Board Brief - 04.20.26

A quorum of the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD Board of Trustees met for a Regular Board Meeting on May 18, 2026, 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 Class of 2026's Valedictorian, Diana Delgado, and Salutatorian, Catherine Cole.

On May 6, we celebrated Crockett Middle School’s national designation as a Texas School to Watch. This prestigious recognition is awarded through a partnership between the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals.

PBTISD has been named a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase® District. This recognition comes as all campuses across PBTISD have earned the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase® Schools designation. The National Showcase® Schools award is based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes performance indicators, campus data, and feedback from parents, students, and staff. Schools are recognized for their ability to create safe, supportive learning environments where students are connected, engaged, and motivated to succeed.

Congratulations to the following Teachers of the Year at their respective campuses:

• Austin Elementary: Maricella Maledon

• Zavala Elementary and Elementary Teacher of the Year: Brenda Rosete

• Crockett Middle School: Alicia Lozano

• Pecos High School and Secondary Teacher of the Year: Joe Tyus

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 comment

Items approved 6-0

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

Nays: None

View Minutes.

• Frontline Educational Renewal Quote

The Administration recommended no changes to the current tuition prices for the Discovery School and Pre-K3.

The proposed 2026–2027 dress code includes updates related to footwear, shorts length, leggings and similar attire, and the use of sunglasses. Revisions clarify that flip-flops and bathroom shoes are not permitted, establish a consistent shorts length standard, require tights and yoga-type bottoms to be worn with an outer garment, and allow sunglasses for documented medical reasons. These changes are intended to support safety, consistency, and a positive learning environment.

These changes will be posted on the Dress Code webpage after the school year ends on May 21.

For the past three school years, PBTISD has taken the initiative to purchase school supplies for all students—a gesture that parents and teachers have greatly appreciated. The current district budget is well positioned to support this initiative, which would provide meaningful benefits to students and parents.

For the past several years, the district has reimbursed teachers and counselors for purchases to support their classrooms and students. Teachers and Counselors will be provided with a reimbursable allotment of up to $400, including sales tax, to purchase classroom supplies as they prepare for the start of the 2026-2027 school year. This initiative is also intended to better support our teachers and reduce their reliance on DonorsChoose.org, Amazon Wish List, or other fundraising methods for obtaining classroom supplies.

Board Policy BE (Legal) and (Local) outline the requirements for Board meetings. As policy states, the Board's regular meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

Central Administration conducted extensive staffing workshops with each budget owner to review current staffing and projections for the 2026–2027 school year. This agenda item is requesting the reallocation of an existing position to the newly identified positions.

The proposed compensation updates include targeted adjustments to select stipends and allowances based on market studies and district needs, rather than a full restructuring of the compensation plan. Recommended changes include increasing Special Education self-contained and behavior stipends from $3,000 to $4,000, adjusting select activity stipends, and updating mileage allowances to align with state recommendations.

Approved 6-0

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

Nays: None

Student Outcome Goal 1: The percentage of 3rd-grade students who score “meets” grade level or

above on STAAR Reading will increase from 32% in August 2022 to 52% by August 2027. (August 2026

Goal = 48%)

• GPM 1.1 - Kindergarten students on or above grade level in reading
• GPM 1.2 - 1st Grade students on or above grade level in reading
• GPM 1.3 - 2nd Grade students on or above grade level in reading

View the presentation.

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

between home, school, and community to deteriorate.

• CPM 2b -The administration will report publicly on parent and community involvement in district and campus committees twice each year from August 2025 to August 2027.
  

View the presentation.

Approved 4-2, Board is not in compliance.

Yeas: Kington, Gonzales, McKinney, and Orosco

Nays: Anchondo and Portillo

7:18 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).

8:00 PM

• 8.A. Consider and possible action on the employment status of Pecos High School English Teacher
• The board took no action on day-to-day operations
• 8.B. Consider and possible action regarding the compensation for the Acting Superintendent
• Approved 6-0 to allow the board president to initiate and approve the compensation for the Acting Superintendent

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

• Nays: None

• 7.D./8.C. Consider and possible action on upgrades/renovations to the high school baseball and softball fields (Requested by Trustee Orosco and Trustee Portillo)
• The board took no action on day-to-day operations
• 7.E./8.D. Discussion on changing law firms (Requested by Board President Zamarripa)
• Approved 6-0 to table the item until discussion to be had with the entire Board present

• 9.A. Date for next meeting
• Monday, June 15, 2026

• 9.B. Date for Team of 8 Training

• 9.C. Request items for the next agenda

The Board adjourned at 8:02 PM on May 18, 2026.

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