-: I'm gonna be very quick here.
This is the Azle High School in Azle, Texas, Jazz Band.
And we're so glad to have you here this morning
so I'm gonna turn it over to you.
Band Director: Fantastic, thank you so much.
Y'all are ready?
Teen: Ready when you are. Teen: Yeah.
-: One, two, a one, two,
three, and (clapping).
("In the Mood" by Glenn Miller)
Ethan Cross.
Ethan Cross on saxophone.
Morgan Stacey on the saxophone.
(audience clapping)
Thank you.
Alright, Ladies and Gentlemen, that first tune
of course, was 'In the Mood' featured Pierce Loeffelholz,
Ethan Cross, and Morgan Stacey on the trumpet.
And our next tune we're gonna do
is 'Straighten Up and Fly Right.'
It's a vocal.
It's gonna feature our very talented singer,
Mr. Alex Heath.
(audience clapping)
(Director mumbling)
-: Yeah.
Band Director: (Director fingers snapping)
A one, two, a one, two, three, four.
("Straighten Up and Fly Right" by Natalie Cole")
♪ A buzzard took a monkey for a ride in the air ♪
♪ The monkey thought that everything was on the square ♪
♪ The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off of his back ♪
♪ But the monkey grabbed his neck ♪
♪ and said, now, listen Jack ♪
♪ Straighten up and fly right ♪
♪ Straighten up and stay right ♪
♪ Straighten up and fly right ♪
♪ Cool down papa, don't you blow your top ♪
♪ Ain't no use in divin' ♪
♪ What's the good in jivin' ♪
♪ Straighten up and fly right ♪
♪ Cool down papa, don't you blow your top ♪
♪ Monkey you are choking me ♪
♪ Release your hold and I will go set you free ♪
♪ Monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said ♪
♪ Your story's so touching, but it sounds just like a lie ♪
♪ Straighten up and fly right ♪
♪ Straighten up and stay right ♪
♪ Straighten up and fly right ♪
♪ Cool down papa, don't you blow your top ♪
Ethan Cross on the Tenor Sax.
♪ Straighten up and fly right ♪
♪ Straighten up and stay right ♪
♪ Straighten up and fly right ♪
♪ Cool down papa, don't you blow your top ♪
♪ Ain't no use in divin' ♪
♪ What's the good in jivin' ♪
♪ Straighten up and fly right ♪
♪ Cool down papa, don't you blow your top ♪
♪ Ah, fly right. ♪
(Audience clapping)
-: Alright, we're gonna do another vocal for you real quick.
And it's 'Cry Me a River,'
and it's gonna feature,
it's gonna feature our very talented
female vocalist Ms. Tori McManamy.
(audience clapping)
So put this down to our height though.
-: Yep.
Band Director: (mumbling) Ready?
Teen: Yeah.
Band Director: (Director snapping fingers)
One, two, three, four.
("Cry Me a River" by Ella Fitzgerald)
♪ Now you say you're lonely ♪
♪ You cried the long night through ♪
♪ Well you can cry me a river, cry me a river ♪
♪ I cried a river over you ♪
♪ Now you say you're sorry ♪
♪ For being so untrue ♪
♪ Well, you can cry me a river, cry me a river ♪
♪ I cried river over you ♪
♪ You drove me, nearly out of my head ♪
♪ While you never shed a tear babe ♪
♪ Remember, I remember, all that you said ♪
♪ You told me love was too plebeian ♪
♪ Told me you were through with me and ♪
♪ Now you'll say you love me ♪
♪ Well just to prove you do ♪
♪ Why don't you cry me a river, cry me a river ♪
♪ I cried a river over you ♪
♪ You said you loved me, but you lied ♪
♪ And now you say you love me ♪
♪ Well just to prove you do ♪
♪ Why don't you cry me a river, cry me a river ♪
♪ I cried a river over you ♪
♪ Cry me a river ♪
(audience clapping)
(audio cutting out)
-: For the honor.
(audience clapping)
I'll tell you, these guys are certainly the best kids
in the school.
I truly believe that.
Again thank you so much for having us out.
Thank you Tanya Anderson and Randy Cobb
for all the support of our program.
And the last tune is "25 or 6 to 4."
-: Do we do that three times through in solo section?
Band Director: Three times on the solo.
Yes, three times through.
Once, are you first?
Second. -: Third.
-: Third and on that note play.
(fingers snapping)
A one, two.
("25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago)
(audience clapping)
Band Director: Guys, come on stand up (mumbling).
Stand up guys.
Thank you very much.
(audience clapping)
Patricia: I have to say we are equally honored
to have you guys here and also,
I think we can get through our work a lot quicker today,
because we have been energized.
Band Director: Thank you so much.
-: I tell you something that's kind of funny.
I never heard that song 'Straighten Up and Fly Right.'
That's what my father told me all my life.
(audience laughing)
So, and he would have been of that era.
So y'all were fantastic.
When I first talked to Randy.
Where's Randy?
Randy: Right here?
-: Randy Cobbs, Principal.
Stand up wherever you are.
I can't see you.
And Tanya, where's Tanya?
Superintendent.
When I first said to Randy,
well do you have a program that'd you like to,
he said oh man, we have so many good ones.
And you didn't disappoint at all.
This is a fantastic group and so we really appreciate that.
The other thing is, is for all the people in the audience,
we just love to see what's going on in our public schools
and we are not disappointed.
So thank you so much for coming.
Are y'all gonna get to see the Bob Bullock and the Capital,
and all that stuff today?
Band Director: We are going to try and get away
and as soon as we can, we can go over there
and visit all that stuff.
-: I wish I could go with ya.
Band Director: Come on.
(audience laughing)
-: [Band Director and Teens] We got room on the bus.
-: Okay, thanks again though, appreciate it.
(audience clapping)
-: We're gonna take just a ten minute break just to get them,
make sure they can carry everything out and get all
reorganized for our other presentations.
We got several today.
Continue with our meeting.
But first we're gonna have our invocation.
And I believe Ms. Perez is in charge of that.
-: Thank you.
Good morning.
(speaking Spansih) Muy buenas dias.
Thank you all for being here with us.
Heavenly Creator, we in this session today thank you,
thankful for your many blessings in our lives,
we know that you have a plan.
A plan that we may not always understand.
A plan that we may not always like.
But a plan that we know is best for us.
We thank you, Lord, for the fellowship of our colleagues
and the professionals we work with,
the communities we represent,
and the people that have taken time out of their lives
to provide us with input this week Lord.
Your guidance is always there if we listen hard enough.
We ask you as we end this session that you send us
back home safely rejuvenated in our faith
and the work you have called upon us to perform.
Just as you called your disciples to service.
In your Holy name we all say, Amen.
-: [Audience Members] Amen.
Donna: Pledge of Allegiance.
-: Yes ma'am.
If you would join me in the US Pledge.
-: [Audience and Board Members] 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.
Ms. Perez: The Texas Pledge.
-: [Audience and Board Members] Honor the Texas Flag
I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas,
one state under God
one and indivisible.
Donna: Roll Call.
-: I'm gonna borrow your mic since it's working.
Georgina: Mm-hmm.
Mr. Allen?
Lawrence: Present.
-: Mrs. Cargill?
Barbara: Here.
-: Mr. Cortez?
Ruben: Here.
-: Ms. Davis?
Aicha: Here.
-: Dr. Ellis?
Keven: Here.
-: Ms. Hardy?
Patricia: Here.
-: Mrs. Little?
Pam: Here.
-: Mr. Maynard.
Tom: Here.
-: Mrs. Melton-Malone?
Sue: Here.
-: Mr. Mercer?
Ken: Present
-: Ms. Perez?
Georgina: Here.
-: Ms. Perez-Diaz?
Marisa: Present.
-: Dr. Robinson?
Matt: Here.
-: Mr. Rowley?
Marty: Here.
-: Chair Bahorich?
Donna: Here.
-: Members, I just wanted to make sure that there were no
adjustments that needed to be made for the minutes
from our November meeting.
Hearing none.
Minutes are approved as submitted to us.
And now we have a bunch of terrific resolutions today
and proclamations, presentations, so I believe Ms. Perez,
you are on.
-: Thank you.
Our first resolution is
for Employers for Education Excellence.
So I will ask for the BLGY Architecture firm's President,
Mr. Benny Hawkins, to please join us.
You're gonna go--
Donna: It's kind of hard to get in at the circle,
but we're gonna invite you in. (laughing)
-: Stretch my legs.
