[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6236530,"mediaKeyId","3355992-1b81c31894a8295c6c19b9ccfac4afcb","parentId",3355992,"title","Community member alleges retaliation after reporting disabilities violations; urges board to act","audioSeconds",93,"startMs",4685000,"endMs",4778000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3355992-1b81c31894a8295c6c19b9ccfac4afcb&start=4685&end=4778","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3355992-1b81c31894a8295c6c19b9ccfac4afcb/thumbnail_4685000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6236530/Texas/Community-member-alleges-retaliation-after-reporting-disabilities-violations-urges-board-to-act","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236530-99ea46c0792e22b759562179b240bc61/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173189&Signature=ONcSOyMjbiCuyLfWKcn5arh~h6NI9MHN8WDw6Q4X8MF8ZyZdjUAQb4xsj5eLcJH3ItL0JaDDqXy~BWUC-HI6mPBvoqzwO75XoCreKNjuFJMSvJMQ4heXLkSombGJXEe6VFKT~RwWdoYmSNZ8cGK9~hn-MbKI5O~Ym8Zgm9j3PrDyMFEku8TwOiWhnYF6HJWqHU-UJppa0yNT58~0dddnlakq3-QKigdNr2G3NOKVNPXSwnDUnW-XPyuX8zUKlI52NQBSlt3FXwovxStXwGaqDqhFzQMdCChUmKTx5-KqNdrEghffKpBlSyZoMi7ahci3Sh7rPuBdIO-qaSuWuc8Llg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Comal ISD","date","2025-05-16T12:42:35Z","article","Kevin Samuelson used his public‑comment time May 15 to allege that his wife experienced retaliation after reporting violations involving children with disabilities and to urge the board to support staff and families who raise concerns.

“You may do everything right. You may follow the rules, and still someone may try to silence you. Still, someone may try to punish you for telling the truth. That happened to my wife,” Samuelson said. He described her resignation from the district and subsequent employment challenges that he says followed complaints she had made.

Samuelson said he believes district leaders communicated with his wife’s new employer and that, “within days, her patients were removed, and she was let go, not because of anything she did wrong, but because she challenged bad leadership.” He described the experience as ongoing and warned the board that “silence enables corruption.”

Samuelson framed his remarks as a warning to students and families about the cost of speaking up and as a personal pledge to continue to raise the issue. He asked the board to remain vigilant and to protect children by supporting those who report concerns.

As with other public comments, trustees did not engage in a public back‑and‑forth during the meeting; the record indicates no follow‑up action was taken during open session. Samuelson’s statements are allegations; the transcript records his account but does not provide corroboration or a staff response in open session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Comal ISD Board of Trustees Meeting - May 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Kevin Samuelson told trustees his wife faced retaliation after reporting alleged violations involving children with disabilities and urged the board to prevent silence that 'enables corruption.' The board listened but did not respond during public comment.","taxTitle","COMAL ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14247,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6236535,"Resident tells Comal ISD board prayer at meetings is unconstitutional; calls district \"Christ‑centered\" practice exclusionary",121,4531000,4652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3355992-1b81c31894a8295c6c19b9ccfac4afcb&start=4531&end=4652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3355992-1b81c31894a8295c6c19b9ccfac4afcb/thumbnail_4531000.jpg","/articles/6236535/Texas/Resident-tells-Comal-ISD-board-prayer-at-meetings-is-unconstitutional-calls-district-Christcentered-practice-exclusionary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236535-0b9d4f2119c5c2567310ad7c7e88df27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173189&Signature=StiF93n6wAmRwm4UqazJQib6GZ~vQpFC1OPnP3D9KypPMFKciVaXrHOVxBnuPYeFV3sUmLn67N4wLVj9zW3SS1sZuJZSFTj1ajPXwQaQNUxBXAeMWg6fs6tBON~4EyNYYlBG3fNAIDtjQ-R4VsLQQqlAA7aFLIKBRKDcRKpTt8MIV6HDpw2KEWt0cEFG~Btbu7YGW~rtpy686lBYGWY5QsPIwkXq8fmY0WBEn~~oyiiHd2g5o9rDR4c5m8Dy7SH-NRffVVgDgkZzJTVKO0OcC12-tPRyMWHp41b3y~7QMjUCkTkCK18V~ZaQ1Edikdb1SAi-0~uTkb2-SjQNDXgGNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ben Thompson, a community member who addressed the board during the public‑comment period May 15, said the district’s practice of opening meetings with prayer is unconstitutional and exclusionary.

“Religious practices in this setting are unconstitutional,” Thompson said during his three‑minute comment. “This is a public school district, not a pulpit.”

