-: Meeting to order.
Woman: All right.
Man: Good morning.
-: If I could get some quiet in the audience here
as we begin to start our meeting.
We have a lot going on today
that we're pretty excited about.
-: Oh hi! -: Hi there.
-: Shall I hit it again?
Man: Yeah. (gavel banging)
Man: Whoa, with authority. (Donna chuckles)
-: Audience, I know there's a lot of excitement
and we're excited that you're here
but we need to get started with our meeting.
Pay close attention.
Mr. Maynard, would you please start us off?
-: Very good. Welcome to the State Board of Education
and to Austin, Texas, we have lots of folks here in the room
from all around the state and just as by way
of explanation, it is something just as a matter
of practice that the State Board of Education
always begins our meetings, at least four
out of the five meetings, with a student performance,
and that student performance represents
the 5.2 million public school students across
our great state and that represents many of our programs.
It's a representative of what we are doing for students
in terms of developing knowledge and skills.
Many of these presentations come from
the Fine Arts community but today we're gonna
highlight Career & Technical Education.
And Career and Technical Education, by the way,
is an entity in education,
is just on the cusp of being 100 years old.
That was initiated by the federal Smith-Hughes Act
that was signed into law February the 23rd of 1917,
and that is really what spurred a lot of what we call
vocational education back then.
As a result of that, there was a movement
that started actually in Virginia, it was called
the Future Farmer Movement, and the folks
that led that nationally and the folks that led that
in Texas had a concern and the concern was
is that the young people were just not receiving
the knowledge and skills that they needed
to be effective citizens and to be leaders
and when you think about Article 7 of our Constitution
that speaks to the general diffusion of knowledge
being essential for the preservation of the liberties
and rights of the people, it really speaks to citizenship.
and so today, we're going to show you a component
of current technical education, the student organization,
and how they are teaching young people
to study issues and to be discerning citizens.
The name of the event in FFA is Agricultural Issues Forum
and these young people here
were the last year's state champions.
There were about 180 teams that started that journey
across the State of Texas, that in 57 district contests
and 10 area contests and then 20 came to State
and these guys came out on top, and they're going to do
a presentation on an issue that they have researched.
They're going to present both sides of the issue
and then part of the, there's a prepared presentation
and I've asked two members of the board
to ask a couple of questions because
there's a prepared presentation and then there's a part
of it that is involved with impromptu speaking where
they have to think on their feet and respond to a question.
Those of you on the State Board, you all had to do that
before a few times, and, so, this is the group
from Canyon up in Mr. Rowley's district,
and so he and I are kind of sponsoring this one together
and the topic is Genetically Modified Organisms,
and whether or not the food products
ought to be labeled to that extent.
And so I'm going to turn that over.
We'd like to also recognize, I'll tell you,
we'll recognize the teachers and the administrators
at the end, right?
All right, very good, Canyon FFA,
we'll turn it over to you.
Student: As a parent, I have an absolute right to know
what I put into my body and into the bodies
of my children.
-: Your right to know will cost billions to implement.
I have a right to feed my family without it costing
an arm and a leg.
Student: An arm and a leg is better than your life
and it will be your life if Monsanto has anything
to say about it.
-: I think Monsanto is a bit more informed on the topic
than protesters, who should know that non-GMOs
are already labeled, this is clearly nothing more than
a scare tactic on the uneducated consumer.
Student: We need GMO labeling now.
-: Your right to know is nothing but wasted dough.
To label something that has been proven to be safe.
-: This was the scene in cities all over the world
this summer as protesters took to the streets
in the annual march against Monsanto.
Included in these protests was Amarillo, Texas,
just 15 miles from our hometown of Canyon.
-: Although this year, there was a new presence,
a group called March Against Myths planned counter-protests
all over the world and also in Amarillo.
-: At times, the protesters were so angry,
they could barely speak.
Student: For the most part, tempers were so high
that little discussion really took place at all.
-: The funny thing is that March Against Monsanto
rarely discusses their dislike for the chemical
and seed company, instead, most of their discussion
is geared towards how genetically modified organisms
should be taken off the market or at the very least labeled.
-: Today, the members of the Canyon FFA will carry on
this discussion in the relatively peaceful confines
of this room.
-: But before we introduce our players today,
it is important to understand how such a global issue
affects or local community.
-: The 26-county region of the Texas High Plains
is the largest agricultural region in the State of Texas
and one of the largest agricultural regions
in the United States.
GMO labeling will affect most of the livestock and crops
that are grown in our region of the state.
-: For example, these 26 counties produce 13.7%
of our state's cotton, 14.3% of our hay,
16.7% our our sorghum, 29.7% of our wheat,
51.5% of our corn, and 64.9% of our state silage.
Many of these crops are used to help in livestock production
where these 26 counties account
for 81.8% of our state's fed beef population.
This amounts to a $7.8 billion contribution
to the Texas economy.
-: Finally, the Texas High Plains accounts for 51,590 jobs
and $1.3 billion in payroll for our state
and this is just in 26 counties.
If we expand our horizons to include
the entire Texas Panhandle, the numbers become
even more staggering, as over 60% of our state's cotton
and 95% of our state's fed beef would be included.
-: To understand this impact on an even more local level,
let's take a look at our very own Randall County.
We are located in geographic center of the Texas Panhandle.
Due to our location, we are a hub
for agribusiness and food processing.
Student: Numerous food-processing plants exist within
Randall County and some of the largest agribusinesses
in the world are here as well,
like Consolidated Beef Producers,
one of the largest marketers of fed beef
in the United States.
-: It is obvious that this is a local issue
but even within such an agricultural region,
there are definite tensions surrounding GMO labeling
so just imagine people that people who are removed
from the farm (mumbles).
-: Join us today as we visit our very own version
of March Against Monsanto and March Against Myths
in Canyon, Texas.
-: Representing the supporting GMO labeling,
we have have with us today, Dr. James Glick.
Dr. Glick is a geneticist with Arrowhead Mills
in Hereford, Texas, a short 30-minute drive from our
and his hometown of Canyon.
Arrowhead Mills is one of the largest organic bakeries
in the nation, serving over half
of organic consumers in the United States.
-: Additionally, you will hear from Kennit Kemp.
Ms. Kemp is a concerned mother who feels
she has an absolute right to know exactly
what she is feeding her family.
-: Representing those those who do not favor GMO labeling,
we will hear Randy Darnell.
Mr. Darnell is one of the largest farmers
in Randall and Potter County.
His operations consist of corn, cotton,
and many head of cattle.
-: Our final representative today is Mrs. Rene Warren.
Mrs. Warren is an executive assistant
and off-the-job safety coordinator
with Monsanto in Dumas, Texas.
Join us today and listen in on the debate to decide
if GMO labeling is wasted dough or your right to know.
-: First and foremost, the cost associated
with implementation will be drastic
and will trickle down to the consumers.
-: Second, there is a severe lack of understanding
of what GMOs are as well as the safety of these products.
-: Finally, mandatory labeling nationwide
is a waste of dough.
Efforts like the Food Labeling Act,
authored by senators Pat Roberts and Debbie Stabenow,
recently signed by President Obama,
will cost consumers millions to implement
and will be an unnecessary burden on processors
and producers.
-: Those of us on the pro side of GMO labeling
feel that we have an absolute right to know everything
that is in our food.
Senate Bill 764 does nothing to accomplish this
and will require way too much effort
to recognize foods we don't want to eat.
Student: Everyone else is doing it.
64 countries around the world already have some form
of mandatory labeling requirement.
If they can afford it, so can we.
Student: Finally, we oppose House Resolution 1599
and Senate Bill 764 and support mandatory labeling,
which can easily be seen.
Many states have already passed
mandatory labeling legislation
and we believe it should be passed nationwide.
Student: Those of us who oppose labeling
contend that these 26 counties in the entire state
could be drastically impacted by labeling.
The cost will hit all consumers and producers
right where it counts the most, their pocketbooks.
-: The Texas corn producers estimates that over 95%
of corn planted in the state is genetically modified.
Additionally, over 90% of Texas cotton
and soybeans are modified.
-: Also, of all the cattle fed in the Texas Panhandle,
98% of them are fed a diet which includes at least one GMO.
-: Three separate studies conducted at Cornell University,
Washington State, and the University of California
have concluded that consumers would spend an additional $500
per year on food due to mandatory labeling.
-: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has said that families
have already experienced a 3.9% increase on food prices
and the study done by Cornell has shown that families
who choose organic products over
genetically modified products
will spend an additional $1,600 per year on food.
-: We support genetic modification of food
because it is more cost effective for farmers and families.
If this labeling bill were to pass, the cost for me
and many other farmers across the nation
to return to conventional production just might put us
all out of business.
-: $500 a year, that's less than $2 per day per family
and to ensure my family's safety, I'm all for it.
As a parent, I feel that I have an absolute right to know
what I'm consuming and what I'm feeding my children.
-: Absolutely, you do have the right to know.
At Arrowhead Mills, all our products are certified organic.
We serve over half the people in the United States
and our customer sector is exploding.
People are choosing certified organic foods
because they know what they're consuming.
-: Even though the organic market is expanding,
it is still extremely difficult in grocery stores
to tell what is certified organic and what is not.
In order for consumers to make clear food choices,
the food labels need to be clear as well.
In a recent study conducted at Oklahoma State University,
they found that 82% of the public wanted GMOs labeled.
-: All we ask is that everyone is treated the same.
If we want to serve certified organic food,
we must go through the work to meet the certification
and then we have to be labeled.
Why should the people using today's technology
not also be certified and labeled?
-: I think there is a clear discrepancy here.
