By ARABELLA SERRATA
Special to the PRESS
Port Isabel Independent School District [PIISD] held a regular meeting on Nov. 19. There were no public comments at this meeting.
Rocio Ramos, principal of Port Isabel Early College High School [PIECHS], presented the 2024 College Board National Recognition Program Awards. The program recognizes students across various categories. The
College Board gives students post-secondary credit for passing various exams in high school. Ramos continued to present the Channel Five students of the week, Adrian Jimenez Murad and Emily Barrage. Students must be nominated by their schools and submit a lengthy resume explaining why they deserve the honor.
ACE Director Michel Vadon presented the Achieving a College Education [ACE] Employees of the Month. This recognition is for the workers who go “above and beyond” during and after school hours. Most of the
staff were unable to attend the meeting. The employee of the month for Derry Elementary was Jesus Orta. Olivia Soliz was recognized by the middle school staff, and Cecila Galedo was recognized by the high school
staff.
Coach Javier Martinez honored the seventh-grade boys football team for their undefeated season, as well as Emanuel Garcia, Julio Beretta and Ignasia Tanguma, who are renowned for their attendance and performance in academics and athletics.
Items on the consent agenda were approved. This included various budget amendments and minutes from past meetings. The board approved legal fees for Walsh Gallegos Kyle Robinson & Roalson, P.C. They also approved the purchase of various services, some of which cater to disabled communities.
Alfred Vera, audit manager of Costos and Associates, presented the comprehensive financial report for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. He reported that PIISD earned a “clean opinion” on their independent auditor’s report, based on the work performed by the school board. He continued to annouce that the district had $27,100,000 worth of total assets and $3,459,000 of total liabilities. The deferred inflows of resources are $2,134,000, and the total fund balance in the general fund is $21,507,000. The total revenues and expenditures for PIISD were $50,653,000 and $50,246,000 respectively.
The renewal with Stop Loss Insurance was approved. This assists the district when they have a high claim the district can’t cover on their own. The assistance cap is $125,000 and the current renewal has a slight
difference of $300 compared to the previous year. Payment to Gomez Mendez Sanez Incorporated for their architectural services on the Port Isabel Administration Building was approved. The district’s continued
contribution to the Cameron Appraisal District of San Benito, Texas was approved.
Protek AV LLC was approved to provide the district with ballistic-resistant film. This film will be placed on windows all over the district and is said to be able to buy minutes worth of time. Hurricane fencing around
PIECHS and Port Isabel Junior High was approved to be installed by the Hurricane Fence Company. Hurricane fencing for Derry and Garriga Elementary will be from CPM Design LLC.
Albert Cony and Frank Mina of Gerlach Builder LLC gave an update on the Career and Technical Education [CTE] building. They said the building is “basically complete,” save for a few pieces of furniture and
“minor items.” The board approved payment to Gerlach Builder for their work on the project.
The Superintendent report was given to the board, the meeting then went into executive session. The board approved action on professional educator contracts, employment, administrative investigation, and possible
resolution/settlement agreement in the Administrative hearing for Point Isabel Independent School District vs. Texas Department of Health and Human Services, including possible resolutions that were approved as
discussed in the executive session. The hiring of Jose Vela to be the new Principal at Derry Elementary was approved. The meeting was adjourned.
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