Tomball ISD trustees approve multimillion‑dollar construction, network and technology purchases and personnel actions
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Summary
At its March 17 meeting, the Tomball ISD Board of Trustees approved a series of bond‑funded construction and technology contracts — including a $4.07 million network upgrade and a $4.75 million sewer contract total — authorized multiple device purchases and approved personnel actions and a finding related to an educator resignation.
The Tomball Independent School District Board of Trustees on March 17 approved a slate of bond‑funded construction and technology contracts, new professional hires for the 2026–27 school year and a personnel finding related to an educator’s resignation.
The board voted unanimously to increase a contract with Deanco Inc. by $683,964 (including a $75,000 contingency) for construction of a sanitary sewer force main connecting the West Complex to the Tomball ISD wastewater treatment plant, bringing the total contract to $4,745,094; the board recorded that the work will be paid from bond 2021 funds. Trustees also approved an E‑rate eligible district‑wide network infrastructure upgrade from Datavox for $4,066,439.44 using bond 2025 funds and authorized a separate network cabling replacement from Triumph for $1,311,451.70 using bond 2025 funds.
The board approved multiple technology and instructional equipment purchases funded from bond 2021, including student and staff devices for Tomball West High School ($1,965,783.63) and Creekside Park Junior High ($634,578.59) from CDW‑G and interactive flat panels for the Creekside Park Complex ($117,732). One trustee abstained from votes on the flat panels and the device purchases, citing a current employment conflict; both motions carried with six votes in favor and one abstention.
Trustees approved architectural services from Arcadis for added project scope on the Tomball West High School competition soccer field, authorizing $309,825 in fees and raising that contract to $694,575 based on an estimated $10,290,000 construction budget (bond 2021 funds). The board also approved an 8.5 percent Arcadis fee for security vestibule projects across multiple campuses and unanimously amended the item to use bond 2021 rather than bond 2025 funds for that work. A gym floor replacement contract with Covington Floor Company for $223,714 and not‑to‑exceed budgets for vendors under IDIQ RFQ 992‑25/31 (bond 2025 facility infrastructure projects) were also approved; the IDIQ action carried with one abstention recorded.
On insurance, the board extended coverage with the TASB Risk Management Fund for general liability and school professional liability and vehicle collision/comprehensive coverage for policy year April 1, 2026–March 31, 2027. The combined premiums cited in the board packet totaled $359,460. The superintendent said the district has ‘‘had a very good history’’ with the TASB Risk Management Fund but acknowledged the board can seek other market options if warranted.
In personnel matters, trustees approved employment of multiple professional staff for next school year under a variety of contract types listed in the packet. Separately, the board voted to render a finding under the Texas Administrative Code (as cited in the agenda packet) that good cause did not exist under the listed Texas Education Code provisions for educator Jordan Briggs’ resignation of an employment contract; the motion passed unanimously.
No members of the public spoke during the meeting’s public comment period. In board remarks after business concluded, trustees recognized student accomplishments at a livestock show and observed fine arts month before adjourning.
Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: approved unanimously (motion moved and seconded as noted in the minutes). - Item A (Cy‑Fair ISD Regional Day School for the Deaf shared services agreement): approved unanimously. - Item B (Mark White designated TEA web approver): approved unanimously. - Item C (Insurance extension — TASB Risk Management Fund, total premium $359,460): approved unanimously. - Item D (Arcadis — Tomball West soccer field architectural services; $309,825): approved unanimously. - Item E (Deanco Inc. contract increase; new total $4,745,094): approved unanimously. - Item F (Interactive flat panels; $117,732): approved 6 in favor, 1 abstention (employment conflict). - Item G (Device purchases — $1,965,783.63 and $634,578.59): approved 6 in favor, 1 abstention (employment conflict). - Item H (Datavox network upgrades; $4,066,439.44 — bond 2025, E‑rate eligible): approved unanimously. - Item I (Triumph network cabling replacement; $1,311,451.70): approved unanimously. - Item J (Arcadis security vestibules — fee 8.5%, $255,000 project budget; amended to use bond 2021): amendment and item approved unanimously. - Item K (Gym floor replacement; $223,714): approved unanimously. - Item L (IDIQ vendor not‑to‑exceed budgets — RFQ 992‑25/31): approved 6 in favor, 1 abstention. - Item M (Employment of professional personnel for 2026–27): approved unanimously. - Item N (Finding re: Jordan Briggs resignation under cited Texas Administrative and Education Code provisions): approved unanimously.
The meeting packet and motions documented the bond fund sources (bond 2021 and bond 2025) that will fund construction and infrastructure work; where the packet listed contingencies or estimated construction budgets, those amounts were included in agenda summaries. The board took no executive‑session actions on the record during the open meeting portion and adjourned following trustee comments.