You choose to label your foods 'cause it makes it
more marketable, genetically modified foods
have been vilified so much that labeling
then would falsely alarm the public.
-: The second point against labeling is that there
is currently a tremendous gap between the truth
about GMOs and the perception of the public.
While the OSC study did find that 82% of respondents
favored labeling all genetically modified foods,
the same study also concluded that 80% of respondents
favored labeling all foods containing DNA, really?
-: Every bit of peer-reviewed scientific research
done over the past 20 years by hundreds
of independent researchers has shown
that GMOs are safe to consume.
During that same time period, over one trillion meals
containing GM crops have been eaten
and not one single instance of a health problem
has been linked to their consumption.
-: I think a prime example of this disconnect can be found
in Bt corn, Bt stands for Bacillus thuringiensis,
which is a naturally occurring soil bacteria.
Essentially, a protein is taken from the donor bacteria
and implanted in the protein sequence of the corn gene.
-: That's right, Mr. Darnell, this means that the corn plant
is toxic to insects with alkaline digestive systems,
whereas the acidic human digestive system
is unaffected by Bt.
As a matter of fact, Bacillus thuringiensis is approved
to be sprayed on organic crops as an organic pesticide.
-: So, if we're going to label a GMO containing a product
also used in the organic industry, shouldn't we also label
its use in organics, see, this is the main point
of misunderstanding here.
Genetic modification is a process, not an ingredient,
and it's time we step away from the fear-mongering.
-: If that's the case, then why 64 countries around the world
already have some form of mandatory labeling requirement
and some banning GMOs altogether?
Our second point in support of labeling is that some
of the most scientifically advanced countries in the world
have started requiring labeling, most of them feel
the long-term effects simply have not been studied enough.
-: Excellent point, Dr. Glick, while GM crops
have been around for 20 years, new products
are being developed every day and the body of work
on these products are not as extensive.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup
has now been classified as a type two carcinogen
and I'm not ready to put these foods on my family's table.
We must label now.
-: Current studies being conducted have found Bt
in mothers' breast milk as well as maternal and fetal blood.
Glyphosate has been linked to the promotion of growth
of cancer cells in breast tissue as well as autism,
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
-: Yet, you would oppose labeling?
There are currently two states with mandatory labeling
and currently 28 other states pending legislation
to require all GM foods to be labeled.
Additionally, the entire European Union requires labeling.
-: And that is why we, along with most commodity groups,
were in favor of House Resolution 1599
but that bill failed the Senate of this year.
This bill would have stopped the patchwork
of mandatory labeling and give producers the option.
If a product has been deemed safe to the same level
as GM food, there is no reason to label them.
-: That's right, Rene, this legislation would also have given
the USDA and the FDA the ability to force foods,
which may not be as safe to have been labeled
but now we have Senate Bill 764, a bill delegating
that all GMOs, as well as any products containing them
be labeled as such so that the consumers know exactly
what it is that they're buying.
Hold onto your wallets, America.
-: There is a reason that the organic industry called
House Resolution 1599 the DARK Act.
And Senate Bill 764 is no better.
It doesn't require a label.
It requires a 800-number or a QR code that could be scanned
by customers.
-: Talk about keeping people in the dark.
And what if I don't have a smartphone to scan the QR code?
Oh, and I'm sure I'll have time
to call different 800 numbers as I walk peacefully
down the aisle with my three children
hanging off my arms. (audience chuckles)
We need recognizable labels on all GM products
and we need them now.
-: So, did you have a light-bulb moment?
-: Or are you still in the dark?
-: As we conclude, let's take one final look
at each side's major points.
-: Those you support mandatory labeling do so
for three reasons.
-: We have an absolute right to know what goes
into our bodies and into the bodies of our children.
If producers are scared to label their products,
there must be something wrong.
-: 64 countries around the world already enact labeling
and 28 states have some form of pending legislation.
The overwhelming majority of the public wants their food
labeled so they can make informed decisions
about what they're consuming.
-: Legislation like House Resolution 1599
and Senate Bill 764 will exacerbate the problems
we already have, it'll keep the entire country
in the dark for years to come.
We need easily recognizable labels, and we need them now.
-: Those who oppose mandatory labeling do so
for three reasons.
-: Labeling GMOs, which are completely safe,
will cost consumers billions as farmers and processors
try to comply with regulations.
-: Labeling GMOs amounts to nothing more than
a red herring, so many false claims have been ingrained
in the minds of the public that doing this would scare
consumers away from genetically modified foods
and keep a starving world from the technology
desperately needed to feed its children.
-: There is absolutely no reason bills like Senate 764
should pass, labeling is unnecessary and our pocketbooks
will bear the brunt of this decision.
-: There you have it, compelling cases have been made
both in favor and in opposition to GMO labeling.
Student: So now it's up to you to decide, GMO labeling.
Students: Right to know or wasted dough?
Thank you.
(audience member chuckles) (audience applauds)
Man: All right, team, I believe
that we just have a couple of questions for you.
-: I do, with regard to the pro side of GMO labeling,
you all, so if 95% of beef
is fed GMO feed,
if some manufacturers, processors already label theirs
as totally organic, why impose
the additional cost of labeling?
Can't we just assume that if it's advertised
as being certified organic and that the rest
is affected by GMO ingredients?
-: Absolutely, we not asking for just
certified organic foods, we would like to know
all the ingredients and the processes went into all
of our foods so we would like to know
what genetically modified process and ingredients
are actually in our foods and do I feel like if we
had a clear label that described everything
that actually went into our food,
I feel like we would make better and informed decisions
about what we consume.
-: As far as the con side goes, I think that's part
of their argument is that organic foods do insinuate
that they're non-GMO, and we should just assume
the rest of our food contains a GMO
and that would essentially solve the labeling problem
as it is and save everybody some money as well.
-: I have another question, a follow-up question with regard
to the con side then, we've seen food labeling
for a long time now.
The yogurt I eat in the morning,
I look to see how many calories are in there,
how much fat, how much cholesterol, all of that.
It didn't seem to cripple the industry or the processors
to include that level of labeling.
Why is it that if we add GMO labeling,
that it's going to have this detrimental effect
as you all are alleging?
-: We've actually already seen this kind of thing happen
with the country-of-origin labels.
Consumers don't look at the label and even if they see
that label, they'll make the choices off
of whatever's cheaper, and, so, we've seen
with that specific type of labeling that consumers
are just incurring this extra cost
that they don't even really care about
and so the same thing is just going to happen whenever
we have genetically modified foods labeled
because consumers want the cheapest price.
They don't necessarily care about what label is on there.
-: But additonally, to add to that, when it comes
to specifically a GMO label, because non-GMO
is kind of a hip and trendy thing happening right now,
everybody wants organic and non-GMO,
there is a negative connotation surrounding
the use of the phrase, "genetically modified organism,"
so whether or not it's harmful the public
isn't really something, as strange as it sounds,
that passes through most people's minds,
I imagine, when they see non-GMO or GMO.
It's just a general fear of something that's unfamiliar.
It's something that they do believe, whether or not
it does, will harm them.
-: Get my button to work here, two questions.
Apparently this seems to be on several levels,
it seems to be a community issue, local, with your area,
and then I keep hearing how different states
are involved in it to various degrees
and then the ugly federal government seems to jump in
and then the EU kind of trumped it all.
Where does the responsibility lie,
and where should it lie?
Federal, state, or local?
Student: That's a good question and--
-: I'm known for that sometimes. (laughs)
(audience laughs)
-: House Resolution 1599 was a good solution
because it was at the national level,
so as far as trade between states,
you wouldn't have to worry about keeping certain items
labeled to just go to, say, two or three states
that didn't require it.
This bill would have solved that issue.
There would have only been labels if they were indeed unsafe
and that was just a nationwide decision which, by and large,
would have been the best because then Texas could send food
to Kansas and Kansas can send food to
Texas and not have to worry about
whether or not they need to keep their food labeled
and whether it's labeled accurately.
-: All right, as a follow-up to that for you.
You're suggesting that it should be a federal role.
Under what constitutional provision
does the federal government have the ability
to even perform this task?
Man: Interstate commerce.
(audience laughs)
Man: Today is Constitution Day, by the way.
It just happens to be.
(audience laughs)
-: This is not Shark Tank. (audience laughs)
Man: Interstate commerce.
(speaks off mic)
Man: Okay, let's get one more round of applause
for our FFA participants.
(audience applauds)
And if we could have their instructors and those that came
with them to come into the middle of the circle,
we'll make that presentation now.
(woman laughs)
(audience applauds)
(audience murmurs)
Student: Thank you.
Woman: Thank you.
(audience murmurs)
Donna: I've called on Ms. Hardy now to do our invocation
and pledges.
-: Thank you, one of the things that you already heard
Mr. Mercer say was this is Constitution Day.
It isn't actually Constitution Day.
Tomorrow is Constitution Day, but because it's on a Saturday,
I want you to know that every school in the State of Texas
and actually in the United States is supposed
to be doing this but we only worry about Texas, right?
Is celebrating Constitution Day because a few years ago,
there was a federal law that says that you must recognize
Constitution Day and so we know that the schools
are doing what the federal law requires and so
I'm hoping that all the ones in my district
are doing it right now so I thought in regard to that,
I would say the Preamble to the Constitution
and remind us what an incredible document that is
and in the process of doing that, I tried to pull it back
from my memory, from memorizing it in the fifth grade
and I was just going to say it by heart and I thought,
"I can't say it to you by heart because if I did,
"I would go (speaking gibberish)" because that's the way
I learned to say it very fast and I want you to hear
the essence of this document.
