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In what Dr. Jesus H. Chavez described as the "inaugural" Coffee with the Superintendent event, the Main Office Administration Building's board room at 1900 Price Road was filled to capacity.
Dr. Chavez admitted he'd long hoped to be "BISD's superintendent someday," but found it necessary to initially leave Brownsville, gaining the experience to return as a "stronger candidate" and "more effective administrator."
Focusing on the budget, Chavez spoke of a "$20M shortfall," that swells to $28M, when a teachers' raise is included along with enhancing the program for special needs students.
The superintendent said he'd sent a list of 100 items to the Board of Trustees for possible cuts, but that it wouldn't be about eliminating programs.
To illustrate, Chavez cited the chess program, especially out-of-town trips.
"Now, we're going to pay for meals, transportation and hotel accommodations for every student, but we may not be able send 100 students, maybe only 75," Chavez explained.
"BISD is overstaffed compared to neighboring schools. We have too many custodians, too many administrators," he said.
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Chavez does not support the state's voucher program for private schools, but admits that "charters are also public schools."
The superintendent promised to emphasize class attendance that had dipped from a pre-pandemic 94% to "high 80's, low 90's."
"For every 1% in attendance gain, $2M is added to our budget," Chavez explained.
When an audience questioner asked about tax dollars being used for non-resident students, Chavez said it wasn't really a tax issue as many taxpayers had no children and businesses were also taxed.
"The law says clearly we must educate everyone living here. If they have an address, we're obligated to provide education," he stated.
"Do we still have people at the bridges looking for students crossing into our country?" blurted out the elderly Larry Jokl.
"No," answered Chavez.
The Super needs to visit every school and check the windows, the floors, the walls....and then clean them all. Well, not the super cleaning but the members of the School Board should enter the cleaning program and get all their followers to go and clean. They have one custodian for one school...they do not clean the windows, nor the floor. Teachers have 30 years of things accumulated into each classroom. The teachers are hoarders. Make the teachers clean their classrooms.
ReplyDeleteMost students that live in Matamoros are US Citizens. Go figure that one out. Few are Mexican nationals.
ReplyDeleteSend fewer students to compete. Make a competition in BISD and get the best 10 students from the District and then you can show your power.
ReplyDeleteSave money by limiting the food that is served in the cafeteria. Most students do not eat the food. They do not even open the milk, nor the sandwiches, etc They want real food: Mexican tacos, sopa, frijoles, They eat pizza at home. They eat hot dogs at home.
ReplyDelete