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[1. CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH QUORUM]
WE HAVE CONVENED FOR A REGULAR MEETING OF THE DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON THIS MONDAY, APRIL 22.THIS MEETING IS BEING RECORDED.
WE HAVE A QUORUM WITH ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT THIS EVENING WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ROB MCCLELLAND, WHO WILL BE JOINING US LATER.
WE WILL BEGIN WITH OUR OPENING CEREMONY WITH PLEDGES TO THE AMERICAN FLAG AND THE TEXAS FLAG.
I'M HONORED TO INVITE THIS EVENING'S PLEDGE LEADERS UP TO THE FRONT TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE STATE OF TEXAS, FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
TONIGHT, WE HAVE MARIA KILWASER AND BRENDAN WILLIS FROM DRIPPING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL.
PLEASE STAND TO JOIN US FOR THE PLEDGES.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE PLEDGES, WE WILL STAY STANDING FOR A MOMENT IN SILENCE.
THANK YOU, MARIA AND BRENDAN. YOU ALL DID GREAT.
[3. ANNOUNCEMENTS]
>> BYE. WELL, CONGRATULATIONS IN ORDER FOR SOPHOMORE GRANT GILHAM AND SIXTH GRADER NORA GILHAM ON CAPTURING STATE TITLES AT THE TEXAS HISTORY DAY CONTEST.
GRANT IS NOW A FOUR TIME STATE CHAMPION.
THESE STUDENTS WILL ADVANCE TO THE NATIONAL HISTORY DAY CONTEST, WHICH WILL BE HELD IN JUNE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.
WE ALSO WANT TO WISH CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TIGER SOFTBALL TEAM ON CLAIMING A SIX STRAIGHT DISTRICT TITLE.
THEY'LL BEGIN THE FIRST ROUND OF PLAYOFFS ON THURSDAY AT 7:00 PM HOSTING ROUND ROCK IN THE FIRST GAME OF A BEST OF THREE SERIES.
A QUICK REMINDER THAT THE DISTRICT WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY FOR FOUNDERS DAY.
ALSO, OUR ANNUAL ONLINE VERIFICATION FOR THE 24/25 SCHOOL YEAR WILL BEGIN MONDAY, APRIL 29.
THE PROCESS MUST BE COMPLETED EACH YEAR FOR ALL STUDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO'VE BEEN ENROLLED IN DSISD AND THOSE WHO ARE NEW TO OUR DISTRICT AND PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED REGISTRATION THIS SPRING.
MORE INFORMATION WILL BE SENT OUT TO FAMILIES LATER THIS WEEK.
THEN FINALLY, OUR TAXPAYER TUESDAY SERIES FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR.
THE LAST ONE WILL BE ON MAY 7 AT WALNUT SPRINGS ELEMENTARY.
WE WILL TOUR THE CAMPUS AND HAVE A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE DISTRICT'S BUDGETING PROCESS.
PLEASE RSVP ON OUR WEBSITE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND.
THAT'S OUR ANNOUNCEMENTS. NEXT IS RECOGNITIONS.
[4. RECOGNITIONS]
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF STUDENT AND STAFF RECOGNITIONS THIS EVENING VERSUS OUR FFA.>> FIRST, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE BOARD FOR INVITING US TO THIS WONDERFUL RECOGNITION.
THESE KIDS WORK VERY HARD WITH OUR PROGRAM, AND THEY WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL IN OUR HAYS COUNTY SHOW THIS YEAR.
THEY PUT IN A LOT OF COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION, A LOT OF TIME SO DOES THEIR AG TEACHER.
SO I'M GOING TO PASS DOWN THE MIC AND ALLOW THEM TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES ALONG WITH WHAT THEY PLACED AT COUNTY.
>> HI. I'M KELLEN EMBRY, AND I GOT RESERVED GRAND CHAMPION DIVISION II MARKET GOAT.
>> I'M COLTON BRIAN. I COMPETED IN AGMC AND I BUILT AN EIGHT FOOT DINING ROOM TABLE, AND WE WON GROUP DIVISION, AND WE GOT SECOND OVERALL.
I HE COLIN OVER HERE BUILD THE EIGHT FOOT TABLE.
>> I'M KELSEY TOVAR AND I GOT SENIOR SHOWMANSHIP, AND I GOT GRAND CHAMPION WITH MY CAKE.
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IF I CAN ASK YOU TO HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE TILL THE END OF EACH INDIVIDUAL.
>> I'M JOAN ANCY MONA, AND THIS IS A ROBOT HARD STOP.
WE'RE FROM THE SPRING CONSTANT, THE DRIPPING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL FIRST ROBOTICS TEAM.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE ARE A LOT OF MEMBERS ON OUR TEAM. THIS ISN'T EVEN ALL OF THEM.
WE HAVE ABOUT 40 PEOPLE TOTAL, AND WE WOULD JUST LIKE TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR SEASON THIS YEAR.
>> WE'VE HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL SEASON AT OUR FIRST DISTRICT COMPETITION IN BELTON.
WE WON THE IMPACT AWARD, WHICH IS FIRST MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD.
IT'S FOR YOUR TEAM'S IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD AROUND YOU WHICH QUALIFIED US FOR STATE.
AT OUR SECOND DISTRICT EVENT, WE WON THE INNOVATION AND CONTROL AWARD FOR THE SENSORS ON OUR ROBOT.
THEN AT STATE, WE PLACED SECOND ON OUR FIELD AND THIRD OVERALL, AND WE WON THE IMAGERY AWARD FOR OUR BRANDING AND MARKETING.
>> HI, GUYS, I'M ADDIE PARSONS.
I'M A SENIOR. I'M ONE OF THE MECHANICAL AND DESIGN LEADS.
OUR GAME THIS YEAR, WE HAD GIANT FOAM LIKE RINGS CALLED NOTES AS IT WAS MUSIC THEMED.
IT INTAKE IT THROUGH THE ROLLERS HERE, AND THEN WE HAD OUR LAUNCHER.
IF WE CAN DO A MANUAL DEMONSTRATION, YOU WANT TO.
IT'S USUALLY OPERATED WITH A LOT OF MOTORS, BUT WE FIGURED IT WASN'T SAFE TO LAUNCH THE NOTE ALL TODAY.
IT ROLLS THROUGH, AND THEN WE LAUNCH IT INTO WHAT WAS CALLED A SPEAKER.
IT'S JUST A GIANT, LIKE HOODED GOAL.
THEN WE HAD TO CLIMB ON A STAGE, WHICH WAS BIG TRUSSES WITH CHAINS THAT WERE DRAWN ACROSS.
WE HAD THE ABILITY TO LAUNCH AND LEDS TO SIGNAL WHETHER WE HAD A NOTE IN OUR ROBOT FOR EASE OF DRIVING.
>> VERY COOL. CONGRATULATIONS, ROBOTICS TEAM.
NEXT IS OUR HOSA STATE QUALIFIERS.
AFTER YOUR GROUP PRESENTATION,
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WE GET CLAP AND APPLAUD, AND THEN STUDENTS GO OVER HERE TO MS. KINA MICKY AND MAKE THEIR WAY AND IT IS CUSTOMARY TO SHAKE HANDS OF OUR ADMINISTRATION AND OUR BOARD LEADERS.>> HI. I'M MORGAN LOONEY, ONE OF THE SPONSORS FOR HOSA AND WE ARE HERE TO RECOGNIZE OUR COMPETITOR JASMINE FOR HER SUCCESS IN OUR COMPETITION SEASON SO FAR, AND SO I WILL LET HER TELL YOU ALL ABOUT IT.
I'VE BEEN IN HOSA FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
I'VE GONE TO STATE SOPHOMORE THROUGH SENIOR YEAR AND THIS YEAR DURING MY COMPETITION AT THE STATE LEVEL.
I GOT THIRD, AND I AM ADVANCING TO INTERNATIONALS IN JUNE, WHICH WILL BE IN HOUSTON, WHICH IS NOT VERY INTERNATIONAL, BUT I DID A LEADERSHIP EVENT FOR PREPARED SPEAKING, SO I WROTE A SPEECH ABOUT DORIAN KELLER, WHO WAS REALLY CLOSE TO ME, AND I'M REALLY PROUD THAT I WAS ABLE TO SHARE HIS STORY AND CONTINUE ON TO INTERNATIONALS.
>> NEXT IS OUR COLLEGE BOARD NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS.
>> I DIDN'T THINK HE WOULD BE.
>> THAT'S OKAY. YOU CAN HOLD DOWN FOR IT.
I'M THE DRIPPING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL LEAD COUNSELOR, AND I'M GOING TO BE DOWN SEEING TWO SEPARATE GROUPS TODAY STARTING FIRST WITH NATIONAL MERIT.
OUR NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN A SCHOLARSHIP FOR $2,500.
THEY'LL FIND OUT ANYTIME BETWEEN NOW AND JUNE.
WILL YOU TELL THEM WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOUR PLANS ARE?
I'M A SENIOR AT DRIPPING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL, AND RIGHT NOW I'M PLANNING ON GOING TO UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT AND STUDYING BIOLOGY.
>> THANK YOU. CAN I SAY? THE SECOND GROUP IS TOP 10 FOR THE CLASS OF 2024.
IF YOU'RE HERE, PLEASE COME ON UP.
[APPLAUSE] IF YOU KNOW YOUR ORDER, YOU CAN BE IN ORDER.
THEY'RE LIKE THE VON TRAPP FAMILY.
THESE STUDENTS HAVE WORKED INCREDIBLY HARD TO EARN THEIR SPOTS IN TOP 10 OF THEIR CLASS, AND SO YOU SHOULD BE COMMENDED ON THEIR DEDICATION AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.
I'M GOING TO START HERE AND WORK OUR WAY DOWN IF YOU'LL TELL US WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOUR PLANS ARE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.
>> HI. MY NAME IS JAIDEN STANKARD.
I'M PLANNING ON ATTENDING AUBURN UNIVERSITY IN THE FALL TO MAJOR IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS MILAD KHEZREFARIDI.
I'M PLANNING TO ATTEND UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN TO STUDY MECHANICAL ENGINEERING.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS BRENNA PUTMAN, AND I'M GOING TO UT AUSTIN TO STUDY KINESIOLOGY.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS LAUREN KETHLEY, AND I WILL BE ATTENDING TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY TO STUDY BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES WITH A FOCUS ON PRE-DENTISTRY.
>> HI, MY NAME IS PRESLEY COCHRAN, AND I WILL BE ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA TO STUDY CHEMISTRY.
>> HI, MY NAME IS KIRA GRANBERRY AND I'M GOING TO BE ATTENDING UT AUSTIN TO MAJOR IN PLAN II HONORS AND PSYCHOLOGY.
I PLAN TO GRADUATE FROM A&M UNIVERSITY WITH A DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY WHILE CONTINUING MUSIC.
>> HI. MY NAME IS KEIRA MAGHIELSE AND I'M PLANNING ON ATTENDING TEXAS A&M AND STUDYING ENGINEERING.
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[APPLAUSE]>> LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR WINNERS.
>> I'D FIRST LIKE TO THANK THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION FOR BEING OUR PARTNERS AND DONATING THE GIFTS TONIGHT TO CELEBRATE OUR TEACHERS OF THE YEAR.
OUR VERY FIRST TEACHER OF THE YEAR FROM CYPRESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS CAROLINE MASSEY.
[APPLAUSE] FROM DRIPPING SPRINGS ELEMENTARY, ADRIANA SUAZO.
[APPLAUSE] NEXT, FROM ROOSTER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY, AUDREA ROSS.
[APPLAUSE] FROM SYCAMORE SPRINGS ELEMENTARY, RASCHEL WAGSTAFF.
[APPLAUSE] FROM WALNUT SPRINGS ELEMENTARY, KARALISE MORENO.
[APPLAUSE] FROM DRIPPING SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL, JOLENE KOKEMOOR.
[APPLAUSE] FROM SYCAMORE SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL, DAWN SCHAFER.
[APPLAUSE] FROM DRIPPING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL, LIBBY GEISINGER.
[APPLAUSE] WHILE THE LADIES FINISH SHAKING HANDS, OUR NEXT PART OF OUR RECOGNITION IS TO RECOGNIZE OUR ELEMENTARY AND OUR SECONDARY TEACHERS OF THE YEAR.
THEY WILL GO ON TO REPRESENT DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD IN THE REGION 13 AND HAVE A CHANCE TO COMPETE AT STATE.
FOR OUR ELEMENTARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR FROM WALNUT SPRINGS ELEMENTARY, KARALISE MORENO.
[APPLAUSE] OUR SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR FROM DRIPPING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL, LIBBY GEISINGER.
[APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS, EVERYONE.
WE'LL GET A PICTURE OF EVERYONE.
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>> NEXT, WE WILL BE GOING OUT OF ORDER IN OUR AGENDA TO FIRST LISTEN
[6. PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSION ( Part 1 of 2 )]
TO OUR LEARNING SPOTLIGHT IN SYCAMORE SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL BEFORE OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, COMMUNITY AND GUEST.
MY NAME IS KELLY MILLER, PRINCIPAL AT SYCAMORE SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INVITING US UP HERE THIS EVENING.
WE ARE SUPER EXCITED TO SHOWCASE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THE GREAT THINGS WE DO AT SYCAMORE.
AS YOU KNOW, ALL THE SCHOOLS IN DSIC ARE LEADER IN ME SCHOOLS.
TO ME, ONE OF THE BEST IMPACTS OF LEADER IN ME IS THE STUDENT LEADERSHIP COMPONENT OF LEADER IN ME.
WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO TONIGHT IS THESE ARE JUST SOME OF OUR STUDENT LEADERS AT SYCAMORE SPRINGS.
I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE THE TEACHERS, THEY'LL INTRODUCE EACH OF THE KIDDOS, AND THEN THEY HAVE A PRESENTATION FOR YOU TO SHOWCASE ALL OF THE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THEY DO AT OUR CAMPUS.
MS. JOHNSEY AND MS. CORNELIS, THESE ARE THE TWO AMAZING TEACHERS THAT LEAD THESE KIDS AND MENTOR AND ROLE MODEL FOR THEM EVERY DAY.
I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO Y'ALL.
>> THANK YOU. I'M CARLY JOHNSEY.
I'VE BEEN WITH THIS WONDERFUL GROUP OF LEADERS FOR TWO YEARS NOW, AND I AM JUST SO PROUD OF THEM BECAUSE THEY DO WHAT THEY DO FOR OUR SCHOOL TO IMPROVE OUR CULTURE AND NOT FOR THE RECOGNITION.
BUT I REALLY DO APPRECIATE Y'ALL RECOGNIZING THEM TONIGHT BECAUSE THEY WORK SO HARD THEY DESERVE IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I'M CAROLYN CORNELIS, AND THIS IS MY FIRST YEAR WITH TIGER LEADERS.
I'M TELLING YOU THIS IS AN AMAZING GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
IF THIS IS THE KIND OF KIDS THAT WE ARE RAISING TO LEAD OUR WORLD, WE'RE IN GOOD HANDS.
IT'S JUST GOING TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. LET'S SEE.
>> I'M LIZA. I'M IN SEVENTH GRADE.
>> I'M JACK, I'M IN SIXTH GRADE.
>> I'M HARRISON, I'M IN SIXTH GRADE.
>> I'M MATTY I'M IN SIXTH GRADE.
>> I'M ADA. NOW I'M IN EIGHTH GRADE.
>> I'M AT VIKA PERTH. I'M IN SIXTH GRADE.
>> I'M NEAR ON BRATHWAIT I'M IN SIXTH GRADE.
>> I'M DERBY ANGLES, AND I'M IN SEVENTH GRADE.
>> I'M BLANCHARD, AND I'M IN SEVENTH GRADE.
>> WE ARE THE SSMS TIGER LEADERS.
OUR MISSION IS TO ENCOURAGE A POSITIVE CULTURE ON CAMPUS.
TODAY WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT OUR THREE COMMITTEES AND WHAT THEY DO.
OUR THREE COMMITTEES ARE FISCAL ENVIRONMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS AND BETTER TOGETHER.
EVERYONE HERE IS GOING TO BASICALLY EXPLAIN WHAT THEY DO AND WHY THEY'RE IMPORTANT.
WE CONSTRUCT BULLETIN BOARDS THAT DISPLAY THE UPCOMING EVENTS, THE EIGHT HABITS, AND SPORTS SCHEDULES, ALONG WITH MAKING POSTERS AND AFFIRMATIONS TO HANG UP AROUND THE SCHOOL.
>> AS PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND AS A WHOLE LIGHTHOUSE COMMITTEE, OUR GOAL IS IN THE SCHOOL TOO.
OUR GOAL IS TO OBTAIN LIGHTHOUSE STATUS BY THE 2025, 2026 SCHOOL YEAR AND THAT EVERY ORGANIZATION IN OUR SCHOOL WILL HAVE A BULLETIN BOARD WITH FRAMES NEXT TO IT, SHOWING THE DATE, THE HABIT FOCUS, THE CLUB NAME, AND WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE.
THEN STUDENT LEADERS WILL WORK WITH TEACHERS AND UPDATING THESE BOARDS, QUARTERLY, WE'LL WORK WITH ART CLASS.
NEXT YEAR, WE WILL HAVE A PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE AND A BULLETIN BOARDS COMMITTEE COMMITTED TO JUST UPDATING THESE BULLETIN BOARDS AND KEEPING OUR SCHOOL BEAUTIFUL.
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>> ANNOUNCEMENTS. WE HAVE DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS, EXCEPT FOR FRIDAY, LED BY OUR LIGHTHOUSE TEAM AND OTHER STUDENTS CAN SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE.
OUR GOAL IS TO OBTAIN LIGHTHOUSE AS BY 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR.
THE FOLLOWING WILL TAKE PLACE IN SIXTH GRADE HUDDLE HEALTH, SEVENTH GRADE CAREER EXPLORATION, AND EIGHTH GRADE ELA.
GOAL SETTING, PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS, PLPS PERSONAL LEARNING PROFILES, AND STUDENT CONFERENCES.
>> BETTER TOGETHER, WE'VE CREATED PRESENTATIONS BASED ON OUR MRA SURVEY RESULTS AND AREAS OF GROWTH IN OUR SCHOOL.
>> WE PREPARE OUR TIGER LEADERS FOR EACH PRESENTATION WITH HANDS ON TRAINING THAT INCLUDES INVITING TEACHERS TO TEACH US ABOUT SPEAKING.
>> WE'VE DONE THREE PRESENTATIONS ON TOPICS THAT INCLUDE BULLYING, STUDENT EMPOWERMENT, SELF BELONGING, FINDING HOBBIES AND INTERESTS, SELF ADVOCACY, AND EMPATHY.
OUR GOAL IS TO OBTAIN LIGHTHOUSE STATUS BY 2025 THROUGH 2026.
THIS YEAR OVERALL MRA WENT FROM 71% TO 76%, AND 3% IS A HUGE JUMP, SO WE GOT FIVE.
WE HAD HUGELY SUCCESSFUL GAINS IN MOST AREAS AND LOW SCORES.
