[00:00:01]
OKAY. ARE WE READY? THE LITTLE ELM ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS NOW IN SESSION.
[ 1. Call to Order Open Session in the Board Room at Little Elm ISD Administration Building on 400 Lobo Lane, Little Elm, Texas 75068.]
IT IS 6:00 PM. MAY WE HAVE INTRODUCTION AND ROLL CALL, PLEASE, MISS FLORES.MR. MICHAEL LAMB. YES. MR. DAVID MONTEMAYOR. HERE.
MR. JASON OLSON. HERE. MISS MARY WATKINS. HERE.
MR. KEN BEBER. MR. JEFF BURTON. HERE. MR. DELEON ENGLISH AND PRESENT MR. ERIC WILSON, BUT HE IS WITH COMMUNICATIONS AT THIS TIME.
ALRIGHTY. IS THERE ANY CITIZEN INPUT? YES, MA'AM.
[3. Citizen Input]
OKAY. ALEXANDRA GONZALEZ, PLEASE COME FORWARD.HERE. OKAY. YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES. OKAY. GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS ALEXANDRA GONZALEZ. I AM CURRENTLY A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, BUT TODAY I AM HERE REPRESENTING COMUNIDAD HILLTOWN TO ADDRESS THE CURRENT LOCATIONS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. BUS STOPS. I HAVE AND CURRENTLY LIVE IN HILLTOWN FOR 14 YEARS, AND AS A FORMER STUDENT WHO RODE THE BUS TO BOTH OAK POINT ELEMENTARY AND LITTLE ELM HIGH SCHOOL, THIS ISSUE IS VERY IMPORTANT AND PERSONAL TO ME.
THE NEARBY DRAINAGE WOULD REGULARLY OVERFLOW.
SORRY. OKAY. THANK YOU. THE DRAINAGE WOULD REGULARLY OVERFLOW, SPILLING DIRTY WATER AND TRASH ONTO THE STREET AND LEAVING THE AREA COVERED IN THICK MUD. I HAD TO WALK THROUGH THAT MESS JUST TO GET TO SCHOOL, AND I WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES.
GROWING UP HERE, IT WAS A COMMON SIGHT TO SEE KIDS WRAPPING THEIR SHOES IN PLASTIC BAGS TO PROTECT THEM, NOT JUST FROM THE MUD, BUT FROM THE EMBARRASSMENT AND BULLYING THAT CAME WITH SHOWING UP TO SCHOOL WITH FILTHY SHOES.
EVEN ADULTS SOMETIMES MADE UNKIND COMMENTS ABOUT OUR OUR DIRTY CLOTHES AND SHOES.
THAT IS WHY COMUNIDAD HILLTOWN IS ASKING TO ADD A BUS STOP WHERE OUR CHILDREN CAN WAIT FOR THE BUS COMFORTABLY, SAFELY, AND THE PARENTS FEEL REASSURED THE SAFETY OF THEIR CHILD.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SARA RAMIREZ.
GOOD EVENING. PRESIDENT WATKINS, THE TRUSTEES.
SUPERINTENDENT. ANY OF THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION? MY NAME IS MR. PEREZ, AND I'M HERE TONIGHT REPRESENTING THE HILLTOWN COMMUNITY.
THIS. THIS REQUEST IS ALSO DEEPLY PERSONAL TO ME.
I HAVE ATTENDED LITTLE ELM ISD, AND I HAVE CALLED HILLTOWN HOME SINCE I WAS 3 YEARS OLD.
BECAUSE OF THAT, I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE CHALLENGES OUR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS FACE EVERY DAY.
AND THAT IS WHY I AM HERE TONIGHT. FIRST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR GIVING US TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK AND FOR YOUR SERVICE AS WELL FOR THE STUDENTS AND THE LITTLE ELM ISD.
AS OUR COMMUNITY HAS GROWN, SO HAS THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO RELY ON SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION.
MANY OF OUR CHILDREN CURRENTLY WALK LONG DISTANCES TO REACH THE EXISTING BUS STOP.
ALONG THAT ROUTE. THERE ARE NO SIDEWALKS, LIMITED STREET LIGHTING AND IN SEVERAL AREAS, UNPAVED ROADS THAT BECOME MUDDY AND DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE AFTER IT RAINS FOR MANY FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WITH YOUNGER CHILDREN, THIS HAS BECOME AN ONGOING SAFETY CONCERN.
[00:05:05]
WE ARE HERE NOT TO SIMPLY POINT OUT A PROBLEM, BUT WE ARE HERE WITH A SOLUTION.THE MAP. I WAS GOING TO PROVIDE A MAP. I'M SORRY.
