McALLEN — Facing pressure from the community, the McAllen Independent School District Board of Trustees took a step toward approving a $4 million commitment to a Quinta Mazatlan expansion project Monday, although the deal is contingent on certain amendments.
The board approved a memorandum of understanding in concept and voted to bring the document back with points of revision brought up by the board and language that strengthens the collaboration between McAllen ISD and other entities involved.
That commitment, made possible by an influx of ESSER funding, will fund the McAllen ISD Discover Center, a 5-acre outdoor park with teaching pavilions and outdoor classrooms that is itself just a component of a larger Center for Urban Ecology expansion at the sanctuary.
A memorandum of understanding the board reviewed Monday says the district’s investment will buy it a role in a partnership that includes Quinta and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
That partnership has been billed as a way to collaborate with the university and augment students’ educations through university-level collaboration and hands-on experience at Quinta Mazatlan.
Advertising opportunities for the district are also part of the appeal, but, according to Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez, the real selling point is creating a pipeline that will funnel McAllen students to higher education.
“Cameron County has SpaceX. We have the Center for Urban Ecology,” Gonzalez said. “So where students in Cameron County would benefit from SpaceX due to proximity, we’d have a world class center for urban ecology focused on sustainability in the future, of generations to come. And creating pipelines to the university, and creating authentic experiences through Quinta, this world class center for advancement.”
The board appeared largely swayed by those appeals when representatives for the project pitched it in August, but community pressure was evident at Monday’s meeting and it took an hour of brass tacks haggling for the board to decide to press forward.
Several trustees referenced input they’d received from community members who’d reached out to them, criticizing or commending the project.
The board also faced some of McAllen’s more notable citizens, who showed up to support the project in public comment — among them Chamber President Steve Ahlenius, Val LaMantia and former McAllen Mayor Jim Darling.
“You know, I’ve had 43 years of experience dealing with school boards/city things, from press boxes to parks. And I think Quinta Mazatlan is one of the best things, opportunities had, for our kids. To provide for things that they would never have before,” Darling told the board, urging them to be an active participant in the project.
Being an active participant — and getting the most bang for their buck — was what preoccupied most of the discussion. Trustees voiced a desire to more explicitly define educational collaboration opportunities referenced in agreement.
The memorandum reviewed Monday stipulated a 50% discount for district use of the Discovery Center for the next 25 years. Some on the board called for changes in the final document that solidify that bargain or improve it in the district’s favor.
Ultimately the board voted unanimously to approve the memorandum of understanding in concept, several adding a “most definitely” or an “absolutely” after their vote in favor.
“This is an incredible opportunity that’s come to us, with an incredible institution,” Trustee Debbie Crane Aliseda said before voting in favor of the agreement. “UTRGV. The city of McAllen. MISD. It’s my honor to make this motion.”