NEXT YEAR WE'LL BE USED TO CREATE CULTURE BUILDING LESSONS.
>> OUR PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS YEAR HAVE BEEN WE'VE CREATED A GUIDE FOR EACH COMMITTEE SO THAT THE INCOMING STUDENTS WILL KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
WE ALSO HAVE END OF SEMESTER AWARDS AND CELEBRATIONS.
WE ALSO HAVE A SURVEY THAT EACH OF OUR TIGER LEADERS PARTICIPATES IN.
WE ALSO HAVE A FEEDBACK SURVEY WE SEND OUT AFTER EACH BETTER TOGETHER PRESENTATION.
WE ALSO DID AN INCLUSIVE SCHOOL WEEK.
WE ALSO DO LEADERSHIP LESSONS FOR OUR TIGER LEADERS TO IMPROVE THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
WE ALSO DID SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER APPRECIATION, AND WE ALSO DO COUNSELING ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETINGS.
WE ALSO DID COUNSELOR APPRECIATION, WE ALSO DID A TIGER LEADER T-SHIRT FUND RAISER AND AND RAISED ABOUT $300, I THINK.
THEN WE ALSO WON THE CREST AWARD AS THE SCHOOL.
WE ALSO HOSTED A CAN FOOD DRIVE, WE ALSO DID SEVERAL LEADER AND ME TRAINING DAYS WITH PROFESSIONALS FROM THE COMPANY.
WE DO SCHOOL WIDE ANNOUNCEMENTS EVERY DAY, AND WE WORK HARD AT REVIEWING OUR MRA SURVEY SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT TO WORK ON AS A SCHOOL.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO NOT ONLY OUR LEADERS, BUT ALSO OUR PROGRAM AS A WHOLE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND GO TIGERS.
>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> NEXT ON OUR AGENDA THIS EVENING IS PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[5. PUBLIC COMMENTS]
ANY INDIVIDUALS NOT WISHING TO STAY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE INVITED TO EXCUSE THEMSELVES AT THIS TIME.ANY STUDENTS NOT WISHING TO STAY OR OTHER INDIVIDUALS HERE FOR RECOGNITIONS.
ANYONE ELSE CAN FILL IN A SEAT AND FILE IN.
THE BOARD ENCOURAGES COMMENTS ABOUT THE DISTRICT FROM RESIDENTS OF THE DISTRICT FROM DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, OR FROM OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
PER BOARD POLICY, THE PRESIDING OFFICER MAY MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEDURES, INCLUDING REDUCTION OF ALLOTTED TIME PER SPEAKER OR ADJUSTMENT OF THE ORDER EVENTS FOR THE MEETING.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE 41 SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR TONIGHT.
CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK THIS EVENING, WE WILL BE REDUCING THE TOTAL TIME FOR EACH SPEAKER FROM THREE MINUTES TO TWO MINUTES TO ENSURE EFFICIENT CONDUCTING OF OUR MEETING TONIGHT.
PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS OR CRITICISM CIVIL AND COURTEOUS.
EXCEPT FOR THE SPEAKER'S STUDENT, NO OTHER STUDENT'S NAME OR IDENTITY SHOULD BE DISCUSSED.
[00:30:03]
IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN THAT YOU WOULD LIKE HEARD AND RESOLVED, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR CONCERN THROUGH THE DISTRICT'S GRIEVANCE POLICIES.UNDER THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, THE BOARD IS NOT PERMITTED TO DISCUSS OR ACT UPON ANY ISSUES THAT ARE NOT POSTED ON THE AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING.
THIS MEANS THAT BOARD MEMBERS ARE UNABLE TO DELIBERATE, ASK QUESTIONS, PROVIDE YOU WITH A RESPONSE, OR TAKE ANY ACTION RELATED TO YOUR COMMENTS.
IF AN ISSUE MENTIONED IS LISTED ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA, THE BOARD'S DELIBERATION OR DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUE WILL BE DEFERRED UNTIL THE APPROPRIATE TIME DURING THE MEETING.
FOR ISSUES NOT LISTED ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA AND PRESENTED DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, THE BOARD PRESIDENT MAY DIRECT A SPEAKER TO THE APPROPRIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
SPEAKERS SHALL BE HEARD ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS AND ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RELINQUISH TIME TO ANOTHER PERSON.
WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED, PLEASE COME UP TO THE PODIUM, INTRODUCE YOURSELF WITH YOUR NAME AND CONNECTION TO THE DISTRICT.
ONCE YOU BEGIN SPEAKING, THE TIMER WILL BEGIN.
WHEN YOU HEAR THE TIMER SOUND, PLEASE CONCLUDE YOUR COMMENTS TO THE BOARD.
OUT OF FAIRNESS TO ALL SPEAKERS, AND TO ASSURE EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF OUR AGENDA TONIGHT, NO EXTRA TIME WILL BE PROVIDED TO ANY SPEAKER.
I WILL CALL EACH SPEAKER TO THE PODIUM, AND I WILL ALSO CALL THE NEXT SPEAKER IN LINE TO WAIT BY THE SIDE TO ENSURE EFFICIENCY IN OUR MEETING.
FIRST SPEAKER IS KENNY FLORENCE AND AFTER THAT, WILL BE KATHY THOMAS. IS KENNY FLORENCE HERE? NO, KATHY THOMAS, AFTER KATHY WILL BE AMANDA BAUM.
IF YOUR NEXT SPEAKER COME WAIT ON THE SIDE OR IN THE FRONT ROW? KATHY, GO AHEAD.
>> I'M ACTUALLY SPEAKING FOR JOHN ADAMS, WHO WAS SORRY HE COULDN'T BE HERE.
HIS GRANDSON HAS AN IMPORTANT THING IN THERE IN HOUSTON WITH FAMILY.
ORIGINALLY, TODAY, THERE WAS TO BE A FIRST READING OF A NUMBER OF PROPOSED POLICY CHANGES THAT WILL REMOVE PHRASES, SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY FROM POLICY.
WHAT IS TROUBLING IS THE NUMBER OF POLICIES THAT WILL CHANGE FROM THAT ONE CHANGE.
BUT WHAT CONCERNS JOHN THE MOST IS A POLICY ON STUDENT WELFARE, FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT AND RETALIATION.
THE COMMUNITY WAS GREATLY DIVIDED A FEW YEARS AGO OVER THIS TOPIC WHEN MANY ON THE CURRENT BOARD DIDN'T EVEN LIVE HERE.
WITHOUT THE EXPERIENCE GAINED DURING THAT TROUBLING TIME, I'M NOT SURE THEY CAN FULLY APPRECIATE WHAT IT WILL MEAN TO REMOVE THESE WORDS FROM POLICIES.
THESE ARE LOCAL POLICIES, NOT LEGAL.
LEGAL POLICIES ARE DICTATED BY LAW.
LOCAL POLICY IS JUST THAT IT'S DETERMINED LOCALLY.
MY QUESTIONS TO THE BOARD WOULD BE WHAT HARM IS CAUSED TO THE DISTRICT BY LEAVING IN PROTECTION THESE TWO POPULATIONS.
WHY IS HAVING THEIR BACKS A BAD THING? WHAT IS SO BROKEN THAT WE HAD TO CHANGE THE POLICY TO FIX IT.
JOHN GOES ON TO TALK ABOUT A STUDENT WHO WENT TO DSISD, WHO NEVER TOLD ANYONE THAT HE WAS GAY UNTIL HE LEFT BECAUSE HE WAS NEVER SURE THAT HE WOULD BE APPRECIATED AND NOT BULLIED.
KIT ENDED UP GRADUATING FROM HARVARD, BY THE WAY.
SOME PEOPLE WHO CONVENIENTLY ARE NOT MEMBERS OF EITHER OF THESE TWO GROUPS HAVE SAID THAT THERE ARE PROTECTIONS BUILT INTO THE CONSTITUTION AND THE FEDERAL LAW, THE PROTECTED GROUPS THAT ARE NOT NEEDED.
IF SO, WHY NOT REMOVE ALL THE PROTECTED GROUPS FROM THE POLICY? WHY SINGLE OUT JUST THOSE TWO.
D SISD IS A DISTRICT OF INNOVATION.
WE SHOULD BE LEADING, NOT FALLING IN LINE.
I BELIEVE WE'VE BEEN OVER THE DISCUSSION IN THE PAST, AND WE CAME TO THE RIGHT DECISION.
THE POLICY SHOULD REMAIN AS IS. THANK YOU.
>> WE WILL NOT HAVE APPLAUSE THIS EVENING.
NEXT IS AMANDA BAUM, ACTUALLY.
THANKS YOU FOR YOUR SELF SACRIFICE FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.
MY NAME IS AMANDA BOHM, AND I'VE BEEN AT THE TAXPAYER IN THIS DISTRICT FOR OVER 25 YEARS.
ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, SOMEONE SAID TO ME, TWO VERY IMPORTANT INFLUENCERS OF OUR CULTURE ARE SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES AND PRESENT CHAIRS.
SINCE THEN, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN ME AROUND HERE, LEARNING ALL I CAN.
IT'S BEEN QUITE AN HONOR TO GET TO KNOW SOME OF YOU.
TONIGHT, I'M HERE TO SHOW YOU SOME PEACEFUL SUPPORT AFTER A CHALLENGING WEEK, AND I BROUGHT A FEW FRIENDS WITH ME WHO ALSO SUPPORT YOU.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO PRAISE SOMETHING YOU HAVE DONE VERY WELL, WHICH IS TO HAVE A STRONG POLICY AGAINST BULLYING.
[00:35:03]
IT DOES NOT ELEVATE ONE CHILD'S IDENTITY OVER ANOTHER.IT DOES NOT ALLOW ONE STUDENT TO EXPLOIT AN IMBALANCE OF POWER OVER ANOTHER.
YOU CALL OUT ACTIONS THAT DISRUPT THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS OR THE ORDERLY OPERATION OF A CLASSROOM.
THIS POLICY STANDS ALONE WELL.
IT DOES NOT NEED THE CREATION OF SPECIAL CLASSES OF PROTECTION.
IT IS FAIR TO ALL AND KEEPS THE FOCUS ON THE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE LITERACY. GO TIGERS.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS AMANDA LAB, AND THEN AFTER THAT IS EMILY LEBLANC.
>> GOOD EVENING. FIRST, THANK YOU BOARD MEMBERS FOR VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE AND INVOLVED.
I DECIDED TO STAND UP AND SPEAK TONIGHT BECAUSE TONIGHT, I'M NOT JUST A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY, BUT AS A FELLOW AMERICAN AND DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER OF VETERANS.
AS AMERICANS, WE RECOGNIZE THERE ARE FUNDAMENTAL WRITINGS IN OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND CONSTITUTION, WHERE WE MUST CONTINUE TO STAND STRONG FOR EQUALITY, JUSTICE, AND OUR RIGHTS.
THE CONSTITUTION READS, NO STATE SHALL MAKE OR ENFORCE ANY LAW WHICH SHALL ABRIDGE THE PRIVILEGES OR IMMUNITIES OF CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES.
EVERY DAY, WE MUST STAND STRONG AS A SOCIETY THAT DEDICATES ITSELF TO PROTECTING THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS.
EVERY DAY, THE SCHOOL BOARD MUST STAND STRONG AS A GROUP THAT DEDICATES ITSELF TO PROTECTING THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AND IMPROVING THE EDUCATION OF ITS STUDENTS.
I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT ANY SUGGESTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS ARE REMOVING OR ABRIDGING THE PRIVILEGES ARE FIRST MET WITH AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE OF, NO, I WILL NOT ABRIDGE ANY PRIVILEGE OR REMOVE ANY PROTECTION THAT ANY OF OUR CHILDREN CURRENTLY HAVE.
LET ME BE CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE IGNORE RECOMMENDATIONS AND THAT WE SHOULDN'T SPEND TIME LISTENING AND REVIEWING THEM.
BUT WHAT THIS DOES MEAN IS THAT OUR FIRST REACTION TO THE REMOVAL OF A PROTECTION FOR ANY OF OUR KIDS SHOULD BE NO.
RECENT EVENTS HAVE CAST A SHADOW OVER THE PROGRESS THAT OUR DISTRICT HAS MADE.
THE DECISION TO ADD SUGGESTED POLICY CHANGES TO THE APRIL 15TH AGENDA REVIEW MEETING WITHOUT THOROUGH CONSIDERATION OR SCRUTINY IS DEEPLY CONCERNING.
WHETHER STEAMING FROM AN AGREEMENT OR OVERSIGHT, THIS ACTION REFLECTS POORLY ON THE INTEGRITY AND THE COMMITMENT OF THIS ESTEEMED BOARD.
IT IS DISHEARTENING REVELATION THAT CALLS INTO QUESTION THE BOARD'S DEDICATION TO THE PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND INCLUSIVITY.
AS A REMINDER, OUR TRUE COLORS ARE REVEALED NOT IN MOMENTS OF EASE OR CONVENIENCE, BUT IN TIMES OF CHALLENGES AND ADVERSITY.
THEN WE WILL HAVE MARY ALLSTO.
I'M SORRY. JAN WESSON IS NEXT. EMILY, GO AHEAD.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS EMILY LANCE AND I'M THE PROUD MOTHER OF TWO STUDENT LEADERS IN THIS DISTRICT, ONE OF WHOM PROUDLY TEACHES EMPATHY AND INCLUSION TO HER PEERS AS PART OF THE BETTER TOGETHER GROUP AT CYPRESS SPRINGS.
ON THEIR BEHALF, THANK YOU FOR REMOVING THE REVISIONS FROM TODAY'S AGENDA.
I'M THE MOTHER OF TWO STUDENTS.
I'M ALSO A LICENSED THERAPIST AND AN ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN WHO'VE EXPERIENCED ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
IT'S WITH THAT EXPERTISE THAT I TELL YOU THAT REMOVING PROTECTIONS FROM LGBTQ YOUTH TARGET THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR DISTRICT.
AS AN EXPERT IN ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, I'LL TELL YOU THAT 45% OF LGBTQ YOUTH SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED SUICIDE IN THE PAST YEAR.
BUT YOUTH WHO FOUND THEIR SCHOOL LGBTQ AFFIRMING REPORTED LOWER RATES OF SUICIDAL IDEATION.
AS A MOTHER, OF STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT, I'LL TELL YOU I MOVED TO THE DRIPPING SPRING SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIFICALLY FOR THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION THAT I KNEW THIS DISTRICT COULD PROVIDE.
MY CHILDREN HAVE BEEN HONORED, ACCEPTED, AND VALUED FOR EXACTLY WHO THEY ARE, AND THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT INCLUSION, EQUITY AND KINDNESS THROUGH THEIR LEADER IN ME AND BETTER TOGETHER CURRICULA.
BOTH OF MY STUDENTS WOULD BE HERE TONIGHT TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR PEERS EXCEPT THEY HAVE THE STAR TEST TOMORROW.
THEY'RE EXCEPTIONAL TEACHERS, ONE OF WHOM WAS TEACHER OF THE YEAR TONIGHT, SUGGESTED A STRESS FREE EVENING BEFORE THE TEST.
I'LL END WITH WHAT MY THIRD GRADER WANTED ME TO TELL YOU.
HE SAID, AND I QOUTE, ''I DON'T WANT THE POLICY TO CHANGE BECAUSE EVERY KID SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE EXACTLY WHO THEY ARE.
>> MADAM PRESIDENT, A POINT OF ORDER.
A POINT OF ORDER IS APPLAUSE IS NOT ALLOWED IN THESE MEETINGS.
YOU'VE ALREADY ASKED THE CROWD NOT TO DO THAT,
[00:40:01]
AND THEY ARE NOT OBLIGING BY THAT, AND THAT I REQUEST THAT THAT BE ENFORCED,>> JAN. [APPLAUSE] WE WILL HAVE ORDER IN THIS MEETING.
WE HAVE MANY SPEAKERS TO GET THROUGH.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM ALL SPEAKERS THIS EVENING.
JAN, GO AHEAD, AND THEN MARY BETH ALSDORF WILL BE NEXT.
>> HI. MY NAME IS JAN WESSON, LONGTIME RESIDENT DRIPPING SPRINGS, AT ONE TIME, TEACHER, COACH IN ELGIN ISD AND THEN EVENTUALLY A RETIRED AUSTIN FIREFIGHTER.
THAT'S WHO I'M. I'M SPEAKING ON WHAT I BELIEVE WAS AGENDA ITEM 5 THAT WAS REMOVED, AND I'M GLAD IT WAS REMOVED, AND I HOPE IT STAYS OFF THERE.
IT WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING TO SEE THAT DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES, POTENTIALLY TAKING FIRST STEPS IN DESTROYING PROTECTIONS FOR LGBTQA+ STUDENTS, STAFF, AND TEACHERS.
I DO REALIZE THIS WAS NOT THE INTENT OF ALL TRUSTEES.
THE PROPOSAL WOULD REMOVE GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION FROM THE DISTRICT'S HIRING, BULLYING, AND NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY.
SOME WOULD SAY THIS IS REDUNDANT AND NOT NEEDED.
I DISAGREE. BUT EVEN IF THIS WAS REMOTELY TRUE, WHAT WOULD BE THE HARM OF LEAVING THIS POLICY AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN? CHANGING IT BY REMOVING A SPECIFIC GROUP SENDS A DANGEROUS MESSAGE AND DOES NOT REPRESENT THE LOVING FOLKS WE HAVE HERE IN DRIPPING SPRINGS.
WE AS A COMMUNITY SUPPORT ALL PEOPLE, EVEN FOLKS DIFFERENT THAN US.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY REASONS I CHOSE DRIPPING SPRINGS AS MY HOME IN 1988.
WE WERE AND STILL CAN BE A LIVE AND LET LIVE COMMUNITY.
MY HOPES ARE THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY WILL ALWAYS LOVE THY NEIGHBOR.
I BELIEVE WE ARE STILL A LOVING, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY.
THE ALTERNATIVE IS UNTHINKABLE.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MARY BETH ALSDORF, AND I WAS A MATH TEACHER FOR 12 YEARS AND THEN A HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR, LEAD COUNSELOR, AND MASTER SCHEDULER FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY 34-YEAR CAREER IN PASADENA ISD.
NOW I'M LIVING THE TRS DREAM IN DRIPPING SPRINGS.
I WAS VERY THRILLED TO BE HERE TO SEE THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE SUCCESSES OF THE STUDENTS AND THE TEACHERS.
HOWEVER, I WAS SHOCKED AND SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE HIRING, BULLYING, AND NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICIES.
MY BELIEF IS THAT ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF, NO MATTER WHAT THEIR DIFFERENCES FROM YOU AND ME ARE, DESERVE THE PROTECTIONS TO REMAIN THAT'S CURRENTLY WRITTEN IN THE POLICY.
REMOVING CERTAIN GROUPS PROJECTS A HARMFUL MESSAGE.
WE ARE ALL BEAUTIFULLY FLAWED HUMAN BEINGS.
LET'S SHOW GRACE, INCLUSIVITY, AND LOVE TO OTHERS.
