[1. 5:30 P.M. - CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:06]
I CALL THIS SPECIAL MEETING OF GRANBURY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO ORDER.
THE TIME IS 5:30 ON AUGUST 25.
ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PRESENT.
MS. ELLIS, HAS THIS MEETING BEEN POSTED IN A LAWFUL AND TIMELY MANNER? YES, MA'AM. THE BOARD WILL NOT HAVE CLOSED SESSION TONIGHT.
[2. PUBLIC HEARING]
WE WILL MOVE TO THE PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET AND PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR THE 22-23 YEAR.GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, SUPERINTENDENT ELLISON, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE BEFORE WE START THE PUBLIC MEETING.
THE HEARING IS NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE BUDGET AND PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR 22-23.
ANYONE WISHING TO COMMENT MAY COME FORWARD AT THIS TIME.
IF SO, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE BOARD.
YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES TO COMMENT.
WE JUST WOKE UP. OH, YEAH? MR. HAROLD WILLIS? NO, NO, HE'S ON AN AGENDA.
IF NOT, THEN WE'LL CLOSE THE MEETING NOW AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, AGAIN, IF ANY OF YOU HAVE ANY.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MS. RAY. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE OPEN FORUM FOR AGENDA ITEMS. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE OPEN FORUM REGARDING A PENDING AGENDA ITEM.
WE WILL RESERVE COMMUNICATION FROM CITIZENS ON ANY TOPIC AT THE END OF THE MEETING FOR THE OPEN FORUM REGARDING AN AGENDA ITEM WE RECEIVED SEVEN CARDS, AND BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT, PLEASE ALLOW ME TO READ THE FOLLOWING.
THE BOARD WILL CAREFULLY CONSIDER ANY CONCERNS THAT ARE EXPRESSED.
SPEAKERS WILL LIMIT THEIR COMMENTS TO 5 MINUTES.
PLEASE KEEP ALL PUBLIC COMMENTS RELATED TO SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNANCE AND OPERATIONS.
EACH GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE ALLOWS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO REDRESS GRIEVANCES WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
HAVING STATED THAT, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR ADDRESS, AND YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
3 MINUTES. HAROLD WILLIS 538 LINDLEY 75052. I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT THE BOARD AND THE STAFF HAS PUT IN, BUT I ASK THAT YOU REJECT THIS BUDGET TONIGHT UNTIL YOU HAVE GOTTEN MORE MONEY FROM AUSTIN.
LAST TUESDAY AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING, RON JENSON APPROVED THE FOURTH CAMPUS OF INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY IN TEXAS IN THE CITY LIMITS OF GRAND PRAIRIE. HOW MANY OTHER CHARTER SCHOOLS DO WE HAVE IN GRAND PRAIRIE? I DON'T WANT ONE PENNY OF MY TAX DOLLARS GOING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.
THE MONEY BELONGS IN THE GRAND PRAIRIE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AUSTIN JUST SPENT $4 BILLION ON OPERATION LONE STAR.
HOW MANY OTHER BILLIONS HAVE THEY SPENT DOWN THERE IN AUSTIN? WHY IS IT SOME OF THAT BILLION UP HERE TONIGHT FOR THE GRAND PRAIRIE SCHOOL DISTRICT, FOR THE IRVING SCHOOL DISTRICT, FOR ALL THE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN TEXAS.
WHY ARE WE ALLOWING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO DEFUND PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF TEXAS? THERE'S A SENSE OF ACCOUNTABILITY DOWN HERE.
[00:05:01]
I CAN COME AND ADDRESS YOU.WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? WHERE'S THE ACCOUNTABILITY? WHERE'S THE PUBLIC FORUM? SHOW ME THE MONEY YOU'RE GETTING FROM ME.
YOU'RE ABOUT AS NOT FOR PROFIT, AS JOEL OSTEEN AND KENNETH COPELAND MINISTRIES ARE.
YOU'RE MAKING MONEY OFF MY TAX DOLLARS.
MY DAD WAS A 1953 GRADUATE OF GRAND PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL.
I'M A 1974 GRADUATE OF PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF GRAND PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL.
GREG ABBOTT, DANNY [INAUDIBLE] AB FROM MARYLAND AKA DAN PATRICK.
HE CHANGED HIS NAME TO DAN PATRICK, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL UNDER FIVE YEARS OF FELONY INDICTMENT.
BRING THESE REPUBLICANS DOWN HERE.
HOW MANY OF THESE SCHOOLS ARE OWNED BY TURKEY, A FOREIGN COUNTRY? THAT'S WHERE MY TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING, AND NOW THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS ENDED ABORTION, ALL THE LIVES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE BRINGING INTO THE SCHOOLS, CUTTING OUT THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE.
DEMOCRACY IS UNDER ATTACK BY THE REPUBLICANS NATIONWIDE.
RON DESANTIS BRAGGED ABOUT PUTTING REPUBLICANS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD TUESDAY NIGHT IN FLORIDA.
WE'RE GOING TO PUT DEMOCRATS, BUT I ASK YOU, BRING THOSE PEOPLE DOWN HERE AND HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
I ALSO ASK THAT YOU MAKE THE CHANGE IN NOVEMBER THAT WILL PUT PUBLIC SCHOOLS FIRST IN TEXAS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. PUBLIC FORUM SHOULD BE--LEWIS, THAT CLOCK SHOULD BE SET TO 3 MINUTES.
