Laredo ISD earns A on state finance rating; public commenter warns of district deficit
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Summary
Laredo ISD trustees heard a finance presentation showing an "A" (superior) rating from the Texas accountability system while a public commenter accused district leadership of overstaffing and said the district faces a multimillion-dollar shortfall; trustees approved modest budget transfers and other routine items.
Laredo Independent School District officials told trustees Dec. 12 that the district earned an A ("superior") rating on the state's financial accountability system, and board members approved a pair of budget transfers after hearing a public comment alleging larger fiscal problems.
Miss Ayala, presenting the district's annual financial management report, said the rating reflects results across 21 indicators the Texas Education Agency uses to assess critical controls, solvency and financial competence. "We are happy to announce that our district earned a rating of an A for superior," she said during the presentation.
The finance presentation cited several specific measures: the district reported 199 days cash on hand (scored 10/10), a current-assets-to-liabilities ratio of 2.83 (scored 8/10), a positive revenues-to-expenditures result and a long-term-liabilities-to-assets ratio of 0.3827 (scored 10/10). Staff said indicators 16 through 21, which probe data quality and material weaknesses, earned perfect scores and that external auditors did not identify material weaknesses in internal controls.
The report also described required public disclosures including reimbursements and outside compensation. The superintendent's reimbursements for the period were reported as $7,957.95.
During public forum, Jorge Martinez, who identified himself as representing "teachers, staff and taxpayers," told the board "LISD is on a $16,000,000 deficit" and blamed past staffing decisions and leadership moves for what he called long-term budget pressures. Martinez urged community attendance at meetings and criticized planned legal spending tied to special-education irregularities.
Board members did not substantiate Martinez —laims during the meeting; trustees thanked finance staff for the A rating and asked staff to continue detailed budget reporting. On the same agenda, trustees approved two budget adjustments by voice vote: a $29,382 transfer between functional categories (Item 10A) and an amended transfer totaling $51,561 from board discretionary funds (Item 10B). Both motions passed on voice votes, with no roll-call tallies recorded in the public minutes.
Votes at a glance
- Item 8 (strategic plan vision/mission/beliefs): approved by voice vote (motion recorded in meeting). - Item 12 (property license agreement with Flock Group Inc.): approved by voice vote (see separate story). - Consent agenda (multiple routine items): approved by voice vote with item 4C taken up separately and approved. - Item 4C (RFP 24-023 graduation items caps/gowns/diplomas): approved by voice vote. - Item 9 (2025-26 scholastic calendar, Option 1): approved by voice vote after discussion. - Item 10A ($29,382 budget transfer): approved by voice vote. - Item 10B (amended to $51,561): approved by voice vote. - Item 11 (construction completion date extension for Sigaroa Bridal School to July 2025): approved by voice vote. - Item 15 (professional hires: assistant athletic director and Gallego Elementary assistant principal): approved by voice vote.
What happens next
Staff said results from the December EOC administration will be reported after holidays and that budget staff will continue to model projections; trustees asked for ongoing clarity about reserves and program impacts. Martinez's public comments will remain on the record; no formal board action was taken in response to that public comment during the meeting.
