Public speakers urge board not to settle in Melva Segura case; trustees later take no action

WESLACO — Multiple public commenters at Monday’s WESLACO ISD Board of Trustees meeting urged the board not to settle claims involving former human resources director Melva Segura and cited a forensic audit the district commissioned earlier this year.

Diana Garza, who identified herself during public comment, said she had read “the infamous long extensive Weaver forensic audit report” and alleged widespread improper HR practices under Segura’s tenure. “You must restore trust and ensure that such unethical practices are not repeated in the future,” Garza told trustees.

Julie Valdez and others echoed Garza’s criticism. Valdez said she believed Segura’s conduct had a “lot of damage that resulted in her termination” and urged trustees not to approve any payouts. Valdez said, “We should not be negotiating with educational terrorists,” language she used in her public comment.

Why it matters: Public claims about misuse of HR authority and money are politically sensitive for a school district and can affect both legal exposure and public trust. The district previously commissioned a forensic audit by Weaver that commenters said cost roughly $300,000; speakers urged the board to pursue accountability rather than settlements.

Board action: After the meeting’s executive session, the board returned to open session and trustees voted on the pending court matter identified in the agenda as C402621A, Melva Segura v. WESLACO ISD (pending in Hidalgo County). Trustee Ben Castillo moved “that we take no action on this item”; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Trustees and staff declined to discuss details publicly; the agenda listed the item for attorney consultation and litigation discussion under the Texas Government Code exceptions for closed‑door deliberations.

Context and claims - Weaver audit: Speakers referenced the forensic audit the board authorized earlier in the year and said the district spent “over $300,000” on that review. One commenter summarized the audit’s findings as alleging favoritism, discrimination and nepotism in HR hiring decisions under Segura’s leadership. - Legal posture: The case identifier on the agenda (C402621A) was discussed in executive session; following that closed discussion trustees voted to take no action on the matter in open session. The board did not provide further detail in public about the basis for the executive-session discussion or the options presented by counsel.

What was said “We paid $325,000. And that's why I'm here, because this has got to stop,” Diana Garza told the board during public comments about the Weaver report. Julie Valdez said board members should not “line her pocket with money after she did all the wrongdoing.”

Outcome and next steps: The board’s public record shows a motion to take no action; the district’s legal counsel had presented options during closed session. The board did not announce any law‑enforcement referral or further administrative discipline in open session. The superintendent and counsel said they would follow any legal requirements and maintain confidentiality where necessary.

Ending: Members of the public who spoke demanded accountability and transparency; trustees said they would continue to receive legal advice in closed session as permitted by state law.