The Socorro ISD Board of Trustees approved a $2,500 early separation incentive for the first 100 qualified employees who notify the district human resources office by 5 p.m. April 7, 2025, the board said at a special meeting Thursday.

The board approved the measure during a March 6 special meeting held in person and streamed on YouTube. The district presented the incentive as a cost-management tool to help close an estimated $8 million budget gap and as an option to reduce the number of involuntary layoffs. "The incentive amount is $2,500 for the first 100 qualified employees that notify the Department of Human Resources on or before 5PM on Monday, 04/07/2025," said Selena Stiles, interim chief human resources officer for the district.

Board and staff said the offer is limited to employees who submit a voluntary, unconditional resignation effective on their last duty day for the 2024–25 school year and who meet other eligibility rules. Stiles listed eligibility criteria on the record: employees must be employed under a probationary term or noncertified contract, hold proper certifications and credentials for their position, be located at a campus, and not be under investigation or proposed for nonrenewal. Employees who already submitted a resignation may apply by completing the district form, she said.

District staff provided figures they said show the incentive could produce net savings if positions are not refilled. "Once we gross up for taxes and everything, it would be about 256,000," a district staff member said, referring to the $2,500 payment for 100 employees. The staff member also said the district estimates an average total cost (salary plus benefits) of roughly $75,000 per position and characterized the incentive as an investment to realize larger payroll savings if positions remain vacant.

Public comment and trustees' questions touched on scope and fairness. Tommy Hill, a public commenter, urged the board to consider a higher cap, saying "I think the number should be 300." Trustees and staff responded that the district had previously offered smaller incentives (75 in past years) and had not reached those caps, prompting this year's initial 100-person limit and a plan to report back to the board.

Board members were told staff will provide a progress update at the next regular meeting, on March 26, and could recommend increasing the number of incentives if the district reaches the 100-person cap before the April 7 deadline. The board approved the motion by voice vote; the transcript records the vote as "Aye" with no roll-call tally provided.

The notice requires employees to submit the district form and a resignation that is voluntary and unconditional. The district will disburse the payment to qualifying employees who complete the process by the deadline. The board did not adopt additional policy changes during the meeting.

With the motion approved, President Michael Najera declared the meeting adjourned at 5:43 p.m.