Call to Order
Lee Sonnenberg, Board President called the July 6, 2026 meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired to order at 1:00 p.m.
Introduction of Board Members and Audience
Board members present were Lee Sonnenberg and Julie Prause. Present via Zoom were Hillary Rodriguez, Dan Brown, Brenda Lee, Dr. Beth Jones, Belinda Rudinger, Ernest Worthington
Other persons present at the meeting were Allyson Collins, with the law firm of Spalding Nichols Lamp Langlois; Emily Coleman, Superintendent; Jenny Wells, General Counsel; Susan Houghtling, Planning and Evaluation Coordinator; and Veronica Keating, Executive Assistant.
Also present via Zoom were Eileen Mervish, Parent; Phillip Mervish, Parent; and Fernando de Uriste, Family Representative.
Public Comments/Open Forum
There was no one signed up for public comment.
Consideration and Deliberation by the Board of Level Three Grievance filed by Parents of A.M. The grievance and Board deliberation will take place in closed session pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.082, 551.071, and 551.0821.
Mr. Sonnenberg stated that the Board would recess the open session and convene in a closed meeting to discuss agenda item #4 – ‘Consultation with Attorney Regarding Student Legal Matter’ in conformance with Texas Government Code Sections 551.082 – School Children; School District Employees; Disciplinary Matter or Complaint; 551.071 – Consultation with School Attorney; and Section 551.0821 – Personally Identifiable Student Information.
Mr. Sonnenberg added that 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 1:05 p.m.
The Board will return to Open Session to take possible action on the Level Three Grievance.
Mr. Sonnenberg stated it was 2:58 p.m. and the Board would convene in open session.
Dan Brown made a motion to uphold the level 2 grievance decision. Brenda Lee seconded the motion. All board members present and participating via Zoom voted unanimously to pass the motion.
Adjournment
Julie Prause made a motion to adjourn the July 7, 2026 meeting of Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Board of Trustees. Dan Brown seconded the motion. All members present and participating via Zoom voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 3:00 p.m.