Pasadena ISD trustees approve budget amendments, multiple construction contracts and rename administration building for Dr. Dean Powell

The Pasadena Independent School District Board of Trustees met Jan. 20, 2026, and voted to approve a series of budget, personnel and construction items, accept district and campus improvement plans and rename the district administration building for Dr. Dean Powell.

Trustees approved budget amendments for November and December 2025 and accepted the district’s annual comprehensive financial report for the 2024–25 school year after a presentation noted the material had been shared in November but action was delayed because of the federal government shutdown. President Kenny Fernandez led the meeting; following each motion trustees responded 'Aye' and the chair announced the motions carried.

The board approved several construction and service contracts tied to the 2022 bond program. Agenda items included a construction contract with M. Scott Construction, Inc., described in the agenda as “in the amount of 4,000,000, $97,000” for CTE culinary arts projects across multiple high schools; district staff explained the work will address infrastructure such as grease traps, floor and safety systems. The board also approved a $12,517,000 contract with ICI Construction Inc. for a district softball complex and a design services agreement with GBD Group for a plumbing upgrade at Sam Rayburn High School listed at $156,350 with a total project budget noted as $2,656,350. Multiple allowance expenditure authorizations (AEAs) and two change order credits of $400,000 each for bond projects were approved in sequence.

The board approved a satellite site contract for the Region 4 day school program for the deaf for the 2025–2027 program term in the amount of $1,539,987, to be paid with local funds, and approved an amendment to the memorandum of understanding with Avante Houston Inc. to provide Early Head Start and Head Start services at Cruz Elementary for 2025–2027.

Trustees also approved student travel — including Thompson Intermediate’s planned trip to the Keystone Science School (Oct. 3–10, 2026) and travel for career and technical education students to national competitions — and the 2026–27 academic calendar. Board members praised staff work on calendars and improvement plans and thanked the many community and campus stakeholders involved.

Perhaps the meeting’s most notable ceremonial action, taken near the end of the agenda, was the unanimous approval to rename the Pasadena ISD Administration Building the Dr. Dean Powell Administration Building. The board read a biography highlighting Powell’s decades of service, her historic role as the district’s first female superintendent and a Pasadena ISD graduate, and her leadership during events such as Hurricane Harvey. Dr. Powell addressed the board and said, “This is a huge honor,” thanking trustees, staff and family.

The board set its next regular meeting for Feb. 24, 2026, and adjourned at 8:00 p.m.