Call to Order
Lee Sonnenberg, Board President called the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Board of Trustees meeting to order at 10:16 a.m. on April 10, 2026.
Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge
A TSBVI student led the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge.
Introduction of Board Members and Audience
Board members present were Lee Sonnenberg, Brenda Lee, Julie Prause, and Ernest Worthington. Board members present via Zoom were Hillary Rodriguez, Belinda Rudinger, and Beth Jones. Dan Brown was not present.
Audience members present were Emily Coleman, Superintendent; Veronica Keating; Executive Assistant; Amy Potts, Parent; Mary Allen Smith, Region 13 ESC; Shanna Hamilton, Curriculum; Allison Billes, Curriculum; Carlotta Binns, EXIT Program; Ann Du, CFO; Erica Cairns, Outreach Director; Eden Hagelman, STP Principal; Jenny Wells, General Counsel, Susan Houghtling, Planning and Evaluation Coordinator; Alex Arguello, Community Engagement Specialist; Scott Brackett, IR Director; Angela Wolf, Curriculum Director; and Miles Fain, Comprehensive Programs Principal. The TSBVI media team was present on Zoom.
Report from Family Lynx Program
Amy Potts gave a Family Lynx Program report. The fall meeting focused on different family involvement options at TSBVI.
She stated that the spring meeting was terrific. Families of two former students who recently moved into a group home shared the great experience they were having. It was inspiring for families who might be worried about life after TSBVI.
Last week was the very best and most attended Prom Red Carpet Zoom cast. It went off without a hitch.
She said they are continuing to brainstorm ways to continue the great strides Family Lynx has made related to family engagement at TSBVI. The unique circumstance of having a smaller pool of parents is due to families living across the State.
Overview of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Explicit Instruction
Miles Fain provided information about the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Explicit Instruction (MTSS) in Comprehensive Programs. Angela Wolf and Mary Allen Smith gave a presentation on the framework of the systems and how they support students’ levels of need. Carlotta Binns, Allison Biles, and Shanna Hamilton explained how they are putting the instruction into place with teachers and how School staff will be trained.
Public Comments/Open Forum
No one signed up for public comments.
Consideration of Approval of Minutes of February 6, 2026 Board Meeting
Brenda Lee motioned to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2026, board meeting. Belinda Rudinger seconded the motion. All members present voted in favor of the motion.
Report from the Finance Committee
Consideration of Approval of Investment Report
Julie Prause reviewed the most recent Investment Report for the six months ending February 28, 2026. Mr. Sonnenberg stated that the recommendation for the approval of the Investment Report came from the Finance Committee; therefore, a second was not required. All members present voted in favor to pass the motion.
Consideration of Approval of Receipt of Gifts and Donations of Over $500
Ms. Prause reviewed the TSBVI gifts and donations report for the past six months. Mr. Sonnenberg stated that the Finance Committee recommended approval of receipt of gifts and donations of over $500; therefore, a second was not required. All members present voted in favor to pass the motion.
Consideration of Approval of Request for Expenditure of Gifts and Donations
There were no requests for expenditure of gifts and donations.
Review of Budget Reports
Operating Budget Expenditure Report
The benchmark for percentage of the budget used as of February 28, 2026, was set at 50%. The total percentages of the budget expended were classroom instruction, 53%; residential program, 51%; summer and short-term programs, 35%; related and support services, 47%; technical assistance (Outreach) strategy, 47%; teacher preparation (Outreach), 11%; central administrative, 50%; and other support services, 32%. The total all budgets expended in state treasury was 47%.
Legacy Revenue Budget Report
The benchmark for Legacy Budget revenues as of February 28, 2026, was set at 50%. The total revenues received was 50%.
Legacy Operating Expenditure Budget Report
The benchmark for percent of Legacy Budget used was set at 50%. The total percent of the budget used was 48%.
Report from the Program Committee
Consideration of Approval of Board Policies: FD (TSBVI) Admissions
Brenda Lee stated that the recommendation to approve Policy FD as amended came from the Program Committee; therefore, a second was not required. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Consideration of Approval of TSBVI’s 2026-2027 School Calendar and Waiver of Operational Minutes
The Program Committee recommended the approval of TSBVI’s 2026-2027 school calendar and waiver request for operational minutes as presented; therefore, a second was not required. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Report from Comprehensive Programs Principal
Physical Education and Fitness Special Events
Ms. Lee stated that the Program Committee received a presentation from the athletics department that explained how the school makes physical education and events accessible for students. She stated it was amazing to see how students meet their physical education needs.
Consideration of Approval of New Library Materials
Ms. Lee explained that the recommendation to approve proposed new library materials came from the Program Committee; therefore, a second was not required. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Report on Teacher Incentive Allotment Program
Ms. Lee stated that surveys went out to staff regarding the Teacher Incentive Allotment. There was overwhelming support and positive feedback.
Report from Curriculum Director
Consideration of Approval of Recommendations of the Instructional Materials Committee
Angela Wolf, Curriculum Director, presented recommendations of the Instructional Materials Committee at the Board Program Committee. The recommendation to approve the recommended instructional materials came from the Program Committee; therefore, a second was not required. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
f. Report from Short-Term Programs Principal
Short-Term Programs update
Ms. Lee said that Short-Term Programs had City Travel for COMS and their students on March 5, 2026, through March 8, 2026. High School Independence Weekend will be on May 14, 2026, through May 17, 2026.
