College of the Mainland, TX

August Meeting

The College of the Mainland Board of Trustees will consider proposing a 2026 tax rate of $0.260394 per $100 valuation (a decrease from 2025) and adopting the FY2026-27 budget, which raises total property taxes by $163,461 (0.35%) including $1,072,976 from new property. The board will also vote on multiple service contracts, a police academy interlocal agreement, and other operational items.

• Propose 2026 tax rate of $0.260394/$100 (M&O $0.141180, I&S $0.119214), decrease from 2025
• Adopt FY2026-27 budget raising property taxes by $163,461 (0.35%)
• Award contracts: printing ($199,979), security ($125,000), call center extension ($221,000), software ($117,228.43), computers ($188,422.50), telephony ($268,126.62), copiers ($180,000), grounds ($388,800)
• Approve interlocal agreement with Galveston County for Law Enforcement Academy at COM
• Remove Burn Building from 2023 bond program and reallocate funds

Workshop

The College of the Mainland board is holding a workshop to discuss the Senate Bill 37 core curriculum review process. The agenda also includes a call to order, roll call, and a possible closed executive session, followed by consideration of any items discussed in that session. No votes or specific actions are listed on the agenda.

• Senate Bill 37 Core Curriculum Review Process
• Adjournment to closed or executive session under Texas Government Code
• Consideration of possible action on items from closed session

July Meeting

The College of the Mainland Board of Trustees will meet July 27 to decide on major financial and construction items, including a $14.2M library expansion contract amendment and a $10.2M bond issuance. The board will also consider policy updates, insurance renewals, and a building renaming.

• Amend Vaughn Construction contract for COMmons Library & Learning Center to $14,163,439
• Issue $10,238,488 in Limited Tax General Obligation and Refunding Bonds, Series 2026
• Approve $668,488 increase to Lockwood Andrews & Newnam program management contract (total $10,238,488)
• Approve $7,688.56 increase to D2L Brightspace contract (total $471,204)
• Rename Public Safety Careers Building to Cosmetology & Culinary Careers Building

June Meeting

The College of the Mainland board will meet on June 22, 2026 to approve minutes, financial reports, and policy revisions. Key decisions include awarding a $120,000 out-of-home advertising contract and adopting updates to local policies on administration, information security, and admissions.

• Award contract 27-06 to Clear Channel for out-of-home advertising services, not to exceed $120,000 (Aug 2026–Aug 2027)
• Adopt proposed revisions to COM Local Policies (BGC, CS, FB sections)
• Approve appointment nominations for 6 new staff positions across IT, nursing, HR, and foundation departments
• Accept May 2026 investment and financial reports
• Consider amendment #1 to the President’s employment contract effective July 1, 2026

May Meeting

The College of the Mainland board meets to approve minutes, financial reports, and five new staff appointments. Members will also consider a $20,000 contract increase for Weaver and Tidwell to reconcile endowment trust funds.

• Approve $20,000 increase to Contract 25-01 with Weaver and Tidwell for endowment reconciliation
• Approve minutes of April 27, 2026 meeting
• Accept April 2026 investment and financial reports
• Approve five new staff appointments including Leslie Peirsol and Kirsten Schafman
• Consider closed-session items after adjournment to executive session

Retreat

The College of the Mainland Board of Trustees will hold a retreat to discuss the 2026-2027 budget, college goals, and board self-evaluation. The meeting includes a closed session under Texas Government Code, followed by consideration of items discussed in private.

• 2026-2027 College Goals & Performance Alignment
• Board of Trustees Self-Evaluation Process
• Presentation of the 2026-2027 Budget
• Adjournment to closed session pursuant to Texas Government Code
• Consideration of items discussed in closed session

April Meeting

The College of the Mainland board will meet April 27, 2026 to act on routine minutes, approve new policies, and vote on several contracts and academic programs. The board will also hear updates on welding programs and bond progress.

