[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6188089,"mediaKeyId","5064124-3124324db323e4a811b70b5cd70a30f5","parentId",5064124,"title","Board approves 2025'26 compensation plan tied to HB2 allotments; trustees debate administrative compression adjustments","audioSeconds",70,"startMs",8321000,"endMs",8391000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064124-3124324db323e4a811b70b5cd70a30f5&start=8321&end=8391","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064124-3124324db323e4a811b70b5cd70a30f5/thumbnail_8321000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6188089/Texas/Board-approves-202526-compensation-plan-tied-to-HB2-allotments-trustees-debate-administrative-compression-adjustments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188089-01b3ce778535e0074a9e910f2422b139/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485564&Signature=kNgXXL4Lq5aZHjoL2QSMj5DqOVmvG4krGh6Jo8PJQ1pRQXdHl3CWeFOLc0alSUeBKdvZYYqHIoSDiIOR463TJOrY~NKn2y3bPDIPHMW1oqIAhFXiqSazM5YL-IBQThB7O66lRPvaRuu95QniaRHwgrLtzgrJLic9GAyZVoEElrUJ7vZSuLEdM-mIFi7SALUUwZjcJw5CUgJrVWeG6Rl-3FUf--~YvViw5W7JvL9AzyOTvQtXAp1uu22YyV7rvdlV78fDfLPohXqmxoRWs6VEeadAm7chhQac7VB8vvbjBN8w3hi2wgV2Q6rtiUfTbn~UmWRrahFw2tAeDEGWXBdQ8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Socorro ISD","date","2025-06-25T05:34:16Z","article","The Socorro ISD board on June 24 approved updates to the district's compensation plan for the 2025'26 school year that align pay increases with state guidance in House Bill 2 and district budget assumptions.

Chief human resources officer Selena Stiles told trustees that the state guidance required districts to identify classroom teachers separately for the HB2 classroom-teacher retention allotment. Administration proposed two teacher schedules: one specifically for classroom teachers and a second for non-classroom teachers, librarians and nurses so HB2 allotments can be distributed in compliance with TEA guidance.

Under the board-approved framework presented by Stiles:

- Classroom teachers: 1'2 years of experience receive a 1.5% increase off market midpoint; 3'4 years receive a $2,500 annual increase (inclusive of step); 5+ years receive a $5,000 annual increase (inclusive of step).

- Non-classroom teachers, librarians and nurses: 1.5% increase off market midpoint (includes step).

- Support staff (paraprofessionals, auxiliary, technology, clinic staff, professionals excluding administration): a 1.5% increase off midpoint.

- Administration: recommended 1% increase off midpoint; administration also proposed adjustments to certain administrative pay grades to address compression between teacher and administrator pay scales.

Stiles presented estimated budget impacts: approximately $11.5 million for classroom teacher increases (including steps), roughly $400,000 for non-classroom teachers/nurses/librarians, $900,000 for paraprofessionals/auxiliary/technology, and smaller amounts for other groups. She said salary increases are effective July 1 but will be paid on the Sept. 30 payroll as retroactive pay, reflecting timing for HB2 funding flow.

Trustee discussion focused on pay compression between experienced teachers and entry-level administrators. Trustee Woodcraft pressed for clarity on how many employees would be affected and argued for restraint on administrative adjustments while the district is still addressing a multi-year deficit and having made staff reductions earlier in the year. A motion to approve the compensation plan passed after debate; the board adopted the proposal with the amendments and implementation timeline proposed by administration.

