Votes at a glance: Harlingen CISD board approves travel, contracts, policy updates, budgets and personnel on Aug. 12

The Harlingen CISD Board of Trustees recorded the following actions at the Aug. 12, 2025 regular meeting. Where the transcript did not list a full ordinance or contract number, the board approved items as presented by administration.

• Consent calendar: Board approved four sets of minutes (motion carried).

• Out‑of‑state student travel approvals (all presented as fundraised trips): - Harlingen High School choir to Orlando, Florida (May 28–June 2, 2026) — approved. - Harlingen South choir to Honolulu, Hawaii (May 28–June 2, 2026) — approved. - Moises Vela Middle School Jazz Band to the Jazz Education Network convention in New Orleans, Louisiana (Jan. 6–9, 2026) — approved (band invited as feature ensemble).

• Transform Teaching & Learning committee report presented; no vote required.

• Non‑enrolled student participation policy (SB401): Board voted unanimously to decline non‑enrolled students from participation in district extracurricular activities (see separate article for details).

• TEA state‑approved innovative courses for 2025–26: Board approved five courses for elective credit, including team sports officiating, student leadership, student industry connections, general employability skills (life‑skills), and a college transition course.

• Student Code of Conduct 2025–26: Board approved the updated code that incorporates changes from recent legislation (House Bills including HB1481 and HB6) and TASB model language.

• HCISD–Niños, Inc. Head Start MOU (2025–26): Board approved a memorandum of understanding to continue Head Start partnership at five elementary schools; the program will serve approximately 160–170 three‑year‑old children and place two classrooms at each of the five campuses.

• Sick Leave Bank: Board approved continuance of the sick leave bank for 2025–26 and approved the associated handbook that describes application and approval processes.

• TASB policy updates: Board approved Policy Update 125 and EIC(LOCAL) on second reading (topics include board officer election, committees, partial credit, school safety transfers, attendance for credit, class ranking updates).

• Finance and procurement items: - The finance committee reported that five federal grants previously on hold were released and TEA will issue notices of award; board received the report. - The board approved 19 bid awards for recurring and specialized supplies and services presented by administration. - Workers’ compensation renewal: Board approved renewal with TASB Risk Management Fund for 2025–26 (average 4% increase) effective Sept. 1, 2025. - Property and liability insurance package renewal: Board approved renewal of school professional legal liability, general liability, employee benefits liability, privacy/information security, fleet and violent acts coverage with TASB Risk Management Fund (average ~11% increase) for 2025–26. - Monthly tax collection report (July) and monthly financial statements (07/31/2025): Board approved both items; trustees noted improved collection rate compared with same time last year. - Certified tax roll and tax collection rate: Board approved the certified tax roll provided by the Cameron Appraisal District (appraised market value and taxable values noted in staff materials).

• Facilities and safety committee report: Board received an update on Guardian staffing, multi‑agency trainings, TRE and maintenance tax projects and upcoming aquatic center HVAC advertisement (see separate article for details).

• Executive session and personnel action: After an executive session, the board approved employment of teachers and professional staff as presented.

Votes were recorded as presented in the meeting transcript; when specific counts or individual roll‑call names were not read aloud in the record, the board recorded unanimous approvals for the items noted above.