Maria D. Alonso

This document outlines the renewal of the El Paso Independent School District's District of Innovation Plan, aimed at enhancing educational flexibility and support for its community. Key areas of focus include prioritizing content mastery over seat time for student credit, enabling flexible school calendars for better instructional pacing and college course enrollment, and allowing limited hiring of non-certified experts for specialized dual credit and career technical education courses when certified teachers are unavailable. The plan also seeks to foster collaborative student behavior management, remove state standardized test scores from teacher and administrator appraisals to promote professional development and individual growth, and offer alternative group health coverage for employees to provide better benefits and lower costs. Additionally, it increases excused days for college visits to further college and career readiness, all contributing to the district's vision as a premier educational institution and a cornerstone of economic opportunity.

This Campus Improvement Plan for Mesita Elementary School outlines a strategic direction focused on fostering comprehensive whole child development, ensuring academic excellence, and positioning the institution as a 'destination district' within El Paso. The plan also emphasizes cultivating a culture of accountability through strong parent and community engagement, and championing equity and universal access by design. It aims to achieve these goals by providing an environment that promotes intellectual, social, physical, and emotional growth, preparing students for success in a global community.

The community meeting addressed procedures for the reopening of schools for in-person learning five days a week, as virtual instruction funding was not approved by the Texas Legislature for the 2021-2022 school year. Key topics included the implementation of new procedures based on state mandate House Bill 4545 regarding accelerated instruction for students who did not pass state assessments, requiring supplemental instruction and assignment to certified teachers. Social-emotional well-being support, including daily check-ins and weekly support connections, will be provided. Health protocols stipulate that masks are not required due to a governor's mandate, but can be worn voluntarily, and disinfection practices will continue. Class sizes were noted to be adjusted to 26 students per teacher for balance. Quarantine procedures for exposed individuals, particularly unvaccinated ones, were detailed. Uniform policy has been adjusted to allow jeans or school-related attire if uniforms are unavailable. Extracurricular activities and cafeteria services will return to regular procedures, with ongoing disinfection. Temperature checks are discontinued based on health department recommendations. The use of tablets and computers in instruction will continue, and air conditioning filters will be changed every three months.

The discussion focused on the purpose of attending council and bond meetings, emphasizing the importance of students being informed future leaders. The primary topic addressed was a bond initiative related to the reconstruction and upgrades planned for Bassett Middle School. Questions raised during the session concerned the logistics of the construction work, the anticipated duration of the construction process, and the rationale behind undertaking the project.

The board meeting segment focused on recognitions, including featuring student artwork from the my Heritage M V's exhibit at the Mexican Consulant. A key recognition was given to Mr. Timothy Bates as the November Volunteer of the Month for his 23 years of service at Charles Middle School. Additionally, the meeting recognized five students from Corado High School as semi-finalists for the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program, acknowledging their academic excellence based on PSAT scores.