Yeah, that's a little bit more challenging
than it looks there, okay.
-: Thank you.
Whereas parents and employers play a key role
in supporting public schools,
and whereas mentoring children can have
a lifelong impact on students' lives,
and whereas the Texas Legislature recognized
this important school-parent business partnership
when it created the Employers for Education Excellence
Award in 2007,
and whereas BLGY Architecture of Austin met
and exceeded the requirements to be recognized
at the highest level for this award,
and whereas about 30% of the firm's employees participate
in mentoring and other school-related volunteer activities
in the Round Rock and Austin school districts
and works with the Austin Community College,
and whereas the firm has developed workshops
that teach students about topics such as
collaboration, punctuality, and respect,
and whereas BLGY participated in a ground-breaking pilot
project that taught students green building principles,
and whereas the firm has hosted networking opportunities
for students and offered externships for teachers,
now, therefore, be it resolved that
the State Board of Education urges Texas businesses
to look upon BLGY Architecture and it's President,
Mr. Benny Hawkins as role models for civic engagement.
And be it further resolved that the State Board of Education
today awards BLGY Architecture the Gold
Employers for Education Excellence award
for its generous and continuing support
of Central Texas students and teachers.
Witness our signatures this first day
of February, 2019 in Austin, Texas.
Chair Mrs. Donna Bahorich.
Secretary Georgina Perez.
Thank you.
(Audience clapping)
-: Of the best and can everyone hear me okay?
Donna: No not yet.
-: There you go.
-: Okay, how's that?
Woman: Good. Man: Better.
-: Well certainly I would like to first of all thank you
so much for all this recognition, and I'll like
to make you aware of some other folks
who have certainly made this possible.
And since my wife and I have been married
for a half century, I'd better recognize her for having me
away from home working with students.
So my wife, Beatrice Hawkins, would you please stand?
(audience clapping)
I have two wonderful partners who work very hard
and put themselves right at ground level zero with students.
We have Ms. Lakshiminaryan, my partner.
And my other partner, Mark Brown.
The three of us own the firm.
And we personally participate in the activities.
We don't just give it to our staff.
I would just like to say that part of the drive
that we have for this is because we actually know
that teachers care an awful lot.
We almost have to run 'em out the door when they come
and stay with us.
The students the same way.
But they love what we do on campus, off campus.
We know we need to help because we've already proven
by a prior award received from the organization
Recognize Good that it's the ethical thing to do
to give money back to the community
that enables you to make a living.
And two years ago, we received that award,
so we kind have to live up to that too.
But we didn't know the award even existed
for about 10 years just as we didn't know
this award existed.
So what we've done, we've actually stumbled
in to these awards.
We happen to know that the,
I guess, the cornerstones of our society,
education and equal opportunity.
And the part about education, we want to do our share.
I've been blessed to come from an origin
of a segregated school that couldn't cross town
to a half decade later, be spending time and money
to the other side of town.
And the 18 years of education from K-12 to higher ed,
combined with equal opportunity where the firm I'm with,
where I've been for 30 years has been gracious enough
to let me come in and grow, and learn, and prosper,
so I can share those returns
that is the epitome of our society,
education and equal opportunity.
Thank you for providing the incentive for firms
to receive this recognition.
Yes, everyone needs a little love sometimes
(audience laughing) and we appreciate
this plaque in addition to this love.
And so my wife is gonna say, now shut up,
you've said enough.
(audience laughing)
So with that, I will just hug this and cherish it
and thank you again for having us with you today.
(audience clapping)
-: May I get that?
-: Yes.
-: Okay.
-: Thank you sir.
(audience clapping)
-: Members, all those in favor of the resolution
recognizing Employers for Education Excellence Award,
say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
-: Thank you members.
Alright another resolution.
-: Our next resolution,
our next resolution is recognizing our
Math and Science teachers.
The Presidential Awards for Excellence
in Math and Science Teaching.
I call Ms. Ellaree Lehman.
Her SBOE representative is Ms. Pat Hardy.
(audience clapping and cheering)
Ms. Angelica Nino.
Her representative is Mrs. Marisa Perez-Diaz.
Ms. Krista Paulus.
Her representative is Mr. Lawrence Allen Jr.
Ms. Allison Bearden.
Her representative is Mrs. Donna Bahorich.
Ms. Celene Rosen.
Her representative is Mrs. Pam Little.
Brenda Williams.
Her representative is Mrs. Sue Melton-Malone.
Whereas the Presidential Awards for
Excellence in Mathematics and Science
teaching program identifies outstanding mathematics
and science teachers in each state
and the four U.S. jurisdictions.
And whereas through state selection committees,
three mathematics finalists and three science finalists
were selected as Texas finalists.
Whereas three teachers have become candidates for
the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics
and Science Teaching.
Now therefore it be resolved that
the State Board of Education does hereby extend its
congratulations to Ellaree Lehman, of R.E. Good Elementary
IB World School, Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent
School District, Carrollton, Texas.
Angelica Nino, De Zavala Elementary School.
In the San Antonio Independent School District,
San Antonio, Texas.
(audience clapping)
Kirsta Paulus, of Genoa Elementary School
in the Pasadena Independent School District, Houston, Texas.
(audience cheering and clapping)
For being named State Finalists in the Mathematics
category for the 2018 Presidential Award.
And be it further resolved that the State Board of Education
does hereby extend its congratulations
to Ms. Allison Bearden of Oakcrest Intermediate School,
Tomball Independent School District, Cypress, Texas,
Celene Rosen of Barksdale Elementary School,
Plano Independent School District, Plano, Texas.
Ms. Brenda Williams of the Argyle Intermediate School
of the Argyle Independent School District, Argyle, Texas
for being named State Finalists in the Science category
for the 2018 Presidential Awards.
And be it further resolved that this resolution be presented
to the aforementioned teachers for being identified
as state and national finalists
for the 2018 Presidential Awards for Excellence
in Mathematics and Science Teaching Program.
And that a copy be included in the permanent records
of the State Board of Education.
Witness our signatures this first day of February, 2019
in Austin, Texas.
Chair Mrs. Donna Bahorich.
Secretary Georgina Perez.
Thank you.
(audience clapping)
-: All those in favor of the resolution recognizing
the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics
and Science Teaching, say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
-: Congratulations to all of our recipients.
That's, what a service you provide for our children.
Next resolution I believe in this case is Mr. Tom Maynard.
-: Madame Chairman, the time has come for the reveal
of the winning Permanent School Fund.
Not quite yet, but when the time has come.
The winning Permanent School Fund logo, and recognize
both of the students who emerged as the top two entrants
in our competition.
Now we began this journey earlier this year in an effort
to cultivate greater brand awareness
for Permanent School Fund.
The Permanent School Fund is the nations largest
educational endowment in it's history of its development
is a story replete with stories of vision
and passion encouraged as those who established
this remarkable legacy for young Texans battled,
and fought to establish the foundations of what we now enjoy
with the Permanent School Fund.
And there are also tales of financial, political,
and judicial intrigue at the highest levels in places
like the White House and the Supreme Court.
It is quite a story.
And it is quite a legacy.
Yet, very few Texans know very much
about the Permanent School Fund.
One impediment to this brand awareness is the fact
that Permanent School Fund really
didn't have it's own identity.
It didn't have it's own brand.
It didn't have, and so when we would share things
on social media, people weren't exactly sure what that was.
And so we set about to remedy the situation,
and while we could've solicited the services
of professional graphic artists,
and there are plenty of those,
instead we looked to the students of Texas
and launched the Brand the Fund Student Art Competition.
And in doing so, we would just wanted to,
also we'd be remiss if we did not recognize
the efforts of the Texas Art Educators Association,
Sarah Chapman is here.
Also the Texas Career and Technical Association,
the Texas Industrial Vocational Association,
those are the CTE folks that do graphic design,
our region service centers and each of the members
of the State Board of Education who promoted that,
who made phone calls, who sent out emails,
thank you for that.
In the end, we had 521 entries that came in
from the state of,
across the state of Texas.
I know this board appointed Laurie Wieghat
as our facilitating graphic artist, and her husband, Tyler,
who is a computer programmer,
designed an online platform to allow the committee
to sift and sort through, view each of those entries,
and to cast their votes.
We also need to recognize Catherine Civiletto
of the PSF staff.
Ms. Molly Branch who is also a graphic artist.
Sarah Tucker, Lisa Gouveia with TEA communications,
and other graphic artists who were on the committee,
who vetted all these out, and then sifted through them.
