Nov 19, 2024 Board Meetings

[00:00:04]

>> GOOD EVENING. IT IS 6:00 PM.

[1. Call to Order]

LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT ALL TRUSTEES ARE PRESENT.

WE WILL NOW ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION

[3. Closed Session]

WE WILL NOW RECESS INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 6:00 PM. GOOD EVENING.

[4. Reconvene]

IF YOU'LL PLEASE RISE FOR THE PRAYER LED BY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, DR. BENITA REED.

THE PLEDGE IS LED BY BOARD MEMBER COURTNEY LACKEY WILSON, AND THE PRESENTATION OF COLORS LED BY THE TIMBERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL, JROTC.

>> [INAUDIBLE] AMEN.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU MAY BE SEATED.

WE ARE GOING TO MOVE RIGHT INTO ITEM 6,

[6. District Recognition]

>> YES, MA'AM. WE'RE GOING TO ASK LAURA JOBE, ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING TO START US OFF.

>> THANK YOU, DR. SCOTT. GOOD EVENING.

BOARD PRESIDENT FARRAR, DR. SCOTT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, CABINET AND TO THE PUBLIC HERE WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL BEGIN OUR RECOGNITIONS WITH OUR SCHOOL BOARD SUPERSTARS.

EACH MONTH DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, STUDENTS FROM OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ARE SELECTED TO RECEIVE THE SCHOOL BOARDS SUPER STAR AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CITIZENSHIP.

THESE YOUNG STUDENTS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FROM THEIR CAMPUSES BASED ON THE VIRTUES OF OUTSTANDING CHARACTER, CITIZENSHIP, FAIRNESS, HONESTY, KINDNESS, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, AND TRUSTWORTHINESS.

BEFORE WE BRING OUR SUPERSTARS UP, I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO THE SCREENS TO LEARN WHAT MAKES THESE YOUNG SCHOLARS SO SUPER.

[00:05:02]

>> LAYNEE IS A SCHOOL BOARD SUPERSTAR BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING THIS CHILD WILL NOT DO.

SHE IS VERY RELIABLE, DEPENDABLE.

SHE IS SO HARD WORKING.

YOU CAN ASK HER TO DO ANYTHING AND JUST LIKE THAT SHE'S ON IT, AND SHE DOES IT TO THE VERY END.

>> BEING A SUPERSTAR IS EXCITING AND FUN.

>> NOMINATING TAMIA WAS AN EASY CHOICE.

SHE EFFORTLESSLY FOLLOWS OUR SCHOOL BEHAVIOR MATRIX, WHICH IS TO BE RESPONSIBLE, BE RESPECTFUL AND BE SAFE.

I AM SO PROUD TO BE HER TEACHER AND CELEBRATE WITH HER FOR RECEIVING THIS AWARD.

>> I THINK I WAS CHOSEN FOR THIS AWARD BECAUSE I LISTEN ATTENTIVELY AND I'M A VERY GOOD FRIEND.

>> I CHOSE CHIMEILA BECAUSE SHE IS SOMEONE WHO ENCOMPASSES WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MODEL STUDENT.

SHE REALLY HAS ALL THE QUALITIES THAT YOU WILL LOOK FOR IN A STUDENT.

>> CHIMEILA IS AN UPSTANDING STUDENT IN THIS WOODWARD'S CLASS.

SHE EXEMPLIFIES OUR PAWS EXPECTATIONS HERE AT PONDER.

>> IT'S BECAUSE OF THE PONDER PANTHER REFERAL.

>> I CHOSE PAUL RENNIE TO BE THE SCHOOL BOARD SUPERSTAR BECAUSE HIS LOVE FOR LEARNING.

HE IS SO INTERESTED IN WEATHER AND SCIENCE, AND HE'S ALWAYS TELLING US DIFFERENT FACTS.

HE JUST LOVES TO LEARN. HE COMES TO SCHOOL WITH A HAPPY ATTITUDE, AND HE JUST DOES A GREAT JOB EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> NO, I WASN'T EXPECTING ME TO GET CHOSEN, BUT PROBABLY MY GOOD BEHAVIOR AND STUFF.

>> I PICKED LISSANA BECAUSE SHE IS HELPFUL.

SHE'S KIND TO ALL OF THE FRIENDS IN THE CLASS AND AT HER TABLE. SHE'S TRUSTWORTHY.

IF I EVER NEED ANYTHING DONE THAT I CAN'T DO MYSELF, I KNOW THAT SHE CAN HANDLE IT.

LISSANA IS KIND, AMBITIOUS, HELPFUL.

ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP.

>> ASHLEY WAS CHOSEN TO BE A SUPERSTAR BECAUSE SHE IS A HARD WORKER.

SHE IS ALWAYS ON TASK.

SHE'S KIND TO OTHERS, ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP OUT.

SHE ALWAYS HAS HER WORK ON TIME.

SHE TAKES HER TIME ON EVERYTHING, AND IS JUST A KIND PERSON IN GENERAL.

>> I THINK I WAS CHOSEN TO BE A SUPERSTAR BECAUSE I HELP STUDENTS, AND I'M VERY NICE AND KIND.

>> I CHOSE SKYLER BECAUSE SHE COMES IN EVERY SINGLE DAY WITH A GREAT ATTITUDE READY TO LEARN.

SHE GIVES EVERYTHING HER BEST, AND SHE'S SUCH A MOTIVATED, KIND, CARING STUDENT.

>> I ALWAYS DO MY BEST IN THE CLASS.

>> I PICKED ABIGAIL BECAUSE SHE REALLY EMBODIES ALL THAT ANNETTE PERRY HAS TO OFFER WITH OUR SIX PILLARS OF CHARACTERS.

SHE HAS GREAT CITIZENSHIP, SHE'S FAIR, SHE'S RESPECTFUL, SHE'S RESPONSIBLE.

>> I'M TRUSTWORTHY, I AM RESPECTFUL, I'M RESPONSIBLE, AND I'M CARING. [APPLAUSE]

>> PARENTS AND STUDENTS, IT'S YOUR SPECIAL TIME.

STUDENTS AS I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GO TO DR. SCOTT TO GET YOUR SPECIAL RECOGNITION, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE YOU COME OVER AND STAND RIGHT IN THE CENTER UNTIL ALL OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE BEEN CALLED AND WE'LL TAKE SOME PICTURES.

FIRST, FROM ANETTE PERRY ELEMENTARY IS ABIGAIL RODRIGUEZ FROM 2ND GRADE.

[APPLAUSE] FROM ROBERTA TIPS STEAM ACADEMY, ASHLEY WOODELL, 4TH GRADE.

[APPLAUSE] FROM CORA SPENCER ELEMENTARY, TAMIA WHITE, 2ND GRADE.

[APPLAUSE] FROM TARVER-RENDON SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP, LAYNEE JOPLIN, 4TH GRADE.

[APPLAUSE] FROM THE ELIZABETH SMITH INNOVATIVE LEARNING ACADEMY, SKYLER CALAVADIA, 1ST GRADE.

[APPLAUSE] FROM MARY JOE SHEPHERD ELEMENTARY, LISSANA PENTOA, FOR KINDERGARTEN.

[APPLAUSE] MARTHA REID ELEMENTARY'S PAUL RENNIE, 4TH GRADE.

[APPLAUSE]

[00:10:08]

[APPLAUSE] LET'S GET EVERYONE TOGETHER FOR A PICTURE.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STUDENTS.

[APPLAUSE] WE'D ALSO LIKE TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, TEACHERS, AND ADMINISTRATORS WHO ARE HERE WITH US TONIGHT AND HAVE HELPED SHAPE THESE YOUNG LEADERS.

LET'S GIVE ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

[APPLAUSE] MOVING ON TO OUR NEXT RECOGNITION, I'D LIKE TO INVITE FERNANDO BENAVIDES, ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION TO THE LECTERN.

>> GOOD EVENING BOARD PRESIDENT FARRAR, DR. SCOTT, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

TONIGHT, WE ARE RECOGNIZING STUDENTS WHO MADE THE 2024 NATIONAL COLLEGE BOARD RECOGNITION LIST.

EACH YEAR, STUDENTS AROUND THE WORLD TAKE THE PSAT AND ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES TO AID THEM IN THEIR JOURNEY FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE.

THE COLLEGE BOARD RECOGNIZE STUDENTS EACH YEAR BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA.

STUDENTS THAT SCORE IN THE TOP 10% OF TEST TAKERS IN THE STATE ON THE PSAT, WHICH IS THE BASIS FOR THE NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TESTS TAKEN IN 10TH AND 11TH GRADE, OR EARN A SCORE OF THREE OR HIGHER ON TWO OR MORE AP EXAMS TAKEN IN THE 9TH, 10TH, AND/OR 11TH GRADE, EARN A CUMULATIVE GPA OF 3.3, IDENTIFY AS FIRST GENERATION BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN, HISPANIC OR LATINO, INDIGENOUS OR NATIVE AMERICAN.

MANY STUDENTS THROUGHOUT MANSFIELD ISD HAVE MADE THIS LIST, AND WE WILL RECOGNIZE STUDENTS FROM ALL OUR HIGH SCHOOLS DURING A FEW BOARD MEETINGS JUST AS WE DID LAST MONTH.

THIS EVENING, WE WILL RECOGNIZE OUR STUDENTS FROM SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL IN MANSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL WHO MET THIS CRITERIA.

FROM SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 10 NAMES AND WITH US TONIGHT ARE THE FOLLOWING.

DIEGO ANGUIANO, FIRST GENERATION HISPANIC RECOGNITION AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] MORRIAH BARNETT, AFRICAN AMERICAN RECOGNITION AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] EDELL HAMMOND, AFRICAN AMERICAN FIRST GENERATION RECOGNITION AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] NORA HIGHTOWER, HISPANIC RECOGNITION AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] DANIEL OGIOZEE, AFRICAN AMERICAN RECOGNITION AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] CHLOE PENNINGTON, INDIGENOUS RECOGNITION AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] FINALLY, VALERIA TAPIA, FIRST GENERATION HISPANIC RECOGNITION AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE OUTSTANDING SCHOLARS FROM SUMMIT.

FINAL ROUND OF APPLAUSE, PLEASE.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL.

[APPLAUSE] NOW, WE'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE OUR NATIONAL COLLEGE BOARD RECOGNITIONS FROM MANSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL.

WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 31 STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED THIS AWARD, AND I'M GOING TO RECOGNIZE THE ONES THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT.

FIRST, WE HAVE NICOLAS CARDENAS, HISPANIC RECOGNITION AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] CORINNE CONSTANTE, HISPANIC RECOGNITION AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] KENLEY CRAWFORD, AFRICAN AMERICAN RECOGNITION AWARD.

[00:15:03]

[APPLAUSE] ISABELLE HURST, AFRICAN AMERICAN FIRST GENERATION, HISPANIC RECOGNITION AWARDS.

[APPLAUSE] ZOE MAUE, FIRST GENERATION RECOGNITION AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] JAYDEN MCDONALD, AFRICAN AMERICAN FIRST GENERATION RECOGNITION AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] JULIE PISTONE, FIRST GENERATION, HISPANIC RECOGNITION AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] ABDIEL POSADA, HISPANIC RECOGNITION AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] FINALLY, L'NIYAH VALENTINE, AFRICAN AMERICAN RECOGNITION AWARD. [APPLAUSE]

>> LET'S GIVE THESE OUTSTANDING SCHOLARS ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

PARENTS COME ON OUT AND TAKE A PICTURE.

[APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU, MR. BENEVIDES, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE STUDENTS ON THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS.

THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO INVITE CHRISTINE OYLER, COORDINATOR OF EVENTS HERE AT THE CENTER TO THE PODIUM.

>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD PRESIDENT FARRAR, DR. SCOTT, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

TONIGHT, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THIS YEAR'S MANSFIELD TOYS FOR TOTS YOUTH AMBASSADOR.

AT THIS TIME, COULD I PLEASE ASK JACOB HILLIS TO JOIN US IN THE FRONT.

AS HE MAKES HIS WAY OVER, I'LL BEGIN WITH A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM.

THE MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS FOUND NATION INITIATED THE TOYS FOR TOTS YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM IN 2021 AND IS IN ITS FOURTH YEAR.

A YOUTH AMBASSADOR IS A MEMBER OF A SELECT GROUP OF OUR NATION'S YOUTH THAT SERVE AS REPRESENTATIVES OF TOYS FOR TOTS.

AMBASSADORS HELP RAISE PEER GROUP AWARENESS AND ENCOURAGE SUPPORT FROM OUR YOUNGER GENERATION.

THE PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS CHILDREN HELPING CHILDREN ARE THOSE THAT HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND IN THEIR COMMUNITIES TO HELP THOSE LESS FORTUNATE THAN THEMSELVES.

THIS PAST JULY, JACOB WAS PROUDLY NOMINATED BY HIS KEY CUB SPONSOR MS. ABBY MARION, WHO IS HERE WITH US TONIGHT.

IN HER NOMINATION, SHE HIGHLIGHTED JACOB'S SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOTH THE LEGACY HIGH SCHOOL TOY DRIVE CAMPAIGN AND KEY CLUB OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.

LAST YEAR, JACOB EXCELLED AS THE KEY CLUB SOCIAL MEDIA AND MARKETING OFFICER.

HE SKILLFULLY PROMOTED EVENTS AND RALLIED THE ENTIRE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

NOW HE SERVES AS THE PRESIDENT OF LEGACY'S 146 MEMBER KEY CLUB.

HE LEADS ALL TOYS FOR TOTS INITIATIVES AND ACTIVITIES WITH DEDICATION.

MS. MARIAN ALSO NOTED THAT JACOB WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE CLUB SUBMISSION FOR KEY CLUB INTERNATIONAL SINGLE SERVICE AWARD.

WHICH IS A RECOGNITION THAT HAS RANKED THE LEGACY KEY CLUBS PROJECT AS THE NUMBER ONE SERVICE INITIATIVE ACROSS TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA'S 500 CLUBS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

THIS AWARD WINNING SUBMISSION SHOWCASED THE CLUBS SUBMISSION TO UPLIFT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TOYS FOR TOTS SPECIFICALLY.

IN AUGUST AFTER REVIEWING NOMINATIONS, THE FOUNDATION SELECTED JACOB TO BE A PART OF THIS PROGRAM ALONG WITH 41 OTHER YOUTHS NATIONWIDE.

JACOB IS COMMITTED TO THIS YEAR LONG PROGRAM AND EXCITED TO SERVE THE MANSFIELD COMMUNITY.

WE ARE VERY PROUD OF JACOB AND HIS DEDICATION TO SERVING OTHERS.

CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU, CRISTINE. LET'S GIVE ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO ALL OF THOSE HONORED TONIGHT.

[APPLAUSE] THAT CONCLUDES TONIGHT'S RECOGNITIONS.

[00:20:25]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HIGHLIGHTING ALL THE EXCITING THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN OUR DISTRICT.

THAT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE MEETING EVERY MONTH.

[7. District Introductions ]

>> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU.

BOARD MEMBERS THIS EVENING.

WE HAVE TWO ADMINISTRATIVE NEW HIRES AND PROMOTIONS TO INTRODUCE TO YOU.

FIRST, WE HAVE MR. FERNANDO BENAVIDES.

HE IS OUR NEW ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT FOR CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

AS YOU KNOW, HE'S BEEN SERVING IN THAT ROLE IN AN INTERIM CAPACITY AS WELL AS WORKING AS OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HIGH SCHOOLS.

>> DR. SCOTT, BOARD PRESIDENT FOR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS THE ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF CURRICULUM INSTRUCTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

I AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE CONFIDENCE DR. CANTU, AND DR. SCOTT HAVE PLACED ME WITH THIS APPOINTMENT.

I ALSO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE AND EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO MY LEADERSHIP TEAM, DR. SWEEZY, DR. SPENCER, CHRISSIE COBB, DR. BRANNON, AND DR. PANTON.

YOUR SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION DURING THIS TRANSITION HAS BEEN INVALUABLE.

TOGETHER, OUR CI LEADERSHIP TEAM REMAINS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING CAMPUS LEADERS AND TEACHERS AS YOU WORK TO DELIVER HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION AND EXCEPTIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR ALL OUR MIST STUDENTS.

THIS EVENING, I'M HONORED TO BE JOINED BY MY BEST FRIEND, A BETTER HALF, AND THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, TIFFANY BENAVIDES.

[APPLAUSE] HER UNWAVERING SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE].

>> NEXT, WE'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO DEREK THOMPSON.

MR. THOMPSON IS OUR NEW COORDINATOR OF WEB SERVICES AND THE COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING DEPARTMENT.

HE'S COMING TO US FROM A NEARBY DISTRICT WHERE HE SERVED AS A COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, AS WELL AS A WEB SERVICES MANAGER.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, DR. SCOTT, BOARD MEMBERS.

I APOLOGIZE FOR MESSING THAT UP. GOOD EVENING.

BOARD PRESIDENT FARRAR, DR. SCOTT, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

MY NAME IS DEREK THOMPSON.

I'M EXCITED TO CONTINUE MY CAREER HERE IN MANSFIELD, ISD AS THE WEB SERVICES COORDINATOR.

I PLAN TO ENHANCE OUR DISTRICT'S DIGITAL PRESENCE BY KEEPING OUR WEBSITE ACCESSIBLE, INFORMATIVE, AND ENGAGING FOR ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS.

I'M JOINED BY MY PARENTS, DERICK AND N THOMPSON, MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE WITH THE PINK SHA THOMPSON, AND MY HANDSOME SON LUX.

I WANT TO GIVE A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM.

THANK Y'ALL. THE TRANSITION HAS BEEN VERY SMOOTH, AND I FEEL THE LOVE.

THANK Y'ALL FOR APPROVING THIS POSITION.

IF YOU HAVE ANY WEBSITE NEEDS, DON'T HESITATE TO REACH OUT TO ME.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU BOTH. WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO SEE YOU IN YOUR NEW ROLES.

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO OUR PRESENTATIONS,

[8. Instructional Focus]

>> YES, MA'AM. AI IS A HOT TOPIC THAT WE ARE ALL TRYING TO GET OUR ARMS AND OUR MINDS AROUND.

THE TWO DIES, YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM DER LEADING THE EFFORT HERE IN MANSFIELD ISD, SHAWNTEE COWAN AND CATHERINE MCGUINNESS.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING.

EVERYONE. GOOD EVENING, BOARD PRESIDENT FARRAR, DR. SCOTT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, EXECUTIVE COUNSEL AND ALL WHO ARE PRESENT TODAY.

