Brownsville ISD trustees unanimously approve resolution opposing state school vouchers

Brownsville Independent School District trustees voted unanimously April 1 to adopt a resolution opposing Texas school vouchers, education savings accounts and other measures that would divert public funds from traditional public schools.

The board passed the resolution 6-0 after several public commenters and union leaders urged trustees to take a clear stand. Celia Saiz, president of BEST AFT Local 3877, called the measures “voucher scams” and said the district would lose an estimated $15,100,000 if the voucher proposal moved forward, potentially affecting hundreds of employees. “These voucher scams give public funds to those who need it the least without any accountability,” Saiz told the board during the public-comment portion of the meeting.

Adina Alegria, executive director of the Texas Valley Educators Association, told trustees the district faces mounting threats from state-level policy changes and said the board should be unified in opposition. “This is the perfect opportunity to promote and market our district at this point in time,” Board member Ed Ortiz added in discussion, urging outreach to families to keep students in BISD.

Superintendent Dr. Chavez thanked trustees for supporting the resolution and for continuing district advocacy in Austin and at the federal level. The resolution is a board-level policy statement and does not create a district rule; board members said it is intended as an advocacy statement to communicate the district’s position as legislation advances.

The 6-0 vote came amid repeated public comments calling for stability in district leadership and for the board to focus on funding and facilities. Trustees said they will continue outreach and advocacy work to communicate the district’s financial concerns to state lawmakers.