Also we wanna recognize the Texas Leadership Center.
We asked each of the members of the State Board of Education
to chip in to create a cash award.
These, no state funds, no public funds were used to do this.
But all personal funds contributed by individual members
of the State Board of Education.
We always say, well we wanted to contribute a member,
a part of our salary.
(audience laughing)
And so, for those of you don't know,
that this is a volunteer position, so.
So we are down to two.
And we'd like to recognize first, from Vandergift High School
in Leander ISD, Ms. Spandana Kamepelli is,
if you'll raise your hand, and from Vandergift.
She is one of the final two.
And standing with her is Ms. Lori Quick.
And Ms Wendy Sturdevant who's an Assistant Principal.
And also then from Dripping Springs ISD,
Ms. Melissa Richardson with her Art Teacher, Mr. Jay Bates.
And we would always, we always need to remember that
when we recognize students is that
there were professional educators, teachers,
who mentored and help make that possible.
So I think it's completely appropriate to do that.
So at this time I've asked the Chair of the Board and
the Vice-Chair of the Board who are standing on either side
and we are going to reveal the new logo and so if I can
get you to do that, ladies and gentlemen,
we don't have a drum roll but you may reveal the logo,
(audience cheering and clapping)
Georgina: They didn't know.
The young ladies didn't know?
-: No.
It's worth noting that neither of the top two knew who
the winner was and by the way, it's worth noting that
the Board considered 10 and that the margin of victory
was one vote.
-: Yes.
-: It was very close.
And so Madam Chair, it's at this time that
it's my honor to read this resolution.
Whereas the Permanent School Fund origins and story
is one interwoven into the rich Texas history,
replete with Texans who fiercely believed
in the vital importance of public education,
beginning with those who declared their devotion
in the 1836 Texas Declaration of Independence
and in the 1845, in the Constitution of 1845,
further demonstrated this commitment,
establishing the state's first Constitution
Perpetual Fund for the support of public,
of the free public schools.
And whereas Texans further proved their allegiance
to public free schools through support of the fund,
by committing two million dollars in US Bonds
from the Compromise of 1850 in 1854,
half of the state's 88 million acre public domain in 1873
and the mineral estate of Texas' submerged lands in 1939.
And whereas Texans successfully staved off attempts to seize
and divert the Fund's legacy to future generations
in political battles and litigation at the highest levels
of the United States government.
And whereas the Permanent School Fund has, since 1855,
made distributions to Texas schools and has for generations
provided for free textbooks
and now supports school district technology.
And whereas since 1983, the Permanent School Fund
has made possible for local schools,
capital facility additions and improvements by guaranteeing
of local bonds.
And whereas through prudent stewardship,
the Permanent School Fund has prospered
and become the nation's largest educational endowment.
And whereas given the fund's unique history
and vital importance in the state's school finance system,
the State Board of Education deemed it most appropriate
for the Permanent School Fund to have
it's own distinct brand identity.
And whereas the State Board of Education looked
to the state's students to create suitable artwork
to represent the Fund and initiated the Brand the Fund
Student Art Competition.
And whereas 442 students representing independent school
districts and charter schools from across the state
submitted 521 unique entries.
And whereas a judging panel comprised of professional
graphic artists and representatives of the State Board
of Education, Permanent School Fund,
and Texas Education Agency carefully considered the merits
of each entry and selected 10 finalists
from the field of entries.
And whereas the State Board of Education selected artwork
submitted by Melissa Richardson,
a sophomore student at Dripping Springs High School
in Dripping Springs Independent School District
as the winning entry.
And the artwork submitted by Spandana Kamepelli,
a junior student at Vandergift High School
in the Leander ISD, as a contest runner up.
Therefore, oh that was a mouthful wasn't it?
Woman: It was.
-: Be it resolved that the State Board of Education
congratulates Spandana Kamepelli of Vandergift High School
as the runner up of the Brand the Fund Student
Art Competition and recognize her art instructor Lori Quick.
I think I missed one right?
That's actually hers.
Be it resolved that the State Board of Education
congratulates Melissa Richardson of Dripping Springs
High School as the winner of the Brand the Fund
Student Art Competition and recognizes her art instructor,
Mr. Jay Bates.
Be it further resolved that the State Board of Education
also recognizes Ben Meyer of Austin ISD,
Hagan Carter of Stephenville ISD,
Katheryn Kelly and Ashleigh Jamison of Round Rock ISD,
Maite Gordo and Natalie Tieu of Cypress Fairbanks ISD,
Arthur Mangum and Aaron Ballif of Conroe ISD
whose logos were among the 10 finalists
in the Brand Fund Competition.
And be it further resolved that the State Board of Education
congratulates all contest entrants for their creative
abilities and offers all teachers, administrators,
professional associations sincerest thanks for helping
to promote the contest
and facilitate the student participation.
And be it further resolved that the State Board authorizes
the Texas Education Staff to immediately begin using
Melissa Richardson's winning logo on
the Permanent School Fund Branded material.
(audience clapping)
Man: That looks like a golf tournament.
Georgina: You can get closer if you need to.
Woman: Can we get closer?
Georgina: Yeah.
You can stand over here.
(Georgina and woman mumbling)
Woman: We're gonna put all these pictures online
for you also.
All these, they go online.
Man: Thank you.
Woman: With their check?
I can ask them if they can stand over here
or into the lobby.
Okay, okay.
(audience chatting and picture taking)
Woman: Is that an official photographer?
Georgina: Yes, he's our (mumbling).
Woman: So if I ask him he should get--
Georgina: Oh yes, mm-hmm, he'll give it to you.
I think he'll give it to you for free, I think.
I know they go online so that they get to show,
and they're live within 30 minutes, it'll be online, yeah.
Yeah (giggling).
(members chatting)
Georgina: Are you crying?
Are you crying?
Is that your daughter?
Wow, well I'd be proud too.
I mean the entire State of Texas, she's one girl, of what,
I think there's like 2.3 million high school students.
Something to be proud of.
Man: We're gonna keep her.
Georgina: You like her that much.
It sounds good.
(members and audience chatting)
-: And members all those in favor
of the resolution recognizing the Permanent School Fund
logo contest winners say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
-: Alright congratulations.
This is a really big deal.
I don't even know what the latest figures are,
but we saved Texas School Districts,
because of the Permanent School Fund, millions
of dollars that otherwise would go
towards interest payments.
Because we backed school bonds that help to
both remodel facilities and to build new facilities.
So the Texas School Fund in addition to supporting all
our instructional materials and textbooks in the classroom,
and technology in the classroom also backs the school bonds.
So it's a unique thing that's part of what Texas does.
Or I don't even know if there are other states that have
an educational endowment like Texas does,
but it's incredibly important to our students
and we gave over two billion dollars over the next biennium
just this last year.
Directly to, that will go directly for supporting schools.
So the branding of the Fund is very important
to the State Board and we're very excited about this.
Alright, I think we have-- Tom: Madam Chair?
-: Yes, Mr. Maynard.
-: We have one more related to this,
this particular project.
Donna: Okay.
-: And I failed to recognize Bruce Gearing,
the Superintendent of Schools at Dripping Springs.
Where is Bruce?
Bruce, congratulations.
Thank you for being here today.
Members, I have one other resolution
and one other presentation to make.
And I will not read the entire text of the resolution
'cause it's pretty much like the,
let me just get to the resolve.
And you heard all the thing about that,
but whereas Laurie Wieghat of College Station-based
Wieghat Graphics graciously offered her services
as a volunteer providing technical assistance in drafting
rules, selection criteria, identifying and engaging industry
professionals to serve on the judging panel,
coordinating selection committee conference calls,
and making final edits to the winning designs.
And whereas Tyler Wieghat of the same firm graciously
lent to the process his programming skills
in the development of an online platform through which
judging panelists could quickly and easily review
521 entries submitted from across the state
and to make and submit their selections
to be considered by the full panel.
Whereas this first ever student competition launched
and executed by the State Board of Education could not
have operated as seamlessly and effectively
without the selfless service of these two Texans.
Now be it hereby resolved that the State Board of Education
offers to Laurie and Tyler Wieghat it's deepest appreciation
for their selfless volunteer service to students, teachers,
and leaders, of the public free schools
of the State of Texas in helping to engage Texas students
and teachers in this branding project,
facilitating a successful selection process
and producing a design product commensurate
in excellence with the stature
of America's greatest educational endowment.
