Board Newsletter
Friday, January 6, 2023
From: Dr. Eduardo Hernandez, Superintendent of Schools
Re: Weekly Update - January 3, 2023 - January 6, 2023
Confidentiality Note:
This memo and any documents and other writings attached thereto may contain information that is confidential by law or may contain information that upon disclosure to non-Board Members will needlessly harm the district if disclosed. This is intended only for the School Board Members' review.
Edgewood ISD School Board Information and Upcoming Events
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
- Regular Board Meeting
- School Choice Expo
- Board Performance Planning Meeting
- Wrenn Platica
- Board Workshop
- Board Performance Planning Meeting
- District Closed - President's Day
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
- Regular Board Meeting
- District Closed - Spring Break
- Fine Arts Platica
- Regular Board Meeting
EISD School Board - Requests
Highlights from Superintendent's Weekly Schedule
Monday, January 2, 2023
- District Closed
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
- Deputy Superintendent Meeting
- Meeting with Board President
- Bexar County Cluster Meeting
- Literacy Matters Video Recording
- Meeting with District Conservator
- Meeting with Eduardo Gandara Garcia - UTSA
Thursday, January 5, 2023
- Meeting with Chief of Staff
- Meeting with Assistant Superintendent of Operations
- Meeting with Chief of Human Resources and Student Support Services
- Team Coaching Meeting
- Meeting with Board President (Agenda Prep)
- Deputy Superintendent Meeting
Board Operating Procedures
Board Agenda Item - Board Meeting Dates
Board Policy BE (LEGAL) and BE (LOCAL) regarding Board Meeting Minutes states that the board action shall be carefully recorded by the secretary or clerk; when approved, these minutes shall serve as the legal recording of official Board actions. The written minutes of all meetings shall be approved by the School Board, and signed by the President and the Secretary of the Board.
Board Meeting Minutes:
Board Agenda Item - Goal Progress Measures
The School Board will hear a discussion to amend Goal Progress Measures (GPM) 1.2 and 1.3 for LSG Goal 1 and Goal Progress Measures (GPM) 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 for LSG Goal 2.
Lone Star Governance Goal 1: The percentage of students in grade 3 who score at “meets” or above on STAAR Reading will increase from 26 percent to 60 percent by June 2027 (Baseline Grade 3 STAAR Reading measure June 2022).
Lone Star Governance Goal 2: The percentage of students in grade 3 who score at “meets” or above on STAAR Mathematics will increase from 20 percent to 50 percent by June 2027 (Baseline Grade 3 STAAR Mathematics measure June 2022).
The research and evaluation department evaluated the reading and mathematics data for 2021-2022 and based on that analysis adjusted Goal Progress Measures 1.2 and 1.3 for LSG Goals 1 and Goal Progress Measures 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 for Goal 2.
Board Agenda Item - T-TESS Additional Appraisers
All Edgewood ISD teachers are appraised annually under the Texas Teacher Evaluation & Support System (T-TESS). Each year a list of certified appraisers is submitted for Board approval. The appraiser list consists of Principals, Vice-Principals, Assistant Principals and central office staff. Appraisers may serve as the primary appraiser or a second appraiser when one is requested. All administrators must complete training and certification to become T-TESS appraisers.
Board Agenda Item - Big Rocks Educational Services
Big Rock Educational Services (BRES) is the leadership coaching partner that utilizes the BRES Effective Coaching Framework to collaboratively sets goals for the schools and help them achieve them while building leadership capacity. Big Rock Educational Services include the following:
Service 1 – Systems Creation: BRES, in close collaboration with Edgewood ISD leadership, will create/revise all big rock documents, frameworks, rubrics, trackers, exemplars, etc. to support the successful implementation of the following big rocks at Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary School.
Service 2 – Professional Development: BRES will provide professional development (PD) to Henry B. Gonzalez campus and Edgewood ISD district leadership team members. The purpose of the professional development is to teach the leadership team how to implement the big rocks created in Service 1 Systems Creation and begin the process of implementation.
