS FLORES? OH, SORRY.
[5. Oath of Officers]
I APOLOGIZE. BEFORE ROLL CALL. WHAT DID I MISS?>> HI. JASON OLSON, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF LITTLE ELM ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT, DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF THIS STATE SO HELP ME GOD. [APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]
>> I, DELEON ENGLISH, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF LITTLE ELM ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, SO HELP ME GOD. [APPLAUSE]
NOW, WE'LL GO TO INTRODUCTION AND ROLL CALL. MISS FLORES.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. WE'LL GO INTO SUPERINTENDENT SPOTLIGHT. MR. LAMB.
[7. Superintendent Spotlight ]
>> THANK YOU. WE'LL START OUT WITH LEADERS OF THE PACK. ASHELEY BROWN.
>> HELLO. THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT LAMB, PRESIDENT OLSON, BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
WE ARE THRILLED TO CONCLUDE OUR INAUGURAL YEAR OF LEADERS OF THE PACK TONIGHT BY RECOGNIZING TWO MORE OUTSTANDING MEMBERS OF OUR LOBO FAMILY.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF CAMPUSES THAT ARE REPRESENTED.
WE'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE A TEACHER AT HACKBERRY AND A TEACHER AT STRIKE.
WE'LL START OFF WITH RECOGNIZING OUR FIRST LEADER OF THE PACK MS. NANCY BRZEZINSKI, IF YOU'LL WATCH THE VIDEO. [MUSIC]
MY NAME IS MEYLING ORTIZ AND A MOM TO OBRIAN ORTIZ WHO WAS IN KINDERGARTEN AND OLIVIA ORTIZ WHO WAS IN SECOND GRADE.
THROUGH THE DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM, WE HAVE HAD THE BLESSING TO HAVE MS. BRZEZINSKI AS OUR KINDERGARTEN TEACHER IN DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM.
I REALLY WANTED TO NOMINATE MS. BRZEZINSKI AND RECOGNIZE HER BECAUSE OF HOW CARING SHE IS AND HOW SHE HAS JUST SIMPLY GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND.
[00:05:04]
AS A PARENT WHO WORKS OUTSIDE THE HOME, I'M GOING TO ADMIT.I'M NOT ON TOP OF ALL THE THINGS.
SPECIFICALLY, MS. BRZEZINSKI HAD BEEN MESSAGING ME THROUGH THE APP ABOUT HOW MY SON HAS BEEN THROWING AWAY HIS LUNCH AND NOT EATING.
THAT'S NOT SOMETHING I ASKED MY KIDS.
DID YOU EAT LUNCH TODAY BECAUSE WE PRESUME THAT THEY DO.
BUT I COULD TELL THAT SHE NOTICED MY CHILD, SHE SEES MY CHILD, SHE CARES ABOUT MY CHILD.
I THINK THAT'S ABOVE AND BEYOND.
WE TALK ABOUT HOW IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE A VILLAGE TO REALLY CARE ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN.
WE ARE JUST SO LUCKY TO HAVE MS. BRZEZINSKI AS A PART OF OURS.
THANK YOU, MISS BRZEZINSKI FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND CONGRATULATIONS.
>> NANCY BRZEZINSKI IS IN THAT VERY SPECIAL TEACHER CATEGORY.
I AM SO PROUD OF HER FOR BEING SELECTED AS A LEADER OF THE PACK NOMINEE.
NANCY BRZEZINSKI IS VERY KIND.
SHE'S PASSIONATE, SHE'S SMART.
SHE POSSESSES SOME OF THE HIGHEST MAP SCORES ON THE CAMPUS.
IT IS SAID THE CLASSROOM TAKES ON THE PERSONALITY OF THEIR TEACHER.
HER STUDENTS ARE VERY DISCIPLINED, THEY'RE HARD WORKING, AND THEY ARE RESPECTFUL.
I'M VERY PROUD OF THEM EACH TIME I ENTER A CLASSROOM, AND IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF MS. BRZEZINSKI.
MS. BRZEZINSKI HAD A PARTNER TEACHER THIS YEAR..
THIS TEACHER IS HER FIRST YEAR.
JUST WATCH NANCY AS SHE HAS TAKEN HER UNDER HER WINGS.
IT HELPS HER TO BE THE BEST TEACHER THAT SHE CAN BE.
NANCY IS TRULY A LEADER FOR THAT.
>> JOIN ME RECOGNIZING NANCY BRZEZINSKI, COME ON UP, MS. BRZEZINSKI.
PRESIDENT OLSON, IF YOU'LL JOIN US.
HERE'S YOUR PLAQUE. WE GOING TO TAKE A PICTURE OF YOU.
WHILE WE PREPARE FOR A PICTURE, WE WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT MISS BRZEZINSKI HAS WORKED IN LITTLE ELM ISD FOR 18 YEARS.
SHE WAS A PRE K TEACHER AT KING EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY FOR THREE YEARS AND THEN SHE MOVED TO HACKBERRY.
IF WE COULD HAVE MR. ROSS JOINED FOR THE SECOND PICTURE, JIMMY, IF YOU'LL COME UP.
HER FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT TEACHING, SHE SAYS SHE LOVES THE SMILES AND THE LAUGHS.
AND SHE LOVES TO SEE STUDENTS EXCITED WHEN THEY REALIZE THEY HAVE JUST MASTERED A SKILL OR THAT THEY'VE LEARNED SOMETHING NEW.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. BRZEZINSKI, FOR BEING A TRUE LEADER OF THE PACK [APPLAUSE].
SECONDLY, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MISS CASSIE CURRINGTON OUR LEADER OF THE PACK FROM STRIKE.
IF YOU'LL WATCH THE VIDEO. [MUSIC]
>> WE NOMINATED MS. CURRINGTON [PHONETIC] FOR THE LEADERS OF THE PACK AWARD BECAUSE OF THE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT THAT SHE CREATES IN HER CHOIR, BEEN PART OF HER CHOIR FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.
SHE'S ALWAYS ENCOURAGING OUR DAUGHTER TO ACHIEVE LEADERSHIP AND TRY TO BUILD CONFIDENCE IN HER SINGING SKILLS, ALL THE CHOIR KIDS COME TO HER CLASS BEFORE CLASS, AFTER CLASS.
SHE'S REALLY CREATED A SAFE SPACE FOR KIDS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL TO BE IN HER CLASS AND SAY WHAT THEY NEED TO SAY AND COME TO HER WITH THEIR ISSUES.
SHE REALLY HELPED OUR DAUGHTER THROUGH THE EARLY STAGES OF MIDDLE SCHOOL.
SHE'S REALLY GIVEN CONSTANT SUPPORT FOR US AND OUR DAUGHTER.
HER AND ALL THE SUPPORT THAT SHE GIVES TO OUR FAMILY, AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE CHOIR KIDS.
>> [INAUDIBLE] SHE'S MY SAFE PERSON AT THE SCHOOL.
SO WHENEVER WE'RE STRESSED OR UPSET ABOUT SOMETHING, SHE ALWAYS LET US COME INTO HER ROOM AND CALM DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
AND SHE'S ALWAYS THERE FOR US NO MATTER HOW BIG THE PROBLEM, BIG OR SMALL IF WE COME TO HER AND TELL HER [INAUDIBLE] SHE'LL ALWAYS CHECK UP ON US AND MAKE SURE WE'RE OKAY, AND SHE'S MADE IT KNOWN THAT SHE DOES REALLY CARE ABOUT US, AND SHE PROVES THROUGH HER ACTIONS AND STUFF THAT SHE REALLY LOVES HER JOB AND WHAT SHE'S DOING, THAT SHE WANTS TO BE HERE.
SHE REALLY SHOWS THAT SHE LOVES US AND NOT JUST BY TELLING US, BUT BY LIKE WHAT ACTION SHE DOES IN HER CLASSROOM, WHETHER THAT'S TAKING EXTRA TIME WITH US TO HELP US WORK ON STUFF OR JUST LETTING US TALK AND TRYING TO GIVE US ADVICE ON WHATEVER WE NEED ADVICE ON.
SO SHE JUST HAD A VERY SAFE AND HOMEY ENVIRONMENT AND PERSONALITY TO HER.
>> SHE'S ALMOST LIKE A SECOND MOM AT SCHOOL.
[00:10:02]
>> CONGRATULATIONS, MS. CURRINGTON.
>> WE ARE SUPER PROUD OF MS. CURRINGTON FOR RECEIVING THIS AWARD.
MS. CURRINGTON IS AN ABSOLUTE TREASURE HERE AT STRIKE.
NOT ONLY IS SHE A FANTASTIC CHOIR TEACHER, SHE ALSO FOSTERS GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS AS WELL TOO.
SHE HAS STUDENTS IN HER ROOM AT LUNCHES.
SHE HAS STUDENTS IN HER ROOM AFTER SCHOOL.
IT IS NO SURPRISE TO ME THAT MS. CURRINGTON IS RECEIVING THIS AWARD BECAUSE SHE DOES A GREAT JOB.
SHE IS A ABSOLUTELY GREAT PERSON, AS WELL AS BEING A GREAT CHOIR TEACHER.
SO WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE HER AND WE'RE VERY PLEASED THAT SHE'S GETTING THIS AWARD.
>> ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR CASSIE CURRINGTON, OUR LEADER OF THE PACK.
WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE YOU AND THE TREMENDOUS IMPACT YOU'RE MAKING IN LITTLE ELM ISD.
WE'RE GOING TO GET A PICTURE WITH PRESIDENT OLSON, MR. LAMB.
THEN WE'D LIKE AFTER THIS PICTURE IF MR. GARCIA WILL COME UP, OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT STRIKE, AS WELL AS FRANK FELLE [PHONETIC], OUR FINE ARTS DIRECTOR, IF BOTH OF YOU WILL COME UP FOR A PICTURE AS WELL.
IS FRANK IN HERE? YEAH, THERE IS.
MS. CURRINGTON HAS BEEN IN LITTLE ELM ISD FOR 15 YEARS.
HER FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT TEACHING ARE BEING ABLE TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE FOR STUDENTS, FOSTERING CONFIDENCE.
SO NICE OF YOU GUYS TO COME OUT AND SUPPORT MS. CURRINGTON TONIGHT.
SHE LOVES CREATING A SAFE SPACE FOR STUDENTS, FOSTERING CONFIDENCE, ENCOURAGING TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION AMONGST HER STUDENTS, AND SHE LOVES INSPIRING A LOVE FOR MUSIC.
SHE ALSO ENJOYS CELEBRATING THE STUDENTS ACHIEVEMENTS WITH THEM, AND SHE IS SO BLESSED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPACT STUDENTS LIVES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. CURRINGTON FOR BEING A LEADER OF THE PACK.
>> I JUST PUT A PIECE OF CANDY IN MY MOUTH.
WE'RE GOING TO DO A RECOGNITION OF THE BUSINESS SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
VERY EXCITED TO GET TO DO THIS.
THIS IS AN OUT OF THE ORDINARY THING, BUT TO EXEMPLIFY GREAT LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, TASBO DOCUMENTED THE JOURNEY OF FOUR STATE FINANCIAL LEADERS IN A VIDEO SERIES CALLED PROFILES AND LEADERSHIP, WHO WERE ALL HONORED AT THE 2024 TASBO ENGAGE CONFERENCE, WHERE THE VIDEO SERIES DEBUT WAS SHOWN.
DR. TRACY GINSBURG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR, SAID, SHAY IS A LEADER, OUTSTANDING COMMUNICATOR, AND ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORTER OF TASBO.
WE ARE HONORED TO CELEBRATE HER IN THIS VIDEO SERIES.
GREG, WOULD YOU PLEASE PLAY THIS?
>> TO ME, LEADERSHIP IS AN ART OF INFLUENCING AND MOTIVATING PEOPLE TO BE THEIR BEST.
>> INSPIRING, COURAGEOUS, EMPATHETIC.
>> I NEED TO BE IN FRONT. I NEED TO BE LETTING THEM KNOW THAT I'M WILLING TO DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THAT THEY ARE.
I'M GOING TO SET THE PACE PERHAPS.
>> THE LEADER THAT INFLUENCED ME THE MOST AS A CHILD WAS MARTIN LUTHER KING.
>> THE EARLIEST MEMORY I HAVE OF A GOOD LEADER WOULD HAVE BEEN IN MY EARLY CHILDHOOD, AND THAT WOULD MOST DEFINITELY BE MY MOTHER.
>> I THINK BACK TO MY PARENTS.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY TOOK CARE OF US.
THEY MADE SURE WE HAD WHAT WE NEEDED TO SUCCEED.
>> EARLY EXAMPLE OF A LEADER TO ME WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF MY TEACHERS.
>> MY NAME IS SHAY ADAMS. I'M THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR BUSINESS AND FINANCE AT LITTLE ELM ISD.
I REALLY TAKE CARE OF ANYTHING THAT INVOLVES FINANCE OR MONEY, AND THAT REALLY IS EVERYTHING IN THE DISTRICT BECAUSE THERE'S HARDLY ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO THAT DOESN'T TOUCH MONEY.
I SPEND THE MAJORITY OF MY TIME IN MEETINGS WITH OTHER LEADERS.
I WORK REALLY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT I LEAD, AND ESPECIALLY THAT I LEAD MY STAFF IN A WAY THAT DEFINES THAT OUR ROLE IS TO BE CUSTOMER SUPPORT,
[00:15:01]
TO BE CUSTOMER SERVICE.WE EACH HAVE OUR SPECIFIC AREAS OF EXPERTISE AND OUR ROLES OF WHAT WE TAKE CARE, WHETHER IT'S ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, PAYROLL, IF I'M DOING ESTIMATING STATE FUNDING, BUT OUR MAIN ROLE IS TO BE THERE TO REMOVE BARRIERS FOR OUR CAMPUS LEADERS BECAUSE THAT'S HOW WE HAVE AN IMPACT ON STUDENTS, AND WE'RE ALL THERE FOR THE SAME PURPOSE.
WE ARE ALL THERE TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND TO CLEAR THE PATH FOR OUR TEACHERS THAT THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THAT THEY'RE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME OR HAVING A LOT OF RED TAPE TO GET A PURCHASE ORDER TO ORDER SUPPLIES FOR THEIR ROOM.
I PLACE A LARGE FOCUS ON DOING CAMPUS VISITS, AND I'VE REALLY ENCOURAGED MY STAFF TO DO THE SAME THING BECAUSE LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, THE OLD ADAGE, IF YOU HAVEN'T WALKED IN YOUR SHOES AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR LIFE IS.
IF WE SIT IN OUR OFFICES AND THEY COME TO US, THAT'S FINE, WE CAN TALK TO THEM, WE CAN FORM A RELATIONSHIP, BUT UNTIL WE ACTUALLY GO OUT INTO THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND EXPERIENCE A LITTLE BIT, JUST A TINY BIT OF WHAT THEY GO THROUGH ON A DAILY BASIS BECAUSE WE'RE A SMALL PIECE OF THEIR PIE.
THEY HAVE PARENTS COMING IN, THEY HAVE STUDENTS COMING IN, THEY'RE IN TRIAGE, THE KIDS FORGOT THEIR LUNCH, ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS, TEACHERS NEED THEM.
IT'S JUST ALWAYS A GOOD REMINDER WHEN WE GO OUT ON THE CAMPUSES OF WHAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH, BUT ALSO, I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT OUR CAMPUS PRINCIPALS, THEY NEED TO KNOW ME FOR ONE THING, OTHER THAN JUST IN MEETINGS, THAT I DON'T WANT TO BE THE CF NO, AS WE OFTEN GET REFERRED TO.
I WANT TO BE A RESOURCE FOR THEM AND I WANT TO BE A PARTNER TO THEM BECAUSE WE'RE TRULY THERE TO SUPPORT THEM.
ONE THING THAT HAS ALWAYS STOOD OUT IS A LEADER WHO LEADS WITH A GREAT DEAL OF GRACE AND PERVASIVENESS.
WE HAVE TO REMAIN CONSISTENT BUT FLEXIBLE AND THAT WE WALK THE TALK AND THAT WE MODEL THAT FOR ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT WE HAVE.
I AM THE LITTLE ELM ISD SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT.
LEADERSHIP IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS VERY WELL EMPOWERING ALL FACETS OF OUR BUSINESS.
THAT'S GOING DOWN FROM THE JANITORIAL LEVEL TO THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL.
