By ARABELLA SERRATA
editor@sbnewspaper.com
The San Benito Consolidated Independent School District [SBCISD] held a regular board meeting on Nov. 13.
The tennis teams for San Benito High School [SBHS] and Veterans Memorial Academy [VMA] received special recognition for being undefeated all season. The San Benito High School Boys’ Cross Country Team received special recognition for being a Team Regional Qualifier.
The San Benito CISD Family and Community Engagement Department staff received special recognition for National Parental Involvement Day and their contributions. The board commemorated the district winning $5,000 in the T-Mobile “Friday Night 5G Lights” giveaway. The San Benito High School Class of 1984 presented a $1,000 check to the schools in the district.
Sandra Tumberlinson, San Benito Historical Society Treasurer opened public comments. Wayne Pal and Tutti Madden, President and Vice President were also present. Tumberlinson thanked the district for allowing the society to place the Bobby Marrow marker at the stadium bearing his name. The new project for the society, a monument with the names of the historical black residences of San Benito, was announced. It will be located at the Callandret Black History Museum. They also asked the district to approve the monument to be placed on district property.
Marin Mainy, a teacher at San Benito High School [SBHS], reminded the board about the high school’s lack of a bell system. She also asked the board for the $500 holiday stipend for the time teachers spend watching 19 hours of videos for the district. She thanked the various departments that work in the district for their efforts and commitment.
Orlando López, Board President, spoke about the district and his gratefulness for being a part of it. “I will make a mission of mine…to thank each and every one of you for all the hard work you give to this district,” said Lopez.
Matthew Montemayor, an audit member of Carr, Riggs and Ingram delivered the overview of the district’s annual comprehensive financial report. It was announced that three programs were audited during the current year. This included the child nutrition center, child and adult food care program, and supporting effective instruction state grants.
They also released three reports for the audit year. The independent auditor’s report was unmodified. The independent auditors’ report on internal control over financial reporting and compliance and other matters by government auditing standards was identified as having significant deficiencies. For the Audit of Federal Awards, the independent auditors’ report on Compliance for each major program and internal control over compliance was unmodified.
The net position decreased from $4 million to $6.7 million, and the total assets and deferred outflows of resources decreased by $12.3 million or 6.0%. The total revenues of the governmental activities decreased by $256 thousand, the total expenditures increased by five-million.
The academic health report and five-year plan were presented. The attempt to gain parental and general community insight was explained to be for the plan, so the district could make the plan according to what they needed from the district.
The first goal is to increase growth and academic performance. The second goal is to recruit and retain a “diverse and highly qualified staff,” focus on personal and professional development that promotes student success, and maintain a comprehension plan that is competitive with the market median and surrounding districts.
The third main goal is to strengthen communications with stakeholders and outside media, and the fourth is to develop an effective budget. For each objective, three action steps will be identified. Bullying is also addressed in the presentation with a video made by the students and staff within the district.
The clinical education affiliation agreement between SBCISD and Tapangan Pediatrics, which will serve students enrolled in the Medical Assistant program, was approved. The partnership between SBCISD and the University of Texas at the Rio Grande Valley to provide online counseling was approved.
The regional day program for the deaf was approved. The Memorandum of Agreement between SBISD and Region One education service center for PEIMS services to the district was approved. The partnership was renewed for SBCISD and Texas State Technical College Challenger Learning Center for science, math and technology subjects.
The learning Acceleration Support Opportunities grant application, the State compensatory Resource Guide for the 2024-2025 school year, and the campus improvement plans were approved. The cash account report, tax collection report, approval of check disbursements report, and comparison of revenue and expenditures to the budget were approved for Oct. 2024.
The board approved proposals for general merchandise and services, Meals and catering services, and professional consultant services in Oct. 2022. The board accepted the qualifications of all listed engineering firms for Mechanical-Electrical-Plumbing engineering services for the SBCISD operations and other areas deemed necessary. Gifts, bequests, budget amendments, and purchases over $50,000 were approved.
Revisions to the 2024-2025 compensation plan were approved. The board also approved six Alto-Shaam Electric Combi Ovens across the district. The master local agreements between the SBCISD child nutrition program and Region One education service center for the 2024-2025 school year and board minutes were approved. Payment to Palmer Steel for steel orders for the Performing Arts Center and Natatorium was approved.
The 2024-2025 district audit, SB Veterans Memorial Academy Project, and the Memorandum of Understanding between the SBCISD and Region One education service center for TSI services were approved. The board entered the executive session and approved the construction attorney contract as presented in the executive session.
No action was made to terminate or non-renew the agreement with RBC Capital Markets or to award RFP-0924-FA5 for Financial Advisor Services. The board then approved employment, resignations, retirements, and terminations as discussed in the executive session. The legal updates on the performing arts center and natatorium were approved as discussed in the executive session.
On Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 the District posted an update on social media regarding the embattled San Benito Consolidated Independent School District Performing Arts Center and Natatorium.
The post read that the San Benito Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees is actively moving forward with plans for a new Performing Arts Center, including evaluating an ideal site. The post also indicated that the District will advertise for a design-build contractor by the end of November, and that District officials are confident that they can recommend a selected contractor to the Board of Trustees by mid-December.
“In parallel, we are also strategically exploring options for building a Natatorium and are committed to informing our stakeholders of all significant developments,” the post read. “Furthermore, the Board has authorized the filing of a lawsuit against parties identified as responsible for the construction issues at the current Performing Arts Center and Natatorium construction site, ensuring accountability in our projects.”
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