Service 3 – On-going Coaching and Implementation: BRES provides a combination of on-site and virtual coaching with Henry B. Gonzalez School leadership team to ensure implementation of the big rocks and action steps outlined in the table in the Service 1 Systems Creation section. For clarity, the campus to receive the above-mentioned coaching support in the area of:
Data-Driven Instruction
Big Rock Educational Services (BRES) is the leadership coaching partner that utilizes the BRES Effective Coaching Framework to collaboratively set goals for the schools and help them achieve them while building leadership capacity. Big Rock Educational Services include the following:
· Service 1 – On-going Coaching and Implementation: BRES provides a combination of on-site and virtual coaching with Stafford Elementary School leadership team to ensure implementation of the big rocks and action steps in the following areas:
o Classroom Rigor – Planning and Execution
Winston Elementary Intersession Learning
STEM activity for Intersession Day 3
Wrenn Middle School Intersession
Wrenn 7th & 8th graders learn about lateral and total surface are with net models at intersession.
Las Palmas Leadership School for Girls
Las Palmas Leadership School for Girls teacher wins Educational Grant. Ms. Melissa Covarrubias was awarded a $1,000 educational grant from FirstMark Foundation. She will use the grant to purchase STEM kits for students to use on International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Roberto Basurto, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services
Art Recognition: 3rd/4th Grade Art Club Students at Las Palmas Leadership for Girls
Ms. Susie Becerra, Art Teacher at Las Palmas Leadership School for Girls, submitted a personal painting inspired by the life skills students at LPLS and was selected to have her painting showcased at Morgan’s Wonderland new MAC Center.
Her painting was so inspiring that Ms. Becerra was asked to submit another painting to be placed at the new MAC Center. Ms. Becerra decided to submit the second painting with her 3rd/4th Art Club leaders.
Fine Arts STEAM Academy and Brentwood STEAM School of Innovation Robotics
The Fine Arts STEAM Academy and Brentwood STEAM School of Innovation competed in the FTC Old Hwy 90 robotics competition second round. Both Schools are currently the league leaders in this competition. The league has teams from NISD, Uvalde, Del Rio, Poth, Lytle, Harmony Hills, SAISD, and Holy Cross.
The third round will be held at Brentwood on January 14, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Bi-league championship will be held on January 28, 2023 at School of Science, and Technology
Winners will advance to Semi regionals at Buda or Corpus Christi Texas in February 2023.
Some of our teams Competing:
The EISD Strategic Plan
Priority 2: Focus on Students, Families, and Community
The Strategic Plan Task Force is excited about the completion of our first draft of the EISD Strategic Plan for 2022-2028. You can view the Strategic Plan in the link below. We will be working on the Refinement Phase of this work from January – May 2023 which includes the development of the Annual Work Plans for all Central Administrative Staff.
Edgewood ISD School Choice Expo
Priority 2: Focus on Students, Families, and Community
On January 19, 2023 our district will be hosting a school exploration evening for families at the Fine Arts Academy from 5:00pm-7:00pm. All schools will be in attendance to showcase their school models and answer any questions our families have. Please join us for some food and fun!
Guidance and Counseling
No Name Calling Week
January 16-20, 2023
No Name-Calling Week will be observed on January 16-20, 2023. This week will focus on educating students, teachers, and the community on the harmful effects of name-calling.
According to National Today, “People have been called unpleasant names for their weight, height, intelligence, sexual orientation, and others things they have little or no control over. While some consider name-calling harmless fun, victims of such names generally feel insecure, ashamed, and bullied, to extents that cause them to lose their self-esteem, feel unwanted in their immediate environments, and suffer emotional distress. Name-calling inflicts psychological injuries on victims and forces some of them into seclusion or to consider suicide.”
NO NAME-CALLING WEEK - January 16-20, 2023 - National Today
As a district, it is important for us to advocate for students and staff members that hear hurtful words that may impact their mental and emotional well being.
