Thread by @HISDParents

9/13 Board Meeting Thread

If you can’t watch live (or don’t want to), I’ll be commenting here live with details and, as always, I’ll post a recap at the end.

Watch online with me at humbleisd.net/boardmeetingli….

View the meeting agenda at go.boarddocs.com/tx/hisd/Board.….

Right off the bat, a W for Morrison and Fagen for not wearing a blazer or sweater vest over the yellow t-shirt.

It’s time for public comment, but somebody is wanting to speak that didn’t sign up.

Public Comment (PC) #1: Talking about TEA draft of a library amendment. Says Humble ISD language is too vague regarding books she believes are inappropriate.

Also expresses concern about the removal of Scarfo. “I don’t like it.”

PC #2: “Congratulations on your attempts at stifling all dissent.” “You allow porn in your schools.” Criticizes increased taxes. Says Scarfo is not replaceable by other board members on Finance Committee due to skillset.

PC #3: Addressing Scarfo’s potential removal from committees. Says voters entrusted Scarfo to be on Board and they deserve for his expertise to be utilized on committees.

PC #4: Says Board meetings have been embarrassing (like watching her kids argue). Disturbing that Board is removing most financially literate person from Finance Committee. Gets applause from crowd.

PC #5: Says Board members have been here too long. They ganged up on Scarfo due to political/business agendas or are spineless. Says they say they’re for the children but are not (applause from crowd).

PC #6: Says Humble scored lower than Houston ISD on A-F ratings. Says performance puts district at risk of state takeover.

PC #7: 29 campuses flunked. Stop picking on people on the board and focus on our children. “We’re ashamed of you.”

Kirchhoffer: Thanks commenters. Says even if we don’t agree, they should be heard. Honors passing of local veteran.

Parker: KMS Demo Day was well attended. Also mentioned it’s #GoldFightWin. humbleisd.net/goldfightwin

Holmes: Also attended KMS Demo Day. 2% vacancy in employment (98% filled), excited about that. School safety is huge concern. District is taking safety as top priority and forefront of their minds. “We are trying to do all we can.” Thanks community for commenting.

Scarfo: References Sitton bringing up his emails during the Special Meeting. Strongly suggests they were used misleadingly. Wants to clarify things. Going through quantity of emails now. Essentially saying that the quantity was appropriate - going through specific numbers.

Scarfo (cont’d): “People can make a big show… I just want to you to know what the facts are.” Makes the point that hours of staff time were used to pull the records (pointing out hypocrisy).

Now addressing the fact that he was accused of breaking policy. Quotes some policy.

Scarfo (cont’d): Said he had no idea of this dissatisfaction until he was “ambushed” on June 21. Says he was “blindsided.” Again says that other trustees are also violating policy.

Talking about asking questions. Says that he will read things that are sent to him and he has to…

…vote on.

Threw some shade about retaliation.

Says that his questions were fair to ask and that he did the right thing.

I’m sick and tired and so is the community.

“If you don’t like me for asking questions or not always agreeing, well I’m sorry.”

Sitton: Says he also wants to put that issue to bed, so won’t comment on it.

Talks about charity that his child started for kids battling cancer: Stuff Out Cancer. It’s featured on the bottom of this page: humbleisd.net/site/default.a….

Morrison: Again thanks commenters. Like several, mentioned the value even though there’s disagreement.

Thanks Chief Cook. Says PD is short-handed, but they are working hard.

Talks about the history of KMS and KMS Demo Day.

Parker: Reminder about the #GoldFightWin game.

Lemond Dixon: Charles Street Stadium looks amazing, can’t wait for groundbreaking.

School safety - proud that safety is the #1 priority at HISD.

Thanks public speakers, again mentioning differences of opinion.

My note: #TalkingPoint alert! 🔊

Fagen: Proud of district’s efforts around safety.

Says that TEA report is generally misunderstood (there is misinformation) regarding ratings. “We haven’t played games. We have been very straightforward in helping our students achieve their dreams.”

Fagen (cont’d): Says many districts were rated on growth due to huge COVID decline, but HISD did not have that because our schools were open, our teachers showed up, and made sure our students were growing when a lot of the state was struggling.

Fagen (cont’d): There’s a lot of misinformation if you read the report at face value. We’re blessed to have great educators and the district helps them with professional development.

Scarfo: Tax rate is lowering but appraisal valuations have increased enough that taxes will increase. He mentions No New Revenue rate but dismissed it without really giving a reason. Mentions inflation. Updated health plan going well.

Personnel recommendation (confidential from closed session) passed 5-2 (Sitton and Parker opposed).

