April, 2009
Volume 17, Issue 8
McAllen AFT MAKING A DIFFERENCE
1500 Dove Avenue, McAllen, TX, 78504, 682-1143
EYES ON THE BOARD
SUPERINTENDENT JAMES PONCE HIRED
The McAllen ISD Board of Trustees has named James Ponce Superintendent on April 28, 2009.
Ponce has a three (3) year contract ending in 2012.
Mr. Ponce’s salary and benefits package are not known at this time.
As you know, McAllen AFT weekly email will keep you informed in regard to the salary and benefits.
School Board Meeting
April 27, 2009
As far as we could tell, there was nothing new regarding the appointment and employment of a new superintendent. After the closed session opened again at 9:30 p.m. there was a brief discussion, but no definite information about the new superintendent.
There were many fine recognitions of students.
The March 2009 Monthly Financial and Investment Report was presented. Ms. Medrano-Richards, Acting CFO (Chief Financial Officer) said there was a fund balance of $18,873,314 (this is far from the $30 million that was mentioned repeatedly at the last regular board meeting). Mr. Moore and Mr. Farias were not present.
Monies were approved for special education Medicaid Reimbursement Filing, Speech/Language Pathology Services for Special Education Services, Occupational Therapy Services for Special Education, relocation of portable buildings, automotive repair parts, supplies and related products, renewal of paint, etc., on-call architectural design services, approval of weight room equipment and special flooring, and approval to purchase 3 trucks for Career and Tech Agriculture program.
Mention was made of precautions for Swine Flu listed on the district web page.
The district is applying for a 2009-2010 Intensive
Reading or Language Acquisition Intervention Pilot Grant for Roosevelt Elementary.
On Sunday after church we understand that around the city car windshields had a flyer from 3 of the school board candidates. I ask Mr. Torline to clarify the flyers—below is his email to me.
Mrs. Skow,
There appears to be a misunderstanding on a position I have taken regarding the teaching of the history of the Bible in public school.
The history of the Bible is a TEA approved course. It is an elective, designed to be offered to those students wishing to take on extra course work. What I perceive, at this time, is that some are interpreting this course as one that is both required and teaches religion. It is neither.
I spent 17 years in the classroom teaching social studies. When I was approached about this course I saw it as an excellent way to teach history with a twist. When we consider the rich history that can be found in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, this course can become a way to introduce to our youth one of the foundations for which our great nation was developed. I also felt that with the study of the history of the Bible, more students could better understand the conflicts which have developed in our modern world. Through this understanding, we lay the groundwork for better cooperation among peoples.
I understand the concerns that some might have about the teaching of religion with this course. I am an advocate that the teaching of religion to our children should be conducted in homes, churches and synagogues, and faith based schools. The teaching of religion or religious beliefs is best left out of public schools.
Under the curriculum developed by TEA, the teacher in this setting is to be cautious about advocating one religion over another. Guidelines for this course instruct the teacher to direct a student wanting to know more to see his or her priest, rabbi or minister. So again, it is not about the teaching of religion.
I am not advocating the teaching of religion in our schools. As a former history teacher, I see this as an opportunity to teach history in an area that has not been taught before. I am also realistic enough to know that this course, if accepted as part of the curriculum for our schools, may not draw the number of students needed to justify designating a teacher for it. However, I would like to see it offered to those students who may wish to take it as an extra course of study.
I hope this clarifies some concerns . . .
James Torline, Candidate Place 3, McAllen ISD School Board
McAllen ISD School Board Meeting April 14, 2009
A presentation by the facilities committee verified the fact that Crockett Elementary will be abandoned. We know other schools are on the chopping block it just has not been revealed.
There was a discussion of replacing Travis Middle School (cost of $24 million) and Milam Elementary (cost of $13 million)—both need it badly—but how to do it is the question. There was talk of housing Milam at Crockett until Milam could be replaced.
Travis is another story—not enough land to rebuilt on the present site—and stay in the old Travis until done—but maybe another site in the town—perhaps a trade with the City of McAllen.
There was also a discussion of building a new 6th elementary—Gonzalez, Jackson, and Milam would feed into the creation of this new elementary.
Many bills were paid for the new activity buildings at McHi, Memorial, and Rowe.
New weight room equipment was purchased at approximately $400,000 or $246,000 a campus. If I understood correctly, the money would come out of the 2009-2010 budget.
The energy rates were discussed, and the district was given direction by the board. Perhaps .06 cents per kilowatt (we think we wrote the expression correctly).
The school district gets a much better rate than an individual. At our office, we are trying to lock the rates in at .08.
On the back burner—the repairs at McHi auditorium—a lighting retrofit was approved because of testing.
Chillers for Rowe were approved—a surprise addition.
McHi continues to be neglected as a facility.
PRESENTATION TO
MCALLEN ISD BOARD
APRIL 14, 2009
Good evening. My name is Ruth Skow, and I represent employees from the teacher to the bus driver.
Over the last week with the selection of a sole finalist for superintendent, we have reviewed some of the ideas that James Ponce might have mentioned to the MISD Board of Education interviews.
Mr. Ponce has been a part of the Dallas Achieves—which includes realigning the curriculum at all levels and allocating resources more effectively—that will provide the vehicle to make changes possible in every classroom in every Dallas ISD school district.
The Dallas Achieves! Commission is a panel of 65 Dallas community and business leaders who in 2006 conducted a resource utilization effectiveness study of the Dallas Independent School District and made recommendations that would help propel the DISD to the best-in-nation status.
The commission’s recommendations address the need to strategically reallocate resources to meet student performance targets and to support changes that result from a curriculum audit.
The commission identified four common resource allocation best practice themes for the district’s success: accountability, the use of data, empowered principals, and equitable funding.
It’s recommendations include:
- creating a long-term roadmap for comprehensive school reform
- establishing reform implementation and project teams
- improving facilities management, custodial services, and police department supervision
- establishing a more efficient use of energy
- streamlining technology
- simplifying the district’s legal process
- identifying alternatives to the way school hallways are currently monitored
- finding a model that more equitably funds high- and low-performing schools.
We hope that the MISD Board of Education told Mr. Ponce that teachers want bottom up leadership in changing curriculum. The McAllen AFT is familiar with Mr. Ponce and wishes him well.
Also this evening we would like to mention that Congressman Henry Cuellar told us that Hidalgo County schools is to receive $120 million for Hidalgo County schools (Jobs Bill) to prevent teacher layoffs and to improve and maintain classrooms that promote learning. We have been visiting with teachers at job fairs, and they tell us that McAllen is not the place to invest time in. In getting to the 80% for salaries and 20% everything else budget wise have you gone too fast? The word is out across the Rio Grande Valley.
In another Texas Education Agency News for April 10, 2009 McAllen will receive $5,096,819 for Special Education stimulus funds.
This funding is available on April 15, 2009. Special Education stimulus funds are also available for McAllen on April 15, 2009 in the amount of $131,731 for Pre School ages 3-5. We ask that the MISD Board watches the money, and we will also.
Thank you.