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Irion County ISD Board March 11 2026

  • Mar 12
  • 5 min read

Updated: Mar 15


On March 5 cement trucks on 4th Street started pouring the area that will direct the water into the detention pond.
On March 5 cement trucks on 4th Street started pouring the area that will direct the water into the detention pond.



A. Agenda Analysis

  1. Redemption of bonds, item 12: This is the most important item on this agenda. See my Meeting Review at B.2. for last month's meeting. Paying off the 2019 bonds will also make the District a more attractive draw for new superintendent candidates. If accomplished, the District won't be awash in debt.

  2. Discuss Supt. search, item 10: Expect the Region 15 folks to be present to give an update. I’m not certain just yet, but the job may have been posted on March 6. Of course, candidates are kept under wraps for the majority of the process.

  3. Administrator/Teacher contracts and renewals, items 15, 18 and 19: These are done each March and are a barometer of employee security and contentedness with the District. With a new superintendent in the not too distant future, I imagine the administrators want to burrow in and the teachers are wondering whether they need to look elsewhere.

  4. Band travel, item 7: The band has been invited to be the only Texas band to play in the Liberty Bowl, I believe it is, as discussed at the last board meeting. Fundraising is going to have to be top level because the trip could reach the $75,000 to $100,000 mark.

  5. Pending construction projects, item 5: This is the placeholder in case bond funding of a project is necessary.

  6. Nomination for Supt. of year, item 6: They really don’t want her to leave. Noted.


The operative question about the aqueduct design here is whether it is going to be robust enough to channel the large amounts of water that are intended to go into the detention area. My initial impression is no (I have been in this very location many times during rain storms), but it’s concrete now so we are going to find out.
The operative question about the aqueduct design here is whether it is going to be robust enough to channel the large amounts of water that are intended to go into the detention area. My initial impression is no (I have been in this very location many times during rain storms), but it’s concrete now so we are going to find out.

B. Meeting Review

  1. Here are the meeting documents.

  2. Paydown of bonds, item 12: This matter has been tabled. This issue has become all the more important with Board Member Taylor Douglas' housing development that could bring more children to the district. There's no way around it - more children equals more classrooms, more bond debt and higher student to teacher ratios. Having bond capacity will be essential.

  3. Bond purchasing, item 5: The Board approved a bid for maintenance building equipment.

  4. Nomination for Region 15 Supt. of the Year , item 6: President Carlile spearheaded this nomination. The Board unanimously approved. It is a good sign that the Board President is endorsing the Superintendent like this, particularly as their relationship is ending.

  5. Supt search, item 10: They will conduct initial interviews April 20-21 for a start date of May 19. See page 8 of the meeting documents for the deadlines. The Board went into closed to discuss board profiles.

  6. Administrative Report - a. Coach Morrow: There was a Hellas meeting on March 9 about the track imperfections at the new track, and Hellas was a no show. So, the problems aren't being resolved by Hellas. The District is still retaining final payment. Put "Hellas" in the search bar to see the history. b. Special programs: This was a very informative update by Ms. Jackson. The numbers: Special ed census - elementary 36; secondary 24. The 504 program has 22 in elementary and 22 in secondary. ESL 8 total, last year 14. c. Kandra Lakey: The interest return from unspent bond investments is substantial. This is interest the District gets to keep. (Under the prior administration, in fact, it saved their bacon when they over spent on the 2019 bond funds.) Go to the meeting documents pages 11-23 to see this month's board report on the budget. The District's fund balance is typically $8-9 million, btw. d. Supt. Moore: Transportation is getting its parking area poured this week. (In the background: I am in ongoing discussions with her on this project because this means the time has finally arrived for addressing the engineers' design for stormwater runoff of this facility into the alley. See my commentary below.) Transfer applications will go out in April. (No discussion here, but this was a hot button issue last year when the District refused to grant some transfers; it stands to become even more controversial if a new neighborhood comes in, as residents get an automatic seat.) She is also addressing roof and A/C quotes.

  7. Band travel, item 8: The Board approved out of state travel next December to the Liberty Bowl. Fundraising for $80-90 k is now underway. (An estimated 50 students can go, with an approximate tab of $1,500 per student for the trip.)

  8. Life Skills MOU, item 9: The District and Sonora are content with current agreement, so no action here.

  9. Interior keyless entry contract with Verkada, item 11: The Board approved the $485,000 bid. This bid doesn't include the1909 building, as construction hasn't started there yet.

  10. Consent agenda, item 13: Approved.

  11. Teacher Contracts, Return after closed, items 17, 18 and 19: See pages 1and 2 of the meeting documents. All teacher contracts were approved, with the exception of Tell Rutledge, the head football coach, and action on his contract was tabled.


As tempting as it is, her teeth have to come in first.
As tempting as it is, her teeth have to come in first.

C. Commentary

  1. A reminder to Parkhill/Gallagher hydraulic engineers: Way back in 2023, I posted this about the stormwater runoff entering 4th Street from the new gymnasium: Stormwater from the Roof of City Gym. My relationship with the District has greatly improved since that post, I'm pleased to say. But, that math is still good math...and the aqueduct on 4th street going into the new storm detention area has to account for it...and the new storm water coming from the transportation facility.

  2. Keyless door locks: Don't overlook the District spending $485,000 on an interior keyless door lock system. These are security upgrades that the state has hoisted upon districts and taxpayers in part because our state leadership has failed to properly address mass shootings in public schools. We are on the treadmill here, as these upgrades will likely only be operational for a limited time. (Ten years?) Additional bond funds will be needed at that time to replace this system. Rolling bonds are a dangerous slippery slope. We all now have the memory of Covid dropping oil prices into the negative. None of our current mineral wealth is a sure thing.

  3. 765 kV transmission line update: As previously mentioned, I filed as an intervenor. Again, you can go here, put in 59182 in the control number box and press search. The Rocker B Ranch is putting up their dukes, so I recommend reading anything relating to them (do a word search on the page for Scottish Rite Hospital). In time I will highlight the post trial briefs. (The hearing on the merits before the State Office of Administrative Hearings is set for March 25-27th. This is a rocket docket, and if you were an interested landowner and sat on your hands, you are voiceless.)

  4. Big Bend Border Wall: I'm unable to dedicate time to this, but please look into it by searching "Big Bend Border Wall". Here is the current U.S. Customs and Border Protection map for the proposal. See also Sheriffs unite against border wall. I have biked a Texas state park along the border; I wrote about it here and here. My bottom line is that public recreational areas are not a major migrant corridor and should be kept free of border walls.


    This is what the site looked like before the construction of the new maintenance building. The yellow arrow represents where the Parkhill/Gallagher engineers are directing the storm water flow.
    This is what the site looked like before the construction of the new maintenance building. The yellow arrow represents where the Parkhill/Gallagher engineers are directing the storm water flow.

Copyright 2026 G. Noelke

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