Myrna G. Martinez, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations
Districtwide HVAC Projects
With the opportunity to utilize and maximize ESSER III funding, the administration has identified several key areas of need regarding HVAC upgrades district-wide. A district team consisting of team members from PPS, Federal Programs, Business and Finance, Purchasing, Operations, and O'Connell Robertson have been meeting for the past few months to discuss the scope, procurement process, estimated budgets, timelines, etc. We have learned from these meetings that there are some very long lead times on ordering and receiving HVAC equipment. This is important to keep in mind because ESSER III funding ends on September 30, 2024. We must obligate and receive the items by September 30, 2024. We are hoping that the TEA extends the liquidation date for at least a year like it did ESSER I; however, we cannot bank on that happening. We must prepare and make recommendations based on what we know today.
We will most likely recommend the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method. As such, the Board will have several actions/approvals to make in the near future:
- Approval of the CMAR as the delivery method
- Approval of the recommended general contractor
- Approval of the contract and guaranteed maximum price (GMP)
The Board may expect additional information in the coming weeks as we finalize the recommendation.
Employee of the Month
Priority 4: Focus on Employees and Organizational Improvement
Congratulations to Refugio Castro, one of our Capenter/Craftsman in Building Trades! He was chosen as the Employee of the Month for the month of November. Mr. Castro is a wonderfully skilled craftsman who takes great pride in his work and has been with Edgewood ISD since 1996! Way to go Castro, well deserved!
Warehouse New Hires
Please welcome 2 of our new employees at the Warehouse:
Athletics: Softball Signing
Congratulations to Emily Olivarez for committing to play softball at the next level at Ranger College! Her signing was on Friday, December 16, 2022. Miss Olivarez is a senior at John F. Kennedy High School and we are very proud of her! Way to go Emily!
Board Agenda Item - Monthly Auxiliary and Paraprofessional Employee Board Report
All paraprofessional and auxiliary employees, regardless of certification, are employed at-will and not by contract. Other employees in the following categories: non-administrative, non-certified professionals, and teachers with school district permits. At-will employees may be dismissed at any time for any reason not prohibited by law, or for no reason as determined by the needs of the district. The board report consists of paraprofessional and auxiliary employees, who are recommended by appropriate supervisors for employment, have resigned, transferred within the district, have been terminated, or demise. The Human Resources Board Report for Paraprofessionals and Auxiliary personnel is being submitted to the School Board as an informational item.
Auxiliary and Paraprofessional Employment Report
Board Agenda Item - Monthly Professional Employment Board Report
Policy DC (LOCAL) states, “The Superintendent has sole authority to make recommendations to the board regarding the selection of contractual personnel. The Board retains final authority for employment of contractual personnel.” Professional employees are recommended for employment by the appropriate supervisor. The Professional Employment Board Report consists of promotions, transfers, new hires, resignations, reassignments for professional contract personnel, and reduction in force.
Professional Employment Board Report
Board Agenda Item - First reading of the revision of Policy COA (LOCAL) - Food and Nutrition Management Procurement
Priority 2: Focus on Students, Families, and Community
Priority 3: Focus on Operational Excellence
Priority 4: Focus on Employees and Organizational Improvement
Priority 5: Focus on Financial Stewardship
Updates cover recommended COA (LOCAL) Policy revisions that address Food and Nutrition Management.
Policy COA (LOCAL) – Food and Nutrition Management Procurement designates a district individual to oversee the child nutrition funds to procure appropriate goods and services necessary for providing food service to students. The appointed individual shall also develop and enforce financial management systems, internal control procedures, procurement procedures, and other administrative procedures as needed to comply with all state and federal requirements for use of these funds.
The Board delegates the district individual the authority to determine whether the District will apply a geographic preference when procuring unprocessed, locally grown or locally raised agricultural and to:
1. Specify the types of products for which any geographic preference will be applied; and
2. Define the geographic area to be preferred for each applicable product.
The administration is asking the Board to approve the first reading of updates to policy as recommended. Replacing “Superintendent” as the Food and Nutrition Management Procurement with “Director of Child Nutrition” as stated in the COA (Local) Policy.
