September 2, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting

I. Regular Board Meeting Called to Order.

II. Moment of Silence.

III. Pledge of Allegiance(s).

IV. Roll Call:

V. Recommend approving the agenda of the Regular Board Meeting of Tuesday, September 2, 2025, with any corrections/deletions.

VI. Superintendent's Report:  * SB1566

VI.A. Conference Presentations:

VI.A.1. Honoring Lifelong Service: 50+ Years of Excellence in Education.

VI.A.2. Recognition of the outstanding achievement of the West Brownsville Girl's Little League Team, all students of BISD. (Board Agenda Request - Neida Ruth Grantland/Board Support Daniella Lopez Valdez)

VI.A.3. Recognition – Every Day Matters Campaign and Optional Flexible School Day Program.

VI.A.4. Open Public Hearing: 2025-2026 Proposed Tax Rate.

VI.A.5. Presentation of 2025-2026 Proposed Tax Rate.

VI.A.6. Close Public Hearing: 2025-2026 Proposed Tax Rate.

VI.A.7. Presentation of the 2024 and 2025 Preliminary A-F Accountability Ratings.

VI.A.8. Brownsville Independent School District Financial Report for the period ended August 31, 2025.

VIII. Recommend approving the Consent Agenda. The Board has agreed to discuss the following items. All of the items below that are not called out will be approved by consent. 

                                              (All presentations limited to five (5) minutes)

IX. Consent Agenda:

IX.A. Recommend approval of the following General Function Item(s):

IX.A.1. Recommend approval of Resolution #017/25-26 for the adoption of the 2025-2026 Proposed Tax Rate. Recommend adopting a tax rate of no more than $0.83146 per $100.00 valuation with a Maintenance and Operations tax rate of $0.78690 and a Debt Service tax rate of $0.04456. The 2024-2025 total tax rate was $1.028664.

IX.A.2. Recommended approval to reconsider the consultant services agreement with Liberty Source / Harris Education Solutions for the 2025–2026 school year to support the District for a total cost of $102,500.00.  The hands-on campus training will save valuable planning time, strengthen student support, and is allowable under Title II, Part A professional development, as it supports evidence-based activities designed to improve teacher effectiveness and student academic achievement.  *

IX.A.3. Recommend approval to reschedule the Regular Board Meetings as follows: change the meeting from November 4, 2025, to November 5, 2025; December 2, 2025, to December 16, 2025; and the meeting from January 6, 2026, to January 13, 2026. These adjustments are necessary due to Election day and scheduled holidays.

IX.A.4. Recommend approval of the Annual Review Statement of Investment Policy and Strategies in accordance with the Public Funds Investment Act, Texas Government Code, Section 2256.005(e).

IX.A.5. Recommend approval to submit proposed BISD TIA designations for the 2024-2025 data capture year and pay the TIA reimbursable designation fee, not to exceed the amount of $500,500.00, to the Texas Education Agency. 

IX.A.6. Recommend approval to pay for the BISD TIA Consortium fee of $6,500.00 to Region One Education Service Center of Edinburg, Texas. Categorical Fund: 167 – Teacher Incentive Allotment $6,500.00.

IX.A.7. Recommend approval of the Practice Plan for Brownsville ISD to provide beneficial implementation for the athletics department and create a smoother process for organizations to borrow the District’s facilities for athletic events. At no cost to the District. 

IX.A.8. Recommend approval to contract with Dr. ET & Company to deliver Social Emotional Learning services for the 2025-2026 school year at the cost of $70,400.00 for District Campuses. *

IX.A.9. Recommended approval to contract consultant services with Region One to support District-wide initiatives and practices that include priority campus support for elementary educational staff based on District needs and funding in the amount of $264,000.00. *

IX.A.10. Recommend approval to adopt (Second Reading) TASB Update 124 Local Policies; TASB Update 125 Local Policies; CQ Local; DEC Local; and EIA Local. A Policy Committee Meeting was held on August 21, 2025.

IX.A.11. Recommend approval of the proposed changes, discussed and recommended by the Employee Benefits Committee, to the Medical Health Plan and Pharmaceutical Benefits for the 2026 calendar year. The proposed changes are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the District’s self-funded health plan, while continuing to provide comprehensive and competitive benefits to employees. Adjustments address projected shortfalls, align with industry best practices, and maintain a balance between fiscal responsibility and employee well-being.