Administration said it will continue to monitor staffing, special-education funding changes and pay-compression issues and may return to the board later in the year for additional adjustments if new state funds or programmatic changes warrant revisions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Socorro ISD Board of Trustees Regular Board Meeting – June 24th, 2025 @ 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Socorro ISD board on June 24 approved a 2025'26 compensation plan that distributes state HB2 funds to classroom teachers through a tiered increase structure and provides a 1.5% midpoint increase for many support staff; administrators received a 1% midpoint adjustment after board debate about compression.","taxTitle","SOCORRO ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",13543,"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},6188094,"Socorro ISD board adopts 2025'26 proposed budget after public hearing; tax rate and efficiency audit discussed",3143,6811000,9954000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064124-3124324db323e4a811b70b5cd70a30f5&start=6811&end=9954","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064124-3124324db323e4a811b70b5cd70a30f5/thumbnail_6811000.jpg","/articles/6188094/Texas/Socorro-ISD-board-adopts-202526-proposed-budget-after-public-hearing-tax-rate-and-efficiency-audit-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188094-74d18d4513471902f3b76dae4d461624/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485564&Signature=Ym9nJoZWkzF0zrsepeHaToelbJiyrka6Q5ca9zT2lt0B9QffLIKFCCeXXTU2gEAXYvbR~zaOkHgOJjLrh3vPtb67iP6s0I8LT-68YgPROxBpzorZ5Qp0GczTA2NvAnGIO7Jyrljn0ZTX22sLzjSzuAYLUGsTVpnQ7ys99RZUkRsDPCHR9Hd5H9HEejBU3ply-TZcZ~CgMXjrat0H6Ffa1JYRYJjrAdwn4Uob7suPDThB1lkH~2nfFneMtVMBXM77Ic2zVP3ABkpRH5-jjPLjvt~ob8YjIkTpzC5jIRF7atV1m~xIYRK8UYXoWHJepNCzfIu4LWkGwSE2-kKRKb97-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Socorro Independent School District board held a public hearing June 24 and approved the proposed fiscal 2025'26 budget after administration presented revenue, enrollment and tax-rate assumptions the board will use while finalizing the tax rate later this summer.

Chief financial officer David Solis said the proposed budget assumes a projected enrollment decline of about 772 students, for a budgeted enrollment of roughly 45,900 students and an estimated average daily attendance (ADA) of 41,540. Preliminary appraisal data released April 30 showed a projected increase in property values of 13.84 percent, Solis said, but he cautioned the number would change when new homestead and business exemptions passed by the Legislature are applied and final certified values are posted by July 25.

Solis said the district expects to receive approximately $26 million in new state funding through House Bill 2, but about $18 million of that is earmarked for state-mandated expenses such as teacher pay raises; that leaves about $8 million in flexible funding to help balance the budget. Solis presented a proposed tax-rate framework described in the meeting as \"a dollar and 9 tenths of a cent per $100 of property value,\" with a maintenance and operations (M&O) portion described as \"61 and 9 tenths cents\" and a debt-service portion at 39 cents; he noted final rate adoption requires certified appraisal values and further TEA calculations.

The district also explained legal steps if it later chooses to call a voter election to increase the M&O rate (a Voter-Approval Tax Rate or V.A.T.R.). If the board decides to adopt a rate exceeding the voter-approval threshold, it must call an election; the meeting record summarized statutory procedural deadlines for auditor selection and an efficiency audit required prior to a V.A.T.R. election. The board approved a request to select an auditor to ensure deadlines can be met if the board later moves to call a rate election.

Solis also summarized the proposed fund budgets: the general fund (instruction, staffing and daily operations) is balanced in the proposal using the expected HB2 revenue; the child nutrition fund remains self-sustaining; and the debt-service fund reflects scheduled payments and a planned defeasance. Trustees asked clarifying questions about the hold-harmless provisions for property-tax exemptions and how exemptions could affect local revenue; Solis said the Legislature provided a hold-harmless mechanism but cautioned the calculation is complex.

