Boharich: To be in for a treat
with the Brownsville ISD Ballroom Dance Company.
So I will turn this over to Member Cortez.
-: Well good morning.
I know we still have a lot of our heroes
that still need to take some photographs with their members.
And we assure you we'll make time for each
of you members to get a photograph with your heroes.
But now we can get everybody back to their places.
We're gonna introduce this group.
We have with us the Ballroom Dance Company
from the Brownsville School District.
In 2007 Dr. Rebecca Rendon Administrator for Fine Arts
for the Brownsville Independent School District
began the Red Hot Ballroom Dance Program
to bring dance to fifth grade students
at elementary campuses.
She had no idea the impact that this
program was gonna have on students, teachers,
parents, and the community.
They began with 300 fifth grade students
in 10 elementary campuses.
The district currently has 37 elementary campuses.
The students were trained throughout the year
by the Fred Astaire Ballroom Dance Technique.
They learned five styles of dance:
waltz, tango, merengue, salsa, and the jitterbug.
At the end of the year the students compete
in their Red Hot Ballroom Dance Finals Competitions.
In 2008, the program expanded to include middle
and high school students.
22 campuses participated for a total
of 660 students competing.
This past May of 2017 BISD celebrated 10 years
of Red Hot Ballroom where the students
currently learn 15 styles of dance
and now have 33 campuses performing
with an overwhelming total of just
under 1,000 students competing.
The district has more than 50 teachers
who attend trainings and implement programs
at their respective campuses.
Teachers are provided at least 8 trainings
throughout the year to better understand
the Fred Astaire Ballroom Curriculum.
Due to the growth of the program,
the district now offers ballroom classes
in their curriculum that middle
and high school students may take
and receive Fine Arts and PE credit.
In September of 2012 the Ballroom students were invited
to perform at the Texorama State Ballroom
Dance Competition in Galveston.
In September of 2013 they were invited to compete
at the Texorama State Dance Competition
in Galveston and took first place as a team.
In April of 2017 they were asked
to perform at the Cross Country National
Dance Championships in Houston.
The best of the best ballroom couples from the nation
competing at this competition
and the BISD Ballroom students were the only group
to receive a standing ovation for their performance.
They have been asked again to perform
at this competition in April of 2018.
This year the district began BISD Ballroom Company
that is made up of high school students
from four different high schools.
Those students went through an intense audition process
and eight couples were selected to represent the district
throughout the year at district, community, state,
and national events.
With us today, we have our Superintendent of Schools,
Dr. Esperanza Zendejas. Melody Eriksen,
our Choral Music Lead Teacher. Juan Martinez,
our Ballroom Trainer. David Martinez, our Ballroom Trainer.
Juan and David are sophomores at college
and are products of this ballroom dance program.
They currently assist in the program conducting
and training teachers and students.
Today we have the honor of watching three couples
from the dance company perform.
The students performing today are Ricardo Santoyo,
senior from Veterans Memorial Early College High School.
Ricardo is also a May 2017 Red Hot Ballroom
High School Grand Champion.
Jacquelyn Mirales, freshman from Veterans
Early Memorial College High School.
Jesus Cortez, junior from Rivera Early College High School.
Vanessa Shelf, from Veterans Memorial
Early College High School.
Javier Gonzales, freshman from Rivera
Early College High School.
And Giselle Santos, junior from Rivera
Early College High School.
The students will perform a medley of songs
which include the foxtrot, the rumba,
the mambo, and the jive.
So please help me welcome today's performers
from the BISD Red Hot Ballroom Dance Competition.
(applauding)
("You Make Me Feel So Young" by Michael Buble)
♪ You make me feel so young ♪
♪ You make me feel as spring has sprung ♪
♪ And every time I see you grin ♪
♪ I'm such a happy individual ♪
♪ The moment that you speak ♪
♪ I wanna go play hide and seek ♪
♪ I wanna go and bounce the moon ♪
♪ Just like a toy balloon ♪
♪ Because you and I are just like a couple of tots ♪
♪ Runnin' across the meadow ♪
♪ You make me young ♪
♪ You make me feel there are songs to be sung ♪
♪ Bells to be rung ♪
♪ And a wonderful fling to be flung ♪
("Perfidia" by John Altman)
(upbeat mambo music)
("Jump Jive An' Wail")
(applauding)
-: So don't you all feel like taking dancing lessons now?
(laughing)
Man: I'm having a hot flash right now.
(laughing)
-: These students are amazing.
I need you guys back in the circle, though.
We're gonna take a photo, if we can get our Superintendent
down here. Madame Chair, if you can join us.
We've got a special recognition
that we'd like to give to the Brownsville School District
and to our Superintendent and all those
that are here with the dance program.
Parents, if you're here, I know there's some of you here.
We'd love to have you.
Dr. Zendejas, correct me if I'm wrong
but did they not at some point,
maybe last school year, did you do a performance also?
Did you get trained by some
of these Red Hot Ballroom dancers?
(laughing)
And you did a performance at one of these activities?
-: New York, New York.
-: Yes, I knew it.
See, so any of us can do this.
I'm telling you.
I wish I could twirl my wife around the way
some of these kids just did.
That's amazing.
(applauding)
Thank you guys very much.
Chair: Mr. Mercer, I believe you're up
for our invocation.
-: Now, good.
I'm gonna tell you a quick inspirational story
before our prayer.
And of course it's Texas so it'll be a football story.
But it's talked about Rockport High School.
Y'all know Rockport saw the eye of the hurricane.
It was the ground zero.
And many reports came out but the reports
I'm gonna put together now, it's a football story
about the coach was actually going
over the field, the school.
As you know, Rockport is closed for the year
and God bless the Commissioner and staff.
I know you're trying to arrange your kids in that peninsula
to go to other schools around Rockport.
But he was surveying that the school being washed out,
the football field, the goalposts in football was like
a pretzel it was so twisted around.
Anyhow, while he's being interviewed some
of the kids came by saying Coach,
they don't know what to do, there's no school.
And many y'all know some of the schools started this Monday.
Some schools in Texas still have not started.
But they wanted something to do so they went
to some of the kids' homes and they walked through mud
and the water and they found some of their clothes
and they're still in the chest of drawers were full
of three days of muddy water.
And literally, some of those football players,
all they had was the clothes on their backs.
But they said something, "Coach,
"can we still practice football?"
Something that would be normal for them.
But the UIL, the University Interscholastic League
says you can practice two or three hours a day.
I'm gonna tell you secret.
They are practicing eight, 10, 12 hours a day.
But their practice, wait a minute, a little bit different.
Instead of carrying footballs they were carrying chainsaws.
And they couldn't go to the weight room
because it was all watered out.
They were cutting down tree limbs and branches
and they were lifting branches and tree and debris
and they were going house to house to their neighbors
in Rockport saying "how can we help?"
The news camera, they came in at one day,
they had split up in so many groups in one day,
they went to 60 neighbors and cleaned up the house.
What a great story of kids who decided to rise up
and help rebuild Rockport.
So last week, they said, "Coach, we have a game on Friday."
Well, that's not gonna happen.
"Coach, could we still play that game?
"Just so that somebody could stand for Rockport."
And I'm gonna tell you I've been tempted so many times
to go online and look at the score of that game
but I didn't go online because,
I hope you agree with me, it doesn't matter the score.