And be it here further resolved that a copy of this
resolution be provided to Laurie and Tyler Wieghat
of Wieghat Graphics of College Station
and be forever recorded in the permanent records
of the State Board of Education.
And if I can have Tyler and Laurie Wieghat
come to the circle please.
-: All those in favor of the resolution recognizing
the professional graphic artists for their service
during the PSF logo contest say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
Donna: Congratulations and thank you so much
for your help.
(audience clapping)
And I believe, we're just full of recognitions today.
There's just all kinds of exciting things going on.
We have one more resolution today.
-: It is my honor to read the following resolution
on behalf of all Career and Technical student organizations
in the State of Texas.
Whereas February 1st through 28th, 2019, has been designated
National Career and Technical Education Month,
and whereas about 1.4 million Texas secondary students
are enrolled in one or more career
and technical (CTE) courses in 1,200 school districts
and charter schools throughout the state.
And whereas Career and Technical education has offered
students the opportunity for more than a century
to gain the academic, technical, and employability skills
necessary for true career readiness.
And whereas students in Career and Technical education
programs participate in authentic meaningful experiences
which improve the quality of their education
by offering opportunities to apply academic knowledge
and skills from across the curriculum.
And whereas Career and Technical education is a vital
and integral part of the Foundation High School Program
offering students pathways to earn recognized
endorsements, performance acknolmich,
acknowledgements sorry,
and industry validated credentials.
And whereas the state's nine Career and Technical student
organizations, BPA, DECA, Educators Rising,
Texas Association of Future Educators, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA,
HOSA, SkillsUSA, and TSA instill
in their members the values,
knowledge and skills to be patriotic citizens
prepared to fully engage as effective leaders
in the formidable and noble task of self-government
in our constitutional republic,
and whereas Career and Technical education provides students
with career exploration opportunities early
in their educational experience,
which enables them to make informed and beneficial decisions
about their academic coursework as well as pursuit
of established programs of study and career pathways.
And whereas leaders from business and industry nationwide
report increasing challenges related
to the skills gap and connecting qualified professionals
with available careers in critical
and growing CTE-related fields.
And whereas Career and Technical education prepares
students fulfilling careers by offering integrated programs
of study that link secondary and post secondary education
and significantly contributes to college readiness.
And whereas ensuring that employers have access
to a qualified workforce is a crucial step in ensuring
productivity among the business and industry communities
as well as continued American economic growth
and global competitiveness.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that
the State Board of Education which has been designated
by the Texas Legislature as the State Board for Career
and Technical Education does hereby proclaim
that February 1st through 28th, 2019 as
Career and Technical Education month
in Texas and does hereby urge all Texans
to become familiar with the outstanding curriculum delivered
by exceptional Career and Technical education teachers
and communities across the state.
And to support and participate in these programs
to enhance individual skills and productivity.
Witness our signatures on this first day of February,
two thousand and nineteen, in Austin, Texas.
Donna Bahorich, Chair.
Georgina C. Perez, Secretary.
(audience clapping)
-: All those in favor of the resolution honoring our
students for Career and Technical education month say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
-: Alright, that we had a terrific,
the State Board of Education had just
a wonderful dinner last night that
the students hosted for us.
Believe it or not, and I don't know why
because we're really nice people,
we don't get invited to things.
(audience laughing)
And so this was, it's always an honor
that our annual dinner that we get invited
to with our Career and Technical education students.
And every year we go away with this,
just excitement about knowing that the future
is in great hands because of the kind of students
that you see particularly involved
in the Career and Technical education organizations.
And it's always our honor and a blessing.
And you always leave ready,
ready to go when you meet with them for dinner,
so again thank you for hosting us last night.
Ms. Perez, are you finished?
Georgina: Not yet.
-: Okay, Ms. Perez.
-: Can each CTE stand up please?
Georgina: Each student.
-: Each student stand up.
(audience clapping)
Can each president from each CTSO come up
and receive your copy of the resolution.
(audience clapping)
(audio cutting out)
-: Members we're gonna continue on with our agenda.
Which is the approval of Consent Agenda and I'm gonna read
each of the items on the Consent Agenda.
The first one is Procedural Action Related to New 19 TAC
Chapter 113, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
for Social Studies, Subchapter C, High School, 113.50,
Ethnic Studies, Mexican American Studies, one credit.
For first reading and filing authorization.
Item number two, Ratification--
Pat: Marisa had something she wanted to say.
Marisa: Sorry.
-: I'm sorry.
Marisa: No, it's okay.
Just really quickly word.
-: Okay
-: Sorry before we moved on,
I was just notified by staff
and I'm sorry everybody's leaving,
but I just had to say out loud.
So Ms. Angelica Nino who was one of our Math finalists
across the State was the very first person in history
to ever submit her application in full Spanish.
And so, it's really incredible and I thought
it was worth noting, so thank you to staff
for letting me know and I'm sorry I think
she's already left the room,
but I thought it was pretty incredible she's made history,
so that's pretty great.
-: It's always impressive when you make history, right?
(audience clapping)
Okay, moving on with Consent Agenda.
Ratification, item number two,
Ratification of Purchases and Sales
of the Investment Portfolio of the Permanent School Fund
for the months of October and November 2018.
Number three, Proposed Amendments
to the Investments Procedures Manual.
Number four, Decision on Real Estate Investments.
Number five, Recommendation for the Appointment
to the Randolph Field Independent School District
Board of Trustees.
And that is all of the items on the Consent Agenda.
All those in favor of the approval of the Consent Agenda,
please say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
-: All those opposed, please say no.
Consent Agenda is adopted.
Alright now I believe we can move on to
our Committee of the Full Board.
And I believe that's Mr. Rowley.
-: Okay members, if you will turn to your
Committee of the Full Board Minutes from January 29th, 2019.
The first item is the Official Agenda item number three.
The motion is on top of page two of your minutes.
It's recommended that the State Board of Education
deny the petition to amend 19 TAC, section 74.12,
Foundation High School Program concerning Fine Arts
courses eligible for graduation requirements
because Debate I, II, and III,
Oral Interpretation I, II, and III
and Public Speaking I, II, and III
are not aligned with knowledge and skills
in Fine Arts courses.
-: All those in favor, say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
-: All those opposed, say no.
The ayes have it and that is adopted.
Alright motion is adopted.
-: Next item is Official Agenda item number four.
The motion appears on the top of page three of our minutes.
Recommended that the State Board of Education approve
for first reading and filing authorization proposed
amendments to 19 TAC, Chapter 74 Curriculum Requirements,
Subchapter B, Graduation Requirements, section 74.12,
Foundation High School Program,
and section 74.13, Endorsements,
as amended by the Committee of the Full Board.
-: Are all four of these on the same page?
(members quietly discussing)
-: Yes, Mr. Mercer.
Ken: A quick personal privilege while
we're waiting please.
-: Pardon me.
Ken: I just wanted to announce and welcome,
we have from Texas State University from the Dr. Sandra West
and Dr. Kenn Heydrick.
We have five of our future scientists here today
and I want you all to please stand and thank you for
being real interested in public education.
This is your State Board, please stand.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
-: Thank you for being with us today.
-: Okay and I believe Ms. Martinez has some things,
we' were waiting to hear back from staff on this item.
-: Yes ma'am, so during committee discussion,
there was some question around the language related
to the English III and English IV requirements
as they relate to International Baccalaureate courses.
We indicated that we would work on some clarifying language
and bring that back to you today for consideration,
and so if the Board would like to make
these additional changes, then they would be reflected
in the proposal for first reading and filing authorization.
Donna: Yes, Mr. Rowley.
Marty: I move that we accept the amendments
that have been submitted by staff this morning.
Georgina: Second.
-: Any further discussion?
-: And this was the only recommendation?
Ms. Martinez: It's my understanding
that was the only outstanding issue.
Yes ma'am.
-: The only outstanding issue.
Was there, were there any other amendments or concerns
that members had on this item?
That being the case, so it's been moved to recommend
to the State Board of Education and Amend 74.13,
F1E, to read as follows.
Oh, we've already.
Whoops sorry, I'm not at the main motion.
Let me get to the main motion.
Mr. Rowley, I wanna make sure I'm looking at the right thing.
Member: Yeah, we haven't voted on the amendment yet.
-: Okay let's go, yes, that's true.
Let's go ahead and adopt that amendment.
All those in favor of the amendments in front of you that
staff just gave us with the yellow highlight.