>> RACHEL RYAN. NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE KIM ALTROCH.
NEXT WILL BE CHRISTOPHER ROBERTSON.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE DISTRICT'S DISCRIMINATION POLICY.
WHETHER OR NOT THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE LEGAL, THEY ARE WRONG FOR THE EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS OF DSISD.
EVERY STUDENT IN DSISD DESERVES A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR LEARNING.
ALLOWING STUDENTS TO BE HARASSED BASED ON THEIR GENDER IDENTITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION CAN RESULT IN THOSE STUDENTS FEELING DEPRESSED, THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE AND EVEN COMMITTING SUICIDE.
IT'S MY HOPE THAT THIS IT'S NOT WHAT DRIPPING SPRINGS WANTS TO BE, THE DISTRICT WITH THAT SCHOOL WHERE A CHILD COMMITTED SUICIDE BECAUSE THEY WERE HARASSED BECAUSE OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR STAFF TO BE DIVERSE AND NOT TO BE FIRED JUST BECAUSE OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY, STUDENTS NEED TO SEE THAT EMPLOYEES ARE VALUED BASED ON THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SCHOOL AND NOT FIRED BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE.
>> NEXT IS, WE WILL NOT HAVE APPLAUSE.
YOU CAN DO OTHER THINGS THAT ARE SILENT IN NATURE.
CHRISTOPHER ROBERTSON AFTER CHRIS KENNEDY.
>> MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER ROBERTSON, AND I GRADUATED FROM DRIPPING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1999, GO TIGERS.
[00:45:03]
AS A SINGLE GAY PARENT WITH TWO CHILDREN IN THE DISTRICT AND A BOARD MEMBER OF PRIDE OF DRIPPING SPRINGS, I ADDRESS YOU TODAY WITH CONCERN OVER PROPOSED PROVISIONS TO OUR LOCAL FFH, FREEDOM FROM HARASSMENT, ANY DISCRIMINATION POLICIES.REGARDLESS OF THESE CHANGES, OUR DISTRICT REMAINS OBLIGATED TO UPHOLD FEDERAL MANDATES OF TITLE 9 AND TITLE 7 PROTECTIONS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEX, A CONCEPT NOW INCLUSIVE OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY PER THE 2020 SUPREME COURT CASE BOSTOCK VERSUS CLAYTON COUNTY, AND MORE RECENTLY EXPANDED AND CLARIFIED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.
TITLE 9, AS DEFINED BY THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STATES, "TITLE 9 APPLIES TO SCHOOLS, LOCAL AND STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS THAT RECEIVE FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT.
A RECIPIENT INSTITUTION THAT RECEIVES DEPARTMENT FUNDS MUST OPERATE ITS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY IN A NON-DISCRIMINATORY MANNER, FREE OF DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEX, INCLUDING SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY." IS OUR DISTRICT PREPARED TO RISK FEDERAL FUNDING BY ENDORSING POLITICIZED BIGOTRY? YES, THE DISTRICT MAY TRY TO COVER ITS STANDING IN THIS MATTER BY LEVERAGING OUR EXISTING OBLIGATIONS TO TITLE 9 AND TITLE 7, BUT IT'S VERY, VERY TELLING THAT THE OTHER CATEGORIES OUTLINED IN OUR ANTIDISCRIMINATION POLICY REMAINING AS IS.
BUT SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY ARE BEING TARGETED SPECIFICALLY.
IF IT IS THE OPINION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OR LOCAL POLITICIANS THAT THESE COMMUNITIES ARE ALREADY PROTECTED FEDERALLY, THEN WHY AREN'T ALL OF THE OTHER CATEGORIES MENTIONED BEING REMOVED AS REDUNDANCIES AS WELL? YOU COULD NOT MAKE A CLEAR OR MORE DISTURBINGLY PROFOUND STATEMENT TO LGBT PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
I REFUSE TO STAND IDLE AS DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES CLOAK THEMSELVES AS ROUTINE REVISIONS.
AT THE VERY LEAST, I EXPECT THE BOARD TO COMMUNICATE PUBLICLY WHAT PROBLEM THIS SOLVED. [NOISE] [APPLAUSE]
>> CHRIS KENNEDY. AFTER CHRIS KENNEDY WILL BE WILLIAM SALVIN, PLEASE KEEP YOUR APPLAUSE TO A MINIMUM.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CHRIS KENNEDY.
MY WIFE AND I HAVE RESIDED IN THE SUNSET CANYON NEIGHBORHOOD SINCE 2003.
OUR KIDS, BRENDAN AND MATTY WERE BOTH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHEN MISS COUSINS WAS PRINCIPAL.
THEY GRADUATED IN 2013 AND 2015 RESPECTIVELY, SO WE'RE LONGSTANDING TIGERS.
I WANT TO COMMEND WHOEVER HAD THE WISDOM TO PULL THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE DISTRICT POLICIES FROM A FIRST READING, AND I HOPE THEY'RE UNDERGOING SOME MAJOR CHANGES BEFORE THEY COME BACK.
THE CHANGES THAT CONCERN ME ARE THOSE THAT WOULD STRIP SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY FROM DISTRICT POLICIES.
WITH THE PROPOSED REVISIONS, IT WOULD BE PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE FOR TEACHERS, STAFF, OR STUDENTS TO DISCRIMINATE, HARASS OR RETALIATE AGAINST MY DAUGHTER, WHO, IN ADDITION TO GRADUATING IN THE TOP 10 OF HER CLASS, PLAYING SOCCER, RUNNING TRACK, BEING A PAL, IF THEY STILL HAVE THOSE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, AND BEING AN AID IN THE LIFE SKILLS CLASS FROM 7TH-12TH GRADE IS ALSO GAY.
I WANT TO READ FROM THE DISTRICT POLICY.
HARASSMENT IS DEFINED IN THE POLICY AS CONDUCT THAT ONE, AFFECTS A STUDENT'S ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN OR BENEFIT FROM AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY OR CREATES AN INTIMIDATING, THREATENING HOSTILE OR OFFENSIVE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT.
TWO, HAS THE PURPOSE OR EFFECT OF SUBSTANTIALLY OR UNREASONABLY INTERFERING WITH THE STUDENT'S ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, OR THREE, OTHERWISE, ADVERSELY AFFECTS THE STUDENT'S EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
I HOPE THAT YOU ALL RECOGNIZE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT OUR STUDENTS FROM HARASSMENT, BULLYING, AND DISCRIMINATION, NO MATTER WHO THEY DATE OR HOW THEY IDENTIFY.
IF THE SCHOOL BOARD STRIPS SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY FROM THE POLICY AND ONLY THOSE WORDS, YOU'RE OFFICIALLY SAYING IT IS NO LONGER YOUR JOB TO PROTECT THOSE STUDENTS OR THEIR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
>> PRESIDENT REINOLD, BOARD TRUSTEES, GOOD EVENING.
I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF DRIPPING SPRINGS SINCE 2016.
I SPEAK TONIGHT TO OPPOSE THE REMOVAL OF GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION FROM THE DISTRICT'S FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, RETALIATION POLICY.
ONE OF THIS BOARD'S CORE BELIEFS READS, EACH CHILD HAS UNIQUE WORTH AND POTENTIAL.
IF YOU APPROVE THESE CHANGES, YOU WILL, BY NECESSITY, HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR CORE BELIEFS TO READ EACH CHILD HAS UNIQUE WORTH AND POTENTIAL UNLESS THEY'RE GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, TRANS OR QUEER, AND THEN WE DON'T CARE.
[00:50:01]
YOU CAN ERASE THE WORDS FROM THE POLICY, BUT YOU CAN'T ERASE THE KIDS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR SEXUALITY OR WHO IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ.IF YOU ERASE THOSE WORDS, YOU EMPOWER PEOPLE TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST AND HARASS CHILDREN, BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING, IF YOU VOTE TO MAKE THOSE CHANGES.
YOU ARE GIVING PERMISSION TO ANYONE TO HARASS THE CHILDREN THAT YOU CLAIM TO CARE FOR.
YOU WILL ALSO LIKELY BE VIOLATING TITLE 9 OF THE FEDERAL EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1972, WHICH WILL EXPOSE THIS BOARD AND THIS COMMUNITY TO DISCRIMINATION LAWSUITS.
THIS DISTRICT GETS ABOUT THREE MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
DISCRIMINATION ALWAYS COMES WITH A COST.
IN THIS PLACE, IT IS THREE MILLION DOLLARS.
IF YOU APPROVE THESE CHANGES, YOU'RE TELLING THE KIDS, DON'T COME TO US FOR HELP.
ONE OF THE BOARD'S CORE COMMITMENTS, ACTUALLY, SEVERAL OF THEM USE THE WORD NURTURE.
THE ONLY THING THIS BOARD WILL NURTURE IF IT MAKES THESE CHANGES IS HATRED.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE AGAINST THESE CHANGES WHEN THEY ARE UP FOR A VOTE, AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [NOISE] [APPLAUSE]
NEXT IS JEFFREY LEWIS. AARON GESLIN? JEFFREY LEWIS? NEXT IS PENELOPE FROLIC.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS JEFFREY LEWIS, AND I'M A FATHER OF TWO DAUGHTERS, A HUSBAND AND A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY.
TODAY, I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST WHAT I SEE AS AN ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY FRACTURE OUR COMMUNITY.
HAVING SEEN THE PROPOSED CHANGES FOR MYSELF, I THINK IT DEFINITELY MAKES SENSE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS EXTREMELY CONCERNED AT THE MOTIVE FOR THESE CHANGES.
IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THOSE WHO ARE PROPOSING THESE CHANGES WOULD LIKE TO DEFLECT THESE QUESTIONS TOWARD GREATER POWERS THAN THEMSELVES, THAT THESE POLICY CHANGES ARE ROUTINE, NORMAL, AND COMING DOWN FROM UPON HIGH.
I'M JUST GOING TO SAY I DON'T ACCEPT THAT.
I POSE IT TO THE TRUSTED SERVANTS OF MY COMMUNITY TO PUBLICLY AND CLEARLY STATE THEIR OPPOSITION TO THESE CHANGES, AND PROVIDE A WRITTEN COMMITMENT TO NOT WORKING TO PASS THEM.
WE ARE OWED AN EXPLANATION BEYOND THIS IS OUT OF OUR HANDS, AND WE'RE JUST ALIGNING POLICIES TO A HIGHER GOVERNMENT ENTITY.
THIS REALLY CONCERNS ME AS SOMEONE WHO WORKS AND HAS STANDARDS APPLIED TO THEM.
I EXPECT THOSE WORKING IN THIS DISTRICT, I EXPECT THE STUDENTS TO BE HELD TO A VERY CLEAR STANDARD.
I EXPECT PEOPLE NOT TO BE USING RACIAL SLURS, EPITHETS, RELIGIOUS WHATEVER, AND PARTICULARLY, THESE VERY VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO PROTECT.
I'M GOING TO GO OFF SCRIPT HERE BECAUSE I JUST LOOK AROUND THIS ROOM AND I JUST SEE CHILDREN WHO ARE SCARED.
I ASK EVERYONE HERE TO PUT THEM FIRST OVER WHATEVER THIS IS. THANK YOU.
>> PENELOPE FROLIC, NEXT WILL BE TY BURKE.
TY BURKE SHOULD BE WAITING RIGHT NEXT TO DR, KATE OVER HERE. PENELOPE.
>> HELLO, MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK HERE TONIGHT.
I'M DR. PENELOPE FROLIC AND I'M A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND THE PARENT OF AN LGBTQ STUDENT.
I GREW UP IN TEXAS AND HAVE LIVED IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR 20 YEARS.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THESE EDITS HAVE EVEN BEEN SUGGESTED.
CARRIE ISAAC HAS MADE A PUBLIC STATEMENT THAT IS REDUNDANT WITH FEDERAL POLICY, BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE SINCE ALL THE OTHER LANGUAGE THAT IS REDUNDANT WITH FEDERAL POLICY HAS REMAINED IN PLACE.
I JUST CAN'T SEE HOW THERE'S ANY DILEMMA.
REMOVING THESE SPECIFIC WORDS WILL ONLY MAKE MY CHILD AND OTHER LGBTQ STUDENTS LESS SAFE AND PROTECTED, AND MORE VULNERABLE TO DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT WITHOUT PROVIDING ANY IDENTIFIABLE BENEFIT.
TO HAVE IT COME FROM THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE DISTRICT WOULD BE ESPECIALLY REJECTING AND FRIGHTENING FOR STUDENTS, AS HOW COULD THEY POSSIBLY CONTINUE TO FEEL SAFE AND PROTECTED IF EVEN THEIR TOP LEADERS ARE WILLING TO SINGLE THEM OUT.
IMAGINE HOW IT WOULD LOOK AND FEEL IF SOMEBODY PRODUCED THIS DRAFT WHERE THE WORD RELIGION WAS CROSSED OUT.
WHY HAVEN'T THE BOARD AND OTHER LEADERS CALLED TO HAVE THAT LANGUAGE REMOVED? I BELIEVE IT'S BECAUSE AS A CHRISTIAN, IT WOULD FEEL THREATENING EVEN WITH REDUNDANT FEDERAL PROTECTIONS.
THIS DRAFT ITSELF IS HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION.
I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT BEING LGBTQ IS WRONG,
[00:55:05]
BUT THOSE VERY SAME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD HATE THE SIN, BUT LOVE THE SINNER, THAT WE SHOULD LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES.THEY ALSO BELIEVE THAT MY CHILD IS DESERVING OF BEING SAFE AND PROTECTED AS ANY OTHER CHILD.
>> TY BURKE. NEXT IS ELLIOTT DOWNEY, SO ELLIOT, COME OVER.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS TY BURKE.
I AM A RESIDENT OF THE DRIPPING SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I FAIL TO SEE ANY WISDOM OR SOUND REASONING TO REMOVE PROTECTIONS FOR THE FEDERALLY PROTECTED CLASSES OF GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
EVEN A CASUAL REVIEW OF THE AVAILABLE DATA REGARDING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF PEOPLE WITHIN THOSE PROTECTED GROUPS WOULD REVEAL FACTS AND FINDINGS LIKE THOSE OF THE 2023 TREVOR PROJECT.
IT'S A SURVEY OF 28,000 PEOPLE THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THOSE PROTECTED CLASSES.
THEY FOUND THAT ROUGHLY HALF OF THEIR SCHOOLS WERE GENDER AFFIRMING, AND THOSE WHO DID ATTEND GENDER AFFIRMING SCHOOLS REPORTED LOWER ATTEMPTS OF SUICIDE.
A MAJORITY REPORTED BEING VERBALLY HARASSED AT SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY WERE LGBTQ, AND NEARLY ONE IN THREE SAID THEIR MENTAL HEALTH WAS POOR MOST OF THE TIME OR ALWAYS DUE TO ANTI-LGBTQ POLICIES AND LEGISLATION.
IN LIGHT OF THOSE FACTS, THE PROPOSED CHANGES THAT REMOVE PROTECTIONS FOR THOSE PROTECTED CLASSES SHOW DISREGARD FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH OF THOSE STUDENTS.
SOME CLAIM THAT REDUNDANCY OF THOSE PROTECTIONS WITH FEDERAL LAW IS SUFFICIENT CAUSE TO REMOVE THEM.
THAT REASONING FALLS APART AS OTHER FEDERALLY PROTECTED CLASSES REMAIN.
INDEED, THERE ARE MANY PLACES WHERE THE POLICY IS REDUNDANT WITH BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL LAW.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW LOCAL SUPPORT AND COMPASSION FOR THOSE STUDENTS AND STAFF AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.
LET US STAND WITH THESE VULNERABLE, AND FAR TOO OFTEN, MARGINALIZED GROUPS.
>> ELLIOTT DOWNEY. NEXT WILL BE JEFF TODD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. FIRSTLY, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD FOR REMOVING THE REVISIONS IN THE DISTRICT DISCRIMINATION POLICY TODAY.
MY NAME IS ELLIOTT DOWNEY. I'M CURRENTLY A SENIOR AT DRIPPING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL.
I'M HERE TODAY TO SHARE WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME AND MY STORY TO HOPEFULLY SHOW YOU WHY THE REMOVAL OF THE DISCRIMINATION POLICIES ARE SO DETRIMENTAL TO KIDS LIKE ME.
I MOVED TO DRIPPING SPRINGS IN THIRD GRADE AND ATTENDED ROSTER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
FROM AN EARLY AGE, I ALWAYS KNEW I WAS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER KIDS.
I NEVER REALLY UNDERSTOOD WHY, I JUST KNEW.
AROUND EIGHTH GRADE IS WHEN I FIGURED OUT WHAT IT MEANT TO BE GAY, AND IT WASN'T UNTIL THAT POINT THAT I WAS ABLE TO SAY THE WORDS I'M GAY OUT LOUD.
DURING MIDDLE SCHOOL, I FOUND MY CALLING AND JOINED THE TIGER BAND.
I IMMEDIATELY KNEW AS SOON AS I WALKED IN THAT MY PEERS AND TEACHERS WOULD ACCEPT ME WITH OPEN ARMS. THAT BEING SAID, I CAN DISTINCTLY RECALL A TIME IN MY HIGH SCHOOL CAREER WHERE I WAS WITNESS TO VERBAL VICTIMIZATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
I WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK BECAUSE FOR SO LONG, THIS TIGHT KNIT GROUP OF STUDENTS IN BAND HAD BEEN WHO I COULD CONFIDE IN AND PUT MY TRUST IN.
I WENT TO ONE OF MY DIRECTORS AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE VICTIMIZATION THAT HAD BLATANTLY OCCURRED.
I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THE UNWAVERING SUPPORT FROM MY DIRECTORS WHO IMMEDIATELY ADDRESSED THE ISSUE.
BECAUSE OF THE AMAZING STAFF IN THIS DISTRICT LIKE MY BAND DIRECTORS, THE BAN CONTINUES TO BE A SAFE SPACE FOR ME AND MY PEERS.
SOME OF THE POLICY REVISIONS THAT WERE PROPOSED SEEK TO REMOVE PROTECTION AGAINST PEOPLE BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY.
IF THESE POLICIES WERE ABLE TO BE IMPLEMENTED, IT WOULD ALLOW AND ENCOURAGE THE BLATANT BULLYING AND ASSAULT ON NOT ONLY STUDENTS, BUT TEACHERS AS WELL.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT NOT EVERY STUDENT WHO IDENTIFIES THIS LGBTQ+ HAS A PARENT OR GUARDIAN WHO ARE SUPPORTIVE.
THAT BEING SAID, I FIRMLY BELIEVE IT IS VITAL FOR STUDENTS TO HAVE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT IN SCHOOL.
THE NATIONAL SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY AND OTHER EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH NOTE THAT THE NEED FOR SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS BECAUSE THEY HELP REDUCE VICTIMIZATION AND EQUIP LGBTQ+ YOUTH, WITH THE PROPER TOOLS TO BUILD RESILIENCE AND OVERCOME A POSSIBLE TRAJECTORY TOWARDS THE NEGATIVE OUTCOMES THAT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF VICTIMIZATION.
