Kate Chambers

The board meeting included celebrations for student achievements in choir and cheerleading. Key discussion topics included bond training for board members and the approval of an instructional materials transition plan and a memorandum of understanding with the Texas Workforce. Several contracts were awarded for the Liberty High School Baseball Field project, and the board ordered the cancellation of the 2026 school board election. Following a closed session, the board took action on various employment-related matters, including the renewal of contracts for administrators, counselors, and teachers, as well as the termination of specific probationary contracts.

The meeting commenced with the Superintendent giving the invocation and a Board member leading the Pledge of Allegiance. The Board recognized the Liberty High School cheerleaders for achieving 3rd place at the National High School Cheerleading Competition. During the Public Forum, a proposal was presented regarding recognition for high school students enlisting in military service. A mandatory TAPR Public Hearing was held, presenting the 2024-2025 School Year report detailing accountability ratings, student assessment results, and post-secondary indicators. Discussion items included an update on the approval of the 2025-2026 Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan and a construction update covering the LHS Veneer Project and concerns at the LES Annex 2 building. Action items included the approval of the January 2026 financial and operational reports (excluding the minutes of the previous meeting), approval of the Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Report, approval of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with entities including VU Scholarships, Inc., Stephen F. Austin State University, and Hull-Daisetta ISD for DAEP services. Further actions approved the 2026-2027 Academic Calendar, payment resolution for hourly employees during bad weather days, a plan to purchase buses with three-point seat belts, a Senate Bill 11 Declination Resolution, and designation of delivery methods (competitive sealed proposal or purchasing cooperative) for Packages A, B, and C of the LHS Baseball Field Project, along with associated scoring criteria. The Board subsequently moved into closed session to consult with legal counsel and discuss personnel matters before reconvening.

The meeting was called to order and included a review of action items. The primary business conducted was the consideration and approval of the Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Report, which was presented by Marino CPA Firm. No public forum comments were recorded.

The meeting commenced with establishing a quorum and included a celebration for School Board Appreciation Month, featuring a proclamation from the Justice of the Peace. Community members voiced concerns regarding the girls' and boys' basketball programs during the public forum. Discussion items involved a construction update highlighting improved productivity and agreement from the project designer to extend oversight inspections, and a detailed update on the natural grass baseball field design, specifying field dimensions, drainage plans, and dugout construction. Action items included the approval of the consent agenda, which covered various financial and operational reports for November and December 2025, as well as approvals for several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Lee College and Region 5 for a Teacher Certification Program. The Board also approved a modified schedule/state assessment testing day's waiver for the 2025-2026 school year, the delay of the Teacher Certification Plan and Application, the LMS Targeted Instruction Plan, an attendance waiver for specific dates due to health reasons, and the contract with GLS for Baseball Field Design. Furthermore, the Board approved an order calling a bond election and the Order of Election for the May 2, 2026 School Board election. Updates to the School Board Policy Manual were also approved. The session included a closed session to discuss legal matters, contract recommendations for personnel, the superintendent's contract, school security, and other statutory matters, reconvening to open session with no action taken as a result of the closed session deliberations before adjournment.

The meeting was called to order establishing a quorum. Following the opening procedures, which included an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, the Public Forum did not take place. The primary focus of the session was School Board Member Training, specifically a Legislative Update presented as part of the Team of 8 Training provided by personnel from Region 5 ESC.