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Community speakers urge board not to settle Melba Segura case after forensic audit
Summary
Several public commenters accused former WESLACO ISD HR director Melba Segura of unethical hiring and nepotism and urged the board not to settle the lawsuit; speakers cited a Weaver forensic audit and said the district spent roughly $300,000'$325,000 related to the matter.
Several members of the public used the board'meeting public-comment period to press trustees to reject a financial settlement in the district'level personnel case involving former human-resources director Melba Segura.
Diana Garza told the board she had reviewed the Weaver forensic audit and said the report showed repeated HR missteps under Segura's tenure. "I have a copy of the infamous long extensive Weaver forensic audit report that you all agreed to pay over $300,000 of taxpayers' monies to initiate the audit," Garza said, urging trustees to hold former officials accountable and "not avoid paying any monies that belong to taxpayers and our students." The comment targeted agenda item 12.b.4, listed in the meeting packet as Melba Segura v. Weslaco ISD.
Julianne Valdez made similar allegations during public comment, calling Segura an "educational terrorist" in reference to hiring and payout practices she described as unfair to employees and students. "We paid $325,000, and ... this has got to stop," Valdez said, asking the board to refuse settlement money and "present the waiver report to a jury." Both speakers asked the board to restore public trust by declining a monetary settlement.
The board later convened an executive session to consult with attorneys on pending litigation, including the Melba Segura matter (case referenced in the agenda as C402621A). After the closed session the board voted on a motion to take no action on that item; the motion was made by Trustee Ben Castillo, seconded by Trustee Mark De Los Santos, and the chair announced "motion carries." The board did not provide further public detail about the legal advice given in closed session during the open meeting.
Why it matters: Commenters framed the matter as a misuse of taxpayer money and a personnel-practices issue that affects employee morale and opportunities for students. The board's choice to take "no action" in open session leaves the legal status unresolved publicly while the underlying allegations remain the subject of community concern.
