[A. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:04]
>> [NOISE] THE TIME IS 5:30 AND A QUORUM IS PRESENT DOCTRINES, AND WE CONFIRM THAT THE MEETING WAS DULY CALLED AND NOTICE OF THE MEETING WAS POSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT?
>> YES. MR. TOLBERT, WE DID POST AND ADVERTISE THIS MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.
>> WE WILL NOW CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY
[C. CLOSED SESSION]
TEXAS GUNNERY CODE 551 SPECIFICALLY 0.074 PERSONNEL, 0.072 REAL PROPERTY 0.071 CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD'S ATTORNEY AND 0.076 SECURITY.[D. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION – 7:00 p.m.]
IS SEVEN O'CLOCK AND WE WILL NOW RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION.I'D LIKE TO CALL ON K MIRANDA PRINCIPAL
[E. INTRODUCTION OF MEETING [Hardeman Elementary, Principal Katie Moran]]
OF HARTMAN ELEMENTARY TO INTRODUCE THE STUDENTS WHO WERE WITH HER TONIGHT.>> PRESIDENT TOLBERT, THE BOARD AND DR. SENSEN.
I'M SO EXCITED TO INTRODUCE TWO AMAZING MEMBERS OF OUR HARTMAN SCHOOL FAMILY TONIGHT.
THIS IS KINGSLEY BANKS AND JAMES LOGAN ROBERTSON.
THEY'RE HERE WITH THEIR FAMILIES TONIGHT, INCLUDING KINGSLEY'S PARENTS, KENDALL AND [INAUDIBLE] BANKS, AND LOGAN'S FAMILY, HIS PARENTS JENNY AND AARON FRAZIER, SISTER RIVER FRASIER, AND HIS GRANDPARENTS TONY AND RILEY ROBERTSON.
LOGAN WILL NOW LEAD US IN THE PLEDGES FOLLOWED BY KINSLEY, WHO WILL BE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENT EXPRESSION.
WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE? THANK YOU, LOGAN NOW KINSLEY.
>> WE'RE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, AUTHOR UNKNOWN.
YOU MIGHT FEEL SAD TO SAY GOODBYE.
BUT FRIENDS ARE JUST LIKE SUNSHINE, THEY HELP THE TEARS TO DRY.
WE MIGHT FEEL NERVOUS AT THE DOOR, BUT JOY WILL SOON TAKE OVER WHEN WE SEE OUR CLASS ONCE MORE, WE'RE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.
WE MIGHT FORGET A RULE OR TWO, BUT SOON WE'LL REMEMBER AS WE GENTLY TALK THEM THROUGH, WE'RE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.
YOU MIGHT DO THINGS A DIFFERENT WAY, BUT NEW WILL RETURN TO NORMAL AS WE PRACTICE DAY BY DAY, WE ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.
WE MIGHT NOT SEE THAT WE'RE SCARED, BUT DON'T FORGET, A PROBLEM GETS MUCH SMALLER, ONCE IT IS SHARED.
YOU MIGHT HAVE GROW UPS WHO ARE NEW, BUT WE WILL GET TO KNOW THEM AND THEY'LL GET TO KNOW US TOO.
WE'RE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, WE MIGHT BE FACING THINGS UNKNOWN, BUT DOING THINGS TOGETHER MEANS WE WILL NEVER BE ALONE.
WE'RE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL WE'LL LAUGH, LEARN, AND PLAY.
THEN HEAD BACK HOME TO ONCE WE HAVE HAD AN AWESOME DAY.
>> LOGAN AND KINGSLEY, YOU GUYS COME UP HERE, THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE REWARD.
THEN OUR PARENTS, HE'S GOING TO TAKE SOME PICTURES, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU GUYS A CHANCE TO COME TAKE SOME TOO, IF YOU WANT.
[BACKGROUND] IF YOU WANT TO COME OVER HERE SO WE GET A STRAIGHT ON SHOT DON'T FEEL [BACKGROUND] LOGAN AND KINGSLEY. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR DOING THAT, GETTING IN FRONT OF A CROWD IS AS A SCARY THING.
YOU GUYS DID IT YOU DID IT VERY CLASSY, YOU DID IT PERFECTLY. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS FOR LETTING THEM BE WITH SOME OF OUR STUDENTS.
NEXT MR. THOMAS AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS.
[F. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS [Mark Thomas, Communications Officer]]
>> THANK YOU, MR. TOLBERT, I'D LIKE TO START BY ASKING JENNIFER MARTIN OUR PRINCIPAL FROM WHITEHELGA ELEMENTARY TO START OUR RECOGNITIONS THIS EVENING.
>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT TOLBERT, DR. JENSEN,
[00:05:02]
AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WHITEHELGA ELEMENTARY WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK NORTHWOOD CHURCH THIS EVENING.NORTH WOODS CHURCH HAS CONSISTENTLY REACHED OUT TO WHITEHELGA ELEMENTARY FOR WAYS TO SERVE THE CAMPUS.
FOR SEVERAL YEARS, THEY HAVE RUN A STEADY CLUB THAT INCLUDES ONCE A WEEK TUTORING SESSIONS FOR THE STUDENTS OF WHICH WHITEHELGA ELEMENTARY THAT LIVE IN OUR MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY.
IN ADDITION TO THE TUTORING, THEY PROVIDE THEIR VOLUNTEERS PLAY GAMES WITH THE KIDS.
HOST HOLIDAY EVENTS AND EVEN RUNS SUMMER CAMPS ALL FOR FREE.
DURING THE PANDEMIC SHUT DOWN.
THEY BROUGHT GROCERIES TO THE FAMILIES ON A REGULAR BASIS AND WOULD PROVIDE AS MANY LUNCHES EACH WEEK AS THEY COULD FOR THE FAMILIES THAT DIDN'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO COME GET THE FREE MEALS AT THE SCHOOL.
NORTH WOOD CHURCH HAS INVESTED IN OUR SCHOOL BY PROVIDING TRANSLATION SERVICES SO THAT FAMILIES COULD GET THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED EVEN MORE QUICKLY ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
WHEN RETURNING TO FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION, THEY EVEN ASSISTED WITH SECURITY BY MANNING DOORWAYS AND ENTRANCES SO THAT THE STAFF MEMBERS COULD FOCUS SOLELY ON THE CHILDREN DURING OUR BUSIEST TIMES, SOMETIMES EVEN COMING IN HELPING FOR MANY WEEKS AT A TIME.
NORTHWOOD REACHES OUT CONSISTENTLY AND ASK FOR WAYS THEY CAN VOLUNTEER OR BLESS THE STAFF.
THEY HAVE BOUGHT SNACKS AND DRINKS FOR THE STAFF MANY TIMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
THIS YEAR WE ARE EXTREMELY EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH THEM IN ACADEMY 4 THEY HAVE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A MENTOR FOR EACH AND EVERY FOURTH GRADER, THAT'S OVER 100 STUDENTS.
THEY WILL MEET ONE TIME A MONTH AND WORK THROUGH A LEADERSHIP CURRICULUM.
THEY HAVE BLESSED OUR SCHOOL FAMILY IN SO MANY WAYS.
THEY ARE FULL OF LOVE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND WE THANK THEM FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS.
>> THANK YOU, GUYS. [APPLAUSE] NOW WE HAVE THE CURRENT TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION. AWARD.
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TOLBERT.
IT IS WITH GREAT PRIDE THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE VERBAL CENTER OF TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED LEARNING CTE STUDENT WHO TOOK THIRD PLACE IN A NATIONAL COMPETITION.
THE SKILLS USA CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE COMPETITION EVENTS THAT SHOWCASE THE BEST CTE STUDENTS IN THE NATION.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS IS TO REWARD STUDENTS FOR EXCELLENCE, TO EVOLVE INDUSTRY, AND DIRECTLY EVALUATING STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND TO KEEP THE TRAINING RELEVANT TO INTERESTING NEEDS.
HALTOM HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE, JEANETTE POTIDAEA COMPETED IN THE NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BAKING COMPETITION.
THE CONTEST INCLUDED BOTH A WRITTEN EXAM, PRACTICAL EXERCISES, AND CONTESTANTS DEMONSTRATED THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THROUGH SCALING, MIXING, PREPARING, AND BAKING SIX PRODUCTS.
THE PRODUCTS INCLUDED: ARTISAN BREADS, MUFFINS, COOKIES, CREAM PUFFS, AND ECLAIRS.
THE STUDENTS ALSO DEMONSTRATED THEIR CAKE DECORATING SKILLS.
THE CONTESTANTS WERE REQUIRED TO WORK EFFICIENTLY TO PRODUCE QUALITY PRODUCTS IN A JOB-LIKE SETTING.
IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO RECOGNIZE JEANETTE AS THE THIRD PLACE BRONZE MEDAL WINNER IN THE NATIONAL SKILLS USA COMPETITION.
[APPLAUSE] THIS WAS JEANETTE'S THIRD YEAR IN CULINARY ARTS, AND SHE IS CURRENTLY WORKING FULL TIME WHERE SHE STARTED HER INTERNSHIP AT GLITZ BAKERY IN FORT WORTH.
HER GOAL IS TO ATTEND THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA IN SAN ANTONIO.
WE ATTRIBUTE OUR STUDENT'S SUCCESS IS NOT ONLY TO THEIR HARD WORK, BUT TO THE DEDICATION OF OUR OUTSTANDING TEACHERS.
IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO RECOGNIZE BECHDEL, CULINARY ARTS TEACHER, CHEF JOSH GENTRY.
[00:10:04]
CONGRATULATIONS TO JEANETTE AND CHEF GENTRY FOR ACHIEVING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL AS NATIONAL WINNERS.YOU HAVE BROUGHT RECOGNITION TO YOUR CTE PROGRAMS AND TO [INAUDIBLE].
[APPLAUSE] JEANETTE'S PARENTS ARE WITH US TONIGHT, MR. AND MRS. PYTHIA ARE HERE.
I'D LIKE TO INVITE PRINCIPAL CAROL [INAUDIBLE] TO JOIN FOR THE PHOTO.
>> JEANETTE, YOU CAN'T LEAVE UNTIL YOU TELL US WHERE GLITZ BAKERY IS? [LAUGHTER] I AM SERIOUS. WHERE IS IT? [BACKGROUND] WHERE DOWNTOWN? [BACKGROUND] NEAR 7TH STREET.
GOOD, IS IT GOOD? OKAY, [LAUGHTER] GOOD.
>> WELL, JEANETTE, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR THE FACILITY ACTUALLY EARLY THIS MORNING AND WHAT A PHENOMENAL FACILITY TO LEARN AND START A CAREER.
YOU ARE A SUCCESS STORY THAT PUTS THAT ON THE MAP.
THAT'S THE REASON THAT THAT FACILITY, THAT BUILDING, THOSE PROGRAMS EXIST, BECAUSE OF STUDENTS LIKE YOU [NOISE] SO CONGRATULATIONS AND WAY TO GO.
>> MISS MARIANNE AND EVERYBODY WHOSE HERE FOR THE AWARDS WERE LOVE TO HAVE YOU HERE, BUT YOU GUYS ARE FREE TO GO.
WE'RE ABOUT TO GET INTO DRUDGERY OF NORMAL BUSINESS, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.
[G. OPEN FORUM TO ADDRESS THE BOARD]
[NOISE] FOR THE BOARD, WE JUST HAVE PEOPLE SIGN UP FOR GENERAL TOPICS AND FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP, LET ME READ THIS TO YOU.FOR THOSE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK REGARDING GENERAL TOPICS, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS LIMITED TO THIS OPEN FORUM BASED ON THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO'VE SIGNED UP.
EACH SPEAKER WILL BE GIVEN TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK.
PERSONAL ATTACKS ON STAFF OR STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED PER THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, GOVERNMENT CODE 551.042, THE LOCAL BOARD POLICY, BED.
