McAllen ISD trustees approve emergency‑manager stipends, pre‑bond planning negotiations and library purchases

McAllen Independent School District trustees met Oct. 7 and approved a series of administrative motions, including two $10,000 stipends for staff filling interim emergency‑manager duties, authorization to begin contract negotiations for pre‑bond planning services and the purchase of library titles posted under Senate Bill 13.

The actions were taken during the regular board meeting in the Doctor Ricardo Chapa Boardroom and were recorded as passed by roll call or by general voice vote, with most motions passing unanimously.

Why it matters: The stipends temporarily assign emergency‑management duties to existing staff while the district searches for a permanent manager; the pre‑bond planning work will inform any future bond package and associated project scopes; the library purchases proceed under the public‑review requirements of Senate Bill 13 and set the district’s acquisition list for elementary and middle school librarians.

What the board approved

- Consent agenda: A motion to approve the consent agenda was moved by Trustee Delagarza Lopez and seconded by Trustee Sofia Pena. The motion passed 7–0.

- Recognition items (proclamations): The board voted to move and recognize Governor Greg Abbott’s proclamations for Principals Month and Education Human Resources Day as informational items; motions were made and passed by the board with recorded unanimous outcomes.

- Library titles (Senate Bill 13): Administration recommended purchase of 780 age‑appropriate titles that had been posted for the statutorily required 30‑day review. Trustee Kittleman moved the item; Trustee Gallardo seconded. The motion passed 7–0. Director Ann Vega told the board the titles were posted districtwide for review and that no public comments were received during the period. She explained that formal challenges would follow the same review process used during the 30‑day posting.

- Stipends for interim emergency manager duties: The board approved two separate $10,000 stipends while the district fills the emergency‑manager role. The first stipend, to compensate Mr. Jonathan Ball (staff attorney) for interim emergency‑manager duties, was moved by Trustee Carreon and seconded by Trustee Regalado; the motion passed 7–0. The second stipend, to compensate Police Captain John Montemayor for interim emergency‑manager duties and training, was moved by Trustee Delgado Lopez and seconded by Trustee Rivera; the motion passed 7–0.

- Pre‑bond planning services (RFQ #2026‑1017): The board approved the ranking for selection of firms for pre‑bond planning services and authorized administration to begin negotiations with the highest‑ranked firm; if negotiations fail, administration may proceed in writing to the next‑ranked firm. Trustee Delagarza Lopez moved the ranking approval; Trustee Kittleman seconded and the motion passed 7–0. The board also authorized the superintendent to execute a contract if negotiations are successful.

- Approval of meeting minutes: The board approved minutes for a Sept. 10 board workshop, a Sept. 23 safety and security committee meeting, and the Sept. 23 regular meeting. Trustee Haddad moved to approve the minutes and Trustee Delagarza Lopez seconded; the motion passed 7–0.

- Executive‑session action (human resources recommendations): After returning from closed session, the board took action on human resources recommendations for school year 2025–26. A motion to approve the recommendations was moved by Trustee Sofia Pena and seconded by Trustee Carreon; the motion recorded as passed 6–0 in the minutes.

- Adjournment: A motion to adjourn passed following standard procedure; recorded vote indicated the motion passed 6–0.

Board procedure and voting notes: Where roll‑call votes were not read individually in the transcript, the meeting minutes record the board’s announced tallies (for example, “motion passes 7–0” or “motion passes 6–0”). The article reports those tallies rather than individual board member votes when individual votes were not read aloud in the transcript.

What the board did not decide in open session: The agenda listed possible closed‑session topics including pending litigation, school safety and security, human resources matters and possible real‑estate acquisition; the board recessed to executive session and later reported limited action only on the human resources recommendations.