Edinburg CISD Board takes action on superintendent search and Vela coaching assignment,  review school bus seat belt costs at $6M

Edinburg CISD, superintendent search, Robert Vela High School, school bus safety, enrollment decline

Arnoldo Mata

Edinburg TX – During this week’s Edinburg CISD Board of Trustees meeting, board members voted to authorize posting a timeline and application for the superintendent position but took no action to appoint an interim superintendent when the current superintendent retires at the end of the school year.

Trustees approved authorizing legal counsel and the board president to proceed with the posting of the position following discussion in closed session. “It’s the advice of counsel that the board authorize legal counsel and the board president to post timeline and application for superintendent as discussed in closed session,” the board was told prior to the vote. No details of the timeline were made available to the public during the meeting. No action was taken to name an interim superintendent. 

Interim Head Football Coach Assigned at Vela High School

The board also received information regarding leadership of the Robert Vela High School football program, with district officials confirming an interim head coach will lead the team for the remainder of the upcoming season.

“As of today, we’re going to continue with an interim head football coach at Robert Vela,” district officials said. “Sean Landez will be interim football coach for the rest of the season. We will open up the football job in November once football season is over.” Landez, who was the defensive coordinator at the high school, was announced as the interim head football coach earlier in the day. The appointment was presented as an administrative action under the superintendent’s report.

District Reviews Cost and Compliance Timeline for School Bus Seat Belts

Trustees reviewed the financial and operational impact of Senate Bill 546, which requires all school buses to be equipped with seat belts by Sept. 1, 2029. The law did not provide for additional funding to cover the required improvements. The law does not apply to charter or private schools.

Transportation officials reported the district currently operates 203 buses, including 157 regular route buses. Of those, 118 buses are not equipped with seat belts. District officials estimate the cost to retrofit buses manufactured between 2015 and 2018 at approximately $35,692 per bus. The estimated cost to retrofit 118 buses is approximately $4.2 million, with total costs potentially reaching $6 million when additional structural modifications are considered.

“Anything older than 2015… you’re talking about floor replacement,” officials said, noting some buses may not be eligible for certified retrofitting due to structural limitations. 

Administrators said they are exploring alternatives including leasing buses, purchasing newer buses already equipped with seat belts and pursuing grant opportunities to offset costs.

“We want to make sure that we’re ahead of the game so that we can get those buses that we need on how we’re going to do it and the money we’re going to need for it,” district officials said. 

Board members discussed possible legislative funding assistance and the need to explore multiple procurement strategies to comply with the mandate.

Financial Report Reflects Enrollment-Driven Budget Adjustments

District financial officials reported adjustments tied to declining enrollment and changes in state funding formulas.Administrators reported projected revenues of approximately $464 million and expenditures of approximately $472 million, reflecting a projected deficit of about $7.7 million after budget amendments.

Officials reported 102 positions have been reduced through attrition as part of efforts to address funding changes tied to declining enrollment. District leadership said reduced enrollment is impacting funding allocations tied to average daily attendance.

Enrollment Decline Continues Across District

Enrollment as of April 10, 2026 totaled 32,263 students, representing a decrease of 1,072 students compared to the same period last year.

Elementary enrollment totaled 16,232 students, middle school enrollment totaled 6,483 students and high school enrollment totaled 9,548 students.

Administrators reported that 6,036 students residing within Edinburg CISD boundaries attend non-district campuses, including charter schools.

Officials noted regional data shows enrollment declines affecting districts across the region and statewide.

“ECISD’s recent decline reflects a broader regional trend that is not unique to ECISD only,” administrators said during the presentation. 

Delinquent Tax Collection Report

Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson reported semiannual delinquent tax collection efforts from Sept. 1, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026. During that period, more than 11,000 demand notices were mailed, approximately 3,900 phone calls were conducted and 296 in-person visits were made to taxpayers.

The firm reported 157 payment agreements and 333 payoff requests. A total of 123 lawsuits were filed, 80 cases were disposed and seven tax warrants were initiated. Officials reported 526 lawsuits pending representing more than $2.5 million in base penalties and interest owed to the district. 

Honor Roll Schools Recognized

Trustees recognized 17 campuses named 2025 Texas Honor Roll Schools by the Educational Results Partnership, which recognizes schools in the top 15 percent statewide for academic achievement and closing performance gaps.

District officials congratulated principals, teachers, students and families for the achievement.

“We would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations… for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence,” presenters said. 

Mental Health Partnership Presentation

Representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness South Texas Rio Grande Valley presented information on an upcoming NAMI Walk scheduled for May 9 at Richard R. Flores Stadium.

Organizers said the partnership with the district aims to increase awareness of mental health resources and provide access to free services for families.

“One out of five individuals experience mental health challenges,” presenters said while discussing the importance of early intervention and awareness. 

Additional Board Actions

The board approved multiple agenda items including midyear budget amendments, summer programming, instructional materials, furniture purchases, equipment procurements and surplus declarations.

Trustees also approved personnel actions including termination of at-will employees as recommended by the superintendent.