IF THE FACTS SHOW THAT THERE IS A PROPORTION OF STUDENTS AT OUR SCHOOL WHO ARE MORE PRONE TO POOR MENTAL HEALTH FROM BULLYING, HARASSMENT, AND ASSAULT, THEN I CANNOT BRING MYSELF TO UNDERSTAND WHY ANYONE WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO REMOVE PROTECTIONS FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME.
I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM WOULD WANT SCHOOLS TO BE A SAFE PLACE FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN.
SADLY, WHAT I'VE SEEN IN THE PAST WEEK HAS SHOWN THE OPPOSITE.
MY MESSAGE TO THE BOARD AND ANYONE WHO SEEKS TO UNDERMINE THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE LIKE ME IS THAT WE WILL NOT RELENT.
>> YOUR TIME HAS CONCLUDED. THANK YOU.
JEFF TODD. NEXT IS STEPHEN KLEIN.
>> TO THIS HONORABLE BOARD. MY NAME IS JEFF TODD.
I'M A LAW PROFESSOR AND A FORMER LITIGATOR, INCLUDING A SUCCESSFUL LAWSUIT AGAINST LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES OVER VIOLATIONS OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND FEDERAL STATUTES.
I'M ALSO THE PARENT OF A DSHS STUDENT.
LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE PROPOSAL THAT'S BEEN TABLED ABOUT POLICY CHANGES THAT WOULD REMOVE PROTECTIONS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION,
[01:00:05]
HARASSMENT, OR EVEN JOB PROTECTIONS.WE HAVEN'T TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE TEACHERS RELATED TO BEING LGBTQ OR GENDER IDENTITY.
NOW, NO MATTER YOUR PERSONAL FEELINGS ABOUT THESE ISSUES, THE FEDERAL LAW IS WELL SETTLED, AND IT'S AGAINST THESE POLICY CHANGES AS SEVERAL SPEAKERS HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED.
POSSIBLE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES LIKE EQUAL PROTECTION, DUE PROCESS.
TITLE IX AND TITLE VII OR EVEN MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT PROTECTING STUDENTS AND PROTECTING EMPLOYEES.
THERE CAN'T BE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THESE PROTECTED GROUPS.
THESE PROTECTED GROUPS INCLUDE SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER.
THIS POLICY HAS CHANGED COULD SUBJECT THE DISTRICT TO A LAWSUIT AND ADVERSE JUDGMENT, INCLUDING ATTORNEY'S FEES THAT TAXPAYERS WOULD BE ON THE HOOK FOR OR THAT WOULD DIVERT RESOURCES FROM OTHER PROGRAMS OR FACILITIES.
PLUS, THERE IS ALSO POTENTIAL FOR INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY AND NO PERSONAL IMMUNITY, SO THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND.
MOREOVER ALSO THINK IT'S JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO TO KEEP THESE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR THE STUDENTS AND FOR THE STAFF.
BULLYING IS OFTEN RAISED AS A SERIOUS ISSUE.
YET THIS KIND OF A CHANGE WOULD INVITE HARASSMENT, NOT JUST AGAINST LGBTQ AND GENDER NON CONFORMING STUDENTS, BUT ALSO STUDENTS WHO SEEM THAT WAY OR WHO REPORT HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION.
FINALLY, IF YOU WANT TO HIRE AND RETAIN QUALITY FACULTY, WE NEED TO BE AWARE THAT WE HAVE DIVERSE FACULTY, AND THEY WOULD BE OPPOSED TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS, AS WELL AS THEIR ALLIES.
SO THIS PROPOSALS BEEN TABLED, SO LET'S KEEP IT THAT WAY.
>> STEPHEN KLEIN NEXT IS RON HICKS [NOISE].
IS STEPHEN KLEIN HERE? RON HICKS. AFTER RON HICKS WILL BE BETH ST. PAUL.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS STEPHEN KLEIN.
I'M A PARENT OF TWO KIDS HERE IN DSISD AND BEEN LIVING HERE FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS.
IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I FELT COMPELLED TO SPEAK HERE.
BUT I LEARNED ABOUT CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE BOARD'S ATTEMPT TO REPEAL PROTECTIONS FOR SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY.
BASICALLY, DECLARING OPEN SEASON ON LBGTQ KIDS AND FACULTY IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I JUST DIDN'T SEE HOW ANY DECENT PERSON COULD REMAIN SILENT.
FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS, YOU CLAIM TO JUST BE ELIMINATING DUPLICATIVE CATEGORIES.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL IT. THAT SOUNDS SO INERT ON THE SOUND BY, BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT'S A LIE.
WE KNOW IT'S A LIE BECAUSE EVERYTHING PEOPLE LIKE YOU SAY AND DO TELL US IT'S A LIE.
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO FORGET THE CONTEXT OF EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S HAPPENING, ALL YOUR OTHER POINTLESS CRUSADES AGAINST TRANSGENDERS AND SPORTS, AGAINST THE DISPLAY OF PRIDE FLAGS, CALLING EVERY BOOK, YOU DON'T LIKE PORNOGRAPHY TO BATHROOM BILLS, TO INCREASINGLY DANGEROUS GROOMER RHETORIC, TO SCAPEGOATING, DRAG QUEENS, TO ALL THE ANTI DIVERSITY LAWS BEING PASSED AROUND THE AMERICAN SOUTH.
THESE CYNICAL COORDINATED EFFORTS ARE PUSHING EVER CLOSER TO CRIMINALIZING THIS COMMUNITY, TO CRIMINALIZE BEING KIND, COMPASSIONATE, AND INCLUSIVE TO CHILDREN.
YOUR AGENDA IS CRYSTAL CLEAR, ELIMINATING DUPLICATIVE CATEGORIES.
THAT'S AN OBVIOUS GAS LIGHT THAT INSULTS OUR INTELLIGENCE.
WHY DO I HAVE TO STAND HERE REMINDING YOU THAT WE SHOULD BE PROTECTING VULNERABLE CHILDREN, KIDS THAT I KNOW TO BE THE MOST GENTLE, KIND, SMART, AND CREATIVE OF US.
I COULD QUOTE YOU STATISTICS ON JUST HOW MUCH HARDER IT IS TO GROW UP LGBTQ, HARDER STILL BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU.
BUT WHY BOTHER TRYING TO APPEAL TO YOUR HEARTS OR TO REASON? IF YOU CARED, YOU WOULD NEVER THINK THAT THIS WAS OKAY TO DO WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
CONFORMITY IS A TYRANNY OF ITS OWN, AND THE NEED TO BELONG CAN BE STRONG, IT CAN BE EXPLOITED SO EASILY INTO PERSECUTION OF THOSE THAT ARE DIFFERENT.
I HOPE THAT YOU NEVER BRING SOMETHING LIKE THIS UP AGAIN. [NOISE] [APPLAUSE]
NEXT WILL BE ANDREW HENDRICKSON.
>> GOOD EVENING. I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FIRST.
I AM A RESIDENT, AND I AM A PROUD DRIPPING SPRINGS MOM OF TWO VERY HIGH ENERGY, 8.5 YEAR OLD BOYS.
I'VE NEVER SPOKEN AT A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING BEFORE.
I COME TO YOU AS A PARENT, AND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF FACTS AND FIGURES THAT HAVE ALL BEEN STATED TONIGHT.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE COME HERE AS A PARENT THAT'S TRYING TO PROTECT OUR CHILD.
THEIR SAFETY ISSUES, THEIR PERSONAL ISSUES, AND EVERYONE'S RIGHT TO LIVE A CERTAIN LIFE SHOULD BE RESPECTED.
[01:05:02]
KINDNESS WEEK AND INCLUSION WEEK.THROUGHOUT DSISD AND I KNOW THAT IS MEANT WITH A PURE HEART.
I VOLUNTEERED AT THE SCHOOL, AND IT IS A SPECIAL PLACE, AND I HEAR IT FROM ADMINISTRATORS, BOARD, AND OTHER SCHOOLS.
I SPOKE TO MY SONS THIS MORNING.
SOMETIMES THEIR LOGIC DOES CONFOUND ME. I WILL TELL YOU THAT.
BUT WITH THIS, I ASKED HIM, I SAID, WELL, THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHY THEY HAD A BABYSITTER TONIGHT.
I SAID, WELL, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO A MEETING, FOR THE BOSS THAT RUNS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
IT'S CALLED THE SCHOOL BOARD. THEY'RE LIKE, WELL, WHAT'S GOING ON? I SAID, ONE, WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
THEY WANT TO JUST CHANGE HOW SOME RIGHTS ARE ALLOCATED TO DIFFERENT CHILDREN. I LEFT IT AT THAT.
THEY SAID, WELL, WHY? AREN'T WE ALL THE SAME? I THINK WE ARE.
I APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK AND YOUR DEDICATION.
I THINK WE CAN GET PAST THIS, BUT I DO BELIEVE THIS WAS NOT THE RIGHT PATH FOR DISD.
>> THANK YOU. ANDREW HENDRICKSON AND THEN MELANIE ENGLES.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ANDREW HENDRICKSON.
I'M HERE TONIGHT NOT ONLY AS A PARENT AND A RESIDENT OF DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD, BUT ALSO IN MY OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COORDINATOR FOR THE ACLU OF TEXAS.
THE CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHT TO EQUAL ACCESS TO AN INCLUSIVE EDUCATION CANNOT BE INFRINGED UPON BY THE SCHOOL BOARD.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE HERE FOR TABLEING THIS ITEM TONIGHT.
BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO GO ONE STEP FURTHER AND MAKE SURE THAT IT IS TABLED PERMANENTLY, AND A COMMITMENT FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD IS REQUIRED TO APOLOGIZE TO THE COMMUNITY FOR EVEN PUTTING IT ON AN AGENDA TONIGHT.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, LET'S THINK ABOUT THE MESSAGE THAT THAT SENDS TO THE LGBTQ MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, OUR STUDENTS, OUR FACULTY.
IT WAS SAID THAT THIS POLICY REVISION WAS IN THE NAME OF STREAMLINING.
THEIR EXISTENCE, THEIR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS ARE NO MORE IMPORTANT TO THIS BOARD, APPARENTLY, THAN STREAMLINING A FEW POLICIES TO BE IN LINE WITH TASB, THIS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHICH TASB IS NOT EVEN A STATE AGENCY.
THERE IS NOT SOMETHING WE HAVE TO FOLLOW.
WHAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW IS THE CONSTITUTION, THE CONSTITUTION THAT REQUIRES THAT WE RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF LGBTQ STUDENTS AND FACULTY, BOTH AS STUDENTS AND AS EMPLOYEES OF THIS DISTRICT.
I'LL JUST CLOSE BY SAYING, FOR EVERYONE OUT THERE WHO MIGHT BE TUNED IN TONIGHT FROM THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
JUST KNOW THAT WHATEVER THIS BOARD DOES, TONIGHT, WHATEVER THIS BOARD DOES IN THE FUTURE, I WANT TO WELCOME YOU ALL TO OUR RADAR.
THE ACLU OF TEXAS WILL BE HERE TO STAND RIGHT BY YOUR SIDE FIGHTING FOR YOUR RIGHTS.
[APPLAUSE] EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
WITH QUALITY OF TEXAS, WITH OUR COALITION PARTNERS IN THE ALLEN FOR QUALITY COALITION, WE WILL BE WATCHING.
>> HI, MY NAME IS MELANIE ENGLES.
I HAVE CHILDREN AT ROOSTER SPRINGS, SYCAMORE MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND AT DRIPPING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL.
FIRST OFF, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY.
SECOND, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE MY DAUGHTERS ON THEIR TIGER LEADER PRESENTATION.
I'M PROUD OF THEIR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY, VOLUNTEERING AND CIVIC DUTY.
I DID GIVE THEM A HEADS UP THAT I WOULD BE SPEAKING TODAY, AND IN ATTEMPTING TO BE A LEADER TO THEM, I WANT TO SET THE EXAMPLE TO STAND UP WHEN SOMETHING'S NOT RIGHT AND TO BE PREPARED TO CALL OUT INJUSTICES.
I STAND HERE INSISTING THAT NOT ONLY SHOULD YOU NOT STRIKE OUT THE WORDING REGARDING PROTECTIVE COMMUNITIES AND DSISD, BUT WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WITHIN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, THE TRACK RECORD OF DSISD TO PROTECT STUDENTS HAS DIMINISHED GREATLY.
YOU INSTEAD, SHOULD BE PUTTING MORE PROTECTIVE POLICIES IN PLACE.
I'M SPEAKING PARTICULARLY OF THE ASSAULTS, BOTH PHYSICAL AND CYBER ASSAULTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE AT ROOSTER SPRINGS.
WHEN A FIFTH GRADER WAS SEXUALLY CYBER BULLIED, WITH DIGITAL PROOF THAT IT HAD OCCURRED, WHY WAS THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION TO REMOVE THE VICTIM? WHY WAS HER BEST INTEREST AND HER MENTAL HEALTH NOT PRIORITIZED? WHY WAS HER FAMILY ULTIMATELY FORCED TO WITHDRAW FROM THE DISTRICT, AND PROTECTIONS WERE NOT PUT IN PLACE FOR THIS TO NEVER OCCUR AGAIN? SECOND, WHEN A FIRST GRADER WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED DURING RECESS, WHY WAS THE VICTIM, ALTHOUGH ARGUABLY BOTH STUDENTS WERE VICTIMS, MADE TO SIGN ESSENTIALLY A KITTY RESTRAINING ORDER? WHAT DOES THAT DO? YOU DID ADD THAT THERE WOULD BE AN OPT IN, AND I APPRECIATE THAT, BUT THAT'S NOT A PROTECTION, THAT IS MERELY AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY.
NOW, THAT SAID, RECENTLY IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, A FOURTH GRADER WAS PUNCHED SO VIOLENTLY AT LUNCH THAT FOR A MONTH SHE WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL DUE TO A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.
IT WAS SUCH A SEVERE CONCUSSION THAT SHE SLEPT MOST DAYS FOR A MONTH.
[01:10:04]
THIS BRILLIANT LITTLE GIRL HAS BEEN UNDER SUCH SEVERE RECOVERY CIRCUMSTANCES THAT SHE STARTED PHYSICAL REHABILITATION JUST THESE PAST TWO WEEKS TO RECOVER COORDINATION.DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THE $27,000 OPEN RECORDS ACT THAT YOU'RE PRESENTING TO HER IN ORDER TO GET HER ELECTRONIC RECORDS.
[NOISE] WE NEED MORE PROVISIONS AND MORE PROTECTIONS, NOT LESS.
NEXT WILL BE JOHN ADAMS. IS JOHN ADAMS HERE? MAYBE NOT. IF NOT, JOHN ADAMS, NEXT IS MELODY BENTLER.
>> HI, MY NAME IS ERIN HELTSMITH.
MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE A CHILD HERE IN THE DISTRICT, AND ARE VEHEMENTLY AGAINST REMOVING PROTECTIONS FOR ANY GROUP OF STUDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE FOR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY.
THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT HOW VULNERABLE STUDENTS IN THESE TWO GROUPS ARE.
IT'S NOT THEIR IDENTITIES IN THESE GROUPS THAT MAKES THEM VULNERABLE, THEY'RE VULNERABLE BECAUSE THEY ARE CHILDREN.
THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IS NOT INHERENTLY VULNERABLE AS SOME ON THIS BOARD HAVE SAID, WE ARE MARGINALIZED AND THEREFORE BECOME VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF THE FEAR, HATE, AND INSECURITY FROM OTHERS.
FOR CENTURIES, WE HAVE FOUGHT OPPRESSION FROM RELIGION, CULTURE, PLAGUES, AND THE CONTINUED POLITICIZATION OF OUR MERE EXISTENCE, AND WE'RE STILL HERE.
WE ARE PARENTS, NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS, LEADERS, ATHLETES, ARTISTS, INVENTORS, BUSINESS LEADERS, CREATIVES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE FIGHTERS WHO STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT.
WE WILL NOT ALLOW THE SCHOOL SANCTION, DISCRIMINATION OF LGBTQ STUDENTS OR ANY STUDENT IN THIS DISTRICT.
WHILE SOME ON THIS BOARD WOULD CONSIDER US MENTALLY ILL OR GROUP US WITH OTHER MARGINALIZED GROUPS LIKE THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, THEY ARE WRONG, AND THEY ARE ALLOWING THEIR OWN BIAS TO INTERFERE WITH THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES ON THE BOARD.
THEY ARE SCARED AND INSECURE, AND LOOK FOR EASY TARGETS.
IT'S UNCONSCIONABLE THAT ADULTS WHO SIT ON THIS BOARD WOULD REMOVE PROTECTIONS FROM ANY CHILDREN IN THIS DISTRICT.
THIS COMMUNITY IS NOT DUMB, WE SEE YOU AND WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO.
IF THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES NECESSARY PROTECTIONS FOR ALL, THEN WHY DID THE BOARD TARGET ONLY THESE TWO GROUPS? WE SEE YOU BACKTRACKING, WE SEE YOU BLAMING OTHERS, WE LISTEN TO YOUR WORDS, AND KNOW THAT YOU DO NOT SUPPORT EVERY STUDENT OF THIS DISTRICT EQUALLY.
WE PAY TAXES, WE VOTE, WE PARTICIPATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THIS COMMUNITY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE WILL ALWAYS FIGHT FOR WHAT'S RIGHT.
THE MISSION OF THIS BOARD STATES WE PARTNER WITH STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE A PERSONAL AND EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION FOR EVERY STUDENT.
DO YOUR JOBS AND KEEP THE NECESSARY PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR EVERY STUDENT.
>> HI. MELODY BENTLER, DRIPPING SPRINGS RESIDENT AND MOTHER OF TWO.
IT WAS VERY ALARMING TO SEE THE RED LINES OF GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN THE POLICIES FOR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES.
LIKE MANY MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY, I'M OPPOSED TO REMOVING THAT LANGUAGE.
BUT THERE'S STILL SOMETHING THAT I'D LIKE TO GET CLARITY ON.
IN MY EMAIL EXCHANGE WITH THE BOARD AND THE BOARD PRESIDENT ON APRIL 18TH AND 19TH, SHE REITERATED THAT THESE CHANGES CAME FROM "LEGAL COUNSEL" AND THAT "THIS WAS NOT A POLICY UPDATE DRIVEN FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, BUT RATHER, THIS WAS PART OF A GENERAL POLICY REVIEW." ON APRIL 20TH, CARRIE ISAAC PUBLISHED ON HER FACEBOOK PAGE AND SENT AN EMAIL SAYING, "SOME DSISD SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE CONSIDERING REMOVING GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION AS A PROTECTED CLASS FROM DSISD POLICIES, A DECISION WE SHOULD SUPPORT." ON APRIL 21ST, BOARD PRESIDENT SAID AGAIN AT THE CANDIDATE FORUM THAT THIS WAS, "NOT AT ALL SOMETHING INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS ADVOCATE FOR." TODAY, BEFORE VOTING, I CALLED CARRIE ISAAC'S OFFICE TO LEAVE A COMMENT AND ASK SOME QUESTIONS.
