December 14, 2021 at 5:30 PM - Rescheduled Regular Board Meeting

I. Meeting Called to Order.

II. Moment of Silence.

III. Pledge of Allegiance.

IV. Roll Call:

V. Recommend approving the agenda of the Rescheduled Regular Board Meeting of Tuesday, December 14, 2021 with any corrections/deletions.

VI. Recommend approving the minutes with any corrections:

VI.A. Minutes of the Special Called Board Meeting held Thursday, November 18, 2021.

VII. Superintendent's Report:  * SB1566

VII.A. Conference Presentations:

VII.A.1. Recognition of Food and Nutrition Services Department – New Logo and Rebranding

VII.A.2. Brownsville Independent School District Financial Report for the period ended November 30, 2021.

VII.A.3. Presentation of Board of Trustees training (Credit Hours) required by the State Board of Education. 

VII.B. District COVID-19 Update:

VII.B.1. Curriculum & Instruction

VII.B.2. Business & Operations

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT: Persons wanting to address the Board during Public Comment shall before the beginning of the meeting print their names and the subject matter on the sign-in sheet provided at the entrance of the Board Room. As per Policy BED (Local) all Board Meetings, Public Comment shall be limited to items on the agenda posted with notice of the meeting. The Board allots 30 minutes for Public Comment. Speakers shall limit comments to a maximum of 5 minutes or the allotted time, depending on the number of speakers that have signed up. Complaints or grievances on the following subjects; employee complaints, personnel matters, student complaints, removal of alternative education program, complaints against individual board members, and expulsions, shall be directed to the appropriate policy for attempted resolution before bringing the matter before the Board. The Board President shall determine if the topic shall be redirected to the appropriate policy or redirected to Administration. Comments on issues shall be constructive and courteous. The Board may deliberate or take action regarding the following agenda items. Board policy BE (Local) and Roberts Rules limits debate to two opportunities. A Trustee may debate a motion for three minutes on the first speaking opportunity and two minutes on the second opportunity.
 

IX. Recommend approving the Consent Agenda. The Board has agreed to discuss the following items. All of the items below that are not called out will be approved by consent. 

                                              (All presentations limited to five (5) minutes)

X. Consent Agenda:

X.A. Recommend approval of the following General Function Item(s):

X.A.1. Recommendation to approve the 2022-2023 Calendar.

X.A.2. Recommend the one-time pay for BISD employees (qualified) who submit their letter of resignation/separation for the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

X.A.3. Discussion, consideration, and possible action to continue to adjust the Substitute Teacher Pay Scales for Non-Degreed, Degreed, and Certified for the end of the 2021-2022 School Year.

X.A.4. Discussion, consideration and possible action to approve Resolution #021/21-22 for an Incentive Stipend to be paid in December 2021 to substitutes working long-term or 30+ days as of December 10, 2021 and who remain employed through December 17, 2021 in the amount of $500.00 for Long-Term and $250.00 for 30+ days.

X.A.5. Recommend to accept this gift from the Dell Corporation through the Museum of Science Boston for $125,000.00 to Brownsville ISD to purchase engineering kits and provide professional development for the six STEAM elementary schools at no cost to the District from January 10, 2021 to June 30, 2023. *

X.A.6. Recommend approval to allow the Grant Department to add stipends for administrators for successful grant implementation and monitoring. 

X.A.7. Recommend to approve donation from Brownsville Community Foundation in the amount of $15,000.00 to Brownsville ISD High School Music Programs.

X.A.8. Recommend approval of the 2021-2022 District Improvement Plan as required by the Texas Education Code.  The District Education Improvement Plan will serve as a guide to District and campus staff for the improvement of student performance in order to attain state and federal standards. *

X.A.9. Recommend approval of the 2021-2022 Campus Improvement Plans as required by the Texas Education Code.  The Campus Education Improvement Plans will serve as a guide to District and campus staff for the improvement of student performance in order to attain state and federal standards. *

X.A.10. Recommend approval to continue to utilize Cognia Inc. for SACS Accreditation visits and continuous school improvement for the school District in the amount not to exceed $120,000.00 from budgeted local departmental funds for the school years campuses will be under review (2021-2025). *

X.A.11. Recommend approval to authorize the Administration to move forward with the remodeling of Resaca Technology Center project, to use Cooperatives for the painting, flooring, and window glazing replacement, to use Competitive Sealed Proposals (CSP) for the HVAC and electrical system upgrades, roofing replacement, and parking lot improvements, and competitive bids for the deteriorated portable demolition as delivery methods in the amount listed above. Funding to be from ESSER II/III and Local 197 Funds.

