Edinburg CISD board approves superintendent evaluation but takes no action on super’s contract
Edinburg News, Edinburg TX News, ECISD, school board, education
Arnoldo Mata
Edinburg, TX – The Edinburg CISD Board of Trustees on Tuesday reviewed Superintendent Dr. Mario Salinas’ contract in executive session and accepted the report. The Board did not take any action on the matter. Trustees also heard public comments on school safety near Austin Elementary and criticism of Superintendent Mario Salinas during the board’s evaluation process.
Superintendent evaluation
The superintendent’s performance had come under fire last year after a series of incidents on school campuses. At that time, the Board directed the Board President and legal counsel to review the superintendent’s performance. Salinas received public criticism after flooding at Canterbury Elementary and the discovery of a student carrying a gun at one of the district’s high schools, among other issues.
Enrollment report
Edinburg CISD reported continued enrollment declines during the meeting. Student Services Director Freddy Martinez told trustees that as of March 6, the district had 32,366 students enrolled, a decrease of 1,013 students compared with the same time last year. Elementary campuses reported 16,273 students, down 553 students from last year, while middle school enrollment stood at 6,486 students, a decrease of 140. High school enrollment totaled 9,607 students, down 320 students from the previous year. Martinez also noted that 108 students have graduated so far this school year and said the district typically sees increased student mobility during the final weeks of the school year as some families migrate north for seasonal work.
Public comments on Austin Elementary safety
Public comments began with Austin Elementary parent Rosie Silva and her son, Cash Silva, thanking trustees for action related to Fountain Park and school safety. Speaking on behalf of students and parents, Cash Silva told the board, “Thank you for closing up Fountain Park, and keeping our school safe.”
Rosie Silva said Austin Elementary students and families had raised concerns about safety near the campus and submitted a petition with about 260 signatures. She told trustees, “We just want to say thank you,” and said district action had shown students “we have a voice and there’s a way of getting our voice out there.”
During the exchange, board members also asked about ceremonial sashes worn by several students who attended the meeting. Rosie Silva said three Austin Elementary students represent the city as “Preteen Dutches and Petite Princess” and take part in volunteer work during the year.
A second speaker, Alondra Flores, also thanked the district for moving the Fountain Park project forward. Flores said she wanted “to acknowledge in a special thank you to Dr. Garza” for helping push the project “with the goal of increasing safety at Austin Elementary.”
Flores also credited parents and city officials for the effort. “Parents are truly thankful and it shows what great things can happen when we all work together,” Flores said, adding special recognition for Rosie Silva, Cash Silva and the City of Edinburg.
Public criticism of superintendent and district
The tone shifted when speaker Marsha Gonzalez addressed the board ahead of the superintendent’s evaluation. Gonzalez said, “In order for the district to move forward, it’s time for change,” and argued that the superintendent had “repeatedly failed to meet the terms of his contract.”
Gonzalez questioned whether the superintendent’s evaluation materials would include what she described as “the high number of employees that have retired or resign,” “decreasing student enrollment numbers,” “low student test scores,” “low performing campuses,” “budget deficits” and “lawsuits.” She also criticized district decision-making on weather delays and student participation in competitions, and said, “The time has come to sever ties with this superintendent.”
Another speaker, Fern McClarty, said the district should focus more closely on academics and finances. McClarty said, “You must concentrate on educating our children,” and argued that the school system appeared to be operating “more of an employer company” where costs keep rising while “there is little or no improvement in performance.”
McClarty also questioned administrative costs, superintendent pay and declining enrollment. “If y’all were doing a good job, a great job, wouldn’t the parents be fighting to get their kids in our school district?” McClarty said.
Awards and recognition
The Board heard a report tied to instructional technology and digital literacy. District staff and a representative from learning.com told trustees that more than 21,000 students across 43 campuses completed more than 2.1 million exercises, averaging nearly 12 hours of digital literacy practice per student, with a districtwide average score of 85%.
The presentation also highlighted keyboarding growth, including a districtwide 23% increase in typing speed and a 58% increase among third graders from about nine words per minute to 15. Campuses and instructional technology staff were recognized for implementation of technology applications curriculum and for results in a district keyboarding contest.
Financial report
District financial advisers reported that a recent debt refunding lowered the district’s projected borrowing cost from 3.45% discussed in October to 2.95% on the pricing date. The refinancing produced 12% savings for the district, with a reported net present value savings of $6.9 million.
Presenters told trustees the transaction would yield about $8.3 million in hard-dollar savings through 2038, with average annual debt service savings of about $693,000 for roughly 12 years. Board members said strong market interest in ECISD debt helped lower the rate.
Hiring and purchasing procedures
Trustees also heard staff presentations on hiring procedures and district purchasing rules. Personnel staff said campus principals and site-based committees review applicants, conduct interviews and forward recommendations, while Human Resources verifies certification, background checks and other required documentation before recommendations move to the superintendent and then the board.
During the discussion, trustees asked about the role of department sign-offs, the length of time the process has been in place and how quickly job vacancies are updated online. Administrators said the process has been used for many years and that vacancy listings are updated after board approval of hires.
Purchasing staff told trustees district procedures require one quote for purchases up to $4,999, three quotes for purchases from $5,000 to $49,999, and formal bidding for purchases above $50,000. Staff said the district processed 108 bids and renewals and more than 24,000 approved purchase orders in 2024-25, and had already processed 59 bids and renewals and more than 15,000 purchase orders so far in 2025-26.
Campus improvement
Administrators presented the required public report on Dr. Thomas Esparza Elementary after the campus was identified as a comprehensive support and improvement school. Staff said the campus scored 51 in the Closing the Gaps domain in 2025, below the state cut score of 61 that placed campuses in the bottom 5%.
District staff said the campus must perform above that threshold for two consecutive years to exit the designation. They reported benchmark data now shows improvement, with the campus standing at a 74 in Closing the Gaps based on district measures, while noting the state will determine status using STAAR results.
The report said support for the campus has included structured data analysis, PLC work, observation and feedback systems, mentorship and district specialist support. Trustees approved the required reporting item and also approved participation in the Lasso Cycle 4 grant process tied to campus support.
Board action
Trustees approved a local agreement with the City of Edinburg related to Fountain Park. The board also approved the 2026-27 school calendar after administrators said employees across the district were allowed to vote and that 75% of employees supported the selected option.
The board tabled action on the 2026 specialized summer program until a future meeting. Trustees also approved multiple technology-related items, including renewals for data storage, backup and cybersecurity systems, backup storage solutions, E-Rate items and Cisco IP phone purchases tied to school safety grant funding.
Administrators told the board the new classroom phones will replace older refurbished units and add a feature connected to the district’s Raptor alert system. Staff said the phones will allow classroom personnel, including substitutes, to trigger emergency alerts more easily.
Closed session
After returning from closed session, trustees approved employment recommendations for a librarian at Economedes High School, a counselor at Escandon Elementary and a coordinator for personnel and legal issues. The board also approved professional applicants discussed in closed session and recognized retirees.
Trustees approved the superintendent’s evaluation as discussed in closed session and authorized the board president and legal counsel to finalize documentation. The board took no action on two additional closed-session items before later authorizing legal counsel to finalize documentation on a matter involving Burns Brothers Ltd. and ECISD.