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BISD board approves funding for qualifying chess teams to national tournament
Summary
The board approved funding to send top BISD chess teams and qualifying individual students to national chess tournaments in May 2025, expanding the district’s support for competitive extracurricular programs.
The Brownsville ISD Board of Trustees voted 6-0 April 1 to fund travel and related costs for BISD chess teams and qualifying individuals advancing to national competitions in May 2025.
Trustee Minerva Pena brought the agenda item and the board approved an amendment that limits district-funded travel to the top three BISD schools that finish among the top five at the regional or state chess tournaments at each grade level (elementary K-1, middle school and high school). The motion also provides funding for top-performing individual students who place in those regional or state rankings and includes parallel support for girls’ national competition slots where applicable.
Pena described the request as support for a “worthy program” that develops talent and leadership skills. Superintendent Dr. Chavez said the district’s funding position has improved compared with the prior year and expressed support for funding qualified extracurricular participants, while the finance staff said they would fold recurring support into future budget planning and into a possible chess handbook or program policy for subsequent years.
Board members asked administration to include the program in upcoming budget workshops so the approach can be standardized and budgeted annually.