EVERYONE IS EMPOWERED TO HELP MAKE THE DECISIONS THAT'S RIGHT FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
SHAY AND THE FINANCIAL TEAM DO A GREAT JOB OF MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED, FULLY SUPPORTING OUR TEACHERS, JANITORIAL STAFF, DIETITIANS, TRANSPORTATION.
WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE EVERYTHING COVERED TO PROVIDE FOR OUR STUDENTS WHAT THEY NEED TO GET TO AND FROM SCHOOL AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.
>> WHEN TEACHERS ARE PASSIONATE, THEY'RE NOT ONLY SHARING THE MATERIAL, THEY'RE NOT GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS.
THEY ARE CONNECTING IT, THEY'RE MAKING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE MATERIAL AND IN LIFE, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THAT INFORMATION, AND WHY YOU DO THAT WITH YOUR INFORMATION.
THEY'RE REALLY DIGGING IN AND CHALLENGING YOU ABOUT THE WHY AND THE HOW AND HOW IT APPLIES TO THE REAL WORLD.
OUR SCHOOLS HAVE AMAZING THINGS GOING ON WITHIN THOSE WALLS, AND OUR KIDS ARE GOING OUT AND DOING AMAZING THINGS.
THEY MAY BE SPOTLIGHTED HERE OR THERE, BUT I THINK THAT IT TAKES STRONG PASSIONATE LEADERS TO FIND NEW WAYS TO REALLY CREATE THAT SUCCESS, AND SECONDLY, TO DEMONSTRATE THAT SUCCESS TO THE WORLD.
>> SCHOOL BOARD, I KNOW YOU KNOW A LOT OF WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SAY, BUT COMMUNITY, I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW, THIS WAS A LITTLE DIFFICULT.
IT'S A LITTLE LIKE PULLING TEETH BECAUSE SHAY WAS ADAMANT AND SHE'S GOING TO GIVE HER DEPARTMENT SOME AWARDS TONIGHT, AND SHE DEFINITELY ALWAYS WANTS TO DO THAT.
BUT TO GIVE HER AN AWARD, SHE'S NOT AS QUICK TO PARTICIPATE IN OR EVEN LET YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
WHICH IS THE HUMBLE NATURE SHE COMES.
BUT THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE THING FOR THEM TO HAVE HIGHLIGHTED HER.
HONESTLY, A LOT OF PEOPLE MAKE GENERAL STATEMENTS, BUT I'VE WORKED WITH A LOT OF CFOS IN OTHER DISTRICTS.
I'VE WORKED WITH A LOT OF CFOS THROUGH COMMITTEES.
I'VE SERVED ON THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
I TRULY BELIEVE IF SHAY IS NOT STAND ALONE THE BEST IN THE STATE, SHE'S AT LEAST TIED FOR WHOEVER ELSE MIGHT BE THERE WITH HER.
SHAY IS PHENOMENAL AT WHAT SHE DOES.
THERE'S NOBODY BETTER IN THIS STATE, AND I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD TO SHARE THIS EVENT WITH HER AND WE'VE GOT A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR SHAY AND THEN I KNOW SHAY HAS SOMETHING FOR THE REST OF HER GROUP.
SHAY WOULD YOU MEET ME IN THE MIDDLE?
[00:20:15]
>> THANK YOU, MR. LAMB AND MR. OLSON.
I'M VERY HONORED TO BE ONE OF THE FOUR PEOPLE THAT WERE CHOSEN FOR THIS RECOGNITION AND TO HIGHLIGHT LITTLE ELM ISD AND AS THE DESTINATION DISTRICT.
ANYTIME THAT WE HAVE RECOGNITION THROUGHOUT THE STATE, IT REALLY HELPS US AS A DISTRICT TO ATTRACT THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST.
BUT REALLY THE MOST EXCITING PIECE FOR ME, AND GREG, WOULD YOU BRING UP OR WHEN YOU COULD BRING UP? ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING THINGS FOR ME WAS NOT NECESSARILY RECEIVING THE AWARD, WHICH HONORING WITH 2000 OF MY FRIENDS AT THE CONFERENCE, BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING, IT WAS TO HONOR MY HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER BECAUSE THAT IS, SHE INSPIRED MY ENTIRE CAREER.
I AM SO THANKFUL THAT I GOT TO HONOR HER.
I HAD NOT SEEN HER SINCE 1986, WHEN I GRADUATED AND WE TRACKED HER DOWN AND FOUND HER AND SURPRISED HER AT THE CONFERENCE.
WE WERE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE HER AND I TOLD THIS BOARD ABOUT HER IN 2021, WHENEVER YOU HIRED ME AND ENDED MY INTRODUCTION, I TOLD YOU ABOUT HER, AND SO I WAS REALLY HONORED TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE HER.
I'M ABLE TO PULL UP THE POWER POINT.
HERE WE GO. THAT IS HER ON THE FAR RIGHT.
HER NAME IS NAN BROWN, AND I WAS ABLE TO FIND HER AND HAVE ALL THREE OF HER SONS THERE FOR THE RECOGNITION TO THANK HER FOR WHAT SHE INSPIRED IN MY LIFE AND IN MY CAREER AND HOW I WAS ABLE TO REALLY POUR THAT BACK INTO PUBLIC EDUCATION.
TEACHERS SHAPE THE WORLD, AND I THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND I WAS SO HONORED TO BE ABLE TO THANK MA'AM BECAUSE OUR DEPARTMENT REALLY EXISTS TO SUPPORT YOU AND TO SUPPORT THE WORK THAT YOU DO WITH STUDENTS.
WE NEVER EVER WANT TO FORGET THAT.
WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO THAT SEEMS TO BE IN THE BACKGROUND.
WE'RE IN THE EXACT OPPOSITE CORNER OF THIS BUILDING.
I HAVE AN AMAZING STAFF THAT WORKS WITH THEIR HEADS DOWN ALL THE TIME AND REALLY MAKE SURE THAT THEY TRY TO REMOVE THOSE BARRIERS, WHILE KEEPING US COMPLIANT WITH THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, WITH TEXAS EDUCATION CODE, WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, WITH THE TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM, AND SO MANY OTHER GOVERNING AGENCIES.
I JUST WANT TO TAKE TIME TODAY TO INTRODUCE THEM TO YOU AND RECOGNIZE THEM.
THE FIRST PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE IS OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS SERVICES, JESSE WYSE.
JESSE, I JUST WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU A FEW NUMBERS.
A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK ABOUT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND WHAT OUR GRADES ARE, AND THAT IS ABSOLUTELY WHAT WE'RE HERE IS TO IMPROVE OUR STUDENTS EXPERIENCES AND THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE.
BUT THERE ARE SOME OTHER NUMBERS BEHIND ALL OF THAT.
JESSE MANAGES A PORTFOLIO OF $293 MILLION IN CASH.
HE DOES THAT ON A DAILY BASIS AND WE MAKE OUR INVESTMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT, AND SO HE DOESN'T JUST GET TO CHOOSE AND BUY HEDGE FUNDS AND ALL THOSE KIND OF THINGS.
BUT HE LEAVES US WITH SAFETY AND SECURITY FIRST OFF IN MIND AND LIQUIDITY, AND HE LEADS OUR ENTIRE DEPARTMENT WITH COMPLIANCE REPORTING AND TROUBLESHOOTING.
HE WAS ALSO THE RECIPIENT IN 2023, THE TASBO RISE AWARD, WHICH RECOGNIZES A PERSON WHOSE EARLY ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITHIN THEIR CAREER, DISTINGUISH THEM AS FUTURE LEADERS IN THE PROFESSION.
THE GOAL OF THIS AWARD IS TO BRING TO LIGHT THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ON THE RISE IN THE SCHOOL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
HE WAS HONORED LAST YEAR AT OUR CONFERENCE, AND WE'RE VERY PROUD TO HAVE HIM HERE IN LITTLE ELM.
NEXT, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT OUR PAYROLL AND BENEFITS TEAM.
OUR PAYROLL AND BENEFITS TEAM IS POPULAR ON LOTS OF DAYS, BUT THEY'RE ESPECIALLY POPULAR ON DAYS LIKE TODAY.
TODAY IS PAY DAY IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT AND WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE SOME REALLY STRONG LADIES THAT RUN OUR PAYROLLS EVERY MONTH AND THEY ARE LED BY LESLEY MALMER.
LESLEY, IF YOU DON'T MIND COMING UP.
THERE YOU GO. I GOT JESSE SOME CANDY BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW IF HE WOULD WANT ROSES. JESSE, THERE'S YOUR CANDY.
BUT AGAIN, THEY ARE VERY POPULAR TODAY.
BUT IN ADDITION TO LESLEY LEADING THIS TEAM, WE HAVE CHARLA BIPPUS.
THEN NOT ABLE TO JOIN US TONIGHT, BUT IT CERTAINLY A VALUE PART OF OUR TEAM IS JACKIE CARTER.
THESE THREE LADIES HAVE IN THE PAST YEAR PAID
[00:25:01]
$71,280,000 IN PAYROLL TO OVER 1,000 EMPLOYEES.THEY HAVE PROCESSED THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF TRANSACTIONS AND TIME SHEETS AND BENEFITS AND ANSWERED EVEN MORE QUESTIONS THAN THAT.
THEY DO SO WITH COMPASSION AND EMPATHY AND THEY'RE HELPFUL AND THEY GO OUT ON OUR CAMPUSES, AND THEY ARE JUST ABSOLUTE ROCK STARS, AND WE WOULD NOT BE THE DEPARTMENT WE ARE WITHOUT YOU.
YOU'LL STAY UP HERE. YOU HAVE TO STAND HERE AND BE UNCOMFORTABLE HOW STUDENTS HAVE TO.
THEN WE HAVE OUR FINANCE TEAM, OUR ACCOUNTING TEAM, AND THAT TEAM IS LED BY NANCY HICKS.
IS NANCY HERE TONIGHT? NANCY IS OUR COORDINATOR OF ACCOUNTING AND LEADS THIS TEAM ALONG WITH HER, WE HAVE CARMEN ROMERO, AND NOT ABLE TO BE WITH US TONIGHT IS GABY AYALA.
I CANNOT SAY IT, BUT I LOVE HER.
THESE THREE LADIES IN THE PAST YEAR HAVE WRITTEN CHECKS, REGISTERED DEPOSITS, MADE JOURNAL ENTRIES, AND TAKING CARE OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ENTRIES TOTALING $81,000,792.
THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE OFFERING QUIET SUPPORT.
AGAIN, WE'RE IN THAT BACK CORNER OF THE BUILDING FOR MILLIONS OF QUESTIONS ON DOING BUSINESS WITH US.
THEY ARE ALSO JUST ABSOLUTE SUPERSTARS AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL TO HAVE THEM.
THEN IN OUR PURCHASING TEAM, WE HAVE A TEAM OF ONE AND WE ALL WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM TOGETHER, BUT BERNICE SANCHEZ GONZALES LEADS OUR PURCHASING FUNCTION.
I'LL CALL BERNICE OUR PURCHASING HERO.
SHE HAS APPROVED OVER 5,529 POS THIS PAST YEAR, AND THAT'S JUST THE PO NUMBERS.
THERE ARE MULTIPLE LINE ITEMS ON EACH PO, EACH PURCHASE ORDER, AND SHE DOES THAT WITH JUST IMMEASURABLE SUCCESS OF MANAGING CONTRACTS, MANAGING REGULATIONS, MANAGING ALL THE TERMS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DISTRICT GETS THE BEST VALUE FOR WHAT WE NEED.
IN ADDITION TO HER TAKING CARE OF THAT, SHE IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE OF THE PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS THAT THE DISTRICT HAS RECEIVED.
THERE ARE ABOUT 1040 DISTRICTS.
I'M GIVING YOU A LOT OF NUMBERS TONIGHT.
THAT'S WHAT WE DO. WE'RE NERDS.
BUT THERE ARE ABOUT 1040 DISTRICTS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS,77 OF THOSE EARNED THE TASBO AWARD OF MERIT FOR PURCHASING OPERATIONS.
THESE DISTRICTS, THE 77, HAVE NOT ONLY DEMONSTRATED THEIR PROFESSIONAL ACUMEN BUT HAVE ALSO SHARED THE BEST PRACTICES WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE STATE.
THE AWARD OF MERIT FOR PURCHASING WAS CREATED TO RECOGNIZE TEXAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE COMMITTED TO FOLLOWING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS IN THE ACQUISITIONS OF GOODS AND SERVICES, AND THOSE ARE MEASURED AGAINST THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCIES, THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY RESOURCE GUIDE, AND THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD FOR BEST PRACTICES AND PURCHASING.
IT IS A DIFFICULT APPLICATION AND MANY DISTRICTS OF OUR SIZE HAVE DIFFICULTY MEETING THE CRITERIA, AND WE'VE GOTTEN THAT FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
>> THEN WE HAVE JENNIFER BARRYCHUCK.
JENNIFER JUST HAPPENED TO BE THE 2024 PARAPROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR IN OUR BUILDING, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE IS HER MIDDLE NAME. COME ON UP, JENNIFER.
[APPLAUSE] JENNIFER ORGANIZES OUR OFFICE AND MY SCHEDULE BLESS HER HEART AND SHE HAS SUCH A CALM DEMEANOR.
SHE IS A TRUE BLESSING TO EVERYONE THAT WORKS WITH HER.
AND JENNIFER COMPILES THE RIGOROUS APPLICATION.
LET ME BACK UP. JESSE, LET ME DOWN.
BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING.
THIS IS FOR BERNICE. THAT'S THE PURCHASING AWARD OF MERIT.
WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THAT, BUT JENNIFER COMPILES THE RIGOROUS APPLICATION FOR THE TASBO AWARD OF EXCELLENCE AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, AND THAT IS A DISTRICT AWARD.
IT IS FOR OUR ENTIRE TEAM AND NONE OF US COULD DO THAT ALONE, BUT SHE HAS THE TASK OF COORDINATING OUR SUBMISSION FOR THAT.
AGAIN, I'VE TOLD YOU HOW MANY DISTRICTS ARE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS 32 RECEIVED THAT AWARD.
THAT AWARD OF EXCELLENCE AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT RECOGNIZES TEXAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE IMPLEMENTED PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, BEST PRACTICE PROCEDURES, AND INNOVATIONS AND FINANCIAL REPORTING.
THESE DISTRICTS HAVE GONE THROUGH THE RIGOROUS PROCESS OF DEMONSTRATING THEIR EXCELLENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
AGAIN, THEY WERE MEASURED AGAINST ALL OF THOSE AGENCIES THAT I SHARED WITH YOU EARLIER, AND THIS IS THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR THAT OUR DISTRICT HAS RECEIVED THAT AWARD. WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.
[APPLAUSE] I SAY ALL THE TIME,
[00:30:02]
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK, AND THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE DREAM TEAM THAT I'M SO THANKFUL FOR.I WANTED YOU TO LEARN A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THESE PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS.
WE HAVE A TEAM OF 10 THAT TAKES CARE OF ALL THESE THINGS.
BUT REALLY NONE OF THEM AND I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT ONE MORE IN JUST ONE SECOND.
BUT NONE OF THEM WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT EVERY SINGLE BUDGET MANAGER THAT WE HAVE, EVERY PRINCIPAL, CABINET MEMBER, DIRECTORS, AND MOST ESPECIALLY THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT WHO REALLY MANAGE THE BUDGET ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS.
THEY ARE ALL PART OF THIS AWARD ALONG WITH OUR TEAM, AND WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOU.
AND THE LAST ONE THAT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE, JENNIFER ALSO HAS COORDINATED FOR US AND OUT OF THE 1040 DISTRICTS, 96 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE RECEIVED TRANSPARENCY STARS FROM THE TEXAS COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
THE TEXAS COMPTROLLER PROGRAM RECOGNIZES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND IN THEIR TRANSPARENCY EFFORTS.
THE PROGRAM RECOGNIZES ENTITIES THAT ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING: THEY OPEN THEIR BOOKS IN THE AREAS OF TRADITIONAL FINANCES AND THEY PROVIDE CLEAR AND MEANINGFUL FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY POSTING FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS AS WELL AS THOSE SUMMARIES AND VISUALIZATIONS AND DOWNLOADABLE DATA ON THEIR WEBSITE.
WE HAVE A ROBUST WEBSITE THAT IS MAINTAINED BY THIS TEAM IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.
