[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6364200,"mediaKeyId","2165132-805ab61e0bc2cfbfb1c1d7a3dfa9a700","parentId",2165132,"title","Board excuses absences for freeze day, approves roofing funding and hires building envelope consultant","audioSeconds",188,"startMs",6272000,"endMs",6460000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165132-805ab61e0bc2cfbfb1c1d7a3dfa9a700&start=6272&end=6460","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165132-805ab61e0bc2cfbfb1c1d7a3dfa9a700/thumbnail_6272000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6364200/Texas/Board-excuses-absences-for-freeze-day-approves-roofing-funding-and-hires-building-envelope-consultant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364200-d883aba43ac8927db45ef65a8c94a334/orig.mp4?Expires=1774917157&Signature=HW44oiWeyC3JHJEdxMxFFi1kvt~AXL-WRcm2hv2u-AGPY~CpEYDBEWwhYDM-6xWCz8GirOre2cJIUsMzkk9TzSTqqneRlnSmbj3L-POyEGpRPLCia5o7CuxUudgp8SPUYoVqXmInLWtwgnVhj9pMt6lVAOdQ1BXK~ifIIWztpLs9-fOFdrgAvSEtpV-ZQScNtI5wrZvHdwgYAEBEpUqApcQDqgLPB7qzBGYsmaiRBno7KMGhkLNvR0kK7behlge-Lw4ye4p8EtEOsexXME2ZJG8TnRKhTp37r7AK3LbQORGQkbHkTx52SKQzQQO5HXI-AR-V3Z2vrGgdoPxIsHCvXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mercedes ISD","date","2025-01-29T15:06:32Z","article","The Mercedes ISD Board of Trustees unanimously authorized the superintendent to excuse absences and compensate employees for workdays missed because of an emergency weather closure, and approved related budget amendments and engineering services for facility repairs.

Board members read and approved a resolution that said the Jan. 21, 2025 freeze had resulted in emergency closure of district schools and facilities, that absences for employees during that closure were due to circumstances beyond employees’ control, and that compensating those employees and excusing make‑up days served a legitimate public purpose under Texas Education Code 45.105(c). The motion to adopt the resolution passed by unanimous vote.

On district facilities, administration recommended and the board approved two linked budget amendments to reclassify $109,660 from the assigned construction fund balance into unassigned fund balance and then into the facilities budget, and to reclassify an additional $162,737 of one‑time business‑office funds into the facilities budget to cover roofing and engineering costs. Facilities committee members reported they prioritized repairs to the old Mercedes High School gym roof and Harrell Middle School wall restoration, with an estimated construction cost of $923,932.80. Trustees also approved an engineering and building‑envelope consulting agreement with Robert Kishner (Robert Kissner/Robichisher in transcript) to provide design, build and engineering services; the consulting fee estimate for design/build oversight was reported at about $66,985.13 and the combined project budget after the amendments was reported at approximately $1,034,974.

The board approved the budget amendments and the consulting agreement by unanimous votes. Trustees thanked facilities committee members and district staff for identifying available funding sources and pursuing the repairs.

Ending: Administration will proceed with engineering work and solicit construction or move to procurement for repairs; the business office will make the budget reclassifications and report back on contract execution and project timelines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MISD Regular Board Meeting 1 28 25","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the superintendent to excuse absences and pay employees for a weather‑related closure and approved budget amendments to fund roof and wall repairs; the board also approved building envelope consulting services for engineering and oversight of the projects.","taxTitle","MERCEDES ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",56460,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364202,"Board selects Purdue Brandon for delinquent tax collection after competing presentations",2357,4820000,7177000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165132-805ab61e0bc2cfbfb1c1d7a3dfa9a700&start=4820&end=7177","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165132-805ab61e0bc2cfbfb1c1d7a3dfa9a700/thumbnail_4820000.jpg","/articles/6364202/Texas/Board-selects-Purdue-Brandon-for-delinquent-tax-collection-after-competing-presentations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364202-0ae3a9b57f405a347c3230c4232f8688/orig.mp4?Expires=1774917157&Signature=ZF8miDV~iD4X6OhORzJ4i8KPBG3bayDe4NyOsxZZrAodNigyXk75U4FTWmEtEpxCAviCKQBwsLvPMsnys8DSnELG6-Z0Inxm19xtD11PJFF5cPMBN02AE1Q6rlhiH-4REcNDWIdYj6ReYRWPAQBHHNwwpn10QXzwaVlg3xUQbftTwL2IeOR8VgYcP9bAFNs8svI1Bi6VPZH8g8P644gaIX5lm90s09zjywWPbzdO2DCoQNfm0~u8UwX9D1gB0UpATk8rNLSTWtm93tmFm-wE5TfhRSUJ05tcHXcsd0HqVTtodVzWBHgsjvYQO0b39KLxtwRLMcU0lofp6TdJDdhg2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mercedes ISD Board of Trustees heard competing presentations from two firms that responded to the district’s request for delinquent‑tax attorney services and voted to award the contract to Purdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott (Purdue Brandon).