BUT WE BELIEVE THAT THE LOCATION WHERE WE ARE WANTING THAT SECOND BUS STOP WOULD BETTER SERVE MANY FAMILIES BY REDUCING THE DISTANCE, STUDENTS MUST WALK AND PROVIDE A SAFER, MORE ACCESSIBLE PLACE FOR CHILDREN TO BOARD THE BUS.
OUR REQUEST IS NOT ABOUT CONVENIENCE. IT'S ABOUT SAFETY.
TONIGHT, YOU'LL ALSO HEAR FROM FORMER LIKE YOU DID FROM ALEXANDRA WHO ONCE WALKED THESE ROUTES.
TOGETHER, WE HOPE OUR VOICES PROVIDE A COMPLETE PICTURE OF WHY THIS REQUEST MATTERS.
WE BELIEVE THAT WALKING THE ROUTE OUR STUDENTS TAKE EVERY DAY WOULD PROVIDE VALUABLE PERSPECTIVE ONE THAT PROVIDES A LOAN, ONE THAT WORDS ALONE CANNOT FULLY CAPTURE. WE WOULD BE HONORED TO WELCOME YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE SEEING THE NEIGHBORHOOD THROUGH THE EYES OF OUR STUDENTS IS OFTEN MORE MEANINGFUL THAN ANYTHING WE CAN DESCRIBE TONIGHT.
YOUR VISIT WOULD SEND A POWERFUL MESSAGE TO THE FAMILIES OF HILLTOWN THAT THEY ARE HEARD, THAT THEIR CONCERNS MATTER AND THAT THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THE CHILD IS A PRIORITY.
IT WOULD ALSO SEND A MESSAGE TO FAMILIES ACROSS LITTLE ELM ISD THAT THIS BOARD IS COMMITTED TO LISTENING TO ITS COMMUNITIES, UNDERSTANDING THEIR CONCERNS AND PUTTING THE SAFETY OF EVERY STUDENT FIRST.
TONIGHT, WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THE BOARD TO DIRECT DISTRICT STAFF TO EVALUATE THE PROPOSED BUS STOP LOCATED AND TO VISIT HILLTOWN SO YOU CAN EXPERIENCE FIRST HAND THAT ROUTE OUR STUDENTS TRAVEL EACH DAY.
WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN FIND A SOLUTION THAT BETTER SERVES OUR STUDENTS AND HELPS ENSURE EVERY CHILD HAS A SAFER JOURNEY TO AND FROM SCHOOL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. IDALIA AMAYA ANAYA.
GOOD EVENING, SUPERINTENDENT LAMB PRESIDENT WATKINS, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF LITTLE ELM ISD.
MY NAME IS IDALIA MARIA AMAYA AND I AM THE CURRENT DISTRICT 4 COUNCIL MEMBER OF LITTLE ELM AND ALSO THE TOWN OF LITTLE ELM ELLIE ISD LIAISON AND A PROUD ELLIE ISD ALUMNA. I'M HERE THIS EVENING TO PROVIDE SOME CONTEXT REGARDING THE TOWN OF LITTLE ELM WORK WITH THE HILLTOWN COMMUNITY, LOCATED ON FARM 720 AND CEDAR LANE ROAD. I ALSO KNOW THAT SEVERAL OF THE MEMBERS HERE HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN ABOUT SOME OF THEIR IMPROVEMENTS THAT THEY'RE SUGGESTING FOR THE BUS STOP IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. MY PURPOSE TONIGHT IS SIMPLY TO PROVIDE SOME BACKGROUND ON THE TOWN'S ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TOWN, HILLTOWN COMMUNITY AND ELLIE ISD.
THE HILLTOWN COMMUNITY IS UNIQUE BECAUSE IT SPANS BOTH THE TOWN OF LITTLE ELM AND THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF DENTON COUNTY, MAKING IT MAKING ITS JURISDICTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES MORE COMPLEX.
OVER A YEAR AGO, RESIDENTS REACHED OUT TO THE TOWN TO SHARE CONCERNS REGARDING ROAD CONDITIONS INCLUDING POTHOLES, STREET LIGHTING AND ILLEGAL TRASH DUMPING. SINCE THEN, MEMBERS OF THE TOWN COUNCIL, NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAGEMENT, LITTLE ELM POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE TOWN STAFF HAVE MET WITH THE RESIDENTS AND CONDUCTED MULTIPLE VISITS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR CONCERNS.
WE HAVE CONTINUED WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY ON ISSUES THAT FALL WITHIN THE TOWN'S JURISDICTION, WHILE COORDINATING WITH THE APPROPRIATE PARTNERS ON MATTERS OUTSIDE OF OUR AUTHORITY.