DID YOU SWITCH THE ORDER? HELLO, EVERYBODY.
SUPERINTENDENT ELLI, BRYAN, MISS CARRILLO, EVERYBODY.
MY NAME IS STEVEN SILVA-BRAVE.
I AM A RESIDENT OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
I'M THE FATHER OF A JUNIOR NOW AT GRAND PRAIRIE FINE ARTS ACADEMY.
MY OTHER SON JUST GRADUATED, AND I'M HERE TO BECAUSE I SAW THAT YOU WILL BE VOTING ON NAMING OCTOBER THE 10TH THAT HOLIDAY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY, AND I'M JUST HERE TO THANK YOU FOR THAT, FOR TAKING THAT STEP.
MY GRANDMA MOVED TO DALLAS IN 1956 AS PART OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN RELOCATION ACT, AND MY FAMILY HAS BEEN IN GRAND PRAIRIE SINCE 2001, AND IT JUST MEANS A LOT TO US TO SEE THE PROGRESS, TO SEE IT CHANGE FROM COLUMBUS DAY AND THEN TO FALL BREAK, AND NOW THAT YOU ALL ARE VOTING TO CHANGE IT TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY.
WORDS CAN'T EXPRESS WHAT THAT MEANS TO US AND HOW YOU ALL HAVE BEEN AN ALLY TO THE AMERICAN INDIAN PEOPLE, THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THROUGHOUT WITH THE NATIVE AMERICAN AND AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES PROGRAM THAT YOU ALL HAVE SPEARHEADED THAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT IN AUSTIN.
YOU KNOW, ALL SUMMER LONG THEY'VE BEEN HAVING MEETINGS ON IT AND IT'S JUST PRIDE.
EVERY TIME I SAY, OH, I'M FROM GRAND PRAIRIE ISD, I LIVE IN GRAND PRAIRIE.
THEY'RE A SCHOOL BOARD THAT SUPPORTS OUR PEOPLE BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES WE'RE INVISIBLE.
THEY THINK WE'RE EITHER HISPANIC OR WHITE, AND WE HAVE SOME AMERICAN INDIANS WHO, YOU KNOW, THEY ALSO HAVE BLACK ANCESTRY.
MY SISTER IS A FIRST YEAR TEACHER HERE AT IN GRAND PRAIRIE, AND SHE'S JUST BEAMING, YOU KNOW, AND TO SEE, OH, OKAY, THIS IS GOING TO BE OUR DAY, YOU KNOW? KIDS WHO MIGHT NOT EVEN KNOW, LIKE WHAT IS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY, AND YOU CAN EXPLAIN IT TO THEM AND USE IT AS A EDUCATION, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST PEOPLES OF THIS LAND, AND I JUST APPRECIATE IT AND I HAVE NO DOUBT HOW THE VOTE'S GOING TO GOING TO GO, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO NOT USE THIS
[00:10:04]
OPPORTUNITY TO TELL YOU ALL.THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS BRINGING THIS UP AND FOR DOING THIS FOR US.
THANK YOU, MR. BRAVE. MISS JENNA [INAUDIBLE].
I'M A REAL ESTATE AGENT, A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
REAL ESTATE AGENTS ALL OVER THE STATE HAVE BEEN VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HISTORIC AND RECORD RISE OF PROPERTY VALUATIONS, ALONG WITH THE MASSIVE INCREASE IN ENERGY PRICES AND HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE.
IT'S VERY PLAUSIBLE TO THINK THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO MANY PEOPLE IN OUR CITY LOSING THEIR HOMES, AND IT MOST CERTAINLY WILL AFFECT RENTAL RATES FOR HOUSES OWNED BY INVESTORS THAT DO NOT QUALIFY FOR EXEMPTIONS.
ONE OF THE PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF A SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE IN TEXAS IS TO SET AND LEVY PROPERTY TAXES.
BY FAR, THE LARGEST PORTION OF OUR PROPERTY TAX BILL GOES TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHICH MEANS THAT THE PROPERTY RATE YOU SET EVERY AUGUST IN THIS VERY MEETING WILL HAVE THE MOST IMPACT ON YOUR CONSTITUENTS PROPERTY TAXES FOR THOSE WHO PAY THEIR PROPERTY TAXES AND THE MORTGAGE PAYMENT EACH MONTH.
THE INCREASE COMING THIS YEAR SPECIFICALLY COULD BE DETRIMENTAL.
IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN I LOOKED UP THIS AGENDA THIS EVENING TO SEE TWO AGENDA ITEMS THAT INVOLVE CHANGES TO THE SCHOOL CALENDAR, A CALENDAR ON WHICH YOU VOTED IN DECEMBER OF 2021 AFTER ASKING FOR AND RECEIVING FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY.
I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE WAS SUCH A SENSE OF URGENCY ON THESE AGENDA ITEMS THAT COULDN'T WAIT UNTIL NOVEMBER WHEN YOU ALL COULD DISCUSS AND VOTE ON THE CALENDAR FOR NEXT YEAR. EVERY AUGUST, YOU HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING SPECIFICALLY TO DISCUSS THE FINANCIAL BUDGET AND THE TAX RATE.