AS DR. SCOTT SAID, I'M SHAWNTEE COWAN, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, AND I HAVE MY FRIEND HERE, CATHERINE, WHO IS DIRECTOR OF TEACHING AND LEARNING, AND WE ARE EXCITED TO PRESENT TO YOU TODAY ABOUT OUR DISTRICT'S AI READINESS.

[00:25:07]

WE DO WANT TO TAKE JUST A FEW MINUTES TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IN OUR DISTRICT AS IT RELATES TO THE TEACHING AND LEARNING ASPECT, AS WELL AS THE SECURITY ASPECT.

WE'RE GOING TO BE TAG TEAMING AND I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND START OFF FIRST WITH THE SECURITY ASPECT.

SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW THAT THE FOUNDATIONAL STRUCTURE OF AI WAS ACTUALLY INVENTED BETWEEN 1950-1955.

WHAT THAT TELLS US IS THAT AI IS NOT NECESSARILY NEW, BUT IT IS NEW TO THE EVERYDAY USER TO BE ABLE TO USE.

THAT MEANS THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO BE A MATHEMATICIAN OR A SCIENTIST TO USE AI.

BECAUSE OF THAT, IT'S TAKEN OFF JUST WORLDWIDE.

MANY USERS ARE USING IT.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, DIFFERENT AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS ARE REALLY TRYING TO WRAP THEIR ARMS AROUND THIS TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY.

THEY'RE TRYING TO SET FORTH PARAMETERS FOR SAFE USE.

THEY'RE TRYING TO SET FOR DIFFERENT CONDUCTING OF RESEARCH, AND THEN ALSO BEST PRACTICES.

ALTHOUGH WE AS A DISTRICT, WE USE VARIOUS RESOURCES TO UNDERSTAND BEST PRACTICES.

I AM GOING TO TALK ABOUT AND HIGHLIGHT THREE OF THE MOST COMMON THAT WE USE HERE IN THE DISTRICT, YOU'LL SEE THAT ON THE SCREEN.

ALSO THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE PRESENTATION, YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT HOW WE'VE IDENTIFIED BEST PRACTICES AND WE'RE USING THOSE HERE IN OUR DISTRICT.

THE FIRST ONE YOU SEE UP THERE IS CALLED NIST.

IT STANDS FOR NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY.

THIS IS A GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT CREATES CONTROLS FOR CYBERSECURITY.

WE ACTUALLY ALIGN OUR CYBERSECURITY FRAMEWORK TO THIS STANDARD.

IN ADDITION, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY.

THEY HAVE BEEN A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR US AS WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THIS AI PROCESS, AND THEY HAVE CREATED GUIDELINES AND TEMPLATES FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS LIKE US TO BE ABLE TO USE.

LASTLY, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE DIR, THAT STANDS FOR DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION RESOURCES, THAT THEY'RE CLOSELY ALIGNED WITH TEA, WHICH OF COURSE IS A TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY.

THEY HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH.

THEY HAVE COMMITTEES THAT THEY'VE FORMED, AND THEY PROVIDED A LOT OF RESOURCES FOR US AS A DISTRICT AS WELL.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THE GUIDANCE THAT WE HAVE FROM THESE DIFFERENT RESOURCES AS WELL AS OTHERS, THERE'S TWO BEST PRACTICES THAT REALLY COME TO THE SURFACE.

THE FIRST ONE IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TRAINING FOR ALL OF OUR USERS.

THE OTHER PIECE OF THAT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE SETTING FORTH CLEAR GUIDELINES AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT HERE IN MANSFIELD ISD, WE DO BOTH.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IN SOME OF THE SUBSEQUENT SLIDES THAT WE HAVE CONDUCTED VALUABLE TRAINING, AND THAT'S FOR OUR STAFF AND OUR STUDENTS.

ALSO, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT WE HAVE GUIDELINES IN PLACE.

AGAIN, FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS, AND WE REQUEST AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR STAKEHOLDERS ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE GUIDELINES.

IF YOU'RE A STAFF IN MANSFIELD ISD AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, YOU'RE GOING TO COMPLETE A COURSE IN SAFE SCHOOLS, AND THAT'S WHERE WE HOUSE ALL OF OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT OUTLINES THESE GUIDELINES, AND IF YOU ARE A STUDENT OR YOUR GUARDIAN, YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN YOU'RE ENROLLING HERE IN THE DISTRICT, THAT YOU ARE ACKNOWLEDGING IN SKYWARD THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THESE GUIDELINES.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, IT'S IMPORTANT WHEN WE'RE USING AI THAT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF UNDERSTAND HOW TO ETHICALLY USE IT, HOW TO ALSO PROTECT OUR DATA AND HOW TO PROTECT OUR NETWORK AS WELL.

ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT, IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS ARE NOT USING AI INAPPROPRIATELY, AND THAT INFORMATION IS HOUSED IN OUR CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STUDENTS AND OUR HANDBOOKS.

BOARD MEMBERS, YOU HAVE A PACKET IN FRONT OF YOU AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE THOSE GUIDELINES IF THAT'S SOMETHING YOU WANT TO LOOK AT.

NEXT, WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT SECURING AI WITH AI.

SECURITY TOOLS. AS AI BECOMES MORE PREVALENT.

IT'S NOW BEING EMBEDDED IN MANY OF OUR SOFTWARE PROGRAMS. YOU ALL MAY HAVE SOME SOFTWARE PROGRAMS THAT YOU'RE USING AT HOME OR MAYBE AT WORK, AND YOU MIGHT SEE SOME OF THE AI FEATURES THERE.

HERE IN THE DISTRICT, WE DO HAVE A CONTENT FILTER, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE PUT IN PLACE TO PROTECT OUR STUDENTS FROM ACCESSING INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT ONLINE.

THAT TYPE OF SYSTEM ALSO HAS A MODULE SPECIFICALLY FOR AI.

IT ALLOWS US TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY MALICIOUS AI AND BLOCK IT.

[00:30:03]

THEY ALSO HAVE AI RELATED COMPONENTS THAT ALLOW US TO IN ESSENCE TO BE ABLE TO COMBAT MALICIOUS AI WITH AI.

ANOTHER BEST PRACTICE THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE IS, OF COURSE, TO STRENGTHEN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING CARE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.

EXAMPLES OF THAT IS MAKING SURE THAT WE PUT FORTH STRONG ACCESS CONTROLS.

AN EXAMPLE OF THAT MIGHT BE TWO FACTOR OR MULTI FACTOR AUTHENTICATION.

OUR STAFF MEMBERS LOVE THAT.

I PROMISE YOU. ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE COMPLEX PASSWORDS, THEY HAVE TO BE REALLY LONG.

SOMETIMES THERE'S THAT PIECE THAT EVERYBODY LOVES AS WELL.

ALSO CONSISTENT NETWORK AUDIT, PENETRATION TEST, AND YOU NAME IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT PIECES THAT WE'VE PUT TOGETHER THAT WE'VE ALREADY DOING, BUT IT'S GOOD TO KNOW THAT WE ARE ADHERING TO BEST PRACTICE AS IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER.

VETTING OUR PROGRAMS. THAT'S A BIG PIECE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF WE ARE IMPLEMENTING ANY TYPE OF SOFTWARE PROGRAM THAT HAS AI EMBEDDED THAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE VETTING PROCESS.

WE DO IN THE DISTRICT HAVE TWO APPROVAL PROCESSES.

ONE IS FOR SOFTWARE, AND THE OTHER IS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS.

THE VETTING PROCESS THAT WE USE HERE IN THE DISTRICT.

IT HAS TO BE REQUESTED BY ANY STAFF MEMBER WHO WANTS TO USE A SPECIFIC PLATFORM OR EQUIPMENT, AND VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS SIGN OFF ON THOSE APPROVALS BEFORE THEY'RE ACTUALLY PUT IN PLACE.

ANOTHER PIECE OF THAT IS MAKING SURE WE'RE HOLDING OUR VENDORS ACCOUNTABLE.

WE HAVE SOMETHING CALLED A DPA THAT STANDS FOR DATA PRIVACY AGREEMENT.

THE VENDORS HAVE TO ACTUALLY SIGN OFF THAT THEY ARE PROTECTING OUR DATA AND PROTECTING OUR PRIVACY.

IT'S A FORM OF TRANSPARENCY, SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROTECTING OUR DATA.

ANOTHER ASPECT OF DATA PROTECTION IS MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE VETTING DIFFERENT DISTRICT WIDE PURCHASES THAT INCLUDE AI.

WE WORK WITH OUR VENDORS TO MAKE SURE THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO UTILIZE OUR SYSTEMS, THAT THEY ARE NOT USING OUR DATA TO TRAIN THEIR AI MODELS, AND ALSO THAT THEY ARE USING OUR DATA AND PUTTING IT IN ISOLATED STORAGE SO THAT WE CAN ACCESS THAT DATA, BUT THIRD PARTIES CANNOT.

THOSE ARE SOME FORMS OF VETTING THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE DISTRICT.

ANOTHER PIECE TO CONSIDER IS COLLABORATION.

I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT COLLABORATION IS KEY.

THIS JOURNEY THAT WE'VE GONE DOWN HAS NOT BEEN DONE IN ISOLATION AT ALL.

IN FACT, THERE'S MANY GROUPS THAT HAVE COME TOGETHER TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE PUT THESE PERIMETERS IN PLACE.

A BIG SHOUT OUT GOES TO OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

THEY HAVE COME ALONGSIDE US TO REVIEW THE CONTENT THAT'S BEEN CREATED FOR THE STAFF SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

ANOTHER BIG SHOUTOUT GOES TO OUR STUDENT SERVICES BECAUSE THEY HAVE HELPED TO REVIEW THE CONTENT FOR THE STUDENT SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

THEN ALSO, TO CATHERINE MCGUINNESS TEAM DIGITAL LEARNING, THEY ARE FROM THE CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT, AND THEY HAVE CREATED SO MANY AMAZING LESSONS, CONTENT.

A LOT OF THE DOCUMENTATION THAT YOU SEE IN FRONT OF YOU, THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO PUT THAT TOGETHER FOR US.

I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T INCLUDE OUR TECHNOLOGY TEAM WHO HAVE ALSO WORKED HARD TO COME ALONGSIDE THESE DIFFERENT GROUPS FOR THE SECURITY ASPECT AND JUST THE COLLABORATION PIECE.

WHEN WE'VE COME TOGETHER, WE'VE VETTED PROCESSES TOGETHER.

WE HAVE HAD MEETINGS IN WHICH WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE ALIGNED AS A TEAM.

ALL IN ALL, I'M REALLY PROUD OF WHAT THE DISTRICT IS DOING AND HOW OUR TEAMS HAVE PARTNERED TOGETHER.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'M GOING TO TURN THE PRESENTATION OVER TO MS. MCGUINNESS AND SHE'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE INSTRUCTIONAL ASPECT.

>> GOOD EVENING. IT'S SO WONDERFUL TO BE HERE AND TO SHARE OUR JOURNEY WITH YOU.

WE STARTED THIS JOURNEY LAST YEAR IN COLLABORATION WITH MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS, WE REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STAFF HAD A STRONG FOUNDATION WHEN IT COMES TO AI.

WE REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE BUILT UP OUR RESOURCES, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS, AND REALLY PROACTIVELY ANSWER A LOT OF THOSE QUESTIONS THAT WE KNEW THAT WERE GOING TO COME UP.

WE BUILT THIS AI HUB AND IN THIS AI HUB, WE'RE HOUSING ALL THESE RESOURCES, THESE GUIDELINES, NEWSLETTERS, AND EVERYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF. BUT THAT WASN'T ALL.

THEN WE PUT BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND WE MADE SURE THAT WE WERE FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING ON EVERY SINGLE CAMPUS WITH ALL STAFF MEMBERS AND ALL ADMINISTRATION AND WE GOT THAT DONE BY MID SEPTEMBER.

EVERY SINGLE PERSON GOT A FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING ON AI,

[00:35:02]

WHEN IT COMES TO AI, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT AI CAN REALLY FALL INTO TWO CAMPS.

YOU HAVE YOUR MACHINE LEARNING, WHICH ALL OF US ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH.

THAT'S OUR MAPS, THAT'S OUR DIRECTIONS.

THAT'S WHEN YOU GO TO AMAZON AND IT'S GIVING YOU ALL THESE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO BUY.

BUT THE NEWER VERSION IN EDUCATION IS GENERATIVE AI.

GENERATIVE AI IS REALLY BASED ON THE PROMPT THAT YOU'RE GIVING AND ALSO WHAT IT'S BEING PULLED FROM, SO WITH THAT IN MIND, WE DECIDED TO CREATE GUIDELINES.

THIS WAS CREATED BEFORE THE START OF THE YEAR, NOT ONLY FOR STAFF, BUT ALSO FOR STUDENTS AND THIS ENCOMPASSES CYBERSECURITY, ACADEMIC INTEGRITY, AND ETHICAL USE.

OUR STAFF WERE ABLE TO BE TRAINED ON THIS IN OUR COMPLIANCE TRAINING AND IT'S ALSO IN OUR STAFF HANDBOOK AND NOT ONLY DO STUDENTS SEE THIS OR PARENTS SEE IT WHEN THEY REGISTER ONLINE, IT'S ALSO IN OUR STUDENT HANDBOOK AS WELL.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST QUESTIONS THAT COMES UP ALL THE TIME IS ACADEMIC INTEGRITY.

WE TRY TO BE PROACTIVE WITH THAT AND WE MADE GUIDELINES FOR DOS AND DON'TS AND WE DISTRIBUTED THIS TO EVERY SINGLE CAMPUS.

WE HAVE ONE FOR STAFF AND WE HAVE ONE FOR STUDENTS, AND WE ALSO EVEN BUILT A SLIDE DECK FOR OUR STAFF MEMBERS IN ORDER TO HELP TRAIN OUR STUDENTS AND GUIDE THEM THROUGH WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY WHILE USING AI IN THE CLASSROOM.

THE BIGGEST QUESTION WE ALWAYS GET IS THAT THE STUDENTS ARE GOING TO CHEAT [LAUGHTER].

WE ALSO USE VARIOUS EXAMPLES OF HOW WE CAN GET AROUND THAT AND ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE USE IT IS THE FLAWS THAT AI HAS.

WE TOOK A THIRD GRADE STAR QUESTION, AND WE PUT IT INTO CHATGPT AND WE ASKED IT TO ANSWER.

NOW, THERE ARE SOME PROBLEMS WITH IT.

IF YOU CAN READ IT, IT'S A BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN ANSWER, BUT IT'S NOT IN THIRD GRADE LANGUAGE.

TWO, ALL THE BOLD ITEMS WERE ACTUALLY NOT IN THE TEXT THAT THEY HAD TO REFERENCE IN ORDER TO ANSWER IT.

IF STAR WERE TO GRADE THIS, THIS WOULD RECEIVE A ZERO.

ALL THE THINGS THAT WE BUILT REALLY ALIGN WITH OUR DIGITAL READY PROMPTS AND THINGS AND CAMPAIGNS THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE DISTRICT FOR VERY LONG AND WE REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WASN'T ANOTHER NEW THING, BUT BLEND INTO BEING DIGITAL READY ACROSS THE BOARD.

ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO TRAIN OUR TEACHERS IS ON THE PROMPTING.

AI IS ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR PROMPT, SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR PROMPTS ARE WELL THOUGHT OF AND WE FOUND THIS READY IDEA IS A GREAT WAY TO NOT ONLY TRAIN OUR TEACHERS, BUT ALSO TRAIN OUR STUDENTS IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY USE AI.

OUR AI HUB, IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE VERY PROUD OF AND WHAT WE DO HERE IS HOUSES ALL OUR INFORMATION.

IT'S AVAILABLE TO ALL OUR STAFF MEMBERS THROUGH CLASS LINKS, SO THAT'S EASY ACCESSIBLE.

IT HOUSES OUR AI NEWSLETTER THAT REALLY HIGHLIGHTS SOME AI USES FROM TEACHERS IN OUR DISTRICT EVERY MONTH, SO WE CAN SHOWCASE THE BEST OF THE BEST.

IT ALSO HAS ALL OUR RESOURCES, OUR GUIDELINES, AND HOW TO FOR ALL THE APPLICATIONS THAT WE SUPPORT IN THE DISTRICT.

OUR AI HUB WAS REALLY WELL RECEIVED.

IN FACT, WE ACTUALLY HAD IT AUDITED BY THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD AND THIS IS WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

THEY SAID THAT, MISD HAS ONE OF THE BEST SET OF ASYNCHRONOUS MATERIALS THAT THEY'VE SEEN NATIONWIDE.

WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO SHARE THESE INFORMATION AND THESE RESOURCES NOT ONLY WITH OUR TEACHERS, BUT ALSO EDUCATION AGENCIES SUCH AS EAB.

WHEN IT COMES TO DIFFERENT APPS, WE REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T JUST OPEN EVERYTHING TO ALL OUR STAFF MEMBERS.

WE ARE VERY SELECTIVE IN WHICH APPLICATIONS WE WERE GOING TO SUPPORT, AND WHAT THEIR USE WAS.

FOR THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS THAT WE SUPPORT IN THE DISTRICT FOR TEACHERS, THESE ARE THE ONES THAT WE PREDOMINANTLY USE.

EACH ONE OF THESE HAS TO DO AND HOW TO GUIDE WITH THEM, AND IT HELPS THEM SEE PRACTICAL EXAMPLES AND PROMPTS AND HOW TO USE ALL THESE.

THE THREE MAIN ONES THAT WE SUPPORT ARE MAGIC SCHOOL CANVAS, AND MICROSOFT COPILOT.

AS A DISTRICT, WE ALSO DETERMINED NOT TO OPEN ALL AI TO OUR STUDENTS, BUT REALLY BE VERY SELECTIVE IN WHAT WE USED.

IN FACT, WE'VE ONLY OPENED TWO APPLICATIONS, ONE MAGIC SCHOOL FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL ONLY, AND CANVAS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT'S OPEN TO ALL GRADE LEVELS.

AS THE DISTRICT PROGRESSES AND AS AI CHANGES, WE WILL RE EVALUATE THIS AND SEE IF THERE'S A DIRECT NEED FOR OTHER APPLICATIONS TO OPEN AS WELL.

DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, IT IS OUR DIGITAL READY CAMPAIGN, SOMETHING THAT WE WORK REALLY HARD WITH.