Would you agree those young men are winners?
No matter what.
The final news report I saw was when the cameras came by
and they were telling the same story I just told you
and they said, "you must feel you're part
"of the greatest team ever."
He says, "what?"
"You must feel you're part of the greatest team ever."
And the young boys said, 16 year olds,
said "No. We're way passed team. We're a family.
"We're the Rockport Family."
Let's pray together.
Father God, your word tells us there'll be times
when there's water, wind, and rain, and flooding
but it also tells us by faith
that the water will one day recede.
And it's a time then to rise up and to rebuild.
We pray for all the families who are hurt
throughout Texas and Louisiana and our neighbors
and friends in Florida.
I pray for everyone there.
It seems like along the Gulf Coast
like everyone lost something but so many
lost everything, everything.
I lift up again Commissioner Morath
and the Education Agency 'cause they're so many schools
we're working to with right now, how can we bless them
and take care of those schools and their educators
and their students?
How can we take care of them?
Father God, I just thank you for the human spirit
because there's thousands and thousands of stories
of first responders but particularly volunteers
who came and who will receive no reimbursement whatsoever
but decided they too wanted to rise up and rebuild.
People who came and with people they didn't know.
They stood together.
They held hands together with strangers, oftentimes.
They prayed together with strangers.
We even saw them singing songs together with strangers.
Because all of us decided it was time
to rise up and rebuild, rebuild.
And Father God, that's my prayer today.
Help us in Texas and our neighbors Louisiana
and throughout the Gulf Coast and Florida,
help us all to rise up and rebuild.
And we pray for your strength, your wisdom,
your courage, and Father God, for your guidance.
And if you agree with me just say amen.
All: Amen.
-: Let's please stand for our two pledges.
Pledge to the flag of the United States of America.
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.
-: And now the pledge to the flag
of the great state of Texas.
All: Honor the Texas flag.
I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas,
one state under God, one and indivisible.
Mercer: Thank you, Madame Chair.
-: It's time for the roll call
and I believe, Debbie, are you doing that?
Debbie: I am.
Mr. Allen?
Allen: Present.
Debbie: Miss Bahorich?
Chair: Here.
Debbie: Miss Beltran?
Beltran: Present.
Debbie: Miss Cargill?
Cargill: Here.
Debbie: Mr. Cortez?
Cortez: Here.
Debbie: Dr. Ellis?
Ellis: Here.
Debbie: Miss Hardy?
Hardy: Present.
Debbie: Mr. Maynard?
Maynard: Here.
Debbie: Miss Melton-Malone?
Melton-Malone: Here.
Debbie: Mr. Mercer?
Mercer: Here.
Debbie: Miss Miller?
Miller: Here.
Debbie: Miss Perez?
Perez: Present.
Debbie: Miss Perez-Diaz?
Perez-Diaz: Here.
Debbie: And Mr. Rowley?
Rowley: Here.
-: Approval of the minutes.
It's the first item on the agenda
from the June 23rd meeting.
Are there any corrections to the minutes?
Hearing none, the minutes are approved.
Now we'll do resolutions
and I believe Miss Hardy, you are up.
-: I believe we want to cue up the video right now.
Let's see how good our technology is.
-: I've always been interested in geography
from a very young age and I found out
about the Geography Bee in second grade
when one of my teachers was talking about it.
And in fourth grade I started participating
and I made it state in my first year and got second place.
So that kept motivating me to keep trying
and eventually win.
Well usually they give you a question,
it has some sort of clue in it that leads you
to an answer and then you can answer.
You have 15 seconds to answer.
A basic question would be which state is composed
of eight islands, Hawaii or Wyoming?
And you get 15 seconds to answer that.
Each round has a specific topic usually
and they tell you what the topic will be.
Like it could be name a country or name a state.
There's a classroom round
and after that is the school round.
And after that each of the school champions
take a written qualification test and the top 100 scores
in the state advance to the state round.
I already went to DC a few years before that
so I didn't really see much of the sites when I went there
but the competition is held
in National Geographic's headquarters.
Two people, both competitors answer the same question
and whoever gets more of them right wins.
I think I'm stronger on World Geography then US Geography
because learning about the world seems more appealing
than learning about the place I'm already in.
Well pretty much you basically study the entire world
and National Geographic can ask questions
from all over the world and any possible topic will work.
The question I missed last year was a pretty basic question
but I only had six seconds to answer it.
What is the official language of Sierra Leone?
I said French but it was English.
Interviewer: Well, we wish you well this time.
-: Thank you.
I was hoping that they were gonna show the actual
winning moment of the National Geography Bee.
I wanted to welcome Pranay who is the national winner
for the National Geographic Geography Bee.
(applauding)
I am so excited about Pranay for being here.
I forgot to give him his plaque here.
This is from the Governor's Office recognizing you
as the winner for the National Geography Bee
and representing Texas.
This is the fourth time in nine years
that Texas has won the National Geography Bee
which is a testament to Texas Public Schools.
I will tell you that they put this energy into it.
But Pranay is a prime example of the young people
that will do something like geography or spelling.
They get into it pretty early.
He was 10 years old when I met him, much shorter.
(laughing)
Smaller, but he was persistent.
He came back and he kept working at it
and working at it and worked all the way down.
When he did the geography bee this spring
where he became the state champion,
the questions that they were asking,
we actually, and I'm reading the questions,
and these are hard questions.
He's rolling his eyes thinking
she can't quite pronounce that.
(laughing)
But anyway, I'm reading the questions and we ran out
of questions because the competition was so stiff.
Washington DC says what is it about Texas?
This is not the first time we've run out of questions.
Because other states run out of questions real early.
But the competition is so stiff in Texas
that they keep going on and on and on.
I will have to tell you Miss Cargill reminded me of a story.
I do the local bees quite often.
And this literally happened this last year.
I was standing at a podium like this.
I had two kids left in the final question
and I accidentally kicked my purse,
asked the question and kicked my purse,
and Siri answered the question.
(laughing)
Because my phone was in my purse.
The audience went wild.
They said, "who was that?"
I said, "Siri thinks she's gotta get into everything,
"and she wants to be in the bee."
(laughing)
But anyways, Pranay's here with his parents.
Would his parents please stand up.
Nothing happens--
(applauding)
His sister's been with him from the very beginning, too.
You stand up, too.
(laughs)
(applauding)
I can tell you nothing happens to these youngsters
until they have parents like this.
Because these are parents who support, love,
support, love and cry a little bit when they get excited.
But they have been a wonderful supporters
and they also support us as teachers.
They're the kind of people that we need
for helping us be better teachers, too.
So thank you, thank you for everything.
Pranay, I have a resolution here I want to read to you.
This is official from the State Board of Education.
Whereas, in understanding of the world
around us has been important and necessary knowledge
for an educated citizenry;
and whereas, the study of land and culture have
long been important to Texans
because of their own vast storied history;
and whereas, a young Texan has demonstrated
superior knowledge in the geography
by winning the 2017 National Geographic Bee;
whereas, Pranay Varada became fascinated
with maps when just three years old;
whereas, after diligent and dedicated study
Pranay Varada began to compete in geography bees;
whereas, 2.6 million students nationwide competed
in the 2017 geography bee;
whereas, the event came down to a tense verbal duel
between Pranay, an eighth grade student
from Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District,
and a Wisconsin student;
whereas, the contest moved into a sudden-death playoff
with Pranay winning the first tie-breaker question
by correctly identifying the Kunlun Mountains
as the 12,000 feet range that separates--
(laughing)
-: Taklamakan.