IF I DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER, IT APPEARS THAT THESE ITEMS, AGENDA ITEMS WERE STUCK ONTO A SPECIAL MEETING INSTEAD OF A REGULAR MEETING IN THE HOPES THAT MORE PEOPLE WOULDN'T COME OUT TO SPEAK.
GETTING MUCH MORE COMMUNITY FEEDBACK THAN YOU HAVE TONIGHT.
IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO TABLE THESE AGENDA ITEMS TO A MORE APPROPRIATE TIME TO SHOW THE PEOPLE IN GRAND PRAIRIE THAT YOUR YOUR PRIORITY TONIGHT IS ENSURING THEM THAT YOU TAKE LEVYING THEIR PROPERTY TAXES VERY SERIOUSLY AND WILL COMMIT 100% OF YOUR ENERGY IN THE SPECIAL SESSION TO DISCUSS IT FULLY.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY VOTING.
I AM A DESCENDANT OF THE [INAUDIBLE] PEOPLE.
OUR COMMUNITIES ARE LOCATED IN WHAT YOU CALL MEXICO.
MY GREAT GREAT GRANDPARENTS CAME TO TEXAS WITH THEIR CHILDREN TO FLEE FROM THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT BACK IN THE 1870S BECAUSE THEY'RE PERSECUTING OUR PEOPLE, FOR THE LAND'S RESOURCES.
I GREW UP NOT KNOWING THESE STORIES NOR ABOUT MY PEOPLE.
MY FAMILY WAS NOT WAS USED TO NOT TALKING ABOUT IT FOR OUR SAFETY.
OR WERE THEY TAUGHT ME THAT COLUMBUS WAS A HERO FOR DISCOVERING THE SO CALLED NEW WORLD? I GREW UP UNAWARE THAT RESIDENTIAL BOARDING SCHOOLS WERE AROUND AND ASSIMILATING INDIGENOUS CHILDREN WHO WERE FORCIBLY TAKEN AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES.
I AM A RECONNECTING NATIVE WHO IS RECLAIMING MY IDENTITY, CULTURE AND ANCESTRAL PRACTICES.
I AM A MOTHER OF TWO CHILDREN.
THE ONLY HAD WHITEWASHED PERSPECTIVES.
AS WE ARE PROGRESSING, I FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY BECAUSE STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT THE IMPACT THE COLONIALISM HAS HAD ON NATIVE PEOPLE IN THE WESTERN WORLD. IT PROMOTES LEARNING A COMPLETE HISTORY, TRUE HISTORY.
[00:15:07]
IT HELPS STUDENTS SEE THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY MORE THAN WHAT THEY HAVE ALWAYS HEARD ABOUT CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.HE DID NOT ARRIVE TO THIS WORLD.
HE DID NOT DISCOVER THIS WORLD.
IT ALSO HELPS HIM REALIZE THAT SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES ARE NOT NEW.
IT DEVELOPS COMPASSION AND APPRECIATION FOR OTHERS IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY REPRESENTS A RECONCILIATION WITH THE YEARS OF THE HISTORY OF RETELLING IN WHICH NATIVE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MISREPRESENTED, MISREPRESENTED OR LEFT OUT. IT IS A FORM OF JUSTICE FOR THOSE THAT FEEL THEY HAVE BEEN WRONGED OR MISTREATED BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE OR ETHNICITY.
THERE ARE OVER 500 RECOGNIZED TRIBES AND OVER 1000 TRIBES IN THE ENTIRE WESTERN HEMISPHERE WHO SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL HAVE TRAVELED NORTH, SOUTH, EAST AND WEST.
EACH TRIBE HAS ITS OWN CULTURE AND TRADITIONS.
TURTLE ISLAND, BECAUSE IT'S LONG OVERDUE.
I WANT TO FINISH WITH SAYING THIS MAY HELP.
THIS WILL HELP MANY OF OUR STUDENTS RECOGNIZE WHO THEY ARE.
THANK YOU, MS. ZAMORA; YOUR TIME IS UP.
MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE] PLENTY.
I'M ALSO CANADIAN [INAUDIBLE] AND ALABAMA COUSHATTA INDIAN.
I AM AN INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOL SURVIVOR.
I WENT TO TWO INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS AS A CHILD IN SOUTH DAKOTA.
I TAUGHT LANGUAGE, ARTS AND ART.
I TAUGHT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND IN SOUTH DAKOTA.
MY REASON FOR BEING HERE IS THAT I WANT TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR OUR YOUNG NATIVE PEOPLE.
THEY COME FROM ALL DIFFERENT TRIBES, AND I THINK IT'S TIME THAT WE RECOGNIZE THEM AND SUPPORT THEM.
I, FOR MYSELF, AM HEALING FROM WHAT HAPPENED TO ME IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE 1950S.
I CAME TO DALLAS, TEXAS, ON THE LAST PROGRAM.
THAT WAS THE INDIAN EDUCATION PROGRAM.
I WORKED AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL.
