Edcouch-Elsa ISD board honors students, reviews performance reports and approves consent items

The Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District Board of Trustees on Dec. 15 recognized students and community donors, heard district attendance and assessment data and approved routine agenda items. Board president Juan Jose Ibarra opened the meeting in the Francis S. Rocha Performing Arts Center and established a quorum.

Trustees honored a number of student and community achievements, including the presentation of a U.S. Capitol flag donated by Linda Guellar that was described by the donor as having flown over the Capitol in January 2021. The board also recognized campus groups for perfect attendance, honor society inductions, music and band accomplishments and athletic milestones across elementary, middle and high schools.

Superintendent Dr. Ochoa introduced the superintendent—s report covering enrollment, attendance and assessment results. The report included stated figures for district enrollment (stated in the presentation as "4,177"), a second-six-weeks attendance rate of 93.56%, an ADA goal of 3,706, and a cited total of 12,639 absences between Sept. 22 and Dec. 5, 2025. The report also noted 983 community-aid visits and 309 truancy officer visits as steps the district is using to address absenteeism.

Dr. Garza reviewed Renaissance STAR assessment data and subgroup breakdowns, highlighting areas the district has identified for targeted tutoring and interventions. The presentation included subgroup examples (for instance, first-grade reading was cited in the presentation as 60% at the "did not meet" category) and staff referenced a tutoring plan to be published and promoted at campus level.

During the consent-agenda discussion trustees pulled several items for clarification (including a Xerox lease payment item and a local policy update). A motion to approve the consent agenda as presented was made by Mr. Lozano and seconded by Mr. Torres; the board voted in favor and the motion carried. The transcript records the motion and that it carried but does not include a detailed roll-call tally.

On an item for the Hidalgo County Appraisal District board, Trustee Lozano moved to split the district—s 10 allotted votes 5 and 5 between incumbents Richard Garza and Joe D. Olivares; the motion was seconded by Ms. Vasquez and approved.

The board convened in executive session under Texas Government Code chapter 551 for personnel and legal matters and later reconvened in open session stating no action had been taken in closed session. After the closed session the board recorded no action for one grievance (employee SH) and approved a separate level-3 grievance (employee NT) after a motion by Mr. Torres, seconded by Mr. Lozano. The board also voted on personnel considerations; the motion carried and the chair noted one dissenting vote.

Board members asked staff to publish tutoring schedules and to continue coordination with Region 1 and community partners to expand access to student opportunities such as Boys and Girls State. Several items that had been pulled from the consent agenda were to be returned for later clarification or action as needed.

The meeting adjourned following the recorded votes and business.