Thompson told trustees he previously raised the issue and that he had discussed the matter privately with Superintendent Dr. Chapman and Board President Russ Garner. He also alleged that when he reported the issue to the district’s HR director, that official described Comal ISD as a “Christ‑centered district” and used the board’s invocation as an example. Thompson said continued practice of board prayer sends an exclusionary message and, in his view, violates the law.

Before addressing prayer, Thompson also urged the district to install recycling bins at all schools, saying other districts he has worked with provide classroom paper recycling and that Comal ISD could set an example for students.

The board did not respond to comments during the public‑comment period; its published rules state members will listen but not engage in debate or answer questions during that segment.

Thompson framed his remarks as both a legal concern and an appeal for inclusive practice; the board did not take formal action on the remarks during the meeting.","At public comment, resident Ben Thompson urged the board to stop opening meetings with prayer, calling the practice unconstitutional and alleging district leadership described the district as 'Christ‑centered.' He also urged recycling in schools.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6236539,"Comal ISD board approves 10‑cent increase to school meal prices for 2025‑26",141,6514000,6655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3355992-1b81c31894a8295c6c19b9ccfac4afcb&start=6514&end=6655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3355992-1b81c31894a8295c6c19b9ccfac4afcb/thumbnail_6514000.jpg","/articles/6236539/Texas/Comal-ISD-board-approves-10cent-increase-to-school-meal-prices-for-202526","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236539-50bfeb75f01685978cdc801d080ac6b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173189&Signature=PRiJOQIl3EKT4tg8Pf~JTv4RTTA9lAexeWcMPTpH3AVJaONd2Hll6B~H7kPcFEfw6B9koSr6TkliYEOWZ2q7SrOOrKTAAt9BcOuE61vLKZWm7ULHPECAXQNQlOUPaAVcl3aW9OO4Vgha9QBxf~9jRlDcd-hGUkuk4IWke9lLaexEpXi0i7LnSV8qouEmnwkE1Xo~m-qxUh07ZlPf09euMGj9uP3MjywP9gOgW1ugOR0v~2HC8TKDh3IyM4381vH6Cn3EmFjrGS4MMROOM3D~aDh1Ct7h2AzDmqVqhV-QuSQyuLgqtuHs0FYlhG4JyuMMve4gZS001q912wP5Bl38IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Comal ISD Board of Trustees voted 7–0 May 15 to increase student meal prices by 10 cents for the 2025–26 school year, a phased step district staff said is intended to move the food‑service program toward compliance with a USDA reimbursement formula.

“The USDA provides a formula for school districts to go by each year prior to setting breakfast and lunch prices,” Mr. Graham said during the presentation. He told the board the district’s current weighted price would require a 61‑cent increase to meet that formula but recommended spreading the change over multiple years.

Administrators recommended the following 2025–26 prices: student breakfast for grades PK–12 at $2.05; student lunch for grades PK–5 at $3.30; student lunch for grades 6–12 at $3.50; and a 20‑cent increase for adult meals. The board adopted the recommendation on a unanimous vote.

Trustee Tim Hennessy pressed for timing and compliance details. Mr. Graham said the district typically cannot increase paid meal prices faster than the program’s practical limits and that the district was recommending the 10‑cent step for 2025–26 with further review next year. “The district honestly can only go up 10¢ per year,” Graham said in response.

Trustees made the motion in open session; the motion passed 7–0. No additional funding sources, waivers or offsets were specified during the discussion.

Food‑service officials said the phased approach aims to avoid operating the meal program in a deficit while moving toward the reimbursement level required by federal guidance.","Trustees voted 7–0 to raise student breakfast and lunch prices by a phased 10 cents for 2025‑26 after a presentation explaining USDA reimbursement formulas and the district’s need to avoid a food-service deficit.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6236545,"Comal ISD authorizes superintendent to proceed on 42‑acre Timberman tract",34,20350000,20384000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3355992-1b81c31894a8295c6c19b9ccfac4afcb&start=20350&end=20384","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3355992-1b81c31894a8295c6c19b9ccfac4afcb/thumbnail_20350000.jpg","/articles/6236545/Texas/Comal-ISD-authorizes-superintendent-to-proceed-on-42acre-Timberman-tract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236545-e14f4118dcb5c82a457e0a10a9dd46a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173189&Signature=cyjCUX-XQER7kXvA5eLbJEutOFJe7XRfXWSW7owRkd-S8FdBNbR6F8mjqKU1JUblw~vJs018B2wgmrpmfUQBYAdMpUvcvaK8K8XkjDq2WufMMkOpym9ekj~WYjxF6pgl4Vy3dsBbooH0S9f3V68Py94IfLDdwYl5aEI~YORhuTu9XHfBPO5Rf2-WN6dUSrab0tbuQTC~lYf-i5ryCxwtBWPN10WpgIrTiIdegO6mlfgE8xx8Z8aklmX2RlE52lBLVdaHDA1nu~VbVUxE-79vQGpMNuQo~tqiHh4mlDfNiCdY0Daypst7sTAKu2r9uH-390J70nGC8ABnV38INSpqKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Comal ISD Board of Trustees on May 15 authorized the superintendent to proceed as discussed in closed session regarding a 42‑acre parcel described in the agenda as the Timberman Tract.