Two firms presented: a representative of Purdue Brandon reviewed the district’s historical collection rates and urged a return to the firm’s earlier performance, and Linebarger partners Kelly Rivera Salazar and Jimmy Gonzales summarized Linebarger’s 24‑year relationship with Mercedes ISD and argued for continuity. Purdue Brandon’s presentation cited Hidalgo County tax‑assessor certified numbers and said the district’s collection rate peaked at 25.54% during years when Purdue Brandon previously served and had declined to 17.77% in the most recent certified year. Linebarger acknowledged a down year in the district’s collections but said its year‑to‑date collections were ahead of the prior year, and that refunds tied to appraisal‑district protests and homestead increases have complicated year‑to‑date comparisons.

After trustee discussion, Trustee Hernandez moved to award the delinquent‑tax attorney contract to Purdue Brandon, and the motion passed by a 3–2 vote with one abstention. The board’s subsequent motion authorized the board president and the district’s new counsel to provide appropriate notice of termination to the incumbent firm; that motion carried by the same margin.

Ending: The board’s selection will require administrative follow‑up to finalize contract documents and to coordinate any transition of work and accountings with the Hidalgo County tax office and the incumbent firm.","After hearing presentations from two firms, the board voted to award the delinquent‑tax attorney contract to Purdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott (Purdue Brandon); the motion passed 3–2 with one abstention. Board also authorized notice to the incumbent firm.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364208,"Mercedes ISD reports slight enrollment drop but attendance holding near budget",201,4598000,4799000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165132-805ab61e0bc2cfbfb1c1d7a3dfa9a700&start=4598&end=4799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165132-805ab61e0bc2cfbfb1c1d7a3dfa9a700/thumbnail_4598000.jpg","/articles/6364208/Texas/Mercedes-ISD-reports-slight-enrollment-drop-but-attendance-holding-near-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364208-f231a1a32d48e87a479ff5ce250f6e74/orig.mp4?Expires=1774917157&Signature=ZQzPjV0wgClnwJ8LgmqYIg~cf6n4VcY-Bdf2ZV73e0J-BKohpJg1ZGo-nO~Cb4s8jRDVvHgCAAiTBGqDpCQbNPKa3d9PqwEE9PBHTvSw2bge0YJRIKl3R1FADN1QfO~u25SjeVvx4nF9oQvRUqdoYoYCHE4aenGBy6sFQcypC9Tep6VJbnEwjZGAPqz7D~MmnGNan4kGbNjCB4FL8DLTULqMrhbskAMGrj4maVfpPZqcZnMK~7T05oUjwc6EnK9HA5CZ6H9v77bLnux7fOnG-miTfJVlez1P~zkfOs7drS4ryyo1LekUmLPkdGqLFCvC6i6Deds9TgA27tncOHJy9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administrators presented third‑six‑weeks enrollment and ADA figures, reporting a net enrollment decline and small ADA increases at several campuses.

In a report to the board, district staff (Miss Vanessa) said systemwide enrollment had decreased by about 165 students compared with the prior year, and she reported a current enrollment figure “about 4,189” students. Administrators noted that although enrollment fell districtwide, ADA (average daily attendance) had increased at many campuses in the third six‑weeks comparison; the district reported it remains near the budgeted ADA target (the district had budgeted ADA around 3,869 and a budgeted attendance rate of roughly 91%).

The presenter listed campus‑level enrollment and ADA changes for the period: Taylor Elementary, Travis Elementary, JFK, Hinojosa, Chacon Middle School, Mercedes Academic Academy, MECCA and Mercedes High School, with mixed results (some small enrollment decreases offset by ADA gains at several campuses). Trustees asked the presenter about current totals and whether the district remains on budget; staff said current enrollment and ADA are close to the budgeted projections and that a marketing committee has been formed to recruit and retain students.

