July 2006

The new school year isfast approaching. The sum-mer has been an opportunityfor us to look at areas ofimprovement within ourschool district. As youknow, changes have beenmade and I strongly believethey are for the bettermentof our students.

I realize you haveexperienced a number ofchanges over the last fewyears, but I know with yoursupport and commitment,

we will have a stronger LISD. Thisreminds me of a story about an oak treeand a willow tree:

The morning following a frightfully windy and rainy night, Richardwent into the fields with his son Bob to see if the tempest had caused any damage.

Bob cried out in surprise, "Look there, Dad! The big, strong oak tree is lying there uprooted on the ground, while that weak willow tree that grows near the stream is still standing as beautiful as ever. I thought that the storm would have more easily uprooted the willow tree rather than the strong oak tree, which up till now has always weathered the strongest storms."

"My son," said Bob's father. "The strong oak tree was forced to fallto the ground because it does not know how to bend, while theflexible willow tree gave to the wind, and the tempest could not do it any harm."

I hope the remainderof your summer shinesbright for you and yourfamily.

Daniel Garcia, Jr., Ph.D.

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Team LISD returns foranother winning season,which kicks-off with theannual Back-to-SchoolGeneral Session slated forAugust 16th at the LaredoEntertainment Center.

The keynote addresswill be delivered by Chad

Hymas. On April 3, 2001,Chad was involved in a seri-ous accident leaving him aquadriplegic. Chad's dreamswere not paralyzed that day.Since that fateful event Chadhas done the following:

• Started Chad HymasCommunications, Inc., a pro-fessional speaking company,designed to motivate busi-nesses and corporations to"use their wings and reachseemingly impossibleheights"

• Spoke at 160 differentevents traveling just over180,000 miles last year alone

• Maintained hishobby and dream of

managing a 5100

acre elk preserve with hisfather

• Raced in marathons,and in the summer of 2003,Chad set a world record bywheeling his chair from SaltLake City to Las Vegas (513miles)

• Participated in wheel-chair athletic competitionincluding basketball, rugby,wheelchair racing, and offici-ating basketbal

• Spent many hours withother injured individuals in

(continued pg.7)

In an effort to improve academic per-formance, Laredo Independent SchoolDistrict superintendent of schools Dr.Daniel Garcia, Jr. has announced thereassignment of various administrators.

“As we prepare for the coming schoolyear, it is my duty to develop a solid sup-port system which I believe will best meet

the needs of all our students,” said Dr.Garcia. “Given the stringent mandates forperformance outlined in House Bill 1, thereexists a strong sense of urgency at LaredoISD to be proactive. Therefore, it is imper-ative that we refocus our commitment toproviding a first-rate education for all stu-dents.”

(continued pg.10)

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Teacher should reportto their respectivecampuses followingthe General Session

Tracking the Education Dollar

The expenditure of public dollars is a growingconcern to taxpayers, and the Laredo IndependentSchool District Finance Department has prepared acost analysis of expenditure levels from a student’sperspective. For fiscal year beginning September 1,2004 and ending August 31, 2005, the district spenta total of $269 million from all funding sources toeducate 24,750 students. Of these expenditures, $36million were related to the construction of facilities,almost $27 million were related to paying the princi-pal and interest on debt and bond issuance costs, and$206 million were spent on total basic educationaloperating costs.? The purpose if this communicationis to provide the public with an understanding ofwhat was purchased with educational dollars duringthe 2004-05 school year (the most recent year forwhich actual financial data are available).

Our schools spent 63 percent of the operatingbudgets ($130.3 million) on instruction, and a greatpercentage of this amount was used to compensatethe district’s 1,451 classroom teachers. In addition,this amount included the compensation for 452 edu-cational aides who assisted in classrooms andlibraries. This category also includes purchases oflibrary books and other instructional materials andsalaries of special education providers includingroughly speech therapists.

An additional 15 percent of the total amount($31 million) was spent on instruction-related activi-ties. These expenditures included the compensationof the district’s 27 principals, 49 assistant principals,

and 63 counselors.Health services (con-

sisting of the com-pensation of 34

school nurses)are includ-

ed here aswell as

extra andco-curricularactivities.

