[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_75":74},"mediaId",6496556,"mediaKeyId","5611760-e7ccd4ada0494e108eb007437e61b76b","parentId",5611760,"title","Edgewood ISD police and counseling leaders outline prevention, threat-assessment and mental-health partnerships","audioSeconds",526,"startMs",4886000,"endMs",5412000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611760-e7ccd4ada0494e108eb007437e61b76b&start=4886&end=5412","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611760-e7ccd4ada0494e108eb007437e61b76b/thumbnail_4886000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6496556/Texas/Edgewood-ISD-police-and-counseling-leaders-outline-prevention-threat-assessment-and-mental-health-partnerships","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496556-cdc68f5ac3430ace6bbf86fcfb9fc827/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946189&Signature=hPXfKpSAUY5CbDy21V6I1Zk03VdNFKFJ6hfWF3IU63x~LcXl4~3sKMjSPB46FYPp2Sw20WLM-~f2W2PvH2rZNMsgaiVDvoyl2uePP7-skKy25fo~fbBVfvS1Wqjm5BFQv6y-xhngxjWhxp86lHesGVAI06rVSDAtEQy1az9xA-UswdsPLClsyNZ4vgpOkh8eZ~uuh95HjaZZ5idW44M8qL8sJ6OWzp7VS69rkBnZFLWTnFp-sEtfPOCcyNZNjOFUzjlLm3r8-euNEp6StGTfg7oCIb6pB2EH8aRfZldcja~M7hbN~CX4XRW0zXzt3eGpJ1kQddOVPT-116PrjaAH0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Edgewood ISD","date","2025-08-19T00:00:00Z","article","Edgewood ISD’s chief of police and the director of guidance and counseling presented the district’s safety and mental-health plans during the Aug. 19 meeting, highlighting prevention, threat assessment and community partnerships intended to identify students at risk and reduce campus incidents.

Chief Eppy Quiroga said the district emphasizes prevention and community connection as core elements of school safety. \"We practice a lot of prevention so that we can avoid some of the issues that we see going on in the world,\" he said, describing officer involvement that ranges from threat assessment to helping families access housing, food and therapy when social services are needed.

Manuela Nochez, the district’s director of guidance and counseling and social work, described coordinated response protocols that involve counselors, social workers and campus officers when a student presents a high-risk threat or behavioral concern. She said the district uses safety planning, outside mental-health referrals, and follow-up monitoring, and that staff receive training on recognizing signs and symptoms of crisis.

Presenters noted specific partnerships: the district works with Region 20 services for trauma-informed training and has ongoing collaborations with local mental-health agencies. The chief also said the district assigns specially trained campus officers who work with counselors on threat assessments and safety planning. A district representative told trustees the district also partners with the municipal court on truancy work and is pursuing additional community-based programming.

The presenters described several programs and supports already in place, including violence-intervention curricula that combine law-enforcement involvement and counseling, family workshops on trauma and stigma reduction, and school-year outreach such as holiday meal and gift drives for families identified by counselors.

Board members asked clarifying questions about partners and training. A trustee pointed out that Region 20 offers a school psychological first-aid training that committee members and staff can take; staff said they would provide access to that training. The director said information and resources are posted on the district website, and the superintendent noted the district provides contact details for both the chief and the director for families who need assistance.

