[{"_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",6203644,"mediaKeyId","3782249-1e5ab04f3b5ec1cedf7234d59276d0ed","parentId",3782249,"title","Harlingen CISD approves plans to launch Travis STEM Square Academy K–8","audioSeconds",3430,"startMs",426000,"endMs",3856000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3782249-1e5ab04f3b5ec1cedf7234d59276d0ed&start=426&end=3856","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3782249-1e5ab04f3b5ec1cedf7234d59276d0ed/thumbnail_426000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6203644/Texas/Harlingen-CISD-approves-plans-to-launch-Travis-STEM-Square-Academy-K8","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6203644-3f606fa7e761b6d3b81edbad509239e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413069&Signature=gLMDeM3~PHjB5coDtx4q6iNXxkZvDzeD1baWoWWauD9uboZGDoET6L6CiwWHeJBleIxqbpugaQNdTJRPPqMhURxxKlRPeo-sLb2swc9cnPOUjdKO6uvsmJo0fg69lR0kwZTd8TqJJ~J6ZCFAY9KGLjHwXgUQHGNiVmBcF1DAvn9sy5lmJOdk1nWottlSudWW2Vb1vfe2ZDEsf6sukeV1HKB~essVHbIitGdzQAhGo8DspURj1oUY1v~JXVSi9nGuK2Pa81aPu-fHB38qzlORs6m~4Z97XgWK5rWHNt74Ildlv9zzW7vobCgP58EcYlNkSJd11W3vv8uYX-xM1YiXYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Harlingen CISD","date","2025-06-12T10:02:58.433Z","article","Harlingen CISD trustees on Tuesday heard plans to create Travis STEM Square Academy, a new K–8 School of Innovation that will merge STEM Square Preparatory Academy with Travis Elementary’s STEM program and open for the next school year.

Principal Sonia Brannaburn told the board the goal is to “provide students with equitable access to high quality, interdisciplinary and experiential learning experiences” and to build a seamless K–8 STEM pathway that “places our scholars at the center of innovative and reimagined learning opportunities.”

The administration and a steering committee described why district leaders favor the K–8 model and how the district plans to run the new campus. The presentation said the campus has an approximate capacity of 500 students and that early estimates for first‑day enrollment are “maybe 450–460,” based on current applications and open‑enrollment requests. Brannaburn said the district will prioritize aligned drop‑off and pick‑up times so families with children in both upper and lower grades have convenient schedules.

Officials outlined facilities and programming changes. The existing STEM Square innovation center will be relocated to an upper‑grade classroom; the current Innovation Learning Center will become a makerspace supported by an instructional coach. The campus plan includes a new outdoor eating area, a relocated playground and sidewalk to the gym, and interior adjustments to create grade‑level “pods” (lower grades in a yellow pod, upper grades in a blue pod) to run concurrent programming without interruption.

Brannaburn announced a Project Lead The Way grant award of $13,600 to begin implementing PLTW curriculum in K–5. She said the grant will fund training for up to 24 campus staff and cover program costs for up to three years, with district leaders planning a phased rollout (upper grades first, then lower grades over three years).

On student placement and early childhood programs, the presentation said pre‑K students zoned to the new campus will attend Bowie Elementary’s full pre‑K program; parents may either drop children at Travis in the morning to be bused to Bowie or drop off directly at Bowie. After school, pre‑K students may return to Travis for after‑school programming or be transported home.

A steering‑committee roster was read into the record; members include district principals, classroom teachers and instructional staff who led planning work and staff surveys to guide curriculum and professional development. Board members asked about extracurricular eligibility and future enrollment growth; Brannaburn said existing STEM Square extracurriculars will continue and that open‑enrollment requests are still being processed.

Board members and trustees praised the plan and urged additional public engagement, including an open house and wider video outreach so families unfamiliar with the proposal can review details before the school year starts. Trustees also encouraged the administration to visit other K–8 programs for comparative lessons learned, though Brannaburn said the district has not yet conducted site visits to other K–8 campuses.

