Call to Order
Lee Sonnenberg, Board President, called the May 29, 2026, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Board of Trustees meeting to order at 10:15 a.m.
Pledges of Allegiance
Julie Prause led the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge.
Introduction of Board Members and Audience
Board members present were Lee Sonnenberg, Julie Prause, Dan Brown, Brenda Lee, Ernest Worthington, and Dr. Beth Jones. Belinda Rudinger was present via Zoom. Hillary Rodriguez was not present.
Audience members present were Dr. Emily Coleman, Superintendent; Jenny Wells, General Counsel; Miles Fain, Principal; Ann Du, CFO; G’Nell Price, Assistant Principal; Scott Brackett, IR Director; Dr. Eden Hagelman, STP Principal; Angela Wolf, Curriculum Director; Erica Cairns, Outreach Director; Katie Barnes, O&M Supervisor; Bernie Smith, O&M Instructor, Mary Faith Cowart, O&M Instructor; Nancy Fitch, Counselor; Alex Arguello, Community Engagement; Kay Pruett, former staff member; Belinda Fayard, Assistant Director Outreach; Susan Houghtling, Planning and Evaluation Coordinator; Brian Sobeck, Outreach; Eva Lavigne-Thompson, Outreach; and Veronica Keating, Executive Assistant.
Recognition of Retiring TSBVI Staff Members
The Board recognized TSBVI’s retiring staff members for their hard work and dedication to students and families across Texas.
Public Comments/Open Forum
No one was signed up for public comment.
Consideration of Approval of Minutes of April 10, 2026 Board Meeting
Ernest Worthington moved to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2026, board meeting. Dan Brown seconded the motion. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Report from the Finance Committee
Consideration of Approval of Investment Report
Julie Prause reviewed the most recent investment report for the eight-month period ending on April 30, 2026. The Finance Committee recommended approval of the Investment Report; therefore, a second was not required. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Consideration of Approval of Receipt of Gifts and Donations of Over $500
The Finance Committee recommended the approval of receipt of gifts and donation of over $500; therefore, a second was not required. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Consideration of Approval of Request for Expenditure of Gifts and Donations
There was no action taken on the above agenda item.
Review of Budget Reports
Operating Budget Expenditure Report
Julie Prause explained that the benchmark for the budget expended as of April 30, 2026 was 66%. The total percentages of the budget expended were classroom instruction 63%; residential program 68%; summer and short-term programs 47%; related and support services strategy 63%; technical assistance 62%; teacher preparation 41%; educational professional salary increases 0%; central administrative 67%; other support services 44%. The total for all budgets expended in state treasury was 61%.
Legacy Revenue Budget Report
The benchmark for Legacy Budget revenues as of April 30, 2026 was 66%. The total percent of revenues received was 72%.
Legacy Operating Expenditure Budget Report
The benchmark for the percent of Legacy Budget expended was set at 66%. The total percent of the budget expended was 68%.
Report from the Program Committee
Dr. Jones gave a report from the Program Committee.
Report from Comprehensive Programs Principal
Consideration of approval of new library materials
Dr. Jones stated that a recommendation to approve the new library materials came from the Program Committee; therefore, a second is not required. All board members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Report from School Health Advisory Council
Report on TSBVI’s School Health Advisory Council’s Activities and Recommendations
Dr. Jones reported that Nancy Fitch, TSBVI Counselor, provided information regarding the activities of TSBVI’s School Health Advisory Council. The group consists of nine faculty and ten parents. The Council released a newsletter and metrics showed 80% of those newsletters were being opened. The newsletter focuses on highlighting students, their successes and activities, such as at the Bistro or White Cane Day.
Report from Short-Term Programs Principal
Short-Term Programs (STP) update
In the Program Committee, Dr. Eden Hagelman stated that STP served a duplicated count of 234 students this school year, and 132 of them were in the unduplicated count. There were 38 cancellations. The programs served 17 out of the 20 Education Service Center Regions.
Update on Summer 2026 programs
Dr. Jones reported that there were 243 students enrolled in the 2026 summer programs compared to 203 last year.
Report from Outreach Director
Outreach Program Update
Dr. Jones stated that Ms. Cairns reported to the Committee that all the Monarch braille displays in inventory have been delivered to students on the VI Registry. The program used the TSBVI Access Grant on devices for state loan. Ms. Cairns added that the Texas Focus Conference is scheduled for June 3 to June 6, 2026, and there are 130 participants registered.
