Board approves instructional materials certification, MOUs, donations and lease; personnel actions moved in closed session

UVALDE, Texas — At its regular meeting the Uvalde CISD board of trustees voted unanimously on several business items: certification of instructional materials, acceptance of multiple donations, memoranda of understanding with partners, and a long‑term lease for a small parcel of district property to support fiber infrastructure. The board also approved personnel employment and other human‑resources actions after a closed session.

Actions voted at the meeting

- Certification of provision of instructional materials: Trustees approved the annual certification that adopted instructional materials align with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and that the district complies with the Children’s Internet Protection Act for instructional resources. Motion language: “I make a motion that we approve the submission of the certification of provision of instructional materials as presented.” Motion by Trustee Suarez; seconded by Trustee Canelius. Vote: unanimous.

- School design approvals (Batesville and Morales): The board approved school design plans and performance agreements to support P‑20/P‑TECH redesign and to seek TEA implementation grants (covered in a separate article). Motion by Trustee Rizzo; seconded by Trustee Suarez. Vote: unanimous.

- Memorandum of Understanding with Uvalde County (radios): The board approved an MOU to accept 35 emergency radios and accessories (no local fiscal impact); the radios come through a county grant. Motion by Trustee Suarez; second by Trustee Perez. Vote: unanimous.

- Donations: The board accepted donations including $155,000 from H‑E‑B to support student leadership, food pantry operations and the band program (about $50,000 of that earmarked for band instruments), and $7,600 from Motivate Our Students Texas to offset field‑trip scheduling costs. Motion and second recorded; vote: unanimous.

- Partnership MOU with Texas A&M University–San Antonio: Trustees approved a memorandum allowing TAMUSA to fund one graduate course for up to 10 district employees; the district agreed to provide an annual substitute day per enrolled staff member (estimated local cost ~$2,400 if fully subscribed). Motion by Trustee Suarez; seconded by Trustee Perez. Vote: unanimous.

- Lease agreement with Vero (fiber provider): Trustees authorized the superintendent to finalize a lease of small district parcels (about 300 sq. ft. pads) at three possible sites to host fiber equipment. Attorneys reviewed negotiated terms and the district expects annual rent in the low thousands; additional partner benefits discussed included reduced‑cost connectivity opportunities and resiliency planning for district fiber. Motion by Trustee Suarez; seconded by Trustee Quinones. Vote: unanimous.

- Personnel actions (closed session): After a closed session under Texas Government Code §551.071 and §551.074 the board took formal action to approve personnel employment, assignments, suspensions or terminations as discussed. Motion to approve those personnel items was made by Trustee Gonzalez and seconded by Trustee Rizzo; vote: unanimous. The district did not disclose individual personnel details in open session.

Why it matters: The packet of approvals clears the way for immediate operational steps: instructional materials certification enables curriculum purchases and alignment work; donations add near‑term funds for student programs; the P‑20 approvals open access to TEA implementation funding; the Vero lease supports broadband expansion and network resiliency; and personnel approvals finalize staffing decisions discussed in closed session.

Ending: Several items will require follow‑up: (1) formal submission of TEA plans and grant paperwork, (2) scheduling of implementation activities tied to donations and grants, and (3) execution of the Vero lease and coordination between district IT staff and the provider.