• Award $750,000 annually for Job Order Contract (JOC) & Trades Services (Contract 26-04)
• Approve $150,000 copier hardware and maintenance contract with Stewart Organization (Contract 26-09)
• Establish new Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR)
• Adopt proposed revisions to COM Local Policies
• Appoint Martin Navarro as Veterans Coordinator & School Certifying Official

March Meeting

The Board is reviewing contracts for bond project auditing and building renovations. The meeting also includes financial report approvals and several personnel appointment nominations.

• Contract 23-54 to Whitley Penn for 2023 Bond Projects auditing services, not to exceed $126,000
• Contract 23-53 to Tellepsen Builders for Public Service Careers Building addition and renovation, $20,000 for pre-construction services
• Appointment nominations for Ruth Sturhan, Elizabeth Hansen, Brittney Hunt, and Gabriela Martinez
• Acceptance of February 2026 Investment and Financial Reports
• Bond update presented by LAN (Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc.)

Workshop

The board will hold a workshop to discuss facilities and the Old Public Service Careers Building. The meeting includes presentations on the Process Technology program and a student spotlight.

• Facilities discussion
• Old Public Service Careers Building update
• Program Spotlight: Process Technology
• Student Spotlight: Keshaundia Quinn
• Possible action on items discussed in closed session

Workshop

The board will conduct a workshop featuring presentations on strategic goals, dual credit advantages, and the Associate of Arts in English program. The meeting includes a student spotlight and a closed executive session.

• Aspen Presidents and Trustees Collaborative Overview
• Strategic Goals Overview
• Dual Credit Advantage Presentation
• Program Spotlight: Associate of Arts in English
• Closed executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code

February Meeting

Special Called Meeting

The College of the Mainland board will meet to consider and possibly approve two criminal justice grant applications for 2026. The meeting also includes a scheduled closed executive session.

• Grant application for 2026 Body-Worn Cameras Criminal Justice Grant
• Grant application for 2026 Vehicle Criminal Justice Grant

Workshop Cancelled

The board will conduct a workshop to review the Aspen Presidents and Trustees Collaborative Overview and Strategic Goals Overview. The meeting includes a closed executive session and a subsequent open session for possible action on items discussed in private.

• Review of Aspen Presidents and Trustees Collaborative Overview
• Review of Strategic Goals Overview
• Executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code of the Open Meetings Act

January Meeting

The Board of Trustees will discuss insurance renewals, facility design contracts, and several faculty appointment nominations. The body will also review financial reports and construction documents for the Campus Services Building Project.

• Property and Casualty Insurance Renewals not to exceed $2,610,000
• Police, Flood, Auto, and other insurance renewals not to exceed $106,587
• Contract 23-52 with RDLR Architects for Public Safety Careers Building design (not to exceed 7.75% of final cost)
• Contract 25-01 increase of $158,000 to Weaver & Tidwell for OPEAR managed services
• Approval of construction documents for the Campus Services Building Project

Workshop Cancelled

The board will conduct a workshop including an overview of strategic goals and the Aspen Presidents and Trustees Collaborative. The meeting includes a closed executive session and potential action on items discussed therein.

• Aspen Presidents and Trustees Collaborative Overview
• Strategic Goals Overview
• Executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code of the Open Meetings Act

January Meeting Cancelled

The Board of Trustees will discuss insurance renewals for 2026-2027 and architectural services for the Public Safety Careers Building. The body will also consider construction documents for the Campus Services Building and several faculty and staff appointments.

• Property and Casualty Insurance renewals not to exceed $2,610,000
• Police Professional and other insurance renewals not to exceed $106,587
• Contract 23-52 with RDLR Architects for Public Safety Careers Building design (not to exceed 7.75% of final cost)
• Contract 25-01 increase to Weaver & Tidwell for OPEAR managed services in the amount of $158,000
• Approval of construction documents for the Campus Services Building Project

Special Called BOT Meeting

The College of the Mainland Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting to consider a lease agreement with La Marque Outlet Development, LP. The board will adjourn to a closed session for legal consultation and real estate deliberations before reconvening to act on items discussed in private.

• Consideration and possible approval of lease agreement with La Marque Outlet Development, LP
• Adjournment to closed session under Texas Government Code §551.071 and §551.072