Ms. Miller, did you have to memorize it in school too?
Yeah, I wished they'd go back to doing that.
I think it's a good idea.
“We the People of the United States,
"in order to form a more perfect Union,
"to establish justice and domestic tranquility,
"to provide for the common defense,
"and to promote the general welfare,
"and to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves
"and our posterity, do ordain and establish
"this Constitution of the United States of America.”
What beautiful words those are.
Will you bow your heads and pray with me, please?
Lord, help us to live lives that are worthy
and pleasing to You in every way every day. Amen.
Now let us stand for the pledge, please.
I hope there's no one in the audience
still seated (chuckles).
All: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States
of America, and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
Geraldine: Now to the Texas Pledge.
All: I honor the Texas flag.
I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas,
one State under God, one and indivisible.
Geraldine: Thank you.
-: Renee Jackson will now call the roll.
Renee: Mr. Allen. (man speaks off mic)
Renee: Mrs. Bahorich.
-: Present.
Renee: Ms. Beltran.
-: Mr Bradley. -: Present.
-: Mrs. Cargill. -: Here.
-: Mr. Cortez. -: Here.
-: Dr. Dominguez. -: Present.
-: Ms. Hardy. -: Here.
-: Mr. Maynard. -: Here.
-: Mrs. Melton-Malone. -: Here.
-: Mr. Mercer. -: Present.
-: Mrs. Miller. -: Here.
-: Ms. Perez. -: Here.
-: Mr. Ratliff. -: Here.
-: Mr. Rowley. -: Here.
-: Members, I want to go ahead and do the approval
of the minutes, first item of business is that approval
of the July 22nd, 2016 meeting.
Are there any corrections to the minutes?
Hearing none, the minutes are approved.
We have public testimony.
Woman: Vanessa Tijerina.
-: What's her name?
-: Hello, I'm Vanessa Tijerina, I come from deep south Texas,
the Rio Grande Valley, your District 2.
I come before you as a parent, an advocate
for parents, children and teachers,
a nurse of nearly 20 years, a credentialed biologist
and as a current U.S. congressional candidate.
And the concerns that I'm about to bring up right now
come from Congress putting TEA in a very dire position
by defunding them, and I'm very sorry about that.
I have struggled to advocate for my son for four years
as I have been constantly obstructed
and continuously bewildered when I would encounter
school districts blatantly violating federal law,
then came the Rosenthal Report.
From the Houston Chronicle titled," Denied:
How Texas Keeps Tens of Thousands
"of Kids out of Special Education."
It all became clear.
I understood that my son, my younger children
and the futures of Texas children
would be negatively affected, all because of the lack
of federal oversight over entities
such as TEA that disperse federal funds.
This is one reason I am currently running for U.S. Congress.
It will be a shame if Texas has to be defended
in a lawsuit simply because a group of folks came
to some possibly unethical solutions to manage a budget.
Abuse may come in many forms, including unjust practices.
The definition of neglect in the legal sense
is defined by an entity or an individual falling below
their given standards.
I believe TEA has fallen below standards,
specifically federal standards that were put in place
to prevent the very practices TEA has
and is currently implementing, specifically
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
and the Individuals with Disabilities Act,
both of which were put in place to ensure FAPE.
With Texas denying a free and appropriate public education
under IDEA, Texas has failed to prepare
an entire generation of unidentified students
to be able to further their post-secondary education,
to prepare them for employment and independent living,
all of which negatively impact
the society of Texas as a whole.
When children are denied special education,
the following occur: many don't graduate,
thus, they miss out on critical general education.
If they go to college, they are unable to identify
they need disability services, and thus they fail.
Social Security benefits are denied.
If a child is not placed in special education,
the SSA deems that child "not having a need."
As adults, they attempt to apply for benefits.
One question they are asked, "Were you in special education
"as a child," if not, more often than not, they are denied.
STAR testing, when 250,000 unidentified
special education students are taking a test
based on information they were unable to process
during the year, this leads to poor scores.
School districts, teachers, and students
are held to these scores.
Forcing teachers to mainstream these students affects
the ability of general education students to learn
and for teachers to teach.
Bullying. These children are at high risk for physical,
mental, and at times, sexual abuse from peers and faculty.
Many of these children have gone on to enter
the school-to-prison pipeline because the manifestation
of their behavior is not being identified and addressed.
If their second language is English
and they do not have citizenship, they grow into adults
and risk deportation when violating a law.
The efforts of advocates are in vain and futile.
While this 8.5% practice remains in place,
I am imploring you to suspend this entire practice
as earliest as you possibly can during the time
TEA looks into the matter.
I also encourage all Texas school districts,
in the South especially, where we're most affected,
to push back against this unjust practice.
I find it hard to believe that TEA and its Board
will not come under fire if they attempt
to force all protesting school districts
into submitting corrective action plans,
submit regular status reports, or commence a takeover
of any or all districts, all moves that are tools
of harassment and retaliation to force unethical compliance.
I leave you with a reminder.
The world is watching.
America's watching, and Texas is watching
so are all its voters and all its potential voters.
Thank you.
Donna: Yes, Mr. Maynard?
-: Madame Chair, and this is the reference
to the ceiling that's put on the number of students,
the percentage of students that can be classified
as special ed, is that by law or by rule?
Is that the commissioner's ruling?
If I could ask that.
-: I was told-- -: I don't think
there's anyone here from the agency that can speak to that.
We didn't really, I don't think anybody has.
I want to make sure that the Members all got the notice.
I think Ms. Ratcliff send a note to everyone regarding
an update on that from the commissioner yesterday.
Did everyone receive that?
I want to make sure that Miss, I want to make sure
I say it right.
Vanessa: You can call me Vanessa.
-: (laughs) Vanessa, okay, that Vanessa gets a copy
of we all received, can we give her a copy of that?
'Cause it had web links as well so I wanna make sure
that you receive that, did anybody have a question for her?
Thank you so much for-- -: Thank you.
-: Coming in and talking to us today.
Vanessa: Thank you.
And thank you for all you do.
-: Now, Members, we're going to do the resolutions
and presentations, Heroes for Children.
I believe Member Board Secretary Ruben Cortez Jr.
is going to read those.
-: Good morning.
I gotta remember that these people are going to sound off
on this microphone here.
I'd like to welcome all of you here
as the State Board of Education recognizes
outstanding volunteers who have given generously
of their time to our Texas schools.
Today, we are recognizing a group of people
who have provided their time, resources
to the benefit of Texas schoolchildren.
As each hero is recognized, each recipient will receive
a framed certificate, a copy of a resolution,
which the Board will vote on momentarily
and I believe we also have an attachment
from Governor Abbott as well.
At this time, I would like to introduce the heroes
for districts one through seven.
If you can please join us in the circle
and Board members, if you can join your heroes.
We don't want to fill up a circle, so we're going to do
one through seven first.
All right, it looks like everybody's in place.
I would like to share with you some things
about each of our unique volunteers,
our 2016, I got a portable mic.
I'm going to go up there right now.
About each of our heroes for 2016.
Our first hero from State Board of Education District 1
is Yamile Gonzales, a volunteer in the Socorro ISD
in El Paso, a volunteer at the Ernest Serna School
since 2001, Ms. Gonzales is known to show
outstanding leadership and provides numerous hours
in making positive impact at the school and its community.
She is described as someone who goes above and beyond
the call of duty by encouraging a positive culture
within her volunteer group.
She has provided support in meeting
the district's strategic directives, in being of service
to the home, school, and community partnerships.
Mrs. Gonzalez promotes college readiness
and a safe learning environment for all students
at the school, her positive attitude
and encouragement with her volunteers has resulted
in a 20% increase in parental involvement at the school.
Out of her own pocket, she gives care packages
to those students that are in need
of personal products and school supplies.
She is a second pair of eyes and ears
for the counselors when students are in need
of clothing and shoes, and each year she helps recognize,
helps organize a canned food drive before the holidays
so that students and families have enough food
to make ends meet.
Ernesto Serna School's volunteer program
would not be as successful as it is today
without her vision, without her strong leadership,
and in addition to being recognized today for her efforts,
she has also earned the Socorro ISD's
Adult Volunteer of the Year.
Congratulations and thank you, Mrs. Gonzalez,
for all the time and effort you put in helping this school
and the students in your community.
(audience applauds)
So today, I got a microphone, because I get to recognize
my hero from District 2, so I'm going to walk
and read at the same time.
I usually have to pass my duties off to somebody else
so thank you, Debbie and staff, for giving me a microphone.
Obviously, it's a special day for our heroes
and I always miss the opportunity of being down here
with mine, so for nine years, Ms. Christianson
has been a faithful volunteer at more than one campus
in the district.
She shows up, works hard, loves the students
and staff and exemplifies the spirit
of the dedicated volunteer.
She is known throughout the district as a cheerleader
for schools, for staff, and students.
She is everywhere, games, concerts, clubs, club meetings,
school lunches, ceremonies, classrooms, hallways,
and is described as someone who always have a smile
on her face and is a go-getter when it comes to doing things
that will benefit the students in the district.
She not only comes up with the ideas,
but she make them happen, too.
The kids are her first priority
and everyone else is secondary.
Among her many accomplishments, she runs
the Brundrett Middle School Kiwanis Builders Club,
which has put together several events around town
and at the school, such as Math Night,
sounds like a lot of fun, Shark Night,
sounds like a lot more fun, Science Night,
Dog Wash, Beach Cleanup, and Field Day, just to name a few.
And at the Olson Elementary, where she volunteers,
she has been a grandmother, a substitute teacher,
PTO president and after-school activities sponsor.
