Del Valle trustees move forward with personnel actions as community protests plan to outsource social‑work services to Communities in Schools

Del Valle Independent School District trustees heard a proposal to contract student‑support services to Communities in Schools (CIS) of Central Texas and held extended public comment before taking a series of personnel votes in closed session.

The presentation from CIS — an outside nonprofit that places staff on school campuses — described CIS’s model of “integrated student supports” involving case management, mentoring and some on‑campus mental‑health services. Sharon Vigil, identified in the meeting as CEO of Communities in Schools for Central Texas, told the board CIS places “highly qualified and trained staff directly on campus 100% of the time” and said the organization typically pays at or above midpoint, “about 3 to 5% above the midpoint for a nonprofit working in social services.” Vigil also said CIS would offer Del Valle ISD social‑work employees a right of first refusal for interviews if the district contracts with CIS and that CIS would seek principal approval before placing staff on any campus.

Why it matters: trustees and district staff framed the CIS presentation as a potential cost‑savings and continuity strategy amid a district budget shortfall. Many speakers in the public‑comment period argued the change would reduce access to licensed clinical services for students, create pay and benefits losses for current district social workers, and weaken crisis response at campuses. Trustees subsequently approved several personnel motions, including nonrenewals and terminations the superintendent had recommended.

The public comment session that followed the CIS presentation drew more than 40 speakers. Students, parents, teachers and district‑employed licensed social workers gave detailed accounts of campus work that they said would be lost or disrupted if the district shifted to CIS. Students described social workers as “lifelines,” and multiple licensed social workers and school staff outlined clinical, crisis and home‑visit duties they currently…