General operations ofthe district accounted forapproximately 19 percentof the basic educationalcosts ($38.7 million).These expenditures arerelated to the maintenanceof school buildings (includ-ing the cost of heating andcooling as well as generalmaintenance and repair),the cost of transporting stu-dents to and from school,the cost of providingbreakfast and lunch in school cafeterias, the cost of pro-viding and equipping security guards and police officers,and the cost of maintaining student records.

Laredo ISD provides a variety of services that aredesigned to support students and teachers in the class-room, but they are not captured in many definitions ofinstruction that are included in reports from the State ofTexas. The cost of cleaning classrooms and providingheating and cooling is almost never included in the costof delivering instruction, nor is the cost of new facilitiesconstruction. School security, student lunches, and schoolnurses are among the many other services that are provid-ed by the district but considered “outside the classroom”.

Central leadership accounted for 3 percent (just over$6 million). Compensation for the superintendent, busi-ness manager, director of human resources and other cen-tral office departments are included in this category. Alsoincluded in these costs are the cost of tax appraisal andcollection, audit and accounting services, and legal serv-ices.

To provide a more complete picture of the inputs thatcomprise public education at Laredo ISD, the chartsbelow track an education dollar from the perspective of astudent and a teacher. All figures are presented in terms ofpennies on the total education dollar.

__________________________________________________1 The term basic educational operating costs here include all operating expenditures except for those in the following functional areas: functions 71 (debt service), 81 (facilities acquisition and construction), and 93 (shared services). These are excluded from basic educational operating costs.

2 The format for this publication was gathered from Moak, Casey & Associates on behalf of The Equity Center, the Texas Association of School Administrators, The Texas Association of School Boards, the Texas Association of School Business Officials and The Texas School Alliance.

3 Audited Financial Statements for the year ended August 31, 2005 with assistance from the Budget and Financial Management Staff.

(continued pg.11)

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July 2006

Your source for AdministrativeNews... Plus a whole lot more!Produced monthly for district employees by the Office ofCommunications and the Printing/Creative ServicesDepartment. Information may be submitted by calling theOffice of Communications at 795-3295.

Board of Trustees

John Peter MontalvoPresidentJesús J. GuerraVice PresidentGuillermina MontesSecretaryJorge L. RodríguezParliamentarianJosé A. ValdezTrusteeGeorge M. BeckelhymerTrusteeDaniel RigalTrustee

Dr. Daniel Garcia, Jr.Superintendent of Schools

Office of Communications

Marco A. AlvaradoDirector of Communicationsmalvarado@laredoisd.orgVeronica Castillón, APRPublic Information Officervcastillon@laredoisd.orgVeronica “Roni” CantúCommunity Relations Specialistvcantu@laredoisd.orgJeannette G. MartinezITV Coordinatorjgmartinez@laredoisd.org

Mario PerezPrinting Supervisormarioperez@laredoisd.orgPaola ArcosPublications Designerparcos@laredoisd.org

It is the policy of the Laredo Independent School Districtnot to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national ori-gin, gender, religion, limited English proficiency, or hand-icapping condition in its programs.

NEWS

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel Garcia, Jr., puts his signature on aUnited Way of Laredo 2006-2007 Pacesetter Pledge Card. Dr. Garcia set thedistrict's goal at $80,000. At the signing were Marco Alvarado, Laredo ISDDirector of Communications and United Way Vice President of Campaign(Education Division); Peggy Garcia, United Way Executive Director; NormaLozano, United Way Campaign Director; and John Ulbricht, Asst. CEO forthe Laredo Medical Center and United Way President-Elect. In 2005-2006,district employees donated $87,935.53.

The following convenient tax payment optionsare available:

1. ONLINE PAYMENTS:FOR LISD TAXPAYERS, LOG ON TOhttp://www.laredoisd.org/departments/taxoffice/default.htm

2. PAYROLL DEDUCTION:Available to LISD employees who own property inLISD and would like to take advantage of payrolldeduction. These forms can be obtained at theLISD Tax Office and/or can be sent to you at yourcampus/department via the district mail room.