-: Taklamakan Desert from the Tibetan Plateau;
whereas, this victory earned Pranay the satisfaction
of a job well done and as well as a $50,000 scholarship,
a trip to the Galapagos Islands, and a lifetime membership
in the National Geographic Society.
Now, therefore be it resolved
that the State Board of Education congratulate Pranay
in his studious habits, his worldly knowledge,
his persistence in his national championship;
and be it further resolved that a copy
of this resolution be included in the permanent records
of the State Board of Education,
witnessed our signatures on the 15th day
of September in Austin, Texas.
Donna Bahorich, Chair and Ruben Cortez, Secretary.
Thank you.
(applauding)
You want to say something?
You can speak right into that.
-: I'd like to thank the State Board of Education
and the organization of the Texas State Geographic Bee
for making this possible because obviously
I wouldn't have been able to get to nationals
if it was not for the organization of the state bee.
So that you to all of those people.
-: Okay.
(applauding)
We appreciate that.
Thank you.
-: Members, the question is on the adoption
of the resolution.
All those in favor, say aye.
Members: Aye.
-: Resolution is adopted.
And we have our Heroes For Children up next
and I believe Mr. Cortez.
-: Good morning.
I would like to welcome you all here
to the State Board of Education
to recognize the outstanding volunteers
that have given generously of their time
to Texas public schools.
In fact, these 15 are so generous that we
conservatively estimate that they have collectively given
at least 127 years of voluntary service
to Texas public schools.
Also as each hero is recognized,
each recipient will receive a framed certificate copy
of a resolution which the board will vote on momentarily.
They will also receive a certificate of appreciation
from the Governor's Office and the Governor himself.
At this time, if I can have the heroes
for Districts One through Seven join their member
in the circle and I'll begin to tell you
about each of those heroes.
Our first hero from District 1 is Olga Charles
from Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District.
Whether it is serving as a life coach,
helping in the classroom,
organizing the annual Christmas parade,
or helping students do research in the library,
Miss Charles is at school every day
voluntarily helping the students of Uvalde CISD.
She's a major patron of the local library.
Even when working at her job as the Newspapers
in Education coordinator for the Uvalde Leader-News,
Miss Charles is helping teachers and students
as she shows them how to use the newspaper in their lessons.
The Uvalde Superintendent calls her a ball of energy
who can always be counted to help.
Thank you Miss Charles for putting your energy
towards helping Uvalde kids.
We know for a fact that there are students in college
who would not be there if it weren't for you.
(applauding)
In District 2, my district, Maria Vega
from the La Joya Independent School District is my hero.
Miss Vega is known as Momma Vega
at the Leo J. Leo Elementary School
where the staff joke that she spends more time
on campus than they do.
(laughing)
She says that she simply loves helping children
and teachers.
Mrs. Vega helps teachers prepare materials for their lessons
and especially enjoys decorating the school
for the holidays.
As someone who obtained a limited education herself,
Miss Vega has made it a point to make sure
that her seven children and now children at Leo J. Leo
Elementary understand the importance of an education.
One person at this school says of Miss Vega,
"Her purpose in life is the gift of giving and sharing."
She says she will continue her volunteer work
as long as she is able.
Thank you, Momma Vega, for your commitment to children.
(applauding)
Our hero for District 3 is Ian Hemmings from San Antonio's
Northside Independent School District.
Mr. Hemmings says people have exhibited kindness
to him throughout his life.
He is dedicated to passing that kindness on.
Each morning he bikes to Northside Carnahan
Elementary School to meet with a group
of students before school starts.
He helped the school pilot the award winning
Alamo-area Children's Organized
To Replant Natives Project, ACORN,
which now has expanded to 24 schools.
Mr. Hemmings is also a founding member of WATCH D.O.G.S.,
a dad's group that promotes safety
and character development.
As an immigrant with visual impairment,
Mr. Hemmings has become a role model for children
who are receiving special education
or who are new to the United States.
Thank you, Mr. Hemmings, your smile
and positive attitude bring sunshine into students' lives.
(applauding)
The hero for District 4 is Carol Ann Youens
from Galena Park Independent School District.
If the last name sounds familiar,
it's because Miss Youens is the second member
of her family to earn the Heroes For Children Award.
Her late husband, Alfred, received this award last year.
Eight years ago, this devoted couple decided
to pay it forward and began volunteering
in Galena Park independent School District.
For the past 14 years, Mrs. Youens has focused her work
on assisting first and second grade students
with basic reading skills.
She's also known to show up at Northshore Elementary
in a wacky outfit for Dr. Seuss week
or wear red for Red Ribbon Week.
Besides her work at the schools,
Miss Youens assists patients at the local nursing home,
sacks groceries at the food bank,
and volunteers at the YMCA.
It's no wonder another volunteer recently called her
the mother of all volunteers.
(laughing)
Thank you for caring about your community.
Congratulations.
(applauding)
Our District 5 hero is Chelsea Elliott nominated
by the Wayside School.
In 2013, Miss Elliott founded the Half Helen Foundation,
a non-profit organization that works to improve
children's vision and hearing
through innovative screening, research, and advocacy.
Named after Helen Keller who said, "I am half blind,
"I am half deaf, and I am half Helen."
Mrs. Elliott's foundation, in the 2016-17 school year
alone, provided photo screening to more
than 15,000 students in the Austin
and San Antonio Title I schools free of charge.
Children who failed the photo screening
or eye chart test were offered free eye exams
and corrective wear through partnerships.
As a Charter School graduate herself,
Miss Elliott began offering the screenings
in Austin Charter schools and continues to expand her work.
This year she hopes to reach 30,000 students.
Thank you for protecting the gift of sight
for so many children.
(applauding)
Our District 6 hero is Cyndi Matteson
from Cyprus-Fairbanks Independent School District.
Miss Matteson has won the Cyprus-Fairbanks ISD
Global Volunteer Award two of the past three years
because she is such an active volunteer.
She mentors six students each week,
provides special staff lunches and treats,
helps with freshman orientation,
reads to students, assists with vision
and hearing screenings, and chaperones
for extracurricular events,
just to name a few of her activities.
She is now a member of the district's VIP Executive Board
and helps to coordinate volunteer activities
at more than 80 schools.
She says being a volunteer is the most
rewarding job she's ever had.
Cy-Fair administrators say Miss Matteson's
most frequent question is "where can I help next?"
Thank you for your dedication.
Congratulations.
(applauding)
Frederick Jefferson, our District 7 hero,
is such a great volunteer that two districts,
Alvin and Pearland ISD, nominated him.
Unfortunately, he is not able to be with us today.
He's dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
in the area and is helping family members
who were hit by Hurricane Irma in Florida.
But we want you to know that Mr. Jefferson created
the Man II Man support group that provides a venue
for fathers of special needs children
to celebrate and examine the ups and downs
of parenting special children.
He knows that living with someone
of special needs impacts the whole family.
He always focuses on the message that parents
and schools needs to form a partnership
to provide the best outcome for these children.
