May 28, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Board Meeting
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1. CALL TO ORDER (2 minutes)
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2. PRAYER (3 minutes)
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3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/TEXAS PLEDGE (2 minutes)
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4. ROLL CALL (3 minutes)
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5. PUBLIC COMMENT (7-10 minutes) Any individual wishing to address the Board of Directors of Tejano Center for Community Concerns must sign in with Jessica Villarreal, Board Services, by emailing a request to speak, at least 72-hours prior to scheduled meeting. The request must include the name of speaker, telephone, number and email address of the speaker, and the topic of the intended comments, to Jessica.villarreal@tejanocenter.org. Those doing so will be allowed to address the board for a maximum of three minutes. Individuals will address the board in the order that they have signed in. Alternatively, the individual may email comments to the above email address.
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6. PRESIDENT'S PRESENTATIONS & UPDATES
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6.a. BRYSS EXPANSION PRESENTATION
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Antonio Zambrano, Chief Financial & Operations Officer; Dr. Rolando "Rudy" Trevino, Deputy Chief Growth Officer; Hector Vogliotti, Associate Director, Level Field; Rob Tate, Director, Level Fie
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6.b. PASADENA EXPANSION PRESENTATION
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Dr. Rolando "Rudy" Trevino, Deputy Chief Growth Officer
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6.c. RYSS GOAL 3 PROGRESS MONITORIING PRESENTATION
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Justin G. Fuentes, M.Ed., Chief Schools Officer; Carla Stevens, RYSS Data and Accountability
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6.d. ORGANIZATIONAL REBRANDING PRESENTATION
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Graciana "Graci" Garces, MPAff, Chief Strategy & External Affairs Officer
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7. ACTION ITEMS
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7.a. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 26, 2024 AND APRIL 30, 2024, MEETINGS OF TEJANO CENTER FOR COMMUNITY CONCERNS/RAUL YZAGUIRRE SCHOOLS FOR SUCCESS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools
Description:
Minutes of the March 26, 2024, and April 30, 2024, meetings of Tejano Center for Community Concerns/Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success Board of Directors.
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7.b. APPROVAL OF APRIL 2024 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR RAUL YZAGUIRRE SCHOOLS FOR SUCCESS AND TEJANO CENTER FOR COMMUNITY CONCERNS- NON-SCHOOL
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Antonio Zambrano, Chief Financial and Operations Officer
Description:
The Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success 2023-2024 General Fund and Child Nutrition Fund activity as of April 30, 2024, and the TCCC- Non School Activity as of April 30, 2024, is presented.
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7.c. RATIFICATION OF MONTHLY DISBURSEMENT REPORT/VENDOR CUMULATIVE PAYMENTS FOR APRIL 2024 TO INCLUDE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND EXPENDITURE APPROVALS
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Antonio Zambrano, Chief Financial and Operations Officer
Description:
A report of the vendor payments for RYSS and Non-School is attached for all vendor payments above $50,000. A monthly report will be provided to the board each month.
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7.d. APPROVAL OF CULTURE AND ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE STIPEND FOR NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES OF $100 A SEMESTER FOR TEJANO CENTER FOR COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND RAUL YZAGUIRRE SCHOOLS FOR SUCCESS
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Antonio Zambrano, Chief Financial and Operations Officer; Dr. Lauren Petrea, Deputy Chief of Talent & Culture
Description:
The 2022-2023 Tejano Center for Community Concerns Employee Engagement Survey provided data regarding employees' sense of belonging and insights about the organization's culture of engagement.
Synergy Sessions were launched in August 2024 as quarterly organization-wide events to engage employees. The Culture and Engagement Committee was created in the summer of 2023 as a platform to -
Serving on this committee requires that members accept responsibilities and complete tasks, in addition to their regular job descriptions. |
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7.e. APPROVAL OF THE 2024-2025 WELLNESS POLICY OF THE RAUL YZAGUIRRE SCHOOLS FOR SUCCESS
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Antonio Zambrano, Chief Financial & Operations Officer; Justin G. Fuentes, M.Ed., Chief Schools Officer
Description:
Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success (RYSS) is an important factor in their personal success. For that reason, RYSS is committed to creating a positive, safe, and health-promoting learning environment at every level. An important component of that commitment is the development of a comprehensive wellness policy that applies to all students, staff, and schools in RYSS with measurable goals and outcomes. The district's wellness policy follows the requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for every school district that participates in the National School Lunch Program or other federal child nutrition program. The policy outlines the RYSS approach to ensuring that all students practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors throughout the school day, while preventing and reducing childhood obesity and ensuring that school meal nutrition guidelines meet the minimum federal school meal standards. It also includes actions to be in compliance with the health curriculum as proposed by the Texas Department of Health Services and the Texas Diabetes Council.
