Liberty Hill ISD board authorizes scoreboards and professional services, postpones library book purchases and approves land buys

The Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees approved several action items Oct. 20, 2025, including the purchase and installation of Daktronics scoreboards for Liberty Hill High School athletic facilities, a professional-services contract with Langan, and two land acquisitions authorized in closed session; the board also postponed indefinitely the purchase of library books that had been pulled from the consent agenda.

Votes at a glance

- Scoreboards (Daktronics; installation by Generation Signs): motion by Trustee Neighbors, second by Trustee Hargrove. Approved. Total cost: $193,595.45. Funding: 2021 bond proceeds (interest/incremental bond proceeds). Purpose: replace failing gym, softball and baseball scoreboards and provide wireless/remote connectivity similar to boards at Legacy Ranch High School.

- Contract professional services (Langan): motion by Trustee Kennedy, second by Trustee Escorn. Approved. Total cost: $231,700 (Due diligence $113,200 from 2021 bond; LHHS #2 connector drive $88,000 from 2021 bond; GIS web viewer and setup $30,500 from general fund). Purpose: due diligence for future school sites, a connector drive design for High School #2 and a district GIS web viewer for document control and operations.

- Library book purchases: Trustee Kennedy moved the item off consent for additional discussion; after parliamentary guidance the board postponed the item indefinitely (motion carried). No new purchases were approved at this meeting.

- Land purchases authorized after closed session: the board authorized the superintendent or designee to finalize purchases and proceed to closing on two tracts of land (approximately 13.497 acres and approximately 160 acres) using previously approved bond funds and to execute all related documents. Motions carried.

What the board said

Project manager TJ Washburn described the scoreboard recommendation as based on product quality, warranty and service and noted the district’s goal to match the wireless capabilities of Legacy Ranch facilities. Trustee Neighbors defended the purchase as a maintenance and equity matter: "Number 1, it's bond funds, different different bucket," he said, and added the broader point that the district must "keep things running" for students and staff.

Trustees discussed timing, maintenance and sponsorship opportunities. Staff said Daktronics quoted a 120-day price validity on the scoreboards; installation timelines are ambitious but district staff hoped to complete work by the spring semester. District representatives said Daktronics and their sports-marketing team can help solicit sponsorships that would return revenue to the district and athletics program.

For the Langan contract, staff said the GIS system will allow central document control and remote diagnostics for facilities as the district grows. The connector drive at High School #2 is intended to improve bus circulation and connect campuses without routing onto Highway 183.

Funding and context

Interim Superintendent Motall provided context on district finances and noted that the scoreboard and Langan purchases are funded from previously approved 2021 bond proceeds and the general fund (for the GIS). Motall also updated the board on Proposition A (a proposed local tax measure on the Nov. 4 ballot) and related outreach: district staff distributed roughly 15,700 factual mailers to voters, held more than 37 public events and reported increased traffic to the district’s LHVotes website. He said Proposition A, if approved, would generate an estimated $10.7 million for restoring programs cut the prior year, maintaining safety and security, and providing staff raises and retention stipends.

Why this matters

The scoreboard purchase addresses failing athletic equipment that district staff said is affecting operations; the Langan contract supports land acquisition due diligence and infrastructure planning as Liberty Hill ISD grows. The land acquisitions add future capacity for school sites. Postponing library book purchases allows the board additional time to interpret new state law and review the scope before approving purchases.