Board approves budget amendment and agrees to compensate staff for Jan. 21 weather closure

The Uvalde CISD board approved a general‑fund budget amendment Wednesday and voted to include payment for lost wages to certain hourly staff who were unable to work during the district’s inclement weather closure on Jan. 21.

Trustee Jacqueline Gonzales made the motion to approve general‑fund budget amendment number 2 and to add compensation for lost wages for paraprofessionals and maintenance and operations staff for the Jan. 21 closure “for the public purpose to increase morale and reduce employee turnover,” referencing legal guidance from TASB and board policy. Trustee Rizzo seconded the motion. The vote carried unanimously.

Superintendent Colas had earlier told the board that the amendment adjusts functional expenditure categories for special education SHARS cost‑report preparation and evaluation staff duties; administrators said there is no impact to the district’s fund balance associated with the amendment. The added directive to include lost wages for the Jan. 21 closure will be administered by HR and finance; administration said staff who missed the closure originally were to make up hours but the board authorized payment to compensate those employees instead.

Trustees discussed fairness and operational detail; some trustees and administrators noted the district’s existing policy on closures allows different treatments depending on whether employees were required to work during the event. The board asked administration and HR to define the mechanics so payroll can be adjusted for hourly employees who were impacted.

Ending: The motion passed unanimously. Administration will implement payroll adjustments and report back on the mechanics and budget coding for the compensatory payments.