BISD School Board: Doing the Best They Can When the Target Keeps Moving

By Diego Garcia III | Editor of The Brownsville Beacon

The Brownsville Independent School Discrict held a board meeting today. There were several pieces of information that were discussed during the meeting, most of the changes being made as a result of the current COVID-19 crisis.

Board members, along with Superintendent Dr. Rene Gutierrez were practicing social distancing guidelines, sitting six feet apart. Several board members, along with today's main presenter, Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Anysia Trevino, were also wearing protecive masks when they weren't talking to the other board members. 

According to the agenda, an addendum to the employment contracts was proposed. The addendum was to require all core area teachers (English, math, science, and social studies) to obtain an ESL certification as a condition of employment. Dr. Trevino introduced the item and several board members engaged in a healthy debate before deciding to restrict the addendum to new teachers being hired by the district. Many of the board members cited trying to avoid overwhelming educators with additional certification requirements during these trying times. 

Grades and high school ranking were among the topics discussed next. Dr. Trevino mentioned there would not be a sixth six weeks unless students return to school, even if it's for one day. If school is shut down, which is something that was not discussed at this time, there would not be a sixth six weeks. High school rankings would be based on the rankings that were released at the end of the first semester. 

Another topic discussed was the work submitted during this time. As per Dr. Trevino, students would not be penalized for not turning in the assignments; work turned in after Spring Break could only help a student's average; it could not hurt them.

Other topics discussed by Dr, Trevino include an exemption for students who were supposed to take STAAR exams this year; for example, a junior who was supposed to take the US History STAAR exam this year would not need to take the exam next year. Along with STAAR exemptions, college prep exams like the TSI, the SAT, and the ACT exams were also suspended. 

The board members, as well as the superintendent, were doing their best to understand and deal with the current situation. Board President, Minerva Pena, made it clear they are all working hard to make sure they are making choices that are in the best interest of the district's employees and students. 

Dr. Gutierrez also asked everyone to keep in mind the decisions being made at the state level are constantly changing and it is difficult to keep current when the "target keeps moving." The district and their decision making is depending on the choices made in Austin.

Dr. Trevino concluded her presentation by reminding the board the employee performance reviews and evaluations were also waived as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

The next portion of the meeting was taken over by a masked Dr. Nellie Cantu, the Deputy Superintendent for Operations. She began discussing the different district operations that are being affected by the current situation.

TEA issued a blanket exemption for the district's mandatory attendance percentage; attendance would no longer be tracked (as if there were an actual way this could be tracked when students are not going to a campus).

Dr. Cantu continued speaking about other financial and operational issues. She also addressed the hard work the Food and Nutrition Services department put in during this shutdown. She then went through the current model the district chose for food distribution and the proposal to continue the distribution of food. The board members then engaged in a discussion about keeping the current model of meal distribution, taking in consideration the current county guidelines of the amount of people allowed in a vehicle. 

Laura Perez-Reyes was a strong advocate for continuing the meal program as-is, stating there are several school-aged children in our community who depend on the meals the distrit provides. Board President Pena echoed Perez-Reyes' sentiments, She mentioned there are times when extenuating circumstances take precedent over demanding people show a BISD school-ID to feed these children. Eddie Garcia also mentioned it is critical the district work together with city and county leaders to help aleviate the impending crisis of a shortage of resources. 

After discussion, the board recommended to keep the meal program as-is, providing meals to all school-aged children with no proof of what school they attend needed. Philip Cowen strongly agreed, stating the meal distribution needs to start up again as soon as possible; he believes there are plenty of children who need these meals and should not have to wait for policies or procedures to be set in place. Laura Perez-Reyes agreed and was in support of continuing the program as soon as possible and reminds us all everything the board is doing should be done in the best interest of the students.

Dr. Gutierrez was visibly emotional when making his comments about his decision on the meal program. He paused for a minute, and Dr. Cantu reminded the board of the safety prodecures the nursing staff take along with the FNS staff. She also thanked the other departments who helped facilitate the meal distribution program, including the security department. Dr. Gutierrez picked up where he left off and is strongly considering moving to distributing weekly rations of meals twice a week. 

The BISD attorney also reiterated there isn't an entity better equipped, or with better experience in the food service distribution than BISD. Dr. Cantu then also mentioned the district has contacted the city and law enforcement letting them know when families will be traveling to pick up meals. She mentioned the police would not be stopping families that were on their way to pick up these meals.

Dr. Cantu continued with funding and federal grant information. She finished her presentation by reminding the board they are all navigating in uncharted waters and they're doing the best they can with the changing information and doing everything in the best interests of the students. She ended by saying, "we're all in this together, just six feet apart."

The board then went on to approve the rest of the agenda items by consent. The items were passed unanimously.

The board then recommended to suspend the docking of FMLA days during this time; since classes are not in session, employees should not be using up their FMLA days. This was also approved by unanimous vote.

The board then voted to extend the incentive for employees who resign for another month, from April 8 to May 8. This vote was also unanimous. A one-time pay for those who resigned from January to April 7 was also considered for those who wanted to separate from the district. The board attorney made sure to differentiate between resignation, separation and retirement. This vote was also approved unanimously.

The time-and-a-half pay for those asked to report during the shutdown was also voted on. The superintendent asked the board attorney to look into structuring language to ensure the employees who are reporting to work and risking their health to service the community are getting premium pay when they go over their regular 40 hour schedule.The motion passed unanimously.

TTESS observations for teachers, administrators, and other staff were also waived. that motion passed unanimously. 

The meeting then kept going in exexutive session. 

During these trying times, we here at the Beacon realize leaders are in an overly-criticized, thankless position. There are plenty of things that are changing on an hourly basis, and governing bodies like the school board are doing their absolute best to keep their heads above water. 

It is very easy to sit on the sidelines and complain about the decisions these administrators are making during this pandemic. I have no problems criticizing politicians when there isn't a crisis happening. This is the proverbial rock and hard place scenario.

The school district's leadership are doing the absolute best they can with the information they have.

When the going got tough, the weak ones quit. These board members are going strong.