Gatesville ISD board approves student New York trip, district pantry pilot and copier lease

Gatesville ISD trustees voted to approve three major initiatives during their regular meeting: a proposed student trip to New York City for summer 2026, pursuit of a Department of Agriculture school‑pantry partnership, and a five‑year copier lease and service contract.

Bonnie Latham, who organized the New York proposal, told the board the trip would be a five‑day program (flexible to four to six days) and said the per‑student cost was “about $3,000” once enrollment fees and optional travel insurance are included. She described behavioral and academic eligibility requirements and a signed behavioral contract for participants, and said the company EF provides an on‑site group leader plus chaperones and security. After brief discussion the board moved and approved the item to allow planning and sign‑up to proceed.

The trustees also authorized administrative staff to pursue the Department of Agriculture’s Feeding Future School Pantry Program and to enter an agreement with the Central Texas Food Bank. Michelle Martin said the program would provide a commercial freezer, commercial refrigerator, shelving and twice‑monthly deliveries of fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat and canned goods; she told the board the pantry could be configured to serve district families and staff and that staff plan to use transition‑program students to help operate the pantry as a work‑based learning opportunity. The board approved the recommendation to pursue the program and negotiate the implementing agreement.

Finally, the board approved a vendor change and a five‑year plan for the district’s copier fleet. Administration recommended contracting directly with Xerox for service, leasing 11 replacement copiers that are currently at end‑of‑life, and purchasing a five‑year Google Drive integration that would allow teachers to print directly from their Google accounts. The administration presented estimated costs of approximately $24,865 per year over five years and an initial‑year outlay described as about $43,000; trustees approved moving forward with the service agreement and leases.

All of these motions were approved by voice vote. The board also approved routine consent‑agenda items earlier in the meeting and moved into an executive session at the end of the public agenda.

Votes at a glance: New York City trip — motion approved (mover/second: not specified in the record); Feeding Future School Pantry Program — motion approved (mover: Calvin; second: Charlie as recorded); copier lease and service agreement — motion approved (mover/second: Mary Anne/Linda as recorded); consent agenda and other routine items — approved by voice vote. Specific vote tallies were not recorded on the public transcript.