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Fabens ISD board reviews MOU request from Military Veterans Museum of the Southwest, asks for more information
Summary
The board discussed a proposed MOU to allow the Military Veterans Museum of the Southwest to store veterans' memorabilia and record oral histories in district facilities; trustees requested a formal presentation, legal and insurance checks and agreed to revisit the request later.
The Fabens ISD board of trustees discussed a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) on June 17 that would permit the Military Veterans Museum of the Southwest to use district facilities to store veterans' memorabilia and to record oral histories.
Dr. Cedillo, speaking for the administration, said the group approached the district seeking space to preserve memorabilia and record veterans' oral histories and that administrators had identified potential rooms, including the old ODI. "They approached me a couple of months ago regarding the possibility of using our facilities to store memorabilia for veterans," Dr. Cedillo said, noting the administration had drafted an MOU that clarifies the district's limited liability and requests that the organization insure stored items.
Board members raised several procedural and operational concerns: several trustees said the organization should present in person to explain their plans; others asked the administration to confirm whether the district may legally loan facilities for uses unrelated to children and to check precedent for utilities and incidental costs such as electricity and water. One board member emphasized that proper protocol calls for groups to present their request in person before the board.
Trustees discussed practical conditions that would appear in an MOU, including that the museum would be responsible for insurance and any repairs, and that the district would not be liable for damage to memorabilia stored on district property. Dr. Cedillo said the administration would verify legal and administrative constraints and could invite the organization to present at a later date.
No binding vote on the MOU was taken. Several trustees suggested tabling the matter to allow the museum to present and to permit the administration to confirm legal, insurance and resource implications. The board did approve the consent agenda earlier in the meeting; that vote passed with six votes in favor and two abstentions.
Next steps: the administration will recheck legal and administrative considerations and, if appropriate, invite the Military Veterans Museum of the Southwest to present additional details at a future meeting.