HER AIDE, OLIVIA, SAID, "IF IT WASN'T ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE, THEN IT'S LIKELY IT WAS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS." OLIVIA CALLED ME BACK 30 MINUTES LATER AND SAID, "THERE'S NOTHING FROM THE LEGISLATIVE SIDE TO TAKE THOSE ACTIONS, WHATEVER THEY'RE DOING IS COMING FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD." [BACKGROUND] BOARD, ON ONE HAND, YOU'RE SAYING IT'S NOT THE BOARD MEMBERS, ON THE OTHER HAND, OUR REPRESENTATIVE IS SAYING IT IS THE BOARD MEMBERS.
WOULD YOU NOT AGREE THAT THIS COMMUNITY THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO SERVE [NOISE] DESERVES TO KNOW WHICH IS TRUE.
>> TERRY PURDY. NEXT WILL BE ROB MAMULA.
[01:15:01]
I'M HERE AS A PARENT OF TWO DSISD TIGERS, AND AS A SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE, DESPITE THE CHALLENGING WEEK WE HAVE JUST HAD.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE PROPOSED POLICY REVISIONS.
I HAVE THREE POINTS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE TONIGHT.
THE FIRST IS THAT I DO WANT TO STATE DIRECTLY AND PUBLICLY TO THIS BOARD AND TO THE DISTRICT LEADERS THAT I BELIEVE THAT THESE POLICY REVISIONS WERE PROPOSED AND PUBLISHED WITHOUT HARMFUL INTENT, THAT MAY BE AN UNPOPULAR OPINION IN THIS ROOM, BUT I COME FROM A PLACE OF GRACE.
I'VE WATCHED YOU GUYS, NOT ONE OF YOU CONDONES BULLYING, DISCRIMINATION, OR HARASSMENT TOWARDS ANY INDIVIDUALS, SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT PUBLICLY.
I APPRECIATE YOU REMOVING THIS ITEM FROM TONIGHT'S AGENDA, AND I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT WHEN THE BOARD TAKES UP POLICY REVISIONS IN THE FUTURE, THAT THIS LANGUAGE PROTECTING LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS BE KEPT IN OUR POLICIES.
THE REMOVAL OF THIS LANGUAGE IS NOT REQUIRED BY FEDERAL OR STATE LAW.
TASB SUGGESTS MODEL LANGUAGE FOR POLICIES, AND THAT MAY BE WHERE THE CONFUSION IS COMING FROM THAT MODEL LANGUAGE MAYBE DOES NOT INCLUDE THIS, BUT LOCAL DISTRICTS CAN MODIFY OR CREATE THEIR OWN POLICIES AS LONG AS THEY COMPLY WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAW.
IN FACT, BASED ON TITLE 9 UPDATES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THIS PAST WEEK, THIS TYPE OF PROTECTIVE LANGUAGE WILL PROBABLY BE ADDED INTO TASB MODEL LANGUAGE, AND IT WILL JUST COME RIGHT BACK IN.
NOT ONLY IS NOTHING GAINED FROM REMOVING THIS LANGUAGE, BUT I BELIEVE REMOVING THIS LANGUAGE DOES POTENTIALLY HARM LGBTQ PEOPLE.
IT HARMS THEIR SENSE OF WELL BEING, SAFETY, OF BEING WELCOME, VALUED, AND LOVED.
I BELIEVE THESE WORDS WERE ADDED TO LOCAL POLICY FOR A REASON IN RESPONSE TO A DSISD ISSUE IN 2017 THAT GARNERED A SIMILAR COMMUNITY RESPONSE THEN.
IT'S ALSO WHERE I GOT THIS NIFTY T-SHIRT.
[LAUGHTER] THESE SPECIFIC PROTECTIONS SHOULD REMAIN IN OUR DISTRICT POLICIES TO PROVIDE THAT EXTRA ASSURANCE TO OUR STUDENTS, TO THEIR FAMILIES, AND TO OUR STAFF.
MY LAST POINT. I WOULD LOVE FOR THIS LANGUAGE TO NOT BE NECESSARY FOR FEDERALLY PROTECTED CLASSES TO BE UNNECESSARY, BUT THE FACT IS WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE DISCRIMINATION EXISTS.
MY HOPE IS THAT WE CAN LISTEN TO EACH OTHER WITH COMPASSION AND KINDNESS, AND WORK TOGETHER ON CREATING A COMMUNITY WHERE [NOISE] BULLYING, DISCRIMINATION, AND HARASSMENT ARE NOT TOLERATED IN POLICY OR IN PRACTICE.
>> HEY, YOU-ALL. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
THREE OF THEM ARE IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AT WALNUT SPRINGS, AND I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU-ALL, I THINK YOU'RE DOING A BANG UP JOB.
I REALLY APPRECIATE HOW MY KIDS FEEL SAFE AND WELCOME AT SCHOOL EVERY SINGLE DAY.
WE ACTUALLY REVIEW THE DAY EVERY DAY AT THE END OF THE DAY, AND I SAY, BOYS, WHAT WAS YOUR HIGH FOR THE DAY? WHAT WAS YOUR LOW FOR THE DAY? AND WAS THERE ANYTHING THAT HURT YOUR HEART TODAY? NOW, MY BOYS HAVE BEEN GOING TO SCHOOL AT WALNUT FOR TWO YEARS, AND NOT ONCE HAVE THEY EVER COME HOME AND TOLD ME SOMETHING HURT MY HEART TODAY BECAUSE SOMEBODY SAID SOMETHING OR DID SOMETHING TO ME, AND THAT'S REALLY SURPRISING TO ME BECAUSE I COME FROM A LITTLE BIT OF AN OLD SCHOOL, WHERE I ASSUME THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE FRICTION ON THE PLAYGROUND EVERY NOW AND AGAIN, AND THE FACT THAT THERE'S NOT, SPEAKS VOLUMES TO WHAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE, WHAT YOU'VE PUT IN PLACE, THE TEACHERS THAT ARE HIRED AT WALNUT SPRINGS, AND SO I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I APPRECIATE YOU.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT AS A FATHER OF FOUR IN THIS COMMUNITY, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE SEXUALIZATION OF OUR CHILDREN.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING IDEOLOGIES INTO THE SCHOOL THAT HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING THERE.
MY CHILD DOESN'T NEED TO KNOW THE SEXUAL ORIENTATION OF THEIR TEACHER.
IT'S NO BUSINESS FOR A FOURTH GRADER AND A FOURTH GRADE TEACHER TO LET MY SON OR MY DAUGHTER OR WHOEVER KNOW WHAT THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION IS.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT A GREATER IDEAL THAT'S COMING IN, AND I'M HAPPY WITH HOW YOU GUYS ARE HANDLING EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON IN THE DISTRICT SO FAR.
I CERTAINLY DON'T KNOW ALL OF THE INS AND OUTS OF THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, BUT YOU DID STRIKE IT FROM THE RECORD, AND I'M HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
OF COURSE, WE WANT TO PROTECT ALL KIDS EVERYWHERE IN THIS DISTRICT.
WE WANT TO CREATE LIFELONG LEARNERS, WE WANT TO CREATE SAFE ENVIRONMENTS, AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT YOU-ALL AND LET YOU KNOW YOU'RE DOING IT.
>> KATIE HALBERG. NEXT WILL BE [NOISE] MARILYN MINAR.
>> THANK YOU FOR REMOVING THE REVISIONS TODAY.
I HAVE LIVED IN THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PAID SCHOOL TAXES FOR 23 YEARS.
MY THREE CHILDREN ATTENDED SCHOOLS HERE, INCLUDING MY TRANSGENDER SON, WHO LEFT THE HIGH SCHOOL DUE TO BULLYING AND DISCRIMINATION AND LACK OF COMPASSION FROM OTHER STUDENTS, STAFF, AND A RESOURCE OFFICER.
LEAVING THE WORDS GENDER IDENTITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND DISABILITY IN THE DISTRICT'S POLICIES AND STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT.
WELCOME AND PROTECT EVERY TAXPAYER'S CHILD, THE BROWN, THE WHITE, THE INTERSEX, QUEER, GENDER QUEER,
[01:20:03]
ATHEIST, STRAIGHT, AND BISEXUAL CHILD OF TAXPAYERS WHOSE MONEY THIS DISTRICT ACCEPTS ANNUALLY.RESEARCH SHOWS MENTAL HEALTH DISPARITIES AFFECTING LGBTQ PEOPLE.
THEY EXPERIENCE HIGHER RATES OF BULLYING, VICTIMIZATION, AND HARASSMENT.
REMOVING THE REVISIONS CLOSES THE DOOR OF INTERSECTIONAL DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS FOR THE DISTRICT.
OUR IDENTITIES ARE NOT SELF CONTAINED.
REMOVING THE REVISIONS PROTECTS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FROM COMPOUNDING INEQUALITY AND DISCRIMINATION.
THE RATINGS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT I LOOKED UP TODAY ARE BASED ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE.
ONCE THE DISTRICT REMOVES THESE REVISIONS, THE DISTRICT MAY FEEL EMOTIONALLY SUPPORTIVE AND WELCOMING TO ITS STUDENTS AND ITS STAFF, THUS CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR HIGHER STUDENT PERFORMANCE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR REMOVING THESE REVISIONS TODAY, AND NEVER LETTING THEM SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY.
CHILDREN LIKE MINE AND MY FAMILY DON'T HAVE TO FEEL AS AWFUL AS WE DID WHEN HE LEFT THIS DISTRICT. THANK YOU.
>> MARILYN MINNAAR, AND THEN WILL BE JOSH SANCHEZ.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS MARILYN MINNAAR AND I'M PRESIDENT OF THE HAYS COUNTY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS.
I ALSO LIVE IN DRIPPING SPRINGS AS DO MANY OF OUR MEMBERS.
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, A NONPARTISAN CIVIC ORGANIZATION WITH A RICH HISTORY IS COMMITTED TO EMPOWERING VOTERS AND DEFENDING DEMOCRACY.
BEYOND PROVIDING VOTER EDUCATION THROUGH RESOURCES LIKE VOTER GUIDES AND CANDIDATE FORUMS, WE ACTIVELY ADVOCATE ON ISSUES CRUCIAL TO OUR MEMBERS AND COMMUNITIES, WHETHER ON A NATIONAL, STATE OR LOCAL LEVEL.
IT HAS RECENTLY COME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT THE DRIPPING SPRINGS SCHOOL BOARD IS CONTEMPLATING THE REMOVAL OF PROTECTIVE STATEMENTS REGARDING THE LGBTQ+ STUDENTS AND FACULTY FROM THE DISTRICT'S NON DISCRIMINATION POLICY.
AS MEMBERS OF THE LWV OF HAYS COUNTY, WE EXPRESS DEEP CONCERN ABOUT SUCH A PROPOSAL, WHICH APPEARS TO INFRINGE UPON PRINCIPLES OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EQUAL RIGHTS, AND WOULD IMPLY CONDONING DISCRIMINATORY ACTS AGAINST A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS SIMPLY BASED ON THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
UNDER THE LAWS ENFORCED BY THE EEOC, IT IS ILLEGAL TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST SOMEONE BECAUSE OF THE PERSON'S RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, GENDER IDENTITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, PREGNANCY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, OR GENETIC INFORMATION.
THE LWV STAUNCHLY UPHOLDS THE RIGHTS OF ALL INDIVIDUALS UNDER THIS LAW.
TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF EARLY VOTING FOR THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTION.
WITH THAT IN MIND, AND IN ORDER TO GAIN A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF CANDIDATES POSITIONS, I ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ACCESS THE RECORDING OF OUR FORUM, AND TO ALSO READ ADDITIONAL CANDIDATE RESPONSES IN OUR VOTERS GUIDE AT VOTE 411.
FINALLY, THE LEAGUE BELIEVES THAT AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT ENABLES ALL INDIVIDUALS TO FEEL SAFE, RESPECTED, ENGAGED, MOTIVATED, AND VALUED FOR WHO THEY ARE AND FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR ORGANIZATIONAL AND SOCIETAL GOALS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. JOSH SANCHEZ, BARBARA STOREY.
AFTER BARBARA, WILL BE RACHEL TALLEY.
I'M SPEAKING AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO ADDRESS THE TOPIC OF THE NIGHT.
THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE STUDENT AND FACULTY MANUALS ARE DISHEARTENING TO ME.
I BELIEVE THAT EVERY STUDENT AND MEMBER OF THE FACULTY IN THE DRIPPING SPRINGS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SHOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE ALL OF THE PROTECTIONS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN THE MANUALS.
I HAVE A GRANDCHILD WHO WAS BULLIED IN ANOTHER STATE FOR IDENTIFYING AS BEING NON BINARY.
THIS TYPE OF HARASSMENT RESULTED IN A FAMILY RELOCATING TO ANOTHER STATE TO PROTECT THEIR CHILD.
ACTIONS SUCH AS THIS PROPOSAL TO REMOVE PROTECTIVE LANGUAGE HAVE SUBSTANTIAL EFFECTS ON FACULTY, STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
IF THE DRIPPING SPRINGS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TRULY VALUES ALL OF ITS STUDENTS AND FACULTY, PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THE TERMINOLOGY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY FROM THE STUDENT AND FACULTY MANUALS. THANK YOU.
>> HI THERE. MY NAME IS RACHEL.
I'M A MOM OF THREE, AND I LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.
THANK YOU TRUSTEES FOR YOUR TIME TODAY AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TO EACH ONE OF YOU.
[01:25:03]
I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS A STATEMENT THAT WAS MADE AT THE SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE FORUM BY A CURRENT BOARD MEMBER.WHEN ASKED THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE REVISIONS TO TAKE OUT SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY IN THE DSISDS DISCRIMINATION POLICIES, THIS PERSON PLACED LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS IN A CATEGORY WITH THE CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL AND HOMELESS POPULATIONS.
THIS PERSON ALSO SAID SHE TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN HER PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY TO SERVE THESE PEOPLE.
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CHILDREN TO HAVE A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER PLACE CHILDREN OR ADULTS WHO ARE LGBTQ INTO A CATEGORY WITH THE MENTALLY ILL OR HOMELESS, AND REFER TO THEM AS THESE PEOPLE.
STATEMENTS LIKE THESE CARRY A HEAVY WEIGHT AND OFTEN SERVE AS A SIGNAL TO SOCIETY ON HOW TO TREAT CERTAIN PEOPLE.
THROUGHOUT HISTORY, LABELING THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AS MENTALLY ILL WAS A GATEWAY TO A JUSTIFICATION FOR APPALLING DISCRIMINATION, STIGMA, AND CRUEL TREATMENT METHODS.
I MYSELF AM GAY, AND MY WIFE AND I HAVE CHILDREN THAT ATTEND AND WILL ATTEND DRIPPING SCHOOLS.
I AM HIGHLY OFFENDED ON A PERSONAL LEVEL FROM THIS PERSON'S RHETORIC, BUT ALSO I AM CONCERNED FOR MY CHILDREN ATTENDING A SCHOOL IN A DISTRICT WHERE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF LEADERSHIP WILL PUBLICLY MAKE THOSE IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENTS.
THIS PERSON HAS DISRESPECTED MY FAMILY AND MYSELF, AND LIKELY, STUDENTS AND STAFF AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE LGBTQ, OR HAVE FAMILIES OR FRIENDS THAT IDENTIFY AS SUCH.
THIS PERSON HAS MADE A PUBLIC STATEMENT WHILE IN OFFICIAL POSITION AS A MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, AND THAT IS STIGMATIZING.
I UNDERSTAND THIS PERSON DID NOT SAY LGBTQ PEOPLE ARE MENTALLY ILL.
HOWEVER, THEY DID ALLUDE THAT THIS COMMUNITY OF INDIVIDUALS ARE IN THE SAME CLASS AS THE MENTALLY ILL, WHICH IS OFFENSIVE.
ALSO, THIS PARTICULAR BOARD MEMBER WHEN ASKED THOUGHTS REGARDING THE FIRST READING RELATED TO POLICY CHANGES.
>> YOUR TIME IS CONCLUDED. CHLOE GOODMAN.
I'M IN LMSW. I HAVE ANOTHER MASTERS IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
I'M ALSO CONSTITUENT SERVICES MANAGER FOR EQUALITY TEXAS.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT THE SAME THING EVERYONE ELSE HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT.
I'M JUST CURIOUS WHO ASKED FOR THIS POLICY CHANGE.
DID THEY KNOW A FEW YEARS AGO, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DID TRY AGAIN TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST A TRANS STUDENT ONLY FOR PROBABLY THIS AMOUNT OF PEOPLE TO SHOW UP AND SAY, WE DON'T DO THAT HERE.
ALL INDICATIONS SHOW THAT HATE CRIMES AGAINST QUEER PEOPLE ARE ON THE RISE.
THE MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN IS ON THE DECLINE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE LGBTQ+ AND GIRLS AND I JUST WONDER WHY YOU THINK THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE NEEDS FEWER PROTECTIONS.
THE FBI IS SHOWING THAT HATE CRIMES IN SCHOOLS WENT UP 39.1%, SO I'M AROUND ALMOST 50% FROM 2021-2022.
THAT WAS BEFORE THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE DECIDED TO DROP A BUNCH OF BOMBS DURING THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU THINK WE'RE DOING HERE.
BUT YOU'RE WASTING THE COMMUNITY'S TIME.
I HOPE YOU DON'T WASTE ITS MONEY.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE LICENSED THROUGH THE BHEC LIKE MYSELF, I WOULD IMAGINE THAT NOT FOLLOWING BEST PRACTICES OR CURRENT PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OR CURRENT PROFESSIONAL LITERATURE IS AGAINST YOUR ETHICAL STANDARDS, AND I HOPE THAT ANY STATEMENTS MADE ABOUT LIBERALISM [NOISE] WERE MADE BEFORE YOUR LICENSURE, THANK YOU.
>> YOUR TIME IS COMPLETE. [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS EVER KLINGE, AND I'M A JUNIOR AT DSHS.
TODAY, I'M HERE TO ADDRESS A FORMER CONSIDERATION TO REMOVE THE WORD SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY FROM A NUMBER OF DISTRICT POLICIES.
I'D LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD FOR SCRAPPING THIS CONSIDERATION, BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT IT ANYWAY.
REGRETTABLY, THIS PROPOSAL WOULD MAKE ALL LGBTQ PEOPLE AFFILIATED WITH THE DISTRICT VULNERABLE TO HARASSMENT, BULLYING, OR TERMINATIONS OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT IF EMPLOYED BY THE DISTRICT.
IN ADDITION TO HOW THIS WOULD AFFECT EMPLOYEES OF THE DISTRICT, I'M ALSO DEEPLY DISTURBED OF HOW THIS PROPOSAL WOULD AFFECT THE HUNDREDS OF LGBTQ STUDENTS IN DS ISD LIKE MYSELF.