Because he works in a growing district of Alvin
and Pearland he brought together a diverse group
to compile a resource guide that lists local services
such as pediatricians, therapists,
which are very helpful to newcomers.
So while he's not here we would want to congratulate him
and let him know that he and his family
and all those that were impacted by Harvey
and Irma are in our thoughts and our prayers.
Congratulations.
(applauding)
So fellow members, audience please join me
in congratulating our heroes
from Districts One through Seven.
(applauding)
Thank you all very much.
I'd like to ask these heroes if they can take their seats.
And just know that if you haven't taken a picture
with your hero, members, I'm sure Madame Chair will make
a couple of minutes just after we're done.
But if I can get our heroes from Districts Eight to 15
to move in to the circle.
Members, if you can join your hero in the circle.
All right.
District 8 hero is Stacie Jahn from Conroe ISD.
Mrs. Jahn is an active leader in the Conroe ISD
Parent Teacher Organization.
Having served on the PTO Board for six years,
she has worked to improve both the education
and environment at local schools.
She spearheaded efforts to raise funds
to purchase two large canopies
and provide shade on playgrounds,
something that students and teachers appreciate
because of the blazing heat in Texas.
Mrs. Jahn also successfully lobbied to include funding
for a new gym at Stephen F. Austin Elementary
in the district's 2016 bond package.
Additionally, she led efforts to fund teacher training
and new equipment such as a die-cut machine
and filtered water cooler.
Whether it is finding grant opportunities,
raising fund for equipment, or running PTO meetings,
Mrs. Jahn is a volunteer Conroe ISD knows it can count on.
Thank you very much for your service.
(applauding)
Our District 9 hero is Amanda Rogers from Elkhart ISD.
Mrs. Rogers has volunteered
at Elkhart Elementary for 21 years.
Although a brain tumor left her disabled
when she was still a toddler, it hasn't defeated her.
After she graduated from high school,
a loving aunt suggested
that she start volunteering at school.
Though her dedicated service,
Mrs. Rogers has become a role model for children.
Teachers say that she instinctively picks out students
who most need assistance and support.
She reads with struggling readers,
helps organize homework, monitors hallways and restrooms,
and always asks staff how she can help.
She believes that seeing her cope
with her disability helps students learn
to be accepting of students who are different in some ways.
Although Miss Rogers' health has helped thousands
of students, she says the students have touched
and inspired her through their courage and loving trust.
Elkhart has a true gem in you, Miss Rogers.
Thank you for very much.
(applauding)
Mike Senchack from the Round Rock
Independent School District is District 10's hero.
Mr. Senchack is another hero who has devoted decades
of service to his school district.
During his 23 years of voluntary service
in the Round Rock Independent School District
he has worked with teachers and directors
from five high schools and 10 middle schools.
He has provided audio-visual recordings,
editing, and post-production services
for dance, choir, orchestra, theater,
Future Farmers of America,
and other organizations as well as booster clubs.
On average, Mr. Senchack videotapes 35 performances a year.
His videos are so treasured that they have become
the subject of a disagreement in a divorce case.
(laughing)
The husband wants possession of all videotapes
of spring dance show that he and his ex-wife were both in.
The distraught spouse came to Mr. Senchack
and asked if he could make her a copy
of this year's old show.
He dug in his archives and found it and made her a copy.
His videos have even been shown at funeral services
for students who died too soon.
Thank you for preserving these treasured memories
for the Round Rock families.
Congratulations.
(applauding)
Thomas J. French of Burleson ISD is a hero for District 11.
Mr. French has also been called a
quintessential servant leader.
He coached youth sport teams football,
basketball, baseball, and soccer for 20 years.
Now his activities include volunteering more than 500 hours
to mentor robotics teams in Burleson ISD.
He also worked in concessions stand, transports gears,
helps students with computer programs, and referees games.
Mr. French supports the district's
Parent Teacher Organization
and financially supports the Burleson Opportunity Fund,
a scholarship fund that helps any district student
who wants to attend college to do so.
Mr. French is a kind of dedicated volunteer
every district needs.
Thank you so much for giving of your time
and your talent for over two decades.
(applauding)
Our District 12 hero is Teresa Cook
of the Harmony Public Schools.
Mrs. Cook is an outspoken advocate
for the Harmony Public Schools
and the Harmony School of Innovation
in Garland in particular.
She volunteers in many areas of school.
Mrs. Cook is a parliamentarian at the PTO
and she chaperones students on field trips.
She has attended many charter rallies in Austin.
This spring Mrs. Cook repeatedly talked with legislators
about the needs for facilities funding for charter schools.
She has also spent many hours meeting
with area mayors, police chiefs, fire chiefs
to tell them about Harmony.
Thank you for your active support in your school.
Congratulations.
(applauding)
Mary Pencis from Fort Worth Independent
School District is our hero for District 13.
Some people may think that kindergartners are not ready
for the opera but not Mrs. Pencis.
Through a partnership between Fort Worth ISD,
the Fort Worth Opera, and The Red Oak Foundation
Mrs. Pencis heads up a group of more than 50 volunteers
who visit 12 Title I schools to bring timeless
classic tales told through children's opera
to young children.
The students read the opera, attend a performance,
and are given a bilingual book to take home.
The partnership teaches children opera-related vocabulary,
the history of opera, and promotes reading
as well as problem solving.
Miss Pencis is a volunteer who now reads books
to about 10,800 kindergartners.
Thank you for bringing literature and culture
to these young Texans.
Congratulations.
(applauding)
Charles Lyons, Copperas Cove ISD, is the hero
for District 14.
Mr. Lyons is a retired soldier.
He has put his leadership skills to use
for the Copperas Cove ISD.
He is an advisor to the Copperas Cove Excel Club
which completed more than 700 hours of service
on 31 community projects.
The Excel Club students volunteer
at nearly every community event.
They ring bells for the Salvation Army.
They pick up trash to help with highway beautification.
They assist with the city's Halloween
and Christmas festivals, just to name a few of the events.
Mr. Lyons also rescued a faltering effort
to fund Project Graduation, an alcohol and drug free
overnight celebration.
Once Mr. Lyons took on the project as co-coordinator,
$9,000 was raised to fund the event.
Also the Merchandise and Concessions Manager,
he has helped raise over $20,000
for the district's athletic program.
Thank you, Mr. Lyons, for putting students
at the center of your retirement plan.
Congratulations.
(applauding)
Evelyn Lyles from the Amarillo Independent
School District is our hero for District 15.
Many people may not realize it,
but Amarillo is home to a large
and extremely diverse immigrant population.
For immigrants who settle in Amarillo,
the US Refugee and Resettlement Program,
Miss Lyles a retired teacher is one
of the first people they meet.
She volunteers at a number of Amarillo ISD campuses
where she helps the refugees make medical appointments,
relays messages, facilitates English as a second language
and citizenship classes,
and encourages parental involvement.
She's been called a godsend for some of these families
who are starting their lives over in the Texas Panhandle.
It's no wonder that Amarillo ISD named her
Volunteer of the Year.
Thank you, Miss Lyles, for being a friendly face
who offers a helping hand to those new Texans.
Congratulations.
(applauding)
Now if you can all help me congratulate once again
our heroes from Districts eight through 15.
