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The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent school board approved in a 3-1 vote Monday a contract agreement with Superintendent Alejandro Elias.
The board named Elias the lone finalist for the spot last month.
He’s served as interim since November, after the district parted ways with former superintendent Jorge Arredondo in the wake of an election that prompted a power shift on the board.
“We see a lot of good things coming,” Trustee Carlos Villegas said during Monday’s meeting. “They’re just in the horizon, and we look forward to working with you. God bless you in your new endeavor, congratulations.”
Elias told trustees he planned to take the district to the next level while at the helm.
“I can promise that I’m gonna try to be an exemplary superintendent for this district. My heart is in it,” he said. “My heart is fully vested in this district, and I know there’s a lot of good initiatives that we’ve been proposing since day one that I came in as an interim.”
Trustee Jesse Zambrano voted against approving the contract, although he didn’t comment on the decision during the meeting.
Board President Cynthia Gutierrez and Trustee Jorge Zambrano were absent.
The board has embarked on a number of high profile initiatives during Elias’ interim superintendency.
After naming Elias lone finalist in May, the board approved three partnerships with the city: one that will make them a full partner in the natatorium in Pharr; one to provide free broadband to students; and another that lays the groundwork for the district using the Pharr Economic Development Corporation’s stables on Jackson.
Trustees also decided in February to launch a forensic audit.
Previously facing a shaky financial situation, the district is currently hopeful that more positive enrollment outlooks have put it into a stronger position.