“ I move that the board authorize the superintendent to proceed as discussed in closed session as presented,” Trustee Tim Hennessy said when he offered the motion. The motion carried 7–0.

The board had listed the item under purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property and cited Texas Government Code provisions that permit closed‑session deliberation on real‑estate matters. No purchase price, contract terms or other transactional details were stated in open session.

Board President Russ Garner called the roll for the vote and announced the motion carried with seven votes in favor and none opposed. The superintendent was authorized to move forward according to the direction given in closed session; the board did not disclose further details in open session.

Because the matter involved real property and was discussed in closed session under state law, additional information may be released later if the board votes to do so or as legal requirements allow.","After closed-session deliberations, the board voted unanimously to authorize the superintendent to proceed as discussed in closed session regarding the 42‑acre Timberman tract; no purchase terms were disclosed in open session.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6236550,"Comal ISD presents intruder detection audit update; staff training and corrective plan cited",71,6341000,6412000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3355992-1b81c31894a8295c6c19b9ccfac4afcb&start=6341&end=6412","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3355992-1b81c31894a8295c6c19b9ccfac4afcb/thumbnail_6341000.jpg","/articles/6236550/Texas/Comal-ISD-presents-intruder-detection-audit-update-staff-training-and-corrective-plan-cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236550-4fc19c97f8384c7bad24d5e05ac14847/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173189&Signature=OXHbJ-MHwqBlkqP01ftP4ca-xo~~Ns-S8XPYCeoO-VZlo6Hm5tU5SUONghHqonjQZ1~5UKk5HlOMdREOQ59bDlziWbTzY5mh2SlIwKgDKbvWnznlw1K3xDZ8EypC7pbT2B444XgmUiJpHm4gOukq5vuDDEMChNggwvXoUYhYVPWgRRA9ZlRPbXASg8xnxyUFO3VlR4TGrEaXJZzXjt8CGxvzpfRkwnk8QIhbQcgjkFv6bCynzPH3H2KO3zfoMTzUAjv8tdG2zZe46xmtjb5et1hlPIWsFan4JI4EqtaOBW9G0-U9svk4HII-JjikAXJCGEuN0HCuzWPHliZrfrgLtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Comal ISD Board of Trustees received an update May 15 on intruder detection audits conducted by the Texas Education Agency and the district’s corrective actions.

“My purpose tonight is to provide an update of the intruder detection audit and a summary of Comal ISD compliance of corrective actions,” said Mr. De La Rosa, who presented the report. He told the board TEA began intruder detection audits in June 2022 and that TEA has completed audits at 35 campuses in the district.

De La Rosa said the district’s corrective measures include in-person training for campus staff stressing that exterior doors be closed, locked and latched; a comprehensive plan of action to improve school safety procedures; and prioritizing maintenance work orders for exterior doors. He said the findings and corrective actions will be reviewed by the district’s school safety and security committee on June 26, 2025.

The presentation also noted that specific audit findings cannot be discussed in open session under TEA guidance. “Specific details of the findings are prohibited from being discussed in open session,” De La Rosa said.

Board President Russ Garner thanked De La Rosa and his team for following up on the audit work.

The update was informational; the board did not take formal action in open session. Additional details will be provided in closed session and to the safety committee per the timeline De La Rosa gave.

The district framed the report as part of ongoing safety work that includes both short-term fixes — training and targeted maintenance — and committee-level review to monitor implementation.","District staff reported results of TEA intruder detection audits and described corrective actions including in-person training, a prioritized maintenance plan, and an upcoming review by the district safety committee; specific audit details were withheld from open session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Community member alleges retaliation after reporting disabilities violations; urges board to act

Resident tells Comal ISD board prayer at meetings is unconstitutional; calls district "Christ‑centered" practice exclusionary

Comal ISD board approves 10‑cent increase to school meal prices for 2025‑26

Comal ISD authorizes superintendent to proceed on 42‑acre Timberman tract

Comal ISD presents intruder detection audit update; staff training and corrective plan cited