AND I AM HONORED AND GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO LEAD THIS TEAM.
BUT COMMUNITY MEMBERS BOARD AND MR. LAMB, YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF THESE PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS AND THE STELLAR BUSINESS STAFF.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BUSINESS DEPARTMENT.
NEXT, WE'LL MOVE TO THE STUDENTS OF THE MONTH WITH MR. DONNY BARTLETT.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. PRESIDENT OLSON, SCHOOL BOARD, MR. LAMB. THANK YOU.
YES, WE WILL CONTINUE ON WITH OUR STUDENT SPOTLIGHT.
SO THIS IS ONE OF OUR GREAT THINGS THAT WE DO EVERY MONTH.
MS. HOLMES, IF YOU COULD COME UP HERE FOR BRENT.
PARENTS, WE'RE GOING TO GO ON ALPHABETIC ORDER BY THE SCHOOL.
WE'LL START WITH ELEMENTARY. THEN WE'LL GO MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL.
WE WOULD LIKE YOUR CHILD TO COME UP WHEN THEY'RE CALLED AND ALSO PARENTS, IF YOU'LL COME UP WITH THEM AS WELL.
THAT WOULD BE GREAT. SO WE CAN GET A PICTURE OF ALL YOU ALTOGETHER AND AT THE END, WE'LL DO A GROUP PICTURE.
>> HAILEY, IF YOU COULD GO AHEAD AND COME ON DOWN.
[LAUGHTER] HAILEY HUTCHINSON WAS NOMINATED BY HER TEACHERS FOR THE MAY SUPERINTENDENT AWARD.
FRIENDS OF HAILEY WILL DESCRIBE HER AS A KIND HEARTED, FUNNY, SMART, CARING AND MOST OF ALL NOBLE FRIEND.
ON MANY OCCASIONS, HAILEY HAS SHOWN JUST HOW KIND HEARTED SHE REALLY WAS BY EXPRESSING EMPATHETIC WORDS TOWARDS HER CLASSMATES.
WHEN IT COMES TO DOING GROUP WORK, HAILEY IS QUICK ON MAKING A PLAN, LEADING AND EVEN COMPROMISING WITH HER TEAM.
SHE'S ALWAYS WELL ORGANIZED AND METICULOUS WITH EVERYTHING SHE DOES.
SHE ALWAYS GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND ON ANY GIVEN ASSIGNMENT JUST TO ENSURE THAT SHE TURNED IN HER BEST WORK.
ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER GREAT THINGS, SHE WORKS HARD AND SHOWS LOBO PRIDE EVERY DAY.
>> MS. VAN DER AND CHAVEZ, WOULD YOU COME UP, PLEASE?
>> THANK YOU. I'M HERE REPRESENTING CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY AND SO PROUD TO RECOGNIZE ELLIE GARZA THIS EVENING [APPLAUSE] AND HER FAMILY.
ELLIE HAS BEEN AT CHAVEZ SINCE PRE K. SHE HAS
[00:35:01]
CONSISTENTLY SHOWN THE QUALITIES WE LOOK FOR IN A LOBO LEADER OVER THE YEARS, ESPECIALLY IN COMPASSION AND INTEGRITY.THIS YEAR, SHE IS A VITAL PART OF OUR CHAVEZ CAR CLUB STUDENTS WHO HELP OPEN DOORS THAT DROP OFF EVERY MORNING.
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL, ELLIE CAN BE SEEN HELPING THE ALPHABET TEACHERS SET UP ACTIVITIES AND CRAFTS AND GET STUDENTS WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.
SHE'LL BE GREATLY MISSED ON OUR CAMPUS WHEN SHE GOES TO WALKER MIDDLE SCHOOL NEXT YEAR.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. TO PRESIDENT OLSON, SUPERINTENDENT LAMB, SCHOOL BOARD.
HACKBERRY ELEMENTARY IS VERY TO PRESENT TONIGHT MICHELLE REYES.
[APPLAUSE] MICHELLE IS AN EXEMPLARY STUDENT WHO MODELS OUR HACKBERRY 10 ESSENTIALS IN EVERY ASPECT.
SHE IS AN EXTREMELY HARD WORKER AND HAS THE MOST POSITIVE ATTITUDE WHILE OVERCOMING CHALLENGING SITUATIONS.
YOU WILL ALWAYS FIND A SMILE ON HER FACE.
HER COMPASSION AND EMPATHY TOWARD OTHERS ARE UNLIKE ANY OTHER.
THAT IS WHY MICHELLE REYES IS OUR RECIPIENT FOR STUDENT OF THE MONTH.
[APPLAUSE] ANY OTHER FAMILY, COME ON DOWN THE REST OF THE FAMILY, YOU CAN COME ON DOWN. [APPLAUSE]
>> MR. [INAUDIBLE] YOU HERE THIS EVENING? THERE YOU ARE.
LAKEVIEW, COME ON DOWN, AND TEACHER.
WE WOULD LIKE MR. DOMINIC [INAUDIBLE] WILL YOU PLEASE COME ON DOWN WITH YOUR FAMILY? [APPLAUSE] AS DOMINIC COMES DOWN, JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HIM.
HE GENERALLY WANTS TO LEARN EVERYTHING ANYTIME HE CAN.
HE TRIES VERY HARD TO COMMUNICATE AND GET BETTER.
MR. [INAUDIBLE] LIKE THIS, HE IS A MATH MAGICIAN.
DOMINIC REFUSES TO GIVE UP EASILY ON ANYTHING THAT HE DOES.
HE'S LEARNED TO WORK WITH AND RESPECT HIS PEERS.
HE CONTINUES TO IMPROVE AND GROW.
HE LOVES LEARNING AND LOVES BEING A LOBO.
[APPLAUSE] MS. BERNADETTE WHITE, FROM OAK POINT.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE MS. PARKER [INAUDIBLE] BELL.
I'VE GOT SOME WORDS WITH YOUR TEACHERS. SHE IS.
SHE'S FROM THE AMAZING [BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER] PARKER ALWAYS TRIES HER BEST, AND LOVES TO LEARN NEW THINGS.
[00:40:02]
AND SHE WORKS HARD IN CLASS AND HELPS OTHER STUDENTS TOO.SHE IS A GOOD LEADER AND CAN SOLVE PROBLEMS WELL.
BESIDES SCHOOL WORK, PARKER IS INVOLVED IN THE HAM RADIO CLUB, AND HOLDS A REPRESENTATIVE POSITION IN OUR STUDENT HOUSE COUNSEL.
PARKER DEFINITELY CARES ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND LOVES TO HELP OTHERS.
IF Y'ALL DON'T KNOW THE HAM RADIO CLUB IS VERY HARD.
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF TEACHING HER THAT.
IT INVOLVES A LOT OF STEM, PHYSICS, MATH, SCIENCE, AND SHE IS AN ABSOLUTE WHIZ AT IT.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. I'M JAMIE ALLEN, I'M THE PRINCIPAL AT PRESTWICK.
TONIGHT WE ARE RECOGNIZING LUCY PAYNE.
LUCY, YOU WANT TO COME ON UP? [APPLAUSE] LUCY IS A THIRD GRADER AT PRESTWICK ELEMENTARY.
SHE IS A LEADER, A TRUE FRIEND, AND IT'S ALWAYS WORKING TO MAKE HERSELF BETTER.
SHE GOES OUT OF HER WAY TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS INCLUDED AND EVERYONE FEELS APPRECIATED.
LUCY IS A TRUE GEM AND WE CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE FUTURE HAS IN STORE FOR HER.
[APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] [APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]
>> WHO'S NEXT? [BACKGROUND] TELL HER.
>> WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE NICO [INAUDIBLE] UP TO THE STAGE.
[APPLAUSE] WE'RE GOING TO LET MS. CURRINGTON TALK ABOUT NICO, SINCE SHE HAS HIM AS ONE OF HER STUDENTS.
>> THANKS. MS. [INAUDIBLE] SAID YOU'RE GOOFY BUT FUN.
MS. GONZALES SAID THAT YOU'RE VERY RESPECTFUL.
MS. [INAUDIBLE] SAID YOU'RE HARD WORKING.
NICO IS A LEADER AMONGST HIS PEERS.
HE LEADS BY EXAMPLE, DEMONSTRATING INTEGRITY, RESPECT, AND A STRONG WORK ETHIC.
NICO HAS THE ABILITY TO INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE OTHERS TO STRIVE FOR THE SAME EXCELLENCE THAT HE DOES.
WHETHER IT'S HELPING AT CHOIR EVENTS, MENTORING YOUNG CHOIR MEMBERS, OR TAKING ON OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES, NICO CONSISTENTLY DISPLAYS EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
NICO IS A TALENTED MUSICIAN WHO HAS CONTINUED TO IMPROVE MORE AND MORE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, AND BEYOND HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN CHOIR, NICO IS A REMARKABLE PERSON WHO RADIATES KINDNESS AND COMPASSION.
HE GENUINELY CARES ABOUT OTHERS AND GOES OUT OF HIS WAY TO HELP TO MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY.
NICO'S POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND ABILITY TO UPLIFT THOSE AROUND HIM MAKE HIM A JOY TO BE AROUND.
NICO'S COMMITMENT TO HIS WILLINGNESS TO GO THE EXTRA MILE MAKES ME VERY PROUD AND THANKFUL TO TEACH HIM.
[APPLAUSE] I ALSO WANTED TO ADD THAT NICO IS A CURRENT NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY MEMBER.
HE'S TAKING ACCELERATED MATH AND SCIENCE, HONORS HISTORY, AND TENOR BASS SPACE CHOIR.
NICO ALSO EARNED ALL A'S AND B'S FOR
[00:45:02]
THE FIRST SEMESTER AND THIRD QUARTER. WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOU.[APPLAUSE] WOULD HIS FAMILY LIKE TO COME UP? [NOISE] [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE] PORTER I'M THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF WALKER MIDDLE SCHOOL AND IT'S MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME OSCAR SALAZAR. COME ON UP OSCAR.
OSCAR WAS ACTUALLY NOMINATED BY FIVE OF HIS TEACHERS, SO I'M JUST GOING TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THEY MENTIONED ABOUT HIM.
MR. GOMEZ SAYS, "OSCAR IS A WONDERFUL YOUNG MAN, SMART FUNNY AND ALWAYS SUCH A HARD WORKER.
OSCAR IS THAT I LIKE TO HAVE IN CLASS GOING TO MISS HIM NEXT YEAR." MISS BALLINGER, "OSCAR HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR HIMSELF AND DOES WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE SURE HE'S REACHING HIS GOALS.
HE ADVOCATES FOR HIMSELF BY ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION WHEN NEEDED AND BY COMING IN BEFORE SCHOOL FOR EXTRA HELP." MR. THOMPSON, "OSCAR IS ONE OF THE HARDEST WORKING STUDENTS AT WALKER.
HE'S ALWAYS TRYING TO EXTEND THE PROJECT TO TAKE IT FROM COOL TO EPIC.
BEYOND HIS ACADEMICS, HE'S ALSO AN AMAZING FRIEND TO HIS CLASSMATES, HELPING THOSE THAT ARE STRUGGLING AND ALWAYS AWAY FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL DRAMA." MS. ADAMS, "OSCAR IS ALWAYS ON TASK AND TRIES HIS BEST IN CLASS.
IF HE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND SOMETHING, HE ASKS HIS PEERS AND TEACHERS FOR HELP.
HE HAS A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND GOOD WORK ETHIC THAT HELPS MOTIVATE HIS PEERS AS WELL." MISSES DARR, "OSCAR IS AN AMAZING STUDENT.
HE DEMONSTRATES EXCELLENCE IN ALL CAPACITIES.
HE'S KIND, RESPONSIBLE AND INQUISITIVE.
HE ADVOCATES FOR HIMSELF IN ACADEMICS.
HE IS A FRIEND TO ALL." IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU THE WALKER MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL, OSCAR ZAPATA SALAZAR.
LET ME GET OSCAR'S FAMILY TO COME ON UP.
>> OBVIOUSLY, REPRESENTING OUR HIGH SCHOOLS, DOCTOR BARRETT.
DOCTOR BARRETT WILL TALK ABOUT THIS KIDDOS.
>> GOOD EVENING. I KNOW WE HAD ONE.
>> WE'LL USE YOURS RIGHT THERE.
>> I HAD TO WORK TONIGHT SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ HER NAME AND READ WHAT THE TEACHERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT HER.
LAUREN, YOU DIDN'T SHOW UP, DID YOU? I WAS TOLD YOU HAD TO WORK. GOOD. LET ME READ WHAT BRIAN SWEENEY SAID ABOUT HER.
LAUREN IS EXTREMELY WONDERFUL STUDENT AND ALWAYS TRYING TO BRING A SMILE TO HER CLASSMATES.
SHE'S HARD WORKER, INQUISITIVE IN THE CLASSROOM.
LAUREN EXEMPLIFIES THE CHARACTERISTICS NECESSARY TO BE EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL NOT ONLY IN THE SCHOOL, BUT IN HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS AT THE NEXT LEVEL.
SHE REPRESENTS SCHOOL WELL AND DESERVING OF LOBO OF THE MONTH.
PATTY BROWN SAYS, "LAUREN IS IN MY OFFICE AID DURING THE THIRD PERIOD.
SHE'S ONE OF THOSE STUDENTS WHO MAKES ME EXTREMELY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE.
SHE'S CONSISTENT AND RELIABLE, INCREDIBLY INTELLIGENT, FOLLOWS DIRECTIONS TO A T AND IS INCREDIBLE WORK ETHIC.
THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT SHE'LL EXCEL AT ANYTHING SHE DOES AND SHE WILL LEAD THE WORLD BETTER OFF THAT SHE FOUND IT." ED HAMMOND SAYS, "LAUREN IS ALWAYS VERY POLITE AND RESPECTFUL.
SHE PUTS FORTH GREAT AMOUNT OF EFFORT IN THEIR PROJECTS THROUGH INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS AND APPLIES BUSINESS CONCEPTS WITH THESE.
LAUREN UNDERSTANDS CHARACTER AND PROFESSIONALISM AND GOES HAND IN HAND AND DISPLAYS THIS DAILY." MY SECRETARY, JULIA SPINOSA SAYS,
[00:50:03]
"LAUREN IS WILLING TO HELP DO ANYTHING DURING HER PRACTICAL TIME WITH ME WITH A SMILE ON HER FACE AND A BOOK IN HER HAND.SHE'S A LEADER AND CONDUCTS HERSELF PROFESSIONALLY IN EVERYTHING SHE DOES.
LAUREN HAS ASSISTED IN ORGANIZING SEVERAL APPRECIATION EVENTS FOR THE STAFF.
SHE CREATES FLYERS, SETS UP ROOMS, WORKS ON BULLETIN BOARDS, AND SEVERAL OTHER THINGS TO ENSURE EVENTS ARE RUN SMOOTHLY.
HER POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND DESIRE TO BRING HER BEST TO EVERYTHING SHE ACCOMPLISHES IS GREATLY APPRECIATED." LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR LAUREN. THANK YOU.
LOUIS, IF I SAY YOUR LAST NAME WRONG, I'M SO SORRY.
LOUIS [INAUDIBLE], CAN YOU COME UP HERE? LET'S GIVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
>> HE SAYS IT MUCH BETTER THAN I CAN.
MISS HENRY SAYS, "I'M PLEASED THAT LOUIS IS A STUDENT OF THE MONTH.
HE'S BEEN BOTH MY BUSINESS STUDENT AND A DEDICATED T-SHIRT MAKER.
LOUIS EXEMPLIFIES KINDNESS AND CONSISTENTLY MAINTAINS A GREAT ATTITUDE IN ALL OF HIS ENDEAVORS.
HIS HELPFUL NATURE AND WILLINGNESS TO ASSIST OTHERS HAVE MADE HIM INVALUABLE.
MOREOVER, LOUIS RUNS THE T-SHIRT STORE WITH REMARKABLE EFFICIENCY AND SMOOTHNESS.
IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO SEE HIS GROWTH AND CONTRIBUTIONS." MR. ZIM SAYS, "LOUIS HAS BEEN A TRUE ROLE MODEL FOR WHAT I LOOK FOR IN A YOUNG MAN AND A SOCCER PLAYER.
HIS MATURITY IS BEYOND BELIEF FOR HIS AGE.