3. TAX OFFICE LOCATION904 Juarez Avenuea.) Walk-ins Welcomeb.) Mail payments

4. TIPS TO REDUCE YOUR PROPERTYTAX LIABILITY:a.) Homestead Exemptionb.) Over 65 Exemptionc.) Disability and/or Disabled Veteran’s Exemption

FOR MORE INFORMATIONREGARDING PROPERTYEXEMPTIONS, CONTACTTHE WEBB COUNTYAPPRAISAL DISTRICT AT718-4091.

LLIISSDD TTAAXX OOFFFFIICCEE AANNNNOOUUNNCCEEMMEENNTTARE YOUR LISD PROPERTY TAXES PAID?

IF NOT, A LAWSUIT COULD BE FILED ON YOUR PROPERTYAND ADDITIONAL LITIGATION COSTS WILL BE INCURRED.

904 Juarez Avenue, Laredo, Texas 78040 • 795-3300THE LISD TAX OFFICE THANKS YOU FOR INVESTING IN OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE.

All good things must cometo an end, so goes the popularsaying. For the 30 retirees whoended their careers at LISD, theretirement ban-quet provided anopportunity forthe employees toshine one moretime. Theretirees werehonored at a din-ner held recentlyat La Posada’sTesoro Club.

LISDsuperintendent Dr. Daniel Garcia, Jr., said, “Ourretirees demonstrated devotion, dedication, desireand commitment for the years they served our stu-dents.” His speech ended with heartfelt applausefor the retirees.

Also thanking the retirees in his address wasLISD Board President John Peter Montalvo.Each retiree received an award and a certificate ofhonor on behalf of U.S. Congressman HenryCuellar.

The invocation was delivered by retireeReynaldo Reyna. The Martin High SchoolROTC, under the direction of Col. ThomasBrown, posted colors. Retiree NanetteRoberson led the Pledge of Allegiance. Musicalentertainment was provided by the VMT TrioInternational, under the direction of NinoPalacios. Vocalist Azael Armendariz wasaccompanied by guitarists Alfredo Gonzalez,Oscar Diaz, and Jorge Iruegas

The audience cheered the Hollywood -themed video highlighting the retirees.Instructional Television will present each retireewith a copy of the video.

page 4

Retirees shineat banquet

It was a starry, starry night for the LISD employees who were honored at the annualretirement banquet at La Posada’s Tesoro Club. Seated from left are Maria Cira Lopez,Marta Ramon, Benita Zamora, Maria Estela Palacios and Celia Saenz. Standing from leftare LISD Board Members Daniel Rigal and Guillermina Montes with retirees NanetteRoberson, Petra Pulido, Jesus Gonzalez, Maria Rodriguez, Guillermo Medrano, ReynaldoReyna, and LISD Board President John Peter Montalvo and LISD Superintendent Dr.Daniel Garcia, Jr.

10 – 12 yearsMartha Simoncini (12)

Leyendecker Elementary School

15 – 20 yearsReynaldo Reyna (17)

Division of Operations

Olga Molina (18)Christen Middle School

20 – 25 yearsJuan Hernandez (21)Martin High School

Petra Pulido (22)Kawas Elementary School

Rosa Maria Ramon (22)Lamar Middle School

Gloria Lopez (23)Child Nutrition Program

Diamantina Montoya (24)Transportation Department

Maria Rodriguez (24)Buenos Aires Elementary School

25 – 30 yearsJose Maria Herrera (25)Child Nutrition Program

Victoria Liendo (25)Child Nutrition Program

Maria Del Rosario Martinez (25)Christen Middle School

Alejandro Miller (25)Child Nutrition Program

Celia Saenz (25)Child Nutrition Program

Idalia Mendoza (26)Milton Elementary School

Marta Ramon (26)J.C. Martin Elementary School

Maria Cira Lopez (27)J.C. Martin Elementary School

Guillermo Medrano (28)Martin High School

Nanette Roberson (29)Special Education

30 – 35 yearsViviano Gonzalez (30)

