Board approves $3.3M Breckenwoods renovation contract after trustees seek conflict safeguards
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Summary
Trustees approved a $3.3 million renovation contract for Breckenwoods Elementary School amid public allegations linking the superintendent to Novium; the superintendent denied any ownership and described procurement safeguards and legal review.
The Austin ISD Board of Trustees voted on Thursday to approve a renovation contract for Breckenwoods Elementary School, approving item 13.2 after trustees questioned procurement safeguards and a public allegation about the superintendent’s ties to a vendor.
A recorded caller had alleged the district awarded a $3,200,000 contract to Novium, a company the caller said is connected to the superintendent. During discussion, Superintendent Segura responded directly: "So, I do not own any construction company. I've never owned part of Novium," and described procurement controls, legal review and conflict-of-interest disclosures used to vet contractors under Texas procurement law.
Trustees pressed administrators to explain the procurement pathway and how potential conflicts are identified and handled. Segura said procurement is governed by state law and described separation between procurement staff, legal review and the administration's role. Board counsel and the superintendent said disclosure forms and legal checks are part of the process; one trustee noted that working with known local vendors is not unusual but emphasized the need to address any appearance of conflict.
A number of public commenters had also raised concerns about investing bond dollars in schools while others face potential closure. Community speakers asked why Ryker Woods received a reprieve while Breckenwoods (referred to in public comment as Breiker Woods) was receiving proposed investments; callers argued that clarity on how such investments align with long-term campus planning was needed.
The board approved item 13.2 after discussion; the chair announced the motion "passes by all those on the dais and by Trustee Quintana on Zoom." The administration said the contract and procurement followed the district’s procurement process, with legal and procurement department oversight, and that contract specifics and conflict disclosures are recorded with the procurement file.
What’s next: administration will finalize contract documents and proceed with procurement implementation; trustees asked staff to ensure full transparency of disclosures and to post relevant procurement materials to BoardDocs where appropriate.