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Galveston ISD notice allows videoconference attendance under state emergency and open-meetings code
Summary
The meeting notice states that one or more board members may attend via videoconference under Texas Government Code Section 551.127 due to COVID-19 emergency declarations; the notice also lists permitted closed-session authorities.
The Galveston ISD meeting notice states that, because of state and federal emergency declarations regarding coronavirus/COVID-19, "one or more members of the Galveston ISD Board of Trustees may attend this meeting via videoconference" and cites Tex. Govt. Code §551.127 as modified by the Texas Attorney General. The notice reads: "due to the state of emergency declared by, Governor Abbott on behalf of the State of Texas, and President Trump on behalf of the United States of America regarding the spread of coronavirus/COVID-19..." as the factual basis provided in the posted text.
The notice reiterates that if discussion of any agenda item should be held in closed meeting the board will conduct that closed meeting in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, and it lists the sections authorizing closed sessions: consultation with attorney (Tex. Govt. Code Section 551.071), personnel matters (Tex. Govt. Code Section 551.074), and real property (Tex. Govt. Code Section 551.072). The notice emphasizes that, before a closed meeting is convened, the presiding officer will publicly identify the statutory section authorizing it and that all final votes will be taken in open meeting.
The notice itself does not record which trustees plan to attend remotely, whether any accommodations will be made for remote public access, or any final actions. Those operational details and any closed-session uses will be determined at the meeting and in accordance with state law.