All those in favor, say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
-: All those opposed, say nay.
Aye's carry so the motion is adopted.
(Man mumbling)
-: So the motion before us is to approve for first reading
and filing authorization proposed amendments to 19 TAC,
Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter B,
Graduation Requirements 74.12,
Foundation High school Program and 74.13 endorsements
as amended by the committee as amended.
All those in favor, say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
-: All those opposed, say no.
-: And that motion is also adopted.
Thank you.
Moving on I think, is there another one?
-: Yes, moving forward.
This is official agenda, item number five.
It's number four on your
Committee of the Full Board Minutes.
This is on the middle of page, at the middle of page three.
Recommended that the State Board of Education approve
for first reading and filing authorization proposed
new 19 TAC, Chapter 126, Texas Essential Knowledge
and Skills for Technology Applications, Subchapter C,
High School, Section 126.51, Foundations of Cybersecurity,
one credit, and section 126.52, Cybersecurity Capstone,
one credit.
-: Any discussion on this item?
All those in favor say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
-: All those opposed say no.
Aye's have it and that motion is adopted.
-: Okay, the next item is number five in your minutes.
It's Official Agenda item number six.
It appears at the bottom of page three of your minutes.
Recommended that the State Board of Education approve
the contract renewal for GED Testing Service
and the amended contract renewal
for Educational Testing Service.
-: Any discussion on this item?
All those in favor say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
-: All those opposed say no.
Woman: No.
-: Madam Chair that's all the recommendations
from the committee.
-: From the committee.
This motion is adopted.
Okay and members I neglected to have our testifiers speak,
so I am going to since we are done with
Committee of the Full Board Minutes.
I'm gonna go ahead and have our testifiers speak
at this time.
And testifiers, it'll be a three minute testimony
and you will hear a bell 30 seconds before the end
of the three minutes to alert you that you need
to start making sure that you wrap up your comments
and then when you hear the second bell
which will be actually two bells,
you'll know that the time has run out.
And so if you could literally finish your sentence
and then members will ask any questions
if they have some questions of the testifier.
So let's go ahead and do our testifiers.
Woman: Jeanette LaFevers.
Donna: And just for the audiences,
just for those tuned in, when we have testimony on
Fridays, it can never be on the actual agenda items
on the agenda.
It has to be related to items not on our agenda.
Things to know about.
Or that folks want to bring to our attention.
Go ahead Jeanette.
-: Good morning again.
It's good to be here.
I, we'll have Margaret will come up here in a few moments
and hopefully we can take questions at the end of that.
I just want to thank you again for the actions
that you've taken in regards to International Baccalaureate
in the State of Texas.
It seems like an awfully long journey.
And it seems like we're getting very close to the end of it.
So we appreciate that.
I'm handing out to you the same packet that I gave you
on Tuesday with the exception of
a couple of additional items that I'll point out to you.
On Tuesday, we talked about item one and two,
and I want to make sure that we talk about sort of the one
unresolved issue that hasn't been addressed
and that's item three on this packet.
And that has to do with the IB Arts,
other than film, which you have dealt with this week.
Chapter 117 has not been opened for these arts
and they have not been addressed the way we did
the other subject areas.
So our concern is that these be opened
in a timely manner so that for the next school year
these changes can take effect.
So we're asking that this be an agenda item
for the April meeting.
In addition, related to that, it bleeds a little bit into
item two, the endorsements.
Margaret is going to share with you some information
we were able to gather about particular,
particular endorsements that students,
IB students are pursuing and in particular,
I'm going to mention the Arts and Humanities
because it's related to the IB Arts
that we're talking about here.
I gave you, if you'll look at the second page.
I found a document on the TEA website that
is called Graduation Toolkit--
-: Madam Chair.
Donna: Yes.
Woman: The testimony needs to be limited
to items that you have not already discussed
so you received testimony and discussed
the rules related to endorsements already,
so we just need to be,
today's testimony should be related only to items
that have not been previously on this agenda.
-: So Jeanette, can you go to that point
in your thing that might,
in your handout that might have not to do
with the endorsements,
because we already had that on our agenda this week.
-: So we will just give you these two documents
for your perusal, and hopefully we can,
you can look at those before we have the next meeting
where it is on the agenda.
But I can tell you that what we are asking for at this point
is that the IB Arts, other than Film, be on the agenda
for consideration at the next meeting.
Donna: Okay.
-: Hello.
Woman: Margaret Davis.
-: Yes, thank you.
It's great to be here, and as Jeannette said, we definitely
want to thank you for all the wonderful work you have done
for all of our students in Texas in particularly
for the IB Students in making sure that there's equity
and access for them in lots of different areas.
So we've dealt with the film and we congratulate you
on that component.
I will tell you that you've opened a lot of doors
for students in Texas just by the actions that you've taken
to allow them to have the film.
We look forward to discussing the credits
for the other arts with you and we would also request
that on your next agenda,
that you include the new IB Math courses.
We have submitted the course guides already or what we have
at this point from the IB to TEA.
These courses will begin implementation in September
for first teaching.
So our Juniors will begin taking these courses
in September which means we need to have those
components in place for math students.
In that context, those students often want to do,
the students who are doing the math and science,
are concerned or would want to also have available
to them that STEM endorsement,
so I would ask you to consider that in that context as well.
-: Any question of these two testifiers?
Alright, thank you so much.
Woman: Thank you.
Woman: Ian Wright, followed by Maz Wright.
-: Good morning, everybody.
Donna: Go ahead.
-: Can you hear me okay?
Donna: Yes, please go ahead.
-: Okay good.
My name is Ian Wright.
I'm the Vice-President with TPS Publishing.
TPS and its partners specialize in educator created
STEM programs for all grade levels.
As you may know the STEM approach,
which integrates art and design with STEM disciplines,
is proven to increase engagement and economic performance
with socially and economically disadvantaged students.
As you are aware the Board recently voted
on TPS's 72 ELAR STEM program submissions
in response to Proclamation 2019.
All of which met 100% of the TEKS coverage.
Data presented at the meeting was not comparable.
The editorial comments on the TPS materials consisted
mostly of minor punctuation and typographic issues.
All of which were corrected by the time of the final
vote by the Board.
Also TPS were required to characterize entries related
to incorrect punctuation and one word changes
as errors rather than editorial changes
which was not required of other publishers according
to our research.
TPS had 72 program submissions which was 42 submissions
more than any other publisher,
which in itself would explain why TPS had more total errors
than any of it's competitors.
At the November meeting,
you were comparing number of edit pages of four,
sorry four programs submissions by EduSpark
to 72 program submissions for TPS.
The average rate of edits is far lower for TPS
even including the punctuation errors.
Graph one which is been handed out in front of you
illustrates the edits per submission,
including all of TPS's punctuation,
editorial lines as errors.
Moreover because TPS's offering included
the same program in several different formats,
online, print,
print with online teacher versions, et cetera,
a single grade creative program student error
was counted by this process twelve times.
For example, an omitted comma in Grade 4 Student Version
of our creative ELAR program will be replicated
in your process 12 times.
For us to make this edit, we change the file once
which is why we were able to make the edit so quickly.
This being the case, the vast majority of simple edits
we reported a very small one time edit,
but were replicated twelve times in the reporting
in every instance.
This is illustrated by graph two.
You will see that unique edits for both programs
run at four pages per program submission.
Whereas due to this replication issue
in reporting total errors,
run at 37 pages per program submission.
Thank you.
-: Did anybody have questions for Mr. Wright?
Woman: We're not allowed to ask questions.
-: Or well.
Man: Clarifying statements.
-: What?
You can ask questions if you don't understand.
We've always done that.
Woman: Clarifying questions.
Man: Clarifying questions.
-: Right. (woman mumbles)
Right, right.
Man: By the way--
-: But did anybody have anybody,
did anybody have anything that they wanted to?
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Wright.
Ian: Thank you.
Ian: (coughing) Excuse me.
-: Well good morning.
My name is Maz Wright.
I am President of TPS.
I spoke to you at the last meeting.
We sent you a detailed Proclamation 2019 appeal letter,
which was sent in December,
which is much longer that we can speak for.
And TPS writes specifically STEM programs
for demographically diverse student populations,
and it's been proven to raise test scores by some 5%,
but more importantly, allow those students
to live their lives and conquer the content
of core subjects of English, Math, and Science.
We are actually used in over 80 of your school districts
including the very large Houston and Austin
school districts, and so we are very capable
of looking after these districts.