Child Nutrition Program

Bonnie Carter (31)Leyendecker Elementary School

Gloria Degollado (31)Child Nutrition Program

Ricardo Perez (31)Division of Operations

Eva Raines (31)Daiches Elementary School

Manuel Zuñiga (31)Martin High School

Jose Lara (33)Cigarroa High School

Maria Estela Palacios (33)Child Nutrition Program

35 – 40 yearsJesus Gonzalez (35)

Child Nutrition Program

Roberto Mora, Jr. (36)Martin High School

Maria Del Carmen Muñoz (36)Daiches Elementary School

Benita Zamora (37)Instructional Television

*Retiree information produced byLISD Human Resources Department

The Laredo Independent School District recently present-ed a check for $7,712 to the American Red Cross - WebbCounty Chapter. The money will be used to assist withthe Katrina Relief Fund as well as to fund services pro-vided by the local office. Pictured are Laredo Red CrossExecutive Director Peter Ortegon and LISD Risk ManagerAlvaro Perez representing the Finance Department whospearheaded fundraising efforts when hurricanes Katrinaand Rita struck.

July 2006Building Blocks

Building Blocks is a column designed tokeep you informed of construction projectsthroughout the district. The following informa-tion is provided by the district’s constructiondepartment.

Ryan and Daiches Elementary Schools willbe heading back to their new campuses during lateJuly/early August, while others schools will berelocating to a temporary campus for the 2006-2007 school year. Temporary school relocationswill be as follows:

• Buenos Aires Elementary School will berelocated to former Ochoa Elementary School, 310 W. Locust St.

• D.D Hachar Elementary School will berelocated to former Lamar Middle School, 2502 Galveston St.

• Leyendecker Elementary School will berelocated to the portable campus located at the former air base, 1810 Bustmante Street.

• Heights Elementary School will remain at the portable campus located at Milton Elementary School, 2500 Ash St.

• Sixth Grade “Little Christen” will return to its home campus at Christen Middle School, 2001 Santa Maria Ave.

Constructionalso continues atCigarroa Middle andCigarroa HighSchool, HeightsElementary School,and the Nixon FieldHouse.

For more infor-mation on these andother projects, contactthe ConstructionDepartment at ext.3619.

After a 7 month tour of duty in Iraq, Army SpecialistHector Casarez Jr. recently returned home to Laredofor a brief, but well-deserved, two-week visit.Specialist Casarez is a 2003 graduate of Nixon HighSchool where he was a standout and star football line-backer for the 2000 Class 5A Bi-district ChampionsNixon Mustangs. Specialist Casarez is the son ofproud parents Hector Casarez, teacher of 30-plus yearsat Nixon High School, and Minerva P. Casarez, ateacher of 30-plus years at Milton Elementary School.

The Division of Operations, located at900 E. Lyon Street, is currently under thesupervision of Interim Director Juan M.Meza. Mr. Meza has been with the district for28 years. He first began with the Division ofOperations as a personnel manager. Mr. Mezashared his vision and goals for the depart-ments’ 100-plus employees.

What is the responsibility of the Division ofOperations?

“We are charged with overseeing allbuildings and facilities inLISD. Our departmentensures that our buildingsand facilities are in good,working and safe condition.”

The Division of Operationsprovides a variety of serv-ices for the school district.What are some of them?

“The services we pro-vide range from energy man-agement, A.V. equipment repair, electri-cal, air conditioning, carpentry, welding,roofing, small engine repair, fencing,flooring, ceiling, blinds, and landscapingto name a few.”

What type of training do you provide toemployees?

“Every month we have safety train-ing for our employees which includesanything from heat stress to slips, trips,and falls.”

What are your goals for your depart-ment?

“My goal is to achieve best maintenance practices whichour Executive Director, Dr. Oscar Cartas and other depart-ment heads under the Plant Facilities and Support Services puttogether. The goals include the following:

Building innovative and positive habits through continouseducation, engineering, and enforcement.