THE BOARD SHALL NOT DELIBERATE OR TAKE ACTION REGARDING ANY SUBJECT THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
[NOISE] AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO CALL OUT THE NAMES.
I APOLOGIZE IF I DON'T DO IT EXACTLY RIGHT, BUT AS FAR AS PRONOUNCING YOUR NAME, NO DISRESPECT AT ALL. I'M JUST DOING MY BEST.
YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO CORRECT MY PRONUNCIATION WHEN YOU TAKE THE PODIUM AND IF YOU WOULD, JUST GO AHEAD.
WHEN YOU GET THERE, STATE YOUR NAME ALSO YOUR ADDRESS.
KATE POOL, I THINK, IS OUR FIRST ONE UP, TWO MINUTES.
>> YOU PRONOUNCED THAT CORRECTLY. I AM KATE POOL.
[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU FOR HAVING US THIS EVENING.
I SAW SIGN ON MY WAY IN, ON 26, THAT SAID, "PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SCHOOL LEADERS," AND I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I DO. I DO THAT.
I'M A PARENT OF A FIRST GRADER WHO WILL BE SIX-YEARS-OLD ON SATURDAY.
SHE WEARS HER MASK AT SCHOOL TO PROTECT HERSELF, HER FRIENDS, AND HER TEACHERS BECAUSE SHE CARES ABOUT THEM.
THAT'S WHAT SHE'S BEEN TAUGHT BY US, IS TO SHOW THAT YOU CARE ABOUT WEARING YOUR MASK AROUND FRIENDS AND PROTECTING EACH OTHER.
WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHY AREN'T ALL OUR CHILDREN'S TEACHERS, ADMIN, AND OTHER ADULTS WHO WORK IN OUR SCHOOLS DOING THE SAME THING.
WHY ARE THEY NOT BEING TOLD TO MASK UP AROUND KIDS, ESPECIALLY THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL WHERE NONE OF THEM ARE ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATION YET? SOON, HOPEFULLY, BUT NOT YET.
WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE LOVE KIDS, LIKE WE SAY WE DO, WE NEED TO SHOW IT.
WEARING A MASK IN FRONT OF YOUR CHILDREN THAT ARE UNVACCINATED THAT YOU CARE FOR AND LOVE DEEPLY AS A TEACHER MEANS YOU SHOULD PROBABLY PUT THE MASK ON.
TAKE CARE OF THE KIDS, SHOW THAT YOU LOVE THEM.
WE WANT KIDS TO BE LEARNING IN PERSON BUT WE AREN'T EFFECTIVELY MAKING SURE THAT IT CAN STAY THAT WAY.
WE'VE BECOME STUCK AS A DISTRICT, WE'VE FORGOTTEN THAT WE BECAME PROS AT MASKING UP,
[00:15:02]
DISTANCING, CONTACT TRACING, AND OTHER MEASURES LAST SCHOOL YEAR.WE GOT STUCK ON THIS WHOLE MESS OF A MASK MANDATE BAN AND HAVEN'T USED ALL THE OTHER SAFETY MEASURES THAT ARE STILL IN OUR HANDS. THERE'S A LOT OF THEM.
SCHOOL HAS BEEN IN SESSION FOR A WEEK AND BASED ON THE RISING NUMBERS IN OTHER DISTRICTS, IT'S NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR BIRDVILLE.
I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED AND I ASKED THAT A SPECIAL SESSION BE CALLED TO DISCUSS ALL THE STRATEGIES AND PLANS THAT CAN AND SHOULD BE UTILIZED.
THERE ARE MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE ALL PROFESSIONALS IN VARIOUS FIELDS THAT WILL BE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE AND SHARE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE, PARTICIPATE IN PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION TO SWIFTLY GET PLANS IN MOTION.
WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, YOU DO BETTER AND WE NEED TO DO BETTER NOW. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MISS POOL. NEXT ONE IS LINDSAY GUAMSLIE, TWO MINUTES.
>> THIS IS MY DAUGHTER, ADELIE.
TWO YEARS AGO SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA.
TODAY, I HELD HER HAND AS SHE RECEIVED HER 536TH DOSE OF CHEMOTHERAPY RIGHT HERE.
SHE HAS SUFFERED AND OVERCOME MORE THAN FEW OF US COULD UNDERSTAND AND TOMORROW SHE WILL WALK INTO GREEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY IS A KINDERGARTENER.
IT [INAUDIBLE] CHILDREN'S ALONE, 4TH FAMILIES THIS WEEK WILL BE INFORMED THAT THEIR CHILD HAS BEEN GOING TO SCHOOL AND LIVING LIFE WHILE THEY HAVE AN UNDIAGNOSED CANCER.
FORTY THREE CHILDREN A DAY ARE DIAGNOSED EVERY SINGLE DAY IN THE UNITED STATES WITH CANCER AND IT REMAINS NUMBER 1 FOR DEATH BY DISEASE IN CHILDREN AGED ZERO THROUGH 19.
TODAY, THERE ARE NO PEDIATRIC ICU BEDS AVAILABLE IN DFW BUT THIS LIFE IS NOT NORMAL FOR THOSE WHO EXIST OUTSIDE OF A MEDICALLY FRAGILE WORLD.
LET ME SHARE WITH YOU SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT.
YOU WOULD NOT WALK UP TO SOMEONE IN A WHEELCHAIR AND ARGUE WITH THEM ABOUT THEIR NEED OF ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ACCESSIBILITY.
YOU WOULD NOT DOUBT THE DOCTORS WHO ASKED FOR HANDICAP STICKERS AND MEDICATIONS THAT NEED TO BE DISTRIBUTED.
WHY WOULD YOU ARGUE WITH MEDICALLY FRAGILE FAMILIES AND THEIR SPECIALISTS ABOUT ACCOMMODATIONS THAT THEY NEED FOR BASIC SAFETY IN SCHOOL? I ASK THAT YOU IMMEDIATELY IMPLEMENT BROADER COMMUNICATION ABOUT COVID POSITIVE EXPOSURE AND ADHERE TO GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC, APA, AND LOCAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS.
I ASK THAT IF THERE'S A POTENTIAL EXPOSURE HAS OCCURRED, THAT YOU WOULD ENFORCE POLICIES THAT GIVE GUIDANCE FOR FAMILIES TO QUARANTINE SAFELY AT HOME AND DO NOT IMPOSE AN EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR FAMILIES.
I ASK THAT THE SCHOOLS ACCOMMODATE GREATER SOCIAL DISTANCING AND DESKS SHIELD MEASURES AND I ASK THAT THE BOARD WOULD ENFORCE STRONGER LANGUAGE AROUND THE IMPORTANCE OF MASK WEARING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCAL GUIDELINES.
I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE STAFF MEMBERS TO WEAR A MASK IN TIMES OF TRANSITIONS LIKE HALLWAYS.
A COMPROMISE IS NOT OUT OF REACH.
BECAUSE THE DATA SHOWS HOW INEFFECTIVE VIRTUAL LEARNING IS FOR CHILDREN, I'D LIKE TO LEAVE YOU GUYS WITH A NOTE FROM DISABILITIES AND TAXES.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES NEED IN-PERSON SCHOOLING EVEN MORE THAN OTHER STUDENT GROUPS.
BIRDVILLE SHOULD SEEK TO LEAD THE WAY AND INCLUSIVITY AND COMPASSION FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.
THIS STARTS BY INCREASING SAFETY MEASURES IMMEDIATELY, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> MY SON WAS THE VALEDICTORIAN LAST YEAR AT BIRDVILLE HIGH AND HE SPOKE TO 1500 PEOPLE IN THAT STADIUM, AND I'M SHAKING IN FRONT OF 50.
[LAUGHTER] BEAR WITH ME ON THIS.
MY NAME IS ALLISON AMES, I LIVE AT 7,005 MOSSYCUP LANE.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY.
AS A DISTRICT, WE'VE SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON SCHOOL SAFETY, FROM SECURITY OFFICERS TO NEW ENTRY VESTIBULES, VISITOR SCREENINGS, CAMERAS THROUGHOUT THE CAMPUSES, AND MORE.
WE AS A COMMUNITY MADE THIS INVESTMENT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN IS IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE.
TODAY, I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER MASKS AS A PIECE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT, JUST LIKE CAR SEATS AND FOOTBALL HELMETS, AND SHIN GUARDS.
THESE ARE SMALL RESTRICTIONS THAT WE EXCHANGE FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN.
LIKE FOLLOWING THE SPEED LIMIT IN A SCHOOL ZONE, WEARING A MASK IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THOSE AROUND US, NOT JUST FOR OURSELVES.
JUST LIKE THE DANGER INCREASES, THE MORE PEOPLE SPEED THROUGH THE SCHOOL ZONE, THE MORE PEOPLE IN A GROUP WHO DO NOT WEAR A MASK INCREASE THE RISK FOR ALL.
NONE OF THESE SAFETY MEASURES ARE PERFECT BUT THEY ARE THE LEAST THAT WE CAN DO TO PROVIDE SOME PROTECTION FOR OUR CHILDREN.
EVERY BIT AS IMPORTANT AS ALL OF THE SAFETY MEASURES THE DISTRICT HAS ALREADY PUT IN PLACE FOR THE PHYSICAL SECURITY OF OUR KIDS.
MASKS ARE A KEY MEASURE NEEDED TO PROTECT THEIR HEALTH.
COVID IS COMPLEX AND EVOLVING AND THERE ARE THOSE OF US WHO TRIED TO STAY ON TOP OF THE DETAILS BUT IT IS VERY HARD TO DO.
PERHAPS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE COULD BE CREATED TO INCLUDE MEDICAL EXPERTS WHO CAN ADVISE THE BISD BOARD AND THE DISTRICT, ON REAL-TIME, BEST PRACTICES WITH REGARD TO THIS DISEASE.
WE ALREADY KNOW THAT THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS AND THE CDC HAVE SAID OVER AND OVER THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE WEARING MASKS INDOORS.
MASKS ARE MOST ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE VULNERABLE CHILDREN THAT ARE UNVACCINATED UNDER THE AGE OF 12.
[00:20:04]
THE DISTRICT MUST ALSO PROVIDE CLEAR AND TIMELY INFORMATION ON CURRENT COVID CASES ON EVERY CAMPUS SO THAT PARENTS CAN MAKE INTELLIGENT EVALUATIONS OF THE RISKS THAT THEY ARE EXPOSING THEIR CHILDREN TO.THIS IS NOT A MATTER FOR OPINION, IT IS NOT A MATTER OF I LIKE BLUE OR GREEN OR PEANUT BUTTER JELLY.
COVID IS REAL AND IT'S DANGEROUS.
IT'S A THREAT TO OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CHILDREN.
I AM CERTAIN THAT IF A DECISION IS MADE BASED ON EDUCATED FACT, YOU WILL SEE THAT MASKS ARE AN IMPORTANT [BACKGROUND] AND COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.
>> THANK YOU, MS. AMES. I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> MICHELLE SORTER. I LIVE AT 3308 BEAR CREEK DRIVE, HURST TEXAS.
TARRANT COUNTY SCHOOLS WHICH ARE SMALLER AND HAVE FEWER RESOURCES THAN BIRDVILLE HAVE ENFORCED MASK MANDATES FROM DAY 1.
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF CROWLEY ISD TESTIFIED IN A HEARING ON MONDAY THAT A KINDERGARTNER WHO HAD BEEN PRESENT AT SCHOOL ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL WAS NOW IN THE HOSPITAL WITH COVID BUT BECAUSE OF THE MASK MANDATE THAT THEY HAD IN PLACE AT THAT DISTRICT, NO OTHER STUDENT IN THAT CLASSROOM HAD COME DOWN WITH COVID.
WE NEED TO DO MORE IN THIS DISTRICT TO COMBAT COVID.
WE NEED TO ENFORCE MASKING, WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE MASKING IN OUR STAFF AND IN OUR STUDENTS, WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE SOCIAL DISTANCING, WE NEED TO BE USING HEPA FILTERS IN EVERY CLASSROOM.
