Edinburg CISD Board Approves Four New Principals, Tables Legal Engagement at Aug. 4 Meeting

Edinburg CISD, Board of Trustees, Javier Salinas, Adele Felix, Kennedy Elementary, Eisenhower Elementary, Gonzalez Elementary, Lee Elementary, Treviño Elementary, TASB, Frontline Education, workers compensation, Norton Rose Fulbright, Raul Salas

Arnoldo Mata

Edinburg TX – The Edinburg CISD Board of Trustees held a special called meeting Monday, Aug. 4, 2026, approving a slate of campus administrator and staff appointments, advancing several policy and contract items, and tabling action on a legal services engagement letter.

Public Comments

Two speakers addressed the board during the public comment period.

Fern McClarty questioned the district’s superintendent compensation structure and hiring practices, and challenged the board to prioritize student outcomes.

“What success has this person had in improving the education of the children and building relationships with the private sector to create long-term permanent jobs?” McClarty said. “These children cannot read, they cannot write. I hope we’re getting someone good this time. Challenge to y’all is to get someone that can do the job.”

Alondra Flores Aguilar expressed support for the board’s decision-making process and read a statement on behalf of teachers.

“You can change the curriculum, you can upgrade the technology, you can rewrite the test, but none of it works without a teacher who feels valued, supported, but most of all, respected,” she said. “The intimidation isn’t working anymore, and I’m here to speak up. I hope we make the right decision today.”

Campus Appointments

The board approved the following personnel appointments upon the recommendation of Interim Superintendent Adele Felix:

• Librarian, Kennedy Elementary School: Emma Ramirez
• Counselor, Kennedy Elementary School: Vanessa Guerra
• Principal, Eisenhower Elementary School: Belinda Garcia
• Principal, Freddie Gonzalez Elementary School: Dr. Christian Trevino
• Principal, Lee Elementary School: Sonia Olmeda
• Principal, Treviño Elementary School: Dr. Nora Smith
• Speech Language Pathologist, Special Education Department: Diana Escobar Garza
• Secondary Language Arts Specialist, Curriculum and Instruction Department: Kelly Gaskin

The board also approved the superintendent’s recommendations concerning employment, resignations, retirements, non-renewals, and terminations as discussed in closed session.

Policy Actions

The board approved the first reading of TASB Localized Policy Update 127 and the second reading of revisions to Local Policy FFA (Local): Student Welfare: Wellness and Health Services. A trustee asked whether the wellness policy applied only to students, to which staff confirmed it does and noted that the student handbook will be updated to reflect the changes.

Norton Rose Fulbright Engagement Tabled

The board tabled action on the engagement letter with Norton Rose Fulbright, with legal counsel advising the board to authorize the interim superintendent and legal counsel to proceed as directed in closed session rather than take a formal vote at this time.

Consent Agenda

The board approved the following consent items:

• Minutes for the June 23, 2026, board workshop and regular meeting and the July 1, 2026, special called board meeting
• A consultant agreement with Edinburg World Birding Center for wetland teacher training and in-person field trips for all ECISD 5th grade students at a cost of $13,650 funded through Title IV funds
• Purchase of updated Temas textbooks and AP Spanish materials from Vista Higher Learning for five high school campuses at a cost of $36,661.60 funded through Title IV funds
• First-year contract renewal for lumber and related items at a cost of $50,000
• Renewal of software subscription from Frontline Education for Special Education Manager, Section 504, and Response to Intervention student data management services
• Second contract renewal for workers compensation insurance at a cost of $217,202, which a trustee noted is approximately $2,000 lower than the prior contract. “Two thousand is two thousand. We’ll take it,” one trustee said.
• First-year contract renewal for plumbing supplies and equipment at a cost of $300,000
• First-year contract renewal for hardware supplies and equipment. Staff noted the cap increased slightly from $60,000 to $65,000 but that purchases are made on an as-needed basis with vendors always required to provide quotes.
• Glass products and installation for vehicles and buildings at a cost of $75,000

No Action on Level III Grievance

A motion to uphold the Level 2 administrative decision in the Level III employee grievance hearing of Raul Salas failed for lack of a second. No action was taken on the item.