Maria Agado
  Maria Teresa Bazan
  Luis Cantu
  Arnold Castillo
  Fred Cavazos
  Sylvia Espinoza
  Maria Galvan
  Normalinda Garcia
  *Isabel Gomez
  Luis Gonzales
  Ricardo Gonzales
  *Luis Gutierrez
  James Kohn
  *Jana Landrum
  Antonio G. Limon
  Nora Lee Martinez
  Jeannie McMillin
  Sam Mendez
  Jose L. Morales
  Rosalinda Peralez
  *Monica Pulido
  Dolores Ramirez
  Virginia Ramirez
  *Rene Rivas
  *Victor Rosas
  *Henry Sanchez
  Jesse Sauceda
  Juanita Silva
  Veronica Varner
  Joe Villarreal
  *Bertha Wilson


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


  * Unable to Attend

  Next meeting date:
  Thurs. Feb. 8, 2007
  at 6 pm
  John F. Barron
  Administration
  Building
 

January 19, 2007

Optional Extended Year
Director of Federal Programs Heriberto Villarreal reported that the Optional Extended Year Program will be offered on the following Saturdays in February: 3, 10, 17 and 24. The district will fund 135 teachers to work from 7:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. The daily instructional time for students who are not successfully meeting passing standards on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) will run from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Villarreal pointed out that the district will still offer the OEY program during the summer.

Math, Science & Social Studies Pathways
Director of Gifted/Talented & Secondary Mary Alice Martinez presented members with information related to Math, Science and Social Studies Pathways. Committee members reviewed Advanced, Pre-AP and Regular pathways for middle school and high school students.

Modular Lab for Engineering Pathways
Director of Career Technology Programs Delia Weaver announced that in an effort to enhance the Engineering Career Pathway, a Scantex Engineering Program has been purchased for ninth grade students. The program is designed to embrace the Science, Technology and Engineering guiding principles.

TSTC Pilot Course
Director of Career Technology Programs Delia Weaver announced that San Benito CISD has entered into an agreement with TSTC in Harlingen to provide students an opportunity to take advantage of the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) Acceleration Program. The course, Marketing Yourself, will be taught by TSTC instructors and includes preparation for TSI testing, diagnostic testing of students’ basic skill levels, and training in the basic skills of reading, writing and mathematics for each program’s entry-level standards and other areas. The initiative is part of the district’s efforts to facilitate to students Career Pathway Graduation Plans leading to Associates Degrees.

Safe Schools, Healthy Students
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Celeste Sanchez
provided committee members with an update on the district’s Safe
Schools, Healthy Students Program. Sanchez reported that the program was
implemented on Oct. 1, 2006. Rick Montalvo is in charge of the program.
The district is the only one in the state to receive (grant) funding for
such program. The program offers one social worker at each school. A
Children’s Advocacy Center is located at the Joe Callandret Positive
Redirection Center. The district has contracted with MHMR and local
entities, including the city’s police department, the housing authority
and the Boys and Girls Club.

Open Forum

• Teresa Bazan from Berta Cabaza Middle School, inquired about the
  timeline for staffing due to the opening of Miller Jordan Middle School.
  Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón announced that the plan is to
  hire an administrator for Miller Jordan Middle School by the end of
  March or early April. The campus administrator will make decisions on
  hiring staff. Staffing will be determined based on seniority.
  
• Janie Silva from Judge Oscar De La Fuente Elementary asked about
  Internet status at the school. Mr. Limón responded by stating that
  Director of Technology Chand Taneja has indicated that the process will
  take two-to-three weeks.
  
• Luis Cantu from La Encantada inquired about the possibility of
  extending the Multi-Media project deadline.
  
• Minga Galvan from San Benito High School stated that tutoring
  assistance is needed. In previous years, coaches had provided assistance
  and this year, they have not received their assistance with tutoring.
  Tutoring has been set up for five days a week and teachers have been
  asked to give up one conference period. Due to the fact that teachers
  are busy with other club duties and extracurricular assignments, a
  request was determine whether the number of days that tutoring is
  offered could be negotiated.
• Veronica Varner from Dr. Cash Elementary inquired about district-issued
  laptops and repairs. Mr. Limón stated that the district is currently
  negotiating a new deal on laptops. Ms. Sanchez stated that there is an
  online survey that teachers can take in order to obtain their laptops in
  lieu of taking the nine hours of training as previously required.
  

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