[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6466933,"mediaKeyId","5812003-e5ccaabc3d6684ff0db72ff09c7549fb","parentId",5812003,"title","Board votes: Edcouch‑Elsa ISD approves tax rate resolutions, bond defeasance, safety film contract and other items","audioSeconds",283,"startMs",4673000,"endMs",4956000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5812003-e5ccaabc3d6684ff0db72ff09c7549fb&start=4673&end=4956","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5812003-e5ccaabc3d6684ff0db72ff09c7549fb/thumbnail_4673000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466933/Texas/Board-votes-EdcouchElsa-ISD-approves-tax-rate-resolutions-bond-defeasance-safety-film-contract-and-other-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466933-1776adcf3ebfd0f2842c7c002f6dab3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776565940&Signature=SjnsWVZZIxUDg8BKbe5wnapOvtt93Op9HXJnvBwnO3IRRemG6GnOhfJaXH5bSXmt3ksPBqP7Pse6wyJcAW6fXnTvKfGmjA-dHlq3Wbj8XhIkgk58EuUzElrjPxmQxygFOXK3vT2SA3hz~iyJvB7DPdmIsmEbRLxqB7zaH-GNEGCiqW3PCWJp5fdTh7XRPVgYjb2dwwV5Ek~3v-cbJpq1nDbx4LEiscQk4itzbUKzzlU8cK70n16SkAsm1fxFXy3tzTkUhZ9LtKaqn5tQCjOFwCFqvjn~eOJFmfX-u30h0e8eGJkNNSpndAXrP0kFwh3~hBqM5bEXQUuF4iPlnz5UDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","EdcouchElsaISD","date","2025-09-23T02:13:41.823Z","article","The Edcouch‑Elsa ISD board approved multiple financial and operational items during the Sept. 22 regular meeting. The following summarizes motions, movers/seconders when recorded, and outcomes as reflected on the record.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (many routine items; board amended motion to remove item E3 before final approval). Motion to approve by Trustee Lozano, seconded by Trustee Torres. Outcome: approved (motion carries).

- Order authorizing defeasance and redemption of a portion of the district’s outstanding tax bonds. Motion by Trustee Torres, seconded by Trustee Lozano. Outcome: approved (motion carries).

- Adopt the “no‑new‑revenue” tax rate and voter‑approval tax rate resolution for tax year 2025 (statutory language was read on the record). Motion and second recorded by trustees; outcome: approved (motion carries).

- Disaster‑pennies resolution for 2025–26 (to use voter‑authorized pennies following a declared disaster). Motion moved by Trustee Hosanna (as recorded). The board asked staff to correct an affidavit to reflect the correct CFO employment dates before submission to TEA; outcome: approved (motion carries).

- Adoption of the district tax rate for 2025–26 school year. Motion by Trustee Torres, seconded by Miss Vasquez (as recorded). Outcome: approved (motion carries).

- Award of RFP 2026‑005 for safety and security film installation services. Motion to approve made by Trustee Rosado, seconded by Dr. Ochoa. Outcome: approved (motion carries).

- Approval of school board governance services and related contract (presentation earlier); motion made by Trustee Lozano, seconded by Miss Bosco. Outcome: approved (motion carries).

- Approval of joining the South Texas School Board Association (membership dues assessed per‑student, reported by presenters at about $0.77 per student; district estimate under $3,000 annually). Motion made by Trustee Otis, seconded by Trustee Rosano. Outcome: approved (motion carries).

- Personnel actions following executive session (appointments, reassignments, or personnel matters as discussed in closed session). Motion to approve as discussed made by Trustee Lozano, seconded by Trustee Torres. Outcome: approved (motion carries).

Notes and qualifications: Vote tallies were not published for each motion in the oral record; the minutes show motions were approved after the standard “All in favor say aye/All those against?” procedure, and the presiding officer stated motions carried. When trustees pulled consent items for discussion (for example facility rental fees and the superintendent’s contract name correction), those items were addressed on the record before final consent approval. The board instructed staff to correct a dated affidavit supporting the disaster‑pennies resolution prior to TEA submission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Edcouch‑Elsa ISD board approved a package of routine and financial items at its Sept. 22 meeting, including bond defeasance, tax‑rate resolutions, a disaster recovery resolution, a safety‑film contract award and personnel actions after closed session.","taxTitle","EDCOUCH-ELSA ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",59106,"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},6466938,"Edcouch‑Elsa ISD’s delinquent tax report: firm says collections up while refunds rose after homestead exemption change",344,1656000,2000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5812003-e5ccaabc3d6684ff0db72ff09c7549fb&start=1656&end=2000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5812003-e5ccaabc3d6684ff0db72ff09c7549fb/thumbnail_1656000.jpg","/articles/6466938/Texas/EdcouchElsa-ISDs-delinquent-tax-report-firm-says-collections-up-while-refunds-rose-after-homestead-exemption-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466938-fc0fa8b89df93b505eb6bab7655fe845/orig.mp4?Expires=1776565940&Signature=gociqjeEM1wh9P21aw35tZWt7rFq-US6kd2zXNT5UMO5vIrABBIY5bD2eg9Cr-XsJ43OYBGpGuPubeMXLDKLcdBLTDfEFRUlzX1XfNhFamIY6T4GdEoMNt0xYDAVEzUrg87EW4VZCZnIorsIWUIwRDuoo257yEcX-8ib6-Z86O1ghk~QXBwFd~2txyTqq~8S~Ix786TfZeJcyxKDZkQmdPWyZRDtws1Pfhnf6H5s45KB8SpGeK4iZRCmliaSu0PvMefWuXUqEz81bDqZ7ZrXQnMCt~DBBXl-jsxIGG5Xy6vJDSbk3L4zvMF2EMARrshM-ISKMPDWo5RPWoSTieFkog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michael Gano, standing in for his colleague Kelly Salasat of the district’s delinquent‑tax firm, presented the annual report covering July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

