In 2007, a Galveston County District Court Judge dismissed a lawsuit Nancy Kessling filed against the Friendswood Independent School District and the Superintendent.  In the lawsuit, Kessling claimed that FISD and the Superintendent violated certain provisions of the Texas Education Code, the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Open Meetings Act.

        The Judge dismissed her lawsuit in November 2007.   Kessling appealed the decision, and the Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of her claims under the Education Code and some of her claims under the Texas Public Information Act, but reversed the dismissal of her claims under the Texas Open Meetings Act and the remainder of her claims under the Texas Public Information Act. 
        As to these claims, the Court of Appeals did not find that FISD or the Superintendent had violated any law, but simply that these claims were prematurely dismissed.  FISD petitioned the Texas Supreme Court to review the Court of Appeals’ decision, but the Court recently declined to do so.
        This case will soon be sent back to the District Court to address the merits of Kessling’s remaining claims.  At that time, FISD and Superintendent Hanks will have the opportunity to respond to Kessling’s specific allegations, and they are confident that the true facts of this case will result in the dismissal of her remaining claims. 
        While this litigation detracts from FISD’s educational mission, FISD and Superintendent Hanks look forward to finally presenting their side of this story and setting the record straight on this matter.