Granbury School Board approves MOU for emergency transportation to Brownwood

The Granbury Independent School District (GISD) Board Meeting on April 21, 2025, focused on two significant topics: the approval of an emergency transportation memorandum and a discussion regarding potential changes to board election terms.

The board unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Lake Granbury Youth Services Center to provide emergency transportation for students in case of an emergency. This decision was prompted by a recent incident involving a fire in the facility's laundry room. The head of security expressed the need for a formal agreement to ensure that transportation resources, specifically two buses and drivers, would be available to evacuate students to Brownwood if necessary. The costs for this transportation will be borne by the youth services center.

In a separate discussion, board member Barbara Townsend raised the topic of changing the election terms for board members from three years to four years. She noted that most school districts in Texas hold elections in November and that a majority of those have four-year terms. Townsend argued that longer terms would enhance governance continuity, reduce election frequency, and ultimately save costs associated with conducting elections. Currently, GISD holds elections every year, costing approximately $50,000 annually.

The discussion revealed differing opinions among board members. Some supported the idea of four-year terms for the benefits of stability and reduced election costs, while others expressed concerns about potential lower voter turnout and accountability. Board member comments highlighted the importance of maintaining high voter engagement and ensuring diverse representation in school board elections. The board agreed to continue discussing this topic in future meetings, emphasizing the need for careful consideration before making any changes.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to student safety and efficient governance while navigating the complexities of electoral processes. Further discussions on the election term changes are expected as the board seeks to balance operational efficiency with community engagement.