Summer 2026 Program update
Ms. Lee stated that there were 262 students accepted into the 2026 summer programs, and currently, there are 222 students confirmed to attend summer programs
Report from Outreach Director
Outreach Program update
Ms. Lee reported that Outreach has distributed all the Monarch braille devices. She added that the school is purchasing 10 Monarch devices and 28 more as needed with grant funding.
Lunch with Student Council
Mr. Sonnenberg announced that the Board would recess the meeting to have lunch with the TSBVI Student Council. It was 11:35 a.m.
Lee Sonnenberg stated that it was 12:20 p.m. and the meeting would reconvene.
Consideration of Approval of Agency Strategic Plan Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Performance Measures
Ms. Coleman stated that one new Short-Term Programs performance measure is proposed for the Agency Strategic Plan. The measure will track the number of individualized instructional lessons being provided.
Ms. Lee motioned to approve the Agency Strategic Plan Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Performance Measures as presented. Mr. Worthington seconded the motion. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Review of Needs Assessments and Proposed Action Plans and Consideration of Approval of Proposed Objectives for the 2026-2027 Annual Improvement Plan
The Board received the needs assessments for all major programs and departments for their review, as well as titles of action plans that will be written. Ms. Prause motioned to approve the proposed objectives for the 2026-2027 Annual Improvement Plan. Ms. Rudinger seconded the motion. All board members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Report from the Superintendent
Campus activities
Ms. Coleman reported on recent campus activities. Students had a fabulous time at prom, with the theme being Wildcats in the Wild West. She reviewed upcoming student events, including The Semi-Modulars performing at Fusebox Festival on April 15, 2026. The SCASB track and performing arts tournament is in Muskogee, Oklahoma, on April 16, 2026, through April 19, 2026. The dragon boat team is competing at the end of April.
Short-Term programs had City Travel for COMS and their Students (grades 7-12) on March 5, 2026, through March 8, 2026. Elementary Independence Weekend: Nature Navigators (grades 3-5) will take place April 30, 2026, through May 3, 2026.
Outreach Programs continued to hold Coffee Hours. Mentor Center is scheduled for May 3, 2026, through May 5, 2026. The 2026 Low Vision Conference: STEM In-Sight: Building Skills, Curiosity, and Confidence is on May 15, 2026. Texas Focus Conference is June 4, 2026, through June 6, 2026, in Austin.
Activities of the TSBVI Safety and Security Committee
Ms. Coleman reported on the activities of the TSBVI Safety and Security Committee. She thanked the board members who attended. The school now has a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper on campus full-time.
Superintendent’s activities
Ms. Coleman stated that the Texas Facilities Commission is finishing up multiple projects on campus. She continues to record and release episodes of the podcast A Sense of Texas. She and Erica Cairns presented at the Texas Association for Education and Rehabilitation (TAER). Ms. Coleman stated that she is the president-elect of the Council of Schools and Services for the Blind (COSB). She will be attending the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) 2026 International Conference. She was happy to announce that she completed her doctoral program and will graduate in May.
Consideration of Approval of New Contract Staff
Ms. Lee made a motion to approve the new contract staff as presented. Ms. Prause seconded the motion. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Consideration of Approval of Proposed Renewals of Staff Contracts
Ms. Prause motioned to approve the proposed renewals of staff contracts and the changes as presented. Ms. Rudinger seconded the motion. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Consideration of Approval of Proposed Non-Renewals of Staff Contracts, Texas Government Code 551.071 and 551.074
Mr. Sonnenberg stated that the Board would recess the open session and convene in a closed meeting to discuss the following items listed under agenda item #16 – ‘Consideration of Approval of Proposed Non-Renewals of Staff Contracts’ in conformance with Texas Government Code Section 551.071 –Consultation with School Attorney and Section 551.074 – Personnel Matters. Also in closed session, agenda item #17 – ‘Consultation with Attorney Regarding Student Legal Matter’ will be discussed in conformance with Texas Government Code Section 551.071 – Consultation with School Attorney and Section 551.0821 – Personally Identifiable Student Information. Finally, agenda item #18 – ‘Discussion of Superintendent’s Goals’ will be discussed in conformance with Texas Government Code Section 551.074 – Personnel Matters.
No voting would take place in the closed meeting. Any action the Board wishes to take as a result of discussions in a closed meeting would take place after the Board reconvenes in the open meeting. It was 12:37 p.m.
At 1:28 p.m., the Board convened in open session.
Ms. Lee motioned to approve the non-renewal of staff contracts as discussed in closed session and directed administration to issue a written notice to the employee discussed. Ms. Prause seconded the motion. All members present voted unanimously to approve the motion.
Consultation with Attorney Regarding Student Legal Matter, Texas Government Code 551.074, and 551.0821
Ms. Prause motioned that the Board authorize TSBVI Administration to initiate litigation if needed and as contemplated and discussed in closed session. Ms. Lee seconded the motion. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Discussion of Superintendent’s Goals
No action was taken on the above item.
Consideration of Approval of Board Meeting and Training Dates for Summer 2026 and the 2026-2027 School Year
The Board discussed ideas for the summer training session. They also discussed and agreed on board meeting and training dates for summer 2026 and the 2026-2027 school year. Brenda Lee motioned to approve the board meeting and training dates for summer 2026 and the 2026-2027 school year. Julie Prause seconded the motion. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Discussion of Future Board Meeting Topics
The Board discussed topics for future board meetings.
Announcements
Mr. Sonnenberg stated that Ann Du’s son and Emily Coleman’s daughter are graduating.
Adjournment
Julie Prause motioned to adjourn the April 10, 2026, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Board of Trustees meeting. Hillary Rodriguez seconded the motion. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion. It was 1:40 p.m.