MINUTES FLORENCE USES TO RECORD

RIO HONDO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

215 West Colorado Street

Rio Hondo, = Texas 78583 =

February= 20, 2006

The Board of Trustees = of the Rio H= ondo Independent School District met in a Regular Session on Monday, February 20, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Administration Building, 215 W. Colorado Street, Rio Hondo, Texas, with Mrs. Garza, President, presiding.

TRUSTEES: &= nbsp; &nbs= p; PRESENT - &= nbsp; President = ; Noemi Garza

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = Vice President &nb= sp; Rolando Alfaro

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = Secretary = ; Xavier Hernandez

            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;        Richard A. Serra

Rene Alfaro

            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;        Susan Lopez

            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;

            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;          ABSENT     -        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;    Linda V. Alaniz      &nb= sp;

            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;

            SUPERINTENDENT:        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;            Anneliese McMinn

            RECORDER:        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;             = Florence Landry

            ADMINISTRATION:        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;            J. Montez, K. McKinney,

            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;        M. Everett, Elda Garza,

R. Lopez, R. Savage

            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;

            VISITORS:        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;    See Attached List

      Items 1 & = 2 Mrs. Garza called the meeti= ng to order at 7:00 p.m., after noting a quorum was present and that the meeting notice had been posted as required by law.

    Item 3    &= nbsp; The ROTC Color Guard led in the Pledge of Allegiance.<= o:p>

      Item 4       Welcome/Open Forum:

            =             <= o:p>

Mrs. Garza thanked everyone for attending the meeting and invited comments from the audience. T= here were none.

Regular Board Meeting<= o:p>

February 20, 2006=

Page 2

      Item 5       Student/Staff Recognition

High Sch= ool Band Director Robert Garza presented seven members of the Association of Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB) Texas All State Band. These students were in San Antonio on February 15-18, 2006, wh= ere they rehearsed and performed in concert with the all-state band. The concert was held at the Scotti= sh Rite Auditorium, Mr. Garza stated. Mr. Garza also informed the Board = that the 2006 Rio Hondo High School Winterguard has been competing throughout the semester and have earned a sp= ot in the State Tournament in April.

Athletic Director Gus Cavazos introduced Freshmen Boys Basketball Coach Feliciano Or= tega and 7^th Grade Boys Basketball Coach Tony Jaramillo. Coach Ortega and Coach Jaramillo recognized the teams for their District Championships.

      Item 6     Report From High School Principal

&nb= sp;            =

High School Principal Juan Montez called on Counselor Rene Cortez.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Mr. Cortez gave an overview of rec= ent activities and future activities planned for high school students. Mr. Cortez reported on SAT testing= for students and how the counseling department is assisting students with the financial aid application process. Mr. Cortez recognized the high school student selected as the “Head of the Class” student during the month of February by the= Harlingen Border = Patrol Station. Counselors Juanita C= avazos and Becky Mesa also informed the Board of upcoming tours they are planning = for students.



      Item 7       A motion was made by Mr. Rolando Alfaro to approve conse= nt agenda items 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. Seconded by Mr. Hernandez, the motion carried unanimously.        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;                &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;

      Item 8      *Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 16, 2006, and Called Meetings of January 12,   <= /b>

      = ;            &n= bsp;     2006, January = 23, 2006, and January 28, 2006, approved.



      Item 9       *Statements of Monthly Financial Report, Cafeteria Report, Tax Collection Report, and

      = ;            &n= bsp;     Property Tax R= efund, approved.

      Item 10     *Notice of Grant Award (NOGA) Increase, SAS-A650-06, Title VI, Part B. Subpart 2-

      = ;            &n= bsp;     Rural and Low-Income School Progra= m FY 2006, accepted.

      Item 11     *Budget Amendment= #2, approved.

      Item 12     A motion was made by Mr. Rolando Alfaro to designate Pub= lic Schools Week for March

      = ;            &n= bsp;     6-10, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Hernandez, the motion carried unanimously.

Regular Board Meeting<= o:p>

February 20, 2006=

Page 3

            =             &nb= sp;            =

      Item 13     Board President Garza reported that according to Board Policy BBD(LEGAL), the Board =

President is required to announce the name of = each board member who has completed the required continuing education, who has exceeded the required hours of continuing education, and who is deficient in the required continuing education.

Mrs. Garza said she was pleased to announce that all Board Members: Linda V. Alaniz, Rene Alfaro, Rolando Alfaro, Xavier Hernandez, Susan Lopez, Richard A. Serra, and herself (Noemi Garza), have met and exc= eeded the required continuing education.

