PSJA board extends superintendent’s contract, approves school calendar, Boys & Girls Club agreement and audit

The Pharr‑San Juan‑Alamo Independent School District Board of Trustees on Jan. 27 voted to extend Superintendent Doctor Elias’s contract by one year and approved a 3% pay increase, alongside a slate of routine and financial items including the district’s 2025–26 academic calendar, an external audit and a renewed investment advisory agreement.

The board approved the contract extension and raise after public comment in support of the superintendent from several local teachers’ association representatives and union officers. Vicky Ibarra, speaking for the PSJA Texas Classroom Teachers Association, said, “I stand before you today to express my unwavering support for superintendent Doctor Elias, whose visionary leadership has brought about transformation changes in our district.”

Board members discussed financial oversight and audit findings before voting. Jonathan Hall, partner at Carr, Riggs & Ingram, presented the independent audit report and delivered an unmodified opinion on the district’s financial statements; Hall told the board the audit “present[s] fairly in all material respects” the district’s financial position for the year ended Aug. 31, 2024. The audit did include a single significant deficiency related to budget monitoring: several functions exceeded budgeted appropriations during the year, and auditors recommended officials amend budgets when higher expenditures are anticipated. The board approved the audit and directed administration to provide a corrective action plan.

Other action items approved: - Academic calendar: Trustees approved the district’s recommended 2025–26 calendar (Calendar A), which…