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Judson ISD board authorizes efficiency audit, approves compensation plan and other budget actions
Summary
At a May special meeting, the Judson ISD Board of Trustees voted 6–1 to hire an outside firm for an operational efficiency audit, approved a temporary 2025–26 compensation plan, and approved several personnel and administrative budget measures while declining proposed cuts to counselors and district staffing reductions.
The Judson Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to authorize an operational efficiency audit and approved a temporary 2025–26 compensation plan while rejecting several personnel reductions proposed by administration.
The board approved a resolution to hire an outside firm to produce an efficiency audit and report to the board; the motion to authorize the audit passed 6–1. Superintendent Dr. Fields and Chief Financial Officer Miguel Guerra briefed trustees on timeline and scope, saying the firm will identify peer districts, compile financial and operational benchmarks and present findings to the board by fall so trustees can consider the findings before any tax election or final budget decisions. Trustees discussed whether to use TASB or a private consultant; after an extended procedural exchange the board delegated selection of the consultant to the board president after consultation with legal counsel.
Trustees also approved the district's proposed interim 2025–26 compensation plan as presented by administration and retained the current stipend schedule pending a comprehensive July workshop on compensation and sign-on/retention incentives. The board voted 7–0 to adopt the compensation plan as presented for payroll processing and to leave proposed stipend changes for later review.
Other formal actions approved during the meeting included: conversion of four vacant registered nurse positions to licensed vocational nurse (LVN) roles at elementary campuses (7–0), elimination of 25 vacant non‑teaching positions (7–0), and approval of a personnel report covering hires and appointments discussed in closed session (7–0). Trustees also approved one procurement action related to final payment for a mechanical/electrical/plumbing package (agenda item 4A) and authorized staff to evaluate furniture moving and replacement related to Judson Middle School third‑floor reconfiguration (vote 5–2).
Trustees debated but rejected administration recommendations to reduce counselor staffing to a 1:350 ratio at secondary campuses and to reduce assistant principal allocations; a motion to accept the counselor reductions failed (1–6). Board members cited student social‑emotional needs and campus safety as reasons to preserve counseling and administrative coverage.
The board repeatedly emphasized that state legislation signed the night before (House Bill 2) and pending changes (including a potential homestead exemption increase and new teacher/retention allotments) will change final budget calculations; administration said those state changes add an estimated $5.6–5.7 million of discretionary allotment in preliminary estimates and will require TEA guidance before all figures are finalized.
Votes at a glance - Motion to authorize operational efficiency audit (consultant selection delegated to board president): PASSED 6–1 - Motion to approve 2025–26 compensation plan as presented: PASSED 7–0 - Conversion of 4 registered nurse positions to LVNs (elementary): PASSED 7–0 - Eliminate 25 vacant non‑teaching positions: PASSED 7–0 - Approve final payment for district mechanical/electrical/plumbing package (4A): PASSED 7–0 - Authorize superintendent to evaluate/make purchases to supplement furniture from Kitty Hawk for Judson Middle School third floor (4B): PASSED 5–2 - Motion to adopt proposed counselor reductions to 1:350 (secondary): FAILED 1–6 - Motion to delegate selection/engagement of a board financial consultant to the board president: PASSED 4–3 - Personnel report (hires/appointments discussed in closed session): PASSED 7–0
Administration said more detailed budget amendments and the final tax‑rate/tax‑vote timeline will be presented as state guidance becomes available and after completion of the efficiency audit. Trustees directed staff to return with more granular options, and signaled a full compensation/stipend workshop in July to incorporate new state guidance and the board’s policy direction.
Ending The board scheduled additional workshops before final budget adoption; administration said it will provide two scenarios (with and without tax ballot outcomes) and share TEA guidance once it is published so trustees can finalize decisions this summer.