LOUIS HAS ALWAYS SHOWN RESPECT, HONOR, INTEGRITY TO ANYONE HE ENCOUNTERS.
I SEE A GREAT FUTURE AHEAD FOR HIM.
BEST OF LUCK LOUIS AND ALWAYS BE YOUR TRUE SELF." LAURA DALLA SAYS, "LOUIS HAS BEEN A REALLY GREAT AID THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER.
HE'S BEEN A BIG HELP, ESPECIALLY WITH HIM, HELPING COACH KIDWELL.
HE ALWAYS HAS A GOOD ATTITUDE IN FRONT OF THE OFFICE AND IS ONE OF THE FIRST AIDS VOLUNTEER WHENEVER WE NEED ASSISTANCE WITH ANYTHING." MISS KIDWELL SAYS, "LOUIS HAS SHOWN REMARKABLE SUBSTANCES AND DEPENDABLE THIS SEMESTER AS HE HELPS ME DOWN IN THE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC TRAINING FACILITY WITH TASKS.
HE'S DEPENDABLE, RESPECTFUL, AND QUICK LEARNER AND SHOWS INITIATIVE.
AFTER I HAD A TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY IN DECEMBER, LOUIS HAS HELPED EVERY DAY, REALLY MADE MY JOB EASIER, KNOWING THAT I'D GET A HELPING HAND FOR THE HARD TASKS, ENCOURAGED ME TO STAY POSITIVE EVERY DAY.
I'M VERY PROUD OF LOUIS' AND WISH HIM WELL ON HIS NEXT JOURNEY IN LIFE." ALSO, LOUIS I GOT FOR YOUR FOR SUNDAY FOR THE GRADUATION.
LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR LOUIS. IS THAT YOUR MOM? COME OVER, MOM.
>> YEAH, IF YOU'RE A WINNER THIS EVENING, IF YOU WERE SPOTLIGHTED STUDENTS, YOU'LL COME ON UP HERE, PLEASE.
WE'RE GOING TO GET ONE GROUP PICTURE OF ALL THE STUDENTS TOGETHER.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO TURN IT BACK OVER TO MR. LAMB.
ALL THE STUDENTS THAT WON Y'ALL COME ON UP HERE, PLEASE.
>> [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL TREAT FOR YOU.
I'M NOT GOING TO TRY TO SAY THAT LIKE DONNY JUST DID.
[00:55:04]
IT IS A TYPE OF BALLET THOUGH.WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, HERE WE GO.
[BACKGROUND] [APPLAUSE] SAY IT AGAIN.
>> FOLKLORICO. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> NO. WE HAVE THREE WITH YOU.
I AM A SENIOR AT LITTLE ELM HIGH SCHOOL.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT WE HAVE RECEIVED AND WOULD LIKE TO GIVE SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR ADMINISTRATOR, MR. ROBINSON AND THE DIRECTOR OF FINE ARTS, MR. FELICE, WHO WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING US GET FOLKLORICO CLUB AT LEHS GOING.
WE ARE PROUD OUR CLUB HAS GROWN SO MUCH AND HOPE TO CONTINUE AND EXPEND TO RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM OUR DISTRICT.
GIVEN THAT THE HISPANIC AND LATINO POPULATION OF ENROLLMENT IN LITTLE ISC IS APPROXIMATELY 40%, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THE PROPOSITION OF INCORPORATING A FOLKLORICO CLASS IN THE LEHS CURRICULUM SHOULD STRONGLY BE CONSIDERED TO MORE ACCURATELY REPRESENT THE POPULATION AND THE LAIC COMMUNITY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE GROWTH OF THE FOLKLORICO CLUB FROM SIX DANCERS TO 26 IN ONE YEAR, AND I AM EAGER TO SEE THE LEGACY WE WILL LEAVE BEHIND.
MY NAME IS LISA LEARN, AND I'M AN UPCOMING SENIOR AT LEHS.
I WANT TO SHARE MORE ABOUT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS CLUB HAS ACHIEVED WITH YOUR SUPPORT.
IN THE TWO YEARS SINCE ITS CONCEPTION, FOLKLORICO CLUB HAS LEARNED 18 ROUTINES WITH ITS BOTH MALE AND FEMALE DANCERS.
WE'VE PERFORMED IN VARIOUS ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
ADDITIONALLY, THE FOLKLORICO CLUB HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE IN THE NORTH TEXAS FOLKLORICO CONTEST THIS PAST FEBRUARY.
AS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE CLUB ITSELF, WE ARE PLANNING TO CONTINUE TO SHARE OUR CULTURE AND COLLABORATE WITH ONE OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO HELP START THEIR OWN CLUB.
AS OUR GROWTH CONTINUES, WE WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE A FOLKLORICO CLASS TO EXPAND OUR CLUB AS AN EXTENSION OF THE MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES COURSE.
THE ADDITION OF THIS COURSE WOULD NOT ONLY OFFER MORE FOLKLORICO PRACTICE DURING SCHOOL INSTEAD OF AFTER SCHOOL, BUT STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY TIES TO THE LATINO STUDENT BODY, AND MORE THOROUGH EDUCATION OF MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES.
MY NAME IS ASHLEY DEVIRA, AND I WILL BE A JUNIOR AT LITTLE ELM HIGH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR.
I AM HERE TODAY TO ALSO ADVOCATE FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES CLASS BY INCORPORATING A FOLKLORICO CLASS.
FOLKLORICO IS A CLUB THAT FOCUSES ON TRADITIONAL DANCES OF MEXICO.
HOWEVER, THIS CLUB HAS GROWN TO REPRESENT OTHER LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES LIKE EL SALVADOR, PUERTO RICO, AND SOON, HONDURAS.
OUR CLUB IS OPEN TO BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS AND PROVIDES MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO SHOW THEIR CULTURE AND TRADITIONS.
THIS YEAR, OUR CLUB WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN SEVERAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.
THESE EVENTS HAVE HELPED US PLANT A SEED OF INTEREST IN DIFFERENT SCHOOLS THAT LATER WHEN THOSE STUDENTS ARRIVE AT HIGH SCHOOL, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO EXPAND AND ENLARGE WHAT WE HAVE NOW.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE, AND HOPE YOU ENJOY THE TWO REGIONS THAT WE REPRESENT, SINALOA AND JALISCO OF MEXICO.
[01:02:44]
[MUSIC] [APPLAUSE][01:05:19]
>> WELL, THAT WAS AMAZING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NOW WE HAVE A PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD WITH MISS KEISHA BROWN.[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU. SUPERINTENDENT LAMB, PRESIDENT OLSON, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TO YOU TONIGHT.
IS MIRA AMIN HERE? DID SHE MAKE IT? COME ON DOWN MIRA.[APPLAUSE] GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.
THE PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD.
IN 2003, THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON SERVICE AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION FOUNDED THE PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANT PART THAT AMERICA'S VOLUNTEERS PLAY IN OUR COUNTRY'S STRENGTH AND NATIONAL IDENTITY.
THIS AWARD HONORS THOSE CITIZENS WHOSE COMMITMENT TO SERVICE POSITIVELY IMPACTS COMMUNITIES IN EVERY CORNER OF THE NATION AND INSPIRES OTHERS TO GIVE BACK.
STARTING WITH THE 2019, 2020 SCHOOL YEAR, LITTLE ELM HIGH SCHOOL IS RECOGNIZED AS A CERTIFYING ORGANIZATION FOR THIS AWARD.
LITTLE ELM HIGH SCHOOL IS PROUD TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO SERVING THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS ASSISTING THEM WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE SUCH A PRESTIGIOUS AWARD.
SINCE 2019, LITTLE ELM HIGH SCHOOL HAS HAD 24 STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR COMPLETING OVER 3,300 HOURS OF SERVICE AND RECEIVING THE PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD.
TONIGHT, WE WILL RECOGNIZE TWO STUDENTS.
MIRA IS A CURRENT JUNIOR, YES [APPLAUSE] MIRA IS A CURRENT JUNIOR AT LITTLE ELM HIGH SCHOOL, AND SHE IS THE DAUGHTER OF MANILI AMIN.
HER MOM IS IN ATTENDANCE THIS EVENING, WOULD YOU STAND, MOM.
MIRA IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE LHS CHOIR, DECCA, STUDENT COUNCIL, AND THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY.
SHE HAS COMMITTED COUNTLESS HOURS OF VOLUNTEERING IN THE COMMUNITY WITH DECCA AND THE LITTLE ELM LIBRARY, AS WELL AS THE STUDENT COUNCIL.
IF I HAD TO USE A FEW WORDS TO DESCRIBE MIRA, THERE WOULD BE HUMBLE WITH A HEART FOR SERVICE.
TONIGHT, SHE'S BEING RECOGNIZED FOR COMPLETING 102 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE IN A 12 MONTH TIME PERIOD, AND WILL RECEIVE THE PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD.
THIS EVENING, SHE IS RECEIVING THE BRONZE AWARD, WHICH INCLUDES A SIGNED LETTER FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN, A CERTIFICATE, AND A PEN THAT SHE WILL BE ALLOWED TO WEAR AT HER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.
AFTER GRADUATION FROM HIGH SCHOOL, MIRA WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND A FOUR YEAR UNIVERSITY.
CONGRATULATIONS, MIRA.[APPLAUSE] NEXT WE HAVE SERENITY SMITH, SERENITY WOULD YOU JOIN ME PLEASE.
[APPLAUSE] SERENITY IS ALSO A CURRENT JUNIOR AT LITTLE M HIGH SCHOOL, AND SHE'S THE DAUGHTER OF TRACY HENRY SMITH.
HER MOM IS ALSO WITH US HERE TONIGHT WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.
DURING HER TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL, SHE HAS PARTICIPATED IN TRACK, BASKETBALL, BAND,
[01:10:01]
STUDENT COUNCIL, NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY, DECCA, AFRICAN AMERICAN AWARENESS CLUB, AND HOSA.CURRENTLY, SERENITY VOLUNTEERS WITH THE RED CROSS, WHERE SHE SERVES AS THE SOCIAL MEDIA AMBASSADOR AND A MAPATHON MEMBER.
SHE HELPS COORDINATE BLOOD DRIVES FOR HOSA AND VOLUNTEERS WITH THE STUDENT COUNCIL, AS WELL AS THE FRISCO LIBRARY.
SERENITY IS ALSO AN AWARD WINNER, SHE HAS WON MOST IMPROVED FOR BASKETBALL.
SHE WAS AWARDED THE BARBARA JAMES SERVICE AWARD FOR HOSA.
SHE WAS AN AREA AND STATE QUALIFIER IN HOSA COMPETITION AND HAS EARNED THE PRESTIGIOUS LITTLE [INAUDIBLE] AWARD EACH YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL.
TONIGHT, SERENITY IS BEING RECOGNIZED FOR COMPLETING 128 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE IN A 12 MONTH TIME PERIOD, AND WILL RECEIVE THE PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE BRONZE AWARD, WHICH INCLUDES A LETTER FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN, A CERTIFICATE, AND A PEN THAT SHE WILL BE ALLOWED TO WEAR AT HER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.
AFTER GRADUATION, SERENITY PLANS TO ATTEND A FOUR YEAR UNIVERSITY AND THEN HAS HOPES OF GOING ON TO MEDICAL SCHOOL TO BECOME A DERMATOLOGIST.
CONGRATULATIONS SERENITY.[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU, MISS BROWN. WE HAVE RECOGNITION OF MIDDLE SCHOOL ALL- STATE CHOIR MEMBERS AND STATE BASE WINNERS, MR. FRANK.
>> MR. OLSON, MR. LAMB, BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE A FEW OF OUR OUTSTANDING FINE ART STUDENTS THIS EVENING.
WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THOSE STUDENTS WHO AUDITIONED ALONG WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHER STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR WHAT'S CALLED THE TCDA MIDDLE SCHOOL ALL-STATE CHOIR.
TEXAS CORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION HAS THEIR ANNUAL CONVENTION EVERY JULY IN SAN ANTONIO AND THE STUDENTS I'M AUDITIONING ONLINE.
IF THEY'RE CHOSEN FOR THIS ENSEMBLE, THEY WILL BE GOING DOWN IN JULY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CONVENTION.
THEY WILL BE REHEARSING FOR THREE DAYS WITH A WORLD RENOWNED GUEST CLINICIAN AND PRESENT A CONCERT IN SAN ANTONIO.
FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR, WE HAVE STUDENTS FROM THE STRIKE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR THAT MADE THIS ENSEMBLE.
LAST YEAR, I THINK WE HAD ONE STUDENT, THIS YEAR WE HAVE THREE.
IF I COULD MISS CURRINGTON IS SHE STILL HERE.
IF SHE CAN COME ON UP AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO HAVE HER HELP ME PASS OUT THESE CERTIFICATES AS THE STUDENTS COME UP.
OUR FIRST ALL-STATE CHOIR MEMBER THIS YEAR FROM STRIKE MIDDLE SCHOOL IS ELENA SERRATO [APPLAUSE] AND SHE IS A TWO YEAR MEMBER OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL ALL-STATE CHOIR.
OUR NEXT ALL-STATE CHOIR MEMBER IS CARL ARNOLD [APPLAUSE] AND OUR THIRD MEMBER FROM STRIKE MIDDLE SCHOOL IS SABRINA SANCHEZ.[APPLAUSE] LET'S GIVE ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THESE THREE ALL STATE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR MEMBERS.[APPLAUSE]
>> FRANK, SHOULDN'T THEY SING SOMETHING FOR US?
>> WITH YOU.[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE] NEXT, WE'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE OUR STATE VASE WINNERS, VASE BEING A VISUAL ART SCHOLASTIC EVENT.
[01:15:02]
THE STATEWIDE COMPETITION THAT OUR ART STUDENTS GET TO PARTICIPATE IN AT THE REGION LEVEL, BUT THEN VERY FEW MAKE IT ONTO THE STATE LEVEL, AND THEN VERY FEW DO AS WELL AS THESE STUDENTS WHO ARE HERE THIS EVENING.DO I HAVE ANY OF MY HIGH SCHOOL ART TEACHERS HERE THIS EVENING? MISS SUTHERLAND, CAN YOU COME UP AND HELP ME WITH THESE CERTIFICATES, PLEASE? EVERY YEAR IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS START THIS PROCESS AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL BY SUBMITTING THEIR WORKS OF ART.
THIS YEAR IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, WE HAD 33,127 ART WORK ENTRIES AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL.
AT THE STATE LEVEL, ONLY 2,332 OF THOSE QUALIFIED FROM THAT 33,000 TO GO TO STATE.
AT THE STATE LEVEL, ONLY 1,400 STUDENTS IN THE STATE, WHICH IS 4% OF ALL OF THOSE ENTRIES BACK AT THE REGION LEVEL, 4% ACTUALLY GET A RATING OF A FOUR, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST RATING POSSIBLE AT THE STATE BASED COMPETITION.
WE ACTUALLY HAD EIGHT STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED THAT RATING OF FOUR FROM LITTLE ELM ISD.
AT THIS TIME, IF YOU'RE HERE AND I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME UP.
FIRST IS, AND I KNOW SHE IS NOT HERE TONIGHT, SO I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT HER IN JUST A SECOND.
FIRST IS ALYSSA SLOCUM, ALYSSA.
LET'S GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE ANYWAY.
NEXT IS CHANDRA ENCOME, CHANDRA.
WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET THESE CERTIFICATES BEFORE THEY GO HOME FOR THE SUMMER.
NEXT IS MALYN BRIGMAN, YOU KNOW MALYN? I KNOW SHE IS NOT HERE THIS EVENING, BUT, IAN IS HERE? IAN PITTS, COME ON UP.
OKAY. FINALLY, CAITLIN OATS. THANK YOU.
I DO WANT TO MENTION ONE MORE STUDENT BECAUSE WE SAID THAT 4% OF THOSE THAT BEGAN THIS PROCESS AT THE REGION LEVEL GET A RATING OF A FOUR AT THE STATE LEVEL.
WELL, EVEN MORE ALLUSIVE THAN THAT IS GETTING A GOLD SEAL AWARD.
IT IS THE ABSOLUTE HIGHEST AWARD YOU CAN RECEIVE AT THE STATE BASE CONTEST, 0.5% OF APPLICANTS WITH THEIR ARTWORK RECEIVE THIS,0.5.
