Karen McInnis

The meeting began with a Public Hearing on the proposed tax rate for the 2025-2026 school year, following which no audience comments were offered. The subsequent Regular Meeting included the approval of the Consent Agenda, which covered monthly financial reports, budget amendments, expenditure reports, tax levy adjustments, and approvals for new stipends (ACT Math Stipend and middle school cheer squad stipend). Key actions taken involved approval to join the newly created South Texas School Board Association for a $1,000 membership fee, approval of the Disaster Pennies Resolution, and the adoption of the total tax rate of $1.2551 for the 2025-2026 school year, including specified discounts for early payment. A report on the collection rate for Debt Service and Excess Collection was presented, along with a presentation on accountability system calculations. The board entered and exited Closed Session to discuss the hiring of contracted personnel, though no action was taken in Open Session regarding this matter.

Key discussions and actions included the approval of the Consent Agenda, which comprised the previous month's minutes, monthly financial report, budget amendments and expenditures report, and tax levy adjustments/collections report. The board reviewed, but did not adopt, Legal policies in Policy Update 126, and subsequently approved the Local updates as presented. The board approved the Updated Library Books for Students. No action was taken regarding the nomination of a candidate for the Willacy County Appraisal District Board of Directors. The Superintendent provided informational reports on improving student outcomes and the after-school program. Following a closed session to discuss hiring of contracted personnel, the board returned to open session and approved the hiring of Daisy Montes for the Year-Up position pending her replacement for Kindergarten Teacher.

The meeting included the establishment of quorum following the call to order. Key discussions involved preparation for the upcoming annual financial audit, with the Superintendent reporting that information was still pending from the Auditor ahead of the February 27, 2026 deadline. During the closed session, the Board discussed and considered hiring employees for the Camp Get Fit after-school program, including a lead/director role, and hiring a part-time custodian and a special education teacher. Subsequent action items in the open session resulted in the approval of hiring several individuals for the Camp Get Fit program, the hiring of a part-time custodian, the hiring of the Camp Get Fit lead/director, and the hiring of a special education teacher. No action was taken regarding independent contracted academic support due to a lack of contractor/applicants.

The meeting commenced with roll call establishing quorum, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and no public comments. The Board recognized its members for School Board Member Appreciation Month. The Consent Agenda, which included approval of Minutes, Monthly Financial Report, Budget Amendments and Expenditures Report, and Tax Levy Adjustments and Collections Report, was approved. Superintendent's reports covered a presentation on the summer Career and Technology (CTE) grant providing students with on-the-job work experience, a review of December's STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) re-test scores, and an update on support strategies for the upcoming spring STAAR administration. During the closed session, discussions concerned the hiring of two special education teachers, hiring personnel for the after-school program (a lead/manager and five workers), and Superintendent hiring authority. In the open session, the Board formally hired two special education teachers (contingent on TEA approval) and approved the hiring of the after-school program lead/manager and five workers. Additionally, the Board directed the Superintendent to present information to the Board before hiring for any positions, including contracted services. The meeting adjourned shortly after.

The meeting included approval of the Consent Agenda, which covered minutes, monthly financial reports, budget amendments, expenditures, and tax levy adjustments. Key discussions involved the adoption of a TASB (Texas Association of School Boards) CSA regulation. The board also earmarked $100,000 for the purchase of HVAC units for the campus and approved the Targeted Improvement Plan as required by The Texas Education Agency (TEA). The Superintendent's Report included updates on Academic Accountability, policy EIC (Local), and a discussion on custodial/maintenance pay rates for small school districts in the Rio Grande Valley. Following a closed session regarding the hiring of contracted personnel, the board approved the hiring of three individuals for elementary, kinder, and high school positions.