Weslaco ISD adopts budgets that project multi‑million‑dollar deficits after budget hearing

Weslaco ISD trustees voted to approve a final amended FY2025–26 budget and to adopt a proposed FY2026–27 general fund and debt service budget that, as presented by administration, project a worst‑case deficit in the range of $12 million to $15 million.

The board met in a public hearing and workshop where Mrs. Deborah Rodriguez, the district’s budget lead, walked trustees through the template figures that assume a preliminary tax rate of 0.9481 (M&O 0.7291; I&S 0.2190) and a planning average daily attendance of 14,000 for 2026–27. Rodriguez told the board the district’s beginning non‑audited unassigned fund balance for 2026–27 is currently estimated at $58,859,272 (about 115 days), and that external auditors Carr, Riggs & Ingram have begun reviewing the 2025–26 books.

The presentation showed the district’s approach to closing gaps: a roughly $10.3 million package of budget reductions for 2026–27 that includes $6.6 million attributed to salary savings through attrition plus cuts across departments, student allotments and athletics. Rodriguez said some function totals were intentionally overstated in the final amendment to avoid audit findings and that final audited numbers will only be available after the audit completes.

The hearing turned to governance and oversight after trustees and a reading of constituent questions pressed administration on why earlier concerns about ADA and financial calculations had not been independently verified beyond the CFO. Administration responded that the CFO provided detailed breakdowns to cabinet and that the budget process now includes more staff review: “We have a lot more hands and eyes on all the documentation,” an administrator said, adding that the district uses state templates and trend analysis rather than ‘‘gut’’ estimates.

Trustees repeatedly asked for clearer reconciliation procedures and a single owner of payroll and position totals so the board can spot discrepancies sooner. One trustee urged the board and staff to set up clearer triggers for escalation when an employee or whistleblower raises multiple, documented concerns with the financial system.

Despite those governance questions, the board approved the final amended FY2025–26 numbers and the proposed FY2026–27 budget (voice votes). Administration and trustees agreed to more frequent, simplified updates for the public and to provide trackers for key items such as vacancy lists, HVAC and security‑vestibule completion dates, and the status of the external audit.

What happens next: auditors will finish their review (staff estimated a preliminary trial balance in September and a final audit presentation in November), and trustees asked administration to return with more concrete plans and measurable milestones showing how the district will reduce the projected shortfall for FY2026–27.