Del Valle ISD trustees decline daily designated prayer time, approve safety upgrades and personnel actions
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Summary
The Del Valle ISD board voted 7‑1 to decline establishing a designated daily prayer time under Senate Bill 11, approved a new attendance policy for upcoming redistricting, approved safety and security upgrades at Del Valle High School following executive session (8‑0), and approved personnel actions including hiring a social studies coordinator.
The Del Valle ISD Board of Trustees took several formal actions during the meeting.
Prayer time: Trustees considered whether to implement a designated daily prayer time pursuant to Senate Bill 11. Administration recommended not moving forward with a required daily prayer period and instead continuing current practice that allows voluntary student prayer. Trustee Lance Mauldi moved to accept the administration's recommendation to decline establishing a districtwide daily prayer time; Secretary Wagner seconded. The board recorded a roll call vote: Trustee Sierra (Yes), Trustee Le Desma Woodie (Yes), Secretary Wagner (Aye), President Guadian (Aye), Vice President Cisneros (Aye), Trustee Wright Haywood (No), Trustee Burton (Aye), Trustee Franco (Aye). The motion passed 7‑1.
Attendance policy: The board approved policy FC(LOCAL) and edits to FDB to set the policy framework for school attendance area changes and future rezoning ahead of opening a new high school and associated redistricting; the motion passed 7‑1 after brief discussion about whether a policy or guideline approach was more appropriate.
Safety and security enhancements: Trustees discussed a package of safety improvements for Del Valle High School — improvements described by staff included campus access control changes, additional perimeter and door monitoring, visitor screening systems, alarms on exit doors, and vehicle routing through designated control points. Trustees raised questions about the placement and appearance of gate control arms and whether upgrades would make the campus look like a secured facility. The board recessed to executive session, reconvened, and approved the safety and security enhancements (motion passed 8‑0). Staff said the project will comply with applicable fire marshal and safety codes and that detailed planning and coordination with facilities and safety partners will follow.
Personnel actions: The board approved employment resignations and terminations of professional staff and voted to hire Megan Doherty as social studies coordinator on the superintendent's recommendation; motions on personnel passed unanimously as recorded.
The board adjourned at 9:45 p.m.