Tomball ISD held its monthly school board workshop meeting this evening and will vote on several items during tomorrow's regular board meeting. Here are three items of note from tonight's discussions:

• Lee McLeod was sworn in as Tomball ISD's newest board member. McLeod was appointed by the board to serve the rest of Lisa Nicholas' term following her resignation in April. McLeod previously ran for a school board position in the 2016 elections but was defeated by current trustee Matt Schiel. Learn more about McLeod here.

• During the meeting, the board heard a list of 10 recommendations from a facilities study conducted earlier this spring. TISD parent and Assistant City Manager Rob Hauck served as chairman of the study's steering committee and presented the list compiled from staff, parent and community member recommendations. The list is presented for consideration in a proposed bond referendum under consideration by the district and includes a number of projects:

  1. A new junior high school campus, a new elementary school campus and an expansion of Tomball Memorial High School to address growth on the south side of the district

  2. A natatorium near Tomball Memorial High School to better serve student-athletes on the south side of the district

  3. Improvements to the existing district football stadium or a possible new facility

  4. A new agriculture barn

  5. More technology: The committee proposed this to include more computers, tablets and e-books at campuses districtwide.

  6. A multipurpose facility to allow indoor practice for sports, band and dance teams

  7. Auditorium renovations at Tomball High School

  8. Updates to facilities and equipment in fine arts programs districtwide

  9. Additional buses for more efficient transportation districtwide

  10. Renovations to Tomball Intermediate School as well as additional older campuses as needed


Although recommendations have been made based on the study, the board has not yet called for a bond, made a final selection of projects or released an estimate for how much funding would be included in the bond. The last day for the district to call for a bond in time for the November election is Aug. 21.

• Lastly, the board held its second budget workshop tonight. The $128.5 million budget proposal includes a 3 percent district employee pay increase, which is expected to be voted on during tomorrow night's board meeting, and an additional 83 new employees.

The board will hear a final budget workshop next month before a public hearing and final vote, expected to be held in August.