Gano told trustees the firm collected about $32,000 more than in the prior year and completed only one tax sale in the period. He said the firm is emphasizing contact and payment agreements over litigation: the firm filed about 25 percent fewer lawsuits this year but still increased collections, which Gano attributed to more outreach (phone calls, office meetings and, in some cases, home visits).

The report also described a notable increase in refunds tied to a higher homestead exemption. Gano said refunds rose by roughly $268,000 because the appraisal district adjusted prior years for taxpayers who filed homestead exemptions when the exemption amount was increased; he said the state will reimburse about $168,000 but the timing means the district’s business office must reconcile the cash flow impact.

Gano explained the firm focuses on working with resident homestead taxpayers and uses foreclosure as a last resort, primarily on vacant or abandoned properties to assist community cleanup. He offered to answer trustees’ questions and said the office has finalized the district’s delinquent‑tax report and is ready to proceed with any follow‑up.","A law‑firm representative told the board Edcouch‑Elsa ISD collected roughly $32,000 more in delinquent taxes than the prior year while issuing more refunds after an expanded homestead exemption; the firm made fewer foreclosure filings and sold one property during the reporting year.",{"_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},6466943,"Edcouch‑Elsa ISD outlines plan to comply with Texas SB 546 requiring three‑point seat belts on school buses",171,1137000,1308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5812003-e5ccaabc3d6684ff0db72ff09c7549fb&start=1137&end=1308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5812003-e5ccaabc3d6684ff0db72ff09c7549fb/thumbnail_1137000.jpg","/articles/6466943/Texas/EdcouchElsa-ISD-outlines-plan-to-comply-with-Texas-SB-546-requiring-threepoint-seat-belts-on-school-buses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466943-57ccc89792fcd005338a455c643f3846/orig.mp4?Expires=1776565940&Signature=BC73LYJ8BlrpTISgUpQ-AUzBcBasdSiF1deW-PG1hJweeamilYDfng-GK7em67N19grndPIs2eUr6XA~-XeYzYmbqOlOGv8VwURrBYqPyYP7VT3fPYf7H0tCybX6rIiMfbd4j1Ay3SPVgB8ZMaO4zkYex5qi-m88EVC1K-Vq0U4d1HgN~DQQZryoSI6zP1dVTwW4LRta2HlvZyOvBk-sqy34PxfgH-XsBFukA2ByfIyHzeLJHjegOD~xuzYH~DH~GU~PiPPMHwrKJ2h9qsDOx6RAAHV1U6QXENZIPZxFQe1sHfw9FMMBO3PmIAeNcPU5GDrq5whioHcH83M4Ylchaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff presented a fleet‑data update on Senate Bill 546 and told the board the district is prepared to submit required information to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) before the end of the 2025–26 school year.

The presentation summarized the state timeline and district plan: TEA will compile fleet data from districts statewide and calculate total financial assistance needed; by Sept. 1, 2029, Senate Bill 546 requires that all school buses transporting children be equipped with three‑point safety belts.

Edcouch‑Elsa ISD’s plan, as described by staff, calls for the district to replace three regular buses per year (each estimated at about $160,000), replace two activity buses, and retrofit eight buses with three‑point lap‑and‑shoulder seats at an estimated $33,000 per retrofit. The presenter said the district has prepared its report and will submit it once TEA issues formal guidance on data filing.

Trustees asked technical questions about the belts. A board member asked whether the systems would use ALR (automatic locking retractor) hardware; staff replied the district’s plan is for standard three‑point shoulder/ lap belts and confirmed there are three belts per seat.