The district plans an open house before the start of the school year if construction and campus preparations are completed in time. The board did not take a vote during the presentation; the item was presented for information and to invite public and board questions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Board Meeting 6/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Harlingen CISD trustees on Tuesday heard plans to create Travis STEM Square Academy, a K–8 School of Innovation that will merge STEM Square Preparatory Academy with Travis Elementary’s STEM program.","taxTitle","HARLINGEN CISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14107,"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},6203625,"Board hires principal for Harlingen High School South and approves new professional staff",21,6567000,6588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3782249-1e5ab04f3b5ec1cedf7234d59276d0ed&start=6567&end=6588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3782249-1e5ab04f3b5ec1cedf7234d59276d0ed/thumbnail_6567000.jpg","/articles/6203625/Texas/Board-hires-principal-for-Harlingen-High-School-South-and-approves-new-professional-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6203625-0e25956f1b86f3f2a2ec8d59b58b842f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413069&Signature=DXlUhbfZ363d6ucnATtKBz~U0gh1t~zlAJ4qIipd6QOHSuyEN1GoEGuEiOIEgAkihgkkdMWkxw~1TExPmWMc2dlQxFCjRjIW4AMz1DCaDGb6wfQdH7hg2kpcsPDZrm~IzsiNlgfb~FqOoEaOCILnn9jBqa6ACJbogQ7gF8nsXBHbxutAbw~OTckFHarkatta9ZuZDvAOy8AYfdz45r-QD6~rm7vgXyS9YzuVSmxAFargXovHVmLywI~GFwz28EhXjd4d6G~GcUXrC1ZzZgaNd3UK~zPatzABiI5U4aekWSYiaTxR5mR9sAcBbmiKlTO16g172iMsm0busGtk9t7J7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Following a closed executive session the Harlingen CISD Board of Trustees reconvened in open session and approved personnel actions discussed in executive session.

A motion to approve the employment of the principal for Harlingen High School South was made and approved. The board also approved the employment of multiple teachers and other professional staff as discussed in executive session. The meeting minutes record the motions and unanimous approval; the names of the individuals were discussed in executive session and were not read into the public record during open session.

The board followed statutory procedures for personnel matters by discussing those topics in closed session under the Texas Government Code and taking votes in open session on the employment actions. Trustees voted in favor of both motions with no recorded opposition.","After a closed executive session, trustees approved the employment of a new principal for Harlingen High School South and authorized employment of other teachers and professional staff; motions passed unanimously.",{"_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},6203630,"Facilities committee reports progress on safety upgrades, radio infrastructure and campus projects",448,6147000,6595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3782249-1e5ab04f3b5ec1cedf7234d59276d0ed&start=6147&end=6595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3782249-1e5ab04f3b5ec1cedf7234d59276d0ed/thumbnail_6147000.jpg","/articles/6203630/Texas/Facilities-committee-reports-progress-on-safety-upgrades-radio-infrastructure-and-campus-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6203630-f94d46ba5119112fd6b4f03afac6a34b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413069&Signature=G2Kvr8byk4~wqbE9~jizLpFkfNR-Akrb6mVRKgjoXMMvOpqH86-qRJNYsWzlG~Mu6RhW0I6j10Wne7hUo7RH~fePeKsKuk9jSjqRNn7XxZ4LEwO2Q2oRfLuABwKEZAH5pAzNy8-ePtdJHs-OvO8Cd4PineunkxwO21NdzMzo8~HqxVnXeav58wt3leOtFjPZe7di9uUcASNizJpUcjJz7la8GeYmIYnkozG~GQkVlTzzjDJQCMkEqITn66wPhActeSyORQMU2Bne-Kmxl9UaS5HLdrTiV3r-8WtjC2bJqWvXQa6wIkBFtOEHyjEUEzcYps0~HeRLLXpY9edP7cJtwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Harlingen CISD Facilities & Safety Committee reported progress on several campus renovation and safety projects and said staff had reviewed intruder detection audit processes.

