Plainview ISD trustees approve new Early Learning Center principal, renew insurance and award Hillcrest demolition in unanimous votes

Plainview ISD trustees met May 15 and voted unanimously on three major business items: appointing a principal for Plainview Early Learning Center, renewing the districtproperty and casualty insurance with an endorsement to reduce the wind-and-hail deductible, and awarding the demolition and disposition of Hillcrest Elementary to Thrasher Incorporated.

The board approved the recommendation to hire Corinna Wood as principal of Plainview Early Learning Center after Wood introduced herself to the board virtually. The motion to approve Wood carried 7-0. Dr. Javier Sanchez, superintendent, presented the candidate and opened the floor for questions before the vote. The motion was moved and seconded from the board; the roll call recorded the outcome as 7-0 in favor.

The trustees then considered renewal of the districtproperty, casualty and related insurance for the 202526 fiscal year. Finance staff explained year-over-year cost increases and recommended renewing coverage through TASB with an optional endorsement to reduce the wind-and-hail deductible from 2% to 1%.

Finance staff reported the following figures in the board presentation: a base premium of $749,524, an endorsement (buy-down) price of $264,627 to lower the wind-and-hail deductible from 2% to 1%, and a total cost for that option of $1,014,151. The board approved the recommendation to purchase the policy and the endorsement, and directed staff to prepare a bid process for comparison for the 2026'7 school year. The motion carried 7-0.

On Hillcrest Elementary, the board reviewed sealed bids submitted for demolition and disposition and accepted an alternative proposal from Thrasher Incorporated (Plainview). Thrasher proposed to take ownership of the land in exchange for demolishing the building at no cash cost to the district. District documents showed the unimproved land value at $49,271; trustees were presented the bid tabulation showing substantially higher cash bids for demolition if the district retained the land. The board approved awarding the demolition and disposition to Thrasher Incorporated by a 7-0 vote.

Board members and staff noted the condition of the Hillcrest building, vandalism and water intrusion issues described during the bond project work, and the district said it would abate asbestos before demolition. District staff told trustees asbestos abatement work was scheduled to begin May 19 and that the district would fund the abatement (a contract under $50,000 and not requiring board approval under district policy).

Votes at a glance

- Appointment: Corinna Wood as principal, Plainview Early Learning Center. Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved, 7-0. - Insurance renewal: Renew property/casualty policy with TASB; purchase wind-and-hail deductible buy-down endorsement reducing deductible from 2% to 1%; total cost for that option reported as $1,014,151. Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved, 7-0. Staff to prepare a bid for 2026-27 for cost comparison. - Hillcrest demolition: Award demolition and disposition of Hillcrest Elementary to Thrasher Incorporated; Thrasher to accept ownership of the vacated property in exchange for demolition; property unimproved value listed as $49,271. Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved, 7-0.

What the votes mean next

- The district will complete asbestos abatement at Hillcrest before demolition work begins. District staff said abatement was scheduled for May 19. - The insurance renewal takes effect for the 2025-26 policy year; trustees directed administration to solicit bids beginning January for the following year to compare costs and carrier options. - Corinna Wood will take the principal post at the Plainview Early Learning Center pending whatever pre-employment arrangements the district completes.

The board ended the public portion of its meeting and recessed into closed session under the Texas Government Code for personnel and real estate matters.