December, 2010
Volume 19, Issue 4
EYES ON THE BOARD
NOW THE LEGISLATURE!
BE READY TO STAND UP FOR YOURSELF!
December 13, 2010
Absent from meeting—Mr. Farias and Mrs. Garcia
Approved by 5-0 the following:
Resolution and Addendum to Delinquent Tax Contract
MISD November Budget Amendment
Expenditures for classroom furnishings, equipment, instructional supplies
Fundaments of College Algebra (books total $10,000)
Purchase of used vehicles for Food Services (box truck)
Consent agenda items:
Approved network cabling services
Grant writing services
Web-based instructional reading, math, science, and social studies program
Data management software services and training and materials for assessment
Health supplies and equipment
Items not included on December 6 briefing meeting:
Reject Perez Elementary Pavilion—bid to high. Parents have raised more money for the pavilion
Approved Superintendent trip to Dallas Institute’s Superintendent Symposium in Austin.
December 6, 2010
Those absent from the meeting were Farias, Kent, and Vela (came in late).
This was a briefing meeting. Most agenda items were for discussion and voting will be on December 13.
There was a lengthy discussion on the new STAAR exam and End of Course Exams for high school. A new course for high school--Introduction to College Algebra as a High School Mathematics Independent Study was discussed. There will be one (1) section at each high school with approximately 40 students each--costs not clear yet.
IPads were discussed for use in data management training and materials for assessment.
The cost of training and materials is roughly $73,000.
There was a discussion of on-line registration for high schools—information. Lamar's cafeteria will be redone and include WIFI. Other high schools will come later. Lastly, a discussion of purchasing used trucks for Child Nutrition.
PRESENTATION TO THE
MCALLEN ISD BOARD OF EDUCATION—12/13/2010
Good evening.
Last month in Open Forum I talked about revenue for our schools. This evening I would like to discuss reforms for student success.
A Positive Vision of Accountability
End reliance on a single test to measure success. Use multiple measures to gauge growth and inform instruction; incorporate social/emotional learning.
Restore teachers’ authority over instructional time. Prohibit use of “value added” statistical models for individual teacher evaluation. End punitive sanctions; use supportive interventions.
Use appropriate tests for students with disabilities and English Language Learners. Hold school district accountable for providing a supportive environment for learning that reflects real employee input and collaboration.
Build community services for students and families into neighborhood schools.
School Discipline, Safety, and Health
Uphold teachers’ authority to remove disruptive students free of administrative retaliation. Require timely notice to employees of violent offenders placed on their campus. Fund quality disciplinary alternative programs.
At this time, the I & G campus with direction from administration is only letting 5 students from each high school and middle school be transferred to this location. The practice of artificially limiting seats at I & G is a high security risk issue. An AFT group of 20 retirees is closely watching this concern.
Quality Education for All
Provide universal access to full-day pre-K and kindergarten.
Intervene early to help at-risk students. Ensure sufficient staffing to serve high-need students included in regular classrooms.
Ensure properly certified teachers in every class; provide mentoring and research-based
professional development; continue instructional aide scholarships. Enforce existing K-4 class-size limits, and reduce class size in other grades.
Tighten standards for state-authorized charter schools.
Support experiments with differentiated pay or alternative evaluation, if developed collaboratively.