Board Brief - 04.22.25

A quorum of the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD Board of Trustees met for a Regular Board Meeting on April 22, 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 here.

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

Presenter: Tim Gilbert, Director of Bond Projects

Strategy IV: We will be responsible stewards of our resources.

PBTISD is building! You can view the report here.

6:51 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)

• 6.A. Discuss Personnel Matters
• 6.B. Attorney Consultation
• Consultation and discussion with attorney of the proposed settlement of EEOC Charge Number 453-2024-01681
• Purchase of Real Property - 1321 S. Eddy Street, Pecos

• 6.C. Teacher Contracts
• Discussion to Terminate Chapter 21 Probationary Contract of (C.W.)
• 6.D. Discussion of Administrator Contracts

8:27 PM

Items approved 5-0

View Minutes here.

• Solution Tree Contract 2025-2026 SY
• Strong Foundations Planning Contract - ESC18
• DelCom SOF - ERATE Technology Special Construction

School districts' depository contracts remain in force for two years until a successor is selected and qualified. PBTISD’s current depository contract has reached the legally allowed two-year extension period and will expire on August 31, 2025. The administration recommends the Request for Proposal procurement method primarily because it allows the district the most flexibility in selecting its depository. In comparison, the driving selection criteria for Competitive Bidding are mainly the price of services.

With construction beginning on the new administration building, PBTISD has been looking into acquiring and purchasing the two homes on the corner of the block. The 1321 S. Eddy property owner has agreed to sell to PBTISD. The administration recommended that the Board approve the Superintendent to finalize the purchase of the property located at 1321 S. Eddy St., Pecos, TX.

In December 2024, the district was notified of an employment discrimination charge with the EEOC. The administration recommended that the Board approve the settlement of EEOC Charge Number 453-2024-01681.

The pay structures for the 2025-26 school year have been updated and expanded based on the continual development of the compensation plan and district goals.

As we continue to oversee our housing units, the administration has reviewed the district’s costs related to paid utilities, maintenance, and reinvestments in the properties. Since rental rates were last set, the district has seen an increase in utility costs over the last two years. Based on the need to comply with IRS rules and the rising cost of utilities, the administration recommended a $50.00 monthly increase in the rent charged for district-owned properties.

With the completion of the Eagle Village Staff Homes, PBTISD has been seeking to renovate and repair other district housing units. The overall objective is to upgrade all district-owned housing over the next several years, implement a maintenance schedule of properties as tenants move out of properties, and address the needed repairs or renovations before a new tenant occupies the housing.

Per Texas Education Code 31.1011, local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to certify annually to the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the commissioner that students have access to instructional materials covering all Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for all required subjects, except physical education.

PBTISD has seen an increase in students needing an additional path to graduation. Circumstances may include students needing to work to support their families, parenting students, or students who have fallen behind in the later part of their high school years for any number of circumstances. The GAP Academy seeks to support these students so they may attain a high school diploma.

Central Administration conducted extensive staffing workshops with each budget owner to review current staff and staffing projections for the 2025-2026 school year. Most positions are not entirely new, but rather positions that have remained dormant or are being renamed.

On Friday, April 11, 2025, the Town of Pecos City experienced a significant waterline break, resulting in low or no water pressure across the city. Subsequently, this created a health and safety issue for the school district that required us to close the district for the remaining portion of the day. As outlined in Board Policy DEA (LOCAL), during an emergency closure, all employees shall continue to be paid for their regular duty schedule unless otherwise provided by Board action.

PBTISD has connected with edwell, Inc. and Western Governors University to support the district in establishing a Registered Apprenticeship Program for teacher development. This program will dramatically reshape our “Grow Your Own” Program and help paraprofessionals develop into teachers. This employer-led teacher development program ensures that apprentices are equipped with the specific skills needed in our schools, contributing to high-quality instruction and student success.

Pulled by Trustee Portillo. Trustee Portillo motioned to extend a probationary contract for a 4th year. Motion passed 3-2.

Pulled by Trustee Portillo. Trustee Kington motioned to approve all administrative contracts as discussed in Executive Session. Motion passed 5-0, Trustee Portillo and Trustee Anchondo voted in favor of all administrative contracts approval except S.P.

The Board retains final authority for the employment of all other contractual personnel in positions other than teachers. The superintendent recommended that the Board approve the 2025-2026 specific contracts as presented for all administrative personnel.

This was just a presentation/discussion. No action was taken.

AlexAndrea Zamarripa requested that VLK review the Boardroom design in the new Administration Building. The Board approved the GMP for the Administration Building during the regularly scheduled Board Meeting in December 2024. Representatives from VLK will present the design plans for the Boardroom.

Approved 5-0

Student Outcome Goal 3: 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 = 75% / Class of 2025 Goal = 78%)

• 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% / Class of 2025 Goal = 60%)
  
  View presentation here.

Approved 5-0

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

• a.The review and/or update of the Multi-Hazard Emergency Operation Plan will increase from once a year on June 2023 to no less than twice yearly by August 2025

• b. An administrative report on parent and community involvement in specific district committees will increase from 0 per year in June 2023 to 2 per year by August 2025.

Approved 5-0; Board is in compliance.

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

Approved 5-0

• 10.A. Date for next meeting
  • Regular Meeting - Monday, May 19, 2025

• 10.B. Request items for the next agenda

The Board adjourned at 9:38 PM on April 22, 2025.

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