Harlingen CISD board approves mentoring MOU, election contract and multiple budget, construction items

Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District trustees on Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding with the Live Your Dream Foundation to pilot an in-school mentoring program at Lamar Elementary and voted to contract with Cameron County to administer the district’s May 3, 2025 election. The board also approved a package of routine business items including budget amendments, awards for supplies, a Bonham Elementary playground contract and final construction payments for completed roofing projects.

The Live Your Dream Foundation partnership, called “Inspire Success Grama” in board materials, will fund the pilot’s first year at Lamar Elementary at “just a little over $10,000,” with ongoing maintenance and materials estimated at “a little over $2,000” annually, administration said. Interim Superintendent Dr. Corton recommended the memorandum of understanding for board approval.

The MOU aims to add structured mentoring to the campus’ social-emotional supports. “The partnership … will build students’ confidence, promote empathy, cultivate life skills, and foster resiliency,” Tanya Garza, HCISD administrator, told the board during the presentation on the item.

In a separate action, trustees authorized a joint election contract with the Cameron County Elections Department to administer the district’s May 3, 2025, school board…