Recommendation for Appointments to the
Randolph Field Independent School District Board of Trustees

February 2, 2018

COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITIATIVES: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: CONSENT

SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for board consideration of two appointments to the board of trustees of the Randolph Field Independent School District. The appointments are necessary due to the expiration of the term of office for two board members.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §11.352, and 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §61.2.

PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: No previous board action has occurred on this item.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The State Board of Education 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, interview the candidates 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 three nominations to the State Board of Education. The nominations may or may not be ranked in order of preference. 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, Thomas G. Miner, Jr., Commander of the 502d Security and Readiness Group, has notified the commissioner of two vacancies which exist on the board of trustees of the Randolph Field Independent School District due to the expiration of the term of office. Colonel Miner has provided six nominees for the two vacancies and has recommended the
re-appointment of Mr. William Morrison II and Ms. Vanessa Bowden to fill the expiring term.

FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact to the state will occur.

PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: Both the public and the students will benefit by having qualified individuals appointed to the board of trustees.

PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: No procedural or reporting implications exist.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: No public comments are presented.

OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: No other comments or related issues are presented.

MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:

Based on Colonel Thomas G. Miner, Jr.’s recommendation, approve the re-appointment of Mr. William Morrison II and Ms. Vanessa Bowden to serve a term of office, from February 2, 2018 through February 1, 2020, on the Randolph Field Independent School District Board of Trustees.

Staff Member Responsible:
Jeff Cottrill, Director, Governance and Investigations

Attachment:
I. Correspondence from the Colonel which includes biographical information and supporting materials for each nominee