X.A.12. Recommend approval of Change Order #001 to amend the Owner/Contractor Agreement with RG Enterprises, dba G & G Contractors, LLC for the Multi-Campus Canopy Upgrades Project of $39,516.42. The amount represents unused funds in the allowance. Fund 189 (Credit back to the District)

X.A.13. Recommend approval to adopt (Second Reading) TASB Update 118 Local Policies, CH(LOCAL), EHBAA(LOCAL), and EHB(LOCAL). A Policy Committee Meeting was held on December 8, 2021, for the First Reading.

X.B. Recommend approval of the following Payment(s):

X.B.1. Recommend approval of Payment #1 for $45,825.00, as partial payment to Ethos Engineering for Engineering Services work completed on the Burns, Egly, Perez Elementary Schools LED Lighting Upgrades Project to be paid from Maintenance Tax Rate Note Fund 188.

X.B.2. Recommend approval of Payment #1 for $89,902.10, as partial payment to Hurricane Fence, Co. for Construction Services work completed on the Stillman MS Fence Replacement Project to be paid from School Safety & Security Grant Fund 429.

X.B.3. Recommend approval of Payment #5 for $3,765.29 as final payment to Chanin Engineering, LLC for Engineering Services work completed on the Multi-Campus Canopy Upgrades-Martin ES, Villa Nueva ES, Faulk MS, and Stell MS project to be paid from Maintenance Tax Note Fund 189.

X.B.4. Recommend approval of Payment #6 for $407,243.15, as partial payment to Scoggins Construction Co., Inc. for Construction Services work completed on the Elementary Mini-Gyms HVAC and Restroom Addition Project to be paid from Tax Rate Increase Fund 188.

X.B.5. Recommend approval of Payment #13 for $74,661.58, as final payment to RG Enterprises, LLC dba G & G Contractors for Construction Services work completed on the Multi-Campus Canopies Upgrade Project to be paid from Maintenance Tax Rate Note Fund 189.

X.B.6. Recommend approval of Payment #14 for $8,250.00 as partial payment to Halff Associates, Inc. for Engineering Services work completed on the Elementary Mini-Gyms – HVAC and Restroom Addition project to be paid from Tax Rate Increase Fund 188.

X.B.7. Recommend approval for payment in the amount of $ 315.63 to O’Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo for legal services.

X.C. Recommend approval of Budget Amendment(s):

X.C.1. Recommend approval of Budget Amendment #015 in the amount of $4,500,000.00 for State Compensatory. (Designated Fund Balance)

X.D. Recommend approval of the following Contract(s)/Agreement(s):

X.D.1. Recommend approval to enter into Agreement with Cameron County Community Services Centers and School Districts to provide Adult Basic Education/Adult Secondary Education, High School Equivalency, English as Second Language and certification for in demand occupations classes for the 2021-2022 school year at no cost to the District. * 

X.D.2. Recommend approval to enter into Agreement with Workforce Solutions Cameron to offer subsidized work-based training for the 2021-2022 school year at no cost to the District. * 

X.D.3. Recommend approval for the Administration to continue collaborative service agreements with the Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville Historical Association and the Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts in the amount not to exceed $89,480.00 from budgeted Local Maintenance Funds. (Annual Agreement) *

X.D.4. Recommend to renew and approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Brownsville ISD and Buckner Children & Family Services Inc. - FAYS Program to provide youth and family crisis intervention services for the 2021-2022 school year. No cost to the District. *

X.D.5. Recommend approval to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Brownsville Independent School District to proceed participation in the dual enrollment program and continue to offer dual credit opportunities beginning the 2021-2022 school year. This agreement shall continue from year to year unless amended mutually or terminated in writing by either party. These services are to be rendered at no cost to the District. *

X.D.6. Recommend approval to enter into the Child Find/Child Serve Agreement for the 2021-2022 school year between the Brownsville Independent School District and the Region One Education Service Center. *

X.D.7. Recommend approval authorizing Administration to sign an agreement with CPower and ERCOT, it is recommended by both BISD’s Energy Consultant and Energy Manager.

