Alice ISD board approves consent agenda, course catalog updates and delegates cybersecurity contract review

The Alice Independent School District Board of Trustees on Monday approved a package of routine and policy items, adopted revisions to the Dallas High School course catalog, and delegated authority to the superintendent to finalize a three-year cybersecurity and identity-protection contract under terms recommended by district staff.

The board approved minutes and the full consent agenda by voice vote, then approved a contract for contracted vision services to support students with Individualized Education Programs and accepted several personnel actions. The board also moved to rescind and replace the district's District of Innovation (DOI) wording to reflect an amendment (not a formal revision) required by recent changes described during the meeting.

The board voted to adopt changes to the Dallas High School 2025-26 course catalog that move the campus's JROTC program from Air Force to Army oversight and add career and technical education offerings including cybersecurity, AP Computer Science, and an information-technology practicum intended to increase students' workforce readiness.

On a separate but related procurement question, the board heard a staff recommendation to award a three-year cybersecurity, firewall, and single-sign-on package (vendors identified as Bloom and Insight; platform ClassLink/ClassLink replacement discussed). The total project cost presented was $295,760.13; district staff said E-rate would likely reimburse $164,720, leaving an estimated district share of $130,990.93.

Board members voiced concerns about liability limits and coverage for financial losses in the event of a cyber incident. Rather than finalizing the contract at the meeting, trustees voted to give Superintendent Dr. Trevino authority to approve the contract before the E-rate deadline if the superintendent's review confirms the product scope, liability limits, and consultant recommendation meet district requirements. That delegation passed on a recorded voice vote.

Other formal actions included renewing a program-and-services agreement with the Education Service Center Region 2 for professional development and approving a stand-alone contract for contracted vision services (not to exceed approximately $50,000) to meet special-education IEP requirements. The board also accepted resignations and took one retirement as listed in the executive-session items presented to the board after closed session.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes and consent agenda: motion passed (unanimous voice votes recorded as "aye" by attending trustees). - Contracted vision services (Melissa Gregory): motion to approve by Trustee Adrian Pena; second by Trustee Ciro Zamora; vote recorded as unanimous "aye." - Cybersecurity/identity services (Bloom/Insight/ClassLink package): board delegated final contract approval to Superintendent Dr. Trevino after her review; motion and amended motion recorded and passed by board voice vote. - Education Service Center Region 2 program agreement (2526): motion passed (unanimous). - Dallas High School course catalog revision (JROTC to Army; add cybersecurity, AP CS, IT practicum): motion passed (unanimous). - Rescind/re-adopt Districts of Innovation language (to correct wording): motion passed (unanimous). - Personnel actions (retirements/resignations) discussed in closed session and formally accepted: motion passed (unanimous).

The board recorded no negative votes on the items presented; individual trustees asked that the superintendent confirm contract details and liability limits before exercising delegated authority to approve the cybersecurity contract.

The board adjourned at 9:09 p.m.