By LAURIE COKER
Special to the NEWS
The Feb. 20, 2024 San Benito CISD School Board of Trustees’ meeting commenced with the announcement that seven district schools were nominated for a prestigious national award.
Notable among the nominees were La Paloma Elementary, Judge Oscar De La Fuente Elementary, Rangerville Elementary, and Sullivan Environmental Science Academy, each boasting dedicated leadership and support staff.
During the meeting, public comments were provided by Mary Manie and Rosalinda Garcia.
Manie expressed gratitude for the district’s support of students. She highlighted the positive atmosphere within schools, while Garcia raised concerns about transparency regarding construction projects, urging for more openness within the board.
In response to the nominations and public comments, the superintendent and board members reiterated the district’s commitment to excellence, acknowledging the hard work of staff and students in recent events and competitions.
An important item discussed was implementing a school chaplain program addressed in policy DP Local. The District’s Executive Director of Administrative Services, Abraham Gallegos Solis clarified the options for the program and recommended maintaining it without disrupting current staff. However, the decision was tabled for a special board meeting to allow staff input and establish clear criteria.
In further developments, the district’s Safety Coordinator, Rene Flores Jr. announced a $4.9 million grant for school safety, outlining plans for enhancing safety measures with fencing projects at various campuses. The board praised the efforts of the safety team and emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe environment for all.
Additionally, the board approved the Delta calendar for the upcoming school year, incorporating mini breaks in October and February to accommodate weather makeup days and holidays.
The meeting concluded with a closed-session, including employment actions and discussions on probationary contracts for administrators. Further discussions on grievances and legal updates were tabled for future consideration.
Throughout the meeting, there was a clear emphasis on recognizing achievements, addressing concerns, and fostering collaboration between the board, staff, students, and community members. The commitment to transparency, support for staff and students, and ongoing improvement in district operations were key themes reiterated by board members.
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