Public commenter urges board to purchase book on ‘magnetic converter’ as supplemental curriculum

During the open-forum portion of the April 21 meeting a resident, Steven Ward of Energy Ingenuity, asked the board to consider purchasing a book and showing demonstrations about what he described as an "energy-producing magnetic converter." Ward said the Texas Education Agency told him to present to each school board and requested use of supplemental curriculum funds to buy his materials for students. He described demonstrations and peer-reviewed material on his website and offered to visit campuses to demonstrate and answer student questions.

The board did not take action on the request during the meeting. Ward's remarks were presented in the public-comment period and were not an agenda item; trustees noted that the board may not discuss items not posted on the agenda.

What was said (direct quotes): "My name is Steven Ward with Energy Ingenuity...the TEA, Texas Education Agency, told me that I needed to present this to each school board in every school district and ask you to use what's called a supplemental curriculum fund to buy my book so you can show these kids." He also said: "Please take this into consideration and get back with me." Ward asserted scientific claims in his remarks; the transcript records his presentation but the board did not endorse or act on the request.

Context and constraints: The public-comment rules read by the board chair limit discussion of non-agenda items and direct the board to defer matters to administrative staff where appropriate. The district's rules for curricular adoption and supplemental materials were not discussed during the comment and no staff recommendation or formal referral was recorded on the transcript.

No action was taken during the meeting.