AND WHAT WE DO IS WE BLEND AI AND WE BLEND DIGITAL READY AND WE PROMOTE THIS ACROSS

[00:40:02]

WE REALLY TAILOR THE LESSONS TO THE GRADE LEVEL.

FOR INSTANCE, ELEMENTARY, WE HAD THIS SWEET LITTLE BOOK WRITTEN TO THEM ABOUT THE DIGITAL MONSTERS AND HOW YOU CAN BE DIGITAL READY, AND IT WAS TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH, VIETNAMESE, AND WE EVEN HAD AN ASL VIDEO ACCOMPANYING IT.

FOR AN INTERMEDIATE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL, WE REALLY TAILORED OUR LESSONS TO THE AGE OF THE STUDENT, AND THE TEACHERS WERE THE ONES LEADING THEM AND WENT THROUGH THIS.

WE HAD 100% OF OUR CAMPUSES PARTICIPATE AND WE HAD 31,000 STUDENTS COMPLETE THESE DIGITAL READY LESSONS IN ONE MONTH.

WE ALSO CREATED A DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP FAMILY CONNECTIONS.

WE DISTRIBUTED THESE TO THE CAMPUSES FOR THEM TO DISTRIBUTE AND COMMUNICATIONS ALSO HELPED TO DISTRIBUTE IT IN THE DISTRICT.

THIS IS A GREAT WAY FOR US TO BUILD THAT HOME COMMUNITY CONNECTION AS WELL AS TO PRESENT FACE-TO-FACE.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, DR. LADELL AND FAMILY LIAISON ASKED US TO PRESENT ON DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGY AND WE PRESENTED ON CANVAS.

AS THE NEED GROWS AND THEY DETERMINED THAT WE NEED TO PRESENT ON SOMETHING ELSE, WE WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY THRILLED TO HELP OUT AND PRESENT WITH PARENT UNIVERSITY AND ASSIST IN MULTIPLE OTHER AREAS.

>> YOU MAY BE ASKING WHAT'S NEXT? WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? AS YOU ALL KNOW, AI IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING, SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AHEAD.

WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE REVIEWING AND ANALYZING ANY INCOMING RESEARCH SO THAT WE CAN ADAPT TO THAT AND IMPLEMENT ANY NEW BEST PRACTICES OTHER THAN WHAT WE'VE ALREADY MENTIONED TODAY.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE STAYING AWARE OF INDUSTRY CHANGES THAT ARE OCCURRING SO THAT WE CAN ADAPT TO THAT AS NEEDED.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO SECURE OUR ENVIRONMENT.

OUR INFRASTRUCTURE MUST CONTINUALLY BE SECURE, AND AS AI IS EVOLVING, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR TRAINING IS EVOLVING.

SO YOU CAN HEAR WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST, BUT WE'LL CONTINUE TO EVOLVE IN THAT WAY.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE USING THIS TYPE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY IN THE MOST PRODUCTIVE AND SECURE WAY.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, THAT'S ALL THAT WE HAVE FOR YOU THIS EVENING, AND WE'D LOVE TO ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS THAT YOU HAVE.

>> THANK YOU. BOARD MEMBERS. I'LL START TO MY LEFT.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? THIS IS AWESOME. I THOUGHT YOU WERE REACHING FOR YOUR.

>> SORRY. [NOISE] THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

BUT I'M VERY INTRIGUED ABOUT HOW TO GET TO HOW IT CAN GET AROUND THE TEST AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

I STILL HAVE THAT THING THAT I THINK MOST OF US DO IS HOW ARE WE NOT HELPING THEM TO GET PAST TEST QUESTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I GUESS MY QUESTIONS ARE CENTERED AROUND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND I UNDERSTAND YOUR EXAMPLE IN THERE WHERE WE TRIED SOMETHING WITH THIRD GRADE, BUT I MEAN, OLDER KIDS ARE SAVVY.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FOR OLDER KIDS OR AN EXAMPLE LIKE THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY. THERE'S ACTUALLY IT'S A COMBO OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

NOT ONLY DOES OUR FILTER BLOCK A LOT OF THOSE TOOLS FOR OUR STUDENTS THAT THEY CANNOT ACCESS IT ABSOLUTELY AT SCHOOL.

WE'RE BLOCKING ALL THOSE AI TOOLS.

THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT, AND MAGIC SCHOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE THEM THE ANSWER.

IT ONLY PROVIDES THEM PROMPTS IN ORDER SO THAT THEY CAN GO FURTHER INTO THEIR LEARNING.

IT SAYS, HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THIS? THE TOOLS THAT WE'RE OPENING IN THE DISTRICT DO NOT ALLOW YOU TO DO ANY OF THAT.

WE ALSO ARE REALLY MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE TRAINING OUR TEACHERS THAT IF YOU COULD GOOGLE THE ANSWER BEFORE, YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE ANSWER.

WHEN WE'RE ASKING A QUESTION, WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT IT'S NOT A GOOGLEABLE QUESTION AND WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT WHAT WE DO AND THAT THIS TEACHER ACTUALLY READS THE PROMPT.

WHEN YOU READ WHAT AI WRITES, IT'S VERY CLEAR THE WORDING AND HOW IT'S STRUCTURED THAT THERE IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN IT.

THAT'S ANOTHER WAY THAT WE'VE PUT IN PLACE IS THAT THIRD LAYER IS THAT READING, SO NOT ONLY IS IT BLOCKED REALLY CHANGING SOME OF THE QUESTIONS, AND THEN HAVING THE TEACHER ESPECIALLY ON THE ESSAYS, REREAD IT.

YOU CAN CLEARLY TELL THAT THE LANGUAGE IS JUST COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF ANY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT OR ADULT. [LAUGHTER]

>> I DEFINITELY THINK IT PUTS A LITTLE MORE LIFT FOR TEACHERS TO HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

I LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU GUYS HAVE A RESOURCE FOR THE TEACHERS TO USE BECAUSE, IT'S DEFINITELY A SKILL IN AND OF ITSELF.

[00:45:03]

BUT IT'S THE REALITY OF LIFE AT THIS POINT.

THANK YOU. I THINK THIS IS AMAZING.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

AS A COLLEGE PROFESSOR, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING FORWARD THINKING AND HAVING STUDENTS LEARN TO BE GREAT DIGITAL CITIZENS IN K12, SO KUDOS.

THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE REALLY IS, I THINK THE TOTAL WAS 31,000 STUDENTS, SO HOW CAN WE REACH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR STUDENTS? WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS TO TRY TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY GETS ACCESS TO THIS?

>> WELL, THE BEAUTY OF A DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP, IT'S NOT JUST ONE MONTH AND THAT WE CAN ALWAYS GO BACK TO IT.

WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'RE GOING TO CONSTANTLY COMMUNICATE WITH SEVERAL OF THE CAMPUSES THAT DIDN'T QUITE MEET THEIR GOALS IN IT.

IT'S STILL AVAILABLE.

ALL THE RESOURCES, ALL THE MATERIAL IS AVAILABLE TO THEM SO THEY CAN RECYCLE AND GO BACK TO IT AT ANY POINT THIS YEAR.

ANOTHER THING THAT WE'RE DOING IS WHENEVER DIGITAL LEARNING IS SENDING SOMETHING OUT AND DOING SOMETHING FOR TEACHERS, LIKE OUR WINTER WONDER OR ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE'RE PUTTING OUT, OUR NEWSLETTERS, WE'RE ALWAYS EMBEDDING AI OR DIGITAL LITERACY INTO A DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP.

OUR STUDENTS ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET IT IN MULTIPLE DIFFERENT FACETS.

BECAUSE THIS IS A YEARLY INITIATIVE, WE JUST HOPE TO CONTINUALLY GROW AND BE ABLE TO HIT THAT TARGET NUMBER NEXT YEAR.

>> GREAT. I THOUGHT OF SOMETHING WHILE YOU WERE TALKING.

HAVE YOU GUYS GOTTEN ANY FEEDBACK FROM STAFF OR STUDENTS ABOUT HOW THEY'RE ENJOYING THE LESSONS?

>> YES, MA'AM. WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE.

IN FACT, WE'VE ALREADY ADJUSTED OUR ENTIRE CAMPAIGN FOR NEXT YEAR.

OUR ELEMENTARY CAMPUSES LOVED IT SO VERY MUCH THAT WE WROTE FIVE OTHER BOOKS FOR THEM, SO THEY CAN GO INTO EACH LITTLE MONSTER A LITTLE BIT DEEPER AND GO INTO WHAT DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP MEANS TO THEM.

FOR OUR INTERMEDIATE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL, WE REALLY LISTEN TO WHICH ONES THEY LIKE THE MOST AND THEN TAILOR IT A LOT TO IT.

WE DO USE COMMON SENSE AS OUR GUIDELINE AND WE USE THE SAME LESSONS THAT THEY'RE USING.

WE'RE TAILORING IT AND MAKING IT SPECIFIC TO WHAT OUR NEEDS ARE FOR THOSE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.

LAST YEAR, WE ASKED ALL OUR TEACHERS TO COMPLETE QUIZ AND BE ABLE TO 100% ON THE QUIZ IN ORDER TO MEET THE CRITERIA, AND THIS YEAR WE FOCUS ON STUDENTS, SO NEXT YEAR, WE PLAN ON DOING A COMBO.

WE'RE CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING OUR LESSONS AND HOW WE'RE ADDRESSING IT JUST BASED ON THE CRITERIA ALREADY AND THE FEEDBACK WE'VE RECEIVED.

>> THANK YOU. MRS. WILSON?

>> ACTUALLY, THANK YOU.

THEY ASKED MY QUESTIONS FOR ME, JUST TELLING YOU GUYS, THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD JOB THAT YOU'RE DOING.

>> MR. TIFFIN.

>> YES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

JUST ONE QUESTION TO FOLLOW-UP ON, SO WE KNOW WHAT IT'S NOT ALLOWING THEM TO DO.

CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE OR TWO OF HOW THEY WOULD USE IT LIKE A SPECIFIC LESSON OR PROBLEM OR SO FORTH OF HOW THEY WILL USE IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY. IN FACT, WE'VE SEEN SOME REALLY GREAT THINGS HAPPENING.

OUR ENGLISH DEPARTMENT HAS USED SOME OF OUR AI TOOLS THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO GIVE INSTANT FEEDBACK ON DRAFTS OF ESSAYS WHERE IT'S NOT GIVING THEM THE ANSWER, BUT IT'S GIVING THEM INSTANT FEEDBACK AND TELLING THEM HOW THEY CAN CORRECT AND MAYBE CHECK THE GRAMMAR HERE.

WE'RE GETTING THAT INSTANT FEEDBACK FOR 200 ESSAYS BEFORE THE TEACHER THEN READS THE FINAL DRAFT.

THAT'S ONE EXAMPLE.

AS ANOTHER EXAMPLE IN MAGIC SCHOOL IS, YOU CAN PUT RENA, WHICH IS THE AI BOUGHT AND YOU CAN ASK RENA TO ACTUALLY SPEAK AS IF THEY WERE AN EXPERT ON SOMETHING.

THE KIDS CAN ASK QUESTIONS THROUGHOUT CLASS AND GET THAT INSTANT FEEDBACK AS WELL.

WE ALSO LOVE USING AI WHEN WE TEACH TONE.

IT'S ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO SHOW A SENTENCE TO CLICK "REVISE" AND SHOW HOW TONE AND HOW AI CAN QUICKLY CHANGE THAT SENTENCE AND HOW QUICKLY THE TONE OF THAT ENTIRE SENTENCE CHANGES.

WE'VE USED IT IN QUITE A FEW DIFFERENT WAYS AND THERE'S SO MANY MORE, BUT THOSE ARE JUST EXAMPLES THAT JUST HAPPENED THIS WEEK.

>> DR. SCOTT.

>> IN PREPARATION FOR THIS TODAY, I CALLED DR. TAMPIN AND TO SEE IN THE FUTURE, THE STATE WOULD HAVE CERTIFICATIONS FOR THINGS LIKE AI PROMPT ENGINEERS, AND TEXAS REVIEWS THOSE EVERY THREE YEARS.

BUT WE SUSPECT THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE, WE WILL HAVE CERTIFICATIONS FOR AI, SO YOU'LL HAVE A SERIES OF COURSES LEADING TO A CERTIFICATION, WE'VE STARTED AT SUMMIT WITH OUR CYBERSECURITY AND THAT WE COULD ALSO INCORPORATE INTO OUR BEN BARBER COURSES AS WELL.

[00:50:06]

>> MS. ANDERSON.

>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU.

THEY ASKED SOME REALLY GREAT QUESTIONS DOWN THERE.

BUT A COUPLE OF THINGS REALLY STOOD OUT WITH ME AS YOU ALL COMPLETED MORE AND MORE OF YOUR PRESENTATION, WHICH IS THAT YOU'RE GETTING FEEDBACK FROM EVERYONE IN THE DISTRICT AND YOU ARE ALTERING IT ON THAT FEEDBACK.

THEN THE OTHER THING WAS THAT YOU AUDITED YOURSELVES JUST TO GAIN EVEN MORE FEEDBACK.

I'M JUST SAYING KUDOS TO YOU ALL AND THANK YOU FOR SOMETHING SO RAPIDLY EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN AROUND IN THE '50S, IT'S RAPIDLY COMING FORWARD AND WE'RE TAKING CHARGE AND GOING FORWARD. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> DR. REID.

>> GREAT PRESENTATION.

ALL OF MY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED, BUT I DID WANT TO SAY MY HEART IS SO HAPPY BECAUSE YOU TALKED ABOUT AN ENGLISH CLASS AND THEN YOU GAVE SOME EXAMPLES RELATED TO TONE AND SENTENCE STRUCTURE.

I AM SUPER HAPPY RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

BUT I LOVE THE FACT THAT WE'VE REMOVED THIS STIGMA OF FEAR FROM AI.

I THOUGHT THAT'S AMAZING.

THE OTHER POINT I WANTED TO MENTION IS, I LOVE THAT YOU IDENTIFIED AND REALLY DETAILED AND OUTLINED THE MULTI-LEVEL AND EXTENSIVE SECURITY MEASURES.

THEN YOU'RE DOING THE TRAINING.

IT'S A BUY-IN, AS YOU SAID, A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.

IT'S A BUY-IN BY EVERYONE.

THE STUDENTS, THE TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, EVERYONE, YOU'RE TESTING EVERYONE.

I REALLY APPRECIATE SEEING IT.

I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU ALREADY ANSWERED ONE OF MY QUESTIONS ABOUT PARENTS HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN AI AND ALL THE DIFFERENT TOOLS THAT YOU HAVE.

THANK YOU. GREAT JOB.

I'M HOPING THAT PARENTS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THIS PRESENTATION AND KNOW WHAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE DOING AND NOT BE AFRAID.

THEN LATER WE'LL TEST THE PARENTS. THANK YOU.

>> I CAN ADD TO THAT.

AS FAR AS THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAINING, I KNOW THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PARTNER WITH DR. LADE IN THE PAST, AND SHE'S DONE A LOT OF GREAT WORK WITH HER PARENT UNIVERSITY.

LAST YEAR, WE WERE ABLE TO DO AN ONLINE TRAINING.

THIS YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO DO ANOTHER ONE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM IN FEBRUARY.

WE'VE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO DO WEBINARS AS A TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT, WHICH WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO ANOTHER ONE THIS SPRING.

WE'LL LOOK INTO THIS AI PIECE TO SEE IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN INCLUDE AS WELL.

>> SAY THAT AGAIN?

>> WELL, I'D LIKE TO BE AN ANONYMOUS STUDENT, [LAUGHTER] IF I MAKE MESS UP AND STUFF.

>> THANK YOU BOTH SO VERY MUCH.

I DO APPRECIATE IT LIKE MY TRUSTEES, THEY'VE ASKED A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS I WAS GOING TO ASK.

IT IS SCARY FOR SOME PEOPLE, BUT IT'S CARE IN WHETHER WE WANT IT OR NOT, SO I APPRECIATE YOU JUMPING AHEAD AND FIGURING OUT HOW WE CAN WORK IT IN OUR DISTRICT TO BENEFIT OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF.

ONE THING THAT HAD BEEN MENTIONED THAT JUST STOOD OUT TO ME WAS THAT WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT OUR VENDORS ARE NOT USING OUR DATA FROM OUR STUDENTS TO FORM THEIR AI MODELS OR SELL ANY OF THAT DATA TO THE THIRD PARTY.

THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING THAT DATA AS ALWAYS, AND I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS SO MUCH.

THAT TAKES US TO ITEM 9 PRESENTATIONS, DR. SCOTT.

[9. Presentation]

>> YES, AS THE BOARD IS AWARE.

WE ARE ON A THREE-YEAR ROTATION FOR PRESENTING SYSTEMS REPORTS FOR OUR MAJOR DIVISIONS AND DEPARTMENTS IN ADDITION TO THE SPECIFIC PRESENTATIONS YOU MAY GET FROM A DEPARTMENT.

THIS MONTH, WE HAVE CHIEF MENTOR, JUST BECAUSE HE LOVES TO PRESENT, WE THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE HIM COME AND ADDRESS THE BOARD ON HIS DEPARTMENT.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND HIS FULL REPORT ATTACHED TO THE BOARD AGENDA AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU, DR. SCOTT. BOARD PRESIDENT KASIA FAR BOARD MEMBERS, COMMUNITY.

I GET TO TALK TO YOU TONIGHT ABOUT MY FAVORITE SUBJECT, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THIS IS MY LEADERSHIP.

THIS IS MY STAFF AND THIS POLICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT RUN WITHOUT THE STAFF.

YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO THE REAL CHIEF IS, KATE MCCARTY.

ANYBODY THAT CALLS MY DEPARTMENT KNOWS THAT'S THE REAL CHIEF BECAUSE SHE HAS ALL THE ANSWERS.

ASSISTANT CHIEF ERIC ROBERTSON IS MY NUMBER 2.

THEN I HAVE FIVE SERGEANTS, A CORPORAL AND MY DISPATCH SUPERVISOR.

THAT IS MY COMMAND STAFF FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

NOW THE DEPARTMENT IS 65 OFFICER STRONG, AND 129 PERSONNEL.

HERE'S SOME QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I MENTIONED WE HAVE 129 PERSONNEL, 56 CROSSING GUARDS.

AVERAGE POLICE OFFICER EXPERIENCE IS 23.45 YEARS FOR EACH OFFICER.

