Edinburg CISD approves emergency addendum to speed repairs after sewage overflow at Canterbury Elementary

Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District trustees on April 17 approved an agenda supplemental addendum intended to speed repairs and coordination with the City of Edinburg after sewage overflow incidents at Canterbury Elementary.

District leaders told the board the overflow had occurred more than once, that custodial and facilities staff responded immediately, and that short-term measures have been installed while a longer-term solution is worked out with the city. Superintendent Dr. Mario Salinas said the district and the city will present a plan to the full board and that an item on the issue will be discussed in executive session.

The board president, David Torres, and other trustees pressed staff for details on immediate steps to protect students and staff. Facilities and maintenance staff said crews had installed temporary caps on floor and shower drains at Canterbury and that they are coordinating with municipal officials on a permanent fix. Julie Perez, director of maintenance operations, said the district installed 53 caps to limit inflow through interior drains and that a permanent solution is being developed in collaboration with city staff; she said a presentation would be made in executive session by district staff working with the city.

District staff also said two reimbursement avenues were open: a claim filed with the city and a supplemental insurance claim filed by the district. Facilities staff told trustees they had submitted expenditure documentation to the city for potential reimbursement and that an adjuster would be engaged through the district’s insurance carrier to review the supplemental claim.

Public comment came from at least one parent, Ben Gallegos, who described chaotic communications and late notice to families after the most recent event and urged faster resolution for the health of students and staff.

Trustees voted to add the supplemental addendum to the agenda and passed it in a voice/hand-raise vote. The board also directed staff to escalate coordination with the city and to present next steps to the full board and at the facilities committee.

District officials emphasized that sewer infrastructure is a city responsibility but said the district will continue interim mitigation measures, pursue reimbursement for cleanup costs, and press for a permanent solution.

The board indicated that staff would bring a formal multi-party plan and cost/reimbursement details to the next facilities committee and to the full board following the executive-session briefing.