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Victoria ISD trustees commit $11.6 million, decline SB11 resolution and approve eight new buses
Summary
The board approved $11.6 million in committed fund-balance items, declined to adopt a daily-prayer resolution required by Senate Bill 11, authorized purchase of eight school buses using fund balance, and approved personnel and contract actions after closed session.
At their Feb. 19 meeting, the Victoria Independent School District Board of Trustees approved several fiscal and operational measures, declined to adopt a Senate Bill 11 daily-prayer resolution, and authorized the purchase of eight school buses.
Trustees voted to commit $11.6 million from the district's roughly $58.9 million ending general fund balance to categories that include capital expenditures, technology, transportation, school safety, emergency facility repairs and instructional initiatives. The commitments were presented by district financial staff, who said the net change in fund balance included a large state payment and other adjustments; trustees discussed maintaining a 75-day minimum and a preferred 120-day target for fund balance. The motion to approve the resolution establishing committed fund balance was moved by trustee Miss Pruitt and approved 7-0.
On Senate Bill 11, trustees debated implementation issues including the statute's opt-in signature requirement, who would monitor participation, and how any authorized before- or after-school prayer would intersect with existing extracurricular clubs and electives. Trustee Ms. Marshall moved that the board "not approve the resolution" to adopt the SB11 model policy; Ms. Pruitt seconded and the motion passed, 6-1, with Miss Nelson dissenting.
The board also approved the purchase of six regular and two special-education buses to support compliance with new seating and safety requirements and ongoing fleet replacement. Trustees discussed garage clearance for taller buses and a separate estimate for bus-parking cover; the motion to approve the purchase by using fund balance was moved by Ms. Pruitt, seconded by Ms. Nelson, and passed 7-0.
Trustees passed the consent agenda (which included a resolution declaring the week of February 2026 as Western Week and February 25 as 4-H and FFA day) by unanimous vote. After two closed sessions, the board approved several personnel and contract items on return to open session: employing Gina Vilches as dean of students at Victoria's Success Academy, approving superintendent incentive goals as discussed in closed session, and approving written administrator contracts under Texas Education Code Sec. 11.006(c). Those closed-session motions carried unanimously.
Board President Patton adjourned the meeting at 9:57:33 p.m.