Consideration of Approval of Board Policies FFAF – Wellness and Health Services: Care Plans
The policy was reviewed in the Committee meeting, and no action was taken on the agenda item.
Student Performance Update
Angela Wolf and Miles Fain gave a report regarding student performance. Ms. Wolf stated that the School was lucky to have brilliant subject-matter experts in literacy. Leah Reed, Julie Mizell in the Curriculum department, and Mandy Gauld, Comprehensive Programs Diagnostician, are informed and knowledgeable about evidence-based practices. They plan to meet in June and then again in August to finish building out the framework. Ms. Wolf explained that she is responsible for the literacy and math action plan. She stated that math assessment surveys were sent to on-campus stakeholders. Next, she will review the results and make sure all the data is accurate. Finally, she will prepare a report that will be sent to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) by July 1, 2026.
American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Quota Program Overview
Ms. Cairns reported on the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Quota Program. The program was established in 1858 to provide accessible materials and equipment for students who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind. The Act to promote the education of the blind was enacted by Congress in 1879. This created a permanent annual federal appropriation. APH was designated as the official national source for educational materials and ensures a centralized, standardized system for producing materials for legally blind students. States receive funds based on an annual census of eligible students conducted by APH. The annual VI registration determines how much funding is available for qualifying students in each state through APH quota funds. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is the fiscal agent of quota funds. The materials and technology are inventoried and are requested through the TSBVI statewide resource APH webpage.
Consideration of Approval of New Contract Staff
Dan Brown made a motion to approve the new contract staff as presented, with changes to Daniela Molina-Garcia’s name. The following staff changes were made: Megan Hale was added as a teacher; Victoria Garate, as Behavior Specialist; and Nicole Medina as Outreach Consultant. Cristi Fleming was approved as a teacher and will move to an instructional specialist position in the Residential Program.
Julie Prause seconded the motion. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Consideration of Approval of Agency Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2031
Brenda Lee made a motion to approve the Agency Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2027-2031. Dan Brown seconded the motion. All members present voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Review of the 2026-2027 Annual Improvement Plan
Dr. Coleman updated the Board on completion of the action plans in the 2026-2027 Annual
Improvement Plan.
Report from the Superintendent
Campus Activities
Dr. Coleman shared that the SCASB Track and Performing Arts Tournament was in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The boys’ team took first place, which hasn’t happened in over ten years. Students participated in the annual Austin Dragon Boat Festival at Lady Bird Lake. TSBVI held the yearly Fiesta celebration and included former retired staff. The school play Little Mermaid Jr. was held May 14-16, 2026. Short-term Programs had their high school independence weekend. They continue offering individualized instruction for students as well.
Superintendent’s activities
Dr. Coleman reported to the Board her activities since the last board meeting. She attended the SCASB Tournament. She is serving as president-elect for the COSB (Council of Schools for the Blind) board. She will oversee the Leadership Institute that is tied to APH in October. Dr. Coleman added that she was invited to testify at a House Interim Committee on public education on May 11, 2026, on the state of education in Texas.
Consultation with Attorney Regarding Student Legal Matter, Government Code 551.071 and 551.0821 and Consultation with Attorney Regarding Personnel, Government Code 551.071 and 551.074
Lee Sonnenberg stated that the Board would recess the open session and convene in a closed meeting to discuss agenda item #15 – ‘Consultation with Attorney Regarding Student Legal Matter’ in conformance with Texas Government Code Section 551.071 – Consultation with School Attorney and Section 551.0821 – Personally Identifiable Student Information. Also in closed session, agenda item #16 – Consultation with Attorney Regarding Personnel will be discussed in conformance with Texas Government Code Section 551.071 – Consultation with
School Attorney and Section 551.074 – Personnel Matters.’ No voting would take place in the closed meeting. Any action the Board wished to take as a result of discussions in closed meeting would take place after the Board reconvenes in the open meeting. It was 12:03 p.m.
Mr. Sonnenberg stated it was 1:17 p.m. and the Board convened in open session.
No action was taken on agenda items #15 and #16.
Discussion of Future Board Meeting Topics and Training Dates
The Board discussed possible topics and training dates.
Announcements
Emily Coleman graduated and received her doctorate degree.
Adjournment
Julie Prause motioned to adjourn the May 29, 2026 Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Board of Trustees meeting. Ernest Worthington seconded the motion. All members present voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 1:18 p.m.