Excellence in planning and execution for qualityin all projects undertaken. Support for studentachievement and student welfare by providing a safe

and healthy environment.

Teamwork to accomplish goals and objectivesthrough work ethics and open communication.

How does your department benefit the district?

“Our department saves the district a lot ofmoney. We believe our work is for the students,teachers, and parents. Our job is to help create anenvironment that is conducive to learning.”

Division of Operationspage 6

July 2006

Memorial Middle School was the setting for a ceremony honoring all Laredosoldiers who died while serving their country from the Civil War to the war inIraq. From left are former Memorial Middle School principal Adriana Padilla,Instructional Television teacher Joe Sanchez, LISD Board Vice PresidentJesus Guerra and LISD Board Secretary Guillermina Montes, KeynoteSpeaker General Alfred Valenzuela, Executive Director for InstructionalSupport Services Veronica Guerra, Chief Financial Officer Jesus Amezcuaand former Director of Fine Arts Victor Gunnoe. Sanchez and Gunnoe cur-rently serve with the Texas State Guard.

General Alfred Valenzuela gets a warm Laredo welcome from Catalina andReynaldo Reyna at the Memorial Day ceremony held at Memorial MiddleSchool. Reynaldo Reyna is a veteran of the Korean Conflict. Mrs. Catalinais a District retiree.

Smile for the camera andshow us your summer vacationphotos! A+ News would like tofeature your vacation photos inour August edition. Please sendyour photos to Paola Arcos,Publications Designer, by July27, 2006 via email atparcos@laredoisd.org Photosshould be sent in a jpeg formator can be delivered to theOffice of Communicationslocated at 904 Juarez Ave, 2nd floor.

2006 - 2007 school yearkicks-of August 16th at LEC

(continued from pg.1)

therapy, encouraging them to overcome theirchallenges, focus on dreams and make them areality, and to love life for all that it has tooffer; to achieve the unachievable and toreach for the unreachable

Laurel Insurance, the LISD RiskManagement Office, and the LISD Office ofCommunications are coordinating a healthfair with a variety of screenings and exhibitsin the LEC’s concourse.

Doors open at 8:00 a.m., and the program

begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Team LISD

page 8

Insect bites:Prevention and Treatment

There are ways to deal with insect bites safely and convenient-ly. In some cases it just takes a little common sense and logic. Inother cases you may need to use herbal treatments and good oldfashioned TLC. Below are ways you can use to deal with the mostkind of annoying insect bites.

Avoid Stinging Insects

The best way to avoid stinging insects is to avoid them. Don'twear perfume or any type of scented oil or lotion that will attractthem. When you have a picnic, use common sense and take the nec-essary precautions so as not to attract insects. This goes for anyareas where bees or other stinging insects may decide to hoveraround. And above all, do not wear brightly colored clothes. Theseclothes attract bees quickly. The best defense is to destroy anyhives or nest you may see near your home. If there is no hive ornest, they can swarm around.

Avoid Mosquitoes, Chiggers, and Ticks

It's no secret when it concerns mosquitoes that you have tocover as much of your skin as you can. If there is any exposed skin,the dreaded mosquito will find it. This means making sure you weara hat, socks, gloves, wrist bands, and anything else to cover all partsof your body. If it is too hot outside to wear clothing or protectivegear, spray your body with insect repellent. This will keep themaway.

Don't go near swamps, dense woods, fields, or anywhere highgrass may be. Mosquitoes love to hang around these areas. Ticksand chiggers are also nuisances that you can avoid by staying awayfrom tall grass, woods, and brush. If you do go outside, make sure

you examine every part of your body carefully to make sure no tickor chigger found itself a home in your skin. If you do get bitten bya mosquito, treat it immediately.

Other ways to avoid this is to stay away from areas that theseinsects reside. If you do get stung by a bee, scrape or brush off thestinger with a straight-edged object, like a credit card. Swab the sitewith disinfectant. Don't try to pull out the stinger with tweezers orwith your fingers. This can release more venom into the skin. Ifthere is pain or swelling, apply ice or a cold pack. It is best to usehydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion or baking soda to treat thebite or sting. And do this several times a day until the symptoms aregone.

