Juan Alderete

The regular meeting agenda included the consideration and possible approval of minutes from the previous Regular Board of Director's Meeting held on November 20, 2025, and the ratification of three budget amendments. Information items covered purchases under existing resolutions and new/extended purchasing cooperative contracts for various goods and services, including event center products, grease trap services, water delivery systems, automotive parts, and consulting/training resources. The Executive Director's Report included the 2024-2025 Financial Audit Report. Action items involved authorizing acceptance of donations for a STEAM Conference and Head Start School Bus Safety Week, approving an extension for IT equipment leasing services (RFP #25-7513), approving an award for coffee/tea goods (RFP #26-7542), and adopting a resolution to initiate the Board Member Election Process. A governance action item addressed the Head Start Program's 2025-2026 Program Self-Assessment Plan & Training. The Board also planned to adjourn to a closed session to discuss personnel matters (appointments, resignations, terminations, worker's compensation), and the evaluation and contract review of the Executive Director.

The agenda for this regular meeting included standard procedural items such as the Call to Order, Invocation, Pledges of Allegiance, and recognition of special guests. Action items under the Consent Agenda involved the consideration of minutes from the prior meeting (held on 12/18/2025) and the ratification of budget amendments. Information items covered new and extended purchasing cooperative contracts, including those for Event Center Products, Technology, Custodial/Janitorial Equipment, MRO Equipment, Non-Instructional Setting Services, Fuel Cards, and Propane Fuel. The Board also reviewed Interlocal Agreements, the Executive Director's Report (including the 2024-2025 Financial Audit Report and city water main break update), and various announcements regarding upcoming conferences. Action items later in the agenda focused on the approval of the 2024-2025 Financial Audit Report and the 2025-2026 Continuing Education Services Agreement. Governance action items for the Head Start Program included approval of the Annual Independent Financial Audit and the 2025-2026 Child Outcomes Baseline Report. The meeting included a scheduled closed session to discuss personnel matters and updates on litigation.

The agenda includes consideration and possible approval of minutes from a previous meeting, ratification of budget amendments, and discussion of purchases as per resolution by the Board of Directors and Purchasing Cooperative, including RFP co-op contract extensions and interlocal agreements. The Executive Director's report, announcements, Head Start Policy Council meetings, Head Start Director's Report, and salary equity adjustments are also on the agenda. Discussion items include the finance report. Action items involve accepting donations for conferences, approving extensions for RFPs and RFQs, deleting inventory costing $5,000 or greater as scrap, utilizing an awarded job order contract vendor for roofing renovations, and approving resolutions for retention stipends and to commit or uncommit fund balance for various projects. Head Start governance action items include consideration and possible approval of governing action items for the Head Start Program, such as the ESC19 Head Start 2023-2024 Annual Report and Office of Head Start - Focus Area Monitoring Reviews. The agenda also includes a closed session to discuss personnel matters, personnel equity adjustments, and notice of litigation.

The board meeting included an invocation and pledges of allegiance. A portion of the policy regarding public commentary was read. The consent agenda included consideration and possible approval of minutes and ratification of budget amendments. Discussion ensued regarding program numbers and funding for the region 19 conference center. The board also discussed purchases and interlocal agreements. The executive director's report featured a presentation on the educator preparation and certification program, highlighting the program's history, application process, logistics, and accountability. Partnerships with Three Rivers Foundation and Head Start were discussed.

The board meeting included discussions about naming the ESC Region 19 conference center. Staff suggestions were reviewed, with a focus on names incorporating "star." There was a proposal to include "ESC 19" in the name to promote the service center. Suggestions included "ESC 19 Stellar Conference Center" and "ESC 19 Event Center." The board also considered whether to use "event" or "conference" in the name, ultimately leaning towards "events" to encompass a broader range of activities.