(applauding)
And another round of applause for our heroes
from Districts one through seven.
Thank you all very much.
127 years estimated of public service.
That is absolutely amazing.
Fellow board members, it has been our honor
to present this award to school volunteers since 1994.
It's always an inspirational event for us.
Now you've heard some of these year's heroes,
I'd like to move to adopt the resolution.
Chair: The questions on the adoption
of the resolution.
All those in favor say aye.
Members: Aye.
Cortez: Thank you heroes.
-: Resolutions adopted, thank you.
Okay, we are taking a 10 minute break.
Members, we're gonna go ahead and continue.
And first up is we have one testifier.
All testifiers speak for no more than three minutes.
You will hear a first initial bell
and that means you've got one minute left.
And then when you hear the second bell
if you'll just finish your final thought.
Woman: Bev Kilmer.
Chair: And I will tell you that sometimes
that thing will cut off on its own
and you'll need to hit to make sure it goes green again.
Or we won't hear you.
Bev: So it won't be you turning me off, right?
Chair: Yes, that's right.
It's not us turning you off.
So if you will go ahead and start her time now
that would be great.
-: Okay, thank you for allowing me to be here.
I'm from Tennessee, so it's really hard
for me to talk fast.
But since I've got three minutes I'm gonna do my best.
I'm Bev Kilmer, and I am President
of Freedom Speaks Coalition, Former State Legislator,
serving as Chair of three education committees in Florida.
So I'm very concerned about the issues
all across the country relating to education.
Today, I'm going to be talking
about the Gulen Islamic Charter Schools.
Also in Texas you know them as the Harmony School.
I'm not gonna be talking about
what most people talk about to you.
I am more concerned about the Gulen Movement.
And I know there's so much speculation
as to whether or not Mr. Fethullah Gulen
actually is involved with the schools.
My job here today is to let you know without a doubt,
he is involved, it is traced back.
And I'm going to give you some documentation.
If you have my packet it will be in there.
But I'm gonna read a little bit of this to you.
If you have questions afterwards, we'll address those.
This is the documents from the lawsuit
where he was trying to get his green card
to come to America permanently or to stay here.
And it's listed by categories and issues of proof
that he should be allowed to receive the green card.
74 is while in the United States
Mr. Gulen founded the Institute
of Interfaith Dialogue in Houston, Texas.
And by the way, Houston, Texas is ground zero
for the Gulen Movement.
Okay, I'm gonna go real fast now.
While in the United States Mr. Gulen served
as honorary President of Niagara.
While in Turkey, Mr. Gulen founded the Gulen Movement.
Also Mr. Gulen is the founder of the Gulen Movement.
That's number 48, and the principles
of the Gulen Movement are the foundation
for hundreds of schools established
in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Now I'm gonna show you this picture.
And you may recognize these two boys.
These are the Boston bombers.
And one of them is a Gulen student.
Also here you will see the basketball player Enes Kanter.
He stated that "my mother and father, siblings,
"and all of my relatives can be sacrificed on Gulen's way.
"I can give my head and all of my way.
"May God take from my life and give every second of it
"to my brave preacher, Fethullah Gulen."
The purpose of that is to let you know
how strong an impact this movement has on our children.
There's a lot of illegal activities
and in your packet you have those.
I will be glad to address any of them.
And I know my time is up.
So I rely on any questions that you may have.
Chair: Yes, Mr. Allen.
Allen: How you doing?
Thank you for coming.
-: Thank you, I appreciate it.
-: And I will have a chance to review the packet
but I really want to ask about your expectation
of this body.
As we are listening to the presentation
there has to be an expectation.
And so in order to meet that expectation,
I'd like for you to state what that is.
-: Okay, I understand, as in Florida this board, has had a lot
of the responsibilities taken away from you.
A lot of your authority has been moved
to the legislative body or the State
Department of Education or Agency.
However, it's very important that people start
to understand the significance of this movement.
It's gotta come to a head.
And my job is to make sure that I get the word out
to all of the people that have any say-so whatsoever.
What you as a board can do is,
and I don't mean this, don't be offended I'll say,
don't be offended when I say this.
But you can no longer turn the other cheek
and ignore when the infractions take place,
when you know that they're skimming money,
when you know that grades are all
of a sudden a lot better than they should be,
or other things that are taking place.
Now I'm not here to talk about the virtues
of them providing a good education.
I'm here to say that billions, not millions,
billions of dollars from taxpayers are going
to fund the Gulen Movement which is anything but good.
This is a bad man with bad intentions
and it has got to...
Let's face it.
I'll be straight up with all of you.
I didn't come here to mince words.
We have such a drive or we feel like
we have to be politically correct
and a lot of legislators, elected officials,
everyone is afraid to be viewed as racist or Islamaphobic.
This has nothing to do with that.
As far as I'm concerned and my organization,
it is all about stopping something really bad
from happening and our children being the conduit
that they're using.
-: I wanted to assure that within the area
of our evaluation whether the schools are being successful
or whether there is some thing that can be enacted
by this body, we will not turn a deaf ear to doing
what our responsibility tells us to do.
The outgrowth of it whether it's Islamic phobia
what not we may not be the body to give you
any confident heart for those kinds of things.
But I want you to know that we have heard you today.
We've heard others who have mentioned
that we should take a closer look at those things
and we are doing those things.
We don't go politically correct is not the term.
We always just try to do the right thing.
And if we're doing that we will do everything
within our power to make sure our children's
children don't have some undue influences in our schools.
So I want you to feel comfortable in saying
you did talk to the right people in terms
of who we can talk outside of this body
and have conversations with but duly noted,
we did hear exactly what you had to say.
-: And I do appreciate that.
And the purpose of that comment is because
there have been investigations upon investigations
and they somehow never get completed,
and I'm talking about the FBI and all
of the other agencies outside of yours even.
And so it's really important that this time
it makes its way through all the processes
and I have a lot of faith in it getting
to the right people and that's why I came to you guys first.
This is ground zero.
We all know it because of the numbers of schools.
We know it because the number of feeder companies
that they have sprung up.
And this is where it's got to begin ending,
if that makes sense.
Allen: Yes, ma'am.
-: Yes sir.
Chair: Yes, Mr. Cortez.
Are you finished Mr. Allen?
Allen: Yes, I'm finished.
Chair: Mr. Cortez.
-: Obviously we want to listen to anybody
that comes up to give public testimony
but I will tell you it's my understanding
that this agency, not this body, but this agency has already
done an exhaustive investigation, if you would,
and has found no wrong doing.
And I'll just add, just moments ago,
we just recognized a young woman volunteer
who, you know, as recognized as one of our heroes
in the State of Texas.
And so I understand that this organization's
even a finalist in the Broad Urban Prize for Education,
just considered the Nobel Prize of Public Education.
While we hear your concerns, all we can do is go based
on what this agency does and informs us.
And it's my understanding that they've done that
and they have found no wrong doing.
Bev: Can I respond to that?
-: You could, sure.
-: I've read a lot of news articles and a lot of comments
from the agency, and I know it's separate from this board.
And they have said they have very strong concerns
about misappropriation of funds.
I think one of the investigations that was valid
in the Harmony Schools was I think it was $168,000
that had been misappropriated.
