The Brownsville Independent School District Board of Trustees welcomed two new members Thursday evening and reorganized for the 2022-2026 term following Nov. 8 elections.
Carlos A. Elizondo returned to the board as its Position 1 trustee after defeating Drue Brown and Philip T. Cowen in a three-way race for the seat Brown had held since 2018. Cowen was making a bid to return to the board for a fourth time.
Frank Ortiz, a former BISD principal, now a student teacher trainer at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, was sworn in as the Position 4 trustee. He defeated Prisci Roca Tipton, the incumbent.
Ortiz and Elizondo ran as a team with Victor Caballero, also a former BISD Principal, who lost to Denise Garza for the Position 2 seat. Caballero lost by about the same margin that Ortiz won.
Earlier in the week Caballero filed for and paid the deposit for Cameron County to conduct a recount. Cameron County conducted the election alongside the Nov. 8 general election. The recount is to be held over 2-3 days starting the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
Newly elected state Rep. Erin Gamez, D-Brownsville, administered the candidate pledge and oath of office to Elizondo, who previously served from 2012-2016. After Elizondo signed required paperwork, family, friends and supporters joined him for a group picture.
The ceremony took place in the Central Administration Building cafeteria, 708 Palm Blvd.
Port Isabel Municipal Judge Luis Hernandez swore in Ortiz, who afterward said, “I’m here to be a team member. …The best is yet to come.”
As Ortiz and Elizondo were sworn in, members of the Association of Brownsville Educators, an employees’ union, cheered.
Members of AOBE leadership said during the meeting’s public comment period that Ortiz and Elizondo were “exclusively endorsed” by AOBE at candidate forums.
“As you step in, the issues are still the issues,” Veronica Borrego, AOBE president said, expressing hope for change.
Ida Abendano, Tim Ramirez and Micalea Escobar also spoke, Escobar saying she hoped the new board would “bring back the respect that every employee deserves.”
The board then elected new officers, with Position 3 Trustee Jessica G. Gonzalez elected president, Elizondo vice president, Position 6 Trustee Minerva M. Pena secretary and Ortiz assistant secretary.
Denise Garza, president of the previous board who was elected Position 2 trustee, will continue to serve pending the recount.
Brown, the outgoing Position 1 trustee, spoke at the beginning of the ceremony, saying it was an honor and privilege to serve.
“Throughout the past four years, from the lively discussions to the pitched battles, I have found great joy in this opportunity to serve Brownsville ISD,” she said.
“My daily interactions with students, parents, educators, staff and administration have been nothing short of inspiring. Everyone goes way beyond the call of duty to do what is best for our students.”
Many praised Brown, a former administrator and teacher, for her service on the board, said she had been a mentor and hoped that she would continue to serve in some capacity.
Once the new board was organized, Francisco Pecina of the accounting firm Cascos and Associates of Brownsville, presented an audit report saying the district had earned an unmodified or clean audit of its operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.
“Unmodified opinions are the most favorable opinions an entity can receive from an independent accounting firm,” Pecina said in a letter to the district about the audit.
The general fund reflects total assets of $307.4 million and an unassigned fund balance of $132.2 million, sufficient to operate the district for 109 days, Pecina said.
“Based on the days of operation available, the district is in a favorable financial position,” the letter states.
To see more, view Brownsville Herald photojournalist Miguel Roberts’ full photo gallery:
Photo Gallery: BISD swears in 2 new trustees as Elizondo returns