Ending

Presenters asked the community to partner on prevention and to bring concerns to counseling and police staff so the district can respond quickly. The board thanked the presenters and noted the materials will remain available on the district website.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Edgewood ISD- Regular Board Meeting- 8/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","District police and the guidance and counseling department described threat assessment protocols, partnerships with Region 20 and local mental-health providers, and plans for increased anti-drug and trauma-informed work to support student safety.","taxTitle","EDGEWOOD ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",38381,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6496561,"Parents and community members press Edgewood ISD board over D rating and student supports",1368,2805000,4173000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611760-e7ccd4ada0494e108eb007437e61b76b&start=2805&end=4173","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611760-e7ccd4ada0494e108eb007437e61b76b/thumbnail_2805000.jpg","/articles/6496561/Texas/Parents-and-community-members-press-Edgewood-ISD-board-over-D-rating-and-student-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496561-26374f846c29a01b390f04bf0683b2d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946189&Signature=MGzugqU7TBmf2vDBBrPkO4szY1uxhl-ztl8Xccc5zYnmznp8SLipce~UlwbeRQEPEoSz-wSNvuBqdrgXo2dS1TCDn~FIzujVVQ5qa0xiDfgMeM0f65y~XnxEn52G8okjGNr-jDVz94f7l-Ch2glMdHj1fVA6JPIQwFbsAk5vRMkEctZspQPvxYdhP12~4-TQyw2zqwBeGu9q-zs9VfrMtT9dlPPHsX5~qCnqw8qY6sIqMvCE3cOO-dnN6O8xzirKNNiMIGhewPlO2UV3G4pCOyl2yBtoPFrCiYwa9YI0lvWskjU3TiegMHBxqrrISoeIPoFwch2GSWiOKhV2nwxv5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents, teachers and community advocates used the board’s public comment period on Aug. 19 to press trustees for faster action on academic outcomes, classroom size, special-education compliance and district transparency after the district’s recent Texas Education Agency accountability rating.

Speakers described the district’s D rating as evidence that leaders must change course. Dorothy Borges told trustees: \"You were elected to serve, to represent and to fight for our kids. Instead, you failed them,\" and called for new leadership. Another community member, Agapita Jaramillo, said the rating reflected \"failed leadership\" and urged support for a petition and resolution requested by parents and grandparents.

Several speakers asked for specific, measurable changes. Eddie Sanchez Borjas read a community petition asking the board and superintendent to adopt a community resolution and to create a public data dashboard with monthly reports on in-school suspensions, juvenile referrals, school police involvement and IEP incidents. The petition calls for trauma-informed and family-centered training for all district and school police staff, expanded public comment access and formal partnerships with parent-advocacy groups for training and listening sessions.

Other public commenters raised concerns about oversized classrooms and communication with staff. Local teacher and union leader Bethany Barbosa said she was \"disappointed\" the final compensation plan was not shared earlier with the community, urging improved notice and communication with employees. Parents and advocates also described barriers for families whose primary language is not English and reported problems with special-education services and IEP implementation.

Several speakers asked the board for written follow-up and private meetings to outline plans to address the academic rating. One speaker requested the board provide a written response detailing how it intends to resolve the D rating and asked for a private meeting to discuss remedies.

The board did not take immediate policy action on the petitions during the meeting, but trustees acknowledged the comments and the superintendent said district staff would remain available for follow-up and meetings. The board later returned to business and approved its consent agenda, including the compensation package.

The public comment period was governed by Policy BED (local), which limits speakers to agenda items and defines decorum and procedures for public participation.

Ending

Speakers said they would return to future meetings until they see changes in transparency, student outcomes and special-education compliance. The board accepted comments and indicated staff would follow up as requested.","Dozens of public commenters urged the Edgewood ISD board to address a district D accountability rating, classroom sizes, IEP compliance, and transparency; petitioners asked the board to adopt a community resolution and publish clearer public data.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6496566,"Edgewood ISD board approves pay increases, raises minimum hourly wage to $15.50",273,7063000,7336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611760-e7ccd4ada0494e108eb007437e61b76b&start=7063&end=7336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611760-e7ccd4ada0494e108eb007437e61b76b/thumbnail_7063000.jpg","/articles/6496566/Texas/Edgewood-ISD-board-approves-pay-increases-raises-minimum-hourly-wage-to-1550","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496566-4e4d7f199080790ccbec2bf52725d6a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946189&Signature=dPHIGIiYTuoEiUnNBCnnguBzCRoJuIkYFzueR6imNyv43A2ygX03R0Y5KIf7f4~jJEjwSAsgbLsKREgVm2gUd9tqHgl0RsLZcSDDAMwAFHNt-nalOMVpcchC87RGUpuSjKXBb81-~ldK7k5EEiOTkkrj2o3wYYD4nWo3EOcC0qY-D8uPNDsRk1R6jWSnwcg~ncPrResF8SQUD4jqZh9UyvA3GnJonrznRtBJbuvYTaGWpbO9D2JR79mtYVFxjSfoWqZ-fsr9hw7SAJrEu8fFapNeXSSqEXA3kK5XVTpEwZ9AInpo6x~HsnV6J9ttz6Xvk8Nyd51flSTre0BJhaKbxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Edgewood Independent School District Board of Trustees on Aug. 19 approved a consent agenda that included compensation changes designed to raise the district’s starting hourly rate and give pay increases to teachers and district employees.