FAMILIES HAVE EXPRESSED THAT SOME LEISD STUDENTS WALK LONG DISTANCES TO REACH THE EXISTING BUS STOP NEAR THE ENTRANCE OF THE COMMITTEE, WHICH I HAVE WITNESSED. JUST AS RESIDENTS HAVE SHARED THEIR IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS WITH THE TOWN COUNCIL AND TOWN STAFF,
[00:10:06]
RESIDENTS ARE ALSO SHARING COMMUNITY'S PERSPECTIVES WITH THE BOARD FOR YOUR AWARENESS AND CONSIDERATION.AS YOU HEAR FROM THE HILLTOWN COMMUNITY MEMBERS TONIGHT.
IN CLOSING, I WANT TO THANK EACH ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS PUBLIC SERVANTS FOR THE TIME, CARE, AND DEDICATION THAT YOU PROVIDE TO OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES IN LITTLE ELM.
I VALUE THE STRONG PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE TOWN LEISD AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY TOGETHER AS THE TOWN COUNCILS LEISD LIAISON. I AM ALWAYS HAPPY TO COLLABORATE BETWEEN OUR COMMUNITY AND DISTRICT.
LIFELONG LOBO HERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
[4. 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 (Part 1 of 2)]
551.074, WHERE THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT WILL DISCUSS PERSONNEL AND LAND.DAIS IS NOW BACK IN SESSION. IT IS 7:02 P.M. MISS FLORES.
WE WILL START WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
[ 5. Pledge of Allegiance]
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.UNDER ALLEGIANCE TO TEXAS. ONE STATE, ONE INDIVISIBLE.
IS MISTER HOLLIDAY HERE FOR THE INVOCATION? I DON'T SEE HIM.
OKAY. MOVING FORWARD, OUR NEXT ITEM IN ORDER IS THE SUPERINTENDENT SPOTLIGHT.
[7. Superintendent Spotlight]
MISS BROWN, YOU'VE GOT A BUNCH OF NEW FACES TO INTRODUCE.OR NOT NEW FACES, BUT NEW TO THE ROLE FACES. YES WE DO.
PRESIDENT. WATKINS. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME TONIGHT. BOARD.
AND TODAY WE GET TO OFFICIALLY INTRODUCE THEM TO YOU ALL, AS WELL AS TO OUR LITTLE ELM FAMILY.
SO WE'LL START WITH INTRODUCING OUR NEW PRINCIPAL AT HACKBERRY ELEMENTARY, DOCTOR CINDY MIKA, IF YOU'LL COME UP. DOCTOR MIKA IS A RETURNING LOBO COMING BACK HOME. SHE BEGAN HER EDUCATION CAREER IN 1993 IN JAPAN, ACTUALLY, AND SHE'S BEEN IN EDUCATION EVER SINCE, SERVING IN A WIDE VARIETY OF POSITIONS. SHE WAS PREVIOUSLY IN LITTLE ELM ISD AND SERVED AS THE PRINCIPAL OF HERSCHEL ZELLARS ELEMENTARY, THE PRINCIPAL OF LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY HERE IN LITTLE ELM.
SHE ALSO SERVED AS THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND STUDENT SUPPORT, THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR CURRICULUM HERE, AND THEN HER LAST POSITION BEFORE SHE WENT OFF TO ALASKA.
SHE WAS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT FROM 2022 TILL NOW, AND WE'RE REALLY GLAD THAT SHE'S BACK IN LITTLE ELM ISD.
AND THEN HE ATTENDED. HE'S A LOBO FOR LIFE. HE WENT THROUGH ELLIE ISD FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS, GRADUATED IN 2020 FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL. AND WHEN I ASKED HER WHAT'S HER FAVORITE TEAM AND OR SPORT TO WATCH, SHE SAID, SHE'S AN AGGIE, SO IT HAS TO BE TEXAS A AND M.
SHE ALSO SAID SHE'S A HUGE FOOTBALL FAN AND LOVES THE DALLAS COWBOYS AS WELL.
WHEN I ASKED HER WHAT'S A LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT HERSELF, SHE SAID THAT SHE WAS BORN IN BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, BUT WAS RAISED OVERSEAS FROM THE AGE OF 3 AND ATTENDED SCHOOL IN 8 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.
SO THAT IS OUR DEAR DOCTOR MIKA. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
[00:15:01]
THANK YOU, PRESIDENT WATKINS. MR. LAMB. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK HOME AND TO COME BACK AND JOIN THE LOBO FAMILY.I AM THRILLED TO BE BACK. AND WHEN I WAS THINKING ABOUT WHEN ASHLEY CALLED ME AND WAS ASKING ME IF I WOULD BE INTERESTED AND SHE SAID, I SAID, WELL, WHAT CAMPUS? SHE SAID HACKBERRY. AND I WAS LIKE, I WAS THINKING BACK AND PROBABLY NONE OF YOU KNOW THIS, BUT I WAS ACTUALLY HIRED HERE TO BE THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT HACKBERRY ELEMENTARY.