After the public hearing the board voted to approve the proposed 2025'26 budgets for the general fund, child nutrition and debt service. Final adoption of the tax rate will await certified appraisal values and additional TEA guidance, with statutory deadlines through late summer and September.","At a public hearing June 24 trustees considered the proposed FY 2025'26 budget and tax-rate timeline. Administration presented assumptions including a projected enrollment decline of 772 students, a projected 13.84% rise in preliminary property values and $26 million in new state funding via House Bill 2; the board approved the budget.",{"_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},6188100,"SISD hears urgent public pleas as district weighs closing on-site clinic and partnering with UMC near-site clinic",6263,927000,7190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064124-3124324db323e4a811b70b5cd70a30f5&start=927&end=7190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064124-3124324db323e4a811b70b5cd70a30f5/thumbnail_927000.jpg","/articles/6188100/Texas/SISD-hears-urgent-public-pleas-as-district-weighs-closing-on-site-clinic-and-partnering-with-UMC-near-site-clinic","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188100-c984842b363646697bee4b9a288aa5c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485564&Signature=m4UX8IKnstF6NK~Syuc5iVl5RIpv3eWxkgxIdPG12A6ve0Yie95jPstGvayBawOwVBRfL7F7NmH0KYO-pQCEc~ZBrnhVxDc~pJvjeiHVfqFHUlxPKeJbfpIZ1lkjcoha~ZxxWa8KXsMX-4VxYPLU9OQgSviAz63XL9umk7h7UZGECQo15IxpMcPgan23N3CMLlRUeZsMyiv9Y7Iqw6YriLCxdxuG2TD0KHK6SkfsGER0ru381NqbnNq7mcWlpsIEDzj0y1yxEdHFFKRsDiUD-uXpyyUubA~~dYhM2lGWcKxpZMjk0Vd1i79WJ9zySUlDav6SqN2xoyPEGLwMcHZg5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Socorro ISD trustees and staff on June 24 heard emotional public testimony from clinic clinicians and physicians and a detailed presentation from district administrators and University Medical Center (UMC) about a proposed transition from the district-run on-site employee clinic to a UMC-operated near-site clinic.

Speakers at the meeting described the on-site clinic as a high-value service for employees. Jennifer Feeley, a nurse practitioner who worked at the SISD employee clinic, said the district's previous annual operating budget \"ranged from $800,000 to $1,200,000,\" supporting a physician, two nurse practitioners, a physician assistant, seven medical assistants and other staff. Feeley said the board's proposal \"is a reduction in services, a reduction in access, and a reduction in outcomes\" and warned the change would shift costs and reduce continuity of care.

Dr. Alba Nydia Nevarez, a physician who worked in the clinic, told trustees the clinic had provided value-based care and medical savings. \"We built more than a clinic. We built a model focused on value based care, high quality, personalized health care that improved outcomes and reduced costs,\" she said, and added that in 2023 the clinic recorded \"over 10,000 visits on a $1,200,000 budget\" and served \"nearly 4,000 patients.\" Both speakers urged the board to preserve the higher level of in-house services.

District administration acknowledged the concerns and said it is continuing to review an interlocal agreement received from UMC. Human resources chief Selena Stiles said the board packet did not include the UMC interlocal agreement to allow members time to review it and that administration would return the item for action at the July meeting. Carlos Carmona, who led the district presentation, summarized the aims: reduce operational costs, align with long-term wellness objectives, and partner with a community provider to preserve primary-care access.

UMC representatives outlined two contracting models:

- Fee-for-service model: a $175 flat charge per primary-care visit (UMC aligns that to Medicare benchmark levels); employees would pay a $10 per-visit fee under the district health plans and the district would be billed the remainder. The model includes a predefined set of lab tests and pharmacy services; additional labs and durable medical equipment would be itemized.

- Flat-rate (near-site) model: an annual flat fee proposal of $875,000 to cover a dedicated near-site program with two nurse practitioners, two medical assistants and two schedulers assigned to SISD employees. UMC estimated the flat rate would equal about $146 per visit if the district recorded 6,000 visits annually; the firm said it could scale staffing and pricing if volumes were higher or lower.

UMC said the preferred near-site location would be at 1521 Joe Battle Boulevard. The district indicated a target date of Sept. 30 for the on-site clinic closure if a vendor contract is executed; HR said UMC's agreement still required administrative review. UMC staff also said the near-site clinic offers imaging, a full laboratory and a retail pharmacy, and emphasized care coordination for patient transitions.

Trustees asked operational questions about staffing, pharmacy pricing and whether the near-site clinic could be expanded to additional locations later. UMC said the flat-rate model would allow the district to dedicate staff who would provide a consistent experience for employees; the fee-for-service model would be more variable depending on patient volume. The district said it would help employees find alternative primary-care providers during the transition and would publish lists of providers accepting new patients.

