Harlingen CISD officials updated the Board of Trustees Aug. 12 on safety staffing and facilities projects, describing a “multilayer” approach to campus security and reporting progress across multiple construction and maintenance projects.

Facilities staff reported the district added 10 new Guardian positions as part of staffing changes, producing an estimated $250,000 in savings, and outlined multi‑agency active‑threat trainings held over the summer with city, county, state and federal partners. Danny Castillo summarized training topics that included firearms qualifications for law enforcement, advanced tactical first aid provided by U.S. Border Patrol personnel, CPR and stop‑the‑bleed instruction, and coordinated tabletop exercises with partners.

Project updates included near‑completion items paid from the voter‑approved maintenance tax and TRE funds: Bonham Elementary playground finished; shoulder line replacement at the administration annex near 95% complete; Harlingen South locker room air‑conditioning and gym AC equipment orders pending; marquee replacements mostly finished; portables and renovations completed at Connell Freshman Academy and several elementary classrooms; stadium LED lighting projects are underway (Harlingen High School campus finished; South campus started); and architects have been retained to design a security vestibule at Lamar.

Facilities staff also reported selection of DBR Engineering to prepare documents for Dectron unit replacement at the aquatic center; design work is nearly complete and managers expect to advertise the project next week and bring a possible award to the September board meeting. A change order credit of $11,008.23 for Coakley Long Wilson HVAC work was noted and will be reflected in future payouts.

Board members praised the multiagency coordination and the maintenance team’s summer work and requested continued opportunities for trustees to meet with and thank law enforcement and security partners. Administration said monthly law‑enforcement partnership meetings occur during the school year and invited trustees to attend.