AND I SERVED ABOUT 2 HOURS, ONLY LONG ENOUGH TO BE INTRODUCED TO THE STAFF.
AND SO COMING BACK TO HACKBERRY IS THE PRINCIPAL IS KIND OF LIKE MAKING A FULL CIRCLE.
I NEVER GOT TO SERVE AT HACKBERRY, BUT MY SON DID GO TO KINDERGARTEN 1 AND KINDERGARTEN 2 THERE.
SO THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, DOCTOR MIKA.
AND NOW WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFICIALLY INTRODUCE TO YOU OUR NEW PRINCIPAL OF ASHLEY B GLOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MARNI RICHARDSON, IF YOU'LL COME UP.[APPLAUSE] I LOVE THE AUDIENCE ENTHUSIASM, SOME OF HER NEW STAFF MEMBERS HERE IN ATTENDANCE TO SUPPORT. SO ABOUT MISS RICHARDSON.
SHE WAS IN LITTLE ELM AS OUR TEACHER AT HACKBERRY ELEMENTARY.
SECOND GRADE TEACHER THERE SPENT SOME TIME AT THAT CAMPUS, THEN WENT TO THE REGION 11 SERVICE CENTER AND REALIZED THAT THE GRASS IS DEFINITELY GREENER IN LITTLE ELM ISD CAME BACK TO LITTLE ELM ISD AND SERVED AS AN ESL FACILITATOR AT PRESTWICK BACK WHEN IT WAS A STEM ACADEMY K-8 CAMPUS, AND THEN MOVED FROM THAT ESL FACILITATOR POSITION INTO THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL POSITION AT PRESTWICK K-8.
AND THEN EVEN WHEN THE STRIKE OPENED AND THE MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDDOS WENT THAT WAY, SHE WAS REMAINED AT PRESTWICK AS THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, AND WE'RE SUPER THRILLED FOR HER TO BE ADVANCING IN HER CAREER HERE AT HER HOME IN LITTLE ELM ISD.
ON A MORE PERSONAL NOTE WHEN I ASKED MISS RICHARDSON WHAT MAKES HER LAUGH THE MOST, SHE SAID, SHE'S AN ANIMAL LOVER. SO WATCHING THE SILLY LITTLE ANTICS THAT ANIMALS DO REALLY MAKES HER LAUGH.
HER CHILDREN ARE CADEN AND CAMBRIA. THEY ARE BOTH LOBOS FOR LIFE.
THEY WENT THE WHOLE K-12 HERE IN LITTLE ELM HIGH SCHOOL.
1 GRADUATED IN 2024 AND THE OTHER IS COMING UP GRADUATION IN 2028.
AND ONE OF THEM'S HERE. HELLO. MY DAUGHTER IS HERE.
WHAT SPORT? SWIMMING. IN SWIMMING. WHAT WAS YOUR EVENT? DISTANCE. FREESTYLE. WOW. SO WE HAVE AN ATHLETE HERE AS OUR NEW PRINCIPAL.
MISS RICHARDSON, IF YOU'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. ABSOLUTELY. EXCUSE ME.
NO. SHE SAID THE LOBO BAND WAS HER FAVORITE TEAM.[APPLAUSE] OH, WELL.
AND THEN DON'T FORGET CAMPBELL BASEBALL, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE ARE THIS YEAR.
SO GOOD EVENING, SUPERINTENDENT LAMB, PRESIDENT, WATKINS AND THE REST OF THE BOARD.
I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU HOW EXCITED I AM FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
THIS IS GOING TO BE I'M STARTING MY 20TH YEAR IN LITTLE ELM.
AND SO IT'S DEFINITELY HOME LIKE I'VE. WE DON'T LIVE IN LITTLE ELM ISD BOUNDARIES, BUT MY KIDDOS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE, AND I THINK BY THIS TIME I CAN CALL MYSELF A LOBO FOR LIFE AFTER ALMOST 20 YEARS.
I HAVE SEVERAL OF MY STAFF MEMBERS HERE JUST SHOWS THE EXCITEMENT THAT WE ALL HAVE.
AND I JUST KNOW THAT WE ARE, WE ARE, YOU KNOW, DESTINED FOR GREATNESS.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. I'M JUST EXCITED FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR TO START. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS RICHARDSON.
SO THE NEXT POSITION THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO OFFICIALLY INTRODUCE TO YOU, THE BOARD, AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY, IS OUR BRAND NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, COACH MATT HARBIN, IF YOU'LL COME UP.
