The Pearland ISD Board of Trustees approved the establishment of a capital projects fund at the Oct. 8 meeting and the transfer of $10 million from the general operating fund into the capital projects fund.

The $10 million will begin to address the $18 million worth of capital improvement needs indicated in the 10-year capital renewal plan the district published in May.

“We’re beginning to look through those projects with a fine-toothed comb to determine which are most critical and should be prioritized in this process,” Superintendent John Kelly said.

Some areas in need of funding include maintenance of the grounds, facilities and equipment; updating technology; replacing buses and musical instruments; and upgrading athletic equipment.

The board also discussed starting to offer full day pre-K to all eligible students in Fall 2020. The Texas Legislature recently said that all districts must begin full day pre-K as soon as possible, unless the district is unprepared in terms of facilities. Right now, PISD offers half-day pre-K at nine of the eleven elementary schools in the district.

“We analyzed our facilities, and we believe we can bring full day Pre-K to all 11 elementary schools,” Kelly said. “This would involve 12 additional teachers, 10 additional aids, and a couple temporary facilities.”

The board also heard a presentation on Positive Behavior Intervention/Supports (PBIS) and Restorative Practices.

Students and residents spoke during public comment about alleged discrimination in the district and urged the board to consider the Brazoria County branch of the NAACP’s resolution. The resolution renounced "complicity in white supremacy," said Dona Kim Murphey, who spoke on the topic during public comment along with others. Board Member Mike Floyd made a motion to add the resolution to next months agenda, but the motion was not seconded.