During her tenure, she has developed
a read-a-thon fundraiser that not only raises money for PTO
but also encourages the students to read.
This year, she kick-started K Kids Club,
the elementary chapter of Kiwanis International.
Ms. Christianson, what would this district
do if you ever slowed down?
Thank you so much for your hard work
for the Port Aransas Independent School District.
(audience applauds)
That was a very special treat for me.
I usually have to pass the baton so thank you
for the portable mic.
In District 3, our State Board of Education hero
is Keith Graham, a volunteer with
several Bexar County area schools in the district.
Mr. Graham could not join us today,
founded the Community for Life Foundation
in 2001 as a mechanism to give back
to Bexar County schools and communities.
The foundation has provided more than $450,000
in scholarships to worthwhile students,
along with helping others with new cars
and providing Thanksgiving meals to families in need.
In addition, the foundation is also known
for its career and college readiness sessions
that are free of charge to students
of the greater San Antonio community.
The foundation also has brought in speakers
from Cafe College, ACT, and other college readiness entities
to help students prepare and learn about the applications,
matriculation, retention and graduation process.
Ms. Perez, please extend our congratulations
and thanks to Mr. Graham for his outstanding work.
(audience applauds)
Our hero for District 4, Alfred Youens, who is
a volunteer in the Galena Park Independent School District.
Joining us today to represent the late Mr. Youens
is his wife Carol and their daughter Cheryl Sedwick.
Prior to passing away in August, Mr. Youens spent
the last 17 years volunteering as a reading mentor
at the Galena Park School District
for the district's first and second-graders.
During special occasions, it was not unusual for students
to see him wearing his wacky outfit for Dr. Seuss Week
and wearing his red in support of Red Ribbon Week.
Thankfully, with the help of Mr. Youens,
North Shore Elementary successfully promoted
many first- and second-graders to the next grade level.
The students' self-confidence and self-esteem
was positively impacted and strong-lasting friendships
with students and staff and community
were created along the way.
His familiar face was often seen during
the Christmas sing-along at North Shore Elementary.
The Galena Park Independent School District area PTA
Founders Day banquet, and at the annual,
at the school's Annual Volunteer Luncheon.
He was a well-known person within his own community,
not only because of his work within the school system,
but what he did outside of the school.
He has also given his time to the Good News Club,
an after-school Bible class, the Whole and Healthy
Children's Initiative and served as a positive role model
for students and volunteers.
Mrs. Youens, Mrs. Sedwick,
you have our condolences on your loss.
Our prayers are with your family.
Mr. Youens leaves behind a great legacy for children
and staff at the North Shore and the Galena Park Independent
School District communities, and he will be missed.
Thank you.
(audience applauds)
One another event that the SBOE will recognize today.
Oh wait a minute.
My notes are out of order today, all right.
District 6?
(speaks off mic)
0kay, they're not out of order.
I'm sorry, one other event the SBOE will recognize today
is the 20th anniversary of granting
the first charter schools in Texas.
So it is fitting that we now recognize Edward Olson,
a volunteer in the John H. Woods Charter School District
as our hero for SBOE District 5.
Mr. Olson, a volunteer since 2012, is described
as being an extraordinary influence in the lives of students
at the Afton Oaks Residential Treatment Facility,
a campus of a charter district, he has shared
countless hours of mentoring and support
with the at-risk youth at his school, who are challenged
with a myriad of emotional, cognitive, behavioral, social,
and medical issues.
All of the students he supports,
wards of the state, who have had the parental rights
of their biological parents terminated
by the court system due to neglect, abuse,
abandonment, or incapacity of the parents.
The students have been moved from foster care placement
to residential settings repeatedly throughout
their young lives with very little consistency experience.
Mr. Olson provides dependability through meeting
with all of his students, completing their transition plans,
collaborating with instructional personnel and participating
in individualized education plan development
that form a foundation so that the student
can grow up educationally.
The impact he has had on students is easily seen
through their excitement when he is on campus
as multiple students are heard asking him if he's there
to visit them or to meet with them individually.
Mr. Olson always brings his students birthday cards,
acknowledgments of honor roll recognitions,
and when possible, meeting with them
before they are discharged.
Mr. Olson, your selflessness, dedication, and commitment
to serving the needs of the most vulnerable
and the most fragile at-risk students
is truly extraordinary.
Thank you for caring so much for those
who have had so much pain in their young lives.
Congratulations.
(audience applauds)
Joe Yarbrough is a hero for District 6.
Mr. Yarbrough has been a volunteer
with the Spring Branch School District's FFA program
for 27 years. His hands, voice, and financial resources
have influenced the success program
for many students who participated.
Mr. Yarbrough owned and operated a business
in Spring branch area for 26 years, and upon retirement,
he began devoting his time to Spring Branch FFA.
In 1989, he began his journey with a $400 donation
to sponsor the FFA Golf Tournament and since,
has been an icon with the program.
He has served the Spring Branch Agricultural Sciences
department, FFA chapter, and its FFA alumni chapter
in many facets during the past 27 years.
His dedicated service has included serving
as Chairman of the department's Advisory Board,
visiting with the school board on the program's behalf,
recruiting financial supporters,
organizing major construction projects, and most importantly,
working directly with student members.
Mr. Yarbrough has been instrumental in various facets
of the acquisition, funding campaigns, and construction
of the district's swine barn, small ruminant facility,
exhibition barn, small animal exercise facility,
and instructional laboratory space.
Thank you, Mr. Yarbrough, for bringing such commitment
and support to this worthwhile program for so many years
and for so many students.
Thank you, sir.
(audience applauds)
Lori Bell, our hero for State Board of Education District 7,
is a volunteer in the Nederland ISD.
At Langham Elementary, Mrs. Bell is known not just
as a volunteer but as an icon to students and staff alike.
She provides a warm and caring demeanor,
encourages and support all from the heart
and financial support for the many schools' programs
and students, she is currently serving in her second term
as the Langham Elementary PTA president
and works tirelessly for the sake of the students.
Mrs. Bell has been on the Executive Board
of the Langham PTA for seven years while also serving
on the Wilson Middle School's PTA executive board.
In addition, she serves on Nederland's city council PTA
and this past year, joined the Netherlands High School
Career and Technology Advisory Board,
and while she does not have a child
currently in high school, she firmly believes
that further development of the school's CTE program
will strengthen school community.
Mrs. Bell has also provided financial support
to the children who cannot afford to buy clothing
or purchase school supplies or books, that are key tools
needed in the aid of educational process.
Through these actions, along with her warm, caring demeanor,
students actively approach her and engage in conversation,
receiving friendly words of support and encouragement.
Congratulations, Mrs. Bell, thank you for all you are doing
for Nederland ISD students and its community.
(audience applauds)
Fellow Board members, audience, let's give
our districts one through seven
Heroes For Children one more applause.
(audience applauds)
Now if I could ask our Members
to return back to their seats, and if I can,
in order to continue with the recognition now,
I'd like to ask the heroes
from member districts eight through fifteen
to please join us in the center of the circle,
along with their member of the State Board,
so that we can talk about some of the good works
of our heroes from districts eight through 15.
And as everybody's just gonna getting situated,
I want to thank again Member Rowley and Member Maynard.
That student performance this morning has just confused me
on whether I should buy organic or not
(audience laughs)
but those students did an outstanding job
and they did very, very well so thank you, gentlemen,
for bringing an outstanding group of students to share with us
this morning.
We all know middle school can be tough,
I know it was for me,
in the life of a child, and that is where our hero
for State Board of Education District 8, Damon Eagleton,
spends his time.
A lunchtime regular, every Monday, at the Crosby Middle School
in the Crosby Independent School District,
Mr. Eagleton acts as a mentor to many
of the at-risk students in the district.
He advocates for students, serves
as an extraordinary role model
and is not afraid to jump in
and help with any issues that arise.
For the past 10 years, Mr. Eagleton has been a chaperone,
a tutor, a listener, and most of all,
providing Crosby students with the positive influence
in their lives.
Most of all, the students love seeing him.
Mr. Eagleton serves as an excellent male role model
for the district's middle school students.
He checks in weekly on many of the at-risk students,
especially those that just need a little encouragement.
He has been a friendly personality and the students
have quickly built a great rapport with him.
It is not unusual to see him sitting at the lunch table
in conversation with students.
Many of these students he has mentored and followed up with
from the past in the (mumbles) intermediate school.
They are so excited to see his familiar face
in the first few weeks of school
when the middle school year began.
Thank you, Mr. Eagleton, for caring so much
about these students and volunteering
with such vulnerable transition time in their lives.
(audience applauds)
We need to have volunteers like you
at every middle school in Texas.
Welcome back, Texarkana ISD.
I would just like to point out that in 2010, 2013, 2015,
the SBOE he has honored Texarkana ISD volunteer
as a hero for District 9.
And now for the 2016, we again recognize
Texarkana ISD volunteer, Mrs. Vicki Post.
Mrs. Post is described as one of the most
dedicated volunteers in the district,
is often called "supermom," "super volunteer"
by both students and staff.
A volunteer for more than 10 years,
she is also known as someone who steps up immediately
and says, "I'll do it."
Mrs. Post has been president
of the Texas High School Volunteers in Public Schools Board
for the past two years.
She has been on the committees
of the VIP's 5K Dash for Cash, a 5K Fun Run
to provide scholarships for seniors.
In two years, the VIP program gave out
$30,000 in $1,000 scholarships to deserving seniors.
She is also a mentor in the District Partners
in Education Board,
and she was the Prom Moms' co-chairperson
for the 2016 senior prom.