X.D.8. Recommend approval to enter into an agreement of understanding with Brownsville ISD and UTRGV School Nursing program and the Educational Experience.  Upon approval the agreement will take effect December 15, 2021 and end on August 31, 2022. *

X.D.9. Recommend approval to transfer the easement adjacent to Gallegos Elementary to Sakata Holdings, LLC.  with the following terms and conditions:  1) Sakata Holdings, LLC agrees to connect the outfall of the existing BISD retention pond to the proposed underground storm sewer, 2) install a sidewalk with gates at the southeast corner of the development for easy access to BISD schools and 3) approval from District Architect of the location recommended by BISD of the 20-foot drainage easement plans before beginning construction on BISD property.

X.D.10. Recommend approval to enter into Memorandum of Understanding between the Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) College of Health Professions (COHP) to provide practicum/internship sites for Master of Science dietetic interns on BISD school campuses for the 2021-2022 school year.  No cost to the District. *

X.E. Recommend approval of the following Bid(s)/Proposal(s)/Purchase(s):

X.E.1. Recommend renewal CSP #20-121 Property, Windstorm, Hail, Boiler and Machinery Insurance to McGriff, Seibels & Williams of Texas for the 2022-2023 plan year for a one (1) year contract to expire January 31, 2023.  This is the final year of original contract as per CSP #20-121 Terms and Conditions.

XI. CLOSED MEETING:  as pursuant to the Texas Government Code Sections: 551.071, 551.072, 551.074, 551.082, and 551.084.

XI.A. Level III Grievance(s):

XI.A.1. Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding Level III Grievance No. 007/21-22 on L.G.

XI.A.2. Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding Level III Grievance No. 008/21-22 on M.M.

XI.B. Personnel Matter(s):

XI.B.1. Presentation, acceptance and approval of Retirements. (4)

XI.B.2. Presentation, acceptance and approval of Resignations. (12)

XI.B.3. Personnel Update with Superintendent (Dr. Rene Gutierrez)

XI.B.4. Recommend approval of chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2021-2022 school year(s) – Assistant Band Director (replaced existing FTE).  Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation. (1)

XI.B.5. Recommend approval of chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2021-2022 school year(s) – Assistant Choir Director (replaced existing FTE).  Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation. (1)

XI.B.6. Recommend approval of chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2021-2022 school year(s) – Athletic Coordinator (replaced existing FTE).  Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation. (1)

XI.B.7. Recommend approval of chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2021-2022 school year(s) – Dean of Instruction (replaced existing FTE).  Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation. (1)

XI.B.8. Recommend approval of chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2021-2022 school year(s) – Specialist, Math Pre K-12 (replaced existing FTE).  Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation. (2)

XI.B.9. Recommend approval of chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2021-2022 school year(s) – Specialist, Science (replaced existing FTE).  Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation. (1)

XI.B.10. Recommend approval of chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2021-2022 school year(s) – Educational Diagnostician (replaced existing FTE).  Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation. (3)

XI.B.11. Recommend approval of non-chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2021-2022 school year(s) – Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (replaced existing FTE).  Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation. (1) 

XI.B.12. Recommend approval of non-chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2021-2022 school year(s) – Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (replaced existing FTE).  Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation. (3) 

XI.B.13. Recommend approval to accept the rescinding Agreement of Resignation/Separation from professional employee (B.A.) for the 2021-2022 school year.

XI.B.14. Recommend approval of Campus Professional Employee (O.R.) for change in contract and days for the 2021-2022 Fiscal School Year.

XI.B.15. Recommend to approve the termination of the non-chapter 21 contract of employee (C.G.L.) for good cause.

XI.C. Attorney Consultation:

XI.C.1. Staff Attorney

XI.C.1.a. Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding Martha Chavez, a/n/f, J.C. v. Brownsville Independent School District, et al.     

XI.C.1.b. Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding South Coast Spine & Rehabilitation PA vs. Brownsville Independent School District, et al.

XI.C.1.c. Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding OCR Complaint No. 06-21-1349 and OCR Complaint No. 06-21-1490.

XI.C.2. Board Attorney:

XI.C.2.a. Legal Update with Board Counsel.

XI.D. Internal Auditor Consultation.

XI.E. Board Self Evaluation.

XII. BOARD RECONVENES - Board action on agenda items discussed in Executive Session.

XIII. Announcement(s):

XIV. Adjournment.