PSJA board accepts FIRST 'Superior' rating, canvasses bond results and adopts 2025 tax roll
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Summary
At its Nov. 17 meeting PSJA ISD’s board received a Texas FIRST financial rating of 'Superior Achievement' (94/100), canvassed bond election returns (both propositions failed), discussed delinquent‑tax collections and approved the district’s 2025 tax roll and tax rate.
The Pharr‑San Juan‑Alamo ISD board on Nov. 17 received a municipal finance briefing that included a superior Texas FIRST rating, canvass of bond election results and approval of the 2025 tax roll.
Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Gonzales presented the district’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas results and said PSJA received a score of 94 out of 100 and a “Superior Achievement” rating. Gonzales said the district failed one critical indicator (timely payments to certain agencies) due to a $61 campus invoice that was not processed in time but that the district spoke with campus staff and cleared the invoice within 30 days.
The board canvassed bond election returns and acknowledged both propositions failed. Gonzales read the results: Proposition A — 2,196 for and 2,588 against; Proposition B — 4,198 for and 2,721 against. Trustees moved and unanimously accepted the canvass as official.
Delinquent‑tax attorney Michael Connor of Linebarger reported $2.8 million in collections for the year (about $111,000 more than the prior year) and explained a significant portion of reported adjustments are refunds tied to increases in the homestead exemption (retroactive credits). Connor outlined the district’s approach to collections, including payment plans and targeted foreclosure of nonproductive properties, and warned that higher homestead exemptions reduce upfront revenue for school districts.
On tax settings, Gonzales presented the 2025 tax roll and recommended adoption: M&O rate 0.7869; debt service 0.2241; total rate 1.011. The board moved and approved the 2025 tax roll totals.
Separately, trustees completed the district’s votes for the Hidalgo County Appraisal District board and staff announced the board’s allocated totals: 32 votes for Jorge Martinez and 80 votes for Joe Olivares.
Next steps: staff will continue financial monitoring and forecasting, particularly to model revenue impacts from homestead exemption changes and to report any follow‑up required by TEA audit processes.