SO IT'S BEEN A LONG ROAD, BUT I'M HERE TO GIVE SUPPORT TO OUR NATIVE PEOPLE, TO OUR NATIVE CHILDREN.
IT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO ME.
NOT JUST NATIVE CHILDREN, ALL CHILDREN, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO NATIVE CHILDREN, THEY'RE MY FUTURE.
SO I THINK IT'S TIME THAT WE GIVE RECOGNITION, AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE BECAUSE IT'S A VERY BIG STEP FOR US, AND I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. MR. WENDELL DAVIDSON.
GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT CARRILLO SUPERINTENDENT ELLIS.
WENDELL DAVIDSON 3456 COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE.
I WAS TO TALK ABOUT MY HAIR AND MY HERITAGE.
I'M 1/8 CHOCTAW INDIAN, AND WHILE I DO THINK THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT AND THIS IS NECESSARY THAT Y'ALL TALK ABOUT THIS AND Y'ALL BRING IT UP FOR A BOARD ACTION, I THINK MAYBE IT'S A LITTLE BIT TOO PREMATURELY.
I THINK MAYBE Y'ALL SHOULD GET A COMMITTEE TOGETHER OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WITH BOARD MEMBERS, STAFF MEMBERS, WITH YOUR EMPLOYEE COMMITTEE, AND I THINK YOU SHOULD BRING THIS BACK.
YOU KNOW, THE UNITED STATES, WE'RE A MELTING POT OF DIFFERENT ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS AND DIFFERENT PEOPLE, AND I THINK IF WE ALL COME TOGETHER, I THINK WE CAN HAVE A GOOD RECOMMENDATION FOR THE BOARD.
[00:20:07]
I'M NOT AGAINST EITHER ONE.I SEE BOTH SIDES, BUT I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT PREMATURELY.
I THINK IT'S PREMATURE IN ONE ASPECT THAT THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HASN'T RECOGNIZED THE HOLIDAY IN OCTOBER AS THE HOLIDAY THAT'S BEING RECOMMENDED BY NAME, ALTHOUGH THEY DID RECOGNIZE JUNETEENTH, AND SO, LIKE I SAID, I'M NOT AGAINST EITHER SIDE , BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE SHOULD CALL WHATEVER HOLIDAY IT IS, WHATEVER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES AT FIRST, UNTIL WE CAN GET A COMMITTEE TOGETHER AND WE CAN DISCUSS IT AND COME BACK AS A GROUP AND MAKE A GOOD RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
MISS HEATHER ANDERSON FILLED OUT A CARD AND SHE'S SUPPOSED TO ITEM G, BUT SHE IS NOT SPEAKING.
[4.A. Final Budget Amendments 2021-2022]
WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ACTION ITEM A OUR FINAL BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE 21-22.BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THIS IS THE FINAL BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT MS. RAY TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, SHE'S HERE.
MADAM PRESIDENT? YES, SIR? YOU ENTERTAIN A MOTION? I WILL. I MOVE THE BOARD ADOPT THE FINAL BUDGET AMENDMENTS AS PRESENTED.
WE HAVE A MOTION, MR. TERRY BROOKS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. MR. ESPINOSA SECOND. DO WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION? NO DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
AYE. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ACTION ITEM B, GENERAL FUND, DEBT SERVICE FUND AND FOOD SERVICE BUDGET.
[4.B. 2022-2023 General Fund, Debt Service Fund, and Food Service Fund Budgets]
PRESENTER AGAIN. MS. RAY.AGAIN, THIS IS THE INFORMATION THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED TO YOU IN YOUR PACKET, BUT MS. RAY'S HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE GENERAL FUND, DEBT SERVICE FUND AND FOOD SERVICE FUND BUDGETS AS OF 22-23 AS PRESENTED? MADAM PRESIDENT, SO MOVED. YES, SIR, MR. ESPINOSA MOVED AND MADE THE MOTION.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND, MR. BROOKS MADE THE SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I'M JUST PROUD OF THE WORK [INAUDIBLE] HAS HAS DONE.
I KNOW THERE'S ALWAYS SOME PUSHBACK WITH THE LUNCH, BUT IT'S HEALTHY.
I'VE EATEN IT. TO ME, IT TASTES GOOD.
THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW THAT WE CAN CHANGE AND WE CAN DISCUSS THAT AT A LATER DATE.
YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE FRUIT THAT WE GIVE THE KIDS I'VE SEEN PERSONALLY, THERE'S A LOT OF WASTE OF APPLES AND FOOD LIKE THAT, AND I'M THINKING MAYBE WE CAN DO SOME OTHER THINGS THAT WILL GET THE KIDS EATING SOME FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU CUT UP AN APPLE, YOU KNOW, IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO KIDS CAN EAT, YOU KNOW, INSTEAD OF EATING A WHOLE APPLE.
THAT'S HARD, BUT ANYWAY, WE CAN DISCUSS THAT LATER.
YES, SIR. THANK YOU, MR. ESPINOSA. IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE GENERAL FUND, DEBT SERVICE FUND AND FOOD SERVICE FUND BUDGETS FOR 22-23 AS PRESENTED.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
AYE. THOSE OPPOSED NO MOTION PASSES.
7-0. WE WILL NOT MOVE TO ACTION ITEM C SETTING THE TAX RATE FOR 22-23.
