Board Brief - 11.27.23

A quorum of the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD Board of Trustees met for a Regular Board Meeting on November 27, 2023 at 6:30 pm in the PBTISD Board Room. The following items were presented, discussed, acted upon or approved.

Strategy III, Result 1: Showcase students and staff throughout the District.

Congratulations Zavala Elementary for being awarded the Highest Student Attendance for the month of October with 93.69%%!

Congratulations Pecos High School for being awarded the Highest Staff Attendance for the month of October with 93.79%!

Improving student attendance is essential for ensuring our students are on track to learn and succeed!

As a part of Lone Star Governance and the Board's focus on student outcomes, PBTISD recognized some of our PHS Automotive Students for completing their Automotive Service Excellence Industry-Based Certifications. Receiving an IBC means our students have completed a course and are on the way to being career or industry-ready.

Individuals who wish to participate during the portion of the meeting designated for public comment shall sign up with the presiding officer or designee before the meeting begins as specified in the Board's procedures on public comment. BED(LOCAL)

• Drew Matthews - Community Comment

Trustee Portillo and Anchondo requested this item be added to the November Board

Agenda. According to Board Policy (CW Local) - The Board may name a District facility or a portion of a

facility, such as a library or an auditorium, for:

• A deceased, distinguished educator (local, state, or national);
• A deceased, distinguished, historical person (local, state, or national);
• A deceased, prominent local citizen;
• A local, state, or national historical event or place; or
• The street on which the facility is located or the subdivision surrounding it.

This was the first discussion for the naming of the Zavala Elementary Gymnasium. Trustee Portillo suggested the naming of the Zavala Elementary Gym after Filimon "Tally" Talamantez.

Items approved 6-0

View Minutes here.

The monthly financial update consists of a Schedule of Appropriations and expenditures.

The Board approved a one-time 3% incentive payment for all eligible PBTISD staff. Teachers will receive a 3% incentive based on the average teacher salary outlined in the 2023-'24 Teacher Salary Schedule. All other staff will receive 3% at the midpoint of their job classification with a minimum of $1,500.00.

The Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill No. 763, which purports to allow public school districts and charter schools to employ or accept as volunteers chaplains who will “provide support, services, and programs for students.” Specifically, the law requires every school board in Texas to vote by March 1, 2024, on whether to adopt a policy that would authorize individual schools to have chaplains.Nothing in SB 763 prevents any religion from involvement and having their “chaplain” potentially interact with students. Since the school district would have to treat all chaplains the same and allow them onto campus, the administration recommends that we not allow this to occur.

Approved 6-0

As a taxing entity in Ward County, PBTISD is entitled to 1,096 votes toward one or more representatives for the Ward County Appraisal District. At the September Board Meeting earlier this fall, the Board nominated Criselda Cordova as a nominee for the Ward County Appraisal District Board election. The board elected all votes go towards Cordova.

Approved 6-0

Student Outcome Goal 3: The percentage of graduates who meet the criteria for CCMR will increase from 66% to 81% by August 2027. (Class of 2024 Goal = 72%)

• Goal Progress Measure 3.2: The percentage of graduates who meet the threshold for CCMR as career-ready will increase from 48% to 63% by August 2026. (Class of 2024 Goal = 57%)
• The District is on track to achieve this goal.

Approved 6-0

Superintendent Constraint #1 - The Superintendent shall not allow safety and security initiatives to be a secondary priority.

• Constraint Progress Measure 1b - The completion of the required annual safety training adopted by the district (CRASE, Stop the Bleed, Standard Response Protocol, State Mandated Training) will increase from 90% in June 2023 to 100% by June 2025.
• The District is on track to achieve this goal.

Approved 6-0

This agenda item allows the Board to discuss one of the four Board Constraints and determine if there has been any violation of the Constraint. Constraint #4: The board shall not make decisions impacting student outcomes without being well-trained, informed, and prepared.

EXECUTIVE SESSION may be called for the purposes permitted by the Texas Open Meeting Act, Texas Government Code Section 551.001 through 551.146, Section 551.071 Consultation with Attorney, Section 551.072 Real Property, 551.074 Personnel Matters (Appointment, Employment, Evaluation, Reassignment, Duties, Discipline, Dismissal, Complaint)

• No Executive Session occurred at this meeting.

The Board adjourned at 7:07 pm on November 27, 2023.

The next regular School Board meeting is scheduled for December 18 at 6:30 p.m.

This newsletter is in line with Strategy III: We will broaden and strengthen partnerships with staff, families, and communities through transparency and effective communication.