[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6271884,"mediaKeyId","3028452-b8614f630b81e7d8996e0eebf84720de","parentId",3028452,"title","Board approves instructional materials certification, MOUs, donations and lease; personnel actions moved in closed session","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",10355000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028452-b8614f630b81e7d8996e0eebf84720de&start=10355&end=10355","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028452-b8614f630b81e7d8996e0eebf84720de/thumbnail_10355000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6271884/Texas/Board-approves-instructional-materials-certification-MOUs-donations-and-lease-personnel-actions-moved-in-closed-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271884-48ce9b57a5ac06dbab86db6e272b466b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775199816&Signature=fLA6Y0OyoGhcdZe58g3yENcUN4dIGh7Y9HRzsVk1-M7ixKh3~4niuoBkMbxIoxFL8mfNZusUhcE4iy6cupW6YZusp1MuqejPE2-GxgsIAE-Pp6gEFo3sIUxkDJE4yEGJjb-eiEcUnKRdoS33I7976Zoq0Zd2mLLQCUl7L-pmc07TDB3k~YQnFZ9dcHtWwS-LUE-trNkm~NF1L-hhDt6Bunw06osxgsra3r6Ff3m7jb5ORcVFXI6PVl~F41FwppFDM8dO9EdgEhFsSBT~oic~KyOZoF7PAHdqfvmVLtVE5clP4Suhj9-RJ1YyxL1I5ZPY68GuR68buuppU~uGYGvOSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Uvalde CISD","date","2025-04-17T00:34:16.34Z","article","UVALDE, Texas — At its regular meeting the Uvalde CISD board of trustees voted unanimously on several business items: certification of instructional materials, acceptance of multiple donations, memoranda of understanding with partners, and a long‑term lease for a small parcel of district property to support fiber infrastructure. The board also approved personnel employment and other human‑resources actions after a closed session.

Actions voted at the meeting

- Certification of provision of instructional materials: Trustees approved the annual certification that adopted instructional materials align with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and that the district complies with the Children’s Internet Protection Act for instructional resources. Motion language: “I make a motion that we approve the submission of the certification of provision of instructional materials as presented.” Motion by Trustee Suarez; seconded by Trustee Canelius. Vote: unanimous.

- School design approvals (Batesville and Morales): The board approved school design plans and performance agreements to support P‑20/P‑TECH redesign and to seek TEA implementation grants (covered in a separate article). Motion by Trustee Rizzo; seconded by Trustee Suarez. Vote: unanimous.

- Memorandum of Understanding with Uvalde County (radios): The board approved an MOU to accept 35 emergency radios and accessories (no local fiscal impact); the radios come through a county grant. Motion by Trustee Suarez; second by Trustee Perez. Vote: unanimous.

- Donations: The board accepted donations including $155,000 from H‑E‑B to support student leadership, food pantry operations and the band program (about $50,000 of that earmarked for band instruments), and $7,600 from Motivate Our Students Texas to offset field‑trip scheduling costs. Motion and second recorded; vote: unanimous.

- Partnership MOU with Texas A&M University–San Antonio: Trustees approved a memorandum allowing TAMUSA to fund one graduate course for up to 10 district employees; the district agreed to provide an annual substitute day per enrolled staff member (estimated local cost ~$2,400 if fully subscribed). Motion by Trustee Suarez; seconded by Trustee Perez. Vote: unanimous.

- Lease agreement with Vero (fiber provider): Trustees authorized the superintendent to finalize a lease of small district parcels (about 300 sq. ft. pads) at three possible sites to host fiber equipment. Attorneys reviewed negotiated terms and the district expects annual rent in the low thousands; additional partner benefits discussed included reduced‑cost connectivity opportunities and resiliency planning for district fiber. Motion by Trustee Suarez; seconded by Trustee Quinones. Vote: unanimous.

- Personnel actions (closed session): After a closed session under Texas Government Code §551.071 and §551.074 the board took formal action to approve personnel employment, assignments, suspensions or terminations as discussed. Motion to approve those personnel items was made by Trustee Gonzalez and seconded by Trustee Rizzo; vote: unanimous. The district did not disclose individual personnel details in open session.

Why it matters: The packet of approvals clears the way for immediate operational steps: instructional materials certification enables curriculum purchases and alignment work; donations add near‑term funds for student programs; the P‑20 approvals open access to TEA implementation funding; the Vero lease supports broadband expansion and network resiliency; and personnel approvals finalize staffing decisions discussed in closed session.