IN FACT, THIS YEAR IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, 162 STUDENTS WE RECEIVED A GOLD SEAL AWARD AND WE HAD ONE RIGHT HERE IN LITTLE ELM.
SHE'S NOT HERE THIS EVENING, BUT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE JOSLYN DIAZ FOR WINNING A GOLD SEAL AT THE STATE BASED CONTEST.
THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, GUYS, AND CONGRATULATIONS.
BEFORE WE GO ON TO REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, IF ANY OF SOMEONE ELSE HAS LEFT THAT NEEDS TO LEAVE BECAUSE OF LITTLE CHILDREN OR ANYTHING, YOU'RE MORE WELCOME TO EXIT STAGE LEFT AT THIS TIME.
WE USUALLY TAKE A BREAK RIGHT HERE, SO YOU ARE MORE WELCOME TO GET UP AND LEAVE.
>> OR YOU CAN STAY. IT'S EXCITING STUFF COMING UP.
>> EARLY VOTING HAS STARTED, YOUR VOTES ARE VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS.
>> MR. LAMB, WE'LL GO AND CONTINUE ON THE REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
>> I THINK, CAN WE GO AHEAD AND MOVE UP NOW OR DO WE HAVE TO DO THIS ONE FIRST?
>> ASK THE PERSON TO YOUR RIGHT.
>> CAN WE MOVE OUR BOND APPROVALS UP OR DO WE NEED TO DO ALL THIS BEFORE WE GET THERE?
>> WE'LL GO AHEAD AND SKIP ON. WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK TO THE REPORTS TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.
OUT OF COURTESY FOR TIME HERE, WE'RE GOING TO GO DOWN TO THE ACTION ITEMS BOARD.
[11. Action Items (Part 1 of 2)]
WE'RE GOING TO GO DOWN TO 11E, CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF AUTHORIZING ISSUE OF BONDS, MS. ADAMS.[01:20:04]
>> THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT AND THANK YOU TO OUR BOND COUNSEL AND OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR FOR ENJOYING OUR STUDENT SUCCESS AND OUR BUSINESS OFFICE SUCCESS.
READY? ON THIS ITEM, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF PEOPLE HERE THAT ARE REPRESENTING THE BOARD ACTUALLY AND WORK FOR THE DISTRICT, DEREK CONEY IS WITH RBC CAPITAL MARKET.
HE IS OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR AND ROB COLLINS WITH BRACEWELL IS OUR BOND COUNSEL.
AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE WORKING TO MANAGE OUR 2022 BOND PROGRAM PROJECTS ALONG WITH MANAGING OUR BOND PROGRAM, AND THAT'S ACROSS OUR ENTIRE PORTFOLIO.
OUR RECOMMENDATION ON THIS ACTION ITEM TONIGHT IS THAT YOU GIVE US AUTHORIZATION AND DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO ISSUE $107,900,000, WHICH IS THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE 2022 BOND.
WE SOLD THE FIRST PORTION FOR THE PROJECTS THAT ARE UNDERWAY NOW ARE EITHER IN PLANNING OR GROUNDBREAKING AT THIS TIME AND WE'VE REARRANGED SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS AS FAR AS TIMELINES.
I WILL LET DEREK WALK YOU THROUGH I THINK HE HAS A PRESENTATION THAT GREG CAN PULL UP FOR US, AND I'LL LET HIM WALK YOU THROUGH AND THEN WE'LL SEE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THAT POINT.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. MR. LAMB, BOARD MEMBERS, GOOD TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN.
AGAIN, DEREK CONEY WITH RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO THE DISTRICT.
A BRIEF PRESENTATION HERE JUST TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT SHAY MENTIONED AND TELL YOU WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE MODERN MARKET AND WHAT OUR PLAN IS, AND THEN I'LL BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
AS YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN IN THE NEWS, A LOT OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN CAPITAL MARKETS AND FINANCIAL MARKETS ARE JOCKEYING AROUND WHAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS DOING WITH SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES.
THE THOUGHT IS RATES ARE PRETTY MUCH LEVELED OUT.
THE THOUGHT WAS COMING INTO THE YEAR THAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE WAS GOING TO RAISE SHORT-TERM RATES MAYBE AS MANY AS SEVEN TIMES.
THEY HAVE NOT DONE THAT, AND NOW THE MARKET IS PRICING AND MAYBE ONE CUT BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
RATES ARE PRETTY CALM AND WE DON'T EXPECT A LOT OF CHANGE.
ONE OF MY CHARTS DIDN'T COME THROUGH HERE.
BUT THAT'S WHERE WE THINK THINGS ARE HEADED HERE ON PAGE 4.
IF YOU LOOK AT THAT TOP RIGHT INSET THERE, SHIFT IN AAA MMD, THOSE ARE 10, 20, AND 30-YEAR INTEREST RATE GOING BACK A YEAR.
IF YOU LOOK ALL THE WAY ON THE LEFT, THAT'S CLOSE TO WHERE WE SOLD THE LAST INSTALLMENT OF BONDS LAST SPRING, AT A VERY LOW POINT ON THE CHART.
RATES WENT STRAIGHT UP FROM THERE INTO OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.
WE HIT THE PEAK OF THE 30-YEAR RATE OVER 4.5%.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE FAR RIGHT, THEY'VE COME BACK TO US A LITTLE BIT.
WE MISSED THAT VOLATILE POINT AND THAT HIGH POINT.
THAT REALLY WORKED OUT WELL FOR US.
THEN IF YOU REMEMBER, I ALWAYS SHOW YOU THIS HISTORICAL LOOK AT MUNICIPAL INTEREST RATES.
THIS GOES BACK 60 YEARS AND THE YELLOW BAR IS WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
YOU COULD SEE REALLY THE ONLY TIME THE BLUE BAR, THE HISTORICAL RATES ARE LOWER THAN THEY ARE TODAY WAS PRE 1969, AND THEN JUST THE ABSURD PERIOD OF 1920 AND '21 WHEN RATES WERE JUST ARTIFICIALLY LOW WITH WHAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE WAS DOING.
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING, ONLY ABOUT 73% OF THE TIME RATES HAVE BEEN HIGHER THAN THEY ARE TODAY.
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING, A GOOD TIME TO SELL BONDS.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF DATA HERE ON THIS PAGE.
THIS IS A SUMMARY OF ALL THE DISTRICTS OUTSTANDING DEBT.
THE DISTRICT HAS ABOUT 484 MILLION IN DEBT OUTSTANDING.
I HIGHLIGHT THAT ONE SERIES OF BONDS THERE IN YELLOW.
THOSE ARE OUR SERIES '20 BONDS THAT WERE SOLD IN ABOUT $25 MILLION AMOUNT.
I HIGHLIGHT THOSE BECAUSE WE SOLD THE ONLY SERIES OF BONDS WHERE WE HAD A PORTION OF THEM IN A VARIABLE RATE, A SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATE MODE.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT BECAUSE WE'RE CONSIDERING DOING THAT AGAIN.
BUT AGAIN, WE'VE LOOKED AT REFINANCING OPPORTUNITIES, NOTHING TO BE DONE AT THIS TIME, BUT WE'RE ALWAYS WATCHING THAT AS WELL.
HERE, THERE'S A LOT OF NUMBERS ON THIS PAGE.
THIS IS A SUMMARY OF THAT SERIES 2020 TRANSACTION FOR THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT WERE ON THE BOARD AT THE TIME.
[01:25:03]
YOU MIGHT REMEMBER WE HAD SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT SHOULD WE BE SELLING.I REMEMBER, MR. FLORES, WE ACTUALLY TALKED ABOUT THIS AT THE TIME.
WHY ARE WE SELLING VARIABLE RATE, SHORT-TERM BONDS AT FIXED RATES AT HISTORICAL LOWS? THE DISCUSSION WAS BECAUSE IT GIVES US FLEXIBILITY TO PAY DEBT OFF EARLY AND SAVE INTEREST SAVINGS THAT WAY.
I WANTED TO COME BACK AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
IT WAS AROUND 25 MILLION IN BONDS WE SOLD.
MOST OF THAT WAS IN A VARIABLE RATE, SHORT-TERM MODE.
ON THE LEFT OF THIS CHART HERE IS WHAT THE PROJECTED DEBT SERVICE WAS AT THAT TIME.
IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OVER 43 MILLION.
IN THE MIDDLE COLUMN, AFTER REDEEMING MOST OF THAT DEBT, NOW IT'S PROJECTED TO BE ABOUT 27.7 MILLION.
WE'VE SAVED ABOUT $15.5 MILLION BY BEING ABLE TO PAY THAT DEBT OFF EARLY.
THE INTEREST RATE IS A BIG COMPONENT OF IT, BUT IT'S ALSO WHAT OUR FUTURE PLANS ARE AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO REDEEM THAT DEBT AND HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY.
I JUST WANTED TO COME BACK AND HIGHLIGHT HOW THAT TURNED OUT.
WE'VE GOT ABOUT THREE MILLION LEFT OUTSTANDING OF THESE BONDS FROM THE 25 MILLION, AND I EXPECT WE'LL PROBABLY PAY THOSE OFF IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO AS WELL, WHICH WILL INCREASE OUR SAVINGS.
AS YOU KNOW, WHEN WE SELL BONDS, THE BIG DRIVING FACTOR OF WHAT THE TAX RATE WILL BE AND WHAT THE COST WILL BE IS THE DISTRICT'S TAXABLE ASSESSED VALUE.
THE DISTRICT HAS SEEN LARGE GROWTH NUMBERS HISTORICALLY, AND THAT'S STARTING TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
THE DARK BLUE BARS ARE THE HISTORICAL NUMBERS.
YOU CAN SEE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PAGE THERE THE PERCENTAGE AMOUNTS EACH YEAR, IF YOU WORK FROM THE RIGHT TO THE LEFT.
LAST YEAR, THE DISTRICT GREW ABOUT 13%, PRIOR TO THAT 20%, AND THEN AROUND 8-10% THE THREE YEARS BEFORE THAT.
THE PRELIMINARY VALUES THIS YEAR WERE UP ANYWHERE FROM 1-8% THAT WE RECEIVED IN APRIL.
WE REALLY SCALED BACK OUR GROWTH PROJECTIONS.
WE'RE ASSUMING 3% A YEAR JUST TO BE CONSERVATIVE RIGHT NOW, BUT WE DO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO BE ABLE TO SELL THE REMAINING BONDS.
A LOT OF THE ASSUMPTIONS HERE OF OUR UPCOMING SALE, BUT AS SHAY MENTIONED, WE WOULD PLAN TO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO SELL THE REMAINING 107.9 MILLION, 30-YEAR AMORTIZATION LIKE WE'VE ALWAYS DONE.
I'VE GOT A LOT OF THE ASSUMPTIONS HERE, BUT I TALKED ABOUT THE ASSESSED VALUATION GROWTH.
AGAIN, RIGHT NOW, WE WOULD SELL ABOUT 25 MILLION OF THE 107.9 IN THE SOFT VARIABLE RATE MODE, WHICH AGAIN WOULD GIVE US FLEXIBILITY IN THE FUTURE YEARS TO EITHER PAY THAT OFF EARLY OR REFINANCE IF RATES GO LOWER.
WE CAN TOGGLE BETWEEN THE AMOUNTS OF FIXED VERSUS VARIABLE, WHAT HAPPENS IN THE MARKET AND WHAT RECEPTION WE GET FROM INVESTORS.
HERE, THERE'S A LOT OF NUMBERS ON THIS PAGE, AND IT MAY BE TOO SMALL FOR YOU TO SEE, BUT IF YOU WORK YOUR EYE ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE RIGHT, COLUMN Q, THAT'S REALLY THE PROJECTED INS TAX RATE BASED ON OUR ASSUMPTIONS HERE WHEN WE ACTUALLY SELL THESE BONDS TO INVESTORS.
THE NEXT THREE YEARS, THE TARGET TAX RATE WOULD STAY RIGHT AT THE 47 CENTS ON THE INS SIDE.
THEN WE'VE GOT A LARGE STEP DOWN IN THE PAYMENT IN YEAR 4, ALMOST AN 11 CENT DROP, AND IT GOES TO 36 CENTS ALL THE WAY OUT FOR 25 PLUS YEARS.
WE HAD THE LAST ELECTION AND THOUGHT THERE MAY BE ANOTHER ELECTION ON THE HORIZON, SO WE STRUCTURED THE CAPACITY IN THERE TO DO THAT.
THEN AGAIN, THE VARIABLE RATE BONDS WOULD BE IN A 3-5 YEAR MODE, AND THEN THAT ACTUALLY WOULD ALLOW US TO RESTRUCTURE AT THAT TIME.
IF WE WANTED TO KEEP THE TAX RATE THERE, WE COULD PAY OFF SOME OF THOSE BONDS.
IF NOT, WE CAN PUSH IT OUT A YEAR DEPENDING ON WHAT THE BOARD DECIDES OR THE FUTURE ELECTION.
AGAIN, IT JUST GIVES US A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY.
LASTLY, I HAVE A TIMETABLE HERE.
WITH THE BOARD'S APPROVAL TONIGHT, WE WOULD MOVE FORWARD AND START OUR PROCESS OF GETTING DOCUMENTS AND WORKING WITH INVESTORS IN HOPES OF ACTUALLY PRICING THE BOND, SET THE INTEREST RATE, AND THE TERMS IN LATE JUNE, AND THEN CLOSE AND DELIVER FUNDS TO THE DISTRICT IN LATE JULY.
WE ALSO HAVE ROB COLLINS HERE, THE DISTRICT'S BOND COUNSEL.
HE CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ON THE BOND ORDER IN FRONT OF YOU, BUT THAT'S A SUMMARY OF WHAT OUR PLAN IS.
I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> SECOND FROM DELEON. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> I DO HAVE QUESTIONS. WITH THE MARKET RIGHT NOW RISING IN VOLATILITY, INTEREST RATES MOVING, DO YOU SEE PROJECTION OF INTEREST RATES CUTS THIS YEAR, OR WHAT IS YOUR PROJECTION RIGHT NOW? THE FED RESERVE, WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT?
>> WE DON'T SEE ANY BIG CHANGES.
AGAIN, IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE DOES, BUT GOING INTO A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, WE DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO DO ANYTHING CRAZY.
WE THINK WE'LL STAY IN THIS RANGE.
THERE'S SOME VOLATILITY IN THE MARKET WEEK TO WEEK, BUT WE'RE IN A NARROW RANGE AND WE THINK THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
[01:30:03]
ANOTHER THING I DIDN'T MENTION, WHICH I TALKED TO SHAY ABOUT A LOT IS NOT SO MUCH WORRIED ABOUT THE INTEREST RATE ON THE DEBT, BUT ALSO GETTING THE MONEY IN THE BANK BECAUSE YOU CAN EARN SIGNIFICANT INTEREST EARNINGS HAVING IT DEPOSITED AND INCREASE YOUR CONSTRUCTION FUND.>> DO YOU HAVE PROJECTIONS ON WHAT THAT POTENTIALLY COULD LOOK LIKE?
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTIONS ON WHAT THAT POTENTIALLY COULD LOOK LIKE IF WE HELD IT FOR A WHILE FOR THE INTEREST?
>> I'M SORRY. I'M GETTING A FEEDBACK.
>> IF WE WERE TO GET THE MONEY DEPOSITED, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PROJECTED PERCENTAGE WOULD BE?
>> WE HAVEN'T PROVIDED HIM WITH THE NUMBER OF BONDS.
>> BUT CHECK WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THE INTEREST RATES ON THE BONDS THAT WE HAVE ALREADY SOLD HAVE ALLOWED US TO ADDRESS THE ESCALATION IN CONSTRUCTION COST THAT WE ANTICIPATE BESIDES WHAT IS NEEDED.
THIS ALSO ACCELERATES SPEEDING UP THOSE BONDS THAT WERE APPROVED IN EARLY DAY.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES.
THANK YOU, DEREK. APPRECIATE VERY MUCH, SIR.
>> WE WILL GO BACK INTO THE REGULAR AGENDA.
WE WILL GO BACK TO THE REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
[8. Reports of the Superintendent]
WE'LL GO TO CURRICULUM AND LEARNING. MR. FELICE.>> TONIGHT, I'D LIKE TO JUST PRESENT YOU WITH A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE WE ARE WITH FINE ARTS IN LITTLE ELM ISD.
