So now it’s time for us to look at this bond election, and I feel that the community — seeing the needs that are there — we need to invest in the future for the boys and girls of Weslaco ISD.
Weslaco school board trustees will explore as early as next month the possibility of calling for a November bond election.
Interim Superintendent Richard Rivera told the board Tuesday that he believes infrastructure needs at the district likely can’t be fixed piecemeal or through a maintenance loan.
“The best way, or the only way — and I know some people frown on bond elections — but I think it’s something that’s needed here for the future,” he said. “For the future of the boys and girls. For the future of Weslaco and this community.”
Rivera presented the board with some $83 million in unfunded construction needs, among them security improvements, HVAC and roofing work, athletics improvements and WiFi towers.
New schools are a possibility, along with the renovation of existing schools. Rivera particularly emphasized the need to equip students with modern classrooms.
“Again, I’m not complaining — I don’t look back and blame anyone — but I can say that since I left the district about 11 years ago there’s been very little construction, very little things that have been done,” said Rivera, who previously served as superintendent before his current stint at the helm. “So now it’s time for us to look at this bond election, and I feel that the community — seeing the needs that are there — we need to invest in the future for the boys and girls of Weslaco ISD.”
Rivera noted the district has one of the lowest tax rates in the Rio Grande Valley and says he expects changes out of the legislature to mitigate the impact of a potential increase.
The prospect of a bond isn’t exactly new to the board. The topic occasionally came up in passing last year, while Rivera’s predecessor Dino Coronado was superintendent, although trustees never discussed a bond election in depth.
Weslaco ISD is facing a tight financial situation at present. Last month Rivera outlined plans to address a $15 million budget shortfall for the current year described as the result of an enrollment overestimate.
Trustees still have a long time to consider an election.
Donna ISD, in contrast, discussed a $120 million bond election for May for the first time last month before voting to call the election last week.
Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, funds tied to the COVID-19 pandemic fueled a glut of facilities work, pay increases and special projects.
Those funds helped some Valley districts avoid budget deficits and put off talks on bond elections. They’re part of how Weslaco ISD will address its own $15 million shortfall.
The days of ESSER funding are, however, drawing to a close.
A couple of local districts did try to pass bonds during the pandemic despite the influx in federal funding.
A $10 million bond package for Progreso ISD passed in 2021, although a $35 million bond package for Sharyland ISD narrowly failed at the same time. A $26 million bond package in Edcouch-Elsa ISD failed less narrowly last year.
Rivera, who inked an agreement to serve as interim superintendent for Weslaco ISD last month, is not slated to stay with the district through the summer.
When he was tapped for the job Rivera said he only agreed to stay on through June, hoping to be interim until the board can name a permanent replacement for the position.