Mrs. Garza also reported that Board Members Mrs. Alaniz, Rene Alfar= o, Rolando Alfaro, Mr. Hernandez, Mrs. Lopez, Mr. Serra, herself (Noemi Garza), and the Superintendent participated in a three-hour team-building session as required annually.

      Item 14     Presentation by N= extel Representative on Two-Way Radios for the District.

Superintendent McMinn explained that currently the District has cell phones in all the buses. Last= year the idea of having radios instead of cell phones was considered since cell phone usage in buses is very restrictive under new laws, but the radios wou= ld not work. However, since then, Nextel has put up a new tower which will allow radio communication. For bus safety reasons, Mrs. McMinn stated, the District is considering switching from cell phones to two-way radios. In addition, the new two-way radio system would also be implemented for maintenance, security, a= nd administrative personnel use.

Nextel District Sales Manager, Donnie Avina, gave a presentation on= the products Nextel has to offer the District.= Mr. Avina gave details on equipment type and rate plans.<= /span>

            =

      Item 15     Presentat= ion by High School Art Teacher and Discuss and Consider Request from Art Teacher f= or the District to Partially Fund the Trip to Europe in June 2006.     =

      = ;            &n= bsp;     High School Art Teacher Julia Olson gave a presentation in regards to the opportunities students have in the art industry and the purpose for their t= rip to Europe. She informed the Board on the stat= us of their fund-raising efforts. M= iss Olson also asked some of her students to express to the Board the importanc= e of art in their lives.

      = ;            &n= bsp;     A motion was made by Mr. Rolando Alfaro to approve the request from the Art Teacher for the District to partially fund the trip to Europe in June 2006, in the amount of $5,000.00.&= nbsp; Seconded by Mr. Rene Alfaro, the motion carried unanimously.

      Item 16     A motion was made by Mr. Rolando Alfaro to Adopt a Resol= ution Adopting and Authorizing the Acquisition of Voting Systems to be used in Elections, as read by Board President Noemi Garza. Seconded by Mr. Hernandez, the mot= ion carried unanimously.

      = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;

Regular Board Meeting<= o:p>

February 20, 2006=

Page 4

      Item 17     A motion was made by Mr. Hernandez to Adopt an Order Cal= ling a Bond Election for the amount of $3,500,000. Seconded by Mr. Rolando Alfaro, the motion carried unanimously. <= o:p>

      Item 18     After Mrs= . Ina Tamez, Staff Development Facilitator, and School Dis= trict Police Chief Rick Rodriguez, reviewed the District Emergency Management Pla= n, a motion was made by Mr. Serra to approve the District Emergency Management P= lan as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hernandez, the motion carried unanimously.

      Item 19     After Mrs. Tamez explained the purpose for the Mutual Aid Agreement, a motion was made= by Mr. Rolando Alfaro to approve the Mutual Aid Agreement between Rio Hondo Independent School District, City of Rio Hondo, and County of Cameron. Seconded by<= /p>
      = ;            &n= bsp;     Mr. Serra, the motion carried unanimously.



      Item 20   &nbs= p; Discuss and Consider Posting the District’s Monthly Expenses on the District’s Website.

      = ;            &n= bsp;     A motion was made by Mr. Serra to table this item. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hernandez. Votes in favor: Mr. Serra and Mr. Hernandez. Votes against: Mr. Rene Alfaro, Mr. Rolando Alfaro, Mrs. Garza, and Mrs. Lopez. Motion failed.

A motion was made by Mr. Rolando Alfaro to NOT post the District’s Monthly Expenses on the District’s Website. The motion was seconded by Mr. Rene Alfaro. Votes in favor: Mr. R= ene Alfaro, Mr. Rolando Alfaro, Mrs. Garza, and Mrs. Lopez. Votes against: Mr. Hernandez and f= or Serra. Motion carried.



      Item 21     Consideration and Action Regarding Possi= ble Modification of TASB Public Participation

            =             P= olicy BED(LOCAL) and BED (EXHIBIT).

After School District Attorney R= icardo Morado reviewed the modifications to BED (EXHIB= IT), a motion was made by Mr. Rene Alfaro to approve the modification of TASB Publ= ic Participation Policy BED(LOCAL) and BED (EXHIBIT). Seconded by Mr. Ro= lando Alfaro, the motion carried unanimously.

            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =



Regular Board Meeting<= o:p>

February 20, 2006=

Page 5

      Item 22     Public Hearing - Report of 2004-2005 Acade= mic Excellence Indicator System.

      = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;    ▪Campus Report C= ards

            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;          ▪Stu= dent Test Results

&nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;        ▪Drop-Out Rates

&nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;        ▪Other District Information

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; ▪Public Comments

Secondary Curriculum Director Richard Savage began with= an overview of the Acceptable Yearly Progress (AYP) appeal result. He said that the AYP status had be= en discussed in detail at earlier board meetings with a pending issue about an appeal. The appeal for “= ;Did Not Meet” AYP was discussed based upon Special Education (SPED) stude= nts testing “Off Grade Level.” The State Appeal was denied, he indicated. Mr. Savage also explained that the issue prevailed throughout the state. The District was not labeled ̶= 0;In Need of Improvement” and it would require consecutive two years missi= ng AYP in the same area to be cited. Mr. Savage stated that they are making gr= eat strides to remedy the SPED issue.

In the District Performance Report, Mr. Savage reviewed= the Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) report and discussed the scores= by campus. He also reviewed the = TASP and Safe = Schools report. Mr. Savage demonstrated to the Boa= rd the procedures for reviewing the Performance Report by accessing the personal CD’s provided by the District.

There were no “Public Comments”.=

      Item 23     Mrs. Garza closed the regular session at 10:08 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.    =

        =             &nb= sp;   The regular session resumed at 10:23 p.m. Personnel items were as follows:

        •Executive Session purs= uant to Section 551.071 of the Tex= as Open Meetings Act –

         Consultation with Attorney regarding pending or contemplated litigation, and

         regarding any matter in which the duty of= the Attorney to the governmental body

         under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Profession= al Conduct of the State Bar of <= o:p>

         Texas clearly conflicts with Chap= ter 551 of the Texas<= /st1:State> Government Code.   <= /o:p>

            =             &nb= sp;           Pers= onnel:

a.&n= bsp;     Consider Approving Add= endum to 2005-2006 Substitute Teacher List.

            =             &nb= sp;

      A motion was made by Mr. Hernandez to approve the Addendum to the

      Substitute Teacher List for the 2005-2006 school year. Seconded by Mr. Rolando

      Alfaro, the motion carried unanimously.

Regular Board Meeting<= o:p>

February 20, 2006=

Page 6

      Item 23 (CONTINUED)



b.&n= bsp;     A motion was made by M= r. Rolando Alfaro to extend the contracts for the

      Assistant Superintendent for Special Programs, Curriculum Directors,=

            =             &nb= sp;                 Campus Principals, Business Manager, Athletic Director, Band Director,

            =             &nb= sp;                 Technology Director, Administrative Assistant for PEIMS, and

            =             &nb= sp;                 Staff Development Facilitator, as recommended by the Superintendent, as

&n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;              follows:



ONE YEAR EXTENSION TO 2008

Assistant Superintendent for Special Programs            =        -        &= nbsp; Elda Garza

Director of Elementary Curriculum&n= bsp;            = ;             <= /span>-        &= nbsp; Rita Lopez

Director of Secondary Curriculum&nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            = -        &= nbsp; Richard Savage

High School Principal  &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;         -        &= nbsp; Juan Montez

Junior High School Principal &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;          -        &= nbsp; Kristopher McKi= nney

Intermediate School Principal    &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;     -        &= nbsp; Michelle Everett

Elementary School Principal &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;          -        &= nbsp; Ida Stevens

Business Manager   &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           -<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'>        &= nbsp; Florence Landry

<= /o:p>

Athletic Director =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;    -        &= nbsp; Gustavo Cavazos

Regular Board Meeting

February 2= 0, 2006

Page 7

= ;

<= /o:p>

            Item 23 (CONTINUED)

Recommendation of Administrator’s One Year Contra= ct with the following assignments:

<= /o:p>

ONE-YEAR CONTRACT - 2006-2007

Band Director        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p; -        &= nbsp; Robert Garza

Technology Director  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;         -        &= nbsp; Danny Rodriguez

Recommendation of Administrators’ Part-Time One Year Contract with the following assignments:

PART-TIME CONTRACT - 2006-2007

Administrative Assistant – PEIMS            =             &nb= sp;            = -        &= nbsp; David Jones

Staff Development Facilitator   &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;      -        &= nbsp; Ina Tamez <= /p>

Seconded by Mr. Serra, the motion carried unanimously.

      Item 24     There being no further business before the Board, Mrs.= Garza adjourned the meeting at

              =            10:26 p.m. =

      ______________________________        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;        ____________________= __________

              Noemi Garza, President  &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;      Xavier Hernandez, Secretary