There's also many cases where they have contracted
with companies that they own and paid up to $400,000 more
than the next bid which was lower but they chose theirs.
And in one investigation out of 35 major contracts,
only three were given to non-Turkish companies.
And that's not proper, that's not right.
And there's no way that that can be overlooked.
So we've got to start addressing a lot of things
and you commented about all of their accolades.
And you're right, you hear it all over the place.
But most of it is their multi-million dollar PR programs.
And I think most of you know that they hire Karen Hughes
who is used to be with George Bush
and a lot of other really high up people.
So she's a very strong public relations person.
She's been with them for many years.
Her job is to do exactly what you said,
convince you and everyone else
that these schools are the best anywhere.
They get awards but a lot of those awards are given
by organizations related to them.
And I just think we have got to start
addressing the elephant that's in the room.
And that's something we need to think about.
I would like you to tell me if you know
of any other organization that pays one person
half a million dollars to do PR for them.
Chair: Dr. Ellis.
Ellis: Madame Chair, I would just like
to caution the board, and we very much are appreciative
of speakers, this is a time for speakers.
But I want to be cautious of the Open Meetings Act
that allows us only to give factual information
such as what deadlines are, et cetera, and policy reference
and not engage in a discussion for an agenda item
we're not posted for.
Chair: Okay, any other comments?
Thank you so much.
Bev: Thank you.
-: The next item on the agenda
is the approval of Consent Agenda.
If you'll turn to your agenda book
to romanette seven is what I'm trying to say. (laughs)
In your agenda books which lists the consent items.
I'm gonna read each one.
Starting with item number one,
Per Capita Apportionment Rate For the 2017-2018 School Year.
Number two, Ratification of the Purchases
and Sales of the Investment Portfolio
of the Permanent School Fund
for the months of May, June, and July 2017.
Number three, Determination as to Whether Transfers
May be Made from the Permanent School Fund
to the Available School Fund.
Number four, Decision on Real Estate Investments.
Number five, Implementation of SB 1480 Related
to the Bond Guarantee Program and Charter Schools.
Number six, Presentation of Commodities Asset Class
for the Permanent School Fund.
Number seven, Recommendation for Appointments
to the Fort Sam Houston Independent
School District Board of Trustees.
Number eighth, Recommendation for Appointment
to the Randolph Field Independent
School District Board of Trustees.
Yes, Miss Miller.
Miller: (mumbles).
-: Yes, I appreciate that and Miss Miller, we will note that.
That you've been recused from item number four, correct?
So there've been no items added
to the Consent Agenda as well.
In approving the Consent Agenda, we'll be approving
all the items that were mentioned.
Are the numbers clear as to what we're approving
on the Consent Agenda?
If there's no objection, the Consent Agenda is approved.
Hearing none, we've got the Consent Agenda approved.
Okay, I believe Committee of Full Board is with us
and Mr. Rowley has the next item.
-: Members, if you'll refer to the Committee
of the Full Board minutes that was in your box.
We're gonna begin on page two of that document,
action item five.
Approval of Clarification Questions and Answers
for Proclamation 2019 Questions and Answers.
It's recommended that the State Board of Education
approve the two Proclamation 2019 Questions and Answers,
questions and corresponding answers
as presented in Attachment two of the agenda.
-: It's moved the State Board of Education approve the
two Proclamations 2019 Questions and Answers,
questions and corresponding answers
as presented in Attachment two.
Are you ready for the question?
This is a majority vote item.
All those in favor say aye.
Members: Aye.
-: All those oppose say no.
Ayes have it and the two Proclamations 2019
Questions and Answers, questions and corresponding answers,
as presented in Attachment two are adopted.
-: Madame Chair, I think the only other item is
on page four of the Committee of the Full Board minutes.
And that's at the bottom of that page
and carrying over to page five.
And it was recommended that the State Board of Education
request that the Commissioner prepare a study
of current health education research and states standards
and including National Best Practices
that would be used as a guide for the State Board
of Education to begin a review and revision
of the Health Education TEKS.
The Commissioner's recommendations
would include the following:
a framework for what the strands should be
for Kindergarten through Grade 12,
distinctions regarding grade levels and or grade bands
at which health concepts are most appropriately taught,
and a summary of all statutory requirements related
to health education and suggestions regarding the most
appropriate way to integrate
those requirements into the framework.
-: Are you ready for the question?
And this again is another majority vote item.
All those in favor say aye.
Members: Aye.
-: All those oppose say no.
Ayes have it.
And the Commissioner will be requested to prepare the study.
Rowley: Madame Chair, I believe that's all.
-: That's all for the Committee of the Full Board.
Committee on Instruction.
Miss Melton-Malone.
-: Thank you, Madame Chair.
Pardon me.
Our first motion is on the bottom of page one.
On behalf of the Committee of Instruction,
I move that the State Board of Education suspend
the board operating procedures in accordance
with 5.2A to allow consideration at first reading
and filing authorization and to approve for first reading
and filing authorization, proposed repeal of 19 TAC,
Chapter 112, Texas Essential Knowledge And Skills
for Science, Subchapter D, Other Science Courses 112.71,
Principles of Technology, one Physics credit,
and 112.72, Other Courses for Which Students
May Receive Science Credit.
-: It's moved that the State Board of Education
suspend the board operating procedures in accordance
with 5.2A to allow consideration at first reading
and filing authorization and to approve for first reading
and filing authorization, the proposed repeal of 19 TAC,
Chapter 112, Texas Essential Knowledge And Skills
for Science, Subchapter D, Other Science Courses 112.71,
Principles of Technology, one Physics credit,
and 112.72, Other Courses for Which Students
May Receive Science Credit.
Are you ready for the question?
Again, a majority vote is needed.
All votes in favor say aye.
Members: Aye.
-: All those oppose say no.
Ayes have it and the sections are repealed.
-: Madame Chair, our second and final motion is
on page two of your packet.
On behalf of the Committee on Instruction
I move that the State Board of Education suspend
the board operating procedures in accordance
with 5.2A to allow consideration at first reading
and filing authorization and to approve for first reading
and filing authorization, the proposed amendment
to 19 TAC Chapter 130 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
for Career and Technical Education,
Subchapter C, Arts, Audio, Video, Technology,
and Communications 130.121, Extended Practicum
in Fashion Design, two to three credits adopted 2015.
Chair: Are you ready for the question?
Again, this is a majority. Yes, I'm sorry, Mr. Rowley?
-: If we're suspending the board operating rules
on those two items is that a majority vote
or a two-thirds vote?
Woman: I've been told that y'all were doing
this by majority vote.
-: Okay, it's okay with me.
Chair: Our Parliamentarian says it's majority vote.
Woman: That there were no objections.
-: And that there were no objections to those two.
Okay, are you ready for the question on this item?
Again, this is majority vote to adopt this item.
All those in favor say aye.
Members: Aye.
-: All those oppose say no.
Ayes have it, the sections are repealed.
Melton-Malone: That does it
for the Committee of Instruction, Madame Chair.
-: Thank you so much.
I believe the Committee on School Finance
Permanent School Fund is next.
And I believe Mr. Maynard has that responsibility.
-: And a pinch hit for Chairman Bradley who is returning
to continue clean up work in Beaumont.
We do have an action item that requires a two-thirds
vote for it to be enacted.