This section will be addressed in administrative regulations.
Edgewood ISD – Bexar – COA (LOCAL)
Board Agenda Item - Specific personnel matter(s). Section 21.105 deals with Probationary Contracts
Priority 1 – Focus on Student Success
Priority 2 – Focus on Students, Families, and Community
Priority 3 – Focus on Operational Excellence
Priority 4 – Focus on Employees & Organizational Improvement
The Human Resources Office received some teacher resignations in the past few weeks. HR administrative staff scheduled a meeting/phone call, to talk through the resignation process with the teachers. After conversations, some teachers reconsidered and decided not to resign.
As we see an influx in teacher resignations, the Human Resources Office will proceed with submitting a recommendation to the Board to sanction teaching credentials for those teachers who proceed to break contract with the district.
As we continue to work with our staff, please know that the teacher resignations will impact on our teacher turnover rate for the 2022-2023 school year.
The administration is asking the Board’s approval to render a finding that good cause did not exist under Texas Education Code § 21.105 and authorizing the Superintendent to file a written complaint with the State Board for Educator Certification for contract abandonment by Probationary Contract Employee(s).
2022-2023 District-Wide Vacancies
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Health Insurance Implementation
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas implementation has been finalized and the group is showing effective as of 1/1/2023. ID cards have been mailed to employees but in the event, they have not been received they are able to contact the Risk Management Office for further assistance. Employees are also able to utilize the BCBS of TX application to review claims, deductibles, and download ID cards.
Frontline
Priority 4: Focus on Employees and Organizational Improvement
The Human Resources Department will be transitioning from TalentEd Recruiting & Hiring to Frontline Recruiting & Hiring. Effective 2/1/23, anyone seeking employment with Edgewood ISD will be submitting their employment application via Frontline. A notification will be posted on the Edgewood ISD landing page.
Job Fairs
Board Agenda Item - October 2022 donations in the amount of $4,870.00
October 2022 donations received for the benefit of campuses and/or departments. These funds are deposited into special accounts designed for the use by the campus and/or department receiving the donation. There is no impact on the general operating budget of the district
Donations Monthly Report October 2022
Board Agenda Item - Financial Statements for the month of October 2022
Monthly unaudited reports reflecting the financial activity of the district including a comparison of budget to actual year-to-date revenues and expenditures
Financial Reports – October 2022Board Agenda Item - Resolution by the School Board to approve the revisions to the Investment Policy and Strategies for the fiscal year 2022-2023
The Texas Government Code §2256.005(e) of the Public Funds Investment Act and the School Board Policy CDA (Legal and Local) requires the governing body to adopt a written instruction annually, such as a resolution, stating that it has reviewed its investment policy and investment strategies and that the written instrument so adopted shall record any changes made to either the investment policy or investment strategies. The Board is required to approve any revisions to the investment policy. The revisions have been recommended by the districts’ investment advisor.
Board Agenda Item - Monthly Tax Collection Report for the month of October 2022
Tax Code 26.04(b) states the collector shall prepare and submit on a monthly basis to the School Board a written report for all taxes collected during the preceding month. The monthly tax report illustrates the receipt of current and delinquent tax collections for maintenance and operations and debt service taxes, as well as any related penalties and interest.
