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Fort Stockton ISD board approves contingent-fee legal contract for youth social media litigation
Summary
The Fort Stockton Independent School District Board of Education on May 21 adopted a resolution and approved contingent-fee agreements with two law firms to represent the district in multi-district litigation concerning youth social media usage; the board also approved several routine personnel and funding items.
On May 21, 2025, the Fort Stockton Independent School District Board of Education adopted a resolution approving a contingent-fee legal services contract and authorized entering into contingent-fee agreements with Eiland & Bonnin, P.C., and O'Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo, P.C. to represent the district in multi-district litigation related to youth social media usage. The board approved the resolution by motion of Trustee Anastacio Dominguez, seconded by Trustee Kay Griffith, and later approved the contingent-fee agreements on a motion by Dominguez, seconded by Trustee Freddie Martinez.
The actions followed a closed executive session held under the Texas Government Code (Subchapters D and E of Chapter 551) at 6:36 p.m. The resolution the board adopted includes findings required by Texas Government Code §2254, Subchapter C, and authorizes staff to seek expedited review by the Texas attorney general, per the board action in open session. The board reconvened in open session at 6:50 p.m. before taking the recorded votes.
Trustee Ursula Sanchez moved, seconded by Trustee Jennifer Gonzales, to approve the district's 2024–2025 Compensation Plan Addendum for Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) funds; that motion carried. The board also approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Fort Stockton ISD and Sul Ross State on a motion by Trustee Jennifer Gonzales, seconded by Trustee Freddie Martinez. Trustee Anastacio Dominguez moved, seconded by Trustee Jennifer Gonzales, to approve nurses' contract extensions; the motion carried.
The board approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting on a motion by Trustee Dominguez, seconded by Trustee Martinez. The consent agenda included the minutes of the April 28, 2025 regular meeting and the May 14, 2025 special meeting, the April check register, a budget amendment and donations to Fort Stockton ISD including $1,000 from the Permian Basin Workforce Development Board.
There were no recorded public comments during the meeting. The board recorded one professional employment (Scott Kennedy, assistant band director) and accepted multiple resignations across district campuses. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for June 30, 2025.
Actions taken on May 21 include formal adoption of a contingent-fee resolution, authorization to enter contingent-fee agreements with the named law firms, approval of the TIA compensation addendum, approval of the Sul Ross State memorandum of understanding, approval of nurses' contract extensions, and acceptance of the consent agenda items.
