Trustees of San Antonio’s Harlandale Independent School District voted last week to waive attorney-client privilege so its law firm can cooperate with the Bexar County district attorney in a probe into a school bond program.
The board also unanimously approved a motion directing school district officials to assist law enforcement probes into Jasmine Engineering, which is managing a $13 million bond program for the district.
The district said no action will be taken against Jasmine until school officials complete an audit and an investigation into the selection of architects for school projects.
A report last month to the school board by superintendent Robert Jaklich said the engineering firm apparently provided bogus references for architectural firms being considered for bond-financed projects.
Escamilla, Poneck, & Cruz, Harlandale ISD’s legal firm, has recommended that Jaklich’s report be turned over to state and federal law enforcement agencies.
The school district’s $208.3 million of outstanding debt has underlying ratings of A1 from Moody’s Investors Service, AA-minus from Fitch Ratings, and A-plus from Standard & Poor’s.
The debt is enhanced to triple-A with coverage from the Texas Permanent School Fund.
The district has no authorized but unissued debt, and no current plans for a bond election.
