June 2021 Committee on School Initiatives Item 3
Recommendation for Appointments to the Lackland Independent School District Board of Trustees
June 25, 2021
COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITIATIVES: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: CONSENT
SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for the board to consider three appointments to the board of trustees of Lackland Independent School District (ISD). The appointments are necessary due to the expiration of the terms of office of two board members and the retirement of one board member.
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.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: The SBOE is statutorily authorized to appoint board members for military reservation ISDs. 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 the vacancies in compliance with TEC, §11.352. Vacancies are widely advertised through base newspapers, email, and other electronic methods. Interested individuals then submit resumes and other documents verifying that they are qualified 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, interview the candidates, and evaluate the candidates. The panel’s recommendations are 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.
Col. Steven A. Strain, commander of the 502d Installation Support Group, United States Air Force has notified the commissioner of three vacancies on the board of trustees of the Lackland ISD due to the expiration of the terms of office of two board members and the retirement of one board member. Colonel Strain recommends the appointments of Mr. John Sheehan and Mr. John K. Jackson, and the reappointment of Mrs. Jere M. Pace to the Lackland ISD Board of Trustees.
MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:
Based on Col. Steven A. Strain’s recommendation, approve the appointments of Mr. John Sheehan and Mr. John K. Jackson, and the reappointment of Mrs. Jere M. Pace to serve a term of office from June 25, 2021 through June 25, 2023, on the Lackland ISD Board of Trustees.
Staff Members Responsible:
Christopher Lucas, Director, Policy, Planning, and Operations, Governance and Accountability
Morris Lyon, Senior Governance Advisor, Governance and Accountability
Attachment:
Correspondence from Col. Steven A. Strain that includes biographical information and supporting materials for each nominee