February, 2009
Volume 18, Issue 6
EYES ON THE BOARD
CHANGE IS A MIXED BAG
On March 5, 2009 the board will meet to discuss the district growth and facilities forecast. In addition, there will be a discussion of MISD Personnel Staffing Plans. We will report on this meeting on March 6, 2009 in an email.
Mr. Farias was out of town this last week. Mr. Alvarado is out of town for two (2) weeks in regard to training for his new job (working mostly at Valley Baptist with surgeons using new robotic devices).
Thus, it will probably be after Spring Break before we know who the new superintendent will be.
FEBRUARY 24, 2009
We attended the McAllen Board of Education meeting on Monday, February 23, 2009.
In the first closed session (4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) the superintendent search discussion continued. In a second closed session from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. nothing happened either. Thus, we have more waiting to learn the finalist (for superintendent) for McAllen ISD.
Administrator’s contracts were approved—next month the teaching staff. A brief discussion of finances for the district seemed to be positive.
Another discussion followed describing moving into the new central kitchen. Normal bills were paid for printing, electrical supplies, rental of chiller, truck for child nutrition program, deli sandwiches, dry storage facility usage (just for less than a month), and payment #1 to Rio Valley Construction for Athletic Facilities at McHi, Memorial, and Rowe was approved. The U. S. Department of Education Teaching American History Grant Proposal was approved.
FEBRUARY 19, 2009
Important Information that you have been asking for. We called Mr. Steve Ellis, Director of Human Resources, this morning. He called back A.S.A.P. and said all the HR Directors were in the room with him to answer any questions I had. I wanted to clarify some questions you have ask me as follows:
- There will be a Job Fair for Secondary—not Elementary. Tentative dates are March 23rd or March 27th.
- If you are non-renewed, you can ask for a transfer. If you were required to submit a letter of resignation, you can still reapply for another school and you might get rehired.
- If you are a retire/rehire, Mr. Ellis said he sat down several weeks ago with two (2) MISD School Board members at a time and discussed the program. Mr. Ellis recommended leaving the program as is. If a change occurs, he recommends grandfathering those in theprogram presently. A new superintendent could change all of this.
- Fingerprinting—please call us if your prints are rejected. Deadline is April 15, 2009
On February 12 and 16-19 the MISD Board met in closed session to Deliberate Employment of Superintendent (that is they reviewed applications and began the interview process).
February 9, 2009
A large number of bills were paid for bond projects.
A report of delinquent tax collections was presented by Lilia Ledesma, Delinquent Tax Attorney. It looks as if a large number of people are going to be delinquent on their taxes and this will cost the district a great deal of money.
In regard to the school calendars for 2009-2010 five (5) different ones were presented. Parents and staff will now give their input.
CANDIDATES FOR SCHOOL BOARD
As of 3/2/09
Ralph Garcia vs. Dr. Joseph Caporusso
Sam Saldivar vs. Larry Esparza & James Garcia
James Torline vs. Javier Farias
MCALLEN AFT PRESENTATION TO THE MCALLEN ISD BOARD
FEBRUARY 9, 2009
As the board of education reviews the applicants that have applied for Superintendent, we would like to suggest some important qualifications that this person needs.
- Students and employees need a superintendent that has a variety of educational experience—such as 10 years of teaching experience, 7 years of being a high school principal, and 5 years of being an assistant superintendent or superintendent experience
- Students and employees need a superintendent that is a positive motivator and not focused on how the superintendent looks.
- Students and employees need a superintendent that is fair and open-minded.
- Employees need a superintendent that allows them to transfer to another school when a change is needed.
- Employees need a superintendent that resolves problems at lowest possible level.
The second topic that we would like to mention in regard to the “Stimulus Bill” is the amendment drafted in Congress by Senators Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) that would dramatically reduce funding for key education programs in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
We also ask that you contact your senators, Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, as soon as possible and urge them to reject any amendments aimed at eliminating or reducing funding for key programs, such as Title I, IDEA, Pell Grants, Head Start, the Child Care Development Block Grant, school construction and the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (a fund aimed at helping school districts make up for inadequate state aid).
These funds for the benefit of schoolchildren will serve as both an immediate economic stimulus and a long-term investment in economic growth.
Call 866/327-8670 today to urge rejection of any amendments offered on the Senate floor that undermines educators and the people they serve.