COACH HARBIN IS A LONGTIME LOBO AS WELL. HE BEGAN HIS CAREER AS AN EDUCATOR BACK IN 2006 AND HAS BEEN IN A VARIETY OF COACHING POSITIONS AS WELL AS TEACHING POSITIONS. HE SERVED AS A VARSITY BASEBALL COACH IN LUBBOCK BACK AT KLEIN'S HIGH SCHOOL, KLEIN COLLINS HIGH SCHOOL, LUBBOCK, LUBBOCK, MONTEREY HIGH SCHOOL, RUDDER HIGH SCHOOL MOST RECENTLY, OBVIOUSLY.
[00:20:02]
SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED FOR HIM TO CONTINUE TO ADVANCE IN HIS CAREER TO NOW OUR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR GOING FORWARD.ON A PERSONAL NOTE, HE HAS A WIFE AND KIDS. HIS WIFE IS LINDSEY.
THEY'VE BEEN MARRIED FOR 18 YEARS. HIS KIDS ARE KNOX, WHO'S 11, AND JACE, WHO'S 9.
HIS FAVORITE TEAM OR SPORT TO WATCH, HE LOVES WATCHING COLLEGE BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL.
BASEBALL. YES. VERY COOL. SO COACH, IF YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
SO FIRST OF ALL, WHEN SHE SAID I HAD 2 MINUTES, I SAID, YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO 1 OF OUR BASEBALL BANQUETS? WHICH 2 LADIES BACK THERE TOTALLY GET IT. BUT FIRST I WANT TO SAY THANKS TO MR. LAMB FOR RECOMMENDING ME AND THE BOARD. MISS WATSON, FOR APPROVING ME TO THIS POSITION.
YOU KNOW, 11 YEARS AGO, I GOT A CALL AND SAID, DO YOU WANT TO COACH OR BE INTERESTED IN COACHING AT LITTLE ELM? AND MY FIRST RESPONSE WAS, WHAT STATE IS LITTLE ELM IN? BECAUSE I HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PLACE, NEVER BEEN AROUND IT.
AND SO THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST HONORS THAT I COULD EVER BE ASKED TO UNDERTAKE.
I AM DEEPLY HUMBLED AND IT MEANS A LOT TO ME MORE THAN ANY OTHER JOB, AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING.
I'M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO MAKE YOU GUYS PROUD OF US.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU SO MUCH, COACH HARVIN, AND OUR FINAL INTRODUCTION OF THE EVENING. WE HAVE A BRAND NEW DIRECTOR FOR CTE AND VIRTUAL LEARNING.
MR. DEREK CONLEY, IF YOU'LL COME ON UP. [APPLAUSE] MR. CONLEY BEGAN HIS CAREER IN EDUCATION IN 1996.
HE'S BEEN SERVING EVER SINCE IN A VARIETY OF ROLES.
HE WAS AN ENGLISH TEACHER, VARSITY FOOTBALL COACH, A HEAD BASEBALL COACH.
HE'S BEEN A HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER AS WELL AS A MIDDLE SCHOOL.
ON A MORE PERSONAL NOTE MR. CONLEY IS MARRIED TO RENEE, WHO IS HERE TONIGHT.
HI, RENEE. HE HAS 2 OR 4 GRANDSONS FROM HIS DAUGHTER, HEATHER.
HIS GRANDSONS ARE JAKE, CAMERON, JACKSON AND CASON.
AND THEN HE HAS A SON, CHASE. AND CHASE HAS A DAUGHTER, ANOTHER, WHICH HER NAME IS CAMI.
SO THAT'S A LOT OF GRANDKIDS IN HIS SPARE TIME.
HIS HOBBIES ARE SPENDING TIME WITH GRANDSONS AND ATTENDING ALL THEIR SPORTING EVENTS.
HE ALSO LIKES TO TRAVEL AND ATTEND LIVE MUSIC CONCERTS.
SO THAT IS MR. CONLEY, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
NO. SO. SO I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND AND IN COMING HERE FROM ALTO TO LITTLE ELM, IT'S BEEN A THIS LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.
IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE. I APPRECIATE MR. LAMB AND THE OPPORTUNITY.
AND I JUST YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE SCHOOLS ARE ABOUT PEOPLE.
AND IT'S JUST A REFRESHING TO SEE THE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE HERE, INCLUDING THE FIRST PEOPLE THAT I MET DOCTOR TRAMEL AND DOCTOR BROWN AND I KNOW MR. LAMB, I HAVEN'T WORKED WITH HIM, BUT I HAVE, I KNOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE AND I KNOW HE'S ABOUT TAKING CARE OF KIDS AND I LOVE MY JOB.
THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
I THINK IT'S JUST INCREDIBLE THE AMOUNT OF OPPORTUNITY.
THERE'S SO MUCH, SO MANY THINGS THAT WE CAN DO, CREATIVE WAYS TO MAKE IT.
