Contentious board debate ends with approval of UCISD 2025–26 compensation plan after calls to soften cuts

The Uvalde Consolidated ISD Board approved the district’s 2025–26 compensation plan Monday after a prolonged discussion in which trustees and staff debated reductions to workday counts, stipend restructures and how to protect lower‑paid employees. Administrators presented a compensation package that implements required state increases for teachers (including elements of House Bill 2) and adjusts non‑teacher workdays to align with the district’s 165‑day instructional calendar. The plan also raised the minimum hourly starting rate for bus drivers and included updated stipend schedules for extracurricular roles. Trustees raised concerns that some employees — particularly special‑education staff, cafeteria workers and bus drivers — would take significant pay hits from reduced workdays. Several trustees urged the administration to find ways to “soften the blow,” proposing stepped transitions or partial freezes for stipend reductions and targeted pay increases for the lowest hourly scales. Superintendent Colas and finance staff said the district faces fiscal constraints and a previous projected deficit the board had addressed earlier; administrators argued the pay structure changes were intended to correct inequities, comply with changes in work calendars and align stipends with regional averages. Staff also noted the state‑provided support for teachers would require fringe costs and planning to avoid depleting fund balance. After amendments and motions during the meeting, trustees ultimately approved the compensation plan as presented. Trustees asked administration to return with proposals to mitigate impacts on lower paid positions — for example, targeted retention bonuses or other one‑time measures — and to bring revised stipend tables if practical. Staff said they will return with additional options and a plan for disbursing any supplemental funding if available. The board’s approval clears the compensation plan for implementation alongside the district’s final budget process, but trustees directed staff to continue refining targeted relief and to report back in August.