IX.A.12. Recommend approval to proceed with the procurement and acquisition process for the Sams Stadium press box renovations, network upgrades, and facility enhancements, with an estimated project cost of $600,000.00 - $750,000.00 to be funded from local funds. 

IX.A.13. Recommend approval to contract Region One to support initiatives and practices that include elementary educational staff based on District needs and funding.  *

IX.A.14. Recommend approval to hire Region One Education Service Center to serve as the Vetted Improvement Provider for the LASO Instructional Leadership Grant services for District and campus leadership at Brite Elementary, Canales Elementary, and Del Castillo-Morningside Elementary through September 30, 2026, based on the needs of the District and grant requirements. *

IX.A.15. Recommend approval to authorize FNS to engage a qualified subject matter expert consultant to conduct a warehouse efficiency study that will streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve service, in accordance with TDA non-duplicative cost guidelines in the amount not to exceed $37,000.00.

IX.B. Recommend approval of the following Payment(s):

IX.B.1. Recommend approval of payments for construction services and/or engineering services throughout the District in the total amount of $290,476.40.

IX.C. Recommend approval of the following Contract(s)/Agreement(s):

IX.C.1. Recommend approval to reconsider the Subscription Agreement between Ellevation Education and Brownsville Independent School District for Compliance platform in the amount of $156,444.75 for the 2025-2026 school year to alleviate the use of much paperwork and time for the LPAC members, administrators, and classroom teachers.  The use of this system will also ensure TEA and Federal compliance, safekeeping of student demographic information, auditable documents, and performance data, and streamline the Initial, Mid-Year, and End-of-Year LPAC process *

IX.C.2. Recommend approval of the Sunrise Mall License Agreement between BISD and Sunrise Mall to provide students the opportunity of performing at Sunrise Mall for the amount of $17.00 yearly. Categorical Funds: 199 for $17.00. 

IX.C.3. Recommend approval to enter into an agreement with Workforce Solutions Cameron for the implementation and provision of a Workforce Readiness Outreach Specialists Program.  At no cost to the District. *

IX.C.4. Recommend approval to enter into a MOU between BISD CTE Department and CVS Health for the 2025-2026 school year. CVS Health will provide a Pharmacy Technician practicum training site to support the goal of equipping our students with the necessary skills to earn a nationally recognized industry certification, at no cost to the District. *

IX.C.5. Recommend approval to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the Brownsville Independent School District and Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Program under the coordination of Region One ESC to provide services for qualifying infants, toddlers, and their families for the 2025-2026 school year. At no cost to the District.  *

IX.C.6. Recommend approval to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between Brownsville Independent School District and BCFS Health and Human Services from year to year. No cost to the District.  *

IX.C.7. Recommend approval to renew the Memorandum of Understanding between Brownsville ISD and United Migrant Opportunity Services Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (UMOS) from August 2025 through May 2028. The purpose of this preschool program is to provide services to children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age and their families. At no cost to the District. *

IX.C.8. Recommend approval of the Memorandum of Understanding between BISD and the Oliver Foundation to support the One District, One Community, One Seed vegetable gardening initiative. Participating schools are Breeden, Brite, Burns, Canales, Champion, Garza at Southmost, Gonzalez, Hudson, Keller, Ortiz, Paredes, Pullam, Putegnat, Russell, Sharp, Vermillion, Villa Nueva, and Yturria Elementary Schools. The term of this MOU shall be made effective August 11, 2025 through May 28, 2026 and includes a grant award of up to $5,000.00 to be used for the purchase of supplies to implement and maintain school vegetable gardens. *

IX.D. Recommend approval of the following Bid(s)/Proposal(s)/Purchase(s):

IX.D.1. Recommend approval of CSP #26-004 Cybersecurity Services District-Wide (Cybersecurity Pilot Program) to Insight Public Sector, of 2701 E. Insight Way, Chandler AZ 85286 (Three Year Contract).