[4.C. Set the Tax Rate for 2022-2023]
MS. RAY AGAIN, MS. RAY'S HERE FOR QUESTIONS.AS THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES KNOWS, THIS REPRESENTS A DECREASE OF APPROXIMATELY $0.07 SINCE 2018.
THE TAX RATE HAS GONE DOWN CLOSE TO $0.29, BUT SHE'S HERE FOR QUESTIONS.
THE PROPOSED RATE FOR 22-23 IS 1.3070, WHICH IS 0.069 LESS THAN IT WAS IN 2122. I NEED A MOTION THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF TAX RATE OF 1.307, WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY 8.92% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.
DO I HAVE A MOTION? MADAM PRESIDENT. YES, SIR.
MR. BROOKS? I MOVE THAT THE BOARD ADOPT THIS TAX RATE.
I KNOW I HEAR SOME MUMBLING IN THE CROWD.
THIS IS HOW, BY LAW, WE HAVE TO READ IT.
[00:25:01]
IT IS NOT AN INCREASE IN YOUR TAX RATE.WE ARE DECREASING YOUR TAX RATE, BUT THE VERBIAGE HAS TO BE WHAT MADAM PRESIDENT JUST READ.
SO JUST KNOW IT IS A DECREASE IN YOUR TAX RATE.
SO WE HAVE A MOTION, MR. BROOKS AND MS. LILES SECOND THAT MOTION.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION FROM ANY OTHER BOARD MEMBERS? YES, MA'AM. I JUST WOULD LIKE MS. ELLIS TO REPEAT THE NUMBERS SO OUR CONSTITUENTS WILL KNOW THAT ABSOLUTELY IT REPRESENTS A DECREASE OF APPROXIMATELY $0.07 FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR, THE YEAR WE'RE IN.
SINCE 2018, IT REPRESENTS A 28.8, ALMOST 29% DECREASE.
I SAID IT EASIER THE FIRST TIME.
SORRY. THANK YOU. OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION, WE HAVE A SECOND, AND BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, PLEASE SAY NO.
[4.D. Emergency Operations Plan]
WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ACTION ITEM D.MR. NEIL SANDLIN, DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
SECOND. MS. LILES MADE THE MOTION AND MR. PARRA MADE THE SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? AGAIN, I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK YOU'RE DOING.
OKAY, THANK YOU. THERE BEING NO OTHER COMMENTS.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ACTION ITEM E TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS TASB DIRECTOR NOMINATION.
[4.E. Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Director Nomination]
PRESENTER MS. ELLIS.THIS ACTUALLY WAS AN ITEM BROUGHT FORWARD TRUSTEE PARRA.
MR. PARRA, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU.
OH, EXCUSE ME. DIRECTOR NOMINATION.
THE BOARD HAS AN OPTION TO ENDORSE A CANDIDATE FOR THE 2022 TASB BOARD.
THIS ITEM IS SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION.
IF SOMEONE ON THE BOARD HAS SOMEONE THEY WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND TO BE ON THE TASB BOARD.
MADAM PRESIDENT, I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE DEANDRE FROM DESOTO.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO NOMINATE MISS DEANDRA FLEMING FROM DESOTO ISD.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? IT'S A NOMINATION, ISN'T IT? PARDON? SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED, PLEASE SAY NO.
MADAM PRESIDENT, I'M ABSTAINING.
SO THE MOTION PASSES 6-0 WITH ONE ABSTENTION.
WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ACTION ITEM F 22-23 CALENDAR CHANGE.
[4.F. 2022-2023 Calendar Change - Juneteenth Holiday]
PRESENTER MISS LINDA ELLIS.MR. PARRA, I'LL TURN IT TO YOU.
YES, MA'AM. WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF JUNETEENTH AS A AS A BRAND NEW AND RECENT FEDERAL HOLIDAY, OUR CALENDAR WAS APPROVED BEFORE THE ACTUAL RECOGNITION DURING THE 22 YEAR, WHICH DID NOT ALLOW THE COMMUNITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROPERLY RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH DURING THE WEEK.
LOOKING AT THE CALENDAR FOR THE 22-23 SCHOOL YEAR, I NOTICED THAT THAT MONDAY FOR JUNETEENTH, FOR THE 23 YEAR, WE DID NOT ASSIGN AN OFF DAY TO PROPERLY RECOGNIZE AND HONOR JUNETEENTH AS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY.
YES, SIR. DISCUSSION? YES. MY WISH WOULD BE THAT--WE DON'T HAVE A SECOND YET. WE DON'T HAVE A MOTION TO DISCUSS IT ANYWAY.
EXCUSE ME. MR. PARA, WAS THAT A MOTION THAT YOU WERE MAKING? MADAM PRESIDENT, I MOTION THAT WE MAKE THE MOVE TO TO JUNETEENTH AS AN OFF DAY FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PROPERLY HONOR AND RECOGNIZE JUNETEENTH AS A HOLIDAY. WE HAVE A MOTION.
MY WISH IS THAT WE CONDEMN THIS AND WE HONOR THIS WHERE WE COULD HAVE A LOT MORE PARTICIPATION IN THE AUDIENCE AND THEN ON CABLE. I WISH THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE IT, AT LEAST IN THE SEPTEMBER MEETING, WHEN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT MORE VISIBILITY.
