APPROVAL OF THE MEMBERSHIP FEE TO PARTICIPATE IN REGION ONE’S LIBRARY SERVICES AND MEDIA COOPERATIVE ELMA CALVILLO

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATION That the Board of Trustees approve a membership fee agreement between Weslaco Independent School District and the Region One Education Service Center for the school year.

RATIONALE The purpose of this agreement with the Region One Cooperative is to obtain services and resources for all the Weslaco ISD campuses in the following areas:  Staff development workshops and events for administrators, librarians, and teachers  On-demand digital video services from Discovery Education  A digital video-on-demand and online teaching service to help improve students’ retention and test scores: it is aligned to U.S. state standards.  Fee-based online digital resources that support and enrich all areas of the curriculum and that are accessible on a 24/7 basis from school or home:  Online digital reference package (EBSCO)  Makes it easy for students to search by keyword or by topic to find the most useful search results. Results can be easily sorted by source type – magazines, reference books, photos, flags, etc.  Online encyclopedia (Britannica Online) and Encyclopedia Britannica  Provides easy access to a world of knowledge. It contains quick information for homework and special projects. There are many action-packed videos and colorful images. It also has a quick-click dictionary and thesaurus. It contains current magazines plus evaluated best web sites.  Other high-quality digital resources (BrainPOP Combo)  Creates animated, curricular content that engages students, supports educators, and supports achievement.

RATIONALE - 2  Opportunity to purchase additional digital resources and online video services at a discounted price  Access information for instructional materials up for adoption are available for the public  Participate in the Library Purchasing Cooperative receiving purchasing discounts in the areas of:  Library books  Furniture  Equipment  Library supplies  Magazine subscriptions  Software, and in the provision of  Consultants: Author, storyteller, and presenter services  eRate and technology planning support  Support for school library programs

RATIONALE - 3 Region One Library Coordinators/Library Advisory Committee meetings Coordination and hosting of the librarians Fall and Spring meeting The term of the agreement will begin on September 1, 2013 and expire on August 31, 2014.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS Student achievement is impacted by providing high-quality instructional resources and services that help students develop twenty-first century skills. Schools receive financial benefits from volume purchasing discounts provided through cooperative membership.

BUDGETARY INFORMATION The cost of these services is based on WISD’s ADA of 17,788 for the school year. The fee rate is $3.10 per student. Each campus will pay an amount equivalent to its ADA for a district total of $55, for the school year.

BOARD POLICY REFERENCE AND COMPLIANCE BBA (Local) – Board Powers & Duties BBE (Local) – Board Authority  The Board has final authority to determine and interpret the policies that govern the schools and, subject to the mandates and limits imposed by state and federal authorities, has complete and full control of the District. Board action shall be taken only in meetings that comply with the Open Meetings Act.