WESLACO ISD trustees approve Lone Star Governance report, consent agenda; superintendent reports $5.5 million surplus

WESLACO — The WESLACO ISD Board of Trustees on Monday approved its Lone Star Governance (LSG) monitoring report, cleared a consent agenda that included several recommended contracts and purchases, and heard Superintendent Richard Rivera say the district was holding a roughly $5.5 million surplus based on current attendance figures.

Rivera told the board that, at the end of the fourth six-week reporting period the district’s average daily attendance (ADA) plus the state adjustment put district revenue at $15,001.49 per pupil and that “if school ended today, we would have $5,500,000 more,” a figure he described as “very, very, very good.”

The board also approved routine personnel contracts and resignations that the superintendent recommended, and the group signed off on multiple items grouped on the consent agenda, including authorization for the superintendent to execute an electricity services contract judged to provide the best value for the district and the engagement of an energy consultant listed in the agenda packet.

Why it matters: The district’s ADA drives state funding; higher ADA this year is producing additional one-time funds the board is allocating to projects and staff incentives rather than to ongoing operating increases. Trustees framed the surplus as a short-term opportunity to complete capital and safety projects while remaining cautious about legislative uncertainty affecting future revenue.

Key details - Budget and fund balance: Rivera said the district’s fund balance stood at about $65 million and that the three-month reserve equals about $43 million, leaving roughly $22 million proposed for projects; of that, about $9 million remained after commitments listed in the packet. Rivera identified completed and in-progress projects funded from savings (not bond funds), including an aquatic center, stadium scoreboard replacements, LED lighting, additional activity buses, portable AC units, and turf work. - Energy contract and consultant: The packet included an item to hire an energy consultant and to delegate to the superintendent authority to sign an electricity contract; trustees approved the consent agenda that contained the delegation. Trustee Ben Castillo asked that the contract forbid the consultant from taking commissions from electricity providers. - Internal auditor: The board introduced Rose Underkirk as the district’s new internal auditor; Rivera said she will report to the board and check the business office and other processes for compliance. - Personnel: The board approved the superintendent’s recommended certified and non‑certified contracts and accepted resignations and retirements as presented in closed session.

Trustees’ remarks “Again, very proud of all the students and staff for the work they do,” Rivera said after reviewing enrollment and ADA numbers. Trustee Mark Delos Santos and others praised principals and staff for improving attendance and for the financial planning that produced a one-time surplus.

Votes at a glance - Lone Star Governance monitoring report — Motion to approve by Trustee Ben Castillo; second by Trustee Mark Delos Santos; voice vote, motion carried. - Consent agenda (contracts, energy consultant delegation, pool demolition scope, other consent items listed in packet) — Motion to approve by Trustee Mark Delos Santos; second by Coach Cuellar; voice vote, motion carried. - Superintendent’s recommended certified and non‑certified contracts — Motion to approve by Coach Cuellar; second by Trustee Ben Castillo; voice vote, motion carried. - Resignations and retirements (superintendent recommendations) — Motion to approve by Coach Cuellar; second by Trustee Ben Castillo; voice vote, motion carried.

What’s next: Rivera and staff said they will return with a report next month on outstanding HVAC costs and implementation details for planned projects. The board discussed moving quickly on safety projects but emphasized preserving fund balance in case state funding changes.

Ending: Trustees closed the meeting after the scheduled business and executive session votes; administrators told the public that routine follow-up would be provided to the families who raised concerns during public comment.