The 2024-2025 Wellness Policy delineates roles, responsibilities, actions, and timelines specific to each school to ensure that the goals and outcomes are met. In addition, the policy provides assurances that the district will actively inform families and the public each year of basic information about this policy, including its content, any updates to the policy, and implementation status. Changes include
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7.f. APPROVAL OF THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE HOUSING AND REAL ESTATE BOARD COMMITTEE
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Dr. Rolando "Rudy" Trevino, Deputy Chief Growth Officer
Description:
TCCC has determined that the previously created board committee focused on Housing and Real Estate is essential for the appropriate policy-making process. The purpose of the committee is to guide and support the board and the administration in the appropriate review of real estate assets owned by TCCC, and provide oversight of future developments, real estate transactions, single-family household strategic plans and similar strategies under the TCCC Housing and Real Estate agendas.
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7.g. RATIFICATION OF GRANT FUNDING FROM THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,999 AS PART OF THE 2024 HYPERTENSION SCREENING PROGRAM
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Graciana "Graci" Garces, MPAff, Chief Strategy & External Affairs Officer
Description:
Tejano Center’s Health Equity Department has received grant funding from the American Heart Association for PY24 Funding, blood pressure Screening training and clinic referral support for community members.
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7.h. RATIFICATION OF GRANT FUNDING FROM UNIDOSUS IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,000 AND ENTER INTO A SUBGRANT AGREEMENT/MOU AS PART OF THE COMPRANDO RICO Y SANO PROGRAM AND IN SUPPORT OF TEJANO CENTER’S HEALTH EQUITY WORK THROUGH LA TIENDITA
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Graciana "Graci" Garces, MPAff, Chief Strategy & External Affairs Officer
Description:
Tejano Center’s Health Equity Department has received a renewal grant for PY24-25 Funding, La Tiendita Nutrition education charlas programming and enrollment assistance for SNAP. The application requires a board resolution.
This award runs from March 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 with the award being made up of the following parts:
Funding for the 2024-2025 grant cycle will support a 15-month grant period for the program as UnidosUS develops a new Nutrition and Food Security Strategy aligned with the new organization strategic direction. The 2024-2025 grant cycle will be a transition year and will focus on supporting subgrantees’ efforts and strengthening their capacities. |
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7.i. RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF GOLDMAN SACHS FINANCIAL SQUARE TREASURY INSTRUMENTS (CUSIP – 38145C737, GIPXX) AS THE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT VEHICLE FOR EFF LOAN PROCEEDS
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Antonio Zambrano, Chief Financial and Operations Officer; Dr. Rolando "Rudy" Trevino, Deputy Chief Growth Officer
Description:
Proceeds from the EFF Loan for the BRYSS expansion project to be temporarily invested through BOKF, NA. As part of the EFF loan closing, RYSS must select a short-term investment vehicle for EFF loan proceeds. The Chief Financial and Operations Officer in consultation with the RYSS financial advisor Masterson Advisors reviewed the available investment vehicle options and are recommending Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Instruments (Cusip - 38145c737, Gipxx). This option will yield the most return on investment and presents a lesser risk.
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7.j. APPROVAL OF ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT FROM TEXAS CAPITAL BANK FOUNDATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOME REPAIR
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Gabby Luna, Director of Affordable Housing and Community Redevelopment
Description:
Tejano Center applied to Texas Capital Bank Foundation for Blue Skies home repair funding.
TCCC agrees to use the resources for the purposes in which the grant is intended, track the number of households served by this grant and agree to provide a summary report with-in 90 days of receipt or as requested by the funder. |
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7.k. APPROVAL OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) #24-06JA FOR CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP) AT RISK DINNER PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2024-2025
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Antonio Zambrano, Chief Financial and Operations Officer
Description:
The purpose of the Request for Proposal is to obtain complete data from each interested Vendor, to be considered in the award of the vended meals contract for the food service program (CACFP) to enable Tejano Center for Community Concerns, Inc. to determine which vendor is best able to meet the criteria of the School. Each interested Vendor shall furnish as part of this proposal a complete general description of experience in the field of food service under the National School Lunch Program.
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7.l. APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT #15 IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000 FOR STUDENT TRANSPORTATION FOR FIELD TRIPS
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Antonio Zambrano, Chief Financial and Operations Officer; Justin G. Fuentes, M.Ed., Chief Schools Officer
Description:
Funds need to be transferred between functions with no effect on net reserves in order to pay for student transportation for field trips.
