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Board extends superintendent's hiring authority through May 2025 in 5–2 vote
Summary
Lake Worth ISD trustees voted 5–2 Aug. 19 to extend the superintendent's authority to hire professional teachers through May 2025; two trustees opposed the extension. The motion directs staff authority to continue hiring outside the regular board‑approval schedule.
The Lake Worth ISD Board of Trustees voted 5–2 on Aug. 19 to extend the superintendent's hiring authority for professional teachers through May 2025.
Cristina Gallagher moved to extend the superintendent's hiring authority and Bret Tooke seconded. The motion passed with five ayes — Gallagher, Sonja Norman, Chris Thomas, Bret Tooke and President Armando Velazquez — and two nays, Mac Belmontes and Tammy Thomas. The agenda language says the extension covers hiring authority for professional teachers through May 2025.
Board members who opposed the extension were recorded as Belmontes and Tammy Thomas; the meeting minutes do not record additional commentary explaining their votes. The extension follows an item discussed in closed session earlier in the meeting and was taken up in open session under the board's regular agenda.
The motion is procedural: it delegates hiring authority to the superintendent rather than approving individual hires at public meetings. The minutes record that other personnel hires were approved earlier in the meeting after closed session by a separate 7–0 vote.
