Laredo ISD reallocates disaster set‑aside to finish Sigueroa High literacy center; board approves GMP and budget amendments

The Laredo Independent School District Board of Trustees voted June 25 to reallocate an $8,000,000 disaster reserve set aside after Hurricane Hannah to support construction of the Dr. Leonidas G. Sigueroa High School Literacy Center phases 2 and 2.5, approving related budget amendments and a guaranteed maximum price for construction.

Doctor Rios introduced the item and said the $8 million had been held following a disaster resolution tied to Hurricane Hannah and placed in a committed fund balance (set aside when fiscal year 2022 closed). Facilities staff and finance staff presented the current funding picture: project documents show a guaranteed maximum price of $33,540,000 for the three phases and staff identified an additional funding need of about $22,559,000 beyond remaining bond balances. "We're looking at a GMP of $33,540,000," Mister Velasquez told trustees during the presentation.

Finance staff explained the district had roughly $14,000,000 available from prior bonds and that the $8,000,000 disaster funds were available for reallocation because the board earlier adopted the disaster resolution and the funds were itemized in the audit at year close. Miss Ayala told trustees the district can request reimbursement through a future bond resolution or replenish the fund over time from excess revenues; she also cited a statutory reimbursement window staff tracks when spending precedes bond issuance.

Trustees pressed staff on several fiscal risks: whether delaying construction would increase costs, how much of the project the bond balances would cover, and how the reallocations would affect the district’s projected deficit for fiscal year 2025–26. Trustee Garza warned that pausing the project could increase costs under a later GMP, while finance staff said using the set‑aside now creates a three‑year reimbursement window should the district issue bonds later.

The board approved a motion to rescind the committed fund balance designation for the $8,000,000 and reassign it to the Sigueroa literacy center; the motion passed by voice vote. Trustees then approved related budget amendments (Items 4a–4c) to reclassify Webb County permanent school and pilot funds, EDA bond funds and general operating transfers to support phases 2 and 2.5. The board also approved the guaranteed maximum price for the Sigueroa project by voice vote.

Votes at a glance (voice votes unless noted): - Item 1: Rescind committed fund balance of $8,000,000 (Hurricane Hannah) and commit to Sigueroa Literacy Center phases 2/2.5 — Approved. - Item 2: Rescind approval of the tax office wellness clinic ($2,422,157) and place the project in abeyance (to reallocate funds) — Approved. - Item 3: Commit multiple fund sources (including the cited unassigned balances) to fund Sigueroa phases 2/2.5 — Approved. - Item 4a–4c: Budget amendments reclassifying capital funds and bond proceeds to Sigueroa phases 2/2.5 — Approved. - Item 5: Approve the GMP for Sigueroa Literacy Center phases 2 and 2.5 (GMP shown in board materials: $33,540,000) — Approved.

Trustees and staff emphasized the district’s objective to complete the vocational and academic spaces (culinary, welding, robotics, medical/technology labs) included in phase 2 and the shops, parking and career‑tech spaces in phase 2.5. Facilities staff stressed that some roofing needs elsewhere (e.g., Martin High School) were already funded; trustees asked staff to monitor other campuses for future roofing work and to return with clearer dollar breakdowns when available.

The board adjourned its discussion of the Sigueroa project by approving the motions and amendments. The superintendent’s office and finance staff said the district intends to pursue reimbursement options (bond proceeds or excess revenues) to restore the set‑aside when possible.

The board did not provide a roll‑call tally in the public record for these voice votes; minutes record the motions as passing by ayes without a recorded count.

The meeting included several follow‑on administrative items and personnel actions (see votes at a glance).