Board hears audit results for fiscal year, Leakey school superintendent’s concerns
Leakey superintendent, Chris Yeschke, addressed the board during audience to patrons.
Yeschke recommended for board members to support individuals that have public education as a top priority to serve as directors for the Uvalde, Zavala, and Real County Appraisal Districts.
“We just need good representation in the CADs for school districts, and we have to have that setup straight because if it isn’t, it is going to be bad for public ed, said Yeschke.
In other business, board members approved a myriad of action items including approving to cast votes for individuals to serve as directors of the Uvalde County, Zavala County, and Real County Appraisal Districts.
Board members allocated all 228 Uvalde County Appraisal District (UCAD) votes to Tony Moreno, who is currently a member of the SWTJC Board of Trustees and UCAD.
The 350 Zavala County Appraisal District votes were dispersed as follows: 116 votes for Victor Bonilla, 117 votes for both Melissa Marquez-Moreno and Jose Uribes.
Board members voted to cast their 400 Real County Appraisal District votes amongst Carrie Chisum and Clarence Suttle, 125 votes, and 150 votes for Brant Hickman.
Southwest Texas Junior College and the SWTJC Foundation, Inc., both received unmodified audit opinions, the best opinion possible, for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2019.
Accountant Eric Ede of Ede and Company gave a detailed report to board members regarding the current financial status of the college.
College board members approved the Del Rio material bid of $38, 975. The funds are planned to be used for roofs at the Del Rio campus, along with a loan with First State Bank of Uvalde.
Trustees also approved the purchase of new equipment for the radiological department, which will be used to upgrade 35-year-old technology.
REPORTS
In other matters, Director of Student Engagement & Success Dr. Randa Schell reported to board members on the college’s CARE team, which is the team that assists students in distress through confidential consultation and referral to resources.
According to Schell, there are CARE Teams at the Crystal City, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Hondo, Pearsall, and Uvalde campuses and sites.
After Schell’s report, SWTJC President Hector Gonzales presented Schell with a five-year service pin from Phi Theta Kappa for her work as the sponsor for the Eta Beta Chapter at the Uvalde campus.
In his president’s report, Gonzales informed the trustees about numerous topics, including recent awards. The Adult Education and Literacy program was selected for Best in Class at the 23rd Annual Texas Workforce Commission Awards Conference. The award comes with a $40,000 prize that will continue to support the college in its continued delivery of service to the Middle Rio Grande Region.