If the person who got stung or bitten suffers from severe reac-tions, call 911 immediately for medical assistance. Do this especial-ly if you notice the following signs:

• Difficulty breathing• Swelling of the lips or throat• Faintness• Confusion• Rapid heartbeat• Hives• Nausea, cramps and vomiting

While you wait for help have the person lie down. If they areunconscious and breathing, lay the person on his or her side toallow drainage from the person's mouth. If you don't see anybreathing at all, apply CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) imme-diately until the person starts breathing again or until help arrives.Also check to see if the person is carrying an allergy kit containingepinephrine. If so follow the instructions in the kit. Also watch forsigns of shock. Above all, if the person is conscious, reassure theperson that everything will be okay. You need to keep the personcalm. If the person is wearing anything that may constrict his or herbreathing or may cause swelling near the sting or bite, remove it.

Whatever you do, do not apply a tourniquet, or give the personstimulants, aspirin, or other pain medication unless prescribed bythe doctor.

CCaalleennddaarr ooff EEvveennttssJuly

4 Independence Day

10 Payroll Deadline

11 New Employee Orientation

13 Regular Board Meeting

20 Budget Workshop /Special Call Board Meeting

Pay Day

25 Board Curriculum Committee Meeting /Special Call Board Meeting

August

4 Payroll Deadline9 New Employee Orientation

14 Return to Work(Teachers and Campus-based staff)

16 General Session at LEC17 Regular Board Meeting18 Pay Day21 First Day of Classes for students

*July 31 - August 4 Principals’ Academy

Seven LISD students will literally seetheir big smiles displayed all over town. Thestudents are featured on billboards, posters,and newspaper advertisements toutingLISD’s newest campaign, “Count Us In,”which promotes daily school attendance,especially on the first day of school.

The campaign, which is the brainchildof the LISD Guidance/At-Risk Programs andthe LISD Office of Communications, will beintroduced during a press conference onThurs., July 27, at Christen Middle School.

LISD Director of Guidance andCounseling Rosie Cardenas said the cam-paign is the result of Senate Bill 186 whichwas was passed by the Texas Legislature in2003 affecting the collection of data ondropouts.

In 2003, the Texas Legislature passedSenate Bill 186 which amended the languageon the dropout indicator in the Texas publicschool Academic Excellence Indicator sys-tem. The indicator is specified as follows:“dropout rates, including dropout rates anddistrict completion rates for grade levels 9through 12, computed in accordance withstandards and definitions adopted by theNational Center for Education Statistics[NCES] of the United States Department ofEducation” (Texas Education Code (TEC)§39.051(b)(2)).

In the 2005-06 school year, districtswill begin collecting information accordingto the new dropout definition and procedureson students in grades 7-12 who leave. Schooldistricts will begin submitting data using thenew definition and procedures in 2006-07.

Students must return during the period

of time between the first day of schooland the First Tuesday after Labor Dayto be counted as having returned toschool. This period is the school-startwindow. Students who do not returnduring the school-start window arereported and counted as dropouts.Migrant students are counted as return-ing students, not dropouts, regardless ofreturn date.

Billboards with the LamarAdvertising Company were selectedbased on their location.

‘Count us in’ message to bedisplayed across Laredo

July 2006

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Effective July 1, the following assignments will be implemented:

Administrator Assignment

Cordelia Cantu Parental Involvement CoordinatorGuadalupe Cortez Principal – Christen Middle SchoolGerardo Cruz Science DeanClementina Cuellar Principal – Hachar Elem. SchoolVirginia Flores Principal – Martin Elem. SchoolRoberto Gonzalez Principal – Lara AcademyAdriana Lombraña Grants CoordinatorBlas Martinez Principal – Martin High SchoolJulio Mendez Director of Fine ArtsImelda Murillo Principal – Cigarroa Middle SchoolAdriana Padilla Principal – Heights Elem. SchoolGuadalupe Perez Principal – Memorial Middle SchoolDr. Sonia Sanchez Principal – Cigarroa High SchoolConnie Vela Principal – Daiches Elem. School

Vacancies resulting from the initiative are posted and willbe filled accordingly.

