January, 2011
Volume 19, Issue 5
EYES ON THE BOARD
YOU ARE GOING TO NEED A HELMET!
MCALLEN AFT
PRESENTATION TO THE MCALLEN ISD BOARD
January 24, 2011
Good evening. My name is Ruth Skow, and I represent the McAllen AFT. We represent employees from the teacher to the bus driver.
The 2012-2013 Texas House budget plan is the worst in 50 years. It would cut $10 billion from public education funding for school districts over the coming two fiscal years. That is the equivalent of a $1,000-per-pupil annual funding cut, on average across the state. This budget is a radical retreat from the state’s commitment to public education.
Our children are our precious treasures. We need to be sure we focus on them. McAllen ISD should keep the pre-kindergarten program—our state wants to cut the program entirely. Our children need the extra help this program provides. The parents of this age group of children should be encouraged to help keep this age group in school.
With the IB program as part of the curriculum the McAllen Board of Education should insist that full–time qualified librarians be on every campus. We should not be taking the concern for libraries and literacy away from our children. You are discriminating against children when you do not provide the same services to all students. If the board is going to push for college readiness, then we should have at least two (2) librarians at every regular high school campus.
With health issues being a problem across our area of the state, children should have a highly qualified nurse at each campus not an LVN. As President of the McAllen AFT, it is my responsibility to plan for any health crisis across the Rio Grande Valley for our 12,500 members of AFT.
Also there should be no more funding of private-school vouchers. Private-school vouchers take tremendous amounts of money out of our public school budgets. One of the reasons McAllen ISD is having financial concerns is the drain of funds by private-school vouchers.
We need to focus on our at-risk students, Advanced Placement programs, and disciplinary alternative-education programs and provide for them in our budget. The Texas Legislative budget is calling for elimination of funding for science labs. This cut will deeply hurt our students. We should be fighting to keep these labs on a state-wide level.
In addition, the elimination of funding for tuition scholarships to help educational aides become certified teachers is something we also need to save on a state-wide level.
Thank you.
School Board Meeting
January 24, 2011
Moore arrived late.
The McAllen ISD Board approved a Letter of Support for Superintendent Ponce. In addition, they extended his contract until June, 2015. The Board also approved a First Amendment to the superintendent's employment contract. The only one voting NO was Farias. Moore gave a long presentation on how well Ponce has carried out the boards directives. Saldivar gave an even longer presentation in favor of Ponce's good work. Vela also indicated how pleased he was with Ponce. There was no mention of an increase in salary.
The superintendent gave a presentation on the district's financial condition. He plans to cut $16 to $20 million from the budget. The McAllen ISD Board members showed agreement with all his cuts--even suggesting some.
Plans are now in place for the May 14, 2011 School Board Election. Garcia, Kent, Moore, and Vela are up for reelection.
A fire alarm upgrade for Roosevelt Elementary was approved.
Approval of renewal and revision of expenditures for library books, AV materials and instructional reading materials catalog bid.
Approved Perez Elementary pavilion rebid.
Approved a memo of understanding to review CHIPS.
The policy for use of cell phones by students in the classroom had a First Reading.
Policy Committee Meeting, January 18, 2011
Most of the meeting dwelled on using cell phones in the classroom.
In addition, instead of talking about contracts in general there was a focus on Asst. Superintendent contracts.
School Board Meeting
January 10, 2011
Absent--Moore and Caporusso
A report was given in regard to the election for Trustees on May 14, 2011. Those whose
terms are ending are Garcia, Kent, Moore, and Vela. Citizens of McAllen may sign up to run beginning February 12 up to March 14, 2011. A Public Hearing for the AEIS Report will be held on January 24, 2011.
Issues discussed and voted on on January 24, 2011 are as follows:
Trades, Temporary Labor & Materials contract.
terms are ending are Garcia, Kent, Moore, and Vela. Citizens of McAllen may sign up to run beginning February 12 up to March 14, 2011. A Public Hearing for the AEIS Report will be held on January 24, 2011.
Issues discussed and voted on on January 24, 2011 are as follows:
Trades, Temporary Labor & Materials contract.
Fire alarm system upgrade at Roosevelt Elementary.
AEP contract Pilot program. Gasoline products and delivery services.
Policy Manual 88 update. Evaluation of CHIPS program. High school reform goals for 2010-2011. Student On-line Registration Rebid. Four (4) companies responded--interviews to come.
AEP contract Pilot program. Gasoline products and delivery services.
Policy Manual 88 update. Evaluation of CHIPS program. High school reform goals for 2010-2011. Student On-line Registration Rebid. Four (4) companies responded--interviews to come.
Library books, audiovisual materials and instructional reading materials. Approval of inter-local co-operative agreement regarding computers, software, and installation for McHi, Memorial, and Rowe.
Discussion of revising of Board Policy regarding contracts for teachers, at will employees, principals, and types of contracts.