Delta school district postpones meeting to decide on summer loan

District superintendent Michael Sandroussi said the meeting was cancelled because he was feeling ill. He said the loan decision would be postponed until the district's regular meeting next week.

The school board is considering requesting a $4.5 million line of credit from First National Bank in Edinburg to cover the district's regular operating expenses until the Texas Education Agency sends out its August payment when its new fiscal year begins in September.

Almost a dozen concerned citizens showed up for the meeting Tuesday night and said they weren't surprised to hear it was cancelled.

"In my opinion, the meeting was called off because of the (newspaper) article this morning," said Eloy Garza, a retired district employee and former school board member. "The kind of publicity they don't like."

It was reported Tuesday that it takes $5 million monthly to run the district, and that the district had only $477,000 in reserves as of mid-April, according to the TEA.

Sandroussi maintains the financial squeeze comes from trying to keep up with a growing student population and increased fuel and utility costs. However, it was reported in September 2007 that the district spent $1.3 million over its budget for substitute teachers and part-time and temporary employees. A 2006 state report also found that the district employed 77 more people than needed for its size.

The regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, at the district administration building at 920 W. Santa Rosa Ave.