[00:30:07]
I HOPE THAT THIS THE JUNETEENTH PASSES, BUT AGAIN, THE TIMING, I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED WITH THAT.I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO GET THE ATTENTION, THAT RECOGNITION, THE CELEBRATION OF EVERYTHING THAT IT SO RIGHTLY DESERVES, BUT AGAIN, THAT'S JUST MY IT'S THE TIMELINE.
MR. PARRA, I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION.
THE BILL WAS SIGNED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ON JUNETEENTH OF 21.
SO THAT WAS PRIOR TO DECEMBER WHEN THE FULL CALENDAR CAME TO US.
HOWEVER, IT IS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY AND IT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED.
I APPRECIATE THE COMMITTEE WHO PUTS TOGETHER OUR CALENDAR AND KNOW THAT THE HARD WORK THAT GOES INTO THEM UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF DOC A BACK THERE, AND SO I DO NOT MIND THIS MOTION, I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT IT. I THINK IT IS A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED HOLIDAY AND THEREFORE IT SHOULD BE A STAFF HOLIDAY.
SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION.
IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? I JUST WOULD LIKE TO THANK MR. PARRA AS WELL FOR BRINGING IT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT IT WASN'T ON THE CALENDAR WITH GRAND PRAIRIE ISD, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED HOLIDAY, AND IT WAS BEFORE I GOT ONTO THE BOARD. SO I WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT THE CALENDAR ENTAILED, AND SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? YES. MR. ESPINOSA, REGARDLESS OF WHEN IT'S BROUGHT UP OR IT'S NOT BROUGHT UP, YOU KNOW, I'M PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE IN GRAND PRAIRIE ISD.
I MEAN, THIS IS A HISTORICAL VOTE.
GRAND PRAIRIE ISD OFFERS AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES IN OUR SCHOOLS, AND, YOU KNOW, STUDENTS WILL WATCH THIS, YOU KNOW, THIS FUTURE BOARD MEETING , AND I THINK IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE EDUCATED.
ALL OUR STUDENTS ARE EDUCATED ON THIS FEDERAL HOLIDAY.
THERE'S A LOT THAT I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN RESEARCHING MYSELF AND ACTUALLY, MEXICO HAS CELEBRATED JUNETEENTH ALSO FOR 150 YEARS, AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN OUR ETHNIC STUDIES, ALSO IN THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES CLASS THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER OUR STUDENTS AND ALSO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES CLASS THE HISTORY WHEN IT COMES TO JUNETEENTH.
SO REGARDLESS OF WHEN IT'S BROUGHT UP, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT IN OUR DISTRICT.
IS THERE ANY OF THE DISCUSSION.
IF NOT, ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
AYE. ALL OF THOSE OPPOSED, PLEASE SAY NO.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.
WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ACTION ITEM G.
[4.G. 2022-2023 Calendar Change - Renaming Fall Break to Indigenous Peoples' Day]
AGAIN, THE CALENDAR CHANGE.AGAIN, MR. PARRA BROUGHT THIS FORWARD.
MR. PARRA, I'LL TURN IT TO YOU.
IT WAS CELEBRATED BY NATIONAL PROCLAMATION IN 2021.
IT IS CURRENTLY RECOGNIZED IN 14 US STATES AND MORE THAN 130 CITIES.
CURRENTLY, THEY ARE 2% OF THE COUNTRY'S TOTAL POPULATION, YET REPRESENTATION FOR NATIVE PEOPLES AND NATIVE COMMUNITIES STILL EXPERIENCES IS FAIRLY LACKING.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY PUSHES BACK ON THIS INVISIBILITY.
IT ALLOWS NATIVE PEOPLE AND THEIR PERSPECTIVES TO BE CENTERED AND CELEBRATED.
IT IS A TIME TO HONOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.
FOR FOLKS LIKE JOY HARJO, THE FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN POET LAUREATE IN THE UNITED STATES, OR THE INDIGENOUS YOUTH ACTIVIST WHO ARE SAVING SACRED LANDS AND FIGHTING FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE. THE HOLIDAY ALSO GIVES NON-NATIVE PEOPLE THE CHANCE TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF NATIVE COMMUNITIES, NAMELY THAT THEY ARE STILL HERE, THAT THEY ARE RELEVANT, AND THAT THEIR IDENTITIES ARE VALID.
AS THE DISTRICT THAT HAS CO-PILOTED THE CREATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN INDIGENOUS PEOPLE STUDIES.
[00:35:06]
I THINK IT SENDS A LOUD AND CLEAR MESSAGE THAT WE ACCEPT, WE IDENTIFY THAT WE HONOR OUR NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES HERE IN GRAND PRAIRIE, OUR NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS.JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED.
I THINK THE TIMING OF THIS, THE SOONER THE BETTER.
ANY OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE OUR DISTRICT MORE INCLUSIVE TO CELEBRATE CULTURE, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK THAT OPPORTUNITY EVERY CHANCE THAT WE GET, AND ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS A RECOMMENDATION THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE TO THE BOARD AS WELL.