Tax Collection Report October 2022Board Agenda Item - Award Toshiba a multi-year contract totaling $817,186.00 for records management, document management services for all districtwide records as required by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Priority 2 – Focus on Students, Families and Community
Priority 3 – Focus on Operational Excellence
Priority 5 – Focus on Financial StewardshipThe Administration formed a committee to review the districts’ current records retention process in July 2022. The committee had representation from Human Resources, Finance, Food Service, Technology, PEIMS, PPS, and Special Education Department. The committee met several times throughout the past 5 months and evaluated 3 companies that are members of a COOP. The companies demonstrated their services and software for record management, conversion services, and cloud document management services for all districtwide records as required by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Enterprise Content Management Proposal
Doc Mgt RFQ Price Extention LetterBoard Agenda Item - Award RFP #23-005 Graphic Design Services and Furniture for Cafeteria to Edu-Source
Priority 1 – Focus on Student Success
Priority 3 – Focus on Operational Excellence
Priority 5 – Focus on Financial StewardshipThe Edgewood Independent School District has a need for Graphic Design Services and Furniture for Cafeterias in District Campuses. The John F Kennedy campus has been under review since August of 2021 as per a request for a cafeteria upgrade made by the campus committee after discovering there was not enough proper seating for the students.
After the Child Nutrition Services (CNS) Director met with several vendors to measure the areas and price furniture, a few meetings were held with the Campus Administration to finalize details and agree on the outcome which would include both furniture and design. The project consists of new paint, design for the dining area, a complete replacement of the existing furniture, as well as removal of some barriers in the form of posts and booths that obstructed the view of student activity (a potential safety issue from staff monitoring the cafeteria at meal services). The anticipated timeline is for the project to begin and end during Spring Break in March 2023. The furniture and supplies must be ordered by the last two weeks in January for this timeline to be met. The existing furniture will not be removed until the new tables and chairs have arrived.
The Memorial High School furniture was replaced at the campus level in 2020 and STEAM/Fine Arts currently has quality furniture.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) #23-005 was advertised in the local newspaper on September 29, 2022, and October 3, 2022, for Graphic Design Services and Furniture for Cafeterias for District campuses. One (1) proposal was received by the deadline of October 17, 2022, by 3:00 pm CST, in the Edgewood ISD Purchasing Office located within the District Conference Center.
The District Committee evaluated the sole offeror on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, and recommended awarding Edu-Source.
RFP Graphics and Furniture for Cafeteria
Evaluation Criteria & SummaryBoard Agenda Item - Award the installation of Poured-In-Place playground surfacing with concrete slab base at Stafford Early Childhood Center by Park Place Recreation Designs, in an amount not to exceed $14,610.00
Priority 1 – Focus on Student Success
Priority 2 – Focus on Students, Families, and Community
Priority 3 – Focus on Operational ExcellenceAdditional funds have been provided to the Edgewood Head Start Program this year from COVID Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) as part of the Head Start grant with the City of San Antonio and Office of Head Start. One of the major initiatives in early childhood education is encouraging outdoor play. In outdoor play, safety takes a high priority. Current EISD playgrounds have a natural mulch surface protecting children from falls. While this material can provide adequate cushioning, it also requires annual replacement and daily raking for debris removal. Head Start standards require that no foreign matter be present in the mulch. This requirement makes maintenance of the area a costly endeavor in terms of replacement costs and manpower hours to maintain.
Poured in Place surfaces have been designed to absorb impact. These surfaces are easy to maintain, requiring very low maintenance. They are highly durable, provide consistent shock absorbency and are compliant for ADA easy wheelchair access. As funds become available, all Head Start playground areas will be considered for installation of this product starting with this installation at Stafford Early Childhood Center.
Quotes were received from three vendors. Park Place Recreation Design offered the most cost-effective proposal based on the specifications, specifically utilizing concrete not compacted base as part of the cost.
Park Place Form 1295Board Agenda Item - Award RFP #23-006 Cooler - Freezer Units to Reliance Heating and Air Conditioning
Priority 1 – Focus on Student Success
Priority 3 – Focus on Operational Excellence
Priority 5 – Focus on Financial StewardshipThe Edgewood Independent School District has a need for Cooler and Freezer Units for District campuses and buildings. The Memorial High School walk in cooler and freezer units have not been replaced in over 22 years. As we plan to replace several campus units, the order for replacement is based on the oldest models and total cost in repair history. We will continue to evaluate and replace our older model units.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) #23-006 was advertised in the local newspaper on September 29, 2022, and October 3, 2022, for the purchase and installation of Freezer – Cooler Units for District campuses. One (1) proposal was received by the deadline of October 17, 2022, by 3:00 pm CST, in the Edgewood ISD Purchasing Office located within the District Conference Center.