SOME THINGS THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON, SOME THINGS THAT ARE GROWING AS YOU SAW THE BALLET FOLKLORICO THAT PERFORMED EARLIER.
I GIVE YOU A HEADS UP TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR DISTRICT RIGHT NOW WITH FINE ARTS.
FIRST OF ALL, I AM VERY BLESSED TO SERVE SOME WONDERFUL TEACHERS HERE IN LITTLE ELM ISD WITH OUR FINE ARTS TEACHERS ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
I GET TO SUPPORT 44 OF THE BEST TEACHERS IN THE DISTRICT, AND I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE FIRST SLIDE THAT'S COMING UP HERE, WE HAVE SIX DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES THAT WE OFFER IN THE DISTRICT STILL, AND IF WE DO BEGIN THE ORCHESTRA IN 25/26, IF THAT WORKS OUT TO BE THE TIME WE START ORCHESTRA, THEN THAT WILL BE OUR SEVENTH DISCIPLINE THAT WE OFFER.
WE'LL SEE. LOOK AT THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THAT'S WHAT WE OFFER IN THE DISTRICT, BAND CHOIR, DANCE, OUR ELEMENTARY MUSIC CLASSES, OF COURSE, ORCHESTRA IN 2025/26, AND THEATER AND VISUAL ARTS, OF COURSE, ACROSS THE ENTIRE DISTRICT.
OUR ENROLLMENT IN FINE ARTS THIS YEAR.
YOU CAN SEE THESE ARE CURRENT NUMBERS.
I ACTUALLY GOT THESE NUMBERS TODAY.
THANKS TO BRANDON'S HELP WITH LOOKING AT EVERYTHING ACROSS THE DISTRICT, 100% OF OUR STUDENTS AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL, OF COURSE, HAVE ELEMENTARY MUSIC AND ELEMENTARY ART.
MIDDLE SCHOOL, WE ACTUALLY GREW IN FINE ARTS THIS YEAR, UP FROM JUST UNDER 79% TO ABOUT 82.3% OF OUR STUDENTS AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL ARE TAKING AT LEAST ONE FINE ARTS COURSE.
NOW, I DON'T HAVE THE STATISTICS TO BACK IT UP, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT TALKING TO THE TEACHERS, I THINK AS WE MADE OUR CHANGE TO ACCELERATED BLOCK SCHEDULE THIS YEAR BECAUSE WE HAD A LOT OF STUDENTS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN LOTS OF ACTIVITIES, LOTS OF FINE ARTS, ATHLETICS, FOREIGN LANGUAGES.
SOME OF THOSE STUDENTS HAD TO CHOOSE THIS YEAR, WHICH I THINK IS THE MAJORITY OF THAT 6%.
I SEE THAT GOING UP IN THE FUTURE, BECAUSE AS WE WORK OUT THOSE KINKS IN SCHEDULING AND AS KIDS GET INTO THE OLDER GRADE LEVELS, THEY HAVE MORE OPTIONS AVAILABLE WITHIN THEIR SCHEDULE.
I SEE THAT IMPROVING FOR NEXT YEAR.
THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS YOU OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR THROUGH THE DISTRICT.
WE WERE ALLOCATED FROM SHAY'S OFFICE AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, 434,000 FOR FINE ARTS, FROM THE CURRICULUM AND LEARNING OFFICE, AN ADDITIONAL 76,000, WHICH MEANT OUR TOTAL BUDGET DISTRICT WIDE WAS $510,000 FOR FINE ARTS.
I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THIS QUICKLY, GUYS.
I KNOW IT'S GETTING LATE AND EVERYBODY'S TIRED.
THE STAFFING THIS YEAR, OUR STAFFING STAYED EXACTLY THE SAME IN THE DISTRICT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
GOING TO THE ACCELERATED BLOCK SCHEDULE, WE HAD TO INCREASE BY TWO ART TEACHERS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL SO THAT WE COULD ACCOMMODATE ALL THE STUDENTS WHO HAD SIGNED UP FOR ART.
WE GREW BY TWO THIS YEAR, BOTH BEING ART TEACHERS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
JUST TO GO, THESE ARE THE GOALS THAT WE SET FORWARD AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.
NUMBER 1, WE WANTED TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-12 SPECIFICALLY THAT SECONDARY LEVEL.
THAT'S WHERE WE SAW THE BALLET FOLKLORICO.
NOW HE'S NOT HERE ANY LONGER, BUT MR. ROBINSON, ONE OF THE PRINCIPALS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, LAST YEAR,
[01:35:05]
I HEARD THAT THERE WERE SEVEN STUDENTS ON THE FOLKLORICO CLUB AND HE PAID FOR ALL THE DRESSES FOR THOSE STUDENTS.HE WENT OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET AND JUST BOUGHT DRESSES, AND HE CAME TO ME THIS YEAR AND SAID, WE REALLY WANT BALLET FOLKLORICO TO BE PART OF THE FINE ARTS PROGRAM.
IN ALL HONESTY, THOUGH, THE EXACT WORDS I SAID WERE, IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT, WE'RE GOING TO DO IT RIGHT.
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE GOT FUNDING AND WE'VE GOT A TEACHER BEFORE WE DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THANKS TO DOCTOR TRAMMEL, MR. BARTLETT, THANKS TO JASON EVANS, WHO WORKS WITH ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS AND TESTING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL IN A MEETING THAT WE HAD THIS PAST YEAR.
THROUGH TITLE FOUR, I BELIEVE IT IS, WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE FUNDING THIS YEAR FOR ALL NEW DRESSES, MULTIPLE SETS OF DRESSES FOR OUR BALLET FOLKLORICO, AND WE SAW IT GO FROM SEVEN KIDS TO 26 KIDS THIS YEAR, AND WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE A TEACHER WHO COULD COME IN WEEKLY THAT HAD A BACKGROUND IN BALLET FOLKLORICO AND REALLY IT'S JUST AN AMAZING PERSON, KAYA RAMIREZ WININGER.
TRIVIA, FACT, SHE WAS ACTUALLY MY VERY FIRST COLOR GUARD CAPTAIN 20 YEARS AGO.
WE'VE STAYED IN TOUCH OVER THE YEARS, AND I KNEW SHE TAUGHT ADULT BALLET FOLKLORICO AND PERFORMED HERSELF.
AND WHEN I CALLED HER AND SAID, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY IN THE DISTRICT TO START SOMETHING THAT WE COULD REALLY GROW, SHE JUMPED ALL OVER IT.
SHE'S JUST A WONDERFUL PERSON.
BUT I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE.
WE HAVE FULLY GUARANTEED FUNDING FOR BALLET FOLKLORICO FOR NEXT YEAR AS WELL.
I KNOW WE HEARD STUDENTS TONIGHT TALK ABOUT EXPANSION OF THAT.
THE BIGGEST ISSUE ON THE HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS FOR THAT EXPANSION RIGHT NOW IS JUST LITERALLY SPACE.
THERE'S NOWHERE TO PUT THEM TO DANCE.
AS WE GROW AS THE HIGH SCHOOL EXPANDS, WE ARE DEFINITELY LOOKING INTO THAT FOR THE FUTURE.
THE NEXT THING, AS FAR AS OTHER FINE ARTS OPPORTUNITIES, WE SENT MANY MORE KIDS TO JUNIOR VASE AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL THIS YEAR.
LAST YEAR, WE SENT SEVEN KIDS WENT TO JUNIOR VASE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN OUR DISTRICT.
THIS YEAR, WE SENT 36 STUDENTS TO JUNIOR VASE, AND ALL 36 GOT A RATING OF A FOUR, THE HIGHEST RATING. THAT WAS PRETTY AWESOME.
OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL ART TEACHERS ARE JUST KILLING IT.
NOW, DEVELOPING A STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING ALL FINE ARTS PROGRAMS. THIS IS, OF COURSE, AN ONGOING PROCESS WHERE I'VE LOOKED AT EQUIPMENT NOW, BEING IN THIS POSITION, MY THIRD YEAR.
I WAS REALLY ABLE TO LOOK AT WHAT EVERYBODY IS DOING, WHAT EVERYBODY HAS, THE BUDGET, THE STAFFING AND THOSE THINGS, AND WE'RE ON TRACK.
WE'RE DOING THE THINGS WE'RE KEEPING UP WITH WHERE OUR PROGRAMS ARE SO THAT AS WE NEED MORE STAFFING, WE CAN ASK FOR THAT, AS WE NEED MORE FACILITIES.
SHAY WILL GET ALL THOSE EMAILS FROM ME DOWN THE ROAD.
WE'RE KEEPING TRACK OF THOSE THINGS, FOCUS ON CONTENT SPECIFIC PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
ONE THING YOU PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HEARD THREE YEARS AGO FROM OUR FINE ARTS TEACHERS IS WE NEED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN FINE ARTS.
CHOIR DIRECTORS NEED CHOIR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, BAND DIRECTORS, AND SO ON.
I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT THIS YEAR, MORE THAN EVER, WE WERE ABLE TO BRING IN SPECIALISTS TO GIVE THOSE PEOPLE MORE CONTENT SPECIFIC TRAINING.
NEXT YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO BUILD UPON THAT EVEN MORE CREATING A 10 YEAR PLAN FOR UNIFORM REPLACEMENT.
THE NEXT THING COMING UP, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IS ACTUALLY HIGH SCHOOL BAND AGAIN.
NEXT YEAR, THEY WILL BE IN YEAR EIGHT OF THEIR UNIFORMS AND THOSE ARE A 10 YEAR PROJECTIONS.
WE'RE ABOUT TWO YEARS AWAY FROM LOOKING AT NEW HIGH SCHOOL BAND UNIFORMS. THEN, OF COURSE, CREATING THAT PLAN FOR ORCHESTRA.
EVERYTHING IS SET TO GO WHEN WE FEEL IT IS TIME FOR US TO START THAT AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL IN SIXTH GRADE.
>> SOME UNIQUE THINGS FOR THIS YEAR.
WE WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR AS A BEST COMMUNITIES FOR MUSIC EDUCATION BY THE NAM FOUNDATION.
I TAKE A LOT OF SPECIAL PRIDE IN THAT BEING A FORMER BAND DIRECTOR, AND I'M SUPER HAPPY FOR OUR ELEMENTARY MUSIC TEACHERS, OUR CHOIR DIRECTORS, AND OUR BAND DIRECTORS.
THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR EVER THOUGH.
WE WERE AWARDED THE DISTRICT OF DISTINCTION BY TAEA, WHICH IS THE TEXAS ART EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS A HUGE ORDEAL.
THE PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS FOR THAT ARE MASSIVE AND I THINK 19 SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS THIS YEAR WERE ADDED TO THE DISTRICTS OF DISTINCTION, AND WE WERE ONE OF THOSE.
WE'VE JUST RECENTLY COMPLETED OUR PORTFOLIO TO SUBMIT FOR YEAR TWO, BUT WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF NEXT SCHOOL YEAR IF WE RECEIVE DISTRICT OF DISTINCTION FOR THE SECOND YEAR.
OF COURSE, WE ADDED OUR BALLET FOLKLORICO CLUB, THANKS TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO I MENTIONED EARLIER, AND WE HAD OUR SECOND ANNUAL FINE ARTS SIGNING DAY AT THE HIGH SCHOOL THIS YEAR, WHERE WE RECOGNIZED 11 SENIORS THAT ARE NOT ONLY GOING TO CONTINUE IN FINE ARTS AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL, BUT THEY'VE RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS TO MAJOR IN FINE ARTS AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL.
[01:40:03]
NEXT YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO EXPAND THAT.I WAS TALKING WITH DOCTOR TRAMMEL ABOUT THIS AND THOSE STUDENTS WHO'VE RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS TO PERFORM AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL.
MAYBE THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN THE MEAN GREEN MARCHING BAND, AND THEY HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP TO DO SO, OR THEY'RE GOING TO SING IN THE UTA CHOIR OR WHATEVER.
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE RECOGNIZE THOSE STUDENTS AS WELL TO EXPAND OUR FINE ART SIGNING DAY FOR NEXT YEAR.
AS WE GO THROUGH THESE, I'M GOING TO TRY TO BE VERY BRIEF AND GO QUICKLY HERE.
THESE ARE JUST SOME MAJOR RECOGNITIONS, THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR WITH OUR ART PROGRAM.
OF COURSE, WE WENT FROM 7 TO 36 MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AT THE JUNIOR VASE COMPETITION.
WE HAD FIVE STUDENTS RECEIVE A PLATINUM MEDAL, WHICH IS THAT EXTRA SPECIAL AWARD.
LAST YEAR, WE HAD THREE THIS YEAR, WE HAD FIVE STUDENTS.
WE HAD EIGHT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RECOGNIZED AT THE STATE VASE.
LAST YEAR, WE HAD THREE AND ALL EIGHT OF THOSE RECEIVED A FOUR AND WE HAD THE ONE GOLD SEAL WINNER WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.
WE HAD ONE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT WHO WAS CHOSEN BY TAEA FOR YOUTH ART MONTH AND HER ART IS ON DISPLAY IN THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION.
WE HAD ONE ELEMENTARY STUDENT WHOSE WORK IS NOW ON WHAT'S CALLED THE GOVERNOR'S GALLERY ONLINE.
WE HAD TWO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT HAD THEIR ARTWORK PUBLISHED IN THE BOOK CALLED NOT ND, WHICH IS ACTUALLY DENTON BACKWARDS.
I WAS ON LANDMARKS OF THE NORTH TEXAS AREA, WE HAD TWO STUDENTS THAT WERE PUBLISHED IN THAT, WHICH WAS REALLY UNIQUE.
THEN WE HAD ONE ELEMENTARY STUDENT JUST RECENTLY.
MAYBE YOU SAW ONLINE THE STRAWBERRY.
WAS DIPPED IN CHOCOLATE, THE ELEMENTARY STUDENT WHO WON TOP OF TEAMS. TEAMS IS LIKE VASE AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL.
TOP OF TEAMS IS THAT VERY SELECT GROUP OF ELEMENTARY ART RECOGNITION.
GOING ON TO OUR BAND, YOU CAN SEE THERE'S A LONG LIST THERE.
SOME OF THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE THINGS ARE THE UIL SUPERIOR RATINGS AT BOTH THE MARCHING LEVEL.
THEY WENT ON TO AREA MARCHING BAND CONTEST AS WELL.
THEY ALSO WENT TO UIL CONCERT AND SITE READING, AND BY GETTING A SUPERIOR RATING THERE, THEY WON A SWEEPSTAKES AWARD FOR THE DISTRICT.
IF YOU GET A SUPERIOR RATING BASICALLY IN CONCERT AND SITE READING, SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR, AND MARCHING BAND FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR, IT'S A SWEEPSTAKES AWARD FOR THE DISTRICT.
THE BAND WAS ABLE TO DO THAT AGAIN THIS YEAR.
I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR A LONG TIME.
THE NEXT THING IS, I KNOW, I HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING BEING A FORMER BAND DIRECTOR.
WE ALSO HAD LOTS OF STUDENTS DOING GREAT THINGS WITH SOLO AND ENSEMBLE.
LOTS OF STUDENTS MAKING THE A REGION BAND.
I'M NOT GOING TO LIST ALL OF THOSE.
WE HAD NOT ONLY THE HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE, THE WALKER HONORS BAND AND SYMPHONIC BAND, AND THE STRIKE HONORS BAND ALSO RECEIVED SUPERIOR RATINGS THIS YEAR AT UIL.
SEVERAL OTHER AWARDS, OF COURSE, FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS ARE DRUM LINE, COMPETED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME IN THE HARDEST CONTEST IN NORTH TEXAS, WHICH IS THE LONESTAR CLASSIC AND WON THEIR DIVISION.
AB CAME IN FIRST PLACE AND WON BEST SNARES AND I BELIEVE BEST FRONT ENSEMBLE, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, WHICH IS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE IT'S ONE OF THE HARDEST EVENTS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS TO SEND A DRUM LINE TO.
WE WERE VERY PROUD OF OUR DRUM LINE.
OUR WINNER GUARD THIS YEAR FINISHED IN THIRD PLACE.
A THIRD PLACE OR THE BRONZE MEDALIST IN OPEN CLASS IN THE NORTH TEXAS COLOR GUARD ASSOCIATION WENT ON TO THE WGI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN OHIO AND FINISHED AS A SEMI FINALIST.