MR. PARRA, IS THAT A MOTION? MADAM PRESIDENT, I MOTION THAT THE DISTRICT RECOGNIZES OCTOBER 10TH OF THE SECOND, MONDAY IN OCTOBER AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY.
WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MADAM PRESIDENT. YES, SIR.
I AM CERTAINLY IN FAVOR OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY.
WHERE I STRUGGLE RIGHT NOW WITH THIS IS SINCE I GOT ON THIS BOARD, WE'VE PREACHED, WE'VE SIGNED RESOLUTIONS, WE'VE SPOKE UP, WE'VE TALKED EQUITY.
EQUITY ALWAYS BECOMES THE NUMBER ONE WORD, AND WHERE I STRUGGLE AND I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO THE POLITICS OF TAKING WHO FROM WHAT OR WHEN, BUT WE REMOVED COLUMBUS DAY FROM OUR CALENDAR AND WENT NEUTRAL.
THERE WAS LINES PEOPLE DIDN'T LIKE FOR WHATEVER REASON.
THAT WAS BEFORE I GOT ON THE BOARD AND IT BECAME FALL BREAK.
PRETTY MUTUAL DOESN'T EVEN ENCOMPASS POLITICS.
POLITICS SHOULDN'T BE IN SCHOOL BUSINESS.
SO WE PULL COLUMBUS DAY OFF AND THAT'S, THAT'S OKAY, AND WE'RE GOING TO REPLACE THAT NOW WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, AND THAT'S OKAY TOO, BUT WHAT I'M CONFUSED ABOUT IS EVERYTHING THAT I'VE BEEN A PART OF SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THIS BOARD HAS COME DOWN TO EQUITY, AND I STRUGGLE TO SEE WHERE THE EQUITY IS TO TAKE ONE AND DO FOR ANOTHER.
IF WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME FOR ALL, DO IT FOR ALL.
SO IF IT WAS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY SLASH, COLUMBUS DAY SLASH, FALL BREAK, WHATEVER, I'M OKAY WITH THAT, BUT WHAT I CAN'T SUPPORT IS REMOVING ONE IN FAIRNESS OF ANOTHER.
SO FOR THAT REASON, IF WE WANT TO COME BACK AND LOOK AT THIS DIFFERENTLY, WE WANT TO TABLE THIS, WE WANT TO HAVE SOME FURTHER DISCUSSION, BUT FOR THAT REASON, I CANNOT SUPPORT THIS MOTION. MADAM PRESIDENT.
YES, MA'AM? I'M GOING TO PIGGYBACK JUST A LITTLE BIT OFF OF WHAT AARON SAYS.
FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, I HAVE CHAMPIONED THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, STUDY THE COURSES I'VE BEEN IN, TALK WITH OUR STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION REP ABOUT IT.
I THINK THERE'S A PERCEPTION OUT THERE RIGHT NOW THAT ADDING WORDS TO A CALENDAR IS GOING TO MAKE THIS BIG CHANGE, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE.
WHERE THE CHANGE NEEDS TO HAPPEN IS IN OUR CLASSROOMS, AND THAT HAPPENS BY US DISCUSSING WAYS THAT WE CAN TEACH OUR KIDDOS AT EVERY LEVEL ABOUT THE CULTURE IN THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING IT CORRECTLY AND RESPECTFULLY.
IT DOESN'T COME BY PUTTING THE DAY ON THE CALENDAR, ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT.
WHERE I'M RESERVED IS THAT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE HAS NOT.
WHEN YOU GO TO OUR GOVERNMENT'S WEBSITE AND LOOK UP THE FEDERAL HOLIDAYS, IT SAYS COLUMBUS DAY.
IT DOES NOT SAY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY AND I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO GET INTO THE HABIT OF PUTTING NON PUTTING HOLIDAYS THAT ARE NOT RECOGNIZED AT THE FEDERAL AND OR THE STATE LEVEL EVEN ON OUR CALENDAR, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO OPEN UP A BIG CAN OF WORMS AND I'M NOT SURE THAT WE REALLY WANT TO GET INTO THAT.
WITH THAT SAID, I THINK OUR STAFF DOES A REALLY GOOD JOB.
KUDOS TO THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT ESPECIALLY.
[00:40:03]
WE HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT CULTURES AND COMMUNITIES AND YOU ALL DO A GREAT JOB OF PUSHING OUT INFORMATION AND WE EDUCATE OUR KIDDOS AND A LOT OF THOSE DON'T HAVE DAYS OR WEEKS ON OUR CALENDAR.I'M NOT OPPOSING THIS BE REVISITED, BUT AS SOME HAVE SAID, WE DID APPROVE A CALENDAR 6-0.
I THINK THE TIMING OF IT IS INAPPROPRIATE.
I THINK THAT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS THAT MR. PARRA'S RECOMMENDATION GETS SENT BACK TO OUR EIC FOR THEM TO BRING AS A RECOMMENDATION TO US IN DECEMBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER FOR THE 23-24 CALENDAR.
IT'S NOT A BOARD'S JOB TO GO NITPICK A CALENDAR.
THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE COMMITTEES FOR.