No vote was taken; staff said the district is ready to submit data after TEA publishes filing instructions and that the plan aims to meet the statutory compliance date of Sept. 1, 2029.","District staff presented a fleet data update tied to Senate Bill 546: Edcouch‑Elsa ISD plans to replace three buses per year and retrofit several others to meet the state’s requirement that buses have three‑point safety belts by Sept. 1, 2029.",{"_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},6466948,"Edcouch‑Elsa ISD reports lower enrollment and ADA; principals outline new attendance incentives",1376,1964000,3340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5812003-e5ccaabc3d6684ff0db72ff09c7549fb&start=1964&end=3340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5812003-e5ccaabc3d6684ff0db72ff09c7549fb/thumbnail_1964000.jpg","/articles/6466948/Texas/EdcouchElsa-ISD-reports-lower-enrollment-and-ADA-principals-outline-new-attendance-incentives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466948-00f5396ef8b90dedc9b825823d6deaff/orig.mp4?Expires=1776565940&Signature=c2L5qeDTHKFzn1NIzFnJSGHQY9SlsvO2bEOhrzk4fV23wuu-lY3ztxnzN9CaDtyOOew8FFZTSIsOmY0ZaRiZnOh~BgB7p1KajC0FzaJtxXw98uELzFMDk8c-rqDAu6ENWo-2OgLl7t3GTczvmORX7vLcpScPBkbFtsA~4y~RvCk0-oECjsFrWaSCuLj1aKZXRkBSsgQvcv7yaTyLqZgUbGHC-hglvOaa0oIYTdJDisMzP7fuoQA4E-vRXcr~0XxVlC-ZE3s5-EVk5yT2VRGRxEGkFrEWE-VpP1~UhcE4mIZ-FPsi4ThIOjR~kaVmWn4CbLVxsGuUGo8OBh4caBedjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Edcouch‑Elsa ISD Superintendent Dr. Ochoa reported at the Sept. 22 board meeting that the district’s current enrollment stands at 4,144 students, down from 4,265 at the same point last year, and that districtwide average daily attendance (ADA) is 3,684.1 compared with 3,812.9 last year.

The decline has pushed the district’s attendance rate to 94.07 percent, short of the district goal of 95 percent. Dr. Ochoa told trustees that if the district does not recover students the district faces an estimated funding reduction of about $793,000.

District leaders told the board where students left the district: 46 to IDEA, 27 to Weslaco, 8 to Mercedes, 5 to Monte Alto, 5 to Edinburg, 6 to South Texas, 5 to Donna and 1 to Mexico. The superintendent said the district’s budgeted ADA is 3,706 and stressed the importance of restoring attendance to avoid revenue shortfalls.

Principals described incentives and outreach they have launched to raise attendance. LBJ Elementary Principal Ms. Viriala said campuses are running shorter attendance “challenges” (two‑week windows) and giving small, frequent rewards — items such as scented pencils, “jacket bucks” redeemable for healthy snacks, weekly raffles, and occasional campus trips like lunch at Peter Piper for classrooms that meet targets. Ms. Viriala said her campus also gives “lunch with the principal” to students with weekly perfect attendance.

JRG Principal Miss Layton described weekly and biweekly incentives, social‑media recognition, and ticket giveaways for football games. High school Principal Monica Cas said the high school is using a merchandise “Buzz Shop” where students spend earned “buzz bucks,” plans a recognition dinner for parents and students, and will run an “innovation hour” at lunch and an attendance hall of fame.

Dr. Ochoa and campus leaders also detailed operational steps: expanded home visits by truancy officers, an automated absence notification system with a firm 8:30 a.m. reporting time to central office so attendance follow-up happens before ADA is locked, and increased community outreach to sponsor prizes. The superintendent said the truancy and community‑aid teams have been conducting home visits in recent weeks to re‑engage absent students.

Board members asked for more frequent reporting. Trustee Torres said the board should get six‑week (or, in this case, five‑week) assessment data that more closely reflects current instruction; Dr. Ochoa and staff said the board would receive updated five‑week/ six‑week data at the October meeting.

Principals emphasized that the incentives aim to be equitable and to avoid cutting instructional time, and they noted many prizes are funded by fundraising or campus budgets.

The board did not take formal action on attendance initiatives at the meeting; trustees discussed next steps for monitoring progress and asked staff to continue monthly reporting on enrollment and ADA.","Edcouch‑Elsa ISD reported a drop in enrollment and average daily attendance at its Sept. 22 board meeting and outlined campus-level incentives and new outreach to try to recover students and avoid roughly $793,000 in funding loss.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board votes: Edcouch‑Elsa ISD approves tax rate resolutions, bond defeasance, safety film contract and other items

Edcouch‑Elsa ISD’s delinquent tax report: firm says collections up while refunds rose after homestead exemption change

Edcouch‑Elsa ISD outlines plan to comply with Texas SB 546 requiring three‑point seat belts on school buses

Edcouch‑Elsa ISD reports lower enrollment and ADA; principals outline new attendance incentives