At the regular meeting Harlingen CISD trustees reviewed February financial statements, the district’s quarterly investment report and approved a set of budget amendments and contract actions recommended by administration.

Chief business office staff reported the district’s general-fund cash position at Feb. 28 and explained a timing-related reduction in fund balance: February state receipts were lower than in prior months under the state payment schedule, and the district made bond payments in February. Administration said the dip was forecasted and that March receipts and subsequent adjustments are expected to restore the projected fund balance trajectory.

On monthly collections, the district reported a tax-collection rate of 88.6% for the period, up from 87.6% at the same point last year. Separately, the district’s delinquent-tax-collections contractor (Linebarger) reported mailings, litigation and collection activity for the prior levy: the law firm said it sent roughly 13,600 letters, filed more than 200 lawsuits and prepared about 40 properties for tax sale during the reporting period and that the office collected more than $2 million for the district in the period they reviewed. Linebarger said combined current and prior delinquent collection rates typically reach about 99% for the district over time.

The board approved several business actions at the meeting:
- A set of seven budget amendments, including year‑end transfers to address projected shortfalls in functions that include data processing and community services (the HELP after‑school program was highlighted as a driver of function‑61 expense); administration said those transfers are a normal year‑end housekeeping action and that next year’s budget season will reflect refinements for recurring HELP costs.
- The monthly financial statements for February 2025 were approved as presented.
- The board approved the district’s quarterly investment report (period Dec. 1–Feb. 28). Staff noted most funds are invested in Texas-class and that year‑to‑date interest income totaled about $213,000 at the time of the report.
- The board approved the award or extension of several procurement contracts and renewals (locally funded) covering custodial paper supplies, school-safety uniforms, maintenance electric supplies, music instruments (string orchestra), and renewal of eSchoolPlus (PowerSchool) analytics and finance modules. Administration emphasized the dollar amounts presented were maximum authorization values and that annual spend will be within budgeted amounts.
- The board rejected a bid for new marquees (phase 2) at various campuses after staff received a single bid that exceeded the district’s estimate and because existing marquees remain operational; staff will revisit scope and procurement strategy.

Administration also presented an update from the Finance and Planning Committee, including a plain‑language graphic showing how the district’s $1 of revenue is sourced (roughly 24¢ local, 63¢ state, 11¢ federal, 2¢ other in the presented graphic), and a functional breakdown of how funds are spent (instruction, maintenance, food service, etc.). Committee members praised clarity of the finance graphics and asked staff to continue producing easy-to-read risk and resource summaries.

Ending: Trustees approved the requested financial items and asked administration to continue work on multi-year budgeting for the HELP after‑school program and to present more risk‑aligned visuals as the audit office and finance office produce year‑end and plan documents.