I HAVE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND BULLYING AND HARASSMENT OF
[01:30:01]
QUEER STUDENTS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND AS A GAY STUDENT MYSELF, I'VE ALSO FACED IT.FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO FILE AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT WITH THE DISTRICT ABOUT THE INCIDENT, AND IT WAS RESOLVED PROMPTLY AND PROPERLY.
BUT WHAT IF I WASN'T ABLE TO DO THAT? WHAT IF OTHER LGBTQ STUDENTS WEREN'T ABLE TO DO THAT? IT WOULD JUST GO ON AND ON. AND THIS SICK PROPOSAL WOULD ENSURE THAT FURTHER HARASSMENT AND BULLYING AGAINST QUEER STUDENTS GOES ON AND ON.
ADDITIONALLY, THE TREVOR PROJECT'S MOST RECENT NATIONAL SURVEY ON LGBTQ MENTAL HEALTH IN 2023 REPORTS THAT 41% OF QUEER YOUTH HAVE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED SUICIDE IN THE PAST YEAR, AND NEARLY 1 IN 3 HAVE REPORTED POOR MENTAL HEALTH DUE TO ANTI-LGBTQ POLICIES SUCH AS THE ONE PREVIOUSLY BEING CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD.
WHILE I'M GLAD THAT THESE REVISIONS ARE NOT BEING OFFICIALLY CONSIDERED TODAY IS NEVERTHELESS DISTURBING AND DISTRESSING THAT THEY WERE DRAFTED AND ENTERTAINED IN THE FIRST PLACE, AND IT'S ABSOLUTELY WORTH BRINGING UP.
I'VE HEARD THAT THESE REVISIONS WERE INTENDED TO ELIMINATE DUPLICATIVE PROTECTIONS, I BELIEVE, BUT I FIND THAT TO BE ABSOLUTELY ABSURD.
IS BEING INCLUSIVE OF LGBTQ PEOPLE A LITTLE BIT TOO SPECIFIC FOR Y'ALL? DID WE GIVE PROTECTIONS TO TOO MANY PEOPLE ALL OF A SUDDEN? FROM BOOK BANNING TO SCAPEGOATING.
YOUR CONFORMIST AGENDA IS LAUGHABLY OBVIOUS, SO MAKE NO MISTAKE.
THE FEW HUNDRED HIGH SCHOOLERS THAT ARE GOING TO BE VOTING IN THE CYCLE ARE HERE.
THEY'RE WATCHING, AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO LET THIS SLIDE.
[APPLAUSE] [NOISE] BUT I'M NOT HERE NECESSARILY TO JUST CONDEMN, HEY, I'M MAINLY HERE TO COMMEND LOVE.
IT'S VITAL THAT WE NURTURE A SAFE AND INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF THE GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
WHILE THE BULLYING OF QUEER YOUTH MAY NOT REALISTICALLY BE COMPLETELY ELIMINATED, IT'S STILL IMPORTANT TO ALLOW THESE PROTECTIONS SHOULD THEY EVER FACE IT, AND THE BOARD SHOULD MAKE EVERY ATTEMPT TO STEER CLEAR FOR POINTLESS AND DISGUSTING REVISIONS TO TAKE AWAY THESE PROTECTIONS. THANK YOU. [NOISE] [APPLAUSE]
>> MICAH SHARP. NEXT WILL BE KELLY METZGER.
>> HI, I'M MICAH SHARP, AND I WAS A TEACHER IN THIS DISTRICT FOR SEVEN YEARS.
I ALSO HAVE A CHILD THAT IS PART OF THE LGBTQI COMMUNITY.
AS A TEACHER IN THIS DISTRICT, I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT IN THIS DISTRICT AND IN OUR SCHOOLS, WE DO WHAT'S BEST FOR KIDS.
THIS PROPOSED POLICY CHANGE IS NOT WHAT'S BEST FOR KIDS.
IT'S NOT WHAT'S BEST FOR KIDS LIKE MY CHILD AND HER FRIENDS THAT ARE PART OF THE LGBTQI COMMUNITY.
WHY SHOULDN'T THEY HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS AS THE STUDENTS THAT THEY SIT NEXT TO? IT'S DISTURBING, IT'S DISHEARTENING.
IT'S A MORAL, ETHICAL, AND HUMAN RIGHTS PROBLEM.
WE CANNOT BE A STRONG, PROUD TIGER NATION WITH DIVISIVE AND EXCLUSIONARY POLICIES.
ALL OF OUR TIGERS DESERVE TO BE LOVED, VALUED, PROTECTED, AND RESPECTED EQUALLY.
I'M DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS WAS EVEN BROUGHT TO LIGHT, THAT THIS WAS EVEN AN ISSUE.
THANKFULLY, AS I WAS RESEARCHING, I LEARNED THAT ON APRIL 19TH, 2024, THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELEASED ITS FINAL RULE WITH TITLE 9, PROMISING THAT NO PERSON EXPERIENCES SEX DISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY FUNDED EDUCATION.
I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT WE ADHERE TO THOSE POLICIES BECAUSE OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LAID THAT OUT FOR US.
THE LAST TIME I SPOKE WITH Y'ALL, I ASKED THAT YOU NOT GO AFTER MY KIDS.
THESE POLICY REVISIONS, I'M DISGUSTED. I REALLY AM.
SORRY, I DIDN'T PREPARE A FANCY SPEECH OR ANYTHING, BUT I DO NEED TO MAKE IT REALLY CLEAR THAT THIS DISCRIMINATION WILL NOT STAND.
IT IS NOT THE FLEX YOU THINK IT IS.
>> THANK YOU. LAUREN NAYLOR, THEN CARRIE ISAAC.
>> HI, MY NAME IS LAUREN NAYLOR.
MY FAMILY AND I HAVE LIVED IN DRIPPING FOR EIGHT YEARS.
WE HAVE TWO KIDS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HERE IN DRIPPING.
I'M HERE SPEAKING TONIGHT ABOUT THE UNSETTLING AND QUITE FRANKLY, HEARTBREAKING PROPOSED CHANGES.
WHETHER THESE POLICY REVISIONS WERE SUGGESTED BY TASB AND THEN ENTERTAINED BY OUR BOARD OR VICE VERSA, WE MAY NEVER KNOW.
BUT WHAT WE DO KNOW AND WHAT WE ARE QUITE SURE OF, AND WHAT IS MOST CONCERNING IS THAT NO ONE ON THIS BOARD RAISED THEIR HAND AND SAID, WAIT A MINUTE.
NO ONE SPOKE UP AND REMINDED THE OTHER MEMBERS ON THE BOARD, STAFF OR ELECTED,
[01:35:02]
THAT THE JOB OF OUR SCHOOL BOARD IS TO PROVIDE AN INCLUSIVE, ACCEPTING, AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY, AND TO NOT HIDE BEHIND THE EXCUSE THAT WE WERE JUST GOING ALONG WITH POLICY FROM ABOVE.IF ANYONE IN THIS ROOM IS WONDERING WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT, LET ME READ TO YOU WHAT ONE GAY STUDENT HERE IN DRIPPING TOLD ME WAS SAID TO HIM BY OTHER STUDENTS IN ONE OF OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
THEY SAID, "YOU'RE GOING TO HELL.
MY MOM SAYS I CAN'T TALK TO YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE GAY.
I HOPE YOU KILL YOURSELF." WHERE DO WE THINK THESE KIDS ARE HEARING THIS? THIS KID IS LUCKY.
HE HAS A SUPPORTIVE LOVING FAMILY TO COME HOME TO AT NIGHT, A FAMILY THAT DOESN'T BELIEVE THEIR CHILD'S IDENTITY IS A MENTAL ILLNESS.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT NOT ALL KIDS IN OUR DISTRICT HAVE THIS TYPE OF LOVE AND SUPPORT AT HOME.
WHEN THIS BOARD EITHER PROPOSED REMOVING OR SUPPORTED REMOVING THESE PROTECTIONS FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION, WHAT YOU WERE DOING WAS TAKING AWAY A LIFELINE A STUDENT MIGHT HAVE TO TELL A TRUSTED TEACHER THAT THEY ARE BEING TREATED, THREATENED, AND BULLIED.
NOT ONLY THAT, BUT YOU ARE TAKING AWAY A TEACHER'S ABILITY TO BE THAT LIFELINE.
[NOISE] "BE CAREFUL WHO YOU HATE, IT JUST MIGHT BE SOMEONE YOU LOVE." [APPLAUSE]
>> HI, I'M STATE REPRESENTATIVE, CARRIE ISAAC.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THE LEGAL ADVICE TO REMOVE THE LANGUAGE OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY IN THE DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD POLICIES.
GIVEN THE EXTENSIVE PROTECTIONS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION EARLY PROVIDED IN OUR US CONSTITUTION AND FEDERAL LAWS, THERE IS NO NEED FOR ADDITIONAL MANUFACTURED, PROTECTED CLASS.
ACCORDING TO OUR 14TH AMENDMENT, NO STATE SHALL DEPRIVE ANY PERSON OF LIFE, LIBERTY OR PROPERTY WITHOUT DUE PROCESS OR LAW NOR DENY ANY PERSON WITHOUT ITS JURISDICTION EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAW, AND ACCORDING TO OUR CIVIL RIGHTS ACTS, IT PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION BASED ON RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL ORIENTATION, AND EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, AND PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> WE ARE NOT HEARING COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE.
YOU ARE HERE TO OBSERVE, AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE QUIET AND RESPECTFUL.
>> CAN I HAVE TIME ADDED TO MY TIME, PLEASE.
IF YOU CANNOT COMPLY WITH THESE RULES, AUDIENCE, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE.
>> LANGUAGE THAT SPECIFICALLY POINTS OUT ONE GROUP OVER ANOTHER DOES NOT BRING EQUALITY.
THIS DIVIDES US WHEN YOU PROTECT ONE CLASS OVER ANOTHER.
WE ARE ALL PROTECTED EQUALLY UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION AND OUR CIVIL RIGHTS.
AS FAR AS TITLE 9 IS CONCERNED, OUR PRESIDENT DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE FEDERAL LAW.
AGAIN, WE ARE ALL PROTECTED, EVERYONE.
WE ARE ALL PROTECTED EQUALLY UNDER OUR 14TH AMENDMENT OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND OUR CIVIL RIGHTS ACTS.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THE LEGAL ADVICE TO BRING THIS IN ORDER. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
BEFORE WE MOVE INTO OUR BOARD MEETING AGENDA, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A STATEMENT THAT WAS PROVIDED BY THE DISTRICT TO THE MEDIA TODAY SO THAT OUR COMMUNITY RECEIVES THE SAME INFORMATION.
DSISD COMPLETED A REVIEW OF ITS POLICIES WITH THE GUIDANCE OF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS TO ENSURE ALIGNMENT WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS, AND TO STANDARDIZE LANGUAGE ACROSS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
THE BOARD RECEIVES RECOMMENDED CHANGES AS A FIRST READING, THEREBY PROVIDING THE BOARD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW POLICY CHANGES FOR THE FIRST TIME.
AT THIS MOMENT, THE BOARD HAS NOT HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLETE ITS FIRST REVIEW.
THE RECOMMENDED POLICY UPDATES INCLUDED CERTAIN CHANGES FOR CONSISTENCY THAT HAVE BEEN PERCEIVED BY SOME AS AN ATTEMPT TO REMOVE PROTECTIONS FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS AND STAFF.
THE REMOVAL OR MODIFICATION OF PROTECTIONS AGAINST BULLYING OR DISCRIMINATION WAS NEVER THE INTENT OF THESE CHANGES AND WOULD NOT BE THE RESULT.
THE DSISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND ADMINISTRATION STAND FIRM THAT BULLYING AND DISCRIMINATION ARE UNACCEPTABLE, AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, INCLUDING IF BASED ON A PERSON'S STATUS AS PART OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.
WE CARE FOR THE WELFARE AND PROTECTION OF ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.
THE POLICY UPDATES HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE BOARD MEETING AGENDA SO THAT THE TRUSTEES CAN SEEK ADDITIONAL LEGAL COUNSEL, AND WILL BE REVISITED AT A FUTURE DATE.
AT THIS TIME, WE CONCLUDE OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS PORTION OF THIS EVENING.
[01:40:03]
WE WILL TAKE A FIVE-MINUTE BREAK BEFORE WE CONCLUDE WITH OUR AGENDA. THANK YOU.>> WE ARE BACK FROM OUR BREAK.
WE WILL BE MOVING FORWARD WITH OUR MEETING THIS EVENING.
IF YOU WISH TO STAY, PLEASE SIT DOWN AND BE QUIET.
IF YOU WISH TO LEAVE, PLEASE LEAVE THE AUDITORIUM.
WE NEED TO CONCLUDE OUR MEETING.
WE'RE MOVING ON TO OUR LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT.
[6. PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSION ( Part 2 of 2 )]
KATIE, YOU CAN GO AHEAD.FIRST WAS OUR TAXPAYER TUESDAY AT CYPRESS SPRINGS, OLIVIA? MARY JANE?
>> IT FEELS LIKE WE'VE LIVED A LIFETIME SINCE THEN.
I JUST CONTINUE TO ECHO THE THOUGHT PROCESS THAT'S NEEDED FOR HOW WE GET MORE COMMUNITY MEMBERS HERE, BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS SO INFORMATIVE AND JUST SUPER IMPRESSED WITH THE CULTURE THAT WE FELT IN THE BUILDING AND THE LEARNING THAT WE SAW.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS, BUT BECAUSE WE OBVIOUSLY CAN'T DO IT AT NIGHT, BECAUSE WE'RE, BUT VERY MUCH APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT GOES INTO THAT.
>> MAY I ASK A QUESTION REAL QUICK.
WHY CAN'T WE DO IT AT NIGHT ONCE IN A WHILE?
>> OH, YOU MEAN. I WAS SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT THE TAXPAYER TUESDAY PORTION OF THAT, THAT MAYBE THAT EDUCATIONAL PIECE FOR ADULTS COULD BE.
>> THAT'S WHAT I MEANT. I'M SORRY.
>> IT COULD BE CHANGED. I MEAN, TAXPAYER TUESDAY IS REALLY TWO PARTS, AND I WOULD SAY THE SMALLER PART IS THE POWERPOINT SLIDE, AND THE BIGGER PART IS SPEAKING TO THINGS LIKE, WHAT IS IN BONDS, AS YOU WALK THROUGH THE CAMPUS WRITING THINGS.
MOVING ON. OUR FIELD DAYS AT SYCAMORE, WE HAD AN ECLIPSE PARTY, WHICH I GOT TO SEE WITH MY KIDDOS, WHICH WAS SO COOL.
THAT WAS SO COOL. I HAD VERY LOW EXPECTATIONS FOR THE ECLIPSE, BUT IT WAS PRETTY BREATH-TAKING TO BE ABLE TO WITNESS THAT.
I SEE MARY JANE WENT TO SOME FIELD DAYS ALSO.
I KNOW, I WENT TO THE SYCAMORE SPRINGS FIELD DAY.
IT'S ALWAYS SO COOL TO SEE OUR KIDS IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.
>> I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE JUST EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF WORK.
THERE ARE SO MANY STATIONS, SO MANY KIDS, SO MANY PARENT VOLUNTEERS, SO JUST KUDOS TO ALL OF THE STAFF THAT MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
>> HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES, BUSINESSES, THEY'RE JUST A REALLY COOL WAY TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.
THEN WE HAD ATHLETIC SIGNING DAY THIS WEEK. KIM.
>> ATHLETES SIGNING. WE HAD FOUR ADDITIONAL STUDENTS SIGN ON THIS DAY.
WE HAD TWO FOOTBALL PLAYERS, A FEMALE WRESTLER, AND A VOLLEYBALL PLAYER.
I THANK COACH ZIMMERMAN SHARED WITH US THAT, I WANT TO SAY AROUND LESS THAN 6% TO GO ON AND PLAY AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOLARSHIP.
THESE KIDS ARE JUST CREAM OF THE CROP, AND WELL DESERVED OF WHERE THEY'RE GOING.
THEY'RE GOING TO DO GREAT THINGS AND REPRESENT US, AND SO PROUD OF THEM.
>> THEN OUR BOARD VISIT TO ROOSTER, WHICH IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO AS A BOARD.
TRICIA AND ROB, I GOT TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR JUKE OUT.
>> I THINK, WELL, IT IS DEFINITELY THE FAVORITE PART OF BEING ON THE BOARD IS TO EXPERIENCE THESE WALK THROUGHS AND HAVE THE KIDS LEAD US AROUND THE SCHOOLS AND TELL US ALL THE GOOD THINGS HAPPENING ON THE CAMPUSES.
IT'S JUST AWESOME. THEN TO SEE MY COLLEAGUES HANG OUT AND PLAY WITH THE KIDS TOO, THAT'S AN ADDED BONUS AS WELL, WATCHING YOU GUYS INTERACT AND PLAY.
>> FOR THE RECORD. IF YOU LOOK THERE ON THE TOP RIGHT.
AND WHAT DO WE CALL THAT DEAL? THE BOX EAR KNEES GAME.
I LET THE RECORD REFLECT ROB AND MCCLELLAN BECAME COUSINS IN THAT EVENT.
WE ARE NOW ONE AND ONE. SHE BEAT ME A CONVOCATION. LOOK, THIS IS MY HOOD.
[01:45:02]
OBVIOUSLY, MY SON GOES TO SCHOOL HERE STILL, AND GREAT DAY WITH ALL THE STUDENTS.ALL THOSE STUDENTS, YOU SEE, THEY'RE FIFTH GRADERS.
PRINCIPAL DEVICAS HAD THOSE KIDS BASICALLY LATEST THROUGH THE DAY AND THE MORNING.
WE SAW THE SYCAMORE KIDS HERE THIS EVENING, MIDDLE SCHOOL ABOUT GIVING THESE KIDS CHANCES TO LEAD.
I HOPE, WE START SOUNDING LIKE A BROKEN RECORD.
YOU'RE GOING TO BEAR WITH ME, BECAUSE IT IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION, AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO IT HERE IN DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD.
WE GET THESE KIDS A CHANCE TO THROW THEMSELVES OUT THERE AND SPEAK IN FRONT OF THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS.
I LOVE IT. THEY ALWAYS IMPRESS ME OF THEIR ABILITY TO DO THAT.
I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT IN TO NOTE THAT I BECAME IN THE BUCKS GAME. THANK YOU.
>> CAN I ADD ONE REAL QUICK, IF I COULD, MADAM PRESIDENT, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO GO SPEAK AT THE NATIONAL ART SOCIETY INDUCTION CEREMONY ON, WHAT NIGHT? WAS THAT THURSDAY NIGHT? I WAS LIKE A YEAR AGO, IT FEELS LIKE, HEY, LISTEN, THE LARGEST INDUCTION CEREMONY EVER IN DRIPPING SPRINGS HISTORY WITH 219 KIDS INDUCTED.
I SEE SOME APPLAUSE. DON'T MAKE APPLAUSE, THEY GETS TROUBLE. BUT THAT'S AWESOME.
SCHOLARSHIP, CHARACTER, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE.