WE NEED TO BE ENCOURAGING SMALLER CLASSROOMS, WHEREVER THAT IS POSSIBLE, WE NEED TO BE GROUPING MASKED AND UNMASKED STUDENTS SEPARATELY WHEREVER WE CAN TO BE ABLE TO BETTER ACCOMMODATE CHILDREN WHO MIGHT HAVE SPECIAL HEALTH CONCERNS AND WE NEED TO BE ENDING THE GIANT PEP RALLIES THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW.
ANY SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE THESE VERY LARGE NUMBERS OF CHILDREN IN CONFINED SPACES WITH POOR VENTILATION IS NOT APPROPRIATE.
RELYING ON VIRTUAL OR HOME-BOUND LEARNING IS NOT A SUFFICIENT ALTERNATIVE TO A SAFE IN-PERSON SCHOOL.
IT'S NOT A PROPER ALTERNATIVE FOR KIDS WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS, FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE BOTH PARENTS WHO WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME WHO CAN'T ACCOMMODATE THAT.
IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE WHERE WE HAVE CHEAPER AND SAFE ALTERNATIVES IN SCHOOL FOR THESE KIDS THAT NEED TO BE IN SCHOOL.
COOK CHILDREN'S REPORTED A RECORD 587 KIDS IN THEIR ER ON MONDAY.
THAT'S MORE THAN THEY'VE EVER HAD.
THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT.
WE'RE NOT JUST A SCHOOL DISTRICT, WE'RE A COMMUNITY AND WE NEED TO BE DOING MORE.
>> THANK YOU, AND NEXT ONE IS CANDY TROUTMAN.
IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU.
I FELT THE NEED TO COME HERE AND SPEAK.
>> WOULD YOU MIND STATING YOUR NAME AND. [OVERLAPPING]
>> 7004 CRANE ROAD, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, 76182.
>> I FELT THE NEED TO COME HERE AND SPEAK TO YOU ALL AFTER FEELING THE THROES OF A PANDEMIC.
SCHOOLS RETURNED FOR SESSION WITHOUT ANY SAFETY MEASURES OR POLICIES IN PLACE.
IT SEEMS THAT WHILE HEALTH OFFICIALS, LEADERS, BUSINESSES, CONCERNED CITIZENS WERE FOCUSED ON STRATEGIES TO CONTROL THE SPREAD AND THE MUTATION OF THE COVID VIRUS, BISD DECIDED TO JUST LET IT RIP.
WE'VE NOTICED THAT LACK OF ACTION, FORCING A RETURN TO PRE-COVID PROCEDURES WHILE PRETENDING THAT A VERY CONTAGIOUS ILLNESS MAKING CHILDREN SICK, SOME VERY SERIOUSLY AND WITH LONG-TERM EFFECTS IS NOT A PROBLEM, IT'S JUST UNACCEPTABLE.
THE DATA SHOWS THAT WITH ALL OF LAST YEAR'S SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE, SPREAD IN SCHOOLS WAS LIMITED.
WHAT DO WE SEE HAPPENING NOW IN MANY DISTRICTS? AN UNCONTROLLABLE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.
YOU, THE BOARD WERE VOTED IN AND ENTRUSTED WITH ENSURING THAT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE A QUALITY EDUCATION IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
THE BISD WEBSITE SAYS YOU WILL PROVIDE A RESPONSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
ONE OF YOUR CORE VALUES STATES, "WITH A PRIVILEGE COMES RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY".
ANOTHER, THAT, "CHANGE IS CONSTANT".
I URGE YOU TO PUT INTO PRACTICE THOSE VALUES.
YOU NEED TO ENSURE THAT OUR CHILDREN'S LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IS RESPONSIVE TO THE NEED TO KEEP THEM FREE FROM GETTING SICK UNNECESSARILY.
MASKING NEEDS TO BE PROMOTED AND SUPPORTED MORE STRONGLY AND VISIBLY.
MASKING HELPS TO STOP THE SPREAD.
NOTIFICATION OF ACTIVE CASES NEEDS TO BE TRANSPARENT.
THE COVID DASHBOARD NEEDS TO BE UP AND ACCURATE.
[00:25:03]
>> THANK YOU, MISS TROUTMAN, I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ASHLEY EVERIDGE.
>> MY NAME IS ASHLEY EVERIDGE.
I LIVE AT 4001 GLENWICK DRIVE.
I'M A FRONTLINE WORKER WITH THREE CHILDREN IN BISD.
FOR THE PAST YEAR, THIS HAS BEEN MY UNIFORM AND I CAN STILL GET SICK.
NOT AS GREATLY AS IF I DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING BUT THIS IS WHAT I WEAR CONSTANTLY EVERY DAY, MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY.
I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE ASHAMED AND VERBALIZED TO YOU AS I AM RIGHT NOW.
ACROSS REGION E WHICH IS TARRANT, DALLAS, KARNES, AND DENTON COUNTIES, THERE ARE NO ICU BEDS FOR OUR CHILDREN.
THERE ARE ONLY 40 NON ICU BEDS.
ONLY 27 OF THEM ARE IN TARRANT COUNTY WHICH IS WHERE WE LIVE.
THESE NUMBERS ARE CHANGING CONSISTENTLY AND THEY'RE NOT GOING IN THE WAY THAT WE WANT THEM TO GO.
A MATTER OF FACT, WE'RE BACK TO WHERE WE WERE AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR WITH DEATHS UP 138 PERCENT FROM TWO WEEKS AGO.
SCIENTIFIC STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT CONTACT TRACING QUARANTINING ARE A CRITICAL IN SLOWING THE SPREAD WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS.
DISTRICT IS FINALLY SENDING EMAILS BUT THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLOSE CONTACT OR THE KID THAT'S JUST IN YOUR CLASS.
I THINK AS PARENTS, WE NEED TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR AUTO-IMMUNE COMPROMISED ONES IF IT WAS CLOSE CONTACT.
I KNOW PERSONALLY THIS WEEK TWO DIFFERENT FAMILIES THAT HAVE SENT THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL COVID POSITIVE.
ONE OF THEM SENDING MEDICATION WITH THEM TO MASK THE SYMPTOMS. THAT'S NOT OKAY.
YOU CAN'T TRUST FAMILIES TO DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, YOU NEED TO ACTUALLY PROTECT THE CHILDREN.
MY SON CAUGHT COVID LAST YEAR FROM SOMEONE WHO CAME TO SCHOOL SICK.
HOW MANY OTHER KIDS ARE GOING TO EXPERIENCE THAT THIS YEAR? WE DESERVE AND DEMAND BETTER MITIGATION PROTOCOLS AND TRANSPARENCY.
FOR MY JOB, I'M REQUIRED TO QUARANTINE IF MY KIDS COME HOME SICK.
BUT QUARANTINING IS OPTIONAL RIGHT NOW, NOT EVEN SUGGESTING MASKS BEING WORN TO GO TO SCHOOL.
MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET SICK.
I'M SURE YOU'RE AWARE THAT MANY STUDENTS HAVE LOST PARENTS OVER THE SUMMER BECAUSE OF COVID AND THE DIFFICULTIES FROM IT.
HOW MANY KIDS, PARENTS, TEACHERS MUST GET SICK AND POSSIBLY DIE BEFORE THE BOARD OPENS HIS EYES AND DOES WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN?
>> THANK YOU, MS. EVERIDGE. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JOSHUA FRIAR.
>> COULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME?
I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF A MOTHER THAT COULD NOT BE HERE, SO I AM READING HER LETTER.
MY NAME IS LUCKY MASON AND I AM THE MOM OF TWO HIGH-RISK ELEMENTARY STUDENTS ENROLLED IN BIRDVILLE ISD.
MY YOUNGEST IS ONLY SIX YEARS OLD AND CONTRACTED COVID IN JANUARY.
SHE IS NOW A COVID LONG HAULER, MEANING THAT MORE THAN SEVEN MONTHS AFTER CONTRACTING COVID, SHE STILL SUFFERS FROM DEBILITATING COVID SYMPTOMS THAT HINDER HER EVERYDAY LIFE.
THIS IS A CONDITION THAT AFFECTS MORE THAN 33 PERCENT OF COVID SURVIVORS AND IS NOT SOMETHING THAT A SMALL CHILD SHOULD BE HAVING TO LIVE WITH.
SHOULD SHE CONTRACT COVID AGAIN, IT COULD VERY WELL BE DEADLY DUE TO THE DAMAGE THAT COVID HAS ALREADY DONE TO HER LUNGS.
YOUR BOARD, THE SUPERINTENDENTS, SCHOOL FACULTY, AND STAFF ARE DOING NOTHING TO MITIGATE THIS RISK.
YOU CLAIM TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE WEARING MASKS YET NONE OF YOU NOR YOUR FACULTY AND STAFF ARE LEADING BY EXAMPLE.
YOU MAKE NO EFFORT TO HAVE THEM SOCIALLY DISTANCED EVEN THOUGH YOU'VE MADE THOSE CLAIMS AS WELL.
NOT ONLY ARE YOU NOT REQUIRING CLOSE CONTACT QUARANTINES BUT YOU'RE PENALIZING FAMILIES FOR THEM.
YOU DON'T HAVE THE COVID DASHBOARD UP AND RUNNING SO THAT WE, AS PARENTS CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS BASED ON THE CURRENT CONDITIONS IN OUR CHILDREN'S SCHOOLS.
I HAPPEN TO KNOW FOR A FACT THAT OVER 140 PHYSICIANS FROM COOK'S CHILDREN'S SENT THE BOARD A LETTER ASKING YOU TO ENFORCE MASKS ACCORDING TO THE GUIDANCE FROM THE AAP WHICH YOU HAVE THUS FAR IGNORED.
CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER HAS ISSUED GUIDANCE STATING THAT THE ONLY WAY A CLOSE CONTACT QUARANTINE WOULD BE OPTIONAL IS IF ALL CHILDREN INVOLVED WERE MASKED OTHERWISE, IT'S A MANDATORY 10-DAY QUARANTINE.
I KNOW I AM NOT ALONE WHEN I SAY THAT AS PARENTS, WE ARE FED UP WITH YOUR LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMPLACENCY WITH PUTTING OUR CHILDREN'S LIVES AT RISK.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I EXPECT TO SEE YOU AS THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT WEARING MASKS TO SET AN EXAMPLE FOR YOUR STAFF AND STUDENTS AND I EXPECT A MASK MANDATE TO BE PUT IN PLACE AS WELL AS THE COVID DASHBOARD BACK ONLINE AND MANDATORY QUARANTINES FOR ALL UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.
THE NEXT ONE IS ASHLEY WILLIAMS.
[00:30:13]
>> I'M GOING TO PULL THIS DOWN AND NOT BECAUSE I FEEL SAFE BUT BECAUSE I NEED YOU TO LOOK AT ME.
MY NAME IS ASHLEY WILLIAMS AND I LIVE AT 6509 PARK PLACE DRIVE.
I COME TO YOU TODAY AS A MOTHER OF A FOURTH-GRADER.
YESTERDAY, I SPENT FROM 8 AM TO 12 AM WITH A CRYING 10-YEAR-OLD IN MY FRONT SEAT OF THE CAR THAT I COULD NOT HUG BECAUSE HE WAS SNEEZING, COUGHING, HAD A FEVER, AND WAS SCARED TO DEATH THAT HE HAD COVID.
VIRTUAL LEARNING DOES NOT WORK FOR US BECAUSE HE'S ON THE AUTISTIC SPECTRUM.
LOOK AT ME. I LOOK HEALTHY AND PUT TOGETHER, MAYBE A LITTLE OVERWEIGHT BUT THE TRUTH IS, FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS, I'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR MY LIFE.
I HAD THYROID CANCER AND I BEAT THAT.