Committee staff member Danny Castillo briefed trustees about an intruder detection audit and ongoing work on the district’s radio infrastructure and a bidirectional amplifier project. Several school‑level projects funded by grants or TRE (facility) funds are in progress: elementary playground upgrades at Bonham nearly complete (striping and basketball goals installed), trailer replacement work at an annex building at 97% complete, and locker room HVAC work in progress with two of five units installed and roof curbs in place.

Castillo said marquee installations have been completed at Lamar, Bowie, Bonham and one high school location; one high‑school marquee still awaits installation and programming. The presentation noted envelope repairs at Coniferous Academy (metal wall panels replaced and waterproofing/flashing work underway) and that a south gym contract has been signed and a pre‑construction meeting scheduled.

Facilities staff presented a change order that reduces a Central Air and Heating Services contract by $11,008 for the Coakley Long Wilson HVAC upgrade project. The committee also received a financial update on grant and TRE‑funded work and will continue project oversight.

At the end of the committee report the board announced it would convene in closed executive session to discuss intruder detection audit findings among other personnel matters under Texas Government Code sections referenced in the meeting notice.","The Facilities & Safety Committee updated trustees on intruder detection audits, district radio infrastructure and multiple site projects including playground upgrades, locker room HVAC units, marquee installations and a south gym contract; one HVAC change order reduced contract value by $11,008.",{"_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},6203634,"Trustees approve contracts, budget amendments and monthly financial reports",435,3172000,3607000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3782249-1e5ab04f3b5ec1cedf7234d59276d0ed&start=3172&end=3607","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3782249-1e5ab04f3b5ec1cedf7234d59276d0ed/thumbnail_3172000.jpg","/articles/6203634/Texas/Trustees-approve-contracts-budget-amendments-and-monthly-financial-reports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6203634-26c4cf47bab351a5d57b5f3138b8cbd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413069&Signature=WKvis4e4wkh1TOQ90ef4cmDhEf~iah-aAk5OkaLmQWNeKw8esILMX-U~sWEkpIMedHqrUmzRa~aNg7jaDT~cJnIyO2bMeSHqdJ9sShunOOD~PW~gZ5XayCoRRAKe~VgIgmyoWawDtp~noXDYK15rImgpCFDlHG2PreEUAp-dTA7r5FUOgSMAX2IHBTIDEMz1Eu~~k2ZCJFou37cvBHT9NjFsy7E1WiLME57i6aII9YfJCsF6wQcwPc53uKp5AhFTgxZRRX3dnjlNftkgKsbkOmhw7xVSlO50srnbolWY03UsUb5O7~jrpPS-YA0PSnU~jyq00U9RQAipdKwgIxD5jA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its regular meeting, the Harlingen CISD Board of Trustees approved multiple fiscal items: award of up to 16 proposals and contracts for fiscal year 2025–26, two budget amendments, monthly tax collections and financial statements, the quarterly investment report and several contract renewals.

Chief finance staff and committee chairs reviewed highlights before votes. Administration said the district reviewed 16 bid awards for FY26, including an ATA‑approved web‑based assessment software contract (up to $395,000, locally and federally funded) and a web‑based personalized instruction contract for the district’s i‑Ready program (up to $514,000), which administration said will be paid from federal funds. The packet also included tier‑1 instructional materials purchases (math and reading) with vendor amounts noted in the presentation (Great Minds ~ $379,000 and Amplify ~ $643,000) that together were presented as part of approximately $1.1 million in local instructional materials purchases.

Finance staff reported a May tax levy of $46.5 million with year‑to‑date collections of roughly $43.2 million, a collection rate reported at 92.8%, up about 1.5 percentage points from the prior year. The monthly recap of cash receipts for May showed roughly $517,000 deposited across operating and debt funds.

