April 2023 BoardBits

STISD Administration shared with the STISD Board of Directors that the district is partnering with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and is part of the Project MHS DGP: A Mental Health Initiative Demonstration Grant Program award totaling $5.9 million over a 5-year period.

Through this grant, UTRGV will train a total of 250 high-quality, diverse school psychologists, counselors, and social workers throughout the 5-year grant funding period. Graduate students in each discipline (Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, Social Work, and Licensed Professional Counselor) will complete required field work (i.e. practicum and internship) to increase the number of qualified school mental health service providers each year.

Through its participation in this program, STISD will gain three additional personnel to support the district's Special Services Department and STISD's focus on social emotional health. The three interns will be contracted and funded 100 percent through the grant for the 5-year period. Positions include one Social Worker, one Licensed Professional Counselor, and one Licensed Specialist in School Psychology intern.

The Department of Human Development and Schools Services and the Department of Counseling, along with the School of Social Work at UTRGV, have been awarded three separate grants funded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program.

STISD Chief Academic Officer Nereyda Treviño, Ed.D., reported to the Board on the first reading of the 2023-2024 District Improvement Plan and 2023-2024 Campus Improvement Plans, which are developed annually in alignment with state and federal requirements.

Dr. Treviño shared with the Board and audience present that although the campus plans are all unique to the individual needs of their respective campuses, all plans tie back to the district plan, which focuses on 7 primary goals. The following are the goals that form the core of the DIP:

• Goal 1: By June 2024, student mastery achievement will increase by 10%
• Goal 2: By June 2024 special education students will increase their STAAR performance by 5%.
• Goal 3: Implement and monitor the district comprehensive attendance plan to ensure overall district compliance with federal and state accountability guidelines.
• Goal 4: Engage families and the community to support student achievement and enhance district goals.
• Goal 5: Recruit, develop, and retain highly qualified teachers and staff and to increase the percentage of teachers with more than five years of experience.
• Goal 6: Promote district and campuses to increase student enrollment by 5%.
• Goal 7: Develop a district and campus Technology plan to meet the needs of instruction.

As this was only a first reading, there was no action taken by the Board.

• The Board received reports from the district on construction projects.
• The Board accepted the new Central Office Building Renovation project (STISD Administration and Professional Development building) as substantially complete.
• The Board accepted STISD Administration's recommendation to use a portion of the $8 million donated by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to support the expansion of the district's Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs. The amount to be used in round one is capped at $2.8 million, and will go towards purchasing equipment to be used by students to obtain hands-on training experience and industry-certification opportunities. The expansion of simulation labs and innovation centers will prepare students for post-secondary success and meet industry demand occupation needs. 

The Board approved an updated 2023-2024 Academic Calendar, which includes an additional holiday on April 1, 2024, and has staff make up the day on May 24, 2024, during the annual staff appreciation day.

The recommended change in the calendar is still over the state requirement for the total minutes of instruction, and the school start date is allowed through the STISD District of Innovation Plan.

Click here to access the district calendars through the website

• The Board of Directors approved the district's 2022-2023 Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) Local Designation System and Compensation Plan.
• The Board of Directors approved an amendment to the 2022-2023 Stipend listing to increase the compensation for summer instructional programs to $45/hr. STISD is currently hiring for these summer programs. Click here to access the available positions and programs.
• The Board approved amending summer 2023 office hours beginning on May 29, 2023, and ending on July 21, 2023, to the following:
  • Monday – Thursday: 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |  12:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  (Closed for lunch: 12:00-12:45 p.m.)
  • Friday – Closed

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