ON JUNE 7TH, I WENT TO KANSAS CITY AS A VACCINATED ADULT TO SEE MY TRANSPLANT, MY HEART TRANSPLANT, A GRANDFATHER WHO JUST TURNED 89 YEARS OLD TO SIT ON A TOILET AND PASS THE TUMOR THE SIZE OF A PINEAPPLE AND THEN SPEND 18 HOURS IN AN EMERGENCY ROOM TO FIND OUT THAT I HAVE CERVICAL CANCER AND SPOTS ON MY OVARIES, LEADING KILLING CANCER OF A WOMAN.
WHICH MEANS I'VE PROTECTED AND LOVED AND PROVIDED FOR MY CHILDREN FOR ALMOST 11 YEARS WITHOUT THEM KNOWING OF ANY HEALTH CONCERNS.
AS I STAND HERE RIGHT NOW, I'VE TAKEN 26 MEDICATIONS.
MY HUSBAND, A BSN, RN, WE CAME HERE, PICKED THIS DISTRICT FOR THE EDUCATION BECAUSE OF MY SON'S DISABILITIES.
HAS HAD TO QUIT HIS JOB BECAUSE HE'S A VETERAN WITH PTSD AND WAS WORKING IN THE ICU UNITS AND IT TRIGGERED HIS PTSD.
THE PROTOCOLS YOU GUYS HAVE ARE RIDICULOUS.
YOUR JOB WHEN I DROP MY CHILDREN OFF IS TO PROTECT THEM SO PROTECT THEM. [NOISE]
>> THANK YOU, MISS WILLIAMS. NEXT.
>> TWELVE OF YOU GUYS OUT OF 15 HAVE MASKS ON.
>> MISS WILLIAMS. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS [APPLAUSE] JARED ROSS.
>> GOOD EVENING. JARED ROSS, 6024 MORNINGSIDE DRIVE, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS.
OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN.
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE EMAILED Y'ALL, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
I THINK IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING, THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.
I THINK THIS DESERVES A PROPER OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO [NOISE] DISCUSS THIS AND COME TO SOME INCREMENTAL COMPROMISES OR SOLUTIONS AS COVID CHANGES OVER TIME BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING AWAY AND IT'S ONLY GOTTEN WORSE.
OUR DISTRICT SEEMS TO BE BACKSLIDING IN THE PROTOCOLS THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR, WHICH BY THE WAY, WERE PRETTY GOOD.
A LOT OF US WOULD BE HAPPY TO GO BACK TO SOME OR ALL OF THOSE.
I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFICULTY WITH THE MASK MANDATE AND THE LEGALITY OF IT BUT I STILL BELIEVE IT.
I FIRMLY BELIEVE IT'S THE BEST SOLUTION.
THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER SOLUTIONS TOO.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT'S ONE OR THE OTHER.
IT'S BECOME SO POLARIZING AND POLITICAL AND ALL ABOUT FREEDOM, AND IT'S COMPLETELY MISSED THE MARK.
I HAVEN'T EVEN LOOKED AT MY NOTES.
WE NEED TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION SO WE CAN COME SPEAK AGAIN IF NECESSARY, SO Y'ALL CAN TALK ABOUT IT.
THE PLAN THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE, I THINK, Y'ALL DEVELOPED BEFORE [NOISE] DELTA REALLY REARED ITS UGLY HEAD.
IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN GOOD THEN, BUT THE DISTRICT HASN'T PIVOTED.
THE ONLINE SOLUTION IS ONLY A PARTIAL SOLUTION.
IT'S NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL SOLUTION.
WHY IS THIS NOT ON THE AGENDA TODAY? IT NEEDS TO BE A SPECIAL SESSION NEXT WEEK.
WE CAN'T WAIT TILL THE NEXT MONTH.
IT NEEDS TO BE A REOCCURRING THING EVERY MONTH WHERE WE TALK ABOUT IT.
WHERE YOU ALL DISCUSS IT AND TO SEE WHERE COVID IS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE.
THIS ISN'T A ONETIME IN THE SUMMER AND THEN JUST LET'S SEE HOW IT GOES.
SOMEONE REFERENCED SPEED LIMITS, SEAT BELT LAWS.
AS A POLICE OFFICER, I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY WORK.
WE HAVE TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM THEMSELVES SOMETIMES.
IT'S A SAD REALITY BECAUSE HUMAN BEINGS MAKE BAD CHOICES SOMETIMES.
I KNOW PARENTS ARE MAKING THE BEST DECISIONS IS THEY THINK ARE BEST FOR THEIR CHILDREN BUT WE DON'T ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT.
WHY OUR MASK MANDATES DEMONIZED.
>> THANK YOU, MR. ROSS. I APPRECIATE THAT.
[00:35:16]
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS ANNA NOONAN SOTO.
I LIVE AT 7005, PET LANE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS.
[NOISE] THIS IS MY DAUGHTER, MARLEY SOTO AND PRISCILLA SOTO.
THEY BOTH GO TO SMITHFIELD ELEMENTARY.
THIS FOUR YEAR OLD'S BEEN ABLE TO KEEP ON THIS MASK THIS WHOLE TIME, NO ISSUES, NO COMPLAINTS.
SHE PLAYS WELL, SHE RUNS WELL.
I DON'T KNOW WHY IT'S SO DIFFICULT FOR ADULTS TO DO THE SAME.
BUT AS A MOTHER, ALSO, WE'RE MISSING A FIFTH GRADER, AT SMITHFIELD ELEMENTARY, I'VE BEEN PROUD TO HAVE MY KIDS GO THERE.
I'M BIRDVILLE ISD GRADUATE FROM BIRDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD. THAT'S WHERE WE CHOSE OUR [NOISE] KIDS TO STAY THERE TILL THIS YEAR.
[NOISE] I HAVE ALWAYS TAUGHT MY CHILDREN TO VALUE PEOPLE'S LIVES AND WELFARE.
WE'VE ALREADY HAD COVID BACK IN DECEMBER.
THE REASON WHY WE CHOOSE TO WEAR A MASK IS BECAUSE WE WANT TO PROTECT OTHER PEOPLE, NOT OUR FAMILY, OUR FAMILY IS FINE AND HEALTHY.
WE ALL WANT TO PROTECT THE VULNERABLE PEOPLE BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES.
WE ALREADY HAVE THE ANTIBIOTICS.
WE DO NOT WANT TO SPREAD THE VIRUS UNWILLING TO OTHER PEOPLE BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHO FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR OUTSIDE AND WHO ELSE CAN GET SICK BECAUSE OF IT.
BEYOND THE CARE OF HUMAN LIFE, WE ALSO WANT EDUCATION ISSUE.
OUR CHILDREN TEACH HISTORY SCIENCE AND IGNORE HISTORY AND DENY SCIENCE OFTEN IN THE SAME CLASSROOM.
WE EXPECT OUR CHILDREN TO GET EDUCATION FOR PEOPLE THAT REFUSE TO LISTEN TO EDUCATED INDIVIDUALS AND DEVOTE THEIR LIVES IN STUDYING THESE ILLNESSES.
HOW DO WE TEACH OUR STUDENTS TO GO INTO STEM, AND THE SAME TIME, NOT LISTENED TO STEM PROFESSIONALS THAT DEVOTED THEIR LIVES TO THIS? IT'S TIME ON THE BOARD TO TAKE A STAND ON EDUCATION AND SHOW THAT OUR CHILDREN'S LIVES ARE WORTH PRESERVING AND TEACHING. THAT'S IT.
>> THANK YOU, MS. SOTO. NEXT SPEAKER IS HEATHER BENIM.
>> YOU WANT TO PULL THAT MIC ON A LITTLE BIT.
>> OKAY. [LAUGHTER] HI, I'M HEATHER BENIM AND I LIVE AT 7808 CHADDINGTON COURT, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS.
I HAVE TWO CHILDREN IN THE BISD SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND THANKFULLY, THEY ARE BOTH FULLY VACCINATED.
IN ADDITION [NOISE] TO BEING A CONCERNED PARENT, I'M ALSO A PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER AND I CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH LUPUS, ARTHRITIS, SCLERODERMA, AND OTHER RHEUMATIC CONDITIONS.
THESE CHILDREN ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO COVID AS THEY ARE ON IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE MEDICATIONS THAT PUT THEM AT HIGHER RISK FOR INFECTION AND ALSO, IN MANY PATIENTS, COMPROMISE THEIR RESPONSE TO THE VACCINATION.
OF COURSE, THERE ARE CHILDREN WITH MANY OTHER CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS WHO HAVE THESE SAME RISKS.
FURTHERMORE, NO CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 12 IS ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATION AT THIS TIME.
WE KNOW THAT THE SPREAD OF COVID IN SCHOOLS DURING THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR WAS LOW BUT THIS WAS DUE TO UNIVERSAL MASKING, STRICTER COVID PROTOCOLS, INCLUDING CONTACT TRACING AND QUARANTINE, AS WELL AS A LESS VIRULENT STRAIN.
MY FEAR IS THAT NO UNIVERSAL MASKING, NO CONTRACT TRACING, QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS, AND THE MORE VIRULENT DELTA VARIANT, THIS WILL NOT BE THE CASE FOR THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR.
CURRENTLY, ONLY 27 PERCENT OF CHILDREN AGES 12-15 AND TARRANT COUNTY ARE FULLY VACCINATED.
CLEARLY, VACCINATION WILL NOT PROTECT OUR SCHOOLS AT THIS TIME.
THE PHYSICIANS IN MY PRACTICE HELP TAKE CARE OF HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN WITH COVID AND THE SEVERE CASES ARE ON THE RISE.
THE FASTEST INCREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS IN THE AREA OVER THE LAST SEVEN DAYS HAD BEEN IN INDIVIDUALS AGES 0-17.
THESE PATIENTS ARE SICKER, REQUIRING HIGHER LEVELS OF CARE INCLUDING ICU AND INTUBATION.
SEVERAL PATIENTS ARE ON ECMO, MEANING THEIR HEART AND LUNGS CAN NO LONGER SUPPORT THE FUNCTION OF OXYNIZATION.
IN ADDITION TO THE INDECISIONS, THE DEATH RATE AMONG CHILDREN IS INCREASING.
AS OF TWO DAYS AGO, THERE WERE ONLY TWO AVAILABLE PEDIATRIC ICU BEDS IN ALL OF NORTH TEXAS AND NOW THAT NUMBER IS 0.
IT WOULD BE A TRAGEDY IF A BISD STUDENT DEVELOPED SEVERE COVID, WAS IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT, HAD A CARDIAC ARREST ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD OR EXPERIENCED AND OTHER LIFE THREATENING EVENT AND COULD NOT RECEIVE THE ADVANCED CARE THEY MIGHT REQUIRE.
BIRDVILLE'S CURRENT COVID PROTOCOLS MUST INCLUDE UNIVERSAL MASKING, CONTACT TRACING, QUARANTINE PROCEDURES AND THE DATA DASHBOARD.
>> THANKS, MS. BENIM. SAY HI TO MR. BENIM FOR ME.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS KATIE STEVENS.
I LIVE AT 8515 BOULEVARD 26, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS.
I SPENT MOST OF MY DAY TODAY AT CO-CHILDREN'S WITH MY YOUNGEST SON.
I HAVE A 15-YEAR-OLD WHO ATTENDS BIRDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL AND A 2.5 YEAR OLD WHO WAS BORN WITH HALF A HEART.
I HAVE WATCHED HIM GO INTO RESPIRATORY FAILURE TWICE OVER THE COMMON COLD VIRUS.
[00:40:06]
HE SPENT MOST OF HIS FIRST YEAR ON A VENTILATOR.THOSE ARE THINGS I DON'T WANT TO SEE AGAIN BUT SENDING HIS BROTHER TO SCHOOL MAKES ME SHAKE.
IT MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH.
WE MAKE HIS BROTHER COME UPSTAIRS AND HE CAN'T BE NEAR HIS BROTHER.