Lemond Dixon asks to remove item 7D (removing Scarfo from committees). That has been removed. Scarfo will stay on his committee appointments.

On the literacy item, Fagen points out that if there were classes struggling with literacy, they were double-staffed to help them catch up.

I’m looking at the agenda items that Trustees asked to be pulled, and noticed an updated library materials policy being discussed. It’s available here: go.boarddocs.com/tx/hisd/Board.….

Special thanks to Parker for asking a clarifying question “for those keeping score at home.” I’m going to assume that was for me. 😁

Sitton’s asked why he wanted to pull Item 5J, he needs to abstain. Assume this is due to his job (financial advisor).

I called it.

Scarfo asking for better language around Library Materials policy (linked 3 tweets up), agreeing with PC #1 earlier.

Representative in a seat points out that Board did things out of order. Looks like this library materials thing isn’t happening tonight.

Scarfo has pulled this motion to increase HHS max price by $3.8MM. Again mentions the price of the retention pond. If you watch Board meetings, he really, really doesn’t want to spend the money on a dragonfly exhibit. Fr fr.

Questions if we need to be spending an extra $800K on this. Asks if it's the best use of almost $1MM of ISD funds.

Fagen replies with what inflation has done to materials costs as well as supply chain issues.

Lemond Dixon also commenting on supply chain crisis.

Lemond Dixon adds that they don’t want the HHS retention pond to be an eyesore. Community deserves better than that.

Motion passes to rename North Belt ES to North Bend Elementary School.

Motion to move tax rate to $1.2929 (effective tax rate increase of 3.1%) has been made by Kirchhoffer.

Sitton points out that the actual tax rate has gone down. Invites CFO to speak.

CFO points out No New Revenue rate ($1.2539) would result in no new increased taxes to the district. The max allowable rate is $1.3297.

Says NNR rate doesn’t take in to account the increased students and the needs of those students. The new adopted rate does allow those students to be serviced. NNR rate would also not take inflation in to consideration.

Next item is for PD officer starting salary (increasing from $51,010 to $60,000) “In order to continue to compete, recruit, attract and retain the very best peace officers.”

Fagen says that officers are in tough demand right now.

Scarfo asks if it’s enough, talks about signing bonuses. Fagen says that this increase is significant and believe it’s enough for this time.

Next item is updating Board policy. Sitton speaking now. Talking about difference between law and policy. Gives some examples of policies that have changed in the past as precedent. Says if they had corrected policy, this recent mess could have been avoided.

Scarfo now questioning why all officers are in rotation except for President (which would be elected by the Board). “To me, I don’t understand why. People are elected, and should be able to serve in these offices. There shouldn’t be some hoop to jump through.”

Scarfo also believes the term limits have worked well because it “removes politics from these things.”

Also points out that maybe this gets fixed going forward, but it doesn’t absolve the Board for violating policy after the last few months.

Parker says she agrees with Scarfo, supports rotation. Voters expressed confidence in the Board trustees, and they should be able to serve in these offices.

Lemond Dixon points out that President has to appoint to the rotation, so they don’t get appointed automatically.

Lemond Dixon says she agrees with term limits, but agrees with 2 years because it’s tied to elections, which are held every 2 years.

Scarfo asks Kirchhoffer to express his opinion. Doesn’t really express his opinion. Asks for the motion to be pushed out a month. “Let’s get it right.”

Morrison: Says she worked on the language. Says anybody could be President. When she was Pres, says she was rotated out as soon as she really understood the position, so she recommends the 2 year term. Also thinks that experience on Board is needed for that role.

Holmes: Sees the merit in the changes, but agrees with Kirchhoffer to push it back to next meeting.

Lemond Dixon asks when the Board team-building retreat is (Oct 15) and ensures it can be discussed at that retreat (it can). I can’t imagine a more awkward camping trip, honestly.

Sitton jumps in to point out that Scarfo didn’t remember a Board meeting from 2009 (I think he said) where these changes happened before, again showing precedent.

Parker agrees with Kirchhoffer and Holmes to “pump the brakes” and move it back to the next weekend.

Scarfo says all the reasons given are ridiculous. Says Pres doesn’t have power except for agenda items and photo ops. Repeats that he believes a rotation keeps politics out of the positions. Says the item Sitton is pointing out is “ancient history.”

Lemond Dixon points out that he seconded a similar motion in 2009 (again, I think?). Scarfo has pointed out that no matter what happens, it doesn’t absolve their actions over the last few meetings.

Parker motions to table. Tabling item passes 4-3.

Meeting adjourned. #SendTacos

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