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Educators, volunteers urge board to prioritize students; one speaker urges accountability for walkouts
Summary
Two public commenters spoke during the Victoria ISD special meeting: a long‑time volunteer stressed bond transparency and student-centered decisions, and an educator criticized student walkouts and urged legal accountability for organizers while offering nonpartisan civic alternatives.
At the opening public‑comment period of the Victoria Independent School District special meeting, Speedy Castillo, who identified himself as a VISD volunteer of more than 35 years, told trustees their decisions must center on students and asked for clear accounting of how tax and bond dollars would be spent so the community can judge proposals.
"People need to know where their money is going," Castillo said, asking the board to keep student needs foremost as it considers a large bond package.
Educator Woodrow Wilson Wagner followed, thanking the superintendent and board for their response to recent walkouts and urging more constructive civic options for youth. Wagner said organizers of the walkouts — and particularly any VISD personnel who might have been involved — should face legal accountability. He recommended nonpartisan civic forums and urged adults to model respectful civic engagement.
Board members thanked both speakers and moved into the bond discussion. No formal investigation or disciplinary action was proposed in the meeting record; Wagner’s statement was recorded during public comment without a formal response beyond thanks and an invitation for collaboration from board leadership.
