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 perform. Jana Ramchander, a Del Valle High School licensed social worker, described recent campus crises she and colleagues had handled, saying, “This year alone, we have assessed over 35 students for suicidal ideation. 16 of them were hospitalized.” Social workers and teachers warned that CIS’s model, which CIS said focuses on integrated supports and frequently provides short‑term counseling, would not replace the longer‑term, licensed clinical care delivered by district employees.

Board members asked CIS and district staff detailed questions about hiring, background checks, pay and pensions. Trustee Franco pressed CIS on whether the right of first refusal guarantees interviews; Vigil said current employees would be given the opportunity to interview but still must meet CIS hiring criteria and pass fingerprinting and background checks. Trustee questions also focused on how CIS tracks services: Vigil said CIS records services using students’ state ID numbers and reports that data to the Texas Education Agency.

Trustee Ledesma Woody, who led much of the board’s questioning, pressed district staff on whether current district employees who participate in TRS (Teacher Retirement System) would retain pension coverage if they moved to CIS; district staff and a CIS representative answered that CIS staff would not be part of TRS.

Votes and closed‑session personnel actions: The board moved into closed session on legally permitted grounds and returned to open session shortly before midnight to record a series of motions. The board approved the superintendent’s recommendations on multiple personnel items in actions the superintendent presented in closed session. Roll calls recorded in open session showed unanimous approval on several motions and a 6‑1 vote on the board operating procedures (see “Votes at a glance” below). The motions recorded in open session included:

- Approval of the superintendent’s recommendation to terminate probationary professional contracts under Texas Education Code 21.103 (motion recorded as approved, vote recorded 7–0 in open session). - Approval of the superintendent’s recommendation to propose nonrenewal of term professional contracts under Texas Education Code 21.206 (motion recorded as approved, vote recorded 7–0). - Approval of employment nonrenewals and terminations for non‑Chapter 21 professional staff (motion recorded as approved, vote recorded 6–0–1; one abstention noted during the roll call). - Approval of hiring Vivian June Crawford as director of Federal, State Programs and Grants (motion recorded as approved, vote recorded 7–0).

What the district said: Superintendent Dr. Gutierrez framed the meeting as part of a budget process and said staff would return with formal recommendation language. He acknowledged community concern and urged trustees to review contract language and staffing impacts carefully before taking a final action on the CIS partnership.

What CIS said: Sharon Vigil emphasized CIS’s national evaluations and TEA validation, saying CIS has been evaluated by TEA and academic research showing attendance and long‑term outcomes. She described CIS’s model as tiered, delivering universal (Tier 1), targeted (Tier 2) and individual (Tier 3) supports, and noted that CIS sometimes supplements district funding with outside grants and AmeriCorps placements. She said CIS typically places program managers who may be supported by AmeriCorps members, interns and program support specialists.

Community concerns: Speakers — including many students — described the social workers’ roles in grief counseling, suicide assessments, crisis response, home visits and coordination with outside mental‑health providers. Students and staff said licensed social workers helped keep students in school and supported families with barriers such as transportation, housing and insurance. Multiple speakers noted the gap between CIS’s licensed mental‑health staffing and the scope of district clinical work: CIS representatives acknowledged that, across the CIS Central Texas affiliate, licensed clinical staff are limited in number compared with the total number of CIS campuses they serve.

Board next steps: District staff said the CIS presentation was informational and that any contractual decision would return to the board for formal action at a later meeting (administration indicated a possible presentation and vote in May). Trustees said they would review CIS’s proposed contract and staffing plan, consult with legal counsel and consider how to protect continuity of clinical services and avoid gaps in coverage if the district proceeds with a vendor partnership.

Votes at a glance (actions recorded in open session) - Approve consent agenda: passed, 7–0. - TEKS/curriculum certification and grant acceptance (TEA LASSO/Strong Foundations planning for math): ratified as information and to be returned for final adoption (procedural vote to proceed noted during the meeting). - Approve board operating procedures as amended (motion to approve as amended carried 6–1 after earlier public debate). - Personnel motions (multiple items presented in closed session by the superintendent): termination of probationary contracts (approved 7–0); propose nonrenewal of term contracts (approved 7–0); approval of non‑Chapter 21 nonrenewals/terminations (approved 6–0–1); hire of Director of Federal, State Programs and Grants (Vivian June Crawford) approved 7–0.

Documentation and next meeting: Administration said CIS will be discussed again at the next regular board meeting if the board requests a contract recommendation. The superintendent asked community members to submit specific lists of services they worry will be lost if the district changes provider models, so staff can address those items in future presentations.

Ending: The meeting closed after the late‑night session; trustees recorded the votes and indicated several items would return for formal action after further review and contract drafting.