HE HAS TO TAKE A SHOWER, HE HAS TO SAY IN HIS ROOM.
I FEEL LIKE THAT'S COMPLETELY BACKWARDS.
I EXPECT THE SCHOOL TO HELP PROTECT OUR CHILDREN, INCLUDING THE MOST VULNERABLE.
WE'RE NOT THE ONLY FAMILY LIKE THIS.
THERE'S MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS, GRANDFATHERS, MAYBE ON CHEMO, MAYBE TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS.
WE PICKED BIRDVILLE BECAUSE OF THE EDUCATION.
I GRADUATED FROM BIRDVILLE AND I TRUST THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.
>> THANK YOU. MS. STEVENS. NEXT IS [APPLAUSE] SANDERS.
[NOISE] SORRY, I JUST CAN'T READ THE FIRST NAME, I APOLOGIZE.
KARMON? YEAH. OKAY. [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM A STUDENT AT BIRDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.
>> I'LL BE SPEAKING ON MY BEST FRIEND'S BEHALF AS WELL.
I HAD HIM COME TO ME EARLIER TODAY CRYING BECAUSE HIS FATHER HAD COVID EARLIER THIS YEAR AND HE'S STILL HAS TO GET DIALYSIS TWICE A WEEK.
HE CAME TO ME CRYING BECAUSE HE THOUGHT HIS FATHER WAS GOING TO DIE BECAUSE Y'ALL DO NOT HAVE A MASK MANDATE.
THE MASK MANDATE WOULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL TO HIM AND MYSELF DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAVE A MEDICALLY COMPLEX BROTHER.
EVERY DAY I GO TO SCHOOL WONDERING, WHO HAS COVID, WHO IS SICK, AND I CANNOT SEE MY BROTHER, I CANNOT TOUCH HIM.
I HAVE TO STAY IN MY ROOM ALL DAY AND IT'S NOT BENEFICIAL TO ANYBODY IN MY HOUSEHOLD.
IT DOESN'T HELP THAT I HAVE LOST MULTIPLE FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
ME AND MY BEST FRIEND WOULD BOTH AGREE THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A MASK MANDATE FOR EVERY STUDENT AND EVERY TEACHER UNTIL WE GET THIS THING TAKEN CARE OF.
THIS IS NOT GOING AWAY UNLESS WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
IF WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, WE COULD HAVE THIS THING DONE WITH BY NEXT SCHOOL YEAR AND WE WON'T NEED A MASK MANDATE.
HOWEVER, ALL OF US NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK FOR THIS.
ALL OF US, NOT JUST ONE PERSON, NOT TWO PEOPLE, NOT 20 PEOPLE, NO.
WE ALL JUST NEED TO TREAT THIS AS A TEAM THING BECAUSE WE ARE A TEAM TOGETHER.
WE ARE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY.
WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER NONSTOP TO BEAT THIS VIRUS.
>> THANK YOU, MR. SANDERS. [APPLAUSE]. THE NEXT ITEM WILL BE KATIE BOWMAN.
[H.1. 2021-22 Budget and Tax Rate [Katie Bowman, Associate Superintendent]]
THINK THAT YOU'VE GOT OUR 2021/2022 BUDGET AND TAX RATE.>> GOOD EVENING BOARD. DR. SIMPSON, I HAVE AN UPDATE THIS EVENING ON OUR BUDGET AND TAXES.
JUST A LITTLE UPDATE ON THE TAX AND BUDGET PUBLICATIONS.
THE DISTRICT MUST HOLD AN ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND TAX RATE, WHICH WE DID IN JUNE AT THE JUNE 24TH MEETING.
NO ADDITIONAL PUBLIC HEARING OR NOTICE IS REQUIRED.
THE NOTICE WAS REQUIRED TO BE PUT IN THE NEWSPAPER 10-30 DAYS BEFORE THAT PUBLIC HEARING.
IT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE STAR-TELEGRAM ON JUNE 11TH.
THE ADOPTED BUDGET SUMMARY ON THE BISD WEBSITE ACCORDING TO TEA GUIDELINES WAS POSTED, AND THEN ALL NOTICE AND TAX CALCULATION INFORMATION WAS POSTED ON THE TARRANT APPRAISAL DISTRICT WEBSITE.
IF YOU REMEMBER, THAT WAS NEW LAST YEAR.
WE DO HAVE A NEW REQUIREMENT THAT CAME OUT OF THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT WE POST OUR TAX RATE CALCULATIONS ON THE BISD WEBSITE AND THAT WAS COMPLETED.
TAX VALUES, AS YOU KNOW, WE GET PRELIMINARY VALUES ON APRIL THE 30TH FROM TARRANT COUNTY.
WE DID RECEIVE OUR CERTIFIED VALUES ON JULY 23RD, AUGUST 5TH, OUR NEW TAX RATES ARE CALCULATED BY THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY.
THOSE WERE COMPLETED BY AUGUST THE 5TH, AND THEN TONIGHT WE HAVE OUR TAX RATE PROPOSAL FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER.
AS WE ALWAYS KNOW, WE HAVE TO DO THE TAX RATE AFTER THE BUDGET ADOPTION, WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN JUNE.
THIS IS JUST A LITTLE HISTORY OF OUR TAX VALUES.
WE HAD PROPOSED THAT THE TAX INCREASE WOULD BE AROUND FIVE PERCENT THIS YEAR.
[00:45:01]
WITH THE CERTIFIED VALUES IN JULY WE WERE RIGHT AT 5.75.WE DO STILL HAVE QUITE A FEW OUTSTANDING VALUES WITH PROTESTS, SO WE DO EXPECT THAT NUMBER TO CLIMB JUST A LITTLE BIT.
I ALWAYS LIKE TO POINT OUT IN 2016, WE DID NOT HAVE AN ACTUAL DECLINE.
THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION WENT FROM 15,000-25.
WE REALLY HAD A 2.6 PERCENT INCREASE THAT YEAR.
LOOKING AT TAX RATES, YOU CAN SEE THE HISTORICAL PIECE THAT WE'VE HAD WHERE WE READ THE DOLLAR FOR, FOR QUITE A WHILE.
THE FIRST COMPRESSION FROM HOUSE BILL 3 CAME IN 2020.
EVERYONE IN THE STATE WAS COMPRESSED DOWN TO 97 CENTS.
LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT TEA ACTUALLY CALCULATED OUR TAX RATE.
WHEN WE CAME TO YOU IN JUNE WITH THE ADOPTED BUDGET WE WERE PROPOSING AND ASSUMING THAT OUR RATE WOULD BE 94.45 CENTS.
WHEN WE SUBMITTED OUR INFORMATION IN JULY TO TEA, THE CALCULATED RATE WAS 92.41 CENTS.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE ABOUT OVER FOUR CENT DECREASE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.
OUR I&S RATE AS YOU CAN SEE IT'S BEEN FAIRLY CONSISTENT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND I'LL BE GOING OVER SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THAT IN JUST A MINUTE.
WE DO HAVE A REVISED BUDGET FOR THE GENERAL FUND DEBT SERVICE FUND TONIGHT ON THE AGENDA.
I'LL GO OVER A FEW PIECES WITH THIS, WITH THE CHANGE IN TAX VALUES AND THE DROP IN TAX RATE.
FROM OUR JUNE MEETING TO NOW, WE ARE BEING REQUIRED TO DROP THAT ANOTHER TWO CENTS, EVEN WITH THE VALUES INCREASING, OUR OVERALL TAX COLLECTIONS ARE GOING TO BE ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT $1.8 MILLION LESS.
NOW WITH HOUSE BILL 3, ANYTIME WE HAVE A DROP IN TAX COLLECTIONS, IT'S MADE UP WITH STATE REVENUE.
I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT JUST LIKE IT WAS BEFORE, WE DO NOT GET CREDIT FOR ANY TYPE OF VALUE INCREASES.
IF YOU REMEMBER, AT THE STATE LEVEL THERE WAS A CAP THAT VALUES COULD NOT INCREASE MORE THAN 2.5 PERCENT WITH HOUSE BILL 3, AND WHILE THAT DOES IMPACT OUR TAX RATE, DISTRICTS CANNOT GET ADDITIONAL OVERALL REVENUE.
YOU CAN SEE WE HAD ABOUT THE SAME INCREASE IN STATE REVENUE AS A RESULT OF THAT DROP IN TAX VALUES.
I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT, BECAUSE I'LL SHOW YOU THIS IN JUST A MOMENT.
THE PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS WITH A FOUR CENT DECREASE ARE STILL PROJECTED TO BE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER, AND WHEN I SHOW YOU SOME OF THE RESTRAINTS THAT ARE PUT ON US THIS YEAR IN SPECIAL LANGUAGE AND THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO AS A DISTRICT, WHEN YOU ADOPT THE TAX RATE THIS EVENING, IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THAT IN MIND.
THE OTHER PIECE OF THE AMENDMENT FOR THE GENERAL FUND TONIGHT RELATES TO ESSER III.
AS YOU MAY ALL REMEMBER, WE DISCUSSED BEFORE WITH ALL OF OUR FEDERAL FUNDS WE ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE CALCULATED BY TEA TO BRING OVER TO THE GENERAL FUND TO HELP WITH THOSE INDIRECT COSTS SUCH AS, PAYROLL, HR, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
WITH ESSER III, WE ARE PLANNING TO PULL OVER THOSE INDIRECT COSTS TO HELP THE GENERAL FUND OUT WITH SOME OF THOSE INDIRECT DUTIES AND PROCEDURES THAT TAKE PLACE.
THE BUDGET THIS EVENING WILL INCLUDE ABOUT A $1.5 MILLION INDIRECT COST PIECE FOR THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR OR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR WE'RE IN.
I'LL SHOW YOU IN JUST A MINUTE, WE DO ANTICIPATE THAT CONTINUING THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
AS I MENTIONED, THE ESSER III, WE DO HAVE SOME GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES.
WHEN WE DID THE PRESENTATION FOR THE BOARD BACK WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ESSER III, WE DID HAVE JUST A SMALL AMOUNT OF GENERAL FUND ITEMS THAT WE COULDN'T CHARGE DIRECTLY TO US OR THAT WE HAD ALWAYS PLANNED TO TAKE OUT OF THE INDIRECT COST.
AS I MENTIONED, WE WILL BE GETTING A 1.5 MILLION ANNUALLY FOR THREE YEARS DURING THE TIME OF ESSER TO HELP US WITH GENERAL FUND, THE EXPENSES THAT WE HAVE BUDGETED FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
WE HAD A PURCHASING FEDERAL GRANT COORDINATOR WHO'S HELPING US WITH ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS ON ALL THE PURCHASES RELATED TO ESSER AND ACTUALLY ALL OF OUR FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
WE HAVE A HALF-TIME GRANT ACCOUNTANT THAT'S GOING TO TAKE CARE OF ALL THE PAYROLL FOR ESSER III AND ESSER II, AS WELL AS DO ALL THE DRAWDOWNS FROM TEA, ALL THE BUDGETING AND ALL THE PROJECTIONS.
THEN WE HAVE AN HR EMPLOYEE RELATIONS COORDINATOR.
NOW THAT'S THE ONLY POSITION WE HAVE NOT FILLED AT THIS TIME WITH ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL STAFF THAT ARE INSIDE ESSER III, THAT'S GOING TO HELP THEM WITH ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL PROCESSING FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
THE OTHER PIECE THAT IS COMING OUT OF GENERAL FUND THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO YOU THIS EVENING, FINE ARTS DID HAVE SOME COVID NEEDS WITH STUDENTS GETTING BEHIND IN SOME OF THEIR CLASSES.
BUT BECAUSE OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF PROGRESS MONITORING IN ESSER III THAT WE HAVE TO REPORT TO THE STATE, THERE'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO ADD THESE INTO ESSER III AND PROVIDE THAT TYPE OF UPDATE.