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7.m. APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT #17 IN THE AMOUNT OF $282,196 FOR THE OPERATING FUND #420 TO APPROPRIATE FOR THE INSURANCE PROCEEDS AND ESTIMATED REPAIRS TO THE P-STEM (ELEMENTARY SCHOOL) AND AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT/CEO TO IMPLEMENT SAID BUDGET
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Antonio Zambrano, Chief Financial and Operations Officer
Description:
In March 2024, the elementary school suffered a loss due to an overflow of water from the city to the school during spring break. The damage affected the walls, floors, and cabinets. The damages totaled $365,198, and TCCC Inc. has a $25,000 deductible and a $58,712 recoverable depreciation.
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7.n. APPROVAL OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH REGION 4 EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER INSPIRE TEXAS PROGRAM
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Justin G. Fuentes, M.Ed., Chief Schools Officer; Dr. Lauren Petrea, Deputy Chief of Talent and Culture
Description:
Region 4 INSPIRE TEXAS program will provide teacher certification support to eligible teacher candidates at Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success.
INSPIRE TEXAS was started at the request of school districts within the Region 4 Education Service Center area. The program was approved by the Texas Education Agency in 1990 and recommended the first cohort of alternatively certified teachers in 1991. The program has rapidly expanded. Over 15,000 educators have been certified from the time of the program’s inception. |
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7.o. APPROVAL OF ADDING ANTONIO ZAMBRANO, CHIEF FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONS OFFICER TO THE TCCC REAL ESTATE INC., QALICB, AND LEVERAGE LENDER CHASE BANK ACCOUNTS
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Antonio Zambrano, Chief Financial and Operations Officer
Description:
Access for CFO/COO to bank accounts will include authorization to bank accounts related to the Pasadena and Brownsville Expansions.
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7.p. APPROVAL TO INITIATE ORGANIZATIONAL REBRANDING PLAN AND TAKE RESPECTIVE STEPS TO ADOPT PHASE 1 - TRANSITION FROM “TEJANO CENTER FOR COMMUNITY CONCERNS” TO “TEJANO CENTER” EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Graciana "Graci" Garces, MPAff, Chief Strategy & External Affairs Officer
Description:
As part of our ongoing efforts to evolve and grow, we have recognized the need to align our brand identity with the expanding scope of our organization, particularly with the growth of our public charter school district. Therefore, we are proposing a phased approach to rebranding, anchored in community engagement and buy-in.
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7.q. APPROVAL OF 2024-2025 EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Dr. Lauren Petrea, Deputy Chief of Talent and Culture
Description:
The employee handbook outlines TCCC’s policies and procedures. It is a reference tool for employees.
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7.r. APPROVAL OF 2022 FORM 990 FOR TEJANO CENTER FOR COMMUNITY CONCERNS- NON-SCHOOL (PERIOD OF 9/1/2022 TO 8/31/2023)
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Antonio Zambrano, Chief Financial and Operations Officer
Description:
Form 990 is required to be submitted to the IRS on an annual basis. Whitley Penn has prepared the form 990.
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7.s. APPROVAL OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT OF 7805 KIMBLE STREET
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Antonio Zambrano, Chief Financial and Operations Officer; Dr. Rolando "Rudy" Trevino, Deputy Chief Growth Officer;
Description:
TCCC has determined the need to lease the property owned by the Christian Temple Church on 7805 Kimble Street adjacent to our current Nueva Vida property. The purpose of the lease is to utilize office, classroom, parking, and green spaces.
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8. INFORMATION ITEMS
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8.a. RECOGNITION OF TEXAS ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION WINNER RYSS EARLY COLLEGE T-STEM ACADEMY SENIOR, ALEXIS NUNEZ UNDER THE LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE OF RYSS EARLY COLLEGE T-STEM ACADEMY PRINCIPAL, NOELIA LONGORIA, AND ART INSTRUCTOR, MS. JILLIAN DELGADO
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Justin G. Fuentes, M.Ed., Chief Schools Officer
Description:
With the goal of providing a well-rounded education to all students, RYSS supports non-core instruction in many ways, including the arts. With the support of her Principal, Ms. Noelia Longoria, and Art instructor, Ms. Jillian Delgado, RYSS Early College T-STEM senior, Ms. Alexis Nunez, submitted her artwork to the Texas Art Education Association, or TAEA. We are proud to report that her hard work was awarded with Highest Honors by TAEA, ranking in the top 5% of artists statewide. The award-winning piece of art was a yarn portrait of her mother when she was a teenager and will be shown across the state of Texas on an art tour.