No contract was approved on June 24. Administration said it would bring the interlocal agreement back for board review at the July meeting after legal and operational review; staff also said they would continue community outreach so employees and covered dependents understand options and access during any transition.

Discussion distinction: the meeting record includes public comment and staff presentations (discussion); the board did not direct a final contract award (no formal action on procurement), only a commitment to return with the reviewed agreement in July.

Speakers and staff provided specific financial and utilization figures during public comment and the UMC presentation; trustees asked for additional data and time to review the interlocal agreement before taking action.","District staff and doctors warned the Socorro ISD board that a proposal to close the district's on-site employee clinic would reduce services. Administration presented a UMC near-site clinic plan with two contracting models and a target Sept. 30 transition; the board deferred action to a future meeting to allow review of the interlocal agreement.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6188105,"Socorro ISD trustees name James Vasquez lone finalist for superintendent",255,2633000,2888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064124-3124324db323e4a811b70b5cd70a30f5&start=2633&end=2888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064124-3124324db323e4a811b70b5cd70a30f5/thumbnail_2633000.jpg","/articles/6188105/Texas/Socorro-ISD-trustees-name-James-Vasquez-lone-finalist-for-superintendent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188105-1e0ccfcdc3189f36ef09403aaaf019b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485564&Signature=jV7eyHqj2z3SQmxgKfgqL1bGKUCoiKqwQ5CQaC40mngw4ewAZDIRycEkJnKNA0nAuBo~t5cotW0at8BymWDRzdIv7GsVvDHCxK9NpRJgyc634WTng9zuDJyUgzGMRJMIRhq7DJghLoUt9Jh2hNlHmORzNhSq5V7QvZjnVoteJ4CTQVZuC2pEocGUpl2ZRuMOfPaLQGT~0YtQd1QM4500AcDWqKbciXAoLrSjJ-I3NoSlFMeIT654BuWCWjCqYeD7ktMJjTo7UPbyxailcgGxOmyd2fTMi5hKnDAoyF5sgT9sDIBBfdwbzbu80OojbJK6Nuruik0qgyIop6eXKVdOXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Socorro Independent School District board of trustees voted June 24 to name interim superintendent James Vasquez the lone finalist to become the district's permanent superintendent and authorized the board president and legal counsel to negotiate the contract terms.

The action came after a public executive-session discussion of a lone finalist under Texas Government Code section 551.074. Trustee Ryan Woodcraft moved to nominate and approve James Vasquez; the motion was seconded and later amended on the record to authorize board president Najera and district legal counsel to negotiate the contract, a change requested by Trustee David Hinojosa during closed session.

Board members who spoke during the public roll call and discussion cited district improvements since Vasquez became acting superintendent in April of the prior year. Trustee comments referenced academic performance gains and budget progress. One trustee said, \"From a concerned parent, from a taxpayer perspective, and now as a board member, there are dozens of folks that we looked at. But by far, in my opinion, Mr. Vasquez has the right leadership to lead us into the future,\" during the roll call discussion. Vasquez addressed the board after the vote and said he was \"truly humbled and honored by the confidence placed\" in him and said he looked forward to finishing the work under the board's leadership.

The board held a public vote after the nomination and closed-session deliberations. Trustees also asked for a short recess after the vote to allow time for media and contract logistics. The amended motion passed and the board instructed administration and counsel to finalize contract terms; the vote outcome was announced by the board president as approved.

The board's next steps are contract negotiations and a subsequent public action to execute the employment agreement once terms are finalized. The vote followed a prolonged superintendent search process and came at a time when trustees and the administration also were advancing the district's budget, staffing and other operational items for the 2025'26 school year.

