Board approves $3.3M renovations at Brecker/Breckenwoods Elementary amid conflict‑of‑interest questions

The Austin ISD Board of Trustees approved agenda item 13.2 on Jan. 29, a contract to fund renovations at Brecker/Breckenwoods Elementary School. The public had flagged the item in recorded testimony earlier in the meeting, alleging potential personal financial ties between the superintendent and the vendor.

During discussion before the vote, Trustee Kaufman asked administration to explain procurement safeguards and to address an allegation that the superintendent had an ownership interest in the vendor. The superintendent said he "does not own any construction company" and "has never owned part of" the company named in the public comment. Administration described procurement processes required under Government Code 2269, said selection panels are handled by the procurement department with legal oversight, and noted conflict‑of‑interest disclosures are checked before contracts come to the board.

Trustees debated whether an executive session was needed to address potential conflicts or whether disclosure and the procurement process provided sufficient safeguards. After the board reconvened from a prior executive session (called to discuss personnel and real estate earlier), trustees voted to approve item 13.2; the meeting minutes record the motion carried by those on the dais and trustees participating remotely.

The board did not provide additional contractual detail during the meeting; trustees asked that standard procurement and disclosure documentation be available to the board when conflicts are raised and that the administration continue to follow established legal processes.