McAllen ISD board set to weigh pre-bond planning, timeline and district reports Thursday, Jan. 27
Staff Report
McAllen, TX - The McAllen Independent School District Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday for a regular session that includes a review of pre-bond planning and proposed timelines ahead of a potential bond election, along with a full slate of routine district business.
Proposed bond issue
The agenda item before the board focuses on pre-bond planning and a draft resolution calling a bond election. According to district materials, trustees are expected to take formal action Feb. 10 to call the election after finalizing the bond resolution and project list.
District administrators will outline a multi-month timeline that began earlier this month with committee and board discussions and extends through Election Day on May 2. Key milestones include continued community engagement through February and March, a final bond resolution in mid-February, and statutory election deadlines in April, including voter registration by April 2 and early voting from April 20 to April 28.
If approved by voters, the bond would fund projects grouped into several categories, including career and technical education expansions at McAllen, Memorial and Rowe high schools; fine arts modernizations at the same campuses; front-entry security and access improvements at multiple secondary schools; classroom additions at select elementary and middle schools; cafeteria modernizations; new or enclosed elementary school gyms; and campus refresh projects at the district’s comprehensive high schools.
HVAC replacements and upgrades
The largest single allocation in the proposal targets districtwide priority maintenance and infrastructure needs, including HVAC replacements and upgrades, roof repairs, site paving, lighting conversions and safety systems across dozens of campuses and support facilities.
Administrators told trustees the proposed schedule is designed to allow time for public input before the board finalizes the bond language and places the measure on the ballot. Community engagement efforts are planned throughout the process, leading up to the May election.
No proposed tax hike
The agenda item also included a review of sample bond proposition language, which notes that the bond would not result in a property tax increase if approved. The presentation listed the tax rates for other school districts in Hidalgo County. It shows McAllen ISD has the second lowest tax rate in the county at $0.9322 per $100 valuation. Edinburg CISD is at $0.8617. Progreso ISD has the highest rate at $1.3029.
You can download the full presentation at the link below:
Full agenda
Among the agenda items, trustees will hear public comments, recognize a local student athlete and consider a proclamation for School Board Appreciation Month. A public hearing is set for the 2024-25 District Annual Report and Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR).
The consent agenda includes discussion and possible action on amendments to memoranda of understanding with Hidalgo County Head Start and with the McAllen Education Foundation Board of Directors; approval of a charter bus services proposal; and reports on the Hidalgo County Appraisal District quarterly payment agreement and final payments on security and intercom system contracts at McAllen High School and Theodore Roosevelt Elementary.
Under instructional services and leadership, trustees will weigh action on the Local Improvement Plan for Jose de Escandon Elementary, receive reports on Career Technical Education and Digital Learning and Library Services, and consider a memorandum of understanding for College Preparatory Mathematics and English Language Arts with Region One Education Service Center.
Personnel matters
In human resources, the board will review a registered apprenticeship program agreement and consider second readings of district and TASB policy updates.
Under business and operations, a report on the intention to apply for a 2026-27 Community Development Block Grant is listed.
The agenda also lists multiple board of trustees reports, including academic progress metrics for the 2025-26 school year, an update on before- and after-school play clubs, menu development for 2026-27, and schoolyard forest projects.
The meeting will move into closed session for human resources recommendations, discussion of employee resignations and retirees, intruder detection audit discussions, pending litigation, and possible real estate acquisition, with potential action on personnel matters upon reconvening.
You can download the complete agenda at the link below:
Source -- McAllen Independent School District.