Northside ISD trustees approve election orders, employee-pay resolution and contingent-fee legal agreements

The Northside ISD Board of Trustees at a Feb. 11 called meeting approved several items affecting the district’s upcoming trustee election, employee pay following a weather-related closure and the hiring of outside legal counsel on a contingent‑fee basis.

The board approved an order for the May 3, 2025 trustee election for single-member districts, with an amendment allowing uncontested races to be excluded from the order “if permitted by law.” Trustee Freeman moved the motion and Trustee Salcedo seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote. The district staff said the filing deadline for candidates is Feb. 14 and that the administration will confirm with the elections office whether removing uncontested contests from the ballot would save money.

Trustees also adopted a resolution to hold a mandatory joint election with the county and city for the May 3 trustee election. The resolution was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; trustees instructed staff to finalize election‑service arrangements and the district is awaiting the official contract with the elections office.

The board approved a resolution preserving pay for employees for the day the district closed because of severe weather on Jan. 21. The resolution, presented as consistent with district policy, applies to all employees including hourly staff; trustees said the measure prevents payroll deductions or garnishments for that closure day.

Trustees approved adding a nonvoting trustee representative to the PTA council and appointed President Bobby Blunt as the board’s interim representative for April and May, until post‑election reorganization. The board said the PTA council requested the change and that the district’s representative would serve in a nonvoting, advisory capacity. A member abstained from the interim appointment vote (name not specified on the record).

In open session after a closed meeting, the board approved a resolution permitting a contingent‑fee legal services contract and moved to adopt contingent‑fee agreements with Thompson & Norton LLP, Eland & Bonin PC, and Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo, PC. The motion included a request for expedited review by the Texas attorney general; trustees approved the agreements by voice vote.

What trustees said and next steps - On the election order, trustees asked staff to confirm whether the election code requires uncontested races to appear on ballots and to report potential cost savings to the board. - On the PTA representative item, trustees said the role will be nonvoting and that the president’s interim appointment will be included in the full slate of committee and representative appointments at the May reorganization meeting. - On contingent‑fee counsel, trustees did not discuss contract terms in detail in open session; the board approved the resolution and agreements and requested expedited AG review as noted.

Actions at a glance - Election order for May 3, 2025 (single-member districts): moved by Trustee Freeman; seconded by Trustee Salcedo; passed (voice vote). Administration to confirm elections office rules on uncontested races and cost implications. Filing deadline Feb. 14. - Resolution for joint election services (mandatory joint election with county/city): motion moved and seconded; passed (voice vote). District awaiting official contract with elections office. - Resolution preserving employee pay for Jan. 21 closure: motion moved and seconded; passed (voice vote). Applies to all employees including hourly staff. - Addition of a nonvoting trustee representative to PTA council: motion moved and seconded; passed (voice vote). Interim appointment of President Bobby Blunt for April–May approved; one abstention on the appointment (name not specified). - Resolution approving contingent‑fee legal services contract and adoption of contingent‑fee agreements with Thompson & Norton LLP, Eland & Bonin PC, Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo PC: motions moved and seconded; passed (voice vote). Board requested expedited Texas Attorney General review.

Background The board called the meeting to meet election‑timeline deadlines for the May 3 trustee election. Trustees emphasized the need to complete election orders and service agreements promptly to meet the district’s schedule for candidate filing and ballot preparation. The contingent‑fee legal contracts were considered in closed session and approved in open session as required by law.

Ending Board members said staff will follow up with the elections office about uncontested races and confirm contract details related to joint election services and the contingent‑fee agreements. No dollar amounts for the legal agreements or projected election cost savings were provided in the public discussion.