WESLACO, Texas — Superintendent Richard Rivera told trustees the district is seeing lower enrollment this year than last, a trend he said affects state funding and could require staffing adjustments. Rivera said last year’s attendance numbers produced a deficit of roughly $561,000 in a cited comparison and that the district continues to monitor average daily attendance closely.

Rivera reviewed several facilities projects tied to a bond election: the board previously approved demolition of the roughly 80‑year‑old Central Middle School gym and plans to build a new cafeteria at that site with demolition expected around February; he also said a new agricultural farm funded by the bond is under construction with completion expected January 2027 and noted the city is interested in purchasing about 7.6 acres adjoining the new farm for a fire and police substation.

On employee benefits, Rivera warned that the district’s self-funded health-insurance claims are unusually high early in the plan year. He said three-month claim trends suggest a potential multi-million-dollar shortfall (he cited monthly claims near $2 million and projected deficits in the millions if the trend continues). Rivera told trustees the district receives administrative rebates and a year-end "true up" (he cited a prior $800,000 true up received in February) that could partially offset shortfalls and said staff will study cost-control options and wellness programs.

Trustees asked detailed questions about whether increases were due to more claims or higher per-claim costs; Rivera said it is a combination. Board members commended principals for maintaining ADA percentages near budget targets despite lower enrollment and asked for more detailed reconciliations of insurance projections, rebates and accounting for the upcoming budget cycle.

What’s next: The administration will provide more detailed accounting and potential cost-reduction options in the spring; trustees asked for follow-up on the city appraisal and any proposed sale of district property affecting facilities plans.