SBHS shortens class time

By ARABELLA SERRATA
Special to the NEWS

The San Benito Consolidated Independent School District held a regular board meeting on April 16. The pledge of allegiance was presented by Nathan Rey Lozano, and the invocation was presented by Jacqueline Isabel Gonzales. Both presenters are students at Fred Booth Leadership Academy.

The board proclaimed April to be the month of the military child. They went on to commemorate the students of the Sullivan Environmental Science Academy for their participation in the 2025 Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show.

The board then commemorated the Riverside Middle School students who were selected as All-State vocalists for the Texas Choral Directors Association Middle School All-Star Choir.

San Benito High School [SBHS] and Veterans Memorial Academy students were acknowledged as well for their selection for all district 32-6A Volleyball districts. SBHS and Veterans Memorial Academy Girls’ Powerlifting participants were recognized for being state and regional qualifiers.

SBHS students were honored for their gold placement and regional qualifiers at the Texas Association of Future Educators’ Teach Tomorrow Summit State Competition.

SBHS and Veterans Memorial Academy students were recognized for being SkillsUSA District 13 Leadership and Skills Competition officers, as well as placing in various categories and advancing to state competitions. More students from the school were recognized for placing at the Business Professionals of America Chapter 4 and 2 Regional Leadership Conference across different categories and advancing to the state.

SHBH, Veterans Memorial Academy, and Frank Roberts Academy students were honored for their work in the 2025 Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show. SBHS and Veterans Memorial Academy students were also honored for their work in the Texas Educational Colorguard Association State Championship in various categories.

Rosalinda Garcia opened with public comments. She spoke about the board and the architects they presented during a past meeting. She also called for an official statement from the board on how much money was spent on the bond project thus far.

Board President Orlando Lopez congratulated the many students who were recognized during the meeting. He also thanked the teachers and staff for their work helping the students during the last leg of state testing.
Dilia Cornett, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services, presented the 2025-2026 school calendar. The high school hours were shortened by 29 minutes for the upcoming calendar.

TEKS certification was approved, the 2025-2026 calendar was approved, the Greyhounds online academy CDN change for schools across the district, and the Memorandum of Understanding between San Benito CISD and Region One Education Service Center Texas Reading Academies TEA Project Local Implementation for the 2025-2026 School Year were all approved.

The cash account for March 2025, Comparison of Revenue and Expenditures to Budget for March 2025, Approval of Tax Collection Report for March 2025, and Check Disbursements Report for March 2025 were approved. The quarterly investment report and the quarterly Federal Funds Comparison Report were both approved. Gifts/bequests for the 2024-2025 school year were approved, as were budget amendments and purchases over $50,000.

The Resolution and Interlocal Purchasing Cooperative Contract on Moak Casey Interlocal Purchasing Cooperative was approved, as was the end of negotiations with Gignac Architects. Unspecified design-build firms, as recommended by the administration, were approved for the Performing Arts Center. Rudy Corona’s nomination of trustee to the Region 1, position B seat to the Texas Association of School Boards of directors was approved, as was the Renewal of Vector Solutions for the 2025-2026 School Year, and the Renewal of Frontline for Time and Attendance.

The board made no action on the Interlocal Agreement Resolution and Agreement between San Benito CISD and Education Service Center Region 12 Universal Benefits Consortium. The board approved items regarding employment, term contracts, and probationary contracts within the district. The non-renewal of the 2024-2025 term contract of J.S. was approved. There was no action on the issues labeled Level Three Y.G. R.G. or L.R.