EPISD trustees approve Memorial Junior High HVAC contract, new officiating course and internet service; form facilities improvement committee

EAGLE PASS ISD trustees approved multiple formal actions at the district’s Feb. 11, 2025, regular meeting, including procurement for a Memorial Junior High HVAC upgrade, the creation of a semester-long team-sport officiating course for high school students, acceptance of E-Rate RFP results for internet service, and the formation of a community facilities-improvement committee. The board also authorized hiring personnel in closed session.

Key votes and outcomes

1) Memorial Junior High HVAC upgrade — approved Motion: "Approve the interlocal purchasing cooperative method, the purchase of HVAC products, installation, labor based solutions, and related products and services from E 3 Integral Solutions Inc., pursuant to interlocal purchasing system contract 210205 for Memorial Junior High HVAC upgrade and to amend the budget accordingly." (language from agenda) Mover: Trustee Christopher Hiller. Second: Trustee Tom Gonzalez. Outcome: Motion passed; no recorded opposition. Notes: The agenda item cited procurement via the interlocal cooperative and a budget amendment to include project-related matters; the transcript did not state the contract award amount.

2) Innovative course — "Team Sport Officiating" — approved Motion: Approve the district offering an innovative course titled Team Sport Officiating to provide students a semester-long elective that prepares them for sport-officiating certification. Mover: Trustee Morris Lipson. Second: Trustee Barrera. Outcome: Motion passed; no recorded opposition. Details: Administrators said the course would be offered at both Eagle Pass High School and C. C. Wynne High School, would be a semester-long elective beginning with the 2025–26 school year (district presenters said the course would begin in August), and would prepare students to pursue certification through the Texas Association of Sports Officials. District staff said a state-certified physical-education teacher would deliver course content and TASO representatives would provide sport-specific certification materials. Sports identified included basketball, football, volleyball, softball, baseball and soccer.

3) E-Rate RFP 250001245 — internet service — accepted Motion: Accept the E-Rate RFP number 250001245 for internet service. Mover: Trustee Christopher Hiller. Second: Trustee Hilda P. Martinez. Outcome: Motion passed; no recorded opposition. Details: District staff said the recommended provider is EM3 Networks, a subcontractor of AT&T, and that the E-Rate funding model for the upcoming cycle is expected to cover 80% of eligible costs under the district’s current application (an "eighty-twenty" reimbursement); staff noted that the discount rate can vary by program year and by the district’s eligibility and that some E-Rate scenarios can reach higher discounts for qualifying applicants.

4) Facilities improvement committee — established Motion: Establish a facilities improvement committee composed of community members and EPISD administrators. Mover: Trustee Hilda P. Martinez. Second: Trustee Tom Gonzalez. Outcome: Motion passed; no recorded opposition. Details: Trustees discussed selecting two community members per board member and including district administrators and principals; one board member said the committee should provide a cross-section of the community and emphasized the need to plan for future facilities given rising construction costs.

Other actions and closed session - Consent agenda items 1–4 were approved without recorded opposition. - In closed session the board approved hiring personnel to fill vacancies pursuant to Texas Government Code section 551.074; Trustee Jorge Herrera moved and Trustee Christopher Hiller seconded the motion; the board announced the motion passed unanimously on return to open session. - The board reported the level-3 grievance appeal of George Frijas received no motion for further action.

What the approvals mean The Memorial Junior High HVAC action moves that project forward under an interlocal purchasing cooperative; the innovative-course approval creates an elective intended to expand vocational and extracurricular pathways for students by preparing them for officiating work and potential pay; acceptance of the E-Rate recommendation locks in a recommended internet-service provider subject to final contracting; and the facilities committee begins district-level planning for possible bond or funding options. The board did not provide contract amounts for the Memorial Junior High HVAC award during the meeting transcript.