The Prom Moms are responsible for fundraising, organizing,
decorating, and putting on the senior prom
and project graduation for approximately 400 students.
Despite all her children having now graduated
from the district, Mrs. Post was not allowed to retire
from volunteering (laughs) (audience laughs)
for the 2016-2018 school years.
She will serve on as the campus quality
improvement committee, a group of school personnel,
parents, community members, and business members
that provide input on how to make campus even better.
She is also serving on the college coordinator
for the Texas High School VIP Board.
Mrs. Post, congratulations and job well done.
We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors
to help Texarkana ISD and to the representatives
from your district. See you next year.
(audience applauds)
Is that your little secret, Mr. Ratliff?
We've not all been invited to visit Texarkana.
I think we need to take a little field trip.
Man: It's not easy to get to.
-: Our hero for SBOE District 10 is Paul Mikula,
and volunteer at La Grange ISD.
Mr. Mikula has contributed to the well-being
of the district's children for more than 20 years.
He has served as a mentor on the One-to-One Reading Program,
actively works for and supports
the District Education Foundation
and solicits other volunteers and supporters
throughout the community.
The One-to-One program requires a commitment of one day
a week for approximately seven months of the school.
Mr. Mikula has not only given of his time
to encourage a child to improve, he actively recruits
other adults into the program.
He also actively participates as a member
of the Fundraising Committee
for the La Grange Education Program Supports Foundation,
started in 2014.
He was one of the first community members
to become involved, solicit participation,
and encourage community contributions.
The LEPS Foundation is described
as off to a great start,
in part due to Mr. Mikula's involvement.
As a manager of the HEB grocery store in La Grange,
he consistently encourages administrators, teachers,
and parents to utilize the available resources from HEB,
including community HEB grants, local store support,
and direct employee project support.
As a member of the Noon Lions Club,
Mr. Mikula chairs the scholarship committee
that gives numerous scholarships to La Grange students.
Thank you, Mr. Mikula, for providing of your time
and support to the children and community
of the La Grange Independent School District.
(audience applauds)
Our hero for District 11, Thomas Bainter,
a volunteer in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD,
a volunteer with the district, Mr. Bainter impact
reaches every level from individual mentoring
to organizing fundraisers, to working with city
and community officials for the safety and well-being
of the students in the community.
Mr. Bainter is described as one of those rare individuals
who goes about his business with little fanfare
but he leaves such a huge impact on every individual
and program with which he is involved.
During his 10 years of volunteer service
in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD,
his many contributions have benefited
the lives of thousands of students,
teachers, and families.
His impact reaches every level for individual mentoring
of at-risk elementary students to his work with families
during the annual parent-teacher organization
food pantry drive, to organizing fundraisers
that support schools and programs, to working
with local city officials to bring out positive change.
He invests his time, effort, and expertise,
not because he seeks recognition but because he believes
in the power of education and understands
the powerful impact one caring individual can have
on the life of a future child.
Mr. Bainter, we are happy to provide you today
with this recognition.
Keep up the good work, sir, thank you for all
you are doing for the students in your district.
(audience applauds)
The hero for Board District 12, Jack Lowe.
Mr. Lowe could not join us today.
I'd like to highlight some of his accomplishments,
as a driving force with the Dallas Independent
School District and the community.
He serves as chair of the Board of Momentous Institute,
a nationally recognized lab school in Oak Cliff impacting
more than 6,000 students and family members each year.
He also serves on the Board of the Texas Business
and Education Coalition, where his work benefited students
throughout Texas.
In addition, he serves on the Advisory Council
of the Community Foundation of Texas,
the Quality Texas Foundation, and the Senior Citizens
of Greater Dallas.
Mrs. Miller, please convey our congratulations to Mr. Lowe
for all he has done for Dallas ISD in the Dallas community.
(audience applauds)
Deborah Ferguson, a volunteer in the Fort Worth Independent
School District is our hero for SBOE District 13.
Mrs. Ferguson has provided outstanding leadership
and extensive work in support of the district's schools,
including chairing the board
at the Young Women's Leadership Academy
and providing her time as a speaker and mentor
during career days and ceremonial events.
As an award-winning anchor reporter at NBC-5 in Fort Worth,
she is admired widely for her professional work
and has won the respect and gratitude of the citizens
of Dallas and Fort Worth for her work as a volunteer leader.
She spends considerable time volunteering
for community and charitable events with special emphasis
on Public Education and Girls' Education.
At the Fort Worth Independent School District,
Mrs. Ferguson has provided support and leadership
in many roles from chair of the newly formed
Leadership STEM Academy for Girls
to speaking to student groups during career day
and hosting school ceremonies.
Through her involvement with
the Young Women's Leadership Academy,
she has helped to advance the district's mission
and the school's priorities as chair of the Advisory
and Fundraising Committee.
She has leveraged her skills and knowledge to bring members
of different organizations together to support
this initiative, Academy for Young Girls interested
in the area of science, technology, engineering, and math.
It is through her warm and inspiring leadership,
that 32 young women were able to graduate
and that this school has such a promising future.
Thank you, Ms. Ferguson, for your inspiration, support,
and hard work for these young ladies
in the Fort Worth Independent School District.
(audience applauds)
Our hero for District 14, Robert or Bob Malone,
Monroe, sorry, the entire community
of Cottonwood Creek Elementary in Coppell ISD
knows that Bob Monroe,
a true hero for children,
they get to see him in action on a daily basis
in their school and in their communities.
Mr. Monroe, or Mr. Bob, as he is affectionately known,
spends countless hours each week helping the staff
and the children at the school
through his many volunteer efforts.
Mr. Bob is the president of the Campus Dads Club
known as The Posse.
(audience chuckles)
Yeah (laughs) and for the past three years,
he has led a group of dedicated dads, grandfathers,
uncles, and friends as they perform
various needed tasks around the schools.
Twice a month, they are greeters in front of our schools,
for Walk-to-School Wednesdays.
The Posse greets the children as they arrive on campus
and they direct traffic to make sure that students are safe.
Mr. Bob also leads The Posse in securing
a $1,200 to gift
of a new playground equipment
and disc golf goals for the school.
Several times during the year, The Posse surprises staff
with small tokens of appreciation and sweet treats.
And since its inception three years ago,
Mr. Bob has manned the salad bar at the school cafeteria.
(audience chuckles)
He arrives (chuckles) three days a week at 10:30 sharp
to help the children make their healthier food choices
during their lunchtime (laughs).
And last but not least, one of Mr. Bob's many talents
is his ability to fix things.
The teachers at Cottonwood Creek frequently stop him
in the hallway to ask for help repairing
things around the school.
With his toolbox in hand, he never says no
to helping teachers make the campus a better place
for children to learn.
We should start on you Bob the Builder, also.
(audience laughs)
Thank you, Mr. Bob, for everything that you do
for Cottonwood Creek Elementary, and please keep on helping.
(audience applauds)
Alan Keister, our hero for SBOE District 15, is a volunteer
in the Amarillo Independent School District.
For a number of years, Dr. Alan Keister
worked to bring free healthcare to the students
in Amarillo neighborhoods, through free health clinics
at local schools.
Coordinating with school staff and medical professionals
throughout the city, Dr. Keister would use
the school church facility to provide health screenings
and healthcare to neighborhoods on Saturday clinics.
These clinics would rotate throughout several neighborhoods
during the school year.
Thanks to Dr. Keister's efforts, an actual
brick-and-mortar clinic, Heal the City, was born in 2014.
The free clinic provides medical assistance to children
who need immunizations, medication, and medical care.
In addition, the school and their families
receive nutritional support, dentistry, social service help,
and many other services.
The clinic is located in the San Jacinto neighborhood
in Amarillo, a very diverse low-income neighborhood
near two elementary schools and one middle school.
By providing much-needed medical care,
the students who go to these schools are able to be treated
for illnesses and can get back to school faster.
The clinic also provides referrals for parents
who need to see specialists, and Dr. Keister makes it a point
to follow up and make sure that the child
is getting proper care.
Dr. Keister, your acts of caring and compassion
to provide such basic care and help for those
most in need is commendable and on behalf
of the State Board of Education, thank you for doing so much
for those children and their families.
(audience applauds)
Audience, please help me in congratulating our heroes from
Districts 8 through 15. (audience applauds)
I'd like our heroes from Districts 1 to 7
to also stand to be recognized.
(clapping)
Fellow Board members, now we've heard about our heroes
and I just want to congratulate each of you.
You guys have selected some outstanding folks,
so, thank you all.
If you've not had an opportunity to take a photograph
with your Member,
momentarily after we vote on the resolution,
I think Madame Chair is going to give
an opportunity for those that haven't.
And we have, then I guess we just keep moving on.
Donna: The question is on the adoption of the resolution.
All those in favor say, "Aye."
Board Members: Aye.
Donna: The resolution is adopted.
Now, I believe Ms. Mosay will present
our resolution marking the 20th anniversary
of public charter schools in Texas.
-: Thank you, Chair Bahorich.
On behalf of the State Board of Education,
the Commissioner of Education, the Division
of Charter School Administration, the Charter School Network
comprised of representatives from
Educational Service Center 11
and the charter school TCSA,
Texas Charter School Association.
Thank you, I'm very pleased to recognize and celebrate
the 20th anniversary of charter schools
in the great State of Texas.
Today, the State Board is recognizing
the first-generation charter schools
and the 20th anniversary of charter schools
operating in our state with a formal resolution
and plaques commemorating the anniversary.
Before Mr. Bradley offers the resolution, I would like
to share with you a brief historical perspective
of charter schools these past 20 years.