We met all statutory requirements and we think,
with respect, that your decision
which was honestly taken trying to protect your students,
which we fully understand,
and we love those students by the way,
was based upon wrong information.
It wasn't representing comparable data
as Ian just explained to you.
The other part was that was that panelists report comments
were read out, but there were 18 panelists.
Only three have negative comments
and across the two programs, those grade levels
didn't concur.
So although there was a negative comment
on Grade 5 creative,
there wasn't on the STEM.
And you, nobody heard that the Grade 1 panelist said
I really love how detailed and organized this material is.
It's presented in a cohesive and sequential fashion.
It's a great resource.
There were no negative comments for K-4,
and Grade 6 in either of our programs.
So we have to ask why we've been deleted
from the adoption list for all grades
and not just those where there were negative comments
if you were erring on the side of caution?
We also have to ask why, September the 6th,
if you look at the email, we've given you a copy of,
at the back page,
TEA staff asked us to move all of our punctuation edits
which were in editorial reports, which
is where all other publishers
have theirs, to the errors report.
It doubled the number of our edits.
Even with those in, our rate is at 7.06 per submission
versus EduSpark's 12.75 per submission.
On November the 20, I've forgotten the date,
one of the Board people said it was
too much information too late.
But that information was provided to your staff
on the day of the meeting, but they did not give it to you.
I know they were really busy, but we please ask you to have
a motion to put our two programs at least
for the grade levels without comment
onto the State adoption list,
because school districts are not looking at us
because we're not on that list.
Thank you so much.
-: Yes Mr. Maynard.
-: Madam Chair (audio cutting out),
Mr. Maska or if someone could just explain that,
after our process is complete,
if somebody files a formal appeal,
what is the process of that?
And is there any chance that comes back to us,
could someone explain that?
(staff mumbling)
-: Don't have the answer right now,
but I fill find it out quickly.
-: We don't believe that there is an appeal process,
but we will confirm that and get back
to you as soon as we can.
-: And I guess just as a follow up, the testifier referenced
a formal appeal filed in December, and that I was unfamiliar
with that, and so I was just curious if that is something
that is part of our process.
-: I have not seen that, but I will get back
to you as soon as I can on that issue.
-: Okay.
-: Any other questions or comments?
Thank you.
Okay, moving on to the Committee on Instruction.
And I believe that's Ms. Melton-Malone.
Sue: I'm over here.
-: Oh, there you are.
-: They moved me here (laughing).
Alright, members if you'll get your copy of your minutes
on the Committee on Instruction, January 31st, 2019.
The first motion you see is on page one of your minutes.
If you would like to look at your Board Agenda,
it's on roman numeral two dash one.
It's the Official Agenda item number seven.
On behalf of the Committee on Instruction,
I move that the State Board of Education, by an affirmative
vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board,
approve for second reading and filing adoption
the proposed amendment to 19 TAC, Chapter 74,
Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter C, Other Provisions,
74.28, Students with Dyslexia and Related Orders,
with an effective date of twenty days after filing
as adopted with the Texas Register.
-: Members, what we'll need to do is a hand vote on this,
since we need a two-thirds in order to adopt.
All those in favor of,
to approve for second reading and final adoption
the proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74,
Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter C,
Other Provisions, 74.28, Students with Dyslexia
and Related Orders with an effective date
of twenty days after filing as adopted
with the Texas register.
All those in favor, raise your hand.
All those opposed, raise your hand.
The motion carries by more than two-thirds.
Thank you members.
-: Our next motion is on page two of your handout minutes.
It's the board agenda roman numeral two dash seven.
It's an official item, official agenda item number eight.
On behalf of the Committee on Instruction,
I move that the State Board of Education approve
for second reading and filing adoption proposed new
19 TAC Chapter 117, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
for Fine Arts, Subchapter C, High School, Adopted 2013,
117.327, International Baccalaureate IB Film Standard Level,
two credits, and 117.328,
International Baccalaureate IB Film Higher Level,
two credits with an effective date of August 26, 2019.
-: Alright, members, is there any discussion on this item?
All those in favor say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
-: All those opposed say no.
The ayes have it, and that motion is adopted.
-: Alright our final motion is on that same page,
page two, middle of the page, number four.
It is in your Board Agenda, roman numeral two dash twelve,
and Official Agenda item number nine.
On behalf of the Committee of Instruction,
I move that the State Board of Education approve
the innovative courses that do not fall within any
of the subject areas of the foundation
or enrichment curriculum as follows:
A one-year extension for AVID, one dash four, excuse me,
dash IB, and a three year renewal for Navigating Life
with Hearing Loss.
Now, Madam Chair, if I could explain quickly.
On this extension, AVID asked us for the extension.
They are looking at their program and they're revising
it, so they would like to have the one year extension
to get it revised and then continue with it.
-: Sounds great.
Any discussion on this item?
All those in favor say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
All those opposed say no.
Ayes have it and that motion is adopted.
Sue: That's all we have
from the Committee on Instruction.
Thank you.
-: Thank you Ms. Melton-Malone.
Now we'll move on to the Committee on School Initiatives.
(members mumbling)
Alright so if you'll pull out your minutes.
On page two of the minutes for
the Committee on School Initiatives, we have agenda
item four which is on page four dash twenty five
of your agenda.
Review of proposed amendment to 19 TAC, Chapter 229,
Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs,
Section 229.4, Determination of Accreditation Status.
It was moved unanimously to recommend that
the State Board of Education take no action
on the proposed amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 229,
Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs,
section 229.4, Determination of Accreditation Status.
-: Any discussion on this item?
-: Yes, Mr. Mercer.
Ken: Madam Chair, when we take no action,
it just becomes in effect, is that what--
-: Yes.
It's so many days, it becomes, I forget,
what, what how many days is it?
(mumbling)
30 days? I don't remember.
-: It means we agree with what they've done.
We're taking no action to change what they've done, yeah.
Donna: I think it's, of course this is coming from SBEC.
Man: Thank you.
Barbara: Yeah.
-: Any other discussion?
All those in favor say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
-: All those opposed say no.
Aye's have it.
-: Okay, agenda item number five
is on page four dash thirty four.
And it was moved by the Committee and carried unanimously
to recommend that the State Board of Education
take no action on the proposed revisions
to 19 TAC Chapter 235,
Classroom Teacher Certification Standards, Subchapter A,
General Provisions, and Subchapter D,
Secondary School Certificate Standards.
-: Any discussion on this item?
Hearing none, all those in favor say aye.
Board Members: Aye.
-: All those opposed say no.
Aye's have it.
Barbara: Madam Chair.
-: Did you have any other?
-: Yeah, just one more.
We did have a discussion, agenda item two,
was a discussion about
the Open Enrollment Charter School Application
Generation 24 and then the draft for Gen 25.
And so there were a lot of really great points brought up
about transparency which you know our Board has
become known of advocating for transparency.
And so I appreciate the committee for bringing many
of these to light.
And so the Chair and I had a discussion with Charter School
staff and also with the Commissioner, and so this is
what Heather Mauze, the Director of Charters,
this is her statement, which is,
'the Commissioner is contemplating the staff
'and resources necessary to implement changes
'to the Charter School webpage that would provide
'additional transparency for those interested
'in Charter schools.'
And just to dive a little bit deeper in that,
I guess I can tell you the wish list would be to have
a link to every Charter school that would give information
to the public about amendments that are either pending
or in the process or have been approved.
As well as other information for the public.
There would also be a page that would be
for Charter School applicants.
That would be a place for them to house when they
are going to have their public meetings.
And so it would be kind of, there would be a list serve.
I don't know if any of you get the list serve like
for the Science announcements from the Science Department.
And new members you can sign up for that.
You can talk to staff about how to do that.
There's a list serve for Social Studies announcements
and et cetera.
And so there would be a way for the public to sign up
to get announcements for new things that have been added
to this potential webpage.
So the Commissioner was very much in support
of doing things like this.
He just needs to dig around a little bit
and find the funding to do that.
But we have great confidence in him that he'll be able to
address these issues just to make this whole thing
much more transparent.
So we're all in agreement about that.
Donna: Ms. Perez-Diaz.
-: Madam Chair, and thank you, Chair Cargill.
It was a real lively discussion.
I think we have a lot of questions
and I know that Board Members around the table during
our committee meeting also had some recommendations
regarding the application itself, and so I'm almost wondering,
and I don't know whether or not the Commissioner
would be open to this or if the Board Chair would be open,
but I think that during our conversations,
we discussed possibly asking that this be an agenda
item for the upcoming meeting,
so that we can review the application process.
