Board approves LASSO‑grant hire, business manager reclassification and certifies eligibility for concealed carry by trained employees

During personnel items at the Aug. 26 meeting, the board addressed multiple staffing and certification matters. Paul Chandler moved to accept the acting superintendent’s recommendation to hire a new contractual position to oversee the LASSO grant; the motion passed 4–0 with one abstention by Heath Huffhines.

The board also approved a reclassification of the current business office manager position to Business Manager and offered a non‑Chapter 21 employment agreement along with a salary adjustment; minutes record Michael Gonzales moving that recommendation. Additionally, the board approved the acting superintendent's recommendation to authorize the board president to execute a resolution certifying that certain HCISD employees who have fulfilled training and evaluation requirements stated in HB 3 and Board policy CKED(LOCAL) are eligible to carry concealed handguns on school premises and at school‑sponsored and school‑related activities. Paul Chandler moved the certification; the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: the LASSO grant hire ties district staffing to a grant program; the business manager reclassification affects district finance leadership and compensation; the certification for concealed carry is a personnel and safety policy action that will be implemented only for staff who met statutory and board policy training and evaluation requirements. The minutes do not provide the acting superintendent's name, the name of the hire, or the number of employees certified under the handgun resolution.