Edinburg CISD Board Appoints Dr. Gisela Saenz, former La Joya ISD Superintendent as Interim Superintendent, Calls November Election
Photo from La Joya ISD files
Edinburg CISD, Board of Trustees, Gisela Saenz, Interim Superintendent, AP Honor Roll, Budget, Trustee Election, Edinburg TX
Arnoldo Mata
Edinburg TX – The Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees chose to go outside the district and named Dr. Gisela Saenz, former La Joya ISD superintendent, as interim superintendent at ECISD at its June 23, 2026, regular meeting, as the district moves forward from the retirement of Superintendent Dr. Mario H. Salinas. The board also recognized three high schools for College Board AP Honor Roll distinctions, called a November trustee election, approved a slate of financial and operational items, and took action on multiple personnel matters.
The meeting opened with a call for a moment of silence by Trustee Dominga Vela for former ECISD Area Director Hector Gonzalez, who passed away the previous week. Board President Xavier Salinas acknowledged Gonzalez personally. “Hector was one of my teachers. I was a student of his here in this building. Great, great guy, great teacher. May he rest in peace,” Salinas said.
Interim Superintendent Named
Following closed session, the board voted to appoint Dr. Gisela Saenz as interim superintendent of schools. No information was provided during the meeting about Saenz’s background and current position, start date or compensation for her work.
Saenz began her career in education in 1987 as a kindergarten teacher at Rosendo Benavides Elementary School in Sullivan City, her hometown, before working her way up through the ranks of La Joya Independent School District over three decades to become superintendent. During her four-year tenure as superintendent, she led the district through the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing free food distribution, student internet access, and a community vaccination partnership with Hidalgo County. She also developed a staffing adjustment plan that included dismissing more than 100 staff and projected to save up to $24.3 million in response to declining enrollment, and oversaw the expansion of pre-kindergarten programs for 3-year-olds.
Her tenure was also marked by a major public corruption case in 2022 during which two former school board trustees and two former administrators pleaded guilty to charges involving bribery, circumvention of the competitive bidding process, and extortion. Saenz and the board responded with corrective action plans, an external audit, and additional administrator training. Saenz was not implicated in the cases. She retired in April 2023 from La Joya ISD after 36 years of service to the district.
The board took no action on item 10C.13, which covered discussion and action on applications for superintendent of schools, indicating the formal superintendent search remains ongoing.
AP Honor Roll Recognition
The meeting opened with recognition of three Edinburg CISD campuses earning College Board Advanced Placement School Honor Roll distinctions for 2025.
J. Economedes High School and Edinburg High School were named Bronze Award winners. Both campuses had more than 40% of their seniors take at least one AP exam during high school, more than 25% of seniors score a three or higher on an AP exam, and more than 5% of seniors take five or more AP exams.
The UTRGV Edinburg CISD Collegiate High School earned the Gold Award, the higher distinction. More than 80% of its seniors took at least one AP exam, more than 50% scored a three or higher, and more than 10% of the senior class took five or more AP exams.
“The AP Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students,” said Fermin Gonzalez, who presented the recognition. “This has significantly changed students’ lives by providing them with opportunities for a better future and has improved our community.”
Special Education Annual Report
Special Education Director Alida Juarez presented the district’s annual special education overview as required by Texas Education Code 29.0012 and House Bill 2. The district served 3,465 students receiving special education services in 2024-2025, representing approximately 10% of enrollment. The current school year saw that number grow to 3,878 students, representing 11.4% of enrollment.
Academic achievement data showed students receiving special education services reached a 45% approaches rate, a 23% meets rate, and a 10% masters rate across all STAAR-tested subjects. The four-year graduation rate for special education students was 90%, with a five-year rate of 93%. The annual dropout rate was 4%, representing only two students. College, career, and military readiness for special education students reached 86.8%, exceeding the district average of 84%.
Juarez reported the district has maintained 100% compliance for three consecutive years in four key TEA indicators: initial evaluation timelines, initial ARD timelines, early childhood transition requirements, and secondary transition requirements. The district has also maintained a TEA determination level of “Meets Requirements” for three consecutive years, with no findings related to significant disproportionality or targeted monitoring.
One trustee offered extended praise for the achievement. “I want to commend you and your department because those of us that are in the business, people don’t know how difficult it is to be 100% compliant when it comes to assessing and reassessing and inputting the information into the system,” the trustee said. “To be compliant in ’23, ’24, ’25, it just talks about total team effort.”