Ending: Administration said it will continue to monitor ADA and enrollment and pursue targeted outreach and marketing to increase enrollment and attendance.","District staff reported a modest enrollment decline compared with last year but said average daily attendance (ADA) percentages are close to budgeted targets and staff are working marketing and retention efforts.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364213,"Trustees hear bond debt overview, refunding opportunity and tax‑rate options",2252,2312000,4564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165132-805ab61e0bc2cfbfb1c1d7a3dfa9a700&start=2312&end=4564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165132-805ab61e0bc2cfbfb1c1d7a3dfa9a700/thumbnail_2312000.jpg","/articles/6364213/Texas/Trustees-hear-bond-debt-overview-refunding-opportunity-and-taxrate-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364213-100dae440d5c28abdc6eac4a6b6650b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1774917157&Signature=Iv5UgZC1BJwHDLcoSFwX21xVWzzvZ5KfxPaIssi2k79tecqhaUVoGNhHk2vPMzERrK9BD1eJvUyE2lIZcyRG5x0WzAhba~grszkgb1EkO9Rx6oNgn6r~evPVKW8j8irzFd-7BR4KCRXT7hA2LO3TcFOnC5~GuLfoZz7CtYyFbDIk-ydQJi42yNjZa3J06xADonFvi0SiT0kz-OcEEwkp2m7Ti1iWCCzV3CcZys-HAITP11DbNd1aavvggi0Nh92ep-a4XtoJybmdWQRZj0EX7VI7d2bc7k8AxM07AJDd79n0~bCMjnMdPtSraeZO9oHP0fVPbyLad1xF3XBQELGy1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Financial advisers Estrada & Hossa summarized Mercedes ISD’s outstanding debt and potential refinancing options, and described state aid and tax‑rate mechanics trustees would weigh in any bond or tax proposal.

Bobby Villareal and Angel Magallanes, financial advisers with Estrada & Hossa, briefed trustees on the district’s outstanding voter‑authorized (I&S) debt and M&O (operating) obligations. Magallanes said the district has roughly $30 million in I&S debt with service through 2043; trustees were reminded that voter‑approved debt receives state matching via the Permanent School Fund mechanism and that that state match materially reduces local cost per dollar of debt service. The presenters described the difference between M&O (maintenance and operations) and I&S (interest and sinking) components of a school tax rate and noted M&O funding is primarily recurring payroll and operating costs while I&S funds debt service.

The advisers also discussed refunding (refinancing) opportunities. They showed a near‑term window in the market and reported a preliminary estimate that refunding roughly $15 million of callable bonds could produce about 3.08% in savings under current yield conditions; advisers said the district would return with formal analysis if market yields move favorably. Villareal and Magallanes cautioned that market yields fluctuate and that refunding decisions require rating‑agency engagement and a detailed cost/benefit analysis.

Trustees asked about interest‑rate timing and the district’s credit profile. Magallanes said Mercedes ISD currently carries an “A”‑level rating (the advisers used the rating scale in their briefing) and that rates on new issuance for entities like the district were in the mid‑4% range at the time of presentation; he said the Permanent School Fund guarantee typically helps school districts achieve lower borrowing costs than similarly sized non‑public issuers. The advisers also discussed other financing tools trustees could consider, including M&O borrowing for renovations (administratively authorized, not voter‑approved) and a future Tax Ratification Election (TRE) for additional recurring enrichment pennies if the board sought permanent new revenue.

Ending: The advisers recommended monitoring market yields and legislation this session and returning to trustees with specific refunding analysis and facility‑planning options before advancing any bond proposition to voters.","Financial advisers presented an overview of Mercedes ISD’s outstanding voter‑approved and M&O debt, explained how I&S and M&O tax components work, and said staff is monitoring a potential refunding that could produce district savings if market conditions improve.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364219,"Mercedes ISD reviews health plan performance and rising prescription costs",883,1331000,2214000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165132-805ab61e0bc2cfbfb1c1d7a3dfa9a700&start=1331&end=2214","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165132-805ab61e0bc2cfbfb1c1d7a3dfa9a700/thumbnail_1331000.jpg","/articles/6364219/Texas/Mercedes-ISD-reviews-health-plan-performance-and-rising-prescription-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364219-7420cf34d0aec795348189dd57cac1ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1774917157&Signature=GUQOtvjibX6RIOahYpB61db2b46OV~AzVF9jkw-3znQWsmWX4badbJGyj2tCjlkqYjHf9bNG69fc1PECupc6CodO4ZYpLQErakNDJ~sgnQUE70DxDzpwun-YjmKYdUTrJHhwXs2yaTG1zZls2Zg4lnOWQrX453vubXzdNk5Y6yobAtCz9gTQ7tRXUDLMb4-Ra0mzkTC-RHx4-IrUgFJFeCl2XVQRr0lpYG9PhtFgZcHHtg7c8cMbr2MqUdKYXZXRsNZhbgGcJA8kMXhNlRRi5SGlkdRySZzlgXrDijutd05oQe9cfEbOZuUkybBauU1XV1finaZh4AlX6wNYjtv8eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Texas Health Benefits Pool and district consultants reviewed Mercedes ISD’s employee medical claims and benefit utilization, noting a lower total medical spend for the 2023–24 plan year compared with 2022 but higher early‑year costs for the district’s 2024–25 plan.