In just a moment.
(audience laughs)
Man: Once again (speaks off mic).
Narrator: For Texans seeking school choice options.
During the 74th legislative session, Senator Bill Ratliff
authored SB1, Texas' first charter law allowing
for the authorizing of three types
or categories of charter schools,
Subchapter B, or, Home-Rule Charter Schools,
Subchapter C, or, District Charter Campuses,
Subchapter D, or, Open-Enrollment Charter Schools.
The initial cap on the number of charter schools
in the state was 20, after passage of the legislation,
the State Board of Education and the Texas Education Agency
were given the responsibility of creating a system
that would produce an alternative option
to the traditional independent school districts.
Narrator: That 1995 legislation led to the awarding
of the first open-enrollment charter schools
by the State Board of Education in 1996.
Of the 37 applicants that year,
20 were awarded charter schools.
It is no small endeavor to start a school district
and that is exactly what a charter school superintendents
and governing boards do when they tackle the task
of operating a charter school.
It is with great tenacity and a testament
to their (mumbles) and perseverance
that the initial charter schools
are still in operation today.
They are Aristoi Classical Academy,
Dr. M. L. Garza-Gonzalez Charter School,
George Gervin Academy,
George I. Sanchez Charter,
Pegasus School of Liberal Arts & Sciences,
Por Vida Academy,
Raul Yzaguirre School for Success,
SER-Ninos Charter School,
Texans Can Academies,
University of Houston Charter School,
Uplift Education,
and Waco Charter School.
Narrator: 2001 brought significant charter school
legislation during the 76th Texas legislature
when House Bill 6 was passed.
Some of the highlights of that legislation include
the authority of the State Board of Education
to establish up to 215 open-enrollment charter schools,
the establishment of a new type
of open-enrollment charter school, Subchapter E,
or, University Charter Schools,
operated by public colleges or universities,
the creation of lottery admission guidelines,
and minimum standards for educators,
the exclusion of individuals with criminal histories,
and the expansion of revocation, probation,
and non-renewal of charters.
Narrator: That same year, the legislator also transferred
responsibility for charter amendments and charter renewals
to the commissioner of education,
which led the way for the creation
of the Division of Charter School Administration
at the Texas Education Agency.
The Division of Charter School Administration
provides leadership, guidance, and support
to the state's open-enrollment charter school portfolio.
Some of the greatest changes to Texas' charter school law
occurred in 2013, during the 83rd legislative session.
The passage of Senate Bill 2 authored by
Senator Dan Patrick provided for an overhaul
of the charter statute by amending various sections
of Chapter 12 of the Texas Education Code.
That year, changes were made to the charter authorizer.
The Commissioner of Education became the authorizer
of open-enrollment charter schools of Texas
and the State Board of Education
was conveyed veto authority.
Narrator: Senate Bill 2 also established
a graduated increase on the number
of open-enrollment charter schools available for award.
The numbers increased from the previously established cap
of 215 to a high of 305 in the year 2019.
Charter standards were also increased through SB2.
The charter school performance framework was established
providing an annual report on the academic, financial,
and operational health of a charter in one reporting format.
Additionally, educator and principal qualifications
were raised to a Baccalaureate degree and nepotism laws
were established.
To date, no home rule charters have been established
in the state, however, numerous Subchapter C
or District-Established Charter Campuses are in existence.
196 open-enrollment charter schools with over 622 campuses
have been established and five university charter schools
operate campuses in our state.
Narrator: Over 228,000 students
or 4.4% of Texas school-age children have elected
public school choice options this past year.
As Texas' charter portfolio continues to strengthen,
charter school operators strive to provide innovative,
high-quality seats for our children.
Since the start of the charter movement 20 years ago,
much has been accomplished and much continues to evolve.
It is exciting to think of the future
of Texas's charter portfolio
and the possibilities that lie ahead.
(audience applauds)
-: At this time, I would like to ask representatives
that we have invited from our Generation One charter schools
to come forward and join their Board Members in the circle
to receive your plaques and to be recognized.
(group murmuring)
Ms. Cargill, we have Representative Brenda Davidson
from Aristoi, Mr. Cartez,
Dr. M.L. Garza from Dr. M.L. Garza-Gonzalez Charter School,
Ms. Perez, Mr. Villanueva from George Gervin Academy,
Mr. Allen, Ms. Rodriguez from George I. Sanchez,
Dr. Tamez from Raul Yzaguirre School For Success,
and Patricia Paquin from University of Houston
Charter School, Ms. Miller, Ms. Francis Mercer
from Pegasus School of Liberal Arts & Sciences,
Ms. Bahorich, Charmaine Constantine
from SER-Ninos Charter School, Ms. Beltran representing
Delilah Hassel from Texas Can Academy
and Ann Stevenson from Uplift Education,
Ms. Melton-Malone, John Keith from Waco Charter School.
Our Generation One charter schools.
(audience applauds)
Mr. Bradley is going to read the resolution
and following which we'll gather outside
in the lobby for a photo opportunities.
-: Whereas in 1995, the Texas Legislature
enacted an innovative approach to Texas Public Education
by approving the creation of 20 public charter schools
and whereas on February 16th, 1996,
the State Board of Education approved the first six
of the 20 open enrollments awarded that year
and the remaining 14 were awarded in subsequent dates,
whereas the mission of the State Board of Education
and the Texas Education Agency and the creation
of charter schools has been to cultivate
innovative, high-quality learning opportunities
and to empower the charter community through leadership,
guidance, and support, and whereas the members
of the State Board of Education worked hard over the years
to strengthen the charter school vetting
and application process to provide the best opportunities
for Texas public school students,
and whereas over the course of the last 20 years,
the State Board and the Commissioner of Education
have approved more than 315 charter school contracts,
and whereas this bold endeavor is currently providing
more than 228,000 Texas public school students
with opportunities in alternative and innovative settings,
whereas the Texas charter school movement
has now grown substantially, and Texas has become a leader
in the nation and now therefore, it be resolved
that the Members of the State Board of Education
do recognize the importance of Texas charter schools
and congratulate the staff, students, and parents
of these schools for their hard work and diligence
and it be further resolved that a copy of this resolution
be kept in the permanent records
of the State Board of Education.
Mr. Ratliff, I need your assistance up here, please.
And upon adoption, I'd like to present this resolution
so that he may return it to the proper recipient,
his father, with our heartfelt thanks.
(audience applauds)
Madame Chair, I move for adoption.
All in favor?
Board Members: Aye.
David: Thank you all.
-: Very nice. (audience applauds)
(group murmuring)
Donna: Members, we are going to take a 15-minute break
to take photos and just have a quick break.
(group chattering)
Man: Is it bribery if I pay you--
-: (chuckles) Members, I would to go ahead and call
the meeting back to order.
The next item on our agenda is the approval
of consent agenda, I would like you to turn the page
romanette seven in your agenda book.
And I'm going to read each of the items
that list all the items on the consent agenda.
Item number one, decision on percentage distribution
of the permanent school fund.
Item two, adoption of work a long-range plan
for public education.
Number three, per-capita apportionment rate
for the 2015-2017 school year.
Number four, ratification of the purchases and sales
of the investment portfolio of the permanent school fund
for the months of June and July 2016.
Number five, determination as to whether transfers
may be made from the permanent school fund
to the available school fund.
Number six, proposed amendments
to the investment procedures manual.
Number seven, authorization to issue a request for proposals
for passive international equity management services
for the permanent school fund.
Number eight, decision on real estate investments.
Number nine, overview of the permanent school fund
real estate policy.
Board Member: Parliamentary inquiry.
-: Yes.
Board Member: One of the items which was the setting
of spending rate for the following biennium was a 2/3 vote.
Can it pass on a consent agenda
or will it need a record vote?
Man: Yes.
(speaks off mic)
Donna: Can you speak, I'm going to let Kirk
speak to that.
-: The Board's practice in adopting the consent agenda
is by unanimous consent, which means no one objects,
which means that there's no one willing to exert a no vote
on any of the items so that will cover a majority, 2/3,
9/10-- -: Thank you.
-: Just about everything you need.
Donna: So without objection, if there,
I'm sorry, Ms. Miller.
(Geraldine speaks off mic)
thank you, Mrs. Miller.
Mrs. Miller has recused herself on item number eight.
If there's no objection, the consent agenda is adopted.
Members, if you will turn in your,
actually I'm going to turn this over to Mr. Ratliff.
-: Yes, ma'am, Madame Chair, Members, you have two sets
of minutes for the Committee of the Full Board.
At the top, one is dated September 13th
and one is dated September 14th.
There are no action items on September 13th.
Apparently there's a controversial book
that's coming our way that we dealt with on that day.
On September the 14th, if you'll turn to page three
in your minutes.
At the top of the page, where it says motion and vote,
Madame Chair, on behalf of the Committee of the Full Board,
I move that the State Board of Education
hold a public hearing on proposed amendments
to 19 TAC Chapter 111 Texas Essential Knowledge
and Skills for Mathematics at the November 2016
SBOE meeting and consider the item for first reading
filing authorization at the January-February 2017 meeting
for the limited purpose of considering only amendments
to knowledge and skills statement relating
to process standards, and I believe
we have a little discussion on this.
-: Yes, Members, the Chair's going to rule this motion
out of order in its current form as it violates
Rule 2.5A of the SBOE operating rules
and I'm going to go ahead and call upon
our Parliamentarian to explain.
-: Madame Chair, I think it's well understood
that you've had a rule long in place
over many terms on this Board that the Chair
sets the agenda and so this rule, this motion
would attempt to actually place items on the agenda,
and it would be in violation of the rule.