And I don't know if you all would be willing to do that?
I am requesting that this be an agenda item
for the upcoming meeting.
-: Yeah, I'll talk to staff and kind of see where we are
in the process of working on the application
'cause I know they just finished the application.
Or I mean they just had the, for this generation,
that they've already been turned in.
So I don't know where that process is or when
that timing is of anything, but I'll talk to staff about it.
-: And perhaps this is, so I'll clarify.
This is for, specifically, for Gen 25 moving forward.
-: Okay, I gotcha.
I gotcha.
Any other questions or comments?
-: Yes, Ms. Perez.
-: And I apologize because I believe that this was discussed
in your committee meeting and I don't think I was there
in time to hear this,
so this may be redundant for some of you.
But if you would please clarify,
how does this affect the amendments that we made on,
in our previous meeting this week as to the review
of amendments specifically speaking on the expansions?
Does this, is this part of that?
Is this not part of, is this in addition to that?
How do these things correlate?
Donna: Ms. Cargill if you want it--
-: Question, I think we're still trying
to figure out how that would work,
but of course, expansion requests and et cetera, in my mind,
I don't know what Madam Chair took
out of the meeting, would be on this webpage.
Now are you asking how it would affect
the Committee on School Initiatives meetings?
Like yesterday we got a packet of updates of amendments.
And so, I would think that, and that should be in your box,
and so I think that we'll still be getting those,
but also on this webpage would be amendments that have
been requested that are still like pending.
And then you could look at those and then send your input,
or your thoughts, or your opinion, contact staff
and let them know what your input is.
I mean we have no authority,
but I'm sure they would be very willing to listen
to what your thoughts are, so.
Donna: Yes, Mr. Cortez.
-: Yeah and if I could just add, so I think
what Member Perez-Diaz is talking about
is the actual application for Generation 25.
Which moving forward and on that, as you're aware,
we only have veto authority over what he recommends.
Like we will under Generation 24 current applicants
that are gonna come up over the summer,
but we had conversations about recommendations that we made
for that application moving forward.
What you're referring to is the new language that was
added CSI Committee now will have, and it's unclear at this point
what authority we'll have over amendments and revisions
other than maybe being notified like we have.
Y'all should have, in your box, all the expansions
and amendments, and bylaw changes, and location changes,
Charter shutdowns, and you'll have that.
I don't know what other authority we'll have over that.
That'll still work itself out over,
between now and the next meeting, maybe we'll have
some more clarity, or we can request an AG opinion
if necessary to find out what's the difference under 12,
Chapter 12, or Chapter 7, of our authority.
Maybe we can take that next step if we don't have
a clear resolution to that question.
-: Any other comments or questions on that?
-: Mr. Maynard.
You had your light on that's why I thought.
See I saw it right away (laughing).
-: I, I was just looking at the agenda. So are we gonna get
to talk a little bit about things that are not action items?
-: Yeah, at the end here, what I'd like to do
is we usually just do at the close,
if we're done with the business part,
are we done with the business part?
We usually just do personal stuff here at the end.
-: I've got a response to Mr. Maynard's question.
-: Oh Mr. Maynard, okay.
Mr. Maynard, Mr. Maska has a response to the question
that you asked about appeal or.
-: And then, when he's done, I just have a,
just a couple of PSF items that sort of thing,
that are in our committee.
Yes, that's right.
-: Mr. Maynard, Monica and I quickly were scrambling,
because we never had something request for an appeal before,
and that's because neither the statute
nor the rule allow for an appeal.
-: Madam Chair, I think the other question that came up
was related to information that had come in.
The only thing that staff received from TPS was an email
on November 15th that was sent to all Board Members,
and staff was copied on that email,
but we haven't received anything else separate
from what sent directly to all of you.
-: Okay, any other comments on the CSI,
otherwise, Mr. Maynard why don't you bring us up to date
on PSF even though we don't have any items.
-: Yeah we don't have any action items
'cause there were some consent items,
but certainly, members, that, one of the things
I think that's really important,
and as you go out and about speak in your district,
I think it's important that you be equipped
with some talking points and that sort of thing.
And so I think sometimes our challenge
is that if something happens in a committee
and we're not on that committee,
we may not have been obviously privy to that deliberation
and that conversation so we're not quite
as familiar with it.
So just to bring you up to date on a few things.
On just really three things.
First, in the rule making, as you go out and about,
and visit with these Superintendents,
there are two rules that are up that
are actually pretty significant.
One of those has to do with
the Attendance Accounting Handbook.
And that actually falls under the purview of the School
Finance piece of our committee.
And the Attendance Accounting Handbook is
if you're in the school business,
that's kind of a big thing.
Particularly as it relates to things like extracurricular,
and how those students are accounted with,
and not the counted, and if they're eligible to be counted
and are present if they're on a school trip
and all those things.
And there's a lot of minutia involved in that,
and so when you're out talking to Superintendents,
let them know that, if they have any concerns
about the Attendance Accounting Handbook.
Also the rule related to
the Financial Accountability System.
And Superintendents, that's a really big thing to Superintendents
that financial accountability, we hear through A through F,
but in the world of School Administrators,
the Financial Accountability System is actually
really, really important.
So that is gonna to be up for review.
So as you visit with your school folks out there,
let 'em know, because we like to hear from them.
Second thing, just to, it was on the consent,
but we picked up, we made commitments
for 300 million dollars in new real estate investments.
Now that is all part of the strategic allocation.
We have a strategic allocation that we're trying to get to
on the Permanent School Fund and so the PSF owns,
literally owns or has interest in real estate literally
around the globe.
And we had a lot of investments in places like Asia,
Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia,
and places like that.
And the last thing is, is that we did have a discussion,
a big discussion on risk parity.
And that, and I think that I don't know if we've drawn
a conclusion from that, but when you look,
when you get your report,
that risk parity piece of our portfolio looks like
its performing poorly.
It doesn't mean that we're losing money on that,
but I think that really maybe the fact that it is,
number one, that is a strategy that is very difficult
to benchmark, and when you compare it to a 60/40 equity
versus bonds type of strategy,
that's what it's being compared to largely.
But that is, understand that the Permanent School Fund
because we have to make distributions every biennium,
it is really important that, in addition
to having investments that increases, that gives us gains,
we also have to have defensive strategies
within that portfolio to protect us from downturns
or to at least mitigate the effects of a downturn,
because we still have to make distributions every biennium.
And so that makes the nature of the fund
a little bit different because we are committed
to making those and we wanna do the best we can
to make sure that we can have substantial distributions
every single biennium.
But there's gonna be a little bit more discussion
about risk parity in the days to come
and in our next meeting.
And so that's really all that we have
from School Finance and Permanent School Fund.
-: Thank you and again good work Mr. Maynard,
particularly you on that work with the logo
for the Permanent School Fund.
I know all the members are very appreciative of that,
your spearheading that work and making sure
the money came in, and to support our students,
so we really, really appreciate that.
That was a great initiative and we'll all benefit
from that work,
so thank you so much.
-: And members thank you for your contributions,
that sort of thing.
We got it done, and I think that it,
big impact and in that sort of thing,
I think we might have opportunities.
And one thing I didn't mention is that, by the way,
is that in classrooms all across Texas,
and by the way, when I was a teacher, if you had asked me
about the Permanent School Fund,
I would have looked at you like a deer in the headlights.
And every time that we have an opportunity to tell
that story with our educators, I think it's a great thing.
And so that became a platform for us tell that story.
And anytime we can create opportunities to do that,
I think we should.
Patricia: Madam Chair please.
Donna: Yes Ms. Hardy.
-: Two things, one is thank you Tom for going
to all the efforts that you went to to pull that together
and pull that off because it wouldn't have happened
had you not been the instigator of the whole shebang,
so thank you very much for all your work.
I know it was a lot of work.
But I wanted to say also that the lady who was head
of the Art, Fine Arts, she came up to a couple of us
and said, one of the most touching things about this was
that we gave our money to the prize winning money.
She said, I am so touched that the State Board of Education
people were the ones who donated that fund.
She said, that has really meant a lot to all of us
to think that y'all thought enough of us and the work
and so forth to do that and she wanted me
to share that with everybody on the Board.
So I'm taking this opportunity to share that feeling.
Thank you.
Donna: Mr. Allen.
-: I'm gonna ask Tom to make it available to me to purchase
one of those logos for my office.