Ending: Several items will require follow‑up: (1) formal submission of TEA plans and grant paperwork, (2) scheduling of implementation activities tied to donations and grants, and (3) execution of the Vero lease and coordination between district IT staff and the provider.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Uvalde CISD - Regular Meeting - April 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees unanimously approved certification of instructional materials, grants/partnership MOUs, donations and a lease agreement with a fiber provider; personnel decisions were addressed in closed session and approved by board vote.","taxTitle","UVALDE CISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",60057,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271889,"Trustees approve P‑20 redesign plans for Batesville, Morales; district seeks TEA implementation grants",144,8234000,8378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028452-b8614f630b81e7d8996e0eebf84720de&start=8234&end=8378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028452-b8614f630b81e7d8996e0eebf84720de/thumbnail_8234000.jpg","/articles/6271889/Texas/Trustees-approve-P20-redesign-plans-for-Batesville-Morales-district-seeks-TEA-implementation-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271889-de8562cebbb51c2e59e447dd4e1c313f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775199816&Signature=IDjxxlCvfpmzv4q2U-AZy2YxdEgdyEOQqa3HCTr-HaJM6tQ655o4W4s0Fd8qbKlb5R9BjT1zaCL~SaMAkcln3gEvDAzEYPufw7k7BjPzrcluwtQLKdWMZj3M8sl7D~SBOCtICxP~AT8XazCqAxcWASEwv6JcDejX5GQcFFHwp7iMSJpHcTShUB5R2syky2DYOPs87g~DNwq0sHV8xRFQj5OoFu~PcgwS8HYZKR48IZCsQ5fJ8YpJb3gOXJSDDhk4TTDWhK2dY9FIae9KGIvk9MtImijJiVNIjRx6cL15wesFnn9tz8q82WcsmNbXjvKz7BM2dh4gxeVbg1aM35p6Bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","UVALDE, Texas — The Uvalde CISD board unanimously approved school redesign plans and performance agreements for Batesville and Morales Junior High that the district says will qualify both campuses to apply for TEA implementation grants aimed at raising student outcomes and creating career pathways.

The plans, developed with consulting partner CEN (formerly a statewide education network), aim to align instruction from pre‑K through two years post‑high school under the P‑20/P‑TECH model and to create coherent career pathways. Superintendent Colas said the district will seek implementation grants of up to $500,000 per campus over two years to support the rollout.

Why it matters: The redesign promises intensive campus support, new curriculum sequencing and expanded career/technical education so students can graduate with industry certifications or associate degrees. The Batesville plan centers on an Agritech Leadership theme designed to match regional workforce needs and emphasize transferable technology and leadership skills.

Dr. Rachel McLean of CEN, who helped compile the plans, described the approach: “The expectation will be to receive the implementation grants for the next 2 years once the plans are approved by TEA.” She added the district and campuses committed to targets that aim to move campus ratings toward an A or B within the grant period.

Board action: Trustee Rizzo moved to approve the Batesville and Morales school‑design plans; Trustee Suarez seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Plan features and partners: The redesign uses the Effective Schools Framework and emphasizes strong leadership, teacher quality, data‑driven instruction and alignment of curriculum to grade‑level standards. Batesville’s design specifically focuses on agricultural technology (entomology, soil conservation, agricultural engineering) and leadership, while Morales’ plan concentrates on schoolwide improvement strategies tied to local needs. CEN, Texas A&M–San Antonio and local workforce partners were cited as implementation partners; TEA approval of the plans is a prerequisite to release of the implementation grants.

What trustees said: Trustees praised the plans and the district’s partnership with CEN, describing the redesign as an investment in local students and the community’s workforce future. One trustee said the district should market Batesville as a “school of choice” to attract families interested in a career‑linked educational pathway.

Ending: With the board’s approval, the district will finalize performance agreements and submit the plans to the Texas Education Agency and will begin planning implementation tasks funded by pending TEA grants.","The board unanimously approved school-design plans and performance agreements for Batesville and Morales Junior High, accepting TEA's rural redesign model and partnering with CEN for implementation and P‑TECH expansion.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271894,"Uvalde trustees hear heated discussion over pre-K eligibility, students urge reinstatement of college adviser",7729,1339000,9068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028452-b8614f630b81e7d8996e0eebf84720de&start=1339&end=9068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028452-b8614f630b81e7d8996e0eebf84720de/thumbnail_1339000.jpg","/articles/6271894/Texas/Uvalde-trustees-hear-heated-discussion-over-pre-K-eligibility-students-urge-reinstatement-of-college-adviser","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271894-0fea3d9324ebf17f01194ccc6ecc5529/orig.mp4?Expires=1775199816&Signature=Dt5Oq3DrP0X0Dd0FHfxvLklnyf94Bscds5hRFIuQqm4yAnfc7~w38jeAuKkzow6lBhJK65bCOO7cF82sTKszXlKlYgWDCdqf9JAe~KbOPclHZe~odKeSaQvya-yyNxGti9kF5iymxcMgg96v-rg2ncpWUomh9z4MYTKfY8BscBIVM~m72KPsnf-VN4Xwue6WZLX3Z3SwvUTMadszKaPX49646EefHQBQ5MJJ2egynr3bV1lZlTVcA~vPoMQkF4xotkGCALOJ9VJ54vHju0FVGVqbdLrHGbLkOEBhRoixuz8EyvlnUZq6LUahUNuzFJuYawYJaLLGXfYKhT~ldO9T5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","UVALDE, Texas — The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District board of trustees spent major meeting time debating how to fund and register prekindergarten students after administrators disclosed the district had not been collecting required state enrollment/eligibility documentation for years, a gap that officials said has cost the district money.