THAT'S THE AVERAGE WITH A TOTAL OF 1,501 YEARS.

[00:55:04]

OF THE OFFICERS THAT I HAVE IN THE DEPARTMENT, 51 HAVE MASTER CERTIFICATIONS.

NOW YOU CAN REACH THAT CERTIFICATION LEVEL, DIFFERENT WAYS.

A LOT OF IT IS THE NUMBER OF YEARS THAT YOU'VE BEEN AN OFFICER, 20, OR YOU CAN REACH IT SOONER BY HAVING COLLEGE DEGREES AND A NUMBER OF HOURS OF TRAINING.

THE OVERALL BUDGET FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS JUST UNDER 6.3 MILLION AND OF THAT, 508,000 IS USED FOR OPERATING.

OUR TELECOMMUNICATORS ARE THE SAME WAY AS POLICE OFFICERS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, THEY RECEIVE CERTIFICATION LEVELS AS WELL.

THREE INTERMEDIATES TO ADVANCED, TWO MASTER.

OUR FOCUS AS A POLICE DEPARTMENT IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

TO DO THAT, WE DO A LOT OF TRAINING.

WELL-TRAINED OFFICERS DO A GREAT JOB.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THAT IS HUGE IN THE DEPARTMENT AND SOMETHING I STARTED FOUR YEARS AGO WITH PRESENTATIONS.

OFFICERS THAT DO PRESENTATIONS IN FRONT OF STUDENTS, STAFF MEMBERS, THEY BUILD THAT TRUST.

THEY BUILD THAT RELATIONSHIP, AND THOSE STUDENTS FEEL EASIER AROUND THOSE OFFICERS AND WE'LL COME TO THOSE OFFICERS WHENEVER THINGS HAPPEN THAT THEY FEEL THEY NEED TO TELL SOMEBODY ABOUT MUCH LIKE A PARENT, AND I'M NOT TRYING TO COMPARE AN OFFICER TO THE PARENT, IT'S JUST THAT RELATIONSHIP, THAT TRUST.

THE OTHER WAY THAT WE DO IT THAT WE FOCUS OUR EFFORTS IS AFTER OUR EVENTS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT, A LOT OF SPORTING EVENTS, A LOT OF FINE ARTS EVENTS.

WE HAVE AN EVENT GOING ON RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE CENTER, NOT ONLY THE BOARD MEETING, BUT WE HAVE OFFICERS WORKING AT THAT EVENT AS WELL.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, LAST YEAR, WE HAD THE NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED IN OUR DEPARTMENT WAS OVER 15,000 FOR ADDITIONAL DUTY EVENTS, SPORTING EVENTS, EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT.

OUR OFFICERS ARE HERE AFTER HOURS ON WEEKENDS, DURING BREAKS, JUST BECAUSE THE STUDENTS AREN'T HERE, IT DOESN'T MEAN OFFICERS AREN'T HERE. WE'RE HERE YEAR-ROUND.

THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MY DEPARTMENT FOCUSES ON, LIKE I SAID, IS PRESENTATIONS.

YOU'LL SEE IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, THE NUMBER OF PRESENTATIONS THAT THE OFFICERS DID.

WHAT WE WANT IS FOR THE PRESENTATIONS TO BE OVER 47 AVERAGE A MONTH BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF CAMPUSES THAT WE HAVE AND OFFICERS ON THOSE CAMPUSES.

WE WELL EXCEEDED THAT NUMBER BOTH MONTHS.

I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS FOR OCTOBER YET, BUT IT'S GOING TO EXCEED THE EXPECTATION.

THE POLICE FORCE MEETING TCOLE STANDARDS.

THAT'S THE TRAINING THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

A WELL-TRAINED OFFICER DOES A GOOD JOB.

TCOLE MANDATES A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT OFFICERS HAVE TO DO, A LOT OF DIFFERENT TRAINING COURSES.

WE MAKE SURE THAT OUR OFFICERS RECEIVE THAT CERTIFICATION FOR THOSE COURSES THAT THE STATE MANDATES.

BUT WE ALSO PROVIDE ONLINE TRAINING THAT THE OFFICERS CAN DO.

THEY CAN DO THAT WHENEVER THEY HAVE TIME AT THEIR DESK.

THEY CAN DO IT DURING THE SUMMER, A LOT OF TIMES.

MOST OF THE HOURS THAT WE SPEND TRAINING ARE IN, AS YOU CAN TELL, AUGUST.

THAT'S BECAUSE THAT'S WHENEVER ALL OF OUR OFFICERS HERE THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF AUGUST AND WE DO A LOT OF TRAINING DURING THAT TIME PERIOD.

WE DO A LOT OF MANDATED TRAINING DURING THAT TIME PERIOD THAT THE STATE SAYS THAT WE HAVE TO DO.

YOU CAN TELL TEXAS PEACE OFFICERS EVERY TWO YEARS, EVERY OFFICER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS TO COMPLETE MINIMUM 40 HOURS OF TRAINING.

THAT'S MINIMUM. WE ALWAYS EXCEED THAT.

HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE THINGS IN THE DEPARTMENT THAT WE'VE DONE RECENTLY, WE HAVE A NEW RADIO SYSTEM FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, EMERGENCY RADIO SYSTEM.

THIS IS THE SAME SYSTEM THAT THE MANSFIELD PD HAS.

TOTAL INTEROPERABILITY WITH ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT WE DEAL WITH ON A DAILY BASIS,

[01:00:04]

ANYTIME THAT THERE IS A MAJOR EVENT, WE CAN COMMUNICATE VIA OUR RADIOS, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENT DOES, BUT WE CAN DO IT WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS, NOT JUST WITH OUR OFFICERS.

WE REPLACED POLICE VEHICLES SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

EVERY ONE OF OUR POLICE VEHICLES ARE JUST THAT.

THEY ARE POLICE VEHICLES.

THEY ARE EQUIPPED TO BE A POLICE VEHICLE.

YOU SEE THE HELP WANTED A SIGN THAT'S UP THERE.

WELL, LAST YEAR, ABOUT THIS TIME, SINCE 2018 WHEN THE DISTRICT DECIDED TO PLACE AN OFFICER ON EVERY CAMPUS, WE WERE 100% STAFFED.

TODAY, EVERY CAMPUS IN THE DISTRICT STILL HAS AN OFFICER ASSIGNED TO IT.

THERE IS NO CAMPUS THAT DOES NOT HAVE AN OFFICER ASSIGNED.

THERE MAY BE A PRINCIPAL OUT THERE GOING HOME.

I DIDN'T SEE MY OFFICER TODAY.

WELL, THEY MAY HAVE CALLED IN SICK.

OUR OFFICERS DO THAT.

THEY'RE ALLOWED TO, JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE.

WE DON'T HAVE SUBSTITUTE OFFICERS.

BUT WHAT WE DO IS WE HAVE SERGEANTS THAT WE CAN SEND TO THAT CAMPUS TO BE AT THAT CAMPUS DURING THE TIME THAT AN OFFICER IS NOT HERE OR AN OFFICER MAY BE IN TRAINING.

YOU SEE THE POLICE PATCH THAT'S UP THERE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE CHANGES IN THE DEPARTMENT.

WE REBRANDED.

WE CHANGED OUR PATCH, WE CHANGED OUR BADGE.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE RECENTLY AS FAR AS EQUIPMENT IS OUR WEAPON SYSTEM.

I'M NOT GOING TO TALK MUCH ABOUT THAT.

WE DON'T LIKE TO TALK OPENLY ABOUT WHAT WEAPON SYSTEMS THAT WE HAVE OR WHAT WE USE TO KEEP OUR CAMPUSES SAFE.

BUT WE DO A LOT OF TRAINING WITH THAT AS WELL AS A MATTER OF FACT, TOMORROW, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A MEETING WITH MANSFIELD ABOUT AN EXERCISE MAYBE COMING UP THIS SUMMER, WHERE WE'RE GOING TO TEAM UP WITH MANSFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR A MASCALE EXERCISE.

I'VE TRIED TO MAKE THIS BRIEF AS I CAN.

IF YOU WANT TO READ MORE DETAILS, IT'S IN THAT REPORT. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> THANK YOU, SIR. I WILL START TO MY RIGHT THIS TIME.

ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? DR. REID.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, CHIEF MINTER.

IT SEEMS LIKE A COMMON THEME TONIGHT IS COLLABORATION.

WE'VE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.

I APPRECIATE THAT WITH THE POLICE OFFICERS, YOUR DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS STUDENTS, JUST ANYONE WHO COMES ON OUR CAMPUSES OR ANY OF OUR PREMISES.

I WILL HAVE ONE LITTLE BIDDY QUESTION.

WHERE DO YOU COME UP WITH YOUR TOPICS FOR THE PRESENTATIONS? ARE THEY CURRENT TOPICS THAT ARE POLICE ORIENTED, ARE THEY TOPICS THAT THE KIDDOS WANT TO HEAR ABOUT AND JUST BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM ANSWERING MY OWN QUESTION.

>> IT'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

A PRESENTATION MAY BE GOING OUT AND RAISING THE FLAG IN THE MORNING WITH A GROUP OF STUDENTS AND DOING SOMETHING WITH THOSE STUDENTS.

IT MAY BE A TEACHER REQUESTING AN OFFICER COME AND TALK ABOUT BICYCLE SAFETY WHEN YOU KNOW HOW TO RIDE A BICYCLE CORRECTLY ON A STREET, SIDEWALKS, STOP SIGNS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT COMES IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

OFFICERS SOMETIMES HAVE TO BE A LITTLE CREATIVE IF THEY'RE NOT ASKED TO COME AND GIVE A PRESENTATION AND REACH OUT AND ASK, CAN I COME AND GIVE A PRESENTATION TO YOUR CLASS? MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE COMMITMENT TO COLLABORATE. I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> MS. NISA.

>> I WANT TO SAY THANKS TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

I THINK THAT SOMETIMES THEY DON'T GET ENOUGH CREDIT FOR WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE AND THE BACKGROUND THAT THEY CARRY WITH THEM.

NOTHING MAKES MY HEART FULL LIKE WALKING ONTO A CAMPUS AND SEEING SOME SMALL ELEMENTARY CHILD HUGGING AN OFFICER'S LEG OR WALKING DOWN THE HALL AND A HIGH FIVE AND 26 KIDS WITH THREE STRIDES.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? THEY'RE THEY ARE TOTALLY THERE, THEY'RE CALLING THEM BY NAME.

THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE ON THOSE CAMPUSES.

I WISH THAT THE COMMUNITY SAW THAT AND UNDERSTOOD WHAT THE VALUE OF THAT WAS IN AND OF THAT MOMENT, EVEN IN HIGH SCHOOL, THEY'RE BUDS, AND THAT DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN.

[01:05:07]

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT NO PRESENTATION AND NO VIDEO IS EVER GOING TO SHOW PARENTS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SOMETIMES WE GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

I HAPPEN TO HAVE BEEN ON THE BOARD WHEN WE'VE HAD SOME REALLY FUN REAL-LIFE DRILLS THAT PUT YOUR TEAM INTO ACTION.

I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN MY LIFE.

I WAS IN SHEER ALL OF THE WAY THE CALCULATED CHAOS WENT ABOUT AND IT FELT FLAWLESS AND IT WAS SO IMPRESSIVE.

ONE DAY I WAS INVITED MANY YEARS AGO TO WATCH THE MANSFIELD ICPD DO A ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILL AND THIS WAS SIX YEARS AGO OR SOMETHING.

I WAS SO BLOWN AWAY ABOUT HOW HIGHLY SKILLED THAT TEAM WAS ON THAT CAMPUS THAT DAY.

IT WAS AN EMPTY CAMPUS PS. THAT WAS NOT HOW IT WAS.

I SAID, WHY AREN'T WE SHARING THIS WITH THE COMMUNITY AND STUFF? I CAN REMEMBER YOU GUYS TALKING TO ME ABOUT WE DON'T WANT TO SHARE WHAT OUR SECRETS ARE ABOUT THINGS LIKE THAT.

I WAS A LITTLE MORE APPRECIATIVE OF THAT AS WELL.

YOU GUYS HAVE A HIGHLY TENURED AND SKILLED TEAM THAT REALLY CARE.

THEY REALLY CARE ABOUT OUR KIDS AND THEY REALLY CARE ABOUT OUR STAFF AND EVERYONE ON THOSE CAMPUSES.

I INCLUDE YOUR COMMUNICATIONS PEOPLE AND YOUR CROSSING GUARDS.

I HAVE ONE THAT STANDS IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE EVERY DAY.

AGAIN, THEY ARE HUGGING THOSE CROSSING GUARDS, THEY'RE KISSING THEM, AND BRINGING THEM PRESENTS AND THEY REMEMBER THEM FOR A LIFETIME.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU GUYS DO. WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MS. WILSON.

>> ROW FIGHTING OVER YOU. [LAUGHTER] HE'S IN HERE.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO TALK TO YOU.

>> THAT'S WHY I MADE MY PRESENTATION BRIEF. [LAUGHTER]

>> YES. MICHELLE SAID A LOT OF THE SAME SENTIMENTS THAT I WAS THINKING, BUT ALSO I LIKE THAT YOU POINTED OUT THE AMOUNT OF TRAINING THAT THE GUYS DO, OR THE TEAM DOES.

BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT I THINK SOMETIMES THERE'S A BIG MISCONCEPTION THAT IT'S A FUN RETIREMENT JOB.

IT'S LIKE WHEN YOU GO TO BIG GOLF COURSE MARSHAL.

IT'S MY DAY DREAMS HERE AND IT'S FAR BEYOND THAT.

THE GUYS ARE TRULY DEDICATED AND I'M SAYING GUYS LOOSELY, MEANING THE TEAM, [NOISE] THEIR STAFF, AND ALL OF THEM, LIKE YOU SAID, SHE ACTUALLY RUNS A SHOW [OVERLAPPING] SHE WENT ON THE TOP OF THE BRIDGE.

BUT I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT IT ALSO REFLECTS THE FACT THAT THEY WANT TO BE HERE AND BE PART OF THIS TEAM, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM.

YOU SEE HOW MANY YEARS THEY HAVE, THEY'RE PROBABLY RETIRED OUT OF CITY PD.

THEY'RE STILL IN IT, AND I SEE THEIR SMILES ON THEIR FACES TOO.

I THINK THEY ENJOY ALL THOSE LITTLE KIDS, GIVING THEM HIGH FIVES AND EVERYTHING.

BUT IT'S FUNNY THAT IN SPEAKING ACTUALLY WITH A DIFFERENT SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF, JUST YESTERDAY, I MENTIONED THAT, I LOVE THAT SO MUCH TO SEE THE REPRESENTATION OF YOUR TEAM ON OUR CAMPUSES, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR LITTLES, AND GETTING TO SEE SOMEONE IN UNIFORM AND NOT BE THREATENING, BUT KNOW THAT THEY CAN TURN TO THEM AND RELY ON THEM AND HAVE A FRIENDSHIP THERE.

THEREFORE, THE UNIFORM IS NOT JUST TRANSLATING THAT MESSAGE, BUT ALSO WITH YOUR PRESENTATIONS, AND THE MORE THAT YOU CAN BE INVOLVED WITH THEM.

IT SETS UP ANOTHER COMMUNITY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY OF A LOT OF OUTREACH.

WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU GUYS DO, WE KNOW HOW BLESSED AND FORTUNATE WE ARE TO GET TO HAVE YOU AND YOUR TEAM LOOKING OUT FOR OUR KIDDOS AND HELPING US WITH THAT.

THAT'S OUR HOTTEST COMMODITY.

WE CAN HAVE ALL THE PROTECTION WE CAN OF SURROUNDING THEM THEN I CAN SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT AS WELL. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> DR. RACHEL.

>> CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR TEAM ON ALL OF THIS GREAT SUCCESS.

HISTORICALLY, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DETRIMENTAL INCIDENTS BETWEEN SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS AND STUDENTS.

I THINK THE LEADERSHIP THAT YOU'VE SHOWN, I'M FOCUSING NOT JUST ON BEING PUNITIVE, BUT ON BUILDING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS, ACTUALLY LEADS TO MORE SAFETY FOR NOT ONLY YOUR OFFICERS, BUT FOR OUR STUDENTS AS WELL.

IT STARTS FROM THE TOP DOWN,

[01:10:01]

I'M IN THE OFFICERS THAT I GET A CHANCE TO INTERACT WITH AND WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO OFFICER RON CRANE, [INAUDIBLE]. HE'S THE REAL DEAL.

>> THANK YOU. I'LL MAKE SURE HE KNOWS.

>> THE SAME SENTIMENTS THAT THEY ALL SHARED, THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN WALKING ON A CAMPUS AND SEEING THOSE OFFICERS HIGH FIVE.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY AS WELL.

JUST APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP, IT COMES FROM YOU, AND JUST WHAT YOU INSTILL THOSE OFFICERS IN BUILDING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS, WE APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO OUR SECOND PRESENTATION, DR. SCOTT?

>> YES, MA'AM. I'D LIKE TO INVITE TO THE MICROPHONE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MONICA IRVIN, TO LEAD US THROUGH OUR ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT.

>> GOOD EVENING. DR. SCOTT, PRESIDENT FARRAR, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

FIRST OF ALL, IT SEEMS LIKE WE WERE HERE TWO MONTHS AGO DOING THE SAME THING.

[LAUGHTER] IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S BEEN A YEAR, BUT IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR THAT WE THE DISTRICT HAS UNDERGONE A FINANCIAL AUDIT BY OUTSIDE AUDIT FIRM.

I'M EXCITED TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE YET AGAIN ANOTHER CLEAN AUDIT.

WE'RE IN GOOD FINANCIAL SHAPE.

BEFORE I BRING OUR AUDITOR LUPE UP HERE, I WOULD LIKE TO JUST TAKE A MINUTE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK THE BUSINESS OFFICE TEAM.

BECAUSE WITHOUT THEM, THAT WOULDN'T HAPPEN.

I STARTED OUR LEADERSHIP WITH MICHELE TRONGAARD, AND WE HAVE CODY CANNON, OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING.

WE HAVE DENISE MILLER, OUR DIRECTOR OF PAYROLL, AND HER TEAM.

WE HAVE NATASHA WHETSTONE, OUR BUDGET DIRECTOR, AND HER TEAM AND MY ACCOUNTANTS.

WITHOUT THEM, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE IN THE SUPPORT OF THE CAMPUSES.

WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP LUPE FROM WHITLEY PENN. THERE YOU ARE.

>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR. SCOTT.

I'M HERE TONIGHT TO PRESENT TO YOU THE RESULTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT AND FEDERAL SINGLE AUDIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024.

IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR FOR THE DISTRICT TO ISSUE ITS ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT.

I DID FEEL IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO POINT OUT THAT THE DISTRICT DOES PREPARE ITS OWN ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT.

NOT EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS THE EXPERTISE, THE CAPABILITY AND ABILITIES TO DO THAT.

I AUDIT 10 OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE WITH A JUNE 30 FISCAL YEAR END.

OF THOSE 10, ONLY THREE ARE ABLE TO PREPARE THEIR OWN REPORT, MANSFIELD BEING ONE OF THEM.

THAT'S HOW RARE IT IS TO HAVE THAT CAPABILITY, THAT EXPERIENCE IN HOUSE.

THAT'S VERY VALUABLE AND VERY NOTEWORTHY AND IT'S AN AWARD WINNING REPORT.

IT'S RECOGNIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, THE ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS WITH THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT AND CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE AND FINANCIAL REPORTING.

THE AUDIT PROCESS TAKES PLACE OVER TWO PHASES.

INTERIM FIELD WORK OCCURS EARLY IN THE SPRINGTIME.

WE FOCUS ON INTERNAL CONTROLS, IDENTIFYING THE MAJOR PROGRAMS AND THE FEDERAL SINGLE AUDIT TESTING COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO THOSE FEDERAL PROGRAMS. ONCE THE FISCAL YEAR IS OVER, WE RETURN TWO MONTHS LATER TO PERFORM FINANCIAL AUDIT PROCEDURES ON THE DISTRICT'S BALANCES AND TRANSACTION CLASSES.

OVER BOTH PHASES OF FIELDWORK, WE'RE PERFORMING PROCEDURES, WE'RE OBTAINING AUDIT EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE OPINION ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THAT WE WERE ENGAGED TO EXPRESS.

AS EXTERNAL AUDITORS, WE CAN ISSUE ONE OF THREE OPINIONS ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

I'LL JUMP TO THE GREAT NEWS THAT WE'RE EXPRESSING AN UNMODIFIED OPINION.

ALTHOUGH IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE IT, THAT IS THE BEST OUTCOME IN A FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT.

IT'S ALSO REFERRED TO AS A CLEAN OPINION.

THAT OPINION CAN BE FOUND AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FINANCIAL SECTION OF THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT, THAT'S THE OPINION THAT'S ON OUR LETTER WITH OUR FIRM LETTERHEAD FIRM SIGNATURE IN THE VERY FIRST PARAGRAPH.

THAT WAY ONCE THIS REPORT IS RELEASED, USERS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CAN KNOW THAT THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE FAIRLY STATED, AND THAT THEY'RE PRESENTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES.

WE ALSO ISSUE A SECOND REPORT ON THE DISTRICT'S INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING, THAT YOUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT YOU HAVE IN PLACE TO RECORD TRANSACTIONS THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR ACCURATELY IN ORDER FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO PRODUCE TIMELY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

OUR REPORT HERE DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY MATERIAL WEAKNESSES, OR SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES IN INTERNAL CONTROL, NOR DID OUR PROCEDURES IDENTIFY ANY NON-COMPLIANCE THAT WAS MATERIAL TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THEN OUR THIRD AND LAST REPORT THAT WE ISSUE IS RELATED TO YOUR FEDERAL PROGRAMS. EVERY YEAR, THE DISTRICT PREPARES A SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS.

USING THAT SCHEDULE, WE DETERMINE WHAT THE MAJOR PROGRAMS WILL BE TESTED IN THAT GIVEN FISCAL YEAR.

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, THERE WERE TWO MAJOR PROGRAMS, THE SPECIAL EDUCATION CLUSTER, AND YOUR SR GRANTS.

BOTH OF THOSE PROGRAMS HAVE UNIQUE COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO THEM,

[01:15:03]

OUR PROCEDURES DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY QUESTION COSTS OR ANY UNALLOWABLE COST, NO FINDINGS AND INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER COMPLIANCE SO GOOD NEWS HERE AS WELL.

WITHIN 30 DAYS, THIS REPORT NEEDS TO BE UPLOADED TO THE FEDERAL AUDIT CLEARING HOUSE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE FIRST WAYS THAT FEDERAL AGENCIES AND STATE AGENCIES BECOME AWARE OF HOW THE DISTRICT PERFORMED IN BOTH THE SINGLE AUDIT AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT.

NEXT, I'LL START GOING OVER SOME OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTS IN THE DISTRICT'S ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT.

THE STATEMENT OF NET POSITION IS THE DISTRICT'S BALANCE SHEET.

THIS IS A SNAPSHOT IN TIME.

THESE ARE BALANCES ON JUNE 30TH, 2024.

THIS PARTICULAR FINANCIAL STATEMENT IS PREPARED ON AN ACCRUAL BASIS OF ACCOUNTING, WHICH MEANS IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT'S USED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

YOU'RE REPORTING ALL YOUR ASSETS, EVERYTHING THAT THE DISTRICT OWNS, LESS, EVERYTHING THAT THE DISTRICT OWES, AND THEN EVERYTHING THAT'S LEFT OVER IS YOUR NET POSITION.

TOTAL ASSETS AND DEFERRED OUTFLOWS OF THE DISTRICT TOTALED $1.1 BILLION OF THAT BALANCE.

THAT'S PRIMARILY YOUR CAPITAL ASSETS, YOUR LAND, CONSTRUCTION AND PROGRESS, BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, AND EQUIPMENT NETTED DEPRECIATION, AND AMORTIZATION, $753.5 MILLION, AND YOU ALSO HAD $192.4 MILLION IN CASH INVESTMENT AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

YOUR LIABILITIES AND DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES WERE ALSO JUST UNDER $1.2 BILLION, THAT'S PRIMARILY COMPRISED OF YOUR LONG-TERM OUTSTANDING BONDS PAYABLE AND RELATED UNAMORTIZED PREMIUMS. THEN YOU REPORT TWO LIABILITIES RELATED TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF TEXAS, THE NET PENSION LIABILITY AND THE OTHER POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT LIABILITY RELATED TO RETIREE HEALTHCARE.

THOSE WERE $135.7 MILLION AND $56.9 MILLION.

THOSE ARE AMOUNTS THAT ARE CALCULATED BY TRS AND THEIR AUDITORS AND ACTUARIES.

THESE AMOUNTS REPRESENT YOUR PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE OVERALL PLAN LIABILITY.

EVERY EMPLOYER IN THOSE PLANS HAS TO REPORT THIS LIABILITY IN THEIR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE DISTRICT IS BUDGETING AND CONTRIBUTING TO BOTH PLANS EXACTLY LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO.

INFORMATION RELATED TO THESE LIABILITIES IS SUPPOSED TO BE USED BY STATE LAWMAKERS IN ORDER TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT CONTRIBUTIONS GOING FORWARD, BECAUSE THEY COME FROM THE STATE, THEY COME FROM THE EMPLOYERS, THEY COME FROM THE EMPLOYEES.

IN ORDER TO MAKE THESE PLANS, KEEP THESE PLANS VIABLE INTO THE FUTURE.

THE DIFFERENCE FROM YOUR ASSETS AND YOUR LIABILITIES AND YOUR INFLOWS AND YOUR OUTFLOWS IS YOUR NET POSITION.

THAT WAS A DEFICIT $39 MILLION, THAT'S BECAUSE OF THOSE TWO LIABILITIES THAT MAKE THAT AMOUNT GO NEGATIVE.

THIS AMOUNT WAS NEGATIVE BY A GREATER AMOUNT LAST YEAR, SO YOU ACTUALLY IMPROVED YOUR NET POSITION HERE.

THIS INFORMATION YOUR REPORT IS REQUIRED BY GAAP TO BE PRESENTED.

HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU MAKE DECISIONS ON DURING THE YEAR.

IT'S MERELY FOR YOUR EXTERNAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT USERS.

THE GENERAL FUND IS THE DISTRICT'S MAIN OPERATING ACCOUNT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, THE GENERAL FUND REPORTED TOTAL REVENUES OF $380.6 MILLION, 49% OF THOSE REVENUES CAME FROM STATE FUNDING, 41% OF THOSE REVENUES CAME FROM PROPERTY TAXES, AND THE REMAINING 10% CAME FROM OTHER STATE FUNDING, WHICH IS PRIMARILY TRS ON BEHALF, FEDERAL FUNDING, AND OTHER LOCAL FUNDING, WHICH IS PRIMARILY INTEREST INVESTMENT EARNING INCOME.

NOW, KEEP THESE TWO PERCENTAGES IN MIND OF THE 41% FOR PROPERTY TAXES, 49% FOR STATE FUNDING.

I INCLUDED THIS SLIDE, YOU CAN SEE THE DRAMATIC CHANGE IN THE ALLOCATION AND REVENUES FROM LAST FISCAL YEAR, FISCAL YEAR 2023 TO FISCAL YEAR 2024.

THERE WAS A 12% SWING IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUE AND STATE FUNDING, AND THAT WAS DUE TO THE INCREASE IN THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FROM $40,000 - $100,000.

A GREATER PERCENTAGE OF YOUR REVENUES NOW COMES FROM STATE FUNDING COMPARED TO PROPERTY TAXES.

GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, TOTAL $377.1 MILLION, 60% OF THOSE EXPENDITURES ARE RELATED TO INSTRUCTION AND INSTRUCTION RELATED SERVICES.

THAT'S FUNCTIONS 11, 12 AND 13 IN YOUR BUDGET.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES WERE 13%, THAT'S PRIMARILY STUDENT TRANSPORTATION, GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING, AND OTHER STUDENT SERVICES.

FACILITIES, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS, 11% OF YOUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES FOLLOWED BY INSTRUCTIONAL AND SCHOOL LEADERSHIP, THAT CAMPUS BASED LEADERSHIP AT 8% OF YOUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES.

SECURITY MONITORING AND DATA PROCESSING WAS $17.2 MILLION OR 5% OF YOUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES.

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION WAS $8.6 MILLION OR 2% OF YOUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES.

THAT IS ONE OF THE LOWEST PERCENTAGE THAT I PRESENT.

NORMALLY, THAT'S AROUND THREE OR 4%.

I THINK THAT'S ALSO NOTEWORTHY TO SHOW THAT GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OR WHAT PEOPLE CONSIDER TO BE OVERHEAD.

THIS IS FUNCTION 41 IN YOUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET, THAT IT'S 2% OF YOUR OVERALL EXPENDITURES IN THE FUND.

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS EXPENDITURE FUNCTIONS THERE WERE 1% OR LESS.

NOW, I SHOWED YOU THE GENERAL FUND LAST YEAR COMPARED TO THIS YEAR, CHANGED DRAMATICALLY.

[01:20:01]

YOUR UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES, FISCAL YEAR '23 - '24 WAS VERY SIMILAR.

THEY WERE EITHER THE SAME OR WITHIN A PERCENTAGE POINT OR TWO.

THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO ACTUAL SCHEDULE REPORTED REVENUES THAT WERE GREATER THAN BUDGETED BY $6.9 MILLION.

PRIMARILY, THE POSITIVE INCREASE THERE WAS RELATED TO STATE FUNDING.

ACTUAL EXPENDITURES, $377.1 MILLION, WERE LESS THAN BUDGETED EXPENDITURES BY $5.9 MILLION.

OVERALL, BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME UNEXPECTED ONE TIME PAYMENTS FOR SETTLE UP PAYMENTS RELATED TO PRIOR FISCAL YEARS, THERE WAS A PROPERTY VALUE AUDIT.

YOU HAD REVENUES THAT EXCEEDED EXPENDITURES, WHICH LED TO AN INCREASE IN FUND BALANCE OF $4.7 MILLION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024.

FOR AN ENDING FUND BALANCE IN THE DISTRICT'S GENERAL FUND OF $121.2 MILLION.

NOW THAT FUND BALANCE ON JUNE 30, 2024, THIS IS NOT A RAINY DAY FUND, THIS IS NOT THE DISTRICT'S SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

THIS IS YOUR WORKING CAPITAL.

THIS IS HOW YOU OPERATE THROUGH JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, UNTIL YOU START COLLECTING ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TAXES IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY IN THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.

YOU NEED THAT FUND BALANCE TO OPERATE THROUGH THE FALL, THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, TO PAY YOUR EMPLOYEES TO PAY VENDORS FOR GOODS AND SERVICES PROVIDED.

NON-SPENDABLE FUND BALANCE IS INVENTORY AND PREPAID ITEMS, $1.9 MILLION AND UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE IS $119.2 MILLION.

THAT $119.2 MILLION AND UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE REPRESENTS 31.6% OF YOUR EXPENDITURES.

THAT MEETS YOUR POLICY OF 17% - 25%.

YOU HAVE JUST OVER THREE MONTHS OF UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE IN THE GENERAL FUND.

IT HAS DECREASED OVER THE LAST FEW FISCAL YEARS, BUT IT'S STILL A SOLID FUND BALANCE IN THE GENERAL FUND.

YOU NEED A SOLID FUND BALANCE TO ONE CREDIT RATING AGENCIES PAY ATTENTION TO FUND BALANCE.

THEY WANT TO SEE HOW YOU'RE BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS, NOT SPENDING EVERYTHING THAT'S COMING IN THE DOOR.

TWO, YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED WEATHER EVENTS, PAIN, DEDUCTIBLES, ANYTHING THAT MIGHT COME UP DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, YOU HAVE THAT IN THE GENERAL FUND TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THAT.

IN THE DEBT SERVICE FUND AND CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM.

FOR THE CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM, YOU HAD A DECREASE IN FUND BALANCE OF $1.2 MILLION, EXPENDITURES EXCEEDED YOUR REVENUES IN THAT FUND FOR AN ENDING FUND BALANCE OF $2.7 MILLION.

THE DEBT SERVICE FUND IS THE FUND WHERE YOU RECORD YOUR INTEREST AND SINKING PORTION OF YOUR PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR THE REPAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST.

REVENUES WERE GREATER THAN BUDGETED REVENUES BY $3 MILLION.

EXPENDITURES WERE LESS THAN YOUR BUDGETED EXPENDITURES BY $300,000 FOR AN OVERALL DECREASE IN FUND BALANCE OF $700,000 FOR AN END FUND BALANCE OF $60.3 MILLION.

THAT FUND BALANCE WAS NEEDED TO MAKE YOUR VERY NEXT DEBT SERVICE PAYMENT IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, AGAIN, BEFORE YOU START COLLECTING ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TAXES IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY OF 2025.

>> AS PART OF THE AUDIT, WE DO REVIEW THE DISTRICT'S ACCOUNTING POLICIES.

DURING FISCAL YEAR 2024, THERE WEREN'T ANY NEW PRONOUNCEMENTS THAT THE DISTRICT HAD TO IMPLEMENT TO PRODUCE AND PREPARE ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION DOES INCLUDE ESTIMATES.

SOME OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES THAT YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF INCLUDE ANYTHING RELATED TO STATE FUNDING.

THERE'S MANY VARIABLES THAT GO INTO CALCULATING WHAT ULTIMATELY THE DISTRICT RECEIVES FROM THE STATE.

THOSE VARIABLES CAN CHANGE, ESPECIALLY AFTER FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE ISSUED.

ALLOWANCES FOR YOUR UNCOLLECTABLE RECEIVABLES IS BASED ON HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS, AND THEN ANYTHING RELATED TO THE PENSION PLAN AND THE RETIREE HEALTHCARE PLAN IS THE LARGEST ESTIMATE.

LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER, TRS REPORTS THAT INFORMATION TO YOU EACH AND EVERY YEAR.

MANAGEMENT TAKES THAT INFORMATION.

THESE ESTIMATES ARE MADE APPROPRIATELY IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

EVERY FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT, THIS IS NOT UNIQUE TO MANSFIELD ISD, INCLUDES THE RISK THAT MANAGEMENT CAN OVERRIDE INTERNAL CONTROLS AND THAT IMPROPER REVENUE RECOGNITION COULD OCCUR.

WE PERFORM PROCEDURES TO ADDRESS BOTH OF THOSE RISKS.

INTERNAL CONTROL OVERRIDE WOULD INDICATE THAT YOU HAVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IN PLACE, BUT MANAGEMENT CAN ALWAYS DECIDE TO DO SOMETHING ELSE.

WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT IN THE BACK OF OUR MIND.

THAT'S PART OF OUR PROFESSIONAL SKEPTICISM.

WE TRUST BUT VERIFY AND WE PERFORM PROCEDURES TO LOOK FOR THOSE OUTLIER TRANSACTIONS THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN THE GENERAL LEDGER OR MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED WITH PAYROLL OR PAYMENTS TO VENDORS.

IN THE REVENUE RECOGNITION, ALTHOUGH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DOESN'T HAVE A PROFIT MOTIVE, THERE'S STILL THE RISK THAT YOU COULD RECORD THE INCORRECT REVENUES IN THE INCORRECT PERIOD TO MAKE THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS LOOK A CERTAIN WAY.

WE PERFORM PROCEDURES OVER STATE FUNDING, OVER YOUR GRANT REVENUES, OVER YOUR PROPERTY TAX REVENUE, TO ENSURE YOU'RE RECORDING OF REVENUE THAT IS APPLICABLE TO THIS FISCAL PERIOD.

I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY DIFFICULTIES IN PERFORMING THE AUDIT OR COMPLETING THE AUDIT.

WE HAD THE DISTRICT'S FULL COOPERATION.

ANYONE WE NEEDED TO MEET WITH WAS MADE AVAILABLE.

WE ASKED FOR A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT WAS PROVIDED TO US IN A TIMELY MANNER,

[01:25:03]

WE DIDN'T IDENTIFY ANY MATERIAL MISSTATEMENTS THAT WE HAD TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF MANAGEMENT, NO DISAGREEMENTS WITH MANAGEMENT TO REPORT ON THE APPLICATION OF ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES OR ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES.

WE DO OBTAIN A SIGNED LETTER OF REPRESENTATION AT THE END OF THE AUDIT.

