Board Brief - 08.24.26
A quorum of the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD Board of Trustees met for a Regular Board Meeting on August 24, 2026, at 6:30 PM at Austin Elementary. The following items were presented, discussed, acted upon, or approved.
2. Pledges of Allegiance
This month's Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge were led by Crockett Middle School Students Keziah Suarnaba and Jace Salgado.
3. Recognitions
Strategy III, Result 1: Showcase students and staff throughout the District.
3.A. Recognize 3rd-grade students who scored meets or above grade level on STAAR Reading and Math
PBTISD recognized 94 students for earning either a Meets or Masters on their Reading and/or Math STAAR test in 3rd Grade!
Carrillo/Oglesby
Jaramillo/Villarta
Barron/Matta
Mendoza/Salgado
Olivas
Riley/Moya
Trustee Portillo entered the meeting at 6:46 PM.
4. Public Comment
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)
- No public comments
5. Public Hearing
5.A. Public hearing regarding Senate Bill 12 Annual Certification of Compliance for the 2026-2027 School Year
Presenter: Dr. Dimitri Garcia, Asst. Superintendent of Human Capital
There were no public comments.
6. Approval of Consent Agenda Items
Items Approved 5-0
Yeas: Kington, Gonzales, McKinney, Orosco, Portillo
Nays: None
6.A. Approve the Minutes for the Regular Meeting July 27, 2026
6.B. Approve the Minutes for the Special Meeting August 17, 2026
6.C. Acknowledgment of the Current Status of the FY2026 Financial Budget
6.D. Approve purchase exceeding $50,000
- Meteor Education
6.E. Approve Final Budget Amendments for FY26
The year-end final budget amendments align district appropriations with actual and projected expenditures while ensuring compliance with the Texas Education Code and the Board-adopted budget. Adjustments include realigning expenditures among functions, providing additional authority for a potential increase in recapture payments, and addressing higher-than-anticipated Child Nutrition costs.
6.F. Approve Property and Casualty Insurance Renewal Proposal
The district must renew its Property and Casualty Insurance annually. Due to the size and complexity of our policy and to meet the procurement laws, PBTISD utilizes an insurance brokerage firm. A recent property reappraisal updated facility replacement values to ensure adequate coverage, resulting in a proposed 2026–2027 premium of $1,351,146, an increase of $105,838 from the current year. The administration recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the Property and Casualty Renewal Proposal as presented by USI with the carrier Texas Political Subdivision.
6.G. Adopt a Resolution for San Antonio Foundation Reimbursement for FY26
The purpose of the San Antonio Area Foundation is to support and enhance educational programs and opportunities available to all students living within the PBTISD boundaries and to support the faculty and staff. The district utilizes this to fund the Grow Your Own (GYO) program. This GYO program allows district employees to apply for higher education at no cost to them. This resolution would allow the district to request reimbursement from the San Antonio Area Foundation for all costs associated with the GYO program as of the end of the fiscal year.
6.H. Adopt Resolution moving excess fund balance from the District's Construction Fund to the District's General Fund
Administration determined that $11.1 million previously transferred from the General Fund to the Capital Projects/Construction Fund, including accumulated interest, is not currently needed for capital projects. The Board approved returning these funds to the General Fund effective August 31, 2026, providing greater flexibility to support future operational and financial needs.
6.I. Acknowledge the Parent Engagement Plan
Senate Bill 12 (SB 12) of the 89th Legislature requires the board of trustees to develop a parental engagement plan. The PBTISD Parent and Family Engagement Committee met on August 13, 2026, to discuss and recommend revisions to the Plan. The PBTISD Parent and Family Committee comprises PBTISD administrators, teachers, parents, and community members. Representatives from each campus were present. The PBTISD Parent and Family Engagement Committee did recommend the proposed PFE Plan.
6.J. Approve the reallocation of (1) FTE and the creation of (1) FTE position for the 2026-2027 school year
The Administration proposes creating a Lead Safety Specialist position by promoting a current employee and restructuring staffing within the Safety and Security Department, resulting in a net reduction of 1 FTE. The new role would be placed at Pay Grade 3 on a 191-day calendar to reflect expanded responsibilities, with the compensation plan updated accordingly. Because the position will be filled internally, the fiscal impact is limited to the difference between the employee’s current and proposed compensation.
6.K. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GlobalEd Solutions for international teacher recruitment and H-1B visa services, and authorize the Acting Superintendent to execute the agreement
6.L. Approve Certificate of Compliance with certain laws required by Texas Education Code Section 39.008
Senate Bill 12 requires Texas school districts to annually certify compliance with state requirements related to DEI prohibitions and certain instructional requirements, beginning with the 2026–2027 school year. PBTISD has updated applicable Board policies and formally notified all employees of the requirements. The certification must be approved by a majority vote of the Board at a public meeting and submitted to TEA by September 30, 2026.
6.M. Adopt a Resolution regarding Extracurricular Status of 4-H and Adjunct Faculty Member Agreement
The administration recommends that the Resolution regarding the extracurricular status of the 4-H Organization be adopted and the Adjunct Faculty Agreement with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension be approved for the 2026-2027 school year.
7. Action Items
7.A. Consider and possible action to accept the monitoring report for Student Outcome Goals 1 and 2
Approved 5-0
Yeas: Kington, Gonzales, McKinney, Orosco, Portillo
Nays: None
- Goal 1: The percentage of 3rd-grade students who score meets or above grade level on STAAR Reading will increase from 32% to 52% by August 2027
- Goal 2: The percentage of 3rd-grade students who score meets or above grade level on STAAR Math will increase from 28% to 43% by August 2027
7.B. Consider and possible action to accept the monitoring report for Superintendent Constraint 4a
Approved 5-0
Yeas: Kington, Gonzales, McKinney, Orosco, Portillo
Nays: None
Superintendent Constraint #4 - The Superintendent shall not allow adult conveniences to take preference over students’ academic progress.
- CPM 2a -The administration will collaborate with campus leadership to maintain Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) at the sustaining stage on a minimum of three campuses from August 2025 to August 2027.
7.C. Consider and possible action to report compliance or non-compliance of Board Constraint 1
Trustee Orosco motioned for this constraint to be discussed in Executive Session.
Board Constraint #1 -The board shall not publicly criticize any decision made by the school board or administration.
8. Executive Session
7:53 PM
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).
- 8.A. Discussion on Personnel Matters
- 8.B. Review the results of the Safety and Security Audit
- 8.C. Conduct Level III DGBA Grievance Hearing: David Nagy
9. Reconvene Into Open Session
10:22 PM
- Approved 3-2; Board is not in compliance
- Yeas: Kington, Gonzales, McKinney
- Nays: Orosco, Portillo
- Approved 4-1; Uphold Level II Decision
- Yeas: Kington, Gonzales, McKinney, Orosco
- Nays: Portillo
10. Miscellaneous
- 10.A. Date for next meeting
- Regular Meeting - Monday, September 21, 2026
- Date for Team of 8 Training
- 10.B. Request items for the next agenda
11. Adjournment
The Board adjourned at 10:23 PM on August 24, 2026.
This newsletter aligns with Strategy III: We will broaden and strengthen partnerships with staff, families, and communities through transparency and effective communication.