[00:50:03]
WE'VE ADDED THEM HERE FOR THE BOARD TO REVIEW HERE.WE HAVE SOME ONLINE SOFTWARE, SOME INSTRUCTIONAL TUTORIALS FOR STUDENTS, AND SOME PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS.
THIS WILL BE A REQUEST TO HAVE $38,000 ANNUALLY WHILE WE HAVE ESSER III FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
IF THE BOARD IS OKAY WITH ALL OF THIS TONIGHT WITH A BUDGET AMENDMENT, WE WILL JUST HAVE THESE IN THE REGULAR PRESENTATION WITH YOU WITH THE ADOPTED BUDGET FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS BECAUSE WE'LL INCLUDE THOSE INDIRECT COSTS PIECES AS WELL.
DEBT SERVICE FUND REVISED BUDGET.
WE DO HAVE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THAT THIS EVENING AS WELL.
AS YOU KNOW WE GET VERY LITTLE STATE FUNDING ON THE DEBT SERVICE FUND.
I'M REALLY JUST HAD THE ADDITIONAL TAX REVENUE FROM THAT INCREASE IN VALUES THAT ARE PRESENTED EARLIER.
JUST A REMINDER, I ALWAYS THINK IT'S GOOD FOR EVERYONE TO SEE WHAT THE BOARD HAS DONE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
ACTUALLY, SINCE 2014, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO REFINANCE A $142 MILLION OF DEBT TO LOWER INTEREST RATES SIMILAR TO HOW YOU WOULD REFINANCE YOUR HOUSE, SAVING TAXPAYERS OVER $18 MILLION.
IN ADDITION, SINCE 2014, THE BOARD HAS ALLOWED US TO PREPAY OVER AROUND $18.5 MILLION OF BONDED INDEBTEDNESS, SAVING TAXPAYERS AROUND $11.8 MILLION.
WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE THIS EVENING THAT I'LL BE PRESENTING TO YOU TONIGHT FOR PROPOSAL.
I DO HAVE A FULL FINANCIAL ADVISOR PRESENTATION THAT WE WILL BE GOING OVER WITH THE BOARD IN OCTOBER WHEN WE DO OUR FACILITY CONDITION ASSESSMENT UPDATE.
BUT I WANTED TO JUST GIVE YOU A SLIDE REMINDING YOU OF THE FALL OFF OF SOME OF OUR DEBT.
THE BOARD'S DONE A GREAT JOB AND HOW YOU'VE STRUCTURED THE DEBT.
AS YOU KNOW, WE TRY TO LIMIT OUR BUILDINGS TO 25 YEARS, WHICH WE CAN GO UP TO 40.
WE MAKE SURE THAT ANY OTHER THINGS PURCHASED IN THE BONDS ARE TIED DIRECTLY TO THE USEFUL LIFE OF THOSE.
WE'RE ABLE TO SAVE A LOT OF MONEY THAT WAY.
CALLABLE BOND JUST MEANS THAT WE CAN PREPAY THOSE.
WE'VE BEEN STRUCTURING OUR DEBT AS WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE 2018 BOND TO GIVE THE BOARD PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES IF THE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY THESE DEBTS OFF EARLY AND SAVE TAXES.
IN THE ADOPTED BUDGET IN JUNE, WE ESTIMATED THAT WE WOULD BE PREPAYING $1.9 MILLION.
WE NOW BELIEVE THAT WE CAN COVER $2.975 MILLION.
LOOK AT THE INTERESTS SAVINGS.
FOR ABOUT A THREE MILLION DOLLAR PREPAYMENT, WE'RE GOING TO SAVE ALMOST $2.5 MILLION OF INTERESTS, SO THAT'S VERY EXCITING.
AS YOU THINK ABOUT IT, YOU'RE SAVING MANY YEARS OF INTERESTS, SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT PAY OFF ON THAT PREPAYMENT.
WITH THE ADDITIONAL BOND PREPAYMENT, THE BOARD WILL HAVE PREPAID OVER $21.4 MILLION IN PRINCIPLE SINCE '14 AND SAVED $14.2 MILLION IN INTEREST COSTS.
YOU OUGHT TO BE APPLAUDED FOR THAT BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY, REALLY GOOD NEWS AND JUST SHOW YOU WHAT THAT SLIDE WOULD LOOK LIKE, SO HERE'S THE TOTAL AGAIN, ADDING IN THE 2019 PREPAYMENT IF YOU PROVE THAT THIS EVENING.
THIS IS A LAYOUT OF WHAT THAT REVISED BUDGET FOR THE DEBT SERVICE THEN WILL LOOK LIKE.
I'LL POINT OUT HERE AND GET THE MOUSE TO GO DOWN.
WE WILL BE HAVING A SLIGHT DEFICIT WITH THAT PREPAYMENT.
BUT WE'RE STILL IN REALLY GOOD SHAPE WITH FUND BALANCE.
REMEMBER, WE HAVE TO KEEP THIS FUND BALANCE LARGE ENOUGH TO COVER THAT AUGUST PAYMENTS.
I'D LIKE TO KEEP IT IN THE LOW 30 PERCENT LEVEL OF THE ACTUAL EXPENDITURES, SO WE'RE STILL VERY HEALTHY.
THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT LOOK REALLY GOOD WHEN WE DO OUR BOND RATING CALLS.
THEY REALLY LIKE THESE THINGS.
IT LOOKS REALLY GOOD. TAX RATES.
I'M GOING TO GO OVER VERY BRIEFLY, YOU'VE ALL SEEN THIS BEFORE, BUT JUST REMINDING YOU ABOUT HOUSE BILL 3, TAX COMPRESSION.
THIS IS OUR THIRD YEAR INTO THIS.
IF YOU REMEMBER, PROBABLY 2007 WAS WHEN WE FIRST HAD COMPRESSION FROM A $1.50 DOWN TO A DOLLAR.
OUR TAX RATE STATED A DOLLAR FOR QUITE A LONG TIME, MOST DISTRICTS IN THE STATE WERE KEPT AT THAT LEVEL.
IN 1920, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE WERE FIRST COMPRESSED AND 97 CENTS.
IN 2021, WE HAD A TAX RATE OF 96.64.
WE WERE ABLE TO PICK UP ONE MORE GOLDEN PENNY WHICH WE END UP PICKING UP ABOUT 2.8 MILLION WHICH HELPS US WITH THOSE TRANSITION FUNDS AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE TO YOU GUYS ABOUT THAT IN OCTOBER.
WE'LL GO OVER SOME DETAILS ON THE TRANSITION FUNDS ONCE WE HAVE UPDATED STUDENT NUMBERS.
THEN THIS YEAR AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE PROJECTED THAT WE WOULD BE AT 94.45 PERCENT ON OUR M&O RATE, THE COMPRESSION OF COURSE OCCURS WHEN THAT TAX VALUE EXCEEDS 2.5 PERCENT TO EIA CALCULATED BASED ON OUR JULY NUMBERS,
[00:55:02]
DOWN TO 87.41 PERCENT.THAT WAS OUR MAXIMUM COMPRESSED TAX RATE AND THEN WE CAN PUT THE FIVE GOLDEN PENNIES ON IT WHICH IS OUR PROPOSED RATE OF 92.41 TONIGHT WHICH IS OVER $0.04 LOWER THAN WHAT OUR TAX RATE WAS LAST YEAR.
JUST A REMINDER THAT THERE IS A CEILING AND A FLOOR ON THIS COMPRESSION.
THEY DON'T WANT ANY DISTRICTS THAT HAVE REALLY HARD TAX GROWTH TO GET A HUGE ADVANTAGE ALTHOUGH THERE IS AN ADVANTAGE ON DISTRICTS THAT HAVE A LOT MORE VALUE GROWTH.
THE CEILING THIS YEAR FOR 2021-22 IS 91.34.
NOW, THAT'S THE COMPRESSED RATE THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE GOLDEN PENNIES AND THEN THE LOWEST TAX FOR RATE IS 82.2 CENTS.
YOUR VALUES HAVE TO EXCEED 14 PERCENT TO REACH THAT LOWEST TAX RATE.
THEN LASTLY JUST REMINDING YOU THAT WE CURRENTLY ARE ABLE TO ACCESS BOB GOLDEN PENNIES, THERE'S A TOTAL OF EIGHT AVAILABLE WITH VOTER APPROVAL.
TAX RATE CALCULATIONS IN REVENUE, I NEED TO REMIND YOU WE ARE FALLING INTO A COUPLE OF CATEGORIES THIS YEAR THAT WE HAVEN'T HIT BEFORE BASED ON SOME OF THE NEW REQUIREMENTS.
LAST YEAR WE STARTED WITH SOME NEW TAX RATE CALCULATIONS CALLED THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE.
IT WAS THE SAME AS PRETTY SIMILAR TO THE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE THAT WE HAD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
OUR NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE IS THE RATE THAT PRODUCES THE SAME PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IN THE NEW YEAR AS THE PRIOR YEAR IF YOU APPLY IT TO THE SAME PROPERTY.
THERE'S A BUNCH OF CALCULATIONS THAT I GO THROUGH THAT WE GET FROM THE COMPTROLLER.
THIS RATE I WANT TO POINT OUT DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT YOUR INTEREST AND SINKING DEBT PAYMENT.
IT'S JUST FLAT ON WHAT DID YOU GET LAST YEAR? WHAT DID YOU GET THIS YEAR? IF YOUR DEBT PAYMENTS ARE GROWING OR YOU'VE ISSUED DEBT, YOU'RE GOING TO GET HIT WITH THIS LITTLE CAVEAT THAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IN JUST A MOMENT.
OUR NEW REVENUE TAX RATE FOR M&O AND I&S FOR 2021-22 IS 1.32943.
OUR PROPOSED RATE WHICH IS TA CALCULATOR M&O RATE, AND THEN OUR I&S RATE IS BASED ON OUR BOND PAYMENTS IS 1.338; SO WE'RE JUST BARELY OVER THAT, NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE.
IN A MINUTE I'LL TELL YOU WHAT THE PENALTIES FOR THAT BUT WE'RE HITTING THAT DUE TO THE FACT OF HOW THAT NUMBER IS CALCULATED.
[NOISE] THEN THE OTHER PIECE REMEMBER, I SHOWED YOU ON THE M&O OR THE GENERAL FUND SHEET THAT WHILE OUR TAX RATE WENT DOWN $0.04, WE ARE STILL COLLECTING MORE TAXES THAN WE DID LAST YEAR.
IF OUR TAX COLLECTIONS, WE CAN'T COUNT AS SCHOOL FINANCE MONEY, IT'S JUST TAX COLLECTIONS EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T GET EXTRA REVENUE OVERALL, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT IF THEY ARE MORE THAN THE PRIOR YEAR, THEN WE'LL HAVE SPECIAL LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS AND THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO AND I'LL SHOW YOU ON THE NEXT SLIDE.
I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THIS AGAIN, THE DISTRICT GENERAL FUND OVERALL REVENUE WILL NOT INCREASE WITH ADDITIONAL TAX COLLECTIONS.
THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE THAT I ALWAYS LIKE TO REMIND EVERYBODY.
WHEN ALL OF THE NEW LAWS CAME INTO EFFECT, NOT THIS PAST SESSION BUT THE PREVIOUS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE CITIES WERE KEPT ON HOW MUCH VALUE GROWTH THEY COULD GET.
WE ONLY GET PAID BASED ON THE CHILDREN THAT COME TO OUR DISTRICT AND THEIR SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS IN THE SPECIAL PROGRAM AREAS, SO I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT.
THE NO NEW REVENUES SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, WE HAVE TO PUT LANGUAGE IN THE TAX RESOLUTION THAT SAYS THIS TAX RATE WILL RAISE MORE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION THAN LAST YEAR'S TAX RATE.
NOW, IT'S A TRUE STATEMENT BUT WE DON'T HAVE ANY MORE OVERALL REVENUE.
