Pearland ISD board approves 2025–26 calendar, insurance renewal and budget amendment; extends superintendent contract

The Pearland Independent School District Board of Trustees on Jan. 14, 2025, approved the districtinstructional calendar for 202526ndash;26, renewed a casualty insurance contract, passed a revenue budget amendment increasing projected fund balance, approved personnel actions, and extended Superintendent Dr. Larry Bergercontract through June 30, 2028.

The 7-member board met in open session at 5 p.m. and returned from a closed session at 8:39 p.m. Board leadership said the meeting notice complied with the Texas Open Meetings Act. All formal motions voted on in open session passed unanimously, 7to0.

The board first approved the districtinstructional calendar for the 202526ndash;26 school year. District administrators said the calendar was developed by a district advisory calendar committee that considered an academic-first framework and community input; campus-level votes favored the approved option. "That is something this board, through their wisdom, put into place, and we continue to follow that," Superintendent Dr. Larry Berger said during the discussion. The board voted 7to0 to adopt the calendar.

Administrators noted a scheduling change tied to regional sports events: because the 2026 World Cup will use NRG Stadium, Pearland ISD will hold 2026 graduations at Pearland ISD Stadium rather than NRG, and the district will publish logistics once dates are finalized.

The board also approved renewal of RFP 23-1 for casualty insurance through TASB for $367,613. Dr. Berger and staff explained the renewal covers automobile, general, educator liability and cyber coverages and represents an increase of $28,897 from the prior year. Business services staff attributed the rise in part to a higher-than-average auto liability loss ratio and higher replacement costs for newer vehicles. The motion to renew the contract passed 7to0.

Trustees next approved Fiscal Year 202425 budget amendment No. 5, a revenue-only amendment that the district said increases available resources by roughly $8.1 million. Chief Financial Officer Tu Pham and Dr. Berger described several drivers of the change: higher-than-projected student enrollment and attendance (ADA rose from a budget projection of 95.8% to 96.3%), lower-than-anticipated student departures to a charter referenced in the materials (identified in the meeting as "IL, Texas"), and an unexpected $4.0 million increase in a state-distributed ASF fund allocation above the districtprojection. Those factors, plus year-end budget closings, resulted in the $8.1 million revenue amendment and a short-term stated surplus position of about $10 million that administrators said they expect will likely settle nearer to $7.5—to$8.0 million after outstanding expenditure adjustments. The board approved the budget amendment for the general fund, debt service fund and food service fund, 7to0.

The board returned from closed session and approved employment recommendations presented by the superintendent and later voted to extend Dr. Larry Bergersuperintendent contract with the effective term of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. Trustee Sheffler moved the contract extension; Trustee Francis seconded. "We very much appreciate you and your hard work," the board president said in remarks accompanying the motion. The extension passed 7to0.

Before the formal business, trustees recognized student and extracurricular achievements. Members of the GT Academy and student speakers thanked the board for support of gifted-and-talented programming. GT Academy student Justin Hirsch said, "On behalf of everyone at the GT Academy, we would like to thank you for your unwavering support in us." A Pearland ISD Special Olympics bowling team and the Alexander Middle School pep squad also were recognized by the board.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: motion by Trustee Murphy, second by Trustee Sheffler; outcome: approved, 7-0. - 202526ndash;26 instructional calendar (Calendar A): motion by Trustee Francis, second by Trustee (unnamed on record); outcome: approved, 7-0. - Renewal of RFP 23-1 (casualty insurance via TASB): motion by Trustee Murphy, second by Trustee Francis; amount: $367,613; outcome: approved, 7-0. - FY24-25 Budget Amendment No. 5 (revenue amendment for General Fund, Debt Service, Food Service): motion by Trustee Carter, second by Trustee Murphy; net revenue increase: $8,100,000; outcome: approved, 7-0. - Employment approvals (personnel): motion to accept superintendent's recommendations; outcome: approved, 7-0. - Superintendent contract extension (effective July 1, 2025to June 30, 2028): motion by Trustee Sheffler, second by Trustee Francis; outcome: approved, 7-0.

What the board discussed but did not decide in open session

- Administrators said they are still reconciling expenditure projections and expected some reduction to the current surplus estimate once final expenditures, SHARS reimbursements and investment income updates are calculated. No binding expenditure increases were approved in open session beyond those covered by the budget amendment.

The board recessed into closed session under Title 5, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code to discuss attorneyclient and personnel matters. No action was taken in closed session; the meeting returned to open session and the board acted on personnel and contract items as listed above.

The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.