The business office said it had been preparing revenue projections for FY26 and that, while House Bill 2 had not been signed at the time the committee met, the governor subsequently signed HB2 in Salado; staff said that development cleared the way to finalize projections.

Trustees approved a proposal to reclassify food service operations from a special revenue fund to the general fund for the coming year (presented as a proposal by the business office), and they recognized grant writer Alma Ambriz for recent success in securing grants; administration noted she brought in $10 million over prior years and $6.7 million in current period grant awards.

Other approvals included a bank depository renewal with Texas Regional Bank, a one‑year extension of the district’s auditing contract (Carr, Riggs & Ingram), and an insurance renewal with Alamo Insurance Group. The board moved each item as presented and the motions passed with board affirmation.","The board approved 16 contract awards for FY26 including software and instructional materials, budget amendments, monthly tax collection and financial reports, an investment report and several contract renewals; administration noted HB2 had been signed and highlighted recent grant awards to the district.",{"_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},6203639,"Board approves optional flexible school day program for students who left school",172,5080000,5252000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3782249-1e5ab04f3b5ec1cedf7234d59276d0ed&start=5080&end=5252","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3782249-1e5ab04f3b5ec1cedf7234d59276d0ed/thumbnail_5080000.jpg","/articles/6203639/Texas/Board-approves-optional-flexible-school-day-program-for-students-who-left-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6203639-0f912e2da886c8722a049b6eab79daab/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413069&Signature=QsrYkGl2JoDbUa3KCHyNzwjH~yDcgoyAf4LBNPpknIMOyCnPPcsRAIpMAsWhVCnRK7LRmVr5LMuMkvdy3md0cB7Rc2zzuKw1VtkwY~74RI8aGYxEZK6yc2KmjFYpcGVo2pCfm8NwWdDg18~aZmiB05NTSa7xTuYdlcmjhHylEGFQMyasaXpsNXm1n2xHPg2zgTT343MP07-4eV7zCgIoJQGkkYi1OmOMWUxJJ9rabCub7ePWb5xMII7O76dfeXe1vPK6mJiWVDnPYtbZJXzhDmanZBr2CJOZwyclZingFEbF-0UZgaHtxwzfXGyneLbdTK38zl4jvEDHkfvxacG5-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harlingen CISD trustees unanimously approved the district’s Optional Flexible School Day Program, a continuing program that provides an evening, flexible schedule option for students who previously left school.

Sylvia Gonzalez, who presented the item, said the program targets students ages 18, 19 and 20 “that are very close to finishing school but life happened.” She described the program as a Monday–Thursday late‑afternoon and evening offering; in the presentation she said the schedule is Monday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (administration noted the program is designed to accommodate work schedules).

Gonzalez told the board the program requires annual reauthorization and that the campus has graduated dozens of students through the years; she noted one former participant traveled from California to pick up a diploma the day before the meeting and had already matriculated to college. The presenter said the program is in its 13th year and has served “hundreds of students” over that time.

When asked about enrollment, Gonzalez said annual participation varies; last year about 30 students participated. Trustees thanked staff for the program and said the program provides life‑changing opportunities by meeting students “where their needs are” and helping them finish their diplomas.

Board members moved to approve the program application as presented; the motion passed with an affirmative vote and no recorded opposition.","Trustees approved the district’s optional flexible school day program that targets students ages 18–20 who previously dropped out, offering evening classes and flexible schedules; the program served about 30 students last year and has been operating 13 years.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Harlingen CISD approves plans to launch Travis STEM Square Academy K–8

Board hires principal for Harlingen High School South and approves new professional staff

Facilities committee reports progress on safety upgrades, radio infrastructure and campus projects

Trustees approve contracts, budget amendments and monthly financial reports

Board approves optional flexible school day program for students who left school