The way through the motion is written right now,
it would violate that rule, so, I recommended
the Chair state that the motion
is out of order in its current form.
Donna: The Chair recognizes Mr. Rowley.
-: Madame Chair, in light of the fact that,
well, obviously, the motion's out of order (chuckles)
so it doesn't matter but as the maker of the motion,
I have no problem with that, particularly in light
of the fact that hopefully the Board Chair now
has heard the general consensus of the Board
in that regard and I would defer to the Board Chair
with regard to whether or not those items are set
as that motion considered.
Donna: Mr. Maynard.
-: Point of information. -: Yes, Mr. Maynard.
-: So I would just, as a point of information,
just ask the Chair what is
the intent of the Chair moving forward,
given the sentiment
and the liberations of this Board?
-: Absolutely, well, my plan is to set a public hearing
for November and the other plan
with a follow up with an action item
in January or April, depending on whether
what the consens, or not consensus,
but the general discussion goes in November
if we feel that we're ready to place that on
for an action item in January or April
but it will be, you know, I just want you to know
that I'm very sensitive to this issue
and I want to make sure that we don't violate (chuckles)
our rules in presetting the agenda
and I'm only too willing to do so actually,
I had proven good faith 'cause I actually put this on
as an action item this agenda anyway,
so I really appreciate the Board's understanding
about us sticking to our rules there.
Okay, moving on, thank you for discussion, Members.
Item number four, Texas certificate
of high school equivalency.
That's in your, I believe, Mr. Ratliff,
I'm going to hand if back over to you there.
-: Members in those same things, further down on the page.
on behalf of the Committee of the Full Board,
I recommend that the State Board of Education
give the Chair authority to sign contracts,
allow the current contract to end on October 7th, 2016,
and enter into new contracts with new the vendors
on October 8th, 2016 or when each vendor is ready to provide
services and staff and the Board Chair are confident
the vendor can execute the terms
of the request for proposals.
Donna: Yes, Ms. Perez.
Marisa: Thank you, Madame Chair, I'd just like to go
on the record as recusing myself from this decision.
-: So noted, thank you, Ms. Perez.
Let's move to give the chair authority to sign contracts,
allow the current contact to end on October 7th, 2016,
and enter in new contracts with vendors
on October 8th, 2016, or when each vendor is ready
to provide services and staff and the Board Chair
are confident the vendor can execute the terms
of the request for proposals.
Are you ready for question?
All those in favor say, "Aye."
Board Members: Aye.
-: All those opposed say, "No."
Board Members: No.
-: The ayes have it and motion carries.
-: Madame Chair, one more thing, on agenda item number five,
it's a discussion item, there was some discussion
about the request for some fine arts courses qualifying
for CTE credit. -: Yes.
-: After getting feedback from both organizations,
they are satisfied with the list as is,
so they would not, neither group would request
any changes to that list.
-: Oh, thank you for letting us know, Mr. Ratliff.
We appreciate that.
Okay, I believe we have a Committee on Instruction.
-: Thank you, Madame Chair, you have your minutes
in your packet that you got out of your box.
We had a very short, sweet meeting yesterday
so, item number one, under action items,
on behalf of the Committee on Instruction,
I move on the State Board of Education
by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Members
of the Board approve for second reading and final adoption
proposed amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74
curriculum requirement Subchapter A, required curriculum,
Subset 74.3 description of a required secondary curriculum
with an effective date of 20 days after filing as adopted
with the Texas Register.
-: Are you ready for the question?
And this one, it just said in earlier effective date
requires a vote of 2/3 of the members,
which is 10 votes in the affirmative.
All those in favor, raise your hand.
I think that's everybody.
15? -: Yeah.
-: All those opposed, raise your hand.
There are 15 votes in the affirmative
and the motion carries.
On the back of your committee of instruction minutes,
number two, on behalf of the Committee of Instruction,
I move that the State Board of Education
by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the members of the Board
approve for second reading and final adoption
the proposed revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 112
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science
Subchapter D, other science courses with an effective date
of 20 days after filing as adopted with the Texas Register.
-: She say that? -: No, she didn't.
Kirk: Oh, the Third Amendment.
-: Mr, our Parliamentarian wanted to--
Sue: Yes, I'm sorry.
-: Okay, you want to just get the motion right.
-: Yes, let me go back through this again.
On behalf of the Committee on Instruction,
I move that the State Board of Education
by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the members of the Board
approve for second reading and final adoption
the proposed revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 112,
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science
Subchapter D, other science courses with an effective date
of 20 days after filing as adopted with the Texas Register.
I also recommend the State Board of Education approve
for second reading and final adoption the proposed revisions
to 19 TAC Chapter 112, Texas Essential Knowledge
and Skills for Science, Subchapter D,
other science courses, as amended.
What happened, if you'll back up
in the general requirements, they marked out
Physics and Algebra II and recommended
prerequisite mathematics courses listed
in 74.12 B, 2B of this title.
-: Are you ready for the question?
All those in favor, raise your hand.
All those opposed, raise your hand.
There are 15 votes in the affirmative
and the motion carries, thank you.
-: And our last one, number three, on behalf
of the Committee on Instruction, I move that
the State Board of Education suspend
the Board Operating Procedures in accordance
with subsection 5.2A to allow consideration at first reading
and filing authorization and approve for first reading
and filing authorization the proposed amendment
to 19 TAC Chapter 89, Adaptations for Special Populations
Subchapter C, Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency
89.42 official testing centers.
-: It's moved, members, to suspend Board Operating Procedures
in accordance with 5.2A to allow consideration
at first reading and filing adoption
the proposed amendments to Chapter 89.
All those in favor of suspending
the Board Operating Procedures, raise your hand.
Okay, those opposed, raise your hand.
Affirmative, the motion carries.
Okay, the question now before you is on the motion
to approve for first reading and filing authorization
proposed amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 89, Adaptations
for Special Populations, Supchapter C, Texas Certificate
of School Equivalency 89.42 official testing centers.
Are you ready for the question?
All those in favor say, "Aye."
Board Members: Aye.
-: All those opposed say, "No."
-: Ayes have it and the motion carries.
Members, we had no items on the commission
or we ended up sending them to the consent agenda
Committee on School Finance Permanent School Fund
and so now we are ready
for the Committee on School Initiatives.
-: Madame Chair, we can turn to the minutes
of the Committee on School Initiatives, page one.
I'm happy to announce, by the way, our committee meeting
was not the first one completed.
We actually lasted, our meeting lasted longer
than one other committee meeting,
so we're very pleased, very proud of that.
But in any event, action item one
is our committee recommends that
the State Board of Education take no action
on the proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 227, Provisions
for Educator Preparation Candidates,
Subchapter A, Admission to Educator Preparation Programs.
-: Is there a motion reject?
Hearing none, no action is taken on proposed amendments
to 19 TAC Chapter 227, Provisions
for Educator Preparation Candidates, Subchapter A,
Admission to Educator Preparation Programs.
-: With no further action-- -: Yeah, that's it?
Okay.
Wonderful, I'm so proud of us, this was amazing.
I do want to note, I like to always do some announcements
about our members and the neat things going on
in our lives 'cause we're just like.
We like to know about each other.
I want to congratulate Tincy Miller, who's been selected
to receive the Texas Association of Business
Dallas Chapter's Distinguished Business Leader Award
The annual award-- (audience applauds)
That annual award will be presented at the lunch
on October 13th at the Park City Club.
Congratulations, that's wonderful
and I also would like, this was a very momentous week
for another of our members, Tom Maynard,
who announced his retirement as the head of FFA
this week on Monday.
Tom, I'd like for you to just say a few words about that
'cause you've been there for many years
and have served so well.
I'd just like for you to tell the Board members.
Tom: I think the operative word is "few."
(audience laughs)
-: Those are my--
-: Second. -: Second.
(Donna laughs)
-: I think that there's somewhere in Proverbs
that says, Where words are many, Sin is not absent,'
or something along those lines.
(Donna laughs)
I've been involved in agricultural education
for about 30 years,
including the time that I've spent
in the classroom, and the time that I've headed
the state FFA Organization, I think there just comes
a time when, to step away from those things
and one of the things that I will tell you that that work
is extremely, extremely consuming sort of thing,
and so this was a conversation
that my wife and I, and we thought about it
and prayed about it for about a year and a half or so,
in terms of being able to commit more time.
We have some business opportunities and the opportunity
to devote more time to public service,
including the work that they we're doing here
on the State Board of Education, so
it's been a great ride and we've done
a lot of really cool things and during the time
that I've been in Austin
and working for FFA, we have actually doubled
the State membership.
No other state association at least
outside of the early years in the 1930's,
but in the last 50 years or so,
no one's ever done that and so
as far as establish some financial stability
and expanding programs and things like that,
it's been a great opportunity
and something that takes me back
to when I was a freshman and joined that organization
and you know, way as a student at Boy's Ranch,
and, so, but, anyway,
it's now time to step away
from that and move onto some new opportunities
and probably, which includes bothering
y'all a whole lot more.
(audience laughs)
-: (laughs) Well, we welcome the additional freeing up
of your time to work with this Board
and we're all very proud of you
and we just want to say, "Congratulations."
(audience applauds)
(woman speaks off mic)
That's very cool that we had that presentation today.
That was just awesome, I loved it.
Yes, Mr. Bradley.
-: I can't believe we're getting out this early,
but I do want to take a little personal privilege.
I was going to introduce this earlier in discussions
but we ran out of time.
