June 2025 Committee on School Initiatives Item 2
Recommendation for One Reappointment and One Appointment to the Boys Ranch Independent School District Board of Trustees
June 27, 2025
COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITIATIVES: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: CONSENT
SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for the board to consider one reappointment and one appointment to the board of trustees of Boys Ranch Independent School District (ISD). The reappointment is necessary due to the expiration of the term of office of one board member. The appointment is necessary due to the resignation of one board member.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §11.352.
TEC, §11.352 authorizes the State Board of Education (SBOE) to appoint school board members in special purpose school districts.
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 ISDs created under its authority to establish special purpose school districts. Trustees so appointed hold office until their successors are appointed and qualified. When a vacancy occurs, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch notifies the commissioner of education of the vacancy. The CEO submits resumes and other documents verifying that individuals are qualified to hold the position as well as a statement that the individual would accept the position if appointed. The CEO is required by 19 TAC §61.2 to provide one nomination to the SBOE. The nominee must be qualified under the general school laws of Texas.
Mr. Richard Nedelkoff, president and CEO of Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, has notified the commissioner that the term of office of one trustee of Boys Ranch ISD is expiring. The president and CEO hasrequested that Mr. James Taylor be reappointed for a two-year term. Mr. Nedelkoff also notified the commissioner that one trustee has resigned. The president and CEO has requested that Mr. Leon Hollis be appointed for a two-year term.
MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:
Based on Mr. Richard Nedelkoff’s recommendation, approve the reappointment of Mr. James Taylor and approve the appointment of Mr. Leon Hollis to serve two-year terms of office from June 27, 2025, to June 26, 2027, on the Boys Ranch ISD Board of Trustees.
Staff Members Responsible:
Steve Lecholop, Deputy Commissioner, Governance
Christopher Lucas, Director, Research, Policy, and Information Management, Governance
Attachment:
Correspondence from Mr. Richard Nedelkoff, president and CEO of Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch that includes supporting documentations for the nominees