So pursuant to the committee vote,
I move that the State Board of Education approve
for second reading and final adoption the proposed amendment
to 19 TAC Chapter 105, Foundation School Program,
Subchapter A, Definitions, Rules for the Definition
of Tax Levy and Tax Collection.
Chair: With an effective date.
-: I believe it's an effective date 20 days.
Chair: Effective date of 20 days
after filing as adopted with the Texas Register.
-: Yes, 20 days, yes thank you.
-: Terrific.
Are you ready for the question?
This one is a two-thirds vote being required.
Would you like to at least hear the question again?
Is everybody clear?
Miller: What page in the agenda is it?
-: On the agenda?
3-1, okay.
Are you okay, Mrs. Miller?
You know where we are?
All those in favor please raise your hand.
You may lower your hands.
Those opposed please raise your hands.
Okay, there being two-thirds in the affirmative,
the motion is adopted and the amendments
to the Foundation School Program are adopted.
And I believe that's it.
-: I believe that is.
Just a notation and I think it's the desire
of our committee is that being that
management of the Permanent School Fund is the only
real constitutional duty the State Board has
and so it's always important that the board members
as they go out and meet with the public
to be able to articulate certain things.
Just a couple of notes is that the piece
of the Permanent School Fund
that we are managing is now more than 32 billion.
So that puts our total somewhere
in the neighborhood of about 40 to 41 billion in total.
So when you go out and you talk
about the Permanent School Fund, you can kind of
talk in those terms.
One of the real estate transactions that was approved
on the Consent Agenda was actually a 75 million deal,
and it is commercial properties in Asia and Australia.
And the reason that's important is that
10 years ago really the extent
of the Permanent School Fund was equities
and bonds, no real estate.
But I think it just speaks to the continuing
diversification of the portfolio.
-: Absolutely and I would remind members
that our Permanent School Fund is the largest educational
endowment in the country.
So we passed up Harvard.
-: Madame Chair, I invite staff to make sure
we all have what Mr. Maynard said,
we all have those bullet points because,
and I've complained before,
but the Land Office has 20%, 8 billion, we have 32 billion.
So when they talk about Permanent School Fund,
we are the Permanent School Fund.
We are all fiduciaries of 15.
We have a five person committee.
I've commented before, the Land Office,
I don't believe, has ever attended one
of our meetings before, but the number one largest endowment,
larger than Harvard, the largest educational endowment
in the nation, up at 40 billion now
and I think our payout, Tom, is it 2.1 billion?
Is that right?
-: Somewhere in there.
-: I think since I've been on the board
we're up probably around 10 or 12 billion
in the last 12 years.
That's money that is not taxpayer money.
That's money that we give.
It's just an incredible thing.
If staff could help us all have those bullet points.
Huge things, huge things what we're doing right here.
I know across the street they're not aware of that.
What's done here.
Chair: I think we need to be a little bit better at
-: We definitely need to
communicate it over and over -: Having our hands on
those statistics and making sure people know.
I agree.
Mercer: Mr. Maynard, open up our number one
constitutional authority is that.
Thank you, Madame Chair.
Maynard: Madame Chair, and just a note.
There was a discussion item related to governance,
and we are gonna go ahead and the committee is gonna
pursue that further, further study.
I don't know where that is gonna go.
But there had been some concerns about that
and so that we're go ahead -: The update.
-: And flesh out that study.
And at the end of the day that, at least,
wherever the board decides to go with that
but we will do that with our eyes very wide open
and then understand the full breadth of that issue.
-: Absolutely.
All right, let's move on 'cause I don't really want
to post 'cause this is not on the agenda.
Yes, what was that?
Woman: That that was not a full committee in support.
There was a three to two vote.
-: Yeah, but it's not on our agenda.
So I don't want to get off into topics
that aren't on our agenda.
Okay, Miss Cargill.
-: This is the report on the Committee of School Initiatives
and I'm on page two of your minutes.
In the board book, it's roman numeral 4-79.
It was moved by the committee to recommend
that the State Board of Education approve
for first reading and filing authorization
the proposed amendment to 19 TAC, Chapter 157,
Hearings and Appeals, Subchapter D,
Independent Hearing Examiners, Section 157.41,
Certification Criteria for Independent Hearing Examiners.
Chair: Again, this is a majority vote item.
Would any like to hear the question again
or all we all clear on that item?
All those in favor say aye.
Members: Aye.
-: Those oppose say no.
Ayes have it and the criteria are adopted.
-: Okay, we're on page three of the minutes
and it's board agenda page roman numeral 4-87.
In accordance with TEC, Section 21.042,
I move that the State Board of Education take no action
on the proposed amendment to 19 TAC, Chapter 230,
Professional Educator Preparation and Certification,
Subchapter B, General Certification Requirements,
Section 230.11, General Requirements.
Chair: Again, this is a majority vote item.
Would you like to hear the question again
or is everyone clear?
All those in favor say aye.
Members: Aye.
-: Those oppose say no.
The ayes have it and State Board for Educator
Certification Standards will go into effect
as proposed because we took no action.
-: Then the last one is found on page three of the minutes
as well and agenda page roman numeral 4-95.
In accordance with TEC, Section 21.042,
I move that the State Board of Education take no action
on the proposed amendment to 19 TAC, Chapter 232,
General Certification Provisions, Subchapter A,
Certificate Renewal and Continuing Professional
Education Requirement, Section 232.9,
Inactive Status and Late Renewal.
-: Majority vote again as required to adopt this item.
Would you like to hear the question again
or are you clear?
All those in favor say aye.
Members: Aye.
-: Those oppose say no.
Ayes have it and the State Board of Educators
Certification Standards will go into effect
as proposed because we took no action.
-: Madame Chair, would you like me to give
just a real brief update on the long-range plan?
Chair: No, I think we can talk about that.
Yeah, why don't you give like a--
-: It's super brief.
Chair: Make sure people know about the website
and that sort of thing.
-: So the Steering Committee did meet earlier this week.
It was a great meeting.
There are, I think, 18 of us and we were all there
which is awesome.
We started by discussing the format and style
of other long-range plans and then we heard
from the state demographer, and Debbie does everyone
have a copy of the slideshow?
So you have the slideshow that was copied for you
from the state demographer.
Just a little fun fact, 86% of the total population
of Texas lives east of I35.
Chair: On or east?
-: East.
Chair: Along or east?
-: They live along the I35 corridor or east of it.
So along and east.
Anyway, by the way we had really great
facilitators from AIR.
They were engaging and really kept us on track.
And they will continue to work with the Long-Range Plan
Steering Committee which is great.
Then we focused on identifying other topics.
And we're trying to narrow it down to four
which is very difficult as you know
because there's so many issues in education.
But once we get the four top items determined,
then we're going to take a deeper dive
and so that will be on November 6 and it will be
at the, I don't know where it is, the AIR Office.
If you're interested in coming,
that's right before the next board meeting.
-: We will get, yeah, they've sent it out.
It's on Research Boulevard.
Woman: It's on Mueller at the airport.
-: Oh, is that where it is?
Woman: But we aren't supposed to be there.
-: No, no.
Cargill: It's a public meeting.
-: Yeah, that's why we're doing it with the board meetings.
No, no, you can always come.
Cargill: It's a public meeting.
We have quite a few members of the public.
