Santa Rosa ISD board holds closed superintendent interviews, reconvenes after afternoon session

The Santa Rosa Independent School District Board of Trustees called a Dec. 6, 2024, special meeting to order at approximately 9:19 a.m., Board President Kelly R. Ballin said. "I, Kelly R. Ballin, Board President, am calling the meeting to order at approximately 9:19 a.m.," the transcript records.

Minutes show Ballin moved the meeting into a closed executive session at about 9:20 a.m. "I, Kelly R. Ballin, call to adjourn the meeting to executive session at 9:20 a.m.," the transcript records. The agenda cites the Texas Open Meetings Act and identifies the session purposes as consultation with the district's attorney and interviews for superintendent candidates under Texas Government Code Sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.074 and 551.082.

The board reconvened in open session at 5:23 p.m., Ballin said. The agenda listed two open-session items tied to the superintendent search: (A) discussion and possible action on matters related to the superintendent search and (B) discussion and possible action to name the Lone Star finalist for superintendent of schools. The transcript marks those agenda items as "n/a" and does not record motions, votes, or a named finalist. Ballin then called the meeting to adjourn at approximately 5:24 p.m.

Because the substantive interviews and any candidate deliberations took place in closed session, the public transcript does not include details about the candidates, questions asked in interviews, or any final decisions made behind closed doors. The board cited legal exemptions under the Texas Open Meetings Act for the executive session, which allow attorney consultation and personnel interviews to occur privately.