Parking on grass discourse continues
For more than two years Mission City Council has debated a no parking on grass ordinance — and after the May 8 city council meeting, the discussion continues with the order still on a moratorium. After residents issued complaints both for and against the ordinance, the council still works to find a compromise. In March…
Read MoreMission CISD close to $1 million deficit — again
For more than two years, Mission CISD has struggled to gain control of the deficit in its self-funded health insurance fund. And although the district made strides to improve the fluctuating net position, administration still seeks long-term solutions to overcome the now $986,761 deficit. In 2021, the board of trustees approved a transfer of monies…
Read MoreSummer projects at Mission CISD
With one school year nearing the end, Mission CISD already has summer projects lined up to prepare for the next school year. At the April board of trustees meeting, the school board approved contracts for the construction of security vestibules and a barbering studio, and the installation of playground equipment. SECURITY Mission CISD hired 8A…
Read MoreMission selects Lions Park contractor despite concern
Mission City Council awarded the Lions Park Improvements Project to G&G Contractors — a company with some history of requesting additional days to work on projects. The mayor and council discussed and voted on the agenda item in two separate meetings. At the first meeting, the council unanimously approved the contractor. But at the second,…
Read More‘I gave it my all’ — Longtime Sharyland trustee steps down
After 15 years on the Sharyland ISD board of trustees, Ricky Longoria had difficulty compressing the experience into a 30-minute interview. “How do you do that,” he asked. “How do you serve it justice?” He reminisced on the accomplishments, the highlights and the efforts that went into holding the Place 1 seat. But with the…
Read MoreSharyland approves $1.7 million for turf and track
Hellas Construction will replace the turf at both Sharyland ISD football stadiums and the track at Pioneer High School. The contract is for $1,692,650, and the funds will come from the general operating fund. Generally, the lifespan of artificial turf is about 10 years. But the high temperatures in the Rio Grande Valley cause the…
Read MoreMission hires new tax collection firm after 24 years
Mission City Council approved a contract with Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP for delinquent tax collection services after terminating the contract with the previous legal service agency in February. Linebarger has a three-year contract, including a six-month transition period with King, Guerra, Davis & Garcia PC — Mission’s previous tax collection entity. The King…
Read MoreMission CISD falls in accountability ratings
The Texas Education Agency audited Mission CISD’s industry-based certifications and found that about 352 student certifications lacked verification. Because of their findings, TEA dropped the district’s rating from 89 to 87. However, the agency weighs both scores as a “B.” For TEA to consider certifications as verified, students need to complete three steps — testing,…
Read MoreFormer trustee challenges Place 2 incumbent on SISD board
Once again, Alejandro Rodriguez and Julio Cerda face off in the Place 2 race for the Sharyland ISD board of trustees election. But this time, the roles are reversed. Rodriguez, the incumbent, unseated Cerda in the 2020 trustee election after Cerda held the position for six years. Now, both men hope their reputations on the…
Read MoreTwo first-time candidates compete for SISD Place 1 trustee
With longtime Sharyland trustee Ricky Longoria vacating his seat on the SISD school board, Meagan Sullivan and Sergio Saenz go head-to-head to take over Place 1. The two candidates entered the election race with differently focused campaigns. Saenz has a platform rooted in safety and security, while Sullivan made communication and transparency the bedrock of…
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