THAT'S THE LAST PIECE OF AUDIT EVIDENCE WE OBTAINED FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THAT LETTER READS LIKE A CHECKLIST JUST TO MAKE SURE NOTHING'S OCCURRED, NOTHING'S TRANSPIRED THAT MIGHT NEED TO BE RECORDED OR DISCLOSED IN THE DISTRICT'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

AS FAR AS WE'RE AWARE, THE DISTRICT IS NOT CONSULTING WITH ANY OTHER AUDITORS OR ACCOUNTANTS ON ANY FINANCIAL REPORTING OR COMPLIANCE OR AUDITING MATTERS.

THEN THE LAST BULLET ON MY LAST SLIDE, DURING THE YEAR, WE MAY ANSWER QUESTIONS, PROVIDE INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE TO THE DISTRICT ON A VARIETY OF MATTERS, BUT AT NO TIME DO WE FEEL THAT THE WAY WE ANSWER THE POSITION WE TAKE ON ANY MATTER IMPAIRS OUR INDEPENDENCE TO BE THE DISTRICT'S EXTERNAL AUDITORS.

THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION OVER THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, THE RESULTS, WHAT OUR REPORTS STATE, SOME FINANCIAL STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTS, AND THE REQUIRED COMMUNICATIONS.

IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE THOSE QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT.

BOARD MEMBERS TO MY LEFT, ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? NO. MY RIGHT? WELL, LOOK AT THAT.

YOU WERE SO THOROUGH THAT NO ONE HAD ANYTHING [OVERLAPPING] TO SAY.

GREAT JOB. YOU GUYS, OUR FINANCE TEAM, INCREDIBLE WORK.

WE APPRECIATE YOU YEAR AFTER YEAR GETTING THESE CLEAN AUDITS, SO CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THAT MOVES US TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.

[10. Public Comments]

EACH SPEAKER SHOULD ADDRESS THE BOARD FROM THE PODIUM MICROPHONE AND STATE HIS OR HER NAME BEFORE SPEAKING.

ALL SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES TO MAKE COMMENTS REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA UNLESS MODIFIED BY THE BOARD PRESIDENT BASED ON BOARD POLICY BED(LOCAL).

COPIES OF PRESENTATION SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL TRUSTEES AND THE SUPERINTENDENT.

BOARD POLICY PROHIBITS THE DISCUSSION OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST DISTRICT EMPLOYEES DURING AN OPEN FORUM.

I'M SORRY. WE DO HAVE SEVERAL COMMENTS TODAY.

I'M GOING TO READ THE FIRST NAME, AND THEN I'M GOING TO READ THE SECOND NAME JUST SO YOU'LL BE PREPARED, SO YOU'LL ALWAYS HAVE ONE WAITING IN THE WING IF YOU DON'T MIND.

OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS DEWAYNE GOLDING.

FOLLOWED BY DEWAYNE WILL BE KAREN MARCUCCI.

>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU TONIGHT.

I'M CURRENTLY ON THE JOHNSON COUNTY CAD BOARD.

IT'S A VERY STRONG BOARD.

WE HAVE A GROUP OF RETIRED, SEMI-RETIRED CORPORATE EXECUTIVES, SEASONED EXECUTIVES, A PUBLIC SECTOR EXECUTIVE, A NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE, A BANK EXECUTIVE.

THAT BRINGS US TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT WE'RE STRONGER.

I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR FIVE CANDIDATES, THREE OF WHOM HAVE ALREADY SECURED SEATS ON THE BOARD.

I'M THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN.

I HAVE ENOUGH VOTES TO GET ON.

AMY LINGO HAS ENOUGH VOTES TO GET ON.

JIM COCKRELL HAS ENOUGH VOTES TO GET ON.

JIM RETIRED FROM MANSFIELD ISD; HE'S GOING TO BRING US THE PERSPECTIVE OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THAT'S VALUABLE.

BRANDON POTTS IS GOING TO BRING US THE PERSPECTIVE OF A REAL-ESTATE PROFESSIONAL IF WE GET HIM ON THERE.

I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE TO GIVE JOHN WOOD, WHO'S CURRENT VICE CHAIRMAN, AND HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WE'VE MADE THIS YEAR.

THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE'VE MADE INCLUDE CUTTING COSTS AND WE CUT THE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR BY ALMOST A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.

THAT'S MONEY YOU GUYS GET TO KEEP, THE TAXING ENTITIES GET TO KEEP, AND USE AS YOU SEE FIT.

WE'RE WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE RUN AS EFFICIENT AN OPERATION AS POSSIBLE.

I'M ADVOCATING TO VOTE FOR JOHN WOOD.

ANY VOTES THAT YOU CARE TO ALLOCATE ELSEWHERE I ASK FOR BRANDON POTTS.

I WOULD LEAVE YOU WITH THIS.

THERE ARE THREE CANDIDATES OUT OF THE EIGHT, THAT WERE NOMINATED BY GODLEY SCHOOL BOARD.

THOSE THREE CANDIDATES HAVE NEVER SHOWN UP TO ANY OF OUR TAXING ENTITY MEETINGS.

THEY DIDN'T EVEN SHOW UP TO THE GODLEY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

GODLEY GAVE ALL THEIR VOTES TO JIM COCKRELL; THEY DIDN'T EVEN GIVE THEM TO THEIR OWN CANDIDATES.

WHAT I WOULD LEAVE YOU WITH, IF THEY CAN'T BE HERE AND TALK TO YOU ON THEIR BEHALF,

[01:30:03]

>> THANK YOU, MR. GOLDING.

KAREN MARCUCCI, AND THEN FOLLOWED BY MRS. MARCUCCI IS SAYEDA SYED.

>> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

I'M KAREN MARCUCCI.

STANDING BEFORE YOU TONIGHT AS A FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER TO EXPRESS MY DEEP CONCERN ABOUT THE FINANCIAL FUTURE FOR MANSFIELD ISD.

AS YOU KNOW, OUR DISTRICT'S ENROLLMENT HAS DROPPED AGAIN THIS MONTH WITH 541 FEWER STUDENTS ENROLLED AS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

THIS REDUCTION DIRECTLY IMPACTS MANSFIELD ISD STATE FUNDING.

ADDING TO THIS CHALLENGE, THE REAPPRAISAL PLAN APPROVED BY TARRANT APPRAISAL DISTRICT COULD COST THE DISTRICT AN ADDITIONAL $15 MILLION IN REVENUE.

THESE FINANCIAL REALITIES MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE CANNOT AFFORD ANY MORE UNFUNDED MANDATES AND POLICIES LIKE VOUCHERS.

IF TAXPAYERS FULLY UNDERSTOOD THAT VOUCHERS ARE SIMPLY A HANDOUT TO A SELECT FEW WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY TO IMPROVE STUDENT OUTCOMES, I BELIEVE THE MEASURE WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEFEATED.

NOW'S THE TIME FOR YOU GUYS TO WORK TOGETHER AND ACT DECISIVELY AS A BOARD.

YOUR ACTIONS MUST SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT YOU SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THAT YOU'RE COMMITTED TO PRESERVING MANSFIELD ISD'S HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE.

TONIGHT, YOU'LL VOTE FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE TERRAN APPRAISAL DISTRICT, ELECTING CANDIDATES WHO PRIORITIZE PUBLIC EDUCATION IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL.

THESE LEADERS CAN WORK WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO ENSURE PROPERTY TAX REFORMS BENEFIT SCHOOLS RATHER THAN HARM THEM.

VOTE IS NOT JUST ABOUT MITIGATING THE $15 MILLION IN REVENUE LOSS.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS THAT YOU'RE COMMITTED TO RECTIFYING PAST DECISIONS AND ADVOCATING FOR OUR SCHOOLS.

ONCE YOU WORK TO GET THESE CANDIDATES ELECTED, LEVERAGE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR STATE LEADERS, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVE DAVID COOK.

YOU CAN ENCOURAGE HIM TO PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OPPOSE VOUCHERS.

HOWEVER, HE NEEDS TO HEAR FROM EACH ONE OF YOU AND DIRECTLY FROM EACH ONE OF YOU, AND HE NEEDS TO KNOW THAT YOU SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION BECAUSE THE BOARD PRESIDENT FAILED TO VOICE HER OPPOSITION TO VOUCHERS WHILE CAMPAIGNING FOR HIM EARLIER THIS MONTH, LEAVING MANY CONSTITUENTS CONFUSED ABOUT WHERE THE BOARD STANDS ON THIS CRITICAL ISSUE.

TONIGHT, YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE MISD FAMILIES THAT THE BOARD STANDS FIRMLY BEHIND ITS STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND STAFF.

BY WORKING TOGETHER AND VOTING FOR PRO-PUBLIC SCHOOL CANDIDATES FOR THE TAD BOARD, YOU CAN TAKE A STRONG STEP TOWARDS SECURING THE DISTRICT'S FUTURE.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TONIGHT AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

>> THANK YOU, MRS. MARCUCCI.

NEXT UP IS SAYEDA SYED, AND FOLLOWING HER WILL BE JAMES COCKRELL.

>> HI, I'M SAYEDA SYED, AND MY ADDRESS IS 6705 SAPPHIRE CIRCLE NORTH COLLEYVILLE, TEXAS 76034.

I'M ONE OF THE CANDIDATE ON THE BALLOT FOR TAD BOARD.

I CAME HERE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE.

WHEN I WAS AT AT [INAUDIBLE], I WAS HERE AT THE COURTHOUSE, MET MRS. NEWSOME AND DR. CRUTCHFIELD AT THAT TIME.

I UNDERSTAND MANSFIELD ISD HAS THEIR OWN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR APPRAISAL DISTRICTS.

YOU CAN MAKE THE CHANGE.

LAST MEETING AT THE TAD BOARD ON NOVEMBER THE EIGHTH, CHIEF APPRAISER PRESENTED THEN HOW MANY DISTRICTS AND EACH AND EVERY DISTRICT IS IN UNDERWATER WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PROPERTY VALUE STUDY.

MISD IS UNDER 90 PERCENTILE, SO IT'S NOT AS BAD AS MY OWN DISTRICT, BUT PLEASE LOOK INTO IT.

IT WILL HURT THE SCHOOL FINANCE.

I'M NOT GOING TO DISCUSS WITH THE FINANCE.

ALL I WANT TO SAY IS IT'S UP TO YOU, YOU NEED TO VOTE FOR THOSE CANDIDATE WHO CAN ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR ADVOCATE FOR A TAXING ENTITY AND LISTEN TO THE TAXPAYER AS WELL.

THE JOB OF APPRAISAL DISTRICT IS LIKE A BRIDGE BETWEEN A TAXING ENTITY AND TAXPAYER.

THEIR JOB IS TO SERVICE PROVIDER ON BOTH ENDS, AND I BELIEVE THIS BOARD WILL LOOK INTO IT AND VOTE APPROPRIATELY.

PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT VOTE FOR PTA.

[01:35:01]

APPOINT SOMEONE WHO HAS THE KNOWLEDGE OF PROPERTY TAX CODE AND SCHOOL FINANCE FUNDING.

PLEASE LOOK INTO IT.

DO NOT APPOINT FRIENDS OR FRIENDS OF FRIENDS BECAUSE THAT CULTURE IS THERE FOR OVER 44 YEARS.

LOOK AT THE BUYERS, AND APPOINT THE RIGHT PERSON ON THE RIGHT PLACE.

NOW IT'S IN YOUR HAND TO MAKE THE CHANGE, AND I BELIEVE I WILL GET VOTES HERE AT MISD, AND I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY VOTE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

>> THANK YOU, MRS. SYED.

NEXT IS JAMES COCKRELL.

FOLLOWED BY MR. COCKRELL WILL BE JOHN WOOD.

>> WELL, GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JIM COCK ROWEN.

I'M HERE THIS EVENING ON BEHALF OF THE TAXPAYING CITIZENS OF JOHNSON COUNTY, MANY OF WHOM ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

MY WIFE, MELODY, AND I RETIRED FROM THE MANSFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT IN 2011.

WE SERVED 30 YEARS AS PUBLIC EDUCATORS.

WE RAISED OUR FOUR CHILDREN HERE IN MANSFIELD AND ALL FOUR OF THEM GRADUATED FROM THIS GREAT SCHOOL DISTRICT.

OUR MIDDLE DAUGHTER, MOLLY COCKS, WHO IS IN HER 25TH YEAR OF TEACHING AT WORLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL, AT ONE POINT, ACTUALLY TAUGHT NEXT TO TEACHERS WHO TAUGHT HER WHEN SHE WAS A STUDENT AT THAT CAMPUS.

AFTER MELODY AND I RETIRED, WE MOVED TO JOHNSON COUNTY AND BUILT A HOME ON SOME ACREAGE JUST OUTSIDE OF CLEBURNE, BUT WHILE WE RETIRED TO JOHNSON COUNTY, WE STILL MAINTAIN DEEP CONNECTIONS HERE IN MANSFIELD.

WE HAVE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WHO RESIDE HERE AND WE STILL ATTEND CHURCH HERE.

I HOPE THAT IT IS EVIDENT THAT WE LOVE THIS COMMUNITY.

WE ARE STRONG ADVOCATES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND WE HAVE A SPECIAL AFFECTION FOR THIS DISTRICT AND THE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS WHO LAID IT ON THE LINE EVERY DAY FOR THE THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN UNDER YOUR CARE.

SINCE MOVING TO CLEBURNE, I'VE BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE JOHNSON COUNTY CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT IN AN EFFORT TO HELP STABILIZE WHAT SOME PERCEIVED TO BE WILD FLUCTUATIONS IN PROPERTY TAX APPRAISALS IN JOHNSON COUNTY.

THOSE FLUCTUATIONS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT ON BOTH OUR CITIZENS AND OUR TAXING ENTITIES SUCH AS MANSFIELD ISD.

AFTER ALL, YOU DEPEND ON THE CAD FOR FAIR APPRAISALS IN ORDER TO SET A REALISTIC TAX RATE FOR YOUR BUDGET.

THIS IS THE DELICATE BALANCE THAT THE CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT MUST STRIKE.

WE MUST BE ADVOCATES FOR THE TAXING ENTITIES THAT DEPEND ON US WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, ENSURING FAIRNESS, TRANSPARENCY, AND EQUITY IN THE APPRAISAL PROCESS FOR JOHNSON COUNTY CITIZENS.

IT IS MY HOPE THAT TONIGHT YOU WILL DISTRIBUTE YOUR ALLOCATION OF VOTES IN A WAY THAT WILL ALLOW JOHNSON COUNTY CAD TO BE OF GREATEST BENEFIT TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WE ARE ASKING YOU TO GIVE PREFERENCE TO MR. JOHN WOOD WHEN CASTING YOUR VOTES THIS EVENING.

JOHN IS CURRENTLY THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY CAD WITH RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ON THE JOHNSON COUNTY CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT.

IN SO DOING, WE CAN ACHIEVE WHAT WE SHOULD ALL BE STRIVING FOR, AND THAT IS ADVOCATING FOR THE TAXING ENTITIES OF JOHNSON COUNTY WHILE AT THE SAME TIME EARNING AND MAINTAINING THE TRUST OF THE TAXPAYING PUBLIC.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THIS REQUEST FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY AND FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MR. COCKRELL.

NEXT IS JOHN WOOD.

FOLLOWED BY MR. WOOD, WILL BE PRESTON HORN.

>> HI. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME ADDRESS YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CARE AND OBVIOUS LOVE BY THE PEOPLE IN YOUR DISTRICT.

I AM PART OF A TEAM, AND THE TEAM SUPPORTS US, THE TAXPAYER AND YOU.

BY WORDS OF BALANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRANSPARENCY.

WE'VE DONE A LOT FOR TRANSPARENCY, WE'VE DONE A LOT FOR BALANCE, AND WE'VE DONE A LOT TO SAVE MONEY FOR YOU ALL, AND THOSE HAVE ALL BEEN SPOKEN ABOUT.

FOR ME, I HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF EDUCATION MY ENTIRE CAREER AND I FEEL

[01:40:04]

THERE'S A LOT OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND WE WANT TO BE PART OF THAT ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO COMMUNICATE WITH Y'ALL AND HAVE YOU VOICE YOUR NEEDS TO US.

>> I THINK WE'RE WELL AWARE OF MOST OF THEM, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER THE ABILITY FOR US TO BE CONSULTED ANYTIME YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT ANYTHING WE DO.

THEY SAID IT'S A GREAT TEAM.

WE'VE CUT COSTS ON THE TAD BOARD, AND WE'VE DONE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS.

WE'VE ALSO PROTECTED OURSELVES AND YOU FROM ANY MISTAKES THAT WE COULD EVER MAKE IN EVERY DOCUMENT THAT WE'VE DONE.

I HOPE THAT YOU GIVE ME YOUR VOTES.

I WOULD LOVE TO GET BACK ON A TAD BOARD.

YOUR VOTES WOULD BE CRITICAL FOR ME, AND I WOULD LIKE TO MEET INDIVIDUALLY WITH ALL OF YOU AT SOME TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING TO ME.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK ME NOW. I'M DONE.

>>THANK YOU, MR. WOOD.

>> SURE.

>> NEXT UP IS PRESTON HORN.

FOLLOWED BY MR. HORN IS COURTNEY WATERS.

>> HEY, Y'ALL. PRESTON HORN, FATHER OF THREE DAUGHTERS, AND WEARER OF THE OFFICIAL DAD HAT OF MISD.

JK. MADAM PRESIDENT, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU GET THE FINAL SAY ON THE 204 VOTES THAT MISD SENDS.

I'M HERE TONIGHT TO ASK YOU TO PLEAD WITH YOU, TO PLEASE DO NOT NOMINATE OR DO NOT VOTE FOR PEOPLE THAT WILL DEFUND OUR DISTRICT.

THAT'S IT. I KNOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN OBVIOUS AND MAYBE UNNECESSARY REQUEST.

DON'T INDIRECTLY DEFUND OUR DISTRICT.

BUT TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST, YOUR TRACK RECORD FOR ENDORSEMENTS IS NOT GREAT.

I HAVE A LOT THAT I WANT TO SAY ABOUT THAT, BUT I'M GOING TO SKIP DOWN TO JUST SAY, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT A TRACK RECORD OF ENDORSEMENTS. THIS IS IT.

HERE I AM. JUST A DAD, STANDING IN FRONT OF A BOARD, ASKING YOU TO LOVE US.

LOVE OUR DISTRICT.

PLEASE DON'T DEFUND THE DISTRICT.

THAT'S IT. THANKS.

>> THANK YOU, MR. HORN. UP NEXT IS COURTNEY WATERS.

FOLLOWED BY COURTNEY WATERS IS ANNA HORN.

>> GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, EDUCATORS, FELLOW PARENTS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS COURTNEY WATERS.

I HAVE TWO STUDENTS IN MISD.

I'M AN EDUCATOR IN SPECIAL EDUCATION.

I'M A HOMEOWNER, AND I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO EXPRESS MY UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND TO VOICE MY STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXAS EDUCATIONAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS VOUCHERS.

MANY OF US HERE MIGHT THINK THAT THIS IS A GIVEN AND REDUNDANT TO SAY ALOUD AT A PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

WELL, I WOULD TOO.

BUT BASED ON THE CONTRIBUTIONS BY SEVERAL OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE BOARD PRESIDENT, AND HER USE OF HER TITLE TO SUPPORT PROPONENTS OF EDUCATIONAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

I WILL BE REDUNDANT.

JUST AS A REMINDER TO THESE BOARD MEMBERS AND OTHERS THAT ARE LISTENING AND HOPEFULLY, ALWAYS LEARNING.

VOUCHERS DECREASE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING, INCLUDING REDUCING REVENUE.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, BY AT LEAST $4 BILLION AND BY PROXY LOWERING TEACHER PAY, WHICH WAS 15,000 TO $18,000 LESS IN STATES WITH VOUCHER PROGRAMS. VOUCHERS DECREASE ACCOUNTABILITY.

AS A DESTINATION AND DATA-DRIVEN DISTRICT, OUR PARENTS AND STUDENTS WANT RIGOROUS ACADEMICS SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO CHOOSE MANSFIELD ISD.

THIS RIGOR AND GROWTH IS ONLY EVIDENT THROUGH ACCOUNTABILITY.

LASTLY, VOUCHERS DECREASE DIVERSITY, DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTING PEOPLE WHO ARE LOWER INCOME, MINORITIES, OR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

[01:45:02]

AS AN ASIDE, TO SPEAK MORE ABOUT THE SUPPORTING OF STATE REPRESENTATIVES THAT DO SUPPORT VOUCHERS.

TEACHERS AND STAFF ARE HELD TO AN EXTREMELY HIGH STANDARD WHEN IT COMES TO LOCAL ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS WITH VERY REAL CONSEQUENCES.

WHEN I WAS AN EMPLOYEE OF MANSFIELD ISD, MY SUPERVISOR HAD TO RESCIND AN EMAIL SENT TO HER STAFF ENCOURAGING US TO VOTE, NOT EVEN SUPPORTING A SPECIFIC CANDIDATE, JUST ASKING US TO VOTE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, MRS. WATERS. NEXT UP IS ANNA HORN FOLLOWED BY MRS. HORN, WILL BE SHARON RICHARD.

>> HI, TRUSTEES. MY NAME IS ANNA HORN, AND I TOO I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE TERN APPRAISAL DISTRICT.

WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT THE PEOPLE THAT YOU GUYS GET TO CHOOSE FROM, I REALIZED THAT I WAS TAKING TIME TO COME HERE TONIGHT TO ASK YOU TO DO A VERY OBVIOUS THING.

THAT IS TO PLEASE CHOOSE CANDIDATES.

PLEASE USE YOUR VOTES FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE OUR DISTRICT'S BEST INTERESTS IN MIND, SPECIFICALLY IN THE AREA OF FUNDING OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE FACED ONGOING FUNDING SHORTAGES BECAUSE OF POLITICAL MANEUVERING AT THE STATE LEVEL.

NOW THOSE OF US IN MISD AND TARRANT COUNTY ARE FACING FURTHER FUNDING ISSUES FOR OUR SCHOOLS BECAUSE OF THE MOST RECENT TAD BUDGET PROPOSAL.

I TOOK PAUSE BECAUSE I REALIZED THAT MYSELF, MY FAMILY, WE ARE AT THE MERCY OF SOME BOARD MEMBERS WHO IN BOTH INSTANCES JUST MENTIONED, CLAIMED YOU HAD THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND MINE, WHILE ALSO ACTIVELY BEING A PART OF THE PROBLEMS IT FACES.

IT SEEMS DUPLICITY CONTINUES TO BE A HALLMARK OF SOME OF YOUR TERMS. FROM ENDORSING AND EVEN PUPPETING, AN UNQUALIFIED CANDIDATE IN ONE ELECTION TO ENDORSING A KNOWN AND ELIGIBLE CANDIDATE IN THE NEXT ELECTION TO TODAY, WHERE YOU HAVE YET TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH A COURSE OF ACTION TO ENSURE THAT FUTURE ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD WITH INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

YOU REMAIN SILENT. NOW WE COME TO A TOPIC THAT EVERYONE AT A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING SHOULD AGREE ON, A NO-BRAINER, SOMETHING REGARDLESS OF GENDER OR RACE OR POLITICAL PARTY, WE SHOULD ALL BE IN AGREEMENT ON, AND THAT IS THE FUNDING OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

LIKE I SAID MOST RECENTLY, WHEN FIGHTING A FUNDING ISSUE AT OUR LOCAL LEVEL WITH TAD, MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD BASICALLY TOLD US THAT THE PLAN WAS TO PLEAD TO OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND HOPE THAT THEY SAVED OUR DISTRICT.

YOU HAD A FORMAL OPPORTUNITY TO STAND UP FOR MISD, AND YOU PASSED.

THEN LAST YEAR, THIS BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT, PLEADED WITH THE COMMUNITY TO CONTACT OUR STATE LEGISLATORS AND SPEAK UP AGAINST VOUCHERS WHILE EXPLAINING THE VERY REAL CONSEQUENCES OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY WOULD FACE.

WHILE WE WERE OFF RAISING OUR VOICES AT YOUR REQUEST, OUR BOARD PRESIDENT WAS USING HER VOICE AND TITLE TO ENDORSE THE LEGISLATOR WHO WAS IN SUPPORT OF THE VOUCHER, YOU TOLD US TO PROTEST.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I'M TIRED OF BEING CALLED UPON TO DO A JOB THAT YOU ALL WERE LITERALLY ELECTED TO DO.

POSITIONS ON OUR SCHOOL BOARD ARE NOT FOR GAINING POPULARITY POINTS IN YOUR SOCIAL CIRCLES.

IT'S NOT TO PAD YOUR RESUME.

IT'S NOT TO GAIN POLITICAL CAPITAL FOR YOUR NEXT CAMPAIGNS, BECAUSE WHEN YOU DO THAT, MY CHILDREN SUFFER.

ALL OF OUR CHILDREN SUFFER, THE EDUCATORS WHO POUR THEIR LIVES INTO OUR CHILDREN SUFFER.

WHILE I WILL CONTINUE AS A CITIZEN TO DO WHAT I CAN TO SUPPORT.

>> THANK YOU, MRS. HORN. [APPLAUSE] NEXT UP IS SHARON RICHARD FOLLOWED BY MRS. RICHARD IS MICHAEL ALFRED.

>> GOOD EVENING, DR. SCOTT AND BOARD.

MY NAME IS SHARON RICHARD, AND I RISE TODAY TO EXPRESS MY UNBELIEVABLE SADNESS AT THE CURRENT STATE OF THE REPUTATION OF THE MISD SCHOOL BOARD.

NEVER IN THE 20 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT, HAS THE OVERALL REPUTATION BEEN SO LOW.

THIS SHIFT BEGAN THREE YEARS AGO, AND IT HAS BEEN ONE NEGATIVE THING AFTER ANOTHER.

[01:50:01]

WE'VE WITNESSED THIS WHEN OUR BOARD PRESIDENT CHOSE TO PUBLICLY ADVOCATE FOR THE TARRANT APPRAISAL DISTRICT OVER THE INTERESTS OF MISD WHILE SITTING ON THIS VERY DIAS.

WE WITNESSED THIS WHEN OUR BOARD PRESIDENT ENGAGED IN ELECTIONEERING BY ACTING IN HER OFFICIAL CAPACITY ON DISTRICT PROPERTY, THUS, USING DISTRICT RESOURCES, CHOSE TO ENDORSE A CANDIDATE FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

I FULLY SUPPORT PRESIDENT FARRAR'S RIGHT AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN TO ENDORSE ANY CANDIDATE SHE CHOOSES.

HOWEVER, IN THIS INSTANCE, SHE CHOSE TO USE HER OFFICIAL TITLE AS THE MISD SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT, GIVING THE IMPRESSION THAT THE MISD BOARD ENDORSED THIS PARTICULAR CANDIDATE.

THIS IS A VIOLATION OF THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE AS WELL AS BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THIS PARTICULAR CANDIDATE HAS VOTED AGAINST INTERESTS OF NOT ONLY MANSFIELD ISD BUT ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY VOTING TO PASS VOUCHERS.

SO FAR, MISD HAS BEEN REALLY FORTUNATE COMPARED TO OTHER DISTRICTS IN THE METROPLEX, AND THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD TO MAKE CUTS.

BUT SHOULD VOUCHERS PASS ONCE THE STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS, STAFF CUTS, CONSOLIDATIONS WILL DEFINITELY BE ON THE TABLE.

JUST TODAY, FRISCO ISD ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL BE AN OPEN ENROLLMENT DISTRICT FOR ANYONE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

WHEN THIS IDEA WAS FLOATED BEFORE THE LAST BOND ELECTION, THERE WAS AN OVERWHELMING CONSENSUS AGAINST THAT FOR THIS DISTRICT.

A SEVERE BUDGET SHORTFALL WILL CAUSE DIFFICULT DECISIONS TO HAVE TO BE MADE.

MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD HAVE BEEN ASKED BY RESIDENTS TO ADVOCATE TO LAWMAKERS.

I'D ASK THAT THIS BOARD LEAD THAT EFFORT BY FIRST MAKING IT CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT THIS DISTRICT IS AGAINST VOUCHERS AND BY LEVERAGING YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAWMAKERS.

AS YOU ALL PREPARE TO VOTE FOR TAD BOARD MEMBERS, I EMPLOY YOU TO VOTE FOR CANDIDATES WHO HAVE PUBLICLY STATED, THEY ARE AGAINST THE REAPPRAISAL PLAN THAT WAS RECENTLY PASSED THAT ACCORDING TO OUR OWN MICHELLE TANGAR COULD COST THIS DISTRICT UP TO $15 MILLION.

THE EIGHT OF YOU HAVE A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY TO THE STUDENTS, STAFF, AND RESIDENTS OF MISD.

MISD MUST BE FIRST.

>> THANK YOU, MRS. RICHARD.

NEXT UP IS MICHAEL ALFRED.

AFTER, MR. ALFRED IS TAMMY HARLAN.

>> GOOD EVENING. EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS MIKE ALFRED.

I LIVE IN COLLEYVILLE, TEXAS.

I'M HERE ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE ON MY NOMINATION TO THE TAD BOARD.

I'M AN ATTORNEY OF 24 YEARS WHO SPECIALIZES IN COMPLEX BUSINESS CASES THAT INCLUDES REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE, AND OVERALL GENERAL BUSINESS MATTERS.

I'M RUNNING FOR THIS POSITION TO ADVOCATE BOTH FOR THE TAXPAYER AND FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS LIKE YOURS IN TARRANT COUNTY.

I CAN RELATE TO A NUMBER OF YOU, MAYBE NOT AS WELL AS I WOULD LIKE TO DIRECTLY, BUT I ACTUALLY WAS A CANDIDATE FOR SCHOOL BOARD IN MY DISTRICT AND FELL 32 VOTES SHORT IN A 12,000-VOTE RACE.

BUT WHILE I WISH I COULD RELATE TO YOU DIRECTLY IN YOUR SEAT, I CAN RELATE TO YOU IN THE FACT THAT I HAD TO GET UP TO SPEED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT BUDGETS, AND I UNDERSTAND.

LOOK, I GET IT.

WHEN YOU'RE THE DISTRICT AND YOU'RE RELIANT UPON THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT FOR THE FUNDING THAT YOU NEED.

AGAIN, JUST TO REPEAT IT, I GET IT. I GET THE SITUATION.

AS FAR AS MY EXPERIENCE, AS A TRIAL LAWYER SPECIALIZING IN BUSINESS CASES WITH REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AND OTHER MATTERS, THAT'S REALLY KEY HERE.

MY WORK IN REAL ESTATE LAW, I'VE DEALT WITH APPRAISALS.

I'VE CONTESTED APPRAISALS, I'VE LITIGATED THOSE CASES.

I WILL BE A VERY GOOD ADVOCATE FOR FAIR, ACCURATE, AND TRANSPARENT APPRAISALS, AND EVERY TAXPAYER IN THE COUNTY SHOULD GET THAT. I THINK THAT'S FAIR.

MY BACKGROUND IN OVERALL BUSINESS AND ESPECIALLY INSURANCE-RELATED CASES GIVES ME A REALLY GOOD PERSPECTIVE TO BALANCING SOMETIMES WHAT ARE COMPETING INTERESTS.

SOMETIMES THE INTERESTS AREN'T ALWAYS ALIGNED IN WHAT I DO, AND BRINGING THAT PERSPECTIVE, THAT WISDOM THAT EXPERIENCE HELPS ME ACHIEVE A FAIR RESULT WHEN SOMETIMES THERE ARE CONFLICTING INTERESTS AND I'M COMMITTED TO YOU FOR EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY, THAT'S THE APPROACH I'M GOING TO TAKE FOR THE DISTRICT.

ADDITIONALLY, I'VE REPRESENTED VARIOUS BOARDS FROM SOMETHING AS TINY AS A 1,015-MEMBER HOA TO A 35,000-MEMBER HOA CORPORATIONS, HOSPITALS, SURGERY CENTERS.

[01:55:10]

I CAN PROVIDE THE STRUCTURE THAT IS NEEDED IN THE EFFECTIVE POLICIES SO THAT THE BUSINESS OF THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT CAN BE RUN WITHIN THE LAW AND FULLY TRANSPARENT, WHICH IS WHAT EVERYBODY IS LOOKING FOR AS WELL.

I'M A FIFTH-GENERATION TEXAN.

I'VE LIVED IN TARRANT COUNTY FOR 20 YEARS.

I'VE GOT A KID IN PUBLIC SCHOOL IN GRAPEVINE COLLEYVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND I SURE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR VOTE FOR THE BOARD. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MR. ALFRED.

NEXT IS TAMMY HARLAN, FOLLOWED BY MRS. HARLAN, WILL BE DANIEL BENNETT.

>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD PRESIDENT.

DOCTOR SCOTT, BOARD.

MY NAME IS TAMMY HARLAN.

I LIVE IN MANSFIELD.

I'VE LIVED HERE FOR ALMOST SEVEN YEARS.

WE CHOSE MANSFIELD FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WE LIVED IN ARLINGTON, OUR KIDS WENT TO CHARTER.

FAILING SCHOOLS, WE DON'T HAVE HERE.

KIDS NEED OPTIONS.

FORT WORTH WOULDN'T SEND MY KIDS TO SCHOOL THERE.

VOUCHERS FOR THEM MAY BE AN ALTERNATIVE.

DO THEY BELONG HERE? NO. BUT IF YOU HAVE A FAILING SCHOOL, YOU'VE GOT TO GIVE OPTIONS TO THE KIDS.

MANSFIELD DOES A GREAT JOB OF EDUCATING OUR KIDS.

WE CHOSE MANSFIELD.

I'M GLAD WE DID. I DON'T LIKE THE INFIGHTING I KEEP SEEING WITH THE BOARD, THE BACK AND FORTH.

I COME TO THESE MEETINGS AND IT TURNS INTO A GRIPE FEST.

CAN WE NOT DO WHAT WE WERE ELECTED TO DO? HOW ABOUT WE NOT ACT LIKE KINDERGARTNERS AND START TEACHING OUR KINDERGARTENERS? IT'S REALLY RIDICULOUS.

ONE BOARD MEMBER SUPPORTS ONE CANDIDATE.

ONE BOARD MEMBER SUPPORTS ANOTHER.

ONE SAYS I'M USING MY TITLE.

WELL, GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE OTHER CANDIDATES.

THEY WERE SUPPORTED BY ACTIVE MEMBERS OF SCHOOL BOARDS. GO TO THEIR PAGES.

THERE'S PICTURES OF THEM WITH ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE ARLINGTON SCHOOL BOARD, THE GRAND PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL.

FIGURE IT OUT, GUYS, YOU'RE GROWN-UPS.

WE HAVE OVER 30,000 KIDS WHO REQUIRE YOU TO DO THE JOBS YOU WERE ELECTED FOR, ALL OF YOU.

STOP WITH THE BACK AND FORTH AND DO THE RIGHT THING FOR OUR KIDS.

AS FAR AS THE TARRANT APPRAISAL DISTRICT, MY GOD, OUR TAXES ARE RIDICULOUS.

I OPENED MY TAX BILL FOR MY HOUSE.

PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE THERE, MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS FOR TAXPAYERS, FOR STUDENTS, FOR TEACHERS, AND FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, GET IT TOGETHER.

STOP BICKERING AND FIGHTING WITH EACH OTHER AND DO WHAT YOU WERE ELECTED TO DO.

OR ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

DID WE NOT FIGURE THAT OUT A FEW WEEKS AGO? THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MRS. HARLAN. UP NEXT IS DANIEL BENNETT FOLLOWED BY MR. BENNETT WILL BE CYNTHIA DANIELS.

>> PRESIDENT FARRAR, DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT, SCOTT, BOARD.

I THINK MOST OF YOU KNOW ME.

I WANT TO ADDRESS THOSE PEOPLE WHO SPOKE EARLIER ABOUT THE TERRA APPRAISAL DISTRICT.

I'VE BEEN TO 90% OF THE MEETINGS SINCE OCTOBER OF 2016.

I'VE NEVER SEEN ONE OF THEM.

LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR SELECTION AND WHAT YOU'VE DONE IN THE PAST.

THIS IS WHAT THE BOARD SHOULD KNOW.

TONY PAMPA MARTINEZ WAS DOWN HERE, DECEMBER 14TH, 2021.

THEIR CORE MISSION, DATA SECURITY.

WE WERE HACKED, WE WERE RANSOMED.

YOU GAVE THEM VOTES.

YOU GAVE MARTINEZ HALF THE VOTES, YOU GAVE PAMPA HALF TO VOTES.

WHO MADE TONY PAMPA THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD? WENDY BURGES, MADE THE MOTION, AND THEN HE DID NOTHING TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF TARRANT COUNTY. THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR JOB IS PARAMOUNT TONIGHT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT MISS BURGES.

