Del Valle ISD board accepts forensic audit that flags procurement, hiring and data‑security gaps

DEL VALLE, Texas — The Del Valle Independent School District Board of Trustees on April 30 accepted a forensic audit of the district’s finances and human‑resources practices that flagged potential conflicts of interest, procurement problems and data‑security risks tied to the district’s bond work and federal funding.

Weaver auditors told the board the district’s 2022 bond program shows an estimated cost‑to‑complete of $275,700,000 compared with a $300,000,000 budget and that the second high school was roughly 37% complete as of February 2025. Auditor Travis Kasner said the firm reviewed payments to vendors and contractors, looking for year‑over‑year increases, round dollar amounts and payments just below the $50,000 threshold that triggers board approval.

The audit identified three vendors with findings: True North Professional Learning LLC, Resources for Learning LLC, and Ridgeview Systems LLC. Weaver said True North — a consulting firm established by Dr. Torres and paid about $138,000 in fiscal 2019 — was affiliated with other district staff and that another consulting firm linked to the same parties was marketed to other districts. Weaver identified a sole‑source contract awarded to Resources for Learning in October 2023 to evaluate the district’s DAEP program for about $30,000; the contract included a second deliverable described in the audit as a “promotional story” featuring Youth Unlimited, a nonprofit founded by former board member Richard Franklin III. Weaver reported four payments totaling $30,105 to that vendor and said the contract was not taken to the board because it was under the $50,000 threshold.

Weaver also reported that Ridgeview Systems —…