Juarez thanked the superintendent directly before closing her presentation. “Happy retirement, sir, to you, and I appreciate the support that you gave us. Any time I needed more staff in the department, he was always very good about helping me hire more staff,” she said.
Public Comments
Several residents addressed the board during public comments, raising concerns about the superintendent’s departure, bus driver terminations, student access to academic programs, and the upcoming trustee election.
Marsha Gonzalez opened with criticism of district leadership and financial management, questioning the cost of a second retirement celebration held for Salinas the previous week and alleging that approximately 200 employees attended on work time. She raised questions about district spending, budget transparency, the Collegiate High School’s financial sustainability, and what she described as misaligned priorities in the compensation structure. “It’s time to sever ties with the bad leadership at the top of the district and to do what’s right for the taxpayers, employees, and students of ECISD,” Gonzalez said.
Maribel Treviño, who was listed on the closed session agenda as one of five employees facing proposed termination, addressed the board directly. A bus driver with 24 years of district service, six as a driver, Treviño described losing her infant child on Oct. 27, 2025, and her own subsequent medical hospitalization, after which she returned to work in April. She said she had complied with all FMLA paperwork requirements and had no accidents or write-ups in six years of driving. “When that child gets on my bus, he becomes my child till I return him back home to his parents,” Treviño said. “Please take in consideration everything that’s happening to the bus drivers.”
Karely Salinas, a student at Economedes High School, identified herself as a Type 1 diabetic and asked the board to consider her need for transportation to the DEMSA medical sciences program she earned placement in. She explained that both high and low blood sugar levels affect concentration and decision-making, and that her doctor has submitted letters supporting transportation as a medical necessity. “I’m not asking for special treatment. I’m asking for equal access to an opportunity that I earned through hard work and dedication,” Salinas said. She noted that district accommodations already recognize that blood sugar above 275 affects academic performance, yet she was being told those same levels should not be a concern when operating a vehicle to travel to a school-sponsored program.
Fern McClarty spoke in support of bus drivers, describing a petition signed by 30 bus driver staff members alleging bullying, favoritism, and intimidation from a supervisor. She urged the board not to terminate the drivers listed on the closed session agenda. “You’re keeping the ones that have had wrecks and getting rid of the ones that haven’t had any accidents,” McCurdy said. She also urged the board to look outside the state when selecting the next superintendent. “Please go out of the state to find them,” she said.
Alondra Flores, PTO president at De La Viña Elementary, addressed the board regarding the November trustee election, urging each candidate considering re-election to reflect on their service and share their vision publicly. “If you believe you still have more to contribute, then tell the community why,” Flores said. “Our why is every parent who may have reached out asking for help, every teacher who may feel unheard, and every staff member who wants this district to succeed.” She invited incumbent trustees to participate in a town hall before the election. Flores has publicly announced that she will be a candidate in that upcoming election.
Antonio Mercado, a 33-year social studies teacher and ATPE representative, asked the board to table the proposed employee terminations, citing due process concerns. “People make mistakes, and FMLA is a factor, and that’s federal law,” Mercado said. He argued that at-will employees still deserve due process and that at least one of the employees on the agenda had not yet been able to consult with legal representation. “I just ask for it to be tabled. Take a look again, review everything. We don’t need this district to be receiving any kind of litigation from not just this, but anything because we forgot to cross the T’s, dot the I’s,” Mercadal said.
Optional Flexible School Day Program
Before acting on the Optional Flexible School Day Program renewal, the board received a brief update from Director Freddy Martinez and Vision Academy Principal Robert Lopez. The program, which operates from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday with extended hours Monday and Wednesday until 6 p.m. and Saturday sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., served 399 students in grades 9 through 12 this year.
Course completions grew from 1,127 in 2024 to 2,219 in 2025 to 3,031 in the current year. The program generated 77 average daily attendance credits this year, up from 29 in 2024. Of 399 students enrolled, 179 have already graduated, with an 83% graduation rate among seniors, up from 73% in 2024.
Board President Salinas asked whether the program is flexible enough for students who arrive outside normal hours due to work schedules. Lopez confirmed flexibility is the program’s guiding principle and that no student is turned away for arriving late. “I stress that to my staff. When the student can come, they’re going to come,” Lopez said. “That’s why we also have extended hours on Mondays and Wednesdays till 6, and on Saturdays as well.” The board approved the program’s continuation and authorized submission of the 2026-2027 application to TEA.
