[{"_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",6151651,"mediaKeyId","5501736-0ede7f7f9a6f9fe0e819df987580dac6","parentId",5501736,"title","Weslaco ISD Begins Surety Claim as Carrier Misses HVAC Deadlines; Contractor Promises Temporary fixes","audioSeconds",1900,"startMs",1289000,"endMs",3189000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5501736-0ede7f7f9a6f9fe0e819df987580dac6&start=1289&end=3189","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5501736-0ede7f7f9a6f9fe0e819df987580dac6/thumbnail_1289000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6151651/Texas/Weslaco-ISD-Begins-Surety-Claim-as-Carrier-Misses-HVAC-Deadlines-Contractor-Promises-Temporary-fixes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151651-47e6c69c153e9feb668c331faca11b59/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095368&Signature=UXwfYOeDO12B9uRQi8MT2HqfAsZ4ZYQ3ThiWqevEOZDR6GDAAqrXsVPz0QFDEUz3xilAmVvQNWyvkHDtj4rPr72O-8zmrpd1iQY8qr6NfqQ1qyXXmLiK2d51MMIPOzja9KtMq~vPtwcAgCwbHhd8uV2lSeycGpr0IG5awPYUZABpflnPqu2HjYi72LNCo71~fcQd6T4HIaOAivt3Vvmp56GsRK~ySiRkpJwVO9fylNi7Cz0YEfdEyaqQu3l-88g5ymvL4QkNCzh~tuw7HjD797Tv~4MXLwvI~EWmgIGDybV~BuC1iEtaadaa1AzQJLZl5FP1R5tUncr67XSVHMSZQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Weslaco ISD","date","2025-07-29T13:01:38Z","article","WESLACO, Texas — Weslaco ISD trustees were told July 31 that Carrier Corporation has not made the progress the district expected on HVAC retrofit work at Memorial Airport, Northbridge and two other campuses, prompting the district’s attorney to notify Carrier and the district to begin a surety-bond claim process.

The district’s presentation said the law firm Walsh Gallegos sent a notice after Carrier “failed to make immediate and adequate progress” on the contractor’s substantial-completion schedule. Dr. Rivera, the district’s presenter on construction topics, said Carrier initially responded on May 16 with an action plan and worked for four to six weeks, then slowed; the district issued the attorney notice and later proceeded toward a surety claim.

The issue matters to classroom operations: Carrier’s schedule submitted to the district now splits work into three phases, with the company “stated that all HVAC projects are to be completed by August 26,” according to district materials. The district also said no on-site work had begun at Northbridge Elementary and Goya Middle School at the time of the update.

Carrier’s on-site manager, Robert Contello, told the board he has replaced underperforming subcontractors and is installing temporary control systems and controls on existing air handlers to get two campuses operating for the coming school year. “We are putting in temporary controls because we’ve disabled your controls once we started taking VAVs out…. That’ll get you through the school year,” Contello said. He added bluntly of the original subcontractor selection: “They bit off more than they can chew. Point blank.”

Trustees expressed frustration and asked whether the district should terminate Carrier and re‑bid the work. Trustee Ben Castillo said the district should “give Carrier one more chance,” but added, “If the contractor can’t get it done, they can’t get it done. Let’s just move on, file a claim with a surety for any kind of lost value… and just go with a different vendor.” Several trustees pushed for stronger project oversight and for consideration of separate contractors per campus — an idea Trinity MEP consultant Leo Munoz had raised in earlier presentations.

Dr. Rivera told trustees that the district’s legal team has initiated steps including liquidated‑damages provisions in the contract; the presentation stated liquidated damages have been initiated and contract reviews completed by district counsel and staff. The district said it has added a construction consultant to provide closer field oversight.

No formal board motion or vote occurred at the workshop. Discussion ended with trustees pressing for weekly field reports and clearer evidence that Carrier has bought or reserved key equipment — a concern consultants flagged because certain air-handling components can take months to fabricate.

The district’s project timeline in the materials provided to trustees shows temporary controls for portions of Memorial and Airport campuses were expected by late July, mechanical pad and chiller installation in 2025, and full completion of all four campuses pushed into August 2026. The board directed staff to continue legal follow-up, pursue the surety claim as warranted, and press Carrier for written assurances and weekly progress updates.