[00:25:09]
BUT IMMEDIATELY AND SEE THOSE GAINS. EXCITED ABOUT THIS VIRTUAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY.IT'S KIND OF LIKE WE'RE LEARNING AS WE GO, BUT WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT A ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY, PUT A LITTLE ELM ON THE MAP AND A DESTINATION DISTRICT.
AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR GIVING ME THIS CHANCE TO BE HERE AND EXCITED TO BE A LOBO.
THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR THIS TIME. OUR NEXT ITEM AND ORDER IS
[8. Action Items]
DISCUSSED AND APPROVED. THE DISCUSS AND CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF STAFF DEVELOPMENT WAIVER FOR THE 2026 2027 SCHOOL YEAR.DOCTOR TRAMEL. GOOD EVENING. PRESIDENT WATKINS BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
MR. LAMB. TONIGHT WE ARE COMING TO THE BOARD PURSUANT EDUCATION CODE 25.081.
TO ALLOW US TO WRITE A WAIVER FOR THE DISTRICT TO TRAIN OUR STAFF ON VARIOUS STRATEGIES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN LIEU OF THE MAXIMUM OF 2100 MINUTES OF STUDENT INSTRUCTION FOR DISTRICTS AS PROVIDED BY THE STATE.
IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED. MR. BURTON MADE THE MOTION.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. MR. ENGLISH MADE THE SECOND.
I'M NOT EXPECTING TO HEAR YOUR VOICE DOWN THERE. IT'S TOTALLY NEW.
I KNOW, IT'S LIKE ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? THERE BEING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR HAND AND SAYING, I.
MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WELL, YOU GET TO COME BACK, I THINK, DON'T YOU? YEAH. YEAH. ALRIGHTY. OUR NEXT ITEM IN ORDER IS THE.
CONSIDERING THE. OH, YOU GET TO STAY THE VIRTUAL COURT.
NEW VIRTUAL COURSES FOR 2026-2027. ALL RIGHT.
SO WE ARE COMING THIS EVENING WITH A NEW COURSE REQUEST FOR VIRTUAL SCHOOLS.
WE OFFER FRENCH, BUT WE'VE NEVER HAD FRENCH 4 AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR KIDS.
WE'VE GOT KIDS WHO WANT THAT CLASS. AND SO I HAVE ADDED ROBOTICS 2 TO THIS REQUEST.
SO WE ARE ALSO REQUESTING TO ADD ROBOTICS 2 THEN MR. FELICE IN THE HIRING THROES OF SUMMER. THEY THE LITTLE LITTLE ELM HIGH SCHOOL HIRED A TEACHER WHO IS CERTIFIED IN DANCE, AND SO SHE WILL BE TEACHING SPANISH, BUT SHE IS ALSO GOING TO TEACH OUR FOLKLORICO DANCE GROUP.
AND BECAUSE SHE IS A CERTIFIED TEACHER IF WE ADD THESE DANCE CLASSES, OUR KIDS WILL NOW BE ABLE TO EARN AN ENDORSEMENT IN ARTS AND HUMANITIES BECAUSE WE HAVE A CERTIFIED TEACHER TEACHING FOLKLORICO.
SO WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THE BOARD APPROVE DANCE 1, DANCE2, DANCE 3, AND DANCE 4 IN ANTICIPATION OF THAT COMPLETE DANCE TRACK SO THAT WE CAN EXPAND THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR KIDS. SO THOSE ARE THE COURSES THAT WE ARE COMING TO YOU FOR APPROVAL WITH TONIGHT.
AND SO WITH THAT WE REQUEST APPROVAL. IS THERE A MOTION? I HEARD MR. BEBER MAKE THE MOTION. MR. OLSON MADE THE SECOND.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY. I DO HAVE A QUESTION ON THE VIRTUAL SPANISH 4.
FRENCH 4. FRENCH 4. WILL THEY? WILL WE EVER MOVE INTO WHERE WE CAN OFFER SPANISH FOR VIRTUAL? YES, BUT WE ALREADY HAVE THAT TEAMS CODE, SO WE DIDN'T NEED TO BRING IT TO YOU.
[00:30:02]
OKAY. SO IS THAT SOMETHING WE'LL OFFER THIS YEAR? THAT IS NOT SOMETHING WE ARE SLATED TO OFFER THIS FALL.OKAY. ALRIGHTY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THERE BEING NONE.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR HAND AND SAYING AYE.
AYE. MOTION CARRIES. AND OUR LAST OUR NEXT ITEM IN ORDER IS MR. WYSE. WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION REGARDING THE SALE OF EASEMENTS.
THANK YOU. PRESIDENT WATKINS, BOARD OF TRUSTEES. APPRECIATE IT.
