June-July 2020 Committee on School Initiatives Item 2
Recommendation for Appointment to the Lackland Independent School District Board of Trustees
July 1, 2020
COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITIATIVES: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: CONSENT
SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for board consideration of one reappointment to the board of trustees of the Lackland Independent School District (ISD). The reappointment is necessary due to the expiration of a term of office.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §11.352, and 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §61.2.
TEC, §11.352 authorizes the State Board of Education (SBOE) to appoint school board members in special purpose school districts.
The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: No previous board action has occurred on this item.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: The SBOE is statutorily authorized to appoint board members for military reservation independent school districts. Trustees so appointed shall hold office for two years and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Enlisted military personnel may be appointed to the board; however, a majority must be civilians, and all may be civilians. When a vacancy occurs on one of these boards, the base commander notifies the commissioner of education of such in compliance with TEC, §11.352. Vacancies are widely advertised through base newspapers, email and other electronic means. Interested individuals then submit resumes and other documents verifying that they qualify to hold the position and would accept it if appointed.
The commanding officer appoints a nomination panel of at least three members who review the application packages and interview and evaluate the candidates. The panel’s recommendations are then forwarded to the commanding officer for consideration. The commanding officer is required by 19 TAC §61.2 to provide at least one nomination to the SBOE. All nominees must be qualified under the general school laws of Texas and live or be employed on the military reservation.
Colonel, United States Air Force, Scott J. Thompson, Commander of the 502d Installation Support Group, has notified the commissioner of one vacancy on the board of trustees of the Lackland ISD due to the expiration of a term of office. Colonel Thompson has provided a nominee for the vacancy and has recommended the reappointment of Mr. Brian Miller to fill the position.
PUBLIC BENEFIT AND COST TO PERSONS: Both the public and the students will benefit by having qualified individuals appointed to the board of trustees.
MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:
Based on Colonel Scott J. Thompson’s recommendation, approve the reappointment of Mr. Brian Miller to serve a term of office, from July 2, 2020, through July 2, 2022, on the Lackland Independent School District Board of Trustees.
Staff Member Responsible:
Jeff Cottrill, Deputy Commissioner of Governance and Accountability
Separate Exhibit:
Correspondence from the colonel which includes biographical information and supporting materials for Mr. Miller
(to be provided at the June-July 2020 SBOE meeting)