Trustees deadlock 3–3 on authorizing up to $65,000 in legal fees for Windsong Ranch annexation

At the July 20 Prosper ISD Board meeting, a trustee moved to authorize the acting superintendent or designee to approve and pay reasonable and necessary attorney's fees up to $65,000 for legal services related to the Windsong Ranch Chapter 13 detachment and annexation, including participation in the Texas Education Agency de novo hearing process.

The motion’s proponent argued the district previously voted to pursue the annexation and that covering legal expenses would allow the district to see the process through. "We have the opportunity to see this thing through... I think it's highly irresponsible for us to not take that opportunity," the trustee said in favor of the authorization.

Opponents raised concerns about the long‑term fiscal implications. One trustee said the proposal could affect the district’s bond capacity and described approving the expense as "gambling with public funds." Another trustee said the board did not have a formal district proposal supporting the payment and voiced caution about unknown future costs. One trustee also said they would abstain from the vote for professional reasons.

The motion was seconded and then called to a vote; the board recorded a 3–3 tie and the motion failed. Because the motion did not receive a majority, the board did not authorize payment and no immediate legal fee commitment was approved.

The annexation matter was previously approved by the board at a prior meeting and will proceed through the TEA process with Denton ISD having voted in opposition at an earlier step; trustees explicitly debated whether paying attorney fees now was the appropriate fiscal decision given projected recapture and bond considerations. The meeting adjourned without further action on this item.