50 years ago, my mother pulled me out of public schools,
because they had removed phonics from instruction
and sent me on, fortunately, we were able to enroll
in a Catholic school, but my mother did buy a book,
and this has copyright of 1957,
and I've always remembered it.
And I asked her about it the other day
and you know how mothers never get rid of anything,
because she use this with her grandkids
and it's the Spalding book,
the Writing Road to Reading,
and it talks about back in 1957,
about the Unified Phonics approach
and I'm gonna copy the introduction and I'm gonna send
it to all the board members but very briefly,
let me give you, "The core of the method is a technique
"by which the child learns how to write down the sounds
"used in spoken English as they are combined into words.
"Thus conversely, he can pronounce any printed word.
"Meaning is thoroughly taught hand-in-hand with the writing
"and by using the new words in original sentences.
"It begins with correct pronunciation of words
"and the writing of their component sounds in accordance
"with the rules of English spelling."
Well, early homeschooling, my mother had this book
and would sit down with the four boys
and we were all reading before we ever got
to the first grade, but these are the homemade flashcards
that are now brown with age-- (audience laughs)
Donna: Oh my goodness.
-: That my mother used, rote memorization,
I know it's hard work and I remember these
and I'm gonna give you three
and we're gonna have a little test.
On the front of this is the letter O.
Who can give me the three phonetic sounds that O has?
(audience murmurs)
-: Ah. -: Ah.
Donna: Oh, oo.
-: Oh, oo.
Donna: Yeah.
-: As in odd, open, or do.
Had the little notes on the back.
Woman: Ah!
-: The letter I. (audience laughs)
-: The letter I, how many sounds are there for the later I?
(audience murmurs) Woman: Papyrus.
-: It, I,
as in Indian or silent.
And this was always my favorite and I'm proud of it.
Can anybody give me six sounds of O-U-G-H?
(audience murmurs)
-: Ow. -: Ow like cow.
-: Uh. -: Uh, yeah.
-: Oh, oo, of, uh, ow.
All right, a little remedial.
We're gonna have to work with y'all.
(Donna laughs) Thank you very much.
Donna: Thank you--
-: Sometimes the old methods still work.
-: That's right.
Members, I just want a moment before I actual call
an adjournment, oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Rowley.
Okay, do you want me to?
Okay, I just to recap this week for us.
This has been the most momentous week that I've had
as your Board Chair, and I want to recap for you
because it was such a blur of activity--
(audience chuckles)
All week, that I don't know if you recognize
the momentous nature of all the things that we did this week
and I felt it was really important
to recap the week for you, okay?
The first thing we did on Monday was have over 200 people
personally and who knows how many were listening in online
to our Educating the Children of Poverty Conference,
where we partnered with the Commissioner of Education
to talk about, what I believe, is the most important issue
facing our public schools today in Texas,
and it was such a successful day,
and I really appreciate your participation.
We, then, on Tuesday, work session, trying to resolve
lingering concerns from parents and some educators
about our math standards,
We welcomed our Mexican-American scholars, friends,
and neighbors as they came out a hundred-plus strong
to make their voices heard on Tuesday.
We're finally ready to begin the long-range (laughs) plan
for public education process
that we've talked about for maybe two years,
inviting Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,
Texas Workforce Commission, Education Commissioner
to partner with us in this process
and we look forward to the work
as Member Rowley leads us in this process.
We're continuing to work on refining our English
and Spanish Language Arts and Readings standards draft
with all due diligence by combining our pointed experts
with higher education help to get to the first reading
hopefully by January, with the college
and career readiness standards necessary for our students
to successfully prepare for education after high school.
We got excited in the Committee on School Initiatives
yesterday on a new initiative
for the education commissioner.
Mike Morath actually spoke to us about his partnership
with us, working with us on the Board on how
to improve our School Board Trustees training
across Texas, so that they may better serve
those in their, students in their district.
We approved an increase in support
for instructional materials from $196 to about $218.
I don't know the exact figure.
They're still kind of working that out,
$218 per student or $2.466 billion
for the biennium
approved this week by the Board.
We celebrated our FFA students heading
to national competition today.
Our Heroes for Children from all over Texas
as well as 20 years of public charter schools
in the State of Texas.
This has been most momentous week
that I've had as your Board Chair,
and I just want to thank you for your professionalism,
respect for each other and all of our visitors
and, most of all, for always keeping that focus
on how we can better serve the 5.3 million students
across Texas, and I could not be more proud
of each and every one of you.
I'm sorry. (laughs)
And I'm honored to be your Chair.
Woman: We're proud of you. (audience applauds)
-: Mr. Cortez (chuckles). -: Madame Chair.
I do want to thank you.
Obviously, a lot of what happened
on Tuesday was made possible
because materials are online, right?
So, people now have that access.
And, so, I want to thank you for that, but beyond that,
I want to thank you, because you've created
this dialogue with Texas,
and I already spend a lot of time in my districts
but as a result of some of these forums
that you've spearheaded, I'm spending more
and having more in-depth and more meaningful conversations,
from our technology session that we did at the Capitol
to our round tables with you traveling around the state.
I heard the horror stories of some of the hotels
you stayed in-- (audience laughs)
(chuckles) Just to make it into our districts
and having these conversations about next generations
of assessments and accountability and having
these round tables and to what we did this week,
talking about educating our most vulnerable population,
those students in high poverty.
I can't wait to see what's next
but I'd like to see what, how we can figure out
what the next steps for what we've already done
and to see how we can have,
I know that Monday's conversation,
there wasn't enough people in the room
for the message that was delivered by those experts
and those practitioners, so how do we generate
a statewide conversation around that
because obviously, we heard from those experts
that there is a need, there was a lot of passion
and some unpassionate, at least one uncompassionate person
but (chuckles) by and large, (audience chuckles)
everybody in-took that information
and so I just want to commend you
for that and thank you for spending your birthday week
with us. (audience laughs)
Donna: (chuckles) Yes, Mr. Ratliff.
-: One thing that was a discussion item this week
that I wanted to ask for some clarification
and I don't know if we've really thought through it.
I think there was unanimous support for the ELAR experts
to work with the Higher Ed Coordinating Board
on the career and college readiness standards, et cetera.
I've got a question as far as our process.
When they go do that, I would assume,
and this is why I wanna check, 'cause we know what happens
when I assume, I would assume the report
will come back to us through the experts,
because they're the ones that come back
as the final step in the process.
Anybody's welcome to come testify, but when our experts
and the Higher Ed Coordinating Board folks meet,
will that culminate in some sort of a recommendation
or report back from our experts as kind of the last step
in our process, is that what you anticipate?
-: Yeah, what I meant to say
is they'll work together on whatever those recommendations
will be, and, then, we'll get those
is what I'm hoping is going to happen.
I know our staff is going to be, you know,
putting that together.
They did such a great job of running the last meeting
with our five experts and, you know, we would continue
with that work with the combined group.
(man speaks off mic)
Right, but they'll be altogether, anyway.
-: But in terms of our process,
the experts will meet with them,
hear their issues and then culminate that back
into another recommendation or a subsequent change
in recommendation or whatever they do,
but it comes back through the experts that we appointed.
-: Right, I think they'll be working together on that,
on whatever the recommendations, I'm not sure.
I don't have any idea what they're (chuckles)
what they're gonna do, but we'll definitely have it go back through
with our group.
-: In that regard, I just had a concern
that if you had an expert reviewer
from the Higher Education Coordinating Board,
and they wanted this and the expert team said,
"No, we don't really want that,"
how is that, I want to know that the final say
is our experts.
-: Madame Chair? -: Yes?
Woman: You all are not posted
to have this discussion today.
-: Ah, so we probably can't get into that.
I mean, at the end of the day, the Board is going to make
the decision on where we end up with.
I'm sure, maybe there's a majority view
or are a minority view, but we'll probably
get the benefit of both.
Thomas: I wanted to thank Mr. Bradley for recognizing
Dad's contribution-- -: Absolutely.
-: To Senate Bill 1 and 95, and for those of you
that don't know or anybody that watches,
he and I love to go at each other
while we're in the circle.
We fight for the things that we believe are important,
but most people don't know that more often than not,
we have dinner together when we're in town
for meetings and people are confused by that
and so the analogy I use is the old Looney Tunes cartoon
of the sheepdog and the coyote
and then they clock in, and they go after each other
and then they clock out, and they and they go
have coffee together. (audience chuckles)
And I don't know which one's the wolf or the sheepdog,
I'll let y'all make that up
but and for those of you that don't know,
that bill that Dad wrote back then,
I came home at Thanksgiving, and he was sitting in his chair
with his laptop and the Education Code
and I asked him, I said, "What are you doing?"
He said, "I'm reading the Education Code."
I said, "The whole thing?"
He said, "Yeah, I read it once just to kind of get
"a feel for the document, now going back through it
"with my-- (audience laughs)
"And had a highlighter and he was underlining
and striking out, and he rewrote the entire code
and reorganized it, as only an engineer could.
And, as I was told just a little while ago,
it was and still is the longest legislation
ever passed by the Texas Legislature
at 1,200 pages.
Woman: Wow.
-: And at the time, he eliminated a third
of the Education Code, because he believed in local control
and he went to the whole code with the attitude
of what should they do, not how should they do it.
And unfortunately, since that time,
they've not only replaced those pages
but they've added another 20 or 30% on top of it
but it was a Herculean task and for those who don't know,
it also had a voucher bill in it
when it passed the Senate 21 years ago
that was promptly stripped out by the House (chuckles)
but it was it was a lot of work,
and I appreciate your gesture
about Dad's work on that.
-: And you're very welcome.
-: Members, thank you so much for your kind attention.
The meeting is adjourned.