Deer Park ISD board reports executive-session discussion of alleged fraud, directs staff to draft resolution

The Deer Park ISD school board returned from an executive session and disclosed that the closed discussion concerned alleged fraud involving a board member and other alleged violations, then directed staff to prepare a public resolution documenting those allegations ahead of the next meeting.

"We had an executive session discussing fraud against a board member," Speaker 1 said at the meeting, and later asked staff, "Alexa, I would like to direct you, if you would, to work with me to prepare another resolution for the next meeting basically stating all of the violations and the things that have happened." The speaker identified alleged items to be included: breaches of the district’s civility policy (R4201), failure to comply with required trainings, violations of operating protocols, and investigations tied to complaints against employees.

Board members debated whether formal censure would be meaningful. Speaker 4 noted that censure "has no teeth" but said making allegations public via a resolution or letter would inform the community. Speaker 3 responded that they felt targeted and said the matters would "come out," while Speaker 1 and others denied that targeting was occurring.

Speaker 2 raised a question about potential costs to the district tied to processes stemming from the allegations. No motion was called for a disciplinary vote during the public session; the board’s action in the meeting was a directive for staff to draft language for a future resolution and to circulate a community letter. The board did not adopt any punitive action at the meeting.

The board said it will include the alleged violations in the draft resolution and present the proposed text at the next board meeting; members were asked to email any additional items to Speaker 1 before that meeting. The meeting record indicates preparation of the resolution is a staff task to be considered in an upcoming public session.