AS YOU MAY KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY ATMOS ENERGY AS SEEKING TO ACQUIRE AN EASEMENT BY OUR ATHLETIC FACILITIES NEXT TO THE SECTION THEY ALREADY HAVE RIGHT THERE. THIS RESOLUTION PRESENTED TONIGHT WILL GRANT THE SUPERINTENDENT THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE THE THE SALE AND TRANSFER OF THAT ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT. SO THE ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS THE APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION REGARDING THE SALE OF THE EASEMENTS. IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. AND I BELIEVE THAT'S WHERE WE READ THE FIRST PAGE.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES LITTLE ELM SCHOOL DISTRICT, RESOLUTION, AUTHORIZATION, SALE OF EASEMENT.
WHEREAS THE LITTLE ELM SCHOOL DISTRICT. WHEREAS, THE LITTLE ELM SCHOOL DISTRICT RECEIVED AN OFFER DATED JUNE 24TH, 2026 FROM ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION TO PURCHASE THE FOLLOWING EASEMENT AND PROPERTY IN CONNECTION WITH LINE DELTA 96 PIG TRAP PROJECT 0.115 ACRES MORE OR LESS ABOVE GROUND FACILITIES EASEMENT 0.075 ACRE MORE OR LESS TEMPORARY WORKSPACE EASEMENT AND A 0.015 ACRE, MORE OR LESS TEMPORARY WORK WORKSPACE EASEMENT OUT OF THE A VISTAL SURVEY ABSTRACT NUMBER A.1312. DENTON COUNTY, TEXAS, ADJACENT TO EL DORADO PARK NEAR LOBO STADIUM AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT A, ATTACHED HERETO AND INCORPORATED HEREIN.
WHEREAS THE DISTRICT DESIRES TO SELL THE EASEMENT TO ATMOS ENERGY, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED ONE.
THE FINDINGS AND THE RECITALS IN THE PREAMBLE OF THE RESOLUTION ARE HEREBY FOUND TO BE TRUE, CORRECT AND HEREBY APPROVED AND ADOPTED TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AUTHORIZES THE SUPERINTENDENT TO NEGOTIATE THE COMPENSATION AND EASEMENT LANGUAGE WITH AT MOST REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF SALE OF THE EASEMENT.
THREE THE CONTINGENT THAT CONTINGENT UPON SUPERINTENDENT'S APPROVAL OF COMPENSATION AND EASEMENT LANGUAGE, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AGREES TO SELL AND CONVEY THE EASEMENT TO AT MOST4.
EFFECTIVE TO AFFECT THE CONVEYANCE OF EASEMENT FIVE THAT IT IS HEREBY FOUND, DETERMINED AND DECLARED THAT SUFFICIENT WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE DATE, TIME, PLACE AND SUBJECT OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED, WAS POSTED AT A PLACE CONVENIENT AND READILY ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR THE TIME REQUIRED BY LAW PRECEDING THIS MEETING, AS REQUIRED BY CHAPTER 551 TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, AND THAT THIS MEETING HAS BEEN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW AT ALL TIMES DURING WHICH THIS RESOLUTION AND THE SUBJECT MATTER THEREFORE THEREOF HAS BEEN DISCUSSED, CONSIDERED AND FORMALLY ACTED UPON BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, FURTHER RECTIFIES AND APPROVES AND CONFIRMS SUCH WRITTEN NOTICE POSTED THEREOF.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? CAN WE HAVE THAT READ AGAIN? ALL IN FAVOR. SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR HAND AND SAYING AYE.
AYE. MOTION CARRIES. OUR NEXT ITEM IS OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
THERE HAS BEEN A REQUEST TO PULL ITEM D OUT OF THE CONSENT.
IS THERE A MOTION TO PULL ITEM D OUT OF CONSENT FORM? MR. BEBER MADE THE MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT PULLING ITEM D? ALL IN FAVOR? SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR HAND AND SAYING AYE.
AYE. ALRIGHTY. MR. WYSE, YOU GET TO STAY AND TALK TO US ABOUT D.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO ITEM D IS OUR EXPENDITURES ABOVE $100,000.
AND THE REASON WE'RE PULLING IT THIS WEEK IS BECAUSE WE HAD A CONTRACT THAT WAS SLATED TO GO IN THE AUGUST MEETING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES. BUT WITH THE NEEDS THAT HAVE COME UP WITH EMPTY POSITIONS, SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO CONTRACT WITH
[00:35:02]
SPECIALISTS THAT WE MAY HAVE AN OPEN POSITION FOR, BUT WE HAVEN'T FILLED THE JOB AND THE STUDENTS STILL NEED THE SERVICES.SO WITH SCHOOL STARTING MID-AUGUST, WE HAD TO BUMP IT UP, GET APPROVAL FROM YOU GUYS FIRST. AND IT WASN'T ON THE ORIGINAL STUFF THAT WAS SUBMITTED TO YOU GUYS FOR, FOR BOARD BOOK. SO WE'RE PULLING THAT SO THAT THAT COMPANY IS, IS THE NEW DIRECTION SOLUTION.
