*Eva Bisaillon
  Theresa Cantu
  Manuel Cruz
  Lourdes De La Cruz
  Ron Diaz
  Rudy Diaz
  Josefina Espinoza
  Dr. Silvia Garcia
  Juan M. Gonzales
  Rosa M. Gonzales
  *Lupita C. Gonzalez
  Yvonne Gonzalez
  Rick Hernandez
  Antonio G. Limón
  Leticia Lopez
  Rosy McMichael
  *David Alex Mendoza
  Albert Mosqueda
  Rene Muñoz
  Zeke Padilla
  Minnie Quintanilla
  Dolores Ramirez
  Rico Rodriguez
  Ron Rogers
  Beverly Salinas
  *Michael Salinas
  Thelma Sanchez
  Julio Santana
  Arturo Serrata
  Ermelinda Silva
  Janie Silva
  Dallas Ray Smetter
  Pat Thomas
  Patricia Vela


  Resource
  Personnel:
  Ruben Franco
  Celia Longoria
  Emma McCall
  Celeste Sanchez


  Guests
  Melonie Flores

  * Unable to Attend

  Next meeting date:
  Thursday, Oct. 8 @
  3 p.m
  at the John F.
  Barron
  Administration
  Building
 

September 17, 2009

Welcome and Introductions

Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón provided a welcome and committee members provided self-introductions.  New committee members serving a two-year term include the following:

Classroom Teachers
Rudy Diaz-San Benito High School
Pat Thomas-Riverside Middle School
Lourdes De La Cruz-Miller Jordan Middle School
Beverly Salinas-Dr. C.M. Cash Elementary
Rosy McMichael-Dr. Raul Garza Jr. Elementary
Ermelinda Silva-Ed Downs Elementary
Thelma Sanchez-Frank Roberts Elementary
Leticia Lopez-La Encantada Elementary
Dolores Ramirez-Rangerville Elementary
Yvonne Gonzalez-Judge Oscar De La Fuente Elementary
Josefina Espinoza-Veterans Memorial Academy
Arturo Serrata III-Joe Callandret Positive Redirection Center

Campus-level non-teaching professionals
Rosa M. Gonzales-Landrum Elementary
Ron Diaz-Dr. C.M. Cash Elementary

District level professionals
Manuel Cruz-Title I/Migrant

Community Representatives
Ron Rogers
Minnie Quintanilla

Parent Representative
Julio Santana III

Business Representative
Rene Muñoz, San Benito Funeral Home

Presentation of 2009-2010 Budget/FIRST Rating

Business Manager Emma McCall discussed the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas and announced that the district earned a “superior” rating–the highest rating awarded.   McCall also presented a brief report related to the 2009-2010 budget.  The estimated general revenue for the year ending August 31, 2010 is $80,914,107.  Three major sources of revenue-state ($65,623,014), local ($9,467,304) and federal ($7,529,058) monies-will finance proposed expenditures.  The district will also receive grant monies (“Special Revenue”) totaling over $20 million this year.  McCall reported that the district has $7.2 million in the fund balance.

Review of District-level Planning and Decision-making Process: Board Policies BQA (Legal) and BQA (Local)

Committee members reviewed Board Policies BQA Legal & BQA Local.  The policy outlines information related to the Superintendent’s Advisory Council, duties, meetings and committee composition.


Approval of Fall/Winter Staff Development

Staff Development Coordinator Melonie Flores presented information related to the Fall/Winter Staff Development.  After the brief presentation, SAC members voted to approve the staff development sessions for fall/winter. 

District Goals & Initiatives

Administration reviewed goals and initiatives for the school year.  Sanchez said the main goal this year is student success.  She predicted that district will be an exemplary district this school year.  She noted that each campus will be submitting goals and strategies.  She said that ARI/AMI money is not available this year.  Regarding initiatives, Sanchez explained that the district has introduced Thinking Maps (strategies) that students at all grade levels will be exposed to.  The strategies will help students perform at a higher level.  Sanchez noted that the Response To Intervention is not a new initiative, however, it is a mandate and that the district will continue to implement this strategy.

Tax Ratification Election (Tax Rate Rollback)

Editor’s Note: The Tax Ratification Election scheduled for November 3, 2009 has been canceled. On Friday, September 25, trustees held a Special Called Meeting. As a result of a recent legal opinion, trustees were able to move the 13 cents to the Maintenance & Operations fund without holding an election. The board also approved a revised compensation rate plan for employees.

District Awards for Teacher Excellence (DATE) Grant

Staff Development Coordinator Melonie Flores and Dr. Margarita Greer presented information related to the District Awards for Teacher Excellence (DATE) Grant-Cycle I Year 2.  The information will be posted on the district’s home page in the near future.  Presentations on the program will also be conducted at individual campuses.  It was reported that distribution of DATE Grant checks is set for the October 13 regular board meeting.

Pre-Kinder Grant

Sanchez announced that the district has received a two-year pre-kinder grant that will provide new workbooks, manipulatives, laptops for a total of 33 pre-kinder and Headstart teachers, training, and stipends for teachers to attend Saturday trainings. The initiative is designed to support the district’s Reading First Program.  In addition to the Pre-Kinder Grant, the district received 21st Century Grant funding.  Currently there are two more grants that are pending. 

Open Forum

• Miller Jordan Middle School Principal Rico Rodriguez expressed concerns over wording on the current cheerleading constitution.  After a brief discussion, he was advised to have sponsors schedule practices in a manner in which they will not interfere with band, sports or other activities.  He was also advised to present the concerns with his Campus Improvement Team.
• A question regarding the lack of math workbook consumables for grades K-2 at Judge Oscar De La Fuente Elementary was raised. It was noted that the workbooks are in the process of being labeled and distributed.
  
• A question was raised regarding enclosing the outside covered gymnasium areas.  It was noted that the gymnasium covers were part of the 2008 grant and the construction of the covered areas should begin within the next two years.
• A concern regarding pay for substitutes was raised.  It was explained that workers eventually receive compensation for every day they work.
• A question about proposed grade levels at Veterans Memorial Academy was raised. It was noted that the construction plans (as per the voter-approved 2008 bond), calls for building 32 classrooms.  Future plans include housing the sophomore student population in addition to freshmen. 
• A suggestion regarding the sale of ice cream (for fund-raising purposes) at San Benito High School was made.  It was recommended that the item be addressed with the district’s Director of Child Nutrition Program, Jana Landrum. It was also noted that any and all cafeteria-related decisions will be addressed by Landrum.
  

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