-: No, you want folks to be in the audience, it's fine.
Woman: Okay, I thought we were doing it in private.
Cargill: No, it's public.
Anyway, thank you.
-: Yeah, absolutely.
Thank you so much.
Members, I just wanted to make sure as is our custom
to go around and catch up on each other's personal lives.
Let's stay away from any agenda items.
But if we want to kind of check in
about celebrations and awards and I don't know, births,
or whatever we got going on here. (laughs)
I think we have something from Miss Perez-Diaz.
(laughing)
Just as a hint?
-: I am happy to announce that I have a beautiful,
healthy, thank God, nine week old baby boy.
And some of you all got to meet him.
He's wonderful and my daughter's in love like we are.
Thank you, and thank you for all the prayers,
blessings, and congratulations.
-: He is a gorgeous child, absolutely gorgeous.
Not a surprise but absolutely gorgeous child.
Man: As his uncle (mumbles).
(laughing)
-: That's right, that's right.
Woman: Having a party all night.
-: That's right.
Any other personal awards or things we need to know about
or personal fun things that are happening.
Yes, Miss Hardy?
-: After 47 years in education
I didn't start school in September of this year
or August of this year.
Chair: How was that Miss Hardy?
-: I retired. It didn't bother me at all.
(laughing)
I don't know, everyone said oh it's gonna be, nah.
(laughs) Just move on.
-: Yes, Mr. Carson.
-: I just wanna, I've forgotten Jennifer,
this is your last time with us, is that true?
So I wanted to thank you for all you've done for us, too.
Woman: Thank you.
(applauding)
-: And as we said and we celebrated last night
with our dinner for Renee, our long time
and very patient person working with us
for many, many years in State Board Support Office,
retired August 31st, and then Kirk Overbey,
our long time Parliamentarian, did the same thing.
So we got to celebrate both of them last night.
That was a real joy for all of us.
I think we thoroughly enjoyed hugging them
and thanking them very much for their many years of service.
We appreciate them so much
and send our love out to them today.
Yes, Miss Perez-Diaz.
-: I meant to ask this question earlier,
So I hope I'm not out of turn.
But I just wanted to know have we already
gotten assignments for the presenters
for the event that we're gonna be hosting
in January during TASA/TASB?
-: Not yet.
Thank you for bringing that up.
Actually, I forgot.
Just to update.
We are gonna have the Teacher Roundtable,
that's our next roundtable.
The idea is to have that on January 31st.
Thank you for reminding me to update everybody.
January 31st which is gonna be unusual
'cause we usually have it on Monday to kick off the week.
But this time we're gonna do it,
because of the Midwinter Conference,
TASA has generously invited us to come over
and be a part of that on January 31st.
So as they're ending their conference,
we think it will increase our attendance
at the round table where we're going
to focus on teacher areas.
So we're just now finishing up.
I wish we were further along on that than we have been,
but I've been meeting all week with the head of SBEC
because we're doing this in joint with them
as well as talking with (mumbles)
as we've been trading phone calls back and forth
as well for the Higher Ed Coordinating Board.
Working with the staffs and trying to get that,
should get that to you pretty soon
as to the proposed proposal.
But it'll be January 31st and that'll be the day.
So it'll be the Wednesday instead of the Monday
like we usually do it.
Yes, Mr. Maynard.
Did you have an announcement of some sort?
Maynard: I do have announcement that my wife
and I got a raise recently.
-: What was that?
-: Yeah, so my daughter finished her Master's program
at Tarleton State, and she's on somebody else's payroll.
Chair: Good for her.
(laughing)
That's always a big day.
-: It is a big day and she is a teacher
at Levelland ISD in Mr. Rowley's district.
Rowley: Good thing.
(laughing)
-: Thank you very much.
Well, that'll help your declining population, Mr. Rowley.
(laughing)
Just a little sword point. (laughs)
I'm sorry, Mr. Rowley.
I couldn't resist that one.
Woman: How can you consolidate yourself with one city?
(laughing)
Man: One big school district.
Chair: Oh goodness.
That was in reference to our demographer
who talked about where the populations are growing
and not growing so much.
For those listening in.
Yes, Miss Perez.
-: So as everybody knows, and I think that the two people
in this room who would tell you how very much
the enumerable number of email that I send asking
for information to be written in Spanish.
Our Associate Commissioner, Monica,
and Ms. Ramos will tell you they get an extensive amount
of information or emails from me
because I'm constantly asking for things in Spanish
that now Monica just announces them
at the beginning when she's speaking.
That yes, and she puts her hand up, yes they're in Spanish
so I don't ask questions any more.
So I would like to take this opportunity
to thank and to acknowledge the efforts
and the hard work of the agency for,
and here's the announcement,
they put together a Spanish language support team.
So in addition to the stuff that this
board has accomplished,
they also have a team, under the direction
of Deputy Commissioner Dr. Penny Schwinn,
who will be helping with materials and websites.
And we all know that one of the most vital factors
in our students' success is parent participation.
And when our parents understand because they have
information written in their language,
then they can fully participate.
In Spanish, there's a saying,
(speaks in Spanish)
and that means "a person who is bilingual
"is worth twice as much."
(laughing)
Our students are in a world that gets smaller
every day thanks to technology.
And our students, it is vital to them to be able
to participate in the global economy.
Language proficiency in more than one language is a huge
step in giving our students the tools
for success in the future and I appreciate the forward
thinking of this body and of the agency.
The irony that this comes on the first day
of Latino Heritage Month is not lost on any of us.
(speaks in Spanish)
Chair: Thank you so much, appreciate that recognition.
Miss Hardy.
-: I would just like to say I absolutely adored the dance
group that was here today.
They were just precious.
But I wanted to point out to you guys
there is a movie called The Red Hot Ballroom,
and you can get it on Netflix
or anything like that, it is one of the most moving
movies you can ever see.
It takes place with real students
when they did the Red Hot Ballroom in New York City
and how they got this whole thing started.
And it is an inspiration because you could
actually get this going in your own ISDs.
Fort Worth ISD has the dance teams.
They start 'em in the fifth grade
and it's a real, real neat program.
So just to tell you about that.
And the other thing is I have failed to tell you
that Pranay, the young man that won
the National Geography Bee, is already published
two books on how to teach kids to win the geography bee.
And you can go on Amazon and I meant to show you--
Chair: How old is he?
-: Well, he's a ninth grader, ninth grader in high school.
Chair: That is unbelievable.
-: He has written, I'm so sorry I forgot
to show the group these books.
They're fantastic.
But he said why does someone have to,
he said he had to find all this stuff himself
so he's pulled this together to help kids
so they can also develop the love of geography.
Chair: Very impressive.
-: I'll get it out on the librarian websites
so that people can start ordering
that for their local school libraries and so forth.
But I just wanted to point that out to you.
-: I sent you some pictures.
You need to put that on there that refer to these books.
So any other personal updates?
Members, enjoyed the meeting.
This was one of our lightest loads
or at least this is the lightest load
we've carried since I've been chair.
That's for sure.
And I appreciate all your work this week
and look forward to getting together in November.
-: Donna, I have to say it's probably the lightest
load we've ever had.
(laughing)
-: It was pretty light.
Good way to introduce our new Parliamentarian.
Meeting is adjourned.