Board Brief - 12.15.25

A quorum of the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD Board of Trustees met for a Regular Board Meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:30 PM at Austin Elementary. The following items were presented, discussed, acted upon, or approved.

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

View the full recognition presentation.

Congratulations to the 42 PHS seniors who are on track to receive an Associate Degree from Odessa College in May 2026! These students will earn a college degree before their high school diploma!

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

Items approved 7-0

Yeas: Zamarripa, Kington, Gonzales, Anchondo, McKinney, Orosco, and Portillo

Nays: None

View Minutes here.

The board shall have its district fiscal accounts audited annually at district expense by a certified or public accountant holding a permit from the State Board of Public Accountancy. The audit must be completed following the close of each fiscal year. This year’s audit DOES NOT have any audit findings. This is the fifth consecutive year the district has received a finding-free audit.

Texas law requires school districts to annually hire an independent CPA firm to audit financial statements and ensure compliance with state and federal standards. Whitley Penn, with over 30 years of experience and a strong track record of auditing more than 50 school districts, has consistently delivered thorough, professional audits for PBTISD while maintaining full independence. Administration recommends continuing this partnership for the upcoming FY 2026 audit cycle.

The 2026 Spring Attendance Incentive Stipend is intended to encourage employees from taking excessive days off during the school year. The Staff Attendance Incentive Stipend is 4% from the midpoint/median for all staff, with a floor of $1,750. Teachers can expect $2,943.29 (4% of the average teacher salary).

Pulled by Trustee Sam Anchondo; Approved 7-0

Yeas: Zamarripa, Kington, Gonzales, Anchondo, McKinney, Orosco, and Portillo

Nays: None

The Course Selection Guides for Crockett Middle School and Pecos High School are developed with input from teachers and campus leaders to support students and families in planning for the upcoming school year. While Board approval is not required, the administration is sharing the guides for your review and to answer any questions. Notable updates to the PHS guide include the addition of Business English, a new College Preparation course that supports CCMR goals, and the replacement of Economics with Personal Financial Literacy, in preparation for the 2026–2027 state requirement.

Pulled by Trustee Lanette Portillo; Approved 7-0

Yeas: Zamarripa, Kington, Gonzales, Anchondo, McKinney, Orosco, and Portillo

Nays: None

Trustee Portillo had questions regarding BE(LEGAL), CV (LOCAL), DBD (LOCAL), DFBB (LOCAL), DGBA (LOCAL).

• BE(LOCAL): BOARD MEETINGS
• BED(LOCAL): BOARD MEETINGS - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
• CJ(LOCAL): CONTRACTED SERVICES
• CJA(LOCAL): CONTRACTED SERVICES - BACKGROUND CHECKS AND REQUIRED REPORTING
• CLE(LOCAL): BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, AND EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT - REQUIRED DISPLAYS
• CQB(LOCAL): TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES - CYBERSECURITY
• CQD(LOCAL): TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES - ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
• CSA(LOCAL): FACILITY STANDARDS - SAFETY AND SECURITY
• CV(LOCAL): FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION
• DBD(LOCAL): EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS - CONFLICT OF INTEREST
• DEC(LOCAL): COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS - LEAVES AND ABSENCES
• DFBB(LOCAL): TERM CONTRACTS - NONRENEWAL
• DGBA(LOCAL): PERSONNEL-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS - EMPLOYEE COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES
• DH(LOCAL): EMPLOYEE STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
• EEP(LOCAL): INSTRUCTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - LESSON PLANS
• EFA(LOCAL): INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES - INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
• EHBAF(LOCAL): SPECIAL EDUCATION - VIDEO/AUDIO MONITORING
• EIA(LOCAL): ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT - GRADING/PROGRESS REPORTS TO PARENTS
• EIC(LOCAL): ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT - CLASS RANKING
• FA(LOCAL): PARENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• FEF(LOCAL): ATTENDANCE - RELEASED TIME
• FFAC(LOCAL): WELLNESS AND HEALTH SERVICES - MEDICAL TREATMENT
• FFB(LOCAL): STUDENT WELFARE - CRISIS INTERVENTION
• FFF(LOCAL): STUDENT WELFARE - STUDENT SAFETY
• FFG(LOCAL): STUDENT WELFARE - CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
• FNG(LOCAL): STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES - STUDENT AND PARENT COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES
• FO(LOCAL): STUDENT DISCIPLINE
• GF(LOCAL): PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
• GKA(LOCAL): COMMUNITY RELATIONS - CONDUCT ON SCHOOL PREMISES

Approved 7-0

Yeas: Zamarripa, Kington, Gonzales, Anchondo, McKinney, Orosco, and Portillo

Nays: None

At Trustee Orosco’s request, Chief Granado presented information on anti-drug programs, including DARE and LEAD, during the June 2025 meeting. At the November 2025 meeting, Trustee Orosco requested an agenda item for possible action to approve a program. Chief Granado recommended that the Board allow time to brainstorm with school counselors and the student services department on how the PBTISD PD can collectively work together to support our students. The Board approved the creation of an anti-drug/mental health program by the PBTISD Police Department for the district.

Approved 7-0

Yeas: Zamarripa, Kington, Gonzales, Anchondo, McKinney, Orosco, and 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%.
  
• GPM 3.2 - The percentage of students earning dual credit will increase from 31% in May 2025 to 33% in May 2031.
• 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%.
• GPM 4.2 - The percentage of students who score at the "Approaches" level or above on at least three End of Course Exams by the beginning of their junior cohort school year will increase from 79% to 94% by August 2031.

View the presentation.

• CPM 3b - The District's unrestricted fund balance will increase by 2% each year from $30,043,106 in June 2025 to $30,643,969 in June 2027.

Approved 7-0; Board is compliant

Yeas: Zamarripa, Kington, Gonzales, McKinney, Orosco, Portillo

Nays: None

• Board Constraint #1 - The board shall not publicly criticize any decision made by the school board or administration.

8:02 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).

• 7.A. Discuss Personnel Matters with Legal Counsel
• 7.B. Discuss the recommendation for the Assistant Superintendent of Operations position
• 7.C. Discuss the recommendation for the Special Education Coordinator position
• 7.D. Discuss TEA District Vulnerability Assessment Review

9:17 PM

• 8.A. Consider and possible action to hire an Assistant Superintendent of Operations
• Approved 7-0

• Yeas: Zamarripa, Kington, Gonzales, Anchondo, McKinney, Orosco, and Portillo

• Nays: None

• 8.B. Consider and possible action to hire a Special Education Coordinator
• Approved 7-0

• Yeas: Zamarripa, Kington, Gonzales, Anchondo, McKinney, Orosco, and Portillo

• Nays: None

• 10.A. Date for next meeting - January 20, 2026

• 10.B. Request items for the next agenda

The Board adjourned at 9:18 PM on December 15, 2025.

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