Energy Drink Policy
The board approved the first reading of revisions to policy FFA local, which would prohibit students from consuming high-energy drinks on campus. The policy, recommended by the School Health Advisory Council, would apply district-wide to all staff and students. Trustees discussed communication strategies including student handbooks, social media, parent letters, posters at campus entrances, and an awareness video. One trustee referenced a student in a neighboring district who died from caffeine overconsumption. “This is a serious drink that can really get someone sick,” the trustee said.
Trustee Election Called
The board approved a resolution calling for a school board trustee election on Nov. 3, 2026. Four seats are up for election: Place 1 held by Dominga “Minga” Vela, Place 2 held by Secretary Letty Flores, Place 3 held by Leticia “Letty” Garcia, and Place 5 held by Board President Xavier Salinas. The four seats represent a majority of the seven-member board.
Financial and Operational Actions
The board approved Resolution 2026-14 authorizing the issuance of short-term maintenance tax notes, Series 2026; Resolution 2026-15 providing continued wage payment for employees affected by district emergency closures due to inclement weather; and the 2026-2027 tax collection service fee agreement with Hidalgo County at $200,484.
The board also renewed the lease agreement with UTRGV for continued use of the Collegiate High School facilities and approved the memorandum of understanding with the Hidalgo County Head Start Program regarding the School Readiness Partnership Model at $775,635. One trustee confirmed the district’s responsibility under that agreement is limited to teachers only, with no obligation to provide police officers or nurses. “Thank you so much, sir,” the trustee said after receiving that clarification.
The board approved the second reading of policy DEC local covering compensation, benefits, leaves, and absences, which includes new language establishing a sick leave bank that employees may join at the beginning of each school year.
Facilities
The board approved the South Middle School gym floor replacement under RFFQ 26-50, authorizing administration to negotiate a contract with the highest-ranked contractor. The board also directed administration to include a liquidated damages clause and a time-is-of-the-essence provision in the contract after trustees raised concerns about the first day of school completion deadline of Aug. 24. “First day of school, first day of school,” one trustee stressed. Board counsel confirmed the clause would be included.
Two construction projects were approved for final completion. The Guerra and Villarreal elementary school gymnasium additions under CSP 23-24 came in $37,500 under budget per campus, for a combined savings of approximately $75,000. The Edinburg North High School drainage project under CSP 25-92 at a final cost of $741,629.40 also came in under budget by $37,000. One trustee asked whether the drainage improvements at Edinburg North had been working given recent heavy rains. “Yes, it has. It’s been working as designed,” Superintendent Salinas confirmed.
The board approved four on-call engineering and architectural service rankings under RFQ 26-43, covering civil engineering, mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering, structural engineering, and architectural services, as well as negotiated fees for MEP engineering services for chiller replacements at Avila Elementary at $28,000 and Economedes High School at $59,500.
Technology and Curriculum
Additional action items approved by the board included renewal of Edpuzzle online learning software at $79,437.20; renewal of the Remind/ParentSquare district communication platform at $89,900; a Department of Information Resources quote for desktops and laptops for Migrant Education Program staff at $77,439 from Title I funds; emergency ratification of a chiller motor replacement at Edinburg High School at $95,141.25; renewal of voluntary student and athletic insurance under RFP 23-98 at $604,700; trophies, plaques, ribbons, and medals under CSP 25-59 at $112,000; and instructional materials from Everway Holdco LLC at $89,048.05.
The board also approved an external auditor ranking under RFQ 26-48, authorizing administration to negotiate a contract with the highest-ranked auditor.
Personnel Actions
Following closed session, the board approved the following appointments: Crystal Ramirez as librarian at Ramirez Elementary, Naomi Flores as counselor at Zavala Elementary, Maria Samuel as orientation and mobility specialist for the Special Education Department, Ashley Shaw as speech language pathologist for the Special Education Department, and Monica De Leon as dietitian for the Child Nutrition Department. No recommendation was made for the secondary language arts specialist position.
The board accepted the superintendent’s personnel recommendations for employment, resignations, retirements, non-renewals, and terminations under item 10C.7. Under items 10C.8, 10C.9, 10C.10, and 10C.12, the board approved the superintendent’s recommendation on the proposed terminations of Antonio Sanchez, Melissa Sanchez, Salvador Gomez, and Daniel Rodriguez Calderon. No action was taken on item 10C.11, which covered the proposed termination of Maribel Treviño.