DBA PROCARE THERAPY BASICALLY BECAUSE IT'S FOR LSSP A SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST THINGS THAT WE, WE, WE HAVE SPOTS FOR, BUT UNTIL THOSE SPOTS ARE FILLED, WE WILL, WE CAN CONTRACT WITH WITH AN OUTSIDE SOURCE AND ALSO ORIGINALLY ON THERE, BUT I NEED TO SAY IT NOW BECAUSE WE PULLED THIS BEYOND THERAPY IS ALSO ANOTHER ORGANIZATION THAT WE, WE CONTRACT WITH FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES FOR THERAPISTS AND SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS.
IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED. MR. OLSON MADE A MOTION.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. I HEARD MR. BEBER MAKE THE SECOND.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? YEAH, I HAVE A QUESTION, SIR.
SO THIS IS UP 300, ALMOST 300%. IS THAT BECAUSE WE INCREASED THE SPECIAL POPULATIONS STUDENT INCREASE? WHAT IS THE. SO SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE THAT WE CONTRACT WITH.
AND IF WE DON'T HAVE A, THE ABILITY TO SERVICE THOSE STUDENTS, WE NEED TO BRING IN SOME OUTSIDE HELP UNTIL WE UNTIL WE FILL THAT POSITION WITH OUR OWN INTERNAL EMPLOYEES. SO THIS IS CONTRACT FOR OUTSIDE HELP TO COME IN TO FILL POSITIONS THAT CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE.
THIRD PARTIES OKAY. AND WHAT IS OUR STUDENT POPULATION RIGHT NOW THAT'S USING THIS SERVICE? DO YOU KNOW? PARDON? OUR STUDENT POPULATION IS CURRENTLY USING THESE SERVICES.
DO YOU KNOW THE SIZE OF THE POPULATION? JUST SIZE OF POPULATION.
THIS SAYS ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS. IS THERE AN HOURLY CHART? I MEAN I READ THAT THE MAXIMUM IS GOING TO BE 2 NIGHTS.
SO USUALLY THERE IS A AN ESTIMATION BASED ON THE STUDENT NEEDS.
AND, AND THESE GUYS USUALLY NORMALLY CHARGE. OKAY.
SO THIS IS A MATH BASED ON WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
YES, SIR. OKAY. IS THERE A MINIMUM IF WE DON'T NEED THEM AT ALL, IS THERE A MINIMUM? BUT I DON'T FORESEE US. NOT NOT NOT IF YOU HIRE ANYBODY TOMORROW, EVERYBODY TOMORROW.
SO IT COULD BE A 0. THAT'S WHY. IS THERE A MINIMUM.
WE'RE GOING TO PAY THEM WHETHER WE USE THEM OR NOT. YOU KNOW, THERE'S A MINIMUM. IF WE ARE ABLE TO HIRE SOMEONE, WE JUST HAVE TO GIVE THE CONTRACT AGENCY 30 DAYS NOTICE AND THEN WE CAN BRING OUR OWN PERSON.
OKAY. AND WE WILL CONTINUE. WOULD IT BE KIND OF SAFE TO KEEP THEM ON IN CASE SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR? RIGHT. I'M SORRY. I SAID IT WOULD SEEM TO BE.
WELL, ONCE THIS GETS APPROVED, THEY'RE THEY'RE ENGAGED.
YES, SIR. LATER. THAT'LL BE THERE. THANK YOU.
ALL IN FAVOR? SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE AND RAISING YOUR HAND.
AYE. MOTION CARRIES OUR. THANK YOU, MR. WYSE.
OUR NEXT ITEM IS THE CONSENT AGENDA. IS THERE A MOTION?
[9. Consent Agenda]
SO MOVED! MR. OLSON MADE A MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. MR. OLSON MADE A SECOND. OH, MR. MONTEMAYOR MADE THE SECOND.ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? NOPE. ALRIGHTY. ALL IN FAVOR? SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR HAND AND SAYING AYE.
AYE. MOTION CARRIES. AND WE ARE GOING BACK INTO CLOSED
[4. 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 (Part 2 of 2)]
SESSION FOR A FEW MINUTES. EVERYBODY ELSE IS FREE TO LEAVE.AND THANK YOU, SINCE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET TO HEAR OUR PRESIDENTS AND OUR BOARD MEMBERS COMMENTS. COMMENTS. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE AND FOR STAYING LATE AND WORKING SO HARD TO MAKE SURE OUR SCHOOL YEAR GETS OFF TO A GREAT START.
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR STAYING.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.