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