Galena Park ISD Board adopts policy updates, approves stadium scoreboard and joint election; lease amendment passes with one abstention

The Galena Park Independent School District Board of Trustees approved multiple policy changes, vendor contracts and administrative actions at a regular meeting in March 2025, including adoption of a TASB policy manual update, revisions to the district's class-rank policy, authorization of a joint election with Jacinto City for May 3, 2025, and purchases for stadium and natatorium video scoreboards.

The actions follow a closed executive session in which the board voted to approve the employment of contractual personnel. Trustee Adrienne Stevens made the motion to approve the employment of contractual personnel; it was seconded by Trustee Amanda Arabia and carried 6-0, according to the meeting record.

Why it matters: Several of the approvals involve district policy and capital spending that affect operations, facilities and upcoming elections. The scoreboard purchases total approximately $880,000 and the lease amendment affects use of district facilities by a community organization.

Most important actions and details

- Policy updates: The board approved the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Localized Policy Manual Update 124 at first and final reading. Trustee Adrienne Stevens moved the motion and Trustee Ramon Garza seconded it; the motion carried 6-0 with 0 abstentions.

- Class-rank policy: The board approved revisions to district policy EIC (Local) concerning academic achievement and class rank. Trustee Jose Jimenez moved the motion; Trustee Amanda Arabia seconded it. The motion carried 6-0 with 0 abstentions.

- Joint election interlocal agreement: The board approved an interlocal cooperation agreement with Jacinto City to conduct a joint election under the Texas Election Code and Texas Education Code, set for May 3, 2025. Trustee Jose Jimenez moved the approval; Trustee Amanda Arabia seconded; the motion carried 6-0 with 0 abstentions.

- North Shore Little League lease amendment: The board approved the second amendment to the North Shore Little League lease effective March 10, 2025; the motion was moved by Trustee Ramon Garza and seconded by Trustee Adrienne Stevens. The motion carried 5-0 with 1 abstention.

- Scoreboards and contracts: The board approved replacement of the video display scoreboard at the Galena Park ISD stadium via NEFCO under board contract number 678-22 for an estimated amount of $800,000. Trustee Amanda Arabia moved the motion; Trustee Jose Jimenez seconded it and the motion carried. The board also approved a video display scoreboard replacement at the Galena Park ISD natatorium via Daktronics under board contract number 665-22 for an estimated amount of $80,000; Trustee Adrienne Stevens moved the motion and Trustee Jose Jimenez seconded it. The motion carried 6-0 with 0 abstentions.

- Consent agendas and other housekeeping: The board approved the general consent agenda and the financial consent agenda (motions moved and seconded; votes recorded as carried). A facilities and bond program update for the 2016 and 2024 bond programs was presented by the district's Director of Facility Planning and Construction; the board received the update and took no additional action.

Votes at a glance

- Employment of contractual personnel: Moved by Trustee Adrienne Stevens; seconded by Trustee Amanda Arabia. Outcome: approved, 6-0, 0 abstentions.

- TASB Localized Policy Manual Update 124 (additions/revisions/deletions): Moved by Trustee Adrienne Stevens; seconded by Trustee Ramon Garza. Outcome: approved, 6-0, 0 abstentions.

- District policy EIC (Local) academic achievement/class rank (revisions): Moved by Trustee Jose Jimenez; seconded by Trustee Amanda Arabia. Outcome: approved, 6-0, 0 abstentions.

- Interlocal cooperation agreement for joint elections with Jacinto City (for May 3, 2025): Moved by Trustee Jose Jimenez; seconded by Trustee Amanda Arabia. Outcome: approved, 6-0, 0 abstentions.

- Second amendment to North Shore Little League lease (effective March 10, 2025): Moved by Trustee Ramon Garza; seconded by Trustee Adrienne Stevens. Outcome: approved, 5-0, 1 abstention.

- Video display scoreboard replacement at Galena Park ISD Stadium (NEFCO, board contract 678-22): Moved by Trustee Amanda Arabia; seconded by Trustee Jose Jimenez. Estimated amount: $800,000. Outcome: approved (vote recorded as carried).

- Video display scoreboard replacement at Galena Park ISD Natatorium (Daktronics, board contract 665-22): Moved by Trustee Adrienne Stevens; seconded by Trustee Jose Jimenez. Estimated amount: $80,000. Outcome: approved, 6-0, 0 abstentions.

- General consent agenda: Moved by Linda Sherrard; seconded by Amanda Arabia. Outcome: approved, 6-0, 0 abstentions.

- Financial consent agenda: Moved by Adrienne Stevens. Outcome: approved (motion carried; no dissent recorded).

Discussion and context

Board members followed standard procedures for first-and-final readings where noted. Several items were presented with no extended public debate recorded in the minutes. The stadium scoreboard purchase and natatorium scoreboard purchase were presented as contract awards under existing board contracts (678-22 and 665-22) with estimated costs provided in the meeting record. The North Shore Little League lease amendment was identified as the second amendment and retains unspecified terms not changed by the amendment.

A facilities and bond program update for the 2016 and 2024 bond programs was presented by Director of Facility Planning and Construction Ed Martier; the board received the update but took no additional action at the meeting.

Ceremonial items

The district recognized campus principals, staff involved in the district's energy-efficiency efforts and several counselors and programs. CenterPoint Energy representatives presented an incentive check to the district for participation in the utility's commercial load management program; the presentation was ceremonial and did not require board action.

What's next

Several of the approved items have operational follow-ups: procurement/contract administration for the scoreboard installations, execution of the interlocal agreement for the May 3, 2025 election, and administrative steps related to the approved contractual personnel. The district record lists financial reports and bond program financial reports as presented for information.

Ending note: The board adjourned at 6:50 p.m.