Trustees requested that district staff return with documentation of subcontractor changes, confirmation of equipment orders and a field‑oversight plan before the next regular meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Weslaco ISD Board Workshop (July 28, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Weslaco ISD trustees were told July 31 that Carrier Corporation has not made the progress the district expected on HVAC retrofit work at Memorial Airport, Northbridge and two other campuses, prompting the district’s attorney to notify Carrier and the district to begin a surety‑bond claim process.","taxTitle","WESLACO ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14393,"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},6151632,"Trustees Press for Financial Clarity as Enrollment Drops; One Trustee Seeks Independent Forensic Review",3996,4496000,8492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5501736-0ede7f7f9a6f9fe0e819df987580dac6&start=4496&end=8492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5501736-0ede7f7f9a6f9fe0e819df987580dac6/thumbnail_4496000.jpg","/articles/6151632/Texas/Trustees-Press-for-Financial-Clarity-as-Enrollment-Drops-One-Trustee-Seeks-Independent-Forensic-Review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151632-60af0a461d06cd4bcdd0098cfdb768e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095368&Signature=d686qXMCSxrP5EVIFJlk0JXhAC7-1K1q1NAGVCu-vS-iZgamzD3ME8aIfk1jv6VnfvnXBF60pwIQAFU~NrlN8psCTg0UMxGGgVU2e~JuejJS2cHTl9ZrVAwJ2R3HueWrlZBENjmycdG9zbmIx6rgMO-83HTXHd-ASqKtIH~XzpjBqzz~W4gAHAcF6MFNV~i81D7snAFJtCMd2TE5lE5qYEtKebQ4nzaHALebQ39xtXkolRW~ItWckWYgSdIYFqf0gKoKq5QpmM68E84LDiG0SY0orJz8~lrIyuUoEdqXFLMvILL3e1dLNljFePr7TTb0BBekyjfWXoIFDqnvvbt4RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WESLACO, Texas — Weslaco ISD trustees used a July 31 workshop to press for clearer financial reporting after administrators presented preliminary fiscal-year closeout information showing variances between the budgeted and projected outturn and a drop in projected average daily attendance (ADA).

Chief business staff told the board that budget closeout and external audit fieldwork will occur in September–October and that an official audit report will be presented in November. Interim figures discussed at the workshop showed last year’s budgeted ADA of 14,500 was not met and that the district’s projection for the coming year was being held at 14,050. Presenters said the shortfall of roughly 66 ADA from the district goal translated to an estimated revenue difference using a weighted average of about $8,500 per ADA (roughly $561,000) and that staff will pursue other revenues and ADA efforts.

Trustees raised multiple concerns: whether the district should budget conservatively given declining re‑registration and community factors; whether the district’s “one‑time” fund balance had been used for capital projects and would be replenished; and why instructional salary costs at year‑end appeared materially higher than original budget projections. Trustee German Los Santos flagged a roughly $14 million variance between initial projected instructional payroll and a later reported figure, and said the board needed an independent review before approving more recurring costs.

“I'm not leaving the meeting very comfortable at all based on all the figures that we have,” Los Santos said. He asked the board to consider issuing a request for proposals for an independent financial review (a forensic-style assessment limited to financial transactions and accounting treatment) to verify interim numbers and identify potential corrective actions. Los Santos said such a review could be procured via professional-services procedures rather than a longer bidding process, and could be limited to financial reconciliation.

Administrators and several trustees noted factors complicating year‑end figures, including the use of ESSER and federal funds for one‑time projects and schedule differences for some construction costs. Staff said they would return detailed reconciliations, list of one‑time expenses versus ongoing operational costs, and potential offsets to cover any new recurring costs such as absorbing TIA employer obligations if the board chooses that option.

No vote was taken. Trustees asked staff to provide month‑to‑date reconciliations, a breakdown of fund-balance uses (including the $15M ESSER-related set‑aside mentioned in discussion), and options for addressing any operational deficit prior to adoption of the final budget and tax rate schedule in September.","Board discussion about 2024–25 closeout, enrollment shortfall and year‑to‑date spending prompted trustees to request detailed financial reconciliations; Trustee German Los Santos proposed soliciting an independent financial review to verify interim figures and identify budget adjustments.",{"_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},6151637,"Teachers’ TIA Awards Reduced After Employer‑cost Deductions; Trustees Ask Whether District Should Cover Benefits",1488,5945000,7433000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5501736-0ede7f7f9a6f9fe0e819df987580dac6&start=5945&end=7433","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5501736-0ede7f7f9a6f9fe0e819df987580dac6/thumbnail_5945000.jpg","/articles/6151637/Texas/Teachers-TIA-Awards-Reduced-After-Employercost-Deductions-Trustees-Ask-Whether-District-Should-Cover-Benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151637-a29db0bf745a440dacaa013637232b79/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095368&Signature=WMsAXHRXXPBepn~NP0hLOYKqe-AIq9bzwO7rn-gcxK2djteabs9eRKBxSjw7DO97ixdxyqNZF5qOGp8RJ1Ocg7MPYEKI3gQmVfjou-oZV12mone~b23idczGAjSBkPEZe-SmUSKX11gZGN1R1WPMjv5~M3VrA0nAkAoThGeOJBixwDTNzJZpIzi9XH431tBRWvAPsA58jBZk9Xg92kcevQAzb3TIgB-iir2azEWGP46XoBfEhuTbdYTCLcf5Gm07IHy7uLkpwvjqpQJcztZvNgdIhlJ76q4k1mYeAV3YTQCUaYsJ~tm9EDtKPAoQiLVcoHwhb3OsfnRO2WKTywZt1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WESLACO, Texas — Trustees at a July 31 workshop raised concerns after some staff received lower-than-expected Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) payments this summer and learned the district applied employer‑cost deductions to the TIA spending plan.

