December 19, 2023 at 12:00 PM - Board Meeting

Description:  The Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success 2022-2023 General Fund and Child Nutrition Fund activity as of September 2023 and October 2023. The TCCC- Non School Activity as of September 30, 2023, and October 31, 2023, is presented. 

Description:  The Houston Charter Seed Fund is funded by the Houston Endowment and the Brown Foundation.  Funds are administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation. 

Tejano Center/Raul Yzaguirre Schools (RYSS) for Success received $1,500,000 from the Houston Charter Seed Fund and the budget is being created for the fund to support RYSS expansion.

Description:  At the June 10, 2023, Board of Education Meeting, the Board approved the 2022-2023 Principal State Accountability Ratings Performance Pay system.  It is our belief that school leaders should be recognized for their outstanding efforts on behalf of the students of the Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success (RYSS). 

The approved performance pay system provides the following monetary compensation to eligible principals of each of the RYSS campuses for accomplishment in the State Accountability rating system as follows:

Principals whose campus earns an overall rating of A =$10,000.00
Principals whose campus earns an overall rating of B = $5,000.00

The 2023 accountability ratings were to be released for the first time under a "Refreshed" A-F State Accountability System.  The state has not released the official 2023 ratings due to pending litigation.  RYSS is requesting permission from the Board to pay out the 2022-2023 principal performance pay using preliminary data provided by the state as it is unknown when or if the state will release official 2023 accountability ratings.  Preliminary data indicates that RYSS will have one A-rated and two B-rated campuses for a total payout of $20,000.

Description: 

As part of our efforts to attract and retain highly effective teachers and recognize exceptional academic performance, the district is requesting approval of the 2023-2024 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness and End-of-Course (STAAR/EOC) Teacher Performance Stipends. As in previous years, the performance stipends have both eligibility and performance criteria as detailed in the attachment to this board item.

Last year, in 2022-2023, twenty-four teachers across the district qualified for performance stipends in amounts that ranged from $400.00 to $2,900.00 for a total payout of $35,600. This is up from 2021–2022 totals of twenty teachers receiving stipends for a total payout of $27,900.

Teachers in STAAR/EOC-tested grades and subjects who were employed in a teaching position at RYSS as of the start of the 2023-2024 spring semester and continued through to the end of the academic year, are in good standing, and return in an instructional position for the 2024-2025 school year are eligible.  The performance stipend is based on both showing growth from the prior year and achieving the state and local target at the Meets Grade Level standard.  Additional money is included in the stipend if the percent of a teacher’s students exceeds the state’s percent of students at the Meets Grade Level standard for their specific grade and subject.

The maximum payout per grade and subject varies by academic level and teaching setting as follows:
  Elementary Self-Contained: $1,200 per STAAR-tested subject
  Elementary Departmentalized: $1,300 per STAAR-tested subject
  Middle School: $1,400 per STAAR-tested subject
  High School: $1,500 per STAAR-tested subject

Description:  The Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success Charter district was awarded the Learning Acceleration Support Opportunity (LASO) Technology Lending Grant. The intent of this grant is to provide students with the equipment necessary to access and use digital instructional materials at school and at home. The equipment purchased through this grant for a local technology lending program becomes the property of the RYSS school district. As an awardee, RYSS is required to account for the technology equipment purchased with grant funds in accordance with the district policy, including ensuring equipment where insurance is typically provided for such technology equipment.

After consultation with campus stakeholders, it has been determined that the funding will be used to invest $92,820 dollars in laptop with CDW.

Description:  Purchase of a new school bus for BRYSS Academy. One of the buses is in disrepair after being repaired several times.

Description:  Tejano Center submitted a grant application and was granted funds from Capital One for operations of the Housing Program and, more specifically, for the housing counseling component.

The organization offers individual counseling and Homebuyer Education Seminars to low and moderate income families residing in Houston’s Greater East End and eastern Harris County, with a goal to empower families with skills and knowledge that will enhance their ability to become successful homeowners to obtain, maintain and sustain homeownership.

Description:  UnidosUS will provide funding so that Tejano Center for Community Concerns can help Latino families who are seeking assistance retaining or restoring health coverage that is threatened or lost due to the unwinding of Medicaid’s COVID-related continuous coverage requirements.

Description:  See attached Affordable Housing Program Agreement for Rental Project.