“The process for improvement begins with our board oftrustees, and they have expressed their confidence in me todo what needs to be done,” Dr. Garcia added. “Ultimately, thesuccess of our plan rests at the campus level. Central officeadministrators are here to support the system at all levels, inparticular, with our principals.”

For more information, contact the LISD Office ofCommunications at ext. 3295.

Athletic Directors from throughout South Texas gatheredat Texas A & M International University recently to dis-cuss recent UIL changes and opportunities for studentathletes.

A+ News congratulates the following

employees on their recent promotions

within the district:

• Melissa M. Garza

Executive Secretary

to the Superintendent

• Edmundo Lopez

Construction Program

Administrator

• Elias AlonsoSocial Studies Dean

• Jesse Medina

Network Data

Security Specialist

•

Notes fromHuman Resources

July 2006Tracking the Education Dollar

(continued from pg.2)

How an Education Dollar Relates to the Student

The typical student begins the school day long before the first bell with a bus ride to school - either because she lives too far to walk or becausethe district has determined that unsafe conditions warrant the provisionof a safe ride. She will also ride the bus home.

She arrives to find a building that is clean and well maintained.

The building is also heated in the winter and cooled in the summer - and the lights work.

Her parents know her school is made safer through district-supported security staff, and that if she is injured or becomes ill, she will be cared for by the school nurse.

She goes to class to find a teacher ready to begin instruction.

While in class, she has access to an instructional aide who supports the teacher in delivering instruction and to district-purchased instructional supplies.

The teacher uses a curriculum that is aligned with state standards and that builds on information the student learned the year before. The teacher has been trained regarding Texas learning standards and effective instructionalpractices, and has access to staff with instructional expertise to provide support.

Midway through the day, she goes to the cafeteria for lunch.

After lunch, she goes to the library to gather information for a research paper.

After school, she goes by the guidance counselor's office to talk about theprocess of applying for and paying for college. She is given informationabout student loan programs, how to prepare for the SAT, and what coursesshe will need to have taken in order to be prepared for postsecondary education.

Throughout the day, she benefits from services provided by the principal,the assistant principals, and other administrative staff who set the instructionaltone for the school as well as make sure that all of the details of running aschool are attended to so that students and teachers can focus on learning.

She also benefits from the fact that her school has access to district levelstaff who ensures payroll checks to her teachers are written on time, thatstaff members have access to health insurance that all of the schools arefully staffed, and that campuses have access to the support structures theyneed. Information is provided to the school board and to the public in atimely manner and someone has ensured that the district is complying witha host of state and federal laws and regulations regarding the operation ofpublic schools.

At the end of the school day, she rides the bus back home…unless, of course,she stays to participate in an extra-curricular activity (at which point shemay need additional transportation provided by a district-run late bus).

Total (may not equal $1.00 due to rounding)

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2003-2004*

State of TexasIncremental

Cost

$0.03

$0.09

$0.03

$0.02

$0.49

$0.09

$0.03

$0.05

$0.02

$0.04

$0.06

$0.03

$0.03

$1.00*

2004 -2005**

Fiscal YearIncremental

Cost

$0.02

$0.08

$0.02

$0.03

$0.48

$0.10

$0.02

$0.06

$0.03

$0.04

$0.06

$0.03

$0.02

$1.00

2005-2006***

Fiscal YearIncremental

Cost

$0.02

$0.08

$0.02

$0.03

$0.48

$0.10

$0.02

$0.06

$0.03

$0.04

$0.06

$0.03

$0.02

$1.00

* Source: Moak Casey and Associates on behalf of association with the Equity Center, the Texas Association of School Administrators, the TexasAssociation of School Boards, the Texas Association of School Business Officials, and the Texas School Alliance (Moak, 2006)

** 2004-2005 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Laredo ISD*** 2005-2006 Annual Proposed Budget, Laredo ISD