THEN ON OUR DISTRICT HOMEPAGE, AFTER THE ADOPTION THROUGH THE ISSUANCE OF THE TAX NOTICES, WE HAVE TO PUT A STATEMENT THAT SAYS ADOPTED A TAX RATE THAT WILL RAISE MORE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS THAN LAST YEAR'S TAX RATE.
THEN THIS IS THE BIG CAVEAT AND YOU'LL SEE IT TONIGHT.
WE HAVE TO PUT SPECIAL MOTION LANGUAGE IN WHEN YOU'RE ADOPTING THE TAX RATE THAT STARTS WITH THE STATEMENT.
THAT'S GOING TO BE A REQUIREMENT AS A RESULT OF THAT NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE.
NOW, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE BECAUSE YOU'RE PROBABLY USED TO THE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE AND THE ROLLBACK RATE.
THE ROLLBACK RATE IS NOW CALLED THE ADOPTED TAX.
NO, IT'S NOT ADOPTED, VOTER APPROVED RATE IS WHAT IT'S CALLED.
THAT PARTICULAR RATE WOULD TRIGGER AN ELECTION BUT WE'RE NOT OVER THAT RATE.
THIS IS JUST THAT NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE.
THEN COMMENTS AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, OUR ACTUAL PROPOSED TAX RATE DROPPED OVER $0.04 AND ANY CHANGES IN TAX COLLECTIONS ARE OFFSET BY EITHER AN INCREASE OR DECREASE IN STATE FUNDING, THE DISTRICT WILL NOT GENERATE ANY ADDITIONAL REVENUE BASED ON TAX COLLECTIONS.
ALL REVENUE IS GENERATED BY STUDENT ENROLLMENT CHANGES ONLY.
[01:00:04]
WE HAVE TO FALL THROUGH THESE PIECES.BUT UNFORTUNATELY AS YOU KNOW SCHOOL FINANCE IS NOT ALWAYS IN OUR FAVOR AS A DISTRICT.
ACTION ITEMS THIS EVENING FOR THE BOARD, THE FIRST ONE WILL BE A PROPOSAL FOR APPROVING THE DEBT SERVICE IN THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET AMENDMENT.
WE HAVE TO GET THE REVENUE IN PLACE BEFORE YOU CAN ADOPT A PREPAYMENT.
THEN WE'VE GOT OUR BOND ORDER THAT IS THERE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND THEN THE FINAL WILL BE THE M&O TAX RATE, THE I&S TAX RATE, AND THE TOTAL TAX RATE OF 1.33.
YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? MR. DAVIS? IS THERE A REASON WE'RE PAYING OFF THE 2019 BOND, IS THE RATE REAL HIGH OR UP SOMETHING? THOSE WERE THE CALLABLE BONDS.
IF I GO BACK TO THE SLIDE, THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE BECAUSE WE PAID OFF THE 2007 IN OUR LAST PRE-PAYMENT.
LET ME GO BACK TO THAT SLIDE TO SHOW YOU.
BECAUSE THIS IS ALL WE HAVE AVAILABLE.
SO WE HAVE THE 2019, WE DID A SHORT CALL ON PURPOSE, THAT WAS THE FIRST BONDS THAT WE ISSUED BECAUSE THE ELECTION WAS IN NOVEMBER SO OUR FIRST BOND ISSUANCE WAS IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY TIME FRAME.
THESE ARE THE VERY FIRST ONES THAT WE HAVE AND SO THESE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE AVAILABLE FOR CALL.
IT WAS SELECTED BECAUSE OF THE HARSH RATE OF WHAT WE HAVE.
THERE IS MULTIPLE BONDS OBVIOUSLY IN ALL OF THAT BUT THOSE ARE THE MOST CURRENT ONES THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE, AND SO THE CALLABLE MATURITIES ARE 3.75 PERCENT.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING TO BE SAVING QUITE A BIT OF REVENUE.
BUT THE 2007 WERE THE LAST CALLABLE ONES THAT WE HAVE AND WE PAY THOSE OFF WITH THE LAST CALL.
>> BUT IT'S NOT CALLABLE UNTIL 2025.
>> YOU ONLY HAD ONE IN THE ENTIRE BOND PORTFOLIO THAT WAS CALLABLE?
WE HAD NOT BEEN DOING THAT IN THE PAST IN THE 2014 BOND.
THEY TYPICALLY WE'RE PUTTING THOSE CALLS OUT A LITTLE LATER BECAUSE WE HADN'T BEEN DOING A LOT OF PREPAYMENTS THEN IF YOU REMEMBER, OUR FIRST PREPAYMENT WAS IN 2014.
>> SO THAT TELLS ME NEXT FISCAL YEAR WE WON'T HAVE ANY BONDS WE CAN PREPAY.
>> WE HAVE 18 MILLION AVAILABLE.
>> SO WE COULD DO IT LIKE SIX MORE TIMES.
>> DEPENDING ON THE MONEY WE HAVE AVAILABLE [OVERLAPPING].
>> THAT PARTICULAR PRINCIPAL AMOUNT?
>> THAT 18 MILLION IS AVAILABLE FOR US TO CALL.
>> THAT'S WHY HE COMES UP WITH WHOLE NUMBERS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY HAVE, I THINK THEY'RE IN 50,000 DOLLAR INCREMENTS.
>> REGARDING WHAT WE HAVE TO ADVERTISE IN PAPER IN ALL THE LANGUAGE IN OUR MOTION, CAN YOU [INAUDIBLE].
WHAT WAS THE LEGISLATURE'S JUST TO MAKE US LOOK LIKE WE'RE VOTING FOR A TAX INCREASE.
THAT'S WHAT IT SOUNDS. WE'RE NOT GETTING NEW MONEY AT ALL, TRUE?
>> WE'RE NOT GETTING NEW REVENUES, NEW MONIES AT ALL.
WE ONLY GET THAT IF WE HAVE MORE STUDENTS THAT COME IN, BUT THEY MAKE THE LANGUAGE SOUND LIKE WE'RE TAXING YOU MORE.
NOW THAT WE DON'T CONTROL THE PROPERTY VALUES, NOW WE DON'T CONTROL THE TAX RATE.
IT'S CALCULATED BY TEA, CORRECT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT AND I'LL TELL YOU, I HAD TO CALCULATE A SEPARATE THING THIS YEAR THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD TO DO BEFORE, WHICH WAS A NO NEW REVENUE M&O RATE.
IF WE HAD BEEN ABOVE THAT RATE EVEN THOUGH NOW GRANTED THE GOLDEN PENNIES OUR CHOICE AND SOME DISTRICTS MAY HAVE A VALUE ADDED TAX RATE ELECTION THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM, THEY MIGHT GO OVER A VALUE THAT PIECE.
BUT IF WE HAD DONE THAT, THEN WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO GO IN AND LOOK AT HOW MUCH TAXES WE'RE ON A $100,000 HOUSE AND CALCULATE AN AMOUNT.
I WAS GRATEFUL WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT PIECE OF IT.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY NOW THE M&O RATE WE WERE GOOD ON IT WAS THE INS RATE.
>> WE HAVEN'T FALL OFF THEM, SOME OF IT IS GOING TO BE PAID OFF IN 24, 25? [INAUDIBLE]
>> I'VE HEARD OF SOME DISTRICTS TRANSFERRING THEIR M&O RATE TO HELP THEIR DEBT SERVICE.
CAN WE GO THE OTHER DIRECTION?
THE TAX SWAPS ARE NOW ILLEGAL.
DISTRICTS HAD BEEN DOING SOME OF THE TAX SWAPS AND THEN YOU CAN NO LONGER DO THOSE.
>> YEAH, THOSE ARE GOOD QUESTIONS. WAS THAT ALL?
>> THANKS FOR THE PRESENTATION. I'M GLAD WE HAVE SOMEBODY THAT CAN UNDERSTAND ALL THAT.
I WAS REMISS I DIDN'T SEE YOU GUYS UNTIL [INAUDIBLE] COUNCIL IS PRESENT TONIGHT WITH MAYOR MANOR AND ALSO WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREW NEAL.
APPRECIATE YOU GUYS COMING AGAIN.
IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. MR. BASKERVILLE,
[I.1. Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Proposed Policy Update 117, Affecting Local Policies (First Reading) [Skip Baskerville, Associate Superintendent]]
[01:05:02]
I THINK YOU'VE GOT OUR NEXT ITEM.THIS IS THE FIRST READING OF [INAUDIBLE] PROPOSED POLICY UPDATE 117 EFFECTING CHANGES TO LEGAL AND LOCAL POLICIES.
IT IS NOTED THAT BOARD POLICY SEE THE LOCAL IN DEC LOCAL INCLUDES REVISIONS RECOMMENDED BY BISD.
I BELIEVE THAT THE BOARD HAS BEEN PROVIDED LOCAL POLICY OVERVIEW, EXPLANATORY NOTES, POLICY MANUAL UPDATE, AND THE POLICY COMPARISON SHOWING THE RECOMMENDED CHANGES.
ADMINISTRATION HAS REVIEWED THE PROPOSED POLICIES OF UPDATE 117.
EACH DIRECTOR HAS REVIEWED THE PROPOSED UPDATE FOR ANY CHANGES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY.
THIS UPDATE IS PRESENTED AT THIS BOARD MEETING FOR INFORMATION DISCUSSION IN SEPTEMBER AND POSSIBLE ACTION IN OCTOBER.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. BASKERVILLE ON A SUBJECT 10 ON THIS END?
>> [LAUGHTER] AND I LOVE HOW THEY CHANGE AND TO JUST CHANGE THE SMALLEST LITTLE THING.
JUST LIKE YOUR ENGLISH TEACHER USED TO CHANGE YOUR SENTENCE JUST TO MAKE IT SOUND DIFFERENT. APPRECIATE THAT.
NEXT, BEFORE WE CAN SET A PERSONNEL ITEMS,
[J.1. Consider Personnel Items]
I WANT TO ANNOUNCE THE DUTCH [INAUDIBLE] ACCEPTED 24 RESIGNATIONS AND THREE RETIREMENTS.DO I HEAR A MOTION FOR PERSONNEL ITEMS?
>> MR. PRESIDENT, I MOVE THE BOARD TO APPROVE AND ADOPT ALL PERSONNEL ITEMS AND CONTRACT AS PRESENTED AND RECOMMENDED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT.
>> BY MISS BRENDA SANDERS-WISE.
WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
NEXT IS CONSIDERED TYPE POSSIBLE ACTION TO PROVE REQUEST FOR
[J.2. Consider and Take Possible Action to Approve Request for Sanctions of Teacher Certificate for Abandonment of Contract]
SANCTIONS OF THEATER CERTIFICATE FOR ABANDONMENT OF CONTRACT.>> MR. PRESIDENT, I MOVE THAT THE BOARD FIND THAT JILL DERAMUS HAS ABANDONED HER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT WITH BIRDVILLE ISD WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE AND DIRECT THE ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO SEEK SANCTIONS AGAINST DERAMUS'S STATE TEACHING CERTIFICATE.
>> MOTION BY DREES, DO I HAVE A SECOND?
DO WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS? SEEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND AND IT IS UNANIMOUS.
THE NEXT IS CONSIDER CHANGE FOR THE BOARD MEETING DATES FROM
[J.3. Consider Change for Board Meeting Dates in November and December 2021]
NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER 2021, DO I HAVE A MOTION?>> I MOVE THE BOARD APPROVE CHANGING THE NOVEMBER REGULAR BOARD MEETING DATE FROM THURSDAY NOVEMBER 25 TO THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18 AND APPROVE CHANGING THE DECEMBER REGULAR BOARD MEETING FROM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23 TO THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9.
>> I HAVE A MOTION FROM MR. KUNKEL. DO I HAVE A SECOND?
ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS? SEEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND AND IT IS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEXT ITEM IS TO CONSIDER A TEA WAIVER
[J.4. Consider TEA Waiver for Remote Homebound Instruction]
FOR REMOTE HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION. DO I HAVE A MOTION?>> MR. PRESIDENT, I MOVE THE BOARD APPROVE THE APPLICATION FOR THE TEA REMOTE HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION WAIVER, AND THE BOARD DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT TO APPROVE ALL REMOTE HOMEBOUND STUDENT WAIVERS FOR THE DURATION OF THE 2021, 22 SCHOOL YEAR IN ORDER TO SERVE THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS AND PROTECT THEIR HEALTH.
MOTION BY MR DILKS DO I HAVE A SECOND?
ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR, AND IT'S UNANIMOUS.
[J.5. Consider Revised 2021-22 Student Code of Conduct and Extracurricular Honor Code]
22 STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT AND EXTRACURRICULAR HONOR CODE.>> I MOVE THE BOARD APPROVE THE REVISED 21, 22 STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT AND EXTRA CURRICULAR HONOR CODE IS PRESENTED.
>> DO I HAVE A SECOND AFTER MR. KUNKEL MOTION?
>> THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS, FOR THAT SECOND.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD OR QUESTIONS?
>> I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF AND PARENTS AND STUDENTS FOR GETTING INVOLVED IN IT.
IT'S A LONG PROCESS, BUT THEY LOOK AT IT VERY HARD LINE BY LINE AND ISSUES ARE ALWAYS DIFFERENT EVERY YEAR IT SEEMS LIKE SO.
THANKS TO THOSE THAT SIT ON THAT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
>> THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS. THOSE ARE GOOD WORDS. ANYBODY ELSE? OKAY. NOT SEEING ANY OTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR AND IT'S UNANIMOUS.
[J.6. Consider the 2021-22 Revised General Fund and Debt Service Fund Budgets]
22 REVISED GENERAL FUND AND DEBT SERVICE FUND BUDGETS. DO I HAVE A MOTION?>> MR. PRESIDENT, I MOVE THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE 2021, 22 REVISE GENERAL FUND AND DEBT SERVICE FUND BUDGET AS PRESENTED.
>> I'VE GOT A MOTION BY MR DREES, DO I HAVE A SECOND?
>> THAT WAS BY MISS WISE, IS THE SECOND.
DO WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS? SEEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. IT'S UNANIMOUS.
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION CALLING A PORTION OF
[J.7. Consider a Resolution Calling a Portion of the Birdville Independent School District Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, Series 2019 for Redemption Prior to Maturity; and Enacting Other Provisions Relating to the Subject]
THE BIRDVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT UNLIMITED TAX SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS SERIES 2019 FOR REDEMPTION PRIOR TO MATURITY AND ENACTING[01:10:01]
OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT. DO I HAVE A MOTION?>> MR. PRESIDENT, I MOVE THE BOARD TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION CALLING A PORTION OF BIRDVILLE ISD UNLIMITED TECH SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS, SERIES 2019 FOR REDEMPTION PRIOR TO MATURITY AS PRESENTED.
>> MR. DAVIS, FOR THE MOTION AND WE'LL GET A SECOND FROM.
>> MR. DILKS. ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY OR ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS?
>> MR. DAVIS, YOU CAN THROW IN A FEW MORE DOLLARS, WE WOULD MAKE IT AN EVEN THREE MILLION.
>> I DON'T THINK HE'S ASKING YOU TO AMEND YOUR MOTION.
[LAUGHTER] I THINK HE'S GOING TO LET THE MOTION STAND AS IT IS.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, AND IT'S UNANIMOUS.
CONSIDER RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2021-22 AD VALOREM TAX RATE
[J.8. Consider Resolution Adopting the 2021-22 Ad Valorem Tax Rate including the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Tax Rate and the Interest & Sinking (I&S) Tax Rate]
INCLUDING THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS, THAT'S M&O TAX RATE, AND THE INTEREST AND SINKING, THAT'S I&S TAX RATE.>> I'LL READ THE LONG ONE HERE.
>> IT'S NOW MOVED THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF 1.338, WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 0.645 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.
ADOPT THE RESOLUTION, SETTING THE TAX RATE WITH THE YEAR 2021 ON ALL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION IN BIRDVILLE ISD, AT A LOCAL TAX RATE OF $1.338 PER 100, A PROPERTY VALUE WHICH IS 0.9241 FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS, AND 0.4139 IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTERESTS ON DEBTS AS PRESENTED.
[LAUGHTER] LAWYERS GET PAID BY THE WORD.
>> DO I HAVE A SECOND AFTER MR. DAVIS' MOTION?
>> THANK YOU. I DO FIND IT IRONIC THAT THE LEGISLATURE PASSED THAT STATUTE TO MAKE IT MORE UNDERSTANDABLE FOR THE [LAUGHTER] PUBLIC.
I'M AN ATTORNEY FOR 30 YEARS AND I CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT. [LAUGHTER]
>> THE TAX RATE IS BEING INCREASED, BUT REALLY IT'S TRULY DECREASING FOR US.
THEN AFTER THAT, ANY DISCUSSION?
>> YEAH, I WANT TO COMMENT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'M GOING TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS, BUT WE'RE NOT RAISING THE TAX RATE.
I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR A TAX RATE INCREASE, BUT.
>> YOU'RE LOWERING THE TAX RATE. RIGHT.
>> BUT THE MOTION STILL STAND. [OVERLAPPING]
>> MOST OF THAT IS ALL SET [INAUDIBLE] IN ANY WAY, NOT BY US.
>> ANYWAY, ANYTHING ELSE? SEEING ANYTHING AND SEEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION ALL RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR, AND IT'S UNANIMOUS.
[J.9. Consider Resolution for COVID-19 Relief Leave]
CONSIDER RESOLUTION FOR COVID-19 RELIEF LEAVE.GO AHEAD MS. SANDRA [INAUDIBLE].
>> MR. PRESIDENT. I MOVE THAT THE BOARD ADOPT THE RESOLUTION FOR COVID-19 RELIEF LEAVE AS PRESENTED.
I DON'T WANT TO CATCH ANYBODY OFF GUARD, BUT DOES ANYBODY ON STAFF WANT TO BRIEFLY SAY WHAT THIS IS? I KNOW I'M CATCHING YOU BLIND.
I SHOULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING EARLIER.
THE RESOLUTION WILL PROVIDE 10 DAYS OF COVID LEAVE FOR FULLY VACCINATED EMPLOYEES TO USE WHEN THEY TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID, OR WHEN THE FULLY VACCINATED EMPLOYEES' MINOR CHILD TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID AND MUST BE CARED FOR BY THE EMPLOYEE BECAUSE THE MINOR CHILD IS PROHIBITED FROM ATTENDING THEIR CHILDCARE OR SCHOOL.
DOCUMENTATION WILL BE PROVIDED FOR PROOF OF VACCINATION AND PROOF OF COVID TO THE HR DEPARTMENT.
THIS RESOLUTION WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM JULY 1, 2021 THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2022.
IF ANY EMPLOYEES WHO WERE VACCINATED WERE ILL AND HAD TO USE THEIR DAYS IN JULY UP TO THIS DATE, THEY CAN SUBMIT THAT INFORMATION TO THE HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT AND WE WILL MAKE THOSE CORRECTIONS BACK TO THEIR LEAVE DAYS.
IF IN FACT, WHEN WE GET TO JANUARY, WE SEE THAT THERE MAY BE A NEED TO EXTEND THIS LEAVE, THEN WE WILL COME BACK TO THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION.
>> I'D LIKE TO ADD THAT WE WOULD DEFINITELY SEND INFORMATION TO THOSE EMPLOYEES THAT WERE AFFECTED PARTS OF TODAY.
I DON'T WANT TO EXPECT OUR EMPLOYEES TO KNOW THAT THIS IS PUT IN AUTOMATICALLY.
I ASKED THE HR DEPARTMENT TO REACH OUT THOSE EMPLOYEES THAT SINCE JULY 1ST, THAT MAY BE AFFECTED BY THIS WHEN THIS WASN'T IN PLACE.
SECOND OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A NOTE THAT THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN FFCRA; IT'S NOT THE SAME THING.
IT DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME PROVISIONS, SO THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T SEE THE WORDS FFCRA IN THIS RESOLUTION, IT'S COVID-19 RELIEF LEAVE.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD DISTINCTION, MR. [INAUDIBLE], [OVERLAPPING] APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU.
I'M SORRY THAT I BLINDSIDED YOU ON THAT, BUT THAT WAS A GREAT EXPLANATION OF THE EXTRA 10 DAYS FOR FULLY VACCINATED STAFF IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? YES, MR. WOMBLE.
[01:15:04]
>> I GOT A QUICK COMMENT, REAL QUICK.
I THINK THIS IS AWESOME, FIRST OFF, THAT WE'RE EXTENDING THIS TO OUR EMPLOYEES.
WE EXPECT OUR TEACHERS TO BE HERE AND EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS; AND SHOULD ONE CONTRACT COVID, THE ADMIN AND THE DISTRICT IS STEPPING UP TO GIVE THEM 10 ADDITIONAL DAYS IF THEY DON'T HAVE TO DIP INTO THEIR PERSONAL.
I'M A 100 PERCENT FULL SUPPORT OF IT.
I THANK GOD EVERY DAY THAT HE'S BLESSED US WITH SMART PEOPLE THAT HAVE, I MEAN, THE ENGINEERING OF AN MRNA VACCINE AND A MORE TRADITIONAL ADENOVIRUS VACCINE, THE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON, IS AWESOME.
WHERE I HAVE A LITTLE BIT HEARTBURN HERE IS THAT WE ARE NOT OFFERING THIS ACROSS THE BOARD.
THAT WE ARE USING AS AN INCENTIVE, I GUESS FOR THE UNVACCINATED; AND I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF HEARTBURN IN TERMS OF CREATING CLASSES OF TEACHERS.
FOR ME, THIS WOULD HAVE MY TOTAL AND FULL SUPPORT IN OFFERING THESE 10 EXTRA DAYS FROM THE DISTRICT IF IT WAS OFFERED DISTRICT WIDE, REGARDLESS OF ANY KIND OF VACCINATION STATUS.
>> ANYTHING ELSE FROM THIS SIDE? [INAUDIBLE], AND MR. DAVIS? NO. OKAY. HAVING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
>> ALL AGAINST, ASK FOR THOSE AGAINST.
>> AGAINST, WOULD BE MR. WOMBLE, SO WE'VE GOT A SPLIT VOTE.
WE'VE GOT, I'M GOING TO GET USED TO DOING THIS, SIX, ONE.
WE GOOD? ALL RIGHT, ALL ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED WITH
[K. CONSENT ITEMS]
ONE MOTION UNLESS THEY ARE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA BY A TRUSTEE FOR DISCUSSION.DO I HAVE A MOTION FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> I MOVE THE BOARD APPROVE ALL ITEMS IN THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
>> MOTION BY MR. KUNKEL. ANY SECOND?
>> THAT'S BY MR. JURIES. ANY DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS? SEEING NONE. PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR.
THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORTS TO THE BOARD OR
[L. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORTS TO THE BOARD]
REPORTS HAD BEEN PROVIDED AS INFORMATION TO THE BOARD, HAD BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THE BOARD FOR REVIEW IN THE BOARD BOOK.DOES THE BOARD HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS CONCERNING THESE REPORTS? SEEING NONE.
THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING WILL BE ON THURSDAY,
[M. FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS]
SEPTEMBER 23RD, HERE IN THE BOARDROOM.CLOSED SESSION WILL BEGIN AT 5:30 AND OPEN SESSION WILL BEGIN AT 7:00 PM.
AS WE HAVE NO FURTHER BUSINESS, DO I HEAR A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING?
>> THAT WAS KUNKEL AND DAVIS FOR THE SECOND, AND ALL IN FAVOR? IT'S UNANIMOUS. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.