January, 2008
McAllen AFT MAKING A DIFFERENCE
1500 Dove Avenue, McAllen, TX, 78504, 682-1143
EYES ON THE BOARD
CHANGE HAS HAPPENED
SURPRISE
In a surprise, Superintendent Yolanda Chapa’s resignation was accepted with regret effective January 30, 2009. Health issues with Mrs. Chapa’s family caused the resignation. We wish her well.
Applications for a new superintendent will close January 26, 2009. According to Mrs. Chapa, there are a number of applicants.
MISD BOARD ELECTION
We have now met with six (6) possible candidates for places 3, 6, and 7. When the candidates file, we will let you know their names. The candidates are all very interesting and different. Each has special skills and talents. Each is very interested in being a good board member. Each person has been told by us—the children and the staff need someone who cares.
The filing date begins on February 9, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. and ends March 13, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.
Voting will occur on May 9, 2009. We need all of you to participate in block walking, phone calling, and in general turning out the vote.
We have planned carefully and are ready to use all our resources to get the best for our children and the entire staff. Change is a challenge.
BOND
As the 2005 Bond comes to an end, there are just a few projects left to finish.
The Central Kitchen and Plant Operations Building is about 1/2 done. Soon the building will be closed in and the interior will be completed. The finish date is early March 2009.
The Transportation Building is about 1/4 done. The walls will go up any day.
Some of the projects did not need as much money as thought and the left over money was returned to complete other bond projects.
CALENDARS
Five (5) different calendars for 2009-2010 were presented to the McAllen ISD Board of Education. After a short discussion, Mr. Alvarado suggested the principals look at the calendars at their principals meeting and then staff and parents. Then a decision could be made.
TECHNOLOGY
During the discussion of web hosting services and student email services it seems as if School Fusion failed to make the deadline for request for proposals. Thus, something new will need to be used. The Board awarded the web hosting services and student email to Intrafinity Inc. dba SharpSchool, Williamsville, New York.
In addition, the Board awarded the purchase of district-wide internet access and Smartnet Maintenance renewal eligible for E-Rate 2009 funding to Region I in the amount of $65,448 for one year. E-Rate for 1 year up to $194,094. Contingent up on E-Rate for 2009 Funding and pending review by school attorney.
FINGERPRINTING
Fingerprinting will start beginning February 2-April 24 in McAllen ISD. As of January 1, 2008, all non-certified employees will be subject to a national criminal history record check and will be required to be fingerprinted through the Department of Public Safety.
Any applicant recommended for employment will be required to pay a $50.20 fee for the fingerprinting process. Payment must be made by using a credit card or prepaid debit card only. No other form of payment will be accepted.
MCALLEN AFT PRESENTATION TO THE MCALLEN BOARD OF EDUCATION
January 19, 2009
Good evening. My name is Ruth Skow, and I represent McAllen AFT. We represent all employees from the teacher to the bus driver. We continue to encourage employees to use the new PCI Health Clinic. We are getting positive responses from employees about the treatment they are receiving.
At a recent open forum, we mentioned ways to save money and improve safety. We have a team of 50 members who are alerting us regarding money saving and safety tips for our school district. The first concern is the foot traffic problem at Fossum Middle School. Some students are walking to Fossum on Ware Road. The high grass along Ware Road leads to walking on the edge of the road. We continue to see that this problem has not been addressed. In addition, we notice students cutting across the grass from Yellowhammer. We continue to see that nothing has happened.
Our second concern is the lack of a flashing light at Ware Road and Goldcrest for Hendricks Elementary. That problem has not been resolved.
Our third and new concern regarding safety is the locking of gates for staff parking at some schools. If an employee needs to use the health clinic and takes a half-day of sick leave, he/she cannot park their vehicle in the parking lot when they return if janitors are being instructed not to open the gates for employees after 8 a.m. Why can’t a key to open the gate be given to team leaders on the campus? On returning from the clinic if a staff member’s car has to be parked on the street, that person takes a chance that their car could be damaged.
Our fourth and new concern is that the STAR Program (strict military discipline program that tackles discipline issues) could be used to replace the ACT Program on middle school campuses. We understand that ACT (another discipline program) will be cut. Discipline is a safety issue. We are also deeply concerned with the job cuts regarding counselors. Students need access to a counselor’s ability to listen and suggest ways to handle life’s problems.
As we work our way to the Test, the Test, nothing but the Test we again are having our teachers being told that they must work on Saturday. The administration of each school must pay the teacher if they insist that teachers work on Saturday. You should not force the teacher to work without pay by using the phase “we ran out of money”.
Thank you.