McAllen ISD outlines grants and new programs: DOJ STOP grant application, body‑worn camera funding, and elementary Science Olympiad
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Summary
District staff described plans for a $1M DOJ STOP School Violence training application, a three‑year body‑worn camera grant with a required 50% match, and the launch of an elementary Science Olympiad set for January 2026. Trustees received the reports; the DOJ and camera grants were presented as intent to apply and informational items.
At its Nov. 11 meeting McAllen ISD trustees received several informational presentations about grant activity and program launches.
Cynthia Olivares, director for state and federal programs, outlined federal and state grant streams including Title I, Part A (the district’s largest federal grant, roughly $11 million this year), Title I Part C (education of migratory children), Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A. Olivares described parent and family engagement investments (about $275,000) and services for migrant students (473 identified this year).
Family treatment program manager Adrian Garza presented the district’s intent to apply for the U.S. Department of Justice STOP School Violence Program, a three‑year grant opportunity totaling up to $1,000,000 focused primarily on training for staff and officers; Garza stressed that the DOJ grant is training‑focused and cannot be used to hire clinicians, so the district plans to leverage partner agencies for clinical services.
Purchasing director Laura Williams reported the district’s application for a fiscal‑year 2025 body‑worn camera policy and implementation grant (36 months) with an anticipated award near $215,784 and a 50% local match (~$107,892) to equip 63 officers with body‑worn cameras.
Separately, Jeanette Nino and Stephanie Beltran introduced the district’s new elementary Science Olympiad program: all 18 elementary schools will field teams for the inaugural January 2026 competition (third–fifth graders this year, with potential kindergarten–fifth in year two), coaches have completed clinics at South Texas College and the district will host the elementary event with medals and trophies for top places.
All items were informational; trustees and administrators discussed partnerships and implementation steps but took no final board action on the grant applications at this meeting.