I'd like to have one.
-: That's a great idea actually.
Just tell me where I can get one.
-: Yeah, we can, you can do that
through the Texas Correctional Industries.
They're the ones that executed that.
I've been told not to, they rendered that.
(Members and audience laughing and reacting)
So I have been asked not to use those when we talk about
the Texas Department of Criminal Justice,
not to use that word.
But yes, they, if you talk to Mary Ann Plumley over at
Texas Correctional Industries,
she can make that happen for you.
Woman: Are you still accepting funds?
-: And I wanna make sure we're gonna have one here
in the boardroom, 'cause we got our logo there.
Patricia: The big logo that was displayed on the easel?
Donna: Yeah.
-: The plan was to put that
in the Permanent School Fund office,
but we can certainly explore getting another copy
to put in here.
-: I mean I think we need one in here,
and I also think we need one in our board office as well.
Woman: How much are they?
-: (laughing) How much are they?
Woman: Depends on the size.
We might need to collect some more. (laughing)
-: Madam Chair, and just so you know,
so the one that we're putting on the wall is actually,
it's made of a molded foam.
And the reason they do it that way, is so it's not so heavy.
Donna: Yeah, it's very heavy.
-: But the ones that we gave Ms. Wieghat and to the student,
is actually made out of wood.
And if you notice, that one was really pretty heavy.
Donna: Oh yeah.
-: But the idea of that is,
is that if you make it out of that foam,
it doesn't pull the sheetrock out off your walls.
Donna: Right, right.
But I will certainly get that information and I will pass
that along to Debbie in that, even would like to have one.
Donna: Yeah maybe we can figure out
'cause individual members might want it too.
-: Yeah, they can make 'em.
Donna: Okay that would be terrific.
Yes, Ms. Melton-Malone.
-: Madam Chair, just the thought, just went through my head
just now, what would be the cost of or the possibilities
of maybe a lapel pin for Board Members to wear? Like when
we go out into our districts and with the logo on it?
Woman: Yeah.
Donna: That's a really good question.
-: I just know that whenever I was in ATPE, we had our pin
and that immediately caught people's attention
and we had an opportunity to talk to 'em then, so.
Member: We want T-shirts.
Donna: We want T-shirts, hats (laughing)
-: And perhaps we can even make
a commemorative Christmas ornament, but.
(Board and audience laughing)
Man: The shell was fifteen right?
Donna: Oh, that's awesome.
-: But actually, I can actually explore that for you.
And I will do a little bit of research and circle back.
And maybe a little bit of input about
how big you think that lapel pin ought to be?
Because those lapel pins kind of, that how they sort of
kind of display themselves on women's attire versus men's
is a little bit different.
'Cause I'm a little bit sensitive to that
and so maybe we need to think about that,
but I can certainly explore that for you.
Man: Madam Chair?
Donna: I might just shave my head
and put the logo right here.
(Board Members laughing)
I'm just kidding.
-: Related, I'd ask you for, I would argue probably a pin
for the Committee, but the logo we have,
why don't we have a pin like our meetings we had this week,
certain members of the House and Senate, they have an oversized,
not as big as a quarter, but a little bigger than this.
We have our symbol there which is kind of a dark color,
I'd rather have a brighter color,
State Board of Education pin.
I always wondered for years why don't we have our own lapel
pin when we go to the House or Senate meetings,
they can quickly identify us as State Board of Education.
That's the logo there,
it's needs to be brighter and something done to it.
But you see we already have a logo
for the State Board of Education.
We already have a pen out there, our letterhead,
and I wonder why we couldn't have a, what would it take for us
to have a pin made for ourselves?
Donna: Okay.
-: Just wondering.
Along the lines of that PSF fund pin too which is a great--
Donna: I though this was our logo?
Woman: I'm glad I got my logo.
Ken: No the bronze by the flag there.
The State Seal by the flag.
Donna: That's the seal.
Ken: Over Monica's head.
That's ours.
-: Okay got it.
-: But I think Ken's talking about that one.
-: It just needs to be brightened up some.
It's too dark, it's just.
-: We can definitely explore it.
I think the cost depends on the volume that you buy.
-: Right, right.
-: But it wouldn't be much.
-: Okay, well, that'd be, we'd like to know.
We gotta show our colors. (laughing)
-: I think the new members would probably all chip in and
buy each of us one, it'd be nice.
(Members and audience laughing)
-: That's right.
That's right.
You missed out on the donations for this,
so you can (laughing).
(Board Members mumbling)
Yeah, exactly.
Any other, any other, I wanna make sure that y'all
catch up on each other's families and stuff.
Oh, let's just adjourn the meeting or should we adjourn?
I forget do I adjourn afterwards?
Do I just adjourn and we kind of talk amongst ourselves?
Staff: It's part of your agenda.
-: It's part of our agenda, okay.
So anything exciting happening in anyone's life.
We like to keep up with marriages.
We don't wanna hear if you got divorced, but (laughing).
Woman: Why?
That's not necessarily bad.
(laughing)
(Members chatting)
Woman: Let's talk about your award.
-: What?
Woman: Your award too.
-: I can talk about it next time.
(laughing)
Woman: I'll forget.
Nothing, okay.
(man mumbling)
What?
(man mumbling)
He's (scofs), he's always having kids.
Yeah.
(members laughing)
He raises goats.
Just so you know.
(members laughing)
Man: It's a typical dad joke talking.
-: It's a dad joke, yeah.
Well we are excited that our three new members were with us.
Great job on your freshman meeting.
(Members clapping)
There you go.
Woman: I think we should warn that this is an unusually,
we have--
-: This, okay, just since I've been on the Board,
which is six years, we've never had a meeting this light.
I'm just saying.
I mean seriously.
In six years.
Woman: You should have waited, worked longer.
-: Just so you know.
So next meeting, it will be a different I imagine.
I haven't seen the agenda or talked about it.
Man: Tell 'em they're not allowed to speak
for the first year.
(laughing)
Oh that didn't work very well with Ms. Perez
or Dr. Ellis. (laughing)
Anyway, we welcome you and we're honored
to have you guys here.
I think you guys did a great job for your first meeting
and we ease, we're easing you into on this first meeting.
And I just wanna thank everybody for their help
with the roundtable and being there and supportive
and trying to get the word out to your districts
and folks to come to the roundtable.
I've heard already from several people that all the panels
were just really terrific and great information.
I think Dr. Hoover had so much information
on all the resources for mental health for schools
that she shared and gave us freely
that are gonna benefit and I'm hoping,
what we'll do once they're posted,
all the videos are posted, all the power points,
everything, any white papers or whatever was turned in,
all of that will be posted.
It'll be by panel, we send that information out to you
to send to your districts to say if you couldn't make it
to the roundtable, please check out
these different panels and just packed with information.
And so I hope you guys were pleased
with the roundtable again.
This was our fourth annual roundtable
and every time we have one I always think,
wow, we're doing some amazing things in the State of Texas.
And I'm always so proud and excited to hear about the great
work that's going on.
And hopefully we can just expand all that great work
in many areas.
So again thank you for coming to the roundtable
and supporting it and for letting your folks know about it
and having people sign up.
So appreciate that work.
Patricia: Donna.
-: Yes, Ms. Hardy.
-: Well would like to compliment you on the roundtable
because you are the (members clapping) master of the ring,
and so we appreciate all that you have spurred us on to do.
-: Yeah well, I tell you staff carried 99.9% of the work
on that thing as usual and so we so appreciate Staff,
and Debbie and Lenny, et al.
I don't even know who all helped you with many things,
but thank you so much for both of you.
And all those who helped us put it together
and we just so appreciate all the speakers.
They were just terrific.
Very dynamic and very informative, so.
With, there's nothing.
Yes, Dr. Robinson.
-: I'd just like to say this has been a really great
week and I've been looking forward to this for a long time
and it's been really,
I really sense, I don't know all of y'all real well,
but I really sense that all 15 of us are here
for the right reasons and are here to make education better
for all kids everywhere no matter what their zip code is.
And I especially appreciate the mentoring I got
from Member Perez this week.
(members laughing)
So, it's a--
<v Uh oh.
Donna: Uh oh.
(laughing)
-: I see some purple on your hair there.
(laughing)
-: Well now, no it's we're all here for the right reasons,
and so it's been a real joy and I'm looking forward to getting
into even more next time around.
-: Absolutely.
Again, thank each one of you and the meeting is adjourned.