Administration and the board declined to provide additional details about the contract negotiation timeline at the meeting; trustees noted state open-meeting and personnel law procedures would govern how and when the finalized contract is presented for a public vote.","The Socorro ISD board of trustees on June 24 voted to name interim superintendent James Vasquez as the district's lone finalist for superintendent and authorized the board president and legal counsel to negotiate contract terms.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6188085,"SISD outlines special education program redesign to expand services at home campuses and boost transition supports",383,8606000,8989000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064124-3124324db323e4a811b70b5cd70a30f5&start=8606&end=8989","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064124-3124324db323e4a811b70b5cd70a30f5/thumbnail_8606000.jpg","/articles/6188085/Texas/SISD-outlines-special-education-program-redesign-to-expand-services-at-home-campuses-and-boost-transition-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188085-72ae6bb49cd4a4fb28c48d67ce86862f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500950&Signature=CcPsELHmRFlTyOD1kDuqL2Xiw7G2oHA1RAiG9~KJrlcLhCaDZhMXXUWlwAlR-OvHrOUEj~Xbnl4zd27ux59ISiiotowdJGymUArbuR5HHzJJrZOOJjnTpr2NuwmMJpKHZKrTPRXV-Bg0Xts8k3dyRNhwvyKkTz43ZklW9dizuyqiqmP5wiCOavn4KkFxmEhDDCxjRAIEyy20fDixFuxy82ZdclBn-JyAinNiJhalEtBI4i4BUGqtNR4L3gJW98xlvLRedfYSmQwjs-KQ9v83tVgjbetVb3pqcYODvPG2dPRjqBzSSaD8NUvZFsFgZZneELnpCI0Ta4gwqn0abDRcYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Socorro ISD special education staff on June 24 presented program redesigns intended to expand access to certain special-education offerings at students'home campuses, reduce travel and preserve service levels.

A former transition coordinator and a district special-education presenter described changes to early childhood special education, combined Functional Living Skills (FLS) and Practical Academic Skills classes, and the ACCESS program. The presenters emphasized the district is not eliminating preschool services for children with disabilities; rather, some services will be shifted so more students can receive specialized supports at their home campuses.

Key elements of the redesign presented to the board:

- Early childhood special education: Rather than transporting pre-K and kindergarten students to offsite classrooms, the district plans to provide collaborative supports on home campuses, minimizing bus time and enabling placements in the least restrictive environment. Staffing ratios were adjusted in the February staffing process, administration said, to ensure sufficient personnel on campuses offering the expanded services.

- Functional Living Skills (FLS) and Practical Academic Skills merger: By combining those two programs at the elementary and middle levels, the district said it would expand the number of campuses providing these services from a handful to 13 campuses, yielding 19 classrooms and reducing placements that required students to change campuses. The presenters said both programs teach life skills and alternative academic curricula; the combined classrooms were designed to be staffed at the district's existing FLS ratio (1 adult to 3 students) to preserve support levels.

- ACCESS program consolidation: Elementary ACCESS classrooms serving fewer students at multiple sites will be consolidated into a single campus (O'Shea Kelleher) selected for space and social-emotional supports. Administration said the campus has calming spaces and room for future growth.

Special-education transition and employment programming: staff highlighted Project Search, an El Paso Community College certification and employment pathway that places students in year-long internships with community partners and hospitals. The district said SISD placed nine students in Project Search slots during the current year and reported employment outcomes above regional and national averages for program participants.

Trustees and family members discussed concerns about change and relocation; trustees asked about transportation and logistics. Administration said it had coordinated with transportation and sought to minimize disruptions, particularly for students who had been placed at a campus for multiple years. Trustees asked staff to document parent outreach and feedback for the record and to continue offering transition nights at campus locations to increase family participation.

The presentation did not propose elimination of mandated services; staff said students who require more restrictive placements will continue to receive required services and that students may remain eligible for services up to age 22 if needed. Staff said additional parent meetings and campus-based transition nights will be scheduled next year to accommodate families and increase participation in planning.","District special education staff presented a redesign of certain special-education classrooms to expand services at more campuses, reduce student travel, maintain staff-to-student ratios and increase transition and employment supports including Project Search placements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves 2025'26 compensation plan tied to HB2 allotments; trustees debate administrative compression adjustments

Socorro ISD board adopts 2025'26 proposed budget after public hearing; tax rate and efficiency audit discussed

SISD hears urgent public pleas as district weighs closing on-site clinic and partnering with UMC near-site clinic

Socorro ISD trustees name James Vasquez lone finalist for superintendent

SISD outlines special education program redesign to expand services at home campuses and boost transition supports