Leander ISD Trustees approve Superintendent’s contract in 6-1 vote
Trustee Aaron Johnson casts the dissenting vote
Leander Independent School District Trustees voted to approve Superintendent Dr. Bruce Gearing’s contract at a Jan. 13 meeting. Trustees voted 6-1 when they returned from Closed Session, with Trustee Aaron Johnson being the only dissenting vote.
No comments were made by Trustees during the vote, but Johnson’s vote was not surprising due to comments he made earlier in the meeting.
Johnson chose to direct his remarks at Gearing early during Board Updates, a part of the agenda usually reserved for general updates from Trustees rather than making requests.
Johnson asked Gearing about his recent interactions with Williamson County, related to the release of CARES Act funds to the school district. Williamson County Commissioners had previously voted to refrain from releasing the funds to the District, due to issues with instructional materials.
Like the many alt-right radicals speaking at meetings over the past year and Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell, Johnson, too, seemed way more concerned about the process of banning books than anything else.
“I believe you made certain commitments to Williamson County,” Johnson said to Gearing. “I believe those commitments are due to be completed by the end of April.”
One of those commitments, Johnson said, included a presentation to the Board related to “instructional materials,” i.e. books.
“As I looked at forthcoming agendas, I didn’t see that presentation on the agenda yet,” Johnson said to Gearing. “So, I wondered if you can comment on when you anticipate bringing that presentation to the Board?”
Johnson then requested three additional topics he would like to see presentations on: the “full and final” report from the CCAC (Community Curriculum Advisory Committee) review cycles that started in 2020-2021; a report on the instructional material process for new titles for the current school year; and a status report on the District’s progress reviewing the existing instructional materials.
Leander ISD President Trish Bode suggested Trustees discuss the topic in Closed Session with legal, who would then inform what next steps should be taken.
“I have no idea what you have planned in that communication, but I think my request stands on its own,” Johnson retorted. “I’m happy to understand more about what may be communicated in Closed, but I don’t think it changes in any way this request.”
“We’ll have to get to Closed, and get to that discussion, and then we’ll move forward from there,” Bode said.