Theresa Cantu
  Pamela Cole*
  Maria Galvan*
  Cindy Garcia
  Orlando Garcia
  Tory Garcia
  Mary Garnet
  Mercedes Garza
  Luis Gonzales
  Ricardo Gonzales
  Luis Gutierrez*
  Monica Ibarra*
  James Kohn
  Maria Leos
  Stanley Leshner
  Antonio G. Limon
  Noemi Martinez*
  Jeannie McMillin
  Tim Moon
  Karen Moore*
  Rosalinda Peralez
  Dolores Ramirez
  Ray Saldana
  Henry Sanchez*
  Jesse Sauceda*
  Veronica Varner
  Heriberto Villarreal
  Linda Villarreal
  Delia Weaver*
  Bertha Wilson*


  Reference
  Individuals:
  Theresa
  Christensen*
  Ruben Franco
  Celia Longoria
  Emma McCall*
  Celeste Sanchez*


  * Unable to Attend

  Next meeting date:
  June, 2006
  John F. Barron
  Administration
  Building
 

May 11 , 2006

3rd & 5th TAKS re-test results announced
Planner/Evaluator Ruben Franco announced 3rd and 5th Texas Assessment of
Knowledge and Skills test results for students that took the test after
failing it the first time. According to Franco, the district had 95 third
graders that did not pass the test last year, compared to 91 students this
year. He explained that if students do not pass the third administration,
they are targeted for retention. Last year, 135 fifth graders had to be
retested. This year, the number of students being retested at the fifth
grade level remains the same as last year. Franco stated that fewer
students were tested this year. He said 80 percent of the students at the
elementary level passed. He said reading is not a problem, however, there
are some concerns that need to be addressed in the areas of science and
math. According to Franco, school officials had not received the official
TAKS results. He said the results are expected to arrive on Friday, May 12.

On a related note, Franco briefly touched on the subject of graduating
seniors that have not met all of the graduating requirements. He said that
this coming school year, changes will be made and graduating students will
be expected to pass the TAKS in order to participate in graduation
ceremonies. Franco said that for the past three-to-four years, students
have been allowed to participate in the ceremonies even though they have not
met the requirements, such as passing the test.

Franco also reported on a bill that is currently pending approval. He said
that teachers will receive a $2,000 increase but will lose the $500 applied
to insurance. He said that administration will continue to receive “zero”
benefits. Another bill of interest deals with changing science and math
requirements to four years instead of three years. One final item deals
with a proposal that calls for changing the 2007-08 school start date to the
fourth Monday in August, with no exceptions

Policy-Credit for Speakers of Foreign Language
Students will be given a language proficiency test. Upon successful
completion of the upper level course, the student will receive credit in
which he/she is enrolled and credit for all of the lower level courses that
are prerequisites. Grade points will only be awarded for the higher level
course the student enrolled in.

Outgoing SAC members recognized
Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón presented appreciation plaques to
outgoing Superintendent’s Advisory Committee members. They include Theresa
Cantu, Pam Cole, Cindy Garcia, Orlando Garcia, Tory Garcia, Mary Garnett,
Maria Leos, Tim Moon, Ray Saldaña, Heriberto Villarreal, Linda Villarreal
and Delia Weaver.

Open Forum

• Orlando Garcia, parent of a kindergarten student at Ed Downs Elementary,
  said that this year was his child’s first year in a public school setting.
  He said it proved to be a wonderful experience for him. Garcia expressed
  concerns regarding the fact that Ed Downs Elementary does not have
  graduation ceremonies for kindergarten students. He said he had approached
  both Principal Roy Cano and Assistant Principal Stephanie Ramirez and was
  told that the school has never had kindergarten graduation ceremonies
  before. He also approached the Parent-Teacher Organization and was told
  that they would not step on Mr. Cano’s toes. Garcia said a complete cap and
  gown packet, available through Josten’s, costs $18. Garcia said other
  schools have these ceremonies and that this serves as a wonderful and
  memorable opportunity for the students. Due to limited space in the school
  cafeteria, Garcia said he offered the use of the city’s Community Building
  for an evening ceremony. Limón told Garcia that seven out of 10 elementary
  schools hold kindergarten graduation ceremonies. Limón said it is a matter
  of site-based decision and that it is an event that is initiated at the
  campus level. Garcia said the majority of the parents have met and stated
  that it is a memory that the students will have. He asked Limón to take
  this matter into consideration.
  
• Rosalinda Peralez, this year’s Teacher of the Year at Frank Roberts
  Elementary, said she felt extremely honored during a recent luncheon for all
  honorees. On a separate matter, Peralez said that the bathrooms at the
  school were not properly constructed. Limón stated he would have the
  Maintenance Department look into the matter.
  
• Dolores Ramirez from Rangerville Elementary said that the supply list
  should be revised and that teachers should be given an opportunity to
  provide input. She said the PRIM Department does not have a fast
  turn-around time. On a separate item, Ramirez voiced concerns over
  kindergarten report card changes. She said that if changes will be made
  that consideration should be given to provide input from the various grade
  levels.
  
• Tory Garcia from La Paloma voiced concerns over bird droppings in the
  covered play areas. She was told that the Maintenance Department would be
  made aware of the situation. A suggestion was made to place fake owls in
  the area to discourage other birds from coming nearby.
  
• A question was raised regarding construction progress. Limón said the
  projects are on schedule and targeted completion dates are as follows: San
  Benito Riverside Middle School-June 28; Judge Oscar De La Fuente
  Elementary-August 1; and the new stadium-September 29. Staff members should
  be able to move in without any problems.
  
• Ricardo Gonzales of Communities In Schools (CIS) reported that Jesus
  Mireles has been named the state’s CIS Student of the Year.
  
• Limón announced the in-district clinic for employees and their dependents
  is on schedule. He said employees and dependents do not have to pay their
  co-pay and that medication will also be provided. The clinic will be open
  several days out of the week. He said appointments are preferred, but that
  the clinic will take limited walk-ins. Individuals that choose to take
  advantage of these services will be provided with extensive blood work exams
  which are being done as a preventative measure. The doctor hails from the
  Dallas area and has family in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. School officials are
  studying the possibility of housing his office at the San Benito Facilities
  Complex (formerly U-Tex Building). Under the district’s self-funded plan,
  the district spends approximately $7-$8 million is on medical bills. The
  in-district clinic is designed to benefit employeees and save productivity
  time. San Benito CISD is the second school district in the state that
  offers an in-district clinic for employees. The targeted opening date is
  June 30.
  

Go to: [ Top of Page ] [ SBCISD Home ] [ News & Events ]