OUR JOB, TO MS. [INAUDIBLE] POINT EARLIER, IS TO SET THIS TAX RATE AND DO THE BUDGET AND I'LL TELL YOU, I'M GETTING A LITTLE BIT FRUSTRATED THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH THESE KIND OF THINGS.
INSTEAD OF TALKING ABOUT CLOSING THE GAPS FOR OUR CHILDREN'S LEARNING LOSS AND THE PANDEMIC THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON, THINGS THAT OTHER PEOPLE HANDLE, THE STAFF CAN HANDLE AND BRING TO US, AND I DON'T MEAN THAT DISRESPECTFULLY BECAUSE I AM ALL FOR THAT COMING TO ME IN A RECOMMENDATION, BUT TONIGHT IS NOT THE NIGHT THAT IT SHOULD HAPPEN, AND SO FOR THAT REASON, I'M GOING TO VOTE NO.
OKAY, IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? YES, SIR. YES, JUST FOR THE RECORD TO THE GPISD COMMUNITY, THIS NAME CHANGE HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP ALREADY.
YES, SO THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT'S BEEN BROUGHT UP TO THE BOARD.
OH, THEN IF WE WANT TO GET IN DETAIL THEN IT'S THREE TIMES.
THE TWO TIMES IT'S GOING TO SHUT DOWN.
EXCUSE ME, MS. LILES, ARE YOU BEING OUT OF ORDER? NO. OKAY, THANK YOU.
SO IT'S BEEN SHUT DOWN SEVERAL TIMES.
WHEN YOU SIT ON THIS BOARD, YOU TALK ABOUT FRUSTRATION.
I KNEW WHAT I HAD TO DO AND THAT IS GO TO MY COMMUNITY TO MAKE CHANGE.
YOU'VE GOT TO UNDERSTAND CHANGE IS COMING.
IT'S OKAY FOR CHANGE, AND SO WHEN YOU GET SHUT DOWN, I MEAN, HEY, IT'S FRUSTRATION.
YOU MOVE ON AND YOU KEEP GOING AND YOU KEEP DOING WHAT'S RIGHT FOR KIDS.
WHO SAYS IT'S APPROPRIATE OF WHEN THIS SHOULD BE PUT ON THE CALENDAR? THAT'S WHAT AMAZES ME.
400 YEARS OF THE SLAUGHTERING OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND WE STILL HAVE PUSHBACK.
WE ALMOST HAVE HALF A ROW FULL.
I MEAN, THIS SECTION OVER HERE OF NATIVE PEOPLE THAT COME UP HERE AND SPEAK THEIR MINDS AND OF COURSE, THEY'RE VERY FRUSTRATED, AND SO WE STILL GET PUSHBACK. IT JUST AMAZES ME.
IT'S CRAZY HOW THERE'S SO MUCH PUSHBACK OVER JUST A SIMPLE CHANGE ON THE CALENDAR.
YEAH, WE ADVOCATE, BUT WHAT CAN WE DO MORE FOR NATIVES, FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE? I'VE SAT ON, I'VE EVEN GONE AS FAR AS SITTING ON THE COMMITTEE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, THE NSBA NATIVE INDIAN ALASKAN NATIVES.
I WAS THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THAT, AND THERE'S A LOT OF FRUSTRATION.
THERE'S A LOT OF FRUSTRATION ALSO WITH THOSE BOARD MEMBERS IN THE NATIONAL LEVEL.
I KNOW SOME OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS DON'T TRAVEL AND THEY STAY LOCAL, BUT AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, THERE'S ALSO FRUSTRATION AND THEY'RE ADVOCATING FOR NATIVE NATIVES, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.
SO WHAT THAT BEING SAID, ACTUALLY, BRYAN, THIS IS YOU KNOW, I BROUGHT THIS UP, WE WERE SHUT DOWN.
IT'S OKAY, BUT NOW WE WANT TO BRING IT UP AGAIN, AND WHO IS TO SAY WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE? YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU START TRAVELING PLACES, HOW THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WERE BELITTLED, IF YOU GO TO MEXICO, THEY LITERALLY IT'S RIGHT THERE IN YOUR FACE HOW THEY BELITTLED AND UNDERMINED THEIR BELIEFS BY PLACING A CATHOLIC CHURCH ON TOP OF THEIR TEMPLES.
[00:45:03]
TO ME, THAT'S DISGUSTING.SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'M READY TO VOTE.
I WAS ONE OF THOSE FOLKS THAT WENT TO THE MEETINGS TO STUDY WAS THERE A NEED WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS NEEDED IN OUR COMMUNITY? AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THAT I THINK THAT WE HAVE A WONDERFUL PROGRAM FOR OUR STUDENTS, AND I'M VERY PROUD, VERY PROUD TO SUPPORT.
MR. BRYAN PARRA MADE THAT MOTION.
SO IF THERE'S NOT ANY OTHER DISCUSSION, I'M GOING TO CALL FOR THE VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
AYE. BRYAN, I THINK THAT WE NEED TO DO A ROLL CALL VOTE, PLEASE.
MADAM PRESIDENT, THE VOTE IS 4-3 FAVOR.
[APPLAUSE] BEING THAT THERE IS NO FURTHER BUSINESS AND NO FURTHER ITEMS TO DISCUSS.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.