Pharr‑San Juan‑Alamo ISD board approves self‑insurance fund; reviews policy updates and investment report

The Pharr‑San Juan‑Alamo Independent School District board of trustees on May 12 adopted a resolution to create a property casualty self‑insurance fund and reviewed recommended legal updates to local policies while receiving its quarterly investment report.

Board members approved the self‑insurance resolution after hearing district finance staff outline a rapidly rising commercial insurance market. Assistant Superintendent for Finance Miss Gonzales said the district paid about $1,000,000 for property insurance in 2018, that premiums rose to $6,900,000 in 2024 and were about $6,100,000 in 2025. "We are recommending that the district go self funded for property insurance because the red line is our recovery," Miss Gonzales said, describing years when the district paid premiums but received no recovery and long delays when claims were reimbursed.

The board recorded a motion to create the fund; the motion was made by Mr. Rodriguez and seconded by Miss Quintanilla, and the board approved the resolution by voice vote. Trustees and staff said the district will place reserve funds in a dedicated account and use those reserves for major repairs after board approval. "It's gonna be exclusively. It'll be in a reserve, and it'll be sectioned off where…