Aransas Pass ISD approves RFP for armed security; board reviews preliminary 2025–27 budget

The Aransas Pass Independent School District board voted to approve a request for proposals to solicit a contract for armed security personnel and then held a workshop on preliminary 2025–26 and 2026–27 budget numbers.

Miss Anderson told the board the RFP is needed because the district is required to have an armed security officer at each campus, including Ball High, Brundrett, AC Blunt and Charlie Marshall High School, and that the district’s contract with Southern Security expires at the end of the month. “We are required to have an armed security officer at each of our campuses,” Miss Anderson said, adding staff will accept proposals from multiple companies and return the highest-ranked proposal to the board for consideration.

A motion to approve issuing the RFP was made by Ms. Stanberry and seconded by Ms. Director; the chair called for voices and declared the motion approved after members voiced “I.” The transcript does not contain a roll-call tally or named vote-by-vote counts.

After the RFP action, the board opened a preliminary budget workshop. Mr. Bennett introduced the session as a starting point and turned presentation duties to Adrian Moreno, who reviewed revenue, fund-balance and staffing estimates. Moreno said the district’s appeal of state property values submitted in January is expected to yield $133,593 (staff notified May 27) and that delinquent-tax collections through May 2026 are tracking with prior years.

Moreno reported the district budgeted for a refined average daily attendance (ADA) of 1,537 but that the district’s refined ADA had come in at 1,437, a shortfall that reduced budgeted revenue by $732,809. To offset part of that shortfall, staff identified net savings of $371,342 from lower insurance premiums, staffing changes and reduced overtime.

Looking to 2026–27, staff outlined proposed personnel changes intended to reduce costs, including eliminating one life-skills teacher position at the high school, reducing a high-school secretary’s hours, removing a receptionist position at Falk and leaving central-office vacancies unfilled; projected savings from those staffing moves were estimated at $237,078. Moreno also said the district projects a drop in refined ADA to 1,429 for 2026–27, which would reduce state funding by about $58,625 year over year.

On benefits, staff said the district allotted $55,000 this year to provide eligible employees a $200 health-reimbursement card but that only $13,000 had been claimed as of June 1. Moreno proposed increasing the monthly employer contribution from $287.88 to $320, estimating a $52,034 annual cost to the district, which staff noted remains below the prior lump-sum $55,000 allotment.

Moreno also reviewed the district’s Interest & Sinking (INS) fund: outstanding debt of $12,958,225 and an estimated August payment of $617,067 (which includes a deficit payment of $434,517). Staff estimated next-year principal and interest needs at roughly $981,000 and $140,000, respectively, and provided a rate-support figure of 0.0663 per $100 valuation against a current tax rate of 0.1119.

Staff proposed a tentative schedule for additional budget workshops the week of July 14–17 and again the week of Aug. 3–7 after certified tax values arrive from the chief appraiser; the board was told it could adopt the budget and tax rate on Aug. 20. Mr. Bennett and administration asked board members to provide availability so staff can schedule follow-up workshops.

The board adjourned the special meeting at 6:22 p.m.

Notes on attribution: the transcript uses multiple forms for some names (see audit). Direct quotes and attributions in this article are taken only from statements recorded in the meeting transcript.