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La Porte ISD board meeting, Sep 8, 2026

1 h 07 min

Budget cuts and layoffs ▶ 22:34Enrollment ▶ 22:34Safety, weapons and police ▶ 38:37

This board doesn’t post agenda times. Click a board member to jump to where they first speak; we list only members whose voice our check named. Video length 1 h 07 min.

  1. Who spoke · first speaks at
  6. Jeff MartinPresident
What happened

What happened at this meeting

La Porte ISD estimates $3.3 million deficit, down from adopted $8.2 million 24:14

  • A district staff member told the board that the district adopted a deficit of $8.2 million and estimated the deficit would be closer to $3.3 million, leaving a $53.5 million estimated fund balance to start fiscal year 2027. 24:05
  • The board also heard updates on bond projects, safety and security, and academics, including questions from Dee Anne Thomson about the new Bluebonnet math curriculum. 27:57
  • Jeff Martin sought a motion on Item K, and the motion was announced as carried. 59:13
Item by item (12)
  1. Opening of meeting 0:00
    • Jeff Martin convened the Board of Trustees at 7 PM, followed by a presentation of colors by the LaPorte High School ROTC and the pledges. 0:00
    • Dee Anne Thomson gave the invocation. ~1:57
  2. Staff department recognitions 2:34
    • A staff member recognized the transportation department, saying it moves nearly 2/3 of district students to and from school each day. 3:59
    • A staff member recognized the Child Nutrition Department, saying it serves 4,900 lunches and 2,500 breakfasts every day at no cost to students. 5:46
    • The support services team was also recognized for keeping facilities running. 7:31
  3. Public comment 10:39
    • A speaker at public comment said the citizen category had been removed from the Hall of Honor bylaws and that no backup material was available for the May 26th meeting. 11:10
    • The speaker asked the board to revisit the bylaws and reinstate the citizen category. 11:10
  4. State law compliance certification 16:53
    • A staff member said districts are required to comply with Texas Education Code 11.005 regarding diversity, equity and inclusion duties. 17:10
    • The staff member said the district adopted policy revisions through TASB updates 119, 122, 126 and 127. 17:44
  5. Superintendent report 19:10
    • The superintendent said the district earned an A rating on the 25⁠-⁠26 School First report with a preliminary score of 94 out of 100. 20:34
    • The superintendent said district students will take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new La Porte City Hall on September 14th. 21:07
  6. Budget and finance update 22:12
    • A staff member said the district estimates a $53.5 million fund balance to start fiscal year 2027, a $4.9 million savings from what was budgeted, and that enrollment went from 6,959 to 6,910. 22:54
    • A speaker asked whether the district could invest with a firm other than Texpool to earn more than about 3%, and Dee Anne Thomson said the law stopped that about 7 years ago. 26:08
    • A speaker asked whether staff could be slightly less conservative in budgeting. 27:57
  7. Bond and safety update 27:57
    • A staff member described bond work at LaPorte High School, including a commons with 23-foot ceilings and 40,000 square foot of additional detention, and a new canopy at Lomax Junior High. 31:47
    • The staff member said the district is moving to Region 4 for its facility security audit, covering 7 locations this school year, and that LPJ passed the first TEA intruder detection audit. 38:36
    • A speaker asked about the typical lifespan of furniture, carpet and technology, and the staff member said details would be provided. 40:17
  8. Academics update 44:04
    • Dee Anne Thomson asked which grade levels use Bluebonnet math, and a staff member said grades K through Algebra 2. 47:32
    • A staff member said the average math teacher has had at least 18 hours of training. 49:28
    • A staff member said the LIFT grant is paying for Zearn at this time. 52:12
  9. Consent agenda 52:50
    • Jeff Martin read consent items including minutes, principals' reports, a budget amendment, an interlocal agreement with Region 18 ESC and TASB Local Policy Update 127. 52:50
    • Item K was pulled, and the remaining items included resolutions on the certified appraisal tax roll and paying employees for the bad weather day of September 1st, 2026. 54:04
  10. 4-H extracurricular status resolution 55:17
    • Mason Peres asked whether there was consultation with program advisors on which shows would receive excused absences. 55:46
    • A staff member said the district is working with the Extension Office to get a list of events students will attend this year. 56:16
    • The motion was announced as carried. 59:18
  11. Distinguished alumni 59:18
    • The presiding speaker said the item would likely be tabled and that the nomination deadline is September 26th. 59:48
  12. Closing comments 59:18
    • Melissa Crutcher said Education Foundation grants are due Friday and the gala is October 3rd at the Regency at Baytown. 1:00:52
    • Karen Wheeler-Hall said the area flag football tournament will be held October 17th at the auxiliary field, and Jeff Martin said a state flag football tournament will be held the 2nd week of December. 1:03:33
    • A district staff member thanked the board for its patience and apologized to the La Porte community for having to make a decision early in the morning to cancel school. 1:05:31

Written by software from the meeting's transcript and checked sentence by sentence against it.

Other meetings

Other meetings of this board

Video: posted by the district as “La Porte ISD Board Meeting 9/8/26”