Kevin O’Connor Kommentary November 9

Texas A&M’s President Announces Two Leadership Searches Will Be Starting As Two More Are Coming To An End

For the third time in as many days, Texas A&M announces an update to searches in leadership positions. President Mark Welsh posted on his website Thursday (July 11), two searches will begin this fall and two others are coming to an end. Welsh said the dean at A&M’s veterinary school, John August, will retire in May 2025. Welsh says August, who will finish a nearly 40 year career at A&M, will stay while a national search is conducted. The president also said there will be a second search for dean of A&M’s school of architecture. Welsh says that follows the provost reviewing the report of the first search committee, the provost’s interaction with the finalists, and feedback from the campus community. Welsh says he has received recommendations for A&M’s next vice provost of faculty affairs and a decision is expected in early August. And Welsh says final recommendations for dean of A&M’s graduate and professional school have been forwarded to the provost and an announcement is expected soon. The president’s announcements follows naming a permanent chief operating officer, the permanent dean of A&M’s school of performance, visualization, and fine arts, and the new dean of the Bush school of government.

Bryan ISD School Board And A Former Central Office Administrator Settle Allegations Of Discrimination And Retaliation

Bryan ISD school board members hold a special meeting to resolve allegations of discrimination and retaliation by a now-former central office administrator. At a special board meeting Wednesday night (July 10), members came out of a 90 minute executive session to approve what was described as a “compromise and settlement agreement” with former executive director of school leadership Crystal Goodman. There were no public comments before the board went into executive session and no board comments after returning from meeting behind closed doors other than the motion and the vote. Click below to hear comments from the July 10, 2024 special meeting of the Bryan ISD school board.   Click HERE to read and download the “compromise and settlement agreement”, provided by Bryan ISD. A copy of the settlement provided by BISD says this resolves complaints that Crystal Goodman filed with the equal employment opportunity commission and the Texas Workforce Commission. The agreement says this is a compromise of disputed claims where there is no admission of liability or fault by either BISD or Goodman. Goodman, who resigned after 11 years as a school leadership director, will be paid $36,000 dollars. The agreement also calls on BISD’s superintendent and appropriate central office staff to participate in the state school board association’s pay equity review and related programs. Goodman was one of three BISD executive directors of school leadership. BISD’s website said she was assigned to the district’s three intermediate schools and six of the 14 elementary schools. A BISD spokesman told WTAW News the “primary purpose of the Executive Director of School Leadership is to provide supervision and leadership for the district’s campuses. Specifically, they supervise each campus principal according to the district’s organizational structure. Additionally, these leaders ensure continuous academic improvement and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.” The spokesman also told WTAW News that no decision has been made if Goodman’s position will be filled.

Brazos County Commission Approves The Tax Assessor-Collector’s Early Retirement Request And Selects An Interim Director

A change of leadership at the Brazos County tax office on August 1st is officially approved by county commissioners. During a special meeting Friday (July 12), commissioners accepted the early retirement of tax assessor-collector Kristy Roe and appointed deputy Melissa Leonard to finish Roe’s unexpired term. Roe, who did not seek a fifth term, sought the early retirement to allow tax information for the upcoming year to be registered in the name of her successor. Leonard, a 24 year employee of the tax office who ran unopposed for the Republican nomination, faces a Libertarian candidate in the November general election. Click below to hear a visit with Melissa Leonard and WTAW’s Bill Oliver, followed by comments from the July 12, 2024 Brazos County commission meeting. Listen to “Brazos County Commission approves the tax assessor-collector's early retirement request and selects an interim director” on Spreaker. News release from Brazos County: In a special session of Brazos County Commissioners Court on July 12, 2024, commissioners accepted the resignation/retirement of longtime Brazos County Tax Assessor/Collector Kristeen Roe and approved the appointment of Melissa Leonard to fill the position. Roe had previously decided not to run for re-election, and in January started the process of audits which are legally required when a tax assessor/collector leaves office. Once those audits were completed, Roe realized stepping aside now would allow the taxing information for the upcoming year to be registered in the new official’s name, thereby making the transition easier for the county as a whole. Leonard has served as Brazos County’s deputy tax assessor/collector for 24 years and has completed all training and bonding to be able to seamlessly fill the position. “We are grateful for the many years Kristy Roe has faithfully served the citizens of Brazos County,” said County Judge Duane Peters. “I am confident that Melissa Leonard will be able to continue that service and the Tax Office will be in good hands.” Roe’s retirement is effective July 31, 2024, and Leonard’s appointment begins August 1st.