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Sheldon ISD board approves playground, radio and HVAC contracts, accepts donation and authorizes $59.2M bond parameters
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Summary
The board voted unanimously on multiple procurement and finance items: playground replacement (not to exceed $186,429), Bearcom bus radio upgrade (not to exceed $350,000, incl. $13,190.50 contingency), HVAC upgrades (not to exceed $420,000), acceptance of a $135,000 donation, adoption of reimbursement rates and parameters for a $59.2 million bond sale and refunding that the district expects to price March 3.
During the meeting the board moved through the consent agenda and then considered several new business items, approving multiple contracts and bond-authorizing orders.
On procurement and capital items the board approved recommended contract awards: All Play Inc. to replace playground equipment at Sheldon Early Childhood Academy at a cost not to exceed $186,429 (motion by Miss Randall; second by Miss Martinez), and Bearcom to upgrade the transportation department's bus radio system at a cost not to exceed $350,000 including a $13,190.50 contingency (motion by Mr. Rivas; second by Miss Martinez). The board also approved HVAC control upgrades to the central plant at C. E. King High School at a cost not to exceed $420,000 (motion moved and seconded; motion passed).
The board adopted a resolution described by Texas Education Code section 25.0823 (motion by Miss Bridal; second by Mr. Rivas) and approved a waiver for employees scheduled to work on Jan. 26, 2026. Trustees also approved the 2026'27 school calendar and adopted TEA-allowed reimbursement rates for district travel.
On financing, the board considered and approved orders authorizing the issuance of Sheldon ISD unlimited tax school building bonds (series 2026) and unlimited tax refunding bonds (taxable series 2026). Financial advisor Louis Wilkes (US Capital Advisors) briefed the board on the structure: a parameter sale for $59,200,000 to be priced March 3 with expected delivery April 2; a short-term taxable refunding placed with Amity Bank priced the same day and maturing April 1 at an interest rate the advisor reported as 5.75% in the presented term sheet. Wilkes reported estimated cash-flow savings from the combined transaction of approximately $3,397,000.
Bond counsel Diana Martinez (Hunt and Andrews Kurth) stated the orders were prepared in accordance with the presentation; the board approved the parameters and related orders unanimously. The board also accepted a $135,000 donation for the district sports medicine program and approved adoption of TEA reimbursement rates for employee travel.
Where motions were recorded, the transcript identifies mover and second in each case (for example, many motions were moved by Mister Rivas and seconded by Miss Martinez); the record generally shows motions passing unanimously. The meeting then proceeded to routine board information items and adjourned to closed session at 8:49 PM.
Votes and formal approvals listed in this report reflect the motions and outcomes recorded on the meeting record; specific roll-call tallies beyond the recorded "motion passed unanimously" language were not provided in the transcript.
