Melanie Chambless

The key discussions and actions during the meeting included a public review of the 2024-2025 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR). The Board considered and voted on several items: declining to provide or retrofit buses for seat belts; approving Workers Compensation Insurance; approving a TEA Application for Delay of Teacher Certification Requirements; approving the change of grading periods from six to nine weeks; approving a resolution to compensate hourly employees for a snow day closure on January 26, 2026; adopting the statutory resolution regarding SB 11 concerning school prayer and religious text reading; approving the 2026-2027 GISD Academic Calendar; approving the rescheduling of the March School Board Meeting due to Spring Break; approving Amendment #1 to the Design-Build Agreement with Weaver & Jacobs Constructors, Inc.; authorizing the Superintendent to dispose of one out-of-service Suburban; approving the purchase of a new SUV; and approving the Consent Agenda items, including purchase orders and donations. A closed session was held to discuss personnel updates, including administrator contracts, and the implementation of security devices (approving Guardian). Legal counsel consultation regarding a claim against Ideal Impact also occurred.

The board discussed and approved moving a scheduled meeting date, adopted the Local Improvement Plan for the elementary and junior high schools, and passed revisions to local policies resulting from statutory resolutions. A motion to declare an energy services contract void was tabled. Furthermore, the board accepted multiple staff resignations and retirements, and approved various one-year term and probationary contracts for professional staff across the district for the upcoming school year.

The meeting included tribe celebrations from elementary, junior high and high school. The FIRST report was presented. Updates were provided on the Design-Build Remediation of the Elementary and Secondary Schools and Facilities Assessment and Bond Planning Services. The board considered and tabled the approval of the independent audit until the December meeting. The board approved rekeying all doors in the district, a resolution to compensate hourly employees who were unable to work the day the District was closed due to the State Marching Band Championship, and the consent agenda. A closed session was held for personnel updates, security devices or personnel, and consultation with legal counsel regarding a legal claim and potential litigation. The planning calendar was reviewed.

The meeting addressed several key areas, including a presentation by the President of Wharton County Junior College regarding the partnership between Ganado ISD and the college. Nominations for a vacant Trustee position were considered, resulting in the appointment of Matthew Bures. The board also approved campus and district improvement plans, along with GISD Board and Superintendent Goals for the 2025-2026 school year, and an ESL Waiver. Additionally, the consent agenda was approved, covering reports, bills, investment reports, purchase orders, donations, minutes from a previous meeting, and library books for purchase. A closed session was held to discuss personnel matters and security measures, followed by the acceptance of a teacher/coach's resignation in open session.

The meeting included Tribe Celebrations, Superintendent's Report, and Administrator Reports. The board considered and took action to adopt an order authorizing the defeasance and redemption of certain outstanding obligations of the district. They also approved an agreement for the purchase of attendance credit and delegated contractual authority to the Superintendent. The 2025-2026 tax rate was set, and unemployment insurance was approved. MCLASS and IXL were approved as reading and math instruments, respectively. Policies related to instructional resources, admissions, student activities, and student conduct were reviewed and approved. Additionally, an independent design professional was approved for the design-build remediation of the Elementary and Secondary Schools, and the 2025-2026 Student Code of Conduct and Appraisal Calendar & Appraisers were approved. The board discussed the recently released 2023-24 and 2024-25 Accountability Rankings and approved amending the 2025-26 Compensation Plan. The consent agenda, including reports, bills, investment reports, purchase orders, donations, and minutes of the previous meeting, was approved. The board also discussed personnel updates, security devices, security personnel, and a resolution regarding a Good Cause Exception for Safety Requirements in a closed session. After reconvening, they approved the hiring of a new Elementary PE Coach and a resolution regarding a Good Cause Exception for Safety Requirements. The next Regular School Board Meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, September 17.