Round Up: SFDR-CISD Board Meeting 05/19/25

Connect Del Rio
2 days ago
6 min read

A New Way to Understand Your School Board (SFDR-CISD) Presented by Connect Del Rio

At Connect Del Rio, we believe staying informed should be simple, clear, and accessible for everyone. That’s why we’ve created a new visual breakdown of the latest School Board Meeting—designed specifically with our community in mind.

This feature brings you a color-coordinated, graphic-rich summary of how your board members voted, who spoke up, and what decisions were made. We’ve included an easy-to-follow system that shows not just the outcome, but who made the first motion.

Here’s how to read it:

🟦 Light Blue Hand = The board member who made the initial motion
🟦 Dark Blue Hand = The board member who seconded the motion
🟩 Green Checkmark = The board member who voted in favor
🟥 Red Circle = The council member who voted against

This approach is a first for Del Rio—a new standard for transparency and awareness. Whether you regularly attend meetings or you’re just starting to pay attention, this tool is made to help you feel more connected to the decisions shaping our city.

We’re proud to bring this to you. And as always, we welcome your feedback as we continue to evolve how news is delivered in Del Rio.

RECOGNITIONS:

State Qualifier for Golf

(Frenchey McCrea)

Academic All State Track and Field

(Frenchey McCrea)

Recognition of Drug Prevention Program Implemented by District Attorney's Office

(Sandra T. Hernandez)

Donation from Val Verde County Sheriff's Office

(Chief Jose Faz)

The Val Varde Sheriff's Office donated

REPORTS:

Intruder Detection Audit Report

(Chief Jose Faz)

The district has completed 100% of its assessments for the year.
One corrective action was identified during an April 10, 2025, audit at Del Rio Freshman School.
The issue involved missing door sweep logs, which led to the need for staff retraining.
On April 14, 2025, staff at the school were trained on ensuring all exterior doors, gates, and interior classroom doors remain closed and locked.
Staff were also reminded to wear visible ID lanyards and question anyone without proper identification.
Procedures for door sweeps and the Sentinel system were reinforced.

Facilities & Construction Update

(Hector Chapa)

Gym Renovation & HVAC Update:
- Plumbing is nearly complete, expected to finish by next week at the latest.
- Interior HVAC ductwork installation is progressing, with 2 of 3 units completed.
- Electrical work is pending AEP’s temporary hookup.
- Windows and doors are being installed; restroom work is awaiting partitions, mirrors, hand dryers, and soap dispensers.
- Window installation on the upper level and north side has begun.
- Ductwork is visibly installed across the gym’s long axis.
Project Milestones:
- By the next board meeting, new retractable boards and a scoreboard should be visible.
- Floor painting is expected to begin soon.
- The project should reach 80% completion by the June board meeting.
Work Orders Overview (Past 90 Days):
- Maintenance Department: 1,024 total work orders, 91% completed.
- Technology Department: 3,720 total work orders, 90% completed.
- Transportation Department: 309 total work orders, 97% completed, including 100% completion for those aged 61–90 days.
Clarification During Q&A:
- A board member asked about hanging items in the gym photos; Chapa clarified that they were LED lights, not fans.

Term 5 Attendance & Discipline Report

(Laura Sandate)

Board saw in improvement in attendance

Consent Agenda

View Consent Agenda here (Click me)

The board voted to approve the consent agenda and the results are below

Business and Finance

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Resolution on Transportation for Summer Community Meal Program.

(Amy Childress)

Recommended Action: Approval

During the discussion:

A board member asked if students used to go to Lamar for lunch.
- Dr. Rios clarified that in the past, the Boys and Girls Club was hosted at the San Felipe Ricks gym, and students would walk from there to Lamar.
Another board member asked which campuses were participating in the meal program.
- Dr. Rios responded that meals would be offered at the middle school, high school, and Lamar, but the high school would remain open longer than the others, which is why transportation to that location was being proposed.

After addressing these questions, the administration officially recommended approval. The board voted and the results are below:

Consideration to approve Disposal of Surplus Furniture from the Garfield campus.

(Amy Childress)

Recommended Action: Approval

She (Amy Childress) explained that the excess furniture could be:

Donated to local government agencies, or
Provided to schools in Mexico that might need it.

During the discussion:

Board member Amy Haynes asked if other campuses within the district could request items they might need.
Dr. Rios confirmed that at a recent principals' meeting, he informed principals that they would receive a worksheet to list any furniture needs. He noted the worksheet had not yet been sent but assured the board it would be distributed before any furniture is donated.

Childress concluded by recommending that the board approve the donation of the excess furniture, and the recommendation was voted on by the board. The results are below:

Consideration to approve a new Dean of Instruction position at Del Rio Middle School.

(Amy Childress)

Recommended Action: Approval

Key points shared during the discussion:

Dr. Carlos Rios explained the context: with the district’s upcoming middle school redesign, the current Del Rio Middle School (which has two grade levels) will become one of three separate middle schools.
The new model will assign one assistant principal and one Dean of Instruction to each middle school.
The current Dean of Instruction at Del Rio Middle School will transition to Garfield Elementary, and the current Dean at San Felipe Memorial will remain at San Felipe, leaving the third campus in need of a new dean.

Clarification from Board Member Rebekah Luna Chavez:

She confirmed that each campus would have one principal, one assistant principal, and one Dean of Instruction—three equal leadership roles. Dr. Rios confirmed this.
THE BOARD VOTED AND THE RESULTS ARE BELOW:

Consideration to approve the conversion of an Excess position to a Textbook/Safety Worker position for the Textbook Department.

(Amy Childress)

Recommended Action: Approval

Purpose of the Position:

Assist with textbook management (inventory, recording, distribution).
Support safety efforts by conducting campus and playground audits, helping identify repairs before students are at risk.
Help transition the district to digital materials by managing the shredding and disposal of outdated paper textbooks and workbooks—a process expected to take 18 months.

Clarifications:

President Meza asked about ongoing use of physical textbooks.
- Dr. Rios clarified the district still uses workbooks and some hardbound materials, but is shifting toward digital resources.
The position will lighten the load on current staff by handling both safety checks and textbook duties.
THE BOARD VOTED AND THE RESULTS ARE BELOW:

Consideration to approve the conversion of an Excess position to a Librarian.

(Amy Childress)

Recommended Action: Approval

The district had several excess teaching positions budgeted for enrollment growth, but they were not needed.
One of these positions will be used to replace an elementary librarian who will be reassigned to Garfield Middle School as part of the district’s middle school redesign.
Trustee Diego Alamaraz asked if this meant bringing back a previous librarian who had been moved into a classroom.
- Dr. Rios confirmed that two certified librarians are currently teaching, and one of them will return to a librarian role. The position will be filled internally and will not affect current classroom staffing.
THE BOARD VOTED AND THE RESULTS ARE BELOW: