The Pearland ISD Town Hall Meeting, hosted by trustees, drew about 40 people Tuesday at Robert Turner College and Career High School in Pearland.
Those attending the first such event for PISD in recent memory included parents, the seven trustees, superintendent and other staff members.
PISD Board President Rebecca Decker said trustees held a town hall because the format allows them to respond to parents’ questions together in a public forum.
“I think it was an awesome event -- great conversations, great questions that we had from the public,” Decker said after the approximately two-hour meeting.
A parent voiced concerns about how State House Bill 3, a school finance proposal, might affect gifted and talented education at PISD.
Arwen Jackson, president of the GT Academy Booster Club, said having dollars specifically allotted for GT is a good thing.
“But I’m unwilling to kill a bill that’s going to bring that much more money to our district,” Jackson said.
School officials assured Jackson the district would continue funding it regardless of what the Legislature does.
“We’re going to be investing in GT,” trustee Mike Floyd said.
Other concerns included mental health, school safety and education for English-language learners and economically disadvantaged students.
The meeting began with a 30-minute presentation on the district budget and taxes by PISD Chief Financial Officer Jorgannie Carter.
Carter explained how PISD develops the budget and sets a tax rate.
The next regular school board meeting is at 5 p.m. April 9 in the Virgil Gant Education Support Center, 1928 N. Main, Pearland.