Southwest ISD board approves reroof, furniture, safety radios, stipends and scholarships

The Southwest ISD Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to approve multiple contracts and budget items, including a $1,144,512 contract to reroof McNair Middle School, new classroom furniture for Bob Hope Elementary, and districtwide radio repeaters intended to improve staff communications.

Board members also approved a district stipend list for 2025–26 intended to reduce recurring costs, a resolution to maintain wages for employees affected by a half‑day school closure for Southwest High School, and the Southwest ISD Scholarship Committee's recommended awards for graduating students.

The motion to uphold a level‑2 decision on a level‑3 parent grievance was approved in open session after a closed‑session review. The board subsequently approved its consent agenda and the series of purchase and contract recommendations presented by staff.

Votes at a glance

- Level‑3 parent grievance: Motion to uphold the level‑2 decision — motion passed. - McNair Middle School reroofing: Award Brazos Urethane Incorporated, contract amount $1,144,512; funded by 2023 bond funds — motion passed. - Bob Hope Elementary furniture replacement: Award JR Incorporated, amount not to exceed $173,287; funded by 2023 bond funds — motion passed. - District radio repeaters: Purchase and installation recommended at $171,778.64; funding from SAFE (Safety and Facilities Enhancement) grant Cycle 1 — motion passed (vendor name recorded in presentations with inconsistent spellings; contract award approved as presented). - Insurance agent contract RQ2425‑120: Award Frost Insurance (one‑year with up to four one‑year renewals) — motion passed. - 2025–26 stipend list: Board approved recommended stipend adjustments aimed at reducing the district deficit — motion passed. - Resolution on wages for half‑day Southwest High School closing: Board approved resolution to continue pay for affected staff for the full day — motion passed. - Southwest ISD Scholarship Committee recommendations: Approved distribution plan including two vehicle awards (tax/title/license payment limit) and 25 self‑reporting $500 scholarships; committee reported 186 eligible students — motion passed. - Carl Turner Equipment alignment rack: Purchase not to exceed $75,000 from CTE funds to support Southwest Legacy automotive program — motion passed. - Aircraft materials for CTE: Purchase from Aviation Nation Incorporated not to exceed $130,000 from CTE grant funds — motion passed. - 2025–26 secondary new courses (CTE and others): Approved new course additions and coding updates as presented — motion passed.

Board materials and staff presentations showed the items were vetted through district procurement and budget committees; funding sources for the larger facilities projects were specified as 2023 bond funds, while radio equipment was identified as funded by a SAFE cycle 1 grant and CTE items by CTE/CTE grant funds.

Several presenters noted technical details: the McNair roof scope is a foam overlay system with a 20‑year warranty; Bob Hope furniture replaces non‑fixed classroom furniture; the radio work involves adding multiple repeaters to address interior coverage gaps. The scholarship committee reported there are 186 qualifying students districtwide and a remaining scholarship fund balance referenced by staff.

Board members asked clarifying questions about vendor proposals and repeaters during the discussion. Several items were moved and seconded in open session and approved by voice vote; meeting minutes record the motions as passed.

The board packet included additional items passed on the consent agenda; staff indicated those items had been supplied to trustees in advance.