Eyes on the Board

Escandon was selected as the Campus Beautification Award winner for November, 2004. A plaque and $1,000 from Coca-Cola funds was presented.

Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, & Sampson, L.L.P. presented their delinquent tax collection report for 2003-2004. Eighty-five (85) accounts were targeted for personal visits-paid in full-6-$23,814.97; litigation-11-$71,595.22; New Suits in Progress-68-$149,415.05. This totals 85 accounts for a total of $244,825.24.

The End of Year Delinquent Collection Report was given by Linebarger, etc. Delinquent tax collections over the past fiscal year have amounted to $3,366,712.59 for a total of 38.17% of the school district's delinquent tax roll.

The Monthly Financial and Investment Report for 2004 indicates that McAllen has approximately $1 million in the black for our district health insurance fund. Reporting has changed and a call to Linda Herrera Romeros (Chief Financial Officer) indicated a surplus.

The Lamar Academy Update on the 8th grade Transitional Program showed improvement. MFT was especially happy to see improvements due to the great veteran teachers working in the program. The attendance and earning of high school credits is showing progress.

The MISD Board approved expenses of $45,508.50 for Instructional Technology department utilization of web publishing and storage services (part of eChalk).

The Board approved the agreement with Vinson & Elkins, L.L.P., to provide bond counsel.

Three buses were approved for air conditioning in the amount of $13,500.

The Board approved $41,038.20 for a 45 Mbps DS-3 circuit from MISD to Region I for access to the Internet.

A Mother -Daughter Program was approved. UTPA is offering the program with the purpose of encouraging and supporting the completion of high school and the pursuit of higher education through academic and personal development and leadership training. Cost is $90 per team. A new chiller for Milam was approved at a cost of $28,673. A line of credit for $5,000,000 was approved with First National Bank. The Board approved $50,000 for services to assist district in addressing the disproportionate representation of students with disabilities in self-contained settings.

Sharon Koonce of Curriculum Mgt. Services was approved for changing the lens of instructional leaders-cost $25,500.

The Board approved the request for a 3 year school waiver from the TEA Commissioner for 177 school days, 7 days of staff development, 3 workdays, and 6 early release. The Board also approved a request for a hearing for January 18, 2005 for the first day of instruction to be August 15, 2005. The Board approved $50,137 to Victoria Air Conditioning for CO2 level improvements at Rowe High School. Change Order No. 3 for motor starters to the Make-Up Air Units in the amount of $5,712.26 for Rowe High School.

December 9, 2004-Workshop

The MISD Board discussed the MISD Strategic Planning, 2005-2010 at this meeting-this was for information only.

December 6, 2004-Workshop

The Gibson Report and the Garcia Group reports were discussed. The Gibson Study covered district organization and management, finance, purchasing, asset and risk management, human resources, technology, transportation, plant operations, and food services. The Garcia Group with the former Assn. Superintendent Lyons (as a paid consultant assisting) discussed money saving ideas.

The Lamar 8th Grade Academy Update, staff development waiver, first day of instruction waiver, state assessments reviews, AEIS/AYP Report, Channel 17, and Curriculum Writing Update was given.

November 23, 2004-Special Mtg.

The Board approved the Voluntary Group Disability Insurance and IRC 125 Cafeteria Plan Administration Service. The original carrier no longer was going to be in the disability insurance business. Our plan had had a very high usage-148% (number of claims filed. This year approximately 300 claims were filed-some in excess of $100,000 which will cause a substantial reserve of money. The Career and Technology Health Science Program and Affiliation Agreements were approved. Transport carts were approved for Food Services in the amount of $57,725.

November 16, 2004-Special Mtg.

The Board met to discuss the Cisco Breakaway Schools Program. The district needs to update their district-wide technology plans. This venture will cost between $7-15 million. The topics covered included E-Learning, Staff Development, Daily Tasks, and Communication. The Federation raised a red flag concerning all the extra work that teachers have had to do in general.

MFT believes technology is great as long as the burden of all the extra work does not fall on the backs of teachers. We need a new main frame computer, new computers, and extensive training for staff. It is also clear, from an economic viewpoint, we can no longer support both Apple and Microsoft Windows (IBM) computer platforms. We cannot forget that former board member Sam Olivarez tried to get the administration to realize that one platform-Microsoft Windows-would be better for our economic future. We continue to be concerned that teachers have had to do more and more administrative work.