McAllen City seat, school bond on the line
This Saturday, May 2, McAllen voters face a dual-purpose ballot that will reshape both the city commission and the long-term infrastructure of the McAllen Independent School District.
The McAllen special election is needed to fill the District 5 Commission seat, vacated by Victor “Seby” Haddad, who stepped down to run this fall for the state representative seat formerly occupied by “Bobby” Guerra, House District 41.
Switching gears, at McAllen ISD, a $335 million school bond proposal is on the ballot, which, according to school officials, is a critical investment in safety and modernization that comes without a hike in the property tax rate.
Critics argue that because the current bond debt is being paid off, that should trigger a tax decrease; but if the bond passes, property taxes will stay the same.
Bottom line, the tax rate per $100 valuation won’t change if the bond passes.
For a full list of the projects that will benefit from the bond’s passage, one can visit: McAllenISDBond.org.
McAllen ISD $$$
According to a press release sent out earlier this year, the proposed $335 million bond is designed to fund safety and security improvements, major facility repairs, classroom capacity improvements, and updated learning environments across the district.
Planned projects include HVAC and roof replacements, security upgrades, classroom additions at growing campuses, Career and Technical Education (CTE) expansions, fine arts improvements, cafeteria updates, and elementary gym facility improvements.
McAllen ISD said it anticipates that the current overall tax rate of $0.93 will remain at $0.93, and that an increase to the overall tax rate to support the bond is not anticipated.
The proposed bond reflects the work of a Facilities Forecast Advisory Committee composed of parents, staff, and community members who began meeting in May 2025, according to McAllen ISD.
“Bond funds may be used only for facilities and infrastructure and cannot be used for salaries or daily operating expenses.”
The effort to gauge which facilities needed an upgrade began more than two years ago, according to McAllen ISD Superintendent Dr. Rene Gutierrez, “More than two years ago, we began efforts to assess the improvements of all our schools for both the present and the future. This was a systematic approach by our staff, parents, and community members.”
Five Investment Areas
The school district bond program is organized into five investment areas:
# Modernizations & Alignment ($117.69 Million).
# Wellness, Safety & Security ($40.39 Million).
# Fine Arts Multi-Purpose Buildings ($35.0 Million).
# District Equity & Growth ($38.73 Million).
# Capital Improvements ($103.19 Million).
Bonds would be issued in phases from summer 2026 through summer 2029, according to McAllen ISD.
Individual tax bills may still vary based on property appraisals.
“Bond funds would be used only for voter-approved capital projects, completed over several years, and would not affect operating funds or staffing levels,” said Gutierrez.
The Race for District 5
Switching over to the city, the special election was triggered to fill the unexpired term for the District 5 seat on the McAllen City Commission, formerly occupied by Victor “Seby” Haddad, who hopes to become the new state representative for House District 41 in the state elections coming due this November.
The Candidates
Three names appear on the ballot for the City of McAllen District 5 seat: Felida Villarreal, Mark Murray, and Michael Fallek.
Felida Villarreal serves as the CEO of a local nonprofit, and she is a CPA.
Mark Murray is a professor of political science at South Texas College and is involved in various community activities.
Michael Fallek is a real estate developer, business owner, an attorney, and has a long tenure on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
The winner of the May 2 special election will serve the remainder of Haddad’s term, which would have ended in 2027.
From their respective social media accounts, here is the breakdown for each of the three candidates vying for what constitutes the city’s downtown district:
Michael Fallek:
“My commitment to McAllen didn’t start with a political campaign. For over 25 years, I’ve been doing the work. I have been helping local entrepreneurs launch, grow, and create jobs right here in our city.
“I’m running for City Commission to take that same real-world experience to City Hall. It’s about continuing the work I’ve always done, supporting the people behind our storefronts and keeping McAllen’s economy strong.
“District 5 doesn’t need a learning curve...it needs a leader who can hit the ground running on day one.
“I lived the best years of Downtown McAllen, and I’ve spent my professional life mastering the ins and outs of development. I’m ready to put that experience to work for District 5 to create a more vibrant, sustainable community for all of us. I’ve seen what success looks like for our city, and I have the experience to make it a reality again.
“From creating jobs and investing in our infrastructure to serving on our local boards, my commitment to this city is a lifetime promise, not a political one.”
Mark Murray
“Mark Murray has the best ideas for revitalizing downtown McAllen, listening to what the residents and business owners want.
“Mark’s vision for McAllen: # Public Safety first # Public service over personal ambition # Working for the benefit of all residents # Greater governmental transparency # Water and electrical security # Downtown revitalization”
Felida Villarreal
“I’m reminded why this campaign matters so much.
“Seeing so many neighbors show up, share their encouragement, and place their trust in me has been truly humbling. Every conversation, every smile, every vote, it all means more than I can put into words.
“Thank you, District 5, for this incredible outpouring of support. I’m listening, I’m present, and I’m committed to serving you with heart and accountability.
“Hearing directly from District 5 residents means everything to me.
“This campaign has always been about listening, showing up, and earning your trust—and I’m grateful for every neighbor who has opened their door, shared their thoughts, and believed in this vision.
“Together, we’re building on the strength of District 5 and working toward an even brighter future.
“Leading with heart. Building with vision.”