THE FOUR PILLARS OF NATIONAL ART SOCIETY SEE 219 KIDS TAKE THAT OATH TO COMMIT TO DOING THAT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY WAS A PRIVILEGE TO BE A PART OF.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM AND ALL THEIR FAMILIES. THANK YOU.
>> PRETTY COOL. WE'LL START WITH TRICIA.
GO DOWN THE LINE. ANY LIAISON REPORTS? TRICIA. NO? ROB? MARY JANE.
>> I'M TRYING TO IN CHAMBER ALSO WAS A LONG TIME AGO.
I DON'T THINK THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING TO HIGHLIGHT FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD, THOUGH.
>> OLIVIA. I CAN'T GET NAMES RIGHT NOW. OLIVIA.
>> KIM. ME WITH ALL MY GROUPS HERE.
THE FIRST ONE WAS STRIPPING SPRINGS WOMEN'S CLUB.
THEY HAVE A CAP ON 300 MEMBERS, AND WE CURRENTLY HAVE 298.
WE FILLED THAT ROOM THE OTHER DAY.
WE HAD THREE PRESENTATIONS FROM LOCAL PEOPLE.
THE FIRST ONE WAS HOPEFUL FARM.
THAT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION.
HAMILTON POOL VINEYARD AND FARMS WAS ACTUALLY MY FAVORITE.
HE DID A BIG PRESENTATION ON YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ON YOUR LAND UNLESS YOU HAVE THE COLOR BLUE.
THAT'S HOW YOU TAKE YOUR PROPERTY AND YOU LEARN HOW TO TRAP WATER TO GET WATER TO EVERYTHING WITHOUT HAVING TO USE A SPRINKLER SYSTEM.
HE SHOWED PICTURES OF HIS PROPERTY WITHIN, LIKE, A TWO-YEAR PERIOD.
IT WAS AMAZING WHAT HAD GROWN ON THIS MAN'S PROPERTY, AT HAMILTON POOL VINEYARD AND FARMS. AND THEY'RE OPEN FOR TOURS. THEY'RE LIKE, COME OUT.
HE THINKS IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WHEN YOU BUY A HOME THAT YOU BUILD ON YOUR PROPERTY IF YOU CAN AND BE ABLE TO PLANT VEGETATION AND CUT DOWN ON WATERING.
IT WAS REALLY COOL. PURE LUCK FARM AND DAIRY ALSO WAS THE THIRD PRESENTER, AND THEY ARE A GOAT DAIRY FARM.
AND WE LEARNED THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FARMING FOR MEAT AND FARMING FOR GOAT MILK AND THE TYPE OF DIET THAT THOSE ANIMALS ENDURE OR SO.
IT WAS A REALLY GOOD PRESENTATION.
THESE FARMS ALSO BROUGHT SAMPLES INTO THE DISTILLERY THAT DAY WHERE WE MET, AND WE WERE ABLE TO TRY A LOT OF STUFF THAT THEY GROW ON THEIR PROPERTY.
COUNCIL OF PTAS MET, AND A COUPLE OF THINGS THERE.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THEIR BIG TEXAS PTA LAUNCH JULY 19TH THROUGH THE 21ST AT THE GRAPEVINE GAY LORD RESORT.
THIS MONTH, THEY WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME 15 NEW MEMBERS PER CAMPUS. THAT'S THEIR GOAL.
REFLECTIONS NEXT YEAR HAS RELEASED THEIR THEME, AND IT'S GOING TO BE ACCEPTING AND PERFECTIONS.
IF STUDENTS START WORKING ON THEIR PROJECTS OVER THE SUMMER, THAT'S GOING TO BE THE THEME.
WE FINISHED UP WITH OFFICER ELECTIONS, AND WE HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT IN CHARGE, AND HIS NAME IS CHRISTOPHER SCHULTZ.
MY FINAL REPORT THIS EVENING IS THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION, AND WE HAD THE BIG GALA LAST THURSDAY NIGHT WITH APPROXIMATELY 220 ATTENDEES.
THE THEME WAS GREATEST DISTRICT ON EARTH, CIRCUS THEME, AND WE HAD A LOT OF CIRCUS ACTIVITIES TO DO AND WALKED AROUND AND MET A LOT OF PEOPLE, A LOT OF GREAT NETWORKING.
IT WAS JUST A GREAT NIGHT FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER.
THEY CONTINUE TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO THEM.
TOTALS FOR RAISING FUNDS FOR THE EVENING HAVE NOT BEEN TALLIED YET,
[01:50:02]
SO I DON'T HAVE THOSE FOR YOU, BUT WE'LL HAVE OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING WEDNESDAY NIGHT OF THIS WEEK.>> I DO NOT HAVE ANY UPDATES FOR PRESIDENT'S REPORT.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR BOARD DISCUSSION ON OUR TASB ADVOCACY AGENDA RESOLUTIONS.
ANY MORE DISCUSSION ON THIS? AS MENTIONED, WE WILL FINALIZE THIS TO VOTE ON NEXT MONTH.
THESE ARE OUR TWO RESOLUTION LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FROM LAST SESSION THAT WE SUBMITTED TO TASB.
IF WE WANT TO LOOK AT THESE, IF WE WANT TO ADD SOMETHING ELSE.
>> THE ONLY OTHER THING I THOUGHT OF IS CERTAINLY GOING THROUGH ALL THESE FORUMS IS, THE PERCENT OF PEOPLE WHO SEEM VERY SURPRISED THAT WE DON'T GET ANY FUNDING FOR BUILDING.
IT REALLY IS SEPARATE FROM THESE THINGS.
AS A FAST GROWTH DISTRICT, THAT SEEMS LIKE A REALLY IMPORTANT POINT THAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS TO KNOW.
EVEN IF IT DOESN'T PROGRESS THROUGH THE TASB RESOLUTION PROCESS, JUST BY HIGHLIGHTING IT LOCALLY GIVES US MORE OF A COMMUNICATION AVENUE.
>> YEAH, I KNOW IN OTHER STATES, IT'S THE DEVELOPER OR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE AS A BOARD THAT WHEN THEY COME IN TO DEVELOP LAND AND PROPERTIES IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY'RE ALSO FUNDING A SCHOOL FOR THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH WE DON'T HAVE IN TEXAS.
YES, EVERYONE IS SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT.
IT COULD BE ADDED TO A RESOLUTION IF WE WANTED A SEPARATE ONE, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THE ONLY OTHER ONE I KNOW THAT I HAD HEARD FROM BOARD MEMBERS WAS ABOUT RETIREMENT, LIKE TEACHERS BEING ABLE TO COME OUT OF RETIREMENT OR RETIREMENT FUNDS NOT BEING AFFECTED FOR EMPLOYMENT, IF WE WANT TO DRAFT UP SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT.
>>I'M MARY JANE, I WAS WONDERING IF WE COULD TIE YEARS TO NIFA FUNDING.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD BE IF WE WERE TRYING TO LOOK FOR AN ALLOTMENT TO INCREASE TO SUPPORT OPENING CAMPUSES.
>> ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE ASKING FOR MORE FOR OPERATIONS, SO FUNDING FOR FACILITIES WOULD BE VERY LOW ON THE LIST.
THERE ARE EDA AND IFA PROGRAMS FOR DISTRICTS WITH LOW PROPERTY VALUES, AND THEY HAVEN'T INCREASED THOSE ALLOTMENTS IN YEARS, SO IT WOULD NOT GET VERY FAR.
>> THERE'S THE RESOLUTION WHERE WE THINK IT'S REALLY GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH THE LEGISLATURE, AND THEN THERE'S COMMUNICATING WITH OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO BLINK, AND WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO GO OUT FOR BONDS AGAIN.
I JUST THINK THE COMMUNITY REALLY NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S BECAUSE WE KEEP GROWING AND WE GET $0 FOR BUILDING BUILDINGS.
>> I THINK WE COULD DEFINITELY ADD SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO OUR ADVOCACY AGENDA.
WE CAN POSSIBLY PLAY AROUND WITH THE LANGUAGE FOR A RESOLUTION.
SO TO POSSIBLY HAVE FOUR RESOLUTIONS JUST TO DRAFT, AND WE CAN DISCUSS IT NEXT MONTH'S AGENDA REVIEW.
>> I HAVE A NEW ONE. I KNOW I'VE E MAILED YOU AND THIS JUST CAME TO MIND, BUT I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE SURPLUS THAT WE HAD THAT WE LEGISLATED RECENTLY.
WHAT IF WE WROTE IN AS A PRIORITY, I HAVEN'T GIVEN I DON'T HAVE THE ELOQUENCE RIGHT NOW BEAR WITH ME.
BUT ESSENTIALLY, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO ARE IN HIGH PROPERTY WEALTH DISTRICTS HAVE THE BURDEN OF COLLECTING A LOT OF TAX REVENUE THAT WE KNOW IS NOT STAYING LOCALLY.
NOT ONLY IS IT NOT STAYING LOCALLY, IT'S NOT SPECIFICALLY EARMARKED FOR EDUCATION, BUT IT'S GOING INTO THE STATE GENERAL FUND.
WHAT IF WE GOT A REFUND FOR EVERY DOLLAR THAT DOES NOT GO INTO EDUCATION? WHATEVER WE SEND AND RECAPTURE A DOLLAR MILLION THIS YEAR OF THE GENERAL FUND, ESSENTIALLY REVERSING LEGISLATION FROM ABOUT 12 YEARS AGO WHERE IT DIDN'T HAVE TO GO INTO EDUCATION ANYMORE.
LIKE A REVERSAL OF WHEN IT WENT FROM ROBINHOOD TO RECAPTURE, AND WHEN IT BECAME RECAPTURE, IT NO LONGER HAD TO GO TO PUBLIC EDUCATION.
EITHER WE GET THAT MONEY BACK OR IT HAS TO STAY IN PUBLIC END.
I'VE SEEN A LOT OF THESE PRIORITIES ACROSS THE STATE.
THE RECAPTURE ONES ARE NOT USUALLY VERY FAVORABLE IN TASB.
IT JUST MAY NOT BE SOMETHING THAT THEY CHOOSE IN THEIR AGENDA, BUT I THINK IT'S SOMETHING DEFINITELY WE CAN DISCUSS AS A BOARD AS WELL.
THE ONLY OTHER ONE THAT HAD ALSO COME UP IS
[01:55:02]
THAT AND THIS IS A VERY SIMPLE PRIORITY IS ACTUALLY JUST WE WANT PER STUDENT VALUES TO BE AT LEAST X AMOUNT OF MONEY.I FEEL LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT THAT LAST WEEK OR MAYBE LAST MONTH WHEN IT CAME UP.
DO YOU GUYS WANT TO CHOOSE A DOLLAR AMOUNT? WOULD YOU WANT TO SEE SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF NECESSARY FOR THIS TASB ADVOCACY AGENDA.
I THINK WHEN I BROUGHT THAT UP, I WAS REALLY FOCUSED ON OURS.
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AS A DISTRICT AND DSSD AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO GET THE STUDENT ALLOTMENT TO HELP REDUCE OUR RECAPTURE BURDEN AND HELP PROVIDE SOME EASING ON OUR FINANCES SO THAT THEN WE AS A BOARD COULD FURTHER ADVOCATE ON THAT SPECIFIC AMOUNT.
DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? THAT WAS WHAT I WAS THINKING. I DON'T KNOW IF NECESSARY.
>> I THINK IT'S BOTH. THIS IS WHAT GETS SAID TO TASB, BUT THIS IS OFTEN INCORPORATED INTO OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEE DSISD ADVOCACY AGENDA AS WELL.
IT'S BOTH. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO.
>> I AGREE WITH YOU 100%. [OVERLAPPING] I AGREE WITH THAT.
IT GETS THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT WE NEED ESPECIALLY WITH SCHOOL FINANCE PERSPECTIVE IS THE STUDENT ALLOTMENT TO GET INCREASED.
>> DO YOU ALL HAVE A DOLLAR AMOUNT? YES. TELL US.
>> TASB HAS ALREADY DETERMINED THAT OVER 7,000 IN THE BASIC ALLOTMENT IS NEEDED TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION.
IF THE STATE IS GOING TO GIVE A DOLLAR AMOUNT FOR A SCHOOL VOUCHER, THEN THAT NEEDS TO BE THE SAME AMOUNT FOR A PUBLIC SCHOOL ALLOCATION.
THE BASIC ALLOTMENT NEEDS TO MATCH WHATEVER THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE FOR EDUCATION SAVING VOUCHERS OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.
BUT WE'RE AT 61,60 SET IN 2019, JUST TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION SINCE THEN TAKES ABOUT 7,000 IN THE BASIC ALLOTMENT.
IT'S PROBABLY MORE BECAUSE THAT WAS LAST YEAR, AND INFLATION HASN'T STOPPED.
THE BEST THING YOU CAN ASK FOR IS AN INCREASE IN THE BASIC ALLOTMENT.
IT'S THE EASIEST CLEANEST, AND IT HELPS ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
>> I THINK THAT'S GOOD. YEAH. WE CAN INCORPORATE BOTH, ACTUALLY TO ACCOUNT FOR SCHOOL VOUCHER MONIES, AS WELL, LIKE SAYING, IT SHOULD BE THE SAME AMOUNT, WHATEVER, AND NO LESS THAN $7,000, SOMETHING LIKE THAT PHRASED.
>> TO OLIVIA'S POINT, IF YOU WANT TO SAY THE SURPLUS THAT YOU HAD SET ASIDE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAS HELD HOSTAGE, RELEASE THAT MONEY AND FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION.
>> I THINK I HAVE NOTES ON FOUR THINGS THAT YOU ALL ARE GOING TO SEND US LANGUAGE FOREIGN DRAFT.
IT'S FUNDS FOR BUILDING TRS, TEACHER RETENTION IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.
ALLOWING THEM TO COME BACK TO THE CLASSROOM WITHOUT THE PENALTY, KEEPING RECAPTURE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND THEN INCREASING THE STUDENT ALLOTMENT TO $7,000 OR MATCHING WHATEVER IS FUNDED FOR VOUCHERS. DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT?
>> THAT'S WHAT I HEAR. MOVING ON TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[7. CONSENT AGENDA]
ANY DISCUSSION, OR I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION? ROB.>> JUST A QUICK. DO I HAVE THAT RIGHT? I WANT TO SAY IT'S THE LAST ACTION AGENDA OR THE LAST EXCUSE ME, CONSENT SEVEN DELTA.
WE'RE LOOKING AT ONE ADDITIONAL PORTABLE PURCHASE, AND WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THAT FROM EXISTING BOND DOLLARS OR AT LEAST A PORTION OF THAT. DO I HAVE THAT RIGHT?
>> YES. [OVERLAPPING] IT'S GOING TO BE FUNDED WITH THE 2018 BOND FUNDS THAT REMAIN.
THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF BUDGET REMAINING THERE, BUT WE NEED TO INCREASE THAT BUDGET TO COVER THE COST OF ONE ADDITIONAL PORT.
>> GOT IT. GOOD NEWS ON BOTH FRONTS.
WE HAVE SOME BOND CAPACITY PREVIOUS FROM 18 TO COVER THAT.
>> THAT'S RIGHT FOR THIS YEAR. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR THE CAVIAR OF LANE. APPRECIATE THAT.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE CLEAR, ELAINE, WE ALREADY HAD TALKED ABOUT THAT IN THE PAST THAT ANYTIME WE NEED TO LOOK AT PORTABLE, SO THAT WAS GOING TO BE OUR FUNDING CHOICE, SO TO SPEAK, AS THOSE NEEDS CAME UP.
TO ME, THIS IS NOT A SURPRISE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S NOT A SURPRISE ITEM.
>> IT'S NOT A SURPRISE. THE BOND ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT DISBANDED FOR THE 2018 BOND RECOMMENDED THAT ANY REMAINING FUNDS BE USED FOR PORTABLE, SAFETY, SECURITY, AND TECHNOLOGY.
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE REMINDED OUR COMMUNITY OF THAT FOR SURE.
>> MARY JANE, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
A MOTION FROM MARY JANE, A SECOND FROM ROB. ANY MORE DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. 7-0. MOVING ON TO OUR ACTION ITEMS THIS EVENING.
[8. ACTION]
OUR FIRST IS CONSIDERATION APPROVAL OF PROCLAMATION 2024 INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS RECOMMENDATION. DR. WHITMAN.>> I CAN'T SEE. AM I GOING TO HAVE TO DO THAT? [LAUGHTER] THIS IS HARD.
[02:00:04]
TONIGHT, I'M REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT ADOPTION COMMITTEE.WE HAD 71 REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL OUR CAMPUSES AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE, AND YOU HAVE A LIST OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
THE PROCLAMATION 2024 CALLED FOR NEW INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN THE AREAS OF K-12 SCIENCE.
K-8 TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS, SOCIAL STUDIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL, BUT SPECIFICALLY FOR PERSONAL FINANCIAL LITERACY AND ECONOMICS, AND THEN SEVERAL CAREER OR CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND CTE COURSES.
THIS PROCESS, NOW I'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THIS GO FORWARD.
THERE YOU GO. I JUST WENT OVER THAT.
BUT THOSE ARE THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION COURSES.
IT WAS SEVERAL IN HEALTH SCIENCE, EDUCATION AND TRAINING, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH, AND ALSO LAW AND PUBLIC SERVICE.
YOU HAVE THE LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS IN YOUR BOARD BOOK AND WE'LL GET TO THAT ALSO IN JUST A MOMENT.
BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER, I'D LIKE TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY REPRESENTATIVES THAT WERE ON THAT COMMITTEE.
ANYBODY? WELL, THANK YOU FOR COMING TONIGHT.
THEY WERE ALL INVITED, BUT THEY KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A LONG MEETING, AND SO WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE WE WERE GOING TO FALL.
I'M ACTUALLY THEIR REPRESENTATIVE, BUT THEY REALLY DID A LOT OF WORK TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
AS YOU WILL SEE, ON THE TIMELINE, IT STARTED BASICALLY IN DECEMBER.
FOR THE STATE, IT STARTED WAY BEFORE THEN, BUT THEY RELEASED THE LIST OF ADOPTED MATERIALS BY THE SBOE AND THEN WE CREATED OUR DISTRICT COMMITTEE.
WE RECEIVED SAMPLES AND ONLINE ACCESS TO REVIEW THE SAMPLES AND MATERIALS FROM THE PUBLISHERS THAT WERE ADOPTED BY THE SBOE.
WE DID HAVE A PARENT AND COMMUNITY ROOM SETUP HERE WITH SAMPLES AND THAT WAS AVAILABLE FOR FIVE WEEKS AND THEN IT WAS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR FIVE WEEKS ONLINE.
EVALUATION FORMS WERE AVAILABLE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND TO STAFF, AND SO WE RETRIEVE THOSE AT THE END OF MARCH AND THEN OUR COMMITTEE MET TO LOOK AT THE EVALUATION REPORTS AND THEN DECIDE ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOU.