Board members voted to approve a new minimum hourly rate of $15.50 for auxiliary and paraprofessional positions, an equity adjustment averaging about 3.08% for more than 300 employees in pay levels 1 and 2, a 2% midpoint increase for other staff, and an average compensation increase for teachers the board described as approximately 7.17%. The board approved the full consent package by voice vote after a motion and second.

The action came after public comment and a weeks-long review by board and staff. The district’s superintendent and board leadership framed the adjustments as part of an effort to retain and recruit staff while aligning pay with local comparators.

\"Our educators and staff are the heart of this district,\" the board president said during the meeting. \"These adjustments reflect our belief that every employee deserves a wage that honors their work and helps support their families.\" (Speaker listed in meeting as “Board president.”)

Superintendent Jason Hernandez discussed the district’s recommendations in more detail during his report, explaining the board was asked to consider two specific compensation proposals: an increase in the starting hourly rate to $15.50 (option C, described by staff) and a districtwide 2% change at the midpoint for staff. He also described the teacher pay proposal that the administration presented for board consideration.

The board approved the consent agenda items a–p in a single vote. Later in the meeting trustees also approved two additional formal items in closed session (see Votes at a glance). The superintendent and board members said the changes were balanced against budget constraints and intended to improve retention.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (items a–p, including the 2025–26 compensation plan): Motion to approve made by \"Mister Rhodes\" and seconded by Luis Gomez; outcome: approved by voice vote (motion passes). Specific recorded tallies were not announced in the public record during open session.

- Closed-session personnel finding re: Raquel Acosta (Texas Education Code §21.021/21.21 referenced in motion text): Motion made by Frank Espinosa, seconded by Sergio Delgado; outcome: approved, with Michael Valdez recorded as abstaining.

- Board travel to Mexican American School Boards Association (MASBA) conference (October, San Antonio): Motion by Michael Valdez, seconded by Rudy Lopez; outcome: approved.

What the increases mean

According to material presented at the meeting, raising the minimum to $15.50 will affect the district’s lowest pay bands (levels 1 and 2) and is expected to produce an average equity adjustment of roughly 3.08% for more than 300 employees in those bands. Staff recommended a 2% midpoint adjustment for other employees. The board and district leaders said the teacher pay proposal would result in an average increase they described as about 7.17% for the teacher pay schedule, and the administration highlighted existing state-funded teacher incentive payments as additional compensation opportunity (presentation noted ranges for incentive payments previously awarded to teachers).

Board members said they considered budget sustainability when approving the plan. The superintendent and finance staff noted the district recently received a favorable financial accountability recognition from the Texas Education Agency, which they cited when discussing the district’s ability to fund the proposals.

Next steps

The approved compensation plan will be implemented according to district payroll timelines. The administration said details and updated pay tables are posted on the district website and that human-resources staff are available to answer questions about individual placements and timing.","The Edgewood Independent School District board approved a consent package that includes raises for teachers and staff and a new minimum hourly rate for auxiliary and paraprofessional employees; the meeting also produced multiple formal votes listed below.","actionData","errors"]

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Edgewood ISD police and counseling leaders outline prevention, threat-assessment and mental-health partnerships

Parents and community members press Edgewood ISD board over D rating and student supports

Edgewood ISD board approves pay increases, raises minimum hourly wage to $15.50