DIDN'T QUITE MAKE IT TO FINALS THIS YEAR, BUT MAN, IT WAS QUITE A SHOW, QUITE A PERFORMANCE.
I'M TELLING YOU I WAS THERE FOR EVERY SECOND OF IT AND JUST AN UNBELIEVABLE PERFORMANCE.
WE WERE HOPING AND HOPING JUST MISSED MAKING FINALS, BUT THEY WILL BE BACK BECAUSE THEY HAVE GREAT TEACHERS AND THOSE ARE GREAT STUDENTS.
OUR CHOIR PROGRAM, ALSO HAD ANOTHER GREAT YEAR.
IF YOU DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO HEAR THE HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR THIS YEAR OR OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIRS, FOR THAT MATTER, THEY ARE JUST DOING AN INCREDIBLE JOB. I WILL SAY THIS.
OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL BANDS AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIRS ALL IMPROVED IN UIL RATINGS THIS YEAR.
ACROSS THE BOARD. IT WAS JUST A GREAT YEAR.
THOSE MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE JUST TAKING OFF.
WE HAD THE HIGH SCHOOL SOPRANO ALTO NON VARSITY GROUP AND THE VARSITY SOPRANO ALTO TENOR BASE GROUP.
THE RECEIVED A SUPERIOR RATING AND THE STRIKE VARSITY CHOIR, ALSO RECEIVED A SUPERIOR RATING.
AGAIN, LOTS OF STUDENTS MAKING ALL REGION CHOIR FROM EACH CAMPUS, LOTS OF UIL SOLO AND ENSEMBLE SUPERIOR RATINGS.
WE HAD THE THREE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS EARLIER THAT WERE RECOGNIZED FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL ALLSTATE CHOIR AND THE HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER PERFORMED AT CARNEGIE HALL THIS YEAR.
THAT WAS A PRETTY COOL EXPERIENCE FOR THOSE STUDENTS AS WELL.
IF YOU LOOK AT OUR DANCE OR DRILL TEAM, THEY COMPETE AT THE STATE LEVEL WITH A PROGRAM CALLED CROWD PLEASERS.
THIS YEAR, THEIR OFFICERS BECAME STATE CHAMPIONS IN THE NOVELTY DIVISION AND THE TEAM WON THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE LYRICAL DIVISION.
[01:45:05]
THEY WERE FIRST RUNNER UP AND SEVERAL OTHERS, VERY CLOSE TO BEING STATE CHAMPIONS THERE.I WISH YOU COULD HAVE SEEN THEIR SPRING SHOW LAST WEEK, LIGHTS, ANGELS, ACTION, A LOT OF INCREDIBLY TALENTED DANCERS ON STAGE FOR THAT SPRING SHOW.
OUR THEATER PROGRAM THIS YEAR.
ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS ARE NOW PARTICIPATING IN ONE ACT PLAY.
LAST YEAR WAS THE VERY FIRST YEAR THAT OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED IN UIL ONE ACT PLAY AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL.
THEY HAD SEVERAL INDIVIDUAL WINNERS.
THEY DID NOT ADVANCE, BUT I'M TELLING YOU IT IS QUITE A PROCESS TO GET A MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATER AND HIGH SCHOOL THEATER TO ADVANCE.
THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THEY ARE MAKING LEAPS AND BOUNDS TO GET THERE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A NEW STAFF AT THE HIGH SCHOOL THEATER PROGRAM THIS NEXT YEAR, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT THE NEW STAFF IS GOING TO BRING AND ENERGIZE THAT PROGRAM AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.
THEN I WILL SAY OUR ELEMENTARY MUSIC AND ART TEACHERS, THEY PROBABLY GET THE LEAST AMOUNT OF RECOGNITION OF ANY OF OUR FINE ARTS TEACHERS, AND THEY WORK THEIR BOOTIES OFF.
THEY ARE JUST WONDERFUL TEACHERS.
I'M TELLING YOU NO ONE GETS EXCITED LIKE THOSE ELEMENTARY MUSIC AND ART TEACHERS.
YOU CAN'T HELP BUT WALK IN THEIR CLASSROOM AND IT'S INFECTIOUS.
IT REALLY IS. THOSE KIDS THEY JUST LOVE BEING THERE.
I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SITTING IN A LOT OF THOSE CLASSES THIS YEAR AND JUST WATCHING THOSE TEACHERS.
MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS, HOW DO YOU HAVE THE ENERGY? HOW DO YOU DO IT? BECAUSE THOSE KIDS IT'S LIKE ANTS.
YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO HERD CATS BUT THEY'RE GREAT TEACHERS, AND I KNOW THEY DON'T GET MUCH RECOGNITION BUT IF YOU WERE TO GO TO THE LITTLE ISD ART SHOW AND COME SEE OUR DISTRICT ART SHOW, YOU CAN SEE WHAT THOSE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AND MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE DOING, AND IT'S PRETTY AMAZING.
SOME OF THOSE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS DO THINGS THAT I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE DOING.
I'M STILL DRAWING STICK FIGURES, AND I LOOK AT WHAT SOME OF THOSE STUDENTS DRAW AND I'M JUST AMAZED.
OUR ELEMENTARY HONOR CHOIR THIS YEAR STRETCHED TO DO EVEN MORE IN THE DISTRICT.
INSTEAD OF GOING FOR ABOUT FOUR TO SIX WEEKS AND PRESENTING A CONCERT, THEY WENT OVER ABOUT THREE TO FOUR MONTHS OF REHEARSALS AND DID MULTIPLE PERFORMANCES.
WE'RE TRYING TO EXPAND WHAT THOSE KIDS ARE DOING, MAKING THAT MORE OF A PRESTIGIOUS ENSEMBLE.
WE REHEARSED AT THE ADMIN BUILDING THIS YEAR EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
HAD A LOT OF OUR TEACHERS INVOLVED WITH THAT.
I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT THOSE ELEMENTARY TEACHERS, THEY WORK SO HARD AND THEY LAY THAT FOUNDATION FOR KIDS GETTING EXCITED ABOUT FINE ARTS BEFORE THEY GO INTO MIDDLE SCHOOL.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SHARE WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH FINE ARTS IN OUR DISTRICT.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> NO. THERE YOU GO. YOU'RE ON RIGHT THERE.
>> I LOVE THAT WE BRING IN THE BALLET FOR CLIC CLUB IN.
>> THAT ALWAYS GETS ASKED, DOESN'T IT? WELL, I'M GOING TO BE HONEST.
LAST YEAR, AS A MEMBER OF THE NORTH TEXAS FINE ART SUPERVISORS ORGANIZATION.
WE HAD THE TOP MARIACHI GROUP IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
I KNOW I DIDN'T SAY THAT RIGHT I NEVER SAY IT CORRECTLY, CALLED MARIACHI ORO FROM THE SAN ANTONIO AREA, PERFORMED FOR US IN AUSTIN AT OUR CONVENTION AND I WAS JUST BLOWN AWAY.
WHEN I SAW THE STATE CHAMPION HIGH SCHOOL MARIACHI BAND, I THOUGHT, OH, MY GOSH, BECAUSE NOT ONLY IS IT BRASS AND STRINGS AND VOCALS.
I MEAN, YOU'RE TALKING, THESE ARE GREAT MUSICIANS AT ALL LEVELS.
I ASKED THEM AFTER THEY PERFORMED FOR US AND I'M JUST SITTING THERE WITH MY JAW ON THE GROUND.
I WENT UP TO ONE OF THE LEAD SINGERS AND I ASKED HER, I SAID, HOW DO YOU GUYS GET THIS GOOD? HOW DO YOU DEVELOP THIS KIND OF MARIACHI ENSEMBLE AND SHE SAID THAT THE WIND PLAYERS IN THE GROUP WERE ALL STATE BAND MEMBERS AT THEIR HIGH SCHOOL.
THE STRING PLAYERS WERE ALL STATE ORCHESTRA MEMBERS AND THE VOCALISTS WERE ALL STATE CHOIR MEMBERS.
WHEN YOU'VE GOT ALL THREE PROGRAMS LIKE THAT FUNCTIONING AT A HIGH LEVEL, YOU'VE GOT ALL STATE MUSICIANS, THEN YOU CAN HAVE AN UNBELIEVABLE MARIACHI PROGRAM.
ONCE WE GET ORCHESTRA GOING, THAT'S THE NEXT STEP.
BEFORE THEN, IT WOULD BE HARD TO HAVE THE STRING PLAYERS.
ANYTHING ELSE? WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, MR. FELICE. APPRECIATE IT.
>> WE WILL GO TO A LITTLE CORRECTION ON THIS.
I THINK WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE POLICIES.
WE'RE NOT CONSIDERING THE APPROVAL.
>> YEAH. LET ME SAY, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU, MR. FELICE.
AS I GET AROUND AND VISIT WITH ANY KIND OF ART TEACHER IN OUR DISTRICT, FINE ART OR PERFORMING ART, THEY'RE ALWAYS VERY COMPLIMENTARY OF THE SUPPORT YOU GIVE THEM AND SO NO WONDER [NOISE] WE HAVE SUCH A WONDERFUL FINE ART PROGRAM GOING, SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.
THESE POLICIES, IF YOU'LL REMEMBER,
[01:50:02]
WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THEM REALLY SINCE MY FIRST BOARD MEETING HERE.THE INTENTION TONIGHT IS FOR YOU TO HAVE THEM IN HAND.
WE TALKED ABOUT THEM, WE SENT THEM OFF TO OUR REP TO LOOK AT.
THEY'RE NOW BACK. WE'D LIKE FOR YOU TO LOOK AT THEM.
ON THE NEXT BOARD MEETING THEY WILL BE UNDER APPROVAL, ACTUALLY.
I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THEM, MAKE SURE THEY REPRESENT WHAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST, AND WE'LL ASK FOR APPROVAL OF THOSE AT THE NEXT MEETING.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. WITH THAT, WE'LL GO ON WE'VE ALREADY HAD THE CITIZEN INPUT, NO CITIZEN INPUT, CORRECT, MS. LOREZ CAREY? MAKING SURE.
WE'LL GO ONTO THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
[10. Approval of Minutes]
WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES, APRIL 15TH, 2024.HOPEFULLY, EVERYBODY'S HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THOSE.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> I HEARD JEFF FIRST. SECOND?
>> FROM MARY. ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND. ALL THOSE OPPOSED.
WE'LL GO ON INTO ACTION ITEMS.
[11. Action Items (Part 2 of 2)]
WE'LL CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF HIRING OF THE OAK POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, MS. BROWN. GOOD EVENING.>> GREETINGS AGAIN, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PRESIDENT OLSON, MR. LAMB.
WE HAVE CONDUCTED A THOROUGH INTERVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS AND TONIGHT, WE'RE BRINGING TO THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR THE NEW PRINCIPAL OF OAK POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
YOU'LL REMEMBER LAST MONTH, MAYBE IT WAS THE MONTH BEFORE, WE MADE THE RECOMMENDATION FOR CURRENT OAK POINT ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL KORI WERTH TO BECOME THE NEW PRINCIPAL OF LAKEWOOD VILLAGE THUS LEAVING A VACANCY AT OAK POINT FOR NEXT YEAR.
THE ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE HIRE OF THE NEW PRINCIPAL OF OAK POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.
>> WAS I SUPPOSED TO TALK ABOUT THAT?
>> YEAH, WE DO. [LAUGHTER] [OVERLAPPING]
>> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> DO I HAVE A SECOND. ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. AND SO I'D LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE NEW PRINCIPAL OF OAK POINT ELEMENTARY FOR THE '24-'25 SCHOOL YEAR IS CURRENT OAK POINT ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, MS. BERNADETTE WHITE.
>> SHE IS IN THE BACK. THANK YOU.
>> WELL, WORTH A WAIT. [LAUGHTER] PERFECT.
WE'LL GO ON TO THE CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE 2024-2025 NEW COURSE BY DR. TRAMMEL.
>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT OLSON, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, MR. LAMB.
TONIGHT, WE ARE COMING TO YOU TO HOPEFULLY HAVE YOU APPROVE TWO NEW COURSES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
THESE COURSES REPLACE ACTUALLY TWO COURSES THAT WE HAVE.
THE DIFFERENCE IS BY MAKING THEM CTE COURSES, OUR STUDENTS WILL GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THE CAREERS THAT GO ALONG WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHY THAT THEY ARE LEARNING.
WE WILL ALSO GET A CTE FUNDING, WHICH WOULD EQUATE TO AROUND $192,000.
WITH THAT, WE ARE RECOMMENDING A COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY II TO REPLACE ART III PHOTOGRAPHY II AND THEN PRACTICUM OF COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY TO REPLACE ART IV PHOTOGRAPHY III.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS THAT, I DID WANT TO MENTION AS WELL, THE TEACHER IS ALREADY FULLY CERTIFIED SO THAT IT DOESN'T REQUIRE ANY NEW CERTIFICATIONS FOR THE TEACHER AND THE CURRICULUM IS VERY SIMILAR WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CAREER TAKES THAT ARE IN THESE TWO COURSES.
SO IT WILL ACTUALLY ENRICH WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT.
>> PERFECT. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION. I KNOW I WAS AT THE DEIC MEETING.
WHEN YOU GUYS DISCUSSED THIS, IS THERE ANY CERTIFICATION OR ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO HELP THESE STUDENTS WITH COMPLETER STATUS WHEN IT COMES TO OUR CCMRS?
>> THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY I BELIEVE FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE A CERTIFICATION.
I OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, CAN'T TELL YOU WHICH ONE THAT IS, BUT WE CAN GET THAT TO YOU OR GET THE BOARD INFORMATION ON ANYTHING OFFERED FOR AN IBC.
[01:55:01]
>> JUST A QUICK QUESTION HERE. THERE WAS A LEVEL 2, AND I IMAGINE THAT THE PROGRESSION WAS FROM LEVEL 2 TO LEVEL 3 THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
FOR THOSE THAT TOOK LEVEL 2 THIS YEAR, WILL WE HAVE THEM TAKE THE FIRST?
>> WHEN WE LOOKED INTO RECORDING AND ADDING THE CAREER TIGS, WE LOOKED AT OUR STUDENTS WHO WERE ON THE TRACK FOR A FINE ARTS ENDORSEMENT.
WE HAD EIGHT STUDENTS THAT THAT AFFECTED.
WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WE ARE GOING TO ALLOW THOSE STUDENTS TO FINISH OUT THAT ENDORSEMENT BECAUSE WE WOULD NEVER WANT TO AFFECT THAT FOR STUDENTS WHO HAD SELECTED TO HAVE THAT.
YES, AND THE SAME TEACHER WILL BE ABLE TO DO BOTH.
SHE'S FULLY CERTIFIED FOR ALL OF IT.
>> THERE ARE QUITE A FEW STUDENTS.
THE EIGHT THAT ARE ON THE ART ENDORSEMENT, THEY WILL BE IN A CLASS.
I'M NOT SURE IF THEY'LL BE IN A CLASS ALONE OR IF IT WILL BE A STACKED CLASS BECAUSE THE TIGS ARE BASICALLY THE SAME WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CAREER INFORMATION THAT THE STUDENTS LEARN. SO YOU BET.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I HAVE A MOTION. ANY SECOND? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DR. CHARAMEL.
>> WE'LL GO ON TO THE CONSIDER APPROVAL OF COPY LEASE BUYOUT. MS. ADAMS.
>> HELLO AGAIN. THIS INFORMATION WAS PRESENTED TO YOU IN WORKSHOP FORMAT AND WAS PRESENTED TO OUR FINANCE COMMITTEE LAST MONTH AT OUR FINANCE MEETING.
BUT TO SUMMARIZE THAT AND WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN YOUR AGENDA IS THAT WE HAVE COMPLETED THE PROJECTS FOR THE 2017 BOND, THEY ARE EITHER COMPLETE OR SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE AND HAVE THE FUNDS ENCUMBERED TO FINISH THEM OUT.
THEREFORE, WITH SOME OF THE INTEREST EARNINGS THAT WE HAVE FROM THAT BOND AND FROM SOME OF THE SAVINGS ON THOSE PROJECTS, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUY OUT OUR CURRENT COPIER LEASES, WHICH CREATES SOME CAPACITY IN OUR GENERAL OPERATING FUND, WHICH AS YOU KNOW, IS A STRUGGLE RIGHT NOW.