In a presentation to the Mercedes Independent School District Board of Trustees, Keisha Rollins Contreras, account manager with Texas Health Benefits Pool, said the full reporting year for comparison ran Sept. 1, 2023, through Aug. 31, 2024, and the district’s current utilization figures covered Sept. 1–Dec. 2024. Rollins Contreras said the district’s medical payments for the 2022 plan year under UnitedHealthcare were about $4,325,037.90; for the 2023–24 year under Texas Health Benefits the medical spend was $3,476,261.78. For the first three months of the 2024–25 plan year, the pool reported $1,354,484.29 in paid medical claims and an early-period per‑employee‑per‑month (PEPM) of about $492.72.

The presentation highlighted service‑use patterns: 737 emergency‑room visits in the reporting year, which the presenter said represented roughly 15% of the district’s medical claim costs; about 220 COVID‑related claims (about $36,802.45, roughly 1% of claim spend); and the highest outpatient groupings including abdominal disorders and pregnancy complications. Telehealth registration stood near 14% of members; the presenter said telehealth produced an estimated cost avoidance of $24,487 over the measured period.

A large portion of the discussion focused on high‑cost specialty drugs. Consultants reported increasing utilization of GLP‑1 drugs (referred to repeatedly in the presentation by the brand class and by “Manjaro”/similar spellings in the transcript). The presenters said some of those drugs are not available through international personal‑importation and that domestic spending on a leading GLP‑1 and several other high‑cost scripts accounted for a substantial share of Rx costs year‑to‑date. The plan’s domestic payments for one high‑use GLP‑1 were reported at about $118,000 year‑to‑date; consultants said that category represented roughly 23% of total Rx cost during the period cited. The district’s consultants reported that the voluntary personal importation program saved roughly $35,000 from June–December 2024 and that the district will make the international program mandatory with a restart date of Jan. 15, 2025, to seek additional savings.

The consultants also told trustees the plan expects Rx rebate payments scheduled for April and June 2025 (the presenters identified pending rebates totaling about $228,000). They noted stop‑loss reimbursements and Rx rebates helped the plan’s prior‑year deficit position; as of the December YTD figures consultants said no member had yet exceeded the stop‑loss threshold for the 2024–25 plan year but cautioned that a small number of high‑cost members accounted for a large share of costs.

Board members asked operational questions about telehealth scope (the presenter confirmed telehealth clinicians include doctors and nurse practitioners, can provide prescriptions and work‑notes, and are available 24/7). Trustees also asked for more detail on rebates and the PBM; consultants said Araya, the district’s PBM, would present in a later meeting and that they would supply the exact rebate numbers to administration in the next days.

The presenters recommended several cost‑containment steps under active consideration, including: (1) negotiations and direct contracts with local urgent‑care providers, (2) aggressive management of high‑cost drug utilization (including mandatory international importation where safe and allowable), and (3) wellness and chronic‑disease management programs to target hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes.

Ending: The board did not take immediate action on the presentation; trustees asked staff to return with PBM rebate detail and to continue developing contract and wellness options for follow up.","Texas Health Benefits Pool presented a year-to-date review of Mercedes ISD’s health plan, reporting lower total medical spend in the 2023–24 plan year compared with 2022 but flagging rising utilization of high-cost GLP‑1 drugs and higher early-year per‑employee costs for 2024–25.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board excuses absences for freeze day, approves roofing funding and hires building envelope consultant

Board selects Purdue Brandon for delinquent tax collection after competing presentations

Mercedes ISD reports slight enrollment drop but attendance holding near budget

Trustees hear bond debt overview, refunding opportunity and tax‑rate options

Mercedes ISD reviews health plan performance and rising prescription costs