Administration explained that the district’s TIA spending plan — which the district submitted to TEA and that specifies a 90/10 split of funds (90% to eligible staff; 10% retained for district use) — also treated employer-paid benefits required by law (TRS, Medicare, unemployment, workers’ compensation, etc.) as allowable expenses charged against the 90% portion. In practice, that reduced net checks received by staff.

“How much was it? They said it was like a 30% reduction,” Trustee Mark Delosanto said, summarizing staff feedback. Board members pressed administration to explain whether the district could absorb employer costs rather than deducting them from employees’ award checks. Chief business staff said that if the district chose to pay the employer portion it would be a new local cost and estimated the additional liability could be on the order of several hundred thousand dollars depending on program size and participation.

Dr. Rivera said the TIA spending plan filed with TEA specified the 90/10 distribution and that employer-cost handling was included in the plan and related handbooks developed in prior years. Administration offered two options: (1) continue current approach (employer costs deducted from the 90% award) or (2) have the district pay employer costs from local funds, which would require identifying roughly $400,000–$750,000 (depending on teacher counts) in local funding to cover those employer obligations this year and possibly more if program participation grows.

Trustees asked staff to prepare a clear cost estimate and options for the next board meeting. Trustee German Los Santos proposed bringing the item back as a formal agenda item and seeking proposals/quotes for independent financial review to ensure the district’s books and spending plans are correct before deciding.

No board action was taken at the workshop. The board directed administration to return with: (1) a written explanation of how employer costs were applied to TIA checks, (2) dollar estimates of the employer portion for this year under different participation scenarios, and (3) options for whether the district should cover employer costs and where to identify offsetting savings if that occurs.","Trustee questions about Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) payouts revealed that employer benefit costs (TRS, Medicare, workers' comp) were deducted from TIA awards; trustees asked administration whether the district should instead pay employer portions and to present options at the next board meeting.",{"_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},6151642,"Federal Education Funds Briefly Frozen, Then Released; Weslaco ISD Studies Grant‑funded Positions",179,3710000,3889000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5501736-0ede7f7f9a6f9fe0e819df987580dac6&start=3710&end=3889","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5501736-0ede7f7f9a6f9fe0e819df987580dac6/thumbnail_3710000.jpg","/articles/6151642/Texas/Federal-Education-Funds-Briefly-Frozen-Then-Released-Weslaco-ISD-Studies-Grantfunded-Positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151642-20a85403dffc1c089cdadfedec2c62ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095368&Signature=KQL5UhtSnF83i210J7nEnCv3FzxSpTt6FPBI449GeI7KnXjbrMRVLsw7tZJBsdilB5AmBYhp~awD6VJgaSa70I~GI8NpMK18pTHvztE866jPn~F~FhCTrrJKBoBgDsB96UlO--HX3LwQQRFSOtxAErzbGr7gT6LqQUIyXAoBRjKAHxEVxoFNq3YrwCVSz-LMYORnjtjEOPO80E0iCVG0P9NyLhpO3IhvaIX70KKgK9ocHgd5l9SYbc211F6GOPNS7drzieahv1HBttWvAhlXZ85xgy50u9-q2eopqdtr7SkDFSb0hLAIVLZSG~Zw5ye0-ITmp0BsuSF6Gt0mf-sm4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WESLACO, Texas — Weslaco ISD told trustees July 31 that several federal grant awards — including migrant education, Title I (supportive instruction), Title II (professional development), Title III (English‑language acquisition) and Title IV (student supports and academic enrichment, including ACE programs) — were briefly placed on hold in late June, then released by the U.S. Department of Education and TEA on July 25–28.

District staff said the ACE (after‑school and extended‑learning) funds were released July 21, and the remainder of the funds were cleared by the U.S. Department of Education July 28 after a pause in late June. The district credited rapid follow-up with federal and state contacts and said commissioners’ office calls helped clarify distribution timing.

As a result of the pause and the uncertainty around next year’s funding, the administration said it is “studying all state and federal grant positions as they may not be funded after this school year.” The district told trustees that positions funded solely by grants could be eliminated if the programs are not continued; staff were urged to seek permanent certification options where possible.