THIS RECOMMENDATION WOULD BUY OUT OUR CURRENT NEW COPIERS WHICH THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR OF OUR LEASE ON THOSE COPIERS, AND THE DISTRICT WOULD OWN THE COPIERS USING THOSE 2017 BOND PROCEEDS, AND SO THE ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL TO BUY OUT THE COPIER LEASE.
THE INFORMATION ON THE SPECIFIC COST IS INCLUDED THERE IN YOUR AGENDA, BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
>> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND. ALL THOSE OPPOSED.
MOTION PASSES. YOU GET TO STAY THERE AGAIN, MS. ADAMS. YOU'LL BE HERE FOR A LITTLE BIT.
CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE RFP NUMBER 2024-004 FOR OUR PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE.
>> IT'S MY SEASON, SO I GET TO BE UP HERE A LOT.
IT'S LIKE A SPORTING SEASON BUDGET SEASON AND SO WE ALSO SHARED WITH YOU THAT WE WERE ANTICIPATING INCREASES IN OUR PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE PREMIUMS, NOT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE DONE OR ANY CLAIMS THAT WE HAVE HAD, BUT BECAUSE THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE NATION IS EXPERIENCING EXPONENTIAL INCREASES IN INSURANCE.
WE OPENED BIDS EARLIER THIS WEEK, I THINK IT WAS ON TUESDAY.
NO, IT SEEMS LIKE A LAST WEEK.
SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME AGO, BUT WE HAD THREE DIFFERENT SUBMISSIONS.
ONE OF THOSE ONLY SUBMITTED FOR WORKERS' COMPENSATION, SO WE REALLY ONLY HAD TWO THAT SUBMITTED FOR OUR FULL PROPERTY CASUALTY AND ALL OF THE PERFIL POLICIES, AND TASB IS WHO WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT WE CONTINUE TO DO BUSINESS WITH.
WE DID ASK IN THE BID PROCESS, SO YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT WE ASKED THEM TO CONVERT OUR SEPTEMBER 1ST, TRADITIONAL RENEWAL DATE TO END ON JUNE 30TH, THAT CREATES SOME SAVINGS IN NEXT YEAR'S GENERAL OPERATING, BUT REALLY WHAT IT DOES MORE IS ALIGNS IT WITH A FISCAL YEAR.
THE AMOUNT THAT YOU SEE HERE, THE 1.3 MILLION IS FOR A 10 MONTH PERIOD.
BUT IF YOU ANNUALIZE THAT, THEN WE WOULD HAVE EXPERIENCED ABOUT A 20% INCREASE AGAIN IN OUR INSURANCE PREMIUMS. THEY HAVE CONVERTED AND REALLY, THIS IS ACROSS THE BOARD ON ALL OF THE SUBMISSIONS, BUT NOW TASB HAS JOINED THE OTHERS WE HAD A MILLION DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE PREVIOUSLY.
NOW THAT'S A MILLION DOLLAR MINIMUM DEDUCTIBLE AND IT'S A 3% DEDUCTIBLE, AND OUR MAXIMUM LIMITS ARE $350 MILLION.
THOSE PROBABLY ARE WHAT I WOULD CALL THE HIGHLIGHTS IF THEY ARE HIGHLIGHTS INSTEAD OF LOW LIGHTS.
BUT WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT WE CONTINUE WITH TASB.
WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY BETTER OPTIONS.
WE DID RECEIVE ONE BID THAT WAS OF CONSIDERATION AND HAD SOME SUBSTANTIAL COVERAGES THAT WERE COMPARABLE.
HOWEVER, THEY HAD LIMITS OF $25 MILLION PER BUILDING,
[02:00:02]
AND AS YOU APPROVED A $54 MILLION ELEMENTARY, YOU KNOW THAT WE WOULD NEED LIMITS HIGHER THAN THAT ON PER OCCURRENCE SPACES.>> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> ANY QUESTIONS? SEE AND NONE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. ALL OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. MS. ADAMS,
[Additional Item]
IF YOU'LL STAY THERE FOR A SECOND, WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PULL TWO ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCIAL REPORTS 2024.
>> AS WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY PUT THIS FINANCIAL REPORT IN THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS IT SAYS THERE, IT'S REALLY PREPARED FOR YOU FOR REPORTING ONLY, THERE ARE NO DIRECT FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE REPORT, AND IT HAS BEEN OVER THE PAST YEAR, YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED IF YOU STUDY THAT REPORT THAT IT'S BEEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
IT'S STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
THE REPORT INFORMATION IS ACCURATE THERE FOR YOU, BUT WE'VE TRIED TO PAGE AT A TIME.
MY GOAL HAS BEEN THAT THIS YEAR, INSTEAD OF HAVING 20 PAGES OF EXCEL COLUMNS THAT YOU STILL HAVE SOME OF BECAUSE IT'S FINANCIAL INFORMATION, IT'S BUDGET INFORMATION.
IT'S A LOT OF DETAIL. BUT WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO MAKE THE READABILITY MUCH EASIER FOR SOMEONE THAT'S STUDYING OUR AGENDA, ESPECIALLY A CITIZEN.
YOU GUYS KNOW A LOT MORE ABOUT OUR AGENDAS, BUT TO MAKE IT MORE READABLE TO A TAXPAYER AND FOR THAT TRANSPARENCY PIECE.
THAT'S WHY YOU'VE SEEN SOME CONVERSION OF SOME OF THESE INTO MORE CHART FORMS AND TRYING TO SIMPLIFY SOME OF THOSE.
I'M NOT SURE IF ANYONE HAS SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, SO I'LL PAUSE THERE AND SEE IF YOU DO.
>> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCIAL REPORTS, MARCH 2024?
SEEING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. ADAMS WE'LL GO ONE MORE.
[12.C. Consider approval of Little Elm ISD Expenditures over $100,000 Summary Report]
WE'LL DO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE LITTLE MIST EXPENDITURES OVER $100,000 SUMMARY REPORT, PLEASE?>> AND AGAIN, WE'VE TRADITIONALLY PUT THAT REPORT IN CONSENT AGENDA AND IT'S DETAILED OUT THERE FOR YOU.
THEN UNLESS YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT IT, WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE TIME FOR YOU TO HAVE ACTION, BUT WE'RE CERTAINLY HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE ON IT.
ONE THING THAT I WILL NOTE THERE, JUST THAT WAS A TRANSITION ONCE WE CHANGED THAT POLICY.
I THINK IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS AGO, MAYBE THREE NOW TO EXTEND THAT TO $100,000 THAT REQUIRED APPROVAL.
IF YOU REMEMBER THAT USED TO BE $50,000.
AS INFLATION HAPPENED AND MORE AND MORE THINGS WERE OVER $50,000 THAT WERE JUST REGULAR OPERATING EXPENSES, WE INCREASED THAT TO BOARD APPROVAL OF 100,000 BUT IF YOU LOOK BACK IN THE PREVIOUS ITEM, WHAT WE DID AT THAT TIME WAS ADD A PAGE FOR ANYTHING OVER 50 BUT UNDER 100.
SO THAT YOU STILL ARE GETTING THE REPORTING ON THAT EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T REQUIRE SEPARATE APPROVAL.
AGAIN, I WAS REFERRING TO A PAGE THAT WE ADDED FOR TRANSPARENCY IN THE FINANCE REPORT MONTHLY.
BUT THE ITEM THAT YOU HAVE NOW ASK US TO PULL IS FOR THOSE THAT DO NEED BOARD APPROVAL BEFORE WE GO INTO A CONTRACT OR A PURCHASE THAT IS OVER $100,000.
THIS MONTH, WE HAD, I BELIEVE SIX OF THOSE AND THEY ARE OUTLINED THERE IN YOUR AGENDA, AND I'LL PAUSE THERE TO WAIT FOR QUESTIONS.
>> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LITTLE ELMLISD EXPENDITURES OVER $100,000 SUMMARY REPORT.
>> I HAVE IT FROM KEN, DO I HAVE A SECOND.
>> FROM MARY. ANY QUESTIONS? SE NONE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. ADAMS.
>> WE'LL GOING TO GO ONTO THE REST OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[12. Consent Agenda]
DO I HAVE A MOTION FROM THE BOARD TO ACCEPT THE REST OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS IS?>> I HAVE A MOTION FROM DELEON AND A SECOND FROM JEFF.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, EVERYONE.
WE'LL GO ON TO BOARD PRESIDENTS COMMENTS.
[13. Board President Comments ]
STAFF, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR STAYING WITH US LATE.TO ALL THE KIDS WHO ARE HERE TONIGHT, AS USUAL. EXCELLENT PERFORMANCES.
I CAN'T EXPRESS ENOUGH, I GUESS THE STAFF AND THE TEACHER ANYTHING THE WONDERFUL PROGRAMS WE HAVE, THIS IS HIGHLIGHTED EVERY MONTH.
IT'S SUCH AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO SIT HERE AND WATCH ALL THESE KIDS COME UP HERE.
JUST THE GREAT THINGS WE'RE DOING HERE WITHIN THE DISTRICT THAT TEACHERS ARE DOING.
WISHING EVERYONE, PROBABLY THE LAST TIME BEFORE I WISH ALL THE KIDS A GREAT SUMMER.
I'M SURE THEY ARE RILED UP AND READY FOR IT NOW.
LOOKING FORWARD TO GRADUATION ON SUNDAY, LOOKING TO GET ALL OF OUR SENIORS OFF FOR ONE LAST HURRAH.
OUTSIDE OF THAT THAT IS IT FOR ME,
[14. Board Comments ]
AND I'LL GO ON TO BOARD COMMENTS AND I'LL START DOWN ON MY RIGHT. MR. KIN.>> JUST WANT TO WISH EVERYONE TO HAVE A GOOD SUMMER.
I'M EXCITED TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK AND IT WAS NICE GETTING OUT TO THE CAMPUSES.
[02:05:04]
ME AND MS. MARY TODAY DROPPING OFF SOME TEACHER APPRECIATION GIFTS, AND IT WAS JUST NICE BEING OUT ON CAMPUSES AND SEEING SOME SMILING FACES AND HAVING A GOOD TIME WITH SOME OF THE KIDS.WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR FIVE READERS THAT WENT THROUGH A READER'S CHALLENGE AND THE TOP READER READ 6,000 MINUTES IN ONE MONTH.
I WAS THOROUGHLY IMPRESSED BY THAT.
THAT'S A LOT OF READING FOR ONE MONTH.
BUT IT WAS NICE TO GIVE THEM SOME PIZZA AND RECOGNIZE THOSE FIVE KIDS.
ANYTIME YOU COULD SPEND ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR AT FOURTH GRADERS AND PICK THEIR BRAINS.
WE HAD SOME GREAT CONVERSATIONS OVER LEMONADE, SO IT WAS A GOOD DAY TO BE LIABLE.
>> I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR COMING OUT TODAY.
WE HAD A LOT OF RECOGNITION IN THE MEETING.
IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO END THAT SCHOOL YEAR WITH THAT BIG HURRAH SEEING EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON GREAT IN THE DISTRICT.
BUT I JUST WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A GOOD SUMMER.
EVERYONE, WELL EARNED, AND WELL DESERVED TIME OFF, AS LITTLE AS THAT IS NOWADAYS OVER THE SHORTENED SUMMERS THAT WE HAVE NOW.
BUT JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR AND EVERYBODY ENJOY THE SUMMER. THANK YOU.
>> THANK EVERYONE FOR STAYING LATE.
THIS WEEKEND, WE WILL GET A CHANCE TO CELEBRATE OUR SENIORS.
I KNOW SEVERAL OF US HAD A CHANCE TO ATTEND DIFFERENT CEREMONIES AND DIFFERENT AWARD CEREMONIES FOR OUR GRADUATING SENIORS, GOOD LUCK TO THE CLASS OF 2024.
WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU ACCOMPLISH.
WE ALSO HAD THE CHANCE AS A BOARD TO GO TO VARIOUS CAMPUSES TODAY TO DELIVER TEACHER AND STAFF APPRECIATION GIFTS.
WE TRULY VALUE THE IMPACT EVERY ONE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS HAS ON OUR DISTRICT.
LIKE KEN SAID, WE SPENT 30 MINUTES WITH FOURTH GRADERS WHO READ A COMBINED TOTAL OF, I THINK, 10,000 MINUTES TO WIN THEIR READING CHALLENGE.
ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US DO AS WE EMBARK ON THE END OF A SCHOOL YEAR, BUT STARTING NEXT IS TO COME UP WITH A STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL BECAUSE THEY GAVE US SOME PRETTY INTERESTING INSIGHTS AND WE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED OUR TIME WITH THEM.
I'D LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING WHERE WE CAN ASK STUDENTS QUESTIONS AND FIND OUT WHAT THEY'RE THINKING AS WE MAKE DECISIONS FOR THEM.
THAT'S WHAT I HAVE. AGAIN, LIKE MR. MONTEMAYOR SAID, HAPPY SUMMER. HERE WE GO.
>> I'LL KEEP MINE SWEET. THANK YOU STAFF FOR EVERYTHING.
HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER FOR THE TEACHERS OUT THERE AND HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER.
ECHO MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO RYAN WATTS FOR BEING SELECTED IN A DRAFT FOR THE PITTSBURGH [INAUDIBLE]
>> A COUPLE OF THINGS COME TO MIND.
I WANT TO THANK KRISTINE, ALL THOSE WHO PUT TOGETHER THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS THAT WE FINALLY GOT TO HAVE THAT EVENT TO HAPPEN.
IT'S FIRST TIME I GOT A CHANCE TO BE PART OF IT, BUT I WILL DO THAT EVERY TIME IN THE FUTURE.
WHAT WE SAW TONIGHT IF YOU DIDN'T GET TO GO TO THE MULTICULTURAL PRESENTATION, YOU COULD HAVE SEEN ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF THIS INSTEAD OF JUST WHAT WE SAW HERE.
THAT'S A FANTASTIC GROUP THAT'S GETTING STARTED THERE, AND I SEE THAT ONLY GROWING.
LAST THING TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF EARLY VOTING.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT IT'S A RUNOFF RACE FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HAVE THE PROPER REPRESENTATION. CHOOSE WISELY.
>> REALLY, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE TEACHERS AND THE PARAPROFESSIONALS WHO ARE THE FRONT LINE PEOPLE.
THEY HAVE TO FACE THE KIDS EVERY DAY AND PARENTS AND DEAL WITH SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
IT'S NOT EASY BEING IN EDUCATION THIS TIME.
I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE THIS HERE AND WISH THEM ALL A WONDERFUL SUMMER.
[15. Superintendent Comments ]
>> WELL, THERE IS A WHOLE LOT OF GREAT THINGS GOING ON.
THERE WAS AN EVENT FOR ME TO ATTEND EVERY SINGLE NIGHT FOR THREE WEEKS IN A ROW, INCLUDING SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
IT'S BEEN A GREAT LAST EIGHT DAYS AND THERE'S STILL FIVE MORE UNTIL SUNDAY'S GRADUATION.
FROM A PLAY AT STRIKE TO MUSICAL PERFORMANCES.
IT IS TRULY A GREAT MONTH TO BE A LOBO. NOT JUST TODAY.
[02:10:05]
I DO WANT TO THANK THIS BOARD FROM THE LAST MEETING UNTIL NOW.OUR TRAINING HOURS ARE ALL COMPLETE AND DONE AND IT REQUIRED A MAKEUP TRAINING FROM LAST BOARD MEETING TO NOW, BUT I THANK YOU GUYS FOR ATTENDING THAT.
WE ARE 100% TRAINED UP AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF THAT AND MAKING SURE WE'RE TOP NOTCH IN THAT AREA.
I APPRECIATE YOU VERY MUCH FOR THOSE THINGS AND THE SACRIFICE YOU MAKE TO BE HERE.
YOU GUYS ARE SO DEDICATED TO THIS DISTRICT AND I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.
WHEN I WATCH YOU WALK UP AND PREPARE ALL THE THINGS TO TAKE TO TEACHERS AND YOU'RE ALMOST EVERY EVENT I'M AT ONE OR TWO OF YOU ALL THE TIME.
VERY THANKFUL TO BE A PART OF THIS TEAM AND BE A PART OF THIS DISTRICT.
STAFF, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE PREPARED AND DONE TO BE HERE.
I JUST BURST WITH EXCITEMENT AND PRIDE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN?
>> ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND.
ALL OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES AT 9:12 AND ONCE AGAIN, IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE A LOBO.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.