X. Board Member Request(s)

X.A. Conference Presentation(s):

X.A.1. Discussion and presentation on the BISD A-F Overall Ratings and Overall Scores Comparison Report: 2024-2025. (Board Agenda Request Frank Ortiz/Board Support Carlos Elizondo)

X.B. Action Item(s)

X.B.1. Discussion and possible action to approve the renegotiated one-year contract for Board Counsel with O'Hanlon Demerath & Castillo (Board Agenda Request Daniella Lopez Valdez/Board Support Denise Garza)

X.B.2. Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding BISD Chess Tournaments; games, awards and tournament procedures. (Board Agenda Request Minerva Pena/Board Support Carlos Elizondo)

X.B.3. Discussion, consideration, and possible action to request RFQ for Board Attorney. (Board Agenda Request Carlos Elizondo/Board Support Neida Ruth Grantland)

XI. CLOSED MEETING:  as pursuant to the Texas Government Code Sections: 551.071, 551.072, 551.074, 551.082, and 551.084.

XI.A. LEVEL III GRIEVANCE(S):

XI.A.1. Discussion and consideration regarding Level III Grievance No.003/25-26 on B.E.G.

XI.B. INTRUDER DETECTION AUDIT:

XI.B.1. Submission of a Good Cause Exception request. This action reflects the district’s commitment to continuous improvement in campus safety while acknowledging the current limitations that necessitate this request. 

XI.C. PERSONNEL MATTER(S):

XI.C.1. Presentation, acceptance and approval of Retirements. (3)

XI.C.2. Presentation, acceptance and approval of Resignations. (9)

XI.C.3. Personnel Update with Superintendent (Dr. Jesus H. Chavez)

XI.C.4. Chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2025-2026 school year(s)- Specialist, Bilingual/ ESL. Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation.

XI.C.5. Chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2025-2026 school year(s)- Assistant Choir Director. Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation.(2)

XI.C.6. Chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2025-2026 school year(s)- Assistant Principal. Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation. (2)

XI.C.7. Chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2025-2026 school year(s)- Nurse. Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation.

XI.C.8. Chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2025-2026 school year(s)- Visual Arts Advisor. Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation.

XI.C.9. Non-Chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2025-2026 school year(s)- Assistant Director, FNS. Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation.

XI.C.10. Non-Chapter 21 contractual personnel for the 2025-2026 school year(s) - Chief of Police & Security Services. Subject to receipt of all outstanding documentation

XI.C.11. Qualified administrators as Texas Teacher Evaluation Support System(T-TESS) Appraisers for the 2025-2026 Fiscal School Year.

XI.C.12. Compensation for professional employee (B.M.) on interim assignment to be commensurate with the Middle School Principal salary.

XI.C.13. Compensation for professional employee (H.Z.) on interim assignment to be commensurate with the Middle School Assistant Principal salary.

XI.C.14. Campus Professional Employee (G.R.) for a change in salary for the 2025-2026 Fiscal School Year.

XI.C.15. Campus Professional Employee (M.R.) for change in days and salary for the 2025-2026 Fiscal School Year.

XI.D. ATTORNEY CONSULTATION

XI.D.1. Staff Attorney

XI.D.1.a. Discussion and consideration regarding Cause No. 2023-DCL-00955-I; Gary Danielson vs. Brownsville Independent School District.

XI.D.1.b. Discussion and consideration regarding Cause No. 2019-CL-06158-E; Jasmin Leal vs. Brownsville Independent School District.

XI.D.2. Board Attorney:

XI.D.2.a. Legal Update with Board Counsel.

XI.E. INTERNAL AUDITOR CONSULTATION

XI.E.1. Consultation with Director of Internal Audit.

XI.F. BOARD SELF-EVALUATION.

XI.F.1. Board Self-Evaluation.

XII. BOARD RECONVENES - Board action on agenda items discussed in Executive Session.

XII.A. Level III Grievance(s): XI. A. 1

XII.B. Intruder Detection Audit: XI. B. 1

XII.C. Personnel Matters: XI. C. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15

XII.D. Attorney Consultation: XI. D.1a, 1b and 2a

XII.E. Internal Auditor: XI. E. 1

XII.F. Board Self-Evaluation: XI. F. 1

XIII. Announcement(s):

XIV. Adjournment.