Board Brief - 11.17.25
A quorum of the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD Board of Trustees met for a Regular Board Meeting on November 17, 2025, at 6:30 PM at Austin Elementary. The following items were presented, discussed, acted upon, or approved.
3. Recognitions
Strategy III, Result 1: Showcase students and staff throughout the District.
3.A. Recognize Pecos High School Seniors who are Career Ready
Congratulations to the 53 PHS seniors who have earned an Industry-Based Certification in their course of study. They are on the way to being "career ready"!
Animal Science
Automotive
Business, Marketing, and Finance
Construction Management
Welding
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)
- David Garcia - Community Comment
5. Public Hearing
5.A. Public hearing to discuss and receive public comments on the Austin Elementary and Zavala Elementary Turnaround Plan Report
Presenter: Dr. Karen Matt, Chief Academic Officer
Due to consecutive F accountability ratings under the same campus number (195901-109), Zavala Elementary is required to submit a TEA Turnaround Plan (TAP), which includes stakeholder input, a public hearing, and Board approval. Austin Elementary is also impacted, as it shares Zavala’s accountability rating due to having no STAAR-tested grades. The proposed TAP focuses on implementing the Bluebonnet Learning HQIM curriculum, adopted by the Board in January 2025, with full rollout beginning in August and ongoing training and support throughout the school year. Following Board approval, the plan will be submitted to TEA by November 21, 2025. View the presentation.
President Zamarripa joined the meeting at 6:51 PM.
6. Approval of Consent Agenda Items
Items approved 6-0
Yeas: Zamarripa, Kington, Gonzales, McKinney, Orosco, Portillo
Nays: None
6.A. Approve the Minutes for the Regular Board Meeting October 20, 2025
View Minutes here.
6.B. Acknowledgment of the Current Status of the FY2026 Financial Budget
6.C. Adopt a resolution to Elect Candidate to Serve as a Member of the Ward County Appraisal District Board of Directors for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2026
The Ward County Appraisal District’s board election involves two steps: nominating a representative and then casting votes by ballot resolution. At the September board meeting, the Board nominated Criselda Cordova, who currently represents PBTISD and is completing her two-year term. Administration recommends approving the ballot resolution to cast all 1,050 of PBTISD’s votes to re-elect Cordova for a new term beginning January 2026. View the resolution.
6.D. Approve the Turnaround Plan (TAP) for Zavala and Austin Elementary
Due to consecutive F accountability ratings under the same campus number (195901-109), Zavala Elementary is required to submit a TEA Turnaround Plan (TAP), which includes stakeholder input, a public hearing, and Board approval. Austin Elementary is also impacted, as it shares Zavala’s accountability rating due to having no STAAR-tested grades. The proposed TAP focuses on implementing the Bluebonnet Learning HQIM curriculum, adopted by the Board in January 2025, with full rollout beginning in August and ongoing training and support throughout the school year. Following Board approval, the plan will be submitted to TEA by November 21, 2025. View the plan.
6.E. Approve Bluebonnet Learning Curriculum Resources for 6th and 7th grade Math
House Bill 105 directed TEA to develop state-owned instructional resources, and the State Board of Education approved Bluebonnet Learning as the official K–5 Reading and K-Algebra I Math curriculum on November 22, 2024. Since its implementation in K–5 reading and math, teachers have seen increased student engagement, stronger instruction, and improved preparation. Based on teacher feedback and curriculum reviews, the district now plans to expand Bluebonnet Learning Math to 6th and 7th grades beginning immediately, rather than waiting for the 2026–2027 school year.
6.F. Reallocation and approval of Special Education FTEs for a Coordinator Position for 2025-2026
Central Administration held staffing workshops with each budget owner to plan for 2025–2026, including a request for two Special Education ARD Specialist positions. However, due to hiring challenges and shifting priorities, the recommendation is to restructure these roles into one Special Education/504 Compliance Coordinator position. This new role will serve all campuses, ensure compliance, support transitions, and manage key data systems.
6.G. Adopt a resolution for a one-time employee retention payment
The 2025–2026 adopted budget includes funding for a one-time retention payment for all eligible employees. Administration recommended a 4% incentive based on the average teacher salary and midpoint for other job classifications, with a minimum floor of $1,750. To qualify, employees must be in a TRS-eligible position and active on the district payroll as of December 1, 2025. View the resolution.
7. Action Items
7.A. Consider and possible action to accept the monitoring report for the following Student Outcome Goal Progress Measures 3.3 and 4.3::
Approved 6-0
Yeas: Zamarripa, Kington, Gonzales, McKinney, Orosco, Portillo
Nays: None
- Student Outcome Goal 3 - The percentage of graduates who meet the criteria for CCMR will increase from 66% in August of 2022 to 81% by August 2027. The goal for August 2026 (the Class of 2025) is 78%.
- Goal Progress Measure 3.3 - The percentage of students enrolled in a level 3 or 4 CTE class will increase from 37% in May 2025 to 43% in May 2031. The goal for May 2026 is 38%.
- Student Outcome Goal 4 - The percentage of students who graduate within four years will increase from 90.3% in August 2022 to 95% by August 2027. The goal for August 2026 (the Class of 2025) is 94.1%.
- Goal Progress Measure 4.3 - The percentage of 8th-grade students who score “Approaches” or above on all STAAR tests will increase from 32% in May 2025 to 38% in May 2031. The goal for May 2026 is 33%.
7.B. Consider and possible action to acknowledge and accept the monitoring report for the Superintendent's Constraint Progress Measure 1(a)
Approved 6-0
Yeas: Zamarripa, Kington, Gonzales, McKinney, Orosco, Portillo
Nays: None
Superintendent Constraint #3 - The Superintendent shall not allow safety and security initiatives to be a secondary priority.
Constraint Progress Measure 1a - The completion rate of the PBTISD staff’s required annual safety training, adopted by the district, will be maintained at 100% from June 2025 to June
2027.
7.C. Consider and possible action to report compliance or non-compliance of Board Constraint 4
Approved 6-0; Board is non-compliant
Yeas: Zamarripa, Kington, Gonzales, McKinney, Orosco, Portillo
Nays: None
- Board Constraint 4: The board shall not make decisions impacting student outcomes without being well-trained, informed, and prepared.
8. Executive Session
7:54 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 of Personnel Matters with Attorney
9. Reconvene to Open Session
9:14 PM
The board took no action following the Executive Session.
10. Miscellaneous
- 10.A. Date for next meeting - December 15, 2025
10.B. Request items for the next agenda
11. Adjournment
The Board adjourned at 9:15 PM on November 17, 2025.
This newsletter aligns with Strategy III: We will broaden and strengthen partnerships with staff, families, and communities through transparency and effective communication.