ECISD Board Hires Additional Legal Representation, Hires Staff For Vacant Positions
By Arnoldo Mata
EDINBURG TX – The Edinburg CISD Board of Trustee approved hiring attorneys for legal representation and hired staff for vacant positions.
After exiting executive session, the board approved the following hiring action:
- Rodolfo Maldonado,Tutorial Facilitator – Robert Vela High School
- Maria Acosta, Special Education Supervisor – Special Education Department
- Erica Arriaga, Librarian – Zavala Elementary
- Desiree Aguirre, Counselor – Robert Vela High School
- Natalie Lozano, Curriculum Assistant – Canterbury Elementary
- Julie Perez, Director for Maintenance and Operations – Maintenance and Operations Department
The item proposing hiring of an Assistant Principal at the Edinburg Alternative Educational Academy (EAEA) was pulled at Superintendent Mario Salinas’ request.
However, without providing a name in public, Salinas asked for approval for “employment of the professional applicant discussed in closed session, subject to assignment.” The board approved the request. The agenda, however, did not list any other positions beyond those already listed above.
In other business, the board approved three actions relating to legal representation. The agenda did not list why the additional legal representation was needed nor was it mentioned in open session:
- Consideration of and Possible Action Regarding the Adoption of Notice of Public Meeting and Notice of Proposed Legal Services Contract
- Consideration of and Possible Action Regarding the Adoption of Resolution Approving Contingent Fee Legal Services Contract, Including findings Needed for Submission of Contingent Fee Legal Services Agreement and Request for Expedited Review by the Texas Attorney General
- Consideration of and Possible Action Regarding Approval of Contingent Fee Legal Services Agreement with O’Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo, PC and Eiland & Bonnin, PC.
In response to an item listed as “Consideration of and Possible Action Regarding Level III Parent/Student Grievance Hearing: Raul Rocha a/n/f N. Rocha,” the Board’s attorney, Ben Castillo, explained that Trustee Leticia “Letty” Garcia was abstaining on the matter. However, no explanation was provided why Garcia was abstaining. The Board approved the Level II decision on the matter.
The Board, on the attorney’s recommendation, opted to delay action on a “Governance Framework for the Board of Trustees” until all trustees are present. Board member David Torres was online at the start of the meeting but was apparently not online after the Board exited executive session.