Volume 16, Issue 7
March, 2008
1500 Dove,
EYES ON THE BOARD
LAST 2005 BOND PROJECTS READY TO BE BUILT
As you probably are aware, Calendar B won for the 08-09 school year (high school final exams will be before Winter Break). Many elementary parents complained that for their children to attend school two (2) weeks after Break and then have three (3) days off was extremely difficult babysitting wise. Of course, the three (3) days off were to readjust high school student schedules because of failures.
On Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 11:30 a.m., the MISD Board will interview and rank architectural Design Services for Activity Buildings for McHi, Memorial, and Rowe and give authorization to negotiate an agreement with the highest ranked firm. The estimated cost is $4 million out of McAllen ISD fund balance.
Also on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 2 p.m., the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the New Central Kitchen/Maintenance and
On Monday, March 10, 2008, Diana Montes (Asst. Super.) presented a report of the Professional Development for Arts Educators from the US Department of Education. The purpose of the grant would be to assist elementary teachers in the arts staff development (for example, as required in the IB program). The grant is for $1+ million and required a $50,000 match from McAllen ISD. The vote was 6-0.
The Lincoln Gym still has wet wall issues (possible mold), and testing still needs to be done. The board is keeping on top of this issue.
The 2005 Bond has earned $9.6 million in interest—probably most of the interest will be used to finish the new District Kitchen and
A major discussion (lead by Dr. Chapa who’s concern was the fact that LEP scores were very poor) occurred when the agreement for SIOP Professional Development with John Seidlitz DBA JMS Educational Specialist hiring was debated. The fee for Seidlitz is $1,400 a day (more than the super makes a day, but includes expenses, hotel, flight, etc. The super said she would be happy to make more money.). Dr. Chapa was concerned that the consultant was not meeting the needs of staff and students. The vote was 5 for, 0 against, and 1 abstention (Dr. Chapa). We applaud Dr. Chapa’s continued concern for scores and use of district monies.
Other bills paid were for food, athletic equipment, network cabling, Texas Fitness Now Program, assessment materials, and bond projects.
The fifth elementary should be finished by August 1, 2008 and Fossum by July, 2008.
The MISD Board also approved the submittal of the Intensive Summer Program for Middle and High School students grant application. Funds for this grant would come from state college allotment funds. Local funds would be in the amount of $50,000.
The superintendent talked about meeting with the PTA Presidents and the initiative labeled—Empty Chairs Means Lessons Lost. We are still very concerned that Parental Involvement is still not being focused on by administration. If we are to get the students to school, parents must be highly involved. The highest absentee rates are in PreK & K and 8th and 9th grades. In the Superintendent’s report, she mentioned that at a superintendents’ meeting in Zapata recently a speaker (Lynn Moak) said no new money from the state.
OPEN FORUM PRESENTATION
MARCH 10, 2008
Over a period of time we have been asking the McAllen ISD and the Board of Education for a clinic for all employees. We also ask that no co pay be charged. With the implementation of a new perscription drug plan you have saved $1,000,000. With this savings you need to implement the clinic option and consider improving the dental plan. You also have saved enough money to add a “real” vision plan. The employees have done everything you asked of them and more. Wages and health care are the top issues across the
Employees from all over the district have continued to bring the issue of excessive paperwork to us. Many reports are required and often just asking for the same information over and over again. Boards of Education all over the state are required to ask administration to reduce the volume of paperwork once a year. Employees are telling us that no change has occurred and thus each of you needs to ask administration when paperwork reduction will happen.
We also want to bring to your attention again that technology infrastructure is flawed. You do not have enough technicians, enough updated computers, and you should have your librarians focused on helping students improve academically instead of diverting their talents to keeping computers repaired.
With the new computer software for grading, it was obvious that outdated computers could not handle the change. It was also obvious that over all you have problems with your system, reflected by the number of breakdowns and slowness of data handling.
Lastly we are deeply concerned about the number of TINAs (Teacher In Need of Assistance) being given to faculty members in the ISD. We are not talking about just probationary teachers, but teachers with master’s degrees and years of experience. In many places around the state when a veteran teacher is given a TINA, they are supported fully. The teacher is given a highly trained mentor, positive feedback on what they are doing well, and reasonable expectations and time lengths. We do not see that happening in
Thank you.