The West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees has called a special emergency meeting, which will be held over the telephone Thursday at 4 p.m.

School district officials said current weather conditions and the impact of Hurricane Harvey have created an emergency and urgent public necessity to take action in a special called board meeting to protect public health and safety and address previously unforeseen circumstances.

“Recognizing that Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey made land fall on the weekend of August 25, that the storm and its aftermath directly impacted the community of West Orange-Cove CISD ISD, that the Governor of Texas declared a state of disaster for some 30 counties including Orange County in which the school district resides, that significant flooding has impacted our area causing significant damage to area property and school district facilities, and resulting in the evacuation of several families from the area, and further recognizing the inability and/or danger presented by having a board meeting in school district facilities with board member, staff or public physically present, West OrangeCove CISD ISD Board of Trustees, via its Board President, in consultation with Superintendent Rickie Harris, pursuant to Texas Education Code 551.125 and 551.045, provides this written notice of an emergency board meeting to be held by telephone conference call to address certain issues,” the school district’s press release reported.

The telephone conference call will be originated via conference call line at telephone number 713-333-6137, pass code 5678 and will provide two-way communication. The conference call will be recorded. Phone number for public to call in and listen is 713-333-6137, pass code 5678.

The agenda for the meeting includes:

1. Open Meeting – Call to Order
2. Roll Call—Announcement of a Quorum
3. Declaration of an emergency and urgent public necessity within the meaning of Texas Education Code 551.045 related to the impact of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey, and related actions.
4. Superintendent/staff reports related to the impact of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey on school district facilities, operations and personnel.
5. Action:
6. Consider approval of resolution related to authorizing the administration to compensate all employees for days when the District was/is closed due to inclement weather and hurricane conditions as well as providing Superintendent authorization regarding bad weather days and emergency purchases including authorization to retain contractor(s) to remediate and mitigate damage to district property and facilities Closed Session If, during the course of the meeting, discussion of any item on the agenda should be held in a closed meeting, the Board will conduct a closed meeting in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Government Code, Chapter 551, Subchapters D and E.

Before any closed meeting is convened, the presiding officer will publicly identify the section or sections of the Act authorizing the closed meeting. All final votes, actions, or decisions will be taken in open meeting. 551.071 Private consultation with the board’s attorney. 551.072 Discussing purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property. 551.073 Discussing negotiated contracts for prospective gifts or donations. 551.074 Discussing personnel or to hear complaints against personnel. 551.076 Considering the deployment, specific occasions for, or implementation of, security personnel or devices. 551.0821 Deliberating a matter regarding a public school student if personally identifiable information may be revealed. 551.082 Considering discipline of a public school child, or complaint or charge against personnel. 551.083 Considering the standards, guidelines, terms, or conditions the board will follow, or will instruct its representatives to follow, in consultation with representatives of employee groups. 551.084 Excluding witnesses from a hearing.

Should any final action, final decision, or final vote be required in the opinion of the School Board with regard to any matter considered in such closed or executive meeting or session, then the final action, final decision, or final vote shall be either: (a) in the open meeting covered by the Notice upon the reconvening of the public meeting; or (b) at a subsequent public meeting of the School Board upon notice thereof; as the School Board shall determine.

Adjournment