Teacher addresses the district on the new curriculum and instructional requirements said, “Our teaching style has been taking from us: our craft.”
by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian
11-20-2024
The Uvalde CISD Board or Trustees met for over 6 hours at the Monday, November 18th regular board meeting with approximately 2 1/2 hours spent in a closed executive session.
Nearly all the seats in the audience were filled with several standing in the back of the Benson Board Room.
Following the opening preliminaries were held. Superintendent Ashley Chohlis’ introduced Chief Academic Officer Amy Graeber who reported on A. DOMAIN 1: High Quality Curriculum and Effective Instruction and B. DOMAIN 2: Effective, Well Supported Staff
Earlier this year during the Spring, the Board of Trustees voted to approve using Open Education Resources/ Conceptual Teaching which was implemented for the 2024-225 school year. Graeber reported the implementation of the new curriculum and at what level each of the teachers were at in terms of mastering the delivery of the instruction. Graeber discussed the Success Criteria Breakdown on measuring teacher’s success age effectiveness on teaching a new curriculum on a phase scale measuring how teachers are progressing through the learning curve.
Superintendent Ashley Chohlis said, “I’m less concerned about test scores as I am about student achievement.”
“Every kid should come prepared for the grade level (they are entering). The STARR test is important but it’s not the best all end all. said Chohlis (paraphrased)
Uvalde CISD Teacher/Resource Officer Nicole Ogborn spoke during the Citizen’s Comments portion of the board meeting voiced her concerns about district’s approach to implementing the new curriculum “Our teaching style has been taking from us: our craft,” Ogborn said.
Uvalde CISD Teacher and Resource Officer Nicole Ogburn address the Board.Chohlis spoke on Domain 3, C. DOMAIN 3: Positive School Culture and Safety and Security
Toy weapons also called Look-A Like Weapons
According to Chohlis, the District has listed those items in the code of Conduct as being not allowed and students caught with such items can be assigned to DAEP/ (discretionary placement). The State of Texas does not have the same weapon definitions and State Laws apply. Trustee Jacklyn Gonzales brought up situations where students with those toy lookalike weapons can speak threats with those items.
Gonzales also stated there are many Kids at Morales with PTSD and that an incident involving a potential threat perpetrated using a look-a-like toy weapon could further traumatize students already suffering with PTSD.
Later in the meeting, the district voted to require clear backpacks at the Honey Bowl