SHE IS ON THE BALLOT, SHE WAS AN APOLOGIST FOR MR. LAW.

BUT SHE WAS. SHAKE YOUR HEAD SIDE TO SIDE, BUT SHE WAS.

SHE EVEN SAID AT THE BOARD MEETING ONE TIME.

THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING THE LAW, MR. LAW.

IT TURNS OUT THERE WAS A POTENTIAL SPECIAL OPPRESSION, UNDER HIS TENURE, HIS DIRECT REPORT.

HE KNEW ABOUT IT AND DID NOTHING.

WELL, THAT WASN'T AN ISSUE, THAT WAS ENOUGH TO TERMINATE MR. LAW.

HE ROLLED ALL THE VALUES WITH 14-15, FAILED YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

NOW BENNY BURGESS WASN'T ON THE BOARD BACK THEN.

BUT WHEN SHE GOT ON THAT BOARD, BEING ELECTED TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR, SHE HAD HIS OVERSIGHT, SOMEBODY THAT FAILED THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THAT HAPPENED. YOU SHAKE YOUR HEAD, UP AND DOWN NOW.

IT'S WORSE. IN JULY, SHE VOTED FOR THE REAPPRAISAL PLAN.

THE FINAL COPY CAME IN AUGUST.

SHE WENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

I'M SITTING THERE, SHE DOESN'T COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.

MAYBE I THOUGHT SHE FAINTED.

NO, SHE SAID YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO GO DO.

SHE VOTED FOR IT IN JULY,

[02:00:01]

YOU YOURS THAT IT, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

I WANT THIS BOARD TO HAVE CRITICAL THINKING.

THERE'S ONLY THREE PEOPLE I KNOW ON THE BALLOT THAT'S WORTH THEIR SALT TO BE ON THIS BOARD.

YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT ATTORNEYS? BROKERS, REAL ESTATE AGENTS, INSURANCE AGENTS, ANY OF THOSE PROFESSIONS, THEY HAVE TRAINWRECKED THIS DISTRICT.

WE DO NOT HAVE UNIFORM EQUAL APPRAISALS, WE HAVE STUFF LEFT OFF THE ROLL.

I PUT A 5.6 MILLION DOLLAR BUILDING ON THE ROLLS.

IT HAS BEEN FULLY CONSTRUCTED SINCE 2021.

FARMERS BRANCH, LEWISVILLE ISD.

YOU NEED PEOPLE TO ADVOCATE FOR YOU.

PENA COULDN'T EVEN EXPLAIN THE RISK OF THE REAPPRAISAL PLAN.

SHE WAS ON THE ARLINGTON ISD BOARD FOR 15 YEARS AND SHE CAN ARTICULATE THE RISK.

I MET WITH OMAR GARCIA.

SHE AND I HAVE GONE TO SIX CFOS, ALONG WITH FRED CAMPOS, SPEAKING TO EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> THANK YOU, MR. MINETTE. NEXT TO CYNTHIA DANIELS, FOLLOWED BY MISSES DANIELS IS JOANNA CARDOZA.

>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CYNTHIA DANIELS, AND MY PRONOUNCER, SHE/ HERE.

I'M HERE AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN AND TAXPAYER IN MISD.

RECENTLY, MANY MANSFIELD RESIDENTS, MYSELF, RECEIVED A CAMPAIGN MAILER FROM DAVID COOK FEATURING A PHOTO OF HIM AND OUR SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT KESIA FARRAR, STANDING IN FRONT OF THE OLD MANSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH IS NOW THE MISD ADMIN BUILDING.

THE MAILER INCLUDED A QUOTE FROM PRESIDENT FARRAR ENDORSING COOK STATING, DAVID COOK HAS FOUGHT FOR THE FUNDING AND RESOURCES OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL NEEDS, AND I TRUST HIM TO CONTINUE TO BE A CHAMPION FOR OUR KIDS, TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND RETIREES.

IF YOU SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, VOTE DAVID COOK, KESIA FARRAR MANSFIELD ISD SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT.

LET ME BE CLEAR, MY ISSUE IS NOT WITH THE ENDORSEMENT ITSELF.

WITH MISSES FARAGE USING HER MANSFIELD ISD SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT TITLE AND HER ENDORSEMENT, TITLES CARRY WEIGHT AND IMPLY AUTHORITY.

IF I INTRODUCED MYSELF TONIGHT AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NONPROFIT I RUN, YOU WOULD ASSUME I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THAT ORGANIZATION.

IT WOULD BE UNETHICAL IF I WASN'T.

THE SAME PRINCIPLE APPLIES HERE.

IT'S NO SECRET THAT MISS FARRAR IS A FRIEND AND SUPPORTER OF DAVID COOK.

THAT'S HER RIGHT AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN.

BUT THE MOMENT SHE SIGNED WITH HER OFFICIAL TITLE, IT BECAME MORE THAN PERSONAL.

IT BECAME A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

FOR CONTEXT, COOK RECENTLY VOTED FOR SCHOOL VOUCHERS IN THE GOVERNOR'S SPECIAL SESSION.

VOUCHERS WILL HURT PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY DIVERTING FUNDS AWAY FROM THEM.

IRONICALLY, PRESIDENT FARRAR HAS REPEATEDLY ENCOURAGED US TO CONTACT OUR REPRESENTATIVES TO OPPOSE SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

YET NOW SHE'S ENDORSING THE VERY REPRESENTATIVE WHO SUPPORTS THEM, NOT AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN, BUT AS SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT.

WERE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS CONSULTED ON THIS? WERE THEY IN AGREEMENT? I KNOW AT LEAST TWO BOARD MEMBERS WHO PUBLICLY DISTANCED THEMSELVES FROM THIS ENDORSEMENT.

ACCORDING TO THE MISD SCHOOL BOARD'S OWN POLICY, THE PRESIDENT ACTS AS THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE ENTIRE BOARD.

WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR NOT, MISS FARRAR'S USE OF HER TITLE ON THIS MAILER MADE IT APPEAR AS THOUGH THE ENTIRE BOARD ENDORSED COOK.

MISDS ATTORNEY CLAIMS THAT MISSES FARRAR WAS EXERCISING HER FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND NOT SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD.

BUT IF THAT'S TRUE, WHY INCLUDE HER TITLE? ADDITIONALLY, USING SCHOOL PROPERTY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN, MAILER VIOLATES THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE AND IT IS DEEPLY INSENSITIVE GIVEN THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT BUILDING, WHERE A BLACK MAN'S EFFIGY WAS ONCE HUNG IN PROTEST OF INTEGRATION.

WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THIS BOARD.

ACCOUNTABILITY MEANS OWNING MISTAKES.

LAST YEAR, AN INELIGIBLE CANDIDATE WAS ALLOWED TO STAY ON THE BALLOT WITH NO APOLOGY OR ACCOUNTABILITY.

NOW OUR BOARD PRESIDENT USES HER TITLE TO ENDORSE A CANDIDATE WHOSE POLICIES HARM PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT'S TIME FOR THIS BOARD TO FOCUS ON WHAT'S BEST FOR ALL KIDS IN MISD.

PUBLIC EDUCATION IS AT STAKE, MY DAUGHTER, A RECENT MHS GRADUATE, DREAMS OF TEACHING IN TEXAS, BUT AT THIS RATE, THERE MAY NOT BE STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOLS LEFT FOR HER, OR FOR.

>> THANK YOU, MISS DANIEL. NEXT JOANNA CARDOZA, EXCUSE ME.

FOLLOWED BY MISSES CARDOZA WILL BE FERNANDO RODRIGUEZ.

>> GOOD EVENING, SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT FOR OUR SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES AND DOCTOR SCOTT.

ALL OF YOU KNOW WHO I AM, MISD PARENT JOANNA CARDOZA.

MANSEL ISD'S CURRENT BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURE STATES THE FOLLOWING IN REGARDS TO ETHICS.

AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD, I SHALL PROMOTE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE.

ALL OF YOU, INCLUDING MYSELF, HOLD LEADERSHIP ROLES ON DIFFERENT COMMUNITY BOARDS IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AS PART OF BOARD GOVERNANCE TRAINING WE ARE TRAINED WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE OR NOT APPROPRIATE TO USE OUR TITLE WHEN SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF AN ORGANIZATION WE SERVE ON.

A TITLE, DEPENDING ON HOW IT IS USED CAN MEAN AUTHORITY TO REPRESENT.

[02:05:05]

AS THE OFFICIAL FACE ENVOYS FOR THE DISTRICT, WHAT MESSAGE IS BEING SENT TO THE LEADERSHIP? THAT THE BOARD PRESIDENT IS SUPPORTING WHAT COULD POTENTIALLY HURT THE DISTRICT FINANCIALLY? I ALSO DON'T BUY THE E MAIL EXPLANATION IN RESPONSE TO CONCERNED CITIZENS ABOUT THE MENTIONED CAMPAIGN MATERIAL BY THE ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS, THAT THE ENDORSEMENT WAS PERSONAL.

SUCH COMMUNICATION WILL ONLY BUILD MISTRUST WITH MISD STAKEHOLDERS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MISSES CARDOZA.

NEXT IS FERNANDO RODRIGUEZ AND FOLLOWING MR. RODRIGUEZ WILL BE NIGEL LEWIS.

>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS FERNANDO RODRIGUEZ, AND I'M A JOHNSON COUNTY RESIDENT.

I OWN ACTUALLY MULTIPLE BUSINESS, AND I'M A HOME OWNER TOO IN THIS COUNTY AND BE ON AND I HAVE TO SAY THIS BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW INVOLVED I AM IN THIS COUNTY.

I'M ALSO ON THE BOARD FOR JOHNSON COUNTY OF BUILDERS ASSOCIATION, JOHNSON COUNTY FOOD BANK, AND CITY 100, WHICH IS CHILDREN SHOW 100 CLUB, WE SUPPORT FOR RESPONDERS.

TONIGHT, I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF OUR JOHN WOODS, YOU KNOW, OVER ALL THESE, OVER THE YEAR OR YEAR AND A HALF THAT I'VE BEEN IN DIFFERENT MEETINGS IN DIFFERENT CITIES, AND A COMMISSIONERS COURT, ACTUALLY, JOHN WOODS IS A GUY THAT I HAVE SEEN MOST OF THESE MEETINGS, AND I ALWAYS SAID THIS, IF YOU WANT TO HIRE SOMEBODY, YOU WANT TO HIRE SOMEBODY THAT DOESN'T SHOW UP, BUT YOU WANT TO HIRE SOMEBODY THAT IS ALWAYS OUT THERE FOR YOU.

IF SOMEONE HAS BEEN HERE TO ALL THESE BOARD MEETINGS, MOST OF THE BOARD MEETINGS HE CAN ATTEND, THAT MEANS HE CARES.

THAT MEANS HE CARES FOR YOU GUYS AND FOR THE TAXPAYERS.

AGAIN, HE'S BEEN A CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, DIFFERENT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.

ALSO, I HAVE SEEN HIM AT THE CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT MEETINGS ON JOHNSON TO CLARIFIED.

I SEE HOW HE'S VERY PROFESSIONAL ABOUT ASKING QUESTIONS AND TAKING CARE OF YOU OF THE TAXPAYERS WHENEVER HE ASKED QUESTIONS, FOR INSTANCE, A PERFECT SAMPLE WAS THAT WE WERE OVERPAYING ABOUT $60,000 ON BANK FEES LAST YEAR, AND HE WAS ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT AND BY BY DOING THAT, HE HAS SAVED THE PRESTO DISTRICT AND THE TAXPAYERS, I WANT TO SAVE A LOT OF MONEY.

THAT'S WHY DURING THIS TIME, I ALSO WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO ATTEND TO THOSE MEETINGS THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, BY THE WAY.

AGAIN, IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN ANY OTHER MEMBERS WHO WANTS TO BE ON THE BOARD, WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO SUPPORTING? BECAUSE IF THEY'RE NOT HERE, WHAT MAKES YOU BELIEVE THEY'RE GOING TO BE AT BOARD MEETINGS? NEXT THING IS, I SAY THESE PEOPLE MAKE TIME FOR WHAT THEY CARE THE MOST.

IF THEY'RE NOT HERE, WHY SHOULD I SUPPORT THEM? WHY SHOULD WE VOTE FOR THEM? BUT IF JOHN WOODS IS HERE, WHICH IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WE GOT LEFT AND WE NEED SUPPORT FOR JOHNSON COUNTY CAD BOARD.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU GUYS TO SUPPORT HIM GIVING YOU VOTE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, MR. RODRIGUEZ.

OUR FINAL SPEAKER THIS EVENING WILL BE NIGEL LEWIS.

>> YOU STARTED THE CLOCK BEFORE I STARTED. CAN YOU RESTARTED, PLEASE?

>> CAN YOU RESTART THE CLOCK, PLEASE?

>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, DR. SCOTT, BOARD MEMBERS, EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM.

LAST MONTH, I HAD A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE 25TH CELEBRATION OF THE MISD FOUNDATION.

IT WAS AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO JUST LEARN MORE ABOUT IT.

THE $5 MILLION AT THE RAISE TO SUPPORT TEACHERS, AND THE EFFORTS TO TEACHER HAVE AN ENHANCING STUDENT CAPABILITIES, AND TO HELP THIS DISTRICT BE A DESTINATION DISTRICT.

BUT I ALSO WALKED AWAY ENERGIZED BY THE SPEAKER AND HER ENERGY FOR FUND RAISING, BUT SHE DID LEAVE ME WITH TWO SOBERING COMMENTS FOR THE WHOLE AUDIENCE.

[02:10:04]

VERY PROFOUND STATEMENT AND A BIG GAP IN FUNDING FOR ALL OF TEXAS, BUT PARTICULARLY FOR ISD.

THEN THE SECOND THING SHE TALKED ABOUT WAS THE NEW APPROVAL OF THE APPRAISAL PLAN THAT PUT OUR DISTRICT AT A $15 MILLION POTENTIAL DEFICIT.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THOSE TWO THINGS IN THEIR TOTALITY, YOU THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH WE ARE PUTTING OUR DISTRICT, OUR STUDENTS, OUR TEACHERS, OUR EMPLOYEES AT RISK.

OUR DISTRICT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN MANSFIELD.

WE THINK THAT WE CAN GET MORE PEOPLE TO COME TO MANSFIELD AND KNOW THAT OUR EDUCATION HAS NOW BEEN LOWERED, THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN LOWERED, AND IT'S PROJECTED TO GO THAT WAY WITH A CONTINUED DECREASE FUNDING, YOU PUT US AT RISK.

I THEN WONDERED, WHAT QUESTIONS WERE ASKED FOR THESE 14 CANDIDATES THAT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE APPOINTED TO VOTE.

WHAT QUESTIONS WERE ASKED TO THEM? ARE THEY REALLY SUPPORTING THE MANDATE OF THE DISTRICT, BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT DOESN'T HAVE A VOTE, CANNOT RECOMMEND ANYTHING ON THIS.

ARE THEY REALLY SUPPORTING AN ALIGNMENT OF WHAT THE DISTRICT SAYS WE SHOULD DO? FOR THAT MATTER, THE OTHER DOZEN OF ISDS THAT FEEL THE SAME WAY THAT THIS DISTRICT DOES THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE AND SHOULD NOT BE AT A DEFICIT AT ALL.

MY QUESTIONS IF THEY DON'T, SUPPORT THAT AND WE HAVEN'T ASKED THESE MEMBERS AND SEEN THESE MEMBERS TO FIGURE OUT WHICH FIVE ACTUALLY HAVE THE BEST SKILL SET TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE SUPPORTING PUBLIC EDUCATION.

IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT ABILITY TO DO THAT, IF WE HAVEN'T ASKED OURSELVES THOSE QUESTIONS, AND IF WE HAVEN'T ASKED OUR DISTRICT LEADERS AGAIN SINCE THIS THING WAS VOTED IN, ARE THERE ANY OTHER THINGS THAT COULD BE A DETRIMENT TO OUR DISTRICT, THEN I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT WE SHOULD NOT VOTE ON TONIGHT.

IT'S NOT DUE TO DECEMBER 15.

LET'S NOT RUSH INTO SOMETHING WITHOUT DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MR. LEWIS. THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.

THAT MOVES TO ITEM 11,

[11. Human Resources Report]

>> YES, MA'AM. THIS EVENING, I HAVE THREE FOLKS FOR US TO RECOGNIZE WITH OVER 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.

GINGER BUS SOCCER, 29 YEARS IN EDUCATION AND 20 WITH MISD, SONIA JONES, 25 YEARS WITH MISD, AND JAMIE NORWOOD, 33 YEARS AND 23 WITH MISD.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THE STUDENTS OF MISD AND OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL.

[APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU MRS. NEWSOME. ITEM 11.2 NEW HOURS FOR BOARD APPROVAL.

WE HAVE NO ACTION NEEDED ON THIS ITEM AT THIS TIME.

WE'RE MOVING ON TO ITEM 12.1,

[12. Business Items Requiring Board Action]

CONSIDERATION APPROVAL OF TEACHER CONTRACT ABATEMENT, MAY I PLEASE RECEIVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE RECOMMENDATIONS?

>> SO MOVE.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY MR. TIPPING. DO I HAVE A SECOND BY MRS. WILSON.

DO I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, MAY I PLEASE SEE A SHOW OF HANDS? ALL THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES 7:0. ITEM 12.2.

CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE 2023/2024 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT, MAY I PLEASE RECEIVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE RECOMMENDATIONS?

>> WHO IS IT OVER HERE?

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY MISSES REED AND A SECOND BY MRS. NEWSOME.

ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE.

ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR, MAY I PLEASE SEE A SHOW OF HANDS? ALL THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES 7:00, MOVING TO ITEM 12.3, RESOLUTION NUMBER 25-12 TARRANT COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT 2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICIAL BALLOT.

THE BOARD WILL NOT BE TAKING ACTION AT THIS TIME.

ITEM 12.4, RESOLUTION NUMBER 25-13, CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT OF JOHNSON COUNTY 2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICIAL BALLOT.

THE BOARD WILL NOT BE TAKING ACTION AT THIS TIME.

THAT MOVES US TO THE ITEM 13, THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[13. Consent Agenda]

DOES ANYONE WANT TO PULL AN ITEM AT THIS TIME?

[02:15:03]

MAY I PLEASE SEE A SHOW OF HANDS? ALL THOSE OPPOSED, MOTION PASSES 7:0.

THIS MOVES US TO ITEM 14, THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

[14. Superintendent's Report]