Trustees thanked administrators for rapid outreach to minimize employee panic during the pause. Trustee Jackie Soudaica noted the administration’s efforts to sustain staff pay and that the district had contingency plans to cover immediate needs while the freeze was being resolved.

Administration also described a local pilot to expand after‑school meals that has been implemented initially at high schools and is being explored for wider roll‑out; details such as exact service windows and eligible campuses remain under development.

No board action was taken; trustees asked administration to continue monitoring federal allocations and to notify staff whose roles depend on grant funding.","Weslaco ISD reported that several federal grant streams were briefly frozen in late June and early July but were released by July 28; the district said it is reviewing grant-funded staff positions that could be at risk if funding is curtailed next year.",{"_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},6151647,"Weslaco ISD to Adopt Policy Aligning With HB 1481: Students Must ‘Put Devices Away’ During Instructional Day",373,3123000,3496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5501736-0ede7f7f9a6f9fe0e819df987580dac6&start=3123&end=3496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5501736-0ede7f7f9a6f9fe0e819df987580dac6/thumbnail_3123000.jpg","/articles/6151647/Texas/Weslaco-ISD-to-Adopt-Policy-Aligning-With-HB-1481-Students-Must-Put-Devices-Away-During-Instructional-Day","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151647-fbef146791ba9046ea78321168a02e3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095368&Signature=VtanX1SMZuzc9dZa8~JO13WrEXiob5y7Xcg0rLrQs-tGxdSwkIVGQAsIcDNbQZOSqVWOmJmecvLuS~ptYE66WcHcAABb8eZLopy-P~uTkeCGyzhB0n1vbuVtzht3pxVOZFf9W5glh9XlQJilQJzdNilTX7D3qGQ0QcN5Arkvaqc1NlrYbH8PZ1s0C51V7P8YrHHEGtIPkYmghcs0ZYDN6yhj3n0Rb6u8I4FnA3domwfDEtA9qxzYWTEHr-FK7aIATg7mKFL8g8ENXAEFPoWaq2lpPAMZGtDHCyb-Rzw9DwnPPGNVV-oE~CsCBg9jv8Ti6T~eTHshxt9CcNEh0NTsjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WESLACO, Texas — Weslaco ISD trustees heard July 31 that the district will bring a local policy to the board on Aug. 11 to implement House Bill 1481, the state law limiting student use of personal communication devices during the instructional day.

Dr. Rivera told the board the law’s intent “is real simple” — to maintain focus on learning and minimize disruptions — and that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) was expected to issue additional recommendations on Aug. 7. Pending that guidance, district staff said the plan is to allow students to carry phones provided devices are put away during the school day.

“School day starts, device is put away. School day concludes students can have their devices,” Dr. Rivera said. He noted TEA and the commissioner’s recent communications emphasized a straightforward local enforcement approach: put devices away during instructional time. The district also said the law provides exceptions for medical needs, academic requirements and specific advanced-course verifications.

Trustees asked for clarifications on boundaries such as lunch and passing periods. Board member Ben Castillo asked whether students could use devices before school and after school; Dr. Rivera responded that students are generally allowed to use devices before and after the school day but cautioned that the law defines the instructional day broadly. Dr. Rivera said he has discussed the matter with high‑school principals and expects some flexibility for upper‑grade courses that may require phones for instruction.

The district’s timeline: staff will seek a policy draft from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and present it to trustees at the Aug. 11 meeting; school begins Aug. 18. The administration said it will notify parents and principals of any campus-level allowable variations, but emphasized the district’s preference for consistency across elementary, middle and high school levels.

No policy was adopted at the workshop; the discussion was informational. The board directed staff to provide a proposed local policy at the Aug. 11 meeting and to brief principals and parents before the Aug. 18 first day of classes.","Superintendent’s office said the district will present a local policy for trustees on Aug. 11 to implement House Bill 1481; district will allow students to carry phones so long as they are put away during the school day but is awaiting Texas Education Agency guidance due Aug. 7 for finer details such as lunch and high‑school exceptions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Weslaco ISD Begins Surety Claim as Carrier Misses HVAC Deadlines; Contractor Promises Temporary fixes

Trustees Press for Financial Clarity as Enrollment Drops; One Trustee Seeks Independent Forensic Review

Teachers’ TIA Awards Reduced After Employer‑cost Deductions; Trustees Ask Whether District Should Cover Benefits

Federal Education Funds Briefly Frozen, Then Released; Weslaco ISD Studies Grant‑funded Positions

Weslaco ISD to Adopt Policy Aligning With HB 1481: Students Must ‘Put Devices Away’ During Instructional Day