BASICALLY, FOR MOST OF THE SUBJECTS, WE HAD TOP THREE CHOICES AND THEN WE JUST NARROWED IT DOWN TO THE ONES THAT YOU WILL SEE ON YOUR LIST.
I'M NOT GOING TO READ ALL OF THOSE, BUT I WILL SEE HERE IN A FEW MINUTES IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS.
BUT BASICALLY, THIS IS THE SCIENCE GROUP FOR K-12.
THAT WAS THE SUBJECTS AND GRADE LEVELS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THAT AND WE HAD REPRESENTATIVES FROM EVERY CAMPUS.
WHEN YOU GET TO THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, IT'S MORE STREAMLINED BECAUSE YOU ONLY HAVE CERTAIN TEACHERS THAT ARE TEACHING CERTAIN SUBJECTS.
THOSE TEACHERS GOT TOGETHER AS A GROUP AND THEY WENT THROUGH THEM JUST WITH THEIR SMALL GROUP, AS FAR AS ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL.
MIDDLE SCHOOL IS THE IN BETWEEN.
THEY DID IT LIKE HIGH SCHOOL, BUT THERE'S STILL SOME CONNECTION TO MESHING WITH THE ELEMENTARY LEVELS.
THOSE ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE SCIENCE.
THEN WE HAVE OUR SOCIAL STUDIES, AGAIN, IS JUST HIGH SCHOOL, AND THAT WAS THE ONLY COURSE FOR SOCIAL STUDIES FOR THIS PROCLAMATION, AND THEN TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS AND THEN THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT.
YOU WILL SEE THE GRADE LEVELS THAT ARE COVERED.
YOU WILL SEE THE PUBLISHERS THAT WERE SELECTED AND THE TITLES OF THE MATERIALS, THE STATE ADOPTED, WHETHER THEY'RE STATE ADOPTED OR NOT, AND THEN JUST SOME REASONINGS FOR THE ONES THAT HAVE NO BESIDE THEM FOR STATE ADOPTED SO THAT YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND.
WE DO HAVE THAT OPTION TO GO WITH A RESOURCE OTHER THAN THE ONES THAT WERE PROVIDED ON THAT LIST, , SO THOSE ARE THE REASONINGS BEHIND THOSE.
>> I HAVE WHAT I HOPE IS A SHORT ONE.
[02:05:01]
>> CAN YOU GO BACK ONE SLIDE FOR ME, PLEASE? I'D APPRECIATE IT.
JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, I THINK THIS IS THE ONLY AREA I NOTICED IN THE STEM AREA THAT WE DIDN'T GO WITH ANY CURRICULUM THAT'S BEEN ADOPTED BY THE STATE.
WOULD YOU MIND JUST SPEAKING IN THAT AND WHAT WAS THE RATIONALE BEHIND THAT DECISION?
>> WELL, BIOTECHNOLOGY, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DID NOT EVEN PROVIDE A RESOURCE FOR US TO LOOK AT, SO WE JUST BYPASSED THAT.
THEN I SPOKE WITH THE TEACHERS THAT DO THE COMPUTER SCIENCE AND THE ENGINEERING, AND THEY ARE USING AN ONLINE PLATFORM WHERE THERE'S ACTUALLY TWO OF THEM, SOLIDWORKS AND SOLIDPROFESSOR.
THEY DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD GO WITH THAT BECAUSE THEY HAVE A MORE EXTENSIVE SELECTION FOR CLASSES THAT THEY MIGHT BE DOING NOW OR ALSO ADDING IN THE FUTURE.
IT MEETS THE TICKS, IT MEETS ALL OUR SYSTEMS. THEY DID A REVIEW OF EVERYTHING THAT WAS PROVIDED.
ACTUALLY, A COUPLE OF THOSE, THE LAST TWO, THE INTRO TO COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN AND DRAFTING, THERE WASN'T ANYTHING PROVIDED, SO IT LEFT THEM TO FIND THEIR OWN.
THEY'RE VERY COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT THEY'RE USING NOW.
THEY'VE USED IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
IT DOES EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED, BUT IT ALSO HAS THE ABILITY TO BE EXPANDED.
SOLIDWORKS PROVIDES THE LICENSES AND SOLIDPROFESSOR PROVIDES THE CURRICULUM AND THEY MESHED TOGETHER TO PROVIDE AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAM FOR THEM.
>> THAT SOUNDS GOOD TO ME. THANK YOU.
>> I'D LIKE TO COMMEND THE COMMITTEE FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THEY SPENT GOING THROUGH THESE MATERIALS AND MAKING SURE OUR TEACHERS ARE GOING TO BE PROVIDED WITH THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED TO TEACH THESE STUDENTS AND HAVE SUCCESSFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS IN THESE SUBJECT AREAS.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION IF THERE'S NO OTHER WHILE I'M ON THE MICROPHONE.
I MOVE TO APPROVE THE DISTRICT INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS, COMMITTEES, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROCLAMATION 2024 AS PRESENTED.
>> A MOTION FROM KIM, A SECOND FROM TRICIA.
ANY MORE DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> I THOUGHT DR. KATE WAS GOING TO DO THE TEKS CERTIFICATION, BUT I'LL GO AHEAD AND DO IT SINCE THAT'S MY AREA.
EVERY YEAR, WE HAVE TO CERTIFY OR YOU HAVE TO CERTIFY BASICALLY WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE ARE USING, THAT 100% OF THE TEKS ARE BEING COVERED WITH OUR MAIN RESOURCES AND THEN SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES.
BASICALLY WHAT WE HAVE TO DO, IT USED TO BE A ONE PAGE, MARY JANE, YOU'LL REMEMBER THAT, ONE PAGE WHERE YOU SIGNED, NOW THEY WOULD LIKE A LIST.
YOU CAN SEE THE LIST OF RESOURCES AND THIS IS FOR THE CORE SUBJECT AREAS.
BASICALLY, WE ARE JUST SAYING THAT WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE USE, WE ARE MEETING 100% OF THE TEKS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH SUBJECT IN THE CORE SUBJECT AREAS.
THAT'S WHAT THAT IS FOR AND WE WOULD JUST LIKE YOUR APPROVAL.
THEN DR. REINOLD WILL HAVE TO SIGN THAT FOR US SO THAT WE CAN SEND THAT, WELL, IT'S GOING TO GO THROUGH EMAT, WHICH IS THE SYSTEM THAT HOUSES THE LIST OF MATERIALS AND THE FUNDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO ASK FOR APPROVAL OF THAT.
THAT DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REVIEWED AND LOOKED AT BY MULTIPLE PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE REPRESENTING WHAT WE'RE USING TO MEET THE TEKS REQUIRED.
>> ANY DISCUSSION BOARD MEMBERS OR Y'ALL ENTERTAIN A MOTION? MARY JANE?
>> I MOVED TO CERTIFY THAT DS ISD STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS THAT COVER THE TEXAS ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN THE REQUIRED AREAS.
>> A MOTION FROM MARY JANE, A SECOND FROM KIM. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
NOW, OUR LAST ACTION ITEM THIS EVENING IS CONSIDERATION APPROVAL OF FUND BALANCE FOR THE PURCHASE OF TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT.
[02:10:03]
>> YES. WE DISCUSSED THIS AT LENGTH LAST WEEK, BUT THIS IS ASKING FOR 380,000 OF FUND BALANCE TO COVER THE COST OF THE SUMMER'S REFRESH FOR TECHNOLOGY ITEMS. THESE WERE ITEMS THAT WERE PULLED OUT OF THE '23 BOND AND DESIGNATED TO BE FUNDED THROUGH FUND BALANCE.
>> IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS? I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVE THE USE OF THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE TO PURCHASE $380,518 OF TECHNOLOGY TO ADDRESS 2024 REFRESH SCHEDULES AND PROVIDE FOR GROWTH.
I HAVE A MOTION FROM OLIVIA, AND A SECOND FROM ROB. ANY MORE DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? 7-0. SORRY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. HAND UP.
[9. REPORTS AND INFORMATION]
MOVING ON TO REPORTS AND INFORMATION.WE GOT A GREAT BRANDING UPDATE AND OTHER EXCITING THINGS.
ANYTHING ADDITIONAL OR OTHER HIGHLIGHTS?
>> NO, I DON'T THINK SO UNLESS YOU'LL HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
>> LEARNING INNOVATION REPORT.
WE ALSO GOT SOME AWESOME, EXCITING THINGS LIKE OUR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE.
>> YES, WE HAD SEVERAL COMMITTEES, BUT WE TALKED ABOUT THAT ALREADY, AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY UPDATES THAT WE HAVEN'T ALREADY PROVIDED.
>> I'VE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THE NEWS.
I HAVE TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS.
TEA HAS DECIDED WE DON'T NEED A BUNCH OF SHORT ANSWERS, SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LONGER ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS ON THE STAR TEST.
RATHER THAN PAY 2-$3 MILLION TO HAVE TEACHERS GRADE THEM, THEY'RE NOW HAVING THOSE GRADED BY AI CHATBOT GROUPS THINGS AS YOU HAVE IT.
I HOPE I'M NOT WRONG, BUT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO KNOW THIS.
THEY STARTED BY ROLLING SOME OF THESE TESTS OUT IN DECEMBER.
THE ENGLISH 1 TEST THAT THEY ROLLED OUT, 60% MORE ZEROS WERE SCORED.
THEN THEY ROLLED OUT ENGLISH 2 AND 70% MORE ZEROS WERE SCORED.
I JUST HAVE SUCH A CONCERN ABOUT WHERE THE STATE'S HEADED WITH THE TESTING AND THE GRADING BECAUSE NOT ONLY DOES IT AFFECT OUR DISTRICT.
THIS AFFECTS EVERY CHILD AND HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THEIR TESTING AND HOW WELL THEY DO, THEIR SELF ESTEEM, HOW THIS TIES TO A TEACHER AND HOW WELL HER STUDENTS ARE SUCCEEDING ACADEMICALLY.
WE HAVE THESE DISTRICT RATINGS.
ANY TIP INTO THIS LOVELY IDEA? THE 2 AND 3 MILLION WE'RE GOING TO SAVE.
CAN WE GET THAT FOR TEACHER RAISES OR ANYTHING? THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE NO LONGER GOING TO BE GRADING THESE TESTS, BUT ARE WE EXPECTING ANY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE?
>> IT'S REALLY EARLY FOR US TO TELL.
I HAVE BEEN HEARING THE THIRD GRADE ANYTIME THERE'S EMBEDDED RESPONSES WITH OPEN ENDED.
THERE IS A QUESTION BECAUSE YOU PUT A THIRD GRADER.
ALL THE TESTS ARE ON COMPUTER.
VERY FEW PAPER TESTS ARE ALLOWED.
THAT'S NEW FOR STUDENTS, AND THAT'S DIFFERENT FOR STUDENTS.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I PROCESS THROUGH WRITING.
JUST THE TIME THAT IT TAKES TO WRITE AND THEN YOU HAVE SEEN THEM TYPE.
THE TYPE WITH ONE FINGER ON EACH HAND.
I DID HEAR THAT STUDENTS WERE TESTING FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME BECAUSE OF THAT HUNTING PECK THING, WHICH IS NOT GOOD FOR THIRD GRADERS OR ANY GRADE TO TEST ALL DAY ON THIS TEST.
OF COURSE, OUR RESPONSES ARE GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT LOWER.
I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT PERCENTAGES OF WHERE IT IS, BUT DO YOU KNOW HOW IN CHATGPT, YOU CAN TELL IT MAKE ME SOUND LIKE, AND YOU CAN SAY, MAKE ME SOUND LIKE A FIFTH GRADER, MAKE I HOPE THEIR GRADING IS IS APPROPRIATE FOR THAT IF THEY'RE USING AI.
IF THEY'RE EXPECTING COLLEGIATE LEVEL WRITING FROM A THIRD GRADER, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM.
I DO KNOW THAT THEIR STATISTICIANS WILL LOOK AT IT ALL AND ADJUST, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT.
THE AVERAGE THAT COMES OUT FOR THE STUDENT AND THE IDENTITY THE STUDENT HAS WITH THAT WRITING IS GOING TO BE DETRIMENTAL IF THEY'RE NOT CAREFUL.
>> THEN WITH THAT, BECAUSE I DID HEAR THAT AS WELL.
THE PARENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST A RE EVALUATION, CORRECT? A RESCORE?
[02:15:02]
>> A RESCORE. YES. I DO THINK THERE'S A COST FOR A RESCORE RHONDA THAT USED TO BE BACK IN THE OLDEN DAYS. IT WAS $25.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY STILL DO THAT BECAUSE EVERYTHING'S COMPUTERIZED.
BUT POTENTIALLY, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD FOR?
WE WILL GET THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU GUYS, SO WE CAN BE WELL AWARE.
>> ISN'T THERE AN AUTOMATIC 25% RESCORE THROUGH TEA, WHICH IS JUST GOING TO BE AUTOMATIC.
HOPEFULLY, WE CAN GET SOME FREEBIES IN THERE.
>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT FOR SURE.
>> FINANCE REPORTS. NOTHING, UPDATE?
>> NOTHING UPDATE FROM LAST WEEK.
>> OPERATIONS REPORTS? KIND OF THE SAME. HR REPORT?
>> CAN I JUST ASK THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A RELEASE OF INFORMATION TODAY, WHERE IS THAT POSTED SO THE COMMUNITY CAN FIND IT?
>> AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT, STEPHANIE, YOU READ A STATEMENT.
>> WHICH MEDIA REACHED OUT TO YOU?
>> KXN, AS WELL AS KUT AND FOX 7, ALL THREE REACHED OUT.
>> BUT I CAN POST IT ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL.
>> THIS IS OUR ANNUAL REPORT FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS. BEAR WITH ME.
IT'S LIKE A FOUR PAGE DOCUMENT THAT IS REQUIRED BY LAW, THAT I JUST READ THE WHOLE THING.
UNDER STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION RULE COMPLETING REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION EACH YEAR OF SERVICE IS A BASIC OBLIGATION, EXPECTATION OF ANY SITTING BOARD MEMBER.
AS BOARD PRESIDENT, I AM REQUIRED TO ANNOUNCE THE NAME OF EACH MEMBER WHO HAS COMPLETED THE REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION, HAS EXCEEDED THE REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION AND IS DEFICIENT IN MEETING THE REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION.
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAINING ARE MEASURED AS THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE DATE OF THE TRUSTEES ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT OR TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HIS OR HER PREVIOUS TRAINING AS APPLICABLE.
THERE ARE EIGHT TRAINING AREAS FOR BOARD MEMBER CONTINUING EDUCATION, ONE LOCAL DISTRICT ORIENTATION, TWO ORIENTATION TO THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE.
THREE POST LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TO THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE, FOUR TEAM BUILDING, FIVE ADDITIONAL CONTINUING EDUCATION, SIX, EVALUATING STUDENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND SETTING GOALS.
SEVEN IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING ABUSE, TRAFFICKING, AND OTHER MALTREATMENT OF CHILDREN, EIGHT SCHOOL SAFETY.
TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE TO EACH BOARD MEMBER, I WILL ANNOUNCE THE COMPLETION OR DEFICIENCY AS TO REQUIRED TRAINING.
FOR MEMBERS WHO STILL HAVE TIME REMAINING TO COMPLETE REQUIRED TRAINING, I WILL ANNOUNCE THOSE BOARD MEMBERS WHO HAVE SCHEDULED TIMELY TRAINING AND THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET SCHEDULED THE TRAINING.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, I WILL ANNOUNCE ANY BOARD MEMBERS TRAINING IN EXCESS OF THE CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS.
THE FOLLOWING FIRST YEAR BOARD MEMBERS HAVE COMPLETED THE LOCAL DISTRICT ORIENTATION TRAINING, KIM COUSINS, ROB MCCLELLAND.
THE FOLLOWING FIRST YEAR BOARD MEMBERS HAVE COMPLETED THE ORIENTATION OF THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE TRAINING, KIM COUSINS, ROB MCCLELLAND.
THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS HAVE COMPLETED POST LEGISLATIVE UPDATE TO THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE TRAINING.
MARY JANE HETRICK, OLIVIA BARNARD, SHANNON O'CONNOR, STEPHANIE REINOLD, TRICIA QUINTERO.
THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS HAVE COMPLETED THE ANNUAL TEAM BUILDING TRAINING.
KIM COUSINS, ROB MCCLELLAND, MARY JANE HETRICK, OLIVIA BARNARD, SHANNON O'CONNOR, STEPHANIE REINOLD, TRICIA QUINTERO.
THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS HAVE COMPLETED THE ADDITIONAL CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS, KIM COUSINS, ROB MCCLELLAND, MARY JANE HETRICK, OLIVIA BARNARD, SHANNON O'CONNOR, STEPHANIE REINOLD, TRICIA QUINTERO.
THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS HAVE COMPLETED THE BIENNIAL TRAINING ON EVALUATING STUDENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND SETTING GOALS.
KIM COUSINS, ROB MCCLELLAND, MARY JANE HETRICK, OLIVIA BARNARD, SHANNON O'CONNOR, STEPHANIE REINOLD, TRICIA QUINTERO.
THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS HAVE COMPLETED THE BIENNIAL TRAINING ON IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING.
KIM COUSINS, ROB MCCLELLAND, MARY JANE HETRICK, OLIVIA BARNARD, SHANNON O'CONNOR, STEPHANIE REINOLD TRICIA QUINTERO.
THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS HAVE COMPLETED THE BIENNIAL TRAINING ON SCHOOL SAFETY.
KIM COUSINS, ROB MCCLELLAND, MARY JANE HETRICK, OLIVIA BARNARD, SHANNON O'CONNOR, STEPHANIE REINOLD, TRICIA QUINTERO.
BOARD MEMBER KIM COUSINS EXCEEDED THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF CONTINUING EDUCATION TRAINING BY 13 ADDITIONAL HOURS.
BOARD MEMBER ROB MCCLELLAND EXCEEDED THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF CONTINUING EDUCATION TRAINING BY 10.5 ADDITIONAL HOURS.
BOARD MEMBER MARY JANE HETRICK EXCEEDED THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF CONTINUED EDUCATION TRAINING BY 41.75 ADDITIONAL HOURS.
BOARD MEMBER OLIVIA BARNARD EXCEEDED THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF CONTINUING EDUCATION TRAINING BY 14.75 ADDITIONAL HOURS.
BOARD MEMBER SHANNON O'CONNOR EXCEEDED THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF CONTINUED EDUCATION TRAINING BY 13.75 ADDITIONAL HOURS.
BOARD MEMBER STEPHANIE REINOLD EXCEEDED THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF
[02:20:03]
CONTINUING EDUCATION TRAINING BY NINE ADDITIONAL HOURS.BOARD MEMBER TRICIA QUINTERO EXCEEDED THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF CONTINUED EDUCATION TRAINING BY 14 ADDITIONAL HOURS.
WITH NO MORE ACTION THIS EVENING AND NO CLOSED SESSION, WE STAND ADJOURNED AT 8:33 PM. THANK YOU FOR COMING.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.