The District Committee evaluated the sole offeror on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 and recommended awarding the proposal to Reliance Heating & Air Conditioning.
RFP 23-006 Cooler Freezer Units
Newspaper Postings Cooler Freezer
RFP 23-006 Evaluation Criteria & SummaryRolands Shoe Rack
This past Friday we partnered with Roland's Shoe Rack Inc to do a shoe giveaway. Roland’s donated 300 pairs of shoes to selected Edgewood students. The students were visited by Santa where he gave them each their wrapped shoes. Thank you to our Santa, Board member, Mr. Guerra. They also enjoyed Happy Meals donated by McDonald's. They were so excited! All shoes were wrapped the weekend prior by volunteers from Roland’s Shoe Rack, EISD PD and students from St. John Bosco, St. Luke’s and Central Catholic. Venue was sponsored by EISD Family & Community Engagement Dept. and St Jude's Catholic Church.
EISD PD Toy Drive 2022
Priority 2 – Focus on Students, Families and Community
A total of 100 EISD Families were selected to participate in the Pd’s annual Toy Drive. Each family averaged a total of 4 to 6 children; totaling anywhere from 400 to 600 children. Children aged from newborn to 18 years old received gifts. All gifts were delivered by EISD Police. Each Child received at least 2 gifts from EISD Police. We’d Like to thank all our sponsors and volunteers for helping make this event a success!
Family from Wrenn
Priority 2 – Focus on Students, Families and Community
During the last week the district was open before letting out for Christmas break, one of our employees from Wrenn who suffered the loss of her home due to a fire, reached out for help with getting Christmas gifts for her children. We had been in contact with the employee previously to assist in getting a hotel stay for the first week of her being homeless. The employee has not been working since her family is having a hard time adjusting to their new norm and she was worried she could not make Christmas happen for her 6-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter. EISD PD gathered information on the children's wants and likes and we went shopping. The 6 yr. old boy received numerous toys and outfits with his favorite character, spider-man. The 19 yr. old female got two $50 gift cards to spend at Target and a Master card to use wherever she liked.
Improper Relationship/ Sexual Assault Case
The EISD PD has been doing an extensive amount of work for a recent improper relationship/sexual assault case. The work to include: · 6 MAJOR FELONIES · Medical & Physical Evaluation · Search Warrants on DNA Collections · Child Safe Forensic Interview · Warrants for Digital Media · A BOND set at $330,000 · Working on finalizing the case; Working with Bexar County District Attorney.
JFK Incident
We received a media request about an incident that took place on November 11, 2022, where a fight between two JFK students took place after school across the street between Pizza Hut and Mc Donalds. During the incident, our Officer was assaulted. As a result, he took tactics to subdue the subject and get the situation under control as quickly as possible for the safety of all involved. The officer was able to deescalate the situation where it could have quickly turned into a dangerous one. Our Edgewood officers are community officers that consistently give back to the community they serve. Our number one priority is the safety of all students, staff, and community.
We will be updating the School Board at the next closed session.
Marketing and Communications
Media
KSAT reporter Jessie Degollado visited Fine Arts Academy to spotlight the Edgewood Walkouts that occurred at Edgewood High School in 1968. Ms. Degollado interviewed alumni who proudly took part in the walkouts and EISD Superintendent Dr. Eduardo Hernández regarding the importance of preserving the district's history.
Watch the full story here: https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2022/12/26/dna-of-social-justice-born-out-of-1968-edgewood-hs-walkout/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=snd&utm_content=ksat12
Regular Board Meeting
Tuesday, Jan 17, 2023, 06:00 PM
District Conference Center, 1930 Herbert Lane, San Antonio, Texas 78237
Edgewood Independent School District
Website: www.eisd.net
Location: 5358 W Commerce St. San Antonio, Texas 78237
Phone: 210-898-2000