Maria Agado
  Maria Teresa Bazan
  Luis Cantu
  Arnold Castillo
  Fred Cavazos
  Sylvia Espinoza
  Maria Galvan
  Normalinda Garcia
  *Isabel Gomez
  Luis Gonzales
  Ricardo Gonzales
  Luis Gutierrez
  James Kohn
  *Jana Landrum
  Antonio G. Limon
  Nora Lee Martinez
  Jeannie McMillin
  Sam Mendez
  *Jose L. Morales
  Rosalinda Peralez
  Monica Pulido
  Dolores Ramirez
  Virginia Ramirez
  *Rene Rivas
  Victor Rosas
  Henry Sanchez
  Jesse Sauceda
  Juanita Silva
  Veronica Varner
  Joe Villarreal
  *Bertha Wilson


  Reference
  Individuals:
  *Theresa
  Christensen
  Ruben Franco
  *Celia Longoria
  Emma McCall
  Celeste Sanchez


  * Unable to Attend

  Next meeting date:
  December 14, 2006
  at 3 pm
  John F. Barron
  Administration
  Building
 

November 9 , 2006

Skills USA/Animation Volunteer Project
San Benito High School teacher Paul Hernandez and members of the school’s Skills USA made a presentation regarding this year’s community service project.  Hernandez said this year’s project is designed to raise money towards the purchase of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for the campuses. Hernandez said that the nurses’ office at the high school campus does not have such a device at this time, and that the nearest units (three) are located at the Sports Complex.  Officers, including President Savannah Guajardo, Reporter Madelyn Vallejo and Secretary Alyssa Benavidez presented statistics related to health problems affecting students.  Each unit costs $1,500 and the students said their goal is to purchase one for the Joe Callandret Positive Redirection Center and one for San Benito High School.  Planner/Evaluator Ruben Franco said Riverside Middle School and Rangerville Elementary already have one unit each.  The goal is to have one at each school, Franco said.  Superintendent Antonio G. Limón stated that the district would match their goal.  An AED representative stated that cardiac arrest does not discriminate and that these unfortunate incidents do not always make the news.  After the presentation, SAC member Jeannie McMillan provided the first contribution.

"Go Apply" Information Presented
The month of November has been designated by approval of a proclamation by the San Benito CISD School Trustees as “Go Apply” College Application Awareness Month.  

Calendar Sub-Committee Named
Several SAC members have been appointed to serve on this year’s Calendar Sub-committee.  They include Veronica Varner, Juanita Silva, Arnold Castillo, Dolores Ramirez, Dominga Galvan, Luis Gonzales, Rosalinda Perales, Sylvia Espinoza and Jesse Sauceda.  The committee, headed by Director of Gifted & Talented/Secondary Education Mary Alice Martinez, will begin the process of working on the 2007-08 school calendar.  The committee is expected to submit the calendar for board approval by April.

Open Forum

• James Kohn, a teacher at Riverside Middle School inquired about district-issued laptops.  He reported breakdowns with the batteries and chargers.  He inquired about costs for repairs and replacements.   On a separate item, he reported that coaches do not have keys and practice sessions are held at 6 a.m.  He also inquired about a district policy for detention. Limón responded that there is no policy, per se, for minor infractions and that principals decide on detention.  
  
• Dolores Ramirez, a teacher at Rangerville Elementary, asked whether exchange hours are optional.  Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Celeste Sanchez responded that they are optional.  Ramirez asked why are principals “forcing” employees to take these.  Sanchez responded by stating that principals are encouraging teachers to earn exchange hours and they are optional, however, they do count toward the Texas Education Agency required 250 hours of all professional staff.   Ramirez said that Harlingen CISD offers one exchange hour for one hour of inservice.  Ramirez asked why San Benito CISD had lost a district inservice day and stated that teachers needing GT inservices missed the training due to campus inservice.  She also stated Region One inservice is being discouraged and added that the district needs to enhance the use of the inservice days.  Ramirez was told that Region One inservice is being discouraged due to the fact that the district offers the same training in the district.  GT updates are done according to state law.  LPAC updates are done according to local board policy due to district stipends.  Minga Galvan, a teacher at San Benito High School, asked whether GT updates are only available for the core subject areas.  Sanchez informed her that they are.  At the elementary level, general intellect is covered, while at the secondary level, more content specific areas are covered.  Sanchez said she meet with Staff Development Coordinator Theresa Christensen regarding the items addressed and more trainings are being offered this month.
  
• Dolores Ramirez questioned another issue related to transfer students and whether there is a particular time where the principal needs to release those students for busing reasons.  She said the bus drivers are doing an excellent job.  She was told Transportation Director Rolando Monsevalles will be asked to review the matter.
  
• Virginia Ramirez, a teacher at San Benito Veterans Memorial Academy, reported that 37 percent of the staff members are concerned about extending clinic hours.  Limón stated that a meeting with clinic representatives will be held next week to discuss modifying the hours, such as instead of opening from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., opening from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  The clinic must see at least 25 employees or dependents covered by insurance in order to be cost effective.  A question was raised as to how the clinic works and whether a pediatrician is available.  Limón said individuals going to the clinic must be covered by the district’s health plan and that currently, the clinic does not have a pediatrician but that the district will look into the possibility of getting one.  
  
• Sam Mendez stated that parents are asking which elementary school their child will be attending.  Limón stated that a decision has not been made.  Franco will be purchasing a geo tracking system to help with boundaries.  Mendez urged school leaders to look into swimming classes due to the fact that there are too many risks associated with the resacas.  Sanchez said due to TEKS requirements, there is little time available for transporting students to swimming lessons.  The Afterschool Program offers swimming lessons in the summer.  Limón mentioned building a natatorium next.  Dolores Ramirez said there are many swimming scholarships available.
  
• Luis Gonzales, Afterschool Program Director, inquired about the status at Miller Jordan Middle School.  Limón said the targeted completion date is set for July 15.  Gonzales announced chess team accomplishments.  
  
• Theresa Bazan asked which employees will be issued new lap tops.  Limón said that this issue is currently being discussed and evaluated by Director of Technology Chand Taneja.  
  
• Luis Gutierrez, Ed Downs librarian, asked whether school parties have been standardized.  The district currently allows three days, including Christmas, Easter & End-of-Year, where items such as candy, chips, etc. are allowed at parties.
  
• Planner/Evaluator Ruben Franco announced that all schools, with the exception of Ed Downs, are eligible for incentive monies.
  
• Juanita Silva, a teacher at Judge Oscar De La Fuente, asked whether out-of-Valley trips are allowed.  She was told they are.  Silva inquired about the Washington, DC trip made by Sanchez and Safe Schools/Healthy Students Director Rick Montalvo.  Sanchez said the trip was successful and a requirement of the grant and that Montalvo will present all the benefits the students will receive as a result of the grant at the next SAC meeting.  Sanchez announced that case managers have been hired and that a mental health clinic for students will open Monday, Nov. 13.
  

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