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8.b. RECOGNITION OF RYSS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR AND ROOKIE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Justin G. Fuentes, M.Ed., Chief Schools Officer
Description:
To promote quality instruction and recognize the work of our best teachers, RYSS teachers are nominated for the honor of being their campus’ Teacher of the Year, if they have multiple years of experience, or the Rookie Teacher of the Year, if they are finishing their first year of teaching. These teachers exemplify the caring, hard-working, and professional values that we try to instill in our students daily.
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8.c. EXPANSION OF HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROGRAMMING AND PROSPECTIVE MOVE TO HCC SOUTHEAST’S EASTSIDE CAMPUS FOR RYSS EARLY COLLEGE
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Antonio Zambrano, Chief Financial and Operations Officer; Justin G. Fuentes, M.Ed., Chief Schools Officer
Description:
With the Texas Education Agency designation as a P-TECH program, it is vital that we expand dual credit opportunities for our students. To accomplish this goal RYSS T-STEM Early College High School is discussing with HCC to potentially move grades 9-12 to the Eastside Campus on Rustic Street. Here students will have direct access to core and workforce programming and become an experienced collegegoer prior to graduating from high school.
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8.d. AFFORDABLE HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM REPORT
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Gabby Luna, Director of Affordable Housing and Community Redevelopment
Description:
Affordable Housing & Community Redevelopment provides homebuyer education, one-on-one individual counseling to both, homeowners and homebuyers, and home repairs to eligible homeowners.
Homebuyer Education Workshops: Eight-Hour Homebuyer Education classes held twice per month in English & Spanish. Homebuyer Counseling: Individual Housing Counseling to assess mortgage readiness and/or obstacles/barriers in order to apply & qualify for a mortgage loan, identify program eligibility and close on a home. Homeowner Counseling: Individual Housing Counseling for existing homeowners. Services can assist with applying for property tax discounts, understanding escrow analysis, and weatherization program, to name a few. This is also the entry point for homeowners requesting home repairs to their primary home. |
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8.e. CHILD PLACING AGENCY PROGRAM REPORT
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Brenda Navarrette, Director, Child Placing Agency
Description:
In order to keep the board informed about Tejano Center’s Child Placing Agency (CPA) initiatives, events, and activities, the attached January report to the board is provided. The report covers activities that took place during the period subsequent to the December 2023 board meeting. The report covers the following topics:
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8.f. GRADCAFE BY PROJECT GRAD PROGRAM REPORT
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Melissa Martinez, Director, Project GRAD & NOVA Academy
Description:
The following events and activities are the focus of our work at Project GRAD:
RYSS GRADcafé Approximately 42 high school students participated in the Escalera after school program. In this month’s meeting, 9th and 10th graders had the opportunity to learn about career exploration resources and tools. While the 11th and 12th graders learned how to pay for college - the various types of scholarships and financial aid applications. College & Career Services Virtual and In-Person the GRADcafé by Project GRAD Service Report - December 2023 which includes service numbers, event numbers, service topics, and target populations served is attached. Page one of the report covers December 2023. GRADcafé Staff participated in the Mexican Consulate’s monthly Ventanilla Educativa. Approximately 35 individuals learned about the different types of academic pathways leading to four-year degrees and workforce certifications, as well as the difference between the federal and state financial aid applications. |
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8.g. HEALTH EQUITY REPORT
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Jose Rivera, Director, Health Equity Program
Description:
Health Equity is a holistic program that incorporates healthy food access, resource navigation, and nutrition and health education classes through La Tiendita to empower individuals to improve their health and move towards more secure lives.
In order to keep the board informed about program initiatives, events, and activities, the Health Equity Report is attached. The report reflects the following topics:
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8.h. RESOLVE PROGRAM REPORT
Speaker(s):
Dr. Adriana Tamez, President/CEO & Superintendent of Schools; Jorge Gonzalez, Director, Resolve Program
Description:
In order to keep the board informed about Tejano Center’s Resolve Program, the attached Resolve Program Monthly Status Report is provided. The report reflects the status update of the Resolve program and updated data since the December 2023 board meeting.
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8.i. BOARD ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
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9. EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE §§ 551.071, 551.072, 551.074, AND 551.082, TO ADDRESS:
a. Private consultation with attorney concerning privileged issues from agenda matters and pending or threatened litigations. b. Deliberations concerning the purchase of real property c. Deliberations concerning the duties of the CEO and CFO regarding supervision of personnel d. Consider complaints against directors and senior staff e. Discussion of duties and evaluation of administrative personnel, including complaints regarding school staffing, academic and organizational changes for the 2022-2023 school year |
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10. ADJOURNMENT
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