Votes at a glance: Pearland ISD board approves personnel actions, additional hires, budget amendment and nominates superintendent for TASB award

The Pearland ISD Board of Trustees took multiple formal actions at its April 8, 2025 meeting. All recorded votes below carried unanimously by a 6–0 margin with one trustee absent (minutes record one trustee absent for illness). Where the transcript did not provide a full motion text or full vote roll call, the item is summarized from the board’s stated motion and result.

1) Employment recommendations — approved Motion: "Accept and approve the superintendent's recommendation for employment of personnel as presented." (motion by Trustee Scheffler; second by Trustee Francis) Outcome: Approved 6–0 (one absence). Notes: Typical personnel employment approvals for district hires; the board recorded no further discussion in open session.

2) Contract renewals for district and campus educators — approved as amended Motion: "Accept and approve the superintendent's recommendation for the contract renewal of district and campus educators as amended." (mover: Trustee Scheffler; second: Trustee Carter) Outcome: Approved 6–0 (one absence). Notes: Recorded as an amended renewal; board discussion not detailed in open minutes.

3) Finding of abandonment for teacher Anthony McKay (statutory finding) — approved Motion: The board voted to issue a finding under Texas Education Code §21.210(c)(2) and 19 TAC §249.14(g) that good cause did not exist for Anthony McKay, a dual‑probationary contract teacher, to abandon his employment contract and position with Pearland ISD. (mover: Trustee Scheffler) Outcome: Approved 6–0 (one absence).

4) Authorization to request sanction from TEA — approved Motion: The board authorized the board president to send a letter to the Texas Education Agency Educator Certification Division seeking sanction of dual probationary contract teacher Anthony McKay for abandonment of his employment contract. (mover: Trustee Scheffler; second: Trustee Francis) Outcome: Approved 6–0 (one absence).

5) Consent agenda — approved Motion: "Approve the consent agenda as presented." (mover: Trustee Scheffler; second: Trustee Francis) Outcome: Approved 6–0 (one absence). Notes: Consent items were not pulled for discussion and were approved in a single motion.

6) Additional personnel for 2025–26 school year — approved Motion: Board approved recommended additional personnel positions for 2025–26, presented by district staff. The packet and presentation listed additions including 8.5 classroom teacher FTEs, two Title I instructional coaches (funded by Title I), one general‑operating instructional coach (new GO‑funded position), one CNI specialist (renamed/inactivated position for transparency), and one special programs aide (new). The presentation also listed inactivated positions corresponding to the reclassification. Mover/Second: Motion by Trustee Scheffler; second by Trustee Francis Outcome: Approved 6–0 (one absence). Notes: Title I positions paid from federal Title funds; staff said the GO instructional coach is a new general‑fund position.

7) Nomination of Dr. Larry Berger for TASB Superintendent of the Year — approved Motion: Approve the resolution nominating Dr. Larry Berger for the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Superintendent of the Year award. (mover: Trustee Carter; second: Trustee Francis) Outcome: Approved 6–0 (one absence). Notes: The nomination was accompanied by a public testimonial from a community speaker praising Berger’s leadership.

8) Fiscal year 2024–25 budget amendment — approved Motion: Approve the fiscal year 2024–25 budget amendment presented by business services. The amendment reflected state settle‑ups and enrollment true‑ups and showed a projected surplus on the amended FY24–25 budget (district staff characterized the projected surplus as approximately $10 million in the presentation materials). Mover/Second: Motion by Trustee Murphy; second by Trustee Scheffler Outcome: Approved 6–0 (one absence). Notes: The board’s finance presentation earlier in the meeting provided context about projected revenues and upcoming decisions for the 2025–26 budget.

Ending: The board recessed to executive session twice during the meeting; minutes record no action taken in closed session. All open‑session votes listed above were taken after the meeting reconvened in public session and recorded as unanimous with one absence.