Grapevine-Colleyville ISD board denies parent grievance, rejects appellate settlement offer; both votes 7-0
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Summary
The Grapevine‑Colleyville ISD Board of Trustees voted 7-0 on April 14 to deny a Level 3 grievance filed by a parent and separately to reject an appellate settlement offer in the Whitfield case after hearings and attorney consultations held in closed session.
The Grapevine‑Colleyville Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously April 14 to deny a Level 3 grievance filed by a parent and, following a second closed-session review, to reject an appellate settlement offer in a pending lawsuit.
The board moved into closed session under Texas Government Code chapter 551 to hear the Level 3 grievance and to consult with its attorney. After reconvening in open session, Trustee A.J. Pontello moved “to deny the grievance as presented,” and Trustee Humphrey seconded. By a show of hands the motion passed 7-0. President Brown announced: “Motion passes 7 0. The board has voted to deny the grievance filed by Mrs. Katie Reap. And Mrs. Reap, you will receive written confirmation of this decision.”
Later the board again met in closed session under Texas Government Code sections 551.071 and 551.074 to consult with counsel about appellate settlement negotiations in cause number 02‑24‑00550, James Whitfield v. Grapevine‑Colleyville Independent School District and Tammy Nakamura. When the board returned to open session it voted 7-0 to reject the settlement offer as communicated by board counsel; the motion was seconded by Trustee A.J. Pontello and the minutes record the board’s direction that counsel respond accordingly.
Board attorney Tim Davis was identified in the meeting as the attorney available for private consultation before both hearings. Trustees followed the board’s stated practice of taking any final action in open session after closed-session consultation.
No additional terms of the disputed settlement or reasons for rejection were announced at the meeting; the board recorded only the motions, seconds and 7-0 tallies. The district will send written confirmation of the grievance decision to the parent who filed the Level 3 appeal. Texas law requires that any official action on matters discussed in closed session be taken in open session, and the board cited that requirement at the meeting.
The meeting began at 8:30 a.m. and adjourned at 11:23 a.m.