Public commenters and trustees press district on hiring transparency, salary placement and public‑comment policy

Public commenters and trustees used the meeting to press the district on hiring practices, salary placements and board policy for public comment.

During public comment, Marsha Gonzales told the board the organizational chart had not been revised since the 2022–23 school year and asked why department director pay and reporting lines were inconsistent. Gonzales also cited an ECISD procedures handbook and alleged a case in which an employee received a retirement leave payout that resulted in what she called an apparent overpayment of more than $33,000; she asked the board to "put the superintendent on the agenda" to answer questions.

Another commenter, Fern McClellery, raised concerns that positions have been filled without posting or interviews and asked whether family members or other relationships were influencing hires. McClellery asked for clarification of proposed DEC local changes and who would enforce the policy.

Trustees debated restoring public‑comment time from three to five minutes under policy BED; one trustee warned that the specific change referenced in discussion might not be part of the current policy packet and that making the change would require proper agenda placement or a later vote. Legal counsel advised the board to place specific revisions on a subsequent agenda or complete the required readings for policy revision; the board agreed to bring the request back for review and possible second reading at the next meeting.

Separately, trustees asked that every future personnel recommendation include proposed salaries to avoid surprises and asked staff to explain how experience is counted for placement on the district salary schedule (TASB tables were referenced). The board tabled the item related to hiring decisions for further presentation.