Description:  HCDE agrees to provide services for one eligible student requiring a discipline alternative education placement who is a resident of TCCC.   
 
HCDE agrees to provide specialized facilities and certified/licensed personnel necessary to provide educational, instructional, and counseling services to the students placed at Highpoint in accordance with applicable law and during the days and times set forth by High Point. 

Description:  See attached agreement.

Description:  An RFP was issued to procure the improvements to the Pasadena Expansion Site. The RFP was advertised, and responses were received. A committee was formed to evaluate and recommend the contractor. Attached is the tabulation, evaluation, and recommendation. 

Description:  Created in 2000, the New Markets Tax Credits ("NMTC") program serves as a vehicle to attract investment capital into low-income neighborhoods that have been left behind by the traditional private marketplace. The Treasury Department administers the program through its Community Development Financial Institution Fund (CDFI Fund).
As of Fiscal Year 2021, New Markets investments have financed more than 10,800 businesses, helped create or retain 938,000 jobs, and supported 76.9 million square feet of manufacturing space, 118.3 million square feet of office space, and 77.1 million square feet of retail space. The program is highly efficient, generating $8 in private investment for every $1 of cost to the government.
The program offers institutional and individual investors a 39 percent credit against their federal income tax, which is based on the amount invested and claimed over seven years. It requires investment in distressed areas, particularly those with high unemployment, high poverty rates, and low median incomes for residents. The credit can be used for commercial real estate development, working capital, and equipment financing.
For TCCC to participate in the NMTC program, the creation of a Qualified Active Low-Income Community Business ("QALICB") non-profit entity may need to be created, depending on the particular financing structure that the various financing participants agree upon. By definition, a QALICB is defined as a for-profit or non-profit corporation or partnership. Participating in the NMTC financing will allow TCCC to receive a $16 million loan from Raza Development Fund which will yield a net benefit of approximately $5 million in forgivable debt from the NMTC financing structure at the end of the seven-year tax credit compliance period. The funds from the NMTC financing will be directed toward the acquisition and construction costs of the Pasadena Project.

Description:  Created in 2000, the New Markets Tax Credits ("NMTC") program serves as a vehicle to attract investment capital into low-income neighborhoods that have been left behind by the traditional private marketplace. The Treasury Department administers the program through its Community Development Financial Institution Fund (CDFI Fund).
As of Fiscal Year 2021, New Markets investments have financed more than 10,800 businesses, helped create or retain 938,000 jobs, and supported 76.9 million square feet of manufacturing space, 118.3 million square feet of office space, and 77.1 million square feet of retail space. The program is highly efficient, generating $8 in private investment for every $1 of cost to the government.
The program offers institutional and individual investors a 39 percent credit against their federal income tax, which is based on the amount invested and claimed over seven years. It requires investment in distressed areas, particularly those with high unemployment, high poverty rates, and low median incomes for residents. The credit can be used for commercial real estate development, working capital, and equipment financing.
For TCCC to participate in the NMTC program, the creation of a Qualified Active Low-Income Community Business ("QALICB") non-profit entity may need to be created, depending on the particular financing structure that the various financing participants agree upon. By definition, a QALICB is defined as a for-profit or non-profit corporation or partnership. Participating in the NMTC financing will allow TCCC to receive a $16 million loan from Raza Development Fund which will yield a net benefit of approximately $5 million in forgivable debt from the NMTC financing structure at the end of the seven-year tax credit compliance period. The funds from the NMTC financing will be directed toward the acquisition and construction costs of the Pasadena Project.
 

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.

Description:  In order to keep the board informed about Tejano Center’s Child Placing Agency (CPA) initiatives, events, and activities, the attached December report to the board is provided.  The report covers activities that took place during the period subsequent to the November 2023 board meeting. The report covers the following topics:              

• Updates
• Activities
• Coming events
• Staff/Foster parent training
• Families and children served

Description:  In order to keep the board informed about Tejano Center’s GRADcafe, the attached program monthly report is provided. The report reflects the status update of GRADcafe and updated data since the last report.

Description:  Housing department 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.

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 November 2023 board meeting.

Description:  On November 28, 2023, the Board approved Mr. Corpus, Mr. Magdaleno, and Ms. Dunlap's requalification and re-election to the Board.  However, the support document inaccurately listed a three-year term, from October 31, 2023 - November 30, 2027.  The correct term is October 31, 2023 - November 30, 2026.