The discussion, which included public comments by high school students urging the board not to dismiss Uvalde High School college adviser Michelle Torres, focused on whether the district should (1) institute a sliding-scale tuition for families whose children do not meet state pre-K eligibility criteria or (2) continue universal, open enrollment while improving data collection to recoup state allotments.

Why it matters: District leaders said accurate PEIMS and eligibility data could bring millions in state funding the district has missed. Parents, students and teachers said making pre-K contingent on tuition or perceived qualification risks reducing enrollment, losing staff positions and sending a signal that may push families toward private or out-of-district options.

Superintendent Colas told the board the district discovered it has not been coding pre-K students to collect the state’s half‑day funding for family-eligible slots and that “we have to qualify kids because otherwise we don't collect our money at all from the state for pre-K.” She said the district could recoup some funding by registering and coding qualifying students and by seeking grants and partnerships, while warning that rising energy and maintenance costs have created an urgent budget shortfall that will force program and staffing adjustments unless revenue is recovered.

Students urged patience and protection for pre-K services. Victoria Martinez, a Uvalde High School senior who said she spoke for the student body, told trustees: “Miss Torres is not just a college adviser. She is the bridge that carries us over to the next phase of our lives.” Natalie Arias, another student speaker, criticized a district social-media post about pre-K registration that she said was confusing, saying: “The post should have read: important announcement. Students enrolling in pre-K for the 25‑26 school year must now qualify to learn for free.”

District staff outlined a three-part approach: begin a public FAQ and enrollment campaign, collect missing eligibility documentation at registration events, and craft a proposed fee schedule and sliding-scale tuition that would be brought to the board for approval. Staff said the maximum tuition contemplated for a nonqualifying pre-K slot would be up to $4,000 annually but that the district planned scholarship options and partnerships to limit family burdens.

Board discussion centered on messaging and timing. Trustees warned that even discussing tuition publicly before a formal vote had raised community alarm. One trustee said repeatedly that the board should “pump the brakes” and bring a full proposal back with precise numbers and mitigation plans. The superintendent said staff will present a proposed fee schedule with supporting numbers to the board in June or July and that the district will host an in-person pre-K registration/“roundup” so families can complete eligibility documentation with staff assistance.

What was decided/directed: Trustees did not adopt a tuition policy at the meeting. The board agreed to place pre-K enrollment procedures and any proposed fee schedule on a future agenda so trustees can vote after staff presents detailed numbers, scholarship options and communication plans. The district also committed to run a targeted registration event to collect eligibility documentation and to continue searching for grant funds and partner support.

Community reaction and context: Several trustees and staff repeatedly emphasized that the district’s instructional and community goals — “Domain 1, 2 and 3,” as presenters referenced the district framework — support keeping students in school, but that the district’s operating shortfall requires either increased revenue or program changes. Multiple speakers, including two senior students and a junior who said they relied on Torres for college application help, asked the board to reconsider a reported personnel decision involving Michelle Torres and to prioritize stability for students transitioning to college or the workforce.

The board said it would not reduce pre-K to half‑day instruction and that any change to tuition or enrollment must come back to the board for a vote.

Ending: District staff will return with an FAQ, payroll and budget estimates, and a draft fee schedule for trustee consideration. The superintendent urged families to attend the district’s pre-K registration event so staff can help complete missing documentation and explained that accurate data collection is the first step to restoring lost state allotments.","Trustees and the superintendent discussed possible tuition and stricter eligibility verification for pre-K after administrators discovered years of unrecorded state funding; students and parents urged the board to keep pre-K universal and asked the board to reconsider a dismissal of UHS college adviser Michelle Torres.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves instructional materials certification, MOUs, donations and lease; personnel actions moved in closed session

Trustees approve P‑20 redesign plans for Batesville, Morales; district seeks TEA implementation grants

Uvalde trustees hear heated discussion over pre-K eligibility, students urge reinstatement of college adviser